Maude, where are you?
Come with me." A tall, stately girl, with handsome features, raven hair and eyes, and a brilliant colour, extricated herself from the crowd.

It was Lady Maude Kirton.

Mirrable went first; the countess-dowager followed, talking volubly; and Maude brought up the rear.

Other servants came forward to see to the rest of the guests.
The most remarkable quality observable in the countess-dowager, apart from her great breadth, was her restlessness.

She seemed never still for an instant; her legs had a fidgety, nervous movement in them, and in moments of excitement, which were not infrequent, she was given to executing a sort of war-dance.