Itwasthesethoughtsregardingtheliving，farmorethananygreatpoignancyofgriefrespectingthedead，whichaffectedHarryEsmondwhilstinprisonafterhistrial:butitmaybeimaginedthathecouldtakenocomradeofmisfortuneintotheconfidenceofhisfeelings，andtheythoughtitwasremorseandsorrowforhispatron\'slosswhichaffectedtheyoungman，inerrorofwhichopinionhechosetoleavethem。Asacompanionhewassomoodyandsilentthatthetwoofficers，hisfellow—sufferers，lefthimtohimselfmostly，likedlittleverylikelywhattheyknewofhim，consoledthemselveswithdice，cards，andthebottle，andwhiledawaytheirowncaptivityintheirownway。ItseemedtoEsmondasifhelivedyearsinthatprison:andwaschangedandagedwhenhecameoutofit。Atcertainperiodsoflifeweliveyearsofemotioninafewweeks——andlookbackonthosetimes，asongreatgapsbetweentheoldlifeandthenew。Youdonotknowhowmuchyousufferinthosecriticalmaladiesoftheheart，untilthediseaseisoverandyoulookbackonitafterwards。Duringthetime，thesufferingisatleastsufferable。Thedaypassesinmoreorlessofpain，andthenightwearsawaysomehow。\'Tisonlyinafterdaysthatweseewhatthedangerhasbeen——asamanouta—
huntingorridingforhislifelooksataleap，andwondershowheshouldhavesurvivedthetakingofit。Odarkmonthsofgriefandrage！ofwrongandcruelendurance！Heisoldnowwhorecallsyou。
Longagohehasforgivenandblestthesofthandthatwoundedhim:
butthemarkisthere，andthewoundiscicatrizedonly——notime，tears，caresses，orrepentance，canobliteratethescar。Weareindociletoputupwithgrief，however。Reficimusratesquassas:
wetempttheoceanagainandagain，andtryuponnewventures。
Esmondthoughtofhisearlytimeasanovitiate，andofthispasttrialasaninitiationbeforeenteringintolife——asouryoungIndiansundergotorturessilentlybeforetheypasstotherankofwarriorsinthetribe。
Theofficers，meanwhile，whowerenotletintothesecretofthegriefwhichwasgnawingatthesideoftheirsilentyoungfriend，andbeingaccustomedtosuchtransactions，inwhichonecomradeoranotherwasdailypayingtheforfeitofthesword，didnot，ofcourse，bemoanthemselvesveryinconsolablyaboutthefateoftheirlatecompanioninarms。Thisonetoldstoriesofformeradventuresoflove，orwar，orpleasure，inwhichpoorFrankEsmondhadbeenengaged;t\'otherrecollectedhowaconstablehadbeenbilked，oratavern—bullybeaten:whilstmylord\'spoorwidowwassittingathistombworshippinghimasanactualsaintandspotlesshero——sothevisitorssaidwhohadnewsofLadyCastlewood;andWestburyandMacartneyhadprettynearlyhadallthetowntocomeandseethem。
Theduel，itsfataltermination，thetrialofthetwopeersandthethreecommonersconcerned，hadcausedthegreatestexcitementinthetown。TheprintsandNewsLetterswerefullofthem。ThethreegentlemeninNewgatewerealmostasmuchcrowdedasthebishopsintheTower，orahighwaymanbeforeexecution。WewereallowedtoliveintheGovernor\'shouse，ashathbeensaid，bothbeforetrialandaftercondemnation，waitingtheKing\'spleasure;
norwastherealcauseofthefatalquarrelknown，socloselyhadmylordandthetwootherpersonswhoknewitkeptthesecret，buteveryoneimaginedthattheoriginofthemeetingwasagamblingdispute。Exceptfreshair，theprisonershad，uponpayment，mostthingstheycoulddesire。Interestwasmadethattheyshouldnotmixwiththevulgarconvicts，whoseribaldchorusesandloudlaughterandcursescouldbeheardfromtheirownpartoftheprison，wheretheyandthemiserabledebtorswereconfinedpell—
mell。
CHAPTERII。
ICOMETOTHEENDOFMYCAPTIVITY，BUTNOTOFMYTROUBLE。
