第19章

"Therewereasbravemenonthatfield，"saysMr。Esmond（whonevercouldbemadetolovetheDukeofMarlborough，nortoforgetthosestorieswhichheusedtohearinhisyouthregardingthatgreatchiefsselfishnessandtreachery）——"thereweremenatBlenheimasgoodastheleader，whomneitherknightsnorsenatorsapplauded，norvoicesplebeianorpatricianfavored，andwholiethereforgotten，undertheclods。Whatpoetistheretosingthem？"

"TosingthegallantsoulsofheroessenttoHades！"saysMr。

Addison，withasmile。"Wouldyoucelebratethemall？IfImayventuretoquestionanythinginsuchanadmirablework，thecatalogueoftheshipsinHomerhathalwaysappearedtomeassomewhatwearisome;whathadthepoembeen，supposingthewriterhadchronicledthenamesofcaptains，lieutenants，rankandfile？

Oneofthegreatestofagreatman"squalitiesissuccess;"tistheresultofalltheothers;"tisalatentpowerinhimwhichcompelsthefavorofthegods，andsubjugatesfortune。OfallhisgiftsI

admirethatoneinthegreatMarlborough。Tobebrave？everymanisbrave。Butinbeingvictorious，asheis，Ifancythereissomethingdivine。Inpresenceoftheoccasion，thegreatsouloftheleadershinesout，andthegodisconfessed。Deathitselfrespectshim，andpassesbyhimtolayotherslow。Warandcarnagefleebeforehimtoravageotherpartsofthefield，asHectorfrombeforethedivineAchilles。Yousayhehathnopity;nomorehavethegods，whoareaboveit，andsuperhuman。Thefaintingbattlegathersstrengthathisaspect;and，whereverherides，victorychargeswithhim。"

Acoupleofdaysafter，whenMr。Esmondrevisitedhispoeticfriend，hefoundthisthought，struckoutinthefervorofconversation，improvedandshapedintothosefamouslines，whichareintruththenoblestinthepoemofthe"Campaign。"Asthetwogentlemensatengagedintalk，Mr。Addisonsolacinghimselfwithhiscustomarypipe，thelittlemaid—servantthatwaitedonhislodgingcameup，precedingagentlemaninfinelacedclothes，thathadevidentlybeenfiguringatCourtoragreatman"slevee。Thecourtiercoughedalittleatthesmokeofthepipe，andlookedroundtheroomcuriously，whichwasshabbyenough，aswastheownerinhisworn，snuff—coloredsuitandplaintie—wig。

"Howgoesonthemagnumopus，Mr。Addison？"saystheCourtgentlemanonlookingdownatthepapersthatwereonthetable。

"Wewerebutnowoverit，"saysAddison（thegreatestcourtierinthelandcouldnothaveamoresplendidpoliteness，orgreaterdignityofmanner）。"Hereistheplan，"sayshe，"onthetable:

hacibatSimois，hereranthelittleriverNebel:hicestSigeiatellus，hereareTallard"squarters，atthebowlofthispipe，attheattackofwhichCaptainEsmondwaspresent。IhavethehonortointroducehimtoMr。Boyle;andMr。Esmondwasbutnowdepictingaliquoproeliamixtamero，whenyoucamein。"Intruth，thetwogentlemenhadbeensoengagedwhenthevisitorarrived，andAddison，inhissmilingway，speakingofMr。Webb，colonelofEsmond"sregiment（whocommandedabrigadeintheaction，andgreatlydistinguishedhimselfthere），waslamentingthathecouldfindneverasuitablerhymeforWebb，otherwisethebrigadeshouldhavehadaplaceinthepoet"sverses。"Andforyou，youarebutalieutenant，"saysAddison，"andtheMusecan"toccupyherselfwithanygentlemanundertherankofafieldofficer。"

Mr。Boylewasallimpatienttohear，sayingthatmyLordTreasurerandmyLordHalifaxwereequallyanxious;andAddison，blushing，beganreadingofhisverses，and，Isuspect，knewtheirweakpartsaswellasthemostcriticalhearer。Whenhecametothelinesdescribingtheangel，that"Inspiredrepulsedbattalionstoengage，Andtaughtthedoubtfulbattlewheretorage，"

hereadwithgreatanimation，lookingatEsmond，asmuchastosay，"Youknowwherethatsimilecamefrom——fromourtalk，andourbottleofBurgundy，theotherday。"

