Jervas，inhisredcoat，andsmilinguponabomb—shell，whichwasburstingatthecornerofthepiece。Shevowedthatunlesshemadeagreatmatch，sheshouldneverdieeasy，andwasforeverbringingyoungladiestoChelsey，withprettyfacesandprettyfortunes，atthedisposaloftheColonel。Hesmiledtothinkhowtimeswerealteredwithhim，andoftheearlydaysinhisfather'slifetime，whenatremblingpagehestoodbeforeher，withherladyship'sbasinandewer，orcrouchedinhercoach—step。Theonlyfaultshefoundwithhimwas，thathewasmoresoberthananEsmondoughttobe;andwouldneitherbecarriedtobedbyhisvalet，norlosehishearttoanybeauty，whetherofSt。James'sorCoventGarden。
　　Whatisthemeaningoffidelityinlove，andwhencethebirthofit？
　　'Tisastateofmindthatmenfallinto，anddependingonthemanratherthanthewoman。Welovebeinginlove，that'sthetruthon't。IfwehadnotmetJoan，weshouldhavemetKate，andadoredher。Weknowourmistressesarenobetterthanmanyotherwomen，nornoprettier，nornowiser，nornowittier。'Tisnotforthesereasonsweloveawoman，orforanyspecialqualityorcharmIknowof;wemightaswelldemandthataladyshouldbethetallestwomanintheworld，liketheShropshiregiantess，*asthatsheshouldbeaparagoninanyothercharacter，beforewebegantoloveher。
　　Esmond'smistresshadathousandfaultsbesidehercharms;heknewbothperfectlywell！Shewasimperious，shewaslight—minded，shewasflighty，shewasfalse，shehadnoreverenceinhercharacter;
　　shewasineverything，eveninbeauty，thecontrastofhermother，whowasthemostdevotedandtheleastselfishofwomen。Well，fromtheveryfirstmomenthesawheronthestairsatWalcote，EsmondknewhelovedBeatrix。Theremightbebetterwomen——hewantedthatone。Hecaredfornoneother。Wasitbecauseshewasgloriouslybeautiful？Beautifulasshewas，hehadheardpeoplesayascoreoftimesintheircompanythatBeatrix'smotherlookedasyoung，andwasthehandsomerofthetwo。Whydidhervoicethrillinhisearso？ShecouldnotsingnearsowellasNicoliniorMrs。Tofts;nay，shesangoutoftune，andyethelikedtohearherbetterthanSt。
　　Cecilia。ShehadnotafinercomplexionthanMrs。Steele，（Dick'swife，whomhehadnowgot，andwhoruledpoorDickwitharodofpickle，）andyettoseeherdazzledEsmond;hewouldshuthiseyes，andthethoughtofherdazzledhimallthesame。Shewasbrilliantandlivelyintalk，butnotsoincomparablywittyashermother，who，whenshewascheerful，saidthefinestthings;butyettohearher，andtobewithher，wasEsmond'sgreatestpleasure。Dayspassedawaybetweenhimandtheseladies，hescarceknewhow。Hepouredhisheartouttothem，soashenevercouldinanyothercompany，wherehehathgenerallypassedforbeingmoody，orsuperciliousandsilent。Thissociety**wasmoredelightfulthanthatofthegreatestwitstohim。MayheavenpardonhimthelieshetoldtheDowageratChelsey，inordertogetapretextforgoingawaytoKensington:thebusinessattheOrdnancewhichheinvented;
　　theinterviewwithhisGeneral，thecourtsandstatesmen'sleveeswhichheDIDN'Tfrequentanddescribe;whoworeanewsuitonSundayatSt。James'sorattheQueen'sbirthday;howmanycoachesfilledthestreetatMr。Harley'slevee;howmanybottleshehadhadthehonortodrinkover—nightwithMr。St。Johnatthe"Cocoa—Tree，"oratthe"Garter"withMr。WalpoleandMr。Steele。
　　*'TisnotthusWOMANLOVES:Col。E。hathownedtothisfollyforaSCOREOFWOMENbesides。——R。
　　**And，indeed，sowashistothem，athousandthousandtimesmorecharming，forwherewashisequal？——R。
