Once，whenPrinceEugenewaswounded，ourDuketookhisHighness\'splaceinthetrenches;butthesiegewaswiththeImperialists，notwithus。AdivisionunderWebbandRantzauwasdetachedintoArtoisandPicardyuponthemostpainfulandodiousservicethatMr。Esmondeversawinthecourseofhismilitarylife。Thewretchedtownsofthedefencelessprovinces，whoseyoungmenhadbeendraftedawayintotheFrencharmies，whichyearafteryeartheinsatiablewardevoured，wereleftatourmercy;andourordersweretoshowthemnone。Wefoundplacesgarrisonedbyinvalids，andchildrenandwomen;poorastheywere，andasthecostsofthismiserablewarhadmadethem，ourcommissionwastorobthesealmoststarvingwretches——totearthefoodoutoftheirgranaries，andstripthemoftheirrags。\'Twasanexpeditionofrapineandmurderweweresenton:oursoldiersdiddeedssuchasanhonestmanmustblushtoremember。WebroughtbackmoneyandprovisionsinquantitytotheDuke\'scamp;therehadbeennoonetoresistus，andyetwhodarestotellwithwhatmurderandviolence，withwhatbrutalcruelty，outrage，insult，thatignoblebootyhadbeenravishedfromtheinnocentandmiserablevictimsofthewar？
Meanwhile，gallantlyastheoperationsbeforeLillehadbeenconducted，theAllieshadmadebutlittleprogress，and\'twassaidwhenwereturnedtotheDukeofMarlborough\'scamp，thatthesiegewouldneverbebroughttoasatisfactoryend，andthatthePrinceofSavoywouldbeforcedtoraiseit。MyLordMarlboroughgavethisashisopinionopenly;thosewhomistrustedhim，andMr。
Esmondownshimselftobeofthenumber，hintedthattheDukehadhisreasonswhyLilleshouldnotbetaken，andthathewaspaidtothatendbytheFrenchKing。Ifthiswasso，andIbelieveit，GeneralWebbhadnowaremarkableopportunityofgratifyinghishatredoftheCommander—in—Chief，ofbalkingthatshamefulavarice，whichwasoneofthebasestandmostnotoriousqualitiesofthefamousDuke，andofshowinghisownconsummateskillasacommander。AndwhenIconsiderallthecircumstancesprecedingtheeventwhichwillnowberelated，thatmyLordDukewasactuallyofferedcertainmillionsofcrownsprovidedthatthesiegeofLilleshouldberaised:thattheImperialarmybeforeitwaswithoutprovisionsandammunition，andmusthavedecampedbutforthesuppliesthattheyreceived;thatthemarchoftheconvoydestinedtorelievethesiegewasaccuratelyknowntotheFrench;andthattheforcecoveringitwasshamefullyinadequatetothatend，andbysixtimesinferiortoCountdelaMothe\'sarmy，whichwassenttointercepttheconvoy;when\'tiscertainthattheDukeofBerwick，DelaMothe\'schief，wasinconstantcorrespondencewithhisuncle，theEnglishGeneralissimo:Ibelieveonmyconsciencethat\'twasmyLordMarlborough\'sintentiontopreventthosesupplies，ofwhichthePrinceofSavoystoodinabsoluteneed，fromeverreachinghisHighness;thathemeanttosacrificethelittlearmywhichcoveredthisconvoy，andtobetrayitashehadbetrayedTollemacheatBrest;ashehadbetrayedeveryfriendhehad，tofurtherhisownschemesofavariceorambition。ButforthemiraculousvictorywhichEsmond\'sgeneralwonoveranarmysixorseventimesgreaterthanhisown，thesiegeofLillemusthavebeenraised;anditmustberememberedthatourgallantlittleforcewasunderthecommandofageneralwhomMarlboroughhated，thathewasfuriouswiththeconqueror，andtriedbythemostopenandshamelessinjusticeafterwardstorobhimofthecreditofhisvictory。
CHAPTERXV。
GENERALWEBBWINSTHEBATTLEOFWYNENDAEL。