AmongthecompanywhichcametovisitthetwoofficerswasanoldacquaintanceofHarryEsmond;thatgentlemanoftheGuards，namely，whohadbeensokindtoHarrywhenCaptainWestbury\'stroophadbeenquarteredatCastlewoodmorethansevenyearsbefore。DicktheScholarwasnolongerDicktheTroopernow，butCaptainSteeleofLucas\'sFusiliers，andsecretarytomyLordCutts，thatfamousofficerofKingWilliam\'s，thebravestandmostbelovedmanoftheEnglisharmy。Thetwojollyprisonershadbeendrinkingwithapartyoffriends（forourcellarandthatofthekeepersofNewgate，too，weresuppliedwithendlesshampersofBurgundyandChampagnethatthefriendsoftheColonelssentin）;andHarry，havingnowishfortheirdrinkortheirconversation，beingtoofeebleinhealthfortheoneandtoosadinspiritsfortheother，wassittingapartinhislittleroom，readingsuchbooksashehad，oneevening，whenhonestColonelWestbury，flushedwithliquor，andalwaysgood—humoredinandoutofhiscups，camelaughingintoHarry\'sclosetandsaid，\"Ho，youngKilljoy！here\'safriendcometoseethee;he\'llpraywiththee，orhe\'lldrinkwiththee;orhe\'lldrinkandprayturnabout。Dick，myChristianhero，here\'sthelittlescholarofCastlewood。\"
DickcameupandkissedEsmondonbothcheeks，impartingastrongperfumeofburntsackalongwithhiscaresstotheyoungman。
\"What！isthisthelittlemanthatusedtotalkLatinandfetchourbowls？Howtallthouartgrown！IprotestIshouldhaveknowntheeanywhere。Andsoyouhaveturnedruffianandfighter;andwantedtomeasureswordswithMohun，didyou？IprotestthatMohunsaidattheGuarddinneryesterday，wheretherewasaprettycompanyofus，thattheyoungfellowwantedtofighthim，andwasthebettermanofthetwo。\"
\"Iwishwecouldhavetriedandprovedit，Mr。Steele，\"saysEsmond，thinkingofhisdeadbenefactor，andhiseyesfillingwithtears。
Withtheexceptionofthatonecruelletterwhichhehadfromhismistress，Mr。Esmondheardnothingfromher，andsheseemeddeterminedtoexecuteherresolveofpartingfromhimanddisowninghim。Buthehadnewsofher，suchasitwas，whichMr。SteeleassiduouslybroughthimfromthePrince\'sandPrincess\'sCourt，whereourhonestCaptainhadbeenadvancedtothepostofgentlemanwaiter。Whenoffdutythere，CaptainDickoftencametoconsolehisfriendsincaptivity;agoodnatureandafriendlydispositiontowardsallwhowereinill—fortunenodoubtpromptinghimtomakehisvisits，andgood—fellowshipandgoodwinetoprolongthem。
\"Faith，\"saysWestbury，\"thelittlescholarwasthefirsttobeginthequarrel——Imindmeofitnow——atLockit\'s。IalwayshatedthatfellowMohun。Whatwastherealcause，ofthequarrelbetwixthimandpoorFrank？Iwouldwager\'twasawoman。\"
\"\'Twasaquarrelaboutplay——onmyword，aboutplay，\"Harrysaid。
\"MypoorlordlostgreatsumstohisguestatCastlewood。Angrywordspassedbetweenthem;and，thoughLordCastlewoodwasthekindestandmostpliablesoulalive，hisspiritwasveryhigh;andhencethatmeetingwhichhasbroughtusallhere，\"saysMr。Esmond，resolvednevertoacknowledgethattherehadeverbeenanyothercausebutcardsfortheduel。
\"Idonotliketousebadwordsofanobleman，\"saysWestbury;\"butifmyLordMohunwereacommoner，Iwouldsay，\'twasapityhewasnothanged。Hewasfamiliarwithdiceandwomenatatimeotherboysareatschoolbeingbirched;hewasaswickedastheoldestrake，yearserehehaddonegrowing;andhandledaswordandafoil，andabloodyone，too，beforeheeverusedarazor。HeheldpoorWillMountfordintalkthatnight，whenbloodyDickHillranhimthrough。Hewillcometoabadend，willthatyounglord;andnoendisbadenoughforhim，\"sayshonestMr。Westbury:whoseprophecywasfulfilledtwelveyearsafter，uponthatfataldaywhenMohunfell，draggingdownoneofthebravestandgreatestgentlemeninEnglandinhisfall。
