\"Whatcantherebeinthatlittleprudeofawomanthatmakesmensoraffolerabouther？\"criesoutmyLadyDowager。\"ShewashereforamonthpetitioningtheKing。Sheispretty，andwellconserved;butshehasnotthebelair。InhislateMajesty\'sCourtallthemenpretendedtoadmireher，andshewasnobetterthanalittlewaxdoll。Sheisbetternow，andlooksthesisterofherdaughter;butwhatmeanyouallbybepraisingher？Mr。Steele，whowasinwaitingonPrinceGeorge，seeingherwithhertwochildrengoingtoKensington，writapoemabouther，andsaysheshallwearhercolors，anddressinblackforthefuture。Mr。
Congrevesayshewillwritea\'MourningWidow，\'thatshallbebetterthanhis\'MourningBride。\'ThoughtheirhusbandsquarrelledandfoughtwhenthatwretchChurchilldesertedtheKing（forwhichhedeservedtobehung），LadyMarlboroughhasagaingonewildaboutthelittlewidow;insultedmeinmyowndrawing—room，bysaying\'twasnottheOLDwidow，buttheyoungViscountess，shehadcometosee。LittleCastlewoodandlittleLordChurchillaretobeswornfriends，andhaveboxedeachothertwiceorthricelikebrothersalready。\'TwasthatwickedyoungMohunwho，comingbackfromtheprovinceslastyear，wherehehaddisinterredher，ravedaboutherallthewinter;saidshewasapearlsetbeforeswine;andkilledpoorstupidFrank。Thequarrelwasallabouthiswife。Iknow\'twasallabouther。WasthereanythingbetweenherandMohun，nephew？Tellmenow——wasthereanything？Aboutyourself，Idonotaskyoutoanswerquestions。\"
Mr。Esmondblushedup。\"Mylady\'svirtueislikethatofasaintinheaven，madam，\"hecriedout。
\"Eh！——monneveu。Manysaintsgettoheavenafterhavingadealtorepentof。Ibelieveyouarelikealltherestofthefools，andmadlyinlovewithher。\"
\"Indeed，Ilovedandhonoredherbeforealltheworld，\"Esmondanswered。\"Itakenoshameinthat。\"
\"Andshehasshutherdooronyou——giventhelivingtothathorridyoungcub，sonofthathorridoldbear，Tusher，andsaysshewillneverseeyoumore。Monsieurmonneveu——wearealllikethat。
WhenIwasayoungwoman，I\'mpositivethatathousandduelswerefoughtaboutme。AndwhenpoorMonsieurdeSouchydrownedhimselfinthecanalatBrugesbecauseIdancedwithCountSpringbock，I
couldn\'tsqueezeoutasingletear，butdancedtillfiveo\'clockthenextmorning。\'TwastheCount——no，\'twasmyLordOrmondthatplayedthefiddles，andhisMajestydidmethehonorofdancingallnightwithme。——Howyouaregrown！Youhavegotthebelair。Youareablackman。OurEsmondsareallblack。Thelittleprude\'ssonisfair;sowashisfather——fairandstupid。YouwereanuglylittlewretchwhenyoucametoCastlewood——youwerealleyes，likeayoungcrow。Weintendedyoushouldbeapriest。ThatawfulFatherHolt——howheusedtofrightenmewhenIwasill！Ihaveacomfortabledirectornow——theAbbeDouillette——adearman。WemakemeagreonFridaysalways。Mycookisadevoutpiousman。You，ofcourse，areoftherightwayofthinking。TheysaythePrinceofOrangeisveryillindeed。\"
InthiswaytheoldDowagerrattledonremorselesslytoMr。Esmond，whowasquiteastoundedwithherpresentvolubility，contrastingitwithherformerhaughtybehaviortohim。Butshehadtakenhimintofavorforthemoment，andchosenotonlytolikehim，asfarashernaturepermitted，buttobeafraidofhim;andhefoundhimselftobeasfamiliarwithhernowasayoungman，as，whenaboy，hehadbeentimorousandsilent。Shewasasgoodasherwordrespectinghim。Sheintroducedhimtohercompany，ofwhichsheentertainedagooddeal——oftheadherentsofKingJamesofcourse——
andagreatdealofloudintriguingtookplaceoverhercard—
