He had advocated several important measures; his eloquence had facilitated the introduction of several bills; his country thought well of him, and for a wonder, was grateful to him.
Government offered him the title of Baron Rutsford of Rutsford, and he had declined it, saying that his ancestors had for years asked no higher title than that of Lord of the Manor, and he valued his name--Carruthers of Ulverston--too highly to ever exchange it for another.
In the very pride and zenith of his prosperity he married the Lady Hildegarde Blenholme, the only daughter of the Duke of Blenholme.

She was a very beautiful and accomplished woman--proud to a fault, but generous and noble in disposition.

They had one child, Basil, and while he was yet a boy, his father died, worn out with work and over-exertion.
He left his wife, Lady Hildegarde Carruthers, sole guardian of the boy, expressing a wish that she should bring him up to resemble herself in mind and disposition as far as it was possible.
Three years after the great statesman's death, a cousin of Lady Hildegarde died, leaving her only child, Marion Hautville, under the sole care and guardianship of the mistress of Ulverston Priory.
"Bring her up as you would a daughter of your own," wrote the dying mother.

"She has a large fortunes--save her from fortune-hunters." And Lady Carruthers, scrupulously carried out her kinswoman's wish.

She took the girl to her own home, Ulverston Priory; she superintended her education; she brought her up in simple, refined habits--succeeded in making of her a perfect lady and a noble woman.
Then the dearest wish of her heart was to see her son, the heir to Ulverston, marry Marion Hautville, one of the loveliest girls and wealthiest heiresses in England.