Jervas，inhisredcoat，andsmilinguponabomb—shell，whichwasburstingatthecornerofthepiece。Shevowedthatunlesshemadeagreatmatch，sheshouldneverdieeasy，andwasforeverbringingyoungladiestoChelsey，withprettyfacesandprettyfortunes，atthedisposaloftheColonel。Hesmiledtothinkhowtimeswerealteredwithhim，andoftheearlydaysinhisfather'slifetime，whenatremblingpagehestoodbeforeher，withherladyship'sbasinandewer，orcrouchedinhercoach—step。Theonlyfaultshefoundwithhimwas，thathewasmoresoberthananEsmondoughttobe;andwouldneitherbecarriedtobedbyhisvalet，norlosehishearttoanybeauty，whetherofSt。James'sorCoventGarden。
Whatisthemeaningoffidelityinlove，andwhencethebirthofit？
'Tisastateofmindthatmenfallinto，anddependingonthemanratherthanthewoman。Welovebeinginlove，that'sthetruthon't。IfwehadnotmetJoan，weshouldhavemetKate，andadoredher。Weknowourmistressesarenobetterthanmanyotherwomen，nornoprettier，nornowiser，nornowittier。'Tisnotforthesereasonsweloveawoman，orforanyspecialqualityorcharmIknowof;wemightaswelldemandthataladyshouldbethetallestwomanintheworld，liketheShropshiregiantess，*asthatsheshouldbeaparagoninanyothercharacter，beforewebegantoloveher。
Esmond'smistresshadathousandfaultsbesidehercharms;heknewbothperfectlywell！Shewasimperious，shewaslight—minded，shewasflighty，shewasfalse，shehadnoreverenceinhercharacter;
shewasineverything，eveninbeauty，thecontrastofhermother，whowasthemostdevotedandtheleastselfishofwomen。Well，fromtheveryfirstmomenthesawheronthestairsatWalcote，EsmondknewhelovedBeatrix。Theremightbebetterwomen——hewantedthatone。Hecaredfornoneother。Wasitbecauseshewasgloriouslybeautiful？Beautifulasshewas，hehadheardpeoplesayascoreoftimesintheircompanythatBeatrix'smotherlookedasyoung，andwasthehandsomerofthetwo。Whydidhervoicethrillinhisearso？ShecouldnotsingnearsowellasNicoliniorMrs。Tofts;nay，shesangoutoftune，andyethelikedtohearherbetterthanSt。
Cecilia。ShehadnotafinercomplexionthanMrs。Steele，（Dick'swife，whomhehadnowgot，andwhoruledpoorDickwitharodofpickle，）andyettoseeherdazzledEsmond;hewouldshuthiseyes，andthethoughtofherdazzledhimallthesame。Shewasbrilliantandlivelyintalk，butnotsoincomparablywittyashermother，who，whenshewascheerful，saidthefinestthings;butyettohearher，andtobewithher，wasEsmond'sgreatestpleasure。Dayspassedawaybetweenhimandtheseladies，hescarceknewhow。Hepouredhisheartouttothem，soashenevercouldinanyothercompany，wherehehathgenerallypassedforbeingmoody，orsuperciliousandsilent。Thissociety**wasmoredelightfulthanthatofthegreatestwitstohim。MayheavenpardonhimthelieshetoldtheDowageratChelsey，inordertogetapretextforgoingawaytoKensington:thebusinessattheOrdnancewhichheinvented;
theinterviewwithhisGeneral，thecourtsandstatesmen'sleveeswhichheDIDN'Tfrequentanddescribe;whoworeanewsuitonSundayatSt。James'sorattheQueen'sbirthday;howmanycoachesfilledthestreetatMr。Harley'slevee;howmanybottleshehadhadthehonortodrinkover—nightwithMr。St。Johnatthe"Cocoa—Tree，"oratthe"Garter"withMr。WalpoleandMr。Steele。
*'TisnotthusWOMANLOVES:Col。E。hathownedtothisfollyforaSCOREOFWOMENbesides。——R。
