Cicely appeared in the teaberry gown, and if the spirit of Judith Pacewalk hovered o’er the scene, and allowed its gaze to wander from the charming bride, over the happy faces of the rest of the company, to the half-open door of the dining-room, where shone the radiant face of the proudest cook in the world, it must have been as well satisfied with the fate of the pink garment as it could possibly expect to be.

It was late in the afternoon when the luncheon party broke up, and although Miss Panney was the last guest to leave, she did not go home, but drove herself to Thorbury, and tied her roan mare in front of the office of Mr. Herbert Bannister.  When the young lawyer looked up and perceived his visitor, he heaved a sigh, for he had expected in a few moments to lock up his desk, and stop, on his way home, at the house of his lady love.  But the presence of Miss Panney at his office meant business, and business with her meant a protracted session.  Miss Panney did not notice the sigh, and if she had, it would not have affected her.  Her soul had been satisfied this day, and no trifle could disturb her serenity.

“Now what I want,” said she, after a good deal of prefatory remark, “is for you to give me my will.  I want to alter it.”

“But, madam,” said young Bannister, when he had heard the alterations desired by Miss Panney, “is not this a little quixotic?  Excuse me for saying so.  Mr. Haverley is not even related to you, and you are bestowing upon him—­”

“Herbert Bannister,” said the old lady, “if you were your father instead of yourself, you would know that this young man ought to have been my grandson.  He isn’t; but I choose to consider him as such, and as such I shall leave him what will make him a worthy lord of Cobhurst.  Bring me the new will as soon as it is ready and bring also the old one, with all the papers I have given you, from time to time, regarding the disposition of my property.  I shall burn them, every one, and although it may set the Wittons’ chimney on fire the conflagration will make me happy.”

THE END