第8章

"Ihavebutoneaunt——and——andIhaveanotheruseforthemoney，mylord，"saysmylady，turningveryred。

"Anotheruse，mydear;andwhatdoyouknowaboutmoney？"criesmylord。"AndwhatthedevilistherethatIdon"tgiveyouwhichyouwant！"

"Iintendtogivethismoney——can"tyoufancyhow，mylord？"

Mylordsworeoneofhislargeoathsthathedidnotknowintheleastwhatshemeant。

"IintenditforHarryEsmondtogotocollege。CousinHarry，"

saysmylady，"youmustn"tstaylongerinthisdullplace，butmakeanametoyourself，andforustoo，Harry。"

"D——nit，Harry"swellenoughhere，"saysmylord，foramomentlookingrathersulky。

"IsHarrygoingaway？Youdon"tmeantosayyouwillgoaway？"cryoutFrankandBeatrixatonebreath。

"Buthewillcomeback:andthiswillalwaysbehishome，"criesmylady，withblueeyeslookingacelestialkindness:"andhisscholarswillalwayslovehim;won"tthey？"

"ByG—d，Rachel，you"reagoodwoman！"saysmylord，seizingmylady"shand，atwhichsheblushedverymuch，andshrankback，puttingherchildrenbeforeher。"Iwishyoujoy，mykinsman，"hecontinued，givingHarryEsmondaheartyslapontheshoulder。"I

won"tbalkyourluck。GotoCambridge，boy，andwhenTusherdiesyoushallhavethelivinghere，ifyouarenotbetterprovidedbythattime。We"llfurnishthedining—roomandbuythehorsesanotheryear。I"llgivetheeanagoutofthestable:takeanyoneexceptmyhackandthebaygeldingandthecoach—horses;andGodspeedthee，myboy！"

"Havethesorrel，Harry;"tisagoodone。Fathersays"tisthebestinthestable，"sayslittleFrank，clappinghishands，andjumpingup。"Let"scomeandseehiminthestable。"Andtheother，inhisdelightandeagerness，wasforleavingtheroomthatinstanttoarrangeabouthisjourney。

TheLadyCastlewoodlookedafterhimwithsadpenetratingglances。

"Hewishestobegonealready，mylord，"saidshetoherhusband。

Theyoungmanhungbackabashed。"Indeed，Iwouldstayforever，ifyourladyshipbademe，"hesaid。

"Andthouwouldstbeafoolforthypains，kinsman，"saidmylord。

"Tut，tut，man。Goandseetheworld。Sowthywildoats;andtakethebestluckthatFatesendsthee。IwishIwereaboyagain，thatImightgotocollege，andtastetheTrumpingtonale。"

"Ours，indeed，isbutadullhome，"criesmylady，withalittleofsadnessand，maybe，ofsatire，inhervoice:"anoldglumhouse，halfruined，andtherestonlyhalffurnished;awomanandtwochildrenarebutpoorcompanyformenthatareaccustomedtobetter。Weareonlyfittobeyourworship"shandmaids，andyourpleasuresmustofnecessitylieelsewherethanathome。"

"Curseme，Rachel，ifIknownowwhetherthouartinearnestornot，"saidmylord。

"Inearnest，mylord！"saysshe，stillclingingbyoneofherchildren。"Istheremuchsubjecthereforjoke？"Andshemadehimagrandcurtsy，and，givingastatelylooktoHarryEsmond，whichseemedtosay，"Remember;youunderstandme，thoughhedoesnot，"

shelefttheroomwithherchildren。

"SinceshefoundoutthatconfoundedHextonbusiness，"mylordsaid——"andbehangedtothemthattoldher！——shehasnotbeenthesamewoman。She，whousedtobeashumbleasamilkmaid，isasproudasaprincess，"saysmylord。"Takemycounsel，HarryEsmond，andkeepclearofwomen。SinceIhavehadanythingtodowiththejades，theyhavegivenmenothingbutdisgust。IhadawifeatTangier，withwhom，asshecouldn"tspeakawordofmylanguage，you"dhavethoughtImightleadaquietlife。Butshetriedtopoisonme，becauseshewasjealousofaJewgirl。Therewasyouraunt，forauntsheis——auntJezebel，aprettylifeyourfatherledwithHER！andhere"smylady。WhenIsawheronapillion，ridingbehindtheDeanherfather，shelookedandwassuchababy，thatasixpennydollmighthavepleasedher。Andnowyouseewhatsheis——handsoff，highty—tighty，highandmighty，anempresscouldn"tbegrander。Passusthetankard，Harrymyboy。A

