第1章

TOTHERIGHTHONORABLE

WILLIAMBINGHAM，LORDASHBURTON。

MYDEARLORD，ThewriterofabookwhichcopiesthemannersandlanguageofQueenAnne\'stime，mustnotomittheDedicationtothePatron;andIaskleavetoinscribethisvolumetoyourLordship，forthesakeofthegreatkindnessandfriendshipwhichIowetoyouandyours。

MyvolumewillreachyouwhentheAuthorisonhisvoyagetoacountrywhereyournameisaswellknownashere。WhereverIam，I

shallgratefullyregardyou;andshallnotbethelesswelcomedinAmericabecauseIam，Yourobligedfriendandservant，W。M。THACKERAY。

LONDON，October18，1852。

PREFACE。

THEESMONDSOFVIRGINIA。

TheestateofCastlewood，inVirginia，whichwasgiventoourancestorsbyKingCharlestheFirst，assomereturnforthesacrificesmadeinhisMajesty\'scausebytheEsmondfamily，liesinWestmorelandcounty，betweentheriversPotomacandRappahannock，andwasonceasgreatasanEnglishPrincipality，thoughintheearlytimesitsrevenueswerebutsmall。Indeed，forneareightyyearsafterourforefatherspossessedthem，ourplantationswereinthehandsoffactors，whoenrichedthemselvesoneafteranother，thoughafewscoresofhogsheadsoftobaccowerealltheproducethat，forlongaftertheRestoration，ourfamilyreceivedfromtheirVirginianestates。

Mydearandhonoredfather，ColonelHenryEsmond，whosehistory，writtenbyhimself，iscontainedintheaccompanyingvolume，cametoVirginiaintheyear1718，builthishouseofCastlewood，andherepermanentlysettled。AfteralongstormylifeinEngland，hepassedtheremainderofhismanyyearsinpeaceandhonorinthiscountry;howbelovedandrespectedbyallhisfellow—citizens，howinexpressiblydeartohisfamily，Ineednotsay。Hiswholelifewasabenefittoallwhowereconnectedwithhim。Hegavethebestexample，thebestadvice，themostbounteoushospitalitytohisfriends;thetenderestcaretohisdependants;andbestowedonthoseofhisimmediatefamilysuchablessingoffatherlyloveandprotectionascanneverbethoughtof，byus，atleast，withoutvenerationandthankfulness;andmysons\'children，whetherestablishedhereinourRepublic，orathomeinthealwaysbelovedmothercountry，fromwhichourlatequarrelhathseparatedus，maysurelybeproudtobedescendedfromonewhoinallwayswassotrulynoble。

Mydearmotherdiedin1736，soonafterourreturnfromEngland，whithermyparentstookmeformyeducation;andwhereImadetheacquaintanceofMr。Warrington，whommychildrenneversaw。Whenitpleasedheaven，inthebloomofhisyouth，andafterbutafewmonthsofamosthappyunion，toremovehimfromme，Iowedmyrecoveryfromthegriefwhichthatcalamitycausedme，mainlytomydearestfather\'stenderness，andthentotheblessingvouchsafedtomeinthebirthofmytwobelovedboys。Iknowthefataldifferenceswhichseparatedtheminpoliticsneverdisunitedtheirhearts;andasIcanlovethemboth，whetherwearingtheKing\'scolorsortheRepublic\'s，Iamsurethattheylovemeandoneanother，andhimaboveall，myfatherandtheirs，thedearestfriendoftheirchildhood，thenoblegentlemanwhobredthemfromtheirinfancyinthepracticeandknowledgeofTruth，andLoveandHonor。

Mychildrenwillneverforgettheappearanceandfigureoftheirreveredgrandfather;andIwishIpossessedtheartofdrawing（whichmypapahadinperfection），sothatIcouldleavetoourdescendantsaportraitofonewhowassogoodandsorespected。Myfatherwasofadarkcomplexion，withaverygreatforeheadanddarkhazeleyes，overhungbyeyebrowswhichremainedblacklongafterhishairwaswhite。Hisnosewasaquiline，hissmileextraordinarysweet。HowwellIrememberit，andhowlittleanydescriptionIcanwritecanrecallhisimage！Hewasofratherlowstature，notbeingabovefivefeetseveninchesinheight;heusedtolaughatmysons，whomhecalledhiscrutches，andsaytheyweregrowntootallforhimtoleanupon。Butsmallashewas，hehadaperfectgraceandmajestyofdeportment，suchasIhaveneverseeninthiscountry，exceptperhapsinourfriendMr。Washington，andcommandedrespectwhereverheappeared。

