Transcriber’s Notes. Hyphenation has been standardised. Other changes made are noted at the end of the book. THE REAL LADY HILDA A SKETCH BY B. M. CROKER AUTHOR OF “PRETTY MISS NEVILLE,” “DIANA BARRINGTON,” “MR. JERVIS,” “PROPER PRIDE,” “PEGGY OF THE BARTONS,” “BEYOND THE PALE.” “On souffre quelquefois plus de la mort d’une illusion que de la perte d’une réalité.” NEW YORK F. M. BUCKLES & COMPANY 11 East 16th Street 11 East 16th Street LONDON—CHATTO & WINDUS 1899 Copyright, 1899 BY F. M. BUCKLES & COMPANY