“What did he suggest?”

“Anything from cloth of gold to book muslin.”

“And the color?”

“A combination impossible.  Harry’s idea of color in pictures is wonderfully good; in dress it would be for me almost ridiculous.  I think Harry likes all colors and he did not know which to select.  He advises me also, that I must wear a low-cut bodice and very short sleeves.  I have never done this, and I do not think that I should either feel right or do right to follow such advice.”

“There would not be anything wrong in such a dress, but you would not be graceful in any kind of garment you do not wear habitually.”

Then Jane showed her sister-in-law all her finest costumes, told her what modistes made them, and at what social functions they were worn.  When this exhibition was over, the afternoon was advanced.  They drank a cup of tea together and Jane thought Mrs. Harry the most attractive and affectionate woman she had ever met.  She begged her to send for Harry and to stay for dinner, and Lucy was delighted at the invitation but said she could not leave her children because Agnes was not yet weaned and “she will need me and cry for me.”  Then with an enchanting smile she added, “And you know, I should want her.  A mother cannot leave a nursing babe, can she?”

These words were the only minor notes in the interview; they were the only words Jane did not tell her husband.  Otherwise, she made a charming report of the visit.  “She is a darling!” was her comment, and, “No wonder that Harry adores her.  John, she makes you feel that goodness is beautiful, and she looks so young and lovely and yet she has three children!  It is amazing!”

John longed to intimate that the three children might be the secret of Lucy’s youth and beauty, but he refrained himself even from good words.  And which of us cannot recall certain interviews in life when we refrained from good words and did wisely; and other times when we said good words and did foolishly?  So all John said was,

“Did you tell her how to dress, Jane?”

“No.  I let her look at my prettiest frocks, and she took note of what she thought possible.  I gave her an introduction to my dressmaker who is clever enough to make anything Lucy is likely to desire.  What is there about Lucy that makes her so enchanting?  While she was in my room, I felt as if there were violets in it.”

“It is the perfume of a sweet, loving life, Jane.  She brought the love of God into the world with her.  Her soul was never at enmity with Him.  She would look incredulously at you, if you told her so.  I wish you would return her call—­very soon, Jane.”

“Oh, I certainly shall!  I have fallen in love with Lucy, besides people would talk ill-naturedly about me, if I did not.”

“Would you care for that?”

“Surely.  You do not think, John, that I call on the Taylors and Dobsons and such people because I like them.  I am trying to make friends and votes for you, when you decide to take your father’s place in the House.”