The History of Henry Esmond · Chapter
XI: Our Guest Quits Us as Not Being Hospitable Enough explained
The Prince, angered by Beatrix's absence, accuses the household of inhospitality and jealousy.
What happens
The Prince, angered by Beatrix's absence, accuses the household of inhospitality and jealousy. He demands her return or he will leave. Beatrix is sent away to Castlewood for her safety. The political crisis deepens as the Queen's health wavers and the Lord Treasurer falls. The Prince, after a drunken night, copies state papers himself to protect Esmond. Tensions rise as the Prince's infatuation with Beatrix becomes a liability.
Themes in this chapter
Politics and Loyalty
The Prince's suspicion of Esmond and Castlewood's loyalty clashes with their devotion to the Jacobite cause.
Love and Duty
The Prince's infatuation with Beatrix threatens the political mission; Esmond's protective actions reflect duty over personal desire.
Honor and Sacrifice
Castlewood and Esmond risk their lives and honor to protect Beatrix and the Prince, even at the cost of the Prince's favor.
Characters to notice
- Henry Esmond
Observes the Prince's anger, coordinates Beatrix's departure, and later serves as secretary in the Prince's council.
- Beatrix Esmond
Sent away to Castlewood to avoid the Prince's advances; her absence provokes the Prince's ire.
- Lady Castlewood
Manages the household with composure, announces Beatrix's absence, and participates in the council.
- Frank Castlewood
Defends the family's honor against the Prince's accusations and supports Beatrix's removal.
- Chevalier de St. George
The Prince, angered by Beatrix's removal, accuses the household of inhospitality and later drunkenly demands her return.
- John Lockwood
Faithful servant who waits on the family during the servants' absence.
- Francis Atterbury
The Bishop, who advises the Prince and helps draft proclamations.
Key passages
“I come to your house; I risk my life; I pass it in ennui; I repose myself on your fidelity; I have no company but your lordship's sermons or the conversations of that adorable young lady, and you take her from me, and you, you rest!”
The Prince accuses his hosts of ingratitude and inhospitality for removing Beatrix, claiming he has endured boredom and risk for their sake.
The Prince's outburst reveals his sense of entitlement and his obsession with Beatrix.
“Sir, your Royal Highness is pleased to forget that others risk their lives, and for your cause. Very few Englishmen, please God, would dare to lay hands on your sacred person, though none would ever think of respecting ours. Our family's lives are at your service, and everything we have except our honor.”
Frank Castlewood reminds the Prince that the family has already sacrificed much for his cause and will not compromise their honor.
Frank's reply underscores the tension between loyalty to the Prince and the preservation of family honor.
“Were these papers to be mislaid, or our scheme to come to mishap, my Lord Esmond's writing would bring him to a place where I heartily hope never to see him; and so, by your leave, I will copy the papers myself, though I am not very strong in spelling; and if they are found they will implicate none but the person they most concern.”
The Prince insists on copying the proclamations himself to protect Esmond from potential discovery and execution.
This act shows the Prince's capacity for thoughtfulness and strategic caution, despite his earlier petulance.