tables。ShepresentedMr。Esmondasherkinsmantomanypersonsofhonor;shesuppliedhimnotilliberallywithmoney，whichhehadnoscrupleinacceptingfromher，consideringtherelationshipwhichheboretoher，andthesacrificeswhichhehimselfwasmakinginbehalfofthefamily。Buthehadmadeuphismindtocontinueatnowoman\'sapron—stringslonger;andperhapshadcastabouthowheshoulddistinguishhimself，andmakehimselfaname，whichhissingularfortunehaddeniedhim。Adiscontentwithhisformerbookishlifeandquietude，——abitterfeelingofrevoltatthatslaveryinwhichhehadchosentoconfinehimselfforthesakeofthosewhosehardnesstowardshimmakehisheartbleed，——arestlesswishtoseemenandtheworld，——ledhimtothinkofthemilitaryprofession:atanyrate，todesiretoseeafewcampaigns，andaccordinglyhepressedhisnewpatronesstogethimapairofcolors;andonedayhadthehonoroffindinghimselfappointedanensigninColonelQuin\'sregimentofFusileersontheIrishestablishment。
Mr。Esmond\'scommissionwasscarcethreeweeksoldwhenthataccidentbefellKingWilliamwhichendedthelifeofthegreatest，thewisest，thebravest，andmostclementsovereignwhomEnglandeverknew。\'Twasthefashionofthehostilepartytoassailthisgreatprince\'sreputationduringhislife;butthejoywhichtheyandallhisenemiesinEuropeshowedathisdeath，isaproofoftheterrorinwhichtheyheldhim。YoungasEsmondwas，hewaswiseenough（andgenerousenoughtoo，letitbesaid）toscornthatindecencyofgratulationwhichbrokeoutamongstthefollowersofKingJamesinLondon，uponthedeathofthisillustriousprince，thisinvinciblewarrior，thiswiseandmoderatestatesman。Loyaltytotheexiledking\'sfamilywastraditional，ashasbeensaid，inthathousetowhichMr。Esmondbelonged。Hisfather\'swidowhadallherhopes，sympathies，recollections，prejudices，engagedonKingJames\'sside;andwascertainlyasnoisyaconspiratoraseverassertedtheKing\'srights，orabusedhisopponent\'s，overaquadrilletableoradishofbohea。Herladyship\'shouseswarmedwithecclesiastics，indisguiseandout;withtale—bearersfromSt。
Germains;andquidnuncsthatknewthelastnewsfromVersailles;
nay，theexactforceandnumberofthenextexpeditionwhichtheFrenchkingwastosendfromDunkirk，andwhichwastoswallowupthePrinceofOrange，hisarmyandhiscourt。ShehadreceivedtheDukeofBerwickwhenhelandedherein\'96。Shekepttheglasshedrankfrom，vowingsheneverwoulduseittillshedrankKingJamestheThird\'shealthinitonhisMajesty\'sreturn;shehadtokensfromtheQueen，andrelicsofthesaintwho，ifthestorywastrue，hadnotalwaysbeenasaintasfarassheandmanyotherswereconcerned。Shebelievedinthemiracleswroughtathistomb，andhadahundredauthenticstoriesofwondrouscureseffectedbytheblessedking\'srosaries，themedalswhichhewore，thelocksofhishair，orwhatnot。Esmondrememberedascoreofmarvelloustaleswhichthecredulousoldwomantoldhim。TherewastheBishopofAutun，thatwashealedofamaladyhehadforfortyyears，andwhichlefthimafterhesaidmassforthereposeoftheking\'ssoul。TherewasM。Marais，asurgeoninAuvergne，whohadapalsyinbothhislegs，whichwascuredthroughtheking\'sintercession。
TherewasPhilipPitet，oftheBenedictines，whohadasuffocatingcough，whichwellnighkilledhim，buthebesoughtreliefofheaventhroughthemeritsandintercessionoftheblessedking，andhestraightwayfeltaprofusesweatbreakingoutalloverhim，andwasrecoveredperfectly。AndtherewasthewifeofMons。Lepervier，dancing—mastertotheDukeofSaxe—Gotha，whowasentirelyeasedofarheumatismbytheking\'sintercession，ofwhichmiracletherecouldbenodoubt，forhersurgeonandhisapprenticehadgiventheirtestimony，underoath，thattheydidnotinanywaycontributetothecure。Ofthesetales，andathousandlikethem，Mr。Esmondbelievedasmuchashechose。Hiskinswoman\'sgreaterfaithhadswallowforthemall。
