"My boy must not see me following him with a wistful face, and have our parting made more dismal by my weakness.

It is good that gentlemen of his rank and station should show themselves where their country calls them.
That has always been the way of the Esmonds, and the same Power which graciously preserved my dear father through twenty great battles in the Queen's time, I trust and pray, will watch over my son now his turn is come to do his duty." And, now, instead of lamenting her fate, or further alluding to it, I dare say the resolute lady sate down with her female friends to a pool of cards and a dish of coffee, whilst the gentlemen remained in the neighbouring parlour, still calling their toasts and drinking their wine.

When one lady objected that these latter were sitting rather long, Madam Esmond said: "It would improve and amuse the boys to be with the English gentlemen.

Such society was very rarely to be had in their distant province, and though their conversation sometimes was free, she was sure that gentleman and men of fashion would have regard to the youth of her sons, and say nothing before them which young people should not hear." It was evident that the English gentlemen relished the good cheer provided for them.

Whilst the ladies were yet at their cards, Nathan came in and whispered Mrs.Mountain, who at first cried out--"No! she would give no more--the common Bordeaux they might have, and welcome, if they still wanted more--but she would not give any more of the Colonel's." It appeared that the dozen bottles of particular claret had been already drunk up by the gentlemen, "besides ale, cider, Burgundy, Lisbon, and Madeira," says Mrs.Mountain, enumerating the supplies.
But Madam Esmond was for having no stint in the hospitality of the night.