TOTHERIGHTHONORABLE
WILLIAMBINGHAM,LORDASHBURTON。
MYDEARLORD,ThewriterofabookwhichcopiesthemannersandlanguageofQueenAnne'stime,mustnotomittheDedicationtothePatron;andIaskleavetoinscribethisvolumetoyourLordship,forthesakeofthegreatkindnessandfriendshipwhichIowetoyouandyours。
MyvolumewillreachyouwhentheAuthorisonhisvoyagetoacountrywhereyournameisaswellknownashere。WhereverIam,I
shallgratefullyregardyou;andshallnotbethelesswelcomedinAmericabecauseIam,Yourobligedfriendandservant,W。M。THACKERAY。
LONDON,October18,1852。
PREFACE。
THEESMONDSOFVIRGINIA。
TheestateofCastlewood,inVirginia,whichwasgiventoourancestorsbyKingCharlestheFirst,assomereturnforthesacrificesmadeinhisMajesty'scausebytheEsmondfamily,liesinWestmorelandcounty,betweentheriversPotomacandRappahannock,andwasonceasgreatasanEnglishPrincipality,thoughintheearlytimesitsrevenueswerebutsmall。Indeed,forneareightyyearsafterourforefatherspossessedthem,ourplantationswereinthehandsoffactors,whoenrichedthemselvesoneafteranother,thoughafewscoresofhogsheadsoftobaccowerealltheproducethat,forlongaftertheRestoration,ourfamilyreceivedfromtheirVirginianestates。
Mydearandhonoredfather,ColonelHenryEsmond,whosehistory,writtenbyhimself,iscontainedintheaccompanyingvolume,cametoVirginiaintheyear1718,builthishouseofCastlewood,andherepermanentlysettled。AfteralongstormylifeinEngland,hepassedtheremainderofhismanyyearsinpeaceandhonorinthiscountry;howbelovedandrespectedbyallhisfellow—citizens,howinexpressiblydeartohisfamily,Ineednotsay。Hiswholelifewasabenefittoallwhowereconnectedwithhim。Hegavethebestexample,thebestadvice,themostbounteoushospitalitytohisfriends;thetenderestcaretohisdependants;andbestowedonthoseofhisimmediatefamilysuchablessingoffatherlyloveandprotectionascanneverbethoughtof,byus,atleast,withoutvenerationandthankfulness;andmysons'children,whetherestablishedhereinourRepublic,orathomeinthealwaysbelovedmothercountry,fromwhichourlatequarrelhathseparatedus,maysurelybeproudtobedescendedfromonewhoinallwayswassotrulynoble。
Mydearmotherdiedin1736,soonafterourreturnfromEngland,whithermyparentstookmeformyeducation;andwhereImadetheacquaintanceofMr。Warrington,whommychildrenneversaw。Whenitpleasedheaven,inthebloomofhisyouth,andafterbutafewmonthsofamosthappyunion,toremovehimfromme,Iowedmyrecoveryfromthegriefwhichthatcalamitycausedme,mainlytomydearestfather'stenderness,andthentotheblessingvouchsafedtomeinthebirthofmytwobelovedboys。Iknowthefataldifferenceswhichseparatedtheminpoliticsneverdisunitedtheirhearts;andasIcanlovethemboth,whetherwearingtheKing'scolorsortheRepublic's,Iamsurethattheylovemeandoneanother,andhimaboveall,myfatherandtheirs,thedearestfriendoftheirchildhood,thenoblegentlemanwhobredthemfromtheirinfancyinthepracticeandknowledgeofTruth,andLoveandHonor。
Mychildrenwillneverforgettheappearanceandfigureoftheirreveredgrandfather;andIwishIpossessedtheartofdrawing(whichmypapahadinperfection),sothatIcouldleavetoourdescendantsaportraitofonewhowassogoodandsorespected。Myfatherwasofadarkcomplexion,withaverygreatforeheadanddarkhazeleyes,overhungbyeyebrowswhichremainedblacklongafterhishairwaswhite。Hisnosewasaquiline,hissmileextraordinarysweet。HowwellIrememberit,andhowlittleanydescriptionIcanwritecanrecallhisimage!Hewasofratherlowstature,notbeingabovefivefeetseveninchesinheight;heusedtolaughatmysons,whomhecalledhiscrutches,andsaytheyweregrowntootallforhimtoleanupon。Butsmallashewas,hehadaperfectgraceandmajestyofdeportment,suchasIhaveneverseeninthiscountry,exceptperhapsinourfriendMr。Washington,andcommandedrespectwhereverheappeared。
