AndanotherletterwasfromColonelEsmondtohiskinsman，tosaythatoneCaptainHoltonhadbeenwithhimofferinghimlargebribestojoin，YOUKNOWWHO，andsayingthattheheadofthehouseofCastlewoodwasdeeplyengagedinthatquarter。ButforhisparthehadbrokehisswordwhentheK。leftthecountry，andwouldneveragainfightinthatquarrel。TheP。ofO。wasaman，atleast，ofanoblecourage，andhisduty，and，ashethought，everyEnglishman's，wastokeepthecountryquiet，andtheFrenchoutofit:and，infine，thathewouldhavenothingtodowiththescheme。
　　Oftheexistenceofthesetwolettersandthecontentsofthepillow，ColonelFrankEsmond，whobecameViscountCastlewood，toldHenryEsmondafterwards，whentheletterswereshowntohislordship，whocongratulatedhimself，ashehadgoodreason，thathehadnotjoinedintheschemewhichprovedsofataltomanyconcernedinit。But，naturally，theladknewlittleaboutthesecircumstanceswhentheyhappenedunderhiseyes:onlybeingawarethathispatronandhismistresswereinsometrouble，whichhadcausedtheflightoftheoneandtheapprehensionoftheotherbytheofficersofKingWilliam。
　　Theseizureofthepaperseffected，thegentlemendidnotpursuetheirfurthersearchthroughCastlewoodHouseveryrigorously。
　　TheyexaminedMr。Holt'sroom，beingledthitherbyhispupil，whoshowed，astheFatherhadbiddenhim，theplacewherethekeyofhischamberlay，openedthedoorforthegentlemen，andconductedthemintotheroom。
　　Whenthegentlemencametothehalf—burnedpapersinthebrazier，theyexaminedthemeagerlyenough，andtheiryoungguidewasalittleamusedattheirperplexity。
　　"Whatarethese？"saysone。
　　"They'rewritteninaforeignlanguage，"saysthelawyer。"Whatareyoulaughingat，littlewhelp？"addshe，turningroundashesawtheboysmile。
　　"Mr。Holtsaidtheyweresermons，"Harrysaid，"andbademetoburnthem;"whichindeedwastrueofthosepapers。
　　"Sermonsindeed——it'streason，Iwouldlayawager，"criesthelawyer。
　　"Egad！it'sGreektome，"saysCaptainWestbury。"Canyoureadit，littleboy？"
　　"Yes，sir，alittle，"Harrysaid。
　　"Thenread，andreadinEnglish，sir，onyourperil，"saidthelawyer。AndHarrybegantotranslate:——
　　"Hathnotoneofyourownwriterssaid，'ThechildrenofAdamarenowlaboringasmuchashehimselfeverdid，aboutthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil，shakingtheboughsthereof，andseekingthefruit，beingforthemostpartunmindfulofthetreeoflife。'
　　Ohblindgeneration！'tisthistreeofknowledgetowhichtheserpenthasledyou"——andheretheboywasobligedtostop，therestofthepagebeingcharredbythefire:andaskedofthelawyer——"ShallIgoon，sir？"
　　Thelawyersaid——"Thisboyisdeeperthanheseems:whoknowsthatheisnotlaughingatus？"
　　"Let'shaveinDicktheScholar，"criedCaptainWestbury，laughing:
　　andhecalledtoatrooperoutofthewindow——"Ho，Dick，comeinhereandconstrue。"
　　Athick—setsoldier，withasquaregood—humoredface，cameinatthesummons，salutinghisofficer。
　　"Telluswhatisthis，Dick，"saysthelawyer。
　　"MynameisSteele，sir，"saysthesoldier。"ImaybeDickformyfriends，butIdon'tnamegentlemenofyourclothamongstthem。"
　　"Wellthen，Steele。"
　　"Mr。Steele，sir，ifyouplease。WhenyouaddressagentlemanofhisMajesty'sHorseGuards，bepleasednottobesofamiliar。"
　　"Ididn'tknow，sir，"saidthelawyer。
　　"Howshouldyou？Itakeityouarenotaccustomedtomeetwithgentlemen，"saysthetrooper。
　　"Holdthyprate，andreadthatbitofpaper，"saysWestbury。
　　"'TisLatin，"saysDick，glancingatit，andagainsalutinghisofficer，"andfromasermonofMr。Cudworth's，"andhetranslatedthewordsprettymuchasHenryEsmondhadrenderedthem。