Inallbodilyexercisesheexcelled，andshowedanextraordinaryquicknessandagility。Offencinghewasespeciallyfond，andmademytwoboysproficientinthatart;somuchso，thatwhentheFrenchcametothiscountrywithMonsieurRochambeau，notoneofhisofficerswassuperiortomyHenry，andhewasnottheequalofmypoorGeorge，whohadtakentheKing\'ssideinourlamentablebutgloriouswarofindependence。

Neithermyfathernormymothereverworepowderintheirhair;

boththeirheadswereaswhiteassilver，asIcanrememberthem。

Mydearmotherpossessedtothelastanextraordinarybrightnessandfreshnessofcomplexion;norwouldpeoplebelievethatshedidnotwearrouge。Atsixtyyearsofageshestilllookedyoung，andwasquiteagile。ItwasnotuntilafterthatdreadfulsiegeofourhousebytheIndians，whichleftmeawidowereIwasamother，thatmydearmother\'shealthbroke。Sheneverrecoveredherterrorandanxietyofthosedayswhichendedsofatallyforme，thenabridescarcesixmonthsmarried，anddiedinmyfather\'sarmseremyownyearofwidowhoodwasover。

Fromthatday，untilthelastofhisdearandhonoredlife，itwasmydelightandconsolationtoremainwithhimashiscomforterandcompanion;andfromthoselittlenoteswhichmymotherhathmadehereandthereinthevolumeinwhichmyfatherdescribeshisadventuresinEurope，Icanwellunderstandtheextremedevotionwithwhichsheregardedhim——adevotionsopassionateandexclusiveastopreventher，Ithink，fromlovinganyotherpersonexceptwithaninferiorregard;herwholethoughtsbeingcentredonthisoneobjectofaffectionandworship。Iknowthat，beforeher，mydearfatherdidnotshowthelovewhichhehadforhisdaughter;

andinherlastandmostsacredmoments，thisdearandtenderparentownedtomeherrepentancethatshehadnotlovedmeenough:

herjealousyeventhatmyfathershouldgivehisaffectiontoanybutherself:andinthemostfondandbeautifulwordsofaffectionandadmonition，shebademenevertoleavehim，andtosupplytheplacewhichshewasquitting。Withaclearconscience，andaheartinexpressiblythankful，IthinkIcansaythatIfulfilledthosedyingcommands，andthatuntilhislasthourmydearestfatherneverhadtocomplainthathisdaughter\'sloveandfidelityfailedhim。

AnditissinceIknewhimentirely——forduringmymother\'slifeheneverquiteopenedhimselftome——sinceIknewthevalueandsplendorofthataffectionwhichhebestoweduponme，thatIhavecometounderstandandpardonwhat，Iown，usedtoangermeinmymother\'slifetime，herjealousyrespectingherhusband\'slove。

\'Twasagiftsoprecious，thatnowondershewhohaditwasforkeepingitall，andcouldpartwithnoneofit，eventoherdaughter。

ThoughIneverheardmyfatherusearoughword，\'twasextraordinarywithhowmuchawehispeopleregardedhim;andtheservantsonourplantation，boththoseassignedfromEnglandandthepurchasednegroes，obeyedhimwithaneagernesssuchasthemostseveretaskmastersroundaboutuscouldnevergetfromtheirpeople。Hewasneverfamiliar，thoughperfectlysimpleandnatural;hewasthesamewiththemeanestmanaswiththegreatest，andascourteoustoablackslave—girlastotheGovernor\'swife。Nooneeverthoughtoftakingalibertywithhim（exceptonceatipsygentlemanfromYork，andIamboundtoownthatmypapaneverforgavehim）:hesetthehumblestpeopleatonceontheireasewithhim，andbroughtdownthemostarrogantbyagravesatiricway，whichmadepersonsexceedinglyafraidofhim。HiscourtesywasnotputonlikeaSundaysuit，andlaidbywhenthecompanywentaway;itwasalwaysthesame;ashewasalwaysdressedthesame，whetherforadinnerbyourselvesorforagreatentertainment。Theysayhelikedtobethefirstinhiscompany;butwhatcompanywasthereinwhichhewouldnotbefirst？

