第7章

Whenthemarksofthediseaseclearedaway，theydidnot，itistrue，leavefurrowsorscarsonherface（exceptone，perhaps，onherforeheadoverherlefteyebrow）;butthedelicacyofherrosycolorandcomplexionwasgone:hereyeshadlosttheirbrilliancy，herhairfell，andherfacelookedolder。Itwasasifacoarsehandhadrubbedoffthedelicatetintsofthatsweetpicture，andbroughtit，asonehasseenunskilfulpainting—cleanersdo，tothedeadcolor。Also，itmustbeowned，thatforayearortwoafterthemalady，herladyship"snosewasswollenandredder。

Therewouldbenoneedtomentionthesetrivialities，butthattheyactuallyinfluencedmanylives，astrifleswillintheworld，whereagnatoftenplaysagreaterpartthananelephant，andamole—

hill，asweknowinKingWilliam"scase，canupsetanempire。WhenTusherinhiscourtlyway（atwhichHarryEsmondalwayschafedandspokescornfully）vowedandprotestedthatmylady"sfacewasnonetheworse——theladbrokeoutandsaid，"ItISworseandmymistressisnotnearsohandsomeasshewas;"onwhichpoorLadyCastlewoodgavearuefulsmile，andalookintoalittleVeniceglassshehad，whichshowedher，Isuppose，thatwhatthestupidboysaidwasonlytootrue，forsheturnedawayfromtheglass，andhereyesfilledwithtears。

ThesightoftheseinEsmond"sheartalwayscreatedasortofrageofpity，andseeingthemonthefaceoftheladywhomhelovedbest，theyoungblunderersankdownonhisknees，andbesoughthertopardonhim，sayingthathewasafoolandanidiot，thathewasabrutetomakesuchaspeech，hewhohadcausedhermalady;andDoctorTushertoldhimthatabearhewasindeed，andabearhewouldremain，atwhichspeechpooryoungEsmondwassodumbstrickenthathedidnotevengrowl。

"HeisMYbear，andIwillnothavehimbaited，Doctor，"myladysaid，pattingherhandkindlyontheboy"shead，ashewasstillkneelingatherfeet。"Howyourhairhascomeoff！Andmine，too，"sheaddedwithanothersigh。

"ItisnotformyselfthatIcared，"myladysaidtoHarry，whentheparsonhadtakenhisleave;"butAMIverymuchchanged？Alas！

Ifear"tistootrue。"

"Madam，youhavethedearest，andkindest，andsweetestfaceintheworld，Ithink，"theladsaid;andindeedhethoughtandthinksso。

"Willmylordthinksowhenhecomesback？"theladyaskedwithasigh，andanotherlookatherVeniceglass。"Supposeheshouldthinkasyoudo，sir，thatIamhideous——yes，yousaidhideous——hewillceasetocareforme。"Tisallmencareforinwomen，ourlittlebeauty。Whydidheselectmefromamongmysisters？"Twasonlyforthat。Wereignbutforadayortwo:andbesurethatVashtiknewEstherwascoming。"

"Madam，"saidMr。Esmond，"AhasueruswastheGrandTurk，andtochangewasthemannerofhiscountry，andaccordingtohislaw。"

"YouareallGrandTurksforthatmatter，"saidmylady，"orwouldbeifyoucould。Come，Frank，come，mychild。Youarewell，praisedbeHeaven。YOURlocksarenotthinnedbythisdreadfulsmall—pox:noryourpoorfacescarred——isit，myangel？"

Frankbegantoshoutandwhimperattheideaofsuchamisfortune。

Fromtheveryearliesttimetheyounglordhadbeentaughttoadmirehisbeautybyhismother:andesteemeditashighlyasanyreigningtoastvaluedhers。

Oneday，ashehimselfwasrecoveringfromhisfeverandillness，apangofsomethinglikeshameshotacrossyoungEsmond"sbreast，asherememberedthathehadneveronceduringhisillnessgivenathoughttothepoorgirlatthesmithy，whoseredcheeksbutamonthagohehadbeensoeagertosee。PoorNancy！hercheekshadsharedthefateofroses，andwerewitherednow。ShehadtakentheillnessonthesamedaywithEsmond——sheandherbrotherwerebothdeadofthesmall—pox，andburiedundertheCastlewoodyew—trees。

Therewasnobrightfacelookingnowfromthegarden，ortocheertheoldsmithathislonelyfireside。Esmondwouldhavelikedtohavekissedherinhershroud（likethelassinMr。Prior"sprettypoem）;butsherestedmanyafootbelowtheground，whenEsmondafterhismaladyfirsttrodonit。