　　"Whatayoungscholaryouare，"saystheCaptaintotheboy。
　　"Dependon't，heknowsmorethanhetells，"saysthelawyer。"I
　　thinkwewillpackhimoffinthecoachwitholdJezebel。"
　　"ForconstruingabitofLatin？"saidtheCaptain，verygood—
　　naturedly。
　　"Iwouldasliefgothereasanywhere，"HarryEsmondsaid，simply，"forthereisnobodytocareforme。"
　　Theremusthavebeensomethingtouchinginthechild'svoice，orinthisdescriptionofhissolitude——fortheCaptainlookedathimverygood—naturedly，andthetrooper，calledSteele，puthishandkindlyonthelad'shead，andsaidsomewordsintheLatintongue。
　　"Whatdoeshesay？"saysthelawyer。
　　"Faith，askDickhimself，"criedCaptainWestbury。
　　"IsaidIwasnotignorantofmisfortunemyself，andhadlearnedtosuccorthemiserable，andthat'snotYOURtrade，Mr。Sheepskin，"
　　saidthetrooper。
　　"YouhadbetterleaveDicktheScholaralone，Mr。Corbet，"theCaptainsaid。AndHarryEsmond，alwaystouchedbyakindfaceandkindword，feltverygratefultothisgood—naturedchampion。
　　Thehorseswerebythistimeharnessedtothecoach;andtheCountessandVictoirecamedownandwereputintothevehicle。
　　Thiswoman，whoquarrelledwithHarryEsmondallday，wasmeltedatpartingwithhim，andcalledhim"dearangel，"and"poorinfant，"
　　andahundredothernames。
　　TheViscountess，givinghimherleanhandtokiss，badehimalwaysbefaithfultothehouseofEsmond。"Ifevilshouldhappentomylord，"saysshe，"hisSUCCESSOR，Itrust，willbefound，andgiveyouprotection。SituatedasIam，theywillnotdarewreaktheirvengeanceonmeNOW。"Andshekissedamedalsheworewithgreatfervor，andHenryEsmondknewnotintheleastwhathermeaningwas;buthathsincelearnedthat，oldasshewas，shewasforeverexpecting，bythegoodofficesofsaintsandrelics，tohaveanheirtothetitleofEsmond。
　　HarryEsmondwastooyoungtohavebeenintroducedintothesecretsofpoliticsinwhichhispatronswereimplicated;fortheyputbutfewquestionstotheboy（whowaslittleofstature，andlookedmuchyoungerthanhisage），andsuchquestionsastheyputheansweredcautiouslyenough，andprofessingevenmoreignorancethanhehad，forwhichhisexaminerswillinglyenoughgavehimcredit。
　　Hedidnotsayawordaboutthewindoworthecupboardoverthefireplace;andthesesecretsquiteescapedtheeyesofthesearchers。
　　Sothenmyladywasconsignedtohercoach，andsentofftoHexton，withherwomanandthemanoflawtobearhercompany，acoupleoftroopersridingoneithersideofthecoach。AndHarrywasleftbehindattheHall，belongingasitweretonobody，andquitealoneintheworld。Thecaptainandaguardofmenremainedinpossessionthere;andthesoldiers，whowereverygood—naturedandkind，atemylord'smuttonanddrankhiswine，andmadethemselvescomfortable，astheywellmightdoinsuchpleasantquarters。
　　Thecaptainshadtheirdinnerservedinmylord'stapestryparlor，andpoorlittleHarrythoughthisdutywastowaituponCaptainWestbury'schair，ashiscustomhadbeentoservehislordwhenhesatthere。
　　AfterthedepartureoftheCountess，DicktheScholartookHarryEsmondunderhisspecialprotection，andwouldexaminehiminhishumanitiesandtalktohimbothofFrenchandLatin，inwhichtonguestheladfound，andhisnewfriendwaswillingenoughtoacknowledge，thathewasevenmoreproficientthanScholarDick。
