\"Forason，yes;butmylordisnotmyson。Itwashewhocastmeawayfromhim。Itwashewhobrokeourhappinessdown，andhebidsmetorepairit。Itwashewhoshowedhimselftomeatlast，ashewas，notasIhadthoughthim。Itishewhocomesbeforemychildrenstupidandsenselesswithwine——wholeavesourcompanyforthatoffrequentersoftavernsandbagnios——whogoesfromhishometotheCityyonderandhisfriendsthere，andwhenheistiredofthemreturnshither，andexpectsthatIshallkneelandwelcomehim。AndhesendsYOUashischamberlain！Whataproudembassy！
Monsieur，Imakeyoumycomplimentofthenewplace。\"
\"Itwouldbeaproudembassy，andahappyembassytoo，couldI
bringyouandmylordtogether，\"Esmondreplied。
\"Ipresumeyouhavefulfilledyourmissionnow，sir。\'Twasaprettyoneforyoutoundertake。Idon\'tknowwhether\'tisyourCambridgephilosophy，ortime，thathasalteredyourwaysofthinking，\"LadyCastlewoodcontinued，stillinasarcastictone。
\"Perhapsyoutoohavelearnedtolovedrink，andtohiccupoveryourwineorpunch;——whichisyourworship\'sfavoriteliquor？
Perhapsyoutooputupatthe\'Rose\'onyourwaytoLondon，andhaveyouracquaintancesinCoventGarden。Myservicestoyou，sir，toprincipalandambassador，tomasterand——andlackey。\"
\"Greatheavens！madam，\"criedHarry。\"WhathaveIdonethatthus，forasecondtime，youinsultme？DoyouwishmetoblushforwhatIusedtobeproudof，thatIlivedonyourbounty？Nexttodoingyouaservice（whichmylifewouldpayfor），youknowthattoreceiveonefromyouismyhighestpleasure。WhatwronghaveI
doneyouthatyoushouldwoundmeso，cruelwoman？\"
\"Whatwrong？\"shesaid，lookingatEsmondwithwildeyes。\"Well，none——nonethatyouknowof，Harry，orcouldhelp。Whydidyoubringbackthesmall—pox，\"sheadded，afterapause，\"fromCastlewoodvillage？Youcouldnothelpit，couldyou？Whichofusknowswhitherfateleadsus？Butwewereallhappy，Henry，tillthen。\"AndHarrywentawayfromthiscolloquy，thinkingstillthattheestrangementbetweenhispatronandhisbelovedmistresswasremediable，andthateachhadatheartastrongattachmenttotheother。
TheintimacybetweentheLordsMohunandCastlewoodappearedtoincreaseaslongastheformerremainedinthecountry;andmyLordofCastlewoodespeciallyseemednevertobehappyoutofhisnewcomrade\'ssight。Theysportedtogether，theydrank，theyplayedbowlsandtennis:myLordCastlewoodwouldgoforthreedaystoSark，andbringbackmyLordMohuntoCastlewood——whereindeedhislordshipmadehimselfverywelcometoallpersons，havingajokeoranewgameatrompsforthechildren，allthetalkofthetownformylord，andmusicandgallantryandplentyofthebeaulangageformylady，andforHarryEsmond，whowasnevertiredofhearinghisstoriesofhiscampaignsandhislifeatVienna，Venice，Paris，andthefamouscitiesofEuropewhichhehadvisitedbothinpeaceandwar。Andhesangatmylady\'sharpsichord，andplayedcardsorbackgammon，orhisnewgameofbilliardswithmylord（ofwhomheinvariablygotthebetter）alwayshavingaconsummategood—humor，andbearinghimselfwithacertainmanlygrace，thatmightexhibitsomewhatofthecampandAlsatiaperhaps，butthathaditscharm，andstampedhimagentleman:andhismannertoLadyCastlewoodwassodevotedandrespectful，thatshesoonrecoveredfromthefirstfeelingsofdislikewhichshehadconceivedagainsthim——nay，beforelong，begantobeinterestedinhisspiritualwelfare，andhopefulofhisconversion，lendinghimbooksofpiety，whichhepromiseddutifullytostudy。Withhermylordtalkedofreform，ofsettlingintoquietlife，quittingthecourtandtown，andbuyingsomelandintheneighborhood——thoughitmustbeownedthat，whenthetwolordsweretogetherovertheirBurgundyafterdinner，theirtalkwasverydifferent，andtherewasverylittlequestionofconversiononmyLordMohun\'spart。Whentheygottotheirsecondbottle，HarryEsmondusedcommonlytoleavethesetwonobletopers，who，thoughtheytalkedfreelyenough，heavenknows，inhispresence（GoodLord，whatasetofstories，ofAlsatiaandSpringGarden，ofthetavernsandgaming—houses，oftheladiesofthecourt，andmesdamesofthetheatres，hecanrecalloutoftheirgodlyconversation！）——although，Isay，theytalkedbeforeEsmondfreely，yettheyseemedpleasedwhenhewentaway，andthentheyhadanotherbottle，andthentheyfelltocards，andthenmyLordMohuncametoherladyship\'sdrawing—room;leavinghisbooncompaniontosleepoffhiswine。
