第12章

ButmygoodLordViscountsawthemove——"I"llplayyoufortenmoidores，Mohun，"sayshe。"Yousillyboy，wedon"tplayforgroatshereasyoudoatCambridge。"AndHarry，whohadnosuchsuminhispocket（forhishalf—year"ssalarywasalwaysprettywellspentbeforeitwasdue），fellbackwithrageandvexationinhisheartthathehadnotmoneyenoughtostake。

"I"llstaketheyounggentlemanacrown，"saystheLordMohun"scaptain。

"Ithoughtcrownswereratherscarcewiththegentlemenofthearmy，"saysHarry。

"DotheybirchatCollege？"saystheCaptain。

"Theybirchfools，"saysHarry，"andtheycanebullies，andtheyflingpuppiesintothewater。"

"Faith，then，there"ssomeescapesdrowning，"saystheCaptain，whowasanIrishman;andallthegentlemenbegantolaugh，andmadepoorHarryonlymoreangry。

MyLordMohunpresentlysnuffedacandle。ItwaswhenthedrawersbroughtinfreshbottlesandglassesandwereintheroomonwhichmyLordViscountsaid——"TheDeucetakeyou，Mohun，howdamnedawkwardyouare。Lightthecandle，youdrawer。"

"Damnedawkwardisadamnedawkwardexpression，mylord，"saystheother。"Towngentlemendon"tusesuchwords——oraskpardoniftheydo。"

"I"macountrygentleman，"saysmyLordViscount。

"Iseeitbyyourmanner，"saysmyLordMohun。"Nomanshallsaydamnedawkwardtome。"

"Iflingthewordsinyourface，mylord，"saystheother;"shallI

sendthecardstoo？"

"Gentlemen，gentlemen！beforetheservants？"cryoutColonelWestburyandmyLordWarwickinabreath。Thedrawersgooutoftheroomhastily。Theytellthepeoplebelowofthequarrelupstairs。

"Enoughhasbeensaid，"saysColonelWestbury。"Willyourlordshipsmeetto—morrowmorning？"

"WillmyLordCastlewoodwithdrawhiswords？"askstheEarlofWarwick。

"MyLordCastlewoodwillbe————first，"saysColonelWestbury。

"Thenwehavenothingforit。Takenotice，gentlemen，therehavebeenoutrageouswords——reparationaskedandrefused。"

"Andrefused，"saysmyLordCastlewood，puttingonhishat。"Whereshallthemeetingbe？andwhen？"

"SincemyLordrefusesmesatisfaction，whichIdeeplyregret，thereisnotimesogoodasnow，"saysmyLordMohun。"LetushavechairsandgotoLeicesterField。"

"AreyourlordshipandItohavethehonorofexchangingapassortwo？"saysColonelWestbury，withalowbowtomyLordofWarwickandHolland。

"Itisanhonorforme，"saysmylord，withaprofoundcongee，"tobematchedwithagentlemanwhohasbeenatMonsandNamur。"

"WillyourReverencepermitmetogiveyoualesson？"saystheCaptain。

"Nay，nay，gentlemen，twoonasideareplenty，"saysHarry"spatron。"Sparetheboy，CaptainMacartney，"andheshookHarry"shand——forthelasttime，saveone，inhislife。

Atthebarofthetavernallthegentlemenstopped，andmyLordViscountsaid，laughing，tothebarwoman，thatthosecardssetpeoplesadlya—quarrelling;butthatthedisputewasovernow，andthepartieswereallgoingawaytomyLordMohun"shouse，inBowStreet，todrinkabottlemorebeforegoingtobed。

Ahalf—dozenofchairswerenowcalled，andthesixgentlemensteppingintothem，thewordwasprivatelygiventothechairmentogotoLeicesterField，wherethegentlemenweresetdownoppositethe"StandardTavern。"Itwasmidnight，andthetownwasabedbythistime，andonlyafewlightsinthewindowsofthehouses;butthenightwasbrightenoughfortheunhappypurposewhichthedisputantscameabout;andsoallsixenteredintothatfatalsquare，thechairmenstandingwithouttherailingandkeepingthegate，lestanypersonsshoulddisturbthemeeting。

