We had a fine, gay, noisy time of it at the Hall, the strange gentleman, in particular, making himself as much at home as if the place belonged to him.

I was surprised at Mrs.Norcross putting up with him as she did, but I was fairly thunderstruck some months afterward when I heard that she and her free-and-easy visitor were actually going to be married! She had refused offers by dozens abroad, from higher, and richer, and better-behaved men.

It seemed next to impossible that she could seriously think of throwing herself away upon such a hare-brained, headlong, penniless young gentleman as Mr.James Smith.
Married, nevertheless, they were, in due course of time; and, after spending the honeymoon abroad, they came back to Darrock Hall.
I soon found that my new master had a very variable temper.

There were some days when he was as easy, and familiar, and pleasant with his servants as any gentleman need be.

At other times some devil within him seemed to get possession of his whole nature.