Butofthisactionthereislittleneedtospeak，asithathbeenrelatedineveryGazette，andtalkedofineveryhamletinthiscountry。Toreturnfromittothewriter'sprivateaffairs，whichhere，inhisoldage，andatadistance，henarratesforhischildrenwhocomeafterhim。BeforeOudenarde，afterthatchancerencontrewithCaptainvonHoltzatBrussels，aspaceofmorethanayearelapsed，duringwhichthecaptainofJesuitsandthecaptainofWebb'sFusileerswerethrownverymuchtogether。Esmondhadnodifficultyinfindingout（indeed，theothermadenosecretofittohim，beingassuredfromoldtimesofhispupil'sfidelity），thatthenegotiatorofprisonerswasanagentfromSt。Germains，andthathecarriedintelligencebetweengreatpersonagesinourcampandthatoftheFrench。"Mybusiness，"saidhe——"andItellyou，bothbecauseIcantrustyouandyourkeeneyeshavealreadydiscoveredit——isbetweentheKingofEnglandandhissubjectshereengagedinfightingtheFrenchking。Asbetweenyouandthem，alltheJesuitsintheworldwillnotpreventyourquarrelling:fightitout，gentlemen。St。GeorgeforEngland，Isay——andyouknowwhosaysso，whereverhemaybe。"
IthinkHoltlovedtomakeaparadeofmystery，asitwere，andwouldappearanddisappearatourquartersassuddenlyasheusedtoreturnandvanishintheolddaysatCastlewood。Hehadpassesbetweenbotharmies，andseemedtoknow（butwiththatinaccuracywhichbelongedtothegoodFather'somniscience）equallywellwhatpassedintheFrenchcampandinours。OnedayhewouldgiveEsmondnewsofagreatfestethattookplaceintheFrenchquarters，ofasupperofMonsieurdeRohan's，wheretherewasplayandviolins，andthendancingandmasques;theKingdrovethitherinMarshalVillars'ownguinguette。AnotherdayhehadthenewsofhisMajesty'sague:theKinghadnothadafitthesetendays，andmightbesaidtobewell。CaptainHoltzmadeavisittoEnglandduringthistime，soeagerwasheaboutnegotiatingprisoners;and'twasonreturningfromthisvoyagethathebegantoopenhimselfmoretoEsmond，andtomakehim，asoccasionserved，attheirvariousmeetings，severalofthoseconfidenceswhichareheresetdownalltogether。
Thereasonofhisincreasedconfidencewasthis:upongoingtoLondon，theolddirectorofEsmond'saunt，thedowager，paidherladyshipavisitatChelsey，andtherelearntfromherthatCaptainEsmondwasacquaintedwiththesecretofhisfamily，andwasdeterminednevertodivulgeit。TheknowledgeofthisfactraisedEsmondinhisoldtutor'seyes，soHoltwaspleasedtosay，andheadmiredHarryverymuchforhisabnegation。
"ThefamilyatCastlewoodhavedonefarmoreformethanmyowneverdid，"Esmondsaid。"Iwouldgivemylifeforthem。WhyshouldIgrudgetheonlybenefitthat'tisinmypowertoconferonthem？"ThegoodFather'seyesfilledwithtearsatthisspeech，whichtotheotherseemedverysimple:heembracedEsmond，andbrokeoutintomanyadmiringexpressions;hesaidhewasanoblecoeur，thathewasproudofhim，andfondofhimashispupilandfriend——regrettedmorethaneverthathehadlosthim，andbeenforcedtoleavehiminthoseearlytimes，whenhemighthavehadaninfluenceoverhim，havebroughthimintothatonlytruechurchtowhichtheFatherbelonged，andenlistedhiminthenoblestarmyinwhichamaneverengaged——meaninghisownsocietyofJesus，whichnumbers（sayshe）initstroopsthegreatestheroestheworldeverknew;——warriorsbraveenoughtodareorendureanything，toencounteranyodds，todieanydeath——soldiersthathavewontriumphsathousandtimesmorebrilliantthanthoseofthegreatestgeneral;thathavebroughtnationsontheirkneestotheirsacredbanner，theCross;thathaveachievedgloriesandpalmsincomparablybrighterthanthoseawardedtothemostsplendidearthlyconquerors——crownsofimmortallight，andseatsinthehighplacesofheaven。
