\"If——if\'tisso，dearlady，\"Mr。Esmondsaid，\"whyshouldIeverleaveyou？IfGodhathgivenmethisgreatboon——andnearorfarfromme，asIknownow，theheartofmydearestmistressfollowsme，letmehavethatblessingnearme，noreverpartwithittilldeathseparateus。Comeaway——leavethisEurope，thisplacewhichhassomanysadrecollectionsforyou。Beginanewlifeinanewworld。MygoodlordoftentalkedofvisitingthatlandinVirginiawhichKingCharlesgaveus——gavehisancestor。Frankwillgiveusthat。Nomantherewillaskifthereisablotonmyname，orinquireinthewoodswhatmytitleis。\"
\"Andmychildren——andmyduty——andmygoodfather，Henry？\"shebrokeout。\"Hehasnonebutmenow！forsoonmysisterwillleavehim，andtheoldmanwillbealone。HehasconformedsincethenewQueen\'sreign;andhereinWinchester，wheretheylovehim，theyhavefoundachurchforhim。Whenthechildrenleaveme，Iwillstaywithhim。Icannotfollowthemintothegreatworld，wheretheirwaylies——itscaresme。Theywillcomeandvisitme;andyouwill，sometimes，Henry——yes，sometimes，asnow，intheHolyAdventseason，whenIhaveseenandblessedyouoncemore。\"
\"Iwouldleavealltofollowyou，\"saidMr。Esmond;\"andcanyounotbeasgenerousforme，dearlady？\"
\"Hush，boy！\"shesaid，anditwaswithamother\'ssweetplaintivetoneandlookthatshespoke。\"Theworldisbeginningforyou。
Forme，IhavebeensoweakandsinfulthatImustleaveit，andprayoutanexpiation，dearHenry。Hadwehousesofreligionastherewereonce，andmanydivinesofourChurchwouldhavethemagain，IoftenthinkIwouldretiretooneandpassmylifeinpenance。ButIwouldloveyoustill——yes，thereisnosininsuchaloveasminenow;andmydearlordinheavenmayseemyheart;
andknowsthetearsthathavewashedmysinaway——andnow——nowmydutyishere，bymychildrenwhilsttheyneedme，andbymypooroldfather，and——\"
\"Andnotbyme？\"Henrysaid。
\"Hush！\"shesaidagain，andraisedherhanduptohislip。\"Ihavebeenyournurse。Youcouldnotseeme，Harry，whenyouwereinthesmall—pox，andIcameandsatbyyou。Ah！IprayedthatImightdie，butitwouldhavebeeninsin，Henry。Oh，itishorridtolookbacktothattime。Itisovernowandpast，andithasbeenforgivenme。Whenyouneedmeagain，Iwillcomeeversofar。
Whenyourheartiswounded，thencometome，mydear。Besilent！
letmesayall。Youneverlovedme，dearHenry——no，youdonotnow，andIthankheavenforit。Iusedtowatchyou，andknewbyathousandsignsthatitwasso。Doyourememberhowgladyouweretogoawaytocollege？\'TwasIsentyou。Itoldmypapathat，andMr。Atterburytoo，whenIspoketohiminLondon。Andtheybothgavemeabsolution——both——andtheyaregodlymen，havingauthoritytobindandtoloose。Andtheyforgaveme，asmydearlordforgavemebeforehewenttoheaven。\"
\"Ithinktheangelsarenotallinheaven，\"Mr。Esmondsaid。Andasabrotherfoldsasistertohisheart;andasamothercleavestoherson\'sbreast——soforafewmomentsEsmond\'sbelovedmistresscametohimandblessedhim。
CHAPTERVII。
IAMMADEWELCOMEATWALCOTE。
AstheycameuptothehouseatWalcote，thewindowsfromwithinwerelightedupwithfriendlywelcome;thesupper—tablewasspreadintheoak—parlor;itseemedasifforgivenessandlovewereawaitingthereturningprodigal。Twoorthreefamiliarfacesofdomesticswereonthelook—outattheporch——theoldhousekeeperwasthere，andyoungLockwoodfromCastlewoodinmylord\'sliveryoftawnyandblue。Hisdearmistresspressedhisarmastheypassedintothehall。Hereyesbeamedoutonhimwithaffectionindescribable。\"Welcome，\"wasallshesaid，asshelookedup，puttingbackherfaircurlsandblackhood。Asweetrosysmileblushedonherface;Harrythoughthehadneverseenherlooksocharming。Herfacewaslightedwithajoythatwasbrighterthanbeauty——shetookahandofhersonwhowasinthehallwaitinghismother——shedidnotquitEsmond\'sarm。
