"Youareplayingawfulstakes，mylord，inmypatron'shouse，"
　　Harrysaid，"andmoregamesthanareonthecards。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean，sir？"criesmylord，turninground，withaflushonhisface。
　　"Imean，"answersHarry，inasarcastictone，"thatyourgoutiswell——ifeveryouhadit。"
　　"Sir！"criedmylord，gettinghot。
　　"AndtotellthetruthIbelieveyourlordshiphasnomoregoutthanIhave。Atanyrate，changeofairwilldoyougood，myLordMohun。AndImeanfairlythatyouhadbettergofromCastlewood。"
　　"Andwereyouappointedtogivemethismessage？"criestheLordMohun。"DidFrankEsmondcommissionyou？"
　　"Noonedid。'Twasthehonorofmyfamilythatcommissionedme。"
　　"Andyouarepreparedtoanswerthis？"criestheother，furiouslylashinghishorses。
　　"Quite，mylord:yourlordshipwillupsetthecarriageifyouwhipsohotly。"
　　"ByGeorge，youhaveabravespirit！"mylordcriedout，burstingintoalaugh。"Isuppose'tisthatinfernalbottedeJesuitethatmakesyousobold，"headded。
　　"'TisthepeaceofthefamilyIlovebestintheworld，"HarryEsmondsaidwarmly——"'tisthehonorofanoblebenefactor——thehappinessofmydearmistressandherchildren。Iowethemeverythinginlife，mylord;andwouldlayitdownforanyoneofthem。Whatbringsyouheretodisturbthisquiethousehold？Whatkeepsyoulingeringmonthaftermonthinthecountry？Whatmakesyoufeignillness，andinventpretextsfordelay？Isittowinmypoorpatron'smoney？Begenerous，mylord，andsparehisweaknessforthesakeofhiswifeandchildren。Isittopractiseuponthesimpleheartofavirtuouslady？YoumightaswellstormtheTowersingle—handed。Butyoumayblemishhernamebylightcommentsonit，orbylawlesspursuits——andIdon'tdenythat'tisinyourpowertomakeherunhappy。Sparetheseinnocentpeople，andleavethem。"
　　"BytheLord，IbelievethouhastaneyetotheprettyPuritanthyself，MasterHarry，"saysmylord，withhisreckless，good—
　　humoredlaugh，andasifhehadbeenlisteningwithinteresttothepassionateappealoftheyoungman。"Whisper，Harry。Artthouinlovewithherthyself？HathtipsyFrankEsmondcomebythewayofallflesh？"
　　"Mylord，mylord，"criedHarry，hisfaceflushingandhiseyesfillingashespoke，"Ineverhadamother，butIlovethisladyasone。Iworshipherasadevoteeworshipsasaint。Tohearhernamespokenlightlyseemsblasphemytome。Wouldyoudarethinkofyourownmotherso，orsufferanyonesotospeakofher？Itisahorrortometofancythatanymanshouldthinkofherimpurely。I
　　imploreyou，Ibeseechyou，toleaveher。Dangerwillcomeoutofit。"
　　"Danger，psha！"saysmylord，givingacuttothehorses，whichatthisminute——forweweregotontotheDowns——fairlyranoffintoagallopthatnopullingcouldstop。ThereinbrokeinLordMohun'shands，andthefuriousbeastsscamperedmadlyforwards，thecarriageswayingtoandfro，andthepersonswithinitholdingontothesidesasbesttheymight，untilseeingagreatravinebeforethem，whereanupsetwasinevitable，thetwogentlemenleaptfortheirlives，eachoutofhissideofthechaise。HarryEsmondwasquitforafallonthegrass，whichwassoseverethatitstunnedhimforaminute;buthegotuppresentlyverysick，andbleedingatthenose，butwithnootherhurt。TheLordMohunwasnotsofortunate;hefellonhisheadagainstastone，andlayontheground，deadtoallappearance。
