第4章

Sometimeshewouldthrownhimselfonthegrassandreadaloud；thenDaviewouldthrowhimselfbesidehim，andletthewordshecouldnotunderstandflowoverhiminaspiritualcataract。Ontheriverwasaboat，andthoughatfirsthewasawkwardenoughintheuseoftheoars，hewassoonabletoenjoythoroughlyarowupordownthestream，especiallyinthetwilight。

Hewasalonewithhisbookunderabeech-treeonasteepslopetotheriver，thedayafterhisaffairwithlordForgue：readingaloud，hedidnotheartheapproachofhislordship。

“Mr。Grant，“hesaid，“ifyouwillsayyouaresorryyouthrewmefrommyhorse，IwillsayIamsorryIstruckyou。“

“Iamverysorry，“saidDonal，rising，“thatitwasnecessarytothrowyoufromyourhorse；andperhapsyourlordshipmayrememberthatyoustruckmebeforeIdidso。“

“Thathasnothingtodowithit。Iproposeanaccommodation，orcompromise，orwhatyouchoosetocallit：ifyouwilldotheone，I

willdotheother。“

“WhatIthinkIoughttodo，mylord，Idowithoutbargaining。IamnotsorryIthrewyoufromyourhorse，andtosaysowouldbetolie。“

“Ofcourseeverybodythinkshimselfintheright！”saidhislordshipwithasmallsneer。

“Itdoesnotfollowthatnooneiseverintheright！”returnedDonal。“Doesyourlordshipthinkyouwereintheright——eithertowardsmeorthepooranimalwhocouldnotobeyyoubecausehewasintorture？”

“Idon\'tsayIdo。“

“Theneverybodydoesnotthinkhimselfintheright！Itakeyourlordship\'sadmissionasanapology。“

“Bynomeans：whenImakeanapology，Iwilldoit；Iwillnotsneakoutofit。“

Hewasevidentlyatstrifewithhimself：heknewhewaswrong，butcouldnotyetbringhimselftosayso。Itisoneofthepoorestofhumanweaknessesthatamanshouldbeashamedofsayinghehasdonewrong，insteadofsoashamedofhavingdonewrongthathecannotresttillhehassaidso；fortheshamecleavesfastuntiltheconfessionremovesit。

Forguewalkedawayasteportwo，andstoodwithhisbacktoDonal，pokingthepointofhisstickintothegrass。Allatonceheturnedandsaid：

“Iwillapologizeifyouwilltellmeonething。“

“Iwilltellyouwhetheryouapologizeornot，“saidDonal。“Ihaveneveraskedyoutoapologize。“

“Tellmethenwhyyoudidnotreturneitherofmyblowsyesterday。“

“Ishouldliketoknowwhyyouask——butIwillansweryou：simplybecausetodosowouldhavebeentodisobeymymaster。“

“That\'sasortofthingIdon\'tunderstand。ButIonlywantedtoknowitwasnotcowardice；Icouldnotmakeanapologytoacoward。“

“IfIwereacoward，youwouldowemeanapologyallthesame，andheisapoorcreaturewhowillnotpayhisdebts。ButIhopeitisnotnecessaryIshouldeitherthrashorinsultyourlordshiptoconvinceyouIfearyounomorethanthatblackbirdthere！”

Forguegavealittlelaugh。Amoment\'spausefollowed。Thenheheldouthishand，butinahalf-hesitating，almostsheepishway：

“Well，well！shakehands，“hesaid。

“No，mylord，“returnedDonal。“Ibearyourlordshipnottheslightestill-will，butIwillshakehandswithnooneinahalf-heartedway，andnootherwayispossiblewhileyouareuncertainwhetherIamacowardornot。“

Sosaying，hethrewhimselfagainuponthegrass，andlordForguewalkedaway，offendedafresh。

Thenextmorninghecameintotheschool-roomwhereDonalsatatlessonswithDavie。Hehadabookinhishand。

“Mr。Grant，“hesaid，“willyouhelpmewiththispassageinXenophon？”

“Withallmyheart，“answeredDonal，andinafewmomentshadhimoutofhisdifficulty。

Butinsteadofgoing，hislordshipsatdownalittlewayoff，andwentonwithhisreading——satuntilmasterandpupilwentout，andlefthimsittingthere。Thenextmorninghecamewithafreshrequest，andDonalfoundoccasiontoapprovewarmlyofatranslationheproposed。Fromthattimehecamealmosteverymorning。Hewasnogreatscholar，butwiththeprospectofanEnglishuniversitybeforehim，thoughtitbettertoreadalittle。

Thehousekeeperatthecastlewasagoodwoman，andverykindtoDonal，feelingperhapsthathefelltohercarethemorethathewasbybirthofherownclass；foritwassaidinthecastle，“thetutormakesnopretencetobeingagentleman。“Whetherhewasthemoreorthelessofoneonthataccount，Ileavemyreadertojudgeaccordingtohiscapability。Sometimeswhenhisdinnerwasserved，mistressBrookeswouldherselfappear，toensureproperattentiontohim，andwouldsitdownandtalktohimwhileheate，readytoriseandservehimifnecessary。Theirearlydayshadhadsomethingincommon，thoughshecamefromthesouthernhighlandsofgreenhillsandmoresheep。Shegavehimsomeratherneedfulinformationaboutthefamily；andhesoonperceivedthattherewouldhavebeenlesspeaceinthehousebutforhergoodtemperandgoodsense。

LadyArcturawasthedaughterofthelastlordMorven，andleftsoleheirtotheproperty；ForgueandhisbrotherDaviewerethesonsofthepresentearl。Thepresentlordwasthebrotherofthelast，andhadlivedwithhimforsomeyearsbeforehesucceeded。Hewasamanofpeculiarandstudioushabits；nobodyeverseemedtotaketohim；

andsincehiswife\'sdeath，hishealthhadbeenprecarious。Thoughastrangeman，hewasajustifnotgenerousmaster。HisbrotherhadlefthimguardiantoladyArctura，andhehadlivedinthecastleasbefore。Hiswifewasaverylovely，butdelicatewoman，andlatterlyallbutconfinedtoherroom。Sinceherdeathagreatchangehadpasseduponherhusband。Certainlyhisbehaviourwassometimeshardtounderstand。

“Henevergangstothekirk——noanceinatwalmonth！”saidMrs。

Brookes。“Fowksudbedacent，an\'whaeverh\'ardo\'dacentfowk\'atdidnagangtothekirkanceo\'theSabbath！Idinnahaudwi\'gaein\'

twisemysel\'：yehaenatimetoreadyerainchaptersgienyedothat。Buttheman\'saweelbehavetman，saefarasyesee，naithersayin\'nordoin\'thethingheshouldna：whathemaythink，wha\'stosay！themairten\'erconsciencecoontsitsel\'thewaursinner；an\'

I\'mnogaein\'tothinkwhatIcannaken！There\'ssome\'atsaysheledageylowsekin\'o\'alifeaforehecamtobidewi\'theauldyerl；hewaswi\'theairmyi\'furreignpairts，theysay；butabootthatIkennaething。Theauldyerlwassomethingo\'asancthimsel\'，ristthebaneso\'\'im！We\'renothejeedgeso\'theleevin\'

onymairnoro\'thedeid！ButImaunawa\'toluikefterthings；aminute\'sanhoorlostwi\'thaefulelasses。Ye\'reafreen\'o\'

An\'rewComin\'s，theytellme，sir：Idinnakenwhattodowi\'\'slass，she\'sthatupsettin\'！Yewadthinkshewasaneo\'thefaimilywhiles；an\'itherwhilesshe\'sthatsilly！”

“I\'msorrytohearit！”saidDonal。“Hergrandfatherandgrandmotherarethebestofgoodpeople。“

