Theyoungscapegrace，beingone—and—twentyyearsold，andbeinganxioustosowhis"wildotes，"ashewrote，hadmarriedMademoiselledeWertheim，daughterofCountdeWertheim，ChamberlaintotheEmperor，andhavingapostintheHouseholdoftheGovernoroftheNetherlands。"P。S。，"theyounggentlemanwrote:"ClotildaisOLDERTHANME，whichperhapsmaybeobjectedtoher:butIamsoOLDARAIKthattheagemakesnodifference，andI
　　amDETERMINEDtoreform。WeweremarriedatSt。Gudule，byFatherHolt。SheisheartandsoulfortheGOODCAUSE。AndherethecryisVif—le—Roy，whichmymotherwillJOININ，andTrixTOO。Breakthisnewsto'emgently:andtellMr。Finch，myagent，topressthepeoplefortheirrents，andsendmetheRYNOanyhow。Clotildasings，andplaysontheSpinetBEAUTIFULLY。Sheisafairbeauty。
　　Andifit'sason，youshallstandGODFATHER。I'mgoingtoleavethearmy，havinghadENUFOFSOLDERING;andmyLordDukeRECOMMENDS
　　me。Ishallpassthewinterhere:andstopatleastuntilClo'slyingin。IcallherOLDCLO，butnobodyelseshall。SheisthecleverestwomaninallBruxelles:understandingpainting，music，poetry，andperfectatCOOKERYANDPUDDENS。IbordedwiththeCount，that'showIcametoknowher。TherearefourCountsherbrothers。OneanAbbey——threewiththePrince'sarmy。TheyhavealawsuitforANIMMENCEFORTUNE:butarenowinaPOREWAY。Breakthistomother，who'lltakeanythingfromYOU。Andwrite，andbidFinchwriteAMEDIATELY。Hosteldel'AigleNoire，Bruxelles，Flanders。"
　　SoFrankhadmarriedaRomanCatholiclady，andanheirwasexpected，andMr。EsmondwastocarrythisintelligencetohismistressatLondon。'Twasadifficultembassy;andtheColonelfeltnotalittletremorashenearedthecapital。
　　Hereachedhisinnlate，andsentamessengertoKensingtontoannouncehisarrivalandvisitthenextmorning。ThemessengerbroughtbacknewsthattheCourtwasatWindsor，andthefairBeatrixabsentandengagedinherdutiesthere。OnlyEsmond'smistressremainedinherhouseatKensington。Sheappearedincourtbutonceintheyear;Beatrixwasquitethemistressandrulerofthelittlemansion，invitingthecompanythither，andengagingineveryconceivablefrolicoftownpleasure。Whilsthermother，actingastheyounglady'sprotectressandeldersister，pursuedherownpath，whichwasquitemodestandsecluded。
　　AssoonaseverEsmondwasdressed（andhehadbeenawakelongbeforethetown），hetookacoachforKensington，andreacheditsoearlythathemethisdearmistresscominghomefrommorningprayers。Shecarriedherprayer—book，neverallowingafootmantobearit，aseverybodyelsedid:anditwasbythissimplesignEsmondknewwhatheroccupationhadbeen。Hecalledtothecoachmantostop，andjumpedoutasshelookedtowardshim。Sheworeherhoodasusual，andsheturnedquitepalewhenshesawhim。
　　Tofeelthatkindlittlehandneartohisheartseemedtogivehimstrength。Theyweresoonatthedoorofherladyship'shouse——andwithinit。
　　Withasweetsadsmileshetookhishandandkissedit。
　　"Howillyouhavebeen:howweakyoulook，mydearHenry，"shesaid。
　　'TiscertaintheColoneldidlooklikeaghost，exceptthatghostsdonotlookveryhappy，'tissaid。Esmondalwaysfeltsoonreturningtoherafterabsence，indeedwheneverhelookedinhersweetkindface。
　　"Iamcomebacktobenursedbymyfamily，"sayshe。"IfFrankhadnottakencareofmeaftermywound，verylikelyIshouldhavegonealtogether。"
　　"PoorFrank，goodFrank！"sayshismother。"You'llalwaysbekindtohim，mylord，"shewenton。"Thepoorchildneverknewhewasdoingyouawrong。"
　　"Mylord！"criesoutColonelEsmond。"Whatdoyoumean，dearlady？"
　　"Iamnolady，"saysshe;"IamRachelEsmond，FrancisEsmond'swidow，mylord。Icannotbearthattitle。Wouldweneverhadtakenitfromhimwhohasitnow。Butwedidallinourpower，Henry:wedidallinourpower;andmylordandI——thatis——"
