ButmygoodLordViscountsawthemove——\"I\'llplayyoufortenmoidores，Mohun，\"sayshe。\"Yousillyboy，wedon\'tplayforgroatshereasyoudoatCambridge。\"AndHarry，whohadnosuchsuminhispocket（forhishalf—year\'ssalarywasalwaysprettywellspentbeforeitwasdue），fellbackwithrageandvexationinhisheartthathehadnotmoneyenoughtostake。
\"I\'llstaketheyounggentlemanacrown，\"saystheLordMohun\'scaptain。
\"Ithoughtcrownswereratherscarcewiththegentlemenofthearmy，\"saysHarry。
\"DotheybirchatCollege？\"saystheCaptain。
\"Theybirchfools，\"saysHarry，\"andtheycanebullies，andtheyflingpuppiesintothewater。\"
\"Faith，then，there\'ssomeescapesdrowning，\"saystheCaptain，whowasanIrishman;andallthegentlemenbegantolaugh，andmadepoorHarryonlymoreangry。
MyLordMohunpresentlysnuffedacandle。ItwaswhenthedrawersbroughtinfreshbottlesandglassesandwereintheroomonwhichmyLordViscountsaid——\"TheDeucetakeyou，Mohun，howdamnedawkwardyouare。Lightthecandle，youdrawer。\"
\"Damnedawkwardisadamnedawkwardexpression，mylord，\"saystheother。\"Towngentlemendon\'tusesuchwords——oraskpardoniftheydo。\"
\"I\'macountrygentleman，\"saysmyLordViscount。
\"Iseeitbyyourmanner，\"saysmyLordMohun。\"Nomanshallsaydamnedawkwardtome。\"
\"Iflingthewordsinyourface，mylord，\"saystheother;\"shallI
sendthecardstoo？\"
\"Gentlemen，gentlemen！beforetheservants？\"cryoutColonelWestburyandmyLordWarwickinabreath。Thedrawersgooutoftheroomhastily。Theytellthepeoplebelowofthequarrelupstairs。
\"Enoughhasbeensaid，\"saysColonelWestbury。\"Willyourlordshipsmeetto—morrowmorning？\"
\"WillmyLordCastlewoodwithdrawhiswords？\"askstheEarlofWarwick。
\"MyLordCastlewoodwillbe————first，\"saysColonelWestbury。
\"Thenwehavenothingforit。Takenotice，gentlemen，therehavebeenoutrageouswords——reparationaskedandrefused。\"
\"Andrefused，\"saysmyLordCastlewood，puttingonhishat。\"Whereshallthemeetingbe？andwhen？\"
\"SincemyLordrefusesmesatisfaction，whichIdeeplyregret，thereisnotimesogoodasnow，\"saysmyLordMohun。\"LetushavechairsandgotoLeicesterField。\"
\"AreyourlordshipandItohavethehonorofexchangingapassortwo？\"saysColonelWestbury，withalowbowtomyLordofWarwickandHolland。
\"Itisanhonorforme，\"saysmylord，withaprofoundcongee，\"tobematchedwithagentlemanwhohasbeenatMonsandNamur。\"
\"WillyourReverencepermitmetogiveyoualesson？\"saystheCaptain。
\"Nay，nay，gentlemen，twoonasideareplenty，\"saysHarry\'spatron。\"Sparetheboy，CaptainMacartney，\"andheshookHarry\'shand——forthelasttime，saveone，inhislife。
Atthebarofthetavernallthegentlemenstopped，andmyLordViscountsaid，laughing，tothebarwoman，thatthosecardssetpeoplesadlya—quarrelling;butthatthedisputewasovernow，andthepartieswereallgoingawaytomyLordMohun\'shouse，inBowStreet，todrinkabottlemorebeforegoingtobed。
Ahalf—dozenofchairswerenowcalled，andthesixgentlemensteppingintothem，thewordwasprivatelygiventothechairmentogotoLeicesterField，wherethegentlemenweresetdownoppositethe\"StandardTavern。\"Itwasmidnight，andthetownwasabedbythistime，andonlyafewlightsinthewindowsofthehouses;butthenightwasbrightenoughfortheunhappypurposewhichthedisputantscameabout;andsoallsixenteredintothatfatalsquare，thechairmenstandingwithouttherailingandkeepingthegate，lestanypersonsshoulddisturbthemeeting。
