orway danced Princess Carmel, an excited vision, with
carnation cheeks, and dark eyes twinkling like stars. She stopped on the
threshold and dropped him a pretty curtsey, then a great generous light
seemed to shine in her face as she announced:

"Signor Everard, allow me to hand you back your inheritance!"

It was the triumph of her life.

* * * * *

Mr. Bowden, on being sent for to examine the will, found all in perfect
order. The legacies to friends and to the other grandchildren were
exactly the same as in the former will, the only difference being that
the positions of the two cousins were reversed, Carmel receiving a
handsome sum of money, and Everard inheriting the property. There was no
doubt that the impetuous old squire had repented his hasty decision, but
not liking to confess such weakness to the family lawyer, had drawn up
his own will and hidden it in the secret drawer of his desk. Possibly he
himself was not sure which of the two documents he wished to stand, and
had kept this in reserve while he vacillated. Fate, for a year and a
half, had decided in favor of Carmel, then the eternal balance had swung
slowly back.

"It seems such a pity that the desk wasn't searched properly at first,"
said Lilias to Cousin Clare. "Think of all the trouble it would have
prevented if we had only known about that secret drawer. Poor Everard!
How much he would have been saved!"

"And how immensely much he would have lost!" said Cousin Clare. "This
testing-time of character has been Everard's salvation. He is very
different now from the thoughtless, self-important boy who looked at
everything from his own point of view. He has learnt some of life's
stern lessons, and will make a far better owner of the Chase than would
have been possible without passing through these experiences. I think he
realizes that for himself, and would not wish to change anything that
has happened."

Now that the new will was proved, and Cheverley Chase was no longer her
property, arose the immediate question of Carmel's future. She settled
it at once for herself, and in spite of all entreaties to remain in
England, decided to return to her Sicilian home.

"I told you long ago, Everard, that I would not keep your inheritance,
and I am only too glad to hand it back," she said to her cousin. "You're
going to do all the splendid things that I prophesied--take your degree,
be a model landowner, get into Parliament,