theeagernesswithwhichtheylookedforwardtoitscompletion;thereverencewhichtheypaidtheministerwhoinitiatedthemintothatsecretTruth,nowknownonlytoafew,butpresentlytoreignovertheworld。Surethereisnoboundtothetrustingnessofwomen。
  LookatArriaworshippingthedrunkenclodpateofahusbandwhobeatsher;lookatCorneliatreasuringasajewelinhermaternalhearttheoafherson;IhaveknownawomanpreachJesuit'sbark,andafterwardsDr。Berkeley'star—water,asthoughtoswallowthemwereadivinedecree,andtorefusethemnobetterthanblasphemy。
  OnhisreturnfromFranceColonelEsmondputhimselfattheheadofthislittleknotoffondconspirators。Nodeathortortureheknewwouldfrightenthemoutoftheirconstancy。WhenhedetailedhisplanforbringingtheKingback,hiseldermistressthoughtthatthatRestorationwastobeattributedunderheaventotheCastlewoodfamilyandtoitschief,andsheworshippedandlovedEsmond,ifthatcouldbe,morethanevershehaddone。Shedoubtednotforonemomentofthesuccessofhisscheme,tomistrustwhichwouldhaveseemedimpiousinhereyes。AndasforBeatrix,whenshebecameacquaintedwiththeplan,andjoinedit,asshedidwithallherheart,shegaveEsmondoneofhersearchingbrightlooks。
  "Ah,Harry,"saysshe,"whywereyounottheheadofourhouse?
  Youaretheonlyonefittoraiseit;whydoyougivethatsillyboythenameandthehonor?But'tissointheworld;thosegettheprizethatdon'tdeserveorcareforit。IwishIcouldgiveyouYOURsillyprize,cousin,butIcan't;Ihavetried,andI
  can't。"Andshewentaway,shakingherheadmournfully,butalways,itseemedtoEsmond,thatherlikingandrespectforhimwasgreatlyincreased,sincesheknewwhatcapabilityhehadbothtoactandbear;todoandtoforego。
  CHAPTERIX。
  THEORIGINALOFTHEPORTRAITCOMESTOENGLAND。
  'TwasannouncedinthefamilythatmyLordCastlewoodwouldarrive,havingaconfidentialFrenchgentlemaninhissuite,whoactedassecretarytohislordship,andwho,beingaPapist,andaforeignerofagoodfamily,thoughnowinratheramenialplace,wouldhavehismealsservedinhischamber,andnotwiththedomesticsofthehouse。TheViscountessgaveupherbedchambercontiguoustoherdaughter's,andhavingalargeconvenientclosetattachedtoit,inwhichabedwasputup,ostensiblyforMonsieurBaptiste,theFrenchman;though,'tisneedlesstosay,whenthedoorsoftheapartmentswerelocked,andthetwoguestsretiredwithinit,theyoungviscountbecametheservantoftheillustriousPrincewhomheentertained,andgaveupgladlythemoreconvenientandairychamberandbedtohismaster。MadamBeatrixalsoretiredtotheupperregion,herchamberbeingconvertedintoasitting—roomformylord。Thebettertocarrythedeceit,Beatrixaffectedtogrumblebeforetheservants,andtobejealousthatshewasturnedoutofherchambertomakewayformylord。
  Nosmallpreparationsweremade,youmaybesure,andnoslighttremorofexpectationcausedtheheartsofthegentleladiesofCastlewoodtoflutter,beforethearrivalofthepersonageswhowereabouttohonortheirhouse。Thechamberwasornamentedwithflowers;thebedcoveredwiththeveryfinestoflinen;thetwoladiesinsistingonmakingitthemselves,andkneelingdownatthebedsideandkissingthesheetsoutofrespectforthewebthatwastoholdthesacredpersonofaKing。Thetoiletwasofsilverandcrystal;therewasacopyof"EikonBasilike"laidonthewriting—
  table;aportraitofthemartyredKinghungalwaysoverthemantel,havingaswordofmypoorLordCastlewoodunderneathit,andalittlepictureoremblemwhichthewidowlovedalwaystohavebeforehereyesonwaking,andinwhichthehairofherlordandhertwochildrenwasworkedtogether。Herbooksofprivatedevotions,astheywerealloftheEnglishChurch,shecarriedawaywithhertotheupperapartment,whichshedestinedforherself。
