"His uncle, Sir Vincent was dying,—is now probably over the border."
"To a death-bed! how unfortunate! What shall I do without him for my tableaux?" she was moved to tears—for the tableaux.
"What a pity the mighty Angel of Death would not stay his hand even for the tableaux of an English Duchess!" said Lady Esmondet, with veiled cynicism.
"Yes, I think he was very cruel," sobbed the Duchess.
"Never mind, mamma," said Eveline, soothingly "Some one else can take his place, and perhaps Capt. Trevalyon will now be a baronet, and that will be so nice. You like him, so it will make it all right."
"So it will," said Posey, drying her eyes, "if it's so, is it, Lady
Esmondet?"
"Yes, Lady Wyesdale, Capt. Trevalyon succeeds to the baronetcy."
Lady Esmondet's remark was carried with different variations to the end of the salon, where Vaura sat. She was immediately besieged with questions.
"What is this rumour, Miss Vernon," asked an Englishman; "is Trevalyon to be raised to the peerage?"
"For his looks of an Adonis and many fascinations," cried one.