ButtheBishophadbeenatKensingtonhimselftwohoursagotoseekforMr。Bates，andhadreturnedinhiscoachtohisownhouse，whenheheardthatthegentlemanwasgonethithertoseekhim。
Thisabsencewasmostunpropitious，foranhour\'sdelaymightcostakingdom;Esmondhadnothingforitbuttohastentothe\"King\'sArms，\"andtellthegentlementhereassembledthatMr。George（aswecalledthePrincethere）wasnotathome，butthatEsmondwouldgofetchhim;andtakingaGeneral\'scoachthathappenedtobethere，EsmonddroveacrossthecountrytoChelsey，totheBishop\'shousethere。
Theportersaidtwogentlemenwerewithhislordship，andEsmondranpastthissentryuptothelockeddooroftheBishop\'sstudy，atwhichherattled，andwasadmittedpresently。OftheBishop\'sguestsonewasabrotherprelate，andtheothertheAbbeG————。
\"WhereisMr。George？\"saysMr。Esmond;\"nowisthetime。\"TheBishoplookedscared:\"Iwenttohislodging，\"hesaid，\"andtheytoldmehewascomehither。Ireturnedasquickascoachwouldcarryme;andhehathnotbeenhere。\"
TheColonelburstoutwithanoath;thatwasallhecouldsaytotheirreverences;randownthestairsagain，andbiddingthecoachman，anoldfriendandfellow—campaigner，driveasifhewaschargingtheFrenchwithhismasteratWynendael——theywerebackatKensingtoninhalfanhour。
AgainEsmondwenttothecurate\'shouse。Mr。Bateshadnotreturned。TheColonelhadtogowiththisblankerrandtothegentlemenatthe\"King\'sArms，\"thatweregrownveryimpatientbythistime。
Outofthewindowofthetavern，andlookingoverthegardenwall，youcanseethegreenbeforeKensingtonPalace，thePalacegate（roundwhichtheMinisters\'coacheswerestanding），andthebarrackbuilding。Aswewerelookingoutfromthiswindowingloomydiscourse，weheardpresentlytrumpetsblowing，andsomeofusrantothewindowofthefront—room，lookingintotheHighStreetofKensington，andsawaregimentofHorsecoming。
\"It\'sOrmonde\'sGuards，\"saysone。
\"No，byGod，it\'sArgyle\'soldregiment！\"saysmyGeneral，clappingdownhiscrutch。
Itwas，indeed，Argyle\'sregimentthatwasbroughtfromWestminster，andthattooktheplaceoftheregimentatKensingtononwhichwecouldrely。
\"Oh，Harry！\"saysoneofthegeneralstherepresent，\"youwerebornunderanunluckystar;Ibegintothinkthatthere\'snoMr。George，norMr。Dragoneither。\'TisnotthepeerageIcarefor，forournameissoancientandfamous，thatmerelytobecalledLordLydiardwoulddomenogood;but\'tisthechanceyoupromisedmeoffightingMarlborough。\"
Asweweretalking，Castlewoodenteredtheroomwithadisturbedair。
\"Whatnews，Frank？\"saystheColonel。\"IsMr。Georgecomingatlast？\"
\"Damnhim，lookhere！\"saysCastlewood，holdingoutapaper。\"I
founditinthebook——thewhatyoucallit，\'EikumBasilikum，\'——
thatvillainMartinputitthere——hesaidhisyoungmistressbadehim。Itwasdirectedtome，butitwasmeantforhimIknow，andI
brokethesealandreadit。\"
ThewholeassemblyofofficersseemedtoswimawaybeforeEsmond\'seyesashereadthepaper;allthatwaswrittenonitwas:——
\"BeatrixEsmondissentawaytoprison，toCastlewood，whereshewillprayforhappierdays。\"
\"Canyouguesswhereheis？\"saysCastlewood。
\"Yes，\"saysColonelEsmond。Heknewfullwell，Frankknewfullwell:ourinstincttoldwhitherthattraitorhadfled。
Hehadcouragetoturntothecompanyandsay，\"Gentlemen，IfearverymuchthatMr。Georgewillnotbehereto—day;somethinghathhappened——and——and——Iverymuchfearsomeaccidentmaybefallhim，whichmustkeephimoutoftheway。Havinghadyournoon\'sdraught，youhadbestpaythereckoningandgohome;therecanbenogamewherethereisnoonetoplayit。\"
Someofthegentlemenwentawaywithoutaword，otherscalledtopaytheirdutytoherMajestyandaskforherhealth。Thelittlearmydisappearedintothedarknessoutofwhichithadbeencalled;
