第2章

HarryEsmondblushed:"I——IhavesupperwithMrs。Worksop，"sayshe。

"D——nit，"saysmylord，"thoushaltsupwithus，Harry，to—night！

Shan"trefusealady，shallhe，Trix？"——andtheyallwonderedatHarry"sperformanceasatrencher—man，inwhichcharacterthepoorboyacquittedhimselfveryremarkably;forthetruthishehadhadnodinner，nobodythinkingofhiminthebustlewhichthehousewasin，duringthepreparationsantecedenttothenewlord"sarrival。

"Nodinner！poordearchild！"saysmylady，heapinguphisplatewithmeat，andmylord，fillingabumperforhim，badehimcallahealth;onwhichMasterHarry，crying"TheKing，"tossedoffthewine。Mylordwasreadytodrinkthat，andmostothertoasts:

indeedonlytooready。HewouldnothearofDoctorTusher（theVicarofCastlewood，whocametosupper）goingawaywhenthesweetmeatswerebrought:hehadnothadachaplainlongenough，hesaid，tobetiredofhim:sohisreverencekeptmylordcompanyforsomehoursoverapipeandapunch—bowl;andwentawayhomewithratherareelinggait，anddeclaringadozenoftimes，thathislordship"saffabilitysurpassedeverykindnesshehadeverhadfromhislordship"sgraciousfamily。

AsforyoungEsmond，whenhegottohislittlechamber，itwaswithaheartfullofsurpriseandgratitudetowardsthenewfriendswhomthishappydayhadbroughthim。Hewasupandwatchinglongbeforethehousewasastir，longingtoseethatfairladyandherchildren——thatkindprotectorandpatron:andonlyfearfullesttheirwelcomeofthepastnightshouldinanywaybewithdrawnoraltered。ButpresentlylittleBeatrixcameoutintothegarden，andhermotherfollowed，whogreetedHarryaskindlyasbefore。Hetoldheratgreaterlengththehistoriesofthehouse（whichhehadbeentaughtintheoldlord"stime），andtowhichshelistenedwithgreatinterest;andthenhetoldher，withrespecttothenightbefore，thatheunderstoodFrench，andthankedherforherprotection。

"Doyou？"saysshe，withablush;"then，sir，youshallteachmeandBeatrix。"Andsheaskedhimmanymorequestionsregardinghimself，whichhadbestbetoldmorefullyandexplicitlythaninthosebriefreplieswhichtheladmadetohismistress"squestions。

CHAPTERII。

RELATESHOWFRANCIS，FOURTHVISCOUNT，ARRIVESATCASTLEWOOD。

"TisknownthatthenameofEsmondandtheestateofCastlewood，com。Hants，cameintopossessionofthepresentfamilythroughDorothea，daughterandheiressofEdward，EarlandMarquisEsmond，andLordofCastlewood，whichladymarried，23Eliz。，HenryPoyns，gent。;thesaidHenrybeingthenapageinthehouseholdofherfather。Francis，sonandheiroftheaboveHenryandDorothea，whotookthematernalnamewhichthefamilyhathbornesubsequently，wasmadeKnightandBaronetbyKingJamestheFirst;andbeingofamilitarydisposition，remainedlonginGermanywiththeElector—

Palatine，inwhoseserviceSirFrancisincurredbothexpenseanddanger，lendinglargesumsofmoneytothatunfortunatePrince;andreceivingmanywoundsinthebattlesagainsttheImperialists，inwhichSirFrancisengaged。

OnhisreturnhomeSirFranciswasrewardedforhisservicesandmanysacrifices，byhislateMajestyJamestheFirst，whograciouslyconferreduponthistriedservantthepostofWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing"sPosset，whichhighandconfidentialofficehefilledinthatking"sandhisunhappysuccessor"sreign。

Hisage，andmanywoundsandinfirmities，obligedSirFrancistoperformmuchofhisdutybydeputy:andhisson，SirGeorgeEsmond，knightandbanneret，firstashisfather"slieutenant，andafterwardsasinheritorofhisfather"stitleanddignity，performedthisofficeduringalmostthewholeofthereignofKingCharlestheFirst，andhistwosonswhosucceededhim。