mugofbeerandatoastatmorn，saysmyhost。Atoastandamugofbeeratnoon，saysmydear。D——nit，Pollylovesamugofale，too，andlacedwithbrandy，byJove！"Indeed，Isupposetheydrankittogether;formylordwasoftenthickinhisspeechatmid—daydinner;andatnightatsupper，speechlessaltogether。

HarryEsmond"sdepartureresolvedupon，itseemedasiftheLadyCastlewood，too，rejoicedtolosehim;formorethanonce，whenthelad，ashamedperhapsathisownsecreteagernesstogoaway（atanyratestrickenwithsadnessattheideaofleavingthosefromwhomhehadreceivedsomanyproofsofloveandkindnessinestimable），triedtoexpresstohismistresshissenseofgratitudetoher，andhissorrowatquittingthosewhohadsoshelteredandtendedanamelessandhouselessorphan，LadyCastlewoodcutshorthisprotestsofloveandhislamentations，andwouldhearofnogrief，butonlylookforwardtoHarry"sfameandprospectsinlife。"Ourlittlelegacywillkeepyouforfouryearslikeagentleman。

Heaven"sProvidence，yourowngenius，industry，honor，mustdotherestforyou。Castlewoodwillalwaysbeahomeforyou;andthesechildren，whomyouhavetaughtandloved，willnotforgettoloveyou。And，Harry，"saidshe（andthiswastheonlytimewhenshespokewithatearinhereye，oratremorinhervoice），"itmayhappeninthecourseofnaturethatIshallbecalledawayfromthem:andtheirfather——and——andtheywillneedtruefriendsandprotectors。Promisemethatyouwillbetruetothem——as——asI

thinkIhavebeentoyou——andamother"sfondprayerandblessinggowithyou。"

"SohelpmeGod，madam，Iwill，"saidHarryEsmond，fallingonhisknees，andkissingthehandofhisdearestmistress。"Ifyouwillhavemestaynow，Iwill。WhatmatterswhetherornoImakemywayinlife，orwhetherapoorbastarddiesasunknownasheisnow？

"TisenoughthatIhaveyourloveandkindnesssurely;andtomakeyouhappyisdutyenoughforme。"

"Happy！"saysshe;"butindeedIoughttobe，withmychildren，and——"

"Nothappy！"criedEsmond（forheknewwhatherlifewas，thoughheandhismistressneverspokeawordconcerningit）。"Ifnothappiness，itmaybeease。Letmestayandworkforyou——letmestayandbeyourservant。"

"Indeed，youarebestaway，"saidmylady，laughing，assheputherhandontheboy"sheadforamoment。"Youshallstayinnosuchdullplace。Youshallgotocollegeanddistinguishyourselfasbecomesyourname。Thatishowyoushallpleasemebest;and——andifmychildrenwantyou，orIwantyou，youshallcometous;andI

knowwemaycountonyou。"

"Mayheavenforsakemeifyoumaynot！"Harrysaid，gettingupfromhisknee。

"Andmyknightlongsforadragonthisinstantthathemayfight，"

saidmylady，laughing;whichspeechmadeHarryEsmondstart，andturnred;forindeedtheverythoughtwasinhismind，thathewouldlikethatsomechanceshouldimmediatelyhappenwherebyhemightshowhisdevotion。Anditpleasedhimtothinkthathisladyhadcalledhim"herknight，"andoftenandoftenherecalledthistohismind，andprayedthathemightbehertrueknight，too。

Mylady"sbed—chamberwindowlookedoutoverthecountry，andyoucouldseefromitthepurplehillsbeyondCastlewoodvillage，thegreencommonbetwixtthatandtheHall，andtheoldbridgewhichcrossedovertheriver。WhenHarryEsmondwentawayforCambridge，littleFrankranalongsidehishorseasfarasthebridge，andthereHarrystoppedforamoment，andlookedbackatthehousewherethebestpartofhislifehadbeenpassed。Itlaybeforehimwithitsgrayfamiliartowers，apinnacleortwoshininginthesun，thebuttressesandterracewallscastinggreatblueshadesonthegrass。AndHarryremembered，allhislifeafter，howhesawhismistressatthewindowlookingoutonhiminawhiterobe，thelittleBeatrix"schestnutcurlsrestingathermother"sside。Bothwavedafarewelltohim，andlittleFranksobbedtoleavehim。

