\"Doyouleavethis，too，Beatrix？\"sayshermother，takingtheminiatureout，andwithacrueltyshedidnotveryoftenshow;buttherearesomemomentswhenthetenderestwomenarecruel，andsometriumphswhichangelscan\'tforego。*
*Thisremarkshowshowunjustlyandcontemptuouslyeventhebestofmenwillsometimesjudgeofoursex。LadyCastlewoodhadnointentionoftriumphingoverherdaughter;butfromasenseofdutyalonepointedoutherdeplorablewrong。——H。E。
Havingdeliveredthisstab，LadyCastlewoodwasfrightenedattheeffectofherblow。ItwenttopoorBeatrix\'sheart:sheflushedupandpassedahandkerchiefacrosshereyes，andkissedtheminiature，andputitintoherbosom:——\"Ihadforgotit，\"saysshe;
\"myinjurymademeforgetmygrief:mymotherhasrecalledbothtome。Farewell，mother;IthinkInevercanforgiveyou;somethinghathbrokebetweenusthatnotearsnoryearscanrepair。IalwayssaidIwasalone;youneverlovedme，never——andwerejealousofmefromthetimeIsatonmyfather\'sknee。Letmegoaway，thesoonerthebetter:Icanbeartobewithyounomore。\"
\"Go，child，\"sayshermother，stillverystern;\"goandbendyourproudkneesandaskforgiveness;go，prayinsolitudeforhumilityandrepentance。\'Tisnotyourreproachesthatmakemeunhappy，\'tisyourhardheart，mypoorBeatrix;mayGodsoftenit，andteachyouonedaytofeelforyourmother。\"
Ifmymistresswascruel，atleastshenevercouldbegottoownasmuch。HerhaughtinessquiteovertoppedBeatrix\'s;and，ifthegirlhadaproudspirit，Iverymuchfearitcametoherbyinheritance。
CHAPTERXI。
OURGUESTQUITSUSASNOTBEINGHOSPITABLEENOUGH。
Beatrix\'sdeparturetookplacewithinanhour，hermaidgoingwithherinthepost—chaise，andamanarmedonthecoach—boxtopreventanydangeroftheroad。EsmondandFrankthoughtofescortingthecarriage，butsheindignantlyrefusedtheircompany，andanothermanwassenttofollowthecoach，andnottoleaveittillithadpassedoverHounslowHeathonthenextday。AndthesetwoformingthewholeofLadyCastlewood\'smaledomestics，Mr。Esmond\'sfaithfulJohnLockwoodcametowaitonhismistressduringtheirabsence，thoughhewouldhavepreferredtoescortMrs。Lucy，hissweetheart，onherjourneyintothecountry。
Wehadagloomyandsilentmeal;itseemedasifadarknesswasoverthehouse，sincethebrightfaceofBeatrixhadbeenwithdrawnfromit。Intheafternooncameamessagefromthefavoritetorelieveussomewhatfromthisdespondency。\"TheQueenhathbeenmuchshaken，\"thenotesaid;\"sheisbetternow，andallthingswillgowell。LetMYLORDCASTLEWOODbereadyagainstwesendforhim。\"
Atnighttherecameasecondbillet:\"TherehathbeenagreatbattleinCouncil;LordTreasurerhathbrokehisstaff，andhathfallennevertoriseagain;nosuccessorisappointed。LordB————
receivesagreatWhigcompanyto—nightatGoldenSquare。Ifheistrimming，othersaretrue;theQueenhathnomorefits，butisa—bednow，andmorequiet。Bereadyagainstmorning，whenIstillhopeallwillbewell。\"
ThePrincecamehomeshortlyafterthemessengerwhoborethisbillethadleftthehouse。HisRoyalHighnesswassomuchthebetterfortheBishop\'sliquor，thattotalkaffairstohimnowwasoflittleservice。HewashelpedtotheRoyalbed;hecalledCastlewoodfamiliarlybyhisownname;hequiteforgotthepartupontheactingofwhichhiscrown，hissafety，depended。\'TwasluckythatmyLadyCastlewood\'sservantswereoutoftheway，andonlythoseheardhimwhowouldnotbetrayhim。HeinquiredaftertheadorableBeatrix，witharoyalhiccupinhisvoice;hewaseasilygottobed，andinaminuteortwoplungedinthatdeepslumberandforgetfulnesswithwhichBacchusrewardsthevotariesofthatgod。WewishedBeatrixhadbeentheretoseehiminhiscups。Weregretted，perhaps，thatshewasgone。