DoctorTusherbroughtthenewsofthiscalamity，aboutwhichHarryEsmondlongedtoask，butdidnotlike。Hesaidalmostthewholevillagehadbeenstrickenwiththepestilence;seventeenpersonsweredeadofit，amongthemmentioningthenamesofpoorNancyandherlittlebrother。Hedidnotfailtosayhowthankfulwesurvivorsoughttobe。Itbeingthisman"sbusinesstoflatterandmakesermons，itmustbeownedhewasmostindustriousinit，andwasdoingtheoneortheotherallday。

AndsoNancywasgone;andHarryEsmondblushedthathehadnotasingletearforher，andfelltocomposinganelegyinLatinversesovertherusticlittlebeauty。Hebadethedryadsmournandtheriver—nymphsdeploreher。AsherfatherfollowedthecallingofVulcan，hesaidthatsurelyshewaslikeadaughterofVenus，thoughSievewright"swifewasanuglyshrew，asherememberedtohaveheardafterwards。Hemadealongface，but，intruth，feltscarcelymoresorrowfulthanamuteatafuneral。Thesefirstpassionsofmenandwomenaremostlyabortive;andaredeadalmostbeforetheyareborn。Esmondcouldrepeat，tohislastday，someofthedoggerellinesinwhichhismusebewailedhisprettylass;

notwithoutshametorememberhowbadtheverseswere，andhowgoodhethoughtthem;howfalsethegrief，andyethowhewasratherproudofit。"Tisanerror，surely，totalkofthesimplicityofyouth。Ithinknopersonsaremorehypocritical，andhaveamoreaffectedbehaviortooneanother，thantheyoung。Theydeceivethemselvesandeachotherwithartificesthatdonotimposeuponmenoftheworld;andsowegettounderstandtruthbetter，andgrowsimpleraswegrowolder。

WhenmyladyheardofthefatewhichhadbefallenpoorNancy，shesaidnothingsolongasTusherwasby，butwhenhewasgone，shetookHarryEsmond"shandandsaid——

"Harry，IbegyourpardonforthosecruelwordsIusedonthenightyouweretakenill。Iamshockedatthefateofthepoorcreature，andamsurethatnothinghadhappenedofthatwithwhich，inmyanger，Ichargedyou。Andtheveryfirstdaywegoout，youmusttakemetotheblacksmith，andwemustseeifthereisanythingI

candotoconsolethepooroldman。Poorman！tolosebothhischildren！WhatshouldIdowithoutmine？"

Andthiswas，indeed，theveryfirstwalkwhichmyladytook，leaningonEsmond"sarm，afterherillness。Buthervisitbroughtnoconsolationtotheoldfather;andheshowednosoftness，ordesiretospeak。"TheLordgaveandtookaway，"hesaid;andheknewwhatHisservant"sdutywas。Hewantedfornothing——lessnowthaneverbefore，astherewerefewermouthstofeed。HewishedherladyshipandMasterEsmondgoodmorning——hehadgrowntallinhisillness，andwasbutverylittlemarked;andwiththis，andasurlybow，hewentinfromthesmithytothehouse，leavingmylady，somewhatsilencedandshamefaced，atthedoor。Hehadahandsomestoneputupforhistwochildren，whichmaybeseeninCastlewoodchurchyardtothisveryday;andbeforeayearwasouthisownnamewasuponthestone。InthepresenceofDeath，thatsovereignruler，awoman"scoquetryisseared;andherjealousywillhardlypasstheboundariesofthatgrimkingdom。"Tisentirelyoftheearth，thatpassion，andexpiresinthecoldblueair，beyondoursphere。

Atlength，whenthedangerwasquiteover，itwasannouncedthatmylordandhisdaughterwouldreturn。Esmondwellrememberedtheday。Theladyhismistresswasinaflurryoffear:beforemylordcame，shewentintoherroom，andreturnedfromitwithreddenedcheeks。Herfatewasabouttobedecided。Herbeautywasgone——

washerreign，too，over？Aminutewouldsay。Mylordcameridingoverthebridge——hecouldbeseenfromthegreatwindow，cladinscarlet，andmountedonhisgrayhackney——hislittledaughterambledbyhiminabrightriding—dressofblue，onashiningchestnuthorse。Myladyleanedagainstthegreatmantel—piece，lookingon，withonehandonherheart——sheseemedonlythemorepaleforthoseredmarksoneithercheek。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes，andwithdrewit，laughinghysterically——theclothwasquiteredwiththerougewhenshetookitaway。Sherantoherroomagain，andcamebackwithpalecheeksandredeyes——hersoninherhand——justasmylordentered，accompaniedbyyoungEsmond，whohadgoneouttomeethisprotector，andtoholdhisstirrupashedescendedfromhorseback。

