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

by William Pitt Scargill

“The business on which I have called is concerning this perplexing affair of my late worthy relative’s will. I am sorry to find that our good friend here is so very scrupulous in the matter of his legacy; but he insists upon it that I, as heir-at-law, must have the disposal of it. The time was, madam, that I could have spent this and as much more in folly and vanity. I have now done with the world. I hate it. I abhor it. I have been deceived and disappointed. I have felt and I have seen, and I am disgusted with its vanities. I cannot use this property, and I will not abuse it. It needed only a certain ceremony to have been performed many years ago to have constituted you heir-at-law to this property, now fastidiously refused by our friend here. It was not your fault that that ceremony was not performed.”

Father Martini stayed to some purpose: for at this point he interrupted the speaker, saying, with great earnestness and energy of manner, “That ceremony was performed. I myself performed it; and I have in my possession proofs of it.”

It was very natural, at such a speech as this, that every person in the room should start and stare, and stand speechless for a few seconds, and then say, “Indeed!” The effect, however, was not quite so electric. The individual most concerned in the discovery seemed the least moved of the party. The priest then went on to state the particulars, and produce his proofs. These proofs might have been satisfactory or not: there was no disposition in any of the party to question them. The documents were slightly looked over by his lordship; who was pleased to congratulate Signora Rivolta on the discovery, and to acknowledge her as a relative. His lordship then smiling, said, “I feel myself very happy in this discovery, inasmuch as it relieves me of a burden, and saves me from the use of those arguments and persuasions, which I might otherwise have been compelled to use to persuade you, madam, to suffer me to relinquish in your favor that property which our scrupulous friend refuses to accept. I am satisfied that my late relative did not consider his foreign marriage valid, or I am sure he would have made a different disposal of his property. I will not, however, carry my scruples so far as to affect a relinquishment on this ground of that which has been bequeathed to me. The questionable surplus is, however, clearly yours.”

His lordship then took his leave of the party and returned to Trimmerstone, where he amused himself with rebuking the follies of his own past life, and enjoying the high consideration which his rank gave him among his dependents and tenants. But he felt himself dissatisfied with the world, and hardly knew how to discriminate between the regret of past pleasures and the remorse for past follies.

There now arose another difficulty; and Markham had now to use to Signora Rivolta the same arguments which he had previously used to the Earl of Trimmerstone. Signora Rivolta had said that Lord Trimmerstone ought not to have accepted the surrender; with what propriety could she, after that avowal, accept it herself?

During the discussion which took place after Lord Trimmerstone had departed, the mother of Clara observed, by the frequent direction of Markham’s looks, that his thoughts were still on that subject what they had ever been. She saw and knew that there was also a responsive feeling on the part of her child, and it was in her resolution to yield to that affection. Without speaking decisively on the subject of the property which now solicited her acceptance, she desired that another meeting might take place on the following day. This was hint enough for Markham to take his leave. The venerable priest departed at the same time. He was mightily pleased with the liberal and good feeling of the young heretic, and was not without some hopes of converting him. They walked together towards Markham’s chambers.

It was late, and Markham pressed the old gentleman to dine with him. And their conversation grew extremely animated after dinner, and the priest was so communicative that he actually told Markham of the intention of proposing, and that immediately, to place Clara in a religious house on the continent. The enamoured barrister found that no time was to be lost; and though it might not be altogether consonant to his exquisitely refined notions of disinterestedness, he resolved to take the earliest opportunity of offering his hand to Clara. There is a point beyond which disinterestedness and generosity are not expected to proceed. Markham saw that he was now at that point; and as soon as his guest had left him, he wrote a note to Signora Rivolta, and another to Clara.

These notes were received early on the following morning; and soon after them, and before the arrival of Father Martini, the barrister was at the house of Signora Rivolta, and whether it was accidental or intentional, Clara was alone in the drawing-room. Markham’s notes were on the table. The young gentleman saw the notes, and that they had been opened; and he knew by the countenance of the young lady that they had been read, and he thought that they had produced the effect designed. We have made very particular inquiries of both parties as to what was said by each, but we could not persuade them to tell us: in fact, they both protested that they did not know. We are sorry for this, because it would have made a beautiful scene, and have filled a chapter in a style perfectly original.

From this moment the interest of the narrative ceases; and we have only to say, that the parents of Markham lived to see their son enjoy the fruits of integrity and intellect; and that Signora Rivolta was more leniently disposed towards heretics than Father Martini thought perfectly safe; and for fear he should witness her apostacy, he returned to Italy. Colonel Rivolta may be seen any day during the season smoking a cigar in Pall Mall.

THE END.