Wakingupfromdreams，books，andvisionsofcollegehonors，inwhichfortwoyears，HarryEsmondhadbeenimmersed，hefoundhimself，instantly，onhisreturnhome，inthemidstofthisactualtragedyoflife，whichabsorbedandinterestedhimmorethanallhistutorhadtaughthim。Thepersonswhomhelovedbestintheworld，andtowhomheowedmost，werelivingunhappilytogether。
Thegentlestandkindestofwomenwassufferingillusageandsheddingtearsinsecret:themanwhomadeherwretchedbyneglect，ifnotbyviolence，wasHarry'sbenefactorandpatron。Inhouseswhere，inplaceofthatsacred，inmostflameoflove，thereisdiscordatthecentre，thewholehouseholdbecomeshypocritical，andeachliestohisneighbor。Thehusband（oritmaybethewife）
lieswhenthevisitorcomesin，andwearsagrinofreconciliationorpolitenessbeforehim。Thewifelies（indeed，herbusinessistodothat，andtosmile，howevermuchsheisbeaten），swallowshertears，andliestoherlordandmaster;liesinbiddinglittleJackeyrespectdearpapa;liesinassuringgrandpapathatsheisperfectlyhappy。Theservantslie，wearinggravefacesbehindtheirmaster'schair，andpretendingtobeunconsciousofthefighting;andso，frommorningtillbedtime，lifeispassedinfalsehood。Andwiseacrescallthisaproperregardofmorals，andpointoutBaucisandPhilemonasexamplesofagoodlife。
IfmyladydidnotspeakofhergriefstoHarryEsmond，mylordwasbynomeansreservedwheninhiscups，andspokehismindveryfreely，biddingHarryinhiscoarseway，andwithhisbluntlanguage，bewareofallwomenascheats，jades，jilts，andusingotherunmistakablemonosyllablesinspeakingofthem。Indeed，'twasthefashionoftheday，asImustown;andthere'snotawriterofmytimeofanynote，withtheexceptionofpoorDickSteele，thatdoesnotspeakofawomanasofaslave，andscornanduseherassuch。Mr。Pope，Mr。Congreve，Mr。Addison，Mr。Gay，everyoneof'em，singinthiskey，eachaccordingtohisnatureandpoliteness，andlouderandfoulerthanallinabuseisDr。
Swift，whospokeofthemashetreatedthem，worstofall。
Muchofthequarrelsandhatredwhicharisebetweenmarriedpeoplecomeinmymindfromthehusband'srageandrevoltatdiscoveringthathisslaveandbedfellow，whoistoministertoallhiswishes，andischurch—sworntohonorandobeyhim——ishissuperior;andthatHE，andnotshe，oughttobethesubordinateofthetwain;andinthesecontroversies，Ithink，laythecauseofmylord'sangeragainsthislady。Whenhelefther，shebegantothinkforherself，andherthoughtswerenotinhisfavor。Aftertheillumination，whenthelove—lampisputoutthatanonwespokeof，andbythecommondaylightwelookatthepicture，whatadaubitlooks！whataclumsyeffigy！Howmanymenandwivescometothisknowledge，thinkyou？Andifitbepainfultoawomantofindherselfmatedforlifetoaboor，andorderedtoloveandhonoradullard;itisworsestillforthemanhimselfperhaps，wheneverinhisdimcomprehensiontheideadawnsthathisslaveanddrudgeyonderis，intruth，hissuperior;thatthewomanwhodoeshisbidding，andsubmitstohishumor，shouldbehislord;thatshecanthinkathousandthingsbeyondthepowerofhismuddledbrains;andthatinyonderhead，onthepillowoppositetohim，lieathousandfeelings，mysteriesofthought，latentscornsandrebellions，whereofheonlydimlyperceivestheexistenceastheylookoutfurtivelyfromhereyes:treasuresoflovedoomedtoperishwithoutahandtogatherthem;sweetfanciesandimagesofbeautythatwouldgrowandunfoldthemselvesintoflower;brightwitthatwouldshinelikediamondscoulditbebroughtintothesun:andthetyrantinpossessioncrushestheoutbreakofallthese，drivesthembacklikeslavesintothedungeonanddarkness，andchafeswithoutthathisprisonerisrebellious，andhisswornsubjectundutifulandrefractory。SothelampwasoutinCastlewoodHall，andthelordandladytheresaweachotherastheywere。Withherillnessandalteredbeautymylord'sfireforhiswifedisappeared;withhisselfishnessandfaithlessnessherfoolishfictionofloveandreverencewasrentaway。Love！——whoistolovewhatisbaseandunlovely？Respect！——whoistorespectwhatisgrossandsensual？
