Page 241 (1/2)

"You can see how high his lordship stands not only in the county, but

everywhere," said Mrs Hawksley proudly "They treat him almost as if he

were a prince of the blood; and he is the principal gentlehty ones down there, Miss Lorton, I

assure you That's the Duchess of Cleave chair on the

dais; and that's her eldest daughter--she'll be as big as the duchess,

mark my words--seated beside her; and that's the Marquis of Downfield,

that tall gentlereat man, but he can't

hold a candle, in appearance, to our earl; and he's a poor h, that old gentleman with

the very black hair and mustache; dyed, of course, h' they call him--and no wonder He's the father of Lady

Luce Ah! his lordship's going to dance with her again! Look how pleased

her father looks See, he's nodding and s of! And I shouldn't be surprised if it caed, but it was broken off when his

lordship's uncle e

without money But his lordship's the earl now, and, of course----"

Nell understood It was because the woman he loved had jilted him that