第17章

""ButI"llwaittwentyyears，ifshe"llhaveme，"sayshe。"I"llnevermarry——no，never，never，never，marryanybodybuther。No，notaprincess，thoughtheywouldhavemedoiteverso。IfBeatrixwillwaitforme，herBlandfordswearshewillbefaithful。"Andhewroteapaper（itwasn"tspeltright，forhewrote"I"mreadytoSINEWITHMYBLODE，"which，youknow，Harry，isn"tthewayofspellingit），andvowingthathewouldmarrynoneotherbuttheHonorableMistressGertrudeBeatrixEsmond，onlysisterofhisdearestfriendFrancisJames，fourthViscountEsmond。

AndsoIgavehimalocketofherhair。"

"Alocketofherhair？"criesEsmond。

"Yes。TrixgavemeoneafterthefightwiththeDuchessthatveryday。IamsureIdidn"twantit;andsoIgaveithim，andwekissedatparting，andsaid——"Good—by，brother。"AndIgotbackthroughthegutter;andwesetoffhomethatveryevening。AndhewenttoKing"sCollege，inCambridge，andI"MgoingtoCambridgesoon;andifhedoesn"tstandtohispromise（forhe"sonlywroteonce），——heknowsIwearasword，Harry。Comealong，andlet"sgoseethecocking—matchatWinchester。

"……ButIsay，"headded，laughing，afterapause，"Idon"tthinkTrixwillbreakherheartabouthim。Lablessyou！wheneversheseesaman，shemakeseyesathim;andyoungSirWilmotCrawleyofQueen"sCrawley，andAnthonyHenleyofAiresford，wereatswordsdrawnabouther，attheWinchesterAssembly，amonthago。"

ThatnightMr。Harry"ssleepwasbynomeanssopleasantorsweetasithadbeenonthefirsttwoeveningsafterhisarrivalatWalcote。"Sothebrighteyeshavebeenalreadyshiningonanother，"thoughthe，"andtheprettylips，orthecheeksatanyrate，havebeguntheworkwhichtheyweremadefor。Here"sagirlnotsixteen，andoneyounggentlemanisalreadywhimperingoveralockofherhair，andtwocountrysquiresarereadytocuteachother"sthroatsthattheymayhavethehonorofadancewithher。

WhatafoolamItobedallyingaboutthispassion，andsingeingmywingsinthisfoolishflame。Wings！——whynotsaycrutches？"Thereisbuteightyears"differencebetweenus，tobesure;butinlifeIamthirtyyearsolder。HowcouldIeverhopetopleasesuchasweetcreatureasthat，withmyroughwaysandglumface？SaythatIhavemeriteversomuch，andwonmyselfaname，couldsheeverlistentome？ShemustbemyLadyMarchioness，andIremainanamelessbastard。Oh！mymaster，mymaster！"（herehefelltothinkingwithapassionategriefofthevowwhichhehadmadetohispoordyinglord。）"Oh！mymistress，dearestandkindest，willyoubecontentedwiththesacrificewhichthepoororphanmakesforyou，whomyoulove，andwhosolovesyou？"

Andthencameafiercerpangoftemptation。"Awordfromme，"

Harrythought，"asyllableofexplanation，andallthismightbechanged;butno，Isworeitoverthedyingbedofmybenefactor。

Forthesakeofhimandhis;forthesacredloveandkindnessofolddays;Igavemypromisetohim，andmaykindheavenenablemetokeepmyvow！"

Thenextday，althoughEsmondgavenosignofwhatwasgoingoninhismind，butstrovetobemorethanordinarilygayandcheerfulwhenhemethisfriendsatthemorningmeal，hisdearmistress，whosecleareyesitseemednoemotionofhiscouldescape，perceivedthatsomethingtroubledhim，forshelookedanxiouslytowardshimmorethanonceduringthebreakfast，andwhenhewentuptohischamberafterwardsshepresentlyfollowedhim，andknockedathisdoor。

Assheentered，nodoubtthewholestorywascleartoheratonce，forshefoundouryounggentlemanpackinghisvalise，pursuanttotheresolutionwhichhehadcometoover—nightofmakingabriskretreatoutofthistemptation。

Sheclosedthedoorverycarefullybehindher，andthenleantagainstit，verypale，herhandsfoldedbeforeher，lookingattheyoungman，whowaskneelingoverhisworkofpacking。"Areyougoingsosoon？"shesaid。

