第8章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The History of Henry Esmond, Esq。",免费读到尾

  \"Ihavebutoneaunt——and——andIhaveanotheruseforthemoney,mylord,\"saysmylady,turningveryred。

  \"Anotheruse,mydear;andwhatdoyouknowaboutmoney?\"criesmylord。\"AndwhatthedevilistherethatIdon\'tgiveyouwhichyouwant!\"

  \"Iintendtogivethismoney——can\'tyoufancyhow,mylord?\"

  Mylordsworeoneofhislargeoathsthathedidnotknowintheleastwhatshemeant。

  \"IintenditforHarryEsmondtogotocollege。CousinHarry,\"

  saysmylady,\"youmustn\'tstaylongerinthisdullplace,butmakeanametoyourself,andforustoo,Harry。\"

  \"D——nit,Harry\'swellenoughhere,\"saysmylord,foramomentlookingrathersulky。

  \"IsHarrygoingaway?Youdon\'tmeantosayyouwillgoaway?\"cryoutFrankandBeatrixatonebreath。

  \"Buthewillcomeback:andthiswillalwaysbehishome,\"criesmylady,withblueeyeslookingacelestialkindness:\"andhisscholarswillalwayslovehim;won\'tthey?\"

  \"ByG—d,Rachel,you\'reagoodwoman!\"saysmylord,seizingmylady\'shand,atwhichsheblushedverymuch,andshrankback,puttingherchildrenbeforeher。\"Iwishyoujoy,mykinsman,\"hecontinued,givingHarryEsmondaheartyslapontheshoulder。\"I

  won\'tbalkyourluck。GotoCambridge,boy,andwhenTusherdiesyoushallhavethelivinghere,ifyouarenotbetterprovidedbythattime。We\'llfurnishthedining—roomandbuythehorsesanotheryear。I\'llgivetheeanagoutofthestable:takeanyoneexceptmyhackandthebaygeldingandthecoach—horses;andGodspeedthee,myboy!\"

  \"Havethesorrel,Harry;\'tisagoodone。Fathersays\'tisthebestinthestable,\"sayslittleFrank,clappinghishands,andjumpingup。\"Let\'scomeandseehiminthestable。\"Andtheother,inhisdelightandeagerness,wasforleavingtheroomthatinstanttoarrangeabouthisjourney。

  TheLadyCastlewoodlookedafterhimwithsadpenetratingglances。

  \"Hewishestobegonealready,mylord,\"saidshetoherhusband。

  Theyoungmanhungbackabashed。\"Indeed,Iwouldstayforever,ifyourladyshipbademe,\"hesaid。

  \"Andthouwouldstbeafoolforthypains,kinsman,\"saidmylord。

  \"Tut,tut,man。Goandseetheworld。Sowthywildoats;andtakethebestluckthatFatesendsthee。IwishIwereaboyagain,thatImightgotocollege,andtastetheTrumpingtonale。\"

  \"Ours,indeed,isbutadullhome,\"criesmylady,withalittleofsadnessand,maybe,ofsatire,inhervoice:\"anoldglumhouse,halfruined,andtherestonlyhalffurnished;awomanandtwochildrenarebutpoorcompanyformenthatareaccustomedtobetter。Weareonlyfittobeyourworship\'shandmaids,andyourpleasuresmustofnecessitylieelsewherethanathome。\"

  \"Curseme,Rachel,ifIknownowwhetherthouartinearnestornot,\"saidmylord。

  \"Inearnest,mylord!\"saysshe,stillclingingbyoneofherchildren。\"Istheremuchsubjecthereforjoke?\"Andshemadehimagrandcurtsy,and,givingastatelylooktoHarryEsmond,whichseemedtosay,\"Remember;youunderstandme,thoughhedoesnot,\"

  shelefttheroomwithherchildren。

  \"SinceshefoundoutthatconfoundedHextonbusiness,\"mylordsaid——\"andbehangedtothemthattoldher!——shehasnotbeenthesamewoman。She,whousedtobeashumbleasamilkmaid,isasproudasaprincess,\"saysmylord。\"Takemycounsel,HarryEsmond,andkeepclearofwomen。SinceIhavehadanythingtodowiththejades,theyhavegivenmenothingbutdisgust。IhadawifeatTangier,withwhom,asshecouldn\'tspeakawordofmylanguage,you\'dhavethoughtImightleadaquietlife。Butshetriedtopoisonme,becauseshewasjealousofaJewgirl。Therewasyouraunt,forauntsheis——auntJezebel,aprettylifeyourfatherledwithHER!andhere\'smylady。WhenIsawheronapillion,ridingbehindtheDeanherfather,shelookedandwassuchababy,thatasixpennydollmighthavepleasedher。Andnowyouseewhatsheis——handsoff,highty—tighty,highandmighty,anempresscouldn\'tbegrander。Passusthetankard,Harrymyboy。A