\"Welcome，Harry！\"myyounglordechoedafterher。\"Here，weareallcometosayso。Here\'soldPincot，hasn\'tshegrownhandsome？\"
andPincot，whowasolder，andnohandsomerthanusual，madeacurtsytotheCaptain，asshecalledEsmond，andtoldmylordto\"Havedone，now。\"
\"Andhere\'sJackLockwood。He\'llmakeafamousgrenadier，Jack;
andsoshallI;we\'llboth\'listunderyou，Cousin。AssoonasI\'mseventeen，Igotothearmy——everygentlemangoestothearmy。
Look！whocomeshere——ho，ho！\"heburstintoalaugh。\"\'TisMistressTrix，withanewribbon;Iknewshewouldputoneonassoonassheheardacaptainwascomingtosupper。\"
ThislaughingcolloquytookplaceinthehallofWalcoteHouse:inthemidstofwhichisastaircasethatleadsfromanopengallery，wherearethedoorsofthesleepingchambers:andfromoneofthese，awaxcandleinherhand，andilluminatingher，cameMistressBeatrix——thelightfallingindeeduponthescarletribbonwhichshewore，anduponthemostbrilliantwhiteneckintheworld。
Esmondhadleftachildandfoundawoman，grownbeyondthecommonheight;andarrivedatsuchadazzlingcompletenessofbeauty，thathiseyesmightwellshowsurpriseanddelightatbeholdingher。Inherstherewasabrightnesssolustrousandmelting，thatIhaveseenawholeassemblyfollowherasifbyanattractionirresistible:andthatnightthegreatDukewasattheplayhouseafterRamillies，everysoulturnedandlooked（shechancedtoenterattheoppositesideofthetheatreatthesamemoment）ather，andnotathim。Shewasabrownbeauty:thatis，hereyes，hair，andeyebrowsandeyelashesweredark:herhaircurlingwithrichundulations，andwavingoverhershoulders;buthercomplexionwasasdazzlingwhiteassnowinsunshine;excepthercheeks，whichwereabrightred，andherlips，whichwereofastilldeepercrimson。Hermouthandchin，theysaid，weretoolargeandfull，andsotheymightbeforagoddessinmarble，butnotforawomanwhoseeyeswerefire，whoselookwaslove，whosevoicewasthesweetestlowsong，whoseshapewasperfectsymmetry，health，decision，activity，whosefootasitplanteditselfonthegroundwasfirmbutflexible，andwhosemotion，whetherrapidorslow，wasalwaysperfectgrace——agileasanymph，loftyasaqueen，——nowmelting，nowimperious，nowsarcastic——therewasnosinglemovementofhersbutwasbeautiful。Ashethinksofher，hewhowritesfeelsyoungagain，andremembersaparagon。
Soshecameholdingherdresswithonefairroundedarm，andhertaperbeforeher，trippingdownthestairtogreetEsmond。
\"Shehathputonherscarletstockingsandwhiteshoes，\"saysmylord，stilllaughing。\"Oh，myfinemistress！isthisthewayyousetyourcapattheCaptain？\"Sheapproached，shiningsmilesuponEsmond，whocouldlookatnothingbuthereyes。Sheadvancedholdingforwardherhead，asifshewouldhavehimkissherasheusedtodowhenshewasachild。
\"Stop，\"shesaid，\"Iamgrowntoobig！Welcome，cousinHarry，\"andshemadehimanarchcurtsy，sweepingdowntothegroundalmost，withthemostgraciousbend，lookingupthewhilewiththebrightesteyesandsweetestsmile。Loveseemedtoradiatefromher。HarryeyedherwithsucharaptureasthefirstloverisdescribedashavingbyMilton。
\"N\'est—cepas？\"saysmylady，inalow，sweetvoice，stillhangingonhisarm。
