Wakingupfromdreams，books，andvisionsofcollegehonors，inwhichfortwoyears，HarryEsmondhadbeenimmersed，hefoundhimself，instantly，onhisreturnhome，inthemidstofthisactualtragedyoflife，whichabsorbedandinterestedhimmorethanallhistutorhadtaughthim。Thepersonswhomhelovedbestintheworld，andtowhomheowedmost，werelivingunhappilytogether。
Thegentlestandkindestofwomenwassufferingillusageandsheddingtearsinsecret:themanwhomadeherwretchedbyneglect，ifnotbyviolence，wasHarry\'sbenefactorandpatron。Inhouseswhere，inplaceofthatsacred，inmostflameoflove，thereisdiscordatthecentre，thewholehouseholdbecomeshypocritical，andeachliestohisneighbor。Thehusband（oritmaybethewife）
lieswhenthevisitorcomesin，andwearsagrinofreconciliationorpolitenessbeforehim。Thewifelies（indeed，herbusinessistodothat，andtosmile，howevermuchsheisbeaten），swallowshertears，andliestoherlordandmaster;liesinbiddinglittleJackeyrespectdearpapa;liesinassuringgrandpapathatsheisperfectlyhappy。Theservantslie，wearinggravefacesbehindtheirmaster\'schair，andpretendingtobeunconsciousofthefighting;andso，frommorningtillbedtime，lifeispassedinfalsehood。Andwiseacrescallthisaproperregardofmorals，andpointoutBaucisandPhilemonasexamplesofagoodlife。
IfmyladydidnotspeakofhergriefstoHarryEsmond，mylordwasbynomeansreservedwheninhiscups，andspokehismindveryfreely，biddingHarryinhiscoarseway，andwithhisbluntlanguage，bewareofallwomenascheats，jades，jilts，andusingotherunmistakablemonosyllablesinspeakingofthem。Indeed，\'twasthefashionoftheday，asImustown;andthere\'snotawriterofmytimeofanynote，withtheexceptionofpoorDickSteele，thatdoesnotspeakofawomanasofaslave，andscornanduseherassuch。Mr。Pope，Mr。Congreve，Mr。Addison，Mr。Gay，everyoneof\'em，singinthiskey，eachaccordingtohisnatureandpoliteness，andlouderandfoulerthanallinabuseisDr。
Swift，whospokeofthemashetreatedthem，worstofall。
Muchofthequarrelsandhatredwhicharisebetweenmarriedpeoplecomeinmymindfromthehusband\'srageandrevoltatdiscoveringthathisslaveandbedfellow，whoistoministertoallhiswishes，andischurch—sworntohonorandobeyhim——ishissuperior;andthatHE，andnotshe，oughttobethesubordinateofthetwain;andinthesecontroversies，Ithink，laythecauseofmylord\'sangeragainsthislady。Whenhelefther，shebegantothinkforherself，andherthoughtswerenotinhisfavor。Aftertheillumination，whenthelove—lampisputoutthatanonwespokeof，andbythecommondaylightwelookatthepicture，whatadaubitlooks！whataclumsyeffigy！Howmanymenandwivescometothisknowledge，thinkyou？Andifitbepainfultoawomantofindherselfmatedforlifetoaboor，andorderedtoloveandhonoradullard;itisworsestillforthemanhimselfperhaps，wheneverinhisdimcomprehensiontheideadawnsthathisslaveanddrudgeyonderis，intruth，hissuperior;thatthewomanwhodoeshisbidding，andsubmitstohishumor，shouldbehislord;thatshecanthinkathousandthingsbeyondthepowerofhismuddledbrains;andthatinyonderhead，onthepillowoppositetohim，lieathousandfeelings，mysteriesofthought，latentscornsandrebellions，whereofheonlydimlyperceivestheexistenceastheylookoutfurtivelyfromhereyes:treasuresoflovedoomedtoperishwithoutahandtogatherthem;sweetfanciesandimagesofbeautythatwouldgrowandunfoldthemselvesintoflower;brightwitthatwouldshinelikediamondscoulditbebroughtintothesun:andthetyrantinpossessioncrushestheoutbreakofallthese，drivesthembacklikeslavesintothedungeonanddarkness，andchafeswithoutthathisprisonerisrebellious，andhisswornsubjectundutifulandrefractory。SothelampwasoutinCastlewoodHall，andthelordandladytheresaweachotherastheywere。Withherillnessandalteredbeautymylord\'sfireforhiswifedisappeared;withhisselfishnessandfaithlessnessherfoolishfictionofloveandreverencewasrentaway。Love！——whoistolovewhatisbaseandunlovely？Respect！——whoistorespectwhatisgrossandsensual？