　　MistressBeatrixEsmondhadbeenadozentimesonthepointofmakinggreatmatches，sotheCourtscandalsaid;butforhispartEsmondneverwouldbelievethestoriesagainsther;andcameback，afterthreeyears'absencefromher，notsofranticashehadbeenperhaps，butstillhungeringafterherandnoother;stillhopeful，stillkneeling，withhisheartinhishandfortheyoungladytotake。Wewerenowgotto1709。Shewasneartwenty—twoyearsold，andthreeyearsatCourt，andwithoutahusband。
　　"'Tisnotforwantofbeingasked，"LadyCastlewoodsaid，lookingintoEsmond'sheart，asshecould，withthatperceptivenessaffectiongives。"Butshewillmakenomeanmatch，Harry:shewillnotmarryasIwouldhaveher;thepersonwhomIshouldliketocallmyson，andHenryEsmondknowswhothatis，isbestservedbymynotpressinghisclaim。Beatrixissowilful，thatwhatIwouldurgeonher，shewouldbesuretoresist。Themanwhowouldmarryher，willnotbehappywithher，unlesshebeagreatperson，andcanputherinagreatposition。Beatrixlovesadmirationmorethanlove;andlongs，beyondallthings，forcommand。Whyshouldamotherspeaksoofherchild？Youaremyson，too，Harry。Youshouldknowthetruthaboutyoursister。Ithoughtyoumightcureyourselfofyourpassion，"myladyadded，fondly。"Otherpeoplecancurethemselvesofthatfolly，youknow。ButIseeyouarestillasinfatuatedasever。WhenwereadyournameintheGazette，Ipleadedforyou，mypoorboy。Poorboy，indeed！Youaregrowingagraveoldgentleman，now，andIamanoldwoman。Shelikesyourfamewellenough，andshelikesyourperson。Shesaysyouhavewit，andfire，andgood—breeding，andaremorenaturalthanthefinegentlemenoftheCourt。Butthisisnotenough。Shewantsacommander—in—chief，andnotacolonel。Wereaduketoaskher，shewouldleaveanearlwhomshehadpromised。Itoldyousobefore。Iknownothowmypoorgirlissoworldly。"
　　"Well，"saysEsmond，"amancanbutgivehisbestandhisall。Shehasthatfromme。WhatlittlereputationIhavewon，IswearI
　　caredforitbecauseIthoughtBeatrixwouldbepleasedwithit。
　　WhatcareItobeacolonelorageneral？Thinkyou'twillmatterafewscoreyearshence，whatourfoolishhonorsto—dayare？I
　　wouldhavehadalittlefame，thatshemightwearitinherhat。
　　IfIhadanythingbetter，Iwouldendowherwithit。Ifshewantsmylife，Iwouldgiveither。Ifshemarriesanother，IwillsayGodblesshim。Imakenoboast，nornocomplaint。Ithinkmyfidelityisfolly，perhaps。Butsoitis。Icannothelpmyself。
　　Iloveher。Youareathousandtimesbetter:thefondest，thefairest，thedearestofwomen。Sure，mydearlady，IseeallBeatrix'sfaultsaswellasyoudo。Butsheismyfate。'Tisendurable。Ishallnotdiefornothavingher。IthinkIshouldbenohappierifIwonher。Quevoulez—vous？asmyLadyofChelseywouldsay。Jel'aime。"
　　"Iwishshewouldhaveyou，"saidHarry'sfondmistress，givingahandtohim。Hekissedthefairhand（'twastheprettiestdimpledlittlehandintheworld，andmyLadyCastlewood，thoughnowalmostfortyyearsold，didnotlooktobewithintenyearsofherage）。
　　Hekissedandkeptherfairhand，astheytalkedtogether。
　　"Why，"sayshe，"shouldshehearme？SheknowswhatIwouldsay。
　　Farornear，sheknowsI'mherslave。Ihavesoldmyselffornothing，itmaybe。Well，'tisthepriceIchoosetotake。Iamworthnothing，orIamworthall。"
　　"Youaresuchatreasure，"Esmond'smistresswaspleasedtosay，"thatthewomanwhohasyourlove，shouldn'tchangeitawayagainstakingdom，Ithink。Iamacountry—bredwoman，andcannotsaybuttheambitionsofthetownseemmeantome。Ineverwasawe—
