首页 >出版文学> The History of Henry Esmond, Esq。>第1章
  TOTHERIGHTHONORABLE
  WILLIAMBINGHAM,LORDASHBURTON。
  MYDEARLORD,ThewriterofabookwhichcopiesthemannersandlanguageofQueenAnne'stime,mustnotomittheDedicationtothePatron;andIaskleavetoinscribethisvolumetoyourLordship,forthesakeofthegreatkindnessandfriendshipwhichIowetoyouandyours。
  MyvolumewillreachyouwhentheAuthorisonhisvoyagetoacountrywhereyournameisaswellknownashere。WhereverIam,I
  shallgratefullyregardyou;andshallnotbethelesswelcomedinAmericabecauseIam,Yourobligedfriendandservant,W。M。THACKERAY。
  LONDON,October18,1852。
  PREFACE。
  THEESMONDSOFVIRGINIA。
  TheestateofCastlewood,inVirginia,whichwasgiventoourancestorsbyKingCharlestheFirst,assomereturnforthesacrificesmadeinhisMajesty'scausebytheEsmondfamily,liesinWestmorelandcounty,betweentheriversPotomacandRappahannock,andwasonceasgreatasanEnglishPrincipality,thoughintheearlytimesitsrevenueswerebutsmall。Indeed,forneareightyyearsafterourforefatherspossessedthem,ourplantationswereinthehandsoffactors,whoenrichedthemselvesoneafteranother,thoughafewscoresofhogsheadsoftobaccowerealltheproducethat,forlongaftertheRestoration,ourfamilyreceivedfromtheirVirginianestates。
  Mydearandhonoredfather,ColonelHenryEsmond,whosehistory,writtenbyhimself,iscontainedintheaccompanyingvolume,cametoVirginiaintheyear1718,builthishouseofCastlewood,andherepermanentlysettled。AfteralongstormylifeinEngland,hepassedtheremainderofhismanyyearsinpeaceandhonorinthiscountry;howbelovedandrespectedbyallhisfellow—citizens,howinexpressiblydeartohisfamily,Ineednotsay。Hiswholelifewasabenefittoallwhowereconnectedwithhim。Hegavethebestexample,thebestadvice,themostbounteoushospitalitytohisfriends;thetenderestcaretohisdependants;andbestowedonthoseofhisimmediatefamilysuchablessingoffatherlyloveandprotectionascanneverbethoughtof,byus,atleast,withoutvenerationandthankfulness;andmysons'children,whetherestablishedhereinourRepublic,orathomeinthealwaysbelovedmothercountry,fromwhichourlatequarrelhathseparatedus,maysurelybeproudtobedescendedfromonewhoinallwayswassotrulynoble。
  Mydearmotherdiedin1736,soonafterourreturnfromEngland,whithermyparentstookmeformyeducation;andwhereImadetheacquaintanceofMr。Warrington,whommychildrenneversaw。Whenitpleasedheaven,inthebloomofhisyouth,andafterbutafewmonthsofamosthappyunion,toremovehimfromme,Iowedmyrecoveryfromthegriefwhichthatcalamitycausedme,mainlytomydearestfather'stenderness,andthentotheblessingvouchsafedtomeinthebirthofmytwobelovedboys。Iknowthefataldifferenceswhichseparatedtheminpoliticsneverdisunitedtheirhearts;andasIcanlovethemboth,whetherwearingtheKing'scolorsortheRepublic's,Iamsurethattheylovemeandoneanother,andhimaboveall,myfatherandtheirs,thedearestfriendoftheirchildhood,thenoblegentlemanwhobredthemfromtheirinfancyinthepracticeandknowledgeofTruth,andLoveandHonor。
  Mychildrenwillneverforgettheappearanceandfigureoftheirreveredgrandfather;andIwishIpossessedtheartofdrawing(whichmypapahadinperfection),sothatIcouldleavetoourdescendantsaportraitofonewhowassogoodandsorespected。Myfatherwasofadarkcomplexion,withaverygreatforeheadanddarkhazeleyes,overhungbyeyebrowswhichremainedblacklongafterhishairwaswhite。Hisnosewasaquiline,hissmileextraordinarysweet。HowwellIrememberit,andhowlittleanydescriptionIcanwritecanrecallhisimage!Hewasofratherlowstature,notbeingabovefivefeetseveninchesinheight;heusedtolaughatmysons,whomhecalledhiscrutches,andsaytheyweregrowntootallforhimtoleanupon。Butsmallashewas,hehadaperfectgraceandmajestyofdeportment,suchasIhaveneverseeninthiscountry,exceptperhapsinourfriendMr。Washington,andcommandedrespectwhereverheappeared。
