ButtheBishophadbeenatKensingtonhimselftwohoursagotoseekforMr。Bates，andhadreturnedinhiscoachtohisownhouse，whenheheardthatthegentlemanwasgonethithertoseekhim。
　　Thisabsencewasmostunpropitious，foranhour'sdelaymightcostakingdom;Esmondhadnothingforitbuttohastentothe"King'sArms，"andtellthegentlementhereassembledthatMr。George（aswecalledthePrincethere）wasnotathome，butthatEsmondwouldgofetchhim;andtakingaGeneral'scoachthathappenedtobethere，EsmonddroveacrossthecountrytoChelsey，totheBishop'shousethere。
　　Theportersaidtwogentlemenwerewithhislordship，andEsmondranpastthissentryuptothelockeddooroftheBishop'sstudy，atwhichherattled，andwasadmittedpresently。OftheBishop'sguestsonewasabrotherprelate，andtheothertheAbbeG————。
　　"WhereisMr。George？"saysMr。Esmond;"nowisthetime。"TheBishoplookedscared:"Iwenttohislodging，"hesaid，"andtheytoldmehewascomehither。Ireturnedasquickascoachwouldcarryme;andhehathnotbeenhere。"
　　TheColonelburstoutwithanoath;thatwasallhecouldsaytotheirreverences;randownthestairsagain，andbiddingthecoachman，anoldfriendandfellow—campaigner，driveasifhewaschargingtheFrenchwithhismasteratWynendael——theywerebackatKensingtoninhalfanhour。
　　AgainEsmondwenttothecurate'shouse。Mr。Bateshadnotreturned。TheColonelhadtogowiththisblankerrandtothegentlemenatthe"King'sArms，"thatweregrownveryimpatientbythistime。
　　Outofthewindowofthetavern，andlookingoverthegardenwall，youcanseethegreenbeforeKensingtonPalace，thePalacegate（roundwhichtheMinisters'coacheswerestanding），andthebarrackbuilding。Aswewerelookingoutfromthiswindowingloomydiscourse，weheardpresentlytrumpetsblowing，andsomeofusrantothewindowofthefront—room，lookingintotheHighStreetofKensington，andsawaregimentofHorsecoming。
　　"It'sOrmonde'sGuards，"saysone。
　　"No，byGod，it'sArgyle'soldregiment！"saysmyGeneral，clappingdownhiscrutch。
　　Itwas，indeed，Argyle'sregimentthatwasbroughtfromWestminster，andthattooktheplaceoftheregimentatKensingtononwhichwecouldrely。
　　"Oh，Harry！"saysoneofthegeneralstherepresent，"youwerebornunderanunluckystar;Ibegintothinkthatthere'snoMr。George，norMr。Dragoneither。'TisnotthepeerageIcarefor，forournameissoancientandfamous，thatmerelytobecalledLordLydiardwoulddomenogood;but'tisthechanceyoupromisedmeoffightingMarlborough。"
　　Asweweretalking，Castlewoodenteredtheroomwithadisturbedair。
　　"Whatnews，Frank？"saystheColonel。"IsMr。Georgecomingatlast？"
　　"Damnhim，lookhere！"saysCastlewood，holdingoutapaper。"I
　　founditinthebook——thewhatyoucallit，'EikumBasilikum，'——
　　thatvillainMartinputitthere——hesaidhisyoungmistressbadehim。Itwasdirectedtome，butitwasmeantforhimIknow，andI
　　brokethesealandreadit。"
　　ThewholeassemblyofofficersseemedtoswimawaybeforeEsmond'seyesashereadthepaper;allthatwaswrittenonitwas:——
　　"BeatrixEsmondissentawaytoprison，toCastlewood，whereshewillprayforhappierdays。"
　　"Canyouguesswhereheis？"saysCastlewood。
　　"Yes，"saysColonelEsmond。Heknewfullwell，Frankknewfullwell:ourinstincttoldwhitherthattraitorhadfled。
　　Hehadcouragetoturntothecompanyandsay，"Gentlemen，IfearverymuchthatMr。Georgewillnotbehereto—day;somethinghathhappened——and——and——Iverymuchfearsomeaccidentmaybefallhim，whichmustkeephimoutoftheway。Havinghadyournoon'sdraught，youhadbestpaythereckoningandgohome;therecanbenogamewherethereisnoonetoplayit。"
　　Someofthegentlemenwentawaywithoutaword，otherscalledtopaytheirdutytoherMajestyandaskforherhealth。Thelittlearmydisappearedintothedarknessoutofwhichithadbeencalled;