　　strickenbymyLadyDuchess'srankandfinery，orafraid，"sheadded，withaslylaugh，"ofanythingbuthertemper。IhearofCourtladieswhopinebecauseherMajestylookscoldonthem;andgreatnoblemenwhowouldgivealimbthattheymightwearagarterontheother。Thisworldliness，whichIcan'tcomprehend，wasbornwithBeatrix，who，onthefirstdayofherwaiting，wasaperfectcourtier。Wearelikesisters，andshetheeldestsister，somehow。
　　ShetellsmeIhaveameanspirit。Ilaugh，andsaysheadoresacoach—and—six。Icannotreasonheroutofherambition。'Tisnaturaltoher，astometolovequiet，andbeindifferentaboutrankandriches。Whatarethey，Harry？andforhowlongdotheylast？Ourhomeisnothere。"Shesmiledasshespoke，andlookedlikeanangelthatwasonlyonearthonavisit。"Ourhomeiswherethejustare，andwhereoursinsandsorrowsenternot。Myfatherusedtorebukeme，andsaythatIwastoohopefulaboutheaven。ButIcannothelpmynature，andgrowobstinateasIgrowtobeanoldwoman;andasIlovemychildrenso，sureourFatherlovesuswithathousandandathousandtimesgreaterlove。Itmustbethatweshallmeetyonder，andbehappy。Yes，you——andmychildren，andmydearlord。Doyouknow，Harry，sincehisdeath，ithasalwaysseemedtomeasifhislovecamebacktome，andthatwearepartednomore。Perhapsheisherenow，Harry——Ithinkheis。ForgivenIamsureheis:evenMr。Atterburyabsolvedhim，andhediedforgiving。Oh，whatanoblehearthehad！Howgeneroushewas！Iwasbutfifteenandachildwhenhemarriedme。Howgoodhewastostooptome！Hewasalwaysgoodtothepoorandhumble。"
　　Shestopped，thenpresently，withapeculiarexpression，asifhereyeswerelookingintoheaven，andsawmylordthere，shesmiled，andgavealittlelaugh。"Ilaughtoseeyou，sir，"shesays;
　　"whenyoucome，itseemsasifyouneverwereaway。"Onemayputherwordsdown，andrememberthem，buthowdescribehersweettones，sweeterthanmusic！
　　Myyounglorddidnotcomehomeattheendofthecampaign，andwrotethathewaskeptatBruxellesonmilitaryduty。Indeed，I
　　believehewasengagedinlayingsiegetoacertainlady，whowasofthesuiteofMadamedeSoissons，thePrinceofSavoy'smother，whowasjustdead，andwho，liketheFlemishfortresses，wastakenandretakenagreatnumberoftimesduringthewar，andoccupiedbyFrench，English，andImperialists。Ofcourse，Mr。EsmonddidnotthinkfittoenlightenLadyCastlewoodregardingtheyoungscapegrace'sdoings:norhadhesaidawordabouttheaffairwithLordMohun，knowinghowabhorrentthatman'snamewastohismistress。Frankdidnotwastemuchtimeormoneyonpenandink;
　　and，whenHarrycamehomewithhisGeneral，onlywrittwolinestohismother，tosayhiswoundinthelegwasalmosthealed，thathewouldkeephiscomingofagenextyear——thatthedutyaforesaidwouldkeephimatBruxelles，andthatCousinHarrywouldtellallthenews。
　　ButfromBruxelles，knowinghowtheLadyCastlewoodalwayslikedtohavealetteraboutthefamous29thofDecember，mylordwritheralongandfullone，andinthishemusthavedescribedtheaffairwithMohun;forwhenMr。Esmondcametovisithismistressoneday，earlyinthenewyear，tohisgreatwonderment，sheandherdaughterbothcameupandsalutedhim，andafterthemtheDowagerofChelsey，too，whosechairmanhadjustbroughtherladyshipfromhervillagetoKensingtonacrossthefields。Afterthishonor，I