OneofthepartyatKensingtonSquarewasfoolenoughtoridetoHounslowthatnight，coramlatronibus，andtotheinnwhichthefamilyusedordinarilyintheirjourneysoutofLondon。EsmonddesiredmylandlordnottoacquaintMadamBeatrixwithhiscoming，andhadthegrimsatisfactionofpassingbythedoorofthechamberwhereshelaywithhermaid，andofwatchingherchariotsetforthintheearlymorning。Hesawhersmileandslipmoneyintotheman\'shandwhowasorderedtoridebehindthecoachasfarasBagshot。Theroadbeingopen，andtheotherservantarmed，itappearedshedispensedwiththeescortofaseconddomestic;andthisfellow，biddinghisyoungmistressadieuwithmanybows，wentandtookapotofaleinthekitchen，andreturnedincompanywithhisbrotherservant，JohnCoachman，andhishorses，backtoLondon。
TheywerenotamileoutofHounslowwhenthetwoworthiesstoppedformoredrink，andheretheywerescaredbyseeingColonelEsmondgallopbythem。ThemansaidinreplytoColonelEsmond\'ssternquestion，thathisyoungmistresshadsentherduty;onlythat，noothermessage:shehadhadaverygoodnight，andwouldreachCastlewoodbynightfall。TheColonelhadnotimeforfurthercolloquy，andgallopedonswiftlytoLondon，havingbusinessofgreatimportancethere，asmyreaderverywellknoweth。ThethoughtofBeatrixridingawayfromthedangersoothedhismindnotalittle。HishorsewasatKensingtonSquare（honestDappleknewthewaythitherwellenough）beforethetipsyguestoflastnightwasawakeandsober。
Theaccountofthepreviouseveningwasknownalloverthetownearlynextday。AviolentaltercationhadtakenplacebeforetheQueenintheCouncilChamber;andallthecoffee—houseshadtheirversionofthequarrel。ThenewsbroughtmyLordBishopearlytoKensingtonSquare，whereheawaitedthewakingofhisRoyalmasterabovestairs，andspokeconfidentlyofhavinghimproclaimedasPrinceofWalesandheirtothethronebeforethatdaywasover。
TheBishophadentertainedonthepreviousafternooncertainofthemostinfluentialgentlemenofthetrueBritishparty。HisRoyalhighnesshadcharmedall，bothScotsandEnglish，PapistsandChurchmen:\"EvenQuakers，\"sayshe，\"wereatourmeeting;and，ifthestrangertookalittletoomuchBritishpunchandale，hewillsoongrowmoreaccustomedtothoseliquors;andmyLordCastlewood，\"saystheBishopwithalaugh，\"mustbearthecruelchargeofhavingbeenforonceinhislifealittletipsy。Hetoastedyourlovelysisteradozentimes，atwhichwealllaughed，\"
saystheBishop，\"admiringsomuchfraternalaffection。——Whereisthatcharmingnymph，andwhydothshenotadornyourladyship\'stea—tablewithherbrighteyes？\"
Herladyshipsaid，dryly，thatBeatrixwasnotathomethatmorning;myLordBishopwastoobusywithgreataffairstotroublehimselfmuchaboutthepresenceorabsenceofanylady，howeverbeautiful。
WewereyetattablewhenDr。A————camefromthePalacewithalookofgreatalarm;theshockstheQueenhadhadthedaybeforehadactedonherseverely;hehadbeensentfor，andhadorderedhertobeblooded。ThesurgeonofLongAcrehadcometocuptheQueen，andherMajestywasnowmoreeasyandbreathedmorefreely。
WhatmadeusstartatthenameofMr。Ayme？\"Ilfautetreaimablepouretreaime，\"saysthemerryDoctor;Esmondpulledhissleeve，andbadehimhush。ItwastoAyme\'shouse，afterhisfatalduel，thatmydearLordCastlewood，Frank\'sfather，hadbeencarriedtodie。
NosecondvisitcouldbepaidtotheQueenonthatdayatanyrate;
andwhenourguestabovegavehissignalthathewasawake，theDoctor，theBishop，andColonelEsmondwaiteduponthePrince\'slevee，andbroughthimtheirnews，cheerfulordubious。TheDoctorhadtogoawaypresently，butpromisedtokeepthePrinceconstantlyacquaintedwithwhatwastakingplaceatthePalacehardby。Hiscounselwas，andtheBishop\'s，thatassoonasevertheQueen\'smaladytookafavorableturn，thePrinceshouldbeintroducedtoherbedside;theCouncilsummoned;theguardatKensingtonandSt。
