\"Yes，\"sayshe;\"Iwaitedonherto—day。IsawyouwalkingtowardsKnightsbridgeasIpassedinmycoach;andshelookedsolovely，andspokesokind，thatIcouldn\'thelpgoingdownonmyknees，and——and——sureIamthehappiestofmeninalltheworld;andI\'mveryyoung;butshesaysIshallgetolder:andyouknowIshallbeofageinfourmonths;andthere\'sverylittledifferencebetweenus;andI\'msohappy。Ishouldliketotreatthecompanytosomething。Letushaveabottle——adozenbottles——anddrinkthehealthofthefinestwomaninEngland。\"
Esmondlefttheyounglordtossingoffbumperafterbumper，andstrolledawaytoKensingtontoaskwhetherthenewswastrue。
\'Twasonlytoosure:hismistress\'ssad，compassionatefacetoldhimthestory;andthensherelatedwhatparticularsofitsheknew，andhowmyyounglordhadmadehisoffer，halfanhourafterEsmondwentawaythatmorning，andintheveryroomwherethesonglayyetontheharpsichord，whichEsmondhadwrit，andtheyhadsungtogether。
BOOKIII。
CONTAININGTHEENDOFMR。ESMOND\'SADVENTURESINENGLAND。
CHAPTERI。
ICOMETOANENDOFMYBATTLESANDBRUISES。
ThatfeverishdesiretogainalittlereputationwhichEsmondhadhad，lefthimnowperhapsthathehadattainedsomeportionofhiswish，andthegreatmotiveofhisambitionwasover。HisdesireformilitaryhonorwasthatitmightraisehiminBeatrix\'seyes。
\'Twasnexttonobilityandwealth，theonlykindofrankshevalued。Itwasthestakequickestwonorlosttoo;forlawisaverylonggamethatrequiresalifetopractise;andtobedistinguishedinlettersortheChurchwouldnothaveforwardedthepoorgentleman\'splansintheleast。Sohehadnosuittoplaybuttheredone，andheplayedit;andthis，intruth，wasthereasonofhisspeedypromotion;forheexposedhimselfmorethanmostgentlemendo，andriskedmoretowinmore。Ishetheonlymanthathathsethislifeagainstastakewhichmaybenotworththewinning？Anotherriskshislife（andhishonor，too，sometimes，）
againstabundleofbank—notes，orayardofblueribbon，oraseatinParliament;andsomeforthemerepleasureandexcitementofthesport;asafieldofahundredhuntsmenwilldo，eachout—bawlingandout—gallopingtheotheratthetailofadirtyfox，thatistobetheprizeoftheforemosthappyconqueror。
WhenheheardthisnewsofBeatrix\'sengagementinmarriage，ColonelEsmondknockedundertohisfate，andresolvedtosurrenderhissword，thatcouldwinhimnothingnowhecaredfor;andinthisdismalframeofmindhedeterminedtoretirefromtheregiment，tothegreatdelightofthecaptainnextinranktohim，whohappenedtobeayounggentlemanofgoodfortune，whoeagerlypaidMr。
EsmondathousandguineasforhismajorityinWebb\'sregiment，andwasknockedontheheadthenextcampaign。PerhapsEsmondwouldnothavebeensorrytosharehisfate。HewasmoretheKnightoftheWofulCountenancethaneverhehadbeen。Hismoodinessmusthavemadehimperfectlyodioustohisfriendsunderthetents，wholikeajollyfellow，andlaughatamelancholywarrioralwayssighingafterDulcineaathome。
BoththeladiesofCastlewoodapprovedofMr。Esmondquittingthearmy，andhiskindGeneralcoincidedinhiswishofretirementandhelpedinthetransferofhiscommission，whichbroughtaprettysumintohispocket。ButwhentheCommander—in—Chiefcamehome，andwasforced，inspiteofhimself，toappointLieutenant—GeneralWebbtothecommandofadivisionofthearmyinFlanders，theLieutenant—GeneralprayedColonelEsmondsourgentlytobehisaide—de—campandmilitarysecretary，thatEsmondcouldnotresisthiskindpatron\'sentreaties，andagaintookthefield，notattachedtoanyregiment，butunderWebb\'sorders。Whatmusthavebeenthecontinuedagoniesoffears*andapprehensionswhichrackedthegentlebreastsofwivesandmatronsinthosedreadfuldays，wheneveryGazettebroughtaccountsofdeathsandbattles，andwhenthepresentanxietyover，andthebelovedpersonescaped，thedoubtstillremainedthatabattlemightbefought，possibly，ofwhichthenextFlandersletterwouldbringtheaccount;sothey，thepoortendercreatures，hadtogoonsickeningandtremblingthroughthewholecampaign。