It must be understood therefore that Mrs.Trevelyan was not anticipating much pleasure from Lady Milborough's party, and that she had accepted the invitation as a matter of duty.
There was present among the guests a certain Honourable Charles Glascock, the eldest son of Lord Peterborough, who made the affair more interesting to Nora than it was to her sister.

It had been whispered into Nora's ears, by more than one person,--and among others by Lady Milborough, whose own daughters were all married,--that she might, if she thought fit, become the Honourable Mrs.Charles Glascock.

Now, whether she might think fit, or whether she might not, the presence of the gentleman under such circumstances, as far as she was concerned, gave an interest to the evening.

And as Lady Milborough took care that Mr.Glascock should take Nora down to dinner, the interest was very great.

Mr.Glascock was a good-looking man, just under forty, in Parliament, heir to a peerage, and known to be well off in respect to income.