WhenIwenttoEuropeformyeducation，andwepassedawinteratLondonwithmyhalf—brother，myLordCastlewoodandhissecondlady，IsawatherMajesty\'sCourtsomeofthemostfamousgentlemenofthosedays;andIthoughttomyselfnoneofthesearebetterthanmypapa;andthefamousLordBolingbroke，whocametousfromDawley，saidasmuch，andthatthemenofthattimewerenotlikethoseofhisyouth:——\"Wereyourfather，Madam，\"hesaid，\"togointothewoods，theIndianswouldelecthimSachem;\"andhislordshipwaspleasedtocallmePocahontas。

Ididnotseeourotherrelative，BishopTusher\'slady，ofwhomsomuchissaidinmypapa\'smemoirs——althoughmymammawenttovisitherinthecountry。Ihavenopride（asIshowedbycomplyingwithmymother\'srequest，andmarryingagentlemanwhowasbuttheyoungersonofaSuffolkBaronet），yetIowntoADECENTRESPECT

formyname，andwonderhowonewhoeverboreit，shouldchangeitforthatofMrs。THOMASTUSHER。Ipassoverasodiousandunworthyofcreditthosereports（whichIheardinEuropeandwasthentooyoungtounderstand），howthisperson，havingLEFTHERFAMILYandfledtoParis，outofjealousyofthePretenderbetrayedhissecretstomyLordStair，KingGeorge\'sAmbassador，andnearlycausedthePrince\'sdeaththere;howshecametoEnglandandmarriedthisMr。Tusher，andbecameagreatfavoriteofKingGeorgetheSecond，bywhomMr。TusherwasmadeaDean，andthenaBishop。

Ididnotseethelady，whochosetoremainATHERPALACEallthetimewewereinLondon;butaftervisitingher，mypoormammasaidshehadlostallhergoodlooks，andwarnedmenottosettoomuchstorebyanysuchgiftswhichnaturehadbestoweduponme。Shegrewexceedinglystout;andIremembermybrother\'swife，LadyCastlewood，saying——\"Nowondershebecameafavorite，fortheKinglikesthemoldandugly，ashisfatherdidbeforehim。\"Onwhichpapasaid——\"Allwomenwerealike;thattherewasneveronesobeautifulasthatone;andthatwecouldforgivehereverythingbutherbeauty。\"Andhereuponmymammalookedvexed，andmyLordCastlewoodbegantolaugh;andI，ofcourse，beingayoungcreature，couldnotunderstandwhatwasthesubjectoftheirconversation。

AfterthecircumstancesnarratedinthethirdbookoftheseMemoirs，myfatherandmotherbothwentabroad，beingadvisedbytheirfriendstoleavethecountryinconsequenceofthetransactionswhicharerecountedatthecloseofthevolumeoftheMemoirs。Butmybrother，hearinghowtheFUTUREBISHOP\'SLADYhadquittedCastlewoodandjoinedthePretenderatParis，pursuedhim，andwouldhavekilledhim，Princeashewas，hadnotthePrincemanagedtomakehisescape。OnhisexpeditiontoScotlanddirectlyafter，Castlewoodwassoenragedagainsthimthatheaskedleavetoserveasavolunteer，andjointheDukeofArgyle\'sarmyinScotland，whichthePretenderneverhadthecouragetoface;andthenceforthmyLordwasquitereconciledtothepresentreigningfamily，fromwhomhehathevenreceivedpromotion。

Mrs。TusherwasbythistimeasangryagainstthePretenderasanyofherrelationscouldbe，andusedtoboast，asIhaveheard，thatshenotonlybroughtbackmyLordtotheChurchofEngland，butprocuredtheEnglishpeerageforhim，whichtheJUNIORBRANCHofourfamilyatpresentenjoys。ShewasagreatfriendofSirRobertWalpole，andwouldnotrestuntilherhusbandsleptatLambeth，mypapausedlaughingtosay。However，theBishopdiedofapoplexysuddenly，andhiswifeerectedagreatmonumentoverhim;andthepairsleepunderthatstone，withacanopyofmarblecloudsandangelsabovethem——thefirstMrs。TusherlyingsixtymilesoffatCastlewood。