Yes，heWOULDbehislady"strueknight，hevowedinhisheart;hewavedheranadieuwithhishat。ThevillagepeoplehadGood—bytosaytohimtoo。AllknewthatMasterHarrywasgoingtocollege，andmostofthemhadakindwordandalookoffarewell。Idonotstoptosaywhatadventureshebegantoimagine，orwhatcareertodeviseforhimselfbeforehehadriddenthreemilesfromhome。HehadnotreadMonsieurGalland"singeniousArabiantalesasyet;butbesurethatthereareotherfolkswhobuildcastlesintheair，andhavefinehopes，andkickthemdowntoo，besideshonestAlnaschar。

CHAPTERX。

IGOTOCAMBRIDGE，ANDDOBUTLITTLEGOODTHERE。

Mrlord，whosaidheshouldliketorevisittheoldhauntsofhisyouth，kindlyaccompaniedHarryEsmondinhisfirstjourneytoCambridge。TheirroadlaythroughLondon，wheremyLordViscountwouldalsohaveHarrystayafewdaystoshowhimthepleasuresofthetownbeforeheentereduponhisuniversitystudies，andwhilsthereHarry"spatronconductedtheyoungmantomyLadyDowager"shouseatChelseynearLondon:thekindladyatCastlewoodhavingspeciallyorderedthattheyounggentlemanandtheoldshouldpayarespectfulvisitinthatquarter。

HerladyshiptheViscountessDowageroccupiedahandsomenewhouseinChelsey，withagardenbehindit，andfacingtheriver，alwaysabrightandanimatedsightwithitsswarmsofsailors，barges，andwherries。Harrylaughedatrecognizingintheparlorthewell—

rememberedoldpieceofSirPeterLely，whereinhisfather"swidowwasrepresentedasavirginhuntress，armedwithagiltbow—and—

arrow，andencumberedonlywiththatsmallquantityofdraperywhichitwouldseemthevirginsinKingCharles"sdaywereaccustomedtowear。

MyLadyDowagerhadleftoffthispeculiarhabitofhuntresswhenshemarried。Butthoughshewasnowconsiderablypastsixtyyearsofage，IbelieveshethoughtthatairynymphofthepicturecouldstillbeeasilyrecognizedinthevenerablepersonagewhogaveanaudiencetoHarryandhispatron。

Shereceivedtheyoungmanwithevenmorefavorthansheshowedtotheelder，forshechosetocarryontheconversationinFrench，inwhichmyLordCastlewoodwasnogreatproficient，andexpressedhersatisfactionatfindingthatMr。Esmondcouldspeakfluentlyinthatlanguage。""Twastheonlyonefitforpoliteconversation，"

shecondescendedtosay，"andsuitabletopersonsofhighbreeding。"

Mylordlaughedafterwards，asthegentlemenwentaway，athiskinswoman"sbehavior。HesaidherememberedthetimewhenshecouldspeakEnglishfastenough，andjokedinhisjollywayatthelosshehadhadofsuchalovelywifeasthat。

MyLadyViscountessdeignedtoaskhislordshipnewsofhiswifeandchildren;shehadheardthatLadyCastlewoodhadhadthesmall—

pox;shehopedshewasnotsoVERYmuchdisfiguredaspeoplesaid。

Atthisremarkabouthiswife"smalady，myLordViscountwincedandturnedred;buttheDowager，inspeakingofthedisfigurementoftheyounglady，turnedtoherlooking—glassandexaminedheroldwrinkledcountenanceinitwithsuchagrinofsatisfaction，thatitwasallherguestscoulddotorefrainfromlaughinginherancientface。

