"If——if'tisso，dearlady，"Mr。Esmondsaid，"whyshouldIeverleaveyou？IfGodhathgivenmethisgreatboon——andnearorfarfromme，asIknownow，theheartofmydearestmistressfollowsme，letmehavethatblessingnearme，noreverpartwithittilldeathseparateus。Comeaway——leavethisEurope，thisplacewhichhassomanysadrecollectionsforyou。Beginanewlifeinanewworld。MygoodlordoftentalkedofvisitingthatlandinVirginiawhichKingCharlesgaveus——gavehisancestor。Frankwillgiveusthat。Nomantherewillaskifthereisablotonmyname，orinquireinthewoodswhatmytitleis。"
"Andmychildren——andmyduty——andmygoodfather，Henry？"shebrokeout。"Hehasnonebutmenow！forsoonmysisterwillleavehim，andtheoldmanwillbealone。HehasconformedsincethenewQueen'sreign;andhereinWinchester，wheretheylovehim，theyhavefoundachurchforhim。Whenthechildrenleaveme，Iwillstaywithhim。Icannotfollowthemintothegreatworld，wheretheirwaylies——itscaresme。Theywillcomeandvisitme;andyouwill，sometimes，Henry——yes，sometimes，asnow，intheHolyAdventseason，whenIhaveseenandblessedyouoncemore。"
"Iwouldleavealltofollowyou，"saidMr。Esmond;"andcanyounotbeasgenerousforme，dearlady？"
"Hush，boy！"shesaid，anditwaswithamother'ssweetplaintivetoneandlookthatshespoke。"Theworldisbeginningforyou。
Forme，IhavebeensoweakandsinfulthatImustleaveit，andprayoutanexpiation，dearHenry。Hadwehousesofreligionastherewereonce，andmanydivinesofourChurchwouldhavethemagain，IoftenthinkIwouldretiretooneandpassmylifeinpenance。ButIwouldloveyoustill——yes，thereisnosininsuchaloveasminenow;andmydearlordinheavenmayseemyheart;
andknowsthetearsthathavewashedmysinaway——andnow——nowmydutyishere，bymychildrenwhilsttheyneedme，andbymypooroldfather，and——"
"Andnotbyme？"Henrysaid。
"Hush！"shesaidagain，andraisedherhanduptohislip。"Ihavebeenyournurse。Youcouldnotseeme，Harry，whenyouwereinthesmall—pox，andIcameandsatbyyou。Ah！IprayedthatImightdie，butitwouldhavebeeninsin，Henry。Oh，itishorridtolookbacktothattime。Itisovernowandpast，andithasbeenforgivenme。Whenyouneedmeagain，Iwillcomeeversofar。
Whenyourheartiswounded，thencometome，mydear。Besilent！
letmesayall。Youneverlovedme，dearHenry——no，youdonotnow，andIthankheavenforit。Iusedtowatchyou，andknewbyathousandsignsthatitwasso。Doyourememberhowgladyouweretogoawaytocollege？'TwasIsentyou。Itoldmypapathat，andMr。Atterburytoo，whenIspoketohiminLondon。Andtheybothgavemeabsolution——both——andtheyaregodlymen，havingauthoritytobindandtoloose。Andtheyforgaveme，asmydearlordforgavemebeforehewenttoheaven。"
"Ithinktheangelsarenotallinheaven，"Mr。Esmondsaid。Andasabrotherfoldsasistertohisheart;andasamothercleavestoherson'sbreast——soforafewmomentsEsmond'sbelovedmistresscametohimandblessedhim。
CHAPTERVII。
IAMMADEWELCOMEATWALCOTE。
AstheycameuptothehouseatWalcote，thewindowsfromwithinwerelightedupwithfriendlywelcome;thesupper—tablewasspreadintheoak—parlor;itseemedasifforgivenessandlovewereawaitingthereturningprodigal。Twoorthreefamiliarfacesofdomesticswereonthelook—outattheporch——theoldhousekeeperwasthere，andyoungLockwoodfromCastlewoodinmylord'sliveryoftawnyandblue。Hisdearmistresspressedhisarmastheypassedintothehall。Hereyesbeamedoutonhimwithaffectionindescribable。"Welcome，"wasallshesaid，asshelookedup，puttingbackherfaircurlsandblackhood。Asweetrosysmileblushedonherface;Harrythoughthehadneverseenherlooksocharming。Herfacewaslightedwithajoythatwasbrighterthanbeauty——shetookahandofhersonwhowasinthehallwaitinghismother——shedidnotquitEsmond'sarm。
