At nineteen she was entered at the Training College for Teachers, and at twenty-one nominated to a school in the country, near Tor-upon- Sea, whither she proceeded after the Christmas examination and holidays.
The months passed by from winter to spring and summer, and Baptista applied herself to her new duties as best she could, till an uneventful year had elapsed.

Then an air of abstraction pervaded her bearing as she walked to and fro, twice a day, and she showed the traits of a person who had something on her mind.

A widow, by name Mrs.Wace, in whose house Baptista Trewthen had been provided with a sitting-room and bedroom till the school-house should be built, noticed this change in her youthful tenant's manner, and at last ventured to press her with a few questions.
'It has nothing to do with the place, nor with you,' said Miss Trewthen.
'Then it is the salary ?' 'No, nor the salary.' 'Then it is something you have heard from home, my dear.' Baptista was silent for a few moments.

'It is Mr.Heddegan,' she murmured.

'Him they used to call David Heddegan before he got his money.' 'And who is the Mr.Heddegan they used to call David ?' 'An old bachelor at Giant's Town, St.Maria's, with no relations whatever, who lives about a stone's throw from father's.