therehadbeennowritings，nopapertoimplicateanyman。SomefewofficersandMembersofParliamenthadbeeninvitedovernighttobreakfastatthe\"King\'sArms，\"atKensington;andtheyhadcalledfortheirbillandgonehome。
CHAPTERXIII。
AUGUST1ST，1714。
\"Doesmymistressknowofthis？\"EsmondaskedofFrank，astheywalkedalong。
\"Mymotherfoundtheletterinthebook，onthetoilet—table。Shehadwrititereshehadlefthome，\"Franksaid。\"Mothermetheronthestairs，withherhanduponthedoor，tryingtoenter，andneverleftherafterthattillshewentaway。Hedidnotthinkoflookingatitthere，norhadMartinthechanceoftellinghim。I
believethepoordevilmeantnoharm，thoughIhalfkilledhim;hethought\'twastoBeatrix\'sbrotherhewasbringingtheletter。\"
Frankneversaidawordofreproachtomeforhavingbroughtthevillainamongstus。AsweknockedatthedoorIsaid，\"Whenwillthehorsesbeready？\"Frankpointedwithhiscane，theywereturningthestreetthatmoment。
Wewentupandbadeadieutoourmistress;shewasinadreadfulstateofagitationbythistime，andthatBishopwaswithherwhosecompanyshewassofondof。
\"Didyoutellhim，mylord，\"saysEsmond，\"thatBeatrixwasatCastlewood？\"TheBishopblushedandstammered:\"Well，\"sayshe，\"I……\"
\"Youservedthevillainright，\"brokeoutMr。Esmond，\"andhehaslostacrownbywhatyoutoldhim。\"
Mymistressturnedquitewhite，\"Henry，Henry，\"saysshe，\"donotkillhim。\"
\"Itmaynotbetoolate，\"saysEsmond;\"hemaynothavegonetoCastlewood;prayGod，itisnottoolate。\"TheBishopwasbreakingoutwithsomebanalephrasesaboutloyalty，andthesacrednessoftheSovereign\'sperson;butEsmondsternlybadehimholdhistongue，burnallpapers，andtakecareofLadyCastlewood;andinfiveminutesheandFrankwereinthesaddle，JohnLockwoodbehindthem，ridingtowardsCastlewoodatarapidpace。
WewerejustgottoAlton，whenwhoshouldmeetusbutoldLockwood，theporterfromCastlewood，John\'sfather，walkingbythesideoftheHextonflying—coach，whosleptthenightatAlton。
LockwoodsaidhisyoungmistresshadarrivedathomeonWednesdaynight，andthismorning，Friday，haddespatchedhimwithapacketformyladyatKensington，sayingtheletterwasofgreatimportance。
Wetookthefreedomtobreakit，whileLockwoodstaredwithwonder，andcriedouthis\"Lordblessme\'s，\"and\"Who\'dathoughtit\'s，\"atthesightofhisyounglord，whomhehadnotseenthesesevenyears。
ThepacketfromBeatrixcontainednonewsofimportanceatall。Itwaswritteninajocularstrain，affectingtomakelightofhercaptivity。SheaskedwhethershemighthaveleavetovisitMrs。
Tusher，ortowalkbeyondthecourtandthegardenwall。Shegavenewsofthepeacocks，andafawnshehadthere。ShebadehermothersendhercertaingownsandsmocksbyoldLockwood;shesentherdutytoacertainPerson，ifcertainotherpersonspermittedhertotakesuchafreedom;howthat，asshewasnotabletoplaycardswithhim，shehopedhewouldreadgoodbooks，suchasDoctorAtterbury\'ssermonsand\"EikonBasilike:\"shewasgoingtoreadgoodbooks;shethoughtherprettymammawouldliketoknowshewasnotcryinghereyesout。
\"Whoisinthehousebesidesyou，Lockwood？\"saystheColonel。
\"Therebethelaundry—maid，andthekitchen—maid，MadamBeatrix\'smaid，themanfromLondon，andthatbeall;andhesleepethinmylodgeawayfromthemaids，\"saysoldLockwood。
Esmondscribbledalinewithapencilonthenote，givingittotheoldman，andbiddinghimgoontohislady。WeknewwhyBeatrixhadbeensodutifulonasudden，andwhyshespokeof\"EikonBasilike。\"ShewritthislettertoputthePrinceonthescent，andtheporteroutoftheway。
\"Wehaveafinemoonlightnightforridingon，\"saysEsmond;
\"Frank，wemayreachCastlewoodintimeyet。\"Allthewayalongtheymadeinquiriesatthepost—houses，whenatallyounggentlemaninagraysuit，withalightbrownperiwig，justthecolorofmylord\'s，hadbeenseentopass。Hehadsetoffatsixthatmorning，andweatthreeintheafternoon。Herodealmostasquicklyaswehaddone;hewassevenhoursa—headofusstillwhenwereachedthelaststage。