  Inallbodilyexercisesheexcelled,andshowedanextraordinaryquicknessandagility。Offencinghewasespeciallyfond,andmademytwoboysproficientinthatart;somuchso,thatwhentheFrenchcametothiscountrywithMonsieurRochambeau,notoneofhisofficerswassuperiortomyHenry,andhewasnottheequalofmypoorGeorge,whohadtakentheKing'ssideinourlamentablebutgloriouswarofindependence。
  Neithermyfathernormymothereverworepowderintheirhair;
  boththeirheadswereaswhiteassilver,asIcanrememberthem。
  Mydearmotherpossessedtothelastanextraordinarybrightnessandfreshnessofcomplexion;norwouldpeoplebelievethatshedidnotwearrouge。Atsixtyyearsofageshestilllookedyoung,andwasquiteagile。ItwasnotuntilafterthatdreadfulsiegeofourhousebytheIndians,whichleftmeawidowereIwasamother,thatmydearmother'shealthbroke。Sheneverrecoveredherterrorandanxietyofthosedayswhichendedsofatallyforme,thenabridescarcesixmonthsmarried,anddiedinmyfather'sarmseremyownyearofwidowhoodwasover。
  Fromthatday,untilthelastofhisdearandhonoredlife,itwasmydelightandconsolationtoremainwithhimashiscomforterandcompanion;andfromthoselittlenoteswhichmymotherhathmadehereandthereinthevolumeinwhichmyfatherdescribeshisadventuresinEurope,Icanwellunderstandtheextremedevotionwithwhichsheregardedhim——adevotionsopassionateandexclusiveastopreventher,Ithink,fromlovinganyotherpersonexceptwithaninferiorregard;herwholethoughtsbeingcentredonthisoneobjectofaffectionandworship。Iknowthat,beforeher,mydearfatherdidnotshowthelovewhichhehadforhisdaughter;
  andinherlastandmostsacredmoments,thisdearandtenderparentownedtomeherrepentancethatshehadnotlovedmeenough:
  herjealousyeventhatmyfathershouldgivehisaffectiontoanybutherself:andinthemostfondandbeautifulwordsofaffectionandadmonition,shebademenevertoleavehim,andtosupplytheplacewhichshewasquitting。Withaclearconscience,andaheartinexpressiblythankful,IthinkIcansaythatIfulfilledthosedyingcommands,andthatuntilhislasthourmydearestfatherneverhadtocomplainthathisdaughter'sloveandfidelityfailedhim。
  AnditissinceIknewhimentirely——forduringmymother'slifeheneverquiteopenedhimselftome——sinceIknewthevalueandsplendorofthataffectionwhichhebestoweduponme,thatIhavecometounderstandandpardonwhat,Iown,usedtoangermeinmymother'slifetime,herjealousyrespectingherhusband'slove。
  'Twasagiftsoprecious,thatnowondershewhohaditwasforkeepingitall,andcouldpartwithnoneofit,eventoherdaughter。
  ThoughIneverheardmyfatherusearoughword,'twasextraordinarywithhowmuchawehispeopleregardedhim;andtheservantsonourplantation,boththoseassignedfromEnglandandthepurchasednegroes,obeyedhimwithaneagernesssuchasthemostseveretaskmastersroundaboutuscouldnevergetfromtheirpeople。Hewasneverfamiliar,thoughperfectlysimpleandnatural;hewasthesamewiththemeanestmanaswiththegreatest,andascourteoustoablackslave—girlastotheGovernor'swife。Nooneeverthoughtoftakingalibertywithhim(exceptonceatipsygentlemanfromYork,andIamboundtoownthatmypapaneverforgavehim):hesetthehumblestpeopleatonceontheireasewithhim,andbroughtdownthemostarrogantbyagravesatiricway,whichmadepersonsexceedinglyafraidofhim。HiscourtesywasnotputonlikeaSundaysuit,andlaidbywhenthecompanywentaway;itwasalwaysthesame;ashewasalwaysdressedthesame,whetherforadinnerbyourselvesorforagreatentertainment。Theysayhelikedtobethefirstinhiscompany;butwhatcompanywasthereinwhichhewouldnotbefirst?