“Idaursay！Butthere\'sjistwhatIhaeseen：them\'at\'sbrouchtuptheirainweeleneuch，theirson\'sbairnthey\'lljistlatgang。

Aitherthey\'retiredo\'thething，ortheythinkthey\'resafe。

TheyhaelippenttilyoongEppyaheapowermuckle。ButI\'mnaitheraprophetnorthesono\'aprophet，astheministersaidlastSunday——an\'saidwell，honestman！forit\'stheplaintrowth：

he\'snoaneo\'themajornoryettheminoranes！Buthaudhimooto\'thepu\'pitan\'hedisnothatill。Hisdochter\'snoanilllassaither，an\'agreatfreen\'o\'myleddy\'s。ButI\'mcleanashamedo\'

mysel\'togangonthisgait。Haeyedunewi\'yerdenner，Mr。

Grant？——Weel，I\'lljistsen\'toclearawa\'，an\'latyetilyerlessons。“

CHAPTERXVII。

LADYARCTURA。

ItwasnowalmostthreeweekssinceDonalhadbecomeaninmateofthecastle，andhehadscarcelysethiseyesontheladyofthehouse。Oncehehadseenherback，andmorethanoncehadcaughtaglimpseofherprofile，buthehadneverreallyseenherface，andtheyhadneverspokentoeachother。

Oneafternoonhewassaunteringalongundertheoverhangingboughsofanavenueofbeeches，formerlytheapproachtoahouseinwhichthefamilyhadoncelived，butwhichhadnowanotherentrance。HehadinhishandacopyoftheApocrypha，whichhehadneverseentillhefoundthisinthelibrary。Inhisusualfashionhehadbeguntoreaditthrough，andwasnowinthebookcalledtheWisdomofSolomon，atthe17thchapter，narratingthediscomfitureofcertainmagicians。Takenwiththebeautyofthepassage，hesatdownonanoldstone-roller，andreadaloud。Partsofthepassagewerethese——theywillenrichmypage：——

“Forthey，thatpromisedtodriveawayterrorsandtroublesfromasicksoul，weresickthemselvesoffear，worthytobelaughedat。

“……Forwickedness，condemnedbyherownwitness，isverytimorous，andbeingpressedwithconscience，alwaysforecastethgrievousthings。

“……Buttheysleepingthesamesleepthatnight，whichwasindeedintolerable，andwhichcameuponthemoutofthebottomsofinevitablehell，“Werepartlyvexedwithmonstrousapparitions，andpartlyfainted，theirheartfailingthem：forasuddenfear，andnotlookedfor，cameuponthem。

“Sothenwhosoevertherefelldownwasstraitlykept，shutupinaprisonwithoutironbars。

“Forwhetherhewerehusbandman，orshepherd，oralabourerinthefield，hewasovertaken，andenduredthatnecessity，whichcouldnotbeavoided：fortheywereallboundwithonechainofdarkness。

“Whetheritwereawhistlingwind，oramelodiousnoiseofbirdsamongthespreadingbranches，orapleasingfallofwaterrunningviolently，“Oraterriblesoundofstonescastdown，orarunningthatcouldnotbeseenofskippingbeasts，oraroaringvoiceofmostsavagewildbeasts，orareboundingechofromthehollowmountains；thesethingsmadethemtoswoonforfear。

“Forthewholeworldshinedwithclearlight，andnonewerehinderedintheirlabour：

“Overthemonlywasspreadanheavynight，animageofthatdarknesswhichshouldafterwardreceivethem：butyetweretheyuntothemselvesmoregrievousthanthedarkness。“

Hehadreadsomuch，andstoppedtothinkalittle；forthroughtheincongruityofit，whichhedidnotdoubtarosefrompovertyofimaginationinthetranslator，renderinghimunabletoseewhatthepoetmeant，ranyetanindubitableveinofawfultruth，whetherfullyintendedbythewriterornotmatteredlittletosuchareaderasDonal——when，liftinghiseyes，hesawladyArcturastandingbeforehimwithastrangelisteninglook。Aspellseemeduponher；

herfacewaswhite，herlipswhiteandalittleparted。

Attracted，asshewasabouttopasshim，bythesoundofwhatwasnonethelessliketheBiblefromthesolemncrooningwayinwhichDonalreadittothecongregationofhislisteningthoughts，yetwascertainlynottheBible，shewaspresentlyfascinatedbythevagueterrorofwhatsheheard，andstoodabsorbed：withoutmuchoriginativepower，shehadanimaginationpromptanddelicateandstronginresponse。

Donalhadbutaglanceofher；hiseyesreturnedagainatoncetohisbook，andhesatsilentandmotionless，thoughnotseeingaword。Foroneinstantshestoodstill；thenheheardthesoftsoundofherdressas，withnoiselessfoot，shestoleback，andtookanotherway。

Imustgivemyreaderashadowofher。Shewasrathertall，slender，andfair。Butherhairwasdark，andsocrinklythat，whenmerelyparted，itdidalltherestitself。Herforeheadwasratherlow。Hereyesweresoftlydark，andherfeaturesveryregular——hernoseperhapshardlylargeenough，orherchin。Hermouthwasratherthin-lipped，butwouldhavebeensweetexceptforaseeminglyhabitualexpressionofpain。Apairofdarkbrowsoverhunghersweeteyes，andgavealookofdoubtfultemper，yetrestoredsomethingofthestrengthlackingalittleinnoseandchin。Itwasaninteresting——notaquiteharmoniousface，andinhappinessmight，Donalthought，bebeautifuleven。Herfigurewaseminentlygraceful——asDonalsawwhenheraisedhiseyesatthesoundofherretreat。Hethoughtsheneedednothaverunawayasfromsomethingdangerous：whydidshenotpasshimlikeanyotherservantofthehouse？Butwhatseemedtohimlikecontemptdidnothurthim。Hewastoofullofrealitiestobemuchaffectedbyopinionhowevershown。Besides，hehadhadhissorrowandhadlearnedhislesson。

Hewasapoet——butoneofthefewwithoutanyweaklongingafterlisteningears。Thepoetwhosepoetryneedsanaudience，canbebutlittleofapoet；neithercanthepoetrythatisofnogoodtothemanhimself，beofmuchgoodtoanybodyelse。Therearethesong-poetsandthelife-poets，orrathertheGod-poems。Sympathyislovelyanddear——chieflywhenitcomesunsought；butthefameafterwhichsomanywould-be，yea，somanyrealpoetssigh，ispoorestfroth。Donalcouldsinghissongslikethebirds，contentwiththeblueheavenorthesheepforanaudience——oranypassingangelthatcaredtolisten。Onthehill-sideshewouldsingthemaloud，butitwasofthemerestnaturalnecessity。Alookofestrangementonthefaceofafriend，alookofsufferingonthatofanyanimal，wouldatonceandsorelyaffecthim，butnotadisparagingexpressiononthefaceofacomparativestranger，wereshetheloveliestwomanhehadeverseen。Hewaslittletroubledabouttheworld，becauselittletroubledabouthimself。

LadyArcturaandlordForguelivedtogetherlikebrotherandsister，apparentlywithoutmuchincommon，andstilllessofmisunderstanding。Therewouldhavebeenmorechanceoftheirtakingafancytoeachotheriftheyhadnotbeenbroughtuptogether；theywerenowlittletogether，andneveralonetogether。

Veryfewvisitorscametothecastle，andthenonlytocall。LordMorvenseldomsawanyone，hisexcusebeinghishealth。