　　therehadbeennowritings，nopapertoimplicateanyman。SomefewofficersandMembersofParliamenthadbeeninvitedovernighttobreakfastatthe"King'sArms，"atKensington;andtheyhadcalledfortheirbillandgonehome。
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　AUGUST1ST，1714。
　　"Doesmymistressknowofthis？"EsmondaskedofFrank，astheywalkedalong。
　　"Mymotherfoundtheletterinthebook，onthetoilet—table。Shehadwrititereshehadlefthome，"Franksaid。"Mothermetheronthestairs，withherhanduponthedoor，tryingtoenter，andneverleftherafterthattillshewentaway。Hedidnotthinkoflookingatitthere，norhadMartinthechanceoftellinghim。I
　　believethepoordevilmeantnoharm，thoughIhalfkilledhim;hethought'twastoBeatrix'sbrotherhewasbringingtheletter。"
　　Frankneversaidawordofreproachtomeforhavingbroughtthevillainamongstus。AsweknockedatthedoorIsaid，"Whenwillthehorsesbeready？"Frankpointedwithhiscane，theywereturningthestreetthatmoment。
　　Wewentupandbadeadieutoourmistress;shewasinadreadfulstateofagitationbythistime，andthatBishopwaswithherwhosecompanyshewassofondof。
　　"Didyoutellhim，mylord，"saysEsmond，"thatBeatrixwasatCastlewood？"TheBishopblushedandstammered:"Well，"sayshe，"I……"
　　"Youservedthevillainright，"brokeoutMr。Esmond，"andhehaslostacrownbywhatyoutoldhim。"
　　Mymistressturnedquitewhite，"Henry，Henry，"saysshe，"donotkillhim。"
　　"Itmaynotbetoolate，"saysEsmond;"hemaynothavegonetoCastlewood;prayGod，itisnottoolate。"TheBishopwasbreakingoutwithsomebanalephrasesaboutloyalty，andthesacrednessoftheSovereign'sperson;butEsmondsternlybadehimholdhistongue，burnallpapers，andtakecareofLadyCastlewood;andinfiveminutesheandFrankwereinthesaddle，JohnLockwoodbehindthem，ridingtowardsCastlewoodatarapidpace。
　　WewerejustgottoAlton，whenwhoshouldmeetusbutoldLockwood，theporterfromCastlewood，John'sfather，walkingbythesideoftheHextonflying—coach，whosleptthenightatAlton。
　　LockwoodsaidhisyoungmistresshadarrivedathomeonWednesdaynight，andthismorning，Friday，haddespatchedhimwithapacketformyladyatKensington，sayingtheletterwasofgreatimportance。
　　Wetookthefreedomtobreakit，whileLockwoodstaredwithwonder，andcriedouthis"Lordblessme's，"and"Who'dathoughtit's，"atthesightofhisyounglord，whomhehadnotseenthesesevenyears。
　　ThepacketfromBeatrixcontainednonewsofimportanceatall。Itwaswritteninajocularstrain，affectingtomakelightofhercaptivity。SheaskedwhethershemighthaveleavetovisitMrs。
　　Tusher，ortowalkbeyondthecourtandthegardenwall。Shegavenewsofthepeacocks，andafawnshehadthere。ShebadehermothersendhercertaingownsandsmocksbyoldLockwood;shesentherdutytoacertainPerson，ifcertainotherpersonspermittedhertotakesuchafreedom;howthat，asshewasnotabletoplaycardswithhim，shehopedhewouldreadgoodbooks，suchasDoctorAtterbury'ssermonsand"EikonBasilike:"shewasgoingtoreadgoodbooks;shethoughtherprettymammawouldliketoknowshewasnotcryinghereyesout。
　　"Whoisinthehousebesidesyou，Lockwood？"saystheColonel。
　　"Therebethelaundry—maid，andthekitchen—maid，MadamBeatrix'smaid，themanfromLondon，andthatbeall;andhesleepethinmylodgeawayfromthemaids，"saysoldLockwood。
　　Esmondscribbledalinewithapencilonthenote，givingittotheoldman，andbiddinghimgoontohislady。WeknewwhyBeatrixhadbeensodutifulonasudden，andwhyshespokeof"EikonBasilike。"ShewritthislettertoputthePrinceonthescent，andtheporteroutoftheway。
　　"Wehaveafinemoonlightnightforridingon，"saysEsmond;
　　"Frank，wemayreachCastlewoodintimeyet。"Allthewayalongtheymadeinquiriesatthepost—houses，whenatallyounggentlemaninagraysuit，withalightbrownperiwig，justthecolorofmylord's，hadbeenseentopass。Hehadsetoffatsixthatmorning，andweatthreeintheafternoon。Herodealmostasquicklyaswehaddone;hewassevenhoursa—headofusstillwhenwereachedthelaststage。
