"ThePrinceseizedholdoftheglassanddrankthelastdropofit，"Castlewoodsaid，"andmymother，lookingveryanxious，roseupandaskedleavetoretire。ButthatTrixismymother'sdaughter，Harry，"Frankcontinued，"Idon'tknowwhatahorridfearIshouldhaveofher。Iwish——Iwishthisbusinesswereover。YouareolderthanIam，andwiser，andbetter，andIoweyoueverything，andwoulddieforyou——beforeGeorgeIwould;butIwishtheendofthiswerecome。"
　　Neitherofusverylikelypassedatranquilnight;horribledoubtsandtormentsrackedEsmond'ssoul:'twasaschemeofpersonalambition，adaringstrokeforaselfishend——heknewit。Whatcaredhe，inhisheart，whowasKing？Werenothisverysympathiesandsecretconvictionsontheotherside——onthesideofPeople，Parliament，Freedom？Andherewashe，engagedforaPrincethathadscarceheardthewordliberty;thatpriestsandwomen，tyrantsbynature，bothmadeatoolof。Themisanthropewasinnobetterhumorafterhearingthatstory，andhisgrimfacemoreblackandyellowthanever。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　WEENTERTAINAVERYDISTINGUISHEDGUESTATKENSINGTON。
　　ShouldanycluebefoundtothedarkintriguesatthelatterendofQueenAnne'stime，oranyhistorianbeinclinedtofollowit，'twillbediscovered，Ihavelittledoubt，thatnotoneofthegreatpersonagesabouttheQueenhadadefinedschemeofpolicy，independentofthatprivateandselfishinterestwhicheachwasbentonpursuing:St。JohnwasforSt。John，andHarleyforOxford，andMarlboroughforJohnChurchill，always;andaccordingastheycouldgethelpfromSt。GermainsorHanover，theysentoverproffersofallegiancetothePrincesthere，orbetrayedonetotheother:onecause，oronesovereign，wasasgoodasanothertothem，sothattheycouldholdthebestplaceunderhim;andlikeLockitandPeachem，theNewgatechiefsinthe"Rogues'Opera，"Mr。Gaywroteafterwards，hadeachinhishanddocumentsandproofsoftreasonwhichwouldhangtheother，onlyhedidnotdaretousetheweapon，forfearofthatonewhichhisneighboralsocarriedinhispocket。ThinkofthegreatMarlborough，thegreatestsubjectinalltheworld，aconquerorofprinces，thathadmarchedvictoriousoverGermany，Flanders，andFrance，thathadgiventhelawtosovereignsabroad，andbeenworshippedasadivinityathome，forcedtosneakoutofEngland——hiscredit，honors，places，alltakenfromhim;hisfriendsinthearmybrokeandruined;andflyingbeforeHarley，asabjectandpowerlessasapoordebtorbeforeabailiffwithawrit。Apaper，ofwhichHarleygotpossession，andshowingbeyonddoubtthattheDukewasengagedwiththeStuartfamily，wastheweaponwithwhichtheTreasurerdroveMarlboroughoutofthekingdom。HefledtoAntwerp，andbeganintriguinginstantlyontheotherside，andcamebacktoEngland，asallknow，aWhigandaHanoverian。
　　ThoughtheTreasurerturnedoutofthearmyandofficeeveryman，militaryorcivil，knowntobetheDuke'sfriend，andgavethevacantpostsamongtheToryparty;he，too，wasplayingthedoublegamebetweenHanoverandSt。Germains，awaitingtheexpectedcatastropheoftheQueen'sdeathtobeMasteroftheState，andofferittoeitherfamilythatshouldbribehimbest，orthatthenationshoulddeclarefor。WhichevertheKingwas，Harley'sobjectwastoreignoverhim;andtothisendhesupplantedtheformerfamousfavorite，decriedtheactionsofthewarwhichhadmadeMarlborough'snameillustrious，anddisdainednomorethanthegreatfallencompetitorofhis，themeanestarts，flatteries，intimidations，thatwouldsecurehispower。IfthegreatestsatiristtheworldeverhathseenhadwritagainstHarley，andnotforhim，whatahistoryhadheleftbehindofthelastyearsofQueenAnne'sreign！ButSwift，thatscornedallmankind，andhimselfnottheleastofall，hadthismeritofafaithfulpartisan，thathelovedthosechiefswhotreatedhimwell，andstuckbyHarleybravelyinhisfall，ashegallantlyhadsupportedhiminhisbetterfortune。
