HarryEsmondblushed:\"I——IhavesupperwithMrs。Worksop，\"sayshe。
\"D——nit，\"saysmylord，\"thoushaltsupwithus，Harry，to—night！
Shan\'trefusealady，shallhe，Trix？\"——andtheyallwonderedatHarry\'sperformanceasatrencher—man，inwhichcharacterthepoorboyacquittedhimselfveryremarkably;forthetruthishehadhadnodinner，nobodythinkingofhiminthebustlewhichthehousewasin，duringthepreparationsantecedenttothenewlord\'sarrival。
\"Nodinner！poordearchild！\"saysmylady，heapinguphisplatewithmeat，andmylord，fillingabumperforhim，badehimcallahealth;onwhichMasterHarry，crying\"TheKing，\"tossedoffthewine。Mylordwasreadytodrinkthat，andmostothertoasts:
indeedonlytooready。HewouldnothearofDoctorTusher（theVicarofCastlewood，whocametosupper）goingawaywhenthesweetmeatswerebrought:hehadnothadachaplainlongenough，hesaid，tobetiredofhim:sohisreverencekeptmylordcompanyforsomehoursoverapipeandapunch—bowl;andwentawayhomewithratherareelinggait，anddeclaringadozenoftimes，thathislordship\'saffabilitysurpassedeverykindnesshehadeverhadfromhislordship\'sgraciousfamily。
AsforyoungEsmond，whenhegottohislittlechamber，itwaswithaheartfullofsurpriseandgratitudetowardsthenewfriendswhomthishappydayhadbroughthim。Hewasupandwatchinglongbeforethehousewasastir，longingtoseethatfairladyandherchildren——thatkindprotectorandpatron:andonlyfearfullesttheirwelcomeofthepastnightshouldinanywaybewithdrawnoraltered。ButpresentlylittleBeatrixcameoutintothegarden，andhermotherfollowed，whogreetedHarryaskindlyasbefore。Hetoldheratgreaterlengththehistoriesofthehouse（whichhehadbeentaughtintheoldlord\'stime），andtowhichshelistenedwithgreatinterest;andthenhetoldher，withrespecttothenightbefore，thatheunderstoodFrench，andthankedherforherprotection。
\"Doyou？\"saysshe，withablush;\"then，sir，youshallteachmeandBeatrix。\"Andsheaskedhimmanymorequestionsregardinghimself，whichhadbestbetoldmorefullyandexplicitlythaninthosebriefreplieswhichtheladmadetohismistress\'squestions。
CHAPTERII。
RELATESHOWFRANCIS，FOURTHVISCOUNT，ARRIVESATCASTLEWOOD。
\'TisknownthatthenameofEsmondandtheestateofCastlewood，com。Hants，cameintopossessionofthepresentfamilythroughDorothea，daughterandheiressofEdward，EarlandMarquisEsmond，andLordofCastlewood，whichladymarried，23Eliz。，HenryPoyns，gent。;thesaidHenrybeingthenapageinthehouseholdofherfather。Francis，sonandheiroftheaboveHenryandDorothea，whotookthematernalnamewhichthefamilyhathbornesubsequently，wasmadeKnightandBaronetbyKingJamestheFirst;andbeingofamilitarydisposition，remainedlonginGermanywiththeElector—
Palatine，inwhoseserviceSirFrancisincurredbothexpenseanddanger，lendinglargesumsofmoneytothatunfortunatePrince;andreceivingmanywoundsinthebattlesagainsttheImperialists，inwhichSirFrancisengaged。
OnhisreturnhomeSirFranciswasrewardedforhisservicesandmanysacrifices，byhislateMajestyJamestheFirst，whograciouslyconferreduponthistriedservantthepostofWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing\'sPosset，whichhighandconfidentialofficehefilledinthatking\'sandhisunhappysuccessor\'sreign。
Hisage，andmanywoundsandinfirmities，obligedSirFrancistoperformmuchofhisdutybydeputy:andhisson，SirGeorgeEsmond，knightandbanneret，firstashisfather\'slieutenant，andafterwardsasinheritorofhisfather\'stitleanddignity，performedthisofficeduringalmostthewholeofthereignofKingCharlestheFirst，andhistwosonswhosucceededhim。
