"ThePrinceseizedholdoftheglassanddrankthelastdropofit，"Castlewoodsaid，"andmymother，lookingveryanxious，roseupandaskedleavetoretire。ButthatTrixismymother'sdaughter，Harry，"Frankcontinued，"Idon'tknowwhatahorridfearIshouldhaveofher。Iwish——Iwishthisbusinesswereover。YouareolderthanIam，andwiser，andbetter，andIoweyoueverything，andwoulddieforyou——beforeGeorgeIwould;butIwishtheendofthiswerecome。"
Neitherofusverylikelypassedatranquilnight;horribledoubtsandtormentsrackedEsmond'ssoul:'twasaschemeofpersonalambition，adaringstrokeforaselfishend——heknewit。Whatcaredhe，inhisheart，whowasKing？Werenothisverysympathiesandsecretconvictionsontheotherside——onthesideofPeople，Parliament，Freedom？Andherewashe，engagedforaPrincethathadscarceheardthewordliberty;thatpriestsandwomen，tyrantsbynature，bothmadeatoolof。Themisanthropewasinnobetterhumorafterhearingthatstory，andhisgrimfacemoreblackandyellowthanever。
CHAPTERX。
WEENTERTAINAVERYDISTINGUISHEDGUESTATKENSINGTON。
ShouldanycluebefoundtothedarkintriguesatthelatterendofQueenAnne'stime，oranyhistorianbeinclinedtofollowit，'twillbediscovered，Ihavelittledoubt，thatnotoneofthegreatpersonagesabouttheQueenhadadefinedschemeofpolicy，independentofthatprivateandselfishinterestwhicheachwasbentonpursuing:St。JohnwasforSt。John，andHarleyforOxford，andMarlboroughforJohnChurchill，always;andaccordingastheycouldgethelpfromSt。GermainsorHanover，theysentoverproffersofallegiancetothePrincesthere，orbetrayedonetotheother:onecause，oronesovereign，wasasgoodasanothertothem，sothattheycouldholdthebestplaceunderhim;andlikeLockitandPeachem，theNewgatechiefsinthe"Rogues'Opera，"Mr。Gaywroteafterwards，hadeachinhishanddocumentsandproofsoftreasonwhichwouldhangtheother，onlyhedidnotdaretousetheweapon，forfearofthatonewhichhisneighboralsocarriedinhispocket。ThinkofthegreatMarlborough，thegreatestsubjectinalltheworld，aconquerorofprinces，thathadmarchedvictoriousoverGermany，Flanders，andFrance，thathadgiventhelawtosovereignsabroad，andbeenworshippedasadivinityathome，forcedtosneakoutofEngland——hiscredit，honors，places，alltakenfromhim;hisfriendsinthearmybrokeandruined;andflyingbeforeHarley，asabjectandpowerlessasapoordebtorbeforeabailiffwithawrit。Apaper，ofwhichHarleygotpossession，andshowingbeyonddoubtthattheDukewasengagedwiththeStuartfamily，wastheweaponwithwhichtheTreasurerdroveMarlboroughoutofthekingdom。HefledtoAntwerp，andbeganintriguinginstantlyontheotherside，andcamebacktoEngland，asallknow，aWhigandaHanoverian。
ThoughtheTreasurerturnedoutofthearmyandofficeeveryman，militaryorcivil，knowntobetheDuke'sfriend，andgavethevacantpostsamongtheToryparty;he，too，wasplayingthedoublegamebetweenHanoverandSt。Germains，awaitingtheexpectedcatastropheoftheQueen'sdeathtobeMasteroftheState，andofferittoeitherfamilythatshouldbribehimbest，orthatthenationshoulddeclarefor。WhichevertheKingwas，Harley'sobjectwastoreignoverhim;andtothisendhesupplantedtheformerfamousfavorite，decriedtheactionsofthewarwhichhadmadeMarlborough'snameillustrious，anddisdainednomorethanthegreatfallencompetitorofhis，themeanestarts，flatteries，intimidations，thatwouldsecurehispower。IfthegreatestsatiristtheworldeverhathseenhadwritagainstHarley，andnotforhim，whatahistoryhadheleftbehindofthelastyearsofQueenAnne'sreign！ButSwift，thatscornedallmankind，andhimselfnottheleastofall，hadthismeritofafaithfulpartisan，thathelovedthosechiefswhotreatedhimwell，andstuckbyHarleybravelyinhisfall，ashegallantlyhadsupportedhiminhisbetterfortune。
