"Yes，"sayshe;"Iwaitedonherto—day。IsawyouwalkingtowardsKnightsbridgeasIpassedinmycoach;andshelookedsolovely，andspokesokind，thatIcouldn'thelpgoingdownonmyknees，and——and——sureIamthehappiestofmeninalltheworld;andI'mveryyoung;butshesaysIshallgetolder:andyouknowIshallbeofageinfourmonths;andthere'sverylittledifferencebetweenus;andI'msohappy。Ishouldliketotreatthecompanytosomething。Letushaveabottle——adozenbottles——anddrinkthehealthofthefinestwomaninEngland。"
　　Esmondlefttheyounglordtossingoffbumperafterbumper，andstrolledawaytoKensingtontoaskwhetherthenewswastrue。
　　'Twasonlytoosure:hismistress'ssad，compassionatefacetoldhimthestory;andthensherelatedwhatparticularsofitsheknew，andhowmyyounglordhadmadehisoffer，halfanhourafterEsmondwentawaythatmorning，andintheveryroomwherethesonglayyetontheharpsichord，whichEsmondhadwrit，andtheyhadsungtogether。
　　BOOKIII。
　　CONTAININGTHEENDOFMR。ESMOND'SADVENTURESINENGLAND。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　ICOMETOANENDOFMYBATTLESANDBRUISES。
　　ThatfeverishdesiretogainalittlereputationwhichEsmondhadhad，lefthimnowperhapsthathehadattainedsomeportionofhiswish，andthegreatmotiveofhisambitionwasover。HisdesireformilitaryhonorwasthatitmightraisehiminBeatrix'seyes。
　　'Twasnexttonobilityandwealth，theonlykindofrankshevalued。Itwasthestakequickestwonorlosttoo;forlawisaverylonggamethatrequiresalifetopractise;andtobedistinguishedinlettersortheChurchwouldnothaveforwardedthepoorgentleman'splansintheleast。Sohehadnosuittoplaybuttheredone，andheplayedit;andthis，intruth，wasthereasonofhisspeedypromotion;forheexposedhimselfmorethanmostgentlemendo，andriskedmoretowinmore。Ishetheonlymanthathathsethislifeagainstastakewhichmaybenotworththewinning？Anotherriskshislife（andhishonor，too，sometimes，）
　　againstabundleofbank—notes，orayardofblueribbon，oraseatinParliament;andsomeforthemerepleasureandexcitementofthesport;asafieldofahundredhuntsmenwilldo，eachout—bawlingandout—gallopingtheotheratthetailofadirtyfox，thatistobetheprizeoftheforemosthappyconqueror。
　　WhenheheardthisnewsofBeatrix'sengagementinmarriage，ColonelEsmondknockedundertohisfate，andresolvedtosurrenderhissword，thatcouldwinhimnothingnowhecaredfor;andinthisdismalframeofmindhedeterminedtoretirefromtheregiment，tothegreatdelightofthecaptainnextinranktohim，whohappenedtobeayounggentlemanofgoodfortune，whoeagerlypaidMr。
　　EsmondathousandguineasforhismajorityinWebb'sregiment，andwasknockedontheheadthenextcampaign。PerhapsEsmondwouldnothavebeensorrytosharehisfate。HewasmoretheKnightoftheWofulCountenancethaneverhehadbeen。Hismoodinessmusthavemadehimperfectlyodioustohisfriendsunderthetents，wholikeajollyfellow，andlaughatamelancholywarrioralwayssighingafterDulcineaathome。
　　BoththeladiesofCastlewoodapprovedofMr。Esmondquittingthearmy，andhiskindGeneralcoincidedinhiswishofretirementandhelpedinthetransferofhiscommission，whichbroughtaprettysumintohispocket。ButwhentheCommander—in—Chiefcamehome，andwasforced，inspiteofhimself，toappointLieutenant—GeneralWebbtothecommandofadivisionofthearmyinFlanders，theLieutenant—GeneralprayedColonelEsmondsourgentlytobehisaide—de—campandmilitarysecretary，thatEsmondcouldnotresisthiskindpatron'sentreaties，andagaintookthefield，notattachedtoanyregiment，butunderWebb'sorders。Whatmusthavebeenthecontinuedagoniesoffears*andapprehensionswhichrackedthegentlebreastsofwivesandmatronsinthosedreadfuldays，wheneveryGazettebroughtaccountsofdeathsandbattles，andwhenthepresentanxietyover，andthebelovedpersonescaped，thedoubtstillremainedthatabattlemightbefought，possibly，ofwhichthenextFlandersletterwouldbringtheaccount;sothey，thepoortendercreatures，hadtogoonsickeningandtremblingthroughthewholecampaign。