第9章

Wakingupfromdreams，books，andvisionsofcollegehonors，inwhichfortwoyears，HarryEsmondhadbeenimmersed，hefoundhimself，instantly，onhisreturnhome，inthemidstofthisactualtragedyoflife，whichabsorbedandinterestedhimmorethanallhistutorhadtaughthim。Thepersonswhomhelovedbestintheworld，andtowhomheowedmost，werelivingunhappilytogether。

Thegentlestandkindestofwomenwassufferingillusageandsheddingtearsinsecret:themanwhomadeherwretchedbyneglect，ifnotbyviolence，wasHarry"sbenefactorandpatron。Inhouseswhere，inplaceofthatsacred，inmostflameoflove，thereisdiscordatthecentre，thewholehouseholdbecomeshypocritical，andeachliestohisneighbor。Thehusband（oritmaybethewife）

lieswhenthevisitorcomesin，andwearsagrinofreconciliationorpolitenessbeforehim。Thewifelies（indeed，herbusinessistodothat，andtosmile，howevermuchsheisbeaten），swallowshertears，andliestoherlordandmaster;liesinbiddinglittleJackeyrespectdearpapa;liesinassuringgrandpapathatsheisperfectlyhappy。Theservantslie，wearinggravefacesbehindtheirmaster"schair，andpretendingtobeunconsciousofthefighting;andso，frommorningtillbedtime，lifeispassedinfalsehood。Andwiseacrescallthisaproperregardofmorals，andpointoutBaucisandPhilemonasexamplesofagoodlife。

IfmyladydidnotspeakofhergriefstoHarryEsmond，mylordwasbynomeansreservedwheninhiscups，andspokehismindveryfreely，biddingHarryinhiscoarseway，andwithhisbluntlanguage，bewareofallwomenascheats，jades，jilts，andusingotherunmistakablemonosyllablesinspeakingofthem。Indeed，"twasthefashionoftheday，asImustown;andthere"snotawriterofmytimeofanynote，withtheexceptionofpoorDickSteele，thatdoesnotspeakofawomanasofaslave，andscornanduseherassuch。Mr。Pope，Mr。Congreve，Mr。Addison，Mr。Gay，everyoneof"em，singinthiskey，eachaccordingtohisnatureandpoliteness，andlouderandfoulerthanallinabuseisDr。

Swift，whospokeofthemashetreatedthem，worstofall。

Muchofthequarrelsandhatredwhicharisebetweenmarriedpeoplecomeinmymindfromthehusband"srageandrevoltatdiscoveringthathisslaveandbedfellow，whoistoministertoallhiswishes，andischurch—sworntohonorandobeyhim——ishissuperior;andthatHE，andnotshe，oughttobethesubordinateofthetwain;andinthesecontroversies，Ithink，laythecauseofmylord"sangeragainsthislady。Whenhelefther，shebegantothinkforherself，andherthoughtswerenotinhisfavor。Aftertheillumination，whenthelove—lampisputoutthatanonwespokeof，andbythecommondaylightwelookatthepicture，whatadaubitlooks！whataclumsyeffigy！Howmanymenandwivescometothisknowledge，thinkyou？Andifitbepainfultoawomantofindherselfmatedforlifetoaboor，andorderedtoloveandhonoradullard;itisworsestillforthemanhimselfperhaps，wheneverinhisdimcomprehensiontheideadawnsthathisslaveanddrudgeyonderis，intruth，hissuperior;thatthewomanwhodoeshisbidding，andsubmitstohishumor，shouldbehislord;thatshecanthinkathousandthingsbeyondthepowerofhismuddledbrains;andthatinyonderhead，onthepillowoppositetohim，lieathousandfeelings，mysteriesofthought，latentscornsandrebellions，whereofheonlydimlyperceivestheexistenceastheylookoutfurtivelyfromhereyes:treasuresoflovedoomedtoperishwithoutahandtogatherthem;sweetfanciesandimagesofbeautythatwouldgrowandunfoldthemselvesintoflower;brightwitthatwouldshinelikediamondscoulditbebroughtintothesun:andthetyrantinpossessioncrushestheoutbreakofallthese，drivesthembacklikeslavesintothedungeonanddarkness，andchafeswithoutthathisprisonerisrebellious，andhisswornsubjectundutifulandrefractory。SothelampwasoutinCastlewoodHall，andthelordandladytheresaweachotherastheywere。Withherillnessandalteredbeautymylord"sfireforhiswifedisappeared;withhisselfishnessandfaithlessnessherfoolishfictionofloveandreverencewasrentaway。Love！——whoistolovewhatisbaseandunlovely？Respect！——whoistorespectwhatisgrossandsensual？

