The unnatural parent seems determined to make her daughter's life a burden, if she will not yield to her desires.
'Mamma does all she can,' said she, 'to make me feel myself a burden and incumbrance to the family, and the most ungrateful, selfish, and undutiful daughter that ever was born; and Walter, too, is as stern and cold and haughty as if he hated me outright.

I believe I should have yielded at once if I had known, from the beginning, how much resistance would have cost me; but now, for very obstinacy's sake, I will stand out!' 'A bad motive for a good resolve,' I answered.

'But, however, I know you have better motives, really, for your perseverance: and I counsel you to keep them still in view.' 'Trust me I will.

I threaten mamma sometimes that I'll run away, and disgrace the family by earning my own livelihood, if she torments me any more; and then that frightens her a little.

But I will do it, in good earnest, if they don't mind.' 'Be quiet and patient a while,' said I, 'and better times will come.' Poor girl! I wish somebody that was worthy to possess her would come and take her away--don't you, Frederick?
* * * * * If the perusal of this letter filled me with dismay for Helen's future life and mine, there was one great source of consolation: it was now in my power to clear her name from every foul aspersion.