"Lockwoodknowsnothingofmybeinghere，mindyou，"hesaid;"norwouldyou，youlittlewretch！hadyousleptbetter。YoumustforgetthatIhavebeenhere;andnowfarewell。Closethedoor，andgotoyourownroom，anddon'tcomeouttill——stay，whyshouldyounotknowonesecretmore？Iknowyouwillneverbetrayme。"
IntheChaplain'sroomweretwowindows;theonelookingintothecourtfacingwestwardstothefountain;theother，asmallcasementstronglybarred，andlookingontothegreeninfrontoftheHall。
Thiswindowwastoohightoreachfromtheground;but，mountingonabuffetwhichstoodbeneathit，FatherHoltshowedmehow，bypressingonthebaseofthewindow，thewholeframeworkoflead，glass，andironstanchionsdescendedintoacavityworkedbelow，fromwhichitcouldbedrawnandrestoredtoitsusualplacefromwithout;abrokenpanebeingpurposelyopentoadmitthehandwhichwastoworkuponthespringofthemachine。
"WhenIamgone，"FatherHoltsaid，"youmaypushawaythebuffet，sothatnoonemayfancythatanexithasbeenmadethatway;lockthedoor;placethekey——whereshallweputthekey？——under'Chrysostom'onthebook—shelf;andifanyaskforit，sayIkeepitthere，andtoldyouwheretofindit，ifyouhadneedtogotomyroom。Thedescentiseasydownthewallintotheditch;andso，oncemorefarewell，untilIseetheeagain，mydearson。"AndwiththistheintrepidFathermountedthebuffetwithgreatagilityandbriskness，steppedacrossthewindow，liftingupthebarsandframeworkagainfromtheotherside，andonlyleavingroomforHarryEsmondtostandontiptoeandkisshishandbeforethecasementclosed，thebarsfixingasfirmlyasever，seemingly，inthestonearchoverhead。WhenFatherHoltnextarrivedatCastlewood，itwasbythepublicgateonhorseback;andheneversomuchasalludedtotheexistenceoftheprivateissuetoHarry，exceptwhenhehadneedofaprivatemessengerfromwithin，forwhichend，nodoubt，hehadinstructedhisyoungpupilinthemeansofquittingtheHall。
Esmond，youngashewas，wouldhavediedsoonerthanbetrayhisfriendandmaster，asMr。Holtwellknew;forhehadtriedtheboymorethanonce，puttingtemptationsinhisway，toseewhetherhewouldyieldtothemandconfessafterwards，orwhetherhewouldresistthem，ashedidsometimes，orwhetherhewouldlie，whichheneverdid。Holtinstructingtheboyonthispoint，however，thatiftokeepsilenceisnottolie，asitcertainlyisnot，yetsilenceis，afterall，equivalenttoanegation——andthereforeadownrightNo，intheinterestofjusticeoryourfriend，andinreplytoaquestionthatmaybeprejudicialtoeither，isnotcriminal，but，onthecontrary，praiseworthy;andaslawfulawayastheotherofeludingawrongfuldemand。Forinstance（sayshe），supposeagoodcitizen，whohadseenhisMajestytakerefugethere，hadbeenasked，"IsKingCharlesupthatoak—tree？"hisdutywouldhavebeennottosay，Yes——sothattheCromwelliansshouldseizethekingandmurderhimlikehisfather——butNo;hisMajestybeingprivateinthetree，andthereforenottobeseentherebyloyaleyes:allwhichinstruction，inreligionandmorals，aswellasintherudimentsofthetonguesandsciences，theboytookeagerlyandwithgratitudefromhistutor。When，then，Holtwasgone，andtoldHarrynottoseehim，itwasasifhehadneverbeen。Andhehadthisanswerpatwhenhecametobequestionedafewdaysafter。
