\"Lockwoodknowsnothingofmybeinghere，mindyou，\"hesaid;\"norwouldyou，youlittlewretch！hadyousleptbetter。YoumustforgetthatIhavebeenhere;andnowfarewell。Closethedoor，andgotoyourownroom，anddon\'tcomeouttill——stay，whyshouldyounotknowonesecretmore？Iknowyouwillneverbetrayme。\"
IntheChaplain\'sroomweretwowindows;theonelookingintothecourtfacingwestwardstothefountain;theother，asmallcasementstronglybarred，andlookingontothegreeninfrontoftheHall。
Thiswindowwastoohightoreachfromtheground;but，mountingonabuffetwhichstoodbeneathit，FatherHoltshowedmehow，bypressingonthebaseofthewindow，thewholeframeworkoflead，glass，andironstanchionsdescendedintoacavityworkedbelow，fromwhichitcouldbedrawnandrestoredtoitsusualplacefromwithout;abrokenpanebeingpurposelyopentoadmitthehandwhichwastoworkuponthespringofthemachine。
\"WhenIamgone，\"FatherHoltsaid，\"youmaypushawaythebuffet，sothatnoonemayfancythatanexithasbeenmadethatway;lockthedoor;placethekey——whereshallweputthekey？——under\'Chrysostom\'onthebook—shelf;andifanyaskforit，sayIkeepitthere，andtoldyouwheretofindit，ifyouhadneedtogotomyroom。Thedescentiseasydownthewallintotheditch;andso，oncemorefarewell，untilIseetheeagain，mydearson。\"AndwiththistheintrepidFathermountedthebuffetwithgreatagilityandbriskness，steppedacrossthewindow，liftingupthebarsandframeworkagainfromtheotherside，andonlyleavingroomforHarryEsmondtostandontiptoeandkisshishandbeforethecasementclosed，thebarsfixingasfirmlyasever，seemingly，inthestonearchoverhead。WhenFatherHoltnextarrivedatCastlewood，itwasbythepublicgateonhorseback;andheneversomuchasalludedtotheexistenceoftheprivateissuetoHarry，exceptwhenhehadneedofaprivatemessengerfromwithin，forwhichend，nodoubt，hehadinstructedhisyoungpupilinthemeansofquittingtheHall。
Esmond，youngashewas，wouldhavediedsoonerthanbetrayhisfriendandmaster，asMr。Holtwellknew;forhehadtriedtheboymorethanonce，puttingtemptationsinhisway，toseewhetherhewouldyieldtothemandconfessafterwards，orwhetherhewouldresistthem，ashedidsometimes，orwhetherhewouldlie，whichheneverdid。Holtinstructingtheboyonthispoint，however，thatiftokeepsilenceisnottolie，asitcertainlyisnot，yetsilenceis，afterall，equivalenttoanegation——andthereforeadownrightNo，intheinterestofjusticeoryourfriend，andinreplytoaquestionthatmaybeprejudicialtoeither，isnotcriminal，but，onthecontrary，praiseworthy;andaslawfulawayastheotherofeludingawrongfuldemand。Forinstance（sayshe），supposeagoodcitizen，whohadseenhisMajestytakerefugethere，hadbeenasked，\"IsKingCharlesupthatoak—tree？\"hisdutywouldhavebeennottosay，Yes——sothattheCromwelliansshouldseizethekingandmurderhimlikehisfather——butNo;hisMajestybeingprivateinthetree，andthereforenottobeseentherebyloyaleyes:allwhichinstruction，inreligionandmorals，aswellasintherudimentsofthetonguesandsciences，theboytookeagerlyandwithgratitudefromhistutor。When，then，Holtwasgone，andtoldHarrynottoseehim，itwasasifhehadneverbeen。Andhehadthisanswerpatwhenhecametobequestionedafewdaysafter。