Notallthemarriageoathsswornbeforealltheparsons，cardinals，ministers，muftis，andrabbinsintheworld，canbindtothatmonstrousallegiance。Thiscouplewaslivingapartthen;thewomanhappytobeallowedtoloveandtendherchildren（whowereneverofherowngood—willawayfromher），andthankfultohavesavedsuchtreasuresastheseoutofthewreckinwhichthebetterpartofherheartwentdown。
Theseyoungoneshadhadnoinstructorssavetheirmother，andDoctorTusherfortheirtheologyoccasionally，andhadmademoreprogressthanmighthavebeenexpectedunderatutorsoindulgentandfondasLadyCastlewood。Beatrixcouldsinganddancelikeanymph。Hervoicewasherfather'sdelightafterdinner。Sheruledoverthehousewithlittleimperialways，whichherparentscoaxedandlaughedat。Shehadlonglearnedthevalueofherbrighteyes，andtriedexperimentsincoquetry，incorporevili，uponrusticsandcountrysquires，untilsheshouldpreparetoconquertheworldandthefashion。SheputonanewribbontowelcomeHarryEsmond，madeeyesathim，anddirectedheryoungsmilesathim，notalittletotheamusementoftheyoungman，andthejoyofherfather，wholaughedhisgreatlaugh，andencouragedherinherthousandantics。LadyCastlewoodwatchedthechildgravelyandsadly:thelittleonewaspertinherrepliestohermother，yeteagerinherprotestationsofloveandpromisesofamendment;andasreadytocry（afteralittlequarrelbroughtonbyherowngiddiness）untilshehadwonbackhermamma'sfavor，asshewastoriskthekindlady'sdispleasurebyfreshoutbreaksofrestlessvanity。Fromhermother'ssadlooksshefledtoherfather'schairandboozylaughter。Shealreadysettheoneagainsttheother:andthelittleroguedelightedinthemischiefwhichsheknewhowtomakesoearly。
TheyoungheirofCastlewoodwasspoiledbyfatherandmotherboth。
Hetooktheircaressesasmendo，andasiftheywerehisright。
Hehadhishawksandhisspanieldog，hislittlehorseandhisbeagles。Hehadlearnedtoride，andtodrink，andtoshootflying:andhehadasmallcourt，thesonsofthehuntsmanandwoodman，asbecametheheir—apparent，takingaftertheexampleofmylordhisfather。Ifhehadaheadache，hismotherwasasmuchfrightenedasiftheplaguewereinthehouse:mylordlaughedandjeeredinhisabruptway——（indeed，'twasonthedayafterNewYear'sDay，andanexcessofmince—pie）——andsaidwithsomeofhisusualoaths——"D——nit，HarryEsmond——youseehowmyladytakesonaboutFrank'smegrim。Sheusedtobesorryaboutme，myboy（passthetankard，Harry），andtobefrightenedifIhadaheadacheonce。
Shedon'tcareaboutmyheadnow。They'relikethat——womenare——
allthesame，Harry，alljiltsintheirhearts。Sticktocollege——
sticktopunchandbutteryale:andneverseeawomanthat'shandsomerthananoldcinder—facedbed—maker。That'smycounsel。"
Itwasmylord'scustomtoflingoutmanyjokesofthisnature，inpresenceofhiswifeandchildren，atmeals——clumsysarcasmswhichmyladyturnedmanyatime，orwhich，sometimes，sheaffectednottohear，orwhichnowandagainwouldhittheirmarkandmakethepoorvictimwince（asyoucouldseebyherflushingfaceandeyesfillingwithtears），orwhichagainworkedheruptoangerandretort，when，inanswertooneoftheseheavybolts，shewouldflashbackwithaquiveringreply。Thepairwerenothappy;norindeedwasithappytobewiththem。Alasthatyouthfulloveandtruthshouldendinbitternessandbankruptcy！Toseeayoungcouplelovingeachotherisnowonder;buttoseeanoldcouplelovingeachotheristhebestsightofall。