\'Twasapointofhonorwiththefinegentlemenofthosedaystoloseorwinmagnificentlyattheirhorse—matches，orgamesofcardsanddice——andyoucouldnevertell，fromthedemeanorofthesetwolordsafterwards，whichhadbeensuccessfulandwhichtheloserattheirgames。Andwhenmyladyhintedtomylordthatheplayedmorethansheliked，hedismissedherwitha\"pish，\"andsworethatnothingwasmoreequalthanplaybetwixtgentlemen，iftheydidbutkeepituplongenough。Andthesekeptituplongenough，youmaybesure。Amanoffashionofthattimeoftenpassedaquarterofhisdayatcards，andanotherquarteratdrink:Ihaveknownmanyaprettyfellow，whowasawittoo，readyofrepartee，andpossessedofathousandgraces，whowouldbepuzzledifhehadtowritemorethanhisname。
Thereisscarceanythoughtfulmanorwoman，Isuppose，butcanlookbackuponhiscourseofpastlife，andremembersomepoint，triflingasitmayhaveseemedatthetimeofoccurrence，whichhasneverthelessturnedandalteredhiswholecareer。\'Tiswithalmostallofus，asinM。Massillon\'smagnificentimageregardingKingWilliam，agraindesablethatpervertsorperhapsoverthrowsus;
andsoitwasbutalightwordflungintheair，amerefreakofperversechild\'stemper，thatbroughtdownawholeheapofcrushingwoesuponthatfamilywhereofHarryEsmondformedapart。
CominghometohisdearCastlewoodinthethirdyearofhisacademicalcourse，（whereinhehadnowobtainedsomedistinction，hisLatinPoemonthedeathoftheDukeofGloucester，PrincessAnneofDenmark\'sson，havinggainedhimamedal，andintroducedhimtothesocietyoftheUniversitywits，）EsmondfoundhislittlefriendandpupilBeatrixgrowntobetallerthanhermother，aslimandlovelyyounggirl，withcheeksmantlingwithhealthandroses:
witheyeslikestarsshiningoutofazure，withwavingbronzehairclusteredaboutthefairestyoungforeheadeverseen:andamienandshapehaughtyandbeautiful，suchasthatofthefamousantiquestatueofthehuntressDiana——atonetimehaughty，rapid，imperious，witheyesandarrowsthatdartandkill。Harrywatchedandwonderedatthisyoungcreature，andlikenedherinhismindtoArtemiswiththeringingbowandshaftsflashingdeathuponthechildrenofNiobe;atanothertimeshewascoyandmeltingasLunashiningtenderlyuponEndymion。Thisfaircreature，thislustrousPhoebe，wasonlyyoungasyet，norhadnearlyreachedherfullsplendor:butcrescentandbrilliant，ouryounggentlemanoftheUniversity，hisheadfullofpoeticalfancies，hisheartperhapsthrobbingwithdesiresundefined，admiredthisrisingyoungdivinity;andgazedather（thoughonlyasatsome\"brightparticularstar，\"farabovehisearth）withendlessdelightandwonder。Shehadbeenacoquettefromtheearliesttimesalmost，tryingherfreaksandjealousies，herwaywardfrolicsandwinningcaresses，uponallthatcamewithinherreach;shesetherwomenquarrellinginthenursery，andpractisedhereyesonthegroomassherodebehindhimonthepillion。
Shewasthedarlingandtormentoffatherandmother。Sheintriguedwitheachsecretly;andbestowedherfondnessandwithdrewit，pliedthemwithtears，smiles，kisses，cajolements;——
