Whenthemarksofthediseaseclearedaway，theydidnot，itistrue，leavefurrowsorscarsonherface（exceptone，perhaps，onherforeheadoverherlefteyebrow）;butthedelicacyofherrosycolorandcomplexionwasgone:hereyeshadlosttheirbrilliancy，herhairfell，andherfacelookedolder。Itwasasifacoarsehandhadrubbedoffthedelicatetintsofthatsweetpicture，andbroughtit，asonehasseenunskilfulpainting—cleanersdo，tothedeadcolor。Also，itmustbeowned，thatforayearortwoafterthemalady，herladyship'snosewasswollenandredder。
　　Therewouldbenoneedtomentionthesetrivialities，butthattheyactuallyinfluencedmanylives，astrifleswillintheworld，whereagnatoftenplaysagreaterpartthananelephant，andamole—
　　hill，asweknowinKingWilliam'scase，canupsetanempire。WhenTusherinhiscourtlyway（atwhichHarryEsmondalwayschafedandspokescornfully）vowedandprotestedthatmylady'sfacewasnonetheworse——theladbrokeoutandsaid，"ItISworseandmymistressisnotnearsohandsomeasshewas;"onwhichpoorLadyCastlewoodgavearuefulsmile，andalookintoalittleVeniceglassshehad，whichshowedher，Isuppose，thatwhatthestupidboysaidwasonlytootrue，forsheturnedawayfromtheglass，andhereyesfilledwithtears。
　　ThesightoftheseinEsmond'sheartalwayscreatedasortofrageofpity，andseeingthemonthefaceoftheladywhomhelovedbest，theyoungblunderersankdownonhisknees，andbesoughthertopardonhim，sayingthathewasafoolandanidiot，thathewasabrutetomakesuchaspeech，hewhohadcausedhermalady;andDoctorTushertoldhimthatabearhewasindeed，andabearhewouldremain，atwhichspeechpooryoungEsmondwassodumbstrickenthathedidnotevengrowl。
　　"HeisMYbear，andIwillnothavehimbaited，Doctor，"myladysaid，pattingherhandkindlyontheboy'shead，ashewasstillkneelingatherfeet。"Howyourhairhascomeoff！Andmine，too，"sheaddedwithanothersigh。
　　"ItisnotformyselfthatIcared，"myladysaidtoHarry，whentheparsonhadtakenhisleave;"butAMIverymuchchanged？Alas！
　　Ifear'tistootrue。"
　　"Madam，youhavethedearest，andkindest，andsweetestfaceintheworld，Ithink，"theladsaid;andindeedhethoughtandthinksso。
　　"Willmylordthinksowhenhecomesback？"theladyaskedwithasigh，andanotherlookatherVeniceglass。"Supposeheshouldthinkasyoudo，sir，thatIamhideous——yes，yousaidhideous——hewillceasetocareforme。'Tisallmencareforinwomen，ourlittlebeauty。Whydidheselectmefromamongmysisters？'Twasonlyforthat。Wereignbutforadayortwo:andbesurethatVashtiknewEstherwascoming。"
　　"Madam，"saidMr。Esmond，"AhasueruswastheGrandTurk，andtochangewasthemannerofhiscountry，andaccordingtohislaw。"
　　"YouareallGrandTurksforthatmatter，"saidmylady，"orwouldbeifyoucould。Come，Frank，come，mychild。Youarewell，praisedbeHeaven。YOURlocksarenotthinnedbythisdreadfulsmall—pox:noryourpoorfacescarred——isit，myangel？"
　　Frankbegantoshoutandwhimperattheideaofsuchamisfortune。
　　Fromtheveryearliesttimetheyounglordhadbeentaughttoadmirehisbeautybyhismother:andesteemeditashighlyasanyreigningtoastvaluedhers。
　　Oneday，ashehimselfwasrecoveringfromhisfeverandillness，apangofsomethinglikeshameshotacrossyoungEsmond'sbreast，asherememberedthathehadneveronceduringhisillnessgivenathoughttothepoorgirlatthesmithy，whoseredcheeksbutamonthagohehadbeensoeagertosee。PoorNancy！hercheekshadsharedthefateofroses，andwerewitherednow。ShehadtakentheillnessonthesamedaywithEsmond——sheandherbrotherwerebothdeadofthesmall—pox，andburiedundertheCastlewoodyew—trees。
　　Therewasnobrightfacelookingnowfromthegarden，ortocheertheoldsmithathislonelyfireside。Esmondwouldhavelikedtohavekissedherinhershroud（likethelassinMr。Prior'sprettypoem）;butsherestedmanyafootbelowtheground，whenEsmondafterhismaladyfirsttrodonit。