WhatevertheseterrorswereonthepartofEsmond\'smistress，（andthattenderestofwomenmusthavefeltthemmostkeenlyforbothhersons，asshecalledthem），sheneverallowedthemoutwardlytoappear，buthidherapprehension，asshedidhercharitiesanddevotion。\'TwasonlybychancethatEsmond，wanderinginKensington，foundhismistresscomingoutofameancottagethere，andheardthatshehadascoreofpoorretainers，whomshevisitedandcomfortedintheirsicknessandpoverty，andwhoblessedherdaily。Sheattendedtheearlychurchdaily（thoughofaSunday，especially，sheencouragedandadvancedallsortsofcheerfulnessandinnocentgayetyinherlittlehousehold）:andbynotesenteredintoatable—bookofhersatthistime，anddevotionalcompositionswritwithasweetartlessfervor，suchasthebestdivinescouldnotsurpass，showedhowfondherheartwas，howhumbleandpiousherspirit，whatpangsofapprehensionsheenduredsilently，andwithwhatafaithfulrelianceshecommittedthecareofthoseshelovedtotheawfulDispenserofdeathandlife。
*Whatindeed？Psm。xci。2，3，7。——R。E。
AsforherladyshipatChelsey，Esmond\'snewlyadoptedmother，shewasnowofanagewhenthedangerofanysecondpartydothnotdisturbtherestmuch。Shecaredfortrumpsmorethanformostthingsinlife。Shewasfirmenoughinherownfaith，butnolongerverybitteragainstours。Shehadaverygood—natured，easyFrenchdirector，MonsieurGauthierbyname，whowasagentlemanoftheworld，andwouldtakeahandofcardswithDeanAtterbury，mylady\'sneighboratChelsey，andwaswellwithalltheHighChurchparty。NodoubtMonsieurGauthierknewwhatEsmond\'speculiarpositionwas，forhecorrespondedwithHolt，andalwaystreatedColonelEsmondwithparticularrespectandkindness;butforgoodreasonstheColonelandtheAbbeneverspokeonthismattertogether，andsotheyremainedperfectgoodfriends。
AllthefrequentersofmyLadyofChelsey\'shousewereoftheToryandHighChurchparty。MadameBeatrixwasasfranticabouttheKingasherelderlykinswoman:sheworehispictureonherheart;
shehadapieceofhishair;shevowedhewasthemostinjured，andgallant，andaccomplished，andunfortunate，andbeautifulofprinces。Steele，whoquarrelledwithverymanyofhisToryfriends，butneverwithEsmond，usedtotelltheColonelthathiskinswoman\'shousewasarendezvousofToryintrigues;thatGauthierwasaspy;thatAtterburywasaspy;thatletterswereconstantlygoingfromthathousetotheQueenatSt。Germains;onwhichEsmond，laughing，wouldreply，thattheyusedtosayinthearmytheDukeofMarlboroughwasaspytoo，andasmuchincorrespondencewiththatfamilyasanyJesuit。Andwithoutenteringveryeagerlyintothecontroversy，Esmondhadfranklytakenthesideofhisfamily。ItseemedtohimthatKingJamestheThirdwasundoubtedlyKingofEnglandbyright:andathissister\'sdeathitwouldbebettertohavehimthanaforeigneroverus。NomanadmiredKingWilliammore;aheroandaconqueror，thebravest，justest，wisestofmen——but\'twasbytheswordheconqueredthecountry，andheldandgoverneditbytheverysamerightthatthegreatCromwellheldit，whowastrulyandgreatlyasovereign。ButthataforeigndespoticPrince，outofGermany，whohappenedtobedescendedfromKingJamestheFirst，shouldtakepossessionofthisempire，seemedtoMr。Esmondamonstrousinjustice——atleast，everyEnglishmanhadarighttoprotest，andtheEnglishPrince，theheir—at—law，thefirstofall。Whatmanofspiritwithsuchacausewouldnotbackit？Whatmanofhonorwithsuchacrowntowinwouldnotfightforit？Butthatracewasdestined。ThatPrincehadhimselfagainsthim，anenemyhecouldnotovercome。Heneverdaredtodrawhissword，thoughhehadit。Helethischancesslipbyashelayinthelapofopera—girls，orsnivelledatthekneesofpriestsaskingpardon;andthebloodofheroes，andthedevotednessofhonesthearts，andendurance，courage，fidelity，wereallspentforhiminvain。
