ThegeneraltriedthepowerofanotherproclamationontheSpaniards，inwhichheannouncedthatweonlycameintheinterestofSpainandKingCharles，andforourselveswantedtomakenoconquestnorsettlementinSpainatall。ButallthiseloquencewaslostupontheSpaniards，itwouldseem:theCaptain—GeneralofAndalusiawouldnomorelistentousthantheGovernorofCadiz;
andinreplytohisGrace\'sproclamation，theMarquisofVilladariasfiredoffanother，whichthosewhoknewtheSpanishthoughtratherthebestofthetwo;andofthisnumberwasHarryEsmond，whosekindJesuitinolddayshadinstructedhim，andnowhadthehonoroftranslatingforhisGracetheseharmlessdocumentsofwar。TherewasahardtouchforhisGrace，and，indeed，forothergeneralsinherMajesty\'sservice，intheconcludingsentenceoftheDon:\"Thatheandhiscouncilhadthegenerousexampleoftheirancestorstofollow，whohadneveryetsoughttheirelevationinthebloodorintheflightoftheirkings。\'Moripropatria\'
washisdevice，whichtheDukemightcommunicatetothePrincesswhogovernedEngland。\"
Whetherthetroopswereangryatthisreparteeorno，\'tiscertainsomethingputtheminafury;for，notbeingabletogetpossessionofCadiz，ourpeopleseizeduponPortSaintMary\'sandsackedit，burningdownthemerchants\'storehouses，gettingdrunkwiththefamouswinesthere，pillagingandrobbingquiethousesandconvents，murderinganddoingworse。AndtheonlybloodwhichMr。
Esmonddrewinthisshamefulcampaign，wastheknockingdownanEnglishsentinelwithahalf—pike，whowasofferinginsulttoapoortremblingnun。Isshegoingtoturnoutabeauty？oraprincess？orperhapsEsmond\'smotherthathehadlostandneverseen？Alasno，itwasbutapoorwheezyolddropsicalwoman，withawartuponhernose。ButhavingbeenearlytaughtapartoftheRomanreligion，heneverhadthehorrorofitthatsomeProtestantshaveshown，andseemtothinktobeapartofours。
AfterthepillageandplunderofSt。Mary\'sandanassaultuponafortortwo，thetroopsalltookshipping，andfinishedtheirexpedition，atanyrate，morebrilliantlythanithadbegun。
HearingthattheFrenchfleetwithagreattreasurewasinVigoBay，ourAdmirals，RookeandHopson，pursuedtheenemythither;thetroopslandedandcarriedthefortsthatprotectedthebay，Hopsonpassingtheboomfirstonboardhisshipthe\"Torbay，\"andtherestoftheships，EnglishandDutch，followinghim。TwentyshipswereburnedortakeninthePortofRedondilla，andavastdealmoreplunderthanwaseveraccountedfor;butpoormenbeforethatexpeditionwererichafterwards，andsooftenwasitfoundandremarkedthattheVigoofficerscamehomewithpocketsfullofmoney，thatthenotoriousJackShafto，whomadesuchafigureatthecoffeehousesandgaming—tablesinLondon，andgaveoutthathehadbeenasoldieratVigo，owned，whenhewasabouttobehanged，thatBagshotHeathhadbeenHISVigo，andthatheonlyspokeofLaRedondillatoturnawaypeople\'seyesfromtherealplacewherethebootylay。Indeed，HounsloworVigo——whichmattersmuch？Thelatterwasabadbusiness，thoughMr。AddisondidsingitspraisesinLatin。Thathonestgentleman\'smusehadaneyetothemainchance;andIdoubtwhethershesawmuchinspirationinthelosingside。
