allthesewerebeforeus，alongwithathousandbeautifulmemoriesofouryouth，beautifulandsad，butasrealandvividinourmindsasthatfairandalways—rememberedsceneoureyesbeheldoncemore。
　　Weforgetnothing。Thememorysleeps，butwakensagain;Ioftenthinkhowitshallbewhen，afterthelastsleepofdeath，thereveilleeshallarouseusforever，andthepastinoneflashofself—consciousnessrushback，likethesoulrevivified。
　　Thehousewouldnotbeupforsomehoursyet，（itwasJuly，andthedawnwasonlyjustawake，）andhereEsmondopenedhimselftohismistress，ofthebusinesshehadinhand，andwhatpartFrankwastoplayinit。Heknewhecouldconfideanythingtoher，andthatthefondsoulwoulddieratherthanrevealit;andbiddingherkeepthesecretfromall，helaiditentirelybeforehismistress（alwaysasstaunchalittleloyalistasanyinthekingdom），andindeedwasquitesurethatanyplan，ofhiswassecureofherapplauseandsympathy。Neverwassuchagloriousschemetoherpartialmind，neversuchadevotedknighttoexecuteit。Anhourortwomayhavepassedwhilsttheywerehavingtheircolloquy。
　　Beatrixcameouttothemjustastheirtalkwasover;hertallbeautifulformrobedinsable（whichsheworewithoutostentationeversincelastyear'scatastrophe），sweepingoverthegreenterrace，andcastingitsshadowsbeforeheracrossthegrass。
　　Shemadeusoneofhergrandcurtsiessmiling，andcalledus"theyoungpeople。"Shewasolder，paler，andmoremajesticthanintheyearbefore;hermotherseemedtheyoungestofthetwo。Sheneveroncespokeofhergrief，LadyCastlewoodtoldEsmond，oralluded，savebyaquietwordortwo，tothedeathofherhopes。
　　WhenBeatrixcamebacktoCastlewoodshetooktovisitingallthecottagesandallthesick。Shesetupaschoolofchildren，andtaughtsingingtosomeofthem。WehadapairofbeautifuloldorgansinCastlewoodChurch，onwhichsheplayedadmirably，sothatthemusictherebecametobeknowninthecountryformanymilesround，andnodoubtpeoplecametoseethefairorganistaswellastohearher。ParsonTusherandhiswifewereestablishedatthevicarage，buthiswifehadbroughthimnochildrenwherewithTommightmeethisenemiesatthegate。HonestTomtookcarenottohavemanysuch，hisgreatshovel—hatwasinhishandforeverybody。
　　Hewasprofuseofbowsandcompliments。HebehavedtoEsmondasiftheColonelhadbeenaCommander—in—Chief;hedinedatthehallthatday，beingSunday，andwouldnotpartakeofpuddingexceptunderextremepressure。Hedeploredmylord'sperversion，butdrankhislordship'shealthverydevoutly;andanhourbeforeatchurchsenttheColoneltosleep，withalong，learned，andrefreshingsermon。
　　Esmond'svisithomewasbutfortwodays;thebusinesshehadinhandcallinghimawayandoutofthecountry。Erehewent，hesawBeatrixbutoncealone，andthenshesummonedhimoutofthelongtapestryroom，whereheandhismistressweresitting，quiteasinoldtimes，intotheadjoiningchamber，thathadbeenViscountessIsabel'ssleepingapartment，andwhereEsmondperfectlywellrememberedseeingtheoldladysittingupinthebed，inhernight—
　　rail，thatmorningwhenthetroopofguardcametofetchher。ThemostbeautifulwomaninEnglandlayinthatbednow，whereofthegreatdamaskhangingswerescarcefadedsinceEsmondsawthemlast。
　　HerestoodBeatrixinherblackrobes，holdingaboxinherhand;
　　'twasthatwhichEsmondhadgivenherbeforehermarriage，stampedwithacoronetwhichthedisappointedgirlwasnevertowear;andcontaininghisaunt'slegacyofdiamonds。
