It was wrong to be mean, to be jealous, to be false, to be cruel; she had seen very little of the evil of the world, but she had seen women who lied and who tried to hurt each other.

Seeing such things had quickened her high spirit; it seemed indecent not to scorn them.

Of course the danger of a high spirit was the danger of inconsistency--the danger of keeping up the flag after the place has surrendered; a sort of behaviour so crooked as to be almost a dishonour to the flag.

But Isabel, who knew little of the sorts of artillery to which young women are exposed, flattered herself that such contradictions would never be noted in her own conduct.

Her life should always be in harmony with the most pleasing impression she should produce; she would be what she appeared, and she would appear what she was.