It gave John a positive right to govern the mill, to decide all disputes, and to stand in his place as master.  It gave to Henry the same financial standing as his brother, but strictly denied to either son who deserted the mill any sum of larger amount than five thousand pounds; “to be made in one payment, and not a shilling more.”  A codicil, however, three years later, permitted one brother to buy the other out at a price to be settled by three large cotton-spinners who had long been friends of the Hatton family.  These directions appeared to be plain enough but there was delay after delay in bringing the matter to a finish.  It was nearly a month before Harry had his five thousand pounds in his pocketbook, and during this time he made no progress with his mother.  She thought him selfish and indifferent about the mill and his family.  In fact, Harry was at that time a very much married man, and though John was capable of considering the value of this affection, John’s mother was not.  John looked on it as a safeguard for the future.  John’s mother saw it only as a marked and offensive detail of the present.  Lucy did nothing to help the situation.  In spite of the attention paid her, she knew that she was unwelcome.  “Your people do not like me, Harry,” she complained; and Harry said some unkind things concerning his people in reply.

So the parting was cool and constrained, and Harry went off with his bride and his five thousand pounds, caring little at that time for any other consideration.

“He will come to himself soon, mother,” said John.  “It isn’t worth while to fret about him.”

“I never waste anything, John, least of all love and tears.  I can learn to do without, as well as other mothers.”

But it was a hard trial, and her tired eyes and weary manner showed it.  John was not able to make any excuse she would listen to about Harry’s marriage.  Its hurried and almost clandestine character deeply offended her; and the young wife during her visit had foolishly made a point of exhibiting her power over her husband, while both of them seemed possessed by that egotistical spirit which insists on their whole world seeing how vastly superior their love is to any other love that ever had been.  Undoubtedly the young couple were offensive to everyone, and Mrs. Hatton said they had proved to her perfect satisfaction the propriety and even the necessity for the retirement of newly married people to some secluded spot for their honeymoon.

Soon after their departure Jane Harlow returned.  She came home attended by the rumor of her triumphs and enriched by a splendid wardrobe and many fine pieces of jewelry.  She told modestly enough the story of the life she had been leading, and Mrs. Hatton was intensely interested in it.

“Jane Harlow is a woman of a thousand parts, and you have chosen a wife to bring you friendship and honor,” she said to John.  “Dear knows one cannot weary in her company.  She has an opinion on every subject.”