第10章

"Forason，yes;butmylordisnotmyson。Itwashewhocastmeawayfromhim。Itwashewhobrokeourhappinessdown，andhebidsmetorepairit。Itwashewhoshowedhimselftomeatlast，ashewas，notasIhadthoughthim。Itishewhocomesbeforemychildrenstupidandsenselesswithwine——wholeavesourcompanyforthatoffrequentersoftavernsandbagnios——whogoesfromhishometotheCityyonderandhisfriendsthere，andwhenheistiredofthemreturnshither，andexpectsthatIshallkneelandwelcomehim。AndhesendsYOUashischamberlain！Whataproudembassy！

Monsieur，Imakeyoumycomplimentofthenewplace。"

"Itwouldbeaproudembassy，andahappyembassytoo，couldI

bringyouandmylordtogether，"Esmondreplied。

"Ipresumeyouhavefulfilledyourmissionnow，sir。"Twasaprettyoneforyoutoundertake。Idon"tknowwhether"tisyourCambridgephilosophy，ortime，thathasalteredyourwaysofthinking，"LadyCastlewoodcontinued，stillinasarcastictone。

"Perhapsyoutoohavelearnedtolovedrink，andtohiccupoveryourwineorpunch;——whichisyourworship"sfavoriteliquor？

Perhapsyoutooputupatthe"Rose"onyourwaytoLondon，andhaveyouracquaintancesinCoventGarden。Myservicestoyou，sir，toprincipalandambassador，tomasterand——andlackey。"

"Greatheavens！madam，"criedHarry。"WhathaveIdonethatthus，forasecondtime，youinsultme？DoyouwishmetoblushforwhatIusedtobeproudof，thatIlivedonyourbounty？Nexttodoingyouaservice（whichmylifewouldpayfor），youknowthattoreceiveonefromyouismyhighestpleasure。WhatwronghaveI

doneyouthatyoushouldwoundmeso，cruelwoman？"

"Whatwrong？"shesaid，lookingatEsmondwithwildeyes。"Well，none——nonethatyouknowof，Harry，orcouldhelp。Whydidyoubringbackthesmall—pox，"sheadded，afterapause，"fromCastlewoodvillage？Youcouldnothelpit，couldyou？Whichofusknowswhitherfateleadsus？Butwewereallhappy，Henry，tillthen。"AndHarrywentawayfromthiscolloquy，thinkingstillthattheestrangementbetweenhispatronandhisbelovedmistresswasremediable，andthateachhadatheartastrongattachmenttotheother。

TheintimacybetweentheLordsMohunandCastlewoodappearedtoincreaseaslongastheformerremainedinthecountry;andmyLordofCastlewoodespeciallyseemednevertobehappyoutofhisnewcomrade"ssight。Theysportedtogether，theydrank，theyplayedbowlsandtennis:myLordCastlewoodwouldgoforthreedaystoSark，andbringbackmyLordMohuntoCastlewood——whereindeedhislordshipmadehimselfverywelcometoallpersons，havingajokeoranewgameatrompsforthechildren，allthetalkofthetownformylord，andmusicandgallantryandplentyofthebeaulangageformylady，andforHarryEsmond，whowasnevertiredofhearinghisstoriesofhiscampaignsandhislifeatVienna，Venice，Paris，andthefamouscitiesofEuropewhichhehadvisitedbothinpeaceandwar。Andhesangatmylady"sharpsichord，andplayedcardsorbackgammon，orhisnewgameofbilliardswithmylord（ofwhomheinvariablygotthebetter）alwayshavingaconsummategood—humor，andbearinghimselfwithacertainmanlygrace，thatmightexhibitsomewhatofthecampandAlsatiaperhaps，butthathaditscharm，andstampedhimagentleman:andhismannertoLadyCastlewoodwassodevotedandrespectful，thatshesoonrecoveredfromthefirstfeelingsofdislikewhichshehadconceivedagainsthim——nay，beforelong，begantobeinterestedinhisspiritualwelfare，andhopefulofhisconversion，lendinghimbooksofpiety，whichhepromiseddutifullytostudy。Withhermylordtalkedofreform，ofsettlingintoquietlife，quittingthecourtandtown，andbuyingsomelandintheneighborhood——thoughitmustbeownedthat，whenthetwolordsweretogetherovertheirBurgundyafterdinner，theirtalkwasverydifferent，andtherewasverylittlequestionofconversiononmyLordMohun"spart。Whentheygottotheirsecondbottle，HarryEsmondusedcommonlytoleavethesetwonobletopers，who，thoughtheytalkedfreelyenough，heavenknows，inhispresence（GoodLord，whatasetofstories，ofAlsatiaandSpringGarden，ofthetavernsandgaming—houses，oftheladiesofthecourt，andmesdamesofthetheatres，hecanrecalloutoftheirgodlyconversation！）——although，Isay，theytalkedbeforeEsmondfreely，yettheyseemedpleasedwhenhewentaway，andthentheyhadanotherbottle，andthentheyfelltocards，andthenmyLordMohuncametoherladyship"sdrawing—room;leavinghisbooncompaniontosleepoffhiswine。