SirGeorgeEsmondmarried，ratherbeneaththerankthatapersonofhisnameandhonormightaspireto，thedaughterofThos。Topham，ofthecityofLondon，aldermanandgoldsmith，who，takingtheParliamentarysideinthetroublesthencommencing，disappointedSirGeorgeofthepropertywhichheexpectedatthedemiseofhisfather—in—law，whodevisedhismoneytohisseconddaughter，Barbara，aspinster。

SirGeorgeEsmond，onhispart，wasconspicuousforhisattachmentandloyaltytotheRoyalcauseandperson:andtheKingbeingatOxfordin1642，SirGeorge，withtheconsentofhisfather，thenveryagedandinfirm，andresidingathishouseofCastlewood，meltedthewholeofthefamilyplateforhisMajesty"sservice。

Forthis，andothersacrificesandmerits，hisMajesty，bypatentunderthePrivySeal，datedOxford，Jan。，1643，waspleasedtoadvanceSirFrancisEsmondtothedignityofViscountCastlewood，ofShandon，inIreland:andtheViscount"sestatebeingmuchimpoverishedbyloanstotheKing，whichinthosetroublesometimeshisMajestycouldnotrepay，agrantoflandintheplantationsofVirginiawasgiventotheLordViscount。;partofwhichlandisinpossessionofdescendantsofhisfamilytothepresentday。

ThefirstViscountCastlewooddiedfullofyears，andwithinafewmonthsafterhehadbeenadvancedtohishonors。Hewassucceededbyhiseldestson，thebefore—namedGeorge;andleftissuebesides，Thomas，acolonelintheKing"sarmy，whoafterwardsjoinedtheUsurper"sGovernment;andFrancis，inholyorders，whowasslainwhilstdefendingtheHouseofCastlewoodagainsttheParliament，anno1647。

GeorgeLordCastlewood（thesecondViscount），ofKingCharlestheFirst"stime，hadnomaleissuesavehisoneson，EustaceEsmond，whowaskilled，withhalfoftheCastlewoodmenbesidehim，atWorcesterfight。ThelandsaboutCastlewoodweresoldandapportionedtotheCommonwealthmen;CastlewoodbeingconcernedinalmostalloftheplotsagainsttheProtector，afterthedeathoftheKing，anduptoKingCharlestheSecond"srestoration。Mylordfollowedthatking"sCourtaboutinitsexile，havingruinedhimselfinitsservice。Hehadbutonedaughter，whowasofnogreatcomforttoherfather;formisfortunehadnottaughtthoseexilessobrietyoflife;anditissaidthattheDukeofYorkandhisbrothertheKingbothquarrelledaboutIsabelEsmond。ShewasmaidofhonortotheQueenHenriettaMaria;sheearlyjoinedtheRomanChurch;herfather，aweakman，followinghernotlongafteratBreda。

OnthedeathofEustaceEsmondatWorcester，ThomasEsmond，nephewtomyLordCastlewood，andthenastripling，becameheirtothetitle。HisfatherhadtakentheParliamentsideinthequarrels，andsohadbeenestrangedfromthechiefofhishouse;andmyLordCastlewoodwasatfirstsomuchenragedtothinkthathistitle（albeitlittlemorethananemptyonenow）shouldpasstoarascallyRoundhead，thathewouldhavemarriedagain，andindeedproposedtodosotoavintner"sdaughteratBruges，towhomhislordshipowedascoreforlodgingwhentheKingwasthere，butforfearofthelaughteroftheCourt，andtheangerofhisdaughter，ofwhomhestoodinawe;forshewasintemperasimperiousandviolentasmylord，whowasmuchenfeebledbywoundsanddrinking，wasweak。

LordCastlewoodwouldhavehadamatchbetweenhisdaughterIsabelandhercousin，thesonofthatFrancisEsmondwhowaskilledatCastlewoodsiege。Andthelady，itwassaid，tookafancytotheyoungman，whowasherjuniorbyseveralyears（whichcircumstanceshedidnotconsidertobeafaultinhim）;buthavingpaidhiscourt，andbeingadmittedtotheintimacyofthehouse，hesuddenlyflunguphissuit，whenitseemedtobeprettyprosperous，withoutgivingapretextforhisbehavior。Hisfriendsralliedhimatwhattheylaughinglychosetocallhisinfidelity;JackChurchill，FrankEsmond"slieutenantintheRoyalRegimentofFoot—guards，gettingthecompanywhichEsmondvacated，whenhelefttheCourtandwenttoTangierinarageatdiscoveringthathispromotiondependedonthecomplaisanceofhiselderlyaffiancedbride。HeandChurchill，whohadbeencondiscipuliatSt。Paul"sSchool，hadwordsaboutthismatter;andFrankEsmondsaidtohimwithanoath，"Jack，yoursistermaybeso—and—so，butbyJovemywifeshan"t！"andswordsweredrawn，andblooddrawntoo，untilfriendsseparatedthemonthisquarrel。Fewmenweresojealousaboutthepointofhonorinthosedays;andgentlemenofgoodbirthandlineagethoughtaroyalblotwasanornamenttotheirfamilycoat。FrankEsmondretiredinthesulks，firsttoTangier，whencehereturnedaftertwoyears"

