Whenthemarksofthediseaseclearedaway，theydidnot，itistrue，leavefurrowsorscarsonherface（exceptone，perhaps，onherforeheadoverherlefteyebrow）;butthedelicacyofherrosycolorandcomplexionwasgone:hereyeshadlosttheirbrilliancy，herhairfell，andherfacelookedolder。Itwasasifacoarsehandhadrubbedoffthedelicatetintsofthatsweetpicture，andbroughtit，asonehasseenunskilfulpainting—cleanersdo，tothedeadcolor。Also，itmustbeowned，thatforayearortwoafterthemalady，herladyship\'snosewasswollenandredder。
Therewouldbenoneedtomentionthesetrivialities，butthattheyactuallyinfluencedmanylives，astrifleswillintheworld，whereagnatoftenplaysagreaterpartthananelephant，andamole—
hill，asweknowinKingWilliam\'scase，canupsetanempire。WhenTusherinhiscourtlyway（atwhichHarryEsmondalwayschafedandspokescornfully）vowedandprotestedthatmylady\'sfacewasnonetheworse——theladbrokeoutandsaid，\"ItISworseandmymistressisnotnearsohandsomeasshewas;\"onwhichpoorLadyCastlewoodgavearuefulsmile，andalookintoalittleVeniceglassshehad，whichshowedher，Isuppose，thatwhatthestupidboysaidwasonlytootrue，forsheturnedawayfromtheglass，andhereyesfilledwithtears。
ThesightoftheseinEsmond\'sheartalwayscreatedasortofrageofpity，andseeingthemonthefaceoftheladywhomhelovedbest，theyoungblunderersankdownonhisknees，andbesoughthertopardonhim，sayingthathewasafoolandanidiot，thathewasabrutetomakesuchaspeech，hewhohadcausedhermalady;andDoctorTushertoldhimthatabearhewasindeed，andabearhewouldremain，atwhichspeechpooryoungEsmondwassodumbstrickenthathedidnotevengrowl。
\"HeisMYbear，andIwillnothavehimbaited，Doctor，\"myladysaid，pattingherhandkindlyontheboy\'shead，ashewasstillkneelingatherfeet。\"Howyourhairhascomeoff！Andmine，too，\"sheaddedwithanothersigh。
\"ItisnotformyselfthatIcared，\"myladysaidtoHarry，whentheparsonhadtakenhisleave;\"butAMIverymuchchanged？Alas！
Ifear\'tistootrue。\"
\"Madam，youhavethedearest，andkindest，andsweetestfaceintheworld，Ithink，\"theladsaid;andindeedhethoughtandthinksso。
\"Willmylordthinksowhenhecomesback？\"theladyaskedwithasigh，andanotherlookatherVeniceglass。\"Supposeheshouldthinkasyoudo，sir，thatIamhideous——yes，yousaidhideous——hewillceasetocareforme。\'Tisallmencareforinwomen，ourlittlebeauty。Whydidheselectmefromamongmysisters？\'Twasonlyforthat。Wereignbutforadayortwo:andbesurethatVashtiknewEstherwascoming。\"
\"Madam，\"saidMr。Esmond，\"AhasueruswastheGrandTurk，andtochangewasthemannerofhiscountry，andaccordingtohislaw。\"
\"YouareallGrandTurksforthatmatter，\"saidmylady，\"orwouldbeifyoucould。Come，Frank，come，mychild。Youarewell，praisedbeHeaven。YOURlocksarenotthinnedbythisdreadfulsmall—pox:noryourpoorfacescarred——isit，myangel？\"
Frankbegantoshoutandwhimperattheideaofsuchamisfortune。
Fromtheveryearliesttimetheyounglordhadbeentaughttoadmirehisbeautybyhismother:andesteemeditashighlyasanyreigningtoastvaluedhers。
Oneday，ashehimselfwasrecoveringfromhisfeverandillness，apangofsomethinglikeshameshotacrossyoungEsmond\'sbreast，asherememberedthathehadneveronceduringhisillnessgivenathoughttothepoorgirlatthesmithy，whoseredcheeksbutamonthagohehadbeensoeagertosee。PoorNancy！hercheekshadsharedthefateofroses，andwerewitherednow。ShehadtakentheillnessonthesamedaywithEsmond——sheandherbrotherwerebothdeadofthesmall—pox，andburiedundertheCastlewoodyew—trees。
Therewasnobrightfacelookingnowfromthegarden，ortocheertheoldsmithathislonelyfireside。Esmondwouldhavelikedtohavekissedherinhershroud（likethelassinMr。Prior\'sprettypoem）;butsherestedmanyafootbelowtheground，whenEsmondafterhismaladyfirsttrodonit。
