ormolu—imitation gold leaf.
Patience—the British name for the card game Solitaire.
“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].
Debrett—biographical reference books chronicaling the British Peerage and Baronetage; a respected “Who’s Who” of British meritocracy.
Diana—(Roman myth) the virgin goddess of the moon and hunting. Here, a symbol of May Welland’s innocence and virgin purity.