Esmondwasthankfulforhisoldfriend'sgoodopinion，howeverlittlehemightsharetheJesuit—father'senthusiasm。"Ihavethoughtofthatquestion，too，"sayshe，"dearFather，"andhetooktheother'shand——"thoughtitoutformyself，asallmenmust，andcontrivetodotheright，andtrusttoheavenasdevoutlyinmywayasyouinyours。Anothersixmonthsofyouasachild，andIhaddesirednobetter。IusedtoweepuponmypillowatCastlewoodasIthoughtofyou，andImighthavebeenabrotherofyourorder;
andwhoknows，"Esmondadded，withasmile，"apriestinfullorders，andwithapairofmustachios，andaBavarianuniform？"
"Myson，"saysFatherHolt，turningred，"inthecauseofreligionandloyaltyalldisguisesarefair。"
"Yes，"brokeinEsmond，"alldisguisesarefair，yousay;andalluniforms，sayI，blackorred，——ablackcockadeorawhiteone——oralacedhat，orasombrero，withatonsureunderit。IcannotbelievethatSt。FrancisXaviersailedovertheseainacloak，orraisedthedead——Itried，andverynearlydidonce，butcannot。
Suffermetodotheright，andtohopeforthebestinmyownway。"
EsmondwishedtocutshortthegoodFather'stheology，andsucceeded;andtheother，sighingoverhispupil'sinvincibleignorance，didnotwithdrawhisaffectionfromhim，butgavehimhisutmostconfidence——asmuch，thatistosay，asapriestcangive:morethanmostdo;forhewasnaturallygarrulous，andtooeagertospeak。
Holt'sfriendshipencouragedCaptainEsmondtoask，whathelongwishedtoknow，andnonecouldtellhim，somehistoryofthepoormotherwhomhehadoftenimaginedinhisdreams，andwhomheneverknew。HedescribedtoHoltthosecircumstanceswhicharealreadyputdowninthefirstpartofthisstory——thepromisehehadmadetohisdearlord，andthatdyingfriend'sconfession;andhebesoughtMr。Holttotellhimwhatheknewregardingthepoorwomanfromwhomhehadbeentaken。
"Shewasofthisverytown，"Holtsaid，andtookEsmondtoseethestreetwhereherfatherlived，andwhere，ashebelieved，shewasborn。"In1676，whenyourfathercamehitherintheretinueofthelateking，thenDukeofYork，andbanishedhitherindisgrace，CaptainThomasEsmondbecameacquaintedwithyourmother，pursuedher，andmadeavictimofher;hehathtoldmeinmanysubsequentconversations，whichIfeltboundtokeepprivatethen，thatshewasawomanofgreatvirtueandtenderness，andinallrespectsamostfond，faithfulcreature。HecalledhimselfCaptainThomas，havinggoodreasontobeashamedofhisconducttowardsher，andhathspokentomemanytimeswithsincereremorseforthat，aswithfondloveforhermanyamiablequalities，heownedtohavingtreatedherveryill:andthatatthistimehislifewasoneofprofligacy，gambling，andpoverty。Shebecamewithchildofyou;
wascursedbyherownparentsatthatdiscovery;thoughsheneverupbraided，exceptbyherinvoluntarytears，andthemiserydepictedonhercountenance，theauthorofherwretchednessandruin。
"ThomasEsmond——CaptainThomas，ashewascalled——becameengagedinagaming—housebrawl，ofwhichtheconsequencewasaduel，andawoundsoseverethathenever——hissurgeonsaid——couldoutliveit。
Thinkinghisdeathcertain，andtouchedwithremorse，hesentforapriestoftheveryChurchofSt。GudulewhereImetyou;andonthesameday，afterhismakingsubmissiontoourChurch，wasmarriedtoyourmotherafewweeksbeforeyouwereborn。MyLordViscountCastlewood，MarquisofEsmond，byKingJames'spatent，whichI
myselftooktoyourfather，yourlordshipwaschristenedatSt。
Gudulebythesamecurewhomarriedyourparents，andbythenameofHenryThomas，sonofE。Thomas，officierAnglois，andGertrudeMaes。Youseeyoubelongtousfromyourbirth，andwhyIdidnotchristenyouwhenyoubecamemydearlittlepupilatCastlewood。
"Yourfather'swoundtookafavorableturn——perhapshisconsciencewaseasedbytherighthehaddone——andtothesurpriseofthedoctorsherecovered。Butashishealthcameback，hiswickednature，too，returned。Hewastiredofthepoorgirl，whomhehadruined;andreceivingsomeremittancefromhisuncle，mylordtheoldviscount，theninEngland，hepretendedbusiness，promisedreturn，andneversawyourpoormothermore。