　　"Whotoldyouthistale，dearestlady？"askedtheColonel。
　　"HaveyounothadtheletterIwrityou？IwrittoyouatMonsdirectlyIheardit，"saysLadyEsmond。
　　"Andfromwhom？"againaskedColonelEsmond——andhismistressthentoldhimthatonherdeath—bedtheDowagerCountess，sendingforher，hadpresentedherwiththisdismalsecretasalegacy。"'TwasverymaliciousoftheDowager，"LadyEsmondsaid，"tohavehaditsolong，andtohavekeptthetruthfromme。""CousinRachel，"shesaid，——andEsmond'smistresscouldnotforbearsmilingasshetoldthestory——"CousinRachel，"criestheDowager，"Ihavesentforyou，asthedoctorssayImaygooffanydayinthisdysentery;andtoeasemyconscienceofagreatloadthathasbeenonit。Youalwayshavebeenapoorcreatureandunfitforgreathonor，andwhatIhavetosaywon't，therefore，affectyousomuch。Youmustknow，CousinRachel，thatIhaveleftmyhouse，plate，andfurniture，threethousandpoundsinmoney，andmydiamondsthatmylatereveredSaintandSovereign，KingJames，presentedmewith，tomyLordViscountCastlewood。"
　　"TomyFrank？"saysLadyCastlewood;"Iwasinhopes——"
　　ToViscountCastlewood，mydear;ViscountCastlewoodandBaronEsmondofShandonintheKingdomofIreland，EarlandMarquisofEsmondunderpatentofhisMajestyKingJamestheSecond，conferreduponmyhusbandthelateMarquis——forIamMarchionessofEsmondbeforeGodandman。"
　　"AndhaveyouleftpoorHarrynothing，dearMarchioness？"asksLadyCastlewood（shehathtoldmethestorycompletelysincewithherquietarchway;themostcharminganywomaneverhad:andIsetdownthenarrativehereatlength，soastohavedonewithit）。
　　"AndhaveyouleftpoorHarrynothing？"asksmydearlady:"foryouknow，Henry，"shesayswithhersweetsmile，"IusedalwaystopityEsau——andIthinkIamonhisside——thoughpapatriedveryhardtoconvincemetheotherway。"
　　"PoorHarry！"saystheoldlady。"SoyouwantsomethinglefttopoorHarry:he，——he！（reachmethedrops，cousin）。Well，then，mydear，sinceyouwantpoorHarrytohaveafortune，youmustunderstandthateversincetheyear1691，aweekafterthebattleoftheBoyne，wherethePrinceofOrangedefeatedhisroyalsovereignandfather，forwhichcrimeheisnowsufferinginflames（ugh！ugh！）HenryEsmondhathbeenMarquisofEsmondandEarlofCastlewoodintheUnitedKingdom，andBaronandViscountCastlewoodofShandoninIreland，andaBaronet——andhiseldestsonwillbe，bycourtesy，styledEarlofCastlewood——he！he！Whatdoyouthinkofthat，mydear？"
　　"Graciousmercy！howlonghaveyouknownthis？"criestheotherlady（thinkingperhapsthattheoldMarchionesswaswanderinginherwits）。
　　"Myhusband，beforehewasconverted，wasawickedwretch，"thesicksinnercontinued。"WhenhewasintheLowCountriesheseducedaweaver'sdaughter;andaddedtohiswickednessbymarryingher。Andthenhecametothiscountryandmarriedme——apoorgirl——apoorinnocentyoungthing——Isay，"——"thoughshewaspastforty，youknow，Harry，whenshemarried:andasforbeinginnocent"——"Well，"shewenton，"Iknewnothingofmylord'swickednessforthreeyearsafterourmarriage，andaftertheburialofourpoorlittleboyIhaditdoneoveragain，mydear:IhadmyselfmarriedbyFatherHoltinCastlewoodchapel，assoonaseverIheardthecreaturewasdead——andhavingagreatillnessthen，arisingfromanothersaddisappointmentIhad，thepriestcameandtoldmethatmylordhadasonbeforeourmarriage，andthatthechildwasatnurseinEngland;andIconsentedtoletthebratbebroughthome，andaqueerlittlemelancholychilditwaswhenitcame。
　　"Ourintentionwastomakeapriestofhim:andhewasbredforthis，untilyoupervertedhimfromit，youwickedwoman。AndIhadagainhopesofgivinganheirtomylord，whenhewascalledawayupontheKing'sbusiness，anddiedfightinggloriouslyattheBoynewater。