　　Incomparablymorebrilliant，moresplendid，eloquent，accomplishedthanhisrival，thegreatSt。JohncouldbeasselfishasOxfordwas，andcouldactthedoublepartasskilfullyasambidextrousChurchill。Hewhosetalkwasalwaysofliberty，nomoreshrunkfromusingpersecutionandthepilloryagainsthisopponentsthanifhehadbeenatLisbonandGrandInquisitor。ThisloftypatriotwasonhiskneesatHanoverandSt。Germainstoo;notoriouslyofnoreligion，hetoastedChurchandQueenasboldlyasthestupidSacheverel，whomheusedandlaughedat;andtoservehisturn，andtooverthrowhisenemy，hecouldintrigue，coax，bully，wheedle，fawnontheCourtfavoriteandcreepuptheback—stairassilentlyasOxford，whosupplantedMarlborough，andwhomhehimselfsupplanted。ThecrashofmyLordOxfordhappenedatthisverytimewhereatmyhistoryisnowarrived。Hewascometotheverylastdaysofhispower，andtheagentwhomheemployedtooverthrowtheconquerorofBlenheim，wasnowengagedtoupsettheconqueror'sconqueror，andhandoverthestaffofgovernmenttoBolingbroke，whohadbeenpantingtoholdit。
　　Inexpectationofthestrokethatwasnowpreparing，theIrishregimentsintheFrenchservicewereallbroughtroundaboutBoulogneinPicardy，topassoverifneedwerewiththeDukeofBerwick;thesoldiersofFrancenolonger，butsubjectsofJamestheThirdofEnglandandIrelandKing。ThefidelityofthegreatmassoftheScots（thoughamostactive，resolute，andgallantWhigparty，admirablyandenergeticallyorderedanddisciplined，wasknowntobeinScotlandtoo）wasnotoriouslyunshakenintheirKing。AverygreatbodyofToryclergy，nobility，andgentry，werepublicpartisansoftheexiledPrince;andtheindifferentsmightbecountedontocryKingGeorgeorKingJames，accordingaseithershouldprevail。TheQueen，especiallyinherlatterdays，inclinedtowardsherownfamily。ThePrincewaslyingactuallyinLondon，withinastone'scastofhissister'spalace;thefirstMinistertopplingtohisfall，andsototteringthattheweakestpushofawoman'sfingerwouldsendhimdown;andasforBolingbroke，hissuccessor，weknowonwhosesidehispowerandhissplendideloquencewouldbeonthedaywhentheQueenshouldappearopenlybeforeherCouncilandsay:——"This，mylords，ismybrother;hereismyfather'sheir，andmineafterme。"
　　DuringthewholeofthepreviousyeartheQueenhadhadmanyandrepeatedfitsofsickness，fever，andlethargy，andherdeathhadbeenconstantlylookedforbyallherattendants。TheElectorofHanoverhadwishedtosendhisson，theDukeofCambridge——topayhiscourttohiscousintheQueen，theElectorsaid;——intruth，tobeonthespotwhendeathshouldclosehercareer。Frightenedperhapstohavesuchamementomoriunderherroyaleyes，herMajestyhadangrilyforbiddentheyoungPrince'scomingintoEngland。Eithershedesiredtokeepthechancesforherbrotheropenyet;orthepeopleaboutherdidnotwishtoclosewiththeWhigcandidatetilltheycouldmaketermswithhim。ThequarrelsofherMinistersbeforeherfaceattheCouncilboard，thepricksofconscienceverylikely，theimportunitiesofherMinisters，andconstantturmoilandagitationroundabouther，hadweakenedandirritatedthePrincessextremely;herstrengthwasgivingwayunderthesecontinualtrialsofhertemper，andfromdaytodayitwasexpectedshemustcometoaspeedyendofthem。JustbeforeViscountCastlewoodandhiscompanioncamefromFrance，herMajestywastakenill。TheSt。Anthony'sfirebrokeoutontheroyallegs;
