Neither Jane Harlow nor Jane Hatton could say and then unsay.
And she was proud of this racial and family characteristic, and frequently recalled it in the motto of her house--_"I say! I do!"_ It is evident then that some strong antagonistic feeling would be necessary to break down this barrier raised by a false definition of honor and yet the circumstances that initially assailed it were of ordinary character.

The first happened a few weeks previously.

Jane had gone out early to do some household shopping and was standing just within the open door of the shop where she had made her purchases.
Suddenly she heard John's clear, joyous laugh mingling with the clatter of horses' feet.

The sound was coming near and nearer and in a moment or two John passed on his favorite riding-horse and with him was his nephew Stephen Hatton on a pretty pony suitable to his size.

John was happy, Stephen was happy, and _she! She_ had absolutely no share in their pleasure.