Jervas，inhisredcoat，andsmilinguponabomb—shell，whichwasburstingatthecornerofthepiece。Shevowedthatunlesshemadeagreatmatch，sheshouldneverdieeasy，andwasforeverbringingyoungladiestoChelsey，withprettyfacesandprettyfortunes，atthedisposaloftheColonel。Hesmiledtothinkhowtimeswerealteredwithhim，andoftheearlydaysinhisfather\'slifetime，whenatremblingpagehestoodbeforeher，withherladyship\'sbasinandewer，orcrouchedinhercoach—step。Theonlyfaultshefoundwithhimwas，thathewasmoresoberthananEsmondoughttobe;andwouldneitherbecarriedtobedbyhisvalet，norlosehishearttoanybeauty，whetherofSt。James\'sorCoventGarden。
Whatisthemeaningoffidelityinlove，andwhencethebirthofit？
\'Tisastateofmindthatmenfallinto，anddependingonthemanratherthanthewoman。Welovebeinginlove，that\'sthetruthon\'t。IfwehadnotmetJoan，weshouldhavemetKate，andadoredher。Weknowourmistressesarenobetterthanmanyotherwomen，nornoprettier，nornowiser，nornowittier。\'Tisnotforthesereasonsweloveawoman，orforanyspecialqualityorcharmIknowof;wemightaswelldemandthataladyshouldbethetallestwomanintheworld，liketheShropshiregiantess，*asthatsheshouldbeaparagoninanyothercharacter，beforewebegantoloveher。
Esmond\'smistresshadathousandfaultsbesidehercharms;heknewbothperfectlywell！Shewasimperious，shewaslight—minded，shewasflighty，shewasfalse，shehadnoreverenceinhercharacter;
shewasineverything，eveninbeauty，thecontrastofhermother，whowasthemostdevotedandtheleastselfishofwomen。Well，fromtheveryfirstmomenthesawheronthestairsatWalcote，EsmondknewhelovedBeatrix。Theremightbebetterwomen——hewantedthatone。Hecaredfornoneother。Wasitbecauseshewasgloriouslybeautiful？Beautifulasshewas，hehadheardpeoplesayascoreoftimesintheircompanythatBeatrix\'smotherlookedasyoung，andwasthehandsomerofthetwo。Whydidhervoicethrillinhisearso？ShecouldnotsingnearsowellasNicoliniorMrs。Tofts;nay，shesangoutoftune，andyethelikedtohearherbetterthanSt。
Cecilia。ShehadnotafinercomplexionthanMrs。Steele，（Dick\'swife，whomhehadnowgot，andwhoruledpoorDickwitharodofpickle，）andyettoseeherdazzledEsmond;hewouldshuthiseyes，andthethoughtofherdazzledhimallthesame。Shewasbrilliantandlivelyintalk，butnotsoincomparablywittyashermother，who，whenshewascheerful，saidthefinestthings;butyettohearher，andtobewithher，wasEsmond\'sgreatestpleasure。Dayspassedawaybetweenhimandtheseladies，hescarceknewhow。Hepouredhisheartouttothem，soashenevercouldinanyothercompany，wherehehathgenerallypassedforbeingmoody，orsuperciliousandsilent。Thissociety**wasmoredelightfulthanthatofthegreatestwitstohim。MayheavenpardonhimthelieshetoldtheDowageratChelsey，inordertogetapretextforgoingawaytoKensington:thebusinessattheOrdnancewhichheinvented;
theinterviewwithhisGeneral，thecourtsandstatesmen\'sleveeswhichheDIDN\'Tfrequentanddescribe;whoworeanewsuitonSundayatSt。James\'sorattheQueen\'sbirthday;howmanycoachesfilledthestreetatMr。Harley\'slevee;howmanybottleshehadhadthehonortodrinkover—nightwithMr。St。Johnatthe\"Cocoa—Tree，\"oratthe\"Garter\"withMr。WalpoleandMr。Steele。
*\'TisnotthusWOMANLOVES:Col。E。hathownedtothisfollyforaSCOREOFWOMENbesides。——R。