whenthemotherwasangry，ashappenedoften，flewtothefather，andshelteringbehindhim，pursuedhervictim;whenbothweredispleased，transferredhercaressestothedomestics，orwatcheduntilshecouldwinbackherparents\'goodgraces，eitherbysurprisingthemintolaughterandgood—humor，orappeasingthembysubmissionandartfulhumility。Shewassaevolaetanegotio，likethatficklegoddessHoracedescribes，andofwhose\"maliciousjoy\"
agreatpoetofourownhaswrittensonobly——who，famousandheroicashewas，wasnotstrongenoughtoresistthetortureofwomen。
Itwasbutthreeyearsbeforethatthechild，thenbuttenyearsold，hadnearlymanagedtomakeaquarrelbetweenHarryEsmondandhiscomrade，good—natured，phlegmaticThomasTusher，whoneverofhisownseekingquarrelledwithanybody:byquotingtothelattersomesillyjokewhichHarryhadmaderegardinghim——（itwasthemerestidlestjest，thoughitneardrovetwooldfriendstoblows，andIthinksuchabattlewouldhavepleasedher）——andfromthatdayTomkeptatadistancefromher;andsherespectedhim，andcoaxedhimsedulouslywhenevertheymet。ButHarrywasmuchmoreeasilyappeased，becausehewasfonderofthechild:andwhenshemademischief，usedcuttingspeeches，orcausedherfriendspain，sheexcusedherselfforherfault，notbyadmittinganddeploringit，butbypleadingnotguilty，andassertinginnocencesoconstantly，andwithsuchseemingartlessness，thatitwasimpossibletoquestionherplea。Inherchildhood，theywerebutmischiefsthenwhichshedid;butherpowerbecamemorefatalasshegrewolder——asakittenfirstplayswithaball，andthenpouncesonabirdandkillsit。\'TisnottobeimaginedthatHarryEsmondhadallthisexperienceatthisearlystageofhislife，whereofheisnowwritingthehistory——manythingsherenotedwerebutknowntohiminlaterdays。AlmosteverythingBeatrixdidorundidseemedgood，oratleastpardonable，tohimthen，andyearsafterwards。
Ithappened，then，thatHarryEsmondcamehometoCastlewoodforhislastvacation，withgoodhopesofafellowshipathiscollege，andacontentedresolvetoadvancehisfortunethatway。\'Twasinthefirstyearofthepresentcentury，Mr。Esmond（asfarasheknewtheperiodofhisbirth）beingthentwenty—twoyearsold。Hefoundhisquondampupilshotupintothisbeautyofwhichwehavespoken，andpromisingyetmore:herbrother，mylord\'sson，ahandsomehigh—spiritedbravelad，generousandfrank，andkindtoeverybody，saveperhapshissister，withwhomFrankwasatwar（andnotfromhisbutherfault）——adoringhismother，whosejoyhewas:
andtakinghersideintheunhappymatrimonialdifferenceswhichwerenowpermanent，whileofcourseMistressBeatrixrangedwithherfather。Whenheadsoffamiliesfallout，itmustnaturallybethattheirdependantsweartheoneortheotherparty\'scolor;andevenintheparliamentsintheservants\'hallorthestables，Harry，whohadanearlyobservantturn，couldseewhichweremylord\'sadherentsandwhichmylady\'s，andconjectureprettyshrewdlyhowtheirunluckyquarrelwasdebated。Ourlackeyssitinjudgmentonus。Mylord\'sintriguesmaybeeversostealthilyconducted，buthisvaletknowsthem;andmylady\'swomancarrieshermistress\'sprivatehistorytotheservants\'scandalmarket，andexchangesitagainstthesecretsofotherabigails。
CHAPTERXIII。
MYLORDLEAVESUSANDHISEVILBEHINDHIM。
MyLordMohun（ofwhoseexploitsandfamesomeofthegentlemenoftheUniversityhadbroughtdownbutuglyreports）wasoncemoreaguestatCastlewood，andseeminglymoreintimatelyalliedwithmylordeventhanbefore。OnceinthespringthosetwonoblemenhadriddentoCambridgefromNewmarket，whithertheyhadgoneforthehorse—racing，andhadhonoredHarryEsmondwithavisitathisrooms;afterwhichDoctorMontague，themasteroftheCollege，whohadtreatedHarrysomewhathaughtily，seeinghisfamiliaritywiththesegreatfolks，andthatmyLordCastlewoodlaughedandwalkedwithhishandonHarry\'sshoulder，relentedtoMr。Esmond，andcondescendedtobeveryciviltohim;andsomedaysafterhisarrival，Harry，laughing，toldthisstorytoLadyEsmond，remarkinghowstrangeitwasthatmenfamousforlearningandrenownedoverEurope，should，nevertheless，sobowdowntoatitle，andcringetoanoblemaneversopoor。AtthisMistressBeatrixflungupherhead，andsaiditbecamethoseofloworigintorespecttheirbetters;thattheparsonsmadethemselvesagreatdealtooproud，shethought;andthatshelikedthewayatLadySark\'sbest，wherethechaplain，thoughhelovedpudding，asallparsonsdo，alwayswentawaybeforethecustard。
