would say
little words about him, wondering what he was doing in the book-room.
To this Isabel would apparently pay no attention, simply remarking
that it was natural that at such a time he should remain in
seclusion.

"But he does get so very pale, Miss Isabel," said the housekeeper.
"He wasn't white, not like that when he come first to Llanfeare." To
this Isabel made no reply; but she, too, had remarked how wan, how
pallid, and how spiritless he had become.

On the Monday morning, when the men upstairs were at work on their
ghastly duty, before the coming of the doctor and the lawyer, she
went down to him, to tell him something of the programme for the day.
Hitherto he had simply been informed that on that morning the body
would be buried under the walls of the old parish church, and that
after the funeral the will would be read. Entering the room somewhat
suddenly she found him seated, vacant, in a chair, with an open book
indeed on the table near him, but so placed that she was sure that he
had not been occupied with it. There he was, looking apparently at
the bookshelves, and when she entered the room he jumped up to greet
her with an air of evident surprise.

"Mr Apjohn and Dr Powell will be here at eleven," she said.

"Oh, ah; yes," he replied.

"I thought I would tell you, that you might be ready."

"Yes; that is very kind. But I am ready. The men came in just now,
and put the band on my hat, and laid my gloves there. You will not
go, of course?"

"Yes; I shall follow the body. I do not see why I should not go as
well as you. A woman may be strong enough at any rate for that. Then
they will come back to lunch."

"Oh, indeed; I did not know that there would be a lunch."

"Yes; Dr Powell says that it will be proper. I shall not be there,
but you, of course, will be present to take the head of the table."

"If you wish it."

"Of course; it would be proper. There must be some one to seem at any
rate to entertain them. When that is over Mr Apjohn will find the
will, and will read it. Richard will lay the lunch here, so that you
may go at once into the parlour, where the will will be read. They
tell me that I am to be there. I shall do as they bid me, though
it will be a sore trouble to me. Dr Powell will be there, and some
of the tenants. Mr Apjohn has thought it right to ask them, and
therefore I tell you. Those who will be present are as follows:--John
Griffith, of Coed; William Griffith, who has th