Allthathappenedtherehathbeenmatterofpublicnotoriety，andisrecorded，forwarningtolawlessmen，intheannalsofourcountry。Afterbeingengagedfornotmorethanacoupleofminutes，asHarryEsmondthought（thoughbeingoccupiedatthetimewithhisownadversary\'spoint，whichwasactive，hemaynothavetakenagoodnoteoftime），acryfromthechairmenwithout，whoweresmokingtheirpipes，andleaningovertherailingsofthefieldastheywatchedthedimcombatwithin，announcedthatsomecatastrophehadhappened，whichcausedEsmondtodrophisswordandlookround，atwhichmomenthisenemywoundedhimintherighthand。Buttheyoungmandidnotheedthishurtmuch，andranuptotheplacewherehesawhisdearmasterwasdown。
MyLordMohunwasstandingoverhim。
\"Areyoumuchhurt，Frank？\"heaskedinahollowvoice。
\"IbelieveIamadeadman，\"mylordsaidfromtheground。
\"No，no，notso，\"saystheother;\"andIcallGodtowitness，FrankEsmond，thatIwouldhaveaskedyourpardon，hadyoubutgivenmeachance。In——inthefirstcauseofourfallingout，Iswearthatnoonewastoblamebutme，and——andthatmylady——\"
\"Hush！\"saysmypoorLordViscount，liftinghimselfonhiselbowandspeakingfaintly。\"\'Twasadisputeaboutthecards——thecursedcards。Harrymyboy，areyouwounded，too？Godhelpthee！I
lovedthee，Harry，andthoumustwatchovermylittleFrank——and——
andcarrythislittlehearttomywife。\"
Andheremydearlordfeltinhisbreastforalocketheworethere，and，intheact，fellbackfainting。
Wewereallatthisterrified，thinkinghimdead;butEsmondandColonelWestburybadethechairmencomeintothefield;andsomylordwascarriedtooneMr。Aimes，asurgeon，inLongAcre，whokeptabath，andtherethehousewaswakenedup，andthevictimofthisquarrelcarriedin。
MyLordViscountwasputtobed，andhiswoundlookedtobythesurgeon，whoseemedbothkindandskilful。Whenhehadlookedtomylord，hebandagedupHarryEsmond\'shand（who，fromlossofblood，hadfaintedtoo，inthehouse，andmayhavebeensometimeunconscious）;andwhentheyoungmancametohimself，youmaybesureheeagerlyaskedwhatnewstherewereofhisdearpatron;onwhichthesurgeoncarriedhimtotheroomwheretheLordCastlewoodlay;whohadalreadysentforapriest;anddesiredearnestly，theysaid，tospeakwithhiskinsman。Hewaslyingonabed，verypaleandghastly，withthatfixed，fatallookinhiseyes，whichbetokensdeath;andfaintlybeckoningalltheotherpersonsawayfromhimwithhishand，andcryingout\"OnlyHarryEsmond，\"thehandfellpowerlessdownonthecoverlet，asHarrycameforward，andkneltdownandkissedit。
\"Thouartallbutapriest，Harry，\"myLordViscountgaspedout，withafaintsmile，andpressureofhiscoldhand。\"Aretheyallgone？Letmemaketheeadeath—bedconfession。\"
AndwithsacredDeathwaiting，asitwere，atthebed—foot，asanawfulwitnessofhiswords，thepoordyingsoulgaspedouthislastwishesinrespectofhisfamily;——hishumbleprofessionofcontritionforhisfaults;——andhischaritytowardstheworldhewasleaving。SomethingshesaidconcernedHarryEsmondasmuchastheyastonishedhim。AndmyLordViscount，sinkingvisibly，wasinthemidstofthesestrangeconfessions，whentheecclesiasticforwhommylordhadsent，Mr。Atterbury，arrived。
Thisgentlemanhadreachedtonogreatchurchdignityasyet，butwasonlypreacheratSt。Bride\'s，drawingallthetownthitherbyhiseloquentsermons。Hewasgodsontomylord，whohadbeenpupiltohisfather;hadpaidavisittoCastlewoodfromOxfordmorethanonce;anditwasbyhisadvice，Ithink，thatHarryEsmondwassenttoCambridge，ratherthantoOxford，ofwhichplaceMr。Atterbury，thoughadistinguishedmember，spokebutill。