ButletusreturntomyLadyofChelsey，who，whenhersonEsmondannouncedtoherladyshipthatheproposedtomaketheensuingcampaign，tookleaveofhimwithperfectalacrity，andwasdowntopiquetwithhergentlewomanbeforehehadwellquittedtheroomonhislastvisit。\"Tiercetoaking，\"werethelastwordsheeverheardhersay:thegameoflifewasprettynearlyoverforthegoodlady，andthreemonthsafterwardsshetooktoherbed，wheresheflickeredoutwithoutanypain，sotheAbbeGauthierwroteovertoMr。Esmond，thenwithhisGeneralonthefrontierofFrance。TheLadyCastlewoodwaswithheratherending，andhadwrittentoo，buttheselettersmusthavebeentakenbyaprivateerinthepacketthatbroughtthem;forEsmondknewnothingoftheircontentsuntilhisreturntoEngland。
MyLadyCastlewoodhadlefteverythingtoColonelEsmond，\"asareparationforthewrongdonetohim;\"\'twaswritinherwill。Butherfortunewasnotmuch，foritneverhadbeenlarge，andthehonestviscountesshadwiselysunkmostofthemoneyshehaduponanannuitywhichterminatedwithherlife。However，therewasthehouseandfurniture，plateandpicturesatChelsey，andasumofmoneylyingathermerchant\'s，SirJosiahChild，whichaltogetherwouldrealizeasumofnearthreehundredpoundsperannum，sothatMr。Esmondfoundhimself，ifnotrich，atleasteasyforlife。
Likewisetherewerethefamousdiamondswhichhadbeensaidtobeworthfabuloussums，thoughthegoldsmithpronouncedtheywouldfetchnomorethanfourthousandpounds。Thesediamonds，however，ColonelEsmondreserved，havingaspecialuseforthem:buttheChelseyhouse，plate，goods，&c。，withtheexceptionofafewarticleswhichhekeptback，weresoldbyhisorders;andthesumsresultingfromthesaleinvestedinthepublicsecuritiessoastorealizetheaforesaidannualincomeofthreehundredpounds。
Havingnowsomethingtoleave，hemadeawillanddespatchedithome。Thearmywasnowinpresenceoftheenemy;andagreatbattleexpectedeveryday。\'TwasknownthattheGeneral—in—Chiefwasindisgrace，andthepartiesathomestrongagainsthim，andtherewasnostrokethisgreatandresoluteplayerwouldnotventuretorecallhisfortunewhenitseemeddesperate。FrankCastlewoodwaswithColonelEsmond;hisGeneralhavinggladlytakentheyoungnoblemanontohisstaff。HisstudiesoffortificationsatBruxelleswereoverbythistime。Theforthewasbesieginghadyielded，Ibelieve，andmylordhadnotonlymarchedinwithflyingcolors，butmarchedoutagain。Heusedtotellhisboyishwickednesseswithadmirablehumor，andwasthemostcharmingyoungscapegraceinthearmy。
\'TisneedlesstosaythatColonelEsmondhadlefteverypennyofhislittlefortunetothisboy。ItwastheColonel\'sfirmconvictionthatthenextbattlewouldputanendtohim:forhefeltawearyofthesun，andquitereadytobidthatandtheearthfarewell。Frankwouldnotlistentohiscomrade\'sgloomyforebodings，butsworetheywouldkeephisbirthdayatCastlewoodthatautumn，afterthecampaign。Hehadheardoftheengagementathome。\"IfPrinceEugenegoestoLondon，\"saysFrank，\"andTrixcangetholdofhim，she\'lljiltAshburnhamforhisHighness。Itellyou，sheusedtomakeeyesattheDukeofMarlborough，whenshewasonlyfourteen，andoglingpoorlittleBlandford。Iwouldn\'tmarryher，Harry——no，notifhereyesweretwiceasbig。I\'lltakemyfun。I\'llenjoyforthenextthreeyearseverypossiblepleasure。
I\'llsowmywildoatsthen，andmarrysomequiet，steady，modest，sensibleviscountess;huntmyharriers;andsettledownatCastlewood。PerhapsI\'llrepresentthecounty——no，damme，YOU
