"If——if'tisso，dearlady，"Mr。Esmondsaid，"whyshouldIeverleaveyou？IfGodhathgivenmethisgreatboon——andnearorfarfromme，asIknownow，theheartofmydearestmistressfollowsme，letmehavethatblessingnearme，noreverpartwithittilldeathseparateus。Comeaway——leavethisEurope，thisplacewhichhassomanysadrecollectionsforyou。Beginanewlifeinanewworld。MygoodlordoftentalkedofvisitingthatlandinVirginiawhichKingCharlesgaveus——gavehisancestor。Frankwillgiveusthat。Nomantherewillaskifthereisablotonmyname，orinquireinthewoodswhatmytitleis。"
　　"Andmychildren——andmyduty——andmygoodfather，Henry？"shebrokeout。"Hehasnonebutmenow！forsoonmysisterwillleavehim，andtheoldmanwillbealone。HehasconformedsincethenewQueen'sreign;andhereinWinchester，wheretheylovehim，theyhavefoundachurchforhim。Whenthechildrenleaveme，Iwillstaywithhim。Icannotfollowthemintothegreatworld，wheretheirwaylies——itscaresme。Theywillcomeandvisitme;andyouwill，sometimes，Henry——yes，sometimes，asnow，intheHolyAdventseason，whenIhaveseenandblessedyouoncemore。"
　　"Iwouldleavealltofollowyou，"saidMr。Esmond;"andcanyounotbeasgenerousforme，dearlady？"
　　"Hush，boy！"shesaid，anditwaswithamother'ssweetplaintivetoneandlookthatshespoke。"Theworldisbeginningforyou。
　　Forme，IhavebeensoweakandsinfulthatImustleaveit，andprayoutanexpiation，dearHenry。Hadwehousesofreligionastherewereonce，andmanydivinesofourChurchwouldhavethemagain，IoftenthinkIwouldretiretooneandpassmylifeinpenance。ButIwouldloveyoustill——yes，thereisnosininsuchaloveasminenow;andmydearlordinheavenmayseemyheart;
　　andknowsthetearsthathavewashedmysinaway——andnow——nowmydutyishere，bymychildrenwhilsttheyneedme，andbymypooroldfather，and——"
　　"Andnotbyme？"Henrysaid。
　　"Hush！"shesaidagain，andraisedherhanduptohislip。"Ihavebeenyournurse。Youcouldnotseeme，Harry，whenyouwereinthesmall—pox，andIcameandsatbyyou。Ah！IprayedthatImightdie，butitwouldhavebeeninsin，Henry。Oh，itishorridtolookbacktothattime。Itisovernowandpast，andithasbeenforgivenme。Whenyouneedmeagain，Iwillcomeeversofar。
　　Whenyourheartiswounded，thencometome，mydear。Besilent！
　　letmesayall。Youneverlovedme，dearHenry——no，youdonotnow，andIthankheavenforit。Iusedtowatchyou，andknewbyathousandsignsthatitwasso。Doyourememberhowgladyouweretogoawaytocollege？'TwasIsentyou。Itoldmypapathat，andMr。Atterburytoo，whenIspoketohiminLondon。Andtheybothgavemeabsolution——both——andtheyaregodlymen，havingauthoritytobindandtoloose。Andtheyforgaveme，asmydearlordforgavemebeforehewenttoheaven。"
　　"Ithinktheangelsarenotallinheaven，"Mr。Esmondsaid。Andasabrotherfoldsasistertohisheart;andasamothercleavestoherson'sbreast——soforafewmomentsEsmond'sbelovedmistresscametohimandblessedhim。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　IAMMADEWELCOMEATWALCOTE。
　　AstheycameuptothehouseatWalcote，thewindowsfromwithinwerelightedupwithfriendlywelcome;thesupper—tablewasspreadintheoak—parlor;itseemedasifforgivenessandlovewereawaitingthereturningprodigal。Twoorthreefamiliarfacesofdomesticswereonthelook—outattheporch——theoldhousekeeperwasthere，andyoungLockwoodfromCastlewoodinmylord'sliveryoftawnyandblue。Hisdearmistresspressedhisarmastheypassedintothehall。Hereyesbeamedoutonhimwithaffectionindescribable。"Welcome，"wasallshesaid，asshelookedup，puttingbackherfaircurlsandblackhood。Asweetrosysmileblushedonherface;Harrythoughthehadneverseenherlooksocharming。Herfacewaslightedwithajoythatwasbrighterthanbeauty——shetookahandofhersonwhowasinthehallwaitinghismother——shedidnotquitEsmond'sarm。