Allthathappenedtherehathbeenmatterofpublicnotoriety，andisrecorded，forwarningtolawlessmen，intheannalsofourcountry。Afterbeingengagedfornotmorethanacoupleofminutes，asHarryEsmondthought（thoughbeingoccupiedatthetimewithhisownadversary"spoint，whichwasactive，hemaynothavetakenagoodnoteoftime），acryfromthechairmenwithout，whoweresmokingtheirpipes，andleaningovertherailingsofthefieldastheywatchedthedimcombatwithin，announcedthatsomecatastrophehadhappened，whichcausedEsmondtodrophisswordandlookround，atwhichmomenthisenemywoundedhimintherighthand。Buttheyoungmandidnotheedthishurtmuch，andranuptotheplacewherehesawhisdearmasterwasdown。

MyLordMohunwasstandingoverhim。

"Areyoumuchhurt，Frank？"heaskedinahollowvoice。

"IbelieveIamadeadman，"mylordsaidfromtheground。

"No，no，notso，"saystheother;"andIcallGodtowitness，FrankEsmond，thatIwouldhaveaskedyourpardon，hadyoubutgivenmeachance。In——inthefirstcauseofourfallingout，Iswearthatnoonewastoblamebutme，and——andthatmylady——"

"Hush！"saysmypoorLordViscount，liftinghimselfonhiselbowandspeakingfaintly。""Twasadisputeaboutthecards——thecursedcards。Harrymyboy，areyouwounded，too？Godhelpthee！I

lovedthee，Harry，andthoumustwatchovermylittleFrank——and——

andcarrythislittlehearttomywife。"

Andheremydearlordfeltinhisbreastforalocketheworethere，and，intheact，fellbackfainting。

Wewereallatthisterrified，thinkinghimdead;butEsmondandColonelWestburybadethechairmencomeintothefield;andsomylordwascarriedtooneMr。Aimes，asurgeon，inLongAcre，whokeptabath，andtherethehousewaswakenedup，andthevictimofthisquarrelcarriedin。

MyLordViscountwasputtobed，andhiswoundlookedtobythesurgeon，whoseemedbothkindandskilful。Whenhehadlookedtomylord，hebandagedupHarryEsmond"shand（who，fromlossofblood，hadfaintedtoo，inthehouse，andmayhavebeensometimeunconscious）;andwhentheyoungmancametohimself，youmaybesureheeagerlyaskedwhatnewstherewereofhisdearpatron;onwhichthesurgeoncarriedhimtotheroomwheretheLordCastlewoodlay;whohadalreadysentforapriest;anddesiredearnestly，theysaid，tospeakwithhiskinsman。Hewaslyingonabed，verypaleandghastly，withthatfixed，fatallookinhiseyes，whichbetokensdeath;andfaintlybeckoningalltheotherpersonsawayfromhimwithhishand，andcryingout"OnlyHarryEsmond，"thehandfellpowerlessdownonthecoverlet，asHarrycameforward，andkneltdownandkissedit。

"Thouartallbutapriest，Harry，"myLordViscountgaspedout，withafaintsmile，andpressureofhiscoldhand。"Aretheyallgone？Letmemaketheeadeath—bedconfession。"

AndwithsacredDeathwaiting，asitwere，atthebed—foot，asanawfulwitnessofhiswords，thepoordyingsoulgaspedouthislastwishesinrespectofhisfamily;——hishumbleprofessionofcontritionforhisfaults;——andhischaritytowardstheworldhewasleaving。SomethingshesaidconcernedHarryEsmondasmuchastheyastonishedhim。AndmyLordViscount，sinkingvisibly，wasinthemidstofthesestrangeconfessions，whentheecclesiasticforwhommylordhadsent，Mr。Atterbury，arrived。