ButladyArcturawasontermsofintimacywithSophiaCarmichael，theminister\'sdaughter——towhomherfatherhadcommunicatedhisdissatisfactionwiththecharacterofDonal，andpouredouthisindignationathisconduct。Heoughttohavelefttheparishatonce！whereashehadinsteadsecuredforhimselfthebest，theonlysituationinit，withoutgivinghimachanceofwarninghislordship！Themoreinjusticeherfatherspokeagainsthim，themoreMissCarmichaelcondemnedhim；forshewasagooddaughter，andlookeduptoherfatherasthewisestandbestmanintheparish。

VerynaturallythereforesherepeatedhiswordstoladyArctura。

Sheinherturnconveyedthemtoheruncle。Hewouldnot，however，paymuchattentiontothem。Thethingwasdone，hesaid。HehadhimselfseenandtalkedwithDonal，andlikedhim！Theyoungmanhadhimselftoldhimoftheclergyman\'sdisapprobation！Hewouldrequesthimtoavoidallreferencetoreligioussubjects！Therewithhedismissedthematter，andforgotallaboutit。Anythingrequiringaneffortofthewill，anarrangementofideas，orthoughtastomode，hislordshipwouldnotencounter。Norwasanythingtohimofsuchmomentthathemustdoitatonce。LadyArcturadidnotagainrefertothematter：herunclewasnotonetotakelibertieswith——leastofalltopresstoaction。Butshecontinuedpainfullydoubtfulwhethershewasnotneglectingherduty，tryingtopersuadeherselfthatshewaswaitingonlytillsheshouldhavesomethingdefinitetosayofherownknowledgeagainsthim。

AndnowwhatwasshetoconcludefromhisreadingtheApocrypha？

Thefactwasnottobeinterpretedtohisadvantage：washenotreadingwhatwasnottheBibleasifitweretheBible，andwhenhemighthavebeenreadingtheBibleitself？Besides，theApocryphacamesoneartheBiblewhenitwasnottheBible！itmustbeatleastratherwicked！Atthesametimeshecouldnotdrivefromhermindtheimpressivenessbothofthemattershehadheard，andhismannerofreadingit：thestrongsoundofjudgmentandcondemnationinitcamehometoher——shecouldnothavetoldhoworwhy，exceptgenerallybecauseofhersins。Shewasoneofthose——notveryfewI

think——whofromconjunctionofalovelyconsciencewithanill-instructedmind，aredoomedforaseasontomuchsuffering。Shewaslargelydifferentfromherfriend：thereligiousopinionsofthelatter——theywereinrealityrathermetaphysicalthanreligious，andbadeitherway——thoughsheclungtothemwithallthetenacityofacreaturewithclaws，occasionedhernotanatomofmentaldiscomposure：perhapsthatwasinpartwhysheclungtothem！theywereasshewouldhavethem！ShedidnottroubleherselfaboutwhatGodrequiredofher，beyondholdingthedoctrinetheholdingofwhichguaranteed，asshethought，herfuturewelfare。ConsciencetowardGodhadverylittletodowithheropinions，andherheartstillless。Herheadonthecontrary，perhapsratherhermemory，wasconsiderablyoccupiedwiththematter；nothingsheheldhadeverbeenbyherregardedonitsownmerits——thatis，onitsindividualclaimtotruth；ifithadbeenhandeddownbyherchurch，thatwasenough；tosupportitshewouldsearchouttextaftertext，andpressitintotheservice。Anymeaningbutthatwhichthechurchofherfathersgavetoapassagemustbeofthedevil，andeverymanopposedtothetruthwhosawinthatmeaninganythingbuttruth！ItwasindeedimpossibleMissCarmichaelshouldseeanymeaningbutthat，evenifshehadlookedforit；shewasnowisequalifiedfordiscoveringtruth，notbeingherselftrue。Whatshesawandlovedinthedoctrinesofherchurchwasnotthetruth，buttheassertion；

andwhoeverquestioned，nottosaythedoctrine，buteventheprovingofitbyanyparticularpassage，wasadangerousperson，andunsound。Allthetimeheracceptanceanddefenceofanydoctrinemadenottheslightestdifferencetoherlife——asindeedhowshouldit？

SuchwastheonlyfriendladyArcturahad。Buttheconscienceandheartoftheyoungerwomanwerealivetoadegreethatbodedilleitherforthedoctrinethatstintedtheirgrowth，orthenatureunabletocastitoff。MissCarmichaelwasawomanaboutsix-and-twenty——andhadbeenawoman，liketoomanyScotchgirls，longbeforeshewasoutofherteens——ahumanflowercutanddried——anunpleasantspecimen，andbynomeansvaluablefromitsscarcity。Self-sufficient，assured，withscarceshynessenoughformodesty，handsomeandhard，shewasessentiallyaself-gloriousPhilistine；norwouldshebeanythingbettertillsomethingwassenttohumbleher，thoughwhatspiritualenginemightbeequaltothetaskwasnotformantoimagine。Shewasclever，butherclevernessmadenobodyhappier；shehadgreatconfidence，butherconfidencegavecouragetonoone，andtookitfrommany；shehadlittlefancy，andlessimaginationthananyotherIeverknew。Thedivinewonderwas，thatshehadnotyetdriventhedelicate，truth-lovingArcturamad。Fromherchildhoodshehadhadtheorderingofallheropinions：whateverSophyCarmichaelsaid，ladyArcturaneverthoughtofquestioning。Alieisindeedathinginitsnatureunbelievable，butthereisafalsebeliefalwaysreadytoreceivethefalsetruth，andthereisnoendtothemischiefthetwocanwork。Theawfulpunishmentofuntruthintheinwardpartsisthatthemanisgivenovertobelievealie。

LadyArcturawasinherselfagentlecreaturewhoshrankfromeithergivingorreceivingaroughtouch；butshehadaninheritedpride，byherselfunrecognizedassuch，whichmadehercapableofhurtingaswellasbeinghurt。NexttothedoctrinesoftheScottishchurch，sherespectedherownfamily：ithadintruthnootherclaimtorespectthanthatitslittlegoodandmuchevilhadbeendonebeforetheeyesofalargepartofmanygenerations——whenceshewasborntothinkherselfdistinguished，andtoimagineaclaimfortheacknowledgmentofdistinctionuponallexceptthoseofgreatlyhigherrankthanherown。Thisinbornarrogancewasinsomedegreemodifiedbyrespectforthewritersofcertainbooks——notoneofwhomwasofanyregardintheeyesofthethinkersoftheage。Ofanywritersofpower，beyondthoseoftheBible，eitherinthiscountryoranother，sheknewnothing。Yetshehadarealinstinctforwhatwasgoodinliterature；andofthewriterstowhomIhavereferredshenotonlylikedtheworthiestbest，butlikedbesttheirbestthings。Ineedhardlysaytheywereallreligiouswriters；forthekeenconscienceandobedientheartofthegirlhadmadeherveryearlyturnherselftowardsthequarterwherethesunoughttorise，thequarterwhereallnightlonggleamstheauroralhope；butunhappilyshehadnotgonedirecttotheheavenlywellinearthlyground——thewordsoftheMasterhimself。Howcouldshe？Fromverychildhoodhermindhadbeenfilledwithtraditionaryutterancesconcerningthedivinecharacterandthedivineplans——themerestinventionsofmenfarmoredesirousofunderstandingwhattheywerenotrequiredtounderstand，thanofdoingwhattheywererequiredtodo——whencetheircrudeandfalseutterancesconcerningaGodoftheirownfancy——inwhomitwasagoodman\'sduty，inthenameofanypossibleGod，todisbelieve；andjustbecauseshewastrue，authorityhadimmensepoweroverher。Theverysweetnessoftheirnatureforbidssuchtodoubtthefitnessofothers。