BythebesiegersandbesiegedofLille，someofthemostbrilliantfeatsofvalorwereperformedthateverillustratedanywar。OntheFrenchside（whosegallantrywasprodigious，theskillandbraveryofMarshalBoufflersactuallyeclipsingthoseofhisconqueror，thePrinceofSavoy）maybementionedthatdaringactionofMessieursdeLuxembourgandTournefort，who，withabodyofhorseanddragoons，carriedpowderintothetown，ofwhichthebesiegedwereinextremewant，eachsoldierbringingabagwithfortypoundsofpowderbehindhim;withwhichperilousprovisiontheyengagedourownhorse，facedthefireofthefootbroughtouttomeetthem:andthoughhalfofthemenwereblownupinthedreadfulerrandtheyrodeon，apartofthemgotintothetownwiththesuccorsofwhichthegarrisonwassomuchinwant。AFrenchofficer，MonsieurduBois，performedanactequallydaring，andperfectlysuccessful。TheDuke\'sgreatarmylyingatHelchin，andcoveringthesiege，anditbeingnecessaryforM。deVendosmetogetnewsoftheconditionoftheplace，CaptainDuboisperformedhisfamousexploit:notonlypassingthroughthelinesofthesiege，butswimmingafterwardsnolessthansevenmoatsandditches:andcomingbackthesameway，swimmingwithhislettersinhismouth。
BytheselettersMonsieurdeBoufflerssaidthathecouldundertaketoholdtheplacetillOctober;andthatifoneoftheconvoysoftheAlliescouldbeintercepted，theymustraisethesiegealtogether。
SuchaconvoyashathbeensaidwasnowpreparedatOstend，andabouttomarchforthesiege;andonthe27thSeptemberwe（andtheFrenchtoo）hadnewsthatitwasonitsway。Itwascomposedof700wagons，containingammunitionofallsorts，andwasescortedoutofOstendby2，000infantryand300horse。AtthesametimeM。
delaMothequittedBruges，havingwithhimfive—and—thirtybattalions，andupwardsofsixtysquadronsandfortyguns，inpursuitoftheconvoy。
Major—GeneralWebbhadmeanwhilemadeupaforceoftwentybattalionsandthreesquadronsofdragoonsatTurout，whencehemovedtocovertheconvoyandpursueLaMothe:withwhoseadvancedguardourscameupuponthegreatplainofTurout，andbeforethelittlewoodandcastleofWynendael;behindwhichtheconvoywasmarching。
Assoonastheycameinsightoftheenemy，ouradvancedtroopswerehalted，withthewoodbehindthem，andtherestofourforcebroughtupasquicklyaspossible，ourlittlebodyofhorsebeingbroughtforwardtotheopeningoftheplain，asourGeneralsaid，toamusetheenemy。WhenM。delaMothecameup，hefounduspostedintwolinesinfrontofthewood;andformedhisownarmyinbattlefacingours，ineightlines，fourofinfantryinfront，anddragoonsandcavalrybehind。
TheFrenchbegantheaction，asusual，withacannonadewhichlastedthreehours，whentheymadetheirattack，advancingineightlines，fouroffootandfourofhorse，uponthealliedtroopsinthewoodwherewewereposted。Theirinfantrybehavedill;theywereorderedtochargewiththebayonet，but，instead，begantofire，andalmostattheveryfirstdischargefromourmen，brokeandfled。Thecavalrybehavedbetter;withthesealone，whowerethreeorfourtimesasnumerousasourwholeforce，MonsieurdelaMothemighthavewonvictory:butonlytwoofourbattalionswereshakenintheleast;andthesespeedilyrallied:norcouldtherepeatedattacksoftheFrenchhorsecauseourtroopstobudgeaninchfromthepositioninthewoodinwhichourGeneralhadplacedthem。
Afterattackingfortwohours，theFrenchretiredatnightfallentirelyfoiled。Withallthelosswehadinflicteduponhim，theenemywasstillthreetimesstrongerthanwe:anditcouldnotbesupposedthatourGeneralcouldpursueM。delaMothe，ordomuchmorethanholdourgroundaboutthewood，fromwhichtheFrenchmanhadinvainattemptedtodislodgeus。LaMotheretiredbehindhisfortyguns，hiscavalryprotectingthembetterthanithadbeenenabledtoannoyus;andmeanwhiletheconvoy，whichwasofmoreimportancethanallourlittleforce，andthesafepassageofwhichwewouldhavedroppedtothelastmantoaccomplish，marchedawayinperfectsafetyduringtheaction，andjoyfullyreachedthebesiegingcampbeforeLille。