WerodeoverCastlewoodDownsbeforethebreakingofdawn。Wepassedtheveryspotwherethecarwasupsetfourteenyearssince，andMohunlay。Thevillagewasnotupyet，northeforgelighted，aswerodethroughit，passingbytheelms，wheretherookswerestillroosting，andbythechurch，andoverthebridge。Wegotoffourhorsesatthebridgeandwalkeduptothegate。
\"Ifsheissafe，\"saysFrank，trembling，andhishonesteyesfillingwithtears，\"asilverstatuetoOurLady！\"Hewasgoingtorattleatthegreatironknockerontheoakgate;butEsmondstoppedhiskinsman\'shand。Hehadhisownfears，hisownhopes，hisowndespairsandgriefs，too;buthespokenotawordofthesetohiscompanion，orshowedanysignsofemotion。
Hewentandtappedatthelittlewindowattheporter\'slodge，gently，butrepeatedly，untilthemancametothebars。
\"Who\'sthere？\"sayshe，lookingout;itwastheservantfromKensington。
\"MyLordCastlewoodandColonelEsmond，\"wesaid，frombelow。
\"Openthegateandletusinwithoutanynoise。\"
\"MyLordCastlewood？\"saystheother;\"mylord\'shere，andinbed。\"
\"Open，d——nyou，\"saysCastlewood，withacurse。
\"Ishallopentonoone，\"saystheman，shuttingtheglasswindowasFrankdrewapistol。Hewouldhavefiredattheporter，butEsmondagainheldhishand。
\"Therearemorewaysthanone，\"sayshe，\"ofenteringsuchagreathouseasthis。\"Frankgrumbledthatthewestgatewashalfamileround。\"ButIknowofawaythat\'snotahundredyardsoff，\"saysMr。Esmond;andleadinghiskinsmanclosealongthewall，andbytheshrubswhichhadnowgrownthickonwhathadbeenanoldmoataboutthehouse，theycametothebuttress，atthesideofwhichthelittlewindowwas，whichwasFatherHolt\'sprivatedoor。
Esmondclimbeduptothiseasily，brokeapanethathadbeenmended，andtouchedthespringinside，andthetwogentlemenpassedinthatway，treadingaslightlyastheycould;andsogoingthroughthepassageintothecourt，overwhichthedawnwasnowreddening，andwherethefountainplashedinthesilence。
Theyspedinstantlytotheporter\'slodge，wherethefellowhadnotfastenedhisdoorthatledintothecourt;andpistolinhandcameupontheterrifiedwretch，andbadehimbesilent。Thentheyaskedhim（Esmond\'sheadreeled，andhealmostfellashespoke）whenLordCastlewoodhadarrived？Hesaidonthepreviousevening，abouteightoftheclock。——\"Andwhatthen？\"——Hislordshipsuppedwithhissister。——\"Didthemanwait？\"Yes，heandmylady\'smaidbothwaited:theotherservantsmadethesupper;andtherewasnowine，andtheycouldgivehislordshipbutmilk，atwhichhegrumbled;and——andMadamBeatrixkeptMissLucyalwaysintheroomwithher。AndtherebeingabedacrossthecourtintheChaplain\'sroom，shehadarrangedmylordwastosleepthere。MadamBeatrixhadcomedownstairslaughingwiththemaids，andhadlockedherselfin，andmylordhadstoodforawhiletalkingtoherthroughthedoor，andshelaughingathim。Andthenhepacedthecourtawhile，andshecameagaintotheupperwindow;andmylordimploredhertocomedownandwalkintheroom;butshewouldnot，andlaughedathimagain，andshutthewindow;andsomylord，utteringwhatseemedcurses，butinaforeignlanguage，wenttotheChaplain\'sroomtobed。
\"Wasthisall！\"——\"All，\"themansworeuponhishonor;allashehopedtobesaved。——\"Stop，therewasonethingmore。Mylord，onarriving，andonceortwiceduringsupper，didkisshissister，aswasnatural，andshekissedhim。\"AtthisEsmondgroundhisteethwithrage，andwellnighthrottledtheamazedmiscreantwhowasspeaking，whereasCastlewood，seizingholdofhiscousin\'shand，burstintoagreatfitoflaughter。
\"Ifitamusesthee，\"saysEsmondinFrench，\"thatyoursistershouldbeexchangingofkisseswithastranger，IfearpoorBeatrixwillgivetheeplentyofsport。\"——Esmonddarklythought，howHamilton，Ashburnham，hadbeforebeenmastersofthoserosesthattheyoungPrince\'slipswerenowfeedingon。Hesickenedatthatnotion。Hercheekwasdesecrated，herbeautytarnished;shameandhonorstoodbetweenitandhim。Thelovewasdeadwithinhim;hadsheacrowntobringhimwithherlove，hefeltthatbothwoulddegradehim。
