Someonesaidtheill—omenedfaceofMohunhadbeenseenatthetheatrethenightbefore，andMacartneyandMeredithwithhim。Meanttobeafeast，themeeting，inspiteofdrinkandtalk，wasasdismalasafuneral。Everytopicstartedsubsidedintogloom。HisGraceofOrmondewentawaybecausetheconversationgotuponDenain，wherewehadbeendefeatedinthelastcampaign。Esmond\'sGeneralwasaffectedattheallusiontothisactiontoo，forhiscomradeofWynendael，theCountofNassauWoudenbourg，hadbeenslainthere。
Mr。Swift，whenEsmondpledgedhim，saidhedranknowine，andtookhishatfromthepegandwentaway，beckoningmyLordBolingbroketofollowhim;buttheotherbadehimtakehischariotandsavehiscoach—hire——hehadtospeakwithColonelEsmond;andwhentherestofthecompanywithdrewtocards，thesetworemainedbehindinthedark。
Bolingbrokealwaysspokefreelywhenhehaddrunkfreely。Hisenemiescouldgetanysecretoutofhiminthatcondition;womenwereevenemployedtoplyhim，andtakehiswordsdown。IhaveheardthatmyLordStair，threeyearsafter，whentheSecretaryfledtoFranceandbecamethePretender\'sMinister，gotalltheinformationhewantedbyputtingfemalespiesoverSt。Johninhiscups。Hespokefreelynow:——\"Jonathanknowsnothingofthisforcertain，thoughhesuspectsit，andbyGeorge，WebbwilltakeanArchbishopric，andJonathana——no，——damme——JonathanwilltakeanArch—bishopricfromJames，Iwarrantme，gladlyenough。YourDukehaththestringofthewholematterinhishand，\"theSecretarywenton。\"WehavethatwhichwillforceMarlboroughtokeephisdistance，andhegoesoutofLondoninafortnight。Priorhathhisbusiness;heleftmethismorning，andmarkme，Harry，shouldfatecarryoffouraugust，ourbeloved，ourmostgoutyandplethoricQueen，andDefenderoftheFaith，labonnecausetriomphera。Alasantedelabonnecause！EverythinggoodcomesfromFrance。WinecomesfromFrance;giveusanotherbumpertothebonnecause。\"Wedrankittogether。
\"WillthebonnecauseturnProtestant？\"askedMr。Esmond。
\"No，hangit，\"saystheother，\"he\'lldefendourFaithasindutybound，buthe\'llstickbyhisown。TheHindandthePanthershallruninthesamecar，byJove。Righteousnessandpeaceshallkisseachother:andwe\'llhaveFatherMassillontowalkdowntheaisleofSt。Paul\'s，cheekbyjowlwithDr。Sacheverel。Giveusmorewine;here\'sahealthtothebonnecause，kneeling——damme，let\'sdrinkitkneeling。\"Hewasquiteflushedandwildwithwineashewastalking。
\"Andsuppose，\"saysEsmond，whoalwayshadthisgloomyapprehension，\"thebonnecauseshouldgiveusuptotheFrench，ashisfatheranduncledidbeforehim？\"
\"GiveusuptotheFrench！\"startsupBolingbroke;\"isthereanyEnglishgentlemanthatfearsthat？YouwhohaveseenBlenheimandRamillies，afraidoftheFrench！Yourancestorsandmine，andbraveoldWebb\'syonder，havemettheminahundredfields，andourchildrenwillbereadytodothelike。Who\'shethatwishesformoremenfromEngland？MyCousinWestmoreland？GiveusuptotheFrench，pshaw！\"
\"Hisuncledid，\"saysMr。Esmond。
\"Andwhathappenedtohisgrandfather？\"brokeoutSt。John，fillingoutanotherbumper。\"Here\'stothegreatestmonarchEnglandeversaw;here\'stotheEnglishmanthatmadeakingdomofher。OurgreatKingcamefromHuntingdon，notHanover;ourfathersdidn\'tlookforaDutchmantoruleus。Lethimcomeandwe\'llkeephim，andwe\'llshowhimWhitehall。Ifhe\'satraitorletushavehimheretodealwithhim;andthentherearespiritshereasgreatasanythathavegonebefore。Therearemenherethatcanlookatdangerinthefaceandnotbefrightenedatit。Traitor！treason！
whatnamesarethesetoscareyouandme？AreallOliver\'smendead，orhisgloriousnameforgotteninfiftyyears？Aretherenomenequaltohim，thinkyou，asgood——ay，asgood？GodsavetheKing！and，ifthemonarchyfailsus，GodsavetheBritishRepublic！\"
