The History of Henry Esmond, Esq., a Colonel in the Service of Her Majesty Queen AnneThackeray, William Makepeace
History
The History of Henry Esmond, Esq., a Colonel in the Service of Her Majesty Queen Anne
Thackeray, William Makepeace
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714 -- Fiction; Historical fiction
When my lord heard of the news, he also did not make any very long
face. “The money will come very handy to furnish the music-room and the
cellar, which is getting low, and buy your ladyship a coach and a
couple of horses that will do indifferent to ride or for the coach. And,
Beatrix, you shall have a spinnet: and, Frank, you shall have a little
horse from Hexton Fair; and, Harry, you shall have five pounds to buy
some books,” said my lord, who was generous with his own, and indeed
with other folk's money. “I wish your aunt would die once a year,
Rachel; we could spend your money, and all your sisters', too.”
“I have but one aunt--and--and I have another use for the money, my
lord,” says my lady, turning very red.
“Another use, my dear; and what do you know about money?” cries my lord.
“And what the devil is there that I don't give you which you want!”
“I intend to give this money--can't you fancy how, my lord?”
My lord swore one of his large oaths that he did not know in the least
what she meant.
“I intend it for Harry Esmond to go to college. Cousin Harry,” says my
lady, “you mustn't stay longer in this dull place, but make a name to
yourself, and for us too, Harry.”
“D--n it, Harry's well enough here,” says my lord, for a moment looking
rather sulky.
“Is Harry going away? You don't mean to say you will go away?” cry out
Frank and Beatrix at one breath.
“But he will come back: and this will always be his home,” cries my
lady, with blue eyes looking a celestial kindness: “and his scholars
will always love him; won't they?”
“By G-d, Rachel, you're a good woman!” says my lord, seizing my lady's
hand, at which she blushed very much, and shrank back, putting her
children before her. “I wish you joy, my kinsman,” he continued, giving
Harry Esmond a hearty slap on the shoulder. “I won't balk your luck. Go
to Cambridge, boy, and when Tusher dies you shall have the living
here, if you are not better provided by that time. We'll furnish the
dining-room and buy the horses another year. I'll give thee a nag out
of the stable: take any one except my hack and the bay gelding and the
coach-horses; and God speed thee, my boy!”
“Have the sorrel, Harry; 'tis a good one. Father says 'tis the best
in the stable,” says little Frank, clapping his hands, and jumping up.
“Let's come and see him in the stable.” And the other, in his delight
and eagerness, was for leaving the room that instant to arrange about
his journey.
The Lady Castlewood looked after him with sad penetrating glances. “He
wishes to be gone already, my lord,” said she to her husband.
The young man hung back abashed. “Indeed, I would stay for ever, if your
ladyship bade me,” he said.
“And thou wouldst be a fool for thy pains, kinsman,” said my lord. “Tut,
tut, man. Go and see the world. Sow thy wild oats; and take the best
luck that Fate sends thee. I wish I were a boy again, that I might go to
college, and taste the Trumpington ale.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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