SheaskedHarrywhathisprofessionwastobe;andmylord，sayingthattheladwastotakeorders，andhavethelivingofCastlewoodwhenoldDr。Tushervacatedit，shedidnotseemtoshowanyparticularangeratthenotionofHarry"sbecomingaChurchofEnglandclergyman，nay，wasrathergladthanotherwise，thattheyouthshouldbesoprovidedfor。ShebadeMr。EsmondnottoforgettopayheravisitwheneverhepassedthroughLondon，andcarriedhergraciousnesssofarastosendapursewithtwentyguineasforhim，tothetavernatwhichmylordputup（the"Greyhound，"inCharingCross）;and，alongwiththiswelcomegiftforherkinsman，shesentalittledollforapresenttomylord"slittledaughterBeatrix，whowasgrowingbeyondtheageofdollsbythistime，andwasastallalmostashervenerablerelative。

Afterseeingthetown，andgoingtotheplays，myLordCastlewoodandEsmondrodetogethertoCambridge，spendingtwopleasantdaysuponthejourney。Thoserapidnewcoacheswerenotestablished，asyet，thatperformedthewholejourneybetweenLondonandtheUniversityinasingleday;however，theroadwaspleasantandshortenoughtoHarryEsmond，andhealwaysgratefullyrememberedthathappyholidaywhichhiskindpatrongavehim。

Mr。EsmondwasenteredapensionerofTrinityCollegeinCambridge，towhichfamouscollegemylordhadalsoinhisyouthbelonged。

Dr。Montaguewasmasteratthistime，andreceivedmyLordViscountwithgreatpoliteness:sodidMr。Bridge，whowasappointedtobeHarry"stutor。TomTusher，whowasofEmanuelCollege，andwasbythistimeajuniorsoph，cametowaituponmylord，andtotakeHarryunderhisprotection;andcomfortableroomsbeingprovidedforhiminthegreatcourtclosebythegate，andneartothefamousMr。Newton"slodgings，Harry"spatrontookleaveofhimwithmanykindwordsandblessings，andanadmonitiontohimtobehavebetterattheUniversitythanmylordhimselfhadeverdone。

"TisneedlessinthesememoirstogoatanylengthintotheparticularsofHarryEsmond"scollegecareer。Itwaslikethatofahundredyounggentlemenofthatday。Buthehadtheillfortunetobeolderbyacoupleofyearsthanmostofhisfellow—students;

andbyhisprevioussolitarymodeofbringingup，thecircumstancesofhislife，andthepeculiarthoughtfulnessandmelancholythathadnaturallyengendered，hewas，inagreatmeasure，cutofffromthesocietyofcomradeswhoweremuchyoungerandhigher—spiritedthanhe。Histutor，whohadboweddowntotheground，ashewalkedmylordoverthecollegegrass—plats，changedhisbehaviorassoonasthenobleman"sbackwasturned，andwas——atleastHarrythoughtso——harshandoverbearing。Whentheladsusedtoassembleintheirgregesinhall，Harryfoundhimselfaloneinthemidstofthatlittleflockofboys;theyraisedagreatlaughathimwhenhewassetontoreadLatin，whichhedidwiththeforeignpronunciationtaughttohimbyhisoldmaster，theJesuit，thanwhichheknewnoother。Mr。Bridge，thetutor，madehimtheobjectofclumsyjokes，inwhichhewasfondofindulging。Theyoungman"sspiritwaschafed，andhisvanitymortified;andhefoundhimself，forsometime，aslonelyinthisplaceaseverhehadbeenatCastlewood，whitherhelongedtoreturn。Hisbirthwasasourceofshametohim，andhefanciedahundredslightsandsneersfromyoungandold，who，nodoubt，hadtreatedhimbetterhadhemetthemhimselfmorefrankly。Andashelooksback，incalmerdays，uponthisperiodofhislife，whichhethoughtsounhappy，hecanseethathisownprideandvanitycausednosmallpartofthemortificationswhichheattributedtoother"sillwill。Theworlddealsgood—

naturedlywithgood—naturedpeople，andIneverknewasulkymisanthropistwhoquarrelledwithit，butitwashe，andnotit，thatwasinthewrong。TomTushergaveHarryplentyofgoodadviceonthissubject，forTomhadbothgoodsenseandgoodhumor;butMr。Harrychosetotreathisseniorwithagreatdealofsuperfluousdisdainandabsurdscorn，andwouldbynomeanspartfromhisdarlinginjuries，inwhich，verylikely，nomanbelievedbuthimself。AsforhonestDoctorBridge，thetutorfound，afterafewtrialsofwitwiththepupil，thattheyoungmanwasanuglysubjectforwit，andthatthelaughwasoftenturnedagainsthim。