FromMr。Steele，then，whobroughtthepublicrumor，aswellashisownprivateintelligence，Esmondlearnedthemovementsofhisunfortunatemistress。Steele\'sheartwasofveryinflammablecomposition;andthegentlemanusherspokeintermsofboundlessadmirationbothofthewidow（thatmostbeautifulwoman，ashesaid）andofherdaughter，who，intheCaptain\'seyes，wasastillgreaterparagon。Ifthepalewidow，whomCaptainRichard，inhispoeticrapturecomparedtoaNiobeintears——toaSigismunda——toaweepingBelvidera，wasanobjectthemostlovelyandpatheticwhichhiseyeshadeverbeheld，orforwhichhishearthadmelted，evenherripenedperfectionsandbeautywereasnothingcomparedtothepromiseofthatextremelovelinesswhichthegoodCaptainsawinherdaughter。Itwasmatrepulcrafiliapulcrior。SteelecomposedsonnetswhilsthewasondutyinhisPrince\'sante—chamber，tothematernalandfilialcharms。HewouldspeakforhoursaboutthemtoHarryEsmond;and，indeed，hecouldhavechosenfewsubjectsmorelikelytointeresttheunhappyyoungman，whoseheartwasnowasalwaysdevotedtotheseladies;andwhowasthankfultoallwholovedthem，orpraisedthem，orwishedthemwell。
Notthathisfidelitywasrecompensedbyanyansweringkindness，orshowofrelentingeven，onthepartofamistressobduratenowaftertenyearsofloveandbenefactions。Thepooryoungmangettingnoanswer，saveTusher\'s，tothatletterwhichhehadwritten，andbeingtooproudtowritemore，openedapartofhishearttoSteele，thanwhomnoman，whenunhappy，couldfindakinderhearer，ormorefriendlyemissary;described（inwordswhichwerenodoubtpathetic，fortheycameimopectore，andcausedhonestDicktoweepplentifully）hisyouth，hisconstancy，hisfonddevotiontothathouseholdwhichhadrearedhim;hisaffection，howearned，andhowtenderlyrequiteduntilbutyesterday，and（asfarashemight）thecircumstancesandcausesforwhichthatsadquarrelhadmadeofEsmondaprisonerundersentence，awidowandorphansofthosewhominlifehehelddearest。Intermsthatmightwellmoveaharder—heartedmanthanyoungEsmond\'sconfidant——for，indeed，thespeaker\'sownheartwashalfbrokeasheutteredthem——
hedescribedapartofwhathadtakenplaceinthatonlysadinterviewwhichhismistresshadgrantedhim;howshehadlefthimwithangerandalmostimprecation，whosewordsandthoughtsuntilthenhadbeenonlyblessingandkindness;howshehadaccusedhimoftheguiltofthatblood，inexchangeforwhichhewouldcheerfullyhavesacrificedhisown（indeed，inthistheLordMohun，theLordWarwick，andallthegentlemenengaged，aswellasthecommonrumoroutofdoors——Steeletoldhim——boreoutthelucklessyoungman）;andwithallhisheart，andtears，hebesoughtMr。
Steeletoinformhismistressofherkinsman\'sunhappiness，andtodeprecatethatcruelangersheshowedhim。Halffranticwithgriefattheinjusticedonehim，andcontrastingitwithathousandsoftrecollectionsofloveandconfidencegoneby，thatmadehispresentmiseryinexpressiblymorebitter，thepoorwretchpassedmanyalonelydayandwakefulnightinakindofpowerlessdespairandrageagainsthisiniquitousfortune。Itwasthesoftesthandthatstruckhim，thegentlestandmostcompassionatenaturethatpersecutedhim。\"Iwouldaslief，\"hesaid，\"havepleadedguiltytothemurder，andhavesufferedforitlikeanyotherfelon，ashavetoendurethetorturetowhichmymistresssubjectsme。\"
AlthoughtherecitalofEsmond\'sstory，andhispassionateappealsandremonstrances，drewsomanytearsfromDickwhoheardthem，theyhadnoeffectuponthepersonwhomtheyweredesignedtomove。