Major—GeneralCadogan，myLordDuke\'sQuarter—Master—General，（andbetweenwhomandMr。Webbtherewasnolovelost），accompaniedtheconvoy，andjoinedMr。Webbwithacoupleofhundredhorsejustasthebattlewasover，andtheenemyinfullretreat。Heoffered，readilyenough，tochargewithhishorseupontheFrenchastheyfellback;buthisforcewastooweaktoinflictanydamageuponthem;andMr。Webb，commandingasCadogan\'ssenior，thoughtenoughwasdoneinholdingourgroundbeforeanenemythatmightstillhaveoverwhelmedushadweengagedhimintheopenterritory，andinsecuringthesafepassageoftheconvoy。Accordingly，thehorsebroughtupbyCadogandidnotdrawasword;andonlyprevented，bythegoodcountenancetheyshowed，anydispositiontheFrenchmighthavehadtorenewtheattackonus。Andnoattackcoming，atnightfallGeneralCadogandrewoffwithhissquadron，beingboundforhead—quarters，thetwoGeneralsatpartinggrimlysalutingeachother。
\"HewillbeatRoncqtimeenoughtolickmyLordDuke\'strenchersatsupper，\"saysMr。Webb。
OurownmenlayoutinthewoodsofWynendaelthatnight，andourGeneralhadhissupperinthelittlecastlethere。
\"IfIwasCadogan，Iwouldhaveapeerageforthisday\'swork，\"
GeneralWebbsaid;\"and，Harry，thoushouldsthavearegiment。
Thouhastbeenreportedinthelasttwoactions:thouwertnearkilledinthefirst。IshallmentiontheeinmydespatchtohisGracetheCommander—in—Chief，andrecommendtheetopoorDickHarwood\'svacantmajority。HaveyoueverahundredguineastogiveCardonnel？Slipthemintohishandto—morrow，whenyougotohead—
quarterswithmyreport。\"
InthisreporttheMajor—GeneralwasgoodenoughtomentionCaptainEsmond\'snamewithparticularfavor;andthatgentlemancarriedthedespatchtohead—quartersthenextday，andwasnotalittlepleasedtobringbackaletterbyhisGrace\'ssecretary，addressedtoLieutenant—GeneralWebb。TheDutchofficerdespatchedbyCountNassauWoudenbourg，Vaelt—MareschalAuverquerque\'sson，broughtbackalsoacomplimentarylettertohiscommander，whohadsecondedMr。Webbintheactionwithgreatvalorandskill。
Esmond，withalowbowandasmilingface，presentedhisdespatch，andsalutedMr。WebbasLieutenant—General，ashegaveitin。Thegentlemenroundabouthim——hewasridingwithhissuiteontheroadtoMeninasEsmondcameupwithhim——gaveacheer，andhethankedthem，andopenedthedespatchwithratheraflushed，eagerface。
Heslappeditdownonhisbootinarageafterhehadreadit。
\"\'Tisnotevenwritwithhisownhand。Readitout，Esmond。\"AndEsmondreaditout:——
\"SIR，——Mr。Cadoganisjustnowcomein，andhasacquaintedmewiththesuccessoftheactionyouhadyesterdayintheafternoonagainstthebodyoftroopscommandedbyM。delaMothe，atWynendael，whichmustbeattributedchieflytoyourgoodconductandresolution。YoumaybesureIshalldoyoujusticeathome，andbegladonalloccasionstoowntheserviceyouhavedoneinsecuringthisconvoy。——Yours，&c。，M。\"
\"Twolinesbythatd——dCardonnel，andnomore，forthetakingofLille——forbeatingfivetimesournumber——foranactionasbrilliantasthebestheeverfought，\"sayspoorMr。Webb。
\"Lieutenant—General！That\'snothisdoing。Iwastheoldestmajor—general。By————，IbelievehehadbeenbetterpleasedifI
hadbeenbeat。\"
ThelettertotheDutchofficerwasinFrench，andlongerandmorecomplimentarythanthattoMr。Webb。
\"Andthisistheman，\"hebrokeout，\"that\'sgorgedwithgold——
