But Sam's wife had discovered something to his discredit and had spoken to Sam, and Sam to the Rector.

The match was broken off, and Emilia renounced her love, though she never forgave the mischief-maker.
Patty again had formed an attachment for John Romley, who had been a pupil of Sam's, had afterwards graduated at Lincoln College, Oxford, and was now the ambitious young master of the Free School at Epworth.
Again the Rector interfered, and Patty sighed and renounced her romance.

Would Hetty, too, renounce and acquiesce?
Mrs.Wesley doubted: nay, was even afraid.

Hetty alone had never been overawed by her father, had never acknowledged the _patria potestas_ with all its exorbitant claims.

She had never actually revolted, but she defied, somehow, the spell he had cast upon the others: and somehow-- here was the marvel--Mrs.Wesley, who more than any other of the family had yielded to the illusion and fostered it, understood Hetty the better for her independence.