\"AndwhenIamaparson，\"saysMr。Esmond，\"willyougivemenocustard，Beatrix？\"
\"You——youaredifferent，\"Beatrixanswered。\"Youareofourblood。\"
\"Myfatherwasaparson，asyoucallhim，\"saidmylady。
\"ButmineisapeerofIreland，\"saysMistressBeatrix，tossingherhead。\"Letpeopleknowtheirplaces。IsupposeyouwillhavemegodownonmykneesandaskablessingofMr。ThomasTusher，thathasjustbeenmadeacurateandwhosemotherwasawaiting—maid。\"
Andshetossedoutoftheroom，beinginoneofherflightyhumorsthen。
Whenshewasgone，myladylookedsosadandgrave，thatHarryaskedthecauseofherdisquietude。ShesaiditwasnotmerelywhathesaidofNewmarket，butwhatshehadremarked，withgreatanxietyandterror，thatmylord，eversincehisacquaintancewiththeLordMohunespecially，hadrecurredtohisfondnessforplay，whichhehadrenouncedsincehismarriage。
\"Butmenpromisemorethantheyareabletoperforminmarriage，\"
saidmylady，withasigh。\"Ifearhehaslostlargesums;andourproperty，alwayssmall，isdwindlingawayunderthisrecklessdissipation。IheardofhiminLondonwithverywildcompany。
Sincehisreturn，lettersandlawyersareconstantlycomingandgoing:heseemstometohaveaconstantanxiety，thoughhehidesitunderboisterousnessandlaughter。Ilookedthrough——throughthedoorlastnight，and——andbefore，\"saidmylady，\"andsawthematcardsaftermidnight;noestatewillbearthatextravagance，muchlessours，whichwillbesodiminishedthatmysonwillhavenothingatall，andmypoorBeatrixnoportion！\"
\"IwishIcouldhelpyou，madam，\"saidHarryEsmond，sighing，andwishingthatunavailingly，andforthethousandthtimeinhislife。
\"Whocan？OnlyGod，\"saidLadyEsmond——\"onlyGod，inwhosehandsweare。\"Andsoitis，andforhisruleoverhisfamily，andforhisconducttowifeandchildren——subjectsoverwhomhispowerismonarchical——anyonewhowatchestheworldmustthinkwithtremblingsometimesoftheaccountwhichmanyamanwillhavetorender。Forinoursocietythere\'snolawtocontroltheKingoftheFireside。Heismasterofproperty，happiness——lifealmost。
Heisfreetopunish，tomakehappyorunhappy——toruinortotorture。Hemaykillawifegradually，andbenomorequestionedthantheGrandseigniorwhodrownsaslaveatmidnight。Hemaymakeslavesandhypocritesofhischildren;orfriendsandfreemen;
ordrivethemintorevoltandenmityagainstthenaturallawoflove。Ihaveheardpoliticiansandcoffee—housewiseacrestalkingoverthenewspaper，andrailingatthetyrannyoftheFrenchKing，andtheEmperor，andwonderedhowthese（whoaremonarchs，too，intheirway）governtheirowndominionsathome，whereeachmanrulesabsolute。WhentheannalsofeachlittlereignareshowntotheSupremeMaster，underwhomweholdsovereignty，historieswillbelaidbareofhouseholdtyrantsascruelasAmurath，andassavageasNero，andasrecklessanddissoluteasCharles。
IfHarryEsmond\'spatronerred，\'twasinthelatterway，fromadispositionratherself—indulgentthancruel;andhemighthavebeenbroughtbacktomuchbetterfeelings，hadtimebeengiventohimtobringhisrepentancetoalastingreform。
AsmylordandhisfriendLordMohunweresuchclosecompanions，MistressBeatrixchosetobejealousofthelatter;andthetwogentlemenoftenentertainedeachotherbylaughing，intheirrudeboisterousway，atthechild\'sfreaksofangerandshowofdislike。
