She was self-reliant, and, perhaps, somewhat conceited.
But, at least, Bernardine the young woman had learnt something which Bernardine the young child had not been able to learn: she learnt how to smile.

It took her, about six and twenty years to learn; still, some people take longer than that; in fact, many never learn.

This is a brief summary of Bernardine Holme's past.
Then, one day, when she was in the full swing of her many engrossing occupations: teaching, writing articles for newspapers, attending socialistic meetings, and taking part in political discussions--she was essentially a modern product, this Bernardine--one day she fell ill.
She lingered in London for some time, and then she went to Petershof..