Notallthemarriageoathsswornbeforealltheparsons，cardinals，ministers，muftis，andrabbinsintheworld，canbindtothatmonstrousallegiance。Thiscouplewaslivingapartthen;thewomanhappytobeallowedtoloveandtendherchildren（whowereneverofherowngood—willawayfromher），andthankfultohavesavedsuchtreasuresastheseoutofthewreckinwhichthebetterpartofherheartwentdown。
Theseyoungoneshadhadnoinstructorssavetheirmother，andDoctorTusherfortheirtheologyoccasionally，andhadmademoreprogressthanmighthavebeenexpectedunderatutorsoindulgentandfondasLadyCastlewood。Beatrixcouldsinganddancelikeanymph。Hervoicewasherfather\'sdelightafterdinner。Sheruledoverthehousewithlittleimperialways，whichherparentscoaxedandlaughedat。Shehadlonglearnedthevalueofherbrighteyes，andtriedexperimentsincoquetry，incorporevili，uponrusticsandcountrysquires，untilsheshouldpreparetoconquertheworldandthefashion。SheputonanewribbontowelcomeHarryEsmond，madeeyesathim，anddirectedheryoungsmilesathim，notalittletotheamusementoftheyoungman，andthejoyofherfather，wholaughedhisgreatlaugh，andencouragedherinherthousandantics。LadyCastlewoodwatchedthechildgravelyandsadly:thelittleonewaspertinherrepliestohermother，yeteagerinherprotestationsofloveandpromisesofamendment;andasreadytocry（afteralittlequarrelbroughtonbyherowngiddiness）untilshehadwonbackhermamma\'sfavor，asshewastoriskthekindlady\'sdispleasurebyfreshoutbreaksofrestlessvanity。Fromhermother\'ssadlooksshefledtoherfather\'schairandboozylaughter。Shealreadysettheoneagainsttheother:andthelittleroguedelightedinthemischiefwhichsheknewhowtomakesoearly。
TheyoungheirofCastlewoodwasspoiledbyfatherandmotherboth。
Hetooktheircaressesasmendo，andasiftheywerehisright。
Hehadhishawksandhisspanieldog，hislittlehorseandhisbeagles。Hehadlearnedtoride，andtodrink，andtoshootflying:andhehadasmallcourt，thesonsofthehuntsmanandwoodman，asbecametheheir—apparent，takingaftertheexampleofmylordhisfather。Ifhehadaheadache，hismotherwasasmuchfrightenedasiftheplaguewereinthehouse:mylordlaughedandjeeredinhisabruptway——（indeed，\'twasonthedayafterNewYear\'sDay，andanexcessofmince—pie）——andsaidwithsomeofhisusualoaths——\"D——nit，HarryEsmond——youseehowmyladytakesonaboutFrank\'smegrim。Sheusedtobesorryaboutme，myboy（passthetankard，Harry），andtobefrightenedifIhadaheadacheonce。
Shedon\'tcareaboutmyheadnow。They\'relikethat——womenare——
allthesame，Harry，alljiltsintheirhearts。Sticktocollege——
sticktopunchandbutteryale:andneverseeawomanthat\'shandsomerthananoldcinder—facedbed—maker。That\'smycounsel。\"
Itwasmylord\'scustomtoflingoutmanyjokesofthisnature，inpresenceofhiswifeandchildren，atmeals——clumsysarcasmswhichmyladyturnedmanyatime，orwhich，sometimes，sheaffectednottohear，orwhichnowandagainwouldhittheirmarkandmakethepoorvictimwince（asyoucouldseebyherflushingfaceandeyesfillingwithtears），orwhichagainworkedheruptoangerandretort，when，inanswertooneoftheseheavybolts，shewouldflashbackwithaquiveringreply。Thepairwerenothappy;norindeedwasithappytobewiththem。Alasthatyouthfulloveandtruthshouldendinbitternessandbankruptcy！Toseeayoungcouplelovingeachotherisnowonder;buttoseeanoldcouplelovingeachotheristhebestsightofall。