SirGeorgeEsmondmarried，ratherbeneaththerankthatapersonofhisnameandhonormightaspireto，thedaughterofThos。Topham，ofthecityofLondon，aldermanandgoldsmith，who，takingtheParliamentarysideinthetroublesthencommencing，disappointedSirGeorgeofthepropertywhichheexpectedatthedemiseofhisfather—in—law，whodevisedhismoneytohisseconddaughter，Barbara，aspinster。
SirGeorgeEsmond，onhispart，wasconspicuousforhisattachmentandloyaltytotheRoyalcauseandperson:andtheKingbeingatOxfordin1642，SirGeorge，withtheconsentofhisfather，thenveryagedandinfirm，andresidingathishouseofCastlewood，meltedthewholeofthefamilyplateforhisMajesty\'sservice。
Forthis，andothersacrificesandmerits，hisMajesty，bypatentunderthePrivySeal，datedOxford，Jan。，1643，waspleasedtoadvanceSirFrancisEsmondtothedignityofViscountCastlewood，ofShandon，inIreland:andtheViscount\'sestatebeingmuchimpoverishedbyloanstotheKing，whichinthosetroublesometimeshisMajestycouldnotrepay，agrantoflandintheplantationsofVirginiawasgiventotheLordViscount。;partofwhichlandisinpossessionofdescendantsofhisfamilytothepresentday。
ThefirstViscountCastlewooddiedfullofyears，andwithinafewmonthsafterhehadbeenadvancedtohishonors。Hewassucceededbyhiseldestson，thebefore—namedGeorge;andleftissuebesides，Thomas，acolonelintheKing\'sarmy，whoafterwardsjoinedtheUsurper\'sGovernment;andFrancis，inholyorders，whowasslainwhilstdefendingtheHouseofCastlewoodagainsttheParliament，anno1647。
GeorgeLordCastlewood（thesecondViscount），ofKingCharlestheFirst\'stime，hadnomaleissuesavehisoneson，EustaceEsmond，whowaskilled，withhalfoftheCastlewoodmenbesidehim，atWorcesterfight。ThelandsaboutCastlewoodweresoldandapportionedtotheCommonwealthmen;CastlewoodbeingconcernedinalmostalloftheplotsagainsttheProtector，afterthedeathoftheKing，anduptoKingCharlestheSecond\'srestoration。Mylordfollowedthatking\'sCourtaboutinitsexile，havingruinedhimselfinitsservice。Hehadbutonedaughter，whowasofnogreatcomforttoherfather;formisfortunehadnottaughtthoseexilessobrietyoflife;anditissaidthattheDukeofYorkandhisbrothertheKingbothquarrelledaboutIsabelEsmond。ShewasmaidofhonortotheQueenHenriettaMaria;sheearlyjoinedtheRomanChurch;herfather，aweakman，followinghernotlongafteratBreda。
OnthedeathofEustaceEsmondatWorcester，ThomasEsmond，nephewtomyLordCastlewood，andthenastripling，becameheirtothetitle。HisfatherhadtakentheParliamentsideinthequarrels，andsohadbeenestrangedfromthechiefofhishouse;andmyLordCastlewoodwasatfirstsomuchenragedtothinkthathistitle（albeitlittlemorethananemptyonenow）shouldpasstoarascallyRoundhead，thathewouldhavemarriedagain，andindeedproposedtodosotoavintner\'sdaughteratBruges，towhomhislordshipowedascoreforlodgingwhentheKingwasthere，butforfearofthelaughteroftheCourt，andtheangerofhisdaughter，ofwhomhestoodinawe;forshewasintemperasimperiousandviolentasmylord，whowasmuchenfeebledbywoundsanddrinking，wasweak。
LordCastlewoodwouldhavehadamatchbetweenhisdaughterIsabelandhercousin，thesonofthatFrancisEsmondwhowaskilledatCastlewoodsiege。Andthelady，itwassaid，tookafancytotheyoungman，whowasherjuniorbyseveralyears（whichcircumstanceshedidnotconsidertobeafaultinhim）;buthavingpaidhiscourt，andbeingadmittedtotheintimacyofthehouse，hesuddenlyflunguphissuit，whenitseemedtobeprettyprosperous，withoutgivingapretextforhisbehavior。Hisfriendsralliedhimatwhattheylaughinglychosetocallhisinfidelity;JackChurchill，FrankEsmond\'slieutenantintheRoyalRegimentofFoot—guards，gettingthecompanywhichEsmondvacated，whenhelefttheCourtandwenttoTangierinarageatdiscoveringthathispromotiondependedonthecomplaisanceofhiselderlyaffiancedbride。HeandChurchill，whohadbeencondiscipuliatSt。Paul\'sSchool，hadwordsaboutthismatter;andFrankEsmondsaidtohimwithanoath，\"Jack，yoursistermaybeso—and—so，butbyJovemywifeshan\'t！\"andswordsweredrawn，andblooddrawntoo，untilfriendsseparatedthemonthisquarrel。Fewmenweresojealousaboutthepointofhonorinthosedays;andgentlemenofgoodbirthandlineagethoughtaroyalblotwasanornamenttotheirfamilycoat。FrankEsmondretiredinthesulks，firsttoTangier，whencehereturnedaftertwoyears\'