　　Thismisadventurehappenedasthegentlemenwereontheirreturnhomewards;andmyLordCastlewood，withhissonanddaughter，whoweregoingoutforaride，mettheponiesastheyweregallopingwiththecarbehind，thebrokentracesentanglingtheirheels，andmylord'speopleturnedandstoppedthem。ItwasyoungFrankwhospiedoutLordMohun'sscarletcoatashelayontheground，andthepartymadeuptothatunfortunategentlemanandEsmond，whowasnowstandingoverhim。Hislargeperiwigandfeatheredhathadfallenoff，andhewasbleedingprofuselyfromawoundontheforehead，andlooking，andbeing，indeed，acorpse。
　　"GreatGod！he'sdead！"saysmylord。"Ride，someone:fetchadoctor——stay。I'llgohomeandbringbackTusher;heknowssurgery，"andmylord，withhissonafterhim，gallopedaway。
　　TheywerescarcegonewhenHarryEsmond，whowasindeedbutjustcometohimself，bethoughthimofasimilaraccidentwhichhehadseenonaridefromNewmarkettoCambridge，andtakingoffasleeveofmylord'scoat，Harry，withapenknife，openedaveinofhisarm，andwasgreatlyrelieved，afteramoment，toseethebloodflow。Hewasnearhalfanhourbeforehecametohimself，bywhichtimeDoctorTusherandlittleFrankarrived，andfoundmylordnotacorpseindeed，butaspaleasone。
　　Afteratime，whenhewasabletobearmotion，theyputmylorduponagroom'shorse，andgavetheothertoEsmond，themenwalkingoneachsideofmylord，tosupporthim，ifneedwere，andworthyDoctorTusherwiththem。LittleFrankandHarryrodetogetheratafootpace。
　　Whenwerodetogetherhome，theboysaid:"Wemetmamma，whowaswalkingontheterracewiththedoctor，andpapafrightenedher，andtoldheryouweredead……"
　　"ThatIwasdead！"asksHarry。
　　"Yes。Papasays:'Here'spoorHarrykilled，mydear;'onwhichmammagivesagreatscream;andoh，Harry！shedropsdown;andI
　　thoughtshewasdeadtoo。Andyouneversawsuchawayaspapawasin:hesworeoneofhisgreatoaths:andheturnedquitepale;andthenhebegantolaughsomehow，andhetoldtheDoctortotakehishorse，andmetofollowhim;andwelefthim。AndIlookedback，andsawhimdashingwateroutofthefountainontomamma。Oh，shewassofrightened！"
　　Musinguponthiscurioushistory——formyLordMohun'snamewasHenrytoo，andtheycalledeachotherFrankandHarryoften——andnotalittledisturbedandanxious，Esmondrodehome。Hisdearladywasontheterracestill，oneofherwomenwithher，andmylordnolongerthere。Therearestepsandalittledoorthencedownintotheroad。Mylordpassed，lookingveryghastly，withahandkerchiefoverhishead，andwithouthishatandperiwig，whichagroomcarried，buthispolitenessdidnotdeserthim，andhemadeabowtotheladyabove。
　　"Thankheaven，youaresafe，"shesaid。
　　"AndsoisHarrytoo，mamma，"sayslittleFrank，——"huzzay！"
　　HarryEsmondgotoffthehorsetoruntohismistress，asdidlittleFrank，andoneofthegroomstookchargeofthetwobeasts，whiletheother，hatandperiwiginhand，walkedbymylord'sbridletothefrontgate，whichlayhalfamileaway。
　　"Oh，myboy！whatafrightyouhavegivenme！"LadyCastlewoodsaid，whenHarryEsmondcameup，greetinghimwithoneofhershininglooks，andavoiceoftenderwelcome;andshewassokindastokisstheyoungman（'twasthesecondtimeshehadsohonoredhim），andshewalkedintothehousebetweenhimandherson，holdingahandofeach。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　WERIDEAFTERHIMTOLONDON。
