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.” The daughter of the late John Martindale was not slow in apprehending the feeling of Horatio Markham; and it was pleasant to Clara to hear such conversation between the barrister and her mother.