Thepoet"stwohearerswerecaughtwithenthusiasm，andapplaudedtheverseswithalltheirmight。ThegentlemanoftheCourtsprangupingreatdelight。"Notawordmore，mydearsir，"sayshe。

"Trustmewiththepapers——I"lldefendthemwithmylife。LetmereadthemovertomyLordTreasurer，whomIamappointedtoseeinhalfanhour。Iventuretopromise，theversesshalllosenothingbymyreading，andthen，sir，weshallseewhetherLordHalifaxhasarighttocomplainthathisfriend"spensionisnolongerpaid。"

Andwithoutmoreado，thecourtierinlaceseizedthemanuscriptpages，placedtheminhisbreastwithhisruffledhandoverhisheart，executedamostgraciouswaveofthehatwiththedisengagedhand，andsmiledandbowedoutoftheroom，leavinganodorofpomanderbehindhim。

"Doesnotthechamberlookquitedark？"saysAddison，surveyingit，"afterthegloriousappearanceanddisappearanceofthatgraciousmessenger？Why，heilluminatedthewholeroom。Yourscarlet，Mr。

Esmond，willbearanylight;butthisthreadbareoldcoatofmine，howverywornitlookedundertheglareofthatsplendor！Iwonderwhethertheywilldoanythingforme，"hecontinued。"WhenIcameoutofOxfordintotheworld，mypatronspromisedmegreatthings;

andyouseewheretheirpromiseshavelandedme，inalodginguptwopairofstairs，withasixpennydinnerfromthecook"sshop。

Well，Isupposethispromisewillgoaftertheothers，andfortunewilljiltme，asthejadehasbeendoinganytimethesesevenyears。"Ipufftheprostituteaway，""sayshe，smiling，andblowingacloudoutofhispipe。"Thereisnohardshipinpoverty，Esmond，thatisnotbearable;nohardshipeveninhonestdependencethatanhonestmanmaynotputupwith。IcameoutofthelapofAlmaMater，puffedupwithherpraisesofme，andthinkingtomakeafigureintheworldwiththepartsandlearningwhichhadgotmenosmallnameinourcollege。Theworldistheocean，andIsisandCharwellarebutlittledrops，ofwhichtheseatakesnoaccount。

MyreputationendedamilebeyondMaudlinTower;noonetooknoteofme;andIlearnedthisatleast，tobearupagainstevilfortunewithacheerfulheart。FriendDickhathmadeafigureintheworld，andhaspassedmeintheracelongago。Whatmattersalittlenameoralittlefortune？Thereisnofortunethataphilosophercannotendure。Ihavebeennotunknownasascholar，andyetforcedtolivebyturningbear—leader，andteachingaboytospell。Whatthen？Thelifewasnotpleasant，butpossible——thebearwasbearable。Shouldthisventurefail，IwillgobacktoOxford;andsomeday，whenyouareageneral，youshallfindmeacurateinacassockandbands，andIshallwelcomeyourhonortomycottageinthecountry，andtoamugofpennyale。"Tisnotpovertythat"sthehardesttobear，ortheleasthappylotinlife，"saysMr。Addison，shakingtheashoutofhispipe。"See，mypipeissmokedout。Shallwehaveanotherbottle？Ihavestillacoupleinthecupboard，andoftherightsort。Nomore？——letusgoabroadandtakeaturnontheMall，orlookinatthetheatreandseeDick"scomedy。"Tisnotamasterpieceofwit;butDickisagoodfellow，thoughhedothnotsettheThamesonfire。"

Withinamonthafterthisday，Mr。Addison"stickethadcomeupaprodigiousprizeinthelotteryoflife。Allthetownwasinanuproarofadmirationofhispoem，the"Campaign，"whichDickSteelewasspoutingateverycoffee—houseinWhitehallandCoventGarden。

ThewitsontheothersideofTempleBarsalutedhimatonceasthegreatestpoettheworldhadseenforages;thepeoplehuzza"edforMarlboroughandforAddison，and，morethanthis，thepartyinpowerprovidedforthemeritoriouspoet，andAddisongottheappointmentofCommissionerofExcise，whichthefamousMr。Lockevacated，androsefromthisplacetootherdignitiesandhonors;

hisprosperityfromhenceforthtotheendofhislifebeingscarceeverinterrupted。ButIdoubtwhetherhewasnothappierinhisgarretintheHaymarket，thaneverhewasinhissplendidpalaceatKensington;andIbelievethefortunethatcametohimintheshapeofthecountesshiswifewasnobetterthanashrewandavixen。

