Cecily was careless in religion, had been subjected to no proper severity, had not been taught to probe her con science.

At once Miriam assumed an attitude of spiritual pride--the beginning of an evil which was to strengthen its hold upon her through years.

She would be an example to the poor little heathen; she talked with her unctuously; she excited herself, began to find a pleasure in asceticism, and drew the susceptible girl into the same way.

They would privately appoint periods of fasting, and at several successive meals irritate their hunger by taking only one or two morsels; when faintness came upon them, they gloried in the misery.
And from that stage of youth survived memories far more painful than those of childhood.

Miriam shut her mind against them.
Her marriage came about in the simplest way; nothing easier to understand, granted these circumstances.