ThegeneraltriedthepowerofanotherproclamationontheSpaniards，inwhichheannouncedthatweonlycameintheinterestofSpainandKingCharles，andforourselveswantedtomakenoconquestnorsettlementinSpainatall。ButallthiseloquencewaslostupontheSpaniards，itwouldseem:theCaptain—GeneralofAndalusiawouldnomorelistentousthantheGovernorofCadiz;
andinreplytohisGrace'sproclamation，theMarquisofVilladariasfiredoffanother，whichthosewhoknewtheSpanishthoughtratherthebestofthetwo;andofthisnumberwasHarryEsmond，whosekindJesuitinolddayshadinstructedhim，andnowhadthehonoroftranslatingforhisGracetheseharmlessdocumentsofwar。TherewasahardtouchforhisGrace，and，indeed，forothergeneralsinherMajesty'sservice，intheconcludingsentenceoftheDon:"Thatheandhiscouncilhadthegenerousexampleoftheirancestorstofollow，whohadneveryetsoughttheirelevationinthebloodorintheflightoftheirkings。'Moripropatria'
washisdevice，whichtheDukemightcommunicatetothePrincesswhogovernedEngland。"
Whetherthetroopswereangryatthisreparteeorno，'tiscertainsomethingputtheminafury;for，notbeingabletogetpossessionofCadiz，ourpeopleseizeduponPortSaintMary'sandsackedit，burningdownthemerchants'storehouses，gettingdrunkwiththefamouswinesthere，pillagingandrobbingquiethousesandconvents，murderinganddoingworse。AndtheonlybloodwhichMr。
Esmonddrewinthisshamefulcampaign，wastheknockingdownanEnglishsentinelwithahalf—pike，whowasofferinginsulttoapoortremblingnun。Isshegoingtoturnoutabeauty？oraprincess？orperhapsEsmond'smotherthathehadlostandneverseen？Alasno，itwasbutapoorwheezyolddropsicalwoman，withawartuponhernose。ButhavingbeenearlytaughtapartoftheRomanreligion，heneverhadthehorrorofitthatsomeProtestantshaveshown，andseemtothinktobeapartofours。
AfterthepillageandplunderofSt。Mary'sandanassaultuponafortortwo，thetroopsalltookshipping，andfinishedtheirexpedition，atanyrate，morebrilliantlythanithadbegun。
HearingthattheFrenchfleetwithagreattreasurewasinVigoBay，ourAdmirals，RookeandHopson，pursuedtheenemythither;thetroopslandedandcarriedthefortsthatprotectedthebay，Hopsonpassingtheboomfirstonboardhisshipthe"Torbay，"andtherestoftheships，EnglishandDutch，followinghim。TwentyshipswereburnedortakeninthePortofRedondilla，andavastdealmoreplunderthanwaseveraccountedfor;butpoormenbeforethatexpeditionwererichafterwards，andsooftenwasitfoundandremarkedthattheVigoofficerscamehomewithpocketsfullofmoney，thatthenotoriousJackShafto，whomadesuchafigureatthecoffeehousesandgaming—tablesinLondon，andgaveoutthathehadbeenasoldieratVigo，owned，whenhewasabouttobehanged，thatBagshotHeathhadbeenHISVigo，andthatheonlyspokeofLaRedondillatoturnawaypeople'seyesfromtherealplacewherethebootylay。Indeed，HounsloworVigo——whichmattersmuch？Thelatterwasabadbusiness，thoughMr。AddisondidsingitspraisesinLatin。Thathonestgentleman'smusehadaneyetothemainchance;andIdoubtwhethershesawmuchinspirationinthelosingside。
