ery long after to serve.

Esmond quitted the army almost immediately after this, following his
general home; and, indeed, being advised to travel in the fine weather and
attempt to take no further part in the campaign. But he heard from the
army, that of the many who crowded to see the Chevalier de St. George,
Frank Castlewood had made himself most conspicuous: my lord viscount
riding across the little stream bareheaded to where the prince was, and
dismounting and kneeling before him to do him homage. Some said that the
prince had actually knighted him, but my lord denied that statement,
though he acknowledged the rest of the story, and said:--"From having been
out of favour with Corporal John," as he called the duke, before, his
grace warned him not to commit those follies, and smiled on him cordially
ever after.

"And he was so kind to me," Frank writ, "that I thought I would put in a
good word for Master Harry, but when I mentioned your name he looked as
black as thunder, and said he had never heard of you."

Chapter II. I Go Home, And Harp On The Old String

After quitting Mons and the army, and as he was waiting for a packet at
Ostend, Esmond had a letter from his young kinsman Castlewood at
Bruxelles, conveying intelligence whereof Frank besought him to be the
bearer to London, and which caused Colonel Esmond no small anxiety.

The young scapegrace, being one-and-twenty years old, and being anxious to
sow his "wild otes", as he wrote, had married Mademoiselle de Wertheim,
daughter of Count de Wertheim, Chamberlain to the Emperor, and having a
post in the Household of the Governor of the Netherlands.

PS. (the young gentleman wrote): Clotilda is _older than me_,
which perhaps may be objected to her: but I am so _old a raik_
that the age makes no difference, and I am _determined_ to reform.
We were married at St. Gudule, by Father Holt. She is heart and
soul for the _good cause_. And here the cry is _Vif-le-Roy_, which
my mother will _join in_, and Trix _too_. Break this news to 'em
gently: and tell Mr. Finch, my agent, to press the people for
their rents, and send me the _ryno_ anyhow. Clotilda sings, and
plays on the Spinet _beautifully_. She is a fair beauty. And if
it's a son, you shall stand _Godfather_. I'm going to leave the
army, having had _enuf of soldering_; and my lord duke
_recommends_ me. I shall pass the winter here: and stop at least
u