allthesewerebeforeus，alongwithathousandbeautifulmemoriesofouryouth，beautifulandsad，butasrealandvividinourmindsasthatfairandalways—rememberedsceneoureyesbeheldoncemore。
Weforgetnothing。Thememorysleeps，butwakensagain;Ioftenthinkhowitshallbewhen，afterthelastsleepofdeath，thereveilleeshallarouseusforever，andthepastinoneflashofself—consciousnessrushback，likethesoulrevivified。
Thehousewouldnotbeupforsomehoursyet，（itwasJuly，andthedawnwasonlyjustawake，）andhereEsmondopenedhimselftohismistress，ofthebusinesshehadinhand，andwhatpartFrankwastoplayinit。Heknewhecouldconfideanythingtoher，andthatthefondsoulwoulddieratherthanrevealit;andbiddingherkeepthesecretfromall，helaiditentirelybeforehismistress（alwaysasstaunchalittleloyalistasanyinthekingdom），andindeedwasquitesurethatanyplan，ofhiswassecureofherapplauseandsympathy。Neverwassuchagloriousschemetoherpartialmind，neversuchadevotedknighttoexecuteit。Anhourortwomayhavepassedwhilsttheywerehavingtheircolloquy。
Beatrixcameouttothemjustastheirtalkwasover;hertallbeautifulformrobedinsable（whichsheworewithoutostentationeversincelastyear\'scatastrophe），sweepingoverthegreenterrace，andcastingitsshadowsbeforeheracrossthegrass。
Shemadeusoneofhergrandcurtsiessmiling，andcalledus\"theyoungpeople。\"Shewasolder，paler，andmoremajesticthanintheyearbefore;hermotherseemedtheyoungestofthetwo。Sheneveroncespokeofhergrief，LadyCastlewoodtoldEsmond，oralluded，savebyaquietwordortwo，tothedeathofherhopes。
WhenBeatrixcamebacktoCastlewoodshetooktovisitingallthecottagesandallthesick。Shesetupaschoolofchildren，andtaughtsingingtosomeofthem。WehadapairofbeautifuloldorgansinCastlewoodChurch，onwhichsheplayedadmirably，sothatthemusictherebecametobeknowninthecountryformanymilesround，andnodoubtpeoplecametoseethefairorganistaswellastohearher。ParsonTusherandhiswifewereestablishedatthevicarage，buthiswifehadbroughthimnochildrenwherewithTommightmeethisenemiesatthegate。HonestTomtookcarenottohavemanysuch，hisgreatshovel—hatwasinhishandforeverybody。
Hewasprofuseofbowsandcompliments。HebehavedtoEsmondasiftheColonelhadbeenaCommander—in—Chief;hedinedatthehallthatday，beingSunday，andwouldnotpartakeofpuddingexceptunderextremepressure。Hedeploredmylord\'sperversion，butdrankhislordship\'shealthverydevoutly;andanhourbeforeatchurchsenttheColoneltosleep，withalong，learned，andrefreshingsermon。
Esmond\'svisithomewasbutfortwodays;thebusinesshehadinhandcallinghimawayandoutofthecountry。Erehewent，hesawBeatrixbutoncealone，andthenshesummonedhimoutofthelongtapestryroom，whereheandhismistressweresitting，quiteasinoldtimes，intotheadjoiningchamber，thathadbeenViscountessIsabel\'ssleepingapartment，andwhereEsmondperfectlywellrememberedseeingtheoldladysittingupinthebed，inhernight—
rail，thatmorningwhenthetroopofguardcametofetchher。ThemostbeautifulwomaninEnglandlayinthatbednow，whereofthegreatdamaskhangingswerescarcefadedsinceEsmondsawthemlast。
HerestoodBeatrixinherblackrobes，holdingaboxinherhand;
\'twasthatwhichEsmondhadgivenherbeforehermarriage，stampedwithacoronetwhichthedisappointedgirlwasnevertowear;andcontaininghisaunt\'slegacyofdiamonds。