ButthoughEsmond，forhispart，gotnoshareofthisfabulousbooty，onegreatprizewhichhehadoutofthecampaignwas，thatexcitementofactionandchangeofscene，whichshookoffagreatdealofhispreviousmelancholy。Helearntatanyratetobearhisfatecheerfully。Hebroughtbackabrownedface，aheartresoluteenough，andalittlepleasantstoreofknowledgeandobservation，fromthatexpedition，whichwasoverwiththeautumn，whenthetroopswerebackinEnglandagain;andEsmondgivinguphispostofsecretarytoGeneralLumley，whosecommandwasover，andpartingwiththatofficerwithmanykindexpressionsofgoodwillontheGeneral'sside，hadleavetogotoLondon，toseeifhecouldpushhisfortunesanywayfurther，andfoundhimselfoncemoreinhisdowageraunt'scomfortablequartersatChelsey，andingreaterfavorthaneverwiththeoldlady。Hepropitiatedherwithapresentofacomb，afan，andablackmantle，suchastheladiesofCadizwear，andwhichmyLadyViscountesspronouncedbecameherstyleofbeautymightily。Andshewasgreatilyedifiedathearingofthatstoryofhisrescueofthenun，andfeltverylittledoubtbutthatherKingJames'srelic，whichhehadalwaysdutifullyworninhisdesk，hadkepthimoutofdanger，andavertedtheshotoftheenemy。Myladymadefeastsforhim，introducedhimtomorecompany，andpushedhisfortuneswithsuchenthusiasmandsuccess，thatshegotapromiseofacompanyforhimthroughtheLadyMarlborough'sinterest，whowasgraciouslypleasedtoacceptofadiamondworthacoupleofhundredguineas，whichMr。Esmondwasenabledtopresenttoherladyshipthroughhisaunt'sbounty，andwhopromisedthatshewouldtakechargeofEsmond'sfortune。Hehadthehonortoma"m.kanbaapp点com"kehisappearanceattheQueen'sdrawing—roomoccasionally，andtofrequentmyLordMarlborough'slevees。Thatgreatmanreceivedtheyoungonewithveryespecialfavor，soEsmond'scomradessaid，anddeignedtosaythathehadreceivedthebestreportsofMr。Esmond，bothforcourageandability，whereonyoumaybesuretheyounggentlemanmadeaprofoundbow，andexpressedhimselfeagertoserveunderthemostdistinguishedcaptainintheworld。
Whilsthisbusinesswasgoingonthusprosperously，Esmondhadhisshareofpleasuretoo，andmadehisappearancealongwithotheryounggentlemenatthecoffee—houses，thetheatres，andtheMall。
Helongedtohearofhisdearmistressandherfamily:manyatime，inthemidstofthegayetiesandpleasuresofthetown，hisheartfondlyrevertedtothem;andoftenastheyoungfellowsofhissocietyweremakingmerryatthetavern，andcallingtoasts（asthefashionofthatdaywas）overtheirwine，Esmondthoughtofpersons——oftwofairwomen，whomhehadbeenusedtoadorealmost，andemptiedhisglasswithasigh。
BythistimetheelderViscountesshadgrowntiredagainoftheyounger，andwhenevershespokeofmylord'swidow，'twasintermsbynomeanscomplimentarytowardsthatpoorlady:theyoungerwomannotneedingherprotectionanylonger，theelderabusedher。MostofthefamilyquarrelsthatIhaveseeninlife（savingalwaysthosearisingfrommoneydisputes，whenadivisionoftwopencehalfpennywilloftendrivethedearestrelativesintowarandestrangement，）springoutofjealousyandenvy。JackandTom，bornofthesamefamilyandtothesamefortune，liveverycordiallytogether，notuntilJackisruinedwhenTomdesertshim，butuntilTommakesasuddenriseinprosperity，whichJackcan'tforgive。
Tentimestoone'tistheunprosperousmanthatisangry，nottheotherwhoisinfault。'TisMrs。Jack，whocanonlyaffordachair，thatsickensatMrs。Tom'snewcoach—and—sick，criesoutagainsthersister'sairs，andsetsherhusbandagainsthisbrother。'TisJackwhoseeshisbrothershakinghandswithalord（withwhomJackwouldliketoexchangesnuff—boxeshimself），thatgoeshomeandtellshiswifehowpoorTomisspoiled，hefears，andnobetterthanasneak，parasite，andbeggaronhorseback。I
