She was, indeed, only too ready to be advised, too ready to accept for true whatever friendship offered itself.

None but the friend who will strengthen us to stand, is worthy of the name.

Such a friend Mary would have been, but Letty did not yet know what she needed.

The unrest of her conscience made her shrink from one who was sure to side with that conscience, and help it to trouble her.

It was sympathy Letty longed for, not strength, and therefore she was afraid of Mary.