It was after this that the Botmars trekked into the Transkei, and with
them some other families, amongst whom were the Naudes, my parents. Here
in the Transkei the widow Botmar and my father were near neighbours,
their steads being at a distance from each other of about three hours
upon horseback, or something over twenty miles. In those days, I may say
it without shame now, I was the prettiest girl in the Transkei, a great
deal prettier than my granddaughter Suzanne there, although some think
well of her looks, but not so well as she thinks of them herself, for
that would be impossible. I have been told that I have noble French
blood in my veins, though I care little for this, being quite content to
be one of the Boers, who are all of noble blood. At least I believe
that my great-grandfather was a French Huguenot Count who fled from his
country to escape massacre because of his religion. From him and his
wife Suzanne, so it is said, we women of the Naudes get our beauty, for
we have always been beautiful; but the loveliest of the race by far was
my daughter Suzanne who married the Englishman, Ralph Kenzie, from which
time our good looks have begun to fall off, though it is true that he
was no ill-favoured man.

Whatever the cause, in my youth, I was not like the other Boer girls,
who for the most part are stout, heavy, and slow of speech, even before
they are married, nor did I need to wear a _kapje_ to keep a pink and
white face from burning in the sun. I was not tall, but my figure was
rounded and my movements were as quick as my tongue. Also I had brown
hair that curled and brown eyes beneath it, and full red lips, which all
the young men of that district--and there were six of them who can be
counted--would have given their best horse to kiss, with the saddle and
bridle thrown in. But remember this, Suzanne, I never suffered them to
do so, for in my time girls knew better what was right.