　　"Welcome，Harry！"myyounglordechoedafterher。"Here，weareallcometosayso。Here'soldPincot，hasn'tshegrownhandsome？"
　　andPincot，whowasolder，andnohandsomerthanusual，madeacurtsytotheCaptain，asshecalledEsmond，andtoldmylordto"Havedone，now。"
　　"Andhere'sJackLockwood。He'llmakeafamousgrenadier，Jack;
　　andsoshallI;we'llboth'listunderyou，Cousin。AssoonasI'mseventeen，Igotothearmy——everygentlemangoestothearmy。
　　Look！whocomeshere——ho，ho！"heburstintoalaugh。"'TisMistressTrix，withanewribbon;Iknewshewouldputoneonassoonassheheardacaptainwascomingtosupper。"
　　ThislaughingcolloquytookplaceinthehallofWalcoteHouse:inthemidstofwhichisastaircasethatleadsfromanopengallery，wherearethedoorsofthesleepingchambers:andfromoneofthese，awaxcandleinherhand，andilluminatingher，cameMistressBeatrix——thelightfallingindeeduponthescarletribbonwhichshewore，anduponthemostbrilliantwhiteneckintheworld。
　　Esmondhadleftachildandfoundawoman，grownbeyondthecommonheight;andarrivedatsuchadazzlingcompletenessofbeauty，thathiseyesmightwellshowsurpriseanddelightatbeholdingher。Inherstherewasabrightnesssolustrousandmelting，thatIhaveseenawholeassemblyfollowherasifbyanattractionirresistible:andthatnightthegreatDukewasattheplayhouseafterRamillies，everysoulturnedandlooked（shechancedtoenterattheoppositesideofthetheatreatthesamemoment）ather，andnotathim。Shewasabrownbeauty:thatis，hereyes，hair，andeyebrowsandeyelashesweredark:herhaircurlingwithrichundulations，andwavingoverhershoulders;buthercomplexionwasasdazzlingwhiteassnowinsunshine;excepthercheeks，whichwereabrightred，andherlips，whichwereofastilldeepercrimson。Hermouthandchin，theysaid，weretoolargeandfull，andsotheymightbeforagoddessinmarble，butnotforawomanwhoseeyeswerefire，whoselookwaslove，whosevoicewasthesweetestlowsong，whoseshapewasperfectsymmetry，health，decision，activity，whosefootasitplanteditselfonthegroundwasfirmbutflexible，andwhosemotion，whetherrapidorslow，wasalwaysperfectgrace——agileasanymph，loftyasaqueen，——nowmelting，nowimperious，nowsarcastic——therewasnosinglemovementofhersbutwasbeautiful。Ashethinksofher，hewhowritesfeelsyoungagain，andremembersaparagon。
　　Soshecameholdingherdresswithonefairroundedarm，andhertaperbeforeher，trippingdownthestairtogreetEsmond。
　　"Shehathputonherscarletstockingsandwhiteshoes，"saysmylord，stilllaughing。"Oh，myfinemistress！isthisthewayyousetyourcapattheCaptain？"Sheapproached，shiningsmilesuponEsmond，whocouldlookatnothingbuthereyes。Sheadvancedholdingforwardherhead，asifshewouldhavehimkissherasheusedtodowhenshewasachild。
　　"Stop，"shesaid，"Iamgrowntoobig！Welcome，cousinHarry，"andshemadehimanarchcurtsy，sweepingdowntothegroundalmost，withthemostgraciousbend，lookingupthewhilewiththebrightesteyesandsweetestsmile。Loveseemedtoradiatefromher。HarryeyedherwithsucharaptureasthefirstloverisdescribedashavingbyMilton。
　　"N'est—cepas？"saysmylady，inalow，sweetvoice，stillhangingonhisarm。
