“If Harry were at home I would not do it,” said the widow. “I don’t think he would like it. As it is, it is only for Katy’s sake that I give my consent.”
So when Squire Turner called for his answer he found it to be favorable. He urged immediate marriage. For this he had his reasons, as he desired to be in a situation to complete his western negotiation.
“There is no use in delaying,” he said. “The sooner Katy commences her musical education the better. Besides, I am lonely, and my household sadly needs a woman to look after it.”
Mrs. Raymond would have preferred to postpone the marriage for six months; but she could assign no reasons for it, and so at length yielded to the squire’s request, and that day four weeks was appointed for the wedding. The next day Squire Turner went to the city, and selected a handsome silk dress-pattern, which was forwarded by express to Mrs. Raymond, with an intimation that it was for her wedding-dress. She could not do otherwise than accept it, and the village dress-maker was sent for at once to superintend its making up.
Time slipped by, and the day for the marriage had nearly arrived. The wedding-dress was completed, and various other articles, which had also been sent through the squire’s liberality, lay upon the bed in Mrs. Raymond’s chamber.
“What a beautiful dress, mother!” said Katy. “I wish you would try it on.”
More to please the little girl than herself, Mrs. Raymond consented and tried on the new dress. She was still a fine-looking woman, as I have already said, and the new dress became her well. Little Katy looked at her in admiration, and said, “How beautiful you look, mother! I wish Harry were here to see you.”
At the sound of Harry’s name Mrs. Raymond’s face changed. She could not conceal from herself that what she was about to do would have been strongly opposed by Harry, had he been at home. Would he ever come home? That was the question which occurred to her, and, if he did, what would he say to find her Squire Turner’s wife?
“I wish I could put it off for six months,” she thought.