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.