　　Esmondturnedroundwithastartandablush，ashemethismistress'scleareyes。Hehadforgottenher，raptinadmirationofthefiliapulcrior。
　　"Rightfootforward，toeturnedout，so:nowdropthecurtsy，andshowtheredstockings，Trix。They'vesilverclocks，Harry。TheDowagersent'em。Shewenttoput'emon，"criesmylord。
　　"Hush，youstupidchild！"saysMiss，smotheringherbrotherwithkisses;andthenshemustcomeandkisshermamma，lookingallthewhileatHarry，overhismistress'sshoulder。Andifshedidnotkisshim，shegavehimbothherhands，andthentookoneofhisinbothhands，andsaid，"Oh，Harry，we'reso，SOgladyou'recome！"
　　"Therearewoodcocksforsupper，"saysmylord。"Huzzay！Itwassuchahungrysermon。"
　　"Anditisthe29thofDecember;andourHarryhascomehome。"
　　"Huzzay，oldPincot！"againsaysmylord;andmydearlady'slipslookedasiftheyweretremblingwithaprayer。ShewouldhaveHarryleadinBeatrixtothesupper—room，goingherselfwithmyyoungLordViscount;andtothispartycameTomTusherdirectly，whomfouratleastoutofthecompanyoffivewishedaway。Awayhewent，however，assoonasthesweetmeatswereputdown，andthen，bythegreatcracklingfire，hismistressorBeatrix，withherblushinggraces，fillinghisglassforhim，Harrytoldthestoryofhiscampaign，andpassedthemostdelightfulnighthislifehadeverknown。Thesunwasuplongerehewas，sodeep，sweet，andrefreshingwashisslumber。Hewokeasifangelshadbeenwatchingathisbedallnight。Idaresayonethatwasaspureandlovingasanangelhadblessedhissleepwithherprayers。
　　NextmorningthechaplainreadprayerstothelittlehouseholdatWalcote，asthecustomwas;EsmondthoughtMistressBeatrixdidnotlistentoTusher'sexhortationmuch:hereyeswerewanderingeverywhereduringtheservice，atleastwheneverhelookeduphemetthem。PerhapshealsowasnotveryattentivetohisReverencetheChaplain。"Thismighthavebeenmylife，"hewasthinking;
　　"thismighthavebeenmydutyfromnowtilloldage。Well，wereitnotapleasantonetobewiththesedearfriendsandpartfrom'emnomore？Until——untilthedestinedlovercomesandtakesawayprettyBeatrix"——andthebestpartofTomTusher'sexposition，whichmayhavebeenverylearnedandeloquent，wasquitelosttopoorHarrybythisvisionofthedestinedlover，whoputthepreacherout。
　　Allthewhileoftheprayers，BeatrixkneltalittlewaybeforeHarryEsmond。Theredstockingswerechangedforapairofgray，andblackshoes，inwhichherfeetlookedtothefullaspretty。
　　Alltherosesofspringcouldnotviewiththebrightnessofhercomplexion;Esmondthoughthehadneverseenanythinglikethesunnylustreofhereyes。MyLadyViscountesslookedfatigued，asifwithwatching，andherfacewaspale。
　　MissBeatrixremarkedthesesignsofindispositioninhermotheranddeploredthem。"Iamanoldwoman，"saysmylady，withakindsmile;"Icannothopetolookasyoungasyoudo，mydear。"
　　"She'llneverlookasgoodasyoudoifshelivestillshe'sahundred，"saysmylord，takinghismotherbythewaist，andkissingherhand。
　　"DoIlookverywicked，cousin？"saysBeatrix，turningfullroundonEsmond，withherprettyfacesocloseunderhischin，thatthesoftperfumedhairtouchedit。Shelaidherfinger—tipsonhissleeveasshespoke;andheputhisotherhandoverhers。
　　"I'mlikeyourlooking—glass，"sayshe，"andthatcan'tflatteryou。"
　　"Hemeansthatyouarealwayslookingathim，mydear，"sayshermother，archly。BeatrixranawayfromEsmondatthis，andflewtohermamma，whomshekissed，stoppingmylady'smouthwithherprettyhand。