**And，indeed，sowashistothem，athousandthousandtimesmorecharming，forwherewashisequal？——R。
MistressBeatrixEsmondhadbeenadozentimesonthepointofmakinggreatmatches，sotheCourtscandalsaid;butforhispartEsmondneverwouldbelievethestoriesagainsther;andcameback，afterthreeyears\'absencefromher，notsofranticashehadbeenperhaps，butstillhungeringafterherandnoother;stillhopeful，stillkneeling，withhisheartinhishandfortheyoungladytotake。Wewerenowgotto1709。Shewasneartwenty—twoyearsold，andthreeyearsatCourt，andwithoutahusband。
\"\'Tisnotforwantofbeingasked，\"LadyCastlewoodsaid，lookingintoEsmond\'sheart，asshecould，withthatperceptivenessaffectiongives。\"Butshewillmakenomeanmatch，Harry:shewillnotmarryasIwouldhaveher;thepersonwhomIshouldliketocallmyson，andHenryEsmondknowswhothatis，isbestservedbymynotpressinghisclaim。Beatrixissowilful，thatwhatIwouldurgeonher，shewouldbesuretoresist。Themanwhowouldmarryher，willnotbehappywithher，unlesshebeagreatperson，andcanputherinagreatposition。Beatrixlovesadmirationmorethanlove;andlongs，beyondallthings，forcommand。Whyshouldamotherspeaksoofherchild？Youaremyson，too，Harry。Youshouldknowthetruthaboutyoursister。Ithoughtyoumightcureyourselfofyourpassion，\"myladyadded，fondly。\"Otherpeoplecancurethemselvesofthatfolly，youknow。ButIseeyouarestillasinfatuatedasever。WhenwereadyournameintheGazette，Ipleadedforyou，mypoorboy。Poorboy，indeed！Youaregrowingagraveoldgentleman，now，andIamanoldwoman。Shelikesyourfamewellenough，andshelikesyourperson。Shesaysyouhavewit，andfire，andgood—breeding，andaremorenaturalthanthefinegentlemenoftheCourt。Butthisisnotenough。Shewantsacommander—in—chief，andnotacolonel。Wereaduketoaskher，shewouldleaveanearlwhomshehadpromised。Itoldyousobefore。Iknownothowmypoorgirlissoworldly。\"
\"Well，\"saysEsmond，\"amancanbutgivehisbestandhisall。Shehasthatfromme。WhatlittlereputationIhavewon，IswearI
caredforitbecauseIthoughtBeatrixwouldbepleasedwithit。
WhatcareItobeacolonelorageneral？Thinkyou\'twillmatterafewscoreyearshence，whatourfoolishhonorsto—dayare？I
wouldhavehadalittlefame，thatshemightwearitinherhat。
IfIhadanythingbetter，Iwouldendowherwithit。Ifshewantsmylife，Iwouldgiveither。Ifshemarriesanother，IwillsayGodblesshim。Imakenoboast，nornocomplaint。Ithinkmyfidelityisfolly，perhaps。Butsoitis。Icannothelpmyself。
Iloveher。Youareathousandtimesbetter:thefondest，thefairest，thedearestofwomen。Sure，mydearlady，IseeallBeatrix\'sfaultsaswellasyoudo。Butsheismyfate。\'Tisendurable。Ishallnotdiefornothavingher。IthinkIshouldbenohappierifIwonher。Quevoulez—vous？asmyLadyofChelseywouldsay。Jel\'aime。\"
\"Iwishshewouldhaveyou，\"saidHarry\'sfondmistress，givingahandtohim。Hekissedthefairhand（\'twastheprettiestdimpledlittlehandintheworld，andmyLadyCastlewood，thoughnowalmostfortyyearsold，didnotlooktobewithintenyearsofherage）。
Hekissedandkeptherfairhand，astheytalkedtogether。
\"Why，\"sayshe，\"shouldshehearme？SheknowswhatIwouldsay。
Farornear，sheknowsI\'mherslave。Ihavesoldmyselffornothing，itmaybe。Well，\'tisthepriceIchoosetotake。Iamworthnothing，orIamworthall。\"
\"Youaresuchatreasure，\"Esmond\'smistresswaspleasedtosay，\"thatthewomanwhohasyourlove，shouldn\'tchangeitawayagainstakingdom，Ithink。Iamacountry—bredwoman，andcannotsaybuttheambitionsofthetownseemmeantome。Ineverwasawe—