rememberhowfuriousthecoffee—housewitswerewithDickSteelewhenhesetuphiscoachandfinehouseinBloomsbury:theybegantoforgivehimwhenthebailiffswereafterhim，andabusedMr。
AddisonforsellingDick'scountry—house。AndyetDickinthesponging—house，orDickinthePark，withhisfourmaresandplatedharness，wasexactlythesamegentle，kindly，improvident，jovialDickSteele:andyetMr。Addisonwasperfectlyrightingettingthemoneywhichwashis，andnotgivinguptheamountofhisjustclaim，tobespentbyDickuponchampagneandfiddlers，lacedclothes，finefurniture，andparasites，JewandChristian，maleandfemale，whoclungtohim。As，accordingtothefamousmaximofMonsieurdeRochefoucault，"inourfriends'misfortunesthere'ssomethingsecretlypleasanttous;"so，ontheotherhand，theirgoodfortuneisdisagreeable。If'tishardforamantobearhisowngoodluck，'tisharderstillforhisfriendstobearitforhimandbutfewofthemordinarilycanstandthattrial:whereasoneofthe"precioususes"ofadversityis，thatitisagreatreconciler;
thatitbringsbackavertedkindness，disarmsanimosity，andcausesyesterday'senemytoflinghishatredaside，andholdoutahandtothefallenfriendofolddays。There'spityandlove，aswellasenvy，inthesameheartandtowardsthesameperson。Therivalrystopswhenthecompetitortumbles;and，asIviewit，weshouldlookattheseagreeableanddisagreeablequalitiesofourhumanityhumblyalike。Theyareconsequentandnatural，andourkindnessandmeannessbothmanly。
Soyoumayeitherreadthesentence，thattheelderofEsmond'stwokinswomenpardonedtheyoungerherbeauty，whenthathadlostsomewhatofitsfreshness，perhaps;andforgotmosthergrievancesagainsttheother，whenthesubjectofthemwasnolongerprosperousandenviable;orwemaysaymorebenevolently（butthesumcomestothesamefigures，workedeitherway，）thatIsabellarepentedofherunkindnesstowardsRachel，whenRachelwasunhappy;
and，bestirringherselfinbehalfofthepoorwidowandherchildren，gavethemshelterandfriendship。Theladieswerequitegoodfriendsaslongastheweakeroneneededaprotector。BeforeEsmondwentawayonhisfirstcampaign，hismistresswasstillontermsoffriendship（thoughapoorlittlechit，awomanthathadevidentlynospiritinher，&c。）withtheelderLadyCastlewood;
andMistressBeatrixwasallowedtobeabeauty。
ButbetweenthefirstyearofQueenAnne'sreign，andthesecond，sadchangesfortheworsehadtakenplaceinthetwoyoungerladies，atleastintheelder'sdescriptionofthem。Rachel，ViscountessCastlewood，hadnomorefacethanadumpling，andMrs。
Beatrixwasgrownquitecoarse，andwaslosingallherbeauty。
LittleLordBlandford——（sheneverwouldcallhimLordBlandford;
hisfatherwasLordChurchill——theKing，whomhebetrayed，hadmadehimLordChurchill，andhewasLordChurchillstill）——mightbemakingeyesather;buthismother，thatvixenofaSarahJennings，wouldneverhearofsuchafolly。LadyMarlboroughhadgothertobeamaidofhonoratCourttothePrincess，butshewouldrepentofit。ThewidowFrancis（shewasbutMrs。FrancisEsmond）wasascheming，artful，heartlesshussy。Shewasspoilingherbratofaboy，andshewouldendbymarryingherchaplain。
"What，Tusher！"criedMr。Esmond，feelingastrangepangofrageandastonishment。
"Yes——Tusher，mymaid'sson;andwhohasgotallthequalitiesofhisfatherthelackeyinblack，andhisaccomplishedmammathewaiting—woman，"criesmylady。"Whatdoyousupposethatasentimentalwidow，whowilllivedowninthatdingydungeonofaCastlewood，whereshespoilsherboy，killsthepoorwithherdrugs，hasprayerstwiceadayandseesnobodybutthechaplain——
