第15章

ThegeneraltriedthepowerofanotherproclamationontheSpaniards，inwhichheannouncedthatweonlycameintheinterestofSpainandKingCharles，andforourselveswantedtomakenoconquestnorsettlementinSpainatall。ButallthiseloquencewaslostupontheSpaniards，itwouldseem:theCaptain—GeneralofAndalusiawouldnomorelistentousthantheGovernorofCadiz;

andinreplytohisGrace"sproclamation，theMarquisofVilladariasfiredoffanother，whichthosewhoknewtheSpanishthoughtratherthebestofthetwo;andofthisnumberwasHarryEsmond，whosekindJesuitinolddayshadinstructedhim，andnowhadthehonoroftranslatingforhisGracetheseharmlessdocumentsofwar。TherewasahardtouchforhisGrace，and，indeed，forothergeneralsinherMajesty"sservice，intheconcludingsentenceoftheDon:"Thatheandhiscouncilhadthegenerousexampleoftheirancestorstofollow，whohadneveryetsoughttheirelevationinthebloodorintheflightoftheirkings。"Moripropatria"

washisdevice，whichtheDukemightcommunicatetothePrincesswhogovernedEngland。"

Whetherthetroopswereangryatthisreparteeorno，"tiscertainsomethingputtheminafury;for，notbeingabletogetpossessionofCadiz，ourpeopleseizeduponPortSaintMary"sandsackedit，burningdownthemerchants"storehouses，gettingdrunkwiththefamouswinesthere，pillagingandrobbingquiethousesandconvents，murderinganddoingworse。AndtheonlybloodwhichMr。

Esmonddrewinthisshamefulcampaign，wastheknockingdownanEnglishsentinelwithahalf—pike，whowasofferinginsulttoapoortremblingnun。Isshegoingtoturnoutabeauty？oraprincess？orperhapsEsmond"smotherthathehadlostandneverseen？Alasno，itwasbutapoorwheezyolddropsicalwoman，withawartuponhernose。ButhavingbeenearlytaughtapartoftheRomanreligion，heneverhadthehorrorofitthatsomeProtestantshaveshown，andseemtothinktobeapartofours。

AfterthepillageandplunderofSt。Mary"sandanassaultuponafortortwo，thetroopsalltookshipping，andfinishedtheirexpedition，atanyrate，morebrilliantlythanithadbegun。

HearingthattheFrenchfleetwithagreattreasurewasinVigoBay，ourAdmirals，RookeandHopson，pursuedtheenemythither;thetroopslandedandcarriedthefortsthatprotectedthebay，Hopsonpassingtheboomfirstonboardhisshipthe"Torbay，"andtherestoftheships，EnglishandDutch，followinghim。TwentyshipswereburnedortakeninthePortofRedondilla，andavastdealmoreplunderthanwaseveraccountedfor;butpoormenbeforethatexpeditionwererichafterwards，andsooftenwasitfoundandremarkedthattheVigoofficerscamehomewithpocketsfullofmoney，thatthenotoriousJackShafto，whomadesuchafigureatthecoffeehousesandgaming—tablesinLondon，andgaveoutthathehadbeenasoldieratVigo，owned，whenhewasabouttobehanged，thatBagshotHeathhadbeenHISVigo，andthatheonlyspokeofLaRedondillatoturnawaypeople"seyesfromtherealplacewherethebootylay。Indeed，HounsloworVigo——whichmattersmuch？Thelatterwasabadbusiness，thoughMr。AddisondidsingitspraisesinLatin。Thathonestgentleman"smusehadaneyetothemainchance;andIdoubtwhethershesawmuchinspirationinthelosingside。