\"Youhadbesttakethesewithyou，Harry，\"saysshe;\"Ihavenoneedofdiamondsanymore。\"Therewasnottheleasttokenofemotioninherquietlowvoice。Sheheldouttheblackshagreencasewithherfairarm，thatdidnotshakeintheleast。Esmondsawsheworeablackvelvetbraceletonit，withmyLordDuke\'spictureinenamel;hehadgivenitherbutthreedaysbeforehefell。
Esmondsaidthestoneswerehisnolonger，andstrovetoturnoffthatprofferedrestorationwithalaugh:\"Ofwhatgood，\"sayshe，\"aretheytome？ThediamondlooptohishatdidnotsetoffPrinceEugene，andwillnotmakemyyellowfacelookanyhandsomer。\"
\"Youwillgivethemtoyourwife，cousin，\"saysshe。\"Mycousin，yourwifehasalovelycomplexionandshape。\"
\"Beatrix，\"Esmondburstout，theoldfireflamingoutasitwouldattimes，\"willyouwearthosetrinketsatyourmarriage？Youwhisperedonceyoudidnotknowme:youknowmebetternow:howI
sought，whatIhavesighedfor，fortenyears，whatforegone！\"
\"Apriceforyourconstancy，mylord！\"saysshe;\"suchapreuxchevalierwantstobepaid。Ohfie，cousin！\"
\"Again，\"Esmondspokeout，\"ifIdosomethingyouhaveatheart;
somethingworthyofmeandyou;somethingthatshallmakemeanamewithwhichtoendowyou;willyoutakeit？Therewasachanceformeonce，yousaid;isitimpossibletorecallit？Nevershakeyourhead，buthearme;sayyouwillhearmeayearhence。IfIcomebacktoyouandbringyoufame，willthatpleaseyou？IfIdowhatyoudesiremost——whathewhoisdeaddesiredmost——willthatsoftenyou？\"
\"Whatisit，Henry？\"saysshe，herfacelightingup;\"whatmeanyou？\"
\"Asknoquestions，\"hesaid;\"wait，andgivemebuttime;ifI
bringbackthatyoulongfor，thatIhaveathousandtimesheardyouprayfor，willyouhavenorewardforhimwhohasdoneyouthatservice？Putawaythosetrinkets，keepthem:itshallnotbeatmymarriage，itshallnotbeatyours;butifmancandoit，Iswearadayshallcomewhenthereshallbeafeastinyourhouse，andyoushallbeproudtowearthem。Isaynomorenow;putasidethesewords，andlockawayyonderboxuntilthedaywhenIshallremindyouofboth。AllIprayofyounowis，towaitandtoremember。\"
\"Youaregoingoutofthecountry？\"saysBeatrix，insomeagitation。
\"Yes，to—morrow，\"saysEsmond。
\"ToLorraine，cousin？\"saysBeatrix，layingherhandonhisarm;
\'twasthehandonwhichsheworetheDuke\'sbracelet。\"Stay，Harry！\"continuedshe，withatonethathadmoredespondencyinitthanshewasaccustomedtoshow。\"Hearalastword。Idoloveyou。Idoadmireyou——whowouldnot，thathasknownsuchloveasyourshasbeenforusall？ButIthinkIhavenoheart;atleastI
haveneverseenthemanthatcouldtouchit;and，hadIfoundhim，Iwouldhavefollowedhiminragshadhebeenaprivatesoldier，ortosea，likeoneofthosebuccaneersyouusedtoreadtousaboutwhenwewerechildren。Iwoulddoanythingforsuchaman，bearanythingforhim:butIneverfoundone。Youwereevertoomuchofaslavetowinmyheart;evenmyLordDukecouldnotcommandit。I
hadnotbeenhappyhadImarriedhim。Iknewthatthreemonthsafterourengagement——andwastoovaintobreakit。Oh，Harry！I
criedonceortwice，notforhim，butwithtearsofragebecauseI
couldnotbesorryforhim。IwasfrightenedtofindIwasgladofhisdeath;andwereIjoinedtoyou，Ishouldhavethesamesenseofservitude，thesamelongingtoescape。Weshouldbothbeunhappy，andyouthemost，whoareasjealousastheDukewashimself。Itriedtolovehim;Itried，indeedIdid:affectedgladnesswhenhecame:submittedtohearwhenhewasbyme，andtriedthewife\'spartIthoughtIwastoplayfortherestofmydays。Buthalfanhourofthatcomplaisanceweariedme，andwhatwouldalifetimebe？Mythoughtswereawaywhenhewasspeaking;