service，settlingonasmallpropertyhehadofhismother，neartoWinchester，andbecameacountrygentleman，andkeptapackofbeagles，andnevercametoCourtagaininKingCharles\'stime。ButhisuncleCastlewoodwasneverreconciledtohim;nor，forsometimeafterwards，hiscousinwhomhehadrefused。
Byplaces，pensions，bountiesfromFrance，andgiftsfromtheKing，whilsthisdaughterwasinfavor，LordCastlewood，whohadspentintheRoyalservicehisyouthandfortune，didnotretrievethelatterquite，andnevercaredtovisitCastlewood，orrepairit，sincethedeathofhisson，butmanagedtokeepagoodhouse，andfigureatCourt，andtosaveaconsiderablesumofreadymoney。
Andnow，hisheirandnephew，ThomasEsmond，begantobidforhisuncle\'sfavor。ThomashadservedwiththeEmperor，andwiththeDutch，whenKingCharleswascompelledtolendtroopstotheStates;andagainstthem，whenhisMajestymadeanalliancewiththeFrenchKing。InthesecampaignsThomasEsmondwasmoreremarkedforduelling，brawling，vice，andplay，thanforanyconspicuousgallantryinthefield，andcamebacktoEngland，likemanyanotherEnglishgentlemanwhohastravelled，withacharacterbynomeansimprovedbyhisforeignexperience。Hehaddissipatedhissmallpaternalinheritanceofayoungerbrother\'sportion，and，astruthmustbetold，wasnobetterthanahanger—onofordinaries，andabrawleraboutAlsatiaandtheFriars，whenhebethoughthimofameansofmendinghisfortune。
Hiscousinwasnowofmorethanmiddleage，andhadnobody\'swordbutherownforthebeautywhichshesaidsheoncepossessed。Shewaslean，andyellow，andlonginthetooth;alltheredandwhiteinallthetoy—shopsinLondoncouldnotmakeabeautyofher——Mr。
KilligrewcalledhertheSybil，thedeath\'s—headputupattheKing\'sfeastasamementomori，&c。——infine，awomanwhomightbeeasyofconquest，butwhomonlyaveryboldmanwouldthinkofconquering。ThisboldmanwasThomasEsmond。HehadafancytomyLordCastlewood\'ssavings，theamountofwhichrumorhadverymuchexaggerated。MadameIsabelwassaidtohaveRoyaljewelsofgreatvalue;whereaspoorTomEsmond\'slastcoatbutonewasinpawn。
MylordhadatthistimeafinehouseinLincoln\'s—Inn—Fields，nightotheDuke\'sTheatreandthePortugalambassador\'schapel。TomEsmond，whohadfrequentedtheoneaslongashehadmoneytospendamongtheactresses，nowcametothechurchasassiduously。Helookedsoleanandshabby，thathepassedwithoutdifficultyforarepentantsinner;andso，becomingconverted，youmaybesuretookhisuncle\'spriestforadirector。
Thischaritablefatherreconciledhimwiththeoldlord，hisuncle，whoashorttimebeforewouldnotspeaktohim，asTompassedundermylord\'scoachwindow，hislordshipgoinginstatetohisplaceatCourt，whilehisnephewslunkbywithhisbatteredhatandfeather，andthepointofhisrapierstickingoutofthescabbard——tohistwopennyordinaryinBellYard。
ThomasEsmond，afterthisreconciliationwithhisuncle，verysoonbegantogrowsleek，andtoshowsignsofthebenefitsofgoodlivingandcleanlinen。Hefastedrigorouslytwiceaweek，tobesure;buthemadeamendsontheotherdays:and，toshowhowgreathisappetitewas，Mr。Wycherleysaid，heendedbyswallowingthatfly—blownrankoldmorselhiscousin。TherewereendlessjokesandlampoonsaboutthismarriageatCourt:butTomrodethitherinhisuncle\'scoachnow，calledhimfather，andhavingwoncouldaffordtolaugh。ThismarriagetookplaceveryshortlybeforeKingCharlesdied:whomtheViscountofCastlewoodspeedilyfollowed。