that\'scoveredwithtitlesandhonorsthatwewonforhim——andthatgrudgesevenalineofpraisetoacomradeinarms！Hasn\'theenough？Don\'twefightthathemayrollinriches？Well，well，waitfortheGazette，gentlemen。TheQueenandthecountrywilldousjusticeifhisGracedeniesitus。\"Thereweretearsofrageinthebravewarrior\'seyesashespoke;andhedashedthemoffhisfaceontohisglove。Heshookhisfistintheair。\"Oh，bytheLord！\"sayshe，\"IknowwhatIhadratherhavethanapeerage！\"
\"Andwhatisthat，sir？\"someofthemasked。
\"IhadratherhaveaquarterofanhourwithJohnChurchill，onafairgreenfield，andonlyapairofrapiersbetweenmyshirtandhis——\"
\"Sir！\"interposesone。
\"Tellhimso！Iknowthat\'swhatyoumean。Iknoweverywordgoestohimthat\'sdroppedfromeverygeneralofficer\'smouth。Idon\'tsayhe\'snotbrave。Cursehim！he\'sbraveenough;butwe\'llwaitfortheGazette，gentlemen。GodsaveherMajesty！she\'lldousjustice。\"
TheGazettedidnotcometoustillamonthafterwards;whenmyGeneralandhisofficershadthehonortodinewithPrinceEugeneinLille;hisHighnessbeinggoodenoughtosaythatwehadbroughttheprovisions，andoughttoshareinthebanquet。\'Twasagreatbanquet。HisGraceofMarlboroughwasonhisHighness\'sright，andonhislefttheMareschaldeBoufflers，whohadsobravelydefendedtheplace。Thechiefofficersofeitherarmywerepresent;andyoumaybesureEsmond\'sGeneralwassplendidthisday:histallnobleperson，andmanlybeautyofface，madehimremarkableanywhere;hewore，forthefirsttime，thestaroftheOrderofGenerosity，thathisPrussianMajestyhadsenttohimforhisvictory。HisHighnessthePrinceofSavoycalledatoasttotheconquerorofWynendael。
MyLordDukedrankitwithratherasicklysmile。Theaides—de—
campwerepresent:andHarryEsmondandhisdearyounglordweretogether，astheyalwaysstrovetobewhendutywouldpermit:theywereoveragainstthetablewherethegeneralswere，andcouldseeallthatpassedprettywell。FranklaughedatmyLordDuke\'sglumface:theaffairofWynendael，andtheCaptain—General\'sconducttoWebb，hadbeenthetalkofthewholearmy。WhenhisHighnessspoke，andgave——\"LevainqueurdeWynendael;sonarmeeetsavictoire，\"adding，\"quinousfontdineraLilleaujourd\'huy\"——therewasagreatcheerthroughthehall;forMr。Webb\'sbravery，generosity，andveryweaknessesofcharactercausedhimtobebelovedinthearmy。
\"LikeHector，handsome，andlikeParis，brave！\"whispersFrankCastlewood。\"AVenus，anelderlyVenus，couldn\'trefusehimapippin。Standup，Harry。See，wearedrinkingthearmyofWynendael。Ramilliesisnothingtoit。Huzzay！huzzay！\"
Atthisverytime，andjustafterourGeneralhadmadehisacknowledgment，someonebroughtinanEnglishGazette——andwaspassingitfromhandtohanddownthetable。Officerswereeagerenoughtoreadit;mothersandsistersathomemusthavesickenedoverit。TherescarcecameoutaGazetteforsixyearsthatdidnottellofsomeheroicdeathorsomebrilliantachievement。
\"Hereitis——ActionofWynendael——hereyouare，General，\"saysFrank，seizingholdofthelittledingypaperthatsoldierslovetoreadso;and，scramblingoverfromourbench，hewenttowheretheGeneralsat，whoknewhim，andhadseenmanyatimeathistablehislaughing，handsomeface，whicheverybodylovedwhosaw。Thegeneralsintheirgreatperukesmadewayforhim。HehandedthepaperoverGeneralDohna\'sbuff—coattoourGeneralontheoppositeside。
Hecamehobblingback，andblushingathisfeat:\"Ithoughthe\'dlikeit，Harry，\"theyoungfellowwhispered。\"Didn\'tIliketoreadmynameafterRamillies，intheLondonGazette？——ViscountCastlewoodservingavolunteer——Isay，what\'syonder？\"
Mr。Webb，readingtheGazette，lookedverystrange——slappeditdownonthetable——thensprangupinhisplace，andbeganto——\"WillyourHighnesspleaseto——\"
