Theyoungscapegrace，beingone—and—twentyyearsold，andbeinganxioustosowhis\"wildotes，\"ashewrote，hadmarriedMademoiselledeWertheim，daughterofCountdeWertheim，ChamberlaintotheEmperor，andhavingapostintheHouseholdoftheGovernoroftheNetherlands。\"P。S。，\"theyounggentlemanwrote:\"ClotildaisOLDERTHANME，whichperhapsmaybeobjectedtoher:butIamsoOLDARAIKthattheagemakesnodifference，andI
amDETERMINEDtoreform。WeweremarriedatSt。Gudule，byFatherHolt。SheisheartandsoulfortheGOODCAUSE。AndherethecryisVif—le—Roy，whichmymotherwillJOININ，andTrixTOO。Breakthisnewsto\'emgently:andtellMr。Finch，myagent，topressthepeoplefortheirrents，andsendmetheRYNOanyhow。Clotildasings，andplaysontheSpinetBEAUTIFULLY。Sheisafairbeauty。
Andifit\'sason，youshallstandGODFATHER。I\'mgoingtoleavethearmy，havinghadENUFOFSOLDERING;andmyLordDukeRECOMMENDS
me。Ishallpassthewinterhere:andstopatleastuntilClo\'slyingin。IcallherOLDCLO，butnobodyelseshall。SheisthecleverestwomaninallBruxelles:understandingpainting，music，poetry，andperfectatCOOKERYANDPUDDENS。IbordedwiththeCount，that\'showIcametoknowher。TherearefourCountsherbrothers。OneanAbbey——threewiththePrince\'sarmy。TheyhavealawsuitforANIMMENCEFORTUNE:butarenowinaPOREWAY。Breakthistomother，who\'lltakeanythingfromYOU。Andwrite，andbidFinchwriteAMEDIATELY。Hosteldel\'AigleNoire，Bruxelles，Flanders。\"
SoFrankhadmarriedaRomanCatholiclady，andanheirwasexpected，andMr。EsmondwastocarrythisintelligencetohismistressatLondon。\'Twasadifficultembassy;andtheColonelfeltnotalittletremorashenearedthecapital。
Hereachedhisinnlate，andsentamessengertoKensingtontoannouncehisarrivalandvisitthenextmorning。ThemessengerbroughtbacknewsthattheCourtwasatWindsor，andthefairBeatrixabsentandengagedinherdutiesthere。OnlyEsmond\'smistressremainedinherhouseatKensington。Sheappearedincourtbutonceintheyear;Beatrixwasquitethemistressandrulerofthelittlemansion，invitingthecompanythither，andengagingineveryconceivablefrolicoftownpleasure。Whilsthermother，actingastheyounglady\'sprotectressandeldersister，pursuedherownpath，whichwasquitemodestandsecluded。
AssoonaseverEsmondwasdressed（andhehadbeenawakelongbeforethetown），hetookacoachforKensington，andreacheditsoearlythathemethisdearmistresscominghomefrommorningprayers。Shecarriedherprayer—book，neverallowingafootmantobearit，aseverybodyelsedid:anditwasbythissimplesignEsmondknewwhatheroccupationhadbeen。Hecalledtothecoachmantostop，andjumpedoutasshelookedtowardshim。Sheworeherhoodasusual，andsheturnedquitepalewhenshesawhim。
Tofeelthatkindlittlehandneartohisheartseemedtogivehimstrength。Theyweresoonatthedoorofherladyship\'shouse——andwithinit。
Withasweetsadsmileshetookhishandandkissedit。
\"Howillyouhavebeen:howweakyoulook，mydearHenry，\"shesaid。
\'TiscertaintheColoneldidlooklikeaghost，exceptthatghostsdonotlookveryhappy，\'tissaid。Esmondalwaysfeltsoonreturningtoherafterabsence，indeedwheneverhelookedinhersweetkindface。
\"Iamcomebacktobenursedbymyfamily，\"sayshe。\"IfFrankhadnottakencareofmeaftermywound，verylikelyIshouldhavegonealtogether。\"
\"PoorFrank，goodFrank！\"sayshismother。\"You\'llalwaysbekindtohim，mylord，\"shewenton。\"Thepoorchildneverknewhewasdoingyouawrong。\"
\"Mylord！\"criesoutColonelEsmond。\"Whatdoyoumean，dearlady？\"
\"Iamnolady，\"saysshe;\"IamRachelEsmond，FrancisEsmond\'swidow，mylord。Icannotbearthattitle。Wouldweneverhadtakenitfromhimwhohasitnow。Butwedidallinourpower，Henry:wedidallinourpower;andmylordandI——thatis——\"
