And no doubt it came, for about two o'clock she rose up like one
that had been strengthened and went calmly to her rest.
In the morning the first shock of the coming change was over, the
everyday use and wont of an orderly house restored the feeling of
stability, and Martha told herself things might turn out better than
looked likely. John was just as loving and attentive as he had always
been, and when he asked her to call on Jane Harlow as soon as she could
and give her welcome into the Hatton family, she did not impute his
attentions to any selfish motive.
Nevertheless, it was as the Lady of Hatton Manor, rather than as John's
mother, she went to make this necessary call. She dressed with the
greatest care, and though she was a good walker, chose to have her
victoria with its pair of white ponies carry her to the village. Jane
met her at the gate of their villa and the few words of necessary
welcome were spoken with a kindness which there was no reason to doubt.
With Mrs. Harlow Martha had a queer motherly kind of friendship, and it
was really by her advice the ladies had been led to think of a return to
Harlow House.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145