　　"ShouldIbedisappointed——Iowedyourhusbandnolove，mydear，forhehadjiltedmeinthemostscandalouswayandIthoughttherewouldbetimetodeclarethelittleweaver'ssonforthetrueheir。
　　ButIwascarriedofftoprison，whereyourhusbandwassokindtome——urgingallhisfriendstoobtainmyrelease，andusingallhiscreditinmyfavor——thatIrelentedtowardshim，especiallyasmydirectorcounselledmetobesilent;andthatitwasforthegoodoftheKing'sservicethatthetitleofourfamilyshouldcontinuewithyourhusbandthelateviscount，wherebyhisfidelitywouldbealwayssecuredtotheKing。Andaproofofthisis，thatayearbeforeyourhusband'sdeath，whenhethoughtoftakingaplaceunderthePrinceofOrange，Mr。Holtwenttohim，andtoldhimwhatthestateofthematterwas，andobligedhimtoraisealargesumforhisMajesty;andengagedhiminthetruecausesoheartily，thatweweresureofhissupportonanydaywhenitshouldbeconsideredadvisabletoattacktheusurper。Thenhissuddendeathcame;andtherewasathoughtofdeclaringthetruth。But'twasdeterminedtobebestfortheKing'sservicetoletthetitlestillgowiththeyoungerbranch;andthere'snosacrificeaCastlewoodwouldn'tmakeforthatcause，mydear。
　　"AsforColonelEsmond，heknewthetruthalready。"（"Andthen，Harry，"mymistresssaid，"shetoldmeofwhathadhappenedatmydearhusband'sdeath—bed"）。"Hedothnotintendtotakethetitle，thoughitbelongstohim。Butiteasesmyconsciencethatyoushouldknowthetruth，mydear。AndyoursonislawfullyViscountCastlewoodsolongashiscousindothnotclaimtherank。"
　　ThiswasthesubstanceoftheDowager'srevelation。DeanAtterburyhadknowledgeofit，LadyCastlewoodsaid，andEsmondverywellknowshow:thatdivinebeingtheclergymanforwhomthelatelordhadsentonhisdeath—bed:andwhenLadyCastlewoodwouldinstantlyhavewrittentoherson，andconveyedthetruthtohim，theDean'sadvicewasthatalettershouldbewrittoColonelEsmondrather;
　　thatthemattershouldbesubmittedtohisdecision，bywhichalonetherestofthefamilywereboundtoabide。
　　"Andcanmydearestladydoubtwhatthatwillbe？"saystheColonel。
　　"Itrestswithyou，Harry，astheheadofourhouse。"
　　"Itwassettledtwelveyearssince，bymydearlord'sbedside，"
　　saysColonelEsmond。"Thechildrenmustknownothingofthis。
　　Frankandhisheirsafterhimmustbearourname。'Tishisrightfully;Ihavenotevenaproofofthatmarriageofmyfatherandmother，thoughmypoorlord，onhisdeath—bed，toldmethatFatherHolthadbroughtsuchaprooftoCastlewood。IwouldnotseekitwhenIwasabroad。Iwentandlookedatmypoormother'sgraveinherconvent。Whatmattertohernow？Nocourtoflawonearth，uponmymereword，woulddeprivemyLordViscountandsetmeup。Iamtheheadofthehouse，dearlady;butFrankisViscountofCastlewoodstill。Andratherthandisturbhim，Iwouldturnmonk，ordisappearinAmerica。"
　　Ashespokesotohisdearestmistress，forwhomhewouldhavebeenwillingtogiveuphislife，ortomakeanysacrificeanyday，thefondcreatureflungherselfdownonherkneesbeforehim，andkissedbothhishandsinanoutbreakofpassionateloveandgratitude，suchascouldnotbutmelthisheart，andmakehimfeelveryproudandthankfulthatGodhadgivenhimthepowertoshowhisloveforher，andtoproveitbysomelittlesacrificeonhisownpart。Tobeabletobestowbenefitsorhappinessonthoseonelovesissurethegreatestblessingconferreduponaman——andwhatwealthorname，orgratificationofambitionorvanity，couldcomparewiththepleasureEsmondnowhadofbeingabletoconfersomekindnessuponhisbestanddearestfriends？
　　"Dearestsaint，"sayshe——"purestsoul，thathashadsomuchtosuffer，thathasblestthepoorlonelyorphanwithsuchatreasureoflove。'Tisformetokneel，notforyou:'tisformetobethankfulthatIcanmakeyouhappy。Hathmylifeanyotheraim？
