“Oh may we meet you in some happier clime,
Some safer vale, beneath a genial sky.”
LANGHORNE.
At the cottage the party found the Earl of Trimmerstone and Mr. Price
in very close and serious conversation. They were discussing the
arrangements for the funeral; but they seemed pleased at the addition to
their party; and in the manner of Lord Trimmerstone towards Markham and
Colonel Rivolta, there did not appear the slightest symptom of jealousy,
or the least coolness or haughtiness.
After what Markham had heard of the will, and after comparing what Sir
Andrew Featherstone had said with what had been related by Mr. Denver,
he did not feel himself altogether at ease. For though he was very
sure that Lord Trimmerstone was not aware of it, yet he could not feel
perfectly composed, from the anticipation of what his lordship might say
or think when he should know it, as very soon he must. On this occasion
there were feelings in Markham’s mind by no means of an enviable nature.
He unpleasantly and even painfully recollected that he had been always
opposed to Lord Trimmerstone, and that without any deliberate wish or
intention on his part; and he could not but imagine that a person of
rank like Lord Trimmerstone, having also, as his lordship certainly
had, exalted notions of the dignity and glory of title, must be greatly
mortified at being brought into opposition with a person of no family.
Markham’s first acquaintance with the name and family of Martindale
had been, as we have narrated, merely from professional employment. His
acquaintance and intimacy with the old gentleman had been not his own
seeking; and even had he been disposed to drop the acquaintance, it
was never in his power to do so without manifest rudeness, and almost
downright ingratitude. It was not Markham’s wish to be quoted as a
pattern, or to be set up against a relative of his accidentally-acquired
friend. But the most mortifying circumstance of all was the last act of
old Mr. Martindale; for by the will recently made, there seemed ready
to fix upon Markham an indelible stigma as a legacy-hunter. The real
circumstances of the case he hardly knew; and he could not, on the
information of Sir Andrew Featherstone, accuse Mr. Price, in order to
exonerate himself. It was also very well known that though Mr. Price was
confidential solicitor to Mr. Martindale, yet as the old gentleman was
a kind of amateur lawyer, he was very fond of talking on legal subjects
with Markham, and did very often quote his opinion, to which he gave
especial weight and importance.
It was also unpleasant and almost distressing to Markham to notice how
very courteously Lord Trimmerstone behaved to him, and indeed always
had he behaved so. It was very unfortunate, but there appeared no
remedy for it, that with the best and purest intentions on the part of
the young barrister, he should be brought into such awkward and almost
unexplainable difficulties. For Markham was not only a man of strict
integrity, but he had also a very high degree of moral susceptibility,
and was excessively anxious to possess a high moral reputation: perhaps
it was unfortunate for him that his regard to appearances was so great.
His object might have been ultimately as well answered had he paid his
undivided attention to the substance, leaving the shadow to take care
of itself. Our readers will perceive that in what we have here said
concerning our friend Markham, that he possessed a small share of vanity:
as however he had many truly excellent qualities, that may be pardoned.
Now when Markham and his companions were thus cordially received, the
whole party went into a consultation respecting the mode of the funeral;
for as Mr. Price had said that there was no mention in the will of any
desire on the part of the deceased as to funeral ceremony, the matter
was open to discussion. In this consultation, Lord Trimmerstone and Mr.
Markham were principally engaged; and it ended by resolving to have the
funeral as plain as consistent with circumstances. This plainness was
however composed of all the funereal practicabilities of Brigland.
Mr. Denver hearing that Mr. Price had spoken of the will, ventured to
say that there existed a will of later date than that to which Mr. Price
alluded. At the mention of this Mr. Price turned exceedingly pale; nor
was his agitation much alleviated by hearing that one purpose of this new
will was to increase the bequest designed for himself.
“Indeed! Mr. Denver,” said the man of law, trembling, “why that is very
odd. I know that Mr. Martindale made several wills at different times,
but this which I have was made so very recently, that there must be
something very extraordinary to have occasioned it, and it is so strange
that I should not have heard of it.”
Mr. Denver hoping to surprise agreeably said, “The making of the will
to which I refer was concealed from you, Mr. Price, out of a feeling of
delicacy, that Mr. Martindale might not hear from you those objections to
an increased legacy, which he took it for granted you would make, if the
alteration of the will were given to you to draw up. So Mr. Martindale
said that he would make his own will, and then you might see after his
decease how highly he valued your services.”
