"
Now Jane had declared her mind positively to John on certain questions
between them, and it never occurred to her that retraction was possible.
Or if it did occur, she considered it a weakness to be instantly
conquered. Neither Jane Harlow nor Jane Hatton could say and then unsay.
And she was proud of this racial and family characteristic, and
frequently recalled it in the motto of her house--_"I say! I do!"_
It is evident then that some strong antagonistic feeling would be
necessary to break down this barrier raised by a false definition of
honor and yet the circumstances that initially assailed it were of
ordinary character. The first happened a few weeks previously. Jane had
gone out early to do some household shopping and was standing just
within the open door of the shop where she had made her purchases.
Suddenly she heard John's clear, joyous laugh mingling with the clatter
of horses' feet. The sound was coming near and nearer and in a moment
or two John passed on his favorite riding-horse and with him was his
nephew Stephen Hatton on a pretty pony suitable to his size.
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