Notallthemarriageoathsswornbeforealltheparsons，cardinals，ministers，muftis，andrabbinsintheworld，canbindtothatmonstrousallegiance。Thiscouplewaslivingapartthen;thewomanhappytobeallowedtoloveandtendherchildren（whowereneverofherowngood—willawayfromher），andthankfultohavesavedsuchtreasuresastheseoutofthewreckinwhichthebetterpartofherheartwentdown。

Theseyoungoneshadhadnoinstructorssavetheirmother，andDoctorTusherfortheirtheologyoccasionally，andhadmademoreprogressthanmighthavebeenexpectedunderatutorsoindulgentandfondasLadyCastlewood。Beatrixcouldsinganddancelikeanymph。Hervoicewasherfather"sdelightafterdinner。Sheruledoverthehousewithlittleimperialways，whichherparentscoaxedandlaughedat。Shehadlonglearnedthevalueofherbrighteyes，andtriedexperimentsincoquetry，incorporevili，uponrusticsandcountrysquires，untilsheshouldpreparetoconquertheworldandthefashion。SheputonanewribbontowelcomeHarryEsmond，madeeyesathim，anddirectedheryoungsmilesathim，notalittletotheamusementoftheyoungman，andthejoyofherfather，wholaughedhisgreatlaugh，andencouragedherinherthousandantics。LadyCastlewoodwatchedthechildgravelyandsadly:thelittleonewaspertinherrepliestohermother，yeteagerinherprotestationsofloveandpromisesofamendment;andasreadytocry（afteralittlequarrelbroughtonbyherowngiddiness）untilshehadwonbackhermamma"sfavor，asshewastoriskthekindlady"sdispleasurebyfreshoutbreaksofrestlessvanity。Fromhermother"ssadlooksshefledtoherfather"schairandboozylaughter。Shealreadysettheoneagainsttheother:andthelittleroguedelightedinthemischiefwhichsheknewhowtomakesoearly。

TheyoungheirofCastlewoodwasspoiledbyfatherandmotherboth。

Hetooktheircaressesasmendo，andasiftheywerehisright。

Hehadhishawksandhisspanieldog，hislittlehorseandhisbeagles。Hehadlearnedtoride，andtodrink，andtoshootflying:andhehadasmallcourt，thesonsofthehuntsmanandwoodman，asbecametheheir—apparent，takingaftertheexampleofmylordhisfather。Ifhehadaheadache，hismotherwasasmuchfrightenedasiftheplaguewereinthehouse:mylordlaughedandjeeredinhisabruptway——（indeed，"twasonthedayafterNewYear"sDay，andanexcessofmince—pie）——andsaidwithsomeofhisusualoaths——"D——nit，HarryEsmond——youseehowmyladytakesonaboutFrank"smegrim。Sheusedtobesorryaboutme，myboy（passthetankard，Harry），andtobefrightenedifIhadaheadacheonce。

Shedon"tcareaboutmyheadnow。They"relikethat——womenare——

allthesame，Harry，alljiltsintheirhearts。Sticktocollege——

sticktopunchandbutteryale:andneverseeawomanthat"shandsomerthananoldcinder—facedbed—maker。That"smycounsel。"

Itwasmylord"scustomtoflingoutmanyjokesofthisnature，inpresenceofhiswifeandchildren，atmeals——clumsysarcasmswhichmyladyturnedmanyatime，orwhich，sometimes，sheaffectednottohear，orwhichnowandagainwouldhittheirmarkandmakethepoorvictimwince（asyoucouldseebyherflushingfaceandeyesfillingwithtears），orwhichagainworkedheruptoangerandretort，when，inanswertooneoftheseheavybolts，shewouldflashbackwithaquiveringreply。Thepairwerenothappy;norindeedwasithappytobewiththem。Alasthatyouthfulloveandtruthshouldendinbitternessandbankruptcy！Toseeayoungcouplelovingeachotherisnowonder;buttoseeanoldcouplelovingeachotheristhebestsightofall。HarryEsmondbecametheconfidantofoneandtheother——thatis，mylordtoldtheladallhisgriefsandwrongs（whichwereindeedofLordCastlewood"sownmaking），andHarrydivinedmylady"s;hisaffectionleadinghimeasilytopenetratethehypocrisyunderwhichLadyCastlewoodgenerallychosetogodisguised，andseeherheartachingwhilstherfaceworeasmile。"Tisahardtaskforwomeninlife，thatmaskwhichtheworldbidsthemwear。Butthereisnogreatercrimethanforawomanwhoisillusedandunhappytoshowthatsheisso。Theworldisquiterelentlessaboutbiddinghertokeepacheerfulface;andourwomen，liketheMalabarwives，areforcedtogosmilingandpaintedtosacrificethemselveswiththeirhusbands;