HarryEsmondbecametheconfidantofoneandtheother——thatis，mylordtoldtheladallhisgriefsandwrongs（whichwereindeedofLordCastlewood'sownmaking），andHarrydivinedmylady's;hisaffectionleadinghimeasilytopenetratethehypocrisyunderwhichLadyCastlewoodgenerallychosetogodisguised，andseeherheartachingwhilstherfaceworeasmile。'Tisahardtaskforwomeninlife，thatmaskwhichtheworldbidsthemwear。Butthereisnogreatercrimethanforawomanwhoisillusedandunhappytoshowthatsheisso。Theworldisquiterelentlessaboutbiddinghertokeepacheerfulface;andourwomen，liketheMalabarwives，areforcedtogosmilingandpaintedtosacrificethemselveswiththeirhusbands;
theirrelationsbeingthemosteagertopushthemontotheirduty，and，undertheirshoutsandapplauses，tosmotherandhushtheircriesofpain。
So，intothesadsecretofhispatron'shousehold，HarryEsmondbecameinitiated，hescarceknewhow。Ithadpassedunderhiseyestwoyearsbefore，whenhecouldnotunderstandit;butreading，andthought，andexperienceofmen，hadoldenedhim;andoneofthedeepestsorrowsofalifewhichhadnever，intruth，beenveryhappy，cameuponhimnow，whenhewascompelledtounderstandandpityagriefwhichhestoodquitepowerlesstorelieve。
Ithathbeensaidmylordwouldnevertaketheoathofallegiance，norhisseatasapeerofthekingdomofIreland，where，indeed，hehadbutanominalestate;andrefusedanEnglishpeeragewhichKingWilliam'sgovernmentofferedhimasabribetosecurehisloyalty。
Hemighthaveacceptedthis，andwoulddoubtless，butfortheearnestremonstrancesofhiswife，whoruledherhusband'sopinionsbetterthanshecouldgovernhisconduct，andwhobeingasimple—
heartedwoman，withbutoneruleoffaithandright，neverthoughtofswervingfromherfidelitytotheexiledfamily，orofrecognizinganyothersovereignbutKingJames;andthoughsheacquiescedinthedoctrineofobediencetothereigningpower，notemptation，shethought，couldinducehertoacknowledgethePrinceofOrangeasrightfulmonarch，nortoletherlordsoacknowledgehim。SomyLordCastlewoodremainedanonjurorallhislifenearly，thoughhisself—denialcausedhimmanyapang，andlefthimsulkyandoutofhumor。
TheyearaftertheRevolution，andallthroughKingWilliam'slife，'tisknowntherewereconstantintriguesfortherestorationoftheexiledfamily;butifmyLordCastlewoodtookanyshareofthese，asisprobable，'twasonlyforashorttime，andwhenHarryEsmondwastooyoungtobeintroducedintosuchimportantsecrets。
Butintheyear1695，whenthatconspiracyofSirJohnFenwick，ColonelLowick，andothers，wassetonfoot，forwaylayingKingWilliamashecamefromHamptonCourttoLondon，andasecretplotwasformed，inwhichavastnumberofthenobilityandpeopleofhonorwereengaged，FatherHoltappearedatCastlewood，andbroughtayoungfriendwithhim，agentlemanwhom'twaseasytoseethatbothmylordandtheFathertreatedwithuncommondeference。HarryEsmondsawthisgentleman，andknewandrecognizedhiminafterlife，asshallbeshowninitsplace;andhehaslittledoubtnowthatmyLordViscountwasimplicatedsomewhatinthetransactionswhichalwayskeptFatherHoltemployedandtravellinghitherandthitherunderadozenofdifferentnamesanddisguises。TheFather'scompanionwentbythenameofCaptainJames;anditwasunderaverydifferentnameandappearancethatHarryEsmondafterwardssawhim。
ItwasthenextyearthattheFenwickconspiracyblewup，whichisamatterofpublichistorynow，andwhichendedintheexecutionofSirJohnandmanymore，whosufferedmanfullyfortheirtreason，andwhowereattendedtoTyburnbymylady'sfatherDeanArmstrong，Mr。Collier，andotherstoutnonjuringclergymen，whoabsolvedthematthegallows—foot。
'TisknownthatwhenSirJohnwasapprehended，discoverywasmadeofagreatnumberofnamesofgentlemenengagedintheconspiracy;
