Beforethosefataldecreesinlifeareexecuted，therearealwayssecretprevisionsandwarningomens。Wheneverythingyetseemscalm，weareawarethatthestormiscoming。Erethehappydayswereover，twoatleastofthathome—partyfeltthattheyweredrawingtoaclose;andwereuneasy，andonthelook—outforthecloudwhichwastoobscuretheircalm。
　　'TwaseasyforHarrytosee，howevermuchhisladypersistedinobedienceandadmirationforherhusband，thatmylordtiredofhisquietlife，andgrewweary，andthentesty，atthosegentlebondswithwhichhiswifewouldhaveheldhim。AstheysaytheGrandLamaofThibetisverymuchfatiguedbyhischaracterofdivinity，andyawnsonhisaltarashisbonzeskneelandworshiphim，manyahome—godgrowsheartilysickofthereverencewithwhichhisfamily—devoteespursuehim，andsighsforfreedomandforhisoldlife，andtobeoffthepedestalonwhichhisdependantswouldhavehimsitforever，whilsttheyadorehim，andplyhimwithflowers，andhymns，andincense，andflattery;——so，afterafewyearsofhismarriagemyhonestLordCastlewoodbegantotire;allthehigh—
　　flownrapturesanddevotionalceremonieswithwhichhiswife，hischiefpriestess，treatedhim，firstsenthimtosleep，andthendrovehimoutofdoors;forthetruthmustbetold，thatmylordwasajollygentleman，withverylittleoftheaugustordivineinhisnature，thoughhisfondwifepersistedinreveringit——and，besides，hehadtopayapenaltyforthislove，whichpersonsofhisdispositionseldomliketodefray:and，inaword，ifhehadalovingwife，hadaveryjealousandexactingone。Thenheweariedofthisjealousy;thenhebrokeawayfromit;thencame，nodoubt，complaintsandrecriminations;then，perhaps，promisesofamendmentnotfulfilled;thenupbraidingsnotthemorepleasantbecausetheyweresilent，andonlysadlooksandtearfuleyesconveyedthem。
　　Then，perhaps，thepairreachedthatotherstagewhichisnotuncommoninmarriedlife，whenthewomanperceivesthatthegodofthehoneymoonisagodnomore;onlyamortalliketherestofus——
　　andsoshelooksintoherheart，andlo！vacuaesedesetinaniaarcana。Andnow，supposingourladytohaveafinegeniusandabrilliantwitofherown，andthemagicspellandinfatuationremovedfromherwhichhadledhertoworshipasagodaveryordinarymortal——andwhatfollows？Theylivetogether，andtheydinetogether，andtheysay"mydear"and"mylove"asheretofore;
　　butthemanishimself，andthewomanherself:thatdreamofloveisoveraseverythingelseisoverinlife;asflowersandfury，andgriefsandpleasures，areover。
　　VerylikelytheLadyCastlewoodhadceasedtoadoreherhusbandherselflongbeforeshegotoffherknees，orwouldallowherhouseholdtodiscontinueworshippinghim。Todohimjustice，mylordneverexactedthissubservience:helaughedandjokedanddrankhisbottle，andsworewhenhewasangry，muchtoofamiliarlyforanyonepretendingtosublimity;anddidhisbesttodestroytheceremonialwithwhichhiswifechosetosurroundhim。AnditrequirednogreatconceitonyoungEsmond'sparttoseethathisownbrainswerebetterthanhispatron's，who，indeed，neverassumedanyairsofsuperiorityoverthelad，oroveranydependantofhis，savewhenhewasdispleased，inwhichcasehewouldexpresshismindinoathsveryfreely;andwho，onthecontrary，perhaps，spoiled"ParsonHarry，"ashecalledyoungEsmond，byconstantlypraisinghispartsandadmiringhisboyishstockoflearning。
