第16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

  \"If——if\'tisso,dearlady,\"Mr。Esmondsaid,\"whyshouldIeverleaveyou?IfGodhathgivenmethisgreatboon——andnearorfarfromme,asIknownow,theheartofmydearestmistressfollowsme,letmehavethatblessingnearme,noreverpartwithittilldeathseparateus。Comeaway——leavethisEurope,thisplacewhichhassomanysadrecollectionsforyou。Beginanewlifeinanewworld。MygoodlordoftentalkedofvisitingthatlandinVirginiawhichKingCharlesgaveus——gavehisancestor。Frankwillgiveusthat。Nomantherewillaskifthereisablotonmyname,orinquireinthewoodswhatmytitleis。\"

  \"Andmychildren——andmyduty——andmygoodfather,Henry?\"shebrokeout。\"Hehasnonebutmenow!forsoonmysisterwillleavehim,andtheoldmanwillbealone。HehasconformedsincethenewQueen\'sreign;andhereinWinchester,wheretheylovehim,theyhavefoundachurchforhim。Whenthechildrenleaveme,Iwillstaywithhim。Icannotfollowthemintothegreatworld,wheretheirwaylies——itscaresme。Theywillcomeandvisitme;andyouwill,sometimes,Henry——yes,sometimes,asnow,intheHolyAdventseason,whenIhaveseenandblessedyouoncemore。\"

  \"Iwouldleavealltofollowyou,\"saidMr。Esmond;\"andcanyounotbeasgenerousforme,dearlady?\"

  \"Hush,boy!\"shesaid,anditwaswithamother\'ssweetplaintivetoneandlookthatshespoke。\"Theworldisbeginningforyou。

  Forme,IhavebeensoweakandsinfulthatImustleaveit,andprayoutanexpiation,dearHenry。Hadwehousesofreligionastherewereonce,andmanydivinesofourChurchwouldhavethemagain,IoftenthinkIwouldretiretooneandpassmylifeinpenance。ButIwouldloveyoustill——yes,thereisnosininsuchaloveasminenow;andmydearlordinheavenmayseemyheart;

  andknowsthetearsthathavewashedmysinaway——andnow——nowmydutyishere,bymychildrenwhilsttheyneedme,andbymypooroldfather,and——\"

  \"Andnotbyme?\"Henrysaid。

  \"Hush!\"shesaidagain,andraisedherhanduptohislip。\"Ihavebeenyournurse。Youcouldnotseeme,Harry,whenyouwereinthesmall—pox,andIcameandsatbyyou。Ah!IprayedthatImightdie,butitwouldhavebeeninsin,Henry。Oh,itishorridtolookbacktothattime。Itisovernowandpast,andithasbeenforgivenme。Whenyouneedmeagain,Iwillcomeeversofar。

  Whenyourheartiswounded,thencometome,mydear。Besilent!

  letmesayall。Youneverlovedme,dearHenry——no,youdonotnow,andIthankheavenforit。Iusedtowatchyou,andknewbyathousandsignsthatitwasso。Doyourememberhowgladyouweretogoawaytocollege?\'TwasIsentyou。Itoldmypapathat,andMr。Atterburytoo,whenIspoketohiminLondon。Andtheybothgavemeabsolution——both——andtheyaregodlymen,havingauthoritytobindandtoloose。Andtheyforgaveme,asmydearlordforgavemebeforehewenttoheaven。\"

  \"Ithinktheangelsarenotallinheaven,\"Mr。Esmondsaid。Andasabrotherfoldsasistertohisheart;andasamothercleavestoherson\'sbreast——soforafewmomentsEsmond\'sbelovedmistresscametohimandblessedhim。

  CHAPTERVII。

  IAMMADEWELCOMEATWALCOTE。

  AstheycameuptothehouseatWalcote,thewindowsfromwithinwerelightedupwithfriendlywelcome;thesupper—tablewasspreadintheoak—parlor;itseemedasifforgivenessandlovewereawaitingthereturningprodigal。Twoorthreefamiliarfacesofdomesticswereonthelook—outattheporch——theoldhousekeeperwasthere,andyoungLockwoodfromCastlewoodinmylord\'sliveryoftawnyandblue。Hisdearmistresspressedhisarmastheypassedintothehall。Hereyesbeamedoutonhimwithaffectionindescribable。\"Welcome,\"wasallshesaid,asshelookedup,puttingbackherfaircurlsandblackhood。Asweetrosysmileblushedonherface;Harrythoughthehadneverseenherlooksocharming。Herfacewaslightedwithajoythatwasbrighterthanbeauty——shetookahandofhersonwhowasinthehallwaitinghismother——shedidnotquitEsmond\'sarm。

