第4章

"Lockwoodknowsnothingofmybeinghere，mindyou，"hesaid;"norwouldyou，youlittlewretch！hadyousleptbetter。YoumustforgetthatIhavebeenhere;andnowfarewell。Closethedoor，andgotoyourownroom，anddon"tcomeouttill——stay，whyshouldyounotknowonesecretmore？Iknowyouwillneverbetrayme。"

IntheChaplain"sroomweretwowindows;theonelookingintothecourtfacingwestwardstothefountain;theother，asmallcasementstronglybarred，andlookingontothegreeninfrontoftheHall。

Thiswindowwastoohightoreachfromtheground;but，mountingonabuffetwhichstoodbeneathit，FatherHoltshowedmehow，bypressingonthebaseofthewindow，thewholeframeworkoflead，glass，andironstanchionsdescendedintoacavityworkedbelow，fromwhichitcouldbedrawnandrestoredtoitsusualplacefromwithout;abrokenpanebeingpurposelyopentoadmitthehandwhichwastoworkuponthespringofthemachine。

"WhenIamgone，"FatherHoltsaid，"youmaypushawaythebuffet，sothatnoonemayfancythatanexithasbeenmadethatway;lockthedoor;placethekey——whereshallweputthekey？——under"Chrysostom"onthebook—shelf;andifanyaskforit，sayIkeepitthere，andtoldyouwheretofindit，ifyouhadneedtogotomyroom。Thedescentiseasydownthewallintotheditch;andso，oncemorefarewell，untilIseetheeagain，mydearson。"AndwiththistheintrepidFathermountedthebuffetwithgreatagilityandbriskness，steppedacrossthewindow，liftingupthebarsandframeworkagainfromtheotherside，andonlyleavingroomforHarryEsmondtostandontiptoeandkisshishandbeforethecasementclosed，thebarsfixingasfirmlyasever，seemingly，inthestonearchoverhead。WhenFatherHoltnextarrivedatCastlewood，itwasbythepublicgateonhorseback;andheneversomuchasalludedtotheexistenceoftheprivateissuetoHarry，exceptwhenhehadneedofaprivatemessengerfromwithin，forwhichend，nodoubt，hehadinstructedhisyoungpupilinthemeansofquittingtheHall。

Esmond，youngashewas，wouldhavediedsoonerthanbetrayhisfriendandmaster，asMr。Holtwellknew;forhehadtriedtheboymorethanonce，puttingtemptationsinhisway，toseewhetherhewouldyieldtothemandconfessafterwards，orwhetherhewouldresistthem，ashedidsometimes，orwhetherhewouldlie，whichheneverdid。Holtinstructingtheboyonthispoint，however，thatiftokeepsilenceisnottolie，asitcertainlyisnot，yetsilenceis，afterall，equivalenttoanegation——andthereforeadownrightNo，intheinterestofjusticeoryourfriend，andinreplytoaquestionthatmaybeprejudicialtoeither，isnotcriminal，but，onthecontrary，praiseworthy;andaslawfulawayastheotherofeludingawrongfuldemand。Forinstance（sayshe），supposeagoodcitizen，whohadseenhisMajestytakerefugethere，hadbeenasked，"IsKingCharlesupthatoak—tree？"hisdutywouldhavebeennottosay，Yes——sothattheCromwelliansshouldseizethekingandmurderhimlikehisfather——butNo;hisMajestybeingprivateinthetree，andthereforenottobeseentherebyloyaleyes:allwhichinstruction，inreligionandmorals，aswellasintherudimentsofthetonguesandsciences，theboytookeagerlyandwithgratitudefromhistutor。When，then，Holtwasgone，andtoldHarrynottoseehim，itwasasifhehadneverbeen。Andhehadthisanswerpatwhenhecametobequestionedafewdaysafter。

