HarryEsmondblushed:"I——IhavesupperwithMrs。Worksop，"sayshe。
"D——nit，"saysmylord，"thoushaltsupwithus，Harry，to—night！
Shan'trefusealady，shallhe，Trix？"——andtheyallwonderedatHarry'sperformanceasatrencher—man，inwhichcharacterthepoorboyacquittedhimselfveryremarkably;forthetruthishehadhadnodinner，nobodythinkingofhiminthebustlewhichthehousewasin，duringthepreparationsantecedenttothenewlord'sarrival。
"Nodinner！poordearchild！"saysmylady，heapinguphisplatewithmeat，andmylord，fillingabumperforhim，badehimcallahealth;onwhichMasterHarry，crying"TheKing，"tossedoffthewine。Mylordwasreadytodrinkthat，andmostothertoasts:
indeedonlytooready。HewouldnothearofDoctorTusher（theVicarofCastlewood，whocametosupper）goingawaywhenthesweetmeatswerebrought:hehadnothadachaplainlongenough，hesaid，tobetiredofhim:sohisreverencekeptmylordcompanyforsomehoursoverapipeandapunch—bowl;andwentawayhomewithratherareelinggait，anddeclaringadozenoftimes，thathislordship'saffabilitysurpassedeverykindnesshehadeverhadfromhislordship'sgraciousfamily。
AsforyoungEsmond，whenhegottohislittlechamber，itwaswithaheartfullofsurpriseandgratitudetowardsthenewfriendswhomthishappydayhadbroughthim。Hewasupandwatchinglongbeforethehousewasastir，longingtoseethatfairladyandherchildren——thatkindprotectorandpatron:andonlyfearfullesttheirwelcomeofthepastnightshouldinanywaybewithdrawnoraltered。ButpresentlylittleBeatrixcameoutintothegarden，andhermotherfollowed，whogreetedHarryaskindlyasbefore。Hetoldheratgreaterlengththehistoriesofthehouse（whichhehadbeentaughtintheoldlord'stime），andtowhichshelistenedwithgreatinterest;andthenhetoldher，withrespecttothenightbefore，thatheunderstoodFrench，andthankedherforherprotection。
"Doyou？"saysshe，withablush;"then，sir，youshallteachmeandBeatrix。"Andsheaskedhimmanymorequestionsregardinghimself，whichhadbestbetoldmorefullyandexplicitlythaninthosebriefreplieswhichtheladmadetohismistress'squestions。
CHAPTERII。
RELATESHOWFRANCIS，FOURTHVISCOUNT，ARRIVESATCASTLEWOOD。
'TisknownthatthenameofEsmondandtheestateofCastlewood，com。Hants，cameintopossessionofthepresentfamilythroughDorothea，daughterandheiressofEdward，EarlandMarquisEsmond，andLordofCastlewood，whichladymarried，23Eliz。，HenryPoyns，gent。;thesaidHenrybeingthenapageinthehouseholdofherfather。Francis，sonandheiroftheaboveHenryandDorothea，whotookthematernalnamewhichthefamilyhathbornesubsequently，wasmadeKnightandBaronetbyKingJamestheFirst;andbeingofamilitarydisposition，remainedlonginGermanywiththeElector—
Palatine，inwhoseserviceSirFrancisincurredbothexpenseanddanger，lendinglargesumsofmoneytothatunfortunatePrince;andreceivingmanywoundsinthebattlesagainsttheImperialists，inwhichSirFrancisengaged。
OnhisreturnhomeSirFranciswasrewardedforhisservicesandmanysacrifices，byhislateMajestyJamestheFirst，whograciouslyconferreduponthistriedservantthepostofWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing'sPosset，whichhighandconfidentialofficehefilledinthatking'sandhisunhappysuccessor'sreign。
Hisage，andmanywoundsandinfirmities，obligedSirFrancistoperformmuchofhisdutybydeputy:andhisson，SirGeorgeEsmond，knightandbanneret，firstashisfather'slieutenant，andafterwardsasinheritorofhisfather'stitleanddignity，performedthisofficeduringalmostthewholeofthereignofKingCharlestheFirst，andhistwosonswhosucceededhim。