Hefilledanothergreatbumper，andtosseditupanddraineditwildly，justasthenoiseofrapidcarriage—wheelsapproachingwasstoppedatourdoor，andafterahurriedknockandamoment\'sinterval，Mr。Swiftcameintothehall，ranupstairstotheroomwewerediningin，andentereditwithaperturbedface。St。John，excitedwithdrink，wasmakingsomewildquotationoutofMacbeth，butSwiftstoppedhim。
\"Drinknomore，mylord，forGod\'ssake！\"sayshe。\"Icomewiththemostdreadfulnews。\"
\"IstheQueendead？\"criesoutBolingbroke，seizingonawater—
glass。
\"No，DukeHamiltonisdead:hewasmurderedanhouragobyMohunandMacartney;theyhadaquarrelthismorning;theygavehimnotsomuchtimeastowritealetter。Hewentforacoupleofhisfriends，andheisdead，andMohun，too，thebloodyvillain，whowassetonhim。TheyfoughtinHydeParkjustbeforesunset;theDukekilledMohun，andMacartneycameupandstabbedhim，andthedogisfled。Ihaveyourchariotbelow;sendtoeverypartofthecountryandapprehendthatvillain;cometotheDuke\'shouseandseeifanylifebeleftinhim。\"
\"Oh，Beatrix，Beatrix，\"thoughtEsmond，\"andhereendsmypoorgirl\'sambition！\"
CHAPTERVI。
POORBEATRIX。
TherehadbeennoneedtourgeuponEsmondthenecessityofaseparationbetweenhimandBeatrix:Fatehaddonethatcompletely;
andIthinkfromtheverymomentpoorBeatrixhadacceptedtheDuke\'soffer，shebegantoassumethemajesticairofaDuchess，nay，QueenElect，andtocarryherselfasonesacredandremovedfromuscommonpeople。Hermotherandkinsmanbothfellintoherways，thelatterscornfullyperhaps，andutteringhisusualgibesathervanityandhisown。TherewasacertaincharmaboutthisgirlofwhichneitherColonelEsmondnorhisfondmistresscouldforegothefascination;inspiteofherfaultsandherprideandwilfulness，theywereforcedtoloveher;and，indeed，mightbesetdownasthetwochiefflatterersofthebrilliantcreature\'scourt。
Who，inthecourseofhislife，hathnotbeensobewitched，andworshippedsomeidoloranother？Yearsafterthispassionhathbeendeadandburied，alongwithathousandotherworldlycaresandambitions，hewhofeltitcanrecallitoutofitsgrave，andadmire，almostasfondlyashedidinhisyouth，thatlovelyqueenlycreature。Iinvokethatbeautifulspiritfromtheshadesandloveherstill;orratherIshouldsaysuchapastisalwayspresenttoaman;suchapassiononcefeltformsapartofhiswholebeing，andcannotbeseparatedfromit;itbecomesaportionofthemanofto—day，justasanygreatfaithorconviction，thediscoveryofpoetry，theawakeningofreligion，everafterwardsinfluencehim;justasthewoundIhadatBlenheim，andofwhichI
wearthescar，hathbecomepartofmyframeandinfluencedmywholebody，nay，spiritsubsequently，though\'twasgotandhealedfortyyearsago。Partingandforgetting！Whatfaithfulheartcandothese？Ourgreatthoughts，ourgreataffections，theTruthsofourlife，neverleaveus。Surely，theycannotseparatefromourconsciousness;shallfollowitwhithersoeverthatshallgo;andareoftheirnaturedivineandimmortal。
Withthehorriblenewsofthiscatsstrophe，whichwasconfirmedbytheweepingdomesticsattheDuke\'sowndoor，Esmondrodehomewardsasquickashislazycoachwouldcarryhim，devisingallthetimehowheshouldbreaktheintelligencetothepersonmostconcernedinit;andifasatireuponhumanvanitycouldbeneeded，thatpoorsoulaffordeditinthealteredcompanyandoccupationsinwhichEsmondfoundher。Fordaysbefore，herchariothadbeenrollingthestreetfrommercertotoyshop——fromgoldsmithtolaceman:hertastewasperfect，oratleastthefondbridegroomhadthoughtso，andhadgivenherentireauthorityoveralltradesmen，andforalltheplate，furnitureandequipages，withwhichhisGracetheAmbassadorwishedtoadornhissplendidmission。