\"ThePrinceseizedholdoftheglassanddrankthelastdropofit，\"Castlewoodsaid，\"andmymother，lookingveryanxious，roseupandaskedleavetoretire。ButthatTrixismymother\'sdaughter，Harry，\"Frankcontinued，\"Idon\'tknowwhatahorridfearIshouldhaveofher。Iwish——Iwishthisbusinesswereover。YouareolderthanIam，andwiser，andbetter，andIoweyoueverything，andwoulddieforyou——beforeGeorgeIwould;butIwishtheendofthiswerecome。\"
Neitherofusverylikelypassedatranquilnight;horribledoubtsandtormentsrackedEsmond\'ssoul:\'twasaschemeofpersonalambition，adaringstrokeforaselfishend——heknewit。Whatcaredhe，inhisheart，whowasKing？Werenothisverysympathiesandsecretconvictionsontheotherside——onthesideofPeople，Parliament，Freedom？Andherewashe，engagedforaPrincethathadscarceheardthewordliberty;thatpriestsandwomen，tyrantsbynature，bothmadeatoolof。Themisanthropewasinnobetterhumorafterhearingthatstory，andhisgrimfacemoreblackandyellowthanever。
CHAPTERX。
WEENTERTAINAVERYDISTINGUISHEDGUESTATKENSINGTON。
ShouldanycluebefoundtothedarkintriguesatthelatterendofQueenAnne\'stime，oranyhistorianbeinclinedtofollowit，\'twillbediscovered，Ihavelittledoubt，thatnotoneofthegreatpersonagesabouttheQueenhadadefinedschemeofpolicy，independentofthatprivateandselfishinterestwhicheachwasbentonpursuing:St。JohnwasforSt。John，andHarleyforOxford，andMarlboroughforJohnChurchill，always;andaccordingastheycouldgethelpfromSt。GermainsorHanover，theysentoverproffersofallegiancetothePrincesthere，orbetrayedonetotheother:onecause，oronesovereign，wasasgoodasanothertothem，sothattheycouldholdthebestplaceunderhim;andlikeLockitandPeachem，theNewgatechiefsinthe\"Rogues\'Opera，\"Mr。Gaywroteafterwards，hadeachinhishanddocumentsandproofsoftreasonwhichwouldhangtheother，onlyhedidnotdaretousetheweapon，forfearofthatonewhichhisneighboralsocarriedinhispocket。ThinkofthegreatMarlborough，thegreatestsubjectinalltheworld，aconquerorofprinces，thathadmarchedvictoriousoverGermany，Flanders，andFrance，thathadgiventhelawtosovereignsabroad，andbeenworshippedasadivinityathome，forcedtosneakoutofEngland——hiscredit，honors，places，alltakenfromhim;hisfriendsinthearmybrokeandruined;andflyingbeforeHarley，asabjectandpowerlessasapoordebtorbeforeabailiffwithawrit。Apaper，ofwhichHarleygotpossession，andshowingbeyonddoubtthattheDukewasengagedwiththeStuartfamily，wastheweaponwithwhichtheTreasurerdroveMarlboroughoutofthekingdom。HefledtoAntwerp，andbeganintriguinginstantlyontheotherside，andcamebacktoEngland，asallknow，aWhigandaHanoverian。
ThoughtheTreasurerturnedoutofthearmyandofficeeveryman，militaryorcivil，knowntobetheDuke\'sfriend，andgavethevacantpostsamongtheToryparty;he，too，wasplayingthedoublegamebetweenHanoverandSt。Germains，awaitingtheexpectedcatastropheoftheQueen\'sdeathtobeMasteroftheState，andofferittoeitherfamilythatshouldbribehimbest，orthatthenationshoulddeclarefor。WhichevertheKingwas，Harley\'sobjectwastoreignoverhim;andtothisendhesupplantedtheformerfamousfavorite，decriedtheactionsofthewarwhichhadmadeMarlborough\'snameillustrious，anddisdainednomorethanthegreatfallencompetitorofhis，themeanestarts，flatteries，intimidations，thatwouldsecurehispower。IfthegreatestsatiristtheworldeverhathseenhadwritagainstHarley，andnotforhim，whatahistoryhadheleftbehindofthelastyearsofQueenAnne\'sreign！ButSwift，thatscornedallmankind，andhimselfnottheleastofall，hadthismeritofafaithfulpartisan，thathelovedthosechiefswhotreatedhimwell，andstuckbyHarleybravelyinhisfall，ashegallantlyhadsupportedhiminhisbetterfortune。
