AndanotherletterwasfromColonelEsmondtohiskinsman，tosaythatoneCaptainHoltonhadbeenwithhimofferinghimlargebribestojoin，YOUKNOWWHO，andsayingthattheheadofthehouseofCastlewoodwasdeeplyengagedinthatquarter。ButforhisparthehadbrokehisswordwhentheK。leftthecountry，andwouldneveragainfightinthatquarrel。TheP。ofO。wasaman，atleast，ofanoblecourage，andhisduty，and，ashethought，everyEnglishman\'s，wastokeepthecountryquiet，andtheFrenchoutofit:and，infine，thathewouldhavenothingtodowiththescheme。
Oftheexistenceofthesetwolettersandthecontentsofthepillow，ColonelFrankEsmond，whobecameViscountCastlewood，toldHenryEsmondafterwards，whentheletterswereshowntohislordship，whocongratulatedhimself，ashehadgoodreason，thathehadnotjoinedintheschemewhichprovedsofataltomanyconcernedinit。But，naturally，theladknewlittleaboutthesecircumstanceswhentheyhappenedunderhiseyes:onlybeingawarethathispatronandhismistresswereinsometrouble，whichhadcausedtheflightoftheoneandtheapprehensionoftheotherbytheofficersofKingWilliam。
Theseizureofthepaperseffected，thegentlemendidnotpursuetheirfurthersearchthroughCastlewoodHouseveryrigorously。
TheyexaminedMr。Holt\'sroom，beingledthitherbyhispupil，whoshowed，astheFatherhadbiddenhim，theplacewherethekeyofhischamberlay，openedthedoorforthegentlemen，andconductedthemintotheroom。
Whenthegentlemencametothehalf—burnedpapersinthebrazier，theyexaminedthemeagerlyenough，andtheiryoungguidewasalittleamusedattheirperplexity。
\"Whatarethese？\"saysone。
\"They\'rewritteninaforeignlanguage，\"saysthelawyer。\"Whatareyoulaughingat，littlewhelp？\"addshe，turningroundashesawtheboysmile。
\"Mr。Holtsaidtheyweresermons，\"Harrysaid，\"andbademetoburnthem;\"whichindeedwastrueofthosepapers。
\"Sermonsindeed——it\'streason，Iwouldlayawager，\"criesthelawyer。
\"Egad！it\'sGreektome，\"saysCaptainWestbury。\"Canyoureadit，littleboy？\"
\"Yes，sir，alittle，\"Harrysaid。
\"Thenread，andreadinEnglish，sir，onyourperil，\"saidthelawyer。AndHarrybegantotranslate:——
\"Hathnotoneofyourownwriterssaid，\'ThechildrenofAdamarenowlaboringasmuchashehimselfeverdid，aboutthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil，shakingtheboughsthereof，andseekingthefruit，beingforthemostpartunmindfulofthetreeoflife。\'
Ohblindgeneration！\'tisthistreeofknowledgetowhichtheserpenthasledyou\"——andheretheboywasobligedtostop，therestofthepagebeingcharredbythefire:andaskedofthelawyer——\"ShallIgoon，sir？\"
Thelawyersaid——\"Thisboyisdeeperthanheseems:whoknowsthatheisnotlaughingatus？\"
\"Let\'shaveinDicktheScholar，\"criedCaptainWestbury，laughing:
andhecalledtoatrooperoutofthewindow——\"Ho，Dick，comeinhereandconstrue。\"
Athick—setsoldier，withasquaregood—humoredface，cameinatthesummons，salutinghisofficer。
\"Telluswhatisthis，Dick，\"saysthelawyer。
\"MynameisSteele，sir，\"saysthesoldier。\"ImaybeDickformyfriends，butIdon\'tnamegentlemenofyourclothamongstthem。\"
\"Wellthen，Steele。\"
\"Mr。Steele，sir，ifyouplease。WhenyouaddressagentlemanofhisMajesty\'sHorseGuards，bepleasednottobesofamiliar。\"
\"Ididn\'tknow，sir，\"saidthelawyer。
\"Howshouldyou？Itakeityouarenotaccustomedtomeetwithgentlemen，\"saysthetrooper。
\"Holdthyprate，andreadthatbitofpaper，\"saysWestbury。