ShemusthaveherpicturebyKneller，aduchessnotbeingcompletewithoutaportrait，andanobleonehemade，andactuallysketchedin，onacushion，acoronetwhichshewasabouttowear。ShevowedshewouldwearitatKingJamestheThird\'scoronation，andneveraprincessinthelandwouldhavebecomeerminebetter。Esmondfoundtheante—chambercrowdedwithmillinersandtoyshopwomen，obsequiousgoldsmithswithjewels，salvers，andtankards;andmercers\'menwithhangings，andvelvets，andbrocades。MyLadyDuchesselectwasgivingaudiencetoonefamoussilversmithfromExeterChange，whobroughtwithhimagreatchasedsalver，ofwhichhewaspointingoutthebeautiesasColonelEsmondentered。
\"Come，\"saysshe，\"cousin，andadmirethetasteofthisprettything。\"IthinkMarsandVenuswerelyinginthegoldenbower，thatonegiltCupidcarriedoffthewar—god\'scasque——anotherhissword——anotherhisgreatbuckler，uponwhichmyLordDukeHamilton\'sarmswithoursweretobeengraved——andafourthwaskneelingdowntothereclininggoddesswiththeducalcoronetinherhands，Godhelpus！ThenexttimeMr。Esmondsawthatpieceofplate，thearmswerechanged，theducalcoronethadbeenreplacedbyaviscount\'s;itformedpartofthefortuneofthethriftygoldsmith\'sowndaughter，whenshemarriedmyLordViscountSquanderfieldtwoyearsafter。
\"Isn\'tthisabeautifulpiece？\"saysBeatrix，examiningit，andshepointedoutthearchgracesoftheCupids，andthefinecarvingofthelanguidprostrateMars。Esmondsickenedashethoughtofthewarriordeadinhischamber，hisservantsandchildrenweepingaroundhim;andofthissmilingcreatureattiringherself，asitwere，forthatnuptialdeath—bed。\"\'Tisaprettypieceofvanity，\"
sayshe，lookinggloomilyatthebeautifulcreature:therewereflambeauxintheroomlightingupthebrilliantmistressofit。
Sheliftedupthegreatgoldsalverwithherfairarms。
\"Vanity！\"saysshe，haughtily。\"Whatisvanityinyou，sir，isproprietyinme。YouaskaJewishpriceforit，Mr。Graves;buthaveitIwill，ifonlytospiteMr。Esmond。\"
\"Oh，Beatrix，layitdown！\"saysMr。Esmond。\"Herodias！youknownotwhatyoucarryinthecharger。\"
Shedroppeditwithaclang;theeagergoldsmithrunningtoseizehisfallenware。Thelady\'sfacecaughtthefrightfromEsmond\'spalecountenance，andhereyesshoneoutlikebeaconsofalarm:——
\"Whatisit，Henry！\"saysshe，runningtohim，andseizingbothhishands。\"Whatdoyoumeanbyyourpalefaceandgloomytones？\"
\"Comeaway，comeaway！\"saysEsmond，leadingher:sheclungfrightenedtohim，andhesupportedheruponhisheart，biddingthescaredgoldsmithleavethem。Themanwentintothenextapartment，staringwithsurprise，andhugginghispreciouscharger。
\"Oh，myBeatrix，mysister！\"saysEsmond，stillholdinginhisarmsthepallidandaffrightedcreature，\"youhavethegreatestcourageofanywomanintheworld;preparetoshowitnow，foryouhaveadreadfultrialtobear。\"
Shesprangawayfromthefriendwhowouldhaveprotectedher:——
\"Hathheleftme？\"saysshe。\"Wehadwordsthismorning:hewasverygloomy，andIangeredhim:buthedarednot，hedarednot！\"
Asshespokeaburningblushflushedoverherwholefaceandbosom。
Esmondsawitreflectedintheglassbywhichshestood，withclenchedhands，pressingherswellingheart。
\"Hehasleftyou，\"saysEsmond，wonderingthatrageratherthansorrowwasinherlooks。
\"Andheisalive，\"criedBeatrix，\"andyoubringmethiscommission！Hehasleftme，andyouhaven\'tdaredtoavengeme！
You，thatpretendtobethechampionofourhouse，haveletmesufferthisinsult！WhereisCastlewood？Iwillgotomybrother。\"
\"TheDukeisnotalive，Beatrix，\"saidEsmond。
Shelookedathercousinwildly，andfellbacktothewallasthoughshotinthebreast:——\"Andyoucomehere，and——and——youkilledhim？\"