  WhenIwenttoEuropeformyeducation,andwepassedawinteratLondonwithmyhalf—brother,myLordCastlewoodandhissecondlady,IsawatherMajesty'sCourtsomeofthemostfamousgentlemenofthosedays;andIthoughttomyselfnoneofthesearebetterthanmypapa;andthefamousLordBolingbroke,whocametousfromDawley,saidasmuch,andthatthemenofthattimewerenotlikethoseofhisyouth:——"Wereyourfather,Madam,"hesaid,"togointothewoods,theIndianswouldelecthimSachem;"andhislordshipwaspleasedtocallmePocahontas。
  Ididnotseeourotherrelative,BishopTusher'slady,ofwhomsomuchissaidinmypapa'smemoirs——althoughmymammawenttovisitherinthecountry。Ihavenopride(asIshowedbycomplyingwithmymother'srequest,andmarryingagentlemanwhowasbuttheyoungersonofaSuffolkBaronet),yetIowntoADECENTRESPECT
  formyname,andwonderhowonewhoeverboreit,shouldchangeitforthatofMrs。THOMASTUSHER。Ipassoverasodiousandunworthyofcreditthosereports(whichIheardinEuropeandwasthentooyoungtounderstand),howthisperson,havingLEFTHERFAMILYandfledtoParis,outofjealousyofthePretenderbetrayedhissecretstomyLordStair,KingGeorge'sAmbassador,andnearlycausedthePrince'sdeaththere;howshecametoEnglandandmarriedthisMr。Tusher,andbecameagreatfavoriteofKingGeorgetheSecond,bywhomMr。TusherwasmadeaDean,andthenaBishop。
  Ididnotseethelady,whochosetoremainATHERPALACEallthetimewewereinLondon;butaftervisitingher,mypoormammasaidshehadlostallhergoodlooks,andwarnedmenottosettoomuchstorebyanysuchgiftswhichnaturehadbestoweduponme。Shegrewexceedinglystout;andIremembermybrother'swife,LadyCastlewood,saying——"Nowondershebecameafavorite,fortheKinglikesthemoldandugly,ashisfatherdidbeforehim。"Onwhichpapasaid——"Allwomenwerealike;thattherewasneveronesobeautifulasthatone;andthatwecouldforgivehereverythingbutherbeauty。"Andhereuponmymammalookedvexed,andmyLordCastlewoodbegantolaugh;andI,ofcourse,beingayoungcreature,couldnotunderstandwhatwasthesubjectoftheirconversation。
  AfterthecircumstancesnarratedinthethirdbookoftheseMemoirs,myfatherandmotherbothwentabroad,beingadvisedbytheirfriendstoleavethecountryinconsequenceofthetransactionswhicharerecountedatthecloseofthevolumeoftheMemoirs。Butmybrother,hearinghowtheFUTUREBISHOP'SLADYhadquittedCastlewoodandjoinedthePretenderatParis,pursuedhim,andwouldhavekilledhim,Princeashewas,hadnotthePrincemanagedtomakehisescape。OnhisexpeditiontoScotlanddirectlyafter,Castlewoodwassoenragedagainsthimthatheaskedleavetoserveasavolunteer,andjointheDukeofArgyle'sarmyinScotland,whichthePretenderneverhadthecouragetoface;andthenceforthmyLordwasquitereconciledtothepresentreigningfamily,fromwhomhehathevenreceivedpromotion。
  Mrs。TusherwasbythistimeasangryagainstthePretenderasanyofherrelationscouldbe,andusedtoboast,asIhaveheard,thatshenotonlybroughtbackmyLordtotheChurchofEngland,butprocuredtheEnglishpeerageforhim,whichtheJUNIORBRANCHofourfamilyatpresentenjoys。ShewasagreatfriendofSirRobertWalpole,andwouldnotrestuntilherhusbandsleptatLambeth,mypapausedlaughingtosay。However,theBishopdiedofapoplexysuddenly,andhiswifeerectedagreatmonumentoverhim;andthepairsleepunderthatstone,withacanopyofmarblecloudsandangelsabovethem——thefirstMrs。TusherlyingsixtymilesoffatCastlewood。
