They not only bore patiently with her volatile nature but strove to influence her to demonstrate her inherent good qualities.
In one way her mother's calculating training had been most effective.
Louise was not only a dainty, lovely maid to the eye, but her manners were gracious and winning and she had that admirable self-possession which quickly endears one even to casual acquaintances.

She did not impress more intimate friends as being wholly sincere, yet there was nothing in her acts, since that one escapade referred to, that merited severe disapproval.
Of course the brilliant idea of foisting her precious daughter upon the "select" society of the metropolis was original with Mrs.Merrick.
Louise was well content with things as they were; but not so the mother.

The rise from poverty to affluence, the removal of all cares and burdens from her mind, had merely fostered still greater ambitions.
Uncle John's generosity had endowed each of his three nieces with an ample fortune.

"I want 'em to enjoy the good things of life while they're at an age to enjoy 'em," he said; "for the older one gets the fewer things are found to be enjoyable.

That's my experience, anyhow." He also told the girls frankly that they were to inherit jointly--although not equally--his entire fortune.