His elder brother's death, which, however, he sincerely regretted, had in truth solved many difficulties.
In person he was moderately tall, with dark grizzled hair, agreeable features and a moustache.

Among his aristocratic relations whom he met in London, the men thought him a little dishevelled and old-fashioned; the women pronounced him interesting and "a dear." His manners were generally admired, except by captious persons who held that such a fact was of itself enough to condemn them; and he was welcome in many English and some foreign circles.

For he travelled every spring, and was well acquainted with the famous places of Europe.

It need only be added that he had a somewhat severe taste in music, and could render both Bach and Handel on the piano with success.
His property was only some six miles distant from Martindale Park, the Gaddesdens' home.

During the preceding winter he had become a frequent visitor at Martindale, while Elizabeth Merton was staying with her mother and brother, and a little ripple of talk had begun to flow through the district.