Ourmessengerfoundthegoodpriestalreadyathisbooksatfiveo\'clockinthemorning，andhefollowedthemaneagerlytothehousewheremypoorLordViscountlay——Esmondwatchinghim，andtakinghisdyingwordsfromhismouth。
Mylord，hearingofMr。Atterbury\'sarrival，andsqueezingEsmond\'shand，askedtobealonewiththepriest;andEsmondleftthemthereforthissolemninterview。Youmaybesurethathisownprayersandgriefaccompaniedthatdyingbenefactor。Mylordhadsaidtohimthatwhichconfoundedtheyoungman——informedhimofasecretwhichgreatlyconcernedhim。Indeed，afterhearingit，hehadhadgoodcausefordoubtanddismay;formentalanguishaswellasresolution。WhilethecolloquybetweenMr。Atterburyandhisdyingpenitenttookplacewithin，animmensecontestofperplexitywasagitatingLordCastlewood\'syoungcompanion。
Attheendofanhour——itmaybemore——Mr。Atterburycameoutoftheroom，lookingveryhardatEsmond，andholdingapaper。
\"HeisonthebrinkofGod\'sawfuljudgment，\"thepriestwhispered。
\"Hehasmadehisbreastcleantome。Heforgivesandbelieves，andmakesrestitution。Shallitbeinpublic？Shallwecallawitnesstosignit？\"
\"Godknows，\"sobbedouttheyoungman，\"mydearestlordhasonlydonemekindnessallhislife。\"
ThepriestputthepaperintoEsmond\'shand。Helookedatit。Itswambeforehiseyes。
\"\'Tisaconfession，\"hesaid。
\"\'Tisasyouplease，\"saidMr。Atterbury。
Therewasafireintheroomwheretheclothsweredryingforthebaths，andtherelayaheapinacornersaturatedwiththebloodofmydearlord\'sbody。Esmondwenttothefire，andthrewthepaperintoit。\'TwasagreatchimneywithglazedDutchtiles。Howweremembersuchtriflesatsuchawfulmoments！——thescrapofthebookthatwehavereadinagreatgrief——thetasteofthatlastdishthatwehaveeatenbeforeaduel，orsomesuchsuprememeetingorparting。OntheDutchtilesattheBagniowasarudepicturerepresentingJacobinhairygloves，cheatingIsaacofEsau\'sbirthright。Theburningpaperlighteditup。
\"\'Tisonlyaconfession，Mr。Atterbury，\"saidtheyoungman。Heleanedhisheadagainstthemantel—piece:aburstoftearscametohiseyes。Theywerethefirsthehadshedashesatbyhislord，scaredbythiscalamity，andmoreyetbywhatthepoordyinggentlemanhadtoldhim，andshockedtothinkthatheshouldbetheagentofbringingthisdoublemisfortuneonthosehelovedbest。
\"Letusgotohim，\"saidMr。Esmond。Andaccordinglytheywentintothenextchamber，wherebythistime，thedawnhadbroke，whichshowedmylord\'spoorpalefaceandwildappealingeyes，thatworethatawfulfatallookofcomingdissolution。Thesurgeonwaswithhim。HewentintothechamberasAtterburycameoutthence。
MyLordViscountturnedroundhissickeyestowardsEsmond。Itchokedtheothertohearthatrattleinhisthroat。
\"MyLordViscount，\"saysMr。Atterbury，\"Mr。Esmondwantsnowitnesses，andhathburnedthepaper。\"
\"Mydearestmaster！\"Esmondsaid，kneelingdown，andtakinghishandandkissingit。
MyLordViscountsprangupinhisbed，andflunghisarmsroundEsmond。\"Godbl——bless——\"wasallhesaid。Thebloodrushedfromhismouth，delugingtheyoungman。Mydearestlordwasnomore。
Hewasgonewithablessingonhislips，andloveandrepentanceandkindnessinhismanlyheart。
