One invaluable aid she had in a contest such as this--her inability to grow sullen.

Righteous anger might gleam in her eyes and quiver upon her lips, but the fire always burnt clear; it is smoulder that poisons the air.
She knew her sister, pitied her, always made for her the gentlest allowances.

It would have been easy to stand aside, to disclaim responsibility, and let Kate do as she chose, but the easy course was never the one she chose when endurance promised better results.

To resist to the uttermost, even to claim and exert the authority she derived from her suffering, was, she knew, the truest kindness to her sister.

And in the end she prevailed.