Itwasthesethoughtsregardingtheliving，farmorethananygreatpoignancyofgriefrespectingthedead，whichaffectedHarryEsmondwhilstinprisonafterhistrial:butitmaybeimaginedthathecouldtakenocomradeofmisfortuneintotheconfidenceofhisfeelings，andtheythoughtitwasremorseandsorrowforhispatron'slosswhichaffectedtheyoungman，inerrorofwhichopinionhechosetoleavethem。Asacompanionhewassomoodyandsilentthatthetwoofficers，hisfellow—sufferers，lefthimtohimselfmostly，likedlittleverylikelywhattheyknewofhim，consoledthemselveswithdice，cards，andthebottle，andwhiledawaytheirowncaptivityintheirownway。ItseemedtoEsmondasifhelivedyearsinthatprison:andwaschangedandagedwhenhecameoutofit。Atcertainperiodsoflifeweliveyearsofemotioninafewweeks——andlookbackonthosetimes，asongreatgapsbetweentheoldlifeandthenew。Youdonotknowhowmuchyousufferinthosecriticalmaladiesoftheheart，untilthediseaseisoverandyoulookbackonitafterwards。Duringthetime，thesufferingisatleastsufferable。Thedaypassesinmoreorlessofpain，andthenightwearsawaysomehow。'Tisonlyinafterdaysthatweseewhatthedangerhasbeen——asamanouta—
　　huntingorridingforhislifelooksataleap，andwondershowheshouldhavesurvivedthetakingofit。Odarkmonthsofgriefandrage！ofwrongandcruelendurance！Heisoldnowwhorecallsyou。
　　Longagohehasforgivenandblestthesofthandthatwoundedhim:
　　butthemarkisthere，andthewoundiscicatrizedonly——notime，tears，caresses，orrepentance，canobliteratethescar。Weareindociletoputupwithgrief，however。Reficimusratesquassas:
　　wetempttheoceanagainandagain，andtryuponnewventures。
　　Esmondthoughtofhisearlytimeasanovitiate，andofthispasttrialasaninitiationbeforeenteringintolife——asouryoungIndiansundergotorturessilentlybeforetheypasstotherankofwarriorsinthetribe。
　　Theofficers，meanwhile，whowerenotletintothesecretofthegriefwhichwasgnawingatthesideoftheirsilentyoungfriend，andbeingaccustomedtosuchtransactions，inwhichonecomradeoranotherwasdailypayingtheforfeitofthesword，didnot，ofcourse，bemoanthemselvesveryinconsolablyaboutthefateoftheirlatecompanioninarms。Thisonetoldstoriesofformeradventuresoflove，orwar，orpleasure，inwhichpoorFrankEsmondhadbeenengaged;t'otherrecollectedhowaconstablehadbeenbilked，oratavern—bullybeaten:whilstmylord'spoorwidowwassittingathistombworshippinghimasanactualsaintandspotlesshero——sothevisitorssaidwhohadnewsofLadyCastlewood;andWestburyandMacartneyhadprettynearlyhadallthetowntocomeandseethem。
　　Theduel，itsfataltermination，thetrialofthetwopeersandthethreecommonersconcerned，hadcausedthegreatestexcitementinthetown。TheprintsandNewsLetterswerefullofthem。ThethreegentlemeninNewgatewerealmostasmuchcrowdedasthebishopsintheTower，orahighwaymanbeforeexecution。WewereallowedtoliveintheGovernor'shouse，ashathbeensaid，bothbeforetrialandaftercondemnation，waitingtheKing'spleasure;
　　norwastherealcauseofthefatalquarrelknown，socloselyhadmylordandthetwootherpersonswhoknewitkeptthesecret，buteveryoneimaginedthattheoriginofthemeetingwasagamblingdispute。Exceptfreshair，theprisonershad，uponpayment，mostthingstheycoulddesire。Interestwasmadethattheyshouldnotmixwiththevulgarconvicts，whoseribaldchorusesandloudlaughterandcursescouldbeheardfromtheirownpartoftheprison，wheretheyandthemiserabledebtorswereconfinedpell—
　　mell。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　ICOMETOTHEENDOFMYCAPTIVITY，BUTNOTOFMYTROUBLE。