　　HearingthathehadlearnedthemfromaJesuit，inthepraiseofwhomandwhosegoodnessHarrywasnevertiredofspeaking，Dick，rathertotheboy'ssurprise，whobegantohaveanearlyshrewdness，likemanychildrenbredupalone，showedagreatdealoftheologicalscience，andknowledgeofthepointsatissuebetweenthetwochurches;sothatheandHarrywouldhavehoursofcontroversytogether，inwhichtheboywascertainlyworstedbytheargumentsofthissingulartrooper。"Iamnocommonsoldier，"Dickwouldsay，andindeeditwaseasytoseebyhislearning，breeding，andmanyaccomplishments，thathewasnot。Iamofoneofthemostancientfamiliesintheempire;Ihavehadmyeducationatafamousschool，andafamousuniversity;IlearnedmyfirstrudimentsofLatinneartoSmithfield，inLondon，wherethemartyrswereroasted。"
　　"Youhangedasmanyofours，"interposedHarry;"and，forthematterofpersecution，FatherHolttoldmethatayounggentlemanofEdinburgh，eighteenyearsofage，studentatthecollegethere，washangedforheresyonlylastyear，thoughherecanted，andsolemnlyaskedpardonforhiserrors。"
　　"Faith！therehasbeentoomuchpersecutiononbothsides:but'twasyoutaughtus。"
　　"Nay，'twasthePagansbeganit，"criedthelad，andbegantoinstanceanumberofsaintsoftheChurch，fromtheproto—martyrdownwards——"thisone'sfirewentoutunderhim:thatone'soilcooledinthecaldron:atathirdholyheadtheexecutionerchoppedthreetimesanditwouldnotcomeoff。ShowusmartyrsinYOUR
　　churchforwhomsuchmiracleshavebeendone。"
　　"Nay，"saysthetroopergravely，"themiraclesofthefirstthreecenturiesbelongtomyChurchaswellasyours，MasterPapist，"andthenadded，withsomethingofasmileuponhiscountenance，andaqueerlookatHarry——"Andyet，mylittlecatechiser，Ihavesometimesthoughtaboutthosemiracles，thattherewasnotmuchgoodinthem，sincethevictim'sheadalwaysfinishedbycomingoffatthethirdorfourthchop，andthecaldron，ifitdidnotboiloneday，boiledthenext。Howbeit，inourtimes，theChurchhaslostthatquestionableadvantageofrespites。ThereneverwasashowertoputoutRidley'sfire，noranangeltoturntheedgeofCampion'saxe。TheracktorethelimbsofSouthwelltheJesuitandSympsontheProtestantalike。Forfaith，everywheremultitudesdiewillinglyenough。IhavereadinMonsieurRycaut's'HistoryoftheTurks，'ofthousandsofMahomet'sfollowersrushingupondeathinbattleasuponcertainParadise;andinthegreatMogul'sdominionspeopleflingthemselvesbyhundredsunderthecarsoftheidolsannually，andthewidowsburnthemselvesontheirhusbands'bodies，as'tiswellknown。'Tisnotthedyingforafaiththat'ssohard，MasterHarry——everymanofeverynationhasdonethat——'tisthelivinguptoitthatisdifficult，asIknowtomycost，"headdedwithasigh。"Andah！"headded，"mypoorlad，Iamnotstrongenoughtoconvincetheebymylife——thoughtodieformyreligionwouldgivemethegreatestofjoys——butIhadadearfriendinMagdalenCollegeinOxford;IwishJoeAddisonwereheretoconvincethee，ashequicklycould——forIthinkhe'samatchforthewholeCollegeofJesuits;andwhat'smore，inhislifetoo。InthatverysermonofDr。Cudworth'swhichyourpriestwasquotingfrom，andwhichsufferedmartydominthebrazier，"——Dickaddedwithasmile，"Ihadathoughtofwearingtheblackcoat（butwasashamedofmylife，yousee，andtooktothissorryredone）;I
　　haveoftenthoughtofJoeAddison——Dr。Cudworthsays，'Agoodconscienceisthebestlooking—glassofheaven'——andthere'sserenityinmyfriend'sfacewhichalwaysreflectsit——Iwishyoucouldseehim，Harry。"
　　"Didhedoyouagreatdealofgood？"askedthelad，simply。
　　"Hemighthavedone，"saidtheother——"atleasthetaughtmetoseeandapprovebetterthings。'Tismyownfault，deteriorasequi。"
　　"Youseemverygood，"theboysaid。