\"Whenthouartoldenough，thoushaltmarryLordMohun，\"Beatrix\'sfatherwouldsay:onwhichthegirlwouldpoutandsay，\"IwouldrathermarryTomTusher。\"AndbecausetheLordMohunalwaysshowedanextremegallantrytomyLadyCastlewood，whomheprofessedtoadmiredevotedly，oneday，inanswertothisoldjokeofherfather\'s，Beatrixsaid，\"Ithinkmylordwouldrathermarrymammathanmarryme;andiswaitingtillyoudietoaskher。\"
Thewordsweresaidlightlyandpertlybythegirlonenightbeforesupper，asthefamilypartywereassemblednearthegreatfire。
Thetwolords，whowereatcards，bothgaveastart;myladyturnedasredasscarlet，andbadeMistressBeatrixgotoherownchamber;
whereuponthegirl，puttingon，asherwontwas，themostinnocentair，said，\"IamsureImeantnowrong;IamsuremammatalksagreatdealmoretoHarryEsmondthanshedoestopapa——andshecriedwhenHarrywentaway，andsheneverdoeswhenpapagoesaway！
andlastnightshetalkedtoLordMohunforeversolong，andsentusoutoftheroom，andcriedwhenwecameback，and——\"
\"D——n！\"criedoutmyLordCastlewood，outofallpatience。\"Gooutoftheroom，youlittleviper！\"andhestartedupandflungdownhiscards。
\"AskLordMohunwhatIsaidtohim，Francis，\"herladyshipsaid，risingupwithascaredface，butyetwithagreatandtouchingdignityandcandorinherlookandvoice。\"Comeawaywithme，Beatrix。\"Beatrixsprunguptoo;shewasintearsnow。
\"Dearestmamma，whathaveIdone？\"sheasked。\"SureImeantnoharm。\"Andsheclungtohermother，andthepairwentoutsobbingtogether。
\"Iwilltellyouwhatyourwifesaidtome，Frank，\"myLordMohuncried。\"ParsonHarrymayhearit;and，asIhopeforheaven，everywordIsayistrue。Lastnight，withtearsinhereyes，yourwifeimploredmetoplaynomorewithyouatdiceoratcards，andyouknowbestwhetherwhatsheaskedwasnotforyourgood。\"
\"Ofcourse，itwas，Mohun，\"saysmylordinadryhardvoice。\"Ofcourseyouareamodelofaman:andtheworldknowswhatasaintyouare。\"
MyLordMohunwasseparatedfromhiswife，andhadhadmanyaffairsofhonor:ofwhichwomenasusualhadbeenthecause。
\"Iamnosaint，thoughyourwifeis——andIcananswerformyactionsasotherpeoplemustfortheirwords，\"saidmyLordMohun。
\"ByG——，mylord，youshall，\"criedtheother，startingup。
\"Wehaveanotherlittleaccounttosettlefirst，mylord，\"saysLordMohun。WhereuponHarryEsmond，filledwithalarmfortheconsequencestowhichthisdisastrousdisputemightlead，brokeoutintothemostvehementexpostulationswithhispatronandhisadversary。\"Graciousheavens！\"hesaid，\"mylord，areyougoingtodrawasworduponyourfriendinyourownhouse？Canyoudoubtthehonorofaladywhoisaspureasheaven，andwoulddieathousandtimesratherthandoyouawrong？Aretheidlewordsofajealouschildtosetfriendsatvariance？Hasnotmymistress，asmuchasshedareddo，besoughtyourlordship，asthetruthmustbetold，tobreakyourintimacywithmyLordMohun;andtogiveupthehabitwhichmaybringruinonyourfamily？ButformyLordMohun\'sillness，hadhenotleftyou？\"
\"\'Faith，Frank，amanwithagoutytoecan\'trunafterothermen\'swives，\"brokeoutmyLordMohun，whoindeedwasinthatway，andwithalaughandalookathisswathedlimbsofrankandcomical，thattheotherdashinghisfistacrosshisforeheadwascaughtbythatinfectiousgood—humor，andsaidwithhisoath，\"————it，Harry，Ibelievethee，\"andsothisquarrelwasover，andthetwogentlemen，atswordsdrawnbutjustnow，droppedtheirpoints，andshookhands。
Beatipacifici。\"Go，bringmyladyback，\"saidHarry\'spatron。
Esmondwentawayonlytoogladtobethebearerofsuchgoodnews。
Hefoundheratthedoor;shehadbeenlisteningthere，butwentbackashecame。Shetookbothhishands，hersweremarblecold。
