第16章

"If——if"tisso，dearlady，"Mr。Esmondsaid，"whyshouldIeverleaveyou？IfGodhathgivenmethisgreatboon——andnearorfarfromme，asIknownow，theheartofmydearestmistressfollowsme，letmehavethatblessingnearme，noreverpartwithittilldeathseparateus。Comeaway——leavethisEurope，thisplacewhichhassomanysadrecollectionsforyou。Beginanewlifeinanewworld。MygoodlordoftentalkedofvisitingthatlandinVirginiawhichKingCharlesgaveus——gavehisancestor。Frankwillgiveusthat。Nomantherewillaskifthereisablotonmyname，orinquireinthewoodswhatmytitleis。"

"Andmychildren——andmyduty——andmygoodfather，Henry？"shebrokeout。"Hehasnonebutmenow！forsoonmysisterwillleavehim，andtheoldmanwillbealone。HehasconformedsincethenewQueen"sreign;andhereinWinchester，wheretheylovehim，theyhavefoundachurchforhim。Whenthechildrenleaveme，Iwillstaywithhim。Icannotfollowthemintothegreatworld，wheretheirwaylies——itscaresme。Theywillcomeandvisitme;andyouwill，sometimes，Henry——yes，sometimes，asnow，intheHolyAdventseason，whenIhaveseenandblessedyouoncemore。"

"Iwouldleavealltofollowyou，"saidMr。Esmond;"andcanyounotbeasgenerousforme，dearlady？"

"Hush，boy！"shesaid，anditwaswithamother"ssweetplaintivetoneandlookthatshespoke。"Theworldisbeginningforyou。

Forme，IhavebeensoweakandsinfulthatImustleaveit，andprayoutanexpiation，dearHenry。Hadwehousesofreligionastherewereonce，andmanydivinesofourChurchwouldhavethemagain，IoftenthinkIwouldretiretooneandpassmylifeinpenance。ButIwouldloveyoustill——yes，thereisnosininsuchaloveasminenow;andmydearlordinheavenmayseemyheart;

andknowsthetearsthathavewashedmysinaway——andnow——nowmydutyishere，bymychildrenwhilsttheyneedme，andbymypooroldfather，and——"

"Andnotbyme？"Henrysaid。

"Hush！"shesaidagain，andraisedherhanduptohislip。"Ihavebeenyournurse。Youcouldnotseeme，Harry，whenyouwereinthesmall—pox，andIcameandsatbyyou。Ah！IprayedthatImightdie，butitwouldhavebeeninsin，Henry。Oh，itishorridtolookbacktothattime。Itisovernowandpast，andithasbeenforgivenme。Whenyouneedmeagain，Iwillcomeeversofar。

Whenyourheartiswounded，thencometome，mydear。Besilent！

letmesayall。Youneverlovedme，dearHenry——no，youdonotnow，andIthankheavenforit。Iusedtowatchyou，andknewbyathousandsignsthatitwasso。Doyourememberhowgladyouweretogoawaytocollege？"TwasIsentyou。Itoldmypapathat，andMr。Atterburytoo，whenIspoketohiminLondon。Andtheybothgavemeabsolution——both——andtheyaregodlymen，havingauthoritytobindandtoloose。Andtheyforgaveme，asmydearlordforgavemebeforehewenttoheaven。"

"Ithinktheangelsarenotallinheaven，"Mr。Esmondsaid。Andasabrotherfoldsasistertohisheart;andasamothercleavestoherson"sbreast——soforafewmomentsEsmond"sbelovedmistresscametohimandblessedhim。

CHAPTERVII。

IAMMADEWELCOMEATWALCOTE。

AstheycameuptothehouseatWalcote，thewindowsfromwithinwerelightedupwithfriendlywelcome;thesupper—tablewasspreadintheoak—parlor;itseemedasifforgivenessandlovewereawaitingthereturningprodigal。Twoorthreefamiliarfacesofdomesticswereonthelook—outattheporch——theoldhousekeeperwasthere，andyoungLockwoodfromCastlewoodinmylord"sliveryoftawnyandblue。Hisdearmistresspressedhisarmastheypassedintothehall。Hereyesbeamedoutonhimwithaffectionindescribable。"Welcome，"wasallshesaid，asshelookedup，puttingbackherfaircurlsandblackhood。Asweetrosysmileblushedonherface;Harrythoughthehadneverseenherlooksocharming。Herfacewaslightedwithajoythatwasbrighterthanbeauty——shetookahandofhersonwhowasinthehallwaitinghismother——shedidnotquitEsmond"sarm。