"Twasapointofhonorwiththefinegentlemenofthosedaystoloseorwinmagnificentlyattheirhorse—matches，orgamesofcardsanddice——andyoucouldnevertell，fromthedemeanorofthesetwolordsafterwards，whichhadbeensuccessfulandwhichtheloserattheirgames。Andwhenmyladyhintedtomylordthatheplayedmorethansheliked，hedismissedherwitha"pish，"andsworethatnothingwasmoreequalthanplaybetwixtgentlemen，iftheydidbutkeepituplongenough。Andthesekeptituplongenough，youmaybesure。Amanoffashionofthattimeoftenpassedaquarterofhisdayatcards，andanotherquarteratdrink:Ihaveknownmanyaprettyfellow，whowasawittoo，readyofrepartee，andpossessedofathousandgraces，whowouldbepuzzledifhehadtowritemorethanhisname。

Thereisscarceanythoughtfulmanorwoman，Isuppose，butcanlookbackuponhiscourseofpastlife，andremembersomepoint，triflingasitmayhaveseemedatthetimeofoccurrence，whichhasneverthelessturnedandalteredhiswholecareer。"Tiswithalmostallofus，asinM。Massillon"smagnificentimageregardingKingWilliam，agraindesablethatpervertsorperhapsoverthrowsus;

andsoitwasbutalightwordflungintheair，amerefreakofperversechild"stemper，thatbroughtdownawholeheapofcrushingwoesuponthatfamilywhereofHarryEsmondformedapart。

CominghometohisdearCastlewoodinthethirdyearofhisacademicalcourse，（whereinhehadnowobtainedsomedistinction，hisLatinPoemonthedeathoftheDukeofGloucester，PrincessAnneofDenmark"sson，havinggainedhimamedal，andintroducedhimtothesocietyoftheUniversitywits，）EsmondfoundhislittlefriendandpupilBeatrixgrowntobetallerthanhermother，aslimandlovelyyounggirl，withcheeksmantlingwithhealthandroses:

witheyeslikestarsshiningoutofazure，withwavingbronzehairclusteredaboutthefairestyoungforeheadeverseen:andamienandshapehaughtyandbeautiful，suchasthatofthefamousantiquestatueofthehuntressDiana——atonetimehaughty，rapid，imperious，witheyesandarrowsthatdartandkill。Harrywatchedandwonderedatthisyoungcreature，andlikenedherinhismindtoArtemiswiththeringingbowandshaftsflashingdeathuponthechildrenofNiobe;atanothertimeshewascoyandmeltingasLunashiningtenderlyuponEndymion。Thisfaircreature，thislustrousPhoebe，wasonlyyoungasyet，norhadnearlyreachedherfullsplendor:butcrescentandbrilliant，ouryounggentlemanoftheUniversity，hisheadfullofpoeticalfancies，hisheartperhapsthrobbingwithdesiresundefined，admiredthisrisingyoungdivinity;andgazedather（thoughonlyasatsome"brightparticularstar，"farabovehisearth）withendlessdelightandwonder。Shehadbeenacoquettefromtheearliesttimesalmost，tryingherfreaksandjealousies，herwaywardfrolicsandwinningcaresses，uponallthatcamewithinherreach;shesetherwomenquarrellinginthenursery，andpractisedhereyesonthegroomassherodebehindhimonthepillion。

Shewasthedarlingandtormentoffatherandmother。Sheintriguedwitheachsecretly;andbestowedherfondnessandwithdrewit，pliedthemwithtears，smiles，kisses，cajolements;——

whenthemotherwasangry，ashappenedoften，flewtothefather，andshelteringbehindhim，pursuedhervictim;whenbothweredispleased，transferredhercaressestothedomestics，orwatcheduntilshecouldwinbackherparents"goodgraces，eitherbysurprisingthemintolaughterandgood—humor，orappeasingthembysubmissionandartfulhumility。Shewassaevolaetanegotio，likethatficklegoddessHoracedescribes，andofwhose"maliciousjoy"

agreatpoetofourownhaswrittensonobly——who，famousandheroicashewas，wasnotstrongenoughtoresistthetortureofwomen。

