"'ButI'llwaittwentyyears，ifshe'llhaveme，'sayshe。'I'llnevermarry——no，never，never，never，marryanybodybuther。No，notaprincess，thoughtheywouldhavemedoiteverso。IfBeatrixwillwaitforme，herBlandfordswearshewillbefaithful。'Andhewroteapaper（itwasn'tspeltright，forhewrote'I'mreadytoSINEWITHMYBLODE，'which，youknow，Harry，isn'tthewayofspellingit），andvowingthathewouldmarrynoneotherbuttheHonorableMistressGertrudeBeatrixEsmond，onlysisterofhisdearestfriendFrancisJames，fourthViscountEsmond。
　　AndsoIgavehimalocketofherhair。"
　　"Alocketofherhair？"criesEsmond。
　　"Yes。TrixgavemeoneafterthefightwiththeDuchessthatveryday。IamsureIdidn'twantit;andsoIgaveithim，andwekissedatparting，andsaid——'Good—by，brother。'AndIgotbackthroughthegutter;andwesetoffhomethatveryevening。AndhewenttoKing'sCollege，inCambridge，andI'MgoingtoCambridgesoon;andifhedoesn'tstandtohispromise（forhe'sonlywroteonce），——heknowsIwearasword，Harry。Comealong，andlet'sgoseethecocking—matchatWinchester。
　　"……ButIsay，"headded，laughing，afterapause，"Idon'tthinkTrixwillbreakherheartabouthim。Lablessyou！wheneversheseesaman，shemakeseyesathim;andyoungSirWilmotCrawleyofQueen'sCrawley，andAnthonyHenleyofAiresford，wereatswordsdrawnabouther，attheWinchesterAssembly，amonthago。"
　　ThatnightMr。Harry'ssleepwasbynomeanssopleasantorsweetasithadbeenonthefirsttwoeveningsafterhisarrivalatWalcote。"Sothebrighteyeshavebeenalreadyshiningonanother，"thoughthe，"andtheprettylips，orthecheeksatanyrate，havebeguntheworkwhichtheyweremadefor。Here'sagirlnotsixteen，andoneyounggentlemanisalreadywhimperingoveralockofherhair，andtwocountrysquiresarereadytocuteachother'sthroatsthattheymayhavethehonorofadancewithher。
　　WhatafoolamItobedallyingaboutthispassion，andsingeingmywingsinthisfoolishflame。Wings！——whynotsaycrutches？'Thereisbuteightyears'differencebetweenus，tobesure;butinlifeIamthirtyyearsolder。HowcouldIeverhopetopleasesuchasweetcreatureasthat，withmyroughwaysandglumface？SaythatIhavemeriteversomuch，andwonmyselfaname，couldsheeverlistentome？ShemustbemyLadyMarchioness，andIremainanamelessbastard。Oh！mymaster，mymaster！"（herehefelltothinkingwithapassionategriefofthevowwhichhehadmadetohispoordyinglord。）"Oh！mymistress，dearestandkindest，willyoubecontentedwiththesacrificewhichthepoororphanmakesforyou，whomyoulove，andwhosolovesyou？"
　　Andthencameafiercerpangoftemptation。"Awordfromme，"
　　Harrythought，"asyllableofexplanation，andallthismightbechanged;butno，Isworeitoverthedyingbedofmybenefactor。
　　Forthesakeofhimandhis;forthesacredloveandkindnessofolddays;Igavemypromisetohim，andmaykindheavenenablemetokeepmyvow！"
　　Thenextday，althoughEsmondgavenosignofwhatwasgoingoninhismind，butstrovetobemorethanordinarilygayandcheerfulwhenhemethisfriendsatthemorningmeal，hisdearmistress，whosecleareyesitseemednoemotionofhiscouldescape，perceivedthatsomethingtroubledhim，forshelookedanxiouslytowardshimmorethanonceduringthebreakfast，andwhenhewentuptohischamberafterwardsshepresentlyfollowedhim，andknockedathisdoor。
　　Assheentered，nodoubtthewholestorywascleartoheratonce，forshefoundouryounggentlemanpackinghisvalise，pursuanttotheresolutionwhichhehadcometoover—nightofmakingabriskretreatoutofthistemptation。
　　Sheclosedthedoorverycarefullybehindher，andthenleantagainstit，verypale，herhandsfoldedbeforeher，lookingattheyoungman，whowaskneelingoverhisworkofpacking。"Areyougoingsosoon？"shesaid。
　　Heroseupfromhisknees，blushing，perhaps，tobesodiscovered，intheveryact，asitwere，andtookoneofherfairlittlehands——
　　itwasthatwhichhadhermarriageringon——andkissedit。
