The little cemetery was crowded with friends and acquaintances of the dead--country gentry most of them, who sought to show their respect for their late neighbour by falling into the long funeral procession and joining the throng at the graveside.
It was a severe ordeal for the two boys to find themselves the centres of observation, and to feel that more than half the interest exhibited in them was on account of their supposed inheritance.
One bluff squire came up after the funeral and patted Reginald on the back.
"Never mind, my boy," said he; "I was left without a father at your age.
You'll soon get over it, and your mother will have plenty of friends.
Glad to see you up at the Hall any day, and your brother too.

You must join our hunt next winter, and keep up the family name.

God bless you!" Reginald shrank from this greeting like a guilty being, and the two desolate boys were glad to escape further encounters by retreating to their carriage and ordering the coachman to drive home at once.
A few days disclosed all that was wanting to make their position quite clear.

Mr Cruden's will confirmed Mr Richmond's statement as to the source of his income.

All his money was invested in shares of the two ruined railways, and all he had to leave besides these was the furniture and contents of Garden Vale.