They should have remembered, too, that they were exposing to attack what was unfortunately the one vulnerable part of Mary's character.

A cruel fate had put enmity between her and her father.

Her detractors pronounced her utterly destitute of natural affection; and even her eulogists, when they spoke of the way in which she had discharged the duties of the filial relation, were forced to speak in a subdued and apologetic tone.
Nothing therefore could be more unfortunate than that she should a second time appear unmindful of the ties of consanguinity.

She was now at open war with both the two persons who were nearest to her in blood.
Many who thought that her conduct towards her parent was justified by the extreme danger which had threatened her country and her religion, were unable to defend her conduct towards her sister.

While Mary, who was really guilty in this matter of nothing more than imprudence, was regarded by the world as an oppressor, Anne, who was as culpable as her small faculties enabled her to be, assumed the interesting character of a meek, resigned sufferer.