Between Colonel Esmond, who had become his stepfather, and his lordship there had ever been a brief but affectionate correspondence--on the Colonel's part especially, who loved his stepson, and had a hundred stories to tell about him to his grandchildren.

Madam Esmond, however, said she could see nothing in her half-brother.

He was dull, except when he drank too much wine, and that, to be sure, was every day at dinner.

Then he was boisterous, and his conversation not pleasant.

He was good-looking--yes--a fine tall stout animal; she had rather her boys should follow a different model.