were going about the country at
that time, huzzahing for the acquittal of the seven bishops who had been
tried just then, and about whom little Harry Esmond at that time knew
scarce anything. It was Assizes at Hexton, and there was a great meeting
of the gentry at the "Bell;" and my lord's people had their new liveries
on, and Harry a little suit of blue and silver, which he wore upon
occasions of state; and the gentlefolks came round and talked to my
lord: and a judge in a red gown, who seemed a very great personage,
especially complimented him and my lady, who was mighty grand. Harry
remembers her train borne up by her gentlewoman. There was an assembly
and ball at the great room at the "Bell," and other young gentlemen of
the county families looked on as he did. One of them jeered him for his
black eye, which was swelled by the potato, and another called him a
bastard, on which he and Harry fell to fisticuffs. My lord's cousin,
Colonel Esmond of Walcote, was there, and separated the two lads--a
great tall gentleman, with a handsome good-natured face. The boy did not
know how nearly in after-life he should be allied to Colonel Esmond, and
how much kindness he should have to owe him.

There was little love between the two families. My lady used not to
spare Colonel Esmond in talking of him, for reasons which have been
hinted already; but about which, at his tender age, Henry Esmond could
be expected to know nothing.

Very soon afterwards, my lord and lady went to London with Mr. Holt,
leaving, however, the page behind them. The little man had the great
house of Castlewood to himself; or between him and the housekeeper, Mrs.
Worksop, an old lady who was a kinswoman of the family in some distant
way, and a Protestant, but a staunch Tory and king's-man, as all the
Esmonds were. He used to go to school to Dr. Tusher when he was at home,
though the Doctor was much occupied too. There was a great stir and
commotion everywhere, even in the little quiet village of Castlewood,
whither a party of people came from the town, who would have broken
Castlewood Chapel windows, but the village people turned out, and even
old Sieveright, the republican blacksmith, along with them: for my
lady, though she was a Papist, and had many odd ways, was kind to the
tenantry, and there was always a plenty of beef, and blankets, and
medicine for the poor at Castlewood Hall.

A kingdom was changing hands whilst my lord and lady were away. King