　　WerodeoverCastlewoodDownsbeforethebreakingofdawn。Wepassedtheveryspotwherethecarwasupsetfourteenyearssince，andMohunlay。Thevillagewasnotupyet，northeforgelighted，aswerodethroughit，passingbytheelms，wheretherookswerestillroosting，andbythechurch，andoverthebridge。Wegotoffourhorsesatthebridgeandwalkeduptothegate。
　　"Ifsheissafe，"saysFrank，trembling，andhishonesteyesfillingwithtears，"asilverstatuetoOurLady！"Hewasgoingtorattleatthegreatironknockerontheoakgate;butEsmondstoppedhiskinsman'shand。Hehadhisownfears，hisownhopes，hisowndespairsandgriefs，too;buthespokenotawordofthesetohiscompanion，orshowedanysignsofemotion。
　　Hewentandtappedatthelittlewindowattheporter'slodge，gently，butrepeatedly，untilthemancametothebars。
　　"Who'sthere？"sayshe，lookingout;itwastheservantfromKensington。
　　"MyLordCastlewoodandColonelEsmond，"wesaid，frombelow。
　　"Openthegateandletusinwithoutanynoise。"
　　"MyLordCastlewood？"saystheother;"mylord'shere，andinbed。"
　　"Open，d——nyou，"saysCastlewood，withacurse。
　　"Ishallopentonoone，"saystheman，shuttingtheglasswindowasFrankdrewapistol。Hewouldhavefiredattheporter，butEsmondagainheldhishand。
　　"Therearemorewaysthanone，"sayshe，"ofenteringsuchagreathouseasthis。"Frankgrumbledthatthewestgatewashalfamileround。"ButIknowofawaythat'snotahundredyardsoff，"saysMr。Esmond;andleadinghiskinsmanclosealongthewall，andbytheshrubswhichhadnowgrownthickonwhathadbeenanoldmoataboutthehouse，theycametothebuttress，atthesideofwhichthelittlewindowwas，whichwasFatherHolt'sprivatedoor。
　　Esmondclimbeduptothiseasily，brokeapanethathadbeenmended，andtouchedthespringinside，andthetwogentlemenpassedinthatway，treadingaslightlyastheycould;andsogoingthroughthepassageintothecourt，overwhichthedawnwasnowreddening，andwherethefountainplashedinthesilence。
　　Theyspedinstantlytotheporter'slodge，wherethefellowhadnotfastenedhisdoorthatledintothecourt;andpistolinhandcameupontheterrifiedwretch，andbadehimbesilent。Thentheyaskedhim（Esmond'sheadreeled，andhealmostfellashespoke）whenLordCastlewoodhadarrived？Hesaidonthepreviousevening，abouteightoftheclock。——"Andwhatthen？"——Hislordshipsuppedwithhissister。——"Didthemanwait？"Yes，heandmylady'smaidbothwaited:theotherservantsmadethesupper;andtherewasnowine，andtheycouldgivehislordshipbutmilk，atwhichhegrumbled;and——andMadamBeatrixkeptMissLucyalwaysintheroomwithher。AndtherebeingabedacrossthecourtintheChaplain'sroom，shehadarrangedmylordwastosleepthere。MadamBeatrixhadcomedownstairslaughingwiththemaids，andhadlockedherselfin，andmylordhadstoodforawhiletalkingtoherthroughthedoor，andshelaughingathim。Andthenhepacedthecourtawhile，andshecameagaintotheupperwindow;andmylordimploredhertocomedownandwalkintheroom;butshewouldnot，andlaughedathimagain，andshutthewindow;andsomylord，utteringwhatseemedcurses，butinaforeignlanguage，wenttotheChaplain'sroomtobed。
　　"Wasthisall！"——"All，"themansworeuponhishonor;allashehopedtobesaved。——"Stop，therewasonethingmore。Mylord，onarriving，andonceortwiceduringsupper，didkisshissister，aswasnatural，andshekissedhim。"AtthisEsmondgroundhisteethwithrage，andwellnighthrottledtheamazedmiscreantwhowasspeaking，whereasCastlewood，seizingholdofhiscousin'shand，burstintoagreatfitoflaughter。
　　"Ifitamusesthee，"saysEsmondinFrench，"thatyoursistershouldbeexchangingofkisseswithastranger，IfearpoorBeatrixwillgivetheeplentyofsport。"——Esmonddarklythought，howHamilton，Ashburnham，hadbeforebeenmastersofthoserosesthattheyoungPrince'slipswerenowfeedingon。Hesickenedatthatnotion。Hercheekwasdesecrated，herbeautytarnished;shameandhonorstoodbetweenitandhim。Thelovewasdeadwithinhim;hadsheacrowntobringhimwithherlove，hefeltthatbothwoulddegradehim。
