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 of Lord Angleford's rank and position. How old did it say he is, Eleanor?" "It doesn't say, mamma," replied Nell. "Ah, well, I know he is quite old; for I remember reading a paragraph about him a few weeks ago. They were describing the ancestral home of the Anglefords--Anglemere, it is called; one of the historic houses, like Blenheim and Chatsworth, you know. And this poor Lord Selbie, the nephew, will lose the title and everything. Dear me! how interesting! Is there anything more about him?' "Oh, yes; a great deal more," said Nell despairfully. "Then pray continue--that is, if Mr. Vernon is not tired; though, speaking from experience, there is nothing so soothing as being read to." Mr. Vernon did not look as if he found the impertinent paragraphs in the _Society News_ particularly soothing, but he said: "I'm not at all tired. It's very interesting, as you say. Please go on, Miss Lorton." Nell looked at him doubtfully, for there was a kind of sarcasm in his voice. But she took up the parable. "'Lord Selbie is, in consequence of this marriage of his uncle, the object of profound and general sympathy; for, as the readers must be aware, he is a persona grata in society----' What is a persona grata?" Nell broke off to inquire. "Lord knows!" replied Mr. Vernon grimly. "I don't suppose the bounder who wrote these things does." Mrs. Lorton simpered. "It's Italian, and it means that he is very popular, a general favorite." "Then why don't they say so?" asked Nell, in a patiently disgusted fashion. "'Is a persona grata in society. He is strikingly handsome----'" Mr. Vernon's lips curved with something between a grin and a sneer. --"'And of the most charming manners.'" "Who writes this kind of rot?" he muttered.