Incomparablymorebrilliant，moresplendid，eloquent，accomplishedthanhisrival，thegreatSt。JohncouldbeasselfishasOxfordwas，andcouldactthedoublepartasskilfullyasambidextrousChurchill。Hewhosetalkwasalwaysofliberty，nomoreshrunkfromusingpersecutionandthepilloryagainsthisopponentsthanifhehadbeenatLisbonandGrandInquisitor。ThisloftypatriotwasonhiskneesatHanoverandSt。Germainstoo;notoriouslyofnoreligion，hetoastedChurchandQueenasboldlyasthestupidSacheverel，whomheusedandlaughedat;andtoservehisturn，andtooverthrowhisenemy，hecouldintrigue，coax，bully，wheedle，fawnontheCourtfavoriteandcreepuptheback—stairassilentlyasOxford，whosupplantedMarlborough，andwhomhehimselfsupplanted。ThecrashofmyLordOxfordhappenedatthisverytimewhereatmyhistoryisnowarrived。Hewascometotheverylastdaysofhispower，andtheagentwhomheemployedtooverthrowtheconquerorofBlenheim，wasnowengagedtoupsettheconqueror\'sconqueror，andhandoverthestaffofgovernmenttoBolingbroke，whohadbeenpantingtoholdit。
Inexpectationofthestrokethatwasnowpreparing，theIrishregimentsintheFrenchservicewereallbroughtroundaboutBoulogneinPicardy，topassoverifneedwerewiththeDukeofBerwick;thesoldiersofFrancenolonger，butsubjectsofJamestheThirdofEnglandandIrelandKing。ThefidelityofthegreatmassoftheScots（thoughamostactive，resolute，andgallantWhigparty，admirablyandenergeticallyorderedanddisciplined，wasknowntobeinScotlandtoo）wasnotoriouslyunshakenintheirKing。AverygreatbodyofToryclergy，nobility，andgentry，werepublicpartisansoftheexiledPrince;andtheindifferentsmightbecountedontocryKingGeorgeorKingJames，accordingaseithershouldprevail。TheQueen，especiallyinherlatterdays，inclinedtowardsherownfamily。ThePrincewaslyingactuallyinLondon，withinastone\'scastofhissister\'spalace;thefirstMinistertopplingtohisfall，andsototteringthattheweakestpushofawoman\'sfingerwouldsendhimdown;andasforBolingbroke，hissuccessor，weknowonwhosesidehispowerandhissplendideloquencewouldbeonthedaywhentheQueenshouldappearopenlybeforeherCouncilandsay:——\"This，mylords，ismybrother;hereismyfather\'sheir，andmineafterme。\"
DuringthewholeofthepreviousyeartheQueenhadhadmanyandrepeatedfitsofsickness，fever，andlethargy，andherdeathhadbeenconstantlylookedforbyallherattendants。TheElectorofHanoverhadwishedtosendhisson，theDukeofCambridge——topayhiscourttohiscousintheQueen，theElectorsaid;——intruth，tobeonthespotwhendeathshouldclosehercareer。Frightenedperhapstohavesuchamementomoriunderherroyaleyes，herMajestyhadangrilyforbiddentheyoungPrince\'scomingintoEngland。Eithershedesiredtokeepthechancesforherbrotheropenyet;orthepeopleaboutherdidnotwishtoclosewiththeWhigcandidatetilltheycouldmaketermswithhim。ThequarrelsofherMinistersbeforeherfaceattheCouncilboard，thepricksofconscienceverylikely，theimportunitiesofherMinisters，andconstantturmoilandagitationroundabouther，hadweakenedandirritatedthePrincessextremely;herstrengthwasgivingwayunderthesecontinualtrialsofhertemper，andfromdaytodayitwasexpectedshemustcometoaspeedyendofthem。JustbeforeViscountCastlewoodandhiscompanioncamefromFrance，herMajestywastakenill。TheSt。Anthony\'sfirebrokeoutontheroyallegs;