ThePrinceofOrangewasthenatSalisbury，asyoungEsmondlearnedfromseeingDoctorTusherinhisbestcassock（thoughtheroadsweremuddy，andheneverwasknowntowearhissilk，onlyhisstuffone，a—horseback），withagreatorangecockadeinhisbroad—leafedhat，andNahum，hisclerk，ornamentedwithalikedecoration。TheDoctorwaswalkingupanddowninfrontofhisparsonage，whenlittleEsmondsawhim，andheardhimsayhewasgoingtopayhisdutytohisHighnessthePrince，ashemountedhispadandrodeawaywithNahumbehind。Thevillagepeoplehadorangecockadestoo，andhisfriendtheblacksmith"slaughingdaughterpinnedoneintoHarry"soldhat，whichhetoreoutindignantlywhentheybadehimtocry"GodsavethePrinceofOrangeandtheProtestantreligion！"butthepeopleonlylaughed，fortheylikedtheboyinthevillage，wherehissolitaryconditionmovedthegeneralpity，andwherehefoundfriendlywelcomesandfacesinmanyhouses。

FatherHolthadmanyfriendstheretoo，forhenotonlywouldfighttheblacksmithattheology，neverlosinghistemper，butlaughingthewholetimeinhispleasantway;buthecuredhimofanaguewithquinquina，andwasalwaysreadywithakindwordforanymanthataskedit，sothattheysaidinthevillage"twasapitythetwowerePapists。

TheDirectorandtheVicarofCastlewoodagreedverywell;indeed，theformerwasaperfectly—bredgentleman，anditwasthelatter"sbusinesstoagreewitheverybody。DoctorTusherandthelady"s—

maid，hisspouse，hadaboywhowasabouttheageoflittleEsmond;

andtherewassuchafriendshipbetweenthelads，aspropinquityandtolerablekindnessandgood—humoroneithersidewouldbeprettysuretooccasion。TomTusherwassentoffearly，however，toaschoolinLondon，whitherhisfathertookhimandavolumeofsermons，inthefirstyearofthereignofKingJames;andTomreturnedbutonce，ayearafterwards，toCastlewoodformanyyearsofhisscholasticandcollegiatelife。ThustherewaslessdangertoTomofaperversionofhisfaithbytheDirector，whoscarceeversawhim，thantherewastoHarry，whoconstantlywasintheVicar"scompany;butaslongasHarry"sreligionwashisMajesty"s，andmylord"s，andmylady"s，theDoctorsaidgravely，itshouldnotbeforhimtodisturbordisquiethim:itwasfarfromhimtosaythathisMajesty"sChurchwasnotabranchoftheCatholicChurch;uponwhichFatherHoltused，accordingtohiscustom，tolaugh，andsaythattheHolyChurchthroughoutalltheworld，andthenobleArmyofMartyrs，wereverymuchobligedtotheDoctor。

ItwaswhileDr。TusherwasawayatSalisburythattherecameatroopofdragoonswithorangescarfs，andquarteredinCastlewood，andsomeofthemcameuptotheHall，wheretheytookpossession，robbingnothinghoweverbeyondthehen—houseandthebeer—cellar:

andonlyinsistingupongoingthroughthehouseandlookingforpapers。ThefirstroomtheyaskedtolookatwasFatherHolt"sroom，ofwhichHarryEsmondbroughtthekey，andtheyopenedthedrawersandthecupboards，andtossedoverthepapersandclothes——

butfoundnothingexcepthisbooksandclothes，andthevestmentsinaboxbythemselves，withwhichthedragoonsmademerry，toHarryEsmond"shorror。AndtothequestionswhichthegentlemanputtoHarry，herepliedthatFatherHoltwasaverykindmantohim，andaverylearnedman，andHarrysupposedwouldtellhimnoneofhissecretsifhehadany。Hewasaboutelevenyearsoldatthistime，andlookedasinnocentasboysofhisage。