　　DoctorTusherbroughtthenewsofthiscalamity，aboutwhichHarryEsmondlongedtoask，butdidnotlike。Hesaidalmostthewholevillagehadbeenstrickenwiththepestilence;seventeenpersonsweredeadofit，amongthemmentioningthenamesofpoorNancyandherlittlebrother。Hedidnotfailtosayhowthankfulwesurvivorsoughttobe。Itbeingthisman'sbusinesstoflatterandmakesermons，itmustbeownedhewasmostindustriousinit，andwasdoingtheoneortheotherallday。
　　AndsoNancywasgone;andHarryEsmondblushedthathehadnotasingletearforher，andfelltocomposinganelegyinLatinversesovertherusticlittlebeauty。Hebadethedryadsmournandtheriver—nymphsdeploreher。AsherfatherfollowedthecallingofVulcan，hesaidthatsurelyshewaslikeadaughterofVenus，thoughSievewright'swifewasanuglyshrew，asherememberedtohaveheardafterwards。Hemadealongface，but，intruth，feltscarcelymoresorrowfulthanamuteatafuneral。Thesefirstpassionsofmenandwomenaremostlyabortive;andaredeadalmostbeforetheyareborn。Esmondcouldrepeat，tohislastday，someofthedoggerellinesinwhichhismusebewailedhisprettylass;
　　notwithoutshametorememberhowbadtheverseswere，andhowgoodhethoughtthem;howfalsethegrief，andyethowhewasratherproudofit。'Tisanerror，surely，totalkofthesimplicityofyouth。Ithinknopersonsaremorehypocritical，andhaveamoreaffectedbehaviortooneanother，thantheyoung。Theydeceivethemselvesandeachotherwithartificesthatdonotimposeuponmenoftheworld;andsowegettounderstandtruthbetter，andgrowsimpleraswegrowolder。
　　WhenmyladyheardofthefatewhichhadbefallenpoorNancy，shesaidnothingsolongasTusherwasby，butwhenhewasgone，shetookHarryEsmond'shandandsaid——
　　"Harry，IbegyourpardonforthosecruelwordsIusedonthenightyouweretakenill。Iamshockedatthefateofthepoorcreature，andamsurethatnothinghadhappenedofthatwithwhich，inmyanger，Ichargedyou。Andtheveryfirstdaywegoout，youmusttakemetotheblacksmith，andwemustseeifthereisanythingI
　　candotoconsolethepooroldman。Poorman！tolosebothhischildren！WhatshouldIdowithoutmine？"
　　Andthiswas，indeed，theveryfirstwalkwhichmyladytook，leaningonEsmond'sarm，afterherillness。Buthervisitbroughtnoconsolationtotheoldfather;andheshowednosoftness，ordesiretospeak。"TheLordgaveandtookaway，"hesaid;andheknewwhatHisservant'sdutywas。Hewantedfornothing——lessnowthaneverbefore，astherewerefewermouthstofeed。HewishedherladyshipandMasterEsmondgoodmorning——hehadgrowntallinhisillness，andwasbutverylittlemarked;andwiththis，andasurlybow，hewentinfromthesmithytothehouse，leavingmylady，somewhatsilencedandshamefaced，atthedoor。Hehadahandsomestoneputupforhistwochildren，whichmaybeseeninCastlewoodchurchyardtothisveryday;andbeforeayearwasouthisownnamewasuponthestone。InthepresenceofDeath，thatsovereignruler，awoman'scoquetryisseared;andherjealousywillhardlypasstheboundariesofthatgrimkingdom。'Tisentirelyoftheearth，thatpassion，andexpiresinthecoldblueair，beyondoursphere。
　　Atlength，whenthedangerwasquiteover，itwasannouncedthatmylordandhisdaughterwouldreturn。Esmondwellrememberedtheday。Theladyhismistresswasinaflurryoffear:beforemylordcame，shewentintoherroom，andreturnedfromitwithreddenedcheeks。Herfatewasabouttobedecided。Herbeautywasgone——
　　washerreign，too，over？Aminutewouldsay。Mylordcameridingoverthebridge——hecouldbeseenfromthegreatwindow，cladinscarlet，andmountedonhisgrayhackney——hislittledaughterambledbyhiminabrightriding—dressofblue，onashiningchestnuthorse。Myladyleanedagainstthegreatmantel—piece，lookingon，withonehandonherheart——sheseemedonlythemorepaleforthoseredmarksoneithercheek。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes，andwithdrewit，laughinghysterically——theclothwasquiteredwiththerougewhenshetookitaway。Sherantoherroomagain，andcamebackwithpalecheeksandredeyes——hersoninherhand——justasmylordentered，accompaniedbyyoungEsmond，whohadgoneouttomeethisprotector，andtoholdhisstirrupashedescendedfromhorseback。