service，settlingonasmallpropertyhehadofhismother，neartoWinchester，andbecameacountrygentleman，andkeptapackofbeagles，andnevercametoCourtagaininKingCharles"stime。ButhisuncleCastlewoodwasneverreconciledtohim;nor，forsometimeafterwards，hiscousinwhomhehadrefused。

Byplaces，pensions，bountiesfromFrance，andgiftsfromtheKing，whilsthisdaughterwasinfavor，LordCastlewood，whohadspentintheRoyalservicehisyouthandfortune，didnotretrievethelatterquite，andnevercaredtovisitCastlewood，orrepairit，sincethedeathofhisson，butmanagedtokeepagoodhouse，andfigureatCourt，andtosaveaconsiderablesumofreadymoney。

Andnow，hisheirandnephew，ThomasEsmond，begantobidforhisuncle"sfavor。ThomashadservedwiththeEmperor，andwiththeDutch，whenKingCharleswascompelledtolendtroopstotheStates;andagainstthem，whenhisMajestymadeanalliancewiththeFrenchKing。InthesecampaignsThomasEsmondwasmoreremarkedforduelling，brawling，vice，andplay，thanforanyconspicuousgallantryinthefield，andcamebacktoEngland，likemanyanotherEnglishgentlemanwhohastravelled，withacharacterbynomeansimprovedbyhisforeignexperience。Hehaddissipatedhissmallpaternalinheritanceofayoungerbrother"sportion，and，astruthmustbetold，wasnobetterthanahanger—onofordinaries，andabrawleraboutAlsatiaandtheFriars，whenhebethoughthimofameansofmendinghisfortune。

Hiscousinwasnowofmorethanmiddleage，andhadnobody"swordbutherownforthebeautywhichshesaidsheoncepossessed。Shewaslean，andyellow，andlonginthetooth;alltheredandwhiteinallthetoy—shopsinLondoncouldnotmakeabeautyofher——Mr。

KilligrewcalledhertheSybil，thedeath"s—headputupattheKing"sfeastasamementomori，&c。——infine，awomanwhomightbeeasyofconquest，butwhomonlyaveryboldmanwouldthinkofconquering。ThisboldmanwasThomasEsmond。HehadafancytomyLordCastlewood"ssavings，theamountofwhichrumorhadverymuchexaggerated。MadameIsabelwassaidtohaveRoyaljewelsofgreatvalue;whereaspoorTomEsmond"slastcoatbutonewasinpawn。

MylordhadatthistimeafinehouseinLincoln"s—Inn—Fields，nightotheDuke"sTheatreandthePortugalambassador"schapel。TomEsmond，whohadfrequentedtheoneaslongashehadmoneytospendamongtheactresses，nowcametothechurchasassiduously。Helookedsoleanandshabby，thathepassedwithoutdifficultyforarepentantsinner;andso，becomingconverted，youmaybesuretookhisuncle"spriestforadirector。

Thischaritablefatherreconciledhimwiththeoldlord，hisuncle，whoashorttimebeforewouldnotspeaktohim，asTompassedundermylord"scoachwindow，hislordshipgoinginstatetohisplaceatCourt，whilehisnephewslunkbywithhisbatteredhatandfeather，andthepointofhisrapierstickingoutofthescabbard——tohistwopennyordinaryinBellYard。

ThomasEsmond，afterthisreconciliationwithhisuncle，verysoonbegantogrowsleek，andtoshowsignsofthebenefitsofgoodlivingandcleanlinen。Hefastedrigorouslytwiceaweek，tobesure;buthemadeamendsontheotherdays:and，toshowhowgreathisappetitewas，Mr。Wycherleysaid，heendedbyswallowingthatfly—blownrankoldmorselhiscousin。TherewereendlessjokesandlampoonsaboutthismarriageatCourt:butTomrodethitherinhisuncle"scoachnow，calledhimfather，andhavingwoncouldaffordtolaugh。ThismarriagetookplaceveryshortlybeforeKingCharlesdied:whomtheViscountofCastlewoodspeedilyfollowed。