  mugofbeerandatoastatmorn,saysmyhost。Atoastandamugofbeeratnoon,saysmydear。D——nit,Pollylovesamugofale,too,andlacedwithbrandy,byJove!\"Indeed,Isupposetheydrankittogether;formylordwasoftenthickinhisspeechatmid—daydinner;andatnightatsupper,speechlessaltogether。

  HarryEsmond\'sdepartureresolvedupon,itseemedasiftheLadyCastlewood,too,rejoicedtolosehim;formorethanonce,whenthelad,ashamedperhapsathisownsecreteagernesstogoaway(atanyratestrickenwithsadnessattheideaofleavingthosefromwhomhehadreceivedsomanyproofsofloveandkindnessinestimable),triedtoexpresstohismistresshissenseofgratitudetoher,andhissorrowatquittingthosewhohadsoshelteredandtendedanamelessandhouselessorphan,LadyCastlewoodcutshorthisprotestsofloveandhislamentations,andwouldhearofnogrief,butonlylookforwardtoHarry\'sfameandprospectsinlife。\"Ourlittlelegacywillkeepyouforfouryearslikeagentleman。

  Heaven\'sProvidence,yourowngenius,industry,honor,mustdotherestforyou。Castlewoodwillalwaysbeahomeforyou;andthesechildren,whomyouhavetaughtandloved,willnotforgettoloveyou。And,Harry,\"saidshe(andthiswastheonlytimewhenshespokewithatearinhereye,oratremorinhervoice),\"itmayhappeninthecourseofnaturethatIshallbecalledawayfromthem:andtheirfather——and——andtheywillneedtruefriendsandprotectors。Promisemethatyouwillbetruetothem——as——asI

  thinkIhavebeentoyou——andamother\'sfondprayerandblessinggowithyou。\"

  \"SohelpmeGod,madam,Iwill,\"saidHarryEsmond,fallingonhisknees,andkissingthehandofhisdearestmistress。\"Ifyouwillhavemestaynow,Iwill。WhatmatterswhetherornoImakemywayinlife,orwhetherapoorbastarddiesasunknownasheisnow?

  \'TisenoughthatIhaveyourloveandkindnesssurely;andtomakeyouhappyisdutyenoughforme。\"

  \"Happy!\"saysshe;\"butindeedIoughttobe,withmychildren,and——\"

  \"Nothappy!\"criedEsmond(forheknewwhatherlifewas,thoughheandhismistressneverspokeawordconcerningit)。\"Ifnothappiness,itmaybeease。Letmestayandworkforyou——letmestayandbeyourservant。\"

  \"Indeed,youarebestaway,\"saidmylady,laughing,assheputherhandontheboy\'sheadforamoment。\"Youshallstayinnosuchdullplace。Youshallgotocollegeanddistinguishyourselfasbecomesyourname。Thatishowyoushallpleasemebest;and——andifmychildrenwantyou,orIwantyou,youshallcometous;andI

  knowwemaycountonyou。\"

  \"Mayheavenforsakemeifyoumaynot!\"Harrysaid,gettingupfromhisknee。

  \"Andmyknightlongsforadragonthisinstantthathemayfight,\"

  saidmylady,laughing;whichspeechmadeHarryEsmondstart,andturnred;forindeedtheverythoughtwasinhismind,thathewouldlikethatsomechanceshouldimmediatelyhappenwherebyhemightshowhisdevotion。Anditpleasedhimtothinkthathisladyhadcalledhim\"herknight,\"andoftenandoftenherecalledthistohismind,andprayedthathemightbehertrueknight,too。

