\"Youareplayingawfulstakes，mylord，inmypatron\'shouse，\"
Harrysaid，\"andmoregamesthanareonthecards。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，sir？\"criesmylord，turninground，withaflushonhisface。
\"Imean，\"answersHarry，inasarcastictone，\"thatyourgoutiswell——ifeveryouhadit。\"
\"Sir！\"criedmylord，gettinghot。
\"AndtotellthetruthIbelieveyourlordshiphasnomoregoutthanIhave。Atanyrate，changeofairwilldoyougood，myLordMohun。AndImeanfairlythatyouhadbettergofromCastlewood。\"
\"Andwereyouappointedtogivemethismessage？\"criestheLordMohun。\"DidFrankEsmondcommissionyou？\"
\"Noonedid。\'Twasthehonorofmyfamilythatcommissionedme。\"
\"Andyouarepreparedtoanswerthis？\"criestheother，furiouslylashinghishorses。
\"Quite，mylord:yourlordshipwillupsetthecarriageifyouwhipsohotly。\"
\"ByGeorge，youhaveabravespirit！\"mylordcriedout，burstingintoalaugh。\"Isuppose\'tisthatinfernalbottedeJesuitethatmakesyousobold，\"headded。
\"\'TisthepeaceofthefamilyIlovebestintheworld，\"HarryEsmondsaidwarmly——\"\'tisthehonorofanoblebenefactor——thehappinessofmydearmistressandherchildren。Iowethemeverythinginlife，mylord;andwouldlayitdownforanyoneofthem。Whatbringsyouheretodisturbthisquiethousehold？Whatkeepsyoulingeringmonthaftermonthinthecountry？Whatmakesyoufeignillness，andinventpretextsfordelay？Isittowinmypoorpatron\'smoney？Begenerous，mylord，andsparehisweaknessforthesakeofhiswifeandchildren。Isittopractiseuponthesimpleheartofavirtuouslady？YoumightaswellstormtheTowersingle—handed。Butyoumayblemishhernamebylightcommentsonit，orbylawlesspursuits——andIdon\'tdenythat\'tisinyourpowertomakeherunhappy。Sparetheseinnocentpeople，andleavethem。\"
\"BytheLord，IbelievethouhastaneyetotheprettyPuritanthyself，MasterHarry，\"saysmylord，withhisreckless，good—
humoredlaugh，andasifhehadbeenlisteningwithinteresttothepassionateappealoftheyoungman。\"Whisper，Harry。Artthouinlovewithherthyself？HathtipsyFrankEsmondcomebythewayofallflesh？\"
\"Mylord，mylord，\"criedHarry，hisfaceflushingandhiseyesfillingashespoke，\"Ineverhadamother，butIlovethisladyasone。Iworshipherasadevoteeworshipsasaint。Tohearhernamespokenlightlyseemsblasphemytome。Wouldyoudarethinkofyourownmotherso，orsufferanyonesotospeakofher？Itisahorrortometofancythatanymanshouldthinkofherimpurely。I
imploreyou，Ibeseechyou，toleaveher。Dangerwillcomeoutofit。\"
\"Danger，psha！\"saysmylord，givingacuttothehorses，whichatthisminute——forweweregotontotheDowns——fairlyranoffintoagallopthatnopullingcouldstop。ThereinbrokeinLordMohun\'shands，andthefuriousbeastsscamperedmadlyforwards，thecarriageswayingtoandfro，andthepersonswithinitholdingontothesidesasbesttheymight，untilseeingagreatravinebeforethem，whereanupsetwasinevitable，thetwogentlemenleaptfortheirlives，eachoutofhissideofthechaise。HarryEsmondwasquitforafallonthegrass，whichwassoseverethatitstunnedhimforaminute;buthegotuppresentlyverysick，andbleedingatthenose，butwithnootherhurt。TheLordMohunwasnotsofortunate;hefellonhisheadagainstastone，andlayontheground，deadtoallappearance。
