From 'The Ugly Duckling' she was led on to the story of the mermaid, from that to the enchanted swans.

The book had never been in her hands before, and the delight she received from it was of a kind quite new to her.

She had to make an effort to close it and turn to her specified occupations.

For Adela had so systematised her day that no minute's margin was left for self-indulgence.

Her reading was serious study.