HarryEsmondbecametheconfidantofoneandtheother——thatis，mylordtoldtheladallhisgriefsandwrongs（whichwereindeedofLordCastlewood\'sownmaking），andHarrydivinedmylady\'s;hisaffectionleadinghimeasilytopenetratethehypocrisyunderwhichLadyCastlewoodgenerallychosetogodisguised，andseeherheartachingwhilstherfaceworeasmile。\'Tisahardtaskforwomeninlife，thatmaskwhichtheworldbidsthemwear。Butthereisnogreatercrimethanforawomanwhoisillusedandunhappytoshowthatsheisso。Theworldisquiterelentlessaboutbiddinghertokeepacheerfulface;andourwomen，liketheMalabarwives，areforcedtogosmilingandpaintedtosacrificethemselveswiththeirhusbands;
theirrelationsbeingthemosteagertopushthemontotheirduty，and，undertheirshoutsandapplauses，tosmotherandhushtheircriesofpain。
So，intothesadsecretofhispatron\'shousehold，HarryEsmondbecameinitiated，hescarceknewhow。Ithadpassedunderhiseyestwoyearsbefore，whenhecouldnotunderstandit;butreading，andthought，andexperienceofmen，hadoldenedhim;andoneofthedeepestsorrowsofalifewhichhadnever，intruth，beenveryhappy，cameuponhimnow，whenhewascompelledtounderstandandpityagriefwhichhestoodquitepowerlesstorelieve。
Ithathbeensaidmylordwouldnevertaketheoathofallegiance，norhisseatasapeerofthekingdomofIreland，where，indeed，hehadbutanominalestate;andrefusedanEnglishpeeragewhichKingWilliam\'sgovernmentofferedhimasabribetosecurehisloyalty。
Hemighthaveacceptedthis，andwoulddoubtless，butfortheearnestremonstrancesofhiswife，whoruledherhusband\'sopinionsbetterthanshecouldgovernhisconduct，andwhobeingasimple—
heartedwoman，withbutoneruleoffaithandright，neverthoughtofswervingfromherfidelitytotheexiledfamily，orofrecognizinganyothersovereignbutKingJames;andthoughsheacquiescedinthedoctrineofobediencetothereigningpower，notemptation，shethought，couldinducehertoacknowledgethePrinceofOrangeasrightfulmonarch，nortoletherlordsoacknowledgehim。SomyLordCastlewoodremainedanonjurorallhislifenearly，thoughhisself—denialcausedhimmanyapang，andlefthimsulkyandoutofhumor。
TheyearaftertheRevolution，andallthroughKingWilliam\'slife，\'tisknowntherewereconstantintriguesfortherestorationoftheexiledfamily;butifmyLordCastlewoodtookanyshareofthese，asisprobable，\'twasonlyforashorttime，andwhenHarryEsmondwastooyoungtobeintroducedintosuchimportantsecrets。
Butintheyear1695，whenthatconspiracyofSirJohnFenwick，ColonelLowick，andothers，wassetonfoot，forwaylayingKingWilliamashecamefromHamptonCourttoLondon，andasecretplotwasformed，inwhichavastnumberofthenobilityandpeopleofhonorwereengaged，FatherHoltappearedatCastlewood，andbroughtayoungfriendwithhim，agentlemanwhom\'twaseasytoseethatbothmylordandtheFathertreatedwithuncommondeference。HarryEsmondsawthisgentleman，andknewandrecognizedhiminafterlife，asshallbeshowninitsplace;andhehaslittledoubtnowthatmyLordViscountwasimplicatedsomewhatinthetransactionswhichalwayskeptFatherHoltemployedandtravellinghitherandthitherunderadozenofdifferentnamesanddisguises。TheFather\'scompanionwentbythenameofCaptainJames;anditwasunderaverydifferentnameandappearancethatHarryEsmondafterwardssawhim。
ItwasthenextyearthattheFenwickconspiracyblewup，whichisamatterofpublichistorynow，andwhichendedintheexecutionofSirJohnandmanymore，whosufferedmanfullyfortheirtreason，andwhowereattendedtoTyburnbymylady\'sfatherDeanArmstrong，Mr。Collier，andotherstoutnonjuringclergymen，whoabsolvedthematthegallows—foot。
\'TisknownthatwhenSirJohnwasapprehended，discoverywasmadeofagreatnumberofnamesofgentlemenengagedintheconspiracy;