TheEnglishHighChurchpartydidnotadopttheselegends。Buttruthandhonor，astheythought，boundthemtotheexiledking\'sside;norhadthebanishedfamilyanywarmersupporterthanthatkindladyofCastlewood，inwhosehouseEsmondwasbroughtup。Sheinfluencedherhusband，verymuchmoreperhapsthanmylordknew，whoadmiredhiswifeprodigiouslythoughhemightbeinconstanttoher，andwho，adversetothetroubleofthinkinghimself，gladlyenoughadoptedtheopinionswhichshechoseforhim。Tooneofhersimpleandfaithfulheart，allegiancetoanysovereignbuttheonewasimpossible。ToserveKingWilliamforinterest\'ssakewouldhavebeenamonstroushypocrisyandtreason。Herpureconsciencecouldnomorehaveconsentedtoitthantoatheft，aforgery，oranyotherbaseaction。LordCastlewoodmighthavebeenwonover，nodoubt，buthiswifenevercould:andhesubmittedhisconsciencetohersinthiscaseashedidinmostothers，whenhewasnottemptedtoosorely。Anditwasfromhisaffectionandgratitudemostlikely，andfromthateagerdevotionforhismistress，whichcharacterizedallEsmond\'syouth，thattheyoungmansubscribedtothis，andotherarticlesoffaith，whichhisfondbenefactresssethim。HadshebeenaWhig，hehadbeenone;hadshefollowedMr。
Fox，andturnedQuaker，nodoubthewouldhaveabjuredrufflesandaperiwig，andhaveforswornswords，lace—coats，andclockedstockings。Inthescholars\'boyishdisputesattheUniversity，wherepartiesranveryhigh，EsmondwasnotedasaJacobite，andverylikelyfromvanityasmuchasaffectiontookthesideofhisfamily。
Almostthewholeoftheclergyofthecountryandmorethanahalfofthenationwereonthisside。Oursisthemostloyalpeopleintheworldsurely;weadmireourkings，andarefaithfultothemlongaftertheyhaveceasedtobetruetous。\'TisawondertoanyonewholooksbackatthehistoryoftheStuartfamilytothinkhowtheykickedtheircrownsawayfromthem;howtheyflungawaychancesafterchances;whattreasuresofloyaltytheydissipated，andhowfatallytheywerebentonconsummatingtheirownruin。Ifevermenhadfidelity，\'twasthey;ifevermensquanderedopportunity，\'twasthey;and，ofalltheenemiestheyhad，theythemselveswerethemostfatal。
WhenthePrincessAnnesucceeded，theweariednationwasgladenoughtocryatrucefromallthesewars，controversies，andconspiracies，andtoacceptinthepersonofaPrincessofthebloodroyalacompromisebetweenthepartiesintowhichthecountrywasdivided。TheToriescouldserveunderherwitheasyconsciences;thoughaToryherself，sherepresentedthetriumphoftheWhigopinion。ThepeopleofEngland，alwayslikingthattheirPrincesshouldbeattachedtotheirownfamilies，werepleasedtothinkthePrincesswasfaithfultohers;anduptotheverylastdayandhourofherreign，andbutforthatfatalitywhichheinheritedfromhisfathersalongwiththeirclaimstotheEnglishcrown，KingJamestheThirdmighthavewornit。Butheneitherknewhowtowaitanopportunity，nortouseitwhenhehadit;hewasventuresomewhenheoughttohavebeencautious，andcautiouswhenheoughttohavedaredeverything。\'Tiswithasortofrageathisinaptitudethatonethinksofhismelancholystory。DotheFatesdealmorespeciallywithkingsthanwithcommonmen？Oneisapttoimagineso，inconsideringthehistoryofthatroyalrace，inwhosebehalfsomuchfidelity，somuchvalor，somuchbloodweredesperatelyandbootlesslyexpended。
TheKingdeadthen，thePrincessAnne（uglyAnneHyde\'sdaughter，ourDowageratChelseycalledher）wasproclaimedbytrumpetingheraldsalloverthetownfromWestminstertoLudgateHill，amidstimmensejubilationsofthepeople。
NextweekmyLordMarlboroughwaspromotedtotheGarter，andtobeCaptain—GeneralofherMajesty\'sforcesathomeandabroad。ThisappointmentonlyinflamedtheDowager\'srage，or，asshethoughtit，herfidelitytoherrightfulsovereign。\"ThePrincessisbutapuppetinthehandsofthatfuryofawoman，whocomesintomydrawing—roomandinsultsmetomyface。Whatcancometoacountrythatisgivenovertosuchawoman？\"saystheDowager:\"Asforthatdouble—facedtraitor，myLordMarlborough，hehasbetrayedeverymanandeverywomanwithwhomhehashadtodeal，excepthishorridwife，whomakeshimtremble。\'Tisalloverwiththecountrywhenithasgotintotheclutchesofsuchwretchesasthese。\"