\"\'TisLatin，\"saysDick，glancingatit，andagainsalutinghisofficer，\"andfromasermonofMr。Cudworth\'s，\"andhetranslatedthewordsprettymuchasHenryEsmondhadrenderedthem。
\"Whatayoungscholaryouare，\"saystheCaptaintotheboy。
\"Dependon\'t，heknowsmorethanhetells，\"saysthelawyer。\"I
thinkwewillpackhimoffinthecoachwitholdJezebel。\"
\"ForconstruingabitofLatin？\"saidtheCaptain，verygood—
naturedly。
\"Iwouldasliefgothereasanywhere，\"HarryEsmondsaid，simply，\"forthereisnobodytocareforme。\"
Theremusthavebeensomethingtouchinginthechild\'svoice，orinthisdescriptionofhissolitude——fortheCaptainlookedathimverygood—naturedly，andthetrooper，calledSteele，puthishandkindlyonthelad\'shead，andsaidsomewordsintheLatintongue。
\"Whatdoeshesay？\"saysthelawyer。
\"Faith，askDickhimself，\"criedCaptainWestbury。
\"IsaidIwasnotignorantofmisfortunemyself，andhadlearnedtosuccorthemiserable，andthat\'snotYOURtrade，Mr。Sheepskin，\"
saidthetrooper。
\"YouhadbetterleaveDicktheScholaralone，Mr。Corbet，\"theCaptainsaid。AndHarryEsmond，alwaystouchedbyakindfaceandkindword，feltverygratefultothisgood—naturedchampion。
Thehorseswerebythistimeharnessedtothecoach;andtheCountessandVictoirecamedownandwereputintothevehicle。
Thiswoman，whoquarrelledwithHarryEsmondallday，wasmeltedatpartingwithhim，andcalledhim\"dearangel，\"and\"poorinfant，\"
andahundredothernames。
TheViscountess，givinghimherleanhandtokiss，badehimalwaysbefaithfultothehouseofEsmond。\"Ifevilshouldhappentomylord，\"saysshe，\"hisSUCCESSOR，Itrust，willbefound，andgiveyouprotection。SituatedasIam，theywillnotdarewreaktheirvengeanceonmeNOW。\"Andshekissedamedalsheworewithgreatfervor，andHenryEsmondknewnotintheleastwhathermeaningwas;buthathsincelearnedthat，oldasshewas，shewasforeverexpecting，bythegoodofficesofsaintsandrelics，tohaveanheirtothetitleofEsmond。
HarryEsmondwastooyoungtohavebeenintroducedintothesecretsofpoliticsinwhichhispatronswereimplicated;fortheyputbutfewquestionstotheboy（whowaslittleofstature，andlookedmuchyoungerthanhisage），andsuchquestionsastheyputheansweredcautiouslyenough，andprofessingevenmoreignorancethanhehad，forwhichhisexaminerswillinglyenoughgavehimcredit。
Hedidnotsayawordaboutthewindoworthecupboardoverthefireplace;andthesesecretsquiteescapedtheeyesofthesearchers。
Sothenmyladywasconsignedtohercoach，andsentofftoHexton，withherwomanandthemanoflawtobearhercompany，acoupleoftroopersridingoneithersideofthecoach。AndHarrywasleftbehindattheHall，belongingasitweretonobody，andquitealoneintheworld。Thecaptainandaguardofmenremainedinpossessionthere;andthesoldiers，whowereverygood—naturedandkind，atemylord\'smuttonanddrankhiswine，andmadethemselvescomfortable，astheywellmightdoinsuchpleasantquarters。
Thecaptainshadtheirdinnerservedinmylord\'stapestryparlor，andpoorlittleHarrythoughthisdutywastowaituponCaptainWestbury\'schair，ashiscustomhadbeentoservehislordwhenhesatthere。
AfterthedepartureoftheCountess，DicktheScholartookHarryEsmondunderhisspecialprotection，andwouldexaminehiminhishumanitiesandtalktohimbothofFrenchandLatin，inwhichtonguestheladfound，andhisnewfriendwaswillingenoughtoacknowledge，thathewasevenmoreproficientthanScholarDick。