Thefamilywereawaymorethansixmonths，andwhentheyreturnedtheywereinthedeepeststateofdejection，forKingJameshadbeenbanished，thePrinceofOrangewasonthethrone，andthedirestpersecutionsofthoseoftheCatholicfaithwereapprehendedbymylady，whosaidshedidnotbelievethattherewasawordoftruthinthepromisesoftolerationthatDutchmonstermade，orinasinglewordtheperjuredwretchsaid。Mylordandladywereinamannerprisonersintheirownhouse;soherladyshipgavethelittlepagetoknow，whowasbythistimegrowingofanagetounderstandwhatwaspassingabouthim，andsomethingofthecharactersofthepeoplehelivedwith。

"Weareprisoners，"saysshe;"ineverythingbutchains，weareprisoners。Letthemcome，letthemconsignmetodungeons，orstrikeoffmyheadfromthispoorlittlethroat"（andsheclaspeditinherlongfingers）。"ThebloodoftheEsmondswillalwaysflowfreelyfortheirkings。WearenotliketheChurchills——theJudases，whokisstheirmasterandbetrayhim。Weknowhowtosuffer，howeventoforgiveintheroyalcause"（nodoubtitwastothatfatalbusinessoflosingtheplaceofGroomofthePossettowhichherladyshipalluded，asshedidhalfadozentimesintheday）。"LetthetyrantofOrangebringhisrackandhisodiousDutchtortures——thebeast！thewretch！Ispituponhimanddefyhim。CheerfullywillIlaythisheadupontheblock;cheerfullywillIaccompanymylordtothescaffold:wewillcry"GodsaveKingJames！"withourdyingbreath，andsmileinthefaceoftheexecutioner。"Andshetoldherpage，ahundredtimesatleast，oftheparticularsofthelastinterviewwhichshehadwithhisMajesty。

"Iflungmyselfbeforemyliege"sfeet，"shesaid，"atSalisbury。

Idevotedmyself——myhusband——myhouse，tohiscause。Perhapsherememberedoldtimes，whenIsabellaEsmondwasyoungandfair;

perhapsherecalledthedaywhen"twasnotIthatknelt——atleasthespoketomewithavoicethatremindedMEofdaysgoneby。

"Egad！"saidhisMajesty，"youshouldgotothePrinceofOrange;

ifyouwantanything。""No，sire，"Ireplied，"IwouldnotkneeltoaUsurper;theEsmondthatwouldhaveservedyourMajestywillneverbegroomtoatraitor"sposset。"Theroyalexilesmiled，eveninthemidstofhismisfortune;hedeignedtoraisemewithwordsofconsolation。TheViscount，myhusband，himself，couldnotbeangryattheaugustsalutewithwhichhehonoredme！"

Thepublicmisfortunehadtheeffectofmakingmylordandhisladybetterfriendsthantheyeverhadbeensincetheircourtship。MylordViscounthadshownbothloyaltyandspirit，whenthesewererarequalitiesinthedispiritedpartyabouttheKing;andthepraisehegotelevatedhimnotalittleinhiswife"sgoodopinion，andperhapsinhisown。Hewakenedupfromthelistlessandsupinelifewhichhehadbeenleading;wasalwaysridingtoandfroinconsultationwiththisfriendorthatoftheKing"s;thepageofcourseknowinglittleofhisdoings，butremarkingonlyhisgreatercheerfulnessandaltereddemeanor。

FatherHoltcametotheHallconstantly，butofficiatednolongeropenlyaschaplain;hewasalwaysfetchingandcarrying:strangers，militaryandecclesiastic（Harryknewthelatter，thoughtheycameinallsortsofdisguises），werecontinuallyarrivinganddeparting。Mylordmadelongabsencesandsuddenreappearances，usingsometimesthemeansofexitwhichFatherHolthademployed，thoughhowoftenthelittlewindowintheChaplain"sroomletinorletoutmylordandhisfriends，Harrycouldnottell。HestoutlykepthispromisetotheFatherofnotprying，andifatmidnightfromhislittleroomheheardnoisesofpersonsstirringinthenextchamber，heturnedroundtothewall，andhidhiscuriosityunderhispillowuntilitfellasleep。Ofcoursehecouldnothelpremarkingthatthepriest"sjourneyswereconstant，andunderstandingbyahundredsignsthatsomeactivethoughsecretbusinessemployedhim:whatthiswasmayprettywellbeguessedbywhatsoonhappenedtomylord。

