His dominating temperament and moody pride were too much for her gentle soul.

She became desperately afraid of him and his stern ways, of that monomania which kept them wandering through the country searching for links in a [pedigree] which had to be traced back for hundreds of years before Robert Turold could grasp his heart's desire.
When She died in the house on the cliffs where they had come six months before, Robert Turold had accomplished the task to which his life had been devoted.

Some weeks before he had summoned his brother from London to disclose his future plans.

The brothers had not met for many years, but Austin was quick to obey when he learnt that a fortune and a title were at stake.

The sister and her husband, Mr.and Mrs.Pendleton, had reached Cornwall two days before the funeral.