  \"Welcome,Harry!\"myyounglordechoedafterher。\"Here,weareallcometosayso。Here\'soldPincot,hasn\'tshegrownhandsome?\"

  andPincot,whowasolder,andnohandsomerthanusual,madeacurtsytotheCaptain,asshecalledEsmond,andtoldmylordto\"Havedone,now。\"

  \"Andhere\'sJackLockwood。He\'llmakeafamousgrenadier,Jack;

  andsoshallI;we\'llboth\'listunderyou,Cousin。AssoonasI\'mseventeen,Igotothearmy——everygentlemangoestothearmy。

  Look!whocomeshere——ho,ho!\"heburstintoalaugh。\"\'TisMistressTrix,withanewribbon;Iknewshewouldputoneonassoonassheheardacaptainwascomingtosupper。\"

  ThislaughingcolloquytookplaceinthehallofWalcoteHouse:inthemidstofwhichisastaircasethatleadsfromanopengallery,wherearethedoorsofthesleepingchambers:andfromoneofthese,awaxcandleinherhand,andilluminatingher,cameMistressBeatrix——thelightfallingindeeduponthescarletribbonwhichshewore,anduponthemostbrilliantwhiteneckintheworld。

  Esmondhadleftachildandfoundawoman,grownbeyondthecommonheight;andarrivedatsuchadazzlingcompletenessofbeauty,thathiseyesmightwellshowsurpriseanddelightatbeholdingher。Inherstherewasabrightnesssolustrousandmelting,thatIhaveseenawholeassemblyfollowherasifbyanattractionirresistible:andthatnightthegreatDukewasattheplayhouseafterRamillies,everysoulturnedandlooked(shechancedtoenterattheoppositesideofthetheatreatthesamemoment)ather,andnotathim。Shewasabrownbeauty:thatis,hereyes,hair,andeyebrowsandeyelashesweredark:herhaircurlingwithrichundulations,andwavingoverhershoulders;buthercomplexionwasasdazzlingwhiteassnowinsunshine;excepthercheeks,whichwereabrightred,andherlips,whichwereofastilldeepercrimson。Hermouthandchin,theysaid,weretoolargeandfull,andsotheymightbeforagoddessinmarble,butnotforawomanwhoseeyeswerefire,whoselookwaslove,whosevoicewasthesweetestlowsong,whoseshapewasperfectsymmetry,health,decision,activity,whosefootasitplanteditselfonthegroundwasfirmbutflexible,andwhosemotion,whetherrapidorslow,wasalwaysperfectgrace——agileasanymph,loftyasaqueen,——nowmelting,nowimperious,nowsarcastic——therewasnosinglemovementofhersbutwasbeautiful。Ashethinksofher,hewhowritesfeelsyoungagain,andremembersaparagon。

  Soshecameholdingherdresswithonefairroundedarm,andhertaperbeforeher,trippingdownthestairtogreetEsmond。

  \"Shehathputonherscarletstockingsandwhiteshoes,\"saysmylord,stilllaughing。\"Oh,myfinemistress!isthisthewayyousetyourcapattheCaptain?\"Sheapproached,shiningsmilesuponEsmond,whocouldlookatnothingbuthereyes。Sheadvancedholdingforwardherhead,asifshewouldhavehimkissherasheusedtodowhenshewasachild。

  \"Stop,\"shesaid,\"Iamgrowntoobig!Welcome,cousinHarry,\"andshemadehimanarchcurtsy,sweepingdowntothegroundalmost,withthemostgraciousbend,lookingupthewhilewiththebrightesteyesandsweetestsmile。Loveseemedtoradiatefromher。HarryeyedherwithsucharaptureasthefirstloverisdescribedashavingbyMilton。