　　BlessedbeGodthatIcanserveyou！Whatpleasure，thinkyou，couldalltheworldgivemecomparedtothat？"
　　"Don'traiseme，"shesaid，inawildway，toEsmond，whowouldhaveliftedher。"Letmekneel——letmekneel，and——and——worshipyou。"
　　BeforesuchapartialjudgeasEsmond'sdearmistressownedherselftobe，anycausewhichhemightpleadwassuretobegiveninhisfavor;andaccordinglyhefoundlittledifficultyinreconcilinghertothenewswhereofhewasbearer，ofherson'smarriagetoaforeignlady，Papistthoughshewas。LadyCastlewoodnevercouldbebroughttothinksoillofthatreligionasotherpeopleinEnglandthoughtofit:sheheldthatourswasundoubtedlyabranchoftheCatholicchurch，butthattheRomanwasoneofthemainstemsonwhich，nodoubt，manyerrorshadbeengrafted（shewas，forawoman，extraordinarilywellversedinthiscontroversy，havingacted，asagirl，assecretarytoherfather，thelatedean，andwrittenmanyofhissermons，underhisdictation）;andifFrankhadchosentomarryaladyofthechurchofsouthEurope，asshewouldcalltheRomancommunion，therewasnoneedwhysheshouldnotwelcomeherasadaughter—in—law:andaccordinglyshewrotetohernewdaughteraverypretty，touchingletter（asEsmondthought，whohadcognizanceofitbeforeitwent），inwhichtheonlyhintofreproofwasagentleremonstrancethathersonhadnotwrittentoherself，toaskafondmother'sblessingforthatstepwhichhewasabouttaking。"Castlewoodknewverywell，"soshewrotetoherson，"thatsheneverdeniedhimanythinginherpowertogive，muchlesswouldshethinkofopposingamarriagethatwastomakehishappiness，asshetrusted，andkeephimoutofwildcourses，whichhadalarmedheragooddeal:"andshebesoughthimtocomequicklytoEngland，tosettledowninhisfamilyhouseofCastlewood（"Itishisfamilyhouse，"saysshe，toColonelEsmond，"thoughonlyhisownhousebyyourforbearance"）andtoreceivetheaccomptofherstewardshipduringhistenyears'minority。Bycareandfrugality，shehadgottheestateintoabetterconditionthaneverithadbeensincetheParliamentarywars;andmylordwasnowmasterofapretty，smallincome，notencumberedofdebts，asithadbeen，duringhisfather'sruinoustime。"Butinsavingmyson'sfortune，"saysshe，"IfearIhavelostagreatpartofmyholdonhim。"And，indeed，thiswasthecase:herladyship'sdaughtercomplainingthattheirmotherdidallforFrank，andnothingforher;andFrankhimselfbeingdissatisfiedatthenarrow，simplewayofhismother'slivingatWalcote，wherehehadbeenbroughtupmorelikeapoorparson'ssonthanayoungnoblemanthatwastomakeafigureintheworld。'Twasthismistakeinhisearlytraining，verylikely，thatsethimsoeageruponpleasurewhenhehaditinhispower;norishethefirstladthathasbeenspoiledbytheover—carefulfondnessofwomen。Notrainingissousefulforchildren，greatorsmall，asthecompanyoftheirbettersinrankornaturalparts;inwhosesocietytheylosetheoverweeningsenseoftheirownimportance，whichstay—at—homepeopleverycommonlylearn。
　　But，asaprodigalthat'ssendinginascheduleofhisdebtstohisfriends，neverputsalldown，and，youmaybesure，theroguekeepsbacksomeimmenseswingeingbill，thathedoesn'tdaretoown;sothepoorFrankhadaveryheavypieceofnewstobreaktohismother，andwhichhehadn'tthecouragetointroduceintohisfirstconfession。SomemisgivingsEsmondmighthave，uponreceivingFrank'sletter，andknowingintowhathandstheboyhadfallen;butwhateverthesemisgivingswere，hekeptthemtohimself，notcaringtotroublehismistresswithanyfearsthatmightbegroundless。