WhatevertheseterrorswereonthepartofEsmond'smistress，（andthattenderestofwomenmusthavefeltthemmostkeenlyforbothhersons，asshecalledthem），sheneverallowedthemoutwardlytoappear，buthidherapprehension，asshedidhercharitiesanddevotion。'TwasonlybychancethatEsmond，wanderinginKensington，foundhismistresscomingoutofameancottagethere，andheardthatshehadascoreofpoorretainers，whomshevisitedandcomfortedintheirsicknessandpoverty，andwhoblessedherdaily。Sheattendedtheearlychurchdaily（thoughofaSunday，especially，sheencouragedandadvancedallsortsofcheerfulnessandinnocentgayetyinherlittlehousehold）:andbynotesenteredintoatable—bookofhersatthistime，anddevotionalcompositionswritwithasweetartlessfervor，suchasthebestdivinescouldnotsurpass，showedhowfondherheartwas，howhumbleandpiousherspirit，whatpangsofapprehensionsheenduredsilently，andwithwhatafaithfulrelianceshecommittedthecareofthoseshelovedtotheawfulDispenserofdeathandlife。
　　*Whatindeed？Psm。xci。2，3，7。——R。E。
　　AsforherladyshipatChelsey，Esmond'snewlyadoptedmother，shewasnowofanagewhenthedangerofanysecondpartydothnotdisturbtherestmuch。Shecaredfortrumpsmorethanformostthingsinlife。Shewasfirmenoughinherownfaith，butnolongerverybitteragainstours。Shehadaverygood—natured，easyFrenchdirector，MonsieurGauthierbyname，whowasagentlemanoftheworld，andwouldtakeahandofcardswithDeanAtterbury，mylady'sneighboratChelsey，andwaswellwithalltheHighChurchparty。NodoubtMonsieurGauthierknewwhatEsmond'speculiarpositionwas，forhecorrespondedwithHolt，andalwaystreatedColonelEsmondwithparticularrespectandkindness;butforgoodreasonstheColonelandtheAbbeneverspokeonthismattertogether，andsotheyremainedperfectgoodfriends。
　　AllthefrequentersofmyLadyofChelsey'shousewereoftheToryandHighChurchparty。MadameBeatrixwasasfranticabouttheKingasherelderlykinswoman:sheworehispictureonherheart;
　　shehadapieceofhishair;shevowedhewasthemostinjured，andgallant，andaccomplished，andunfortunate，andbeautifulofprinces。Steele，whoquarrelledwithverymanyofhisToryfriends，butneverwithEsmond，usedtotelltheColonelthathiskinswoman'shousewasarendezvousofToryintrigues;thatGauthierwasaspy;thatAtterburywasaspy;thatletterswereconstantlygoingfromthathousetotheQueenatSt。Germains;onwhichEsmond，laughing，wouldreply，thattheyusedtosayinthearmytheDukeofMarlboroughwasaspytoo，andasmuchincorrespondencewiththatfamilyasanyJesuit。Andwithoutenteringveryeagerlyintothecontroversy，Esmondhadfranklytakenthesideofhisfamily。ItseemedtohimthatKingJamestheThirdwasundoubtedlyKingofEnglandbyright:andathissister'sdeathitwouldbebettertohavehimthanaforeigneroverus。NomanadmiredKingWilliammore;aheroandaconqueror，thebravest，justest，wisestofmen——but'twasbytheswordheconqueredthecountry，andheldandgoverneditbytheverysamerightthatthegreatCromwellheldit，whowastrulyandgreatlyasovereign。ButthataforeigndespoticPrince，outofGermany，whohappenedtobedescendedfromKingJamestheFirst，shouldtakepossessionofthisempire，seemedtoMr。Esmondamonstrousinjustice——atleast，everyEnglishmanhadarighttoprotest，andtheEnglishPrince，theheir—at—law，thefirstofall。Whatmanofspiritwithsuchacausewouldnotbackit？Whatmanofhonorwithsuchacrowntowinwouldnotfightforit？Butthatracewasdestined。ThatPrincehadhimselfagainsthim，anenemyhecouldnotovercome。Heneverdaredtodrawhissword，thoughhehadit。Helethischancesslipbyashelayinthelapofopera—girls，orsnivelledatthekneesofpriestsaskingpardon;andthebloodofheroes，andthedevotednessofhonesthearts，andendurance，courage，fidelity，wereallspentforhiminvain。
