Catherine was a little offended that the kindness she bestowed on the fishergirl was not acknowledged with praise and gratitude. But she put it down to how unenlightened the poor child probably was about the world and her place in it.

Catherine followed her. "Oh how beautifully bound!" she commented. She pulled one of the books out and observed it. She had already read Persuasion but decided she'd buy the whole set, just because they'd look well in her room.