strickenbymyLadyDuchess\'srankandfinery，orafraid，\"sheadded，withaslylaugh，\"ofanythingbuthertemper。IhearofCourtladieswhopinebecauseherMajestylookscoldonthem;andgreatnoblemenwhowouldgivealimbthattheymightwearagarterontheother。Thisworldliness，whichIcan\'tcomprehend，wasbornwithBeatrix，who，onthefirstdayofherwaiting，wasaperfectcourtier。Wearelikesisters，andshetheeldestsister，somehow。
ShetellsmeIhaveameanspirit。Ilaugh，andsaysheadoresacoach—and—six。Icannotreasonheroutofherambition。\'Tisnaturaltoher，astometolovequiet，andbeindifferentaboutrankandriches。Whatarethey，Harry？andforhowlongdotheylast？Ourhomeisnothere。\"Shesmiledasshespoke，andlookedlikeanangelthatwasonlyonearthonavisit。\"Ourhomeiswherethejustare，andwhereoursinsandsorrowsenternot。Myfatherusedtorebukeme，andsaythatIwastoohopefulaboutheaven。ButIcannothelpmynature，andgrowobstinateasIgrowtobeanoldwoman;andasIlovemychildrenso，sureourFatherlovesuswithathousandandathousandtimesgreaterlove。Itmustbethatweshallmeetyonder，andbehappy。Yes，you——andmychildren，andmydearlord。Doyouknow，Harry，sincehisdeath，ithasalwaysseemedtomeasifhislovecamebacktome，andthatwearepartednomore。Perhapsheisherenow，Harry——Ithinkheis。ForgivenIamsureheis:evenMr。Atterburyabsolvedhim，andhediedforgiving。Oh，whatanoblehearthehad！Howgeneroushewas！Iwasbutfifteenandachildwhenhemarriedme。Howgoodhewastostooptome！Hewasalwaysgoodtothepoorandhumble。\"
Shestopped，thenpresently，withapeculiarexpression，asifhereyeswerelookingintoheaven，andsawmylordthere，shesmiled，andgavealittlelaugh。\"Ilaughtoseeyou，sir，\"shesays;
\"whenyoucome，itseemsasifyouneverwereaway。\"Onemayputherwordsdown，andrememberthem，buthowdescribehersweettones，sweeterthanmusic！
Myyounglorddidnotcomehomeattheendofthecampaign，andwrotethathewaskeptatBruxellesonmilitaryduty。Indeed，I
believehewasengagedinlayingsiegetoacertainlady，whowasofthesuiteofMadamedeSoissons，thePrinceofSavoy\'smother，whowasjustdead，andwho，liketheFlemishfortresses，wastakenandretakenagreatnumberoftimesduringthewar，andoccupiedbyFrench，English，andImperialists。Ofcourse，Mr。EsmonddidnotthinkfittoenlightenLadyCastlewoodregardingtheyoungscapegrace\'sdoings:norhadhesaidawordabouttheaffairwithLordMohun，knowinghowabhorrentthatman\'snamewastohismistress。Frankdidnotwastemuchtimeormoneyonpenandink;
and，whenHarrycamehomewithhisGeneral，onlywrittwolinestohismother，tosayhiswoundinthelegwasalmosthealed，thathewouldkeephiscomingofagenextyear——thatthedutyaforesaidwouldkeephimatBruxelles，andthatCousinHarrywouldtellallthenews。
ButfromBruxelles，knowinghowtheLadyCastlewoodalwayslikedtohavealetteraboutthefamous29thofDecember，mylordwritheralongandfullone，andinthishemusthavedescribedtheaffairwithMohun;forwhenMr。Esmondcametovisithismistressoneday，earlyinthenewyear，tohisgreatwonderment，sheandherdaughterbothcameupandsalutedhim，andafterthemtheDowagerofChelsey，too，whosechairmanhadjustbroughtherladyshipfromhervillagetoKensingtonacrossthefields。Afterthishonor，I