Theissueofthismarriagewasoneson，whomtheparentswatchedwithanintenseeagernessandcare;butwho，inspiteofnursesandphysicians，hadonlyabriefexistence。Histaintedblooddidnotrunverylonginhispoorfeeblelittlebody。Symptomsofevilbrokeoutearlyonhim;and，partfromflattery，partsuperstition，nothingwouldsatisfymylordandlady，especiallythelatter，buthavingthepoorlittlecrippletouchedbyhisMajestyathischurch。Theywerereadytocryoutmiracleatfirst（thedoctorsandquack—salversbeingconstantlyinattendanceonthechild，andexperimentingonhispoorlittlebodywitheveryconceivablenostrum）butthoughthereseemed，fromsomereason，anotableameliorationintheinfant\'shealthafterhisMajestytouchedhim，inafewweeksafterwardthepoorthingdied——causingthelampoonersoftheCourttosay，thattheKing，inexpellingeviloutoftheinfantofTomEsmondandIsabellahiswife，expelledthelifeoutofit，whichwasnothingbutcorruption。
Themother\'snaturalpangatlosingthispoorlittlechildmusthavebeenincreasedwhenshethoughtofherrivalFrankEsmond\'swife，whowasafavoriteofthewholeCourt，wheremypoorLadyCastlewoodwasneglected，andwhohadonechild，adaughter，flourishingandbeautiful，andwasabouttobecomeamotheroncemore。
TheCourt，asIhaveheard，onlylaughedthemorebecausethepoorlady，whohadprettywellpassedtheagewhenladiesareaccustomedtohavechildren，neverthelessdeterminednottogivehopeup，andevenwhenshecametoliveatCastlewood，wasconstantlysendingovertoHextonforthedoctor，andannouncingtoherfriendsthearrivalofanheir。Thisabsurdityofherswasoneamongstmanyotherswhichthewagsusedtoplayupon。Indeed，tothelastdaysofherlife，myLadyViscountesshadthecomfortoffancyingherselfbeautiful，andpersistedinbloominguptotheverymidstofwinter，paintingrosesonhercheekslongaftertheirnaturalseason，andattiringherselflikesummerthoughherheadwascoveredwithsnow。
GentlemenwhowereabouttheCourtofKingCharles，andKingJames，havetoldthepresentwriteranumberofstoriesaboutthisqueeroldlady，withwhichit\'snotnecessarythatposterityshouldbeentertained。Sheissaidtohavehadgreatpowersofinvectiveand，ifshefoughtwithallherrivalsinKingJames\'sfavor，\'tiscertainshemusthavehadavastnumberofquarrelsonherhands。
Shewasawomanofanintrepidspirit，and，itappears，pursuedandratherfatiguedhisMajestywithherrightsandherwrongs。SomesaythatthecauseofherleavingCourtwasjealousyofFrankEsmond\'swife:others，thatshewasforcedtoretreatafteragreatbattlewhichtookplaceatWhitehall，betweenherladyshipandLadyDorchester，TomKilligrew\'sdaughter，whomtheKingdelightedtohonor，andinwhichthatill—favoredEsthergotthebetterofourelderlyVashti。Butherladyship，forherpart，alwaysaverredthatitwasherhusband\'squarrel，andnotherown，whichoccasionedthebanishmentofthetwointothecountry;andthecruelingratitudeoftheSovereigningivingaway，outofthefamily，thatplaceofWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing\'sPosset，whichthetwolastLordsCastlewoodhadheldsohonorably，andwhichwasnowconferreduponafellowofyesterday，andahanger—onofthatodiousDorchestercreature，myLordBergamot;*\"Inever，\"saidmylady，couldhavecometoseehisMajesty\'spossetcarriedbyanyotherhandthananEsmond。I
shouldhavedashedthesalveroutofLordBergamot\'shand，hadI
methim。\"Andthosewhoknewherladyshipareawarethatshewasapersonquitecapableofperformingthisfeat，hadshenotwiselykeptoutoftheway。