Thisgentlemanhadreachedtonogreatchurchdignityasyet，butwasonlypreacheratSt。Bride"s，drawingallthetownthitherbyhiseloquentsermons。Hewasgodsontomylord，whohadbeenpupiltohisfather;hadpaidavisittoCastlewoodfromOxfordmorethanonce;anditwasbyhisadvice，Ithink，thatHarryEsmondwassenttoCambridge，ratherthantoOxford，ofwhichplaceMr。Atterbury，thoughadistinguishedmember，spokebutill。

Ourmessengerfoundthegoodpriestalreadyathisbooksatfiveo"clockinthemorning，andhefollowedthemaneagerlytothehousewheremypoorLordViscountlay——Esmondwatchinghim，andtakinghisdyingwordsfromhismouth。

Mylord，hearingofMr。Atterbury"sarrival，andsqueezingEsmond"shand，askedtobealonewiththepriest;andEsmondleftthemthereforthissolemninterview。Youmaybesurethathisownprayersandgriefaccompaniedthatdyingbenefactor。Mylordhadsaidtohimthatwhichconfoundedtheyoungman——informedhimofasecretwhichgreatlyconcernedhim。Indeed，afterhearingit，hehadhadgoodcausefordoubtanddismay;formentalanguishaswellasresolution。WhilethecolloquybetweenMr。Atterburyandhisdyingpenitenttookplacewithin，animmensecontestofperplexitywasagitatingLordCastlewood"syoungcompanion。

Attheendofanhour——itmaybemore——Mr。Atterburycameoutoftheroom，lookingveryhardatEsmond，andholdingapaper。

"HeisonthebrinkofGod"sawfuljudgment，"thepriestwhispered。

"Hehasmadehisbreastcleantome。Heforgivesandbelieves，andmakesrestitution。Shallitbeinpublic？Shallwecallawitnesstosignit？"

"Godknows，"sobbedouttheyoungman，"mydearestlordhasonlydonemekindnessallhislife。"

ThepriestputthepaperintoEsmond"shand。Helookedatit。Itswambeforehiseyes。

""Tisaconfession，"hesaid。

""Tisasyouplease，"saidMr。Atterbury。

Therewasafireintheroomwheretheclothsweredryingforthebaths，andtherelayaheapinacornersaturatedwiththebloodofmydearlord"sbody。Esmondwenttothefire，andthrewthepaperintoit。"TwasagreatchimneywithglazedDutchtiles。Howweremembersuchtriflesatsuchawfulmoments！——thescrapofthebookthatwehavereadinagreatgrief——thetasteofthatlastdishthatwehaveeatenbeforeaduel，orsomesuchsuprememeetingorparting。OntheDutchtilesattheBagniowasarudepicturerepresentingJacobinhairygloves，cheatingIsaacofEsau"sbirthright。Theburningpaperlighteditup。

""Tisonlyaconfession，Mr。Atterbury，"saidtheyoungman。Heleanedhisheadagainstthemantel—piece:aburstoftearscametohiseyes。Theywerethefirsthehadshedashesatbyhislord，scaredbythiscalamity，andmoreyetbywhatthepoordyinggentlemanhadtoldhim，andshockedtothinkthatheshouldbetheagentofbringingthisdoublemisfortuneonthosehelovedbest。

"Letusgotohim，"saidMr。Esmond。Andaccordinglytheywentintothenextchamber，wherebythistime，thedawnhadbroke，whichshowedmylord"spoorpalefaceandwildappealingeyes，thatworethatawfulfatallookofcomingdissolution。Thesurgeonwaswithhim。HewentintothechamberasAtterburycameoutthence。

MyLordViscountturnedroundhissickeyestowardsEsmond。Itchokedtheothertohearthatrattleinhisthroat。

"MyLordViscount，"saysMr。Atterbury，"Mr。Esmondwantsnowitnesses，andhathburnedthepaper。"

"Mydearestmaster！"Esmondsaid，kneelingdown，andtakinghishandandkissingit。

MyLordViscountsprangupinhisbed，andflunghisarmsroundEsmond。"Godbl——bless——"wasallhesaid。Thebloodrushedfromhismouth，delugingtheyoungman。Mydearestlordwasnomore。