Esmond\'soldkinswomansalutedthenewpowersinthisway;butsomegoodfortuneatlastoccurredtoafamilywhichstoodingreatneedofit，bytheadvancementofthesefamouspersonageswhobenefitedhumblerpeoplethathadtheluckofbeingintheirfavor。BeforeMr。EsmondleftEnglandinthemonthofAugust，andbeingthenatPortsmouth，wherehehadjoinedhisregiment，andwasbusyatdrill，learningthepracticeandmysteriesofthemusketandpike，heheardthatapensionontheStampOfficehadbeengotforhislatebelovedmistress，andthattheyoungMistressBeatrixwasalsotobetakenintocourt。Somuchgood，atleast，hadcomeofthepoorwidow\'svisittoLondon，notrevengeuponherhusband\'senemies，butreconcilementtooldfriends，whopitied，andseemedinclinedtoserveher。Asforthecomradesinprisonandthelatemisfortune，ColonelWestburywaswiththeCaptain—GeneralgonetoHolland;CaptainMacartneywasnowatPortsmouth，withhisregimentofFusileersandtheforceundercommandofhisGracetheDukeofOrmond，boundforSpainitwassaid;myLordWarwickwasreturnedhome;andLordMohun，sofarfrombeingpunishedforthehomicidewhichhadbroughtsomuchgriefandchangeintotheEsmondfamily，wasgoneincompanyofmyLordMacclesfield\'ssplendidembassytotheElectorofHanover，carryingtheGartertohisHighness，andacomplimentaryletterfromtheQueen。
CHAPTERIV。
RECAPITULATIONS。
Fromsuchfitfullightsascouldbecastuponhisdarkhistorybythebrokennarrativeofhispoorpatron，tornbyremorseandstrugglinginthelastpangsofdissolution，Mr。Esmondhadbeenmadetounderstandsofar，thathismotherwaslongsincedead;andsotherecouldbenoquestionasregardedherorherhonor，tarnishedbyherhusband\'sdesertionandinjury，toinfluencehersoninanystepswhichhemighttakeeitherforprosecutingorrelinquishinghisownjustclaims。Itappearedfrommypoorlord\'shurriedconfession，thathehadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththerealfactsofthecaseonlytwoyearssince，whenMr。Holtvisitedhim，andwouldhaveimplicatedhiminoneofthosemanyconspiraciesbywhichthesecretleadersofKingJames\'spartyinthiscountrywereeverendeavoringtodestroythePrinceofOrange\'slifeorpower:
conspiraciessolikemurder，socowardlyinthemeansused，sowickedintheend，thatournationhassuredonewellinthrowingoffallallegianceandfidelitytotheunhappyfamilythatcouldnotvindicateitsrightexceptbysuchtreachery——bysuchdarkintrigueandbaseagents。ThereweredesignsagainstKingWilliamthatwerenomorehonorablethantheambushesofcut—throatsandfootpads。\'TishumiliatingtothinkthatagreatPrince，possessorofagreatandsacredright，andupholderofagreatcause，shouldhavestoopedtosuchbasenessofassassinationandtreasonsasareprovedbytheunfortunateKingJames\'sownwarrantandsignmanualgiventohissupportersinthiscountry。Whatheandtheycalledlevyingwarwas，intruth，nobetterthaninstigatingmurder。ThenoblePrinceofOrangeburstmagnanimouslythroughthosefeeblemeshesofconspiracyinwhichhisenemiestriedtoenvelophim:itseemedasiftheircowardlydaggersbrokeuponthebreastofhisundauntedresolution。AfterKingJames\'sdeath，theQueenandherpeopleatSt。Germains——priestsandwomenforthemostpart——
continuedtheirintriguesinbehalfoftheyoungPrince，JamestheThird，ashewascalledinFranceandbyhispartyhere（thisPrince，orChevalierdeSt。George，wasborninthesameyearwithEsmond\'syoungpupilFrank，myLordViscount\'sson）;andthePrince\'saffairs，beinginthehandsofpriestsandwomen，wereconductedaspriestsandwomenwillconductthem，artfully，cruelly，feebly，andtoacertainbadissue。ThemoraloftheJesuits\'storyIthinkaswholesomeaoneaseverwaswrit:theartfullest，thewisest，themosttoilsome，anddexterousplot—
buildersintheworld——therealwayscomesadaywhentherousedpublicindignationkickstheirflimsyedificedown，andsendsitscowardlyenemiesa—flying。Mr。Swifthathfinelydescribedthatpassionforintrigue，thatloveofsecrecy，slander，andlying，whichbelongstoweakpeople，hangers—onofweakcourts。\'Tisthenatureofsuchtohateandenvythestrong，andconspiretheirruin;andtheconspiracysucceedsverywell，andeverythingpresagesthesatisfactoryoverthrowofthegreatvictim;untilonedayGulliverrouseshimself，shakesoffthelittleverminofanenemy，andwalksawayunmolested。Ah！theIrishsoldiersmightwellsayaftertheBoyne，\"Changekingswithusandwewillfightitoveragain。\"Indeed，thefightwasnotfairbetweenthetwo。