DoctorTusherbroughtthenewsofthiscalamity，aboutwhichHarryEsmondlongedtoask，butdidnotlike。Hesaidalmostthewholevillagehadbeenstrickenwiththepestilence;seventeenpersonsweredeadofit，amongthemmentioningthenamesofpoorNancyandherlittlebrother。Hedidnotfailtosayhowthankfulwesurvivorsoughttobe。Itbeingthisman\'sbusinesstoflatterandmakesermons，itmustbeownedhewasmostindustriousinit，andwasdoingtheoneortheotherallday。
AndsoNancywasgone;andHarryEsmondblushedthathehadnotasingletearforher，andfelltocomposinganelegyinLatinversesovertherusticlittlebeauty。Hebadethedryadsmournandtheriver—nymphsdeploreher。AsherfatherfollowedthecallingofVulcan，hesaidthatsurelyshewaslikeadaughterofVenus，thoughSievewright\'swifewasanuglyshrew，asherememberedtohaveheardafterwards。Hemadealongface，but，intruth，feltscarcelymoresorrowfulthanamuteatafuneral。Thesefirstpassionsofmenandwomenaremostlyabortive;andaredeadalmostbeforetheyareborn。Esmondcouldrepeat，tohislastday，someofthedoggerellinesinwhichhismusebewailedhisprettylass;
notwithoutshametorememberhowbadtheverseswere，andhowgoodhethoughtthem;howfalsethegrief，andyethowhewasratherproudofit。\'Tisanerror，surely，totalkofthesimplicityofyouth。Ithinknopersonsaremorehypocritical，andhaveamoreaffectedbehaviortooneanother，thantheyoung。Theydeceivethemselvesandeachotherwithartificesthatdonotimposeuponmenoftheworld;andsowegettounderstandtruthbetter，andgrowsimpleraswegrowolder。
WhenmyladyheardofthefatewhichhadbefallenpoorNancy，shesaidnothingsolongasTusherwasby，butwhenhewasgone，shetookHarryEsmond\'shandandsaid——
\"Harry，IbegyourpardonforthosecruelwordsIusedonthenightyouweretakenill。Iamshockedatthefateofthepoorcreature，andamsurethatnothinghadhappenedofthatwithwhich，inmyanger，Ichargedyou。Andtheveryfirstdaywegoout，youmusttakemetotheblacksmith，andwemustseeifthereisanythingI
candotoconsolethepooroldman。Poorman！tolosebothhischildren！WhatshouldIdowithoutmine？\"
Andthiswas，indeed，theveryfirstwalkwhichmyladytook，leaningonEsmond\'sarm，afterherillness。Buthervisitbroughtnoconsolationtotheoldfather;andheshowednosoftness，ordesiretospeak。\"TheLordgaveandtookaway，\"hesaid;andheknewwhatHisservant\'sdutywas。Hewantedfornothing——lessnowthaneverbefore，astherewerefewermouthstofeed。HewishedherladyshipandMasterEsmondgoodmorning——hehadgrowntallinhisillness，andwasbutverylittlemarked;andwiththis，andasurlybow，hewentinfromthesmithytothehouse，leavingmylady，somewhatsilencedandshamefaced，atthedoor。Hehadahandsomestoneputupforhistwochildren，whichmaybeseeninCastlewoodchurchyardtothisveryday;andbeforeayearwasouthisownnamewasuponthestone。InthepresenceofDeath，thatsovereignruler，awoman\'scoquetryisseared;andherjealousywillhardlypasstheboundariesofthatgrimkingdom。\'Tisentirelyoftheearth，thatpassion，andexpiresinthecoldblueair，beyondoursphere。
Atlength，whenthedangerwasquiteover，itwasannouncedthatmylordandhisdaughterwouldreturn。Esmondwellrememberedtheday。Theladyhismistresswasinaflurryoffear:beforemylordcame，shewentintoherroom，andreturnedfromitwithreddenedcheeks。Herfatewasabouttobedecided。Herbeautywasgone——
washerreign，too，over？Aminutewouldsay。Mylordcameridingoverthebridge——hecouldbeseenfromthegreatwindow，cladinscarlet，andmountedonhisgrayhackney——hislittledaughterambledbyhiminabrightriding—dressofblue，onashiningchestnuthorse。Myladyleanedagainstthegreatmantel—piece，lookingon，withonehandonherheart——sheseemedonlythemorepaleforthoseredmarksoneithercheek。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes，andwithdrewit，laughinghysterically——theclothwasquiteredwiththerougewhenshetookitaway。Sherantoherroomagain，andcamebackwithpalecheeksandredeyes——hersoninherhand——justasmylordentered，accompaniedbyyoungEsmond，whohadgoneouttomeethisprotector，andtoholdhisstirrupashedescendedfromhorseback。