"Welcome，Harry！"myyounglordechoedafterher。"Here，weareallcometosayso。Here"soldPincot，hasn"tshegrownhandsome？"

andPincot，whowasolder，andnohandsomerthanusual，madeacurtsytotheCaptain，asshecalledEsmond，andtoldmylordto"Havedone，now。"

"Andhere"sJackLockwood。He"llmakeafamousgrenadier，Jack;

andsoshallI;we"llboth"listunderyou，Cousin。AssoonasI"mseventeen，Igotothearmy——everygentlemangoestothearmy。

Look！whocomeshere——ho，ho！"heburstintoalaugh。""TisMistressTrix，withanewribbon;Iknewshewouldputoneonassoonassheheardacaptainwascomingtosupper。"

ThislaughingcolloquytookplaceinthehallofWalcoteHouse:inthemidstofwhichisastaircasethatleadsfromanopengallery，wherearethedoorsofthesleepingchambers:andfromoneofthese，awaxcandleinherhand，andilluminatingher，cameMistressBeatrix——thelightfallingindeeduponthescarletribbonwhichshewore，anduponthemostbrilliantwhiteneckintheworld。

Esmondhadleftachildandfoundawoman，grownbeyondthecommonheight;andarrivedatsuchadazzlingcompletenessofbeauty，thathiseyesmightwellshowsurpriseanddelightatbeholdingher。Inherstherewasabrightnesssolustrousandmelting，thatIhaveseenawholeassemblyfollowherasifbyanattractionirresistible:andthatnightthegreatDukewasattheplayhouseafterRamillies，everysoulturnedandlooked（shechancedtoenterattheoppositesideofthetheatreatthesamemoment）ather，andnotathim。Shewasabrownbeauty:thatis，hereyes，hair，andeyebrowsandeyelashesweredark:herhaircurlingwithrichundulations，andwavingoverhershoulders;buthercomplexionwasasdazzlingwhiteassnowinsunshine;excepthercheeks，whichwereabrightred，andherlips，whichwereofastilldeepercrimson。Hermouthandchin，theysaid，weretoolargeandfull，andsotheymightbeforagoddessinmarble，butnotforawomanwhoseeyeswerefire，whoselookwaslove，whosevoicewasthesweetestlowsong，whoseshapewasperfectsymmetry，health，decision，activity，whosefootasitplanteditselfonthegroundwasfirmbutflexible，andwhosemotion，whetherrapidorslow，wasalwaysperfectgrace——agileasanymph，loftyasaqueen，——nowmelting，nowimperious，nowsarcastic——therewasnosinglemovementofhersbutwasbeautiful。Ashethinksofher，hewhowritesfeelsyoungagain，andremembersaparagon。

Soshecameholdingherdresswithonefairroundedarm，andhertaperbeforeher，trippingdownthestairtogreetEsmond。

"Shehathputonherscarletstockingsandwhiteshoes，"saysmylord，stilllaughing。"Oh，myfinemistress！isthisthewayyousetyourcapattheCaptain？"Sheapproached，shiningsmilesuponEsmond，whocouldlookatnothingbuthereyes。Sheadvancedholdingforwardherhead，asifshewouldhavehimkissherasheusedtodowhenshewasachild。

"Stop，"shesaid，"Iamgrowntoobig！Welcome，cousinHarry，"andshemadehimanarchcurtsy，sweepingdowntothegroundalmost，withthemostgraciousbend，lookingupthewhilewiththebrightesteyesandsweetestsmile。Loveseemedtoradiatefromher。HarryeyedherwithsucharaptureasthefirstloverisdescribedashavingbyMilton。