shallrepresentthecounty。Youhavethebrainsofthefamily。BytheLord，mydearoldHarry，youhavethebestheadandthekindestheartinallthearmy;andeverymansaysso——andwhentheQueendies，andtheKingcomesback，whyshouldn\'tyougototheHouseofCommons，andbeaMinister，andbemadeaPeer，andthatsortofthing？YOUbeshotinthenextaction！IwageradozenofBurgundyyouarenottouched。Mohuniswellofhiswound。HeisalwayswithCorporalJohnnow。AssoonaseverIseehisuglyfaceI\'llspitinit。ItooklessonsofFather——ofCaptainHoltatBruxelles。Whatamanthatis！Heknowseverything。\"EsmondbadeFrankhaveacare;thatFatherHolt\'sknowledgewasratherdangerous;not，indeed，knowingasyethowfartheFatherhadpushedhisinstructionswithhisyoungpupil。
Thegazetteersandwriters，bothoftheFrenchandEnglishside，havegivenaccountssufficientofthatbloodybattleofBlarigniesorMalplaquet，whichwasthelastandthehardestearnedofthevictoriesofthegreatDukeofMarlborough。Inthattremendouscombatnearupontwohundredandfiftythousandmenwereengaged，morethanthirtythousandofwhomwereslainorwounded（theAllieslosttwiceasmanymenastheykilledoftheFrench，whomtheyconquered）:andthisdreadfulslaughterverylikelytookplacebecauseagreatgeneral\'screditwasshakenathome，andhethoughttorestoreitbyavictory。IfsuchwerethemotiveswhichinducedtheDukeofMarlboroughtoventurethatprodigiousstake，anddesperatelysacrificethirtythousandbravelives，sothathemightfigureoncemoreinaGazette，andholdhisplacesandpensionsalittlelonger，theeventdefeatedthedreadfulandselfishdesign，forthevictorywaspurchasedatacostwhichnonation，greedyofgloryasitmaybe，wouldwillinglypayforanytriumph。ThegallantryoftheFrenchwasasremarkableasthefuriousbraveryoftheirassailants。Wetookafewscoreoftheirflags，andafewpiecesoftheirartillery;butwelefttwentythousandofthebravestsoldiersoftheworldroundabouttheintrenchedlines，fromwhichtheenemywasdriven。Heretreatedinperfectgoodorder;thepanic—spellseemedtobebroke，underwhichtheFrenchhadlaboredeversincethedisasterofHochstedt;and，fightingnowonthethresholdoftheircountry，theyshowedanheroicardorofresistance，suchashadnevermetusinthecourseoftheiraggressivewar。Hadthebattlebeenmoresuccessful，theconquerormighthavegotthepriceforwhichhewagedit。Asitwas，（andjustly，Ithink，）thepartyadversetotheDukeinEnglandwereindignantatthelavishextravaganceofslaughter，anddemandedmoreeagerlythanevertherecallofachiefwhosecupidityanddesperationmighturgehimfurtherstill。AfterthisbloodyfightofMalplaquet，Icananswerforit，thatintheDutchquartersandourown，andamongsttheveryregimentsandcommanderswhosegallantrywasmostconspicuousuponthisfrightfuldayofcarnage，thegeneralcrywas，thattherewasenoughofthewar。TheFrenchweredrivenbackintotheirownboundary，andalltheirconquestsandbootyofFlandersdisgorged。AsforthePrinceofSavoy，withwhomourCommander—in—Chief，forreasonsofhisown，consortedmorecloselythanever，\'twasknownthathewasanimatednotmerelybyapoliticalhatred，butbypersonalrageagainsttheoldFrenchKing:
theImperialGeneralissimoneverforgottheslightputbyLewisupontheAbbedeSavoie;andinthehumiliationorruinofhismostChristianMajesty，theHolyRomanEmperorfoundhisaccount。Butwhatwerethesequarrelstous，thefreecitizensofEnglandandHolland！Despotashewas，theFrenchmonarchwasyetthechiefofEuropeancivilization，morevenerableinhisageandmisfortunesthanattheperiodofhismostsplendidsuccesses;whilsthisopponentwasbutasemi—barbaroustyrant，withapillaging，murderoushordeofCroatsandPandours，composingahalfofhisarmy，fillingourcampwiththeirstrangefigures，beardedlikethemiscreantTurkstheirneighbors，andcarryingintoChristianwarfaretheirnativeheathenhabitsofrapine，lust，andmurder。