James\'s，ofwhichtworegimentsweretobeentirelyreliedon，andoneknownnottobehostile，woulddeclareforthePrince，astheQueenwouldbeforetheLordsofherCouncil，designatinghimastheheirtoherthrone。
Withlockeddoors，andColonelEsmondactingassecretary，thePrinceandhisLordshipofRochesterpassedmanyhoursofthisday，composingProclamationsandAddressestotheCountry，totheScots，totheClergy，tothePeopleofLondonandEngland;announcingthearrivaloftheexiledescendantofthreesovereigns，andhisacknowledgmentbyhissisterasheirtothethrone。Everysafeguardfortheirliberties，theChurchandPeoplecouldask，waspromisedtothem。TheBishopcouldanswerfortheadhesionofverymanyprelates，whobesoughtoftheirflocksandbrotherecclesiasticstorecognizethesacredrightofthefuturesovereign，andtopurgethecountryofthesinofrebellion。
Duringthecompositionofthesepapers，moremessengersthanonecamefromthePalaceregardingthestateoftheaugustpatienttherelying。Atmid—dayshewassomewhatbetter;ateveningthetorporagainseizedher，andshewanderedinhermind。AtnightDr。A————waswithusagain，withareportrathermorefavorable:
noinstantdangeratanyratewasapprehended。InthecourseofthelasttwoyearsherMajestyhadhadmanyattackssimilar，butmoresevere。
Bythistimewehadfinishedahalf—dozenofProclamations，（thewordingofthemsoastooffendnoparties，andnottogiveumbragetoWhigsorDissenters，requiredverygreatcaution，）andtheyoungPrince，whohadindeedshown，duringalongday\'slabor，bothalacrityatseizingtheinformationgivenhim，andingenuityandskillinturningthephraseswhichweretogooutsignedbyhisname，hereexhibitedagood—humorandthoughtfulnessthatoughttobesetdowntohiscredit。
\"Werethesepaperstobemislaid，\"sayshe，\"orourschemetocometomishap，myLordEsmond\'swritingwouldbringhimtoaplacewhereIheartilyhopenevertoseehim;andso，byyourleave，I
willcopythepapersmyself，thoughIamnotverystronginspelling;andiftheyarefoundtheywillimplicatenonebutthepersontheymostconcern;\"andso，havingcarefullycopiedtheProclamationsout，thePrinceburnedthoseinColonelEsmond\'shandwriting:\"Andnow，andnow，gentlemen，\"sayshe，\"letusgotosupper，anddrinkaglasswiththeladies。MyLordEsmond，youwillsupwithusto—night;youhavegivenusoflatetoolittleofyourcompany。\"
ThePrince\'smealswerecommonlyservedinthechamberwhichhadbeenBeatrix\'sbedroom，adjoiningthatinwhichheslept。AndthedutifulpracticeofhisentertainerswastowaituntiltheirRoyalguestbadethemtaketheirplacesattablebeforetheysatdowntopartakeofthemeal。Onthisnight，asyoumaysuppose，onlyFrankCastlewoodandhismotherwereinwaitingwhenthesupperwasannouncedtoreceivethePrince;whohadpassedthewholeofthedayinhisownapartment，withtheBishopashisMinisterofState，andColonelEsmondofficiatingasSecretaryofhisCouncil。
ThePrince\'scountenanceworeanexpressionbynomeanspleasant;
whenlookingtowardsthelittlecompanyassembled，andwaitingforhim，hedidnotseeBeatrix\'sbrightfacethereasusualtogreethim。HeaskedLadyEsmondforhisfairintroducerofyesterday:
herladyshiponlycasthereyesdown，andsaidquietly，Beatrixcouldnotbeofthesupperthatnight;nordidsheshowtheleastsignofconfusion，whereasCastlewoodturnedred，andEsmondwasnolessembarrassed。Ithinkwomenhaveaninstinctofdissimulation;
theyknowbynaturehowtodisguisetheiremotionsfarbetterthanthemostconsummatemalecourtierscando。Isnotthebetterpartofthelifeofmanyofthemspentinhidingtheirfeelings，incajolingtheirtyrants，inmaskingoverwithfondsmilesandartfulgayety，theirdoubt，ortheirgrief，ortheirterror？
