Debrett biographical reference books chronicaling the British Peerage and Baronetage; a respected "Who's Who" of British meritocracy.
denouement outcome, resolution.
Diana (Roman myth) the virgin goddess of the moon and hunting. Here, a symbol of May Welland's innocence and virgin purity.
dissimulation pretense; hypocrisy.
double entendre a term with two meanings, especially when one of them has a risqué or indecorous connotation.
"dressed by Poole" Lefferts' clothes are from fashionable Saville Row in London where Henry Poole and Company are tailors to "gentlemen."
duologues a conversation between two people.
embonpoint plumpness; corpulence.
epistolary style of or suitable to letters or letter writing. Here, the distinct manner of the Countess' letter writing.
"Esther . . . Ahasuerus" a biblical allusion that compares Mrs. van der Luyden's intercession with her husband to that of Esther, who interceded with Ahasuerus to save her people [Esther 7–9].
ethereally in a way that is not of the earth; heavenly.
fatuity complacent stupidity; smug foolishness.
French leave an unauthorized, unnoticed, or unceremonious departure; the act of leaving secretly or in haste.