Inallbodilyexercisesheexcelled,andshowedanextraordinaryquicknessandagility。Offencinghewasespeciallyfond,andmademytwoboysproficientinthatart;somuchso,thatwhentheFrenchcametothiscountrywithMonsieurRochambeau,notoneofhisofficerswassuperiortomyHenry,andhewasnottheequalofmypoorGeorge,whohadtakentheKing'ssideinourlamentablebutgloriouswarofindependence。
Neithermyfathernormymothereverworepowderintheirhair;
boththeirheadswereaswhiteassilver,asIcanrememberthem。
Mydearmotherpossessedtothelastanextraordinarybrightnessandfreshnessofcomplexion;norwouldpeoplebelievethatshedidnotwearrouge。Atsixtyyearsofageshestilllookedyoung,andwasquiteagile。ItwasnotuntilafterthatdreadfulsiegeofourhousebytheIndians,whichleftmeawidowereIwasamother,thatmydearmother'shealthbroke。Sheneverrecoveredherterrorandanxietyofthosedayswhichendedsofatallyforme,thenabridescarcesixmonthsmarried,anddiedinmyfather'sarmseremyownyearofwidowhoodwasover。
Fromthatday,untilthelastofhisdearandhonoredlife,itwasmydelightandconsolationtoremainwithhimashiscomforterandcompanion;andfromthoselittlenoteswhichmymotherhathmadehereandthereinthevolumeinwhichmyfatherdescribeshisadventuresinEurope,Icanwellunderstandtheextremedevotionwithwhichsheregardedhim——adevotionsopassionateandexclusiveastopreventher,Ithink,fromlovinganyotherpersonexceptwithaninferiorregard;herwholethoughtsbeingcentredonthisoneobjectofaffectionandworship。Iknowthat,beforeher,mydearfatherdidnotshowthelovewhichhehadforhisdaughter;
andinherlastandmostsacredmoments,thisdearandtenderparentownedtomeherrepentancethatshehadnotlovedmeenough:
herjealousyeventhatmyfathershouldgivehisaffectiontoanybutherself:andinthemostfondandbeautifulwordsofaffectionandadmonition,shebademenevertoleavehim,andtosupplytheplacewhichshewasquitting。Withaclearconscience,andaheartinexpressiblythankful,IthinkIcansaythatIfulfilledthosedyingcommands,andthatuntilhislasthourmydearestfatherneverhadtocomplainthathisdaughter'sloveandfidelityfailedhim。
AnditissinceIknewhimentirely——forduringmymother'slifeheneverquiteopenedhimselftome——sinceIknewthevalueandsplendorofthataffectionwhichhebestoweduponme,thatIhavecometounderstandandpardonwhat,Iown,usedtoangermeinmymother'slifetime,herjealousyrespectingherhusband'slove。
'Twasagiftsoprecious,thatnowondershewhohaditwasforkeepingitall,andcouldpartwithnoneofit,eventoherdaughter。
ThoughIneverheardmyfatherusearoughword,'twasextraordinarywithhowmuchawehispeopleregardedhim;andtheservantsonourplantation,boththoseassignedfromEnglandandthepurchasednegroes,obeyedhimwithaneagernesssuchasthemostseveretaskmastersroundaboutuscouldnevergetfromtheirpeople。Hewasneverfamiliar,thoughperfectlysimpleandnatural;hewasthesamewiththemeanestmanaswiththegreatest,andascourteoustoablackslave—girlastotheGovernor'swife。Nooneeverthoughtoftakingalibertywithhim(exceptonceatipsygentlemanfromYork,andIamboundtoownthatmypapaneverforgavehim):hesetthehumblestpeopleatonceontheireasewithhim,andbroughtdownthemostarrogantbyagravesatiricway,whichmadepersonsexceedinglyafraidofhim。HiscourtesywasnotputonlikeaSundaysuit,andlaidbywhenthecompanywentaway;itwasalwaysthesame;ashewasalwaysdressedthesame,whetherforadinnerbyourselvesorforagreatentertainment。Theysayhelikedtobethefirstinhiscompany;butwhatcompanywasthereinwhichhewouldnotbefirst?
