She knew not _why_, and yet in her soul there was a dark, swelling sorrow which would not for any adjuration of Scripture nor any imploration of prayer, be stilled.
"I wonder what it is," she whispered.

"I wonder if Jane----" then there was a violent knocking at the front door, and she started to her feet, uttering as she did so the word, "_Now!_" She knew instinctively, whatever the trouble was, it was standing at her threshold, and she took a candle in her hand and went to meet it face to face.

It was a stranger on a big horse with a telegram.

He offered it to Mrs.Hatton, but John had quickly followed his mother and he took it from her and read its appalling message: Come quickly! Martha is very, very ill! A dark, heavy cloud took possession of both hearts, but John said only, "Come with me, mother." "No," she answered, "this is Jane's opportunity.
I must not interfere with it.

I shall be with you, dear John, though you may not see.