ThePrinceofOrangewasthenatSalisbury，asyoungEsmondlearnedfromseeingDoctorTusherinhisbestcassock（thoughtheroadsweremuddy，andheneverwasknowntowearhissilk，onlyhisstuffone，a—horseback），withagreatorangecockadeinhisbroad—leafedhat，andNahum，hisclerk，ornamentedwithalikedecoration。TheDoctorwaswalkingupanddowninfrontofhisparsonage，whenlittleEsmondsawhim，andheardhimsayhewasgoingtopayhisdutytohisHighnessthePrince，ashemountedhispadandrodeawaywithNahumbehind。Thevillagepeoplehadorangecockadestoo，andhisfriendtheblacksmith\'slaughingdaughterpinnedoneintoHarry\'soldhat，whichhetoreoutindignantlywhentheybadehimtocry\"GodsavethePrinceofOrangeandtheProtestantreligion！\"butthepeopleonlylaughed，fortheylikedtheboyinthevillage，wherehissolitaryconditionmovedthegeneralpity，andwherehefoundfriendlywelcomesandfacesinmanyhouses。
FatherHolthadmanyfriendstheretoo，forhenotonlywouldfighttheblacksmithattheology，neverlosinghistemper，butlaughingthewholetimeinhispleasantway;buthecuredhimofanaguewithquinquina，andwasalwaysreadywithakindwordforanymanthataskedit，sothattheysaidinthevillage\'twasapitythetwowerePapists。
TheDirectorandtheVicarofCastlewoodagreedverywell;indeed，theformerwasaperfectly—bredgentleman，anditwasthelatter\'sbusinesstoagreewitheverybody。DoctorTusherandthelady\'s—
maid，hisspouse，hadaboywhowasabouttheageoflittleEsmond;
andtherewassuchafriendshipbetweenthelads，aspropinquityandtolerablekindnessandgood—humoroneithersidewouldbeprettysuretooccasion。TomTusherwassentoffearly，however，toaschoolinLondon，whitherhisfathertookhimandavolumeofsermons，inthefirstyearofthereignofKingJames;andTomreturnedbutonce，ayearafterwards，toCastlewoodformanyyearsofhisscholasticandcollegiatelife。ThustherewaslessdangertoTomofaperversionofhisfaithbytheDirector，whoscarceeversawhim，thantherewastoHarry，whoconstantlywasintheVicar\'scompany;butaslongasHarry\'sreligionwashisMajesty\'s，andmylord\'s，andmylady\'s，theDoctorsaidgravely，itshouldnotbeforhimtodisturbordisquiethim:itwasfarfromhimtosaythathisMajesty\'sChurchwasnotabranchoftheCatholicChurch;uponwhichFatherHoltused，accordingtohiscustom，tolaugh，andsaythattheHolyChurchthroughoutalltheworld，andthenobleArmyofMartyrs，wereverymuchobligedtotheDoctor。
ItwaswhileDr。TusherwasawayatSalisburythattherecameatroopofdragoonswithorangescarfs，andquarteredinCastlewood，andsomeofthemcameuptotheHall，wheretheytookpossession，robbingnothinghoweverbeyondthehen—houseandthebeer—cellar:
andonlyinsistingupongoingthroughthehouseandlookingforpapers。ThefirstroomtheyaskedtolookatwasFatherHolt\'sroom，ofwhichHarryEsmondbroughtthekey，andtheyopenedthedrawersandthecupboards，andtossedoverthepapersandclothes——
butfoundnothingexcepthisbooksandclothes，andthevestmentsinaboxbythemselves，withwhichthedragoonsmademerry，toHarryEsmond\'shorror。AndtothequestionswhichthegentlemanputtoHarry，herepliedthatFatherHoltwasaverykindmantohim，andaverylearnedman，andHarrysupposedwouldtellhimnoneofhissecretsifhehadany。Hewasaboutelevenyearsoldatthistime，andlookedasinnocentasboysofhisage。