　　say，fromthetwoladiesofCastlewood，theDowagercameforwardingreatstate，withhergrandtallhead—dressofKingJames'sreign，that，sheneverforsook，andsaid，"CousinHenry，allourfamilyhavemet;andwethankyou，cousin，foryournobleconducttowardstheheadofourhouse。"Andpointingtoherblushingcheek，shemadeMr。Esmondawarethathewastoenjoytheraptureofanembracethere。Havingsalutedonecheek，sheturnedtohimtheother。"CousinHarry，"saidboththeotherladies，inalittlechorus，"wethankyouforyournobleconduct;"andthenHarrybecameawarethatthestoryoftheLilleaffairhadcometohiskinswomen'sears。Itpleasedhimtohearthemallsalutinghimasoneoftheirfamily。
　　Thetablesofthedining—roomwerelaidforagreatentertainment;
　　andtheladieswereingaladresses——myLadyofChelseyinherhighesttour，myLadyViscountessoutofblack，andlookingfairandhappyaravir;andtheMaidofHonorattiredwiththatsplendorwhichnaturallydistinguishedher，andwearingonherbeautifulbreasttheFrenchofficer'sstarwhichFrankhadsenthomeafterRamillies。
　　"Yousee，'tisagaladaywithus，"saysshe，glancingdowntothestarcomplacently，"andwehaveourorderson。Doesnotmammalookcharming？'TwasIdressedher！"Indeed，Esmond'sdearmistress，blushingashelookedather，withherbeautifulfairhair，andanelegantdressaccordingtothemode，appearedtohavetheshapeandcomplexionofagirloftwenty。
　　Onthetablewasafinesword，witharedvelvetscabbard，andabeautifulchasedsilverhandle，withablueribbonforasword—
　　knot。"Whatisthis？"saystheCaptain，goinguptolookatthisprettypiece。
　　Mrs。Beatrixadvancedtowardsit。"Kneeldown，"saysshe:"wedubyouourknightwiththis"——andshewavedtheswordoverhishead。
　　"MyLadyDowagerhathgiventhesword;andIgivetheribbon，andmammahathsewnonthefringe。"
　　"Puttheswordonhim，Beatrix，"sayshermother。"Youareourknight，Harry——ourtrueknight。Takeamother'sthanksandprayersfordefendingherson，mydear，dearfriend。"Shecouldsaynomore，andeventheDowagerwasaffected，foracoupleofrebellioustearsmadesadmarksdownthosewrinkledoldroseswhichEsmondhadjustbeenallowedtosalute。
　　"WehadaletterfromdearestFrank，"hismothersaid，"threedayssince，whilstyouwereonyourvisittoyourfriendCaptainSteele，atHampton。Hetoldusallthatyouhaddone，andhownoblyyouhadputyourselfbetweenhimandthat——thatwretch。"
　　"AndIadoptyoufromthisday，"saystheDowager，"andIwishI
　　wasricher，foryoursake，sonEsmond，"sheaddedwithawaveofherhand;andasMr。Esmonddutifullywentdownonhiskneebeforeherladyship，shecasthereyesuptotheceiling，（thegiltchandelier，andthetwelvewax—candlesinit，forthepartywasnumerous，）andinvokedablessingfromthatquarteruponthenewlyadoptedson。
　　"DearFrank，"saystheotherviscountess，"howfondheisofhismilitaryprofession！Heisstudyingfortificationveryhard。I
　　wishhewerehere。WeshallkeephiscomingofageatCastlewoodnextyear。"
　　"Ifthecampaignpermitus，"saysMr。Esmond。
　　"Iamneverafraidwhenheiswithyou，"criestheboy'smother。
　　"IamsuremyHenrywillalwaysdefendhim。"
　　"Buttherewillbeapeacebeforenextyear;weknowitforcertain，"criestheMaidofHonor。"LordMarlboroughwillbedismissed，andthathorribleduchessturnedoutofallherplaces。
　　HerMajestywon'tspeaktohernow。DidyouseeheratBushy，Harry？Sheisfurious，andsherangesabouttheparklikealioness，andtearspeople'seyesout。"