Esmondturnedroundwithastartandablush，ashemethismistress\'scleareyes。Hehadforgottenher，raptinadmirationofthefiliapulcrior。
\"Rightfootforward，toeturnedout，so:nowdropthecurtsy，andshowtheredstockings，Trix。They\'vesilverclocks，Harry。TheDowagersent\'em。Shewenttoput\'emon，\"criesmylord。
\"Hush，youstupidchild！\"saysMiss，smotheringherbrotherwithkisses;andthenshemustcomeandkisshermamma，lookingallthewhileatHarry，overhismistress\'sshoulder。Andifshedidnotkisshim，shegavehimbothherhands，andthentookoneofhisinbothhands，andsaid，\"Oh，Harry，we\'reso，SOgladyou\'recome！\"
\"Therearewoodcocksforsupper，\"saysmylord。\"Huzzay！Itwassuchahungrysermon。\"
\"Anditisthe29thofDecember;andourHarryhascomehome。\"
\"Huzzay，oldPincot！\"againsaysmylord;andmydearlady\'slipslookedasiftheyweretremblingwithaprayer。ShewouldhaveHarryleadinBeatrixtothesupper—room，goingherselfwithmyyoungLordViscount;andtothispartycameTomTusherdirectly，whomfouratleastoutofthecompanyoffivewishedaway。Awayhewent，however，assoonasthesweetmeatswereputdown，andthen，bythegreatcracklingfire，hismistressorBeatrix，withherblushinggraces，fillinghisglassforhim，Harrytoldthestoryofhiscampaign，andpassedthemostdelightfulnighthislifehadeverknown。Thesunwasuplongerehewas，sodeep，sweet，andrefreshingwashisslumber。Hewokeasifangelshadbeenwatchingathisbedallnight。Idaresayonethatwasaspureandlovingasanangelhadblessedhissleepwithherprayers。
NextmorningthechaplainreadprayerstothelittlehouseholdatWalcote，asthecustomwas;EsmondthoughtMistressBeatrixdidnotlistentoTusher\'sexhortationmuch:hereyeswerewanderingeverywhereduringtheservice，atleastwheneverhelookeduphemetthem。PerhapshealsowasnotveryattentivetohisReverencetheChaplain。\"Thismighthavebeenmylife，\"hewasthinking;
\"thismighthavebeenmydutyfromnowtilloldage。Well，wereitnotapleasantonetobewiththesedearfriendsandpartfrom\'emnomore？Until——untilthedestinedlovercomesandtakesawayprettyBeatrix\"——andthebestpartofTomTusher\'sexposition，whichmayhavebeenverylearnedandeloquent，wasquitelosttopoorHarrybythisvisionofthedestinedlover，whoputthepreacherout。
Allthewhileoftheprayers，BeatrixkneltalittlewaybeforeHarryEsmond。Theredstockingswerechangedforapairofgray，andblackshoes，inwhichherfeetlookedtothefullaspretty。
Alltherosesofspringcouldnotviewiththebrightnessofhercomplexion;Esmondthoughthehadneverseenanythinglikethesunnylustreofhereyes。MyLadyViscountesslookedfatigued，asifwithwatching，andherfacewaspale。
MissBeatrixremarkedthesesignsofindispositioninhermotheranddeploredthem。\"Iamanoldwoman，\"saysmylady，withakindsmile;\"Icannothopetolookasyoungasyoudo，mydear。\"
\"She\'llneverlookasgoodasyoudoifshelivestillshe\'sahundred，\"saysmylord，takinghismotherbythewaist，andkissingherhand。
\"DoIlookverywicked，cousin？\"saysBeatrix，turningfullroundonEsmond，withherprettyfacesocloseunderhischin，thatthesoftperfumedhairtouchedit。Shelaidherfinger—tipsonhissleeveasshespoke;andheputhisotherhandoverhers。
\"I\'mlikeyourlooking—glass，\"sayshe，\"andthatcan\'tflatteryou。\"
\"Hemeansthatyouarealwayslookingathim，mydear，\"sayshermother，archly。BeatrixranawayfromEsmondatthis，andflewtohermamma，whomshekissed，stoppingmylady\'smouthwithherprettyhand。