Butmypapa\'sgeniusandeducationarebothgreaterthananyawomancanbeexpectedtohave，andhisadventuresinEuropefarmoreexcitingthanhislifeinthiscountry，whichwaspassedinthetranquilofficesofloveandduty;andIshallsaynomorebywayofintroductiontohisMemoirs，norkeepmychildrenfromtheperusalofastorywhichismuchmoreinterestingthanthatoftheiraffectionateoldmother，RACHELESMONDWARRINGTON。

CASTLEWOOD，VIRGINIA，November3，1778。

CONTENTS。

BOOKI。

THEEARLYYOUTHOFHENRYESMOND，UPTOTHETIMEOFHISLEAVING

TRINITYCOLLEGE，INCAMBRIDGE。

CHAPTER

I。AnAccountoftheFamilyofEsmondofCastlewoodHallII。RelateshowFrancis，FourthViscount，arrivesatCastlewoodIII。Whither，inthetimeofThomas，ThirdViscount，IhadprecededhimasPagetoIsabellaIV。IamplacedunderaPopishPriestandbredtothatReligion。——

ViscountessCastlewoodV。MySuperiorsareengagedinPlotsfortheRestorationofKingJamesII

VI。TheIssueofthePlots。——TheDeathofThomas，ThirdViscountofCastlewood;andtheImprisonmentofhisViscountessVII。IamleftatCastlewoodanOrphan，andfindmostkindProtectorsthereVIII。AfterGoodFortunecomesEvilIX。IhavetheSmall—pox，andpreparetoleaveCastlewoodX。IgotoCambridge，anddobutlittleGoodthereXI。IcomehomeforaHolidaytoCastlewood，andfindaSkeletonintheHouseXII。MyLordMohuncomesamongusfornoGoodXIII。MyLordleavesusandhisEvilbehindhimXIV。WerideafterhimtoLondonBOOKII。

CONTAINSMR。ESMOND\'SMILITARYLIFE，ANDOTHERMATTERSAPPERTAINING

TOTHEESMONDFAMILY。

I。IaminPrison，andVisited，butnotConsoledthereII。IcometotheEndofmyCaptivity，butnotofmyTroubleIII。ItaketheQueen\'sPayinQuin\'sRegimentIV。RecapitulationsV。IgoontheVigoBayExpedition，tasteSaltWaterandsmellPowderVI。The29thDecemberVII。IammadeWelcomeatWalcoteVIII。FamilyTalkIX。ImaketheCampaignof1704

X。AnOldStoryaboutaFoolandaWomanXI。ThefamousMr。JosephAddisonXII。IgetaCompanyintheCampaignof1706

XIII。ImeetanOldAcquaintanceinFlanders，andfindmyMother\'sGraveandmyownCradlethereXIV。TheCampaignof1707，1708

XV。GeneralWebbwinstheBattleofWynendaelBOOKIII。

CONTAININGTHEENDOFMR。ESMOND\'SADVENTURESINENGLAND。

I。IcometoanEndofmyBattlesandBruisesII。IgoHome，andharpontheOldStringIII。APaperoutofthe\"Spectator\"

IV。Beatrix\'sNewSuitorV。MohunappearsfortheLastTimeinthisHistoryVI。PoorBeatrixVII。IvisitCastlewoodoncemoreVIII。ItraveltoFranceandbringHomeaPortraitofRigaudIX。TheOriginalofthePortraitcomestoEnglandX。WeentertainaveryDistinguishedGuestatKensingtonXI。OurGuestquitsusasnotbeingHospitableenoughXII。AgreatScheme，andwhoBalkeditXIII。August1st，1714

THEHISTORYOFHENRYESMOND。

BOOKI

THEEARLYYOUTHOFHENRYESMOND，UPTOTHETIMEOFHISLEAVING

TRINITYCOLLEGE，INCAMBRIDGE。

Theactorsintheoldtragedies，asweread，pipedtheiriambicstoatune，speakingfromunderamask，andwearingstiltsandagreathead—dress。\'TwasthoughtthedignityoftheTragicMuserequiredtheseappurtenances，andthatshewasnottomoveexcepttoameasureandcadence。SoQueenMedeaslewherchildrentoaslowmusic:andKingAgamemnonperishedinadyingfall（touseMr。