　　"AndthePrincessAnnewillsendforsomebody，"saysmyLadyofChelsey，takingouthermedalandkissingit。
　　"DidyouseetheKingatOudenarde，Harry？"hismistressasked。
　　ShewasastaunchJacobite，andwouldnomorehavethoughtofdenyingherkingthanherGod。
　　"IsawtheyoungHanoverianonly，"Harrysaid。"TheChevalierdeSt。George——"
　　"TheKing，sir，theKing！"saidtheladiesandMissBeatrix;andsheclappedherprettyhands，andcried，"ViveleRoy。"
　　Bythistimetherecameathunderingknock，thatdroveinthedoorsofthehousealmost。Itwasthreeo'clock，andthecompanywerearriving;andpresentlytheservantannouncedCaptainSteeleandhislady。
　　CaptainandMrs。Steele，whowerethefirsttoarrive，haddriventoKensingtonfromtheircountry—house，theHovelatHamptonWick。
　　"NotfromourmansioninBloomsburySquare，"asMrs。Steeletookcaretoinformtheladies。IndeedHarryhadriddenawayfromHamptonthatverymorning，leavingthecouplebytheears;forfromthechamberwherehelay，inabedthatwasnoneofthecleanest，andkeptawakebythecompanywhichhehadinhisownbed，andthequarrelwhichwasgoingoninthenextroom，hecouldhearbothnightandmorningthecurtainlecturewhichMrs。SteelewasinthehabitofadministeringtopoorDick。
　　Atnightitdidnotmattersomuchfortheculprit;Dickwasfuddled，andwheninthatwaynoscoldingcouldinterrupthisbenevolence。Mr。Esmondcouldhearhimcoaxingandspeakinginthatmaudlinmanner，whichpunchandclaretproduce，tohisbelovedPrue，andbeseechinghertorememberthattherewasadistiwishtofficeritherexroob，whowouldoverhearher。Shewenton，nevertheless，callinghimadrunkenwretch，andwasonlyinterruptedinherharanguesbytheCaptain'ssnoring。
　　Inthemorning，theunhappyvictimawoketoaheadache，andconsciousness，andthedialogueofthenightwasresumed。"Whydoyoubringcaptainshometodinnerwhenthere'snotaguineainthehouse？HowamItogivedinnerswhenyouleavemewithoutashilling？HowamItogotraipsingtoKensingtoninmyyellowsatinsackbeforeallthefinecompany？I'venothingfittoputon;Ineverhave:"andsothedisputewenton——Mr。Esmondinterruptingthetalkwhenitseemedtobegrowingtoointimatebyblowinghisnoseasloudlyaseverhecould，atthesoundofwhichtrumpettherecamealull。ButDickwascharming，thoughhiswifewasodious，and'twastogiveMr。Steelepleasure，thattheladiesofCastlewood，whowereladiesofnosmallfashion，invitedMrs。
　　Steele。
　　BesidestheCaptainandhislady，therewasagreatandnotableassemblageofcompany:myLadyofChelseyhavingsentherlackeysandliveriestoaidthemodestattendanceatKensington。TherewasLieutenant—GeneralWebb，Harry'skindpatron，ofwhomtheDowagertookpossession，andwhoresplendedinvelvetandgoldlace;therewasHarry'snewacquaintance，theRightHonorableHenrySt。John，Esquire，theGeneral'skinsman，whowascharmedwiththeLadyCastlewood，evenmorethanwithherdaughter;therewasoneofthegreatestnoblemeninthekingdom，theScotsDukeofHamilton，justcreatedDukeofBrandoninEngland;andtwoothernoblelordsoftheToryparty，myLordAshburnham，andanotherIhaveforgot;andforladies，herGracetheDuchessofOrmondeandherdaughters，theLadyMaryandtheLadyBetty，theformeroneofMistressBeatrix'scolleaguesinwaitingontheQueen。
　　"WhatapartyofTories！"whisperedCaptainSteeletoEsmond，aswewereassembledintheparlorbeforedinner。Indeed，allthecompanypresent，saveSteele，wereofthatfaction。
