第5章

CHAPTERXX。

THEOLDGARDEN。

TheavenueseemedtoDonalabouttostopdeadagainstahighwall，buteretheyquitereachedtheend，theyturnedatrightangles，skirtedthewallforsomedistance，thenturnedagainwithit。Itwasasomewhatdrearywall——ofgraystone，withmortarasgray——notliketherich-colouredwallsofoldredbrickonemeetsinEngland。

Butitsroof-likecopingwascrownedwithtuftsofwall-plants，andafewlichensdidsomethingtorelievethegrayness。Itguidedthemtoafarm-yard。Mr。Graemelefthishorseatthestable，andledthewaytothehouse。

Theyentereditbyabackdoorwhoseporchwascoveredwithivy，andgoingthroughseverallowpassages，cametotheothersideofthehouse。ThereMr。GraemeshowedDonalintoalarge，low-ceiled，old-fashioneddrawing-room，smellingofancientrose-leaves，theirodourofsadheartsratherthanofwitheredflowers——andleavinghimwenttofindhissister。

GlancingabouthimDonalsawawindowopentotheground，andwenttoit。Beyondlayamorefairy-likegardenthanhehadeverdreamedof。Buthehadreadof，thoughneverlookedonsuch，andseemedtoknowitfromtimesofold。Itwaslaidoutinstraightlines，withsoftwalksofoldturf，andinitgrewallkindsofstraightaspiringthings：theirambitionseemed——togetup，nottospreadabroad。Hesteppedoutofthewindow，drawnasbytheenchantmentofoneofchildhood\'sdreams，andwentwanderingdownabroadwalk，hisfootsinkingdeepinthevelvetygrass，andthelovelinessofthedreamdidnotfade。Hollyhocks，gloriouslyimpatient，whoseflowerscouldnotwaittoreachthetoperetheyburstintotheflameoflife，makingsplendidblotsofcolouralongtheirascendingstalks，receivedhimlikestatelydamesoffaerie，andenticedhim，gentlyeagerformore，downthelongwalksbetweenrowsofthem——deepredandcreamywhite，primroseandyellow：suretheywereleadinghimtosomewonderfulspot，somenestoflovelydreamsandmorelovelyvisions！Thewalkdidleadtoabowerofroses——abedsurroundedwithatrellis，onwhichtheyclimbedandmadeahugebonfire——altarofincenserather，glowingwithredandwhiteflame。

Itseemedmoregloriousthanhisbraincouldreceive。Seeingwashardlybelieving，butbelievingwasmorethanseeing：thoughnothingistoogoodtobetrue，manythingsaretoogoodtobegrasped。

“PoormisbelievingbirdsofGod，“hesaidtohimself，“wehoveraboutawholewoodofthetreesoflife，venturingonlyhereandthereapeck，asiftheirfruitmightbepoison，andthedesignofourcreationwasourruin！weshakeourwise，owl-featheredheads，anddeclaretheycannotbethetreesoflife：thatweretoogoodtobetrue！TentimesmoreconsistentaretheywhodenythereisaGodatall，thantheywhobelieveinamiddlingkindofGod——exceptindeedthattheyplaceinhimafittingfaith！”

Thethoughtsrosegentlyinhisfullheart，astheflowers，oneaftertheother，stoleinathiseyes，lookingupfromthedarkearthlikethespiritsofitshiddenjewels，whichthemselvescouldnotreachthesun，exhaledinlonging。Overgrasswhichfondledhisfeetlikethelapofanoldnurse，hewalkedslowlyroundthebedoftheroses，turningagaintowardsthehouse。Butthere，half-waybetweenhimandit，wastheladyofthegardendescendingtomeethim！——notancientlikethegarden，butyounglikeitsflowers，light-footed，andfulloflife。