  Mylady\'sbed—chamberwindowlookedoutoverthecountry,andyoucouldseefromitthepurplehillsbeyondCastlewoodvillage,thegreencommonbetwixtthatandtheHall,andtheoldbridgewhichcrossedovertheriver。WhenHarryEsmondwentawayforCambridge,littleFrankranalongsidehishorseasfarasthebridge,andthereHarrystoppedforamoment,andlookedbackatthehousewherethebestpartofhislifehadbeenpassed。Itlaybeforehimwithitsgrayfamiliartowers,apinnacleortwoshininginthesun,thebuttressesandterracewallscastinggreatblueshadesonthegrass。AndHarryremembered,allhislifeafter,howhesawhismistressatthewindowlookingoutonhiminawhiterobe,thelittleBeatrix\'schestnutcurlsrestingathermother\'sside。Bothwavedafarewelltohim,andlittleFranksobbedtoleavehim。

  Yes,heWOULDbehislady\'strueknight,hevowedinhisheart;hewavedheranadieuwithhishat。ThevillagepeoplehadGood—bytosaytohimtoo。AllknewthatMasterHarrywasgoingtocollege,andmostofthemhadakindwordandalookoffarewell。Idonotstoptosaywhatadventureshebegantoimagine,orwhatcareertodeviseforhimselfbeforehehadriddenthreemilesfromhome。HehadnotreadMonsieurGalland\'singeniousArabiantalesasyet;butbesurethatthereareotherfolkswhobuildcastlesintheair,andhavefinehopes,andkickthemdowntoo,besideshonestAlnaschar。

  CHAPTERX。

  IGOTOCAMBRIDGE,ANDDOBUTLITTLEGOODTHERE。

  Mrlord,whosaidheshouldliketorevisittheoldhauntsofhisyouth,kindlyaccompaniedHarryEsmondinhisfirstjourneytoCambridge。TheirroadlaythroughLondon,wheremyLordViscountwouldalsohaveHarrystayafewdaystoshowhimthepleasuresofthetownbeforeheentereduponhisuniversitystudies,andwhilsthereHarry\'spatronconductedtheyoungmantomyLadyDowager\'shouseatChelseynearLondon:thekindladyatCastlewoodhavingspeciallyorderedthattheyounggentlemanandtheoldshouldpayarespectfulvisitinthatquarter。

  HerladyshiptheViscountessDowageroccupiedahandsomenewhouseinChelsey,withagardenbehindit,andfacingtheriver,alwaysabrightandanimatedsightwithitsswarmsofsailors,barges,andwherries。Harrylaughedatrecognizingintheparlorthewell—

  rememberedoldpieceofSirPeterLely,whereinhisfather\'swidowwasrepresentedasavirginhuntress,armedwithagiltbow—and—

  arrow,andencumberedonlywiththatsmallquantityofdraperywhichitwouldseemthevirginsinKingCharles\'sdaywereaccustomedtowear。

  MyLadyDowagerhadleftoffthispeculiarhabitofhuntresswhenshemarried。Butthoughshewasnowconsiderablypastsixtyyearsofage,IbelieveshethoughtthatairynymphofthepicturecouldstillbeeasilyrecognizedinthevenerablepersonagewhogaveanaudiencetoHarryandhispatron。

  Shereceivedtheyoungmanwithevenmorefavorthansheshowedtotheelder,forshechosetocarryontheconversationinFrench,inwhichmyLordCastlewoodwasnogreatproficient,andexpressedhersatisfactionatfindingthatMr。Esmondcouldspeakfluentlyinthatlanguage。\"\'Twastheonlyonefitforpoliteconversation,\"

  shecondescendedtosay,\"andsuitabletopersonsofhighbreeding。\"

  Mylordlaughedafterwards,asthegentlemenwentaway,athiskinswoman\'sbehavior。HesaidherememberedthetimewhenshecouldspeakEnglishfastenough,andjokedinhisjollywayatthelosshehadhadofsuchalovelywifeasthat。

  MyLadyViscountessdeignedtoaskhislordshipnewsofhiswifeandchildren;shehadheardthatLadyCastlewoodhadhadthesmall—

  pox;shehopedshewasnotsoVERYmuchdisfiguredaspeoplesaid。

  Atthisremarkabouthiswife\'smalady,myLordViscountwincedandturnedred;buttheDowager,inspeakingofthedisfigurementoftheyounglady,turnedtoherlooking—glassandexaminedheroldwrinkledcountenanceinitwithsuchagrinofsatisfaction,thatitwasallherguestscoulddotorefrainfromlaughinginherancientface。