**And，indeed，sowashistothem，athousandthousandtimesmorecharming，forwherewashisequal？——R。
MistressBeatrixEsmondhadbeenadozentimesonthepointofmakinggreatmatches，sotheCourtscandalsaid;butforhispartEsmondneverwouldbelievethestoriesagainsther;andcameback，afterthreeyears'absencefromher，notsofranticashehadbeenperhaps，butstillhungeringafterherandnoother;stillhopeful，stillkneeling，withhisheartinhishandfortheyoungladytotake。Wewerenowgotto1709。Shewasneartwenty—twoyearsold，andthreeyearsatCourt，andwithoutahusband。
"'Tisnotforwantofbeingasked，"LadyCastlewoodsaid，lookingintoEsmond'sheart，asshecould，withthatperceptivenessaffectiongives。"Butshewillmakenomeanmatch，Harry:shewillnotmarryasIwouldhaveher;thepersonwhomIshouldliketocallmyson，andHenryEsmondknowswhothatis，isbestservedbymynotpressinghisclaim。Beatrixissowilful，thatwhatIwouldurgeonher，shewouldbesuretoresist。Themanwhowouldmarryher，willnotbehappywithher，unlesshebeagreatperson，andcanputherinagreatposition。Beatrixlovesadmirationmorethanlove;andlongs，beyondallthings，forcommand。Whyshouldamotherspeaksoofherchild？Youaremyson，too，Harry。Youshouldknowthetruthaboutyoursister。Ithoughtyoumightcureyourselfofyourpassion，"myladyadded，fondly。"Otherpeoplecancurethemselvesofthatfolly，youknow。ButIseeyouarestillasinfatuatedasever。WhenwereadyournameintheGazette，Ipleadedforyou，mypoorboy。Poorboy，indeed！Youaregrowingagraveoldgentleman，now，andIamanoldwoman。Shelikesyourfamewellenough，andshelikesyourperson。Shesaysyouhavewit，andfire，andgood—breeding，andaremorenaturalthanthefinegentlemenoftheCourt。Butthisisnotenough。Shewantsacommander—in—chief，andnotacolonel。Wereaduketoaskher，shewouldleaveanearlwhomshehadpromised。Itoldyousobefore。Iknownothowmypoorgirlissoworldly。"
"Well，"saysEsmond，"amancanbutgivehisbestandhisall。Shehasthatfromme。WhatlittlereputationIhavewon，IswearI
caredforitbecauseIthoughtBeatrixwouldbepleasedwithit。
WhatcareItobeacolonelorageneral？Thinkyou'twillmatterafewscoreyearshence，whatourfoolishhonorsto—dayare？I
wouldhavehadalittlefame，thatshemightwearitinherhat。
IfIhadanythingbetter，Iwouldendowherwithit。Ifshewantsmylife，Iwouldgiveither。Ifshemarriesanother，IwillsayGodblesshim。Imakenoboast，nornocomplaint。Ithinkmyfidelityisfolly，perhaps。Butsoitis。Icannothelpmyself。
Iloveher。Youareathousandtimesbetter:thefondest，thefairest，thedearestofwomen。Sure，mydearlady，IseeallBeatrix'sfaultsaswellasyoudo。Butsheismyfate。'Tisendurable。Ishallnotdiefornothavingher。IthinkIshouldbenohappierifIwonher。Quevoulez—vous？asmyLadyofChelseywouldsay。Jel'aime。"
"Iwishshewouldhaveyou，"saidHarry'sfondmistress，givingahandtohim。Hekissedthefairhand（'twastheprettiestdimpledlittlehandintheworld，andmyLadyCastlewood，thoughnowalmostfortyyearsold，didnotlooktobewithintenyearsofherage）。
Hekissedandkeptherfairhand，astheytalkedtogether。
"Why，"sayshe，"shouldshehearme？SheknowswhatIwouldsay。
Farornear，sheknowsI'mherslave。Ihavesoldmyselffornothing，itmaybe。Well，'tisthepriceIchoosetotake。Iamworthnothing，orIamworthall。"
"Youaresuchatreasure，"Esmond'smistresswaspleasedtosay，"thatthewomanwhohasyourlove，shouldn'tchangeitawayagainstakingdom，Ithink。Iamacountry—bredwoman，andcannotsaybuttheambitionsofthetownseemmeantome。Ineverwasawe—
