not yet seventeen, she was taken up by a nephew of Sir William Hamilton, Mr. Charles Greville, who recognized not merely her superficial loveliness, but something of the mental and moral traits underlying it, which promised a capacity for development into an interesting and affectionate household companion.  Upon her promises of amendment, in the matter of future relations with men, and of submission to his guidance and wishes in the general conduct of her life, he took her in charge, and the two lived together for nearly four years.

Greville bestowed a good deal of pains upon her training, and was rewarded, not only by gratitude and careful compliance with his directions, but by her sincere and devoted affection.  The girl became heartily and fondly in love with him, finding both contentment and happiness in the simply ordered home provided for her.  Her education, which hitherto was of the smallest, received attention,—­her letters showing a very great improvement both in spelling and mode of expression by the end of their association.  On the moral side, of course, there was not much development to be expected from one whose standards, with less excuse, were in no way better than her own.  On this side Greville’s teaching was purely utilitarian.  Her position was considered as a calling,—­success in which demanded certain proprieties and accomplishments, only to be attained by the practice of habitual self-control, alike in doing and in not doing.

The future Lady Hamilton was affectionate and impulsive, good-humored, with generous instincts and a quick temper; but she was also ambitious and exceptionally clever.  She loved Greville warmly; but she took to heart the hard truths of his teachings, and they sank deep in a congenial soil.  Under the influence of the two motives, she applied herself to gain, and did gain, a certain degree of external niceness and self-control.  Her affection for Greville made her willing, for his sake, because he was not rich, to live quietly, to accept modest surroundings, and to discard whatever was coarse in associates, or unbecoming in her own person or conduct.  He, while relaxing none of his requirements, repaid her with courtesy and increasing admiration, than which nothing was dearer to her; for, if not appreciative of the satisfaction of self-respect, she was keenly alive to the delights of homage from others, though extorted by purely adventitious qualities.  Glory was to her more than honor.  This love of admiration, fostered, yet pruned, by Greville’s shrewd precepts, was her dominant trait.  To its gratification her singular personal advantages contributed, and they were powerfully supported by an unusual faculty for assuming a part, for entering into a character and representing its external traits.  Thus gifted by nature, and swayed by vanity, her development was for the time regulated and chastened by the disinterestedness of her passion for her lover.  Her worse qualities were momentarily kept in abeyance.  Naturally lovable, not only in exterior but in temperament, she became more and more attractive.  “Consider,” wrote Greville, referring to her surroundings before she passed into his hands, “what a charming creature she would have been, if she had been blessed with the advantages of an early education, and had not been spoilt by the indulgence of every caprice.”