　　ButletusreturntomyLadyofChelsey，who，whenhersonEsmondannouncedtoherladyshipthatheproposedtomaketheensuingcampaign，tookleaveofhimwithperfectalacrity，andwasdowntopiquetwithhergentlewomanbeforehehadwellquittedtheroomonhislastvisit。"Tiercetoaking，"werethelastwordsheeverheardhersay:thegameoflifewasprettynearlyoverforthegoodlady，andthreemonthsafterwardsshetooktoherbed，wheresheflickeredoutwithoutanypain，sotheAbbeGauthierwroteovertoMr。Esmond，thenwithhisGeneralonthefrontierofFrance。TheLadyCastlewoodwaswithheratherending，andhadwrittentoo，buttheselettersmusthavebeentakenbyaprivateerinthepacketthatbroughtthem;forEsmondknewnothingoftheircontentsuntilhisreturntoEngland。
　　MyLadyCastlewoodhadlefteverythingtoColonelEsmond，"asareparationforthewrongdonetohim;"'twaswritinherwill。Butherfortunewasnotmuch，foritneverhadbeenlarge，andthehonestviscountesshadwiselysunkmostofthemoneyshehaduponanannuitywhichterminatedwithherlife。However，therewasthehouseandfurniture，plateandpicturesatChelsey，andasumofmoneylyingathermerchant's，SirJosiahChild，whichaltogetherwouldrealizeasumofnearthreehundredpoundsperannum，sothatMr。Esmondfoundhimself，ifnotrich，atleasteasyforlife。
　　Likewisetherewerethefamousdiamondswhichhadbeensaidtobeworthfabuloussums，thoughthegoldsmithpronouncedtheywouldfetchnomorethanfourthousandpounds。Thesediamonds，however，ColonelEsmondreserved，havingaspecialuseforthem:buttheChelseyhouse，plate，goods，&c。，withtheexceptionofafewarticleswhichhekeptback，weresoldbyhisorders;andthesumsresultingfromthesaleinvestedinthepublicsecuritiessoastorealizetheaforesaidannualincomeofthreehundredpounds。
　　Havingnowsomethingtoleave，hemadeawillanddespatchedithome。Thearmywasnowinpresenceoftheenemy;andagreatbattleexpectedeveryday。'TwasknownthattheGeneral—in—Chiefwasindisgrace，andthepartiesathomestrongagainsthim，andtherewasnostrokethisgreatandresoluteplayerwouldnotventuretorecallhisfortunewhenitseemeddesperate。FrankCastlewoodwaswithColonelEsmond;hisGeneralhavinggladlytakentheyoungnoblemanontohisstaff。HisstudiesoffortificationsatBruxelleswereoverbythistime。Theforthewasbesieginghadyielded，Ibelieve，andmylordhadnotonlymarchedinwithflyingcolors，butmarchedoutagain。Heusedtotellhisboyishwickednesseswithadmirablehumor，andwasthemostcharmingyoungscapegraceinthearmy。
　　'TisneedlesstosaythatColonelEsmondhadlefteverypennyofhislittlefortunetothisboy。ItwastheColonel'sfirmconvictionthatthenextbattlewouldputanendtohim:forhefeltawearyofthesun，andquitereadytobidthatandtheearthfarewell。Frankwouldnotlistentohiscomrade'sgloomyforebodings，butsworetheywouldkeephisbirthdayatCastlewoodthatautumn，afterthecampaign。Hehadheardoftheengagementathome。"IfPrinceEugenegoestoLondon，"saysFrank，"andTrixcangetholdofhim，she'lljiltAshburnhamforhisHighness。Itellyou，sheusedtomakeeyesattheDukeofMarlborough，whenshewasonlyfourteen，andoglingpoorlittleBlandford。Iwouldn'tmarryher，Harry——no，notifhereyesweretwiceasbig。I'lltakemyfun。I'llenjoyforthenextthreeyearseverypossiblepleasure。
　　I'llsowmywildoatsthen，andmarrysomequiet，steady，modest，sensibleviscountess;huntmyharriers;andsettledownatCastlewood。PerhapsI'llrepresentthecounty——no，damme，YOU
