Someonesaidtheill—omenedfaceofMohunhadbeenseenatthetheatrethenightbefore，andMacartneyandMeredithwithhim。Meanttobeafeast，themeeting，inspiteofdrinkandtalk，wasasdismalasafuneral。Everytopicstartedsubsidedintogloom。HisGraceofOrmondewentawaybecausetheconversationgotuponDenain，wherewehadbeendefeatedinthelastcampaign。Esmond'sGeneralwasaffectedattheallusiontothisactiontoo，forhiscomradeofWynendael，theCountofNassauWoudenbourg，hadbeenslainthere。
Mr。Swift，whenEsmondpledgedhim，saidhedranknowine，andtookhishatfromthepegandwentaway，beckoningmyLordBolingbroketofollowhim;buttheotherbadehimtakehischariotandsavehiscoach—hire——hehadtospeakwithColonelEsmond;andwhentherestofthecompanywithdrewtocards，thesetworemainedbehindinthedark。
Bolingbrokealwaysspokefreelywhenhehaddrunkfreely。Hisenemiescouldgetanysecretoutofhiminthatcondition;womenwereevenemployedtoplyhim，andtakehiswordsdown。IhaveheardthatmyLordStair，threeyearsafter，whentheSecretaryfledtoFranceandbecamethePretender'sMinister，gotalltheinformationhewantedbyputtingfemalespiesoverSt。Johninhiscups。Hespokefreelynow:——"Jonathanknowsnothingofthisforcertain，thoughhesuspectsit，andbyGeorge，WebbwilltakeanArchbishopric，andJonathana——no，——damme——JonathanwilltakeanArch—bishopricfromJames，Iwarrantme，gladlyenough。YourDukehaththestringofthewholematterinhishand，"theSecretarywenton。"WehavethatwhichwillforceMarlboroughtokeephisdistance，andhegoesoutofLondoninafortnight。Priorhathhisbusiness;heleftmethismorning，andmarkme，Harry，shouldfatecarryoffouraugust，ourbeloved，ourmostgoutyandplethoricQueen，andDefenderoftheFaith，labonnecausetriomphera。Alasantedelabonnecause！EverythinggoodcomesfromFrance。WinecomesfromFrance;giveusanotherbumpertothebonnecause。"Wedrankittogether。
"WillthebonnecauseturnProtestant？"askedMr。Esmond。
"No，hangit，"saystheother，"he'lldefendourFaithasindutybound，buthe'llstickbyhisown。TheHindandthePanthershallruninthesamecar，byJove。Righteousnessandpeaceshallkisseachother:andwe'llhaveFatherMassillontowalkdowntheaisleofSt。Paul's，cheekbyjowlwithDr。Sacheverel。Giveusmorewine;here'sahealthtothebonnecause，kneeling——damme，let'sdrinkitkneeling。"Hewasquiteflushedandwildwithwineashewastalking。
"Andsuppose，"saysEsmond，whoalwayshadthisgloomyapprehension，"thebonnecauseshouldgiveusuptotheFrench，ashisfatheranduncledidbeforehim？"
"GiveusuptotheFrench！"startsupBolingbroke;"isthereanyEnglishgentlemanthatfearsthat？YouwhohaveseenBlenheimandRamillies，afraidoftheFrench！Yourancestorsandmine，andbraveoldWebb'syonder，havemettheminahundredfields，andourchildrenwillbereadytodothelike。Who'shethatwishesformoremenfromEngland？MyCousinWestmoreland？GiveusuptotheFrench，pshaw！"
"Hisuncledid，"saysMr。Esmond。
"Andwhathappenedtohisgrandfather？"brokeoutSt。John，fillingoutanotherbumper。"Here'stothegreatestmonarchEnglandeversaw;here'stotheEnglishmanthatmadeakingdomofher。OurgreatKingcamefromHuntingdon，notHanover;ourfathersdidn'tlookforaDutchmantoruleus。Lethimcomeandwe'llkeephim，andwe'llshowhimWhitehall。Ifhe'satraitorletushavehimheretodealwithhim;andthentherearespiritshereasgreatasanythathavegonebefore。Therearemenherethatcanlookatdangerinthefaceandnotbefrightenedatit。Traitor！treason！
whatnamesarethesetoscareyouandme？AreallOliver'smendead，orhisgloriousnameforgotteninfiftyyears？Aretherenomenequaltohim，thinkyou，asgood——ay，asgood？GodsavetheKing！and，ifthemonarchyfailsus，GodsavetheBritishRepublic！"