\"Benedictibenedicentes，\"saysMr。Atterbury，andtheyoungman，kneelingatthebedside，groanedoutan\"Amen。\"
\"Whoshalltakethenewstoher？\"wasMr。Esmond\'snextthought。
AndonthishebesoughtMr。AtterburytobearthetidingstoCastlewood。Hecouldnotfacehismistresshimselfwiththosedreadfulnews。Mr。Atterburycomplyingkindly，Esmondwritahastynoteonhistable—booktomylord\'sman，biddinghimgetthehorsesforMr。Atterbury，andridewithhim，andsendEsmond\'sownvalisetotheGatehouseprison，whitherheresolvedtogoandgivehimselfup。
BOOKII。
CONTAINSMR。ESMOND\'SMILITARYLIFE，ANDOTHERMATTERSAPPERTAINING
TOTHEESMONDFAMILY。
CHAPTERI。
IAMINPRISON，ANDVISITED，BUTNOTCONSOLEDTHERE。
Thosemayimagine，whohaveseendeathuntimelystrikedownpersonsreveredandbeloved，andknowhowunavailingconsolationis，whatwasHarryEsmond\'sanguishafterbeinganactorinthatghastlymidnightsceneofbloodandhomicide。Hecouldnot，hefelt，havefacedhisdearmistress，andtoldherthatstory。HewasthankfulthatkindAtterburyconsentedtobreakthesadnewstoher;but，besideshisgrief，whichhetookintoprisonwithhim，hehadthatinhisheartwhichsecretlycheeredandconsoledhim。
AgreatsecrethadbeentoldtoEsmondbyhisunhappystrickenkinsman，lyingonhisdeath—bed。Werehetodiscloseit，asinequityandhonorhemightdo，thediscoverywouldbutbringgreatergriefuponthosewhomhelovedbestintheworld，andwhoweresadenoughalready。Shouldhebringdownshameandperplexityuponallthosebeingstowhomhewasattachedbysomanytendertiesofaffectionandgratitude？degradehisfather\'swidow？impeachandsullyhisfather\'sandkinsman\'shonor？andforwhat？forabarrentitle，tobewornattheexpenseofaninnocentboy，thesonofhisdearestbenefactress。Hehaddebatedthismatterinhisconscience，whilsthispoorlordwasmakinghisdyingconfession。
Ononesidewereambition，temptation，justiceeven;butlove，gratitude，andfidelity，pleadedontheother。AndwhenthestrugglewasoverinHarry\'smind，aglowofrighteoushappinessfilledit;anditwaswithgratefultearsinhiseyesthathereturnedthankstoGodforthatdecisionwhichhehadbeenenabledtomake。
\"WhenIwasdeniedbymyownblood，\"thoughthe，\"thesedearestfriendsreceivedandcherishedme。WhenIwasanamelessorphanmyself，andneededaprotector，Ifoundoneinyonderkindsoul，whohasgonetohisaccountrepentingoftheinnocentwronghehasdone。\"
Andwiththisconsolingthoughthewentawaytogivehimselfupattheprison，afterkissingthecoldlipsofhisbenefactor。
ItwasonthethirddayafterhehadcometotheGatehouseprison，（wherehelayinnosmallpainfromhiswound，whichinflamedandachedseverely，）andwiththosethoughtsandresolutionsthathavebeenjustspokeof，todepress，andyettoconsolehim，thatH。
Esmond\'skeepercameandtoldhimthatavisitorwasaskingforhim，andthoughhecouldnotseeherface，whichwasenvelopedinablackhood，herwholefigure，too，beingveiledandcoveredwiththedeepestmourning，Esmondknewatoncethathisvisitorwashisdearmistress。
Hegotupfromhisbed，wherehewaslying，beingveryweak;andadvancingtowardsherastheretiringkeepershutthedooruponhimandhisguestinthatsadplace，heputforwardhislefthand（fortherightwaswoundedandbandaged），andhewouldhavetakenthatkindoneofhismistress，whichhaddonesomanyofficesoffriendshipforhimforsomanyyears。