　　Itmayseemungraciousinonewhohasreceivedahundredfavorsfromhispatrontospeakinanybutareverentialmannerofhiselders;butthepresentwriterhashaddescendantsofhisown，whomhehasbroughtupwithaslittleaspossibleoftheservilityatpresentexactedbyparentsfromchildren（underwhichmaskofdutythereoftenlurksindifference，contempt，orrebellion）:andashewouldhavehisgrandsonsbelieveorrepresenthimtobenotaninchtallerthanNaturehasmadehim:so，withregardtohispastacquaintances，hewouldspeakwithoutanger，butwithtruth，asfarasheknowsit，neitherextenuatingnorsettingdownaughtinmalice。
　　Solong，then，astheworldmovedaccordingtoLordCastlewood'swishes，hewasgood—humoredenough;ofatempernaturallysprightlyandeasy，likingtojoke，especiallywithhisinferiors，andcharmedtoreceivethetributeoftheirlaughter。Allexercisesofthebodyhecouldperformtoperfection——shootingatamarkandflying，breakinghorses，ridingatthering，pitchingthequoit，playingatallgameswithgreatskill。Andnotonlydidhedothesethingswell，buthethoughthedidthemtoperfection;hencehewasoftentrickedabouthorses，whichhepretendedtoknowbetterthananyjockey;wasmadetoplayatballandbilliardsbysharperswhotookhismoney，andcamebackfromLondonwofullypoorereachtimethanhewent，asthestateofhisaffairstestifiedwhenthesuddenaccidentcamebywhichhiscareerwasbroughttoanend。
　　Hewasfondoftheparadeofdress，andpassedasmanyhoursdailyathistoiletteasanelderlycoquette。Atenthpartofhisdaywasspentinthebrushingofhisteethandtheoilingofhishair，whichwascurlingandbrown，andwhichhedidnotliketoconcealunderaperiwig，suchasalmosteverybodyofthattimewore。（Wehavethelibertyofourhairbacknow，butpowderandpomatumalongwithit。When，Iwonder，willthesemonstrouspoll—taxesofouragebewithdrawn，andmenallowedtocarrytheircolors，black，red，orgray，asNaturemadethem？）Andashelikedhertobewelldressed，hisladysparednopainsinthatmattertopleasehim;
　　indeed，shewoulddressherheadorcutitoffifhehadbiddenher。
　　ItwasawondertoyoungEsmond，servingaspagetomylordandlady，tohear，dayafterday，tosuchcompanyascame，thesameboisterousstoriestoldbymylord，atwhichhisladyneverfailedtosmileorholddownherhead，andDoctorTushertoburstoutlaughingattheproperpoint，orcry，"Fie，mylord，remembermycloth！"butwithsuchafaintshowofresistance，thatitonlyprovokedmylordfurther。LordCastlewood'sstoriesrosebydegrees，andbecamestrongerafterthealeatdinnerandthebottleafterwards;myladyalwaystakingflightaftertheveryfirstglasstoChurchandKing，andleavingthegentlementodrinktherestofthetoastsbythemselves。
　　And，asHarryEsmondwasherpage，healsowascalledfromdutyatthistime。"Mylordhaslivedinthearmyandwithsoldiers，"shewouldsaytothelad，"amongstwhomgreatlicenseisallowed。Youhavehadadifferentnurture，andItrustthesethingswillchangeasyougrowolder;notthatanyfaultattachestomylord，whoisoneofthebestandmostreligiousmeninthiskingdom。"Andverylikelyshebelievedso。'Tisstrangewhatamanmaydo，andawomanyetthinkhimanangel。
　　AndasEsmondhastakentruthforhismotto，itmustbeowned，evenwithregardtothatotherangel，hismistress，thatshehadafaultofcharacterwhichflawedherperfections。Withtheothersexperfectlytolerantandkindly，ofherownshewasinvariablyjealous;andaproofthatshehadthisviceis，thatthoughshewouldacknowledgeathousandfaultsthatshehadnot，tothiswhichshehadshecouldneverbegottoown。ButiftherecameawomanwithevenasemblanceofbeautytoCastlewood，shewassosuretofindoutsomewronginher，thatmylord，laughinginhisjollyway，wouldoftenjokewithherconcerningherfoible。Comelyservant—maidsmightcomeforhire，butnoneweretakenatCastlewood。