"N"est—cepas？"saysmylady，inalow，sweetvoice，stillhangingonhisarm。

Esmondturnedroundwithastartandablush，ashemethismistress"scleareyes。Hehadforgottenher，raptinadmirationofthefiliapulcrior。

"Rightfootforward，toeturnedout，so:nowdropthecurtsy，andshowtheredstockings，Trix。They"vesilverclocks，Harry。TheDowagersent"em。Shewenttoput"emon，"criesmylord。

"Hush，youstupidchild！"saysMiss，smotheringherbrotherwithkisses;andthenshemustcomeandkisshermamma，lookingallthewhileatHarry，overhismistress"sshoulder。Andifshedidnotkisshim，shegavehimbothherhands，andthentookoneofhisinbothhands，andsaid，"Oh，Harry，we"reso，SOgladyou"recome！"

"Therearewoodcocksforsupper，"saysmylord。"Huzzay！Itwassuchahungrysermon。"

"Anditisthe29thofDecember;andourHarryhascomehome。"

"Huzzay，oldPincot！"againsaysmylord;andmydearlady"slipslookedasiftheyweretremblingwithaprayer。ShewouldhaveHarryleadinBeatrixtothesupper—room，goingherselfwithmyyoungLordViscount;andtothispartycameTomTusherdirectly，whomfouratleastoutofthecompanyoffivewishedaway。Awayhewent，however，assoonasthesweetmeatswereputdown，andthen，bythegreatcracklingfire，hismistressorBeatrix，withherblushinggraces，fillinghisglassforhim，Harrytoldthestoryofhiscampaign，andpassedthemostdelightfulnighthislifehadeverknown。Thesunwasuplongerehewas，sodeep，sweet，andrefreshingwashisslumber。Hewokeasifangelshadbeenwatchingathisbedallnight。Idaresayonethatwasaspureandlovingasanangelhadblessedhissleepwithherprayers。

NextmorningthechaplainreadprayerstothelittlehouseholdatWalcote，asthecustomwas;EsmondthoughtMistressBeatrixdidnotlistentoTusher"sexhortationmuch:hereyeswerewanderingeverywhereduringtheservice，atleastwheneverhelookeduphemetthem。PerhapshealsowasnotveryattentivetohisReverencetheChaplain。"Thismighthavebeenmylife，"hewasthinking;

"thismighthavebeenmydutyfromnowtilloldage。Well，wereitnotapleasantonetobewiththesedearfriendsandpartfrom"emnomore？Until——untilthedestinedlovercomesandtakesawayprettyBeatrix"——andthebestpartofTomTusher"sexposition，whichmayhavebeenverylearnedandeloquent，wasquitelosttopoorHarrybythisvisionofthedestinedlover，whoputthepreacherout。

Allthewhileoftheprayers，BeatrixkneltalittlewaybeforeHarryEsmond。Theredstockingswerechangedforapairofgray，andblackshoes，inwhichherfeetlookedtothefullaspretty。

Alltherosesofspringcouldnotviewiththebrightnessofhercomplexion;Esmondthoughthehadneverseenanythinglikethesunnylustreofhereyes。MyLadyViscountesslookedfatigued，asifwithwatching，andherfacewaspale。

MissBeatrixremarkedthesesignsofindispositioninhermotheranddeploredthem。"Iamanoldwoman，"saysmylady，withakindsmile;"Icannothopetolookasyoungasyoudo，mydear。"

"She"llneverlookasgoodasyoudoifshelivestillshe"sahundred，"saysmylord，takinghismotherbythewaist，andkissingherhand。

"DoIlookverywicked，cousin？"saysBeatrix，turningfullroundonEsmond，withherprettyfacesocloseunderhischin，thatthesoftperfumedhairtouchedit。Shelaidherfinger—tipsonhissleeveasshespoke;andheputhisotherhandoverhers。

"I"mlikeyourlooking—glass，"sayshe，"andthatcan"tflatteryou。"

"Hemeansthatyouarealwayslookingathim，mydear，"sayshermother，archly。BeatrixranawayfromEsmondatthis，andflewtohermamma，whomshekissed，stoppingmylady"smouthwithherprettyhand。