theirrelationsbeingthemosteagertopushthemontotheirduty，and，undertheirshoutsandapplauses，tosmotherandhushtheircriesofpain。

So，intothesadsecretofhispatron"shousehold，HarryEsmondbecameinitiated，hescarceknewhow。Ithadpassedunderhiseyestwoyearsbefore，whenhecouldnotunderstandit;butreading，andthought，andexperienceofmen，hadoldenedhim;andoneofthedeepestsorrowsofalifewhichhadnever，intruth，beenveryhappy，cameuponhimnow，whenhewascompelledtounderstandandpityagriefwhichhestoodquitepowerlesstorelieve。

Ithathbeensaidmylordwouldnevertaketheoathofallegiance，norhisseatasapeerofthekingdomofIreland，where，indeed，hehadbutanominalestate;andrefusedanEnglishpeeragewhichKingWilliam"sgovernmentofferedhimasabribetosecurehisloyalty。

Hemighthaveacceptedthis，andwoulddoubtless，butfortheearnestremonstrancesofhiswife，whoruledherhusband"sopinionsbetterthanshecouldgovernhisconduct，andwhobeingasimple—

heartedwoman，withbutoneruleoffaithandright，neverthoughtofswervingfromherfidelitytotheexiledfamily，orofrecognizinganyothersovereignbutKingJames;andthoughsheacquiescedinthedoctrineofobediencetothereigningpower，notemptation，shethought，couldinducehertoacknowledgethePrinceofOrangeasrightfulmonarch，nortoletherlordsoacknowledgehim。SomyLordCastlewoodremainedanonjurorallhislifenearly，thoughhisself—denialcausedhimmanyapang，andlefthimsulkyandoutofhumor。

TheyearaftertheRevolution，andallthroughKingWilliam"slife，"tisknowntherewereconstantintriguesfortherestorationoftheexiledfamily;butifmyLordCastlewoodtookanyshareofthese，asisprobable，"twasonlyforashorttime，andwhenHarryEsmondwastooyoungtobeintroducedintosuchimportantsecrets。

Butintheyear1695，whenthatconspiracyofSirJohnFenwick，ColonelLowick，andothers，wassetonfoot，forwaylayingKingWilliamashecamefromHamptonCourttoLondon，andasecretplotwasformed，inwhichavastnumberofthenobilityandpeopleofhonorwereengaged，FatherHoltappearedatCastlewood，andbroughtayoungfriendwithhim，agentlemanwhom"twaseasytoseethatbothmylordandtheFathertreatedwithuncommondeference。HarryEsmondsawthisgentleman，andknewandrecognizedhiminafterlife，asshallbeshowninitsplace;andhehaslittledoubtnowthatmyLordViscountwasimplicatedsomewhatinthetransactionswhichalwayskeptFatherHoltemployedandtravellinghitherandthitherunderadozenofdifferentnamesanddisguises。TheFather"scompanionwentbythenameofCaptainJames;anditwasunderaverydifferentnameandappearancethatHarryEsmondafterwardssawhim。

ItwasthenextyearthattheFenwickconspiracyblewup，whichisamatterofpublichistorynow，andwhichendedintheexecutionofSirJohnandmanymore，whosufferedmanfullyfortheirtreason，andwhowereattendedtoTyburnbymylady"sfatherDeanArmstrong，Mr。Collier，andotherstoutnonjuringclergymen，whoabsolvedthematthegallows—foot。

"TisknownthatwhenSirJohnwasapprehended，discoverywasmadeofagreatnumberofnamesofgentlemenengagedintheconspiracy;

when，withanoblewisdomandclemency，thePrinceburnedthelistofconspiratorsfurnishedtohim，andsaidhewouldknownomore。