Dryden\'swords）:theChorusstandingbyinasetattitude，andrhythmicallyanddecorouslybewailingthefatesofthosegreatcrownedpersons。TheMuseofHistoryhathencumberedherselfwithceremonyaswellasherSisteroftheTheatre。Shetoowearsthemaskandthecothurnus，andspeakstomeasure。Shetoo，inourage，busiesherselfwiththeaffairsonlyofkings;waitingonthemobsequiouslyandstately，asifshewerebutamistressofcourtceremonies，andhadnothingtodowiththeregisteringoftheaffairsofthecommonpeople。IhaveseeninhisveryoldageanddecrepitudetheoldFrenchKingLewistheFourteenth，thetypeandmodelofkinghood——whonevermovedbuttomeasure，wholivedanddiedaccordingtothelawsofhisCourt—marshal，persistinginenactingthroughlifethepartofHero;and，divestedofpoetry，thiswasbutalittlewrinkledoldman，pock—marked，andwithagreatperiwigandredheelstomakehimlooktall——aheroforabookifyoulike，orforabrassstatueorapaintedceiling，agodinaRomanshape，butwhatmorethanamanforMadameMaintenon，orthebarberwhoshavedhim，orMonsieurFagon，hissurgeon？I

wondershallHistoryeverpulloffherperiwigandceasetobecourt—ridden？ShallweseesomethingofFranceandEnglandbesidesVersaillesandWindsor？IsawQueenAnneatthelatterplacetearingdowntheParkslopes，afterherstag—hounds，anddrivingherone—horsechaise——ahot，red—facedwoman，notintheleastresemblingthatstatueofherwhichturnsitsstonebackuponSt。

Paul\'s，andfacesthecoachesstrugglingupLudgateHill。Shewasneitherbetterbrednorwiserthanyouandme，thoughweknelttohandheraletterorawash—handbasin。WhyshallHistorygoonkneelingtotheendoftime？Iamforhavingherriseupoffherknees，andtakeanaturalposture:nottobeforeverperformingcringesandcongeeslikeacourt—chamberlain，andshufflingbackwardsoutofdoorsinthepresenceofthesovereign。Inaword，IwouldhaveHistoryfamiliarratherthanheroic:andthinkthatMr。HogarthandMr。FieldingwillgiveourchildrenamuchbetterideaofthemannersofthepresentageinEngland，thantheCourtGazetteandthenewspaperswhichwegetthence。

TherewasaGermanofficerofWebb\'s，withwhomweusedtojoke，andofwhomastory（whereofImyselfwastheauthor）wasgottobebelievedinthearmy，thathewaseldestsonofthehereditaryGrandBootjackoftheEmpire，andtheheirtothathonorofwhichhisancestorshadbeenveryproud，havingbeenkickedfortwentygenerationsbyoneimperialfoot，astheydrewthebootfromtheother。IhaveheardthattheoldLordCastlewood，ofpartofwhosefamilythesepresentvolumesareachronicle，thoughhecameofquiteasgoodbloodastheStuartswhomheserved（andwhoasregardsmerelineagearenobetterthanadozenEnglishandScottishhousesIcouldname），wasprouderofhispostabouttheCourtthanofhisancestralhonors，andvaluedhisdignity（asLordoftheButteriesandGroomoftheKing\'sPosset）sohighly，thathecheerfullyruinedhimselfforthethanklessandthriftlessracewhobestowedit。HepawnedhisplateforKingCharlestheFirst，mortgagedhispropertyforthesamecause，andlostthegreaterpartofitbyfinesandsequestration:stoodasiegeofhiscastlebyIreton，wherehisbrotherThomascapitulated（afterwardmakingtermswiththeCommonwealth，forwhichtheelderbrotherneverforgavehim），andwherehissecondbrotherEdward，whohadembracedtheecclesiasticalprofession，wasslainonCastlewoodTower，beingengagedtherebothaspreacherandartilleryman。Thisresoluteoldloyalist，whowaswiththeKingwhilsthishousewasthusbeingbattereddown，escapedabroadwithhisonlyson，thenaboy，toreturnandtakeapartinWorcesterfight。OnthatfatalfieldEustaceEsmondwaskilled，andCastlewoodfledfromitoncemoreintoexile，andhenceforward，andaftertheRestoration，neverwasawayfromtheCourtofthemonarch（forwhosereturnweofferthanksinthePrayer—Book）whosoldhiscountryandwhotookbribesoftheFrenchking。