Shehadbesideshadagovernessoftheorthodoxtype，alargeproportionofwhoseteachingwasoftheworstheresy，foritwasliesagainsthimwhoislight，andinwhomisnodarknessatall；

herdoctrinesweresomanysmokedglassesheldupbetweenthemindofherpupilandthegloryofthelivingGod；norhadsheoncedirectedhergazetotheverylikenessofGod，thefaceofJesusChrist。HadArcturasetherselftounderstandhimtheknowledgeofwhomiseternallife，shewouldhavebelievednoneofthesefalsereportsofhim，butshehadnotyetmetwithanyonetohelphertocastasidethedoctrinesofmen，andgofacetofacewiththeSonofMan，thevisibleGod。Firstlieofall，shehadbeentaughtthatshemustbelievesoandsobeforeGodwouldlethercomenearhimorlistentoher。Theoldcobblercouldhavetaughtherdifferently；

butshewouldhavethoughtitimpropertoholdconversationwithsuchaman，evenifshehadknownhimforthebestmaninAuchars。

Shewasinsoreandsadearnesttobelieveasshewastoldshemustbelieve；thereforeinsteadofbeginningtodowhatJesusChristsaid，shetriedhardtoimagineherselfoneofthechosen，triedhardtobelieveherselfthechiefofsinners。TherewasnoonetotellherthatitisonlythemanwhoseessomethingofthegloryofGod，theheightanddepthandbreadthandlengthofhisloveandunselfishness，notachilddabblinginstupiddoctrines，thatcanfeellikeSt。Paul。Shetriedtofeelthatshedeservedtobeburnedinhellforeverandever，andthatitwasboundlesslygoodofGod——whomadehersothatshecouldnothelpbeingasinner——togivehertheleastchanceofescapingit。Shetriedtofeelthat，thoughshecouldnotbesavedwithoutsomethingwhichtheGodofperfectlovecouldgiveherifhepleased，butmightnotpleasetogiveher，yetifshewasnotsaveditwouldbeallherownfault：andsoevertheroundofagreatmiserabletreadmillofcontradictions！Foramomentshewouldbeabletosaythisorthatshethoughtsheoughttosay；thenextthefeelingwouldbegone，andsheasmiserableasbefore。Herfriendmadenoattempttoimbueherwithherowncalmindifference，norcouldshehavesucceededhadsheattemptedit。

Butthoughshehadneverbeentroubledherself，andthatbecauseshehadneverbeeninearnest，shedidnotfinditthelesseasytotakeuponherther鬺eofaspiritualadviser，andgavenoendofcounselfortheattainmentofassurance。Shetoldhertrulyenoughthatallhertroublecameofwantoffaith；butsheshowedhernoonefittobelievein。

CHAPTERXVIII。

ACLASH。

Allthistime，Donalhadneveragainseentheearl，neitherhadthelattershownanyinterestinDavie\'sprogress。ButladyArcturawasfullofseriousanxietyconcerninghim。Heavilyprejudicedagainstthetutor，shedreadedhisinfluenceonthemindofherlittlecousin。

Therewasasmallrecessintheschoolroom——ithadbeenabaywindow，butfromanarchitecturalnecessityarisingfromdecay，ithad，allexceptanarroweasternlight，beenbuiltup——andinthisrecessDonalwasonedaysittingwithabook，whileDaviewasbusywritingatthetableinthemiddleoftheroom：itwaspastschool-hours，buttheweatherdidnotinvitethemoutofdoors，andDonalhadgivenDavieapoemtocopy。LadyArcturacameintotheroom——shehadneverentereditbeforesinceDonalcame——andthinkinghewasalone，begantotalktotheboy。ShespokeinsogentleatonethatDonal，busywithhisbook，didnotforsometimedistinguishawordshesaid。Heneversuspectedshewasunawareofhispresence。Bydegreeshervoicegrewalittlelouder，andbyandbythesewordsreachedhim：

“Youknow，Daviedear，everysin，whateveritis，deservesGod\'swrathandcurse，bothinthislifeandthatwhichistocome；andifithadnotbeenthatJesusChristgavehimselftoturnawayhisangerandsatisfyhisjusticebybearingthepunishmentforus，Godwouldsendusalltotheplaceofmiseryforeverandever。Itisforhissake，notforours，thathepardonsus。“

ShehadnotyetceasedwhenDonalroseinthewrathoflove，andcameoutintotheroom。

“LadyArctura，“hesaid，“IdarenotsitstillandhearsuchfalsethingsutteredagainsttheblessedGod！”

LadyArcturastartedindiredismay，butinvirtueofherbreedandherpriderecoveredherselfimmediately，drewherselfup，andsaid——

“Mr。Grant，youforgetyourself！”

“I\'mverywillingtodothat，mylady，“answeredDonal，“butImustnotforgetthehonourofmyGod。IfyouwereaheathenwomanImightthinkwhetherthehourwascomeforenlighteningyoufurther，buttohearonewhohashadtheBibleinherhandsfromherchildhoodsaysuchthingsabouttheGodwhomadeherandsenthisSontosaveher，withoutansweringawordforhim，wouldbecowardly！”

“Whatdoyouknowaboutsuchthings？Whatgivesyouarighttospeak？”saidladyArctura。

Herpride-strengthwasalreadybeginningtodeserther。

“IhadaChristianmother，“answeredDonal，“——haveheryet，thankGod！——whotaughtmetolovenothingbutthetruth；IhavestudiedtheBiblefrommychildhood，oftenwholedaystogether，whenIwasoutwiththecattleorthesheep；andIhavetriedtodowhattheLordstellsme，fromnearlytheearliesttimeIcanremember。

ThereforeIamabletosettomysealthatGodistrue——thatheislight，andthereisnodarknessofunfairnessorselfishnessinhim。

IloveGodwithmywholeheartandsoul，mylady。“

Arcturatriedtosayshetoolovedhimso，butherconscienceinterfered，andshecouldnot。

“Idon\'tsayyoudon\'tlovehim，“Donalwenton；“buthowyoucanlovehimandbelievesuchthingsofhim，Idon\'tunderstand。

WhoevertaughtthemfirstwasaterribleliaragainstGod，whoislovelierthanalltheimaginationsofallhiscreaturescanthink。“

LadyArcturasweptfromtheroom——thoughshewastremblingfromheadtofoot。AtthedoorsheturnedandcalledDavie。Theboylookedupinhistutor\'sface，mutelyaskingifheshouldobeyher。

“Go，“saidDonal。

Inlessthanaminutehecameback，hiseyesfulloftears。

“Arkiesayssheisgoingtotellpapa。Isittrue，Mr。Grant，thatyouareadangerousman？Idonotbelieveit——thoughyoudocarrysuchabigknife。“

Donallaughed。

“Itismygrandfather\'sskeandhu，“hesaid：“Imendmypenswithit，youknow！Butitisstrange，Davie，that，whenabodyknowssomethingotherpeopledon\'t，theyshouldbeangrywithhim！Theywilleventhinkhewantstomakethembadwhenhewantstohelpthemtobegood！”

“ButArkieisgood，Mr。Grant！”

“Iamsuresheis。ButshedoesnotknowsomuchaboutGodasIdo，orshewouldneversaysuchthingsofhim：wemusttalkabouthimmoreafterthis！”

“No，no，please，Mr。Grant！Wewon\'tsayawordabouthim，forArkiesaysexceptyoupromisenevertospeakofGod，shewilltellpapa，andhewillsendyouaway。“

“Davie，“saidDonalwithsolemnity，“Iwouldnotgivesuchapromiseforthecastleandallitcontains——no，nottosaveyourlifeandthelifeofeverybodyinit！ForJesussays，\'Whosoeverdeniethmebeforemen，himwillIdenybeforemyfatherinheaven；\'andratherthanthat，Iwouldjumpfromthetopofthecastle。Why，Davie！

wouldamandenyhisownfatherormother？”