Itwasbutthreeyearsbeforethatthechild，thenbuttenyearsold，hadnearlymanagedtomakeaquarrelbetweenHarryEsmondandhiscomrade，good—natured，phlegmaticThomasTusher，whoneverofhisownseekingquarrelledwithanybody:byquotingtothelattersomesillyjokewhichHarryhadmaderegardinghim——（itwasthemerestidlestjest，thoughitneardrovetwooldfriendstoblows，andIthinksuchabattlewouldhavepleasedher）——andfromthatdayTomkeptatadistancefromher;andsherespectedhim，andcoaxedhimsedulouslywhenevertheymet。ButHarrywasmuchmoreeasilyappeased，becausehewasfonderofthechild:andwhenshemademischief，usedcuttingspeeches，orcausedherfriendspain，sheexcusedherselfforherfault，notbyadmittinganddeploringit，butbypleadingnotguilty，andassertinginnocencesoconstantly，andwithsuchseemingartlessness，thatitwasimpossibletoquestionherplea。Inherchildhood，theywerebutmischiefsthenwhichshedid;butherpowerbecamemorefatalasshegrewolder——asakittenfirstplayswithaball，andthenpouncesonabirdandkillsit。"TisnottobeimaginedthatHarryEsmondhadallthisexperienceatthisearlystageofhislife，whereofheisnowwritingthehistory——manythingsherenotedwerebutknowntohiminlaterdays。AlmosteverythingBeatrixdidorundidseemedgood，oratleastpardonable，tohimthen，andyearsafterwards。

Ithappened，then，thatHarryEsmondcamehometoCastlewoodforhislastvacation，withgoodhopesofafellowshipathiscollege，andacontentedresolvetoadvancehisfortunethatway。"Twasinthefirstyearofthepresentcentury，Mr。Esmond（asfarasheknewtheperiodofhisbirth）beingthentwenty—twoyearsold。Hefoundhisquondampupilshotupintothisbeautyofwhichwehavespoken，andpromisingyetmore:herbrother，mylord"sson，ahandsomehigh—spiritedbravelad，generousandfrank，andkindtoeverybody，saveperhapshissister，withwhomFrankwasatwar（andnotfromhisbutherfault）——adoringhismother，whosejoyhewas:

andtakinghersideintheunhappymatrimonialdifferenceswhichwerenowpermanent，whileofcourseMistressBeatrixrangedwithherfather。Whenheadsoffamiliesfallout，itmustnaturallybethattheirdependantsweartheoneortheotherparty"scolor;andevenintheparliamentsintheservants"hallorthestables，Harry，whohadanearlyobservantturn，couldseewhichweremylord"sadherentsandwhichmylady"s，andconjectureprettyshrewdlyhowtheirunluckyquarrelwasdebated。Ourlackeyssitinjudgmentonus。Mylord"sintriguesmaybeeversostealthilyconducted，buthisvaletknowsthem;andmylady"swomancarrieshermistress"sprivatehistorytotheservants"scandalmarket，andexchangesitagainstthesecretsofotherabigails。

CHAPTERXIII。

MYLORDLEAVESUSANDHISEVILBEHINDHIM。

MyLordMohun（ofwhoseexploitsandfamesomeofthegentlemenoftheUniversityhadbroughtdownbutuglyreports）wasoncemoreaguestatCastlewood，andseeminglymoreintimatelyalliedwithmylordeventhanbefore。OnceinthespringthosetwonoblemenhadriddentoCambridgefromNewmarket，whithertheyhadgoneforthehorse—racing，andhadhonoredHarryEsmondwithavisitathisrooms;afterwhichDoctorMontague，themasteroftheCollege，whohadtreatedHarrysomewhathaughtily，seeinghisfamiliaritywiththesegreatfolks，andthatmyLordCastlewoodlaughedandwalkedwithhishandonHarry"sshoulder，relentedtoMr。Esmond，andcondescendedtobeveryciviltohim;andsomedaysafterhisarrival，Harry，laughing，toldthisstorytoLadyEsmond，remarkinghowstrangeitwasthatmenfamousforlearningandrenownedoverEurope，should，nevertheless，sobowdowntoatitle，andcringetoanoblemaneversopoor。AtthisMistressBeatrixflungupherhead，andsaiditbecamethoseofloworigintorespecttheirbetters;thattheparsonsmadethemselvesagreatdealtooproud，shethought;andthatshelikedthewayatLadySark"sbest，wherethechaplain，thoughhelovedpudding，asallparsonsdo，alwayswentawaybeforethecustard。