  \"N\'est—cepas?\"saysmylady,inalow,sweetvoice,stillhangingonhisarm。

  Esmondturnedroundwithastartandablush,ashemethismistress\'scleareyes。Hehadforgottenher,raptinadmirationofthefiliapulcrior。

  \"Rightfootforward,toeturnedout,so:nowdropthecurtsy,andshowtheredstockings,Trix。They\'vesilverclocks,Harry。TheDowagersent\'em。Shewenttoput\'emon,\"criesmylord。

  \"Hush,youstupidchild!\"saysMiss,smotheringherbrotherwithkisses;andthenshemustcomeandkisshermamma,lookingallthewhileatHarry,overhismistress\'sshoulder。Andifshedidnotkisshim,shegavehimbothherhands,andthentookoneofhisinbothhands,andsaid,\"Oh,Harry,we\'reso,SOgladyou\'recome!\"

  \"Therearewoodcocksforsupper,\"saysmylord。\"Huzzay!Itwassuchahungrysermon。\"

  \"Anditisthe29thofDecember;andourHarryhascomehome。\"

  \"Huzzay,oldPincot!\"againsaysmylord;andmydearlady\'slipslookedasiftheyweretremblingwithaprayer。ShewouldhaveHarryleadinBeatrixtothesupper—room,goingherselfwithmyyoungLordViscount;andtothispartycameTomTusherdirectly,whomfouratleastoutofthecompanyoffivewishedaway。Awayhewent,however,assoonasthesweetmeatswereputdown,andthen,bythegreatcracklingfire,hismistressorBeatrix,withherblushinggraces,fillinghisglassforhim,Harrytoldthestoryofhiscampaign,andpassedthemostdelightfulnighthislifehadeverknown。Thesunwasuplongerehewas,sodeep,sweet,andrefreshingwashisslumber。Hewokeasifangelshadbeenwatchingathisbedallnight。Idaresayonethatwasaspureandlovingasanangelhadblessedhissleepwithherprayers。

  NextmorningthechaplainreadprayerstothelittlehouseholdatWalcote,asthecustomwas;EsmondthoughtMistressBeatrixdidnotlistentoTusher\'sexhortationmuch:hereyeswerewanderingeverywhereduringtheservice,atleastwheneverhelookeduphemetthem。PerhapshealsowasnotveryattentivetohisReverencetheChaplain。\"Thismighthavebeenmylife,\"hewasthinking;

  \"thismighthavebeenmydutyfromnowtilloldage。Well,wereitnotapleasantonetobewiththesedearfriendsandpartfrom\'emnomore?Until——untilthedestinedlovercomesandtakesawayprettyBeatrix\"——andthebestpartofTomTusher\'sexposition,whichmayhavebeenverylearnedandeloquent,wasquitelosttopoorHarrybythisvisionofthedestinedlover,whoputthepreacherout。

  Allthewhileoftheprayers,BeatrixkneltalittlewaybeforeHarryEsmond。Theredstockingswerechangedforapairofgray,andblackshoes,inwhichherfeetlookedtothefullaspretty。

  Alltherosesofspringcouldnotviewiththebrightnessofhercomplexion;Esmondthoughthehadneverseenanythinglikethesunnylustreofhereyes。MyLadyViscountesslookedfatigued,asifwithwatching,andherfacewaspale。

  MissBeatrixremarkedthesesignsofindispositioninhermotheranddeploredthem。\"Iamanoldwoman,\"saysmylady,withakindsmile;\"Icannothopetolookasyoungasyoudo,mydear。\"

  \"She\'llneverlookasgoodasyoudoifshelivestillshe\'sahundred,\"saysmylord,takinghismotherbythewaist,andkissingherhand。

  \"DoIlookverywicked,cousin?\"saysBeatrix,turningfullroundonEsmond,withherprettyfacesocloseunderhischin,thatthesoftperfumedhairtouchedit。Shelaidherfinger—tipsonhissleeveasshespoke;andheputhisotherhandoverhers。

  \"I\'mlikeyourlooking—glass,\"sayshe,\"andthatcan\'tflatteryou。\"

  \"Hemeansthatyouarealwayslookingathim,mydear,\"sayshermother,archly。BeatrixranawayfromEsmondatthis,andflewtohermamma,whomshekissed,stoppingmylady\'smouthwithherprettyhand。