ButthoughEsmond，forhispart，gotnoshareofthisfabulousbooty，onegreatprizewhichhehadoutofthecampaignwas，thatexcitementofactionandchangeofscene，whichshookoffagreatdealofhispreviousmelancholy。Helearntatanyratetobearhisfatecheerfully。Hebroughtbackabrownedface，aheartresoluteenough，andalittlepleasantstoreofknowledgeandobservation，fromthatexpedition，whichwasoverwiththeautumn，whenthetroopswerebackinEnglandagain;andEsmondgivinguphispostofsecretarytoGeneralLumley，whosecommandwasover，andpartingwiththatofficerwithmanykindexpressionsofgoodwillontheGeneral"sside，hadleavetogotoLondon，toseeifhecouldpushhisfortunesanywayfurther，andfoundhimselfoncemoreinhisdowageraunt"scomfortablequartersatChelsey，andingreaterfavorthaneverwiththeoldlady。Hepropitiatedherwithapresentofacomb，afan，andablackmantle，suchastheladiesofCadizwear，andwhichmyLadyViscountesspronouncedbecameherstyleofbeautymightily。Andshewasgreatilyedifiedathearingofthatstoryofhisrescueofthenun，andfeltverylittledoubtbutthatherKingJames"srelic，whichhehadalwaysdutifullyworninhisdesk，hadkepthimoutofdanger，andavertedtheshotoftheenemy。Myladymadefeastsforhim，introducedhimtomorecompany，andpushedhisfortuneswithsuchenthusiasmandsuccess，thatshegotapromiseofacompanyforhimthroughtheLadyMarlborough"sinterest，whowasgraciouslypleasedtoacceptofadiamondworthacoupleofhundredguineas，whichMr。Esmondwasenabledtopresenttoherladyshipthroughhisaunt"sbounty，andwhopromisedthatshewouldtakechargeofEsmond"sfortune。HehadthehonortomakehisappearanceattheQueen"sdrawing—roomoccasionally，andtofrequentmyLordMarlborough"slevees。Thatgreatmanreceivedtheyoungonewithveryespecialfavor，soEsmond"scomradessaid，anddeignedtosaythathehadreceivedthebestreportsofMr。Esmond，bothforcourageandability，whereonyoumaybesuretheyounggentlemanmadeaprofoundbow，andexpressedhimselfeagertoserveunderthemostdistinguishedcaptainintheworld。

Whilsthisbusinesswasgoingonthusprosperously，Esmondhadhisshareofpleasuretoo，andmadehisappearancealongwithotheryounggentlemenatthecoffee—houses，thetheatres，andtheMall。

Helongedtohearofhisdearmistressandherfamily:manyatime，inthemidstofthegayetiesandpleasuresofthetown，hisheartfondlyrevertedtothem;andoftenastheyoungfellowsofhissocietyweremakingmerryatthetavern，andcallingtoasts（asthefashionofthatdaywas）overtheirwine，Esmondthoughtofpersons——oftwofairwomen，whomhehadbeenusedtoadorealmost，andemptiedhisglasswithasigh。

BythistimetheelderViscountesshadgrowntiredagainoftheyounger，andwhenevershespokeofmylord"swidow，"twasintermsbynomeanscomplimentarytowardsthatpoorlady:theyoungerwomannotneedingherprotectionanylonger，theelderabusedher。MostofthefamilyquarrelsthatIhaveseeninlife（savingalwaysthosearisingfrommoneydisputes，whenadivisionoftwopencehalfpennywilloftendrivethedearestrelativesintowarandestrangement，）springoutofjealousyandenvy。JackandTom，bornofthesamefamilyandtothesamefortune，liveverycordiallytogether，notuntilJackisruinedwhenTomdesertshim，butuntilTommakesasuddenriseinprosperity，whichJackcan"tforgive。

Tentimestoone"tistheunprosperousmanthatisangry，nottheotherwhoisinfault。"TisMrs。Jack，whocanonlyaffordachair，thatsickensatMrs。Tom"snewcoach—and—sick，criesoutagainsthersister"sairs，andsetsherhusbandagainsthisbrother。"TisJackwhoseeshisbrothershakinghandswithalord（withwhomJackwouldliketoexchangesnuff—boxeshimself），thatgoeshomeandtellshiswifehowpoorTomisspoiled，hefears，andnobetterthanasneak，parasite，andbeggaronhorseback。I

rememberhowfuriousthecoffee—housewitswerewithDickSteelewhenhesetuphiscoachandfinehouseinBloomsbury:theybegantoforgivehimwhenthebailiffswereafterhim，andabusedMr。

