Definition of "comtesse"

The king is impatient to see the comtesse, and I have promised that she will sup with him to-morrow evening in my apartment at Versailles.

1830, Autobiography: A Collection of the Most Instructive and Amusing Lives Ever Published, Written by the Parties Themselves. […], volume XXIX (Madame du Barri), London: Whittaker, Treacher, and Arnot, […], pages 81–82

‘Louise Victoria is a comtesse?’ murmured the major. […] You’ll agree, I think, Madame Dupont, that some young ladies are to be cherished, whether they’re comtesses or not?

1982, Mary Jane Staples, Nurse Anna’s War, Corgi Books, published 2011, page 143

“That is not fitting speech for a comtesse, not to mention highly unfashionable language for a young lady to use in mixed company.” […] “You have known many comtesses?” she asked, lowering her sword, sensing the threat from Gareth had passed . . at least for now.

2009, Annaliese Evans, Night’s Rose, Tor Books, pages 18–19