　　"Itisbestthatitshouldbeso，dearestlady，"hesaid。
　　"Iknewyouweregoing，atbreakfast。I——Ithoughtyoumightstay。
　　Whathashappened？Whycan'tyouremainlongerwithus？WhathasFranktoldyou——youweretalkingtogetherlatelastnight？"
　　"Ihadbutthreedays'leavefromChelsey，"Esmondsaid，asgaylyashecould。"Myaunt——sheletsmecallheraunt——ismymistressnow！Iowehermylieutenancyandmylacedcoat。Shehastakenmeintohighfavor;andmynewGeneralistodineatChelseyto—
　　morrow——GeneralLumley，madam——whohasappointedmehisaide—de—
　　camp，andonwhomImusthavethehonorofwaiting。See，hereisaletterfromtheDowager;thepostbroughtitlastnight;andI
　　wouldnotspeakofit，forfearofdisturbingourlastmerrymeeting。"
　　Myladyglancedattheletter，andputitdownwithasmilethatwassomewhatcontemptuous。"Ihavenoneedtoreadtheletter，"
　　saysshe——（indeed，'twasaswellshedidnot;fortheChelseymissive，inthepoorDowager'susualFrenchjargon，permittedhimalongerholidaythanhesaid。"Jevousdonne，"quothherladyship，"ouijour，pourvousfatigayparfaictementdevosparensfatigans"）——"Ihavenoneedtoreadtheletter，"saysshe。"WhatwasitFranktoldyoulastnight？"
　　"HetoldmelittleIdidnotknow，"Mr。Esmondanswered。"ButI
　　havethoughtofthatlittle，andhere'stheresult:IhavenorighttothenameIbear，dearlady;anditisonlybyyoursufferancethatIamallowedtokeepit。IfIthoughtforanhourofwhathasperhapscrossedyourmindtoo——"
　　"Yes，Idid，Harry，"saidshe;"Ithoughtofit;andthinkofit。
　　IwouldsoonercallyoumysonthanthegreatestprinceinEurope——
　　yes，thanthegreatestprince。Forwhoistheresogoodandsobrave，andwhowouldloveherasyouwould？Buttherearereasonsamothercan'ttell。"
　　"Iknowthem，"saidMr。Esmond，interruptingherwithasmile。"I
　　knowthere'sSirWilmotCrawleyofQueen'sCrawley，andMr。AnthonyHenleyoftheGrange，andmyLordMarquisofBlandford，thatseemstobethefavoredsuitor。YoushallaskmetowearmyLadyMarchioness'sfavorsandtodanceatherladyship'swedding。"
　　"Oh！Harry，Harry，itisnoneofthesefolliesthatfrightenme，"
　　criedoutLadyCastlewood。"LordChurchillisbutachild，hisoutbreakaboutBeatrixwasamereboyishfolly。Hisparentswouldratherseehimburiedthanmarriedtoonebelowhiminrank。AnddoyouthinkthatIwouldstooptosueforahusbandforFrancisEsmond'sdaughter;orsubmittohavemygirlsmuggledintothatproudfamilytocauseaquarrelbetweensonandparents，andtobetreatedonlyasaninferior？Iwoulddisdainsuchameanness。
　　Beatrixwouldscornit。Ah！Henry，'tisnotwithyouthefaultlies，'tiswithher。Iknowyouboth，andloveyou:needIbeashamedofthatlovenow？No，never，never，and'tisnotyou，dearHarry，thatisunworthy。'TisformypoorBeatrixItremble——whoseheadstrongwillfrightensme;whosejealoustemper（theysayIwasjealoustoo，but，prayGod，Iamcuredofthatsin）andwhosevanitynowordsorprayersofminecancure——onlysuffering，onlyexperience，andremorseafterwards。Oh！Henry，shewillmakenomanhappywholovesher。Goaway，myson:leaveher:loveusalways，andthinkkindlyofus:andforme，mydear，youknowthatthesewallscontainallthatIloveintheworld。"
　　Inafterlife，didEsmondfindthewordstruewhichhisfondmistressspokefromhersadheart？Warninghehad:butIdoubtothershadwarningbeforehistime，andsince:andhebenefitedbyitasmostmendo。
　　MyyoungLordViscountwasexceedingsorrywhenheheardthatHarrycouldnotcometothecock—matchwithhim，andmustgotoLondon，butnodoubtmylordconsoledhimselfwhentheHampshirecockswonthematch;andhesaweveryoneofthebattles，andcrowedproperlyovertheconqueredSussexgentlemen。