Thismisadventurehappenedasthegentlemenwereontheirreturnhomewards;andmyLordCastlewood，withhissonanddaughter，whoweregoingoutforaride，mettheponiesastheyweregallopingwiththecarbehind，thebrokentracesentanglingtheirheels，andmylord\'speopleturnedandstoppedthem。ItwasyoungFrankwhospiedoutLordMohun\'sscarletcoatashelayontheground，andthepartymadeuptothatunfortunategentlemanandEsmond，whowasnowstandingoverhim。Hislargeperiwigandfeatheredhathadfallenoff，andhewasbleedingprofuselyfromawoundontheforehead，andlooking，andbeing，indeed，acorpse。
\"GreatGod！he\'sdead！\"saysmylord。\"Ride，someone:fetchadoctor——stay。I\'llgohomeandbringbackTusher;heknowssurgery，\"andmylord，withhissonafterhim，gallopedaway。
TheywerescarcegonewhenHarryEsmond，whowasindeedbutjustcometohimself，bethoughthimofasimilaraccidentwhichhehadseenonaridefromNewmarkettoCambridge，andtakingoffasleeveofmylord\'scoat，Harry，withapenknife，openedaveinofhisarm，andwasgreatlyrelieved，afteramoment，toseethebloodflow。Hewasnearhalfanhourbeforehecametohimself，bywhichtimeDoctorTusherandlittleFrankarrived，andfoundmylordnotacorpseindeed，butaspaleasone。
Afteratime，whenhewasabletobearmotion，theyputmylorduponagroom\'shorse，andgavetheothertoEsmond，themenwalkingoneachsideofmylord，tosupporthim，ifneedwere，andworthyDoctorTusherwiththem。LittleFrankandHarryrodetogetheratafootpace。
Whenwerodetogetherhome，theboysaid:\"Wemetmamma，whowaswalkingontheterracewiththedoctor，andpapafrightenedher，andtoldheryouweredead……\"
\"ThatIwasdead！\"asksHarry。
\"Yes。Papasays:\'Here\'spoorHarrykilled，mydear;\'onwhichmammagivesagreatscream;andoh，Harry！shedropsdown;andI
thoughtshewasdeadtoo。Andyouneversawsuchawayaspapawasin:hesworeoneofhisgreatoaths:andheturnedquitepale;andthenhebegantolaughsomehow，andhetoldtheDoctortotakehishorse，andmetofollowhim;andwelefthim。AndIlookedback，andsawhimdashingwateroutofthefountainontomamma。Oh，shewassofrightened！\"
Musinguponthiscurioushistory——formyLordMohun\'snamewasHenrytoo，andtheycalledeachotherFrankandHarryoften——andnotalittledisturbedandanxious，Esmondrodehome。Hisdearladywasontheterracestill，oneofherwomenwithher，andmylordnolongerthere。Therearestepsandalittledoorthencedownintotheroad。Mylordpassed，lookingveryghastly，withahandkerchiefoverhishead，andwithouthishatandperiwig，whichagroomcarried，buthispolitenessdidnotdeserthim，andhemadeabowtotheladyabove。
\"Thankheaven，youaresafe，\"shesaid。
\"AndsoisHarrytoo，mamma，\"sayslittleFrank，——\"huzzay！\"
HarryEsmondgotoffthehorsetoruntohismistress，asdidlittleFrank，andoneofthegroomstookchargeofthetwobeasts，whiletheother，hatandperiwiginhand，walkedbymylord\'sbridletothefrontgate，whichlayhalfamileaway。
\"Oh，myboy！whatafrightyouhavegivenme！\"LadyCastlewoodsaid，whenHarryEsmondcameup，greetinghimwithoneofhershininglooks，andavoiceoftenderwelcome;andshewassokindastokisstheyoungman（\'twasthesecondtimeshehadsohonoredhim），andshewalkedintothehousebetweenhimandherson，holdingahandofeach。
CHAPTERXIV。
WERIDEAFTERHIMTOLONDON。
