"Forason，yes;butmylordisnotmyson。Itwashewhocastmeawayfromhim。Itwashewhobrokeourhappinessdown，andhebidsmetorepairit。Itwashewhoshowedhimselftomeatlast，ashewas，notasIhadthoughthim。Itishewhocomesbeforemychildrenstupidandsenselesswithwine——wholeavesourcompanyforthatoffrequentersoftavernsandbagnios——whogoesfromhishometotheCityyonderandhisfriendsthere，andwhenheistiredofthemreturnshither，andexpectsthatIshallkneelandwelcomehim。AndhesendsYOUashischamberlain！Whataproudembassy！
Monsieur，Imakeyoumycomplimentofthenewplace。"
"Itwouldbeaproudembassy，andahappyembassytoo，couldI
bringyouandmylordtogether，"Esmondreplied。
"Ipresumeyouhavefulfilledyourmissionnow，sir。'Twasaprettyoneforyoutoundertake。Idon'tknowwhether'tisyourCambridgephilosophy，ortime，thathasalteredyourwaysofthinking，"LadyCastlewoodcontinued，stillinasarcastictone。
"Perhapsyoutoohavelearnedtolovedrink，andtohiccupoveryourwineorpunch;——whichisyourworship'sfavoriteliquor？
Perhapsyoutooputupatthe'Rose'onyourwaytoLondon，andhaveyouracquaintancesinCoventGarden。Myservicestoyou，sir，toprincipalandambassador，tomasterand——andlackey。"
"Greatheavens！madam，"criedHarry。"WhathaveIdonethatthus，forasecondtime，youinsultme？DoyouwishmetoblushforwhatIusedtobeproudof，thatIlivedonyourbounty？Nexttodoingyouaservice（whichmylifewouldpayfor），youknowthattoreceiveonefromyouismyhighestpleasure。WhatwronghaveI
doneyouthatyoushouldwoundmeso，cruelwoman？"
"Whatwrong？"shesaid，lookingatEsmondwithwildeyes。"Well，none——nonethatyouknowof，Harry，orcouldhelp。Whydidyoubringbackthesmall—pox，"sheadded，afterapause，"fromCastlewoodvillage？Youcouldnothelpit，couldyou？Whichofusknowswhitherfateleadsus？Butwewereallhappy，Henry，tillthen。"AndHarrywentawayfromthiscolloquy，thinkingstillthattheestrangementbetweenhispatronandhisbelovedmistresswasremediable，andthateachhadatheartastrongattachmenttotheother。
TheintimacybetweentheLordsMohunandCastlewoodappearedtoincreaseaslongastheformerremainedinthecountry;andmyLordofCastlewoodespeciallyseemednevertobehappyoutofhisnewcomrade'ssight。Theysportedtogether，theydrank，theyplayedbowlsandtennis:myLordCastlewoodwouldgoforthreedaystoSark，andbringbackmyLordMohuntoCastlewood——whereindeedhislordshipmadehimselfverywelcometoallpersons，havingajokeoranewgameatrompsforthechildren，allthetalkofthetownformylord，andmusicandgallantryandplentyofthebeaulangageformylady，andforHarryEsmond，whowasnevertiredofhearinghisstoriesofhiscampaignsandhislifeatVienna，Venice，Paris，andthefamouscitiesofEuropewhichhehadvisitedbothinpeaceandwar。Andhesangatmylady'sharpsichord，andplayedcardsorbackgammon，orhisnewgameofbilliardswithmylord（ofwhomheinvariablygotthebetter）alwayshavingaconsummategood—humor，andbearinghimselfwithacertainmanlygrace，thatmightexhibitsomewhatofthecampandAlsatiaperhaps，butthathaditscharm，andstampedhimagentleman:andhismannertoLadyCastlewoodwassodevotedandrespectful，thatshesoonrecoveredfromthefirstfeelingsofdislikewhichshehadconceivedagainsthim——nay，beforelong，begantobeinterestedinhisspiritualwelfare，andhopefulofhisconversion，lendinghimbooksofpiety，whichhepromiseddutifullytostudy。Withhermylordtalkedofreform，ofsettlingintoquietlife，quittingthecourtandtown，andbuyingsomelandintheneighborhood——thoughitmustbeownedthat，whenthetwolordsweretogetherovertheirBurgundyafterdinner，theirtalkwasverydifferent，andtherewasverylittlequestionofconversiononmyLordMohun'spart。Whentheygottotheirsecondbottle，HarryEsmondusedcommonlytoleavethesetwonobletopers，who，thoughtheytalkedfreelyenough，heavenknows，inhispresence（GoodLord，whatasetofstories，ofAlsatiaandSpringGarden，ofthetavernsandgaming—houses，oftheladiesofthecourt，andmesdamesofthetheatres，hecanrecalloutoftheirgodlyconversation！）——although，Isay，theytalkedbeforeEsmondfreely，yettheyseemedpleasedwhenhewentaway，andthentheyhadanotherbottle，andthentheyfelltocards，andthenmyLordMohuncametoherladyship'sdrawing—room;leavinghisbooncompaniontosleepoffhiswine。
