he lady at the piano
is my wife.'"

Nell laughed.

"It is a good story," she said. "The first man must have felt very
foolish."

"Yes," assented Sir Charles; "I know exactly how he felt. I hope you
forgive me, Miss Lorton? Can I make amends in any way for my stupidity?"

"You might tell me who some of the people are," said Nell. "I only know
them by name--and scarcely as much as that. I have not been here very
long, and this is my first dinner party."

"How I envy you!" he said, with a sigh. "Dear me! I seem fated to put my
foot into it to-night! But you know what I mean, or you would if you
dined out as often as I--and Mr. Gresham do. Whom would you like me to
tell you about? I think I know everybody here. One moment! Mr. Gresham
is going to tell the story of his losing himself in London; it was in
one of the new streets, for the making of which he had been a strong
advocate."

They waited until the story was told, and the prime minister had enjoyed
the laughter, and then Nell said:

"That little lady with the diamond tiara and the three big rubies on her
neck is Lady Angleford--I know her name because I was introduced to her
before dinner. I like the look of her so much; and she has so pleasant a
voice and smile. Please tell me something about her."

"An easy task," said Sir Charles. "She is Lord Angleford's young
wife--an American heiress. I like her very much. In fact, though I have
not known her very long, I am honored with her friendship. And yet I
ought not to like her," he added, almost to himself.

Nell opened her eyes upon him.

"Why not?" she asked.

Sir Charles was silent for a moment; then he said, as if he were
weighing his words, and choosing suitable ones for his auditor:

"Lord Angleford has a nephew who is a great, a very great friend of
mine--Lord Selbie. He was Lord Angleford's heir; but--well, his uncle's
marriage may make all the difference to him."

Nell knit her brows and made another call on her memory.

"Of course!" she exclaimed, in a tone of triumph, which rather surprised
Sir Charles. "I remember reading about it. Lord Selbie! Yes--oh, yes; I
recollect."

Her voice grew sad and absent, as she recalled the afternoon when Mrs.
Lorton had insisted upon her reading the stupid society paper to Drake.
How long ago it seemed! How unreal!

"I dare say," said Sir Charles. "It's one of those things which the
world chatters about, and the newspapers paragraph. Poor Selbie!"

"Was