ButmygoodLordViscountsawthemove——"I'llplayyoufortenmoidores，Mohun，"sayshe。"Yousillyboy，wedon'tplayforgroatshereasyoudoatCambridge。"AndHarry，whohadnosuchsuminhispocket（forhishalf—year'ssalarywasalwaysprettywellspentbeforeitwasdue），fellbackwithrageandvexationinhisheartthathehadnotmoneyenoughtostake。
"I'llstaketheyounggentlemanacrown，"saystheLordMohun'scaptain。
"Ithoughtcrownswereratherscarcewiththegentlemenofthearmy，"saysHarry。
"DotheybirchatCollege？"saystheCaptain。
"Theybirchfools，"saysHarry，"andtheycanebullies，andtheyflingpuppiesintothewater。"
"Faith，then，there'ssomeescapesdrowning，"saystheCaptain，whowasanIrishman;andallthegentlemenbegantolaugh，andmadepoorHarryonlymoreangry。
MyLordMohunpresentlysnuffedacandle。ItwaswhenthedrawersbroughtinfreshbottlesandglassesandwereintheroomonwhichmyLordViscountsaid——"TheDeucetakeyou，Mohun，howdamnedawkwardyouare。Lightthecandle，youdrawer。"
"Damnedawkwardisadamnedawkwardexpression，mylord，"saystheother。"Towngentlemendon'tusesuchwords——oraskpardoniftheydo。"
"I'macountrygentleman，"saysmyLordViscount。
"Iseeitbyyourmanner，"saysmyLordMohun。"Nomanshallsaydamnedawkwardtome。"
"Iflingthewordsinyourface，mylord，"saystheother;"shallI
sendthecardstoo？"
"Gentlemen，gentlemen！beforetheservants？"cryoutColonelWestburyandmyLordWarwickinabreath。Thedrawersgooutoftheroomhastily。Theytellthepeoplebelowofthequarrelupstairs。
"Enoughhasbeensaid，"saysColonelWestbury。"Willyourlordshipsmeetto—morrowmorning？"
"WillmyLordCastlewoodwithdrawhiswords？"askstheEarlofWarwick。
"MyLordCastlewoodwillbe————first，"saysColonelWestbury。
"Thenwehavenothingforit。Takenotice，gentlemen，therehavebeenoutrageouswords——reparationaskedandrefused。"
"Andrefused，"saysmyLordCastlewood，puttingonhishat。"Whereshallthemeetingbe？andwhen？"
"SincemyLordrefusesmesatisfaction，whichIdeeplyregret，thereisnotimesogoodasnow，"saysmyLordMohun。"LetushavechairsandgotoLeicesterField。"
"AreyourlordshipandItohavethehonorofexchangingapassortwo？"saysColonelWestbury，withalowbowtomyLordofWarwickandHolland。
"Itisanhonorforme，"saysmylord，withaprofoundcongee，"tobematchedwithagentlemanwhohasbeenatMonsandNamur。"
"WillyourReverencepermitmetogiveyoualesson？"saystheCaptain。
"Nay，nay，gentlemen，twoonasideareplenty，"saysHarry'spatron。"Sparetheboy，CaptainMacartney，"andheshookHarry'shand——forthelasttime，saveone，inhislife。
Atthebarofthetavernallthegentlemenstopped，andmyLordViscountsaid，laughing，tothebarwoman，thatthosecardssetpeoplesadlya—quarrelling;butthatthedisputewasovernow，andthepartieswereallgoingawaytomyLordMohun'shouse，inBowStreet，todrinkabottlemorebeforegoingtobed。
Ahalf—dozenofchairswerenowcalled，andthesixgentlemensteppingintothem，thewordwasprivatelygiventothechairmentogotoLeicesterField，wherethegentlemenweresetdownoppositethe"StandardTavern。"Itwasmidnight，andthetownwasabedbythistime，andonlyafewlightsinthewindowsofthehouses;butthenightwasbrightenoughfortheunhappypurposewhichthedisputantscameabout;andsoallsixenteredintothatfatalsquare，thechairmenstandingwithouttherailingandkeepingthegate，lestanypersonsshoulddisturbthemeeting。