\"What，Harry，boy！\"mylordsaid，good—naturedly，\"youlookasgauntasagreyhound。Thesmall—poxhasn\'timprovedyourbeauty，andyoursideofthehousehadn\'tnevertoomuchofit——ho，ho！\"
Andhelaughed，andsprangtothegroundwithnosmallagility，lookinghandsomeandred，withinajollyfaceandbrownhair，likeaBeef—eater;Esmondkneelingagain，assoonashispatronhaddescended，performedhishomage，andthenwenttogreetthelittleBeatrix，andhelpherfromherhorse。
\"Fie！howyellowyoulook，\"shesaid;\"andthereareone，two，redholesinyourface;\"which，indeed，wasverytrue;HarryEsmond\'sharshcountenancebearing，aslongasitcontinuedtobeahumanface，themarksofthedisease。
Mylordlaughedagain，inhighgood—humor。
\"D———it！\"saidhe，withoneofhisusualoaths，\"thelittleslutseeseverything。ShesawtheDowager\'spaintt\'otherday，andaskedherwhysheworethatredstuff——didn\'tyou，Trix？andtheTower;andSt。James\'s;andtheplay;andthePrinceGeorge，andthePrincessAnne——didn\'tyou，Trix？\"
\"Theyarebothveryfat，andsmeltofbrandy，\"thechildsaid。
Paparoaredwithlaughing。
\"Brandy！\"hesaid。\"Andhowdoyouknow，MissPert？\"
\"Becauseyourlordshipsmellsofitaftersupper，whenIembraceyoubeforeyougotobed，\"saidtheyounglady，who，indeed，wasaspertasherfathersaid，andlookedasbeautifulalittlegipsyaseyesevergazedon。
\"Andnowformylady，\"saidmylord，goingupthestairs，andpassingunderthetapestrycurtainthathungbeforethedrawing—
roomdoor。Esmondrememberedthatnoblefigure，handsomelyarrayedinscarlet。Withinthelastfewmonthshehimselfhadgrownfromaboytobeaman，andwithhisfigurehisthoughtshadshotup，andgrownmanly。
Mylady\'scountenance，ofwhichHarryEsmondwasaccustomedtowatchthechanges，andwithasolicitousaffectiontonoteandinterpretthesignsofgladnessorcare，woreasadanddepressedlookformanyweeksafterherlord\'sreturn:duringwhichitseemedasif，bycaressesandentreaties，shestrovetowinhimbackfromsomeillhumorhehad，andwhichhedidnotchoosetothrowoff。
Inhereagernesstopleasehimshepractisedahundredofthoseartswhichhadformerlycharmedhim，butwhichseemednowtohavelosttheirpotency。Hersongsdidnotamusehim;andshehushedthemandthechildrenwheninhispresence。Mylordsatsilentathisdinner，drinkinggreatly，hisladyoppositetohim，lookingfurtivelyathisface，thoughalsospeechless。Hersilenceannoyedhimasmuchasherspeech;andhewouldpeevishly，andwithanoath，askherwhysheheldhertongueandlookedsoglum;orhewouldroughlycheckherwhenspeaking，andbidhernottalknonsense。Itseemedasif，sincehisreturn，nothingshecoulddoorsaycouldpleasehim。
Whenamasterandmistressareatstrifeinahouse，thesubordinatesinthefamilytaketheonesideortheother。HarryEsmondstoodinsogreatfearofmylord，thathewouldrunaleaguebarefoottodoamessageforhim;buthisattachmentforLadyEsmondwassuchapassionofgratefulregard，thattospareheragrief，ortodoheraservice，hewouldhavegivenhislifedaily:anditwasbytheverydepthandintensityofthisregardthathebegantodivinehowunhappyhisadoredlady\'slifewas，andthatasecretcare（forsheneverspokeofheranxieties）wasweighinguponher。
Cananyone，whohaspassedthroughtheworldandwatchedthenatureofmenandwomenthere，doubtwhathadbefallenher？Ihaveseen，tobesure，somepeoplecarrydownwiththemintooldagetheactualbloomoftheiryouthfullove，andIknowthatMr。ThomasParrlivedtobeahundredandsixtyyearsold。But，forallthat，threescoreandtenistheageofmen，andfewgetbeyondit;and\'tiscertainthatamanwhomarriesformerebeauxyeux，asmylorddid，considersthispartofthecontractatanendwhenthewomanceasestofulfilhers，andhislovedoesnotsurviveherbeauty。I