SirGeorgeEsmondmarried，ratherbeneaththerankthatapersonofhisnameandhonormightaspireto，thedaughterofThos。Topham，ofthecityofLondon，aldermanandgoldsmith，who，takingtheParliamentarysideinthetroublesthencommencing，disappointedSirGeorgeofthepropertywhichheexpectedatthedemiseofhisfather—in—law，whodevisedhismoneytohisseconddaughter，Barbara，aspinster。
SirGeorgeEsmond，onhispart，wasconspicuousforhisattachmentandloyaltytotheRoyalcauseandperson:andtheKingbeingatOxfordin1642，SirGeorge，withtheconsentofhisfather，thenveryagedandinfirm，andresidingathishouseofCastlewood，meltedthewholeofthefamilyplateforhisMajesty'sservice。
Forthis，andothersacrificesandmerits，hisMajesty，bypatentunderthePrivySeal，datedOxford，Jan。，1643，waspleasedtoadvanceSirFrancisEsmondtothedignityofViscountCastlewood，ofShandon，inIreland:andtheViscount'sestatebeingmuchimpoverishedbyloanstotheKing，whichinthosetroublesometimeshisMajestycouldnotrepay，agrantoflandintheplantationsofVirginiawasgiventotheLordViscount。;partofwhichlandisinpossessionofdescendantsofhisfamilytothepresentday。
ThefirstViscountCastlewooddiedfullofyears，andwithinafewmonthsafterhehadbeenadvancedtohishonors。Hewassucceededbyhiseldestson，thebefore—namedGeorge;andleftissuebesides，Thomas，acolonelintheKing'sarmy，whoafterwardsjoinedtheUsurper'sGovernment;andFrancis，inholyorders，whowasslainwhilstdefendingtheHouseofCastlewoodagainsttheParliament，anno1647。
GeorgeLordCastlewood（thesecondViscount），ofKingCharlestheFirst'stime，hadnomaleissuesavehisoneson，EustaceEsmond，whowaskilled，withhalfoftheCastlewoodmenbesidehim，atWorcesterfight。ThelandsaboutCastlewoodweresoldandapportionedtotheCommonwealthmen;CastlewoodbeingconcernedinalmostalloftheplotsagainsttheProtector，afterthedeathoftheKing，anduptoKingCharlestheSecond'srestoration。Mylordfollowedthatking'sCourtaboutinitsexile，havingruinedhimselfinitsservice。Hehadbutonedaughter，whowasofnogreatcomforttoherfather;formisfortunehadnottaughtthoseexilessobrietyoflife;anditissaidthattheDukeofYorkandhisbrothertheKingbothquarrelledaboutIsabelEsmond。ShewasmaidofhonortotheQueenHenriettaMaria;sheearlyjoinedtheRomanChurch;herfather，aweakman，followinghernotlongafteratBreda。
OnthedeathofEustaceEsmondatWorcester，ThomasEsmond，nephewtomyLordCastlewood，andthenastripling，becameheirtothetitle。HisfatherhadtakentheParliamentsideinthequarrels，andsohadbeenestrangedfromthechiefofhishouse;andmyLordCastlewoodwasatfirstsomuchenragedtothinkthathistitle（albeitlittlemorethananemptyonenow）shouldpasstoarascallyRoundhead，thathewouldhavemarriedagain，andindeedproposedtodosotoavintner'sdaughteratBruges，towhomhislordshipowedascoreforlodgingwhentheKingwasthere，butforfearofthelaughteroftheCourt，andtheangerofhisdaughter，ofwhomhestoodinawe;forshewasintemperasimperiousandviolentasmylord，whowasmuchenfeebledbywoundsanddrinking，wasweak。
LordCastlewoodwouldhavehadamatchbetweenhisdaughterIsabelandhercousin，thesonofthatFrancisEsmondwhowaskilledatCastlewoodsiege。Andthelady，itwassaid，tookafancytotheyoungman，whowasherjuniorbyseveralyears（whichcircumstanceshedidnotconsidertobeafaultinhim）;buthavingpaidhiscourt，andbeingadmittedtotheintimacyofthehouse，hesuddenlyflunguphissuit，whenitseemedtobeprettyprosperous，withoutgivingapretextforhisbehavior。Hisfriendsralliedhimatwhattheylaughinglychosetocallhisinfidelity;JackChurchill，FrankEsmond'slieutenantintheRoyalRegimentofFoot—guards，gettingthecompanywhichEsmondvacated，whenhelefttheCourtandwenttoTangierinarageatdiscoveringthathispromotiondependedonthecomplaisanceofhiselderlyaffiancedbride。HeandChurchill，whohadbeencondiscipuliatSt。Paul'sSchool，hadwordsaboutthismatter;andFrankEsmondsaidtohimwithanoath，"Jack，yoursistermaybeso—and—so，butbyJovemywifeshan't！"andswordsweredrawn，andblooddrawntoo，untilfriendsseparatedthemonthisquarrel。Fewmenweresojealousaboutthepointofhonorinthosedays;andgentlemenofgoodbirthandlineagethoughtaroyalblotwasanornamenttotheirfamilycoat。FrankEsmondretiredinthesulks，firsttoTangier，whencehereturnedaftertwoyears'