when，withanoblewisdomandclemency，thePrinceburnedthelistofconspiratorsfurnishedtohim，andsaidhewouldknownomore。
NowitwasafterthisthatLordCastlewoodsworehisgreatoath，thathewouldnever，sohelphimheaven，beengagedinanytransactionagainstthatbraveandmercifulman;andsohetoldHoltwhentheindefatigablepriestvisitedhim，andwouldhavehadhimengageinafartherconspiracy。AfterthismylordeverspokeofKingWilliamashewas——asoneofthewisest，thebravest，andthegreatestofmen。MyLadyEsmond（forherpart）saidshecouldneverpardontheKing，first，foroustinghisfather—in—lawfromhisthrone，andsecondly，fornotbeingconstanttohiswife，thePrincessMary。Indeed，IthinkifNeroweretoriseagain，andbekingofEngland，andagoodfamilyman，theladieswouldpardonhim。Mylordlaughedathiswife\'sobjections——thestandardofvirtuedidnotfithimmuch。
ThelastconferencewhichMr。HolthadwithhislordshiptookplacewhenHarrywascomehomeforhisfirstvacationfromcollege（Harrysawhisoldtutorbutforahalf—hour，andexchangednoprivatewordswithhim），andtheirtalk，whateveritmightbe，leftmyLordViscountverymuchdisturbedinmind——somuchso，thathiswife，andhisyoungkinsman，HenryEsmond，couldnotbutobservehisdisquiet。AfterHoltwasgone，mylordrebuffedEsmond，andagaintreatedhimwiththegreatestdeference;heshunnedhiswife\'squestionsandcompany，andlookedathischildrenwithsuchafaceofgloomandanxiety，muttering，\"Poorchildren——poorchildren！\"inawaythatcouldnotbutfillthosewhoselifeitwastowatchhimandobeyhimwithgreatalarm。Forwhichgloom，eachpersoninterestedintheLordCastlewood，framedinhisorherownmindaninterpretation。
Mylady，withalaughofcruelbitternesssaid，\"IsupposethepersonatHextonhasbeenill，orhasscoldedhim\"（formylord\'sinfatuationaboutMrs。Marwoodwasknownonlytoowell）。YoungEsmondfearedforhismoneyaffairs，intotheconditionofwhichhehadbeeninitiated;andthattheexpenses，alwaysgreaterthanhisrevenue，hadcausedLordCastlewooddisquiet。
OneofthecauseswhymyLordViscounthadtakenyoungEsmondintohisspecialfavorwasatrivialone，thathathnotbeforebeenmentioned，thoughitwasaveryluckyaccidentinHenryEsmond\'slife。Averyfewmonthsaftermylord\'scomingtoCastlewood，inthewintertime——thelittleboy，beingachildinapetticoat，trottingabout——ithappenedthatlittleFrankwaswithhisfatherafterdinner，whofellasleepoverhiswine，heedlessofthechild，whocrawledtothefire;and，asgoodfortunewouldhaveit，Esmondwassentbyhismistressfortheboyjustasthepoorlittlescreamingurchin\'scoatwassetonfirebyalog;whenEsmond，rushingforward，torethedressofftheinfant，sothathisownhandswereburnedmorethanthechild\'s，whowasfrightenedratherthanhurtbythisaccident。Butcertainly\'twasprovidentialthataresolutepersonshouldhavecomeinatthatinstant，orthechildhadbeenburnedtodeathprobably，mylordsleepingveryheavilyafterdrinking，andnotwakingsocoolasamanshouldwhohadadangertoface。
Everafterthisthefather，loudinhisexpressionsofremorseandhumilityforbeingatipsygood—for—nothing，andofadmirationforHarryEsmond，whomhislordshipwouldstyleaherofordoingaverytriflingservice，hadthetenderestregardforhisson\'spreserver，andHarrybecamequiteasoneofthefamily。Hisburnsweretendedwiththegreatestcarebyhiskindmistress，whosaidthatheavenhadsenthimtobetheguardianofherchildren，andthatshewouldlovehimallherlife。