  Butmypapa'sgeniusandeducationarebothgreaterthananyawomancanbeexpectedtohave,andhisadventuresinEuropefarmoreexcitingthanhislifeinthiscountry,whichwaspassedinthetranquilofficesofloveandduty;andIshallsaynomorebywayofintroductiontohisMemoirs,norkeepmychildrenfromtheperusalofastorywhichismuchmoreinterestingthanthatoftheiraffectionateoldmother,RACHELESMONDWARRINGTON。
  CASTLEWOOD,VIRGINIA,November3,1778。
  CONTENTS。
  BOOKI。
  THEEARLYYOUTHOFHENRYESMOND,UPTOTHETIMEOFHISLEAVING
  TRINITYCOLLEGE,INCAMBRIDGE。
  CHAPTER
  I。AnAccountoftheFamilyofEsmondofCastlewoodHallII。RelateshowFrancis,FourthViscount,arrivesatCastlewoodIII。Whither,inthetimeofThomas,ThirdViscount,IhadprecededhimasPagetoIsabellaIV。IamplacedunderaPopishPriestandbredtothatReligion。——
  ViscountessCastlewoodV。MySuperiorsareengagedinPlotsfortheRestorationofKingJamesII
  VI。TheIssueofthePlots。——TheDeathofThomas,ThirdViscountofCastlewood;andtheImprisonmentofhisViscountessVII。IamleftatCastlewoodanOrphan,andfindmostkindProtectorsthereVIII。AfterGoodFortunecomesEvilIX。IhavetheSmall—pox,andpreparetoleaveCastlewoodX。IgotoCambridge,anddobutlittleGoodthereXI。IcomehomeforaHolidaytoCastlewood,andfindaSkeletonintheHouseXII。MyLordMohuncomesamongusfornoGoodXIII。MyLordleavesusandhisEvilbehindhimXIV。WerideafterhimtoLondonBOOKII。
  CONTAINSMR。ESMOND'SMILITARYLIFE,ANDOTHERMATTERSAPPERTAINING
  TOTHEESMONDFAMILY。
  I。IaminPrison,andVisited,butnotConsoledthereII。IcometotheEndofmyCaptivity,butnotofmyTroubleIII。ItaketheQueen'sPayinQuin'sRegimentIV。RecapitulationsV。IgoontheVigoBayExpedition,tasteSaltWaterandsmellPowderVI。The29thDecemberVII。IammadeWelcomeatWalcoteVIII。FamilyTalkIX。ImaketheCampaignof1704
  X。AnOldStoryaboutaFoolandaWomanXI。ThefamousMr。JosephAddisonXII。IgetaCompanyintheCampaignof1706
  XIII。ImeetanOldAcquaintanceinFlanders,andfindmyMother'sGraveandmyownCradlethereXIV。TheCampaignof1707,1708
  XV。GeneralWebbwinstheBattleofWynendaelBOOKIII。
  CONTAININGTHEENDOFMR。ESMOND'SADVENTURESINENGLAND。
  I。IcometoanEndofmyBattlesandBruisesII。IgoHome,andharpontheOldStringIII。APaperoutofthe"Spectator"
  IV。Beatrix'sNewSuitorV。MohunappearsfortheLastTimeinthisHistoryVI。PoorBeatrixVII。IvisitCastlewoodoncemoreVIII。ItraveltoFranceandbringHomeaPortraitofRigaudIX。TheOriginalofthePortraitcomestoEnglandX。WeentertainaveryDistinguishedGuestatKensingtonXI。OurGuestquitsusasnotbeingHospitableenoughXII。AgreatScheme,andwhoBalkeditXIII。August1st,1714
  THEHISTORYOFHENRYESMOND。
  BOOKI
  THEEARLYYOUTHOFHENRYESMOND,UPTOTHETIMEOFHISLEAVING
  TRINITYCOLLEGE,INCAMBRIDGE。
  Theactorsintheoldtragedies,asweread,pipedtheiriambicstoatune,speakingfromunderamask,andwearingstiltsandagreathead—dress。'TwasthoughtthedignityoftheTragicMuserequiredtheseappurtenances,andthatshewasnottomoveexcepttoameasureandcadence。SoQueenMedeaslewherchildrentoaslowmusic:andKingAgamemnonperishedinadyingfall(touseMr。