service，settlingonasmallpropertyhehadofhismother，neartoWinchester，andbecameacountrygentleman，andkeptapackofbeagles，andnevercametoCourtagaininKingCharles'stime。ButhisuncleCastlewoodwasneverreconciledtohim;nor，forsometimeafterwards，hiscousinwhomhehadrefused。
Byplaces，pensions，bountiesfromFrance，andgiftsfromtheKing，whilsthisdaughterwasinfavor，LordCastlewood，whohadspentintheRoyalservicehisyouthandfortune，didnotretrievethelatterquite，andnevercaredtovisitCastlewood，orrepairit，sincethedeathofhisson，butmanagedtokeepagoodhouse，andfigureatCourt，andtosaveaconsiderablesumofreadymoney。
Andnow，hisheirandnephew，ThomasEsmond，begantobidforhisuncle'sfavor。ThomashadservedwiththeEmperor，andwiththeDutch，whenKingCharleswascompelledtolendtroopstotheStates;andagainstthem，whenhisMajestymadeanalliancewiththeFrenchKing。InthesecampaignsThomasEsmondwasmoreremarkedforduelling，brawling，vice，andplay，thanforanyconspicuousgallantryinthefield，andcamebacktoEngland，likemanyanotherEnglishgentlemanwhohastravelled，withacharacterbynomeansimprovedbyhisforeignexperience。Hehaddissipatedhissmallpaternalinheritanceofayoungerbrother'sportion，and，astruthmustbetold，wasnobetterthanahanger—onofordinaries，andabrawleraboutAlsatiaandtheFriars，whenhebethoughthimofameansofmendinghisfortune。
Hiscousinwasnowofmorethanmiddleage，andhadnobody'swordbutherownforthebeautywhichshesaidsheoncepossessed。Shewaslean，andyellow，andlonginthetooth;alltheredandwhiteinallthetoy—shopsinLondoncouldnotmakeabeautyofher——Mr。
KilligrewcalledhertheSybil，thedeath's—headputupattheKing'sfeastasamementomori，&c。——infine，awomanwhomightbeeasyofconquest，butwhomonlyaveryboldmanwouldthinkofconquering。ThisboldmanwasThomasEsmond。HehadafancytomyLordCastlewood'ssavings，theamountofwhichrumorhadverymuchexaggerated。MadameIsabelwassaidtohaveRoyaljewelsofgreatvalue;whereaspoorTomEsmond'slastcoatbutonewasinpawn。
MylordhadatthistimeafinehouseinLincoln's—Inn—Fields，nightotheDuke'sTheatreandthePortugalambassador'schapel。TomEsmond，whohadfrequentedtheoneaslongashehadmoneytospendamongtheactresses，nowcametothechurchasassiduously。Helookedsoleanandshabby，thathepassedwithoutdifficultyforarepentantsinner;andso，becomingconverted，youmaybesuretookhisuncle'spriestforadirector。
Thischaritablefatherreconciledhimwiththeoldlord，hisuncle，whoashorttimebeforewouldnotspeaktohim，asTompassedundermylord'scoachwindow，hislordshipgoinginstatetohisplaceatCourt，whilehisnephewslunkbywithhisbatteredhatandfeather，andthepointofhisrapierstickingoutofthescabbard——tohistwopennyordinaryinBellYard。
ThomasEsmond，afterthisreconciliationwithhisuncle，verysoonbegantogrowsleek，andtoshowsignsofthebenefitsofgoodlivingandcleanlinen。Hefastedrigorouslytwiceaweek，tobesure;buthemadeamendsontheotherdays:and，toshowhowgreathisappetitewas，Mr。Wycherleysaid，heendedbyswallowingthatfly—blownrankoldmorselhiscousin。TherewereendlessjokesandlampoonsaboutthismarriageatCourt:butTomrodethitherinhisuncle'scoachnow，calledhimfather，andhavingwoncouldaffordtolaugh。ThismarriagetookplaceveryshortlybeforeKingCharlesdied:whomtheViscountofCastlewoodspeedilyfollowed。