　　AsEsmondrodetowardstownhisservant，cominguptohim，informedhimwithagrin，thatMistressBeatrixhadbroughtoutanewgownandbluestockingsforthatday'sdinner，inwhichsheintendedtoappear，andhadflownintoarageandgivenhermaidaslaponthefacesoonaftersheheardhewasgoingaway。MistressBeatrix'swoman，thefellowsaid，camedowntotheservants'hallcrying，andwiththemarkofablowstillonhercheek:butEsmondperemptorilyorderedhimtofallbackandbesilent，androdeonwiththoughtsenoughofhisowntooccupyhim——somesadones，someinexpressiblydearandpleasant。
　　Hismistress，fromwhomhehadbeenayearseparated，washisdearestmistressagain。Thefamilyfromwhichhehadbeenparted，andwhichhelovedwiththefondestdevotion，washisfamilyoncemore。IfBeatrix'sbeautyshoneuponhim，itwaswithafriendlylustre，andhecouldregarditwithmuchsuchadelightashebroughtawayafterseeingthebeautifulpicturesofthesmilingMadonnasintheconventatCadiz，whenhewasdespatchedthitherwithaflag;andasforhismistress，'twasdifficulttosaywithwhatafeelingheregardedher。'Twashappinesstohaveseenher;
　　'twasnogreatpangtopart;afilialtenderness，alovethatwasatoncerespectandprotection，filledhismindashethoughtofher;andnearherorfarfromher，andfromthatdayuntilnow，andfromnowtilldeathispastandbeyondit，hepraysthatsacredflamemayeverburn。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　IMAKETHECAMPAIGNOF1704。
　　Mr。EsmondrodeuptoLondonthen，where，iftheDowagerhadbeenangryattheabruptleaveofabsencehetook，shewasmightilypleasedathisspeedyreturn。
　　Hewentimmediatelyandpaidhiscourttohisnewgeneral，GeneralLumley，whoreceivedhimgraciously，havingknownhisfather，andalso，hewaspleasedtosay，havinghadtheverybestaccountsofMr。Esmondfromtheofficerwhoseaide—de—camphehadbeenatVigo。
　　DuringthiswinterMr。EsmondwasgazettedtoalieutenancyinBrigadierWebb'sregimentofFusileers，thenwiththeircolonelinFlanders;butbeingnowattachedtothesuiteofMr。Lumley，Esmonddidnotjoinhisownregimentuntilmorethanayearafterwards，andafterhisreturnfromthecampaignofBlenheim，whichwasfoughtthenextyear。Thecampaignbeganveryearly，ourtroopsmarchingoutoftheirquartersbeforethewinterwasalmostover，andinvestingthecityofBonn，ontheRhine，undertheDuke'scommand。HisGracejoinedthearmyindeepgriefofmind，withcrapeonhissleeve，andhishouseholdinmourning;andtheverysamepacketwhichbroughttheCommander—in—Chiefover，broughtletterstotheforceswhichprecededhim，andonefromhisdearmistresstoEsmond，whichinterestedhimnotalittle。
　　TheyoungMarquisofBlandford，hisGrace'sson，whohadbeenenteredinKing'sCollegeinCambridge，（whithermyLordViscounthadalsogone，toTrinity，withMr。Tusherashisgovernor，）hadbeenseizedwithsmall—pox，andwasdeadatsixteenyearsofage，andsopoorFrank'sschemesforhissister'sadvancementwereover，andthatinnocentchildishpassionnippedinthebirth。
　　Esmond'smistresswouldhavehadhimreturn，atleastherlettershintedasmuch;butinthepresenceoftheenemythiswasimpossible，andouryoungmantookhishumbleshareinthesiege，whichneednotbedescribedhere，andhadthegoodlucktoescapewithoutawoundofanysort，andtodrinkhisgeneral'shealthafterthesurrender。Hewasinconstantmilitarydutythisyear，anddidnotthinkofaskingforaleaveofabsence，asoneortwoofhislessfortunatefriendsdid，whowerecastawayinthattremendousstormwhichhappenedtowardsthecloseofNovember，that"whichoflateo'erpaleBritanniapast"（asMr。Addisonsangofit），andinwhichscoresofourgreatestshipsand15，000ofourseamenwentdown。
　　TheysaidthatourDukewasquiteheart—brokenbythecalamitywhichhadbefallenhisfamily;buthisenemiesfoundthathecouldsubduethem，aswellasmasterhisgrief。SuccessfulashadbeenthisgreatGeneral'soperationsinthepastyear，theywerefarenhancedbythesplendorofhisvictoryintheensuingcampaign。
　　HisGracetheCaptain—GeneralwenttoEnglandafterBonn，andourarmyfellbackintoHolland，where，inApril1704，hisGraceagainfoundthetroops，embarkingfromHarwichandlandingatMaeslandSluys:thencehisGracecameimmediatelytotheHague，wherehereceivedtheforeignministers，generalofficers，andotherpeopleofquality。ThegreatesthonorswerepaidtohisGraceeverywhere——