ThePrinceofOrangewasthenatSalisbury，asyoungEsmondlearnedfromseeingDoctorTusherinhisbestcassock（thoughtheroadsweremuddy，andheneverwasknowntowearhissilk，onlyhisstuffone，a—horseback），withagreatorangecockadeinhisbroad—leafedhat，andNahum，hisclerk，ornamentedwithalikedecoration。TheDoctorwaswalkingupanddowninfrontofhisparsonage，whenlittleEsmondsawhim，andheardhimsayhewasgoingtopayhisdutytohisHighnessthePrince，ashemountedhispadandrodeawaywithNahumbehind。Thevillagepeoplehadorangecockadestoo，andhisfriendtheblacksmith'slaughingdaughterpinnedoneintoHarry'soldhat，whichhetoreoutindignantlywhentheybadehimtocry"GodsavethePrinceofOrangeandtheProtestantreligion！"butthepeopleonlylaughed，fortheylikedtheboyinthevillage，wherehissolitaryconditionmovedthegeneralpity，andwherehefoundfriendlywelcomesandfacesinmanyhouses。
FatherHolthadmanyfriendstheretoo，forhenotonlywouldfighttheblacksmithattheology，neverlosinghistemper，butlaughingthewholetimeinhispleasantway;buthecuredhimofanaguewithquinquina，andwasalwaysreadywithakindwordforanymanthataskedit，sothattheysaidinthevillage'twasapitythetwowerePapists。
TheDirectorandtheVicarofCastlewoodagreedverywell;indeed，theformerwasaperfectly—bredgentleman，anditwasthelatter'sbusinesstoagreewitheverybody。DoctorTusherandthelady's—
maid，hisspouse，hadaboywhowasabouttheageoflittleEsmond;
andtherewassuchafriendshipbetweenthelads，aspropinquityandtolerablekindnessandgood—humoroneithersidewouldbeprettysuretooccasion。TomTusherwassentoffearly，however，toaschoolinLondon，whitherhisfathertookhimandavolumeofsermons，inthefirstyearofthereignofKingJames;andTomreturnedbutonce，ayearafterwards，toCastlewoodformanyyearsofhisscholasticandcollegiatelife。ThustherewaslessdangertoTomofaperversionofhisfaithbytheDirector，whoscarceeversawhim，thantherewastoHarry，whoconstantlywasintheVicar'scompany;butaslongasHarry'sreligionwashisMajesty's，andmylord's，andmylady's，theDoctorsaidgravely，itshouldnotbeforhimtodisturbordisquiethim:itwasfarfromhimtosaythathisMajesty'sChurchwasnotabranchoftheCatholicChurch;uponwhichFatherHoltused，accordingtohiscustom，tolaugh，andsaythattheHolyChurchthroughoutalltheworld，andthenobleArmyofMartyrs，wereverymuchobligedtotheDoctor。
ItwaswhileDr。TusherwasawayatSalisburythattherecameatroopofdragoonswithorangescarfs，andquarteredinCastlewood，andsomeofthemcameuptotheHall，wheretheytookpossession，robbingnothinghoweverbeyondthehen—houseandthebeer—cellar:
andonlyinsistingupongoingthroughthehouseandlookingforpapers。ThefirstroomtheyaskedtolookatwasFatherHolt'sroom，ofwhichHarryEsmondbroughtthekey，andtheyopenedthedrawersandthecupboards，andtossedoverthepapersandclothes——
butfoundnothingexcepthisbooksandclothes，andthevestmentsinaboxbythemselves，withwhichthedragoonsmademerry，toHarryEsmond'shorror。AndtothequestionswhichthegentlemanputtoHarry，herepliedthatFatherHoltwasaverykindmantohim，andaverylearnedman，andHarrysupposedwouldtellhimnoneofhissecretsifhehadany。Hewasaboutelevenyearsoldatthistime，andlookedasinnocentasboysofhisage。
