One of her girl friends had just married, and was come to live in the neighbourhood.

The husband, Welland by name, was wealthier and of more social importance than Mr.Baske had been; it soon became evident that Mrs.Welland, who also aspired to prominence in religious life, would be a formidable rival to the lady of Redbeck House.

On the occasion of some local meeting, Miriam felt this danger keenly; she went home in dark mood, and the outcome of her brooding was the resolve in question.
She had not inherited all her husband's possessions; indeed, there fell to her something less than half his personal estate.

For a time, this had not concerned her; now she was beginning to think of it occasionally with discontent, followed by reproach of conscience.

Like reproach did she suffer for the jealousy and envy excited in her by Mrs.Welland's arrival.