　　attheHague，Utrecht，Ruremonde，andMaestricht;thecivilauthoritiescomingtomeethiscoaches:salvosofcannonsalutinghim，canopiesofstatebeingerectedforhimwherehestopped，andfeastspreparedforthenumerousgentlemenfollowinginhissuite。
　　HisGracereviewedthetroopsoftheStates—GeneralbetweenLiegeandMaestricht，andafterwardstheEnglishforces，underthecommandofGeneralChurchill，nearBois—le—Duc。Everypreparationwasmadeforalongmarch;andthearmyheard，withnosmallelation，thatitwastheCommander—in—Chief'sintentiontocarrythewaroutoftheLowCountries，andtomarchontheMozelle。
　　BeforeleavingourcampatMaestricht，weheardthattheFrench，undertheMarshalVilleroy，werealsoboundtowardstheMozelle。
　　TowardstheendofMay，thearmyreachedCoblentz;andnextday，hisGrace，andthegeneralsaccompanyinghim，wenttovisittheElectorofTrevesathisCastleofEhrenbreitstein，thehorseanddragoonspassingtheRhinewhilsttheDukewasentertainedatagrandfeastbytheElector。Allasyetwasnovelty，festivity，andsplendor——abrilliantmarchofagreatandgloriousarmythroughafriendlycountry，andsurethroughsomeofthemostbeautifulscenesofnaturewhichIeverwitnessed。
　　Thefootandartillery，followingafterthehorseasquickaspossible，crossedtheRhineunderEhrenbreitstein，andsotoCastel，overagainstMayntz，inwhichcityhisGrace，hisgenerals，andhisretinuewerereceivedatthelanding—placebytheElector'scoaches，carriedtohisHighness'spalaceamidstthethunderofcannon，andthenoncemoremagnificentlyentertained。Gidlingen，inBavaria，wasappointedasthegeneralrendezvousofthearmy，andthither，bydifferentroutes，thewholeforcesofEnglish，Dutch，Danes，andGermanauxiliariestooktheirway。ThefootandartilleryunderGeneralChurchillpassedtheNeckar，atHeidelberg;
　　andEsmondhadanopportunityofseeingthatcityandpalace，oncesofamousandbeautiful（thoughshatteredandbatteredbytheFrench，underTurenne，inthelatewar），wherehisgrandsirehadservedthebeautifulandunfortunateElectress—Palatine，thefirstKingCharles'ssister。
　　AtMindelsheim，thefamousPrinceofSavoycametovisitourcommander，allofuscrowdingeagerlytogetasightofthatbrilliantandintrepidwarrior;andourtroopsweredrawnupinbattaliabeforethePrince，whowaspleasedtoexpresshisadmirationofthisnobleEnglisharmy。AtlengthwecameinsightoftheenemybetweenDillingenandLawingen，theBrentzlyingbetweenthetwoarmies。TheElector，judgingthatDonauwortwouldbethepointofhisGrace'sattack，sentastrongdetachmentofhisbesttroopstoCountDarcos，whowaspostedatSchellenberg，nearthatplace，wheregreatintrenchmentswerethrownup，andthousandsofpioneersemployedtostrengthentheposition。
　　Onthe2ndofJulyhisGracestormedthepost，withwhatsuccessonourpartneedscarcebetold。HisGraceadvancedwithsixthousandfoot，EnglishandDutch，thirtysquadrons，andthreeregimentsofImperialCuirassiers，theDukecrossingtheriverattheheadofthecavalry。Althoughourtroopsmadetheattackwithunparalleledcourageandfury——rushinguptotheverygunsoftheenemy，andbeingslaughteredbeforetheirworks——weweredrivenbackmanytimes，andshouldnothavecarriedthem，butthattheImperialistscameupunderthePrinceofBaden，whentheenemycouldmakenoheadagainstus:wepursuedthemintothetrenches，makingaterribleslaughterthere，andintotheveryDanube，whereagreatpartofhistroops，followingtheexampleoftheirgenerals，CountDarcosandtheElectorhimself，triedtosavethemselvesbyswimming。OurarmyenteredDonauwort，whichtheBavariansevacuated;andwhere'twassaidtheElectorpurposedtohavegivenusawarmreception，byburningusinourbeds;thecellarsofthehouses，whenwetookpossessionofthem，beingfoundstuffedwithstraw。Butthoughthelinkswerethere，thelink—boyshadrunaway。Thetownsmensavedtheirhouses，andourGeneraltookpossessionoftheenemy'sammunitioninthearsenals，hisstores，andmagazines。Fivedaysafterwardsagreat"TeDeum"wassunginPrinceLewis'sarmy，andasolemndayofthanksgivingheldinourown;thePrinceofSavoy'scomplimentscomingtohisGracetheCaptain—Generalduringtheday'sreligiousceremony，andconcluding，asitwere，withanAmen。