Hewasgonewithablessingonhislips，andloveandrepentanceandkindnessinhismanlyheart。

"Benedictibenedicentes，"saysMr。Atterbury，andtheyoungman，kneelingatthebedside，groanedoutan"Amen。"

"Whoshalltakethenewstoher？"wasMr。Esmond"snextthought。

AndonthishebesoughtMr。AtterburytobearthetidingstoCastlewood。Hecouldnotfacehismistresshimselfwiththosedreadfulnews。Mr。Atterburycomplyingkindly，Esmondwritahastynoteonhistable—booktomylord"sman，biddinghimgetthehorsesforMr。Atterbury，andridewithhim，andsendEsmond"sownvalisetotheGatehouseprison，whitherheresolvedtogoandgivehimselfup。

BOOKII。

CONTAINSMR。ESMOND"SMILITARYLIFE，ANDOTHERMATTERSAPPERTAINING

TOTHEESMONDFAMILY。

CHAPTERI。

IAMINPRISON，ANDVISITED，BUTNOTCONSOLEDTHERE。

Thosemayimagine，whohaveseendeathuntimelystrikedownpersonsreveredandbeloved，andknowhowunavailingconsolationis，whatwasHarryEsmond"sanguishafterbeinganactorinthatghastlymidnightsceneofbloodandhomicide。Hecouldnot，hefelt，havefacedhisdearmistress，andtoldherthatstory。HewasthankfulthatkindAtterburyconsentedtobreakthesadnewstoher;but，besideshisgrief，whichhetookintoprisonwithhim，hehadthatinhisheartwhichsecretlycheeredandconsoledhim。

AgreatsecrethadbeentoldtoEsmondbyhisunhappystrickenkinsman，lyingonhisdeath—bed。Werehetodiscloseit，asinequityandhonorhemightdo，thediscoverywouldbutbringgreatergriefuponthosewhomhelovedbestintheworld，andwhoweresadenoughalready。Shouldhebringdownshameandperplexityuponallthosebeingstowhomhewasattachedbysomanytendertiesofaffectionandgratitude？degradehisfather"swidow？impeachandsullyhisfather"sandkinsman"shonor？andforwhat？forabarrentitle，tobewornattheexpenseofaninnocentboy，thesonofhisdearestbenefactress。Hehaddebatedthismatterinhisconscience，whilsthispoorlordwasmakinghisdyingconfession。

Ononesidewereambition，temptation，justiceeven;butlove，gratitude，andfidelity，pleadedontheother。AndwhenthestrugglewasoverinHarry"smind，aglowofrighteoushappinessfilledit;anditwaswithgratefultearsinhiseyesthathereturnedthankstoGodforthatdecisionwhichhehadbeenenabledtomake。

"WhenIwasdeniedbymyownblood，"thoughthe，"thesedearestfriendsreceivedandcherishedme。WhenIwasanamelessorphanmyself，andneededaprotector，Ifoundoneinyonderkindsoul，whohasgonetohisaccountrepentingoftheinnocentwronghehasdone。"

Andwiththisconsolingthoughthewentawaytogivehimselfupattheprison，afterkissingthecoldlipsofhisbenefactor。

ItwasonthethirddayafterhehadcometotheGatehouseprison，（wherehelayinnosmallpainfromhiswound，whichinflamedandachedseverely，）andwiththosethoughtsandresolutionsthathavebeenjustspokeof，todepress，andyettoconsolehim，thatH。

Esmond"skeepercameandtoldhimthatavisitorwasaskingforhim，andthoughhecouldnotseeherface，whichwasenvelopedinablackhood，herwholefigure，too，beingveiledandcoveredwiththedeepestmourning，Esmondknewatoncethathisvisitorwashisdearmistress。

Hegotupfromhisbed，wherehewaslying，beingveryweak;andadvancingtowardsherastheretiringkeepershutthedooruponhimandhisguestinthatsadplace，heputforwardhislefthand（fortherightwaswoundedandbandaged），andhewouldhavetakenthatkindoneofhismistress，whichhaddonesomanyofficesoffriendshipforhimforsomanyyears。

