her own hands, and
put aside to "save trouble" to those left behind. Vanna bowed her head,
and burst into a passion of tears.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

VANNA'S KINGDOM.

Miggles was buried at Seacliff by her own written request. A letter
addressed to Mr Goring was discovered after her death, in which her
wishes were expressed with the simple candour and consideration for
others which had ever characterised her utterances.

"I wish to be buried here at Seacliff. It will be less trouble than
taking me to town, and I have always loved the little place. I don't
wish money wasted on an elaborate coffin, but I should love all the
flowers which people find it in their hearts to send. I don't wish
any one to wear mourning, or to give up their pleasures or amusements
because of my death. I always loved to see you dear ones happy and
gay, and if I can still see you from the other world, it would grieve
me to see you sad. I want you to go on with your lives in the usual
way, and not think it necessary to mourn for me. But I should like to
be remembered. I hope you will still let me share your lives. Talk
of me sometimes when you are together--not sadly, but quite cheerfully
and happily. Say sometimes, `Miggles would like that!' `Miggles
would say that!' `how Miggles would laugh!' just as if I were in
another room. I may be even nearer, and it seems to me now that even
heaven itself could not make me happy if I saw you sad..."

Mr and Mrs Goring, the two schoolboys, Piers Rendall, his mother, and
Vanna were the chief mourners. Jean was expecting a baby, and had been
somewhat alarmingly delicate during the last months, so that it was
impossible for her to travel to Seacliff, and Robert refused to leave
her even for a day. The little burial-ground lay inland, nearer the
Manor House than the cottage on the cliff, and after the service was
over the mourners returned to lunch with Mrs Rendall.

Piers and Vanna followed slowly after the others until a side gate was
reached leading into the grounds, when Piers produced a key from his
pocket, and, entering, led the way, not towards the house, but down hill
in the direction of the glen, but Vanna stood still in the path, looking
at him with surprised, reproachful eyes.

"_To-day_?"

"To-day! Why not? She is happy; it was her great wish for us that we
should be happy, too. Come!"

He took her hand in his, and she made no attempt to with