Incomparablymorebrilliant，moresplendid，eloquent，accomplishedthanhisrival，thegreatSt。JohncouldbeasselfishasOxfordwas，andcouldactthedoublepartasskilfullyasambidextrousChurchill。Hewhosetalkwasalwaysofliberty，nomoreshrunkfromusingpersecutionandthepilloryagainsthisopponentsthanifhehadbeenatLisbonandGrandInquisitor。ThisloftypatriotwasonhiskneesatHanoverandSt。Germainstoo;notoriouslyofnoreligion，hetoastedChurchandQueenasboldlyasthestupidSacheverel，whomheusedandlaughedat;andtoservehisturn，andtooverthrowhisenemy，hecouldintrigue，coax，bully，wheedle，fawnontheCourtfavoriteandcreepuptheback—stairassilentlyasOxford，whosupplantedMarlborough，andwhomhehimselfsupplanted。ThecrashofmyLordOxfordhappenedatthisverytimewhereatmyhistoryisnowarrived。Hewascometotheverylastdaysofhispower，andtheagentwhomheemployedtooverthrowtheconquerorofBlenheim，wasnowengagedtoupsettheconqueror'sconqueror，andhandoverthestaffofgovernmenttoBolingbroke，whohadbeenpantingtoholdit。
Inexpectationofthestrokethatwasnowpreparing，theIrishregimentsintheFrenchservicewereallbroughtroundaboutBoulogneinPicardy，topassoverifneedwerewiththeDukeofBerwick;thesoldiersofFrancenolonger，butsubjectsofJamestheThirdofEnglandandIrelandKing。ThefidelityofthegreatmassoftheScots（thoughamostactive，resolute，andgallantWhigparty，admirablyandenergeticallyorderedanddisciplined，wasknowntobeinScotlandtoo）wasnotoriouslyunshakenintheirKing。AverygreatbodyofToryclergy，nobility，andgentry，werepublicpartisansoftheexiledPrince;andtheindifferentsmightbecountedontocryKingGeorgeorKingJames，accordingaseithershouldprevail。TheQueen，especiallyinherlatterdays，inclinedtowardsherownfamily。ThePrincewaslyingactuallyinLondon，withinastone'scastofhissister'spalace;thefirstMinistertopplingtohisfall，andsototteringthattheweakestpushofawoman'sfingerwouldsendhimdown;andasforBolingbroke，hissuccessor，weknowonwhosesidehispowerandhissplendideloquencewouldbeonthedaywhentheQueenshouldappearopenlybeforeherCouncilandsay:——"This，mylords，ismybrother;hereismyfather'sheir，andmineafterme。"
DuringthewholeofthepreviousyeartheQueenhadhadmanyandrepeatedfitsofsickness，fever，andlethargy，andherdeathhadbeenconstantlylookedforbyallherattendants。TheElectorofHanoverhadwishedtosendhisson，theDukeofCambridge——topayhiscourttohiscousintheQueen，theElectorsaid;——intruth，tobeonthespotwhendeathshouldclosehercareer。Frightenedperhapstohavesuchamementomoriunderherroyaleyes，herMajestyhadangrilyforbiddentheyoungPrince'scomingintoEngland。Eithershedesiredtokeepthechancesforherbrotheropenyet;orthepeopleaboutherdidnotwishtoclosewiththeWhigcandidatetilltheycouldmaketermswithhim。ThequarrelsofherMinistersbeforeherfaceattheCouncilboard，thepricksofconscienceverylikely，theimportunitiesofherMinisters，andconstantturmoilandagitationroundabouther，hadweakenedandirritatedthePrincessextremely;herstrengthwasgivingwayunderthesecontinualtrialsofhertemper，andfromdaytodayitwasexpectedshemustcometoaspeedyendofthem。JustbeforeViscountCastlewoodandhiscompanioncamefromFrance，herMajestywastakenill。TheSt。Anthony'sfirebrokeoutontheroyallegs;