ButthoughEsmond，forhispart，gotnoshareofthisfabulousbooty，onegreatprizewhichhehadoutofthecampaignwas，thatexcitementofactionandchangeofscene，whichshookoffagreatdealofhispreviousmelancholy。Helearntatanyratetobearhisfatecheerfully。Hebroughtbackabrownedface，aheartresoluteenough，andalittlepleasantstoreofknowledgeandobservation，fromthatexpedition，whichwasoverwiththeautumn，whenthetroopswerebackinEnglandagain;andEsmondgivinguphispostofsecretarytoGeneralLumley，whosecommandwasover，andpartingwiththatofficerwithmanykindexpressionsofgoodwillontheGeneral\'sside，hadleavetogotoLondon，toseeifhecouldpushhisfortunesanywayfurther，andfoundhimselfoncemoreinhisdowageraunt\'scomfortablequartersatChelsey，andingreaterfavorthaneverwiththeoldlady。Hepropitiatedherwithapresentofacomb，afan，andablackmantle，suchastheladiesofCadizwear，andwhichmyLadyViscountesspronouncedbecameherstyleofbeautymightily。Andshewasgreatilyedifiedathearingofthatstoryofhisrescueofthenun，andfeltverylittledoubtbutthatherKingJames\'srelic，whichhehadalwaysdutifullyworninhisdesk，hadkepthimoutofdanger，andavertedtheshotoftheenemy。Myladymadefeastsforhim，introducedhimtomorecompany，andpushedhisfortuneswithsuchenthusiasmandsuccess，thatshegotapromiseofacompanyforhimthroughtheLadyMarlborough\'sinterest，whowasgraciouslypleasedtoacceptofadiamondworthacoupleofhundredguineas，whichMr。Esmondwasenabledtopresenttoherladyshipthroughhisaunt\'sbounty，andwhopromisedthatshewouldtakechargeofEsmond\'sfortune。HehadthehonortomakehisappearanceattheQueen\'sdrawing—roomoccasionally，andtofrequentmyLordMarlborough\'slevees。Thatgreatmanreceivedtheyoungonewithveryespecialfavor，soEsmond\'scomradessaid，anddeignedtosaythathehadreceivedthebestreportsofMr。Esmond，bothforcourageandability，whereonyoumaybesuretheyounggentlemanmadeaprofoundbow，andexpressedhimselfeagertoserveunderthemostdistinguishedcaptainintheworld。
Whilsthisbusinesswasgoingonthusprosperously，Esmondhadhisshareofpleasuretoo，andmadehisappearancealongwithotheryounggentlemenatthecoffee—houses，thetheatres，andtheMall。
Helongedtohearofhisdearmistressandherfamily:manyatime，inthemidstofthegayetiesandpleasuresofthetown，hisheartfondlyrevertedtothem;andoftenastheyoungfellowsofhissocietyweremakingmerryatthetavern，andcallingtoasts（asthefashionofthatdaywas）overtheirwine，Esmondthoughtofpersons——oftwofairwomen，whomhehadbeenusedtoadorealmost，andemptiedhisglasswithasigh。
BythistimetheelderViscountesshadgrowntiredagainoftheyounger，andwhenevershespokeofmylord\'swidow，\'twasintermsbynomeanscomplimentarytowardsthatpoorlady:theyoungerwomannotneedingherprotectionanylonger，theelderabusedher。MostofthefamilyquarrelsthatIhaveseeninlife（savingalwaysthosearisingfrommoneydisputes，whenadivisionoftwopencehalfpennywilloftendrivethedearestrelativesintowarandestrangement，）springoutofjealousyandenvy。JackandTom，bornofthesamefamilyandtothesamefortune，liveverycordiallytogether，notuntilJackisruinedwhenTomdesertshim，butuntilTommakesasuddenriseinprosperity，whichJackcan\'tforgive。
Tentimestoone\'tistheunprosperousmanthatisangry，nottheotherwhoisinfault。\'TisMrs。Jack，whocanonlyaffordachair，thatsickensatMrs。Tom\'snewcoach—and—sick，criesoutagainsthersister\'sairs，andsetsherhusbandagainsthisbrother。\'TisJackwhoseeshisbrothershakinghandswithalord（withwhomJackwouldliketoexchangesnuff—boxeshimself），thatgoeshomeandtellshiswifehowpoorTomisspoiled，hefears，andnobetterthanasneak，parasite，andbeggaronhorseback。I
