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