Allthathappenedtherehathbeenmatterofpublicnotoriety，andisrecorded，forwarningtolawlessmen，intheannalsofourcountry。Afterbeingengagedfornotmorethanacoupleofminutes，asHarryEsmondthought（thoughbeingoccupiedatthetimewithhisownadversary'spoint，whichwasactive，hemaynothavetakenagoodnoteoftime），acryfromthechairmenwithout，whoweresmokingtheirpipes，andleaningovertherailingsofthefieldastheywatchedthedimcombatwithin，announcedthatsomecatastrophehadhappened，whichcausedEsmondtodrophisswordandlookround，atwhichmomenthisenemywoundedhimintherighthand。Buttheyoungmandidnotheedthishurtmuch，andranuptotheplacewherehesawhisdearmasterwasdown。
MyLordMohunwasstandingoverhim。
"Areyoumuchhurt，Frank？"heaskedinahollowvoice。
"IbelieveIamadeadman，"mylordsaidfromtheground。
"No，no，notso，"saystheother;"andIcallGodtowitness，FrankEsmond，thatIwouldhaveaskedyourpardon，hadyoubutgivenmeachance。In——inthefirstcauseofourfallingout，Iswearthatnoonewastoblamebutme，and——andthatmylady——"
"Hush！"saysmypoorLordViscount，liftinghimselfonhiselbowandspeakingfaintly。"'Twasadisputeaboutthecards——thecursedcards。Harrymyboy，areyouwounded，too？Godhelpthee！I
lovedthee，Harry，andthoumustwatchovermylittleFrank——and——
andcarrythislittlehearttomywife。"
Andheremydearlordfeltinhisbreastforalocketheworethere，and，intheact，fellbackfainting。
Wewereallatthisterrified，thinkinghimdead;butEsmondandColonelWestburybadethechairmencomeintothefield;andsomylordwascarriedtooneMr。Aimes，asurgeon，inLongAcre，whokeptabath，andtherethehousewaswakenedup，andthevictimofthisquarrelcarriedin。
MyLordViscountwasputtobed，andhiswoundlookedtobythesurgeon，whoseemedbothkindandskilful。Whenhehadlookedtomylord，hebandagedupHarryEsmond'shand（who，fromlossofblood，hadfaintedtoo，inthehouse，andmayhavebeensometimeunconscious）;andwhentheyoungmancametohimself，youmaybesureheeagerlyaskedwhatnewstherewereofhisdearpatron;onwhichthesurgeoncarriedhimtotheroomwheretheLordCastlewoodlay;whohadalreadysentforapriest;anddesiredearnestly，theysaid，tospeakwithhiskinsman。Hewaslyingonabed，verypaleandghastly，withthatfixed，fatallookinhiseyes，whichbetokensdeath;andfaintlybeckoningalltheotherpersonsawayfromhimwithhishand，andcryingout"OnlyHarryEsmond，"thehandfellpowerlessdownonthecoverlet，asHarrycameforward，andkneltdownandkissedit。
"Thouartallbutapriest，Harry，"myLordViscountgaspedout，withafaintsmile，andpressureofhiscoldhand。"Aretheyallgone？Letmemaketheeadeath—bedconfession。"
AndwithsacredDeathwaiting，asitwere，atthebed—foot，asanawfulwitnessofhiswords，thepoordyingsoulgaspedouthislastwishesinrespectofhisfamily;——hishumbleprofessionofcontritionforhisfaults;——andhischaritytowardstheworldhewasleaving。SomethingshesaidconcernedHarryEsmondasmuchastheyastonishedhim。AndmyLordViscount，sinkingvisibly，wasinthemidstofthesestrangeconfessions，whentheecclesiasticforwhommylordhadsent，Mr。Atterbury，arrived。
Thisgentlemanhadreachedtonogreatchurchdignityasyet，butwasonlypreacheratSt。Bride's，drawingallthetownthitherbyhiseloquentsermons。Hewasgodsontomylord，whohadbeenpupiltohisfather;hadpaidavisittoCastlewoodfromOxfordmorethanonce;anditwasbyhisadvice，Ithink，thatHarryEsmondwassenttoCambridge，ratherthantoOxford，ofwhichplaceMr。Atterbury，thoughadistinguishedmember，spokebutill。
