life.

Our extracts must be detached from the narrative; but they may serve to
illustrate the felicitous vein in which the characters are drawn.

The means by which Signora Rivolta is discovered by Martindale, is well
managed. One morning after the old gentleman had been amusing his
visiters with some Italian views, Mr. Denver, the curate, introduced to
Mr. Martindale with great parade Colonel Rivolta, whom he described as
having recently made his escape from the continent, where he was exposed
to persecution, if not to death, on account of his political opinions.
The reverend gentleman then proceeded to state, that the colonel had
previously to his own arrival in England sent over his wife and
daughter, whom he had committed to the care of Richard Smith; that with
them he had also transmitted some property, which old Richard had
invested for their use and benefit; that unfortunately the very first
night of the colonel's arrival at Brigland, the cottage in which Richard
Smith dwelt had been robbed by a gipsy; that in consequence of that
event the poor old man had been so seriously alarmed, that he had been
totally unable to attend to any thing, and that he had died, leaving
this poor foreigner in a strange land not knowing how to proceed as
to the recovery of his little property. After an interview, in which
Martindale promises the colonel his assistance, the latter was rising to
take leave, when his eye was arrested by a print which Mr. Martindale
held in his hand, and which he had unrolled while he was talking. As
soon as the colonel saw the picture, he recognised the scene which it
represented, and uttered an ejaculation, indicative of surprise and
pleasure. Mr. Martindale then, for the first time, observed the print,
and noticed its subject; he also looked upon it with surprise, but not
with pleasure; and then he asked the stranger if that scene were
familiar to him, with very great emotion the colonel replied:--"That
scene brings to my recollection the happiest day of my life."

For a few seconds the party were totally silent; for the clergyman and
the foreigner were struck dumb with astonishment at the altered looks of
the old gentleman, and were surprised to see him crushing the picture
in both hands. He then, as if with an effort of great resolution,
exclaimed:--"And it brings to my recollection the most miserable day
of my life."

* * * * *

The agitation of the old gentleman