HearingthathehadlearnedthemfromaJesuit，inthepraiseofwhomandwhosegoodnessHarrywasnevertiredofspeaking，Dick，rathertotheboy\'ssurprise，whobegantohaveanearlyshrewdness，likemanychildrenbredupalone，showedagreatdealoftheologicalscience，andknowledgeofthepointsatissuebetweenthetwochurches;sothatheandHarrywouldhavehoursofcontroversytogether，inwhichtheboywascertainlyworstedbytheargumentsofthissingulartrooper。\"Iamnocommonsoldier，\"Dickwouldsay，andindeeditwaseasytoseebyhislearning，breeding，andmanyaccomplishments，thathewasnot。Iamofoneofthemostancientfamiliesintheempire;Ihavehadmyeducationatafamousschool，andafamousuniversity;IlearnedmyfirstrudimentsofLatinneartoSmithfield，inLondon，wherethemartyrswereroasted。\"
\"Youhangedasmanyofours，\"interposedHarry;\"and，forthematterofpersecution，FatherHolttoldmethatayounggentlemanofEdinburgh，eighteenyearsofage，studentatthecollegethere，washangedforheresyonlylastyear，thoughherecanted，andsolemnlyaskedpardonforhiserrors。\"
\"Faith！therehasbeentoomuchpersecutiononbothsides:but\'twasyoutaughtus。\"
\"Nay，\'twasthePagansbeganit，\"criedthelad，andbegantoinstanceanumberofsaintsoftheChurch，fromtheproto—martyrdownwards——\"thisone\'sfirewentoutunderhim:thatone\'soilcooledinthecaldron:atathirdholyheadtheexecutionerchoppedthreetimesanditwouldnotcomeoff。ShowusmartyrsinYOUR
churchforwhomsuchmiracleshavebeendone。\"
\"Nay，\"saysthetroopergravely，\"themiraclesofthefirstthreecenturiesbelongtomyChurchaswellasyours，MasterPapist，\"andthenadded，withsomethingofasmileuponhiscountenance，andaqueerlookatHarry——\"Andyet，mylittlecatechiser，Ihavesometimesthoughtaboutthosemiracles，thattherewasnotmuchgoodinthem，sincethevictim\'sheadalwaysfinishedbycomingoffatthethirdorfourthchop，andthecaldron，ifitdidnotboiloneday，boiledthenext。Howbeit，inourtimes，theChurchhaslostthatquestionableadvantageofrespites。ThereneverwasashowertoputoutRidley\'sfire，noranangeltoturntheedgeofCampion\'saxe。TheracktorethelimbsofSouthwelltheJesuitandSympsontheProtestantalike。Forfaith，everywheremultitudesdiewillinglyenough。IhavereadinMonsieurRycaut\'s\'HistoryoftheTurks，\'ofthousandsofMahomet\'sfollowersrushingupondeathinbattleasuponcertainParadise;andinthegreatMogul\'sdominionspeopleflingthemselvesbyhundredsunderthecarsoftheidolsannually，andthewidowsburnthemselvesontheirhusbands\'bodies，as\'tiswellknown。\'Tisnotthedyingforafaiththat\'ssohard，MasterHarry——everymanofeverynationhasdonethat——\'tisthelivinguptoitthatisdifficult，asIknowtomycost，\"headdedwithasigh。\"Andah！\"headded，\"mypoorlad，Iamnotstrongenoughtoconvincetheebymylife——thoughtodieformyreligionwouldgivemethegreatestofjoys——butIhadadearfriendinMagdalenCollegeinOxford;IwishJoeAddisonwereheretoconvincethee，ashequicklycould——forIthinkhe\'samatchforthewholeCollegeofJesuits;andwhat\'smore，inhislifetoo。InthatverysermonofDr。Cudworth\'swhichyourpriestwasquotingfrom，andwhichsufferedmartydominthebrazier，\"——Dickaddedwithasmile，\"Ihadathoughtofwearingtheblackcoat（butwasashamedofmylife，yousee，andtooktothissorryredone）;I
haveoftenthoughtofJoeAddison——Dr。Cudworthsays，\'Agoodconscienceisthebestlooking—glassofheaven\'——andthere\'sserenityinmyfriend\'sfacewhichalwaysreflectsit——Iwishyoucouldseehim，Harry。\"
\"Didhedoyouagreatdealofgood？\"askedthelad，simply。
\"Hemighthavedone，\"saidtheother——\"atleasthetaughtmetoseeandapprovebetterthings。\'Tismyownfault，deteriorasequi。\"
