Conscious herself that she would not hurt a worm, she could not conceive that any one would harbour cruelty and rancour against her.
Her temper had preserved her from obstinate contention with the persons under whose protection she was placed; and, as her compliance was unhesitating, she had no experience of a severe and rigorous treatment.
As Mr.Tyrrel's objection to the very name of Falkland became more palpable and uniform, Miss Melville increased in her precaution.

She would stop herself in the half-pronounced sentences that were meant to his praise.

This circumstance had necessarily an ungracious effect; it was a cutting satire upon the imbecility of her kinsman.

Upon these occasions she would sometimes venture upon a good-humoured expostulation:--"Dear sir! well, I wonder how you can be so ill-natured! I am sure Mr.Falkland would do you any good office in the world:"-- till she was checked by some gesture of impatience and fierceness.
At length she wholly conquered her heedlessness and inattention.

But it was too late.