第5章

AndanotherletterwasfromColonelEsmondtohiskinsman，tosaythatoneCaptainHoltonhadbeenwithhimofferinghimlargebribestojoin，YOUKNOWWHO，andsayingthattheheadofthehouseofCastlewoodwasdeeplyengagedinthatquarter。ButforhisparthehadbrokehisswordwhentheK。leftthecountry，andwouldneveragainfightinthatquarrel。TheP。ofO。wasaman，atleast，ofanoblecourage，andhisduty，and，ashethought，everyEnglishman"s，wastokeepthecountryquiet，andtheFrenchoutofit:and，infine，thathewouldhavenothingtodowiththescheme。

Oftheexistenceofthesetwolettersandthecontentsofthepillow，ColonelFrankEsmond，whobecameViscountCastlewood，toldHenryEsmondafterwards，whentheletterswereshowntohislordship，whocongratulatedhimself，ashehadgoodreason，thathehadnotjoinedintheschemewhichprovedsofataltomanyconcernedinit。But，naturally，theladknewlittleaboutthesecircumstanceswhentheyhappenedunderhiseyes:onlybeingawarethathispatronandhismistresswereinsometrouble，whichhadcausedtheflightoftheoneandtheapprehensionoftheotherbytheofficersofKingWilliam。

Theseizureofthepaperseffected，thegentlemendidnotpursuetheirfurthersearchthroughCastlewoodHouseveryrigorously。

TheyexaminedMr。Holt"sroom，beingledthitherbyhispupil，whoshowed，astheFatherhadbiddenhim，theplacewherethekeyofhischamberlay，openedthedoorforthegentlemen，andconductedthemintotheroom。

Whenthegentlemencametothehalf—burnedpapersinthebrazier，theyexaminedthemeagerlyenough，andtheiryoungguidewasalittleamusedattheirperplexity。

"Whatarethese？"saysone。

"They"rewritteninaforeignlanguage，"saysthelawyer。"Whatareyoulaughingat，littlewhelp？"addshe，turningroundashesawtheboysmile。

"Mr。Holtsaidtheyweresermons，"Harrysaid，"andbademetoburnthem;"whichindeedwastrueofthosepapers。

"Sermonsindeed——it"streason，Iwouldlayawager，"criesthelawyer。

"Egad！it"sGreektome，"saysCaptainWestbury。"Canyoureadit，littleboy？"

"Yes，sir，alittle，"Harrysaid。

"Thenread，andreadinEnglish，sir，onyourperil，"saidthelawyer。AndHarrybegantotranslate:——

"Hathnotoneofyourownwriterssaid，"ThechildrenofAdamarenowlaboringasmuchashehimselfeverdid，aboutthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil，shakingtheboughsthereof，andseekingthefruit，beingforthemostpartunmindfulofthetreeoflife。"

Ohblindgeneration！"tisthistreeofknowledgetowhichtheserpenthasledyou"——andheretheboywasobligedtostop，therestofthepagebeingcharredbythefire:andaskedofthelawyer——"ShallIgoon，sir？"

Thelawyersaid——"Thisboyisdeeperthanheseems:whoknowsthatheisnotlaughingatus？"

"Let"shaveinDicktheScholar，"criedCaptainWestbury，laughing:

andhecalledtoatrooperoutofthewindow——"Ho，Dick，comeinhereandconstrue。"

Athick—setsoldier，withasquaregood—humoredface，cameinatthesummons，salutinghisofficer。

"Telluswhatisthis，Dick，"saysthelawyer。

"MynameisSteele，sir，"saysthesoldier。"ImaybeDickformyfriends，butIdon"tnamegentlemenofyourclothamongstthem。"

"Wellthen，Steele。"

"Mr。Steele，sir，ifyouplease。WhenyouaddressagentlemanofhisMajesty"sHorseGuards，bepleasednottobesofamiliar。"

"Ididn"tknow，sir，"saidthelawyer。

"Howshouldyou？Itakeityouarenotaccustomedtomeetwithgentlemen，"saysthetrooper。

"Holdthyprate，andreadthatbitofpaper，"saysWestbury。

""TisLatin，"saysDick，glancingatit，andagainsalutinghisofficer，"andfromasermonofMr。Cudworth"s，"andhetranslatedthewordsprettymuchasHenryEsmondhadrenderedthem。

