I had to do it at the house; they gave me, besides, some embroidery to complete, and nearly a week elapsed before I had finished everything.

While I worked, Miss Wharton often came into the room and sat with me, and so did Mrs.
Wharton; they made me talk English; asked how I had learned to speak it so well; then they inquired what I knew besides--what books I had read; soon they seemed to make a sort of wonder of me, considering me no doubt as a learned grisette.

One afternoon, Mrs.Wharton brought in a Parisian lady to test the accuracy of my knowledge of French; the result of it: was that, owing probably in a great degree to the mother's and daughter's good humour about the marriage, which inclined them to do beneficent deeds, and partly, I think, because they are naturally benevolent people, they decided that the wish I had expressed to do something more than mend lace was a very legitimate one; and the same day they took me in their carriage to Mrs.D.'s, who is the directress of the first English school at Brussels.

It seems she happened to be in want of a French lady to give lessons in geography, history, grammar, and composition, in the French language.

Mrs.Wharton recommended me very warmly; and, as two of her younger daughters are pupils in the house, her patronage availed to get me the place.