How can she remain in the place after her husband was killed in a duel by a brother officer?
Ostensibly the cause of the quarrel was a trifling incident at the card-table, but every one knows that in reality she was the cause of the deadly encounter.

And so on, and so on.

In the absence of graver interests society naturally bestows inordinate attention on the private affairs of its members; and quarrelling, backbiting, and scandal-mongery help indolent people to kill the time that hangs heavily on their hands.
Potent as these instruments are, they are not sufficient to kill all the leisure hours.

In the forenoons the gentlemen are occupied with their official duties, whilst the ladies go out shopping or pay visits, and devote any time that remains to their household duties and their children; but the day's work is over about four o'clock, and the long evening remains to be filled up.

The siesta may dispose of an hour or an hour and a half, but about seven o'clock some definite occupation has to be found.