Ourmessengerfoundthegoodpriestalreadyathisbooksatfiveo'clockinthemorning，andhefollowedthemaneagerlytothehousewheremypoorLordViscountlay——Esmondwatchinghim，andtakinghisdyingwordsfromhismouth。
Mylord，hearingofMr。Atterbury'sarrival，andsqueezingEsmond'shand，askedtobealonewiththepriest;andEsmondleftthemthereforthissolemninterview。Youmaybesurethathisownprayersandgriefaccompaniedthatdyingbenefactor。Mylordhadsaidtohimthatwhichconfoundedtheyoungman——informedhimofasecretwhichgreatlyconcernedhim。Indeed，afterhearingit，hehadhadgoodcausefordoubtanddismay;formentalanguishaswellasresolution。WhilethecolloquybetweenMr。Atterburyandhisdyingpenitenttookplacewithin，animmensecontestofperplexitywasagitatingLordCastlewood'syoungcompanion。
Attheendofanhour——itmaybemore——Mr。Atterburycameoutoftheroom，lookingveryhardatEsmond，andholdingapaper。
"HeisonthebrinkofGod'sawfuljudgment，"thepriestwhispered。
"Hehasmadehisbreastcleantome。Heforgivesandbelieves，andmakesrestitution。Shallitbeinpublic？Shallwecallawitnesstosignit？"
"Godknows，"sobbedouttheyoungman，"mydearestlordhasonlydonemekindnessallhislife。"
ThepriestputthepaperintoEsmond'shand。Helookedatit。Itswambeforehiseyes。
"'Tisaconfession，"hesaid。
"'Tisasyouplease，"saidMr。Atterbury。
Therewasafireintheroomwheretheclothsweredryingforthebaths，andtherelayaheapinacornersaturatedwiththebloodofmydearlord'sbody。Esmondwenttothefire，andthrewthepaperintoit。'TwasagreatchimneywithglazedDutchtiles。Howweremembersuchtriflesatsuchawfulmoments！——thescrapofthebookthatwehavereadinagreatgrief——thetasteofthatlastdishthatwehaveeatenbeforeaduel，orsomesuchsuprememeetingorparting。OntheDutchtilesattheBagniowasarudepicturerepresentingJacobinhairygloves，cheatingIsaacofEsau'sbirthright。Theburningpaperlighteditup。
"'Tisonlyaconfession，Mr。Atterbury，"saidtheyoungman。Heleanedhisheadagainstthemantel—piece:aburstoftearscametohiseyes。Theywerethefirsthehadshedashesatbyhislord，scaredbythiscalamity，andmoreyetbywhatthepoordyinggentlemanhadtoldhim，andshockedtothinkthatheshouldbetheagentofbringingthisdoublemisfortuneonthosehelovedbest。
"Letusgotohim，"saidMr。Esmond。Andaccordinglytheywentintothenextchamber，wherebythistime，thedawnhadbroke，whichshowedmylord'spoorpalefaceandwildappealingeyes，thatworethatawfulfatallookofcomingdissolution。Thesurgeonwaswithhim。HewentintothechamberasAtterburycameoutthence。
MyLordViscountturnedroundhissickeyestowardsEsmond。Itchokedtheothertohearthatrattleinhisthroat。
"MyLordViscount，"saysMr。Atterbury，"Mr。Esmondwantsnowitnesses，andhathburnedthepaper。"
"Mydearestmaster！"Esmondsaid，kneelingdown，andtakinghishandandkissingit。
MyLordViscountsprangupinhisbed，andflunghisarmsroundEsmond。"Godbl——bless——"wasallhesaid。Thebloodrushedfromhismouth，delugingtheyoungman。Mydearestlordwasnomore。
Hewasgonewithablessingonhislips，andloveandrepentanceandkindnessinhismanlyheart。
"Benedictibenedicentes，"saysMr。Atterbury，andtheyoungman，kneelingatthebedside，groanedoutan"Amen。"