"Welcome，Harry！"myyounglordechoedafterher。"Here，weareallcometosayso。Here'soldPincot，hasn'tshegrownhandsome？"
andPincot，whowasolder，andnohandsomerthanusual，madeacurtsytotheCaptain，asshecalledEsmond，andtoldmylordto"Havedone，now。"
"Andhere'sJackLockwood。He'llmakeafamousgrenadier，Jack;
andsoshallI;we'llboth'listunderyou，Cousin。AssoonasI'mseventeen，Igotothearmy——everygentlemangoestothearmy。
Look！whocomeshere——ho，ho！"heburstintoalaugh。"'TisMistressTrix，withanewribbon;Iknewshewouldputoneonassoonassheheardacaptainwascomingtosupper。"
ThislaughingcolloquytookplaceinthehallofWalcoteHouse:inthemidstofwhichisastaircasethatleadsfromanopengallery，wherearethedoorsofthesleepingchambers:andfromoneofthese，awaxcandleinherhand，andilluminatingher，cameMistressBeatrix——thelightfallingindeeduponthescarletribbonwhichshewore，anduponthemostbrilliantwhiteneckintheworld。
Esmondhadleftachildandfoundawoman，grownbeyondthecommonheight;andarrivedatsuchadazzlingcompletenessofbeauty，thathiseyesmightwellshowsurpriseanddelightatbeholdingher。Inherstherewasabrightnesssolustrousandmelting，thatIhaveseenawholeassemblyfollowherasifbyanattractionirresistible:andthatnightthegreatDukewasattheplayhouseafterRamillies，everysoulturnedandlooked（shechancedtoenterattheoppositesideofthetheatreatthesamemoment）ather，andnotathim。Shewasabrownbeauty:thatis，hereyes，hair，andeyebrowsandeyelashesweredark:herhaircurlingwithrichundulations，andwavingoverhershoulders;buthercomplexionwasasdazzlingwhiteassnowinsunshine;excepthercheeks，whichwereabrightred，andherlips，whichwereofastilldeepercrimson。Hermouthandchin，theysaid，weretoolargeandfull，andsotheymightbeforagoddessinmarble，butnotforawomanwhoseeyeswerefire，whoselookwaslove，whosevoicewasthesweetestlowsong，whoseshapewasperfectsymmetry，health，decision，activity，whosefootasitplanteditselfonthegroundwasfirmbutflexible，andwhosemotion，whetherrapidorslow，wasalwaysperfectgrace——agileasanymph，loftyasaqueen，——nowmelting，nowimperious，nowsarcastic——therewasnosinglemovementofhersbutwasbeautiful。Ashethinksofher，hewhowritesfeelsyoungagain，andremembersaparagon。
Soshecameholdingherdresswithonefairroundedarm，andhertaperbeforeher，trippingdownthestairtogreetEsmond。
"Shehathputonherscarletstockingsandwhiteshoes，"saysmylord，stilllaughing。"Oh，myfinemistress！isthisthewayyousetyourcapattheCaptain？"Sheapproached，shiningsmilesuponEsmond，whocouldlookatnothingbuthereyes。Sheadvancedholdingforwardherhead，asifshewouldhavehimkissherasheusedtodowhenshewasachild。
"Stop，"shesaid，"Iamgrowntoobig！Welcome，cousinHarry，"andshemadehimanarchcurtsy，sweepingdowntothegroundalmost，withthemostgraciousbend，lookingupthewhilewiththebrightesteyesandsweetestsmile。Loveseemedtoradiatefromher。HarryeyedherwithsucharaptureasthefirstloverisdescribedashavingbyMilton。
"N'est—cepas？"saysmylady，inalow，sweetvoice，stillhangingonhisarm。
