In this way she sat in the dark and silence and asked and waited for the answer.  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.  For she saw that the elder woman was unhappy for want of some interest in life, and she was sure that the domestic instinct, as well as the instinct for buying and selling, was well developed in her and only wanted exercise.  Indeed, an hour’s conversation on the possibilities of Harlow House, of the money to be made on game, poultry, eggs, milk, butter, honey, fruit, had roused such good hopes in Mrs. Harlow’s heart that she could hardly wait until the house was put in order and the necessary servants hired.

She relied on Martha like a child, and anyone who did that was sure of her motherly kindness.  On this day Martha was particularly glad to turn the conversation on the subject.  She spoke of Jane’s marriage and pointed out what a comfort it would be when she was alone to be making a bit of money at every turn.  “Why!” she cried enthusiastically.  “Instead of moping over the fire with some silly tale of impossible tragedy, you will have your dairy and poultry to look after.  Even in winter they bring in money, and there’s game to send to market every week.  Hares come as fast as they go, and partridge are hardy and plentiful.  Why, there’s a little fortune lying loose in Harlow!  If I were you, I would make haste to pick it up.”

This was a safe and encouraging subject, and Mrs. Hatton pressed it for all it was worth.  It was only Jane that saw any objections to their immediate removal to Harlow House.  She said Lord Harlow, as her nearest relative and the head of their house, had been written to that morning, being informed of her intended marriage, and she thought no fresh step ought to be taken until they heard from him.