  SheaskedHarrywhathisprofessionwastobe;andmylord,sayingthattheladwastotakeorders,andhavethelivingofCastlewoodwhenoldDr。Tushervacatedit,shedidnotseemtoshowanyparticularangeratthenotionofHarry\'sbecomingaChurchofEnglandclergyman,nay,wasrathergladthanotherwise,thattheyouthshouldbesoprovidedfor。ShebadeMr。EsmondnottoforgettopayheravisitwheneverhepassedthroughLondon,andcarriedhergraciousnesssofarastosendapursewithtwentyguineasforhim,tothetavernatwhichmylordputup(the\"Greyhound,\"inCharingCross);and,alongwiththiswelcomegiftforherkinsman,shesentalittledollforapresenttomylord\'slittledaughterBeatrix,whowasgrowingbeyondtheageofdollsbythistime,andwasastallalmostashervenerablerelative。

  Afterseeingthetown,andgoingtotheplays,myLordCastlewoodandEsmondrodetogethertoCambridge,spendingtwopleasantdaysuponthejourney。Thoserapidnewcoacheswerenotestablished,asyet,thatperformedthewholejourneybetweenLondonandtheUniversityinasingleday;however,theroadwaspleasantandshortenoughtoHarryEsmond,andhealwaysgratefullyrememberedthathappyholidaywhichhiskindpatrongavehim。

  Mr。EsmondwasenteredapensionerofTrinityCollegeinCambridge,towhichfamouscollegemylordhadalsoinhisyouthbelonged。

  Dr。Montaguewasmasteratthistime,andreceivedmyLordViscountwithgreatpoliteness:sodidMr。Bridge,whowasappointedtobeHarry\'stutor。TomTusher,whowasofEmanuelCollege,andwasbythistimeajuniorsoph,cametowaituponmylord,andtotakeHarryunderhisprotection;andcomfortableroomsbeingprovidedforhiminthegreatcourtclosebythegate,andneartothefamousMr。Newton\'slodgings,Harry\'spatrontookleaveofhimwithmanykindwordsandblessings,andanadmonitiontohimtobehavebetterattheUniversitythanmylordhimselfhadeverdone。

  \'TisneedlessinthesememoirstogoatanylengthintotheparticularsofHarryEsmond\'scollegecareer。Itwaslikethatofahundredyounggentlemenofthatday。Buthehadtheillfortunetobeolderbyacoupleofyearsthanmostofhisfellow—students;

  andbyhisprevioussolitarymodeofbringingup,thecircumstancesofhislife,andthepeculiarthoughtfulnessandmelancholythathadnaturallyengendered,hewas,inagreatmeasure,cutofffromthesocietyofcomradeswhoweremuchyoungerandhigher—spiritedthanhe。Histutor,whohadboweddowntotheground,ashewalkedmylordoverthecollegegrass—plats,changedhisbehaviorassoonasthenobleman\'sbackwasturned,andwas——atleastHarrythoughtso——harshandoverbearing。Whentheladsusedtoassembleintheirgregesinhall,Harryfoundhimselfaloneinthemidstofthatlittleflockofboys;theyraisedagreatlaughathimwhenhewassetontoreadLatin,whichhedidwiththeforeignpronunciationtaughttohimbyhisoldmaster,theJesuit,thanwhichheknewnoother。Mr。Bridge,thetutor,madehimtheobjectofclumsyjokes,inwhichhewasfondofindulging。Theyoungman\'sspiritwaschafed,andhisvanitymortified;andhefoundhimself,forsometime,aslonelyinthisplaceaseverhehadbeenatCastlewood,whitherhelongedtoreturn。Hisbirthwasasourceofshametohim,andhefanciedahundredslightsandsneersfromyoungandold,who,nodoubt,hadtreatedhimbetterhadhemetthemhimselfmorefrankly。Andashelooksback,incalmerdays,uponthisperiodofhislife,whichhethoughtsounhappy,hecanseethathisownprideandvanitycausednosmallpartofthemortificationswhichheattributedtoother\'sillwill。Theworlddealsgood—

  naturedlywithgood—naturedpeople,andIneverknewasulkymisanthropistwhoquarrelledwithit,butitwashe,andnotit,thatwasinthewrong。TomTushergaveHarryplentyofgoodadviceonthissubject,forTomhadbothgoodsenseandgoodhumor;butMr。Harrychosetotreathisseniorwithagreatdealofsuperfluousdisdainandabsurdscorn,andwouldbynomeanspartfromhisdarlinginjuries,inwhich,verylikely,nomanbelievedbuthimself。AsforhonestDoctorBridge,thetutorfound,afterafewtrialsofwitwiththepupil,thattheyoungmanwasanuglysubjectforwit,andthatthelaughwasoftenturnedagainsthim。