\"No;thankheaven！\"herkinsmansaid。\"Thebloodofthatnobleheartdothnotstainmysword！Initslasthouritwasfaithfultothee，BeatrixEsmond。Vainandcruelwoman！kneelandthanktheawfulheavenwhichawardslifeanddeath，andchastisespride，thatthenobleHamiltondiedtruetoyou;atleastthat\'twasnotyourquarrel，oryourpride，oryourwickedvanity，thatdrovehimtohisfate。Hediedbythebloodyswordwhichalreadyhaddrankyourownfather\'sblood。Owoman，Osister！tothatsadfieldwheretwocorpsesarelying——forthemurdererdiedtoobythehandofthemanheslew——canyoubringnomournersbutyourrevengeandyourvanity？Godhelpandpardonthee，Beatrix，ashebringsthisawfulpunishmenttoyourhardandrebelliousheart。\"
Esmondhadscarcedonespeaking，whenhismistresscamein。ThecolloquybetweenhimandBeatrixhadlastedbutafewminutes，duringwhichtimeEsmond\'sservanthadcarriedthedisastrousnewsthroughthehousehold。ThearmyofVanityFair，waitingwithout，gatheredupalltheirfripperiesandfledaghast。TenderLadyCastlewoodhadbeenintalkabovewithDeanAtterbury，thepiouscreature\'salmoneranddirector;andtheDeanhadenteredwithherasaphysicianwhoseplacewasatasick—bed。Beatrix\'smotherlookedatEsmondandrantowardsherdaughter，withapalefaceandopenheartandhands，allkindnessandpity。ButBeatrixpassedherby，norwouldshehaveanyofthemedicamentsofthespiritualphysician。\"Iambestinmyownroomandbymyself，\"shesaid。
Hereyeswerequitedry;nordidEsmondeverseethemotherwise，saveonce，inrespecttothatgrief。Shegavehimacoldhandasshewentout:\"Thankyou，brother，\"shesaid，inalowvoice，andwithasimplicitymoretouchingthantears;\"allyouhavesaidistrueandkind，andIwillgoawayandaskpardon。\"Thethreeothersremainedbehind，andtalkedoverthedreadfulstory。ItaffectedDr。Atterburymoreeventhanus，asitseemed。ThedeathofMohun，herhusband\'smurderer，wasmoreawfultomymistressthaneventheDuke\'sunhappyend。Esmondgaveatlengthwhatparticularsheknewoftheirquarrel，andthecauseofit。ThetwonoblemenhadlongbeenatwarwithrespecttotheLordGerard\'sproperty，whosetwodaughtersmyLordDukeandMohunhadmarried。
Theyhadmetbyappointmentthatdayatthelawyer\'sinLincoln\'sInnFields;hadwordswhich，thoughtheyappearedverytriflingtothosewhoheardthem，werenotsotomenexasperatedbylongandpreviousenmity。MohunaskedmyLordDukewherehecouldseehisGrace\'sfriends，andwithinanhourhadsenttwoofhisowntoarrangethisdeadlyduel。Itwaspursuedwithsuchfierceness，andsprungfromsotriflingacause，thatallmenagreedatthetimethattherewasaparty，ofwhichthesethreenotoriousbrawlerswerebutagents，whodesiredtotakeDukeHamilton\'slifeaway。
Theyfoughtthreeonaside，asinthattragicmeetingtwelveyearsback，whichhathbeenrecountedalready，andinwhichMohunperformedhissecondmurder。Theyrushedin，andcloseduponeachotheratoncewithoutanyfeintsorcrossingofswordseven，andstabbedoneattheotherdesperately，eachreceivingmanywounds;
andMohunhavinghisdeath—wound，andmyLordDukelyingbyhim，MacartneycameupandstabbedhisGraceashelayontheground，andgavehimtheblowofwhichhedied。ColonelMacartneydeniedthis，ofwhichthehorrorandindignationofthewholekingdomwouldneverthelesshavehimguilty，andfledthecountry，whitherheneverreturned。
WhatwastherealcauseoftheDukeHamilton\'sdeath？——apaltryquarrelthatmighteasilyhavebeenmadeup，andwitharuffiansolow，base，profligate，anddegradedwithformercrimesandrepeatedmurders，thatamanofsuchrenownandprincelyrankasmyLordDukemighthavedisdainedtosullyhisswordwiththebloodofsuchavillain。Buthisspiritwassohighthatthosewhowishedhisdeathknewthathiscouragewaslikehischarity，andneverturnedanymanaway;andhediedbythehandsofMohun，andtheothertwocut—throatsthatweresetonhim。TheQueen\'sambassadortoParisdied，theloyalanddevotedservantoftheHouseofStuart，andaRoyalPrinceofScotlandhimself，andcarryingtheconfidence，therepentanceofQueenAnnealongwithhisownopendevotion，andthegood—willofmillionsinthecountrymore，totheQueen\'sexiledbrotherandsovereign。