"AndwhenIamaparson，"saysMr。Esmond，"willyougivemenocustard，Beatrix？"

"You——youaredifferent，"Beatrixanswered。"Youareofourblood。"

"Myfatherwasaparson，asyoucallhim，"saidmylady。

"ButmineisapeerofIreland，"saysMistressBeatrix，tossingherhead。"Letpeopleknowtheirplaces。IsupposeyouwillhavemegodownonmykneesandaskablessingofMr。ThomasTusher，thathasjustbeenmadeacurateandwhosemotherwasawaiting—maid。"

Andshetossedoutoftheroom，beinginoneofherflightyhumorsthen。

Whenshewasgone，myladylookedsosadandgrave，thatHarryaskedthecauseofherdisquietude。ShesaiditwasnotmerelywhathesaidofNewmarket，butwhatshehadremarked，withgreatanxietyandterror，thatmylord，eversincehisacquaintancewiththeLordMohunespecially，hadrecurredtohisfondnessforplay，whichhehadrenouncedsincehismarriage。

"Butmenpromisemorethantheyareabletoperforminmarriage，"

saidmylady，withasigh。"Ifearhehaslostlargesums;andourproperty，alwayssmall，isdwindlingawayunderthisrecklessdissipation。IheardofhiminLondonwithverywildcompany。

Sincehisreturn，lettersandlawyersareconstantlycomingandgoing:heseemstometohaveaconstantanxiety，thoughhehidesitunderboisterousnessandlaughter。Ilookedthrough——throughthedoorlastnight，and——andbefore，"saidmylady，"andsawthematcardsaftermidnight;noestatewillbearthatextravagance，muchlessours，whichwillbesodiminishedthatmysonwillhavenothingatall，andmypoorBeatrixnoportion！"

"IwishIcouldhelpyou，madam，"saidHarryEsmond，sighing，andwishingthatunavailingly，andforthethousandthtimeinhislife。

"Whocan？OnlyGod，"saidLadyEsmond——"onlyGod，inwhosehandsweare。"Andsoitis，andforhisruleoverhisfamily，andforhisconducttowifeandchildren——subjectsoverwhomhispowerismonarchical——anyonewhowatchestheworldmustthinkwithtremblingsometimesoftheaccountwhichmanyamanwillhavetorender。Forinoursocietythere"snolawtocontroltheKingoftheFireside。Heismasterofproperty，happiness——lifealmost。

Heisfreetopunish，tomakehappyorunhappy——toruinortotorture。Hemaykillawifegradually，andbenomorequestionedthantheGrandseigniorwhodrownsaslaveatmidnight。Hemaymakeslavesandhypocritesofhischildren;orfriendsandfreemen;

ordrivethemintorevoltandenmityagainstthenaturallawoflove。Ihaveheardpoliticiansandcoffee—housewiseacrestalkingoverthenewspaper，andrailingatthetyrannyoftheFrenchKing，andtheEmperor，andwonderedhowthese（whoaremonarchs，too，intheirway）governtheirowndominionsathome，whereeachmanrulesabsolute。WhentheannalsofeachlittlereignareshowntotheSupremeMaster，underwhomweholdsovereignty，historieswillbelaidbareofhouseholdtyrantsascruelasAmurath，andassavageasNero，andasrecklessanddissoluteasCharles。

IfHarryEsmond"spatronerred，"twasinthelatterway，fromadispositionratherself—indulgentthancruel;andhemighthavebeenbroughtbacktomuchbetterfeelings，hadtimebeengiventohimtobringhisrepentancetoalastingreform。

AsmylordandhisfriendLordMohunweresuchclosecompanions，MistressBeatrixchosetobejealousofthelatter;andthetwogentlemenoftenentertainedeachotherbylaughing，intheirrudeboisterousway，atthechild"sfreaksofangerandshowofdislike。

