That vigil must have been the more trying because I could see very well that at no time did she think the victim particularly charming or sympathetic.

It was a manifestation of pure compassion, of compassion in itself, so to speak, not many women would have been capable of displaying with that unflinching steadiness.
The shivering fit over, the girl's next words in an outburst of sobs were, "Oh! Mrs.Fyne, am I really such a horrid thing as she has made me out to be ?" "No, no!" protested Mrs.Fyne.

"It is your former governess who is horrid and odious.

She is a vile woman.

I cannot tell you that she was mad but I think she must have been beside herself with rage and full of evil thoughts.