ButthiswrathagainstBeatrixdidnotlessentheangryfeelingsoftheColonelagainstthemanwhohadbeentheoccasionifnotthecauseoftheevil。Franksatdownonastonebenchinthecourt—
yard，andfairlyfellasleep，whileEsmondpacedupanddownthecourt，debatingwhatshouldensue。WhatmatteredhowmuchorhowlittlehadpassedbetweenthePrinceandthepoorfaithlessgirl？
Theywerearrivedintimeperhapstorescueherperson，butnothermind;hadshenotinstigatedtheyoungPrincetocometoher;
subornedservants，dismissedothers，sothatshemightcommunicatewithhim？Thetreacherousheartwithinherhadsurrendered，thoughtheplacewassafe;anditwastowinthisthathehadgivenalife\'sstruggleanddevotion;this，thatshewasreadytogiveawayforthebribeofacoronetorawinkofthePrince\'seye。
WhenhehadthoughthisthoughtsoutheshookuppoorFrankfromhissleep，whoroseyawning，andsaidhehadbeendreamingofClotilda。\"Youmustbackme，\"saysEsmond，inwhatIamgoingtodo。Ihavebeenthinkingthatyonderscoundrelmayhavebeeninstructedtotellthatstory，andthatthewholeofitmaybealie;ifitbe，weshallfinditoutfromthegentlemanwhoisasleepyonder。Seeifthedoorleadingtomylady\'srooms，\"（sowecalledtheroomsatthenorth—westangleofthehouse，）\"seeifthedoorisbarredashesaith。\"Wetried;itwasindeedasthelackeyhadsaid，closedwithin。
\"Itmayhavebeenopenedandshutafterwards，\"sayspoorEsmond;
\"thefoundressofourfamilyletourancestorininthatway。\"
\"Whatwillyoudo，Harry，if——ifwhatthatfellowsaithshouldturnoutuntrue？\"Theyoungmanlookedscaredandfrightenedintohiskinsman\'sface;Idaresayitworenoverypleasantexpression。
\"Letusfirstgoseewhetherthetwostoriesagree，\"saysEsmond;
andwentinatthepassageandopenedthedoorintowhathadbeenhisownchambernowforwellnighfive—and—twentyyears。Acandlewasstillburning，andthePrinceasleepdressedonthebed——Esmonddidnotcareformakinganoise。ThePrincestartedupinhisbed，seeingtwomeninhischamber。\"Quiestla\"sayshe，andtookapistolfromunderhispillow。
\"ItistheMarquisofEsmond，\"saystheColonel，\"cometowelcomehisMajestytohishouseofCastlewood，andtoreportofwhathathhappenedinLondon。PursuanttotheKing\'sorders，Ipassedthenightbeforelast，afterleavinghisMajesty，inwaitinguponthefriendsoftheKing。ItisapitythathisMajesty\'sdesiretoseethecountryandtovisitourpoorhouseshouldhavecausedtheKingtoquitLondonwithoutnoticeyesterday，whentheopportunityhappenedwhichinallhumanprobabilitymaynotoccuragain;andhadtheKingnotchosentoridetoCastlewood，thePrinceofWalesmighthavesleptatSt。James\'s。\"
\"\'Sdeath！gentlemen，\"saysthePrince，startingoffhisbed，whereonhewaslyinginhisclothes，\"theDoctorwaswithmeyesterdaymorning，andafterwatchingbymysisterallnight，toldmeImightnothopetoseetheQueen。\"
\"Itwouldhavebeenotherwise，\"saysEsmondwithanotherbow;\"as，bythistime，theQueenmaybedeadinspiteoftheDoctor。TheCouncilwasmet，anewTreasurerwasappointed，thetroopsweredevotedtotheKing\'scause;andfiftyloyalgentlemenofthegreatestnamesofthiskingdomwereassembledtoaccompanythePrinceofWales，whomighthavebeentheacknowledgedheirofthethrone，orthepossessorofitbythistime，hadyourMajestynotchosentotaketheair。Wewereready;therewasonlyonepersonthatfailedus，yourMajesty\'sgracious——\"
\"Morbleu，Monsieur，yougivemetoomuchMajesty，\"saidthePrince，whohadnowrisenupandseemedtobelookingtooneofustohelphimtohiscoat。Butneitherstirred。
\"Weshalltakecare，\"saysEsmond，\"notmuchoftenertooffendinthatparticular。\"
\"Whatmeanyou，mylord？\"saysthePrince，andmutteredsomethingaboutaguet—a—pens，whichEsmondcaughtup。