know\'tisoftenotherwise，Isay;andcanthink（asmostmenintheirownexperiencemay）ofmanyahouse，where，lightedinearlyyears，thesaintedlampoflovehathneverbeenextinguished;butsothereisMr。Parr，andsothereisthegreatgiantatthefairthatiseightfeethigh——exceptionstomen——andthatpoorlampwhereofIspeak，thatlightsatfirstthenuptialchamber，isextinguishedbyahundredwindsanddraughtsdownthechimney，orsputtersoutforwantoffeeding。Andthen——andthenitisChloe，inthedark，starkawake，andStrephonsnoringunheeding;orviceversa，\'tispoorStrephonthathasmarriedaheartlessjilt，andawokeoutofthatabsurdvisionofconjugalfelicity，whichwastolastforever，andisoverlikeanyotherdream。Oneandotherhasmadehisbed，andsomustlieinit，untilthatfinaldaywhenlifeends，andtheysleepseparate。
AboutthistimeyoungEsmond，whohadaknackofstringingverses，turnedsomeofOvid\'sEpistlesintorhymes，andbroughtthemtohisladyforherdelectation。Thosewhichtreatedofforsakenwomentouchedherimmensely，Harryremarked;andwhenOenonecalledafterParis，andMedeabadeJasoncomebackagain，theladyofCastlewoodsighed，andsaidshethoughtthatpartoftheverseswasthemostpleasing。Indeed，shewouldhavechoppeduptheDean，heroldfather，inordertobringherhusbandbackagain。ButherbeautifulJasonwasgone，asbeautifulJasonswillgo，andthepoorenchantresshadneveraspelltokeephim。
Mylordwasonlysulkyaslongashiswife\'sanxiousfaceorbehaviorseemedtoupbraidhim。Whenshehadgottomasterthese，andtoshowanoutwardlycheerfulcountenanceandbehavior，herhusband\'sgood—humorreturnedpartially，andhesworeandstormednolongeratdinner，butlaughedsometimes，andyawnedunrestrainedly;absentinghimselfoftenfromhome，invitingmorecompanythither，passingthegreaterpartofhisdaysinthehunting—field，oroverthebottleasbefore;butwiththisdifference，thatthepoorwifecouldnolongerseenow，asshehaddoneformerly，thelightoflovekindledinhiseyes。Hewaswithher，butthatflamewasout:andthatoncewelcomebeaconnomoreshonethere。
Whatwerethislady\'sfeelingswhenforcedtoadmitthetruthwhereofherforebodingglasshadgivenheronlytootruewarning，thatwithinherbeautyherreignhadended，andthedaysofherlovewereover？Whatdoesaseamandoinastormifmastandrudderarecarriedaway？Heshipsajurymast，andsteersashebestcanwithanoar。Whathappensifyourrooffallsinatempest？Afterthefirststunofthecalamitythesuffererstartsup，gropesaroundtoseethatthechildrenaresafe，andputsthemunderashedoutoftherain。Ifthepalaceburnsdown，youtakeshelterinthebarn。Whatman\'slifeisnotovertakenbyoneormoreofthesetornadoesthatsendusoutofthecourse，andflingusonrockstoshelterasbestwemay？
WhenLadyCastlewoodfoundthathergreatshiphadgonedown，shebeganasbestshemightaftershehadralliedfromtheeffectsoftheloss，toputoutsmallventuresofhappiness;andhopeforlittlegainsandreturns，asamerchanton\'Change，indocilispauperiempati，havinglosthisthousands，embarksafewguineasuponthenextship。Shelaidoutheralluponherchildren，indulgingthembeyondallmeasure，aswasinevitablewithoneofherkindnessofdisposition;givingallherthoughtstotheirwelfare——learning，thatshemightteachthem;andimprovingherownmanynaturalgiftsandfeminineaccomplishments，thatshemightimpartthemtoheryoungones。Tobedoinggoodforsomeoneelse，isthelifeofmostgoodwomen。Theyareexuberantofkindness，asitwere，andmustimpartittosomeone。ShemadeherselfagoodscholarofFrench，Italian，andLatin，havingbeengroundedinthesebyherfatherinheryouth;hidingthesegiftsfromherhusbandoutoffear，perhaps，thattheyshouldoffendhim，formylordwasnobookman——pish\'dandpsha\'datthenotionoflearnedladies，andwouldhavebeenangrythathiswifecouldconstrueoutofaLatinbookofwhichhecouldscarceunderstandtwowords。