Gayasthetownwas，"twasbutadrearyplaceforMr。Esmond，whetherhischarmerwasinoroutofit，andhewasgladwhenhisgeneralgavehimnoticethathewasgoingbacktohisdivisionofthearmywhichlayinwinter—quartersatBois—le—Duc。Hisdearmistressbadehimfarewellwithacheerfulface;herblessingheknewhehadalways，andwheresoeverfatecarriedhim。MistressBeatrixwasawayinattendanceonherMajestyatHamptonCourt，andkissedherfairfingertipstohim，bywayofadieu，whenherodethithertotakehisleave。Shereceivedherkinsmaninawaiting—

room，wheretherewerehalfadozenmoreladiesoftheCourt，sothathishigh—flownspeeches，hadheintendedtomakeany（andverylikelyhedid），wereimpossible;andsheannouncedtoherfriendsthathercousinwasgoingtothearmy，inaseasyamannerasshewouldhavesaidhewasgoingtoachocolate—house。Heaskedwitharatherruefulface，ifshehadanyordersforthearmy？andshewaspleasedtosaythatshewouldlikeamantleofMechlinlace。Shemadehimasaucycurtsyinreplytohisowndismalbow。Shedeignedtokissherfingertipsfromthewindow，whereshestoodlaughingwiththeotherladies，andchancedtoseehimashemadehiswaytothe"Toy。"TheDowageratChelseywasnotsorrytopartwithhimthistime。"Moncher，vousetestristecommeunsermon，"

shedidhimthehonortosaytohim;indeed，gentlemeninhisconditionarebynomeansamusingcompanions，andbesides，thefickleoldwomanhadnowfoundamuchmoreamiablefavorite，andraffoledforherdarlinglieutenantoftheGuard。Frankremainedbehindforawhile，anddidnotjointhearmytilllater，inthesuiteofhisGracetheCommander—in—Chief。Hisdearmother，onthelastdaybeforeEsmondwentaway，andwhenthethreedinedtogether，madeEsmondpromisetobefriendherboy，andbesoughtFranktotaketheexampleofhiskinsmanasofaloyalgentlemanandbravesoldier，soshewaspleasedtosay;andatparting，betrayednottheleastsignoffalteringorweakness，though，Godknows，thatfondheartwasfearfulenoughwhenotherswereconcerned，thoughsoresoluteinbearingitsownpain。

Esmond"sgeneralembarkedatHarwich。"TwasagrandsighttoseeMr。Webbdressedinscarletonthedeck，wavinghishatasouryachtputoff，andthegunssalutedfromtheshore。Harrydidnotseehisviscountagain，untilthreemonthsafter，atBois—le—Duc，whenhisGracetheDukecametotakethecommand，andFrankbroughtabudgetofnewsfromhome:howhehadsuppedwiththisactress，andgottiredofthat;howhehadgotthebetterofMr。St。John，bothoverthebottle，andwithMrs。Mountford，oftheHaymarketTheatre（aveterancharmeroffifty，withwhomtheyoungscapegracechosetofancyhimselfinlove）;howhissisterwasalwaysathertricks，andhadjiltedayoungbaronforanoldearl。"Ican"tmakeoutBeatrix，"hesaid;"shecaresfornoneofus——sheonlythinksaboutherself;sheisneverhappyunlesssheisquarrelling;

butasformymother——mymother，Harry，isanangel。"Harrytriedtoimpressontheyoungfellowthenecessityofdoingeverythinginhispowertopleasethatangel;nottodrinktoomuch;nottogointodebt;nottorunaftertheprettyFlemishgirls，andsoforth，asbecameaseniorspeakingtoalad。"ButLordblessthee！"theboysaid;"ImaydowhatIlike，andIknowshewilllovemeallthesame;"andso，indeed，hedidwhatheliked。Everybodyspoiledhim，andhisgravekinsmanasmuchastherest。

CHAPTERXII。

IGETACOMPANYINTHECAMPAIGNOF1706。

OnWhit—Sunday，thefamous23rdofMay，1706，myyounglordfirstcameunderthefireoftheenemy，whomwefoundpostedinorderofbattle，theirlinesextendingthreemilesormore，overthehighgroundbehindthelittleGheetriver，andhavingonhisleftthelittlevillageofAnderkirkorAutre—eglise，andonhisrightRamillies，whichhasgivenitsnametooneofthemostbrilliantanddisastrousdaysofbattlethathistoryeverhathrecorded。