"Heownedtome，inconfessionfirst，butafterwardsintalkbeforeyouraunt，hiswife，elseInevercouldhavedisclosedwhatInowtellyou，thatoncomingtoLondonhewritapretendedconfessiontopoorGertrudeMaes——GertrudeEsmond——ofhishavingbeenmarriedinEnglandpreviously，beforeunitinghimselfwithher;saidthathisnamewasnotThomas;thathewasabouttoquitEuropefortheVirginianplantations，where，indeed，yourfamilyhadagrantoflandfromKingCharlestheFirst;sentherasupplyofmoney，thehalfofthelasthundredguineashehad，entreatedherpardon，andbadeherfarewell。
"PoorGertrudeneverthoughtthatthenewsinthislettermightbeuntrueastherestofyourfather'sconducttoher。Butthoughayoungmanofherowndegree，whoknewherhistory，andwhomshelikedbeforeshesawtheEnglishgentlemanwhowasthecauseofallhermisery，offeredtomarryher，andtoadoptyouashisownchild，andgiveyouhisname，sherefusedhim。Thisrefusalonlyangeredherfather，whohadtakenherhome;sheneverheldupherheadthere，beingthesubjectofconstantunkindnessafterherfall;andsomedevoutladiesofheracquaintanceofferingtopayalittlepensionforher，shewentintoaconvent，andyouwereputouttonurse。
"Asisteroftheyoungfellowwhowouldhaveadoptedyouashissonwasthepersonwhotookchargeofyou。Yourmotherandthispersonwerecousins。Shehadjustlostachildofherown，whichyoureplaced，yourownmotherbeingtoosickandfeebletofeedyou;
andpresentlyyournursegrewsofondofyou，thatsheevengrudgedlettingyouvisittheconventwhereyourmotherwas，andwherethenunspettedthelittleinfant，astheypitiedandloveditsunhappyparent。Hervocationbecamestrongereveryday，andattheendoftwoyearsshewasreceivedasasisterofthehouse。
"Yournurse'sfamilyweresilk—weaversoutofFrance，whithertheyreturnedtoArrasinFrenchFlanders，shortlybeforeyourmothertookhervows，carryingyouwiththem，thenachildofthreeyearsold。'Twasatown，beforethelatevigorousmeasuresoftheFrenchking，fullofProtestants，andhereyournurse'sfather，oldPastoureau，hewithwhomyouafterwardslivedatEaling，adoptedthereformeddoctrines，pervertingallhishousewithhim。TheywereexpelledthencebytheedictofhismostChristianMajesty，andcametoLondon，andsetuptheirloomsinSpittlefields。Theoldmanbroughtalittlemoneywithhim，andcarriedonhistrade，butinapoorway。Hewasawidower;bythistimehisdaughter，awidowtoo，kepthouseforhim，andhissonandhelaboredtogetherattheirvocation。MeanwhileyourfatherhadpubliclyownedhisconversionjustbeforeKingCharles'sdeath（inwhomourChurchhadmuchsuchanotherconvert），wasreconciledtomyLordViscountCastlewood，andmarried，asyouknow，tohisdaughter。
"ItchancedthattheyoungerPastoureau，goingwithapieceofbrocadetothemercerwhoemployedhim，onLudgateHill，methisoldrivalcomingoutofanordinarythere。Pastoureauknewyourfatheratonce，seizedhimbythecollar，andupbraidedhimasavillain，whohadseducedhismistress，andafterwardsdesertedherandherson。Mr。ThomasEsmondalsorecognizedPastoureauatonce，besoughthimtocalmhisindignation，andnottobringacrowdroundaboutthem;andbadehimtoenterintothetavern，outofwhichhehadjuststepped，whenhewouldgivehimanyexplanation。
Pastoureauentered，andheardthelandlordorderthedrawertoshowCaptainThomastoaroom;itwasbyhisChristiannamethatyourfatherwasfamiliarlycalledathistavernhaunts，which，tosaythetruth，werenoneofthemostreputable。