　　"What，Harry，boy！"mylordsaid，good—naturedly，"youlookasgauntasagreyhound。Thesmall—poxhasn'timprovedyourbeauty，andyoursideofthehousehadn'tnevertoomuchofit——ho，ho！"
　　Andhelaughed，andsprangtothegroundwithnosmallagility，lookinghandsomeandred，withinajollyfaceandbrownhair，likeaBeef—eater;Esmondkneelingagain，assoonashispatronhaddescended，performedhishomage，andthenwenttogreetthelittleBeatrix，andhelpherfromherhorse。
　　"Fie！howyellowyoulook，"shesaid;"andthereareone，two，redholesinyourface;"which，indeed，wasverytrue;HarryEsmond'sharshcountenancebearing，aslongasitcontinuedtobeahumanface，themarksofthedisease。
　　Mylordlaughedagain，inhighgood—humor。
　　"D———it！"saidhe，withoneofhisusualoaths，"thelittleslutseeseverything。ShesawtheDowager'spaintt'otherday，andaskedherwhysheworethatredstuff——didn'tyou，Trix？andtheTower;andSt。James's;andtheplay;andthePrinceGeorge，andthePrincessAnne——didn'tyou，Trix？"
　　"Theyarebothveryfat，andsmeltofbrandy，"thechildsaid。
　　Paparoaredwithlaughing。
　　"Brandy！"hesaid。"Andhowdoyouknow，MissPert？"
　　"Becauseyourlordshipsmellsofitaftersupper，whenIembraceyoubeforeyougotobed，"saidtheyounglady，who，indeed，wasaspertasherfathersaid，andlookedasbeautifulalittlegipsyaseyesevergazedon。
　　"Andnowformylady，"saidmylord，goingupthestairs，andpassingunderthetapestrycurtainthathungbeforethedrawing—
　　roomdoor。Esmondrememberedthatnoblefigure，handsomelyarrayedinscarlet。Withinthelastfewmonthshehimselfhadgrownfromaboytobeaman，andwithhisfigurehisthoughtshadshotup，andgrownmanly。
　　Mylady'scountenance，ofwhichHarryEsmondwasaccustomedtowatchthechanges，andwithasolicitousaffectiontonoteandinterpretthesignsofgladnessorcare，woreasadanddepressedlookformanyweeksafterherlord'sreturn:duringwhichitseemedasif，bycaressesandentreaties，shestrovetowinhimbackfromsomeillhumorhehad，andwhichhedidnotchoosetothrowoff。
　　Inhereagernesstopleasehimshepractisedahundredofthoseartswhichhadformerlycharmedhim，butwhichseemednowtohavelosttheirpotency。Hersongsdidnotamusehim;andshehushedthemandthechildrenwheninhispresence。Mylordsatsilentathisdinner，drinkinggreatly，hisladyoppositetohim，lookingfurtivelyathisface，thoughalsospeechless。Hersilenceannoyedhimasmuchasherspeech;andhewouldpeevishly，andwithanoath，askherwhysheheldhertongueandlookedsoglum;orhewouldroughlycheckherwhenspeaking，andbidhernottalknonsense。Itseemedasif，sincehisreturn，nothingshecoulddoorsaycouldpleasehim。
　　Whenamasterandmistressareatstrifeinahouse，thesubordinatesinthefamilytaketheonesideortheother。HarryEsmondstoodinsogreatfearofmylord，thathewouldrunaleaguebarefoottodoamessageforhim;buthisattachmentforLadyEsmondwassuchapassionofgratefulregard，thattospareheragrief，ortodoheraservice，hewouldhavegivenhislifedaily:anditwasbytheverydepthandintensityofthisregardthathebegantodivinehowunhappyhisadoredlady'slifewas，andthatasecretcare（forsheneverspokeofheranxieties）wasweighinguponher。
　　Cananyone，whohaspassedthroughtheworldandwatchedthenatureofmenandwomenthere，doubtwhathadbefallenher？Ihaveseen，tobesure，somepeoplecarrydownwiththemintooldagetheactualbloomoftheiryouthfullove，andIknowthatMr。ThomasParrlivedtobeahundredandsixtyyearsold。But，forallthat，threescoreandtenistheageofmen，andfewgetbeyondit;and'tiscertainthatamanwhomarriesformerebeauxyeux，asmylorddid，considersthispartofthecontractatanendwhenthewomanceasestofulfilhers，andhislovedoesnotsurviveherbeauty。I