\"Whotoldyouthistale，dearestlady？\"askedtheColonel。
\"HaveyounothadtheletterIwrityou？IwrittoyouatMonsdirectlyIheardit，\"saysLadyEsmond。
\"Andfromwhom？\"againaskedColonelEsmond——andhismistressthentoldhimthatonherdeath—bedtheDowagerCountess，sendingforher，hadpresentedherwiththisdismalsecretasalegacy。\"\'TwasverymaliciousoftheDowager，\"LadyEsmondsaid，\"tohavehaditsolong，andtohavekeptthetruthfromme。\"\"CousinRachel，\"shesaid，——andEsmond\'smistresscouldnotforbearsmilingasshetoldthestory——\"CousinRachel，\"criestheDowager，\"Ihavesentforyou，asthedoctorssayImaygooffanydayinthisdysentery;andtoeasemyconscienceofagreatloadthathasbeenonit。Youalwayshavebeenapoorcreatureandunfitforgreathonor，andwhatIhavetosaywon\'t，therefore，affectyousomuch。Youmustknow，CousinRachel，thatIhaveleftmyhouse，plate，andfurniture，threethousandpoundsinmoney，andmydiamondsthatmylatereveredSaintandSovereign，KingJames，presentedmewith，tomyLordViscountCastlewood。\"
\"TomyFrank？\"saysLadyCastlewood;\"Iwasinhopes——\"
ToViscountCastlewood，mydear;ViscountCastlewoodandBaronEsmondofShandonintheKingdomofIreland，EarlandMarquisofEsmondunderpatentofhisMajestyKingJamestheSecond，conferreduponmyhusbandthelateMarquis——forIamMarchionessofEsmondbeforeGodandman。\"
\"AndhaveyouleftpoorHarrynothing，dearMarchioness？\"asksLadyCastlewood（shehathtoldmethestorycompletelysincewithherquietarchway;themostcharminganywomaneverhad:andIsetdownthenarrativehereatlength，soastohavedonewithit）。
\"AndhaveyouleftpoorHarrynothing？\"asksmydearlady:\"foryouknow，Henry，\"shesayswithhersweetsmile，\"IusedalwaystopityEsau——andIthinkIamonhisside——thoughpapatriedveryhardtoconvincemetheotherway。\"
\"PoorHarry！\"saystheoldlady。\"SoyouwantsomethinglefttopoorHarry:he，——he！（reachmethedrops，cousin）。Well，then，mydear，sinceyouwantpoorHarrytohaveafortune，youmustunderstandthateversincetheyear1691，aweekafterthebattleoftheBoyne，wherethePrinceofOrangedefeatedhisroyalsovereignandfather，forwhichcrimeheisnowsufferinginflames（ugh！ugh！）HenryEsmondhathbeenMarquisofEsmondandEarlofCastlewoodintheUnitedKingdom，andBaronandViscountCastlewoodofShandoninIreland，andaBaronet——andhiseldestsonwillbe，bycourtesy，styledEarlofCastlewood——he！he！Whatdoyouthinkofthat，mydear？\"
\"Graciousmercy！howlonghaveyouknownthis？\"criestheotherlady（thinkingperhapsthattheoldMarchionesswaswanderinginherwits）。
\"Myhusband，beforehewasconverted，wasawickedwretch，\"thesicksinnercontinued。\"WhenhewasintheLowCountriesheseducedaweaver\'sdaughter;andaddedtohiswickednessbymarryingher。Andthenhecametothiscountryandmarriedme——apoorgirl——apoorinnocentyoungthing——Isay，\"——\"thoughshewaspastforty，youknow，Harry，whenshemarried:andasforbeinginnocent\"——\"Well，\"shewenton，\"Iknewnothingofmylord\'swickednessforthreeyearsafterourmarriage，andaftertheburialofourpoorlittleboyIhaditdoneoveragain，mydear:IhadmyselfmarriedbyFatherHoltinCastlewoodchapel，assoonaseverIheardthecreaturewasdead——andhavingagreatillnessthen，arisingfromanothersaddisappointmentIhad，thepriestcameandtoldmethatmylordhadasonbeforeourmarriage，andthatthechildwasatnurseinEngland;andIconsentedtoletthebratbebroughthome，andaqueerlittlemelancholychilditwaswhenitcame。
\"Ourintentionwastomakeapriestofhim:andhewasbredforthis，untilyoupervertedhimfromit，youwickedwoman。AndIhadagainhopesofgivinganheirtomylord，whenhewascalledawayupontheKing\'sbusiness，anddiedfightinggloriouslyattheBoynewater。
