What he said of himself was quite true. He had lived within his income, and was not therefore greatly elated by learning that he would probably soon be a rich man. Perhaps he affected to care less about his change of fortune than he really did. He was cynic enough for this. At all events he accepted his uncle's invitation to be present at his poor young cousin's funeral, and he wrote in becoming and even feeling terms of the sad loss the squire had sustained. Mr. Temple read this letter with a sigh, but he was not displeased with it. He did not show it to his wife, who was prostrate with grief. Mrs. Temple's condition was indeed truly pitiable. Her one moan was she had no one to love her now, and she refused to be comforted. "She will be better," said Mrs. Layton to the squire, "when it is all over. Rachel is, and always was, very emotional." Mrs. Layton meant that her daughter would be better when her young son was in his grave. But Mr. Temple did not consult his mother-in-law on the subject. He fixed the day for the poor lad's burial himself, and he invited the funeral guests. And it was only after John Temple had accepted his invitation that he told Mrs. Layton that he expected his nephew. Mrs. Layton went home to the vicarage brimful of the news. "Of course this young man is the heir now," she said to her husband; "but surely Rachel will have the Hall for her life? We must see about this, James." The Rev. James Layton, an easy-going man, looked up from the composition of his weekly sermon as his wife spoke. "I dare say it will be all right," he said. "But it may not be; this young man is sure to marry after the squire's death, and he looks extremely ill and shaken, and I can not have Rachel's home interfered with." "You are always looking forward," replied the Rev. James, pettishly. "I'm busy, I've my sermon to finish." "The sermon can wait, and is of no consequence; but Rachel's future is. You must speak to the squire about it at once." "I consider it would be absolutely indecent, Sarah, to do so at present." "That's all very fine, but the poor old man may take a fit any day, and then where should we be--with a new madam at the Hall, after all Rachel has gone through?" "She always seemed right enough till the poor lad died." "Still, she married an old man, and should therefore have the benefit of it." "Well, wait until the poor boy is in his grave, at any rate."