　　However，thenextmailwhichcamefromBruxelles，afterFrankhadreceivedhismother'slettersthere，broughtbackajointcompositionfromhimselfandhiswife，whocouldspellnobetterthanheryoungscapegraceofahusband，fullofexpressionsofthanks，love，anddutytotheDowagerViscountess，asmypoorladynowwasstyled;andalongwiththisletter（whichwasreadinafamilycouncil，namely，theViscountess，MistressBeatrix，andthewriterofthismemoir，andwhichwaspronouncedtobevulgarbythemaidofhonor，andfelttobesobytheothertwo），therecameaprivateletterforColonelEsmondfrompoorFrank，withanotherdismalcommissionfortheColoneltoexecute，athisbestopportunity;andthiswastoannouncethatFrankhadseenfit，"bytheexhortationofMr。Holt，theinfluenceofhisClotilda，andtheblessingofheavenandthesaints，"saysmylord，demurely，"tochangehisreligion，andbereceivedintothebosomofthatchurchofwhichhissovereign，manyofhisfamily，andthegreaterpartofthecivilizedworld，weremembers。"Andhislordshipaddedapostscript，ofwhichEsmondknewtheinspiringgeniusverywell，forithadthegenuinetwangoftheSeminary，andwasquiteunlikepoorFrank'sordinarystyleofwritingandthinking;inwhichheremindedColonelEsmondthathetoowas，bybirth，ofthatchurch;
　　andthathismotherandsistershouldhavehislordship'sprayerstothesaints（aninestimablebenefit，truly！）fortheirconversion。
　　IfEsmondhadwantedtokeepthissecret，hecouldnot;foradayortwoafterreceivingthisletter，anoticefromBruxellesappearedinthePost—Boyandotherprints，announcingthat"ayoungIrishlord，theViscountC—stlew——d，justcometohismajority，andwhohadservedthelastcampaignswithgreatcredit，asaide—de—
　　camptohisGracetheDukeofMarlborough，haddeclaredforthePopishreligionatBruxelles，andhadwalkedinaprocessionbarefoot，withawax—taperinhishand。"ThenotoriousMr。Holt，whohadbeenemployedasaJacobiteagentduringthelastreign，andmanytimespardonedbyKingWilliam，hadbeen，thePost—Boysaid，theagentofthisconversion。
　　TheLadyCastlewoodwasasmuchcastdownbythisnewsasMissBeatrixwasindignantatit。"So，"saysshe，"Castlewoodisnolongerahomeforus，mother。Frank'sforeignwifewillbringherconfessor，andtherewillbefrogsfordinner;andallTusher'sandmygrandfather'ssermonsareflungawayuponmybrother。Iusedtotellyouthatyoukilledhimwiththecatechism，andthathewouldturnwickedassoonashebrokefromhismammy'sleading—strings。
　　Oh，mother，youwouldnotbelievethattheyoungscapegracewasplayingyoutricks，andthatsneakofaTusherwasnotafitguideforhim。Oh，thoseparsons，Ihate'emall！"saysMistressBeatrix，clappingherhandstogether;"yes，whethertheywearcassocksandbuckles，orbeardsandbarefeet。There'sahorridIrishwretchwhonevermissesaSundayatCourt，andwhopaysmecomplimentsthere，thehorribleman;andifyouwanttoknowwhatparsonsare，youshouldseehisbehavior，andhearhimtalkofhisowncloth。They'reallthesame，whetherthey'rebishops，orbonzes，orIndianfakirs。Theytrytodomineer，andtheyfrightenuswithkingdomcome;andtheywearasanctifiedairinpublic，andexpectustogodownonourkneesandasktheirblessing;andtheyintrigue，andtheygrasp，andtheybackbite，andtheyslanderworsethantheworstcourtierorthewickedestoldwoman。IheardthisMr。SwiftsneeringatmyLordDukeofMarlborough'scouragetheotherday。He！thatTeaguefromDublin！becausehisGraceisnotinfavor，darestosaythisofhim;andhesaysthisthatitmaygettoherMajesty'sear，andtocoaxandwheedleMrs。Masham。
　　TheysaytheElectorofHanoverhasadozenofmistressesinhiscourtatHerrenhausen，andifhecomestobekingoverus，IwagerthatthebishopsandMr。Swift，thatwantstobeone，willcoaxandwheedlethem。Oh，thosepriestsandtheirgraveairs！I'msickoftheirsquaretoesandtheirrustlingcassocks。Ishouldliketogotoacountrywheretherewasnotone，orturnQuaker，andgetridof'em;andIwould，onlythedressisnotbecoming，andI'vemuchtooprettyafiguretohideit。Haven'tI，cousin？"andheresheglancedatherpersonandthelooking—glass，whichtoldherrightlythatamorebeautifulshapeandfaceneverwereseen。
