Rank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)

by William Pitt Scargill

There is some plausibility in this theory; and it must be acknowledged that such was Markham’s state of mind at those symptoms of botheration which he saw in his chambers, in his card-racks, and on his table, that it would not have been much to be wondered at, if, on the supposition that his wealth was really so great as it was reported to be, he had adopted the same plan to get rid of his annoyances.

Knowing, however, that so great a weight of responsibility did not rest upon him, he perused and glanced over these solicitations of attention with a much more calm and composed mind. Very few of them appeared to him deserving of notice; and as far as concerned the callers, whose cards adorned his racks, there were not above five per cent that needed any return. With respect to some of them he thought, rather humorously indeed, that it might be advisable to send them back to their owners accompanied with an affidavit sworn before the Lord Mayor, that Horatio Markham’s legacy did not exceed twenty thousand pounds.

There was one place, however, where he resolved to pay his immediate respects, and for which no hint of card-leaving was necessary. This call was of course on the daughter of the late Mr. Martindale. Under present circumstances, such call was absolutely necessary; it was also to himself highly and truly agreeable. He had not forgotten, nor could he well forget Clara Rivolta. He was quite uncertain what place he now held in her esteem; he knew not what might be the effect of attempting to renew the acquaintance; and Markham was quite as delicate and fastidious in affairs of the heart as in affairs of the purse. He recollected also the stern-looking Father Martini, and he thought of the force of bigotry and fanaticism, and of the power which superstition has over many minds otherwise intelligent, rational, and amiable. There was in his mind also the thought that so far as pecuniary matters were concerned, there was not now that objection which formerly there had been; and he thought also that Dr. Crack had taken Miss Henderson away from amongst the obstacles, and that Mr. Tippetson had very effectually disposed of himself: there remained therefore but one impediment, but that one might be insuperable.

Markham found the mother and daughter together as usual. But notwithstanding his previous determination to observe as accurately and attentively as possible the looks and manners of Clara and her mother, so as to draw some decisive inferences from them, he found himself too deeply interested and too much agitated to make any thing like a satisfactory observation. These ladies had of course heard something of the rumors which were so loudly and widely circulated respecting Markham’s good fortune; but they were not by any means aware of the extent of Mr. Martindale’s property; he might for aught they knew have left behind him fifty times the amount attributed to him. They would not, however, and could not believe the dirty insinuations that Markham had endeavoured, and but too successfully, to induce the old gentleman to bequeath to him an unreasonable and enormous share of his wealth.

Signora Rivolta knew, or fancied she knew, Markham’s character too well to imagine it possible that he should have been guilty of any thing like meanness. In the language also of the letter which he had written to her on examining into the affairs of the deceased, there was obviously a strong and clear feeling of sincerity. The daughter of the late Mr. Martindale therefore received the executor and residuary-legatee with great cordiality, and the manners of confidence and friendship.

Markham was so far in self-possession as to see that he was not a totally unwelcome visitor. This discovery gave him some little confidence; but it was possible, and he thought of that possibility, that all suspicion of his designs towards Clara had vanished from the mind of Signora Rivolta. He began to speak about the departed, to state the nature of the property which he had left behind him. Signora Rivolta listened, more as a matter of duty than of interest or curiosity. Markham explained that some months must elapse before the property could be appropriated according to the will of the testator.

“Mr. Markham,” said the mother of Clara, “I am perfectly well satisfied that the business is placed in very proper hands, and I thank you for the trouble which you are taking. I hope, too, that my Lord Trimmerstone has not suffered you to give way to that romantic generosity which you spoke of in your letter to me.”

“Excuse me, madam,” replied Markham, “I do not consider that there was any thing romantic or even generous in the surrender to which you refer. I am desirous of preserving on my mind the recollection of my late worthy friend; and I could not dwell with satisfaction on this recollection, if I were sensible of having taken an advantage of an error to withhold from his family what of right belongs to them.”

“Such feelings are an honor to you, sir; but I cannot think that the Earl of Trimmerstone will take advantage of your scrupulous feelings. I know very little of his lordship, but I do not think him capable of such a want of generosity.”

“The Earl of Trimmerstone,” replied Markham, “is by no means deficient in generosity; that was never his character. But I am happy to say that I have been able to convince and persuade his lordship of the propriety of his taking upon himself the disposal of that property, which I consider, and which every honest man would consider, as unappropriated by its late possessor.”