She married a Russian in the diplomatic service, four years ago--Count Leven--but everybody here calls her Lady Maud.

She hadn't a penny, for the Creedmores are poor.

Leven was supposed to be rich, but there are all sorts of stories about him, and he's often hard up.

As for her, she always wears that black velvet gown, and I've been told that she has no other.

I fancy she gets a new one every year.