　　"AndHarryisverygoodtolookat，"saysmylady，withherfondeyesregardingtheyoungman。
　　"If'tisgoodtoseeahappyface，"sayshe，"youseethat。"Myladysaid，"Amen，"withasigh;andHarrythoughtthememoryofherdearlordroseupandrebukedherbackagainintosadness;forherfacelostthesmile，andresumeditslookofmelancholy。
　　"Why，Harry，howfinewelookinourscarletandsilver，andourblackperiwig，"criesmylord。"Mother，Iamtiredofmyownhair。
　　WhenshallIhaveaperuke？Wheredidyougetyoursteenkirk，Harry？"
　　"It'ssomeofmyLadyDowager'slace，"saysHarry;"shegavemethisandanumberofotherfinethings。"
　　"MyLadyDowagerisn'tsuchabadwoman，"mylordcontinued。
　　"She'snotso——soredasshe'spainted，"saysMissBeatrix。
　　Herbrotherbrokeintoalaugh。"I'lltellheryousaidso;bytheLord，Trix，Iwill，"hecriesout。
　　"She'llknowthatyouhadn'tthewittosayit，mylord，"saysMissBeatrix。
　　"Wewon'tquarrelthefirstdayHarry'shere，willwe，mother？"
　　saidtheyounglord。"We'llseeifwecangetontothenewyearwithoutafight。HavesomeofthisChristmaspie。Andherecomesthetankard;no，it'sPincotwiththetea。"
　　"WilltheCaptainchooseadish？"askedMistressBeatrix。
　　"Isay，Harry，"mylordgoeson，"I'llshowtheemyhorsesafterbreakfast;andwe'llgoabird—nettingto—night，andonMondaythere'sacock—matchatWinchester——doyoulovecock—fighting，Harry？——betweenthegentlemenofSussexandthegentlemenofHampshire，attenpoundthebattle，andfiftypoundtheoddbattletoshowone—and—twentycocks。"
　　"Andwhatwillyoudo，Beatrix，toamuseourkinsman？"asksmylady。
　　"I'lllistentohim，"saysBeatrix。"Iamsurehehasahundredthingstotellus。AndI'mjealousalreadyoftheSpanishladies。
　　WasthatabeautifulnunatCadizthatyourescuedfromthesoldiers？Yourmantalkedofitlastnightinthekitchen，andMrs。Bettytoldmethismorningasshecombedmyhair。Andhesaysyoumustbeinlove，foryousatondeckallnight，andscribbledversesalldayinyourtablebook。"Harrythoughtifhehadwantedasubjectforversesyesterday，to—dayhehadfoundone:andnotalltheLindamirasandArdeliasofthepoetswerehalfsobeautifulasthisyoungcreature;buthedidnotsayso，thoughsomeonedidforhim。
　　Thiswashisdearlady，who，afterthemealwasover，andtheyoungpeopleweregone，begantalkingofherchildrenwithMr。Esmond，andofthecharactersofoneandtheother，andofherhopesandfearsforbothofthem。"'Tisnotwhiletheyareathome，"shesaid，"andintheirmother'snest，Ifearforthem——'tiswhentheyaregoneintotheworld，whitherIshallnotbeabletofollowthem。Beatrixwillbeginherservicenextyear。Youmayhaveheardarumorabout——aboutmyLordBlandford。Theywerebothchildren;anditisbutidletalk。IknowmykinswomanwouldneverlethimmakesuchapoormarriageasourBeatrixwouldbe。There'sscarceaprincessinEuropethatshethinksisgoodenoughforhimorforherambition。"
　　"There'snotaprincessinEuropetocomparewithher，"saysEsmond。
　　"Inbeauty？No，perhapsnot，"answeredmylady。"Sheismostbeautiful，isn'tshe？'Tisnotamother'spartialitythatdeceivesme。Imarkedyouyesterdaywhenshecamedownthestair:andreaditinyourface。Welookwhenyoudon'tfancyuslooking，andseebetterthanyouthink，dearHarry:andjustnowwhentheyspokeaboutyourpoems——youwritprettylineswhenyouwerebutaboy——
　　youthoughtBeatrixwasaprettysubjectforverse，didnotyou，Harry？"（Thegentlemancouldonlyblushforareply。）"Andsosheis——norareyouthefirstherprettyfacehascaptivated。'Tisquicklydone。Suchapairofbrighteyesasherslearntheirpowerverysoon，anduseitveryearly。"And，lookingathimkeenlywithhers，thefairwidowlefthim。
