WHO FELL INTO THE TRAP?
However closely one may study the fair sex, there is no understanding them in the least.

No one can say how a woman will act in a given situation; for feminine actions are based less on logical foundations than on the emotion of the moment.
Diana had never liked Lydia; when the American girl became her stepmother she hated her, and not only said as much but showed in her every action that she believed what she said.

She declared that she would be glad to see Lydia deprived of her money and put into jail! The punishment would be no more than she deserved.
Yet when these things came to pass; when, by the discovery that Vrain yet lived, Lydia lost her liberty; and when, as connected with the conspiracy, she was arrested on a criminal warrant and put into prison, Diana was the only friend she had.

Miss Vrain declared that her stepmother was innocent, visited her in prison, and engaged a lawyer to defend her.

Lucian could not forbear pointing out the discrepancy between Diana's past sentiments and her present actions; but Miss Vrain was quite ready with an excuse.
"I am only doing my duty," she said.