rememberhowfuriousthecoffee—housewitswerewithDickSteelewhenhesetuphiscoachandfinehouseinBloomsbury:theybegantoforgivehimwhenthebailiffswereafterhim，andabusedMr。
AddisonforsellingDick\'scountry—house。AndyetDickinthesponging—house，orDickinthePark，withhisfourmaresandplatedharness，wasexactlythesamegentle，kindly，improvident，jovialDickSteele:andyetMr。Addisonwasperfectlyrightingettingthemoneywhichwashis，andnotgivinguptheamountofhisjustclaim，tobespentbyDickuponchampagneandfiddlers，lacedclothes，finefurniture，andparasites，JewandChristian，maleandfemale，whoclungtohim。As，accordingtothefamousmaximofMonsieurdeRochefoucault，\"inourfriends\'misfortunesthere\'ssomethingsecretlypleasanttous;\"so，ontheotherhand，theirgoodfortuneisdisagreeable。If\'tishardforamantobearhisowngoodluck，\'tisharderstillforhisfriendstobearitforhimandbutfewofthemordinarilycanstandthattrial:whereasoneofthe\"precioususes\"ofadversityis，thatitisagreatreconciler;
thatitbringsbackavertedkindness，disarmsanimosity，andcausesyesterday\'senemytoflinghishatredaside，andholdoutahandtothefallenfriendofolddays。There\'spityandlove，aswellasenvy，inthesameheartandtowardsthesameperson。Therivalrystopswhenthecompetitortumbles;and，asIviewit，weshouldlookattheseagreeableanddisagreeablequalitiesofourhumanityhumblyalike。Theyareconsequentandnatural，andourkindnessandmeannessbothmanly。
Soyoumayeitherreadthesentence，thattheelderofEsmond\'stwokinswomenpardonedtheyoungerherbeauty，whenthathadlostsomewhatofitsfreshness，perhaps;andforgotmosthergrievancesagainsttheother，whenthesubjectofthemwasnolongerprosperousandenviable;orwemaysaymorebenevolently（butthesumcomestothesamefigures，workedeitherway，）thatIsabellarepentedofherunkindnesstowardsRachel，whenRachelwasunhappy;
and，bestirringherselfinbehalfofthepoorwidowandherchildren，gavethemshelterandfriendship。Theladieswerequitegoodfriendsaslongastheweakeroneneededaprotector。BeforeEsmondwentawayonhisfirstcampaign，hismistresswasstillontermsoffriendship（thoughapoorlittlechit，awomanthathadevidentlynospiritinher，&c。）withtheelderLadyCastlewood;
andMistressBeatrixwasallowedtobeabeauty。
ButbetweenthefirstyearofQueenAnne\'sreign，andthesecond，sadchangesfortheworsehadtakenplaceinthetwoyoungerladies，atleastintheelder\'sdescriptionofthem。Rachel，ViscountessCastlewood，hadnomorefacethanadumpling，andMrs。
Beatrixwasgrownquitecoarse，andwaslosingallherbeauty。
LittleLordBlandford——（sheneverwouldcallhimLordBlandford;
hisfatherwasLordChurchill——theKing，whomhebetrayed，hadmadehimLordChurchill，andhewasLordChurchillstill）——mightbemakingeyesather;buthismother，thatvixenofaSarahJennings，wouldneverhearofsuchafolly。LadyMarlboroughhadgothertobeamaidofhonoratCourttothePrincess，butshewouldrepentofit。ThewidowFrancis（shewasbutMrs。FrancisEsmond）wasascheming，artful，heartlesshussy。Shewasspoilingherbratofaboy，andshewouldendbymarryingherchaplain。
\"What，Tusher！\"criedMr。Esmond，feelingastrangepangofrageandastonishment。
\"Yes——Tusher，mymaid\'sson;andwhohasgotallthequalitiesofhisfatherthelackeyinblack，andhisaccomplishedmammathewaiting—woman，\"criesmylady。\"Whatdoyousupposethatasentimentalwidow，whowilllivedowninthatdingydungeonofaCastlewood，whereshespoilsherboy，killsthepoorwithherdrugs，hasprayerstwiceadayandseesnobodybutthechaplain——