  Thisdidnotmaketutorandpupilanybetterfriends;buthad,sofar,anadvantageforEsmond,thatMr。Bridgewasinducedtoleavehimalone;andsolongashekepthischapels,anddidthecollegeexercisesrequiredofhim,BridgewascontentnottoseeHarry\'sglumfaceinhisclass,andtoleavehimtoreadandsulkforhimselfinhisownchamber。

  ApoemortwoinLatinandEnglish,whichwerepronouncedtohavesomemerit,andaLatinoration,(forMr。Esmondcouldwritethatlanguagebetterthanpronounceit,)gothimalittlereputationbothwiththeauthoritiesoftheUniversityandamongsttheyoungmen,withwhomhebegantopassformorethanhewasworth。Afewvictoriesovertheircommonenemy,Mr。Bridge,madetheminclinetowardshim,andlookuponhimasthechampionoftheirorderagainsttheseniors。Suchoftheladsashetookintohisconfidencefoundhimnotsogloomyandhaughtyashisappearanceledthemtobelieve;andDonDismallo,ashewascalled,becamepresentlyapersonofsomelittleimportanceinhiscollege,andwas,ashebelieves,setdownbytheseniorsthereasratheradangerouscharacter。

  DonDismallowasastaunchyoungJacobite,liketherestofhisfamily;gavehimselfmanyabsurdairsofloyalty;usedtoinviteyoungfriendstoBurgundy,andgivetheKing\'shealthonKingJames\'sbirthday;woreblackonthedayofhisabdication;fastedontheanniversaryofKingWilliam\'scoronation;andperformedathousandabsurdantics,ofwhichhesmilesnowtothink。

  ThesefolliescausedmanyremonstrancesonTomTusher\'spart,whowasalwaysafriendtothepowersthatbe,asEsmondwasalwaysinoppositiontothem。TomwasaWhig,whileEsmondwasaTory。Tomnevermissedalecture,andcappedtheproctorwiththeprofoundestofbows。NowonderhesighedoverHarry\'sinsubordinatecourses,andwasangrywhentheotherslaughedathim。ButthatHarrywasknowntohavemyLordViscount\'sprotection,Tomnodoubtwouldhavebrokenwithhimaltogether。ButhonestTomnevergaveupacomradeaslongashewasthefriendofagreatman。ThiswasnotoutofschemingonTom\'spart,butanaturalinclinationtowardsthegreat。\'Twasnohypocrisyinhimtoflatter,butthebentofhismind,whichwasalwaysperfectlygood—humored,obliging,andservile。

  Harryhadveryliberalallowances,forhisdearmistressofCastlewoodnotonlyregularlysuppliedhim,buttheDowagerofChelseymadeherdonationannual,andreceivedEsmondatherhousenearLondoneveryChristmas;but,inspiteofthesebenefactions,Esmondwasconstantlypoor;whilst\'twasawonderwithhowsmallastipendfromhisfatherTomTushercontrivedtomakeagoodfigure。

