“I know, dear.  You want to marry the one you love.  Isn’t that it?”

“It is, but how did you guess it?”

“Oh, I was young once, and understand such things,” Mrs. Hampton smilingly told her.  “But, there, we must not talk any more now.  I am sorry that I disturbed you.  Sleep as long as you like.”

This was but one of many conversations the two had during the next day.  While John was at work about the place, Mrs. Hampton and Jess talked with each other, either in the kitchen or out upon the verandah.  Thus the two were drawn closer together, and understood each other better than before.  Then in the evening, when the day’s work was done, John joined them.  He was happier than he had ever been in his life, and as he went about his various tasks he could hardly believe it possible that the one girl in the whole world who meant everything to him was but a short distance away, awaiting his return.

The more Mrs. Hampton thought about Jess, the more determined she became that nothing should take her from her.  She was her daughter, and she had the right to her, no matter what she had done in the past.  If it came to the worst she would claim her as her own, tell the whole sad story, and bear whatever blame might fall upon her.

She thought over this during the next day, and the more she was with the girl the more she loved her.  The fact that John’s love was added to hers gave her much comfort.  Nothing would please her better than to see them married.  Then she would have both a son and a daughter.  But would the girl’s foster parents allow her to marry a man who was merely an ordinary country farmer?  It was hardly likely, judging by their ambition to give her to the son of a Lord.

She was thinking of this as she worked in the kitchen, busily preparing supper.  John and Jess had gone for a walk down to the river, expecting to be back in a short time.  It was a beautiful evening, and as Mrs. Hampton watched them as they moved down across the field her heart filled with pride.  She liked to see them together, for they were so happy, and seemed to be perfectly suited to each other.

When supper was ready, she went out upon the verandah to await their return.  It was good to rest after the work of the day, and look out upon the river.  Everything was full of peace, and if she could only bring herself in harmony with the world of nature how good it would be.  The music of the birds, and the hum of bees sounded in her ears.  But her brain was too much concerned about other affairs to enjoy the bright things around her.  She felt restless, and a feeling of some impending calamity oppressed her.  Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, for she had rested very little the last two nights.

The click of the little gate aroused her, and looking up she saw a little woman walking up the path toward the house.  The visitor was shabbily dressed, and she hurried along as if fearful of being followed.  She was panting heavily by the time she was upon the verandah, and seemed about ready to drop from weariness.