However, it must be acknowledged, she had faults to foil her gifts.

A propensity to be saucy was one; and a perverse will, that indulged children invariably acquire, whether they be good tempered or cross.

If a servant chanced to vex her, it was always--'I shall tell papa!' And if he reproved her, even by a look, you would have thought it a heart-breaking business: I don't believe he ever did speak a harsh word to her.

He took her education entirely on himself, and made it an amusement.

Fortunately, curiosity and a quick intellect made her an apt scholar: she learned rapidly and eagerly, and did honour to his teaching.
Till she reached the age of thirteen she had not once been beyond the range of the park by herself.