Thefamilywereawaymorethansixmonths，andwhentheyreturnedtheywereinthedeepeststateofdejection，forKingJameshadbeenbanished，thePrinceofOrangewasonthethrone，andthedirestpersecutionsofthoseoftheCatholicfaithwereapprehendedbymylady，whosaidshedidnotbelievethattherewasawordoftruthinthepromisesoftolerationthatDutchmonstermade，orinasinglewordtheperjuredwretchsaid。Mylordandladywereinamannerprisonersintheirownhouse;soherladyshipgavethelittlepagetoknow，whowasbythistimegrowingofanagetounderstandwhatwaspassingabouthim，andsomethingofthecharactersofthepeoplehelivedwith。
"Weareprisoners，"saysshe;"ineverythingbutchains，weareprisoners。Letthemcome，letthemconsignmetodungeons，orstrikeoffmyheadfromthispoorlittlethroat"（andsheclaspeditinherlongfingers）。"ThebloodoftheEsmondswillalwaysflowfreelyfortheirkings。WearenotliketheChurchills——theJudases，whokisstheirmasterandbetrayhim。Weknowhowtosuffer，howeventoforgiveintheroyalcause"（nodoubtitwastothatfatalbusinessoflosingtheplaceofGroomofthePossettowhichherladyshipalluded，asshedidhalfadozentimesintheday）。"LetthetyrantofOrangebringhisrackandhisodiousDutchtortures——thebeast！thewretch！Ispituponhimanddefyhim。CheerfullywillIlaythisheadupontheblock;cheerfullywillIaccompanymylordtothescaffold:wewillcry'GodsaveKingJames！'withourdyingbreath，andsmileinthefaceoftheexecutioner。"Andshetoldherpage，ahundredtimesatleast，oftheparticularsofthelastinterviewwhichshehadwithhisMajesty。
"Iflungmyselfbeforemyliege'sfeet，"shesaid，"atSalisbury。
Idevotedmyself——myhusband——myhouse，tohiscause。Perhapsherememberedoldtimes，whenIsabellaEsmondwasyoungandfair;
perhapsherecalledthedaywhen'twasnotIthatknelt——atleasthespoketomewithavoicethatremindedMEofdaysgoneby。
'Egad！'saidhisMajesty，'youshouldgotothePrinceofOrange;
ifyouwantanything。''No，sire，'Ireplied，'IwouldnotkneeltoaUsurper;theEsmondthatwouldhaveservedyourMajestywillneverbegroomtoatraitor'sposset。'Theroyalexilesmiled，eveninthemidstofhismisfortune;hedeignedtoraisemewithwordsofconsolation。TheViscount，myhusband，himself，couldnotbeangryattheaugustsalutewithwhichhehonoredme！"
Thepublicmisfortunehadtheeffectofmakingmylordandhisladybetterfriendsthantheyeverhadbeensincetheircourtship。MylordViscounthadshownbothloyaltyandspirit，whenthesewererarequalitiesinthedispiritedpartyabouttheKing;andthepraisehegotelevatedhimnotalittleinhiswife'sgoodopinion，andperhapsinhisown。Hewakenedupfromthelistlessandsupinelifewhichhehadbeenleading;wasalwaysridingtoandfroinconsultationwiththisfriendorthatoftheKing's;thepageofcourseknowinglittleofhisdoings，butremarkingonlyhisgreatercheerfulnessandaltereddemeanor。
FatherHoltcametotheHallconstantly，butofficiatednolongeropenlyaschaplain;hewasalwaysfetchingandcarrying:strangers，militaryandecclesiastic（Harryknewthelatter，thoughtheycameinallsortsofdisguises），werecontinuallyarrivinganddeparting。Mylordmadelongabsencesandsuddenreappearances，usingsometimesthemeansofexitwhichFatherHolthademployed，thoughhowoftenthelittlewindowintheChaplain'sroomletinorletoutmylordandhisfriends，Harrycouldnottell。HestoutlykepthispromisetotheFatherofnotprying，andifatmidnightfromhislittleroomheheardnoisesofpersonsstirringinthenextchamber，heturnedroundtothewall，andhidhiscuriosityunderhispillowuntilitfellasleep。Ofcoursehecouldnothelpremarkingthatthepriest'sjourneyswereconstant，andunderstandingbyahundredsignsthatsomeactivethoughsecretbusinessemployedhim:whatthiswasmayprettywellbeguessedbywhatsoonhappenedtomylord。