Ourguestswallowedhissupperverysulkily;itwasnottillthesecondbottlehisHighnessbegantorally。WhenLadyCastlewoodaskedleavetodepart，hesentamessagetoBeatrix，hopingshewouldbepresentatthenextday\'sdinner，andappliedhimselftodrink，andtotalkafterwards，forwhichtherewassubjectinplenty。
Thenextday，weheardfromourinformeratKensingtonthattheQueenwassomewhatbetter，andhadbeenupforanhour，thoughshewasnotwellenoughyettoreceiveanyvisitor。
AtdinnerasinglecoverwaslaidforhisRoyalHighness;andthetwogentlemenalonewaitedonhim。WehadhadaconsultationinthemorningwithLadyCastlewood，inwhichithadbeendeterminedthat，shouldhisHighnessaskfurtherquestionsaboutBeatrix，heshouldbeansweredbythegentlemenofthehouse。
Hewasevidentlydisturbedanduneasy，lookingtowardsthedoorconstantly，asifexpectingsomeone。Therecame，however，nobody，excepthonestJohnLockwood，whenheknockedwithadish，whichthosewithintookfromhim;sothemealswerealwaysarranged，andIbelievethecouncilinthekitchenwereofopinionthatmyyounglordhadbroughtoverapriest，whohadconvertedusallintoPapists，andthatPapistswerelikeJews，eatingtogether，andnotchoosingtotaketheirmealsinthesightofChristians。
ThePrincetriedtocoverhisdispleasure;hewasbutaclumsydissembleratthattime，andwhenoutofhumorcouldwithdifficultykeepaserenecountenance;andhavingmadesomefoolishattemptsattrivialtalk，hecametohispointpresently，andinaseasyamannerashecould，sayingtoLordCastlewood，hehoped，herequested，hislordship\'smotherandsisterwouldbeofthesupperthatnight。Asthetimehungheavyonhim，andhemustnotgoabroad，wouldnotMissBeatrixholdhimcompanyatagameofcards？
Atthis，lookingupatEsmond，andtakingthesignalfromhim，LordCastlewoodinformedhisRoyalHighness*thathissisterBeatrixwasnotatKensington;andthatherfamilyhadthoughtitbestsheshouldquitthetown。
*InLondonweaddressedthePrinceasRoyalHighnessinvariably，thoughthewomenpersistedingivinghimthetitleofKing。
\"NotatKensington！\"sayshe;\"issheill？shewaswellyesterday;
whereforeshouldshequitthetown？Isitatyourorders，mylord，orColonelEsmond\'s，whoseemsthemasterofthishouse？\"
\"Notofthis，sir，\"saysFrankverynobly，\"onlyofourhouseinthecountry，whichhehathgiventous。Thisismymother\'shouse，andWalcoteismyfather\'s，andtheMarquisofEsmondknowshehathbuttogivehisword，andIreturnhistohim。\"
\"TheMarquisofEsmond！——theMarquisofEsmond，\"saysthePrince，tossingoffaglass，\"meddlestoomuchwithmyaffairs，andpresumesontheservicehehathdoneme。IfyouwanttocarryyoursuitwithBeatrix，mylord，byblockingherupingaol，letmetellyouthatisnotthewaytowinawoman。\"
\"Iwasnotaware，sir，thatIhadspokenofmysuittoMadamBeatrixtoyourRoyalHighness。\"
\"Bah，bah，Monsieur！weneednotbeaconjurertoseethat。Itmakesitselfseenatallmoments。Youarejealous，mylord，andthemaidofhonorcannotlookatanotherfacewithoutyoursbeginningtoscowl。Thatwhichyoudoisunworthy，Monsieur;isinhospitable——is，islache，yes，lache:（hespokerapidlyinFrench，hisragecarryinghimawaywitheachphrase:）\"Icometoyourhouse;Iriskmylife;Ipassitinennui;Ireposemyselfonyourfidelity;Ihavenocompanybutyourlordship\'ssermonsortheconversationsofthatadorableyounglady，andyoutakeherfromme，andyou，yourest！Merci，Monsieur！IshallthankyouwhenI
havethemeans;Ishallknowtorecompenseadevotionalittleimportunate，mylord——alittleimportunate。Foramonthpastyourairsofprotectorhaveannoyedmebeyondmeasure。Youdeigntooffermethecrown，andbidmetakeitonmykneeslikeKingJohn——
