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he felt humbly certain would meet all her expectations. She sent her approval by the return post and made arrangements to meet with him before leaving England so that she could get all the particulars from him and settle his fee.
    Lady Mary also received the long-overdue letter from her parents. She broke the seal and unfolded the pages rather reluctantly. But as she read, she felt a gathering astonishment. It was unusually short for a communiqué from Viscountess Catlin and it expressed approval for Lady Mary's good sense in providing the best possible Season for Abigail, with her love, etc. etc.
    Lady Mary stared at the crossed sheets for some seconds before she thoughtfully folded the letter away. Later, when she had occasion to mention the letter's contents to Mrs. Evesleigh, she said, “It was the oddest letter of my life. Not one word of reproach, not one counterproposal, nor even a word of complaint over my selfishness. In short, my decision to take Abigail to Brussels was received with unprecedented approval. I was never more astonished in my life."
    "I must admit to surprise at what you tell me. I do not recall that you have ever received such a gentle communication,” Mrs. Evesleigh said, not looking up. She was embroidering the last delicate silk rose onto her daughter's wedding dress. Rather than depend upon the services of the seamstress, Mrs. Evesleigh, who was a notable needlewoman in her own right, had elected to add such exquisite touches to her daughter's gown as a visible expression of her love. She held up the train to look critically at the effect and she felt a glowing sense of pleasure. It had turned out just as she had hoped, she thought happily. She looked at Lady Mary, again returning her attention to her friend's preoccupation. “It occurs to me that perhaps the viscountess has mellowed."
    "One can hope, can't one?” Lady Mary said with a smile. She ran her finger lightly over the embroidery that bordered the train of the white satin gown. “The roses are truly exquisite, Maggie. I do not think that I have ever seen a more beautiful gown."
    "Oh, do you truly think so? I so wish everything to be perfect for Betsy and—” Mrs. Evesleigh choked up and tears came to her eyes as she stroked the silken roses. “I shall miss her so very, very dreadfully."
    Lady Mary put her arm about her friend's shoulders and hugged her. “I do know, believe me. It seems only yesterday that we carried Abigail and Betsy to church for their christenings. Now they are young ladies and so terribly grown-up. Oh, dear, now you have me started as well!” Crying and laughing at once, the two friends eventually mopped their eyes and blew their noses.
    "Well, we are a pair of watering pots. We mustn't let our daughters discover us in such a state or they will think us the silliest gooses alive,” Lady Mary said.
    "No, indeed,” Mrs. Evesleigh agreed with a watery smile.
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Chapter 4
    One week later, Miss Betsy Evesleigh exchanged vows with the Reverend Clarence Coates in the old neighborhood church that had seen her christening seventeen years before. The bride and groom were resplendent in their bridal clothes, Betsy in her white satin gown standing beside the reverend in his smart dark blue frock coat with its gleaming gilt buttons. Mrs. Evesleigh quietly cried her eyes out, all the while clinging to Mr. Evesleigh, who appeared every inch the proud beaming sire.
    Lady Mary's gaze traveled from the bridal couple to her own daughter. Abigail appeared nearly as radiant as the blushing bride, and it was hardly any wonder, she thought without rancor, when one considered the cost of Abigail's gown. Abigail had positively insisted upon the most expensive cloth that one could possibly acquire. There was not much that Lady Mary had ever denied her daughter, but yet she was satisfied that she had brought a firm-enough hand to Abigail's raising.
    Lady Mary frowned slightly. It was just in the last few