strickenbymyLadyDuchess'srankandfinery，orafraid，"sheadded，withaslylaugh，"ofanythingbuthertemper。IhearofCourtladieswhopinebecauseherMajestylookscoldonthem;andgreatnoblemenwhowouldgivealimbthattheymightwearagarterontheother。Thisworldliness，whichIcan'tcomprehend，wasbornwithBeatrix，who，onthefirstdayofherwaiting，wasaperfectcourtier。Wearelikesisters，andshetheeldestsister，somehow。
ShetellsmeIhaveameanspirit。Ilaugh，andsaysheadoresacoach—and—six。Icannotreasonheroutofherambition。'Tisnaturaltoher，astometolovequiet，andbeindifferentaboutrankandriches。Whatarethey，Harry？andforhowlongdotheylast？Ourhomeisnothere。"Shesmiledasshespoke，andlookedlikeanangelthatwasonlyonearthonavisit。"Ourhomeiswherethejustare，andwhereoursinsandsorrowsenternot。Myfatherusedtorebukeme，andsaythatIwastoohopefulaboutheaven。ButIcannothelpmynature，andgrowobstinateasIgrowtobeanoldwoman;andasIlovemychildrenso，sureourFatherlovesuswithathousandandathousandtimesgreaterlove。Itmustbethatweshallmeetyonder，andbehappy。Yes，you——andmychildren，andmydearlord。Doyouknow，Harry，sincehisdeath，ithasalwaysseemedtomeasifhislovecamebacktome，andthatwearepartednomore。Perhapsheisherenow，Harry——Ithinkheis。ForgivenIamsureheis:evenMr。Atterburyabsolvedhim，andhediedforgiving。Oh，whatanoblehearthehad！Howgeneroushewas！Iwasbutfifteenandachildwhenhemarriedme。Howgoodhewastostooptome！Hewasalwaysgoodtothepoorandhumble。"
Shestopped，thenpresently，withapeculiarexpression，asifhereyeswerelookingintoheaven，andsawmylordthere，shesmiled，andgavealittlelaugh。"Ilaughtoseeyou，sir，"shesays;
"whenyoucome，itseemsasifyouneverwereaway。"Onemayputherwordsdown，andrememberthem，buthowdescribehersweettones，sweeterthanmusic！
Myyounglorddidnotcomehomeattheendofthecampaign，andwrotethathewaskeptatBruxellesonmilitaryduty。Indeed，I
believehewasengagedinlayingsiegetoacertainlady，whowasofthesuiteofMadamedeSoissons，thePrinceofSavoy'smother，whowasjustdead，andwho，liketheFlemishfortresses，wastakenandretakenagreatnumberoftimesduringthewar，andoccupiedbyFrench，English，andImperialists。Ofcourse，Mr。EsmonddidnotthinkfittoenlightenLadyCastlewoodregardingtheyoungscapegrace'sdoings:norhadhesaidawordabouttheaffairwithLordMohun，knowinghowabhorrentthatman'snamewastohismistress。Frankdidnotwastemuchtimeormoneyonpenandink;
and，whenHarrycamehomewithhisGeneral，onlywrittwolinestohismother，tosayhiswoundinthelegwasalmosthealed，thathewouldkeephiscomingofagenextyear——thatthedutyaforesaidwouldkeephimatBruxelles，andthatCousinHarrywouldtellallthenews。
ButfromBruxelles，knowinghowtheLadyCastlewoodalwayslikedtohavealetteraboutthefamous29thofDecember，mylordwritheralongandfullone，andinthishemusthavedescribedtheaffairwithMohun;forwhenMr。Esmondcametovisithismistressoneday，earlyinthenewyear，tohisgreatwonderment，sheandherdaughterbothcameupandsalutedhim，andafterthemtheDowagerofChelsey，too，whosechairmanhadjustbroughtherladyshipfromhervillagetoKensingtonacrossthefields。Afterthishonor，I
