noon
The result of his visit to the hall was , therefore , unsatisfactory in more ways than one ; and before he had arrived at his own residence , his obsequious little friend in black had reminded him of certain bonds which were in his possession , and assumed a tone and demeanour towards his client very different from that in which he had addressed the supposed inheritor of the large property of D -- ; intimating in very plain terms that some speedy arrangement must be made . Rainscourt , who had nothing left except the old castle on his property at Galway , his manorial rights , and the unbounded attachment and devotion of the wild tenants , who looked upon him as their feudal chieftain , felt convinced that he had no resource but to escape from his numerous creditors , who would not hesitate to put him in durance , and whose impatience had been with difficulty restrained until the death of the admiral . The _ speedy arrangement _ upon which he determined was , to set off immediately for Ireland , and , by regaining his castle , defy legal authority , -- if there could be found any that would be rash enough to attempt his person , when encircled by his lawless retainers . As he descended from the chaise , at the handsomely furnished lodgings , in the west end of the metropolis , which he had engaged , his companion informed him , with a haughty air , that he would have the honour of paying his respects on the ensuing noon ; while Rainscourt , with his usual indifference to money , dismissed the post boys with a handsome gratuity , although there were not many guineas left in his purse ; and then proceeded up to the drawing room , on the first-floor , where his wife and only daughter were anxiously awaiting his arrival . Mrs Rainscourt , still a fine and elegant woman , had , in her youth , been remarkable for her great personal attractions ; and for two seasons , had been considered as the belle of the Irish metropolis . She was , at that period , a high-spirited and generous-minded girl , easily provoked , and as easily appeased -- proud of her beauty and her accomplishments , which her worldly-minded parents were in hopes would be bartered for a coronet . Rainscourt was also , at that time , one of the handsomest , if not the handsomest man in Ireland , with the advantage of polished manners , talent , and ancient birth .