For some women about she did entertain a passionless, well-regulated affection, but they were generally the poor, the afflicted, or the aged.

It was, however, always necessary that the person so signalized should be submissive.

Now, Mrs.Carroll, Mr.
Grey's sister, had long since shown that she was not submissive enough, nor were the girls, the eldest of whom was a pert, ugly, well-grown minx, now about eighteen years old.

The second sister, who was seventeen, was supposed to be a beauty, but which of the two was the more odious in the eyes of their cousin it would be impossible to say.
Miss Dorothy Grey was Dolly only to her father.

Had any one else so ventured to call her she would have started up at once, the outraged aged female of fifty.