Lowndes, Marie Belloc: From out the Vasty Deep. V1. 17 Jan 2009
 

Marie Adelaide Lowndes née Belloc (1868 - 1947). Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, was an English novelist, born in Marylebone, London, the only daughter of French barrister Louis Belloc and Bessie Parkes, and sister of Hilaire Belloc. Her paternal grandfather was the French painter Jean-Hilaire Belloc and her maternal great-grandfather was Joseph Priestley. In 1896 she married Frederic Sawrey Lowndes.
Mrs. Lowndes established her reputation as a teller of stories combining exciting incident with psychological interest. Her first novel The Heart of Penelope was published in 1904. From then on novels, reminiscences and plays came from her quill at the rate of one per year until 1946.

Excerpt
"I always thought that you, Pegler, were such a very sensible woman."
The words were said in a good-natured, though slightly vexed tone; and a curious kind of smile flitted over the rather grim face of the person to whom they were addressed.
"I've never troubled you before in this exact way, have I, ma'am?"
"No, Pegler. That you certainly have not."