Hefilledanothergreatbumper，andtosseditupanddraineditwildly，justasthenoiseofrapidcarriage—wheelsapproachingwasstoppedatourdoor，andafterahurriedknockandamoment'sinterval，Mr。Swiftcameintothehall，ranupstairstotheroomwewerediningin，andentereditwithaperturbedface。St。John，excitedwithdrink，wasmakingsomewildquotationoutofMacbeth，butSwiftstoppedhim。
"Drinknomore，mylord，forGod'ssake！"sayshe。"Icomewiththemostdreadfulnews。"
"IstheQueendead？"criesoutBolingbroke，seizingonawater—
glass。
"No，DukeHamiltonisdead:hewasmurderedanhouragobyMohunandMacartney;theyhadaquarrelthismorning;theygavehimnotsomuchtimeastowritealetter。Hewentforacoupleofhisfriends，andheisdead，andMohun，too，thebloodyvillain，whowassetonhim。TheyfoughtinHydeParkjustbeforesunset;theDukekilledMohun，andMacartneycameupandstabbedhim，andthedogisfled。Ihaveyourchariotbelow;sendtoeverypartofthecountryandapprehendthatvillain;cometotheDuke'shouseandseeifanylifebeleftinhim。"
"Oh，Beatrix，Beatrix，"thoughtEsmond，"andhereendsmypoorgirl'sambition！"
CHAPTERVI。
POORBEATRIX。
TherehadbeennoneedtourgeuponEsmondthenecessityofaseparationbetweenhimandBeatrix:Fatehaddonethatcompletely;
andIthinkfromtheverymomentpoorBeatrixhadacceptedtheDuke'soffer，shebegantoassumethemajesticairofaDuchess，nay，QueenElect，andtocarryherselfasonesacredandremovedfromuscommonpeople。Hermotherandkinsmanbothfellintoherways，thelatterscornfullyperhaps，andutteringhisusualgibesathervanityandhisown。TherewasacertaincharmaboutthisgirlofwhichneitherColonelEsmondnorhisfondmistresscouldforegothefascination;inspiteofherfaultsandherprideandwilfulness，theywereforcedtoloveher;and，indeed，mightbesetdownasthetwochiefflatterersofthebrilliantcreature'scourt。
Who，inthecourseofhislife，hathnotbeensobewitched，andworshippedsomeidoloranother？Yearsafterthispassionhathbeendeadandburied，alongwithathousandotherworldlycaresandambitions，hewhofeltitcanrecallitoutofitsgrave，andadmire，almostasfondlyashedidinhisyouth，thatlovelyqueenlycreature。Iinvokethatbeautifulspiritfromtheshadesandloveherstill;orratherIshouldsaysuchapastisalwayspresenttoaman;suchapassiononcefeltformsapartofhiswholebeing，andcannotbeseparatedfromit;itbecomesaportionofthemanofto—day，justasanygreatfaithorconviction，thediscoveryofpoetry，theawakeningofreligion，everafterwardsinfluencehim;justasthewoundIhadatBlenheim，andofwhichI
wearthescar，hathbecomepartofmyframeandinfluencedmywholebody，nay，spiritsubsequently，though'twasgotandhealedfortyyearsago。Partingandforgetting！Whatfaithfulheartcandothese？Ourgreatthoughts，ourgreataffections，theTruthsofourlife，neverleaveus。Surely，theycannotseparatefromourconsciousness;shallfollowitwhithersoeverthatshallgo;andareoftheirnaturedivineandimmortal。
Withthehorriblenewsofthiscatsstrophe，whichwasconfirmedbytheweepingdomesticsattheDuke'sowndoor，Esmondrodehomewardsasquickashislazycoachwouldcarryhim，devisingallthetimehowheshouldbreaktheintelligencetothepersonmostconcernedinit;andifasatireuponhumanvanitycouldbeneeded，thatpoorsoulaffordeditinthealteredcompanyandoccupationsinwhichEsmondfoundher。Fordaysbefore，herchariothadbeenrollingthestreetfrommercertotoyshop——fromgoldsmithtolaceman:hertastewasperfect，oratleastthefondbridegroomhadthoughtso，andhadgivenherentireauthorityoveralltradesmen，andforalltheplate，furnitureandequipages，withwhichhisGracetheAmbassadorwishedtoadornhissplendidmission。ShemusthaveherpicturebyKneller，aduchessnotbeingcompletewithoutaportrait，andanobleonehemade，andactuallysketchedin，onacushion，acoronetwhichshewasabouttowear。