　　shallrepresentthecounty。Youhavethebrainsofthefamily。BytheLord，mydearoldHarry，youhavethebestheadandthekindestheartinallthearmy;andeverymansaysso——andwhentheQueendies，andtheKingcomesback，whyshouldn'tyougototheHouseofCommons，andbeaMinister，andbemadeaPeer，andthatsortofthing？YOUbeshotinthenextaction！IwageradozenofBurgundyyouarenottouched。Mohuniswellofhiswound。HeisalwayswithCorporalJohnnow。AssoonaseverIseehisuglyfaceI'llspitinit。ItooklessonsofFather——ofCaptainHoltatBruxelles。Whatamanthatis！Heknowseverything。"EsmondbadeFrankhaveacare;thatFatherHolt'sknowledgewasratherdangerous;not，indeed，knowingasyethowfartheFatherhadpushedhisinstructionswithhisyoungpupil。
　　Thegazetteersandwriters，bothoftheFrenchandEnglishside，havegivenaccountssufficientofthatbloodybattleofBlarigniesorMalplaquet，whichwasthelastandthehardestearnedofthevictoriesofthegreatDukeofMarlborough。Inthattremendouscombatnearupontwohundredandfiftythousandmenwereengaged，morethanthirtythousandofwhomwereslainorwounded（theAllieslosttwiceasmanymenastheykilledoftheFrench，whomtheyconquered）:andthisdreadfulslaughterverylikelytookplacebecauseagreatgeneral'screditwasshakenathome，andhethoughttorestoreitbyavictory。IfsuchwerethemotiveswhichinducedtheDukeofMarlboroughtoventurethatprodigiousstake，anddesperatelysacrificethirtythousandbravelives，sothathemightfigureoncemoreinaGazette，andholdhisplacesandpensionsalittlelonger，theeventdefeatedthedreadfulandselfishdesign，forthevictorywaspurchasedatacostwhichnonation，greedyofgloryasitmaybe，wouldwillinglypayforanytriumph。ThegallantryoftheFrenchwasasremarkableasthefuriousbraveryoftheirassailants。Wetookafewscoreoftheirflags，andafewpiecesoftheirartillery;butwelefttwentythousandofthebravestsoldiersoftheworldroundabouttheintrenchedlines，fromwhichtheenemywasdriven。Heretreatedinperfectgoodorder;thepanic—spellseemedtobebroke，underwhichtheFrenchhadlaboredeversincethedisasterofHochstedt;and，fightingnowonthethresholdoftheircountry，theyshowedanheroicardorofresistance，suchashadnevermetusinthecourseoftheiraggressivewar。Hadthebattlebeenmoresuccessful，theconquerormighthavegotthepriceforwhichhewagedit。Asitwas，（andjustly，Ithink，）thepartyadversetotheDukeinEnglandwereindignantatthelavishextravaganceofslaughter，anddemandedmoreeagerlythanevertherecallofachiefwhosecupidityanddesperationmighturgehimfurtherstill。AfterthisbloodyfightofMalplaquet，Icananswerforit，thatintheDutchquartersandourown，andamongsttheveryregimentsandcommanderswhosegallantrywasmostconspicuousuponthisfrightfuldayofcarnage，thegeneralcrywas，thattherewasenoughofthewar。TheFrenchweredrivenbackintotheirownboundary，andalltheirconquestsandbootyofFlandersdisgorged。AsforthePrinceofSavoy，withwhomourCommander—in—Chief，forreasonsofhisown，consortedmorecloselythanever，'twasknownthathewasanimatednotmerelybyapoliticalhatred，butbypersonalrageagainsttheoldFrenchKing:
　　theImperialGeneralissimoneverforgottheslightputbyLewisupontheAbbedeSavoie;andinthehumiliationorruinofhismostChristianMajesty，theHolyRomanEmperorfoundhisaccount。Butwhatwerethesequarrelstous，thefreecitizensofEnglandandHolland！Despotashewas，theFrenchmonarchwasyetthechiefofEuropeancivilization，morevenerableinhisageandmisfortunesthanattheperiodofhismostsplendidsuccesses;whilsthisopponentwasbutasemi—barbaroustyrant，withapillaging，murderoushordeofCroatsandPandours，composingahalfofhisarmy，fillingourcampwiththeirstrangefigures，beardedlikethemiscreantTurkstheirneighbors，andcarryingintoChristianwarfaretheirnativeheathenhabitsofrapine，lust，andmurder。
