When old Mr Nick Nickleby died at home in Devon in the south-west of England, he left many debts behind him. Once these were paid. his wife, his son Nicholas and his daughter Kate found themselves with little money and no house to live in. There was only one person that they could turn to for help: Ralph Nickleby, the children's uncle. Mrs Nickleby didn't really know him, but because he was in the London finance business he was rich and knew many people. Before her husband died, he said that Ralph would help them. So she wrote a letter to say that they were coming, and the very next day they all traveled to London
Soon after they arrived, Ralph Nickleby came to the little house where they were staying. He wore fine clothes, but had cold eyes and a hard voice. He didn't look very sad about his brother's death.