　　"Imadethatonslaughtonthepriests，"saysMissBeatrix，afterwards，"inordertodivertmypoordearmother'sanguishaboutFrank。Frankisasvainasagirl，cousin。Talkofusgirlsbeingvain，whatareWEtoyou？Itwaseasytoseethatthefirstwomanwhochosewouldmakeafoolofhim，orthefirstrobe——Icountapriestandawomanallthesame。Wearealwayscaballing;wearenotanswerableforthefibswetell;wearealwayscajolingandcoaxing，orthreatening;andwearealwaysmakingmischief，ColonelEsmond——markmywordforthat，whoknowtheworld，sir，andhavetomakemywayinit。IseeaswellaspossiblehowFrank'smarriagehathbeenmanaged。TheCount，ourpapa—in—law，isalwaysawayatthecoffee—house。TheCountess，ourmother，isalwaysinthekitchenlookingafterthedinner。TheCountess，oursister，isatthespinet。Whenmylordcomestosayheisgoingonthecampaign，thelovelyClotildaburstsintotears，andfaints——so;hecatchesherinhisarms——no，sir，keepyourdistance，cousin，ifyouplease——shecriesonhisshoulder，andhesays，'Oh，mydivine，myadored，mybelovedClotilda，areyousorrytopartwithme？''Oh，myFrancisco，'saysshe，'ohmylord！'andatthisveryinstantmammaandacoupleofyoungbrothers，withmoustachesandlongrapiers，comeinfromthekitchen，wheretheyhavebeeneatingbreadandonions。Markmyword，youwillhaveallthiswoman'srelationsatCastlewoodthreemonthsaftershehasarrivedthere。
　　Theoldcountandcountess，andtheyoungcountsandallthelittlecountesseshersisters。Counts！everyoneofthesewretchessaysheisacount。Guiscard，thatstabbedMr。Harvey，saidhewasacount;andIbelievehewasabarber。AllFrenchmenarebarbers——
　　Fiddledee！don'tcontradictme——orelsedancing—masters，orelsepriests。"Andsosherattledon。
　　"WhowasittaughtYOUtodance，CousinBeatrix？"saystheColonel。
　　Shelaughedouttheairofaminuet，andsweptalowcurtsy，cominguptotherecoverwiththeprettiestlittlefootintheworldpointedout。Hermothercameinasshewasinthisattitude;myladyhadbeeninhercloset，havingtakenpoorFrank'sconversioninaveryseriousway;themadcapgirlranuptohermother，putherarmsroundherwaist，kissedher，triedtomakeherdance，andsaid:"Don'tbesilly，youkindlittlemamma，andcryaboutFrankturningPapist。Whatafigurehemustbe，withawhitesheetandacandle，walkinginaprocessionbarefoot！"Andshekickedoffherlittleslippers（thewonderfullestlittleshoeswithwonderfultallredheels:Esmondpouncedupononeasitfellclosebesidehim），andsheputonthedrollestlittlemoue，andmarchedupanddowntheroomholdingEsmond'scanebywayoftaper。Seriousashermoodwas，LadyCastlewoodcouldnotrefrainfromlaughing;andasforEsmondhelookedonwiththatdelightwithwhichthesightofthisfaircreaturealwaysinspiredhim:neverhadheseenanywomansoarch，sobrilliant，andsobeautiful。
　　Havingfinishedhermarch，sheputoutherfootforherslipper。
　　TheColonelkneltdown:"IfyouwillbePopeIwillturnPapist，"
　　sayshe;andherHolinessgavehimgraciousleavetokissthelittlestockingedfootbeforeheputtheslipperon。
　　Mamma'sfeetbegantopatonthefloorduringthisoperation，andBeatrix，whosebrighteyesnothingescaped，sawthatlittlemarkofimpatience。Sheranupandembracedhermother，withherusualcryof，"Oh，yousillylittlemamma:yourfeetarequiteasprettyasmine，"saysshe:"theyare，cousin，thoughshehides'em;buttheshoemakerwilltellyouthathemakesforbothoffthesamelast。"
　　"YouaretallerthanIam，dearest，"sayshermother，blushingoverherwholesweetface——"and——anditisyourhand，mydear，andnotyourfoothewantsyoutogivehim;"andshesaiditwithahystericlaugh，thathadmoreoftearsthanlaughterinit;layingherheadonherdaughter'sfairshoulder，andhidingitthere。