OurDukehereoncemoremethisoldenemyofBlenheim，theBavarianElectorandtheMarechalVilleroy，overwhomthePrinceofSavoyhadgainedthefamousvictoryofChiari。WhatEnglishmanorFrenchmandothnotknowtheissueofthatday？Havingchosenhisownground，havingaforcesuperiortotheEnglish，andbesidestheexcellentSpanishandBavariantroops，thewholeMaison—du—Roywithhim，themostsplendidbodyofhorseintheworld，——inanhour（andinspiteoftheprodigiousgallantryoftheFrenchRoyalHousehold，whochargedthroughthecentreofourlineandbrokeit，）thismagnificentarmyofVilleroywasutterlyroutedbytroopsthathadbeenmarchingfortwelvehours，andbytheintrepidskillofacommander，whodid，indeed，seeminthepresenceoftheenemytobetheveryGeniusofVictory。

Ithinkitwasmorefromconvictionthanpolicy，thoughthatpolicywassurelythemostprudentintheworld，thatthegreatDukealwaysspokeofhisvictorieswithanextraordinarymodesty，andasifitwasnotsomuchhisownadmirablegeniusandcouragewhichachievedtheseamazingsuccesses，butasifhewasaspecialandfatalinstrumentinthehandsofProvidence，thatwilledirresistiblytheenemy"soverthrow。Beforehisactionshealwayshadthechurchservicereadsolemnly，andprofessedanundoubtingbeliefthatourQueen"sarmswereblessedandourvictorysure。

Alltheletterswhichhewritafterhisbattlesshowaweratherthanexultation;andheattributesthegloryoftheseachievements，aboutwhichIhaveheardmerepettyofficersandmenbraggingwithapardonablevainglory，innowisetohisownbraveryorskill，buttothesuperintendingprotectionofheaven，whichheeverseemedtothinkwasourespecialally。Andourarmygottobelieveso，andtheenemylearnttothinksotoo;forweneverenteredintoabattlewithoutaperfectconfidencethatitwastoendinavictory;nordidtheFrench，aftertheissueofBlenheim，andthatastonishingtriumphofRamillies，evermeetuswithoutfeelingthatthegamewaslostbeforeitwasbeguntobeplayed，andthatourgeneral"sfortunewasirresistible。Here，asatBlenheim，theDuke"schargerwasshot，and"twasthoughtforamomenthewasdead。Ashemountedanother，Binfield，hismasterofthehorse，kneelingtoholdhisGrace"sstirrup，hadhisheadshotawaybyacannon—ball。AFrenchgentlemanoftheRoyalHousehold，thatwasaprisonerwithus，toldthewriterthatatthetimeofthechargeoftheHousehold，whentheirhorseandoursweremingled，anIrishofficerrecognizedthePrince—Duke，andcallingout——"Marlborough，Marlborough！"firedhispistolathimabout—portant，andthatascoremorecarbinesandpistolsweredischargedathim。Notonetouchedhim:herodethroughtheFrenchCuriassierssword—in—hand，andentirelyunhurt，andcalmandsmiling，ralliedtheGermanHorse，thatwasreelingbeforetheenemy，broughttheseandtwentysquadronsofOrkney"sbackuponthem，anddrovetheFrenchacrosstheriver，againleadingthechargehimself，anddefeatingtheonlydangerousmovetheFrenchmadethatday。

Major—GeneralWebbcommandedontheleftofourline，andhadhisownregimentundertheordersoftheirbelovedcolonel。Neitherhenortheybeliedtheircharacterforgallantryonthisoccasion;butitwasabouthisdearyounglordthatEsmondwasanxious，neverhavingsightofhimsaveonce，inthewholecourseoftheday，whenhebroughtanorderfromtheCommander—in—ChieftoMr。Webb。Whenourhorse，havingchargedroundtherightflankoftheenemybyOverkirk，hadthrownhimintoentireconfusion，ageneraladvancewasmade，andourwholelineoffoot，crossingthelittleriverandthemorass，ascendedthehighgroundwheretheFrenchwereposted，cheeringastheywent，theenemyretreatingbeforethem。"Twasaserviceofmoreglorythandanger，theFrenchbattalionsneverwaitingtoexchangepushofpikeorbayonetwithours;andthegunnersflyingfromtheirpieces，whichourlineleftbehindusastheyadvanced，andtheFrenchfellback。

