She had an independent income from safe investments of about a hundred dollars a year; her children were growing in years and grace; and she was a pleased and happy woman.

Happy in her husband, happy in her children, and the husband and the children were happy in her.

It is at this point that this history begins.
The youngest girl, Clytemnestra--called Clytie for short--was eleven; her sister, Gwendolen--called Gwen for short--was thirteen; nice girls, and comely.

The names betray the latent romance-tinge in the parental blood, the parents' names indicate that the tinge was an inheritance.

It was an affectionate family, hence all four of its members had pet names, Saladin's was a curious and unsexing one--Sally; and so was Electra's--Aleck.