Preparedbyherbrothertobefriendly，shemethimwithapleasantsmile，andhesawthatthelightwhichshoneinherdarkeyeshadinitraysoflaughter。Shehadadark，yetclearcomplexion，agoodforehead，anoseafternorecognizedgenerationofnoses，yetanattractiveone，amouthlargerthantohumanjudgmentmighthaveseemednecessary，yetarightpleasingmouth，withtworowsoflovelyteeth。AllthisDonalsawapproachwithoutdismay。Hewasnomoreshywithwomenthanwithmen；whilenonethelesshisfeelingtowardsthempartooklargelyofthereverenceoftheidealknighterrant。HewouldnotindeedhavebeenshyinthepresenceofanangelofGod；forhisonlycouragecameoftruth，andclothedinthedignityofhisreverence，hecouldlookinthefaceofthelovelywithoutperturbation。Hewouldnothavesoughttohidefromhimwhosevoicewasinthegarden，butwouldhavemadehastetocasthimselfathisfeet。

BonnetinhandheadvancedtomeetKateGraeme。Sheheldouttohimawell-shaped，good-sizedhand，notignorantofwork——capableindeedofmilkingacowtothecow\'ssatisfaction。Thenhesawthatherchinwasstrong，andherdarkhairnottootidy；thatshewasrathertall，andslenderlyconceivedthoughplumplycarriedout。Herlightapproachpleasedhim。Helikedthewayherfootpressedthegrass。

IfDonallovedanythinginthegreenworld，itwasneitherrosesnorhollyhocks，norevensweetpeas，butthegrassthatistroddenunderfoot，thatspringsinallwasteplaces，andhassooftentobegladofthedewsofheaventohealthehotcutofthescythe。Hehadlongabjuredthenotionofanythinginthevegetablekingdombeingwithoutsomesenseoflife，withoutpleasureandpainalso，inmildformanddegree。

CHAPTERXXI。

AFIRSTMEETING。

Hetookherhand，andfeltitanhonestone——asafe，comfortablehand。

“Mybrothertoldmehehadbroughtyou，“shesaid。“Iamgladtoseeyou。“

“Youareverykind，“saidDonal。Howdideitherofyouknowofmyexistence？Afewminutesback，Iwasnotawareofyours。“

Wasitarudeutterance？Hewassilentamomentwiththesilencethatpromisesspeech，thenadded——

“Hasiteverstruckyouhowmanybornfriendsthereareintheworldwhonevermeet——personstoloveeachotheratfirstsight，butwhoneverinthisworldhavethatsight？”

“No，“returnedMissGraeme，withamerrierlaughthanquiterespondedtotheremark，“Icertainlyneverhadsuchathought。I

takethepeoplethatcome，andneverthinkofthosewhodonot。Butofcourseitmustbeso。“

“Tobeintheworldistohaveagreatmanybrothersandsistersyoudonotknow！”saidDonal。

“Mymothertoldme，“sherejoined，“ofamanwhohadhadsomanywivesandchildrenthathisson，whomshehadmet，positivelydidnotknowallhisbrothersandsisters。“

“Isuspect，“saidDonal，“wehavetoknowourbrothersandsisters。“

“Idonotunderstand。“

“Wehaveevengottofeelamanisourbrotherthemomentweseehim，“pursuedDonal，enhancinghisformerremark。

“Thatsoundsalarming！”saidMissGraeme，withanotherlaugh。“Mylittleheartfeelsnotlargeenoughtoreceivesomany。“

“Theworstofitis，“continuedDonal，whooncestartedwasnotreadytodrawrein，“thatthosewhochieflyadvocatethisextensionofthefamilybonds，beginbylovingtheirownimmediaterelationslessthananybodyelse。Extensionwiththemmeansslackening——asifanyonecouldlearntolovemorebylovingless，orgoontodobetterwithoutdoingwell！Hewholoveshisownlittlewillnotloveothersmuch。“

“Buthowcanwelovethosewhoarenothingtous？”objectedMissGraeme。

“Thatwouldbeimpossible。Thefamilyrelationsareforthesakeofdevelopingaloverootedinafardeeperthoughlessrecognizedrelation——ButIbegyourpardon，MissGraeme。LittleDaviealoneismypupil，andIforgetmyself。“

“Iamverygladtolistentoyou，“returnedMissGraeme。“IcannotsayIampreparedtoagreewithyou。Butitissomething，inthisout-of-the-waycorner，toheartalkfromwhichitisevenworthwhiletodiffer。“

“Ah，youcanhavethathereifyouwill！”