"Whoshalltakethenewstoher？"wasMr。Esmond'snextthought。
AndonthishebesoughtMr。AtterburytobearthetidingstoCastlewood。Hecouldnotfacehismistresshimselfwiththosedreadfulnews。Mr。Atterburycomplyingkindly，Esmondwritahastynoteonhistable—booktomylord'sman，biddinghimgetthehorsesforMr。Atterbury，andridewithhim，andsendEsmond'sownvalisetotheGatehouseprison，whitherheresolvedtogoandgivehimselfup。
BOOKII。
CONTAINSMR。ESMOND'SMILITARYLIFE，ANDOTHERMATTERSAPPERTAINING
TOTHEESMONDFAMILY。
CHAPTERI。
IAMINPRISON，ANDVISITED，BUTNOTCONSOLEDTHERE。
Thosemayimagine，whohaveseendeathuntimelystrikedownpersonsreveredandbeloved，andknowhowunavailingconsolationis，whatwasHarryEsmond'sanguishafterbeinganactorinthatghastlymidnightsceneofbloodandhomicide。Hecouldnot，hefelt，havefacedhisdearmistress，andtoldherthatstory。HewasthankfulthatkindAtterburyconsentedtobreakthesadnewstoher;but，besideshisgrief，whichhetookintoprisonwithhim，hehadthatinhisheartwhichsecretlycheeredandconsoledhim。
AgreatsecrethadbeentoldtoEsmondbyhisunhappystrickenkinsman，lyingonhisdeath—bed。Werehetodiscloseit，asinequityandhonorhemightdo，thediscoverywouldbutbringgreatergriefuponthosewhomhelovedbestintheworld，andwhoweresadenoughalready。Shouldhebringdownshameandperplexityuponallthosebeingstowhomhewasattachedbysomanytendertiesofaffectionandgratitude？degradehisfather'swidow？impeachandsullyhisfather'sandkinsman'shonor？andforwhat？forabarrentitle，tobewornattheexpenseofaninnocentboy，thesonofhisdearestbenefactress。Hehaddebatedthismatterinhisconscience，whilsthispoorlordwasmakinghisdyingconfession。
Ononesidewereambition，temptation，justiceeven;butlove，gratitude，andfidelity，pleadedontheother。AndwhenthestrugglewasoverinHarry'smind，aglowofrighteoushappinessfilledit;anditwaswithgratefultearsinhiseyesthathereturnedthankstoGodforthatdecisionwhichhehadbeenenabledtomake。
"WhenIwasdeniedbymyownblood，"thoughthe，"thesedearestfriendsreceivedandcherishedme。WhenIwasanamelessorphanmyself，andneededaprotector，Ifoundoneinyonderkindsoul，whohasgonetohisaccountrepentingoftheinnocentwronghehasdone。"
Andwiththisconsolingthoughthewentawaytogivehimselfupattheprison，afterkissingthecoldlipsofhisbenefactor。
ItwasonthethirddayafterhehadcometotheGatehouseprison，（wherehelayinnosmallpainfromhiswound，whichinflamedandachedseverely，）andwiththosethoughtsandresolutionsthathavebeenjustspokeof，todepress，andyettoconsolehim，thatH。
Esmond'skeepercameandtoldhimthatavisitorwasaskingforhim，andthoughhecouldnotseeherface，whichwasenvelopedinablackhood，herwholefigure，too，beingveiledandcoveredwiththedeepestmourning，Esmondknewatoncethathisvisitorwashisdearmistress。
Hegotupfromhisbed，wherehewaslying，beingveryweak;andadvancingtowardsherastheretiringkeepershutthedooruponhimandhisguestinthatsadplace，heputforwardhislefthand（fortherightwaswoundedandbandaged），andhewouldhavetakenthatkindoneofhismistress，whichhaddonesomanyofficesoffriendshipforhimforsomanyyears。