therewasnohurryforthepresentationoftheyounglordatCourt，orthatpersonwhoshouldappearunderhisname;andmyLordViscount'swoundbreakingoutopportunely，hewaskeptconvenientlyinhischamberuntilsuchtimeashisphysicianwouldallowhimtobendhiskneebeforetheQueen。AtthecommencementofJuly，thatinfluentiallady，withwhomithasbeenmentionedthatourpartyhadrelations，camefrequentlytovisitheryoungfriend，theMaidofHonor，atKensington，andmyLordViscount（therealorsupposititious），whowasaninvalidatLadyCastlewood'shouse。
Onthe27thdayofJuly，theladyinquestion，whoheldthemostintimatepostabouttheQueen，cameinherchairfromthePalacehardby，bringingtothelittlepartyinKensingtonSquareintelligenceoftheveryhighestimportance。Thefinalblowhadbeenstruck，andmyLordofOxfordandMortimerwasnolongerTreasurer。Thestaffwasasyetgiventonosuccessor，thoughmyLordBolingbrokewouldundoubtedlybetheman。Andnowthetimewascome，theQueen'sAbigailsaid:andnowmyLordCastlewoodoughttobepresentedtotheSovereign。
AfterthatscenewhichLordCastlewoodwitnessedanddescribedtohiscousin，whopassedsuchamiserablenightofmortificationandjealousyashethoughtoverthetransaction，nodoubtthethreepersonswhoweresetbynatureasprotectorsoverBeatrixcametothesameconclusion，thatshemustberemovedfromthepresenceofamanwhosedesirestowardsherwereexpressedonlytooclearly;
andwhowasnomorescrupulousinseekingtogratifythemthanhisfatherhadbeenbeforehim。IsupposeEsmond'smistress，herson，andtheColonelhimself，hadbeenallsecretlydebatingthismatterintheirminds，forwhenFrankbrokeout，inhisbluntway，with:——
"IthinkBeatrixhadbestbeanywherebuthere，"——LadyCastlewoodsaid:——"Ithankyou，Frank，Ihavethoughtso，too;"andMr。
Esmond，thoughheonlyremarkedthatitwasnotforhimtospeak，showedplainly，bythedelightonhiscountenance，howveryagreeablethatproposalwastohim。
"Oneseesthatyouthinkwithus，Henry，"saystheviscountess，witheversolittleofsarcasminhertone:"Beatrixisbestoutofthishousewhilstwehaveourguestinit，andassoonasthismorning'sbusinessisdone，sheoughttoquitLondon。"
"Whatmorning'sbusiness？"askedColonelEsmond，notknowingwhathadbeenarranged，thoughinfactthestrokenextinimportancetothatofbringingthePrince，andofhavinghimacknowledgedbytheQueen，wasnowbeingperformedattheverymomentwethreewereconversingtogether。
TheCourt—ladywithwhomourplanwasconcerted，andwhowasachiefagentinit，theCourtphysician，andtheBishopofRochester，whoweretheothertwomostactiveparticipatorsinourplan，hadheldmanycouncilsinourhouseatKensingtonandelsewhere，astothemeansbesttobeadoptedforpresentingouryoungadventurertohissistertheQueen。ThesimpleandeasyplanproposedbyColonelEsmondhadbeenagreedtobyallparties，whichwasthatonsomeratherprivateday，whentherewerenotmanypersonsabouttheCourt，thePrinceshouldappearthereasmyLordCastlewood，shouldbegreetedbyhissisterinwaiting，andledbythatotherladyintotheclosetoftheQueen。AndaccordingtoherMajesty'shealthorhumor，andthecircumstancesthatmightariseduringtheinterview，itwastobelefttothediscretionofthosepresentatit，andtothePrincehimself，whetherheshoulddeclarethatitwastheQueen'sownbrother，orthebrotherofBeatrixEsmond，whokissedherRoyalhand。Andthisplanbeingdeterminedon，wewereallwaitinginverymuchanxietyforthedayandsignalofexecution。
