It was an hour or more later when the group gathered in the living room, listened to the reading of Ursula Pell's last will and testament.
Mr. Bowen's round face was solemn and sad. Mrs. Bowen was pale with weeping.
Miss Darrel kept a watchful eye on Iris, but the girl was quite her normal self. Winston Bannard was composed and somewhat stern looking, and the servants huddled in the doorway waiting their word.
As might have been expected from the eccentric old lady, the will was long and couched in a mass of unnecessary verbiage. But it was duly drawn and witnessed and its decrees were altogether valid.
As was anticipated, the house and estate of Pellbrook were bequeathed to Miss Lucille Darrel.
The positive nod of that lady's head expressed her satisfaction, and Mr. Chapin proceeded.
Followed a few legacies of money or valuables to several more distant relatives and friends, and then came the list of servants.
A beautiful set of cameos was given to Agnes; a collection of rare coins to the Purdys; and a wonderful gold watch with a jeweled fob to Campbell.
A clause of the will directed that, "if any of the legatees prefer cash to sentiment, they are entirely at liberty to sell their gifts, and it is recommended that Mr. Browne will make for them the most desirable agent.
"The greater part of my earthly possessions," the will continued, "is in the form of precious stones. These gems are safely put away, and their whereabouts will doubtless be disclosed in due time. The entire collection is together, in one place, and it is to be shared alike by my two nearest and dearest of kin, Iris Clyde and Winston Bannard. And I trust that, in the possession and enjoyment of this wealth, they will forgive and forget any silly tricks their foolish old aunt may have played upon them.