NogarrisonorwatchwasputintoCastlewoodwhenmylordcameback，butaGuardwasinthevillage;andoneorotherofthemwasalwaysontheGreenkeepingalook—outonourgreatgate，andthosewhowentoutandin。Lockwoodsaidthatatnightespeciallyeverypersonwhocameinorwentoutwaswatchedbytheoutlyingsentries。'TwasluckythatwehadagatewhichtheirWorshipsknewnothingabout。MylordandFatherHoltmusthavemadeconstantjourneysatnight:onceortwicelittleHarryactedastheirmessengeranddiscreetlittleaide—de—camp。Heremembershewasbiddentogointothevillagewithhisfishing—rod，entercertainhouses，askforadrinkofwater，andtellthegoodman，"Therewouldbeahorse—marketatNewburynextThursday，"andsocarrythesamemessageontothenexthouseonhislist。
Hedidnotknowwhatthemessagemeantatthetime，norwhatwashappening:whichmayaswell，however，forclearness'sake，beexplainedhere。ThePrinceofOrangebeinggonetoIreland，wheretheKingwasreadytomeethimwithagreatarmy，itwasdeterminedthatagreatrisingofhisMajesty'spartyshouldtakeplaceinthiscountry;andmylordwastoheadtheforceinourcounty。Oflatehehadtakenagreaterleadinaffairsthanbefore，havingtheindefatigableMr。Holtathiselbow，andmyLadyViscountessstronglyurginghimon;andmyLordSarkbeingintheToweraprisoner，andSirWilmotCrawley，ofQueen'sCrawley，havinggoneovertothePrinceofOrange'sside——mylordbecamethemostconsiderablepersoninourpartofthecountyfortheaffairsoftheKing。
ItwasarrangedthattheregimentofScotsGraysandDragoons，thenquarteredatNewbury，shoulddeclarefortheKingonacertainday，whenlikewisethegentryaffectedtohisMajesty'scauseweretocomeinwiththeirtenantsandadherentstoNewbury，marchupontheDutchtroopsatReadingunderGinckel;and，theseoverthrown，andtheirindomitablelittlemasterawayinIreland，'twasthoughtthatoursidemightmoveonLondonitself，andaconfidentvictorywaspredictedfortheKing。
Asthesegreatmatterswereinagitation，mylordlosthislistlessmannerandseemedtogainhealth;myladydidnotscoldhim，Mr。
Holtcametoandfro，busyalways;andlittleHarrylongedtohavebeenafewinchestaller，thathemightdrawaswordinthisgoodcause。
Oneday，itmusthavebeenaboutthemonthofJuly，1690，mylord，inagreathorseman'scoat，underwhichHarrycouldseetheshiningofasteelbreastplatehehadon，calledlittleHarrytohim，putthehairoffthechild'sforehead，andkissedhim，andbadeGodblesshiminsuchanaffectionatewayasheneverhadusedbefore。
FatherHoltblessedhimtoo，andthentheytookleaveofmyLadyViscountess，whocamefromherapartmentwithapocket—handkerchieftohereyes，andhergentlewomanandMrs。Tushersupportingher。
"Youaregoingto——toride，"saysshe。"Oh，thatImightcometoo——
butinmysituationIamforbiddenhorseexercise。"
"WekissmyLadyMarchioness'shand，"saysMr。Holt。
"Mylord，Godspeedyou！"shesaid，steppingupandembracingmylordinagrandmanner。"Mr。Holt，Iaskyourblessing:"andshekneltdownforthat，whilstMrs。Tushertossedherheadup。
Mr。Holtgavethesamebenedictiontothelittlepage，whowentdownandheldmylord'sstirrupsforhimtomount;thereweretwoservantswaitingtheretoo——andtheyrodeoutofCastlewoodgate。