WhenIwenttoEuropeformyeducation,andwepassedawinteratLondonwithmyhalf—brother,myLordCastlewoodandhissecondlady,IsawatherMajesty'sCourtsomeofthemostfamousgentlemenofthosedays;andIthoughttomyselfnoneofthesearebetterthanmypapa;andthefamousLordBolingbroke,whocametousfromDawley,saidasmuch,andthatthemenofthattimewerenotlikethoseofhisyouth:——"Wereyourfather,Madam,"hesaid,"togointothewoods,theIndianswouldelecthimSachem;"andhislordshipwaspleasedtocallmePocahontas。
Ididnotseeourotherrelative,BishopTusher'slady,ofwhomsomuchissaidinmypapa'smemoirs——althoughmymammawenttovisitherinthecountry。Ihavenopride(asIshowedbycomplyingwithmymother'srequest,andmarryingagentlemanwhowasbuttheyoungersonofaSuffolkBaronet),yetIowntoADECENTRESPECT
formyname,andwonderhowonewhoeverboreit,shouldchangeitforthatofMrs。THOMASTUSHER。Ipassoverasodiousandunworthyofcreditthosereports(whichIheardinEuropeandwasthentooyoungtounderstand),howthisperson,havingLEFTHERFAMILYandfledtoParis,outofjealousyofthePretenderbetrayedhissecretstomyLordStair,KingGeorge'sAmbassador,andnearlycausedthePrince'sdeaththere;howshecametoEnglandandmarriedthisMr。Tusher,andbecameagreatfavoriteofKingGeorgetheSecond,bywhomMr。TusherwasmadeaDean,andthenaBishop。
Ididnotseethelady,whochosetoremainATHERPALACEallthetimewewereinLondon;butaftervisitingher,mypoormammasaidshehadlostallhergoodlooks,andwarnedmenottosettoomuchstorebyanysuchgiftswhichnaturehadbestoweduponme。Shegrewexceedinglystout;andIremembermybrother'swife,LadyCastlewood,saying——"Nowondershebecameafavorite,fortheKinglikesthemoldandugly,ashisfatherdidbeforehim。"Onwhichpapasaid——"Allwomenwerealike;thattherewasneveronesobeautifulasthatone;andthatwecouldforgivehereverythingbutherbeauty。"Andhereuponmymammalookedvexed,andmyLordCastlewoodbegantolaugh;andI,ofcourse,beingayoungcreature,couldnotunderstandwhatwasthesubjectoftheirconversation。
AfterthecircumstancesnarratedinthethirdbookoftheseMemoirs,myfatherandmotherbothwentabroad,beingadvisedbytheirfriendstoleavethecountryinconsequenceofthetransactionswhicharerecountedatthecloseofthevolumeoftheMemoirs。Butmybrother,hearinghowtheFUTUREBISHOP'SLADYhadquittedCastlewoodandjoinedthePretenderatParis,pursuedhim,andwouldhavekilledhim,Princeashewas,hadnotthePrincemanagedtomakehisescape。OnhisexpeditiontoScotlanddirectlyafter,Castlewoodwassoenragedagainsthimthatheaskedleavetoserveasavolunteer,andjointheDukeofArgyle'sarmyinScotland,whichthePretenderneverhadthecouragetoface;andthenceforthmyLordwasquitereconciledtothepresentreigningfamily,fromwhomhehathevenreceivedpromotion。
Mrs。TusherwasbythistimeasangryagainstthePretenderasanyofherrelationscouldbe,andusedtoboast,asIhaveheard,thatshenotonlybroughtbackmyLordtotheChurchofEngland,butprocuredtheEnglishpeerageforhim,whichtheJUNIORBRANCHofourfamilyatpresentenjoys。ShewasagreatfriendofSirRobertWalpole,andwouldnotrestuntilherhusbandsleptatLambeth,mypapausedlaughingtosay。However,theBishopdiedofapoplexysuddenly,andhiswifeerectedagreatmonumentoverhim;andthepairsleepunderthatstone,withacanopyofmarblecloudsandangelsabovethem——thefirstMrs。TusherlyingsixtymilesoffatCastlewood。
