Alfred Fitzormond was descended from an ancient and honourable family in the west of Ireland; but, unfortunately, the possessions that had two or three centuries back given weight and importance to an unblemished name, were now so much impaired, that a small estate, which he possessed in right of his mother as a younger son, was all his inheritance.

At an early age, he was left an orphan, and consigned to the care of his maternal uncle, a man possessed of immense riches, which he had accumulated/ by trade: he resided on an estate which he had purchased in Cumberland, in one of the most beautiful parts of the county, but quite secluded from society, as his nearest neighbour, a nobleman of vast landed estate, had taken offence, when Mr. Courland, the uncle of Fitzormond, first came to reside near him, at some part of the conduct of the latter.

Their dispute had originated in a very trivial circumstance, respecting a piece of ground which Mr. Courland wished to purchase of the Earl of Belhaven, thinking it was necessary to complete the improvements which he was making in the pleasure-grounds around his house. The Earl, either from pride, or some other motive, would not part with it: Mr. Courland, much irritated sent a message to the Earl, highly offensive to his dignity; the Earl's answer in return was haughty and supercilious:/ the one priding himself on his birth, the other on his riches, they by degrees grew open enemies. The Earl's influence in the county being superior to Mr. Courland's, the principal people ranged themselves on his side, and Mr. Courland had the mortification to find himself, though abounding in every thing that in the general estimation of the world constitutes happiness, neglected and forlorn.