  \"AndHarryisverygoodtolookat,\"saysmylady,withherfondeyesregardingtheyoungman。

  \"If\'tisgoodtoseeahappyface,\"sayshe,\"youseethat。\"Myladysaid,\"Amen,\"withasigh;andHarrythoughtthememoryofherdearlordroseupandrebukedherbackagainintosadness;forherfacelostthesmile,andresumeditslookofmelancholy。

  \"Why,Harry,howfinewelookinourscarletandsilver,andourblackperiwig,\"criesmylord。\"Mother,Iamtiredofmyownhair。

  WhenshallIhaveaperuke?Wheredidyougetyoursteenkirk,Harry?\"

  \"It\'ssomeofmyLadyDowager\'slace,\"saysHarry;\"shegavemethisandanumberofotherfinethings。\"

  \"MyLadyDowagerisn\'tsuchabadwoman,\"mylordcontinued。

  \"She\'snotso——soredasshe\'spainted,\"saysMissBeatrix。

  Herbrotherbrokeintoalaugh。\"I\'lltellheryousaidso;bytheLord,Trix,Iwill,\"hecriesout。

  \"She\'llknowthatyouhadn\'tthewittosayit,mylord,\"saysMissBeatrix。

  \"Wewon\'tquarrelthefirstdayHarry\'shere,willwe,mother?\"

  saidtheyounglord。\"We\'llseeifwecangetontothenewyearwithoutafight。HavesomeofthisChristmaspie。Andherecomesthetankard;no,it\'sPincotwiththetea。\"

  \"WilltheCaptainchooseadish?\"askedMistressBeatrix。

  \"Isay,Harry,\"mylordgoeson,\"I\'llshowtheemyhorsesafterbreakfast;andwe\'llgoabird—nettingto—night,andonMondaythere\'sacock—matchatWinchester——doyoulovecock—fighting,Harry?——betweenthegentlemenofSussexandthegentlemenofHampshire,attenpoundthebattle,andfiftypoundtheoddbattletoshowone—and—twentycocks。\"

  \"Andwhatwillyoudo,Beatrix,toamuseourkinsman?\"asksmylady。

  \"I\'lllistentohim,\"saysBeatrix。\"Iamsurehehasahundredthingstotellus。AndI\'mjealousalreadyoftheSpanishladies。

  WasthatabeautifulnunatCadizthatyourescuedfromthesoldiers?Yourmantalkedofitlastnightinthekitchen,andMrs。Bettytoldmethismorningasshecombedmyhair。Andhesaysyoumustbeinlove,foryousatondeckallnight,andscribbledversesalldayinyourtablebook。\"Harrythoughtifhehadwantedasubjectforversesyesterday,to—dayhehadfoundone:andnotalltheLindamirasandArdeliasofthepoetswerehalfsobeautifulasthisyoungcreature;buthedidnotsayso,thoughsomeonedidforhim。

  Thiswashisdearlady,who,afterthemealwasover,andtheyoungpeopleweregone,begantalkingofherchildrenwithMr。Esmond,andofthecharactersofoneandtheother,andofherhopesandfearsforbothofthem。\"\'Tisnotwhiletheyareathome,\"shesaid,\"andintheirmother\'snest,Ifearforthem——\'tiswhentheyaregoneintotheworld,whitherIshallnotbeabletofollowthem。Beatrixwillbeginherservicenextyear。Youmayhaveheardarumorabout——aboutmyLordBlandford。Theywerebothchildren;anditisbutidletalk。IknowmykinswomanwouldneverlethimmakesuchapoormarriageasourBeatrixwouldbe。There\'sscarceaprincessinEuropethatshethinksisgoodenoughforhimorforherambition。\"

  \"There\'snotaprincessinEuropetocomparewithher,\"saysEsmond。

  \"Inbeauty?No,perhapsnot,\"answeredmylady。\"Sheismostbeautiful,isn\'tshe?\'Tisnotamother\'spartialitythatdeceivesme。Imarkedyouyesterdaywhenshecamedownthestair:andreaditinyourface。Welookwhenyoudon\'tfancyuslooking,andseebetterthanyouthink,dearHarry:andjustnowwhentheyspokeaboutyourpoems——youwritprettylineswhenyouwerebutaboy——

  youthoughtBeatrixwasaprettysubjectforverse,didnotyou,Harry?\"(Thegentlemancouldonlyblushforareply。)\"Andsosheis——norareyouthefirstherprettyfacehascaptivated。\'Tisquicklydone。Suchapairofbrighteyesasherslearntheirpowerverysoon,anduseitveryearly。\"And,lookingathimkeenlywithhers,thefairwidowlefthim。