Heroseupfromhisknees，blushing，perhaps，tobesodiscovered，intheveryact，asitwere，andtookoneofherfairlittlehands——

itwasthatwhichhadhermarriageringon——andkissedit。

"Itisbestthatitshouldbeso，dearestlady，"hesaid。

"Iknewyouweregoing，atbreakfast。I——Ithoughtyoumightstay。

Whathashappened？Whycan"tyouremainlongerwithus？WhathasFranktoldyou——youweretalkingtogetherlatelastnight？"

"Ihadbutthreedays"leavefromChelsey，"Esmondsaid，asgaylyashecould。"Myaunt——sheletsmecallheraunt——ismymistressnow！Iowehermylieutenancyandmylacedcoat。Shehastakenmeintohighfavor;andmynewGeneralistodineatChelseyto—

morrow——GeneralLumley，madam——whohasappointedmehisaide—de—

camp，andonwhomImusthavethehonorofwaiting。See，hereisaletterfromtheDowager;thepostbroughtitlastnight;andI

wouldnotspeakofit，forfearofdisturbingourlastmerrymeeting。"

Myladyglancedattheletter，andputitdownwithasmilethatwassomewhatcontemptuous。"Ihavenoneedtoreadtheletter，"

saysshe——（indeed，"twasaswellshedidnot;fortheChelseymissive，inthepoorDowager"susualFrenchjargon，permittedhimalongerholidaythanhesaid。"Jevousdonne，"quothherladyship，"ouijour，pourvousfatigayparfaictementdevosparensfatigans"）——"Ihavenoneedtoreadtheletter，"saysshe。"WhatwasitFranktoldyoulastnight？"

"HetoldmelittleIdidnotknow，"Mr。Esmondanswered。"ButI

havethoughtofthatlittle，andhere"stheresult:IhavenorighttothenameIbear，dearlady;anditisonlybyyoursufferancethatIamallowedtokeepit。IfIthoughtforanhourofwhathasperhapscrossedyourmindtoo——"

"Yes，Idid，Harry，"saidshe;"Ithoughtofit;andthinkofit。

IwouldsoonercallyoumysonthanthegreatestprinceinEurope——

yes，thanthegreatestprince。Forwhoistheresogoodandsobrave，andwhowouldloveherasyouwould？Buttherearereasonsamothercan"ttell。"

"Iknowthem，"saidMr。Esmond，interruptingherwithasmile。"I

knowthere"sSirWilmotCrawleyofQueen"sCrawley，andMr。AnthonyHenleyoftheGrange，andmyLordMarquisofBlandford，thatseemstobethefavoredsuitor。YoushallaskmetowearmyLadyMarchioness"sfavorsandtodanceatherladyship"swedding。"

"Oh！Harry，Harry，itisnoneofthesefolliesthatfrightenme，"

criedoutLadyCastlewood。"LordChurchillisbutachild，hisoutbreakaboutBeatrixwasamereboyishfolly。Hisparentswouldratherseehimburiedthanmarriedtoonebelowhiminrank。AnddoyouthinkthatIwouldstooptosueforahusbandforFrancisEsmond"sdaughter;orsubmittohavemygirlsmuggledintothatproudfamilytocauseaquarrelbetweensonandparents，andtobetreatedonlyasaninferior？Iwoulddisdainsuchameanness。

Beatrixwouldscornit。Ah！Henry，"tisnotwithyouthefaultlies，"tiswithher。Iknowyouboth，andloveyou:needIbeashamedofthatlovenow？No，never，never，and"tisnotyou，dearHarry，thatisunworthy。"TisformypoorBeatrixItremble——whoseheadstrongwillfrightensme;whosejealoustemper（theysayIwasjealoustoo，but，prayGod，Iamcuredofthatsin）andwhosevanitynowordsorprayersofminecancure——onlysuffering，onlyexperience，andremorseafterwards。Oh！Henry，shewillmakenomanhappywholovesher。Goaway，myson:leaveher:loveusalways，andthinkkindlyofus:andforme，mydear，youknowthatthesewallscontainallthatIloveintheworld。"

Inafterlife，didEsmondfindthewordstruewhichhisfondmistressspokefromhersadheart？Warninghehad:butIdoubtothershadwarningbeforehistime，andsince:andhebenefitedbyitasmostmendo。

MyyoungLordViscountwasexceedingsorrywhenheheardthatHarrycouldnotcometothecock—matchwithhim，andmustgotoLondon，butnodoubtmylordconsoledhimselfwhentheHampshirecockswonthematch;andhesaweveryoneofthebattles，andcrowedproperlyovertheconqueredSussexgentlemen。