“Idon\'tknow，“answeredDavie；“Idon\'tremembermymother。“

“I\'lltellyouwhat，“saidDonal，withsuddeninspiration：“IwillpromisenottospeakaboutGodatanyothertime，ifshewillpromisetositbywhenIdospeakofhim——sayonceaweek——Perhapsweshalldowhathetellsusallthebetterthatwedon\'ttalksomuchabouthim！”

“Oh，thankyou，Mr。Grant！——Iwilltellher，“criedDavie，jumpinguprelieved。“Oh，thankyou，Mr。Grant！”herepeated；“Icouldnotbearyoutogoaway。Ishouldneverstopcryingifyoudid。Andyouwon\'tsayanywickedthings，willyou？forArkiereadsherBibleeveryday。“

“SodoI，Davie。“

“Doyou？”returnedDavie，“I\'lltellherthattoo，andthenshewillseeshemusthavebeenmistaken。“

HehurriedtohiscousinwithDonal\'ssuggestion。

Itthrewherintonosmallperplexity——firstfromdoubtastotheproprietyofthethingproposed，nextbecauseoftheawkwardnessofit，thenfromasuddenfearlesthisspecioustongueshouldleadherselfintothebypathsofdoubt，andtothecastleofGiantDespair——atwhich，indeed，itwasagraciouswondershehadnotarrivederenow。Whatifsheshouldbepersuadedofthingswhichitwasimpossibletobelieveandbesaved！Shedidnotseethatsuchbeliefasshedesiredtohavewasinitselfessentialdamnation。

ForwhatcantherebeinheavenorearthforasoulthatbelievesinanunjustGod？Torejoiceinsuchabeliefwouldbetobeadevil，andtobelievewhatcannotberejoicedin，ismisery。Nodoubtamanmaynotseethetruenatureofthethingshethinksshebelieves，butthatcannotsavehimfromthelossofnotknowingGod，whomtoknowisaloneeternallife；forwhocanknowhimthatbelievesevilthingsofhim？Thatmanyagoodmandoesbelievesuchthings，onlyargueshisheartnotyetonetowardshim。TomakehisbeliefpossiblehemustdwellonthegoodthingshehaslearnedaboutGod，andnotthinkaboutthebadthings。

AndwhatwouldSophiasay？LadyArcturawouldhavespedtoherfriendforcounselbeforegivinganyanswertotheaudaciousproposal，butshewasjustthenfromhomeforafortnight，andshemustresolvewithouther！Shereflectedalsothatshehadnotyetanythingsufficientlydefinitetosaytoheruncleabouttheyoungman\'sfalsedoctrine；and，forherself，concludedthat，asshewaswellgroundedforargument，knowingthoroughlytheShorterCatechismwiththeproofsfromscriptureofeverydoctrineitcontained，itwasfoolishtofearanythingfromonewhowentinthestrengthofhisownignorantandpresumptuouswill，regardlessoftheopinionsofthefathersofthechurch，andacceptingonlysuchthingsaswerepleasingtohisunregeneratenature。

Butshehesitated；andafterwaitingforaweekwithoutreceivinganyanswertohisproposal，DonalsaidtoDavie，“WeshallhavealessonintheNewTestamentto-morrow：youhadbettermentionittoyourcousin。“

Thenextmorningheaskedhimifhehadmentionedit。Theboysaidhehad。

“Whatdidshesay，Davie？”

“Nothing——onlylookedstrange，“answeredDavie。

Whenthehourofnoonwaspast，andladyArcturadidnotappear，Donalsaid，“Davie，we\'llhaveourNewTestamentlessonoutofdoors：thatisthebestplaceforit！”

“Itisthebestplace！”respondedDavie，jumpingup。“Butyou\'renottakingyourbook，Mr。Grant！”

“Nevermind；Iwillgiveyoualessonortwowithoutbookfirst。“

Justastheywereleavingtheroom，appearedladyArcturawithMissCarmichael。

“Iunderstood，“saidtheformer，withnotalittlehaughtiness，“thatyou——“

Shehesitated，andMissCarmichaeltookuptheword。

“Wewishtoformourownjudgment，“shesaid，“onthenatureofthereligiousinstructionyougiveyourpupil。“

“IinvitedladyArcturatobepresentwhenItaughthimaboutGod，“

saidDonal。

“Thenareyounotnowgoingtodoso？”saidArctura。

“Asyourladyshipmadenoanswertomyproposal，andschoolhourswereover，Iconcludedyouwerenotcoming。“

“Andyouwouldnotgivethelessonwithoutherladyship！”saidMissCarmichael。“Veryright！”

“Excuseme，“returnedDonal；“weweregoingtohaveitoutofdoors。“

“Butyouhadagreednottogivehimanyso-calledreligiousinstructionbutinthepresenceofladyArctura！”

“Bynomeans。Ionlyofferedtogiveitinherpresenceifshechose。Therewasnoquestionofthelessonsbeinggiven。“

MissCarmichaellookedatladyArcturaasmuchastosay——“Ishespeakingthetruth？”andifshereplied，itwasinthesamefashion。

DonallookedatMissCarmichael。Hedidnotatallrelishherinterference。Hehadneversaidhewouldgivehislessonbeforeanywhochosetobepresent！Buthedidnotseehowtomeettheintrusion。Neithercouldheturnbackintotheschoolroom，sitdown，andbegin。HeputhishandonDavie\'sshoulder，andwalkedslowlytowardsthelawn。Theladiesfollowedinsilence。Hesoughttoforgettheirpresence，andbeconsciousonlyofhispupil\'sandhismaster\'s。Onthelawnhestoppedsuddenly。

“Davie，“hesaid，“wheredoyoufancythefirstlessonintheNewTestamentoughttobegin？”

“Atthebeginning，“repliedDavie。

“Whenathingisperfect，Davie，itisdifficulttosaywhatisthebeginningofit：showmeoneofyourmarbles。“

Theboyproducedfromhispocketapurewhiteone——arealmarble。

“Thatisagoodoneforthepurpose，“remarkedDonal，“——verysmoothandwhite，withjustoneredstreakinit！Nowwhereisthebeginningofthismarble？”

“Nowhere，“answeredDavie。

“IfIshouldsayeverywhere？”suggestedDonal。

“Ah，yes！”saidtheboy。

“ButIagreewithyouthatitbeginsnowhere。“

“Itcan\'tdoboth！”

“Oh，yes，itcan！itbeginsnowhereforitself，buteverywhereforus。Onlyallitsbeginningsareendings，andallitsendingsarebeginnings。Lookhere：supposewebeginatthisredstreak，itisjustthereweshouldendagain。Thatisbecauseitisaperfectthing——Well，therewasonewhosaid，\'IamAlphaandOmega，\'——thefirstGreekletterandthelast，youknow——\'thebeginningandtheend，thefirstandthelast。\'AlltheNewTestamentisabouthim。

Heisperfect，andImaybeginabouthimwhereIbestcan。Listenthenasifyouhadneverheardanythingabouthimbefore——Manyyearsago——aboutfiftyorsixtygrandfathersoff——thereappearedintheworldafewmenwhosaidthatacertainmanhadbeentheircompanionforsometimeandhadjustleftthem；thathewaskilledbycruelmen，andburiedbyhisfriends；butthat，ashehadtoldthemhewould，helayinthegraveonlythreedays，andleftitonthethirdaliveandwell；andthat，afterfortydays，duringwhichtheysawhimseveraltimes，hewentupintothesky，anddisappeared——Itwasn\'taverylikelystory，wasit？”