*LionelTipton，createdBaronBergamot，ann。1686，GentlemanUsheroftheBackStairs，andafterwardsappointedWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing\'sPosset（onthedeceaseofGeorge，secondViscountCastlewood），accompaniedhisMajestytoSt。
Germain\'s，wherehediedwithoutissue。NoGroomofthePossetwasappointedbythePrinceofOrange，norhaththerebeensuchanofficerinanysucceedingreign。
Holdingthepurse—stringsinherowncontrol，towhich，indeed，shelikedtobringmostpersonswhocamenearher，LadyCastlewoodcouldcommandherhusband\'sobedience，andsobrokeupherestablishmentatLondon;shehadremovedfromLincoln\'s—Inn—FieldstoChelsey，toaprettynewhousesheboughtthere;andbroughtherestablishment，hermaids，lap—dogs，andgentlewomen，herpriest，andhislordshipherhusband，toCastlewoodHall，thatshehadneverseensinceshequitteditasachildwithherfatherduringthetroublesofKingCharlestheFirst\'sreign。ThewallswerestillopenintheoldhouseastheyhadbeenleftbytheshotoftheCommonwealthmen。Apartofthemansionwasrestoredandfurbishedupwiththeplate，hangings，andfurniturebroughtfromthehouseinLondon。MyladymeanttohaveatriumphalentryintoCastlewoodvillage，andexpectedthepeopletocheerasshedroveovertheGreeninhergreatcoach，mylordbesideher，hergentlewomen，lap—dogs，andcockatoosontheoppositeseat，sixhorsestohercarriage，andservantsarmedandmountedfollowingitandprecedingit。But\'twasintheheightoftheNo—Poperycry;
thefolksinthevillageandtheneighboringtownwerescaredbythesightofherladyship\'spaintedfaceandeyelids，asshebobbedherheadoutofthecoachwindow，meaning，nodoubt，tobeverygracious;andoneoldwomansaid，\"LadyIsabel！lord—a—mercy，it\'sLadyJezebel！\"anamebywhichtheenemiesoftherighthonorableViscountesswereafterwardsinthehabitofdesignatingher。ThecountrywastheninagreatNo—Poperyfervor;herladyship\'sknownconversion，andherhusband\'s，thepriestinhertrain，andtheserviceperformedatthechapelofCastlewood（thoughthechapelhadbeenbuiltforthatworshipbeforeanyotherwasheardofinthecountry，andthoughtheservicewasperformedinthemostquietmanner），gothernofavoratfirstinthecountyorvillage。ByfarthegreaterpartoftheestateofCastlewoodhadbeenconfiscated，andbeenparcelledouttoCommonwealthmen。OneortwooftheseoldCromwelliansoldierswerestillaliveinthevillage，andlookedgrimlyatfirstuponmyLadyViscountess，whenshecametodwellthere。
SheappearedattheHextonAssembly，bringingherlordafterher，scaringthecountryfolkswiththesplendorofherdiamonds，whichshealwaysworeinpublic。Theysaidsheworetheminprivate，too，andsleptwiththemroundherneck;thoughthewritercanpledgehiswordthatthiswasacalumny。\"Ifsheweretotakethemoff，\"myLadySarksaid，\"TomEsmond，herhusband，wouldrunawaywiththemandpawnthem。\"\'Twasanothercalumny。MyLadySarkwasalsoanexilefromCourt，andtherehadbeenwarbetweenthetwoladiesbefore。
Thevillagepeoplebegantobereconciledpresentlytotheirlady，whowasgenerousandkind，thoughfantasticandhaughty，inherways;andwhosepraisesDr。Tusher，theVicar，soundedloudlyamongsthisflock。Asformylord，hegavenogreattrouble，beingconsideredscarcemorethananappendagetomylady，who，asdaughteroftheoldlordsofCastlewood，andpossessorofvastwealth，asthecountryfolkssaid（thoughindeednine—tenthsofitexistedbutinrumor），waslookeduponastherealqueenoftheCastle，andmistressofallitcontained。
CHAPTERIII。
WHITHERINTHETIMEOFTHOMAS，THIRDVISCOUNT，IHADPRECEDEDHIM
ASPAGETOISABELLA。