ButtheLadyCastlewoodwentbackfromhim，puttingbackherhood，andleaningagainstthegreatstanchioneddoorwhichthegaolerhadjustcloseduponthem。Herfacewasghastlywhite，asEsmondsawit，lookingfromthehood;andhereyes，ordinarilysosweetandtender，werefixedonhimwithsuchatragicglanceofwoeandanger，ascausedtheyoungman，unaccustomedtounkindnessfromthatperson，toaverthisownglancesfromherface。

"Andthis，Mr。Esmond，"shesaid，"iswhereIseeyou;and"tistothisyouhavebroughtme！"

"Youhavecometoconsolemeinmycalamity，madam，"saidhe（though，intruth，hescarceknewhowtoaddressher，hisemotionsatbeholdinghersooverpoweredhim）。

Sheadvancedalittle，butstoodsilentandtrembling，lookingoutathimfromherblackdraperies，withhersmallwhitehandsclaspedtogether，andquiveringlipsandholloweyes。

"Nottoreproachme，"hecontinuedafterapause。"Mygriefissufficientasitis。"

"Takebackyourhand——donottouchmewithit！"shecried。"Look！

there"sbloodonit！"

"Iwishtheyhadtakenitall，"saidEsmond;"ifyouareunkindtome。"

"Whereismyhusband？"shebrokeout。"Givemebackmyhusband，Henry。Whydidyoustandbyatmidnightandseehimmurdered？Whydidthetraitorescapewhodidit？You，thechampionofyourhouse，whoofferedtodieforus！Youthathelovedandtrusted，andtowhomIconfidedhim——youthatvoweddevotionandgratitude，andIbelievedyou——yes，Ibelievedyou——whyareyouhere，andmynobleFrancisgone？Whydidyoucomeamongus？Youhaveonlybroughtusgriefandsorrow;andrepentance，bitter，bitterrepentance，asareturnforourloveandkindness。DidIeverdoyouawrong，Henry？YouwerebutanorphanchildwhenIfirstsawyou——whenHEfirstsawyou，whowassogood，andnoble，andtrusting。Hewouldhavehadyousentaway，but，likeafoolishwoman，Ibesoughthimtoletyoustay。Andyoupretendedtoloveus，andwebelievedyou——andyoumadeourhousewretched，andmyhusband"sheartwentfromme:andIlosthimthroughyou——Ilosthim——thehusbandofmyyouth，Isay。Iworshippedhim:youknowI

worshippedhim——andhewaschangedtome。HewasnomoremyFrancisofold——mydear，dearsoldier。Helovedmebeforehesawyou;andIlovedhim。Oh，GodismywitnesshowIlovedhim！Whydidhenotsendyoufromamongus？"Twasonlyhiskindness，thatcouldrefusemenothingthen。And，youngasyouwere——yes，andweakandalone——therewasevil，Iknewtherewasevilinkeepingyou。Ireaditinyourfaceandeyes。Isawthattheybodedharmtous——anditcame，Iknewitwould。Whydidyounotdiewhenyouhadthesmall—pox——andIcamemyselfandwatchedyou，andyoudidn"tknowmeinyourdelirium——andyoucalledoutforme，thoughIwasthereatyourside？Allthathashappenedsince，wasajustjudgmentonmywickedheart——mywickedjealousheart。Oh，Iampunished——awfullypunished！Myhusbandliesinhisblood——murderedfordefendingme，mykind，kind，generouslord——andyouwereby，andyoulethimdie，Henry！"