ButtheLadyCastlewoodwentbackfromhim，puttingbackherhood，andleaningagainstthegreatstanchioneddoorwhichthegaolerhadjustcloseduponthem。Herfacewasghastlywhite，asEsmondsawit，lookingfromthehood;andhereyes，ordinarilysosweetandtender，werefixedonhimwithsuchatragicglanceofwoeandanger，ascausedtheyoungman，unaccustomedtounkindnessfromthatperson，toaverthisownglancesfromherface。
\"Andthis，Mr。Esmond，\"shesaid，\"iswhereIseeyou;and\'tistothisyouhavebroughtme！\"
\"Youhavecometoconsolemeinmycalamity，madam，\"saidhe（though，intruth，hescarceknewhowtoaddressher，hisemotionsatbeholdinghersooverpoweredhim）。
Sheadvancedalittle，butstoodsilentandtrembling，lookingoutathimfromherblackdraperies，withhersmallwhitehandsclaspedtogether，andquiveringlipsandholloweyes。
\"Nottoreproachme，\"hecontinuedafterapause。\"Mygriefissufficientasitis。\"
\"Takebackyourhand——donottouchmewithit！\"shecried。\"Look！
there\'sbloodonit！\"
\"Iwishtheyhadtakenitall，\"saidEsmond;\"ifyouareunkindtome。\"
\"Whereismyhusband？\"shebrokeout。\"Givemebackmyhusband，Henry。Whydidyoustandbyatmidnightandseehimmurdered？Whydidthetraitorescapewhodidit？You，thechampionofyourhouse，whoofferedtodieforus！Youthathelovedandtrusted，andtowhomIconfidedhim——youthatvoweddevotionandgratitude，andIbelievedyou——yes，Ibelievedyou——whyareyouhere，andmynobleFrancisgone？Whydidyoucomeamongus？Youhaveonlybroughtusgriefandsorrow;andrepentance，bitter，bitterrepentance，asareturnforourloveandkindness。DidIeverdoyouawrong，Henry？YouwerebutanorphanchildwhenIfirstsawyou——whenHEfirstsawyou，whowassogood，andnoble，andtrusting。Hewouldhavehadyousentaway，but，likeafoolishwoman，Ibesoughthimtoletyoustay。Andyoupretendedtoloveus，andwebelievedyou——andyoumadeourhousewretched，andmyhusband\'sheartwentfromme:andIlosthimthroughyou——Ilosthim——thehusbandofmyyouth，Isay。Iworshippedhim:youknowI
worshippedhim——andhewaschangedtome。HewasnomoremyFrancisofold——mydear，dearsoldier。Helovedmebeforehesawyou;andIlovedhim。Oh，GodismywitnesshowIlovedhim！Whydidhenotsendyoufromamongus？\'Twasonlyhiskindness，thatcouldrefusemenothingthen。And，youngasyouwere——yes，andweakandalone——therewasevil，Iknewtherewasevilinkeepingyou。Ireaditinyourfaceandeyes。Isawthattheybodedharmtous——anditcame，Iknewitwould。Whydidyounotdiewhenyouhadthesmall—pox——andIcamemyselfandwatchedyou，andyoudidn\'tknowmeinyourdelirium——andyoucalledoutforme，thoughIwasthereatyourside？Allthathashappenedsince，wasajustjudgmentonmywickedheart——mywickedjealousheart。Oh，Iampunished——awfullypunished！Myhusbandliesinhisblood——murderedfordefendingme，mykind，kind，generouslord——andyouwereby，andyoulethimdie，Henry！\"
Thesewords，utteredinthewildnessofhergrief，byonewhowasordinarilyquiet，andspokeseldomexceptwithagentlesmileandasoothingtone，runginEsmond\'sear;and\'tissaidthatherepeatedmanyoftheminthefeverintowhichhenowfellfromhiswound，andperhapsfromtheemotionwhichsuchpassionate，undeservedupbraidingscausedhim。Itseemedasifhisverysacrificesandloveforthisladyandherfamilyweretoturntoevilandreproach:asifhispresenceamongstthemwasindeedacauseofgrief，andthecontinuanceofhislifebutwoeandbitternesstotheirs。AstheLadyCastlewoodspokebitterly，rapidly，withoutatear，heneverofferedawordofappealorremonstrance:butsatatthefootofhisprison—bed，strickenonlywiththemorepainatthinkingitwasthatsoftandbelovedhandwhichshouldstabhimsocruelly，andpowerlessagainstherfatalsorrow。Herwordsasshespokestruckthechordsofallhismemory，andthewholeofhisboyhoodandyouthpassedwithinhim;whilstthislady，sofondandgentlebutyesterday——thisgoodangelwhomhehadlovedandworshipped——stoodbeforehim，pursuinghimwithkeenwordsandaspectmalign。