　　"I'mnotwhatIseem，alas！"answeredthetrooper——andindeed，asitturnedout，poorDicktoldthetruth——forthatverynight，atsupperinthehall，wherethegentlemenofthetrooptooktheirrepasts，andpassedmostpartoftheirdaysdicingandsmokingoftobacco，andsingingandcursing，overtheCastlewoodale——HarryEsmondfoundDicktheScholarinawofulstateofdrunkenness。Hehiccuppedoutasermonandhislaughingcompanionsbadehimsingahymn，onwhichDick，swearinghewouldrunthescoundrelthroughthebodywhoinsultedhisreligion，madeforhissword，whichwashangingonthewall，andfelldownflatonthefloorunderit，sayingtoHarry，whoranforwardtohelphim，"Ah，littlePapist，I
　　wishJosephAddisonwashere！"
　　ThoughthetroopersoftheKing'sLife—Guardswereallgentlemen，yettherestofthegentlemenseemedignorantandvulgarboorstoHarryEsmond，withtheexceptionofthisgood—naturedCorporalSteeletheScholar，andCaptainWestburyandLieutenantTrant，whowerealwayskindtothelad。TheyremainedforsomeweeksormonthsencampedinCastlewood，andHarrylearnedfromthem，fromtimetotime，howtheladyatHextonCastlewastreated，andtheparticularsofherconfinementthere。'TisknownthatKingWilliamwasdisposedtodealverylenientlywiththegentrywhoremainedfaithfultotheoldKing'scause;andnoprinceusurpingacrown，ashisenemiessaidhedid，（righteouslytakingit，asIthinknow，）evercausedlessbloodtobeshed。Asforwomen—conspirators，hekeptspiesontheleastdangerous，andlockeduptheothers。
　　LadyCastlewoodhadthebestroomsinHextonCastle，andthegaoler'sgardentowalkin;andthoughsherepeatedlydesiredtobeledouttoexecution，likeMaryQueenofScots，thereneverwasanythoughtoftakingherpaintedoldheadoff，oranydesiretodoaughtbutkeepherpersoninsecurity。
　　Anditappearedshefoundthatsomewerefriendsinhermisfortune，whomshehad，inherprosperity，consideredasherworstenemies。
　　ColonelFrancisEsmond，mylord'scousinandherladyship's，whohadmarriedtheDeanofWinchester'sdaughter，and，sinceKingJames'sdepartureoutofEngland，hadlivednotveryfarawayfromHextontown，hearingofhiskinswoman'sstrait，andbeingfriendswithColonelBrice，commandingforKingWilliaminHexton，andwiththeChurchdignitariesthere，cametovisitherladyshipinprison，offeringtohisuncle'sdaughteranyfriendlyserviceswhichlayinhispower。Andhebroughthisladyandlittledaughtertoseetheprisoner，tothelatterofwhom，achildofgreatbeautyandmanywinningways，theoldViscountesstooknotalittleliking，althoughbetweenherladyshipandthechild'smothertherewaslittlemorelovethanformerly。Therearesomeinjurieswhichwomenneverforgiveoneanother;andMadamFrancisEsmond，inmarryinghercousin，haddoneoneofthoseirretrievablewrongstoLadyCastlewood。Butasshewasnowhumiliated，andinmisfortune，MadamFranciscouldallowatrucetoherenmity，andcouldbekindforawhile，atleast，toherhusband'sdiscardedmistress。SothelittleBeatrix，herdaughter，waspermittedoftentogoandvisittheimprisonedViscountess，who，insofarasthechildanditsfatherwereconcerned，gottoabateinherangertowardsthatbranchoftheCastlewoodfamily。AndthelettersofColonelEsmondcomingtolight，ashasbeensaid，andhisconductbeingknowntotheKing'scouncil，theColonelwasputinabetterpositionwiththeexistinggovernmentthanhehadeverbeforebeen;anysuspicionsregardinghisloyaltywereentirelydoneaway;andsohewasenabledtobeofmoreservicetohiskinswomanthanhecouldotherwisehavebeen。