WhyshouldthebestbloodinEnglandandFrancebeshedinorderthattheHolyRomanandApostolicmasteroftheseruffiansshouldhavehisrevengeovertheChristianking？Anditwastothisendwewerefighting;forthisthateveryvillageandfamilyinEnglandwasdeploringthedeathofbelovedsonsandfathers。Wedarednotspeaktoeachother，evenattable，ofMalplaquet，sofrightfulwerethegapsleftinourarmybythecannonofthatbloodyaction。
\'Twasheartrendingforanofficerwhohadahearttolookdownhislineonaparade—dayafterwards，andmisshundredsoffacesofcomrades——humbleorofhighrank——thathadgatheredbutyesterdayfullofcourageandcheerfulnessroundthetornandblackenedflags。Wherewereourfriends？AsthegreatDukereviewedus，ridingalongourlineswithhisfinesuiteofprancingaides—de—
campandgenerals，stoppinghereandtheretothankanofficerwiththoseeagersmilesandbowsofwhichhisGracewasalwayslavish，scarceahuzzahcouldbegotforhim，thoughCadogan，withanoath，rodeupandcried——\"D——nyou，whydon\'tyoucheer？\"Butthemenhadnoheartforthat:notoneofthembutwasthinking，\"Where\'smycomrade？——where\'smybrotherthatfoughtbyme，ormydearcaptainthatledmeyesterday？\"\'TwasthemostgloomypageantI
everlookedon;andthe\"TeDeum\"sungbyourchaplains，themostwofulanddrearysatire。
Esmond\'sGeneraladdedonemoretothemanymarksofhonorwhichhehadreceivedinthefrontofascoreofbattles，andgotawoundinthegroin，whichlaidhimonhisback;andyoumaybesureheconsoledhimselfbyabusingtheCommander—in—Chief，ashelaygroaning，——\"CorporalJohn\'sasfondofme，\"heusedtosay，\"asKingDavidwasofGeneralUriah;andsohealwaysgivesmethepostofdanger。\"Hepersisted，tohisdyingday，inbelievingthattheDukeintendedheshouldbebeatatWynendael，andsenthimpurposelywithasmallforce，hopingthathemightbeknockedontheheadthere。EsmondandFrankCastlewoodbothescapedwithouthurt，thoughthedivisionwhichourGeneralcommandedsufferedevenmorethananyother，havingtosustainnotonlythefuryoftheenemy\'scannonade，whichwasveryhotandwellserved，butthefuriousandrepeatedchargesofthefamousMaisonduRoy，whichwehadtoreceiveandbeatoffagainandagain，withvolleysofshotandhedgesofiron，andourfourlinesofmusqueteersandpikemen。
TheysaidtheKingofEnglandchargedusnolessthantwelvetimesthatday，alongwiththeFrenchHousehold。Esmond\'slateregiment，GeneralWebb\'sownFusileers，servedinthedivisionwhichtheircolonelcommanded。TheGeneralwasthriceinthecentreofthesquareoftheFusileers，callingthefireattheFrenchcharges，and，aftertheaction，hisGracetheDukeofBerwicksenthiscomplimentstohisoldregimentandtheirColonelfortheirbehavioronthefield。
WedrankmyLordCastlewood\'shealthandmajority，the25thofSeptember，thearmybeingthenbeforeMons:andhereColonelEsmondwasnotsofortunateashehadbeeninactionsmuchmoredangerous，andwashitbyaspentballjustabovetheplacewherehisformerwoundwas，whichcausedtheoldwoundtoopenagain，fever，spittingofblood，andotheruglysymptoms，toensue;and，inaword，broughthimneartodeath\'sdoor。Thekindlad，hiskinsman，attendedhiseldercomradewithaverypraiseworthyaffectionatenessandcareuntilhewaspronouncedoutofdangerbythedoctors，whenFrankwentoff，passedthewinteratBruxelles，andbesieged，nodoubt，someotherfortressthere。VeryfewladswouldhavegivenuptheirpleasuressolongandsogaylyasFrankdid;hischeerfulprattlesoothedmanylongdaysofEsmond\'spainandlanguor。Frankwassupposedtobestillathiskinsman\'sbedsideforamonthafterhehadleftit，forletterscamefromhismotherathomefullofthankstotheyoungergentlemanforhiscareofhiselderbrother（soitpleasedEsmond\'smistressnowaffectionatelytostylehim）;norwasMr。Esmondinahurrytoundeceiveher，whenthegoodyoungfellowwasgoneforhisChristmasholiday。ItwasaspleasanttoEsmondonhiscouchtowatchtheyoungman\'spleasureattheideaofbeingfree，astonotehissimpleeffortstodisguisehissatisfactionongoingaway。