CominguptoLondonagainsomeshorttimeafterthisretreat，theLordCastlewooddespatchedaretainerofhistoalittleCottageinthevillageofEaling，neartoLondon，whereforsometimehaddweltanoldFrenchrefugee，bynameMr。Pastoureau，oneofthosewhomthepersecutionoftheHuguenotsbytheFrenchkinghadbroughtovertothiscountry。Withthisoldmanlivedalittlelad，whowentbythenameofHenryThomas。Herememberedtohavelivedinanotherplaceashorttimebefore，neartoLondontoo，amongstloomsandspinning—wheels，andagreatdealofpsalm—
singingandchurch—going，andawholecolonyofFrenchmen。
Therehehadadear，dearfriend，whodied，andwhomhecalledAunt。Sheusedtovisithiminhisdreamssometimes;andherface，thoughitwashomely，wasathousandtimesdearertohimthanthatofMrs。Pastoureau，BonPapaPastoureau\'snewwife，whocametolivewithhimafterauntwentaway。Andthere，atSpittlefields，asitusedtobecalled，livedUncleGeorge，whowasaweavertoo，butusedtotellHarrythathewasalittlegentleman，andthathisfatherwasacaptain，andhismotheranangel。
Whenhesaidso，BonPapausedtolookupfromtheloom，wherehewasembroideringbeautifulsilkflowers，andsay，\"Angel！shebelongstotheBabylonishscarletwoman。\"BonPapawasalwaystalkingofthescarletwoman。Hehadalittleroomwherehealwaysusedtopreachandsinghymnsoutofhisgreatoldnose。LittleHarrydidnotlikethepreaching;helikedbetterthefinestorieswhichauntusedtotellhim。BonPapa\'swifenevertoldhimprettystories;shequarrelledwithUncleGeorge，andhewentaway。
Afterthis，Harry\'sBonPapaandhiswifeandtwochildrenofherownthatshebroughtwithher，cametoliveatEaling。Thenewwifegaveherchildrenthebestofeverything，andHarrymanyawhipping，heknewnotwhy。Besidesblows，hegotillnamesfromher，whichneednotbesetdownhere，forthesakeofoldMr。
Pastoureau，whowasstillkindsometimes。Theunhappinessofthosedaysislongforgiven，thoughtheycastashadeofmelancholyoverthechild\'syouth，whichwillaccompanyhim，nodoubt，totheendofhisdays:asthosetendertwigsarebentthetreesgrowafterward;andhe，atleast，whohassufferedasachild，andisnotquitepervertedinthatearlyschoolofunhappiness，learnstobegentleandlong—sufferingwithlittlechildren。
Harrywasverygladwhenagentlemandressedinblack，onhorseback，withamountedservantbehindhim，cametofetchhimawayfromEaling。Thenoverca，orunjuststepmother，whohadneglectedhimforherowntwochildren，gavehimsupperenoughthenightbeforehewentaway，andplentyinthemorning。Shedidnotbeathimonce，andtoldthechildrentokeeptheirhandsoffhim。
Onewasagirl，andHarrynevercouldbeartostrikeagirl;andtheotherwasaboy，whomhecouldeasilyhavebeat，buthealwayscriedout，whenMrs。Pastoureaucamesailingtotherescuewitharmslikeaflail。SheonlywashedHarry\'sfacethedayhewentaway;noreversomuchasonceboxedhisears。Shewhimperedratherwhenthegentlemaninblackcamefortheboy;andoldMr。
Pastoureau，ashegavethechildhisblessing，scowledoverhisshoulderatthestrangegentleman，andgrumbledoutsomethingaboutBabylonandthescarletlady。Hewasgrownquiteold，likeachildalmost。Mrs。Pastoureauusedtowipehisnoseasshedidtothechildren。Shewasagreat，big，handsomeyoungwoman;but，thoughshepretendedtocry，Harrythought\'twasonlyasham，andsprungquitedelighteduponthehorseuponwhichthelackeyhelpedhim。
HewasaFrenchman;hisnamewasBlaise。Thechildcouldtalktohiminhisownlanguageperfectlywell:heknewitbetterthanEnglishindeed，havinglivedhithertochieflyamongFrenchpeople:
andbeingcalledtheLittleFrenchmanbyotherboysonEalingGreen。HesoonlearnttospeakEnglishperfectly，andtoforgetsomeofhisFrench:childrenforgeteasily。Someearlierandfainterrecollectionsthechildhadofadifferentcountry;andatownwithtallwhitehouses:andaship。Butthesewerequiteindistinctintheboy\'smind，asindeedthememoryofEalingsoonbecame，atleastofmuchthathesufferedthere。