　　therewasnohurryforthepresentationoftheyounglordatCourt，orthatpersonwhoshouldappearunderhisname;andmyLordViscount'swoundbreakingoutopportunely，hewaskeptconvenientlyinhischamberuntilsuchtimeashisphysicianwouldallowhimtobendhiskneebeforetheQueen。AtthecommencementofJuly，thatinfluentiallady，withwhomithasbeenmentionedthatourpartyhadrelations，camefrequentlytovisitheryoungfriend，theMaidofHonor，atKensington，andmyLordViscount（therealorsupposititious），whowasaninvalidatLadyCastlewood'shouse。
　　Onthe27thdayofJuly，theladyinquestion，whoheldthemostintimatepostabouttheQueen，cameinherchairfromthePalacehardby，bringingtothelittlepartyinKensingtonSquareintelligenceoftheveryhighestimportance。Thefinalblowhadbeenstruck，andmyLordofOxfordandMortimerwasnolongerTreasurer。Thestaffwasasyetgiventonosuccessor，thoughmyLordBolingbrokewouldundoubtedlybetheman。Andnowthetimewascome，theQueen'sAbigailsaid:andnowmyLordCastlewoodoughttobepresentedtotheSovereign。
　　AfterthatscenewhichLordCastlewoodwitnessedanddescribedtohiscousin，whopassedsuchamiserablenightofmortificationandjealousyashethoughtoverthetransaction，nodoubtthethreepersonswhoweresetbynatureasprotectorsoverBeatrixcametothesameconclusion，thatshemustberemovedfromthepresenceofamanwhosedesirestowardsherwereexpressedonlytooclearly;
　　andwhowasnomorescrupulousinseekingtogratifythemthanhisfatherhadbeenbeforehim。IsupposeEsmond'smistress，herson，andtheColonelhimself，hadbeenallsecretlydebatingthismatterintheirminds，forwhenFrankbrokeout，inhisbluntway，with:——
　　"IthinkBeatrixhadbestbeanywherebuthere，"——LadyCastlewoodsaid:——"Ithankyou，Frank，Ihavethoughtso，too;"andMr。
　　Esmond，thoughheonlyremarkedthatitwasnotforhimtospeak，showedplainly，bythedelightonhiscountenance，howveryagreeablethatproposalwastohim。
　　"Oneseesthatyouthinkwithus，Henry，"saystheviscountess，witheversolittleofsarcasminhertone:"Beatrixisbestoutofthishousewhilstwehaveourguestinit，andassoonasthismorning'sbusinessisdone，sheoughttoquitLondon。"
　　"Whatmorning'sbusiness？"askedColonelEsmond，notknowingwhathadbeenarranged，thoughinfactthestrokenextinimportancetothatofbringingthePrince，andofhavinghimacknowledgedbytheQueen，wasnowbeingperformedattheverymomentwethreewereconversingtogether。
　　TheCourt—ladywithwhomourplanwasconcerted，andwhowasachiefagentinit，theCourtphysician，andtheBishopofRochester，whoweretheothertwomostactiveparticipatorsinourplan，hadheldmanycouncilsinourhouseatKensingtonandelsewhere，astothemeansbesttobeadoptedforpresentingouryoungadventurertohissistertheQueen。ThesimpleandeasyplanproposedbyColonelEsmondhadbeenagreedtobyallparties，whichwasthatonsomeratherprivateday，whentherewerenotmanypersonsabouttheCourt，thePrinceshouldappearthereasmyLordCastlewood，shouldbegreetedbyhissisterinwaiting，andledbythatotherladyintotheclosetoftheQueen。AndaccordingtoherMajesty'shealthorhumor，andthecircumstancesthatmightariseduringtheinterview，itwastobelefttothediscretionofthosepresentatit，andtothePrincehimself，whetherheshoulddeclarethatitwastheQueen'sownbrother，orthebrotherofBeatrixEsmond，whokissedherRoyalhand。Andthisplanbeingdeterminedon，wewereallwaitinginverymuchanxietyforthedayandsignalofexecution。