Therearedayswhenaflaskofchampagneatacabaret，andared—
cheekedpartnertoshareit，aretoostrongtemptationsforanyyoungfellowofspirit。Iamnotgoingtoplaythemoralist，andcry\"Fie。\"Foragespast，Iknowhowoldmenpreach，andwhatyoungmenpractise;andthatpatriarchshavehadtheirweakmomentstoo，longsinceFatherNoahtoppledoverafterdiscoveringthevine。Frankwentoff，then，tohispleasuresatBruxelles，inwhichcapitalmanyyoungfellowsofourarmydeclaredtheyfoundinfinitelygreaterdiversioneventhaninLondon:andMr。HenryEsmondremainedinhissick—room，wherehewritafinecomedy，thathismistresspronouncedtobesublime，andthatwasactednolessthanthreesuccessivenightsinLondoninthenextyear。
Here，ashelaynursinghimself，ubiquitousMr。Holtreappeared，andstoppedawholemonthatMons，wherehenotonlywonoverColonelEsmondtotheKing\'ssideinpolitics（thatsidebeingalwaysheldbytheEsmondfamily）;butwhereheendeavoredtoreopenthecontroversialquestionbetweenthechurchesoncemore，andtorecallEsmondtothatreligioninwhich，inhisinfancy，hehadbeenbaptized。Holtwasacasuist，bothdexterousandlearned，andpresentedthecasebetweentheEnglishchurchandhisowninsuchawaythatthosewhograntedhispremisesoughtcertainlytoallowhisconclusions。HetouchedonEsmond\'sdelicatestateofhealth，chanceofdissolution，andsoforth;andenlargedupontheimmensebenefitsthatthesickmanwaslikelytoforego——benefitswhichthechurchofEnglanddidnotdenytothoseoftheRomancommunion，ashowshouldshe，beingderivedfromthatchurch，andonlyanoffshootfromit？ButMr。Esmondsaidthathischurchwasthechurchofhiscountry，andtothathechosetoremainfaithful:
otherpeoplewerewelcometoworshipandtosubscribeanyothersetofarticles，whetheratRomeoratAugsburg。ButifthegoodFathermeantthatEsmondshouldjointheRomancommunionforfearofconsequences，andthatallEnglandrantheriskofbeingdamnedforheresy，Esmond，forone，wasperfectlywillingtotakehischanceofthepenaltyalongwiththecountlessmillionsofhisfellow—countrymen，whowerebredinthesamefaith，andalongwithsomeofthenoblest，thetruest，thepurest，thewisest，themostpiousandlearnedmenandwomenintheworld。
Asforthepoliticalquestion，inthatMr。EsmondcouldagreewiththeFathermuchmorereadily，andhadcometothesameconclusion，though，perhaps，byadifferentway。Therightdivine，aboutwhichDr。SacheverelandtheHighChurchpartyinEnglandwerejustnowmakingabother，theywerewelcometoholdastheychose。IfRichardCromwell，andhisfatherbeforehimhadbeencrownedandanointed（andbishopsenoughwouldhavebeenfoundtodoit），itseemedtoMr。EsmondthattheywouldhavehadtherightdivinejustasmuchasanyPlantagenet，orTudor，orStuart。Butthedesireofthecountrybeingunquestionablyforanhereditarymonarchy，EsmondthoughtanEnglishkingoutofSt。GermainswasbetterandfitterthanaGermanprincefromHerrenhausen，andthatifhefailedtosatisfythenation，someotherEnglishmanmightbefoundtotakehisplace;andso，thoughwithnofranticenthusiasm，orworshipofthatmonstrouspedigreewhichtheTorieschosetoconsiderdivine，hewasreadytosay，\"GodsaveKingJames！\"whenQueenAnnewentthewayofkingsandcommoners。
\"Ifear，Colonel，youarenobetterthanarepublicanatheart，\"
saysthepriestwithasigh。
\"IamanEnglishman，\"saysHarry，\"andtakemycountryasIfindher。Thewillofthenationbeingforchurchandking，Iamforchurchandkingtoo;butEnglishchurchandEnglishking;andthatiswhyyourchurchisn\'tmine，thoughyourkingis。\"