　　Andnow，havingseenagreatmilitarymarchthroughafriendlycountry;thepompsandfestivitiesofmorethanoneGermancourt;
　　theseverestruggleofahotlycontestedbattle，andthetriumphofvictory，Mr。Esmondbeheldanotherpartofmilitaryduty:ourtroopsenteringtheenemy'sterritory，andputtingallaroundthemtofireandsword;burningfarms，wastedfields，shriekingwomen，slaughteredsonsandfathers，anddrunkensoldiery，cursingandcarousinginthemidstoftears，terror，andmurder。WhydoesthestatelyMuseofHistory，thatdelightsindescribingthevalorofheroesandthegrandeurofconquest，leaveoutthesescenes，sobrutal，mean，anddegrading，thatyetformbyfarthegreaterpartofthedramaofwar？You，gentlemenofEngland，wholiveathomeatease，andcomplimentyourselvesinthesongsoftriumphwithwhichourchieftainsarebepraised——youprettymaidens，thatcometumblingdownthestairswhenthefifeanddrumcallyou，andhuzzahfortheBritishGrenadiers——doyoutakeaccountthattheseitemsgotomakeuptheamountofthetriumphyouadmire，andformpartofthedutiesoftheheroesyoufondle？Ourchief，whomEnglandandallEurope，savingonlytheFrenchmen，worshippedalmost，hadthisofthegodlikeinhim，thathewasimpassiblebeforevictory，beforedanger，beforedefeat。Beforethegreatestobstacleorthemosttrivialceremony;beforeahundredthousandmendrawninbattalia，orapeasantslaughteredatthedoorofhisburninghovel;beforeacarouseofdrunkenGermanlords，oramonarch'scourtoracottagetable，wherehisplanswerelaid，oranenemy'sbattery，vomitingflameanddeath，andstrewingcorpsesroundabouthim;——hewasalwayscold，calm，resolute，likefate。
　　Heperformedatreasonoracourt—bow，hetoldafalsehoodasblackasStyx，aseasilyashepaidacomplimentorspokeabouttheweather。Hetookamistress，andlefther;hebetrayedhisbenefactor，andsupportedhim，orwouldhavemurderedhim，withthesamecalmnessalways，andhavingnomoreremorsethanClothowhensheweavesthethread，orLachesiswhenshecutsit。InthehourofbattleIhaveheardthePrinceofSavoy'sofficerssay，thePrincebecamepossessedwithasortofwarlikefury;hiseyeslightedup;herushedhitherandthither，raging;heshriekedcursesandencouragement，yellingandharkinghisbloodywar—dogson，andhimselfalwaysatthefirstofthehunt。Ourdukewasascalmatthemouthofthecannonasatthedoorofadrawing—room。
　　Perhapshecouldnothavebeenthegreatmanhewas，hadhehadahearteitherforloveorhatred，orpityorfear，orregretorremorse。Heachievedthehighestdeedofdaring，ordeepestcalculationofthought，asheperformedtheverymeanestactionofwhichamaniscapable;toldalie，orcheatedafondwoman，orrobbedapoorbeggarofahalfpenny，withalikeawfulserenityandequalcapacityofthehighestandlowestactsofournature。
　　Hisqualitieswereprettywellknowninthearmy，wheretherewerepartiesofallpolitics，andofplentyofshrewdnessandwit;butthereexistedsuchaperfectconfidenceinhim，asthefirstcaptainoftheworld，andsuchafaithandadmirationinhisprodigiousgeniusandfortune，thattheverymenwhomhenotoriouslycheatedoftheirpay，thechiefswhomheusedandinjured——（forheusedallmen，greatandsmall，thatcamenearhim，ashisinstrumentsalike，andtooksomethingoftheirs，eithersomequalityorsomeproperty——thebloodofasoldier，itmightbe，orajewelledhat，orahundredthousandcrownsfromaking，oraportionoutofastarvingsentinel'sthree—farthings;or（whenhewasyoung）akissfromawoman，andthegoldchainoffherneck，takingallhecouldfromwomanorman，andhaving，asIhavesaid，thisofthegodlikeinhim，thathecouldseeaheroperishorasparrowfall，withthesameamountofsympathyforeither。