Afterareposeofacoupleofdays，theLordMohunwassofarrecoveredofhishurtastobeabletoannouncehisdepartureforthenextmorning;when，accordingly，hetookleaveofCastlewood，proposingtoridetoLondonbyeasystages，andlietwonightsupontheroad。Hishosttreatedhimwithastudiedandceremoniouscourtesy，certainlydifferentfrommylord\'susualfrankandcarelessdemeanor;buttherewasnoreasontosupposethatthetwolordspartedotherwisethangoodfriends，thoughHarryEsmondremarkedthatmyLordViscountonlysawhisguestincompanywithotherpersons，andseemedtoavoidbeingalonewithhim。NordidherideanydistancewithLordMohun，ashiscustomwaswithmostofhisfriends，whomhewasalwayseagertowelcomeandunwillingtolose;butcontentedhimself，whenhislordship\'shorseswereannounced，andtheirownerappeared，bootedforhisjourney，totakeacourteousleaveoftheladiesofCastlewood，byfollowingtheLordMohundownstairstohishorses，andbybowingandwishinghimagood—day，inthecourt—yard。\"IshallseeyouinLondonbeforeverylong，Mohun，\"mylordsaid，withasmile，\"whenwewillsettleouraccountstogether。\"
\"Donotletthemtroubleyou，Frank，\"saidtheothergood—
naturedly，andholdingouthishand，lookedrathersurprisedatthegrimandstatelymannerinwhichhishostreceivedhispartingsalutation;andso，followedbyhispeople，herodeaway。
HarryEsmondwaswitnessofthedeparture。Itwasverydifferenttomylord\'scoming，forwhichgreatpreparationhadbeenmade（theoldhouseputtingonitsbestappearancetowelcomeitsguest），andtherewasasadnessandconstraintaboutallpersonsthatday，whichfilledMr。Esmondwithgloomyforebodings，andsadindefiniteapprehensions。LordCastlewoodstoodatthedoorwatchinghisguestandhispeopleastheywentoutunderthearchoftheoutergate。Whenhewasthere，LordMohunturnedoncemore，myLordViscountslowlyraisedhisbeaverandbowed。Hisfaceworeapeculiarlividlook，Harrythought。Hecursedandkickedawayhisdogs，whichcamejumpingabouthim——thenhewalkeduptothefountaininthecentreofthecourt，andleanedagainstapillarandlookedintothebasin。AsEsmondcrossedovertohisownroom，latethechaplain\'s，ontheothersideofthecourt，andturnedtoenterinatthelowdoor，hesawLadyCastlewoodlookingthroughthecurtainsofthegreatwindowofthedrawing—roomoverhead，atmylordashestoodregardingthefountain。Therewasinthecourtapeculiarsilencesomehow;andthesceneremainedlonginEsmond\'smemory:——theskybrightoverhead;thebuttressesofthebuildingandthesun—dialcastingshadowoverthegiltmementomoriinscribedunderneath;thetwodogs，ablackgreyhoundandaspanielnearlywhite，theonewithhisfaceuptothesun，andtheothersnuffingamongstthegrassandstones，andmylordleaningoverthefountain，whichwasbubblingaudibly。\'Tisstrangehowthatscene，andthesoundofthatfountain，remainfixedonthememoryofamanwhohasbeheldahundredsightsofsplendor，anddangertoo，ofwhichhehaskeptnoaccount。
ItwasLadyCastlewood——shehadbeenlaughingallthemorning，andespeciallygayandlivelybeforeherhusbandandhisguest——whoassoonasthetwogentlemenwenttogetherfromherroom，rantoHarry，theexpressionofhercountenancequitechangednow，andwithafaceandeyesfullofcare，andsaid，\"Followthem，Harry，I
amsuresomethinghasgonewrong。\"AndsoitwasthatEsmondwasmadeaneavesdropperatthislady\'sordersandretiredtohisownchamber，togivehimselftimeintruthtotryandcomposeastorywhichwouldsoothehismistress，forhecouldnotbuthavehisownapprehensionthatsomeseriousquarrelwaspendingbetweenthetwogentlemen。