ThoughtheylostthedayatMalplaquet，itwastheFrenchwhowereelatedbythataction，whilsttheconquerorsweredispirited，byit;andtheenemygatheredtogetheralargerarmythanever，andmadeprodigiouseffortsforthenextcampaign。MarshalBerwickwaswiththeFrenchthisyear;andweheardthatMareschalVillarswasstillsufferingofhiswound，waseagertobringourDuketoaction，andvowedhewouldfightusinhiscoach。YoungCastlewoodcameflyingbackfromBruxelles，assoonasheheardthatfightingwastobegin;andthearrivaloftheChevalierdeSt。GeorgewasannouncedaboutMay。\"It\'stheKing\'sthirdcampaign，andit\'smine，\"Franklikedsaying。HewascomebackagreaterJacobitethanever，andEsmondsuspectedthatsomefairconspiratorsatBruxelleshadbeeninflamingtheyoungman\'sardor。Indeed，heownedthathehadamessagefromtheQueen，Beatrix\'sgodmother，whohadgivenhernametoFrank\'ssistertheyearbeforeheandhissovereignwereborn。
HoweverdesirousMarshalVillarsmightbetofight，myLordDukedidnotseemdisposedtoindulgehimthiscampaign。LastyearhisGracehadbeenallfortheWhigsandHanoverians;butfinding，ongoingtoEngland，hiscountrycoldtowardshimself，andthepeopleinafermentofHighChurchloyalty，theDukecomesbacktohisarmycooledtowardstheHanoverians，cautiouswiththeImperialists，andparticularlycivilandpolitetowardstheChevalierdeSt。George。\'TiscertainthatmessengersandletterswerecontinuallypassingbetweenhisGraceandhisbravenephew，theDukeofBerwick，intheoppositecamp。Noman\'scaressesweremoreopportunethanhisGrace\'s，andnomaneverutteredexpressionsofregardandaffectionmoregenerously。HeprofessedtoMonsieurdeTorcy，soMr。St。Johntoldthewriter，quiteaneagernesstobecutinpiecesfortheexiledQueenandherfamily;
naymore，Ibelieve，thisyearhepartedwithaportionofthemostpreciouspartofhimself——hismoney——whichhesentovertotheroyalexiles。Mr。Tunstal，whowasinthePrince\'sservice，wastwiceorthriceinandoutofourcamp;theFrench，intheirsofArlieuandaboutArras。Alittleriver，theCaniheIthink\'twascalled，（butthisiswritawayfrombooksandEurope;andtheonlymapthewriterhathofthesescenesofhisyouth，bearsnomarkofthislittlestream，）dividedourpicketsfromtheenemy\'s。Oursentriestalkedacrossthestream，whentheycouldmakethemselvesunderstoodtoeachother，andwhentheycouldnot，grinned，andhandedeachothertheirbrandy—flasksortheirpouchesoftobacco。
AndonefinedayofJune，ridingthitherwiththeofficerwhovisitedtheoutposts，（ColonelEsmondwastakinganairingonhorseback，beingtooweakformilitaryduty，）theycametothisriver，whereanumberofEnglishandScotswereassembled，talkingtothegood—naturedenemyontheotherside。
Esmondwasespeciallyamusedwiththetalkofonelongfellow，withagreatcurlingredmoustache，andblueeyes，thatwashalfadozeninchestallerthanhisswarthylittlecomradesontheFrenchsideofthestream，andbeingaskedbytheColonel，salutedhim，andsaidthathebelongedtotheRoyalCravats。
Fromhiswayofsaying\"RoyalCravat，\"Esmondatonceknewthatthefellow\'stonguehadfirstwaggedonthebanksoftheLiffey，andnottheLoire;andthepoorsoldier——adeserterprobably——didnotliketoventureverydeepintoFrenchconversation，lesthisunluckybrogueshouldpeepout。HechosetorestricthimselftosuchfewexpressionsintheFrenchlanguageashethoughthehadmasteredeasily;andhisattemptatdisguisewasinfinitelyamusing。Mr。EsmondwhistledLillibullero，atwhichTeague\'seyesbegantotwinkle，andthenflunghimadollar，whenthepoorboybrokeoutwitha\"Godbless——thatis，Dieubenissevotrehonor，\"
thatwouldinfalliblyhavesenthimtotheprovost—marshalhadhebeenonoursideoftheriver。
Whilstthisparleywasgoingon，threeofficersonhorseback，ontheFrenchside，appearedatsomelittledistance，andstoppedasifeyingus，whenoneofthemlefttheothertwo，androdecloseuptouswhowerebythestream。\"Look，look！\"saystheRoyalCravat，withgreatagitation，\"paslui，that\'she;nothim，l\'autre，\"andpointedtothedistantofficeronachestnuthorse，withacuirassshininginthesun，andoveritabroadblueribbon。
