She was devoted to her daughter.

But she was thwarted; and therefore told herself that she could best farther the girl's interests by tormenting her.

It was not meditated revenge, but that revenge which springs up without any meditation, and is often therefore the most bitter.

"I must bring her nose to the grindstone," was the manner in which she would have probably expressed her thoughts to herself.

Consequently Florence's nose was brought to the grindstone, and the operation made her miserable.