therewasnohurryforthepresentationoftheyounglordatCourt，orthatpersonwhoshouldappearunderhisname;andmyLordViscount\'swoundbreakingoutopportunely，hewaskeptconvenientlyinhischamberuntilsuchtimeashisphysicianwouldallowhimtobendhiskneebeforetheQueen。AtthecommencementofJuly，thatinfluentiallady，withwhomithasbeenmentionedthatourpartyhadrelations，camefrequentlytovisitheryoungfriend，theMaidofHonor，atKensington，andmyLordViscount（therealorsupposititious），whowasaninvalidatLadyCastlewood\'shouse。
Onthe27thdayofJuly，theladyinquestion，whoheldthemostintimatepostabouttheQueen，cameinherchairfromthePalacehardby，bringingtothelittlepartyinKensingtonSquareintelligenceoftheveryhighestimportance。Thefinalblowhadbeenstruck，andmyLordofOxfordandMortimerwasnolongerTreasurer。Thestaffwasasyetgiventonosuccessor，thoughmyLordBolingbrokewouldundoubtedlybetheman。Andnowthetimewascome，theQueen\'sAbigailsaid:andnowmyLordCastlewoodoughttobepresentedtotheSovereign。
AfterthatscenewhichLordCastlewoodwitnessedanddescribedtohiscousin，whopassedsuchamiserablenightofmortificationandjealousyashethoughtoverthetransaction，nodoubtthethreepersonswhoweresetbynatureasprotectorsoverBeatrixcametothesameconclusion，thatshemustberemovedfromthepresenceofamanwhosedesirestowardsherwereexpressedonlytooclearly;
andwhowasnomorescrupulousinseekingtogratifythemthanhisfatherhadbeenbeforehim。IsupposeEsmond\'smistress，herson，andtheColonelhimself，hadbeenallsecretlydebatingthismatterintheirminds，forwhenFrankbrokeout，inhisbluntway，with:——
\"IthinkBeatrixhadbestbeanywherebuthere，\"——LadyCastlewoodsaid:——\"Ithankyou，Frank，Ihavethoughtso，too;\"andMr。
Esmond，thoughheonlyremarkedthatitwasnotforhimtospeak，showedplainly，bythedelightonhiscountenance，howveryagreeablethatproposalwastohim。
\"Oneseesthatyouthinkwithus，Henry，\"saystheviscountess，witheversolittleofsarcasminhertone:\"Beatrixisbestoutofthishousewhilstwehaveourguestinit，andassoonasthismorning\'sbusinessisdone，sheoughttoquitLondon。\"
\"Whatmorning\'sbusiness？\"askedColonelEsmond，notknowingwhathadbeenarranged，thoughinfactthestrokenextinimportancetothatofbringingthePrince，andofhavinghimacknowledgedbytheQueen，wasnowbeingperformedattheverymomentwethreewereconversingtogether。
TheCourt—ladywithwhomourplanwasconcerted，andwhowasachiefagentinit，theCourtphysician，andtheBishopofRochester，whoweretheothertwomostactiveparticipatorsinourplan，hadheldmanycouncilsinourhouseatKensingtonandelsewhere，astothemeansbesttobeadoptedforpresentingouryoungadventurertohissistertheQueen。ThesimpleandeasyplanproposedbyColonelEsmondhadbeenagreedtobyallparties，whichwasthatonsomeratherprivateday，whentherewerenotmanypersonsabouttheCourt，thePrinceshouldappearthereasmyLordCastlewood，shouldbegreetedbyhissisterinwaiting，andledbythatotherladyintotheclosetoftheQueen。AndaccordingtoherMajesty\'shealthorhumor，andthecircumstancesthatmightariseduringtheinterview，itwastobelefttothediscretionofthosepresentatit，andtothePrincehimself，whetherheshoulddeclarethatitwastheQueen\'sownbrother，orthebrotherofBeatrixEsmond，whokissedherRoyalhand。Andthisplanbeingdeterminedon，wewereallwaitinginverymuchanxietyforthedayandsignalofexecution。