  Dryden'swords):theChorusstandingbyinasetattitude,andrhythmicallyanddecorouslybewailingthefatesofthosegreatcrownedpersons。TheMuseofHistoryhathencumberedherselfwithceremonyaswellasherSisteroftheTheatre。Shetoowearsthemaskandthecothurnus,andspeakstomeasure。Shetoo,inourage,busiesherselfwiththeaffairsonlyofkings;waitingonthemobsequiouslyandstately,asifshewerebutamistressofcourtceremonies,andhadnothingtodowiththeregisteringoftheaffairsofthecommonpeople。IhaveseeninhisveryoldageanddecrepitudetheoldFrenchKingLewistheFourteenth,thetypeandmodelofkinghood——whonevermovedbuttomeasure,wholivedanddiedaccordingtothelawsofhisCourt—marshal,persistinginenactingthroughlifethepartofHero;and,divestedofpoetry,thiswasbutalittlewrinkledoldman,pock—marked,andwithagreatperiwigandredheelstomakehimlooktall——aheroforabookifyoulike,orforabrassstatueorapaintedceiling,agodinaRomanshape,butwhatmorethanamanforMadameMaintenon,orthebarberwhoshavedhim,orMonsieurFagon,hissurgeon?I
  wondershallHistoryeverpulloffherperiwigandceasetobecourt—ridden?ShallweseesomethingofFranceandEnglandbesidesVersaillesandWindsor?IsawQueenAnneatthelatterplacetearingdowntheParkslopes,afterherstag—hounds,anddrivingherone—horsechaise——ahot,red—facedwoman,notintheleastresemblingthatstatueofherwhichturnsitsstonebackuponSt。
  Paul's,andfacesthecoachesstrugglingupLudgateHill。Shewasneitherbetterbrednorwiserthanyouandme,thoughweknelttohandheraletterorawash—handbasin。WhyshallHistorygoonkneelingtotheendoftime?Iamforhavingherriseupoffherknees,andtakeanaturalposture:nottobeforeverperformingcringesandcongeeslikeacourt—chamberlain,andshufflingbackwardsoutofdoorsinthepresenceofthesovereign。Inaword,IwouldhaveHistoryfamiliarratherthanheroic:andthinkthatMr。HogarthandMr。FieldingwillgiveourchildrenamuchbetterideaofthemannersofthepresentageinEngland,thantheCourtGazetteandthenewspaperswhichwegetthence。
  TherewasaGermanofficerofWebb's,withwhomweusedtojoke,andofwhomastory(whereofImyselfwastheauthor)wasgottobebelievedinthearmy,thathewaseldestsonofthehereditaryGrandBootjackoftheEmpire,andtheheirtothathonorofwhichhisancestorshadbeenveryproud,havingbeenkickedfortwentygenerationsbyoneimperialfoot,astheydrewthebootfromtheother。IhaveheardthattheoldLordCastlewood,ofpartofwhosefamilythesepresentvolumesareachronicle,thoughhecameofquiteasgoodbloodastheStuartswhomheserved(andwhoasregardsmerelineagearenobetterthanadozenEnglishandScottishhousesIcouldname),wasprouderofhispostabouttheCourtthanofhisancestralhonors,andvaluedhisdignity(asLordoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing'sPosset)sohighly,thathecheerfullyruinedhimselfforthethanklessandthriftlessracewhobestowedit。HepawnedhisplateforKingCharlestheFirst,mortgagedhispropertyforthesamecause,andlostthegreaterpartofitbyfinesandsequestration:stoodasiegeofhiscastlebyIreton,wherehisbrotherThomascapitulated(afterwardmakingtermswiththeCommonwealth,forwhichtheelderbrotherneverforgavehim),andwherehissecondbrotherEdward,whohadembracedtheecclesiasticalprofession,wasslainonCastlewoodTower,beingengagedtherebothaspreacherandartilleryman。Thisresoluteoldloyalist,whowaswiththeKingwhilsthishousewasthusbeingbattereddown,escapedabroadwithhisonlyson,thenaboy,toreturnandtakeapartinWorcesterfight。OnthatfatalfieldEustaceEsmondwaskilled,andCastlewoodfledfromitoncemoreintoexile,andhenceforward,andaftertheRestoration,neverwasawayfromtheCourtofthemonarch(forwhosereturnweofferthanksinthePrayer—Book)whosoldhiscountryandwhotookbribesoftheFrenchking。
  Whatspectacleismoreaugustthanthatofagreatkinginexile?