"What，Harry，boy！"mylordsaid，good—naturedly，"youlookasgauntasagreyhound。Thesmall—poxhasn"timprovedyourbeauty，andyoursideofthehousehadn"tnevertoomuchofit——ho，ho！"

Andhelaughed，andsprangtothegroundwithnosmallagility，lookinghandsomeandred，withinajollyfaceandbrownhair，likeaBeef—eater;Esmondkneelingagain，assoonashispatronhaddescended，performedhishomage，andthenwenttogreetthelittleBeatrix，andhelpherfromherhorse。

"Fie！howyellowyoulook，"shesaid;"andthereareone，two，redholesinyourface;"which，indeed，wasverytrue;HarryEsmond"sharshcountenancebearing，aslongasitcontinuedtobeahumanface，themarksofthedisease。

Mylordlaughedagain，inhighgood—humor。

"D———it！"saidhe，withoneofhisusualoaths，"thelittleslutseeseverything。ShesawtheDowager"spaintt"otherday，andaskedherwhysheworethatredstuff——didn"tyou，Trix？andtheTower;andSt。James"s;andtheplay;andthePrinceGeorge，andthePrincessAnne——didn"tyou，Trix？"

"Theyarebothveryfat，andsmeltofbrandy，"thechildsaid。

Paparoaredwithlaughing。

"Brandy！"hesaid。"Andhowdoyouknow，MissPert？"

"Becauseyourlordshipsmellsofitaftersupper，whenIembraceyoubeforeyougotobed，"saidtheyounglady，who，indeed，wasaspertasherfathersaid，andlookedasbeautifulalittlegipsyaseyesevergazedon。

"Andnowformylady，"saidmylord，goingupthestairs，andpassingunderthetapestrycurtainthathungbeforethedrawing—

roomdoor。Esmondrememberedthatnoblefigure，handsomelyarrayedinscarlet。Withinthelastfewmonthshehimselfhadgrownfromaboytobeaman，andwithhisfigurehisthoughtshadshotup，andgrownmanly。

Mylady"scountenance，ofwhichHarryEsmondwasaccustomedtowatchthechanges，andwithasolicitousaffectiontonoteandinterpretthesignsofgladnessorcare，woreasadanddepressedlookformanyweeksafterherlord"sreturn:duringwhichitseemedasif，bycaressesandentreaties，shestrovetowinhimbackfromsomeillhumorhehad，andwhichhedidnotchoosetothrowoff。

Inhereagernesstopleasehimshepractisedahundredofthoseartswhichhadformerlycharmedhim，butwhichseemednowtohavelosttheirpotency。Hersongsdidnotamusehim;andshehushedthemandthechildrenwheninhispresence。Mylordsatsilentathisdinner，drinkinggreatly，hisladyoppositetohim，lookingfurtivelyathisface，thoughalsospeechless。Hersilenceannoyedhimasmuchasherspeech;andhewouldpeevishly，andwithanoath，askherwhysheheldhertongueandlookedsoglum;orhewouldroughlycheckherwhenspeaking，andbidhernottalknonsense。Itseemedasif，sincehisreturn，nothingshecoulddoorsaycouldpleasehim。

Whenamasterandmistressareatstrifeinahouse，thesubordinatesinthefamilytaketheonesideortheother。HarryEsmondstoodinsogreatfearofmylord，thathewouldrunaleaguebarefoottodoamessageforhim;buthisattachmentforLadyEsmondwassuchapassionofgratefulregard，thattospareheragrief，ortodoheraservice，hewouldhavegivenhislifedaily:anditwasbytheverydepthandintensityofthisregardthathebegantodivinehowunhappyhisadoredlady"slifewas，andthatasecretcare（forsheneverspokeofheranxieties）wasweighinguponher。