AndnowforseveraldaysthelittlecompanyatCastlewoodsatattableasofevenings:thiscare，thoughunnamedandinvisible，beingneverthelesspresentalway，inthemindsofatleastthreepersonsthere。Mylordwasexceedinggentleandkind。Wheneverhequittedtheroom，hiswife\'seyesfollowedhim。Hebehavedtoherwithakindofmournfulcourtesyandkindnessremarkableinoneofhisbluntwaysandordinaryroughmanner。HecalledherbyherChristiannameoftenandfondly，wasverysoftandgentlewiththechildren，especiallywiththeboy，whomhedidnotlove，andbeinglaxaboutchurchgenerally，hewentthitherandperformedalltheoffices（downeventolisteningtoDr。Tusher\'ssermon）withgreatdevotion。
\"Hepaceshisroomallnight;whatisit？Henry，findoutwhatitis，\"LadyCastlewoodsaidconstantlytoheryoungdependant。\"HehassentthreeletterstoLondon，\"shesaid，anotherday。
\"Indeed，madam，theyweretoalawyer，\"Harryanswered，whoknewoftheseletters，andhadseenapartofthecorrespondence，whichrelatedtoanewloanmylordwasraising;andwhentheyoungmanremonstratedwithhispatron，mylordsaid，\"Hewasonlyraisingmoneytopayoffanolddebtontheproperty，whichmustbedischarged。\"
Regardingthemoney，LadyCastlewoodwasnotintheleastanxious。
Fewfondwomenfeelmoney—distressed;indeedyoucanhardlygiveawomanagreaterpleasurethantobidherpawnherdiamondsforthemansheloves;andIrememberhearingMr。CongrevesayofmyLordMarlborough，thatthereasonwhymylordwassosuccessfulwithwomenasayoungman，wasbecausehetookmoneyofthem。\"Therearefewmenwhowillmakesuchasacrificeforthem，\"saysMr。
Congreve，whoknewapartofthesexprettywell。
HarryEsmond\'svacationwasjustover，and，ashathbeensaid，hewaspreparingtoreturntotheUniversityforhislasttermbeforetakinghisdegreeandenteringintotheChurch。Hehadmadeuphismindforthisoffice，notindeedwiththatreverencewhichbecomesamanabouttoenteruponadutysoholy，butwithaworldlyspiritofacquiescenceintheprudenceofadoptingthatprofessionforhiscalling。ButhisreasoningwasthatheowedalltothefamilyofCastlewood，andlovedbettertobenearthemthananywhereelseintheworld;thathemightbeusefultohisbenefactors，whohadtheutmostconfidenceinhimandaffectionforhiminreturn;thathemightaidinbringinguptheyoungheirofthehouseandactingashisgovernor;thathemightcontinuetobehisdearpatron\'sandmistress\'sfriendandadviser，whobothwerepleasedtosaythattheyshouldeverlookuponhimassuch;andso，bymakinghimselfusefultothosehelovedbest，heproposedtoconsolehimselfforgivingupofanyschemesofambitionwhichhemighthavehadinhisownbosom。Indeed，hismistresshadtoldhimthatshewouldnothavehimleaveher;andwhatevershecommandedwaswilltohim。
TheLadyCastlewood\'smindwasgreatlyrelievedinthelastfewdaysofthiswell—rememberedholidaytime，bymylord\'sannouncingonemorning，aftertheposthadbroughthimlettersfromLondon，inacarelesstone，thattheLordMohunwasgonetoParis，andwasabouttomakeagreatjourneyinEurope;andthoughLordCastlewood\'sowngloomdidnotwearoff，orhisbehavioralter，yetthiscauseofanxietybeingremovedfromhislady\'smind，shebegantobemorehopefulandeasyinherspirits，strivingtoo，withallherheart，andbyallthemeansofsoothinginherpower，tocallbackmylord\'scheerfulnessanddissipatehismoodyhumor。
Heaccountedforithimself，bysayingthathewasoutofhealth;
thathewantedtoseehisphysician;thathewouldgotoLondon，andconsultDoctorCheyne。ItwasagreedthathislordshipandHarryEsmondshouldmakethejourneyasfarasLondontogether;andofaMondaymorning，the11thofOctober，intheyear1700，theysetforwardstowardsLondononhorseback。ThedaybeforebeingSunday，andtherainpouringdown，thefamilydidnotvisitchurch;