　　know'tisoftenotherwise，Isay;andcanthink（asmostmenintheirownexperiencemay）ofmanyahouse，where，lightedinearlyyears，thesaintedlampoflovehathneverbeenextinguished;butsothereisMr。Parr，andsothereisthegreatgiantatthefairthatiseightfeethigh——exceptionstomen——andthatpoorlampwhereofIspeak，thatlightsatfirstthenuptialchamber，isextinguishedbyahundredwindsanddraughtsdownthechimney，orsputtersoutforwantoffeeding。Andthen——andthenitisChloe，inthedark，starkawake，andStrephonsnoringunheeding;orviceversa，'tispoorStrephonthathasmarriedaheartlessjilt，andawokeoutofthatabsurdvisionofconjugalfelicity，whichwastolastforever，andisoverlikeanyotherdream。Oneandotherhasmadehisbed，andsomustlieinit，untilthatfinaldaywhenlifeends，andtheysleepseparate。
　　AboutthistimeyoungEsmond，whohadaknackofstringingverses，turnedsomeofOvid'sEpistlesintorhymes，andbroughtthemtohisladyforherdelectation。Thosewhichtreatedofforsakenwomentouchedherimmensely，Harryremarked;andwhenOenonecalledafterParis，andMedeabadeJasoncomebackagain，theladyofCastlewoodsighed，andsaidshethoughtthatpartoftheverseswasthemostpleasing。Indeed，shewouldhavechoppeduptheDean，heroldfather，inordertobringherhusbandbackagain。ButherbeautifulJasonwasgone，asbeautifulJasonswillgo，andthepoorenchantresshadneveraspelltokeephim。
　　Mylordwasonlysulkyaslongashiswife'sanxiousfaceorbehaviorseemedtoupbraidhim。Whenshehadgottomasterthese，andtoshowanoutwardlycheerfulcountenanceandbehavior，herhusband'sgood—humorreturnedpartially，andhesworeandstormednolongeratdinner，butlaughedsometimes，andyawnedunrestrainedly;absentinghimselfoftenfromhome，invitingmorecompanythither，passingthegreaterpartofhisdaysinthehunting—field，oroverthebottleasbefore;butwiththisdifference，thatthepoorwifecouldnolongerseenow，asshehaddoneformerly，thelightoflovekindledinhiseyes。Hewaswithher，butthatflamewasout:andthatoncewelcomebeaconnomoreshonethere。
　　Whatwerethislady'sfeelingswhenforcedtoadmitthetruthwhereofherforebodingglasshadgivenheronlytootruewarning，thatwithinherbeautyherreignhadended，andthedaysofherlovewereover？Whatdoesaseamandoinastormifmastandrudderarecarriedaway？Heshipsajurymast，andsteersashebestcanwithanoar。Whathappensifyourrooffallsinatempest？Afterthefirststunofthecalamitythesuffererstartsup，gropesaroundtoseethatthechildrenaresafe，andputsthemunderashedoutoftherain。Ifthepalaceburnsdown，youtakeshelterinthebarn。Whatman'slifeisnotovertakenbyoneormoreofthesetornadoesthatsendusoutofthecourse，andflingusonrockstoshelterasbestwemay？
　　WhenLadyCastlewoodfoundthathergreatshiphadgonedown，shebeganasbestshemightaftershehadralliedfromtheeffectsoftheloss，toputoutsmallventuresofhappiness;andhopeforlittlegainsandreturns，asamerchanton'Change，indocilispauperiempati，havinglosthisthousands，embarksafewguineasuponthenextship。Shelaidoutheralluponherchildren，indulgingthembeyondallmeasure，aswasinevitablewithoneofherkindnessofdisposition;givingallherthoughtstotheirwelfare——learning，thatshemightteachthem;andimprovingherownmanynaturalgiftsandfeminineaccomplishments，thatshemightimpartthemtoheryoungones。Tobedoinggoodforsomeoneelse，isthelifeofmostgoodwomen。Theyareexuberantofkindness，asitwere，andmustimpartittosomeone。ShemadeherselfagoodscholarofFrench，Italian，andLatin，havingbeengroundedinthesebyherfatherinheryouth;hidingthesegiftsfromherhusbandoutoffear，perhaps，thattheyshouldoffendhim，formylordwasnobookman——pish'dandpsha'datthenotionoflearnedladies，andwouldhavebeenangrythathiswifecouldconstrueoutofaLatinbookofwhichhecouldscarceunderstandtwowords。