  Andsoitis——apairofbrighteyeswithadozenglancessufficetosubdueaman;toenslavehim,andinflamehim;tomakehimevenforget;theydazzlehimsothatthepastbecomesstraightwaydimtohim;andhesoprizesthemthathewouldgiveallhislifetopossess\'em。Whatisthefondloveofdearestfriendscomparedtothistreasure?Ismemoryasstrongasexpectancy?fruition,ashunger?gratitude,asdesire?Ihavelookedatroyaldiamondsinthejewel—roomsinEurope,andthoughthowwarshavebeenmadeabout\'em;Mogulsovereignsdeposedandstrangledforthem,orransomedwiththem;millionsexpendedtobuythem;anddaringliveslostindiggingoutthelittleshiningtoysthatIvaluenomorethanthebuttoninmyhat。Andsothereareotherglitteringbaubles(ofrarewatertoo)forwhichmenhavebeensettokillandquarreleversincemankindbegan;andwhichlastbutforascoreofyears,whentheirsparkleisover。WherearethosejewelsnowthatbeamedunderCleopatra\'sforehead,orshoneinthesocketsofHelen?

  TheseconddayafterEsmond\'scomingtoWalcote,TomTusherhadleavetotakeaholiday,andwentoffinhisverybestgownandbandstocourttheyoungwomanwhomhisReverencedesiredtomarry,andwhowasnotaviscount\'swidow,asitturnedout,butabrewer\'srelictatSouthampton,withacoupleofthousandpoundstoherfortune:forhonestTom\'sheartwasundersuchexcellentcontrol,thatVenusherselfwithoutaportionwouldneverhavecausedittoflutter。Soherodeawayonhisheavy—pacedgeldingtopursuehisjog—trotloves,leavingEsmondtothesocietyofhisdearmistressandherdaughter,andwithhisyounglordforacompanion,whowascharmed,notonlytoseeanoldfriend,buttohavethetutorandhisLatinbooksputoutoftheway。

  Theboytalkedofthingsandpeople,andnotalittleabouthimself,inhisfrankartlessway。\'Twaseasytoseethatheandhissisterhadthebetteroftheirfondmother,forthefirstplaceinwhoseaffections,thoughtheyfoughtconstantly,andthoughthekindladypersistedthatshelovedbothequally,\'twasnotdifficulttounderstandthatFrankwashismother\'sdarlingandfavorite。Heruledthewholehousehold(alwaysexceptingrebelliousBeatrix)notlessnowthanwhenhewasachildmarshallingthevillageboysinplayingatsoldiers,andcaningthemlustilytoo,likethesturdiestcorporal。AsforTomTusher,hisReverencetreatedtheyounglordwiththatpolitenessanddeferencewhichhealwaysshowedforagreatman,whateverhisageorhisstaturewas。Indeed,withrespecttothisyoungone,itwasimpossiblenottolovehim,sofrankandwinningwerehismanners,hisbeauty,hisgayety,theringofhislaughter,andthedelightfultoneofhisvoice。Whereverhewent,hecharmedanddomineered。IthinkhisoldgrandfathertheDean,andthegrimoldhousekeeper,Mrs。Pincot,wereasmuchhisslavesashismotherwas:andasforEsmond,hefoundhimselfpresentlysubmittingtoacertainfascinationtheboyhad,andslavingitliketherestofthefamily。ThepleasurewhichhehadinFrank\'smerecompanyandconverseexceededthatwhichheeverenjoyedinthesocietyofanyotherman,howeverdelightfulintalk,orfamousforwit。Hispresencebroughtsunshineintoaroom,hislaugh,hisprattle,hisnoblebeautyandbrightnessoflookcheeredandcharmedindescribably。Attheleasttaleofsorrow,hishandswereinhispurse,andhewaseagerwithsympathyandbounty。Thewayinwhichwomenlovedandpettedhim,when,ayearortwoafterwards,hecameupontheworld,yetamereboy,andthefollieswhichtheydidforhim(asindeedheforthem),recalledthecareerofRochester,andoutdidthesuccessesofGrammont。Hisverycreditorslovedhim;