Twomorningsafterthatsupper，itbeingthe27thdayofJuly，theBishopofRochesterbreakfastingwithLadyCastlewoodandherfamily，andthemealscarceover，DoctorA。'scoachdroveuptoourhouseatKensington，andtheDoctorappearedamongstthepartythere，enliveningarathergloomycompany;forthemotheranddaughterhadhadwordsinthemorninginrespecttothetransactionsofthatsupper，andotheradventuresperhaps，andonthedaysucceeding。Beatrix'shaughtyspiritbrookedremonstrancesfromnosuperior，muchlessfromhermother，thegentlestofcreatures，whomthegirlcommandedratherthanobeyed。Andfeelingshewaswrong，andthatbyathousandcoquetries（whichshecouldnomorehelpexercisingoneverymanthatcamenearher，thanthesuncanhelpshiningongreatandsmall）shehadprovokedthePrince'sdangerousadmiration，andalluredhimtotheexpressionofit，shewasonlythemorewilfulandimperiousthemoreshefelthererror。
Tothisparty，thePrincebeingservedwithchocolateinhisbedchamber，wherehelaylate，sleepingawaythefumesofhiswine，theDoctorcame，andbytheurgentandstartlingnatureofhisnews，dissipatedinstantlythatprivateandminorunpleasantryunderwhichthefamilyofCastlewoodwaslaboring。
Heaskedfortheguest;theguestwasaboveinhisownapartment:
hebadeMonsieurBaptistegouptohismasterinstantly，andrequestedthatMYLORDVISCOUNTCASTLEWOODwouldstraightwayputhisuniformon，andcomeawayintheDoctor'scoachnowatthedoor。
HetheninformedMadamBeatrixwhatherpartofthecomedywastobe:——"Inhalfanhour，"sayshe，"herMajestyandherfavoriteladywilltaketheairintheCedar—walkbehindthenewBanqueting—
house。HerMajestywillbedrawninagarden—chair，MadamBeatrixEsmondandHERBROTHER，MYLORDVISCOUNTCASTLEWOOD，willbewalkingintheprivategarden，（hereisLadyMasham'skey，）andwillcomeunawaresupontheRoyalparty。Themanthatdrawsthechairwillretire，andleavetheQueen，thefavorite，andthemaidofhonorandherbrothertogether;MistressBeatrixwillpresentherbrother，andthen！——andthen，myLordBishopwillprayfortheresultoftheinterview，andhisScotsclerkwillsayAmen！Quick，putonyourhood，MadamBeatrix;whydothnothisMajestycomedown？Suchanotherchancemaynotpresentitselfformonthsagain。"
ThePrincewaslateandlazy，andindeedhadallbutlostthatchancethroughhisindolence。TheQueenwasactuallyabouttoleavethegardenjustwhenthepartyreachedit;theDoctor，theBishop，themaidofhonorandherbrotherwentofftogetherinthephysician'scoach，andhadbeengonehalfanhourwhenColonelEsmondcametoKensingtonSquare。
Thenewsofthiserrand，onwhichBeatrixwasgone，ofcourseforamomentputallthoughtsofprivatejealousyoutofColonelEsmond'shead。Inhalfanhourmorethecoachreturned;theBishopdescendedfromitfirst，andgavehisarmtoBeatrix，whonowcameout。Hislordshipwentbackintothecarriageagain，andthemaidofhonorenteredthehousealone。Wewereallgazingatherfromtheupperwindow，tryingtoreadfromhercountenancetheresultoftheinterviewfromwhichshehadjustcome。
Shecameintothedrawing—roominagreattremorandverypale;sheaskedforaglassofwaterashermotherwenttomeether，andafterdrinkingthatandputtingoffherhood，shebegantospeak——
"Wemayallhopeforthebest，"saysshe;"ithascosttheQueenafit。HerMajestywasinherchairintheCedar—walk，accompaniedonlybyLady————，whenweenteredbytheprivatewicketfromthewestsideofthegarden，andturnedtowardsher，theDoctorfollowingus。Theywaitedinasidewalkhiddenbytheshrubs，asweadvancedtowardsthechair。MyheartthrobbedsoIscarcecouldspeak;butmyPrincewhispered，'Courage，Beatrix，'andmarchedonwithasteadystep。Hisfacewasalittleflushed，buthewasnotafraidofthedanger。HewhofoughtsobravelyatMalplaquetfearsnothing。"EsmondandCastlewoodlookedateachotheratthiscompliment，neitherlikingthesoundofit。