Whatspectacleismoreaugustthanthatofagreatkinginexile？

Whoismoreworthyofrespectthanabravemaninmisfortune？Mr。

AddisonhaspaintedsuchafigureinhisnoblepieceofCato。ButsupposefugitiveCatofuddlinghimselfatatavernwithawenchoneachknee，adozenfaithfulandtipsycompanionsofdefeat，andalandlordcallingoutforhisbill;andthedignityofmisfortuneisstraightwaylost。TheHistoricalMuseturnsawayshamefacedfromthevulgarscene，andclosesthedoor——onwhichtheexile\'sunpaiddrinkisscoredup——uponhimandhispotsandhispipes，andthetavern—choruswhichheandhisfriendsaresinging。SuchamanasCharlesshouldhavehadanOstadeorMieristopainthim。YourKnellersandLeBrunsonlydealinclumsyandimpossibleallegories:

andithathalwaysseemedtomeblasphemytoclaimOlympusforsuchawine—drabbleddivinityasthat。

AbouttheKing\'sfollower，theViscountCastlewood——orphanofhisson，ruinedbyhisfidelity，bearingmanywoundsandmarksofbravery，oldandinexile——hiskinsmenIsupposeshouldbesilent;

norifthispatriarchfelldowninhiscups，callfieuponhim，andfetchpassers—bytolaughathisredfaceandwhitehairs。What！

doesastreamrushoutofamountainfreeandpure，torollthroughfairpastures，tofeedandthrowoutbrighttributaries，andtoendinavillagegutter？Livesthathavenoblecommencementshaveoftennobetterendings;itisnotwithoutakindofaweandreverencethatanobservershouldspeculateuponsuchcareersashetracesthecourseofthem。Ihaveseentoomuchofsuccessinlifetotakeoffmyhatandhuzzahtoitasitpassesinitsgiltcoach:

andwoulddomylittlepartwithmyneighborsonfoot，thattheyshouldnotgapewithtoomuchwonder，norapplaudtooloudly。IsittheLordMayorgoinginstatetomince—piesandtheMansionHouse？IsitpoorJackofNewgate\'sprocession，withthesheriffandjavelin—men，conductinghimonhislastjourneytoTyburn？I

lookintomyheartandthinkthatIsinasgoodasmyLordMayor，andknowIamasbadasTyburnJack。Givemeachainandredgownandapuddingbeforeme，andIcouldplaythepartofAldermanverywell，andsentenceJackafterdinner。Starveme，keepmefrombooksandhonestpeople，educatemetolovedice，gin，andpleasure，andputmeonHounslowHeath，withapursebeforeme，andIwilltakeit。\"AndIshallbedeservedlyhanged，\"sayyou，wishingtoputanendtothisprosing。Idon\'tsayNo。Ican\'tbutaccepttheworldasIfindit，includingarope\'send，aslongasitisinfashion。

CHAPTERI。

ANACCOUNTOFTHEFAMILYOFESMONDOFCASTLEWOODHALL。

WhenFrancis，fourthViscountCastlewood，cametohistitle，andpresentlyaftertotakepossessionofhishouseofCastlewood，countyHants，intheyear1691，almosttheonlytenantoftheplacebesidesthedomesticswasaladoftwelveyearsofage，ofwhomnooneseemedtotakeanynoteuntilmyLadyViscountesslighteduponhim，goingoverthehousewiththehousekeeperonthedayofherarrival。TheboywasintheroomknownastheBook—room，orYellowGallery，wheretheportraitsofthefamilyusedtohang，thatfinepieceamongothersofSirAntonioVanDyckofGeorge，secondViscount，andthatbyMr。DobsonofmylordthethirdViscount，justdeceased，whichitseemshisladyandwidowdidnotthinkfittocarryaway，whenshesentforandcarriedofftoherhouseatChelsey，neartoLondon，thepictureofherselfbySirPeterLely，inwhichherladyshipwasrepresentedasahuntressofDiana\'scourt。