ButtheLadyCastlewoodwentbackfromhim，puttingbackherhood，andleaningagainstthegreatstanchioneddoorwhichthegaolerhadjustcloseduponthem。Herfacewasghastlywhite，asEsmondsawit，lookingfromthehood;andhereyes，ordinarilysosweetandtender，werefixedonhimwithsuchatragicglanceofwoeandanger，ascausedtheyoungman，unaccustomedtounkindnessfromthatperson，toaverthisownglancesfromherface。
"Andthis，Mr。Esmond，"shesaid，"iswhereIseeyou;and'tistothisyouhavebroughtme！"
"Youhavecometoconsolemeinmycalamity，madam，"saidhe（though，intruth，hescarceknewhowtoaddressher，hisemotionsatbeholdinghersooverpoweredhim）。
Sheadvancedalittle，butstoodsilentandtrembling，lookingoutathimfromherblackdraperies，withhersmallwhitehandsclaspedtogether，andquiveringlipsandholloweyes。
"Nottoreproachme，"hecontinuedafterapause。"Mygriefissufficientasitis。"
"Takebackyourhand——donottouchmewithit！"shecried。"Look！
there'sbloodonit！"
"Iwishtheyhadtakenitall，"saidEsmond;"ifyouareunkindtome。"
"Whereismyhusband？"shebrokeout。"Givemebackmyhusband，Henry。Whydidyoustandbyatmidnightandseehimmurdered？Whydidthetraitorescapewhodidit？You，thechampionofyourhouse，whoofferedtodieforus！Youthathelovedandtrusted，andtowhomIconfidedhim——youthatvoweddevotionandgratitude，andIbelievedyou——yes，Ibelievedyou——whyareyouhere，andmynobleFrancisgone？Whydidyoucomeamongus？Youhaveonlybroughtusgriefandsorrow;andrepentance，bitter，bitterrepentance，asareturnforourloveandkindness。DidIeverdoyouawrong，Henry？YouwerebutanorphanchildwhenIfirstsawyou——whenHEfirstsawyou，whowassogood，andnoble，andtrusting。Hewouldhavehadyousentaway，but，likeafoolishwoman，Ibesoughthimtoletyoustay。Andyoupretendedtoloveus，andwebelievedyou——andyoumadeourhousewretched，andmyhusband'sheartwentfromme:andIlosthimthroughyou——Ilosthim——thehusbandofmyyouth，Isay。Iworshippedhim:youknowI
worshippedhim——andhewaschangedtome。HewasnomoremyFrancisofold——mydear，dearsoldier。Helovedmebeforehesawyou;andIlovedhim。Oh，GodismywitnesshowIlovedhim！Whydidhenotsendyoufromamongus？'Twasonlyhiskindness，thatcouldrefusemenothingthen。And，youngasyouwere——yes，andweakandalone——therewasevil，Iknewtherewasevilinkeepingyou。Ireaditinyourfaceandeyes。Isawthattheybodedharmtous——anditcame，Iknewitwould。Whydidyounotdiewhenyouhadthesmall—pox——andIcamemyselfandwatchedyou，andyoudidn'tknowmeinyourdelirium——andyoucalledoutforme，thoughIwasthereatyourside？Allthathashappenedsince，wasajustjudgmentonmywickedheart——mywickedjealousheart。Oh，Iampunished——awfullypunished！Myhusbandliesinhisblood——murderedfordefendingme，mykind，kind，generouslord——andyouwereby，andyoulethimdie，Henry！"
Thesewords，utteredinthewildnessofhergrief，byonewhowasordinarilyquiet，andspokeseldomexceptwithagentlesmileandasoothingtone，runginEsmond'sear;and'tissaidthatherepeatedmanyoftheminthefeverintowhichhenowfellfromhiswound，andperhapsfromtheemotionwhichsuchpassionate，undeservedupbraidingscausedhim。Itseemedasifhisverysacrificesandloveforthisladyandherfamilyweretoturntoevilandreproach:asifhispresenceamongstthemwasindeedacauseofgrief，andthecontinuanceofhislifebutwoeandbitternesstotheirs。AstheLadyCastlewoodspokebitterly，rapidly，withoutatear，heneverofferedawordofappealorremonstrance:butsatatthefootofhisprison—bed，strickenonlywiththemorepainatthinkingitwasthatsoftandbelovedhandwhichshouldstabhimsocruelly，andpowerlessagainstherfatalsorrow。Herwordsasshespokestruckthechordsofallhismemory，andthewholeofhisboyhoodandyouthpassedwithinhim;whilstthislady，sofondandgentlebutyesterday——thisgoodangelwhomhehadlovedandworshipped——stoodbeforehim，pursuinghimwithkeenwordsandaspectmalign。