  \'TistruethatHarrybothspent,gave,andlenthismoneyveryfreely,whichThomasneverdid。IthinkhewaslikethefamousDukeofMarlboroughinthisinstance,who,gettingapresentoffiftypieces,whenayoungman,fromsomefoolishwomanwhofellinlovewithhisgoodlooks,showedthemoneytoCadoganinadrawerscoresofyearsafter,whereithadlaineversincehehadsoldhisbeardlesshonortoprocureit。IdonotmeantosaythatTomeverletouthisgoodlookssoprofitably,fornaturehadnotendowedhimwithanyparticularcharmsofperson,andheeverwasapatternofmoralbehavior,losingnoopportunityofgivingtheverybestadvicetohisyoungercomrade;withwhicharticle,todohimjustice,hepartedveryfreely。Notbutthathewasamerryfellow,too,inhisway;helovedajoke,ifbygoodfortuneheunderstoodit,andtookhissharegenerouslyofabottleifanotherpaidforit,andespeciallyiftherewasayounglordincompanytodrinkit。InthesecasestherewasnotaharderdrinkerintheUniversitythanMr。Tushercouldbe;anditwasedifyingtobeholdhim,freshshavedandwithsmugface,singingout\"Amen!\"atearlychapelinthemorning。Inhisreading,poorHarrypermittedhimselftogoa—gaddingafteralltheNineMuses,andsoverylikelyhadbutlittlefavorfromanyoneofthem;whereasTomTusher,whohadnomoreturnforpoetrythanaploughboy,nevertheless,byadoggedperseveranceandobsequiousnessincourtingthedivineCalliope,gothimselfaprize,andsomecreditintheUniversity,andafellowshipathiscollege,asarewardforhisscholarship。InthistimeofMr。Esmond\'slife,hegotthelittlereadingwhichheevercouldboastof,andpassedagoodpartofhisdaysgreedilydevouringallthebooksonwhichhecouldlayhand。InthisdesultorywaytheworksofmostoftheEnglish,French,andItalianpoetscameunderhiseyes,andhehadasmatteringoftheSpanishtonguelikewise,besidestheancientlanguages,ofwhich,atleastofLatin,hewasatolerablemaster。

  Then,aboutmidwayinhisUniversitycareer,hefelltoreadingfortheprofessiontowhichworldlyprudenceratherthaninclinationcalledhim,andwasperfectlybewilderedintheologicalcontroversy。Inthecourseofhisreading(whichwasneitherpursuedwiththatseriousnessorthatdevoutmindwhichsuchastudyrequires)theyouthfoundhimselfattheendofonemonthaPapist,andwasabouttoproclaimhisfaith;thenextmonthaProtestant,withChillingworth;andthethirdasceptic,withHobbesandBayle。WhereashonestTomTusherneverpermittedhismindtostrayoutoftheprescribedUniversitypath,acceptedtheThirty—nineArticleswithallhisheart,andwouldhavesignedandsworntoothernine—and—thirtywithentireobedience。Harry\'swilfulnessinthismatter,anddisorderlythoughtsandconversation,soshockedandafflictedhissenior,thattheregrewupacoldnessandestrangementbetweenthem,sothattheybecamescarcemorethanmereacquaintances,fromhavingbeenintimatefriendswhentheycametocollegefirst。Politicsranhigh,too,attheUniversity;andhere,also,theyoungmenwereatvariance。

  Tomprofessedhimself,albeitahigh—churchman,astrongKingWilliam\'s—man;whereasHarrybroughthisfamilyTorypoliticstocollegewithhim,towhichhemustaddadangerousadmirationforOliverCromwell,whoseside,orKingJames\'sbyturns,heoftenchosetotakeinthedisputeswhichtheyounggentlemenusedtoholdineachother\'srooms,wheretheydebatedonthestateofthenation,crownedanddeposedkings,andtoastedpastandpresentheroesandbeautiesinflagonsofcollegeale。

  Thus,eitherfromthecircumstancesofhisbirth,orthenaturalmelancholyofhisdisposition,EsmondcametoliveverymuchbyhimselfduringhisstayattheUniversity,havingneitherambitionenoughtodistinguishhimselfinthecollegecareer,norcaringtominglewiththemerepleasuresandboyishfrolicsofthestudents,whowere,forthemostpart,twoorthreeyearsyoungerthanhe。

  Hefanciedthatthegentlemenofthecommon—roomofhiscollegeslightedhimonaccountofhisbirth,andhencekeptalooffromtheirsociety。Itmaybethathemadetheillwill,whichheimaginedcamefromthem,byhisownbehavior,which,ashelooksbackonitinafterlife,henowseeswasmoroseandhaughty。Atanyrate,hewasastenderlygratefulforkindnessashewassusceptibleofslightandwrong;and,lonelyashewasgenerally,yethadoneortwoverywarmfriendshipsforhiscompanionsofthosedays。