Thehousekeeperwasold;mylady'sownwaiting—womansquinted，andwasmarkedwiththesmall—pox;thehousemaidsandscullionwereordinarycountrywenches，towhomLadyCastlewoodwaskind，ashernaturemadehertoeverybodyalmost;butassoonasevershehadtodowithaprettywoman，shewascold，retiring，andhaughty。Thecountryladiesfoundthisfaultinher;andthoughthemenalladmiredher，theirwivesanddaughterscomplainedofhercoldnessandaims，andsaidthatCastlewoodwaspleasanterinLadyJezebel'stime（asthedowagerwascalled）thanatpresent。
　　Somefewwereofmymistress'sside。OldLadyBlenkinsopJointure，whohadbeenatcourtinKingJamestheFirst'stime，alwaystookherside;andsodidoldMistressCrookshank，BishopCrookshank'sdaughter，ofHexton，who，withsomemoreoftheirlike，pronouncedmyladyanangel:buttheprettywomenwerenotofthismind;andtheopinionofthecountrywasthatmylordwastiedtohiswife'sapron—strings，andthatsheruledoverhim。
　　ThesecondfightwhichHarryEsmondhad，wasatfourteenyearsofage，withBryanHawkshaw，SirJohnHawkshaw'sson，ofBramblebrook，who，advancingthisopinion，thatmyladywasjealousandhenpeckedmylord，putHarryinsuchafury，thatHarryfellonhimandwithsuchrage，thattheotherboy，whowastwoyearsolderandbyfarbiggerthanhe，hadbyfartheworstoftheassault，untilitwasinterruptedbyDoctorTusherwalkingoutofthedinner—room。
　　BryanHawkshawgotupbleedingatthenose，having，indeed，beensurprised，asmanyastrongermanmighthavebeen，bythefuryoftheassaultuponhim。
　　"Youlittlebastardbeggar！"hesaid，"I'llmurderyouforthis！"
　　Andindeedhewasbigenough。
　　"Bastardornot，"saidtheother，grindinghisteeth，"Ihaveacoupleofswords，andifyouliketomeetme，asaman，ontheterraceto—night——"
　　AndheretheDoctorcomingup，thecolloquyoftheyoungchampionsended。Verylikely，bigashewas，Hawkshawdidnotcaretocontinueafightwithsuchaferociousopponentasthishadbeen。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　AFTERGOODFORTUNECOMESEVIL。
　　SincemyLadyMaryWortleyMontagubroughthomethecustomofinoculationfromTurkey（aperilouspracticemanydeemit，andonlyauselessrushingintothejawsofdanger），Ithinktheseverityofthesmall—pox，thatdreadfulscourgeoftheworld，hassomewhatbeenabatedinourpartofit;andrememberinmytimehundredsoftheyoungandbeautifulwhohavebeencarriedtothegrave，orhaveonlyrisenfromtheirpillowsfrightfullyscarredanddisfiguredbythismalady。Manyasweetfacehathleftitsrosesonthebedonwhichthisdreadfulandwitheringblighthaslaidthem。Inmyearlydays，thispestilencewouldenteravillageanddestroyhalfitsinhabitants:atitsapproach，itmaywellbeimagined，notonlythebeautifulbutthestrongestwerealarmed，andthosefledwhocould。Onedayintheyear1694（Ihavegoodreasontorememberit），DoctorTusherranintoCastlewoodHouse，withafaceofconsternation，sayingthatthemaladyhadmadeitsappearanceattheblacksmith'shouseinthevillage，andthatoneofthemaidstherewasdowninthesmall—pox。
　　Theblacksmith，besideshisforgeandironsforhorses，hadanale—
　　houseformen，whichhiswifekept，andhiscompanysatonbenchesbeforetheinn—door，lookingatthesmithywhiletheydranktheirbeer。Now，therewasaprettygirlatthisinn，thelandlord'smencalledNancySievewright，abouncing，fresh—lookinglass，whosefacewasasredasthehollyhocksoverthepalesofthegardenbehindtheinn。AtthistimeHarryEsmondwasaladofsixteen，andsomehowinhiswalksandramblesitoftenhappenedthathefellinwithNancySievewright'sbonnyface;ifhedidnotwantsomethingdoneattheblacksmith'shewouldgoanddrinkaleatthe"ThreeCastles，"orfindsomepretextforseeingthispoorNancy。