　　AmongthecompanywhichcametovisitthetwoofficerswasanoldacquaintanceofHarryEsmond;thatgentlemanoftheGuards，namely，whohadbeensokindtoHarrywhenCaptainWestbury'stroophadbeenquarteredatCastlewoodmorethansevenyearsbefore。DicktheScholarwasnolongerDicktheTroopernow，butCaptainSteeleofLucas'sFusiliers，andsecretarytomyLordCutts，thatfamousofficerofKingWilliam's，thebravestandmostbelovedmanoftheEnglisharmy。Thetwojollyprisonershadbeendrinkingwithapartyoffriends（forourcellarandthatofthekeepersofNewgate，too，weresuppliedwithendlesshampersofBurgundyandChampagnethatthefriendsoftheColonelssentin）;andHarry，havingnowishfortheirdrinkortheirconversation，beingtoofeebleinhealthfortheoneandtoosadinspiritsfortheother，wassittingapartinhislittleroom，readingsuchbooksashehad，oneevening，whenhonestColonelWestbury，flushedwithliquor，andalwaysgood—humoredinandoutofhiscups，camelaughingintoHarry'sclosetandsaid，"Ho，youngKilljoy！here'safriendcometoseethee;he'llpraywiththee，orhe'lldrinkwiththee;orhe'lldrinkandprayturnabout。Dick，myChristianhero，here'sthelittlescholarofCastlewood。"
　　DickcameupandkissedEsmondonbothcheeks，impartingastrongperfumeofburntsackalongwithhiscaresstotheyoungman。
　　"What！isthisthelittlemanthatusedtotalkLatinandfetchourbowls？Howtallthouartgrown！IprotestIshouldhaveknowntheeanywhere。Andsoyouhaveturnedruffianandfighter;andwantedtomeasureswordswithMohun，didyou？IprotestthatMohunsaidattheGuarddinneryesterday，wheretherewasaprettycompanyofus，thattheyoungfellowwantedtofighthim，andwasthebettermanofthetwo。"
　　"Iwishwecouldhavetriedandprovedit，Mr。Steele，"saysEsmond，thinkingofhisdeadbenefactor，andhiseyesfillingwithtears。
　　Withtheexceptionofthatonecruelletterwhichhehadfromhismistress，Mr。Esmondheardnothingfromher，andsheseemeddeterminedtoexecuteherresolveofpartingfromhimanddisowninghim。Buthehadnewsofher，suchasitwas，whichMr。SteeleassiduouslybroughthimfromthePrince'sandPrincess'sCourt，whereourhonestCaptainhadbeenadvancedtothepostofgentlemanwaiter。Whenoffdutythere，CaptainDickoftencametoconsolehisfriendsincaptivity;agoodnatureandafriendlydispositiontowardsallwhowereinill—fortunenodoubtpromptinghimtomakehisvisits，andgood—fellowshipandgoodwinetoprolongthem。
　　"Faith，"saysWestbury，"thelittlescholarwasthefirsttobeginthequarrel——Imindmeofitnow——atLockit's。IalwayshatedthatfellowMohun。Whatwastherealcause，ofthequarrelbetwixthimandpoorFrank？Iwouldwager'twasawoman。"
　　"'Twasaquarrelaboutplay——onmyword，aboutplay，"Harrysaid。
　　"MypoorlordlostgreatsumstohisguestatCastlewood。Angrywordspassedbetweenthem;and，thoughLordCastlewoodwasthekindestandmostpliablesoulalive，hisspiritwasveryhigh;andhencethatmeetingwhichhasbroughtusallhere，"saysMr。Esmond，resolvednevertoacknowledgethattherehadeverbeenanyothercausebutcardsfortheduel。
　　"Idonotliketousebadwordsofanobleman，"saysWestbury;"butifmyLordMohunwereacommoner，Iwouldsay，'twasapityhewasnothanged。Hewasfamiliarwithdiceandwomenatatimeotherboysareatschoolbeingbirched;hewasaswickedastheoldestrake，yearserehehaddonegrowing;andhandledaswordandafoil，andabloodyone，too，beforeheeverusedarazor。HeheldpoorWillMountfordintalkthatnight，whenbloodyDickHillranhimthrough。Hewillcometoabadend，willthatyounglord;andnoendisbadenoughforhim，"sayshonestMr。Westbury:whoseprophecywasfulfilledtwelveyearsafter，uponthatfataldaywhenMohunfell，draggingdownoneofthebravestandgreatestgentlemeninEnglandinhisfall。