ThatpartytowhichLordMohunbelongedhadthebenefitofhisservice，andnowwerewellridofsucharuffian。He，andMeredith，andMacartney，weretheDukeofMarlborough\'smen;andthetwocolonelshadbeenbrokebuttheyearbeforefordrinkingperditiontotheTories。HisGracewasaWhignowandaHanoverian，andaseagerforwarasPrinceEugenehimself。IsaynotthathewasprivytoDukeHamilton\'sdeath，Isaythathispartyprofitedbyit;andthatthreedesperateandbloodyinstrumentswerefoundtoeffectthatmurder。
AsEsmondandtheDeanwalkedawayfromKensingtondiscoursingofthistragedy，andhowfatalitwastothecausewhichtheybothhadatheart，thestreet—crierswerealreadyoutwiththeirbroadsides，shoutingthroughthetownthefull，true，andhorribleaccountofthedeathofLordMohunandDukeHamiltoninaduel。AfellowhadgottoKensington，andwascryingitinthesquarethereatveryearlymorning，whenMr。Esmondhappenedtopassby。HedrovethemanfromunderBeatrix\'sverywindow，whereofthecasementhadbeensetopen。Thesunwasshiningthough\'twasNovember:hehadseenthemarket—cartsrollingintoLondon，theguardrelievedatthepalace，thelaborerstrudgingtotheirworkinthegardensbetweenKensingtonandtheCity——thewanderingmerchantsandhawkersfillingtheairwiththeircries。Theworldwasgoingtoitsbusinessagain，althoughdukeslaydeadandladiesmournedforthem;andkings，verylikely，losttheirchances。Sonightanddaypassaway，andto—morrowcomes，andourplaceknowsusnot。Esmondthoughtofthecourier，nowgallopingontheNorthroadtoinformhim，whowasEarlofArranyesterday，thathewasDukeofHamiltonto—day，andofathousandgreatschemes，hopes，ambitions，thatwerealiveinthegallantheart，beatingafewhourssince，andnowinalittledustquiescent。
CHAPTERVII。
IVISITCASTLEWOODONCEMORE。
Thus，forathirdtime，Beatrix\'sambitioushopeswerecircumvented，andshemightwellbelievethataspecialmalignantfatewatchedandpursuedher，tearingherprizeoutofherhandjustassheseemedtograspit，andleavingherwithonlyrageandgriefforherportion。Whateverherfeelingsmighthavebeenofangerorofsorrow，（andIfearmethattheformeremotionwasthatwhichmosttoreherheart，）shewouldtakenoconfidant，aspeopleofsofternatureswouldhavedoneundersuchacalamity;hermotherandherkinsmanknewthatshewoulddisdaintheirpity，andthattoofferitwouldbebuttoinfuriatethecruelwoundwhichfortunehadinflicted。Weknewthatherpridewasawfullyhumbledandpunishedbythissuddenandterribleblow;shewantednoteachingofourstopointoutthesadmoralofherstory。Herfondmothercouldgivebutherprayers，andherkinsmanhisfaithfulfriendshipandpatiencetotheunhappy，strickencreature;anditwasonlybyhints，andawordortwoutteredmonthsafterwards，thatBeatrixshowedsheunderstoodtheirsilentcommiseration，andonherpartwassecretlythankfulfortheirforbearance。ThepeopleabouttheCourtsaidtherewasthatinhermannerwhichfrightenedawayscoffingandcondolence:shewasabovetheirtriumphandtheirpity，andactedherpartinthatdreadfultragedygreatlyandcourageously;sothatthosewholikedherleastwereyetforcedtoadmireher。We，whowatchedherafterherdisaster，couldnotbutrespecttheindomitablecourageandmajesticcalmwithwhichsheboreit。\"Iwouldratherseehertearsthanherpride，\"hermothersaid，whowasaccustomedtobearhersorrowsinaverydifferentway，andtoreceivethemasthestrokeofGod，withanawfulsubmissionandmeekness。ButBeatrix\'snaturewasdifferenttothattenderparent\'s;sheseemedtoaccepthergriefandtodefyit;norwouldsheallowit（Ibelievenoteveninprivateandinherownchamber）toextortfromhertheconfessionofevenatearofhumiliationoracryofpain。