ShevowedshewouldwearitatKingJamestheThird'scoronation，andneveraprincessinthelandwouldhavebecomeerminebetter。Esmondfoundtheante—chambercrowdedwithmillinersandtoyshopwomen，obsequiousgoldsmithswithjewels，salvers，andtankards;andmercers'menwithhangings，andvelvets，andbrocades。MyLadyDuchesselectwasgivingaudiencetoonefamoussilversmithfromExeterChange，whobroughtwithhimagreatchasedsalver，ofwhichhewaspointingoutthebeautiesasColonelEsmondentered。
"Come，"saysshe，"cousin，andadmirethetasteofthisprettything。"IthinkMarsandVenuswerelyinginthegoldenbower，thatonegiltCupidcarriedoffthewar—god'scasque——anotherhissword——anotherhisgreatbuckler，uponwhichmyLordDukeHamilton'sarmswithoursweretobeengraved——andafourthwaskneelingdowntothereclininggoddesswiththeducalcoronetinherhands，Godhelpus！ThenexttimeMr。Esmondsawthatpieceofplate，thearmswerechanged，theducalcoronethadbeenreplacedbyaviscount's;itformedpartofthefortuneofthethriftygoldsmith'sowndaughter，whenshemarriedmyLordViscountSquanderfieldtwoyearsafter。
"Isn'tthisabeautifulpiece？"saysBeatrix，examiningit，andshepointedoutthearchgracesoftheCupids，andthefinecarvingofthelanguidprostrateMars。Esmondsickenedashethoughtofthewarriordeadinhischamber，hisservantsandchildrenweepingaroundhim;andofthissmilingcreatureattiringherself，asitwere，forthatnuptialdeath—bed。"'Tisaprettypieceofvanity，"
sayshe，lookinggloomilyatthebeautifulcreature:therewereflambeauxintheroomlightingupthebrilliantmistressofit。
Sheliftedupthegreatgoldsalverwithherfairarms。
"Vanity！"saysshe，haughtily。"Whatisvanityinyou，sir，isproprietyinme。YouaskaJewishpriceforit，Mr。Graves;buthaveitIwill，ifonlytospiteMr。Esmond。"
"Oh，Beatrix，layitdown！"saysMr。Esmond。"Herodias！youknownotwhatyoucarryinthecharger。"
Shedroppeditwithaclang;theeagergoldsmithrunningtoseizehisfallenware。Thelady'sfacecaughtthefrightfromEsmond'spalecountenance，andhereyesshoneoutlikebeaconsofalarm:——
"Whatisit，Henry！"saysshe，runningtohim，andseizingbothhishands。"Whatdoyoumeanbyyourpalefaceandgloomytones？"
"Comeaway，comeaway！"saysEsmond，leadingher:sheclungfrightenedtohim，andhesupportedheruponhisheart，biddingthescaredgoldsmithleavethem。Themanwentintothenextapartment，staringwithsurprise，andhugginghispreciouscharger。
"Oh，myBeatrix，mysister！"saysEsmond，stillholdinginhisarmsthepallidandaffrightedcreature，"youhavethegreatestcourageofanywomanintheworld;preparetoshowitnow，foryouhaveadreadfultrialtobear。"
Shesprangawayfromthefriendwhowouldhaveprotectedher:——
"Hathheleftme？"saysshe。"Wehadwordsthismorning:hewasverygloomy，andIangeredhim:buthedarednot，hedarednot！"
Asshespokeaburningblushflushedoverherwholefaceandbosom。
Esmondsawitreflectedintheglassbywhichshestood，withclenchedhands，pressingherswellingheart。
"Hehasleftyou，"saysEsmond，wonderingthatrageratherthansorrowwasinherlooks。
"Andheisalive，"criedBeatrix，"andyoubringmethiscommission！Hehasleftme，andyouhaven'tdaredtoavengeme！
You，thatpretendtobethechampionofourhouse，haveletmesufferthisinsult！WhereisCastlewood？Iwillgotomybrother。"
"TheDukeisnotalive，Beatrix，"saidEsmond。
Shelookedathercousinwildly，andfellbacktothewallasthoughshotinthebreast:——"Andyoucomehere，and——and——youkilledhim？"
