Catherine replied with a smile, which seemed the most she could do to hide her displeasure. In the few lonely days since Sunday, Catherine's mind had embellished her young pupil's qualities and refined her manners, until in her memory, Ellie was not too far removed from polite society. But as soon as the maid opened her mouth, Catherine was reminded that the girl was indeed only a maid and she had come from humbler origins still. She was steeped in the vulgarities of her own sort of people. They'd have to work on introductions.

"How do you do, Miss Russell?" the music teacher replied stoically. Her accent had a slightly foreign ring to it. "Miss Ennington told me that you have a pleasant voice and that you wish to take singing lessons. Why don't you come and sit here." She gestured at a seat near the piano, while she herself got up, and moved over to sit in front of the piano. "Can you read notes?"