　　"Youhadbesttakethesewithyou，Harry，"saysshe;"Ihavenoneedofdiamondsanymore。"Therewasnottheleasttokenofemotioninherquietlowvoice。Sheheldouttheblackshagreencasewithherfairarm，thatdidnotshakeintheleast。Esmondsawsheworeablackvelvetbraceletonit，withmyLordDuke'spictureinenamel;hehadgivenitherbutthreedaysbeforehefell。
　　Esmondsaidthestoneswerehisnolonger，andstrovetoturnoffthatprofferedrestorationwithalaugh:"Ofwhatgood，"sayshe，"aretheytome？ThediamondlooptohishatdidnotsetoffPrinceEugene，andwillnotmakemyyellowfacelookanyhandsomer。"
　　"Youwillgivethemtoyourwife，cousin，"saysshe。"Mycousin，yourwifehasalovelycomplexionandshape。"
　　"Beatrix，"Esmondburstout，theoldfireflamingoutasitwouldattimes，"willyouwearthosetrinketsatyourmarriage？Youwhisperedonceyoudidnotknowme:youknowmebetternow:howI
　　sought，whatIhavesighedfor，fortenyears，whatforegone！"
　　"Apriceforyourconstancy，mylord！"saysshe;"suchapreuxchevalierwantstobepaid。Ohfie，cousin！"
　　"Again，"Esmondspokeout，"ifIdosomethingyouhaveatheart;
　　somethingworthyofmeandyou;somethingthatshallmakemeanamewithwhichtoendowyou;willyoutakeit？Therewasachanceformeonce，yousaid;isitimpossibletorecallit？Nevershakeyourhead，buthearme;sayyouwillhearmeayearhence。IfIcomebacktoyouandbringyoufame，willthatpleaseyou？IfIdowhatyoudesiremost——whathewhoisdeaddesiredmost——willthatsoftenyou？"
　　"Whatisit，Henry？"saysshe，herfacelightingup;"whatmeanyou？"
　　"Asknoquestions，"hesaid;"wait，andgivemebuttime;ifI
　　bringbackthatyoulongfor，thatIhaveathousandtimesheardyouprayfor，willyouhavenorewardforhimwhohasdoneyouthatservice？Putawaythosetrinkets，keepthem:itshallnotbeatmymarriage，itshallnotbeatyours;butifmancandoit，Iswearadayshallcomewhenthereshallbeafeastinyourhouse，andyoushallbeproudtowearthem。Isaynomorenow;putasidethesewords，andlockawayyonderboxuntilthedaywhenIshallremindyouofboth。AllIprayofyounowis，towaitandtoremember。"
　　"Youaregoingoutofthecountry？"saysBeatrix，insomeagitation。
　　"Yes，to—morrow，"saysEsmond。
　　"ToLorraine，cousin？"saysBeatrix，layingherhandonhisarm;
　　'twasthehandonwhichsheworetheDuke'sbracelet。"Stay，Harry！"continuedshe，withatonethathadmoredespondencyinitthanshewasaccustomedtoshow。"Hearalastword。Idoloveyou。Idoadmireyou——whowouldnot，thathasknownsuchloveasyourshasbeenforusall？ButIthinkIhavenoheart;atleastI
　　haveneverseenthemanthatcouldtouchit;and，hadIfoundhim，Iwouldhavefollowedhiminragshadhebeenaprivatesoldier，ortosea，likeoneofthosebuccaneersyouusedtoreadtousaboutwhenwewerechildren。Iwoulddoanythingforsuchaman，bearanythingforhim:butIneverfoundone。Youwereevertoomuchofaslavetowinmyheart;evenmyLordDukecouldnotcommandit。I
　　hadnotbeenhappyhadImarriedhim。Iknewthatthreemonthsafterourengagement——andwastoovaintobreakit。Oh，Harry！I
　　criedonceortwice，notforhim，butwithtearsofragebecauseI
　　couldnotbesorryforhim。IwasfrightenedtofindIwasgladofhisdeath;andwereIjoinedtoyou，Ishouldhavethesamesenseofservitude，thesamelongingtoescape。Weshouldbothbeunhappy，andyouthemost，whoareasjealousastheDukewashimself。Itriedtolovehim;Itried，indeedIdid:affectedgladnesswhenhecame:submittedtohearwhenhewasbyme，andtriedthewife'spartIthoughtIwastoplayfortherestofmydays。Buthalfanhourofthatcomplaisanceweariedme，andwhatwouldalifetimebe？Mythoughtswereawaywhenhewasspeaking;