  TheladiesshowedMr。Esmond,whentheywerecompleted,thefondpreparationstheyhadmade。'TwasthenBeatrixkneltdownandkissedthelinensheets。Asforhermother,LadyCastlewoodmadeacurtsyatthedoor,asshewouldhavedonetothealtaronenteringachurch,andownedthatsheconsideredthechamberinamannersacred。
  Thecompanyintheservants'hallneverforamomentsupposedthatthesepreparationsweremadeforanyotherpersonthantheyoungviscount,thelordofthehouse,whomhisfondmotherhadbeenforsomanyyearswithoutseeing。Bothladieswereperfecthousewives,havingthegreatestskillinthemakingofconfections,scentedwaters,&c。,andkeepinganotablesuperintendenceoverthekitchen。Calvesenoughwerekilledtofeedanarmyofprodigalsons,Esmondthought,andlaughedwhenhecametowaitontheladies,onthedaywhentheguestsweretoarrive,tofindtwopairsofthefinestandroundestarmstobeseeninEngland(myLadyCastlewoodwasremarkableforthisbeautyofherperson),coveredwithflourupabovetheelbows,andpreparingpaste,andturningrolling—pinsinthehousekeeper'scloset。Theguestwouldnotarrivetillsupper—time,andmylordwouldpreferhavingthatmealinhisownchamber。Youmaybesurethebrightestplateofthehousewaslaidoutthere,andcanunderstandwhyitwasthattheladiesinsistedthattheyalonewouldwaitupontheyoungchiefofthefamily。
  Takinghorse,ColonelEsmondroderapidlytoRochester,andthereawaitedtheKinginthatverytownwherehisfatherhadlastsethisfootontheEnglishshore。AroomhadbeenprovidedataninnthereformyLordCastlewoodandhisservant;andColonelEsmondtimedhisridesowellthathehadscarcebeenhalfanhourintheplace,andwaslookingoverthebalconyintotheyardoftheinn,whentwotravellersrodeinattheinngate,andtheColonelrunningdown,thenextmomentembracedhisdearyounglord。
  Mylord'scompanion,actingthepartofadomestic,dismounted,andwasforholdingtheviscount'sstirrup;butColonelEsmond,callingtohisownman,whowasinthecourt,badehimtakethehorsesandsettlewiththeladwhohadriddenthepostalongwiththetwotravellers,cryingoutinacavaliertoneintheFrenchlanguagetomylord'scompanion,andaffectingtogrumblethatmylord'sfellowwasaFrenchman,anddidnotknowthemoneyorhabitsofthecountry:——"Mymanwillseetothehorses,Baptiste,"saysColonelEsmond:"doyouunderstandEnglish?""Veryleetle!""So,followmylordandwaituponhimatdinnerinhisownroom。"Thelandlordandhispeoplecameuppresentlybearingthedishes;'twaswelltheymadeanoiseandstirinthegallery,ortheymighthavefoundColonelEsmondonhiskneebeforeLordCastlewood'sservant,welcominghisMajestytohiskingdom,andkissingthehandoftheKing。WetoldthelandlordthattheFrenchmanwouldwaitonhismaster;andEsmond'smanwasorderedtokeepsentryinthegallerywithoutthedoor。ThePrincedinedwithagoodappetite,laughingandtalkingverygayly,andcondescendinglybiddinghistwocompanionstositwithhimattable。HewasinbetterspiritsthanpoorFrankCastlewood,whoEsmondthoughtmightbewoe—begoneonaccountofpartingwithhisdivineClotilda;butthePrincewishingtotakeashortsiestaafterdinner,andretiringtoaninnerchamberwheretherewasabed,thecauseofpoorFrank'sdiscomfiturecameout;andburstingintotears,withmanyexpressionsoffondness,friendship,andhumiliation,thefaithfulladgavehiskinsmantounderstandthathenowknewallthetruth,andthesacrificeswhichColonelEsmondhadmadeforhim。
  SeeingnogoodinacquaintingpoorFrankwiththatsecret,Mr。
  Esmondhadentreatedhismistressalsonottorevealittoherson。
  ThePrincehadtoldthepoorladallastheywereridingfromDover:"Ihadasliefhehadshotme,cousin,"Franksaid:"Iknewyouwerethebest,andthebravest,andthekindestofallmen"(sotheenthusiasticyoungfellowwenton);"butIneverthoughtIowedyouwhatIdo,andcanscarcebeartheweightoftheobligation。"
