"Whatcantherebeinthatlittleprudeofawomanthatmakesmensoraffolerabouther？"criesoutmyLadyDowager。"ShewashereforamonthpetitioningtheKing。Sheispretty，andwellconserved;butshehasnotthebelair。InhislateMajesty'sCourtallthemenpretendedtoadmireher，andshewasnobetterthanalittlewaxdoll。Sheisbetternow，andlooksthesisterofherdaughter;butwhatmeanyouallbybepraisingher？Mr。Steele，whowasinwaitingonPrinceGeorge，seeingherwithhertwochildrengoingtoKensington，writapoemabouther，andsaysheshallwearhercolors，anddressinblackforthefuture。Mr。
　　Congrevesayshewillwritea'MourningWidow，'thatshallbebetterthanhis'MourningBride。'ThoughtheirhusbandsquarrelledandfoughtwhenthatwretchChurchilldesertedtheKing（forwhichhedeservedtobehung），LadyMarlboroughhasagaingonewildaboutthelittlewidow;insultedmeinmyowndrawing—room，bysaying'twasnottheOLDwidow，buttheyoungViscountess，shehadcometosee。LittleCastlewoodandlittleLordChurchillaretobeswornfriends，andhaveboxedeachothertwiceorthricelikebrothersalready。'TwasthatwickedyoungMohunwho，comingbackfromtheprovinceslastyear，wherehehaddisinterredher，ravedaboutherallthewinter;saidshewasapearlsetbeforeswine;andkilledpoorstupidFrank。Thequarrelwasallabouthiswife。Iknow'twasallabouther。WasthereanythingbetweenherandMohun，nephew？Tellmenow——wasthereanything？Aboutyourself，Idonotaskyoutoanswerquestions。"
　　Mr。Esmondblushedup。"Mylady'svirtueislikethatofasaintinheaven，madam，"hecriedout。
　　"Eh！——monneveu。Manysaintsgettoheavenafterhavingadealtorepentof。Ibelieveyouarelikealltherestofthefools，andmadlyinlovewithher。"
　　"Indeed，Ilovedandhonoredherbeforealltheworld，"Esmondanswered。"Itakenoshameinthat。"
　　"Andshehasshutherdooronyou——giventhelivingtothathorridyoungcub，sonofthathorridoldbear，Tusher，andsaysshewillneverseeyoumore。Monsieurmonneveu——wearealllikethat。
　　WhenIwasayoungwoman，I'mpositivethatathousandduelswerefoughtaboutme。AndwhenpoorMonsieurdeSouchydrownedhimselfinthecanalatBrugesbecauseIdancedwithCountSpringbock，I
　　couldn'tsqueezeoutasingletear，butdancedtillfiveo'clockthenextmorning。'TwastheCount——no，'twasmyLordOrmondthatplayedthefiddles，andhisMajestydidmethehonorofdancingallnightwithme。——Howyouaregrown！Youhavegotthebelair。Youareablackman。OurEsmondsareallblack。Thelittleprude'ssonisfair;sowashisfather——fairandstupid。YouwereanuglylittlewretchwhenyoucametoCastlewood——youwerealleyes，likeayoungcrow。Weintendedyoushouldbeapriest。ThatawfulFatherHolt——howheusedtofrightenmewhenIwasill！Ihaveacomfortabledirectornow——theAbbeDouillette——adearman。WemakemeagreonFridaysalways。Mycookisadevoutpiousman。You，ofcourse，areoftherightwayofthinking。TheysaythePrinceofOrangeisveryillindeed。"
　　InthiswaytheoldDowagerrattledonremorselesslytoMr。Esmond，whowasquiteastoundedwithherpresentvolubility，contrastingitwithherformerhaughtybehaviortohim。Butshehadtakenhimintofavorforthemoment，andchosenotonlytolikehim，asfarashernaturepermitted，buttobeafraidofhim;andhefoundhimselftobeasfamiliarwithhernowasayoungman，as，whenaboy，hehadbeentimorousandsilent。Shewasasgoodasherwordrespectinghim。Sheintroducedhimtohercompany，ofwhichsheentertainedagooddeal——oftheadherentsofKingJamesofcourse——
　　andagreatdealofloudintriguingtookplaceoverhercard—
　　tables。ShepresentedMr。Esmondasherkinsmantomanypersonsofhonor;shesuppliedhimnotilliberallywithmoney，whichhehadnoscrupleinacceptingfromher，consideringtherelationshipwhichheboretoher，andthesacrificeswhichhehimselfwasmakinginbehalfofthefamily。Buthehadmadeuphismindtocontinueatnowoman'sapron—stringslonger;andperhapshadcastabouthowheshoulddistinguishhimself，andmakehimselfaname，whichhissingularfortunehaddeniedhim。Adiscontentwithhisformerbookishlifeandquietude，——abitterfeelingofrevoltatthatslaveryinwhichhehadchosentoconfinehimselfforthesakeofthosewhosehardnesstowardshimmakehisheartbleed，——arestlesswishtoseemenandtheworld，——ledhimtothinkofthemilitaryprofession:atanyrate，todesiretoseeafewcampaigns，andaccordinglyhepressedhisnewpatronesstogethimapairofcolors;andonedayhadthehonoroffindinghimselfappointedanensigninColonelQuin'sregimentofFusileersontheIrishestablishment。