say，fromthetwoladiesofCastlewood，theDowagercameforwardingreatstate，withhergrandtallhead—dressofKingJames'sreign，that，sheneverforsook，andsaid，"CousinHenry，allourfamilyhavemet;andwethankyou，cousin，foryournobleconducttowardstheheadofourhouse。"Andpointingtoherblushingcheek，shemadeMr。Esmondawarethathewastoenjoytheraptureofanembracethere。Havingsalutedonecheek，sheturnedtohimtheother。"CousinHarry，"saidboththeotherladies，inalittlechorus，"wethankyouforyournobleconduct;"andthenHarrybecameawarethatthestoryoftheLilleaffairhadcometohiskinswomen'sears。Itpleasedhimtohearthemallsalutinghimasoneoftheirfamily。
Thetablesofthedining—roomwerelaidforagreatentertainment;
andtheladieswereingaladresses——myLadyofChelseyinherhighesttour，myLadyViscountessoutofblack，andlookingfairandhappyaravir;andtheMaidofHonorattiredwiththatsplendorwhichnaturallydistinguishedher，andwearingonherbeautifulbreasttheFrenchofficer'sstarwhichFrankhadsenthomeafterRamillies。
"Yousee，'tisagaladaywithus，"saysshe，glancingdowntothestarcomplacently，"andwehaveourorderson。Doesnotmammalookcharming？'TwasIdressedher！"Indeed，Esmond'sdearmistress，blushingashelookedather，withherbeautifulfairhair，andanelegantdressaccordingtothemode，appearedtohavetheshapeandcomplexionofagirloftwenty。
Onthetablewasafinesword，witharedvelvetscabbard，andabeautifulchasedsilverhandle，withablueribbonforasword—
knot。"Whatisthis？"saystheCaptain，goinguptolookatthisprettypiece。
Mrs。Beatrixadvancedtowardsit。"Kneeldown，"saysshe:"wedubyouourknightwiththis"——andshewavedtheswordoverhishead。
"MyLadyDowagerhathgiventhesword;andIgivetheribbon，andmammahathsewnonthefringe。"
"Puttheswordonhim，Beatrix，"sayshermother。"Youareourknight，Harry——ourtrueknight。Takeamother'sthanksandprayersfordefendingherson，mydear，dearfriend。"Shecouldsaynomore，andeventheDowagerwasaffected，foracoupleofrebellioustearsmadesadmarksdownthosewrinkledoldroseswhichEsmondhadjustbeenallowedtosalute。
"WehadaletterfromdearestFrank，"hismothersaid，"threedayssince，whilstyouwereonyourvisittoyourfriendCaptainSteele，atHampton。Hetoldusallthatyouhaddone，andhownoblyyouhadputyourselfbetweenhimandthat——thatwretch。"
"AndIadoptyoufromthisday，"saystheDowager，"andIwishI
wasricher，foryoursake，sonEsmond，"sheaddedwithawaveofherhand;andasMr。Esmonddutifullywentdownonhiskneebeforeherladyship，shecasthereyesuptotheceiling，（thegiltchandelier，andthetwelvewax—candlesinit，forthepartywasnumerous，）andinvokedablessingfromthatquarteruponthenewlyadoptedson。
"DearFrank，"saystheotherviscountess，"howfondheisofhismilitaryprofession！Heisstudyingfortificationveryhard。I
wishhewerehere。WeshallkeephiscomingofageatCastlewoodnextyear。"
"Ifthecampaignpermitus，"saysMr。Esmond。
"Iamneverafraidwhenheiswithyou，"criestheboy'smother。
"IamsuremyHenrywillalwaysdefendhim。"
"Buttherewillbeapeacebeforenextyear;weknowitforcertain，"criestheMaidofHonor。"LordMarlboroughwillbedismissed，andthathorribleduchessturnedoutofallherplaces。
HerMajestywon'tspeaktohernow。DidyouseeheratBushy，Harry？Sheisfurious，andsherangesabouttheparklikealioness，andtearspeople'seyesout。"
