Still they preferred the insolence of a gentleman to that of the rabble, and felt some uneasiness lest the example should infect their own tenants.
A large party of them met at the house of Lord Caesar Germain.

Lord Caesar was the proudest man in the county.

His family was very ancient and illustrious, though not particularly opulent.

He had invited most of his wealthy neighbours.

There was Mrs Kitty North, the relict of poor Squire Peter, respecting whom the coroner's jury had found a verdict of accidental death, but whose fate had nevertheless excited strange whispers in the neighbourhood.