YoungEsmondwasusher，orhousetutor，underheroroverher，asitmighthappen。Duringmylord\'smanyabsences，theseschool—dayswouldgoonuninterruptedly:themotheranddaughterlearningwithsurprisingquickness;thelatterbyfitsandstartsonly，andassuitedherwaywardhumor。Asforthelittlelord，itmustbeownedthathetookafterhisfatherinthematteroflearning——likedmarblesandplay，andthegreathorseandthelittleonewhichhisfatherbroughthim，andonwhichhetookhimouta—hunting，agreatdealbetterthanCorderiusandLily;marshalledthevillageboys，andhadalittlecourtofthem，alreadyfloggingthem，anddomineeringoverthemwithafineimperiousspirit，thatmadehisfatherlaughwhenhebeheldit，andhismotherfondlywarnhim。
Thecookhadason，thewoodmanhadtwo，thebigladattheporter\'slodgetookhiscuffsandhisorders。DoctorTushersaidhewasayoungnoblemanofgallantspirit;andHarryEsmond，whowashistutor，andeightyearshislittlelordship\'ssenior，hadhardworksometimestokeephisowntemper，andholdhisauthorityoverhisrebelliouslittlechiefandkinsman。
InacoupleofyearsafterthatcalamityhadbefallenwhichhadrobbedLadyCastlewoodofalittle——averylittle——ofherbeauty，andhercarelesshusband\'sheart（ifthetruthmustbetold，myladyhadfoundnotonlythatherreignwasover，butthathersuccessorwasappointed，aPrincessofanoblehouseinDruryLanesomewhere，whowasinstalledandvisitedbymylordatthetowneightmilesoff——pudethaecopprobriadicerenobis）——agreatchangehadtakenplaceinhermind，which，bystrugglesonlyknowntoherself，atleastnevermentionedtoanyone，andunsuspectedbythepersonwhocausedthepainsheendured——hadbeenschooledintosuchaconditionasshecouldnotverylikelyhaveimaginedpossibleascoreofmonthssince，beforehermisfortuneshadbegun。
Shehadoldenedinthattimeaspeopledowhosuffersilentlygreatmentalpain;andlearnedmuchthatshehadneversuspectedbefore。
ShewastaughtbythatbitterteacherMisfortune。Achildthemotherofotherchildren，buttwoyearsbackherlordwasagodtoher;hiswordsherlaw;hissmilehersunshine;hislazycommonplaceslistenedtoeagerly，asiftheywerewordsofwisdom——
allhiswishesandfreaksobeyedwithaserviledevotion。Shehadbeenmylord\'schiefslaveandblindworshipper。Somewomenbearfartherthanthis，andsubmitnotonlytoneglectbuttounfaithfulnesstoo——butherethislady\'sallegiancehadfailedher。
Herspiritrebelled，anddisownedanymoreobedience。Firstshehadtobearinsecretthepassionoflosingtheadoredobject;thentogetfurtherinitiation，andtofindthisworshippedbeingwasbutaclumsyidol:thentoadmitthesilenttruth，thatitwasshewassuperior，andnotthemonarchhermaster:thatshehadthoughtswhichhisbrainscouldnevermaster，andwasthebetterofthetwo;
quiteseparatefrommylordalthoughtiedtohim，andbound，asalmostallpeople（saveaveryhappyfew），toworkallherlifealone。Mylordsatinhischair，laughinghislaugh，crackinghisjoke，hisfaceflushingwithwine——myladyinherplaceoveragainsthim——heneversuspectingthathissuperiorwasthere，inthecalmresignedlady，coldofmanner，withdowncasteyes。Whenhewasmerryinhiscups，hewouldmakejokesabouthercoldness，and，\"D———it，nowmyladyisgone，wewillhavet\'otherbottle，\"
hewouldsay。Hewasfrankenoughintellinghisthoughts，suchastheywere。Therewaslittlemysteryaboutmylord\'swordsoractions。HisFairRosamonddidnotliveinaLabyrinth，liketheladyofMr。Addison\'sopera，butparadedwithpaintedcheeksandatipsyretinueinthecountrytown。Hadsheamindtoberevenged，LadyCastlewoodcouldhavefoundthewaytoherrival\'shouseeasilyenough;and，ifshehadcomewithbowlanddagger，wouldhavebeenroutedoffthegroundbytheenemywithavolleyofBillingsgate，whichthefairpersonalwayskeptbyher。