　　Andnowtherebefellaneventbywhichthisladyrecoveredherliberty，andthehouseofCastlewoodgotanewowner，andfatherlesslittleHarryEsmondanewandmostkindprotectorandfriend。WhateverthatsecretwaswhichHarrywastohearfrommylord，theboyneverheardit;forthatnightwhenFatherHoltarrived，andcarriedmylordawaywithhim，wasthelastonwhichHarryeversawhispatron。Whathappenedtomylordmaybebrieflytoldhere。Havingfoundthehorsesattheplacewheretheywerelying，mylordandFatherHoltrodetogethertoChatteris，wheretheyhadtemporaryrefugewithoneoftheFather'spenitentsinthatcity;butthepursuitbeinghotforthem，andtherewardfortheapprehensionofoneortheotherconsiderable，itwasdeemedadvisablethattheyshouldseparate;andthepriestbetookhimselftootherplacesofretreatknowntohim，whilstmylordpassedoverfromBristolintoIreland，inwhichkingdomKingJameshadacourtandanarmy。Mylordwasbutasmalladditiontothis;bringing，indeed，onlyhisswordandthefewpiecesinhispocket;buttheKingreceivedhimwithsomekindnessanddistinctioninspiteofhispoorplight，confirmedhiminhisnewtitleofMarquis，gavehimaregiment，andpromisedhimfurtherpromotion。Buttitlesorpromotionwerenottobenefithimnow。MylordwaswoundedatthefatalbattleoftheBoyne，flyingfromwhichfield（longafterhismasterhadsethimanexample）helayforawhileconcealedinthemarshycountryneartothetownofTrim，andmorefromcatarrhandfevercaughtinthebogsthanfromthesteeloftheenemyinthebattle，sankanddied。MaytheearthlielightuponThomasofCastlewood！Hewhowritesthismustspeakincharity，thoughthislorddidhimandhistwogrievouswrongs:foroneofthesehewouldhavemadeamends，perhaps，hadlifebeensparedhim;buttheotherlaybeyondhispowertorepair，though'tistobehopedthatagreaterPowerthanapriesthasabsolvedhimofit。Hegotthecomfortofthisabsolution，too，suchasitwas:apriestofTrimwritingalettertomyladytoinformherofthiscalamity。
　　Butinthosedaysletterswereslowoftravelling，andourpriest'stooktwomonthsormoreonitsjourneyfromIrelandtoEngland:
　　where，whenitdidarrive，itdidnotfindmyladyatherownhouse;shewasattheKing'shouseofHextonCastlewhenthelettercametoCastlewood，butitwasopenedforallthatbytheofficerincommandthere。
　　HarryEsmondwellrememberedthereceiptofthisletter，whichLockwoodbroughtinasCaptainWestburyandLieutenantTrantwereonthegreenplayingatbowls，youngEsmondlookingonatthesport，orreadinghisbookinthearbor。
　　"Here'snewsforFrankEsmond，"saysCaptainWestbury;"Harry，didyoueverseeColonelEsmond？"AndCaptainWestburylookedveryhardattheboyashespoke。
　　HarrysaidhehadseenhimbutoncewhenhewasatHexton，attheballthere。
　　"Anddidhesayanything？"
　　"HesaidwhatIdon'tcaretorepeat，"Harryanswered。Forhewasnowtwelveyearsofage:heknewwhathisbirthwas，andthedisgraceofit;andhefeltnolovetowardsthemanwhohadmostlikelystainedhismother'shonorandhisown。
　　"DidyoulovemyLordCastlewood？"
　　"IwaituntilIknowmymother，sir，tosay，"theboyanswered，hiseyesfillingwithtears。
　　"SomethinghashappenedtoLordCastlewood，"CaptainWestburysaidinaverygravetone——"somethingwhichmusthappentousall。HeisdeadofawoundreceivedattheBoyne，fightingforKingJames。"
　　"Iamgladmylordfoughtfortherightcause，"theboysaid。
　　"Itwasbettertomeetdeathonthefieldlikeaman，thanfaceitonTower—hill，assomeofthemmay，"continuedMr。Westbury。"I
　　hopehehasmadesometestament，orprovidedfortheesomehow。
　　Thislettersaysherecommendsunicumfiliumsuumdilectissimumtohislady。Ihopehehasleftyoumorethanthat。"