\"IwishIwereinmylord\'splace，\"hegroanedout。\"ItwasnotmyfaultthatIwasnotthere，madam。ButFateisstrongerthanallofus，andwilledwhathascometopass。IthadbeenbetterformetohavediedwhenIhadtheillness。\"
\"Yes，Henry，\"saidshe——andasshespokeshelookedathimwithaglancethatwasatoncesofondandsosad，thattheyoungman，tossinguphisarms，wildlyfellback，hidinghisheadinthecoverletofthebed。Asheturnedhestruckagainstthewallwithhiswoundedhand，displacingtheligature;andhefeltthebloodrushingagainfromthewound。Herememberedfeelingasecretpleasureattheaccident——andthinking，\"SupposeIweretoendnow，whowouldgrieveforme？\"
Thishemorrhage，orthegriefanddespairinwhichthelucklessyoungmanwasatthetimeoftheaccident，musthavebroughtonadeliquiumpresently;forhehadscarceanyrecollectionafterwards，saveofsomeone，hismistressprobably，seizinghishand——andthenofthebuzzingnoiseinhisearsasheawoke，withtwoorthreepersonsoftheprisonaroundhisbed，whereonhelayinapoolofbloodfromhisarm。
Itwasnowbandagedupagainbytheprisonsurgeon，whohappenedtobeintheplace;andthegovernor\'swifeandservant，kindpeopleboth，werewiththepatient。Esmondsawhismistressstillintheroomwhenheawokefromhistrance;butshewentawaywithoutaword;thoughthegovernor\'swifetoldhimthatshesatinherroomforsometimeafterward，anddidnotleavetheprisonuntilsheheardthatEsmondwaslikelytodowell。
Daysafterwards，whenEsmondwasbroughtoutofafeverwhichhehad，andwhichattackedhimthatnightprettysharply，thehonestkeeper\'swifebroughtherpatientahandkerchieffreshwashedandironed，andatthecornerofwhichherecognizedhismistress\'swell—knowncipherandviscountess\'scrown。\"Theladyhadbounditroundhisarmwhenhefainted，andbeforeshecalledforhelp，\"thekeeper\'swifesaid。\"Poorlady！shetookonsadlyaboutherhusband。Hehasbeenburiedto—day，andamanyofthecoachesofthenobilitywentwithhim——myLordMarlborough\'sandmyLordSunderland\'s，andmanyoftheofficersoftheGuards，inwhichheservedintheoldKing\'stime;andmyladyhasbeenwithhertwochildrentotheKingatKensington，andaskedforjusticeagainstmyLordMohun，whoisinhiding，andmyLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland，whoisreadytogivehimselfupandtakehistrial。\"
Suchwerethenews，coupledwithassertionsaboutherownhonestyandthatofMollyhermaid，whowouldneverhavestolenacertaintrumperygoldsleeve—buttonofMr。Esmond\'sthatwasmissingafterhisfaintingfit，thatthekeeper\'swifebroughttoherlodger。
Histhoughtsfollowedtothatuntimelygrave，thebraveheart，thekindfriend，thegallantgentleman，honestofwordandgenerousofthought，（iffeebleofpurpose，butarehisbettersmuchstrongerthanhe？）whohadgivenhimbreadandshelterwhenhehadnone;
homeandlovewhenheneededthem;andwho，ifhehadkeptonevitalsecretfromhim，haddonethatofwhichherepentederedying——awrongindeed，butonefollowedbyremorse，andoccasionedbyalmostirresistibletemptation。