AsEsmondrodetowardstownhisservant，cominguptohim，informedhimwithagrin，thatMistressBeatrixhadbroughtoutanewgownandbluestockingsforthatday"sdinner，inwhichsheintendedtoappear，andhadflownintoarageandgivenhermaidaslaponthefacesoonaftersheheardhewasgoingaway。MistressBeatrix"swoman，thefellowsaid，camedowntotheservants"hallcrying，andwiththemarkofablowstillonhercheek:butEsmondperemptorilyorderedhimtofallbackandbesilent，androdeonwiththoughtsenoughofhisowntooccupyhim——somesadones，someinexpressiblydearandpleasant。

Hismistress，fromwhomhehadbeenayearseparated，washisdearestmistressagain。Thefamilyfromwhichhehadbeenparted，andwhichhelovedwiththefondestdevotion，washisfamilyoncemore。IfBeatrix"sbeautyshoneuponhim，itwaswithafriendlylustre，andhecouldregarditwithmuchsuchadelightashebroughtawayafterseeingthebeautifulpicturesofthesmilingMadonnasintheconventatCadiz，whenhewasdespatchedthitherwithaflag;andasforhismistress，"twasdifficulttosaywithwhatafeelingheregardedher。"Twashappinesstohaveseenher;

"twasnogreatpangtopart;afilialtenderness，alovethatwasatoncerespectandprotection，filledhismindashethoughtofher;andnearherorfarfromher，andfromthatdayuntilnow，andfromnowtilldeathispastandbeyondit，hepraysthatsacredflamemayeverburn。

CHAPTERIX。

IMAKETHECAMPAIGNOF1704。

Mr。EsmondrodeuptoLondonthen，where，iftheDowagerhadbeenangryattheabruptleaveofabsencehetook，shewasmightilypleasedathisspeedyreturn。

Hewentimmediatelyandpaidhiscourttohisnewgeneral，GeneralLumley，whoreceivedhimgraciously，havingknownhisfather，andalso，hewaspleasedtosay，havinghadtheverybestaccountsofMr。Esmondfromtheofficerwhoseaide—de—camphehadbeenatVigo。

DuringthiswinterMr。EsmondwasgazettedtoalieutenancyinBrigadierWebb"sregimentofFusileers，thenwiththeircolonelinFlanders;butbeingnowattachedtothesuiteofMr。Lumley，Esmonddidnotjoinhisownregimentuntilmorethanayearafterwards，andafterhisreturnfromthecampaignofBlenheim，whichwasfoughtthenextyear。Thecampaignbeganveryearly，ourtroopsmarchingoutoftheirquartersbeforethewinterwasalmostover，andinvestingthecityofBonn，ontheRhine，undertheDuke"scommand。HisGracejoinedthearmyindeepgriefofmind，withcrapeonhissleeve，andhishouseholdinmourning;andtheverysamepacketwhichbroughttheCommander—in—Chiefover，broughtletterstotheforceswhichprecededhim，andonefromhisdearmistresstoEsmond，whichinterestedhimnotalittle。

TheyoungMarquisofBlandford，hisGrace"sson，whohadbeenenteredinKing"sCollegeinCambridge，（whithermyLordViscounthadalsogone，toTrinity，withMr。Tusherashisgovernor，）hadbeenseizedwithsmall—pox，andwasdeadatsixteenyearsofage，andsopoorFrank"sschemesforhissister"sadvancementwereover，andthatinnocentchildishpassionnippedinthebirth。

Esmond"smistresswouldhavehadhimreturn，atleastherlettershintedasmuch;butinthepresenceoftheenemythiswasimpossible，andouryoungmantookhishumbleshareinthesiege，whichneednotbedescribedhere，andhadthegoodlucktoescapewithoutawoundofanysort，andtodrinkhisgeneral"shealthafterthesurrender。Hewasinconstantmilitarydutythisyear，anddidnotthinkofaskingforaleaveofabsence，asoneortwoofhislessfortunatefriendsdid，whowerecastawayinthattremendousstormwhichhappenedtowardsthecloseofNovember，that"whichoflateo"erpaleBritanniapast"（asMr。Addisonsangofit），andinwhichscoresofourgreatestshipsand15，000ofourseamenwentdown。

TheysaidthatourDukewasquiteheart—brokenbythecalamitywhichhadbefallenhisfamily;buthisenemiesfoundthathecouldsubduethem，aswellasmasterhisgrief。SuccessfulashadbeenthisgreatGeneral"soperationsinthepastyear，theywerefarenhancedbythesplendorofhisvictoryintheensuingcampaign。