  OneofthesewasaqueergentlemanthatresidedintheUniversity,thoughhewasnomemberofit,andwastheprofessorofasciencescarcerecognizedinthecommoncourseofcollegeeducation。ThiswasaFrenchrefugee—officer,whohadbeendrivenoutofhisnativecountryatthetimeoftheProtestantpersecutionsthere,andwhocametoCambridge,wherehetaughtthescienceofthesmall—sword,andsetupasaloon—of—arms。ThoughhedeclaredhimselfaProtestant,\'twassaidMr。MoreauwasaJesuitindisguise;indeed,hebroughtverystrongrecommendationstotheToryparty,whichwasprettystronginthatUniversity,andverylikelywasoneofthemanyagentswhomKingJameshadinthiscountry。Esmondfoundthisgentleman\'sconversationverymuchmoreagreeableandtohistastethanthetalkofthecollegedivinesinthecommon—room;heneverweariedofMoreau\'sstoriesofthewarsofTurenneandConde,inwhichhehadborneapart;andbeingfamiliarwiththeFrenchtonguefromhisyouth,andinaplacewherebutfewspokeit,hiscompanybecameveryagreeabletothebraveoldprofessorofarms,whosefavoritepupilhewas,andwhomadeMr。Esmondaverytolerableproficientinthenoblescienceofescrime。

  AtthenexttermEsmondwastotakehisdegreeofBachelorofArts,andafterwards,inproperseason,toassumethecassockandbandswhichhisfondmistresswouldhavehimwear。TomTusherhimselfwasaparsonandafellowofhiscollegebythistime;andHarryfeltthathewouldverygladlycedehisrighttothelivingofCastlewoodtoTom,andthathisowncallingwasinnowaytothepulpit。Butashewasbound,beforeallthingsintheworld,tohisdearmistressathome,andknewthatarefusalonhispartwouldgrieveher,hedeterminedtogivehernohintofhisunwillingnesstotheclericaloffice:anditwasinthisunsatisfactorymoodofmindthathewenttospendthelastvacationheshouldhaveatCastlewoodbeforehetookorders。

  CHAPTERXI。

  ICOMEHOMEFORAHOLIDAYTOCASTLEWOOD,ANDFINDASKELETONINTHE

  HOUSE。

  Athisthirdlongvacation,EsmondcameasusualtoCastlewood,alwaysfeelinganeagerthrillofpleasurewhenhefoundhimselfoncemoreinthehousewherehehadpassedsomanyyears,andbeheldthekindfamiliareyesofhismistresslookinguponhim。

  Sheandherchildren(outofwhosecompanyshescarceeversawhim)

  cametogreethim。MissBeatrixwasgrownsotallthatHarrydidnotquiteknowwhetherhemightkissherorno;andsheblushedandheldbackwhenheofferedthatsalutation,thoughshetookit,andevencourtedit,whentheywerealone。Theyounglordwasshootinguptobelikehisgallantfatherinlook,thoughwithhismother\'skindeyes:theladyofCastlewoodherselfseemedgrown,too,sinceHarrysawher——inherlookmorestately,inherpersonfuller,inherfacestillasevermosttenderandfriendly,agreaterairofcommandanddecisionthanhadappearedinthatguilelesssweetcountenancewhichHarryrememberedsogratefully。Thetoneofhervoicewassomuchdeeperandsadderwhenshespokeandwelcomedhim,thatitquitestartledEsmond,wholookedupathersurprisedasshespoke,whenshewithdrewhereyesfromhim;nordidsheeverlookathimafterwardswhenhisowneyesweregazinguponher。A

  somethinghintingatgriefandsecret,andfillinghismindwithalarmundefinable,seemedtospeakwiththatlowthrillingvoiceofhers,andlookoutofthoseclearsadeyes。HergreetingtoEsmondwassocoldthatitalmostpainedthelad,(whowouldhavelikedtofallonhisknees,andkisstheskirtofherrobe,sofondandardentwashisrespectandregardforher,)andhefalteredinansweringthequestionswhichshe,hesitatingonherside,begantoputtohim。WashehappyatCambridge?Didhestudytoohard?

