He was musing deeply upon events.

And at last he sat at his writing-table and wrote a letter to his friend and former pupil, John Derringham, in which he described his arrival at his new home, and his outlook, and made a casual reference to the two maiden ladies in these terms: "The park and house is still owned by two antediluvian spinsters of the name of La Sarthe--exquisite specimens of Early Victorian gentility.
They are very poor and proud and narrow-minded, and they have a great-niece living with them, the most remarkable little female intelligence I have ever come across.

My old habit of instruction is not to be allowed to rest, for I am going to teach the creature Greek, as a diversion.

She seems to be about twelve years old, and has the makings of a wonderful character.

In the summer you had better come down and pay me a visit, if you are not too busy with your potent mistress, your political ambitions." But John Derringham did not respond to this casual invitation for many a long day.