Cananyone，whohaspassedthroughtheworldandwatchedthenatureofmenandwomenthere，doubtwhathadbefallenher？Ihaveseen，tobesure，somepeoplecarrydownwiththemintooldagetheactualbloomoftheiryouthfullove，andIknowthatMr。ThomasParrlivedtobeahundredandsixtyyearsold。But，forallthat，threescoreandtenistheageofmen，andfewgetbeyondit;and"tiscertainthatamanwhomarriesformerebeauxyeux，asmylorddid，considersthispartofthecontractatanendwhenthewomanceasestofulfilhers，andhislovedoesnotsurviveherbeauty。I

know"tisoftenotherwise，Isay;andcanthink（asmostmenintheirownexperiencemay）ofmanyahouse，where，lightedinearlyyears，thesaintedlampoflovehathneverbeenextinguished;butsothereisMr。Parr，andsothereisthegreatgiantatthefairthatiseightfeethigh——exceptionstomen——andthatpoorlampwhereofIspeak，thatlightsatfirstthenuptialchamber，isextinguishedbyahundredwindsanddraughtsdownthechimney，orsputtersoutforwantoffeeding。Andthen——andthenitisChloe，inthedark，starkawake，andStrephonsnoringunheeding;orviceversa，"tispoorStrephonthathasmarriedaheartlessjilt，andawokeoutofthatabsurdvisionofconjugalfelicity，whichwastolastforever，andisoverlikeanyotherdream。Oneandotherhasmadehisbed，andsomustlieinit，untilthatfinaldaywhenlifeends，andtheysleepseparate。

AboutthistimeyoungEsmond，whohadaknackofstringingverses，turnedsomeofOvid"sEpistlesintorhymes，andbroughtthemtohisladyforherdelectation。Thosewhichtreatedofforsakenwomentouchedherimmensely，Harryremarked;andwhenOenonecalledafterParis，andMedeabadeJasoncomebackagain，theladyofCastlewoodsighed，andsaidshethoughtthatpartoftheverseswasthemostpleasing。Indeed，shewouldhavechoppeduptheDean，heroldfather，inordertobringherhusbandbackagain。ButherbeautifulJasonwasgone，asbeautifulJasonswillgo，andthepoorenchantresshadneveraspelltokeephim。

Mylordwasonlysulkyaslongashiswife"sanxiousfaceorbehaviorseemedtoupbraidhim。Whenshehadgottomasterthese，andtoshowanoutwardlycheerfulcountenanceandbehavior，herhusband"sgood—humorreturnedpartially，andhesworeandstormednolongeratdinner，butlaughedsometimes，andyawnedunrestrainedly;absentinghimselfoftenfromhome，invitingmorecompanythither，passingthegreaterpartofhisdaysinthehunting—field，oroverthebottleasbefore;butwiththisdifference，thatthepoorwifecouldnolongerseenow，asshehaddoneformerly，thelightoflovekindledinhiseyes。Hewaswithher，butthatflamewasout:andthatoncewelcomebeaconnomoreshonethere。

Whatwerethislady"sfeelingswhenforcedtoadmitthetruthwhereofherforebodingglasshadgivenheronlytootruewarning，thatwithinherbeautyherreignhadended，andthedaysofherlovewereover？Whatdoesaseamandoinastormifmastandrudderarecarriedaway？Heshipsajurymast，andsteersashebestcanwithanoar。Whathappensifyourrooffallsinatempest？Afterthefirststunofthecalamitythesuffererstartsup，gropesaroundtoseethatthechildrenaresafe，andputsthemunderashedoutoftherain。Ifthepalaceburnsdown，youtakeshelterinthebarn。Whatman"slifeisnotovertakenbyoneormoreofthesetornadoesthatsendusoutofthecourse，andflingusonrockstoshelterasbestwemay？

WhenLadyCastlewoodfoundthathergreatshiphadgonedown，shebeganasbestshemightaftershehadralliedfromtheeffectsoftheloss，toputoutsmallventuresofhappiness;andhopeforlittlegainsandreturns，asamerchanton"Change，indocilispauperiempati，havinglosthisthousands，embarksafewguineasuponthenextship。Shelaidoutheralluponherchildren，indulgingthembeyondallmeasure，aswasinevitablewithoneofherkindnessofdisposition;givingallherthoughtstotheirwelfare——learning，thatshemightteachthem;andimprovingherownmanynaturalgiftsandfeminineaccomplishments，thatshemightimpartthemtoheryoungones。Tobedoinggoodforsomeoneelse，isthelifeofmostgoodwomen。Theyareexuberantofkindness，asitwere，andmustimpartittosomeone。ShemadeherselfagoodscholarofFrench，Italian，andLatin，havingbeengroundedinthesebyherfatherinheryouth;hidingthesegiftsfromherhusbandoutoffear，perhaps，thattheyshouldoffendhim，formylordwasnobookman——pish"dandpsha"datthenotionoflearnedladies，andwouldhavebeenangrythathiswifecouldconstrueoutofaLatinbookofwhichhecouldscarceunderstandtwowords。

