ing delivered this stab, Lady Esmond was frightened at the effect of
her blow. It went to poor Beatrix's heart; she flushed up and passed a
handkerchief across her eyes, and kissed the miniature, and put it into
her bosom:--"I had forgot it," says she; "my injury made me forget my
grief, my mother has recalled both to me. Farewell, mother, I think I
never can forgive you; something hath broke between us that no tears nor
years can repair. I always said I was alone; you never loved me, never--and
were jealous of me from the time I sat on my father's knee. Let me go
away, the sooner the better; I can bear to be with you no more."

"Go, child," says her mother, still very stern; "go and bend your proud
knees and ask forgiveness; go, pray in solitude for humility and
repentance. 'Tis not your reproaches that make me unhappy, 'tis your hard
heart, my poor Beatrix; may God soften it, and teach you one day to feel
for your mother!"

If my mistress was cruel, at least she never could be got to own as much.
Her haughtiness quite overtopped Beatrix's; and, if the girl had a proud
spirit, I very much fear it came to her by inheritance.

Chapter XI. Our Guest Quits Us As Not Being Hospitable Enough

Beatrix's departure took place within an hour, her maid going with her in
the post-chaise, and a man armed on the coach-box to prevent any danger of
the road. Esmond and Frank thought of escorting the carriage, but she
indignantly refused their company, and another man was sent to follow the
coach, and not to leave it till it had passed over Hounslow Heath on the
next day. And these two forming the whole of Lady Castle wood's male
domestics, Mr. Esmond's faithful John Lockwood came to wait on his
mistress during their absence, though he would have preferred to escort
Mrs. Lucy, his sweetheart, on her journey into the country.

We had a gloomy and silent meal; it seemed as if a darkness was over the
house, since the bright face of Beatrix had been withdrawn from it. In the
afternoon came a message from the favourite to relieve us somewhat from
this despondency. "The queen hath been much shaken," the note said; "she
is better now, and all things will go well. Let _my Lord Castlewood_ be
ready against we send for him."

At night there came a second billet: "There hath been a great battle in
Council; lord treasurer hath broke his staff, and hath fallen never to
rise again; no successor is appointed. Lord B---- receives a great Whi