　　andIwasthinking，Ohthatthismanwoulddropmyhand，andriseupfrombeforemyfeet！Iknewhisgreatandnoblequalities，greaterandnoblerthanmineathousandtimes，asyoursare，cousin，Itellyou，amillionandamilliontimesbetter。But'twasnotfortheseItookhim。Itookhimtohaveagreatplaceintheworld，andIlostit。Ilostit，anddonotdeplorehim——
　　andIoftenthought，asIlistenedtohisfondvowsandardentwords，Oh，ifIyieldtothisman，andmeetTHEOTHER，Ishallhatehimandleavehim！Iamnotgood，Harry:mymotherisgentleandgoodlikeanangel。Iwonderhowsheshouldhavehadsuchachild。
　　Sheisweak，butshewoulddieratherthandoawrong;Iamstrongerthanshe，butIwoulddoitoutofdefiance。Idonotcareforwhattheparsonstellmewiththeirdroningsermons:I
　　usedtoseethematcourtasmeanandasworthlessasthemeanestwomanthere。Oh，Iamsickandwearyoftheworld！Iwaitbutforonething，andwhen'tisdone，IwilltakeFrank'sreligionandyourpoormother's，andgointoanunnery，andendlikeher。ShallIwearthediamondsthen？——theysaythenunsweartheirbesttrinketsthedaytheytaketheveil。Iwillputthemawayasyoubidme;farewell，cousin:mammaispacingthenextroomrackingherlittleheadtoknowwhatwehavebeensaying。Sheisjealous，allwomenare。IsometimesthinkthatistheonlywomanlyqualityI
　　have。"
　　"Farewell。Farewell，brother。"Shegavehimhercheekasabrotherlyprivilege。Thecheekwasascoldasmarble。
　　Esmond'smistressshowednosignsofjealousywhenhereturnedtotheroomwhereshewas。Shehadschooledherselfsoastolookquiteinscrutably，whenshehadamind。Amongstherotherfemininequalitiesshehadthatofbeingaperfectdissembler。
　　HerodeawayfromCastlewoodtoattemptthetaskhewasboundon，andstandorfallbyit;intruthhisstateofmindwassuch，thathewaseagerforsomeoutwardexcitementtocounteractthatgnawingmaladywhichhewasinwardlyenduring。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　ITRAVELTOFRANCEANDBRINGHOMEAPORTRAITOFRIGAUD。
　　Mr。EsmonddidnotthinkfittotakeleaveatCourt，ortoinformalltheworldofPallMallandthecoffee—houses，thathewasabouttoquitEngland;andchosetodepartinthemostprivatemannerpossible。HeprocuredapassasforaFrenchman，throughDr。
　　Atterbury，whodidthatbusinessforhim，gettingthesignatureevenfromLordBolingbroke'soffice，withoutanypersonalapplicationtotheSecretary。Lockwood，hisfaithfulservant，hetookwithhimtoCastlewood，andleftbehindthere:givingoutereheleftLondonthathehimselfwassick，andgonetoHampshireforcountryair，andsodepartedassilentlyasmightbeuponhisbusiness。
　　AsFrankCastlewood'saidwasindispensableforMr。Esmond'sscheme，hisfirstvisitwastoBruxelles（passingbywayofAntwerp，wheretheDukeofMarlboroughwasinexile），andinthefirst—namedplaceHarryfoundhisdearyoungBenedict，themarriedman，whoappearedtoberatheroutofhumorwithhismatrimonialchain，andcloggedwiththeobstinateembraceswhichClotildakeptroundhisneck。ColonelEsmondwasnotpresentedtoher;butMonsieurSimonwas，agentlemanoftheRoyalCravat（EsmondbethoughthimoftheregimentofhishonestIrishman，whomhehadseenthatdayafterMalplaquet，whenhefirstseteyesontheyoungKing）;andMonsieurSimonwasintroducedtotheViscountessCastlewood，neeComptesseWertheim;tothenumerouscounts，theLadyClotilda'stallbrothers;toherfatherthechamberlain;andtotheladyhiswife，Frank'smother—in—law，atallandmajesticpersonoflargeproportions，suchasbecamethemotherofsuchacompanyofgrenadiersasherwarlikesonsformed。ThewholeracewereatfreequartersinthelittlecastlenightoBruxelleswhichFrankhadtaken;rodehishorses;drankhiswine;andlivedeasilyatthepoorlad'scharges。