　　Afterareposeofacoupleofdays，theLordMohunwassofarrecoveredofhishurtastobeabletoannouncehisdepartureforthenextmorning;when，accordingly，hetookleaveofCastlewood，proposingtoridetoLondonbyeasystages，andlietwonightsupontheroad。Hishosttreatedhimwithastudiedandceremoniouscourtesy，certainlydifferentfrommylord'susualfrankandcarelessdemeanor;buttherewasnoreasontosupposethatthetwolordspartedotherwisethangoodfriends，thoughHarryEsmondremarkedthatmyLordViscountonlysawhisguestincompanywithotherpersons，andseemedtoavoidbeingalonewithhim。NordidherideanydistancewithLordMohun，ashiscustomwaswithmostofhisfriends，whomhewasalwayseagertowelcomeandunwillingtolose;butcontentedhimself，whenhislordship'shorseswereannounced，andtheirownerappeared，bootedforhisjourney，totakeacourteousleaveoftheladiesofCastlewood，byfollowingtheLordMohundownstairstohishorses，andbybowingandwishinghimagood—day，inthecourt—yard。"IshallseeyouinLondonbeforeverylong，Mohun，"mylordsaid，withasmile，"whenwewillsettleouraccountstogether。"
　　"Donotletthemtroubleyou，Frank，"saidtheothergood—
　　naturedly，andholdingouthishand，lookedrathersurprisedatthegrimandstatelymannerinwhichhishostreceivedhispartingsalutation;andso，followedbyhispeople，herodeaway。
　　HarryEsmondwaswitnessofthedeparture。Itwasverydifferenttomylord'scoming，forwhichgreatpreparationhadbeenmade（theoldhouseputtingonitsbestappearancetowelcomeitsguest），andtherewasasadnessandconstraintaboutallpersonsthatday，whichfilledMr。Esmondwithgloomyforebodings，andsadindefiniteapprehensions。LordCastlewoodstoodatthedoorwatchinghisguestandhispeopleastheywentoutunderthearchoftheoutergate。Whenhewasthere，LordMohunturnedoncemore，myLordViscountslowlyraisedhisbeaverandbowed。Hisfaceworeapeculiarlividlook，Harrythought。Hecursedandkickedawayhisdogs，whichcamejumpingabouthim——thenhewalkeduptothefountaininthecentreofthecourt，andleanedagainstapillarandlookedintothebasin。AsEsmondcrossedovertohisownroom，latethechaplain's，ontheothersideofthecourt，andturnedtoenterinatthelowdoor，hesawLadyCastlewoodlookingthroughthecurtainsofthegreatwindowofthedrawing—roomoverhead，atmylordashestoodregardingthefountain。Therewasinthecourtapeculiarsilencesomehow;andthesceneremainedlonginEsmond'smemory:——theskybrightoverhead;thebuttressesofthebuildingandthesun—dialcastingshadowoverthegiltmementomoriinscribedunderneath;thetwodogs，ablackgreyhoundandaspanielnearlywhite，theonewithhisfaceuptothesun，andtheothersnuffingamongstthegrassandstones，andmylordleaningoverthefountain，whichwasbubblingaudibly。'Tisstrangehowthatscene，andthesoundofthatfountain，remainfixedonthememoryofamanwhohasbeheldahundredsightsofsplendor，anddangertoo，ofwhichhehaskeptnoaccount。
　　ItwasLadyCastlewood——shehadbeenlaughingallthemorning，andespeciallygayandlivelybeforeherhusbandandhisguest——whoassoonasthetwogentlemenwenttogetherfromherroom，rantoHarry，theexpressionofhercountenancequitechangednow，andwithafaceandeyesfullofcare，andsaid，"Followthem，Harry，I
　　amsuresomethinghasgonewrong。"AndsoitwasthatEsmondwasmadeaneavesdropperatthislady'sordersandretiredtohisownchamber，togivehimselftimeintruthtotryandcomposeastorywhichwouldsoothehismistress，forhecouldnotbuthavehisownapprehensionthatsomeseriousquarrelwaspendingbetweenthetwogentlemen。