AddisonforsellingDick"scountry—house。AndyetDickinthesponging—house，orDickinthePark，withhisfourmaresandplatedharness，wasexactlythesamegentle，kindly，improvident，jovialDickSteele:andyetMr。Addisonwasperfectlyrightingettingthemoneywhichwashis，andnotgivinguptheamountofhisjustclaim，tobespentbyDickuponchampagneandfiddlers，lacedclothes，finefurniture，andparasites，JewandChristian，maleandfemale，whoclungtohim。As，accordingtothefamousmaximofMonsieurdeRochefoucault，"inourfriends"misfortunesthere"ssomethingsecretlypleasanttous;"so，ontheotherhand，theirgoodfortuneisdisagreeable。If"tishardforamantobearhisowngoodluck，"tisharderstillforhisfriendstobearitforhimandbutfewofthemordinarilycanstandthattrial:whereasoneofthe"precioususes"ofadversityis，thatitisagreatreconciler;

thatitbringsbackavertedkindness，disarmsanimosity，andcausesyesterday"senemytoflinghishatredaside，andholdoutahandtothefallenfriendofolddays。There"spityandlove，aswellasenvy，inthesameheartandtowardsthesameperson。Therivalrystopswhenthecompetitortumbles;and，asIviewit，weshouldlookattheseagreeableanddisagreeablequalitiesofourhumanityhumblyalike。Theyareconsequentandnatural，andourkindnessandmeannessbothmanly。

Soyoumayeitherreadthesentence，thattheelderofEsmond"stwokinswomenpardonedtheyoungerherbeauty，whenthathadlostsomewhatofitsfreshness，perhaps;andforgotmosthergrievancesagainsttheother，whenthesubjectofthemwasnolongerprosperousandenviable;orwemaysaymorebenevolently（butthesumcomestothesamefigures，workedeitherway，）thatIsabellarepentedofherunkindnesstowardsRachel，whenRachelwasunhappy;

and，bestirringherselfinbehalfofthepoorwidowandherchildren，gavethemshelterandfriendship。Theladieswerequitegoodfriendsaslongastheweakeroneneededaprotector。BeforeEsmondwentawayonhisfirstcampaign，hismistresswasstillontermsoffriendship（thoughapoorlittlechit，awomanthathadevidentlynospiritinher，&c。）withtheelderLadyCastlewood;

andMistressBeatrixwasallowedtobeabeauty。

ButbetweenthefirstyearofQueenAnne"sreign，andthesecond，sadchangesfortheworsehadtakenplaceinthetwoyoungerladies，atleastintheelder"sdescriptionofthem。Rachel，ViscountessCastlewood，hadnomorefacethanadumpling，andMrs。

Beatrixwasgrownquitecoarse，andwaslosingallherbeauty。

LittleLordBlandford——（sheneverwouldcallhimLordBlandford;

hisfatherwasLordChurchill——theKing，whomhebetrayed，hadmadehimLordChurchill，andhewasLordChurchillstill）——mightbemakingeyesather;buthismother，thatvixenofaSarahJennings，wouldneverhearofsuchafolly。LadyMarlboroughhadgothertobeamaidofhonoratCourttothePrincess，butshewouldrepentofit。ThewidowFrancis（shewasbutMrs。FrancisEsmond）wasascheming，artful，heartlesshussy。Shewasspoilingherbratofaboy，andshewouldendbymarryingherchaplain。

"What，Tusher！"criedMr。Esmond，feelingastrangepangofrageandastonishment。

"Yes——Tusher，mymaid"sson;andwhohasgotallthequalitiesofhisfatherthelackeyinblack，andhisaccomplishedmammathewaiting—woman，"criesmylady。"Whatdoyousupposethatasentimentalwidow，whowilllivedowninthatdingydungeonofaCastlewood，whereshespoilsherboy，killsthepoorwithherdrugs，hasprayerstwiceadayandseesnobodybutthechaplain——

whatdoyousupposeshecando，monCousin，butletthehorridparson，withhisgreatsquaretoesandhideouslittlegreeneyes，makelovetoher？Celac"estvu，monCousin。WhenIwasagirlatCastlewood，allthechaplainsfellinlovewithme——they"venothingelsetodo。"