NowitwasafterthisthatLordCastlewoodsworehisgreatoath，thathewouldnever，sohelphimheaven，beengagedinanytransactionagainstthatbraveandmercifulman;andsohetoldHoltwhentheindefatigablepriestvisitedhim，andwouldhavehadhimengageinafartherconspiracy。AfterthismylordeverspokeofKingWilliamashewas——asoneofthewisest，thebravest，andthegreatestofmen。MyLadyEsmond（forherpart）saidshecouldneverpardontheKing，first，foroustinghisfather—in—lawfromhisthrone，andsecondly，fornotbeingconstanttohiswife，thePrincessMary。Indeed，IthinkifNeroweretoriseagain，andbekingofEngland，andagoodfamilyman，theladieswouldpardonhim。Mylordlaughedathiswife"sobjections——thestandardofvirtuedidnotfithimmuch。

ThelastconferencewhichMr。HolthadwithhislordshiptookplacewhenHarrywascomehomeforhisfirstvacationfromcollege（Harrysawhisoldtutorbutforahalf—hour，andexchangednoprivatewordswithhim），andtheirtalk，whateveritmightbe，leftmyLordViscountverymuchdisturbedinmind——somuchso，thathiswife，andhisyoungkinsman，HenryEsmond，couldnotbutobservehisdisquiet。AfterHoltwasgone，mylordrebuffedEsmond，andagaintreatedhimwiththegreatestdeference;heshunnedhiswife"squestionsandcompany，andlookedathischildrenwithsuchafaceofgloomandanxiety，muttering，"Poorchildren——poorchildren！"inawaythatcouldnotbutfillthosewhoselifeitwastowatchhimandobeyhimwithgreatalarm。Forwhichgloom，eachpersoninterestedintheLordCastlewood，framedinhisorherownmindaninterpretation。

Mylady，withalaughofcruelbitternesssaid，"IsupposethepersonatHextonhasbeenill，orhasscoldedhim"（formylord"sinfatuationaboutMrs。Marwoodwasknownonlytoowell）。YoungEsmondfearedforhismoneyaffairs，intotheconditionofwhichhehadbeeninitiated;andthattheexpenses，alwaysgreaterthanhisrevenue，hadcausedLordCastlewooddisquiet。

OneofthecauseswhymyLordViscounthadtakenyoungEsmondintohisspecialfavorwasatrivialone，thathathnotbeforebeenmentioned，thoughitwasaveryluckyaccidentinHenryEsmond"slife。Averyfewmonthsaftermylord"scomingtoCastlewood，inthewintertime——thelittleboy，beingachildinapetticoat，trottingabout——ithappenedthatlittleFrankwaswithhisfatherafterdinner，whofellasleepoverhiswine，heedlessofthechild，whocrawledtothefire;and，asgoodfortunewouldhaveit，Esmondwassentbyhismistressfortheboyjustasthepoorlittlescreamingurchin"scoatwassetonfirebyalog;whenEsmond，rushingforward，torethedressofftheinfant，sothathisownhandswereburnedmorethanthechild"s，whowasfrightenedratherthanhurtbythisaccident。Butcertainly"twasprovidentialthataresolutepersonshouldhavecomeinatthatinstant，orthechildhadbeenburnedtodeathprobably，mylordsleepingveryheavilyafterdrinking，andnotwakingsocoolasamanshouldwhohadadangertoface。

Everafterthisthefather，loudinhisexpressionsofremorseandhumilityforbeingatipsygood—for—nothing，andofadmirationforHarryEsmond，whomhislordshipwouldstyleaherofordoingaverytriflingservice，hadthetenderestregardforhisson"spreserver，andHarrybecamequiteasoneofthefamily。Hisburnsweretendedwiththegreatestcarebyhiskindmistress，whosaidthatheavenhadsenthimtobetheguardianofherchildren，andthatshewouldlovehimallherlife。

Anditwasafterthis，andfromtheverygreatloveandtendernesswhichhadgrownupinthislittlehousehold，ratherthanfromtheexhortationsofDeanArmstrong（thoughthesehadnosmallweightwithhim），thatHarrycametobequiteofthereligionofhishouseandhisdearmistress，ofwhichhehaseversincebeenaprofessingmember。AsforDr。Tusher"sboaststhathewasthecauseofthisconversion——evenintheseyoungdaysMr。EsmondhadsuchacontemptfortheDoctor，thathadTusherbadehimbelieveanything（whichhedidnot——nevermeddlingatall），Harrywouldthatinstanthavequestionedthetruthon"t。