whatdoyousupposeshecando，monCousin，butletthehorridparson，withhisgreatsquaretoesandhideouslittlegreeneyes，makelovetoher？Celac\'estvu，monCousin。WhenIwasagirlatCastlewood，allthechaplainsfellinlovewithme——they\'venothingelsetodo。\"
Myladywentonwithmoretalkofthiskind，though，intruth，Esmondhadnoideaofwhatshesaidfurther，soentirelydidherfirstwordsoccupyhisthought。Weretheytrue？Notall，norhalf，noratenthpartofwhatthegarrulousoldwomansaid，wastrue。Couldthisbeso？NoearhadEsmondforanythingelse，thoughhispatronesschattedonforanhour。
Someyounggentlemenofthetown，withwhomEsmondhadmadeacquaintance，hadpromisedtopresenthimtothatmostcharmingofactresses，andlivelyandagreeableofwomen，Mrs。Bracegirdle，aboutwhomHarry\'soldadversaryMohunhaddrawnswords，afewyearsbeforemypoorlordandhefellout。ThefamousMr。Congrevehadstampedwithhishighapproval，tothewhichtherewasnogainsaying，thisdelightfulperson:andshewasactinginDickSteele\'scomedies，andfinally，andfortwenty—fourhoursafterbeholdingher，Mr。Esmondfelthimself，orthoughthimself，tobeasviolentlyenamoredofthislovelybrunette，aswereathousandotheryoungfellowsaboutthecity。Tohaveonceseenherwastolongtobeholdheragain;andtobeofferedthedelightfulprivilegeofheracquaintance，wasapleasuretheveryideaofwhichsettheyounglieutenant\'sheartonfire。Amancannotlivewithcomradesunderthetentswithoutfindingoutthathetooisfive—and—twenty。Ayoungfellowcannotbecastdownbygriefandmisfortuneeversoseverebutsomenighthebeginstosleepsound，andsomedaywhendinner—timecomestofeelhungryforabeefsteak。
Time，youthandgoodhealth，newscenesandtheexcitementofactionandacampaign，hadprettywellbroughtEsmond\'smourningtoanend;andhiscomradessaidthatDonDismal，astheycalledhim，wasDonDismalnomore。Sowhenapartywasmadetodineatthe\"Rose，\"andgototheplayhouseafterward，Esmondwasaspleasedasanothertotakehisshareofthebottleandtheplay。
Howwasitthattheoldaunt\'snews，oritmightbescandal，aboutTomTusher，causedsuchastrangeandsuddenexcitementinTom\'soldplayfellow？Hadn\'theswornathousandtimesinhisownmindthattheLadyofCastlewood，whohadtreatedhimwithsuchkindnessonce，andthenhadlefthimsocruelly，was，andwastoremainhenceforth，indifferenttohimforever？Hadhisprideandhissenseofjusticenotlongsincehelpedhimtocurethepainofthatdesertion——wasitevenapaintohimnow？Why，butlastnightashewalkedacrossthefieldsandmeadowstoChelseyfromPallMall，hadhenotcomposedtwoorthreestanzasofasong，celebratingBracegirdle\'sbrowneyes，anddeclaringthemathousandtimesmorebeautifulthanthebrightestblueonesthateverlanguishedunderthelashesofaninsipidfairbeauty！ButTomTusher！TomTusher，thewaiting—woman\'sson，raisinguphislittleeyestohismistress！TomTusherpresumingtothinkofCastlewood\'swidow！
RageandcontemptfilledMr。Harry\'sheartattheverynotion;thehonorofthefamily，ofwhichhewasthechief，madeithisdutytopreventsomonstrousanalliance，andtochastisetheupstartwhocoulddaretothinkofsuchaninsulttotheirhouse。\'TistrueMr。Esmondoftenboastedofrepublicanprinciples，andcouldremembermanyfinespeecheshehadmadeatcollegeandelsewhere，withWORTHandnotBIRTHforatext:butTomTushertotaketheplaceofthenobleCastlewood——faugh！\'twasasmonstrousasKingHamlet\'swidowtakingoffherweedsforClaudius。Esmondlaughedatallwidows，allwives，allwomen;andwerethebannsabouttobepublished，asnodoubttheywere，thatverynextSundayatWalcoteChurch，EsmondsworethathewouldbepresenttoshoutNo！inthefaceofthecongregation，andtotakeaprivaterevengeupontheearsofthebridegroom。