whatdoyousupposeshecando，monCousin，butletthehorridparson，withhisgreatsquaretoesandhideouslittlegreeneyes，makelovetoher？Celac'estvu，monCousin。WhenIwasagirlatCastlewood，allthechaplainsfellinlovewithme——they'venothingelsetodo。"
Myladywentonwithmoretalkofthiskind，though，intruth，Esmondhadnoideaofwhatshesaidfurther，soentirelydidherfirstwordsoccupyhisthought。Weretheytrue？Notall，norhalf，noratenthpartofwhatthegarrulousoldwomansaid，wastrue。Couldthisbeso？NoearhadEsmondforanythingelse，thoughhispatronesschattedonforanhour。
Someyounggentlemenofthetown，withwhomEsmondhadmadeacquaintance，hadpromisedtopresenthimtothatmostcharmingofactresses，andlivelyandagreeableofwomen，Mrs。Bracegirdle，aboutwhomHarry'soldadversaryMohunhaddrawnswords，afewyearsbeforemypoorlordandhefellout。ThefamousMr。Congrevehadstampedwithhishighapproval，tothewhichtherewasnogainsaying，thisdelightfulperson:andshewasactinginDickSteele'scomedies，andfinally，andfortwenty—fourhoursafterbeholdingher，Mr。Esmondfelthimself，orthoughthimself，tobeasviolentlyenamoredofthislovelybrunette，aswereathousandotheryoungfellowsaboutthecity。Tohaveonceseenherwastolongtobeholdheragain;andtobeofferedthedelightfulprivilegeofheracquaintance，wasapleasuretheveryideaofwhichsettheyounglieutenant'sheartonfire。Amancannotlivewithcomradesunderthetentswithoutfindingoutthathetooisfive—and—twenty。Ayoungfellowcannotbecastdownbygriefandmisfortuneeversoseverebutsomenighthebeginstosleepsound，andsomedaywhendinner—timecomestofeelhungryforabeefsteak。
Time，youthandgoodhealth，newscenesandtheexcitementofactionandacampaign，hadprettywellbroughtEsmond'smourningtoanend;andhiscomradessaidthatDonDismal，astheycalledhim，wasDonDismalnomore。Sowhenapartywasmadetodineatthe"Rose，"andgototheplayhouseafterward，Esmondwasaspleasedasanothertotakehisshareofthebottleandtheplay。
Howwasitthattheoldaunt'snews，oritmightbescandal，aboutTomTusher，causedsuchastrangeandsuddenexcitementinTom'soldplayfellow？Hadn'theswornathousandtimesinhisownmindthattheLadyofCastlewood，whohadtreatedhimwithsuchkindnessonce，andthenhadlefthimsocruelly，was，andwastoremainhenceforth，indifferenttohimforever？Hadhisprideandhissenseofjusticenotlongsincehelpedhimtocurethepainofthatdesertion——wasitevenapaintohimnow？Why，butlastnightashewalkedacrossthefieldsandmeadowstoChelseyfromPallMall，hadhenotcomposedtwoorthreestanzasofasong，celebratingBracegirdle'sbrowneyes，anddeclaringthemathousandtimesmorebeautifulthanthebrightestblueonesthateverlanguishedunderthelashesofaninsipidfairbeauty！ButTomTusher！TomTusher，thewaiting—woman'sson，raisinguphislittleeyestohismistress！TomTusherpresumingtothinkofCastlewood'swidow！
RageandcontemptfilledMr。Harry'sheartattheverynotion;thehonorofthefamily，ofwhichhewasthechief，madeithisdutytopreventsomonstrousanalliance，andtochastisetheupstartwhocoulddaretothinkofsuchaninsulttotheirhouse。'TistrueMr。Esmondoftenboastedofrepublicanprinciples，andcouldremembermanyfinespeecheshehadmadeatcollegeandelsewhere，withWORTHandnotBIRTHforatext:butTomTushertotaketheplaceofthenobleCastlewood——faugh！'twasasmonstrousasKingHamlet'swidowtakingoffherweedsforClaudius。Esmondlaughedatallwidows，allwives，allwomen;andwerethebannsabouttobepublished，asnodoubttheywere，thatverynextSundayatWalcoteChurch，EsmondsworethathewouldbepresenttoshoutNo！inthefaceofthecongregation，andtotakeaprivaterevengeupontheearsofthebridegroom。