"IwishIwereinmylord'splace，"hegroanedout。"ItwasnotmyfaultthatIwasnotthere，madam。ButFateisstrongerthanallofus，andwilledwhathascometopass。IthadbeenbetterformetohavediedwhenIhadtheillness。"
"Yes，Henry，"saidshe——andasshespokeshelookedathimwithaglancethatwasatoncesofondandsosad，thattheyoungman，tossinguphisarms，wildlyfellback，hidinghisheadinthecoverletofthebed。Asheturnedhestruckagainstthewallwithhiswoundedhand，displacingtheligature;andhefeltthebloodrushingagainfromthewound。Herememberedfeelingasecretpleasureattheaccident——andthinking，"SupposeIweretoendnow，whowouldgrieveforme？"
Thishemorrhage，orthegriefanddespairinwhichthelucklessyoungmanwasatthetimeoftheaccident，musthavebroughtonadeliquiumpresently;forhehadscarceanyrecollectionafterwards，saveofsomeone，hismistressprobably，seizinghishand——andthenofthebuzzingnoiseinhisearsasheawoke，withtwoorthreepersonsoftheprisonaroundhisbed，whereonhelayinapoolofbloodfromhisarm。
Itwasnowbandagedupagainbytheprisonsurgeon，whohappenedtobeintheplace;andthegovernor'swifeandservant，kindpeopleboth，werewiththepatient。Esmondsawhismistressstillintheroomwhenheawokefromhistrance;butshewentawaywithoutaword;thoughthegovernor'swifetoldhimthatshesatinherroomforsometimeafterward，anddidnotleavetheprisonuntilsheheardthatEsmondwaslikelytodowell。
Daysafterwards，whenEsmondwasbroughtoutofafeverwhichhehad，andwhichattackedhimthatnightprettysharply，thehonestkeeper'swifebroughtherpatientahandkerchieffreshwashedandironed，andatthecornerofwhichherecognizedhismistress'swell—knowncipherandviscountess'scrown。"Theladyhadbounditroundhisarmwhenhefainted，andbeforeshecalledforhelp，"thekeeper'swifesaid。"Poorlady！shetookonsadlyaboutherhusband。Hehasbeenburiedto—day，andamanyofthecoachesofthenobilitywentwithhim——myLordMarlborough'sandmyLordSunderland's，andmanyoftheofficersoftheGuards，inwhichheservedintheoldKing'stime;andmyladyhasbeenwithhertwochildrentotheKingatKensington，andaskedforjusticeagainstmyLordMohun，whoisinhiding，andmyLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland，whoisreadytogivehimselfupandtakehistrial。"
Suchwerethenews，coupledwithassertionsaboutherownhonestyandthatofMollyhermaid，whowouldneverhavestolenacertaintrumperygoldsleeve—buttonofMr。Esmond'sthatwasmissingafterhisfaintingfit，thatthekeeper'swifebroughttoherlodger。
Histhoughtsfollowedtothatuntimelygrave，thebraveheart，thekindfriend，thegallantgentleman，honestofwordandgenerousofthought，（iffeebleofpurpose，butarehisbettersmuchstrongerthanhe？）whohadgivenhimbreadandshelterwhenhehadnone;
homeandlovewhenheneededthem;andwho，ifhehadkeptonevitalsecretfromhim，haddonethatofwhichherepentederedying——awrongindeed，butonefollowedbyremorse，andoccasionedbyalmostirresistibletemptation。