andIwasthinking，Ohthatthismanwoulddropmyhand，andriseupfrombeforemyfeet！Iknewhisgreatandnoblequalities，greaterandnoblerthanmineathousandtimes，asyoursare，cousin，Itellyou，amillionandamilliontimesbetter。But\'twasnotfortheseItookhim。Itookhimtohaveagreatplaceintheworld，andIlostit。Ilostit，anddonotdeplorehim——
andIoftenthought，asIlistenedtohisfondvowsandardentwords，Oh，ifIyieldtothisman，andmeetTHEOTHER，Ishallhatehimandleavehim！Iamnotgood，Harry:mymotherisgentleandgoodlikeanangel。Iwonderhowsheshouldhavehadsuchachild。
Sheisweak，butshewoulddieratherthandoawrong;Iamstrongerthanshe，butIwoulddoitoutofdefiance。Idonotcareforwhattheparsonstellmewiththeirdroningsermons:I
usedtoseethematcourtasmeanandasworthlessasthemeanestwomanthere。Oh，Iamsickandwearyoftheworld！Iwaitbutforonething，andwhen\'tisdone，IwilltakeFrank\'sreligionandyourpoormother\'s，andgointoanunnery，andendlikeher。ShallIwearthediamondsthen？——theysaythenunsweartheirbesttrinketsthedaytheytaketheveil。Iwillputthemawayasyoubidme;farewell，cousin:mammaispacingthenextroomrackingherlittleheadtoknowwhatwehavebeensaying。Sheisjealous，allwomenare。IsometimesthinkthatistheonlywomanlyqualityI
have。\"
\"Farewell。Farewell，brother。\"Shegavehimhercheekasabrotherlyprivilege。Thecheekwasascoldasmarble。
Esmond\'smistressshowednosignsofjealousywhenhereturnedtotheroomwhereshewas。Shehadschooledherselfsoastolookquiteinscrutably，whenshehadamind。Amongstherotherfemininequalitiesshehadthatofbeingaperfectdissembler。
HerodeawayfromCastlewoodtoattemptthetaskhewasboundon，andstandorfallbyit;intruthhisstateofmindwassuch，thathewaseagerforsomeoutwardexcitementtocounteractthatgnawingmaladywhichhewasinwardlyenduring。
CHAPTERVIII。
ITRAVELTOFRANCEANDBRINGHOMEAPORTRAITOFRIGAUD。
Mr。EsmonddidnotthinkfittotakeleaveatCourt，ortoinformalltheworldofPallMallandthecoffee—houses，thathewasabouttoquitEngland;andchosetodepartinthemostprivatemannerpossible。HeprocuredapassasforaFrenchman，throughDr。
Atterbury，whodidthatbusinessforhim，gettingthesignatureevenfromLordBolingbroke\'soffice，withoutanypersonalapplicationtotheSecretary。Lockwood，hisfaithfulservant，hetookwithhimtoCastlewood，andleftbehindthere:givingoutereheleftLondonthathehimselfwassick，andgonetoHampshireforcountryair，andsodepartedassilentlyasmightbeuponhisbusiness。
AsFrankCastlewood\'saidwasindispensableforMr。Esmond\'sscheme，hisfirstvisitwastoBruxelles（passingbywayofAntwerp，wheretheDukeofMarlboroughwasinexile），andinthefirst—namedplaceHarryfoundhisdearyoungBenedict，themarriedman，whoappearedtoberatheroutofhumorwithhismatrimonialchain，andcloggedwiththeobstinateembraceswhichClotildakeptroundhisneck。ColonelEsmondwasnotpresentedtoher;butMonsieurSimonwas，agentlemanoftheRoyalCravat（EsmondbethoughthimoftheregimentofhishonestIrishman，whomhehadseenthatdayafterMalplaquet，whenhefirstseteyesontheyoungKing）;andMonsieurSimonwasintroducedtotheViscountessCastlewood，neeComptesseWertheim;tothenumerouscounts，theLadyClotilda\'stallbrothers;toherfatherthechamberlain;andtotheladyhiswife，Frank\'smother—in—law，atallandmajesticpersonoflargeproportions，suchasbecamethemotherofsuchacompanyofgrenadiersasherwarlikesonsformed。ThewholeracewereatfreequartersinthelittlecastlenightoBruxelleswhichFrankhadtaken;rodehishorses;drankhiswine;andlivedeasilyatthepoorlad\'scharges。