re in gala dresses--my Lady of Chelsey in her highest tour,
my Lady Viscountess out of black, and looking fair and happy a ravir;
and the Maid of Honor attired with that splendor which naturally
distinguished her, and wearing on her beautiful breast the French
officer's star which Frank had sent home after Ramillies.

"You see, 'tis a gala day with us," says she, glancing down to the star
complacently, "and we have our orders on. Does not mamma look charming?
'Twas I dressed her!" Indeed, Esmond's dear mistress, blushing as
he looked at her, with her beautiful fair hair, and an elegant dress
according to the mode, appeared to have the shape and complexion of a
girl of twenty.

On the table was a fine sword, with a red velvet scabbard, and a
beautiful chased silver handle, with a blue ribbon for a sword-knot.
"What is this?" says the Captain, going up to look at this pretty piece.

Mrs. Beatrix advanced towards it. "Kneel down," says she: "we dub you
our knight with this"--and she waved the sword over his head. "My Lady
Dowager hath given the sword; and I give the ribbon, and mamma hath sewn
on the fringe."

"Put the sword on him, Beatrix," says her mother. "You are our knight,
Harry--our true knight. Take a mother's thanks and prayers for defending
her son, my dear, dear friend." She could say no more, and even the
Dowager was affected, for a couple of rebellious tears made sad marks
down those wrinkled old roses which Esmond had just been allowed to
salute.

"We had a letter from dearest Frank," his mother said, "three days
since, whilst you were on your visit to your friend Captain Steele, at
Hampton. He told us all that you had done, and how nobly you had put
yourself between him and that--that wretch."

"And I adopt you from this day," says the Dowager, "and I wish I was
richer, for your sake, son Esmond," she added with a wave of her hand;
and as Mr. Esmond dutifully went down on his knee before her ladyship,
she cast her eyes up to the ceiling, (the gilt chandelier, and the
twelve wax-candles in it, for the party was numerous,) and invoked a
blessing from that quarter upon the newly adopted son.

"Dear Frank," says the other viscountess, "how fond he is of his
military profession! He is studying fortification very hard. I wish he
were here. We shall keep his coming of age at Castlewood next year."

"If the campaign permit us," says Mr. Esmond.

"I am never afraid when he is with you," cries the boy's mot