\"AndHarryisverygoodtolookat，\"saysmylady，withherfondeyesregardingtheyoungman。
\"If\'tisgoodtoseeahappyface，\"sayshe，\"youseethat。\"Myladysaid，\"Amen，\"withasigh;andHarrythoughtthememoryofherdearlordroseupandrebukedherbackagainintosadness;forherfacelostthesmile，andresumeditslookofmelancholy。
\"Why，Harry，howfinewelookinourscarletandsilver，andourblackperiwig，\"criesmylord。\"Mother，Iamtiredofmyownhair。
WhenshallIhaveaperuke？Wheredidyougetyoursteenkirk，Harry？\"
\"It\'ssomeofmyLadyDowager\'slace，\"saysHarry;\"shegavemethisandanumberofotherfinethings。\"
\"MyLadyDowagerisn\'tsuchabadwoman，\"mylordcontinued。
\"She\'snotso——soredasshe\'spainted，\"saysMissBeatrix。
Herbrotherbrokeintoalaugh。\"I\'lltellheryousaidso;bytheLord，Trix，Iwill，\"hecriesout。
\"She\'llknowthatyouhadn\'tthewittosayit，mylord，\"saysMissBeatrix。
\"Wewon\'tquarrelthefirstdayHarry\'shere，willwe，mother？\"
saidtheyounglord。\"We\'llseeifwecangetontothenewyearwithoutafight。HavesomeofthisChristmaspie。Andherecomesthetankard;no，it\'sPincotwiththetea。\"
\"WilltheCaptainchooseadish？\"askedMistressBeatrix。
\"Isay，Harry，\"mylordgoeson，\"I\'llshowtheemyhorsesafterbreakfast;andwe\'llgoabird—nettingto—night，andonMondaythere\'sacock—matchatWinchester——doyoulovecock—fighting，Harry？——betweenthegentlemenofSussexandthegentlemenofHampshire，attenpoundthebattle，andfiftypoundtheoddbattletoshowone—and—twentycocks。\"
\"Andwhatwillyoudo，Beatrix，toamuseourkinsman？\"asksmylady。
\"I\'lllistentohim，\"saysBeatrix。\"Iamsurehehasahundredthingstotellus。AndI\'mjealousalreadyoftheSpanishladies。
WasthatabeautifulnunatCadizthatyourescuedfromthesoldiers？Yourmantalkedofitlastnightinthekitchen，andMrs。Bettytoldmethismorningasshecombedmyhair。Andhesaysyoumustbeinlove，foryousatondeckallnight，andscribbledversesalldayinyourtablebook。\"Harrythoughtifhehadwantedasubjectforversesyesterday，to—dayhehadfoundone:andnotalltheLindamirasandArdeliasofthepoetswerehalfsobeautifulasthisyoungcreature;buthedidnotsayso，thoughsomeonedidforhim。
Thiswashisdearlady，who，afterthemealwasover，andtheyoungpeopleweregone，begantalkingofherchildrenwithMr。Esmond，andofthecharactersofoneandtheother，andofherhopesandfearsforbothofthem。\"\'Tisnotwhiletheyareathome，\"shesaid，\"andintheirmother\'snest，Ifearforthem——\'tiswhentheyaregoneintotheworld，whitherIshallnotbeabletofollowthem。Beatrixwillbeginherservicenextyear。Youmayhaveheardarumorabout——aboutmyLordBlandford。Theywerebothchildren;anditisbutidletalk。IknowmykinswomanwouldneverlethimmakesuchapoormarriageasourBeatrixwouldbe。There\'sscarceaprincessinEuropethatshethinksisgoodenoughforhimorforherambition。\"
\"There\'snotaprincessinEuropetocomparewithher，\"saysEsmond。
\"Inbeauty？No，perhapsnot，\"answeredmylady。\"Sheismostbeautiful，isn\'tshe？\'Tisnotamother\'spartialitythatdeceivesme。Imarkedyouyesterdaywhenshecamedownthestair:andreaditinyourface。Welookwhenyoudon\'tfancyuslooking，andseebetterthanyouthink，dearHarry:andjustnowwhentheyspokeaboutyourpoems——youwritprettylineswhenyouwerebutaboy——
youthoughtBeatrixwasaprettysubjectforverse，didnotyou，Harry？\"（Thegentlemancouldonlyblushforareply。）\"Andsosheis——norareyouthefirstherprettyfacehascaptivated。\'Tisquicklydone。Suchapairofbrighteyesasherslearntheirpowerverysoon，anduseitveryearly。\"And，lookingathimkeenlywithhers，thefairwidowlefthim。