　　Twomorningsafterthatsupper，itbeingthe27thdayofJuly，theBishopofRochesterbreakfastingwithLadyCastlewoodandherfamily，andthemealscarceover，DoctorA。'scoachdroveuptoourhouseatKensington，andtheDoctorappearedamongstthepartythere，enliveningarathergloomycompany;forthemotheranddaughterhadhadwordsinthemorninginrespecttothetransactionsofthatsupper，andotheradventuresperhaps，andonthedaysucceeding。Beatrix'shaughtyspiritbrookedremonstrancesfromnosuperior，muchlessfromhermother，thegentlestofcreatures，whomthegirlcommandedratherthanobeyed。Andfeelingshewaswrong，andthatbyathousandcoquetries（whichshecouldnomorehelpexercisingoneverymanthatcamenearher，thanthesuncanhelpshiningongreatandsmall）shehadprovokedthePrince'sdangerousadmiration，andalluredhimtotheexpressionofit，shewasonlythemorewilfulandimperiousthemoreshefelthererror。
　　Tothisparty，thePrincebeingservedwithchocolateinhisbedchamber，wherehelaylate，sleepingawaythefumesofhiswine，theDoctorcame，andbytheurgentandstartlingnatureofhisnews，dissipatedinstantlythatprivateandminorunpleasantryunderwhichthefamilyofCastlewoodwaslaboring。
　　Heaskedfortheguest;theguestwasaboveinhisownapartment:
　　hebadeMonsieurBaptistegouptohismasterinstantly，andrequestedthatMYLORDVISCOUNTCASTLEWOODwouldstraightwayputhisuniformon，andcomeawayintheDoctor'scoachnowatthedoor。
　　HetheninformedMadamBeatrixwhatherpartofthecomedywastobe:——"Inhalfanhour，"sayshe，"herMajestyandherfavoriteladywilltaketheairintheCedar—walkbehindthenewBanqueting—
　　house。HerMajestywillbedrawninagarden—chair，MadamBeatrixEsmondandHERBROTHER，MYLORDVISCOUNTCASTLEWOOD，willbewalkingintheprivategarden，（hereisLadyMasham'skey，）andwillcomeunawaresupontheRoyalparty。Themanthatdrawsthechairwillretire，andleavetheQueen，thefavorite，andthemaidofhonorandherbrothertogether;MistressBeatrixwillpresentherbrother，andthen！——andthen，myLordBishopwillprayfortheresultoftheinterview，andhisScotsclerkwillsayAmen！Quick，putonyourhood，MadamBeatrix;whydothnothisMajestycomedown？Suchanotherchancemaynotpresentitselfformonthsagain。"
　　ThePrincewaslateandlazy，andindeedhadallbutlostthatchancethroughhisindolence。TheQueenwasactuallyabouttoleavethegardenjustwhenthepartyreachedit;theDoctor，theBishop，themaidofhonorandherbrotherwentofftogetherinthephysician'scoach，andhadbeengonehalfanhourwhenColonelEsmondcametoKensingtonSquare。
　　Thenewsofthiserrand，onwhichBeatrixwasgone，ofcourseforamomentputallthoughtsofprivatejealousyoutofColonelEsmond'shead。Inhalfanhourmorethecoachreturned;theBishopdescendedfromitfirst，andgavehisarmtoBeatrix，whonowcameout。Hislordshipwentbackintothecarriageagain，andthemaidofhonorenteredthehousealone。Wewereallgazingatherfromtheupperwindow，tryingtoreadfromhercountenancetheresultoftheinterviewfromwhichshehadjustcome。
　　Shecameintothedrawing—roominagreattremorandverypale;sheaskedforaglassofwaterashermotherwenttomeether，andafterdrinkingthatandputtingoffherhood，shebegantospeak——
　　"Wemayallhopeforthebest，"saysshe;"ithascosttheQueenafit。HerMajestywasinherchairintheCedar—walk，accompaniedonlybyLady————，whenweenteredbytheprivatewicketfromthewestsideofthegarden，andturnedtowardsher，theDoctorfollowingus。Theywaitedinasidewalkhiddenbytheshrubs，asweadvancedtowardsthechair。MyheartthrobbedsoIscarcecouldspeak;butmyPrincewhispered，'Courage，Beatrix，'andmarchedonwithasteadystep。Hisfacewasalittleflushed，buthewasnotafraidofthedanger。HewhofoughtsobravelyatMalplaquetfearsnothing。"EsmondandCastlewoodlookedateachotheratthiscompliment，neitherlikingthesoundofit。