Mr。EsmondhadalwaysmaintainedaperfectfluencyintheFrench，whichwashismothertongue;andifthisfamily（thatspokeFrenchwiththetwangwhichtheFlemingsuse）discoveredanyinaccuracyinMr。Simon\'spronunciation，\'twastobeattributedtothelatter\'slongresidenceinEngland，wherehehadmarriedandremainedeversincehewastakenprisoneratBlenheim。Hisstorywasperfectlypat;therewerenonetheretodoubtitsavehonestFrank，andhewascharmedwithhiskinsman\'sscheme，whenhebecameacquaintedwithit;and，intruth，alwaysadmiredColonelEsmondwithanaffectionatefidelity，andthoughthiscousinthewisestandbestofallcousinsandmen。Frankenteredheartandsoulintotheplan，andlikeditthebetterasitwastotakehimtoParis，outofreachofhisbrothers，hisfather，andhismother—in—law，whoseattentionsratherfatiguedhim。
Castlewood，Ihavesaid，wasborninthesameyearasthePrinceofWales;hadnotalittleofthePrince\'sair，height，andfigure;
and，especiallysincehehadseentheChevalierdeSt。Georgeontheoccasionbefore—named，tooknosmallprideinhisresemblancetoapersonsoillustrious;whichlikenessheincreasedbyallmeansinhispower，wearingfairbrownperiwigs，suchasthePrincewore，andribbons，andsoforth，oftheChevalier\'scolor。
Thisresemblancewas，intruth，thecircumstanceonwhichMr。
Esmond\'sschemewasfounded;andhavingsecuredFrank\'ssecrecyandenthusiasm，helefthimtocontinuehisjourney，andseetheotherpersonagesonwhomitssuccessdepended。TheplacewhitherMr。
SimonnexttravelledwasBar，inLorraine，wherethatmerchantarrivedwithaconsignmentofbroadcloths，valuablelacesfromMalines，andlettersforhiscorrespondentthere。
Wouldyouknowhowaprince，heroicfrommisfortunes，anddescendedfromalineofkings，whoseraceseemedtobedoomedliketheAtridaeofold——wouldyouknowhowhewasemployed，whentheenvoywhocametohimthroughdangeranddifficultybeheldhimforthefirsttime？Theyoungking，inaflanneljacket，wasattenniswiththegentlemenofhissuite，cryingoutaftertheballs，andswearinglikethemeanestofhissubjects。ThenexttimeMr。
Esmondsawhim，\'twaswhenMonsieurSimontookapacketoflacestoMissOglethorpe:thePrince\'sante—chamberinthosedays，atwhichignobledoormenwereforcedtoknockforadmissiontohisMajesty。
Theadmissionwasgiven，theenvoyfoundtheKingandthemistresstogether;thepairwereatcardsandhisMajestywasinliquor。Hecaredmoreforthreehonorsthanthreekingdoms;andahalf—dozenglassesofratafiamadehimforgetallhiswoesandhislosses，hisfather\'scrown，andhisgrandfather\'shead。
Mr。EsmonddidnotopenhimselftothePrincethen。HisMajestywasscarceinaconditiontohearhim;andhedoubtedwhetheraKingwhodranksomuchcouldkeepasecretinhisfuddledhead;orwhetherahandthatshookso，wasstrongenoughtograspatacrown。However，atlast，andaftertakingcounselwiththePrince\'sadvisers，amongstwhomweremanygentlemen，honestandfaithful，Esmond\'splanwaslaidbeforetheKing，andheractualMajestyQueenOglethorpe，incouncil。ThePrincelikedtheschemewellenough;\'twaseasyanddaring，andsuitedtohisrecklessgayetyandlivelyyouthfulspirit。Inthemorningafterhehadslepthiswineoff，hewasverygay，lively，andagreeable。Hismannerhadanextremecharmofarchness，andakindsimplicity;
and，todoherjustice，herOglethorpeanMajestywaskind，acute，resolute，andofgoodcounsel;shegavethePrincemuchgoodadvicethathewastooweaktofollow，andlovedhimwithafidelitywhichhereturnedwithaningratitudequiteRoyal。