Butmypapa'sgeniusandeducationarebothgreaterthananyawomancanbeexpectedtohave,andhisadventuresinEuropefarmoreexcitingthanhislifeinthiscountry,whichwaspassedinthetranquilofficesofloveandduty;andIshallsaynomorebywayofintroductiontohisMemoirs,norkeepmychildrenfromtheperusalofastorywhichismuchmoreinterestingthanthatoftheiraffectionateoldmother,RACHELESMONDWARRINGTON。
CASTLEWOOD,VIRGINIA,November3,1778。
CONTENTS。
BOOKI。
THEEARLYYOUTHOFHENRYESMOND,UPTOTHETIMEOFHISLEAVING
TRINITYCOLLEGE,INCAMBRIDGE。
CHAPTER
I。AnAccountoftheFamilyofEsmondofCastlewoodHallII。RelateshowFrancis,FourthViscount,arrivesatCastlewoodIII。Whither,inthetimeofThomas,ThirdViscount,IhadprecededhimasPagetoIsabellaIV。IamplacedunderaPopishPriestandbredtothatReligion。——
ViscountessCastlewoodV。MySuperiorsareengagedinPlotsfortheRestorationofKingJamesII
VI。TheIssueofthePlots。——TheDeathofThomas,ThirdViscountofCastlewood;andtheImprisonmentofhisViscountessVII。IamleftatCastlewoodanOrphan,andfindmostkindProtectorsthereVIII。AfterGoodFortunecomesEvilIX。IhavetheSmall—pox,andpreparetoleaveCastlewoodX。IgotoCambridge,anddobutlittleGoodthereXI。IcomehomeforaHolidaytoCastlewood,andfindaSkeletonintheHouseXII。MyLordMohuncomesamongusfornoGoodXIII。MyLordleavesusandhisEvilbehindhimXIV。WerideafterhimtoLondonBOOKII。
CONTAINSMR。ESMOND'SMILITARYLIFE,ANDOTHERMATTERSAPPERTAINING
TOTHEESMONDFAMILY。
I。IaminPrison,andVisited,butnotConsoledthereII。IcometotheEndofmyCaptivity,butnotofmyTroubleIII。ItaketheQueen'sPayinQuin'sRegimentIV。RecapitulationsV。IgoontheVigoBayExpedition,tasteSaltWaterandsmellPowderVI。The29thDecemberVII。IammadeWelcomeatWalcoteVIII。FamilyTalkIX。ImaketheCampaignof1704
X。AnOldStoryaboutaFoolandaWomanXI。ThefamousMr。JosephAddisonXII。IgetaCompanyintheCampaignof1706
XIII。ImeetanOldAcquaintanceinFlanders,andfindmyMother'sGraveandmyownCradlethereXIV。TheCampaignof1707,1708
XV。GeneralWebbwinstheBattleofWynendaelBOOKIII。
CONTAININGTHEENDOFMR。ESMOND'SADVENTURESINENGLAND。
I。IcometoanEndofmyBattlesandBruisesII。IgoHome,andharpontheOldStringIII。APaperoutofthe"Spectator"
IV。Beatrix'sNewSuitorV。MohunappearsfortheLastTimeinthisHistoryVI。PoorBeatrixVII。IvisitCastlewoodoncemoreVIII。ItraveltoFranceandbringHomeaPortraitofRigaudIX。TheOriginalofthePortraitcomestoEnglandX。WeentertainaveryDistinguishedGuestatKensingtonXI。OurGuestquitsusasnotbeingHospitableenoughXII。AgreatScheme,andwhoBalkeditXIII。August1st,1714
THEHISTORYOFHENRYESMOND。
BOOKI
THEEARLYYOUTHOFHENRYESMOND,UPTOTHETIMEOFHISLEAVING
TRINITYCOLLEGE,INCAMBRIDGE。
Theactorsintheoldtragedies,asweread,pipedtheiriambicstoatune,speakingfromunderamask,andwearingstiltsandagreathead—dress。'TwasthoughtthedignityoftheTragicMuserequiredtheseappurtenances,andthatshewasnottomoveexcepttoameasureandcadence。SoQueenMedeaslewherchildrentoaslowmusic:andKingAgamemnonperishedinadyingfall(touseMr。