　　Mr。Esmond'scommissionwasscarcethreeweeksoldwhenthataccidentbefellKingWilliamwhichendedthelifeofthegreatest，thewisest，thebravest，andmostclementsovereignwhomEnglandeverknew。'Twasthefashionofthehostilepartytoassailthisgreatprince'sreputationduringhislife;butthejoywhichtheyandallhisenemiesinEuropeshowedathisdeath，isaproofoftheterrorinwhichtheyheldhim。YoungasEsmondwas，hewaswiseenough（andgenerousenoughtoo，letitbesaid）toscornthatindecencyofgratulationwhichbrokeoutamongstthefollowersofKingJamesinLondon，uponthedeathofthisillustriousprince，thisinvinciblewarrior，thiswiseandmoderatestatesman。Loyaltytotheexiledking'sfamilywastraditional，ashasbeensaid，inthathousetowhichMr。Esmondbelonged。Hisfather'swidowhadallherhopes，sympathies，recollections，prejudices，engagedonKingJames'sside;andwascertainlyasnoisyaconspiratoraseverassertedtheKing'srights，orabusedhisopponent's，overaquadrilletableoradishofbohea。Herladyship'shouseswarmedwithecclesiastics，indisguiseandout;withtale—bearersfromSt。
　　Germains;andquidnuncsthatknewthelastnewsfromVersailles;
　　nay，theexactforceandnumberofthenextexpeditionwhichtheFrenchkingwastosendfromDunkirk，andwhichwastoswallowupthePrinceofOrange，hisarmyandhiscourt。ShehadreceivedtheDukeofBerwickwhenhelandedherein'96。Shekepttheglasshedrankfrom，vowingsheneverwoulduseittillshedrankKingJamestheThird'shealthinitonhisMajesty'sreturn;shehadtokensfromtheQueen，andrelicsofthesaintwho，ifthestorywastrue，hadnotalwaysbeenasaintasfarassheandmanyotherswereconcerned。Shebelievedinthemiracleswroughtathistomb，andhadahundredauthenticstoriesofwondrouscureseffectedbytheblessedking'srosaries，themedalswhichhewore，thelocksofhishair，orwhatnot。Esmondrememberedascoreofmarvelloustaleswhichthecredulousoldwomantoldhim。TherewastheBishopofAutun，thatwashealedofamaladyhehadforfortyyears，andwhichlefthimafterhesaidmassforthereposeoftheking'ssoul。TherewasM。Marais，asurgeoninAuvergne，whohadapalsyinbothhislegs，whichwascuredthroughtheking'sintercession。
　　TherewasPhilipPitet，oftheBenedictines，whohadasuffocatingcough，whichwellnighkilledhim，buthebesoughtreliefofheaventhroughthemeritsandintercessionoftheblessedking，andhestraightwayfeltaprofusesweatbreakingoutalloverhim，andwasrecoveredperfectly。AndtherewasthewifeofMons。Lepervier，dancing—mastertotheDukeofSaxe—Gotha，whowasentirelyeasedofarheumatismbytheking'sintercession，ofwhichmiracletherecouldbenodoubt，forhersurgeonandhisapprenticehadgiventheirtestimony，underoath，thattheydidnotinanywaycontributetothecure。Ofthesetales，andathousandlikethem，Mr。Esmondbelievedasmuchashechose。Hiskinswoman'sgreaterfaithhadswallowforthemall。
　　TheEnglishHighChurchpartydidnotadopttheselegends。Buttruthandhonor，astheythought，boundthemtotheexiledking'sside;norhadthebanishedfamilyanywarmersupporterthanthatkindladyofCastlewood，inwhosehouseEsmondwasbroughtup。Sheinfluencedherhusband，verymuchmoreperhapsthanmylordknew，whoadmiredhiswifeprodigiouslythoughhemightbeinconstanttoher，andwho，adversetothetroubleofthinkinghimself，gladlyenoughadoptedtheopinionswhichshechoseforhim。Tooneofhersimpleandfaithfulheart，allegiancetoanysovereignbuttheonewasimpossible。ToserveKingWilliamforinterest'ssakewouldhavebeenamonstroushypocrisyandtreason。Herpureconsciencecouldnomorehaveconsentedtoitthantoatheft，aforgery，oranyotherbaseaction。LordCastlewoodmighthavebeenwonover，nodoubt，buthiswifenevercould:andhesubmittedhisconsciencetohersinthiscaseashedidinmostothers，whenhewasnottemptedtoosorely。Anditwasfromhisaffectionandgratitudemostlikely，andfromthateagerdevotionforhismistress，whichcharacterizedallEsmond'syouth，thattheyoungmansubscribedtothis，andotherarticlesoffaith，whichhisfondbenefactresssethim。HadshebeenaWhig，hehadbeenone;hadshefollowedMr。