HisGracetheDukeofMarlboroughherejumpeduptoo——\"There\'ssomemistake，mydearGeneralWebb。\"
\"YourGracehadbetterrectifyit，\"saysMr。Webb，holdingouttheletter;buthewasfiveoffhisGracethePrinceDuke，who，besides，washigherthantheGeneral（beingseatedwiththePrinceofSavoy，theElectoralPrinceofHanover，andtheenvoysofPrussiaandDenmark，underabaldaquin），andWebbcouldnotreachhim，tallashewas。
\"Stay，\"sayshe，withasmile，asifcatchingatsomeidea，andthen，withaperfectcourtesy，drawinghissword，herantheGazettethroughwiththepoint，andsaid，\"PermitmetohandittoyourGrace。\"
TheDukelookedveryblack。\"Takeit，\"sayshe，tohisMasteroftheHorse，whowaswaitingbehindhim。
TheLieutenant—Generalmadeaverylowbow，andretiredandfinishedhisglass。TheGazetteinwhichMr。Cardonnel，theDuke\'ssecretary，gaveanaccountofthevictoryofWynendael，mentionedMr。Webb\'sname，butgavethesolepraiseandconductoftheactiontotheDuke\'sfavorite，Mr。Cadogan。
TherewasnolittletalkandexcitementoccasionedbythisstrangebehaviorofGeneralWebb，whohadalmostdrawnaswordupontheCommander—in—Chief;buttheGeneral，afterthefirstoutbreakofhisanger，mastereditoutwardlyaltogether;and，byhissubsequentbehavior，hadthesatisfactionofevenmoreangeringtheCommander—
in—Chief，thanhecouldhavedonebyanypublicexhibitionofresentment。
Onreturningtohisquarters，andconsultingwithhischiefadviser，Mr。Esmond，whowasnowentirelyintheGeneral\'sconfidence，andtreatedbyhimasafriend，andalmostason，Mr。
WebbwritalettertohisGracetheCommander—in—Chief，inwhichhesaid:——
\"YourGracemustbeawarethatthesuddenperusaloftheLondonGazette，inwhichyourGrace\'ssecretary，Mr。Cardonnel，hathmentionedMajor—GeneralCadogan\'snameastheofficercommandinginthelateactionofWynendael，musthavecausedafeelingofanythingbutpleasuretotheGeneralwhofoughtthataction。
\"YourGracemustbeawarethatMr。Cadoganwasnotevenpresentatthebattle，thoughhearrivedwithsquadronsofhorseatitsclose，andputhimselfunderthecommandofhissuperiorofficer。AndastheresultofthebattleofWynendael，inwhichLieutenant—GeneralWebbhadthegoodfortunetocommand，wasthecaptureofLille，thereliefofBrussels，theninvestedbytheenemyundertheElectorofBavaria，therestorationofthegreatcitiesofGhentandBruges，ofwhichtheenemy（bytreasonwithinthewalls）hadgotpossessioninthepreviousyear，Mr。Webbcannotconsenttoforegothehonorsofsuchasuccessandservice，forthebenefitofMr。Cadogan，oranyotherperson。
\"Assoonasthemilitaryoperationsoftheyearareover，Lieutenant—GeneralWebbwillrequestpermissiontoleavethearmy，andreturntohisplaceinParliament，wherehegivesnoticetohisGracetheCommander—inChief，thatheshalllayhiscasebeforetheHouseofCommons，thecountry，andherMajestytheQueen。
\"ByhiseagernesstorectifythatfalsestatementoftheGazette，whichhadbeenwrittenbyhisGrace\'ssecretary，Mr。Cardonnel，Mr。
Webb，notbeingabletoreachhisGracetheCommander—in—Chiefonaccountofthegentlemenseatedbetweenthem，placedthepapercontainingthefalsestatementonhissword，sothatitmightmorereadilyarriveinthehandsofhisGracetheDukeofMarlborough，whosurelywouldwishtodojusticetoeveryofficerofhisarmy。
\"Mr。Webbknowshisdutytoowelltothinkofinsubordinationtohissuperiorofficer，orofusinghisswordinacampaignagainstanybuttheenemiesofherMajesty。HesolicitspermissiontoreturntoEnglandimmediatelythemilitarydutieswillpermit，andtakewithhimtoEnglandCaptainEsmond，ofhisregiment，whoactedashisaide—de—camp，andwaspresentduringtheentireaction，andnotedbyhiswatchthetimewhenMr。Cadoganarrivedatitsclose。\"
