You are giving all the credit to circumstances, and none to Polly's own nature." "Not at all.

If there had not been the native force to develop, experience would have had nothing to work upon.

As it is, her lovely childish possibilities have become probabilities, and I look to see the girlish probabilities blossom into womanly certainties." Meanwhile Polly, it must be confessed, was not at the present time quite justifying the good opinion of her friends.
She had few of the passive virtues.

She could bear sharp stabs of misfortune, which fired her energy and pride, but she resented pin pricks.

She could carry heavy, splendid burdens cheerfully, but she fretted under humble cares.