It may then be easily supposed that Mr. Martindale was not much disturbed or annoyed by the difference between his own faith and that of his family. Whatever disturbance the subject gave him was entirely of his own making, and arose purely from his own fidgetty disposition. Such however was the very high estimation in which he held his daughter, that notwithstanding his zeal for Protestantism, he would occasionally attend the worship of her church, and occasionally the compliment was returned. This compliance on the part of the old gentleman, together with the satisfaction that he expressed at the occasional conformity of his newly-found family, gave pretty strong indication to Philip Martindale that his wealthy cousin destined a larger share of his fortune for Signora Rivolta than ordinarily falls to the lot of a natural daughter. His difficulties and perplexities therefore increased, and his choice vibrated with great rapidity between Clara Rivolta and Celestina Sampson. He exercised much caution and deliberation in considerations of various eligibilities and ineligibilities. Had he used as much thought before he gave his honorable countenance to the ring, the course, and the cockpit, before he laid bets on rat-catchers’ dogs, and borrowed money of the Jews to pay those bets withal, he would not have needed now to have recourse to the meanness of attempting a heartless marriage to mend his broken fortunes. Sadly and seriously did he lay to heart his past follies; and he grieved the more because he grieved in vain. He knew very well that there was no remedy for the past, and that it would require some ingenuity to prevent affairs from becoming worse. He grew quite dejected, and even demure; and he occasionally would lecture some of his honorable and right honorable friends on the folly and absurdity of gaming. But his repentance, though he was not aware of the fact, consisted rather of uneasiness under the consequences of transgression, than of any feeling of regret for the transgression as considered in itself. There was in his mind also another thought which was very natural under present circumstances, and that was, that it would be desirable that he should leave the Abbey, and thankfully resign it to his worthy relative, who on the unexpected discovery of a new family might be willing to increase his establishment, though he might feel some little delicacy and hesitation about the removal of his relative. With this idea Philip went again to London, where the old gentleman continued to reside with his family; for by taking this step, the young gentleman hoped that he should be able to ascertain what were the intentions of his relative towards him.