away home with rather a reeling gait, and declaring a dozen of times,
that his lordship's affability surpassed every kindness he had ever had
from his lordship's gracious family.

As for young Esmond, when he got to his little chamber, it was with a
heart full of surprise and gratitude towards the new friends whom this
happy day had brought him. He was up and watching long before the house
was astir, longing to see that fair lady and her children--that kind
protector and patron: and only fearful lest their welcome of the past
night should in any way be withdrawn or altered. But presently little
Beatrix came out into the garden, and her mother followed, who greeted
Harry as kindly as before. He told her at greater length the histories
of the house (which he had been taught in the old lord's time), and
to which she listened with great interest; and then he told her, with
respect to the night before, that he understood French, and thanked her
for her protection.

"Do you?" says she, with a blush; "then, sir, you shall teach me and
Beatrix." And she asked him many more questions regarding himself, which
had best be told more fully and explicitly than in those brief replies
which the lad made to his mistress's questions.




CHAPTER II.

RELATES HOW FRANCIS, FOURTH VISCOUNT, ARRIVES AT CASTLEWOOD.