Twomorningsafterthatsupper，itbeingthe27thdayofJuly，theBishopofRochesterbreakfastingwithLadyCastlewoodandherfamily，andthemealscarceover，DoctorA。\'scoachdroveuptoourhouseatKensington，andtheDoctorappearedamongstthepartythere，enliveningarathergloomycompany;forthemotheranddaughterhadhadwordsinthemorninginrespecttothetransactionsofthatsupper，andotheradventuresperhaps，andonthedaysucceeding。Beatrix\'shaughtyspiritbrookedremonstrancesfromnosuperior，muchlessfromhermother，thegentlestofcreatures，whomthegirlcommandedratherthanobeyed。Andfeelingshewaswrong，andthatbyathousandcoquetries（whichshecouldnomorehelpexercisingoneverymanthatcamenearher，thanthesuncanhelpshiningongreatandsmall）shehadprovokedthePrince\'sdangerousadmiration，andalluredhimtotheexpressionofit，shewasonlythemorewilfulandimperiousthemoreshefelthererror。
Tothisparty，thePrincebeingservedwithchocolateinhisbedchamber，wherehelaylate，sleepingawaythefumesofhiswine，theDoctorcame，andbytheurgentandstartlingnatureofhisnews，dissipatedinstantlythatprivateandminorunpleasantryunderwhichthefamilyofCastlewoodwaslaboring。
Heaskedfortheguest;theguestwasaboveinhisownapartment:
hebadeMonsieurBaptistegouptohismasterinstantly，andrequestedthatMYLORDVISCOUNTCASTLEWOODwouldstraightwayputhisuniformon，andcomeawayintheDoctor\'scoachnowatthedoor。
HetheninformedMadamBeatrixwhatherpartofthecomedywastobe:——\"Inhalfanhour，\"sayshe，\"herMajestyandherfavoriteladywilltaketheairintheCedar—walkbehindthenewBanqueting—
house。HerMajestywillbedrawninagarden—chair，MadamBeatrixEsmondandHERBROTHER，MYLORDVISCOUNTCASTLEWOOD，willbewalkingintheprivategarden，（hereisLadyMasham\'skey，）andwillcomeunawaresupontheRoyalparty。Themanthatdrawsthechairwillretire，andleavetheQueen，thefavorite，andthemaidofhonorandherbrothertogether;MistressBeatrixwillpresentherbrother，andthen！——andthen，myLordBishopwillprayfortheresultoftheinterview，andhisScotsclerkwillsayAmen！Quick，putonyourhood，MadamBeatrix;whydothnothisMajestycomedown？Suchanotherchancemaynotpresentitselfformonthsagain。\"
ThePrincewaslateandlazy，andindeedhadallbutlostthatchancethroughhisindolence。TheQueenwasactuallyabouttoleavethegardenjustwhenthepartyreachedit;theDoctor，theBishop，themaidofhonorandherbrotherwentofftogetherinthephysician\'scoach，andhadbeengonehalfanhourwhenColonelEsmondcametoKensingtonSquare。
Thenewsofthiserrand，onwhichBeatrixwasgone，ofcourseforamomentputallthoughtsofprivatejealousyoutofColonelEsmond\'shead。Inhalfanhourmorethecoachreturned;theBishopdescendedfromitfirst，andgavehisarmtoBeatrix，whonowcameout。Hislordshipwentbackintothecarriageagain，andthemaidofhonorenteredthehousealone。Wewereallgazingatherfromtheupperwindow，tryingtoreadfromhercountenancetheresultoftheinterviewfromwhichshehadjustcome。
Shecameintothedrawing—roominagreattremorandverypale;sheaskedforaglassofwaterashermotherwenttomeether，andafterdrinkingthatandputtingoffherhood，shebegantospeak——
\"Wemayallhopeforthebest，\"saysshe;\"ithascosttheQueenafit。HerMajestywasinherchairintheCedar—walk，accompaniedonlybyLady————，whenweenteredbytheprivatewicketfromthewestsideofthegarden，andturnedtowardsher，theDoctorfollowingus。Theywaitedinasidewalkhiddenbytheshrubs，asweadvancedtowardsthechair。MyheartthrobbedsoIscarcecouldspeak;butmyPrincewhispered，\'Courage，Beatrix，\'andmarchedonwithasteadystep。Hisfacewasalittleflushed，buthewasnotafraidofthedanger。HewhofoughtsobravelyatMalplaquetfearsnothing。\"EsmondandCastlewoodlookedateachotheratthiscompliment，neitherlikingthesoundofit。