　　Andsoitis——apairofbrighteyeswithadozenglancessufficetosubdueaman;toenslavehim，andinflamehim;tomakehimevenforget;theydazzlehimsothatthepastbecomesstraightwaydimtohim;andhesoprizesthemthathewouldgiveallhislifetopossess'em。Whatisthefondloveofdearestfriendscomparedtothistreasure？Ismemoryasstrongasexpectancy？fruition，ashunger？gratitude，asdesire？Ihavelookedatroyaldiamondsinthejewel—roomsinEurope，andthoughthowwarshavebeenmadeabout'em;Mogulsovereignsdeposedandstrangledforthem，orransomedwiththem;millionsexpendedtobuythem;anddaringliveslostindiggingoutthelittleshiningtoysthatIvaluenomorethanthebuttoninmyhat。Andsothereareotherglitteringbaubles（ofrarewatertoo）forwhichmenhavebeensettokillandquarreleversincemankindbegan;andwhichlastbutforascoreofyears，whentheirsparkleisover。WherearethosejewelsnowthatbeamedunderCleopatra'sforehead，orshoneinthesocketsofHelen？
　　TheseconddayafterEsmond'scomingtoWalcote，TomTusherhadleavetotakeaholiday，andwentoffinhisverybestgownandbandstocourttheyoungwomanwhomhisReverencedesiredtomarry，andwhowasnotaviscount'swidow，asitturnedout，butabrewer'srelictatSouthampton，withacoupleofthousandpoundstoherfortune:forhonestTom'sheartwasundersuchexcellentcontrol，thatVenusherselfwithoutaportionwouldneverhavecausedittoflutter。Soherodeawayonhisheavy—pacedgeldingtopursuehisjog—trotloves，leavingEsmondtothesocietyofhisdearmistressandherdaughter，andwithhisyounglordforacompanion，whowascharmed，notonlytoseeanoldfriend，buttohavethetutorandhisLatinbooksputoutoftheway。
　　Theboytalkedofthingsandpeople，andnotalittleabouthimself，inhisfrankartlessway。'Twaseasytoseethatheandhissisterhadthebetteroftheirfondmother，forthefirstplaceinwhoseaffections，thoughtheyfoughtconstantly，andthoughthekindladypersistedthatshelovedbothequally，'twasnotdifficulttounderstandthatFrankwashismother'sdarlingandfavorite。Heruledthewholehousehold（alwaysexceptingrebelliousBeatrix）notlessnowthanwhenhewasachildmarshallingthevillageboysinplayingatsoldiers，andcaningthemlustilytoo，likethesturdiestcorporal。AsforTomTusher，hisReverencetreatedtheyounglordwiththatpolitenessanddeferencewhichhealwaysshowedforagreatman，whateverhisageorhisstaturewas。Indeed，withrespecttothisyoungone，itwasimpossiblenottolovehim，sofrankandwinningwerehismanners，hisbeauty，hisgayety，theringofhislaughter，andthedelightfultoneofhisvoice。Whereverhewent，hecharmedanddomineered。IthinkhisoldgrandfathertheDean，andthegrimoldhousekeeper，Mrs。Pincot，wereasmuchhisslavesashismotherwas:andasforEsmond，hefoundhimselfpresentlysubmittingtoacertainfascinationtheboyhad，andslavingitliketherestofthefamily。ThepleasurewhichhehadinFrank'smerecompanyandconverseexceededthatwhichheeverenjoyedinthesocietyofanyotherman，howeverdelightfulintalk，orfamousforwit。Hispresencebroughtsunshineintoaroom，hislaugh，hisprattle，hisnoblebeautyandbrightnessoflookcheeredandcharmedindescribably。Attheleasttaleofsorrow，hishandswereinhispurse，andhewaseagerwithsympathyandbounty。Thewayinwhichwomenlovedandpettedhim，when，ayearortwoafterwards，hecameupontheworld，yetamereboy，andthefollieswhichtheydidforhim（asindeedheforthem），recalledthecareerofRochester，andoutdidthesuccessesofGrammont。Hisverycreditorslovedhim;