Havinghisownforebodingsregardinghisschemeshoulditeverbefulfilled，andhisusualscepticdoubtsastothebenefitwhichmightaccruetothecountrybybringingatipsyyoungmonarchbacktoit，ColonelEsmondhadhisaudienceofleaveandquiet。
MonsieurSimontookhisdeparture。AtanyratetheyouthatBarwasasgoodastheolderPretenderatHanover;iftheworstcametotheworst，theEnglishmancouldbedealtwithaseasyastheGerman。MonsieurSimontrottedonthatlongjourneyfromNancytoParis，andsawthatfamoustown，stealthilyandlikeaspy，asintruthhewas;andwhere，sure，moremagnificenceandmoremiseryisheapedtogether，moreragsandlace，morefilthandgilding，thaninanycityinthisworld。HerehewasputincommunicationwiththeKing\'sbestfriend，hishalfbrother，thefamousDukeofBerwick;EsmondrecognizedhimasthestrangerwhohadvisitedCastlewoodnowneartwentyyearsago。HisGraceopenedtohimwhenhefoundthatMr。EsmondwasoneofWebb\'sbraveregiment，thathadoncebeenhisGrace\'sown。HewastheswordandbucklerindeedoftheStuartcause:therewasnostainonhisshieldexceptthebaracrossit，whichMarlborough\'ssisterlefthim。HadBerwickbeenhisfather\'sheir，JamestheThirdhadassuredlysatontheEnglishthrone。Hecoulddare，endure，strike，speak，besilent。Thefireandgenius，perhaps，hehadnot（thatweregiventobasermen），butexceptthesehehadsomeofthebestqualitiesofaleader。HisGraceknewEsmond\'sfatherandhistory;andhintedatthelatterinsuchawayasmadetheColoneltothinkhewasawareoftheparticularsofthatstory。ButEsmonddidnotchoosetoenteronit，nordidtheDukepresshim。Mr。Esmondsaid，\"Nodoubtheshouldcomebyhisnameifevergreaterpeoplecamebytheirs。\"
WhatconfirmedEsmondinhisnotionthattheDukeofBerwickknewofhiscasewas，thatwhentheColonelwenttopayhisdutyatSt。
Germains，herMajestyonceaddressedhimbythetitleofMarquis。
HetooktheQueenthedutifulremembrancesofhergoddaughter，andtheladywhom，inthedaysofherprosperity，herMajestyhadbefriended。TheQueenrememberedRachelEsmondperfectlywell，hadheardofmyLordCastlewood\'sconversion，andwasmuchedifiedbythatactofheaveninhisfavor。Sheknewthatothersofthatfamilyhadbeenoftheonlytruechurchtoo:\"Yourfatherandyourmother，M。leMarquis，\"herMajestysaid（thatwastheonlytimesheusedthephrase）。MonsieurSimonbowedverylow，andsaidhehadfoundotherparentsthanhisown，whohadtaughthimdifferently;butthesehadonlyoneking:onwhichherMajestywaspleasedtogivehimamedalblessedbythePope，whichhadbeenfoundveryefficaciousincasessimilartohisown，andtopromiseshewouldofferupprayersforhisconversionandthatofthefamily:whichnodoubtthispiousladydid，thoughuptothepresentmoment，andaftertwenty—sevenyears，ColonelEsmondisboundtosaythatneitherthemedalnortheprayershavehadtheslightestknowneffectuponhisreligiousconvictions。
AsforthesplendorsofVersailles，MonsieurSimon，themerchant，onlybeheldthemasahumbleanddistantspectator，seeingtheoldKingbutonce，whenhewenttofeedhiscarps;andaskingfornopresentationathisMajesty\'sCourt。
BythistimemyLordViscountCastlewoodwasgottoParis，where，astheLondonprintspresentlyannounced，herladyshipwasbroughttobedofasonandheir。Foralongwhileafterwardsshewasinadelicatestateofhealth，andorderedbythephysiciansnottotravel;otherwise\'twaswellknownthattheViscountCastlewoodproposedreturningtoEngland，andtakinguphisresidenceathisownseat。