Sheseemedasifshewouldfallonhisshoulder。\"Thankyou，andGodblessyou，mydearbrotherHarry，\"shesaid。Shekissedhishand，Esmondfelthertearsuponit:andleadingherintotheroom，anduptomylord，theLordCastlewood，withanoutbreakoffeelingandaffectionsuchashehadnotexhibitedformanyalongday，tookhiswifetohisheart，andbentoverandkissedherandaskedherpardon。
\"\'Tistimeformetogotoroost。Iwillhavemygruela—bed，\"
saidmyLordMohun:andlimpedoffcomicallyonHarryEsmond\'sarm。
\"ByGeorge，thatwomanisapearl！\"hesaid;\"and\'tisonlyapigthatwouldn\'tvalueher。Haveyouseenthevulgartraipsingorange—girlwhomEsmond\"——buthereMr。Esmondinterruptedhim，saying，thatthesewerenotaffairsforhimtoknow。
Mylord\'sgentlemancameintowaituponhismaster，whowasnosoonerinhisnightcapanddressing—gownthanhehadanothervisitorwhomhishostinsistedonsendingtohim:andthiswasnootherthantheLadyCastlewoodherselfwiththetoastandgruel，whichherhusbandbadehermakeandcarrywithherownhandsintoherguest。
LordCastlewoodstoodlookingafterhiswifeasshewentonthiserrand，andashelooked，HarryEsmondcouldnotbutgazeonhim，andremarkedinhispatron\'sfaceanexpressionoflove，andgrief，andcare，whichverymuchmovedandtouchedtheyoungman。LordCastlewood\'shandsfelldownathissides，andhisheadonhisbreast，andpresentlyhesaid，——
\"YouheardwhatMohunsaid，parson？\"
\"Thatmyladywasasaint？\"
\"Thattherearetwoaccountstosettle。Ihavebeengoingwrongthesefiveyears，HarryEsmond。Eversinceyoubroughtthatdamnedsmall—poxintothehouse，therehasbeenafatepursuingme，andI
hadbesthavediedofit，andnotrunawayfromitlikeacoward。
IleftBeatrixwithherrelations，andwenttoLondon;andIfellamongthieves，Harry，andIgotbacktoconfoundedcardsanddice，whichIhadn\'ttouchedsincemymarriage——no，notsinceIwasintheDuke\'sGuard，withthosewildMohocks。AndIhavebeenplayingworseandworse，andgoingdeeperanddeeperintoit;andIoweMohuntwothousandpoundsnow;andwhenit\'spaidIamlittlebetterthanabeggar。Idon\'tliketolookmyboyintheface;hehatesme，Iknowhedoes。AndIhavespentBeaty\'slittleportion:
andtheLordknowswhatwillcomeifIlive;thebestthingIcandoistodie，andreleasewhatportionoftheestateisredeemablefortheboy。\"
MohunwasasmuchmasteratCastlewoodastheowneroftheHallitself;andhisequipagesfilledthestables，where，indeed，therewasroomandplentyformanymorehorsesthanHarryEsmond\'simpoverishedpatroncouldaffordtokeep。Hehadarrivedonhorsebackwithhispeople;butwhenhisgoutbrokeoutmyLordMohunsenttoLondonforalightchaisehehad，drawnbyapairofsmallhorses，andrunningasswift，whereverroadsweregood，asaLaplander\'ssledge。Whenthiscarriagecame，hislordshipwaseagertodrivetheLadyCastlewoodabroadinit，anddidsomanytimes，andatarapidpace，greatlytohiscompanion\'senjoyment，wholovedtheswiftmotionandthehealthybreezesoverthedownswhichlieharduponCastlewood，andstretchthencetowardsthesea。
Asthisamusementwasverypleasanttoher，andherlord，farfromshowinganymistrustofherintimacywithLordMohun，encouragedhertobehiscompanion——asifwillingbyhispresentextremeconfidencetomakeupforanypastmistrustwhichhisjealousyhadshown——theLadyCastlewoodenjoyedherselffreelyinthisharmlessdiversion，which，itmustbeowned，herguestwasveryeagertogiveher;anditseemedthatshegrewthemorefreewithLordMohun，andpleasedwithhiscompany，becauseofsomesacrificewhichhisgallantrywaspleasedtomakeinherfavor。
Seeingthetwogentlemenconstantlyatcardsstillofevenings，HarryEsmondonedaydeploredtohismistressthatthisfatalinfatuationofherlordshouldcontinue;andnowtheyseemedreconciledtogether，beggedhisladytohinttoherhusbandthatheshouldplaynomore。
ButLadyCastlewood，smilingarchlyandgayly，saidshewouldspeaktohimpresently，andthat，forafewnightsmoreatleast，hemightbelettohavehisamusement。
