I thought a year or two at Hyde Park Gate would do you no harm, and might be wholesome training; but it has proved a failure, I see that.' 'They would be happier without me,' I went on, more quietly, for he was evidently coming round to my view of the case.

'Aunt Philippa does not mean to be unkind, but she often lets me see that I am in the way, that she is not proud of me.

She would have taken more interest in me if I had been handsome, like Sara; but a plain, dowdy niece is not to her taste.
No, let me finish, Uncle Max,'-- for he wanted to interrupt me here.
'They made a great fuss about my training at the hospital last year, but I am sure they did not miss me; Sara spoke yesterday as though she thought I was going back to St.Thomas's, and Aunt Philippa made no objection.

I heard her tell Mrs.Fullerton once "that really Ursula was so strong-minded and different from other girls that she was prepared for anything, even for her being a female doctor."' 'Well, my dear, you are certainly rather peculiar, you know.' 'Oh, Uncle Max,' I said mournfully, 'are you going to misunderstand me too?
Providence has deprived me of my parents and my only brother: is it strong-minded or peculiar to be so lonely and sad at heart that gaiety only jars on me?
Can I forget my mother's teaching when she said, "Ursula, if you live for the world you will be miserable.

Try to do your duty and benefit your fellow-creatures, and happiness must follow" ?' 'Yes, poor Emmie, she was a good woman: you might do worse than take after her.' 'She would not approve of the life I am leading at Hyde Park Gate,' I went on.