History has a trick of repeating itself, and she could not bear to think of sunny-hearted Katherine having to live always in the shadows, as she herself had done.
But the worry oppressing her just now was concerned also with Mary Selincourt.

Mary spent a great deal of time at the store, and when she was there she made herself useful like other people.

She had even served an Indian squaw with coloured calico of an astonishing pattern, had clicked off the proper number of yards in the most business-like fashion, and then had demanded: "What next, if you please ?" in a manner as collected as if she had served an apprenticeship behind a counter.

A most delightful companion was Mary, and Mrs.Burton fairly revelled in her society: but Mary had one strange habit which puzzled her, she always avoided Jervis Ferrars when it was possible to do so, and she had a trick of blushing when his name was mentioned.

These symptoms were proof positive to Mrs.Burton that Mary cared for Jervis, and she was sorely troubled about it.
Katherine, on the other hand, seemed to be absolutely heart-whole; she went about her daily work with a zest which was refreshing to behold.