All the daughters were married now, excepting Maude, mostly to German barons and French counts.

One had espoused a marquis--native country not clearly indicated; one an Italian duke: but the marquis lived somewhere over in Algeria in a small lodging, and the Duke condescended to sing an occasional song on the Italian stage.
It was all one to Lady Kirton.

They had taken their own way, and she washed her hands of them as easily as though they had never belonged to her.

Had they been able to supply her with an occasional bank-note, or welcome her on a protracted visit, they had been her well-beloved and most estimable daughters.
Of the younger sons, all were dispersed; the dowager neither knew nor cared where.

Now and again a piteous begging-letter would come from one or the other, which she railed at and scolded over, and bade Maude answer.