Friendsandchildrenofourrace，whocomeafterme，inwhichwaywillyoubearyourtrials？IknowonethatpraysGodwillgiveyouloveratherthanpride，andthattheEyeall—seeingshallfindyouinthehumbleplace。Notthatweshouldjudgeproudspiritsotherwisethancharitably。\'Tisnaturehathfashionedsomeforambitionanddominion，asithathformedothersforobedienceandgentlesubmission。Theleopardfollowshisnatureasthelambdoes，andactsafterleopardlaw;shecanneitherhelpherbeauty，norhercourage，norhercruelty;norasinglespotonhershiningcoat;northeconqueringspiritwhichimpelsher;northeshotwhichbringsherdown。
Duringthatwell—foundedpanictheWhigshad，lesttheQueenshouldforsaketheirHanoverianPrince，boundbyoathsandtreatiesasshewastohim，andrecallherbrother，whowasalliedtoherbyyetstrongertiesofnatureandduty;thePrinceofSavoy，andtheboldestofthatpartyoftheWhigs，wereforbringingtheyoungDukeofCambridgeover，inspiteoftheQueen，andtheoutcryofherToryservants，arguingthattheElectoralPrince，aPeerandPrinceoftheBlood—RoyalofthisRealmtoo，andinthelineofsuccessiontothecrown，had，arighttositintheParliamentwhereofhewasamember，andtodwellinthecountrywhichheonedaywastogovern。NothingbutthestrongestillwillexpressedbytheQueen，andthepeopleabouther，andmenacesoftheRoyalresentment，shouldthisschemebepersistedin，preventeditfrombeingcarriedintoeffect。
Theboldestonoursidewere，inlikemanner，forhavingourPrinceintothecountry。Theundoubtedinheritoroftherightdivine;thefeelingsofmorethanhalfthenation，ofalmostalltheclergy，ofthegentryofEnglandandScotlandwithhim;entirelyinnocentofthecrimeforwhichhisfathersuffered——brave，young，handsome，unfortunate——whoinEnglandwoulddaretomolestthePrinceshouldhecomeamongus，andflinghimselfuponBritishgenerosity，hospitality，andhonor？AninvaderwithanarmyofFrenchmenbehindhim，Englishmenofspiritwouldresisttothedeath，anddrivebacktotheshoreswhencehecame;butaPrince，alone，armedwithhisrightonly，andrelyingontheloyaltyofhispeople，wassure，manyofhisfriendsargued，ofwelcome，atleastofsafety，amongus。ThehandofhissistertheQueen，ofthepeoplehissubjects，nevercouldberaisedtodohimawrong。ButtheQueenwastimidbynature，andthesuccessiveMinistersshehad，hadprivatecausesfortheirirresolution。Thebolderandhonestermen，whohadathearttheillustriousyoungexile\'scause，hadnoschemeofinterestoftheirowntopreventthemfromseeingtherightdone，and，providedonlyhecameasanEnglishman，werereadytoventuretheiralltowelcomeanddefendhim。
St。JohnandHarleybothhadkindwordsinplentyforthePrince\'sadherents，andgavehimendlesspromisesoffuturesupport;buthintsandpromiseswerealltheycouldbegottogive;andsomeofhisfriendswereformeasuresmuchbolder，moreefficacious，andmoreopen。Withapartyofthese，someofwhomareyetalive，andsomewhosenamesMr。Esmondhasnorighttomention，hefoundhimselfengagedtheyearafterthatmiserabledeathofDukeHamilton，whichdeprivedthePrinceofhismostcourageousallyinthiscountry。DeanAtterburywasoneofthefriendswhomEsmondmaymention，asthebravebishopisnowbeyondexileandpersecution，andtohim，andoneortwomore，theColonelopenedhimselfofaschemeofhisown，that，backedbyalittleresolutiononthePrince\'spart，couldnotfailofbringingabouttheaccomplishmentoftheirdearestwishes。
MyyoungLordViscountCastlewoodhadnotcometoEnglandtokeephismajority，andhadnowbeenabsentfromthecountryforseveralyears。TheyearwhenhissisterwastobemarriedandDukeHamiltondied，mylordwaskeptatBruxellesbyhiswife\'slying—