“No，“repliedDavie。

Theladiesexchangedlooksofhorror。Neitherspoke，buteachleanedeagerlyforward，infascinatedexpectationofworsetofollow。

“But，Davie，“Donalwenton，“howeverunlikelyitmusthaveseemedtothosewhoheardit，Ibelieveeverywordofit。“

ArippleofcontemptpassedoverMissCarmichael\'sface。

“For，“continuedDonal，“themansaidhewasthesonofGod，comedownfromhisfathertoseehisbrothers，hisfather\'schildren，andtakehomewithhimtohisfatherthosewhowouldgo。“

“Excuseme，“interruptedMissCarmichael，withapungentsmile：

“whathesaidwas，thatifanymanbelievedinhim，heshouldbesaved。“

“Runalong，Davie，“saidDonal。“Iwilltellyoumoreofwhathesaidnextlesson。Don\'tforgetwhatI\'vetoldyounow。“

“No，sir，“answeredDavie，andranoff。

Donalliftedhishat，andwouldhavegonetowardstheriver。ButMissCarmichael，steppingforward，said，“Mr。Grant，Icannotletyougotillyouanswermeonequestion：doyoubelieveintheatonement？”

“Ido，“answeredDonal。

“Favourmethenwithyourviewsuponit，“shesaid。

“Areyoutroubledinyourmindonthesubject？”askedDonal。

“Notintheleast，“shereplied，withaslightcurlofherlip。

“ThenIseenooccasionforgivingyoumyviews。“

“ButIinsist。“

Donaldsmiled。

“Ofwhatconsequencecanmyopinionsbetoyou，ma\'am？Whyshouldyoucompelaconfessionofmyfaith？”

“Asthefriendofthisfamily，andthedaughteroftheclergymanofthisparish，Ihavearighttoaskwhatyouropinionsare：youhaveamostimportantchargecommittedtoyou——achildforwhosesoulyouhavetoaccount！”

“ForthatIamaccountable，but，pardonme，nottoyou。“

“YouareaccountabletolordMorvenforwhatyouteachhischild。“

“Iamnot。“

“What！Hewillturnyouawayatamoment\'snoticeifyousaysotohim。“

“Ishouldbequitereadytogo。IfIwereaccountabletohimforwhatItaught，Ishouldofcourseteachonlywhathepleased。ButdoyousupposeIwouldtakeanysituationonsuchacondition？”

“Itisnothingtome，orhislordshipeither，Ipresume，whatyouwouldorwouldnotdo。“

“ThenIseenoreasonwhyyoushoulddetainme——LadyArctura，Ididnotoffertogivemylessoninthepresenceofanyotherthanyourself：Iwillnotdosoagain。Youwillbewelcome，foryouhavearighttoknowwhatIamteachinghim。Ifyoubringanother，exceptitbemylordMorven，IwilltakeDavidtomyownroom。“

Withthesewordsheleftthem。

LadyArcturawassorelybewildered。Shecouldnotbutfeelthatherfriendhadnotshowntothebetteradvantage，andthatthebehaviourofDonalhadbeendignified。Butsurelyhewasverywrong！whathesaidtoDaviesoundedsoverydifferentfromwhatwassaidatchurch，andbyherhelper，MissCarmichael！Itwasapitytheyhadheardsolittle！HewouldhavegoneonifonlySophyhadhadpatienceandheldherpeace！Perhapshemighthavespokenbetterthingsifshehadnotinterfered！Itwouldhardlybefairtocondemnhimuponsolittle！HehadsaidthathebelievedeverywordoftheNewTestament——orsomethingverylikeit！

“Ihaveheardenough！”saidMissCarmichael：“Iwillspeaktomyfatheratonce。“

ThenextdayDonalreceivedanotetothefollowingeffect：——

“Sir，inconsequenceofwhatIfeltboundtoreporttomyfatheroftheconversationwehadyesterday，hedesiresthatyouwillcalluponhimatyourearliestconvenienceHeisgenerallyathomefromthreetofive。Yourstruly，SophiaAgnesCarmichael。“

TothisDonalimmediatelyreplied：——

“Madam，notwithstandingtheintroductionIbroughthimfromanotherclergyman，yourfatherdeclinedmyacquaintance，passingmeafterwardsasoneunknowntohim。Fromthisfact，andfromthenatureofthereportwhichyourbehaviourtomeyesterdayjustifiesmeinsupposingyoumusthavecarriedtohim，Icanhardlymistakehisobjectinwishingtoseeme。Iwillattendthecallofnomantodefendmyopinions；yourfather\'sIhaveheardalmosteverySundaysinceIcametothecastle，andhavebeenfromchildhoodfamiliarwiththem。Yourstruly，DonalGrant。“

Notawordmorecametohimfromeitherofthem。Whentheyhappenedtomeet，MissCarmichaeltooknomorenoticeofhimthanherfather。

Butsheimpressedituponthemindofherfriendthat，ifunabletoprocurehisdismission，sheoughtatleasttodowhatshecouldtoprotecthercousinfromtheawfulconsequencesofsuchfalseteaching：ifshewaspresent，hewouldnotsaysuchthingsashewouldinherabsence，foritwasplainhewasunderrestraintwithher！Shemightevenhavesomeinfluencewithhimifshewouldbuttakecouragetoshowhimwherehewaswrong！Orshemightfindthingssuchthatherunclemustseethenecessityofturninghimaway；astheplacebelongedtoher，hewouldnevergodeadagainsther！Shedidnotseethatthatwasjustthethingtofettertheactionofadelicate-mindedgirl。

Continuallyhaunted，however，withthefeelingthatsheoughttodosomething，ladyArcturafeltasifshedarednotabsentherselffromthelesson，howeverdisagreeableitmightprove：thatmuchshecoulddo！Uponthenextoccasion，therefore，sheappearedintheschoolroomatthehourappointed，andwithacoldbowtookthechairDonalplacedforher。

“Now，Davie，“saidDonal，“whathaveyoudonesinceourlastlesson？”

Daviestared。

“Youdidn\'ttellmetodoanything，Mr。Grant！”

“No；butwhatthendidIgiveyouthelessonfor？Whereisthegoodofsuchalessonifitmakesnodifferencetoyou！WhatwasitI

toldyou？”

Davie，whohadneverthoughtaboutitsince，thelessonhavingbeenbrokenoffbeforeDonalcouldbringittoitsnaturalfruit，considered，andsaid，“ThatJesusChristrosefromthedead。“

“Well——whereisthegoodofknowingthat？”

Daviewassilent；heknewnogoodofknowingit，neithercouldimagineany。TheCatechism，ofwhichhehadlearnedabouthalf，suggestednothing。

“Come，Davie，Iwillhelpyou：isJesusdead，orishealive？”

Davieconsidered。

“Alive，“heanswered。

“Whatdoeshedo？”

Daviedidnotknow。

“Whatdidhediefor？”

HereDaviehadananswer——acutanddriedone：

“Totakeawayoursins，“hesaid。

“Thenwhatdoeshelivefor？”

Daviewasoncemoresilent。

“Doyouthinkifamandiedforathing，hewouldbelikelytoforgetittheminuteheroseagain？”

“No，sir。“

“Doyounotthinkhewouldjustgoondoingthesamethingasbefore？”

“Ido，sir。“

“Then，ashediedtotakeawayoursins，helivestotakethemaway！”

“Yes，sir。“

“Whataresins，Davie？”

“Badthings，sir。“

“Yes；thebadthingswethink，andthebadthingswefeel，andthebadthingswedo。Haveyouanysins，Davie？”

“Yes；Iamverywicked。“

“Oh！areyou？Howdoyouknowit？”

“Arkietoldme。“

“Whatisbeingwicked？”

“Doingbadthings。“

“Whatbadthingsdoyoudo？”