Thelackeybeforewhomherodewasverylivelyandvoluble，andinformedtheboythatthegentlemanridingbeforehimwasmylord\'schaplain，FatherHolt——thathewasnowtobecalledMasterHarryEsmond——thatmyLordViscountCastlewoodwashisparrain——thathewastoliveatthegreathouseofCastlewood，intheprovinceof————shire，wherehewouldseeMadametheViscountess，whowasagrandlady。Andso，seatedonaclothbeforeBlaise\'ssaddle，HarryEsmondwasbroughttoLondon，andtoafinesquarecalledCoventGarden，neartowhichhispatronlodged。
Mr。Holt，thepriest，tookthechildbythehand，andbroughthimtothisnobleman，agrandlanguidnoblemaninagreatcapandfloweredmorning—gown，suckingoranges。HepattedHarryontheheadandgavehimanorange。
\"C\'estbienca，\"hesaidtothepriestaftereyingthechild，andthegentlemaninblackshruggedhisshoulders。
\"LetBlaisetakehimoutforaholiday，\"andoutforaholidaytheboyandthevaletwent。Harrywentjumpingalong;hewasgladenoughtogo。
Hewillremembertohislife\'sendthedelightsofthosedays。HewastakentoseeaplaybyMonsieurBlaise，inahouseathousandtimesgreaterandfinerthantheboothatEalingFair——andonthenexthappydaytheytookwaterontheriver，andHarrysawLondonBridge，withthehousesandbooksellers\'shopsthereon，lookinglikeastreet，andtheTowerofLondon，withtheArmor，andthegreatlionsandbearsinthemoat——allundercompanyofMonsieurBlaise。
Presently，ofanearlymorning，allthepartysetforthforthecountry，namely，myLordViscountandtheothergentleman;MonsieurBlaiseandHarryonapillionbehindthem，andtwoorthreemenwithpistolsleadingthebaggage—horses。AndallalongtheroadtheFrenchmantoldlittleHarrystoriesofbrigands，whichmadethechild\'shairstandonend，andterrifiedhim;sothatatthegreatgloomyinnontheroadwheretheylay，hebesoughttobeallowedtosleepinaroomwithoneoftheservants，andwascompassionatedbyMr。Holt，thegentlemanwhotravelledwithmylord，andwhogavethechildalittlebedinhischamber。
Hisartlesstalkandanswersverylikelyinclinedthisgentlemanintheboy\'sfavor，fornextdayMr。HoltsaidHarryshouldridebehindhim，andnotwiththeFrenchlacky;andallalongthejourneyputathousandquestionstothechild——astohisfoster—
brotherandrelationsatEaling;whathisoldgrandfatherhadtaughthim;whatlanguagesheknew;whetherhecouldreadandwrite，andsing，andsoforth。AndMr。HoltfoundthatHarrycouldreadandwrite，andpossessedthetwolanguagesofFrenchandEnglishverywell;andwhenheaskedHarryaboutsinging，theladbrokeoutwithahymntothetuneofDr。MartinLuther，whichsetMr。Holta—laughing;andevencausedhisgrandparraininthelacedhatandperiwigtolaughtoowhenHolttoldhimwhatthechildwassinging。ForitappearedthatDr。MartinLuther\'shymnswerenotsunginthechurchesMr。Holtpreachedat。
\"Youmustneversingthatsonganymore:doyouhear，littlemannikin？\"saysmyLordViscount，holdingupafinger。
\"Butwewilltryandteachyouabetter，Harry，\"Mr。Holtsaid;andthechildanswered，forhewasadocilechild，andofanaffectionatenature，\"Thathelovedprettysongs，andwouldtryandlearnanythingthegentlemanwouldtellhim。\"Thatdayhesopleasedthegentlemenbyhistalk，thattheyhadhimtodinewiththemattheinn，andencouragedhiminhisprattle;andMonsieurBlaise，withwhomherodeanddinedthedaybefore，waiteduponhimnow。
\"\'Tiswell，\'tiswell！\"saidBlaise，thatnight（inhisownlanguage）whentheylayagainataninn。\"Wearealittlelordhere;wearealittlelordnow:weshallseewhatwearewhenwecometoCastlewood，wheremyladyis。\"
\"WhenshallwecometoCastlewood，MonsieurBlaise？\"saysHarry。