say，fromthetwoladiesofCastlewood，theDowagercameforwardingreatstate，withhergrandtallhead—dressofKingJames\'sreign，that，sheneverforsook，andsaid，\"CousinHenry，allourfamilyhavemet;andwethankyou，cousin，foryournobleconducttowardstheheadofourhouse。\"Andpointingtoherblushingcheek，shemadeMr。Esmondawarethathewastoenjoytheraptureofanembracethere。Havingsalutedonecheek，sheturnedtohimtheother。\"CousinHarry，\"saidboththeotherladies，inalittlechorus，\"wethankyouforyournobleconduct;\"andthenHarrybecameawarethatthestoryoftheLilleaffairhadcometohiskinswomen\'sears。Itpleasedhimtohearthemallsalutinghimasoneoftheirfamily。
Thetablesofthedining—roomwerelaidforagreatentertainment;
andtheladieswereingaladresses——myLadyofChelseyinherhighesttour，myLadyViscountessoutofblack，andlookingfairandhappyaravir;andtheMaidofHonorattiredwiththatsplendorwhichnaturallydistinguishedher，andwearingonherbeautifulbreasttheFrenchofficer\'sstarwhichFrankhadsenthomeafterRamillies。
\"Yousee，\'tisagaladaywithus，\"saysshe，glancingdowntothestarcomplacently，\"andwehaveourorderson。Doesnotmammalookcharming？\'TwasIdressedher！\"Indeed，Esmond\'sdearmistress，blushingashelookedather，withherbeautifulfairhair，andanelegantdressaccordingtothemode，appearedtohavetheshapeandcomplexionofagirloftwenty。
Onthetablewasafinesword，witharedvelvetscabbard，andabeautifulchasedsilverhandle，withablueribbonforasword—
knot。\"Whatisthis？\"saystheCaptain，goinguptolookatthisprettypiece。
Mrs。Beatrixadvancedtowardsit。\"Kneeldown，\"saysshe:\"wedubyouourknightwiththis\"——andshewavedtheswordoverhishead。
\"MyLadyDowagerhathgiventhesword;andIgivetheribbon，andmammahathsewnonthefringe。\"
\"Puttheswordonhim，Beatrix，\"sayshermother。\"Youareourknight，Harry——ourtrueknight。Takeamother\'sthanksandprayersfordefendingherson，mydear，dearfriend。\"Shecouldsaynomore，andeventheDowagerwasaffected，foracoupleofrebellioustearsmadesadmarksdownthosewrinkledoldroseswhichEsmondhadjustbeenallowedtosalute。
\"WehadaletterfromdearestFrank，\"hismothersaid，\"threedayssince，whilstyouwereonyourvisittoyourfriendCaptainSteele，atHampton。Hetoldusallthatyouhaddone，andhownoblyyouhadputyourselfbetweenhimandthat——thatwretch。\"
\"AndIadoptyoufromthisday，\"saystheDowager，\"andIwishI
wasricher，foryoursake，sonEsmond，\"sheaddedwithawaveofherhand;andasMr。Esmonddutifullywentdownonhiskneebeforeherladyship，shecasthereyesuptotheceiling，（thegiltchandelier，andthetwelvewax—candlesinit，forthepartywasnumerous，）andinvokedablessingfromthatquarteruponthenewlyadoptedson。
\"DearFrank，\"saystheotherviscountess，\"howfondheisofhismilitaryprofession！Heisstudyingfortificationveryhard。I
wishhewerehere。WeshallkeephiscomingofageatCastlewoodnextyear。\"
\"Ifthecampaignpermitus，\"saysMr。Esmond。
\"Iamneverafraidwhenheiswithyou，\"criestheboy\'smother。
\"IamsuremyHenrywillalwaysdefendhim。\"
\"Buttherewillbeapeacebeforenextyear;weknowitforcertain，\"criestheMaidofHonor。\"LordMarlboroughwillbedismissed，andthathorribleduchessturnedoutofallherplaces。
HerMajestywon\'tspeaktohernow。DidyouseeheratBushy，Harry？Sheisfurious，andsherangesabouttheparklikealioness，andtearspeople\'seyesout。\"
