Not even the authority of the divine could convince Markham that he should be acting rightly in availing himself of the bequest to its full extent; and there was also in his mind another objection--he was ambitious, as we have before observed, of high reputation; and it would have interfered greatly with his comfort and happiness, had he thought that any persons who at all knew him, had the slightest suspicion that there was any thing in his character that savored of meanness or littleness; nor would he have been pleased to have owed his good fortune merely to accident. These feelings may be fastidious, but they have their use; and though they may not exist very widely, or influence the minds of many individuals, yet they have a power in society, and are useful in keeping up the standard of morals and integrity. If it were not for an occasional example of individuals rising above the ordinary level, the influence of the multitude beneath it would gradually but surely sink the standard, and lead to serious deterioration. According to appointment, Lord Trimmerstone, a few days after, came to Brigland, for the purpose of discussing with Markham the perplexities of the will. The meeting took place at the house and in the presence of Mr. Denver. When his lordship entered the room he held out his hand with great cordiality to Markham, and did not at all seem to feel his dignity abated by familiarity of address to one of whose understanding and moral worth he had the very highest opinion. So much good had fanaticism done to his lordship, as to render him less haughty in his outward demeanour, and to prompt to at least the semblance of courtesy. “Mr. Markham,” said the Earl, “I have received a letter from you which has very much surprised me. Do I understand it aright?” “The letter, my lord, which I sent to you, was simply to inform you that on looking into the affairs of your lordship’s late relative, Mr. John Martindale, I find, to my great astonishment, that his property far exceeds what by his will seemed his own apprehension of the extent of it; and therefore that the legacy which devolves to me as residuary-legatee, is much greater than the devisor apprehended or designed. Under these circumstances, therefore, I wrote to your lordship, as one of the nearest relatives of the deceased, to know what might be your will as to the disposal of the property.” His lordship smiled and said, “My will, Mr. Markham, is, that you should take possession of whatever my cousin has bequeathed to you. For if your legacy had turned out to be less than you expected, I dare say that you would not have applied to me to increase it; and now that it happens to be more, why should I consent to diminish it?”