To this speech Mr. Price bowed, but no very strong symptoms of
satisfaction were manifest in his countenance. Lord Trimmerstone
immediately despatched a messenger for Mr. Simpson, requesting him to
bring with him the document which had been committed to his care by the
late Mr. Martindale. The gentleman presently obeyed the summons, and the
will in question was produced.
Lord Trimmerstone cast his eye upon it, and hastily turned over, the very
few folios which contained it, and with unaltered look said, “I see no
mention made of funeral directions, and therefore we may proceed in our
arrangements as before. Mr. Simpson, I will commit the will to your care;
and after the funeral it may be read over, in the hearing of such of the
parties concerned as may be present on the occasion.”
Mr. Simpson received the paper, bowed, and retired. And as it would
require a pen far more practised than ours to give interest to the
discussion which followed the retiring of this gentleman, we will proceed
to the day of the funeral.
In opposition to the opinion and persuasions of Lord Trimmerstone,
Signora Rivolta almost insisted on being present on the occasion. Clara
followed her mother’s example, moved by the same considerations, and
prompted by similar feelings. They both felt respect and love to the
deceased; and the mother of Clara observed, “You will destroy the very
character of funereal rites if you exclude those whose sorrow for the
loss is greatest.”
“It is on that very account, madam,” replied Lord Trimmerstone, “that
we wish to persuade you from attending at the interment. Why should you
wish to render your regrets more poignant? and why should you encounter a
scene which will be affliction to you, and beneficial to no one?”
“My lord, that which is matter of feeling is not subject for argument. I
know that I shall feel deeply and painfully when I stand by my father’s
grave; and I believe that my tears there will be joy to no one: but I
also know that there may be many hours in life, in which to have shed
these tears on such an occasion and at such a place will be to me a
pleasure.”
Lord Trimmerstone did not exactly understand how that was to be; but
he knew very well that it was not the fashion for females to attend
funerals, and he thought it was very absurd in Signora Rivolta to
persist in such a request. His lordship did not exactly know why it was
not fashionable, and perhaps never thought of inquiring. It is the spirit
and glory of fashion to follow models and obey laws, without knowing why
or wherefore. The true reason of the unfashionableness of that which
Signora Rivolta and her daughter persisted in doing is, that emotion
and deep feeling are unfashionable. The Earl of Trimmerstone did not
pursue the course of opposition, on finding that the ladies were sincere
and earnest in their wish to pay this last tribute of respect to their
departed relative.
The funeral service was read by Mr. Denver; who, notwithstanding he did
all that he possibly could in order to render the service impressive by
reading it solemnly, still from a habit of hastily performing the various
parts of clerical duty, was absolutely unable to give the full effect to
it. Signora Rivolta felt the defect of pathos, and the absence of genuine
solemnity. This defect might perhaps contribute to keep her own feelings
more calm and composed; or rather, by rendering her somewhat angry with
the apparent indifference of the officiating clergyman, it tended to
excite other emotions than merely those of grief and sorrow of heart.
When the last rites were over, it was necessary that the will should be
read. If there was any one of the party apprehensive of disappointment,
that person must have been Lord Trimmerstone. It certainly must have been
mortifying to him to have witnessed the obstructions to his prospects
of inheritance; first, in the discovery of his relative’s daughter
and family, and next in the patronage and favoritism of that man whom
he knew only as a person professionally employed against himself. It
was mortifying also to him to think that this favorite should have
become such from the very circumstance which his lordship had most
reason to look back upon with shame and regret. It is, indeed, much
to his lordship’s credit, that notwithstanding all these things he
never manifested any symptoms of ill-humor or hostility towards the
parties concerned, and never had recourse to any arts or contrivances
whatever to flatter the old gentleman into good-humor. All this, however
meritorious as it may sound in description, did not spring from any
magnanimity on the part of Lord Trimmerstone, nor was it accompanied
with any moral effort or reflective thought; it arose purely from a
natural indolence of mind, and from a feeling that Mr. Martindale, who
had manifested some zeal in procuring a higher title for his dependent
relative, would have a natural desire to do what he could for the
aggrandisement of the family that bore his own name.