Dryden'swords):theChorusstandingbyinasetattitude,andrhythmicallyanddecorouslybewailingthefatesofthosegreatcrownedpersons。TheMuseofHistoryhathencumberedherselfwithceremonyaswellasherSisteroftheTheatre。Shetoowearsthemaskandthecothurnus,andspeakstomeasure。Shetoo,inourage,busiesherselfwiththeaffairsonlyofkings;waitingonthemobsequiouslyandstately,asifshewerebutamistressofcourtceremonies,andhadnothingtodowiththeregisteringoftheaffairsofthecommonpeople。IhaveseeninhisveryoldageanddecrepitudetheoldFrenchKingLewistheFourteenth,thetypeandmodelofkinghood——whonevermovedbuttomeasure,wholivedanddiedaccordingtothelawsofhisCourt—marshal,persistinginenactingthroughlifethepartofHero;and,divestedofpoetry,thiswasbutalittlewrinkledoldman,pock—marked,andwithagreatperiwigandredheelstomakehimlooktall——aheroforabookifyoulike,orforabrassstatueorapaintedceiling,agodinaRomanshape,butwhatmorethanamanforMadameMaintenon,orthebarberwhoshavedhim,orMonsieurFagon,hissurgeon?I
wondershallHistoryeverpulloffherperiwigandceasetobecourt—ridden?ShallweseesomethingofFranceandEnglandbesidesVersaillesandWindsor?IsawQueenAnneatthelatterplacetearingdowntheParkslopes,afterherstag—hounds,anddrivingherone—horsechaise——ahot,red—facedwoman,notintheleastresemblingthatstatueofherwhichturnsitsstonebackuponSt。
Paul's,andfacesthecoachesstrugglingupLudgateHill。Shewasneitherbetterbrednorwiserthanyouandme,thoughweknelttohandheraletterorawash—handbasin。WhyshallHistorygoonkneelingtotheendoftime?Iamforhavingherriseupoffherknees,andtakeanaturalposture:nottobeforeverperformingcringesandcongeeslikeacourt—chamberlain,andshufflingbackwardsoutofdoorsinthepresenceofthesovereign。Inaword,IwouldhaveHistoryfamiliarratherthanheroic:andthinkthatMr。HogarthandMr。FieldingwillgiveourchildrenamuchbetterideaofthemannersofthepresentageinEngland,thantheCourtGazetteandthenewspaperswhichwegetthence。
TherewasaGermanofficerofWebb's,withwhomweusedtojoke,andofwhomastory(whereofImyselfwastheauthor)wasgottobebelievedinthearmy,thathewaseldestsonofthehereditaryGrandBootjackoftheEmpire,andtheheirtothathonorofwhichhisancestorshadbeenveryproud,havingbeenkickedfortwentygenerationsbyoneimperialfoot,astheydrewthebootfromtheother。IhaveheardthattheoldLordCastlewood,ofpartofwhosefamilythesepresentvolumesareachronicle,thoughhecameofquiteasgoodbloodastheStuartswhomheserved(andwhoasregardsmerelineagearenobetterthanadozenEnglishandScottishhousesIcouldname),wasprouderofhispostabouttheCourtthanofhisancestralhonors,andvaluedhisdignity(asLordoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing'sPosset)sohighly,thathecheerfullyruinedhimselfforthethanklessandthriftlessracewhobestowedit。HepawnedhisplateforKingCharlestheFirst,mortgagedhispropertyforthesamecause,andlostthegreaterpartofitbyfinesandsequestration:stoodasiegeofhiscastlebyIreton,wherehisbrotherThomascapitulated(afterwardmakingtermswiththeCommonwealth,forwhichtheelderbrotherneverforgavehim),andwherehissecondbrotherEdward,whohadembracedtheecclesiasticalprofession,wasslainonCastlewoodTower,beingengagedtherebothaspreacherandartilleryman。Thisresoluteoldloyalist,whowaswiththeKingwhilsthishousewasthusbeingbattereddown,escapedabroadwithhisonlyson,thenaboy,toreturnandtakeapartinWorcesterfight。OnthatfatalfieldEustaceEsmondwaskilled,andCastlewoodfledfromitoncemoreintoexile,andhenceforward,andaftertheRestoration,neverwasawayfromtheCourtofthemonarch(forwhosereturnweofferthanksinthePrayer—Book)whosoldhiscountryandwhotookbribesoftheFrenchking。
Whatspectacleismoreaugustthanthatofagreatkinginexile?