  Whoismoreworthyofrespectthanabravemaninmisfortune?Mr。
  AddisonhaspaintedsuchafigureinhisnoblepieceofCato。ButsupposefugitiveCatofuddlinghimselfatatavernwithawenchoneachknee,adozenfaithfulandtipsycompanionsofdefeat,andalandlordcallingoutforhisbill;andthedignityofmisfortuneisstraightwaylost。TheHistoricalMuseturnsawayshamefacedfromthevulgarscene,andclosesthedoor——onwhichtheexile'sunpaiddrinkisscoredup——uponhimandhispotsandhispipes,andthetavern—choruswhichheandhisfriendsaresinging。SuchamanasCharlesshouldhavehadanOstadeorMieristopainthim。YourKnellersandLeBrunsonlydealinclumsyandimpossibleallegories:
  andithathalwaysseemedtomeblasphemytoclaimOlympusforsuchawine—drabbleddivinityasthat。
  AbouttheKing'sfollower,theViscountCastlewood——orphanofhisson,ruinedbyhisfidelity,bearingmanywoundsandmarksofbravery,oldandinexile——hiskinsmenIsupposeshouldbesilent;
  norifthispatriarchfelldowninhiscups,callfieuponhim,andfetchpassers—bytolaughathisredfaceandwhitehairs。What!
  doesastreamrushoutofamountainfreeandpure,torollthroughfairpastures,tofeedandthrowoutbrighttributaries,andtoendinavillagegutter?Livesthathavenoblecommencementshaveoftennobetterendings;itisnotwithoutakindofaweandreverencethatanobservershouldspeculateuponsuchcareersashetracesthecourseofthem。Ihaveseentoomuchofsuccessinlifetotakeoffmyhatandhuzzahtoitasitpassesinitsgiltcoach:
  andwoulddomylittlepartwithmyneighborsonfoot,thattheyshouldnotgapewithtoomuchwonder,norapplaudtooloudly。IsittheLordMayorgoinginstatetomince—piesandtheMansionHouse?IsitpoorJackofNewgate'sprocession,withthesheriffandjavelin—men,conductinghimonhislastjourneytoTyburn?I
  lookintomyheartandthinkthatIsinasgoodasmyLordMayor,andknowIamasbadasTyburnJack。Givemeachainandredgownandapuddingbeforeme,andIcouldplaythepartofAldermanverywell,andsentenceJackafterdinner。Starveme,keepmefrombooksandhonestpeople,educatemetolovedice,gin,andpleasure,andputmeonHounslowHeath,withapursebeforeme,andIwilltakeit。"AndIshallbedeservedlyhanged,"sayyou,wishingtoputanendtothisprosing。Idon'tsayNo。Ican'tbutaccepttheworldasIfindit,includingarope'send,aslongasitisinfashion。
  CHAPTERI。
  ANACCOUNTOFTHEFAMILYOFESMONDOFCASTLEWOODHALL。
  WhenFrancis,fourthViscountCastlewood,cametohistitle,andpresentlyaftertotakepossessionofhishouseofCastlewood,countyHants,intheyear1691,almosttheonlytenantoftheplacebesidesthedomesticswasaladoftwelveyearsofage,ofwhomnooneseemedtotakeanynoteuntilmyLadyViscountesslighteduponhim,goingoverthehousewiththehousekeeperonthedayofherarrival。TheboywasintheroomknownastheBook—room,orYellowGallery,wheretheportraitsofthefamilyusedtohang,thatfinepieceamongothersofSirAntonioVanDyckofGeorge,secondViscount,andthatbyMr。DobsonofmylordthethirdViscount,justdeceased,whichitseemshisladyandwidowdidnotthinkfittocarryaway,whenshesentforandcarriedofftoherhouseatChelsey,neartoLondon,thepictureofherselfbySirPeterLely,inwhichherladyshipwasrepresentedasahuntressofDiana'scourt。
  ThenewandfairladyofCastlewoodfoundthesad,lonely,littleoccupantofthisgallerybusyoverhisgreatbook,whichhelaiddownwhenhewasawarethatastrangerwasathand。And,knowingwhothatpersonmustbe,theladstoodupandbowedbeforeher,performingashyobeisancetothemistressofhishouse。
  Shestretchedoutherhand——indeedwhenwasitthatthathandwouldnotstretchouttodoanactofkindness,ortoprotectgriefandill—fortune?"Andthisisourkinsman,"shesaid"andwhatisyourname,kinsman?"