Thefamilywereawaymorethansixmonths，andwhentheyreturnedtheywereinthedeepeststateofdejection，forKingJameshadbeenbanished，thePrinceofOrangewasonthethrone，andthedirestpersecutionsofthoseoftheCatholicfaithwereapprehendedbymylady，whosaidshedidnotbelievethattherewasawordoftruthinthepromisesoftolerationthatDutchmonstermade，orinasinglewordtheperjuredwretchsaid。Mylordandladywereinamannerprisonersintheirownhouse;soherladyshipgavethelittlepagetoknow，whowasbythistimegrowingofanagetounderstandwhatwaspassingabouthim，andsomethingofthecharactersofthepeoplehelivedwith。
\"Weareprisoners，\"saysshe;\"ineverythingbutchains，weareprisoners。Letthemcome，letthemconsignmetodungeons，orstrikeoffmyheadfromthispoorlittlethroat\"（andsheclaspeditinherlongfingers）。\"ThebloodoftheEsmondswillalwaysflowfreelyfortheirkings。WearenotliketheChurchills——theJudases，whokisstheirmasterandbetrayhim。Weknowhowtosuffer，howeventoforgiveintheroyalcause\"（nodoubtitwastothatfatalbusinessoflosingtheplaceofGroomofthePossettowhichherladyshipalluded，asshedidhalfadozentimesintheday）。\"LetthetyrantofOrangebringhisrackandhisodiousDutchtortures——thebeast！thewretch！Ispituponhimanddefyhim。CheerfullywillIlaythisheadupontheblock;cheerfullywillIaccompanymylordtothescaffold:wewillcry\'GodsaveKingJames！\'withourdyingbreath，andsmileinthefaceoftheexecutioner。\"Andshetoldherpage，ahundredtimesatleast，oftheparticularsofthelastinterviewwhichshehadwithhisMajesty。
\"Iflungmyselfbeforemyliege\'sfeet，\"shesaid，\"atSalisbury。
Idevotedmyself——myhusband——myhouse，tohiscause。Perhapsherememberedoldtimes，whenIsabellaEsmondwasyoungandfair;
perhapsherecalledthedaywhen\'twasnotIthatknelt——atleasthespoketomewithavoicethatremindedMEofdaysgoneby。
\'Egad！\'saidhisMajesty，\'youshouldgotothePrinceofOrange;
ifyouwantanything。\'\'No，sire，\'Ireplied，\'IwouldnotkneeltoaUsurper;theEsmondthatwouldhaveservedyourMajestywillneverbegroomtoatraitor\'sposset。\'Theroyalexilesmiled，eveninthemidstofhismisfortune;hedeignedtoraisemewithwordsofconsolation。TheViscount，myhusband，himself，couldnotbeangryattheaugustsalutewithwhichhehonoredme！\"
Thepublicmisfortunehadtheeffectofmakingmylordandhisladybetterfriendsthantheyeverhadbeensincetheircourtship。MylordViscounthadshownbothloyaltyandspirit，whenthesewererarequalitiesinthedispiritedpartyabouttheKing;andthepraisehegotelevatedhimnotalittleinhiswife\'sgoodopinion，andperhapsinhisown。Hewakenedupfromthelistlessandsupinelifewhichhehadbeenleading;wasalwaysridingtoandfroinconsultationwiththisfriendorthatoftheKing\'s;thepageofcourseknowinglittleofhisdoings，butremarkingonlyhisgreatercheerfulnessandaltereddemeanor。
FatherHoltcametotheHallconstantly，butofficiatednolongeropenlyaschaplain;hewasalwaysfetchingandcarrying:strangers，militaryandecclesiastic（Harryknewthelatter，thoughtheycameinallsortsofdisguises），werecontinuallyarrivinganddeparting。Mylordmadelongabsencesandsuddenreappearances，usingsometimesthemeansofexitwhichFatherHolthademployed，thoughhowoftenthelittlewindowintheChaplain\'sroomletinorletoutmylordandhisfriends，Harrycouldnottell。HestoutlykepthispromisetotheFatherofnotprying，andifatmidnightfromhislittleroomheheardnoisesofpersonsstirringinthenextchamber，heturnedroundtothewall，andhidhiscuriosityunderhispillowuntilitfellasleep。Ofcoursehecouldnothelpremarkingthatthepriest\'sjourneyswereconstant，andunderstandingbyahundredsignsthatsomeactivethoughsecretbusinessemployedhim:whatthiswasmayprettywellbeguessedbywhatsoonhappenedtomylord。