in。ThegentleClotildacouldnotbearherhusbandoutofhersight;perhapsshemistrustedtheyoungscapegraceshouldheevergetloosefromherleading—strings;andshekepthimbyhersidetonursethebabyandadministerpossettothegossips。ManyalaughpoorBeatrixhadhadaboutFrank\'suxoriousness:hismotherwouldhavegonetoClotildawhenhertimewascoming，butthatthemother—in—lawwasalreadyinpossession，andthenegotiationsforpoorBeatrix\'smarriagewerebegun。AfewmonthsafterthehorridcatastropheinHydePark，mymistressandherdaughterretiredtoCastlewood，wheremylord，itwasexpected，wouldsoonjointhem。
But，tosaytruth，theirquiethouseholdwaslittletohistaste;
hecouldbegottocometoWalcotebutonceafterhisfirstcampaign;andthentheyoungroguespentmorethanhalfhistimeinLondon，notappearingatCourtorinpublicunderhisownnameandtitle，butfrequentingplays，bagnios，andtheveryworstcompany，underthenameofCaptainEsmond（wherebyhisinnocentkinsmangotmorethanonceintotrouble）;andsoundervariouspretexts，andinpursuitofallsortsofpleasures，untilheplungedintothelawfuloneofmarriage，FrankCastlewoodhadremainedawayfromthiscountry，andwasunknown，saveamongstthegentlemenofthearmy，withwhomhehadservedabroad。Thefondheartofhismotherwaspainedbythislongabsence。\'TwasallthatHenryEsmondcoulddotosoothehernaturalmortification，andfindexcusesforhiskinsman\'slevity。
Intheautumnoftheyear1713，LordCastlewoodthoughtofreturninghome。Hisfirstchildhadbeenadaughter;Clotildawasinthewayofgratifyinghislordshipwithasecond，andthepiousyouththoughtthat，bybringinghiswifetohisancestralhome，byprayerstoSt。PhilipofCastlewood，andwhatnot，heavenmightbeinducedtoblesshimwithasonthistime，forwhosecomingtheexpectantmammawasveryanxious。
Thelong—debatedpeacehadbeenproclaimedthisyearattheendofMarch;andFrancewasopentous。JustasFrank\'spoormotherhadmadeallthingsreadyforLordCastlewood\'sreception，andwaseagerlyexpectingherson，itwasbyColonelEsmond\'smeansthatthekindladywasdisappointedofherlonging，andobligedtodeferoncemorethedarlinghopeofherheart。
EsmondtookhorsestoCastlewood。Hehadnotseenitsancientgraytowersandwell—rememberedwoodsfornearlyfourteenyears，andsinceherodethencewithmylord，towhomhismistresswithheryoungchildrenbyhersidewavedanadieu。Whatagesseemedtohavepassedsincethen，whatyearsofactionandpassion，ofcare，love，hope，disaster！Thechildrenweregrownupnow，andhadstoriesoftheirown。AsforEsmond，hefelttobeahundredyearsold;hisdearmistressonlyseemedunchanged;shelookedandwelcomedhimquiteasofold。Therewasthefountaininthecourtbabblingitsfamiliarmusic，theoldhallanditsfurniture，thecarvedchairmylatelordused，theveryflagonhedrankfrom。
Esmond\'smistressknewhewouldliketosleepinthelittleroomheusedtooccupy;\'twasmadereadyforhim，andwall—flowersandsweetherbssetintheadjoiningchamber，thechaplain\'sroom。
Intearsofnotunmanlyemotion，withprayersofsubmissiontotheawfulDispenserofdeathandlife，ofgoodandevilfortune，Mr。
EsmondpassedapartofthatfirstnightatCastlewood，lyingawakeformanyhoursastheclockkepttolling（intonessowellremembered），lookingback，asallmenwill，thatrevisittheirhomeofchildhood，overthegreatgulfoftime，andsurveyinghimselfonthedistantbankyonder，asadlittlemelancholyboywithhislordstillalive——hisdearmistress，agirlyet，herchildrensportingaroundher。Yearsago，aboyonthatverybed，whenshehadblessedhimandcalledhimherknight，hehadmadeavowtobefaithfulandneverdesertherdearservice。Hadhekeptthatfondboyishpromise？Yes，beforeheaven;yes，praisebetoGod！Hislifehadbeenhers;hisblood，hisfortune，hisname，hiswholehearteversincehadbeenhersandherchildren\'s。Allnightlonghewasdreaminghisboyhoodoveragain，andwakingfitfully;hehalffanciedheheardFatherHoltcallingtohimfromthenextchamber，andthathewascominginandoutoffromthemysteriouswindow。