Thesewords，utteredinthewildnessofhergrief，byonewhowasordinarilyquiet，andspokeseldomexceptwithagentlesmileandasoothingtone，runginEsmond"sear;and"tissaidthatherepeatedmanyoftheminthefeverintowhichhenowfellfromhiswound，andperhapsfromtheemotionwhichsuchpassionate，undeservedupbraidingscausedhim。Itseemedasifhisverysacrificesandloveforthisladyandherfamilyweretoturntoevilandreproach:asifhispresenceamongstthemwasindeedacauseofgrief，andthecontinuanceofhislifebutwoeandbitternesstotheirs。AstheLadyCastlewoodspokebitterly，rapidly，withoutatear，heneverofferedawordofappealorremonstrance:butsatatthefootofhisprison—bed，strickenonlywiththemorepainatthinkingitwasthatsoftandbelovedhandwhichshouldstabhimsocruelly，andpowerlessagainstherfatalsorrow。Herwordsasshespokestruckthechordsofallhismemory，andthewholeofhisboyhoodandyouthpassedwithinhim;whilstthislady，sofondandgentlebutyesterday——thisgoodangelwhomhehadlovedandworshipped——stoodbeforehim，pursuinghimwithkeenwordsandaspectmalign。

"IwishIwereinmylord"splace，"hegroanedout。"ItwasnotmyfaultthatIwasnotthere，madam。ButFateisstrongerthanallofus，andwilledwhathascometopass。IthadbeenbetterformetohavediedwhenIhadtheillness。"

"Yes，Henry，"saidshe——andasshespokeshelookedathimwithaglancethatwasatoncesofondandsosad，thattheyoungman，tossinguphisarms，wildlyfellback，hidinghisheadinthecoverletofthebed。Asheturnedhestruckagainstthewallwithhiswoundedhand，displacingtheligature;andhefeltthebloodrushingagainfromthewound。Herememberedfeelingasecretpleasureattheaccident——andthinking，"SupposeIweretoendnow，whowouldgrieveforme？"

Thishemorrhage，orthegriefanddespairinwhichthelucklessyoungmanwasatthetimeoftheaccident，musthavebroughtonadeliquiumpresently;forhehadscarceanyrecollectionafterwards，saveofsomeone，hismistressprobably，seizinghishand——andthenofthebuzzingnoiseinhisearsasheawoke，withtwoorthreepersonsoftheprisonaroundhisbed，whereonhelayinapoolofbloodfromhisarm。

Itwasnowbandagedupagainbytheprisonsurgeon，whohappenedtobeintheplace;andthegovernor"swifeandservant，kindpeopleboth，werewiththepatient。Esmondsawhismistressstillintheroomwhenheawokefromhistrance;butshewentawaywithoutaword;thoughthegovernor"swifetoldhimthatshesatinherroomforsometimeafterward，anddidnotleavetheprisonuntilsheheardthatEsmondwaslikelytodowell。

Daysafterwards，whenEsmondwasbroughtoutofafeverwhichhehad，andwhichattackedhimthatnightprettysharply，thehonestkeeper"swifebroughtherpatientahandkerchieffreshwashedandironed，andatthecornerofwhichherecognizedhismistress"swell—knowncipherandviscountess"scrown。"Theladyhadbounditroundhisarmwhenhefainted，andbeforeshecalledforhelp，"thekeeper"swifesaid。"Poorlady！shetookonsadlyaboutherhusband。Hehasbeenburiedto—day，andamanyofthecoachesofthenobilitywentwithhim——myLordMarlborough"sandmyLordSunderland"s，andmanyoftheofficersoftheGuards，inwhichheservedintheoldKing"stime;andmyladyhasbeenwithhertwochildrentotheKingatKensington，andaskedforjusticeagainstmyLordMohun，whoisinhiding，andmyLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland，whoisreadytogivehimselfupandtakehistrial。"

Suchwerethenews，coupledwithassertionsaboutherownhonestyandthatofMollyhermaid，whowouldneverhavestolenacertaintrumperygoldsleeve—buttonofMr。Esmond"sthatwasmissingafterhisfaintingfit，thatthekeeper"swifebroughttoherlodger。