Esmond\'sambassadorcamebackfromthemissionwithwhichthepooryounggentlemanhadchargedhim，withasadblankfaceandashakeofthehead，whichtoldthattherewasnohopefortheprisoner;
andscarceawretchedculpritinthatprisonofNewgateorderedforexecution，andtremblingforareprieve，feltmorecastdownthanMr。Esmond，innocentandcondemned。
Ashadbeenarrangedbetweentheprisonerandhiscounselintheirconsultations，Mr。Steelehadgonetothedowager\'shouseinChelsey，whereithasbeensaidthewidowandherorphanswere，hadseenmyLadyViscountess，andpleadedthecauseofherunfortunatekinsman。\"AndIthinkIspokewell，mypoorboy，\"saysMr。Steele;
\"forwhowouldnotspeakwellinsuchacause，andbeforesobeautifulajudge？IdidnotseethelovelyBeatrix（sureherfamousnamesakeofFlorencewasneverhalfsobeautiful），onlytheyoungViscountwasintheroomwiththeLordChurchill，myLordofMarlborough\'seldestson。Buttheseyounggentlemenwentofftothegarden;Icouldseethemfromthewindowtiltingateachotherwithpolesinamimictournament（grieftouchestheyoungbutlightly，andIrememberthatIbeatadrumatthecoffinofmyownfather）。MyLadyViscountesslookedoutatthetwoboysattheirgameandsaid——\'Yousee，sir，childrenaretaughttouseweaponsofdeathastoys，andtomakeasportofmurder;\'andasshespokeshelookedsolovely，andstoodthereinherselfsosadandbeautiful，aninstanceofthatdoctrinewhereofIamahumblepreacher，thathadInotdedicatedmylittlevolumeofthe\'ChristianHero\'——（I
perceive，Harry，thouhastnotcuttheleavesofit。Thesermonisgood，believeme，thoughthepreacher\'slifemaynotanswerit）——I
say，hadn\'tIdedicatedthevolumetoLordCutts，Iwouldhaveaskedpermissiontoplaceherladyship\'snameonthefirstpage。I
thinkIneversawsuchabeautifulvioletasthatofhereyes，Harry。Hercomplexionisofthepinkoftheblush—rose，shehathanexquisiteturnedwristanddimpledhand，andImakenodoubt——\"
\"Didyoucometotellmeaboutthedimplesonmylady\'shand？\"
brokeoutMr。Esmond，sadly。
\"Alovelycreatureinafflictionseemsalwaysdoublybeautifultome，\"saysthepoorCaptain，whoindeedwasbuttooofteninastatetoseedouble，andsocheckedheresumedtheinterruptedthreadofhisstory。\"AsIspokemybusiness，\"Mr。Steelesaid，\"andnarratedtoyourmistresswhatalltheworldknows，andtheothersidehathbeeneagertoacknowledge——thatyouhadtriedtoputyourselfbetweenthetwolords，andtotakeyourpatron\'squarrelonyourownpoint;Irecountedthegeneralpraisesofyourgallantry，besidesmyLordMohun\'sparticulartestimonytoit;I
thoughtthewidowlistenedwithsomeinterest，andhereyes——Ihaveneverseensuchaviolet，Harry——lookedupatmineonceortwice。
ButafterIhadspokenonthisthemeforawhileshesuddenlybrokeawaywithacryofgrief。\'IwouldtoGod，sir，\'shesaid，\'Ihadneverheardthatwordgallantrywhichyouuse，orknownthemeaningofit。Mylordmighthavebeenherebutforthat;myhomemightbehappy;mypoorboyhaveafather。Itwaswhatyougentlemencallgallantrycameintomyhome，anddrovemyhusbandontothecruelswordthatkilledhim。YoushouldnotspeakthewordtoaChristianwoman，sir，apoorwidowedmotheroforphans，whosehomewashappyuntiltheworldcameintoit——thewickedgodlessworld，thattakesthebloodoftheinnocent，andletstheguiltygofree。\'
\"Astheafflictedladyspokeinthisstrain，sir，\"Mr。Steelecontinued，\"itseemedasifindignationmovedher，evenmorethangrief。\'Compensation！\'shewentonpassionately，hercheeksandeyeskindling;\'whatcompensationdoesyourworldgivethewidowforherhusband，andthechildrenforthemurdereroftheirfather？
Thewretchwhodidthedeedhasnotevenapunishment。Conscience！