Theissueofthismarriagewasoneson，whomtheparentswatchedwithanintenseeagernessandcare;butwho，inspiteofnursesandphysicians，hadonlyabriefexistence。Histaintedblooddidnotrunverylonginhispoorfeeblelittlebody。Symptomsofevilbrokeoutearlyonhim;and，partfromflattery，partsuperstition，nothingwouldsatisfymylordandlady，especiallythelatter，buthavingthepoorlittlecrippletouchedbyhisMajestyathischurch。Theywerereadytocryoutmiracleatfirst（thedoctorsandquack—salversbeingconstantlyinattendanceonthechild，andexperimentingonhispoorlittlebodywitheveryconceivablenostrum）butthoughthereseemed，fromsomereason，anotableameliorationintheinfant"shealthafterhisMajestytouchedhim，inafewweeksafterwardthepoorthingdied——causingthelampoonersoftheCourttosay，thattheKing，inexpellingeviloutoftheinfantofTomEsmondandIsabellahiswife，expelledthelifeoutofit，whichwasnothingbutcorruption。

Themother"snaturalpangatlosingthispoorlittlechildmusthavebeenincreasedwhenshethoughtofherrivalFrankEsmond"swife，whowasafavoriteofthewholeCourt，wheremypoorLadyCastlewoodwasneglected，andwhohadonechild，adaughter，flourishingandbeautiful，andwasabouttobecomeamotheroncemore。

TheCourt，asIhaveheard，onlylaughedthemorebecausethepoorlady，whohadprettywellpassedtheagewhenladiesareaccustomedtohavechildren，neverthelessdeterminednottogivehopeup，andevenwhenshecametoliveatCastlewood，wasconstantlysendingovertoHextonforthedoctor，andannouncingtoherfriendsthearrivalofanheir。Thisabsurdityofherswasoneamongstmanyotherswhichthewagsusedtoplayupon。Indeed，tothelastdaysofherlife，myLadyViscountesshadthecomfortoffancyingherselfbeautiful，andpersistedinbloominguptotheverymidstofwinter，paintingrosesonhercheekslongaftertheirnaturalseason，andattiringherselflikesummerthoughherheadwascoveredwithsnow。

GentlemenwhowereabouttheCourtofKingCharles，andKingJames，havetoldthepresentwriteranumberofstoriesaboutthisqueeroldlady，withwhichit"snotnecessarythatposterityshouldbeentertained。Sheissaidtohavehadgreatpowersofinvectiveand，ifshefoughtwithallherrivalsinKingJames"sfavor，"tiscertainshemusthavehadavastnumberofquarrelsonherhands。

Shewasawomanofanintrepidspirit，and，itappears，pursuedandratherfatiguedhisMajestywithherrightsandherwrongs。SomesaythatthecauseofherleavingCourtwasjealousyofFrankEsmond"swife:others，thatshewasforcedtoretreatafteragreatbattlewhichtookplaceatWhitehall，betweenherladyshipandLadyDorchester，TomKilligrew"sdaughter，whomtheKingdelightedtohonor，andinwhichthatill—favoredEsthergotthebetterofourelderlyVashti。Butherladyship，forherpart，alwaysaverredthatitwasherhusband"squarrel，andnotherown，whichoccasionedthebanishmentofthetwointothecountry;andthecruelingratitudeoftheSovereigningivingaway，outofthefamily，thatplaceofWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing"sPosset，whichthetwolastLordsCastlewoodhadheldsohonorably，andwhichwasnowconferreduponafellowofyesterday，andahanger—onofthatodiousDorchestercreature，myLordBergamot;*"Inever，"saidmylady，couldhavecometoseehisMajesty"spossetcarriedbyanyotherhandthananEsmond。I

shouldhavedashedthesalveroutofLordBergamot"shand，hadI

methim。"Andthosewhoknewherladyshipareawarethatshewasapersonquitecapableofperformingthisfeat，hadshenotwiselykeptoutoftheway。