\"Youseemverygood，\"theboysaid。
\"I\'mnotwhatIseem，alas！\"answeredthetrooper——andindeed，asitturnedout，poorDicktoldthetruth——forthatverynight，atsupperinthehall，wherethegentlemenofthetrooptooktheirrepasts，andpassedmostpartoftheirdaysdicingandsmokingoftobacco，andsingingandcursing，overtheCastlewoodale——HarryEsmondfoundDicktheScholarinawofulstateofdrunkenness。Hehiccuppedoutasermonandhislaughingcompanionsbadehimsingahymn，onwhichDick，swearinghewouldrunthescoundrelthroughthebodywhoinsultedhisreligion，madeforhissword，whichwashangingonthewall，andfelldownflatonthefloorunderit，sayingtoHarry，whoranforwardtohelphim，\"Ah，littlePapist，I
wishJosephAddisonwashere！\"
ThoughthetroopersoftheKing\'sLife—Guardswereallgentlemen，yettherestofthegentlemenseemedignorantandvulgarboorstoHarryEsmond，withtheexceptionofthisgood—naturedCorporalSteeletheScholar，andCaptainWestburyandLieutenantTrant，whowerealwayskindtothelad。TheyremainedforsomeweeksormonthsencampedinCastlewood，andHarrylearnedfromthem，fromtimetotime，howtheladyatHextonCastlewastreated，andtheparticularsofherconfinementthere。\'TisknownthatKingWilliamwasdisposedtodealverylenientlywiththegentrywhoremainedfaithfultotheoldKing\'scause;andnoprinceusurpingacrown，ashisenemiessaidhedid，（righteouslytakingit，asIthinknow，）evercausedlessbloodtobeshed。Asforwomen—conspirators，hekeptspiesontheleastdangerous，andlockeduptheothers。
LadyCastlewoodhadthebestroomsinHextonCastle，andthegaoler\'sgardentowalkin;andthoughsherepeatedlydesiredtobeledouttoexecution，likeMaryQueenofScots，thereneverwasanythoughtoftakingherpaintedoldheadoff，oranydesiretodoaughtbutkeepherpersoninsecurity。
Anditappearedshefoundthatsomewerefriendsinhermisfortune，whomshehad，inherprosperity，consideredasherworstenemies。
ColonelFrancisEsmond，mylord\'scousinandherladyship\'s，whohadmarriedtheDeanofWinchester\'sdaughter，and，sinceKingJames\'sdepartureoutofEngland，hadlivednotveryfarawayfromHextontown，hearingofhiskinswoman\'sstrait，andbeingfriendswithColonelBrice，commandingforKingWilliaminHexton，andwiththeChurchdignitariesthere，cametovisitherladyshipinprison，offeringtohisuncle\'sdaughteranyfriendlyserviceswhichlayinhispower。Andhebroughthisladyandlittledaughtertoseetheprisoner，tothelatterofwhom，achildofgreatbeautyandmanywinningways，theoldViscountesstooknotalittleliking，althoughbetweenherladyshipandthechild\'smothertherewaslittlemorelovethanformerly。Therearesomeinjurieswhichwomenneverforgiveoneanother;andMadamFrancisEsmond，inmarryinghercousin，haddoneoneofthoseirretrievablewrongstoLadyCastlewood。Butasshewasnowhumiliated，andinmisfortune，MadamFranciscouldallowatrucetoherenmity，andcouldbekindforawhile，atleast，toherhusband\'sdiscardedmistress。SothelittleBeatrix，herdaughter，waspermittedoftentogoandvisittheimprisonedViscountess，who，insofarasthechildanditsfatherwereconcerned，gottoabateinherangertowardsthatbranchoftheCastlewoodfamily。AndthelettersofColonelEsmondcomingtolight，ashasbeensaid，andhisconductbeingknowntotheKing\'scouncil，theColonelwasputinabetterpositionwiththeexistinggovernmentthanhehadeverbeforebeen;anysuspicionsregardinghisloyaltywereentirelydoneaway;andsohewasenabledtobeofmoreservicetohiskinswomanthanhecouldotherwisehavebeen。
