Her own severity and malevolence, however, appeared about to become her foes; for about this time a slight change with regard to the happiness of her injured pupil took place, which threatened to banish her from Mr.Grahame's family.
One morning Mrs.Hamilton, accompanied by Ellen, called on Lady Helen rather earlier than usual, but found their friend not yet visible, an attack of indisposition confining her to her couch later than usual, but Lady Helen sending to entreat her friend not to leave her house without seeing her, Mrs.Hamilton determined on waiting.

Annie had gone out with Miss Malison.
"No wonder our poor Lilla proceeds but slowly in her education," remarked Mrs.Hamilton, when the footman gave her this information.

"If she be so much neglected, her father has no right to expect much progress.

I wish from my heart that I could think of some plan that would tend not only to the happiness of this poor girl, but in the end to that of her father also.

Were those faults now apparent in her character judiciously removed, I feel confident Mr.Grahame would have more comfort in her than in either of his other children." "She is always very different when she is with us," observed Ellen.