　　ButthiswrathagainstBeatrixdidnotlessentheangryfeelingsoftheColonelagainstthemanwhohadbeentheoccasionifnotthecauseoftheevil。Franksatdownonastonebenchinthecourt—
　　yard，andfairlyfellasleep，whileEsmondpacedupanddownthecourt，debatingwhatshouldensue。WhatmatteredhowmuchorhowlittlehadpassedbetweenthePrinceandthepoorfaithlessgirl？
　　Theywerearrivedintimeperhapstorescueherperson，butnothermind;hadshenotinstigatedtheyoungPrincetocometoher;
　　subornedservants，dismissedothers，sothatshemightcommunicatewithhim？Thetreacherousheartwithinherhadsurrendered，thoughtheplacewassafe;anditwastowinthisthathehadgivenalife'sstruggleanddevotion;this，thatshewasreadytogiveawayforthebribeofacoronetorawinkofthePrince'seye。
　　WhenhehadthoughthisthoughtsoutheshookuppoorFrankfromhissleep，whoroseyawning，andsaidhehadbeendreamingofClotilda。"Youmustbackme，"saysEsmond，inwhatIamgoingtodo。Ihavebeenthinkingthatyonderscoundrelmayhavebeeninstructedtotellthatstory，andthatthewholeofitmaybealie;ifitbe，weshallfinditoutfromthegentlemanwhoisasleepyonder。Seeifthedoorleadingtomylady'srooms，"（sowecalledtheroomsatthenorth—westangleofthehouse，）"seeifthedoorisbarredashesaith。"Wetried;itwasindeedasthelackeyhadsaid，closedwithin。
　　"Itmayhavebeenopenedandshutafterwards，"sayspoorEsmond;
　　"thefoundressofourfamilyletourancestorininthatway。"
　　"Whatwillyoudo，Harry，if——ifwhatthatfellowsaithshouldturnoutuntrue？"Theyoungmanlookedscaredandfrightenedintohiskinsman'sface;Idaresayitworenoverypleasantexpression。
　　"Letusfirstgoseewhetherthetwostoriesagree，"saysEsmond;
　　andwentinatthepassageandopenedthedoorintowhathadbeenhisownchambernowforwellnighfive—and—twentyyears。Acandlewasstillburning，andthePrinceasleepdressedonthebed——Esmonddidnotcareformakinganoise。ThePrincestartedupinhisbed，seeingtwomeninhischamber。"Quiestla"sayshe，andtookapistolfromunderhispillow。
　　"ItistheMarquisofEsmond，"saystheColonel，"cometowelcomehisMajestytohishouseofCastlewood，andtoreportofwhathathhappenedinLondon。PursuanttotheKing'sorders，Ipassedthenightbeforelast，afterleavinghisMajesty，inwaitinguponthefriendsoftheKing。ItisapitythathisMajesty'sdesiretoseethecountryandtovisitourpoorhouseshouldhavecausedtheKingtoquitLondonwithoutnoticeyesterday，whentheopportunityhappenedwhichinallhumanprobabilitymaynotoccuragain;andhadtheKingnotchosentoridetoCastlewood，thePrinceofWalesmighthavesleptatSt。James's。"
　　"'Sdeath！gentlemen，"saysthePrince，startingoffhisbed，whereonhewaslyinginhisclothes，"theDoctorwaswithmeyesterdaymorning，andafterwatchingbymysisterallnight，toldmeImightnothopetoseetheQueen。"
　　"Itwouldhavebeenotherwise，"saysEsmondwithanotherbow;"as，bythistime，theQueenmaybedeadinspiteoftheDoctor。TheCouncilwasmet，anewTreasurerwasappointed，thetroopsweredevotedtotheKing'scause;andfiftyloyalgentlemenofthegreatestnamesofthiskingdomwereassembledtoaccompanythePrinceofWales，whomighthavebeentheacknowledgedheirofthethrone，orthepossessorofitbythistime，hadyourMajestynotchosentotaketheair。Wewereready;therewasonlyonepersonthatfailedus，yourMajesty'sgracious——"
　　"Morbleu，Monsieur，yougivemetoomuchMajesty，"saidthePrince，whohadnowrisenupandseemedtobelookingtooneofustohelphimtohiscoat。Butneitherstirred。
　　"Weshalltakecare，"saysEsmond，"notmuchoftenertooffendinthatparticular。"
　　"Whatmeanyou，mylord？"saysthePrince，andmutteredsomethingaboutaguet—a—pens，whichEsmondcaughtup。
