hurt, although more than a third of his regiment was killed,
had again the honor to be favorably mentioned in his commander's report,
and was advanced to the rank of major. But of this action there is
little need to speak, as it hath been related in every Gazette, and
talked of in every hamlet in this country. To return from it to the
writer's private affairs, which here, in his old age, and at a distance,
he narrates for his children who come after him. Before Oudenarde, after
that chance rencontre with Captain von Holtz at Brussels, a space of
more than a year elapsed, during which the captain of Jesuits and the
captain of Webb's Fusileers were thrown very much together. Esmond had
no difficulty in finding out (indeed, the other made no secret of it
to him, being assured from old times of his pupil's fidelity), that
the negotiator of prisoners was an agent from St. Germains, and that he
carried intelligence between great personages in our camp and that of
the French. "My business," said he--"and I tell you, both because I can
trust you and your keen eyes have already discovered it--is between the
King of England and his subjects here engaged in fighting the French
king. As between you and them, all the Jesuits in the world will not
prevent your quarrelling: fight it out, gentlemen. St. George for
England, I say--and you know who says so, wherever he may be."

I think Holt loved to make a parade of mystery, as it were, and would
appear and disappear at our quarters as suddenly as he used to return
and vanish in the old days at Castlewood. He had passes between both
armies, and seemed to know (but with that inaccuracy which belonged to
the good Father's omniscience) equally well what passed in the French
camp and in ours. One day he would give Esmond news of a great feste
that took place in the French quarters, of a supper of Monsieur de
Rohan's, where there was play and violins, and then dancing and masques;
the King drove thither in Marshal Villars' own guinguette. Another day
he had the news of his Majesty's ague: the King had not had a fit these
ten days, and might be said to be well. Captain Holtz made a visit to
England during this time, so eager was he about negotiating prisoners;
and 'twas on returning from this voyage that he began to open himself
more to Esmond, and to make him, as occasion served, at their various
meetings, several of those confidences which are here set down all
together.

The reason of his