　　FromMr。Steele，then，whobroughtthepublicrumor，aswellashisownprivateintelligence，Esmondlearnedthemovementsofhisunfortunatemistress。Steele'sheartwasofveryinflammablecomposition;andthegentlemanusherspokeintermsofboundlessadmirationbothofthewidow（thatmostbeautifulwoman，ashesaid）andofherdaughter，who，intheCaptain'seyes，wasastillgreaterparagon。Ifthepalewidow，whomCaptainRichard，inhispoeticrapturecomparedtoaNiobeintears——toaSigismunda——toaweepingBelvidera，wasanobjectthemostlovelyandpatheticwhichhiseyeshadeverbeheld，orforwhichhishearthadmelted，evenherripenedperfectionsandbeautywereasnothingcomparedtothepromiseofthatextremelovelinesswhichthegoodCaptainsawinherdaughter。Itwasmatrepulcrafiliapulcrior。SteelecomposedsonnetswhilsthewasondutyinhisPrince'sante—chamber，tothematernalandfilialcharms。HewouldspeakforhoursaboutthemtoHarryEsmond;and，indeed，hecouldhavechosenfewsubjectsmorelikelytointeresttheunhappyyoungman，whoseheartwasnowasalwaysdevotedtotheseladies;andwhowasthankfultoallwholovedthem，orpraisedthem，orwishedthemwell。
　　Notthathisfidelitywasrecompensedbyanyansweringkindness，orshowofrelentingeven，onthepartofamistressobduratenowaftertenyearsofloveandbenefactions。Thepooryoungmangettingnoanswer，saveTusher's，tothatletterwhichhehadwritten，andbeingtooproudtowritemore，openedapartofhishearttoSteele，thanwhomnoman，whenunhappy，couldfindakinderhearer，ormorefriendlyemissary;described（inwordswhichwerenodoubtpathetic，fortheycameimopectore，andcausedhonestDicktoweepplentifully）hisyouth，hisconstancy，hisfonddevotiontothathouseholdwhichhadrearedhim;hisaffection，howearned，andhowtenderlyrequiteduntilbutyesterday，and（asfarashemight）thecircumstancesandcausesforwhichthatsadquarrelhadmadeofEsmondaprisonerundersentence，awidowandorphansofthosewhominlifehehelddearest。Intermsthatmightwellmoveaharder—heartedmanthanyoungEsmond'sconfidant——for，indeed，thespeaker'sownheartwashalfbrokeasheutteredthem——
　　hedescribedapartofwhathadtakenplaceinthatonlysadinterviewwhichhismistresshadgrantedhim;howshehadlefthimwithangerandalmostimprecation，whosewordsandthoughtsuntilthenhadbeenonlyblessingandkindness;howshehadaccusedhimoftheguiltofthatblood，inexchangeforwhichhewouldcheerfullyhavesacrificedhisown（indeed，inthistheLordMohun，theLordWarwick，andallthegentlemenengaged，aswellasthecommonrumoroutofdoors——Steeletoldhim——boreoutthelucklessyoungman）;andwithallhisheart，andtears，hebesoughtMr。
　　Steeletoinformhismistressofherkinsman'sunhappiness，andtodeprecatethatcruelangersheshowedhim。Halffranticwithgriefattheinjusticedonehim，andcontrastingitwithathousandsoftrecollectionsofloveandconfidencegoneby，thatmadehispresentmiseryinexpressiblymorebitter，thepoorwretchpassedmanyalonelydayandwakefulnightinakindofpowerlessdespairandrageagainsthisiniquitousfortune。Itwasthesoftesthandthatstruckhim，thegentlestandmostcompassionatenaturethatpersecutedhim。"Iwouldaslief，"hesaid，"havepleadedguiltytothemurder，andhavesufferedforitlikeanyotherfelon，ashavetoendurethetorturetowhichmymistresssubjectsme。"
　　AlthoughtherecitalofEsmond'sstory，andhispassionateappealsandremonstrances，drewsomanytearsfromDickwhoheardthem，theyhadnoeffectuponthepersonwhomtheyweredesignedtomove。