Andsoitis——apairofbrighteyeswithadozenglancessufficetosubdueaman;toenslavehim，andinflamehim;tomakehimevenforget;theydazzlehimsothatthepastbecomesstraightwaydimtohim;andhesoprizesthemthathewouldgiveallhislifetopossess\'em。Whatisthefondloveofdearestfriendscomparedtothistreasure？Ismemoryasstrongasexpectancy？fruition，ashunger？gratitude，asdesire？Ihavelookedatroyaldiamondsinthejewel—roomsinEurope，andthoughthowwarshavebeenmadeabout\'em;Mogulsovereignsdeposedandstrangledforthem，orransomedwiththem;millionsexpendedtobuythem;anddaringliveslostindiggingoutthelittleshiningtoysthatIvaluenomorethanthebuttoninmyhat。Andsothereareotherglitteringbaubles（ofrarewatertoo）forwhichmenhavebeensettokillandquarreleversincemankindbegan;andwhichlastbutforascoreofyears，whentheirsparkleisover。WherearethosejewelsnowthatbeamedunderCleopatra\'sforehead，orshoneinthesocketsofHelen？
TheseconddayafterEsmond\'scomingtoWalcote，TomTusherhadleavetotakeaholiday，andwentoffinhisverybestgownandbandstocourttheyoungwomanwhomhisReverencedesiredtomarry，andwhowasnotaviscount\'swidow，asitturnedout，butabrewer\'srelictatSouthampton，withacoupleofthousandpoundstoherfortune:forhonestTom\'sheartwasundersuchexcellentcontrol，thatVenusherselfwithoutaportionwouldneverhavecausedittoflutter。Soherodeawayonhisheavy—pacedgeldingtopursuehisjog—trotloves，leavingEsmondtothesocietyofhisdearmistressandherdaughter，andwithhisyounglordforacompanion，whowascharmed，notonlytoseeanoldfriend，buttohavethetutorandhisLatinbooksputoutoftheway。
Theboytalkedofthingsandpeople，andnotalittleabouthimself，inhisfrankartlessway。\'Twaseasytoseethatheandhissisterhadthebetteroftheirfondmother，forthefirstplaceinwhoseaffections，thoughtheyfoughtconstantly，andthoughthekindladypersistedthatshelovedbothequally，\'twasnotdifficulttounderstandthatFrankwashismother\'sdarlingandfavorite。Heruledthewholehousehold（alwaysexceptingrebelliousBeatrix）notlessnowthanwhenhewasachildmarshallingthevillageboysinplayingatsoldiers，andcaningthemlustilytoo，likethesturdiestcorporal。AsforTomTusher，hisReverencetreatedtheyounglordwiththatpolitenessanddeferencewhichhealwaysshowedforagreatman，whateverhisageorhisstaturewas。Indeed，withrespecttothisyoungone，itwasimpossiblenottolovehim，sofrankandwinningwerehismanners，hisbeauty，hisgayety，theringofhislaughter，andthedelightfultoneofhisvoice。Whereverhewent，hecharmedanddomineered。IthinkhisoldgrandfathertheDean，andthegrimoldhousekeeper，Mrs。Pincot，wereasmuchhisslavesashismotherwas:andasforEsmond，hefoundhimselfpresentlysubmittingtoacertainfascinationtheboyhad，andslavingitliketherestofthefamily。ThepleasurewhichhehadinFrank\'smerecompanyandconverseexceededthatwhichheeverenjoyedinthesocietyofanyotherman，howeverdelightfulintalk，orfamousforwit。Hispresencebroughtsunshineintoaroom，hislaugh，hisprattle，hisnoblebeautyandbrightnessoflookcheeredandcharmedindescribably。Attheleasttaleofsorrow，hishandswereinhispurse，andhewaseagerwithsympathyandbounty。Thewayinwhichwomenlovedandpettedhim，when，ayearortwoafterwards，hecameupontheworld，yetamereboy，andthefollieswhichtheydidforhim（asindeedheforthem），recalledthecareerofRochester，andoutdidthesuccessesofGrammont。Hisverycreditorslovedhim;