Esmondtookhishandkerchiefwhenhisnurselefthim，andverylikelykissedit，andlookedatthebaubleembroideredinthecorner。\"Ithascosttheegriefenough，\"hethought，\"dearlady，solovingandsotender。ShallItakeitfromtheeandthychildren？No，never！Keepit，andwearit，mylittleFrank，myprettyboy。IfIcannotmakeanameformyself，Icandiewithoutone。Someday，whenmydearmistressseesmyheart，Ishallberighted;orifnothereornow，why，elsewhere;whereHonordothnotfollowus，butwhereLovereignsperpetual。\"
\'Tisneedlesstorelatehere，asthereportsofthelawyersalreadyhavechronicledthem，theparticularsorissueofthattrialwhichensueduponmyLordCastlewood\'smelancholyhomicide。Ofthetwolordsengagedinthatsadmatter，thesecond，myLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland，whohadbeenengagedwithColonelWestbury，andwoundedbyhim，wasfoundnotguiltybyhispeers，beforewhomhewastried（underthepresidenceoftheLordSteward，LordSomers）;andtheprincipal，theLordMohun，beingfoundguiltyofthemanslaughter，（which，indeed，wasforceduponhim，andofwhichherepentedmostsincerely，）pleadedhisclergy，andsowasdischargedwithoutanypenalty。Thewidowoftheslainnobleman，asitwastoldusinprison，showedanextraordinaryspirit;and，thoughshehadtowaitfortenyearsbeforehersonwasoldenoughtocompassit，declaredshewouldhaverevengeofherhusband\'smurderer。Somuchandsuddenlyhadgrief，anger，andmisfortuneappearedtochangeher。Butfortune，goodorill，asItakeit，doesnotchangemenandwomen。Itbutdevelopstheircharacters。
Asthereareathousandthoughtslyingwithinamanthathedoesnotknowtillhetakesupthepentowrite，sotheheartisasecreteventohim（orher）whohasitinhisownbreast。Whohathnotfoundhimselfsurprisedintorevenge，oraction，orpassion，forgoodorevil，whereoftheseedslaywithinhim，latentandunsuspected，untiltheoccasioncalledthemforth？Withthedeathofherlord，achangeseemedtocomeoverthewholeconductandmindofLadyCastlewood;butofthisweshallspeakintherightseasonandanon。
ThelordsbeingtriedthenbeforetheirpeersatWestminster，accordingtotheirprivilege，beingbroughtfromtheTowerwithstateprocessionsandbarges，andaccompaniedbylieutenantsandaxe—men，thecommonersengagedinthatmelancholyfraytooktheirtrialatNewgate，asbecamethem;and，beingallfoundguilty，pleadedlikewisetheirbenefitofclergy。Thesentence，asweallknowinthesecases，is，thattheculpritliesayearinprison，orduringtheKing\'spleasure，andisburnedinthehand，oronlystampedwithacoldiron;orthispartofthepunishmentisaltogetherremittedatthegraceoftheSovereign。SoHarryEsmondfoundhimselfacriminalandaprisonerattwo—and—twentyyearsold;asforthetwocolonels，hiscomrades，theytookthematterverylightly。Duellingwasapartoftheirbusiness;andtheycouldnotinhonorrefuseanyinvitationsofthatsort。
ButthecasewasdifferentwithMr。Esmond。Hislifewaschangedbythatstrokeoftheswordwhichdestroyedhiskindpatron\'s。Ashelayinprison，oldDr。Tusherfellillanddied;andLadyCastlewoodappointedThomasTushertothevacantliving;aboutthefillingofwhichshehadathousandtimesfondlytalkedtoHarryEsmond:howtheynevershouldpart;howheshouldeducateherboy;