Esmondtookhishandkerchiefwhenhisnurselefthim，andverylikelykissedit，andlookedatthebaubleembroideredinthecorner。"Ithascosttheegriefenough，"hethought，"dearlady，solovingandsotender。ShallItakeitfromtheeandthychildren？No，never！Keepit，andwearit，mylittleFrank，myprettyboy。IfIcannotmakeanameformyself，Icandiewithoutone。Someday，whenmydearmistressseesmyheart，Ishallberighted;orifnothereornow，why，elsewhere;whereHonordothnotfollowus，butwhereLovereignsperpetual。"
'Tisneedlesstorelatehere，asthereportsofthelawyersalreadyhavechronicledthem，theparticularsorissueofthattrialwhichensueduponmyLordCastlewood'smelancholyhomicide。Ofthetwolordsengagedinthatsadmatter，thesecond，myLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland，whohadbeenengagedwithColonelWestbury，andwoundedbyhim，wasfoundnotguiltybyhispeers，beforewhomhewastried（underthepresidenceoftheLordSteward，LordSomers）;andtheprincipal，theLordMohun，beingfoundguiltyofthemanslaughter，（which，indeed，wasforceduponhim，andofwhichherepentedmostsincerely，）pleadedhisclergy，andsowasdischargedwithoutanypenalty。Thewidowoftheslainnobleman，asitwastoldusinprison，showedanextraordinaryspirit;and，thoughshehadtowaitfortenyearsbeforehersonwasoldenoughtocompassit，declaredshewouldhaverevengeofherhusband'smurderer。Somuchandsuddenlyhadgrief，anger，andmisfortuneappearedtochangeher。Butfortune，goodorill，asItakeit，doesnotchangemenandwomen。Itbutdevelopstheircharacters。
Asthereareathousandthoughtslyingwithinamanthathedoesnotknowtillhetakesupthepentowrite，sotheheartisasecreteventohim（orher）whohasitinhisownbreast。Whohathnotfoundhimselfsurprisedintorevenge，oraction，orpassion，forgoodorevil，whereoftheseedslaywithinhim，latentandunsuspected，untiltheoccasioncalledthemforth？Withthedeathofherlord，achangeseemedtocomeoverthewholeconductandmindofLadyCastlewood;butofthisweshallspeakintherightseasonandanon。
ThelordsbeingtriedthenbeforetheirpeersatWestminster，accordingtotheirprivilege，beingbroughtfromtheTowerwithstateprocessionsandbarges，andaccompaniedbylieutenantsandaxe—men，thecommonersengagedinthatmelancholyfraytooktheirtrialatNewgate，asbecamethem;and，beingallfoundguilty，pleadedlikewisetheirbenefitofclergy。Thesentence，asweallknowinthesecases，is，thattheculpritliesayearinprison，orduringtheKing'spleasure，andisburnedinthehand，oronlystampedwithacoldiron;orthispartofthepunishmentisaltogetherremittedatthegraceoftheSovereign。SoHarryEsmondfoundhimselfacriminalandaprisonerattwo—and—twentyyearsold;asforthetwocolonels，hiscomrades，theytookthematterverylightly。Duellingwasapartoftheirbusiness;andtheycouldnotinhonorrefuseanyinvitationsofthatsort。
ButthecasewasdifferentwithMr。Esmond。Hislifewaschangedbythatstrokeoftheswordwhichdestroyedhiskindpatron's。Ashelayinprison，oldDr。Tusherfellillanddied;andLadyCastlewoodappointedThomasTushertothevacantliving;aboutthefillingofwhichshehadathousandtimesfondlytalkedtoHarryEsmond:howtheynevershouldpart;howheshouldeducateherboy;