Anditwasafterthis，andfromtheverygreatloveandtendernesswhichhadgrownupinthislittlehousehold，ratherthanfromtheexhortationsofDeanArmstrong（thoughthesehadnosmallweightwithhim），thatHarrycametobequiteofthereligionofhishouseandhisdearmistress，ofwhichhehaseversincebeenaprofessingmember。AsforDr。Tusher\'sboaststhathewasthecauseofthisconversion——evenintheseyoungdaysMr。EsmondhadsuchacontemptfortheDoctor，thathadTusherbadehimbelieveanything（whichhedidnot——nevermeddlingatall），Harrywouldthatinstanthavequestionedthetruthon\'t。
Myladyseldomdrankwine;butoncertaindaysoftheyear，suchasbirthdays（poorHarryhadneveraone）andanniversaries，shetookalittle;andthisday，the29thDecember，wasone。Attheend，then，ofthisyear，\'96，itmighthavebeenafortnightafterMr。
Holt\'slastvisit，LordCastlewoodbeingstillverygloomyinmind，andsittingattable——myladybiddingaservantbringheraglassofwine，andlookingatherhusbandwithoneofhersweetsmiles，said——
\"Mylord，willyounotfillabumpertoo，andletmecallatoast？\"
\"Whatisit，Rachel？\"sayshe，holdingouthisemptyglasstobefilled。
\"\'Tisthe29thofDecember，\"saysmylady，withherfondlookofgratitude:\"andmytoastis，\'Harry——andGodblesshim，whosavedmyboy\'slife！\'\"
MylordlookedatHarryhard，anddranktheglass，butclappeditdownonthetableinamoment，and，withasortofgroan，roseup，andwentoutoftheroom。Whatwasthematter？Weallknewthatsomegreatgriefwasoverhim。
Whethermylord\'sprudencehadmadehimricher，orlegacieshadfallentohim，whichenabledhimtosupportagreaterestablishmentthanthatfrugalonewhichhadbeentoomuchforhissmallmeans，HarryEsmondknewnot;butthehouseofCastlewoodwasnowonascalemuchmorecostlythanithadbeenduringthefirstyearsofhislordship\'scomingtothetitle。Thereweremorehorsesinthestableandmoreservantsinthehall，andmanymoreguestscomingandgoingnowthanformerly，whenitwasfounddifficultenoughbythestrictesteconomytokeepthehouseasbefittedoneofhislordship\'srank，andtheestateoutofdebt。AnditdidnotrequireverymuchpenetrationtofindthatmanyofthenewacquaintancesatCastlewoodwerenotagreeabletotheladythere:
notthatsheevertreatedthemoranymortalwithanythingbutcourtesy;buttheywerepersonswhocouldnotbewelcometoher;
andwhosesocietyaladysorefinedandreservedcouldscarcedesireforherchildren。Therecamefuddlingsquiresfromthecountryround，whobawledtheirsongsunderherwindowsanddrankthemselvestipsywithmylord\'spunchandale:therecameofficersfromHexton，inwhosecompanyourlittlelordwasmadetoheartalkandtodrink，andsweartoo，inawaythatmadethedelicateladytrembleforherson。EsmondtriedtoconsoleherbysayingwhatheknewofhisCollegeexperience;thatwiththissortofcompanyandconversationamanmustfallinsoonerorlaterinhiscoursethroughtheworld:anditmatteredverylittlewhetherhehearditattwelveyearsoldortwenty——theyouthswhoquittedmother\'sapron—stringsthelatestbeingnotuncommonlythewildestrakes。
ButitwasaboutherdaughterthatLadyCastlewoodwasthemostanxious，andthedangerwhichshethoughtmenacedthelittleBeatrixfromtheindulgenceswhichherfathergaveher，（itmustbeownedthatmylord，sincetheseunhappydomesticdifferencesespecially，wasatonceviolentinhislanguagetothechildrenwhenangry，ashewastoofamiliar，nottosaycoarse，whenhewasinagoodhumor，）andfromthecompanyintowhichthecarelesslordbroughtthechild。
NotveryfarofffromCastlewoodisSarkCastle，wheretheMarchionessofSarklived，whowasknowntohavebeenamistressofthelateKingCharles——andtothishouse，whitherindeedagreatpartofthecountrygentrywent，mylordinsistedupongoing，notonlyhimself，butontakinghislittledaughterandson，toplaywiththechildrenthere。Thechildrenwerenothingloth，forthehousewassplendid，andthewelcomekindenough。Butmylady，justlynodoubt，thoughtthatthechildrenofsuchamotherasthatnotedLadySarkhadbeen，couldbenogoodcompanyforhertwo;andspokehermindtoherlord。Hisownlanguagewhenhewasthwartedwasnotindeedofthegentlest:tobebrief，therewasafamilydisputeonthis，astherehadbeenonmanyotherpoints——andtheladywasnotonlyforcedtogivein，fortheother\'swillwaslaw——