howtobeacountryclergyman，likesaintlyGeorgeHerbertorpiousDr。Ken，wasthehappiestandgreatestlotinlife;how（ifhewereobstinatelybentonit，though，forherpart，sheownedrathertoholdingQueenBess\'sopinion，thatabishopshouldhavenowife，andifnotabishopwhyaclergyman？）shewouldfindagoodwifeforHarryEsmond:andsoon，withahundredprettyprospectstoldbyfiresideevenings，infondprattle，asthechildrenplayedaboutthehall。Alltheseplanswereoverthrownnow。ThomasTusherwrotetoEsmond，ashelayinprison，announcingthathispatronesshadconferreduponhimthelivinghisreverendfatherhadheldformanyyears;thatshenever，afterthetragicaleventswhichhadoccurred（whereofTomspokewithaveryedifyinghorror），couldseeinthereveredTusher\'spulpit，oratherson\'stable，themanwhowasanswerableforthefather\'slife;thatherladyshipbadehimtosaythatsheprayedforherkinsman\'srepentanceandhisworldlyhappiness;thathewasfreetocommandheraidforanyschemeoflifewhichhemightproposetohimself;butthatonthissideofthegraveshewouldseehimnomore。AndTusher，forhisownpart，addedthatHarryshouldhavehisprayersasafriendofhisyouth，andcommendedhimwhilsthewasinprisontoreadcertainworksoftheology，whichhisReverencepronouncedtobeverywholesomeforsinnersinhislamentablecondition。
Andthiswasthereturnforalifeofdevotion——thistheendofyearsofaffectionateintercourseandpassionatefidelity！Harrywouldhavediedforhispatron，andwasheldaslittlebetterthanhismurderer:hehadsacrificed，shedidnotknowhowmuch，forhismistress，andshethrewhimaside;hehadendowedherfamilywithalltheyhad，andshetalkedaboutgivinghimalmsastoamenial！
Thegriefforhispatron\'sloss;thepainsofhisownpresentposition，anddoubtsastothefuture:allthesewereforgottenunderthesenseoftheconsummateoutragewhichhehadtoendure，andoverpoweredbythesuperiorpangofthattorture。
HewritbackalettertoMr。Tusherfromhisprison，congratulatinghisReverenceuponhisappointmenttothelivingofCastlewood:
sarcasticallybiddinghimtofollowinthefootstepsofhisadmirablefather，whosegownhaddescendeduponhim;thankingherladyshipforherofferofalms，whichhesaidheshouldtrustnottoneed;andbeseechinghertorememberthat，ifeverherdeterminationshouldchangetowardshim，hewouldbereadytogiveherproofsofafidelitywhichhadneverwavered，andwhichoughtnevertohavebeenquestionedbythathouse。\"Andifwemeetnomore，oronlyasstrangersinthisworld，\"Mr。Esmondconcluded，\"asentenceagainstthecrueltyandinjusticeofwhichIdisdaintoappeal;hereaftershewillknowwhowasfaithfultoher，andwhethershehadanycausetosuspecttheloveanddevotionofherkinsmanandservant。\"
Afterthesendingofthisletter，thepooryoungfellow\'smindwasmoreateasethanithadbeenpreviously。Theblowhadbeenstruck，andhehadborneit。Hiscruelgoddesshadshakenherwingsandfled:andlefthimaloneandfriendless，butvirtutesua。
Andhehadtobearhimup，atoncethesenseofhisrightandthefeelingofhiswrongs，hishonorandhismisfortune。AsIhaveseenmenwakingandrunningtoarmsatasuddentrumpet，beforeemergencyamanlyheartleapsupresolute;meetsthethreateningdangerwithundauntedcountenance;and，whetherconqueredorconquering，facesitalways。Ah！nomanknowshisstrengthorhisweakness，tilloccasionprovesthem。Iftherebesomethoughtsandactionsofhislifefromthememoryofwhichamanshrinkswithshame，suretherearesomewhichhemaybeproudtoownandremember;forgiveninjuries，conqueredtemptations（nowandthen）
anddifficultiesvanquishedbyendurance。