\"Thesnare，Sir，\"saidhe，\"wasnotofourlaying;itisnotwethatinvitedyou。Wecametoavenge，andnottocompass，thedishonorofourfamily。\"
\"Dishonor！Morbleu，therehasbeennodishonor，\"saysthePrince，turningscarlet，\"onlyalittleharmlessplaying。\"
\"Thatwasmeanttoendseriously。\"
\"Iswear，\"thePrincebrokeoutimpetuously，\"uponthehonorofagentleman，mylords——\"
\"Thatwearrivedintime。Nowronghathbeendone，Frank，\"saysColonelEsmond，turningroundtoyoungCastlewood，whostoodatthedoorasthetalkwasgoingon。\"See！hereisapaperwhereonhisMajestyhasdeignedtocommencesomeversesinhonor，ordishonor，ofBeatrix。Hereis\'Madame\'and\'Flamme，\'\'Cruelle\'and\'Rebelle，\'and\'Amour\'and\'Jour\'intheRoyalwritingandspelling。HadtheGraciousloverbeenhappy，hehadnotpassedhistimeinsighing。\"Infact，andactuallyashewasspeaking，Esmondcasthiseyesdowntowardsthetable，andsawapaperonwhichmyyoungPrincehadbeenscrawlingamadrigal，thatwastofinishhischarmeronthemorrow。
\"Sir，\"saysthePrince，burningwithrage（hehadassumedhisRoyalcoatunassistedbythistime），\"didIcomeheretoreceiveinsults？\"
\"Toconferthem，mayitpleaseyourMajesty，\"saystheColonel，withaverylowbow，\"andthegentlemenofourfamilyarecometothankyou。\"
\"Malediction！\"saystheyoungman，tearsstartingintohiseyeswithhelplessrageandmortification。\"Whatwillyouwithme，gentlemen？\"
\"IfyourMajestywillpleasetoenterthenextapartment，\"saysEsmond，preservinghisgravetone，\"IhavesomepaperstherewhichIwouldgladlysubmittoyou，andbyyourpermissionIwillleadtheway;\"and，takingthetaperup，andbackingbeforethePrincewithverygreatceremony，Mr。EsmondpassedintothelittleChaplain\'sroom，throughwhichwehadjustenteredintothehouse:——
\"PleasetosetachairforhisMajesty，Frank，\"saystheColoneltohiscompanion，whowonderedalmostasmuchatthisscene，andwasasmuchpuzzledbyit，astheotheractorinit。Thengoingtothecryptoverthemantel—piece，theColonelopenedit，anddrewthencethepaperswhichsolonghadlainthere。
\"Here，mayitpleaseyourMajesty，\"sayshe，\"isthePatentofMarquissentoverbyyourRoyalFatheratSt。GermainstoViscountCastlewood，myfather:hereisthewitnessedcertificateofmyfather\'smarriagetomymother，andofmybirthandchristening;I
waschristenedofthatreligionofwhichyoursaintedsiregaveallthroughlifesoshiningexample。Thesearemytitles，dearFrank，andthiswhatIdowiththem:heregoBaptismandMarriage，andheretheMarquisateandtheAugustSign—Manual，withwhichyourpredecessorwaspleasedtohonorourrace。\"AndasEsmondspokehesetthepapersburninginthebrazier。\"Youwillplease，sir，toremember，\"hecontinued，\"thatourfamilyhathruineditselfbyfidelitytoyours:thatmygrandfatherspenthisestate，andgavehisbloodandhissontodieforyourservice;thatmydearlord\'sgrandfather（forlordyouarenow，Frank，byrightandtitletoo）
diedforthesamecause;thatmypoorkinswoman，myfather\'ssecondwife，aftergivingawayherhonortoyourwickedperjuredrace，sentallherwealthtotheKing;andgotinreturn，thatprecioustitlethatliesinashes，andthisinestimableyardofblueribbon。
Ilaythisatyourfeetandstampuponit:Idrawthissword，andbreakitanddenyyou;and，hadyoucompletedthewrongyoudesignedus，byheavenIwouldhavedrivenitthroughyourheart，andnomorepardonedyouthanyourfatherpardonedMonmouth。Frankwilldothesame，won\'tyou，cousin？\"
Frank，whohadbeenlookingonwithastupidairatthepapers，astheyflamedintheoldbrazier，tookouthisswordandbrokeit，holdinghisheaddown:——\"Igowithmycousin，\"sayshe，givingEsmondagraspofthehand。\"Marquisornot，by———，Istandbyhimanyday。IbegyourMajesty\'spardonforswearing;thatis——
