Markham’s letter to Signora Rivolta received also an immediate answer, and that answer was decisive. The lady, after complimenting the barrister for his very honorable conduct, said, that it was quite out of the question that she or her family could have, according to the laws of England, any claim whatever on any part of the property, save that which was literally and expressly bequeathed to them; and that if any remained unappropriated or unclaimed, the only person who had aught to do with it must of course be the heir-at-law. Thus it seemed that the business was brought into a small compass, resting only between Markham and Lord Trimmerstone. And though his lordship’s moral susceptibility might not have been quite so acute and delicate as Markham’s, yet when such an appeal as this was made to his feelings, he could not but entertain some thoughts of disinterestedness: for the disinterestedness of the residuary-legatee was so powerful, as to excite in his lordship’s mind a degree of sympathy and a corresponding feeling. CHAPTER XVII. “He could not do it handsomer than thus.” SHIRLEY. An arrangement was made that Lord Trimmerstone should meet the residuary-legatee at Brigland, at the house and in the presence of Mr. Denver, whose testimony on the subject was of so much consequence in settling the point in question. For on the face of the matter, Markham was clearly and unequivocally entitled to the residue of the late Mr. Martindale’s property, after payment of the various legacies named in the will; but from what the devisor just before his decease had said to Mr. Denver, it appeared that he was not conscious that the bequest appropriated to Markham was any thing near so valuable as by the acknowledgment of Mr. Price it turned out to be. The perplexity occasioned by wills is not often of such a nature as that now recorded. It is indeed refreshing to the moral eye to contemplate such an instance of sound and healthy moral feeling. Markham was not so inexperienced as to be ignorant of the value of money, or so romantic and visionary as to despise opulence; but had sense enough to know, and had been observant enough to see, that money does not command every thing, and that it may be purchased at too high a price. When Markham had received Lord Trimmerstone’s note, he immediately called on Mr. Denver to inform him of the intention of the meeting, and to request that he would have the goodness to let his lordship know precisely, or as distinctly as he could recollect, all that Mr. Martindale had said to him concerning his motive in altering the will. The clergyman expressed much astonishment at this proposed meeting, and said, “What! does my Lord Trimmerstone intend to dispute the will? I am very positive that it is really and truly the actual will of the late Mr. Martindale; and I can very distinctly recollect all that the old gentlemen said.”