　　Mr。St。JohnmadehisspecialcomplimentstoMrs。Steele，andsocharmedherthatshedeclaredshewouldhaveSteeleaTorytoo。
　　"OrwillyouhavemeaWhig？"saysMr。St。John。"Ithink，madam，youcouldconvertamantoanything。"
　　"IfMr。St。JohnevercomestoBloomsburySquareIwillteachhimwhatIknow，"saysMrs。Steele，droppingherhandsomeeyes。"DoyouknowBloomsburySquare？"
　　"DoIknowtheMall？DoIknowtheOpera？DoIknowthereigningtoast？Why，Bloomsburyistheveryheightofthemode，"saysMr。
　　St。John。"'Tisrusinurbe。YouhavegardensallthewaytoHampstead，andpalacesroundaboutyou——SouthamptonHouseandMontagueHouse。"
　　"Whereyouwretchesgoandfightduels，"criesMrs。Steele。
　　"Ofwhichtheladiesarethecause！"saysherentertainer。"Madam，isDickagoodswordsman？Howcharmingthe'Tatler'is！Weallrecognizedyourportraitinthe49thnumber，andIhavebeendyingtoknowyoueversinceIreadit。'Aspasiamustbeallowedtobethefirstofthebeauteousorderoflove。'Dothnotthepassagerunso？'Inthisaccomplishedladyloveistheconstanteffect，thoughitisneverthedesign;yetthoughhermiencarriesmuchmoreinvitationthancommand，tobeholdherisanimmediatechecktoloosebehavior，andtoloveherisaliberaleducation。'"
　　"Oh，indeed！"saysMrs。Steele，whodidnotseemtounderstandawordofwhatthegentlemanwassaying。
　　"Whocouldfailtobeaccomplishedundersuchamistress？"saysMr。
　　St。John，stillgallantandbowing。
　　"Mistress！uponmyword，sir！"criesthelady。"Ifyoumeanme，sir，IwouldhaveyouknowthatIamtheCaptain'swife。"
　　"Sureweallknowit，"answersMr。St。John，keepinghiscountenanceverygravely;andSteelebrokeinsaying，"'TwasnotaboutMrs。SteeleIwritthatpaper——thoughIamsuresheisworthyofanycomplimentIcanpayher——butoftheLadyElizabethHastings。"
　　"IhearMr。Addisonisequallyfamousasawitandapoet，"saysMr。St。John。"Isittruethathishandistobefoundinyour'Tatler，'Mr。Steele？"
　　"Whether'tisthesublimeorthehumorous，nomancancomenearhim，"criesSteele。
　　"Afig，Dick，foryourMr。Addison！criesouthislady:"agentlemanwhogiveshimselfsuchairsandholdshisheadsohighnow。IhopeyourladyshipthinksasIdo:Ican'tbearthoseveryfairmenwithwhiteeyelashes——ablackmanforme。"（Alltheblackmenattableapplauded，andmadeMrs。Steeleabowforthiscompliment。）"AsforthisMr。Addison，"shewenton，"hecomestodinewiththeCaptainsometimes，neversaysawordtome，andthentheywalkupstairsbothtipsy，toadishoftea。IrememberyourMr。Addisonwhenhehadbutonecoattohisback，andthatwithapatchattheelbow。"
　　"Indeed——apatchattheelbow！Youinterestme，"saysMr。St。
　　John。"'Tischarmingtohearofonemanoflettersfromthecharmingwifeofanother。"
　　"La，Icouldtellyoueversomuchabout'em，"continuesthevolublelady。"WhatdoyouthinktheCaptainhasgotnow？——alittlehunchbackfellow——alittlehop—o'—my—thumbcreaturethathecallsapoet——alittlePopishbrat！"
　　"Hush，therearetwointheroom，"whispershercompanion。
　　"Well，IcallhimPopishbecausehisnameisPope，"saysthelady。
　　"'Tisonlymyjokingway。Andthislittledwarfofafellowhaswroteapastoralpoem——allaboutshepherdsandshepherdesses，youknow。"
　　"Ashepherdshouldhavealittlecrook，"saysmymistress，laughingfromherendofthetable:onwhichMrs。Steelesaid，"Shedidnotknow，buttheCaptainbroughthomethisqueerlittlecreaturewhenshewasinbedwithherfirstboy，anditwasamercyhehadcomenosooner;andDickravedabouthisgenus，andwasalwaysravingaboutsomenonsenseorother。"