"AndthePrincessAnnewillsendforsomebody，"saysmyLadyofChelsey，takingouthermedalandkissingit。
"DidyouseetheKingatOudenarde，Harry？"hismistressasked。
ShewasastaunchJacobite，andwouldnomorehavethoughtofdenyingherkingthanherGod。
"IsawtheyoungHanoverianonly，"Harrysaid。"TheChevalierdeSt。George——"
"TheKing，sir，theKing！"saidtheladiesandMissBeatrix;andsheclappedherprettyhands，andcried，"ViveleRoy。"
Bythistimetherecameathunderingknock，thatdroveinthedoorsofthehousealmost。Itwasthreeo'clock，andthecompanywerearriving;andpresentlytheservantannouncedCaptainSteeleandhislady。
CaptainandMrs。Steele，whowerethefirsttoarrive，haddriventoKensingtonfromtheircountry—house，theHovelatHamptonWick。
"NotfromourmansioninBloomsburySquare，"asMrs。Steeletookcaretoinformtheladies。IndeedHarryhadriddenawayfromHamptonthatverymorning，leavingthecouplebytheears;forfromthechamberwherehelay，inabedthatwasnoneofthecleanest，andkeptawakebythecompanywhichhehadinhisownbed，andthequarrelwhichwasgoingoninthenextroom，hecouldhearbothnightandmorningthecurtainlecturewhichMrs。SteelewasinthehabitofadministeringtopoorDick。
Atnightitdidnotmattersomuchfortheculprit;Dickwasfuddled，andwheninthatwaynoscoldingcouldinterrupthisbenevolence。Mr。Esmondcouldhearhimcoaxingandspeakinginthatmaudlinmanner，whichpunchandclaretproduce，tohisbelovedPrue，andbeseechinghertorememberthattherewasadistiwishtofficeritherexroob，whowouldoverhearher。Shewenton，nevertheless，callinghimadrunkenwretch，andwasonlyinterruptedinherharanguesbytheCaptain'ssnoring。
Inthemorning，theunhappyvictimawoketoaheadache，andconsciousness，andthedialogueofthenightwasresumed。"Whydoyoubringcaptainshometodinnerwhenthere'snotaguineainthehouse？HowamItogivedinnerswhenyouleavemewithoutashilling？HowamItogotraipsingtoKensingtoninmyyellowsatinsackbeforeallthefinecompany？I'venothingfittoputon;Ineverhave:"andsothedisputewenton——Mr。Esmondinterruptingthetalkwhenitseemedtobegrowingtoointimatebyblowinghisnoseasloudlyaseverhecould，atthesoundofwhichtrumpettherecamealull。ButDickwascharming，thoughhiswifewasodious，and'twastogiveMr。Steelepleasure，thattheladiesofCastlewood，whowereladiesofnosmallfashion，invitedMrs。
Steele。
BesidestheCaptainandhislady，therewasagreatandnotableassemblageofcompany:myLadyofChelseyhavingsentherlackeysandliveriestoaidthemodestattendanceatKensington。TherewasLieutenant—GeneralWebb，Harry'skindpatron，ofwhomtheDowagertookpossession，andwhoresplendedinvelvetandgoldlace;therewasHarry'snewacquaintance，theRightHonorableHenrySt。John，Esquire，theGeneral'skinsman，whowascharmedwiththeLadyCastlewood，evenmorethanwithherdaughter;therewasoneofthegreatestnoblemeninthekingdom，theScotsDukeofHamilton，justcreatedDukeofBrandoninEngland;andtwoothernoblelordsoftheToryparty，myLordAshburnham，andanotherIhaveforgot;andforladies，herGracetheDuchessofOrmondeandherdaughters，theLadyMaryandtheLadyBetty，theformeroneofMistressBeatrix'scolleaguesinwaitingontheQueen。
"WhatapartyofTories！"whisperedCaptainSteeletoEsmond，aswewereassembledintheparlorbeforedinner。Indeed，allthecompanypresent，saveSteele，wereofthatfaction。