"AndHarryisverygoodtolookat，"saysmylady，withherfondeyesregardingtheyoungman。

"If"tisgoodtoseeahappyface，"sayshe，"youseethat。"Myladysaid，"Amen，"withasigh;andHarrythoughtthememoryofherdearlordroseupandrebukedherbackagainintosadness;forherfacelostthesmile，andresumeditslookofmelancholy。

"Why，Harry，howfinewelookinourscarletandsilver，andourblackperiwig，"criesmylord。"Mother，Iamtiredofmyownhair。

WhenshallIhaveaperuke？Wheredidyougetyoursteenkirk，Harry？"

"It"ssomeofmyLadyDowager"slace，"saysHarry;"shegavemethisandanumberofotherfinethings。"

"MyLadyDowagerisn"tsuchabadwoman，"mylordcontinued。

"She"snotso——soredasshe"spainted，"saysMissBeatrix。

Herbrotherbrokeintoalaugh。"I"lltellheryousaidso;bytheLord，Trix，Iwill，"hecriesout。

"She"llknowthatyouhadn"tthewittosayit，mylord，"saysMissBeatrix。

"Wewon"tquarrelthefirstdayHarry"shere，willwe，mother？"

saidtheyounglord。"We"llseeifwecangetontothenewyearwithoutafight。HavesomeofthisChristmaspie。Andherecomesthetankard;no，it"sPincotwiththetea。"

"WilltheCaptainchooseadish？"askedMistressBeatrix。

"Isay，Harry，"mylordgoeson，"I"llshowtheemyhorsesafterbreakfast;andwe"llgoabird—nettingto—night，andonMondaythere"sacock—matchatWinchester——doyoulovecock—fighting，Harry？——betweenthegentlemenofSussexandthegentlemenofHampshire，attenpoundthebattle，andfiftypoundtheoddbattletoshowone—and—twentycocks。"

"Andwhatwillyoudo，Beatrix，toamuseourkinsman？"asksmylady。

"I"lllistentohim，"saysBeatrix。"Iamsurehehasahundredthingstotellus。AndI"mjealousalreadyoftheSpanishladies。

WasthatabeautifulnunatCadizthatyourescuedfromthesoldiers？Yourmantalkedofitlastnightinthekitchen，andMrs。Bettytoldmethismorningasshecombedmyhair。Andhesaysyoumustbeinlove，foryousatondeckallnight，andscribbledversesalldayinyourtablebook。"Harrythoughtifhehadwantedasubjectforversesyesterday，to—dayhehadfoundone:andnotalltheLindamirasandArdeliasofthepoetswerehalfsobeautifulasthisyoungcreature;buthedidnotsayso，thoughsomeonedidforhim。

Thiswashisdearlady，who，afterthemealwasover，andtheyoungpeopleweregone，begantalkingofherchildrenwithMr。Esmond，andofthecharactersofoneandtheother，andofherhopesandfearsforbothofthem。""Tisnotwhiletheyareathome，"shesaid，"andintheirmother"snest，Ifearforthem——"tiswhentheyaregoneintotheworld，whitherIshallnotbeabletofollowthem。Beatrixwillbeginherservicenextyear。Youmayhaveheardarumorabout——aboutmyLordBlandford。Theywerebothchildren;anditisbutidletalk。IknowmykinswomanwouldneverlethimmakesuchapoormarriageasourBeatrixwouldbe。There"sscarceaprincessinEuropethatshethinksisgoodenoughforhimorforherambition。"

"There"snotaprincessinEuropetocomparewithher，"saysEsmond。

"Inbeauty？No，perhapsnot，"answeredmylady。"Sheismostbeautiful，isn"tshe？"Tisnotamother"spartialitythatdeceivesme。Imarkedyouyesterdaywhenshecamedownthestair:andreaditinyourface。Welookwhenyoudon"tfancyuslooking，andseebetterthanyouthink，dearHarry:andjustnowwhentheyspokeaboutyourpoems——youwritprettylineswhenyouwerebutaboy——

youthoughtBeatrixwasaprettysubjectforverse，didnotyou，Harry？"（Thegentlemancouldonlyblushforareply。）"Andsosheis——norareyouthefirstherprettyfacehascaptivated。"Tisquicklydone。Suchapairofbrighteyesasherslearntheirpowerverysoon，anduseitveryearly。"And，lookingathimkeenlywithhers，thefairwidowlefthim。