  "Istandintheplaceofyourfather,"saysMr。Esmond,kindly,"andsureafathermaydispossesshimselfinfavorofhisson。I
  abdicatethetwopennycrown,andinvestyouwiththekingdomofBrentford;don'tbeafoolandcry;youmakeamuchtallerandhandsomerviscountthaneverIcould。"Butthefondboy,withoathsandprotestations,laughterandincoherentoutbreaksofpassionateemotion,couldnotbegot,forsomelittletime,toputupwithEsmond'sraillery;wantedtokneeldowntohim,andkissedhishand;askedhimandimploredhimtoordersomething,tobidCastlewoodgivehisownlifeortakesomebodyelse's;anything,sothathemightshowhisgratitudeforthegenerosityEsmondshowedhim。
  "TheK———,HElaughed,"Franksaid,pointingtothedoorwherethesleeperwas,andspeakinginalowtone。"Idon'tthinkheshouldhavelaughedashetoldmethestory。AswerodealongfromDover,talkinginFrench,hespokeaboutyou,andyourcomingtohimatBar;hecalledyou'legrandserieux,'DonBellianisofGreece,andIdon'tknowwhatnames;mimickingyourmanner"(hereCastlewoodlaughedhimself)——"andhediditverywell。Heseemstosneerateverything。Heisnotlikeaking:somehowHarry,Ifancyyouarelikeaking。Hedoesnotseemtothinkwhatastakeweareallplaying。HewouldhavestoppedatCanterburytorunafterabarmaidthere,hadInotimploredhimtocomeon。HehathahouseatChaillot,whereheusedtogoandburyhimselfforweeksawayfromtheQueen,andwithallsortsofbadcompany,"saysFrank,withademurelook;"youmaysmile,butIamnotthewildfellowI
  was;no,no,Ihavebeentaughtbetter,"saysCastlewooddevoutly,makingasignonhisbreast。
  "Thouartmydearbraveboy,"saysColonelEsmond,touchedattheyoungfellow'ssimplicity,"andtherewillbeanoblegentlemanatCastlewoodsolongasmyFrankisthere。"
  Theimpetuousyoungladwasforgoingdownonhiskneesagain,withanotherexplosionofgratitude,butthatweheardthevoicefromthenextchamberoftheaugustsleeper,justwaking,callingout:——
  "Eh,La—Fleur,unverred'eau!"HisMajestycameoutyawning:——"A
  pest,"sayshe,"uponyourEnglishale,'tissostrongthat,mafoi,ithathturnedmyhead。"
  Theeffectofthealewaslikeaspuruponourhorses,andwerodeveryquicklytoLondon,reachingKensingtonatnightfall。Mr。
  Esmond'sservantwasleftbehindatRochester,totakecareofthetiredhorses,whilstwehadfreshbeastsprovidedalongtheroad。
  AndgallopingbythePrince'ssidetheColonelexplainedtothePrinceofWaleswhathismovementshadbeen;whothefriendswerethatknewoftheexpedition;whom,asEsmondconceived,thePrinceshouldtrust;entreatinghim,aboveall,tomaintaintheveryclosestsecrecyuntilthetimeshouldcomewhenhisRoyalHighnessshouldappear。ThetownswarmedwithfriendsofthePrince'scause;therewerescoresofcorrespondentswithSt。Germains;
  Jacobitesknownandsecret;greatinstationandhumble;abouttheCourtandtheQueen;intheParliament,Church,andamongthemerchantsintheCity。ThePrincehadfriendsnumberlessinthearmy,inthePrivyCouncil,andtheOfficersofState。Thegreatobject,asitseemed,tothesmallbandofpersonswhohadconcertedthatboldstroke,whohadbroughttheQueen'sbrotherintohisnativecountry,was,thathisvisitshouldremainunknowntillthepropertimecame,whenhispresenceshouldsurprisefriendsandenemiesalike;andthelattershouldbefoundsounpreparedanddisunited,thattheyshouldnotfindtimetoattackhim。Wefearedmorefromhisfriendsthanfromhisenemies。Theliesandtittle—tattlesentovertoSt。GermainsbytheJacobiteagentsaboutLondon,haddoneanincalculablemischieftohiscause,andwofullymisguidedhim,anditwasfromtheseespecially,thatthepersonsengagedinthepresentventurewereanxioustodefendthechiefactorinit。*
