ore and more
incensed against Gertrude, so they began to manifest it in their
demeanour.

Gertrude soon perceived their incivility. With wonderful patience,
however, did she preserve her equanimity. She had never looked for
kindness and attention from Mrs. Graham and Isabel. They were irritated
by her calmness and patience, now made their attack in another quarter;
and Emily, the sweet, lovely, and unoffending Emily, became the object
against which they aimed many of their shafts of ill-will.

Gertrude could bear injury, injustice, and even cruel language, towards
herself only; but her blood boiled when she perceived that her cherished
Emily was becoming the victim of neglect and ill-usage. To address the
gentle Emily in other words than those of courtesy was next to
impossible; it was equally hard to find fault with the actions of one
whose life was so good and beautiful; and the isolated position which
she occupied on account of her blindness seemed to render her free from
interference. But Mrs. Graham was coarse and blunt, Isabel selfish and
unfeeling; and long before the blind girl was aware of any unkind
intention on their part, Gertrude's spirit had rebelled at the knowledge
of many a word and act well calculated to distress a sensitive mind.
Many a stroke was warded off by Gertrude; many a nearly defeated plan,
which Emily was known to have had at heart, carried through by
Gertrude's perseverance and energy; and for some weeks Emily was kept
ignorant of the fact that many a little office formerly performed for
her by a servant was now fulfilled by Gertrude, who would not let her
know that Bridget had received from her mistress orders which were quite
inconsistent with her usual attendance upon Miss Graham's wants.

Mr. Graham was absent on business at New York. His presence would have
been a great restraint upon his wife, who was well aware of his devoted
affection for his daughter. His love for Emily, and the devotion
manifested towards her by every member of the household, had rendered
her an object of jealousy to Mrs. Graham.

Shortly before Mr. Graham's return, Mrs. Graham and Isabel were
indulging themselves in an unlimited abuse of the rest of the household,
when a letter was brought to Mrs. Graham, which proved to be from her
husband. After glancing over its contents, she remarked, with an air of
satisfaction, "Here is good news for us, Isabel, and a prospect of some
pleasure in the world." And she rea