\"Parbleu！mylorddoesnotpresshimself，\"Blaisesays，withagrin;and，indeed，itseemedasifhislordshipwasnotinagreathurry，forhespentthreedaysonthatjourneywhichHarryEsmondhathoftensinceriddeninadozenhours。ForthelasttwoofthedaysHarryrodewiththepriest，whowassokindtohim，thatthechildhadgrowntobequitefondandfamiliarwithhimbythejourney\'send，andhadscarceathoughtinhislittleheartwhichbythattimehehadnotconfidedtohisnewfriend。
Atlength，onthethirdday，atevening，theycametoavillagestandingonagreenwithelmsroundit，veryprettytolookat;andthepeopletherealltookofftheirhats，andmadecurtsiestomyLordViscount，whobowedtothemalllanguidly;andtherewasoneportlypersonthatworeacassockandabroad—leafedhat，whobowedlowerthananyone——andwiththisonebothmylordandMr。Holthadafewwords。\"This，Harry，isCastlewoodchurch，\"saysMr。Holt，\"andthisisthepillarthereof，learnedDoctorTusher。Takeoffyourhat，sirrah，andsaluteDr。Tusher！\"
\"Comeuptosupper，Doctor，\"saysmylord;atwhichtheDoctormadeanotherlowbow，andthepartymovedontowardsagrandhousethatwasbeforethem，withmanygraytowersandvanesonthem，andwindowsflaminginthesunshine;andagreatarmyofrooks，wheelingovertheirheads，madeforthewoodsbehindthehouse，asHarrysaw;andMr。HolttoldhimthattheylivedatCastlewoodtoo。
Theycametothehouse，andpassedunderanarchintoacourt—yard，withafountaininthecentre，wheremanymencameandheldmylord\'sstirrupashedescended，andpaidgreatrespecttoMr。Holtlikewise。Andthechildthoughtthattheservantslookedathimcuriously，andsmiledtooneanother——andherecalledwhatBlaisehadsaidtohimwhentheywereinLondon，andHarryhadspokenabouthisgodpapa，whentheFrenchmansaid，\"Parbleu，oneseeswellthatmylordisyourgodfather;\"wordswhereofthepoorladdidnotknowthemeaningthen，thoughheapprehendedthetruthinaveryshorttimeafterwards，andlearnedit，andthoughtofitwithnosmallfeelingofshame。
TakingHarrybythehandassoonastheywerebothdescendedfromtheirhorses，Mr。Holtledhimacrossthecourt，andunderalowdoortoroomsonalevelwiththeground;oneofwhichFatherHoltsaidwastobetheboy\'schamber，theotherontheothersideofthepassagebeingtheFather\'sown;andassoonasthelittleman\'sfacewaswashed，andtheFather\'sowndressarranged，Harry\'sguidetookhimoncemoretothedoorbywhichmylordhadenteredthehall，andupastair，andthroughanante—roomtomylady\'sdrawing—room——anapartmentthanwhichHarrythoughthehadneverseenanythingmoregrand——no，notintheTowerofLondonwhichhehadjustvisited。Indeed，thechamberwasrichlyornamentedinthemannerofQueenElizabeth\'stime，withgreatstainedwindowsateitherend，andhangingsoftapestry，whichthesunshiningthroughthecoloredglasspaintedofathousandlines;andhereinstate，bythefire，sataladytowhomthepriesttookupHarry，whowasindeedamazedbyherappearance。
MyLadyViscountess\'sfacewasdaubedwithwhiteandreduptotheeyes，towhichthepaintgaveanunearthlyglare:shehadatoweroflaceonherhead，underwhichwasabushofblackcurls——
borrowedcurls——sothatnowonderlittleHarryEsmondwasscaredwhenhewasfirstpresentedtoher——thekindpriestactingasmasteroftheceremoniesatthatsolemnintroduction——andhestaredatherwitheyesalmostasgreatasherown，ashehadstaredattheplayerwomanwhoactedthewickedtragedy—queen，whentheplayerscamedowntoEalingFair。Shesatinagreatchairbythefire—corner;inherlapwasaspaniel—dogthatbarkedfuriously;onalittletablebyherwasherladyship\'ssnuff—boxandhersugar—
plumbox。Sheworeadressofblackvelvet，andapetticoatofflame—coloredbrocade。ShehadasmanyringsonherfingersastheoldwomanofBanburyCross;andprettysmallfeetwhichshewasfondofshowing，withgreatgoldclockstoherstockings，andwhitepantofleswithredheels;andanodorofmuskwasshookoutofhergarmentswhenevershemovedorquittedtheroom，leaningonhertortoise—shellstick，littleFurybarkingatherheels。