thatis——I\'mfortheElectorofHanover。It\'sallyourMajesty\'sownfault。TheQueen\'sdeadmostlikelybythistime。AndyoumighthavebeenKingifyouhadn\'tcomedanglingafterTrix。\"
\"Thustoloseacrown，\"saystheyoungPrince，startingup，andspeakingFrenchinhiseagerway;\"tolosetheloveliestwomanintheworld;tolosetheloyaltyofsuchheartsasyours，isnotthis，mylords，enoughofhumiliation？——Marquis，ifIgoonmykneeswillyoupardonme？——No，Ican\'tdothat，butIcanofferyoureparation，thatofhonor，thatofgentlemen。Favormebycrossingtheswordwithmine:yoursisbroke——see，yonderinthearmoirearetwo;\"andthePrincetookthemoutaseagerasaboy，andheldthemtowardsEsmond:——\"Ah！youwill？Merci，monsieur，merci！\"
Extremelytouchedbythisimmensemarkofcondescensionandrepentanceforwrongdone，ColonelEsmondboweddownsolowasalmosttokissthegraciousyounghandthatconferredonhimsuchanhonor，andtookhisguardinsilence。Theswordswerenosoonermet，thanCastlewoodknockedupEsmond\'swiththebladeofhisown，whichhehadbrokeoffshortattheshell;andtheColonelfallingbackastepdroppedhispointwithanotherverylowbow，anddeclaredhimselfperfectlysatisfied。
\"Ehbien，Vicomte！\"saystheyoungPrince，whowasaboy，andaFrenchboy，\"ilnenousrestequ\'unechoseafaire:\"heplacedhissworduponthetable，andthefingersofhistwohandsuponhisbreast:——\"Wehaveonemorethingtodo，\"sayshe;\"youdonotdivineit？\"Hestretchedouthisarms:——\"Embrassonsnous！\"
ThetalkwasscarceoverwhenBeatrixenteredtheroom:——Whatcameshetoseekthere？Shestartedandturnedpaleatthesightofherbrotherandkinsman，drawnswords，brokensword—blades，andpapersyetsmoulderinginthebrazier。
\"CharmingBeatrix，\"saysthePrince，withablushwhichbecamehimverywell，\"theselordshavecomea—horsebackfromLondon，wheremysisterliesinadespairedstate，andwherehersuccessormakeshimselfdesired。Pardonmeformyescapadeoflastevening。Ihadbeensolongaprisoner，thatIseizedtheoccasionofapromenadeonhorseback，andmyhorsenaturallyboremetowardsyou。IfoundyouaQueeninyourlittlecourt，whereyoudeignedtoentertainme。Presentmyhomagestoyourmaidsofhonor。Isighedasyouslept，underthewindowofyourchamber，andthenretiredtoseekrestinmyown。Itwastherethatthesegentlemenagreeablyrousedme。Yes，milords，forthatisahappydaythatmakesaPrinceacquainted，atwhatevercosttohisvanity，withsuchanobleheartasthatoftheMarquisofEsmond。Mademoiselle，maywetakeyourcoachtotown？Isawitinthehangar，andthispoorMarquismustbedroppingwithsleep。\"
\"WillitpleasetheKingtobreakfastbeforehegoes？\"wasallBeatrixcouldsay。Theroseshadshudderedoutofhercheeks;hereyeswereglaring;shelookedquiteold。ShecameuptoEsmondandhissedoutawordortwo:——\"IfIdidnotloveyoubefore，cousin，\"
saysshe，\"thinkhowIloveyounow。\"Ifwordscouldstab，nodoubtshewouldhavekilledEsmond;shelookedathimasifshecould。
ButherkeenwordsgavenowoundtoMr。Esmond;hisheartwastoohard。Ashelookedather，hewonderedthathecouldeverhavelovedher。Hisloveoftenyearswasover;itfelldowndeadonthespot，attheKensingtonTavern，whereFrankbroughthimthenoteoutof\"EikonBasilike。\"ThePrinceblushedandbowedlow，asshegazedathim，andquittedthechamber。Ihaveneverseenherfromthatday。
Horseswerefetchedandputtothechariotpresently。Mylordrodeoutside，andasforEsmondhewassotiredthathewasnosoonerinthecarriagethanhefellasleep，andneverwoketillnight，asthecoachcameintoAlton。
Aswedrovetothe\"Bell\"InncomesamitredcoachwithouroldfriendLockwoodbesidethecoachman。MyLadyCastlewoodandtheBishopwereinside;shegavealittlescreamwhenshesawus。Thetwocoachesenteredtheinnalmosttogether;thelandlordandpeoplecomingoutwithlightstowelcomethevisitors。
Weinourcoachsprangoutofit，assoonaseverwesawthedearlady，andaboveall，theDoctorinhiscassock。Whatwasthenews？