"No;thankheaven！"herkinsmansaid。"Thebloodofthatnobleheartdothnotstainmysword！Initslasthouritwasfaithfultothee，BeatrixEsmond。Vainandcruelwoman！kneelandthanktheawfulheavenwhichawardslifeanddeath，andchastisespride，thatthenobleHamiltondiedtruetoyou;atleastthat'twasnotyourquarrel，oryourpride，oryourwickedvanity，thatdrovehimtohisfate。Hediedbythebloodyswordwhichalreadyhaddrankyourownfather'sblood。Owoman，Osister！tothatsadfieldwheretwocorpsesarelying——forthemurdererdiedtoobythehandofthemanheslew——canyoubringnomournersbutyourrevengeandyourvanity？Godhelpandpardonthee，Beatrix，ashebringsthisawfulpunishmenttoyourhardandrebelliousheart。"
Esmondhadscarcedonespeaking，whenhismistresscamein。ThecolloquybetweenhimandBeatrixhadlastedbutafewminutes，duringwhichtimeEsmond'sservanthadcarriedthedisastrousnewsthroughthehousehold。ThearmyofVanityFair，waitingwithout，gatheredupalltheirfripperiesandfledaghast。TenderLadyCastlewoodhadbeenintalkabovewithDeanAtterbury，thepiouscreature'salmoneranddirector;andtheDeanhadenteredwithherasaphysicianwhoseplacewasatasick—bed。Beatrix'smotherlookedatEsmondandrantowardsherdaughter，withapalefaceandopenheartandhands，allkindnessandpity。ButBeatrixpassedherby，norwouldshehaveanyofthemedicamentsofthespiritualphysician。"Iambestinmyownroomandbymyself，"shesaid。
Hereyeswerequitedry;nordidEsmondeverseethemotherwise，saveonce，inrespecttothatgrief。Shegavehimacoldhandasshewentout:"Thankyou，brother，"shesaid，inalowvoice，andwithasimplicitymoretouchingthantears;"allyouhavesaidistrueandkind，andIwillgoawayandaskpardon。"Thethreeothersremainedbehind，andtalkedoverthedreadfulstory。ItaffectedDr。Atterburymoreeventhanus，asitseemed。ThedeathofMohun，herhusband'smurderer，wasmoreawfultomymistressthaneventheDuke'sunhappyend。Esmondgaveatlengthwhatparticularsheknewoftheirquarrel，andthecauseofit。ThetwonoblemenhadlongbeenatwarwithrespecttotheLordGerard'sproperty，whosetwodaughtersmyLordDukeandMohunhadmarried。
Theyhadmetbyappointmentthatdayatthelawyer'sinLincoln'sInnFields;hadwordswhich，thoughtheyappearedverytriflingtothosewhoheardthem，werenotsotomenexasperatedbylongandpreviousenmity。MohunaskedmyLordDukewherehecouldseehisGrace'sfriends，andwithinanhourhadsenttwoofhisowntoarrangethisdeadlyduel。Itwaspursuedwithsuchfierceness，andsprungfromsotriflingacause，thatallmenagreedatthetimethattherewasaparty，ofwhichthesethreenotoriousbrawlerswerebutagents，whodesiredtotakeDukeHamilton'slifeaway。
Theyfoughtthreeonaside，asinthattragicmeetingtwelveyearsback，whichhathbeenrecountedalready，andinwhichMohunperformedhissecondmurder。Theyrushedin，andcloseduponeachotheratoncewithoutanyfeintsorcrossingofswordseven，andstabbedoneattheotherdesperately，eachreceivingmanywounds;
andMohunhavinghisdeath—wound，andmyLordDukelyingbyhim，MacartneycameupandstabbedhisGraceashelayontheground，andgavehimtheblowofwhichhedied。ColonelMacartneydeniedthis，ofwhichthehorrorandindignationofthewholekingdomwouldneverthelesshavehimguilty，andfledthecountry，whitherheneverreturned。
WhatwastherealcauseoftheDukeHamilton'sdeath？——apaltryquarrelthatmighteasilyhavebeenmadeup，andwitharuffiansolow，base，profligate，anddegradedwithformercrimesandrepeatedmurders，thatamanofsuchrenownandprincelyrankasmyLordDukemighthavedisdainedtosullyhisswordwiththebloodofsuchavillain。Buthisspiritwassohighthatthosewhowishedhisdeathknewthathiscouragewaslikehischarity，andneverturnedanymanaway;andhediedbythehandsofMohun，andtheothertwocut—throatsthatweresetonhim。TheQueen'sambassadortoParisdied，theloyalanddevotedservantoftheHouseofStuart，andaRoyalPrinceofScotlandhimself，andcarryingtheconfidence，therepentanceofQueenAnnealongwithhisownopendevotion，andthegood—willofmillionsinthecountrymore，totheQueen'sexiledbrotherandsovereign。