"Whenthouartoldenough，thoushaltmarryLordMohun，"Beatrix"sfatherwouldsay:onwhichthegirlwouldpoutandsay，"IwouldrathermarryTomTusher。"AndbecausetheLordMohunalwaysshowedanextremegallantrytomyLadyCastlewood，whomheprofessedtoadmiredevotedly，oneday，inanswertothisoldjokeofherfather"s，Beatrixsaid，"Ithinkmylordwouldrathermarrymammathanmarryme;andiswaitingtillyoudietoaskher。"

Thewordsweresaidlightlyandpertlybythegirlonenightbeforesupper，asthefamilypartywereassemblednearthegreatfire。

Thetwolords，whowereatcards，bothgaveastart;myladyturnedasredasscarlet，andbadeMistressBeatrixgotoherownchamber;

whereuponthegirl，puttingon，asherwontwas，themostinnocentair，said，"IamsureImeantnowrong;IamsuremammatalksagreatdealmoretoHarryEsmondthanshedoestopapa——andshecriedwhenHarrywentaway，andsheneverdoeswhenpapagoesaway！

andlastnightshetalkedtoLordMohunforeversolong，andsentusoutoftheroom，andcriedwhenwecameback，and——"

"D——n！"criedoutmyLordCastlewood，outofallpatience。"Gooutoftheroom，youlittleviper！"andhestartedupandflungdownhiscards。

"AskLordMohunwhatIsaidtohim，Francis，"herladyshipsaid，risingupwithascaredface，butyetwithagreatandtouchingdignityandcandorinherlookandvoice。"Comeawaywithme，Beatrix。"Beatrixsprunguptoo;shewasintearsnow。

"Dearestmamma，whathaveIdone？"sheasked。"SureImeantnoharm。"Andsheclungtohermother，andthepairwentoutsobbingtogether。

"Iwilltellyouwhatyourwifesaidtome，Frank，"myLordMohuncried。"ParsonHarrymayhearit;and，asIhopeforheaven，everywordIsayistrue。Lastnight，withtearsinhereyes，yourwifeimploredmetoplaynomorewithyouatdiceoratcards，andyouknowbestwhetherwhatsheaskedwasnotforyourgood。"

"Ofcourse，itwas，Mohun，"saysmylordinadryhardvoice。"Ofcourseyouareamodelofaman:andtheworldknowswhatasaintyouare。"

MyLordMohunwasseparatedfromhiswife，andhadhadmanyaffairsofhonor:ofwhichwomenasusualhadbeenthecause。

"Iamnosaint，thoughyourwifeis——andIcananswerformyactionsasotherpeoplemustfortheirwords，"saidmyLordMohun。

"ByG——，mylord，youshall，"criedtheother，startingup。

"Wehaveanotherlittleaccounttosettlefirst，mylord，"saysLordMohun。WhereuponHarryEsmond，filledwithalarmfortheconsequencestowhichthisdisastrousdisputemightlead，brokeoutintothemostvehementexpostulationswithhispatronandhisadversary。"Graciousheavens！"hesaid，"mylord，areyougoingtodrawasworduponyourfriendinyourownhouse？Canyoudoubtthehonorofaladywhoisaspureasheaven，andwoulddieathousandtimesratherthandoyouawrong？Aretheidlewordsofajealouschildtosetfriendsatvariance？Hasnotmymistress，asmuchasshedareddo，besoughtyourlordship，asthetruthmustbetold，tobreakyourintimacywithmyLordMohun;andtogiveupthehabitwhichmaybringruinonyourfamily？ButformyLordMohun"sillness，hadhenotleftyou？"

""Faith，Frank，amanwithagoutytoecan"trunafterothermen"swives，"brokeoutmyLordMohun，whoindeedwasinthatway，andwithalaughandalookathisswathedlimbsofrankandcomical，thattheotherdashinghisfistacrosshisforeheadwascaughtbythatinfectiousgood—humor，andsaidwithhisoath，"————it，Harry，Ibelievethee，"andsothisquarrelwasover，andthetwogentlemen，atswordsdrawnbutjustnow，droppedtheirpoints，andshookhands。

Beatipacifici。"Go，bringmyladyback，"saidHarry"spatron。

Esmondwentawayonlytoogladtobethebearerofsuchgoodnews。

Hefoundheratthedoor;shehadbeenlisteningthere，butwentbackashecame。Shetookbothhishands，hersweremarblecold。

