ittle tass of cherry-brandy! 'Twill
do thee all the good in the world."

"As for my poor Harry's marriage," Madam Esmond's letter went on,
"though I know too well, from sad experience, the dangers to which youth
is subject, and would keep my boy, at any price, from them, though I
should wish him to marry a person of rank, as becomes his birth, yet my
Lady Maria Esmond is out of the question. Her age is almost the same as
mine; and I know my brother Castlewood left his daughters with the very
smallest portions. My Harry is so obedient that I know a desire from me
will be sufficient to cause him to give up this imprudent match. Some
foolish people once supposed that I myself once thought of a second
union, and with a person of rank very different from ours. No! I knew
what was due to my children. As succeeding to this estate after me, Mr.
Esmond W. is amply provided for. Let my task now be to save for his less
fortunate younger brother: and, as I do not love to live quite alone,
let him return without delay to his fond and loving mother.

"The report which your ladyship hath given of my Harry fills my heart
with warmest gratitude. He is all indeed a mother may wish. A year in
Europe will have given him a polish and refinement which he could
not acquire in our homely Virginia. Mr. Stack, one of our invaluable
ministers in Richmond, hath a letter from Mr. Ward--my darlings' tutor
of early days--who knows my Lady Warrington and her excellent family,
and saith that my Harry has lived much with his cousins of late. I am
grateful to think that my boy has the privilege of being with his good
aunt. May he follow her counsels, and listen to those around him who
will guide him on the way of his best welfare! Adieu, dear madam and
sister! For your kindness to my boy accept the grateful thanks of a
mother's heart. Though we have been divided hitherto, may these kindly
ties draw us nearer and nearer. I am thankful that you should speak of
my dearest father so. He was, indeed, one of the best of men! He, too,
thanks you, I know, for the love you have borne to one of his children;
and his daughter subscribes herself,--With sincere thanks, your
ladyship's most dutiful and grateful sister and servant, RACHEL ESMOND
WN.

"P.S.--I have communicated with my Lady Maria; but there will no need to
tell her and dear Harry that his mother or your ladyship hope to be able
to increase his small fortune. The match is altogether unsuitable."