Mr。EsmondhadalwaysmaintainedaperfectfluencyintheFrench，whichwashismothertongue;andifthisfamily（thatspokeFrenchwiththetwangwhichtheFlemingsuse）discoveredanyinaccuracyinMr。Simon'spronunciation，'twastobeattributedtothelatter'slongresidenceinEngland，wherehehadmarriedandremainedeversincehewastakenprisoneratBlenheim。Hisstorywasperfectlypat;therewerenonetheretodoubtitsavehonestFrank，andhewascharmedwithhiskinsman'sscheme，whenhebecameacquaintedwithit;and，intruth，alwaysadmiredColonelEsmondwithanaffectionatefidelity，andthoughthiscousinthewisestandbestofallcousinsandmen。Frankenteredheartandsoulintotheplan，andlikeditthebetterasitwastotakehimtoParis，outofreachofhisbrothers，hisfather，andhismother—in—law，whoseattentionsratherfatiguedhim。
　　Castlewood，Ihavesaid，wasborninthesameyearasthePrinceofWales;hadnotalittleofthePrince'sair，height，andfigure;
　　and，especiallysincehehadseentheChevalierdeSt。Georgeontheoccasionbefore—named，tooknosmallprideinhisresemblancetoapersonsoillustrious;whichlikenessheincreasedbyallmeansinhispower，wearingfairbrownperiwigs，suchasthePrincewore，andribbons，andsoforth，oftheChevalier'scolor。
　　Thisresemblancewas，intruth，thecircumstanceonwhichMr。
　　Esmond'sschemewasfounded;andhavingsecuredFrank'ssecrecyandenthusiasm，helefthimtocontinuehisjourney，andseetheotherpersonagesonwhomitssuccessdepended。TheplacewhitherMr。
　　SimonnexttravelledwasBar，inLorraine，wherethatmerchantarrivedwithaconsignmentofbroadcloths，valuablelacesfromMalines，andlettersforhiscorrespondentthere。
　　Wouldyouknowhowaprince，heroicfrommisfortunes，anddescendedfromalineofkings，whoseraceseemedtobedoomedliketheAtridaeofold——wouldyouknowhowhewasemployed，whentheenvoywhocametohimthroughdangeranddifficultybeheldhimforthefirsttime？Theyoungking，inaflanneljacket，wasattenniswiththegentlemenofhissuite，cryingoutaftertheballs，andswearinglikethemeanestofhissubjects。ThenexttimeMr。
　　Esmondsawhim，'twaswhenMonsieurSimontookapacketoflacestoMissOglethorpe:thePrince'sante—chamberinthosedays，atwhichignobledoormenwereforcedtoknockforadmissiontohisMajesty。
　　Theadmissionwasgiven，theenvoyfoundtheKingandthemistresstogether;thepairwereatcardsandhisMajestywasinliquor。Hecaredmoreforthreehonorsthanthreekingdoms;andahalf—dozenglassesofratafiamadehimforgetallhiswoesandhislosses，hisfather'scrown，andhisgrandfather'shead。
　　Mr。EsmonddidnotopenhimselftothePrincethen。HisMajestywasscarceinaconditiontohearhim;andhedoubtedwhetheraKingwhodranksomuchcouldkeepasecretinhisfuddledhead;orwhetherahandthatshookso，wasstrongenoughtograspatacrown。However，atlast，andaftertakingcounselwiththePrince'sadvisers，amongstwhomweremanygentlemen，honestandfaithful，Esmond'splanwaslaidbeforetheKing，andheractualMajestyQueenOglethorpe，incouncil。ThePrincelikedtheschemewellenough;'twaseasyanddaring，andsuitedtohisrecklessgayetyandlivelyyouthfulspirit。Inthemorningafterhehadslepthiswineoff，hewasverygay，lively，andagreeable。Hismannerhadanextremecharmofarchness，andakindsimplicity;
　　and，todoherjustice，herOglethorpeanMajestywaskind，acute，resolute，andofgoodcounsel;shegavethePrincemuchgoodadvicethathewastooweaktofollow，andlovedhimwithafidelitywhichhereturnedwithaningratitudequiteRoyal。