"ThePrinceuncovered，"Beatrixcontinued，"andIsawtheQueenturningroundtoLadyMasham，asifaskingwhothesetwowere。HerMajestylookedverypaleandill，andthenflushedup;thefavoritemadeusasignaltoadvance，andIwentup，leadingmyPrincebythehand，quiteclosetothechair:'YourMajestywillgivemyLordViscountyourhandtokiss，'saysherlady，andtheQueenputoutherhand，whichthePrincekissed，kneelingonhisknee，hewhoshouldkneeltonomortalmanorwoman。
"'YouhavebeenlongfromEngland，mylord，'saystheQueen:'whywereyounotheretogiveahometoyourmotherandsister？'
"'Iamcome，Madam，tostaynow，iftheQueendesiresme，'saysthePrince，withanotherlowbow。
"'Youhavetakenaforeignwife，mylord，andaforeignreligion;
wasnotthatofEnglandgoodenoughforyou？'
"'Inreturningtomyfather'schurch，'saysthePrince，'Idonotlovemymothertheless，noramIthelessfaithfulservantofyourmajesty。'
"Here，"saysBeatrix，"thefavoritegavemealittlesignalwithherhandtofallback，whichIdid，thoughIdiedtohearwhatshouldpass;andwhisperedsomethingtotheQueen，whichmadeherMajestystartandutteroneortwowordsinahurriedmanner，lookingtowardsthePrince，andcatchingholdwithherhandofthearmofherchair。Headvancedstillnearertowardsit;hebegantospeakveryrapidly;Icaughtthewords，'Father，blessing，forgiveness，'——andthenpresentlythePrincefellonhisknees;
tookfromhisbreastapaperhehadthere，handedittotheQueen，who，assoonasshesawit，flungupbothherarmswithascream，andtookawaythathandnearestthePrince，andwhichheendeavoredtokiss。Hewentonspeakingwithgreatanimationofgesture，nowclaspinghishandstogetheronhisheart，nowopeningthemasthoughtosay:'Iamhere，yourbrother，inyourpower。'LadyMashamranroundontheothersideofthechair，kneelingtoo，andspeakingwithgreatenergy。SheclaspedtheQueen'shandonherside，andpickedupthepaperherMajestyhadletfall。ThePrinceroseandmadeafurtherspeechasthoughhewouldgo;thefavoriteontheotherhandurginghermistress，andthen，runningbacktothePrince，broughthimbackoncemoreclosetothechair。AgainhekneltdownandtooktheQueen'shand，whichshedidnotwithdraw，kissingitahundredtimes;myladyallthetime，withsobsandsupplications，speakingoverthechair。ThiswhiletheQueensatwithastupefiedlook，crumplingthepaperwithonehand，asmyPrinceembracedtheother;thenofasuddensheutteredseveralpiercingshrieks，andburstintoagreatfitofhysterictearsandlaughter。'Enough，enough，sir，forthistime，'IheardLadyMashamsay:andthechairman，whohadwithdrawnroundtheBanqueting—room，cameback，alarmedbythecries。'Quick，'saysLadyMasham，'getsomehelp，'andIrantowardstheDoctor，who，withtheBishopofRochester，cameupinstantly。LadyMashamwhisperedthePrincehemighthopefortheverybest;andtobereadyto—morrow;andhehathgoneawaytotheBishopofRochester'shouse，tomeetseveralofhisfriendsthere。Andsothegreatstrokeisstruck，"saysBeatrix，goingdownonherknees，andclaspingherhands。"GodsavetheKing:GodsavetheKing！"
Beatrix'staletold，andtheyoungladyherselfcalmedsomewhatofheragitation，weaskedwithregardtothePrince，whowasabsentwithBishopAtterbury，andwereinformedthat'twaslikelyhemightremainabroadthewholeday。Beatrix'sthreekinsfolklookedatoneanotheratthisintelligence:'twasclearthesamethoughtwaspassingthroughthemindsofall。
Butwhoshouldbegintobreakthenews？MonsieurBaptiste，thatisFrankCastlewood，turnedveryred，andlookedtowardsEsmond;theColonelbithislips，andfairlybeataretreatintothewindow:itwasLadyCastlewoodthatopeneduponBeatrixwiththenewswhichweknewwoulddoanythingbutpleaseher。