Myladywentonwithmoretalkofthiskind，though，intruth，Esmondhadnoideaofwhatshesaidfurther，soentirelydidherfirstwordsoccupyhisthought。Weretheytrue？Notall，norhalf，noratenthpartofwhatthegarrulousoldwomansaid，wastrue。Couldthisbeso？NoearhadEsmondforanythingelse，thoughhispatronesschattedonforanhour。

Someyounggentlemenofthetown，withwhomEsmondhadmadeacquaintance，hadpromisedtopresenthimtothatmostcharmingofactresses，andlivelyandagreeableofwomen，Mrs。Bracegirdle，aboutwhomHarry"soldadversaryMohunhaddrawnswords，afewyearsbeforemypoorlordandhefellout。ThefamousMr。Congrevehadstampedwithhishighapproval，tothewhichtherewasnogainsaying，thisdelightfulperson:andshewasactinginDickSteele"scomedies，andfinally，andfortwenty—fourhoursafterbeholdingher，Mr。Esmondfelthimself，orthoughthimself，tobeasviolentlyenamoredofthislovelybrunette，aswereathousandotheryoungfellowsaboutthecity。Tohaveonceseenherwastolongtobeholdheragain;andtobeofferedthedelightfulprivilegeofheracquaintance，wasapleasuretheveryideaofwhichsettheyounglieutenant"sheartonfire。Amancannotlivewithcomradesunderthetentswithoutfindingoutthathetooisfive—and—twenty。Ayoungfellowcannotbecastdownbygriefandmisfortuneeversoseverebutsomenighthebeginstosleepsound，andsomedaywhendinner—timecomestofeelhungryforabeefsteak。

Time，youthandgoodhealth，newscenesandtheexcitementofactionandacampaign，hadprettywellbroughtEsmond"smourningtoanend;andhiscomradessaidthatDonDismal，astheycalledhim，wasDonDismalnomore。Sowhenapartywasmadetodineatthe"Rose，"andgototheplayhouseafterward，Esmondwasaspleasedasanothertotakehisshareofthebottleandtheplay。

Howwasitthattheoldaunt"snews，oritmightbescandal，aboutTomTusher，causedsuchastrangeandsuddenexcitementinTom"soldplayfellow？Hadn"theswornathousandtimesinhisownmindthattheLadyofCastlewood，whohadtreatedhimwithsuchkindnessonce，andthenhadlefthimsocruelly，was，andwastoremainhenceforth，indifferenttohimforever？Hadhisprideandhissenseofjusticenotlongsincehelpedhimtocurethepainofthatdesertion——wasitevenapaintohimnow？Why，butlastnightashewalkedacrossthefieldsandmeadowstoChelseyfromPallMall，hadhenotcomposedtwoorthreestanzasofasong，celebratingBracegirdle"sbrowneyes，anddeclaringthemathousandtimesmorebeautifulthanthebrightestblueonesthateverlanguishedunderthelashesofaninsipidfairbeauty！ButTomTusher！TomTusher，thewaiting—woman"sson，raisinguphislittleeyestohismistress！TomTusherpresumingtothinkofCastlewood"swidow！

RageandcontemptfilledMr。Harry"sheartattheverynotion;thehonorofthefamily，ofwhichhewasthechief，madeithisdutytopreventsomonstrousanalliance，andtochastisetheupstartwhocoulddaretothinkofsuchaninsulttotheirhouse。"TistrueMr。Esmondoftenboastedofrepublicanprinciples，andcouldremembermanyfinespeecheshehadmadeatcollegeandelsewhere，withWORTHandnotBIRTHforatext:butTomTushertotaketheplaceofthenobleCastlewood——faugh！"twasasmonstrousasKingHamlet"swidowtakingoffherweedsforClaudius。Esmondlaughedatallwidows，allwives，allwomen;andwerethebannsabouttobepublished，asnodoubttheywere，thatverynextSundayatWalcoteChurch，EsmondsworethathewouldbepresenttoshoutNo！inthefaceofthecongregation，andtotakeaprivaterevengeupontheearsofthebridegroom。