\"ShouldIbedisappointed——Iowedyourhusbandnolove，mydear，forhehadjiltedmeinthemostscandalouswayandIthoughttherewouldbetimetodeclarethelittleweaver\'ssonforthetrueheir。
ButIwascarriedofftoprison，whereyourhusbandwassokindtome——urgingallhisfriendstoobtainmyrelease，andusingallhiscreditinmyfavor——thatIrelentedtowardshim，especiallyasmydirectorcounselledmetobesilent;andthatitwasforthegoodoftheKing\'sservicethatthetitleofourfamilyshouldcontinuewithyourhusbandthelateviscount，wherebyhisfidelitywouldbealwayssecuredtotheKing。Andaproofofthisis，thatayearbeforeyourhusband\'sdeath，whenhethoughtoftakingaplaceunderthePrinceofOrange，Mr。Holtwenttohim，andtoldhimwhatthestateofthematterwas，andobligedhimtoraisealargesumforhisMajesty;andengagedhiminthetruecausesoheartily，thatweweresureofhissupportonanydaywhenitshouldbeconsideredadvisabletoattacktheusurper。Thenhissuddendeathcame;andtherewasathoughtofdeclaringthetruth。But\'twasdeterminedtobebestfortheKing\'sservicetoletthetitlestillgowiththeyoungerbranch;andthere\'snosacrificeaCastlewoodwouldn\'tmakeforthatcause，mydear。
\"AsforColonelEsmond，heknewthetruthalready。\"（\"Andthen，Harry，\"mymistresssaid，\"shetoldmeofwhathadhappenedatmydearhusband\'sdeath—bed\"）。\"Hedothnotintendtotakethetitle，thoughitbelongstohim。Butiteasesmyconsciencethatyoushouldknowthetruth，mydear。AndyoursonislawfullyViscountCastlewoodsolongashiscousindothnotclaimtherank。\"
ThiswasthesubstanceoftheDowager\'srevelation。DeanAtterburyhadknowledgeofit，LadyCastlewoodsaid，andEsmondverywellknowshow:thatdivinebeingtheclergymanforwhomthelatelordhadsentonhisdeath—bed:andwhenLadyCastlewoodwouldinstantlyhavewrittentoherson，andconveyedthetruthtohim，theDean\'sadvicewasthatalettershouldbewrittoColonelEsmondrather;
thatthemattershouldbesubmittedtohisdecision，bywhichalonetherestofthefamilywereboundtoabide。
\"Andcanmydearestladydoubtwhatthatwillbe？\"saystheColonel。
\"Itrestswithyou，Harry，astheheadofourhouse。\"
\"Itwassettledtwelveyearssince，bymydearlord\'sbedside，\"
saysColonelEsmond。\"Thechildrenmustknownothingofthis。
Frankandhisheirsafterhimmustbearourname。\'Tishisrightfully;Ihavenotevenaproofofthatmarriageofmyfatherandmother，thoughmypoorlord，onhisdeath—bed，toldmethatFatherHolthadbroughtsuchaprooftoCastlewood。IwouldnotseekitwhenIwasabroad。Iwentandlookedatmypoormother\'sgraveinherconvent。Whatmattertohernow？Nocourtoflawonearth，uponmymereword，woulddeprivemyLordViscountandsetmeup。Iamtheheadofthehouse，dearlady;butFrankisViscountofCastlewoodstill。Andratherthandisturbhim，Iwouldturnmonk，ordisappearinAmerica。\"
Ashespokesotohisdearestmistress，forwhomhewouldhavebeenwillingtogiveuphislife，ortomakeanysacrificeanyday，thefondcreatureflungherselfdownonherkneesbeforehim，andkissedbothhishandsinanoutbreakofpassionateloveandgratitude，suchascouldnotbutmelthisheart，andmakehimfeelveryproudandthankfulthatGodhadgivenhimthepowertoshowhisloveforher，andtoproveitbysomelittlesacrificeonhisownpart。Tobeabletobestowbenefitsorhappinessonthoseonelovesissurethegreatestblessingconferreduponaman——andwhatwealthorname，orgratificationofambitionorvanity，couldcomparewiththepleasureEsmondnowhadofbeingabletoconfersomekindnessuponhisbestanddearestfriends？
\"Dearestsaint，\"sayshe——\"purestsoul，thathashadsomuchtosuffer，thathasblestthepoorlonelyorphanwithsuchatreasureoflove。\'Tisformetokneel，notforyou:\'tisformetobethankfulthatIcanmakeyouhappy。Hathmylifeanyotheraim？