"ImusttellyouthatCaptainThomas，ormyLordViscountafterwards，wasneveratalossforastory，andcouldcajoleawomanoradunwithavolubility，andanairofsimplicityatthesametime，ofwhichmanyacreditorofhishasbeenthedupe。Histalesusedtogatherverisimilitudeashewentonwiththem。Hestrungtogetherfactafterfactwithawonderfulrapidityandcoherence。Itrequired，savingyourpresence，averylonghabitofacquaintancewithyourfathertoknowwhenhislordshipwasl————，——
tellingthetruthorno。
"Hetoldmewithruefulremorsewhenhewasill——forthefearofdeathsethiminstantlyrepenting，andwithshrieksoflaughterwhenhewaswell，hislordshiphavingaverygreatsenseofhumor——
howinahalfanhour'stime，andbeforeabottlewasdrunk，hehadcompletelysucceededinbitingpoorPastoureau。Theseductionheownedto:thathecouldnothelp:hewasquitereadywithtearsatamoment'swarning，andshedthemprofuselytomelthiscredulouslistener。HeweptforyourmotherevenmorethanPastoureaudid，whocriedveryheartily，poorfellow，asmylordinformedme;hesworeuponhishonorthathehadtwicesentmoneytoBrussels，andmentionedthenameofthemerchantwithwhomitwaslyingforpoorGertrude'suse。Hedidnotevenknowwhethershehadachildorno，orwhethershewasaliveordead;butgotthesefactseasilyoutofhonestPastoureau'sanswerstohim。Whenheheardthatshewasinaconvent，hesaidhehopedtoendhisdaysinonehimself，shouldhesurvivehiswife，whomhehated，andhadbeenforcedbyacruelfathertomarry;andwhenhewastoldthatGertrude'ssonwasalive，andactuallyinLondon，'Istarted，'sayshe;'forthen，damme，mywifewasexpectingtoliein，andIthoughtshouldthisoldPut，myfather—in—law，runrusty，herewouldbeagoodchancetofrightenhim。'
"HeexpressedthedeepestgratitudetothePastoureaufamilyforthecareoftheinfant:youwerenownearsixyearsold;andonPastoureaubluntlytellinghim，whenheproposedtogothatinstantandseethedarlingchild，thattheyneverwishedtoseehisill—
omenedfaceagainwithintheirdoors;thathemighthavetheboy，thoughtheyshouldallbeverysorrytolosehim;andthattheywouldtakehismoney，theybeingpoor，ifhegaveit;orbringhimup，byGod'shelp，astheyhadhithertodone，without:heacquiescedinthisatonce，withasigh，said，'Well，'twasbetterthatthedearchildshouldremainwithfriendswhohadbeensoadmirablykindtohim;'andinhistalktomeafterwards，honestlypraisedandadmiredtheweaver'sconductandspirit;ownedthattheFrenchmanwasarightfellow，andhe，theLordhavemercyuponhim，asadvillain。
"Yourfather，"Mr。Holtwentontosay，"wasgood—naturedwithhismoneywhenhehadit;andhavingthatdayreceivedasupplyfromhisuncle，gavetheweavertenpieceswithperfectfreedom，andpromisedhimfurtherremittances。HetookdowneagerlyPastoureau'snameandplaceofabodeinhistable—book，andwhentheotheraskedhimforhisown，gave，withtheutmostreadiness，hisnameasCaptainThomas，NewLodge，Penzance，Cornwall;hesaidhewasinLondonforafewdaysonlyonbusinessconnectedwithhiswife'sproperty;describedherasashrew，thoughawomanofkinddisposition;anddepictedhisfatherasaCornishsquire，inaninfirmstateofhealth，atwhosedeathhehopedforsomethinghandsome，whenhepromisedrichlytorewardtheadmirableprotectorofhischild，andtoprovidefortheboy。'AndbyGad，sir，'hesaidtomeinhisstrangelaughingway，'Iorderedapieceofbrocadeoftheverysamepatternasthatwhichthefellowwascarrying，andpresentedittomywifeforamorningwrapper，toreceivecompanyaftershelayinofourlittleboy。'
"Yourlittlepensionwaspaidregularlyenough;andwhenyourfatherbecameViscountCastlewoodonhisuncle'sdemise，Iwasemployedtokeepawatchoveryou，and'twasatmyinstancethatyouwerebroughthome。Yourfoster—motherwasdead;herfathermadeacquaintancewithawomanwhomhemarried，whoquarrelledwithhisson。ThefaithfulcreaturecamebacktoBrusselstobenearthewomanheloved，anddied，too，afewmonthsbeforeher。Willyouseehercrossintheconventcemetery？TheSuperiorisanoldpenitentofmine，andremembersSoeurMarieMadeleinefondlystill。"
