VIII

THE GODDESS OF THE TENDER FEET

The goddess Calamity is delicate ...her feet are tender. Her feet
are soft, for she treads not upon the ground, she makes her path
upon the hearts of men.--PINDAR.

Animosities perish, the humanities are eternal.

One morning, nearly a week after his interview with Dr. Sewell, John
found Jane in her room surrounded by fine clothing and trunks and
evidently well enough to consider what he had to say to her.

"What are you doing, Jane?" he asked.

"Why, John, I am sorting out the dresses that are nice enough for
London. I think I shall be well enough to go to Aunt Harlow next week."

"I wish you would come to my room. I want to speak to you."

"Your room is such a bare, chilly place, John."

"It is secluded and we must have no listener to what I am going to say
to you."

Jane looked up quickly and anxiously, asking, "Are you in trouble,
John?"

"Yes, in great trouble."

"About money?"

"Worse than that."

"Then it is that tiresome creature, Harry."

"No. It is yourself."

"Oh, indeed; I think you had better look for someone else to quarrel
with."

"I have no quarrel with anyone; I have something to say to you, and to
you, only; but there are always servants in and out of your rooms."

She rose reluctantly, saying as she did so, "If I get cold, it makes no
matter, I suppose."

"Everything about you is of the greatest importance to me, I suppose you
know that."

"It may be so or it may not be so. You have scarcely noticed me for
nearly a week. I am going to London. There, I hope, I shall receive a
little more love and attention."

"But you are not going to London."

"I am going to London. I have written to Lady Harlow saying I would be
with her on next Monday evening."

"Write to Lady Harlow at once and tell her you will not be able to leave
home."

"That is no excuse for breaking my word."

"Tell her I, your husband, need you here. No other excuse is necessary."

Jane laughed as if she was highly amused. "Does 'I, my husband,' expect
Lady Harlow and Jane Hatton to change their plans for his whim?"

"Not for any whim of mine, Jane, would I ask you to change your plans. I
have heard something which will compel me to pay more attention to
you."

"Goodness knows, I am thankful for that! During my late illness, I think
you were exceedingly negligent."

"Why did you make yourself so ill? Tell me that."

"Such a preposterous que