andthehardestusurers，andsomeoftherigidprudesoftheothersextoo，coulddenyhimnothing。Hewasnomorewittythananotherman，butwhathesaid，hesaidandlookedasnomanelsecouldsayorlookit。IhaveseenthewomenatthecomedyatBruxellescrowdroundhiminthelobby:andashesatonthestagemorepeoplelookedathimthanattheactors，andwatchedhim;andIrememberatRamillies，whenhewashitandfell，agreatbigred—hairedScotchsergeantflunghishalbertdown，burstouta—cryinglikeawoman，seizinghimupasifhehadbeenaninfant，andcarryinghimoutofthefire。Thisbrotherandsisterwerethemostbeautifulcoupleeverseen;thoughafterhewingedawayfromthematernalnestthispairwereseldomtogether。
SittingatdinnertwodaysafterEsmond\'sarrival（itwasthelastdayoftheyear），andsohappyaonetoHarryEsmond，thattoenjoyitwasquiteworthallthepreviouspainwhichhehadenduredandforgot，myyounglord，fillingabumper，andbiddingHarrytakeanother，dranktohissister，salutingherunderthetitleof\"Marchioness。\"
\"Marchioness！\"saysHarry，notwithoutapangofwonder，forhewascuriousandjealousalready。
\"Nonsense，mylord，\"saysBeatrix，withatossofherhead。MyLadyViscountesslookedupforamomentatEsmond，andcasthereyesdown。
\"TheMarchionessofBlandford，\"saysFrank。\"Don\'tyouknow——hathnotRougeDragontoldyou？\"（MylordusedtocalltheDowagerofChelseybythisandothernames。）\"Blandfordhasalockofherhair:theDuchessfoundhimonhiskneestoMistressTrix，andboxedhisears，andsaidDr。Hareshouldwhiphim。\"
\"IwishMr。Tusherwouldwhipyoutoo，\"saysBeatrix。
Myladyonlysaid:\"Ihopeyouwilltellnoneofthesesillystorieselsewherethanathome，Francis。\"
\"\'Tistrue，onmyword，\"continuesFrank:\"lookatHarryscowling，mother，andseehowBeatrixblushesasredasthesilver—clockedstockings。\"
\"Ithinkwehadbestleavethegentlementotheirwineandtheirtalk，\"saysMistressBeatrix，risingupwiththeairofayoungqueen，tossingherrustlingflowingdraperiesabouther，andquittingtheroom，followedbyhermother。
LadyCastlewoodagainlookedatEsmond，asshestoopeddownandkissedFrank。\"Donottellthosesillystories，child，\"shesaid:
\"donotdrinkmuchwine，sir;Harryneverlovedtodrinkwine。\"
Andshewentaway，too，inherblackrobes，lookingbackontheyoungmanwithherfair，fondface。
\"Egad！it\'strue，\"saysFrank，sippinghiswinewiththeairofalord。\"WhatthinkyouofthisLisbon——realCollares？\'Tisbetterthanyourheadyport:wegotitoutofoneoftheSpanishshipsthatcamefromVigolastyear:mymotherboughtitatSouthampton，astheshipwaslyingthere——the\'Rose，\'CaptainHawkins。\"
\"Why，Icamehomeinthatship，\"saysHarry。
\"Anditbroughthomeagoodfellowandgoodwine，\"saysmylord。
\"Isay，Harry，Iwishthouhadstnotthatcursedbarsinister。\"
\"Andwhynotthebarsinister？\"askstheother。
\"SupposeIgotothearmyandamkilled——everygentlemangoestothearmy——whoistotakecareofthewomen？Trixwillneverstopathome;mother\'sinlovewithyou，——yes，Ithinkmother\'sinlovewithyou。Shewasalwayspraisingyou，andalwaystalkingaboutyou;andwhenshewenttoSouthampton，toseetheship，Ifoundherout。Butyouseeitisimpossible:weareoftheoldestbloodinEngland;wecameinwiththeConqueror;wewereonlybaronets，——butwhatthen？wewereforcedintothat。JamestheFirstforcedourgreatgrandfather。Weareabovetitles;weoldEnglishgentrydon\'twant\'em;theQueencanmakeadukeanyday。LookatBlandford\'sfather，DukeChurchill，andDuchessJennings，whatwerethey，Harry？Damnit，sir，whatarethey，toturnuptheirnosesatus？WhereweretheywhenourancestorrodewithKingHenryatAgincourt，andfilleduptheFrenchKing\'scupafterPoictiers？
