Ada had frequented an 'establishment for young ladies' up to the close of her seventeenth year; the other two had pursued culture at a still more pretentious institute until they were eighteen.

All could 'play the piano;' all declared--and believed--that they 'knew French.' Beatrice had 'done' Political Economy; Fanny had 'been through' Inorganic Chemistry and Botany.

The truth was, of course, that their minds, characters, propensities had remained absolutely proof against such educational influence as had been brought to bear upon them.

That they used a finer accent than their servants, signified only that they had grown up amid falsities, and were enabled, by the help of money, to dwell above-stairs, instead of with their spiritual kindred below.
Anticipating Fanny's reply, Beatrice observed, with her air of sagacity: 'If you think you're going to get anything out of an old screw like Lord, you'll jolly soon find your mistake.' 'Don't you go and make a fool of yourself, Fanny,' said Mrs.Peachey.
'Why, he can't be more than twenty-one, is he ?' 'He's turned twenty-two.' The others laughed scornfully.
'Can't I have who I like for a masher ?' cried Fanny, reddening a little.
'Who said I was going to marry him?
I'm in no particular hurry to get married.

You think everybody's like yourselves.' 'If there was any chance of old Lord turning up his toes,' said Beatrice thoughtfully.