TheCommander—in—Chiefcouldnotbutgrantthispermission，norcouldhetakenoticeofWebb\'sletter，thoughitwascouchedintermsthemostinsulting。HalfthearmybelievedthatthecitiesofGhentandBrugesweregivenupbyatreason，whichsomeinourarmyverywellunderstood;thattheCommander—in—ChiefwouldnothaverelievedLilleifhecouldhavehelpedhimself;thathewouldnothavefoughtthatyearhadnotthePrinceofSavoyforcedhim。
Whenthebattleoncebegan，then，forhisownrenown，myLordMarlboroughwouldfightasnomanintheworldeverfoughtbetter;
andnobribeonearthcouldkeephimfrombeatingtheenemy。*
*OurGrandfather\'shatredoftheDukeofMarlboroughappearsallthroughhisaccountofthesecampaigns。HealwayspersistedthattheDukewasthegreatesttraitorandsoldierhistoryevertoldof:
anddeclaredthathetookbribesonallhandsduringthewar。MyLordMarquis（forsowemaycallhimhere，thoughheneverwentbyanyothernamethanColonelEsmond）wasinthehabitoftellingmanystorieswhichhedidnotsetdowninhismemoirs，andwhichhehadfromhisfriendtheJesuit，whowasnotalwayscorrectlyinformed，andwhopersistedthatMarlboroughwaslookingforabribeoftwomillionsofcrownsbeforethecampaignofRamillies。
AndourGrandmotherusedtotelluschildren，thatonhisfirstpresentationtomyLordduke，theDuketurnedhisbackuponmyGrandfather;andsaidtotheDuchess，whotoldmyladydowageratChelsey，whoafterwardstoldColonelEsmond——\"TomEsmond\'sbastardhasbeentomylevee:hehasthehang—doglookofhisrogueofafather\"——anexpressionwhichmyGrandfatherneverforgave。Hewasasconstantinhisdislikesasinhisattachments;andexceedinglypartialtoWebb，whosesidehetookagainstthemorecelebratedgeneral。WehaveGeneralWebb\'sportraitnowatCastlewood，Va。
Butthematterwastakenupbythesubordinates;andhalfthearmymighthavebeenbytheears，ifthequarrelhadnotbeenstopped。
GeneralCadogansentanintimationtoGeneralWebbtosaythathewasreadyifWebbliked，andwouldmeethim。Thiswasakindofinvitationourstoutoldgeneralwasalwaystooreadytoaccept，and\'twaswithgreatdifficultywegottheGeneraltoreplythathehadnoquarrelwithMr。Cadogan，whohadbehavedwithperfectgallantry，butonlywiththoseathead—quarters，whohadbeliedhim。Mr。CardonnelofferedGeneralWebbreparation;Mr。WebbsaidhehadacaneattheserviceofMr。Cardonnel，andtheonlysatisfactionhewantedfromhimwasonehewasnotlikelytoget，namely，thetruth。TheofficersinourstaffofWebb\'s，andthoseintheimmediatesuiteoftheGeneral，werereadytocometoblows;
andhencearosetheonlyaffairinwhichMr。Esmondeverengagedasprincipal，andthatwasfromarevengefulwishtowipeoffanoldinjury。
MyLordMohun，whohadatroopinLordMacclesfield\'sregimentoftheHorseGuards，rodethiscampaignwiththeDuke。Hehadsunkbythistimetotheveryworstreputation;hehadhadanotherfatalduelinSpain;hehadmarried，andforsakenhiswife;hewasagambler，aprofligate，anddebauchee。HejoinedjustbeforeOudenarde;and，asEsmondfeared，assoonasFrankCastlewoodheardofhisarrival，Frankwasforseekinghimout，andkillinghim。
ThewoundmylordgotatOudenardepreventedtheirmeeting，butthatwasnearlyhealed，andMr。Esmondtrembleddailylestanychanceshouldbringhisboyandthisknownassassintogether。Theymetatthemess—tableofHandyside\'sregimentatLille;theofficercommandingnotknowingofthefeudbetweenthetwonoblemen。
EsmondhadnotseenthehatefulhandsomefaceofMohunfornineyears，sincetheyhadmetonthatfatalnightinLeicesterField。