　　Poorthing，Harrymeantorimaginednoharm;andshe，nodoubt，aslittle，butthetruthistheywerealwaysmeeting——inthelanes，orbythebrook，oratthegarden—palings，oraboutCastlewood:itwas，"Lord，Mr。Henry！"and"howdoyoudo，Nancy？"manyandmanyatimeintheweek。'Tissurprisingthemagneticattractionwhichdrawspeopletogetherfromeversofar。IblushasIthinkofpoorNancynow，inaredbodiceandbuxompurplecheeksandacanvaspetticoat;andthatIdevisedschemes，andsettraps，andmadespeechesinmyheart，whichIseldomhadcouragetosaywheninpresenceofthathumbleenchantress，whoknewnothingbeyondmilkingacow，andopenedherblackeyeswithwonderwhenImadeoneofmyfinespeechesoutofWallerorOvid。PoorNancy！fromthemidstoffar—offyearsthinehonestcountryfacebeamsout;andIrememberthykindvoiceasifIhadheardityesterday。
　　WhenDoctorTusherbroughtthenewsthatthesmall—poxwasatthe"ThreeCastles，"whitheratramper，itwassaid，hadbroughtthemalady，HenryEsmond'sfirstthoughtwasofalarmforpoorNancy，andthenofshameanddisquietfortheCastlewoodfamily，lesthemighthavebroughtthisinfection;forthetruthisthatMr。Harryhadbeensittinginabackroomforanhourthatday，whereNancySievewrightwaswithalittlebrotherwhocomplainedofheadache，andwaslyingstupefiedandcrying，eitherinachairbythecornerofthefire，orinNancy'slap，oronmine。
　　LittleLadyBeatrixscreamedoutatDr。Tusher'snews;andmylordcriedout，"Godblessme！"Hewasabraveman，andnotafraidofdeathinanyshapebutthis。Hewasveryproudofhispinkcomplexionandfairhair——buttheideaofdeathbysmall—poxscaredhimbeyondallotherends。"Wewilltakethechildrenandrideawayto—morrowtoWalcote:"thiswasmylord'ssmallhouse，inheritedfromhismother，neartoWinchester。
　　"Thatisthebestrefugeincasethediseasespreads，"saidDr。
　　Tusher。"'Tisawfultothinkofitbeginningattheale—house;
　　halfthepeopleofthevillagehavevisitedthatto—day，ortheblacksmith's，whichisthesamething。MyclerkNahumlodgeswiththem——Icannevergointomyreading—deskandhavethatfellowsonearme。IWON'Thavethatmannearme。"
　　"Ifaparishionerdyinginthesmall—poxsenttoyou，wouldyounotgo？"askedmylady，lookingupfromherframeofwork，withhercalmblueeyes。
　　"BytheLord，Iwouldn't，"saidmylord。
　　"Wearenotinapopishcountry;andasickmandothnotabsolutelyneedabsolutionandconfession，"saidtheDoctor。"'Tistruetheyareacomfortandahelptohimwhenattainable，andtobeadministeredwithhopeofgood。Butinacasewherethelifeofaparishpriestinthemidstofhisflockishighlyvaluabletothem，heisnotcalledupontoriskit（andtherewiththelives，futureprospects，andtemporal，evenspiritualwelfareofhisownfamily）
　　forthesakeofasingleperson，whoisnotverylikelyinaconditioneventounderstandthereligiousmessagewhereofthepriestisthebringer——beinguneducated，andlikewisestupefiedordeliriousbydisease。Ifyourladyshiporhislordship，myexcellentgoodfriendandpatron，weretotakeit……"
　　"Godforbid！"criedmylord。
　　"Amen，"continuedDr。Tusher。"Amentothatprayer，myverygoodlord！foryoursakeIwouldlaymylifedown"——and，tojudgefromthealarmedlookoftheDoctor'spurpleface，youwouldhavethoughtthatthatsacrificewasabouttobecalledforinstantly。