Esmondturnedroundwithastartandablush，ashemethismistress'scleareyes。Hehadforgottenher，raptinadmirationofthefiliapulcrior。
"Rightfootforward，toeturnedout，so:nowdropthecurtsy，andshowtheredstockings，Trix。They'vesilverclocks，Harry。TheDowagersent'em。Shewenttoput'emon，"criesmylord。
"Hush，youstupidchild！"saysMiss，smotheringherbrotherwithkisses;andthenshemustcomeandkisshermamma，lookingallthewhileatHarry，overhismistress'sshoulder。Andifshedidnotkisshim，shegavehimbothherhands，andthentookoneofhisinbothhands，andsaid，"Oh，Harry，we'reso，SOgladyou'recome！"
"Therearewoodcocksforsupper，"saysmylord。"Huzzay！Itwassuchahungrysermon。"
"Anditisthe29thofDecember;andourHarryhascomehome。"
"Huzzay，oldPincot！"againsaysmylord;andmydearlady'slipslookedasiftheyweretremblingwithaprayer。ShewouldhaveHarryleadinBeatrixtothesupper—room，goingherselfwithmyyoungLordViscount;andtothispartycameTomTusherdirectly，whomfouratleastoutofthecompanyoffivewishedaway。Awayhewent，however，assoonasthesweetmeatswereputdown，andthen，bythegreatcracklingfire，hismistressorBeatrix，withherblushinggraces，fillinghisglassforhim，Harrytoldthestoryofhiscampaign，andpassedthemostdelightfulnighthislifehadeverknown。Thesunwasuplongerehewas，sodeep，sweet，andrefreshingwashisslumber。Hewokeasifangelshadbeenwatchingathisbedallnight。Idaresayonethatwasaspureandlovingasanangelhadblessedhissleepwithherprayers。
NextmorningthechaplainreadprayerstothelittlehouseholdatWalcote，asthecustomwas;EsmondthoughtMistressBeatrixdidnotlistentoTusher'sexhortationmuch:hereyeswerewanderingeverywhereduringtheservice，atleastwheneverhelookeduphemetthem。PerhapshealsowasnotveryattentivetohisReverencetheChaplain。"Thismighthavebeenmylife，"hewasthinking;
"thismighthavebeenmydutyfromnowtilloldage。Well，wereitnotapleasantonetobewiththesedearfriendsandpartfrom'emnomore？Until——untilthedestinedlovercomesandtakesawayprettyBeatrix"——andthebestpartofTomTusher'sexposition，whichmayhavebeenverylearnedandeloquent，wasquitelosttopoorHarrybythisvisionofthedestinedlover，whoputthepreacherout。
Allthewhileoftheprayers，BeatrixkneltalittlewaybeforeHarryEsmond。Theredstockingswerechangedforapairofgray，andblackshoes，inwhichherfeetlookedtothefullaspretty。
Alltherosesofspringcouldnotviewiththebrightnessofhercomplexion;Esmondthoughthehadneverseenanythinglikethesunnylustreofhereyes。MyLadyViscountesslookedfatigued，asifwithwatching，andherfacewaspale。
MissBeatrixremarkedthesesignsofindispositioninhermotheranddeploredthem。"Iamanoldwoman，"saysmylady，withakindsmile;"Icannothopetolookasyoungasyoudo，mydear。"
"She'llneverlookasgoodasyoudoifshelivestillshe'sahundred，"saysmylord，takinghismotherbythewaist，andkissingherhand。
"DoIlookverywicked，cousin？"saysBeatrix，turningfullroundonEsmond，withherprettyfacesocloseunderhischin，thatthesoftperfumedhairtouchedit。Shelaidherfinger—tipsonhissleeveasshespoke;andheputhisotherhandoverhers。
"I'mlikeyourlooking—glass，"sayshe，"andthatcan'tflatteryou。"
"Hemeansthatyouarealwayslookingathim，mydear，"sayshermother，archly。BeatrixranawayfromEsmondatthis，andflewtohermamma，whomshekissed，stoppingmylady'smouthwithherprettyhand。