'Twasapointofhonorwiththefinegentlemenofthosedaystoloseorwinmagnificentlyattheirhorse—matches，orgamesofcardsanddice——andyoucouldnevertell，fromthedemeanorofthesetwolordsafterwards，whichhadbeensuccessfulandwhichtheloserattheirgames。Andwhenmyladyhintedtomylordthatheplayedmorethansheliked，hedismissedherwitha"pish，"andsworethatnothingwasmoreequalthanplaybetwixtgentlemen，iftheydidbutkeepituplongenough。Andthesekeptituplongenough，youmaybesure。Amanoffashionofthattimeoftenpassedaquarterofhisdayatcards，andanotherquarteratdrink:Ihaveknownmanyaprettyfellow，whowasawittoo，readyofrepartee，andpossessedofathousandgraces，whowouldbepuzzledifhehadtowritemorethanhisname。
Thereisscarceanythoughtfulmanorwoman，Isuppose，butcanlookbackuponhiscourseofpastlife，andremembersomepoint，triflingasitmayhaveseemedatthetimeofoccurrence，whichhasneverthelessturnedandalteredhiswholecareer。'Tiswithalmostallofus，asinM。Massillon'smagnificentimageregardingKingWilliam，agraindesablethatpervertsorperhapsoverthrowsus;
andsoitwasbutalightwordflungintheair，amerefreakofperversechild'stemper，thatbroughtdownawholeheapofcrushingwoesuponthatfamilywhereofHarryEsmondformedapart。
CominghometohisdearCastlewoodinthethirdyearofhisacademicalcourse，（whereinhehadnowobtainedsomedistinction，hisLatinPoemonthedeathoftheDukeofGloucester，PrincessAnneofDenmark'sson，havinggainedhimamedal，andintroducedhimtothesocietyoftheUniversitywits，）EsmondfoundhislittlefriendandpupilBeatrixgrowntobetallerthanhermother，aslimandlovelyyounggirl，withcheeksmantlingwithhealthandroses:
witheyeslikestarsshiningoutofazure，withwavingbronzehairclusteredaboutthefairestyoungforeheadeverseen:andamienandshapehaughtyandbeautiful，suchasthatofthefamousantiquestatueofthehuntressDiana——atonetimehaughty，rapid，imperious，witheyesandarrowsthatdartandkill。Harrywatchedandwonderedatthisyoungcreature，andlikenedherinhismindtoArtemiswiththeringingbowandshaftsflashingdeathuponthechildrenofNiobe;atanothertimeshewascoyandmeltingasLunashiningtenderlyuponEndymion。Thisfaircreature，thislustrousPhoebe，wasonlyyoungasyet，norhadnearlyreachedherfullsplendor:butcrescentandbrilliant，ouryounggentlemanoftheUniversity，hisheadfullofpoeticalfancies，hisheartperhapsthrobbingwithdesiresundefined，admiredthisrisingyoungdivinity;andgazedather（thoughonlyasatsome"brightparticularstar，"farabovehisearth）withendlessdelightandwonder。Shehadbeenacoquettefromtheearliesttimesalmost，tryingherfreaksandjealousies，herwaywardfrolicsandwinningcaresses，uponallthatcamewithinherreach;shesetherwomenquarrellinginthenursery，andpractisedhereyesonthegroomassherodebehindhimonthepillion。
Shewasthedarlingandtormentoffatherandmother。Sheintriguedwitheachsecretly;andbestowedherfondnessandwithdrewit，pliedthemwithtears，smiles，kisses，cajolements;——
