London. Mr. Knox met him in Mr. Stokes' chambers, and there he learned
that his brother, who had made many wills in his time, had made one
last will just before he left London, after his return from Rudham
Park. Mr. Stokes took him aside and told him that he would find the
will to be unfavourable. "I thought the property was entailed," said
Lord George very calmly. Mr. Stokes assented, with many assurances as
to the impregnability of the family acres and the family houses; but
added that there was money, and that the furniture had belonged to the
late Marquis to dispose of as he pleased. "It is a matter of no
consequence," said Lord George,--whom the loss of the money and
furniture did not in truth at all vex.

Early on the following morning he went down to Brotherton, leaving the
undertakers to follow him as quickly as they might. He could enter the
house now, and to him as he was driven home under the oaks no doubt
there came some idea of his own possession of them. But the idea was
much less vivid than the Dean's, and was chiefly confined to the
recollection that no one could now turn him out of the home in which he
had been born and in which his mother and sisters and wife were living.
Had his elder brother been a man of whom he could have been proud, I
almost think he would have been more contented as a younger brother.
"It is over at last" were the first words he said to his wife, not
finding it to be more important that his greatness was beginning than
that his humiliation should be brought to an end.

The funeral took place with all the state that undertakers could give
to it in a little village, but with no other honours. Lord George was
the chief mourner and almost the only one. One or two neighbours
came,--Mr. De Baron, from Rudham Park, and such of the farmers as had
been long on the land, among them being Mr. Price. But there was one
person among the number whom no one had expected. This was Jack De
Baron. "He has been mentioned in the will," said Mr. Stokes very
gravely to Lord George, "and perhaps you would not object to my asking
him to be present." Lord George did not object, though certainly
Captain De Baron was the last person whom he would have thought of
asking to Manor Cross on any occasion. He was made welcome, however,
with a grave courtesy.

"What on earth has brought you here?" said old Mr. De Baron to his
cousin.

"Don't in the least know! Got a letter from a lawyer, saying I had
better