228 THE PROUD » LADYE." 



ness ; but she was prouder of herself than of her advantages 

 of birth or fortune. There was a degree of stern self-respect 

 in her character which seemed to place her beyond the reach 

 of weaknesses ; and her high principles were so beautifully 

 blended with her haughty tone of feeling that the one could 

 scarcely be lessened without impairing the value of the other. 



Yet was Isabel full of tender as well as lofty impulses. Her 

 affections were deep and earnest ; and though no trace of 

 strong emotion ever deformed her fair face, yet those who 

 knew her best, saw how readily the fervid feelings of her nature 

 might ripen into passions, but for the atmosphere of pride in 

 which they grew. No one was more regardless of the petty 

 restraints of society than she ; for a consciousness of her own 

 clearly defined position, enabled her to set at nought the rules 

 made for those whose insecure footing over the threshold of 

 good society required continual guidance. She was too proud 

 to be afraid of stooping, and while she was full of calm dignity 

 towards her equals, she was all gentleness and sweetness 

 towards those whom she considered her inferiors. 



It was, perhaps, this unlooked for gentleness in her whom the 

 world called proud, which first encouraged the timid love of 

 one, whom neither fortune nor birth had placed upon her level. 



Wilhelm Von could claim no higher descent than that 



of a good Dutch race, whose escutcheon bore no richer 

 blazonry than that of the industrious hand and the honest 

 heart. His fine talents and studious habits had induced his 

 father to accord him all the advantages of education, and 