ThatpartytowhichLordMohunbelongedhadthebenefitofhisservice，andnowwerewellridofsucharuffian。He，andMeredith，andMacartney，weretheDukeofMarlborough'smen;andthetwocolonelshadbeenbrokebuttheyearbeforefordrinkingperditiontotheTories。HisGracewasaWhignowandaHanoverian，andaseagerforwarasPrinceEugenehimself。IsaynotthathewasprivytoDukeHamilton'sdeath，Isaythathispartyprofitedbyit;andthatthreedesperateandbloodyinstrumentswerefoundtoeffectthatmurder。
AsEsmondandtheDeanwalkedawayfromKensingtondiscoursingofthistragedy，andhowfatalitwastothecausewhichtheybothhadatheart，thestreet—crierswerealreadyoutwiththeirbroadsides，shoutingthroughthetownthefull，true，andhorribleaccountofthedeathofLordMohunandDukeHamiltoninaduel。AfellowhadgottoKensington，andwascryingitinthesquarethereatveryearlymorning，whenMr。Esmondhappenedtopassby。HedrovethemanfromunderBeatrix'sverywindow，whereofthecasementhadbeensetopen。Thesunwasshiningthough'twasNovember:hehadseenthemarket—cartsrollingintoLondon，theguardrelievedatthepalace，thelaborerstrudgingtotheirworkinthegardensbetweenKensingtonandtheCity——thewanderingmerchantsandhawkersfillingtheairwiththeircries。Theworldwasgoingtoitsbusinessagain，althoughdukeslaydeadandladiesmournedforthem;andkings，verylikely，losttheirchances。Sonightanddaypassaway，andto—morrowcomes，andourplaceknowsusnot。Esmondthoughtofthecourier，nowgallopingontheNorthroadtoinformhim，whowasEarlofArranyesterday，thathewasDukeofHamiltonto—day，andofathousandgreatschemes，hopes，ambitions，thatwerealiveinthegallantheart，beatingafewhourssince，andnowinalittledustquiescent。
CHAPTERVII。
IVISITCASTLEWOODONCEMORE。
Thus，forathirdtime，Beatrix'sambitioushopeswerecircumvented，andshemightwellbelievethataspecialmalignantfatewatchedandpursuedher，tearingherprizeoutofherhandjustassheseemedtograspit，andleavingherwithonlyrageandgriefforherportion。Whateverherfeelingsmighthavebeenofangerorofsorrow，（andIfearmethattheformeremotionwasthatwhichmosttoreherheart，）shewouldtakenoconfidant，aspeopleofsofternatureswouldhavedoneundersuchacalamity;hermotherandherkinsmanknewthatshewoulddisdaintheirpity，andthattoofferitwouldbebuttoinfuriatethecruelwoundwhichfortunehadinflicted。Weknewthatherpridewasawfullyhumbledandpunishedbythissuddenandterribleblow;shewantednoteachingofourstopointoutthesadmoralofherstory。Herfondmothercouldgivebutherprayers，andherkinsmanhisfaithfulfriendshipandpatiencetotheunhappy，strickencreature;anditwasonlybyhints，andawordortwoutteredmonthsafterwards，thatBeatrixshowedsheunderstoodtheirsilentcommiseration，andonherpartwassecretlythankfulfortheirforbearance。ThepeopleabouttheCourtsaidtherewasthatinhermannerwhichfrightenedawayscoffingandcondolence:shewasabovetheirtriumphandtheirpity，andactedherpartinthatdreadfultragedygreatlyandcourageously;sothatthosewholikedherleastwereyetforcedtoadmireher。We，whowatchedherafterherdisaster，couldnotbutrespecttheindomitablecourageandmajesticcalmwithwhichsheboreit。"Iwouldratherseehertearsthanherpride，"hermothersaid，whowasaccustomedtobearhersorrowsinaverydifferentway，andtoreceivethemasthestrokeofGod，withanawfulsubmissionandmeekness。ButBeatrix'snaturewasdifferenttothattenderparent's;sheseemedtoaccepthergriefandtodefyit;norwouldsheallowit（Ibelievenoteveninprivateandinherownchamber）toextortfromhertheconfessionofevenatearofhumiliationoracryofpain。