ThenewandfairladyofCastlewoodfoundthesad，lonely，littleoccupantofthisgallerybusyoverhisgreatbook，whichhelaiddownwhenhewasawarethatastrangerwasathand。And，knowingwhothatpersonmustbe，theladstoodupandbowedbeforeher，performingashyobeisancetothemistressofhishouse。

Shestretchedoutherhand——indeedwhenwasitthatthathandwouldnotstretchouttodoanactofkindness，ortoprotectgriefandill—fortune？\"Andthisisourkinsman，\"shesaid\"andwhatisyourname，kinsman？\"

\"MynameisHenryEsmond，\"saidthelad，lookingupatherinasortofdelightandwonder，forshehadcomeuponhimasaDeacerte，andappearedthemostcharmingobjecthehadeverlookedon。

Hergoldenhairwasshininginthegoldofthesun;hercomplexionwasofadazzlingbloom;herlipssmiling，andhereyesbeamingwithakindnesswhichmadeHarryEsmond\'shearttobeatwithsurprise。

\"HisnameisHenryEsmond，sureenough，mylady，\"saysMrs。

Worksop，thehousekeeper（anoldtyrantwhomHenryEsmondplaguedmorethanhehated），andtheoldgentlewomanlookedsignificantlytowardsthelatelord\'spicture，asitnowisinthefamily，nobleandsevere—looking，withhishandonhissword，andhisorderonhiscloak，whichhehadfromtheEmperorduringthewarontheDanubeagainsttheTurk。

Seeingthegreatandundeniablelikenessbetweenthisportraitandthelad，thenewViscountess，whohadstillholdoftheboy\'shandasshelookedatthepicture，blushedanddroppedthehandquickly，andwalkeddownthegallery，followedbyMrs。Worksop。

Whentheladycameback，HarryEsmondstoodexactlyinthesamespot，andwithhishandasithadfallenwhenhedroppeditonhisblackcoat。

Herheartmelted，Isuppose（indeedshehathsinceownedasmuch），atthenotionthatsheshoulddoanythingunkindtoanymortal，greatorsmall;for，whenshereturned，shehadsentawaythehousekeeperuponanerrandbythedooratthefartherendofthegallery;and，comingbacktothelad，withalookofinfinitepityandtendernessinhereyes，shetookhishandagain，placingherotherfairhandonhishead，andsayingsomewordstohim，whichweresokind，andsaidinavoicesosweet，thattheboy，whohadneverlookeduponsomuchbeautybefore，feltasifthetouchofasuperiorbeingorangelsmotehimdowntotheground，andkissedthefairprotectinghandashekneltononeknee。Totheverylasthourofhislife，Esmondrememberedtheladyasshethenspokeandlooked，theringsonherfairhands，theveryscentofherrobe，thebeamofhereyeslightingupwithsurpriseandkindness，herlipsbloominginasmile，thesunmakingagoldenhaloroundherhair。

Astheboywasyetinthisattitudeofhumility，entersbehindhimaportlygentleman，withalittlegirloffouryearsoldinhishand。Thegentlemanburstintoagreatlaughattheladyandheradorer，withhislittlequeerfigure，hissallowface，andlongblackhair。Theladyblushed，andseemedtodeprecatehisridiculebyalookofappealtoherhusband，foritwasmyLordViscountwhonowarrived，andwhomtheladknew，havingoncebeforeseenhiminthelatelord\'slifetime。

\"Sothisisthelittlepriest\"saysmylord，lookingdownatthelad;\"welcome，kinsman。\"

\"Heissayinghisprayerstomamma，\"saysthelittlegirl，whocameuptoherpapa\'sknees;andmylordburstoutintoanothergreatlaughatthis，andkinsmanHenrylookedverysilly。Heinventedahalf—dozenofspeechesinreply，but\'twasmonthsafterwardswhenhethoughtofthisadventure:asitwas，hehadneverawordinanswer。

\"Lepauvreenfant，iln\'aquenous，\"saysthelady，lookingtoherlord;andtheboy，whounderstoodher，thoughdoubtlessshethoughtotherwise，thankedherwithallhisheartforherkindspeech。

\"Andheshan\'twantforfriendshere，\"saysmylordinakindvoice，\"shallhe，littleTrix？\"

