last time--at least for years to come. It
may be, in years hence, when--when our knees and our tears and our
contrition have changed our sinful hearts, sir, and wrought our pardon,
we may meet again--but not now. After what has passed, I could not bear
to see him. I wish him well, sir; but I wish him farewell, too; and if
he has that--that regard towards us which he speaks of, I beseech him to
prove it by obeying me in this.'

"'I shall break the young man's heart, madam, by this hard sentence,'"
Mr. Steele said.

"The lady shook her head," continued my kind scholar. "'The hearts of
young men, Mr. Steele, are not so made,' she said. 'Mr. Esmond will find
other--other friends. The mistress of this house has relented very much
towards the late lord's son,' she added, with a blush, 'and has promised
me, that is, has promised that she will care for his fortune. Whilst I
live in it, after the horrid horrid deed which has passed, Castlewood
must never be a home to him--never. Nor would I have him write to
me--except--no--I would have him never write to me, nor see him more.
Give him, if you will, my parting--Hush! not a word of this before my
daughter.'

"Here the fair Beatrix entered from the river, with her cheeks flushing
with health, and looking only the more lovely and fresh for the mourning
habiliments which she wore. And my Lady Viscountess said--

"'Beatrix, this is Mr. Steele, gentleman-usher to the Prince's Highness.
When does your new comedy appear, Mr. Steele?' I hope thou wilt be out
of prison for the first night, Harry."

The sentimental Captain concluded his sad tale, saying, "Faith, the
beauty of Filia pulcrior drove pulcram matrem out of my head; and yet
as I came down the river, and thought about the pair, the pallid dignity
and exquisite grace of the matron had the uppermost, and I thought her
even more noble than the virgin!"

The party of prisoners lived very well in Newgate, and with comforts
very different to those which were awarded to the poor wretches there
(his insensibility to their misery, their gayety still more frightful,
their curses and blasphemy, hath struck with a kind of shame since--as
proving how selfish, during his imprisonment, his own particular grief
was, and how entirely the thoughts of it absorbed him): if the three
gentlemen lived well under the care of the Warden of Newgate, it was
because they paid well: and indeed the cost at the dearest ordinary
or the grandest tavern