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.