Insteadofgoingtodinnerthenatthe\"Rose\"thatnight，Mr。
Esmondbadehisservantpackaportmanteauandgethorses，andwasatFarnham，half—wayontheroadtoWalcote，thirtymilesoff，beforehiscomradeshadgottotheirsupperaftertheplay。HebadehismangivenohinttomyLadyDowager\'shouseholdoftheexpeditiononwhichhewasgoing;andasChelseywasdistantfromLondon，theroadsbad，andinfestedbyfootpads，andEsmondofteninthehabit，whenengagedinapartyofpleasure，oflyingatafriend\'slodgingintown，therewasnoneedthathisoldauntshouldbedisturbedathisabsence——indeed，nothingmoredelightedtheoldladythantofancythatmoncousin，theincorrigibleyoungsinner，wasabroadboxingthewatch，orscouringSt。Giles\'s。Whenshewasnotatherbooksofdevotion，shethoughtEtheridgeandSedleyverygoodreading。ShehadahundredprettystoriesaboutRochester，HarryJermyn，andHamilton;andifEsmondwouldbuthaverunawaywiththewifeevenofacitizen，\'tismybeliefshewouldhavepawnedherdiamonds（thebestofthemwenttoourLadyofChaillot）topayhisdamages。
Mylord\'slittlehouseofWalcote——whichheinhabitedbeforehetookhistitleandoccupiedthehouseofCastlewood——liesaboutamilefromWinchester，andhiswidowhadreturnedtoWalcoteaftermylord\'sdeathasaplacealwaysdeartoher，andwhereherearliestandhappiestdayshadbeenspent，cheerfullerthanCastlewood，whichwastoolargeforherstraitenedmeans，andgivingher，too，theprotectionoftheex—dean，herfather。TheyoungViscounthadayear\'sschoolingatthefamouscollegethere，withMr。Tusherashisgovernor。SomuchnewsofthemMr。EsmondhadhadduringthepastyearfromtheoldViscountess，hisownfather\'swidow;fromtheyoungonetherehadneverbeenaword。
Twiceorthriceinhisbenefactor\'slifetime，EsmondhadbeentoWalcote;andnow，takingbutacoupleofhours\'restonlyattheinnontheroad，hewasupagainlongbeforedaybreak，andmadesuchgoodspeedthathewasatWalcotebytwoo\'clockoftheday。
Heridtotheendofthevillage，wherehealightedandsentamanthencetoMr。Tusher，withamessagethatagentlemanfromLondonwouldspeakwithhimonurgentbusiness。ThemessengercamebacktosaytheDoctorwasintown，mostlikelyatprayersintheCathedral。MyLadyViscountesswasthere，too;shealwayswenttoCathedralprayerseveryday。
Thehorsesbelongedtothepost—houseatWinchester。Esmondmountedagainandrodeontothe\"George;\"whencehewalked，leavinghisgrumblingdomesticatlasthappywithadinner，straighttotheCathedral。Theorganwasplaying:thewinter\'sdaywasalreadygrowinggray:ashepassedunderthestreet—archintotheCathedralyard，andmadehiswayintotheancientsolemnedifice。
CHAPTERVI。
THE29THDECEMBER。
TherewasscarceascoreofpersonsintheCathedralbesidetheDeanandsomeofhisclergy，andthechoristers，youngandold，thatperformedthebeautifuleveningprayer。ButMr。Tusherwasoneoftheofficiants，andreadfromtheeagleinanauthoritativevoice，andagreatblackperiwig;andinthestalls，stillinherblackwidow\'shood，satEsmond\'sdearmistress，hersonbyherside，verymuchgrown，andindeedanoble—lookingyouth，withhismother\'seyes，andhisfather\'scurlingbrownhair，thatfelloverhispointdeVenise——aprettypicturesuchasVanDyckmighthavepainted。Mons。Rigaud\'sportraitofmyLordViscount，doneatParisafterwards，givesbutaFrenchversionofhismanly，frank，Englishface。Whenhelookedupthereweretwosapphirebeamsoutofhiseyessuchasnopainter\'spalettehasthecolortomatch，I