whatconsciencehashe，whocanenterthehouseofafriend，whisperfalsehoodandinsulttoawomanthatneverharmedhim，andstabthekindheartthattrustedhim？MyLord——myLordWretch\'s，myLordVillain\'s，myLordMurderer\'speersmeettotryhim，andtheydismisshimwithawordortwoofreproofandsendhimintotheworldagain，topursuewomenwithlustandfalsehood，andtomurderunsuspectinggueststhatharborhim。Thatday，myLord——myLordMurderer——（Iwillnevernamehim）——wasletloose，awomanwasexecutedatTyburnforstealinginashop。Butamanmayrobanotherofhislife，oraladyofherhonor，andshallpaynopenalty！Itakemychild，runtothethrone，andonmykneesaskforjustice，andtheKingrefusesme。TheKing！heisnokingofmine——henevershallbe。He，too，robbedthethronefromthekinghisfather——thetrueking——andhehasgoneunpunished，asthegreatdo。\'
\"Ithenthoughttospeakforyou，\"Mr。Steelecontinued，\"andI
interposedbysaying，\'Therewasone，madam，who，atleast，wouldhaveputhisownbreastbetweenyourhusband\'sandmyLordMohun\'ssword。Yourpooryoungkinsman，HarryEsmond，hathtoldmethathetriedtodrawthequarrelonhimself。\'
\"\'AreyoucomefromHIM？\'askedthelady（soMr。Steelewenton）
risingupwithagreatseverityandstateliness。\'IthoughtyouhadcomefromthePrincess。IsawMr。Esmondinhisprison，andbadehimfarewell。Hebroughtmiseryintomyhouse。Henevershouldhaveenteredit。\'
\"\'Madam，madam，heisnottoblame，\'Iinterposed，\"continuedMr。
Steele。
\"\'DoIblamehimtoyou，sir？\'askedthewidow。\'If\'tishewhosentyou，saythatIhavetakencounsel，where\'——shespokewithaverypallidcheeknow，andabreakinhervoice——\'whereallwhoaskmayhaveit;——andthatitbidsmetopartfromhim，andtoseehimnomore。Wemetintheprisonforthelasttime——atleastforyearstocome。Itmaybe，inyearshence，when——whenourkneesandourtearsandourcontritionhavechangedoursinfulhearts，sir，andwroughtourpardon，wemaymeetagain——butnotnow。Afterwhathaspassed，Icouldnotbeartoseehim。Iwishhimwell，sir;butIwishhimfarewell，too;andifhehasthat——thatregardtowardsuswhichhespeaksof，Ibeseechhimtoproveitbyobeyingmeinthis。\'
\"\'Ishallbreaktheyoungman\'sheart，madam，bythishardsentence，\'\"Mr。Steelesaid。
\"Theladyshookherhead，\"continuedmykindscholar。\"\'Theheartsofyoungmen，Mr。Steele，arenotsomade，\'shesaid。\'Mr。Esmondwillfindother——otherfriends。Themistressofthishousehasrelentedverymuchtowardsthelatelord\'sson，\'sheadded，withablush，\'andhaspromisedme，thatis，haspromisedthatshewillcareforhisfortune。WhilstIliveinit，afterthehorridhorriddeedwhichhaspassed，Castlewoodmustneverbeahometohim——
never。NorwouldIhavehimwritetome——except——no——Iwouldhavehimneverwritetome，norseehimmore。Givehim，ifyouwill，myparting——Hush！notawordofthisbeforemydaughter。\'
\"HerethefairBeatrixenteredfromtheriver，withhercheeksflushingwithhealth，andlookingonlythemorelovelyandfreshforthemourninghabilimentswhichshewore。AndmyLadyViscountesssaid——
\"\'Beatrix，thisisMr。Steele，gentleman—ushertothePrince\'sHighness。Whendoesyournewcomedyappear，Mr。Steele？\'Ihopethouwiltbeoutofprisonforthefirstnight，Harry。\"
ThesentimentalCaptainconcludedhissadtale，saying，\"Faith，thebeautyofFiliapulcriordrovepulcrammatremoutofmyhead;andyetasIcamedowntheriver，andthoughtaboutthepair，thepalliddignityandexquisitegraceofthematronhadtheuppermost，andIthoughtherevenmorenoblethanthevirgin！\"