when，withanoblewisdomandclemency，thePrinceburnedthelistofconspiratorsfurnishedtohim，andsaidhewouldknownomore。
NowitwasafterthisthatLordCastlewoodsworehisgreatoath，thathewouldnever，sohelphimheaven，beengagedinanytransactionagainstthatbraveandmercifulman;andsohetoldHoltwhentheindefatigablepriestvisitedhim，andwouldhavehadhimengageinafartherconspiracy。AfterthismylordeverspokeofKingWilliamashewas——asoneofthewisest，thebravest，andthegreatestofmen。MyLadyEsmond（forherpart）saidshecouldneverpardontheKing，first，foroustinghisfather—in—lawfromhisthrone，andsecondly，fornotbeingconstanttohiswife，thePrincessMary。Indeed，IthinkifNeroweretoriseagain，andbekingofEngland，andagoodfamilyman，theladieswouldpardonhim。Mylordlaughedathiswife'sobjections——thestandardofvirtuedidnotfithimmuch。
ThelastconferencewhichMr。HolthadwithhislordshiptookplacewhenHarrywascomehomeforhisfirstvacationfromcollege（Harrysawhisoldtutorbutforahalf—hour，andexchangednoprivatewordswithhim），andtheirtalk，whateveritmightbe，leftmyLordViscountverymuchdisturbedinmind——somuchso，thathiswife，andhisyoungkinsman，HenryEsmond，couldnotbutobservehisdisquiet。AfterHoltwasgone，mylordrebuffedEsmond，andagaintreatedhimwiththegreatestdeference;heshunnedhiswife'squestionsandcompany，andlookedathischildrenwithsuchafaceofgloomandanxiety，muttering，"Poorchildren——poorchildren！"inawaythatcouldnotbutfillthosewhoselifeitwastowatchhimandobeyhimwithgreatalarm。Forwhichgloom，eachpersoninterestedintheLordCastlewood，framedinhisorherownmindaninterpretation。
Mylady，withalaughofcruelbitternesssaid，"IsupposethepersonatHextonhasbeenill，orhasscoldedhim"（formylord'sinfatuationaboutMrs。Marwoodwasknownonlytoowell）。YoungEsmondfearedforhismoneyaffairs，intotheconditionofwhichhehadbeeninitiated;andthattheexpenses，alwaysgreaterthanhisrevenue，hadcausedLordCastlewooddisquiet。
OneofthecauseswhymyLordViscounthadtakenyoungEsmondintohisspecialfavorwasatrivialone，thathathnotbeforebeenmentioned，thoughitwasaveryluckyaccidentinHenryEsmond'slife。Averyfewmonthsaftermylord'scomingtoCastlewood，inthewintertime——thelittleboy，beingachildinapetticoat，trottingabout——ithappenedthatlittleFrankwaswithhisfatherafterdinner，whofellasleepoverhiswine，heedlessofthechild，whocrawledtothefire;and，asgoodfortunewouldhaveit，Esmondwassentbyhismistressfortheboyjustasthepoorlittlescreamingurchin'scoatwassetonfirebyalog;whenEsmond，rushingforward，torethedressofftheinfant，sothathisownhandswereburnedmorethanthechild's，whowasfrightenedratherthanhurtbythisaccident。Butcertainly'twasprovidentialthataresolutepersonshouldhavecomeinatthatinstant，orthechildhadbeenburnedtodeathprobably，mylordsleepingveryheavilyafterdrinking，andnotwakingsocoolasamanshouldwhohadadangertoface。
Everafterthisthefather，loudinhisexpressionsofremorseandhumilityforbeingatipsygood—for—nothing，andofadmirationforHarryEsmond，whomhislordshipwouldstyleaherofordoingaverytriflingservice，hadthetenderestregardforhisson'spreserver，andHarrybecamequiteasoneofthefamily。Hisburnsweretendedwiththegreatestcarebyhiskindmistress，whosaidthatheavenhadsenthimtobetheguardianofherchildren，andthatshewouldlovehimallherlife。