  *ThemanagersweretheBishop,whocannotbehurtbyhavinghisnamementioned,averyactiveandloyalNonconformistDivine,aladyinthehighestfavoratCourt,withwhomBeatrixEsmondhadcommunication,andtwonoblemenofthegreatestrank,andamemberoftheHouseofCommons,whowasimplicatedinmoretransactionsthanoneinbehalfoftheStuartfamily。
  ThepartyreachedLondonbynightfall,leavingtheirhorsesatthePosting—HouseoveragainstWestminster,andbeingferriedoverthewater,whereLadyEsmond'scoachwasalreadyinwaiting。InanotherhourwewerealllandedatKensington,andthemistressofthehousehadthatsatisfactionwhichherhearthadyearnedafterformanyyears,oncemoretoembraceherson,who,onhisside,withallhiswaywardness,everretainedamosttenderaffectionforhisparent。
  Shedidnotrefrainfromthisexpressionofherfeeling,thoughthedomesticswereby,andmyLordCastlewood'sattendantstoodinthehall。EsmondhadtowhispertohiminFrenchtotakehishatoff。
  MonsieurBaptistewasconstantlyneglectinghispartwithaninconceivablelevity:morethanonceontheridetoLondon,littleobservationsofthestranger,lightremarks,andwordsbetokeningthegreatestignoranceofthecountrythePrincecametogovern,hadhurtthesusceptibilityofthetwogentlemenforminghisescort;norcouldeitherhelpowninginhissecretmindthattheywouldhavehadhisbehaviorotherwise,andthatthelaughterandthelightness,nottosaylicense,whichcharacterizedhistalk,scarcebefittedsuchagreatPrince,andsuchasolemnoccasion。
  Notbutthathecouldactatpropertimeswithspiritanddignity。
  Hehadbehaved,asweallknew,inaverycourageousmanneronthefield。EsmondhadseenacopyoftheletterthePrincehadwritwithhisownhandwhenurgedbyhisfriendsinEnglandtoabjurehisreligion,andadmiredthatmanlyandmagnanimousreplybywhichherefusedtoyieldtothetemptation。MonsieurBaptistetookoffhishat,blushingatthehintColonelEsmondventuredtogivehim,andsaid:——"Tenez,elleestjolie,lapetitemere。FoideChevalier!elleestcharmante;maisl'autre,quiestcettenymphe,cetastrequibrille,cetteDianequidescendsurnous?"Andhestartedback,andpushedforward,asBeatrixwasdescendingthestair。Shewasincolorsforthefirsttimeatherownhouse;sheworethediamondsEsmondgaveher;ithadbeenagreedbetweenthem,thatsheshouldwearthesebrilliantsonthedaywhentheKingshouldenterthehouse,andaQueenshelooked,radiantincharms,andmagnificentandimperialinbeauty。
  Castlewoodhimselfwasstartledbythatbeautyandsplendor;hesteppedbackandgazedathissisterasthoughhehadnotbeenawarebefore(norwasheverylikely)howperfectlylovelyshewas,andIthoughtblushedasheembracedher。ThePrincecouldnotkeephiseyesoffher;hequiteforgothismenialpart,thoughhehadbeenschooledtoit,andalittlelightportmanteaupreparedexpresslythatheshouldcarryit。HepressedforwardbeforemyLordViscount。'Twasluckytheservants'eyeswerebusyinotherdirections,ortheymusthaveseenthatthiswasnoservant,oratleastaveryinsolentandrudeone。
  AgainColonelEsmondwasobligedtocryout,"Baptiste,"inaloudimperiousvoice,"haveacaretothevalise;"atwhichhintthewilfulyoungmangroundhisteethtogetherwithsomethingverylikeacursebetweenthem,andthengaveabrieflookofanythingbutpleasuretohisMentor。Beingreminded,however,heshoulderedthelittleportmanteau,andcarrieditupthestair,Esmondprecedinghim,andaservantwithlightedtapers。Heflungdownhisburdensulkilyinthebedchamber:——"APrincethatwillwearacrownmustwearamask,"saysMr。EsmondinFrench。
  "Ahpeste!Iseehowitis,"saysMonsieurBaptiste,continuingthetalkinFrench。"TheGreatSeriousisseriously"——"alarmedforMonsieurBaptiste,"brokeintheColonel。EsmondneitherlikedthetonewithwhichthePrincespokeoftheladies,northeeyeswithwhichheregardedthem。
