But she held it firmly, and with that exaggerated one-sidedness of feeling which any bitter family or personal experience is sure to leave behind--a strong will was her first attraction to every body.

It had been so in the case of Robert Lyon, and not less in Elizabeth's.
But this quality has its inconveniences.

When the maid began sweeping up her hearth with a noisy, angry gesture, the mistress did the wisest and most dignified thing a mistress could do under the circumstances and which she knew was the sharpest rebuke she could administer to the sensitive Elizabeth--she immediately quitted the kitchen.
For an hour after the parlor bell did not ring; and though it was washing day, no Miss Hilary appeared to help in folding up the clothes.

Elizabeth, subdued and wretched, waited till she could wait no longer; then knocked at the door, and asked humbly if she should bring in supper?
The extreme kindness of the answer, to the effect that she must come in, as they wanted to speak to her, crushed the lingering fragments of ill humor out of the girl.
"Miss Hilary has told you our future plans, Elizabeth; now we wish to have a little talk with you about yours." "Eh ?" "We conclude you will not wish to go with us to London; and it would be hardly advisable you should.

You can get higher wages now than any we can afford to give you; indeed, we have more than once thought of telling you so, and offering you your choice of trying for a better place." "You're very kind," was the answer, stolid rather than grateful.
"No; I think we are merely honest.