NogarrisonorwatchwasputintoCastlewoodwhenmylordcameback，butaGuardwasinthevillage;andoneorotherofthemwasalwaysontheGreenkeepingalook—outonourgreatgate，andthosewhowentoutandin。Lockwoodsaidthatatnightespeciallyeverypersonwhocameinorwentoutwaswatchedbytheoutlyingsentries。"TwasluckythatwehadagatewhichtheirWorshipsknewnothingabout。MylordandFatherHoltmusthavemadeconstantjourneysatnight:onceortwicelittleHarryactedastheirmessengeranddiscreetlittleaide—de—camp。Heremembershewasbiddentogointothevillagewithhisfishing—rod，entercertainhouses，askforadrinkofwater，andtellthegoodman，"Therewouldbeahorse—marketatNewburynextThursday，"andsocarrythesamemessageontothenexthouseonhislist。

Hedidnotknowwhatthemessagemeantatthetime，norwhatwashappening:whichmayaswell，however，forclearness"sake，beexplainedhere。ThePrinceofOrangebeinggonetoIreland，wheretheKingwasreadytomeethimwithagreatarmy，itwasdeterminedthatagreatrisingofhisMajesty"spartyshouldtakeplaceinthiscountry;andmylordwastoheadtheforceinourcounty。Oflatehehadtakenagreaterleadinaffairsthanbefore，havingtheindefatigableMr。Holtathiselbow，andmyLadyViscountessstronglyurginghimon;andmyLordSarkbeingintheToweraprisoner，andSirWilmotCrawley，ofQueen"sCrawley，havinggoneovertothePrinceofOrange"sside——mylordbecamethemostconsiderablepersoninourpartofthecountyfortheaffairsoftheKing。

ItwasarrangedthattheregimentofScotsGraysandDragoons，thenquarteredatNewbury，shoulddeclarefortheKingonacertainday，whenlikewisethegentryaffectedtohisMajesty"scauseweretocomeinwiththeirtenantsandadherentstoNewbury，marchupontheDutchtroopsatReadingunderGinckel;and，theseoverthrown，andtheirindomitablelittlemasterawayinIreland，"twasthoughtthatoursidemightmoveonLondonitself，andaconfidentvictorywaspredictedfortheKing。

Asthesegreatmatterswereinagitation，mylordlosthislistlessmannerandseemedtogainhealth;myladydidnotscoldhim，Mr。

Holtcametoandfro，busyalways;andlittleHarrylongedtohavebeenafewinchestaller，thathemightdrawaswordinthisgoodcause。

Oneday，itmusthavebeenaboutthemonthofJuly，1690，mylord，inagreathorseman"scoat，underwhichHarrycouldseetheshiningofasteelbreastplatehehadon，calledlittleHarrytohim，putthehairoffthechild"sforehead，andkissedhim，andbadeGodblesshiminsuchanaffectionatewayasheneverhadusedbefore。

FatherHoltblessedhimtoo，andthentheytookleaveofmyLadyViscountess，whocamefromherapartmentwithapocket—handkerchieftohereyes，andhergentlewomanandMrs。Tushersupportingher。

"Youaregoingto——toride，"saysshe。"Oh，thatImightcometoo——

butinmysituationIamforbiddenhorseexercise。"

"WekissmyLadyMarchioness"shand，"saysMr。Holt。

"Mylord，Godspeedyou！"shesaid，steppingupandembracingmylordinagrandmanner。"Mr。Holt，Iaskyourblessing:"andshekneltdownforthat，whilstMrs。Tushertossedherheadup。

Mr。Holtgavethesamebenedictiontothelittlepage，whowentdownandheldmylord"sstirrupsforhimtomount;thereweretwoservantswaitingtheretoo——andtheyrodeoutofCastlewoodgate。