　　Esmond'sambassadorcamebackfromthemissionwithwhichthepooryounggentlemanhadchargedhim，withasadblankfaceandashakeofthehead，whichtoldthattherewasnohopefortheprisoner;
　　andscarceawretchedculpritinthatprisonofNewgateorderedforexecution，andtremblingforareprieve，feltmorecastdownthanMr。Esmond，innocentandcondemned。
　　Ashadbeenarrangedbetweentheprisonerandhiscounselintheirconsultations，Mr。Steelehadgonetothedowager'shouseinChelsey，whereithasbeensaidthewidowandherorphanswere，hadseenmyLadyViscountess，andpleadedthecauseofherunfortunatekinsman。"AndIthinkIspokewell，mypoorboy，"saysMr。Steele;
　　"forwhowouldnotspeakwellinsuchacause，andbeforesobeautifulajudge？IdidnotseethelovelyBeatrix（sureherfamousnamesakeofFlorencewasneverhalfsobeautiful），onlytheyoungViscountwasintheroomwiththeLordChurchill，myLordofMarlborough'seldestson。Buttheseyounggentlemenwentofftothegarden;Icouldseethemfromthewindowtiltingateachotherwithpolesinamimictournament（grieftouchestheyoungbutlightly，andIrememberthatIbeatadrumatthecoffinofmyownfather）。MyLadyViscountesslookedoutatthetwoboysattheirgameandsaid——'Yousee，sir，childrenaretaughttouseweaponsofdeathastoys，andtomakeasportofmurder;'andasshespokeshelookedsolovely，andstoodthereinherselfsosadandbeautiful，aninstanceofthatdoctrinewhereofIamahumblepreacher，thathadInotdedicatedmylittlevolumeofthe'ChristianHero'——（I
　　perceive，Harry，thouhastnotcuttheleavesofit。Thesermonisgood，believeme，thoughthepreacher'slifemaynotanswerit）——I
　　say，hadn'tIdedicatedthevolumetoLordCutts，Iwouldhaveaskedpermissiontoplaceherladyship'snameonthefirstpage。I
　　thinkIneversawsuchabeautifulvioletasthatofhereyes，Harry。Hercomplexionisofthepinkoftheblush—rose，shehathanexquisiteturnedwristanddimpledhand，andImakenodoubt——"
　　"Didyoucometotellmeaboutthedimplesonmylady'shand？"
　　brokeoutMr。Esmond，sadly。
　　"Alovelycreatureinafflictionseemsalwaysdoublybeautifultome，"saysthepoorCaptain，whoindeedwasbuttooofteninastatetoseedouble，andsocheckedheresumedtheinterruptedthreadofhisstory。"AsIspokemybusiness，"Mr。Steelesaid，"andnarratedtoyourmistresswhatalltheworldknows，andtheothersidehathbeeneagertoacknowledge——thatyouhadtriedtoputyourselfbetweenthetwolords，andtotakeyourpatron'squarrelonyourownpoint;Irecountedthegeneralpraisesofyourgallantry，besidesmyLordMohun'sparticulartestimonytoit;I
　　thoughtthewidowlistenedwithsomeinterest，andhereyes——Ihaveneverseensuchaviolet，Harry——lookedupatmineonceortwice。
　　ButafterIhadspokenonthisthemeforawhileshesuddenlybrokeawaywithacryofgrief。'IwouldtoGod，sir，'shesaid，'Ihadneverheardthatwordgallantrywhichyouuse，orknownthemeaningofit。Mylordmighthavebeenherebutforthat;myhomemightbehappy;mypoorboyhaveafather。Itwaswhatyougentlemencallgallantrycameintomyhome，anddrovemyhusbandontothecruelswordthatkilledhim。YoushouldnotspeakthewordtoaChristianwoman，sir，apoorwidowedmotheroforphans，whosehomewashappyuntiltheworldcameintoit——thewickedgodlessworld，thattakesthebloodoftheinnocent，andletstheguiltygofree。'
　　"Astheafflictedladyspokeinthisstrain，sir，"Mr。Steelecontinued，"itseemedasifindignationmovedher，evenmorethangrief。'Compensation！'shewentonpassionately，hercheeksandeyeskindling;'whatcompensationdoesyourworldgivethewidowforherhusband，andthechildrenforthemurdereroftheirfather？
　　Thewretchwhodidthedeedhasnotevenapunishment。Conscience！