\"ThePrinceuncovered，\"Beatrixcontinued，\"andIsawtheQueenturningroundtoLadyMasham，asifaskingwhothesetwowere。HerMajestylookedverypaleandill，andthenflushedup;thefavoritemadeusasignaltoadvance，andIwentup，leadingmyPrincebythehand，quiteclosetothechair:\'YourMajestywillgivemyLordViscountyourhandtokiss，\'saysherlady，andtheQueenputoutherhand，whichthePrincekissed，kneelingonhisknee，hewhoshouldkneeltonomortalmanorwoman。
\"\'YouhavebeenlongfromEngland，mylord，\'saystheQueen:\'whywereyounotheretogiveahometoyourmotherandsister？\'
\"\'Iamcome，Madam，tostaynow，iftheQueendesiresme，\'saysthePrince，withanotherlowbow。
\"\'Youhavetakenaforeignwife，mylord，andaforeignreligion;
wasnotthatofEnglandgoodenoughforyou？\'
\"\'Inreturningtomyfather\'schurch，\'saysthePrince，\'Idonotlovemymothertheless，noramIthelessfaithfulservantofyourmajesty。\'
\"Here，\"saysBeatrix，\"thefavoritegavemealittlesignalwithherhandtofallback，whichIdid，thoughIdiedtohearwhatshouldpass;andwhisperedsomethingtotheQueen，whichmadeherMajestystartandutteroneortwowordsinahurriedmanner，lookingtowardsthePrince，andcatchingholdwithherhandofthearmofherchair。Headvancedstillnearertowardsit;hebegantospeakveryrapidly;Icaughtthewords，\'Father，blessing，forgiveness，\'——andthenpresentlythePrincefellonhisknees;
tookfromhisbreastapaperhehadthere，handedittotheQueen，who，assoonasshesawit，flungupbothherarmswithascream，andtookawaythathandnearestthePrince，andwhichheendeavoredtokiss。Hewentonspeakingwithgreatanimationofgesture，nowclaspinghishandstogetheronhisheart，nowopeningthemasthoughtosay:\'Iamhere，yourbrother，inyourpower。\'LadyMashamranroundontheothersideofthechair，kneelingtoo，andspeakingwithgreatenergy。SheclaspedtheQueen\'shandonherside，andpickedupthepaperherMajestyhadletfall。ThePrinceroseandmadeafurtherspeechasthoughhewouldgo;thefavoriteontheotherhandurginghermistress，andthen，runningbacktothePrince，broughthimbackoncemoreclosetothechair。AgainhekneltdownandtooktheQueen\'shand，whichshedidnotwithdraw，kissingitahundredtimes;myladyallthetime，withsobsandsupplications，speakingoverthechair。ThiswhiletheQueensatwithastupefiedlook，crumplingthepaperwithonehand，asmyPrinceembracedtheother;thenofasuddensheutteredseveralpiercingshrieks，andburstintoagreatfitofhysterictearsandlaughter。\'Enough，enough，sir，forthistime，\'IheardLadyMashamsay:andthechairman，whohadwithdrawnroundtheBanqueting—room，cameback，alarmedbythecries。\'Quick，\'saysLadyMasham，\'getsomehelp，\'andIrantowardstheDoctor，who，withtheBishopofRochester，cameupinstantly。LadyMashamwhisperedthePrincehemighthopefortheverybest;andtobereadyto—morrow;andhehathgoneawaytotheBishopofRochester\'shouse，tomeetseveralofhisfriendsthere。Andsothegreatstrokeisstruck，\"saysBeatrix，goingdownonherknees，andclaspingherhands。\"GodsavetheKing:GodsavetheKing！\"
Beatrix\'staletold，andtheyoungladyherselfcalmedsomewhatofheragitation，weaskedwithregardtothePrince，whowasabsentwithBishopAtterbury，andwereinformedthat\'twaslikelyhemightremainabroadthewholeday。Beatrix\'sthreekinsfolklookedatoneanotheratthisintelligence:\'twasclearthesamethoughtwaspassingthroughthemindsofall。
Butwhoshouldbegintobreakthenews？MonsieurBaptiste，thatisFrankCastlewood，turnedveryred，andlookedtowardsEsmond;theColonelbithislips，andfairlybeataretreatintothewindow:itwasLadyCastlewoodthatopeneduponBeatrixwiththenewswhichweknewwoulddoanythingbutpleaseher。
