, than the
greatest prince. For who is there so good and so brave, and who would love
her as you would? But there are reasons a mother can't tell."

"I know them," said Mr. Esmond, interrupting her with a smile.--"I know
there's Sir Wilmot Crawley of Queen's Crawley, and Mr. Anthony Henley of
the Grange, and my Lord Marquis of Blandford, that seems to be the
favoured suitor. You shall ask me to wear my lady marchioness's favours
and to dance at her ladyship's wedding."

"Oh, Harry, Harry, it is none of these follies that frighten me," cried
out Lady Castlewood. "Lord Churchill is but a child, his outbreak about
Beatrix was a mere boyish folly. His parents would rather see him buried
than married to one below him in rank. And do you think that I would stoop
to sue for a husband for Francis Esmond's daughter; or submit to have my
girl smuggled into that proud family to cause a quarrel between son and
parents, and to be treated only as an inferior? I would disdain such a
meanness. Beatrix would scorn it. Ah! Henry, 'tis not with you the fault
lies, 'tis with her. I know you both, and love you: need I be ashamed of
that love now? No, never, never, and 'tis not you, dear Harry, that is
unworthy. 'Tis for my poor Beatrix I tremble--whose headstrong will
frightens me; whose jealous temper (they say I was jealous too, but, pray
God, I am cured of that sin) and whose vanity no words or prayers of mine
can cure--only suffering, only experience, and remorse afterwards. Oh,
Henry, she will make no man happy who loves her. Go away, my son, leave
her: love us always, and think kindly of us: and for me, my dear, you know
that these walls contain all that I love in the world."

In after-life, did Esmond find the words true which his fond mistress
spoke from her sad heart? Warning he had: but I doubt others had warning
before his time, and since: and he benefited by it as most men do.

My young lord viscount was exceeding sorry when he heard that Harry could
not come to the cock-match with him, and must go to London, but no doubt
my lord consoled himself when the Hampshire cocks won the match; and he
saw every one of the battles, and crowed properly over the conquered
Sussex gentlemen.

As Esmond rode towards town his servant, coming up to him, informed him
with a grin, that Mistress Beatrix had brought out a new gown and blue
stockings for that day's dinner, in which she intended to appear, and had
flown into a rage and given her m