Insteadofgoingtodinnerthenatthe"Rose"thatnight，Mr。
Esmondbadehisservantpackaportmanteauandgethorses，andwasatFarnham，half—wayontheroadtoWalcote，thirtymilesoff，beforehiscomradeshadgottotheirsupperaftertheplay。HebadehismangivenohinttomyLadyDowager'shouseholdoftheexpeditiononwhichhewasgoing;andasChelseywasdistantfromLondon，theroadsbad，andinfestedbyfootpads，andEsmondofteninthehabit，whenengagedinapartyofpleasure，oflyingatafriend'slodgingintown，therewasnoneedthathisoldauntshouldbedisturbedathisabsence——indeed，nothingmoredelightedtheoldladythantofancythatmoncousin，theincorrigibleyoungsinner，wasabroadboxingthewatch，orscouringSt。Giles's。Whenshewasnotatherbooksofdevotion，shethoughtEtheridgeandSedleyverygoodreading。ShehadahundredprettystoriesaboutRochester，HarryJermyn，andHamilton;andifEsmondwouldbuthaverunawaywiththewifeevenofacitizen，'tismybeliefshewouldhavepawnedherdiamonds（thebestofthemwenttoourLadyofChaillot）topayhisdamages。
Mylord'slittlehouseofWalcote——whichheinhabitedbeforehetookhistitleandoccupiedthehouseofCastlewood——liesaboutamilefromWinchester，andhiswidowhadreturnedtoWalcoteaftermylord'sdeathasaplacealwaysdeartoher，andwhereherearliestandhappiestdayshadbeenspent，cheerfullerthanCastlewood，whichwastoolargeforherstraitenedmeans，andgivingher，too，theprotectionoftheex—dean，herfather。TheyoungViscounthadayear'sschoolingatthefamouscollegethere，withMr。Tusherashisgovernor。SomuchnewsofthemMr。EsmondhadhadduringthepastyearfromtheoldViscountess，hisownfather'swidow;fromtheyoungonetherehadneverbeenaword。
Twiceorthriceinhisbenefactor'slifetime，EsmondhadbeentoWalcote;andnow，takingbutacoupleofhours'restonlyattheinnontheroad，hewasupagainlongbeforedaybreak，andmadesuchgoodspeedthathewasatWalcotebytwoo'clockoftheday。
Heridtotheendofthevillage，wherehealightedandsentamanthencetoMr。Tusher，withamessagethatagentlemanfromLondonwouldspeakwithhimonurgentbusiness。ThemessengercamebacktosaytheDoctorwasintown，mostlikelyatprayersintheCathedral。MyLadyViscountesswasthere，too;shealwayswenttoCathedralprayerseveryday。
Thehorsesbelongedtothepost—houseatWinchester。Esmondmountedagainandrodeontothe"George;"whencehewalked，leavinghisgrumblingdomesticatlasthappywithadinner，straighttotheCathedral。Theorganwasplaying:thewinter'sdaywasalreadygrowinggray:ashepassedunderthestreet—archintotheCathedralyard，andmadehiswayintotheancientsolemnedifice。
CHAPTERVI。
THE29THDECEMBER。
TherewasscarceascoreofpersonsintheCathedralbesidetheDeanandsomeofhisclergy，andthechoristers，youngandold，thatperformedthebeautifuleveningprayer。ButMr。Tusherwasoneoftheofficiants，andreadfromtheeagleinanauthoritativevoice，andagreatblackperiwig;andinthestalls，stillinherblackwidow'shood，satEsmond'sdearmistress，hersonbyherside，verymuchgrown，andindeedanoble—lookingyouth，withhismother'seyes，andhisfather'scurlingbrownhair，thatfelloverhispointdeVenise——aprettypicturesuchasVanDyckmighthavepainted。Mons。Rigaud'sportraitofmyLordViscount，doneatParisafterwards，givesbutaFrenchversionofhismanly，frank，Englishface。Whenhelookedupthereweretwosapphirebeamsoutofhiseyessuchasnopainter'spalettehasthecolortomatch，I