Notthathehadnotears;hecouldalwaysorderupthisreserveatthepropermomenttobattle;hecoulddrawupontearsorsmilesalike，andwheneverneedwasforusingthischeapcoin。Hewouldcringetoashoeblack，ashewouldflatteraministeroramonarch;behaughty，behumble，threaten，repent，weep，graspyourhand，（orstabyouwheneverhesawoccasion）——butyetthoseofthearmy，whoknewhimbestandhadsufferedmostfromhim，admiredhimmostofall:andasherodealongthelinestobattleorgallopedupinthenickoftimetoabattalionreelingfrombeforetheenemy'schargeorshot，thefaintingmenandofficersgotnewcourageastheysawthesplendidcalmofhisface，andfeltthathiswillmadethemirresistible。
　　AfterthegreatvictoryofBlenheimtheenthusiasmofthearmyfortheDuke，evenofhisbitterestpersonalenemiesinit，amountedtoasortofrage——nay，theveryofficerswhocursedhimintheirheartswereamongthemostfrantictocheerhim。Whocouldrefusehismeedofadmirationtosuchavictoryandsuchavictor？Nothewhowrites:amanmayprofesstobeeversomuchaphilosopher;buthewhofoughtonthatdaymustfeelathrillofprideasherecallsit。
　　TheFrenchrightwaspostedneartothevillageofBlenheim，ontheDanube，wheretheMarshalTallard'squarterswere;theirlineextendingthrough，itmaybealeagueandahalf，beforeLutzingenanduptoawoodyhill，roundthebaseofwhich，andactingagainstthePrinceofSavoy，werefortyofhissquadrons。
　　HerewasavillagethattheFrenchmenhadburned，thewoodbeing，infact，abettershelterandeasierofguardthananyvillage。
　　BeforethesetwovillagesandtheFrenchlinesranalittlestream，notmorethantwofootbroad，throughamarsh（thatwasmostlydriedupfromtheheatsoftheweather），andthisstreamwastheonlyseparationbetweenthetwoarmies——ourscomingupandrangingthemselvesinlineofbattlebeforetheFrench，atsixo'clockinthemorning;sothatourlinewasquitevisibletotheirs;andthewholeofthisgreatplainwasblackandswarmingwithtroopsforhoursbeforethecannonadingbegan。
　　Ononesideandtheotherthiscannonadinglastedmanyhours。TheFrenchgunsbeinginpositioninfrontoftheirline，anddoingseveredamageamongourhorseespecially，andonourrightwingofImperialistsunderthePrinceofSavoy，whocouldneitheradvancehisartillerynorhislines，thegroundbeforehimbeingcutupbyditches，morasses，andverydifficultofpassagefortheguns。
　　Itwaspastmid—daywhentheattackbeganonourleft，whereLordCuttscommanded，thebravestandmostbelovedofficerintheEnglisharmy。Andnow，asiftomakehisexperienceinwarcomplete，ouryoungaide—de—camphavingseentwogreatarmiesfacingeachotherinlineofbattle，andhadthehonorofridingwithordersfromoneendtootheroftheline，cameinforanotuncommonaccompanimentofmilitaryglory，andwasknockedonthehead，alongwithmanyhundredofbravefellows，almostattheverycommencementofthisfamousdayofBlenheim。Alittleafternoon，thedispositionforattackbeingcompletedwithmuchdelayanddifficulty，andunderaseverefirefromtheenemy'sguns，thatwerebetterpostedandmorenumerousthanours，abodyofEnglishandHessians，withMajor—GeneralWilkescommandingattheextremeleftofourline，marcheduponBlenheim，advancingwithgreatgallantry，theMajor—Generalonfoot，withhisofficers，attheheadofthecolumn，andmarching，withhishatoff，intrepidlyinthefaceoftheenemy，whowaspouringinatremendousfirefromhisgunsandmusketry，towhichourpeoplewereinstructednottoreply，exceptwithpikeandbayonetwhentheyreachedtheFrenchpalisades。TotheseWilkeswalkedintrepidly，andstruckthewoodworkwithhisswordbeforeourpeoplechargedit。Hewasshotdownattheinstant，withhiscolonel，major，andseveralofficers;
