Mrs.Harry's card was a relief.

It would please John very much, she reflected, and so looking in her mirror and finding her dress correct and becoming, she had Lucy brought to her private sitting-room.

She met her sister-in-law with a kindness that astonished herself, and nothing occurred during the visit to make her regret her courtesy.
Lucy's sweet nature and her utter want of self-consideration won its way, as it always did; and Jane was astonished at her youthful freshness and her great beauty.

They shook hands and smiled pleasantly, and then Lucy apologized for her initiative call and Jane waxed ashamed of her cold, aloof attitude.

She felt that she had lost something irrevocably by her neglect of domestic duties so obvious and so generally observed.
"I did not think you were really settled yet," she explained, "and it was so kind of you to call first." "I am afraid it is rather a selfish call, Mrs.Hatton." "Oh, you must not call me Mrs.Hatton.There are three of us, you know; though it is likely that our mother-in-law assumes the title, and you are Mrs.Harry and I am Mrs.John.It would be quite in sympathy with her way, and her manner of thinking.