She saw, and triumphed over all the obstacles which Dixon threw in her way; assuming her rightful position as daughter of the house in something of the spirit of the Elder Brother, which quelled the old servant's officiousness very effectually. Margaret's conscious assumption of this unusual dignity of demeanour towards Dixon, gave her an instant's amusement in the midst of her anxiety. 
She saw and triumphed over all the obstacles which Dixon threw in her way; assuming her position as daughter of the house with a conscious dignity, which gave her an instant's amusement in the midst of her anxiety. 