wonderful it was! Her love of Mr. Burnett, and then that bitter and
passionate change in him! That proposal of marriage; could she ever forget
it? And then this cruel and sudden death. Everything she had ever loved had
been taken from her. Only Julia remained, and should Julia be taken from
her, she felt that she must die. But that would not, could not, happen. She
was now mistress of Ashwood, she was a great heiress; and she and Julia
would live always together, they would always love one another, they would
always live here in this beautiful place which they loved so well.




VIII


There were at the funeral a few personal friends who lived in the
neighbourhood, the farmers on the estate, and the labourers; and when the
little crowd separated outside the church, Emily and Julia walked back to
Ashwood with Mr. Grandly, Mr. Burnett's intimate friend and solicitor. They
returned through the park, hardly speaking at all, Emily absent-minded as
usual, waving her parasol occasionally at a passing butterfly. The grass
was warm and beautiful to look on, and they lingered, prolonging the walk.
It was very good of Mr. Grandly to accompany them back; he might have gone
on straight to the station, so Julia thought, and she was surprised indeed
when, instead of bidding them good-bye at the front door, he said--

'Before I return to London I have a communication to make to both you
ladies. Will it suit you to come into the drawing-room with me?'

'Perfectly, so far as I'm concerned; and you, Emily?'