nk my Lord Castlewood's health and majority, the 25th of
September, the army being then before Mons: and here Colonel Esmond was
not so fortunate as he had been in actions much more dangerous, and was
hit by a spent ball just above the place where his former wound was,
which caused the old wound to open again, fever, spitting of blood,
and other ugly symptoms, to ensue; and, in a word, brought him near to
death's door. The kind lad, his kinsman, attended his elder comrade with
a very praiseworthy affectionateness and care until he was pronounced
out of danger by the doctors, when Frank went off, passed the winter at
Bruxelles, and besieged, no doubt, some other fortress there. Very few
lads would have given up their pleasures so long and so gayly as Frank
did; his cheerful prattle soothed many long days of Esmond's pain and
languor. Frank was supposed to be still at his kinsman's bedside for
a month after he had left it, for letters came from his mother at
home full of thanks to the younger gentleman for his care of his elder
brother (so it pleased Esmond's mistress now affectionately to style
him); nor was Mr. Esmond in a hurry to undeceive her, when the good
young fellow was gone for his Christmas holiday. It was as pleasant to
Esmond on his couch to watch the young man's pleasure at the idea of
being free, as to note his simple efforts to disguise his satisfaction
on going away. There are days when a flask of champagne at a cabaret,
and a red-cheeked partner to share it, are too strong temptations for
any young fellow of spirit. I am not going to play the moralist, and
cry "Fie." For ages past, I know how old men preach, and what young
men practise; and that patriarchs have had their weak moments too, long
since Father Noah toppled over after discovering the vine. Frank went
off, then, to his pleasures at Bruxelles, in which capital many young
fellows of our army declared they found infinitely greater diversion
even than in London: and Mr. Henry Esmond remained in his sick-room,
where he writ a fine comedy, that his mistress pronounced to be sublime,
and that was acted no less than three successive nights in London in the
next year.

Here, as he lay nursing himself, ubiquitous Mr. Holt reappeared, and
stopped a whole month at Mons, where he not only won over Colonel Esmond
to the King's side in politics (that side being always held by the
Esmond family); but where he endeavored to reopen the controversial
question be