　　AndnowforseveraldaysthelittlecompanyatCastlewoodsatattableasofevenings:thiscare，thoughunnamedandinvisible，beingneverthelesspresentalway，inthemindsofatleastthreepersonsthere。Mylordwasexceedinggentleandkind。Wheneverhequittedtheroom，hiswife'seyesfollowedhim。Hebehavedtoherwithakindofmournfulcourtesyandkindnessremarkableinoneofhisbluntwaysandordinaryroughmanner。HecalledherbyherChristiannameoftenandfondly，wasverysoftandgentlewiththechildren，especiallywiththeboy，whomhedidnotlove，andbeinglaxaboutchurchgenerally，hewentthitherandperformedalltheoffices（downeventolisteningtoDr。Tusher'ssermon）withgreatdevotion。
　　"Hepaceshisroomallnight;whatisit？Henry，findoutwhatitis，"LadyCastlewoodsaidconstantlytoheryoungdependant。"HehassentthreeletterstoLondon，"shesaid，anotherday。
　　"Indeed，madam，theyweretoalawyer，"Harryanswered，whoknewoftheseletters，andhadseenapartofthecorrespondence，whichrelatedtoanewloanmylordwasraising;andwhentheyoungmanremonstratedwithhispatron，mylordsaid，"Hewasonlyraisingmoneytopayoffanolddebtontheproperty，whichmustbedischarged。"
　　Regardingthemoney，LadyCastlewoodwasnotintheleastanxious。
　　Fewfondwomenfeelmoney—distressed;indeedyoucanhardlygiveawomanagreaterpleasurethantobidherpawnherdiamondsforthemansheloves;andIrememberhearingMr。CongrevesayofmyLordMarlborough，thatthereasonwhymylordwassosuccessfulwithwomenasayoungman，wasbecausehetookmoneyofthem。"Therearefewmenwhowillmakesuchasacrificeforthem，"saysMr。
　　Congreve，whoknewapartofthesexprettywell。
　　HarryEsmond'svacationwasjustover，and，ashathbeensaid，hewaspreparingtoreturntotheUniversityforhislasttermbeforetakinghisdegreeandenteringintotheChurch。Hehadmadeuphismindforthisoffice，notindeedwiththatreverencewhichbecomesamanabouttoenteruponadutysoholy，butwithaworldlyspiritofacquiescenceintheprudenceofadoptingthatprofessionforhiscalling。ButhisreasoningwasthatheowedalltothefamilyofCastlewood，andlovedbettertobenearthemthananywhereelseintheworld;thathemightbeusefultohisbenefactors，whohadtheutmostconfidenceinhimandaffectionforhiminreturn;thathemightaidinbringinguptheyoungheirofthehouseandactingashisgovernor;thathemightcontinuetobehisdearpatron'sandmistress'sfriendandadviser，whobothwerepleasedtosaythattheyshouldeverlookuponhimassuch;andso，bymakinghimselfusefultothosehelovedbest，heproposedtoconsolehimselfforgivingupofanyschemesofambitionwhichhemighthavehadinhisownbosom。Indeed，hismistresshadtoldhimthatshewouldnothavehimleaveher;andwhatevershecommandedwaswilltohim。
　　TheLadyCastlewood'smindwasgreatlyrelievedinthelastfewdaysofthiswell—rememberedholidaytime，bymylord'sannouncingonemorning，aftertheposthadbroughthimlettersfromLondon，inacarelesstone，thattheLordMohunwasgonetoParis，andwasabouttomakeagreatjourneyinEurope;andthoughLordCastlewood'sowngloomdidnotwearoff，orhisbehavioralter，yetthiscauseofanxietybeingremovedfromhislady'smind，shebegantobemorehopefulandeasyinherspirits，strivingtoo，withallherheart，andbyallthemeansofsoothinginherpower，tocallbackmylord'scheerfulnessanddissipatehismoodyhumor。
　　Heaccountedforithimself，bysayingthathewasoutofhealth;