\"AndthePrincessAnnewillsendforsomebody，\"saysmyLadyofChelsey，takingouthermedalandkissingit。
\"DidyouseetheKingatOudenarde，Harry？\"hismistressasked。
ShewasastaunchJacobite，andwouldnomorehavethoughtofdenyingherkingthanherGod。
\"IsawtheyoungHanoverianonly，\"Harrysaid。\"TheChevalierdeSt。George——\"
\"TheKing，sir，theKing！\"saidtheladiesandMissBeatrix;andsheclappedherprettyhands，andcried，\"ViveleRoy。\"
Bythistimetherecameathunderingknock，thatdroveinthedoorsofthehousealmost。Itwasthreeo\'clock，andthecompanywerearriving;andpresentlytheservantannouncedCaptainSteeleandhislady。
CaptainandMrs。Steele，whowerethefirsttoarrive，haddriventoKensingtonfromtheircountry—house，theHovelatHamptonWick。
\"NotfromourmansioninBloomsburySquare，\"asMrs。Steeletookcaretoinformtheladies。IndeedHarryhadriddenawayfromHamptonthatverymorning，leavingthecouplebytheears;forfromthechamberwherehelay，inabedthatwasnoneofthecleanest，andkeptawakebythecompanywhichhehadinhisownbed，andthequarrelwhichwasgoingoninthenextroom，hecouldhearbothnightandmorningthecurtainlecturewhichMrs。SteelewasinthehabitofadministeringtopoorDick。
Atnightitdidnotmattersomuchfortheculprit;Dickwasfuddled，andwheninthatwaynoscoldingcouldinterrupthisbenevolence。Mr。Esmondcouldhearhimcoaxingandspeakinginthatmaudlinmanner，whichpunchandclaretproduce，tohisbelovedPrue，andbeseechinghertorememberthattherewasadistiwishtofficeritherexroob，whowouldoverhearher。Shewenton，nevertheless，callinghimadrunkenwretch，andwasonlyinterruptedinherharanguesbytheCaptain\'ssnoring。
Inthemorning，theunhappyvictimawoketoaheadache，andconsciousness，andthedialogueofthenightwasresumed。\"Whydoyoubringcaptainshometodinnerwhenthere\'snotaguineainthehouse？HowamItogivedinnerswhenyouleavemewithoutashilling？HowamItogotraipsingtoKensingtoninmyyellowsatinsackbeforeallthefinecompany？I\'venothingfittoputon;Ineverhave:\"andsothedisputewenton——Mr。Esmondinterruptingthetalkwhenitseemedtobegrowingtoointimatebyblowinghisnoseasloudlyaseverhecould，atthesoundofwhichtrumpettherecamealull。ButDickwascharming，thoughhiswifewasodious，and\'twastogiveMr。Steelepleasure，thattheladiesofCastlewood，whowereladiesofnosmallfashion，invitedMrs。
Steele。
BesidestheCaptainandhislady，therewasagreatandnotableassemblageofcompany:myLadyofChelseyhavingsentherlackeysandliveriestoaidthemodestattendanceatKensington。TherewasLieutenant—GeneralWebb，Harry\'skindpatron，ofwhomtheDowagertookpossession，andwhoresplendedinvelvetandgoldlace;therewasHarry\'snewacquaintance，theRightHonorableHenrySt。John，Esquire，theGeneral\'skinsman，whowascharmedwiththeLadyCastlewood，evenmorethanwithherdaughter;therewasoneofthegreatestnoblemeninthekingdom，theScotsDukeofHamilton，justcreatedDukeofBrandoninEngland;andtwoothernoblelordsoftheToryparty，myLordAshburnham，andanotherIhaveforgot;andforladies，herGracetheDuchessofOrmondeandherdaughters，theLadyMaryandtheLadyBetty，theformeroneofMistressBeatrix\'scolleaguesinwaitingontheQueen。
\"WhatapartyofTories！\"whisperedCaptainSteeletoEsmond，aswewereassembledintheparlorbeforedinner。Indeed，allthecompanypresent，saveSteele，wereofthatfaction。