Esmondcametothisspotinonesunnyeveningofspring，andsaw，amidstathousandblackcrosses，castingtheirshadowsacrossthegrassymounds，thatparticularonewhichmarkedhismother'sresting—place。Manymoreofthosepoorcreaturesthatlaytherehadadoptedthatsamename，withwhichsorrowhadrebaptizedher，andwhichfondlyseemedtohinttheirindividualstoryofloveandgrief。Hefanciedherintearsanddarkness，kneelingatthefootofhercross，underwhichhercareswereburied。Surelyhekneltdown，andsaidhisownprayerthere，notinsorrowsomuchasinawe（forevenhismemoryhadnorecollectionofher），andinpityforthepangswhichthegentlesoulinlifehadbeenmadetosuffer。Tothiscrossshebroughtthem;forthisheavenlybridegroomsheexchangedthehusbandwhohadwooedher，thetraitorwhohadlefther。Athousandsuchhillockslayroundabout，thegentledaisiesspringingoutofthegrassoverthem，andeachbearingitscrossandrequiescat。Anun，veiledinblack，waskneelinghardby，atasleepingsister'sbedside（sofreshmade，thatthespringhadscarcehadtimetospinacoverlidforit）;
beyondthecemeterywallsyouhadglimpsesoflifeandtheworld，andthespiresandgablesofthecity。Abirdcamedownfromaroofopposite，andlitfirstonacross，andthenonthegrassbelowit，whenceitflewawaypresentlywithaleafinitsmouth:
thencameasoundasofchanting，fromthechapelofthesistershardby;othershadlongsincefilledtheplacewhichpoorMaryMagdeleineoncehadthere，werekneelingatthesamestall，andhearingthesamehymnsandprayersinwhichherstrickenhearthadfoundconsolation。Mightshesleepinpeace——mightshesleepinpeace;andwe，too，whenourstrugglesandpainsareover！ButtheearthistheLord'sastheheavenis;wearealikehiscreatureshereandyonder。Itookalittlefloweroffthehillockandkissedit，andwentmyway，likethebirdthathadjustlightedonthecrossbyme，backintotheworldagain。Silentreceptacleofdeath;tranquildepthofcalm，outofreachoftempestandtrouble！
Ifeltasonewhohadbeenwalkingbelowthesea，andtreadingamidstthebonesofshipwrecks。
CHAPTERXIV。
THECAMPAIGNOF1707，1708。
DuringthewholeoftheyearwhichsucceededthatinwhichthegloriousbattleofRamillieshadbeenfought，ourarmymadenomovementofimportance，muchtothedisgustofverymanyofourofficersremaininginactiveinFlanders，whosaidthathisGracetheCaptain—Generalhadhadfightingenough，andwasallformoneynow，andtheenjoymentofhisfivethousandayearandhissplendidpalaceatWoodstock，whichwasnowbeingbuilt。AndhisGracehadsufficientoccupationfightinghisenemiesathomethisyear，whereitbegantobewhisperedthathisfavorwasdecreasing，andhisduchesslosingherholdontheQueen，whowastransferringherroyalaffectionstothefamousMrs。Masham，andMrs。Masham'shumbleservant，Mr。Harley。Againsttheirintrigues，ourDukepassedagreatpartofhistimeintriguing。Mr。Harleywasgotoutofoffice，andhisGrace，insofar，hadavictory。ButherMajesty，convincedagainstherwill，wasofthatopinionstill，ofwhichthepoetsayspeoplearewhensoconvinced，andMr。Harleybeforelonghadhisrevenge。
MeanwhilethebusinessoffightingdidnotgoonanywaytothesatisfactionofMarlborough'sgallantlieutenants。Duringall1707，withtheFrenchbeforeus，wehadneversomuchasabattle;
ourarmyinSpainwasutterlyroutedatAlmanzabythegallantDukeofBerwick;andweofWebb's，whichregimenttheyoungDukehadcommandedbeforehisfather'sabdication，werealittleproudtothinkthatitwasourcolonelwhohadachievedthisvictory。"I
