PoorMr。Esmondfeltratherfrightened，andtoldatruth，whichwasneverthelessanentirefalsehood。"Uponmyhonor，"sayshe，"I
　　havenotevenreadtheSpectatorofthismorning。"Norhadhe，forthatwasnottheSpectator，butashamnewspaperputinitsplace。
　　Shewentonreading:herfaceratherflushedassheread。"No，"
　　shesays，"Ithinkyoucouldn'thavewrittenit。IthinkitmusthavebeenMr。Steelewhenhewasdrunk——andafraidofhishorridvulgarwife。WheneverIseeanenormouscomplimenttoawoman，andsomeoutrageouspanegyricaboutfemalevirtue，IalwaysfeelsurethattheCaptainandhisbetterhalfhavefallenoutover—night，andthathehasbeenbroughthometipsy，orhasbeenfoundoutin——"
　　"Beatrix！"criestheLadyCastlewood。
　　"Well，mamma！Donotcryoutbeforeyouarehurt。Iamnotgoingtosayanythingwrong。Iwon'tgiveyoumoreannoyancethanyoucanhelp，youprettykindmamma。Yes，andyourlittleTrixisanaughtylittleTrix，andsheleavesundonethosethingswhichsheoughttohavedone，anddoesthosethingswhichsheoughtnottohavedone，andthere's——wellnow——Iwon'tgoon。Yes，Iwill，unlessyoukissme。"Andwiththistheyoungladylaysasideherpaper，andrunsuptohermotherandperformsavarietyofembraceswithherladyship，sayingasplainaseyescouldspeaktoMr。
　　Esmond——"There，sir:wouldnotYOUliketoplaytheverysamepleasantgame？"
　　"Indeed，madam，Iwould，"sayshe。
　　"Wouldwhat？"askedMissBeatrix。
　　"Whatyoumeantwhenyoulookedatmeinthatprovokingway，"
　　answersEsmond。
　　"Whataconfessor！"criesBeatrix，withalaugh。
　　"WhatisitHenrywouldlike，mydear？"askshermother，thekindsoul，whowasalwaysthinkingwhatwewouldlike，andhowshecouldpleaseus。
　　Thegirlrunsuptoher——"Oh，yousillykindmamma，"shesays，kissingheragain，"that'swhatHarrywouldlike;"andshebrokeoutintoagreatjoyfullaugh;andLadyCastlewoodblushedasbashfulasamaidofsixteen。
　　"Lookather，Harry，"whispersBeatrix，runningup，andspeakinginhersweetlowtones。"Doesn'ttheblushbecomeher？Isn'tshepretty？ShelooksyoungerthanIam，andIamsuresheisahundredmillionthousandtimesbetter。"
　　Esmond'skindmistresslefttheroom，carryingherblushesawaywithher。
　　"IfwegirlsatCourtcouldgrowsuchrosesasthat，"continuesBeatrix，withherlaugh，"whatwouldn'twedotopreserve'em？
　　We'dcliptheirstalksandput'eminsaltandwater。Butthoseflowersdon'tbloomatHamptonCourtandWindsor，Henry。"Shepausedforaminute，andthesmilefadingawayfromherAprilface，gaveplacetoamenacingshoweroftears;"Oh，howgoodsheis，Harry，"Beatrixwentontosay。"Oh，whatasaintsheis！Hergoodnessfrightensme。I'mnotfittolivewithher。IshouldbebetterIthinkifshewerenotsoperfect。Shehashadagreatsorrowinherlife，andagreatsecret;andrepentedofit。Itcouldnothavebeenmyfather'sdeath。Shetalksfreelyaboutthat;norcouldshehavelovedhimverymuch——thoughwhoknowswhatwewomendolove，andwhy？"
　　"What，andwhy，indeed，"saysMr。Esmond。
　　"Nooneknows，"Beatrixwenton，withoutnoticingthisinterruptionexceptbyalook，"whatmymother'slifeis。Shehathbeenatearlyprayerthismorning;shepasseshoursinhercloset;ifyouweretofollowherthither，youwouldfindheratprayersnow。Shetendsthepooroftheplace——thehorriddirtypoor！Shesitsthroughthecurate'ssermons——oh，thosedrearysermons！Andyouseeonabeaudire;butgoodastheyare，peoplelikeherarenotfittocommunewithusoftheworld。Thereisalways，asitwere，athirdpersonpresent，evenwhenIandmymotherarealone。Shecan'tbefrankwithmequite;whoisalwaysthinkingofthenextworld，andofherguardianangel，perhapsthat'sincompany。Oh，Harry，I'mjealousofthatguardianangel！"herebrokeoutMistressBeatrix。"It'shorrid，Iknow;butmymother'slifeisallforheaven，andmine——allforearth。Wecanneverbefriendsquite;
