CHAPTER XI.
THE INQUEST.
On this day, Thursday, the inquest was held.

Most of the gay crowd staying at Hartledon had taken flight; Mr.Carteret, and one or two more, whose testimony might be wished for, remaining.

The coroner and jury assembled in the afternoon, in a large boarded apartment called the steward's room.

Lord Hartledon was present with Dr.Ashton and other friends: they were naturally anxious to hear the evidence that could be collected, and gather any light that might be thrown upon the accident.
The doors were not closed to the public, and a crowd, gentle and simple, pressed in.
The surgeon spoke to the supposed cause of death--drowning: the miller spoke to his house and mill having been that afternoon shut up.

He and his wife went over in their spring-cart to Garchester, and left the place locked up, he said.