Astheycrossedthebridge，Harrycouldseeanofficerinscarletrideuptouchinghishat，andaddressmylord。
Thepartystopped，andcametosomeparleyordiscussion，whichpresentlyended，mylordputtinghishorseintoacanteraftertakingoffhishatandmakingabowtotheofficer，whorodealongsidehimstepforstep:thetrooperaccompanyinghimfallingback，andridingwithmylord'stwomen。TheycanteredovertheGreen，andbehindtheelms（mylordwavinghishand，Harrythought），andsotheydisappeared。Thateveningwehadagreatpanic，thecow—boycomingatmilking—timeridingoneofourhorses，whichhehadfoundgrazingattheouterpark—wall。
AllnightmyLadyViscountesswasinaveryquietandsubduedmood。
Shescarcefoundfaultwithanybody;sheplayedatcardsforsixhours;littlepageEsmondwenttosleep。Heprayedformylordandthegoodcausebeforeclosinghiseyes。
Itwasquiteinthegrayofthemorningwhentheporter'sbellrang，andoldLockwood，wakingup，letinoneofmylord'sservants，whohadgonewithhiminthemorning，andwhoreturnedwithamelancholystory。Theofficerwhorodeuptomylordhad，itappeared，saidtohim，thatitwashisdutytoinformhislordshipthathewasnotunderarrest，butundersurveillance，andtorequesthimnottorideabroadthatday。
Mylordrepliedthatridingwasgoodforhishealth，thatiftheCaptainchosetoaccompanyhimhewaswelcome;anditwasthenthathemadeabow，andtheycanteredawaytogether。
WhenhecameontoWanseyDown，mylordallofasuddenpulledup，andthepartycametoahaltatthecross—way。
"Sir，"sayshetotheofficer，"wearefourtotwo;willyoubesokindastotakethatroad，andleavemegomine？"
"Yourroadismine，mylord，"saystheofficer。
"Then——"saysmylord;buthehadnotimetosaymore，fortheofficer，drawingapistol，snappeditathislordship;asatthesamemomentFatherHolt，drawingapistol，shottheofficerthroughthehead。Itwasdone，andthemandeadinaninstantoftime。
Theorderly，gazingattheofficer，lookedsearedforamoment，andgallopedawayforhislife。
"Fire！fire！"criesoutFatherHolt，sendinganothershotafterthetrooper，butthetwoservantsweretoomuchsurprisedtousetheirpieces，andmylordcallingtothemtoholdtheirhands，thefellowgotaway。
"Mr。Holt，quipensaitatout，"saysBlaise，"getsoffhishorse，examinesthepocketsofthedeadofficerforpapers，giveshismoneytoustwo，andsays，'Thewineisdrawn，M。leMarquis，'——whydidhesayMarquistoM。leVicomte？——'wemustdrinkit。'
"Thepoorgentleman'shorsewasabetteronethanthatIrode，"
Blaisecontinues;"Mr。Holtbidsmegetonhim，andsoIgaveacuttoWhitefoot，andshetrottedhome。WerodeontowardsNewbury;weheardfiringtowardsmidday:attwoo'clockahorsemancomesuptousasweweregivingourcattlewaterataninn——andsays，'Allisdone！TheEcossaisdeclaredanhourtoosoon——GeneralGinckelwasdownuponthem。'Thewholethingwasatanend。
"'Andwe'veshotanofficeronduty，andlethisorderlyescape，'
saysmylord。
"'Blaise，'saysMr。Holt，writingtwolinesonhistable—book，oneformyladyandoneforyou，MasterHarry;'youmustgobacktoCastlewood，anddeliverthese，'andbeholdme。"
AndhegaveHarrythetwopapers。Hereadthattohimself，whichonlysaid，"Burnthepapersinthecupboard，burnthis。Youknownothingaboutanything。"Harryreadthis，ranupstairstohismistress'sapartment，wherehergentlewomansleptneartothedoor，madeherbringalightandwakemylady，intowhosehandshegavethepaper。Shewasawonderfulobjecttolookatinhernightattire，norhadHarryeverseenthelike。