  Shehopednot。Hehadgrownverytall,andlookedverywell。

  \"Hehasgotamoustache!\"criesoutMasterEsmond。

  \"WhydoeshenotwearaperukelikemyLordMohun?\"askedMissBeatrix。\"Mylordsaysthatnobodywearstheirownhair。\"

  \"Ibelieveyouwillhavetooccupyyouroldchamber,\"saysmylady。

  \"Ihopethehousekeeperhasgotitready。\"

  \"Why,mamma,youhavebeentheretentimesthesethreedaysyourself!\"exclaimsFrank。

  \"Andshecutsomeflowerswhichyouplantedinmygarden——doyouremember,eversomanyyearsago?whenIwasquitealittlegirl,\"

  criesoutMissBeatrix,ontiptoe。\"Andmammaputtheminyourwindow。\"

  \"Irememberwhenyougrewwellafteryouwereillthatyouusedtolikeroses,\"saidthelady,blushinglikeoneofthem。TheyallconductedHarryEsmondtohischamber;thechildrenrunningbefore,Harrywalkingbyhismistresshand—in—hand。

  Theoldroomhadbeenornamentedandbeautifiednotalittletoreceivehim。Theflowerswereinthewindowinachinavase;andtherewasafinenewcounterpaneonthebed,whichchatterboxBeatrixsaidmammahadmadetoo。Afirewascracklingonthehearth,althoughitwasJune。Myladythoughttheroomwantedwarming;everythingwasdonetomakehimhappyandwelcome:\"Andyouarenottobeapageanylonger,butagentlemanandkinsman,andtowalkwithpapaandmamma,\"saidthechildren。Andassoonashisdearmistressandchildrenhadlefthimtohimself,itwaswithaheartoverflowingwithloveandgratefulnessthatheflunghimselfdownonhiskneesbythesideofthelittlebed,andaskedablessinguponthosewhoweresokindtohim。

  Thechildren,whoarealwayshousetell—tales,soonmadehimacquaintedwiththelittlehistoryofthehouseandfamily。PapahadbeentoLondontwice。Papaoftenwentawaynow。PapahadtakenBeatrixtoWestlands,whereshewastallerthanSirGeorgeHarper\'sseconddaughter,thoughshewastwoyearsolder。PapahadtakenBeatrixandFrankbothtoBellminster,whereFrankhadgotthebetterofLordBellminster\'ssoninaboxing—match——mylord,laughing,toldHarryafterwards。Manygentlemencametostopwithpapa,andpapahadgottenanewgamefromLondon,aFrenchgame,calledabilliard——thattheFrenchkingplayeditverywell:andtheDowagerLadyCastlewoodhadsentMissBeatrixapresent;andpapahadgottenanewchaise,withtwolittlehorses,whichhedrovehimself,besidethecoach,whichmammawentin;andDr。

  Tusherwasacrossoldplague,andtheydidnotliketolearnfromhimatall;andpapadidnotcareaboutthemlearning,andlaughedwhentheywereattheirbooks,butmammalikedthemtolearn,andtaughtthem;and\"Idon\'tthinkpapaisfondofmamma,\"saidMissBeatrix,withhergreateyes。ShehadcomequitecloseuptoHarryEsmondbythetimethisprattletookplace,andwasonhisknee,andhadexaminedallthepointsofhisdress,andallthegoodorbadfeaturesofhishomelyface。

  \"Youshouldn\'tsaythatpapaisnotfondofmamma,\"saidtheboy,atthisconfession。\"Mammaneversaidso;andmammaforbadeyoutosayit,MissBeatrix。\"

  \'Twasthis,nodoubt,thataccountedforthesadnessinLadyCastlewood\'seyes,andtheplaintivevibrationsofhervoice。Whodoesnotknowofeyes,lightedbyloveonce,wheretheflameshinesnomore?——oflampsextinguished,onceproperlytrimmedandtended?

  Everymanhassuchinhishouse。Suchmementoesmakeoursplendidestchamberslookblankandsad;suchfacesseeninadaycastagloomuponoursunshine。Sooathsmutuallysworn,andinvocationsofheaven,andpriestlyceremonies,andfondbelief,andlove,sofondandfaithfulthatitneverdoubtedbutthatitshouldliveforever,areallofnoavailtowardsmakingloveeternal:itdies,inspiteofthebannsandthepriest;andIhaveoftenthoughtthereshouldbeavisitationofthesickforit,andafuneralservice,andanextremeunction,andanabiinpace。Ithasitscourse,likeallmortalthings——itsbeginning,progress,anddecay。Itbudsanditbloomsoutintosunshine,anditwithersandends。StrephonandChloelanguishapart;joininarapture:

  andpresentlyyouhearthatChloeiscrying,andStrephonhasbrokenhiscrookacrossherback。Canyoumenditsoastoshownomarksofrupture?NotallthepriestsofHymen,notalltheincantationstothegods,canmakeitwhole!

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