Signora Rivolta, in her present circumstances, felt it absolutely necessary to send for Markham, in order to avail herself of his advice as to what steps were now to be taken: for even if the Colonel had been a man of business and decision, he was almost, if not entirely, a stranger to the laws and manners of England. Markham immediately obeyed the summons, and accompanied the family to Brigland. At his suggestion they first called upon the clergyman, Mr. Denver. From him Markham supposed that they should be able to gather the particulars of Mr. Martindale’s death better than from talkative and ignorant domestics, and less frigidly narrated than by a calculating scrivener. The young barrister also supposed that Mr. Denver’s thirst for knowledge might have put him into possession of all the particulars; and he knew that nothing so tended to the abatement of sorrow as a little ingenious circumstantiality. In these expectations Markham was not disappointed. Mr. Denver received the party with great ceremony and formality; and though exceedingly sorry for the death of his good friend Mr. Martindale, he could not help being very much gratified by this mark of respect and consideration, nor could he well conceal his sense of the honor that was done him by this call. He addressed himself principally to Mr. Markham, having been previously acquainted with him, and regarding him as the mouth and ear of the party. “Ah, sir, this is indeed a serious loss to us all. I little thought when poor Mr. Martindale sent for me last Monday morning, what was his object in wishing to see me.” “Was he taken ill on Monday morning?” interrupted Mr. Markham.