Mr。St。JohnmadehisspecialcomplimentstoMrs。Steele，andsocharmedherthatshedeclaredshewouldhaveSteeleaTorytoo。
"OrwillyouhavemeaWhig？"saysMr。St。John。"Ithink，madam，youcouldconvertamantoanything。"
"IfMr。St。JohnevercomestoBloomsburySquareIwillteachhimwhatIknow，"saysMrs。Steele，droppingherhandsomeeyes。"DoyouknowBloomsburySquare？"
"DoIknowtheMall？DoIknowtheOpera？DoIknowthereigningtoast？Why，Bloomsburyistheveryheightofthemode，"saysMr。
St。John。"'Tisrusinurbe。YouhavegardensallthewaytoHampstead，andpalacesroundaboutyou——SouthamptonHouseandMontagueHouse。"
"Whereyouwretchesgoandfightduels，"criesMrs。Steele。
"Ofwhichtheladiesarethecause！"saysherentertainer。"Madam，isDickagoodswordsman？Howcharmingthe'Tatler'is！Weallrecognizedyourportraitinthe49thnumber，andIhavebeendyingtoknowyoueversinceIreadit。'Aspasiamustbeallowedtobethefirstofthebeauteousorderoflove。'Dothnotthepassagerunso？'Inthisaccomplishedladyloveistheconstanteffect，thoughitisneverthedesign;yetthoughhermiencarriesmuchmoreinvitationthancommand，tobeholdherisanimmediatechecktoloosebehavior，andtoloveherisaliberaleducation。'"
"Oh，indeed！"saysMrs。Steele，whodidnotseemtounderstandawordofwhatthegentlemanwassaying。
"Whocouldfailtobeaccomplishedundersuchamistress？"saysMr。
St。John，stillgallantandbowing。
"Mistress！uponmyword，sir！"criesthelady。"Ifyoumeanme，sir，IwouldhaveyouknowthatIamtheCaptain'swife。"
"Sureweallknowit，"answersMr。St。John，keepinghiscountenanceverygravely;andSteelebrokeinsaying，"'TwasnotaboutMrs。SteeleIwritthatpaper——thoughIamsuresheisworthyofanycomplimentIcanpayher——butoftheLadyElizabethHastings。"
"IhearMr。Addisonisequallyfamousasawitandapoet，"saysMr。St。John。"Isittruethathishandistobefoundinyour'Tatler，'Mr。Steele？"
"Whether'tisthesublimeorthehumorous，nomancancomenearhim，"criesSteele。
"Afig，Dick，foryourMr。Addison！criesouthislady:"agentlemanwhogiveshimselfsuchairsandholdshisheadsohighnow。IhopeyourladyshipthinksasIdo:Ican'tbearthoseveryfairmenwithwhiteeyelashes——ablackmanforme。"（Alltheblackmenattableapplauded，andmadeMrs。Steeleabowforthiscompliment。）"AsforthisMr。Addison，"shewenton，"hecomestodinewiththeCaptainsometimes，neversaysawordtome，andthentheywalkupstairsbothtipsy，toadishoftea。IrememberyourMr。Addisonwhenhehadbutonecoattohisback，andthatwithapatchattheelbow。"
"Indeed——apatchattheelbow！Youinterestme，"saysMr。St。
John。"'Tischarmingtohearofonemanoflettersfromthecharmingwifeofanother。"
"La，Icouldtellyoueversomuchabout'em，"continuesthevolublelady。"WhatdoyouthinktheCaptainhasgotnow？——alittlehunchbackfellow——alittlehop—o'—my—thumbcreaturethathecallsapoet——alittlePopishbrat！"
"Hush，therearetwointheroom，"whispershercompanion。
"Well，IcallhimPopishbecausehisnameisPope，"saysthelady。
"'Tisonlymyjokingway。Andthislittledwarfofafellowhaswroteapastoralpoem——allaboutshepherdsandshepherdesses，youknow。"
"Ashepherdshouldhavealittlecrook，"saysmymistress，laughingfromherendofthetable:onwhichMrs。Steelesaid，"Shedidnotknow，buttheCaptainbroughthomethisqueerlittlecreaturewhenshewasinbedwithherfirstboy，anditwasamercyhehadcomenosooner;andDickravedabouthisgenus，andwasalwaysravingaboutsomenonsenseorother。"
