So Madame Verine took her home.
They taught Celeste many things.

Marie taught her to cook and to sew; the Russian lady taught her to write and to cipher, and was surprised at the progress she made, especially in writing.

Celeste was the more interesting to them because there was just a shade of sadness in her eye.

One day she told Marie why she was sad; it was the story of Fernand, how he had used her ill.
'What a shame!' cried Marie, when the brief facts were repeated.
'It is the way of the country,' said the Russian lady.

'These Swiss peasants, who have so fair a reputation for sobriety, are mercenary above all: they have no heart.' Celeste lived with Madame Verine for one year.