　　"ThePrinceuncovered，"Beatrixcontinued，"andIsawtheQueenturningroundtoLadyMasham，asifaskingwhothesetwowere。HerMajestylookedverypaleandill，andthenflushedup;thefavoritemadeusasignaltoadvance，andIwentup，leadingmyPrincebythehand，quiteclosetothechair:'YourMajestywillgivemyLordViscountyourhandtokiss，'saysherlady，andtheQueenputoutherhand，whichthePrincekissed，kneelingonhisknee，hewhoshouldkneeltonomortalmanorwoman。
　　"'YouhavebeenlongfromEngland，mylord，'saystheQueen:'whywereyounotheretogiveahometoyourmotherandsister？'
　　"'Iamcome，Madam，tostaynow，iftheQueendesiresme，'saysthePrince，withanotherlowbow。
　　"'Youhavetakenaforeignwife，mylord，andaforeignreligion;
　　wasnotthatofEnglandgoodenoughforyou？'
　　"'Inreturningtomyfather'schurch，'saysthePrince，'Idonotlovemymothertheless，noramIthelessfaithfulservantofyourmajesty。'
　　"Here，"saysBeatrix，"thefavoritegavemealittlesignalwithherhandtofallback，whichIdid，thoughIdiedtohearwhatshouldpass;andwhisperedsomethingtotheQueen，whichmadeherMajestystartandutteroneortwowordsinahurriedmanner，lookingtowardsthePrince，andcatchingholdwithherhandofthearmofherchair。Headvancedstillnearertowardsit;hebegantospeakveryrapidly;Icaughtthewords，'Father，blessing，forgiveness，'——andthenpresentlythePrincefellonhisknees;
　　tookfromhisbreastapaperhehadthere，handedittotheQueen，who，assoonasshesawit，flungupbothherarmswithascream，andtookawaythathandnearestthePrince，andwhichheendeavoredtokiss。Hewentonspeakingwithgreatanimationofgesture，nowclaspinghishandstogetheronhisheart，nowopeningthemasthoughtosay:'Iamhere，yourbrother，inyourpower。'LadyMashamranroundontheothersideofthechair，kneelingtoo，andspeakingwithgreatenergy。SheclaspedtheQueen'shandonherside，andpickedupthepaperherMajestyhadletfall。ThePrinceroseandmadeafurtherspeechasthoughhewouldgo;thefavoriteontheotherhandurginghermistress，andthen，runningbacktothePrince，broughthimbackoncemoreclosetothechair。AgainhekneltdownandtooktheQueen'shand，whichshedidnotwithdraw，kissingitahundredtimes;myladyallthetime，withsobsandsupplications，speakingoverthechair。ThiswhiletheQueensatwithastupefiedlook，crumplingthepaperwithonehand，asmyPrinceembracedtheother;thenofasuddensheutteredseveralpiercingshrieks，andburstintoagreatfitofhysterictearsandlaughter。'Enough，enough，sir，forthistime，'IheardLadyMashamsay:andthechairman，whohadwithdrawnroundtheBanqueting—room，cameback，alarmedbythecries。'Quick，'saysLadyMasham，'getsomehelp，'andIrantowardstheDoctor，who，withtheBishopofRochester，cameupinstantly。LadyMashamwhisperedthePrincehemighthopefortheverybest;andtobereadyto—morrow;andhehathgoneawaytotheBishopofRochester'shouse，tomeetseveralofhisfriendsthere。Andsothegreatstrokeisstruck，"saysBeatrix，goingdownonherknees，andclaspingherhands。"GodsavetheKing:GodsavetheKing！"
　　Beatrix'staletold，andtheyoungladyherselfcalmedsomewhatofheragitation，weaskedwithregardtothePrince，whowasabsentwithBishopAtterbury，andwereinformedthat'twaslikelyhemightremainabroadthewholeday。Beatrix'sthreekinsfolklookedatoneanotheratthisintelligence:'twasclearthesamethoughtwaspassingthroughthemindsofall。
　　Butwhoshouldbegintobreakthenews？MonsieurBaptiste，thatisFrankCastlewood，turnedveryred，andlookedtowardsEsmond;theColonelbithislips，andfairlybeataretreatintothewindow:itwasLadyCastlewoodthatopeneduponBeatrixwiththenewswhichweknewwoulddoanythingbutpleaseher。