　　YoungEsmondwasusher，orhousetutor，underheroroverher，asitmighthappen。Duringmylord'smanyabsences，theseschool—dayswouldgoonuninterruptedly:themotheranddaughterlearningwithsurprisingquickness;thelatterbyfitsandstartsonly，andassuitedherwaywardhumor。Asforthelittlelord，itmustbeownedthathetookafterhisfatherinthematteroflearning——likedmarblesandplay，andthegreathorseandthelittleonewhichhisfatherbroughthim，andonwhichhetookhimouta—hunting，agreatdealbetterthanCorderiusandLily;marshalledthevillageboys，andhadalittlecourtofthem，alreadyfloggingthem，anddomineeringoverthemwithafineimperiousspirit，thatmadehisfatherlaughwhenhebeheldit，andhismotherfondlywarnhim。
　　Thecookhadason，thewoodmanhadtwo，thebigladattheporter'slodgetookhiscuffsandhisorders。DoctorTushersaidhewasayoungnoblemanofgallantspirit;andHarryEsmond，whowashistutor，andeightyearshislittlelordship'ssenior，hadhardworksometimestokeephisowntemper，andholdhisauthorityoverhisrebelliouslittlechiefandkinsman。
　　InacoupleofyearsafterthatcalamityhadbefallenwhichhadrobbedLadyCastlewoodofalittle——averylittle——ofherbeauty，andhercarelesshusband'sheart（ifthetruthmustbetold，myladyhadfoundnotonlythatherreignwasover，butthathersuccessorwasappointed，aPrincessofanoblehouseinDruryLanesomewhere，whowasinstalledandvisitedbymylordatthetowneightmilesoff——pudethaecopprobriadicerenobis）——agreatchangehadtakenplaceinhermind，which，bystrugglesonlyknowntoherself，atleastnevermentionedtoanyone，andunsuspectedbythepersonwhocausedthepainsheendured——hadbeenschooledintosuchaconditionasshecouldnotverylikelyhaveimaginedpossibleascoreofmonthssince，beforehermisfortuneshadbegun。
　　Shehadoldenedinthattimeaspeopledowhosuffersilentlygreatmentalpain;andlearnedmuchthatshehadneversuspectedbefore。
　　ShewastaughtbythatbitterteacherMisfortune。Achildthemotherofotherchildren，buttwoyearsbackherlordwasagodtoher;hiswordsherlaw;hissmilehersunshine;hislazycommonplaceslistenedtoeagerly，asiftheywerewordsofwisdom——
　　allhiswishesandfreaksobeyedwithaserviledevotion。Shehadbeenmylord'schiefslaveandblindworshipper。Somewomenbearfartherthanthis，andsubmitnotonlytoneglectbuttounfaithfulnesstoo——butherethislady'sallegiancehadfailedher。
　　Herspiritrebelled，anddisownedanymoreobedience。Firstshehadtobearinsecretthepassionoflosingtheadoredobject;thentogetfurtherinitiation，andtofindthisworshippedbeingwasbutaclumsyidol:thentoadmitthesilenttruth，thatitwasshewassuperior，andnotthemonarchhermaster:thatshehadthoughtswhichhisbrainscouldnevermaster，andwasthebetterofthetwo;
　　quiteseparatefrommylordalthoughtiedtohim，andbound，asalmostallpeople（saveaveryhappyfew），toworkallherlifealone。Mylordsatinhischair，laughinghislaugh，crackinghisjoke，hisfaceflushingwithwine——myladyinherplaceoveragainsthim——heneversuspectingthathissuperiorwasthere，inthecalmresignedlady，coldofmanner，withdowncasteyes。Whenhewasmerryinhiscups，hewouldmakejokesabouthercoldness，and，"D———it，nowmyladyisgone，wewillhavet'otherbottle，"
　　hewouldsay。Hewasfrankenoughintellinghisthoughts，suchastheywere。Therewaslittlemysteryaboutmylord'swordsoractions。HisFairRosamonddidnotliveinaLabyrinth，liketheladyofMr。Addison'sopera，butparadedwithpaintedcheeksandatipsyretinueinthecountrytown。Hadsheamindtoberevenged，LadyCastlewoodcouldhavefoundthewaytoherrival'shouseeasilyenough;and，ifshehadcomewithbowlanddagger，wouldhavebeenroutedoffthegroundbytheenemywithavolleyofBillingsgate，whichthefairpersonalwayskeptbyher。