HisGracetheCaptain—GeneralwenttoEnglandafterBonn，andourarmyfellbackintoHolland，where，inApril1704，hisGraceagainfoundthetroops，embarkingfromHarwichandlandingatMaeslandSluys:thencehisGracecameimmediatelytotheHague，wherehereceivedtheforeignministers，generalofficers，andotherpeopleofquality。ThegreatesthonorswerepaidtohisGraceeverywhere——

attheHague，Utrecht，Ruremonde，andMaestricht;thecivilauthoritiescomingtomeethiscoaches:salvosofcannonsalutinghim，canopiesofstatebeingerectedforhimwherehestopped，andfeastspreparedforthenumerousgentlemenfollowinginhissuite。

HisGracereviewedthetroopsoftheStates—GeneralbetweenLiegeandMaestricht，andafterwardstheEnglishforces，underthecommandofGeneralChurchill，nearBois—le—Duc。Everypreparationwasmadeforalongmarch;andthearmyheard，withnosmallelation，thatitwastheCommander—in—Chief"sintentiontocarrythewaroutoftheLowCountries，andtomarchontheMozelle。

BeforeleavingourcampatMaestricht，weheardthattheFrench，undertheMarshalVilleroy，werealsoboundtowardstheMozelle。

TowardstheendofMay，thearmyreachedCoblentz;andnextday，hisGrace，andthegeneralsaccompanyinghim，wenttovisittheElectorofTrevesathisCastleofEhrenbreitstein，thehorseanddragoonspassingtheRhinewhilsttheDukewasentertainedatagrandfeastbytheElector。Allasyetwasnovelty，festivity，andsplendor——abrilliantmarchofagreatandgloriousarmythroughafriendlycountry，andsurethroughsomeofthemostbeautifulscenesofnaturewhichIeverwitnessed。

Thefootandartillery，followingafterthehorseasquickaspossible，crossedtheRhineunderEhrenbreitstein，andsotoCastel，overagainstMayntz，inwhichcityhisGrace，hisgenerals，andhisretinuewerereceivedatthelanding—placebytheElector"scoaches，carriedtohisHighness"spalaceamidstthethunderofcannon，andthenoncemoremagnificentlyentertained。Gidlingen，inBavaria，wasappointedasthegeneralrendezvousofthearmy，andthither，bydifferentroutes，thewholeforcesofEnglish，Dutch，Danes，andGermanauxiliariestooktheirway。ThefootandartilleryunderGeneralChurchillpassedtheNeckar，atHeidelberg;

andEsmondhadanopportunityofseeingthatcityandpalace，oncesofamousandbeautiful（thoughshatteredandbatteredbytheFrench，underTurenne，inthelatewar），wherehisgrandsirehadservedthebeautifulandunfortunateElectress—Palatine，thefirstKingCharles"ssister。

AtMindelsheim，thefamousPrinceofSavoycametovisitourcommander，allofuscrowdingeagerlytogetasightofthatbrilliantandintrepidwarrior;andourtroopsweredrawnupinbattaliabeforethePrince，whowaspleasedtoexpresshisadmirationofthisnobleEnglisharmy。AtlengthwecameinsightoftheenemybetweenDillingenandLawingen，theBrentzlyingbetweenthetwoarmies。TheElector，judgingthatDonauwortwouldbethepointofhisGrace"sattack，sentastrongdetachmentofhisbesttroopstoCountDarcos，whowaspostedatSchellenberg，nearthatplace，wheregreatintrenchmentswerethrownup，andthousandsofpioneersemployedtostrengthentheposition。

Onthe2ndofJulyhisGracestormedthepost，withwhatsuccessonourpartneedscarcebetold。HisGraceadvancedwithsixthousandfoot，EnglishandDutch，thirtysquadrons，andthreeregimentsofImperialCuirassiers，theDukecrossingtheriverattheheadofthecavalry。Althoughourtroopsmadetheattackwithunparalleledcourageandfury——rushinguptotheverygunsoftheenemy，andbeingslaughteredbeforetheirworks——weweredrivenbackmanytimes，andshouldnothavecarriedthem，butthattheImperialistscameupunderthePrinceofBaden，whentheenemycouldmakenoheadagainstus:wepursuedthemintothetrenches，makingaterribleslaughterthere，andintotheveryDanube，whereagreatpartofhistroops，followingtheexampleoftheirgenerals，CountDarcosandtheElectorhimself，triedtosavethemselvesbyswimming。OurarmyenteredDonauwort，whichtheBavariansevacuated;andwhere"twassaidtheElectorpurposedtohavegivenusawarmreception，byburningusinourbeds;thecellarsofthehouses，whenwetookpossessionofthem，beingfoundstuffedwithstraw。Butthoughthelinkswerethere，thelink—boyshadrunaway。Thetownsmensavedtheirhouses，andourGeneraltookpossessionoftheenemy"sammunitioninthearsenals，hisstores，andmagazines。Fivedaysafterwardsagreat"TeDeum"wassunginPrinceLewis"sarmy，andasolemndayofthanksgivingheldinourown;thePrinceofSavoy"scomplimentscomingtohisGracetheCaptain—Generalduringtheday"sreligiousceremony，andconcluding，asitwere，withanAmen。