\"Weareglad，\"saysshe，takingherdaughter\'shand，andspeakinginagentlevoice，\"thattheguestisaway。\"
Beatrixdrewbackinaninstant，lookingroundheratusthree，andasifdiviningadanger。\"Whyglad？\"saysshe，herbreastbeginningtoheave;\"areyousosoontiredofhim？\"
\"Wethinkoneofusisdevilishlytoofondofhim，\"criesoutFrankCastlewood。
\"Andwhichisit——you，mylord，orisitmamma，whoisjealousbecausehedrinksmyhealth？orisittheheadofthefamily\"（heresheturnedwithanimperiouslooktowardsColonelEsmond），\"whohastakenoflatetopreachtheKingsermons？\"
\"WedonotsayyouaretoofreewithhisMajesty。\"
\"Ithankyou，madam，\"saysBeatrix，withatossoftheheadandacurtsey。
Buthermothercontinued，withverygreatcalmnessanddignity——\"Atleastwehavenotsaidso，thoughwemight，wereitpossibleforamothertosaysuchwordstoherowndaughter，yourfather\'sdaughter。\"
\"Eh？monpere，\"breaksoutBeatrix，\"wasnobetterthanotherpersons\'fathers。\"AndagainshelookedtowardstheColonel。
WeallfeltashockassheutteredthosetwoorthreeFrenchwords;
hermannerwasexactlyimitatedfromthatofourforeignguest。
\"YouhadnotlearnedtospeakFrenchamonthago，Beatrix，\"sayshermother，sadly，\"nortospeakillofyourfather。\"
Beatrix，nodoubt，sawthatslipshehadmadeinherflurry，forsheblushedcrimson:\"IhavelearnttohonortheKing，\"saysshe，drawingup，\"and\'twereaswellthatotherssuspectedneitherhisMajestynorme。\"
\"Ifyourespectedyourmotheralittlemore，\"Franksaid，\"Trix，youwoulddoyourselfnohurt。\"
\"Iamnochild，\"saysshe，turningroundonhim;\"wehavelivedverywellthesefiveyearswithoutthebenefitofyouradviceorexample，andIintendtotakeneithernow。Whydoesnottheheadofthehousespeak？\"shewenton;\"heruleseverythinghere。Whenhischaplainhasdonesingingthepsalms，willhislordshipdeliverthesermon？Iamtiredofthepsalms。\"ThePrincehadusedalmosttheverysamewordsinregardtoColonelEsmondthattheimprudentgirlrepeatedinherwrath。
\"Youshowyourselfaveryaptscholar，madam，\"saystheColonel;
and，turningtohismistress，\"Didyourguestusethesewordsinyourladyship\'shearing，orwasittoBeatrixinprivatethathewaspleasedtoimparthisopinionregardingmytiresomesermon？\"
\"Haveyouseenhimalone？\"criesmylord，startingupwithanoath:
\"byGod，haveyouseenhimalone？\"
\"Werehehere，youwouldn\'tdaresotoinsultme;no，youwouldnotdare！\"criesFrank\'ssister。\"Keepyouroaths，mylord，foryourwife;wearenotusedheretosuchlanguage。Tillyoucame，thereusedtobekindnessbetweenmeandmamma，andIcaredforherwhenyouneverdid，whenyouwereawayforyearswithyourhorsesandyourmistress，andyourPopishwife。\"
\"By———，\"saysmylord，rappingoutanotheroath，\"Clotildaisanangel;howdareyousayawordagainstClotilda？\"
ColonelEsmondcouldnotrefrainfromasmile，toseehoweasyFrank\'sattackwasdrawnoffbythatfeint:——\"IfancyClotildaisnotthesubjectinhand，\"saysMr。Esmond，ratherscornfully;\"herladyshipisatParis，ahundredleaguesoff，preparingbaby—linen。
ItisaboutmyLordCastlewood\'ssister，andnothiswife，thequestionis。\"
\"HeisnotmyLordCastlewood，\"saysBeatrix，\"andheknowsheisnot;heisColonelFrancisEsmond\'sson，andnomore，andhewearsafalsetitle;andhelivesonanotherman\'sland，andheknowsit。\"Herewasanotherdesperatesallyofthepoorbeleagueredgarrison，andanalerteinanotherquarter。\"Again，Ibegyourpardon，\"saysEsmond。\"Iftherearenoproofsofmyclaim，Ihavenoclaim。Ifmyfatheracknowledgednoheir，yourswashislawfulsuccessor，andmyLordCastlewoodhathasgoodarighttohisrankandsmallestateasanymaninEngland。Butthatagainisnotthequestion，asyouknowverywell;letusbringourtalkbacktoit，asyouwillhavememeddleinit。AndIwillgiveyoufranklymyopinion，thatahousewhereaPrinceliesallday，whorespectsnowoman，isnohouseforayoungunmarriedlady;thatyouwerebetterinthecountrythanhere;thatheishereonagreatend，fromwhichnofollyshoulddiverthim;andthathavingnoblydoneyourpartofthismorning，Beatrix，youshouldretireoffthesceneawhile，andleaveittotheotheractorsoftheplay。\"