Thisdidnotmaketutorandpupilanybetterfriends;buthad，sofar，anadvantageforEsmond，thatMr。Bridgewasinducedtoleavehimalone;andsolongashekepthischapels，anddidthecollegeexercisesrequiredofhim，BridgewascontentnottoseeHarry"sglumfaceinhisclass，andtoleavehimtoreadandsulkforhimselfinhisownchamber。

ApoemortwoinLatinandEnglish，whichwerepronouncedtohavesomemerit，andaLatinoration，（forMr。Esmondcouldwritethatlanguagebetterthanpronounceit，）gothimalittlereputationbothwiththeauthoritiesoftheUniversityandamongsttheyoungmen，withwhomhebegantopassformorethanhewasworth。Afewvictoriesovertheircommonenemy，Mr。Bridge，madetheminclinetowardshim，andlookuponhimasthechampionoftheirorderagainsttheseniors。Suchoftheladsashetookintohisconfidencefoundhimnotsogloomyandhaughtyashisappearanceledthemtobelieve;andDonDismallo，ashewascalled，becamepresentlyapersonofsomelittleimportanceinhiscollege，andwas，ashebelieves，setdownbytheseniorsthereasratheradangerouscharacter。

DonDismallowasastaunchyoungJacobite，liketherestofhisfamily;gavehimselfmanyabsurdairsofloyalty;usedtoinviteyoungfriendstoBurgundy，andgivetheKing"shealthonKingJames"sbirthday;woreblackonthedayofhisabdication;fastedontheanniversaryofKingWilliam"scoronation;andperformedathousandabsurdantics，ofwhichhesmilesnowtothink。

ThesefolliescausedmanyremonstrancesonTomTusher"spart，whowasalwaysafriendtothepowersthatbe，asEsmondwasalwaysinoppositiontothem。TomwasaWhig，whileEsmondwasaTory。Tomnevermissedalecture，andcappedtheproctorwiththeprofoundestofbows。NowonderhesighedoverHarry"sinsubordinatecourses，andwasangrywhentheotherslaughedathim。ButthatHarrywasknowntohavemyLordViscount"sprotection，Tomnodoubtwouldhavebrokenwithhimaltogether。ButhonestTomnevergaveupacomradeaslongashewasthefriendofagreatman。ThiswasnotoutofschemingonTom"spart，butanaturalinclinationtowardsthegreat。"Twasnohypocrisyinhimtoflatter，butthebentofhismind，whichwasalwaysperfectlygood—humored，obliging，andservile。

Harryhadveryliberalallowances，forhisdearmistressofCastlewoodnotonlyregularlysuppliedhim，buttheDowagerofChelseymadeherdonationannual，andreceivedEsmondatherhousenearLondoneveryChristmas;but，inspiteofthesebenefactions，Esmondwasconstantlypoor;whilst"twasawonderwithhowsmallastipendfromhisfatherTomTushercontrivedtomakeagoodfigure。

