Lady Cheverel taught her to read and write, and say her catechism; Mr.Warren, being a good accountant, gave her lessons in arithmetic, by her ladyship's desire; and Mrs.Sharp initiated her in all the mysteries of the needle.

But, for a long time, there was no thought of giving her any more elaborate education.

It is very likely that to her dying day Caterina thought the earth stood still, and that the sun and stars moved round it; but so, for the matter of that, did Helen, and Dido, and Desdemona, and Juliet; whence I hope you will not think my Caterina less worthy to be a heroine on that account.

The truth is, that, with one exception, her only talent lay in loving; and there, it is probable, the most astronomical of women could not have surpassed her.

Orphan and protegee though she was, this supreme talent of hers found plenty of exercise at Cheverel Manor, and Caterina had more people to love than many a small lady and gentleman affluent in silver mugs and blood relations.