　　whatconsciencehashe，whocanenterthehouseofafriend，whisperfalsehoodandinsulttoawomanthatneverharmedhim，andstabthekindheartthattrustedhim？MyLord——myLordWretch's，myLordVillain's，myLordMurderer'speersmeettotryhim，andtheydismisshimwithawordortwoofreproofandsendhimintotheworldagain，topursuewomenwithlustandfalsehood，andtomurderunsuspectinggueststhatharborhim。Thatday，myLord——myLordMurderer——（Iwillnevernamehim）——wasletloose，awomanwasexecutedatTyburnforstealinginashop。Butamanmayrobanotherofhislife，oraladyofherhonor，andshallpaynopenalty！Itakemychild，runtothethrone，andonmykneesaskforjustice，andtheKingrefusesme。TheKing！heisnokingofmine——henevershallbe。He，too，robbedthethronefromthekinghisfather——thetrueking——andhehasgoneunpunished，asthegreatdo。'
　　"Ithenthoughttospeakforyou，"Mr。Steelecontinued，"andI
　　interposedbysaying，'Therewasone，madam，who，atleast，wouldhaveputhisownbreastbetweenyourhusband'sandmyLordMohun'ssword。Yourpooryoungkinsman，HarryEsmond，hathtoldmethathetriedtodrawthequarrelonhimself。'
　　"'AreyoucomefromHIM？'askedthelady（soMr。Steelewenton）
　　risingupwithagreatseverityandstateliness。'IthoughtyouhadcomefromthePrincess。IsawMr。Esmondinhisprison，andbadehimfarewell。Hebroughtmiseryintomyhouse。Henevershouldhaveenteredit。'
　　"'Madam，madam，heisnottoblame，'Iinterposed，"continuedMr。
　　Steele。
　　"'DoIblamehimtoyou，sir？'askedthewidow。'If'tishewhosentyou，saythatIhavetakencounsel，where'——shespokewithaverypallidcheeknow，andabreakinhervoice——'whereallwhoaskmayhaveit;——andthatitbidsmetopartfromhim，andtoseehimnomore。Wemetintheprisonforthelasttime——atleastforyearstocome。Itmaybe，inyearshence，when——whenourkneesandourtearsandourcontritionhavechangedoursinfulhearts，sir，andwroughtourpardon，wemaymeetagain——butnotnow。Afterwhathaspassed，Icouldnotbeartoseehim。Iwishhimwell，sir;butIwishhimfarewell，too;andifhehasthat——thatregardtowardsuswhichhespeaksof，Ibeseechhimtoproveitbyobeyingmeinthis。'
　　"'Ishallbreaktheyoungman'sheart，madam，bythishardsentence，'"Mr。Steelesaid。
　　"Theladyshookherhead，"continuedmykindscholar。"'Theheartsofyoungmen，Mr。Steele，arenotsomade，'shesaid。'Mr。Esmondwillfindother——otherfriends。Themistressofthishousehasrelentedverymuchtowardsthelatelord'sson，'sheadded，withablush，'andhaspromisedme，thatis，haspromisedthatshewillcareforhisfortune。WhilstIliveinit，afterthehorridhorriddeedwhichhaspassed，Castlewoodmustneverbeahometohim——
　　never。NorwouldIhavehimwritetome——except——no——Iwouldhavehimneverwritetome，norseehimmore。Givehim，ifyouwill，myparting——Hush！notawordofthisbeforemydaughter。'
　　"HerethefairBeatrixenteredfromtheriver，withhercheeksflushingwithhealth，andlookingonlythemorelovelyandfreshforthemourninghabilimentswhichshewore。AndmyLadyViscountesssaid——
　　"'Beatrix，thisisMr。Steele，gentleman—ushertothePrince'sHighness。Whendoesyournewcomedyappear，Mr。Steele？'Ihopethouwiltbeoutofprisonforthefirstnight，Harry。"
　　ThesentimentalCaptainconcludedhissadtale，saying，"Faith，thebeautyofFiliapulcriordrovepulcrammatremoutofmyhead;andyetasIcamedowntheriver，andthoughtaboutthepair，thepalliddignityandexquisitegraceofthematronhadtheuppermost，andIthoughtherevenmorenoblethanthevirgin！"