Anditwasafterthis，andfromtheverygreatloveandtendernesswhichhadgrownupinthislittlehousehold，ratherthanfromtheexhortationsofDeanArmstrong（thoughthesehadnosmallweightwithhim），thatHarrycametobequiteofthereligionofhishouseandhisdearmistress，ofwhichhehaseversincebeenaprofessingmember。AsforDr。Tusher'sboaststhathewasthecauseofthisconversion——evenintheseyoungdaysMr。EsmondhadsuchacontemptfortheDoctor，thathadTusherbadehimbelieveanything（whichhedidnot——nevermeddlingatall），Harrywouldthatinstanthavequestionedthetruthon't。
Myladyseldomdrankwine;butoncertaindaysoftheyear，suchasbirthdays（poorHarryhadneveraone）andanniversaries，shetookalittle;andthisday，the29thDecember，wasone。Attheend，then，ofthisyear，'96，itmighthavebeenafortnightafterMr。
Holt'slastvisit，LordCastlewoodbeingstillverygloomyinmind，andsittingattable——myladybiddingaservantbringheraglassofwine，andlookingatherhusbandwithoneofhersweetsmiles，said——
"Mylord，willyounotfillabumpertoo，andletmecallatoast？"
"Whatisit，Rachel？"sayshe，holdingouthisemptyglasstobefilled。
"'Tisthe29thofDecember，"saysmylady，withherfondlookofgratitude:"andmytoastis，'Harry——andGodblesshim，whosavedmyboy'slife！'"
MylordlookedatHarryhard，anddranktheglass，butclappeditdownonthetableinamoment，and，withasortofgroan，roseup，andwentoutoftheroom。Whatwasthematter？Weallknewthatsomegreatgriefwasoverhim。
Whethermylord'sprudencehadmadehimricher，orlegacieshadfallentohim，whichenabledhimtosupportagreaterestablishmentthanthatfrugalonewhichhadbeentoomuchforhissmallmeans，HarryEsmondknewnot;butthehouseofCastlewoodwasnowonascalemuchmorecostlythanithadbeenduringthefirstyearsofhislordship'scomingtothetitle。Thereweremorehorsesinthestableandmoreservantsinthehall，andmanymoreguestscomingandgoingnowthanformerly，whenitwasfounddifficultenoughbythestrictesteconomytokeepthehouseasbefittedoneofhislordship'srank，andtheestateoutofdebt。AnditdidnotrequireverymuchpenetrationtofindthatmanyofthenewacquaintancesatCastlewoodwerenotagreeabletotheladythere:
notthatsheevertreatedthemoranymortalwithanythingbutcourtesy;buttheywerepersonswhocouldnotbewelcometoher;
andwhosesocietyaladysorefinedandreservedcouldscarcedesireforherchildren。Therecamefuddlingsquiresfromthecountryround，whobawledtheirsongsunderherwindowsanddrankthemselvestipsywithmylord'spunchandale:therecameofficersfromHexton，inwhosecompanyourlittlelordwasmadetoheartalkandtodrink，andsweartoo，inawaythatmadethedelicateladytrembleforherson。EsmondtriedtoconsoleherbysayingwhatheknewofhisCollegeexperience;thatwiththissortofcompanyandconversationamanmustfallinsoonerorlaterinhiscoursethroughtheworld:anditmatteredverylittlewhetherhehearditattwelveyearsoldortwenty——theyouthswhoquittedmother'sapron—stringsthelatestbeingnotuncommonlythewildestrakes。
ButitwasaboutherdaughterthatLadyCastlewoodwasthemostanxious，andthedangerwhichshethoughtmenacedthelittleBeatrixfromtheindulgenceswhichherfathergaveher，（itmustbeownedthatmylord，sincetheseunhappydomesticdifferencesespecially，wasatonceviolentinhislanguagetothechildrenwhenangry，ashewastoofamiliar，nottosaycoarse，whenhewasinagoodhumor，）andfromthecompanyintowhichthecarelesslordbroughtthechild。
NotveryfarofffromCastlewoodisSarkCastle，wheretheMarchionessofSarklived，whowasknowntohavebeenamistressofthelateKingCharles——andtothishouse，whitherindeedagreatpartofthecountrygentrywent，mylordinsistedupongoing，notonlyhimself，butontakinghislittledaughterandson，toplaywiththechildrenthere。Thechildrenwerenothingloth，forthehousewassplendid，andthewelcomekindenough。Butmylady，justlynodoubt，thoughtthatthechildrenofsuchamotherasthatnotedLadySarkhadbeen，couldbenogoodcompanyforhertwo;andspokehermindtoherlord。Hisownlanguagewhenhewasthwartedwasnotindeedofthegentlest:tobebrief，therewasafamilydisputeonthis，astherehadbeenonmanyotherpoints——andtheladywasnotonlyforcedtogivein，fortheother'swillwaslaw——