"Whatayoungscholaryouare，"saystheCaptaintotheboy。

"Dependon"t，heknowsmorethanhetells，"saysthelawyer。"I

thinkwewillpackhimoffinthecoachwitholdJezebel。"

"ForconstruingabitofLatin？"saidtheCaptain，verygood—

naturedly。

"Iwouldasliefgothereasanywhere，"HarryEsmondsaid，simply，"forthereisnobodytocareforme。"

Theremusthavebeensomethingtouchinginthechild"svoice，orinthisdescriptionofhissolitude——fortheCaptainlookedathimverygood—naturedly，andthetrooper，calledSteele，puthishandkindlyonthelad"shead，andsaidsomewordsintheLatintongue。

"Whatdoeshesay？"saysthelawyer。

"Faith，askDickhimself，"criedCaptainWestbury。

"IsaidIwasnotignorantofmisfortunemyself，andhadlearnedtosuccorthemiserable，andthat"snotYOURtrade，Mr。Sheepskin，"

saidthetrooper。

"YouhadbetterleaveDicktheScholaralone，Mr。Corbet，"theCaptainsaid。AndHarryEsmond，alwaystouchedbyakindfaceandkindword，feltverygratefultothisgood—naturedchampion。

Thehorseswerebythistimeharnessedtothecoach;andtheCountessandVictoirecamedownandwereputintothevehicle。

Thiswoman，whoquarrelledwithHarryEsmondallday，wasmeltedatpartingwithhim，andcalledhim"dearangel，"and"poorinfant，"

andahundredothernames。

TheViscountess，givinghimherleanhandtokiss，badehimalwaysbefaithfultothehouseofEsmond。"Ifevilshouldhappentomylord，"saysshe，"hisSUCCESSOR，Itrust，willbefound，andgiveyouprotection。SituatedasIam，theywillnotdarewreaktheirvengeanceonmeNOW。"Andshekissedamedalsheworewithgreatfervor，andHenryEsmondknewnotintheleastwhathermeaningwas;buthathsincelearnedthat，oldasshewas，shewasforeverexpecting，bythegoodofficesofsaintsandrelics，tohaveanheirtothetitleofEsmond。

HarryEsmondwastooyoungtohavebeenintroducedintothesecretsofpoliticsinwhichhispatronswereimplicated;fortheyputbutfewquestionstotheboy（whowaslittleofstature，andlookedmuchyoungerthanhisage），andsuchquestionsastheyputheansweredcautiouslyenough，andprofessingevenmoreignorancethanhehad，forwhichhisexaminerswillinglyenoughgavehimcredit。

Hedidnotsayawordaboutthewindoworthecupboardoverthefireplace;andthesesecretsquiteescapedtheeyesofthesearchers。

Sothenmyladywasconsignedtohercoach，andsentofftoHexton，withherwomanandthemanoflawtobearhercompany，acoupleoftroopersridingoneithersideofthecoach。AndHarrywasleftbehindattheHall，belongingasitweretonobody，andquitealoneintheworld。Thecaptainandaguardofmenremainedinpossessionthere;andthesoldiers，whowereverygood—naturedandkind，atemylord"smuttonanddrankhiswine，andmadethemselvescomfortable，astheywellmightdoinsuchpleasantquarters。

Thecaptainshadtheirdinnerservedinmylord"stapestryparlor，andpoorlittleHarrythoughthisdutywastowaituponCaptainWestbury"schair，ashiscustomhadbeentoservehislordwhenhesatthere。

AfterthedepartureoftheCountess，DicktheScholartookHarryEsmondunderhisspecialprotection，andwouldexaminehiminhishumanitiesandtalktohimbothofFrenchandLatin，inwhichtonguestheladfound，andhisnewfriendwaswillingenoughtoacknowledge，thathewasevenmoreproficientthanScholarDick。