"AndHarryisverygoodtolookat，"saysmylady，withherfondeyesregardingtheyoungman。
"If'tisgoodtoseeahappyface，"sayshe，"youseethat。"Myladysaid，"Amen，"withasigh;andHarrythoughtthememoryofherdearlordroseupandrebukedherbackagainintosadness;forherfacelostthesmile，andresumeditslookofmelancholy。
"Why，Harry，howfinewelookinourscarletandsilver，andourblackperiwig，"criesmylord。"Mother，Iamtiredofmyownhair。
WhenshallIhaveaperuke？Wheredidyougetyoursteenkirk，Harry？"
"It'ssomeofmyLadyDowager'slace，"saysHarry;"shegavemethisandanumberofotherfinethings。"
"MyLadyDowagerisn'tsuchabadwoman，"mylordcontinued。
"She'snotso——soredasshe'spainted，"saysMissBeatrix。
Herbrotherbrokeintoalaugh。"I'lltellheryousaidso;bytheLord，Trix，Iwill，"hecriesout。
"She'llknowthatyouhadn'tthewittosayit，mylord，"saysMissBeatrix。
"Wewon'tquarrelthefirstdayHarry'shere，willwe，mother？"
saidtheyounglord。"We'llseeifwecangetontothenewyearwithoutafight。HavesomeofthisChristmaspie。Andherecomesthetankard;no，it'sPincotwiththetea。"
"WilltheCaptainchooseadish？"askedMistressBeatrix。
"Isay，Harry，"mylordgoeson，"I'llshowtheemyhorsesafterbreakfast;andwe'llgoabird—nettingto—night，andonMondaythere'sacock—matchatWinchester——doyoulovecock—fighting，Harry？——betweenthegentlemenofSussexandthegentlemenofHampshire，attenpoundthebattle，andfiftypoundtheoddbattletoshowone—and—twentycocks。"
"Andwhatwillyoudo，Beatrix，toamuseourkinsman？"asksmylady。
"I'lllistentohim，"saysBeatrix。"Iamsurehehasahundredthingstotellus。AndI'mjealousalreadyoftheSpanishladies。
WasthatabeautifulnunatCadizthatyourescuedfromthesoldiers？Yourmantalkedofitlastnightinthekitchen，andMrs。Bettytoldmethismorningasshecombedmyhair。Andhesaysyoumustbeinlove，foryousatondeckallnight，andscribbledversesalldayinyourtablebook。"Harrythoughtifhehadwantedasubjectforversesyesterday，to—dayhehadfoundone:andnotalltheLindamirasandArdeliasofthepoetswerehalfsobeautifulasthisyoungcreature;buthedidnotsayso，thoughsomeonedidforhim。
Thiswashisdearlady，who，afterthemealwasover，andtheyoungpeopleweregone，begantalkingofherchildrenwithMr。Esmond，andofthecharactersofoneandtheother，andofherhopesandfearsforbothofthem。"'Tisnotwhiletheyareathome，"shesaid，"andintheirmother'snest，Ifearforthem——'tiswhentheyaregoneintotheworld，whitherIshallnotbeabletofollowthem。Beatrixwillbeginherservicenextyear。Youmayhaveheardarumorabout——aboutmyLordBlandford。Theywerebothchildren;anditisbutidletalk。IknowmykinswomanwouldneverlethimmakesuchapoormarriageasourBeatrixwouldbe。There'sscarceaprincessinEuropethatshethinksisgoodenoughforhimorforherambition。"
"There'snotaprincessinEuropetocomparewithher，"saysEsmond。
"Inbeauty？No，perhapsnot，"answeredmylady。"Sheismostbeautiful，isn'tshe？'Tisnotamother'spartialitythatdeceivesme。Imarkedyouyesterdaywhenshecamedownthestair:andreaditinyourface。Welookwhenyoudon'tfancyuslooking，andseebetterthanyouthink，dearHarry:andjustnowwhentheyspokeaboutyourpoems——youwritprettylineswhenyouwerebutaboy——
youthoughtBeatrixwasaprettysubjectforverse，didnotyou，Harry？"（Thegentlemancouldonlyblushforareply。）"Andsosheis——norareyouthefirstherprettyfacehascaptivated。'Tisquicklydone。Suchapairofbrighteyesasherslearntheirpowerverysoon，anduseitveryearly。"And，lookingathimkeenlywithhers，thefairwidowlefthim。