　　Havinghisownforebodingsregardinghisschemeshoulditeverbefulfilled，andhisusualscepticdoubtsastothebenefitwhichmightaccruetothecountrybybringingatipsyyoungmonarchbacktoit，ColonelEsmondhadhisaudienceofleaveandquiet。
　　MonsieurSimontookhisdeparture。AtanyratetheyouthatBarwasasgoodastheolderPretenderatHanover;iftheworstcametotheworst，theEnglishmancouldbedealtwithaseasyastheGerman。MonsieurSimontrottedonthatlongjourneyfromNancytoParis，andsawthatfamoustown，stealthilyandlikeaspy，asintruthhewas;andwhere，sure，moremagnificenceandmoremiseryisheapedtogether，moreragsandlace，morefilthandgilding，thaninanycityinthisworld。HerehewasputincommunicationwiththeKing'sbestfriend，hishalfbrother，thefamousDukeofBerwick;EsmondrecognizedhimasthestrangerwhohadvisitedCastlewoodnowneartwentyyearsago。HisGraceopenedtohimwhenhefoundthatMr。EsmondwasoneofWebb'sbraveregiment，thathadoncebeenhisGrace'sown。HewastheswordandbucklerindeedoftheStuartcause:therewasnostainonhisshieldexceptthebaracrossit，whichMarlborough'ssisterlefthim。HadBerwickbeenhisfather'sheir，JamestheThirdhadassuredlysatontheEnglishthrone。Hecoulddare，endure，strike，speak，besilent。Thefireandgenius，perhaps，hehadnot（thatweregiventobasermen），butexceptthesehehadsomeofthebestqualitiesofaleader。HisGraceknewEsmond'sfatherandhistory;andhintedatthelatterinsuchawayasmadetheColoneltothinkhewasawareoftheparticularsofthatstory。ButEsmonddidnotchoosetoenteronit，nordidtheDukepresshim。Mr。Esmondsaid，"Nodoubtheshouldcomebyhisnameifevergreaterpeoplecamebytheirs。"
　　WhatconfirmedEsmondinhisnotionthattheDukeofBerwickknewofhiscasewas，thatwhentheColonelwenttopayhisdutyatSt。
　　Germains，herMajestyonceaddressedhimbythetitleofMarquis。
　　HetooktheQueenthedutifulremembrancesofhergoddaughter，andtheladywhom，inthedaysofherprosperity，herMajestyhadbefriended。TheQueenrememberedRachelEsmondperfectlywell，hadheardofmyLordCastlewood'sconversion，andwasmuchedifiedbythatactofheaveninhisfavor。Sheknewthatothersofthatfamilyhadbeenoftheonlytruechurchtoo:"Yourfatherandyourmother，M。leMarquis，"herMajestysaid（thatwastheonlytimesheusedthephrase）。MonsieurSimonbowedverylow，andsaidhehadfoundotherparentsthanhisown，whohadtaughthimdifferently;butthesehadonlyoneking:onwhichherMajestywaspleasedtogivehimamedalblessedbythePope，whichhadbeenfoundveryefficaciousincasessimilartohisown，andtopromiseshewouldofferupprayersforhisconversionandthatofthefamily:whichnodoubtthispiousladydid，thoughuptothepresentmoment，andaftertwenty—sevenyears，ColonelEsmondisboundtosaythatneitherthemedalnortheprayershavehadtheslightestknowneffectuponhisreligiousconvictions。
　　AsforthesplendorsofVersailles，MonsieurSimon，themerchant，onlybeheldthemasahumbleanddistantspectator，seeingtheoldKingbutonce，whenhewenttofeedhiscarps;andaskingfornopresentationathisMajesty'sCourt。
　　BythistimemyLordViscountCastlewoodwasgottoParis，where，astheLondonprintspresentlyannounced，herladyshipwasbroughttobedofasonandheir。Foralongwhileafterwardsshewasinadelicatestateofhealth，andorderedbythephysiciansnottotravel;otherwise'twaswellknownthattheViscountCastlewoodproposedreturningtoEngland，andtakinguphisresidenceathisownseat。
