Mrs.Margaret Bertram was unluckily one of those whose good qualities had attached no general friendship.

She had no near relations who might have mourned from natural affection, and therefore her funeral exhibited merely the exterior trappings of sorrow.
Mannering, therefore, stood among this lugubrious company of cousins in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth degree, composing his countenance to the decent solemnity of all who were around him, and looking as much concerned on Mrs.Margaret Bertram's account as if the deceased lady of Singleside had been his own sister or mother.

After a deep and awful pause, the company began to talk aside, under their breaths, however, and as if in the chamber of a dying person.
'Our poor friend,' said one grave gentleman, scarcely opening his mouth, for fear of deranging the necessary solemnity of his features, and sliding his whisper from between his lips, which were as little unclosed as possible--'our poor friend has died well to pass in the world.' 'Nae doubt,' answered the person addressed, with half-closed eyes; 'poor Mrs.Margaret was aye careful of the gear.' 'Any news to-day, Colonel Mannering ?' said one of the gentlemen whom he had dined with the day before, but in a tone which might, for its impressive gravity, have communicated the death of his whole generation.
'Nothing particular, I believe, sir,' said Mannering, in the cadence which was, he observed, appropriated to the house of mourning.
'I understand,' continued the first speaker, emphatically, and with the air of one who is well informed--'I understand there IS a settlement.' 'And what does little Jenny Gibson get ?' 'A hundred, and the auld repeater.' 'That's but sma' gear, puir thing; she had a sair time o't with the auld leddy.

But it's ill waiting for dead folk's shoon.' 'I am afraid,' said the politician, who was close by Mannering, 'we have not done with your old friend Tippoo Sahib yet, I doubt he'll give the Company more plague; and I am told, but you'll know for certain, that East India Stock is not rising.' 'I trust it will, sir, soon.' 'Mrs.Margaret,' said another person, mingling in the conversation, 'had some India bonds.

I know that, for I drew the interest for her; it would be desirable now for the trustees and legatees to have the Colonel's advice about the time and mode of converting them into money.