Atfirstitwasaretreatorderlyenough;butpresentlytheretreatbecamearout，andafrightfulslaughteroftheFrenchensuedonthispanic:sothatanarmyofsixtythousandmenwasutterlycrushedanddestroyedinthecourseofacoupleofhours。Itwasasifahurricanehadseizedacompactnumerousfleet，flungitalltothewinds，shattered，sunk，andannihilatedit:afflavitDeus，etdissipatisunt。TheFrencharmyofFlanderswasgone，theirartillery，theirstandards，theirtreasure，provisions，andammunitionwereallleftbehindthem:thepoordevilshadevenfledwithouttheirsoup—kettles，whichareasmuchthepalladiaoftheFrenchinfantryasoftheGrandSeignior"sJanissaries，androundwhichtheyrallyevenmorethanroundtheirlilies。

Thepursuit，andadreadfulcarnagewhichensued（forthedregsofabattle，howeverbrilliant，areeverabaseresidueofrapine，cruelty，anddrunkenplunder，）wascarriedfarbeyondthefieldofRamillies。

HonestLockwood，Esmond"sservant，nodoubtwantedtobeamongthemaraudershimselfandtakehisshareofthebooty;forwhen，theactionover，andthetroopsgottotheirgroundforthenight，theCaptainbadeLockwoodgetahorse，heasked，withaveryruefulcountenance，whetherhishonorwouldhavehimcometoo;buthishonoronlybadehimgoabouthisownbusiness，andJackhoppedawayquitedelightedassoonashesawhismastermounted。Esmondmadehisway，andnotwithoutdangeranddifficulty，tohisGrace"sheadquarters，andfoundforhimselfveryquicklywheretheaide—de—

camps"quarterswere，inanout—buildingofafarm，whereseveralofthesegentlemenwereseated，drinkingandsinging，andatsupper。Ifhehadanyanxietyabouthisboy，"twasrelievedatonce。OneofthegentlemenwassingingasongtoatunethatMr。

FarquharandMr。Gaybothhadusedintheiradmirablecomedies，andverypopularinthearmyofthatday;andafterthesongcameachorus，"Overthehillsandfaraway;"andEsmondheardFrank"sfreshvoice，soaring，asitwere，overthesongsoftherestoftheyoungmen——avoicethathadalwaysacertainartless，indescribablepathoswithit，andindeedwhichcausedMr。Esmond"seyestofillwithtearsnow，outofthankfulnesstoGodthechildwassafeandstillalivetolaughandsing。

WhenthesongwasoverEsmondenteredtheroom，whereheknewseveralofthegentlemenpresent，andtheresatmyyounglord，havingtakenoffhiscuirass，hiswaistcoatopen，hisfaceflushed，hislongyellowhairhangingoverhisshoulders，drinkingwiththerest;theyoungest，gayest，handsomestthere。AssoonashesawEsmond，heclappeddownhisglass，andrunningtowardshisfriend，putbothhisarmsroundhimandembracedhim。Theother"svoicetrembledwithjoyashegreetedthelad;hehadthoughtbutnowashestoodinthecourt—yardundertheclear—shiningmoonlight:

"GreatGod！whatasceneofmurderisherewithinamileofus;

whathundredsandthousandshavefaceddangerto—day;andherearetheseladssingingovertheircups，andthesamemoonthatisshiningoveryonderhorridfieldislookingdownonWalcoteverylikely，whilemyladysitsandthinksaboutherboythatisatthewar。"AsEsmondembracedhisyoungpupilnow，"twaswiththefeelingofquitereligiousthankfulnessandanalmostpaternalpleasurethathebeheldhim。

Roundhisneckwasastarwithastripedribbon，thatwasmadeofsmallbrilliantsandmightbeworthahundredcrowns。"Look，"sayshe，"won"tthatbeaprettypresentformother？"

"WhogaveyoutheOrder？"saysHarry，salutingthegentleman:"didyouwinitinbattle？"

"Iwonit，"criedtheother，"withmyswordandmyspear。Therewasamousquetairethathaditroundhisneck——suchabigmousquetaire，asbigasGeneralWebb。Icalledouttohimtosurrender，andthatI"dgivehimquarter:hecalledmeapetitpolissonandfiredhispistolatme，andthensentitatmyheadwithacurse。Irodeathim，sir，drovemyswordrightunderhisarm—hole，andbrokeitintherascal"sbody。Ifoundapurseinhisholsterwithsixty—fiveLouisinit，andabundleoflove—

letters，andaflaskofHungary—water。Vivelaguerre！therearethetenpiecesyoulentme。Ishouldliketohaveafighteveryday;"andhepulledathislittlemoustacheandbadeaservantbringasuppertoCaptainEsmond。