　　thathewantedtoseehisphysician;thathewouldgotoLondon，andconsultDoctorCheyne。ItwasagreedthathislordshipandHarryEsmondshouldmakethejourneyasfarasLondontogether;andofaMondaymorning，the11thofOctober，intheyear1700，theysetforwardstowardsLondononhorseback。ThedaybeforebeingSunday，andtherainpouringdown，thefamilydidnotvisitchurch;
　　andatnightmylordreadtheservicetohisfamilyveryfinely，andwithapeculiarsweetnessandgravity——speakingthepartingbenediction，Harrythought，assolemnaseverheheardit。Andhekissedandembracedhiswifeandchildrenbeforetheywenttotheirownchamberswithmorefondnessthanhewasordinarilywonttoshow，andwithasolemnityandfeelingofwhichtheythoughtinafterdayswithnosmallcomfort。
　　Theytookhorsethenextmorning（afteradieuxfromthefamilyastenderasonthenightprevious），laythatnightontheroad，andenteredLondonatnightfall;mylordgoingtothe"Trumpet，"intheCockpit，Whitehall，ahouseusedbythemilitaryinhistimeasayoungman，andaccustomedbyhislordshipeversince。
　　Anhouraftermylord'sarrival（whichshowedthathisvisithadbeenarrangedbeforehand），mylord'smanofbusinessarrivedfromGray'sInn;andthinkingthathispatronmightwishtobeprivatewiththelawyer，Esmondwasforleavingthem:butmylordsaidhisbusinesswasshort;introducedMr。Esmondparticularlytothelawyer，whohadbeenengagedforthefamilyintheoldlord'stime;
　　whosaidthathehadpaidthemoney，asdesiredthatday，tomyLordMohunhimself，athislodgingsinBowStreet;thathislordshiphadexpressedsomesurprise，asitwasnotcustomarytoemploylawyers，hesaid，insuchtransactionsbetweenmenofhonor;
　　butnevertheless，hehadreturnedmyLordViscount'snoteofhand，whichheheldathisclient'sdisposition。
　　"IthoughttheLordMohunhadbeeninParis！"criedMr。Esmond，ingreatalarmandastonishment。
　　"Heiscomebackatmyinvitation，"saidmyLordViscount。"Wehaveaccountstosettletogether。"
　　"Iprayheaventheyareover，sir，"saysEsmond。
　　"Oh，quite，"repliedtheother，lookinghardattheyoungman。"HewasrathertroublesomeaboutthatmoneywhichItoldyouIhadlosttohimatplay。Andnow'tispaid，andwearequitsonthatscore，andweshallmeetgoodfriendsagain。"
　　"Mylord，"criedoutEsmond，"Iamsureyouaredeceivingme，andthatthereisaquarrelbetweentheLordMohunandyou。"
　　"Quarrel——pish！Weshallsuptogetherthisverynight，anddrinkabottle。Everymanisill—humoredwholosessuchasumasIhavelost。Butnow'tispaid，andmyangerisgonewithit。"
　　"Whereshallwesup，sir？"saysHarry。
　　"WE！Letsomegentlemenwaittilltheyareasked，"saysmyLordViscountwithalaugh。"YougotoDukeStreet，andseeMr。
　　Betterton。Youlovetheplay，Iknow。Leavemetofollowmyowndevices:andinthemorningwe'llbreakfasttogether，withwhatappetitewemay，astheplaysays。"
　　"ByG——！mylord，Iwillnotleaveyouthisnight，"saysHarryEsmond。"IthinkIknowthecauseofyourdispute。Isweartoyou'tisnothing。OntheverydaytheaccidentbefellLordMohun，I
　　wasspeakingtohimaboutit。Iknowthatnothinghaspassedbutidlegallantryonhispart。"
　　"YouknowthatnothinghaspassedbutidlegallantrybetweenLordMohunandmywife，"saysmylord，inathunderingvoice——"youknewofthisanddidnottellme？"
　　"Iknewmoreofitthanmydearmistressdidherself，sir——athousandtimesmore。Howwasshe，whowasasinnocentasachild，toknowwhatwasthemeaningofthecovertaddressesofavillain？"
　　"Avillainheis，youallow，andwouldhavetakenmywifeawayfromme。"
　　"Sir，sheisaspureasanangel，"criedyoungEsmond。