andatnightmylordreadtheservicetohisfamilyveryfinely，andwithapeculiarsweetnessandgravity——speakingthepartingbenediction，Harrythought，assolemnaseverheheardit。Andhekissedandembracedhiswifeandchildrenbeforetheywenttotheirownchamberswithmorefondnessthanhewasordinarilywonttoshow，andwithasolemnityandfeelingofwhichtheythoughtinafterdayswithnosmallcomfort。
Theytookhorsethenextmorning（afteradieuxfromthefamilyastenderasonthenightprevious），laythatnightontheroad，andenteredLondonatnightfall;mylordgoingtothe\"Trumpet，\"intheCockpit，Whitehall，ahouseusedbythemilitaryinhistimeasayoungman，andaccustomedbyhislordshipeversince。
Anhouraftermylord\'sarrival（whichshowedthathisvisithadbeenarrangedbeforehand），mylord\'smanofbusinessarrivedfromGray\'sInn;andthinkingthathispatronmightwishtobeprivatewiththelawyer，Esmondwasforleavingthem:butmylordsaidhisbusinesswasshort;introducedMr。Esmondparticularlytothelawyer，whohadbeenengagedforthefamilyintheoldlord\'stime;
whosaidthathehadpaidthemoney，asdesiredthatday，tomyLordMohunhimself，athislodgingsinBowStreet;thathislordshiphadexpressedsomesurprise，asitwasnotcustomarytoemploylawyers，hesaid，insuchtransactionsbetweenmenofhonor;
butnevertheless，hehadreturnedmyLordViscount\'snoteofhand，whichheheldathisclient\'sdisposition。
\"IthoughttheLordMohunhadbeeninParis！\"criedMr。Esmond，ingreatalarmandastonishment。
\"Heiscomebackatmyinvitation，\"saidmyLordViscount。\"Wehaveaccountstosettletogether。\"
\"Iprayheaventheyareover，sir，\"saysEsmond。
\"Oh，quite，\"repliedtheother，lookinghardattheyoungman。\"HewasrathertroublesomeaboutthatmoneywhichItoldyouIhadlosttohimatplay。Andnow\'tispaid，andwearequitsonthatscore，andweshallmeetgoodfriendsagain。\"
\"Mylord，\"criedoutEsmond，\"Iamsureyouaredeceivingme，andthatthereisaquarrelbetweentheLordMohunandyou。\"
\"Quarrel——pish！Weshallsuptogetherthisverynight，anddrinkabottle。Everymanisill—humoredwholosessuchasumasIhavelost。Butnow\'tispaid，andmyangerisgonewithit。\"
\"Whereshallwesup，sir？\"saysHarry。
\"WE！Letsomegentlemenwaittilltheyareasked，\"saysmyLordViscountwithalaugh。\"YougotoDukeStreet，andseeMr。
Betterton。Youlovetheplay，Iknow。Leavemetofollowmyowndevices:andinthemorningwe\'llbreakfasttogether，withwhatappetitewemay，astheplaysays。\"
\"ByG——！mylord，Iwillnotleaveyouthisnight，\"saysHarryEsmond。\"IthinkIknowthecauseofyourdispute。Isweartoyou\'tisnothing。OntheverydaytheaccidentbefellLordMohun，I
wasspeakingtohimaboutit。Iknowthatnothinghaspassedbutidlegallantryonhispart。\"
\"YouknowthatnothinghaspassedbutidlegallantrybetweenLordMohunandmywife，\"saysmylord，inathunderingvoice——\"youknewofthisanddidnottellme？\"
\"Iknewmoreofitthanmydearmistressdidherself，sir——athousandtimesmore。Howwasshe，whowasasinnocentasachild，toknowwhatwasthemeaningofthecovertaddressesofavillain？\"
\"Avillainheis，youallow，andwouldhavetakenmywifeawayfromme。\"
\"Sir，sheisaspureasanangel，\"criedyoungEsmond。
\"HaveIsaidawordagainsther？\"shrieksoutmylord。\"DidIeverdoubtthatshewaspure？ItwouldhavebeenthelastdayofherlifewhenIdid。DoyoufancyIthinkthatSHEwouldgoastray？
