have not deserved this." And the incident, though I believe not forgotten, was not again alluded to.
She was by nature very religious; nor did the dropping away of an orthodox creed disturb the deep and devout sense of duty which dwelt within her. A robust habit of independent thought had made conventional modes of belief an impossibility to her even in early youth. "Thinks for herself" was an acute-minded barrister's early pronouncement when asked what in his opinion was her leading characteristic. As, nevertheless, she had a great reluctance to shock other minds and hurt other feelings, her nonconformity was silent and unaggressive; but no doubt it helped to make for her an existence somewhat apart.
Her gentleness was by no means of an insipid kind, being combined with a good deal of critical severity. She once found her sister busy over 300 papers sent in by competitors for a poetical prize, and, ready as she always was to help her, stretched out her hand for a bundle of them, observing, "Give them to me; I'm the hanging judge." When she had gone through her por-
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