　　"Weareglad，"saysshe，takingherdaughter'shand，andspeakinginagentlevoice，"thattheguestisaway。"
　　Beatrixdrewbackinaninstant，lookingroundheratusthree，andasifdiviningadanger。"Whyglad？"saysshe，herbreastbeginningtoheave;"areyousosoontiredofhim？"
　　"Wethinkoneofusisdevilishlytoofondofhim，"criesoutFrankCastlewood。
　　"Andwhichisit——you，mylord，orisitmamma，whoisjealousbecausehedrinksmyhealth？orisittheheadofthefamily"（heresheturnedwithanimperiouslooktowardsColonelEsmond），"whohastakenoflatetopreachtheKingsermons？"
　　"WedonotsayyouaretoofreewithhisMajesty。"
　　"Ithankyou，madam，"saysBeatrix，withatossoftheheadandacurtsey。
　　Buthermothercontinued，withverygreatcalmnessanddignity——"Atleastwehavenotsaidso，thoughwemight，wereitpossibleforamothertosaysuchwordstoherowndaughter，yourfather'sdaughter。"
　　"Eh？monpere，"breaksoutBeatrix，"wasnobetterthanotherpersons'fathers。"AndagainshelookedtowardstheColonel。
　　WeallfeltashockassheutteredthosetwoorthreeFrenchwords;
　　hermannerwasexactlyimitatedfromthatofourforeignguest。
　　"YouhadnotlearnedtospeakFrenchamonthago，Beatrix，"sayshermother，sadly，"nortospeakillofyourfather。"
　　Beatrix，nodoubt，sawthatslipshehadmadeinherflurry，forsheblushedcrimson:"IhavelearnttohonortheKing，"saysshe，drawingup，"and'twereaswellthatotherssuspectedneitherhisMajestynorme。"
　　"Ifyourespectedyourmotheralittlemore，"Franksaid，"Trix，youwoulddoyourselfnohurt。"
　　"Iamnochild，"saysshe，turningroundonhim;"wehavelivedverywellthesefiveyearswithoutthebenefitofyouradviceorexample，andIintendtotakeneithernow。Whydoesnottheheadofthehousespeak？"shewenton;"heruleseverythinghere。Whenhischaplainhasdonesingingthepsalms，willhislordshipdeliverthesermon？Iamtiredofthepsalms。"ThePrincehadusedalmosttheverysamewordsinregardtoColonelEsmondthattheimprudentgirlrepeatedinherwrath。
　　"Youshowyourselfaveryaptscholar，madam，"saystheColonel;
　　and，turningtohismistress，"Didyourguestusethesewordsinyourladyship'shearing，orwasittoBeatrixinprivatethathewaspleasedtoimparthisopinionregardingmytiresomesermon？"
　　"Haveyouseenhimalone？"criesmylord，startingupwithanoath:
　　"byGod，haveyouseenhimalone？"
　　"Werehehere，youwouldn'tdaresotoinsultme;no，youwouldnotdare！"criesFrank'ssister。"Keepyouroaths，mylord，foryourwife;wearenotusedheretosuchlanguage。Tillyoucame，thereusedtobekindnessbetweenmeandmamma，andIcaredforherwhenyouneverdid，whenyouwereawayforyearswithyourhorsesandyourmistress，andyourPopishwife。"
　　"By———，"saysmylord，rappingoutanotheroath，"Clotildaisanangel;howdareyousayawordagainstClotilda？"
　　ColonelEsmondcouldnotrefrainfromasmile，toseehoweasyFrank'sattackwasdrawnoffbythatfeint:——"IfancyClotildaisnotthesubjectinhand，"saysMr。Esmond，ratherscornfully;"herladyshipisatParis，ahundredleaguesoff，preparingbaby—linen。
　　ItisaboutmyLordCastlewood'ssister，andnothiswife，thequestionis。"
　　"HeisnotmyLordCastlewood，"saysBeatrix，"andheknowsheisnot;heisColonelFrancisEsmond'sson，andnomore，andhewearsafalsetitle;andhelivesonanotherman'sland，andheknowsit。"Herewasanotherdesperatesallyofthepoorbeleagueredgarrison，andanalerteinanotherquarter。"Again，Ibegyourpardon，"saysEsmond。"Iftherearenoproofsofmyclaim，Ihavenoclaim。Ifmyfatheracknowledgednoheir，yourswashislawfulsuccessor，andmyLordCastlewoodhathasgoodarighttohisrankandsmallestateasanymaninEngland。Butthatagainisnotthequestion，asyouknowverywell;letusbringourtalkbacktoit，asyouwillhavememeddleinit。AndIwillgiveyoufranklymyopinion，thatahousewhereaPrinceliesallday，whorespectsnowoman，isnohouseforayoungunmarriedlady;thatyouwerebetterinthecountrythanhere;thatheishereonagreatend，fromwhichnofollyshoulddiverthim;andthathavingnoblydoneyourpartofthismorning，Beatrix，youshouldretireoffthesceneawhile，andleaveittotheotheractorsoftheplay。"