YoungEsmondwasusher，orhousetutor，underheroroverher，asitmighthappen。Duringmylord"smanyabsences，theseschool—dayswouldgoonuninterruptedly:themotheranddaughterlearningwithsurprisingquickness;thelatterbyfitsandstartsonly，andassuitedherwaywardhumor。Asforthelittlelord，itmustbeownedthathetookafterhisfatherinthematteroflearning——likedmarblesandplay，andthegreathorseandthelittleonewhichhisfatherbroughthim，andonwhichhetookhimouta—hunting，agreatdealbetterthanCorderiusandLily;marshalledthevillageboys，andhadalittlecourtofthem，alreadyfloggingthem，anddomineeringoverthemwithafineimperiousspirit，thatmadehisfatherlaughwhenhebeheldit，andhismotherfondlywarnhim。

Thecookhadason，thewoodmanhadtwo，thebigladattheporter"slodgetookhiscuffsandhisorders。DoctorTushersaidhewasayoungnoblemanofgallantspirit;andHarryEsmond，whowashistutor，andeightyearshislittlelordship"ssenior，hadhardworksometimestokeephisowntemper，andholdhisauthorityoverhisrebelliouslittlechiefandkinsman。

InacoupleofyearsafterthatcalamityhadbefallenwhichhadrobbedLadyCastlewoodofalittle——averylittle——ofherbeauty，andhercarelesshusband"sheart（ifthetruthmustbetold，myladyhadfoundnotonlythatherreignwasover，butthathersuccessorwasappointed，aPrincessofanoblehouseinDruryLanesomewhere，whowasinstalledandvisitedbymylordatthetowneightmilesoff——pudethaecopprobriadicerenobis）——agreatchangehadtakenplaceinhermind，which，bystrugglesonlyknowntoherself，atleastnevermentionedtoanyone，andunsuspectedbythepersonwhocausedthepainsheendured——hadbeenschooledintosuchaconditionasshecouldnotverylikelyhaveimaginedpossibleascoreofmonthssince，beforehermisfortuneshadbegun。

Shehadoldenedinthattimeaspeopledowhosuffersilentlygreatmentalpain;andlearnedmuchthatshehadneversuspectedbefore。

ShewastaughtbythatbitterteacherMisfortune。Achildthemotherofotherchildren，buttwoyearsbackherlordwasagodtoher;hiswordsherlaw;hissmilehersunshine;hislazycommonplaceslistenedtoeagerly，asiftheywerewordsofwisdom——

allhiswishesandfreaksobeyedwithaserviledevotion。Shehadbeenmylord"schiefslaveandblindworshipper。Somewomenbearfartherthanthis，andsubmitnotonlytoneglectbuttounfaithfulnesstoo——butherethislady"sallegiancehadfailedher。

Herspiritrebelled，anddisownedanymoreobedience。Firstshehadtobearinsecretthepassionoflosingtheadoredobject;thentogetfurtherinitiation，andtofindthisworshippedbeingwasbutaclumsyidol:thentoadmitthesilenttruth，thatitwasshewassuperior，andnotthemonarchhermaster:thatshehadthoughtswhichhisbrainscouldnevermaster，andwasthebetterofthetwo;

quiteseparatefrommylordalthoughtiedtohim，andbound，asalmostallpeople（saveaveryhappyfew），toworkallherlifealone。Mylordsatinhischair，laughinghislaugh，crackinghisjoke，hisfaceflushingwithwine——myladyinherplaceoveragainsthim——heneversuspectingthathissuperiorwasthere，inthecalmresignedlady，coldofmanner，withdowncasteyes。Whenhewasmerryinhiscups，hewouldmakejokesabouthercoldness，and，"D———it，nowmyladyisgone，wewillhavet"otherbottle，"

hewouldsay。Hewasfrankenoughintellinghisthoughts，suchastheywere。Therewaslittlemysteryaboutmylord"swordsoractions。HisFairRosamonddidnotliveinaLabyrinth，liketheladyofMr。Addison"sopera，butparadedwithpaintedcheeksandatipsyretinueinthecountrytown。Hadsheamindtoberevenged，LadyCastlewoodcouldhavefoundthewaytoherrival"shouseeasilyenough;and，ifshehadcomewithbowlanddagger，wouldhavebeenroutedoffthegroundbytheenemywithavolleyofBillingsgate，whichthefairpersonalwayskeptbyher。