norcouldshe，onaccountoftheirtenderage，tellherchildrenwhatwasthenatureofherobjectiontotheirvisitofpleasure，orindeedmentiontothemanyobjectionatall——butshehadtheadditionalsecretmortificationtofindthemreturningdelightedwiththeirnewfriends，loadedwithpresentsfromthem，andeagertobeallowedtogobacktoaplaceofsuchdelightsasSarkCastle。Everyyearshethoughtthecompanytherewouldbemoredangeroustoherdaughter，asfromachildBeatrixgrewtoawoman，andherdailyincreasingbeauty，andmanyfaultsofcharactertoo，expanded。
ItwasHarryEsmond'slottoseeoneofthevisitswhichtheoldLadyofSarkpaidtotheLadyofCastlewoodHall:whithershecameinstatewithsixchestnuthorsesandblueribbons，apageoneachcarriagestep，agentlemanofthehorse，andarmedservantsridingbeforeandbehindher。And，butthatitwasunpleasanttoseeLadyCastlewood'sface，itwasamusingtowatchthebehaviorofthetwoenemies:thefrigidpatienceoftheyoungerlady，andtheunconquerablegood—humoroftheelder——whowouldseenooffencewhateverherrivalintended，andwhoneverceasedtosmileandtolaugh，andtocoaxthechildren，andtopaycomplimentstoeveryman，woman，child，naydog，orchairandtable，inCastlewood，sobentwassheuponadmiringeverythingthere。Shelaudedthechildren，andwishedasindeedshewellmight——thatherownfamilyhadbeenbroughtupaswellasthosecherubs。ShehadneverseensuchacomplexionasdearBeatrix's——thoughtobesureshehadarighttoitfromfatherandmother——LadyCastlewood'swasindeedawonderoffreshness，andLadySarksighedtothinkshehadnotbeenbornafairwoman;andremarkingHarryEsmond，withafascinatingsuperannuatedsmile，shecomplimentedhimonhiswit，whichshesaidshecouldseefromhiseyesandforehead;andvowedthatshewouldneverhaveHIMatSarkuntilherdaughterwereoutoftheway。
CHAPTERXII。
MYLORDMOHUNCOMESAMONGUSFORNOGOOD。
TherehadriddenalongwiththisoldPrincess'scavalcade，twogentlemen:herson，myLordFirebrace，andhisfriend，myLordMohun，whobothweregreetedwithagreatdealofcordialitybythehospitableLordofCastlewood。MyLordFirebracewasbutafeeble—
mindedandweak—limbedyoungnobleman，smallinstatureandlimitedinunderstandingtojudgefromthetalkyoungEsmondhadwithhim;
buttheotherwasapersonofahandsomepresence，withthebelair，andabrightdaringwarlikeaspect，which，accordingtothechronicleofthosedays，hadalreadyachievedforhimtheconquestofseveralbeautiesandtoasts。HehadfoughtandconqueredinFrance，aswellasinFlanders;hehadservedacoupleofcampaignswiththePrinceofBadenontheDanube，andwitnessedtherescueofViennafromtheTurk。Andhespokeofhismilitaryexploitspleasantly，andwiththemanlyfreedomofasoldier，soastodelightallhishearersatCastlewood，whowerelittleaccustomedtomeetacompanionsoagreeable。
Onthefirstdaythisnoblecompanycame，mylordwouldnothearoftheirdeparturebeforedinner，andcarriedawaythegentlementoamusethem，whilsthiswifewaslefttodothehonorsofherhousetotheoldMarchionessandherdaughterwithin。TheylookedatthestableswheremyLordMohunpraisedthehorses，thoughtherewasbutapoorshowthere:theywalkedovertheoldhouseandgardens，andfoughtthesiegeofOliver'stimeoveragain:theyplayedagameofracketsintheoldcourt，wheremyLordCastlewoodbeatmyLordMohun，whosaidhelovedballofallthings，andwouldquicklycomebacktoCastlewoodforhisrevenge。Afterdinnertheyplayedbowlsanddrankpunchinthegreenalley;andwhentheypartedtheywereswornfriends，myLordCastlewoodkissingtheotherlordbeforehemountedonhorseback，andpronouncinghimthebestcompanionhehadmetformanyalongday。Allnightlong，overhistobacco—pipe，CastlewooddidnotceasetotalktoHarryEsmondinpraiseofhisnewfriend，andinfactdidnotleaveoffspeakingofhimuntilhislordshipwassotipsythathecouldnotspeakplainlyanymore。
