And Mr.Atterbury was a mere nobody, a rich, erudite, highly-accomplished gentleman, whose father had made his money at the bar, and whose grandfather had been a country clergyman.

Mrs.Atterbury, with her husband, was still living at Florence; but Adelaide Palliser had quarrelled with Florence life, and had gladly consented to make a long visit to her friend Lady Chiltern.
In Florence she had met Gerard Maule, and the acquaintance had not been viewed with favour by the Atterburys.

Mrs.Atterbury knew the history of the Maule family, and declared to her sister that no good could come from any intimacy.

Old Mr.Maule, she said, was disreputable.

Mrs.Maule, the mother,--who, according to Mr.
Atterbury, had been the only worthy member of the family,--was long since dead.