Myladyseldomdrankwine;butoncertaindaysoftheyear，suchasbirthdays（poorHarryhadneveraone）andanniversaries，shetookalittle;andthisday，the29thDecember，wasone。Attheend，then，ofthisyear，"96，itmighthavebeenafortnightafterMr。

Holt"slastvisit，LordCastlewoodbeingstillverygloomyinmind，andsittingattable——myladybiddingaservantbringheraglassofwine，andlookingatherhusbandwithoneofhersweetsmiles，said——

"Mylord，willyounotfillabumpertoo，andletmecallatoast？"

"Whatisit，Rachel？"sayshe，holdingouthisemptyglasstobefilled。

""Tisthe29thofDecember，"saysmylady，withherfondlookofgratitude:"andmytoastis，"Harry——andGodblesshim，whosavedmyboy"slife！""

MylordlookedatHarryhard，anddranktheglass，butclappeditdownonthetableinamoment，and，withasortofgroan，roseup，andwentoutoftheroom。Whatwasthematter？Weallknewthatsomegreatgriefwasoverhim。

Whethermylord"sprudencehadmadehimricher，orlegacieshadfallentohim，whichenabledhimtosupportagreaterestablishmentthanthatfrugalonewhichhadbeentoomuchforhissmallmeans，HarryEsmondknewnot;butthehouseofCastlewoodwasnowonascalemuchmorecostlythanithadbeenduringthefirstyearsofhislordship"scomingtothetitle。Thereweremorehorsesinthestableandmoreservantsinthehall，andmanymoreguestscomingandgoingnowthanformerly，whenitwasfounddifficultenoughbythestrictesteconomytokeepthehouseasbefittedoneofhislordship"srank，andtheestateoutofdebt。AnditdidnotrequireverymuchpenetrationtofindthatmanyofthenewacquaintancesatCastlewoodwerenotagreeabletotheladythere:

notthatsheevertreatedthemoranymortalwithanythingbutcourtesy;buttheywerepersonswhocouldnotbewelcometoher;

andwhosesocietyaladysorefinedandreservedcouldscarcedesireforherchildren。Therecamefuddlingsquiresfromthecountryround，whobawledtheirsongsunderherwindowsanddrankthemselvestipsywithmylord"spunchandale:therecameofficersfromHexton，inwhosecompanyourlittlelordwasmadetoheartalkandtodrink，andsweartoo，inawaythatmadethedelicateladytrembleforherson。EsmondtriedtoconsoleherbysayingwhatheknewofhisCollegeexperience;thatwiththissortofcompanyandconversationamanmustfallinsoonerorlaterinhiscoursethroughtheworld:anditmatteredverylittlewhetherhehearditattwelveyearsoldortwenty——theyouthswhoquittedmother"sapron—stringsthelatestbeingnotuncommonlythewildestrakes。

ButitwasaboutherdaughterthatLadyCastlewoodwasthemostanxious，andthedangerwhichshethoughtmenacedthelittleBeatrixfromtheindulgenceswhichherfathergaveher，（itmustbeownedthatmylord，sincetheseunhappydomesticdifferencesespecially，wasatonceviolentinhislanguagetothechildrenwhenangry，ashewastoofamiliar，nottosaycoarse，whenhewasinagoodhumor，）andfromthecompanyintowhichthecarelesslordbroughtthechild。

NotveryfarofffromCastlewoodisSarkCastle，wheretheMarchionessofSarklived，whowasknowntohavebeenamistressofthelateKingCharles——andtothishouse，whitherindeedagreatpartofthecountrygentrywent，mylordinsistedupongoing，notonlyhimself，butontakinghislittledaughterandson，toplaywiththechildrenthere。Thechildrenwerenothingloth，forthehousewassplendid，andthewelcomekindenough。Butmylady，justlynodoubt，thoughtthatthechildrenofsuchamotherasthatnotedLadySarkhadbeen，couldbenogoodcompanyforhertwo;andspokehermindtoherlord。Hisownlanguagewhenhewasthwartedwasnotindeedofthegentlest:tobebrief，therewasafamilydisputeonthis，astherehadbeenonmanyotherpoints——andtheladywasnotonlyforcedtogivein，fortheother"swillwaslaw——

