When William Whittlestaff, (the 'old man' of the title) becomes guardian to Mary Lawrie, a penniless orphan of a friend, he gradually becomes increasingly protective of her and eventually falls in love with her. The problem is that Mary has already given her heart to (the much younger) John Gordon, who has travelled to the diamond fields of South Africa to seek his fortune. Subsequently there is much rumination on all sides as to loyalty and obligation.

I listened to an unabridged audiobook version of the book, read by Tony Britten. The reading help to bring the story alive, with some of character voices, such as the foppy Montagu Blake, masterfully done. The story itself, however, is decidedly "B-grade Trollope" with none of the usual sub-plots that we are all accustomed to in the better Trollope novels. Altogether this is somewhat simplistic and predictable, but enjoyable enough. ( )