　　andthen，shecaresmoreforFrank'slittlefingerthanshedoesforme——Iknowshedoes:andshelovesyou，sir，agreatdealtoomuch;andIhateyouforit。Iwouldhavehadheralltomyself;
　　butshewouldn't。Inmychildhood，itwasmyfathersheloved——
　　（oh，howcouldshe？Irememberhimkindandhandsome，butsostupid，andnotbeingabletospeakafterdrinkingwine）。AndthenitwasFrank;andnow，itisheavenandtheclergyman。HowIwouldhavelovedher！FromachildIusedtobeinaragethatshelovedanybodybutme;butshelovedyouallbetter——all，Iknowshedid。
　　Andnow，shetalksoftheblessedconsolationofreligion。Dearsoul！shethinkssheishappierforbelieving，asshemust，thatweareallofuswickedandmiserablesinners;andthisworldisonlyapied—a—terreforthegood，wheretheystayforanight，aswedo，comingfromWalcote，atthatgreat，dreary，uncomfortableHounslowInn，inthosehorridbeds——oh，doyourememberthosehorridbeds？——
　　andthechariotcomesandfetchesthemtoheaventhenextmorning。"
　　"Hush，Beatrix，"saysMr。Esmond。
　　"Hush，indeed。Youareahypocrite，too，Henry，withyourgraveairsandyourglumface。Weareallhypocrites。Odearme！Weareallalone，alone，alone，"sayspoorBeatrix，herfairbreastheavingwithasigh。
　　"ItwasIthatwriteverylineofthatpaper，mydear，"saysMr。
　　Esmond。"Youarenotsoworldlyasyouthinkyourself，Beatrix，andbetterthanwebelieveyou。Thegoodwehaveinuswedoubtof;andthehappinessthat'stoourhandwethrowaway。Youbendyourambitiononagreatmarriageandestablishment——andwhy？
　　You'lltireofthemwhenyouwinthem;andbenohappierwithacoronetonyourcoach——"
　　"ThanridingpillionwithLubintomarket，"saysBeatrix。"Thankyou，Lubin！"
　　"I'madismalshepherd，tobesure，"answersEsmond，withablush;
　　"andrequireanymphthatcantuckmybed—clothesup，andmakemewater—gruel。Well，TomLockwoodcandothat。Hetookmeoutofthefireuponhisshoulders，andnursedmethroughmyillnessaslovewillscarceeverdo。Onlygoodwages，andahopeofmyclothes，andthecontentsofmyportmanteau。HowlongwasitthatJacobservedanapprenticeshipforRachel？"
　　"Formamma？"saysBeatrix。"Itismammayourhonorwants，andthatIshouldhavethehappinessofcallingyoupapa？"
　　Esmondblushedagain。"IspokeofaRachelthatashepherdcourtedfivethousandyearsago;whenshepherdswerelongerlivedthannow。
　　Andmymeaningwas，thatsinceIsawyoufirstafterourseparation——achildyouwerethen……"
　　"AndIputonmybeststockingstocaptivateyou，Iremember，sir……"
　　"Youhavehadmyhearteversincethen，suchasitwas;andsuchasyouwere，Icaredfornootherwoman。WhatlittlereputationI
　　havewon，itwasthatyoumightbepleasedwithit:andindeed，itisnotmuch;andIthinkahundredfoolsinthearmyhavegotanddeservedquiteasmuch。WastheresomethingintheairofthatdismaloldCastlewoodthatmadeusallgloomy，anddissatisfied，andlonelyunderitsruinedoldroof？Wewereallso，evenwhentogetherandunited，asitseemed，followingourseparateschemes，eachaswesatroundthetable。"