*LionelTipton，createdBaronBergamot，ann。1686，GentlemanUsheroftheBackStairs，andafterwardsappointedWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing"sPosset（onthedeceaseofGeorge，secondViscountCastlewood），accompaniedhisMajestytoSt。

Germain"s，wherehediedwithoutissue。NoGroomofthePossetwasappointedbythePrinceofOrange，norhaththerebeensuchanofficerinanysucceedingreign。

Holdingthepurse—stringsinherowncontrol，towhich，indeed，shelikedtobringmostpersonswhocamenearher，LadyCastlewoodcouldcommandherhusband"sobedience，andsobrokeupherestablishmentatLondon;shehadremovedfromLincoln"s—Inn—FieldstoChelsey，toaprettynewhousesheboughtthere;andbroughtherestablishment，hermaids，lap—dogs，andgentlewomen，herpriest，andhislordshipherhusband，toCastlewoodHall，thatshehadneverseensinceshequitteditasachildwithherfatherduringthetroublesofKingCharlestheFirst"sreign。ThewallswerestillopenintheoldhouseastheyhadbeenleftbytheshotoftheCommonwealthmen。Apartofthemansionwasrestoredandfurbishedupwiththeplate，hangings，andfurniturebroughtfromthehouseinLondon。MyladymeanttohaveatriumphalentryintoCastlewoodvillage，andexpectedthepeopletocheerasshedroveovertheGreeninhergreatcoach，mylordbesideher，hergentlewomen，lap—dogs，andcockatoosontheoppositeseat，sixhorsestohercarriage，andservantsarmedandmountedfollowingitandprecedingit。But"twasintheheightoftheNo—Poperycry;

thefolksinthevillageandtheneighboringtownwerescaredbythesightofherladyship"spaintedfaceandeyelids，asshebobbedherheadoutofthecoachwindow，meaning，nodoubt，tobeverygracious;andoneoldwomansaid，"LadyIsabel！lord—a—mercy，it"sLadyJezebel！"anamebywhichtheenemiesoftherighthonorableViscountesswereafterwardsinthehabitofdesignatingher。ThecountrywastheninagreatNo—Poperyfervor;herladyship"sknownconversion，andherhusband"s，thepriestinhertrain，andtheserviceperformedatthechapelofCastlewood（thoughthechapelhadbeenbuiltforthatworshipbeforeanyotherwasheardofinthecountry，andthoughtheservicewasperformedinthemostquietmanner），gothernofavoratfirstinthecountyorvillage。ByfarthegreaterpartoftheestateofCastlewoodhadbeenconfiscated，andbeenparcelledouttoCommonwealthmen。OneortwooftheseoldCromwelliansoldierswerestillaliveinthevillage，andlookedgrimlyatfirstuponmyLadyViscountess，whenshecametodwellthere。

SheappearedattheHextonAssembly，bringingherlordafterher，scaringthecountryfolkswiththesplendorofherdiamonds，whichshealwaysworeinpublic。Theysaidsheworetheminprivate，too，andsleptwiththemroundherneck;thoughthewritercanpledgehiswordthatthiswasacalumny。"Ifsheweretotakethemoff，"myLadySarksaid，"TomEsmond，herhusband，wouldrunawaywiththemandpawnthem。""Twasanothercalumny。MyLadySarkwasalsoanexilefromCourt，andtherehadbeenwarbetweenthetwoladiesbefore。

Thevillagepeoplebegantobereconciledpresentlytotheirlady，whowasgenerousandkind，thoughfantasticandhaughty，inherways;andwhosepraisesDr。Tusher，theVicar，soundedloudlyamongsthisflock。Asformylord，hegavenogreattrouble，beingconsideredscarcemorethananappendagetomylady，who，asdaughteroftheoldlordsofCastlewood，andpossessorofvastwealth，asthecountryfolkssaid（thoughindeednine—tenthsofitexistedbutinrumor），waslookeduponastherealqueenoftheCastle，andmistressofallitcontained。