Andsoitis——apairofbrighteyeswithadozenglancessufficetosubdueaman;toenslavehim，andinflamehim;tomakehimevenforget;theydazzlehimsothatthepastbecomesstraightwaydimtohim;andhesoprizesthemthathewouldgiveallhislifetopossess"em。Whatisthefondloveofdearestfriendscomparedtothistreasure？Ismemoryasstrongasexpectancy？fruition，ashunger？gratitude，asdesire？Ihavelookedatroyaldiamondsinthejewel—roomsinEurope，andthoughthowwarshavebeenmadeabout"em;Mogulsovereignsdeposedandstrangledforthem，orransomedwiththem;millionsexpendedtobuythem;anddaringliveslostindiggingoutthelittleshiningtoysthatIvaluenomorethanthebuttoninmyhat。Andsothereareotherglitteringbaubles（ofrarewatertoo）forwhichmenhavebeensettokillandquarreleversincemankindbegan;andwhichlastbutforascoreofyears，whentheirsparkleisover。WherearethosejewelsnowthatbeamedunderCleopatra"sforehead，orshoneinthesocketsofHelen？

TheseconddayafterEsmond"scomingtoWalcote，TomTusherhadleavetotakeaholiday，andwentoffinhisverybestgownandbandstocourttheyoungwomanwhomhisReverencedesiredtomarry，andwhowasnotaviscount"swidow，asitturnedout，butabrewer"srelictatSouthampton，withacoupleofthousandpoundstoherfortune:forhonestTom"sheartwasundersuchexcellentcontrol，thatVenusherselfwithoutaportionwouldneverhavecausedittoflutter。Soherodeawayonhisheavy—pacedgeldingtopursuehisjog—trotloves，leavingEsmondtothesocietyofhisdearmistressandherdaughter，andwithhisyounglordforacompanion，whowascharmed，notonlytoseeanoldfriend，buttohavethetutorandhisLatinbooksputoutoftheway。

Theboytalkedofthingsandpeople，andnotalittleabouthimself，inhisfrankartlessway。"Twaseasytoseethatheandhissisterhadthebetteroftheirfondmother，forthefirstplaceinwhoseaffections，thoughtheyfoughtconstantly，andthoughthekindladypersistedthatshelovedbothequally，"twasnotdifficulttounderstandthatFrankwashismother"sdarlingandfavorite。Heruledthewholehousehold（alwaysexceptingrebelliousBeatrix）notlessnowthanwhenhewasachildmarshallingthevillageboysinplayingatsoldiers，andcaningthemlustilytoo，likethesturdiestcorporal。AsforTomTusher，hisReverencetreatedtheyounglordwiththatpolitenessanddeferencewhichhealwaysshowedforagreatman，whateverhisageorhisstaturewas。Indeed，withrespecttothisyoungone，itwasimpossiblenottolovehim，sofrankandwinningwerehismanners，hisbeauty，hisgayety，theringofhislaughter，andthedelightfultoneofhisvoice。Whereverhewent，hecharmedanddomineered。IthinkhisoldgrandfathertheDean，andthegrimoldhousekeeper，Mrs。Pincot，wereasmuchhisslavesashismotherwas:andasforEsmond，hefoundhimselfpresentlysubmittingtoacertainfascinationtheboyhad，andslavingitliketherestofthefamily。ThepleasurewhichhehadinFrank"smerecompanyandconverseexceededthatwhichheeverenjoyedinthesocietyofanyotherman，howeverdelightfulintalk，orfamousforwit。Hispresencebroughtsunshineintoaroom，hislaugh，hisprattle，hisnoblebeautyandbrightnessoflookcheeredandcharmedindescribably。Attheleasttaleofsorrow，hishandswereinhispurse，andhewaseagerwithsympathyandbounty。Thewayinwhichwomenlovedandpettedhim，when，ayearortwoafterwards，hecameupontheworld，yetamereboy，andthefollieswhichtheydidforhim（asindeedheforthem），recalledthecareerofRochester，andoutdidthesuccessesofGrammont。Hisverycreditorslovedhim;