Theissueofthismarriagewasoneson，whomtheparentswatchedwithanintenseeagernessandcare;butwho，inspiteofnursesandphysicians，hadonlyabriefexistence。Histaintedblooddidnotrunverylonginhispoorfeeblelittlebody。Symptomsofevilbrokeoutearlyonhim;and，partfromflattery，partsuperstition，nothingwouldsatisfymylordandlady，especiallythelatter，buthavingthepoorlittlecrippletouchedbyhisMajestyathischurch。Theywerereadytocryoutmiracleatfirst（thedoctorsandquack—salversbeingconstantlyinattendanceonthechild，andexperimentingonhispoorlittlebodywitheveryconceivablenostrum）butthoughthereseemed，fromsomereason，anotableameliorationintheinfant'shealthafterhisMajestytouchedhim，inafewweeksafterwardthepoorthingdied——causingthelampoonersoftheCourttosay，thattheKing，inexpellingeviloutoftheinfantofTomEsmondandIsabellahiswife，expelledthelifeoutofit，whichwasnothingbutcorruption。
Themother'snaturalpangatlosingthispoorlittlechildmusthavebeenincreasedwhenshethoughtofherrivalFrankEsmond'swife，whowasafavoriteofthewholeCourt，wheremypoorLadyCastlewoodwasneglected，andwhohadonechild，adaughter，flourishingandbeautiful，andwasabouttobecomeamotheroncemore。
TheCourt，asIhaveheard，onlylaughedthemorebecausethepoorlady，whohadprettywellpassedtheagewhenladiesareaccustomedtohavechildren，neverthelessdeterminednottogivehopeup，andevenwhenshecametoliveatCastlewood，wasconstantlysendingovertoHextonforthedoctor，andannouncingtoherfriendsthearrivalofanheir。Thisabsurdityofherswasoneamongstmanyotherswhichthewagsusedtoplayupon。Indeed，tothelastdaysofherlife，myLadyViscountesshadthecomfortoffancyingherselfbeautiful，andpersistedinbloominguptotheverymidstofwinter，paintingrosesonhercheekslongaftertheirnaturalseason，andattiringherselflikesummerthoughherheadwascoveredwithsnow。
GentlemenwhowereabouttheCourtofKingCharles，andKingJames，havetoldthepresentwriteranumberofstoriesaboutthisqueeroldlady，withwhichit'snotnecessarythatposterityshouldbeentertained。Sheissaidtohavehadgreatpowersofinvectiveand，ifshefoughtwithallherrivalsinKingJames'sfavor，'tiscertainshemusthavehadavastnumberofquarrelsonherhands。
Shewasawomanofanintrepidspirit，and，itappears，pursuedandratherfatiguedhisMajestywithherrightsandherwrongs。SomesaythatthecauseofherleavingCourtwasjealousyofFrankEsmond'swife:others，thatshewasforcedtoretreatafteragreatbattlewhichtookplaceatWhitehall，betweenherladyshipandLadyDorchester，TomKilligrew'sdaughter，whomtheKingdelightedtohonor，andinwhichthatill—favoredEsthergotthebetterofourelderlyVashti。Butherladyship，forherpart，alwaysaverredthatitwasherhusband'squarrel，andnotherown，whichoccasionedthebanishmentofthetwointothecountry;andthecruelingratitudeoftheSovereigningivingaway，outofthefamily，thatplaceofWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing'sPosset，whichthetwolastLordsCastlewoodhadheldsohonorably，andwhichwasnowconferreduponafellowofyesterday，andahanger—onofthatodiousDorchestercreature，myLordBergamot;*"Inever，"saidmylady，couldhavecometoseehisMajesty'spossetcarriedbyanyotherhandthananEsmond。I
shouldhavedashedthesalveroutofLordBergamot'shand，hadI
methim。"Andthosewhoknewherladyshipareawarethatshewasapersonquitecapableofperformingthisfeat，hadshenotwiselykeptoutoftheway。