No，shehasn\'tpassionenoughforthat。Sheneithersinsnorforgives。Iknowhertemper——andnowI\'velosther，byheavenI
lovehertenthousandtimesmorethaneverIdid——yes，whenshewasasyoungandasbeautifulasanangel——whenshesmiledatmeinheroldfather\'shouse，andusedtolieinwaitformethereasIcamefromhunting——whenIusedtoflingmyheaddownonherlittlekneesandcrylikeachildonherlap——andswearIwouldreform，anddrinknomoreandplaynomore，andfollowwomennomore;whenallthemenoftheCourtusedtobefollowingher——whensheusedtolookwithherchildmorebeautiful，byGeorge，thantheMadonnaintheQueen\'sChapel。Iamnotgoodlikeher，Iknowit。Whois——byheaven，whois？Itiredandweariedher，Iknowthatverywell。I
couldnottalktoher。Youmenofwitandbookscoulddothat，andIcouldn\'t——IfeltIcouldn\'t。Why，whenyouwasbutaboyoffifteenIcouldhearyoutwotogethertalkingyourpoetryandyourbookstillIwasinsucharagethatIwasfittostrangleyou。
Butyouwerealwaysagoodlad，Harry，andIlovedyou，youknowI
did。AndIfeltshedidn\'tbelongtome:andthechildrendon\'t。
AndIbesottedmyself，andgambledanddrank，andtooktoallsortsofdeviltriesoutofdespairandfury。AndnowcomesthisMohun，andshelikeshim，Iknowshelikeshim。\"
\"Indeed，andonmysoul，youarewrong，sir，\"Esmondcried。
\"Shetakeslettersfromhim，\"criesmylord——\"lookhere，Harry，\"
andhepulledoutapaperwithabrownstainofblooduponit。\"Itfellfromhimthatdayhewasn\'tkilled。Oneofthegroomspickeditupfromthegroundandgaveitme。Hereitisintheird——dcomedyjargon。\'DivineGloriana——Whylooksocoldlyonyourslavewhoadoresyou？Haveyounocompassiononthetorturesyouhaveseenmesuffering？Doyouvouchsafenoreplytobilletsthatarewrittenwiththebloodofmyheart。\'Shehadmorelettersfromhim。\"
\"Butsheanswerednone，\"criesEsmond。
\"That\'snotMohun\'sfault，\"saysmylord，\"andIwillberevengedonhim，asGod\'sinheaven，Iwill。\"
\"Foralightwordortwo，willyouriskyourlady\'shonorandyourfamily\'shappiness，mylord？\"Esmondinterposedbeseechingly。
\"Psha——thereshallbenoquestionofmywife\'shonor，\"saidmylord;\"wecanquarrelonplentyofgroundsbeside。IfIlive，thatvillainwillbepunished;ifIfall，myfamilywillbeonlythebetter:therewillonlybeaspendthriftthelesstokeepintheworld:andFrankhasbetterteachingthanhisfather。Mymindismadeup，HarryEsmond，andwhatevertheeventis，Iameasyaboutit。Ileavemywifeandyouasguardianstothechildren。\"
Seeingthatmylordwasbentuponpursuingthisquarrel，andthatnoentreatieswoulddrawhimfromit，HarryEsmond（thenofahotterandmoreimpetuousnaturethannow，whencare，andreflection，andgrayhairshavecalmedhim）thoughtitwashisdutytostandbyhiskind，generouspatron，andsaid，\"Mylord，ifyouaredetermineduponwar，youmustnotgointoitalone。\'Tisthedutyofourhousetostandbyitschief;andIshouldneitherforgivemyselfnoryouifyoudidnotcallme，orIshouldbeabsentfromyouatamomentofdanger。\"
\"Why，Harry，mypoorboy，youarebredforaparson，\"saysmylord，takingEsmondbythehandverykindly;\"anditwereagreatpitythatyoushouldmeddleinthematter。\"
\"Yourlordshipthoughtofbeingachurchmanonce，\"Harryanswered，\"andyourfather\'sordersdidnotpreventhimfightingatCastlewoodagainsttheRoundheads。Yourenemiesaremine，sir;I