　　"Thesnare，Sir，"saidhe，"wasnotofourlaying;itisnotwethatinvitedyou。Wecametoavenge，andnottocompass，thedishonorofourfamily。"
　　"Dishonor！Morbleu，therehasbeennodishonor，"saysthePrince，turningscarlet，"onlyalittleharmlessplaying。"
　　"Thatwasmeanttoendseriously。"
　　"Iswear，"thePrincebrokeoutimpetuously，"uponthehonorofagentleman，mylords——"
　　"Thatwearrivedintime。Nowronghathbeendone，Frank，"saysColonelEsmond，turningroundtoyoungCastlewood，whostoodatthedoorasthetalkwasgoingon。"See！hereisapaperwhereonhisMajestyhasdeignedtocommencesomeversesinhonor，ordishonor，ofBeatrix。Hereis'Madame'and'Flamme，''Cruelle'and'Rebelle，'and'Amour'and'Jour'intheRoyalwritingandspelling。HadtheGraciousloverbeenhappy，hehadnotpassedhistimeinsighing。"Infact，andactuallyashewasspeaking，Esmondcasthiseyesdowntowardsthetable，andsawapaperonwhichmyyoungPrincehadbeenscrawlingamadrigal，thatwastofinishhischarmeronthemorrow。
　　"Sir，"saysthePrince，burningwithrage（hehadassumedhisRoyalcoatunassistedbythistime），"didIcomeheretoreceiveinsults？"
　　"Toconferthem，mayitpleaseyourMajesty，"saystheColonel，withaverylowbow，"andthegentlemenofourfamilyarecometothankyou。"
　　"Malediction！"saystheyoungman，tearsstartingintohiseyeswithhelplessrageandmortification。"Whatwillyouwithme，gentlemen？"
　　"IfyourMajestywillpleasetoenterthenextapartment，"saysEsmond，preservinghisgravetone，"IhavesomepaperstherewhichIwouldgladlysubmittoyou，andbyyourpermissionIwillleadtheway;"and，takingthetaperup，andbackingbeforethePrincewithverygreatceremony，Mr。EsmondpassedintothelittleChaplain'sroom，throughwhichwehadjustenteredintothehouse:——
　　"PleasetosetachairforhisMajesty，Frank，"saystheColoneltohiscompanion，whowonderedalmostasmuchatthisscene，andwasasmuchpuzzledbyit，astheotheractorinit。Thengoingtothecryptoverthemantel—piece，theColonelopenedit，anddrewthencethepaperswhichsolonghadlainthere。
　　"Here，mayitpleaseyourMajesty，"sayshe，"isthePatentofMarquissentoverbyyourRoyalFatheratSt。GermainstoViscountCastlewood，myfather:hereisthewitnessedcertificateofmyfather'smarriagetomymother，andofmybirthandchristening;I
　　waschristenedofthatreligionofwhichyoursaintedsiregaveallthroughlifesoshiningexample。Thesearemytitles，dearFrank，andthiswhatIdowiththem:heregoBaptismandMarriage，andheretheMarquisateandtheAugustSign—Manual，withwhichyourpredecessorwaspleasedtohonorourrace。"AndasEsmondspokehesetthepapersburninginthebrazier。"Youwillplease，sir，toremember，"hecontinued，"thatourfamilyhathruineditselfbyfidelitytoyours:thatmygrandfatherspenthisestate，andgavehisbloodandhissontodieforyourservice;thatmydearlord'sgrandfather（forlordyouarenow，Frank，byrightandtitletoo）
　　diedforthesamecause;thatmypoorkinswoman，myfather'ssecondwife，aftergivingawayherhonortoyourwickedperjuredrace，sentallherwealthtotheKing;andgotinreturn，thatprecioustitlethatliesinashes，andthisinestimableyardofblueribbon。
　　Ilaythisatyourfeetandstampuponit:Idrawthissword，andbreakitanddenyyou;and，hadyoucompletedthewrongyoudesignedus，byheavenIwouldhavedrivenitthroughyourheart，andnomorepardonedyouthanyourfatherpardonedMonmouth。Frankwilldothesame，won'tyou，cousin？"
　　Frank，whohadbeenlookingonwithastupidairatthepapers，astheyflamedintheoldbrazier，tookouthisswordandbrokeit，holdinghisheaddown:——"Igowithmycousin，"sayshe，givingEsmondagraspofthehand。"Marquisornot，by———，Istandbyhimanyday。IbegyourMajesty'spardonforswearing;thatis——
　　thatis——I'mfortheElectorofHanover。It'sallyourMajesty'sownfault。TheQueen'sdeadmostlikelybythistime。AndyoumighthavebeenKingifyouhadn'tcomedanglingafterTrix。"
