But now they had lost a great deal of land, and therefore of that which goes with land, as surely as fame belongs to earth--I mean big reputation.

How they had lost it, none could tell; except that as the first descendants had a manner of amassing, so the later ones were gifted with a power of scattering.

Whether this came of good Devonshire blood opening the sluice of Low Country veins, is beyond both my province and my power to inquire.

Anyhow, all people loved this last strain of De Whichehalse far more than the name had been liked a hundred years agone.
Hugh de Whichehalse, a white-haired man, of very noble presence, with friendly blue eyes and a sweet smooth forehead, and aquiline nose quite beautiful (as you might expect in a lady of birth), and thin lips curving delicately, this gentleman rose as we entered the room; while Colonel Harding turned on his chair, and struck one spur against the other.

I am sure that, without knowing aught of either, we must have reverenced more of the two the one who showed respect to us.