  Thebedchamberandthetworoomsadjoiningit,theclosetandtheapartmentwhichwastobecalledmylord'sparlor,werealreadylightedandawaitingtheiroccupier;andthecollationlaidformylord'ssupper。LordCastlewoodandhismotherandsistercameupthestairaminuteafterwards,and,sosoonasthedomesticshadquittedtheapartment,CastlewoodandEsmonduncovered,andthetwoladieswentdownontheirkneesbeforethePrince,whograciouslygaveahandtoeach。HelookedhispartofPrincemuchmorenaturallythanthatofservant,whichhehadjustbeentrying,andraisedthembothwithagreatdealofnobility,aswellaskindnessinhisair。"Madam,"sayshe,"mymotherwillthankyourladyshipforyourhospitalitytoherson;foryou,madam,"turningtoBeatrix,"Icannotbeartoseesomuchbeautyinsuchaposture。
  YouwillbetrayMonsieurBaptisteifyoukneeltohim;sure'tishisplacerathertokneeltoyou。"
  Alightshoneoutofhereyes;agleambrightenoughtokindlepassioninanybreast。Thereweretimeswhenthiscreaturewassohandsome,thatsheseemed,asitwere,likeVenusrevealingherselfagoddessinaflashofbrightness。Sheappearedsonow;radiant,andwitheyesbrightwithawonderfullustre。Apang,asofrageandjealousy,shotthroughEsmond'sheart,ashecaughtthelookshegavethePrince;andheclenchedhishandinvoluntarilyandlookedacrosstoCastlewood,whoseeyesansweredhisalarm—signal,andwerealsoonthealert。ThePrincegavehissubjectsanaudienceofafewminutes,andthenthetwoladiesandColonelEsmondquittedthechamber。LadyCastlewoodpressedhishandastheydescendedthestair,andthethreewentdowntothelowerrooms,wheretheywaitedawhiletillthetravellersaboveshouldberefreshedandreadyfortheirmeal。
  EsmondlookedatBeatrix,blazingwithherjewelsonherbeautifulneck。"Ihavekeptmyword,"sayshe:"AndImine,"saysBeatrix,lookingdownonthediamonds。
  "WereItheMogulEmperor,"saystheColonel,"youshouldhaveallthatweredugoutofGolconda。"
  "Theseareagreatdealtoogoodforme,"saysBeatrix,droppingherheadonherbeautifulbreast,——"soareyouall,all!"Andwhenshelookedupagain,asshedidinamoment,andafterasigh,hereyes,astheygazedathercousin,worethatmelancholyandinscrutablelookwhich'twasalwaysimpossibletosound。
  Whenthetimecameforthesupper,ofwhichwewereadvertisedbyaknockingoverhead,ColonelEsmondandthetwoladieswenttotheupperapartment,wherethePrincealreadywas,andbyhissidetheyoungViscount,ofexactlythesameage,shape,andwithfeaturesnotdissimilar,thoughFrank'swerethehandsomerofthetwo。ThePrincesatdownandbadetheladiessit。Thegentlemenremainedstanding:therewas,indeed,butonemorecoverlaidatthetable:——
  "Whichofyouwilltakeit?"sayshe。
  "Theheadofourhouse,"saysLadyCastlewood,takingherson'shand,andlookingtowardsColonelEsmondwithabowandagreattremorofthevoice;"theMarquisofEsmondwillhavethehonorofservingtheKing。"
  "IshallhavethehonorofwaitingonhisRoyalHighness,"saysColonelEsmond,fillingacupofwine,and,asthefashionofthatdaywas,hepresentedittotheKingonhisknee。
  "Idrinktomyhostessandherfamily,"saysthePrince,withnoverywell—pleasedair;butthecloudpassedimmediatelyoffhisface,andhetalkedtotheladiesinalively,rattlingstrain,quiteundisturbedbypoorMr。Esmond'syellowcountenance,that,I
  daresay,lookedveryglum。
  Whenthetimecametotakeleave,Esmondmarchedhomewardstohislodgings,andmetMr。Addisonontheroadthatnight,walkingtoacottagehehadatFulham,themoonshiningonhishandsomesereneface:——"Whatcheer,brother?"saysAddison,laughing:"Ithoughtitwasafootpadadvancinginthedark,andbehold'tisanoldfriend。
