The History of Henry Esmond · Chapter
Beatrix's New Suitor explained
The Duke of Hamilton proposes to Beatrix, and a family secret is revealed: Henry Esmond is the true heir to the Castlewood title but has renounced it for his cousin's sake.
What happens
The Duke of Hamilton proposes to Beatrix, and a family secret is revealed: Henry Esmond is the true heir to the Castlewood title but has renounced it for his cousin's sake. Beatrix accepts the Duke's proposal, acknowledging her ambition, while Esmond presents her with diamonds as a wedding gift and resolves to bear his loss with good humor.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Duty
Beatrix accepts the Duke's proposal out of gratitude and ambition rather than love, while Esmond suppresses his feelings and fulfills his duty to the family.
Honor and Sacrifice
Esmond sacrifices his title and rank for his cousin's sake, an act of honor that is praised by Lady Castlewood and acknowledged by the Duke.
Social Class and Identity
The revelation of Esmond's true lineage and his renunciation of the title highlight the tensions between birthright and chosen identity.
Family and Kinship
The family secret binds the Esmonds together, with Lady Castlewood emphasizing the debt they owe to Henry as a kinsman.
Characters to notice
- Henry Esmond
Reveals his true lineage as the rightful heir to the Castlewood title, renounces it for his cousin's sake, and presents Beatrix with diamonds as a wedding gift.
- Beatrix Esmond
Accepts the Duke of Hamilton's proposal, admits her ambition, and receives the diamond necklace from Esmond with delight.
- Lady Castlewood
Tells the story of Esmond's sacrifice to the Duke and Beatrix, emphasizing the family's debt to him.
- Duke of Hamilton
Proposes to Beatrix, learns of Esmond's true lineage, and plans to marry on December 1st before departing for Paris as ambassador.
- Frank Castlewood
Mentioned as the brother who will give Beatrix away at the wedding.
- Lord Mohun
Mentioned as coming to London again and involved in a lawsuit with the Duke over Lord Gerard's property.
Key passages
“He sacrificed his name at my dying lord's bedside—sacrificed it to my orphan children; gave up rank and honor because he loved us so nobly.”
He gave up his title and status at my dying husband's bedside for the sake of my children, because of his noble love for us.
Lady Castlewood explains Esmond's sacrifice to the Duke.
“From the loss of a tooth to that of a mistress there's no pang that is not bearable. The apprehension is much more cruel than the certainty.”
Any pain, from a toothache to losing a lover, can be endured; the fear of it is worse than the reality.
Esmond reflects on his acceptance of losing Beatrix.
“A Duke has but to gape and they drop into his mouth.”
A Duke only has to open his mouth and good things fall in.
Esmond comments wryly on the Duke's effortless acquisition of Beatrix.