　　"Dear，drearyoldplace！"criesBeatrix。"Mammahathneverhadthehearttogobackthithersinceweleftit，when——nevermindhowmanyyearsago。"Andsheflungbackhercurls，andlookedoverherfairshoulderatthemirrorsuperbly，asifshesaid，"Time，Idefyyou。"
　　"Yes，"saysEsmond，whohadtheart，assheowned，ofdiviningmanyofherthoughts。"Youcanaffordtolookintheglassstill;andonlybepleasedbythetruthittellsyou。Asforme，doyouknowwhatmyschemeis？IthinkofaskingFranktogivemetheVirginianestateKingCharlesgaveourgrandfather。（Shegaveasuperbcurtsy，asmuchastosay，'Ourgrandfather，indeed！Thankyou，Mr。Bastard。'）Yes，Iknowyouarethinkingofmybar—
　　sinister，andsoamI。Amancannotgetoveritinthiscountry;
　　unless，indeed，hewearsitacrossaking'sarms，when'tisahighlyhonorablecoat;andIamthinkingofretiringintotheplantations，andbuildingmyselfawigwaminthewoods，andperhaps，ifIwantcompany，suitingmyselfwithasquaw。Wewillsendyourladyshipfursoverforthewinter;and，whenyouareold，we'llprovideyouwithtobacco。Iamnotquitecleverenough，ornotrogueenough——Iknownotwhich——fortheOldWorld。ImaymakeaplaceformyselfintheNew，whichisnotsofull;andfoundafamilythere。Whenyouareamotheryourself，andagreatlady，perhapsIshallsendyouoverfromtheplantationsomedayalittlebarbarianthatishalfEsmondhalfMohock，andyouwillbekindtohimforhisfather'ssake，whowas，afterall，yourkinsman;andwhomyoulovedalittle。"
　　"Whatfollyyouaretalking，Harry，"saysMissBeatrix，lookingwithhergreateyes。
　　"'Tissoberearnest，"saysEsmond。And，indeed，theschemehadbeendwellingagooddealinhismindforsometimepast，andespeciallysincehisreturnhome，whenhefoundhowhopeless，andevendegradingtohimself，hispassionwas。"No，"sayshe，then:
　　"Ihavetriedhalfadozentimesnow。Icanbearbeingawayfromyouwellenough;butbeingwithyouisintolerable"（anotherlowcurtsyonMistressBeatrix'spart），"andIwillgo。Ihaveenoughtobuyaxesandgunsformymen，andbeadsandblanketsforthesavages;andI'llgoandliveamongstthem。"
　　"Monami，"shesaysquitekindly，andtakingEsmond'shand，withanairofgreatcompassion，"youcan'tthinkthatinourpositionanythingmorethanourpresentfriendshipispossible。Youareourelderbrother——assuchweviewyou，pityingyourmisfortune，notrebukingyouwithit。Why，youareoldenoughandgraveenoughtobeourfather。Ialwaysthoughtyouahundredyearsold，Harry，withyoursolemnfaceandgraveair。Ifeelasasistertoyou，andcannomore。Isn'tthatenough，sir？"Andsheputherfacequiteclosetohis——whoknowswithwhatintention？
　　"It'stoomuch，"saysEsmond，turningaway。"Ican'tbearthislife，andshallleaveit。Ishallstay，Ithink，toseeyoumarried，andthenfreightaship，andcallitthe'Beatrix，'andbidyouall……"
　　Heretheservant，flingingthedooropen，announcedhisGracetheDukeofHamilton，andEsmondstartedbackwithsomethinglikeanimprecationonhislips，asthenoblemanentered，lookingsplendidinhisstarandgreenribbon。HegaveMr。Esmondjustthatgraciousbowwhichhewouldhavegiventoalackeywhofetchedhimachairortookhishat，andseatedhimselfbyMissBeatrix，asthepoorColonelwentoutoftheroomwithahang—doglook。
　　Esmond'smistresswasinthelowerroomashepasseddownstairs。
　　SheoftenmethimashewascomingawayfromBeatrix;andshebeckonedhimintotheapartment。
　　"Hasshetoldyou，Harry？"LadyCastlewoodsaid。