eh！Iknowmyhistory，Monsieur，andmockmyselfoffrowningbarons。Iadmireyourmistress，andyousendhertoaBastileoftheProvince;Ienteryourhouse，andyoumistrustme。Iwillleaveit，Monsieur;fromto—nightIwillleaveit。Ihaveotherfriendswhoseloyaltywillnotbesoreadytoquestionmine。IfI
havegarterstogiveaway，\'tistonoblemenwhoarenotsoreadytothinkevil。Bringmeacoachandletmequitthisplace，orletthefairBeatrixreturntoit。Iwillnothaveyourhospitalityattheexpenseofthefreedomofthatfaircreature。\"
ThisharanguewasutteredwithrapidgesticulationsuchastheFrenchuse，andinthelanguageofthatnation。ThePrincestridingupanddowntheroom;hisfaceflushed，andhishandstremblingwithanger。Hewasverythinandfrailfromrepeatedillnessandalifeofpleasure。EitherCastlewoodorEsmondcouldhavebrokehimacrosstheirknee，andinhalfaminute\'sstruggleputanendtohim;andherehewasinsultingusboth，andscarcedeigningtohidefromthetwo，whosehonoritmostconcerned，thepassionhefeltfortheyoungladyofourfamily。MyLordCastlewoodrepliedtothePrince\'stiradeverynoblyandsimply。
\"Sir，\"sayshe，\"yourRoyalHighnessispleasedtoforgetthatothersrisktheirlives，andforyourcause。VeryfewEnglishmen，pleaseGod，woulddaretolayhandsonyoursacredperson，thoughnonewouldeverthinkofrespectingours。Ourfamily\'slivesareatyourservice，andeverythingwehaveexceptourhonor。\"
\"Honor！bah，sir，whoeverthoughtofhurtingyourhonor？\"saysthePrincewithapeevishair。
\"WeimploreyourRoyalHighnessnevertothinkofhurtingit，\"saysLordCastlewoodwithalowbow。Thenightbeingwarm，thewindowswereopenbothtowardstheGardensandtheSquare。ColonelEsmondheardthroughthecloseddoorthevoiceofthewatchmancallingthehour，inthesquareontheotherside。HeopenedthedoorcommunicatingwiththePrince\'sroom;Martin，theservantthathadrodewithBeatrixtoHounslow，wasjustgoingoutofthechamberasEsmondenteredit，andwhenthefellowwasgone，andthewatchmanagainsanghiscryof\"Pastteno\'clock，andastarlightnight，\"
EsmondspoketothePrinceinalowvoice，andsaid——\"YourRoyalHighnesshearsthatman。\"
\"Apres，Monsieur？\"saysthePrince。
\"Ihavebuttobeckonhimfromthewindow，andsendhimfiftyyards，andhereturnswithaguardofmen，andIdeliveruptohimthebodyofthepersoncallinghimselfJamestheThird，forwhosecaptureParliamenthathofferedarewardof500L。，asyourRoyalHighnesssawonourridefromRochester。Ihavebuttosaytheword，and，bytheheaventhatmademe，IwouldsayitifIthoughtthePrince，forhishonor\'ssake，wouldnotdesistfrominsultingours。ButthefirstgentlemanofEnglandknowshisdutytoowelltoforgethimselfwiththehumblest，orperilhiscrownforadeedthatwereshamefulifitweredone。\"
\"Hasyourlordshipanythingtosay，\"saysthePrince，turningtoFrankCastlewood，andquitepalewithanger;\"anythreatoranyinsult，withwhichyouwouldliketoendthisagreeablenight\'sentertainment？\"
\"Ifollowtheheadofourhouse，\"saysCastlewood，bowinggravely。
\"AtwhattimeshallitpleasethePrincethatweshouldwaituponhiminthemorning？\"
\"YouwillwaitontheBishopofRochesterearly，youwillbidhimbringhiscoachhither;andprepareanapartmentformeinhisownhouse，orinaplaceofsafety。TheKingwillrewardyouhandsomely，neverfear，forallyouhavedoneinhisbehalf。Iwishyouagoodnight，andshallgotobed，unlessitpleasestheMarquisofEsmondtocallhiscolleague，thewatchman，andthatIshouldpassthenightwiththeKensingtonguard。Fareyouwell，besureIwillrememberyou。MyLordCastlewood，Icangotobedto—nightwithoutneedofachamberlain。\"AndthePrincedismisseduswithagrimbow，lockingonedoorashespoke，thatintothesupping—room，andtheotherthroughwhichwepassed，afterus。ItledintothesmallchamberwhichFrankCastlewoodorMONSIEURBAPTISTEoccupied，andbywhichMartinenteredwhenColonelEsmondbutnowsawhiminthechamber。