WhilstheremainedatParis，myLordCastlewoodhadhispicturedonebythefamousFrenchpainter，MonsieurRigaud，apresentforhismotherinLondon;andthispieceMonsieurSimontookbackwithhimwhenhereturnedtothatcity，whichhereachedaboutMay，intheyear1714，verysoonafterwhichtimemyLadyCastlewoodandherdaughter，andtheirkinsman，ColonelEsmond，whohadbeenatCastlewoodallthistime，likewisereturnedtoLondon;herladyshipoccupyingherhouseatKensington，Mr。EsmondreturningtohislodgingsatKnightsbridge，nearerthetown，andoncemoremakinghisappearanceatallpublicplaces，hishealthgreatlyimprovedbyhislongstayinthecountry。
Theportraitofmylord，inahandsomegiltframe，washungupintheplaceofhonorinherladyship\'sdrawing—room。HislordshipwasrepresentedinhisscarletuniformofCaptainoftheGuard，withalightbrownperiwig，acuirassunderhiscoat，ablueribbon，andafallofBruxelleslace。Manyofherladyship\'sfriendsadmiredthepiecebeyondmeasure，andflockedtoseeit;
BishopAtterbury，Mr。Lesly，goodoldMr。Collier，andothersamongsttheclergy，weredelightedwiththeperformance，andmanyamongthefirstqualityexaminedandpraisedit;onlyImustownthatDoctorTusherhappeningtocomeuptoLondon，andseeingthepicture，（itwasordinarilycoveredbyacurtain，butonthisdayMissBeatrixhappenedtobelookingatitwhentheDoctorarrived，）
theVicarofCastlewoodvowedhecouldnotseeanyresemblanceinthepiecetohisoldpupil，except，perhaps，alittleaboutthechinandtheperiwig;butweallofusconvincedhimthathehadnotseenFrankforfiveyearsormore;thatheknewnomoreabouttheFineArtsthanaploughboy，andthathemustbemistaken;andwesenthimhomeassuredthatthepiecewasanexcellentlikeness。
AsformyLordBolingbroke，whohonoredherladyshipwithavisitoccasionally，whenColonelEsmondshowedhimthepictureheburstoutlaughing，andaskedwhatdevilryhewasengagedon？EsmondownedsimplythattheportraitwasnotthatofViscountCastlewood;
besoughttheSecretaryonhishonortokeepthesecret;saidthattheladiesofthehousewereenthusiasticJacobites，aswaswellknown;andconfessedthatthepicturewasthatoftheChevalierSt。
George。
Thetruthis，thatMr。Simon，waitinguponLordCastlewoodonedayatMonsieurRigaud\'swhilsthislordshipwassittingforhispicture，affectedtobemuchstruckwithapiecerepresentingtheChevalier，whereoftheheadonlywasfinished，andpurchaseditofthepainterforahundredcrowns。Ithadbeenintended，theartistsaid，forMissOglethorpe，thePrince\'smistress，butthatyoungladyquittingParis，hadlefttheworkontheartist\'shands;andtakingthispiecehome，whenmylord\'sportraitarrived，ColonelEsmond，aliasMonsieurSimon，hadcopiedtheuniformandotheraccessoriesfrommylord\'spicturetofillupRigaud\'sincompletecanvas:theColonelallhislifehavingbeenapractitionerofpainting，andespeciallyfolloweditduringhislongresidenceinthecitiesofFlanders，amongthemasterpiecesofVanDyckandRubens。Mygrandsonhaththepiece，suchasitis，inVirginianow。
AtthecommencementofthemonthofJune，MissBeatrixEsmond，andmyLadyViscountess，hermother，arrivedfromCastlewood;theformertoresumeherservicesatCourt，whichhadbeeninterruptedbythefatalcatastropheofDukeHamilton\'sdeath。Sheoncemoretookherplace，then，inherMajesty\'ssuiteandattheMaids\'
table，beingalwaysafavoritewithMrs。Masham，theQueen\'schiefwoman，partlyperhapsonaccountoftheirbitternessagainsttheDuchessofMarlborough，whomMissBeatrixlovednobetterthanherrivaldid。ThegentlemenabouttheCourt，myLordBolingbrokeamongstothers，ownedthattheyoungladyhadcomebackhandsomerthanever，andthattheseriousandtragicairwhichherfacenowinvoluntarilyworebecameherbetterthanherformersmilesandarchness。