HearingthathehadlearnedthemfromaJesuit，inthepraiseofwhomandwhosegoodnessHarrywasnevertiredofspeaking，Dick，rathertotheboy"ssurprise，whobegantohaveanearlyshrewdness，likemanychildrenbredupalone，showedagreatdealoftheologicalscience，andknowledgeofthepointsatissuebetweenthetwochurches;sothatheandHarrywouldhavehoursofcontroversytogether，inwhichtheboywascertainlyworstedbytheargumentsofthissingulartrooper。"Iamnocommonsoldier，"Dickwouldsay，andindeeditwaseasytoseebyhislearning，breeding，andmanyaccomplishments，thathewasnot。Iamofoneofthemostancientfamiliesintheempire;Ihavehadmyeducationatafamousschool，andafamousuniversity;IlearnedmyfirstrudimentsofLatinneartoSmithfield，inLondon，wherethemartyrswereroasted。"

"Youhangedasmanyofours，"interposedHarry;"and，forthematterofpersecution，FatherHolttoldmethatayounggentlemanofEdinburgh，eighteenyearsofage，studentatthecollegethere，washangedforheresyonlylastyear，thoughherecanted，andsolemnlyaskedpardonforhiserrors。"

"Faith！therehasbeentoomuchpersecutiononbothsides:but"twasyoutaughtus。"

"Nay，"twasthePagansbeganit，"criedthelad，andbegantoinstanceanumberofsaintsoftheChurch，fromtheproto—martyrdownwards——"thisone"sfirewentoutunderhim:thatone"soilcooledinthecaldron:atathirdholyheadtheexecutionerchoppedthreetimesanditwouldnotcomeoff。ShowusmartyrsinYOUR

churchforwhomsuchmiracleshavebeendone。"

"Nay，"saysthetroopergravely，"themiraclesofthefirstthreecenturiesbelongtomyChurchaswellasyours，MasterPapist，"andthenadded，withsomethingofasmileuponhiscountenance，andaqueerlookatHarry——"Andyet，mylittlecatechiser，Ihavesometimesthoughtaboutthosemiracles，thattherewasnotmuchgoodinthem，sincethevictim"sheadalwaysfinishedbycomingoffatthethirdorfourthchop，andthecaldron，ifitdidnotboiloneday，boiledthenext。Howbeit，inourtimes，theChurchhaslostthatquestionableadvantageofrespites。ThereneverwasashowertoputoutRidley"sfire，noranangeltoturntheedgeofCampion"saxe。TheracktorethelimbsofSouthwelltheJesuitandSympsontheProtestantalike。Forfaith，everywheremultitudesdiewillinglyenough。IhavereadinMonsieurRycaut"s"HistoryoftheTurks，"ofthousandsofMahomet"sfollowersrushingupondeathinbattleasuponcertainParadise;andinthegreatMogul"sdominionspeopleflingthemselvesbyhundredsunderthecarsoftheidolsannually，andthewidowsburnthemselvesontheirhusbands"bodies，as"tiswellknown。"Tisnotthedyingforafaiththat"ssohard，MasterHarry——everymanofeverynationhasdonethat——"tisthelivinguptoitthatisdifficult，asIknowtomycost，"headdedwithasigh。"Andah！"headded，"mypoorlad，Iamnotstrongenoughtoconvincetheebymylife——thoughtodieformyreligionwouldgivemethegreatestofjoys——butIhadadearfriendinMagdalenCollegeinOxford;IwishJoeAddisonwereheretoconvincethee，ashequicklycould——forIthinkhe"samatchforthewholeCollegeofJesuits;andwhat"smore，inhislifetoo。InthatverysermonofDr。Cudworth"swhichyourpriestwasquotingfrom，andwhichsufferedmartydominthebrazier，"——Dickaddedwithasmile，"Ihadathoughtofwearingtheblackcoat（butwasashamedofmylife，yousee，andtooktothissorryredone）;I

haveoftenthoughtofJoeAddison——Dr。Cudworthsays，"Agoodconscienceisthebestlooking—glassofheaven"——andthere"sserenityinmyfriend"sfacewhichalwaysreflectsit——Iwishyoucouldseehim，Harry。"