　　"Thustoloseacrown，"saystheyoungPrince，startingup，andspeakingFrenchinhiseagerway;"tolosetheloveliestwomanintheworld;tolosetheloyaltyofsuchheartsasyours，isnotthis，mylords，enoughofhumiliation？——Marquis，ifIgoonmykneeswillyoupardonme？——No，Ican'tdothat，butIcanofferyoureparation，thatofhonor，thatofgentlemen。Favormebycrossingtheswordwithmine:yoursisbroke——see，yonderinthearmoirearetwo;"andthePrincetookthemoutaseagerasaboy，andheldthemtowardsEsmond:——"Ah！youwill？Merci，monsieur，merci！"
　　Extremelytouchedbythisimmensemarkofcondescensionandrepentanceforwrongdone，ColonelEsmondboweddownsolowasalmosttokissthegraciousyounghandthatconferredonhimsuchanhonor，andtookhisguardinsilence。Theswordswerenosoonermet，thanCastlewoodknockedupEsmond'swiththebladeofhisown，whichhehadbrokeoffshortattheshell;andtheColonelfallingbackastepdroppedhispointwithanotherverylowbow，anddeclaredhimselfperfectlysatisfied。
　　"Ehbien，Vicomte！"saystheyoungPrince，whowasaboy，andaFrenchboy，"ilnenousrestequ'unechoseafaire:"heplacedhissworduponthetable，andthefingersofhistwohandsuponhisbreast:——"Wehaveonemorethingtodo，"sayshe;"youdonotdivineit？"Hestretchedouthisarms:——"Embrassonsnous！"
　　ThetalkwasscarceoverwhenBeatrixenteredtheroom:——Whatcameshetoseekthere？Shestartedandturnedpaleatthesightofherbrotherandkinsman，drawnswords，brokensword—blades，andpapersyetsmoulderinginthebrazier。
　　"CharmingBeatrix，"saysthePrince，withablushwhichbecamehimverywell，"theselordshavecomea—horsebackfromLondon，wheremysisterliesinadespairedstate，andwherehersuccessormakeshimselfdesired。Pardonmeformyescapadeoflastevening。Ihadbeensolongaprisoner，thatIseizedtheoccasionofapromenadeonhorseback，andmyhorsenaturallyboremetowardsyou。IfoundyouaQueeninyourlittlecourt，whereyoudeignedtoentertainme。Presentmyhomagestoyourmaidsofhonor。Isighedasyouslept，underthewindowofyourchamber，andthenretiredtoseekrestinmyown。Itwastherethatthesegentlemenagreeablyrousedme。Yes，milords，forthatisahappydaythatmakesaPrinceacquainted，atwhatevercosttohisvanity，withsuchanobleheartasthatoftheMarquisofEsmond。Mademoiselle，maywetakeyourcoachtotown？Isawitinthehangar，andthispoorMarquismustbedroppingwithsleep。"
　　"WillitpleasetheKingtobreakfastbeforehegoes？"wasallBeatrixcouldsay。Theroseshadshudderedoutofhercheeks;hereyeswereglaring;shelookedquiteold。ShecameuptoEsmondandhissedoutawordortwo:——"IfIdidnotloveyoubefore，cousin，"
　　saysshe，"thinkhowIloveyounow。"Ifwordscouldstab，nodoubtshewouldhavekilledEsmond;shelookedathimasifshecould。
　　ButherkeenwordsgavenowoundtoMr。Esmond;hisheartwastoohard。Ashelookedather，hewonderedthathecouldeverhavelovedher。Hisloveoftenyearswasover;itfelldowndeadonthespot，attheKensingtonTavern，whereFrankbroughthimthenoteoutof"EikonBasilike。"ThePrinceblushedandbowedlow，asshegazedathim，andquittedthechamber。Ihaveneverseenherfromthatday。
　　Horseswerefetchedandputtothechariotpresently。Mylordrodeoutside，andasforEsmondhewassotiredthathewasnosoonerinthecarriagethanhefellasleep，andneverwoketillnight，asthecoachcameintoAlton。
　　Aswedrovetothe"Bell"InncomesamitredcoachwithouroldfriendLockwoodbesidethecoachman。MyLadyCastlewoodandtheBishopwereinside;shegavealittlescreamwhenshesawus。Thetwocoachesenteredtheinnalmosttogether;thelandlordandpeoplecomingoutwithlightstowelcomethevisitors。
　　Weinourcoachsprangoutofit，assoonaseverwesawthedearlady，andaboveall，theDoctorinhiscassock。Whatwasthenews？
