she was fourteen years old, when she saw clearly the path marked out for her to follow. at the age of ten years she had shown extraordinary ability in drawing and was looked upon by her teachers as a child of talent. thrown on her own resources at the age of fourteen, she not only supported herself, but, without other aid than her own courageous and determined spirit, she succeeded in obtaining a good education in the art to which she was devoted, as well as in other branches.