Suddenly and unexpectedly he returned a widower, bringing with him his daughter, then a girl of about ten years old.

From this moment his expense seemed unbounded, in the eyes of the simple inhabitants of his native mountains.

It was supposed he must necessarily have plunged himself deeply in debt.

Yet he continued to live in the same lavish expense, until some months before the commencement of our narrative, when the public opinion of his embarrassed circumstances was confirmed, by the residence of Mr.Ratcliffe at Ellieslaw Castle, who, by the tacit consent, though obviously to the great displeasure, of the lord of the mansion, seemed, from the moment of his arrival, to assume and exercise a predominant and unaccountable influence in the management of his private affairs.
Mr.Ratcliffe was a grave, steady, reserved man, in an advanced period of life.

To those with whom he had occasion to speak upon business, he appeared uncommonly well versed in all its forms.