She was not her nieces' confidante--perhaps no one so much older could have been; but their father, from whom they derived not a little of their adventurous spirit, was silently cognisant of much of which she took no note.

Next to her nephew, the docile, pensive Anne was her favourite.

Of her she had taken charge from her infancy; she was always patient and tractable, and would submit quietly to occasional oppression, even when she felt it keenly.

Not so her two elder sisters; they made their opinions known, when roused by any injustice.

At such times, Emily would express herself as strongly as Charlotte, although perhaps less frequently.