Insteadofgoingtodinnerthenatthe"Rose"thatnight，Mr。

Esmondbadehisservantpackaportmanteauandgethorses，andwasatFarnham，half—wayontheroadtoWalcote，thirtymilesoff，beforehiscomradeshadgottotheirsupperaftertheplay。HebadehismangivenohinttomyLadyDowager"shouseholdoftheexpeditiononwhichhewasgoing;andasChelseywasdistantfromLondon，theroadsbad，andinfestedbyfootpads，andEsmondofteninthehabit，whenengagedinapartyofpleasure，oflyingatafriend"slodgingintown，therewasnoneedthathisoldauntshouldbedisturbedathisabsence——indeed，nothingmoredelightedtheoldladythantofancythatmoncousin，theincorrigibleyoungsinner，wasabroadboxingthewatch，orscouringSt。Giles"s。Whenshewasnotatherbooksofdevotion，shethoughtEtheridgeandSedleyverygoodreading。ShehadahundredprettystoriesaboutRochester，HarryJermyn，andHamilton;andifEsmondwouldbuthaverunawaywiththewifeevenofacitizen，"tismybeliefshewouldhavepawnedherdiamonds（thebestofthemwenttoourLadyofChaillot）topayhisdamages。

Mylord"slittlehouseofWalcote——whichheinhabitedbeforehetookhistitleandoccupiedthehouseofCastlewood——liesaboutamilefromWinchester，andhiswidowhadreturnedtoWalcoteaftermylord"sdeathasaplacealwaysdeartoher，andwhereherearliestandhappiestdayshadbeenspent，cheerfullerthanCastlewood，whichwastoolargeforherstraitenedmeans，andgivingher，too，theprotectionoftheex—dean，herfather。TheyoungViscounthadayear"sschoolingatthefamouscollegethere，withMr。Tusherashisgovernor。SomuchnewsofthemMr。EsmondhadhadduringthepastyearfromtheoldViscountess，hisownfather"swidow;fromtheyoungonetherehadneverbeenaword。

Twiceorthriceinhisbenefactor"slifetime，EsmondhadbeentoWalcote;andnow，takingbutacoupleofhours"restonlyattheinnontheroad，hewasupagainlongbeforedaybreak，andmadesuchgoodspeedthathewasatWalcotebytwoo"clockoftheday。

Heridtotheendofthevillage，wherehealightedandsentamanthencetoMr。Tusher，withamessagethatagentlemanfromLondonwouldspeakwithhimonurgentbusiness。ThemessengercamebacktosaytheDoctorwasintown，mostlikelyatprayersintheCathedral。MyLadyViscountesswasthere，too;shealwayswenttoCathedralprayerseveryday。

Thehorsesbelongedtothepost—houseatWinchester。Esmondmountedagainandrodeontothe"George;"whencehewalked，leavinghisgrumblingdomesticatlasthappywithadinner，straighttotheCathedral。Theorganwasplaying:thewinter"sdaywasalreadygrowinggray:ashepassedunderthestreet—archintotheCathedralyard，andmadehiswayintotheancientsolemnedifice。

CHAPTERVI。

THE29THDECEMBER。

TherewasscarceascoreofpersonsintheCathedralbesidetheDeanandsomeofhisclergy，andthechoristers，youngandold，thatperformedthebeautifuleveningprayer。ButMr。Tusherwasoneoftheofficiants，andreadfromtheeagleinanauthoritativevoice，andagreatblackperiwig;andinthestalls，stillinherblackwidow"shood，satEsmond"sdearmistress，hersonbyherside，verymuchgrown，andindeedanoble—lookingyouth，withhismother"seyes，andhisfather"scurlingbrownhair，thatfelloverhispointdeVenise——aprettypicturesuchasVanDyckmighthavepainted。Mons。Rigaud"sportraitofmyLordViscount，doneatParisafterwards，givesbutaFrenchversionofhismanly，frank，Englishface。Whenhelookedupthereweretwosapphirebeamsoutofhiseyessuchasnopainter"spalettehasthecolortomatch，I

think。Onthisdaytherewasnotmuchchanceofseeingthatparticularbeautyofmyyounglord"scountenance;forthetruthis，hekepthiseyesshutforthemostpart，and，theanthembeingratherlong，wasasleep。