"Weareglad，"saysshe，takingherdaughter'shand，andspeakinginagentlevoice，"thattheguestisaway。"
Beatrixdrewbackinaninstant，lookingroundheratusthree，andasifdiviningadanger。"Whyglad？"saysshe，herbreastbeginningtoheave;"areyousosoontiredofhim？"
"Wethinkoneofusisdevilishlytoofondofhim，"criesoutFrankCastlewood。
"Andwhichisit——you，mylord，orisitmamma，whoisjealousbecausehedrinksmyhealth？orisittheheadofthefamily"（heresheturnedwithanimperiouslooktowardsColonelEsmond），"whohastakenoflatetopreachtheKingsermons？"
"WedonotsayyouaretoofreewithhisMajesty。"
"Ithankyou，madam，"saysBeatrix，withatossoftheheadandacurtsey。
Buthermothercontinued，withverygreatcalmnessanddignity——"Atleastwehavenotsaidso，thoughwemight，wereitpossibleforamothertosaysuchwordstoherowndaughter，yourfather'sdaughter。"
"Eh？monpere，"breaksoutBeatrix，"wasnobetterthanotherpersons'fathers。"AndagainshelookedtowardstheColonel。
WeallfeltashockassheutteredthosetwoorthreeFrenchwords;
hermannerwasexactlyimitatedfromthatofourforeignguest。
"YouhadnotlearnedtospeakFrenchamonthago，Beatrix，"sayshermother，sadly，"nortospeakillofyourfather。"
Beatrix，nodoubt，sawthatslipshehadmadeinherflurry，forsheblushedcrimson:"IhavelearnttohonortheKing，"saysshe，drawingup，"and'twereaswellthatotherssuspectedneitherhisMajestynorme。"
"Ifyourespectedyourmotheralittlemore，"Franksaid，"Trix，youwoulddoyourselfnohurt。"
"Iamnochild，"saysshe，turningroundonhim;"wehavelivedverywellthesefiveyearswithoutthebenefitofyouradviceorexample，andIintendtotakeneithernow。Whydoesnottheheadofthehousespeak？"shewenton;"heruleseverythinghere。Whenhischaplainhasdonesingingthepsalms，willhislordshipdeliverthesermon？Iamtiredofthepsalms。"ThePrincehadusedalmosttheverysamewordsinregardtoColonelEsmondthattheimprudentgirlrepeatedinherwrath。
"Youshowyourselfaveryaptscholar，madam，"saystheColonel;
and，turningtohismistress，"Didyourguestusethesewordsinyourladyship'shearing，orwasittoBeatrixinprivatethathewaspleasedtoimparthisopinionregardingmytiresomesermon？"
"Haveyouseenhimalone？"criesmylord，startingupwithanoath:
"byGod，haveyouseenhimalone？"
"Werehehere，youwouldn'tdaresotoinsultme;no，youwouldnotdare！"criesFrank'ssister。"Keepyouroaths，mylord，foryourwife;wearenotusedheretosuchlanguage。Tillyoucame，thereusedtobekindnessbetweenmeandmamma，andIcaredforherwhenyouneverdid，whenyouwereawayforyearswithyourhorsesandyourmistress，andyourPopishwife。"
"By———，"saysmylord，rappingoutanotheroath，"Clotildaisanangel;howdareyousayawordagainstClotilda？"
ColonelEsmondcouldnotrefrainfromasmile，toseehoweasyFrank'sattackwasdrawnoffbythatfeint:——"IfancyClotildaisnotthesubjectinhand，"saysMr。Esmond，ratherscornfully;"herladyshipisatParis，ahundredleaguesoff，preparingbaby—linen。
ItisaboutmyLordCastlewood'ssister，andnothiswife，thequestionis。"
"HeisnotmyLordCastlewood，"saysBeatrix，"andheknowsheisnot;heisColonelFrancisEsmond'sson，andnomore，andhewearsafalsetitle;andhelivesonanotherman'sland，andheknowsit。"Herewasanotherdesperatesallyofthepoorbeleagueredgarrison，andanalerteinanotherquarter。"Again，Ibegyourpardon，"saysEsmond。"Iftherearenoproofsofmyclaim，Ihavenoclaim。Ifmyfatheracknowledgednoheir，yourswashislawfulsuccessor，andmyLordCastlewoodhathasgoodarighttohisrankandsmallestateasanymaninEngland。Butthatagainisnotthequestion，asyouknowverywell;letusbringourtalkbacktoit，asyouwillhavememeddleinit。AndIwillgiveyoufranklymyopinion，thatahousewhereaPrinceliesallday，whorespectsnowoman，isnohouseforayoungunmarriedlady;thatyouwerebetterinthecountrythanhere;thatheishereonagreatend，fromwhichnofollyshoulddiverthim;andthathavingnoblydoneyourpartofthismorning，Beatrix，youshouldretireoffthesceneawhile，andleaveittotheotheractorsoftheplay。"