Astheycrossedthebridge，Harrycouldseeanofficerinscarletrideuptouchinghishat，andaddressmylord。

Thepartystopped，andcametosomeparleyordiscussion，whichpresentlyended，mylordputtinghishorseintoacanteraftertakingoffhishatandmakingabowtotheofficer，whorodealongsidehimstepforstep:thetrooperaccompanyinghimfallingback，andridingwithmylord"stwomen。TheycanteredovertheGreen，andbehindtheelms（mylordwavinghishand，Harrythought），andsotheydisappeared。Thateveningwehadagreatpanic，thecow—boycomingatmilking—timeridingoneofourhorses，whichhehadfoundgrazingattheouterpark—wall。

AllnightmyLadyViscountesswasinaveryquietandsubduedmood。

Shescarcefoundfaultwithanybody;sheplayedatcardsforsixhours;littlepageEsmondwenttosleep。Heprayedformylordandthegoodcausebeforeclosinghiseyes。

Itwasquiteinthegrayofthemorningwhentheporter"sbellrang，andoldLockwood，wakingup，letinoneofmylord"sservants，whohadgonewithhiminthemorning，andwhoreturnedwithamelancholystory。Theofficerwhorodeuptomylordhad，itappeared，saidtohim，thatitwashisdutytoinformhislordshipthathewasnotunderarrest，butundersurveillance，andtorequesthimnottorideabroadthatday。

Mylordrepliedthatridingwasgoodforhishealth，thatiftheCaptainchosetoaccompanyhimhewaswelcome;anditwasthenthathemadeabow，andtheycanteredawaytogether。

WhenhecameontoWanseyDown，mylordallofasuddenpulledup，andthepartycametoahaltatthecross—way。

"Sir，"sayshetotheofficer，"wearefourtotwo;willyoubesokindastotakethatroad，andleavemegomine？"

"Yourroadismine，mylord，"saystheofficer。

"Then——"saysmylord;buthehadnotimetosaymore，fortheofficer，drawingapistol，snappeditathislordship;asatthesamemomentFatherHolt，drawingapistol，shottheofficerthroughthehead。Itwasdone，andthemandeadinaninstantoftime。

Theorderly，gazingattheofficer，lookedsearedforamoment，andgallopedawayforhislife。

"Fire！fire！"criesoutFatherHolt，sendinganothershotafterthetrooper，butthetwoservantsweretoomuchsurprisedtousetheirpieces，andmylordcallingtothemtoholdtheirhands，thefellowgotaway。

"Mr。Holt，quipensaitatout，"saysBlaise，"getsoffhishorse，examinesthepocketsofthedeadofficerforpapers，giveshismoneytoustwo，andsays，"Thewineisdrawn，M。leMarquis，"——whydidhesayMarquistoM。leVicomte？——"wemustdrinkit。"

"Thepoorgentleman"shorsewasabetteronethanthatIrode，"

Blaisecontinues;"Mr。Holtbidsmegetonhim，andsoIgaveacuttoWhitefoot，andshetrottedhome。WerodeontowardsNewbury;weheardfiringtowardsmidday:attwoo"clockahorsemancomesuptousasweweregivingourcattlewaterataninn——andsays，"Allisdone！TheEcossaisdeclaredanhourtoosoon——GeneralGinckelwasdownuponthem。"Thewholethingwasatanend。

""Andwe"veshotanofficeronduty，andlethisorderlyescape，"

saysmylord。

""Blaise，"saysMr。Holt，writingtwolinesonhistable—book，oneformyladyandoneforyou，MasterHarry;"youmustgobacktoCastlewood，anddeliverthese，"andbeholdme。"

AndhegaveHarrythetwopapers。Hereadthattohimself，whichonlysaid，"Burnthepapersinthecupboard，burnthis。Youknownothingaboutanything。"Harryreadthis，ranupstairstohismistress"sapartment，wherehergentlewomansleptneartothedoor，madeherbringalightandwakemylady，intowhosehandshegavethepaper。Shewasawonderfulobjecttolookatinhernightattire，norhadHarryeverseenthelike。