thinkifIhadhadGalway'splace，andmyFusileers，"saysourGeneral，"wewouldnothavelaiddownourarms，eventoouroldcolonel，asGalwaydid;"andWebb'sofficerssworeifwehadhadWebb，atleastwewouldnothavebeentakenprisoners。Ourdearoldgeneraltalkedincautiouslyofhimselfandofothers;abraveroramorebrilliantsoldierneverlivedthanhe;butheblewhishonesttrumpetrathermoreloudlythanbecameacommanderofhisstation，and，mightymanofvalorashewas，shookhisgreatspearandblusteredbeforethearmytoofiercely。
MysteriousMr。Holtzwentoffonasecretexpeditionintheearlypartof1708，withgreatelationofspiritsandaprophecytoEsmondthatawonderfulsomethingwasabouttotakeplace。Thissecretcameoutonmyfriend'sreturntothearmy，whitherhebroughtamostruefulanddejectedcountenance，andownedthatthegreatsomethinghehadbeenengageduponhadfailedutterly。HehadbeenindeedwiththatlucklessexpeditionoftheChevalierdeSt。George，whowassentbytheFrenchkingwithshipsandanarmyfromDunkirk，andwastohaveinvadedandconqueredScotland。ButthatillwindwhicheveropposedalltheprojectsuponwhichthePrinceeverembarked，preventedtheChevalier'sinvasionofScotland，as'tisknown，andblewpoorMonsieurvonHoltzbackintoourcampagain，toschemeandforetell，andtopryaboutasusual。
TheChevalier（thekingofEngland，assomeofusheldhim）wentfromDunkirktotheFrencharmytomakethecampaignagainstus。
TheDukeofBurgundyhadthecommandthisyear，havingtheDukeofBerrywithhim，andthefamousMareschalVendosmeandtheDukeofMatignontoaidhiminthecampaign。Holtz，whokneweverythingthatwaspassinginFlandersandFrance（andtheIndiesforwhatI
know），insistedthattherewouldbenomorefightingin1708thantherehadbeeninthepreviousyear，andthatourcommanderhadreasonsforkeepinghimquiet。Indeed，Esmond'sgeneral，whowasknownasagrumbler，andtohaveaheartymistrustofthegreatDuke，andhundredsmoreofficersbesides，didnotscrupletosaythattheseprivatereasonscametotheDukeintheshapeofcrown—
piecesfromtheFrenchKing，bywhomtheGeneralissimowasbribedtoavoidabattle。Therewereplentyofmeninourlines，quidnuncs，towhomMr。Webblistenedonlytoowillingly，whocouldspecifytheexactsumstheDukegot，howmuchfelltoCadogan'sshare，andwhatwastheprecisefeegiventoDoctorHare。
AndthesuccesseswithwhichtheFrenchbeganthecampaignof1708
servedtogivestrengthtothesereportsoftreason，whichwereineverybody'smouth。OurgeneralallowedtheenemytogetbetweenusandGhent，anddeclinedtoattackhim，thoughforeightandfortyhoursthearmieswereinpresenceofeachother。Ghentwastaken，andonthesamedayMonsieurdelaMothesummonedBruges;andthesetwogreatcitiesfellintothehandsoftheFrenchwithoutfiringashot。AfewdaysafterwardsLaMotheseizeduponthefortofPlashendall:anditbegantobesupposedthatallSpanishFlanders，aswellasBrabant，wouldfallintothehandsoftheFrenchtroops;
whenthePrinceEugenearrivedfromtheMozelle，andthentherewasnomoreshilly—shallying。
ThePrinceofSavoyalwayssignalizedhisarrivalatthearmybyagreatfeast（myLordDuke'sentertainmentswerebothseldomandshabby）:andIrememberourgeneralreturningfromthisdinnerwiththetwocommanders—in—chief;hishonestheadalittleexcitedbywine，whichwasdealtoutmuchmoreliberallybytheAustrianthanbytheEnglishcommander:——"Now，"saysmygeneral，slappingthetable，withanoath，"hemustfight;andwhenheisforcedtoit，d———it，nomaninEuropecanstandupagainstJackChurchill。"
WithinaweekthebattleofOudenardewasfought，when，hateeachotherastheymight，Esmond'sgeneralandtheCommander—in—Chiefwereforcedtoadmireeachother，sosplendidwasthegallantryofeachuponthisday。
ThebrigadecommandedbyMajor—GeneralWebbgaveandreceivedaboutashardknocksasanythatweredeliveredinthataction，inwhichMr。Esmondhadthefortunetoserveattheheadofhisowncompanyinhisregiment，underthecommandoftheirownColonelasMajor—