ThepartyofprisonerslivedverywellinNewgate，andwithcomfortsverydifferenttothosewhichwereawardedtothepoorwretchesthere（hisinsensibilitytotheirmisery，theirgayetystillmorefrightful，theircursesandblasphemy，hathstruckwithakindofshamesince——asprovinghowselfish，duringhisimprisonment，hisownparticulargriefwas，andhowentirelythethoughtsofitabsorbedhim）:ifthethreegentlemenlivedwellunderthecareoftheWardenofNewgate，itwasbecausetheypaidwell:andindeedthecostatthedearestordinaryorthegrandesttaverninLondoncouldnothavefurnishedalongerreckoning，thanourhostofthe\"HandcuffInn\"——asColonelWestburycalledit。OurroomswerethethreeinthegateoverNewgate——onthesecondstorylookingupNewgateStreettowardsCheapsideandPaul\'sChurch。Andwehadleavetowalkontheroof，andcouldseethenceSmithfieldandtheBluecoatBoys\'School，Gardens，andtheChartreux，where，asHarryEsmondremembered，DicktheScholar，andhisfriendTomTusher，hadhadtheirschooling。
Harrycouldneverhavepaidhisshareofthatprodigiousheavyreckoningwhichmylandlordbroughttohisguestsonceaweek:forbehadbutthreepiecesinhispocketsthatfatalnightbeforetheduel，whenthegentlemenwereatcards，andofferedtoplayfive。
ButwhilsthewasyetillattheGatehouse，afterLadyCastlewoodhadvisitedhimthere，andbeforehistrial，therecameoneinanorange—tawnycoatandbluelace，theliverywhichtheEsmondsalwayswore，andbroughtasealedpacketforMr。Esmond，whichcontainedtwentyguineas，andanotesayingthatacounselhadbeenappointedforhim，andthatmoremoneywouldbeforthcomingwheneverheneededit。
\'Twasaqueerletterfromthescholarasshewas，orasshecalledherself:theDowagerViscountessCastlewood，writteninthestrangebarbarousFrenchwhichsheandmanyotherfineladiesofthattime——
witnessherGraceofPortsmouth——employed。Indeed，spellingwasnotanarticleofgeneralcommodityintheworldthen，andmyLordMarlborough\'sletterscanshowthathe，forone，hadbutalittleshareofthispartofgrammar:——
\"MONGCOUSSIN，\"myLadyViscountessDowagerwrote，\"jescayquevousvousetesbravementbatewetgrievementblessay——ducostedefeuM。leVicomte。M。leComptedeVariqueneseplaytquaparlaydevous:M。deMoonaucy。Ildiquevousavayvoulewvousbastreavecqueluy——quevousestesplusfortqueluyfurl\'ayscrimme——
quil\'yasurtoutcertaineBottequevousscavayquiln\'ajammaysceupariay:etquec\'eneutetefaydeluysivouseluyvousvousfussiaybattewsansamb。AincycepauvVicompteestmort。Mortetpontayt——Moncoussin，moncoussin！jaydanslataystequevousn\'estesquungpetyMonst——angcyquelesEsmondsongtousjourseste。
Laveuveestchaymoy。J\'ayrecuillycet\'pauvefamme。Elleestfurieusecontvous，allanstouslesjourschercherleyRoy（d\'icy）
demandantagrancrirevanchepoursonMary。Elleneveuxvoyrenientendeparlaydevous:pourtantellenefayqu\'enparlaymilfoyparjour。Quandvousserayhorprisonvenaymevoyre。J\'auraysoingdevous。SicettepetitePrudeveutsedefairedesongpetyMonste（Helasjecraingquilnesoytrotar！）jem\'onchargeray。
J\'ayencorquelquinterayetquelquesescusdecostay。
\"LaVeuveseraccommodeavecMiladiMarlboroquiesttoutpuicanteavecquelaReineAnne。Cetdamsenteraysentpourlapetiteprude;
quipourctantaunfidumesmeasgequevoussavay。
\"Ensortantdeprisongvenezicy。Jenepuyvousrecevoirchaymoyacausedesmechansetesdumonde，maypredumoyvousaurezlogement。
\"ISABELLEVICOMTESSED\'ESMOND\"
MarchionessofEsmondthisladysometimescalledherself，invirtueofthatpatentwhichhadbeengivenbythelateKingJamestoHarryEsmond\'sfather;andinthisstateshehadhertraincarriedbyaknight\'swife，acupandcoverofassaytodrinkfrom，andfringedcloth。