“Indeed！”

“Imeantalkfromwhichyouwouldprobablydiffer。ThereisanoldmaninthetownwhocantalkbetterthaneverIheardmanbefore。

Butheisapoorman，withadespisedhandicraft，andnoneheedhim。Nocommunityrecognizesitsgreatmentilltheyaregone。“

“Whereistheusethenofbeinggreat？”saidMissGraeme。

“Tobegreat，“answeredDonal，“——towhichthedesiretobeknownofmenisaltogetherdestructive。Tobegreatistoseemlittleintheeyesofmen。“

MissGraemedidnotanswer。Shewasnotaccustomedtoconsiderthingsseriously。Agoodgirlinacertaintruesense，shehadneveryetseenthatshehadtobebetter，orindeedtobeanything。

Butshewasabletofeel，thoughshewasfarfromunderstandinghim，thatDonalwasinearnest，andthatwasmuch。Torecognizethatamanmeanssomething，isagreatsteptowardsunderstandinghim。

“Whatalovelygardenthisis！”remarkedDonalafterthesequentpause。“Ihaveneverseenanythinglikeit。“

“Itisveryold-fashioned，“shereturned。“Doyounotfinditverystiffandformal？”

“Statelyandprecise，Ishouldrathersay。“

“IdonotmeanIcanhelplikingit——inaway。“

“Whocouldhelplikingitthattookhisfeelingfromthegardenitself，notfromwhatpeoplesaidaboutit！”

“Youcannotsayitislikenature！”

“Yes；itisverylikehumannature。Manoughttolearnofnature，butnottoimitatenature。Hisworkis，throughtheformsthatNaturegiveshim，toexpresstheideaorfeelingthatisinhim。

Thatisfarmorelikelytoproducethingsinharmonywithnature，thantheattempttoimitatenatureuponthesmallhumanscale。“

“Youaretoomuchofaphilosopherforme！”saidMissGraeme。“I

daresayyouarequiteright，butIhaveneverreadanythingaboutart，andcannotfollowyou。“

“YouhaveprobablyreadasmuchasIhave。Iamonlytalkingoutofwhatnecessity，thenecessityforunderstandingthings，hasmademethink。Onemustgetthingsbroughttogetherinone\'sthoughts，ifonlytobeabletogoonthinking。“

ThistoowasbeyondMissGraeme。Thesilenceagainfell，andDonalletitlie，waitingforhertobreakitthistime。

CHAPTERXXII。

ATALKABOUTGHOSTS。

Butagainhewasthefirst。

Theyhadturnedandgoneagoodwaydownthelonggarden，andhadagainturnedtowardsthehouse。

“ThisplacemakesmefeelasIneverfeltbefore，“hesaid。“Thereissuchawonderfulsenseofvanishedlifeaboutit。Thewholegardenseemsdreamingaboutthingsoflongago——whentroopsofladies，nowbanishedintopictures，wanderedabouttheplace，eachfullofherownthoughtsandfanciesoflife，eachlookingateverythingwithwaysofthinkingasold-fashionedashergarments。

Icouldnotbehereafternightfallwithoutfeelingasifeverywalkwereansweringtounseenfeet，asifeverytreemightbehidingsomelovelyform，returnedtodreamoveroldmemories。“

“Whereisthegoodoffancyingwhatisnottrue？Ican\'tcareforwhatIknowtobenonsense！”

Shewasgladtofindaspotwhereshecouldputdownthefootofcontradiction，forshecameofafamilyknownforwhattheneighbourscalledcommonsense，andinthehabitofcastingcontemptuponeverythingcharacterizedassuperstition：shehadnowsomethingtosayforherself！

“Howdoyouknowitisnonsense？”askedDonald，lookingroundinherfacewithabrightsmile。

“Notnonsensetokeepimaginingwhatnobodycansee？”

“IcanonlyimaginewhatIdonotsee。“

“Nobodyeversawsuchcreaturesasyousupposeinanygarden！Thenwhyfancythedeadsouncomfortable，orsoilllookedafter，thattheycomebacktoplagueus！”