　　"HaveIsaidawordagainsther？"shrieksoutmylord。"DidIeverdoubtthatshewaspure？ItwouldhavebeenthelastdayofherlifewhenIdid。DoyoufancyIthinkthatSHEwouldgoastray？
　　No，shehasn'tpassionenoughforthat。Sheneithersinsnorforgives。Iknowhertemper——andnowI'velosther，byheavenI
　　lovehertenthousandtimesmorethaneverIdid——yes，whenshewasasyoungandasbeautifulasanangel——whenshesmiledatmeinheroldfather'shouse，andusedtolieinwaitformethereasIcamefromhunting——whenIusedtoflingmyheaddownonherlittlekneesandcrylikeachildonherlap——andswearIwouldreform，anddrinknomoreandplaynomore，andfollowwomennomore;whenallthemenoftheCourtusedtobefollowingher——whensheusedtolookwithherchildmorebeautiful，byGeorge，thantheMadonnaintheQueen'sChapel。Iamnotgoodlikeher，Iknowit。Whois——byheaven，whois？Itiredandweariedher，Iknowthatverywell。I
　　couldnottalktoher。Youmenofwitandbookscoulddothat，andIcouldn't——IfeltIcouldn't。Why，whenyouwasbutaboyoffifteenIcouldhearyoutwotogethertalkingyourpoetryandyourbookstillIwasinsucharagethatIwasfittostrangleyou。
　　Butyouwerealwaysagoodlad，Harry，andIlovedyou，youknowI
　　did。AndIfeltshedidn'tbelongtome:andthechildrendon't。
　　AndIbesottedmyself，andgambledanddrank，andtooktoallsortsofdeviltriesoutofdespairandfury。AndnowcomesthisMohun，andshelikeshim，Iknowshelikeshim。"
　　"Indeed，andonmysoul，youarewrong，sir，"Esmondcried。
　　"Shetakeslettersfromhim，"criesmylord——"lookhere，Harry，"
　　andhepulledoutapaperwithabrownstainofblooduponit。"Itfellfromhimthatdayhewasn'tkilled。Oneofthegroomspickeditupfromthegroundandgaveitme。Hereitisintheird——dcomedyjargon。'DivineGloriana——Whylooksocoldlyonyourslavewhoadoresyou？Haveyounocompassiononthetorturesyouhaveseenmesuffering？Doyouvouchsafenoreplytobilletsthatarewrittenwiththebloodofmyheart。'Shehadmorelettersfromhim。"
　　"Butsheanswerednone，"criesEsmond。
　　"That'snotMohun'sfault，"saysmylord，"andIwillberevengedonhim，asGod'sinheaven，Iwill。"
　　"Foralightwordortwo，willyouriskyourlady'shonorandyourfamily'shappiness，mylord？"Esmondinterposedbeseechingly。
　　"Psha——thereshallbenoquestionofmywife'shonor，"saidmylord;"wecanquarrelonplentyofgroundsbeside。IfIlive，thatvillainwillbepunished;ifIfall，myfamilywillbeonlythebetter:therewillonlybeaspendthriftthelesstokeepintheworld:andFrankhasbetterteachingthanhisfather。Mymindismadeup，HarryEsmond，andwhatevertheeventis，Iameasyaboutit。Ileavemywifeandyouasguardianstothechildren。"
　　Seeingthatmylordwasbentuponpursuingthisquarrel，andthatnoentreatieswoulddrawhimfromit，HarryEsmond（thenofahotterandmoreimpetuousnaturethannow，whencare，andreflection，andgrayhairshavecalmedhim）thoughtitwashisdutytostandbyhiskind，generouspatron，andsaid，"Mylord，ifyouaredetermineduponwar，youmustnotgointoitalone。'Tisthedutyofourhousetostandbyitschief;andIshouldneitherforgivemyselfnoryouifyoudidnotcallme，orIshouldbeabsentfromyouatamomentofdanger。"
　　"Why，Harry，mypoorboy，youarebredforaparson，"saysmylord，takingEsmondbythehandverykindly;"anditwereagreatpitythatyoushouldmeddleinthematter。"
　　"Yourlordshipthoughtofbeingachurchmanonce，"Harryanswered，"andyourfather'sordersdidnotpreventhimfightingatCastlewoodagainsttheRoundheads。Yourenemiesaremine，sir;I