norcouldshe，onaccountoftheirtenderage，tellherchildrenwhatwasthenatureofherobjectiontotheirvisitofpleasure，orindeedmentiontothemanyobjectionatall——butshehadtheadditionalsecretmortificationtofindthemreturningdelightedwiththeirnewfriends，loadedwithpresentsfromthem，andeagertobeallowedtogobacktoaplaceofsuchdelightsasSarkCastle。Everyyearshethoughtthecompanytherewouldbemoredangeroustoherdaughter，asfromachildBeatrixgrewtoawoman，andherdailyincreasingbeauty，andmanyfaultsofcharactertoo，expanded。

ItwasHarryEsmond"slottoseeoneofthevisitswhichtheoldLadyofSarkpaidtotheLadyofCastlewoodHall:whithershecameinstatewithsixchestnuthorsesandblueribbons，apageoneachcarriagestep，agentlemanofthehorse，andarmedservantsridingbeforeandbehindher。And，butthatitwasunpleasanttoseeLadyCastlewood"sface，itwasamusingtowatchthebehaviorofthetwoenemies:thefrigidpatienceoftheyoungerlady，andtheunconquerablegood—humoroftheelder——whowouldseenooffencewhateverherrivalintended，andwhoneverceasedtosmileandtolaugh，andtocoaxthechildren，andtopaycomplimentstoeveryman，woman，child，naydog，orchairandtable，inCastlewood，sobentwassheuponadmiringeverythingthere。Shelaudedthechildren，andwishedasindeedshewellmight——thatherownfamilyhadbeenbroughtupaswellasthosecherubs。ShehadneverseensuchacomplexionasdearBeatrix"s——thoughtobesureshehadarighttoitfromfatherandmother——LadyCastlewood"swasindeedawonderoffreshness，andLadySarksighedtothinkshehadnotbeenbornafairwoman;andremarkingHarryEsmond，withafascinatingsuperannuatedsmile，shecomplimentedhimonhiswit，whichshesaidshecouldseefromhiseyesandforehead;andvowedthatshewouldneverhaveHIMatSarkuntilherdaughterwereoutoftheway。

CHAPTERXII。

MYLORDMOHUNCOMESAMONGUSFORNOGOOD。

TherehadriddenalongwiththisoldPrincess"scavalcade，twogentlemen:herson，myLordFirebrace，andhisfriend，myLordMohun，whobothweregreetedwithagreatdealofcordialitybythehospitableLordofCastlewood。MyLordFirebracewasbutafeeble—

mindedandweak—limbedyoungnobleman，smallinstatureandlimitedinunderstandingtojudgefromthetalkyoungEsmondhadwithhim;

buttheotherwasapersonofahandsomepresence，withthebelair，andabrightdaringwarlikeaspect，which，accordingtothechronicleofthosedays，hadalreadyachievedforhimtheconquestofseveralbeautiesandtoasts。HehadfoughtandconqueredinFrance，aswellasinFlanders;hehadservedacoupleofcampaignswiththePrinceofBadenontheDanube，andwitnessedtherescueofViennafromtheTurk。Andhespokeofhismilitaryexploitspleasantly，andwiththemanlyfreedomofasoldier，soastodelightallhishearersatCastlewood，whowerelittleaccustomedtomeetacompanionsoagreeable。

Onthefirstdaythisnoblecompanycame，mylordwouldnothearoftheirdeparturebeforedinner，andcarriedawaythegentlementoamusethem，whilsthiswifewaslefttodothehonorsofherhousetotheoldMarchionessandherdaughterwithin。TheylookedatthestableswheremyLordMohunpraisedthehorses，thoughtherewasbutapoorshowthere:theywalkedovertheoldhouseandgardens，andfoughtthesiegeofOliver"stimeoveragain:theyplayedagameofracketsintheoldcourt，wheremyLordCastlewoodbeatmyLordMohun，whosaidhelovedballofallthings，andwouldquicklycomebacktoCastlewoodforhisrevenge。Afterdinnertheyplayedbowlsanddrankpunchinthegreenalley;andwhentheypartedtheywereswornfriends，myLordCastlewoodkissingtheotherlordbeforehemountedonhorseback，andpronouncinghimthebestcompanionhehadmetformanyalongday。Allnightlong，overhistobacco—pipe，CastlewooddidnotceasetotalktoHarryEsmondinpraiseofhisnewfriend，andinfactdidnotleaveoffspeakingofhimuntilhislordshipwassotipsythathecouldnotspeakplainlyanymore。

