nd applied it, I am
sure, to you. You come back with Gaditanian laurels; when I heard you
were bound thither, I wished, I am sure, I was another Septimius. My
Lord Viscount, your lordship remembers Septimi, Gades aditure mecum?"

"There's an angle of earth that I love better than Gades, Tusher," says
Mr. Esmond. "'Tis that one where your reverence hath a parsonage, and
where our youth was brought up."

"A house that has so many sacred recollections to me," says Mr. Tusher
(and Harry remembered how Tom's father used to flog him there)--"a house
near to that of my respected patron, my most honored patroness, must
ever be a dear abode to me. But, madam, the verger waits to close the
gates on your ladyship."

"And Harry's coming home to supper. Huzzay! huzzay!" cries my lord.
"Mother, I shall run home and bid Beatrix put her ribbons on. Beatrix is
a maid of honor, Harry. Such a fine set-up minx!"

"Your heart was never in the Church, Harry," the widow said, in her
sweet low tone, as they walked away together. (Now, it seemed they never
had been parted, and again, as if they had been ages asunder.) "I always
thought you had no vocation that way; and that 'twas a pity to shut you
out from the world. You would but have pined and chafed at Castlewood:
and 'tis better you should make a name for yourself. I often said so to
my dear lord. How he loved you! 'Twas my lord that made you stay with
us."

"I asked no better than to stay near you always," said Mr. Esmond.

"But to go was best, Harry. When the world cannot give peace, you will
know where to find it; but one of your strong imagination and eager
desires must try the world first before he tires of it. 'Twas not to be
thought of, or if it once was, it was only by my selfishness, that you
should remain as chaplain to a country gentleman and tutor to a little
boy. You are of the blood of the Esmonds, kinsman; and that was always
wild in youth. Look at Francis. He is but fifteen, and I scarce can keep
him in my nest. His talk is all of war and pleasure, and he longs to
serve in the next campaign. Perhaps he and the young Lord Churchill
shall go the next. Lord Marlborough has been good to us. You know how
kind they were in my misfortune. And so was your--your father's widow.
No one knows how good the world is, till grief comes to try us. 'Tis
through my Lady Marlborough's goodness that Beatrix hath her place at
Court; and Frank is under my Lord Chamberlain. And the dowager