Harryfelltowithaverygoodappetite;hehadtastednothingsincetwentyhoursago，atearlydawn。MasterGrandson，whoreadthis，doyoulookforthehistoryofbattlesandsieges？Go，findthemintheproperbooks;thisisonlythestoryofyourgrandfatherandhisfamily。Farmorepleasanttohimthanthevictory，thoughforthattoohemaysaymeminissejuvat，itwastofindthatthedaywasover，andhisdearyoungCastlewoodwasunhurt。

Andwouldyou，sirrah，wishtoknowhowitwasthatasedateCaptainofFoot，astudiousandrathersolitarybachelorofeightornineandtwentyyearsofage，whodidnotcareverymuchforthejollitieswhichhiscomradesengagedin，andwasneverknowntolosehisheartinanygarrison—town——shouldyouwishtoknowwhysuchamanhadsoprodigiousatenderness，andtendedsofondlyaboyofeighteen，wait，mygoodfriend，untilthouartinlovewiththyschoolfellow"ssister，andthenseehowmightytenderthouwiltbetowardshim。Esmond"sgeneralandhisGracethePrince—Dukewerenotoriouslyatvariance，andtheformer"sfriendshipwasinnowiselikelytoadvanceanyman"spromotionofwhoseservicesWebbspokewell;butratherlikelytoinjurehim，sothearmysaid，inthefavorofthegreaterman。However，Mr。EsmondhadthegoodfortunetobementionedveryadvantageouslybyMajor—GeneralWebbinhisreportaftertheaction;andthemajorofhisregimentandtwoofthecaptainshavingbeenkilleduponthedayofRamillies，Esmond，whowassecondofthelieutenants，gothiscompany，andhadthehonorofservingasCaptainEsmondinthenextcampaign。

Mylordwenthomeinthewinter，butEsmondwasafraidtofollowhim。Hisdearmistresswrotehimlettersmorethanonce，thankinghim，asmothersknowhowtothank，forhiscareandprotectionofherboy，extollingEsmond"sownmeritswithagreatdealmorepraisethantheydeserved;forhedidhisdutynobetterthananyotherofficer;andspeakingsometimes，thoughgentlyandcautiously，ofBeatrix。Newscamefromhomeofatleasthalfadozengrandmatchesthatthebeautifulmaidofhonorwasabouttomake。Shewasengagedtoanearl，ourgentlemanofSt。James"ssaid，andthenjiltedhimforaduke，who，inhisturn，haddrawnoff。EarlordukeitmightbewhoshouldwinthisHelen，Esmondknewshewouldneverbestowherselfonapoorcaptain。Herconduct，itwasclear，waslittlesatisfactorytohermother，whoscarcelymentionedher，orelsethekindladythoughtitwasbesttosaynothing，andleavetimetoworkoutitscure。Atanyrate，Harrywasbestawayfromthefatalobjectwhichalwayswroughthimsomuchmischief;andsoheneveraskedforleavetogohome，butremainedwithhisregimentthatwasgarrisonedinBrussels，whichcityfellintoourhandswhenthevictoryofRamilliesdrovetheFrenchoutofFlanders。

CHAPTERXIII。

IMEETANOLDACQUAINTANCEINFLANDERS，ANDFINDMYMOTHER"SGRAVE

ANDMYOWNCRADLETHERE。

BeingonedayintheChurchofSt。Gudule，atBrussels，admiringtheantiquesplendorofthearchitecture（andalwaysentertainingagreattendernessandreverencefortheMotherChurch，thathathbeenaswickedlypersecutedinEnglandaseversheherselfpersecutedinthedaysofherprosperity），Esmondsawkneelingatasidealtaranofficerinagreenuniformcoat，verydeeplyengagedindevotion。SomethingfamiliarinthefigureandpostureofthekneelingmanstruckCaptainEsmond，evenbeforehesawtheofficer"sface。Asheroseup，puttingawayintohispocketalittleblackbreviary，suchaspriestsuse，Esmondbeheldacountenancesolikethatofhisfriendandtutorofearlydays，FatherHolt，thathebrokeoutintoanexclamationofastonishmentandadvancedasteptowardsthegentleman，whowasmakinghiswayoutofchurch。TheGermanofficertoolookedsurprisedwhenhesawEsmond，andhisfacefrombeingpalegrewsuddenlyred。Bythismarkofrecognition，theEnglishmanknewthathecouldnotbemistaken;andthoughtheotherdidnotstop，butonthecontraryratherhastilywalkedawaytowardsthedoor，Esmondpursuedhimandfacedhimoncemore，astheofficer，helpinghimselftoholywater，turnedmechanicallytowardsthealtar，tobowtoiterehequittedthesacrededifice。