Atbreakfastnextdayitwasthesametalkrenewed;andwhenmyladysaidtherewassomethingfreeintheLordMohun"slooksandmannerofspeechwhichcausedhertomistrusthim，herlordburstoutwithoneofhislaughsandoaths;saidthatheneverlikedman，woman，orbeast，butwhatshewassuretobejealousofit;thatMohunwastheprettiestfellowinEngland;thathehopedtoseemoreofhimwhilstinthecountry;andthathewouldletMohunknowwhatmyLadyPrudesaidofhim。

"Indeed，"LadyCastlewoodsaid，"Ilikedhisconversationwellenough。"TismoreamusingthanthatofmostpeopleIknow。I

thoughtit，Iown，toofree;notfromwhathesaid，asratherfromwhatheimplied。"

"Psha！yourladyshipdoesnotknowtheworld，"saidherhusband;

"andyouhavealwaysbeenassqueamishaswhenyouwereamissoffifteen。"

"YoufoundnofaultwhenIwasamissatfifteen。"

"Begad，madam，youaregrowntoooldforapinaforenow;andIholdthat"tisformetojudgewhatcompanymywifeshallsee，"saidmylord，slappingthetable。

"Indeed，Francis，Ineverthoughtotherwise，"answeredmylady，risinganddroppinghimacurtsy，inwhichstatelyaction，iftherewasobedience，therewasdefiancetoo;andinwhichabystander，deeplyinterestedinthehappinessofthatpairasHarryEsmondwas，mightseehowhopelesslyseparatedtheywere;whatagreatgulfofdifferenceanddiscordhadrunbetweenthem。

"ByG—d！MohunisthebestfellowinEngland;andI"llinvitehimhere，justtoplaguethatwoman。Didyoueverseesuchafrigidinsolenceasitis，Harry？That"sthewayshetreatsme，"hebrokeout，storming，andhisfacegrowingredasheclenchedhisfistsandwenton。"I"mnobodyinmyownhouse。I"mtobethehumbleservantofthatparson"sdaughter。ByJove！I"drathersheshouldflingthedishatmyheadthansneeratmeasshedoes。Sheputsmetoshamebeforethechildrenwithherd——dairs;and，I"llswear，tellsFrankandBeatythatpapa"sareprobate，andthattheyoughttodespiseme。"

"Indeedandindeed，sir，Ineverheardhersayawordbutofrespectregardingyou，"HarryEsmondinterposed。

"No，curseit！Iwishshewouldspeak。Butsheneverdoes。Shescornsme，andholdshertongue。Shekeepsofffromme，asifI

wasapestilence。ByGeorge！shewasfondenoughofherpestilenceonce。AndwhenIcamea—courting，youwouldseemissblush——blushred，byGeorge！forjoy。Why，whatdoyouthinkshesaidtome，Harry？Shesaidherself，whenIjokedwithheraboutherd——dsmilingredcheeks:""TisastheydoatSt。James"s;Iputupmyredflagwhenmykingcomes。"Iwastheking，yousee，shemeant。

Butnow，sir，lookather！IbelieveshewouldbegladifIwasdead;anddeadI"vebeentoherthesefiveyears——eversinceyouallofyouhadthesmall—pox:andsheneverforgavemeforgoingaway。"

"Indeed，mylord，though"twashardtoforgive，Ithinkmymistressforgaveit，"HarryEsmondsaid;"andrememberhoweagerlyshewatchedyourlordship"sreturn，andhowsadlysheturnedawaywhenshesawyourcoldlooks。"

"Damme！"criesoutmylord;"wouldyouhavehadmewaitandcatchthesmall—pox？Wherethedeucehadbeenthegoodofthat？I"llbeardangerwithanyman——butnotuselessdanger——no，no。Thankyoufornothing。And——younodyourhead，andIknowverywell，ParsonHarry，whatyoumean。Therewasthe——theotheraffairtomakeherangry。Butisawomannevertoforgiveahusbandwhogoesa—tripping？Doyoutakemeforasaint？"

