It would indeed have been a gratification to her mother, could Clara have been easily induced to take the veil; but the Signora had more consideration for her daughter’s feelings than to use, or to suffer to be used, any urgent importunities on the subject. And here we are quite willing and most happy to render to Signora Rivolta the justice which acknowledges and commends the gentle and unimportunate mode in which her wishes on this subject were always expressed. Every body knows that there is a mode of importunity which wearies and worries into compliance, when the judgment and inclination are equally and strongly adverse to that compliance. And this importunity is so expressed, and with such jesuitical dexterity is it oftentimes managed, that when it has gained its object, its victim is thought and spoken of as acting from its own free will. Beautifully is this importunity pictured in that touching song called “Auld Robin Gray.” “My mither didna speak, But she looked in my face Till my heart was nigh to break.” Now there was no such species of tender worrying as this in Signora Rivolta’s conduct towards her daughter. The Signora was somewhat fanatical, but she was straightforward and honest. The presence of Father Martini in London at this juncture certainly led the mother of Clara to thoughts concerning her daughter; and, knowing that Mr. Martindale was not very partial to the priests of her religion, she took occasion of his absence to hold frequent intercourse with this zealous supporter and advocate of that faith in which she had been educated. Father Martini had made frequent visits, and had held long consultations. In those consultations mention had been made of Markham and Tippetson; and when the priest made the last visit, he took it for granted that the person whom he met at the drawing-room door was Markham: for that reason he looked at him with such inquisitorial scrutiny. It has been stated that Sir Andrew Featherstone had met this Father Martini, and had informed him of the dangerous state in which Mr. Martindale was, at Brigland. This information the priest of course conveyed to Signora Rivolta. But before he had well finished speaking, a letter came from Brigland, addressed to Colonel Rivolta, and by him it was immediately handed over to the Signora.