　　Fox，andturnedQuaker，nodoubthewouldhaveabjuredrufflesandaperiwig，andhaveforswornswords，lace—coats，andclockedstockings。Inthescholars'boyishdisputesattheUniversity，wherepartiesranveryhigh，EsmondwasnotedasaJacobite，andverylikelyfromvanityasmuchasaffectiontookthesideofhisfamily。
　　Almostthewholeoftheclergyofthecountryandmorethanahalfofthenationwereonthisside。Oursisthemostloyalpeopleintheworldsurely;weadmireourkings，andarefaithfultothemlongaftertheyhaveceasedtobetruetous。'TisawondertoanyonewholooksbackatthehistoryoftheStuartfamilytothinkhowtheykickedtheircrownsawayfromthem;howtheyflungawaychancesafterchances;whattreasuresofloyaltytheydissipated，andhowfatallytheywerebentonconsummatingtheirownruin。Ifevermenhadfidelity，'twasthey;ifevermensquanderedopportunity，'twasthey;and，ofalltheenemiestheyhad，theythemselveswerethemostfatal。
　　WhenthePrincessAnnesucceeded，theweariednationwasgladenoughtocryatrucefromallthesewars，controversies，andconspiracies，andtoacceptinthepersonofaPrincessofthebloodroyalacompromisebetweenthepartiesintowhichthecountrywasdivided。TheToriescouldserveunderherwitheasyconsciences;thoughaToryherself，sherepresentedthetriumphoftheWhigopinion。ThepeopleofEngland，alwayslikingthattheirPrincesshouldbeattachedtotheirownfamilies，werepleasedtothinkthePrincesswasfaithfultohers;anduptotheverylastdayandhourofherreign，andbutforthatfatalitywhichheinheritedfromhisfathersalongwiththeirclaimstotheEnglishcrown，KingJamestheThirdmighthavewornit。Butheneitherknewhowtowaitanopportunity，nortouseitwhenhehadit;hewasventuresomewhenheoughttohavebeencautious，andcautiouswhenheoughttohavedaredeverything。'Tiswithasortofrageathisinaptitudethatonethinksofhismelancholystory。DotheFatesdealmorespeciallywithkingsthanwithcommonmen？Oneisapttoimagineso，inconsideringthehistoryofthatroyalrace，inwhosebehalfsomuchfidelity，somuchvalor，somuchbloodweredesperatelyandbootlesslyexpended。
　　TheKingdeadthen，thePrincessAnne（uglyAnneHyde'sdaughter，ourDowageratChelseycalledher）wasproclaimedbytrumpetingheraldsalloverthetownfromWestminstertoLudgateHill，amidstimmensejubilationsofthepeople。
　　NextweekmyLordMarlboroughwaspromotedtotheGarter，andtobeCaptain—GeneralofherMajesty'sforcesathomeandabroad。ThisappointmentonlyinflamedtheDowager'srage，or，asshethoughtit，herfidelitytoherrightfulsovereign。"ThePrincessisbutapuppetinthehandsofthatfuryofawoman，whocomesintomydrawing—roomandinsultsmetomyface。Whatcancometoacountrythatisgivenovertosuchawoman？"saystheDowager:"Asforthatdouble—facedtraitor，myLordMarlborough，hehasbetrayedeverymanandeverywomanwithwhomhehashadtodeal，excepthishorridwife，whomakeshimtremble。'Tisalloverwiththecountrywhenithasgotintotheclutchesofsuchwretchesasthese。"
