But _Esmond_ is a whole from beginning to end, with its tale well told, its purpose developed, its moral brought home,--and its nail hit well on the head and driven in.
I told Thackeray once that it was not only his best work, but so much the best, that there was none second to it.

"That was what I intended," he said, "but I have failed.

Nobody reads it.

After all, what does it matter ?" he went on after awhile.

"If they like anything, one ought to be satisfied.