AstheColonelspokewithaperfectcalmnessandpoliteness，suchas'tistobehopedhehathalwaysshowntowomen，*hismistressstoodbyhimononesideofthetable，andFrankCastlewoodontheother，hemminginpoorBeatrix，thatwasbehindit，and，asitwere，surroundingherwithourapproaches。
*Mydearfathersaithquitetruly，thathismannertowardsoursexwasuniformlycourteous。Frommyinfancyupwards，hetreatedmewithanextremegentleness，asthoughIwasalittlelady。Icanscarceremember（thoughItriedhimoften）everhearingaroughwordfromhim，norwashelessgraveandkindinhismannertothehumblestnegressesonhisestate。Hewasfamiliarwithnooneexceptmymother，anditwasdelightfultowitnessuptotheverylastdaystheconfidencebetweenthem。Hewasobeyedeagerlybyallunderhim;andmymotherandallherhouseholdlivedinaconstantemulationtopleasehim，andquiteaterrorlestinanywaytheyshouldoffendhim。Hewasthehumblestmanwithallthis;
theleastexacting，themoreeasilycontented;andMr。Benson，ourministeratCastlewood，whoattendedhimatthelast，eversaid——"I
knownotwhatColonelEsmond'sdoctrinewas，buthislifeanddeathwerethoseofadevoutChristian。"——R。E。W。
Havingtwicesalliedoutandbeenbeatenback，shenow，asI
expected，triedtheultimaratioofwomen，andhadrecoursetotears。Herbeautifuleyesfilledwiththem;Inevercouldbearinher，norinanywoman，thatexpressionofpain:——"Iamalone，"
sobbedshe;"youarethreeagainstme——mybrother，mymother，andyou。WhathaveIdone，thatyoushouldspeakandlooksounkindlyatme？IsitmyfaultthatthePrinceshould，asyousay，admireme？DidIbringhimhere？DidIdoaughtbutwhatyoubademe，inmakinghimwelcome？Didyounottellmethatourdutywastodieforhim？Didyounotteachme，mother，nightandmorningtoprayfortheKing，beforeevenourselves？Whatwouldyouhaveofme，cousin，foryouarethechiefoftheconspiracyagainstme;Iknowyouare，sir，andthatmymotherandbrotherareactingbutasyoubidthem;whitherwouldyouhavemego？"
"IwouldbutremovefromthePrince，"saysEsmond，gravely，"adangeroustemptation;heavenforbidIshouldsayyouwouldyield;I
wouldonlyhavehimfreeofit。Yourhonorneedsnoguardian，pleaseGod，buthisimprudencedoth。Heissofarremovedfromallwomenbyhisrank，thathispursuitofthemcannotbutbeunlawful。
Wewouldremovethedearestandfairestofourfamilyfromthechanceofthatinsult，andthatiswhywewouldhaveyougo，dearBeatrix。"
"Harryspeakslikeabook，"saysFrank，withoneofhisoaths，"and，by———，everywordhesaithistrue。Youcan'thelpbeinghandsome，Trix;nomorecanthePrincehelpfollowingyou。Mycounselisthatyougooutofharm'sway;for，bytheLord，werethePrincetoplayanytrickswithyou，Kingasheis，oristobe，HarryEsmondandIwouldhavejusticeofhim。"
"Arenottwosuchchampionsenoughtoguardme？"saysBeatrix，somethingsorrowfully;"sure，withyoutwowatching，noevilcouldhappentome。"
"Infaith，Ithinknot，Beatrix，"saysColonelEsmond;"norifthePrinceknewuswouldhetry。"
