But Mrs.Woodward, when she looked into the matter, found that it was she that should have demanded pardon of her daughter, not her daughter of her! Why had this tender lamb been allowed to wander out of the fold, while a wolf in sheep's clothing was invited into the pasture-ground?
Gertrude, with her talent, her beauty, and dignity of demeanour, had hitherto been, perhaps, the closest to the mother's heart--had been, if not the most cherished, yet the most valued; Gertrude had been the apple of her eye.

This should be altered now.

If a mother's love could atone for a mother's negligence, Mrs.
Woodward would atone to her child for this hour of misery! And Katie--her sweet bonny Katie--she, at least, should be protected from the wolves.

Those were the thoughts that passed through Mrs.Woodward's heart as she sat there caressing Linda.
But how were things to be managed now at the present moment?
It was quite clear that the wolf in sheep's clothing must be admitted into the pastoral family; either that, or the fairest lamb of the flock must be turned out altogether, to take upon herself lupine nature, and roam the woods a beast of prey.

As matters stood it behoved them to make such a sheep of Alaric as might be found practicable.
And so Mrs.Woodward set to work to teach her daughter how best she might conduct herself in her present state of wretchedness.
She had to bear with her sister's success, to listen to her sister's joy, to enter into all her future plans, to assist at her toilet, to prepare her wedding garments, to hear the congratulations of friends, and take a sister's share in a sister's triumph, and to do this without once giving vent to a reproach.