AtanearlyhournextmorningtheBishoparrived，andwasclosetedforsometimewithhismasterinhisownapartment，wherethePrincelaidopentohiscounsellorthewrongswhich，accordingtohisversion，hehadreceivedfromthegentlemenoftheEsmondfamily。Theworthyprelatecameoutfromtheconferencewithanairofgreatsatisfaction;hewasamanfullofresources，andofamostassuredfidelity，andpossessedofgenius，andahundredgoodqualities;butcaptiousandofamostjealoustemper，thatcouldnothelpexultingatthedownfallofanyfavorite;andhewaspleasedinspiteofhimselftohearthattheEsmondMinistrywasatanend。
\"Ihavesoothedyourguest，\"sayshe，comingouttothetwogentlemenandthewidow;whohadbeenmadeacquaintedwithsomewhatofthedisputeofthenightbefore。（Bytheversionwegaveher，thePrincewasonlymadetoexhibitangerbecausewedoubtedofhisintentionsinrespecttoBeatrix;andtoleaveus，becausewequestionedhishonor。）\"ButIthink，allthingsconsidered，\'tisaswellheshouldleavethishouse;andthen，myLadyCastlewood，\"
saystheBishop，\"myprettyBeatrixmaycomebacktoit。\"
\"SheisquiteaswellathomeatCastlewood，\"Esmond\'smistresssaid，\"tilleverythingisover。\"
\"Youshallhaveyourtitle，Esmond，thatIpromiseyou，\"saysthegoodBishop，assumingtheairsofaPrimeMinister。\"ThePrincehathexpressedhimselfmostnoblyinregardofthelittledifferenceoflastnight，andIpromiseyouhehathlistenedtomysermon，aswellastothatofotherfolks，\"saystheDoctor，archly;\"hehatheverygreatandgenerousquality，withperhapsaweaknessforthesexwhichbelongstohisfamily，andhathbeenknowninscoresofpopularsovereignsfromKingDaviddownwards。\"
\"Mylord，mylord！\"breaksoutLadyEsmond，\"thelevitywithwhichyouspeakofsuchconducttowardsoursexshocksme，andwhatyoucallweaknessIcalldeplorablesin。\"
\"Sinitis，mydearcreature，\"saystheBishop，withashrug，takingsnuff;\"butconsiderwhatasinnerKingSolomonwas，andinspiteofathousandofwivestoo。\"
\"Enoughofthis，mylord，\"saysLadyCastlewood，withafineblush，andwalkedoutoftheroomverystately。
ThePrinceentereditpresentlywithasmileonhisface，andifhefeltanyoffenceagainstusonthepreviousnight，atpresentexhibitednone。Heofferedahandtoeachgentlemanwithgreatcourtesy。\"IfallyourbishopspreachsowellasDoctorAtterbury。\"sayshe，\"Idon\'tknow，gentlemen，whatmayhappentome。Ispokeveryhastily，mylords，lastnight，andaskpardonofbothofyou。ButImustnotstayanylonger，\"sayshe，\"givingumbragetogoodfriends，orkeepingprettygirlsawayfromtheirhomes。MyLordBishophathfoundasafeplaceforme，hardbyatacurate\'shouse，whomtheBishopcantrust，andwhosewifeissouglyastobebeyondalldanger;wewilldecampintothosenewquarters，andIleaveyou，thankingyouforahundredkindnesseshere。Whereismyhostess，thatImaybidherfarewell;towelcomeherinahouseofmyown，soon，Itrust，wheremyfriendsshallhavenocausetoquarrelwithme。\"
LadyCastlewoodarrivedpresently，blushingwithgreatgrace，andtearsfillinghereyesasthePrincegraciouslysalutedher。Shelookedsocharmingandyoung，thatthedoctor，inhisbanteringway，couldnothelpspeakingofherbeautytothePrince;whosecomplimentmadeherblush，andlookmorecharmingstill。
CHAPTERXII。
AGREATSCHEME，ANDWHOBALKEDIT。