\'Twasaweak，priest—ridden，woman—riddenman，withsuchpunyalliesandweaponsashisownpoornatureledhimtochoose，contendingagainsttheschemes，thegeneralship，thewisdom，andtheheartofahero。
Ononeofthesemanycoward\'serrandsthen，（for，asIviewthemnow，Icancallthemnoless，）Mr。HolthadcometomylordatCastlewood，proposingsomeinfallibleplanforthePrinceofOrange\'sdestruction，inwhichmyLordViscount，loyalistashewas，hadindignantlyrefusedtojoin。AsfarasMr。Esmondcouldgatherfromhisdyingwords，Holtcametomylordwithaplanofinsurrection，andofferoftherenewal，inhisperson，ofthatmarquis\'stitlewhichKingJameshadconferredontheprecedingviscount;andonrefusalofthisbribe，athreatwasmade，onHolt\'spart，toupsetmyLordViscount\'sclaimtohisestateandtitleofCastlewoodaltogether。Tobackthisastoundingpieceofintelligence，ofwhichHenryEsmond\'spatronnowhadthefirstlight，Holtcamearmedwiththelatelord\'sdyingdeclaration，aftertheaffairoftheBoyne，atTrim，inIreland，madebothtotheIrishpriestandaFrenchecclesiasticofHolt\'sorder，thatwaswithKingJames\'sarmy。Holtshowed，orpretendedtoshow，themarriagecertificateofthelateViscountEsmondwithmymother，inthecityofBrussels，intheyear1677，whentheviscount，thenThomasEsmond，wasservingwiththeEnglisharmyinFlanders;hecouldshow，hesaid，thatthisGertrude，desertedbyherhusbandlongsince，wasalive，andaprofessednunintheyear1685，atBrussels，inwhichyearThomasEsmondmarriedhisuncle\'sdaughter，Isabella，nowcalledViscountessDowagerofCastlewood;andleavinghim，fortwelvehours，toconsiderthisastoundingnews（sothepoordyinglordsaid），disappearedwithhispapersinthemysteriouswayinwhichhecame。Esmondknewhow，wellenough:bythatwindowfromwhichhehadseentheFatherissue:——buttherewasnoneedtoexplaintomypoorlord，onlytogatherfromhispartinglipsthewordswhichhewouldsoonbeabletoutternomore。
Erethetwelvehourswereover，Holthimselfwasaprisoner，implicatedinSirJohnFenwick\'sconspiracy，andlockedupatHextonfirst，whencehewastransferredtotheTower;leavingthepoorLordViscount，whowasnotawareoftheothersbeingtaken，indailyapprehensionofhisreturn，when（asmyLordCastlewooddeclared，callingGodtowitness，andwithtearsinhisdyingeyes）
ithadbeenhisintentionatoncetogiveuphisestateandhistitletotheirproperowner，andtoretiretohisownhouseatWalcotewithhisfamily。\"AndwouldtoGodIhaddoneit，\"thepoorlordsaid。\"Iwouldnotbeherenow，woundedtodeath，amiserable，strickenman！\"
Mylordwaiteddayafterday，and，asmaybesupposed，nomessengercame;butatamonth\'sendHoltgotmeanstoconveytohimamessageoutoftheTower，whichwastothiseffect:thatheshouldconsiderallunsaidthathadbeensaid，andthatthingswereastheywere。
\"Ihadasoretemptation，\"saidmypoorlord。\"SinceIhadcomeintothiscursedtitleofCastlewood，whichhathneverprosperedwithme，Ihavespentfarmorethantheincomeofthatestate，andmypaternalone，too。Icalculatedallmymeansdowntothelastshilling，andfoundInevercouldpayyouback，mypoorHarry，whosefortuneIhadhadfortwelveyears。Mywifeandchildrenmusthavegoneoutofthehousedishonored，andbeggars。Godknows，ithathbeenamiserableoneformeandmine。Likeacoward，IclungtothatrespitewhichHoltgaveme。IkeptthetruthfromRachelandyou。ItriedtowinmoneyofMohun，andonlyplungeddeeperintodebt;IscarcedaredlooktheeinthefacewhenIsawthee。Thisswordhathbeenhangingovermyheadthesetwoyears。IswearIfelthappywhenMohun\'sbladeenteredmyside。\"
AfterlyingtenmonthsintheTower，Holt，againstwhomnothingcouldbefoundexceptthathewasaJesuitpriest，knowntobeinKingJames\'sinterest，wasputonshipboardbytheincorrigibleforgivenessofKingWilliam，whopromisedhim，however，ahangingifeverheshouldagainsetfootonEnglishshore。Morethanonce，whilsthewasinprisonhimself，Esmondhadthoughtwherethosepaperscouldbe，whichtheJesuithadshowntohispatron，andwhichhadsuchaninterestforhimself。TheywerenotfoundonMr。