Itwasdegradedwithcrimeandpassionnow;itworetheanxiouslookofamanwhohasthreedeaths，andwhoknowshowmanyhiddenshames，andlusts，andcrimesonhisconscience。Hebowedwithasicklylowbow，andslunkawaywhenourhostpresentedusroundtooneanother。FrankCastlewoodhadnotknownhimtillthen，sochangedwashe。Heknewtheboywellenough。
\'Twascurioustolookatthetwo——especiallytheyoungman，whosefaceflushedupwhenheheardthehatednameoftheother;andwhosaidinhisbadFrenchandhisbraveboyishvoice——\"HehadlongbeenanxioustomeetmyLordMohun。\"Theotheronlybowed，andmovedawayfromhim。Idohimjustice，hewishedtohavenoquarrelwiththelad。
Esmondputhimselfbetweenthemattable。\"D———it，\"saysFrank，\"whydoyouputyourselfintheplaceofamanwhoisaboveyouindegree？MyLordMohunshouldwalkafterme。IwanttositbymyLordMohun。\"
EsmondwhisperedtoLordMohun，thatFrankwashurtinthelegatOudenarde;andbesoughttheothertobequiet。Quietenoughhewasforsometime;disregardingthemanytauntswhichyoungCastlewoodflungathim，untilafterseveralhealths，whenmyLordMohungottoberatherinliquor。
\"Willyougoaway，mylord？\"Mr。Esmondsaidtohim，imploringhimtoquitthetable。
\"No，byG——，\"saysmyLordMohun。\"I\'llnotgoawayforanyman;\"
hewasquiteflushedwithwinebythistime。
Thetalkgotroundtotheaffairsofyesterday。WebbhadofferedtochallengetheCommander—in—Chief:Webbhadbeenill—used:Webbwasthebravest，handsomest，vainestmaninthearmy。LordMohundidnotknowthatEsmondwasWebb\'saide—de—camp。HebegantotellsomestoriesagainsttheGeneral;which，fromt\'othersideofEsmond，youngCastlewoodcontradicted。
\"Ican\'tbearanymoreofthis，\"saysmyLordMohun。
\"NorcanI，mylord，\"saysMr。Esmond，startingup。\"ThestorymyLordMohunhastoldrespectingGeneralWebbisfalse，gentlemen——
false，Irepeat，\"andmakingalowbowtoLordMohun，andwithoutasinglewordmore，Esmondgotupandleftthedining—room。Theseaffairswerecommonenoughamongthemilitaryofthosedays。Therewasagardenbehindthehouse，andallthepartyturnedinstantlyintoit;andthetwogentlemen\'scoatswereoffandtheirpointsengagedwithintwominutesafterEsmond\'swordshadbeenspoken。
IfCaptainEsmondhadputMohunoutoftheworld，ashemight，avillainwouldhavebeenpunishedandsparedfurthervillanies——butwhoisonemantopunishanother？IdeclareuponmyhonorthatmyonlythoughtwastopreventLordMohunfrommischiefwithFrank，andtheendofthismeetingwas，thatafterhalfadozenpassesmylordwenthomewithahurtwhichpreventedhimfromliftinghisrightarmforthreemonths。
\"Oh，Harry！whydidn\'tyoukillthevillain？\"youngCastlewoodasked。\"Ican\'twalkwithoutacrutch:butIcouldhavemethimonhorsebackwithswordandpistol。\"ButHarryEsmondsaid，\"\'Twasbesttohavenoman\'slifeonone\'sconscience，noteventhatvillain\'s。\"Andthisaffair，whichdidnotoccupythreeminutes，beingover，thegentlemenwentbacktotheirwine，andmyLordMohuntohisquarters，wherehewaslaidupwithafeverwhichhadsparedmischiefhaditprovedfatal。AndverysoonafterthisaffairHarryEsmondandhisGeneralleftthecampforLondon;
whitheracertainreputationhadprecededtheCaptain，formyLadyCastlewoodofChelseyreceivedhimasifhehadbeenaconqueringhero。ShegaveagreatdinnertoMr。Webb，wheretheGeneral\'schairwascrownedwithlaurels;andherladyshipcalledEsmond\'shealthinatoast，towhichmykindGeneralwasgraciouslypleasedtobearthestrongesttestimony:andtookdownamobofatleastfortycoachestocheerourGeneralashecameoutoftheHouseofCommons，thedaywhenhereceivedthethanksofParliamentforhisaction。Themobhuzza\'dandapplaudedhim，aswellasthefinecompany:itwassplendidtoseehimwavinghishat，andbowing，andlayinghishanduponhisOrderofGenerosity。HeintroducedMr。