Meanwhile，ithasbeensaid，thatforHarryEsmondhisbenefactress"ssweetfacehadlostnoneofitscharms。Ithadalwaysthekindestoflooksandsmilesforhim——smiles，notsogayandartlessperhapsasthosewhichLadyCastlewoodhadformerlyworn，when，achildherself，playingwithherchildren，herhusband"spleasureandauthoritywereallshethoughtof;butoutofhergriefsandcares，aswillhappenIthinkwhenthesetrialsfalluponakindlyheart，andarenottoounbearable，grewupanumberofthoughtsandexcellenceswhichhadnevercomeintoexistence，hadnothersorrowandmisfortunesengenderedthem。Sure，occasionisthefatherofmostthatisgoodinus。Asyouhaveseentheawkwardfingersandclumsytoolsofaprisonercutandfashionthemostdelicatelittlepiecesofcarvedwork;orachievethemostprodigiousundergroundlabors，andcutthroughwallsofmasonry，andsawironbarsandfetters;"tismisfortunethatawakensingenuity，orfortitude，orendurance，inheartswherethesequalitieshadnevercometolifebutforthecircumstancewhichgavethemabeing。

""TwasafterJasonlefther，nodoubt，"LadyCastlewoodoncesaidwithoneofhersmilestoyoungEsmond（whowasreadingtoheraversionofcertainlinesoutofEuripides），"thatMedeabecamealearnedwomanandagreatenchantress。"

"Andshecouldconjurethestarsoutofheaven，"theyoungtutoradded，"butshecouldnotbringJasonbackagain。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"askedmylady，veryangry。

"IndeedImeannothing，"saidtheother，"savewhatI"vereadinbooks。WhatshouldIknowaboutsuchmatters？IhaveseennowomansaveyouandlittleBeatrix，andtheparson"swifeandmylatemistress，andyourladyship"swomanhere。"

"Themenwhowroteyourbooks，"saysmylady，"yourHoraces，andOvids，andVirgils，asfarasIknowofthem，allthoughtillofus，asalltheheroestheywroteaboutusedusbasely。Wewerebredtobeslavesalways;andevenofourowntimes，asyouarestilltheonlylawgivers，Ithinkoursermonsseemtosaythatthebestwomanisshewhobearshermaster"schainsmostgracefully。

"Tisapitytherearenonunneriespermittedbyourchurch:BeatrixandIwouldflytoone，andendourdaysinpeacethereawayfromyou。"

"Andistherenoslaveryinaconvent？"saysEsmond。

"Atleastifwomenareslavesthere，nooneseesthem，"answeredthelady。"Theydon"tworkinstreetgangswiththepublictojeerthem:andiftheysuffer，sufferinprivate。Herecomesmylordhomefromhunting。Takeawaythebooks。Mylorddoesnotlovetoseethem。Lessonsareoverforto—day，Mr。Tutor。"Andwithacurtsyandasmileshewouldendthissortofcolloquy。

Indeed"Mr。Tutor，"asmyladycalledEsmond，hadnowbusinessenoughonhishandsinCastlewoodhouse。Hehadthreepupils，hisladyandhertwochildren，atwhoselessonsshewouldalwaysbepresent;besideswritingmylord"sletters，andarranginghisaccomptsforhim——whenthesecouldbegotfromEsmond"sindolentpatron。

Ofthepupilsthetwoyoungpeoplewerebutlazyscholars，andasmyladywouldadmitnodisciplinesuchaswastheninuse，mylord"ssononlylearnedwhatheliked，whichwasbutlittle，andnevertohislife"sendcouldbegottoconstruemorethansixlinesofVirgil。MistressBeatrixchatteredFrenchprettily，fromaveryearlyage;andsangsweetly，butthiswasfromhermother"steaching——notHarryEsmond"s，whocouldscarcedistinguishbetween"GreenSleeves"and"Lillibullero;"althoughhehadnogreaterdelightinlifethantoheartheladiessing。Heseesthemnow（willheeverforgetthem？）astheyusedtosittogetherofthesummerevenings——thetwogoldenheadsoverthepage——thechild"slittlehand，andthemother"sbeatingthetime，withtheirvoicesrisingandfallinginunison。

