continue the existence thus begun.

* * * * *

My education was quite different from that of other girls. I had to
learn arithmetic almost before I could speak, and the state and
condition of kings and governments were instilled into my mind as
regularly as food into my body.

There were no novels, no light literature for me, except what I could
extract for myself out of the dry material placed before me. Still, my
mind was not warped with this peculiar bringing up, and now that I am an
old woman, I think I can see that I owe this to the character of those
who governed and directed me.

Of course, this peculiar education and training kept me far ahead of
other girls, and while they were scarcely out of the nursery, and still
enjoying battledore and shuttlecock, I was seeking information, either
by reading or conversation, concerning my forefathers, position, duties,
and property.

Young as I was, I began to feel creeping over me a sense of
responsibility, and a longing to know how best to fulfil all that was
required of me. I knew that I was rich, but how did I become so? I knew
that my riches were expected to make others rich, but how? I was always
asking questions, and sometimes succeeded in getting an answer, which
served as a clue, and sent me to search old parchments or to make
comparisons.

It was some time before I could piece the scraps of information