andthehardestusurers，andsomeoftherigidprudesoftheothersextoo，coulddenyhimnothing。Hewasnomorewittythananotherman，butwhathesaid，hesaidandlookedasnomanelsecouldsayorlookit。IhaveseenthewomenatthecomedyatBruxellescrowdroundhiminthelobby:andashesatonthestagemorepeoplelookedathimthanattheactors，andwatchedhim;andIrememberatRamillies，whenhewashitandfell，agreatbigred—hairedScotchsergeantflunghishalbertdown，burstouta—cryinglikeawoman，seizinghimupasifhehadbeenaninfant，andcarryinghimoutofthefire。Thisbrotherandsisterwerethemostbeautifulcoupleeverseen;thoughafterhewingedawayfromthematernalnestthispairwereseldomtogether。

SittingatdinnertwodaysafterEsmond"sarrival（itwasthelastdayoftheyear），andsohappyaonetoHarryEsmond，thattoenjoyitwasquiteworthallthepreviouspainwhichhehadenduredandforgot，myyounglord，fillingabumper，andbiddingHarrytakeanother，dranktohissister，salutingherunderthetitleof"Marchioness。"

"Marchioness！"saysHarry，notwithoutapangofwonder，forhewascuriousandjealousalready。

"Nonsense，mylord，"saysBeatrix，withatossofherhead。MyLadyViscountesslookedupforamomentatEsmond，andcasthereyesdown。

"TheMarchionessofBlandford，"saysFrank。"Don"tyouknow——hathnotRougeDragontoldyou？"（MylordusedtocalltheDowagerofChelseybythisandothernames。）"Blandfordhasalockofherhair:theDuchessfoundhimonhiskneestoMistressTrix，andboxedhisears，andsaidDr。Hareshouldwhiphim。"

"IwishMr。Tusherwouldwhipyoutoo，"saysBeatrix。

Myladyonlysaid:"Ihopeyouwilltellnoneofthesesillystorieselsewherethanathome，Francis。"

""Tistrue，onmyword，"continuesFrank:"lookatHarryscowling，mother，andseehowBeatrixblushesasredasthesilver—clockedstockings。"

"Ithinkwehadbestleavethegentlementotheirwineandtheirtalk，"saysMistressBeatrix，risingupwiththeairofayoungqueen，tossingherrustlingflowingdraperiesabouther，andquittingtheroom，followedbyhermother。

LadyCastlewoodagainlookedatEsmond，asshestoopeddownandkissedFrank。"Donottellthosesillystories，child，"shesaid:

"donotdrinkmuchwine，sir;Harryneverlovedtodrinkwine。"

Andshewentaway，too，inherblackrobes，lookingbackontheyoungmanwithherfair，fondface。

"Egad！it"strue，"saysFrank，sippinghiswinewiththeairofalord。"WhatthinkyouofthisLisbon——realCollares？"Tisbetterthanyourheadyport:wegotitoutofoneoftheSpanishshipsthatcamefromVigolastyear:mymotherboughtitatSouthampton，astheshipwaslyingthere——the"Rose，"CaptainHawkins。"

"Why，Icamehomeinthatship，"saysHarry。

"Anditbroughthomeagoodfellowandgoodwine，"saysmylord。

"Isay，Harry，Iwishthouhadstnotthatcursedbarsinister。"

"Andwhynotthebarsinister？"askstheother。

"SupposeIgotothearmyandamkilled——everygentlemangoestothearmy——whoistotakecareofthewomen？Trixwillneverstopathome;mother"sinlovewithyou，——yes，Ithinkmother"sinlovewithyou。Shewasalwayspraisingyou，andalwaystalkingaboutyou;andwhenshewenttoSouthampton，toseetheship，Ifoundherout。Butyouseeitisimpossible:weareoftheoldestbloodinEngland;wecameinwiththeConqueror;wewereonlybaronets，——butwhatthen？wewereforcedintothat。JamestheFirstforcedourgreatgrandfather。Weareabovetitles;weoldEnglishgentrydon"twant"em;theQueencanmakeadukeanyday。LookatBlandford"sfather，DukeChurchill，andDuchessJennings，whatwerethey，Harry？Damnit，sir，whatarethey，toturnuptheirnosesatus？WhereweretheywhenourancestorrodewithKingHenryatAgincourt，andfilleduptheFrenchKing"scupafterPoictiers？