Esmondroseupbeforethedawn，passedintothenextroom，wheretheairwasheavywiththeodorofthewall—flowers;lookedintothebrazierwherethepapershadbeenburnt，intotheoldpresseswhereHolt\'sbooksandpapershadbeenkept，andtriedthespringandwhetherthewindowworkedstill。Thespringhadnotbeentouchedforyears，butyieldedatlength，andthewholefabricofthewindowsankdown。Helifteditanditrelapsedintoitsframe;
noonehadeverpassedthencesinceHoltuseditsixteenyearsago。
Esmondrememberedhispoorlordsaying，onthelastdayofhislife，thatHoltusedtocomeinandoutofthehouselikeaghost，andknewthattheFatherlikedthesemysteries，andpractisedsuchsecretdisguises，entrancesandexits:thiswasthewaytheghostcameandwent，hispupilhadalwaysconjectured。EsmondclosedthecasementupagainasthedawnwasrisingoverCastlewoodvillage;
hecouldheartheclinkingattheblacksmith\'sforgeyonderamongthetrees，acrossthegreen，andpasttheriver，onwhichamiststilllaysleeping。
NextEsmondopenedthatlongcupboardoverthewoodworkofthemantel—piece，bigenoughtoholdaman，andinwhichMr。Holtusedtokeepsundrysecretpropertiesofhis。Thetwoswordsherememberedsowellasaboy，layactuallytherestill，andEsmondtookthemoutandwipedthem，withastrangecuriosityofemotion。
Therewereabundleofpapershere，too，whichnodoubthadbeenleftatHolt\'slastvisittotheplace，inmyLordViscount\'slife，thatverydaywhenthepriesthadbeenarrestedandtakentoHexhamCastle。Esmondmadefreewiththesepapers，andfoundtreasonablematterofKingWilliam\'sreign，thenamesofCharnockandPerkins，SirJohnFenwickandSirJohnFriend，RookwoodandLodwick，LordsMontgomeryandAllesbury，ClarendonandYarmouth，thathadallbeenengagedinplotsagainsttheusurper;aletterfromtheDukeofBerwicktoo，andonefromtheKingatSt。Germains，offeringtoconferuponhistrustyandwell—belovedFrancisViscountCastlewoodthetitlesofEarlandMarquisofEsmond，bestowedbypatentroyal，andinthefourthyearofhisreign，uponThomasViscountCastlewoodandtheheirs—maleofhisbody，indefaultofwhichissuetheranksanddignitiesweretopasstoFrancisaforesaid。
Thiswasthepaper，whereofmylordhadspoken，whichHoltshowedhimtheverydayhewasarrested，andforananswertowhichhewouldcomebackinaweek\'stime。IputthesepapershastilyintothecryptwhenceIhadtakenthem，beinginterruptedbyatappingofalightfingerattheringofthechamber—door:\'twasmykindmistress，withherfacefullofloveandwelcome。She，too，hadpassedthenightwakefuly，nodoubt;butneitheraskedtheotherhowthehourshadbeenspent。Therearethingswedivinewithoutspeaking，andknowthoughtheyhappenoutofoursight。ThisfondladyhathtoldmethatsheknewbothdayswhenIwaswoundedabroad。Whoshallsayhowfarsympathyreaches，andhowtrulylovecanprophesy？\"Ilookedintoyourroom，\"wasallshesaid;\"thebedwasvacant，thelittleoldbed！IknewIshouldfindyouhere。\"Andtenderandblushingfaintlywithabenedictioninhereyes，thegentlecreaturekissedhim。
Theywalkedout，hand—in—hand，throughtheoldcourt，andtotheterrace—walk，wherethegrasswasglisteningwithdew，andthebirdsinthegreenwoodsaboveweresingingtheirdeliciouschorusesundertheblushingmorningsky。Howwellallthingswereremembered！Theancienttowersandgablesofthehalldarklingagainsttheeast，thepurpleshadowsonthegreenslopes，thequaintdevicesandcarvingsofthedial，theforest—crownedheights，thefairyellowplaincheerfulwithcropsandcorn，theshiningriverrollingthroughittowardsthepearlyhillsbeyond;