  Wemayshakehands,Colonel,inthedark,'tisbetterthanfightingbydaylight。Whyshouldwequarrel,becauseIamaWhigandthouartaTory?TurnthystepsandwalkwithmetoFulham,wherethereisanightingalestillsinginginthegarden,andacoolbottleinacaveIknowof;youshalldrinktothePretenderifyoulike,andIwilldrinkmyliquormyownway:Ihavehadenoughofgoodliquor?——no,never!Thereisnosuchwordasenoughasastopperforgoodwine。Thouwiltnotcome?Comeanyday,comesoon。YouknowIrememberSimoisandtheSigeiatellus,andthepraeliamixtamero,mixtamero,"herepeated,witheversoslightatouchofmeruminhisvoice,andwalkedbackalittlewayontheroadwithEsmond,biddingtheotherrememberhewasalwayshisfriend,andindebtedtohimforhisaidinthe"Campaign"poem。AndverylikelyMr。Under—Secretarywouldhavesteppedinandtakent'otherbottleattheColonel'slodging,hadthelatterinvitedhim,butEsmond'smoodwasnoneofthegayest,andhebadehisfriendaninhospitablegood—nightatthedoor。
  "Ihavedonethedeed,"thoughthe,sleepless,andlookingoutintothenight;"heishere,andIhavebroughthim;heandBeatrixaresleepingunderthesameroofnow。WhomdidImeantoserveinbringinghim?WasitthePrince?wasitHenryEsmond?HadInotbesthavejoinedthemanlycreedofAddisonyonder,thatscoutstheolddoctrineofrightdivine,thatboldlydeclaresthatParliamentandpeopleconsecratetheSovereign,notbishops,norgenealogies,noroils,norcoronations。"TheeagergazeoftheyoungPrince,watchingeverymovementofBeatrix,hauntedEsmondandpursuedhim。
  ThePrince'sfigureappearedbeforehiminhisfeverishdreamsmanytimesthatnight。Hewishedthedeedundoneforwhichhehadlaboredso。Hewasnotthefirstthathasregrettedhisownact,orbroughtabouthisownundoing。Undoing?Shouldhewritethatwordinhislateyears?No,onhiskneesbeforeheaven,ratherbethankfulforwhatthenhedeemedhismisfortune,andwhichhathcausedthewholesubsequenthappinessofhislife。
  Esmond'sman,honestJohnLockwood,hadservedhismasterandthefamilyallhislife,andtheColonelknewthathecouldanswerforJohn'sfidelityasforhisown。JohnreturnedwiththehorsesfromRochesterbetimesthenextmorning,andtheColonelgavehimtounderstandthatongoingtoKensington,wherehewasfreeoftheservants'hall,andindeedcourtingMissBeatrix'smaid,hewastoasknoquestions,andbetraynosurprise,buttovouchstoutlythattheyounggentlemanheshouldseeinaredcoattherewasmyLordViscountCastlewood,andthathisattendantingraywasMonsieurBaptistetheFrenchman。HewastotellhisfriendsinthekitchensuchstoriesasherememberedofmyLordViscount'syouthatCastlewood;whatawildboyhewas;howheusedtodrillJackandcanehim,beforeeverhewasasoldier;everything,infine,heknewrespectingmyLordViscount'searlydays。Jack'sideasofpaintinghadnotbeenmuchcultivatedduringhisresidenceinFlanderswithhismaster;and,beforemyyounglord'sreturn,hehadbeeneasilygottobelievethatthepicturebroughtoverfromParis,andnowhanginginLadyCastlewood'sdrawing—room,wasaperfectlikenessofherson,theyounglord。Andthedomesticshavingallseenthepicturemanytimes,andcatchingbutamomentaryimperfectglimpseofthetwostrangersonthenightoftheirarrival,neverhadareasontodoubtthefidelityoftheportrait;andnextday,whentheysawtheoriginalofthepiecehabitedexactlyashewasrepresentedinthepainting,withthesameperiwig,ribbons,anduniformoftheGuard,quitenaturallyaddressedthegentlemanasmyLordCastlewood,myLadyViscountess'sson。
