It was such a simple matter that every Russian knew all about it.

The clerk asked if he could be of service to her.

He had been stationed in Constantinople, and knew just what to do; and, moreover, he had a friend at the Chancery there, who would take charge of the case if the Countess desired it.
Lady Maud thanked him coldly, replaced the document in its envelope, and left the Embassy with the intention of never setting foot in it again.
She understood why Leven had suddenly lost an aunt of whom she had never heard, and had got out of the way on pretence of an imaginary inheritance.

The dates showed plainly that the move had been prepared before he left, and that he had started when the notice of the suit was about to be sent to her.

The only explanation that occurred to her was that her husband had found some very rich woman who was willing to marry him if he could free himself; and this seemed likely enough.
She hesitated as to how she should act.