Narcissa's face and lovely neck were overspread with blushes, from which I drew a favourable opinion, while her aunt, after having stared at me a good while with a look of amazement, exclaimed, "In the name of heaven who art thou ?" I told her I had picked up a smattering of Italian, during a voyage up the Straits.
At this explanation she shook her head, and observed that no smatterer could read as I had done.

She then desired to know if I understood French.

To which question I answered in the affirmative.

She asked if I was acquainted with the Latin and Greek?
I replied, "A little." "Oho!" continued she, "and with philosophy and mathematics, I suppose ?" I owned I knew something of each.

Then she repeated her stare and interrogation.
I began to repent of my vanity, and in order to repair the fault I committed, said, it was not to be wondered at if I had a tolerable education, for learning was so cheap in my country, that every peasant was a scholar; but, I hoped her Ladyship would think my understanding no exception to my character.