Has it not been written in a former book how this Lady Laura had been unhappy in her marriage, having wedded herself to a man whom she had never loved, because he was rich and powerful, and how this very Phineas had asked her to be his bride after she had accepted the rich man's hand?
Thence had come great trouble, but nevertheless there had been that between Mr.Kennedy and our hero which made Phineas feel that he ought still to be welcomed as a guest should he show himself at the door of Loughlinter Castle.
The idea came upon him simply because he found that almost every man for whom he inquired had just started, or was just starting, for the North; and he would have liked to go where others went.

He asked a few questions as to Mr.Kennedy from Barrington Erle and others, who had known him, and was told that the man now lived quite alone.

He still kept his seat in Parliament, but had hardly appeared during the last Session, and it was thought that he would not come forward again.

Of his life in the country nothing was known.

"No one fishes his rivers, or shoots his moors, as far as I can learn," said Barrington Erle.