think。Onthisdaytherewasnotmuchchanceofseeingthatparticularbeautyofmyyounglord'scountenance;forthetruthis，hekepthiseyesshutforthemostpart，and，theanthembeingratherlong，wasasleep。
Butthemusicceasing，mylordwokeup，lookingabouthim，andhiseyeslightingonMr。Esmond，whowassittingoppositehim，gazingwithnosmalltendernessandmelancholyupontwopersonswhohadsomuchofhisheartforsomanyyears，LordCastlewood，withastart，pulledathismother'ssleeve（herfacehadscarcebeenliftedfromherbook），andsaid，"Look，mother！"soloud，thatEsmondcouldhearontheothersideofthechurch，andtheoldDeanonhisthronedstall。LadyCastlewoodlookedforaninstantashersonbadeher，andheldupawarningfingertoFrank;Esmondfelthiswholefaceflush，andhisheartthrobbing，asthatdearladybeheldhimoncemore。Therestoftheprayerswerespeedilyover;Mr。
Esmonddidnothearthem;nordidhismistress，verylikely，whosehoodwentmorecloselyoverherface，andwhoneverliftedherheadagainuntiltheservicewasover，theblessinggiven，andMr。Dean，andhisprocessionofecclesiastics，outoftheinnerchapel。
YoungCastlewoodcameclamberingoverthestallsbeforetheclergywerefairlygone，andrunninguptoEsmond，eagerlyembracedhim。
"Mydear，dearestoldHarry！"hesaid，"areyoucomeback？Haveyoubeentothewars？You'lltakemewithyouwhenyougoagain？
Whydidn'tyouwritetous？Cometomother。"
Mr。Esmondcouldhardlysaymorethana"Godblessyou，myboy，"
forhisheartwasveryfullandgratefulatallthistendernessonthelad'spart;andhewasasmuchmovedatseeingFrankashewasfearfulaboutthatotherinterviewwhichwasnowtotakeplace:forheknewnotifthewidowwouldrejecthimasshehaddonesocruellyayearago。
"Itwaskindofyoutocomebacktous，Henry，"LadyEsmondsaid。
"Ithoughtyoumightcome。"
"WereadofthefleetcomingtoPortsmouth。WhydidyounotcomefromPortsmouth？"Frankasked，ormyLordViscount，ashenowmustbecalled。
Esmondhadthoughtofthattoo。Hewouldhavegivenoneofhiseyessothathemightseehisdearfriendsagainoncemore;butbelievingthathismistresshadforbiddenhimherhouse，hehadobeyedher，andremainedatadistance。
"Youhadbuttoask，andyouknowIwouldbehere，"hesaid。
Shegavehimherhand，herlittlefairhand;therewasonlyhermarriageringonit。Thequarrelwasallover。Theyearofgriefandestrangementwaspassed。Theyneverhadbeenseparated。Hismistresshadneverbeenoutofhismindallthattime。No，notonce。No，notintheprison;norinthecamp;noronshorebeforetheenemy;noratseaunderthestarsofsolemnmidnight;norashewatchedthegloriousrisingofthedawn:notevenatthetable，wherehesatcarousingwithfriends，oratthetheatreyonder，wherehetriedtofancythatothereyeswerebrighterthanhers。
Brightereyestheremightbe，andfacesmorebeautiful，butnonesodear——novoicesosweetasthatofhisbelovedmistress，whohadbeensister，mother，goddesstohimduringhisyouth——goddessnownomore，forheknewofherweaknesses;andbythought，bysuffering，andthatexperienceitbrings，wasoldernowthanshe;
butmorefondlycherishedaswomanperhapsthanevershehadbeenadoredasdivinity。Whatisit？Whereliesit？thesecretwhichmakesonelittlehandthedearestofall？Whoevercanunriddlethatmystery？Hereshewas，hersonbyhisside，hisdearboy。