norcouldshe，onaccountoftheirtenderage，tellherchildrenwhatwasthenatureofherobjectiontotheirvisitofpleasure，orindeedmentiontothemanyobjectionatall——butshehadtheadditionalsecretmortificationtofindthemreturningdelightedwiththeirnewfriends，loadedwithpresentsfromthem，andeagertobeallowedtogobacktoaplaceofsuchdelightsasSarkCastle。Everyyearshethoughtthecompanytherewouldbemoredangeroustoherdaughter，asfromachildBeatrixgrewtoawoman，andherdailyincreasingbeauty，andmanyfaultsofcharactertoo，expanded。
ItwasHarryEsmond\'slottoseeoneofthevisitswhichtheoldLadyofSarkpaidtotheLadyofCastlewoodHall:whithershecameinstatewithsixchestnuthorsesandblueribbons，apageoneachcarriagestep，agentlemanofthehorse，andarmedservantsridingbeforeandbehindher。And，butthatitwasunpleasanttoseeLadyCastlewood\'sface，itwasamusingtowatchthebehaviorofthetwoenemies:thefrigidpatienceoftheyoungerlady，andtheunconquerablegood—humoroftheelder——whowouldseenooffencewhateverherrivalintended，andwhoneverceasedtosmileandtolaugh，andtocoaxthechildren，andtopaycomplimentstoeveryman，woman，child，naydog，orchairandtable，inCastlewood，sobentwassheuponadmiringeverythingthere。Shelaudedthechildren，andwishedasindeedshewellmight——thatherownfamilyhadbeenbroughtupaswellasthosecherubs。ShehadneverseensuchacomplexionasdearBeatrix\'s——thoughtobesureshehadarighttoitfromfatherandmother——LadyCastlewood\'swasindeedawonderoffreshness，andLadySarksighedtothinkshehadnotbeenbornafairwoman;andremarkingHarryEsmond，withafascinatingsuperannuatedsmile，shecomplimentedhimonhiswit，whichshesaidshecouldseefromhiseyesandforehead;andvowedthatshewouldneverhaveHIMatSarkuntilherdaughterwereoutoftheway。
CHAPTERXII。
MYLORDMOHUNCOMESAMONGUSFORNOGOOD。
TherehadriddenalongwiththisoldPrincess\'scavalcade，twogentlemen:herson，myLordFirebrace，andhisfriend，myLordMohun，whobothweregreetedwithagreatdealofcordialitybythehospitableLordofCastlewood。MyLordFirebracewasbutafeeble—
mindedandweak—limbedyoungnobleman，smallinstatureandlimitedinunderstandingtojudgefromthetalkyoungEsmondhadwithhim;
buttheotherwasapersonofahandsomepresence，withthebelair，andabrightdaringwarlikeaspect，which，accordingtothechronicleofthosedays，hadalreadyachievedforhimtheconquestofseveralbeautiesandtoasts。HehadfoughtandconqueredinFrance，aswellasinFlanders;hehadservedacoupleofcampaignswiththePrinceofBadenontheDanube，andwitnessedtherescueofViennafromtheTurk。Andhespokeofhismilitaryexploitspleasantly，andwiththemanlyfreedomofasoldier，soastodelightallhishearersatCastlewood，whowerelittleaccustomedtomeetacompanionsoagreeable。
Onthefirstdaythisnoblecompanycame，mylordwouldnothearoftheirdeparturebeforedinner，andcarriedawaythegentlementoamusethem，whilsthiswifewaslefttodothehonorsofherhousetotheoldMarchionessandherdaughterwithin。TheylookedatthestableswheremyLordMohunpraisedthehorses，thoughtherewasbutapoorshowthere:theywalkedovertheoldhouseandgardens，andfoughtthesiegeofOliver\'stimeoveragain:theyplayedagameofracketsintheoldcourt，wheremyLordCastlewoodbeatmyLordMohun，whosaidhelovedballofallthings，andwouldquicklycomebacktoCastlewoodforhisrevenge。Afterdinnertheyplayedbowlsanddrankpunchinthegreenalley;andwhentheypartedtheywereswornfriends，myLordCastlewoodkissingtheotherlordbeforehemountedonhorseback，andpronouncinghimthebestcompanionhehadmetformanyalongday。Allnightlong，overhistobacco—pipe，CastlewooddidnotceasetotalktoHarryEsmondinpraiseofhisnewfriend，andinfactdidnotleaveoffspeakingofhimuntilhislordshipwassotipsythathecouldnotspeakplainlyanymore。