　　ThepartyofprisonerslivedverywellinNewgate，andwithcomfortsverydifferenttothosewhichwereawardedtothepoorwretchesthere（hisinsensibilitytotheirmisery，theirgayetystillmorefrightful，theircursesandblasphemy，hathstruckwithakindofshamesince——asprovinghowselfish，duringhisimprisonment，hisownparticulargriefwas，andhowentirelythethoughtsofitabsorbedhim）:ifthethreegentlemenlivedwellunderthecareoftheWardenofNewgate，itwasbecausetheypaidwell:andindeedthecostatthedearestordinaryorthegrandesttaverninLondoncouldnothavefurnishedalongerreckoning，thanourhostofthe"HandcuffInn"——asColonelWestburycalledit。OurroomswerethethreeinthegateoverNewgate——onthesecondstorylookingupNewgateStreettowardsCheapsideandPaul'sChurch。Andwehadleavetowalkontheroof，andcouldseethenceSmithfieldandtheBluecoatBoys'School，Gardens，andtheChartreux，where，asHarryEsmondremembered，DicktheScholar，andhisfriendTomTusher，hadhadtheirschooling。
　　Harrycouldneverhavepaidhisshareofthatprodigiousheavyreckoningwhichmylandlordbroughttohisguestsonceaweek:forbehadbutthreepiecesinhispocketsthatfatalnightbeforetheduel，whenthegentlemenwereatcards，andofferedtoplayfive。
　　ButwhilsthewasyetillattheGatehouse，afterLadyCastlewoodhadvisitedhimthere，andbeforehistrial，therecameoneinanorange—tawnycoatandbluelace，theliverywhichtheEsmondsalwayswore，andbroughtasealedpacketforMr。Esmond，whichcontainedtwentyguineas，andanotesayingthatacounselhadbeenappointedforhim，andthatmoremoneywouldbeforthcomingwheneverheneededit。
　　'Twasaqueerletterfromthescholarasshewas，orasshecalledherself:theDowagerViscountessCastlewood，writteninthestrangebarbarousFrenchwhichsheandmanyotherfineladiesofthattime——
　　witnessherGraceofPortsmouth——employed。Indeed，spellingwasnotanarticleofgeneralcommodityintheworldthen，andmyLordMarlborough'sletterscanshowthathe，forone，hadbutalittleshareofthispartofgrammar:——
　　"MONGCOUSSIN，"myLadyViscountessDowagerwrote，"jescayquevousvousetesbravementbatewetgrievementblessay——ducostedefeuM。leVicomte。M。leComptedeVariqueneseplaytquaparlaydevous:M。deMoonaucy。Ildiquevousavayvoulewvousbastreavecqueluy——quevousestesplusfortqueluyfurl'ayscrimme——
　　quil'yasurtoutcertaineBottequevousscavayquiln'ajammaysceupariay:etquec'eneutetefaydeluysivouseluyvousvousfussiaybattewsansamb。AincycepauvVicompteestmort。Mortetpontayt——Moncoussin，moncoussin！jaydanslataystequevousn'estesquungpetyMonst——angcyquelesEsmondsongtousjourseste。
　　Laveuveestchaymoy。J'ayrecuillycet'pauvefamme。Elleestfurieusecontvous，allanstouslesjourschercherleyRoy（d'icy）
　　demandantagrancrirevanchepoursonMary。Elleneveuxvoyrenientendeparlaydevous:pourtantellenefayqu'enparlaymilfoyparjour。Quandvousserayhorprisonvenaymevoyre。J'auraysoingdevous。SicettepetitePrudeveutsedefairedesongpetyMonste（Helasjecraingquilnesoytrotar！）jem'onchargeray。
　　J'ayencorquelquinterayetquelquesescusdecostay。
　　"LaVeuveseraccommodeavecMiladiMarlboroquiesttoutpuicanteavecquelaReineAnne。Cetdamsenteraysentpourlapetiteprude;
　　quipourctantaunfidumesmeasgequevoussavay。
　　"Ensortantdeprisongvenezicy。Jenepuyvousrecevoirchaymoyacausedesmechansetesdumonde，maypredumoyvousaurezlogement。
　　"ISABELLEVICOMTESSED'ESMOND"
　　MarchionessofEsmondthisladysometimescalledherself，invirtueofthatpatentwhichhadbeengivenbythelateKingJamestoHarryEsmond'sfather;andinthisstateshehadhertraincarriedbyaknight'swife，acupandcoverofassaytodrinkfrom，andfringedcloth。