CHAPTERIII。

WHITHERINTHETIMEOFTHOMAS，THIRDVISCOUNT，IHADPRECEDEDHIM

ASPAGETOISABELLA。

CominguptoLondonagainsomeshorttimeafterthisretreat，theLordCastlewooddespatchedaretainerofhistoalittleCottageinthevillageofEaling，neartoLondon，whereforsometimehaddweltanoldFrenchrefugee，bynameMr。Pastoureau，oneofthosewhomthepersecutionoftheHuguenotsbytheFrenchkinghadbroughtovertothiscountry。Withthisoldmanlivedalittlelad，whowentbythenameofHenryThomas。Herememberedtohavelivedinanotherplaceashorttimebefore，neartoLondontoo，amongstloomsandspinning—wheels，andagreatdealofpsalm—

singingandchurch—going，andawholecolonyofFrenchmen。

Therehehadadear，dearfriend，whodied，andwhomhecalledAunt。Sheusedtovisithiminhisdreamssometimes;andherface，thoughitwashomely，wasathousandtimesdearertohimthanthatofMrs。Pastoureau，BonPapaPastoureau"snewwife，whocametolivewithhimafterauntwentaway。Andthere，atSpittlefields，asitusedtobecalled，livedUncleGeorge，whowasaweavertoo，butusedtotellHarrythathewasalittlegentleman，andthathisfatherwasacaptain，andhismotheranangel。

Whenhesaidso，BonPapausedtolookupfromtheloom，wherehewasembroideringbeautifulsilkflowers，andsay，"Angel！shebelongstotheBabylonishscarletwoman。"BonPapawasalwaystalkingofthescarletwoman。Hehadalittleroomwherehealwaysusedtopreachandsinghymnsoutofhisgreatoldnose。LittleHarrydidnotlikethepreaching;helikedbetterthefinestorieswhichauntusedtotellhim。BonPapa"swifenevertoldhimprettystories;shequarrelledwithUncleGeorge，andhewentaway。

Afterthis，Harry"sBonPapaandhiswifeandtwochildrenofherownthatshebroughtwithher，cametoliveatEaling。Thenewwifegaveherchildrenthebestofeverything，andHarrymanyawhipping，heknewnotwhy。Besidesblows，hegotillnamesfromher，whichneednotbesetdownhere，forthesakeofoldMr。

Pastoureau，whowasstillkindsometimes。Theunhappinessofthosedaysislongforgiven，thoughtheycastashadeofmelancholyoverthechild"syouth，whichwillaccompanyhim，nodoubt，totheendofhisdays:asthosetendertwigsarebentthetreesgrowafterward;andhe，atleast，whohassufferedasachild，andisnotquitepervertedinthatearlyschoolofunhappiness，learnstobegentleandlong—sufferingwithlittlechildren。

Harrywasverygladwhenagentlemandressedinblack，onhorseback，withamountedservantbehindhim，cametofetchhimawayfromEaling。Thenoverca，orunjuststepmother，whohadneglectedhimforherowntwochildren，gavehimsupperenoughthenightbeforehewentaway，andplentyinthemorning。Shedidnotbeathimonce，andtoldthechildrentokeeptheirhandsoffhim。

Onewasagirl，andHarrynevercouldbeartostrikeagirl;andtheotherwasaboy，whomhecouldeasilyhavebeat，buthealwayscriedout，whenMrs。Pastoureaucamesailingtotherescuewitharmslikeaflail。SheonlywashedHarry"sfacethedayhewentaway;noreversomuchasonceboxedhisears。Shewhimperedratherwhenthegentlemaninblackcamefortheboy;andoldMr。

Pastoureau，ashegavethechildhisblessing，scowledoverhisshoulderatthestrangegentleman，andgrumbledoutsomethingaboutBabylonandthescarletlady。Hewasgrownquiteold，likeachildalmost。Mrs。Pastoureauusedtowipehisnoseasshedidtothechildren。Shewasagreat，big，handsomeyoungwoman;but，thoughshepretendedtocry，Harrythought"twasonlyasham，andsprungquitedelighteduponthehorseuponwhichthelackeyhelpedhim。

HewasaFrenchman;hisnamewasBlaise。Thechildcouldtalktohiminhisownlanguageperfectlywell:heknewitbetterthanEnglishindeed，havinglivedhithertochieflyamongFrenchpeople:

andbeingcalledtheLittleFrenchmanbyotherboysonEalingGreen。HesoonlearnttospeakEnglishperfectly，andtoforgetsomeofhisFrench:childrenforgeteasily。Someearlierandfainterrecollectionsthechildhadofadifferentcountry;andatownwithtallwhitehouses:andaship。Butthesewerequiteindistinctintheboy"smind，asindeedthememoryofEalingsoonbecame，atleastofmuchthathesufferedthere。