　　Theymadeaveryprettypicturetogether，andlookedlikeapairofsisters——thesweetsimplematronseemingyoungerthanheryears，andherdaughter，ifnotolder，yetsomehow，fromacommandingmannerandgracewhichshepossessedabovemostwomen，hermother'ssuperiorandprotectress。
　　"Butoh！"criesmymistress，recoveringherselfafterthisscene，andreturningtoherusualsadtone，"'tisashamethatweshouldlaughandbemakingmerryonadaywhenweoughttobedownonourkneesandaskingpardon。"
　　"Askingpardonforwhat？"sayssaucyMrs。Beatrix——"becauseFranktakesitintohisheadtofastonFridaysandworshipimages？YouknowifyouhadbeenbornaPapist，mother，aPapistyouwouldhaveremainedtotheendofyourdays。'TisthereligionoftheKingandofsomeofthebestquality。Formypart，I'mnoenemytoit，andthinkQueenBesswasnotapennybetterthanQueenMary。"
　　"Hush，Beatrix！Donotjestwithsacredthings，andrememberofwhatparentageyoucome，"criesmylady。Beatrixwasorderingherribbons，andadjustinghertucker，andperformingadozenprovokinglyprettyceremonies，beforetheglass。Thegirlwasnohypocriteatleast。Sheneveratthattimecouldbebroughttothinkbutoftheworldandherbeauty;andseemedtohavenomoresenseofdevotionthansomepeoplehaveofmusic，thatcannotdistinguishoneairfromanother。Esmondsawthisfaultinher，ashesawmanyothers——abadwifewouldBeatrixEsmondmake，hethought，foranymanunderthedegreeofaPrince。Shewasborntoshineingreatassemblies，andtoadornpalaces，andtocommandeverywhere——toconductanintrigueofpolitics，ortoglitterinaqueen'strain。Buttositatahomelytable，andmendthestockingsofapoorman'schildren！thatwasnofittingdutyforher，oratleastonethatshewouldn'thavebrokeherheartintryingtodo。Shewasaprincess，thoughshehadscarceashillingtoherfortune;andoneofhersubjects——themostabjectanddevotedwretch，sure，thateverdrivelledatawoman'sknees——wasthisunluckygentleman;whoboundhisgoodsense，andreason，andindependence，handandfoot，andsubmittedthemtoher。
　　Andwhodoesnotknowhowruthlesslywomenwilltyrannizewhentheyarelettodomineer？andwhodoesnotknowhowuselessadviceis？
　　Icouldgivegoodcounseltomydescendants，butIknowthey'llfollowtheirownway，foralltheirgrandfather'ssermon。Amangetshisownexperienceaboutwomen，andwilltakenobody'shearsay;nor，indeed，istheyoungfellowworthafigthatwould。
　　'TisIthataminlovewithmymistress，notmyoldgrandmotherthatcounselsme:'tisIthathavefixedthevalueofthethingI
　　wouldhave，andknowthepriceIwouldpayforit。Itmaybeworthlesstoyou，but'tisallmylifetome。HadEsmondpossessedtheGreatMogul'scrownandallhisdiamonds，oralltheDukeofMarlborough'smoney，oralltheingotssunkatVigo，hewouldhavegiventhemallforthiswoman。Afoolhewas，ifyouwill;butsoisasovereignafool，thatwillgivehalfaprincipalityforalittlecrystalasbigasapigeon'segg，andcalledadiamond:soisawealthynoblemanafool，thatwillfacedangerordeath，andspendhalfhislife，andallhistranquillity，caballingforablueribbon;soisaDutchmerchantafool，thathathbeenknowntopaytenthousandcrownsforatulip。There'ssomeparticularprizeweallofusvalue，andthateverymanofspiritwillventurehislifefor。Withthis，itmaybetoachieveagreatreputationforlearning;withthat，tobeamanoffashion，andtheadmirationofthetown;withanother，toconsummateagreatworkofartorpoetry，andgotoimmortalitythatway;andwithanother，foracertaintimeofhislife，thesoleobjectandaimisawoman。