think。Onthisdaytherewasnotmuchchanceofseeingthatparticularbeautyofmyyounglord\'scountenance;forthetruthis，hekepthiseyesshutforthemostpart，and，theanthembeingratherlong，wasasleep。
Butthemusicceasing，mylordwokeup，lookingabouthim，andhiseyeslightingonMr。Esmond，whowassittingoppositehim，gazingwithnosmalltendernessandmelancholyupontwopersonswhohadsomuchofhisheartforsomanyyears，LordCastlewood，withastart，pulledathismother\'ssleeve（herfacehadscarcebeenliftedfromherbook），andsaid，\"Look，mother！\"soloud，thatEsmondcouldhearontheothersideofthechurch，andtheoldDeanonhisthronedstall。LadyCastlewoodlookedforaninstantashersonbadeher，andheldupawarningfingertoFrank;Esmondfelthiswholefaceflush，andhisheartthrobbing，asthatdearladybeheldhimoncemore。Therestoftheprayerswerespeedilyover;Mr。
Esmonddidnothearthem;nordidhismistress，verylikely，whosehoodwentmorecloselyoverherface，andwhoneverliftedherheadagainuntiltheservicewasover，theblessinggiven，andMr。Dean，andhisprocessionofecclesiastics，outoftheinnerchapel。
YoungCastlewoodcameclamberingoverthestallsbeforetheclergywerefairlygone，andrunninguptoEsmond，eagerlyembracedhim。
\"Mydear，dearestoldHarry！\"hesaid，\"areyoucomeback？Haveyoubeentothewars？You\'lltakemewithyouwhenyougoagain？
Whydidn\'tyouwritetous？Cometomother。\"
Mr。Esmondcouldhardlysaymorethana\"Godblessyou，myboy，\"
forhisheartwasveryfullandgratefulatallthistendernessonthelad\'spart;andhewasasmuchmovedatseeingFrankashewasfearfulaboutthatotherinterviewwhichwasnowtotakeplace:forheknewnotifthewidowwouldrejecthimasshehaddonesocruellyayearago。
\"Itwaskindofyoutocomebacktous，Henry，\"LadyEsmondsaid。
\"Ithoughtyoumightcome。\"
\"WereadofthefleetcomingtoPortsmouth。WhydidyounotcomefromPortsmouth？\"Frankasked，ormyLordViscount，ashenowmustbecalled。
Esmondhadthoughtofthattoo。Hewouldhavegivenoneofhiseyessothathemightseehisdearfriendsagainoncemore;butbelievingthathismistresshadforbiddenhimherhouse，hehadobeyedher，andremainedatadistance。
\"Youhadbuttoask，andyouknowIwouldbehere，\"hesaid。
Shegavehimherhand，herlittlefairhand;therewasonlyhermarriageringonit。Thequarrelwasallover。Theyearofgriefandestrangementwaspassed。Theyneverhadbeenseparated。Hismistresshadneverbeenoutofhismindallthattime。No，notonce。No，notintheprison;norinthecamp;noronshorebeforetheenemy;noratseaunderthestarsofsolemnmidnight;norashewatchedthegloriousrisingofthedawn:notevenatthetable，wherehesatcarousingwithfriends，oratthetheatreyonder，wherehetriedtofancythatothereyeswerebrighterthanhers。
Brightereyestheremightbe，andfacesmorebeautiful，butnonesodear——novoicesosweetasthatofhisbelovedmistress，whohadbeensister，mother，goddesstohimduringhisyouth——goddessnownomore，forheknewofherweaknesses;andbythought，bysuffering，andthatexperienceitbrings，wasoldernowthanshe;
butmorefondlycherishedaswomanperhapsthanevershehadbeenadoredasdivinity。Whatisit？Whereliesit？thesecretwhichmakesonelittlehandthedearestofall？Whoevercanunriddlethatmystery？Hereshewas，hersonbyhisside，hisdearboy。
