The Shadow of the Dead Hand by Fred M. White

It was characteristic of Lady Eva Manfred that she received Alcie with open arms. She would have done that with any one who had been brought along to her by her beloved nephew. She asked no question, mainly because she already knew a great deal concerning the past of her guest. Roy Kindermere had only to tell his relative that Alcie was the daughter of Rupert Glynn for her to rise to the occasion and do all she could to make things smooth for a girl who was alone in the world and absolutely penniless.

Not that Lady Eva had too much to spare for herself. Without being exactly grande dame, she was a notable figure in society, living in that comfortable flat of hers in Portland Gardens, where she entertained on a limited scale, and was, herself, welcomed in some of the best houses in the land. So far as her limited means were concerned, she was open-handed enough and transparent to a degree.