　　Wasthereyettime？WastheQueenalive？Thesequestionswereputhurriedly，asBonifacestoodwaitingbeforehisnoblegueststobowthemupthestair。
　　"Isshesafe？"waswhatLadyCastlewoodwhisperedinafluttertoEsmond。
　　"All'swell，thankGod，"sayshe，asthefondladytookhishandandkissedit，andcalledhimherpreserverandherdear。SHE
　　wasn'tthinkingofQueensandcrowns。
　　TheBishop'snewswasreassuring:atleastallwasnotlost;theQueenyetbreathed，orwasalivewhentheyleftLondon，sixhourssince。（"ItwasLadyCastlewoodwhoinsistedoncoming，"theDoctorsaid。）ArgylehadmarchedupregimentsfromPortsmouth，andsentabroadformore;theWhigswereonthealert，apestonthem，（IamnotsurebuttheBishopsworeashespoke，）andsotoowereourpeople。Andallmightbesaved，ifonlythePrincecouldbeatLondonintime。Wecalledforhorses，instantlytoreturntoLondon。WeneverwentuppoorcrestfallenBoniface'sstairs，butintoourcoachesagain。ThePrinceandhisPrimeMinisterinone，Esmondintheother，withonlyhisdearmistressasacompanion。
　　CastlewoodgallopedforwardsonhorsebacktogatherthePrince'sfriendsandwarnthemofhiscoming。Wetravelledthroughthenight。Esmonddiscoursingtohismistressoftheeventsofthelasttwenty—fourhours;ofCastlewood'srideandhis;ofthePrince'sgenerousbehaviorandtheirreconciliation。Thenightseemedshortenough;andthestarlithourspassedawayserenelyinthatfondcompany。
　　Sowecamealongtheroad;theBishop'scoachheadingours;and，withsomedelaysinprocuringhorses，wegottoHammersmithaboutfouro'clockonSundaymorning，thefirstofAugust，andhalfanhourafter，itbeingthenbrightday，werodebymyLadyWarwick'shouse，andsodownthestreetofKensington。
　　Earlyasthehourwas，therewasabustleinthestreetandmanypeoplemovingtoandfro。RoundthegateleadingtothePalace，wheretheguardis，therewasespeciallyagreatcrowd。Andthecoachaheadofusstopped，andtheBishop'smangotdowntoknowwhattheconcoursemeant？
　　Therepresentlycamefromoutofthegate——HorseGuardswiththeirtrumpets，andacompanyofheraldswiththeirtabards。Thetrumpetsblew，andtheherald—at—armscameforwardandproclaimedGEORGE，bytheGraceofGod，ofGreatBritain，France，andIreland，King，DefenderoftheFaith。AndthepeopleshoutedGodsavetheKing！
　　Amongthecrowdshoutingandwavingtheirhats，Icaughtsightofonesadface，whichIhadknownallmylife，andseenundermanydisguises。ItwasnootherthanpoorMr。Holt's，whohadslippedovertoEnglandtowitnessthetriumphofthegoodcause;andnowbehelditsenemiesvictorious，amidsttheacclamationsoftheEnglishpeople。Thepoorfellowhadforgottohuzzahortotakehishatoff，untilhisneighborsinthecrowdremarkedhiswantofloyalty，andcursedhimforaJesuitindisguise，whenheruefullyuncoveredandbegantocheer。Surehewasthemostunluckyofmen:
　　heneverplayedagamebuthelostit;orengagedinaconspiracybut'twascertaintoendindefeat。IsawhiminFlandersafterthis，whencehewenttoRometothehead—quartersofhisOrder;andactuallyreappearedamongusinAmerica，veryold，andbusy，andhopeful。Iamnotsurethathedidnotassumethehatchetandmoccasinsthere;and，attiredinablanketandwar—paint，skulkaboutamissionaryamongsttheIndians。HeliesburiedinourneighboringprovinceofMarylandnow，withacrossoverhim，andamoundofearthabovehim;underwhichthatunquietspiritisforeveratpeace。
　　WiththesoundofKingGeorge'strumpets，allthevainhopesoftheweakandfoolishyoungPretenderwereblownaway;andwiththatmusic，too，Imaysay，thedramaofmyownlifewasended。Thathappiness，whichhathsubsequentlycrownedit，cannotbewritteninwords;'tisofitsnaturesacredandsecret，andnottobespokenof，thoughtheheartbeeversofullofthankfulness，savetoHeavenandtheOneEaralone——toonefondbeing，thetruestandtenderestandpurestwifeevermanwasblessedwith。AsIthinkoftheimmensehappinesswhichwasinstoreforme，andofthedepthandintensityofthatlovewhich，forsomanyyears，hathblessedme，Iowntoatransportofwonderandgratitudeforsuchaboon——