　　Meanwhile，ithasbeensaid，thatforHarryEsmondhisbenefactress'ssweetfacehadlostnoneofitscharms。Ithadalwaysthekindestoflooksandsmilesforhim——smiles，notsogayandartlessperhapsasthosewhichLadyCastlewoodhadformerlyworn，when，achildherself，playingwithherchildren，herhusband'spleasureandauthoritywereallshethoughtof;butoutofhergriefsandcares，aswillhappenIthinkwhenthesetrialsfalluponakindlyheart，andarenottoounbearable，grewupanumberofthoughtsandexcellenceswhichhadnevercomeintoexistence，hadnothersorrowandmisfortunesengenderedthem。Sure，occasionisthefatherofmostthatisgoodinus。Asyouhaveseentheawkwardfingersandclumsytoolsofaprisonercutandfashionthemostdelicatelittlepiecesofcarvedwork;orachievethemostprodigiousundergroundlabors，andcutthroughwallsofmasonry，andsawironbarsandfetters;'tismisfortunethatawakensingenuity，orfortitude，orendurance，inheartswherethesequalitieshadnevercometolifebutforthecircumstancewhichgavethemabeing。
　　"'TwasafterJasonlefther，nodoubt，"LadyCastlewoodoncesaidwithoneofhersmilestoyoungEsmond（whowasreadingtoheraversionofcertainlinesoutofEuripides），"thatMedeabecamealearnedwomanandagreatenchantress。"
　　"Andshecouldconjurethestarsoutofheaven，"theyoungtutoradded，"butshecouldnotbringJasonbackagain。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"askedmylady，veryangry。
　　"IndeedImeannothing，"saidtheother，"savewhatI'vereadinbooks。WhatshouldIknowaboutsuchmatters？IhaveseennowomansaveyouandlittleBeatrix，andtheparson'swifeandmylatemistress，andyourladyship'swomanhere。"
　　"Themenwhowroteyourbooks，"saysmylady，"yourHoraces，andOvids，andVirgils，asfarasIknowofthem，allthoughtillofus，asalltheheroestheywroteaboutusedusbasely。Wewerebredtobeslavesalways;andevenofourowntimes，asyouarestilltheonlylawgivers，Ithinkoursermonsseemtosaythatthebestwomanisshewhobearshermaster'schainsmostgracefully。
　　'Tisapitytherearenonunneriespermittedbyourchurch:BeatrixandIwouldflytoone，andendourdaysinpeacethereawayfromyou。"
　　"Andistherenoslaveryinaconvent？"saysEsmond。
　　"Atleastifwomenareslavesthere，nooneseesthem，"answeredthelady。"Theydon'tworkinstreetgangswiththepublictojeerthem:andiftheysuffer，sufferinprivate。Herecomesmylordhomefromhunting。Takeawaythebooks。Mylorddoesnotlovetoseethem。Lessonsareoverforto—day，Mr。Tutor。"Andwithacurtsyandasmileshewouldendthissortofcolloquy。
　　Indeed"Mr。Tutor，"asmyladycalledEsmond，hadnowbusinessenoughonhishandsinCastlewoodhouse。Hehadthreepupils，hisladyandhertwochildren，atwhoselessonsshewouldalwaysbepresent;besideswritingmylord'sletters，andarranginghisaccomptsforhim——whenthesecouldbegotfromEsmond'sindolentpatron。
　　Ofthepupilsthetwoyoungpeoplewerebutlazyscholars，andasmyladywouldadmitnodisciplinesuchaswastheninuse，mylord'ssononlylearnedwhatheliked，whichwasbutlittle，andnevertohislife'sendcouldbegottoconstruemorethansixlinesofVirgil。MistressBeatrixchatteredFrenchprettily，fromaveryearlyage;andsangsweetly，butthiswasfromhermother'steaching——notHarryEsmond's，whocouldscarcedistinguishbetween"GreenSleeves"and"Lillibullero;"althoughhehadnogreaterdelightinlifethantoheartheladiessing。Heseesthemnow（willheeverforgetthem？）astheyusedtosittogetherofthesummerevenings——thetwogoldenheadsoverthepage——thechild'slittlehand，andthemother'sbeatingthetime，withtheirvoicesrisingandfallinginunison。