　　"Shehasbeenveryfrank——very，"saysEsmond。
　　"But——butaboutwhatisgoingtohappen？"
　　"Whatisgoingtohappen？"sayshe，hisheartbeating。
　　"HisGracetheDukeofHamiltonhasproposedtoher，"saysmylady。
　　"Hemadehisofferyesterday。Theywillmarryassoonashismourningisover;andyouhaveheardhisGraceisappointedAmbassadortoParis;andtheAmbassadressgoeswithhim。"
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　BEATRIX'SNEWSUITOR。
　　ThegentlemanwhomBeatrixhadselectedwas，tobesure，twentyyearsolderthantheColonel，withwhomshequarrelledforbeingtooold;butthisonewasbutanamelessadventurer，andtheotherthegreatestdukeinScotland，withpretensionseventoastillhighertitle。MyLordDukeofHamiltonhad，indeed，everymeritbelongingtoagentleman，andhehadhadthetimetomaturehisaccomplishmentsfully，beingupwardsoffiftyyearsoldwhenMadamBeatrixselectedhimforabridegroom。DukeHamilton，thenEarlofArran，hadbeeneducatedatthefamousScottishuniversityofGlasgow，and，comingtoLondon，becameagreatfavoriteofCharlestheSecond，whomadehimalordofhisbedchamber，andafterwardsappointedhimambassadortotheFrenchking，underwhomtheEarlservedtwocampaignsashisMajesty'saide—de—camp;andhewasabsentonthisservicewhenKingCharlesdied。
　　KingJamescontinuedmylord'spromotion——madehimMasteroftheWardrobeandColoneloftheRoyalRegimentofHorse;andhislordshipadheredfirmlytoKingJames，beingofthesmallcompanythatneverquittedthatunfortunatemonarchtillhisdepartureoutofEngland;andthenitwas，in1688namely，thathemadethefriendshipwithColonelFrancisEsmond，thathadalwaysbeen，moreorless，maintainedinthetwofamilies。
　　TheEarlprofessedagreatadmirationforKingWilliamalways，butnevercouldgivehimhisallegiance;andwasengagedinmorethanoneoftheplotsinthelategreatKing'sreignwhichalwaysendedintheplotters'discomfiture，andgenerallyintheirpardon，bythemagnanimityoftheKing。LordArranwastwiceprisonerintheTowerduringthisreign，undauntedlysaying，whenofferedhisrelease，uponparolenottoengageagainstKingWilliam，thathewouldnotgivehisword，because"hewassurehecouldnotkeepit;"but，nevertheless，hewasbothtimesdischargedwithoutanytrial;andtheKingborethisnobleenemysolittlemalice，thatwhenhismother，theDuchessofHamilton，ofherownright，resignedherclaimonherhusband'sdeath，theEarlwas，bypatentsignedatLoo，1690，createdDukeofHamilton，MarquisofClydesdale，andEarlofArran，withprecedencyfromtheoriginalcreation。HisGracetooktheoathsandhisseatintheScottishparliamentin1700:wasfamousthereforhispatriotismandeloquence，especiallyinthedebatesabouttheUnionBill，whichDukeHamiltonopposedwithallhisstrength，thoughhewouldnotgothelengthoftheScottishgentry，whowereforresistingitbyforceofarms。'Twassaidhewithdrewhisoppositionallofasudden，andinconsequenceoflettersfromtheKingatSt。
　　Germains，whoentreatedhimonhisallegiancenottothwarttheQueenhissisterinthismeasure;andtheDuke，beingalwaysbentuponeffectingtheKing'sreturntohiskingdomthroughareconciliationbetweenhisMajestyandQueenAnne，andquiteaversetohislandingwitharmsandFrenchtroops，heldaloof，andkeptoutofScotlandduringthetimewhentheChevalierdeSt。George'sdescentfromDunkirkwasprojected，passinghistimeinEnglandinhisgreatestateinStaffordshire。