Thelittlegirl，whosenamewasBeatrix，andwhomherpapacalledbythisdiminutive，lookedatHenryEsmondsolemnly，withapairoflargeeyes，andthenasmileshoneoverherface，whichwasasbeautifulasthatofacherub，andshecameupandputoutalittlehandtohim。Akeenanddelightfulpangofgratitude，happiness，affection，filledtheorphanchild\'sheart，ashereceivedfromtheprotectors，whomheavenhadsenttohim，thesetouchingwordsandtokensoffriendlinessandkindness。Butanhoursince，hehadfeltquitealoneintheworld:whenheheardthegreatpealofbellsfromCastlewoodchurchringingthatmorningtowelcomethearrivalofthenewlordandlady，ithadrungonlyterrorandanxietytohim，forheknewnothowthenewownerwoulddealwithhim;andthosetowhomheformerlylookedforprotectionwereforgottenordead。Prideanddoubttoohadkepthimwithin—doors，whentheVicarandthepeopleofthevillage，andtheservantsofthehouse，hadgoneouttowelcomemyLordCastlewood——forHenryEsmondwasnoservant，thoughadependant;norelative，thoughheborethenameandinheritedthebloodofthehouse;andinthemidstofthenoiseandacclamationsattendingthearrivalofthenewlord（forwhom，youmaybesure，afeastwasgotready，andgunswerefired，andtenantsanddomesticshuzzahedwhenhiscarriageapproachedandrolledintothecourt—yardofthehall），nooneevertookanynoticeofyoungHenryEsmond，whosatunobservedandaloneintheBook—room，untiltheafternoonofthatday，whenhisnewfriendsfoundhim。

Whenmylordandladyweregoingawaythence，thelittlegirl，stillholdingherkinsmanbythehand，badehimtocometoo。\"Thouwiltalwaysforsakeanoldfriendforanewone，Trix，\"saysherfathertohergood—naturedly;andwentintothegallery，givinganarmtohislady。Theypassedthencethroughthemusic—gallery，longsincedismantled，andQueenElizabeth\'sRooms，intheclock—

tower，andoutintotheterrace，wherewasafineprospectofsunsetandthegreatdarklingwoodswithacloudofrooksreturning;andtheplainandriverwithCastlewoodvillagebeyond，andpurplehillsbeautifultolookat——andthelittleheirofCastlewood，achildoftwoyearsold，wasalreadyhereontheterraceinhisnurse\'sarms，fromwhomheranacrossthegrassinstantlyheperceivedhismother，andcametoher。

\"Ifthoucanstnotbehappyhere，\"saysmylord，lookingroundatthescene，\"thouarthardtoplease，Rachel。\"

\"Iamhappywhereyouare，\"shesaid，\"butwewerehappiestofallatWalcoteForest。\"Thenmylordbegantodescribewhatwasbeforethemtohiswife，andwhatindeedlittleHarryknewbetterthanhe——

viz。，thehistoryofthehouse:howbyyondergatethepageranawaywiththeheiressofCastlewood，bywhichtheestatecameintothepresentfamily;howtheRoundheadsattackedtheclock—tower，whichmylord\'sfatherwasslainindefending。\"Iwasbuttwoyearsoldthen，\"sayshe，\"buttakeforty—sixfromninety，andhowoldshallIbe，kinsmanHarry？\"

\"Thirty，\"sayshiswife，withalaugh。

\"Agreatdealtoooldforyou，Rachel，\"answersmylord，lookingfondlydownather。Indeedsheseemedtobeagirl，andwasatthattimescarcetwentyyearsold。

\"Youknow，Frank，Iwilldoanythingtopleaseyou，\"saysshe，\"andIpromiseyouIwillgrowoldereveryday。\"

\"Youmustn\'tcallpapa，Frank;youmustcallpapamylordnow，\"

saysMissBeatrix，withatossofherlittlehead;atwhichthemothersmiled，andthegood—naturedfatherlaughed，andthelittletrottingboylaughed，notknowingwhy——butbecausehewashappy，nodoubt——aseveryoneseemedtobethere。Howthosetrivialincidentsandwords，thelandscapeandsunshine，andthegroupofpeoplesmilingandtalking，remainfixedonthememory！

Asthesunwassetting，thelittleheirwassentinthearmsofhisnursetobed，whitherhewenthowling;butlittleTrixwaspromisedtosittosupperthatnight——\"andyouwillcometoo，kinsman，won\'tyou？\"shesaid。