Atbreakfastnextdayitwasthesametalkrenewed;andwhenmyladysaidtherewassomethingfreeintheLordMohun'slooksandmannerofspeechwhichcausedhertomistrusthim，herlordburstoutwithoneofhislaughsandoaths;saidthatheneverlikedman，woman，orbeast，butwhatshewassuretobejealousofit;thatMohunwastheprettiestfellowinEngland;thathehopedtoseemoreofhimwhilstinthecountry;andthathewouldletMohunknowwhatmyLadyPrudesaidofhim。
"Indeed，"LadyCastlewoodsaid，"Ilikedhisconversationwellenough。'TismoreamusingthanthatofmostpeopleIknow。I
thoughtit，Iown，toofree;notfromwhathesaid，asratherfromwhatheimplied。"
"Psha！yourladyshipdoesnotknowtheworld，"saidherhusband;
"andyouhavealwaysbeenassqueamishaswhenyouwereamissoffifteen。"
"YoufoundnofaultwhenIwasamissatfifteen。"
"Begad，madam，youaregrowntoooldforapinaforenow;andIholdthat'tisformetojudgewhatcompanymywifeshallsee，"saidmylord，slappingthetable。
"Indeed，Francis，Ineverthoughtotherwise，"answeredmylady，risinganddroppinghimacurtsy，inwhichstatelyaction，iftherewasobedience，therewasdefiancetoo;andinwhichabystander，deeplyinterestedinthehappinessofthatpairasHarryEsmondwas，mightseehowhopelesslyseparatedtheywere;whatagreatgulfofdifferenceanddiscordhadrunbetweenthem。
"ByG—d！MohunisthebestfellowinEngland;andI'llinvitehimhere，justtoplaguethatwoman。Didyoueverseesuchafrigidinsolenceasitis，Harry？That'sthewayshetreatsme，"hebrokeout，storming，andhisfacegrowingredasheclenchedhisfistsandwenton。"I'mnobodyinmyownhouse。I'mtobethehumbleservantofthatparson'sdaughter。ByJove！I'drathersheshouldflingthedishatmyheadthansneeratmeasshedoes。Sheputsmetoshamebeforethechildrenwithherd——dairs;and，I'llswear，tellsFrankandBeatythatpapa'sareprobate，andthattheyoughttodespiseme。"
"Indeedandindeed，sir，Ineverheardhersayawordbutofrespectregardingyou，"HarryEsmondinterposed。
"No，curseit！Iwishshewouldspeak。Butsheneverdoes。Shescornsme，andholdshertongue。Shekeepsofffromme，asifI
wasapestilence。ByGeorge！shewasfondenoughofherpestilenceonce。AndwhenIcamea—courting，youwouldseemissblush——blushred，byGeorge！forjoy。Why，whatdoyouthinkshesaidtome，Harry？Shesaidherself，whenIjokedwithheraboutherd——dsmilingredcheeks:''TisastheydoatSt。James's;Iputupmyredflagwhenmykingcomes。'Iwastheking，yousee，shemeant。
Butnow，sir，lookather！IbelieveshewouldbegladifIwasdead;anddeadI'vebeentoherthesefiveyears——eversinceyouallofyouhadthesmall—pox:andsheneverforgavemeforgoingaway。"
"Indeed，mylord，though'twashardtoforgive，Ithinkmymistressforgaveit，"HarryEsmondsaid;"andrememberhoweagerlyshewatchedyourlordship'sreturn，andhowsadlysheturnedawaywhenshesawyourcoldlooks。"
"Damme！"criesoutmylord;"wouldyouhavehadmewaitandcatchthesmall—pox？Wherethedeucehadbeenthegoodofthat？I'llbeardangerwithanyman——butnotuselessdanger——no，no。Thankyoufornothing。And——younodyourhead，andIknowverywell，ParsonHarry，whatyoumean。Therewasthe——theotheraffairtomakeherangry。Butisawomannevertoforgiveahusbandwhogoesa—tripping？Doyoutakemeforasaint？"
"Indeed，sir，Idonot，"saysHarry，withasmile。
"Sincethattimemywife'sascoldasthestatueatCharingCross。