Andsoitis——apairofbrighteyeswithadozenglancessufficetosubdueaman;toenslavehim，andinflamehim;tomakehimevenforget;theydazzlehimsothatthepastbecomesstraightwaydimtohim;andhesoprizesthemthathewouldgiveallhislifetopossess'em。Whatisthefondloveofdearestfriendscomparedtothistreasure？Ismemoryasstrongasexpectancy？fruition，ashunger？gratitude，asdesire？Ihavelookedatroyaldiamondsinthejewel—roomsinEurope，andthoughthowwarshavebeenmadeabout'em;Mogulsovereignsdeposedandstrangledforthem，orransomedwiththem;millionsexpendedtobuythem;anddaringliveslostindiggingoutthelittleshiningtoysthatIvaluenomorethanthebuttoninmyhat。Andsothereareotherglitteringbaubles（ofrarewatertoo）forwhichmenhavebeensettokillandquarreleversincemankindbegan;andwhichlastbutforascoreofyears，whentheirsparkleisover。WherearethosejewelsnowthatbeamedunderCleopatra'sforehead，orshoneinthesocketsofHelen？
TheseconddayafterEsmond'scomingtoWalcote，TomTusherhadleavetotakeaholiday，andwentoffinhisverybestgownandbandstocourttheyoungwomanwhomhisReverencedesiredtomarry，andwhowasnotaviscount'swidow，asitturnedout，butabrewer'srelictatSouthampton，withacoupleofthousandpoundstoherfortune:forhonestTom'sheartwasundersuchexcellentcontrol，thatVenusherselfwithoutaportionwouldneverhavecausedittoflutter。Soherodeawayonhisheavy—pacedgeldingtopursuehisjog—trotloves，leavingEsmondtothesocietyofhisdearmistressandherdaughter，andwithhisyounglordforacompanion，whowascharmed，notonlytoseeanoldfriend，buttohavethetutorandhisLatinbooksputoutoftheway。
Theboytalkedofthingsandpeople，andnotalittleabouthimself，inhisfrankartlessway。'Twaseasytoseethatheandhissisterhadthebetteroftheirfondmother，forthefirstplaceinwhoseaffections，thoughtheyfoughtconstantly，andthoughthekindladypersistedthatshelovedbothequally，'twasnotdifficulttounderstandthatFrankwashismother'sdarlingandfavorite。Heruledthewholehousehold（alwaysexceptingrebelliousBeatrix）notlessnowthanwhenhewasachildmarshallingthevillageboysinplayingatsoldiers，andcaningthemlustilytoo，likethesturdiestcorporal。AsforTomTusher，hisReverencetreatedtheyounglordwiththatpolitenessanddeferencewhichhealwaysshowedforagreatman，whateverhisageorhisstaturewas。Indeed，withrespecttothisyoungone，itwasimpossiblenottolovehim，sofrankandwinningwerehismanners，hisbeauty，hisgayety，theringofhislaughter，andthedelightfultoneofhisvoice。Whereverhewent，hecharmedanddomineered。IthinkhisoldgrandfathertheDean，andthegrimoldhousekeeper，Mrs。Pincot，wereasmuchhisslavesashismotherwas:andasforEsmond，hefoundhimselfpresentlysubmittingtoacertainfascinationtheboyhad，andslavingitliketherestofthefamily。ThepleasurewhichhehadinFrank'smerecompanyandconverseexceededthatwhichheeverenjoyedinthesocietyofanyotherman，howeverdelightfulintalk，orfamousforwit。Hispresencebroughtsunshineintoaroom，hislaugh，hisprattle，hisnoblebeautyandbrightnessoflookcheeredandcharmedindescribably。Attheleasttaleofsorrow，hishandswereinhispurse，andhewaseagerwithsympathyandbounty。Thewayinwhichwomenlovedandpettedhim，when，ayearortwoafterwards，hecameupontheworld，yetamereboy，andthefollieswhichtheydidforhim（asindeedheforthem），recalledthecareerofRochester，andoutdidthesuccessesofGrammont。Hisverycreditorslovedhim;