"Didhedoyouagreatdealofgood？"askedthelad，simply。

"Hemighthavedone，"saidtheother——"atleasthetaughtmetoseeandapprovebetterthings。"Tismyownfault，deteriorasequi。"

"Youseemverygood，"theboysaid。

"I"mnotwhatIseem，alas！"answeredthetrooper——andindeed，asitturnedout，poorDicktoldthetruth——forthatverynight，atsupperinthehall，wherethegentlemenofthetrooptooktheirrepasts，andpassedmostpartoftheirdaysdicingandsmokingoftobacco，andsingingandcursing，overtheCastlewoodale——HarryEsmondfoundDicktheScholarinawofulstateofdrunkenness。Hehiccuppedoutasermonandhislaughingcompanionsbadehimsingahymn，onwhichDick，swearinghewouldrunthescoundrelthroughthebodywhoinsultedhisreligion，madeforhissword，whichwashangingonthewall，andfelldownflatonthefloorunderit，sayingtoHarry，whoranforwardtohelphim，"Ah，littlePapist，I

wishJosephAddisonwashere！"

ThoughthetroopersoftheKing"sLife—Guardswereallgentlemen，yettherestofthegentlemenseemedignorantandvulgarboorstoHarryEsmond，withtheexceptionofthisgood—naturedCorporalSteeletheScholar，andCaptainWestburyandLieutenantTrant，whowerealwayskindtothelad。TheyremainedforsomeweeksormonthsencampedinCastlewood，andHarrylearnedfromthem，fromtimetotime，howtheladyatHextonCastlewastreated，andtheparticularsofherconfinementthere。"TisknownthatKingWilliamwasdisposedtodealverylenientlywiththegentrywhoremainedfaithfultotheoldKing"scause;andnoprinceusurpingacrown，ashisenemiessaidhedid，（righteouslytakingit，asIthinknow，）evercausedlessbloodtobeshed。Asforwomen—conspirators，hekeptspiesontheleastdangerous，andlockeduptheothers。

LadyCastlewoodhadthebestroomsinHextonCastle，andthegaoler"sgardentowalkin;andthoughsherepeatedlydesiredtobeledouttoexecution，likeMaryQueenofScots，thereneverwasanythoughtoftakingherpaintedoldheadoff，oranydesiretodoaughtbutkeepherpersoninsecurity。

Anditappearedshefoundthatsomewerefriendsinhermisfortune，whomshehad，inherprosperity，consideredasherworstenemies。

ColonelFrancisEsmond，mylord"scousinandherladyship"s，whohadmarriedtheDeanofWinchester"sdaughter，and，sinceKingJames"sdepartureoutofEngland，hadlivednotveryfarawayfromHextontown，hearingofhiskinswoman"sstrait，andbeingfriendswithColonelBrice，commandingforKingWilliaminHexton，andwiththeChurchdignitariesthere，cametovisitherladyshipinprison，offeringtohisuncle"sdaughteranyfriendlyserviceswhichlayinhispower。Andhebroughthisladyandlittledaughtertoseetheprisoner，tothelatterofwhom，achildofgreatbeautyandmanywinningways，theoldViscountesstooknotalittleliking，althoughbetweenherladyshipandthechild"smothertherewaslittlemorelovethanformerly。Therearesomeinjurieswhichwomenneverforgiveoneanother;andMadamFrancisEsmond，inmarryinghercousin，haddoneoneofthoseirretrievablewrongstoLadyCastlewood。Butasshewasnowhumiliated，andinmisfortune，MadamFranciscouldallowatrucetoherenmity，andcouldbekindforawhile，atleast，toherhusband"sdiscardedmistress。SothelittleBeatrix，herdaughter，waspermittedoftentogoandvisittheimprisonedViscountess，who，insofarasthechildanditsfatherwereconcerned，gottoabateinherangertowardsthatbranchoftheCastlewoodfamily。AndthelettersofColonelEsmondcomingtolight，ashasbeensaid，andhisconductbeingknowntotheKing"scouncil，theColonelwasputinabetterpositionwiththeexistinggovernmentthanhehadeverbeforebeen;anysuspicionsregardinghisloyaltywereentirelydoneaway;andsohewasenabledtobeofmoreservicetohiskinswomanthanhecouldotherwisehavebeen。