Butthemusicceasing，mylordwokeup，lookingabouthim，andhiseyeslightingonMr。Esmond，whowassittingoppositehim，gazingwithnosmalltendernessandmelancholyupontwopersonswhohadsomuchofhisheartforsomanyyears，LordCastlewood，withastart，pulledathismother"ssleeve（herfacehadscarcebeenliftedfromherbook），andsaid，"Look，mother！"soloud，thatEsmondcouldhearontheothersideofthechurch，andtheoldDeanonhisthronedstall。LadyCastlewoodlookedforaninstantashersonbadeher，andheldupawarningfingertoFrank;Esmondfelthiswholefaceflush，andhisheartthrobbing，asthatdearladybeheldhimoncemore。Therestoftheprayerswerespeedilyover;Mr。

Esmonddidnothearthem;nordidhismistress，verylikely，whosehoodwentmorecloselyoverherface，andwhoneverliftedherheadagainuntiltheservicewasover，theblessinggiven，andMr。Dean，andhisprocessionofecclesiastics，outoftheinnerchapel。

YoungCastlewoodcameclamberingoverthestallsbeforetheclergywerefairlygone，andrunninguptoEsmond，eagerlyembracedhim。

"Mydear，dearestoldHarry！"hesaid，"areyoucomeback？Haveyoubeentothewars？You"lltakemewithyouwhenyougoagain？

Whydidn"tyouwritetous？Cometomother。"

Mr。Esmondcouldhardlysaymorethana"Godblessyou，myboy，"

forhisheartwasveryfullandgratefulatallthistendernessonthelad"spart;andhewasasmuchmovedatseeingFrankashewasfearfulaboutthatotherinterviewwhichwasnowtotakeplace:forheknewnotifthewidowwouldrejecthimasshehaddonesocruellyayearago。

"Itwaskindofyoutocomebacktous，Henry，"LadyEsmondsaid。

"Ithoughtyoumightcome。"

"WereadofthefleetcomingtoPortsmouth。WhydidyounotcomefromPortsmouth？"Frankasked，ormyLordViscount，ashenowmustbecalled。

Esmondhadthoughtofthattoo。Hewouldhavegivenoneofhiseyessothathemightseehisdearfriendsagainoncemore;butbelievingthathismistresshadforbiddenhimherhouse，hehadobeyedher，andremainedatadistance。

"Youhadbuttoask，andyouknowIwouldbehere，"hesaid。

Shegavehimherhand，herlittlefairhand;therewasonlyhermarriageringonit。Thequarrelwasallover。Theyearofgriefandestrangementwaspassed。Theyneverhadbeenseparated。Hismistresshadneverbeenoutofhismindallthattime。No，notonce。No，notintheprison;norinthecamp;noronshorebeforetheenemy;noratseaunderthestarsofsolemnmidnight;norashewatchedthegloriousrisingofthedawn:notevenatthetable，wherehesatcarousingwithfriends，oratthetheatreyonder，wherehetriedtofancythatothereyeswerebrighterthanhers。

Brightereyestheremightbe，andfacesmorebeautiful，butnonesodear——novoicesosweetasthatofhisbelovedmistress，whohadbeensister，mother，goddesstohimduringhisyouth——goddessnownomore，forheknewofherweaknesses;andbythought，bysuffering，andthatexperienceitbrings，wasoldernowthanshe;

butmorefondlycherishedaswomanperhapsthanevershehadbeenadoredasdivinity。Whatisit？Whereliesit？thesecretwhichmakesonelittlehandthedearestofall？Whoevercanunriddlethatmystery？Hereshewas，hersonbyhisside，hisdearboy。

Hereshewas，weepingandhappy。Shetookhishandinbothhers;

hefelthertears。Itwasaraptureofreconciliation。

"HerecomesSquaretoes，"saysFrank。"Here"sTusher。"