Holt\'spersonwhenthatFatherwasapprehended，forhadsuchbeenthecasemyLordsoftheCouncilhadseenthem，andthisfamilyhistoryhadlongsincebeenmadepublic。However，Esmondcarednottoseekthepapers。Hisresolutionbeingtaken;hispoormotherdead;whatmattertohimthatdocumentsexistedprovinghisrighttoatitlewhichhewasdeterminednottoclaim，andofwhichhevowednevertodeprivethatfamilywhichhelovedbestintheworld？Perhapshetookagreaterprideoutofhissacrificethanhewouldhavehadinthosehonorswhichhewasresolvedtoforego。
Again，aslongasthesetitleswerenotforthcoming，Esmond\'skinsman，dearyoungFrancis，wasthehonorableandundisputedowneroftheCastlewoodestateandtitle。ThemerewordofaJesuitcouldnotoversetFrank\'srightofoccupancy，andsoEsmond\'smindfeltactuallyateasetothinkthepapersweremissing，andintheirabsencehisdearmistressandhersonthelawfulLadyandLordofCastlewood。
Verysoonafterhisliberation，Mr。EsmondmadeithisbusinesstoridetothatvillageofEalingwherehehadpassedhisearliestyearsinthiscountry，andtoseeifhisoldguardianswerestillaliveandinhabitantsofthatplace。ButtheonlyreliquewhichhefoundofoldM。Pastoureauwasastoneinthechurchyard，whichtoldthatAthanasiusPastoureau，anativeofFlanders，laythereburied，aged87years。Theoldman\'scottage，whichEsmondperfectlyrecollected，andthegarden（whereinhischildhoodhehadpassedmanyhoursofplayandreverie，andhadmanyabeatingfromhistermagantofafoster—mother），werenowintheoccupationofquiteadifferentfamily;anditwaswithdifficultythathecouldlearninthevillagewhathadcomeofPastoureau\'swidowandchildren。Theclerkoftheparishrecollectedher——theoldmanwasscarcealteredinthefourteenyearsthathadpassedsincelastEsmondseteyesonhim。Itappearedshehadprettysoonconsoledherselfafterthedeathofheroldhusband，whomsheruledover，bytakinganewoneyoungerthanherself，whospenthermoneyandill—
treatedherandherchildren。Thegirldied;oneoftheboys\'listed;theotherhadgoneapprentice。OldMr。Rogers，theclerk，saidhehadheardthatMrs。Pastoureauwasdeadtoo。SheandherhusbandhadleftEalingthissevenyear;andsoMr。Esmond\'shopesofgaininganyinformationregardinghisparentagefromthisfamilywerebroughttoanend。Hegavetheoldclerkacrown—pieceforhisnews，smilingtothinkofthetimewhenheandhislittleplayfellowshadslunkoutofthechurchyardorhiddenbehindthegravestones，attheapproachofthisawfulauthority。
Whowashismother？Whathadhernamebeen？Whendidshedie？
Esmondlongedtofindsomeonewhocouldanswerthesequestionstohim，andthoughtevenofputtingthemtohisaunttheViscountess，whohadinnocentlytakenthenamewhichbelongedofrighttoHenry\'smother。Butsheknewnothing，orchosetoknownothing，onthissubject，nor，indeed，couldMr。Esmondpresshermuchtospeakonit。FatherHoltwastheonlymanwhocouldenlightenhim，andEsmondfelthemustwaituntilsomefreshchanceornewintriguemightputhimfacetofacewithhisoldfriend，orbringthatrestlessindefatigablespiritbacktoEnglandagain。
Theappointmenttohisensigncy，andthepreparationsnecessaryforthecampaign，presentlygavetheyounggentlemanothermatterstothinkof。Hisnewpatronesstreatedhimverykindlyandliberally;
shepromisedtomakeinterestandpaymoney，too，togethimacompanyspeedily;shebadehimprocureahandsomeoutfit，bothofclothesandofarms，andwaspleasedtoadmirehimwhenhemadehisfirstappearanceinhislacedscarletcoat，andtopermithimtosaluteherontheoccasionofthisinterestinginvestiture。\"Red，\"
saysshe，tossingupheroldhead，\"hathalwaysbeenthecolorwornbytheEsmonds。\"Andsoherladyshipworeitonherowncheeksveryfaithfullytothelast。Shewouldhavehimbedressed，shesaid，asbecamehisfather\'sson，andpaidcheerfullyforhisfive—