whenthemotherwasangry，ashappenedoften，flewtothefather，andshelteringbehindhim，pursuedhervictim;whenbothweredispleased，transferredhercaressestothedomestics，orwatcheduntilshecouldwinbackherparents'goodgraces，eitherbysurprisingthemintolaughterandgood—humor，orappeasingthembysubmissionandartfulhumility。Shewassaevolaetanegotio，likethatficklegoddessHoracedescribes，andofwhose"maliciousjoy"
agreatpoetofourownhaswrittensonobly——who，famousandheroicashewas，wasnotstrongenoughtoresistthetortureofwomen。
Itwasbutthreeyearsbeforethatthechild，thenbuttenyearsold，hadnearlymanagedtomakeaquarrelbetweenHarryEsmondandhiscomrade，good—natured，phlegmaticThomasTusher，whoneverofhisownseekingquarrelledwithanybody:byquotingtothelattersomesillyjokewhichHarryhadmaderegardinghim——（itwasthemerestidlestjest，thoughitneardrovetwooldfriendstoblows，andIthinksuchabattlewouldhavepleasedher）——andfromthatdayTomkeptatadistancefromher;andsherespectedhim，andcoaxedhimsedulouslywhenevertheymet。ButHarrywasmuchmoreeasilyappeased，becausehewasfonderofthechild:andwhenshemademischief，usedcuttingspeeches，orcausedherfriendspain，sheexcusedherselfforherfault，notbyadmittinganddeploringit，butbypleadingnotguilty，andassertinginnocencesoconstantly，andwithsuchseemingartlessness，thatitwasimpossibletoquestionherplea。Inherchildhood，theywerebutmischiefsthenwhichshedid;butherpowerbecamemorefatalasshegrewolder——asakittenfirstplayswithaball，andthenpouncesonabirdandkillsit。'TisnottobeimaginedthatHarryEsmondhadallthisexperienceatthisearlystageofhislife，whereofheisnowwritingthehistory——manythingsherenotedwerebutknowntohiminlaterdays。AlmosteverythingBeatrixdidorundidseemedgood，oratleastpardonable，tohimthen，andyearsafterwards。
Ithappened，then，thatHarryEsmondcamehometoCastlewoodforhislastvacation，withgoodhopesofafellowshipathiscollege，andacontentedresolvetoadvancehisfortunethatway。'Twasinthefirstyearofthepresentcentury，Mr。Esmond（asfarasheknewtheperiodofhisbirth）beingthentwenty—twoyearsold。Hefoundhisquondampupilshotupintothisbeautyofwhichwehavespoken，andpromisingyetmore:herbrother，mylord'sson，ahandsomehigh—spiritedbravelad，generousandfrank，andkindtoeverybody，saveperhapshissister，withwhomFrankwasatwar（andnotfromhisbutherfault）——adoringhismother，whosejoyhewas:
andtakinghersideintheunhappymatrimonialdifferenceswhichwerenowpermanent，whileofcourseMistressBeatrixrangedwithherfather。Whenheadsoffamiliesfallout，itmustnaturallybethattheirdependantsweartheoneortheotherparty'scolor;andevenintheparliamentsintheservants'hallorthestables，Harry，whohadanearlyobservantturn，couldseewhichweremylord'sadherentsandwhichmylady's，andconjectureprettyshrewdlyhowtheirunluckyquarrelwasdebated。Ourlackeyssitinjudgmentonus。Mylord'sintriguesmaybeeversostealthilyconducted，buthisvaletknowsthem;andmylady'swomancarrieshermistress'sprivatehistorytotheservants'scandalmarket，andexchangesitagainstthesecretsofotherabigails。
CHAPTERXIII。
MYLORDLEAVESUSANDHISEVILBEHINDHIM。
MyLordMohun（ofwhoseexploitsandfamesomeofthegentlemenoftheUniversityhadbroughtdownbutuglyreports）wasoncemoreaguestatCastlewood，andseeminglymoreintimatelyalliedwithmylordeventhanbefore。OnceinthespringthosetwonoblemenhadriddentoCambridgefromNewmarket，whithertheyhadgoneforthehorse—racing，andhadhonoredHarryEsmondwithavisitathisrooms;afterwhichDoctorMontague，themasteroftheCollege，whohadtreatedHarrysomewhathaughtily，seeinghisfamiliaritywiththesegreatfolks，andthatmyLordCastlewoodlaughedandwalkedwithhishandonHarry'sshoulder，relentedtoMr。Esmond，andcondescendedtobeveryciviltohim;andsomedaysafterhisarrival，Harry，laughing，toldthisstorytoLadyEsmond，remarkinghowstrangeitwasthatmenfamousforlearningandrenownedoverEurope，should，nevertheless，sobowdowntoatitle，andcringetoanoblemaneversopoor。AtthisMistressBeatrixflungupherhead，andsaiditbecamethoseofloworigintorespecttheirbetters;thattheparsonsmadethemselvesagreatdealtooproud，shethought;andthatshelikedthewayatLadySark'sbest，wherethechaplain，thoughhelovedpudding，asallparsonsdo，alwayswentawaybeforethecustard。