HewhowasofthesameageaslittleFrancis，whomweshallhenceforthcallViscountCastlewoodhere，wasH。R。H。thePrinceofWales，borninthesameyearandmonthwithFrank，andjustproclaimedatSaintGermains，KingofGreatBritain，France，andIreland。
CHAPTERIII。
ITAKETHEQUEEN\'SPAYINQUIN\'SREGIMENT。
Thefellowintheorange—tawnyliverywithbluelaceandfacingswasinwaitingwhenEsmondcameoutofprison，and，takingtheyounggentleman\'sslenderbaggage，ledthewayoutofthatodiousNewgate，andbyFleetConduit，downtotheThames，whereapairofoarswascalled，andtheywentuptherivertoChelsey。Esmondthoughtthesunhadnevershonesobright;northeairfeltsofreshandexhilarating。TempleGarden，astheyrowedby，lookedlikethegardenofEdentohim，andtheaspectofthequays，wharves，andbuildingsbytheriver，SomersetHouse，andWestminster（wherethesplendidnewbridgewasjustbeginning），Lambethtowerandpalace，andthatbusyshiningsceneoftheThamesswarmingwithboatsandbarges，filledhisheartwithpleasureandcheerfulness——aswellsuchabeautifulscenemighttoonewhohadbeenaprisonersolong，andwithsomanydarkthoughtsdeepeningthegloomofhiscaptivity。TheyrowedupatlengthtotheprettyvillageofChelsey，wherethenobilityhavemanyhandsomecountry—
houses;andsocametomyLadyViscountess\'shouse，acheerfulnewhouseintherowfacingtheriver，withahandsomegardenbehindit，andapleasantlook—outbothtowardsSurreyandKensington，wherestandsthenobleancientpalaceoftheLordWarwick，Harry\'sreconciledadversary。
Hereinherladyship\'ssaloon，theyoungmansawagainsomeofthosepictureswhichhadbeenatCastlewood，andwhichshehadremovedthenceonthedeathofherlord，Harry\'sfather。
Specially，andintheplaceofhonor，wasSirPeterLely\'spictureofthehonorableMistressIsabellaEsmondasDiana，inyellowsatin，withabowinherhandandacrescentinherforehead;anddogsfriskingabouther。\'TwaspaintedaboutthetimewhenroyalEndymionsweresaidtofindfavorwiththisvirginhuntress;and，asgoddesseshaveyouthperpetual，thisonebelievedtothedayofherdeaththatshenevergrewolder:andalwayspersistedinsupposingthepicturewasstilllikeher。
Afterhehadbeenshowntoherroombythegroomofthechamber，whofilledmanyofficesbesidesinherladyship\'smodesthousehold，andafteraproperinterval，hiselderlygoddessDianavouchsafedtoappeartotheyoungman。AblackamoorinaTurkishhabit，withredbootsandasilvercollar，onwhichtheViscountess\'sarmswereengraven，precededherandborehercushion;thencamehergentlewoman;alittlepackofspanielsbarkingandfriskingaboutprecededtheausterehuntress——then，behold，theViscountessherself\"droppingodors。\"Esmondrecollectedfromhischildhoodthatricharomaofmuskwhichhismother—in—law（forshemaybecalledso）exhaled。Astheskygrowsredderandreddertowardssunset，so，inthedeclineofheryears，thecheeksofmyLadyDowagerblushedmoredeeply。Herfacewasilluminatedwithvermilion，whichappearedthebrighterfromthewhitepaintemployedtosetitoff。SheworetheringletswhichhadbeeninfashioninKingCharles\'stime;whereastheladiesofKingWilliam\'shadhead—dresseslikethetowersofCybele。Hereyesgleamedoutfromthemidstofthisqueerstructureofpaint，dyes，andpomatums。SuchwasmyLadyViscountess，Mr。Esmond\'sfather\'swidow。