"TistruethatHarrybothspent，gave，andlenthismoneyveryfreely，whichThomasneverdid。IthinkhewaslikethefamousDukeofMarlboroughinthisinstance，who，gettingapresentoffiftypieces，whenayoungman，fromsomefoolishwomanwhofellinlovewithhisgoodlooks，showedthemoneytoCadoganinadrawerscoresofyearsafter，whereithadlaineversincehehadsoldhisbeardlesshonortoprocureit。IdonotmeantosaythatTomeverletouthisgoodlookssoprofitably，fornaturehadnotendowedhimwithanyparticularcharmsofperson，andheeverwasapatternofmoralbehavior，losingnoopportunityofgivingtheverybestadvicetohisyoungercomrade;withwhicharticle，todohimjustice，hepartedveryfreely。Notbutthathewasamerryfellow，too，inhisway;helovedajoke，ifbygoodfortuneheunderstoodit，andtookhissharegenerouslyofabottleifanotherpaidforit，andespeciallyiftherewasayounglordincompanytodrinkit。InthesecasestherewasnotaharderdrinkerintheUniversitythanMr。Tushercouldbe;anditwasedifyingtobeholdhim，freshshavedandwithsmugface，singingout"Amen！"atearlychapelinthemorning。Inhisreading，poorHarrypermittedhimselftogoa—gaddingafteralltheNineMuses，andsoverylikelyhadbutlittlefavorfromanyoneofthem;whereasTomTusher，whohadnomoreturnforpoetrythanaploughboy，nevertheless，byadoggedperseveranceandobsequiousnessincourtingthedivineCalliope，gothimselfaprize，andsomecreditintheUniversity，andafellowshipathiscollege，asarewardforhisscholarship。InthistimeofMr。Esmond"slife，hegotthelittlereadingwhichheevercouldboastof，andpassedagoodpartofhisdaysgreedilydevouringallthebooksonwhichhecouldlayhand。InthisdesultorywaytheworksofmostoftheEnglish，French，andItalianpoetscameunderhiseyes，andhehadasmatteringoftheSpanishtonguelikewise，besidestheancientlanguages，ofwhich，atleastofLatin，hewasatolerablemaster。

Then，aboutmidwayinhisUniversitycareer，hefelltoreadingfortheprofessiontowhichworldlyprudenceratherthaninclinationcalledhim，andwasperfectlybewilderedintheologicalcontroversy。Inthecourseofhisreading（whichwasneitherpursuedwiththatseriousnessorthatdevoutmindwhichsuchastudyrequires）theyouthfoundhimselfattheendofonemonthaPapist，andwasabouttoproclaimhisfaith;thenextmonthaProtestant，withChillingworth;andthethirdasceptic，withHobbesandBayle。WhereashonestTomTusherneverpermittedhismindtostrayoutoftheprescribedUniversitypath，acceptedtheThirty—nineArticleswithallhisheart，andwouldhavesignedandsworntoothernine—and—thirtywithentireobedience。Harry"swilfulnessinthismatter，anddisorderlythoughtsandconversation，soshockedandafflictedhissenior，thattheregrewupacoldnessandestrangementbetweenthem，sothattheybecamescarcemorethanmereacquaintances，fromhavingbeenintimatefriendswhentheycametocollegefirst。Politicsranhigh，too，attheUniversity;andhere，also，theyoungmenwereatvariance。

Tomprofessedhimself，albeitahigh—churchman，astrongKingWilliam"s—man;whereasHarrybroughthisfamilyTorypoliticstocollegewithhim，towhichhemustaddadangerousadmirationforOliverCromwell，whoseside，orKingJames"sbyturns，heoftenchosetotakeinthedisputeswhichtheyounggentlemenusedtoholdineachother"srooms，wheretheydebatedonthestateofthenation，crownedanddeposedkings，andtoastedpastandpresentheroesandbeautiesinflagonsofcollegeale。

Thus，eitherfromthecircumstancesofhisbirth，orthenaturalmelancholyofhisdisposition，EsmondcametoliveverymuchbyhimselfduringhisstayattheUniversity，havingneitherambitionenoughtodistinguishhimselfinthecollegecareer，norcaringtominglewiththemerepleasuresandboyishfrolicsofthestudents，whowere，forthemostpart，twoorthreeyearsyoungerthanhe。

Hefanciedthatthegentlemenofthecommon—roomofhiscollegeslightedhimonaccountofhisbirth，andhencekeptalooffromtheirsociety。Itmaybethathemadetheillwill，whichheimaginedcamefromthem，byhisownbehavior，which，ashelooksbackonitinafterlife，henowseeswasmoroseandhaughty。Atanyrate，hewasastenderlygratefulforkindnessashewassusceptibleofslightandwrong;and，lonelyashewasgenerally，yethadoneortwoverywarmfriendshipsforhiscompanionsofthosedays。