  andthehardestusurers,andsomeoftherigidprudesoftheothersextoo,coulddenyhimnothing。Hewasnomorewittythananotherman,butwhathesaid,hesaidandlookedasnomanelsecouldsayorlookit。IhaveseenthewomenatthecomedyatBruxellescrowdroundhiminthelobby:andashesatonthestagemorepeoplelookedathimthanattheactors,andwatchedhim;andIrememberatRamillies,whenhewashitandfell,agreatbigred—hairedScotchsergeantflunghishalbertdown,burstouta—cryinglikeawoman,seizinghimupasifhehadbeenaninfant,andcarryinghimoutofthefire。Thisbrotherandsisterwerethemostbeautifulcoupleeverseen;thoughafterhewingedawayfromthematernalnestthispairwereseldomtogether。

  SittingatdinnertwodaysafterEsmond\'sarrival(itwasthelastdayoftheyear),andsohappyaonetoHarryEsmond,thattoenjoyitwasquiteworthallthepreviouspainwhichhehadenduredandforgot,myyounglord,fillingabumper,andbiddingHarrytakeanother,dranktohissister,salutingherunderthetitleof\"Marchioness。\"

  \"Marchioness!\"saysHarry,notwithoutapangofwonder,forhewascuriousandjealousalready。

  \"Nonsense,mylord,\"saysBeatrix,withatossofherhead。MyLadyViscountesslookedupforamomentatEsmond,andcasthereyesdown。

  \"TheMarchionessofBlandford,\"saysFrank。\"Don\'tyouknow——hathnotRougeDragontoldyou?\"(MylordusedtocalltheDowagerofChelseybythisandothernames。)\"Blandfordhasalockofherhair:theDuchessfoundhimonhiskneestoMistressTrix,andboxedhisears,andsaidDr。Hareshouldwhiphim。\"

  \"IwishMr。Tusherwouldwhipyoutoo,\"saysBeatrix。

  Myladyonlysaid:\"Ihopeyouwilltellnoneofthesesillystorieselsewherethanathome,Francis。\"

  \"\'Tistrue,onmyword,\"continuesFrank:\"lookatHarryscowling,mother,andseehowBeatrixblushesasredasthesilver—clockedstockings。\"

  \"Ithinkwehadbestleavethegentlementotheirwineandtheirtalk,\"saysMistressBeatrix,risingupwiththeairofayoungqueen,tossingherrustlingflowingdraperiesabouther,andquittingtheroom,followedbyhermother。

  LadyCastlewoodagainlookedatEsmond,asshestoopeddownandkissedFrank。\"Donottellthosesillystories,child,\"shesaid:

  \"donotdrinkmuchwine,sir;Harryneverlovedtodrinkwine。\"

  Andshewentaway,too,inherblackrobes,lookingbackontheyoungmanwithherfair,fondface。

  \"Egad!it\'strue,\"saysFrank,sippinghiswinewiththeairofalord。\"WhatthinkyouofthisLisbon——realCollares?\'Tisbetterthanyourheadyport:wegotitoutofoneoftheSpanishshipsthatcamefromVigolastyear:mymotherboughtitatSouthampton,astheshipwaslyingthere——the\'Rose,\'CaptainHawkins。\"

  \"Why,Icamehomeinthatship,\"saysHarry。

  \"Anditbroughthomeagoodfellowandgoodwine,\"saysmylord。

  \"Isay,Harry,Iwishthouhadstnotthatcursedbarsinister。\"

  \"Andwhynotthebarsinister?\"askstheother。

  \"SupposeIgotothearmyandamkilled——everygentlemangoestothearmy——whoistotakecareofthewomen?Trixwillneverstopathome;mother\'sinlovewithyou,——yes,Ithinkmother\'sinlovewithyou。Shewasalwayspraisingyou,andalwaystalkingaboutyou;andwhenshewenttoSouthampton,toseetheship,Ifoundherout。Butyouseeitisimpossible:weareoftheoldestbloodinEngland;wecameinwiththeConqueror;wewereonlybaronets,——butwhatthen?wewereforcedintothat。JamestheFirstforcedourgreatgrandfather。Weareabovetitles;weoldEnglishgentrydon\'twant\'em;theQueencanmakeadukeanyday。LookatBlandford\'sfather,DukeChurchill,andDuchessJennings,whatwerethey,Harry?Damnit,sir,whatarethey,toturnuptheirnosesatus?WhereweretheywhenourancestorrodewithKingHenryatAgincourt,andfilleduptheFrenchKing\'scupafterPoictiers?

