Nobility?

It is the 20th century, and people still carry names like Count, and earl, and Lady? To Americans in the 21st century this seems comical and absurd. Titles such as those were done away with in the middle ages... correct? Actually, it was just the power that was lot with the titles. Plus with inbreeding and disease, many bloodlines eventually died off themselves. But yes, some people did, and still to this day do, carry their titles to distinguish their heritage. The essence of the titles however has unfotunatly been lost to history. " like the count. Brett had a title, too. Lady Ashely. " (Hemingway 38.) Some want to treasure, the past, while others can only see forward.