OneofthesewasaqueergentlemanthatresidedintheUniversity，thoughhewasnomemberofit，andwastheprofessorofasciencescarcerecognizedinthecommoncourseofcollegeeducation。ThiswasaFrenchrefugee—officer，whohadbeendrivenoutofhisnativecountryatthetimeoftheProtestantpersecutionsthere，andwhocametoCambridge，wherehetaughtthescienceofthesmall—sword，andsetupasaloon—of—arms。ThoughhedeclaredhimselfaProtestant，"twassaidMr。MoreauwasaJesuitindisguise;indeed，hebroughtverystrongrecommendationstotheToryparty，whichwasprettystronginthatUniversity，andverylikelywasoneofthemanyagentswhomKingJameshadinthiscountry。Esmondfoundthisgentleman"sconversationverymuchmoreagreeableandtohistastethanthetalkofthecollegedivinesinthecommon—room;heneverweariedofMoreau"sstoriesofthewarsofTurenneandConde，inwhichhehadborneapart;andbeingfamiliarwiththeFrenchtonguefromhisyouth，andinaplacewherebutfewspokeit，hiscompanybecameveryagreeabletothebraveoldprofessorofarms，whosefavoritepupilhewas，andwhomadeMr。Esmondaverytolerableproficientinthenoblescienceofescrime。

AtthenexttermEsmondwastotakehisdegreeofBachelorofArts，andafterwards，inproperseason，toassumethecassockandbandswhichhisfondmistresswouldhavehimwear。TomTusherhimselfwasaparsonandafellowofhiscollegebythistime;andHarryfeltthathewouldverygladlycedehisrighttothelivingofCastlewoodtoTom，andthathisowncallingwasinnowaytothepulpit。Butashewasbound，beforeallthingsintheworld，tohisdearmistressathome，andknewthatarefusalonhispartwouldgrieveher，hedeterminedtogivehernohintofhisunwillingnesstotheclericaloffice:anditwasinthisunsatisfactorymoodofmindthathewenttospendthelastvacationheshouldhaveatCastlewoodbeforehetookorders。

CHAPTERXI。

ICOMEHOMEFORAHOLIDAYTOCASTLEWOOD，ANDFINDASKELETONINTHE

HOUSE。

Athisthirdlongvacation，EsmondcameasusualtoCastlewood，alwaysfeelinganeagerthrillofpleasurewhenhefoundhimselfoncemoreinthehousewherehehadpassedsomanyyears，andbeheldthekindfamiliareyesofhismistresslookinguponhim。

Sheandherchildren（outofwhosecompanyshescarceeversawhim）

cametogreethim。MissBeatrixwasgrownsotallthatHarrydidnotquiteknowwhetherhemightkissherorno;andsheblushedandheldbackwhenheofferedthatsalutation，thoughshetookit，andevencourtedit，whentheywerealone。Theyounglordwasshootinguptobelikehisgallantfatherinlook，thoughwithhismother"skindeyes:theladyofCastlewoodherselfseemedgrown，too，sinceHarrysawher——inherlookmorestately，inherpersonfuller，inherfacestillasevermosttenderandfriendly，agreaterairofcommandanddecisionthanhadappearedinthatguilelesssweetcountenancewhichHarryrememberedsogratefully。Thetoneofhervoicewassomuchdeeperandsadderwhenshespokeandwelcomedhim，thatitquitestartledEsmond，wholookedupathersurprisedasshespoke，whenshewithdrewhereyesfromhim;nordidsheeverlookathimafterwardswhenhisowneyesweregazinguponher。A

somethinghintingatgriefandsecret，andfillinghismindwithalarmundefinable，seemedtospeakwiththatlowthrillingvoiceofhers，andlookoutofthoseclearsadeyes。HergreetingtoEsmondwassocoldthatitalmostpainedthelad，（whowouldhavelikedtofallonhisknees，andkisstheskirtofherrobe，sofondandardentwashisrespectandregardforher，）andhefalteredinansweringthequestionswhichshe，hesitatingonherside，begantoputtohim。WashehappyatCambridge？Didhestudytoohard？

Shehopednot。Hehadgrownverytall，andlookedverywell。

"Hehasgotamoustache！"criesoutMasterEsmond。

"WhydoeshenotwearaperukelikemyLordMohun？"askedMissBeatrix。"Mylordsaysthatnobodywearstheirownhair。"

"Ibelieveyouwillhavetooccupyyouroldchamber，"saysmylady。

"Ihopethehousekeeperhasgotitready。"

