Her step fell heavier on the floor than it used to do, and her voice was quicker and more decisive in its tones.

When she spoke to her mother, she did so as one sister might do to another; and, indeed, Mrs.Woodward seemed to exercise over her very little of the authority of a parent.

The truth was that Gertrude had altogether ceased to be a girl, had altogether become a woman.

Linda, with whom Norman at once compared her, though but one year younger, was still a child in comparison with her elder sister.

Happy, happy Linda! Gertrude had certainly proved herself to be an excellent wife; but perhaps she might have made herself more pleasing to others if she had not so entirely thrown off from herself all traces of juvenility.