　　Harrydidnotknow，hesaid。HewasinthehandsofHeavenandFate;butmorelonelynow，asitseemedtohim，thanhehadbeenalltherestofhislife;andthatnight，ashelayinhislittleroomwhichhestilloccupied，theboythoughtwithmanyapangofshameandgriefofhisstrangeandsolitarycondition:howhehadafatherandnofather;anamelessmotherthathadbeenbroughttoruin，perhaps，bythatveryfatherwhomHarrycouldonlyacknowledgeinsecretandwithablush，andwhomhecouldneitherlovenorrevere。AndhesickenedtothinkhowFatherHolt，astranger，andtwoorthreesoldiers，hisacquaintancesofthelastsixweeks，weretheonlyfriendshehadinthegreatwideworld，wherehewasnowquitealone。Thesouloftheboywasfulloflove，andhelongedashelayinthedarknessthereforsomeoneuponwhomhecouldbestowit。Heremembers，andmusttohisdyingday，thethoughtsandtearsofthatlongnight，thehourstollingthroughit。Whowashe，andwhat？Whyhereratherthanelsewhere？
　　Ihaveamind，hethought，togotothatpriestatTrim，andfindoutwhatmyfathersaidtohimonhisdeath—bedconfession。IsthereanychildinthewholeworldsounprotectedasIam？ShallI
　　getupandquitthisplace，andruntoIreland？Withthesethoughtsandtearstheladpassedthatnightawayuntilhewepthimselftosleep。
　　Thenextday，thegentlemenoftheguard，whohadheardwhathadbefallenhim，weremorethanusuallykindtothechild，especiallyhisfriendScholarDick，whotoldhimabouthisownfather'sdeath，whichhadhappenedwhenDickwasachildatDublin，notquitefiveyearsofage。"Thatwasthefirstsensationofgrief，"Dicksaid，"Ieverknew。IrememberIwentintotheroomwherehisbodylay，andmymothersatweepingbesideit。Ihadmybattledoreinmyhand，andfella—beatingthecoffin，andcallingPapa;onwhichmymothercaughtmeinherarms，andtoldmeinafloodoftearsPapacouldnothearme，andwouldplaywithmenomore，fortheyweregoingtoputhimunderground，whencehecouldnevercometousagain。Andthis，"saidDickkindly，"hasmademepityallchildreneversince;andcausedmetolovethee，mypoorfatherless，motherlesslad。And，ifeverthouwantestafriend，thoushalthaveoneinRichardSteele。"
　　HarryEsmondthankedhim，andwasgrateful。ButwhatcouldCorporalSteeledoforhim？takehimtorideasparehorse，andbeservanttothetroop？ThoughtheremightbeabarinHarryEsmond'sshield，itwasanobleone。Thecounselofthetwofriendswas，thatlittleHarryshouldstaywherehewas，andabidehisfortune:soEsmondstayedonatCastlewood，awaitingwithnosmallanxietythefate，whateveritwas，whichwasoverhim。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　IAMLEFTATCASTLEWOODANORPHAN，ANDFINDMOSTKINDPROTECTORS
　　THERE。
　　DuringthestayofthesoldiersinCastlewood，honestDicktheScholarwastheconstantcompanionofthelonelylittleorphanladHarryEsmond:andtheyreadtogether，andtheyplayedbowlstogether，andwhentheothertroopersortheirofficers，whowerefree—spokenovertheircups，（aswasthewayofthatday，whenneithermennorwomenwereover—nice，）talkedunbecominglyoftheiramoursandgallantriesbeforethechild，Dick，whoverylikelywassettingthewholecompanylaughing，wouldstoptheirjokeswithamaximadebeturpuerisreverentia，andonceofferedtolugoutagainstanothertroopercalledHulkingTom，whowantedtoaskHarryEsmondaribaldquestion。