andthehardestusurers，andsomeoftherigidprudesoftheothersextoo，coulddenyhimnothing。Hewasnomorewittythananotherman，butwhathesaid，hesaidandlookedasnomanelsecouldsayorlookit。IhaveseenthewomenatthecomedyatBruxellescrowdroundhiminthelobby:andashesatonthestagemorepeoplelookedathimthanattheactors，andwatchedhim;andIrememberatRamillies，whenhewashitandfell，agreatbigred—hairedScotchsergeantflunghishalbertdown，burstouta—cryinglikeawoman，seizinghimupasifhehadbeenaninfant，andcarryinghimoutofthefire。Thisbrotherandsisterwerethemostbeautifulcoupleeverseen;thoughafterhewingedawayfromthematernalnestthispairwereseldomtogether。
SittingatdinnertwodaysafterEsmond'sarrival（itwasthelastdayoftheyear），andsohappyaonetoHarryEsmond，thattoenjoyitwasquiteworthallthepreviouspainwhichhehadenduredandforgot，myyounglord，fillingabumper，andbiddingHarrytakeanother，dranktohissister，salutingherunderthetitleof"Marchioness。"
"Marchioness！"saysHarry，notwithoutapangofwonder，forhewascuriousandjealousalready。
"Nonsense，mylord，"saysBeatrix，withatossofherhead。MyLadyViscountesslookedupforamomentatEsmond，andcasthereyesdown。
"TheMarchionessofBlandford，"saysFrank。"Don'tyouknow——hathnotRougeDragontoldyou？"（MylordusedtocalltheDowagerofChelseybythisandothernames。）"Blandfordhasalockofherhair:theDuchessfoundhimonhiskneestoMistressTrix，andboxedhisears，andsaidDr。Hareshouldwhiphim。"
"IwishMr。Tusherwouldwhipyoutoo，"saysBeatrix。
Myladyonlysaid:"Ihopeyouwilltellnoneofthesesillystorieselsewherethanathome，Francis。"
"'Tistrue，onmyword，"continuesFrank:"lookatHarryscowling，mother，andseehowBeatrixblushesasredasthesilver—clockedstockings。"
"Ithinkwehadbestleavethegentlementotheirwineandtheirtalk，"saysMistressBeatrix，risingupwiththeairofayoungqueen，tossingherrustlingflowingdraperiesabouther，andquittingtheroom，followedbyhermother。
LadyCastlewoodagainlookedatEsmond，asshestoopeddownandkissedFrank。"Donottellthosesillystories，child，"shesaid:
"donotdrinkmuchwine，sir;Harryneverlovedtodrinkwine。"
Andshewentaway，too，inherblackrobes，lookingbackontheyoungmanwithherfair，fondface。
"Egad！it'strue，"saysFrank，sippinghiswinewiththeairofalord。"WhatthinkyouofthisLisbon——realCollares？'Tisbetterthanyourheadyport:wegotitoutofoneoftheSpanishshipsthatcamefromVigolastyear:mymotherboughtitatSouthampton，astheshipwaslyingthere——the'Rose，'CaptainHawkins。"
"Why，Icamehomeinthatship，"saysHarry。
"Anditbroughthomeagoodfellowandgoodwine，"saysmylord。
"Isay，Harry，Iwishthouhadstnotthatcursedbarsinister。"
"Andwhynotthebarsinister？"askstheother。
"SupposeIgotothearmyandamkilled——everygentlemangoestothearmy——whoistotakecareofthewomen？Trixwillneverstopathome;mother'sinlovewithyou，——yes，Ithinkmother'sinlovewithyou。Shewasalwayspraisingyou，andalwaystalkingaboutyou;andwhenshewenttoSouthampton，toseetheship，Ifoundherout。Butyouseeitisimpossible:weareoftheoldestbloodinEngland;wecameinwiththeConqueror;wewereonlybaronets，——butwhatthen？wewereforcedintothat。JamestheFirstforcedourgreatgrandfather。Weareabovetitles;weoldEnglishgentrydon'twant'em;theQueencanmakeadukeanyday。LookatBlandford'sfather，DukeChurchill，andDuchessJennings，whatwerethey，Harry？Damnit，sir，whatarethey，toturnuptheirnosesatus？WhereweretheywhenourancestorrodewithKingHenryatAgincourt，andfilleduptheFrenchKing'scupafterPoictiers？