BlessedbeGodthatIcanserveyou！Whatpleasure，thinkyou，couldalltheworldgivemecomparedtothat？\"
\"Don\'traiseme，\"shesaid，inawildway，toEsmond，whowouldhaveliftedher。\"Letmekneel——letmekneel，and——and——worshipyou。\"
BeforesuchapartialjudgeasEsmond\'sdearmistressownedherselftobe，anycausewhichhemightpleadwassuretobegiveninhisfavor;andaccordinglyhefoundlittledifficultyinreconcilinghertothenewswhereofhewasbearer，ofherson\'smarriagetoaforeignlady，Papistthoughshewas。LadyCastlewoodnevercouldbebroughttothinksoillofthatreligionasotherpeopleinEnglandthoughtofit:sheheldthatourswasundoubtedlyabranchoftheCatholicchurch，butthattheRomanwasoneofthemainstemsonwhich，nodoubt，manyerrorshadbeengrafted（shewas，forawoman，extraordinarilywellversedinthiscontroversy，havingacted，asagirl，assecretarytoherfather，thelatedean，andwrittenmanyofhissermons，underhisdictation）;andifFrankhadchosentomarryaladyofthechurchofsouthEurope，asshewouldcalltheRomancommunion，therewasnoneedwhysheshouldnotwelcomeherasadaughter—in—law:andaccordinglyshewrotetohernewdaughteraverypretty，touchingletter（asEsmondthought，whohadcognizanceofitbeforeitwent），inwhichtheonlyhintofreproofwasagentleremonstrancethathersonhadnotwrittentoherself，toaskafondmother\'sblessingforthatstepwhichhewasabouttaking。\"Castlewoodknewverywell，\"soshewrotetoherson，\"thatsheneverdeniedhimanythinginherpowertogive，muchlesswouldshethinkofopposingamarriagethatwastomakehishappiness，asshetrusted，andkeephimoutofwildcourses，whichhadalarmedheragooddeal:\"andshebesoughthimtocomequicklytoEngland，tosettledowninhisfamilyhouseofCastlewood（\"Itishisfamilyhouse，\"saysshe，toColonelEsmond，\"thoughonlyhisownhousebyyourforbearance\"）andtoreceivetheaccomptofherstewardshipduringhistenyears\'minority。Bycareandfrugality，shehadgottheestateintoabetterconditionthaneverithadbeensincetheParliamentarywars;andmylordwasnowmasterofapretty，smallincome，notencumberedofdebts，asithadbeen，duringhisfather\'sruinoustime。\"Butinsavingmyson\'sfortune，\"saysshe，\"IfearIhavelostagreatpartofmyholdonhim。\"And，indeed，thiswasthecase:herladyship\'sdaughtercomplainingthattheirmotherdidallforFrank，andnothingforher;andFrankhimselfbeingdissatisfiedatthenarrow，simplewayofhismother\'slivingatWalcote，wherehehadbeenbroughtupmorelikeapoorparson\'ssonthanayoungnoblemanthatwastomakeafigureintheworld。\'Twasthismistakeinhisearlytraining，verylikely，thatsethimsoeageruponpleasurewhenhehaditinhispower;norishethefirstladthathasbeenspoiledbytheover—carefulfondnessofwomen。Notrainingissousefulforchildren，greatorsmall，asthecompanyoftheirbettersinrankornaturalparts;inwhosesocietytheylosetheoverweeningsenseoftheirownimportance，whichstay—at—homepeopleverycommonlylearn。
But，asaprodigalthat\'ssendinginascheduleofhisdebtstohisfriends，neverputsalldown，and，youmaybesure，theroguekeepsbacksomeimmenseswingeingbill，thathedoesn\'tdaretoown;sothepoorFrankhadaveryheavypieceofnewstobreaktohismother，andwhichhehadn\'tthecouragetointroduceintohisfirstconfession。SomemisgivingsEsmondmighthave，uponreceivingFrank\'sletter，andknowingintowhathandstheboyhadfallen;butwhateverthesemisgivingswere，hekeptthemtohimself，notcaringtotroublehismistresswithanyfearsthatmightbegroundless。