"AndwhenIamaparson，"saysMr。Esmond，"willyougivemenocustard，Beatrix？"
"You——youaredifferent，"Beatrixanswered。"Youareofourblood。"
"Myfatherwasaparson，asyoucallhim，"saidmylady。
"ButmineisapeerofIreland，"saysMistressBeatrix，tossingherhead。"Letpeopleknowtheirplaces。IsupposeyouwillhavemegodownonmykneesandaskablessingofMr。ThomasTusher，thathasjustbeenmadeacurateandwhosemotherwasawaiting—maid。"
Andshetossedoutoftheroom，beinginoneofherflightyhumorsthen。
Whenshewasgone，myladylookedsosadandgrave，thatHarryaskedthecauseofherdisquietude。ShesaiditwasnotmerelywhathesaidofNewmarket，butwhatshehadremarked，withgreatanxietyandterror，thatmylord，eversincehisacquaintancewiththeLordMohunespecially，hadrecurredtohisfondnessforplay，whichhehadrenouncedsincehismarriage。
"Butmenpromisemorethantheyareabletoperforminmarriage，"
saidmylady，withasigh。"Ifearhehaslostlargesums;andourproperty，alwayssmall，isdwindlingawayunderthisrecklessdissipation。IheardofhiminLondonwithverywildcompany。
Sincehisreturn，lettersandlawyersareconstantlycomingandgoing:heseemstometohaveaconstantanxiety，thoughhehidesitunderboisterousnessandlaughter。Ilookedthrough——throughthedoorlastnight，and——andbefore，"saidmylady，"andsawthematcardsaftermidnight;noestatewillbearthatextravagance，muchlessours，whichwillbesodiminishedthatmysonwillhavenothingatall，andmypoorBeatrixnoportion！"
"IwishIcouldhelpyou，madam，"saidHarryEsmond，sighing，andwishingthatunavailingly，andforthethousandthtimeinhislife。
"Whocan？OnlyGod，"saidLadyEsmond——"onlyGod，inwhosehandsweare。"Andsoitis，andforhisruleoverhisfamily，andforhisconducttowifeandchildren——subjectsoverwhomhispowerismonarchical——anyonewhowatchestheworldmustthinkwithtremblingsometimesoftheaccountwhichmanyamanwillhavetorender。Forinoursocietythere'snolawtocontroltheKingoftheFireside。Heismasterofproperty，happiness——lifealmost。
Heisfreetopunish，tomakehappyorunhappy——toruinortotorture。Hemaykillawifegradually，andbenomorequestionedthantheGrandseigniorwhodrownsaslaveatmidnight。Hemaymakeslavesandhypocritesofhischildren;orfriendsandfreemen;
ordrivethemintorevoltandenmityagainstthenaturallawoflove。Ihaveheardpoliticiansandcoffee—housewiseacrestalkingoverthenewspaper，andrailingatthetyrannyoftheFrenchKing，andtheEmperor，andwonderedhowthese（whoaremonarchs，too，intheirway）governtheirowndominionsathome，whereeachmanrulesabsolute。WhentheannalsofeachlittlereignareshowntotheSupremeMaster，underwhomweholdsovereignty，historieswillbelaidbareofhouseholdtyrantsascruelasAmurath，andassavageasNero，andasrecklessanddissoluteasCharles。
IfHarryEsmond'spatronerred，'twasinthelatterway，fromadispositionratherself—indulgentthancruel;andhemighthavebeenbroughtbacktomuchbetterfeelings，hadtimebeengiventohimtobringhisrepentancetoalastingreform。
AsmylordandhisfriendLordMohunweresuchclosecompanions，MistressBeatrixchosetobejealousofthelatter;andthetwogentlemenoftenentertainedeachotherbylaughing，intheirrudeboisterousway，atthechild'sfreaksofangerandshowofdislike。