\'ForeGeorge，sir，whyshouldn\'tBlandfordmarryBeatrix？ByG——！
heSHALLmarryBeatrix，ortellmethereasonwhy。We\'llmarrywiththebestbloodofEngland，andnonebutthebestbloodofEngland。YouareanEsmond，andyoucan\'thelpyourbirth，myboy。
Let\'shaveanotherbottle。What！nomore？I\'vedrunkthreepartsofthismyself。Ihadmanyanightwithmyfather;youstoodtohimlikeaman，Harry。Youbackedyourblood;youcan\'thelpyourmisfortune，youknow，——nomancanhelpthat。\"
Theeldersaidhewouldgointohismistress\'stea—table。Theyounglad，withaheightenedcolorandvoice，begansingingasnatchofasong，andmarchedoutoftheroom。Esmondheardhimpresentlycallinghisdogsabouthim，andcheeringandtalkingtothem;andbyahundredofhislooksandgestures，tricksofvoiceandgait，wasremindedofthedeadlord，Frank\'sfather。
Andso，thesylvesternightpassedaway;thefamilypartedlongbeforemidnight，LadyCastlewoodremembering，nodoubt，formerNewYears\'Eves，whenhealthsweredrunk，andlaughterwentroundinthecompanyofhim，towhomyears，past，andpresent，andfuture，weretobeasone;andsocarednottositwithherchildrenandheartheCathedralbellsringingthebirthoftheyear1703。
Esmondheardthechimesashesatinhisownchamber，ruminatingbytheblazingfirethere，andlistenedtothelastnotesofthem，lookingoutfromhiswindowtowardsthecity，andthegreatgraytowersoftheCathedrallyingunderthefrostysky，withthekeenstarsshiningabove。
Thesightofthesebrilliantorbsnodoubtmadehimthinkofotherluminaries。\"Andsohereyeshavealreadydoneexecution，\"thoughtEsmond——\"onwhom？——whocantellme？\"Luckilyhiskinsmanwasby，andEsmondknewhewouldhavenodifficultyinfindingoutMistressBeatrix\'shistoryfromthesimpletalkoftheboy。
CHAPTERVIII。
FAMILYTALK。
WhatHarryadmiredandsubmittedtointheprettyladhiskinsmanwas（forwhyshouldheresistit？）thecalmnessofpatronagewhichmyyounglordassumed，asiftocommandwashisundoubtedright，andalltheworld（belowhisdegree）oughttobowdowntoViscountCastlewood。
\"Iknowmyplace，Harry，\"hesaid。\"I\'mnotproud——theboysatWinchesterCollegesayI\'mproud:butI\'mnotproud。IamsimplyFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodinthepeerageofIreland。I
mighthavebeen（doyouknowthat？）FrancisJamesMarquisandEarlofEsmondinthatofEngland。Thelatelordrefusedthetitlewhichwasofferedtohimbymygodfather，hislateMajesty。Youshouldknowthat——youareofourfamily，youknowyoucannothelpyourbarsinister，Harry，mydearfellow;andyoubelongtooneofthebestfamiliesinEngland，inspiteofthat;andyoustoodbymyfather，andbyG——！I\'llstandbyyou。Youshallneverwantafriend，Harry，whileFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodhasashilling。It\'snow1703——Ishallcomeofagein1709。IshallgobacktoCastlewood;IshallliveatCastlewood;Ishallbuildupthehouse。Mypropertywillbeprettywellrestoredbythen。Thelateviscountmismanagedmyproperty，andleftitinaverybadstate。Mymotherislivingclose，asyousee，andkeepsmeinawayhardlybefittingapeeroftheserealms;forIhavebutapairofhorses，agovernor，andamanthatisvaletandgroom。ButwhenIamofage，thesethingswillbesetright，Harry。Ourhousewillbeasitshouldbe。YouwillalwayscometoCastlewood，won\'tyou？