Andnowtherebefellaneventbywhichthisladyrecoveredherliberty，andthehouseofCastlewoodgotanewowner，andfatherlesslittleHarryEsmondanewandmostkindprotectorandfriend。WhateverthatsecretwaswhichHarrywastohearfrommylord，theboyneverheardit;forthatnightwhenFatherHoltarrived，andcarriedmylordawaywithhim，wasthelastonwhichHarryeversawhispatron。Whathappenedtomylordmaybebrieflytoldhere。Havingfoundthehorsesattheplacewheretheywerelying，mylordandFatherHoltrodetogethertoChatteris，wheretheyhadtemporaryrefugewithoneoftheFather\'spenitentsinthatcity;butthepursuitbeinghotforthem，andtherewardfortheapprehensionofoneortheotherconsiderable，itwasdeemedadvisablethattheyshouldseparate;andthepriestbetookhimselftootherplacesofretreatknowntohim，whilstmylordpassedoverfromBristolintoIreland，inwhichkingdomKingJameshadacourtandanarmy。Mylordwasbutasmalladditiontothis;bringing，indeed，onlyhisswordandthefewpiecesinhispocket;buttheKingreceivedhimwithsomekindnessanddistinctioninspiteofhispoorplight，confirmedhiminhisnewtitleofMarquis，gavehimaregiment，andpromisedhimfurtherpromotion。Buttitlesorpromotionwerenottobenefithimnow。MylordwaswoundedatthefatalbattleoftheBoyne，flyingfromwhichfield（longafterhismasterhadsethimanexample）helayforawhileconcealedinthemarshycountryneartothetownofTrim，andmorefromcatarrhandfevercaughtinthebogsthanfromthesteeloftheenemyinthebattle，sankanddied。MaytheearthlielightuponThomasofCastlewood！Hewhowritesthismustspeakincharity，thoughthislorddidhimandhistwogrievouswrongs:foroneofthesehewouldhavemadeamends，perhaps，hadlifebeensparedhim;buttheotherlaybeyondhispowertorepair，though\'tistobehopedthatagreaterPowerthanapriesthasabsolvedhimofit。Hegotthecomfortofthisabsolution，too，suchasitwas:apriestofTrimwritingalettertomyladytoinformherofthiscalamity。
Butinthosedaysletterswereslowoftravelling，andourpriest\'stooktwomonthsormoreonitsjourneyfromIrelandtoEngland:
where，whenitdidarrive，itdidnotfindmyladyatherownhouse;shewasattheKing\'shouseofHextonCastlewhenthelettercametoCastlewood，butitwasopenedforallthatbytheofficerincommandthere。
HarryEsmondwellrememberedthereceiptofthisletter，whichLockwoodbroughtinasCaptainWestburyandLieutenantTrantwereonthegreenplayingatbowls，youngEsmondlookingonatthesport，orreadinghisbookinthearbor。
\"Here\'snewsforFrankEsmond，\"saysCaptainWestbury;\"Harry，didyoueverseeColonelEsmond？\"AndCaptainWestburylookedveryhardattheboyashespoke。
HarrysaidhehadseenhimbutoncewhenhewasatHexton，attheballthere。
\"Anddidhesayanything？\"
\"HesaidwhatIdon\'tcaretorepeat，\"Harryanswered。Forhewasnowtwelveyearsofage:heknewwhathisbirthwas，andthedisgraceofit;andhefeltnolovetowardsthemanwhohadmostlikelystainedhismother\'shonorandhisown。
\"DidyoulovemyLordCastlewood？\"
\"IwaituntilIknowmymother，sir，tosay，\"theboyanswered，hiseyesfillingwithtears。
\"SomethinghashappenedtoLordCastlewood，\"CaptainWestburysaidinaverygravetone——\"somethingwhichmusthappentousall。HeisdeadofawoundreceivedattheBoyne，fightingforKingJames。\"
\"Iamgladmylordfoughtfortherightcause，\"theboysaid。
\"Itwasbettertomeetdeathonthefieldlikeaman，thanfaceitonTower—hill，assomeofthemmay，\"continuedMr。Westbury。\"I
hopehehasmadesometestament，orprovidedfortheesomehow。