　　Also，Dickseeingthatthechildhad，ashesaid，asensibilityabovehisyears，andagreatandpraiseworthydiscretion，confidedtoHarryhisloveforavintner'sdaughter，neartotheTollyard，Westminster，whomDickaddressedasSaccharissainmanyversesofhiscomposition，andwithoutwhomhesaiditwouldbeimpossiblethathecouldcontinuetolive。Hevowedthisathousandtimesinaday，thoughHarrysmiledtoseethelove—lornswainhadhishealthandappetiteaswellasthemostheart—wholetrooperintheregiment:andhesworeHarrytosecrecytoo，whichvowtheladreligiouslykept，untilhefoundthatofficersandprivateswerealltakenintoDick'sconfidence，andhadthebenefitofhisverses。Anditmustbeownedlikewisethat，whileDickwassighingafterSaccharissainLondon，hehadconsolationsinthecountry;
　　fortherecameawenchoutofCastlewoodvillagewhohadwashedhislinen，andwhocriedsadlywhensheheardhewasgone:andwithoutpayingherbilltoo，whichHarryEsmondtookuponhimselftodischargebygivingthegirlasilverpocket—piece，whichScholarDickhadpresentedtohim，when，withmanyembracesandprayersforhisprosperity，Dickpartedfromhim，thegarrisonofCastlewoodbeingorderedaway。DicktheScholarsaidhewouldneverforgethisyoungfriend，norindeeddidhe:andHarrywassorrywhenthekindsoldiersvacatedCastlewood，lookingforwardwithnosmallanxiety（forcareandsolitudehadmadehimthoughtfulbeyondhisyears）tohisfatewhenthenewlordandladyofthehousecametolivethere。Hehadlivedtobepasttwelveyearsoldnow;andhadneverhadafriend，savethiswildtrooper，perhaps，andFatherHolt;andhadafondandaffectionateheart，tendertoweakness，thatwouldfainattachitselftosomebody，anddidnotseematrestuntilithadfoundafriendwhowouldtakechargeofit。
　　TheinstinctwhichledHenryEsmondtoadmireandlovethegraciousperson，thefairapparitionofwhosebeautyandkindnesshadsomovedhimwhenhefirstbeheldher，becamesoonadevotedaffectionandpassionofgratitude，whichentirelyfilledhisyoungheart，thatasyet，exceptinthecaseofdearFatherHolt，hadhadverylittlekindnessforwhichtobethankful。ODeacerte，thoughthe，rememberingthelinesoutoftheAEneaswhichMr。Holthadtaughthim。Thereseemed，astheboythought，ineverylookorgestureofthisfaircreature，anangelicalsoftnessandbrightpity——inmotionorreposesheseemedgraciousalike;thetoneofhervoice，thoughsheutteredwordseversotrivial，gavehimapleasurethatamountedalmosttoanguish。Itcannotbecalledlove，thataladoftwelveyearsofage，littlemorethanamenial，feltforanexaltedlady，hismistress:butitwasworship。Tocatchherglance，todivinehererrandandrunonitbeforeshehadspokenit;towatch，follow，adoreher;becamethebusinessofhislife。
　　Meanwhile，asisthewayoften，hisidolhadidolsofherown，andneverthoughtoforsuspectedtheadmirationofherlittlepigmyadorer。
　　Myladyhadonhersideherthreeidols:firstandforemost，Joveandsupremeruler，washerlord，Harry'spatron，thegoodViscountofCastlewood。Allwishesofhiswerelawswithher。Ifhehadaheadache，shewasill。Ifhefrowned，shetrembled。Ifhejoked，shesmiledandwascharmed。Ifhewenta—hunting，shewasalwaysatthewindowtoseehimrideaway，herlittlesoncrowingonherarm，oronthewatchtillhisreturn。Shemadedishesforhisdinner:spicedwineforhim:madethetoastforhistankardatbreakfast:hushedthehousewhenhesleptinhischair，andwatchedforalookwhenhewoke。Ifmylordwasnotalittleproudofhisbeauty，myladyadoredit。Sheclungtohisarmashepacedtheterrace，hertwofairlittlehandsclaspedroundhisgreatone;hereyeswerenevertiredoflookinginhisfaceandwonderingatitsperfection。Herlittlesonwashisson，andhadhisfather'slookandcurlybrownhair。HerdaughterBeatrixwashisdaughter，andhadhiseyes——werethereeversuchbeautifuleyesintheworld？