　　WhentheWhigswentoutofofficein1710，theQueenbegantoshowhisGracetheverygreatestmarksofherfavor。HewascreatedDukeofBrandonandBaronofDuttoninEngland;havingtheThistlealreadyoriginallybestowedonhimbyKingJamestheSecond，hisGracewasnowpromotedtothehonoroftheGarter——adistinctionsogreatandillustrious，thatnosubjecthatheverbornethemhithertotogether。WhenthisobjectionwasmadetoherMajesty，shewaspleasedtosay，"SuchasubjectastheDukeofHamiltonhasapre—eminentclaimtoeverymarkofdistinctionwhichacrownedheadcanconfer。Iwillhenceforthwearbothordersmyself。"
　　AttheChapterheldatWindsorinOctober，1712，theDukeandotherknights，includingLord—Treasurer，thenew—createdEarlofOxfordandMortimer，wereinstalled;andafewdaysafterwardshisGracewasappointedAmbassador—ExtraordinarytoFrance，andhisequipages，plate，andliveriescommanded，ofthemostsumptuouskind，notonlyforhisExcellencytheAmbassador，butforherExcellencytheAmbassadress，whowastoaccompanyhim。Herarmswerealreadyquarteredonthecoachpanels，andherbrotherwastohastenoverontheappointeddaytogiveheraway。
　　Hislordshipwasawidower，havingmarried，in1698，Elizabeth，daughterofDigbyLordGerard，bywhichmarriagegreatestatescameintotheHamiltonfamily;andoutoftheseestatescame，inpart，thattragicquarrelwhichendedtheDuke'scareer。
　　Fromthelossofatoothtothatofamistressthere'snopangthatisnotbearable。Theapprehensionismuchmorecruelthanthecertainty;andwemakeupourmindtothemisfortunewhen'tisirremediable，partwiththetormentor，andmumbleourcrustont'othersideofthejaws。IthinkColonelEsmondwasrelievedwhenaducalcoachandsixcameandwhiskedhischarmerawayoutofhisreach，andplacedherinahighersphere。Asyouhaveseenthenymphintheopera—machinegouptothecloudsattheendofthepiecewhereMars，Bacchus，Apollo，andallthedivinecompanyofOlympiansareseated，andquaveroutherlastsongasagoddess:sowhenthisportentouselevationwasaccomplishedintheEsmondfamily，IamnotsurethateveryoneofusdidnottreatthedivineBeatrixwithspecialhonors;atleastthesaucylittlebeautycarriedherheadwithatossofsupremeauthority，andassumedatouch—me—notair，whichallherfriendsverygood—humoredlybowedto。
　　AnoldarmyacquaintanceofColonelEsmond's，honestTomTrett，whohadsoldhiscompany，marriedawife，andturnedmerchantinthecity，wasdreadfullygloomyforalongtime，thoughlivinginafinehouseontheriver，andcarryingonagreattradetoallappearance。AtlengthEsmondsawhisfriend'snameintheGazetteasabankrupt;andaweekafterthiscircumstancemybankruptwalksintoMr。Esmond'slodgingwithafaceperfectlyradiantwithgood—
　　humor，andasjollyandcarelessaswhentheyhadsailedfromSouthamptontenyearsbeforeforVigo。"Thisbankruptcy，"saysTom，"hasbeenhangingovermyheadthesethreeyears;thethoughthathpreventedmysleeping，andIhavelookedatpoorPolly'sheadont'otherpillow，andthentowardsmyrazoronthetable，andthoughttoputanendtomyself，andsogivemywoestheslip。Butnowwearebankrupts:TomTrettpaysasmanyshillingsinthepoundashecan;hiswifehasalittlecottageatFulham，andherfortunesecuredtoherself。Iamafraidneitherofbailiffnorofcreditor:andforthelastsixnightshaveslepteasy。"SoitwasthatwhenFortuneshookherwingsandlefthim，honestTomcuddledhimselfupinhisraggedvirtue，andfellasleep。
