Gertrude, Martha, and Isabel, ranging from fourteen to ten, had no physical charm but that of youthfulness; Isabel surpassed her eldest sister in downright plainness of feature.

The youngest, Monica, was a bonny little maiden only just five years old, dark and bright-eyed.
The parents had omitted no care in shepherding their fold.

Partly at home, and partly in local schools, the young ladies had received instruction suitable to their breeding, and the elder ones were disposed to better this education by private study.

The atmosphere of the house was intellectual; books, especially the poets, lay in every room.

But it never occurred to Dr.Madden that his daughters would do well to study with a professional object.