Assoonasshehadthepaperinherhand，HarrysteppedbacktotheChaplain"sroom，openedthesecretcupboardoverthefireplace，burnedallthepapersinit，and，ashehadseenthepriestdobefore，tookdownoneofhisreverence"smanuscriptsermons，andhalfburntthatinthebrazier。Bythetimethepaperswerequitedestroyeditwasdaylight。Harryranbacktohismistressagain。

Hergentlewomanusheredhimagainintoherladyship"schamber;shetoldhim（frombehindhernuptialcurtains）tobidthecoachbegotready，andthatshewouldrideawayanon。

Butthemysteriesofherladyship"stoiletwereasawfullylongonthisdayasonanyother，and，longafterthecoachwasready，myladywasstillattiringherself。AndjustastheViscountesssteppedforthfromherroom，readyfordeparture，youngJohnLockwoodcomesrunningupfromthevillagewithnewsthatalawyer，threeofficers，andtwentyorfour—and—twentysoldiers，weremarchingthenceuponthehouse。Johnhadbuttwominutesthestartofthem，and，erehehadwelltoldhisstory，thetrooprodeintoourcourt—yard。

CHAPTERVI。

THEISSUEOFTHEPLOTS。——THEDEATHOFTHOMAS，THIRDVISCOUNTOF

CASTLEWOOD;ANDTHEIMPRISONMENTOFHISVISCOUNTESS。

AtfirstmyladywasfordyinglikeMary，QueenofScots（towhomshefanciedsheborearesemblanceinbeauty），and，strokingherscraggyneck，said，"TheywillfindIsabelofCastlewoodisequaltoherfate。"Hergentlewoman，Victoire，persuadedherthatherprudentcoursewas，asshecouldnotfly，toreceivethetroopsasthoughshesuspectednothing，andthatherchamberwasthebestplacewhereintoawaitthem。SoherblackJapancasket，whichHarrywastocarrytothecoach，wastakenbacktoherladyship"schamber，whitherthemaidandmistressretired。Victoirecameoutpresently，biddingthepagetosayherladyshipwasill，confinedtoherbedwiththerheumatism。

BythistimethesoldiershadreachedCastlewood。HarryEsmondsawthemfromthewindowofthetapestryparlor;acoupleofsentinelswerepostedatthegate——ahalf—dozenmorewalkedtowardsthestable;andsomeothers，precededbytheircommander，andamaninblack，alawyerprobably，wereconductedbyoneoftheservantstothestairleadinguptothepartofthehousewhichmylordandladyinhabited。

SotheCaptain，ahandsomekindman，andthelawyer，camethroughtheante—roomtothetapestryparlor，andwherenowwasnobodybutyoungHarryEsmond，thepage。

"Tellyourmistress，littleman，"saystheCaptain，kindly，"thatwemustspeaktoher。"

"Mymistressisilla—bed，"saidthepage。

"Whatcomplainthasshe？"askedtheCaptain。

Theboysaid，"Therheumatism！"

"Rheumatism！that"sasadcomplaint，"continuesthegood—naturedCaptain;"andthecoachisintheyardtofetchtheDoctor，I

suppose？"

"Idon"tknow，"saystheboy。

"Andhowlonghasherladyshipbeenill？"

"Idon"tknow，"saystheboy。

"Whendidmylordgoaway？"

"Yesterdaynight。"

"WithFatherHolt？"

"WithMr。Holt。"

"Andwhichwaydidtheytravel？"asksthelawyer。

"Theytravelledwithoutme，"saysthepage。

"WemustseeLadyCastlewood。"

"Ihaveordersthatnobodygoesintoherladyship——sheissick，"

saysthepage;butatthismomentVictoirecameout。"Hush！"saysshe;and，asifnotknowingthatanyonewasnear，"What"sthisnoise？"saysshe。"IsthisgentlemantheDoctor？"

