She had been ill-treated.

She had been slandered.
She was true to her children,--especially devoted to one of them--and was ready to work her nails off if by doing so she could advance their interests.
She was the widow of one Sir Patrick Carbury, who many years since had done great things as a soldier in India, and had been thereupon created a baronet.

He had married a young wife late in life and, having found out when too late that he had made a mistake, had occasionally spoilt his darling and occasionally ill-used her.

In doing each he had done it abundantly.

Among Lady Carbury's faults had never been that of even incipient,--not even of sentimental--infidelity to her husband.