　　AstheColonelspokewithaperfectcalmnessandpoliteness，suchas'tistobehopedhehathalwaysshowntowomen，*hismistressstoodbyhimononesideofthetable，andFrankCastlewoodontheother，hemminginpoorBeatrix，thatwasbehindit，and，asitwere，surroundingherwithourapproaches。
　　*Mydearfathersaithquitetruly，thathismannertowardsoursexwasuniformlycourteous。Frommyinfancyupwards，hetreatedmewithanextremegentleness，asthoughIwasalittlelady。Icanscarceremember（thoughItriedhimoften）everhearingaroughwordfromhim，norwashelessgraveandkindinhismannertothehumblestnegressesonhisestate。Hewasfamiliarwithnooneexceptmymother，anditwasdelightfultowitnessuptotheverylastdaystheconfidencebetweenthem。Hewasobeyedeagerlybyallunderhim;andmymotherandallherhouseholdlivedinaconstantemulationtopleasehim，andquiteaterrorlestinanywaytheyshouldoffendhim。Hewasthehumblestmanwithallthis;
　　theleastexacting，themoreeasilycontented;andMr。Benson，ourministeratCastlewood，whoattendedhimatthelast，eversaid——"I
　　knownotwhatColonelEsmond'sdoctrinewas，buthislifeanddeathwerethoseofadevoutChristian。"——R。E。W。
　　Havingtwicesalliedoutandbeenbeatenback，shenow，asI
　　expected，triedtheultimaratioofwomen，andhadrecoursetotears。Herbeautifuleyesfilledwiththem;Inevercouldbearinher，norinanywoman，thatexpressionofpain:——"Iamalone，"
　　sobbedshe;"youarethreeagainstme——mybrother，mymother，andyou。WhathaveIdone，thatyoushouldspeakandlooksounkindlyatme？IsitmyfaultthatthePrinceshould，asyousay，admireme？DidIbringhimhere？DidIdoaughtbutwhatyoubademe，inmakinghimwelcome？Didyounottellmethatourdutywastodieforhim？Didyounotteachme，mother，nightandmorningtoprayfortheKing，beforeevenourselves？Whatwouldyouhaveofme，cousin，foryouarethechiefoftheconspiracyagainstme;Iknowyouare，sir，andthatmymotherandbrotherareactingbutasyoubidthem;whitherwouldyouhavemego？"
　　"IwouldbutremovefromthePrince，"saysEsmond，gravely，"adangeroustemptation;heavenforbidIshouldsayyouwouldyield;I
　　wouldonlyhavehimfreeofit。Yourhonorneedsnoguardian，pleaseGod，buthisimprudencedoth。Heissofarremovedfromallwomenbyhisrank，thathispursuitofthemcannotbutbeunlawful。
　　Wewouldremovethedearestandfairestofourfamilyfromthechanceofthatinsult，andthatiswhywewouldhaveyougo，dearBeatrix。"
　　"Harryspeakslikeabook，"saysFrank，withoneofhisoaths，"and，by———，everywordhesaithistrue。Youcan'thelpbeinghandsome，Trix;nomorecanthePrincehelpfollowingyou。Mycounselisthatyougooutofharm'sway;for，bytheLord，werethePrincetoplayanytrickswithyou，Kingasheis，oristobe，HarryEsmondandIwouldhavejusticeofhim。"
　　"Arenottwosuchchampionsenoughtoguardme？"saysBeatrix，somethingsorrowfully;"sure，withyoutwowatching，noevilcouldhappentome。"
　　"Infaith，Ithinknot，Beatrix，"saysColonelEsmond;"norifthePrinceknewuswouldhetry。"
