Amazed and outraged their husbands retired, and but a few months afterwards their services were lost to him, when their aid would have been most precious.
Some stories against the gentlemen of the camp, Madam Esmond might have heard, but she would have none of them.

Soldiers would be soldiers, that everybody knew; those officers who came over to Castlewood on her son's invitation were most polite gentlemen, and such indeed was the case.

The widow received them most graciously, and gave them the best sport the country afforded.

Presently, the General himself sent polite messages to the mistress of Castlewood.

His father had served with hers under the glorious Marlborough, and Colonel Esmond's name was still known and respected in England.