disciplinarian; and it was a constant battle between us who should be
master. I was no match, however, for the old lady, and I fretted
constantly under her control, longing for any chance that might free me
from her rule. It was a joyful day for me, when I was sent to finish my
education at one of the first schools in Edinburgh, which I did not
leave until I was sixteen years of age. I found grandmamma several years
older, and many degrees more exacting than she was before. She was so
much alarmed lest I should make an unsuitable alliance, that she never
suffered me to go out without I was accompanied by herself, or an old
maiden aunt, who was more rigid and stiff than even grandmamma herself.

"At this period of my girlhood, and before I had seen anything of the
world, or could in the least judge for myself, a very wealthy clergyman,
who had been a great friend of poor papa's, called to see me, before he
returned to Jamaica; where he had a fine living, and possessed a noble
property. Unfortunately for me, he fell desperately in love with the
orphan daughter of his friend, and his suit was vehemently backed by
grandmamma and aunt. He was a handsome, worthy kind man, but old enough
to have been my father. I was so unhappy and restless at home, that I
was easily persuaded to become his wife; and I, who had never been in
love, thought it was a fine thing to be married, and my own mistress at
sixteen. Our union has not been a happy one. I much question if such
unions ever are. He is now an aged man, while I am in the very bloom of
life, and consequently exposed to much temptation. Thank God! I have
never acted criminally, though often severely tried. My home is one of
many luxuries, but it has no domestic joys. My children are the only tie
that binds me to a man I cannot love; and I have been so long used to
drown my disappointment and regret in a whirl of dissipation, that it is
only in scenes of gaiety that I forget my grief.

"My own sex speak slightly of me; but I do not deserve their severe
censures. My fellow-passengers, I heard from Hector, made a thousand
malicious remarks about me yesterday, and that you and Miss Leigh were
the only ladies who took my part."

"My conduct," replied Flora, "was perfectly negative. I said nothing
either in praise or blame. I may have injured you by thinking hardly of
you."

"I thank you for your forbearance, in keeping your thoughts to yourself,
for I did not deserve that from you