　　WhyshouldthebestbloodinEnglandandFrancebeshedinorderthattheHolyRomanandApostolicmasteroftheseruffiansshouldhavehisrevengeovertheChristianking？Anditwastothisendwewerefighting;forthisthateveryvillageandfamilyinEnglandwasdeploringthedeathofbelovedsonsandfathers。Wedarednotspeaktoeachother，evenattable，ofMalplaquet，sofrightfulwerethegapsleftinourarmybythecannonofthatbloodyaction。
　　'Twasheartrendingforanofficerwhohadahearttolookdownhislineonaparade—dayafterwards，andmisshundredsoffacesofcomrades——humbleorofhighrank——thathadgatheredbutyesterdayfullofcourageandcheerfulnessroundthetornandblackenedflags。Wherewereourfriends？AsthegreatDukereviewedus，ridingalongourlineswithhisfinesuiteofprancingaides—de—
　　campandgenerals，stoppinghereandtheretothankanofficerwiththoseeagersmilesandbowsofwhichhisGracewasalwayslavish，scarceahuzzahcouldbegotforhim，thoughCadogan，withanoath，rodeupandcried——"D——nyou，whydon'tyoucheer？"Butthemenhadnoheartforthat:notoneofthembutwasthinking，"Where'smycomrade？——where'smybrotherthatfoughtbyme，ormydearcaptainthatledmeyesterday？"'TwasthemostgloomypageantI
　　everlookedon;andthe"TeDeum"sungbyourchaplains，themostwofulanddrearysatire。
　　Esmond'sGeneraladdedonemoretothemanymarksofhonorwhichhehadreceivedinthefrontofascoreofbattles，andgotawoundinthegroin，whichlaidhimonhisback;andyoumaybesureheconsoledhimselfbyabusingtheCommander—in—Chief，ashelaygroaning，——"CorporalJohn'sasfondofme，"heusedtosay，"asKingDavidwasofGeneralUriah;andsohealwaysgivesmethepostofdanger。"Hepersisted，tohisdyingday，inbelievingthattheDukeintendedheshouldbebeatatWynendael，andsenthimpurposelywithasmallforce，hopingthathemightbeknockedontheheadthere。EsmondandFrankCastlewoodbothescapedwithouthurt，thoughthedivisionwhichourGeneralcommandedsufferedevenmorethananyother，havingtosustainnotonlythefuryoftheenemy'scannonade，whichwasveryhotandwellserved，butthefuriousandrepeatedchargesofthefamousMaisonduRoy，whichwehadtoreceiveandbeatoffagainandagain，withvolleysofshotandhedgesofiron，andourfourlinesofmusqueteersandpikemen。
　　TheysaidtheKingofEnglandchargedusnolessthantwelvetimesthatday，alongwiththeFrenchHousehold。Esmond'slateregiment，GeneralWebb'sownFusileers，servedinthedivisionwhichtheircolonelcommanded。TheGeneralwasthriceinthecentreofthesquareoftheFusileers，callingthefireattheFrenchcharges，and，aftertheaction，hisGracetheDukeofBerwicksenthiscomplimentstohisoldregimentandtheirColonelfortheirbehavioronthefield。
　　WedrankmyLordCastlewood'shealthandmajority，the25thofSeptember，thearmybeingthenbeforeMons:andhereColonelEsmondwasnotsofortunateashehadbeeninactionsmuchmoredangerous，andwashitbyaspentballjustabovetheplacewherehisformerwoundwas，whichcausedtheoldwoundtoopenagain，fever，spittingofblood，andotheruglysymptoms，toensue;and，inaword，broughthimneartodeath'sdoor。Thekindlad，hiskinsman，attendedhiseldercomradewithaverypraiseworthyaffectionatenessandcareuntilhewaspronouncedoutofdangerbythedoctors，whenFrankwentoff，passedthewinteratBruxelles，andbesieged，nodoubt，someotherfortressthere。VeryfewladswouldhavegivenuptheirpleasuressolongandsogaylyasFrankdid;hischeerfulprattlesoothedmanylongdaysofEsmond'spainandlanguor。Frankwassupposedtobestillathiskinsman'sbedsideforamonthafterhehadleftit，forletterscamefromhismotherathomefullofthankstotheyoungergentlemanforhiscareofhiselderbrother（soitpleasedEsmond'smistressnowaffectionatelytostylehim）;norwasMr。Esmondinahurrytoundeceiveher，whenthegoodyoungfellowwasgoneforhisChristmasholiday。ItwasaspleasanttoEsmondonhiscouchtowatchtheyoungman'spleasureattheideaofbeingfree，astonotehissimpleeffortstodisguisehissatisfactionongoingaway。
