In those days, before the Reform Bill, great commercial towns chose men of high mark for their member; and a proud station it was for him who was delegated to speak the voice of the princely merchants of England.
Mrs.Egerton survived her marriage but a few years.

She left no children; two had been born, but died in their first infancy.

The property of the wife, therefore, passed without control or limit to the husband.
Whatever might have been the grief of the widower, he disdained to betray it to the world.

Indeed, Audley Egerton was a man who had early taught himself to conceal emotion.

He buried himself in the country, none knew where, for some months.