Thelackeybeforewhomherodewasverylivelyandvoluble，andinformedtheboythatthegentlemanridingbeforehimwasmylord"schaplain，FatherHolt——thathewasnowtobecalledMasterHarryEsmond——thatmyLordViscountCastlewoodwashisparrain——thathewastoliveatthegreathouseofCastlewood，intheprovinceof————shire，wherehewouldseeMadametheViscountess，whowasagrandlady。Andso，seatedonaclothbeforeBlaise"ssaddle，HarryEsmondwasbroughttoLondon，andtoafinesquarecalledCoventGarden，neartowhichhispatronlodged。

Mr。Holt，thepriest，tookthechildbythehand，andbroughthimtothisnobleman，agrandlanguidnoblemaninagreatcapandfloweredmorning—gown，suckingoranges。HepattedHarryontheheadandgavehimanorange。

"C"estbienca，"hesaidtothepriestaftereyingthechild，andthegentlemaninblackshruggedhisshoulders。

"LetBlaisetakehimoutforaholiday，"andoutforaholidaytheboyandthevaletwent。Harrywentjumpingalong;hewasgladenoughtogo。

Hewillremembertohislife"sendthedelightsofthosedays。HewastakentoseeaplaybyMonsieurBlaise，inahouseathousandtimesgreaterandfinerthantheboothatEalingFair——andonthenexthappydaytheytookwaterontheriver，andHarrysawLondonBridge，withthehousesandbooksellers"shopsthereon，lookinglikeastreet，andtheTowerofLondon，withtheArmor，andthegreatlionsandbearsinthemoat——allundercompanyofMonsieurBlaise。

Presently，ofanearlymorning，allthepartysetforthforthecountry，namely，myLordViscountandtheothergentleman;MonsieurBlaiseandHarryonapillionbehindthem，andtwoorthreemenwithpistolsleadingthebaggage—horses。AndallalongtheroadtheFrenchmantoldlittleHarrystoriesofbrigands，whichmadethechild"shairstandonend，andterrifiedhim;sothatatthegreatgloomyinnontheroadwheretheylay，hebesoughttobeallowedtosleepinaroomwithoneoftheservants，andwascompassionatedbyMr。Holt，thegentlemanwhotravelledwithmylord，andwhogavethechildalittlebedinhischamber。

Hisartlesstalkandanswersverylikelyinclinedthisgentlemanintheboy"sfavor，fornextdayMr。HoltsaidHarryshouldridebehindhim，andnotwiththeFrenchlacky;andallalongthejourneyputathousandquestionstothechild——astohisfoster—

brotherandrelationsatEaling;whathisoldgrandfatherhadtaughthim;whatlanguagesheknew;whetherhecouldreadandwrite，andsing，andsoforth。AndMr。HoltfoundthatHarrycouldreadandwrite，andpossessedthetwolanguagesofFrenchandEnglishverywell;andwhenheaskedHarryaboutsinging，theladbrokeoutwithahymntothetuneofDr。MartinLuther，whichsetMr。Holta—laughing;andevencausedhisgrandparraininthelacedhatandperiwigtolaughtoowhenHolttoldhimwhatthechildwassinging。ForitappearedthatDr。MartinLuther"shymnswerenotsunginthechurchesMr。Holtpreachedat。

"Youmustneversingthatsonganymore:doyouhear，littlemannikin？"saysmyLordViscount，holdingupafinger。

"Butwewilltryandteachyouabetter，Harry，"Mr。Holtsaid;andthechildanswered，forhewasadocilechild，andofanaffectionatenature，"Thathelovedprettysongs，andwouldtryandlearnanythingthegentlemanwouldtellhim。"Thatdayhesopleasedthegentlemenbyhistalk，thattheyhadhimtodinewiththemattheinn，andencouragedhiminhisprattle;andMonsieurBlaise，withwhomherodeanddinedthedaybefore，waiteduponhimnow。

""Tiswell，"tiswell！"saidBlaise，thatnight（inhisownlanguage）whentheylayagainataninn。"Wearealittlelordhere;wearealittlelordnow:weshallseewhatwearewhenwecometoCastlewood，wheremyladyis。"

"WhenshallwecometoCastlewood，MonsieurBlaise？"saysHarry。

"Parbleu！mylorddoesnotpresshimself，"Blaisesays，withagrin;and，indeed，itseemedasifhislordshipwasnotinagreathurry，forhespentthreedaysonthatjourneywhichHarryEsmondhathoftensinceriddeninadozenhours。ForthelasttwoofthedaysHarryrodewiththepriest，whowassokindtohim，thatthechildhadgrowntobequitefondandfamiliarwithhimbythejourney"send，andhadscarceathoughtinhislittleheartwhichbythattimehehadnotconfidedtohisnewfriend。

