Catherine met Ellie's eye and felt the judgement. She felt rather helpless. This was certainly not how she had imagined the lesson to go, but Miss Bellini was one of the best music teachers in the area. She could hardly ask the woman to change her approach just because Ellie wasn't used to this kind of drilling. Instead, she opted for a smile and an encouraging nod. And it seemed to work!

Miss Bellini stopped playing. "That's it, Miss Russell! That's the voice I want to hear. Now, just a little more steady on the breathing. Keep your hand on your belly. Again." And she played the bar up and down.

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to block out the distractions of the room and focus on the music. As Miss Bellini played the bar up and down, Ellie sang each note, she felt her hand on her belly, rising and falling. She wasn't sure if she could meet the high standards demanded of her, but she was trying.

Miss Bellini stopped playing. "Not bad, Miss Russell. Do you hear the difference? Good posture is key. And make sure you open your throat. Now, come and sit here. We will start on reading music." The woman clicked her tongue in disapproval at the idea of a girl Ellie's age unable to read music.

Catherine, meanwhile, gave the young girl another smile, a happier one this time. "I could hear the difference. I thought you sounded even more angelic than last time," she quickly chimed in. She was eager to make sure Ellie felt the value of a good education - an education Catherine could graciously provide her with.