"Why，mamma，youhavebeentheretentimesthesethreedaysyourself！"exclaimsFrank。

"Andshecutsomeflowerswhichyouplantedinmygarden——doyouremember，eversomanyyearsago？whenIwasquitealittlegirl，"

criesoutMissBeatrix，ontiptoe。"Andmammaputtheminyourwindow。"

"Irememberwhenyougrewwellafteryouwereillthatyouusedtolikeroses，"saidthelady，blushinglikeoneofthem。TheyallconductedHarryEsmondtohischamber;thechildrenrunningbefore，Harrywalkingbyhismistresshand—in—hand。

Theoldroomhadbeenornamentedandbeautifiednotalittletoreceivehim。Theflowerswereinthewindowinachinavase;andtherewasafinenewcounterpaneonthebed，whichchatterboxBeatrixsaidmammahadmadetoo。Afirewascracklingonthehearth，althoughitwasJune。Myladythoughttheroomwantedwarming;everythingwasdonetomakehimhappyandwelcome:"Andyouarenottobeapageanylonger，butagentlemanandkinsman，andtowalkwithpapaandmamma，"saidthechildren。Andassoonashisdearmistressandchildrenhadlefthimtohimself，itwaswithaheartoverflowingwithloveandgratefulnessthatheflunghimselfdownonhiskneesbythesideofthelittlebed，andaskedablessinguponthosewhoweresokindtohim。

Thechildren，whoarealwayshousetell—tales，soonmadehimacquaintedwiththelittlehistoryofthehouseandfamily。PapahadbeentoLondontwice。Papaoftenwentawaynow。PapahadtakenBeatrixtoWestlands，whereshewastallerthanSirGeorgeHarper"sseconddaughter，thoughshewastwoyearsolder。PapahadtakenBeatrixandFrankbothtoBellminster，whereFrankhadgotthebetterofLordBellminster"ssoninaboxing—match——mylord，laughing，toldHarryafterwards。Manygentlemencametostopwithpapa，andpapahadgottenanewgamefromLondon，aFrenchgame，calledabilliard——thattheFrenchkingplayeditverywell:andtheDowagerLadyCastlewoodhadsentMissBeatrixapresent;andpapahadgottenanewchaise，withtwolittlehorses，whichhedrovehimself，besidethecoach，whichmammawentin;andDr。

Tusherwasacrossoldplague，andtheydidnotliketolearnfromhimatall;andpapadidnotcareaboutthemlearning，andlaughedwhentheywereattheirbooks，butmammalikedthemtolearn，andtaughtthem;and"Idon"tthinkpapaisfondofmamma，"saidMissBeatrix，withhergreateyes。ShehadcomequitecloseuptoHarryEsmondbythetimethisprattletookplace，andwasonhisknee，andhadexaminedallthepointsofhisdress，andallthegoodorbadfeaturesofhishomelyface。

"Youshouldn"tsaythatpapaisnotfondofmamma，"saidtheboy，atthisconfession。"Mammaneversaidso;andmammaforbadeyoutosayit，MissBeatrix。"

"Twasthis，nodoubt，thataccountedforthesadnessinLadyCastlewood"seyes，andtheplaintivevibrationsofhervoice。Whodoesnotknowofeyes，lightedbyloveonce，wheretheflameshinesnomore？——oflampsextinguished，onceproperlytrimmedandtended？

Everymanhassuchinhishouse。Suchmementoesmakeoursplendidestchamberslookblankandsad;suchfacesseeninadaycastagloomuponoursunshine。Sooathsmutuallysworn，andinvocationsofheaven，andpriestlyceremonies，andfondbelief，andlove，sofondandfaithfulthatitneverdoubtedbutthatitshouldliveforever，areallofnoavailtowardsmakingloveeternal:itdies，inspiteofthebannsandthepriest;andIhaveoftenthoughtthereshouldbeavisitationofthesickforit，andafuneralservice，andanextremeunction，andanabiinpace。Ithasitscourse，likeallmortalthings——itsbeginning，progress，anddecay。Itbudsanditbloomsoutintosunshine，anditwithersandends。StrephonandChloelanguishapart;joininarapture:

andpresentlyyouhearthatChloeiscrying，andStrephonhasbrokenhiscrookacrossherback。Canyoumenditsoastoshownomarksofrupture？NotallthepriestsofHymen，notalltheincantationstothegods，canmakeitwhole！