AstheColonelspokewithaperfectcalmnessandpoliteness，suchas\'tistobehopedhehathalwaysshowntowomen，*hismistressstoodbyhimononesideofthetable，andFrankCastlewoodontheother，hemminginpoorBeatrix，thatwasbehindit，and，asitwere，surroundingherwithourapproaches。
*Mydearfathersaithquitetruly，thathismannertowardsoursexwasuniformlycourteous。Frommyinfancyupwards，hetreatedmewithanextremegentleness，asthoughIwasalittlelady。Icanscarceremember（thoughItriedhimoften）everhearingaroughwordfromhim，norwashelessgraveandkindinhismannertothehumblestnegressesonhisestate。Hewasfamiliarwithnooneexceptmymother，anditwasdelightfultowitnessuptotheverylastdaystheconfidencebetweenthem。Hewasobeyedeagerlybyallunderhim;andmymotherandallherhouseholdlivedinaconstantemulationtopleasehim，andquiteaterrorlestinanywaytheyshouldoffendhim。Hewasthehumblestmanwithallthis;
theleastexacting，themoreeasilycontented;andMr。Benson，ourministeratCastlewood，whoattendedhimatthelast，eversaid——\"I
knownotwhatColonelEsmond\'sdoctrinewas，buthislifeanddeathwerethoseofadevoutChristian。\"——R。E。W。
Havingtwicesalliedoutandbeenbeatenback，shenow，asI
expected，triedtheultimaratioofwomen，andhadrecoursetotears。Herbeautifuleyesfilledwiththem;Inevercouldbearinher，norinanywoman，thatexpressionofpain:——\"Iamalone，\"
sobbedshe;\"youarethreeagainstme——mybrother，mymother，andyou。WhathaveIdone，thatyoushouldspeakandlooksounkindlyatme？IsitmyfaultthatthePrinceshould，asyousay，admireme？DidIbringhimhere？DidIdoaughtbutwhatyoubademe，inmakinghimwelcome？Didyounottellmethatourdutywastodieforhim？Didyounotteachme，mother，nightandmorningtoprayfortheKing，beforeevenourselves？Whatwouldyouhaveofme，cousin，foryouarethechiefoftheconspiracyagainstme;Iknowyouare，sir，andthatmymotherandbrotherareactingbutasyoubidthem;whitherwouldyouhavemego？\"
\"IwouldbutremovefromthePrince，\"saysEsmond，gravely，\"adangeroustemptation;heavenforbidIshouldsayyouwouldyield;I
wouldonlyhavehimfreeofit。Yourhonorneedsnoguardian，pleaseGod，buthisimprudencedoth。Heissofarremovedfromallwomenbyhisrank，thathispursuitofthemcannotbutbeunlawful。
Wewouldremovethedearestandfairestofourfamilyfromthechanceofthatinsult，andthatiswhywewouldhaveyougo，dearBeatrix。\"
\"Harryspeakslikeabook，\"saysFrank，withoneofhisoaths，\"and，by———，everywordhesaithistrue。Youcan\'thelpbeinghandsome，Trix;nomorecanthePrincehelpfollowingyou。Mycounselisthatyougooutofharm\'sway;for，bytheLord，werethePrincetoplayanytrickswithyou，Kingasheis，oristobe，HarryEsmondandIwouldhavejusticeofhim。\"
\"Arenottwosuchchampionsenoughtoguardme？\"saysBeatrix，somethingsorrowfully;\"sure，withyoutwowatching，noevilcouldhappentome。\"
\"Infaith，Ithinknot，Beatrix，\"saysColonelEsmond;\"norifthePrinceknewuswouldhetry。\"