　　Butifthechildrenwerecareless，'twasawonderhoweagerlythemotherlearntfromheryoungtutor——andtaughthimtoo。Thehappiestinstinctivefacultywasthislady's——afacultyfordiscerninglatentbeautiesandhiddengracesofbooks，especiallybooksofpoetry，asinawalkshewouldspyoutfield—flowersandmakeposiesofthem，suchasnootherhandcould。Shewasacritic，notbyreasonbutbyfeeling;thesweetestcommentatorofthosebookstheyreadtogether;andthehappiesthoursofyoungEsmond'slife，perhaps，werethosepassedinthecompanyofthiskindmistressandherchildren。
　　Thesehappydaysweretoendsoon，however;anditwasbytheLadyCastlewood'sowndecreethattheywerebroughttoaconclusion。IthappenedaboutChristmas—time，HarryEsmondbeingnowpastsixteenyearsofage，thathisoldcomrade，adversary，andfriend，TomTusher，returnedfromhisschoolinLondon，afair，well—grown，andsturdylad，whowasabouttoentercollege，withanexhibitionfromhisschool，andaprospectofafterpromotioninthechurch。TomTusher'stalkwasofnothingbutCambridgenow;andtheboys，whoweregoodfriends，examinedeachothereagerlyabouttheirprogressinbooks。TomhadlearnedsomeGreekandHebrew，besidesLatin，inwhichhewasprettywellskilled，andalsohadgivenhimselftomathematicalstudiesunderhisfather'sguidance，whowasaproficientinthosesciences，ofwhichEsmondknewnothing;norcouldhewriteLatinsowellasTom，thoughhecouldtalkitbetter，havingbeentaughtbyhisdearfriendtheJesuitFather，forwhosememorytheladeverretainedthewarmestaffection，readinghisbooks，keepinghisswordscleaninthelittlecryptwheretheFatherhadshownthemtoEsmondonthenightofhisvisit;andoftenofanightsittinginthechaplain'sroom，whichheinhabited，overhisbooks，hisverses，andrubbish，withwhichtheladoccupiedhimself，hewouldlookupatthewindow，thinkinghewisheditmightopenandletinthegoodFather。Hehadcomeandpassedawaylikeadream;butfortheswordsandbooksHarrymightalmostthinktheFatherwasanimaginationofhismind——andfortwoletterswhichhadcometohim，onefromabroad，fullofadviceandaffection，anothersoonafterhehadbeenconfirmedbytheBishopofHexton，inwhichFatherHoltdeploredhisfallingaway。ButHarryEsmondfeltsoconfidentnowofhisbeingintheright，andofhisownpowersasacasuist，thathethoughthewasabletofacetheFatherhimselfinargument，andpossiblyconverthim。
　　Toworkuponthefaithofheryoungpupil，Esmond'skindmistresssenttothelibraryofherfathertheDean，whohadbeendistinguishedinthedisputesofthelateking'sreign;and，anoldsoldiernow，hadhunguphisweaponsofcontroversy。ThesehetookdownfromhisshelveswillinglyforyoungEsmond，whomhebenefitedbyhisownpersonaladviceandinstruction。Itdidnotrequiremuchpersuasiontoinducetheboytoworshipwithhisbelovedmistress。AndthegoodoldnonjuringDeanflatteredhimselfwithaconversionwhich，intruth，wasowingtoamuchgentlerandfairerpersuader。
　　Underherladyship'skindeyes（mylord'sbeingsealedinsleepprettygenerally），EsmondreadmanyvolumesoftheworksofthefamousBritishDivinesofthelastage，andwasfamiliarwithWakeandSherlock，withStillingfleetandPatrick。Hismistressnevertiredtolistenortoread，topursuethetextswithfondcomments，tourgethosepointswhichherfancydweltonmost，orherreasondeemedmostimportant。SincethedeathofherfathertheDean，thisladyhathadmittedacertainlatitudeoftheologicalreadingwhichherorthodoxfatherwouldneverhaveallowed;hisfavoritewritersappealingmoretoreasonandantiquitythantothepassionsorimaginationsoftheirreaders，sothattheworksofBishopTaylor，nay，thoseofMr。BaxterandMr。Law，haveinrealityfoundmorefavorwithmyLadyCastlewoodthantheseverervolumesofourgreatEnglishschoolmen。
　　Inlaterlife，attheUniversity，Esmondreopenedthecontroversy，andpursueditinaverydifferentmanner，whenhispatronshaddeterminedforhimthathewastoembracetheecclesiasticallife。
