ther it won't become a question with them
whether they should issue a commission de lunatico." Lady Rowley did
not know what a commission de lunatico meant, but was quite willing
to regard poor Mr. Glascock as a lunatic. "And there is poor Lord
Peterborough at Naples just at death's door," continued the British
Minister's wife. In this she was perhaps nearly correct; but as Lord
Peterborough had now been in the same condition for many months, as
his mind had altogether gone, and as the doctor declared that he
might live in his present condition for a year, or for years, it
could not fairly be said that Mr. Glascock was acting without due
filial feeling in engaging himself to marry a young lady. "And she
such a creature!" said Lady Rowley, with emphasis. This the British
Minister's wife noticed simply by shaking her head. Caroline Spalding
was undoubtedly a pretty girl; but, as the British Minister's wife
said afterwards, it was not surprising that poor Lady Rowley should
be nearly out of her mind.

This had occurred a full week after the evening spent at Mr.
Spalding's house; and even yet Lady Rowley had never been put right
as to that mistake of hers about Wallachia Petrie. That other trouble
of hers, and her eldest daughter's journey to Siena, had prevented
them from going out; and though the matter had often been discussed
between Lady Rowley and Nora, there had not as yet come between them
any proper explanation. Nora would declare that the future bride
was very pretty and very delightful; and Lady Rowley would throw up
her hands in despair and protest that her daughter was insane. "Why
should he not marry whom he likes, mamma?" Nora once said, almost
with indignation.

"Because he will disgrace his family."

"I cannot understand what you mean, mamma. They are, at any rate, as
good as we are. Mr. Spalding stands quite as high as papa does."

"She is an American," said Lady Rowley.

"And her family might say that he is an Englishman," said Nora.

"My dear, if you do not understand the incongruity between an English
peer and a Yankee--female, I cannot help you. I suppose it is because
you have been brought up within the limited society of a small
colony. If so, it is not your fault. But I had hoped you had been in
Europe long enough to have learned what was what. Do you think, my
dear, that she will look well when she is presented to her Majesty as
Lord Peterborough's wife?"

"Splendid," said Nora. "She has j