　　Esmond'soldkinswomansalutedthenewpowersinthisway;butsomegoodfortuneatlastoccurredtoafamilywhichstoodingreatneedofit，bytheadvancementofthesefamouspersonageswhobenefitedhumblerpeoplethathadtheluckofbeingintheirfavor。BeforeMr。EsmondleftEnglandinthemonthofAugust，andbeingthenatPortsmouth，wherehehadjoinedhisregiment，andwasbusyatdrill，learningthepracticeandmysteriesofthemusketandpike，heheardthatapensionontheStampOfficehadbeengotforhislatebelovedmistress，andthattheyoungMistressBeatrixwasalsotobetakenintocourt。Somuchgood，atleast，hadcomeofthepoorwidow'svisittoLondon，notrevengeuponherhusband'senemies，butreconcilementtooldfriends，whopitied，andseemedinclinedtoserveher。Asforthecomradesinprisonandthelatemisfortune，ColonelWestburywaswiththeCaptain—GeneralgonetoHolland;CaptainMacartneywasnowatPortsmouth，withhisregimentofFusileersandtheforceundercommandofhisGracetheDukeofOrmond，boundforSpainitwassaid;myLordWarwickwasreturnedhome;andLordMohun，sofarfrombeingpunishedforthehomicidewhichhadbroughtsomuchgriefandchangeintotheEsmondfamily，wasgoneincompanyofmyLordMacclesfield'ssplendidembassytotheElectorofHanover，carryingtheGartertohisHighness，andacomplimentaryletterfromtheQueen。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　RECAPITULATIONS。
　　Fromsuchfitfullightsascouldbecastuponhisdarkhistorybythebrokennarrativeofhispoorpatron，tornbyremorseandstrugglinginthelastpangsofdissolution，Mr。Esmondhadbeenmadetounderstandsofar，thathismotherwaslongsincedead;andsotherecouldbenoquestionasregardedherorherhonor，tarnishedbyherhusband'sdesertionandinjury，toinfluencehersoninanystepswhichhemighttakeeitherforprosecutingorrelinquishinghisownjustclaims。Itappearedfrommypoorlord'shurriedconfession，thathehadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththerealfactsofthecaseonlytwoyearssince，whenMr。Holtvisitedhim，andwouldhaveimplicatedhiminoneofthosemanyconspiraciesbywhichthesecretleadersofKingJames'spartyinthiscountrywereeverendeavoringtodestroythePrinceofOrange'slifeorpower:
　　conspiraciessolikemurder，socowardlyinthemeansused，sowickedintheend，thatournationhassuredonewellinthrowingoffallallegianceandfidelitytotheunhappyfamilythatcouldnotvindicateitsrightexceptbysuchtreachery——bysuchdarkintrigueandbaseagents。ThereweredesignsagainstKingWilliamthatwerenomorehonorablethantheambushesofcut—throatsandfootpads。'TishumiliatingtothinkthatagreatPrince，possessorofagreatandsacredright，andupholderofagreatcause，shouldhavestoopedtosuchbasenessofassassinationandtreasonsasareprovedbytheunfortunateKingJames'sownwarrantandsignmanualgiventohissupportersinthiscountry。Whatheandtheycalledlevyingwarwas，intruth，nobetterthaninstigatingmurder。ThenoblePrinceofOrangeburstmagnanimouslythroughthosefeeblemeshesofconspiracyinwhichhisenemiestriedtoenvelophim:itseemedasiftheircowardlydaggersbrokeuponthebreastofhisundauntedresolution。AfterKingJames'sdeath，theQueenandherpeopleatSt。Germains——priestsandwomenforthemostpart——
　　continuedtheirintriguesinbehalfoftheyoungPrince，JamestheThird，ashewascalledinFranceandbyhispartyhere（thisPrince，orChevalierdeSt。George，wasborninthesameyearwithEsmond'syoungpupilFrank，myLordViscount'sson）;andthePrince'saffairs，beinginthehandsofpriestsandwomen，wereconductedaspriestsandwomenwillconductthem，artfully，cruelly，feebly，andtoacertainbadissue。ThemoraloftheJesuits'storyIthinkaswholesomeaoneaseverwaswrit:theartfullest，thewisest，themosttoilsome，anddexterousplot—
　　buildersintheworld——therealwayscomesadaywhentherousedpublicindignationkickstheirflimsyedificedown，andsendsitscowardlyenemiesa—flying。Mr。Swifthathfinelydescribedthatpassionforintrigue，thatloveofsecrecy，slander，andlying，whichbelongstoweakpeople，hangers—onofweakcourts。'Tisthenatureofsuchtohateandenvythestrong，andconspiretheirruin;andtheconspiracysucceedsverywell，andeverythingpresagesthesatisfactoryoverthrowofthegreatvictim;untilonedayGulliverrouseshimself，shakesoffthelittleverminofanenemy，andwalksawayunmolested。Ah！theIrishsoldiersmightwellsayaftertheBoyne，"Changekingswithusandwewillfightitoveragain。"Indeed，thefightwasnotfairbetweenthetwo。
