Chapter 14
"Some time elapsed before I learned the history of my friends.
It was one which could not fail to impress itself deeply on my
mind, unfolding as it did a number of circumstances, each
interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as I
was.
"The name of the old man was De Lacey. He was descended from a
good family in France, where he had lived for many years in
affluence, respected by his superiors and beloved by his equals.
His son was bred in the service of his country, and Agatha had
ranked with ladies of the highest distinction. A few months before
my arrival they had lived in a large and luxurious city called
Paris, surrounded by friends and possessed of every enjoyment which
virtue, refinement of intellect, or taste, accompanied by a
moderate fortu