howtobeacountryclergyman，likesaintlyGeorgeHerbertorpiousDr。Ken，wasthehappiestandgreatestlotinlife;how（ifhewereobstinatelybentonit，though，forherpart，sheownedrathertoholdingQueenBess'sopinion，thatabishopshouldhavenowife，andifnotabishopwhyaclergyman？）shewouldfindagoodwifeforHarryEsmond:andsoon，withahundredprettyprospectstoldbyfiresideevenings，infondprattle，asthechildrenplayedaboutthehall。Alltheseplanswereoverthrownnow。ThomasTusherwrotetoEsmond，ashelayinprison，announcingthathispatronesshadconferreduponhimthelivinghisreverendfatherhadheldformanyyears;thatshenever，afterthetragicaleventswhichhadoccurred（whereofTomspokewithaveryedifyinghorror），couldseeinthereveredTusher'spulpit，oratherson'stable，themanwhowasanswerableforthefather'slife;thatherladyshipbadehimtosaythatsheprayedforherkinsman'srepentanceandhisworldlyhappiness;thathewasfreetocommandheraidforanyschemeoflifewhichhemightproposetohimself;butthatonthissideofthegraveshewouldseehimnomore。AndTusher，forhisownpart，addedthatHarryshouldhavehisprayersasafriendofhisyouth，andcommendedhimwhilsthewasinprisontoreadcertainworksoftheology，whichhisReverencepronouncedtobeverywholesomeforsinnersinhislamentablecondition。
Andthiswasthereturnforalifeofdevotion——thistheendofyearsofaffectionateintercourseandpassionatefidelity！Harrywouldhavediedforhispatron，andwasheldaslittlebetterthanhismurderer:hehadsacrificed，shedidnotknowhowmuch，forhismistress，andshethrewhimaside;hehadendowedherfamilywithalltheyhad，andshetalkedaboutgivinghimalmsastoamenial！
Thegriefforhispatron'sloss;thepainsofhisownpresentposition，anddoubtsastothefuture:allthesewereforgottenunderthesenseoftheconsummateoutragewhichhehadtoendure，andoverpoweredbythesuperiorpangofthattorture。
HewritbackalettertoMr。Tusherfromhisprison，congratulatinghisReverenceuponhisappointmenttothelivingofCastlewood:
sarcasticallybiddinghimtofollowinthefootstepsofhisadmirablefather，whosegownhaddescendeduponhim;thankingherladyshipforherofferofalms，whichhesaidheshouldtrustnottoneed;andbeseechinghertorememberthat，ifeverherdeterminationshouldchangetowardshim，hewouldbereadytogiveherproofsofafidelitywhichhadneverwavered，andwhichoughtnevertohavebeenquestionedbythathouse。"Andifwemeetnomore，oronlyasstrangersinthisworld，"Mr。Esmondconcluded，"asentenceagainstthecrueltyandinjusticeofwhichIdisdaintoappeal;hereaftershewillknowwhowasfaithfultoher，andwhethershehadanycausetosuspecttheloveanddevotionofherkinsmanandservant。"
Afterthesendingofthisletter，thepooryoungfellow'smindwasmoreateasethanithadbeenpreviously。Theblowhadbeenstruck，andhehadborneit。Hiscruelgoddesshadshakenherwingsandfled:andlefthimaloneandfriendless，butvirtutesua。
Andhehadtobearhimup，atoncethesenseofhisrightandthefeelingofhiswrongs，hishonorandhismisfortune。AsIhaveseenmenwakingandrunningtoarmsatasuddentrumpet，beforeemergencyamanlyheartleapsupresolute;meetsthethreateningdangerwithundauntedcountenance;and，whetherconqueredorconquering，facesitalways。Ah！nomanknowshisstrengthorhisweakness，tilloccasionprovesthem。Iftherebesomethoughtsandactionsofhislifefromthememoryofwhichamanshrinkswithshame，suretherearesomewhichhemaybeproudtoownandremember;forgiveninjuries，conqueredtemptations（nowandthen）
anddifficultiesvanquishedbyendurance。