A heart and head eas’d of a weighty care.”
Tuke.
On the following morning the priest was again at the house of Signora Rivolta, and met, as he expected, with the barrister. Their greeting on the present occasion was far more agreeable than it had been before. They had a mutual good opinion of each other; and the old man could not but be pleased with the tale which he had heard the preceding day of the honorable and upright conduct of Markham. Father Martini addressed himself, after some common-place observations, very seriously and in set terms to the executor.
“Mr. Markham, I have heard from this worthy lady of an act of justice on your part which does you great credit:” Markham bowed. The priest continued: “I understand that you conscientiously have offered to surrender the property to the heir-at-law.”
“I have so, sir,” replied Markham, “and for that purpose I have had an interview with the Earl of Trimmerstone, who is the heir-at-law; and as soon as the business can be arranged, the property will be delivered to him: for I consider that, as heir-at-law, he has a right to all that is not otherwise expressly willed.”
“And can you tell me,” continued Father Martini, “what relation the Earl of Trimmerstone is to the late John Martindale?”
Before Mr. Markham could answer that question, the conversation was interrupted by the announcement and arrival of a stranger; and who should that stranger be, but the Right Hon. the Earl of Trimmerstone himself! It is not the first time in the experience of humanity that a person, whose name has been mentioned in conversation, has suddenly and unexpectedly made his appearance. When his lordship therefore entered the apartment, the conversation concerning him ceased; and Father Martini was under the necessity of suspending his curiosity relative to his proximity of relationship to the late John Martindale.
Signora Rivolta looked as if she expected that the priest would take his departure on the arrival of Lord Trimmerstone; but Father Martini looked as if he was fully resolved to stay and hear all that might pass. There is something very awkward in that arrangement of civilised society, which allows us to ask persons to come into our houses, but does not permit us to dismiss them when we please. In consequence of having no regular form for this, sometimes important, purpose, we are under the necessity of having recourse to the roundabout plan of giving hints more or less broad; and sometimes these are not understood, and sometimes they are given so clumsily as to partake very strongly of the nature of rudeness. People are not invited into their neighbours’ houses merely by hints; and why should they be sent away by mere hints?
Lord Trimmerstone, however, did not seem to regard the presence of Father Martini, but expressed himself very glad to meet with Markham. “I have been at your chambers, Mr. Markham,” said his lordship, “and was directed to you here. Otherwise,” turning to Signora Rivolta, “I should have taken the liberty to have appointed a meeting here.”
The lady bowed, as signifying that such meeting would not have been taking too great a liberty.