Butifthechildrenwerecareless，"twasawonderhoweagerlythemotherlearntfromheryoungtutor——andtaughthimtoo。Thehappiestinstinctivefacultywasthislady"s——afacultyfordiscerninglatentbeautiesandhiddengracesofbooks，especiallybooksofpoetry，asinawalkshewouldspyoutfield—flowersandmakeposiesofthem，suchasnootherhandcould。Shewasacritic，notbyreasonbutbyfeeling;thesweetestcommentatorofthosebookstheyreadtogether;andthehappiesthoursofyoungEsmond"slife，perhaps，werethosepassedinthecompanyofthiskindmistressandherchildren。

Thesehappydaysweretoendsoon，however;anditwasbytheLadyCastlewood"sowndecreethattheywerebroughttoaconclusion。IthappenedaboutChristmas—time，HarryEsmondbeingnowpastsixteenyearsofage，thathisoldcomrade，adversary，andfriend，TomTusher，returnedfromhisschoolinLondon，afair，well—grown，andsturdylad，whowasabouttoentercollege，withanexhibitionfromhisschool，andaprospectofafterpromotioninthechurch。TomTusher"stalkwasofnothingbutCambridgenow;andtheboys，whoweregoodfriends，examinedeachothereagerlyabouttheirprogressinbooks。TomhadlearnedsomeGreekandHebrew，besidesLatin，inwhichhewasprettywellskilled，andalsohadgivenhimselftomathematicalstudiesunderhisfather"sguidance，whowasaproficientinthosesciences，ofwhichEsmondknewnothing;norcouldhewriteLatinsowellasTom，thoughhecouldtalkitbetter，havingbeentaughtbyhisdearfriendtheJesuitFather，forwhosememorytheladeverretainedthewarmestaffection，readinghisbooks，keepinghisswordscleaninthelittlecryptwheretheFatherhadshownthemtoEsmondonthenightofhisvisit;andoftenofanightsittinginthechaplain"sroom，whichheinhabited，overhisbooks，hisverses，andrubbish，withwhichtheladoccupiedhimself，hewouldlookupatthewindow，thinkinghewisheditmightopenandletinthegoodFather。Hehadcomeandpassedawaylikeadream;butfortheswordsandbooksHarrymightalmostthinktheFatherwasanimaginationofhismind——andfortwoletterswhichhadcometohim，onefromabroad，fullofadviceandaffection，anothersoonafterhehadbeenconfirmedbytheBishopofHexton，inwhichFatherHoltdeploredhisfallingaway。ButHarryEsmondfeltsoconfidentnowofhisbeingintheright，andofhisownpowersasacasuist，thathethoughthewasabletofacetheFatherhimselfinargument，andpossiblyconverthim。

Toworkuponthefaithofheryoungpupil，Esmond"skindmistresssenttothelibraryofherfathertheDean，whohadbeendistinguishedinthedisputesofthelateking"sreign;and，anoldsoldiernow，hadhunguphisweaponsofcontroversy。ThesehetookdownfromhisshelveswillinglyforyoungEsmond，whomhebenefitedbyhisownpersonaladviceandinstruction。Itdidnotrequiremuchpersuasiontoinducetheboytoworshipwithhisbelovedmistress。AndthegoodoldnonjuringDeanflatteredhimselfwithaconversionwhich，intruth，wasowingtoamuchgentlerandfairerpersuader。

Underherladyship"skindeyes（mylord"sbeingsealedinsleepprettygenerally），EsmondreadmanyvolumesoftheworksofthefamousBritishDivinesofthelastage，andwasfamiliarwithWakeandSherlock，withStillingfleetandPatrick。Hismistressnevertiredtolistenortoread，topursuethetextswithfondcomments，tourgethosepointswhichherfancydweltonmost，orherreasondeemedmostimportant。SincethedeathofherfathertheDean，thisladyhathadmittedacertainlatitudeoftheologicalreadingwhichherorthodoxfatherwouldneverhaveallowed;hisfavoritewritersappealingmoretoreasonandantiquitythantothepassionsorimaginationsoftheirreaders，sothattheworksofBishopTaylor，nay，thoseofMr。BaxterandMr。Law，haveinrealityfoundmorefavorwithmyLadyCastlewoodthantheseverervolumesofourgreatEnglishschoolmen。

Inlaterlife，attheUniversity，Esmondreopenedthecontroversy，andpursueditinaverydifferentmanner，whenhispatronshaddeterminedforhimthathewastoembracetheecclesiasticallife。