Whoismoreworthyofrespectthanabravemaninmisfortune?Mr。
AddisonhaspaintedsuchafigureinhisnoblepieceofCato。ButsupposefugitiveCatofuddlinghimselfatatavernwithawenchoneachknee,adozenfaithfulandtipsycompanionsofdefeat,andalandlordcallingoutforhisbill;andthedignityofmisfortuneisstraightwaylost。TheHistoricalMuseturnsawayshamefacedfromthevulgarscene,andclosesthedoor——onwhichtheexile'sunpaiddrinkisscoredup——uponhimandhispotsandhispipes,andthetavern—choruswhichheandhisfriendsaresinging。SuchamanasCharlesshouldhavehadanOstadeorMieristopainthim。YourKnellersandLeBrunsonlydealinclumsyandimpossibleallegories:
andithathalwaysseemedtomeblasphemytoclaimOlympusforsuchawine—drabbleddivinityasthat。
AbouttheKing'sfollower,theViscountCastlewood——orphanofhisson,ruinedbyhisfidelity,bearingmanywoundsandmarksofbravery,oldandinexile——hiskinsmenIsupposeshouldbesilent;
norifthispatriarchfelldowninhiscups,callfieuponhim,andfetchpassers—bytolaughathisredfaceandwhitehairs。What!
doesastreamrushoutofamountainfreeandpure,torollthroughfairpastures,tofeedandthrowoutbrighttributaries,andtoendinavillagegutter?Livesthathavenoblecommencementshaveoftennobetterendings;itisnotwithoutakindofaweandreverencethatanobservershouldspeculateuponsuchcareersashetracesthecourseofthem。Ihaveseentoomuchofsuccessinlifetotakeoffmyhatandhuzzahtoitasitpassesinitsgiltcoach:
andwoulddomylittlepartwithmyneighborsonfoot,thattheyshouldnotgapewithtoomuchwonder,norapplaudtooloudly。IsittheLordMayorgoinginstatetomince—piesandtheMansionHouse?IsitpoorJackofNewgate'sprocession,withthesheriffandjavelin—men,conductinghimonhislastjourneytoTyburn?I
lookintomyheartandthinkthatIsinasgoodasmyLordMayor,andknowIamasbadasTyburnJack。Givemeachainandredgownandapuddingbeforeme,andIcouldplaythepartofAldermanverywell,andsentenceJackafterdinner。Starveme,keepmefrombooksandhonestpeople,educatemetolovedice,gin,andpleasure,andputmeonHounslowHeath,withapursebeforeme,andIwilltakeit。"AndIshallbedeservedlyhanged,"sayyou,wishingtoputanendtothisprosing。Idon'tsayNo。Ican'tbutaccepttheworldasIfindit,includingarope'send,aslongasitisinfashion。
CHAPTERI。
ANACCOUNTOFTHEFAMILYOFESMONDOFCASTLEWOODHALL。
WhenFrancis,fourthViscountCastlewood,cametohistitle,andpresentlyaftertotakepossessionofhishouseofCastlewood,countyHants,intheyear1691,almosttheonlytenantoftheplacebesidesthedomesticswasaladoftwelveyearsofage,ofwhomnooneseemedtotakeanynoteuntilmyLadyViscountesslighteduponhim,goingoverthehousewiththehousekeeperonthedayofherarrival。TheboywasintheroomknownastheBook—room,orYellowGallery,wheretheportraitsofthefamilyusedtohang,thatfinepieceamongothersofSirAntonioVanDyckofGeorge,secondViscount,andthatbyMr。DobsonofmylordthethirdViscount,justdeceased,whichitseemshisladyandwidowdidnotthinkfittocarryaway,whenshesentforandcarriedofftoherhouseatChelsey,neartoLondon,thepictureofherselfbySirPeterLely,inwhichherladyshipwasrepresentedasahuntressofDiana'scourt。
ThenewandfairladyofCastlewoodfoundthesad,lonely,littleoccupantofthisgallerybusyoverhisgreatbook,whichhelaiddownwhenhewasawarethatastrangerwasathand。And,knowingwhothatpersonmustbe,theladstoodupandbowedbeforeher,performingashyobeisancetothemistressofhishouse。
Shestretchedoutherhand——indeedwhenwasitthatthathandwouldnotstretchouttodoanactofkindness,ortoprotectgriefandill—fortune?"Andthisisourkinsman,"shesaid"andwhatisyourname,kinsman?"