Thislettersaysherecommendsunicumfiliumsuumdilectissimumtohislady。Ihopehehasleftyoumorethanthat。\"
Harrydidnotknow，hesaid。HewasinthehandsofHeavenandFate;butmorelonelynow，asitseemedtohim，thanhehadbeenalltherestofhislife;andthatnight，ashelayinhislittleroomwhichhestilloccupied，theboythoughtwithmanyapangofshameandgriefofhisstrangeandsolitarycondition:howhehadafatherandnofather;anamelessmotherthathadbeenbroughttoruin，perhaps，bythatveryfatherwhomHarrycouldonlyacknowledgeinsecretandwithablush，andwhomhecouldneitherlovenorrevere。AndhesickenedtothinkhowFatherHolt，astranger，andtwoorthreesoldiers，hisacquaintancesofthelastsixweeks，weretheonlyfriendshehadinthegreatwideworld，wherehewasnowquitealone。Thesouloftheboywasfulloflove，andhelongedashelayinthedarknessthereforsomeoneuponwhomhecouldbestowit。Heremembers，andmusttohisdyingday，thethoughtsandtearsofthatlongnight，thehourstollingthroughit。Whowashe，andwhat？Whyhereratherthanelsewhere？
Ihaveamind，hethought，togotothatpriestatTrim，andfindoutwhatmyfathersaidtohimonhisdeath—bedconfession。IsthereanychildinthewholeworldsounprotectedasIam？ShallI
getupandquitthisplace，andruntoIreland？Withthesethoughtsandtearstheladpassedthatnightawayuntilhewepthimselftosleep。
Thenextday，thegentlemenoftheguard，whohadheardwhathadbefallenhim，weremorethanusuallykindtothechild，especiallyhisfriendScholarDick，whotoldhimabouthisownfather\'sdeath，whichhadhappenedwhenDickwasachildatDublin，notquitefiveyearsofage。\"Thatwasthefirstsensationofgrief，\"Dicksaid，\"Ieverknew。IrememberIwentintotheroomwherehisbodylay，andmymothersatweepingbesideit。Ihadmybattledoreinmyhand，andfella—beatingthecoffin，andcallingPapa;onwhichmymothercaughtmeinherarms，andtoldmeinafloodoftearsPapacouldnothearme，andwouldplaywithmenomore，fortheyweregoingtoputhimunderground，whencehecouldnevercometousagain。Andthis，\"saidDickkindly，\"hasmademepityallchildreneversince;andcausedmetolovethee，mypoorfatherless，motherlesslad。And，ifeverthouwantestafriend，thoushalthaveoneinRichardSteele。\"
HarryEsmondthankedhim，andwasgrateful。ButwhatcouldCorporalSteeledoforhim？takehimtorideasparehorse，andbeservanttothetroop？ThoughtheremightbeabarinHarryEsmond\'sshield，itwasanobleone。Thecounselofthetwofriendswas，thatlittleHarryshouldstaywherehewas，andabidehisfortune:soEsmondstayedonatCastlewood，awaitingwithnosmallanxietythefate，whateveritwas，whichwasoverhim。
CHAPTERVII。
IAMLEFTATCASTLEWOODANORPHAN，ANDFINDMOSTKINDPROTECTORS
THERE。
DuringthestayofthesoldiersinCastlewood，honestDicktheScholarwastheconstantcompanionofthelonelylittleorphanladHarryEsmond:andtheyreadtogether，andtheyplayedbowlstogether，andwhentheothertroopersortheirofficers，whowerefree—spokenovertheircups，（aswasthewayofthatday，whenneithermennorwomenwereover—nice，）talkedunbecominglyoftheiramoursandgallantriesbeforethechild，Dick，whoverylikelywassettingthewholecompanylaughing，wouldstoptheirjokeswithamaximadebeturpuerisreverentia，andonceofferedtolugoutagainstanothertroopercalledHulkingTom，whowantedtoaskHarryEsmondaribaldquestion。
