Veronica alone was uncompromising; she put aside by instinct what baffled or attracted others, and, setting my real value upon me, acted accordingly.

I do not accuse her of injustice, but of a fierce harshness which kept us apart for long years.

As for her, she was the most reticent girl I ever knew, and but for her explosive temper, which betrayed her, she would have been a mystery.

The difference in our physical constitutions would have separated us, if there had been no other cause.

The weeks that she was confined to her room, preyed upon by some inscrutable disease, were weeks of darkness and solitude.
Temperance and Aunt Merce took as much care of her as she would allow; but she preferred being alone most of the time.