　　"Whichofthe'Tatlers'doyouprefer，Mrs。Steele？"askedMr。St。
　　John。
　　"Ineverreadbutone，andthinkitallapackofrubbish，sir，"
　　saysthelady。"SuchstuffaboutBickerstaffe，andDistaff，andQuarterstaff，asitallis！There'stheCaptaingoingonstillwiththeBurgundy——Iknowhe'llbetipsybeforehestops——CaptainSteele！"
　　"Idrinktoyoureyes，mydear，"saystheCaptain，whoseemedtothinkhiswifecharming，andtoreceiveasgenuineallthesatiriccomplimentswhichMr。St。Johnpaidher。
　　AllthiswhiletheMaidofHonorhadbeentryingtogetMr。Esmondtotalk，andnodoubtvotedhimadullfellow。For，bysomemistake，justashewasgoingtopopintothevacantplace，hewasplacedfarawayfromBeatrix'schair，whosatbetweenhisGraceandmyLordAshburnham，andshruggedherlovelywhiteshoulders，andcastalookasiftosay，"Pityme，"tohercousin。MyLordDukeandhisyoungneighborwerepresentlyinaveryanimatedandcloseconversation。Mrs。Beatrixcouldnomorehelpusinghereyesthanthesuncanhelpshining，andsettingthoseitshinesona—burning。
　　BythetimethefirstcoursewasdonethedinnerseemedlongtoEsmond;bythetimethesoupcamehefanciedtheymusthavebeenhoursattable:andasforthesweetsandjellieshethoughttheyneverwouldbedone。
　　Atlengththeladiesrose，BeatrixthrowingaParthianglanceatherdukeassheretreated;afreshbottleandglasseswerefetched，andtoastswerecalled。Mr。St。JohnaskedhisGracetheDukeofHamiltonandthecompanytodrinktothehealthofhisGracetheDukeofBrandon。AnotherlordgaveGeneralWebb'shealth，"andmayhegetthecommandthebravestofficerintheworlddeserves。"Mr。
　　Webbthankedthecompany，complimentedhisaide—de—camp，andfoughthisfamousbattleoveragain。
　　"Ilestfatiguant，"whispersMr。St。John，"avecsatrompettedeWynendael。"
　　CaptainSteele，whowasnotofourside，loyallygavethehealthoftheDukeofMarlborough，thegreatestgeneraloftheage。
　　"Idrinktothegreatestgeneralwithallmyheart，"saysMr。Webb;
　　"therecanbenogainsayingthatcharacterofhim。MyglassgoestotheGeneral，andnottotheDuke，Mr。Steele。"Andthestoutoldgentlemanemptiedhisbumper;towhichDickrepliedbyfillingandemptyingapairofbrimmers，onefortheGeneralandonefortheDuke。
　　AndnowhisGraceofHamilton，risingupwithflashingeyes（wehadallbeendrinkingprettyfreely），proposedatoasttothelovely，totheincomparableMrs。BeatrixEsmond;wealldrankitwithcheers，andmyLordAshburnhamespecially，withashoutofenthusiasm。
　　"WhatapitythereisaDuchessofHamilton，"whispersSt。John，whodrankmorewineandyetwasmoresteadythanmostoftheothers，andweenteredthedrawing—roomwheretheladieswereattheirtea。AsforpoorDick，wewereobligedtoleavehimaloneatthedining—table，wherehewashiccuppingoutthelinesfromthe"Campaign，"inwhichthegreatestpoethadcelebratedthegreatestgeneralintheworld;andHarryEsmondfoundhim，halfanhourafterwards，inamoreadvancedstageofliquor，andweepingaboutthetreacheryofTomBoxer。
　　Thedrawing—roomwasalldarktopoorHarry，inspiteofthegrandillumination。Beatrixscarcespoketohim。WhenmyLordDukewentaway，shepractiseduponthenextinrank，andpliedmyyoungLordAshburnhamwithallthefireofhereyesandthefascinationsofherwit。Mostofthepartyweresettocards，andMr。St。John，afteryawninginthefaceofMrs。Steele，whomhedidnotcaretopursueanymore;andtalkinginhismostbrilliantanimatedwaytoLadyCastlewood，whomhepronouncedtobebeautiful，ofafarhigherorderofbeautythanherdaughter，presentlytookhisleave，andwenthisway。Therestofthecompanyspeedilyfollowed，myLordAshburnhamthelast，throwingfieryglancesatthesmilingyoungtemptress，whohadbewitchedmoreheartsthanhisinherthrall。