Assoonasshehadthepaperinherhand，HarrysteppedbacktotheChaplain'sroom，openedthesecretcupboardoverthefireplace，burnedallthepapersinit，and，ashehadseenthepriestdobefore，tookdownoneofhisreverence'smanuscriptsermons，andhalfburntthatinthebrazier。Bythetimethepaperswerequitedestroyeditwasdaylight。Harryranbacktohismistressagain。
Hergentlewomanusheredhimagainintoherladyship'schamber;shetoldhim（frombehindhernuptialcurtains）tobidthecoachbegotready，andthatshewouldrideawayanon。
Butthemysteriesofherladyship'stoiletwereasawfullylongonthisdayasonanyother，and，longafterthecoachwasready，myladywasstillattiringherself。AndjustastheViscountesssteppedforthfromherroom，readyfordeparture，youngJohnLockwoodcomesrunningupfromthevillagewithnewsthatalawyer，threeofficers，andtwentyorfour—and—twentysoldiers，weremarchingthenceuponthehouse。Johnhadbuttwominutesthestartofthem，and，erehehadwelltoldhisstory，thetrooprodeintoourcourt—yard。
CHAPTERVI。
THEISSUEOFTHEPLOTS。——THEDEATHOFTHOMAS，THIRDVISCOUNTOF
CASTLEWOOD;ANDTHEIMPRISONMENTOFHISVISCOUNTESS。
AtfirstmyladywasfordyinglikeMary，QueenofScots（towhomshefanciedsheborearesemblanceinbeauty），and，strokingherscraggyneck，said，"TheywillfindIsabelofCastlewoodisequaltoherfate。"Hergentlewoman，Victoire，persuadedherthatherprudentcoursewas，asshecouldnotfly，toreceivethetroopsasthoughshesuspectednothing，andthatherchamberwasthebestplacewhereintoawaitthem。SoherblackJapancasket，whichHarrywastocarrytothecoach，wastakenbacktoherladyship'schamber，whitherthemaidandmistressretired。Victoirecameoutpresently，biddingthepagetosayherladyshipwasill，confinedtoherbedwiththerheumatism。
BythistimethesoldiershadreachedCastlewood。HarryEsmondsawthemfromthewindowofthetapestryparlor;acoupleofsentinelswerepostedatthegate——ahalf—dozenmorewalkedtowardsthestable;andsomeothers，precededbytheircommander，andamaninblack，alawyerprobably，wereconductedbyoneoftheservantstothestairleadinguptothepartofthehousewhichmylordandladyinhabited。
SotheCaptain，ahandsomekindman，andthelawyer，camethroughtheante—roomtothetapestryparlor，andwherenowwasnobodybutyoungHarryEsmond，thepage。
"Tellyourmistress，littleman，"saystheCaptain，kindly，"thatwemustspeaktoher。"
"Mymistressisilla—bed，"saidthepage。
"Whatcomplainthasshe？"askedtheCaptain。
Theboysaid，"Therheumatism！"
"Rheumatism！that'sasadcomplaint，"continuesthegood—naturedCaptain;"andthecoachisintheyardtofetchtheDoctor，I
suppose？"
"Idon'tknow，"saystheboy。
"Andhowlonghasherladyshipbeenill？"
"Idon'tknow，"saystheboy。
"Whendidmylordgoaway？"
"Yesterdaynight。"
"WithFatherHolt？"
"WithMr。Holt。"
"Andwhichwaydidtheytravel？"asksthelawyer。
"Theytravelledwithoutme，"saysthepage。
"WemustseeLadyCastlewood。"
"Ihaveordersthatnobodygoesintoherladyship——sheissick，"
saysthepage;butatthismomentVictoirecameout。"Hush！"saysshe;and，asifnotknowingthatanyonewasnear，"What'sthisnoise？"saysshe。"IsthisgentlemantheDoctor？"
"Stuff！wemustseeLadyCastlewood，"saysthelawyer，pushingby。
