verything was done to make him
happy and welcome: "And you are not to be a page any longer, but a
gentleman and kinsman, and to walk with papa and mamma," said the
children. And as soon as his dear mistress and children had left him to
himself, it was with a heart overflowing with love and gratefulness that
he flung himself down on his knees by the side of the little bed, and
asked a blessing upon those who were so kind to him.

The children, who are always house tell-tales, soon made him acquainted
with the little history of the house and family. Papa had been to London
twice. Papa often went away now. Papa had taken Beatrix to Westlands,
where she was taller than Sir George Harper's second daughter, though
she was two years older. Papa had taken Beatrix and Frank both to
Bellminster, where Frank had got the better of Lord Bellminster's son in
a boxing-match--my lord, laughing, told Harry afterwards. Many gentlemen
came to stop with papa, and papa had gotten a new game from London,
a French game, called a billiard--that the French king played it very
well: and the Dowager Lady Castlewood had sent Miss Beatrix a present;
and papa had gotten a new chaise, with two little horses, which he drove
himself, beside the coach, which mamma went in; and Dr. Tusher was a
cross old plague, and they did not like to learn from him at all; and
papa did not care about them learning, and laughed when they were at
their books, but mamma liked them to learn, and taught them; and "I
don't think papa is fond of mamma," said Miss Beatrix, with her great
eyes. She had come quite close up to Harry Esmond by the time this
prattle took place, and was on his knee, and had examined all the points
of his dress, and all the good or bad features of his homely face.

"You shouldn't say that papa is not fond of mamma," said the boy, at
this confession. "Mamma never said so; and mamma forbade you to say it,
Miss Beatrix."

'Twas this, no doubt, that accounted for the sadness in Lady
Castlewood's eyes, and the plaintive vibrations of her voice. Who
does not know of eyes, lighted by love once, where the flame shines no
more?--of lamps extinguished, once properly trimmed and tended? Every
man has such in his house. Such mementoes make our splendidest chambers
look blank and sad; such faces seen in a day cast a gloom upon our
sunshine. So oaths mutually sworn, and invocations of heaven, and
priestly ceremonies, and fond belief, and love, so fond and faith