Andnowtherebefellaneventbywhichthisladyrecoveredherliberty，andthehouseofCastlewoodgotanewowner，andfatherlesslittleHarryEsmondanewandmostkindprotectorandfriend。WhateverthatsecretwaswhichHarrywastohearfrommylord，theboyneverheardit;forthatnightwhenFatherHoltarrived，andcarriedmylordawaywithhim，wasthelastonwhichHarryeversawhispatron。Whathappenedtomylordmaybebrieflytoldhere。Havingfoundthehorsesattheplacewheretheywerelying，mylordandFatherHoltrodetogethertoChatteris，wheretheyhadtemporaryrefugewithoneoftheFather"spenitentsinthatcity;butthepursuitbeinghotforthem，andtherewardfortheapprehensionofoneortheotherconsiderable，itwasdeemedadvisablethattheyshouldseparate;andthepriestbetookhimselftootherplacesofretreatknowntohim，whilstmylordpassedoverfromBristolintoIreland，inwhichkingdomKingJameshadacourtandanarmy。Mylordwasbutasmalladditiontothis;bringing，indeed，onlyhisswordandthefewpiecesinhispocket;buttheKingreceivedhimwithsomekindnessanddistinctioninspiteofhispoorplight，confirmedhiminhisnewtitleofMarquis，gavehimaregiment，andpromisedhimfurtherpromotion。Buttitlesorpromotionwerenottobenefithimnow。MylordwaswoundedatthefatalbattleoftheBoyne，flyingfromwhichfield（longafterhismasterhadsethimanexample）helayforawhileconcealedinthemarshycountryneartothetownofTrim，andmorefromcatarrhandfevercaughtinthebogsthanfromthesteeloftheenemyinthebattle，sankanddied。MaytheearthlielightuponThomasofCastlewood！Hewhowritesthismustspeakincharity，thoughthislorddidhimandhistwogrievouswrongs:foroneofthesehewouldhavemadeamends，perhaps，hadlifebeensparedhim;buttheotherlaybeyondhispowertorepair，though"tistobehopedthatagreaterPowerthanapriesthasabsolvedhimofit。Hegotthecomfortofthisabsolution，too，suchasitwas:apriestofTrimwritingalettertomyladytoinformherofthiscalamity。

Butinthosedaysletterswereslowoftravelling，andourpriest"stooktwomonthsormoreonitsjourneyfromIrelandtoEngland:

where，whenitdidarrive，itdidnotfindmyladyatherownhouse;shewasattheKing"shouseofHextonCastlewhenthelettercametoCastlewood，butitwasopenedforallthatbytheofficerincommandthere。

HarryEsmondwellrememberedthereceiptofthisletter，whichLockwoodbroughtinasCaptainWestburyandLieutenantTrantwereonthegreenplayingatbowls，youngEsmondlookingonatthesport，orreadinghisbookinthearbor。

"Here"snewsforFrankEsmond，"saysCaptainWestbury;"Harry，didyoueverseeColonelEsmond？"AndCaptainWestburylookedveryhardattheboyashespoke。

HarrysaidhehadseenhimbutoncewhenhewasatHexton，attheballthere。

"Anddidhesayanything？"

"HesaidwhatIdon"tcaretorepeat，"Harryanswered。Forhewasnowtwelveyearsofage:heknewwhathisbirthwas，andthedisgraceofit;andhefeltnolovetowardsthemanwhohadmostlikelystainedhismother"shonorandhisown。

"DidyoulovemyLordCastlewood？"

"IwaituntilIknowmymother，sir，tosay，"theboyanswered，hiseyesfillingwithtears。

"SomethinghashappenedtoLordCastlewood，"CaptainWestburysaidinaverygravetone——"somethingwhichmusthappentousall。HeisdeadofawoundreceivedattheBoyne，fightingforKingJames。"

"Iamgladmylordfoughtfortherightcause，"theboysaid。

"Itwasbettertomeetdeathonthefieldlikeaman，thanfaceitonTower—hill，assomeofthemmay，"continuedMr。Westbury。"I

hopehehasmadesometestament，orprovidedfortheesomehow。

Thislettersaysherecommendsunicumfiliumsuumdilectissimumtohislady。Ihopehehasleftyoumorethanthat。"