　　'Twasaweak，priest—ridden，woman—riddenman，withsuchpunyalliesandweaponsashisownpoornatureledhimtochoose，contendingagainsttheschemes，thegeneralship，thewisdom，andtheheartofahero。
　　Ononeofthesemanycoward'serrandsthen，（for，asIviewthemnow，Icancallthemnoless，）Mr。HolthadcometomylordatCastlewood，proposingsomeinfallibleplanforthePrinceofOrange'sdestruction，inwhichmyLordViscount，loyalistashewas，hadindignantlyrefusedtojoin。AsfarasMr。Esmondcouldgatherfromhisdyingwords，Holtcametomylordwithaplanofinsurrection，andofferoftherenewal，inhisperson，ofthatmarquis'stitlewhichKingJameshadconferredontheprecedingviscount;andonrefusalofthisbribe，athreatwasmade，onHolt'spart，toupsetmyLordViscount'sclaimtohisestateandtitleofCastlewoodaltogether。Tobackthisastoundingpieceofintelligence，ofwhichHenryEsmond'spatronnowhadthefirstlight，Holtcamearmedwiththelatelord'sdyingdeclaration，aftertheaffairoftheBoyne，atTrim，inIreland，madebothtotheIrishpriestandaFrenchecclesiasticofHolt'sorder，thatwaswithKingJames'sarmy。Holtshowed，orpretendedtoshow，themarriagecertificateofthelateViscountEsmondwithmymother，inthecityofBrussels，intheyear1677，whentheviscount，thenThomasEsmond，wasservingwiththeEnglisharmyinFlanders;hecouldshow，hesaid，thatthisGertrude，desertedbyherhusbandlongsince，wasalive，andaprofessednunintheyear1685，atBrussels，inwhichyearThomasEsmondmarriedhisuncle'sdaughter，Isabella，nowcalledViscountessDowagerofCastlewood;andleavinghim，fortwelvehours，toconsiderthisastoundingnews（sothepoordyinglordsaid），disappearedwithhispapersinthemysteriouswayinwhichhecame。Esmondknewhow，wellenough:bythatwindowfromwhichhehadseentheFatherissue:——buttherewasnoneedtoexplaintomypoorlord，onlytogatherfromhispartinglipsthewordswhichhewouldsoonbeabletoutternomore。
　　Erethetwelvehourswereover，Holthimselfwasaprisoner，implicatedinSirJohnFenwick'sconspiracy，andlockedupatHextonfirst，whencehewastransferredtotheTower;leavingthepoorLordViscount，whowasnotawareoftheothersbeingtaken，indailyapprehensionofhisreturn，when（asmyLordCastlewooddeclared，callingGodtowitness，andwithtearsinhisdyingeyes）
　　ithadbeenhisintentionatoncetogiveuphisestateandhistitletotheirproperowner，andtoretiretohisownhouseatWalcotewithhisfamily。"AndwouldtoGodIhaddoneit，"thepoorlordsaid。"Iwouldnotbeherenow，woundedtodeath，amiserable，strickenman！"
　　Mylordwaiteddayafterday，and，asmaybesupposed，nomessengercame;butatamonth'sendHoltgotmeanstoconveytohimamessageoutoftheTower，whichwastothiseffect:thatheshouldconsiderallunsaidthathadbeensaid，andthatthingswereastheywere。
　　"Ihadasoretemptation，"saidmypoorlord。"SinceIhadcomeintothiscursedtitleofCastlewood，whichhathneverprosperedwithme，Ihavespentfarmorethantheincomeofthatestate，andmypaternalone，too。Icalculatedallmymeansdowntothelastshilling，andfoundInevercouldpayyouback，mypoorHarry，whosefortuneIhadhadfortwelveyears。Mywifeandchildrenmusthavegoneoutofthehousedishonored，andbeggars。Godknows，ithathbeenamiserableoneformeandmine。Likeacoward，IclungtothatrespitewhichHoltgaveme。IkeptthetruthfromRachelandyou。ItriedtowinmoneyofMohun，andonlyplungeddeeperintodebt;IscarcedaredlooktheeinthefacewhenIsawthee。Thisswordhathbeenhangingovermyheadthesetwoyears。IswearIfelthappywhenMohun'sbladeenteredmyside。"
　　AfterlyingtenmonthsintheTower，Holt，againstwhomnothingcouldbefoundexceptthathewasaJesuitpriest，knowntobeinKingJames'sinterest，wasputonshipboardbytheincorrigibleforgivenessofKingWilliam，whopromisedhim，however，ahangingifeverheshouldagainsetfootonEnglishshore。Morethanonce，whilsthewasinprisonhimself，Esmondhadthoughtwherethosepaperscouldbe，whichtheJesuithadshowntohispatron，andwhichhadsuchaninterestforhimself。TheywerenotfoundonMr。