Hereshewas，weepingandhappy。Shetookhishandinbothhers;
hefelthertears。Itwasaraptureofreconciliation。
"HerecomesSquaretoes，"saysFrank。"Here'sTusher。"
Tusher，indeed，nowappeared，creakingonhisgreatheels。Mr。Tomhaddivestedhimselfofhisalborsurplice，andcameforwardhabitedinhiscassockandgreatblackperiwig。HowhadEsmondeverbeenforamomentjealousofthisfellow？
"Giveusthyhand，TomTusher，"hesaid。Thechaplainmadehimaverylowandstatelybow。"IamcharmedtoseeCaptainEsmond，"
sayshe。"MylordandIhavereadtheReddasincolumemprecor，andappliedit，Iamsure，toyou。YoucomebackwithGaditanianlaurels;whenIheardyouwereboundthither，Iwished，Iamsure，IwasanotherSeptimius。MyLordViscount，yourlordshipremembersSeptimi，Gadesadituremecum？"
"There'sanangleofearththatIlovebetterthanGades，Tusher，"
saysMr。Esmond。"'Tisthatonewhereyourreverencehathaparsonage，andwhereouryouthwasbroughtup。"
"Ahousethathassomanysacredrecollectionstome，"saysMr。
Tusher（andHarryrememberedhowTom'sfatherusedtofloghimthere）——"ahouseneartothatofmyrespectedpatron，mymosthonoredpatroness，musteverbeadearabodetome。But，madam，thevergerwaitstoclosethegatesonyourladyship。"
"AndHarry'scominghometosupper。Huzzay！huzzay！"criesmylord。"Mother，IshallrunhomeandbidBeatrixputherribbonson。Beatrixisamaidofhonor，Harry。Suchafineset—upminx！"
"YourheartwasneverintheChurch，Harry，"thewidowsaid，inhersweetlowtone，astheywalkedawaytogether。（Now，itseemedtheyneverhadbeenparted，andagain，asiftheyhadbeenagesasunder。）"Ialwaysthoughtyouhadnovocationthatway;andthat'twasapitytoshutyououtfromtheworld。YouwouldbuthavepinedandchafedatCastlewood:and'tisbetteryoushouldmakeanameforyourself。Ioftensaidsotomydearlord。Howhelovedyou！'Twasmylordthatmadeyoustaywithus。"
"Iaskednobetterthantostaynearyoualways，"saidMr。Esmond。
"Buttogowasbest，Harry。Whentheworldcannotgivepeace，youwillknowwheretofindit;butoneofyourstrongimaginationandeagerdesiresmusttrytheworldfirstbeforehetiresofit。
'Twasnottobethoughtof，orifitoncewas，itwasonlybymyselfishness，thatyoushouldremainaschaplaintoacountrygentlemanandtutortoalittleboy。YouareofthebloodoftheEsmonds，kinsman;andthatwasalwayswildinyouth。LookatFrancis。Heisbutfifteen，andIscarcecankeephiminmynest。
Histalkisallofwarandpleasure，andhelongstoserveinthenextcampaign。PerhapsheandtheyoungLordChurchillshallgothenext。LordMarlboroughhasbeengoodtous。Youknowhowkindtheywereinmymisfortune。Andsowasyour——yourfather'swidow。
Nooneknowshowgoodtheworldis，tillgriefcomestotryus。
'TisthroughmyLadyMarlborough'sgoodnessthatBeatrixhathherplaceatCourt;andFrankisundermyLordChamberlain。Andthedowagerlady，yourfather'swidow，haspromisedtoprovideforyou——
hasshenot？"
Esmondsaid，"Yes。Asfaraspresentfavorwent，LadyCastlewoodwasverygoodtohim。Andshouldhermindchange，"headdedgayly，"asladies'mindswill，Iamstrongenoughtobearmyownburden，andmakemywaysomehow。Notbytheswordverylikely。ThousandshaveabettergeniusforthatthanI，buttherearemanywaysinwhichayoungmanofgoodpartsandeducationcangetonintheworld;andIamprettysure，onewayorother，ofpromotion！"