However，thenextmailwhichcamefromBruxelles，afterFrankhadreceivedhismother\'slettersthere，broughtbackajointcompositionfromhimselfandhiswife，whocouldspellnobetterthanheryoungscapegraceofahusband，fullofexpressionsofthanks，love，anddutytotheDowagerViscountess，asmypoorladynowwasstyled;andalongwiththisletter（whichwasreadinafamilycouncil，namely，theViscountess，MistressBeatrix，andthewriterofthismemoir，andwhichwaspronouncedtobevulgarbythemaidofhonor，andfelttobesobytheothertwo），therecameaprivateletterforColonelEsmondfrompoorFrank，withanotherdismalcommissionfortheColoneltoexecute，athisbestopportunity;andthiswastoannouncethatFrankhadseenfit，\"bytheexhortationofMr。Holt，theinfluenceofhisClotilda，andtheblessingofheavenandthesaints，\"saysmylord，demurely，\"tochangehisreligion，andbereceivedintothebosomofthatchurchofwhichhissovereign，manyofhisfamily，andthegreaterpartofthecivilizedworld，weremembers。\"Andhislordshipaddedapostscript，ofwhichEsmondknewtheinspiringgeniusverywell，forithadthegenuinetwangoftheSeminary，andwasquiteunlikepoorFrank\'sordinarystyleofwritingandthinking;inwhichheremindedColonelEsmondthathetoowas，bybirth，ofthatchurch;
andthathismotherandsistershouldhavehislordship\'sprayerstothesaints（aninestimablebenefit，truly！）fortheirconversion。
IfEsmondhadwantedtokeepthissecret，hecouldnot;foradayortwoafterreceivingthisletter，anoticefromBruxellesappearedinthePost—Boyandotherprints，announcingthat\"ayoungIrishlord，theViscountC—stlew——d，justcometohismajority，andwhohadservedthelastcampaignswithgreatcredit，asaide—de—
camptohisGracetheDukeofMarlborough，haddeclaredforthePopishreligionatBruxelles，andhadwalkedinaprocessionbarefoot，withawax—taperinhishand。\"ThenotoriousMr。Holt，whohadbeenemployedasaJacobiteagentduringthelastreign，andmanytimespardonedbyKingWilliam，hadbeen，thePost—Boysaid，theagentofthisconversion。
TheLadyCastlewoodwasasmuchcastdownbythisnewsasMissBeatrixwasindignantatit。\"So，\"saysshe，\"Castlewoodisnolongerahomeforus，mother。Frank\'sforeignwifewillbringherconfessor，andtherewillbefrogsfordinner;andallTusher\'sandmygrandfather\'ssermonsareflungawayuponmybrother。Iusedtotellyouthatyoukilledhimwiththecatechism，andthathewouldturnwickedassoonashebrokefromhismammy\'sleading—strings。
Oh，mother，youwouldnotbelievethattheyoungscapegracewasplayingyoutricks，andthatsneakofaTusherwasnotafitguideforhim。Oh，thoseparsons，Ihate\'emall！\"saysMistressBeatrix，clappingherhandstogether;\"yes，whethertheywearcassocksandbuckles，orbeardsandbarefeet。There\'sahorridIrishwretchwhonevermissesaSundayatCourt，andwhopaysmecomplimentsthere，thehorribleman;andifyouwanttoknowwhatparsonsare，youshouldseehisbehavior，andhearhimtalkofhisowncloth。They\'reallthesame，whetherthey\'rebishops，orbonzes，orIndianfakirs。Theytrytodomineer，andtheyfrightenuswithkingdomcome;andtheywearasanctifiedairinpublic，andexpectustogodownonourkneesandasktheirblessing;andtheyintrigue，andtheygrasp，andtheybackbite，andtheyslanderworsethantheworstcourtierorthewickedestoldwoman。IheardthisMr。SwiftsneeringatmyLordDukeofMarlborough\'scouragetheotherday。He！thatTeaguefromDublin！becausehisGraceisnotinfavor，darestosaythisofhim;andhesaysthisthatitmaygettoherMajesty\'sear，andtocoaxandwheedleMrs。Masham。
TheysaytheElectorofHanoverhasadozenofmistressesinhiscourtatHerrenhausen，andifhecomestobekingoverus，IwagerthatthebishopsandMr。Swift，thatwantstobeone，willcoaxandwheedlethem。Oh，thosepriestsandtheirgraveairs！I\'msickoftheirsquaretoesandtheirrustlingcassocks。Ishouldliketogotoacountrywheretherewasnotone，orturnQuaker，andgetridof\'em;andIwould，onlythedressisnotbecoming，andI\'vemuchtooprettyafiguretohideit。Haven\'tI，cousin？\"andheresheglancedatherpersonandthelooking—glass，whichtoldherrightlythatamorebeautifulshapeandfaceneverwereseen。