Harrydidnotknow，hesaid。HewasinthehandsofHeavenandFate;butmorelonelynow，asitseemedtohim，thanhehadbeenalltherestofhislife;andthatnight，ashelayinhislittleroomwhichhestilloccupied，theboythoughtwithmanyapangofshameandgriefofhisstrangeandsolitarycondition:howhehadafatherandnofather;anamelessmotherthathadbeenbroughttoruin，perhaps，bythatveryfatherwhomHarrycouldonlyacknowledgeinsecretandwithablush，andwhomhecouldneitherlovenorrevere。AndhesickenedtothinkhowFatherHolt，astranger，andtwoorthreesoldiers，hisacquaintancesofthelastsixweeks，weretheonlyfriendshehadinthegreatwideworld，wherehewasnowquitealone。Thesouloftheboywasfulloflove，andhelongedashelayinthedarknessthereforsomeoneuponwhomhecouldbestowit。Heremembers，andmusttohisdyingday，thethoughtsandtearsofthatlongnight，thehourstollingthroughit。Whowashe，andwhat？Whyhereratherthanelsewhere？

Ihaveamind，hethought，togotothatpriestatTrim，andfindoutwhatmyfathersaidtohimonhisdeath—bedconfession。IsthereanychildinthewholeworldsounprotectedasIam？ShallI

getupandquitthisplace，andruntoIreland？Withthesethoughtsandtearstheladpassedthatnightawayuntilhewepthimselftosleep。

Thenextday，thegentlemenoftheguard，whohadheardwhathadbefallenhim，weremorethanusuallykindtothechild，especiallyhisfriendScholarDick，whotoldhimabouthisownfather"sdeath，whichhadhappenedwhenDickwasachildatDublin，notquitefiveyearsofage。"Thatwasthefirstsensationofgrief，"Dicksaid，"Ieverknew。IrememberIwentintotheroomwherehisbodylay，andmymothersatweepingbesideit。Ihadmybattledoreinmyhand，andfella—beatingthecoffin，andcallingPapa;onwhichmymothercaughtmeinherarms，andtoldmeinafloodoftearsPapacouldnothearme，andwouldplaywithmenomore，fortheyweregoingtoputhimunderground，whencehecouldnevercometousagain。Andthis，"saidDickkindly，"hasmademepityallchildreneversince;andcausedmetolovethee，mypoorfatherless，motherlesslad。And，ifeverthouwantestafriend，thoushalthaveoneinRichardSteele。"

HarryEsmondthankedhim，andwasgrateful。ButwhatcouldCorporalSteeledoforhim？takehimtorideasparehorse，andbeservanttothetroop？ThoughtheremightbeabarinHarryEsmond"sshield，itwasanobleone。Thecounselofthetwofriendswas，thatlittleHarryshouldstaywherehewas，andabidehisfortune:soEsmondstayedonatCastlewood，awaitingwithnosmallanxietythefate，whateveritwas，whichwasoverhim。

CHAPTERVII。

IAMLEFTATCASTLEWOODANORPHAN，ANDFINDMOSTKINDPROTECTORS

THERE。

DuringthestayofthesoldiersinCastlewood，honestDicktheScholarwastheconstantcompanionofthelonelylittleorphanladHarryEsmond:andtheyreadtogether，andtheyplayedbowlstogether，andwhentheothertroopersortheirofficers，whowerefree—spokenovertheircups，（aswasthewayofthatday，whenneithermennorwomenwereover—nice，）talkedunbecominglyoftheiramoursandgallantriesbeforethechild，Dick，whoverylikelywassettingthewholecompanylaughing，wouldstoptheirjokeswithamaximadebeturpuerisreverentia，andonceofferedtolugoutagainstanothertroopercalledHulkingTom，whowantedtoaskHarryEsmondaribaldquestion。