canusethefoils，asyouhaveseen，indifferentlywell，anddon\'tthinkIshallbeafraidwhenthebuttonsaretakenoff\'em。\"AndthenHarryexplained，withsomeblushesandhesitation（forthematterwasdelicate，andhefearedlest，byhavingputhimselfforwardinthequarrel，hemighthaveoffendedhispatron），howhehadhimselfexpostulatedwiththeLordMohun，andproposedtomeasureswordswithhimifneedwere，andhecouldnotbegottowithdrawpeaceablyinthisdispute。\"AndIshouldhavebeathim，sir，\"saysHarry，laughing。\"HenevercouldparrythatbotteI
broughtfromCambridge。Letushavehalfanhourofit，andrehearse——Icanteachityourlordship:\'tisthemostdelicatepointintheworld，andifyoumissit，youradversary\'sswordisthroughyou。\"
\"ByGeorge，Harry，yououghttobetheheadofthehouse，\"saysmylord，gloomily。\"YouhadbeenabetterLordCastlewoodthanalazysotlikeme，\"headded，drawinghishandacrosshiseyes，andsurveyinghiskinsmanwithverykindandaffectionateglances。
\"Letustakeourcoatsoffandhavehalfanhour\'spracticebeforenightfall，\"saysHarry，afterthankfullygraspinghispatron\'smanlyhand。
\"Youarebutalittlebitofalad，\"saysmylord，good—humoredly;
\"but，infaith，Ibelieveyoucoulddoforthatfellow。No，myboy，\"hecontinued，\"I\'llhavenoneofyourfeintsandtricksofstabbing:Icanusemyswordprettywelltoo，andwillfightmyownquarrelmyownway。\"
\"ButIshallbebytoseefairplay？\"criesHarry。
\"Yes，Godblessyou——youshallbeby。\"
\"Whenisit，sir？\"saysHarry，forhesawthatthematterhadbeenarrangedprivatelyandbeforehandbymylord。
\"\'Tisarrangedthus:IsentoffacouriertoJackWestburytosaythatIwantedhimspecially。Heknowsforwhat，andwillbeherepresently，anddrinkpartofthatbottleofsack。ThenweshallgotothetheatreinDukeStreet，whereweshallmeetMohun;andthenweshallallgosupatthe\'Rose\'orthe\'Greyhound。\'Thenweshallcallforcards，andtherewillbeprobablyadifferenceoverthecards——andthen，Godhelpus！——eitherawickedvillainandtraitorshallgooutoftheworld，orapoorworthlessdevil，thatdoesn\'tcaretoremaininit。Iambetteraway，Hal——mywifewillbeallthehappierwhenIamgone，\"saysmylord，withagroan，thattoretheheartofHarryEsmond，sothathefairlybrokeintoasoboverhispatron\'skindhand。
\"ThebusinesswastalkedoverwithMohunbeforehelefthome——
CastlewoodImean\"——mylordwenton。\"Itooktheletterintohim，whichIhadread，andIchargedhimwithhisvillainy，andhecouldmakenodenialofit，onlyhesaidthatmywifewasinnocent。\"
\"Andsosheis;beforeheaven，mylord，sheis！\"criesHarry。
\"Nodoubt，nodoubt。Theyalwaysare，\"saysmylord。\"Nodoubt，whensheheardhewaskilled，shefaintedfromaccident。\"
\"But，mylord，MYnameisHarry，\"criedoutEsmond，burningred。
\"Youtoldmylady，\'Harrywaskilled！\'\"
\"Damnation！shallIfightyoutoo？\"shoutsmylordinafury。\"Areyou，youlittleserpent，warmedbymyfire，goingtosting——YOU？——
No，myboy，you\'reanhonestboy;youareagoodboy。\"（Andherehebrokefromrageintotearsevenmorecrueltosee。）\"Youareanhonestboy，andIloveyou;and，byheavens，IamsowretchedthatIdon\'tcarewhatsworditisthatendsme。Stop，here\'sJackWestbury。Well，Jack！Welcome，oldboy！Thisismykinsman，HarryEsmond。\"
\"WhobroughtyourbowlsforyouatCastlewood，sir？\"saysHarry，bowing;andthethreegentlemensatdownanddrankofthatbottleofsackwhichwaspreparedforthem。
