We have seen how these better sentiments changed as human life became an obstacle in her way.

In her character, what phrenologists call "destructiveness," in the comprehensive sense of the word, was superlatively developed.

She had not actual cruelty; she was not bloodthirsty: those vices belong to a different cast of character.
She was rather deliberately and intellectually unsparing.

A goal was before her; she must march to it: all in the way were but hostile impediments.

At first, however, Sir Miles was not in the way, except to fortune, and for that, as avarice was not her leading vice, she could well wait; therefore, at this hint of the Provencal's she ventured to urge her uncle to abstinence and exercise.