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. “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.”