Histhoughtsfollowedtothatuntimelygrave，thebraveheart，thekindfriend，thegallantgentleman，honestofwordandgenerousofthought，（iffeebleofpurpose，butarehisbettersmuchstrongerthanhe？）whohadgivenhimbreadandshelterwhenhehadnone;

homeandlovewhenheneededthem;andwho，ifhehadkeptonevitalsecretfromhim，haddonethatofwhichherepentederedying——awrongindeed，butonefollowedbyremorse，andoccasionedbyalmostirresistibletemptation。

Esmondtookhishandkerchiefwhenhisnurselefthim，andverylikelykissedit，andlookedatthebaubleembroideredinthecorner。"Ithascosttheegriefenough，"hethought，"dearlady，solovingandsotender。ShallItakeitfromtheeandthychildren？No，never！Keepit，andwearit，mylittleFrank，myprettyboy。IfIcannotmakeanameformyself，Icandiewithoutone。Someday，whenmydearmistressseesmyheart，Ishallberighted;orifnothereornow，why，elsewhere;whereHonordothnotfollowus，butwhereLovereignsperpetual。"

"Tisneedlesstorelatehere，asthereportsofthelawyersalreadyhavechronicledthem，theparticularsorissueofthattrialwhichensueduponmyLordCastlewood"smelancholyhomicide。Ofthetwolordsengagedinthatsadmatter，thesecond，myLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland，whohadbeenengagedwithColonelWestbury，andwoundedbyhim，wasfoundnotguiltybyhispeers，beforewhomhewastried（underthepresidenceoftheLordSteward，LordSomers）;andtheprincipal，theLordMohun，beingfoundguiltyofthemanslaughter，（which，indeed，wasforceduponhim，andofwhichherepentedmostsincerely，）pleadedhisclergy，andsowasdischargedwithoutanypenalty。Thewidowoftheslainnobleman，asitwastoldusinprison，showedanextraordinaryspirit;and，thoughshehadtowaitfortenyearsbeforehersonwasoldenoughtocompassit，declaredshewouldhaverevengeofherhusband"smurderer。Somuchandsuddenlyhadgrief，anger，andmisfortuneappearedtochangeher。Butfortune，goodorill，asItakeit，doesnotchangemenandwomen。Itbutdevelopstheircharacters。

Asthereareathousandthoughtslyingwithinamanthathedoesnotknowtillhetakesupthepentowrite，sotheheartisasecreteventohim（orher）whohasitinhisownbreast。Whohathnotfoundhimselfsurprisedintorevenge，oraction，orpassion，forgoodorevil，whereoftheseedslaywithinhim，latentandunsuspected，untiltheoccasioncalledthemforth？Withthedeathofherlord，achangeseemedtocomeoverthewholeconductandmindofLadyCastlewood;butofthisweshallspeakintherightseasonandanon。

ThelordsbeingtriedthenbeforetheirpeersatWestminster，accordingtotheirprivilege，beingbroughtfromtheTowerwithstateprocessionsandbarges，andaccompaniedbylieutenantsandaxe—men，thecommonersengagedinthatmelancholyfraytooktheirtrialatNewgate，asbecamethem;and，beingallfoundguilty，pleadedlikewisetheirbenefitofclergy。Thesentence，asweallknowinthesecases，is，thattheculpritliesayearinprison，orduringtheKing"spleasure，andisburnedinthehand，oronlystampedwithacoldiron;orthispartofthepunishmentisaltogetherremittedatthegraceoftheSovereign。SoHarryEsmondfoundhimselfacriminalandaprisonerattwo—and—twentyyearsold;asforthetwocolonels，hiscomrades，theytookthematterverylightly。Duellingwasapartoftheirbusiness;andtheycouldnotinhonorrefuseanyinvitationsofthatsort。