　　Butthoughhismistress'sheartwasinthiscalling，hisownneverwasmuch。Afterthatfirstfervorofsimpledevotion，whichhisbelovedJesuitpriesthadinspiredinhim，speculativetheologytookbutlittleholdupontheyoungman'smind。Whenhisearlycredulitywasdisturbed，andhissaintsandvirginstakenoutofhisworship，toranklittlehigherthanthedivinitiesofOlympus，hisbeliefbecameacquiescenceratherthanardor;andhemadehisminduptoassumethecassockandbands，asanothermandoestowearabreastplateandjack—boots，ortomountamerchant'sdesk，foralivelihood，andfromobedienceandnecessity，ratherthanfromchoice。TherewerescoresofsuchmeninMr。Esmond'stimeattheuniversities，whoweregoingtothechurchwithnobettercallingthanhis。
　　WhenThomasTusherwasgone，afeelingofnosmalldepressionanddisquietfelluponyoungEsmond，ofwhich，thoughhedidnotcomplain，hiskindmistressmusthavedivinedthecause:forsoonaftersheshowednotonlythatsheunderstoodthereasonofHarry'smelancholy，butcouldprovidearemedyforit。Herhabitwasthustowatch，unobservedly，thosetowhomdutyoraffectionboundher，andtopreventtheirdesigns，ortofulfilthem，whenshehadthepower。Itwasthislady'sdispositiontothinkkindnesses，anddevisesilentbountiesandtoschemebenevolence，forthoseabouther。Wetakesuchgoodness，forthemostpart，asifitwasourdue;theMaryswhobringointmentforourfeetgetbutlittlethanks。Someofusneverfeelthisdevotionatall，oraremovedbyittogratitudeoracknowledgment;othersonlyrecallityearsafter，whenthedaysarepastinwhichthosesweetkindnesseswerespentonus，andweofferbackourreturnforthedebtbyapoortardypaymentoftears。Thenforgottentonesofloverecurtous，andkindglancesshineoutofthepast——ohsobrightandclear！——ohsolongedafter！——becausetheyareoutofreach;asholidaymusicfromwithinsideaprisonwall——orsunshineseenthroughthebars;
　　moreprizedbecauseunattainable——morebrightbecauseofthecontrastofpresentdarknessandsolitude，whencethereisnoescape。
　　Allthenotice，then，whichLadyCastlewoodseemedtotakeofHarryEsmond'smelancholy，uponTomTusher'sdeparture，was，byagayetyunusualtoher，toattempttodispelhisgloom。Shemadehisthreescholars（herselfbeingthechiefone）morecheerfulthanevertheyhadbeenbefore，andmoredocile，too，allofthemlearningandreadingmuchmorethantheyhadbeenaccustomedtodo。"Forwhoknows，"saidthelady，"whatmayhappen，andwhetherwemaybeabletokeepsuchalearnedtutorlong？"
　　FrankEsmondsaidheforhispartdidnotwanttolearnanymore，andcousinHarrymightshutuphisbookwheneverheliked，ifhewouldcomeouta—fishing;andlittleBeatrixdeclaredshewouldsendforTomTusher，andHEwouldbegladenoughtocometoCastlewood，ifHarrychosetogoaway。
　　AtlastcomesamessengerfromWinchesteroneday，bearerofaletter，withagreatblackseal，fromtheDeanthere，tosaythathissisterwasdead，andhadleftherfortuneof2，000L。amonghersixnieces，theDean'sdaughters;andmanyatimesincehasHarryEsmondrecalledtheflushedfaceandeagerlookwherewith，afterthisintelligence，hiskindladyregardedhim。Shedidnotpretendtoanygriefaboutthedeceasedrelative，fromwhomsheandherfamilyhadbeenmanyyearsparted。
　　Whenmylordheardofthenews，healsodidnotmakeanyverylongface。"Themoneywillcomeveryhandytofurnishthemusic—roomandthecellar，whichisgettinglow，andbuyyourladyshipacoachandacoupleofhorsesthatwilldoindifferenttorideorforthecoach。And，Beatrix，youshallhaveaspinnet:and，Frank，youshallhavealittlehorsefromHextonFair;and，Harry，youshallhavefivepoundstobuysomebooks，"saidmylord，whowasgenerouswithhisown，andindeedwithotherfolk'smoney。"Iwishyourauntwoulddieonceayear，Rachel;wecouldspendyourmoney，andallyoursisters'，too。"