Hemadehersuchaprofoundbowasherdignityandrelationshipmerited，andadvancedwiththegreatestgravity，andoncemorekissedthathand，uponthetremblingknucklesofwhichglitteredascoreofrings——rememberingoldtimeswhenthattremblinghandmadehimtremble。\"Marchioness，\"sayshe，bowing，andononeknee，\"isitonlythehandImayhavethehonorofsaluting？\"For，accompanyingthatinwardlaughter，whichthesightofsuchanastonishingoldfiguremightwellproduceintheyoungman，therewasgoodwilltoo，andthekindnessofconsanguinity。Shehadbeenhisfather\'swife，andwashisgrandfather\'sdaughter。Shehadsufferedhiminolddays，andwaskindtohimnowafterherfashion。Andnowthatbar—sinisterwasremovedfromEsmond\'sthought，andthatsecretopprobriumnolongercastuponhismind，hewaspleasedtofeelfamilytiesandownthem——perhapssecretlyvainofthesacrificehehadmade，andtothinkthathe，Esmond，wasreallythechiefofhishouse，andonlypreventedbyhisownmagnanimityfromadvancinghisclaim。
Atleast，eversincehehadlearnedthatsecretfromhispoorpatrononhisdyingbed，actuallyashewasstandingbesideit，hehadfeltanindependencywhichhehadneverknownbefore，andwhichsincedidnotdeserthim。SohecalledhisoldauntMarchioness，butwithanairasifhewastheMarquisofEsmondwhosoaddressedher。
Didshereadintheyounggentleman\'seyes，whichhadnownofearofhersortheirsuperannuatedauthority，thathekneworsuspectedthetruthabouthisbirth？Shegaveastartofsurpriseathisalteredmanner:indeed，itwasquiteadifferentbearingtothatoftheCambridgestudentwhohadpaidheravisittwoyearssince，andwhomshehaddismissedwithfivepiecessentbythegroomofthechamber。Sheeyedhim，thentrembledalittlemorethanwasherwont，perhaps，andsaid，\"Welcome，cousin，\"inafrightenedvoice。
Hisresolution，ashasbeensaidbefore，hadbeenquitedifferent，namely，sotobearhimselfthroughlifeasifthesecretofhisbirthwasnotknowntohim;buthesuddenlyandrightlydeterminedonadifferentcourse。Heaskedthatherladyship\'sattendantsshouldbedismissed，andwhentheywereprivate——\"Welcome，nephew，atleast，madam，itshouldbe，\"hesaid。\"Agreatwronghasbeendonetomeandtoyou，andtomypoormother，whoisnomore。\"
\"IdeclarebeforeheaventhatIwasguiltlessofit，\"shecriedout，givinguphercauseatonce。\"Itwasyourwickedfatherwho——\"
\"Whobroughtthisdishonoronourfamily，\"saysMr。Esmond。\"I
knowitfullwell。Iwanttodisturbnoone。Thosewhoareinpresentpossessionhavebeenmydearestbenefactors，andarequiteinnocentofintentionalwrongtome。Thelatelord，mydearpatron，knewnotthetruthuntilafewmonthsbeforehisdeath，whenFatherHoltbroughtthenewstohim。\"
\"Thewretch！hehaditinconfession！hehaditinconfession！\"
criedouttheDowagerLady。
\"Notso。Helearneditelsewhereaswellasinconfession，\"Mr。
Esmondanswered。\"Myfather，whenwoundedattheBoyne，toldthetruthtoaFrenchpriest，whowasinhidingafterthebattle，aswellastothepriestthere，atwhosehousehedied。ThisgentlemandidnotthinkfittodivulgethestorytillhemetwithMr。HoltatSaintOmer\'s。Andthelatterkeptitbackforhisownpurpose，anduntilhehadlearnedwhethermymotherwasaliveorno。Sheisdeadyearssince，mypoorpatrontoldmewithhisdyingbreath，andIdoubthimnot。IdonotknowevenwhetherIcouldproveamarriage。IwouldnotifIcould。Idonotcaretobringshameonourname，orgriefuponthosewhomIlove，howeverhardlytheymayuseme。Myfather\'sson，madam，won\'taggravatethewrongmyfatherdidyou。Continuetobehiswidow，andgivemeyourkindness。\'TisallIaskfromyou;andIshallneverspeakofthismatteragain。\"
\"Maisvousetesunnoblejeunehomme！\"breaksoutmylady，speaking，asusualwithherwhenshewasagitated，intheFrenchlanguage。
\"Noblesseoblige，\"saysMr。Esmond，makingheralowbow。\"Therearethosealivetowhom，inreturnfortheirlovetome，IoftenfondlysaidIwouldgivemylifeaway。ShallIbetheirenemynow，andquarrelaboutatitle？Whatmatterswhohasit？\'Tiswiththefamilystill。\"