Mr。St。JohnmadehisspecialcomplimentstoMrs。Steele，andsocharmedherthatshedeclaredshewouldhaveSteeleaTorytoo。
\"OrwillyouhavemeaWhig？\"saysMr。St。John。\"Ithink，madam，youcouldconvertamantoanything。\"
\"IfMr。St。JohnevercomestoBloomsburySquareIwillteachhimwhatIknow，\"saysMrs。Steele，droppingherhandsomeeyes。\"DoyouknowBloomsburySquare？\"
\"DoIknowtheMall？DoIknowtheOpera？DoIknowthereigningtoast？Why，Bloomsburyistheveryheightofthemode，\"saysMr。
St。John。\"\'Tisrusinurbe。YouhavegardensallthewaytoHampstead，andpalacesroundaboutyou——SouthamptonHouseandMontagueHouse。\"
\"Whereyouwretchesgoandfightduels，\"criesMrs。Steele。
\"Ofwhichtheladiesarethecause！\"saysherentertainer。\"Madam，isDickagoodswordsman？Howcharmingthe\'Tatler\'is！Weallrecognizedyourportraitinthe49thnumber，andIhavebeendyingtoknowyoueversinceIreadit。\'Aspasiamustbeallowedtobethefirstofthebeauteousorderoflove。\'Dothnotthepassagerunso？\'Inthisaccomplishedladyloveistheconstanteffect，thoughitisneverthedesign;yetthoughhermiencarriesmuchmoreinvitationthancommand，tobeholdherisanimmediatechecktoloosebehavior，andtoloveherisaliberaleducation。\'\"
\"Oh，indeed！\"saysMrs。Steele，whodidnotseemtounderstandawordofwhatthegentlemanwassaying。
\"Whocouldfailtobeaccomplishedundersuchamistress？\"saysMr。
St。John，stillgallantandbowing。
\"Mistress！uponmyword，sir！\"criesthelady。\"Ifyoumeanme，sir，IwouldhaveyouknowthatIamtheCaptain\'swife。\"
\"Sureweallknowit，\"answersMr。St。John，keepinghiscountenanceverygravely;andSteelebrokeinsaying，\"\'TwasnotaboutMrs。SteeleIwritthatpaper——thoughIamsuresheisworthyofanycomplimentIcanpayher——butoftheLadyElizabethHastings。\"
\"IhearMr。Addisonisequallyfamousasawitandapoet，\"saysMr。St。John。\"Isittruethathishandistobefoundinyour\'Tatler，\'Mr。Steele？\"
\"Whether\'tisthesublimeorthehumorous，nomancancomenearhim，\"criesSteele。
\"Afig，Dick，foryourMr。Addison！criesouthislady:\"agentlemanwhogiveshimselfsuchairsandholdshisheadsohighnow。IhopeyourladyshipthinksasIdo:Ican\'tbearthoseveryfairmenwithwhiteeyelashes——ablackmanforme。\"（Alltheblackmenattableapplauded，andmadeMrs。Steeleabowforthiscompliment。）\"AsforthisMr。Addison，\"shewenton，\"hecomestodinewiththeCaptainsometimes，neversaysawordtome，andthentheywalkupstairsbothtipsy，toadishoftea。IrememberyourMr。Addisonwhenhehadbutonecoattohisback，andthatwithapatchattheelbow。\"
\"Indeed——apatchattheelbow！Youinterestme，\"saysMr。St。
John。\"\'Tischarmingtohearofonemanoflettersfromthecharmingwifeofanother。\"
\"La，Icouldtellyoueversomuchabout\'em，\"continuesthevolublelady。\"WhatdoyouthinktheCaptainhasgotnow？——alittlehunchbackfellow——alittlehop—o\'—my—thumbcreaturethathecallsapoet——alittlePopishbrat！\"
\"Hush，therearetwointheroom，\"whispershercompanion。
\"Well，IcallhimPopishbecausehisnameisPope，\"saysthelady。
\"\'Tisonlymyjokingway。Andthislittledwarfofafellowhaswroteapastoralpoem——allaboutshepherdsandshepherdesses，youknow。\"
\"Ashepherdshouldhavealittlecrook，\"saysmymistress，laughingfromherendofthetable:onwhichMrs。Steelesaid，\"Shedidnotknow，buttheCaptainbroughthomethisqueerlittlecreaturewhenshewasinbedwithherfirstboy，anditwasamercyhehadcomenosooner;andDickravedabouthisgenus，andwasalwaysravingaboutsomenonsenseorother。\"
