She was as hard as an oak post,--but then she was also as trustworthy.

No human being liked her;--but she had the good word of a great many human beings.

At great cost to her own comfort she had endeavoured to do her duty to her niece, Lizzie Greystock, when Lizzie was homeless.

Undoubtedly Lizzie's bed, while it had been spread under her aunt's roof, had not been one of roses; but such as it had been, she had endured to occupy it while it served her needs.
She had constrained herself to bear her aunt;--but from the moment of her escape she had chosen to reject her aunt altogether.

Now her aunt's heavy step was heard upon the stairs! Lizzie also was a brave woman after a certain fashion.