"Indeed，sir，Idonot，"saysHarry，withasmile。

"Sincethattimemywife"sascoldasthestatueatCharingCross。

Itelltheeshehasnoforgivenessinher，Henry。Hercoldnessblightsmywholelife，andsendsmetothepunch—bowl，ordrivingaboutthecountry。Mychildrenarenotmine，buthers，whenwearetogether。"Tisonlywhensheisoutofsightwithherabominablecoldglances，thatrunthroughme，thatthey"llcometome，andthatIdaretogivethemsomuchasakiss;andthat"swhyItake"emandlove"eminotherpeople"shouses，Harry。I"mkilledbytheveryvirtueofthatproudwoman。Virtue！givemethevirtuethatcanforgive;givemethevirtuethatthinksnotofpreservingitself，butofmakingotherfolkshappy。Damme，whatmattersascarortwoif"tisgotinhelpingafriendinillfortune？"

Andmylordagainslappedthetable，andtookagreatdraughtfromthetankard。HarryEsmondadmiredashelistenedtohim，andthoughthowthepoorpreacherofthisself—sacrificehadfledfromthesmall—pox，whichtheladyhadbornesocheerfully，andwhichhadbeenthecauseofsomuchdisunioninthelivesofallinthishouse。"Howwellmenpreach，"thoughttheyoungman，"andeachistheexampleinhisownsermon。Howeachhasastoryinadispute，andatrueone，too，andbotharerightorwrongasyouwill！"

Harry"sheartwaspainedwithinhim，towatchthestrugglesandpangsthattorethebreastofthiskind，manlyfriendandprotector。

"Indeed，sir，"saidhe，"IwishtoGodthatmymistresscouldhearyouspeakasIhaveheardyou;shewouldknowmuchthatwouldmakeherlifethehappier，couldshehearit。"Butmylordflungawaywithoneofhisoaths，andajeer;hesaidthatParsonHarrywasagoodfellow;butthatasforwomen，allwomenwerealike——alljadesandheartless。Soamandashesafinevasedown，anddespisesitforbeingbroken。Itmaybeworthless——true:butwhohadthekeepingofit，andwhoshatteredit？

Harry，whowouldhavegivenhislifetomakehisbenefactressandherhusbandhappy，bethoughthim，nowthathesawwhatmylord"sstateofmindwas，andthathereallyhadagreatdealofthatloveleftinhisheart，andreadyforhiswife"sacceptanceifshewouldtakeit，whetherhecouldnotbeameansofreconciliationbetweenthesetwopersons，whomhereveredthemostintheworld。Andhecastabouthowheshouldbreakapartofhismindtohismistress，andwarnherthatinhis，Harry"sopinion，atleast，herhusbandwasstillheradmirer，andevenherlover。

Buthefoundthesubjectaverydifficultonetohandle，whenheventuredtoremonstrate，whichhedidintheverygravesttone，（forlongconfidenceandreiteratedproofsofdevotionandloyaltyhadgivenhimasortofauthorityinthehouse，whichheresumedassoonaseverhereturnedtoit，）andwithaspeechthatshouldhavesomeeffect，as，indeed，itwasutteredwiththespeaker"sownheart，heventuredmostgentlytohinttohisadoredmistressthatshewasdoingherhusbandharmbyherillopinionofhim，andthatthehappinessofallthefamilydependeduponsettingherright。

She，whowasordinarilycalmandmostgentle，andfullofsmilesandsoftattentions，flushedupwhenyoungEsmondsospoketoher，androsefromherchair，lookingathimwithahaughtinessandindignationthathehadneverbeforeknownhertodisplay。Shewasquiteanalteredbeingforthatmoment;andlookedanangryprincessinsultedbyavassal。

"Haveyoueverheardmeutterawordinmylord"sdisparagement？"

sheaskedhastily，hissingoutherwords，andstampingherfoot。

"Indeed，no，"Esmondsaid，lookingdown。

"Areyoucometomeashisambassador——YOU？"shecontinued。

"Iwouldsoonerseepeacebetweenyouthananythingelseintheworld，"Harryanswered，"andwouldgoofanyembassythathadthatend。"

"SoYOUaremylord"sgo—between？"shewenton，notregardingthisspeech。"Youaresenttobidmebackintoslaveryagain，andinformmethatmylord"sfavorisgraciouslyrestoredtohishandmaid？HeiswearyofCoventGarden，ishe，thathecomeshomeandwouldhavethefattedcalfkilled？"

"There"sgoodauthorityforit，surely，"saidEsmond。