She was a wise woman in that she never asked a confidence of her daughter, in whose happiness, I know, the interest of her life was centred.

It is a great love that discriminates between curiosity and anxiety.
Lucille, however, wanted no help in the management of her life or the guidance of her heart, and made this clear to Madame.

Indeed, she had of late begun to exercise somewhat of a sway over her mother, and appeared to be the ruling spirit; for youth is a force in itself.

For my own part, however, I have always inclined to the belief that it is the quiet member of the family who manages and guides the household from the dim background of social obscurity.

And although Madame de Clericy appeared to be mastered by her quick-witted, quick-spoken daughter, it was usually her will and not Lucille's that gained the victory in the end.
Lucille defended her absent friend with much spirit, and fought that lady's battles for her, protesting that Isabella had been ill used, and the victim of an unscrupulous adventurer.