poundbeaver，hisblackbuckledperiwig，andhisfinehollandshirts，andhisswords，andhispistols，mountedwithsilver。
Sincethedayhewasborn，poorHarryhadneverlookedsuchafinegentleman:hisliberalstep—motherfilledhispursewithguineas，too，someofwhichCaptainSteeleandafewchoicespiritshelpedHarrytospendinanentertainmentwhichDickordered（and，indeed，wouldhavepaidfor，butthathehadnomoneywhenthereckoningwascalledfor;norwouldthelandlordgivehimanymorecredit）atthe\"Garter，\"overagainstthegateofthePalace，inPallMall。
TheoldViscountess，indeed，ifshehaddoneEsmondanywrongformerly，seemedinclinedtorepairitbythepresentkindnessofherbehavior:sheembracedhimcopiouslyatparting，weptplentifully，badehimwritebyeverypacket，andgavehimaninestimablerelic，whichshebesoughthimtowearroundhisneck——amedal，blessedbyIknownotwhatpope，andwornbyhislatesacredMajestyKingJames。SoEsmondarrivedathisregimentwithabetterequipagethanmostyoungofficerscouldafford。Hewasolderthanmostofhisseniors，andhadafurtheradvantagewhichbelongedbuttoveryfewofthearmygentlemeninhisday——manyofwhomcoulddolittlemorethanwritetheirnames——thathehadreadmuch，bothathomeandattheUniversity，wasmasteroftwoorthreelanguages，andhadthatfurthereducationwhichneitherbooksnoryearswillgive，butwhichsomemengetfromthesilentteachingofadversity。Sheisagreatschoolmistress，asmanyapoorfellowknows，thathathheldhishandouttoherferule，andwhimperedoverhislessonbeforeherawfulchair。
CHAPTERV。
IGOONTHEVIGOBAYEXPEDITION，TASTESALT—WATERANDSMELLPOWDER。
ThefirstexpeditioninwhichMr。Esmondhadthehonortobeengaged，ratherresembledoneoftheinvasionsprojectedbytheredoubtedCaptainAvoryorCaptainKidd，thanawarbetweencrownedheads，carriedonbygeneralsofrankandhonor。Onthe1stdayofJuly，1702，agreatfleet，ofahundredandfiftysail，setsailfromSpithead，underthecommandofAdmiralShovell，havingonboard12，000troops，withhisGracetheDukeofOrmondastheCapt。—Generaloftheexpedition。Oneofthese12，000heroeshavingneverbeentoseabefore，or，atleast，onlyonceinhisinfancy，whenhemadethevoyagetoEnglandfromthatunknowncountrywherehewasborn——oneofthose12，000——thejuniorensignofColonelQuin\'sregimentofFusileers——wasinaquiteunheroicstateofcorporalprostrationafewhoursaftersailing;andanenemy，hadheboardedtheship，wouldhavehadeasyworkofhim。FromPortsmouthweputintoPlymouth，andtookinfreshreinforcements。
WewereoffFinisterreonthe31stofJuly，soEsmond\'stable—bookinformshim:andonthe8thofAugustmadetherockofLisbon。BythistimetheEnsignwasgrownasboldasanadmiral，andaweekafterwardshadthefortunetobeunderfireforthefirsttime——andunderwater，too，——hisboatbeingswampedinthesurfinTorosBay，wherethetroopslanded。Theduckingofhisnewcoatwasalltheharmtheyoungsoldiergotinthisexpedition，for，indeed，theSpaniardsmadenostandbeforeourtroops，andwerenotinstrengthtodoso。
Butthecampaign，ifnotveryglorious，wasverypleasant。Newsightsofnature，byseaandland——alifeofaction，beginningnowforthefirsttime——occupiedandexcitedtheyoungman。Themanyaccidents，andtheroutineofshipboard——themilitaryduty——thenewacquaintances，bothofhiscomradesinarms，andoftheofficersofthefleet——servedtocheerandoccupyhismind，andwakenitoutofthatselfishdepressionintowhichhislateunhappyfortuneshadplungedhim。Hefeltasiftheoceanseparatedhimfromhispastcare，andwelcomedtheneweraoflifewhichwasdawningforhim。
Woundshealrapidlyinaheartoftwo—and—twenty;hopesrevivedaily;andcourageralliesinspiteofaman。Perhaps，asEsmondthoughtofhislatedespondencyandmelancholy，andhowirremediableithadseemedtohim，ashelayinhisprisonafewmonthsback，hewasalmostmortifiedinhissecretmindatfindinghimselfsocheerful。
