had tended in some degree to form the
character which Agnes had ever borne, and which alone she had
displayed, until the period when my tale commences.

It may be that the consciousness of wrong endured, had hardened a
heart naturally soft and tender, and rendered it unyielding and
rebellious--it may be that injustice, endured at the hands of
hirelings in early years, had engendered a spirit of resistance, and
armed her mind and quickened her tongue against the world, which, as
she fancied, wronged her. It may be, more than all, that a secret,
perhaps an unconscious jealousy of her sister's superior advantages,
not in the wretched sense of worldly wealth or position, but of the
love and reverence of friends and kindred, had embittered her young
soul, and caused her to cast over it a veil of light and wild
demeanor, of free speech, and daring mirth, which had by degrees grown
into habits, and become part and parcel of her nature.

If it were so, however, there were no outward indications that such
was the case; for never were there seen two sisters more united and
affectionate--nor would it have been easy to say on which side the
balance of kindness preponderated. For if Blanche was ever the first
to cede to her sister's wishes, and the last, in any momentary
disappointment or annoyance, to speak one quick or unkind word, so was
Agnes, with her expressive features, and flashing eye, and ready,
tameless wit, prompt as light to avenge the slightest reflection cast
on Blanche's tranquillity and coldness; and if at times a quick word
or sharp retort broke from her lips, and called a tear to the eye of
her calmer sister, not a moment would elapse before she would cast
herself upon her neck and weep her sincere contrition, and be for
hours an altered being; until her natural spirit would prevail, and
she would be again the wild, mirthful madcap, whose very faults could
call forth no keener reproach than a grave and thoughtful smile from
the lips of those who loved her the most dearly.

Sad were the daughters of Allan Fitz-Henry--daughters whom not a peer
in England but would have regarded as the brightest gems of his
coronets, as the pride and ornament of his house; but whom, by a
strange anomaly, their own father, full as he was of warm affections,
and kindly inclinations, never looked upon but with a secret feeling
of discontent and disappointment, that they were not other than they
were: and with a half confessed convict