EsmondtoMr。St。JohnandtheRightHonorableRobertHarley，Esquire，ashecameoutoftheHousewalkingbetweenthem;andwaspleasedtomakemanyflatteringobservationsregardingMr。Esmond\'sbehaviorduringthethreelastcampaigns。
Mr。St。John（whohadthemostwinningpresenceofanymanIeversaw，exceptingalwaysmypeerlessyoungFrankCastlewood）saidhehadheardofMr。EsmondbeforefromCaptainSteele，andhowhehadhelpedMr。Addisontowritehisfamouspoemofthe\"Campaign。\"
\"\'TwasasgreatanachievementasthevictoryofBlenheimitself，\"
Mr。Harleysaid，whowasfamousasajudgeandpatronofletters，andso，perhaps，itmaybe——thoughformypartIthinktherearetwentybeautifullines，butalltherestiscommonplace，andMr。
Addison\'shymnworthathousandsuchpoems。
AllthetownwasindignantatmyLordDuke\'sunjusttreatmentofGeneralWebb，andapplaudedthevoteofthankswhichtheHouseofCommonsgavetotheGeneralforhisvictoryatWynendael。\'TiscertainthatthecaptureofLillewastheconsequenceofthatluckyachievement，andthehumiliationoftheoldFrenchKing，whowassaidtosuffermoreatthelossofthisgreatcity，thanfromanyoftheformervictoriesourtroopshadwonoverhim。And，Ithink，nosmallpartofMr。Webb\'sexultationathisvictoryarosefromtheideathatMarlboroughhadbeendisappointedofagreatbribetheFrenchKinghadpromisedhim，shouldthesiegeberaised。TheverysumofmoneyofferedtohimwasmentionedbytheDuke\'senemies;andhonestMr。Webbchuckledatthenotion，notonlyofbeatingtheFrench，butofbeatingMarlboroughtoo，andinterceptingaconvoyofthreemillionsofFrenchcrowns，thatwereontheirwaytotheGeneralissimo\'sinsatiablepockets。WhentheGeneral\'sladywenttotheQueen\'sdrawing—room，alltheTorywomencrowdedroundherwithcongratulations，andmadeheratraingreaterthantheDuchessofMarlborough\'sown。FeastsweregiventotheGeneralbyallthechiefsoftheToryparty，whovauntedhimastheDuke\'sequalinmilitaryskill;andperhapsusedtheworthysoldierastheirinstrument，whilsthethoughttheywerebutacknowledginghismeritsasacommander。AstheGeneral\'saide—de—
campandfavoriteofficer，Mr。Esmondcameinforashareofhischief\'spopularity，andwaspresentedtoherMajesty，andadvancedtotherankofLieutenant—Colonel，attherequestofhisgratefulchief。
WemaybesuretherewasonefamilyinwhichanygoodfortunethathappenedtoEsmondcausedsuchasincereprideandpleasure，thathe，forhispart，wasthankfulhecouldmakethemsohappy。Withthesefondfriends，BlenheimandOudenardeseemedtobemeretriflingincidentsofthewar;andWynendaelwasitscrowningvictory。Esmond\'smistressnevertiredtohearaccountsofthebattle;andIthinkGeneralWebb\'sladygrewjealousofher，fortheGeneralwasforeveratKensington，andtalkingonthatdelightfultheme。Asforhisaide—de—camp，though，nodoubt，Esmond\'sownnaturalvanitywaspleasedatthelittleshareofreputationwhichhisgoodfortunehadwonhim，yetitwaschieflyprecioustohim（hemaysayso，nowthathehathlongsinceoutlivedit，）becauseitpleasedhismistress，and，aboveall，becauseBeatrixvaluedit。
AsfortheoldDowagerofChelsey，neverwasanoldwomaninallEnglandmoredelightednormoregraciousthanshe。Esmondhadhisquartersinherladyship\'shouse，wherethedomesticswereinstructedtoconsiderhimastheirmaster。Shebadehimgiveentertainments，ofwhichshedefrayedthecharges，andwascharmedwhenhisguestswerecarriedawaytipsyintheircoaches。Shemusthavehispicturetaken;andaccordinglyhewaspaintedbyMr。