skygiants

Right, and Orczy does seem to think that political consciousness thoroughly disqualifies one from ingenue status; only morally ambiguous women have strong political opinions.

Former Aristocrat Chauvelin makes perfect sense to me, because Orczy can't help but want you to think he's a little bit hot, and in Ocrzy's mind that's just not possible unless he's an aristocrat. Fleurette's boyfriend, on the other hand, is very worthy, but emphatically not hot. (I've gotten used enough to Brick Shithouse Percy by this point that any time Orczy mentions in passing that a background character is Large I'm like "oh, it's Percy in disguise! Hello, Percy!" And I am always correct.)