She never said one word to Bassett about Lady Bassett's lessons.

She kept strict silence till she could write a letter, and then she sent him a line to say she had learned to write for love of him, and she hoped he would keep his promise.
Bassett's vanity was flattered by this.

But, on reflection, he suspected it was a falsehood.

He asked her suddenly, at their next meeting, who had written that note for her.
"You shall see me write the fellow to it when you like," was the reply.
Bassett resolved to submit the matter to that test some day.

At present, however, he took her word for it, and asked her who had taught her.
"I had to teach myself.