Friendsandchildrenofourrace，whocomeafterme，inwhichwaywillyoubearyourtrials？IknowonethatpraysGodwillgiveyouloveratherthanpride，andthattheEyeall—seeingshallfindyouinthehumbleplace。Notthatweshouldjudgeproudspiritsotherwisethancharitably。'Tisnaturehathfashionedsomeforambitionanddominion，asithathformedothersforobedienceandgentlesubmission。Theleopardfollowshisnatureasthelambdoes，andactsafterleopardlaw;shecanneitherhelpherbeauty，norhercourage，norhercruelty;norasinglespotonhershiningcoat;northeconqueringspiritwhichimpelsher;northeshotwhichbringsherdown。
Duringthatwell—foundedpanictheWhigshad，lesttheQueenshouldforsaketheirHanoverianPrince，boundbyoathsandtreatiesasshewastohim，andrecallherbrother，whowasalliedtoherbyyetstrongertiesofnatureandduty;thePrinceofSavoy，andtheboldestofthatpartyoftheWhigs，wereforbringingtheyoungDukeofCambridgeover，inspiteoftheQueen，andtheoutcryofherToryservants，arguingthattheElectoralPrince，aPeerandPrinceoftheBlood—RoyalofthisRealmtoo，andinthelineofsuccessiontothecrown，had，arighttositintheParliamentwhereofhewasamember，andtodwellinthecountrywhichheonedaywastogovern。NothingbutthestrongestillwillexpressedbytheQueen，andthepeopleabouther，andmenacesoftheRoyalresentment，shouldthisschemebepersistedin，preventeditfrombeingcarriedintoeffect。
Theboldestonoursidewere，inlikemanner，forhavingourPrinceintothecountry。Theundoubtedinheritoroftherightdivine;thefeelingsofmorethanhalfthenation，ofalmostalltheclergy，ofthegentryofEnglandandScotlandwithhim;entirelyinnocentofthecrimeforwhichhisfathersuffered——brave，young，handsome，unfortunate——whoinEnglandwoulddaretomolestthePrinceshouldhecomeamongus，andflinghimselfuponBritishgenerosity，hospitality，andhonor？AninvaderwithanarmyofFrenchmenbehindhim，Englishmenofspiritwouldresisttothedeath，anddrivebacktotheshoreswhencehecame;butaPrince，alone，armedwithhisrightonly，andrelyingontheloyaltyofhispeople，wassure，manyofhisfriendsargued，ofwelcome，atleastofsafety，amongus。ThehandofhissistertheQueen，ofthepeoplehissubjects，nevercouldberaisedtodohimawrong。ButtheQueenwastimidbynature，andthesuccessiveMinistersshehad，hadprivatecausesfortheirirresolution。Thebolderandhonestermen，whohadathearttheillustriousyoungexile'scause，hadnoschemeofinterestoftheirowntopreventthemfromseeingtherightdone，and，providedonlyhecameasanEnglishman，werereadytoventuretheiralltowelcomeanddefendhim。
St。JohnandHarleybothhadkindwordsinplentyforthePrince'sadherents，andgavehimendlesspromisesoffuturesupport;buthintsandpromiseswerealltheycouldbegottogive;andsomeofhisfriendswereformeasuresmuchbolder，moreefficacious，andmoreopen。Withapartyofthese，someofwhomareyetalive，andsomewhosenamesMr。Esmondhasnorighttomention，hefoundhimselfengagedtheyearafterthatmiserabledeathofDukeHamilton，whichdeprivedthePrinceofhismostcourageousallyinthiscountry。DeanAtterburywasoneofthefriendswhomEsmondmaymention，asthebravebishopisnowbeyondexileandpersecution，andtohim，andoneortwomore，theColonelopenedhimselfofaschemeofhisown，that，backedbyalittleresolutiononthePrince'spart，couldnotfailofbringingabouttheaccomplishmentoftheirdearestwishes。
MyyoungLordViscountCastlewoodhadnotcometoEnglandtokeephismajority，andhadnowbeenabsentfromthecountryforseveralyears。TheyearwhenhissisterwastobemarriedandDukeHamiltondied，mylordwaskeptatBruxellesbyhiswife'slying—