Atbreakfastnextdayitwasthesametalkrenewed;andwhenmyladysaidtherewassomethingfreeintheLordMohun\'slooksandmannerofspeechwhichcausedhertomistrusthim，herlordburstoutwithoneofhislaughsandoaths;saidthatheneverlikedman，woman，orbeast，butwhatshewassuretobejealousofit;thatMohunwastheprettiestfellowinEngland;thathehopedtoseemoreofhimwhilstinthecountry;andthathewouldletMohunknowwhatmyLadyPrudesaidofhim。
\"Indeed，\"LadyCastlewoodsaid，\"Ilikedhisconversationwellenough。\'TismoreamusingthanthatofmostpeopleIknow。I
thoughtit，Iown，toofree;notfromwhathesaid，asratherfromwhatheimplied。\"
\"Psha！yourladyshipdoesnotknowtheworld，\"saidherhusband;
\"andyouhavealwaysbeenassqueamishaswhenyouwereamissoffifteen。\"
\"YoufoundnofaultwhenIwasamissatfifteen。\"
\"Begad，madam，youaregrowntoooldforapinaforenow;andIholdthat\'tisformetojudgewhatcompanymywifeshallsee，\"saidmylord，slappingthetable。
\"Indeed，Francis，Ineverthoughtotherwise，\"answeredmylady，risinganddroppinghimacurtsy，inwhichstatelyaction，iftherewasobedience，therewasdefiancetoo;andinwhichabystander，deeplyinterestedinthehappinessofthatpairasHarryEsmondwas，mightseehowhopelesslyseparatedtheywere;whatagreatgulfofdifferenceanddiscordhadrunbetweenthem。
\"ByG—d！MohunisthebestfellowinEngland;andI\'llinvitehimhere，justtoplaguethatwoman。Didyoueverseesuchafrigidinsolenceasitis，Harry？That\'sthewayshetreatsme，\"hebrokeout，storming，andhisfacegrowingredasheclenchedhisfistsandwenton。\"I\'mnobodyinmyownhouse。I\'mtobethehumbleservantofthatparson\'sdaughter。ByJove！I\'drathersheshouldflingthedishatmyheadthansneeratmeasshedoes。Sheputsmetoshamebeforethechildrenwithherd——dairs;and，I\'llswear，tellsFrankandBeatythatpapa\'sareprobate，andthattheyoughttodespiseme。\"
\"Indeedandindeed，sir，Ineverheardhersayawordbutofrespectregardingyou，\"HarryEsmondinterposed。
\"No，curseit！Iwishshewouldspeak。Butsheneverdoes。Shescornsme，andholdshertongue。Shekeepsofffromme，asifI
wasapestilence。ByGeorge！shewasfondenoughofherpestilenceonce。AndwhenIcamea—courting，youwouldseemissblush——blushred，byGeorge！forjoy。Why，whatdoyouthinkshesaidtome，Harry？Shesaidherself，whenIjokedwithheraboutherd——dsmilingredcheeks:\'\'TisastheydoatSt。James\'s;Iputupmyredflagwhenmykingcomes。\'Iwastheking，yousee，shemeant。
Butnow，sir，lookather！IbelieveshewouldbegladifIwasdead;anddeadI\'vebeentoherthesefiveyears——eversinceyouallofyouhadthesmall—pox:andsheneverforgavemeforgoingaway。\"
\"Indeed，mylord，though\'twashardtoforgive，Ithinkmymistressforgaveit，\"HarryEsmondsaid;\"andrememberhoweagerlyshewatchedyourlordship\'sreturn，andhowsadlysheturnedawaywhenshesawyourcoldlooks。\"
\"Damme！\"criesoutmylord;\"wouldyouhavehadmewaitandcatchthesmall—pox？Wherethedeucehadbeenthegoodofthat？I\'llbeardangerwithanyman——butnotuselessdanger——no，no。Thankyoufornothing。And——younodyourhead，andIknowverywell，ParsonHarry，whatyoumean。Therewasthe——theotheraffairtomakeherangry。Butisawomannevertoforgiveahusbandwhogoesa—tripping？Doyoutakemeforasaint？\"
\"Indeed，sir，Idonot，\"saysHarry，withasmile。
\"Sincethattimemywife\'sascoldasthestatueatCharingCross。
