Have you, or have you not, a cousin of the name of Nugent ?' 'Miss Nugent!--Grace Nugent!--Yes,' said Lord Colambre, with as much firmness of voice as he could command, and with as little change of countenance as possible; but, as the question came upon him so unexpectedly, it was not in his power to answer with an air of absolute indifference and composure.
'And her mother was--' said Lady Dashfort.
'My aunt, by marriage; her maiden name was Reynolds, I think.

But she died when I was quite a child.

I know very little about her.

I never saw her in my life; but I am certain she was a Reynolds.' 'Oh, my dear lord,' continued Lady Dashfort; 'I am perfectly aware that she did take and bear the name of Reynolds; but that was not her maiden name--her maiden name was; but perhaps it is a family secret that has been kept, for some good reason from you, and from the poor girl herself; the maiden name was St.Omar, depend upon it.

Nay, I would not have told this to you, my lord, if I could have conceived that it would affect you so violently,' pursued Lady Dashfort, in a tone of raillery; 'you see you are no worse off than we are.