Andnow，havingseenagreatmilitarymarchthroughafriendlycountry;thepompsandfestivitiesofmorethanoneGermancourt;

theseverestruggleofahotlycontestedbattle，andthetriumphofvictory，Mr。Esmondbeheldanotherpartofmilitaryduty:ourtroopsenteringtheenemy"sterritory，andputtingallaroundthemtofireandsword;burningfarms，wastedfields，shriekingwomen，slaughteredsonsandfathers，anddrunkensoldiery，cursingandcarousinginthemidstoftears，terror，andmurder。WhydoesthestatelyMuseofHistory，thatdelightsindescribingthevalorofheroesandthegrandeurofconquest，leaveoutthesescenes，sobrutal，mean，anddegrading，thatyetformbyfarthegreaterpartofthedramaofwar？You，gentlemenofEngland，wholiveathomeatease，andcomplimentyourselvesinthesongsoftriumphwithwhichourchieftainsarebepraised——youprettymaidens，thatcometumblingdownthestairswhenthefifeanddrumcallyou，andhuzzahfortheBritishGrenadiers——doyoutakeaccountthattheseitemsgotomakeuptheamountofthetriumphyouadmire，andformpartofthedutiesoftheheroesyoufondle？Ourchief，whomEnglandandallEurope，savingonlytheFrenchmen，worshippedalmost，hadthisofthegodlikeinhim，thathewasimpassiblebeforevictory，beforedanger，beforedefeat。Beforethegreatestobstacleorthemosttrivialceremony;beforeahundredthousandmendrawninbattalia，orapeasantslaughteredatthedoorofhisburninghovel;beforeacarouseofdrunkenGermanlords，oramonarch"scourtoracottagetable，wherehisplanswerelaid，oranenemy"sbattery，vomitingflameanddeath，andstrewingcorpsesroundabouthim;——hewasalwayscold，calm，resolute，likefate。

Heperformedatreasonoracourt—bow，hetoldafalsehoodasblackasStyx，aseasilyashepaidacomplimentorspokeabouttheweather。Hetookamistress，andlefther;hebetrayedhisbenefactor，andsupportedhim，orwouldhavemurderedhim，withthesamecalmnessalways，andhavingnomoreremorsethanClothowhensheweavesthethread，orLachesiswhenshecutsit。InthehourofbattleIhaveheardthePrinceofSavoy"sofficerssay，thePrincebecamepossessedwithasortofwarlikefury;hiseyeslightedup;herushedhitherandthither，raging;heshriekedcursesandencouragement，yellingandharkinghisbloodywar—dogson，andhimselfalwaysatthefirstofthehunt。Ourdukewasascalmatthemouthofthecannonasatthedoorofadrawing—room。

Perhapshecouldnothavebeenthegreatmanhewas，hadhehadahearteitherforloveorhatred，orpityorfear，orregretorremorse。Heachievedthehighestdeedofdaring，ordeepestcalculationofthought，asheperformedtheverymeanestactionofwhichamaniscapable;toldalie，orcheatedafondwoman，orrobbedapoorbeggarofahalfpenny，withalikeawfulserenityandequalcapacityofthehighestandlowestactsofournature。