Toseewithone\'sowneyesmenandcountries，isbetterthanreadingallthebooksoftravelintheworld:anditwaswithextremedelightandexultationthattheyoungmanfoundhimselfactuallyonhisgrandtour，andintheviewofpeopleandcitieswhichhehadreadaboutasaboy。Hebeheldwarforthefirsttime——thepride，pomp，andcircumstanceofit，atleast，ifnotmuchofthedanger。Hesawactually，andwithhisowneyes，thoseSpanishcavaliersandladieswhomhehadbeheldinimaginationinthatimmortalstoryofCervantes，whichhadbeenthedelightofhisyouthfulleisure。\'TisfortyyearssinceMr。Esmondwitnessedthosescenes，buttheyremainasfreshinhismemoryasonthedaywhenfirsthesawthemasayoungman。Acloud，asofgrief，thathadloweredoverhim，andhadwrappedthelastyearsofhislifeingloom，seemedtoclearawayfromEsmondduringthisfortunatevoyageandcampaign。Hisenergiesseemedtoawakenandtoexpandunderacheerfulsenseoffreedom。Washisheartsecretlygladtohaveescapedfromthatfondbutignoblebondageathome？Wasitthattheinferioritytowhichtheideaofhisbasebirthhadcompelledhim，vanishedwiththeknowledgeofthatsecret，whichthough，perforce，kepttohimself，wasyetenoughtocheerandconsolehim？Atanyrate，youngEsmondofthearmywasquiteadifferentbeingtothesadlittledependantofthekindCastlewoodhousehold，andthemelancholystudentofTrinityWalks;
discontentedwithhisfate，andwiththevocationintowhichthatdrovehim，andthinking，withasecretindignation，thatthecassockandbands，andtheverysacredofficewithwhichhehadonceproposedtoinvesthimself，were，infact，butmarksofaservitudewhichwastocontinueallhislifelong。For，disguiseitashemighttohimself，hehadallalongfeltthattobeCastlewood\'schaplainwastobeCastlewood\'sinferiorstill，andthathislifewasbuttobealong，hopelessservitude。So，indeed，hewasfarfromgrudginghisoldfriendTomTusher\'sgoodfortune（asTom，nodoubt，thoughtit）。HaditbeenamitreandLambethwhichhisfriendsofferedhim，andnotasmalllivingandacountryparsonage，hewouldhavefeltasmuchaslaveinonecaseasintheother，andwasquitehappyandthankfultobefree。
ThebravestmanIeverknewinthearmy，andwhohadbeenpresentinmostofKingWilliam\'sactions，aswellasinthecampaignsofthegreatDukeofMarlborough，couldneverbegottotellusofanyachievementofhis，exceptthatoncePrinceEugeneorderedhimupatreetoreconnoitretheenemy，whichfeathecouldnotachieveonaccountofthehorseman\'sbootshewore;andonanotherdaythathewasverynearlytakenprisonerbecauseofthesejack—boots，whichpreventedhimfromrunningaway。Thepresentnarratorshallimitatethislaudablereserve，anddothnotintendtodwelluponhismilitaryexploits，whichwereintruthnotverydifferentfromthoseofathousandothergentlemen。ThisfirstcampaignofMr。
Esmond\'slastedbutafewdays;andasascoreofbookshavebeenwrittenconcerningit，itmaybedismissedverybrieflyhere。
WhenourfleetcamewithinviewofCadiz，ourcommandersentaboatwithawhiteflagandacoupleofofficerstotheGovernorofCadiz，DonScipiodeBrancaccio，withaletterfromhisGrace，inwhichhehopedthatasDonScipiohadformerlyservedwiththeAustriansagainsttheFrench，\'twastobehopedthathisExcellencywouldnowdeclarehimselfagainsttheFrenchKing，andfortheAustrianinthewarbetweenKingPhilipandKingCharles。ButhisExcellency，DonScipio，preparedareply，inwhichheannouncedthat，havingservedhisformerkingwithhonorandfidelity，hehopedtoexhibitthesameloyaltyanddevotiontowardshispresentsovereign，KingPhilipV。;andbythetimethisletterwasready，thetwoofficershadbeentakentoseethetown，andthealameda，andthetheatre，wherebull—fightsarefought，andtheconvents，wheretheadmirableworksofDonBartholomewMurilloinspiredoneofthemwithagreatwonderanddelight——suchashehadneverfeltbefore——concerningthisdivineartofpainting;andthesesightsover，andahandsomerefectionandchocolatebeingservedtotheEnglishgentlemen，theywereaccompaniedbacktotheirshallopwitheverycourtesy，andweretheonlytwoofficersoftheEnglisharmythatsawatthattimethatfamouscity。