  \'ForeGeorge,sir,whyshouldn\'tBlandfordmarryBeatrix?ByG——!

  heSHALLmarryBeatrix,ortellmethereasonwhy。We\'llmarrywiththebestbloodofEngland,andnonebutthebestbloodofEngland。YouareanEsmond,andyoucan\'thelpyourbirth,myboy。

  Let\'shaveanotherbottle。What!nomore?I\'vedrunkthreepartsofthismyself。Ihadmanyanightwithmyfather;youstoodtohimlikeaman,Harry。Youbackedyourblood;youcan\'thelpyourmisfortune,youknow,——nomancanhelpthat。\"

  Theeldersaidhewouldgointohismistress\'stea—table。Theyounglad,withaheightenedcolorandvoice,begansingingasnatchofasong,andmarchedoutoftheroom。Esmondheardhimpresentlycallinghisdogsabouthim,andcheeringandtalkingtothem;andbyahundredofhislooksandgestures,tricksofvoiceandgait,wasremindedofthedeadlord,Frank\'sfather。

  Andso,thesylvesternightpassedaway;thefamilypartedlongbeforemidnight,LadyCastlewoodremembering,nodoubt,formerNewYears\'Eves,whenhealthsweredrunk,andlaughterwentroundinthecompanyofhim,towhomyears,past,andpresent,andfuture,weretobeasone;andsocarednottositwithherchildrenandheartheCathedralbellsringingthebirthoftheyear1703。

  Esmondheardthechimesashesatinhisownchamber,ruminatingbytheblazingfirethere,andlistenedtothelastnotesofthem,lookingoutfromhiswindowtowardsthecity,andthegreatgraytowersoftheCathedrallyingunderthefrostysky,withthekeenstarsshiningabove。

  Thesightofthesebrilliantorbsnodoubtmadehimthinkofotherluminaries。\"Andsohereyeshavealreadydoneexecution,\"thoughtEsmond——\"onwhom?——whocantellme?\"Luckilyhiskinsmanwasby,andEsmondknewhewouldhavenodifficultyinfindingoutMistressBeatrix\'shistoryfromthesimpletalkoftheboy。

  CHAPTERVIII。

  FAMILYTALK。

  WhatHarryadmiredandsubmittedtointheprettyladhiskinsmanwas(forwhyshouldheresistit?)thecalmnessofpatronagewhichmyyounglordassumed,asiftocommandwashisundoubtedright,andalltheworld(belowhisdegree)oughttobowdowntoViscountCastlewood。

  \"Iknowmyplace,Harry,\"hesaid。\"I\'mnotproud——theboysatWinchesterCollegesayI\'mproud:butI\'mnotproud。IamsimplyFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodinthepeerageofIreland。I

  mighthavebeen(doyouknowthat?)FrancisJamesMarquisandEarlofEsmondinthatofEngland。Thelatelordrefusedthetitlewhichwasofferedtohimbymygodfather,hislateMajesty。Youshouldknowthat——youareofourfamily,youknowyoucannothelpyourbarsinister,Harry,mydearfellow;andyoubelongtooneofthebestfamiliesinEngland,inspiteofthat;andyoustoodbymyfather,andbyG——!I\'llstandbyyou。Youshallneverwantafriend,Harry,whileFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodhasashilling。It\'snow1703——Ishallcomeofagein1709。IshallgobacktoCastlewood;IshallliveatCastlewood;Ishallbuildupthehouse。Mypropertywillbeprettywellrestoredbythen。Thelateviscountmismanagedmyproperty,andleftitinaverybadstate。Mymotherislivingclose,asyousee,andkeepsmeinawayhardlybefittingapeeroftheserealms;forIhavebutapairofhorses,agovernor,andamanthatisvaletandgroom。ButwhenIamofage,thesethingswillbesetright,Harry。Ourhousewillbeasitshouldbe。YouwillalwayscometoCastlewood,won\'tyou?