“Plainlytheyhaveneverplaguedyoumuch！”rejoinedDonallaughing。

“Buthowoftenhaveyougoneupanddownthesewalksatdeadofnight？”

“Neveronce，“answeredMissGraeme，notwithoutasparkofindignation。“Ineverwassoabsurd！”

“Thentheremaybeawholenight-worldthatyouknownothingabout。

Youcannottellthattheplaceisnotthenthrongedwithghosts：

youhavenevergiventhemachanceofappearingtoyou。Idon\'tsayitisso，forIknownothing，oratleastlittle，aboutsuchthings。

Ihavehadnoexperienceofthesortanymorethanyou——andIhavebeenoutwholenightsonthemountainswhenIwasashepherd。“

“Whythenshouldyoutroubleyourfancyaboutthem？”

“Perhapsjustforthatreason。“

“Idonotunderstandyou。“

“Imean，becauseIcancomeintonocommunicationwithsuchaworldasmaybeaboutme，Ithereforeimagineit。If，asoftenasI

walkedabroadatnight，Imetandheldconversewiththedisembodied，Ishouldusemyimaginationlittle，butmakemanynotesoffacts。Whenwhatmaybemakesnoshow，whatmorenaturalthantoimagineaboutit？Whatistheimaginationherefor？”

“Idonotknow。Thelessonehastodowithitthebetter。“

“Thenthething，whateveritbe，shouldnotbecalledafaculty，butaweakness！”

“Yes。“

“Butthehistoryoftheworldshowsitcouldneverhavemadeprogresswithoutsuggestionsuponwhichtogroundexperiments：

whencemaythesesuggestionscomeifnotfromtheweaknessorimpedimentcalledtheimagination？”

Againtherewassilence。MissGraemebegantodoubtwhetheritwaspossibletoholdrationalconversewithamanwho，themomenttheybeganuponanything，wentstraightaloftintosomehigh-flyingregionofwhichsheknewandforwhichshecarednothing。ButDonal\'sunconsciousdesirewasinrealitytomeetheruponsomecommonplaneofthought。Healwayswantedtomeethisfellow，andhencethatabundanceofspeech，which，howeverpoeticthethingshesaid，notafewcalledprosiness。

“Ishouldthink，“resumedMissGraeme，“ifyouwanttoworkyourimagination，youwillfindmorescopeforitatthecastlethanhere！Thisisapoormodernplacecomparedtothat。“

“Itisapoorimagination，“returnedDonal，“thatrequiresageoranymereaccessorytorouseit。Theveryabsenceofeverythingexternal，thebarenessofthemerehumanityinvolved，mayinitselfbeanexcitementgreaterthananyaccompanimentoftheantiqueorthepicturesque。Butinthisold-fashionedgarden，inthemidstoftheseold-fashionedflowers，withallthegentlenessesofold-fashionedlifesuggestedbythem，itiseasiertoimaginethepeoplethemselvesthanwhereallissocold，hard，severe——somuchonthedefensive，asinthathuge，sullenpileonthehilltop。“

“Iamafraidyoufinditdullupthere！”saidMissGraeme。

“Notatall，“repliedDonal；“Ihavethereamostinterestingpupil。

Butindeedonewhohasbeenusedtospenddayafterdayalone，cloudsandheatherandsheepanddogshiscompanions，doesnotdependmuchforpastime。Givemeachairandatable，fireenoughtokeepmefromshivering，thefewbooksIlikebestandwritingmaterials，andIamabsolutelycontent。ButbeyondthesethingsI

haveatthecastleafinelibrary——uselessnodoubtformostpurposesofmodernstudy，butfullofpreciousoldbooks。ThereI

canatanymomentbeinthebestofcompany！Thereismoreofthemarvellousinanoldlibrarythaneveranymagiccouldwork！”

“Idonotquiteunderstandyou，“saidthelady。

Butshewouldhavespokennearerthetruthifshehadsaidshehadnotaglimmerofwhathemeant。

“Letmeexplain！”saidDonal：“whatcouldnecromancy，whichisoneofthebranchesofmagic，doforoneatthebest？”

“Well！”exclaimedMissGraeme；“——butIsupposeifyoubelieveinghosts，youmayaswellbelieveinraisingthem！”