"MynameisHenryEsmond,"saidthelad,lookingupatherinasortofdelightandwonder,forshehadcomeuponhimasaDeacerte,andappearedthemostcharmingobjecthehadeverlookedon。
Hergoldenhairwasshininginthegoldofthesun;hercomplexionwasofadazzlingbloom;herlipssmiling,andhereyesbeamingwithakindnesswhichmadeHarryEsmond'shearttobeatwithsurprise。
"HisnameisHenryEsmond,sureenough,mylady,"saysMrs。
Worksop,thehousekeeper(anoldtyrantwhomHenryEsmondplaguedmorethanhehated),andtheoldgentlewomanlookedsignificantlytowardsthelatelord'spicture,asitnowisinthefamily,nobleandsevere—looking,withhishandonhissword,andhisorderonhiscloak,whichhehadfromtheEmperorduringthewarontheDanubeagainsttheTurk。
Seeingthegreatandundeniablelikenessbetweenthisportraitandthelad,thenewViscountess,whohadstillholdoftheboy'shandasshelookedatthepicture,blushedanddroppedthehandquickly,andwalkeddownthegallery,followedbyMrs。Worksop。
Whentheladycameback,HarryEsmondstoodexactlyinthesamespot,andwithhishandasithadfallenwhenhedroppeditonhisblackcoat。
Herheartmelted,Isuppose(indeedshehathsinceownedasmuch),atthenotionthatsheshoulddoanythingunkindtoanymortal,greatorsmall;for,whenshereturned,shehadsentawaythehousekeeperuponanerrandbythedooratthefartherendofthegallery;and,comingbacktothelad,withalookofinfinitepityandtendernessinhereyes,shetookhishandagain,placingherotherfairhandonhishead,andsayingsomewordstohim,whichweresokind,andsaidinavoicesosweet,thattheboy,whohadneverlookeduponsomuchbeautybefore,feltasifthetouchofasuperiorbeingorangelsmotehimdowntotheground,andkissedthefairprotectinghandashekneltononeknee。Totheverylasthourofhislife,Esmondrememberedtheladyasshethenspokeandlooked,theringsonherfairhands,theveryscentofherrobe,thebeamofhereyeslightingupwithsurpriseandkindness,herlipsbloominginasmile,thesunmakingagoldenhaloroundherhair。
Astheboywasyetinthisattitudeofhumility,entersbehindhimaportlygentleman,withalittlegirloffouryearsoldinhishand。Thegentlemanburstintoagreatlaughattheladyandheradorer,withhislittlequeerfigure,hissallowface,andlongblackhair。Theladyblushed,andseemedtodeprecatehisridiculebyalookofappealtoherhusband,foritwasmyLordViscountwhonowarrived,andwhomtheladknew,havingoncebeforeseenhiminthelatelord'slifetime。
"Sothisisthelittlepriest"saysmylord,lookingdownatthelad;"welcome,kinsman。"
"Heissayinghisprayerstomamma,"saysthelittlegirl,whocameuptoherpapa'sknees;andmylordburstoutintoanothergreatlaughatthis,andkinsmanHenrylookedverysilly。Heinventedahalf—dozenofspeechesinreply,but'twasmonthsafterwardswhenhethoughtofthisadventure:asitwas,hehadneverawordinanswer。
"Lepauvreenfant,iln'aquenous,"saysthelady,lookingtoherlord;andtheboy,whounderstoodher,thoughdoubtlessshethoughtotherwise,thankedherwithallhisheartforherkindspeech。
"Andheshan'twantforfriendshere,"saysmylordinakindvoice,"shallhe,littleTrix?"