  Thesecretaryofthenightpreviouswasnowtheviscount;theviscountworethesecretary'sgrayfrock;andJohnLockwoodwasinstructedtohinttotheworldbelowstairsthatmylordbeingaPapist,andverydevoutinthatreligion,hisattendantmightbenootherthanhischaplainfromBruxelles;hence,ifhetookhismealsinmylord'scompanytherewaslittlereasonforsurprise。FrankwasfurthercautionedtospeakEnglishwithaforeignaccent,whichtaskheperformedindifferentlywell,andthiscautionwasthemorenecessarybecausethePrincehimselfscarcespokeourlanguagelikeanativeoftheisland:andJohnLockwoodlaughedwiththefolksbelowstairsatthemannerinwhichmylord,afterfiveyearsabroad,sometimesforgothisowntongue,andspokeitlikeaFrenchman。"Iwarrant,"sayshe,"that,withtheEnglishbeefandbeer,hislordshipwillsoongetbacktheproperuseofhismouth;"
  and,todohisnewlordshipjustice,hetooktobeerandbeefverykindly。
  ThePrincedranksomuch,andwassoloudandimprudentinhistalkafterhisdrink,thatEsmondoftentrembledforhim。Hismealswereservedasmuchaspossibleinhisownchamber,thoughfrequentlyhemadehisappearanceinLadyCastlewood'sparloranddrawing—room,callingBeatrix"sister,"andherladyship"mother,"
  or"madam"beforetheservants。And,choosingtoactentirelyuptothepartofbrotherandson,thePrincesometimessalutedMrs。
  BeatrixandLadyCastlewoodwithafreedomwhichhissecretarydidnotlike,andwhich,forhispart,setColonelEsmondtearingwithrage。
  TheguestshadnotbeenthreedaysinthehousewhenpoorJackLockwoodcamewitharuefulcountenancetohismaster,andsaid:
  "MyLord——thatisthegentleman——hasbeentamperingwithMrs。Lucy(Jack'ssweetheart),andgivenherguineasandakiss。"IfearthatColonelEsmond'smindwasratherrelievedthanotherwisewhenhefoundthattheancillarybeautywastheonewhomthePrincehadselected。Hisroyaltasteswereknowntoliethatway,andcontinuedsoinafterlife。Theheirofoneofthegreatestnames,ofthegreatestkingdoms,andofthegreatestmisfortunesinEurope,wasoftencontenttolaythedignityofhisbirthandgriefatthewoodenshoesofaFrenchchambermaid,andtorepentafterwards(forhewasverydevout)inashestakenfromthedust—
  pan。'Tisformortalssuchasthesethatnationssuffer,thatpartiesstruggle,thatwarriorsfightandbleed。Ayearafterwardsgallantheadswerefalling,andNithsdaleinescape,andDerwentwateronthescaffold;whilsttheheedlessingrate,forwhomtheyriskedandlostall,wastipplingwithhisseraglioofmistressesinhispetitemaisonofChaillot。
  Blushingtobeforcedtobearsuchanerrand,EsmondhadtogotothePrinceandwarnhimthatthegirlwhomhisHighnesswasbribingwasJohnLockwood'ssweetheart,anhonestresoluteman,whohadservedinsixcampaigns,andfearednothing,andwhoknewthatthepersoncallinghimselfLordCastlewoodwasnothisyoungmaster:
  andtheColonelbesoughtthePrincetoconsiderwhattheeffectofasingleman'sjealousymightbe,andtothinkofotherdesignshehadinhand,moreimportantthantheseductionofawaiting—maid,andthehumiliationofabraveman。
  Tentimes,perhaps,inthecourseofasmanydays,Mr。Esmondhadtowarntheroyalyoungadventurerofsomeimprudenceorsomefreedom。Hereceivedtheseremonstrancesverytestily,saveperhapsinthisaffairofpoorLockwood's,whenhedeignedtoburstouta—laughing,andsaid,"What!thesoubrettehaspeachedtotheamoureux,andCrispinisangry,andCrispinhasserved,andCrispinhasbeenacorporal,hashe?Tellhimwewillrewardhisvalorwithapairofcolors,andrecompensehisfidelity。"
  ColonelEsmondventuredtouttersomeotherwordsofentreaty,butthePrince,stampingimperiously,criedout,"Assez,milord:jem'ennuyealapreche;IamnotcometoLondontogotothesermon。"
  AndhecomplainedafterwardstoCastlewood,that"lepetitjaune,lenoirColonel,leMarquisMisanthrope"(bywhichfacetiousnameshisRoyalHighnesswaspleasedtodesignateColonelEsmond),"fatiguedhimwithhisgrandairsandvirtuoushomilies。"