Meanwhile，ithasbeensaid，thatforHarryEsmondhisbenefactress\'ssweetfacehadlostnoneofitscharms。Ithadalwaysthekindestoflooksandsmilesforhim——smiles，notsogayandartlessperhapsasthosewhichLadyCastlewoodhadformerlyworn，when，achildherself，playingwithherchildren，herhusband\'spleasureandauthoritywereallshethoughtof;butoutofhergriefsandcares，aswillhappenIthinkwhenthesetrialsfalluponakindlyheart，andarenottoounbearable，grewupanumberofthoughtsandexcellenceswhichhadnevercomeintoexistence，hadnothersorrowandmisfortunesengenderedthem。Sure，occasionisthefatherofmostthatisgoodinus。Asyouhaveseentheawkwardfingersandclumsytoolsofaprisonercutandfashionthemostdelicatelittlepiecesofcarvedwork;orachievethemostprodigiousundergroundlabors，andcutthroughwallsofmasonry，andsawironbarsandfetters;\'tismisfortunethatawakensingenuity，orfortitude，orendurance，inheartswherethesequalitieshadnevercometolifebutforthecircumstancewhichgavethemabeing。
\"\'TwasafterJasonlefther，nodoubt，\"LadyCastlewoodoncesaidwithoneofhersmilestoyoungEsmond（whowasreadingtoheraversionofcertainlinesoutofEuripides），\"thatMedeabecamealearnedwomanandagreatenchantress。\"
\"Andshecouldconjurethestarsoutofheaven，\"theyoungtutoradded，\"butshecouldnotbringJasonbackagain。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedmylady，veryangry。
\"IndeedImeannothing，\"saidtheother，\"savewhatI\'vereadinbooks。WhatshouldIknowaboutsuchmatters？IhaveseennowomansaveyouandlittleBeatrix，andtheparson\'swifeandmylatemistress，andyourladyship\'swomanhere。\"
\"Themenwhowroteyourbooks，\"saysmylady，\"yourHoraces，andOvids，andVirgils，asfarasIknowofthem，allthoughtillofus，asalltheheroestheywroteaboutusedusbasely。Wewerebredtobeslavesalways;andevenofourowntimes，asyouarestilltheonlylawgivers，Ithinkoursermonsseemtosaythatthebestwomanisshewhobearshermaster\'schainsmostgracefully。
\'Tisapitytherearenonunneriespermittedbyourchurch:BeatrixandIwouldflytoone，andendourdaysinpeacethereawayfromyou。\"
\"Andistherenoslaveryinaconvent？\"saysEsmond。
\"Atleastifwomenareslavesthere，nooneseesthem，\"answeredthelady。\"Theydon\'tworkinstreetgangswiththepublictojeerthem:andiftheysuffer，sufferinprivate。Herecomesmylordhomefromhunting。Takeawaythebooks。Mylorddoesnotlovetoseethem。Lessonsareoverforto—day，Mr。Tutor。\"Andwithacurtsyandasmileshewouldendthissortofcolloquy。
Indeed\"Mr。Tutor，\"asmyladycalledEsmond，hadnowbusinessenoughonhishandsinCastlewoodhouse。Hehadthreepupils，hisladyandhertwochildren，atwhoselessonsshewouldalwaysbepresent;besideswritingmylord\'sletters，andarranginghisaccomptsforhim——whenthesecouldbegotfromEsmond\'sindolentpatron。
Ofthepupilsthetwoyoungpeoplewerebutlazyscholars，andasmyladywouldadmitnodisciplinesuchaswastheninuse，mylord\'ssononlylearnedwhatheliked，whichwasbutlittle，andnevertohislife\'sendcouldbegottoconstruemorethansixlinesofVirgil。MistressBeatrixchatteredFrenchprettily，fromaveryearlyage;andsangsweetly，butthiswasfromhermother\'steaching——notHarryEsmond\'s，whocouldscarcedistinguishbetween\"GreenSleeves\"and\"Lillibullero;\"althoughhehadnogreaterdelightinlifethantoheartheladiessing。Heseesthemnow（willheeverforgetthem？）astheyusedtosittogetherofthesummerevenings——thetwogoldenheadsoverthepage——thechild\'slittlehand，andthemother\'sbeatingthetime，withtheirvoicesrisingandfallinginunison。