　　Holt'spersonwhenthatFatherwasapprehended，forhadsuchbeenthecasemyLordsoftheCouncilhadseenthem，andthisfamilyhistoryhadlongsincebeenmadepublic。However，Esmondcarednottoseekthepapers。Hisresolutionbeingtaken;hispoormotherdead;whatmattertohimthatdocumentsexistedprovinghisrighttoatitlewhichhewasdeterminednottoclaim，andofwhichhevowednevertodeprivethatfamilywhichhelovedbestintheworld？Perhapshetookagreaterprideoutofhissacrificethanhewouldhavehadinthosehonorswhichhewasresolvedtoforego。
　　Again，aslongasthesetitleswerenotforthcoming，Esmond'skinsman，dearyoungFrancis，wasthehonorableandundisputedowneroftheCastlewoodestateandtitle。ThemerewordofaJesuitcouldnotoversetFrank'srightofoccupancy，andsoEsmond'smindfeltactuallyateasetothinkthepapersweremissing，andintheirabsencehisdearmistressandhersonthelawfulLadyandLordofCastlewood。
　　Verysoonafterhisliberation，Mr。EsmondmadeithisbusinesstoridetothatvillageofEalingwherehehadpassedhisearliestyearsinthiscountry，andtoseeifhisoldguardianswerestillaliveandinhabitantsofthatplace。ButtheonlyreliquewhichhefoundofoldM。Pastoureauwasastoneinthechurchyard，whichtoldthatAthanasiusPastoureau，anativeofFlanders，laythereburied，aged87years。Theoldman'scottage，whichEsmondperfectlyrecollected，andthegarden（whereinhischildhoodhehadpassedmanyhoursofplayandreverie，andhadmanyabeatingfromhistermagantofafoster—mother），werenowintheoccupationofquiteadifferentfamily;anditwaswithdifficultythathecouldlearninthevillagewhathadcomeofPastoureau'swidowandchildren。Theclerkoftheparishrecollectedher——theoldmanwasscarcealteredinthefourteenyearsthathadpassedsincelastEsmondseteyesonhim。Itappearedshehadprettysoonconsoledherselfafterthedeathofheroldhusband，whomsheruledover，bytakinganewoneyoungerthanherself，whospenthermoneyandill—
　　treatedherandherchildren。Thegirldied;oneoftheboys'listed;theotherhadgoneapprentice。OldMr。Rogers，theclerk，saidhehadheardthatMrs。Pastoureauwasdeadtoo。SheandherhusbandhadleftEalingthissevenyear;andsoMr。Esmond'shopesofgaininganyinformationregardinghisparentagefromthisfamilywerebroughttoanend。Hegavetheoldclerkacrown—pieceforhisnews，smilingtothinkofthetimewhenheandhislittleplayfellowshadslunkoutofthechurchyardorhiddenbehindthegravestones，attheapproachofthisawfulauthority。
　　Whowashismother？Whathadhernamebeen？Whendidshedie？
　　Esmondlongedtofindsomeonewhocouldanswerthesequestionstohim，andthoughtevenofputtingthemtohisaunttheViscountess，whohadinnocentlytakenthenamewhichbelongedofrighttoHenry'smother。Butsheknewnothing，orchosetoknownothing，onthissubject，nor，indeed，couldMr。Esmondpresshermuchtospeakonit。FatherHoltwastheonlymanwhocouldenlightenhim，andEsmondfelthemustwaituntilsomefreshchanceornewintriguemightputhimfacetofacewithhisoldfriend，orbringthatrestlessindefatigablespiritbacktoEnglandagain。
　　Theappointmenttohisensigncy，andthepreparationsnecessaryforthecampaign，presentlygavetheyounggentlemanothermatterstothinkof。Hisnewpatronesstreatedhimverykindlyandliberally;
　　shepromisedtomakeinterestandpaymoney，too，togethimacompanyspeedily;shebadehimprocureahandsomeoutfit，bothofclothesandofarms，andwaspleasedtoadmirehimwhenhemadehisfirstappearanceinhislacedscarletcoat，andtopermithimtosaluteherontheoccasionofthisinterestinginvestiture。"Red，"
　　saysshe，tossingupheroldhead，"hathalwaysbeenthecolorwornbytheEsmonds。"Andsoherladyshipworeitonherowncheeksveryfaithfullytothelast。Shewouldhavehimbedressed，shesaid，asbecamehisfather'sson，andpaidcheerfullyforhisfive—