  Youshallalwayshaveyourtworoomsinthecourtkeptforyou;andifanybodyslightsyou,d———them!letthemhaveacareofME。I

  shallmarryearly——Trixwillbeaduchessbythattime,mostlikely;foracannonballmayknockoverhisgraceanyday,youknow。\"

  \"How?\"saysHarry。

  \"Hush,mydear!\"saysmyLordViscount。\"Youareofthefamily——

  youarefaithfultous,byGeorge,andItellyoueverything。

  Blandfordwillmarryher——or\"——andhereheputhislittlehandonhissword——\"youunderstandtherest。Blandfordknowswhichofustwoisthebestweapon。Atsmall—sword,orback—sword,orswordanddaggerifhelikes;Icanbeathim。Ihavetriedhim,Harry;

  andbegadheknowsIamamannottobetrifledwith。\"

  \"Butyoudonotmean,\"saysHarry,concealinghislaughter,butnothiswonder,\"thatyoucanforcemyLordBlandford,thesonofthefirstmanofthiskingdom,tomarryyoursisteratsword\'spoint?\"

  \"Imeantosaythatwearecousinsbythemother\'sside,thoughthat\'snothingtoboastof。ImeantosaythatanEsmondisasgoodasaChurchill;andwhentheKingcomesback,theMarquisofEsmond\'ssistermaybeamatchforanynobleman\'sdaughterinthekingdom。TherearebuttwomarquisesinallEngland,WilliamHerbertMarquisofPowis,andFrancisJamesMarquisofEsmond;andharkyou,Harry,——nowswearyouwillnevermentionthis。Givemeyourhonorasagentleman,foryouAREagentleman,thoughyouarea——\"

  \"Well,well?\"saysHarry,alittleimpatient。

  \"Well,then,whenaftermylateviscount\'smisfortune,mymotherwentupwithustoLondon,toaskforjusticeagainstyouall(asforMohun,I\'llhavehisblood,assureasmynameisFrancisViscountEsmond)——wewenttostaywithourcousinmyLadyMarlborough,withwhomwehadquarrelledforeversolong。Butwhenmisfortunecame,shestoodbyherblood:——sodidtheDowagerViscountessstandbyherblood,——sodidyou。Well,sir,whilstmymotherwaspetitioningthelatePrinceofOrange——forIwillnevercallhimking——andwhileyouwereinprison,welivedatmyLordMarlborough\'shouse,whowasonlyalittlethere,beingawaywiththearmyinHolland。Andthen……Isay,Harry,youwon\'ttell,now?\"

  Harryagainmadeavowofsecrecy。

  \"Well,thereusedtobeallsortsoffun,youknow:myLadyMarlboroughwasveryfondofus,andshesaidIwastobeherpage;

  andshegotTrixtobeamaidofhonor,andwhileshewasupinherroomcrying,weusedtobealwayshavingfun,youknow;andtheDuchessusedtokissme,andsodidherdaughters,andBlandfordfelltremendousinlovewithTrix,andshelikedhim;andonedayhe——hekissedherbehindadoor——hedidthough,——andtheDuchesscaughthim,andshebangedsuchaboxoftheearbothatTrixandBlandford——youshouldhaveseenit!Andthenshesaidthatwemustleavedirectly,andabusedmymammawhowascognizantofthebusiness;butshewasn\'t——neverthinkingaboutanythingbutfather。

  AndsowecamedowntoWalcote。Blandfordbeinglockedup,andnotallowedtoseeTrix。ButIgotathim。Iclimbedalongthegutter,andinthroughthewindow,wherehewascrying。

  \"\'Marquis,\'saysI,whenhehadopeneditandhelpedmein,\'youknowIwearasword,\'forIhadbroughtit。

  \"\'Oh,viscount,\'sayshe——\'oh,mydearestFrank!\'andhethrewhimselfintomyarmsandburstouta—crying。\'IdoloveMistressBeatrixso,thatIshalldieifIdon\'thaveher。\'

  \"\'MydearBlandford,\'saysI,\'youareyoungtothinkofmarrying;\'

  forhewasbutfifteen,andayoungfellowofthatagecanscarcedoso,youknow。

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