\"Butdoesheknowyou？\"interposedLadyCastlewood，veryquiet:\"hecomesofacountrywherethepursuitofkingsisthoughtnodishonortoawoman。Letusgo，dearestBeatrix。ShallwegotoWalcoteortoCastlewood？Wearebestawayfromthecity;andwhenthePrinceisacknowledged，andourchampionshaverestoredhim，andhehathhisownhouseatSt。James\'sorWindsor，wecancomebacktoourshere。Doyounotthinkso，HarryandFrank？\"
FrankandHarrythoughtwithher，youmaybesure。
\"Wewillgo，then，\"saysBeatrix，turningalittlepale;\"LadyMashamistogivemewarningto—nighthowherMajestyis，andto—morrow——\"
\"Ithinkwehadbestgoto—day，mydear，\"saysmyLadyCastlewood;
\"wemighthavethecoachandsleepatHounslow，andreachhometo—morrow。\'Tistwelveo\'clock;bidthecoach，cousin，bereadyatone。\"
\"Forshame！\"burstoutBeatrix，inapassionoftearsandmortification。\"Youdisgracemebyyourcruelprecautions;myownmotheristhefirsttosuspectme，andwouldtakemeawayasmygaoler。Iwillnotgowithyou，mother;Iwillgoasnoone\'sprisoner。IfIwantedtodeceive，doyouthinkIcouldfindnomeansofevadingyou？Myfamilysuspectsme。Asthosemistrustmethatoughttolovememost，letmeleavethem;Iwillgo，butI
willgoalone:toCastlewood，beit。Ihavebeenunhappythereandlonelyenough;letmegoback，butsparemeatleastthehumiliationofsettingawatchovermymisery，whichisatrialI
can\'tbear。Letmegowhenyouwill，butalone，ornotatall。
Youthreecanstayandtriumphovermyunhappiness，andIwillbearitasIhaveborneitbefore。Letmygaoler—in—chiefgoorderthecoachthatistotakemeaway。Ithankyou，HenryEsmond，foryourshareintheconspiracy。AllmylifelongI\'llthankyou，andrememberyou，andyou，brother，andyou，mother，howshallIshowmygratitudetoyouforyourcarefuldefenceofmyhonor？\"
Shesweptoutoftheroomwiththeairofanempress，flingingglancesofdefianceatusall，andleavingusconquerorsofthefield，butscared，andalmostashamedofourvictory。Itdidindeedseemhardandcruelthatwethreeshouldhaveconspiredthebanishmentandhumiliationofthatfaircreature。Welookedateachotherinsilence:\'twasnotthefirststrokebymanyofouractionsinthatunluckytime，which，beingdone，wewishedundone。
Weagreeditwasbestsheshouldgoalone，speakingstealthilytooneanother，andunderourbreaths，likepersonsengagedinanacttheyfeltashamedindoing。
Inahalf—hour，itmightbe，afterourtalkshecameback，hercountenancewearingthesamedefiantairwhichithadbornewhensheleftus。Sheheldashagreen—caseinherhand;EsmondknewitascontaininghisdiamondswhichhehadgiventoherforhermarriagewithDukeHamilton，andwhichshehadwornsosplendidlyontheinauspiciousnightofthePrince\'sarrival。\"Ihavebroughtback，\"saysshe，\"totheMarquisofEsmondthepresenthedeignedtomakemeindayswhenhetrustedmebetterthannow。IwillneveracceptabenefitorakindnessfromHenryEsmondmore，andI
givebackthesefamilydiamonds，whichbelongedtooneking\'smistress，tothegentlemanthatsuspectedIwouldbeanother。Haveyoubeenuponyourmessageofcoach—caller，myLordMarquis？WillyousendyourvalettoseethatIdonotrunaway？\"Wewereright，yet，byhermanner，shehadputusallinthewrong;wewereconquerors，yetthehonorsofthedayseemedtobewiththepooroppressedgirl。
Thatlucklessboxcontainingthestoneshadfirstbeenornamentedwithabaron\'scoronet，whenBeatrixwasengagedtotheyounggentlemanfromwhomsheparted，andafterwardsthegiltcrownofaduchessfiguredonthecover，whichalsopoorBeatrixwasdestinednevertowear。LadyCastlewoodopenedthecasemechanicallyandscarcethinkingwhatshedid;andbehold，besidesthediamonds，Esmond\'spresent，therelayintheboxtheenamelledminiatureofthelateDuke，whichBeatrixhadlaidasidewithhermourningwhentheKingcameintothehouse;andwhichthepoorheedlessthingverylikelyhadforgotten。