Thecurtainsofherladyship'sroomweredown，andthechamberdark，andshewasinbedwithanightcaponherhead，andproppedupbyherpillows，lookingnonethelessghastlybecauseoftheredwhichwasstillonhercheeks，andwhichshecouldnotaffordtoforego。
"IsthattheDoctor？"shesaid。
"Thereisnousewiththisdeception，madam，"CaptainWestburysaid（forsohewasnamed）。"MydutyistoarrestthepersonofThomas，ViscountCastlewood，anonjuringpeer——ofRobertTusher，VicarofCastlewood——andHenryHolt，knownundervariousothernamesanddesignations，aJesuitpriest，whoofficiatedaschaplainhereinthelateking'stime，andisnowattheheadoftheconspiracywhichwasabouttobreakoutinthiscountryagainsttheauthorityoftheirMajestiesKingWilliamandQueenMary——andmyordersaretosearchthehouseforsuchpapersortracesoftheconspiracyasmaybefoundhere。Yourladyshipwillpleasegivemeyourkeys，anditwillbeaswellforyourselfthatyoushouldhelpus，ineveryway，inoursearch。"
"Yousee，sir，thatIhavetherheumatism，andcannotmove，"saidthelady，lookinguncommonlyghastlyasshesatupinherbed，where，however，shehadhadhercheekspainted，andanewcapputon，sothatshemightatleastlookherbestwhentheofficerscame。
"Ishalltakeleavetoplaceasentinelinthechamber，sothatyourladyship，incaseyoushouldwishtorise，mayhaveanarmtoleanon，"CaptainWestburysaid。"YourwomanwillshowmewhereI
amtolook;"andMadameVictoire，chatteringinherhalfFrenchandhalfEnglishjargon，openedwhiletheCaptainexaminedonedrawerafteranother;but，asHarryEsmondthought，rathercarelessly，withasmileonhisface，asifhewasonlyconductingtheexaminationforform'ssake。
BeforeoneofthecupboardsVictoireflungherselfdown，stretchingoutherarms，and，withapiercingshriek，cried，"Non，jamais，monsieurl'officier！Jamais！Iwillratherdiethanletyouseethiswardrobe。"
ButCaptainWestburywouldopenit，stillwithasmileonhisface，which，whentheboxwasopened，turnedintoafairburstoflaughter。Itcontained——notpapersregardingtheconspiracy——butmylady'swigs，washes，androuge—pots，andVictoiresaidmenweremonsters，astheCaptainwentonwithhisperquisition。Hetappedthebacktoseewhetherornoitwashollow，andashethrusthishandsintothecupboard，myladyfromherbedcalledout，withavoicethatdidnotsoundlikethatofaverysickwoman，"Isityourcommissiontoinsultladiesaswellastoarrestgentlemen，Captain？"
"Thesearticlesareonlydangerouswhenwornbyyourladyship，"theCaptainsaid，withalowbow，andamockgrinofpoliteness。"I
havefoundnothingwhichconcernstheGovernmentasyet——onlytheweaponswithwhichbeautyisauthorizedtokill，"sayshe，pointingtoawigwithhissword—tip。"Wemustnowproceedtosearchtherestofthehouse。"
"Youarenotgoingtoleavethatwretchintheroomwithme，"criedmylady，pointingtothesoldier。
"WhatcanIdo，madam？Somebodyyoumusthavetosmoothyourpillowandbringyourmedicine——permitme——"
"Sir！"screamedoutmylady。
"Madam，ifyouaretooilltoleavethebed，"theCaptainthensaid，rathersternly，"Imusthaveinfourofmymentoliftyouoffinthesheet。Imustexaminethisbed，inaword;papersmaybehiddeninabedaselsewhere;weknowthatverywelland***。"
Hereitwasherladyship'sturntoshriek，fortheCaptain，withhisfistshakingthepillowsandbolsters，atlastcameto"burn"
astheysayintheplayofforfeits，andwrenchingawayoneofthepillows，said，"Look！didnotItellyouso？Hereisapillowstuffedwithpaper。"
