"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."