Hitherto, since Martha's death, she had found in nascent,
indolent self-pity the choicest of luxuries. Now she had abandoned this
position and with courage and resolve was devoting herself to her
husband and her house. Unfortunately, there were circumstances in John's
special business cares that gave an appearance of Duncan Grey's wooing
to all her efforts--when the lassie grew kind, Duncan grew cool. It was
truly only an appearance, but Jane was not familiar with changes in
Love's atmosphere. John's steadfast character had given her always fair
weather.
In reality the long strain of business cares and domestic sorrow had
begun to tell even upon John's perfect health and nervous system. Facing
absolute ruin in the war years and surrounded by pitiable famine and
death, he had kept his cheerful temper, his smiling face, his resolute,
confident spirit. Now, he was singularly prosperous. The mill was busy
nearly night and day, all his plans and hopes had been perfected; yet
he was often either silent or irritable.
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