"ForeGeorge，sir，whyshouldn"tBlandfordmarryBeatrix？ByG——！

heSHALLmarryBeatrix，ortellmethereasonwhy。We"llmarrywiththebestbloodofEngland，andnonebutthebestbloodofEngland。YouareanEsmond，andyoucan"thelpyourbirth，myboy。

Let"shaveanotherbottle。What！nomore？I"vedrunkthreepartsofthismyself。Ihadmanyanightwithmyfather;youstoodtohimlikeaman，Harry。Youbackedyourblood;youcan"thelpyourmisfortune，youknow，——nomancanhelpthat。"

Theeldersaidhewouldgointohismistress"stea—table。Theyounglad，withaheightenedcolorandvoice，begansingingasnatchofasong，andmarchedoutoftheroom。Esmondheardhimpresentlycallinghisdogsabouthim，andcheeringandtalkingtothem;andbyahundredofhislooksandgestures，tricksofvoiceandgait，wasremindedofthedeadlord，Frank"sfather。

Andso，thesylvesternightpassedaway;thefamilypartedlongbeforemidnight，LadyCastlewoodremembering，nodoubt，formerNewYears"Eves，whenhealthsweredrunk，andlaughterwentroundinthecompanyofhim，towhomyears，past，andpresent，andfuture，weretobeasone;andsocarednottositwithherchildrenandheartheCathedralbellsringingthebirthoftheyear1703。

Esmondheardthechimesashesatinhisownchamber，ruminatingbytheblazingfirethere，andlistenedtothelastnotesofthem，lookingoutfromhiswindowtowardsthecity，andthegreatgraytowersoftheCathedrallyingunderthefrostysky，withthekeenstarsshiningabove。

Thesightofthesebrilliantorbsnodoubtmadehimthinkofotherluminaries。"Andsohereyeshavealreadydoneexecution，"thoughtEsmond——"onwhom？——whocantellme？"Luckilyhiskinsmanwasby，andEsmondknewhewouldhavenodifficultyinfindingoutMistressBeatrix"shistoryfromthesimpletalkoftheboy。

CHAPTERVIII。

FAMILYTALK。

WhatHarryadmiredandsubmittedtointheprettyladhiskinsmanwas（forwhyshouldheresistit？）thecalmnessofpatronagewhichmyyounglordassumed，asiftocommandwashisundoubtedright，andalltheworld（belowhisdegree）oughttobowdowntoViscountCastlewood。

"Iknowmyplace，Harry，"hesaid。"I"mnotproud——theboysatWinchesterCollegesayI"mproud:butI"mnotproud。IamsimplyFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodinthepeerageofIreland。I

mighthavebeen（doyouknowthat？）FrancisJamesMarquisandEarlofEsmondinthatofEngland。Thelatelordrefusedthetitlewhichwasofferedtohimbymygodfather，hislateMajesty。Youshouldknowthat——youareofourfamily，youknowyoucannothelpyourbarsinister，Harry，mydearfellow;andyoubelongtooneofthebestfamiliesinEngland，inspiteofthat;andyoustoodbymyfather，andbyG——！I"llstandbyyou。Youshallneverwantafriend，Harry，whileFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodhasashilling。It"snow1703——Ishallcomeofagein1709。IshallgobacktoCastlewood;IshallliveatCastlewood;Ishallbuildupthehouse。Mypropertywillbeprettywellrestoredbythen。Thelateviscountmismanagedmyproperty，andleftitinaverybadstate。Mymotherislivingclose，asyousee，andkeepsmeinawayhardlybefittingapeeroftheserealms;forIhavebutapairofhorses，agovernor，andamanthatisvaletandgroom。ButwhenIamofage，thesethingswillbesetright，Harry。Ourhousewillbeasitshouldbe。YouwillalwayscometoCastlewood，won"tyou？