  "MynameisHenryEsmond,"saidthelad,lookingupatherinasortofdelightandwonder,forshehadcomeuponhimasaDeacerte,andappearedthemostcharmingobjecthehadeverlookedon。
  Hergoldenhairwasshininginthegoldofthesun;hercomplexionwasofadazzlingbloom;herlipssmiling,andhereyesbeamingwithakindnesswhichmadeHarryEsmond'shearttobeatwithsurprise。
  "HisnameisHenryEsmond,sureenough,mylady,"saysMrs。
  Worksop,thehousekeeper(anoldtyrantwhomHenryEsmondplaguedmorethanhehated),andtheoldgentlewomanlookedsignificantlytowardsthelatelord'spicture,asitnowisinthefamily,nobleandsevere—looking,withhishandonhissword,andhisorderonhiscloak,whichhehadfromtheEmperorduringthewarontheDanubeagainsttheTurk。
  Seeingthegreatandundeniablelikenessbetweenthisportraitandthelad,thenewViscountess,whohadstillholdoftheboy'shandasshelookedatthepicture,blushedanddroppedthehandquickly,andwalkeddownthegallery,followedbyMrs。Worksop。
  Whentheladycameback,HarryEsmondstoodexactlyinthesamespot,andwithhishandasithadfallenwhenhedroppeditonhisblackcoat。
  Herheartmelted,Isuppose(indeedshehathsinceownedasmuch),atthenotionthatsheshoulddoanythingunkindtoanymortal,greatorsmall;for,whenshereturned,shehadsentawaythehousekeeperuponanerrandbythedooratthefartherendofthegallery;and,comingbacktothelad,withalookofinfinitepityandtendernessinhereyes,shetookhishandagain,placingherotherfairhandonhishead,andsayingsomewordstohim,whichweresokind,andsaidinavoicesosweet,thattheboy,whohadneverlookeduponsomuchbeautybefore,feltasifthetouchofasuperiorbeingorangelsmotehimdowntotheground,andkissedthefairprotectinghandashekneltononeknee。Totheverylasthourofhislife,Esmondrememberedtheladyasshethenspokeandlooked,theringsonherfairhands,theveryscentofherrobe,thebeamofhereyeslightingupwithsurpriseandkindness,herlipsbloominginasmile,thesunmakingagoldenhaloroundherhair。
  Astheboywasyetinthisattitudeofhumility,entersbehindhimaportlygentleman,withalittlegirloffouryearsoldinhishand。Thegentlemanburstintoagreatlaughattheladyandheradorer,withhislittlequeerfigure,hissallowface,andlongblackhair。Theladyblushed,andseemedtodeprecatehisridiculebyalookofappealtoherhusband,foritwasmyLordViscountwhonowarrived,andwhomtheladknew,havingoncebeforeseenhiminthelatelord'slifetime。
  "Sothisisthelittlepriest"saysmylord,lookingdownatthelad;"welcome,kinsman。"
  "Heissayinghisprayerstomamma,"saysthelittlegirl,whocameuptoherpapa'sknees;andmylordburstoutintoanothergreatlaughatthis,andkinsmanHenrylookedverysilly。Heinventedahalf—dozenofspeechesinreply,but'twasmonthsafterwardswhenhethoughtofthisadventure:asitwas,hehadneverawordinanswer。
  "Lepauvreenfant,iln'aquenous,"saysthelady,lookingtoherlord;andtheboy,whounderstoodher,thoughdoubtlessshethoughtotherwise,thankedherwithallhisheartforherkindspeech。
  "Andheshan'twantforfriendshere,"saysmylordinakindvoice,"shallhe,littleTrix?"