　　andourtroopscheeringandhuzzaing，andcomingon，astheydid，withimmenseresolutionandgallantry，wereneverthelessstoppedbythemurderousfirefrombehindtheenemy'sdefences，andthenattackedinflankbyafuriouschargeofFrenchhorsewhichsweptoutofBlenheim，andcutdownourmeningreatnumbers。Threefierceanddesperateassaultsofourfootweremadeandrepulsedbytheenemy;sothatourcolumnsoffootwerequiteshattered，andfellback，scramblingoverthelittlerivulet，whichwehadcrossedsoresolutelyanhourbefore，andpursuedbytheFrenchcavalry，slaughteringusandcuttingusdown。
　　AndnowtheconquerorsweremetbyafuriouschargeofEnglishhorseunderEsmond'sgeneral，GeneralLumley，behindwhosesquadronstheflyingfootfoundrefuge，andformedagain，whilstLumleydrovebacktheFrenchhorse，charginguptothevillageofBlenheimandthepalisadeswhereWilkes，andmanyhundredmoregallantEnglishmen，layinslaughteredheaps。Beyondthismoment，andofthisfamousvictory，Mr。Esmondknowsnothing;forashotbroughtdownhishorseandouryounggentlemanonit，whofellcrushedandstunnedundertheanimal，andcametohissensesheknowsnothowlongafter，onlytolosethemagainfrompainandlossofblood。Adimsense，asofpeoplegroaningroundabouthim，awildincoherentthoughtortwoforherwhooccupiedsomuchofhisheartnow，andthatherehiscareer，andhishopes，andmisfortuneswereended，heremembersinthecourseofthesehours。
　　Whenhewokeup，itwaswithapangofextremepain，hisbreastplatewastakenoff，hisservantwasholdinghisheadup，thegoodandfaithfulladofHampshire*wasblubberingoverhismaster，whomhefoundandhadthoughtdead，andasurgeonwasprobingawoundintheshoulder，whichhemusthavegotatthesamemomentwhenhishorsewasshotandfelloverhim。Thebattlewasoveratthisendofthefield，bythistime:thevillagewasinpossessionoftheEnglish，itsbravedefendersprisoners，orfled，ordrowned，manyofthem，intheneighboringwatersofDonau。ButforhonestLockwood'sfaithfulsearchafterhismaster，therehadnodoubtbeenanendofEsmondhere，andofthishisstory。Themarauderswereoutrifflingthebodiesastheylayonthefield，andJackhadbrainedoneofthesegentrywiththeclub—endofhismusket，whohadeasedEsmondofhishatandperiwig，hispurse，andfinesilver—mountedpistolswhichtheDowagergavehim，andwasfumblinginhispocketsforfurthertreasure，whenJackLockwoodcameupandputanendtothescoundrel'striumph。
　　*Mymistress，beforeIwentthiscampaign，sentmeJohnLockwoodoutofWalcote，whohatheversinceremainedwithme。——H。E。
　　HospitalsforourwoundedwereestablishedatBlenheim，andhereforseveralweeksEsmondlayinverygreatdangerofhislife;thewoundwasnotverygreatfromwhichhesuffered，andtheballextractedbythesurgeononthespotwhereouryounggentlemanreceivedit;butafeversetinnextday，ashewaslyinginhospital，andthatalmostcarriedhimaway。JackLockwoodsaidhetalkedinthewildestmannerduringhisdelirium;thathecalledhimselftheMarquisofEsmond，andseizingoneofthesurgeon'sassistantswhocametodresshiswounds，sworethathewasMadamBeatrix，andthathewouldmakeheraduchessifshewouldbutsayyes。Hewaspassingthedaysinthesecrazyfancies，andvanasomnia，whilstthearmywassinging"TeDeum"forthevictory，andthosefamousfestivitiesweretakingplaceatwhichourDuke，nowmadeaPrinceoftheEmpire，wasentertainedbytheKingoftheRomansandhisnobility。HisGracewenthomebyBerlinandHanover，andEsmondlostthefestivitieswhichtookplaceatthosecities，andwhichhisgeneralsharedincompanyoftheothergeneralofficerswhotravelledwithourgreatcaptain。Whenhecouldmove，itwasbytheDukeofWurtemberg'scityofStuttgardthathemadehiswayhomewards，revisitingHeidelbergagain，whencehewenttoManheim，andhencehadatediousbuteasywaterjourneydowntheriverofRhine，whichhehadthoughtadelightfulandbeautifulvoyageindeed，butthathisheartwaslongingforhome，andsomethingfarmorebeautifulanddelightful。
