CHAPTER X.
The funeral of Squire Thorndyke and Mr.Bastow was over, and all agreed they had never seen a more affecting spectacle than that at the churchyard when the two coffins were brought in.

The distance was short, and the tenants had requested leave to carry the Squire's bier, while that of Mr.Bastow was borne by the villagers who had known and loved him.

Behind followed all the magistrates and a great number of the gentry for miles round; the churchyard was crowded by every man, woman, and child in the village, and the women, as well as many of the men, wept unrestrainedly as the coffins passed by.

Besides these, a large number of people from Reigate and the surrounding villages were present, attracted rather by the crime that had caused the death than by the loss of the Squire himself.

The church was crowded, and it was with difficulty that Mr.Greg read the service.