intment.
To take possession of her splendid home, to assume the social
distinction it gave her, and to be near to the mother she idolized were
three great compensations, superseding abundantly the doubtful pleasures
of railway travel and sightseeing.

Jane's mother had caused a pleasant surprise at her daughter's wedding,
for the past year's efforts at Harlow House had amply proved Mrs.
Harlow's executive abilities in its profitable management; and she was
so sure of this future result that she did not hesitate to buy a rich
and fashionable wedding-garment or to bring to the light once more the
beautiful pearls she had worn at her own bridal. There were indeed few
ladies at John's wedding more effectively gowned than his
mother-in-law--_except his mother_.

Mrs. Hatton's splendid health set off her splendid beauty, fine
carriage, and sumptuous gown of silver-gray brocaded satin, emphasized
by sapphires of great luster and value.

"I hevn't worn them since father died, thou knowest," she had said to
John the day before the wedding, as she stood before him with the gems
in her hands, "but tomorrow he will expect me to wear them both for his
sake and thine, thou dear, dear lad!" And she looked up at her son and
down at the jewels and her eyes were dim with tears. Presently she
continued, "Jane was here this afternoon. I dare say thou art going to
the train with her tonight, and may be she will tell thee what she is
going to wear. She didn't offer to tell me, and I wouldn't ask her--not
I!"

"What for?"

"I thought she happen might be a bit superstitious about talking of her
wedding fineries. You can talk the luck out of anything, you know,
John."

"Nay, nay, mother!"

"To be sure, you can. _Why-a!_ Your father never spoke of any business
he wanted to come to a surety, and if I asked him about an offer or a
contract he would answer, 'Be quiet, Martha, dost ta want to talk it to
death?'"

"I will keep mind of that, mother."

"Happen it will be worth thy while to do so."

"Father was a shrewd man."

"Well, then, he left one son able to best him if so inclined."

"You will look most handsome, mother. I shall be proud of you. There
will be none like you at the London house."

"I think that is likely, John. Jane's mother will look middling well,
but I shall be a bit beyond her. She showed me her gown, and her pearls.
They were not bad, but they might hev been better--so they might!"

It was thus John Hatton's