NogarrisonorwatchwasputintoCastlewoodwhenmylordcameback，butaGuardwasinthevillage;andoneorotherofthemwasalwaysontheGreenkeepingalook—outonourgreatgate，andthosewhowentoutandin。Lockwoodsaidthatatnightespeciallyeverypersonwhocameinorwentoutwaswatchedbytheoutlyingsentries。\'TwasluckythatwehadagatewhichtheirWorshipsknewnothingabout。MylordandFatherHoltmusthavemadeconstantjourneysatnight:onceortwicelittleHarryactedastheirmessengeranddiscreetlittleaide—de—camp。Heremembershewasbiddentogointothevillagewithhisfishing—rod，entercertainhouses，askforadrinkofwater，andtellthegoodman，\"Therewouldbeahorse—marketatNewburynextThursday，\"andsocarrythesamemessageontothenexthouseonhislist。
Hedidnotknowwhatthemessagemeantatthetime，norwhatwashappening:whichmayaswell，however，forclearness\'sake，beexplainedhere。ThePrinceofOrangebeinggonetoIreland，wheretheKingwasreadytomeethimwithagreatarmy，itwasdeterminedthatagreatrisingofhisMajesty\'spartyshouldtakeplaceinthiscountry;andmylordwastoheadtheforceinourcounty。Oflatehehadtakenagreaterleadinaffairsthanbefore，havingtheindefatigableMr。Holtathiselbow，andmyLadyViscountessstronglyurginghimon;andmyLordSarkbeingintheToweraprisoner，andSirWilmotCrawley，ofQueen\'sCrawley，havinggoneovertothePrinceofOrange\'sside——mylordbecamethemostconsiderablepersoninourpartofthecountyfortheaffairsoftheKing。
ItwasarrangedthattheregimentofScotsGraysandDragoons，thenquarteredatNewbury，shoulddeclarefortheKingonacertainday，whenlikewisethegentryaffectedtohisMajesty\'scauseweretocomeinwiththeirtenantsandadherentstoNewbury，marchupontheDutchtroopsatReadingunderGinckel;and，theseoverthrown，andtheirindomitablelittlemasterawayinIreland，\'twasthoughtthatoursidemightmoveonLondonitself，andaconfidentvictorywaspredictedfortheKing。
Asthesegreatmatterswereinagitation，mylordlosthislistlessmannerandseemedtogainhealth;myladydidnotscoldhim，Mr。
Holtcametoandfro，busyalways;andlittleHarrylongedtohavebeenafewinchestaller，thathemightdrawaswordinthisgoodcause。
Oneday，itmusthavebeenaboutthemonthofJuly，1690，mylord，inagreathorseman\'scoat，underwhichHarrycouldseetheshiningofasteelbreastplatehehadon，calledlittleHarrytohim，putthehairoffthechild\'sforehead，andkissedhim，andbadeGodblesshiminsuchanaffectionatewayasheneverhadusedbefore。
FatherHoltblessedhimtoo，andthentheytookleaveofmyLadyViscountess，whocamefromherapartmentwithapocket—handkerchieftohereyes，andhergentlewomanandMrs。Tushersupportingher。
\"Youaregoingto——toride，\"saysshe。\"Oh，thatImightcometoo——
butinmysituationIamforbiddenhorseexercise。\"
\"WekissmyLadyMarchioness\'shand，\"saysMr。Holt。
\"Mylord，Godspeedyou！\"shesaid，steppingupandembracingmylordinagrandmanner。\"Mr。Holt，Iaskyourblessing:\"andshekneltdownforthat，whilstMrs。Tushertossedherheadup。
Mr。Holtgavethesamebenedictiontothelittlepage，whowentdownandheldmylord\'sstirrupsforhimtomount;thereweretwoservantswaitingtheretoo——andtheyrodeoutofCastlewoodgate。