"Stuff！wemustseeLadyCastlewood，"saysthelawyer，pushingby。

Thecurtainsofherladyship"sroomweredown，andthechamberdark，andshewasinbedwithanightcaponherhead，andproppedupbyherpillows，lookingnonethelessghastlybecauseoftheredwhichwasstillonhercheeks，andwhichshecouldnotaffordtoforego。

"IsthattheDoctor？"shesaid。

"Thereisnousewiththisdeception，madam，"CaptainWestburysaid（forsohewasnamed）。"MydutyistoarrestthepersonofThomas，ViscountCastlewood，anonjuringpeer——ofRobertTusher，VicarofCastlewood——andHenryHolt，knownundervariousothernamesanddesignations，aJesuitpriest，whoofficiatedaschaplainhereinthelateking"stime，andisnowattheheadoftheconspiracywhichwasabouttobreakoutinthiscountryagainsttheauthorityoftheirMajestiesKingWilliamandQueenMary——andmyordersaretosearchthehouseforsuchpapersortracesoftheconspiracyasmaybefoundhere。Yourladyshipwillpleasegivemeyourkeys，anditwillbeaswellforyourselfthatyoushouldhelpus，ineveryway，inoursearch。"

"Yousee，sir，thatIhavetherheumatism，andcannotmove，"saidthelady，lookinguncommonlyghastlyasshesatupinherbed，where，however，shehadhadhercheekspainted，andanewcapputon，sothatshemightatleastlookherbestwhentheofficerscame。

"Ishalltakeleavetoplaceasentinelinthechamber，sothatyourladyship，incaseyoushouldwishtorise，mayhaveanarmtoleanon，"CaptainWestburysaid。"YourwomanwillshowmewhereI

amtolook;"andMadameVictoire，chatteringinherhalfFrenchandhalfEnglishjargon，openedwhiletheCaptainexaminedonedrawerafteranother;but，asHarryEsmondthought，rathercarelessly，withasmileonhisface，asifhewasonlyconductingtheexaminationforform"ssake。

BeforeoneofthecupboardsVictoireflungherselfdown，stretchingoutherarms，and，withapiercingshriek，cried，"Non，jamais，monsieurl"officier！Jamais！Iwillratherdiethanletyouseethiswardrobe。"

ButCaptainWestburywouldopenit，stillwithasmileonhisface，which，whentheboxwasopened，turnedintoafairburstoflaughter。Itcontained——notpapersregardingtheconspiracy——butmylady"swigs，washes，androuge—pots，andVictoiresaidmenweremonsters，astheCaptainwentonwithhisperquisition。Hetappedthebacktoseewhetherornoitwashollow，andashethrusthishandsintothecupboard，myladyfromherbedcalledout，withavoicethatdidnotsoundlikethatofaverysickwoman，"Isityourcommissiontoinsultladiesaswellastoarrestgentlemen，Captain？"

"Thesearticlesareonlydangerouswhenwornbyyourladyship，"theCaptainsaid，withalowbow，andamockgrinofpoliteness。"I

havefoundnothingwhichconcernstheGovernmentasyet——onlytheweaponswithwhichbeautyisauthorizedtokill，"sayshe，pointingtoawigwithhissword—tip。"Wemustnowproceedtosearchtherestofthehouse。"

"Youarenotgoingtoleavethatwretchintheroomwithme，"criedmylady，pointingtothesoldier。

"WhatcanIdo，madam？Somebodyyoumusthavetosmoothyourpillowandbringyourmedicine——permitme——"

"Sir！"screamedoutmylady。

"Madam，ifyouaretooilltoleavethebed，"theCaptainthensaid，rathersternly，"Imusthaveinfourofmymentoliftyouoffinthesheet。Imustexaminethisbed，inaword;papersmaybehiddeninabedaselsewhere;weknowthatverywelland***。"

Hereitwasherladyship"sturntoshriek，fortheCaptain，withhisfistshakingthepillowsandbolsters，atlastcameto"burn"

astheysayintheplayofforfeits，andwrenchingawayoneofthepillows，said，"Look！didnotItellyouso？Hereisapillowstuffedwithpaper。"