\"Indeed，madam，\"saidHarry，\"youknownotwhatitcostsyou;and\'tiseasyforanyobserverwhoknowsthegame，toseethatLordMohunisbyfarthestrongerofthetwo。\"
\"Iknowheis，\"saysmylady，stillwithexceedinggood—humor;\"heisnotonlythebestplayer，butthekindestplayerintheworld。\"
\"Madam，madam！\"Esmondcried，transportedandprovoked。\"Debtsofhonormustbepaidsometimeorother;andmymasterwillberuinedifhegoeson。\"
\"Harry，shallItellyouasecret？\"myladyreplied，withkindnessandpleasurestillinhereyes。\"Franciswillnotberuinedifhegoeson;hewillberescuedifhegoeson。IrepentofhavingspokenandthoughtunkindlyoftheLordMohunwhenhewashereinthepastyear。Heisfullofmuchkindnessandgood;and\'tismybeliefthatweshallbringhimtobetterthings。Ihavelenthim\'Tillotson\'andyourfavorite\'BishopTaylor，\'andheismuchtouched，hesays;andasaproofofhisrepentance——（andhereinliesmysecret）——whatdoyouthinkheisdoingwithFrancis？HeislettingpoorFrankwinhismoneybackagain。Hehathwonalreadyatthelastfournights;andmyLordMohunsaysthathewillnotbethemeansofinjuringpoorFrankandmydearchildren。\"
\"AndinGod\'sname，whatdoyoureturnhimforthesacrifice？\"
askedEsmond，aghast;whoknewenoughofmen，andofthisoneinparticular，tobeawarethatsuchafinishedrakegavenothingfornothing。\"How，inheaven\'sname，areyoutopayhim？\"
\"Payhim！Withamother\'sblessingandawife\'sprayers！\"criesmylady，claspingherhandstogether。HarryEsmonddidnotknowwhethertolaugh，tobeangry，ortolovehisdearmistressmorethaneverfortheobstinateinnocencywithwhichshechosetoregardtheconductofamanoftheworld，whosedesignsheknewbetterhowtointerpret。Hetoldthelady，guardedly，butsoastomakehismeaningquitecleartoher，whatheknewinrespectoftheformerlifeandconductofthisnobleman;ofotherwomenagainstwhomhehadplotted，andwhomhehadovercome;oftheconversationwhichhe，Harryhimself，hadhadwithLordMohun，whereinthelordmadeaboastofhislibertinism，andfrequentlyavowedthatheheldallwomentobefairgame（ashislordshipstyledthisprettysport），andthattheywereall，withoutexception，tobewon。AndthereturnHarryhadforhisentreatiesandremonstranceswasafitofangeronLadyCastlewood\'spart，whowouldnotlistentohisaccusations;shesaidandretortedthathehimselfmustbeverywickedandpervertedtosupposeevildesignswhereshewassurenoneweremeant。\"Andthisisthegoodmeddlersgetofinterfering，\"Harrythoughttohimselfwithmuchbitterness;andhisperplexityandannoyancewereonlythegreater，becausehecouldnotspeaktomyLordCastlewoodhimselfuponasubjectofthisnature，orventuretoadviseorwarnhimregardingamattersoverysacredashisownhonor，ofwhichmylordwasnaturallythebestguardian。
ButthoughLadyCastlewoodwouldlistentonoadvicefromheryoungdependant，andappearedindignantlytorefuseitwhenoffered，Harryhadthesatisfactiontofindthatsheadoptedthecounselwhichsheprofessedtoreject;forthenextdayshepleadedaheadache，whenmyLordMohunwouldhavehadherdriveout，andthenextdaytheheadachecontinued;andnextday，inalaughinggayway，sheproposedthatthechildrenshouldtakeherplaceinhislordship\'scar，fortheywouldbecharmedwitharideofallthings;andshemustnothaveallthepleasureforherself。Mylordgavethemadrivewithaverygoodgrace，though，Idaresay，withrageanddisappointmentinwardly——notthathisheartwasveryseriouslyengagedinhisdesignsuponthissimplelady:butthelifeofsuchmenisoftenoneofintrigue，andtheycannomoregothroughthedaywithoutawomantopursue，thanafox—hunterwithouthissportafterbreakfast。
