Part 16 (1/2)

John could not leave his mill and his business, and Lord and Lady Harlow considered his resolution a wise proceeding. Jane was also praised for her ready agreement to her husband's business exigencies. But really the omission of the customary wedding-journey gave Jane no disappointment.

To take possession of her splendid home, to a.s.sume 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 fas.h.i.+onable 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 l.u.s.ter 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 superst.i.tious 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 marriage came off. There was a dull, chill service in St. Margaret's, every word of which was sacred to John, a gay wedding-breakfast, and a laughing crowd from whom the bride and bridegroom stole away, reaching their own home late in the afternoon.

They were as quiet there as if they had gone into a wilderness. Mrs.

Hatton remained in London for two weeks, with an old school companion, and Mrs. Harlow was hospitably entertained by Lord and Lady Harlow, who thoroughly respected her successful efforts to turn Harlow House into more than a respectable living.

Perhaps she was a little proud of her work, and a little tiresome in explaining her methods, but that was a transient trial to be easily looked over, seeing that its infliction was limited to a short period.

On the whole she was praised and pleased, and she told Mrs. Hatton when they met again, that it was the first time her n.o.ble brother-in-law had ever treated her with kindness and respect.

So the days grew to months, and the months to more than four years, and the world believed that all was prosperous with the Hattons. Perhaps in Harry Hatton's case expectations had been a little bettered by realities. At least in a great measure he had realized the things he had so pa.s.sionately desired when he resigned his share in the mill and gave life up to love, music, and painting. He certainly possessed one of those wonderful West Riding voices, whose power and sweetness leaves an abiding echo in memory. And in London he had found such good teachers and good opportunities that John was now constantly receiving programs of musical entertainments in which Harry Hatton had a prominent part.

Indeed, John had gone specially to the last Leeds musical event, and had been greatly delighted with the part a.s.signed Harry and the way in which he rendered it.

Afterwards he described to Harry's mother the popularity of her son.

”Why, mother,” he said, ”the big audience were most enthusiastic when Harry stepped forward. He looked so handsome and his smile and bearing were so charming, that you could not wonder the people broke into cheers and bravos. I was as enthusiastic as anyone present. And he sang, yes, he sang like an angel. Upon my word, mother, one could not expect a soul who had such music in it to be silent.”

”I'm sure I don't know where he got the music. His father never sang a note that I know of, and though I could sing a cradle song when a crying child needed it, n.o.body ever offered me money to do it; and your father has said more than often when so singing, '_Be quiet, Martha_!' So his father and mother did not give Harry Hatton any such foolish notions and ways.”

”Every good gift is from G.o.d, mother, and we ought not to belittle them, ought we, now?”