Youshallalwayshaveyourtworoomsinthecourtkeptforyou;andifanybodyslightsyou，d———them！letthemhaveacareofME。I

shallmarryearly——Trixwillbeaduchessbythattime，mostlikely;foracannonballmayknockoverhisgraceanyday，youknow。"

"How？"saysHarry。

"Hush，mydear！"saysmyLordViscount。"Youareofthefamily——

youarefaithfultous，byGeorge，andItellyoueverything。

Blandfordwillmarryher——or"——andhereheputhislittlehandonhissword——"youunderstandtherest。Blandfordknowswhichofustwoisthebestweapon。Atsmall—sword，orback—sword，orswordanddaggerifhelikes;Icanbeathim。Ihavetriedhim，Harry;

andbegadheknowsIamamannottobetrifledwith。"

"Butyoudonotmean，"saysHarry，concealinghislaughter，butnothiswonder，"thatyoucanforcemyLordBlandford，thesonofthefirstmanofthiskingdom，tomarryyoursisteratsword"spoint？"

"Imeantosaythatwearecousinsbythemother"sside，thoughthat"snothingtoboastof。ImeantosaythatanEsmondisasgoodasaChurchill;andwhentheKingcomesback，theMarquisofEsmond"ssistermaybeamatchforanynobleman"sdaughterinthekingdom。TherearebuttwomarquisesinallEngland，WilliamHerbertMarquisofPowis，andFrancisJamesMarquisofEsmond;andharkyou，Harry，——nowswearyouwillnevermentionthis。Givemeyourhonorasagentleman，foryouAREagentleman，thoughyouarea——"

"Well，well？"saysHarry，alittleimpatient。

"Well，then，whenaftermylateviscount"smisfortune，mymotherwentupwithustoLondon，toaskforjusticeagainstyouall（asforMohun，I"llhavehisblood，assureasmynameisFrancisViscountEsmond）——wewenttostaywithourcousinmyLadyMarlborough，withwhomwehadquarrelledforeversolong。Butwhenmisfortunecame，shestoodbyherblood:——sodidtheDowagerViscountessstandbyherblood，——sodidyou。Well，sir，whilstmymotherwaspetitioningthelatePrinceofOrange——forIwillnevercallhimking——andwhileyouwereinprison，welivedatmyLordMarlborough"shouse，whowasonlyalittlethere，beingawaywiththearmyinHolland。Andthen……Isay，Harry，youwon"ttell，now？"

Harryagainmadeavowofsecrecy。

"Well，thereusedtobeallsortsoffun，youknow:myLadyMarlboroughwasveryfondofus，andshesaidIwastobeherpage;

andshegotTrixtobeamaidofhonor，andwhileshewasupinherroomcrying，weusedtobealwayshavingfun，youknow;andtheDuchessusedtokissme，andsodidherdaughters，andBlandfordfelltremendousinlovewithTrix，andshelikedhim;andonedayhe——hekissedherbehindadoor——hedidthough，——andtheDuchesscaughthim，andshebangedsuchaboxoftheearbothatTrixandBlandford——youshouldhaveseenit！Andthenshesaidthatwemustleavedirectly，andabusedmymammawhowascognizantofthebusiness;butshewasn"t——neverthinkingaboutanythingbutfather。

AndsowecamedowntoWalcote。Blandfordbeinglockedup，andnotallowedtoseeTrix。ButIgotathim。Iclimbedalongthegutter，andinthroughthewindow，wherehewascrying。

""Marquis，"saysI，whenhehadopeneditandhelpedmein，"youknowIwearasword，"forIhadbroughtit。

""Oh，viscount，"sayshe——"oh，mydearestFrank！"andhethrewhimselfintomyarmsandburstouta—crying。"IdoloveMistressBeatrixso，thatIshalldieifIdon"thaveher。"

""MydearBlandford，"saysI，"youareyoungtothinkofmarrying;"

forhewasbutfifteen，andayoungfellowofthatagecanscarcedoso，youknow。