Itelltheeshehasnoforgivenessinher，Henry。Hercoldnessblightsmywholelife，andsendsmetothepunch—bowl，ordrivingaboutthecountry。Mychildrenarenotmine，buthers，whenwearetogether。'Tisonlywhensheisoutofsightwithherabominablecoldglances，thatrunthroughme，thatthey'llcometome，andthatIdaretogivethemsomuchasakiss;andthat'swhyItake'emandlove'eminotherpeople'shouses，Harry。I'mkilledbytheveryvirtueofthatproudwoman。Virtue！givemethevirtuethatcanforgive;givemethevirtuethatthinksnotofpreservingitself，butofmakingotherfolkshappy。Damme，whatmattersascarortwoif'tisgotinhelpingafriendinillfortune？"
Andmylordagainslappedthetable，andtookagreatdraughtfromthetankard。HarryEsmondadmiredashelistenedtohim，andthoughthowthepoorpreacherofthisself—sacrificehadfledfromthesmall—pox，whichtheladyhadbornesocheerfully，andwhichhadbeenthecauseofsomuchdisunioninthelivesofallinthishouse。"Howwellmenpreach，"thoughttheyoungman，"andeachistheexampleinhisownsermon。Howeachhasastoryinadispute，andatrueone，too，andbotharerightorwrongasyouwill！"
Harry'sheartwaspainedwithinhim，towatchthestrugglesandpangsthattorethebreastofthiskind，manlyfriendandprotector。
"Indeed，sir，"saidhe，"IwishtoGodthatmymistresscouldhearyouspeakasIhaveheardyou;shewouldknowmuchthatwouldmakeherlifethehappier，couldshehearit。"Butmylordflungawaywithoneofhisoaths，andajeer;hesaidthatParsonHarrywasagoodfellow;butthatasforwomen，allwomenwerealike——alljadesandheartless。Soamandashesafinevasedown，anddespisesitforbeingbroken。Itmaybeworthless——true:butwhohadthekeepingofit，andwhoshatteredit？
Harry，whowouldhavegivenhislifetomakehisbenefactressandherhusbandhappy，bethoughthim，nowthathesawwhatmylord'sstateofmindwas，andthathereallyhadagreatdealofthatloveleftinhisheart，andreadyforhiswife'sacceptanceifshewouldtakeit，whetherhecouldnotbeameansofreconciliationbetweenthesetwopersons，whomhereveredthemostintheworld。Andhecastabouthowheshouldbreakapartofhismindtohismistress，andwarnherthatinhis，Harry'sopinion，atleast，herhusbandwasstillheradmirer，andevenherlover。
Buthefoundthesubjectaverydifficultonetohandle，whenheventuredtoremonstrate，whichhedidintheverygravesttone，（forlongconfidenceandreiteratedproofsofdevotionandloyaltyhadgivenhimasortofauthorityinthehouse，whichheresumedassoonaseverhereturnedtoit，）andwithaspeechthatshouldhavesomeeffect，as，indeed，itwasutteredwiththespeaker'sownheart，heventuredmostgentlytohinttohisadoredmistressthatshewasdoingherhusbandharmbyherillopinionofhim，andthatthehappinessofallthefamilydependeduponsettingherright。
She，whowasordinarilycalmandmostgentle，andfullofsmilesandsoftattentions，flushedupwhenyoungEsmondsospoketoher，androsefromherchair，lookingathimwithahaughtinessandindignationthathehadneverbeforeknownhertodisplay。Shewasquiteanalteredbeingforthatmoment;andlookedanangryprincessinsultedbyavassal。
"Haveyoueverheardmeutterawordinmylord'sdisparagement？"
sheaskedhastily，hissingoutherwords，andstampingherfoot。
"Indeed，no，"Esmondsaid，lookingdown。
"Areyoucometomeashisambassador——YOU？"shecontinued。
"Iwouldsoonerseepeacebetweenyouthananythingelseintheworld，"Harryanswered，"andwouldgoofanyembassythathadthatend。"
"SoYOUaremylord'sgo—between？"shewenton，notregardingthisspeech。"Youaresenttobidmebackintoslaveryagain，andinformmethatmylord'sfavorisgraciouslyrestoredtohishandmaid？HeiswearyofCoventGarden，ishe，thathecomeshomeandwouldhavethefattedcalfkilled？"
"There'sgoodauthorityforit，surely，"saidEsmond。