　　poundbeaver，hisblackbuckledperiwig，andhisfinehollandshirts，andhisswords，andhispistols，mountedwithsilver。
　　Sincethedayhewasborn，poorHarryhadneverlookedsuchafinegentleman:hisliberalstep—motherfilledhispursewithguineas，too，someofwhichCaptainSteeleandafewchoicespiritshelpedHarrytospendinanentertainmentwhichDickordered（and，indeed，wouldhavepaidfor，butthathehadnomoneywhenthereckoningwascalledfor;norwouldthelandlordgivehimanymorecredit）atthe"Garter，"overagainstthegateofthePalace，inPallMall。
　　TheoldViscountess，indeed，ifshehaddoneEsmondanywrongformerly，seemedinclinedtorepairitbythepresentkindnessofherbehavior:sheembracedhimcopiouslyatparting，weptplentifully，badehimwritebyeverypacket，andgavehimaninestimablerelic，whichshebesoughthimtowearroundhisneck——amedal，blessedbyIknownotwhatpope，andwornbyhislatesacredMajestyKingJames。SoEsmondarrivedathisregimentwithabetterequipagethanmostyoungofficerscouldafford。Hewasolderthanmostofhisseniors，andhadafurtheradvantagewhichbelongedbuttoveryfewofthearmygentlemeninhisday——manyofwhomcoulddolittlemorethanwritetheirnames——thathehadreadmuch，bothathomeandattheUniversity，wasmasteroftwoorthreelanguages，andhadthatfurthereducationwhichneitherbooksnoryearswillgive，butwhichsomemengetfromthesilentteachingofadversity。Sheisagreatschoolmistress，asmanyapoorfellowknows，thathathheldhishandouttoherferule，andwhimperedoverhislessonbeforeherawfulchair。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　IGOONTHEVIGOBAYEXPEDITION，TASTESALT—WATERANDSMELLPOWDER。
　　ThefirstexpeditioninwhichMr。Esmondhadthehonortobeengaged，ratherresembledoneoftheinvasionsprojectedbytheredoubtedCaptainAvoryorCaptainKidd，thanawarbetweencrownedheads，carriedonbygeneralsofrankandhonor。Onthe1stdayofJuly，1702，agreatfleet，ofahundredandfiftysail，setsailfromSpithead，underthecommandofAdmiralShovell，havingonboard12，000troops，withhisGracetheDukeofOrmondastheCapt。—Generaloftheexpedition。Oneofthese12，000heroeshavingneverbeentoseabefore，or，atleast，onlyonceinhisinfancy，whenhemadethevoyagetoEnglandfromthatunknowncountrywherehewasborn——oneofthose12，000——thejuniorensignofColonelQuin'sregimentofFusileers——wasinaquiteunheroicstateofcorporalprostrationafewhoursaftersailing;andanenemy，hadheboardedtheship，wouldhavehadeasyworkofhim。FromPortsmouthweputintoPlymouth，andtookinfreshreinforcements。
　　WewereoffFinisterreonthe31stofJuly，soEsmond'stable—bookinformshim:andonthe8thofAugustmadetherockofLisbon。BythistimetheEnsignwasgrownasboldasanadmiral，andaweekafterwardshadthefortunetobeunderfireforthefirsttime——andunderwater，too，——hisboatbeingswampedinthesurfinTorosBay，wherethetroopslanded。Theduckingofhisnewcoatwasalltheharmtheyoungsoldiergotinthisexpedition，for，indeed，theSpaniardsmadenostandbeforeourtroops，andwerenotinstrengthtodoso。
　　Butthecampaign，ifnotveryglorious，wasverypleasant。Newsightsofnature，byseaandland——alifeofaction，beginningnowforthefirsttime——occupiedandexcitedtheyoungman。Themanyaccidents，andtheroutineofshipboard——themilitaryduty——thenewacquaintances，bothofhiscomradesinarms，andoftheofficersofthefleet——servedtocheerandoccupyhismind，andwakenitoutofthatselfishdepressionintowhichhislateunhappyfortuneshadplungedhim。Hefeltasiftheoceanseparatedhimfromhispastcare，andwelcomedtheneweraoflifewhichwasdawningforhim。
　　Woundshealrapidlyinaheartoftwo—and—twenty;hopesrevivedaily;andcourageralliesinspiteofaman。Perhaps，asEsmondthoughtofhislatedespondencyandmelancholy，andhowirremediableithadseemedtohim，ashelayinhisprisonafewmonthsback，hewasalmostmortifiedinhissecretmindatfindinghimselfsocheerful。