Hereshewas，weepingandhappy。Shetookhishandinbothhers;
hefelthertears。Itwasaraptureofreconciliation。
\"HerecomesSquaretoes，\"saysFrank。\"Here\'sTusher。\"
Tusher，indeed，nowappeared，creakingonhisgreatheels。Mr。Tomhaddivestedhimselfofhisalborsurplice，andcameforwardhabitedinhiscassockandgreatblackperiwig。HowhadEsmondeverbeenforamomentjealousofthisfellow？
\"Giveusthyhand，TomTusher，\"hesaid。Thechaplainmadehimaverylowandstatelybow。\"IamcharmedtoseeCaptainEsmond，\"
sayshe。\"MylordandIhavereadtheReddasincolumemprecor，andappliedit，Iamsure，toyou。YoucomebackwithGaditanianlaurels;whenIheardyouwereboundthither，Iwished，Iamsure，IwasanotherSeptimius。MyLordViscount，yourlordshipremembersSeptimi，Gadesadituremecum？\"
\"There\'sanangleofearththatIlovebetterthanGades，Tusher，\"
saysMr。Esmond。\"\'Tisthatonewhereyourreverencehathaparsonage，andwhereouryouthwasbroughtup。\"
\"Ahousethathassomanysacredrecollectionstome，\"saysMr。
Tusher（andHarryrememberedhowTom\'sfatherusedtofloghimthere）——\"ahouseneartothatofmyrespectedpatron，mymosthonoredpatroness，musteverbeadearabodetome。But，madam，thevergerwaitstoclosethegatesonyourladyship。\"
\"AndHarry\'scominghometosupper。Huzzay！huzzay！\"criesmylord。\"Mother，IshallrunhomeandbidBeatrixputherribbonson。Beatrixisamaidofhonor，Harry。Suchafineset—upminx！\"
\"YourheartwasneverintheChurch，Harry，\"thewidowsaid，inhersweetlowtone，astheywalkedawaytogether。（Now，itseemedtheyneverhadbeenparted，andagain，asiftheyhadbeenagesasunder。）\"Ialwaysthoughtyouhadnovocationthatway;andthat\'twasapitytoshutyououtfromtheworld。YouwouldbuthavepinedandchafedatCastlewood:and\'tisbetteryoushouldmakeanameforyourself。Ioftensaidsotomydearlord。Howhelovedyou！\'Twasmylordthatmadeyoustaywithus。\"
\"Iaskednobetterthantostaynearyoualways，\"saidMr。Esmond。
\"Buttogowasbest，Harry。Whentheworldcannotgivepeace，youwillknowwheretofindit;butoneofyourstrongimaginationandeagerdesiresmusttrytheworldfirstbeforehetiresofit。
\'Twasnottobethoughtof，orifitoncewas，itwasonlybymyselfishness，thatyoushouldremainaschaplaintoacountrygentlemanandtutortoalittleboy。YouareofthebloodoftheEsmonds，kinsman;andthatwasalwayswildinyouth。LookatFrancis。Heisbutfifteen，andIscarcecankeephiminmynest。
Histalkisallofwarandpleasure，andhelongstoserveinthenextcampaign。PerhapsheandtheyoungLordChurchillshallgothenext。LordMarlboroughhasbeengoodtous。Youknowhowkindtheywereinmymisfortune。Andsowasyour——yourfather\'swidow。
Nooneknowshowgoodtheworldis，tillgriefcomestotryus。
\'TisthroughmyLadyMarlborough\'sgoodnessthatBeatrixhathherplaceatCourt;andFrankisundermyLordChamberlain。Andthedowagerlady，yourfather\'swidow，haspromisedtoprovideforyou——
hasshenot？\"
Esmondsaid，\"Yes。Asfaraspresentfavorwent，LadyCastlewoodwasverygoodtohim。Andshouldhermindchange，\"headdedgayly，\"asladies\'mindswill，Iamstrongenoughtobearmyownburden，andmakemywaysomehow。Notbytheswordverylikely。ThousandshaveabettergeniusforthatthanI，buttherearemanywaysinwhichayoungmanofgoodpartsandeducationcangetonintheworld;andIamprettysure，onewayorother，ofpromotion！\"