Indeed，hehadfoundpatronsalreadyinthearmy，andamongstpersonsveryabletoservehim，too;andtoldhismistressoftheflatteringaspectoffortune。Theywalkedasthoughtheyhadneverbeenparted，slowly，withthegraytwilightclosingroundthem。
"Andnowwearedrawingneartohome，"shecontinued，"Iknewyouwouldcome，Harry，if——ifitwasbuttoforgivemeforhavingspokenunjustlytoyouafterthathorrid——horridmisfortune。IwashalffranticwithgriefthenwhenIsawyou。AndIknownow——theyhavetoldme。Thatwretch，whosenameIcannevermention，evenhassaidit:howyoutriedtoavertthequarrel，andwouldhavetakenitonyourself，mypoorchild:butitwasGod'swillthatI
shouldbepunished，andthatmydearlordshouldfall。"
"Hegavemehisblessingonhisdeath—bed，"Esmondsaid。"ThankGodforthatlegacy！"
"Amen，amen！dearHenry，"saidthelady，pressinghisarm。"Iknewit。Mr。Atterbury，ofSt。Bride's，whowascalledtohim，toldmeso。AndIthankedGod，too，andinmyprayerseversincerememberedit。"
"Youhadsparedmemanyabitternight，hadyoutoldmesooner，"
Mr。Esmondsaid。
"Iknowit，Iknowit，"sheanswered，inatoneofsuchsweethumility，asmadeEsmondrepentthatheshouldeverhavedaredtoreproachher。"Iknowhowwickedmyhearthasbeen;andIhavesufferedtoo，mydear。IconfessedtoMr。Atterbury——Imustnottellanymore。He——IsaidIwouldnotwritetoyouorgotoyou——
anditwasbettereventhathavingparted，weshouldpart。ButI
knewyouwouldcomeback——Iownthat。Thatisnoone'sfault。Andto—day，Henry，intheanthem，whentheysangit，'WhentheLordturnedthecaptivityofZion，wewerelikethemthatdream，'I
thought，yes，likethemthatdream——themthatdream。Andthenitwent，'Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy;andhethatgoethforthandweepeth，shalldoubtlesscomeagainwithrejoicing，bringinghissheaveswithhim;'Ilookedupfromthebook，andsawyou。IwasnotsurprisedwhenIsawyou。Iknewyouwouldcome，mydear，andsawthegoldsunshineroundyourhead。"
Shesmiledanalmostwildsmileasshelookedupathim。Themoonwasupbythistime，glitteringkeeninthefrostysky。Hecouldsee，forthefirsttimenowclearly，hersweetcarewornface。
"Doyouknowwhatdayitis？"shecontinued。"Itisthe29thofDecember——itisyourbirthday！Butlastyearwedidnotdrinkit——
no，no。Mylordwascold，andmyHarrywaslikelytodie:andmybrainwasinafever;andwehadnowine。Butnow——nowyouarecomeagain，bringingyoursheaveswithyou，mydear。"Sheburstintoawildfloodofweepingasshespoke;shelaughedandsobbedontheyoungman'sheart，cryingoutwildly，"bringingyoursheaveswithyou——yoursheaveswithyou！"
Ashehadsometimesfelt，gazingupfromthedeckatmidnightintotheboundlessstarlitdepthsoverhead，inaraptureofdevoutwonderatthatendlessbrightnessandbeauty——insomesuchawaynow，thedepthofthispuredevotion（whichwas，forthefirsttime，revealedtohim）quitesmoteuponhim，andfilledhisheartwiththanksgiving。GraciousGod，whowashe，weakandfriendlesscreature，thatsuchaloveshouldbepouredoutuponhim？Notinvain——notinvainhashelived——hardandthanklessshouldhebetothinkso——thathassuchatreasuregivenhim。Whatisambitioncomparedtothat，butselfishvanity？Toberich，tobefamous？
Whatdotheseprofitayearhence，whenothernamessoundlouderthanyours，whenyouliehiddenawayundertheground，alongwithidletitlesengravenonyourcoffin？Butonlytruelovelivesafteryou——followsyourmemorywithsecretblessing——orprecedesyou，andintercedesforyou。Nonomnismoriar——ifdying，Iyetliveinatenderheartortwo;noramlostandhopelessliving，ifasainteddepartedsoulstilllovesandpraysforme。