“Idon\'tknow，sir。“

“Thenyoudon\'tknowthatyouarewicked；youonlyknowthatArkietoldyouso！”

LadyArcturadrewherselfup；butDonalwastoointenttoperceivetheoffencehehadgiven。

“Iwilltellyou，“Donalwenton，“somethingyoudidwickedto-day。“

Daviegrewrosyred。“Whenwefindoutonewickedthingwedo，itisabeginningtofindingoutallthewickedthingswedo。Somepeoplewouldrathernotfindthemout，buthavethemhiddenfromthemselvesandfromGodtoo。Butletusfindthemout，everyoneofthem，thatwemayaskJesustotakethemaway，andhelpJesustotakethemaway，byfightingthemwithallourstrength——Thismorningyoupulledthelittlepup\'searstillhescreamed。“Daviehunghishead。“Youstoppedawhile，andthendiditagain！SoI

knewitwasn\'tthatyoudidn\'tknow。IsthatathingJesuswouldhavedonewhenhewasalittleboy？”

“No，sir。“

“Why？”

“Becauseitwouldhavebeenwrong。“

“Isuspect，rather，itisbecausehewouldhavelovedthelittlepup。Hedidn\'thavetothinkaboutitsbeingwrong。Heloveseverykindoflivingthing。Hewantstotakeawayyoursinbecausehelovesyou。Hedoesn\'tmerelywanttomakeyounotcrueltothelittlepup，buttotakeawaythewrongthinkthatdoesn\'tlovehim。

Hewantstomakeyouloveeverylivingcreature。Davie，Jesuscameoutofthegravetomakeusgood。“

TearswereflowingdownDavie\'schecks。

“Thelesson\'sdone，Davie，“saidDonal，androseandwent，leavinghimwithladyArctura。

Buterehereachedthedoor，heturnedwithsuddenimpulse，andsaid：——

“Davie，IloveJesusChristandhisFathermorethanIcantellyou——morethanIcanputinwords——morethanIcanthink；andifyoulovemeyouwillmindwhatJesustellsyou。“

“Whatagoodmanyoumustbe，Mr。Grant！——Mustn\'the，Arkie？”sobbedDavie。

Donallaughed。

“What，Davie！”heexclaimed。“Youthinkmeverygoodforlovingtheonlygoodpersoninthewholeworld！Thatisveryodd！Why，Davie，Ishouldbethemostcontemptiblecreature，knowinghimasIdo，nottolovehimwithallmyheart——yes，withallthebigheartIshallhaveonedaywhenhehasdonemakingme。“

“Ishemakingyoustill，Mr。Grant？Ithoughtyouweregrownup！”

“Well，Idon\'tthinkhewillmakemeanytaller，“answeredDonal。

“Butthelivepartofme——thethingIloveyouwith，thethingI

thinkaboutGodwith，thethingIlovepoetrywith，thethingIreadtheBiblewith——thatthingGodkeepsonmakingbiggerandbigger。I

donotknowwhereitwillstop，Ionlyknowwhereitwillnotstop。

Thatthingisme，andGodwillkeeponmakingitbiggertoalleternity，thoughhehasnotevengotitintotherightshapeyet。“

“Whyishesolongaboutit？”

“Idon\'tthinkheislongaboutit；buthecoulddoitquickerifI

wereasgoodasbythistimeIoughttobe，withthefatherandmotherIhave，andallmylonghoursonthehillsideswithmyNewTestamentandthesheep。IprayedtoGodonthehillandinthefields，andheheardme，Davie，andmademeseethefoolishnessofmanythings，andthegrandeurandbeautyofotherthings。Davie，Godwantstogiveyouthewholeworld，andeverythinginit。WhenyouhavebeguntodothethingsJesustellsyou，thenyouwillbemybrother，andweshallbothbehislittlebrothers，andthesonsofhisFatherGod，andsotheheirsofallthings。“

Withthatheturnedagainandwent。

ThetearswererollingdownArctura\'sfacewithoutherbeingawareofit。

“Heisawell-meaningman，“shesaidtoherself，“butdreadfullymistaken：theBiblesaysbelieve，notdo！”

Thepoorgirl，thoughshereadherbibleregularly，wassoblindedbythedustandashesofherteaching，thatsheknewverylittleofwhatwasactuallyinit。Themostsignificantthingsslippedfromherasiftheyweremerestwordswithoutshadowofmeaningorintent：theydidnotsupportthedoctrinesshehadbeentaught，andthereforesaidnothingtoher。ThestoryofChristandtheappealsofthosewhohadhandledtheWordofLifehadanotherendinviewthanmakingpeopleunderstandhowGodarrangedmatterstosavethem。

Godwouldhaveuslive：ifwelivewecannotbutknow；alltheknowledgeintheuniversecouldnotmakeuslive。Obedienceistheroadtoallthings——theonlywayinwhichtogrowabletotrusthim。

Loveandfaithandobediencearesidesofthesameprism。

Regularlyafterthat，ladyArcturacametothelesson——alwaysintendingtoobjectassoonasitwasover。Butalwaysbeforetheendcame，Donalhadsaidsomethingthatwentsototheheartofthehonestgirlthatshecouldsaynothing。Asifshetoohadbeenapupil，asindeedshewas，farmorethaneitherknew，shewouldrisewhenDavierose，andgoawaywithhim。Butitwastogoaloneintothegarden，ortoherroom，notseldomfindingherselfwishingthingstruewhichyetshecountedterriblydangerous：listeningtothemmightnotsheaswellasDaviefailmiserablyofescapefromthewrathtocome？

CHAPTERXIX。

THEFACTOR。

Theoldavenueofbeeches，leadingimmediatelynowhitheranymore，butclosedatoneendbyabuilt-upgate，andattheotherbyahighwall，betweenwhichtwopointsitstretchedquiteamile，wasafavouriteresortofDonal\'s，partlyforitsbeauty，partlyforitssolitude。Thearmsofthegreattreescrossingmadeofitalongaisle——itsroofabrokenvaultofleaves，upheldbyirregularpointedarches——whichaffectedone\'simaginationlikeanevershiftingdreamofarchitecturalsuggestion。Havingceasedtobeaway，itwasnowallbutentirelydeserted，andtherewaseerinessinthevanishingvistathatshowednothingbeyond。Whenthewindofthetwilightsighedinguststhroughitsmoanfulcrowdofflutteredleaves；orwhenthewindofthewinterwastormentingtheancienthaggardboughs，andthetreeslookedasiftheywerewearyoftheworld，andlongingafterthegardenofGod；yetmorewhenthesnowlayheavyupontheirbranches，sorelytryingtheiragedstrengthtosupportitsoppression，andgivingtheonlookeravaguesenseofwhattheworldwouldbeifGodweregonefromit——thentheoldavenuewasaplacefromwhichonewithmoreimaginationthancouragewouldbereadytohasteaway，andseekinsteadtheabodesofmen。

ButDonal，thoughhedearlylovedhisneighbour，andthatinthefullestconcretesense，wascapableoflovingtheloneliestspots，forinsuchhewasneveralone。

Itwasaltogetheraneglectedplace。Longgrassgrewoveritsfloorfromendtoend——cutnowandthenforhay，ortofeedsuchanimalsashadgrassintheirstalls。Alongoneborder，outsidethetrees，wentafootpath——solittleusedthat，thoughnotquiteconqueredbytheturf，thelonggrassoftenmetoverthetopofit。Findingitsolonely，Donalgrewmoreandmorefondofit。Itwashisoutdoorstudy，hisproseuche{Compilersnote：pi，rho，omicron，sigma，epsilonupsilon，chi，etawithstress——[outdoor]placeofprayer}——alittleaisleofthegreattemple！Seldomindeedwashisreadingormeditationthereinterruptedbysightofhumanbeing。