*LionelTipton，createdBaronBergamot，ann。1686，GentlemanUsheroftheBackStairs，andafterwardsappointedWardenoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing'sPosset（onthedeceaseofGeorge，secondViscountCastlewood），accompaniedhisMajestytoSt。
Germain's，wherehediedwithoutissue。NoGroomofthePossetwasappointedbythePrinceofOrange，norhaththerebeensuchanofficerinanysucceedingreign。
Holdingthepurse—stringsinherowncontrol，towhich，indeed，shelikedtobringmostpersonswhocamenearher，LadyCastlewoodcouldcommandherhusband'sobedience，andsobrokeupherestablishmentatLondon;shehadremovedfromLincoln's—Inn—FieldstoChelsey，toaprettynewhousesheboughtthere;andbroughtherestablishment，hermaids，lap—dogs，andgentlewomen，herpriest，andhislordshipherhusband，toCastlewoodHall，thatshehadneverseensinceshequitteditasachildwithherfatherduringthetroublesofKingCharlestheFirst'sreign。ThewallswerestillopenintheoldhouseastheyhadbeenleftbytheshotoftheCommonwealthmen。Apartofthemansionwasrestoredandfurbishedupwiththeplate，hangings，andfurniturebroughtfromthehouseinLondon。MyladymeanttohaveatriumphalentryintoCastlewoodvillage，andexpectedthepeopletocheerasshedroveovertheGreeninhergreatcoach，mylordbesideher，hergentlewomen，lap—dogs，andcockatoosontheoppositeseat，sixhorsestohercarriage，andservantsarmedandmountedfollowingitandprecedingit。But'twasintheheightoftheNo—Poperycry;
thefolksinthevillageandtheneighboringtownwerescaredbythesightofherladyship'spaintedfaceandeyelids，asshebobbedherheadoutofthecoachwindow，meaning，nodoubt，tobeverygracious;andoneoldwomansaid，"LadyIsabel！lord—a—mercy，it'sLadyJezebel！"anamebywhichtheenemiesoftherighthonorableViscountesswereafterwardsinthehabitofdesignatingher。ThecountrywastheninagreatNo—Poperyfervor;herladyship'sknownconversion，andherhusband's，thepriestinhertrain，andtheserviceperformedatthechapelofCastlewood（thoughthechapelhadbeenbuiltforthatworshipbeforeanyotherwasheardofinthecountry，andthoughtheservicewasperformedinthemostquietmanner），gothernofavoratfirstinthecountyorvillage。ByfarthegreaterpartoftheestateofCastlewoodhadbeenconfiscated，andbeenparcelledouttoCommonwealthmen。OneortwooftheseoldCromwelliansoldierswerestillaliveinthevillage，andlookedgrimlyatfirstuponmyLadyViscountess，whenshecametodwellthere。
SheappearedattheHextonAssembly，bringingherlordafterher，scaringthecountryfolkswiththesplendorofherdiamonds，whichshealwaysworeinpublic。Theysaidsheworetheminprivate，too，andsleptwiththemroundherneck;thoughthewritercanpledgehiswordthatthiswasacalumny。"Ifsheweretotakethemoff，"myLadySarksaid，"TomEsmond，herhusband，wouldrunawaywiththemandpawnthem。"'Twasanothercalumny。MyLadySarkwasalsoanexilefromCourt，andtherehadbeenwarbetweenthetwoladiesbefore。
Thevillagepeoplebegantobereconciledpresentlytotheirlady，whowasgenerousandkind，thoughfantasticandhaughty，inherways;andwhosepraisesDr。Tusher，theVicar，soundedloudlyamongsthisflock。Asformylord，hegavenogreattrouble，beingconsideredscarcemorethananappendagetomylady，who，asdaughteroftheoldlordsofCastlewood，andpossessorofvastwealth，asthecountryfolkssaid（thoughindeednine—tenthsofitexistedbutinrumor），waslookeduponastherealqueenoftheCastle，andmistressofallitcontained。
CHAPTERIII。
WHITHERINTHETIMEOFTHOMAS，THIRDVISCOUNT，IHADPRECEDEDHIM
ASPAGETOISABELLA。