Ascharacterswrittenwithasecretinkcomeoutwiththeapplicationoffire，anddisappearagainandleavethepaperwhite，assoonasitiscool;ahundrednamesofmen，highinreputeandfavoringthePrince\'scause，thatwerewritinourprivatelists，wouldhavebeenvisibleenoughonthegreatrolloftheconspiracy，haditeverbeenlaidopenunderthesun。Whatcrowdswouldhavepressedforward，andsubscribedtheirnamesandprotestedtheirloyalty，whenthedangerwasover！WhatanumberofWhigs，nowhighinplaceandcreaturesoftheall—powerfulMinister，scornedMr。Walpolethen！Ifeveramatchwasgainedbythemanlinessanddecisionofafewatamomentofdanger;ifeveronewaslostbythetreacheryandimbecilityofthosethathadthecardsintheirhands，andmighthaveplayedthem，itwasinthatmomentousgamewhichwasenactedinthenextthreedays，andofwhichthenoblestcrownintheworldwasthestake。
FromtheconductofmyLordBolingbroke，thosewhowereinterestedintheschemewehadinhand，sawprettywellthathewasnottobetrusted。ShouldthePrinceprevail，itwashislordship\'sgraciousintentiontodeclareforhim:shouldtheHanoverianpartybringintheirsovereign，whomorereadytogoonhisknee，andcry，\"GodSaveKingGeorge？\"AndhebetrayedtheonePrinceandtheother;
butexactlyatthewrongtime。WhenheshouldhavestruckforKingJames，hefalteredandcoquettedwiththeWhigs;andhavingcommittedhimselfbythemostmonstrousprofessionsofdevotion，whichtheElectorrightlyscorned，heprovedthejustnessoftheircontemptforhimbyflyingandtakingrenegadeservicewithSt。
Germains，justwhenheshouldhavekeptaloof:andthatCourtdespisedhim，asthemanlyandresolutemenwhoestablishedtheElectorinEnglandhadbeforedone。Hesignedhisownnametoeveryaccusationofinsincerityhisenemiesmadeagainsthim;andtheKingandthePretenderalikecouldshowproofsofSt。John\'streacheryunderhisownhandandseal。
Ourfriendskeptaprettyclosewatchuponhismotions，asonthoseofthebraveandheartyWhigparty，thatmadelittleconcealmentoftheirs。TheywouldhaveintheElector，andusedeverymeansintheirpowertoeffecttheirend。MyLordMarlboroughwasnowwiththem。HisexpulsionfrompowerbytheTorieshadthrownthatgreatcaptainatonceontheWhigside。WeheardhewascomingfromAntwerp;and，infact，onthedayoftheQueen\'sdeath，heoncemorelandedonEnglishshore。Agreatpartofthearmywasalwayswiththeirillustriousleader;eventheToriesinitwereindignantattheinjusticeofthepersecutionwhichtheWhigofficersweremadetoundergo。ThechiefsofthesewereinLondon，andattheheadofthemoneofthemostintrepidmenintheworld，theScotsDukeofArgyle，whoseconductontheseconddayafterthattowhichIhavenowbroughtdownmyhistory，ended，assuchhonestyandbraverydeservedtoend，byestablishingthepresentRoyalraceontheEnglishthrone。
MeanwhiletherewasnoslightdifferenceofopinionamongstthecouncillorssurroundingthePrince，astotheplanhisHighnessshouldpursue。HisfemaleMinisteratCourt，fancyingshesawsomeameliorationintheQueen，wasforwaitingafewdays，orhoursitmightbe，untilhecouldbebroughttoherbedside，andacknowledgedasherheir。Mr。Esmondwasforhavinghimmarchthither，escortedbyacoupleoftroopsofHorseGuards，andopenlypresentinghimselftotheCouncil。Duringthewholeofthenightofthe29th—30thJuly，theColonelwasengagedwithgentlemenofthemilitaryprofession，whom\'tisneedlessheretoname;sufficeittosaythatseveralofthemhadexceedinghighrankinthearmy，andoneoftheminespecialwasaGeneral，who，whenheheardtheDukeofMarlboroughwascomingontheotherside，wavedhiscrutchoverhisheadwithahuzzah，attheideathatheshouldmarchoutandengagehim。OfthethreeSecretariesofState，weknewthatonewasdevotedtous。TheGovernoroftheTowerwasours;thetwocompaniesondutyatKensingtonbarrackweresafe;andwehadintelligence，veryspeedyandaccurate，ofallthattookplaceatthePalacewithin。