Astheycrossedthebridge，Harrycouldseeanofficerinscarletrideuptouchinghishat，andaddressmylord。
Thepartystopped，andcametosomeparleyordiscussion，whichpresentlyended，mylordputtinghishorseintoacanteraftertakingoffhishatandmakingabowtotheofficer，whorodealongsidehimstepforstep:thetrooperaccompanyinghimfallingback，andridingwithmylord\'stwomen。TheycanteredovertheGreen，andbehindtheelms（mylordwavinghishand，Harrythought），andsotheydisappeared。Thateveningwehadagreatpanic，thecow—boycomingatmilking—timeridingoneofourhorses，whichhehadfoundgrazingattheouterpark—wall。
AllnightmyLadyViscountesswasinaveryquietandsubduedmood。
Shescarcefoundfaultwithanybody;sheplayedatcardsforsixhours;littlepageEsmondwenttosleep。Heprayedformylordandthegoodcausebeforeclosinghiseyes。
Itwasquiteinthegrayofthemorningwhentheporter\'sbellrang，andoldLockwood，wakingup，letinoneofmylord\'sservants，whohadgonewithhiminthemorning，andwhoreturnedwithamelancholystory。Theofficerwhorodeuptomylordhad，itappeared，saidtohim，thatitwashisdutytoinformhislordshipthathewasnotunderarrest，butundersurveillance，andtorequesthimnottorideabroadthatday。
Mylordrepliedthatridingwasgoodforhishealth，thatiftheCaptainchosetoaccompanyhimhewaswelcome;anditwasthenthathemadeabow，andtheycanteredawaytogether。
WhenhecameontoWanseyDown，mylordallofasuddenpulledup，andthepartycametoahaltatthecross—way。
\"Sir，\"sayshetotheofficer，\"wearefourtotwo;willyoubesokindastotakethatroad，andleavemegomine？\"
\"Yourroadismine，mylord，\"saystheofficer。
\"Then——\"saysmylord;buthehadnotimetosaymore，fortheofficer，drawingapistol，snappeditathislordship;asatthesamemomentFatherHolt，drawingapistol，shottheofficerthroughthehead。Itwasdone，andthemandeadinaninstantoftime。
Theorderly，gazingattheofficer，lookedsearedforamoment，andgallopedawayforhislife。
\"Fire！fire！\"criesoutFatherHolt，sendinganothershotafterthetrooper，butthetwoservantsweretoomuchsurprisedtousetheirpieces，andmylordcallingtothemtoholdtheirhands，thefellowgotaway。
\"Mr。Holt，quipensaitatout，\"saysBlaise，\"getsoffhishorse，examinesthepocketsofthedeadofficerforpapers，giveshismoneytoustwo，andsays，\'Thewineisdrawn，M。leMarquis，\'——whydidhesayMarquistoM。leVicomte？——\'wemustdrinkit。\'
\"Thepoorgentleman\'shorsewasabetteronethanthatIrode，\"
Blaisecontinues;\"Mr。Holtbidsmegetonhim，andsoIgaveacuttoWhitefoot，andshetrottedhome。WerodeontowardsNewbury;weheardfiringtowardsmidday:attwoo\'clockahorsemancomesuptousasweweregivingourcattlewaterataninn——andsays，\'Allisdone！TheEcossaisdeclaredanhourtoosoon——GeneralGinckelwasdownuponthem。\'Thewholethingwasatanend。
\"\'Andwe\'veshotanofficeronduty，andlethisorderlyescape，\'
saysmylord。
\"\'Blaise，\'saysMr。Holt，writingtwolinesonhistable—book，oneformyladyandoneforyou，MasterHarry;\'youmustgobacktoCastlewood，anddeliverthese，\'andbeholdme。\"
AndhegaveHarrythetwopapers。Hereadthattohimself，whichonlysaid，\"Burnthepapersinthecupboard，burnthis。Youknownothingaboutanything。\"Harryreadthis，ranupstairstohismistress\'sapartment，wherehergentlewomansleptneartothedoor，madeherbringalightandwakemylady，intowhosehandshegavethepaper。Shewasawonderfulobjecttolookatinhernightattire，norhadHarryeverseenthelike。
