Then the procession, shorn of its chief and prominent features, went back to Verner's Pride.

Lionel wore his hat this time.
In the large drawing-room of state, in her mourning robes and widow's cap, sat Mrs.Verner.She had not been out of her chamber, until within the last ten minutes, since before Mr.Verner's death; scarcely out of her bed.

As they passed into the room--the lawyer, Dr.West, Jan, Mr.
Bitterworth, and Sir Rufus Hautley--they thought how Mrs.Verner had changed, and how ill she looked; not that her florid complexion was any paler.

She had, indeed, changed since the news of John Massingbird's death; and some of them believed that she would not be very long after Mr.Verner.
They had assembled there for the purpose of hearing the will read.

The desk of Mr.Verner was brought forward and laid upon the table.