Thelittlegirl,whosenamewasBeatrix,andwhomherpapacalledbythisdiminutive,lookedatHenryEsmondsolemnly,withapairoflargeeyes,andthenasmileshoneoverherface,whichwasasbeautifulasthatofacherub,andshecameupandputoutalittlehandtohim。Akeenanddelightfulpangofgratitude,happiness,affection,filledtheorphanchild'sheart,ashereceivedfromtheprotectors,whomheavenhadsenttohim,thesetouchingwordsandtokensoffriendlinessandkindness。Butanhoursince,hehadfeltquitealoneintheworld:whenheheardthegreatpealofbellsfromCastlewoodchurchringingthatmorningtowelcomethearrivalofthenewlordandlady,ithadrungonlyterrorandanxietytohim,forheknewnothowthenewownerwoulddealwithhim;andthosetowhomheformerlylookedforprotectionwereforgottenordead。Prideanddoubttoohadkepthimwithin—doors,whentheVicarandthepeopleofthevillage,andtheservantsofthehouse,hadgoneouttowelcomemyLordCastlewood——forHenryEsmondwasnoservant,thoughadependant;norelative,thoughheborethenameandinheritedthebloodofthehouse;andinthemidstofthenoiseandacclamationsattendingthearrivalofthenewlord(forwhom,youmaybesure,afeastwasgotready,andgunswerefired,andtenantsanddomesticshuzzahedwhenhiscarriageapproachedandrolledintothecourt—yardofthehall),nooneevertookanynoticeofyoungHenryEsmond,whosatunobservedandaloneintheBook—room,untiltheafternoonofthatday,whenhisnewfriendsfoundhim。
Whenmylordandladyweregoingawaythence,thelittlegirl,stillholdingherkinsmanbythehand,badehimtocometoo。"Thouwiltalwaysforsakeanoldfriendforanewone,Trix,"saysherfathertohergood—naturedly;andwentintothegallery,givinganarmtohislady。Theypassedthencethroughthemusic—gallery,longsincedismantled,andQueenElizabeth'sRooms,intheclock—
tower,andoutintotheterrace,wherewasafineprospectofsunsetandthegreatdarklingwoodswithacloudofrooksreturning;andtheplainandriverwithCastlewoodvillagebeyond,andpurplehillsbeautifultolookat——andthelittleheirofCastlewood,achildoftwoyearsold,wasalreadyhereontheterraceinhisnurse'sarms,fromwhomheranacrossthegrassinstantlyheperceivedhismother,andcametoher。
"Ifthoucanstnotbehappyhere,"saysmylord,lookingroundatthescene,"thouarthardtoplease,Rachel。"
"Iamhappywhereyouare,"shesaid,"butwewerehappiestofallatWalcoteForest。"Thenmylordbegantodescribewhatwasbeforethemtohiswife,andwhatindeedlittleHarryknewbetterthanhe——
viz。,thehistoryofthehouse:howbyyondergatethepageranawaywiththeheiressofCastlewood,bywhichtheestatecameintothepresentfamily;howtheRoundheadsattackedtheclock—tower,whichmylord'sfatherwasslainindefending。"Iwasbuttwoyearsoldthen,"sayshe,"buttakeforty—sixfromninety,andhowoldshallIbe,kinsmanHarry?"
"Thirty,"sayshiswife,withalaugh。
"Agreatdealtoooldforyou,Rachel,"answersmylord,lookingfondlydownather。Indeedsheseemedtobeagirl,andwasatthattimescarcetwentyyearsold。
"Youknow,Frank,Iwilldoanythingtopleaseyou,"saysshe,"andIpromiseyouIwillgrowoldereveryday。"
"Youmustn'tcallpapa,Frank;youmustcallpapamylordnow,"
saysMissBeatrix,withatossofherlittlehead;atwhichthemothersmiled,andthegood—naturedfatherlaughed,andthelittletrottingboylaughed,notknowingwhy——butbecausehewashappy,nodoubt——aseveryoneseemedtobethere。Howthosetrivialincidentsandwords,thelandscapeandsunshine,andthegroupofpeoplesmilingandtalking,remainfixedonthememory!
Asthesunwassetting,thelittleheirwassentinthearmsofhisnursetobed,whitherhewenthowling;butlittleTrixwaspromisedtosittosupperthatnight——"andyouwillcometoo,kinsman,won'tyou?"shesaid。