in。ThegentleClotildacouldnotbearherhusbandoutofhersight;perhapsshemistrustedtheyoungscapegraceshouldheevergetloosefromherleading—strings;andshekepthimbyhersidetonursethebabyandadministerpossettothegossips。ManyalaughpoorBeatrixhadhadaboutFrank'suxoriousness:hismotherwouldhavegonetoClotildawhenhertimewascoming，butthatthemother—in—lawwasalreadyinpossession，andthenegotiationsforpoorBeatrix'smarriagewerebegun。AfewmonthsafterthehorridcatastropheinHydePark，mymistressandherdaughterretiredtoCastlewood，wheremylord，itwasexpected，wouldsoonjointhem。
But，tosaytruth，theirquiethouseholdwaslittletohistaste;
hecouldbegottocometoWalcotebutonceafterhisfirstcampaign;andthentheyoungroguespentmorethanhalfhistimeinLondon，notappearingatCourtorinpublicunderhisownnameandtitle，butfrequentingplays，bagnios，andtheveryworstcompany，underthenameofCaptainEsmond（wherebyhisinnocentkinsmangotmorethanonceintotrouble）;andsoundervariouspretexts，andinpursuitofallsortsofpleasures，untilheplungedintothelawfuloneofmarriage，FrankCastlewoodhadremainedawayfromthiscountry，andwasunknown，saveamongstthegentlemenofthearmy，withwhomhehadservedabroad。Thefondheartofhismotherwaspainedbythislongabsence。'TwasallthatHenryEsmondcoulddotosoothehernaturalmortification，andfindexcusesforhiskinsman'slevity。
Intheautumnoftheyear1713，LordCastlewoodthoughtofreturninghome。Hisfirstchildhadbeenadaughter;Clotildawasinthewayofgratifyinghislordshipwithasecond，andthepiousyouththoughtthat，bybringinghiswifetohisancestralhome，byprayerstoSt。PhilipofCastlewood，andwhatnot，heavenmightbeinducedtoblesshimwithasonthistime，forwhosecomingtheexpectantmammawasveryanxious。
Thelong—debatedpeacehadbeenproclaimedthisyearattheendofMarch;andFrancewasopentous。JustasFrank'spoormotherhadmadeallthingsreadyforLordCastlewood'sreception，andwaseagerlyexpectingherson，itwasbyColonelEsmond'smeansthatthekindladywasdisappointedofherlonging，andobligedtodeferoncemorethedarlinghopeofherheart。
EsmondtookhorsestoCastlewood。Hehadnotseenitsancientgraytowersandwell—rememberedwoodsfornearlyfourteenyears，andsinceherodethencewithmylord，towhomhismistresswithheryoungchildrenbyhersidewavedanadieu。Whatagesseemedtohavepassedsincethen，whatyearsofactionandpassion，ofcare，love，hope，disaster！Thechildrenweregrownupnow，andhadstoriesoftheirown。AsforEsmond，hefelttobeahundredyearsold;hisdearmistressonlyseemedunchanged;shelookedandwelcomedhimquiteasofold。Therewasthefountaininthecourtbabblingitsfamiliarmusic，theoldhallanditsfurniture，thecarvedchairmylatelordused，theveryflagonhedrankfrom。
Esmond'smistressknewhewouldliketosleepinthelittleroomheusedtooccupy;'twasmadereadyforhim，andwall—flowersandsweetherbssetintheadjoiningchamber，thechaplain'sroom。
Intearsofnotunmanlyemotion，withprayersofsubmissiontotheawfulDispenserofdeathandlife，ofgoodandevilfortune，Mr。
EsmondpassedapartofthatfirstnightatCastlewood，lyingawakeformanyhoursastheclockkepttolling（intonessowellremembered），lookingback，asallmenwill，thatrevisittheirhomeofchildhood，overthegreatgulfoftime，andsurveyinghimselfonthedistantbankyonder，asadlittlemelancholyboywithhislordstillalive——hisdearmistress，agirlyet，herchildrensportingaroundher。Yearsago，aboyonthatverybed，whenshehadblessedhimandcalledhimherknight，hehadmadeavowtobefaithfulandneverdesertherdearservice。Hadhekeptthatfondboyishpromise？Yes，beforeheaven;yes，praisebetoGod！Hislifehadbeenhers;hisblood，hisfortune，hisname，hiswholehearteversincehadbeenhersandherchildren's。Allnightlonghewasdreaminghisboyhoodoveragain，andwakingfitfully;hehalffanciedheheardFatherHoltcallingtohimfromthenextchamber，andthathewascominginandoutoffromthemysteriouswindow。