　　Nodoubt，asakinsmanofthehouse，Mr。Esmondthoughtfittobethelastofallinit;heremainedafterthecoacheshadrolledaway——afterhisdowageraunt'schairandflambeauxhadmarchedoffinthedarknesstowardsChelsey，andthetown'speoplehadgonetobed，whohadbeendrawnintothesquaretogapeattheunusualassemblageofchairsandchariots，lackeys，andtorchmen。Thepoormeanwretchlingeredyetforafewminutes，toseewhetherthegirlwouldvouchsafehimasmile，orapartingwordofconsolation。Butherenthusiasmofthemorningwasquitediedout，orshechosetobeinadifferentmood。ShefelltojokingaboutthedowdyappearanceofLadyBetty，andmimickedthevulgarityofMrs。
　　Steele;andthensheputupherlittlehandtohermouthandyawned，lightedataper，andshruggedhershoulders，anddroppingMr。Esmondasaucycurtsy，sailedofftobed。
　　"Thedaybegansowell，Henry，thatIhopeditmighthaveendedbetter，"wasalltheconsolationthatpoorEsmond'sfondmistresscouldgivehim;andashetrudgedhomethroughthedarkalone，hethoughtwithbitterrageinhisheart，andafeelingofalmostrevoltagainstthesacrificehehadmade:——"Shewouldhaveme，"
　　thoughthe，"hadIbutanametogiveher。Butformypromisetoherfather，Imighthavemyrankandmymistresstoo。"
　　Isupposeaman'svanityisstrongerthananyotherpassioninhim;
　　forIblush，evennow，asIrecallthehumiliationofthosedistantdays，thememoryofwhichstillsmarts，thoughthefeverofbalkeddesirehaspassedawaymorethanascoreofyearsago。Whenthewriter'sdescendantscometoreadthismemoir，Iwonderwilltheyhavelivedtoexperienceasimilardefeatandshame？Willtheyeverhaveknelttoawomanwhohaslistenedtothem，andplayedwiththem，andlaughedwiththem——whobeckoningthemwithluresandcaresses，andwithYessmilingfromhereyes，hastrickedthemontotheirknees，andturnedherbackandleftthem。AllthisshameMr。Esmondhadtoundergo;andhesubmitted，andrevolted，andpresentlycamecrouchingbackformore。
　　Afterthisfeste，myyoungLordAshburnham'scoachwasforeverrollinginandoutofKensingtonSquare;hislady—mothercametovisitEsmond'smistress，andateveryassemblyinthetown，wherevertheMaidofHonormadeherappearance，youmightbeprettysuretoseetheyounggentlemaninanewsuiteveryweek，anddeckedoutinallthefinerythathistailororembroiderercouldfurnishforhim。MylordwasforeverpayingMr。Esmondcompliments:biddinghimtodinner，offeringhimhorsestoride，andgivinghimathousanduncouthmarksofrespectandgood—will。
　　Atlast，onenightatthecoffee—house，whithermylordcameconsiderablyflushedandexcitedwithdrink，herushesuptoMr。
　　Esmond，andcriesout——"Givemejoy，mydearestColonel;Iamthehappiestofmen。"
　　"Thehappiestofmenneedsnodearestcoloneltogivehimjoy，"
　　saysMr。Esmond。"Whatisthecauseofthissupremefelicity？"
　　"Haven'tyouheard？"sayshe。"Don'tyouknow？Ithoughtthefamilytoldyoueverything:theadorableBeatrixhathpromisedtobemine。"
　　"What！"criesoutMr。Esmond，whohadspenthappyhourswithBeatrixthatverymorning——hadwritversesforher，thatshehadsungattheharpsichord。