indolence laziness.
Isabella refers to Isabella II (1830–1904), Queen of Spain from 1833 until the revolution of 1868.
Prim D. Juan Prim (1814–70) was a military leader and statesman in Spain who played a major role in deposing Queen Isabella in 1868.
collieries coal mines.
English Blue Book an official publication of the British government, so called for the color of its covers; a social registry.
subaltern the lowest rank of military officer.
jarvies slang for cabmen.
protégé French, a person whose training and welfare are under the influence of a mentor.
Dryad Greek mythology, a wood nymph.
Plato (d. 347 B.C.), Greek philosopher.
Buonarotti Michelangelo Buonarotti, better known as simply "Michelangelo" (1475–1564), Italian painter, sculptor, and architect.
supercilious disdainful, scornful, acting superior.