　　Therearedayswhenaflaskofchampagneatacabaret，andared—
　　cheekedpartnertoshareit，aretoostrongtemptationsforanyyoungfellowofspirit。Iamnotgoingtoplaythemoralist，andcry"Fie。"Foragespast，Iknowhowoldmenpreach，andwhatyoungmenpractise;andthatpatriarchshavehadtheirweakmomentstoo，longsinceFatherNoahtoppledoverafterdiscoveringthevine。Frankwentoff，then，tohispleasuresatBruxelles，inwhichcapitalmanyyoungfellowsofourarmydeclaredtheyfoundinfinitelygreaterdiversioneventhaninLondon:andMr。HenryEsmondremainedinhissick—room，wherehewritafinecomedy，thathismistresspronouncedtobesublime，andthatwasactednolessthanthreesuccessivenightsinLondoninthenextyear。
　　Here，ashelaynursinghimself，ubiquitousMr。Holtreappeared，andstoppedawholemonthatMons，wherehenotonlywonoverColonelEsmondtotheKing'ssideinpolitics（thatsidebeingalwaysheldbytheEsmondfamily）;butwhereheendeavoredtoreopenthecontroversialquestionbetweenthechurchesoncemore，andtorecallEsmondtothatreligioninwhich，inhisinfancy，hehadbeenbaptized。Holtwasacasuist，bothdexterousandlearned，andpresentedthecasebetweentheEnglishchurchandhisowninsuchawaythatthosewhograntedhispremisesoughtcertainlytoallowhisconclusions。HetouchedonEsmond'sdelicatestateofhealth，chanceofdissolution，andsoforth;andenlargedupontheimmensebenefitsthatthesickmanwaslikelytoforego——benefitswhichthechurchofEnglanddidnotdenytothoseoftheRomancommunion，ashowshouldshe，beingderivedfromthatchurch，andonlyanoffshootfromit？ButMr。Esmondsaidthathischurchwasthechurchofhiscountry，andtothathechosetoremainfaithful:
　　otherpeoplewerewelcometoworshipandtosubscribeanyothersetofarticles，whetheratRomeoratAugsburg。ButifthegoodFathermeantthatEsmondshouldjointheRomancommunionforfearofconsequences，andthatallEnglandrantheriskofbeingdamnedforheresy，Esmond，forone，wasperfectlywillingtotakehischanceofthepenaltyalongwiththecountlessmillionsofhisfellow—countrymen，whowerebredinthesamefaith，andalongwithsomeofthenoblest，thetruest，thepurest，thewisest，themostpiousandlearnedmenandwomenintheworld。
　　Asforthepoliticalquestion，inthatMr。EsmondcouldagreewiththeFathermuchmorereadily，andhadcometothesameconclusion，though，perhaps，byadifferentway。Therightdivine，aboutwhichDr。SacheverelandtheHighChurchpartyinEnglandwerejustnowmakingabother，theywerewelcometoholdastheychose。IfRichardCromwell，andhisfatherbeforehimhadbeencrownedandanointed（andbishopsenoughwouldhavebeenfoundtodoit），itseemedtoMr。EsmondthattheywouldhavehadtherightdivinejustasmuchasanyPlantagenet，orTudor，orStuart。Butthedesireofthecountrybeingunquestionablyforanhereditarymonarchy，EsmondthoughtanEnglishkingoutofSt。GermainswasbetterandfitterthanaGermanprincefromHerrenhausen，andthatifhefailedtosatisfythenation，someotherEnglishmanmightbefoundtotakehisplace;andso，thoughwithnofranticenthusiasm，orworshipofthatmonstrouspedigreewhichtheTorieschosetoconsiderdivine，hewasreadytosay，"GodsaveKingJames！"whenQueenAnnewentthewayofkingsandcommoners。
　　"Ifear，Colonel，youarenobetterthanarepublicanatheart，"
　　saysthepriestwithasigh。
　　"IamanEnglishman，"saysHarry，"andtakemycountryasIfindher。Thewillofthenationbeingforchurchandking，Iamforchurchandkingtoo;butEnglishchurchandEnglishking;andthatiswhyyourchurchisn'tmine，thoughyourkingis。"