CominguptoLondonagainsomeshorttimeafterthisretreat，theLordCastlewooddespatchedaretainerofhistoalittleCottageinthevillageofEaling，neartoLondon，whereforsometimehaddweltanoldFrenchrefugee，bynameMr。Pastoureau，oneofthosewhomthepersecutionoftheHuguenotsbytheFrenchkinghadbroughtovertothiscountry。Withthisoldmanlivedalittlelad，whowentbythenameofHenryThomas。Herememberedtohavelivedinanotherplaceashorttimebefore，neartoLondontoo，amongstloomsandspinning—wheels，andagreatdealofpsalm—
singingandchurch—going，andawholecolonyofFrenchmen。
Therehehadadear，dearfriend，whodied，andwhomhecalledAunt。Sheusedtovisithiminhisdreamssometimes;andherface，thoughitwashomely，wasathousandtimesdearertohimthanthatofMrs。Pastoureau，BonPapaPastoureau'snewwife，whocametolivewithhimafterauntwentaway。Andthere，atSpittlefields，asitusedtobecalled，livedUncleGeorge，whowasaweavertoo，butusedtotellHarrythathewasalittlegentleman，andthathisfatherwasacaptain，andhismotheranangel。
Whenhesaidso，BonPapausedtolookupfromtheloom，wherehewasembroideringbeautifulsilkflowers，andsay，"Angel！shebelongstotheBabylonishscarletwoman。"BonPapawasalwaystalkingofthescarletwoman。Hehadalittleroomwherehealwaysusedtopreachandsinghymnsoutofhisgreatoldnose。LittleHarrydidnotlikethepreaching;helikedbetterthefinestorieswhichauntusedtotellhim。BonPapa'swifenevertoldhimprettystories;shequarrelledwithUncleGeorge，andhewentaway。
Afterthis，Harry'sBonPapaandhiswifeandtwochildrenofherownthatshebroughtwithher，cametoliveatEaling。Thenewwifegaveherchildrenthebestofeverything，andHarrymanyawhipping，heknewnotwhy。Besidesblows，hegotillnamesfromher，whichneednotbesetdownhere，forthesakeofoldMr。
Pastoureau，whowasstillkindsometimes。Theunhappinessofthosedaysislongforgiven，thoughtheycastashadeofmelancholyoverthechild'syouth，whichwillaccompanyhim，nodoubt，totheendofhisdays:asthosetendertwigsarebentthetreesgrowafterward;andhe，atleast，whohassufferedasachild，andisnotquitepervertedinthatearlyschoolofunhappiness，learnstobegentleandlong—sufferingwithlittlechildren。
Harrywasverygladwhenagentlemandressedinblack，onhorseback，withamountedservantbehindhim，cametofetchhimawayfromEaling。Thenoverca，orunjuststepmother，whohadneglectedhimforherowntwochildren，gavehimsupperenoughthenightbeforehewentaway，andplentyinthemorning。Shedidnotbeathimonce，andtoldthechildrentokeeptheirhandsoffhim。
Onewasagirl，andHarrynevercouldbeartostrikeagirl;andtheotherwasaboy，whomhecouldeasilyhavebeat，buthealwayscriedout，whenMrs。Pastoureaucamesailingtotherescuewitharmslikeaflail。SheonlywashedHarry'sfacethedayhewentaway;noreversomuchasonceboxedhisears。Shewhimperedratherwhenthegentlemaninblackcamefortheboy;andoldMr。
Pastoureau，ashegavethechildhisblessing，scowledoverhisshoulderatthestrangegentleman，andgrumbledoutsomethingaboutBabylonandthescarletlady。Hewasgrownquiteold，likeachildalmost。Mrs。Pastoureauusedtowipehisnoseasshedidtothechildren。Shewasagreat，big，handsomeyoungwoman;but，thoughshepretendedtocry，Harrythought'twasonlyasham，andsprungquitedelighteduponthehorseuponwhichthelackeyhelpedhim。
HewasaFrenchman;hisnamewasBlaise。Thechildcouldtalktohiminhisownlanguageperfectlywell:heknewitbetterthanEnglishindeed，havinglivedhithertochieflyamongFrenchpeople:
andbeingcalledtheLittleFrenchmanbyotherboysonEalingGreen。HesoonlearnttospeakEnglishperfectly，andtoforgetsomeofhisFrench:childrenforgeteasily。Someearlierandfainterrecollectionsthechildhadofadifferentcountry;andatownwithtallwhitehouses:andaship。Butthesewerequiteindistinctintheboy'smind，asindeedthememoryofEalingsoonbecame，atleastofmuchthathesufferedthere。