Hisqualitieswereprettywellknowninthearmy，wheretherewerepartiesofallpolitics，andofplentyofshrewdnessandwit;butthereexistedsuchaperfectconfidenceinhim，asthefirstcaptainoftheworld，andsuchafaithandadmirationinhisprodigiousgeniusandfortune，thattheverymenwhomhenotoriouslycheatedoftheirpay，thechiefswhomheusedandinjured——（forheusedallmen，greatandsmall，thatcamenearhim，ashisinstrumentsalike，andtooksomethingoftheirs，eithersomequalityorsomeproperty——thebloodofasoldier，itmightbe，orajewelledhat，orahundredthousandcrownsfromaking，oraportionoutofastarvingsentinel"sthree—farthings;or（whenhewasyoung）akissfromawoman，andthegoldchainoffherneck，takingallhecouldfromwomanorman，andhaving，asIhavesaid，thisofthegodlikeinhim，thathecouldseeaheroperishorasparrowfall，withthesameamountofsympathyforeither。Notthathehadnotears;hecouldalwaysorderupthisreserveatthepropermomenttobattle;hecoulddrawupontearsorsmilesalike，andwheneverneedwasforusingthischeapcoin。Hewouldcringetoashoeblack，ashewouldflatteraministeroramonarch;behaughty，behumble，threaten，repent，weep，graspyourhand，（orstabyouwheneverhesawoccasion）——butyetthoseofthearmy，whoknewhimbestandhadsufferedmostfromhim，admiredhimmostofall:andasherodealongthelinestobattleorgallopedupinthenickoftimetoabattalionreelingfrombeforetheenemy"schargeorshot，thefaintingmenandofficersgotnewcourageastheysawthesplendidcalmofhisface，andfeltthathiswillmadethemirresistible。

AfterthegreatvictoryofBlenheimtheenthusiasmofthearmyfortheDuke，evenofhisbitterestpersonalenemiesinit，amountedtoasortofrage——nay，theveryofficerswhocursedhimintheirheartswereamongthemostfrantictocheerhim。Whocouldrefusehismeedofadmirationtosuchavictoryandsuchavictor？Nothewhowrites:amanmayprofesstobeeversomuchaphilosopher;buthewhofoughtonthatdaymustfeelathrillofprideasherecallsit。

TheFrenchrightwaspostedneartothevillageofBlenheim，ontheDanube，wheretheMarshalTallard"squarterswere;theirlineextendingthrough，itmaybealeagueandahalf，beforeLutzingenanduptoawoodyhill，roundthebaseofwhich，andactingagainstthePrinceofSavoy，werefortyofhissquadrons。

HerewasavillagethattheFrenchmenhadburned，thewoodbeing，infact，abettershelterandeasierofguardthananyvillage。

BeforethesetwovillagesandtheFrenchlinesranalittlestream，notmorethantwofootbroad，throughamarsh（thatwasmostlydriedupfromtheheatsoftheweather），andthisstreamwastheonlyseparationbetweenthetwoarmies——ourscomingupandrangingthemselvesinlineofbattlebeforetheFrench，atsixo"clockinthemorning;sothatourlinewasquitevisibletotheirs;andthewholeofthisgreatplainwasblackandswarmingwithtroopsforhoursbeforethecannonadingbegan。

Ononesideandtheotherthiscannonadinglastedmanyhours。TheFrenchgunsbeinginpositioninfrontoftheirline，anddoingseveredamageamongourhorseespecially，andonourrightwingofImperialistsunderthePrinceofSavoy，whocouldneitheradvancehisartillerynorhislines，thegroundbeforehimbeingcutupbyditches，morasses，andverydifficultofpassagefortheguns。

Itwaspastmid—daywhentheattackbeganonourleft，whereLordCuttscommanded，thebravestandmostbelovedofficerintheEnglisharmy。Andnow，asiftomakehisexperienceinwarcomplete，ouryoungaide—de—camphavingseentwogreatarmiesfacingeachotherinlineofbattle，andhadthehonorofridingwithordersfromoneendtootheroftheline，cameinforanotuncommonaccompanimentofmilitaryglory，andwasknockedonthehead，alongwithmanyhundredofbravefellows，almostattheverycommencementofthisfamousdayofBlenheim。Alittleafternoon，thedispositionforattackbeingcompletedwithmuchdelayanddifficulty，andunderaseverefirefromtheenemy"sguns，thatwerebetterpostedandmorenumerousthanours，abodyofEnglishandHessians，withMajor—GeneralWilkescommandingattheextremeleftofourline，marcheduponBlenheim，advancingwithgreatgallantry，theMajor—Generalonfoot，withhisofficers，attheheadofthecolumn，andmarching，withhishatoff，intrepidlyinthefaceoftheenemy，whowaspouringinatremendousfirefromhisgunsandmusketry，towhichourpeoplewereinstructednottoreply，exceptwithpikeandbayonetwhentheyreachedtheFrenchpalisades。TotheseWilkeswalkedintrepidly，andstruckthewoodworkwithhisswordbeforeourpeoplechargedit。Hewasshotdownattheinstant，withhiscolonel，major，andseveralofficers;