"Whenthouartoldenough，thoushaltmarryLordMohun，"Beatrix'sfatherwouldsay:onwhichthegirlwouldpoutandsay，"IwouldrathermarryTomTusher。"AndbecausetheLordMohunalwaysshowedanextremegallantrytomyLadyCastlewood，whomheprofessedtoadmiredevotedly，oneday，inanswertothisoldjokeofherfather's，Beatrixsaid，"Ithinkmylordwouldrathermarrymammathanmarryme;andiswaitingtillyoudietoaskher。"
Thewordsweresaidlightlyandpertlybythegirlonenightbeforesupper，asthefamilypartywereassemblednearthegreatfire。
Thetwolords，whowereatcards，bothgaveastart;myladyturnedasredasscarlet，andbadeMistressBeatrixgotoherownchamber;
whereuponthegirl，puttingon，asherwontwas，themostinnocentair，said，"IamsureImeantnowrong;IamsuremammatalksagreatdealmoretoHarryEsmondthanshedoestopapa——andshecriedwhenHarrywentaway，andsheneverdoeswhenpapagoesaway！
andlastnightshetalkedtoLordMohunforeversolong，andsentusoutoftheroom，andcriedwhenwecameback，and——"
"D——n！"criedoutmyLordCastlewood，outofallpatience。"Gooutoftheroom，youlittleviper！"andhestartedupandflungdownhiscards。
"AskLordMohunwhatIsaidtohim，Francis，"herladyshipsaid，risingupwithascaredface，butyetwithagreatandtouchingdignityandcandorinherlookandvoice。"Comeawaywithme，Beatrix。"Beatrixsprunguptoo;shewasintearsnow。
"Dearestmamma，whathaveIdone？"sheasked。"SureImeantnoharm。"Andsheclungtohermother，andthepairwentoutsobbingtogether。
"Iwilltellyouwhatyourwifesaidtome，Frank，"myLordMohuncried。"ParsonHarrymayhearit;and，asIhopeforheaven，everywordIsayistrue。Lastnight，withtearsinhereyes，yourwifeimploredmetoplaynomorewithyouatdiceoratcards，andyouknowbestwhetherwhatsheaskedwasnotforyourgood。"
"Ofcourse，itwas，Mohun，"saysmylordinadryhardvoice。"Ofcourseyouareamodelofaman:andtheworldknowswhatasaintyouare。"
MyLordMohunwasseparatedfromhiswife，andhadhadmanyaffairsofhonor:ofwhichwomenasusualhadbeenthecause。
"Iamnosaint，thoughyourwifeis——andIcananswerformyactionsasotherpeoplemustfortheirwords，"saidmyLordMohun。
"ByG——，mylord，youshall，"criedtheother，startingup。
"Wehaveanotherlittleaccounttosettlefirst，mylord，"saysLordMohun。WhereuponHarryEsmond，filledwithalarmfortheconsequencestowhichthisdisastrousdisputemightlead，brokeoutintothemostvehementexpostulationswithhispatronandhisadversary。"Graciousheavens！"hesaid，"mylord，areyougoingtodrawasworduponyourfriendinyourownhouse？Canyoudoubtthehonorofaladywhoisaspureasheaven，andwoulddieathousandtimesratherthandoyouawrong？Aretheidlewordsofajealouschildtosetfriendsatvariance？Hasnotmymistress，asmuchasshedareddo，besoughtyourlordship，asthetruthmustbetold，tobreakyourintimacywithmyLordMohun;andtogiveupthehabitwhichmaybringruinonyourfamily？ButformyLordMohun'sillness，hadhenotleftyou？"
"'Faith，Frank，amanwithagoutytoecan'trunafterothermen'swives，"brokeoutmyLordMohun，whoindeedwasinthatway，andwithalaughandalookathisswathedlimbsofrankandcomical，thattheotherdashinghisfistacrosshisforeheadwascaughtbythatinfectiousgood—humor，andsaidwithhisoath，"————it，Harry，Ibelievethee，"andsothisquarrelwasover，andthetwogentlemen，atswordsdrawnbutjustnow，droppedtheirpoints，andshookhands。
Beatipacifici。"Go，bringmyladyback，"saidHarry'spatron。
Esmondwentawayonlytoogladtobethebearerofsuchgoodnews。
Hefoundheratthedoor;shehadbeenlisteningthere，butwentbackashecame。Shetookbothhishands，hersweremarblecold。
