Unhappily there was very little Mary could do to increase the invalid's sum of pleasure.
Lady Maulevrier was a woman of strong feeling, not capable of loving many people.

She had concentrated her affection upon Lesbia: and she could not open her heart to Mary all at once because Lesbia was out of the way.
'If I had a dog I loved, and he were to die, I would never have another in his place,' Lady Maulevrier said once; and that speech was the keynote of her character.
She was very courteous to Mary, and seemed grateful for her attentions; but she did not cultivate the girl's society.

Mary wrote all her letters in a fine bold hand, and with a rapid pen; but when the letter-writing was over Lady Maulevrier always dismissed her.
'My dear, you want to be out in the air, riding your pony, or scampering about with your dogs,' she said, kindly.

'It would be a cruelty to keep you indoors.' 'No, indeed, dear grandmother, I should like to stay.

May I stop and read to you ?' 'No, thank you, Mary.