\"Whichofthe\'Tatlers\'doyouprefer，Mrs。Steele？\"askedMr。St。
John。
\"Ineverreadbutone，andthinkitallapackofrubbish，sir，\"
saysthelady。\"SuchstuffaboutBickerstaffe，andDistaff，andQuarterstaff，asitallis！There\'stheCaptaingoingonstillwiththeBurgundy——Iknowhe\'llbetipsybeforehestops——CaptainSteele！\"
\"Idrinktoyoureyes，mydear，\"saystheCaptain，whoseemedtothinkhiswifecharming，andtoreceiveasgenuineallthesatiriccomplimentswhichMr。St。Johnpaidher。
AllthiswhiletheMaidofHonorhadbeentryingtogetMr。Esmondtotalk，andnodoubtvotedhimadullfellow。For，bysomemistake，justashewasgoingtopopintothevacantplace，hewasplacedfarawayfromBeatrix\'schair，whosatbetweenhisGraceandmyLordAshburnham，andshruggedherlovelywhiteshoulders，andcastalookasiftosay，\"Pityme，\"tohercousin。MyLordDukeandhisyoungneighborwerepresentlyinaveryanimatedandcloseconversation。Mrs。Beatrixcouldnomorehelpusinghereyesthanthesuncanhelpshining，andsettingthoseitshinesona—burning。
BythetimethefirstcoursewasdonethedinnerseemedlongtoEsmond;bythetimethesoupcamehefanciedtheymusthavebeenhoursattable:andasforthesweetsandjellieshethoughttheyneverwouldbedone。
Atlengththeladiesrose，BeatrixthrowingaParthianglanceatherdukeassheretreated;afreshbottleandglasseswerefetched，andtoastswerecalled。Mr。St。JohnaskedhisGracetheDukeofHamiltonandthecompanytodrinktothehealthofhisGracetheDukeofBrandon。AnotherlordgaveGeneralWebb\'shealth，\"andmayhegetthecommandthebravestofficerintheworlddeserves。\"Mr。
Webbthankedthecompany，complimentedhisaide—de—camp，andfoughthisfamousbattleoveragain。
\"Ilestfatiguant，\"whispersMr。St。John，\"avecsatrompettedeWynendael。\"
CaptainSteele，whowasnotofourside，loyallygavethehealthoftheDukeofMarlborough，thegreatestgeneraloftheage。
\"Idrinktothegreatestgeneralwithallmyheart，\"saysMr。Webb;
\"therecanbenogainsayingthatcharacterofhim。MyglassgoestotheGeneral，andnottotheDuke，Mr。Steele。\"Andthestoutoldgentlemanemptiedhisbumper;towhichDickrepliedbyfillingandemptyingapairofbrimmers，onefortheGeneralandonefortheDuke。
AndnowhisGraceofHamilton，risingupwithflashingeyes（wehadallbeendrinkingprettyfreely），proposedatoasttothelovely，totheincomparableMrs。BeatrixEsmond;wealldrankitwithcheers，andmyLordAshburnhamespecially，withashoutofenthusiasm。
\"WhatapitythereisaDuchessofHamilton，\"whispersSt。John，whodrankmorewineandyetwasmoresteadythanmostoftheothers，andweenteredthedrawing—roomwheretheladieswereattheirtea。AsforpoorDick，wewereobligedtoleavehimaloneatthedining—table，wherehewashiccuppingoutthelinesfromthe\"Campaign，\"inwhichthegreatestpoethadcelebratedthegreatestgeneralintheworld;andHarryEsmondfoundhim，halfanhourafterwards，inamoreadvancedstageofliquor，andweepingaboutthetreacheryofTomBoxer。
Thedrawing—roomwasalldarktopoorHarry，inspiteofthegrandillumination。Beatrixscarcespoketohim。WhenmyLordDukewentaway，shepractiseduponthenextinrank，andpliedmyyoungLordAshburnhamwithallthefireofhereyesandthefascinationsofherwit。Mostofthepartyweresettocards，andMr。St。John，afteryawninginthefaceofMrs。Steele，whomhedidnotcaretopursueanymore;andtalkinginhismostbrilliantanimatedwaytoLadyCastlewood，whomhepronouncedtobebeautiful，ofafarhigherorderofbeautythanherdaughter，presentlytookhisleave，andwenthisway。Therestofthecompanyspeedilyfollowed，myLordAshburnhamthelast，throwingfieryglancesatthesmilingyoungtemptress，whohadbewitchedmoreheartsthanhisinherthrall。
