"I would wish to be so," said Lady Midlothian. "Blood is thicker than water, my dear; and I know no earthly ties that can bind people together if those of family connection will not do so. Your mother, when she and I were young, was my dearest friend."
"I never knew my mother," said Alice,--feeling, however, as she spoke, that the strength of her resistance to the old woman was beginning to give way.
"No, my dear, you never did; and that is to my thinking another reason why they who loved her should love you. But Lady Macleod is your nearest relative,--on your mother's side, I mean,--and she has done her duty by you well."
"Indeed she has, Lady Midlothian."
"She has, and others, therefore, have been the less called upon to interfere. I only say this, my dear, in my own vindication,--feeling, perhaps, that my conduct needs some excuse."
"I'm sure Alice does not think that," said Lady Glencora.

"Blood is thicker than water, my dear," said Lady Midlothian, "and no earthly ties are as strong as those of family. Your mother was my dearest friend."
"I never knew my mother," said Alice - feeling, however, that her resistance to the old woman was beginning to give way.
"No, my dear, you never did; but Lady Macleod is your nearest relative on your mother's side, and she has done her duty by you well."
"Indeed she has, Lady Midlothian."
"She has, and others, therefore, have been less called upon to interfere. I only say this, my dear, in my own vindication - feeling, perhaps, that my conduct needs some excuse."
"I'm sure Alice does not think that," said Lady Glencora.