Also，Dickseeingthatthechildhad，ashesaid，asensibilityabovehisyears，andagreatandpraiseworthydiscretion，confidedtoHarryhisloveforavintner"sdaughter，neartotheTollyard，Westminster，whomDickaddressedasSaccharissainmanyversesofhiscomposition，andwithoutwhomhesaiditwouldbeimpossiblethathecouldcontinuetolive。Hevowedthisathousandtimesinaday，thoughHarrysmiledtoseethelove—lornswainhadhishealthandappetiteaswellasthemostheart—wholetrooperintheregiment:andhesworeHarrytosecrecytoo，whichvowtheladreligiouslykept，untilhefoundthatofficersandprivateswerealltakenintoDick"sconfidence，andhadthebenefitofhisverses。Anditmustbeownedlikewisethat，whileDickwassighingafterSaccharissainLondon，hehadconsolationsinthecountry;

fortherecameawenchoutofCastlewoodvillagewhohadwashedhislinen，andwhocriedsadlywhensheheardhewasgone:andwithoutpayingherbilltoo，whichHarryEsmondtookuponhimselftodischargebygivingthegirlasilverpocket—piece，whichScholarDickhadpresentedtohim，when，withmanyembracesandprayersforhisprosperity，Dickpartedfromhim，thegarrisonofCastlewoodbeingorderedaway。DicktheScholarsaidhewouldneverforgethisyoungfriend，norindeeddidhe:andHarrywassorrywhenthekindsoldiersvacatedCastlewood，lookingforwardwithnosmallanxiety（forcareandsolitudehadmadehimthoughtfulbeyondhisyears）tohisfatewhenthenewlordandladyofthehousecametolivethere。Hehadlivedtobepasttwelveyearsoldnow;andhadneverhadafriend，savethiswildtrooper，perhaps，andFatherHolt;andhadafondandaffectionateheart，tendertoweakness，thatwouldfainattachitselftosomebody，anddidnotseematrestuntilithadfoundafriendwhowouldtakechargeofit。

TheinstinctwhichledHenryEsmondtoadmireandlovethegraciousperson，thefairapparitionofwhosebeautyandkindnesshadsomovedhimwhenhefirstbeheldher，becamesoonadevotedaffectionandpassionofgratitude，whichentirelyfilledhisyoungheart，thatasyet，exceptinthecaseofdearFatherHolt，hadhadverylittlekindnessforwhichtobethankful。ODeacerte，thoughthe，rememberingthelinesoutoftheAEneaswhichMr。Holthadtaughthim。Thereseemed，astheboythought，ineverylookorgestureofthisfaircreature，anangelicalsoftnessandbrightpity——inmotionorreposesheseemedgraciousalike;thetoneofhervoice，thoughsheutteredwordseversotrivial，gavehimapleasurethatamountedalmosttoanguish。Itcannotbecalledlove，thataladoftwelveyearsofage，littlemorethanamenial，feltforanexaltedlady，hismistress:butitwasworship。Tocatchherglance，todivinehererrandandrunonitbeforeshehadspokenit;towatch，follow，adoreher;becamethebusinessofhislife。

Meanwhile，asisthewayoften，hisidolhadidolsofherown，andneverthoughtoforsuspectedtheadmirationofherlittlepigmyadorer。

Myladyhadonhersideherthreeidols:firstandforemost，Joveandsupremeruler，washerlord，Harry"spatron，thegoodViscountofCastlewood。Allwishesofhiswerelawswithher。Ifhehadaheadache，shewasill。Ifhefrowned，shetrembled。Ifhejoked，shesmiledandwascharmed。Ifhewenta—hunting，shewasalwaysatthewindowtoseehimrideaway，herlittlesoncrowingonherarm，oronthewatchtillhisreturn。Shemadedishesforhisdinner:spicedwineforhim:madethetoastforhistankardatbreakfast:hushedthehousewhenhesleptinhischair，andwatchedforalookwhenhewoke。Ifmylordwasnotalittleproudofhisbeauty，myladyadoredit。Sheclungtohisarmashepacedtheterrace，hertwofairlittlehandsclaspedroundhisgreatone;hereyeswerenevertiredoflookinginhisfaceandwonderingatitsperfection。Herlittlesonwashisson，andhadhisfather"slookandcurlybrownhair。HerdaughterBeatrixwashisdaughter，andhadhiseyes——werethereeversuchbeautifuleyesintheworld？

