Of course I don't blame her for that, but it is not natural that a girl her age should care nothing for pleasures or going out or the things natural to young people.

Yes, she is certainly improving in appearance, and if she would but take some little pains about her dress would be really very presentable." But her mother's indifference disturbed Isobel but little.

She was perfectly happy with her brother when at home, and very happy at school, where she was a general favorite.

She was impulsive, high spirited, and occasionally gave Miss Virtue some trouble, but her disposition was frank and generous, there was not a tinge of selfishness in her disposition, and while she was greatly liked by girls of her own age, she was quite adored by little ones.

The future that she always pictured to herself was a little cottage with a bright garden in the suburbs of London, where she and Robert could live together--she would go out as a daily governess; Robert, who was learning to play the organ, would, she hoped, get a post as organist.