　　EsmonddidnottellhisfriendhowmuchhisstoryappliedtoEsmondtoo;buthelaughedatit，andusedit;andhavingfairlystruckhisdocketinthislovetransaction，determinedtoputacheerfulfaceonhisbankruptcy。PerhapsBeatrixwasalittleoffendedathisgayety。"Isthistheway，sir，thatyoureceivetheannouncementofyourmisfortune，"saysshe，"anddoyoucomesmilingbeforemeasifyouweregladtoberidofme？"
　　Esmondwouldnotbeputofffromhisgood—humor，buttoldherthestoryofTomTrettandhisbankruptcy。"Ihavebeenhankeringafterthegrapesonthewall，"sayshe，"andlostmytemperbecausetheywerebeyondmyreach;wasthereanywonder？They'regonenow，andanotherhasthem——atallermanthanyourhumbleservanthaswonthem。"AndtheColonelmadehiscousinalowbow。
　　"Atallerman，CousinEsmond！"saysshe。"Amanofspiritwouldhavesealedthewall，sir，andseizedthem！Amanofcouragewouldhavefoughtfor'em，notgapedfor'em。"
　　"ADukehasbuttogapeandtheydropintohismouth，"saysEsmond，withanotherlowbow。
　　"Yes，sir，"saysshe，"aDukeISatallermanthanyou。AndwhyshouldInotbegratefultoonesuchashisGrace，whogivesmehisheartandhisgreatname？Itisagreatgifthehonorsmewith;I
　　know'tisabargainbetweenus;andIacceptit，andwilldomyutmosttoperformmypartofit。'TisnoquestionofsighingandphilanderingbetweenanoblemanofhisGrace'sageandagirlwhohathlittleofthatsoftnessinhernature。WhyshouldInotownthatIamambitious，HarryEsmond;andifitbenosininamantocovethonor，whyshouldawomantoonotdesireit？ShallIbefrankwithyou，Harry，andsaythatifyouhadnotbeendownonyourknees，andsohumble，youmighthavefaredbetterwithme？A
　　womanofmyspirit，cousin，istobewonbygallantry，andnotbysighsandruefulfaces。Allthetimeyouareworshippingandsinginghymnstome，IknowverywellIamnogoddess，andgrowwearyoftheincense。Sowouldyouhavebeenwearyofthegoddesstoo——whenshewascalledMrs。Esmond，andgotoutofhumorbecauseshehadnotpin—moneyenough，andwasforcedtogoaboutinanoldgown。Eh！cousin，agoddessinamob—cap，thathastomakeherhusband'sgruel，ceasestobedivine——Iamsureofit。Ishouldhavebeensulkyandscolded;andofalltheproudwretchesintheworldMr。Esmondistheproudest，letmetellhimthat。Youneverfallintoapassion;butyouneverforgive，Ithink。Hadyoubeenagreatman，youmighthavebeengood—humored;butbeingnobody，sir，youaretoogreatamanforme;andI'mafraidofyou，cousin——
　　there！andIwon'tworshipyou，andyou'llneverbehappyexceptwithawomanwhowill。Why，afterIbelongedtoyou，andafteroneofmytantrums，youwouldhaveputthepillowovermyheadsomenight，andsmotheredme，astheblackmandoesthewomanintheplaythatyou'resofondof。What'sthecreature'sname？——
　　Desdemona。Youwould，youlittleblack—dyedOthello！"
　　"IthinkIshould，Beatrix，"saystheColonel。
　　"AndIwantnosuchending。Iintendtolivetobeahundred，andtogototenthousandroutsandballs，andtoplaycardseverynightofmylifetilltheyeareighteenhundred。AndIliketobethefirstofmycompany，sir;andIlikeflatteryandcompliments，andyougivemenone;andIliketobemadetolaugh，sir，andwho'stolaughatYOURdismalface，Ishouldliketoknow？andI
　　likeacoach—andsixoracoach—and—eight;andIlikediamonds，andanewgowneveryweek;andpeopletosay——'That'stheDuchess——HowwellherGracelooks——MakewayforMadamel'Ambassadriced'Angleterre——CallherExcellency'speople'——that'swhatIlike。