"Whichofthe'Tatlers'doyouprefer，Mrs。Steele？"askedMr。St。
John。
"Ineverreadbutone，andthinkitallapackofrubbish，sir，"
saysthelady。"SuchstuffaboutBickerstaffe，andDistaff，andQuarterstaff，asitallis！There'stheCaptaingoingonstillwiththeBurgundy——Iknowhe'llbetipsybeforehestops——CaptainSteele！"
"Idrinktoyoureyes，mydear，"saystheCaptain，whoseemedtothinkhiswifecharming，andtoreceiveasgenuineallthesatiriccomplimentswhichMr。St。Johnpaidher。
AllthiswhiletheMaidofHonorhadbeentryingtogetMr。Esmondtotalk，andnodoubtvotedhimadullfellow。For，bysomemistake，justashewasgoingtopopintothevacantplace，hewasplacedfarawayfromBeatrix'schair，whosatbetweenhisGraceandmyLordAshburnham，andshruggedherlovelywhiteshoulders，andcastalookasiftosay，"Pityme，"tohercousin。MyLordDukeandhisyoungneighborwerepresentlyinaveryanimatedandcloseconversation。Mrs。Beatrixcouldnomorehelpusinghereyesthanthesuncanhelpshining，andsettingthoseitshinesona—burning。
BythetimethefirstcoursewasdonethedinnerseemedlongtoEsmond;bythetimethesoupcamehefanciedtheymusthavebeenhoursattable:andasforthesweetsandjellieshethoughttheyneverwouldbedone。
Atlengththeladiesrose，BeatrixthrowingaParthianglanceatherdukeassheretreated;afreshbottleandglasseswerefetched，andtoastswerecalled。Mr。St。JohnaskedhisGracetheDukeofHamiltonandthecompanytodrinktothehealthofhisGracetheDukeofBrandon。AnotherlordgaveGeneralWebb'shealth，"andmayhegetthecommandthebravestofficerintheworlddeserves。"Mr。
Webbthankedthecompany，complimentedhisaide—de—camp，andfoughthisfamousbattleoveragain。
"Ilestfatiguant，"whispersMr。St。John，"avecsatrompettedeWynendael。"
CaptainSteele，whowasnotofourside，loyallygavethehealthoftheDukeofMarlborough，thegreatestgeneraloftheage。
"Idrinktothegreatestgeneralwithallmyheart，"saysMr。Webb;
"therecanbenogainsayingthatcharacterofhim。MyglassgoestotheGeneral，andnottotheDuke，Mr。Steele。"Andthestoutoldgentlemanemptiedhisbumper;towhichDickrepliedbyfillingandemptyingapairofbrimmers，onefortheGeneralandonefortheDuke。
AndnowhisGraceofHamilton，risingupwithflashingeyes（wehadallbeendrinkingprettyfreely），proposedatoasttothelovely，totheincomparableMrs。BeatrixEsmond;wealldrankitwithcheers，andmyLordAshburnhamespecially，withashoutofenthusiasm。
"WhatapitythereisaDuchessofHamilton，"whispersSt。John，whodrankmorewineandyetwasmoresteadythanmostoftheothers，andweenteredthedrawing—roomwheretheladieswereattheirtea。AsforpoorDick，wewereobligedtoleavehimaloneatthedining—table，wherehewashiccuppingoutthelinesfromthe"Campaign，"inwhichthegreatestpoethadcelebratedthegreatestgeneralintheworld;andHarryEsmondfoundhim，halfanhourafterwards，inamoreadvancedstageofliquor，andweepingaboutthetreacheryofTomBoxer。
Thedrawing—roomwasalldarktopoorHarry，inspiteofthegrandillumination。Beatrixscarcespoketohim。WhenmyLordDukewentaway，shepractiseduponthenextinrank，andpliedmyyoungLordAshburnhamwithallthefireofhereyesandthefascinationsofherwit。Mostofthepartyweresettocards，andMr。St。John，afteryawninginthefaceofMrs。Steele，whomhedidnotcaretopursueanymore;andtalkinginhismostbrilliantanimatedwaytoLadyCastlewood，whomhepronouncedtobebeautiful，ofafarhigherorderofbeautythanherdaughter，presentlytookhisleave，andwenthisway。Therestofthecompanyspeedilyfollowed，myLordAshburnhamthelast，throwingfieryglancesatthesmilingyoungtemptress，whohadbewitchedmoreheartsthanhisinherthrall。