Tusher，indeed，nowappeared，creakingonhisgreatheels。Mr。Tomhaddivestedhimselfofhisalborsurplice，andcameforwardhabitedinhiscassockandgreatblackperiwig。HowhadEsmondeverbeenforamomentjealousofthisfellow？

"Giveusthyhand，TomTusher，"hesaid。Thechaplainmadehimaverylowandstatelybow。"IamcharmedtoseeCaptainEsmond，"

sayshe。"MylordandIhavereadtheReddasincolumemprecor，andappliedit，Iamsure，toyou。YoucomebackwithGaditanianlaurels;whenIheardyouwereboundthither，Iwished，Iamsure，IwasanotherSeptimius。MyLordViscount，yourlordshipremembersSeptimi，Gadesadituremecum？"

"There"sanangleofearththatIlovebetterthanGades，Tusher，"

saysMr。Esmond。""Tisthatonewhereyourreverencehathaparsonage，andwhereouryouthwasbroughtup。"

"Ahousethathassomanysacredrecollectionstome，"saysMr。

Tusher（andHarryrememberedhowTom"sfatherusedtofloghimthere）——"ahouseneartothatofmyrespectedpatron，mymosthonoredpatroness，musteverbeadearabodetome。But，madam，thevergerwaitstoclosethegatesonyourladyship。"

"AndHarry"scominghometosupper。Huzzay！huzzay！"criesmylord。"Mother，IshallrunhomeandbidBeatrixputherribbonson。Beatrixisamaidofhonor，Harry。Suchafineset—upminx！"

"YourheartwasneverintheChurch，Harry，"thewidowsaid，inhersweetlowtone，astheywalkedawaytogether。（Now，itseemedtheyneverhadbeenparted，andagain，asiftheyhadbeenagesasunder。）"Ialwaysthoughtyouhadnovocationthatway;andthat"twasapitytoshutyououtfromtheworld。YouwouldbuthavepinedandchafedatCastlewood:and"tisbetteryoushouldmakeanameforyourself。Ioftensaidsotomydearlord。Howhelovedyou！"Twasmylordthatmadeyoustaywithus。"

"Iaskednobetterthantostaynearyoualways，"saidMr。Esmond。

"Buttogowasbest，Harry。Whentheworldcannotgivepeace，youwillknowwheretofindit;butoneofyourstrongimaginationandeagerdesiresmusttrytheworldfirstbeforehetiresofit。

"Twasnottobethoughtof，orifitoncewas，itwasonlybymyselfishness，thatyoushouldremainaschaplaintoacountrygentlemanandtutortoalittleboy。YouareofthebloodoftheEsmonds，kinsman;andthatwasalwayswildinyouth。LookatFrancis。Heisbutfifteen，andIscarcecankeephiminmynest。

Histalkisallofwarandpleasure，andhelongstoserveinthenextcampaign。PerhapsheandtheyoungLordChurchillshallgothenext。LordMarlboroughhasbeengoodtous。Youknowhowkindtheywereinmymisfortune。Andsowasyour——yourfather"swidow。

Nooneknowshowgoodtheworldis，tillgriefcomestotryus。

"TisthroughmyLadyMarlborough"sgoodnessthatBeatrixhathherplaceatCourt;andFrankisundermyLordChamberlain。Andthedowagerlady，yourfather"swidow，haspromisedtoprovideforyou——

hasshenot？"

Esmondsaid，"Yes。Asfaraspresentfavorwent，LadyCastlewoodwasverygoodtohim。Andshouldhermindchange，"headdedgayly，"asladies"mindswill，Iamstrongenoughtobearmyownburden，andmakemywaysomehow。Notbytheswordverylikely。ThousandshaveabettergeniusforthatthanI，buttherearemanywaysinwhichayoungmanofgoodpartsandeducationcangetonintheworld;andIamprettysure，onewayorother，ofpromotion！"

Indeed，hehadfoundpatronsalreadyinthearmy，andamongstpersonsveryabletoservehim，too;andtoldhismistressoftheflatteringaspectoffortune。Theywalkedasthoughtheyhadneverbeenparted，slowly，withthegraytwilightclosingroundthem。

