The Mohunes had once owned, as I have said, the whole of the village; but their fortunes fell, and with them fell the fortunes of Moonfleet.

The ruins of their mansion showed grey on the hillside above the village; their almshouses stood half-way down the street, with the quadrangle deserted and overgrown; the Mohune image and superscription was on everything from the church to the inn, and everything that bore it was stamped also with the superscription of decay.

And here it is necessary that I say a few words as to this family badge; for, as you will see, I was to bear it all my life, and shall carry its impress with me to the grave.

The Mohune shield was plain white or silver, and bore nothing upon it except a great black 'Y.

I call it a 'Y', though the Reverend Mr.Glennie once explained to me that it was not a 'Y' at all, but what heralds call a _cross-pall.