　　Andasforyou，youwantawomantobringyourslippersandcap，andtositatyourfeet，andcry，'Ocaro！Obravo！'whilstyoureadyourShakespearesandMiltonsandstuff。Mammawouldhavebeenthewifeforyou，hadyoubeenalittleolder，thoughyoulooktenyearsolderthanshedoes——youdo，youglum—faced，blue—beardedlittleoldman！Youmighthavesat，likeDarbyandJoan，andflatteredeachother;andbilledandcooedlikeapairofoldpigeonsonaperch。Iwantmywingsandtousethem，sir。"Andshespreadoutherbeautifularms，asifindeedshecouldflyofflikethepretty"Gawrie，"whomthemaninthestorywasenamoredof。
　　"AndwhatwillyourPeterWilkinssaytoyourflight？"saysEsmond，whoneveradmiredthisfaircreaturemorethanwhensherebelledandlaughedathim。
　　"Aduchessknowsherplace，"saysshe，withalaugh。"Why，Ihaveasonalreadymadeforme，andthirtyyearsold（myLordArran），andfourdaughters。Howtheywillscold，andwhataragetheywillbein，whenIcometotaketheheadofthetable！ButIgivethemonlyamonthtobeangry;attheendofthattimetheyshalllovemeeveryone，andsoshallLordArran，andsoshallallhisGrace'sScotsvassalsandfollowersintheHighlands。I'mbentonit;andwhenItakeathinginmyhead，'tisdone。HisGraceisthegreatestgentlemaninEurope，andI'lltryandmakehimhappy;and，whentheKingcomesback，youmaycountonmyprotection，CousinEsmond——forcomebacktheKingwillandshall;andI'llbringhimbackfromVersailles，ifhecomesundermyhoop。"
　　"Ihopetheworldwillmakeyouhappy，Beatrix，"saysEsmond，withasigh。"You'llbeBeatrixtillyouaremyLadyDuchess——willyounot？IshallthenmakeyourGracemyverylowestbow。"
　　"Noneofthesesighsandthissatire，cousin，"shesays。"ItakehisGrace'sgreatbountythankfully——yes，thankfully;andwillwearhishonorsbecomingly。Idonotsayhehathtouchedmyheart;buthehasmygratitude，obedience，admiration——Ihavetoldhimthat，andnomore;andwiththathisnobleheartiscontent。Ihavetoldhimall——eventhestoryofthatpoorcreaturethatIwasengagedto——andthatIcouldnotlove;andIgladlygavehiswordbacktohim，andjumpedforjoytogetbackmyown。Iamtwenty—fiveyearsold。"
　　"Twenty—six，mydear，"saysEsmond。
　　"Twenty—five，sir——Ichoosetobetwenty—five;andineightyearsnomanhathevertouchedmyheart。Yes——youdidonce，foralittle，Harry，whenyoucamebackafterLille，andengagingwiththatmurdererMohun，andsavingFrank'slife。IthoughtIcouldlikeyou;andmammabeggedmehard，onherknees，andIdid——foraday。Buttheoldchillcameoverme，Henry，andtheoldfearofyouandyourmelancholy;andIwasgladwhenyouwentaway，andengagedwithmyLordAshburnham，thatImighthearnomoreofyou，that'sthetruth。Youaretoogoodforme，somehow。Icouldnotmakeyouhappy，andshouldbreakmyheartintrying，andnotbeingabletoloveyou。Butifyouhadaskedmewhenwegaveyouthesword，youmighthavehadme，sir，andwebothshouldhavebeenmiserablebythistime。Italkedwiththatsillylordallnightjusttovexyouandmamma，andIsucceeded，didn'tI？Howfranklywecantalkofthesethings！Itseemsathousandyearsago:and，thoughweareheresittinginthesameroom，thereisagreatwallbetweenus。Mydear，kind，faithful，gloomyoldcousin！Icanlikenow，andadmireyoutoo，sir，andsaythatyouarebrave，andverykind，andverytrue，andafinegentlemanforall——forallyourlittlemishapatyourbirth，"saysshe，waggingherarchhead。