\"Imadethatonslaughtonthepriests，\"saysMissBeatrix，afterwards，\"inordertodivertmypoordearmother\'sanguishaboutFrank。Frankisasvainasagirl，cousin。Talkofusgirlsbeingvain，whatareWEtoyou？Itwaseasytoseethatthefirstwomanwhochosewouldmakeafoolofhim，orthefirstrobe——Icountapriestandawomanallthesame。Wearealwayscaballing;wearenotanswerableforthefibswetell;wearealwayscajolingandcoaxing，orthreatening;andwearealwaysmakingmischief，ColonelEsmond——markmywordforthat，whoknowtheworld，sir，andhavetomakemywayinit。IseeaswellaspossiblehowFrank\'smarriagehathbeenmanaged。TheCount，ourpapa—in—law，isalwaysawayatthecoffee—house。TheCountess，ourmother，isalwaysinthekitchenlookingafterthedinner。TheCountess，oursister，isatthespinet。Whenmylordcomestosayheisgoingonthecampaign，thelovelyClotildaburstsintotears，andfaints——so;hecatchesherinhisarms——no，sir，keepyourdistance，cousin，ifyouplease——shecriesonhisshoulder，andhesays，\'Oh，mydivine，myadored，mybelovedClotilda，areyousorrytopartwithme？\'\'Oh，myFrancisco，\'saysshe，\'ohmylord！\'andatthisveryinstantmammaandacoupleofyoungbrothers，withmoustachesandlongrapiers，comeinfromthekitchen，wheretheyhavebeeneatingbreadandonions。Markmyword，youwillhaveallthiswoman\'srelationsatCastlewoodthreemonthsaftershehasarrivedthere。
Theoldcountandcountess，andtheyoungcountsandallthelittlecountesseshersisters。Counts！everyoneofthesewretchessaysheisacount。Guiscard，thatstabbedMr。Harvey，saidhewasacount;andIbelievehewasabarber。AllFrenchmenarebarbers——
Fiddledee！don\'tcontradictme——orelsedancing—masters，orelsepriests。\"Andsosherattledon。
\"WhowasittaughtYOUtodance，CousinBeatrix？\"saystheColonel。
Shelaughedouttheairofaminuet，andsweptalowcurtsy，cominguptotherecoverwiththeprettiestlittlefootintheworldpointedout。Hermothercameinasshewasinthisattitude;myladyhadbeeninhercloset，havingtakenpoorFrank\'sconversioninaveryseriousway;themadcapgirlranuptohermother，putherarmsroundherwaist，kissedher，triedtomakeherdance，andsaid:\"Don\'tbesilly，youkindlittlemamma，andcryaboutFrankturningPapist。Whatafigurehemustbe，withawhitesheetandacandle，walkinginaprocessionbarefoot！\"Andshekickedoffherlittleslippers（thewonderfullestlittleshoeswithwonderfultallredheels:Esmondpouncedupononeasitfellclosebesidehim），andsheputonthedrollestlittlemoue，andmarchedupanddowntheroomholdingEsmond\'scanebywayoftaper。Seriousashermoodwas，LadyCastlewoodcouldnotrefrainfromlaughing;andasforEsmondhelookedonwiththatdelightwithwhichthesightofthisfaircreaturealwaysinspiredhim:neverhadheseenanywomansoarch，sobrilliant，andsobeautiful。
Havingfinishedhermarch，sheputoutherfootforherslipper。
TheColonelkneltdown:\"IfyouwillbePopeIwillturnPapist，\"
sayshe;andherHolinessgavehimgraciousleavetokissthelittlestockingedfootbeforeheputtheslipperon。
Mamma\'sfeetbegantopatonthefloorduringthisoperation，andBeatrix，whosebrighteyesnothingescaped，sawthatlittlemarkofimpatience。Sheranupandembracedhermother，withherusualcryof，\"Oh，yousillylittlemamma:yourfeetarequiteasprettyasmine，\"saysshe:\"theyare，cousin，thoughshehides\'em;buttheshoemakerwilltellyouthathemakesforbothoffthesamelast。\"