　　Tolovechildren，andbegentlewiththem，wasaninstinct，ratherthanamerit，inHenryEsmond;somuchso，thathethoughtalmostwithasortofshameofhislikingforthem，andofthesoftnessintowhichitbetrayedhim;andonthisdaythepoorfellowhadnotonlyhadhisyoungfriend，themilkmaid'sbrother，onhisknee，buthadbeendrawingpicturesandtellingstoriestothelittleFrankCastlewood，whohadoccupiedthesameplaceforanhourafterdinner，andwasnevertiredofHenry'stales，andhispicturesofsoldiersandhorses。Asluckwouldhaveit，Beatrixhadnotonthateveningtakenherusualplace，whichgenerallyshewasgladenoughtohave，uponhertutor'slap。ForBeatrix，fromtheearliesttime，wasjealousofeverycaresswhichwasgiventoherlittlebrotherFrank。Shewouldflingawayevenfromthematernalarms，ifshesawFrankhadbeentherebeforeher;insomuchthatLadyEsmondwasobligednottoshowherloveforhersoninthepresenceofthelittlegirl，andembracedoneortheotheralone。
　　ShewouldturnpaleandredwithrageifshecaughtsignsofintelligenceoraffectionbetweenFrankandhismother:wouldsitapart，andnotspeakforawholenight，ifshethoughttheboyhadabetterfruitoralargercakethanhers;wouldflingawayaribbonifhehadone;andfromtheearliestage，sittingupinherlittlechairbythegreatfireplaceoppositetothecornerwhereLadyCastlewoodcommonlysatatherembroidery，wouldutterinfantinesarcasmsaboutthefavorshowntoherbrother。These，ifspokeninthepresenceofLordCastlewood，tickledandamusedhishumor;hewouldpretendtoloveFrankbest，anddandleandkisshim，androarwithlaughteratBeatrix'sjealousy。Butthetruthis，mylorddidnotoftenwitnessthesescenes，norverymuchtroublethequietfiresideatwhichhisladypassedmanylongevenings。Mylordwashuntingalldaywhentheseasonadmitted;hefrequentedallthecock—fightsandfairsinthecountry，andwouldridetwentymilestoseeamainfought，ortwoclownsbreaktheirheadsatacudgelling—match;andhelikedbettertositinhisparlordrinkingaleandpunchwithJackandTom，thaninhiswife'sdrawing—room:whither，ifhecame，hebroughtonlytoooftenbloodshoteyes，ahiccuppingvoice，andareelinggait。Themanagementofthehouse，andtheproperty，thecareofthefewtenantsandthevillagepoor，andtheaccountsoftheestate，wereinthehandsofhisladyandheryoungsecretary，HarryEsmond。Mylordtookchargeofthestables，thekennel，andthecellar——andhefilledthisandemptiedittoo。
　　Soitchancedthatuponthisveryday，whenpoorHarryEsmondhadhadtheblacksmith'sson，andthepeer'sson，alikeuponhisknee，littleBeatrix，whowouldcometohertutorwillinglyenoughwithherbookandherwriting，hadrefusedhim，seeingtheplaceoccupiedbyherbrother，and，luckilyforher，hadsatatthefurtherendoftheroom，awayfromhim，playingwithaspanieldogwhichshehad，（andforwhich，byfitsandstarts，shewouldtakeagreataffection，）andtalkingatHarryEsmondoverhershoulder，asshepretendedtocaressthedog，sayingthatFidowouldloveher，andshewouldloveFido，andnothingbutFidoallherlife。
　　When，then，thenewswasbroughtthatthelittleboyatthe"ThreeCastles"wasillwiththesmall—pox，poorHarryEsmondfeltashockofalarm，notsomuchforhimselfasforhismistress'sson，whomhemighthavebroughtintoperil。Beatrix，whohadpoutedsufficiently，（andwho，wheneverastrangerappeared，began，frominfancyalmost，toplayofflittlegracestocatchhisattention，）
　　herbrotherbeingnowgonetobed，wasfortakingherplaceuponEsmond'sknee:for，thoughtheDoctorwasveryobsequioustoher，shedidnotlikehim，becausehehadthickbootsanddirtyhands（thepertyoungmisssaid），andbecauseshehatedlearningthecatechism。