ButthecasewasdifferentwithMr。Esmond。Hislifewaschangedbythatstrokeoftheswordwhichdestroyedhiskindpatron"s。Ashelayinprison，oldDr。Tusherfellillanddied;andLadyCastlewoodappointedThomasTushertothevacantliving;aboutthefillingofwhichshehadathousandtimesfondlytalkedtoHarryEsmond:howtheynevershouldpart;howheshouldeducateherboy;

howtobeacountryclergyman，likesaintlyGeorgeHerbertorpiousDr。Ken，wasthehappiestandgreatestlotinlife;how（ifhewereobstinatelybentonit，though，forherpart，sheownedrathertoholdingQueenBess"sopinion，thatabishopshouldhavenowife，andifnotabishopwhyaclergyman？）shewouldfindagoodwifeforHarryEsmond:andsoon，withahundredprettyprospectstoldbyfiresideevenings，infondprattle，asthechildrenplayedaboutthehall。Alltheseplanswereoverthrownnow。ThomasTusherwrotetoEsmond，ashelayinprison，announcingthathispatronesshadconferreduponhimthelivinghisreverendfatherhadheldformanyyears;thatshenever，afterthetragicaleventswhichhadoccurred（whereofTomspokewithaveryedifyinghorror），couldseeinthereveredTusher"spulpit，oratherson"stable，themanwhowasanswerableforthefather"slife;thatherladyshipbadehimtosaythatsheprayedforherkinsman"srepentanceandhisworldlyhappiness;thathewasfreetocommandheraidforanyschemeoflifewhichhemightproposetohimself;butthatonthissideofthegraveshewouldseehimnomore。AndTusher，forhisownpart，addedthatHarryshouldhavehisprayersasafriendofhisyouth，andcommendedhimwhilsthewasinprisontoreadcertainworksoftheology，whichhisReverencepronouncedtobeverywholesomeforsinnersinhislamentablecondition。

Andthiswasthereturnforalifeofdevotion——thistheendofyearsofaffectionateintercourseandpassionatefidelity！Harrywouldhavediedforhispatron，andwasheldaslittlebetterthanhismurderer:hehadsacrificed，shedidnotknowhowmuch，forhismistress，andshethrewhimaside;hehadendowedherfamilywithalltheyhad，andshetalkedaboutgivinghimalmsastoamenial！

Thegriefforhispatron"sloss;thepainsofhisownpresentposition，anddoubtsastothefuture:allthesewereforgottenunderthesenseoftheconsummateoutragewhichhehadtoendure，andoverpoweredbythesuperiorpangofthattorture。

HewritbackalettertoMr。Tusherfromhisprison，congratulatinghisReverenceuponhisappointmenttothelivingofCastlewood:

sarcasticallybiddinghimtofollowinthefootstepsofhisadmirablefather，whosegownhaddescendeduponhim;thankingherladyshipforherofferofalms，whichhesaidheshouldtrustnottoneed;andbeseechinghertorememberthat，ifeverherdeterminationshouldchangetowardshim，hewouldbereadytogiveherproofsofafidelitywhichhadneverwavered，andwhichoughtnevertohavebeenquestionedbythathouse。"Andifwemeetnomore，oronlyasstrangersinthisworld，"Mr。Esmondconcluded，"asentenceagainstthecrueltyandinjusticeofwhichIdisdaintoappeal;hereaftershewillknowwhowasfaithfultoher，andwhethershehadanycausetosuspecttheloveanddevotionofherkinsmanandservant。"

Afterthesendingofthisletter，thepooryoungfellow"smindwasmoreateasethanithadbeenpreviously。Theblowhadbeenstruck，andhehadborneit。Hiscruelgoddesshadshakenherwingsandfled:andlefthimaloneandfriendless，butvirtutesua。

Andhehadtobearhimup，atoncethesenseofhisrightandthefeelingofhiswrongs，hishonorandhismisfortune。AsIhaveseenmenwakingandrunningtoarmsatasuddentrumpet，beforeemergencyamanlyheartleapsupresolute;meetsthethreateningdangerwithundauntedcountenance;and，whetherconqueredorconquering，facesitalways。Ah！nomanknowshisstrengthorhisweakness，tilloccasionprovesthem。Iftherebesomethoughtsandactionsofhislifefromthememoryofwhichamanshrinkswithshame，suretherearesomewhichhemaybeproudtoownandremember;forgiveninjuries，conqueredtemptations（nowandthen）

anddifficultiesvanquishedbyendurance。