“People are not really interested in what particular circumstances you have been brought up,” William said. “You are my cousin and your mother is my father’s sister, that is all they need to know.”
“I am not ashamed of my family,” Atalanta declared with a little spark of anger in her eyes.
“Your family are not of any consequence in Paris,” William replied. “What is important is that my future wife should be of gentle birth and that people should admire my choice.
“You are pretty, Atalanta, and you have great possibilities. But you need grooming, you need dressing, you need the polish that only comes from moving in the very best Society.”
He paused and added impressively,
“I will do my best to instruct you in the behaviour to be expected of you, but you must be very careful not to make