\"YouaretallerthanIam，dearest，\"sayshermother，blushingoverherwholesweetface——\"and——anditisyourhand，mydear，andnotyourfoothewantsyoutogivehim;\"andshesaiditwithahystericlaugh，thathadmoreoftearsthanlaughterinit;layingherheadonherdaughter\'sfairshoulder，andhidingitthere。
Theymadeaveryprettypicturetogether，andlookedlikeapairofsisters——thesweetsimplematronseemingyoungerthanheryears，andherdaughter，ifnotolder，yetsomehow，fromacommandingmannerandgracewhichshepossessedabovemostwomen，hermother\'ssuperiorandprotectress。
\"Butoh！\"criesmymistress，recoveringherselfafterthisscene，andreturningtoherusualsadtone，\"\'tisashamethatweshouldlaughandbemakingmerryonadaywhenweoughttobedownonourkneesandaskingpardon。\"
\"Askingpardonforwhat？\"sayssaucyMrs。Beatrix——\"becauseFranktakesitintohisheadtofastonFridaysandworshipimages？YouknowifyouhadbeenbornaPapist，mother，aPapistyouwouldhaveremainedtotheendofyourdays。\'TisthereligionoftheKingandofsomeofthebestquality。Formypart，I\'mnoenemytoit，andthinkQueenBesswasnotapennybetterthanQueenMary。\"
\"Hush，Beatrix！Donotjestwithsacredthings，andrememberofwhatparentageyoucome，\"criesmylady。Beatrixwasorderingherribbons，andadjustinghertucker，andperformingadozenprovokinglyprettyceremonies，beforetheglass。Thegirlwasnohypocriteatleast。Sheneveratthattimecouldbebroughttothinkbutoftheworldandherbeauty;andseemedtohavenomoresenseofdevotionthansomepeoplehaveofmusic，thatcannotdistinguishoneairfromanother。Esmondsawthisfaultinher，ashesawmanyothers——abadwifewouldBeatrixEsmondmake，hethought，foranymanunderthedegreeofaPrince。Shewasborntoshineingreatassemblies，andtoadornpalaces，andtocommandeverywhere——toconductanintrigueofpolitics，ortoglitterinaqueen\'strain。Buttositatahomelytable，andmendthestockingsofapoorman\'schildren！thatwasnofittingdutyforher，oratleastonethatshewouldn\'thavebrokeherheartintryingtodo。Shewasaprincess，thoughshehadscarceashillingtoherfortune;andoneofhersubjects——themostabjectanddevotedwretch，sure，thateverdrivelledatawoman\'sknees——wasthisunluckygentleman;whoboundhisgoodsense，andreason，andindependence，handandfoot，andsubmittedthemtoher。
Andwhodoesnotknowhowruthlesslywomenwilltyrannizewhentheyarelettodomineer？andwhodoesnotknowhowuselessadviceis？
Icouldgivegoodcounseltomydescendants，butIknowthey\'llfollowtheirownway，foralltheirgrandfather\'ssermon。Amangetshisownexperienceaboutwomen，andwilltakenobody\'shearsay;nor，indeed，istheyoungfellowworthafigthatwould。
\'TisIthataminlovewithmymistress，notmyoldgrandmotherthatcounselsme:\'tisIthathavefixedthevalueofthethingI
wouldhave，andknowthepriceIwouldpayforit。Itmaybeworthlesstoyou，but\'tisallmylifetome。HadEsmondpossessedtheGreatMogul\'scrownandallhisdiamonds，oralltheDukeofMarlborough\'smoney，oralltheingotssunkatVigo，hewouldhavegiventhemallforthiswoman。Afoolhewas，ifyouwill;butsoisasovereignafool，thatwillgivehalfaprincipalityforalittlecrystalasbigasapigeon\'segg，andcalledadiamond:soisawealthynoblemanafool，thatwillfacedangerordeath，andspendhalfhislife，andallhistranquillity，caballingforablueribbon;soisaDutchmerchantafool，thathathbeenknowntopaytenthousandcrownsforatulip。There\'ssomeparticularprizeweallofusvalue，andthateverymanofspiritwillventurehislifefor。Withthis，itmaybetoachieveagreatreputationforlearning;withthat，tobeamanoffashion，andtheadmirationofthetown;withanother，toconsummateagreatworkofartorpoetry，andgotoimmortalitythatway;andwithanother，foracertaintimeofhislife，thesoleobjectandaimisawoman。