"Butdoesheknowyou？"interposedLadyCastlewood，veryquiet:"hecomesofacountrywherethepursuitofkingsisthoughtnodishonortoawoman。Letusgo，dearestBeatrix。ShallwegotoWalcoteortoCastlewood？Wearebestawayfromthecity;andwhenthePrinceisacknowledged，andourchampionshaverestoredhim，andhehathhisownhouseatSt。James'sorWindsor，wecancomebacktoourshere。Doyounotthinkso，HarryandFrank？"
FrankandHarrythoughtwithher，youmaybesure。
"Wewillgo，then，"saysBeatrix，turningalittlepale;"LadyMashamistogivemewarningto—nighthowherMajestyis，andto—morrow——"
"Ithinkwehadbestgoto—day，mydear，"saysmyLadyCastlewood;
"wemighthavethecoachandsleepatHounslow，andreachhometo—morrow。'Tistwelveo'clock;bidthecoach，cousin，bereadyatone。"
"Forshame！"burstoutBeatrix，inapassionoftearsandmortification。"Youdisgracemebyyourcruelprecautions;myownmotheristhefirsttosuspectme，andwouldtakemeawayasmygaoler。Iwillnotgowithyou，mother;Iwillgoasnoone'sprisoner。IfIwantedtodeceive，doyouthinkIcouldfindnomeansofevadingyou？Myfamilysuspectsme。Asthosemistrustmethatoughttolovememost，letmeleavethem;Iwillgo，butI
willgoalone:toCastlewood，beit。Ihavebeenunhappythereandlonelyenough;letmegoback，butsparemeatleastthehumiliationofsettingawatchovermymisery，whichisatrialI
can'tbear。Letmegowhenyouwill，butalone，ornotatall。
Youthreecanstayandtriumphovermyunhappiness，andIwillbearitasIhaveborneitbefore。Letmygaoler—in—chiefgoorderthecoachthatistotakemeaway。Ithankyou，HenryEsmond，foryourshareintheconspiracy。AllmylifelongI'llthankyou，andrememberyou，andyou，brother，andyou，mother，howshallIshowmygratitudetoyouforyourcarefuldefenceofmyhonor？"
Shesweptoutoftheroomwiththeairofanempress，flingingglancesofdefianceatusall，andleavingusconquerorsofthefield，butscared，andalmostashamedofourvictory。Itdidindeedseemhardandcruelthatwethreeshouldhaveconspiredthebanishmentandhumiliationofthatfaircreature。Welookedateachotherinsilence:'twasnotthefirststrokebymanyofouractionsinthatunluckytime，which，beingdone，wewishedundone。
Weagreeditwasbestsheshouldgoalone，speakingstealthilytooneanother，andunderourbreaths，likepersonsengagedinanacttheyfeltashamedindoing。
Inahalf—hour，itmightbe，afterourtalkshecameback，hercountenancewearingthesamedefiantairwhichithadbornewhensheleftus。Sheheldashagreen—caseinherhand;EsmondknewitascontaininghisdiamondswhichhehadgiventoherforhermarriagewithDukeHamilton，andwhichshehadwornsosplendidlyontheinauspiciousnightofthePrince'sarrival。"Ihavebroughtback，"saysshe，"totheMarquisofEsmondthepresenthedeignedtomakemeindayswhenhetrustedmebetterthannow。IwillneveracceptabenefitorakindnessfromHenryEsmondmore，andI
givebackthesefamilydiamonds，whichbelongedtooneking'smistress，tothegentlemanthatsuspectedIwouldbeanother。Haveyoubeenuponyourmessageofcoach—caller，myLordMarquis？WillyousendyourvalettoseethatIdonotrunaway？"Wewereright，yet，byhermanner，shehadputusallinthewrong;wewereconquerors，yetthehonorsofthedayseemedtobewiththepooroppressedgirl。
Thatlucklessboxcontainingthestoneshadfirstbeenornamentedwithabaron'scoronet，whenBeatrixwasengagedtotheyounggentlemanfromwhomsheparted，andafterwardsthegiltcrownofaduchessfiguredonthecover，whichalsopoorBeatrixwasdestinednevertowear。LadyCastlewoodopenedthecasemechanicallyandscarcethinkingwhatshedid;andbehold，besidesthediamonds，Esmond'spresent，therelayintheboxtheenamelledminiatureofthelateDuke，whichBeatrixhadlaidasidewithhermourningwhentheKingcameintothehouse;andwhichthepoorheedlessthingverylikelyhadforgotten。