　　"Andnow，sir，"saysshe，withacurtsy，"wemusthavenomoretalkexceptwhenmammaisby，ashisGraceiswithus;forhedoesnothalflikeyou，cousin，andisjealousastheblackmaninyourfavoriteplay。"
　　ThoughtheverykindnessofthewordsstabbedMr。Esmondwiththekeenestpang，hedidnotshowhissenseofthewoundbyanylookofhis（asBeatrix，indeed，afterwardsownedtohim），butsaid，withaperfectcommandofhimselfandaneasysmile，"Theinterviewmustnotendyet，mydear，untilIhavehadmylastword。Stay，herecomesyourmother"（indeedshecameinherewithhersweetanxiousface，andEsmondgoingupkissedherhandrespectfully）。"Mydearladymayhear，too，thelastwords，whicharenosecrets，andareonlyapartingbenedictionaccompanyingapresentforyourmarriagefromanoldgentlemanyourguardian;forIfeelasifIwastheguardianofallthefamily，andanoldoldfellowthatisfittobethegrandfatherofyouall;andinthischaracterletmemakemyLadyDuchessherweddingpresent。Theyarethediamondsmyfather'swidowleftme。IhadthoughtBeatrixmighthavehadthemayearago;buttheyaregoodenoughforaduchess，thoughnotbrightenoughforthehandsomestwomanintheworld。"Andhetookthecaseoutofhispocketinwhichthejewelswere，andpresentedthemtohiscousin。
　　Shegaveacryofdelight，forthestoneswereindeedveryhandsome，andofgreatvalue;andthenextminutethenecklacewaswhereBelinda'scrossisinMr。Pope'sadmirablepoem，andglitteringonthewhitestandmostperfectly—shapedneckinallEngland。
　　Thegirl'sdelightatreceivingthesetrinketswassogreat，thatafterrushingtothelooking—glassandexaminingtheeffecttheyproduceduponthatfairneckwhichtheysurrounded，Beatrixwasrunningbackwithherarmsextended，andwasperhapsforpayinghercousinwithaprice，thathewouldhavelikednodoubttoreceivefromthosebeautifulrosylipsofhers，butatthismomentthedooropened，andhisGracethebridegroomelectwasannounced。
　　HelookedveryblackuponMr。Esmond，towhomhemadeaverylowbowindeed，andkissedthehandofeachladyinhismostceremoniousmanner。Hehadcomeinhischairfromthepalacehardby，andworehistwostarsoftheGarterandtheThistle。
　　"Look，myLordDuke，"saysMistressBeatrix，advancingtohim，andshowingthediamondsonherbreast。
　　"Diamonds，"sayshisGrace。"Hm！theyseempretty。"
　　"Theyareapresentonmymarriage，"saysBeatrix。
　　"FromherMajesty？"askstheDuke。"TheQueenisverygood。"
　　"FrommycousinHenry——fromourcousinHenry"——cryboththeladiesinabreath。
　　"Ihavenotthehonorofknowingthegentleman。IthoughtthatmyLordCastlewoodhadnobrother:andthatonyourladyship'ssidetherewerenonephews。"
　　"Fromourcousin，ColonelHenryEsmond，mylord，"saysBeatrix，takingtheColonel'shandverybravely，——"whowasleftguardiantousbyourfather，andwhohasahundredtimesshownhisloveandfriendshipforourfamily。"
　　"TheDuchessofHamiltonreceivesnodiamondsbutfromherhusband，madam，"saystheDuke——"mayIprayyoutorestorethesetoMr。
　　Esmond？"
　　"BeatrixEsmondmayreceiveapresentfromourkinsmanandbenefactor，myLordDuke，"saysLadyCastlewood，withanairofgreatdignity。"Sheismydaughteryet:andifhermothersanctionsthegift——nooneelsehaththerighttoquestionit。"
　　"Kinsmanandbenefactor！"saystheDuke。"Iknowofnokinsman:
　　andIdonotchoosethatmywifeshouldhaveforbenefactora——"
　　"Mylord！"saysColonelEsmond。