Underanaffectedcarelessnessofdemeanor，andthoughtherewasnooutwarddemonstrationofdoubtuponhispatron\'spartsincethequarrelbetweenthetwolords，HarryyetsawthatLordCastlewoodwaswatchinghisguestverynarrowly;andcaughtsightofdistrustandsmotheredrage（asHarrythought）whichforebodednogood。OnthepointofhonorEsmondknewhowtouchyhispatronwas;andwatchedhimalmostasaphysicianwatchesapatient，anditseemedtohimthatthisonewasslowtotakethedisease，thoughhecouldnotthrowoffthepoisonwhenonceithadmingledwithhisblood。
WereadinShakspeare（whomthewriterforhispartconsiderstobefarbeyondMr。Congreve，Mr。Dryden，oranyofthewitsofthepresentperiod，）thatwhenjealousyisoncedeclared，norpoppy，normandragora，norallthedrowsysyrupsoftheEast，willeversootheitormedicineitaway。
Infine，thesymptomsseemedtobesoalarmingtothisyoungphysician（who，indeed，youngashewas，hadfeltthekindpulsesofallthosedearkinsmen），thatHarrythoughtitwouldbehisdutytowarnmyLordMohun，andlethimknowthathisdesignsweresuspectedandwatched。Sooneday，wheninratherapettishhumorhislordshiphadsenttoLadyCastlewood，whohadpromisedtodrivewithhim，andnowrefusedtocome，Harrysaid——\"Mylord，ifyouwillkindlygivemeaplacebyyoursideIwillthankyou;Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，andwouldliketospeaktoyoualone。\"
\"Youhonormebygivingmeyourconfidence，Mr。HenryEsmond，\"saystheother，withaverygrandbow。Mylordwasalwaysafinegentleman，andyoungashewastherewasthatinEsmond\'smannerwhichshowedthathewasagentlemantoo，andthatnonemighttakealibertywithhim——sothepairwentout，andmountedthelittlecarriage，whichwasinwaitingfortheminthecourt，withitstwolittlecream—coloredHanoverianhorsescoveredwithsplendidfurnitureandchampingatthebit。
\"Mylord，\"saysHarryEsmond，aftertheyweregotintothecountry，andpointingtomyLordMohun\'sfoot，whichwasswathedinflannel，andputupratherostentatiouslyonacushion——\"mylord，IstudiedmedicineatCambridge。\"
\"Indeed，ParsonHarry，\"sayshe;\"andareyougoingtotakeoutadiploma:andcureyourfellow—studentsofthe——\"
\"Ofthegout，\"saysHarry，interruptinghim，andlookinghimhardintheface;\"Iknowagooddealaboutthegout。\"
\"Ihopeyoumayneverhaveit。\'Tisaninfernaldisease，\"saysmylord，\"anditstwingesarediabolical。Ah！\"andhemadeadreadfulwryface，asifhejustfeltatwinge。
\"Yourlordshipwouldbemuchbetterifyoutookoffallthatflannel——itonlyservestoinflamethetoe，\"Harrycontinued，lookinghismanfullintheface。
\"Oh！itonlyservestoinflamethetoe，doesit？\"saystheother，withaninnocentair。
\"Ifyoutookoffthatflannel，andflungthatabsurdslipperaway，andworeaboot，\"continuesHarry。
\"Yourecommendmeboots，Mr。Esmond？\"asksmylord。
\"Yes，bootsandspurs。Isawyourlordshipthreedaysagorundownthegalleryfastenough，\"Harrygoeson。\"Iamsurethattakinggruelatnightisnotsopleasantasclarettoyourlordship;andbesidesitkeepsyourlordship\'sheadcoolforplay，whilstmypatron\'sishotandflusteredwithdrink。\"
\"\'Sdeath，sir，youdarenotsaythatIdon\'tplayfair？\"criesmylord，whippinghishorses，whichwentawayatagallop。
\"Youarecoolwhenmylordisdrunk，\"Harrycontinued;\"yourlordshipgetsthebetterofmypatron。IhavewatchedyouasI
lookedupfrommybooks。\"
\"YouyoungArgus！\"saysLordMohun，wholikedHarryEsmond——andforwhosecompanyandwit，andacertaindaringmanner，Harryhadagreatlikingtoo——\"YouyoungArgus！youmaylookwithallyourhundredeyesandseeweplayfair。I\'veplayedawayanestateofanight，andI\'veplayedmyshirtoffmyback;andI\'veplayedawaymyperiwigandgonehomeinanightcap。ButnomancansayIevertookanadvantageofhimbeyondtheadvantageofthegame。I
playedadice—coggingscoundrelinAlsatiaforhisearsandwon\'em，andhaveoneof\'eminmylodginginBowStreetinabottleofspirits。HarryMohunwillplayanymanforanything——alwayswould。\"