General;anditwashisgoodlucktobringtheregimentoutofactionascommanderofit，thefourseniorofficersabovehimbeingkilledintheprodigiousslaughterwhichhappenedonthatday。I
liketothinkthatJackHaythorn，whosneeredatmeforbeingabastardandaparasiteofWebb's，ashechosetocallme，andwithwhomIhadhadwords，shookhandswithmethedaybeforethebattlebegan。Threedaysbefore，poorBrace，ourLieutenant—Colonel，hadheardofhiselderbrother'sdeath，andwasheirtoabaronetcyinNorfolk，andfourthousandayear。Fate，thathadlefthimharmlessthroughadozencampaigns，seizedonhimjustastheworldwasworthlivingfor，andhewentintoactionknowing，ashesaid，thattheluckwasgoingtoturnagainsthim。TheMajorhadjustjoinedus——acreatureofLordMarlborough，putinmuchtothedislikeoftheotherofficers，andtobeaspyuponus，asitwassaid。Iknownotwhetherthetruthwasso，norwhotookthetattleofourmesstoheadquarters，butWebb'sregiment，asitsColonel，wasknowntobeintheCommander—in—Chief'sblackbooks:"Andifhedidnotdaretobreakitupathome，"ourgallantoldchiefusedtosay，"hewasdeterminedtodestroyitbeforetheenemy;"sothatpoorMajorProudfootwasputintoapostofdanger。
Esmond'sdearyoungViscount，servingasaide—de—camptomyLordDuke，receivedawound，andwonanhonorablenameforhimselfintheGazette;andCaptainEsmond'snamewassentinforpromotionbyhisGeneral，too，whosefavoritehewas。Itmadehisheartbeattothinkthatcertaineyesathome，thebrightestintheworld，mightreadthepageonwhichhishumbleserviceswererecorded;buthismindwasmadeupsteadilytokeepoutoftheirdangerousinfluence，andtolettimeandabsenceconquerthatpassionhehadstilllurkingabouthim。AwayfromBeatrix，itdidnottroublehim;butheknewascertainthatifhereturnedhome，hisfeverwouldbreakoutagain，andavoidedWalcoteasaLincolnshiremanavoidsreturningtohisfens，whereheissurethattheagueislyinginwaitforhim。
WeoftheEnglishpartyinthearmy，whowereinclinedtosneerateverythingthatcameoutofHanover，andtotreataslittlebetterthanboorsandsavagestheElector'scourtandfamily，wereyetforcedtoconfessthat，onthedayofOudenarde，theyoungElectoralPrince，thenmakinghisfirstcampaign，conductedhimselfwiththespiritandcourageofanapprovedsoldier。OnthisoccasionhisElectoralHighnesshadbetterluckthantheKingofEngland，whowaswithhiscousinsintheenemy'scamp，andhadtorunwiththemattheignominiousendoftheday。Withthemostconsummategeneralsintheworldbeforethem，andanadmirablecommanderontheirownside，theychosetoneglectthecouncils，andtorushintoacombatwiththeformer，whichwouldhaveendedintheutterannihilationoftheirarmybutforthegreatskillandbraveryoftheDukeofVendosme，whoremedied，asfarascourageandgeniusmight，thedisastersoccasionedbythesquabblesandfolliesofhiskinsmen，thelegitimateprincesofthebloodroyal。
"IftheDukeofBerwickhadbutbeeninthearmy，thefateofthedaywouldhavebeenverydifferent，"wasallthatpoorMr。vonHoltzcouldsay;"andyouwouldhaveseenthattheheroofAlmanzawasfittomeasureswordswiththeconquerorofBlenheim。"
Thebusinessrelativetotheexchangeofprisonerswasalwaysgoingon，andwasatleastthatostensibleonewhichkeptMr。HoltzperpetuallyonthemovebetweentheforcesoftheFrenchandtheAllies。Icananswerforit，thathewasonceverynearhangedasaspybyMajor—GeneralWayne，whenhewasreleasedandsentontohead—quartersbyaspecialorderoftheCommander—in—Chief。Hecameandwent，alwaysfavored，whereverhewas，bysomehighthoughoccultprotection。HecarriedmessagesbetweentheDukeofBerwickandhisuncle，ourDuke。HeseemedtoknowaswellwhatwastakingplaceinthePrince'squarterasourown:hebroughtthecomplimentsoftheKingofEnglandtosomeofourofficers，thegentlemenofWebb'samongtherest，fortheirbehavioronthatgreatday;andafterWynendael，whenourGeneralwaschafingattheneglectofourCommander—in—Chief，hesaidheknewhowthatactionwasregardedbythechiefsoftheFrencharmy，andthatthestandmadebeforeWynendaelwoodwasthepassagebywhichtheAlliesenteredLille。