\"Harryisnumberthree，\"saysmylord。\"Youneedn\'tbeafraidofhim，Jack。\"AndtheColonelgavealook，asmuchastosay，\"Indeed，hedon\'tlookasifIneed。\"Andthenmylordexplainedwhathehadonlytoldbyhintsbefore。WhenhequarrelledwithLordMohunhewasindebtedtohislordshipinasumofsixteenhundredpounds，forwhichLordMohunsaidheproposedtowaituntilmyLordViscountshouldpayhim。MylordhadraisedthesixteenhundredpoundsandsentthemtoLordMohunthatmorning，andbeforequittinghomehadputhisaffairsintoorder，andwasnowquitereadytoabidetheissueofthequarrel。
Whenwehaddrunkacoupleofbottlesofsack，acoachwascalled，andthethreegentlemenwenttotheDuke\'sPlayhouse，asagreed。
TheplaywasoneofMr。Wycherley\'s——\"LoveinaWood。\"
HarryEsmondhasthoughtofthatplayeversincewithakindofterror，andofMrs。Bracegirdle，theactresswhoperformedthegirl\'spartinthecomedy。Shewasdisguisedasapage，andcameandstoodbeforethegentlemenastheysatonthestage，andlookedoverhershoulderwithapairofarchblackeyes，andlaughedatmylord，andaskedwhatailedthegentlemanfromthecountry，andhadhehadbadnewsfromBullockfair？
Betweentheactsoftheplaythegentlemencrossedoverandconversedfreely。ThereweretwoofLordMohun\'sparty，CaptainMacartney，inamilitaryhabit，andagentlemaninasuitofbluevelvetandsilverinafairperiwig，witharichfallofpointofVenicelace——myLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland。Mylordhadapaperoforanges，whichheateandofferedtotheactresses，jokingwiththem。AndMrs。Bracegirdle，whenmyLordMohunsaidsomethingrude，turnedonhim，andaskedhimwhathedidthere，andwhetherheandhisfriendshadcometostabanybodyelse，astheydidpoorWillMountford？Mylord\'sdarkfacegrewdarkeratthistaunt，andworeamischievous，fatallook。Theythatsawitrememberedit，andsaidsoafterward。
Whentheplaywasendedthetwopartiesjoinedcompany;andmyLordCastlewoodthenproposedthattheyshouldgotoatavernandsup。
Lockit\'s，the\"Greyhound，\"inCharingCross，wasthehouseselected。Allsixmarchedtogetherthatway;thethreelordsgoinga—head，LordMohun\'scaptain，andColonelWestbury，andHarryEsmond，walkingbehindthem。Astheywalked，WestburytoldHarryEsmondabouthisoldfriendDicktheScholar，whohadgotpromotion，andwasCornetoftheGuards，andhadwroteabookcalledthe\"ChristianHero，\"andhadalltheGuardstolaughathimforhispains，fortheChristianHerowasbreakingthecommandmentsconstantly，Westburysaid，andhadfoughtoneortwoduelsalready。
And，inalowertone，WestburybesoughtyoungMr。Esmondtotakenopartinthequarrel。\"Therewasnoneedformoresecondsthanone，\"saidtheColonel，\"andtheCaptainorLordWarwickmighteasilywithdraw。\"ButHarrysaidno;hewasbentongoingthroughwiththebusiness。Indeed，hehadaplaninhishead，which，hethought，mightpreventmyLordViscountfromengaging。
Theywentinatthebarofthetavern，anddesiredaprivateroomandwineandcards，andwhenthedrawerhadbroughtthese，theybegantodrinkandcallhealths，andaslongastheservantswereintheroomappearedveryfriendly。
HarryEsmond\'splanwasnootherthantoengageintalkwithLordMohun，toinsulthim，andsogetthefirstofthequarrel。Sowhencardswereproposedheofferedtoplay。\"Psha！\"saysmyLordMohun（whetherwishingtosaveHarry，ornotchoosing，totrythebottedeJesuite，itisnottobeknown）——\"Younggentlemenfromcollegeshouldnotplaythesestakes。Youaretooyoung。\"
\"WhodaressayIamtooyoung？\"brokeoutHarry。\"Isyourlordshipafraid？\"
\"Afraid！\"criesoutMohun。