'ForeGeorge，sir，whyshouldn'tBlandfordmarryBeatrix？ByG——！
heSHALLmarryBeatrix，ortellmethereasonwhy。We'llmarrywiththebestbloodofEngland，andnonebutthebestbloodofEngland。YouareanEsmond，andyoucan'thelpyourbirth，myboy。
Let'shaveanotherbottle。What！nomore？I'vedrunkthreepartsofthismyself。Ihadmanyanightwithmyfather;youstoodtohimlikeaman，Harry。Youbackedyourblood;youcan'thelpyourmisfortune，youknow，——nomancanhelpthat。"
Theeldersaidhewouldgointohismistress'stea—table。Theyounglad，withaheightenedcolorandvoice，begansingingasnatchofasong，andmarchedoutoftheroom。Esmondheardhimpresentlycallinghisdogsabouthim，andcheeringandtalkingtothem;andbyahundredofhislooksandgestures，tricksofvoiceandgait，wasremindedofthedeadlord，Frank'sfather。
Andso，thesylvesternightpassedaway;thefamilypartedlongbeforemidnight，LadyCastlewoodremembering，nodoubt，formerNewYears'Eves，whenhealthsweredrunk，andlaughterwentroundinthecompanyofhim，towhomyears，past，andpresent，andfuture，weretobeasone;andsocarednottositwithherchildrenandheartheCathedralbellsringingthebirthoftheyear1703。
Esmondheardthechimesashesatinhisownchamber，ruminatingbytheblazingfirethere，andlistenedtothelastnotesofthem，lookingoutfromhiswindowtowardsthecity，andthegreatgraytowersoftheCathedrallyingunderthefrostysky，withthekeenstarsshiningabove。
Thesightofthesebrilliantorbsnodoubtmadehimthinkofotherluminaries。"Andsohereyeshavealreadydoneexecution，"thoughtEsmond——"onwhom？——whocantellme？"Luckilyhiskinsmanwasby，andEsmondknewhewouldhavenodifficultyinfindingoutMistressBeatrix'shistoryfromthesimpletalkoftheboy。
CHAPTERVIII。
FAMILYTALK。
WhatHarryadmiredandsubmittedtointheprettyladhiskinsmanwas（forwhyshouldheresistit？）thecalmnessofpatronagewhichmyyounglordassumed，asiftocommandwashisundoubtedright，andalltheworld（belowhisdegree）oughttobowdowntoViscountCastlewood。
"Iknowmyplace，Harry，"hesaid。"I'mnotproud——theboysatWinchesterCollegesayI'mproud:butI'mnotproud。IamsimplyFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodinthepeerageofIreland。I
mighthavebeen（doyouknowthat？）FrancisJamesMarquisandEarlofEsmondinthatofEngland。Thelatelordrefusedthetitlewhichwasofferedtohimbymygodfather，hislateMajesty。Youshouldknowthat——youareofourfamily，youknowyoucannothelpyourbarsinister，Harry，mydearfellow;andyoubelongtooneofthebestfamiliesinEngland，inspiteofthat;andyoustoodbymyfather，andbyG——！I'llstandbyyou。Youshallneverwantafriend，Harry，whileFrancisJamesViscountCastlewoodhasashilling。It'snow1703——Ishallcomeofagein1709。IshallgobacktoCastlewood;IshallliveatCastlewood;Ishallbuildupthehouse。Mypropertywillbeprettywellrestoredbythen。Thelateviscountmismanagedmyproperty，andleftitinaverybadstate。Mymotherislivingclose，asyousee，andkeepsmeinawayhardlybefittingapeeroftheserealms;forIhavebutapairofhorses，agovernor，andamanthatisvaletandgroom。ButwhenIamofage，thesethingswillbesetright，Harry。Ourhousewillbeasitshouldbe。YouwillalwayscometoCastlewood，won'tyou？