　　Allthehousewasarrangedsoastobringhimeaseandgivehimpleasure。Shelikedthesmallgentryroundabouttocomeandpayhimcourt，nevercaringforadmirationforherself;thosewhowantedtobewellwiththeladymustadmirehim。Notregardingherdress，shewouldwearagowntorags，becausehehadoncelikedit:
　　and，ifhebroughtherabroochoraribbon，wouldpreferittoallthemostcostlyarticlesofherwardrobe。
　　MylordwenttoLondoneveryyearforsixweeks，andthefamilybeingtoopoortoappearatCourtwithanyfigure，hewentalone。
　　Itwasnotuntilhewasoutofsightthatherfaceshowedanysorrow:andwhatajoywhenhecameback！Whatpreparationbeforehisreturn！Thefondcreaturehadhisarm—chairatthechimney—
　　side——delightingtoputthechildreninit，andlookatthemthere。
　　Nobodytookhisplaceatthetable;buthissilvertankardstoodthereaswhenmylordwaspresent。
　　Aprettysightitwastosee，duringmylord'sabsence，oronthosemanymorningswhensleeporheadachekepthima—bed，thisfairyoungladyofCastlewood，herlittledaughteratherknee，andherdomesticsgatheredroundher，readingtheMorningPrayeroftheEnglishChurch。Esmondlongrememberedhowshelookedandspoke，kneelingreverentlybeforethesacredbook，thesunshininguponhergoldenhairuntilitmadeahaloroundabouther。Adozenoftheservantsofthehousekneeledinalineoppositetheirmistress;forawhileHarryEsmondkeptapartfromthesemysteries，butDoctorTushershowinghimthattheprayersreadwerethoseoftheChurchofallages，andtheboy'sowninclinationpromptinghimtobealwaysasnearashemighttohismistress，andtothinkallthingsshedidright，fromlisteningtotheprayersintheante—
　　chamber，hecamepresentlytokneeldownwiththerestofthehouseholdintheparlor;andbeforeacoupleofyearsmyladyhadmadeathoroughconvert。Indeed，theboylovedhiscatechisersomuchthathewouldhavesubscribedtoanythingshebadehim，andwasnevertiredoflisteningtoherfonddiscourseandsimplecommentsuponthebook，whichshereadtohiminavoiceofwhichitwasdifficulttoresistthesweetpersuasionandtenderappealingkindness。Thisfriendlycontroversy，andtheintimacywhichitoccasioned，boundtheladmorefondlythanevertohismistress。Thehappiestperiodofallhislifewasthis;andtheyoungmother，withherdaughterandson，andtheorphanladwhomsheprotected，readandworkedandplayed，andwerechildrentogether。Iftheladylookedforward——aswhatfondwomandoesnot？——towardsthefuture，shehadnoplansfromwhichHarryEsmondwasleftout;andathousandandathousandtimes，inhispassionateandimpetuousway，hevowedthatnopowershouldseparatehimfromhismistress;andonlyaskedforsomechancetohappenbywhichhemightshowhisfidelitytoher。Now，atthecloseofhislife，ashesitsandrecallsintranquillitythehappyandbusyscenesofit，hecanthink，notungratefully，thathehasbeenfaithfultothatearlyvow。Suchalifeissosimplethatyearsmaybechronicledinafewlines。Butfewmen'slife—voyagesaredestinedtobeallprosperous;andthiscalmofwhichwearespeakingwassoontocometoanend。
　　AsEsmondgrew，andobservedforhimself，hefoundofnecessitymuchtoreadandthinkofoutsidethatfondcircleofkinsfolkwhohadadmittedhimtojoinhandwiththem。Hereadmorebooksthantheycaredtostudywithhim;wasaloneinthemidstofthemmanyatime，andpassednightsoverlabors，futileperhaps，butinwhichtheycouldnotjoinhim。Hisdearmistressdivinedhisthoughtswithherusualjealouswatchfulnessofaffection:begantoforebodeatimewhenhewouldescapefromhishome—nest;and，athiseagerprotestationstothecontrary，wouldonlysighandshakeherhead。