　　WhilstheremainedatParis，myLordCastlewoodhadhispicturedonebythefamousFrenchpainter，MonsieurRigaud，apresentforhismotherinLondon;andthispieceMonsieurSimontookbackwithhimwhenhereturnedtothatcity，whichhereachedaboutMay，intheyear1714，verysoonafterwhichtimemyLadyCastlewoodandherdaughter，andtheirkinsman，ColonelEsmond，whohadbeenatCastlewoodallthistime，likewisereturnedtoLondon;herladyshipoccupyingherhouseatKensington，Mr。EsmondreturningtohislodgingsatKnightsbridge，nearerthetown，andoncemoremakinghisappearanceatallpublicplaces，hishealthgreatlyimprovedbyhislongstayinthecountry。
　　Theportraitofmylord，inahandsomegiltframe，washungupintheplaceofhonorinherladyship'sdrawing—room。HislordshipwasrepresentedinhisscarletuniformofCaptainoftheGuard，withalightbrownperiwig，acuirassunderhiscoat，ablueribbon，andafallofBruxelleslace。Manyofherladyship'sfriendsadmiredthepiecebeyondmeasure，andflockedtoseeit;
　　BishopAtterbury，Mr。Lesly，goodoldMr。Collier，andothersamongsttheclergy，weredelightedwiththeperformance，andmanyamongthefirstqualityexaminedandpraisedit;onlyImustownthatDoctorTusherhappeningtocomeuptoLondon，andseeingthepicture，（itwasordinarilycoveredbyacurtain，butonthisdayMissBeatrixhappenedtobelookingatitwhentheDoctorarrived，）
　　theVicarofCastlewoodvowedhecouldnotseeanyresemblanceinthepiecetohisoldpupil，except，perhaps，alittleaboutthechinandtheperiwig;butweallofusconvincedhimthathehadnotseenFrankforfiveyearsormore;thatheknewnomoreabouttheFineArtsthanaploughboy，andthathemustbemistaken;andwesenthimhomeassuredthatthepiecewasanexcellentlikeness。
　　AsformyLordBolingbroke，whohonoredherladyshipwithavisitoccasionally，whenColonelEsmondshowedhimthepictureheburstoutlaughing，andaskedwhatdevilryhewasengagedon？EsmondownedsimplythattheportraitwasnotthatofViscountCastlewood;
　　besoughttheSecretaryonhishonortokeepthesecret;saidthattheladiesofthehousewereenthusiasticJacobites，aswaswellknown;andconfessedthatthepicturewasthatoftheChevalierSt。
　　George。
　　Thetruthis，thatMr。Simon，waitinguponLordCastlewoodonedayatMonsieurRigaud'swhilsthislordshipwassittingforhispicture，affectedtobemuchstruckwithapiecerepresentingtheChevalier，whereoftheheadonlywasfinished，andpurchaseditofthepainterforahundredcrowns。Ithadbeenintended，theartistsaid，forMissOglethorpe，thePrince'smistress，butthatyoungladyquittingParis，hadlefttheworkontheartist'shands;andtakingthispiecehome，whenmylord'sportraitarrived，ColonelEsmond，aliasMonsieurSimon，hadcopiedtheuniformandotheraccessoriesfrommylord'spicturetofillupRigaud'sincompletecanvas:theColonelallhislifehavingbeenapractitionerofpainting，andespeciallyfolloweditduringhislongresidenceinthecitiesofFlanders，amongthemasterpiecesofVanDyckandRubens。Mygrandsonhaththepiece，suchasitis，inVirginianow。
　　AtthecommencementofthemonthofJune，MissBeatrixEsmond，andmyLadyViscountess，hermother，arrivedfromCastlewood;theformertoresumeherservicesatCourt，whichhadbeeninterruptedbythefatalcatastropheofDukeHamilton'sdeath。Sheoncemoretookherplace，then，inherMajesty'ssuiteandattheMaids'
　　table，beingalwaysafavoritewithMrs。Masham，theQueen'schiefwoman，partlyperhapsonaccountoftheirbitternessagainsttheDuchessofMarlborough，whomMissBeatrixlovednobetterthanherrivaldid。ThegentlemenabouttheCourt，myLordBolingbrokeamongstothers，ownedthattheyoungladyhadcomebackhandsomerthanever，andthattheseriousandtragicairwhichherfacenowinvoluntarilyworebecameherbetterthanherformersmilesandarchness。