　　ButassheadvancedtowardsEsmondfromthecornerwhereshehadbeensulking，hestartedbackandplacedthegreatchaironwhichhewassittingbetweenhimandher——sayingintheFrenchlanguagetoLadyCastlewood，withwhomtheyoungladhadreadmuch，andwhomhehadperfectedinthistongue——Madam，thechildmustnotapproachme;ImusttellyouthatIwasattheblacksmith'sto—day，andhadhislittleboyuponmylap。"
　　"Whereyoutookmysonafterwards，"LadyCastlewoodsaid，veryangry，andturningred。"Ithankyou，sir，forgivinghimsuchcompany。Beatrix，"shesaidinEnglish，"IforbidyoutotouchMr。
　　Esmond。Comeaway，child——cometoyourroom。Cometoyourroom——I
　　wishyourReverencegood—night——andyou，sir，hadyounotbettergobacktoyourfriendsattheale—house？"hereyes，ordinarilysokind，dartedflashesofangerasshespoke;andshetossedupherhead（whichhungdowncommonly）withthemienofaprincess。
　　"Hey—day！"saysmylord，whowasstandingbythefireplace——indeedhewasinthepositiontowhichhegenerallycamebythathouroftheevening——"Hey—day！Rachel，whatareyouinapassionabout？
　　Ladiesoughtnevertobeinapassion。Oughtthey，DoctorTusher？
　　thoughitdoesgoodtoseeRachelinapassion——Damme，LadyCastlewood，youlookdev'lishhandsomeinapassion。"
　　"Itis，mylord，becauseMr。HenryEsmond，havingnothingtodowithhistimehere，andnothavingatasteforourcompany，hasbeentotheale—house，wherehehasSOMEFRIENDS。"
　　Mylordburstout，withalaughandanoath——"Youyoungslyboots，you'vebeenatNancySievewright。D———theyounghypocrite，who'dhavethoughtitinhim？Isay，Tusher，he'sbeenafter——"
　　"Enough，mylord，"saidmylady，"don'tinsultmewiththistalk。"
　　"Uponmyword，"saidpoorHarry，readytocrywithshameandmortification，"thehonorofthatyoungpersonisperfectlyunstainedforme。"
　　"Oh，ofcourse，ofcourse，"saysmylord，moreandmorelaughingandtipsy。"UponhisHONOR，Doctor——NancySieve——……"
　　"TakeMistressBeatrixtobed，"myladycriedatthismomenttoMrs。Tuckerherwoman，whocameinwithherladyship'stea。"Putherintomyroom——no，intoyours，"sheaddedquickly。"Go，mychild:go，Isay:notaword！"AndBeatrix，quitesurprisedatsosuddenatoneofauthorityfromonewhowasseldomaccustomedtoraisehervoice，wentoutoftheroomwithascaredcountenance，andwaitedeventoburstouta—cryinguntilshegottothedoorwithMrs。Tucker。
　　Foroncehermothertooklittleheedofhersobbing，andcontinuedtospeakeagerly——"Mylord，"shesaid，"thisyoungman——yourdependant——toldmejustnowinFrench——hewasashamedtospeakinhisownlanguage——thathehadbeenattheale—houseallday，wherehehashadthatlittlewretchwhoisnowillofthesmall—poxonhisknee。Andhecomeshomereekingfromthatplace——yes，reekingfromit——andtakesmyboyintohislapwithoutshame，andsitsdownbyme，yes，byME。HemayhavekilledFrankforwhatIknow——
　　killedourchild。Whywashebroughtintodisgraceourhouse？
　　Whyishehere？Lethimgo——lethimgo，Isay，to—night，andpollutetheplacenomore。"
　　ShehadneveronceutteredasyllableofunkindnesstoHarryEsmond;andhercruelwordssmotethepoorboy，sothathestoodforsomemomentsbewilderedwithgriefandrageattheinjusticeofsuchastabfromsuchahand。Heturnedquitewhitefromred，whichhehadbeen。
　　"Icannothelpmybirth，madam，"hesaid，"normyothermisfortune。
　　Andasforyourboy，if——ifmycomingnightohimpolluteshimnow，itwasnotsoalways。Good—night，mylord。Heavenblessyouandyoursforyourgoodnesstome。Ihavetiredherladyship'skindnessout，andIwillgo;"and，sinkingdownonhisknee，HarryEsmondtooktheroughhandofhisbenefactorandkissedit。
　　"Hewantstogototheale—house——lethimgo，"criedmylady。