　　andthehardestusurers，andsomeoftherigidprudesoftheothersextoo，coulddenyhimnothing。Hewasnomorewittythananotherman，butwhathesaid，hesaidandlookedasnomanelsecouldsayorlookit。IhaveseenthewomenatthecomedyatBruxellescrowdroundhiminthelobby:andashesatonthestagemorepeoplelookedathimthanattheactors，andwatchedhim;andIrememberatRamillies，whenhewashitandfell，agreatbigred—hairedScotchsergeantflunghishalbertdown，burstouta—cryinglikeawoman，seizinghimupasifhehadbeenaninfant，andcarryinghimoutofthefire。Thisbrotherandsisterwerethemostbeautifulcoupleeverseen;thoughafterhewingedawayfromthematernalnestthispairwereseldomtogether。
　　SittingatdinnertwodaysafterEsmond'sarrival（itwasthelastdayoftheyear），andsohappyaonetoHarryEsmond，thattoenjoyitwasquiteworthallthepreviouspainwhichhehadenduredandforgot，myyounglord，fillingabumper，andbiddingHarrytakeanother，dranktohissister，salutingherunderthetitleof"Marchioness。"
　　"Marchioness！"saysHarry，notwithoutapangofwonder，forhewascuriousandjealousalready。
　　"Nonsense，mylord，"saysBeatrix，withatossofherhead。MyLadyViscountesslookedupforamomentatEsmond，andcasthereyesdown。
　　"TheMarchionessofBlandford，"saysFrank。"Don'tyouknow——hathnotRougeDragontoldyou？"（MylordusedtocalltheDowagerofChelseybythisandothernames。）"Blandfordhasalockofherhair:theDuchessfoundhimonhiskneestoMistressTrix，andboxedhisears，andsaidDr。Hareshouldwhiphim。"
　　"IwishMr。Tusherwouldwhipyoutoo，"saysBeatrix。
　　Myladyonlysaid:"Ihopeyouwilltellnoneofthesesillystorieselsewherethanathome，Francis。"
　　"'Tistrue，onmyword，"continuesFrank:"lookatHarryscowling，mother，andseehowBeatrixblushesasredasthesilver—clockedstockings。"
　　"Ithinkwehadbestleavethegentlementotheirwineandtheirtalk，"saysMistressBeatrix，risingupwiththeairofayoungqueen，tossingherrustlingflowingdraperiesabouther，andquittingtheroom，followedbyhermother。
　　LadyCastlewoodagainlookedatEsmond，asshestoopeddownandkissedFrank。"Donottellthosesillystories，child，"shesaid:
　　"donotdrinkmuchwine，sir;Harryneverlovedtodrinkwine。"
　　Andshewentaway，too，inherblackrobes，lookingbackontheyoungmanwithherfair，fondface。
　　"Egad！it'strue，"saysFrank，sippinghiswinewiththeairofalord。"WhatthinkyouofthisLisbon——realCollares？'Tisbetterthanyourheadyport:wegotitoutofoneoftheSpanishshipsthatcamefromVigolastyear:mymotherboughtitatSouthampton，astheshipwaslyingthere——the'Rose，'CaptainHawkins。"
　　"Why，Icamehomeinthatship，"saysHarry。
　　"Anditbroughthomeagoodfellowandgoodwine，"saysmylord。
　　"Isay，Harry，Iwishthouhadstnotthatcursedbarsinister。"
　　"Andwhynotthebarsinister？"askstheother。
　　"SupposeIgotothearmyandamkilled——everygentlemangoestothearmy——whoistotakecareofthewomen？Trixwillneverstopathome;mother'sinlovewithyou，——yes，Ithinkmother'sinlovewithyou。Shewasalwayspraisingyou，andalwaystalkingaboutyou;andwhenshewenttoSouthampton，toseetheship，Ifoundherout。Butyouseeitisimpossible:weareoftheoldestbloodinEngland;wecameinwiththeConqueror;wewereonlybaronets，——butwhatthen？wewereforcedintothat。JamestheFirstforcedourgreatgrandfather。Weareabovetitles;weoldEnglishgentrydon'twant'em;theQueencanmakeadukeanyday。LookatBlandford'sfather，DukeChurchill，andDuchessJennings，whatwerethey，Harry？Damnit，sir，whatarethey，toturnuptheirnosesatus？WhereweretheywhenourancestorrodewithKingHenryatAgincourt，andfilleduptheFrenchKing'scupafterPoictiers？
