I dare say her
little history was discussed at many a dinner-table that day in the
basement story of several fashionable houses. I know that at clubs in St.
James's the facetious little anecdote was narrated. A young fellow came
to Bays's after the marriage breakfast and mentioned the circumstance
with funny comments; although the Morning Post, in describing this affair
in high life, naturally omitted all mention of such low people as Mrs. De
Lacy and her children.
Those people who knew the noble families whose union had been celebrated
by such a profusion of grandees, fine equipages, and footmen, brass
bands, brilliant toilets, and wedding favours, asked how it was that Lord
Kew did not assist at Barnes Newcome's marriage; other persons in society
inquired waggishly why Jack Belsize was not present to give Lady Clara
away.
As for Jack Belsize, his clubs had not been ornamented by his presence
for a year past. It was said he had broken the bank at Hombourg last
autumn; had been heard of during the winter at Milan, Venice, and Vienna;
and when, a few months after the marriage of Barnes Newcome and Lady
Clara, Jack's elder brother died, and he himself became the next in
succession to the title and estates of Highgate, many folks said it was a
pity little Barney's marriage had taken place so soon.
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