e went on:

"'Lord Pygskin will hunt the Clodford hounds next season. His lordship
has been staying at Blenheim for some weeks, recovering from an attack
of the gout. It is said that his engagement with the charming and
popular Miss Bung has been broken off.'"

"Dear me! How sad!" murmured Mrs. Lorton. "I am always so sorry to hear
of these broken engagements of the aristocracy. Miss Bung--I think it
said last week--is the daughter of the great brewer. Poor girl! it will
be a blow for her!"

Not a smile crossed the impassive face; Nell thought that perhaps he was
not listening, but she went on mechanically:

"'The marriage of the Earl of Angleford has caused quite a flutter of
excitement among the elite. His lordship, as our readers are aware, is
somewhat advanced in years, and had always been regarded as a confirmed
bachelor----'"

At this point Nell became aware that the dark eyes had turned from the
window to her face, and she paused and looked up. There was a faint dash
of color on Mr. Vernon's cheeks, and a tightening of the lips. It seemed
to Nell, judging by his expression, that he had suddenly become
impatient of the twaddle, and she instantly dropped the paper on her
lap. But Mrs. Lorton was enjoying herself too much to permit of such an
interruption.

"Why do you stop, Eleanor?" she inquired. "It is most interesting. Pray,
go on."

Nell again glanced at Mr. Vernon, but his gaze had returned to the
window, and he shrugged his shoulders slightly, as if he were
indifferent, as if he could bear it.

----"'A confirmed bachelor,'" resumed Nell, "'and his sudden and
unexpected marriage must have been a surprise, and a very unpleasant
surprise to his family; especially to his nephew, Lord Selbie, who is
the heir presumptive to the title and estates. We say "presumptive,"
because in the event of the earl being blessed with a son and heir of
his own, Lord Selbie will, of course, not inherit the title or the vast
lands and moneys of the powerful and ancient family.'"

"How disappointed he must be!" said Mrs. Lorton, sympathetically.
"Really, such a marriage should not be permitted. What do you think, Mr.
Vernon?"

Mr. Vernon started slightly, and looked at the weak and foolish face as
if he scarcely saw it.

"Why not!" he said, rather curtly. "It's a free country, and a man may
marry whom he pleases."

"Yes, certainly; that is, an ordinary man--one of the middle class; but
not, certainly not, a nobleman