Sheseemedasifshewouldfallonhisshoulder。"Thankyou，andGodblessyou，mydearbrotherHarry，"shesaid。Shekissedhishand，Esmondfelthertearsuponit:andleadingherintotheroom，anduptomylord，theLordCastlewood，withanoutbreakoffeelingandaffectionsuchashehadnotexhibitedformanyalongday，tookhiswifetohisheart，andbentoverandkissedherandaskedherpardon。
"'Tistimeformetogotoroost。Iwillhavemygruela—bed，"
saidmyLordMohun:andlimpedoffcomicallyonHarryEsmond'sarm。
"ByGeorge，thatwomanisapearl！"hesaid;"and'tisonlyapigthatwouldn'tvalueher。Haveyouseenthevulgartraipsingorange—girlwhomEsmond"——buthereMr。Esmondinterruptedhim，saying，thatthesewerenotaffairsforhimtoknow。
Mylord'sgentlemancameintowaituponhismaster，whowasnosoonerinhisnightcapanddressing—gownthanhehadanothervisitorwhomhishostinsistedonsendingtohim:andthiswasnootherthantheLadyCastlewoodherselfwiththetoastandgruel，whichherhusbandbadehermakeandcarrywithherownhandsintoherguest。
LordCastlewoodstoodlookingafterhiswifeasshewentonthiserrand，andashelooked，HarryEsmondcouldnotbutgazeonhim，andremarkedinhispatron'sfaceanexpressionoflove，andgrief，andcare，whichverymuchmovedandtouchedtheyoungman。LordCastlewood'shandsfelldownathissides，andhisheadonhisbreast，andpresentlyhesaid，——
"YouheardwhatMohunsaid，parson？"
"Thatmyladywasasaint？"
"Thattherearetwoaccountstosettle。Ihavebeengoingwrongthesefiveyears，HarryEsmond。Eversinceyoubroughtthatdamnedsmall—poxintothehouse，therehasbeenafatepursuingme，andI
hadbesthavediedofit，andnotrunawayfromitlikeacoward。
IleftBeatrixwithherrelations，andwenttoLondon;andIfellamongthieves，Harry，andIgotbacktoconfoundedcardsanddice，whichIhadn'ttouchedsincemymarriage——no，notsinceIwasintheDuke'sGuard，withthosewildMohocks。AndIhavebeenplayingworseandworse，andgoingdeeperanddeeperintoit;andIoweMohuntwothousandpoundsnow;andwhenit'spaidIamlittlebetterthanabeggar。Idon'tliketolookmyboyintheface;hehatesme，Iknowhedoes。AndIhavespentBeaty'slittleportion:
andtheLordknowswhatwillcomeifIlive;thebestthingIcandoistodie，andreleasewhatportionoftheestateisredeemablefortheboy。"
MohunwasasmuchmasteratCastlewoodastheowneroftheHallitself;andhisequipagesfilledthestables，where，indeed，therewasroomandplentyformanymorehorsesthanHarryEsmond'simpoverishedpatroncouldaffordtokeep。Hehadarrivedonhorsebackwithhispeople;butwhenhisgoutbrokeoutmyLordMohunsenttoLondonforalightchaisehehad，drawnbyapairofsmallhorses，andrunningasswift，whereverroadsweregood，asaLaplander'ssledge。Whenthiscarriagecame，hislordshipwaseagertodrivetheLadyCastlewoodabroadinit，anddidsomanytimes，andatarapidpace，greatlytohiscompanion'senjoyment，wholovedtheswiftmotionandthehealthybreezesoverthedownswhichlieharduponCastlewood，andstretchthencetowardsthesea。
Asthisamusementwasverypleasanttoher，andherlord，farfromshowinganymistrustofherintimacywithLordMohun，encouragedhertobehiscompanion——asifwillingbyhispresentextremeconfidencetomakeupforanypastmistrustwhichhisjealousyhadshown——theLadyCastlewoodenjoyedherselffreelyinthisharmlessdiversion，which，itmustbeowned，herguestwasveryeagertogiveher;anditseemedthatshegrewthemorefreewithLordMohun，andpleasedwithhiscompany，becauseofsomesacrificewhichhisgallantrywaspleasedtomakeinherfavor。
Seeingthetwogentlemenconstantlyatcardsstillofevenings，HarryEsmondonedaydeploredtohismistressthatthisfatalinfatuationofherlordshouldcontinue;andnowtheyseemedreconciledtogether，beggedhisladytohinttoherhusbandthatheshouldplaynomore。
ButLadyCastlewood，smilingarchlyandgayly，saidshewouldspeaktohimpresently，andthat，forafewnightsmoreatleast，hemightbelettohavehisamusement。
