he was yet a boy, his father died, worn out with work and over-exertion.
He left his wife, Lady Hildegarde Carruthers, sole guardian of the boy,
expressing a wish that she should bring him up to resemble herself in
mind and disposition as far as it was possible.

Three years after the great statesman's death, a cousin of Lady
Hildegarde died, leaving her only child, Marion Hautville, under the
sole care and guardianship of the mistress of Ulverston Priory.

"Bring her up as you would a daughter of your own," wrote the dying
mother. "She has a large fortunes--save her from fortune-hunters."

And Lady Carruthers, scrupulously carried out her kinswoman's wish. She
took the girl to her own home, Ulverston Priory; she superintended her
education; she brought her up in simple, refined habits--succeeded in
making of her a perfect lady and a noble woman.

Then the dearest wish of her heart was to see her son, the heir to
Ulverston, marry Marion Hautville, one of the loveliest girls and
wealthiest heiresses in England. She was far too wise ever to express
such a wish openly, none the less it was deeply engraven on her heart.
They were warmly attached to each other and Lady Carruthers fancied that
she already saw some signs of liking on the part of Marion for Basil.

While Miss Hautville pursued her quiet, ordinary course of education
under Lady Carruthers' roof, Basil went through Eton and Oxford; at both
places he gained high honors and at both places he succeeded in puzzling
his tutors and masters. He was of such a peculiar disposition;
chivalrous, romantic, brave, yet with something about him--they could
not define what, but quite unlike other boys.