Sheseemedasifshewouldfallonhisshoulder。"Thankyou，andGodblessyou，mydearbrotherHarry，"shesaid。Shekissedhishand，Esmondfelthertearsuponit:andleadingherintotheroom，anduptomylord，theLordCastlewood，withanoutbreakoffeelingandaffectionsuchashehadnotexhibitedformanyalongday，tookhiswifetohisheart，andbentoverandkissedherandaskedherpardon。

""Tistimeformetogotoroost。Iwillhavemygruela—bed，"

saidmyLordMohun:andlimpedoffcomicallyonHarryEsmond"sarm。

"ByGeorge，thatwomanisapearl！"hesaid;"and"tisonlyapigthatwouldn"tvalueher。Haveyouseenthevulgartraipsingorange—girlwhomEsmond"——buthereMr。Esmondinterruptedhim，saying，thatthesewerenotaffairsforhimtoknow。

Mylord"sgentlemancameintowaituponhismaster，whowasnosoonerinhisnightcapanddressing—gownthanhehadanothervisitorwhomhishostinsistedonsendingtohim:andthiswasnootherthantheLadyCastlewoodherselfwiththetoastandgruel，whichherhusbandbadehermakeandcarrywithherownhandsintoherguest。

LordCastlewoodstoodlookingafterhiswifeasshewentonthiserrand，andashelooked，HarryEsmondcouldnotbutgazeonhim，andremarkedinhispatron"sfaceanexpressionoflove，andgrief，andcare，whichverymuchmovedandtouchedtheyoungman。LordCastlewood"shandsfelldownathissides，andhisheadonhisbreast，andpresentlyhesaid，——

"YouheardwhatMohunsaid，parson？"

"Thatmyladywasasaint？"

"Thattherearetwoaccountstosettle。Ihavebeengoingwrongthesefiveyears，HarryEsmond。Eversinceyoubroughtthatdamnedsmall—poxintothehouse，therehasbeenafatepursuingme，andI

hadbesthavediedofit，andnotrunawayfromitlikeacoward。

IleftBeatrixwithherrelations，andwenttoLondon;andIfellamongthieves，Harry，andIgotbacktoconfoundedcardsanddice，whichIhadn"ttouchedsincemymarriage——no，notsinceIwasintheDuke"sGuard，withthosewildMohocks。AndIhavebeenplayingworseandworse，andgoingdeeperanddeeperintoit;andIoweMohuntwothousandpoundsnow;andwhenit"spaidIamlittlebetterthanabeggar。Idon"tliketolookmyboyintheface;hehatesme，Iknowhedoes。AndIhavespentBeaty"slittleportion:

andtheLordknowswhatwillcomeifIlive;thebestthingIcandoistodie，andreleasewhatportionoftheestateisredeemablefortheboy。"

MohunwasasmuchmasteratCastlewoodastheowneroftheHallitself;andhisequipagesfilledthestables，where，indeed，therewasroomandplentyformanymorehorsesthanHarryEsmond"simpoverishedpatroncouldaffordtokeep。Hehadarrivedonhorsebackwithhispeople;butwhenhisgoutbrokeoutmyLordMohunsenttoLondonforalightchaisehehad，drawnbyapairofsmallhorses，andrunningasswift，whereverroadsweregood，asaLaplander"ssledge。Whenthiscarriagecame，hislordshipwaseagertodrivetheLadyCastlewoodabroadinit，anddidsomanytimes，andatarapidpace，greatlytohiscompanion"senjoyment，wholovedtheswiftmotionandthehealthybreezesoverthedownswhichlieharduponCastlewood，andstretchthencetowardsthesea。

Asthisamusementwasverypleasanttoher，andherlord，farfromshowinganymistrustofherintimacywithLordMohun，encouragedhertobehiscompanion——asifwillingbyhispresentextremeconfidencetomakeupforanypastmistrustwhichhisjealousyhadshown——theLadyCastlewoodenjoyedherselffreelyinthisharmlessdiversion，which，itmustbeowned，herguestwasveryeagertogiveher;anditseemedthatshegrewthemorefreewithLordMohun，andpleasedwithhiscompany，becauseofsomesacrificewhichhisgallantrywaspleasedtomakeinherfavor。

Seeingthetwogentlemenconstantlyatcardsstillofevenings，HarryEsmondonedaydeploredtohismistressthatthisfatalinfatuationofherlordshouldcontinue;andnowtheyseemedreconciledtogether，beggedhisladytohinttoherhusbandthatheshouldplaynomore。

ButLadyCastlewood，smilingarchlyandgayly，saidshewouldspeaktohimpresently，andthat，forafewnightsmoreatleast，hemightbelettohavehisamusement。