Butifthechildrenwerecareless，\'twasawonderhoweagerlythemotherlearntfromheryoungtutor——andtaughthimtoo。Thehappiestinstinctivefacultywasthislady\'s——afacultyfordiscerninglatentbeautiesandhiddengracesofbooks，especiallybooksofpoetry，asinawalkshewouldspyoutfield—flowersandmakeposiesofthem，suchasnootherhandcould。Shewasacritic，notbyreasonbutbyfeeling;thesweetestcommentatorofthosebookstheyreadtogether;andthehappiesthoursofyoungEsmond\'slife，perhaps，werethosepassedinthecompanyofthiskindmistressandherchildren。
Thesehappydaysweretoendsoon，however;anditwasbytheLadyCastlewood\'sowndecreethattheywerebroughttoaconclusion。IthappenedaboutChristmas—time，HarryEsmondbeingnowpastsixteenyearsofage，thathisoldcomrade，adversary，andfriend，TomTusher，returnedfromhisschoolinLondon，afair，well—grown，andsturdylad，whowasabouttoentercollege，withanexhibitionfromhisschool，andaprospectofafterpromotioninthechurch。TomTusher\'stalkwasofnothingbutCambridgenow;andtheboys，whoweregoodfriends，examinedeachothereagerlyabouttheirprogressinbooks。TomhadlearnedsomeGreekandHebrew，besidesLatin，inwhichhewasprettywellskilled，andalsohadgivenhimselftomathematicalstudiesunderhisfather\'sguidance，whowasaproficientinthosesciences，ofwhichEsmondknewnothing;norcouldhewriteLatinsowellasTom，thoughhecouldtalkitbetter，havingbeentaughtbyhisdearfriendtheJesuitFather，forwhosememorytheladeverretainedthewarmestaffection，readinghisbooks，keepinghisswordscleaninthelittlecryptwheretheFatherhadshownthemtoEsmondonthenightofhisvisit;andoftenofanightsittinginthechaplain\'sroom，whichheinhabited，overhisbooks，hisverses，andrubbish，withwhichtheladoccupiedhimself，hewouldlookupatthewindow，thinkinghewisheditmightopenandletinthegoodFather。Hehadcomeandpassedawaylikeadream;butfortheswordsandbooksHarrymightalmostthinktheFatherwasanimaginationofhismind——andfortwoletterswhichhadcometohim，onefromabroad，fullofadviceandaffection，anothersoonafterhehadbeenconfirmedbytheBishopofHexton，inwhichFatherHoltdeploredhisfallingaway。ButHarryEsmondfeltsoconfidentnowofhisbeingintheright，andofhisownpowersasacasuist，thathethoughthewasabletofacetheFatherhimselfinargument，andpossiblyconverthim。
Toworkuponthefaithofheryoungpupil，Esmond\'skindmistresssenttothelibraryofherfathertheDean，whohadbeendistinguishedinthedisputesofthelateking\'sreign;and，anoldsoldiernow，hadhunguphisweaponsofcontroversy。ThesehetookdownfromhisshelveswillinglyforyoungEsmond，whomhebenefitedbyhisownpersonaladviceandinstruction。Itdidnotrequiremuchpersuasiontoinducetheboytoworshipwithhisbelovedmistress。AndthegoodoldnonjuringDeanflatteredhimselfwithaconversionwhich，intruth，wasowingtoamuchgentlerandfairerpersuader。
Underherladyship\'skindeyes（mylord\'sbeingsealedinsleepprettygenerally），EsmondreadmanyvolumesoftheworksofthefamousBritishDivinesofthelastage，andwasfamiliarwithWakeandSherlock，withStillingfleetandPatrick。Hismistressnevertiredtolistenortoread，topursuethetextswithfondcomments，tourgethosepointswhichherfancydweltonmost，orherreasondeemedmostimportant。SincethedeathofherfathertheDean，thisladyhathadmittedacertainlatitudeoftheologicalreadingwhichherorthodoxfatherwouldneverhaveallowed;hisfavoritewritersappealingmoretoreasonandantiquitythantothepassionsorimaginationsoftheirreaders，sothattheworksofBishopTaylor，nay，thoseofMr。BaxterandMr。Law，haveinrealityfoundmorefavorwithmyLadyCastlewoodthantheseverervolumesofourgreatEnglishschoolmen。
Inlaterlife，attheUniversity，Esmondreopenedthecontroversy，andpursueditinaverydifferentmanner，whenhispatronshaddeterminedforhimthathewastoembracetheecclesiasticallife。