  Thelittlegirl,whosenamewasBeatrix,andwhomherpapacalledbythisdiminutive,lookedatHenryEsmondsolemnly,withapairoflargeeyes,andthenasmileshoneoverherface,whichwasasbeautifulasthatofacherub,andshecameupandputoutalittlehandtohim。Akeenanddelightfulpangofgratitude,happiness,affection,filledtheorphanchild'sheart,ashereceivedfromtheprotectors,whomheavenhadsenttohim,thesetouchingwordsandtokensoffriendlinessandkindness。Butanhoursince,hehadfeltquitealoneintheworld:whenheheardthegreatpealofbellsfromCastlewoodchurchringingthatmorningtowelcomethearrivalofthenewlordandlady,ithadrungonlyterrorandanxietytohim,forheknewnothowthenewownerwoulddealwithhim;andthosetowhomheformerlylookedforprotectionwereforgottenordead。Prideanddoubttoohadkepthimwithin—doors,whentheVicarandthepeopleofthevillage,andtheservantsofthehouse,hadgoneouttowelcomemyLordCastlewood——forHenryEsmondwasnoservant,thoughadependant;norelative,thoughheborethenameandinheritedthebloodofthehouse;andinthemidstofthenoiseandacclamationsattendingthearrivalofthenewlord(forwhom,youmaybesure,afeastwasgotready,andgunswerefired,andtenantsanddomesticshuzzahedwhenhiscarriageapproachedandrolledintothecourt—yardofthehall),nooneevertookanynoticeofyoungHenryEsmond,whosatunobservedandaloneintheBook—room,untiltheafternoonofthatday,whenhisnewfriendsfoundhim。
  Whenmylordandladyweregoingawaythence,thelittlegirl,stillholdingherkinsmanbythehand,badehimtocometoo。"Thouwiltalwaysforsakeanoldfriendforanewone,Trix,"saysherfathertohergood—naturedly;andwentintothegallery,givinganarmtohislady。Theypassedthencethroughthemusic—gallery,longsincedismantled,andQueenElizabeth'sRooms,intheclock—
  tower,andoutintotheterrace,wherewasafineprospectofsunsetandthegreatdarklingwoodswithacloudofrooksreturning;andtheplainandriverwithCastlewoodvillagebeyond,andpurplehillsbeautifultolookat——andthelittleheirofCastlewood,achildoftwoyearsold,wasalreadyhereontheterraceinhisnurse'sarms,fromwhomheranacrossthegrassinstantlyheperceivedhismother,andcametoher。
  "Ifthoucanstnotbehappyhere,"saysmylord,lookingroundatthescene,"thouarthardtoplease,Rachel。"
  "Iamhappywhereyouare,"shesaid,"butwewerehappiestofallatWalcoteForest。"Thenmylordbegantodescribewhatwasbeforethemtohiswife,andwhatindeedlittleHarryknewbetterthanhe——
  viz。,thehistoryofthehouse:howbyyondergatethepageranawaywiththeheiressofCastlewood,bywhichtheestatecameintothepresentfamily;howtheRoundheadsattackedtheclock—tower,whichmylord'sfatherwasslainindefending。"Iwasbuttwoyearsoldthen,"sayshe,"buttakeforty—sixfromninety,andhowoldshallIbe,kinsmanHarry?"
  "Thirty,"sayshiswife,withalaugh。
  "Agreatdealtoooldforyou,Rachel,"answersmylord,lookingfondlydownather。Indeedsheseemedtobeagirl,andwasatthattimescarcetwentyyearsold。
  "Youknow,Frank,Iwilldoanythingtopleaseyou,"saysshe,"andIpromiseyouIwillgrowoldereveryday。"
  "Youmustn'tcallpapa,Frank;youmustcallpapamylordnow,"
  saysMissBeatrix,withatossofherlittlehead;atwhichthemothersmiled,andthegood—naturedfatherlaughed,andthelittletrottingboylaughed,notknowingwhy——butbecausehewashappy,nodoubt——aseveryoneseemedtobethere。Howthosetrivialincidentsandwords,thelandscapeandsunshine,andthegroupofpeoplesmilingandtalking,remainfixedonthememory!
  Asthesunwassetting,thelittleheirwassentinthearmsofhisnursetobed,whitherhewenthowling;butlittleTrixwaspromisedtosittosupperthatnight——"andyouwillcometoo,kinsman,won'tyou?"shesaid。