Allthehousewasarrangedsoastobringhimeaseandgivehimpleasure。Shelikedthesmallgentryroundabouttocomeandpayhimcourt，nevercaringforadmirationforherself;thosewhowantedtobewellwiththeladymustadmirehim。Notregardingherdress，shewouldwearagowntorags，becausehehadoncelikedit:

and，ifhebroughtherabroochoraribbon，wouldpreferittoallthemostcostlyarticlesofherwardrobe。

MylordwenttoLondoneveryyearforsixweeks，andthefamilybeingtoopoortoappearatCourtwithanyfigure，hewentalone。

Itwasnotuntilhewasoutofsightthatherfaceshowedanysorrow:andwhatajoywhenhecameback！Whatpreparationbeforehisreturn！Thefondcreaturehadhisarm—chairatthechimney—

side——delightingtoputthechildreninit，andlookatthemthere。

Nobodytookhisplaceatthetable;buthissilvertankardstoodthereaswhenmylordwaspresent。

Aprettysightitwastosee，duringmylord"sabsence，oronthosemanymorningswhensleeporheadachekepthima—bed，thisfairyoungladyofCastlewood，herlittledaughteratherknee，andherdomesticsgatheredroundher，readingtheMorningPrayeroftheEnglishChurch。Esmondlongrememberedhowshelookedandspoke，kneelingreverentlybeforethesacredbook，thesunshininguponhergoldenhairuntilitmadeahaloroundabouther。Adozenoftheservantsofthehousekneeledinalineoppositetheirmistress;forawhileHarryEsmondkeptapartfromthesemysteries，butDoctorTushershowinghimthattheprayersreadwerethoseoftheChurchofallages，andtheboy"sowninclinationpromptinghimtobealwaysasnearashemighttohismistress，andtothinkallthingsshedidright，fromlisteningtotheprayersintheante—

chamber，hecamepresentlytokneeldownwiththerestofthehouseholdintheparlor;andbeforeacoupleofyearsmyladyhadmadeathoroughconvert。Indeed，theboylovedhiscatechisersomuchthathewouldhavesubscribedtoanythingshebadehim，andwasnevertiredoflisteningtoherfonddiscourseandsimplecommentsuponthebook，whichshereadtohiminavoiceofwhichitwasdifficulttoresistthesweetpersuasionandtenderappealingkindness。Thisfriendlycontroversy，andtheintimacywhichitoccasioned，boundtheladmorefondlythanevertohismistress。Thehappiestperiodofallhislifewasthis;andtheyoungmother，withherdaughterandson，andtheorphanladwhomsheprotected，readandworkedandplayed，andwerechildrentogether。Iftheladylookedforward——aswhatfondwomandoesnot？——towardsthefuture，shehadnoplansfromwhichHarryEsmondwasleftout;andathousandandathousandtimes，inhispassionateandimpetuousway，hevowedthatnopowershouldseparatehimfromhismistress;andonlyaskedforsomechancetohappenbywhichhemightshowhisfidelitytoher。Now，atthecloseofhislife，ashesitsandrecallsintranquillitythehappyandbusyscenesofit，hecanthink，notungratefully，thathehasbeenfaithfultothatearlyvow。Suchalifeissosimplethatyearsmaybechronicledinafewlines。Butfewmen"slife—voyagesaredestinedtobeallprosperous;andthiscalmofwhichwearespeakingwassoontocometoanend。

AsEsmondgrew，andobservedforhimself，hefoundofnecessitymuchtoreadandthinkofoutsidethatfondcircleofkinsfolkwhohadadmittedhimtojoinhandwiththem。Hereadmorebooksthantheycaredtostudywithhim;wasaloneinthemidstofthemmanyatime，andpassednightsoverlabors，futileperhaps，butinwhichtheycouldnotjoinhim。Hisdearmistressdivinedhisthoughtswithherusualjealouswatchfulnessofaffection:begantoforebodeatimewhenhewouldescapefromhishome—nest;and，athiseagerprotestationstothecontrary，wouldonlysighandshakeherhead。