"Somevillainhasbetrayedus，"criedoutmylady，sittingupinthebed，showingherselffulldressedunderhernight—rail。

"Andnowyourladyshipcanmove，Iamsure;permitmetogiveyoumyhandtorise。Youwillhavetotravelforsomedistance，asfarasHextonCastleto—night。Willyouhaveyourcoach？Yourwomanshallattendyouifyoulike——andthejapan—box？"

"Sir！youdon"tstrikeaMANwhenheisdown，"saidmylady，withsomedignity:"canyounotspareawoman？"

"Yourladyshipmustpleasetorise，andletmesearchthebed，"

saidtheCaptain;"thereisnomoretimetoloseinbandyingtalk。"

And，withoutmoreado，thegauntoldwomangotup。HarryEsmondrecollectedtotheendofhislifethatfigure，withthebrocadedressandthewhitenight—rail，andthegold—clockedredstockings，andwhitered—heeledshoes，sittingupinthebed，andsteppingdownfromit。Thetrunkswerereadypackedfordepartureinherante—room，andthehorsesreadyharnessedinthestable:aboutallwhichtheCaptainseemedtoknow，byinformationgotfromsomequarterorother;andwhenceEsmondcouldmakeaprettyshrewdguessinafter—times，whenDr。TushercomplainedthatKingWilliam"sgovernmenthadbaselytreatedhimforservicesdoneinthatcause。

Andherehemayrelate，thoughhewasthentooyoungtoknowallthatwashappening，whatthepaperscontained，ofwhichCaptainWestburyhadmadeaseizure，andwhichpapershadbeentransferredfromthejapan—boxtothebedwhentheofficersarrived。

TherewasalistofgentlemenofthecountyinFatherHolt"shandwriting——Mr。Freeman"s（KingJames"s）friends——asimilarpaperbeingfoundamongthoseofSirJohnFenwickandMr。Coplestone，whosuffereddeathforthisconspiracy。

TherewasapatentconferringthetitleofMarquisofEsmondonmyLordCastlewoodandtheheirs—maleofhisbody;hisappointmentasLord—LieutenantoftheCounty，andMajor—General。*

*TohavethisrankofMarquisrestoredinthefamilyhadalwaysbeenmyLadyViscountess"sambition;andheroldmaidenaunt，BarbaraTopham，thegoldsmith"sdaughter，dyingaboutthistime，andleavingallherpropertytoLadyCastlewood，IhaveheardthatherladyshipsentalmostthewholeofthemoneytoKingJames，aproceedingwhichsoirritatedmyLordCastlewoodthatheactuallywenttotheparishchurch，andwasonlyappeasedbytheMarquis"stitlewhichhisexiledMajestysenttohiminreturnforthe15，000L。hisfaithfulsubjectlenthim。

Therewerevariouslettersfromthenobilityandgentry，someardentandsomedoubtful，intheKing"sservice;and（veryluckilyforhim）twolettersconcerningColonelFrancisEsmond:onefromFatherHolt，whichsaid，"IhavebeentoseethisColonelathishouseatWalcote，neartoWells，whereheresidessincetheKing"sdeparture，andpressedhimveryeagerlyinMr。Freeman"scause，showinghimthegreatadvantagehewouldhavebytradingwiththatmerchant，offeringhimlargepremiumsthereasagreedbetweenus。

Buthesaysno:heconsidersMr。Freemantheheadofthefirm，willnevertradeagainsthimorembarkwithanyothertradingcompany，butconsidershisdutywasdonewhenMr。FreemanleftEngland。

ThisColonelseemstocaremoreforhiswifeandhisbeaglesthanforaffairs。HeaskedmemuchaboutyoungH。E。，"thatbastard，"

ashecalledhim;doubtingmylord"sintentionsrespectinghim。I

reassuredhimonthishead，statingwhatIknewofthelad，andourintentionsrespectinghim，butwithregardtoFreemanhewasinflexible。"