AlltheolddomesticsatthelittlehouseofKensingtonSquarewerechanged;theoldstewardthathadservedthefamilyanytimethesefive—and—twentyyears，sincethebirthofthechildrenofthehouse，wasdespatchedintothekingdomofIrelandtoseemylord\'sestatethere:thehousekeeper，whohadbeenmylady\'swomantimeoutofmind，andtheattendantoftheyoungchildren，wassentawaygrumblingtoWalcote，toseetothenewpaintingandpreparingofthathouse，whichmyLadyDowagerintendedtooccupyforthefuture，givingupCastlewoodtoherdaughter—in—lawthatmightbeexpecteddailyfromFrance。AnotherservanttheViscountesshadwasdismissedtoo——withagratuity——onthepretextthatherladyship\'strainofdomesticsmustbediminished;so，finally，therewasnotleftinthehouseholdasinglepersonwhohadbelongedtoitduringthetimemyyoungLordCastlewoodwasyetathome。
FortheplanwhichColonelEsmondhadinview，andthestrokeheintended，\'twasnecessarythattheverysmallestnumberofpersonsshouldbeputinpossessionofhissecret。Itscarcewasknown，excepttothreeorfouroutofhisfamily，anditwaskepttoawonder。
Onthe10thofJune，1714，therecamebyMr。Prior\'smessengerfromParisaletterfrommyLordViscountCastlewoodtohismother，sayingthathehadbeenfoolishinregardofmoneymatters，thathewasashamedtoownhehadlostatplay，andbyotherextravagances;
andthatinsteadofhavinggreatentertainmentsashehadhopedatCastlewoodthisyear，hemustliveasquietashecould，andmakeeveryefforttobesaving。SofareverywordofpoorFrank\'sletterwastrue，norwasthereadoubtthatheandhistallbrothers—in—lawhadspentagreatdealmorethantheyought，andengagedtherevenuesoftheCastlewoodproperty，whichthefondmotherhadhusbandedandimprovedsocarefullyduringthetimeofherguardianship。
His\"Clotilda，\"Castlewoodwentontosay，\"wasstilldelicate，andherphysiciansthoughtherlying—inhadbesttakeplaceatParis。
Heshouldcomewithoutherladyship，andbeathismother\'shouseaboutthe17thor18thdayofJune，proposingtotakehorsefromParisimmediately，andbringingbutasingleservantwithhim;andherequestedthatthelawyersofGray\'sinnmightbeinvitedtomeethimwiththeiraccount，andtheland—stewardcomefromCastlewoodwithhis，sothathemightsettlewiththemspeedily，raiseasumofmoneywhereofhestoodinneed，andbebacktohisviscountessbythetimeofherlying—in。\"Thenhislordshipgavesomeofthenewsofthetown，senthisremembrancetokinsfolk，andsotheletterended。\'Twasputinthecommonpost，andnodoubttheFrenchpoliceandtheEnglishtherehadacopyofit，towhichtheywereexceedingwelcome。
TwodaysafteranotherletterwasdespatchedbythepublicpostofFrance，inthesameopenway，andthis，aftergivingnewsofthefashionatCourtthere，endedbythefollowingsentences，inwhich，butforthosethathadthekey，\'twouldbedifficultforanymantofindanysecretlurkedatall:——
\"（TheKingwilltake）medicineonThursday。HisMajestyisbetterthanhehathbeenoflate，thoughincommodedbyindigestionfromhistoogreatappetite。MadameMaintenoncontinueswell。TheyhaveperformedaplayofMons。RacineatSt。Cyr。TheDukeofShrewsburyandMr。Prior，ourenvoy，andalltheEnglishnobilityherewerepresentatit。（TheViscountCastlewood\'spassports）
wererefusedtohim，\'twassaid;hislordshipbeingsuedbyagoldsmithforVaisselleplate，andapearlnecklacesuppliedtoMademoiselleMerueloftheFrenchComedy。\'Tisapitysuchnewsshouldgetabroad（andtraveltoEngland）aboutouryoungnobilityhere。MademoiselleMeruelhasbeensenttotheFortl\'Evesque;