Assoonasshehadthepaperinherhand，HarrysteppedbacktotheChaplain\'sroom，openedthesecretcupboardoverthefireplace，burnedallthepapersinit，and，ashehadseenthepriestdobefore，tookdownoneofhisreverence\'smanuscriptsermons，andhalfburntthatinthebrazier。Bythetimethepaperswerequitedestroyeditwasdaylight。Harryranbacktohismistressagain。
Hergentlewomanusheredhimagainintoherladyship\'schamber;shetoldhim（frombehindhernuptialcurtains）tobidthecoachbegotready，andthatshewouldrideawayanon。
Butthemysteriesofherladyship\'stoiletwereasawfullylongonthisdayasonanyother，and，longafterthecoachwasready，myladywasstillattiringherself。AndjustastheViscountesssteppedforthfromherroom，readyfordeparture，youngJohnLockwoodcomesrunningupfromthevillagewithnewsthatalawyer，threeofficers，andtwentyorfour—and—twentysoldiers，weremarchingthenceuponthehouse。Johnhadbuttwominutesthestartofthem，and，erehehadwelltoldhisstory，thetrooprodeintoourcourt—yard。
CHAPTERVI。
THEISSUEOFTHEPLOTS。——THEDEATHOFTHOMAS，THIRDVISCOUNTOF
CASTLEWOOD;ANDTHEIMPRISONMENTOFHISVISCOUNTESS。
AtfirstmyladywasfordyinglikeMary，QueenofScots（towhomshefanciedsheborearesemblanceinbeauty），and，strokingherscraggyneck，said，\"TheywillfindIsabelofCastlewoodisequaltoherfate。\"Hergentlewoman，Victoire，persuadedherthatherprudentcoursewas，asshecouldnotfly，toreceivethetroopsasthoughshesuspectednothing，andthatherchamberwasthebestplacewhereintoawaitthem。SoherblackJapancasket，whichHarrywastocarrytothecoach，wastakenbacktoherladyship\'schamber，whitherthemaidandmistressretired。Victoirecameoutpresently，biddingthepagetosayherladyshipwasill，confinedtoherbedwiththerheumatism。
BythistimethesoldiershadreachedCastlewood。HarryEsmondsawthemfromthewindowofthetapestryparlor;acoupleofsentinelswerepostedatthegate——ahalf—dozenmorewalkedtowardsthestable;andsomeothers，precededbytheircommander，andamaninblack，alawyerprobably，wereconductedbyoneoftheservantstothestairleadinguptothepartofthehousewhichmylordandladyinhabited。
SotheCaptain，ahandsomekindman，andthelawyer，camethroughtheante—roomtothetapestryparlor，andwherenowwasnobodybutyoungHarryEsmond，thepage。
\"Tellyourmistress，littleman，\"saystheCaptain，kindly，\"thatwemustspeaktoher。\"
\"Mymistressisilla—bed，\"saidthepage。
\"Whatcomplainthasshe？\"askedtheCaptain。
Theboysaid，\"Therheumatism！\"
\"Rheumatism！that\'sasadcomplaint，\"continuesthegood—naturedCaptain;\"andthecoachisintheyardtofetchtheDoctor，I
suppose？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saystheboy。
\"Andhowlonghasherladyshipbeenill？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saystheboy。
\"Whendidmylordgoaway？\"
\"Yesterdaynight。\"
\"WithFatherHolt？\"
\"WithMr。Holt。\"
\"Andwhichwaydidtheytravel？\"asksthelawyer。
\"Theytravelledwithoutme，\"saysthepage。
\"WemustseeLadyCastlewood。\"
\"Ihaveordersthatnobodygoesintoherladyship——sheissick，\"
saysthepage;butatthismomentVictoirecameout。\"Hush！\"saysshe;and，asifnotknowingthatanyonewasnear，\"What\'sthisnoise？\"saysshe。\"IsthisgentlemantheDoctor？\"
\"Stuff！wemustseeLadyCastlewood，\"saysthelawyer，pushingby。
