"A singularly quiet funeral, Mr Hampton," said Doctor Lawrence as he rode back in the same carriage with the solicitor. "The wish of the deceased, sir. He had a great dislike to wasting money." "Bit miserly, Mr Hampton." "No, sir, no. On the whole a generous man, but if he spent money, as he used to say to me. He liked to have something substantial in return." "Well, I must say for him, that he was always prompt in his payments." "Always," said the lawyer. "But with his wealth it seems strange that we have not got a host of needy relatives. We can talk about it, Hampton, not being relatives. Wish I was. A slice of the poor old boy's cake would have been a nice help to a family man like me." "Humph, yes, I suppose so. Money's nice. Very sudden at last, doctor." "Ye-es, and no," said the doctor. "When a man gets to eighty-five you may say his life hangs by a cobweb. Any little excitement may bring it to an end." "Humph! Hah! And I've a shrewd suspicion that he had an angry interview with Mr Harrington--the nephew." "And heir?" said the doctor. "My dear Lawrence," said the old lawyer, smiling, "never try to pump one of our profession. In a very short time I shall be reading the will, so curb your impatience." "Of course, my dear sir, of course; only a little natural curiosity. Between ourselves I think it will be a pity if he marries our charming young friend, Gertrude." "Thousand pities," said the old lawyer drily. "Sooner marry her myself--if I could." The carriage drew up at the outer gates as he spoke, and the ugly old brick house, known as "The Mynns," seemed a little more cheerful now that the blinds, which had been down for days, were raised and the sun allowed to light up the gloomy rooms, in one of which--the dining-room-- the little party assembled after a while to hear the reading of the will; Saul's enemy, the dog, taking up his position or the hearthrug. The party consisted of Gertrude, who came in attended by Bruno; Mrs Hampton, a stiff, stern old lady, who looked like a black dress with a face on the top; Saul Harrington, and the servants. Mr Hampton was there officially, and the doctor was retiring to see a patient in town, when the lawyer took him by the coat. "Don't go, Lawrence," he said; "you forget you are an executor." "Oh, yes, of course, so I did." "It's a long time since the will was executed, and I have some recollection of a snuff-box left to you." "Indeed," said the doctor, with his face lighting up as he rubbed his hands; "then he has left me the old engine turned silver snuff-box. I took a fancy to it years ago, and he laughed and said he would leave it to me in his will. Now that's very pleasant of him to remember me. Eh Miss Gertrude? Yes, I'm very glad." The doctor drew out a holly-root box, took snuff loudly, and looking up at the portrait of the old man, gave it a friendly nod, while the eyes seemed to be gazing into his is they did into those of all present.