"Somevillainhasbetrayedus，"criedoutmylady，sittingupinthebed，showingherselffulldressedunderhernight—rail。
"Andnowyourladyshipcanmove，Iamsure;permitmetogiveyoumyhandtorise。Youwillhavetotravelforsomedistance，asfarasHextonCastleto—night。Willyouhaveyourcoach？Yourwomanshallattendyouifyoulike——andthejapan—box？"
"Sir！youdon'tstrikeaMANwhenheisdown，"saidmylady，withsomedignity:"canyounotspareawoman？"
"Yourladyshipmustpleasetorise，andletmesearchthebed，"
saidtheCaptain;"thereisnomoretimetoloseinbandyingtalk。"
And，withoutmoreado，thegauntoldwomangotup。HarryEsmondrecollectedtotheendofhislifethatfigure，withthebrocadedressandthewhitenight—rail，andthegold—clockedredstockings，andwhitered—heeledshoes，sittingupinthebed，andsteppingdownfromit。Thetrunkswerereadypackedfordepartureinherante—room，andthehorsesreadyharnessedinthestable:aboutallwhichtheCaptainseemedtoknow，byinformationgotfromsomequarterorother;andwhenceEsmondcouldmakeaprettyshrewdguessinafter—times，whenDr。TushercomplainedthatKingWilliam'sgovernmenthadbaselytreatedhimforservicesdoneinthatcause。
Andherehemayrelate，thoughhewasthentooyoungtoknowallthatwashappening，whatthepaperscontained，ofwhichCaptainWestburyhadmadeaseizure，andwhichpapershadbeentransferredfromthejapan—boxtothebedwhentheofficersarrived。
TherewasalistofgentlemenofthecountyinFatherHolt'shandwriting——Mr。Freeman's（KingJames's）friends——asimilarpaperbeingfoundamongthoseofSirJohnFenwickandMr。Coplestone，whosuffereddeathforthisconspiracy。
TherewasapatentconferringthetitleofMarquisofEsmondonmyLordCastlewoodandtheheirs—maleofhisbody;hisappointmentasLord—LieutenantoftheCounty，andMajor—General。*
*TohavethisrankofMarquisrestoredinthefamilyhadalwaysbeenmyLadyViscountess'sambition;andheroldmaidenaunt，BarbaraTopham，thegoldsmith'sdaughter，dyingaboutthistime，andleavingallherpropertytoLadyCastlewood，IhaveheardthatherladyshipsentalmostthewholeofthemoneytoKingJames，aproceedingwhichsoirritatedmyLordCastlewoodthatheactuallywenttotheparishchurch，andwasonlyappeasedbytheMarquis'stitlewhichhisexiledMajestysenttohiminreturnforthe15，000L。hisfaithfulsubjectlenthim。
Therewerevariouslettersfromthenobilityandgentry，someardentandsomedoubtful，intheKing'sservice;and（veryluckilyforhim）twolettersconcerningColonelFrancisEsmond:onefromFatherHolt，whichsaid，"IhavebeentoseethisColonelathishouseatWalcote，neartoWells，whereheresidessincetheKing'sdeparture，andpressedhimveryeagerlyinMr。Freeman'scause，showinghimthegreatadvantagehewouldhavebytradingwiththatmerchant，offeringhimlargepremiumsthereasagreedbetweenus。
Buthesaysno:heconsidersMr。Freemantheheadofthefirm，willnevertradeagainsthimorembarkwithanyothertradingcompany，butconsidershisdutywasdonewhenMr。FreemanleftEngland。
ThisColonelseemstocaremoreforhiswifeandhisbeaglesthanforaffairs。HeaskedmemuchaboutyoungH。E。，'thatbastard，'
ashecalledhim;doubtingmylord'sintentionsrespectinghim。I
reassuredhimonthishead，statingwhatIknewofthelad，andourintentionsrespectinghim，butwithregardtoFreemanhewasinflexible。"