　　AsbrightandwelcomeastheeyesalmostofhismistressshonethelightsofHarwich，asthepacketcameinfromHolland。Itwasnotmanyhourserehe，Esmond，wasinLondon，ofthatyoumaybesure，andreceivedwithopenarmsbytheoldDowagerofChelsey，whovowed，inherjargonofFrenchandEnglish，thathehadtheairnoble，thathispallorembellishedhim，thathewasanAmadisanddeservedaGloriana;andoh！flamesanddarts！whatwashisjoyathearingthathismistresswascomeintowaiting，andwasnowwithherMajestyatKensington！AlthoughMr。EsmondhadtoldJackLockwoodtogethorsesandtheywouldrideforWinchesterthatnight，whenheheardthisnewshecountermandedthehorsesatonce;
　　hisbusinesslaynolongerinHants;allhishopeanddesirelaywithinacoupleofmilesofhiminKensingtonParkwall。PoorHarryhadneverlookedintheglassbeforesoeagerlytoseewhetherhehadthebelair，andhispalenessreallydidbecomehim;
　　henevertooksuchpainsaboutthecurlofhisperiwig，andthetasteofhisembroideryandpoint—lace，asnow，beforeMr。AmadispresentedhimselftoMadamGloriana。WasthefireoftheFrenchlineshalfsomurderousasthekillingglancesfromherladyship'seyes？Oh！dartsandraptures，howbeautifulwerethey！
　　Andas，beforetheblazingsunofmorning，themoonfadesawayintheskyalmostinvisible，Esmondthought，withablushperhaps，ofanothersweetpaleface，sadandfaint，andfadingoutofsight，withitssweetfondgazeofaffection;suchalastlookitseemedtocastasEurydicemighthavegiven，yearningafterherlover，whenFateandPlutosummonedher，andshepassedawayintotheshades。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　ANOLDSTORYABOUTAFOOLANDAWOMAN。
　　AnytasteforpleasurewhichEsmondhad（andhelikedtodesipereinloco，neithermorenorlessthanmostyoungmenofhisage）hecouldnowgratifytotheutmostextent，andinthebestcompanywhichthetownafforded。Whenthearmywentintowinterquartersabroad，thoseoftheofficerswhohadinterestormoneyeasilygotleaveofabsence，andfounditmuchpleasantertospendtheirtimeinPallMallandHydePark，thantopassthewinterawaybehindthefortificationsofthedrearyoldFlanderstowns，wheretheEnglishtroopsweregathered。YachtsandpacketspasseddailybetweentheDutchandFlemishportsandHarwich;theroadsthencetoLondonandthegreatinnswerecrowdedwitharmygentlemen;thetavernsandordinariesofthetownswarmedwithred—coats;andourgreatDuke'sleveesatSt。James'swereasthrongedastheyhadbeenatGhentandBrussels，wherewetreatedhim，andheus，withthegrandeurandceremonyofasovereign。ThoughEsmondhadbeenappointedtoalieutenancyintheFusileerregiment，ofwhichthatcelebratedofficer，BrigadierJohnRichmondWebb，wascolonel，hehadneverjoinedtheregiment，norbeenintroducedtoitsexcellentcommander，thoughtheyhadmadethesamecampaigntogether，andbeenengagedinthesamebattle。Butbeingaide—de—camptoGeneralLumley，whocommandedthedivisionofhorse，andthearmymarchingtoitspointofdestinationontheDanubebydifferentroutes，Esmondhadnotfallenin，asyet，withhiscommanderandfuturecomradesofthefort;anditwasinLondon，inGoldenSquare，whereMajor—GeneralWebblodged，thatCaptainEsmondhadthehonoroffirstpayinghisrespectstohisfriend，patron，andcommanderofafterdays。
　　Thosewhorememberthisbrilliantandaccomplishedgentlemanmayrecollecthischaracter，uponwhichhepridedhimself，Ithink，notalittle，ofbeingthehandsomestmaninthearmy;apoetwhowritadullcopyofversesuponthebattleofOudenardethreeyearsafter，describingWebb，says:——
　　"TonobledangerWebbconductstheway，Hisgreatexampleallhistroopsobey;
　　Beforethefrontthegeneralsternlyrides，WithsuchanairasMarstobattlestrides:
　　Propitiousheavenmustsureaherosave，LikeParishandsome，andlikeHectorbrave。"