Atnoon，onthe30thofJuly，amessagecametothePrince\'sfriendsthattheCommitteeofCouncilwassittingatKensingtonPalace，theirGracesofOrmondeandShrewsbury，theArchbishopofCanterburyandthethreeSecretariesofState，beingthereassembled。Inanhourafterwards，hurriednewswasbroughtthatthetwogreatWhigDukes，ArgyleandSomerset，hadbrokeintotheCouncil—chamberwithoutasummons，andtakentheirseatattable。
Afterholdingadebatethere，thewholepartyproceededtothechamberoftheQueen，whowaslyingingreatweakness，butstillsensible，andtheLordsrecommendedhisGraceofShrewsburyasthefittestpersontotakethevacantplaceofLordTreasurer;herMajestygavehimthestaff，asallknow。\"Andnow，\"writmymessengerfromCourt，\"NOWORNEVERISTHETIME。\"
Noworneverwasthetimeindeed。InspiteoftheWhigDukes，oursidehadstillthemajorityintheCouncil，andEsmond，towhomthemessagehadbeenbrought，（thepersonageatCourtnotbeingawarethatthePrincehadquittedhislodginginKensingtonSquare，）andEsmond\'sgallantyoungaide—de—camp，FrankCastlewood，puttingonswordanduniform，tookabriefleaveoftheirdearlady，whoembracedandblessedthemboth，andwenttoherchambertoprayfortheissueofthegreateventwhichwasthenpending。
CastlewoodspedtothebarracktogivewarningtothecaptainoftheGuardthere;andthenwenttothe\"King\'sArms\"tavernatKensington，whereourfriendswereassembled，havingcomebypartiesoftwosandthrees，ridingorincoaches，andweregottogetherintheupperchamber，fifty—threeofthem;theirservants，whohadbeeninstructedtobringarmslikewise，beingbelowinthegardenofthetavern，wheretheywereservedwithdrink。OutofthisgardenisalittledoorthatleadsintotheroadofthePalace，andthroughthisitwasarrangedthatmastersandservantsweretomarch;whenthatsignalwasgiven，andthatPersonageappeared，forwhomallwerewaiting。TherewasinourcompanythefamousofficernextincommandtotheCaptain—GeneraloftheForces，hisGracetheDukeofOrmonde，whowaswithinattheCouncil。Therewerewithhimtwomorelieutenant—generals，ninemajor—generalsandbrigadiers，sevencolonels，elevenPeersofParliament，andtwenty—onemembersoftheHouseofCommons。TheGuardwaswithuswithinandwithoutthePalace:theQueenwaswithus;theCouncil（savethetwoWhigDukes，thatmusthavesuccumbed）;thedaywasourown，andwithabeatingheartEsmondwalkedrapidlytotheMallofKensington，wherehehadpartedwiththePrinceonthenightbefore。ForthreenightstheColonelhadnotbeentobed:thelasthadbeenpassedsummoningthePrince\'sfriendstogether，ofwhomthegreatmajorityhadnosortofinklingofthetransactionpendinguntiltheyweretoldthathewasactuallyonthespot，andweresummonedtostriketheblow。ThenightbeforeandafterthealtercationwiththePrince，mygentleman，havingsuspicionsofhisRoyalHighness，andfearinglestheshouldbemindedtogiveustheslip，andflyoffafterhisfugitivebeauty，hadspent，ifthetruthmustbetold，atthe\"Greyhound\"tavern，overagainstmyLadyCastlewood\'shouseinKensingtonSquare，withaneyeonthedoor，lestthePrinceshouldescapefromit。Thenightbeforethathehadpassedinhisbootsatthe\"Crown\"atHounslow，wherehemustwatchforsoothallnight，inordertogetonemoment\'sglimpseofBeatrixinthemorning。
Andfatehaddecreedthathewastohaveafourthnight\'srideandwakefulnessbeforehisbusinesswasended。
Herantothecurate\'shouseinKensingtonMall，andaskedforMr。
Bates，thenamethePrincewentby。Thecurate\'swifesaidMr。
Bateshadgoneabroadveryearlyinthemorninginhisboots，sayinghewasgoingtotheBishopofRochester\'shouseatChelsey。