　　HewhowasofthesameageaslittleFrancis，whomweshallhenceforthcallViscountCastlewoodhere，wasH。R。H。thePrinceofWales，borninthesameyearandmonthwithFrank，andjustproclaimedatSaintGermains，KingofGreatBritain，France，andIreland。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　ITAKETHEQUEEN'SPAYINQUIN'SREGIMENT。
　　Thefellowintheorange—tawnyliverywithbluelaceandfacingswasinwaitingwhenEsmondcameoutofprison，and，takingtheyounggentleman'sslenderbaggage，ledthewayoutofthatodiousNewgate，andbyFleetConduit，downtotheThames，whereapairofoarswascalled，andtheywentuptherivertoChelsey。Esmondthoughtthesunhadnevershonesobright;northeairfeltsofreshandexhilarating。TempleGarden，astheyrowedby，lookedlikethegardenofEdentohim，andtheaspectofthequays，wharves，andbuildingsbytheriver，SomersetHouse，andWestminster（wherethesplendidnewbridgewasjustbeginning），Lambethtowerandpalace，andthatbusyshiningsceneoftheThamesswarmingwithboatsandbarges，filledhisheartwithpleasureandcheerfulness——aswellsuchabeautifulscenemighttoonewhohadbeenaprisonersolong，andwithsomanydarkthoughtsdeepeningthegloomofhiscaptivity。TheyrowedupatlengthtotheprettyvillageofChelsey，wherethenobilityhavemanyhandsomecountry—
　　houses;andsocametomyLadyViscountess'shouse，acheerfulnewhouseintherowfacingtheriver，withahandsomegardenbehindit，andapleasantlook—outbothtowardsSurreyandKensington，wherestandsthenobleancientpalaceoftheLordWarwick，Harry'sreconciledadversary。
　　Hereinherladyship'ssaloon，theyoungmansawagainsomeofthosepictureswhichhadbeenatCastlewood，andwhichshehadremovedthenceonthedeathofherlord，Harry'sfather。
　　Specially，andintheplaceofhonor，wasSirPeterLely'spictureofthehonorableMistressIsabellaEsmondasDiana，inyellowsatin，withabowinherhandandacrescentinherforehead;anddogsfriskingabouther。'TwaspaintedaboutthetimewhenroyalEndymionsweresaidtofindfavorwiththisvirginhuntress;and，asgoddesseshaveyouthperpetual，thisonebelievedtothedayofherdeaththatshenevergrewolder:andalwayspersistedinsupposingthepicturewasstilllikeher。
　　Afterhehadbeenshowntoherroombythegroomofthechamber，whofilledmanyofficesbesidesinherladyship'smodesthousehold，andafteraproperinterval，hiselderlygoddessDianavouchsafedtoappeartotheyoungman。AblackamoorinaTurkishhabit，withredbootsandasilvercollar，onwhichtheViscountess'sarmswereengraven，precededherandborehercushion;thencamehergentlewoman;alittlepackofspanielsbarkingandfriskingaboutprecededtheausterehuntress——then，behold，theViscountessherself"droppingodors。"Esmondrecollectedfromhischildhoodthatricharomaofmuskwhichhismother—in—law（forshemaybecalledso）exhaled。Astheskygrowsredderandreddertowardssunset，so，inthedeclineofheryears，thecheeksofmyLadyDowagerblushedmoredeeply。Herfacewasilluminatedwithvermilion，whichappearedthebrighterfromthewhitepaintemployedtosetitoff。SheworetheringletswhichhadbeeninfashioninKingCharles'stime;whereastheladiesofKingWilliam'shadhead—dresseslikethetowersofCybele。Hereyesgleamedoutfromthemidstofthisqueerstructureofpaint，dyes，andpomatums。SuchwasmyLadyViscountess，Mr。Esmond'sfather'swidow。