Wasthereyettime？WastheQueenalive？Thesequestionswereputhurriedly，asBonifacestoodwaitingbeforehisnoblegueststobowthemupthestair。
\"Isshesafe？\"waswhatLadyCastlewoodwhisperedinafluttertoEsmond。
\"All\'swell，thankGod，\"sayshe，asthefondladytookhishandandkissedit，andcalledhimherpreserverandherdear。SHE
wasn\'tthinkingofQueensandcrowns。
TheBishop\'snewswasreassuring:atleastallwasnotlost;theQueenyetbreathed，orwasalivewhentheyleftLondon，sixhourssince。（\"ItwasLadyCastlewoodwhoinsistedoncoming，\"theDoctorsaid。）ArgylehadmarchedupregimentsfromPortsmouth，andsentabroadformore;theWhigswereonthealert，apestonthem，（IamnotsurebuttheBishopsworeashespoke，）andsotoowereourpeople。Andallmightbesaved，ifonlythePrincecouldbeatLondonintime。Wecalledforhorses，instantlytoreturntoLondon。WeneverwentuppoorcrestfallenBoniface\'sstairs，butintoourcoachesagain。ThePrinceandhisPrimeMinisterinone，Esmondintheother，withonlyhisdearmistressasacompanion。
CastlewoodgallopedforwardsonhorsebacktogatherthePrince\'sfriendsandwarnthemofhiscoming。Wetravelledthroughthenight。Esmonddiscoursingtohismistressoftheeventsofthelasttwenty—fourhours;ofCastlewood\'srideandhis;ofthePrince\'sgenerousbehaviorandtheirreconciliation。Thenightseemedshortenough;andthestarlithourspassedawayserenelyinthatfondcompany。
Sowecamealongtheroad;theBishop\'scoachheadingours;and，withsomedelaysinprocuringhorses，wegottoHammersmithaboutfouro\'clockonSundaymorning，thefirstofAugust，andhalfanhourafter，itbeingthenbrightday，werodebymyLadyWarwick\'shouse，andsodownthestreetofKensington。
Earlyasthehourwas，therewasabustleinthestreetandmanypeoplemovingtoandfro。RoundthegateleadingtothePalace，wheretheguardis，therewasespeciallyagreatcrowd。Andthecoachaheadofusstopped，andtheBishop\'smangotdowntoknowwhattheconcoursemeant？
Therepresentlycamefromoutofthegate——HorseGuardswiththeirtrumpets，andacompanyofheraldswiththeirtabards。Thetrumpetsblew，andtheherald—at—armscameforwardandproclaimedGEORGE，bytheGraceofGod，ofGreatBritain，France，andIreland，King，DefenderoftheFaith。AndthepeopleshoutedGodsavetheKing！
Amongthecrowdshoutingandwavingtheirhats，Icaughtsightofonesadface，whichIhadknownallmylife，andseenundermanydisguises。ItwasnootherthanpoorMr。Holt\'s，whohadslippedovertoEnglandtowitnessthetriumphofthegoodcause;andnowbehelditsenemiesvictorious，amidsttheacclamationsoftheEnglishpeople。Thepoorfellowhadforgottohuzzahortotakehishatoff，untilhisneighborsinthecrowdremarkedhiswantofloyalty，andcursedhimforaJesuitindisguise，whenheruefullyuncoveredandbegantocheer。Surehewasthemostunluckyofmen:
heneverplayedagamebuthelostit;orengagedinaconspiracybut\'twascertaintoendindefeat。IsawhiminFlandersafterthis，whencehewenttoRometothehead—quartersofhisOrder;andactuallyreappearedamongusinAmerica，veryold，andbusy，andhopeful。Iamnotsurethathedidnotassumethehatchetandmoccasinsthere;and，attiredinablanketandwar—paint，skulkaboutamissionaryamongsttheIndians。HeliesburiedinourneighboringprovinceofMarylandnow，withacrossoverhim，andamoundofearthabovehim;underwhichthatunquietspiritisforeveratpeace。
WiththesoundofKingGeorge\'strumpets，allthevainhopesoftheweakandfoolishyoungPretenderwereblownaway;andwiththatmusic，too，Imaysay，thedramaofmyownlifewasended。Thathappiness，whichhathsubsequentlycrownedit，cannotbewritteninwords;\'tisofitsnaturesacredandsecret，andnottobespokenof，thoughtheheartbeeversofullofthankfulness，savetoHeavenandtheOneEaralone——toonefondbeing，thetruestandtenderestandpurestwifeevermanwasblessedwith。AsIthinkoftheimmensehappinesswhichwasinstoreforme，andofthedepthandintensityofthatlovewhich，forsomanyyears，hathblessedme，Iowntoatransportofwonderandgratitudeforsuchaboon——