Butthoughhismistress\'sheartwasinthiscalling，hisownneverwasmuch。Afterthatfirstfervorofsimpledevotion，whichhisbelovedJesuitpriesthadinspiredinhim，speculativetheologytookbutlittleholdupontheyoungman\'smind。Whenhisearlycredulitywasdisturbed，andhissaintsandvirginstakenoutofhisworship，toranklittlehigherthanthedivinitiesofOlympus，hisbeliefbecameacquiescenceratherthanardor;andhemadehisminduptoassumethecassockandbands，asanothermandoestowearabreastplateandjack—boots，ortomountamerchant\'sdesk，foralivelihood，andfromobedienceandnecessity，ratherthanfromchoice。TherewerescoresofsuchmeninMr。Esmond\'stimeattheuniversities，whoweregoingtothechurchwithnobettercallingthanhis。
WhenThomasTusherwasgone，afeelingofnosmalldepressionanddisquietfelluponyoungEsmond，ofwhich，thoughhedidnotcomplain，hiskindmistressmusthavedivinedthecause:forsoonaftersheshowednotonlythatsheunderstoodthereasonofHarry\'smelancholy，butcouldprovidearemedyforit。Herhabitwasthustowatch，unobservedly，thosetowhomdutyoraffectionboundher，andtopreventtheirdesigns，ortofulfilthem，whenshehadthepower。Itwasthislady\'sdispositiontothinkkindnesses，anddevisesilentbountiesandtoschemebenevolence，forthoseabouther。Wetakesuchgoodness，forthemostpart，asifitwasourdue;theMaryswhobringointmentforourfeetgetbutlittlethanks。Someofusneverfeelthisdevotionatall，oraremovedbyittogratitudeoracknowledgment;othersonlyrecallityearsafter，whenthedaysarepastinwhichthosesweetkindnesseswerespentonus，andweofferbackourreturnforthedebtbyapoortardypaymentoftears。Thenforgottentonesofloverecurtous，andkindglancesshineoutofthepast——ohsobrightandclear！——ohsolongedafter！——becausetheyareoutofreach;asholidaymusicfromwithinsideaprisonwall——orsunshineseenthroughthebars;
moreprizedbecauseunattainable——morebrightbecauseofthecontrastofpresentdarknessandsolitude，whencethereisnoescape。
Allthenotice，then，whichLadyCastlewoodseemedtotakeofHarryEsmond\'smelancholy，uponTomTusher\'sdeparture，was，byagayetyunusualtoher，toattempttodispelhisgloom。Shemadehisthreescholars（herselfbeingthechiefone）morecheerfulthanevertheyhadbeenbefore，andmoredocile，too，allofthemlearningandreadingmuchmorethantheyhadbeenaccustomedtodo。\"Forwhoknows，\"saidthelady，\"whatmayhappen，andwhetherwemaybeabletokeepsuchalearnedtutorlong？\"
FrankEsmondsaidheforhispartdidnotwanttolearnanymore，andcousinHarrymightshutuphisbookwheneverheliked，ifhewouldcomeouta—fishing;andlittleBeatrixdeclaredshewouldsendforTomTusher，andHEwouldbegladenoughtocometoCastlewood，ifHarrychosetogoaway。
AtlastcomesamessengerfromWinchesteroneday，bearerofaletter，withagreatblackseal，fromtheDeanthere，tosaythathissisterwasdead，andhadleftherfortuneof2，000L。amonghersixnieces，theDean\'sdaughters;andmanyatimesincehasHarryEsmondrecalledtheflushedfaceandeagerlookwherewith，afterthisintelligence，hiskindladyregardedhim。Shedidnotpretendtoanygriefaboutthedeceasedrelative，fromwhomsheandherfamilyhadbeenmanyyearsparted。
Whenmylordheardofthenews，healsodidnotmakeanyverylongface。\"Themoneywillcomeveryhandytofurnishthemusic—roomandthecellar，whichisgettinglow，andbuyyourladyshipacoachandacoupleofhorsesthatwilldoindifferenttorideorforthecoach。And，Beatrix，youshallhaveaspinnet:and，Frank，youshallhavealittlehorsefromHextonFair;and，Harry，youshallhavefivepoundstobuysomebooks，\"saidmylord，whowasgenerouswithhisown，andindeedwithotherfolk\'smoney。\"Iwishyourauntwoulddieonceayear，Rachel;wecouldspendyourmoney，andallyoursisters\'，too。\"