Aboutamonthafterhehadtakenuphisabodeatthecastle，hewaslyingonedayinthegrasswithabook-companion，undertheshadeofoneofthelargestofitsbeeches，whenhefeltthroughthegroundereheheardthroughtheairthefeetofanapproachinghorse。Astheycamenear，heraisedhisheadtosee。Hisunexpectedappearancestartledthehorse，hisridernearlylosthisseat，anddidlosehistemper。Recoveringtheformer，andholdingtheexcitedanimal，whichwouldhavebeenoffatfullspeed，heurgedhimtowardsDonal，whomhetookforatramp。Hewasrising——deliberately，thathemightnotdomoremischief，andwasyethardlyonhisfeet，whenthehorse，yieldingtothespur，camestraightathim，itsriderwithhiswhiplifted。Donaltookoffhisbonnet，steppedalittleaside，andstood。Hisbearingandcountenancecalmedthehorseman\'srage；therewassomethinginthemtowhichnogentlemancouldfailofresponse。

Theriderwasplainlyonewhohadmoretodowithaffairsbucolicthanwiththoseofcitiesorcourts，butwithalamanofconsciousdignity，sociallyafloat，andabletoholdhisown。

“Whatthedevil——，“hecried——fornothingissoirritatingtoahorsemanastocomenearlosinghisseat，exceptperhapstoloseitaltogether，andindignationagainstthecauseofanuntowardaccidentisgenerallyamortal\'sfirstconsciousnessthereupon：

howeverfoolishly，hefeelshimselfinjured。Butthere，havingbettertakeninDonal\'slook，hecheckedhimself。

“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal。“Itwasfoolishofmetoshowmyselfsosuddenly；Imighthavethoughtitwouldstartlemosthorses。Iwastooabsorbedtohavemywitsaboutme。“

Thegentlemanliftedhishat。

“Ibegyourpardoninreturn，“hesaidwithasmilewhichclearedeverycloudfromhisface。“Itookyouforsomeonewhohadnobusinesshere；butIimagineyouarethetutoratthecastle，withasgoodarightasIhavemyself。“

“Youguesswell，sir。“

“PardonmethatIforgetyourname。“

“MynameisDonalGrant，“returnedDonal，withanaccentonthemyintendingawishtoknowinreturnthatofthespeaker。

“IamaGraeme，“answeredtheother，“oneoftheclan，andfactortotheearl。ComeandseewhereIlive。Mysisterwillbegladtomakeyouracquaintance。Weleadratheralonelylifehere，anddon\'tseetoomanyagreeablepeople。“

“Youcallthislonely，doyou！”saidDonalthoughtfully。“——Itisagrandplace，anyhow！”

“Youareright——asyouseeitnow。Butwaittillwinter！Thenperhapsyouwillchangeyourimpressionalittle。“

“PardonmeifIdoubtwhetheryouknowwhatwintercanbesowellasIdo。Thiseastcoastisbyallaccountsabitterplace，butI

fancyitisonlyuponagreathill-sideyoucanknowtheheartandsoulofasnow-blast。“

“Iyieldthat，“returnedMr。Graeme。“——Itisbitterenoughherethough，andamercywecankeepwarmin-doors。“

“Whichisoftenmorethanweshepherd-folkcando，“saidDonal。

Mr。Graemeusedtosayafterwardshewasneversoimmediatelytakenwithaman。ItwasoneofthecharmsofDonal\'shabitofbeing，thatheneverspokeasifhebelongedtoanyotherthantheclassinwhichhehadbeenbornandbroughtup。Thiscamepartlyofprideinhisfatherandmother，partlyofinborndignity，andpartlyofreligion。TohimthestoryofourLordwastherealityitis，andherejoicedtoknowhimselfsonearlyonthesamesociallevelofbirthastheMasterofhislifeandaspiration。ItwasDonal\'soneambition——togivethehighpassionalowname——tobefreewiththefreedomwhichwashisnaturalinheritance，andwhichistobegainedonlybyobediencetothewordsoftheMaster。Fromthefaceofthisaspirationfledeverykindofpretenceasfromthelightfliesthedarkness。Hencehewasentirelyandthoroughlyagentleman。Whatifhisclotheswerenotevenofthenexttothenewestcut！Whatifhehadnotbeenusedtowhatiscalledsociety！Hewasfarabovesuchthings。Ifhemightbutattaintothemannersofthe“highcountries，“mannerswhichappearbecausetheyexist——becausetheyareallthroughtheman！Hedidnotthinkwhathemightseemintheeyesofmen。Courteous，helpful，considerate，alwaysseekingfirsthowfarhecouldhonestlyagreewithanyspeaker，opposingneversavesweetlyandapologetically——exceptindeedsomeutteranceflagrantlyunjustwereinhisears——therewasnomanoftruebreeding，inoroutofsociety，whowouldnothavegrantedthatDonalwasfitcompanyforanymanorwoman。Mr。Graeme\'seyeglanceddownoverthetallsquare-shoulderedform，alittlestoopingfromlackofdrillandmuchmeditation，butinstantlystraighteningitselfuponanyinwardstir，andhesaidtohimself，“Thisisnocommonman！”

Theyweremovingslowlyalongtheavenue，Donalbytherider\'snearknee，talkingawaylikemennotunlikelysoontoknoweachotherbetter。

“Youdon\'tmakemuchuseofthisavenue！”saidDonal。

“No；itsuseisanoldstory。Thecastlewasforatimedeserted，andthefamily，thenpassingthroughaphaseofcomparativepoverty，livedinthehouseweareinnow——tomymindmuchthemorecomfortable。“

“Whatafineoldplaceitmustbe，ifsuchtreesareafitapproachtoit！”

“Theywereneverplantedforthat；theyareolderfar。Eithertherewasawoodhere，andtherestwerecutdownandtheseleft，ortherewasonceahousemucholderthanthepresent。Thelookofthegarden，andsomeoftheoffices，favourthelatteridea。“

“Ihaveneverseenthehouse，“saidDonal。

“Youhavenotthenbeenmuchaboutyet？”saidMr。Graeme。

“Ihavebeensooccupiedwithmypupil，andsodelightedwithallthatlayimmediatelyaroundme，thatIhavegonenowhere——except，indeed，toseeAndrewComin，thecobbler。“

“Ah，youknowhim！Ihaveheardofhimasaremarkableman。TherewasaclergymanherefromGlasgow——Iforgethisname——sostruckwithhimheseemedactuallytotakehimforaprophet。Hesaidhewasasurvivaloftheoldmystics。FormypartIhavenoturnforextravagance。“

“But，“saidDonal，inthetoneofonemerelysuggestingapossibility，“athingthatfromtheoutsidemayseemanextravagance，maylookquitedifferentwhenyougetinsideit。“

“Themorereasonforkeepingoutofit！Ifacquaintancemustmakeyouinlovewithit，themoreairbetweenyouanditthebetter！”

“Wouldnotsuchprecautionasthatkeepyoufromgainingatrueknowledgeofmanythings？Nothingalmostcanbeknownfromwhatpeoplesay。“

“True；buttherearethingssoplainlynonsense！”

“Yes；buttherearethingsthatseemtobenonsense，becausethemanthinksheknowswhattheyarewhenhedoesnot。Whowouldknowtheshapeofachairwhotookhisideaofitfromitsshadowonthefloor？Whatideacanamanhaveofreligionwhoknowsnothingofitexceptfromwhathehearsatchurch？”

Mr。Graemewasnotfondofgoingtochurchyetwent：hewasthelessdispleasedwiththeremark。Buthemadenoreply，andthesubjectdropped。