　　ThoughtheylostthedayatMalplaquet，itwastheFrenchwhowereelatedbythataction，whilsttheconquerorsweredispirited，byit;andtheenemygatheredtogetheralargerarmythanever，andmadeprodigiouseffortsforthenextcampaign。MarshalBerwickwaswiththeFrenchthisyear;andweheardthatMareschalVillarswasstillsufferingofhiswound，waseagertobringourDuketoaction，andvowedhewouldfightusinhiscoach。YoungCastlewoodcameflyingbackfromBruxelles，assoonasheheardthatfightingwastobegin;andthearrivaloftheChevalierdeSt。GeorgewasannouncedaboutMay。"It'stheKing'sthirdcampaign，andit'smine，"Franklikedsaying。HewascomebackagreaterJacobitethanever，andEsmondsuspectedthatsomefairconspiratorsatBruxelleshadbeeninflamingtheyoungman'sardor。Indeed，heownedthathehadamessagefromtheQueen，Beatrix'sgodmother，whohadgivenhernametoFrank'ssistertheyearbeforeheandhissovereignwereborn。
　　HoweverdesirousMarshalVillarsmightbetofight，myLordDukedidnotseemdisposedtoindulgehimthiscampaign。LastyearhisGracehadbeenallfortheWhigsandHanoverians;butfinding，ongoingtoEngland，hiscountrycoldtowardshimself，andthepeopleinafermentofHighChurchloyalty，theDukecomesbacktohisarmycooledtowardstheHanoverians，cautiouswiththeImperialists，andparticularlycivilandpolitetowardstheChevalierdeSt。George。'TiscertainthatmessengersandletterswerecontinuallypassingbetweenhisGraceandhisbravenephew，theDukeofBerwick，intheoppositecamp。Noman'scaressesweremoreopportunethanhisGrace's，andnomaneverutteredexpressionsofregardandaffectionmoregenerously。HeprofessedtoMonsieurdeTorcy，soMr。St。Johntoldthewriter，quiteaneagernesstobecutinpiecesfortheexiledQueenandherfamily;
　　naymore，Ibelieve，thisyearhepartedwithaportionofthemostpreciouspartofhimself——hismoney——whichhesentovertotheroyalexiles。Mr。Tunstal，whowasinthePrince'sservice，wastwiceorthriceinandoutofourcamp;theFrench，intheirsofArlieuandaboutArras。Alittleriver，theCaniheIthink'twascalled，（butthisiswritawayfrombooksandEurope;andtheonlymapthewriterhathofthesescenesofhisyouth，bearsnomarkofthislittlestream，）dividedourpicketsfromtheenemy's。Oursentriestalkedacrossthestream，whentheycouldmakethemselvesunderstoodtoeachother，andwhentheycouldnot，grinned，andhandedeachothertheirbrandy—flasksortheirpouchesoftobacco。
　　AndonefinedayofJune，ridingthitherwiththeofficerwhovisitedtheoutposts，（ColonelEsmondwastakinganairingonhorseback，beingtooweakformilitaryduty，）theycametothisriver，whereanumberofEnglishandScotswereassembled，talkingtothegood—naturedenemyontheotherside。
　　Esmondwasespeciallyamusedwiththetalkofonelongfellow，withagreatcurlingredmoustache，andblueeyes，thatwashalfadozeninchestallerthanhisswarthylittlecomradesontheFrenchsideofthestream，andbeingaskedbytheColonel，salutedhim，andsaidthathebelongedtotheRoyalCravats。
　　Fromhiswayofsaying"RoyalCravat，"Esmondatonceknewthatthefellow'stonguehadfirstwaggedonthebanksoftheLiffey，andnottheLoire;andthepoorsoldier——adeserterprobably——didnotliketoventureverydeepintoFrenchconversation，lesthisunluckybrogueshouldpeepout。HechosetorestricthimselftosuchfewexpressionsintheFrenchlanguageashethoughthehadmasteredeasily;andhisattemptatdisguisewasinfinitelyamusing。Mr。EsmondwhistledLillibullero，atwhichTeague'seyesbegantotwinkle，andthenflunghimadollar，whenthepoorboybrokeoutwitha"Godbless——thatis，Dieubenissevotrehonor，"
　　thatwouldinfalliblyhavesenthimtotheprovost—marshalhadhebeenonoursideoftheriver。
　　Whilstthisparleywasgoingon，threeofficersonhorseback，ontheFrenchside，appearedatsomelittledistance，andstoppedasifeyingus，whenoneofthemlefttheothertwo，androdecloseuptouswhowerebythestream。"Look，look！"saystheRoyalCravat，withgreatagitation，"paslui，that'she;nothim，l'autre，"andpointedtothedistantofficeronachestnuthorse，withacuirassshininginthesun，andoveritabroadblueribbon。