Youshallalwayshaveyourtworoomsinthecourtkeptforyou;andifanybodyslightsyou，d———them！letthemhaveacareofME。I
shallmarryearly——Trixwillbeaduchessbythattime，mostlikely;foracannonballmayknockoverhisgraceanyday，youknow。\"
\"How？\"saysHarry。
\"Hush，mydear！\"saysmyLordViscount。\"Youareofthefamily——
youarefaithfultous，byGeorge，andItellyoueverything。
Blandfordwillmarryher——or\"——andhereheputhislittlehandonhissword——\"youunderstandtherest。Blandfordknowswhichofustwoisthebestweapon。Atsmall—sword，orback—sword，orswordanddaggerifhelikes;Icanbeathim。Ihavetriedhim，Harry;
andbegadheknowsIamamannottobetrifledwith。\"
\"Butyoudonotmean，\"saysHarry，concealinghislaughter，butnothiswonder，\"thatyoucanforcemyLordBlandford，thesonofthefirstmanofthiskingdom，tomarryyoursisteratsword\'spoint？\"
\"Imeantosaythatwearecousinsbythemother\'sside，thoughthat\'snothingtoboastof。ImeantosaythatanEsmondisasgoodasaChurchill;andwhentheKingcomesback，theMarquisofEsmond\'ssistermaybeamatchforanynobleman\'sdaughterinthekingdom。TherearebuttwomarquisesinallEngland，WilliamHerbertMarquisofPowis，andFrancisJamesMarquisofEsmond;andharkyou，Harry，——nowswearyouwillnevermentionthis。Givemeyourhonorasagentleman，foryouAREagentleman，thoughyouarea——\"
\"Well，well？\"saysHarry，alittleimpatient。
\"Well，then，whenaftermylateviscount\'smisfortune，mymotherwentupwithustoLondon，toaskforjusticeagainstyouall（asforMohun，I\'llhavehisblood，assureasmynameisFrancisViscountEsmond）——wewenttostaywithourcousinmyLadyMarlborough，withwhomwehadquarrelledforeversolong。Butwhenmisfortunecame，shestoodbyherblood:——sodidtheDowagerViscountessstandbyherblood，——sodidyou。Well，sir，whilstmymotherwaspetitioningthelatePrinceofOrange——forIwillnevercallhimking——andwhileyouwereinprison，welivedatmyLordMarlborough\'shouse，whowasonlyalittlethere，beingawaywiththearmyinHolland。Andthen……Isay，Harry，youwon\'ttell，now？\"
Harryagainmadeavowofsecrecy。
\"Well，thereusedtobeallsortsoffun，youknow:myLadyMarlboroughwasveryfondofus，andshesaidIwastobeherpage;
andshegotTrixtobeamaidofhonor，andwhileshewasupinherroomcrying，weusedtobealwayshavingfun，youknow;andtheDuchessusedtokissme，andsodidherdaughters，andBlandfordfelltremendousinlovewithTrix，andshelikedhim;andonedayhe——hekissedherbehindadoor——hedidthough，——andtheDuchesscaughthim，andshebangedsuchaboxoftheearbothatTrixandBlandford——youshouldhaveseenit！Andthenshesaidthatwemustleavedirectly，andabusedmymammawhowascognizantofthebusiness;butshewasn\'t——neverthinkingaboutanythingbutfather。
AndsowecamedowntoWalcote。Blandfordbeinglockedup，andnotallowedtoseeTrix。ButIgotathim。Iclimbedalongthegutter，andinthroughthewindow，wherehewascrying。
\"\'Marquis，\'saysI，whenhehadopeneditandhelpedmein，\'youknowIwearasword，\'forIhadbroughtit。
\"\'Oh，viscount，\'sayshe——\'oh，mydearestFrank！\'andhethrewhimselfintomyarmsandburstouta—crying。\'IdoloveMistressBeatrixso，thatIshalldieifIdon\'thaveher。\'
\"\'MydearBlandford，\'saysI，\'youareyoungtothinkofmarrying;\'
forhewasbutfifteen，andayoungfellowofthatagecanscarcedoso，youknow。
