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A Modern Madonna
A Modern Madonna

Chapter III

Cover illustration for A Modern Madonna
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MRS.
PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.
Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.
Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.
She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Modern Madonna

Chapter III

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MRS.
Line 2
PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.
Line 3
Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.
Line 4
Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.
Line 5
She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.”

Twilight noun US /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading “Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.”

All words in this reading · 82

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

alleviated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

appointed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

bereaved

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

bewitching

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

blond-haired

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

bows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

cascades

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

Certainly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

complacently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

coquettish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

Cornelius

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

crape

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

Dorn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

elegantly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

enjoyed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

enveloped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

falls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

grief

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

heliotrope

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

housegown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

indefinitely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

just

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

lace

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

lavender

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

leaned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

library

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

mansion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

mantel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

mirror

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

MISSOURI

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

MRS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading MRS.

niece

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

PENNYBACKER

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

prolong

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

reflection

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

sat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

smiling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was smiling complacently just now at this blond-haired reflection in the mirror as she leaned on the mantel.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

soft

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

softly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

stage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

tempted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

to-day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

Two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

Van

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

velvet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Certainly nothing could be more bewitching than the lavender housegown which enveloped her to-day, with its falls and cascades of soft lace and its coquettish velvet bows.

violet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

wedding

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

weeks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Van Dorn had enjoyed her crape, and was now in the softly alleviated stage of violet and heliotrope, which looked so well on her that she was tempted to prolong indefinitely this twilight of her grief.

widow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading PENNYBACKER OF MISSOURI Two or three weeks after the wedding Mrs. Pennybacker sat with her niece in the elegantly appointed library of the mansion that old Cornelius Van Dorn had left to his bereaved widow.