Thecurtainsofherladyship\'sroomweredown，andthechamberdark，andshewasinbedwithanightcaponherhead，andproppedupbyherpillows，lookingnonethelessghastlybecauseoftheredwhichwasstillonhercheeks，andwhichshecouldnotaffordtoforego。
\"IsthattheDoctor？\"shesaid。
\"Thereisnousewiththisdeception，madam，\"CaptainWestburysaid（forsohewasnamed）。\"MydutyistoarrestthepersonofThomas，ViscountCastlewood，anonjuringpeer——ofRobertTusher，VicarofCastlewood——andHenryHolt，knownundervariousothernamesanddesignations，aJesuitpriest，whoofficiatedaschaplainhereinthelateking\'stime，andisnowattheheadoftheconspiracywhichwasabouttobreakoutinthiscountryagainsttheauthorityoftheirMajestiesKingWilliamandQueenMary——andmyordersaretosearchthehouseforsuchpapersortracesoftheconspiracyasmaybefoundhere。Yourladyshipwillpleasegivemeyourkeys，anditwillbeaswellforyourselfthatyoushouldhelpus，ineveryway，inoursearch。\"
\"Yousee，sir，thatIhavetherheumatism，andcannotmove，\"saidthelady，lookinguncommonlyghastlyasshesatupinherbed，where，however，shehadhadhercheekspainted，andanewcapputon，sothatshemightatleastlookherbestwhentheofficerscame。
\"Ishalltakeleavetoplaceasentinelinthechamber，sothatyourladyship，incaseyoushouldwishtorise，mayhaveanarmtoleanon，\"CaptainWestburysaid。\"YourwomanwillshowmewhereI
amtolook;\"andMadameVictoire，chatteringinherhalfFrenchandhalfEnglishjargon，openedwhiletheCaptainexaminedonedrawerafteranother;but，asHarryEsmondthought，rathercarelessly，withasmileonhisface，asifhewasonlyconductingtheexaminationforform\'ssake。
BeforeoneofthecupboardsVictoireflungherselfdown，stretchingoutherarms，and，withapiercingshriek，cried，\"Non，jamais，monsieurl\'officier！Jamais！Iwillratherdiethanletyouseethiswardrobe。\"
ButCaptainWestburywouldopenit，stillwithasmileonhisface，which，whentheboxwasopened，turnedintoafairburstoflaughter。Itcontained——notpapersregardingtheconspiracy——butmylady\'swigs，washes，androuge—pots，andVictoiresaidmenweremonsters，astheCaptainwentonwithhisperquisition。Hetappedthebacktoseewhetherornoitwashollow，andashethrusthishandsintothecupboard，myladyfromherbedcalledout，withavoicethatdidnotsoundlikethatofaverysickwoman，\"Isityourcommissiontoinsultladiesaswellastoarrestgentlemen，Captain？\"
\"Thesearticlesareonlydangerouswhenwornbyyourladyship，\"theCaptainsaid，withalowbow，andamockgrinofpoliteness。\"I
havefoundnothingwhichconcernstheGovernmentasyet——onlytheweaponswithwhichbeautyisauthorizedtokill，\"sayshe，pointingtoawigwithhissword—tip。\"Wemustnowproceedtosearchtherestofthehouse。\"
\"Youarenotgoingtoleavethatwretchintheroomwithme，\"criedmylady，pointingtothesoldier。
\"WhatcanIdo，madam？Somebodyyoumusthavetosmoothyourpillowandbringyourmedicine——permitme——\"
\"Sir！\"screamedoutmylady。
\"Madam，ifyouaretooilltoleavethebed，\"theCaptainthensaid，rathersternly，\"Imusthaveinfourofmymentoliftyouoffinthesheet。Imustexaminethisbed，inaword;papersmaybehiddeninabedaselsewhere;weknowthatverywelland***。\"
Hereitwasherladyship\'sturntoshriek，fortheCaptain，withhisfistshakingthepillowsandbolsters，atlastcameto\"burn\"
