I had no notion—Ida can tell you I was quite overcome—though when I came to think of it, my poor, dear Morton always did say he had high connections, but I always thought it was one of his jokes.’
‘Then as I understand, Mrs. Morton, the lamented deceased was junior to the present Lord Northmoor?’
‘Yes, poor dear! Oh, if he had but lived and been eldest, he would have become his honours ever so much better!’
‘And oh, Mr. Rollstone, what are we?’ put in Ida breathlessly, while Rose squeezed Constance’s hand in schoolgirl fashion.
‘Indeed, Miss Ida, I fear I cannot flatter you with any change in your designation. If your respected parent had survived he might have become the Honourable Charles, but only by special grant from Her Majesty. It was so in the case of the Honourable Frances Fordingham, when her brother inherited the title.’
‘Then at least I am an Honourable!’ exclaimed Mrs. Morton.
‘I am afraid not, Mrs. Morton. I know of no precedent for such honours being bestowed on a relict; but as I understand that Lord Northmoor is no longer in his first youth, your son might succeed to the title, and, in that case, his sisters might be’—he paused for a word—‘ennobled.’
‘Then does not it really make any difference to us?’ exclaimed Mrs. Morton.
‘That would rest in the bosom of his lordship,’ said Mr. Rollstone solemnly.
‘I declare it is an awful shame,’ burst out Ida, while Constance cooed ‘Dear uncle!’