The Saint Leger family have resided in Warwickshire for a long period. My father, who was fond of tracing genealogies, affirmed that the estate upon which we lived was bestowed upon Bertold Saint Leger by Richard the lion-hearted, for the conspicuous services which he had rendered that monarch in his war with the Saracen. How such an uninterrupted possession had been maintained for so long a time, and through every successive revolution, my father did not explain. The task might have proved difficult. At any rate, it was well to rest Ratisfied with an account which appeared every way authentic. Be this as it may, our family was certainly an ancient, one. My grandfather, Hugh Saint Leger, by his marriage with a lady of large fortune, became possessed of the valuable estate which joined Bertold Castle, and was considered one of the wealthiest gentlemen in Warwickshire. This large patrimony fell to my father, who was an only child.