　　WhilstEsmondwasunderthedominationofthispassion，heremembersmanyatalkhehadwithhisintimates，whousedtorallyOurKnightoftheRuefulCountenanceathisdevotion，whereofhemadenodisguise，toBeatrix;anditwaswithrepliessuchastheabovehemethisfriends'satire。"Granted，Iamafool，"sayshe，"andnobetterthanyou;butyouarenobetterthanI。Youhaveyourfollyyoulaborfor;givemethecharityofmine。Whatflatteriesdoyou，Mr。St。John，stooptowhisperintheearsofaqueen'sfavorite？Whatnightsoflabordothnotthelaziestmanintheworldendure，foregoinghisbottle，andhisbooncompanions，foregoingLais，inwhoselaphewouldliketobeyawning，thathemayprepareaspeechfulloflies，tocajolethreehundredstupidcountry—gentlemenintheHouseofCommons，andgetthehiccuppingcheersoftheOctoberClub！Whatdayswillyouspendinyourjoltingchariot。"（Mr。EsmondoftenrodetoWindsor，andespecially，oflaterdays，withthesecretary。）"Whathourswillyoupassonyourgoutyfeet——andhowhumblywillyoukneeldowntopresentadespatch——you，theproudestmanintheworld，thathasnotknelttoGodsinceyouwereaboy，andinthatposturewhisper，flatter，adorealmost，astupidwoman，that'softenboozywithtoomuchmeatanddrink，whenMr。Secretarygoesforhisaudience！Ifmypursuitisvanity，sureyoursistoo。"AndthentheSecretary，wouldflyoutinsucharichflowofeloquence，asthispencannotpretendtorecall;advocatinghisschemeofambition，showingthegreatgoodhewoulddoforhiscountrywhenhewastheundisputedchiefofit;backinghisopinionwithascoreofpatsentencesfromGreekandRomanauthorities（ofwhichkindoflearninghemaderatheranostentatiousdisplay），andscornfullyvauntingtheveryartsandmeannessesbywhichfoolsweretobemadetofollowhim，opponentstobebribedorsilenced，doubtersconverted，andenemiesoverawed。
　　"IamDiogenes，"saysEsmond，laughing，"thatistakenupforarideinAlexander'schariot。IhavenodesiretovanquishDariusortotameBucephalus。Idonotwantwhatyouwant，agreatnameorahighplace:tohavethemwouldbringmenopleasure。Butmymoderationistaste，notvirtue;andIknowthatwhatIdowantisasvainasthatwhichyoulongafter。Donotgrudgememyvanity，ifIallowyours;orrather，letuslaughatbothindifferently，andatourselves，andateachother。"
　　"Ifyourcharmerholdsout，"saysSt。John，"atthisrateshemaykeepyoutwentyyearsbesiegingher，andsurrenderbythetimeyouareseventy，andsheisoldenoughtobeagrandmother。Idonotsaythepursuitofaparticularwomanisnotaspleasantapastimeasanyotherkindofhunting，"headded;"only，formypart，Ifindthegamewon'trunlongenough。Theyknockundertoosoon——that'sthefaultIfindwith'em。"
　　"Thegamewhichyoupursueisinthehabitofbeingcaught，andusedtobeingpulleddown，"saysMr。Esmond。
　　"ButDulcineadelTobosoispeerless，eh？"saystheother。"Well，honestHarry，goandattackwindmills——perhapsthouartnotmoremadthanotherpeople，"St。Johnadded，withasigh。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　APAPEROUTOFTHE"SPECTATOR。"
　　Dothanyyounggentlemanofmyprogeny，whomayreadhisoldgrandfather'spapers，chancetobepresentlysufferingunderthepassionofLove？Thereisahumiliatingcure，butonethatiseasyandalmostspecificforthemalady——whichis，totryanalibi。
　　Esmondwentawayfromhismistressandwascuredahalf—dozentimes;hecamebacktoherside，andinstantlyfellillagainofthefever。Hevowedthathecouldleaveherandthinknomoreofher，andsohecouldprettywell，atleast，succeedinquellingthatrageandlonginghehadwheneverhewaswithher;butassoonashereturnedhewasasbadaseveragain。Trulyaludicrousandpitiableobject，atleastexhaustingeverybody'spitybuthisdearestmistress's，LadyCastlewood's，inwhosetenderbreasthereposedallhisdrearyconfessions，andwhonevertiredofhearinghimandpleadingforhim。