Thelackeybeforewhomherodewasverylivelyandvoluble，andinformedtheboythatthegentlemanridingbeforehimwasmylord'schaplain，FatherHolt——thathewasnowtobecalledMasterHarryEsmond——thatmyLordViscountCastlewoodwashisparrain——thathewastoliveatthegreathouseofCastlewood，intheprovinceof————shire，wherehewouldseeMadametheViscountess，whowasagrandlady。Andso，seatedonaclothbeforeBlaise'ssaddle，HarryEsmondwasbroughttoLondon，andtoafinesquarecalledCoventGarden，neartowhichhispatronlodged。
Mr。Holt，thepriest，tookthechildbythehand，andbroughthimtothisnobleman，agrandlanguidnoblemaninagreatcapandfloweredmorning—gown，suckingoranges。HepattedHarryontheheadandgavehimanorange。
"C'estbienca，"hesaidtothepriestaftereyingthechild，andthegentlemaninblackshruggedhisshoulders。
"LetBlaisetakehimoutforaholiday，"andoutforaholidaytheboyandthevaletwent。Harrywentjumpingalong;hewasgladenoughtogo。
Hewillremembertohislife'sendthedelightsofthosedays。HewastakentoseeaplaybyMonsieurBlaise，inahouseathousandtimesgreaterandfinerthantheboothatEalingFair——andonthenexthappydaytheytookwaterontheriver，andHarrysawLondonBridge，withthehousesandbooksellers'shopsthereon，lookinglikeastreet，andtheTowerofLondon，withtheArmor，andthegreatlionsandbearsinthemoat——allundercompanyofMonsieurBlaise。
Presently，ofanearlymorning，allthepartysetforthforthecountry，namely，myLordViscountandtheothergentleman;MonsieurBlaiseandHarryonapillionbehindthem，andtwoorthreemenwithpistolsleadingthebaggage—horses。AndallalongtheroadtheFrenchmantoldlittleHarrystoriesofbrigands，whichmadethechild'shairstandonend，andterrifiedhim;sothatatthegreatgloomyinnontheroadwheretheylay，hebesoughttobeallowedtosleepinaroomwithoneoftheservants，andwascompassionatedbyMr。Holt，thegentlemanwhotravelledwithmylord，andwhogavethechildalittlebedinhischamber。
Hisartlesstalkandanswersverylikelyinclinedthisgentlemanintheboy'sfavor，fornextdayMr。HoltsaidHarryshouldridebehindhim，andnotwiththeFrenchlacky;andallalongthejourneyputathousandquestionstothechild——astohisfoster—
brotherandrelationsatEaling;whathisoldgrandfatherhadtaughthim;whatlanguagesheknew;whetherhecouldreadandwrite，andsing，andsoforth。AndMr。HoltfoundthatHarrycouldreadandwrite，andpossessedthetwolanguagesofFrenchandEnglishverywell;andwhenheaskedHarryaboutsinging，theladbrokeoutwithahymntothetuneofDr。MartinLuther，whichsetMr。Holta—laughing;andevencausedhisgrandparraininthelacedhatandperiwigtolaughtoowhenHolttoldhimwhatthechildwassinging。ForitappearedthatDr。MartinLuther'shymnswerenotsunginthechurchesMr。Holtpreachedat。
"Youmustneversingthatsonganymore:doyouhear，littlemannikin？"saysmyLordViscount，holdingupafinger。
"Butwewilltryandteachyouabetter，Harry，"Mr。Holtsaid;andthechildanswered，forhewasadocilechild，andofanaffectionatenature，"Thathelovedprettysongs，andwouldtryandlearnanythingthegentlemanwouldtellhim。"Thatdayhesopleasedthegentlemenbyhistalk，thattheyhadhimtodinewiththemattheinn，andencouragedhiminhisprattle;andMonsieurBlaise，withwhomherodeanddinedthedaybefore，waiteduponhimnow。
"'Tiswell，'tiswell！"saidBlaise，thatnight（inhisownlanguage）whentheylayagainataninn。"Wearealittlelordhere;wearealittlelordnow:weshallseewhatwearewhenwecometoCastlewood，wheremyladyis。"
"WhenshallwecometoCastlewood，MonsieurBlaise？"saysHarry。