WhilstEsmondwasunderthedominationofthispassion，heremembersmanyatalkhehadwithhisintimates，whousedtorallyOurKnightoftheRuefulCountenanceathisdevotion，whereofhemadenodisguise，toBeatrix;anditwaswithrepliessuchastheabovehemethisfriends\'satire。\"Granted，Iamafool，\"sayshe，\"andnobetterthanyou;butyouarenobetterthanI。Youhaveyourfollyyoulaborfor;givemethecharityofmine。Whatflatteriesdoyou，Mr。St。John，stooptowhisperintheearsofaqueen\'sfavorite？Whatnightsoflabordothnotthelaziestmanintheworldendure，foregoinghisbottle，andhisbooncompanions，foregoingLais，inwhoselaphewouldliketobeyawning，thathemayprepareaspeechfulloflies，tocajolethreehundredstupidcountry—gentlemenintheHouseofCommons，andgetthehiccuppingcheersoftheOctoberClub！Whatdayswillyouspendinyourjoltingchariot。\"（Mr。EsmondoftenrodetoWindsor，andespecially，oflaterdays，withthesecretary。）\"Whathourswillyoupassonyourgoutyfeet——andhowhumblywillyoukneeldowntopresentadespatch——you，theproudestmanintheworld，thathasnotknelttoGodsinceyouwereaboy，andinthatposturewhisper，flatter，adorealmost，astupidwoman，that\'softenboozywithtoomuchmeatanddrink，whenMr。Secretarygoesforhisaudience！Ifmypursuitisvanity，sureyoursistoo。\"AndthentheSecretary，wouldflyoutinsucharichflowofeloquence，asthispencannotpretendtorecall;advocatinghisschemeofambition，showingthegreatgoodhewoulddoforhiscountrywhenhewastheundisputedchiefofit;backinghisopinionwithascoreofpatsentencesfromGreekandRomanauthorities（ofwhichkindoflearninghemaderatheranostentatiousdisplay），andscornfullyvauntingtheveryartsandmeannessesbywhichfoolsweretobemadetofollowhim，opponentstobebribedorsilenced，doubtersconverted，andenemiesoverawed。
\"IamDiogenes，\"saysEsmond，laughing，\"thatistakenupforarideinAlexander\'schariot。IhavenodesiretovanquishDariusortotameBucephalus。Idonotwantwhatyouwant，agreatnameorahighplace:tohavethemwouldbringmenopleasure。Butmymoderationistaste，notvirtue;andIknowthatwhatIdowantisasvainasthatwhichyoulongafter。Donotgrudgememyvanity，ifIallowyours;orrather，letuslaughatbothindifferently，andatourselves，andateachother。\"
\"Ifyourcharmerholdsout，\"saysSt。John，\"atthisrateshemaykeepyoutwentyyearsbesiegingher，andsurrenderbythetimeyouareseventy，andsheisoldenoughtobeagrandmother。Idonotsaythepursuitofaparticularwomanisnotaspleasantapastimeasanyotherkindofhunting，\"headded;\"only，formypart，Ifindthegamewon\'trunlongenough。Theyknockundertoosoon——that\'sthefaultIfindwith\'em。\"
\"Thegamewhichyoupursueisinthehabitofbeingcaught，andusedtobeingpulleddown，\"saysMr。Esmond。
\"ButDulcineadelTobosoispeerless，eh？\"saystheother。\"Well，honestHarry，goandattackwindmills——perhapsthouartnotmoremadthanotherpeople，\"St。Johnadded，withasigh。
CHAPTERIII。
APAPEROUTOFTHE\"SPECTATOR。\"
Dothanyyounggentlemanofmyprogeny，whomayreadhisoldgrandfather\'spapers，chancetobepresentlysufferingunderthepassionofLove？Thereisahumiliatingcure，butonethatiseasyandalmostspecificforthemalady——whichis，totryanalibi。
Esmondwentawayfromhismistressandwascuredahalf—dozentimes;hecamebacktoherside，andinstantlyfellillagainofthefever。Hevowedthathecouldleaveherandthinknomoreofher，andsohecouldprettywell，atleast，succeedinquellingthatrageandlonginghehadwheneverhewaswithher;butassoonashereturnedhewasasbadaseveragain。Trulyaludicrousandpitiableobject，atleastexhaustingeverybody\'spitybuthisdearestmistress\'s，LadyCastlewood\'s，inwhosetenderbreasthereposedallhisdrearyconfessions，andwhonevertiredofhearinghimandpleadingforhim。