Atlength，onthethirdday，atevening，theycametoavillagestandingonagreenwithelmsroundit，veryprettytolookat;andthepeopletherealltookofftheirhats，andmadecurtsiestomyLordViscount，whobowedtothemalllanguidly;andtherewasoneportlypersonthatworeacassockandabroad—leafedhat，whobowedlowerthananyone——andwiththisonebothmylordandMr。Holthadafewwords。"This，Harry，isCastlewoodchurch，"saysMr。Holt，"andthisisthepillarthereof，learnedDoctorTusher。Takeoffyourhat，sirrah，andsaluteDr。Tusher！"

"Comeuptosupper，Doctor，"saysmylord;atwhichtheDoctormadeanotherlowbow，andthepartymovedontowardsagrandhousethatwasbeforethem，withmanygraytowersandvanesonthem，andwindowsflaminginthesunshine;andagreatarmyofrooks，wheelingovertheirheads，madeforthewoodsbehindthehouse，asHarrysaw;andMr。HolttoldhimthattheylivedatCastlewoodtoo。

Theycametothehouse，andpassedunderanarchintoacourt—yard，withafountaininthecentre，wheremanymencameandheldmylord"sstirrupashedescended，andpaidgreatrespecttoMr。Holtlikewise。Andthechildthoughtthattheservantslookedathimcuriously，andsmiledtooneanother——andherecalledwhatBlaisehadsaidtohimwhentheywereinLondon，andHarryhadspokenabouthisgodpapa，whentheFrenchmansaid，"Parbleu，oneseeswellthatmylordisyourgodfather;"wordswhereofthepoorladdidnotknowthemeaningthen，thoughheapprehendedthetruthinaveryshorttimeafterwards，andlearnedit，andthoughtofitwithnosmallfeelingofshame。

TakingHarrybythehandassoonastheywerebothdescendedfromtheirhorses，Mr。Holtledhimacrossthecourt，andunderalowdoortoroomsonalevelwiththeground;oneofwhichFatherHoltsaidwastobetheboy"schamber，theotherontheothersideofthepassagebeingtheFather"sown;andassoonasthelittleman"sfacewaswashed，andtheFather"sowndressarranged，Harry"sguidetookhimoncemoretothedoorbywhichmylordhadenteredthehall，andupastair，andthroughanante—roomtomylady"sdrawing—room——anapartmentthanwhichHarrythoughthehadneverseenanythingmoregrand——no，notintheTowerofLondonwhichhehadjustvisited。Indeed，thechamberwasrichlyornamentedinthemannerofQueenElizabeth"stime，withgreatstainedwindowsateitherend，andhangingsoftapestry，whichthesunshiningthroughthecoloredglasspaintedofathousandlines;andhereinstate，bythefire，sataladytowhomthepriesttookupHarry，whowasindeedamazedbyherappearance。

MyLadyViscountess"sfacewasdaubedwithwhiteandreduptotheeyes，towhichthepaintgaveanunearthlyglare:shehadatoweroflaceonherhead，underwhichwasabushofblackcurls——

borrowedcurls——sothatnowonderlittleHarryEsmondwasscaredwhenhewasfirstpresentedtoher——thekindpriestactingasmasteroftheceremoniesatthatsolemnintroduction——andhestaredatherwitheyesalmostasgreatasherown，ashehadstaredattheplayerwomanwhoactedthewickedtragedy—queen，whentheplayerscamedowntoEalingFair。Shesatinagreatchairbythefire—corner;inherlapwasaspaniel—dogthatbarkedfuriously;onalittletablebyherwasherladyship"ssnuff—boxandhersugar—

plumbox。Sheworeadressofblackvelvet，andapetticoatofflame—coloredbrocade。ShehadasmanyringsonherfingersastheoldwomanofBanburyCross;andprettysmallfeetwhichshewasfondofshowing，withgreatgoldclockstoherstockings，andwhitepantofleswithredheels;andanodorofmuskwasshookoutofhergarmentswhenevershemovedorquittedtheroom，leaningonhertortoise—shellstick，littleFurybarkingatherheels。