Itelltheeshehasnoforgivenessinher，Henry。Hercoldnessblightsmywholelife，andsendsmetothepunch—bowl，ordrivingaboutthecountry。Mychildrenarenotmine，buthers，whenwearetogether。\'Tisonlywhensheisoutofsightwithherabominablecoldglances，thatrunthroughme，thatthey\'llcometome，andthatIdaretogivethemsomuchasakiss;andthat\'swhyItake\'emandlove\'eminotherpeople\'shouses，Harry。I\'mkilledbytheveryvirtueofthatproudwoman。Virtue！givemethevirtuethatcanforgive;givemethevirtuethatthinksnotofpreservingitself，butofmakingotherfolkshappy。Damme，whatmattersascarortwoif\'tisgotinhelpingafriendinillfortune？\"
Andmylordagainslappedthetable，andtookagreatdraughtfromthetankard。HarryEsmondadmiredashelistenedtohim，andthoughthowthepoorpreacherofthisself—sacrificehadfledfromthesmall—pox，whichtheladyhadbornesocheerfully，andwhichhadbeenthecauseofsomuchdisunioninthelivesofallinthishouse。\"Howwellmenpreach，\"thoughttheyoungman，\"andeachistheexampleinhisownsermon。Howeachhasastoryinadispute，andatrueone，too，andbotharerightorwrongasyouwill！\"
Harry\'sheartwaspainedwithinhim，towatchthestrugglesandpangsthattorethebreastofthiskind，manlyfriendandprotector。
\"Indeed，sir，\"saidhe，\"IwishtoGodthatmymistresscouldhearyouspeakasIhaveheardyou;shewouldknowmuchthatwouldmakeherlifethehappier，couldshehearit。\"Butmylordflungawaywithoneofhisoaths，andajeer;hesaidthatParsonHarrywasagoodfellow;butthatasforwomen，allwomenwerealike——alljadesandheartless。Soamandashesafinevasedown，anddespisesitforbeingbroken。Itmaybeworthless——true:butwhohadthekeepingofit，andwhoshatteredit？
Harry，whowouldhavegivenhislifetomakehisbenefactressandherhusbandhappy，bethoughthim，nowthathesawwhatmylord\'sstateofmindwas，andthathereallyhadagreatdealofthatloveleftinhisheart，andreadyforhiswife\'sacceptanceifshewouldtakeit，whetherhecouldnotbeameansofreconciliationbetweenthesetwopersons，whomhereveredthemostintheworld。Andhecastabouthowheshouldbreakapartofhismindtohismistress，andwarnherthatinhis，Harry\'sopinion，atleast，herhusbandwasstillheradmirer，andevenherlover。
Buthefoundthesubjectaverydifficultonetohandle，whenheventuredtoremonstrate，whichhedidintheverygravesttone，（forlongconfidenceandreiteratedproofsofdevotionandloyaltyhadgivenhimasortofauthorityinthehouse，whichheresumedassoonaseverhereturnedtoit，）andwithaspeechthatshouldhavesomeeffect，as，indeed，itwasutteredwiththespeaker\'sownheart，heventuredmostgentlytohinttohisadoredmistressthatshewasdoingherhusbandharmbyherillopinionofhim，andthatthehappinessofallthefamilydependeduponsettingherright。
She，whowasordinarilycalmandmostgentle，andfullofsmilesandsoftattentions，flushedupwhenyoungEsmondsospoketoher，androsefromherchair，lookingathimwithahaughtinessandindignationthathehadneverbeforeknownhertodisplay。Shewasquiteanalteredbeingforthatmoment;andlookedanangryprincessinsultedbyavassal。
\"Haveyoueverheardmeutterawordinmylord\'sdisparagement？\"
sheaskedhastily，hissingoutherwords，andstampingherfoot。
\"Indeed，no，\"Esmondsaid，lookingdown。
\"Areyoucometomeashisambassador——YOU？\"shecontinued。
\"Iwouldsoonerseepeacebetweenyouthananythingelseintheworld，\"Harryanswered，\"andwouldgoofanyembassythathadthatend。\"
\"SoYOUaremylord\'sgo—between？\"shewenton，notregardingthisspeech。\"Youaresenttobidmebackintoslaveryagain，andinformmethatmylord\'sfavorisgraciouslyrestoredtohishandmaid？HeiswearyofCoventGarden，ishe，thathecomeshomeandwouldhavethefattedcalfkilled？\"
\"There\'sgoodauthorityforit，surely，\"saidEsmond。