"Andnowwearedrawingneartohome，"shecontinued，"Iknewyouwouldcome，Harry，if——ifitwasbuttoforgivemeforhavingspokenunjustlytoyouafterthathorrid——horridmisfortune。IwashalffranticwithgriefthenwhenIsawyou。AndIknownow——theyhavetoldme。Thatwretch，whosenameIcannevermention，evenhassaidit:howyoutriedtoavertthequarrel，andwouldhavetakenitonyourself，mypoorchild:butitwasGod"swillthatI

shouldbepunished，andthatmydearlordshouldfall。"

"Hegavemehisblessingonhisdeath—bed，"Esmondsaid。"ThankGodforthatlegacy！"

"Amen，amen！dearHenry，"saidthelady，pressinghisarm。"Iknewit。Mr。Atterbury，ofSt。Bride"s，whowascalledtohim，toldmeso。AndIthankedGod，too，andinmyprayerseversincerememberedit。"

"Youhadsparedmemanyabitternight，hadyoutoldmesooner，"

Mr。Esmondsaid。

"Iknowit，Iknowit，"sheanswered，inatoneofsuchsweethumility，asmadeEsmondrepentthatheshouldeverhavedaredtoreproachher。"Iknowhowwickedmyhearthasbeen;andIhavesufferedtoo，mydear。IconfessedtoMr。Atterbury——Imustnottellanymore。He——IsaidIwouldnotwritetoyouorgotoyou——

anditwasbettereventhathavingparted，weshouldpart。ButI

knewyouwouldcomeback——Iownthat。Thatisnoone"sfault。Andto—day，Henry，intheanthem，whentheysangit，"WhentheLordturnedthecaptivityofZion，wewerelikethemthatdream，"I

thought，yes，likethemthatdream——themthatdream。Andthenitwent，"Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy;andhethatgoethforthandweepeth，shalldoubtlesscomeagainwithrejoicing，bringinghissheaveswithhim;"Ilookedupfromthebook，andsawyou。IwasnotsurprisedwhenIsawyou。Iknewyouwouldcome，mydear，andsawthegoldsunshineroundyourhead。"

Shesmiledanalmostwildsmileasshelookedupathim。Themoonwasupbythistime，glitteringkeeninthefrostysky。Hecouldsee，forthefirsttimenowclearly，hersweetcarewornface。

"Doyouknowwhatdayitis？"shecontinued。"Itisthe29thofDecember——itisyourbirthday！Butlastyearwedidnotdrinkit——

no，no。Mylordwascold，andmyHarrywaslikelytodie:andmybrainwasinafever;andwehadnowine。Butnow——nowyouarecomeagain，bringingyoursheaveswithyou，mydear。"Sheburstintoawildfloodofweepingasshespoke;shelaughedandsobbedontheyoungman"sheart，cryingoutwildly，"bringingyoursheaveswithyou——yoursheaveswithyou！"

Ashehadsometimesfelt，gazingupfromthedeckatmidnightintotheboundlessstarlitdepthsoverhead，inaraptureofdevoutwonderatthatendlessbrightnessandbeauty——insomesuchawaynow，thedepthofthispuredevotion（whichwas，forthefirsttime，revealedtohim）quitesmoteuponhim，andfilledhisheartwiththanksgiving。GraciousGod，whowashe，weakandfriendlesscreature，thatsuchaloveshouldbepouredoutuponhim？Notinvain——notinvainhashelived——hardandthanklessshouldhebetothinkso——thathassuchatreasuregivenhim。Whatisambitioncomparedtothat，butselfishvanity？Toberich，tobefamous？

Whatdotheseprofitayearhence，whenothernamessoundlouderthanyours，whenyouliehiddenawayundertheground，alongwithidletitlesengravenonyourcoffin？Butonlytruelovelivesafteryou——followsyourmemorywithsecretblessing——orprecedesyou，andintercedesforyou。Nonomnismoriar——ifdying，Iyetliveinatenderheartortwo;noramlostandhopelessliving，ifasainteddepartedsoulstilllovesandpraysforme。