　　AlltheolddomesticsatthelittlehouseofKensingtonSquarewerechanged;theoldstewardthathadservedthefamilyanytimethesefive—and—twentyyears，sincethebirthofthechildrenofthehouse，wasdespatchedintothekingdomofIrelandtoseemylord'sestatethere:thehousekeeper，whohadbeenmylady'swomantimeoutofmind，andtheattendantoftheyoungchildren，wassentawaygrumblingtoWalcote，toseetothenewpaintingandpreparingofthathouse，whichmyLadyDowagerintendedtooccupyforthefuture，givingupCastlewoodtoherdaughter—in—lawthatmightbeexpecteddailyfromFrance。AnotherservanttheViscountesshadwasdismissedtoo——withagratuity——onthepretextthatherladyship'strainofdomesticsmustbediminished;so，finally，therewasnotleftinthehouseholdasinglepersonwhohadbelongedtoitduringthetimemyyoungLordCastlewoodwasyetathome。
　　FortheplanwhichColonelEsmondhadinview，andthestrokeheintended，'twasnecessarythattheverysmallestnumberofpersonsshouldbeputinpossessionofhissecret。Itscarcewasknown，excepttothreeorfouroutofhisfamily，anditwaskepttoawonder。
　　Onthe10thofJune，1714，therecamebyMr。Prior'smessengerfromParisaletterfrommyLordViscountCastlewoodtohismother，sayingthathehadbeenfoolishinregardofmoneymatters，thathewasashamedtoownhehadlostatplay，andbyotherextravagances;
　　andthatinsteadofhavinggreatentertainmentsashehadhopedatCastlewoodthisyear，hemustliveasquietashecould，andmakeeveryefforttobesaving。SofareverywordofpoorFrank'sletterwastrue，norwasthereadoubtthatheandhistallbrothers—in—lawhadspentagreatdealmorethantheyought，andengagedtherevenuesoftheCastlewoodproperty，whichthefondmotherhadhusbandedandimprovedsocarefullyduringthetimeofherguardianship。
　　His"Clotilda，"Castlewoodwentontosay，"wasstilldelicate，andherphysiciansthoughtherlying—inhadbesttakeplaceatParis。
　　Heshouldcomewithoutherladyship，andbeathismother'shouseaboutthe17thor18thdayofJune，proposingtotakehorsefromParisimmediately，andbringingbutasingleservantwithhim;andherequestedthatthelawyersofGray'sinnmightbeinvitedtomeethimwiththeiraccount，andtheland—stewardcomefromCastlewoodwithhis，sothathemightsettlewiththemspeedily，raiseasumofmoneywhereofhestoodinneed，andbebacktohisviscountessbythetimeofherlying—in。"Thenhislordshipgavesomeofthenewsofthetown，senthisremembrancetokinsfolk，andsotheletterended。'Twasputinthecommonpost，andnodoubttheFrenchpoliceandtheEnglishtherehadacopyofit，towhichtheywereexceedingwelcome。
　　TwodaysafteranotherletterwasdespatchedbythepublicpostofFrance，inthesameopenway，andthis，aftergivingnewsofthefashionatCourtthere，endedbythefollowingsentences，inwhich，butforthosethathadthekey，'twouldbedifficultforanymantofindanysecretlurkedatall:——
　　"（TheKingwilltake）medicineonThursday。HisMajestyisbetterthanhehathbeenoflate，thoughincommodedbyindigestionfromhistoogreatappetite。MadameMaintenoncontinueswell。TheyhaveperformedaplayofMons。RacineatSt。Cyr。TheDukeofShrewsburyandMr。Prior，ourenvoy，andalltheEnglishnobilityherewerepresentatit。（TheViscountCastlewood'spassports）
　　wererefusedtohim，'twassaid;hislordshipbeingsuedbyagoldsmithforVaisselleplate，andapearlnecklacesuppliedtoMademoiselleMerueloftheFrenchComedy。'Tisapitysuchnewsshouldgetabroad（andtraveltoEngland）aboutouryoungnobilityhere。MademoiselleMeruelhasbeensenttotheFortl'Evesque;