　　"Butdoesheknowyou？"interposedLadyCastlewood，veryquiet:"hecomesofacountrywherethepursuitofkingsisthoughtnodishonortoawoman。Letusgo，dearestBeatrix。ShallwegotoWalcoteortoCastlewood？Wearebestawayfromthecity;andwhenthePrinceisacknowledged，andourchampionshaverestoredhim，andhehathhisownhouseatSt。James'sorWindsor，wecancomebacktoourshere。Doyounotthinkso，HarryandFrank？"
　　FrankandHarrythoughtwithher，youmaybesure。
　　"Wewillgo，then，"saysBeatrix，turningalittlepale;"LadyMashamistogivemewarningto—nighthowherMajestyis，andto—morrow——"
　　"Ithinkwehadbestgoto—day，mydear，"saysmyLadyCastlewood;
　　"wemighthavethecoachandsleepatHounslow，andreachhometo—morrow。'Tistwelveo'clock;bidthecoach，cousin，bereadyatone。"
　　"Forshame！"burstoutBeatrix，inapassionoftearsandmortification。"Youdisgracemebyyourcruelprecautions;myownmotheristhefirsttosuspectme，andwouldtakemeawayasmygaoler。Iwillnotgowithyou，mother;Iwillgoasnoone'sprisoner。IfIwantedtodeceive，doyouthinkIcouldfindnomeansofevadingyou？Myfamilysuspectsme。Asthosemistrustmethatoughttolovememost，letmeleavethem;Iwillgo，butI
　　willgoalone:toCastlewood，beit。Ihavebeenunhappythereandlonelyenough;letmegoback，butsparemeatleastthehumiliationofsettingawatchovermymisery，whichisatrialI
　　can'tbear。Letmegowhenyouwill，butalone，ornotatall。
　　Youthreecanstayandtriumphovermyunhappiness，andIwillbearitasIhaveborneitbefore。Letmygaoler—in—chiefgoorderthecoachthatistotakemeaway。Ithankyou，HenryEsmond，foryourshareintheconspiracy。AllmylifelongI'llthankyou，andrememberyou，andyou，brother，andyou，mother，howshallIshowmygratitudetoyouforyourcarefuldefenceofmyhonor？"
　　Shesweptoutoftheroomwiththeairofanempress，flingingglancesofdefianceatusall，andleavingusconquerorsofthefield，butscared，andalmostashamedofourvictory。Itdidindeedseemhardandcruelthatwethreeshouldhaveconspiredthebanishmentandhumiliationofthatfaircreature。Welookedateachotherinsilence:'twasnotthefirststrokebymanyofouractionsinthatunluckytime，which，beingdone，wewishedundone。
　　Weagreeditwasbestsheshouldgoalone，speakingstealthilytooneanother，andunderourbreaths，likepersonsengagedinanacttheyfeltashamedindoing。
　　Inahalf—hour，itmightbe，afterourtalkshecameback，hercountenancewearingthesamedefiantairwhichithadbornewhensheleftus。Sheheldashagreen—caseinherhand;EsmondknewitascontaininghisdiamondswhichhehadgiventoherforhermarriagewithDukeHamilton，andwhichshehadwornsosplendidlyontheinauspiciousnightofthePrince'sarrival。"Ihavebroughtback，"saysshe，"totheMarquisofEsmondthepresenthedeignedtomakemeindayswhenhetrustedmebetterthannow。IwillneveracceptabenefitorakindnessfromHenryEsmondmore，andI
　　givebackthesefamilydiamonds，whichbelongedtooneking'smistress，tothegentlemanthatsuspectedIwouldbeanother。Haveyoubeenuponyourmessageofcoach—caller，myLordMarquis？WillyousendyourvalettoseethatIdonotrunaway？"Wewereright，yet，byhermanner，shehadputusallinthewrong;wewereconquerors，yetthehonorsofthedayseemedtobewiththepooroppressedgirl。
　　Thatlucklessboxcontainingthestoneshadfirstbeenornamentedwithabaron'scoronet，whenBeatrixwasengagedtotheyounggentlemanfromwhomsheparted，andafterwardsthegiltcrownofaduchessfiguredonthecover，whichalsopoorBeatrixwasdestinednevertowear。LadyCastlewoodopenedthecasemechanicallyandscarcethinkingwhatshedid;andbehold，besidesthediamonds，Esmond'spresent，therelayintheboxtheenamelledminiatureofthelateDuke，whichBeatrixhadlaidasidewithhermourningwhentheKingcameintothehouse;andwhichthepoorheedlessthingverylikelyhadforgotten。