　　nay，amthankfultohavebeenendowedwithaheartcapableoffeelingandknowingtheimmensebeautyandvalueofthegiftwhichGodhathbestoweduponme。Sure，lovevincitomnia;isimmeasurablyaboveallambition，morepreciousthanwealth，morenoblethanname。Heknowsnotlifewhoknowsnotthat:hehathnotfeltthehighestfacultyofthesoulwhohathnotenjoyedit。InthenameofmywifeIwritethecompletionofhope，andthesummitofhappiness。Tohavesuchaloveistheoneblessing，incomparisonofwhichallearthlyjoyisofnovalue;andtothinkofher，istopraiseGod。
　　ItwasatBruxelles，whitherweretreatedafterthefailureofourplot——ourWhigfriendsadvisingustokeepoutoftheway——thatthegreatjoyofmylifewasbestoweduponme，andthatmydearmistressbecamemywife。Wehadbeensoaccustomedtoanextremeintimacyandconfidence，andhadlivedsolongandtenderlytogether，thatwemighthavegoneontotheendwithoutthinkingofaclosertie;butcircumstancesbroughtaboutthateventwhichsoprodigiouslymultipliedmyhappinessandhers（forwhichIhumblythankHeaven），althoughacalamitybefellus，which，Iblushtothink，hathoccurredmorethanonceinourhouse。Iknownotwhatinfatuationofambitionurgedthebeautifulandwaywardwoman，whosenamehathoccupiedsomanyofthesepages，andwhowasservedbymewithtenyearsofsuchconstantfidelityandpassion;buteverafterthatdayatCastlewood，whenwerescuedher，shepersistedinholdingallherfamilyasherenemies，andleftus，andescapedtoFrance，towhatafateIdisdaintotell。Norwasherson'shouseahomeformydearmistress;mypoorFrankwasweak，asperhapsallourracehathbeen，andledbywomen。Thosearoundhimwereimperious，andinaterrorofhismother'sinfluenceoverhim，lestheshouldrecant，anddenythecreedwhichhehadadoptedbytheirpersuasion。Thedifferenceoftheirreligionseparatedthesonandthemother:mydearestmistressfeltthatshewasseveredfromherchildrenandaloneintheworld——
　　alonebutforoneconstantservantonwhosefidelity，praisedbeHeaven，shecouldcount。'TwasafterasceneofignoblequarrelonthepartofFrank'swifeandmother（forthepoorladhadbeenmadetomarrythewholeofthatGermanfamilywithwhomhehadconnectedhimself），thatIfoundmymistressonedayintears，andthenbesoughthertoconfideherselftothecareanddevotionofonewho，byGod'shelp，wouldneverforsakeher。Andthenthetendermatron，asbeautifulinherAutumn，andaspureasvirginsintheirspring，withblushesofloveand"eyesofmeeksurrender，"yieldedtomyrespectfulimportunity，andconsentedtosharemyhome。LetthelastwordsIwritethankher，andblessherwhohathblessedit。
　　BythekindnessofMr。Addison，alldangerofprosecution，andeveryobstacleagainstourreturntoEngland，wasremoved;andmysonFrank'sgallantryinScotlandmadehispeacewiththeKing'sgovernment。ButwetwocarednolongertoliveinEngland:andFrankformallyandjoyfullyyieldedovertousthepossessionofthatestatewhichwenowoccupy，farawayfromEuropeanditstroubles，onthebeautifulbanksofthePotomac，wherewehavebuiltanewCastlewood，andthinkwithgratefulheartsofouroldhome。InourTransatlanticcountrywehaveaseason，thecalmestandmostdelightfuloftheyear，whichwecalltheIndiansummer:I
　　oftensaytheautumnofourliferesemblesthathappyandsereneweather，andamthankfulforitsrestanditssweetsunshine。
　　Heavenhathblesseduswithachild，whicheachparentlovesforherresemblancetotheother。Ourdiamondsareturnedintoploughsandaxesforourplantations;andintonegroes，thehappiestandmerriest，Ithink，inallthiscountry:andtheonlyjewelbywhichmywifesetsanystore，andfromwhichshehathneverparted，isthatgoldbuttonshetookfrommyarmonthedaywhenshevisitedmeinprison，andwhichsheworeeverafter，asshetoldme，onthetenderestheartintheworld。