　　theysayshehasorderednotonlyplate，butfurniture，andachariotandhorses（underthatlord'sname），ofwhichextravagancehisunfortunateViscountessknowsnothing。
　　"（HisMajestywillbe）eighty—twoyearsofageonhisnextbirthday。TheCourtpreparestocelebrateitwithagreatfeast。
　　Mr。Priorisinasadwayabouttheirrefusingathometosendhimhisplate。AllhereadmiredmyLordViscount'sportrait，andsaiditwasamasterpieceofRigaud。Haveyouseenit？Itis（attheLadyCastlewood'shouseinKensingtonSquare）。IthinknoEnglishpaintercouldproducesuchapiece。
　　"OurpoorfriendtheAbbehathbeenattheBastile，butisnowtransportedtotheConciergerie（wherehisfriendsmayvisithim。
　　Theyaretoaskfor）aremissionofhissentencesoon。Letushopethepoorroguewillhaverepentedinprison。
　　"（TheLordCastlewood）hashadtheaffairoftheplatemadeup，anddepartsforEngland。
　　"Isnotthisadullletter？IhaveacursedheadachewithdrinkingwithMatandsomemoreover—night，andtipsyorsoberam"Thineever————。"
　　Allthisletter，savesomedozenofwordswhichIhaveputabovebetweenbrackets，wasmereidletalk，thoughthesubstanceoftheletterwasasimportantasanyletterwellcouldbe。Ittoldthosethathadthekey，thatTheKingwilltaketheViscountCastlewood'spassportsandtraveltoEnglandunderthatlord'sname。HisMajestywillbeattheLadyCastlewood'shouseinKensingtonSquare，wherehisfriendsmayvisithim;theyaretoaskfortheLordCastlewood。ThisnotemayhavepassedunderMr。Prior'seyes，andthoseofournewalliestheFrench，andtaughtthemnothing;
　　thoughitexplainssufficientlytopersonsinLondonwhattheeventwaswhichwasabouttohappen，as'twillshowthosewhoreadmymemoirsahundredyearshence，whatwasthaterrandonwhichColonelEsmondoflatehadbeenbusy。Silentlyandswiftlytodothataboutwhichotherswereconspiring，andthousandsofJacobitesalloverthecountryclumsilycaballing;alonetoeffectthatwhichtheleadersherewereonlytalkingabout;tobringthePrinceofWalesintothecountryopenlyinthefaceofall，underBolingbroke'sveryeyes，thewallsplacardedwiththeproclamationsignedwiththeSecretary'sname，andofferingfivehundredpoundsrewardforhisapprehension:thiswasastroke，theplayingandwinningofwhichmightwellgiveanyadventurousspiritpleasure:thelossofthestakemightinvolveaheavypenalty，butallourfamilywereeagertoriskthatforthegloriouschanceofwinningthegame。
　　Norshallitbecalledagame，saveperhapswiththechiefplayer，whowasnotmoreorlessscepticalthanmostpublicmenwithwhomhehadacquaintanceinthatage。（IsthereeverapublicmaninEnglandthataltogetherbelievesinhisparty？Isthereone，howeverdoubtful，thatwillnotfightforit？）YoungFrankwasreadytofightwithoutmuchthinking，hewasaJacobiteashisfatherbeforehimwas;alltheEsmondswereRoyalists。Givehimbuttheword，hewouldcry，"GodsaveKingJames！"beforethepalaceguard，orattheMaypoleintheStrand;andwithrespecttothewomen，asisusualwiththem，'twasnotaquestionofpartybutoffaith;theirbeliefwasapassion;eitherEsmond'smistressorherdaughterwouldhavediedforitcheerfully。Ihavelaughedoften，talkingofKingWilliam'sreign，andsaidIthoughtLadyCastlewoodwasdisappointedtheKingdidnotpersecutethefamilymore;andthosewhoknowthenatureofwomenmayfancyforthemselves，whatneedsnotherebewrittendown，therapturewithwhichtheseneophytesreceivedthemysterywhenmadeknowntothem;