　　"I'md——difheshall，"saidmylord。"Ididn'tthinkyoucouldbesod——dungrateful，Rachel。"
　　Herreplywastoburstintoafloodoftears，andtoquittheroomwitharapidglanceatHarryEsmond，——asmylord，notheedingthem，andstillingreatgood—humor，raiseduphisyoungclientfromhiskneelingposture（forathousandkindnesseshadcausedtheladtoreveremylordasafather），andputhisbroadhandonHarryEsmond'sshoulder。
　　"Shewasalwaysso，"mylordsaid;"theverynotionofawomandriveshermad。Itooktoliquoronthatveryaccount，byJove，fornootherreasonthanthat;forshecan'tbejealousofabeer—
　　barrelorabottleofrum，canshe，Doctor？D———it，lookatthemaids——justlookatthemaidsinthehouse"（mylordpronouncedallthewordstogether——just—look—at—the—maze—in—the—house:jever—see—
　　such—maze？）"Youwouldn'ttakeawifeoutofCastlewoodnow，wouldyou，Doctor？"andmylordburstoutlaughing。
　　TheDoctor，whohadbeenlookingatmyLordCastlewoodfromunderhiseyelids，said，"Butjokingapart，and，mylord，asadivine，I
　　cannottreatthesubjectinajocularlight，nor，asapastorofthiscongregation，lookwithanythingbutsorrowattheideaofsoveryyoungasheepgoingastray。"
　　"Sir，"saidyoungEsmond，burstingoutindignantly，"shetoldmethatyouyourselfwereahorridoldman，andhadofferedtokissherinthedairy。"
　　"Forshame，Henry，"criedDoctorTusher，turningasredasaturkey—cock，whilemylordcontinuedtoroarwithlaughter。"Ifyoulistentothefalsehoodsofanabandonedgirl——"
　　"SheisashonestasanywomaninEngland，andaspureforme，"
　　criedoutHenry，"and，askind，andasgood。Forshameonyoutomalignher！"
　　"Farbeitfrommetodoso，"criedtheDoctor。"HeavengrantI
　　maybemistakeninthegirl，andinyou，sir，whohaveatrulyPRECOCIOUSgenius;butthatisnotthepointatissueatpresent。
　　Itappearsthatthesmall—poxbrokeoutinthelittleboyatthe'ThreeCastles;'thatitwasonhimwhenyouvisitedtheale—house，foryourOWNreasons;andthatyousatwiththechildforsometime，andimmediatelyafterwardswithmyyounglord。"TheDoctorraisedhisvoiceashespoke，andlookedtowardsmylady，whohadnowcomeback，lookingverypale，withahandkerchiefinherhand。
　　"Thisisallverytrue，sir，"saidLadyEsmond，lookingattheyoungman。
　　"'Tistobefearedthathemayhavebroughttheinfectionwithhim。"
　　"Fromtheale—house——yes，"saidmylady。
　　"D———it，IforgotwhenIcollaredyou，boy，"criedmylord，steppingback。"Keepoff，Harrymyboy;there'snogoodinrunningintothewolf'sjaws，youknow。"
　　Myladylookedathimwithsomesurprise，andinstantlyadvancingtoHenryEsmond，tookhishand。"Ibegyourpardon，Henry，"shesaid;"Ispokeveryunkindly。Ihavenorighttointerferewithyou——withyour——"
　　Mylordbrokeoutintoanoath。"Can'tyouleavetheboyalone，mylady？"Shelookedalittlered，andfaintlypressedthelad'shandasshedroppedit。
　　"Thereisnouse，mylord，"shesaid;"Frankwasonhiskneeashewasmakingpictures，andwasrunningconstantlyfromHenrytome。
　　Theevilisdone，ifany。"
　　"Notwithme，damme，"criedmylord。"I'vebeensmoking，"——andhelightedhispipeagainwithacoal——"anditkeepsoffinfection;
　　andasthediseaseisinthevillage——plaguetakeit——Iwouldhaveyouleaveit。We'llgoto—morrowtoWalcote，mylady。"
　　"Ihavenofear，"saidmylady;"Imayhavehaditasaninfant:itbrokeoutinourhousethen;andwhenfourofmysistershaditathome，twoyearsbeforeourmarriage，Iescapedit，andtwoofmydearsistersdied。"
　　"Iwon'truntherisk，"saidmylord;"I'masboldasanyman，butI'llnotbearthat。"
　　"TakeBeatrixwithyouandgo，"saidmylady。"Forusthemischiefisdone;andTuckercanwaituponus，whohashadthedisease。"
