CHAPTER XXXV

MISS PANNEY HAS TEETH ENOUGH LEFT TO BITE WITH

After her recent quick pull and strong pull, Miss Panney rested placidly on her oars.  She knew that Miriam had gone, but she had not yet heard whether the Dranes had returned to their former lodging in Thorbury, or had left the neighborhood altogether.  She presumed, however, that they were in the town; for the young woman’s work for Dr. Tolbridge was probably not completed.  She intended to call on Mrs. Brinkly and find out about this; and she also determined to drop in at Cobhurst, and see how poor Ralph was getting on by himself.  But for these things there was no hurry.

But jogging into town one morning, she was amazed to meet Ralph and Mrs. Drane returning to Cobhurst in the gig.  Both vehicles stopped, and Ralph immediately began to tell the old lady of Miriam’s good fortune.  He told, also, of his own good fortune in having Mrs. Drane and her daughter to run the house during Miriam’s absence, and was in high good spirits and glad to talk.

Miss Panney listened with rigid attention; but when Ralph had finished, she asked Mrs. Drane if she had left her daughter alone at Cobhurst, while she and Mr. Haverley came to town.

“Oh, yes,” answered the other lady; “Cicely is there, and hard at work; but she is not alone.  You know our good La Fleur is with us, and will remain as long as the doctor and Mrs. Tolbridge are away.”

When Miss Panney received this last bit of information, she gazed intently at Mrs. Drane and then at Ralph, after which she bade them good morning, and drove off.

“The old lady is not in such jolly good humor as when she lunched with us the other day,” said Ralph.

“That is true,” said Mrs. Drane; “but I have noticed that very elderly people are apt to be moody.”

Twice in the course of a year Miss Panney allowed herself to swear, if there happened to be occasion for it.  In her young days a lady of fashion would sometimes swear with great effect; and Miss Panney did not entirely give up any old fashion that she liked.  Now, there being good reason for it, and no one in sight, she swore, and directed her abjurations against herself.  Then her mind, somewhat relieved from the strain upon it, took in the humorous points of the situation, and she laughed outright.

“If the Dranes had hired some sharp-witted rogue to help them carry out their designs, he could not have done it better than I have done it.  I have simply put the whole game into their hands; I have given them everything they want.”

But before she reached Thorbury, she saw that the situation was not hopeless.  There was one thing that might be done, and that successfully accomplished the game would be in her hands.  Ralph must be made to go to Barport.  A few days with Dora at the seaside, with some astute person there to manage the affair, would settle the fate of Mr. Ralph Haverley.  At this thought her eyes sparkled, and she began to feel hungry.  At this important moment she did not wish to occupy her mind with prattle and chat, and therefore departed from her usual custom of lunching with a friend or acquaintance.  Hitching her roan mare in front of a confectionery shop, she entered for refreshment.