Indeed，hehadfoundpatronsalreadyinthearmy，andamongstpersonsveryabletoservehim，too;andtoldhismistressoftheflatteringaspectoffortune。Theywalkedasthoughtheyhadneverbeenparted，slowly，withthegraytwilightclosingroundthem。
\"Andnowwearedrawingneartohome，\"shecontinued，\"Iknewyouwouldcome，Harry，if——ifitwasbuttoforgivemeforhavingspokenunjustlytoyouafterthathorrid——horridmisfortune。IwashalffranticwithgriefthenwhenIsawyou。AndIknownow——theyhavetoldme。Thatwretch，whosenameIcannevermention，evenhassaidit:howyoutriedtoavertthequarrel，andwouldhavetakenitonyourself，mypoorchild:butitwasGod\'swillthatI
shouldbepunished，andthatmydearlordshouldfall。\"
\"Hegavemehisblessingonhisdeath—bed，\"Esmondsaid。\"ThankGodforthatlegacy！\"
\"Amen，amen！dearHenry，\"saidthelady，pressinghisarm。\"Iknewit。Mr。Atterbury，ofSt。Bride\'s，whowascalledtohim，toldmeso。AndIthankedGod，too，andinmyprayerseversincerememberedit。\"
\"Youhadsparedmemanyabitternight，hadyoutoldmesooner，\"
Mr。Esmondsaid。
\"Iknowit，Iknowit，\"sheanswered，inatoneofsuchsweethumility，asmadeEsmondrepentthatheshouldeverhavedaredtoreproachher。\"Iknowhowwickedmyhearthasbeen;andIhavesufferedtoo，mydear。IconfessedtoMr。Atterbury——Imustnottellanymore。He——IsaidIwouldnotwritetoyouorgotoyou——
anditwasbettereventhathavingparted，weshouldpart。ButI
knewyouwouldcomeback——Iownthat。Thatisnoone\'sfault。Andto—day，Henry，intheanthem，whentheysangit，\'WhentheLordturnedthecaptivityofZion，wewerelikethemthatdream，\'I
thought，yes，likethemthatdream——themthatdream。Andthenitwent，\'Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy;andhethatgoethforthandweepeth，shalldoubtlesscomeagainwithrejoicing，bringinghissheaveswithhim;\'Ilookedupfromthebook，andsawyou。IwasnotsurprisedwhenIsawyou。Iknewyouwouldcome，mydear，andsawthegoldsunshineroundyourhead。\"
Shesmiledanalmostwildsmileasshelookedupathim。Themoonwasupbythistime，glitteringkeeninthefrostysky。Hecouldsee，forthefirsttimenowclearly，hersweetcarewornface。
\"Doyouknowwhatdayitis？\"shecontinued。\"Itisthe29thofDecember——itisyourbirthday！Butlastyearwedidnotdrinkit——
no，no。Mylordwascold，andmyHarrywaslikelytodie:andmybrainwasinafever;andwehadnowine。Butnow——nowyouarecomeagain，bringingyoursheaveswithyou，mydear。\"Sheburstintoawildfloodofweepingasshespoke;shelaughedandsobbedontheyoungman\'sheart，cryingoutwildly，\"bringingyoursheaveswithyou——yoursheaveswithyou！\"
Ashehadsometimesfelt，gazingupfromthedeckatmidnightintotheboundlessstarlitdepthsoverhead，inaraptureofdevoutwonderatthatendlessbrightnessandbeauty——insomesuchawaynow，thedepthofthispuredevotion（whichwas，forthefirsttime，revealedtohim）quitesmoteuponhim，andfilledhisheartwiththanksgiving。GraciousGod，whowashe，weakandfriendlesscreature，thatsuchaloveshouldbepouredoutuponhim？Notinvain——notinvainhashelived——hardandthanklessshouldhebetothinkso——thathassuchatreasuregivenhim。Whatisambitioncomparedtothat，butselfishvanity？Toberich，tobefamous？
Whatdotheseprofitayearhence，whenothernamessoundlouderthanyours，whenyouliehiddenawayundertheground，alongwithidletitlesengravenonyourcoffin？Butonlytruelovelivesafteryou——followsyourmemorywithsecretblessing——orprecedesyou，andintercedesforyou。Nonomnismoriar——ifdying，Iyetliveinatenderheartortwo;noramlostandhopelessliving，ifasainteddepartedsoulstilllovesandpraysforme。