　　canusethefoils，asyouhaveseen，indifferentlywell，anddon'tthinkIshallbeafraidwhenthebuttonsaretakenoff'em。"AndthenHarryexplained，withsomeblushesandhesitation（forthematterwasdelicate，andhefearedlest，byhavingputhimselfforwardinthequarrel，hemighthaveoffendedhispatron），howhehadhimselfexpostulatedwiththeLordMohun，andproposedtomeasureswordswithhimifneedwere，andhecouldnotbegottowithdrawpeaceablyinthisdispute。"AndIshouldhavebeathim，sir，"saysHarry，laughing。"HenevercouldparrythatbotteI
　　broughtfromCambridge。Letushavehalfanhourofit，andrehearse——Icanteachityourlordship:'tisthemostdelicatepointintheworld，andifyoumissit，youradversary'sswordisthroughyou。"
　　"ByGeorge，Harry，yououghttobetheheadofthehouse，"saysmylord，gloomily。"YouhadbeenabetterLordCastlewoodthanalazysotlikeme，"headded，drawinghishandacrosshiseyes，andsurveyinghiskinsmanwithverykindandaffectionateglances。
　　"Letustakeourcoatsoffandhavehalfanhour'spracticebeforenightfall，"saysHarry，afterthankfullygraspinghispatron'smanlyhand。
　　"Youarebutalittlebitofalad，"saysmylord，good—humoredly;
　　"but，infaith，Ibelieveyoucoulddoforthatfellow。No，myboy，"hecontinued，"I'llhavenoneofyourfeintsandtricksofstabbing:Icanusemyswordprettywelltoo，andwillfightmyownquarrelmyownway。"
　　"ButIshallbebytoseefairplay？"criesHarry。
　　"Yes，Godblessyou——youshallbeby。"
　　"Whenisit，sir？"saysHarry，forhesawthatthematterhadbeenarrangedprivatelyandbeforehandbymylord。
　　"'Tisarrangedthus:IsentoffacouriertoJackWestburytosaythatIwantedhimspecially。Heknowsforwhat，andwillbeherepresently，anddrinkpartofthatbottleofsack。ThenweshallgotothetheatreinDukeStreet，whereweshallmeetMohun;andthenweshallallgosupatthe'Rose'orthe'Greyhound。'Thenweshallcallforcards，andtherewillbeprobablyadifferenceoverthecards——andthen，Godhelpus！——eitherawickedvillainandtraitorshallgooutoftheworld，orapoorworthlessdevil，thatdoesn'tcaretoremaininit。Iambetteraway，Hal——mywifewillbeallthehappierwhenIamgone，"saysmylord，withagroan，thattoretheheartofHarryEsmond，sothathefairlybrokeintoasoboverhispatron'skindhand。
　　"ThebusinesswastalkedoverwithMohunbeforehelefthome——
　　CastlewoodImean"——mylordwenton。"Itooktheletterintohim，whichIhadread，andIchargedhimwithhisvillainy，andhecouldmakenodenialofit，onlyhesaidthatmywifewasinnocent。"
　　"Andsosheis;beforeheaven，mylord，sheis！"criesHarry。
　　"Nodoubt，nodoubt。Theyalwaysare，"saysmylord。"Nodoubt，whensheheardhewaskilled，shefaintedfromaccident。"
　　"But，mylord，MYnameisHarry，"criedoutEsmond，burningred。
　　"Youtoldmylady，'Harrywaskilled！'"
　　"Damnation！shallIfightyoutoo？"shoutsmylordinafury。"Areyou，youlittleserpent，warmedbymyfire，goingtosting——YOU？——
　　No，myboy，you'reanhonestboy;youareagoodboy。"（Andherehebrokefromrageintotearsevenmorecrueltosee。）"Youareanhonestboy，andIloveyou;and，byheavens，IamsowretchedthatIdon'tcarewhatsworditisthatendsme。Stop，here'sJackWestbury。Well，Jack！Welcome，oldboy！Thisismykinsman，HarryEsmond。"
　　"WhobroughtyourbowlsforyouatCastlewood，sir？"saysHarry，bowing;andthethreegentlemensatdownanddrankofthatbottleofsackwhichwaspreparedforthem。