Butthoughhismistress"sheartwasinthiscalling，hisownneverwasmuch。Afterthatfirstfervorofsimpledevotion，whichhisbelovedJesuitpriesthadinspiredinhim，speculativetheologytookbutlittleholdupontheyoungman"smind。Whenhisearlycredulitywasdisturbed，andhissaintsandvirginstakenoutofhisworship，toranklittlehigherthanthedivinitiesofOlympus，hisbeliefbecameacquiescenceratherthanardor;andhemadehisminduptoassumethecassockandbands，asanothermandoestowearabreastplateandjack—boots，ortomountamerchant"sdesk，foralivelihood，andfromobedienceandnecessity，ratherthanfromchoice。TherewerescoresofsuchmeninMr。Esmond"stimeattheuniversities，whoweregoingtothechurchwithnobettercallingthanhis。

WhenThomasTusherwasgone，afeelingofnosmalldepressionanddisquietfelluponyoungEsmond，ofwhich，thoughhedidnotcomplain，hiskindmistressmusthavedivinedthecause:forsoonaftersheshowednotonlythatsheunderstoodthereasonofHarry"smelancholy，butcouldprovidearemedyforit。Herhabitwasthustowatch，unobservedly，thosetowhomdutyoraffectionboundher，andtopreventtheirdesigns，ortofulfilthem，whenshehadthepower。Itwasthislady"sdispositiontothinkkindnesses，anddevisesilentbountiesandtoschemebenevolence，forthoseabouther。Wetakesuchgoodness，forthemostpart，asifitwasourdue;theMaryswhobringointmentforourfeetgetbutlittlethanks。Someofusneverfeelthisdevotionatall，oraremovedbyittogratitudeoracknowledgment;othersonlyrecallityearsafter，whenthedaysarepastinwhichthosesweetkindnesseswerespentonus，andweofferbackourreturnforthedebtbyapoortardypaymentoftears。Thenforgottentonesofloverecurtous，andkindglancesshineoutofthepast——ohsobrightandclear！——ohsolongedafter！——becausetheyareoutofreach;asholidaymusicfromwithinsideaprisonwall——orsunshineseenthroughthebars;

moreprizedbecauseunattainable——morebrightbecauseofthecontrastofpresentdarknessandsolitude，whencethereisnoescape。

Allthenotice，then，whichLadyCastlewoodseemedtotakeofHarryEsmond"smelancholy，uponTomTusher"sdeparture，was，byagayetyunusualtoher，toattempttodispelhisgloom。Shemadehisthreescholars（herselfbeingthechiefone）morecheerfulthanevertheyhadbeenbefore，andmoredocile，too，allofthemlearningandreadingmuchmorethantheyhadbeenaccustomedtodo。"Forwhoknows，"saidthelady，"whatmayhappen，andwhetherwemaybeabletokeepsuchalearnedtutorlong？"

FrankEsmondsaidheforhispartdidnotwanttolearnanymore，andcousinHarrymightshutuphisbookwheneverheliked，ifhewouldcomeouta—fishing;andlittleBeatrixdeclaredshewouldsendforTomTusher，andHEwouldbegladenoughtocometoCastlewood，ifHarrychosetogoaway。

AtlastcomesamessengerfromWinchesteroneday，bearerofaletter，withagreatblackseal，fromtheDeanthere，tosaythathissisterwasdead，andhadleftherfortuneof2，000L。amonghersixnieces，theDean"sdaughters;andmanyatimesincehasHarryEsmondrecalledtheflushedfaceandeagerlookwherewith，afterthisintelligence，hiskindladyregardedhim。Shedidnotpretendtoanygriefaboutthedeceasedrelative，fromwhomsheandherfamilyhadbeenmanyyearsparted。

Whenmylordheardofthenews，healsodidnotmakeanyverylongface。"Themoneywillcomeveryhandytofurnishthemusic—roomandthecellar，whichisgettinglow，andbuyyourladyshipacoachandacoupleofhorsesthatwilldoindifferenttorideorforthecoach。And，Beatrix，youshallhaveaspinnet:and，Frank，youshallhavealittlehorsefromHextonFair;and，Harry，youshallhavefivepoundstobuysomebooks，"saidmylord，whowasgenerouswithhisown，andindeedwithotherfolk"smoney。"Iwishyourauntwoulddieonceayear，Rachel;wecouldspendyourmoney，andallyoursisters"，too。"