　　Hemadehersuchaprofoundbowasherdignityandrelationshipmerited，andadvancedwiththegreatestgravity，andoncemorekissedthathand，uponthetremblingknucklesofwhichglitteredascoreofrings——rememberingoldtimeswhenthattremblinghandmadehimtremble。"Marchioness，"sayshe，bowing，andononeknee，"isitonlythehandImayhavethehonorofsaluting？"For，accompanyingthatinwardlaughter，whichthesightofsuchanastonishingoldfiguremightwellproduceintheyoungman，therewasgoodwilltoo，andthekindnessofconsanguinity。Shehadbeenhisfather'swife，andwashisgrandfather'sdaughter。Shehadsufferedhiminolddays，andwaskindtohimnowafterherfashion。Andnowthatbar—sinisterwasremovedfromEsmond'sthought，andthatsecretopprobriumnolongercastuponhismind，hewaspleasedtofeelfamilytiesandownthem——perhapssecretlyvainofthesacrificehehadmade，andtothinkthathe，Esmond，wasreallythechiefofhishouse，andonlypreventedbyhisownmagnanimityfromadvancinghisclaim。
　　Atleast，eversincehehadlearnedthatsecretfromhispoorpatrononhisdyingbed，actuallyashewasstandingbesideit，hehadfeltanindependencywhichhehadneverknownbefore，andwhichsincedidnotdeserthim。SohecalledhisoldauntMarchioness，butwithanairasifhewastheMarquisofEsmondwhosoaddressedher。
　　Didshereadintheyounggentleman'seyes，whichhadnownofearofhersortheirsuperannuatedauthority，thathekneworsuspectedthetruthabouthisbirth？Shegaveastartofsurpriseathisalteredmanner:indeed，itwasquiteadifferentbearingtothatoftheCambridgestudentwhohadpaidheravisittwoyearssince，andwhomshehaddismissedwithfivepiecessentbythegroomofthechamber。Sheeyedhim，thentrembledalittlemorethanwasherwont，perhaps，andsaid，"Welcome，cousin，"inafrightenedvoice。
　　Hisresolution，ashasbeensaidbefore，hadbeenquitedifferent，namely，sotobearhimselfthroughlifeasifthesecretofhisbirthwasnotknowntohim;buthesuddenlyandrightlydeterminedonadifferentcourse。Heaskedthatherladyship'sattendantsshouldbedismissed，andwhentheywereprivate——"Welcome，nephew，atleast，madam，itshouldbe，"hesaid。"Agreatwronghasbeendonetomeandtoyou，andtomypoormother，whoisnomore。"
　　"IdeclarebeforeheaventhatIwasguiltlessofit，"shecriedout，givinguphercauseatonce。"Itwasyourwickedfatherwho——"
　　"Whobroughtthisdishonoronourfamily，"saysMr。Esmond。"I
　　knowitfullwell。Iwanttodisturbnoone。Thosewhoareinpresentpossessionhavebeenmydearestbenefactors，andarequiteinnocentofintentionalwrongtome。Thelatelord，mydearpatron，knewnotthetruthuntilafewmonthsbeforehisdeath，whenFatherHoltbroughtthenewstohim。"
　　"Thewretch！hehaditinconfession！hehaditinconfession！"
　　criedouttheDowagerLady。
　　"Notso。Helearneditelsewhereaswellasinconfession，"Mr。
　　Esmondanswered。"Myfather，whenwoundedattheBoyne，toldthetruthtoaFrenchpriest，whowasinhidingafterthebattle，aswellastothepriestthere，atwhosehousehedied。ThisgentlemandidnotthinkfittodivulgethestorytillhemetwithMr。HoltatSaintOmer's。Andthelatterkeptitbackforhisownpurpose，anduntilhehadlearnedwhethermymotherwasaliveorno。Sheisdeadyearssince，mypoorpatrontoldmewithhisdyingbreath，andIdoubthimnot。IdonotknowevenwhetherIcouldproveamarriage。IwouldnotifIcould。Idonotcaretobringshameonourname，orgriefuponthosewhomIlove，howeverhardlytheymayuseme。Myfather'sson，madam，won'taggravatethewrongmyfatherdidyou。Continuetobehiswidow，andgivemeyourkindness。'TisallIaskfromyou;andIshallneverspeakofthismatteragain。"
　　"Maisvousetesunnoblejeunehomme！"breaksoutmylady，speaking，asusualwithherwhenshewasagitated，intheFrenchlanguage。
　　"Noblesseoblige，"saysMr。Esmond，makingheralowbow。"Therearethosealivetowhom，inreturnfortheirlovetome，IoftenfondlysaidIwouldgivemylifeaway。ShallIbetheirenemynow，andquarrelaboutatitle？Whatmatterswhohasit？'Tiswiththefamilystill。"