　　Toseewithone'sowneyesmenandcountries，isbetterthanreadingallthebooksoftravelintheworld:anditwaswithextremedelightandexultationthattheyoungmanfoundhimselfactuallyonhisgrandtour，andintheviewofpeopleandcitieswhichhehadreadaboutasaboy。Hebeheldwarforthefirsttime——thepride，pomp，andcircumstanceofit，atleast，ifnotmuchofthedanger。Hesawactually，andwithhisowneyes，thoseSpanishcavaliersandladieswhomhehadbeheldinimaginationinthatimmortalstoryofCervantes，whichhadbeenthedelightofhisyouthfulleisure。'TisfortyyearssinceMr。Esmondwitnessedthosescenes，buttheyremainasfreshinhismemoryasonthedaywhenfirsthesawthemasayoungman。Acloud，asofgrief，thathadloweredoverhim，andhadwrappedthelastyearsofhislifeingloom，seemedtoclearawayfromEsmondduringthisfortunatevoyageandcampaign。Hisenergiesseemedtoawakenandtoexpandunderacheerfulsenseoffreedom。Washisheartsecretlygladtohaveescapedfromthatfondbutignoblebondageathome？Wasitthattheinferioritytowhichtheideaofhisbasebirthhadcompelledhim，vanishedwiththeknowledgeofthatsecret，whichthough，perforce，kepttohimself，wasyetenoughtocheerandconsolehim？Atanyrate，youngEsmondofthearmywasquiteadifferentbeingtothesadlittledependantofthekindCastlewoodhousehold，andthemelancholystudentofTrinityWalks;
　　discontentedwithhisfate，andwiththevocationintowhichthatdrovehim，andthinking，withasecretindignation，thatthecassockandbands，andtheverysacredofficewithwhichhehadonceproposedtoinvesthimself，were，infact，butmarksofaservitudewhichwastocontinueallhislifelong。For，disguiseitashemighttohimself，hehadallalongfeltthattobeCastlewood'schaplainwastobeCastlewood'sinferiorstill，andthathislifewasbuttobealong，hopelessservitude。So，indeed，hewasfarfromgrudginghisoldfriendTomTusher'sgoodfortune（asTom，nodoubt，thoughtit）。HaditbeenamitreandLambethwhichhisfriendsofferedhim，andnotasmalllivingandacountryparsonage，hewouldhavefeltasmuchaslaveinonecaseasintheother，andwasquitehappyandthankfultobefree。
　　ThebravestmanIeverknewinthearmy，andwhohadbeenpresentinmostofKingWilliam'sactions，aswellasinthecampaignsofthegreatDukeofMarlborough，couldneverbegottotellusofanyachievementofhis，exceptthatoncePrinceEugeneorderedhimupatreetoreconnoitretheenemy，whichfeathecouldnotachieveonaccountofthehorseman'sbootshewore;andonanotherdaythathewasverynearlytakenprisonerbecauseofthesejack—boots，whichpreventedhimfromrunningaway。Thepresentnarratorshallimitatethislaudablereserve，anddothnotintendtodwelluponhismilitaryexploits，whichwereintruthnotverydifferentfromthoseofathousandothergentlemen。ThisfirstcampaignofMr。
　　Esmond'slastedbutafewdays;andasascoreofbookshavebeenwrittenconcerningit，itmaybedismissedverybrieflyhere。
　　WhenourfleetcamewithinviewofCadiz，ourcommandersentaboatwithawhiteflagandacoupleofofficerstotheGovernorofCadiz，DonScipiodeBrancaccio，withaletterfromhisGrace，inwhichhehopedthatasDonScipiohadformerlyservedwiththeAustriansagainsttheFrench，'twastobehopedthathisExcellencywouldnowdeclarehimselfagainsttheFrenchKing，andfortheAustrianinthewarbetweenKingPhilipandKingCharles。ButhisExcellency，DonScipio，preparedareply，inwhichheannouncedthat，havingservedhisformerkingwithhonorandfidelity，hehopedtoexhibitthesameloyaltyanddevotiontowardshispresentsovereign，KingPhilipV。;andbythetimethisletterwasready，thetwoofficershadbeentakentoseethetown，andthealameda，andthetheatre，wherebull—fightsarefought，andtheconvents，wheretheadmirableworksofDonBartholomewMurilloinspiredoneofthemwithagreatwonderanddelight——suchashehadneverfeltbefore——concerningthisdivineartofpainting;andthesesightsover，andahandsomerefectionandchocolatebeingservedtotheEnglishgentlemen，theywereaccompaniedbacktotheirshallopwitheverycourtesy，andweretheonlytwoofficersoftheEnglisharmythatsawatthattimethatfamouscity。