Esmondroseupbeforethedawn，passedintothenextroom，wheretheairwasheavywiththeodorofthewall—flowers;lookedintothebrazierwherethepapershadbeenburnt，intotheoldpresseswhereHolt'sbooksandpapershadbeenkept，andtriedthespringandwhetherthewindowworkedstill。Thespringhadnotbeentouchedforyears，butyieldedatlength，andthewholefabricofthewindowsankdown。Helifteditanditrelapsedintoitsframe;
noonehadeverpassedthencesinceHoltuseditsixteenyearsago。
Esmondrememberedhispoorlordsaying，onthelastdayofhislife，thatHoltusedtocomeinandoutofthehouselikeaghost，andknewthattheFatherlikedthesemysteries，andpractisedsuchsecretdisguises，entrancesandexits:thiswasthewaytheghostcameandwent，hispupilhadalwaysconjectured。EsmondclosedthecasementupagainasthedawnwasrisingoverCastlewoodvillage;
hecouldheartheclinkingattheblacksmith'sforgeyonderamongthetrees，acrossthegreen，andpasttheriver，onwhichamiststilllaysleeping。
NextEsmondopenedthatlongcupboardoverthewoodworkofthemantel—piece，bigenoughtoholdaman，andinwhichMr。Holtusedtokeepsundrysecretpropertiesofhis。Thetwoswordsherememberedsowellasaboy，layactuallytherestill，andEsmondtookthemoutandwipedthem，withastrangecuriosityofemotion。
Therewereabundleofpapershere，too，whichnodoubthadbeenleftatHolt'slastvisittotheplace，inmyLordViscount'slife，thatverydaywhenthepriesthadbeenarrestedandtakentoHexhamCastle。Esmondmadefreewiththesepapers，andfoundtreasonablematterofKingWilliam'sreign，thenamesofCharnockandPerkins，SirJohnFenwickandSirJohnFriend，RookwoodandLodwick，LordsMontgomeryandAllesbury，ClarendonandYarmouth，thathadallbeenengagedinplotsagainsttheusurper;aletterfromtheDukeofBerwicktoo，andonefromtheKingatSt。Germains，offeringtoconferuponhistrustyandwell—belovedFrancisViscountCastlewoodthetitlesofEarlandMarquisofEsmond，bestowedbypatentroyal，andinthefourthyearofhisreign，uponThomasViscountCastlewoodandtheheirs—maleofhisbody，indefaultofwhichissuetheranksanddignitiesweretopasstoFrancisaforesaid。
Thiswasthepaper，whereofmylordhadspoken，whichHoltshowedhimtheverydayhewasarrested，andforananswertowhichhewouldcomebackinaweek'stime。IputthesepapershastilyintothecryptwhenceIhadtakenthem，beinginterruptedbyatappingofalightfingerattheringofthechamber—door:'twasmykindmistress，withherfacefullofloveandwelcome。She，too，hadpassedthenightwakefuly，nodoubt;butneitheraskedtheotherhowthehourshadbeenspent。Therearethingswedivinewithoutspeaking，andknowthoughtheyhappenoutofoursight。ThisfondladyhathtoldmethatsheknewbothdayswhenIwaswoundedabroad。Whoshallsayhowfarsympathyreaches，andhowtrulylovecanprophesy？"Ilookedintoyourroom，"wasallshesaid;"thebedwasvacant，thelittleoldbed！IknewIshouldfindyouhere。"Andtenderandblushingfaintlywithabenedictioninhereyes，thegentlecreaturekissedhim。
Theywalkedout，hand—in—hand，throughtheoldcourt，andtotheterrace—walk，wherethegrasswasglisteningwithdew，andthebirdsinthegreenwoodsaboveweresingingtheirdeliciouschorusesundertheblushingmorningsky。Howwellallthingswereremembered！Theancienttowersandgablesofthehalldarklingagainsttheeast，thepurpleshadowsonthegreenslopes，thequaintdevicesandcarvingsofthedial，theforest—crownedheights，thefairyellowplaincheerfulwithcropsandcorn，theshiningriverrollingthroughittowardsthepearlyhillsbeyond;