Nodoubt，asakinsmanofthehouse，Mr。Esmondthoughtfittobethelastofallinit;heremainedafterthecoacheshadrolledaway——afterhisdowageraunt\'schairandflambeauxhadmarchedoffinthedarknesstowardsChelsey，andthetown\'speoplehadgonetobed，whohadbeendrawnintothesquaretogapeattheunusualassemblageofchairsandchariots，lackeys，andtorchmen。Thepoormeanwretchlingeredyetforafewminutes，toseewhetherthegirlwouldvouchsafehimasmile，orapartingwordofconsolation。Butherenthusiasmofthemorningwasquitediedout，orshechosetobeinadifferentmood。ShefelltojokingaboutthedowdyappearanceofLadyBetty，andmimickedthevulgarityofMrs。
Steele;andthensheputupherlittlehandtohermouthandyawned，lightedataper，andshruggedhershoulders，anddroppingMr。Esmondasaucycurtsy，sailedofftobed。
\"Thedaybegansowell，Henry，thatIhopeditmighthaveendedbetter，\"wasalltheconsolationthatpoorEsmond\'sfondmistresscouldgivehim;andashetrudgedhomethroughthedarkalone，hethoughtwithbitterrageinhisheart，andafeelingofalmostrevoltagainstthesacrificehehadmade:——\"Shewouldhaveme，\"
thoughthe，\"hadIbutanametogiveher。Butformypromisetoherfather，Imighthavemyrankandmymistresstoo。\"
Isupposeaman\'svanityisstrongerthananyotherpassioninhim;
forIblush，evennow，asIrecallthehumiliationofthosedistantdays，thememoryofwhichstillsmarts，thoughthefeverofbalkeddesirehaspassedawaymorethanascoreofyearsago。Whenthewriter\'sdescendantscometoreadthismemoir，Iwonderwilltheyhavelivedtoexperienceasimilardefeatandshame？Willtheyeverhaveknelttoawomanwhohaslistenedtothem，andplayedwiththem，andlaughedwiththem——whobeckoningthemwithluresandcaresses，andwithYessmilingfromhereyes，hastrickedthemontotheirknees，andturnedherbackandleftthem。AllthisshameMr。Esmondhadtoundergo;andhesubmitted，andrevolted，andpresentlycamecrouchingbackformore。
Afterthisfeste，myyoungLordAshburnham\'scoachwasforeverrollinginandoutofKensingtonSquare;hislady—mothercametovisitEsmond\'smistress，andateveryassemblyinthetown，wherevertheMaidofHonormadeherappearance，youmightbeprettysuretoseetheyounggentlemaninanewsuiteveryweek，anddeckedoutinallthefinerythathistailororembroiderercouldfurnishforhim。MylordwasforeverpayingMr。Esmondcompliments:biddinghimtodinner，offeringhimhorsestoride，andgivinghimathousanduncouthmarksofrespectandgood—will。
Atlast，onenightatthecoffee—house，whithermylordcameconsiderablyflushedandexcitedwithdrink，herushesuptoMr。
Esmond，andcriesout——\"Givemejoy，mydearestColonel;Iamthehappiestofmen。\"
\"Thehappiestofmenneedsnodearestcoloneltogivehimjoy，\"
saysMr。Esmond。\"Whatisthecauseofthissupremefelicity？\"
\"Haven\'tyouheard？\"sayshe。\"Don\'tyouknow？Ithoughtthefamilytoldyoueverything:theadorableBeatrixhathpromisedtobemine。\"
\"What！\"criesoutMr。Esmond，whohadspenthappyhourswithBeatrixthatverymorning——hadwritversesforher，thatshehadsungattheharpsichord。