theysayshehasorderednotonlyplate，butfurniture，andachariotandhorses（underthatlord\'sname），ofwhichextravagancehisunfortunateViscountessknowsnothing。
\"（HisMajestywillbe）eighty—twoyearsofageonhisnextbirthday。TheCourtpreparestocelebrateitwithagreatfeast。
Mr。Priorisinasadwayabouttheirrefusingathometosendhimhisplate。AllhereadmiredmyLordViscount\'sportrait，andsaiditwasamasterpieceofRigaud。Haveyouseenit？Itis（attheLadyCastlewood\'shouseinKensingtonSquare）。IthinknoEnglishpaintercouldproducesuchapiece。
\"OurpoorfriendtheAbbehathbeenattheBastile，butisnowtransportedtotheConciergerie（wherehisfriendsmayvisithim。
Theyaretoaskfor）aremissionofhissentencesoon。Letushopethepoorroguewillhaverepentedinprison。
\"（TheLordCastlewood）hashadtheaffairoftheplatemadeup，anddepartsforEngland。
\"Isnotthisadullletter？IhaveacursedheadachewithdrinkingwithMatandsomemoreover—night，andtipsyorsoberam\"Thineever————。\"
Allthisletter，savesomedozenofwordswhichIhaveputabovebetweenbrackets，wasmereidletalk，thoughthesubstanceoftheletterwasasimportantasanyletterwellcouldbe。Ittoldthosethathadthekey，thatTheKingwilltaketheViscountCastlewood\'spassportsandtraveltoEnglandunderthatlord\'sname。HisMajestywillbeattheLadyCastlewood\'shouseinKensingtonSquare，wherehisfriendsmayvisithim;theyaretoaskfortheLordCastlewood。ThisnotemayhavepassedunderMr。Prior\'seyes，andthoseofournewalliestheFrench，andtaughtthemnothing;
thoughitexplainssufficientlytopersonsinLondonwhattheeventwaswhichwasabouttohappen，as\'twillshowthosewhoreadmymemoirsahundredyearshence，whatwasthaterrandonwhichColonelEsmondoflatehadbeenbusy。Silentlyandswiftlytodothataboutwhichotherswereconspiring，andthousandsofJacobitesalloverthecountryclumsilycaballing;alonetoeffectthatwhichtheleadersherewereonlytalkingabout;tobringthePrinceofWalesintothecountryopenlyinthefaceofall，underBolingbroke\'sveryeyes，thewallsplacardedwiththeproclamationsignedwiththeSecretary\'sname，andofferingfivehundredpoundsrewardforhisapprehension:thiswasastroke，theplayingandwinningofwhichmightwellgiveanyadventurousspiritpleasure:thelossofthestakemightinvolveaheavypenalty，butallourfamilywereeagertoriskthatforthegloriouschanceofwinningthegame。
Norshallitbecalledagame，saveperhapswiththechiefplayer，whowasnotmoreorlessscepticalthanmostpublicmenwithwhomhehadacquaintanceinthatage。（IsthereeverapublicmaninEnglandthataltogetherbelievesinhisparty？Isthereone，howeverdoubtful，thatwillnotfightforit？）YoungFrankwasreadytofightwithoutmuchthinking，hewasaJacobiteashisfatherbeforehimwas;alltheEsmondswereRoyalists。Givehimbuttheword，hewouldcry，\"GodsaveKingJames！\"beforethepalaceguard，orattheMaypoleintheStrand;andwithrespecttothewomen，asisusualwiththem，\'twasnotaquestionofpartybutoffaith;theirbeliefwasapassion;eitherEsmond\'smistressorherdaughterwouldhavediedforitcheerfully。Ihavelaughedoften，talkingofKingWilliam\'sreign，andsaidIthoughtLadyCastlewoodwasdisappointedtheKingdidnotpersecutethefamilymore;andthosewhoknowthenatureofwomenmayfancyforthemselves，whatneedsnotherebewrittendown，therapturewithwhichtheseneophytesreceivedthemysterywhenmadeknowntothem;