nay，amthankfultohavebeenendowedwithaheartcapableoffeelingandknowingtheimmensebeautyandvalueofthegiftwhichGodhathbestoweduponme。Sure，lovevincitomnia;isimmeasurablyaboveallambition，morepreciousthanwealth，morenoblethanname。Heknowsnotlifewhoknowsnotthat:hehathnotfeltthehighestfacultyofthesoulwhohathnotenjoyedit。InthenameofmywifeIwritethecompletionofhope，andthesummitofhappiness。Tohavesuchaloveistheoneblessing，incomparisonofwhichallearthlyjoyisofnovalue;andtothinkofher，istopraiseGod。
ItwasatBruxelles，whitherweretreatedafterthefailureofourplot——ourWhigfriendsadvisingustokeepoutoftheway——thatthegreatjoyofmylifewasbestoweduponme，andthatmydearmistressbecamemywife。Wehadbeensoaccustomedtoanextremeintimacyandconfidence，andhadlivedsolongandtenderlytogether，thatwemighthavegoneontotheendwithoutthinkingofaclosertie;butcircumstancesbroughtaboutthateventwhichsoprodigiouslymultipliedmyhappinessandhers（forwhichIhumblythankHeaven），althoughacalamitybefellus，which，Iblushtothink，hathoccurredmorethanonceinourhouse。Iknownotwhatinfatuationofambitionurgedthebeautifulandwaywardwoman，whosenamehathoccupiedsomanyofthesepages，andwhowasservedbymewithtenyearsofsuchconstantfidelityandpassion;buteverafterthatdayatCastlewood，whenwerescuedher，shepersistedinholdingallherfamilyasherenemies，andleftus，andescapedtoFrance，towhatafateIdisdaintotell。Norwasherson\'shouseahomeformydearmistress;mypoorFrankwasweak，asperhapsallourracehathbeen，andledbywomen。Thosearoundhimwereimperious，andinaterrorofhismother\'sinfluenceoverhim，lestheshouldrecant，anddenythecreedwhichhehadadoptedbytheirpersuasion。Thedifferenceoftheirreligionseparatedthesonandthemother:mydearestmistressfeltthatshewasseveredfromherchildrenandaloneintheworld——
alonebutforoneconstantservantonwhosefidelity，praisedbeHeaven，shecouldcount。\'TwasafterasceneofignoblequarrelonthepartofFrank\'swifeandmother（forthepoorladhadbeenmadetomarrythewholeofthatGermanfamilywithwhomhehadconnectedhimself），thatIfoundmymistressonedayintears，andthenbesoughthertoconfideherselftothecareanddevotionofonewho，byGod\'shelp，wouldneverforsakeher。Andthenthetendermatron，asbeautifulinherAutumn，andaspureasvirginsintheirspring，withblushesofloveand\"eyesofmeeksurrender，\"yieldedtomyrespectfulimportunity，andconsentedtosharemyhome。LetthelastwordsIwritethankher，andblessherwhohathblessedit。
BythekindnessofMr。Addison，alldangerofprosecution，andeveryobstacleagainstourreturntoEngland，wasremoved;andmysonFrank\'sgallantryinScotlandmadehispeacewiththeKing\'sgovernment。ButwetwocarednolongertoliveinEngland:andFrankformallyandjoyfullyyieldedovertousthepossessionofthatestatewhichwenowoccupy，farawayfromEuropeanditstroubles，onthebeautifulbanksofthePotomac，wherewehavebuiltanewCastlewood，andthinkwithgratefulheartsofouroldhome。InourTransatlanticcountrywehaveaseason，thecalmestandmostdelightfuloftheyear，whichwecalltheIndiansummer:I
oftensaytheautumnofourliferesemblesthathappyandsereneweather，andamthankfulforitsrestanditssweetsunshine。
Heavenhathblesseduswithachild，whicheachparentlovesforherresemblancetotheother。Ourdiamondsareturnedintoploughsandaxesforourplantations;andintonegroes，thehappiestandmerriest，Ithink，inallthiscountry:andtheonlyjewelbywhichmywifesetsanystore，andfromwhichshehathneverparted，isthatgoldbuttonshetookfrommyarmonthedaywhenshevisitedmeinprison，andwhichsheworeeverafter，asshetoldme，onthetenderestheartintheworld。