  TheBishopofRochester,andothergentlemenengagedinthetransactionwhichhadbroughtthePrinceover,waiteduponhisRoyalHighness,constantlyaskingformyLordCastlewoodontheirarrivalatKensington,andbeingopenlyconductedtohisRoyalHighnessinthatcharacter,whoreceivedthemeitherinmylady'sdrawing—roombelow,oraboveinhisownapartment;andallimploredhimtoquitthehouseaslittleaspossible,andtowaittheretillthesignalshouldbegivenforhimtoappear。Theladiesentertainedhimatcards,overwhichamusementhespentmanyhoursineachdayandnight。Hepassedmanyhoursmoreindrinking,duringwhichtimehewouldrattleandtalkveryagreeably,andespeciallyiftheColonelwasabsent,whosepresencealwaysseemedtofrightenhim;andthepoor"ColonelNoir"tookthathintasacommandaccordingly,andseldomintrudedhisblackfaceupontheconvivialhoursofthisaugustyoungprisoner。Exceptforthosefewpersonsofwhomtheporterhadthelist,LordCastlewoodwasdeniedtoallfriendsofthehousewhowaitedonhislordship。Thewoundhehadreceivedhadbrokeoutagainfromhisjourneyonhorseback,sotheworldandthedomesticswereinformed。AndDoctorA————,*hisphysician(Ishallnotmentionhisname,buthewasphysiciantotheQueen,oftheScotsnation,andamanremarkableforhisbenevolenceaswellashiswit),gaveordersthatheshouldbekeptperfectlyquietuntilthewoundshouldheal。
  Withthisgentleman,whowasoneofthemostactiveandinfluentialofourparty,andtheothersbeforespokenof,thewholesecretlay;anditwaskeptwithsomuchfaithfulness,andthestorywetoldsosimpleandnatural,thattherewasnolikelihoodofadiscoveryexceptfromtheimprudenceofthePrincehimself,andanadventurouslevitythatwehadthegreatestdifficultytocontrol。
  AsforLadyCastlewood,althoughshescarcespokeaword,'twaseasytogatherfromherdemeanor,andoneortwohintsshedropped,howdeephermortificationwasatfindingtheherowhomshehadchosentoworshipallherlife(andwhoserestorationhadformedalmostthemostsacredpartofherprayers),nomorethanaman,andnotagoodone。Shethoughtmisfortunemighthavechastenedhim;butthatinstructresshadratherrenderedhimcallousthanhumble。Hisdevotion,whichwasquitereal,kepthimfromnosinhehadamindto。Histalkshowedgood—humor,gayety,evenwitenough;buttherewasalevityinhisactsandwordsthathehadbroughtfromamongthoselibertinedevoteeswithwhomhehadbeenbred,andthatshockedthesimplicityandpurityoftheEnglishlady,whoseguesthewas。EsmondspokehismindtoBeatrixprettyfreelyaboutthePrince,gettingherbrothertoputinawordofwarning。Beatrixwasentirelyoftheiropinion;shethoughthewasverylight,verylightandreckless;shecouldnotevenseethegoodlooksColonelEsmondhadspokenof。ThePrincehadbadteeth,andadecidedsquint。Howcouldwesayhedidnotsquint?Hiseyeswerefine,buttherewascertainlyacastinthem。Sheralliedhimattablewithwonderfulwit;shespokeofhiminvariablyasofamereboy;shewasmorefondofEsmondthanever,praisedhimtoherbrother,praisedhimtothePrince,whenhisRoyalHighnesswaspleasedtosneerattheColonel,andwarmlyespousedhiscause:"AndifyourMajestydoesnotgivehimtheGarterhisfatherhad,whentheMarquisofEsmondcomestoyourMajesty'scourt,Iwillhangmyselfinmyowngarters,orwillcrymyeyesout。""Ratherthanlosethose,"saysthePrince,"heshallbemadeArchbishopandColoneloftheGuard"(itwasFrankCastlewoodwhotoldmeofthisconversationovertheirsupper)。
  *TherecanbeverylittledoubtthattheDoctormentionedbymydearfatherwasthefamousDr。Arbuthnot。——R。E。W。
  "Yes,"criesshe,withoneofherlaughs——IfancyIhearitnow。
  ThirtyyearsafterwardsIhearthatdelightfulmusic。"Yes,heshallbeArchbishopofEsmondandMarquisofCanterbury。"
  "Andwhatwillyourladyshipbe?"saysthePrince;"youhavebuttochooseyourplace。"
  "I,"saysBeatrix,"willbemotherofthemaidstotheQueenofhisMajestyKingJamestheThird——ViveleRoy!"andshemadehimagreatcurtsy,anddrankapartofaglassofwineinhishonor。