Also，Dickseeingthatthechildhad，ashesaid，asensibilityabovehisyears，andagreatandpraiseworthydiscretion，confidedtoHarryhisloveforavintner\'sdaughter，neartotheTollyard，Westminster，whomDickaddressedasSaccharissainmanyversesofhiscomposition，andwithoutwhomhesaiditwouldbeimpossiblethathecouldcontinuetolive。Hevowedthisathousandtimesinaday，thoughHarrysmiledtoseethelove—lornswainhadhishealthandappetiteaswellasthemostheart—wholetrooperintheregiment:andhesworeHarrytosecrecytoo，whichvowtheladreligiouslykept，untilhefoundthatofficersandprivateswerealltakenintoDick\'sconfidence，andhadthebenefitofhisverses。Anditmustbeownedlikewisethat，whileDickwassighingafterSaccharissainLondon，hehadconsolationsinthecountry;
fortherecameawenchoutofCastlewoodvillagewhohadwashedhislinen，andwhocriedsadlywhensheheardhewasgone:andwithoutpayingherbilltoo，whichHarryEsmondtookuponhimselftodischargebygivingthegirlasilverpocket—piece，whichScholarDickhadpresentedtohim，when，withmanyembracesandprayersforhisprosperity，Dickpartedfromhim，thegarrisonofCastlewoodbeingorderedaway。DicktheScholarsaidhewouldneverforgethisyoungfriend，norindeeddidhe:andHarrywassorrywhenthekindsoldiersvacatedCastlewood，lookingforwardwithnosmallanxiety（forcareandsolitudehadmadehimthoughtfulbeyondhisyears）tohisfatewhenthenewlordandladyofthehousecametolivethere。Hehadlivedtobepasttwelveyearsoldnow;andhadneverhadafriend，savethiswildtrooper，perhaps，andFatherHolt;andhadafondandaffectionateheart，tendertoweakness，thatwouldfainattachitselftosomebody，anddidnotseematrestuntilithadfoundafriendwhowouldtakechargeofit。
TheinstinctwhichledHenryEsmondtoadmireandlovethegraciousperson，thefairapparitionofwhosebeautyandkindnesshadsomovedhimwhenhefirstbeheldher，becamesoonadevotedaffectionandpassionofgratitude，whichentirelyfilledhisyoungheart，thatasyet，exceptinthecaseofdearFatherHolt，hadhadverylittlekindnessforwhichtobethankful。ODeacerte，thoughthe，rememberingthelinesoutoftheAEneaswhichMr。Holthadtaughthim。Thereseemed，astheboythought，ineverylookorgestureofthisfaircreature，anangelicalsoftnessandbrightpity——inmotionorreposesheseemedgraciousalike;thetoneofhervoice，thoughsheutteredwordseversotrivial，gavehimapleasurethatamountedalmosttoanguish。Itcannotbecalledlove，thataladoftwelveyearsofage，littlemorethanamenial，feltforanexaltedlady，hismistress:butitwasworship。Tocatchherglance，todivinehererrandandrunonitbeforeshehadspokenit;towatch，follow，adoreher;becamethebusinessofhislife。
Meanwhile，asisthewayoften，hisidolhadidolsofherown，andneverthoughtoforsuspectedtheadmirationofherlittlepigmyadorer。
Myladyhadonhersideherthreeidols:firstandforemost，Joveandsupremeruler，washerlord，Harry\'spatron，thegoodViscountofCastlewood。Allwishesofhiswerelawswithher。Ifhehadaheadache，shewasill。Ifhefrowned，shetrembled。Ifhejoked，shesmiledandwascharmed。Ifhewenta—hunting，shewasalwaysatthewindowtoseehimrideaway，herlittlesoncrowingonherarm，oronthewatchtillhisreturn。Shemadedishesforhisdinner:spicedwineforhim:madethetoastforhistankardatbreakfast:hushedthehousewhenhesleptinhischair，andwatchedforalookwhenhewoke。Ifmylordwasnotalittleproudofhisbeauty，myladyadoredit。Sheclungtohisarmashepacedtheterrace，hertwofairlittlehandsclaspedroundhisgreatone;hereyeswerenevertiredoflookinginhisfaceandwonderingatitsperfection。Herlittlesonwashisson，andhadhisfather\'slookandcurlybrownhair。HerdaughterBeatrixwashisdaughter，andhadhiseyes——werethereeversuchbeautifuleyesintheworld？
