A Late Aristocratic Scandal.

Evening Post, Volume XLII, Issue 126, 24 November 1891, Page 4

A Late Aristocratic Scandal.

The higher social circles of the metropolis "lave boon very much disturbed this week writes tho London correspondent of the \rgunon tho 9th October) by the rumours vhich liavo beon in circulation concerning Jie doath of MihH "Lydia Manton," late of the Gaiety Theatre. This young woman was a chorus girl, and was personally ,-ei-y attractive. Latterly nlie had been iviiig in gi-oat style in Cork-atreet. Her • friend " was Lord Kobert Montague, a /oimger brother of tho Duke of Manchester. I'he other day Miss Manton was expecting Lord Robert to lunch. He did not come, and she took a dose of carbolic acid, which killed her. There was an inquest, of course, but tho " regular "' reporters were not thero, and no report was published. When the rognlar reporters applied to tho toronor for his depositions, he refused to givo them, and when it was suggested that ho had kept tho thing a Secret, as ho did in the caso of tho Duke of Bedford, lie rophod that the Court was full of tho public and reporters. Of conrso those tilings always get out sooner or later, and when they do got out tho result is far worso to those concerned than a straightforward roporting of thorn would havo been. Horo, in tho case of Miss Manton, it is boldly assorted that Lord Robert Montaguo has put himself forward, or allowed himself to bo put forward, in order to screen tbo real lover of tho lady, who is said to have beon a princo of the blood. According to the story tho prince and tho ludy wore at Broodstairß together quite lately. But you will please accept this with reserve. Thoro is actnally no sort of evidenco to support it. At tho inquest nothing was «aid of any princo, and for aught we know to tho contrary the whole story may rest upon tho word of tho young woman hersolf, who, like her tribe, was fond of speaking of hor titled frionds to her companions at tbo Gaioty. She may have boasted that she knew a princo, and this would bo enough to put up a wonderful structure of newspaper reports ala Star. The motive for tho death of Miss Manton is, however, a mystery, and moro light is wanted concorning it. It is idle to think sho wonld take her life bocansc her friond did not come to luncheon with her.