andourtroopscheeringandhuzzaing，andcomingon，astheydid，withimmenseresolutionandgallantry，wereneverthelessstoppedbythemurderousfirefrombehindtheenemy"sdefences，andthenattackedinflankbyafuriouschargeofFrenchhorsewhichsweptoutofBlenheim，andcutdownourmeningreatnumbers。Threefierceanddesperateassaultsofourfootweremadeandrepulsedbytheenemy;sothatourcolumnsoffootwerequiteshattered，andfellback，scramblingoverthelittlerivulet，whichwehadcrossedsoresolutelyanhourbefore，andpursuedbytheFrenchcavalry，slaughteringusandcuttingusdown。

AndnowtheconquerorsweremetbyafuriouschargeofEnglishhorseunderEsmond"sgeneral，GeneralLumley，behindwhosesquadronstheflyingfootfoundrefuge，andformedagain，whilstLumleydrovebacktheFrenchhorse，charginguptothevillageofBlenheimandthepalisadeswhereWilkes，andmanyhundredmoregallantEnglishmen，layinslaughteredheaps。Beyondthismoment，andofthisfamousvictory，Mr。Esmondknowsnothing;forashotbroughtdownhishorseandouryounggentlemanonit，whofellcrushedandstunnedundertheanimal，andcametohissensesheknowsnothowlongafter，onlytolosethemagainfrompainandlossofblood。Adimsense，asofpeoplegroaningroundabouthim，awildincoherentthoughtortwoforherwhooccupiedsomuchofhisheartnow，andthatherehiscareer，andhishopes，andmisfortuneswereended，heremembersinthecourseofthesehours。

Whenhewokeup，itwaswithapangofextremepain，hisbreastplatewastakenoff，hisservantwasholdinghisheadup，thegoodandfaithfulladofHampshire*wasblubberingoverhismaster，whomhefoundandhadthoughtdead，andasurgeonwasprobingawoundintheshoulder，whichhemusthavegotatthesamemomentwhenhishorsewasshotandfelloverhim。Thebattlewasoveratthisendofthefield，bythistime:thevillagewasinpossessionoftheEnglish，itsbravedefendersprisoners，orfled，ordrowned，manyofthem，intheneighboringwatersofDonau。ButforhonestLockwood"sfaithfulsearchafterhismaster，therehadnodoubtbeenanendofEsmondhere，andofthishisstory。Themarauderswereoutrifflingthebodiesastheylayonthefield，andJackhadbrainedoneofthesegentrywiththeclub—endofhismusket，whohadeasedEsmondofhishatandperiwig，hispurse，andfinesilver—mountedpistolswhichtheDowagergavehim，andwasfumblinginhispocketsforfurthertreasure，whenJackLockwoodcameupandputanendtothescoundrel"striumph。

*Mymistress，beforeIwentthiscampaign，sentmeJohnLockwoodoutofWalcote，whohatheversinceremainedwithme。——H。E。

HospitalsforourwoundedwereestablishedatBlenheim，andhereforseveralweeksEsmondlayinverygreatdangerofhislife;thewoundwasnotverygreatfromwhichhesuffered，andtheballextractedbythesurgeononthespotwhereouryounggentlemanreceivedit;butafeversetinnextday，ashewaslyinginhospital，andthatalmostcarriedhimaway。JackLockwoodsaidhetalkedinthewildestmannerduringhisdelirium;thathecalledhimselftheMarquisofEsmond，andseizingoneofthesurgeon"sassistantswhocametodresshiswounds，sworethathewasMadamBeatrix，andthathewouldmakeheraduchessifshewouldbutsayyes。Hewaspassingthedaysinthesecrazyfancies，andvanasomnia，whilstthearmywassinging"TeDeum"forthevictory，andthosefamousfestivitiesweretakingplaceatwhichourDuke，nowmadeaPrinceoftheEmpire，wasentertainedbytheKingoftheRomansandhisnobility。HisGracewenthomebyBerlinandHanover，andEsmondlostthefestivitieswhichtookplaceatthosecities，andwhichhisgeneralsharedincompanyoftheothergeneralofficerswhotravelledwithourgreatcaptain。Whenhecouldmove，itwasbytheDukeofWurtemberg"scityofStuttgardthathemadehiswayhomewards，revisitingHeidelbergagain，whencehewenttoManheim，andhencehadatediousbuteasywaterjourneydowntheriverofRhine，whichhehadthoughtadelightfulandbeautifulvoyageindeed，butthathisheartwaslongingforhome，andsomethingfarmorebeautifulanddelightful。