"Indeed，madam，"saidHarry，"youknownotwhatitcostsyou;and"tiseasyforanyobserverwhoknowsthegame，toseethatLordMohunisbyfarthestrongerofthetwo。"

"Iknowheis，"saysmylady，stillwithexceedinggood—humor;"heisnotonlythebestplayer，butthekindestplayerintheworld。"

"Madam，madam！"Esmondcried，transportedandprovoked。"Debtsofhonormustbepaidsometimeorother;andmymasterwillberuinedifhegoeson。"

"Harry，shallItellyouasecret？"myladyreplied，withkindnessandpleasurestillinhereyes。"Franciswillnotberuinedifhegoeson;hewillberescuedifhegoeson。IrepentofhavingspokenandthoughtunkindlyoftheLordMohunwhenhewashereinthepastyear。Heisfullofmuchkindnessandgood;and"tismybeliefthatweshallbringhimtobetterthings。Ihavelenthim"Tillotson"andyourfavorite"BishopTaylor，"andheismuchtouched，hesays;andasaproofofhisrepentance——（andhereinliesmysecret）——whatdoyouthinkheisdoingwithFrancis？HeislettingpoorFrankwinhismoneybackagain。Hehathwonalreadyatthelastfournights;andmyLordMohunsaysthathewillnotbethemeansofinjuringpoorFrankandmydearchildren。"

"AndinGod"sname，whatdoyoureturnhimforthesacrifice？"

askedEsmond，aghast;whoknewenoughofmen，andofthisoneinparticular，tobeawarethatsuchafinishedrakegavenothingfornothing。"How，inheaven"sname，areyoutopayhim？"

"Payhim！Withamother"sblessingandawife"sprayers！"criesmylady，claspingherhandstogether。HarryEsmonddidnotknowwhethertolaugh，tobeangry，ortolovehisdearmistressmorethaneverfortheobstinateinnocencywithwhichshechosetoregardtheconductofamanoftheworld，whosedesignsheknewbetterhowtointerpret。Hetoldthelady，guardedly，butsoastomakehismeaningquitecleartoher，whatheknewinrespectoftheformerlifeandconductofthisnobleman;ofotherwomenagainstwhomhehadplotted，andwhomhehadovercome;oftheconversationwhichhe，Harryhimself，hadhadwithLordMohun，whereinthelordmadeaboastofhislibertinism，andfrequentlyavowedthatheheldallwomentobefairgame（ashislordshipstyledthisprettysport），andthattheywereall，withoutexception，tobewon。AndthereturnHarryhadforhisentreatiesandremonstranceswasafitofangeronLadyCastlewood"spart，whowouldnotlistentohisaccusations;shesaidandretortedthathehimselfmustbeverywickedandpervertedtosupposeevildesignswhereshewassurenoneweremeant。"Andthisisthegoodmeddlersgetofinterfering，"Harrythoughttohimselfwithmuchbitterness;andhisperplexityandannoyancewereonlythegreater，becausehecouldnotspeaktomyLordCastlewoodhimselfuponasubjectofthisnature，orventuretoadviseorwarnhimregardingamattersoverysacredashisownhonor，ofwhichmylordwasnaturallythebestguardian。

ButthoughLadyCastlewoodwouldlistentonoadvicefromheryoungdependant，andappearedindignantlytorefuseitwhenoffered，Harryhadthesatisfactiontofindthatsheadoptedthecounselwhichsheprofessedtoreject;forthenextdayshepleadedaheadache，whenmyLordMohunwouldhavehadherdriveout，andthenextdaytheheadachecontinued;andnextday，inalaughinggayway，sheproposedthatthechildrenshouldtakeherplaceinhislordship"scar，fortheywouldbecharmedwitharideofallthings;andshemustnothaveallthepleasureforherself。Mylordgavethemadrivewithaverygoodgrace，though，Idaresay，withrageanddisappointmentinwardly——notthathisheartwasveryseriouslyengagedinhisdesignsuponthissimplelady:butthelifeofsuchmenisoftenoneofintrigue，andtheycannomoregothroughthedaywithoutawomantopursue，thanafox—hunterwithouthissportafterbreakfast。

