The History of Henry Esmond · Chapter
II: I Come to the End of My Captivity, but Not of My Trouble explained
Henry Esmond, imprisoned in Newgate after the duel, receives visits from Captain Steele, an old acquaintance from Castlewood.
What happens
Henry Esmond, imprisoned in Newgate after the duel, receives visits from Captain Steele, an old acquaintance from Castlewood. Steele brings news of Lady Castlewood and Beatrix, and Esmond pleads with him to intercede with his mistress, but she remains obdurate. Esmond also receives a letter and money from the Dowager Viscountess, who offers him shelter upon his release.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Sacrifice
Esmond's willingness to sacrifice his own life for Lord Castlewood's honor is contrasted with Lady Castlewood's unjust accusation that he caused the death.
Love and Duty
Esmond's unrequited love and sense of duty toward Lady Castlewood and her family persist despite her rejection and his imprisonment.
Family and Kinship
The Dowager Viscountess reaches out to Esmond as a kinsman, offering support and shelter, while Lady Castlewood disowns him.
Characters to notice
- Henry Esmond
Imprisoned in Newgate, recovering from wounds and grieving the death of Lord Castlewood; he is in despair over Lady Castlewood's rejection.
- Richard Steele
Now Captain Steele of Lucas's Fusiliers and secretary to Lord Cutts; visits Esmond in prison, brings news of the ladies, and acts as Esmond's emissary to Lady Castlewood.
- Lady Castlewood
The widow, residing at the Dowager's house in Chelsea; she remains angry with Esmond and refuses to see or hear from him.
- Beatrix Esmond
Daughter of Lady Castlewood; Steele praises her beauty extravagantly, comparing her favorably to her mother.
- Colonel Westbury
Fellow prisoner in Newgate; good-humored and friendly, he introduces Steele to Esmond and comments on the duel with Mohun.
- Lord Mohun
Mentioned as the antagonist in the duel; Westbury and Steele discuss his wickedness and predict his bad end.
- Dowager Lady Castlewood
Writes a letter to Esmond in prison, sending money and offering him shelter after his release; she refers to herself as the Marchioness of Esmond.
- Frank Castlewood
Mentioned as the young Viscount Castlewood, born in the same year as the Prince of Wales.
Key passages
“Dick the Scholar was no longer Dick the Trooper now, but Captain Steele of Lucas’s Fusiliers, and secretary to my Lord Cutts, that famous officer of King William’s, the bravest and most beloved man of the English army.”
Richard Steele, once a common soldier, had risen to the rank of captain and now served as secretary to the celebrated Lord Cutts.
Steele's advancement in the military and court is noted.
“I would as lief have pleaded guilty to the murder, and have suffered for it like any other felon, as have to endure the torture to which my mistress subjects me.”
Esmond would rather be executed for murder than suffer the emotional torment Lady Castlewood inflicts on him.
Esmond expresses his profound despair over Lady Castlewood's rejection.
“The poor young man getting no answer, save Tusher’s, to that letter which he had written, and being too proud to write more, opened a part of his heart to Steele, than whom no man, when unhappy, could find a kinder hearer, or more friendly emissary.”
Receiving only a reply from Tusher, Esmond confided in Steele, who was a sympathetic listener and willing messenger.
Esmond turns to Steele for comfort and help in communicating with Lady Castlewood.