Youshallalwayshaveyourtworoomsinthecourtkeptforyou;andifanybodyslightsyou，d———them！letthemhaveacareofME。I
shallmarryearly——Trixwillbeaduchessbythattime，mostlikely;foracannonballmayknockoverhisgraceanyday，youknow。"
"How？"saysHarry。
"Hush，mydear！"saysmyLordViscount。"Youareofthefamily——
youarefaithfultous，byGeorge，andItellyoueverything。
Blandfordwillmarryher——or"——andhereheputhislittlehandonhissword——"youunderstandtherest。Blandfordknowswhichofustwoisthebestweapon。Atsmall—sword，orback—sword，orswordanddaggerifhelikes;Icanbeathim。Ihavetriedhim，Harry;
andbegadheknowsIamamannottobetrifledwith。"
"Butyoudonotmean，"saysHarry，concealinghislaughter，butnothiswonder，"thatyoucanforcemyLordBlandford，thesonofthefirstmanofthiskingdom，tomarryyoursisteratsword'spoint？"
"Imeantosaythatwearecousinsbythemother'sside，thoughthat'snothingtoboastof。ImeantosaythatanEsmondisasgoodasaChurchill;andwhentheKingcomesback，theMarquisofEsmond'ssistermaybeamatchforanynobleman'sdaughterinthekingdom。TherearebuttwomarquisesinallEngland，WilliamHerbertMarquisofPowis，andFrancisJamesMarquisofEsmond;andharkyou，Harry，——nowswearyouwillnevermentionthis。Givemeyourhonorasagentleman，foryouAREagentleman，thoughyouarea——"
"Well，well？"saysHarry，alittleimpatient。
"Well，then，whenaftermylateviscount'smisfortune，mymotherwentupwithustoLondon，toaskforjusticeagainstyouall（asforMohun，I'llhavehisblood，assureasmynameisFrancisViscountEsmond）——wewenttostaywithourcousinmyLadyMarlborough，withwhomwehadquarrelledforeversolong。Butwhenmisfortunecame，shestoodbyherblood:——sodidtheDowagerViscountessstandbyherblood，——sodidyou。Well，sir，whilstmymotherwaspetitioningthelatePrinceofOrange——forIwillnevercallhimking——andwhileyouwereinprison，welivedatmyLordMarlborough'shouse，whowasonlyalittlethere，beingawaywiththearmyinHolland。Andthen……Isay，Harry，youwon'ttell，now？"
Harryagainmadeavowofsecrecy。
"Well，thereusedtobeallsortsoffun，youknow:myLadyMarlboroughwasveryfondofus，andshesaidIwastobeherpage;
andshegotTrixtobeamaidofhonor，andwhileshewasupinherroomcrying，weusedtobealwayshavingfun，youknow;andtheDuchessusedtokissme，andsodidherdaughters，andBlandfordfelltremendousinlovewithTrix，andshelikedhim;andonedayhe——hekissedherbehindadoor——hedidthough，——andtheDuchesscaughthim，andshebangedsuchaboxoftheearbothatTrixandBlandford——youshouldhaveseenit！Andthenshesaidthatwemustleavedirectly，andabusedmymammawhowascognizantofthebusiness;butshewasn't——neverthinkingaboutanythingbutfather。
AndsowecamedowntoWalcote。Blandfordbeinglockedup，andnotallowedtoseeTrix。ButIgotathim。Iclimbedalongthegutter，andinthroughthewindow，wherehewascrying。
"'Marquis，'saysI，whenhehadopeneditandhelpedmein，'youknowIwearasword，'forIhadbroughtit。
"'Oh，viscount，'sayshe——'oh，mydearestFrank！'andhethrewhimselfintomyarmsandburstouta—crying。'IdoloveMistressBeatrixso，thatIshalldieifIdon'thaveher。'
"'MydearBlandford，'saysI，'youareyoungtothinkofmarrying;'
forhewasbutfifteen，andayoungfellowofthatagecanscarcedoso，youknow。