Underanaffectedcarelessnessofdemeanor，andthoughtherewasnooutwarddemonstrationofdoubtuponhispatron"spartsincethequarrelbetweenthetwolords，HarryyetsawthatLordCastlewoodwaswatchinghisguestverynarrowly;andcaughtsightofdistrustandsmotheredrage（asHarrythought）whichforebodednogood。OnthepointofhonorEsmondknewhowtouchyhispatronwas;andwatchedhimalmostasaphysicianwatchesapatient，anditseemedtohimthatthisonewasslowtotakethedisease，thoughhecouldnotthrowoffthepoisonwhenonceithadmingledwithhisblood。

WereadinShakspeare（whomthewriterforhispartconsiderstobefarbeyondMr。Congreve，Mr。Dryden，oranyofthewitsofthepresentperiod，）thatwhenjealousyisoncedeclared，norpoppy，normandragora，norallthedrowsysyrupsoftheEast，willeversootheitormedicineitaway。

Infine，thesymptomsseemedtobesoalarmingtothisyoungphysician（who，indeed，youngashewas，hadfeltthekindpulsesofallthosedearkinsmen），thatHarrythoughtitwouldbehisdutytowarnmyLordMohun，andlethimknowthathisdesignsweresuspectedandwatched。Sooneday，wheninratherapettishhumorhislordshiphadsenttoLadyCastlewood，whohadpromisedtodrivewithhim，andnowrefusedtocome，Harrysaid——"Mylord，ifyouwillkindlygivemeaplacebyyoursideIwillthankyou;Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，andwouldliketospeaktoyoualone。"

"Youhonormebygivingmeyourconfidence，Mr。HenryEsmond，"saystheother，withaverygrandbow。Mylordwasalwaysafinegentleman，andyoungashewastherewasthatinEsmond"smannerwhichshowedthathewasagentlemantoo，andthatnonemighttakealibertywithhim——sothepairwentout，andmountedthelittlecarriage，whichwasinwaitingfortheminthecourt，withitstwolittlecream—coloredHanoverianhorsescoveredwithsplendidfurnitureandchampingatthebit。

"Mylord，"saysHarryEsmond，aftertheyweregotintothecountry，andpointingtomyLordMohun"sfoot，whichwasswathedinflannel，andputupratherostentatiouslyonacushion——"mylord，IstudiedmedicineatCambridge。"

"Indeed，ParsonHarry，"sayshe;"andareyougoingtotakeoutadiploma:andcureyourfellow—studentsofthe——"

"Ofthegout，"saysHarry，interruptinghim，andlookinghimhardintheface;"Iknowagooddealaboutthegout。"

"Ihopeyoumayneverhaveit。"Tisaninfernaldisease，"saysmylord，"anditstwingesarediabolical。Ah！"andhemadeadreadfulwryface，asifhejustfeltatwinge。

"Yourlordshipwouldbemuchbetterifyoutookoffallthatflannel——itonlyservestoinflamethetoe，"Harrycontinued，lookinghismanfullintheface。

"Oh！itonlyservestoinflamethetoe，doesit？"saystheother，withaninnocentair。

"Ifyoutookoffthatflannel，andflungthatabsurdslipperaway，andworeaboot，"continuesHarry。

"Yourecommendmeboots，Mr。Esmond？"asksmylord。

"Yes，bootsandspurs。Isawyourlordshipthreedaysagorundownthegalleryfastenough，"Harrygoeson。"Iamsurethattakinggruelatnightisnotsopleasantasclarettoyourlordship;andbesidesitkeepsyourlordship"sheadcoolforplay，whilstmypatron"sishotandflusteredwithdrink。"

""Sdeath，sir，youdarenotsaythatIdon"tplayfair？"criesmylord，whippinghishorses，whichwentawayatagallop。

"Youarecoolwhenmylordisdrunk，"Harrycontinued;"yourlordshipgetsthebetterofmypatron。IhavewatchedyouasI

lookedupfrommybooks。"

"YouyoungArgus！"saysLordMohun，wholikedHarryEsmond——andforwhosecompanyandwit，andacertaindaringmanner，Harryhadagreatlikingtoo——"YouyoungArgus！youmaylookwithallyourhundredeyesandseeweplayfair。I"veplayedawayanestateofanight，andI"veplayedmyshirtoffmyback;andI"veplayedawaymyperiwigandgonehomeinanightcap。ButnomancansayIevertookanadvantageofhimbeyondtheadvantageofthegame。I

playedadice—coggingscoundrelinAlsatiaforhisearsandwon"em，andhaveoneof"eminmylodginginBowStreetinabottleofspirits。HarryMohunwillplayanymanforanything——alwayswould。"