"Ah！"saysHoltz（andsomefolkswereverywillingtolistentohim），"ifthekingcamebyhisown，howchangedtheconductofaffairswouldbe！HisMajesty'sveryexilehasthisadvantage，thatheisenabledtoreadEnglandimpartially，andtojudgehonestlyofalltheeminentmen。Hissisterisalwaysinthehandofonegreedyfavoriteoranother，throughwhoseeyesshesees，andtowhoseflatteryordependantsshegivesawayeverything。DoyousupposethathisMajesty，knowingEnglandsowellashedoes，wouldneglectsuchamanasGeneralWebb？HeoughttobeintheHouseofPeersasLordLydiard。TheenemyandallEuropeknowhismerit;itisthatveryreputationwhichcertaingreatpeople，whohateallequalityandindependence，canneverpardon。"ItwasintendedthattheseconversationsshouldbecarriedtoMr。Webb。Theywerewelcometohim，forgreatashisserviceswere，nomancouldvaluethemmorethanJohnRichmondWebbdidhimself，andthedifferencesbetweenhimandMarlboroughbeingnotorious，hisGrace'senemiesinthearmyandathomebegantocourtWebb，andsethimupagainsttheall—grasping，domineeringchief。AndsoonafterthevictoryofOudenarde，agloriousopportunityfellintoGeneralWebb'sway，whichthatgallantwarriordidnotneglect，andwhichgavehimthemeansofimmenselyincreasinghisreputationathome。
AfterOudenarde，andagainstthecounselsofMarlborough，itwassaid，thePrinceofSavoysatdownbeforeLille，thecapitalofFrenchFlanders，andcommencedthatsiege，themostcelebratedofourtime，andalmostasfamousasthesiegeofTroyitself，forthefeatsofvalorperformedintheassaultandthedefence。TheenmityofthePrinceofSavoyagainsttheFrenchkingwasafuriouspersonalhate，quiteunlikethecalmhostilityofourgreatEnglishgeneral，whowasnomoremovedbythegameofwarthanthatofbilliards，andpushedforwardhissquadrons，anddrovehisredbattalionshitherandthitherascalmlyashewouldcombineastrokeormakeacannonwiththeballs。Thegameover（andheplayeditsoastobeprettysuretowinit），nottheleastanimosityagainsttheotherpartyremainedinthebreastofthisconsummatetactician。WhereasbetweenthePrinceofSavoyandtheFrenchitwasguerreamort。Beatenoffinonequarter，ashehadbeenatTouloninthelastyear，hewasbackagainonanotherfrontierofFrance，assailingitwithhisindefatigablefury。WhenthePrincecametothearmy，thesmoulderingfiresofwarwerelightedupandburstoutintoaflame。OurphlegmaticDutchalliesweremadetoadvanceataquickmarch——ourcalmDukeforcedintoaction。ThePrincewasanarmyinhimselfagainsttheFrench;theenergyofhishatred，prodigious，indefatigable——infectiousoverhundredsofthousandsofmen。TheEmperor'sgeneralwasrepaying，andwithavengeance，theslighttheFrenchKinghadputuponthefierylittleAbbeofSavoy。Brilliantandfamousasaleaderhimself，andbeyondallmeasuredaringandintrepid，andenabledtocopewithalmostthebestofthosefamousmenofwarwhocommandedthearmiesoftheFrenchKing，Eugenehadaweapon，theequalofwhichcouldnotbefoundinFrance，sincethecannon—shotofSasbachlaidlowthenobleTurenne，andcouldhurlMarlboroughattheheadsoftheFrenchhost，andcrushthemaswitharock，underwhichallthegatheredstrengthoftheirstrongestcaptainsmustgodown。
TheEnglishDuketooklittlepartinthatvastsiegeofLille，whichtheImperialGeneralissimopursuedwithallhisforceandvigor，furtherthantocoverthebesieginglinesfromtheDukeofBurgundy'sarmy，betweenwhichandtheImperialistsourDukelay。