hat came to him in the
shape of the countess his wife was no better than a shrew and a vixen.

Gay as the town was, 'twas but a dreary place for Mr. Esmond, whether
his charmer was in or out of it, and he was glad when his general gave
him notice that he was going back to his division of the army which lay
in winter-quarters at Bois-le-Duc. His dear mistress bade him
farewell with a cheerful face; her blessing he knew he had always, and
wheresoever fate carried him. Mistress Beatrix was away in attendance on
her Majesty at Hampton Court, and kissed her fair fingertips to him, by
way of adieu, when he rode thither to take his leave. She received her
kinsman in a waiting-room, where there were half a dozen more ladies of
the Court, so that his high-flown speeches, had he intended to make
any (and very likely he did), were impossible; and she announced to her
friends that her cousin was going to the army, in as easy a manner as
she would have said he was going to a chocolate-house. He asked with
a rather rueful face, if she had any orders for the army? and she was
pleased to say that she would like a mantle of Mechlin lace. She made
him a saucy curtsy in reply to his own dismal bow. She deigned to kiss
her fingertips from the window, where she stood laughing with the other
ladies, and chanced to see him as he made his way to the "Toy." The
Dowager at Chelsey was not sorry to part with him this time. "Mon cher,
vous etes triste comme un sermon," she did him the honor to say to him;
indeed, gentlemen in his condition are by no means amusing companions,
and besides, the fickle old woman had now found a much more amiable
favorite, and raffoled for her darling lieutenant of the Guard. Frank
remained behind for a while, and did not join the army till later, in
the suite of his Grace the Commander-in-Chief. His dear mother, on the
last day before Esmond went away, and when the three dined together,
made Esmond promise to befriend her boy, and besought Frank to take the
example of his kinsman as of a loyal gentleman and brave soldier, so
she was pleased to say; and at parting, betrayed not the least sign of
faltering or weakness, though, God knows, that fond heart was fearful
enough when others were concerned, though so resolute in bearing its own
pain.

Esmond's general embarked at Harwich. 'Twas a grand sight to see Mr.
Webb dressed in scarlet on the deck, waving his hat as our yacht put
off, and the guns saluted from the sho