Nodoubt，asakinsmanofthehouse，Mr。Esmondthoughtfittobethelastofallinit;heremainedafterthecoacheshadrolledaway——afterhisdowageraunt'schairandflambeauxhadmarchedoffinthedarknesstowardsChelsey，andthetown'speoplehadgonetobed，whohadbeendrawnintothesquaretogapeattheunusualassemblageofchairsandchariots，lackeys，andtorchmen。Thepoormeanwretchlingeredyetforafewminutes，toseewhetherthegirlwouldvouchsafehimasmile，orapartingwordofconsolation。Butherenthusiasmofthemorningwasquitediedout，orshechosetobeinadifferentmood。ShefelltojokingaboutthedowdyappearanceofLadyBetty，andmimickedthevulgarityofMrs。
Steele;andthensheputupherlittlehandtohermouthandyawned，lightedataper，andshruggedhershoulders，anddroppingMr。Esmondasaucycurtsy，sailedofftobed。
"Thedaybegansowell，Henry，thatIhopeditmighthaveendedbetter，"wasalltheconsolationthatpoorEsmond'sfondmistresscouldgivehim;andashetrudgedhomethroughthedarkalone，hethoughtwithbitterrageinhisheart，andafeelingofalmostrevoltagainstthesacrificehehadmade:——"Shewouldhaveme，"
thoughthe，"hadIbutanametogiveher。Butformypromisetoherfather，Imighthavemyrankandmymistresstoo。"
Isupposeaman'svanityisstrongerthananyotherpassioninhim;
forIblush，evennow，asIrecallthehumiliationofthosedistantdays，thememoryofwhichstillsmarts，thoughthefeverofbalkeddesirehaspassedawaymorethanascoreofyearsago。Whenthewriter'sdescendantscometoreadthismemoir，Iwonderwilltheyhavelivedtoexperienceasimilardefeatandshame？Willtheyeverhaveknelttoawomanwhohaslistenedtothem，andplayedwiththem，andlaughedwiththem——whobeckoningthemwithluresandcaresses，andwithYessmilingfromhereyes，hastrickedthemontotheirknees，andturnedherbackandleftthem。AllthisshameMr。Esmondhadtoundergo;andhesubmitted，andrevolted，andpresentlycamecrouchingbackformore。
Afterthisfeste，myyoungLordAshburnham'scoachwasforeverrollinginandoutofKensingtonSquare;hislady—mothercametovisitEsmond'smistress，andateveryassemblyinthetown，wherevertheMaidofHonormadeherappearance，youmightbeprettysuretoseetheyounggentlemaninanewsuiteveryweek，anddeckedoutinallthefinerythathistailororembroiderercouldfurnishforhim。MylordwasforeverpayingMr。Esmondcompliments:biddinghimtodinner，offeringhimhorsestoride，andgivinghimathousanduncouthmarksofrespectandgood—will。
Atlast，onenightatthecoffee—house，whithermylordcameconsiderablyflushedandexcitedwithdrink，herushesuptoMr。
Esmond，andcriesout——"Givemejoy，mydearestColonel;Iamthehappiestofmen。"
"Thehappiestofmenneedsnodearestcoloneltogivehimjoy，"
saysMr。Esmond。"Whatisthecauseofthissupremefelicity？"
"Haven'tyouheard？"sayshe。"Don'tyouknow？Ithoughtthefamilytoldyoueverything:theadorableBeatrixhathpromisedtobemine。"
"What！"criesoutMr。Esmond，whohadspenthappyhourswithBeatrixthatverymorning——hadwritversesforher，thatshehadsungattheharpsichord。