But at that age a girl is easily influenced, so it is little wonder that under such tuition Louise became calculating, sly and deceitful, to a most deplorable degree.
Such acquired traits bade fair in the end to defeat Mrs.Merrick's carefully planned _coup_, for the daughter had a premature love affair with a youth outside the pale of eligibility.

Louise ignored the fact that he had been disinherited by his father, and in her reckless infatuation would have sacrificed her mother without thought or remorse.
The dreadful finale had only been averted by the advent of Uncle John Merrick, who had changed the life plans of the widow and her heedless daughter and promptly saved the situation.
John Merrick did not like his sister-in-law, but he was charmed by his lovely niece and took her at once to his affectionate old heart.

He saw the faults of Louise clearly, but also appreciated her sweeter qualities.

Under his skillful guidance she soon redeemed herself and regained control of her better nature.

The girl was not yet perfect, by any means; she was to an extent artificial and secretive, and her thoughtless flirtations were far from wise; but her two cousins and her uncle had come to know and understand her good points.