early hour next morning the bishop arrived, and was closeted for
some time with his master in his own apartment, where the prince laid open
to his counsellor the wrongs which, according to his version, he had
received from the gentlemen of the Esmond family. The worthy prelate came
out from the conference with an air of great satisfaction; he was a man
full of resources, and of a most assured fidelity, and possessed of
genius, and a hundred good qualities; but captious and of a most jealous
temper, that could not help exulting at the downfall of any favourite; and
he was pleased in spite of himself to hear that the Esmond ministry was at
an end.

"I have soothed your guest," says he, coming out to the two gentlemen and
the widow, who had been made acquainted with somewhat of the dispute of
the night before. (By the version we gave her, the prince was only made to
exhibit anger because we doubted of his intentions in respect to Beatrix;
and to leave us, because we questioned his honour.) "But I think, all
things considered, 'tis as well he should leave this house; and then, my
Lady Castlewood," says the bishop, "my pretty Beatrix may come back to
it."

"She is quite as well at home at Castlewood," Esmond's mistress said,
"till everything is over."

"You shall have your title, Esmond, that I promise you," says the good
bishop, assuming the airs of a prime minister. "The prince hath expressed
himself most nobly in regard of the little difference of last night, and I
promise you he hath listened to my sermon, as well as to that of other
folks," says the doctor archly; "he hath every great and generous quality,
with perhaps a weakness for the sex which belongs to his family, and hath
been known in scores of popular sovereigns from King David downwards."

"My lord, my lord," breaks out Lady Esmond, "the levity with which you
speak of such conduct towards our sex shocks me, and what you call
weakness I call deplorable sin."

"Sin it is, my dear creature," says the bishop, with a shrug, taking
snuff; "but consider what a sinner King Solomon was, and in spite of a
thousand of wives too."

"Enough of this, my lord," says Lady Castlewood, with a fine blush, and
walked out of the room very stately.

The prince entered it presently with a smile on his face, and if he felt
any offence against us on the previous night, at present exhibited none.
He offered a hand to each gentleman with great courtesy. "If all your
bishops pre