　　"Harryisnumberthree，"saysmylord。"Youneedn'tbeafraidofhim，Jack。"AndtheColonelgavealook，asmuchastosay，"Indeed，hedon'tlookasifIneed。"Andthenmylordexplainedwhathehadonlytoldbyhintsbefore。WhenhequarrelledwithLordMohunhewasindebtedtohislordshipinasumofsixteenhundredpounds，forwhichLordMohunsaidheproposedtowaituntilmyLordViscountshouldpayhim。MylordhadraisedthesixteenhundredpoundsandsentthemtoLordMohunthatmorning，andbeforequittinghomehadputhisaffairsintoorder，andwasnowquitereadytoabidetheissueofthequarrel。
　　Whenwehaddrunkacoupleofbottlesofsack，acoachwascalled，andthethreegentlemenwenttotheDuke'sPlayhouse，asagreed。
　　TheplaywasoneofMr。Wycherley's——"LoveinaWood。"
　　HarryEsmondhasthoughtofthatplayeversincewithakindofterror，andofMrs。Bracegirdle，theactresswhoperformedthegirl'spartinthecomedy。Shewasdisguisedasapage，andcameandstoodbeforethegentlemenastheysatonthestage，andlookedoverhershoulderwithapairofarchblackeyes，andlaughedatmylord，andaskedwhatailedthegentlemanfromthecountry，andhadhehadbadnewsfromBullockfair？
　　Betweentheactsoftheplaythegentlemencrossedoverandconversedfreely。ThereweretwoofLordMohun'sparty，CaptainMacartney，inamilitaryhabit，andagentlemaninasuitofbluevelvetandsilverinafairperiwig，witharichfallofpointofVenicelace——myLordtheEarlofWarwickandHolland。Mylordhadapaperoforanges，whichheateandofferedtotheactresses，jokingwiththem。AndMrs。Bracegirdle，whenmyLordMohunsaidsomethingrude，turnedonhim，andaskedhimwhathedidthere，andwhetherheandhisfriendshadcometostabanybodyelse，astheydidpoorWillMountford？Mylord'sdarkfacegrewdarkeratthistaunt，andworeamischievous，fatallook。Theythatsawitrememberedit，andsaidsoafterward。
　　Whentheplaywasendedthetwopartiesjoinedcompany;andmyLordCastlewoodthenproposedthattheyshouldgotoatavernandsup。
　　Lockit's，the"Greyhound，"inCharingCross，wasthehouseselected。Allsixmarchedtogetherthatway;thethreelordsgoinga—head，LordMohun'scaptain，andColonelWestbury，andHarryEsmond，walkingbehindthem。Astheywalked，WestburytoldHarryEsmondabouthisoldfriendDicktheScholar，whohadgotpromotion，andwasCornetoftheGuards，andhadwroteabookcalledthe"ChristianHero，"andhadalltheGuardstolaughathimforhispains，fortheChristianHerowasbreakingthecommandmentsconstantly，Westburysaid，andhadfoughtoneortwoduelsalready。
　　And，inalowertone，WestburybesoughtyoungMr。Esmondtotakenopartinthequarrel。"Therewasnoneedformoresecondsthanone，"saidtheColonel，"andtheCaptainorLordWarwickmighteasilywithdraw。"ButHarrysaidno;hewasbentongoingthroughwiththebusiness。Indeed，hehadaplaninhishead，which，hethought，mightpreventmyLordViscountfromengaging。
　　Theywentinatthebarofthetavern，anddesiredaprivateroomandwineandcards，andwhenthedrawerhadbroughtthese，theybegantodrinkandcallhealths，andaslongastheservantswereintheroomappearedveryfriendly。
　　HarryEsmond'splanwasnootherthantoengageintalkwithLordMohun，toinsulthim，andsogetthefirstofthequarrel。Sowhencardswereproposedheofferedtoplay。"Psha！"saysmyLordMohun（whetherwishingtosaveHarry，ornotchoosing，totrythebottedeJesuite，itisnottobeknown）——"Younggentlemenfromcollegeshouldnotplaythesestakes。Youaretooyoung。"
　　"WhodaressayIamtooyoung？"brokeoutHarry。"Isyourlordshipafraid？"
　　"Afraid！"criesoutMohun。