"MyFather！"saysEsmondinEnglish。

"Silence！Idonotunderstand。IdonotspeakEnglish，"saystheotherinLatin。

Esmondsmiledatthissignofconfusion，andrepliedinthesamelanguage——"IshouldknowmyFatherinanygarment，blackorwhite，shavenorbearded;"fortheAustrianofficerwashabitedquiteinthemilitarymanner，andhadaswarlikeamustachioasanyPandour。

Helaughed——wewereonthechurchstepsbythistime，passingthroughthecrowdofbeggarsthatusuallyisthereholdinguplittletrinketsforsaleandwhiningforalms。"YouspeakLatin，"

sayshe，"intheEnglishway，HarryEsmond;youhaveforsakentheoldtrueRomantongueyouonceknew。"Histonewasveryfrank，andfriendlyquite;thekindvoiceoffifteenyearsback;hegaveEsmondhishandashespoke。

"Othershavechangedtheircoatstoo，myFather，"saysEsmond，glancingathisfriend"smilitarydecoration。

"Hush！IamMr。orCaptainvonHoltz，intheBavarianElector"sservice，andonamissiontohisHighnessthePrinceofSavoy。YoucankeepasecretIknowfromoldtimes。"

"CaptainvonHoltz，"saysEsmond，"Iamyourveryhumbleservant。"

"Andyou，too，havechangedyourcoat，"continuestheotherinhislaughingway;"IhaveheardofyouatCambridgeandafterwards:wehavefriendseverywhere;andIamtoldthatMr。EsmondatCambridgewasasgoodafencerashewasabadtheologian。"（So，thinksEsmond，myoldmaitred"armeswasaJesuit，astheysaid。）

"Perhapsyouareright，"saystheother，readinghisthoughtsquiteasheusedtodoinolddays;"youwereallbutkilledatHochstedtofawoundintheleftside。YouwerebeforethatatVigo，aide—

de—camptotheDukeofOrmonde。YougotyourcompanytheotherdayafterRamillies;yourgeneralandthePrince—Dukearenotfriends;

heisoftheWebbsofLydiardTregoze，inthecountyofYork，arelationofmyLordSt。John。Yourcousin，M。deCastlewood，servedhisfirstcampaignthisyearintheGuard;yes，Idoknowafewthings，asyousee。"

CaptainEsmondlaughedinhisturn。"Youhaveindeedacuriousknowledge，"hesays。AfoibleofMr。Holt"s，whodidknowmoreaboutbooksandmenthan，perhaps，almostanypersonEsmondhadevermet，wasomniscience;thusineverypointhehereprofessedtoknow，hewasnearlyright，butnotquite。Esmond"swoundwasintherightside，nottheleft;hisfirstgeneralwasGeneralLumley;

Mr。WebbcameoutofWiltshire，notoutofYorkshire;andsoforth。

Esmonddidnotthinkfittocorrecthisoldmasterinthesetriflingblunders，buttheyservedtogivehimaknowledgeoftheother"scharacter，andhesmiledtothinkthatthiswashisoracleofearlydays;onlynownolongerinfallibleordivine。

"Yes，"continuesFatherHolt，orCaptainvonHoltz，"foramanwhohasnotbeeninEnglandtheseeightyears，IknowwhatgoesoninLondonverywell。TheoldDeanisdead，myLadyCastlewood"sfather。DoyouknowthatyourrecusantbishopswantedtoconsecratehimBishopofSouthampton，andthatCollierisBishopofThetfordbythesameimposition？ThePrincessAnnehasthegoutandeatstoomuch;whentheKingreturns，Collierwillbeanarchbishop。"

"Amen！"saysEsmond，laughing;"andIhopetoseeyourEminencenolongerinjack—boots，butredstockings，atWhitehall。"

"Youarealwayswithus——Iknowthat——IheardofthatwhenyouwereatCambridge;sowasthelatelord;soistheyoungviscount。"

"Andsowasmyfatherbeforeme，"saidMr。Esmond，lookingcalmlyattheother，whodidnot，however，showtheleastsignofintelligenceinhisimpenetrablegrayeyes——howwellHarryrememberedthemandtheirlook！onlycrows"feetwerewrinkledroundthem——marksofblackoldTimehadsettledthere。

