She did not remain much in the house, but passed most of her time at the farmhouses, or by the sea, or the little boat haven.
A whole regiment of governesses had attempted to teach Madeleine, but the task was a difficult one; and when the governesses were ugly her father could not abide them, and when one came who was pretty there were other objections.

Richard paid frequent visits to Sandsgaard, either on Don Juan or in the Garmans' dogcart, which was sent to fetch him.

The chilly, old-fashioned house, and the reserved and polished manners of its inmates, had made a repellant impression on Madeleine.

For her cousin Rachel, who was only a few years her elder, she had no liking.
She preferred, therefore, to remain at home, and her father was never absent for more than a few days at a time.

She spent most of her time on the shore or in the neighbouring cottages, in the society of fishermen and pilots.