"Indeed，madam，"saidHarry，"youknownotwhatitcostsyou;and'tiseasyforanyobserverwhoknowsthegame，toseethatLordMohunisbyfarthestrongerofthetwo。"
"Iknowheis，"saysmylady，stillwithexceedinggood—humor;"heisnotonlythebestplayer，butthekindestplayerintheworld。"
"Madam，madam！"Esmondcried，transportedandprovoked。"Debtsofhonormustbepaidsometimeorother;andmymasterwillberuinedifhegoeson。"
"Harry，shallItellyouasecret？"myladyreplied，withkindnessandpleasurestillinhereyes。"Franciswillnotberuinedifhegoeson;hewillberescuedifhegoeson。IrepentofhavingspokenandthoughtunkindlyoftheLordMohunwhenhewashereinthepastyear。Heisfullofmuchkindnessandgood;and'tismybeliefthatweshallbringhimtobetterthings。Ihavelenthim'Tillotson'andyourfavorite'BishopTaylor，'andheismuchtouched，hesays;andasaproofofhisrepentance——（andhereinliesmysecret）——whatdoyouthinkheisdoingwithFrancis？HeislettingpoorFrankwinhismoneybackagain。Hehathwonalreadyatthelastfournights;andmyLordMohunsaysthathewillnotbethemeansofinjuringpoorFrankandmydearchildren。"
"AndinGod'sname，whatdoyoureturnhimforthesacrifice？"
askedEsmond，aghast;whoknewenoughofmen，andofthisoneinparticular，tobeawarethatsuchafinishedrakegavenothingfornothing。"How，inheaven'sname，areyoutopayhim？"
"Payhim！Withamother'sblessingandawife'sprayers！"criesmylady，claspingherhandstogether。HarryEsmonddidnotknowwhethertolaugh，tobeangry，ortolovehisdearmistressmorethaneverfortheobstinateinnocencywithwhichshechosetoregardtheconductofamanoftheworld，whosedesignsheknewbetterhowtointerpret。Hetoldthelady，guardedly，butsoastomakehismeaningquitecleartoher，whatheknewinrespectoftheformerlifeandconductofthisnobleman;ofotherwomenagainstwhomhehadplotted，andwhomhehadovercome;oftheconversationwhichhe，Harryhimself，hadhadwithLordMohun，whereinthelordmadeaboastofhislibertinism，andfrequentlyavowedthatheheldallwomentobefairgame（ashislordshipstyledthisprettysport），andthattheywereall，withoutexception，tobewon。AndthereturnHarryhadforhisentreatiesandremonstranceswasafitofangeronLadyCastlewood'spart，whowouldnotlistentohisaccusations;shesaidandretortedthathehimselfmustbeverywickedandpervertedtosupposeevildesignswhereshewassurenoneweremeant。"Andthisisthegoodmeddlersgetofinterfering，"Harrythoughttohimselfwithmuchbitterness;andhisperplexityandannoyancewereonlythegreater，becausehecouldnotspeaktomyLordCastlewoodhimselfuponasubjectofthisnature，orventuretoadviseorwarnhimregardingamattersoverysacredashisownhonor，ofwhichmylordwasnaturallythebestguardian。
ButthoughLadyCastlewoodwouldlistentonoadvicefromheryoungdependant，andappearedindignantlytorefuseitwhenoffered，Harryhadthesatisfactiontofindthatsheadoptedthecounselwhichsheprofessedtoreject;forthenextdayshepleadedaheadache，whenmyLordMohunwouldhavehadherdriveout，andthenextdaytheheadachecontinued;andnextday，inalaughinggayway，sheproposedthatthechildrenshouldtakeherplaceinhislordship'scar，fortheywouldbecharmedwitharideofallthings;andshemustnothaveallthepleasureforherself。Mylordgavethemadrivewithaverygoodgrace，though，Idaresay，withrageanddisappointmentinwardly——notthathisheartwasveryseriouslyengagedinhisdesignsuponthissimplelady:butthelifeofsuchmenisoftenoneofintrigue，andtheycannomoregothroughthedaywithoutawomantopursue，thanafox—hunterwithouthissportafterbreakfast。