Esmond"sfacechosetoshownomoresignofmeaningthantheFather"s。Theremayhavebeenontheonesideandtheotherjustthefaintestglitterofrecognition，asyouseeabayonetshiningoutofanambush;buteachpartyfellback，wheneverythingwasagaindark。

"Andyou，moncapitaine，wherehaveyoubeen？"saysEsmond，turningawaytheconversationfromthisdangerousground，whereneitherchosetoengage。

"ImayhavebeeninPekin，"sayshe，"orImayhavebeeninParaguay——whoknowswhere？IamnowCaptainvonHoltz，intheserviceofhisElectoralHighness，cometonegotiateexchangeofprisonerswithhisHighnessofSavoy。"

"Twaswellknownthatverymanyofficersinourarmywerewell—

affectedtowardstheyoungkingatSt。Germains，whoserighttothethronewasundeniable，andwhoseaccessiontoit，atthedeathofhissister，byfarthegreaterpartoftheEnglishpeoplewouldhavepreferred，tothehavingapettyGermanprinceforasovereign，aboutwhosecruelty，rapacity，boorishmanners，andodiousforeignways，athousandstorieswerecurrent。ItwoundedourEnglishpridetothinkthatashabbyHigh—Dutchduke，whoserevenueswerenotatitheasgreatasthoseofmanyoftheprincesofourancientEnglishnobility，whocouldnotspeakawordofourlanguage，andwhomwechosetorepresentasasortofGermanboor，feedingontrain—oilandsour—crout，withabevyofmistressesinabarn，shouldcometoreignovertheproudestandmostpolishedpeopleintheworld。Werewe，theconquerorsoftheGrandMonarch，tosubmittothatignobledomination？WhatdidtheHanoverian"sProtestantismmattertous？Wasitnotnotorious（weweretoldandledtobelieveso）thatoneofthedaughtersofthisProtestantherowasbeingbredupwithnoreligionatall，asyet，andreadytobemadeLutheranorRoman，accordingasthehusbandmightbewhomherparentsshouldfindforher？Thistalk，veryidleandabusivemuchofitwas，wentonatahundredmess—tablesinthearmy;therewasscarceanensignthatdidnothearit，orjoininit，andeverybodyknew，oraffectedtoknow，thattheCommander—in—

Chiefhimselfhadrelationswithhisnephew，theDukeofBerwick（"twasbyanEnglishman，thankGod，thatwewerebeatenatAlmanza），andthathisGracewasmostanxioustorestoretheroyalraceofhisbenefactors，andtorepairhisformertreason。

Thisiscertain，thatforaconsiderableperiodnoofficerintheDuke"sarmylostfavorwiththeCommander—in—Chiefforentertainingorproclaiminghisloyaltytowardstheexiledfamily。WhentheChevalierdeSt。George，astheKingofEnglandcalledhimself，camewiththedukesoftheFrenchbloodroyal，tojointheFrencharmyunderVendosme，hundredsofourssawhimandcheeredhim，andweallsaidhewaslikehisfatherinthis，who，seeingtheactionofLaHoguefoughtbetweentheFrenchshipsandours，wasonthesideofhisnativecountryduringthebattle。Butthis，atleasttheChevalierknew，andeveryoneknew，that，howeverwellourtroopsandtheirgeneralmightbeinclinedtowardstheprincepersonally，inthefaceoftheenemytherewasnoquestionatall。

WherevermyLordDukefoundaFrencharmy，hewouldfightandbeatit，ashedidatOudenarde，twoyearsafterRamillies，wherehisGraceachievedanotherofhistranscendentvictories;andthenobleyoungprince，whochargedgallantlyalongwiththemagnificentMaison—du—Roy，senttocomplimenthisconquerorsaftertheaction。

Inthisbattle，wheretheyoungElectoralPrinceofHanoverbehavedhimselfverygallantly，fightingonourside，Esmond"sdearGeneralWebbdistinguishedhimselfprodigiously，exhibitingconsummateskillandcoolnessasageneral，andfightingwiththepersonalbraveryofacommonsoldier。Esmond"sgood—luckagainattendedhim;heescapedwithoutahurt，althoughmorethanathirdofhisregimentwaskilled，hadagainthehonortobefavorablymentionedinhiscommander"sreport，andwasadvancedtotherankofmajor。