CHAPTER XVI
At Last
When once Mrs. Morton had taken her departure for London, on the
day after her grandson's death, nothing further was heard of her at
Bragton. She locked up everything and took all the keys away, as
though still hoping,--against hope,--that the will might turn out
to be other than she expected. But when the lawyer came down to
read the document he brought the keys back with him, and no further
tidings reached Dillsborough respecting the old woman. She still
drew her income as she had done for half a century, but never even
came to look at the stone which Reginald put up on the walls of
Bragton church to perpetuate the memory of his cousin. What moans
she made she made in silent obscurity, and devoted the remainder of
her years to putting together money for members of her own family
who took no notice of her.
After the funeral, Lady Ushant returned to the house at the request
of her nephew, who declared his purpose of remaining at Hoppet Hall
for the present. She expostulated with him and received from him an
assurance that he would take up his residence as squire at Bragton
as soon as he married a wife,--should he ever do so. In the
meantime he could, he thought, perform his duties from Hoppet Hall
as well as on the spot. As a residence for a bachelor he preferred,
he said, Hoppet Hall to the park.
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