astheysayintheplayofforfeits，andwrenchingawayoneofthepillows，said，\"Look！didnotItellyouso？Hereisapillowstuffedwithpaper。\"
\"Somevillainhasbetrayedus，\"criedoutmylady，sittingupinthebed，showingherselffulldressedunderhernight—rail。
\"Andnowyourladyshipcanmove，Iamsure;permitmetogiveyoumyhandtorise。Youwillhavetotravelforsomedistance，asfarasHextonCastleto—night。Willyouhaveyourcoach？Yourwomanshallattendyouifyoulike——andthejapan—box？\"
\"Sir！youdon\'tstrikeaMANwhenheisdown，\"saidmylady，withsomedignity:\"canyounotspareawoman？\"
\"Yourladyshipmustpleasetorise，andletmesearchthebed，\"
saidtheCaptain;\"thereisnomoretimetoloseinbandyingtalk。\"
And，withoutmoreado，thegauntoldwomangotup。HarryEsmondrecollectedtotheendofhislifethatfigure，withthebrocadedressandthewhitenight—rail，andthegold—clockedredstockings，andwhitered—heeledshoes，sittingupinthebed，andsteppingdownfromit。Thetrunkswerereadypackedfordepartureinherante—room，andthehorsesreadyharnessedinthestable:aboutallwhichtheCaptainseemedtoknow，byinformationgotfromsomequarterorother;andwhenceEsmondcouldmakeaprettyshrewdguessinafter—times，whenDr。TushercomplainedthatKingWilliam\'sgovernmenthadbaselytreatedhimforservicesdoneinthatcause。
Andherehemayrelate，thoughhewasthentooyoungtoknowallthatwashappening，whatthepaperscontained，ofwhichCaptainWestburyhadmadeaseizure，andwhichpapershadbeentransferredfromthejapan—boxtothebedwhentheofficersarrived。
TherewasalistofgentlemenofthecountyinFatherHolt\'shandwriting——Mr。Freeman\'s（KingJames\'s）friends——asimilarpaperbeingfoundamongthoseofSirJohnFenwickandMr。Coplestone，whosuffereddeathforthisconspiracy。
TherewasapatentconferringthetitleofMarquisofEsmondonmyLordCastlewoodandtheheirs—maleofhisbody;hisappointmentasLord—LieutenantoftheCounty，andMajor—General。*
*TohavethisrankofMarquisrestoredinthefamilyhadalwaysbeenmyLadyViscountess\'sambition;andheroldmaidenaunt，BarbaraTopham，thegoldsmith\'sdaughter，dyingaboutthistime，andleavingallherpropertytoLadyCastlewood，IhaveheardthatherladyshipsentalmostthewholeofthemoneytoKingJames，aproceedingwhichsoirritatedmyLordCastlewoodthatheactuallywenttotheparishchurch，andwasonlyappeasedbytheMarquis\'stitlewhichhisexiledMajestysenttohiminreturnforthe15，000L。hisfaithfulsubjectlenthim。
Therewerevariouslettersfromthenobilityandgentry，someardentandsomedoubtful，intheKing\'sservice;and（veryluckilyforhim）twolettersconcerningColonelFrancisEsmond:onefromFatherHolt，whichsaid，\"IhavebeentoseethisColonelathishouseatWalcote，neartoWells，whereheresidessincetheKing\'sdeparture，andpressedhimveryeagerlyinMr。Freeman\'scause，showinghimthegreatadvantagehewouldhavebytradingwiththatmerchant，offeringhimlargepremiumsthereasagreedbetweenus。
Buthesaysno:heconsidersMr。Freemantheheadofthefirm，willnevertradeagainsthimorembarkwithanyothertradingcompany，butconsidershisdutywasdonewhenMr。FreemanleftEngland。
ThisColonelseemstocaremoreforhiswifeandhisbeaglesthanforaffairs。HeaskedmemuchaboutyoungH。E。，\'thatbastard，\'
ashecalledhim;doubtingmylord\'sintentionsrespectinghim。I
reassuredhimonthishead，statingwhatIknewofthelad，andourintentionsrespectinghim，butwithregardtoFreemanhewasinflexible。\"