Allthehousewasarrangedsoastobringhimeaseandgivehimpleasure。Shelikedthesmallgentryroundabouttocomeandpayhimcourt，nevercaringforadmirationforherself;thosewhowantedtobewellwiththeladymustadmirehim。Notregardingherdress，shewouldwearagowntorags，becausehehadoncelikedit:
and，ifhebroughtherabroochoraribbon，wouldpreferittoallthemostcostlyarticlesofherwardrobe。
MylordwenttoLondoneveryyearforsixweeks，andthefamilybeingtoopoortoappearatCourtwithanyfigure，hewentalone。
Itwasnotuntilhewasoutofsightthatherfaceshowedanysorrow:andwhatajoywhenhecameback！Whatpreparationbeforehisreturn！Thefondcreaturehadhisarm—chairatthechimney—
side——delightingtoputthechildreninit，andlookatthemthere。
Nobodytookhisplaceatthetable;buthissilvertankardstoodthereaswhenmylordwaspresent。
Aprettysightitwastosee，duringmylord\'sabsence，oronthosemanymorningswhensleeporheadachekepthima—bed，thisfairyoungladyofCastlewood，herlittledaughteratherknee，andherdomesticsgatheredroundher，readingtheMorningPrayeroftheEnglishChurch。Esmondlongrememberedhowshelookedandspoke，kneelingreverentlybeforethesacredbook，thesunshininguponhergoldenhairuntilitmadeahaloroundabouther。Adozenoftheservantsofthehousekneeledinalineoppositetheirmistress;forawhileHarryEsmondkeptapartfromthesemysteries，butDoctorTushershowinghimthattheprayersreadwerethoseoftheChurchofallages，andtheboy\'sowninclinationpromptinghimtobealwaysasnearashemighttohismistress，andtothinkallthingsshedidright，fromlisteningtotheprayersintheante—
chamber，hecamepresentlytokneeldownwiththerestofthehouseholdintheparlor;andbeforeacoupleofyearsmyladyhadmadeathoroughconvert。Indeed，theboylovedhiscatechisersomuchthathewouldhavesubscribedtoanythingshebadehim，andwasnevertiredoflisteningtoherfonddiscourseandsimplecommentsuponthebook，whichshereadtohiminavoiceofwhichitwasdifficulttoresistthesweetpersuasionandtenderappealingkindness。Thisfriendlycontroversy，andtheintimacywhichitoccasioned，boundtheladmorefondlythanevertohismistress。Thehappiestperiodofallhislifewasthis;andtheyoungmother，withherdaughterandson，andtheorphanladwhomsheprotected，readandworkedandplayed，andwerechildrentogether。Iftheladylookedforward——aswhatfondwomandoesnot？——towardsthefuture，shehadnoplansfromwhichHarryEsmondwasleftout;andathousandandathousandtimes，inhispassionateandimpetuousway，hevowedthatnopowershouldseparatehimfromhismistress;andonlyaskedforsomechancetohappenbywhichhemightshowhisfidelitytoher。Now，atthecloseofhislife，ashesitsandrecallsintranquillitythehappyandbusyscenesofit，hecanthink，notungratefully，thathehasbeenfaithfultothatearlyvow。Suchalifeissosimplethatyearsmaybechronicledinafewlines。Butfewmen\'slife—voyagesaredestinedtobeallprosperous;andthiscalmofwhichwearespeakingwassoontocometoanend。
AsEsmondgrew，andobservedforhimself，hefoundofnecessitymuchtoreadandthinkofoutsidethatfondcircleofkinsfolkwhohadadmittedhimtojoinhandwiththem。Hereadmorebooksthantheycaredtostudywithhim;wasaloneinthemidstofthemmanyatime，andpassednightsoverlabors，futileperhaps，butinwhichtheycouldnotjoinhim。Hisdearmistressdivinedhisthoughtswithherusualjealouswatchfulnessofaffection:begantoforebodeatimewhenhewouldescapefromhishome—nest;and，athiseagerprotestationstothecontrary，wouldonlysighandshakeherhead。