The will was read. It commenced in the usual form. It gave various
legacies to servants and humble friends, which need not be specified; it
then went on to the distribution of larger and more important bequests;
it gave the estate at Trimmerstone, and two other estates in the
adjoining county, together with fifty thousand pounds, to the Earl of
Trimmerstone. It assigned to Signora Rivolta an estate of two thousand
a year; to Clara, a legacy of five thousand pounds; to his worthy and
confidential solicitor, Mr. Price of Brigland, the sum of twenty
thousand pounds; and to Horatio Markham, the residue: appointing the two
last-named as his executors.
With this arrangement the Earl of Trimmerstone was perfectly satisfied;
and had such a bequest come into his possession a few years before, he
might have been delighted with it: but the time for his feeling strong
emotions was past; his spirit was broken, and life had with him ceased
to be holiday-time. Of the other legatees, Signora Rivolta, considering
the circumstances of her birth, and recollecting the fears and prospects
with which she had landed in England, was also perfectly satisfied.
Markham, not knowing the extent of his legacy, but almost sorry that
his name should have appeared at all in the document, felt embarrassed,
and really did most heartily wish that what Sir Andrew Featherstone had
told him might prove untrue: for the barrister, who would have delighted
in opulence, as the result of professional diligence and skill, was not
pleased at owing his wealth to a capricious stranger; and as it was his
determination not to avail himself of this bequest, should it prove
unreasonably large, he was greatly disturbed at the idea that by giving
or offering it to those whom he thought the right owners, he should seem
to be playing a part of ostentatious heroism.
But, alas! for poor Mr. Price! His disappointment was severe indeed.
Ever since he had had the management of Mr. Martindale’s property, he
had been playing a deep game. It was his object to acquire a character
with the old gentleman for strict and delicate honesty. He perceived
that his employer was not fully aware of the value of his own property,
and he saw that it was possible that advantage might be taken of this
ignorance. But the crafty solicitor also knew that Mr. Martindale was a
man of shrewd sense and great self-will; and therefore thought it most
advisable so to manage and conduct the affairs, that if by any freak on
the part of the rich man, there should be necessity for explanation and
full statement, that explanation and that statement might be made without
fear of disgrace and suspicion. By the habit of accuracy in his accounts,
the lawyer became absolutely proud of the dexterity and scrupulosity
with which he had attended to the affairs of his client; and oftentimes
did he urge Mr. Martindale to pay more personal attention, and to inspect
the accounts.
The old gentleman’s personal expenditure had been but trifling, compared
with his actual income. Wishing, however, to be liberal, but still
desirous of keeping that liberality within his income, he had made
frequent and periodical inquiries of his lawyer as to the extent of the
means; and the answers to these inquiries had always been very much
within the mark. Very soon after Mr. Martindale had begun to employ Mr.
Price as his confidential solicitor, the whim of will-making had seized
the old gentleman; and in all the instructions which he had given to his
lawyer for that purpose, Mr. Price had been uniformly named as executor
and residuary-legatee. The policy of that gentleman had therefore been
to keep Mr. Martindale as much in the dark as he conveniently could with
respect to the real extent and value of his property. But unfortunately
for himself, the confidential solicitor overacted his part; and by
causing his employer to apprehend that the residue of his property, after
various proposed bequests, would be very much less than it really was, he
had led the old gentleman to make the alteration above named.
Now it may seem that a legacy of twenty thousand pounds to a provincial
solicitor was a bequest by no means to be despised or lamented. It may be
said that this was better than nothing; but of that we have our doubts.
Money is more or less, according to circumstances; and to ninety-nine
persons out of a hundred, the disappointment of an expectation is
equivalent to an actual loss. In the present case, however, Mr. Price was
not merely disappointed, but he was absolutely embarrassed and perplexed:
for he had made purchases of land at a great expense, and had left so
large a portion of the purchase-money as a burden on his purchases, that
the rent of his estates barely sufficed to pay the interest; and in some
cases actually fell short of it. Add to this, that since the property in
question had been bought, the change in its value had been by no means
in favor of the purchaser. The legacy therefore which had been left him,
magnificent as it might appear, compared with his apparent circumstances,
was far below the necessities of his actual condition.
How the poor man felt under his disappointment, may perhaps be better
imagined than described. It is probable, however, that he began to have
some suspicion that there was some truth in the proverb which says,
“Honesty is the best policy.”