"Parbleu！mylorddoesnotpresshimself，"Blaisesays，withagrin;and，indeed，itseemedasifhislordshipwasnotinagreathurry，forhespentthreedaysonthatjourneywhichHarryEsmondhathoftensinceriddeninadozenhours。ForthelasttwoofthedaysHarryrodewiththepriest，whowassokindtohim，thatthechildhadgrowntobequitefondandfamiliarwithhimbythejourney'send，andhadscarceathoughtinhislittleheartwhichbythattimehehadnotconfidedtohisnewfriend。
Atlength，onthethirdday，atevening，theycametoavillagestandingonagreenwithelmsroundit，veryprettytolookat;andthepeopletherealltookofftheirhats，andmadecurtsiestomyLordViscount，whobowedtothemalllanguidly;andtherewasoneportlypersonthatworeacassockandabroad—leafedhat，whobowedlowerthananyone——andwiththisonebothmylordandMr。Holthadafewwords。"This，Harry，isCastlewoodchurch，"saysMr。Holt，"andthisisthepillarthereof，learnedDoctorTusher。Takeoffyourhat，sirrah，andsaluteDr。Tusher！"
"Comeuptosupper，Doctor，"saysmylord;atwhichtheDoctormadeanotherlowbow，andthepartymovedontowardsagrandhousethatwasbeforethem，withmanygraytowersandvanesonthem，andwindowsflaminginthesunshine;andagreatarmyofrooks，wheelingovertheirheads，madeforthewoodsbehindthehouse，asHarrysaw;andMr。HolttoldhimthattheylivedatCastlewoodtoo。
Theycametothehouse，andpassedunderanarchintoacourt—yard，withafountaininthecentre，wheremanymencameandheldmylord'sstirrupashedescended，andpaidgreatrespecttoMr。Holtlikewise。Andthechildthoughtthattheservantslookedathimcuriously，andsmiledtooneanother——andherecalledwhatBlaisehadsaidtohimwhentheywereinLondon，andHarryhadspokenabouthisgodpapa，whentheFrenchmansaid，"Parbleu，oneseeswellthatmylordisyourgodfather;"wordswhereofthepoorladdidnotknowthemeaningthen，thoughheapprehendedthetruthinaveryshorttimeafterwards，andlearnedit，andthoughtofitwithnosmallfeelingofshame。
TakingHarrybythehandassoonastheywerebothdescendedfromtheirhorses，Mr。Holtledhimacrossthecourt，andunderalowdoortoroomsonalevelwiththeground;oneofwhichFatherHoltsaidwastobetheboy'schamber，theotherontheothersideofthepassagebeingtheFather'sown;andassoonasthelittleman'sfacewaswashed，andtheFather'sowndressarranged，Harry'sguidetookhimoncemoretothedoorbywhichmylordhadenteredthehall，andupastair，andthroughanante—roomtomylady'sdrawing—room——anapartmentthanwhichHarrythoughthehadneverseenanythingmoregrand——no，notintheTowerofLondonwhichhehadjustvisited。Indeed，thechamberwasrichlyornamentedinthemannerofQueenElizabeth'stime，withgreatstainedwindowsateitherend，andhangingsoftapestry，whichthesunshiningthroughthecoloredglasspaintedofathousandlines;andhereinstate，bythefire，sataladytowhomthepriesttookupHarry，whowasindeedamazedbyherappearance。
MyLadyViscountess'sfacewasdaubedwithwhiteandreduptotheeyes，towhichthepaintgaveanunearthlyglare:shehadatoweroflaceonherhead，underwhichwasabushofblackcurls——
borrowedcurls——sothatnowonderlittleHarryEsmondwasscaredwhenhewasfirstpresentedtoher——thekindpriestactingasmasteroftheceremoniesatthatsolemnintroduction——andhestaredatherwitheyesalmostasgreatasherown，ashehadstaredattheplayerwomanwhoactedthewickedtragedy—queen，whentheplayerscamedowntoEalingFair。Shesatinagreatchairbythefire—corner;inherlapwasaspaniel—dogthatbarkedfuriously;onalittletablebyherwasherladyship'ssnuff—boxandhersugar—
plumbox。Sheworeadressofblackvelvet，andapetticoatofflame—coloredbrocade。ShehadasmanyringsonherfingersastheoldwomanofBanburyCross;andprettysmallfeetwhichshewasfondofshowing，withgreatgoldclockstoherstockings，andwhitepantofleswithredheels;andanodorofmuskwasshookoutofhergarmentswhenevershemovedorquittedtheroom，leaningonhertortoise—shellstick，littleFurybarkingatherheels。