\"PleasetotakeMr。Hamilton\'sservicestomyLordMarlborough——myLordDuke，\"saysthegentlemaninEnglish:and，lookingtoseethatthepartywerenothostilelydisposed，headded，withasmile，\"There\'safriendofyours，gentlemen，yonder;hebidsmetosaythathesawsomeofyourfacesonthe11thofSeptemberlastyear。\"
Asthegentlemanspoke，theothertwoofficersrodeup，andcamequiteclose。Weknewatoncewhoitwas。ItwastheKing，thentwo—and—twentyyearsold，tallandslim，withdeepbrowneyes，thatlookedmelancholy，thoughhislipsworeasmile。Wetookoffourhatsandsalutedhim。Noman，sure，couldseeforthefirsttime，withoutemotion，theyouthfulinheritorofsomuchfameandmisfortune。ItseemedtoMr。EsmondthatthePrincewasnotunlikeyoungCastlewood，whoseageandfigureheresembled。TheChevalierdeSt。Georgeacknowledgedthesalute，andlookedatushard。Eventheidlersonoursideoftheriversetupahurrah。AsfortheRoyalCravat，herantothePrince\'sstirrup，kneltdownandkissedhisboot，andbawledandlookedahundredejaculationsandblessings。Theprincebadetheaide—de—campgivehimapieceofmoney;andwhenthepartysalutingushadriddenaway，Cravatspatuponthepieceofgoldbywayofbenediction，andswaggeredaway，pouchinghiscoinandtwirlinghishonestcarrotymoustache。
TheofficerinwhosecompanyEsmondwas，thesamelittlecaptainofHandyside\'sregiment，Mr。Sterne，whohadproposedthegardenatLille，whenmyLordMohunandEsmondhadtheiraffair，wasanIrishmantoo，andasbravealittlesoulaseverworeasword。
\"Bedad，\"saysRogerSterne，\"thatlongfellowspokeFrenchsobeautifulthatIshouldn\'thaveknownhewasn\'taforeigner，tillhebrokeoutwithhishulla—ballooing，andonlyanIrishcalfcanbellowlikethat。\"AndRogermadeanotherremarkinhiswildway，inwhichtherewassenseaswellasabsurdity——\"Ifthatyounggentleman，\"sayshe，\"wouldbutrideovertoourcamp，insteadofVillars\'s，tossuphishatandsay，\'HereamI，theKing，who\'llfollowme？\'bytheLord，Esmond，thewholearmywouldriseandcarryhimhomeagain，andbeatVillars，andtakeParisbytheway。\"
ThenewsofthePrince\'svisitwasallthroughthecampquickly，andscoresofourswentdowninhopestoseehim。MajorHamilton，whomwehadtalkedwith，sentbackbyatrumpetseveralsilverpiecesforofficerswithus。Mr。Esmondreceivedoneofthese;andthatmedal，andarecompensenotuncommonamongstPrinces，weretheonlyrewardsheeverhadfromaRoyalperson，whomheendeavorednotverylongaftertoserve。
Esmondquittedthearmyalmostimmediatelyafterthis，followinghisgeneralhome;and，indeed，beingadvisedtotravelinthefineweatherandattempttotakenofurtherpartinthecampaign。Butheheardfromthearmy，thatofthemanywhocrowdedtoseetheChevalierdeSt。George，FrankCastlewoodhadmadehimselfmostconspicuous:myLordViscountridingacrossthelittlestreambareheadedtowherethePrincewas，anddismountingandkneelingbeforehimtodohimhomage。SomesaidthatthePrincehadactuallyknightedhim，butmylorddeniedthatstatement，thoughheacknowledgedtherestofthestory，andsaid:——\"FromhavingbeenoutoffavorwithCorporalJohn，\"ashecalledtheDuke，\"beforehisGracewarnedhimnottocommitthosefollies，andsmiledonhimcordiallyeverafter。\"
\"Andhewassokindtome，\"Frankwrit，\"thatIthoughtIwouldputinagoodwordforMasterHarry，butwhenImentionedyournamehelookedasblackasthunder，andsaidhehadneverheardofyou。\"
CHAPTERII。
IGOHOME，ANDHARPONTHEOLDSTRING。
AfterquittingMonsandthearmy，andashewaswaitingforapacketatOstend，EsmondhadaletterfromhisyoungkinsmanCastlewoodatBruxelles，conveyingintelligencewhereofFrankbesoughthimtobethebearertoLondon，andwhichcausedColonelEsmondnosmallanxiety。