　　'ForeGeorge，sir，whyshouldn'tBlandfordmarryBeatrix？ByG——！
　　heSHALLmarryBeatrix，ortellmethereasonwhy。We'llmarrywiththebestbloodofEngland，andnonebutthebestbloodofEngland。YouareanEsmond，andyoucan'thelpyourbirth，myboy。
　　Let'shaveanotherbottle。What！nomore？I'vedrunkthreepartsofthismyself。Ihadmanyanightwithmyfather;youstoodtohimlikeaman，Harry。Youbackedyourblood;youcan'thelpyourmisfortune，youknow，——nomancanhelpthat。"
　　Theeldersaidhewouldgointohismistress'stea—table。Theyounglad，withaheightenedcolorandvoice，begansingingasnatchofasong，andmarchedoutoftheroom。Esmondheardhimpresentlycallinghisdogsabouthim，andcheeringandtalkingtothem;andbyahundredofhislooksandgestures，tricksofvoiceandgait，wasremindedofthedeadlord，Frank'sfather。
　　Andso，thesylvesternightpassedaway;thefamilypartedlongbeforemidnight，LadyCastlewoodremembering，nodoubt，formerNewYears'Eves，whenhealthsweredrunk，andlaughterwentroundinthecompanyofhim，towhomyears，past，andpresent，andfuture，weretobeasone;andsocarednottositwithherchildrenandheartheCathedralbellsringingthebirthoftheyear1703。
　　Esmondheardthechimesashesatinhisownchamber，ruminatingbytheblazingfirethere，andlistenedtothelastnotesofthem，lookingoutfromhiswindowtowardsthecity，andthegreatgraytowersoftheCathedrallyingunderthefrostysky，withthekeenstarsshiningabove。
　　Thesightofthesebrilliantorbsnodoubtmadehimthinkofotherluminaries。"Andsohereyeshavealreadydoneexecution，"thoughtEsmond——"onwhom？——whocantellme？"Luckilyhiskinsmanwasby，andEsmondknewhewouldhavenodifficultyinfindingoutMistressBeatrix'shistoryfromthesimpletalkoftheboy。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　FAMILYTALK。
　　WhatHarryadmiredandsubmittedtointheprettyladhiskinsmanwas（forwhyshouldheresistit？）thecalmnessofpatronagewhichmyyounglordassumed，asiftocommandwashisundoubtedright，andalltheworld（belowhisdegree）oughttobowdowntoViscountCastlewood。
　　"Iknowmyplace，Harry，"hesaid。"I'mnotproud——theboysatWinchesterCollegesayI'mproud:butI'mnotproud。IamsimplyFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodinthepeerageofIreland。I
　　mighthavebeen（doyouknowthat？）FrancisJamesMarquisandEarlofEsmondinthatofEngland。Thelatelordrefusedthetitlewhichwasofferedtohimbymygodfather，hislateMajesty。Youshouldknowthat——youareofourfamily，youknowyoucannothelpyourbarsinister，Harry，mydearfellow;andyoubelongtooneofthebestfamiliesinEngland，inspiteofthat;andyoustoodbymyfather，andbyG——！I'llstandbyyou。Youshallneverwantafriend，Harry，whileFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodhasashilling。It'snow1703——Ishallcomeofagein1709。IshallgobacktoCastlewood;IshallliveatCastlewood;Ishallbuildupthehouse。Mypropertywillbeprettywellrestoredbythen。Thelateviscountmismanagedmyproperty，andleftitinaverybadstate。Mymotherislivingclose，asyousee，andkeepsmeinawayhardlybefittingapeeroftheserealms;forIhavebutapairofhorses，agovernor，andamanthatisvaletandgroom。ButwhenIamofage，thesethingswillbesetright，Harry。Ourhousewillbeasitshouldbe。YouwillalwayscometoCastlewood，won'tyou？