　　"PleasetotakeMr。Hamilton'sservicestomyLordMarlborough——myLordDuke，"saysthegentlemaninEnglish:and，lookingtoseethatthepartywerenothostilelydisposed，headded，withasmile，"There'safriendofyours，gentlemen，yonder;hebidsmetosaythathesawsomeofyourfacesonthe11thofSeptemberlastyear。"
　　Asthegentlemanspoke，theothertwoofficersrodeup，andcamequiteclose。Weknewatoncewhoitwas。ItwastheKing，thentwo—and—twentyyearsold，tallandslim，withdeepbrowneyes，thatlookedmelancholy，thoughhislipsworeasmile。Wetookoffourhatsandsalutedhim。Noman，sure，couldseeforthefirsttime，withoutemotion，theyouthfulinheritorofsomuchfameandmisfortune。ItseemedtoMr。EsmondthatthePrincewasnotunlikeyoungCastlewood，whoseageandfigureheresembled。TheChevalierdeSt。Georgeacknowledgedthesalute，andlookedatushard。Eventheidlersonoursideoftheriversetupahurrah。AsfortheRoyalCravat，herantothePrince'sstirrup，kneltdownandkissedhisboot，andbawledandlookedahundredejaculationsandblessings。Theprincebadetheaide—de—campgivehimapieceofmoney;andwhenthepartysalutingushadriddenaway，Cravatspatuponthepieceofgoldbywayofbenediction，andswaggeredaway，pouchinghiscoinandtwirlinghishonestcarrotymoustache。
　　TheofficerinwhosecompanyEsmondwas，thesamelittlecaptainofHandyside'sregiment，Mr。Sterne，whohadproposedthegardenatLille，whenmyLordMohunandEsmondhadtheiraffair，wasanIrishmantoo，andasbravealittlesoulaseverworeasword。
　　"Bedad，"saysRogerSterne，"thatlongfellowspokeFrenchsobeautifulthatIshouldn'thaveknownhewasn'taforeigner，tillhebrokeoutwithhishulla—ballooing，andonlyanIrishcalfcanbellowlikethat。"AndRogermadeanotherremarkinhiswildway，inwhichtherewassenseaswellasabsurdity——"Ifthatyounggentleman，"sayshe，"wouldbutrideovertoourcamp，insteadofVillars's，tossuphishatandsay，'HereamI，theKing，who'llfollowme？'bytheLord，Esmond，thewholearmywouldriseandcarryhimhomeagain，andbeatVillars，andtakeParisbytheway。"
　　ThenewsofthePrince'svisitwasallthroughthecampquickly，andscoresofourswentdowninhopestoseehim。MajorHamilton，whomwehadtalkedwith，sentbackbyatrumpetseveralsilverpiecesforofficerswithus。Mr。Esmondreceivedoneofthese;andthatmedal，andarecompensenotuncommonamongstPrinces，weretheonlyrewardsheeverhadfromaRoyalperson，whomheendeavorednotverylongaftertoserve。
　　Esmondquittedthearmyalmostimmediatelyafterthis，followinghisgeneralhome;and，indeed，beingadvisedtotravelinthefineweatherandattempttotakenofurtherpartinthecampaign。Butheheardfromthearmy，thatofthemanywhocrowdedtoseetheChevalierdeSt。George，FrankCastlewoodhadmadehimselfmostconspicuous:myLordViscountridingacrossthelittlestreambareheadedtowherethePrincewas，anddismountingandkneelingbeforehimtodohimhomage。SomesaidthatthePrincehadactuallyknightedhim，butmylorddeniedthatstatement，thoughheacknowledgedtherestofthestory，andsaid:——"FromhavingbeenoutoffavorwithCorporalJohn，"ashecalledtheDuke，"beforehisGracewarnedhimnottocommitthosefollies，andsmiledonhimcordiallyeverafter。"
　　"Andhewassokindtome，"Frankwrit，"thatIthoughtIwouldputinagoodwordforMasterHarry，butwhenImentionedyournamehelookedasblackasthunder，andsaidhehadneverheardofyou。"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　IGOHOME，ANDHARPONTHEOLDSTRING。
　　AfterquittingMonsandthearmy，andashewaswaitingforapacketatOstend，EsmondhadaletterfromhisyoungkinsmanCastlewoodatBruxelles，conveyingintelligencewhereofFrankbesoughthimtobethebearertoLondon，andwhichcausedColonelEsmondnosmallanxiety。