　　"Youtakecaretochoose'emuglyenough，"saidmylord，atwhichherladyshiphungdownherheadandlookedfoolish:andmylord，callingawayTusher，badehimcometotheoakparlorandhaveapipe。TheDoctormadealowbowtoherladyship（ofwhichsalaamshewasprofuse），andwalkedoffonhiscreakingsquare—toesafterhispatron。
　　Whentheladyandtheyoungmanwerealone，therewasasilenceofsomemoments，duringwhichhestoodatthefire，lookingrathervacantlyatthedyingembers，whilstherladyshipbusiedherselfwiththetambour—frameandneedles。
　　"Iamsorry，"shesaid，afterapause，inahard，dryvoice，——"I
　　REPEATIamsorrythatIshowedmyselfsoungratefulforthesafetyofmyson。Itwasnotatallmywishthatyoushouldleaveus，I
　　amsure，unlessyoufoundpleasureelsewhere。Butyoumustperceive，Mr。Esmond，thatatyourage，andwithyourtastes，itisimpossiblethatyoucancontinuetostayupontheintimatefootinginwhichyouhavebeeninthisfamily。YouhavewishedtogototheUniversity，andIthink'tisquiteaswellthatyoushouldbesentthither。Ididnotpressthismatter，thinkingyouachild，asyouare，indeed，inyears——quiteachild;andIshouldneverhavethoughtoftreatingyouotherwiseuntil——untiltheseCIRCUMSTANCEScametolight。AndIshallbegmylordtodespatchyouasquickaspossible:andwillgoonwithFrank'slearningaswellasIcan，（Iowemyfatherthanksforalittlegrounding，andyou，I'msure，formuchthatyouhavetaughtme，）——and——andIwishyouagood—night，Mr。Esmond。"
　　Andwiththisshedroppedastatelycurtsy，and，takinghercandle，wentawaythroughthetapestrydoor，whichledtoherapartments。
　　Esmondstoodbythefireplace，blanklystaringafterher。Indeed，hescarceseemedtoseeuntilshewasgone;andthenherimagewasimpresseduponhim，andremainedforeverfixeduponhismemory。
　　Hesawherretreating，thetaperlightinguphermarbleface，herscarletlipquivering，andhershininggoldenhair。Hewenttohisownroom，andtobed，wherehetriedtoread，ashiscustomwas;
　　butheneverknewwhathewasreadinguntilafterwardsherememberedtheappearanceofthelettersofthebook（itwasinMontaigne'sEssays），andtheeventsofthedaypassedbeforehim——
　　thatis，ofthelasthouroftheday;forasforthemorning，andthepoormilkmaidyonder，heneversomuchasoncethought。Andhecouldnotgettosleepuntildaylight，andwokewithaviolentheadache，andquiteunrefreshed。
　　Hehadbroughtthecontagionwithhimfromthe"ThreeCastles"sureenough，andwaspresentlylaidupwiththesmallpox，whichsparedthehallnomorethanitdidthecottage。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　IHAVETHESMALL—POX，ANDPREPARETOLEAVECASTLEWOOD。
　　WhenHarryEsmondpassedthroughthecrisisofthatmalady，andreturnedtohealthagain，hefoundthatlittleFrankEsmondhadalsosufferedandralliedafterthedisease，andtheladyhismotherwasdownwithit，withacouplemoreofthehousehold。"ItwasaProvidence，forwhichwealloughttobethankful，"DoctorTushersaid，"thatmyladyandhersonwerespared，whileDeathcarriedoffthepoordomesticsofthehouse;"andrebukedHarryforasking，inhissimpleway，Forwhichweoughttobethankful——thattheservantswerekilled，orthegentlefolksweresaved？NorcouldyoungEsmondagreeintheDoctor'svehementprotestationstomylady，whenhevisitedherduringherconvalescence，thatthemaladyhadnotintheleastimpairedhercharms，andhadnotbeenchurlenoughtoinjurethefairfeaturesoftheViscountessofCastlewood;whereas，inspiteofthesefinespeeches，Harrythoughtthatherladyship'sbeautywasverymuchinjuredbythesmall—pox。