　　Youshallalwayshaveyourtworoomsinthecourtkeptforyou;andifanybodyslightsyou，d———them！letthemhaveacareofME。I
　　shallmarryearly——Trixwillbeaduchessbythattime，mostlikely;foracannonballmayknockoverhisgraceanyday，youknow。"
　　"How？"saysHarry。
　　"Hush，mydear！"saysmyLordViscount。"Youareofthefamily——
　　youarefaithfultous，byGeorge，andItellyoueverything。
　　Blandfordwillmarryher——or"——andhereheputhislittlehandonhissword——"youunderstandtherest。Blandfordknowswhichofustwoisthebestweapon。Atsmall—sword，orback—sword，orswordanddaggerifhelikes;Icanbeathim。Ihavetriedhim，Harry;
　　andbegadheknowsIamamannottobetrifledwith。"
　　"Butyoudonotmean，"saysHarry，concealinghislaughter，butnothiswonder，"thatyoucanforcemyLordBlandford，thesonofthefirstmanofthiskingdom，tomarryyoursisteratsword'spoint？"
　　"Imeantosaythatwearecousinsbythemother'sside，thoughthat'snothingtoboastof。ImeantosaythatanEsmondisasgoodasaChurchill;andwhentheKingcomesback，theMarquisofEsmond'ssistermaybeamatchforanynobleman'sdaughterinthekingdom。TherearebuttwomarquisesinallEngland，WilliamHerbertMarquisofPowis，andFrancisJamesMarquisofEsmond;andharkyou，Harry，——nowswearyouwillnevermentionthis。Givemeyourhonorasagentleman，foryouAREagentleman，thoughyouarea——"
　　"Well，well？"saysHarry，alittleimpatient。
　　"Well，then，whenaftermylateviscount'smisfortune，mymotherwentupwithustoLondon，toaskforjusticeagainstyouall（asforMohun，I'llhavehisblood，assureasmynameisFrancisViscountEsmond）——wewenttostaywithourcousinmyLadyMarlborough，withwhomwehadquarrelledforeversolong。Butwhenmisfortunecame，shestoodbyherblood:——sodidtheDowagerViscountessstandbyherblood，——sodidyou。Well，sir，whilstmymotherwaspetitioningthelatePrinceofOrange——forIwillnevercallhimking——andwhileyouwereinprison，welivedatmyLordMarlborough'shouse，whowasonlyalittlethere，beingawaywiththearmyinHolland。Andthen……Isay，Harry，youwon'ttell，now？"
　　Harryagainmadeavowofsecrecy。
　　"Well，thereusedtobeallsortsoffun，youknow:myLadyMarlboroughwasveryfondofus，andshesaidIwastobeherpage;
　　andshegotTrixtobeamaidofhonor，andwhileshewasupinherroomcrying，weusedtobealwayshavingfun，youknow;andtheDuchessusedtokissme，andsodidherdaughters，andBlandfordfelltremendousinlovewithTrix，andshelikedhim;andonedayhe——hekissedherbehindadoor——hedidthough，——andtheDuchesscaughthim，andshebangedsuchaboxoftheearbothatTrixandBlandford——youshouldhaveseenit！Andthenshesaidthatwemustleavedirectly，andabusedmymammawhowascognizantofthebusiness;butshewasn't——neverthinkingaboutanythingbutfather。
　　AndsowecamedowntoWalcote。Blandfordbeinglockedup，andnotallowedtoseeTrix。ButIgotathim。Iclimbedalongthegutter，andinthroughthewindow，wherehewascrying。
　　"'Marquis，'saysI，whenhehadopeneditandhelpedmein，'youknowIwearasword，'forIhadbroughtit。
　　"'Oh，viscount，'sayshe——'oh，mydearestFrank！'andhethrewhimselfintomyarmsandburstouta—crying。'IdoloveMistressBeatrixso，thatIshalldieifIdon'thaveher。'
　　"'MydearBlandford，'saysI，'youareyoungtothinkofmarrying;'
　　forhewasbutfifteen，andayoungfellowofthatagecanscarcedoso，youknow。