Underanaffectedcarelessnessofdemeanor，andthoughtherewasnooutwarddemonstrationofdoubtuponhispatron'spartsincethequarrelbetweenthetwolords，HarryyetsawthatLordCastlewoodwaswatchinghisguestverynarrowly;andcaughtsightofdistrustandsmotheredrage（asHarrythought）whichforebodednogood。OnthepointofhonorEsmondknewhowtouchyhispatronwas;andwatchedhimalmostasaphysicianwatchesapatient，anditseemedtohimthatthisonewasslowtotakethedisease，thoughhecouldnotthrowoffthepoisonwhenonceithadmingledwithhisblood。
WereadinShakspeare（whomthewriterforhispartconsiderstobefarbeyondMr。Congreve，Mr。Dryden，oranyofthewitsofthepresentperiod，）thatwhenjealousyisoncedeclared，norpoppy，normandragora，norallthedrowsysyrupsoftheEast，willeversootheitormedicineitaway。
Infine，thesymptomsseemedtobesoalarmingtothisyoungphysician（who，indeed，youngashewas，hadfeltthekindpulsesofallthosedearkinsmen），thatHarrythoughtitwouldbehisdutytowarnmyLordMohun，andlethimknowthathisdesignsweresuspectedandwatched。Sooneday，wheninratherapettishhumorhislordshiphadsenttoLadyCastlewood，whohadpromisedtodrivewithhim，andnowrefusedtocome，Harrysaid——"Mylord，ifyouwillkindlygivemeaplacebyyoursideIwillthankyou;Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，andwouldliketospeaktoyoualone。"
"Youhonormebygivingmeyourconfidence，Mr。HenryEsmond，"saystheother，withaverygrandbow。Mylordwasalwaysafinegentleman，andyoungashewastherewasthatinEsmond'smannerwhichshowedthathewasagentlemantoo，andthatnonemighttakealibertywithhim——sothepairwentout，andmountedthelittlecarriage，whichwasinwaitingfortheminthecourt，withitstwolittlecream—coloredHanoverianhorsescoveredwithsplendidfurnitureandchampingatthebit。
"Mylord，"saysHarryEsmond，aftertheyweregotintothecountry，andpointingtomyLordMohun'sfoot，whichwasswathedinflannel，andputupratherostentatiouslyonacushion——"mylord，IstudiedmedicineatCambridge。"
"Indeed，ParsonHarry，"sayshe;"andareyougoingtotakeoutadiploma:andcureyourfellow—studentsofthe——"
"Ofthegout，"saysHarry，interruptinghim，andlookinghimhardintheface;"Iknowagooddealaboutthegout。"
"Ihopeyoumayneverhaveit。'Tisaninfernaldisease，"saysmylord，"anditstwingesarediabolical。Ah！"andhemadeadreadfulwryface，asifhejustfeltatwinge。
"Yourlordshipwouldbemuchbetterifyoutookoffallthatflannel——itonlyservestoinflamethetoe，"Harrycontinued，lookinghismanfullintheface。
"Oh！itonlyservestoinflamethetoe，doesit？"saystheother，withaninnocentair。
"Ifyoutookoffthatflannel，andflungthatabsurdslipperaway，andworeaboot，"continuesHarry。
"Yourecommendmeboots，Mr。Esmond？"asksmylord。
"Yes，bootsandspurs。Isawyourlordshipthreedaysagorundownthegalleryfastenough，"Harrygoeson。"Iamsurethattakinggruelatnightisnotsopleasantasclarettoyourlordship;andbesidesitkeepsyourlordship'sheadcoolforplay，whilstmypatron'sishotandflusteredwithdrink。"
"'Sdeath，sir，youdarenotsaythatIdon'tplayfair？"criesmylord，whippinghishorses，whichwentawayatagallop。
"Youarecoolwhenmylordisdrunk，"Harrycontinued;"yourlordshipgetsthebetterofmypatron。IhavewatchedyouasI
lookedupfrommybooks。"
"YouyoungArgus！"saysLordMohun，wholikedHarryEsmond——andforwhosecompanyandwit，andacertaindaringmanner，Harryhadagreatlikingtoo——"YouyoungArgus！youmaylookwithallyourhundredeyesandseeweplayfair。I'veplayedawayanestateofanight，andI'veplayedmyshirtoffmyback;andI'veplayedawaymyperiwigandgonehomeinanightcap。ButnomancansayIevertookanadvantageofhimbeyondtheadvantageofthegame。I
playedadice—coggingscoundrelinAlsatiaforhisearsandwon'em，andhaveoneof'eminmylodginginBowStreetinabottleofspirits。HarryMohunwillplayanymanforanything——alwayswould。"