their mother and sister
interesting themselves but little in their doings, and they were allowed
to take long walks together, and to sit in a room by themselves, where
they talked, drew, painted, and read.

Mrs. Hannay disapproved of Isobel as much as ever. "She is a most
headstrong girl," she would lament to her friends, "and is really quite
beyond my control. I do not at all approve of the school she is at, but
unfortunately my brother in law, who is her guardian, has, under the
will of my poor husband, absolute control in the matter. I am sure poor
John never intended that he should be able to override my wishes; but
though I have written to him several times about it, he says that he
sees no valid reason for any change, and that from Isobel's letters to
him she seems very happy there, and to be getting on well. She is so
very unlike dear Helena, and even when at home I see but little of her;
she is completely wrapped up in her unfortunate brother. Of course I
don't blame her for that, but it is not natural that a girl her age
should care nothing for pleasures or going out or the things natural to
young people. Yes, she is certainly improving in appearance, and if she
would but take some little pains about her dress would be really very
presentable."

But her mother's indifference disturbed Isobel but little. She was
perfectly happy with her brother when at home, and very happy at school,
where she was a general favorite. She was impulsive, high spirited,
and occasionally gave Miss Virtue some trouble, but her disposition
was frank and generous, there was not a tinge of selfishness in her
disposition, and while she was greatly liked by girls of her own age,
she was quite adored by little ones. The future that she always pictured
to herself was a little cottage with a bright garden in the suburbs of
London, where she and Robert could live together--she would go out as a
daily governess; Robert, who was learning to play the organ, would,
she hoped, get a post as organist. Not, of course, for the sake of the
salary, for her earnings, and the interest of the thousand pounds that
would be hers when she came of age, would be sufficient for them both,
but as an amusement for him, and to give him a sense of independence.

But when she was just seventeen, and was looking forward to the time
when she would begin to carry her plan into effect, a terrible blow
came. She heard from her mother that Robert was dead.

"It is a s