AsbrightandwelcomeastheeyesalmostofhismistressshonethelightsofHarwich，asthepacketcameinfromHolland。Itwasnotmanyhourserehe，Esmond，wasinLondon，ofthatyoumaybesure，andreceivedwithopenarmsbytheoldDowagerofChelsey，whovowed，inherjargonofFrenchandEnglish，thathehadtheairnoble，thathispallorembellishedhim，thathewasanAmadisanddeservedaGloriana;andoh！flamesanddarts！whatwashisjoyathearingthathismistresswascomeintowaiting，andwasnowwithherMajestyatKensington！AlthoughMr。EsmondhadtoldJackLockwoodtogethorsesandtheywouldrideforWinchesterthatnight，whenheheardthisnewshecountermandedthehorsesatonce;

hisbusinesslaynolongerinHants;allhishopeanddesirelaywithinacoupleofmilesofhiminKensingtonParkwall。PoorHarryhadneverlookedintheglassbeforesoeagerlytoseewhetherhehadthebelair，andhispalenessreallydidbecomehim;

henevertooksuchpainsaboutthecurlofhisperiwig，andthetasteofhisembroideryandpoint—lace，asnow，beforeMr。AmadispresentedhimselftoMadamGloriana。WasthefireoftheFrenchlineshalfsomurderousasthekillingglancesfromherladyship"seyes？Oh！dartsandraptures，howbeautifulwerethey！

Andas，beforetheblazingsunofmorning，themoonfadesawayintheskyalmostinvisible，Esmondthought，withablushperhaps，ofanothersweetpaleface，sadandfaint，andfadingoutofsight，withitssweetfondgazeofaffection;suchalastlookitseemedtocastasEurydicemighthavegiven，yearningafterherlover，whenFateandPlutosummonedher，andshepassedawayintotheshades。

CHAPTERX。

ANOLDSTORYABOUTAFOOLANDAWOMAN。

AnytasteforpleasurewhichEsmondhad（andhelikedtodesipereinloco，neithermorenorlessthanmostyoungmenofhisage）hecouldnowgratifytotheutmostextent，andinthebestcompanywhichthetownafforded。Whenthearmywentintowinterquartersabroad，thoseoftheofficerswhohadinterestormoneyeasilygotleaveofabsence，andfounditmuchpleasantertospendtheirtimeinPallMallandHydePark，thantopassthewinterawaybehindthefortificationsofthedrearyoldFlanderstowns，wheretheEnglishtroopsweregathered。YachtsandpacketspasseddailybetweentheDutchandFlemishportsandHarwich;theroadsthencetoLondonandthegreatinnswerecrowdedwitharmygentlemen;thetavernsandordinariesofthetownswarmedwithred—coats;andourgreatDuke"sleveesatSt。James"swereasthrongedastheyhadbeenatGhentandBrussels，wherewetreatedhim，andheus，withthegrandeurandceremonyofasovereign。ThoughEsmondhadbeenappointedtoalieutenancyintheFusileerregiment，ofwhichthatcelebratedofficer，BrigadierJohnRichmondWebb，wascolonel，hehadneverjoinedtheregiment，norbeenintroducedtoitsexcellentcommander，thoughtheyhadmadethesamecampaigntogether，andbeenengagedinthesamebattle。Butbeingaide—de—camptoGeneralLumley，whocommandedthedivisionofhorse，andthearmymarchingtoitspointofdestinationontheDanubebydifferentroutes，Esmondhadnotfallenin，asyet，withhiscommanderandfuturecomradesofthefort;anditwasinLondon，inGoldenSquare，whereMajor—GeneralWebblodged，thatCaptainEsmondhadthehonoroffirstpayinghisrespectstohisfriend，patron，andcommanderofafterdays。

Thosewhorememberthisbrilliantandaccomplishedgentlemanmayrecollecthischaracter，uponwhichhepridedhimself，Ithink，notalittle，ofbeingthehandsomestmaninthearmy;apoetwhowritadullcopyofversesuponthebattleofOudenardethreeyearsafter，describingWebb，says:——

"TonobledangerWebbconductstheway，Hisgreatexampleallhistroopsobey;

Beforethefrontthegeneralsternlyrides，WithsuchanairasMarstobattlestrides:

Propitiousheavenmustsureaherosave，LikeParishandsome，andlikeHectorbrave。"