“Ididnotmeantostartanyquestionaboutbelief；Ionlywantedtosupposenecromancyforthemomentafact，andputitatitsbest：

supposethemagiciancoulddoforyouallheprofessed，whatwoulditamountto？——Onlythis——tobringbeforeyoureyesashadowyresemblanceoftheformoffleshandblood，itselfbutapassingshadow，inwhichthemanmovedontheearth，andwasknowntohisfellow-men？Atbestthenecromancermightsucceedindrawingfromhimsomeobscureutteranceconcerningyourfuture，farmorelikelytodestroyyourcouragethanenableyoutofacewhatwasbeforeyou；

sothatyouwoulddepartfromyourpeepintotheunknown，merelylessabletoencounterthedutiesoflife。“

“Whoeverhasadesireforsuchinformationmustbemadeverydifferentfromme！”saidMissGraeme。

“Areyousureofthat？Didyounevermakeyourselfunhappyaboutwhatmightbeonitswaytoyou，andwishyoucouldknowbeforehandsomethingtoguideyouhowtomeetit？”

“Ishouldhavetothinkbeforeansweringthatquestion。“

“Nowtellme——whatcantheartofwriting，anditsexpansion，orperhapsitsdevelopmentrather，inprinting，dointhesamedirectionasnecromancy？Maynotamanwelllongafterpersonalcommunicationwiththisorthatoneofthegreatestwhohavelivedbeforehim？Igrantthatinrespectofsomeitcandonothing；butinrespectofothers，insteadofmockingyouwithanairysemblanceoftheirbodilyforms，andthemurmurofafewdoubtfulwordsfromtheirlips，itplacesinyourhandsakeytotheirinmostthoughts。

Somewouldsaythisisnotpersonalcommunication；butitisfarmorepersonalthantheother。Aman\'spersonalitydoesnotconsistintheclotheshewears；itonlyappearsinthem；nomoredoesitconsistinhisbody，butinhimwhowearsit。“

Ashespoke，MissGraemekeptlookinghimgravelyintheface，manifesting，however，morerespectthaninterest。Shehadbeenaccustomedtoaverydifferenttoneinyoungmen。Shehadfoundtheirmainambitiontoamuse；totalksenseaboutothermattersthantheimmediateusesofthisworld，wasanout-of-the-waything！IdonotsayMissGraeme，evenonthesubjectlastinhand，appreciatedthematterofDonal\'stalk。Sheperceivedhewasinearnest，andhappilywasabletoknowadeeppondfromashallowone，butherbestthoughtconcerninghimwas——whatastrangenewspecimenofhumanitywashere！

Theappearanceofherbrothercomingdownthewalk，putastoptotheconversation。

CHAPTERXXIII。

ATRADITIONOFTHECASTLE。

“Well，“hesaidashedrewnear，“Iamgladtoseeyoutwogettingonsowell！”

“Howdoyouknowweare？”askedhissister，withsomethingoftheantagonistictonewhichbothinjestandearnestistoocommonbetweennearrelations。

“Becauseyouhavebeentalkingincessantlyeversinceyoumet。“

“Wehavebeenonlycontradictingeachother。“

“Icouldtellthattoobythesoundofyourvoices；butItookitforagoodsign。“

“Ifearyouheardminealmostonly！”saidDonal。“Italktoomuch，andIfearIhavegatheredthefaultinawaythatmakesitdifficulttocure。“

“Howwasit？”askedMr。Graeme。

“Byhavingnobodytotalkto。Ilearneditonthehill-sidewiththesheep，andinthemeadowswiththecattle。AtcollegeIthoughtIwasnearlycuredofit；butnow，inmycomparativesolitudeatthecastle，itseemstohavereturned。“

“Comehere，“saidMr。Graeme，“whenyoufinditgettingtoomuchforyou：mysisterisquiteequaltothetaskofre-curingyou。“

“Shehasnotbeguntouseherpoweryet！”remarkedDonal，asMissGraeme，inhoydenishyetnotungracefulfashion，madeanattempttoboxtheearofherslanderousbrother——aproceedinghehadanticipated，andsowasabletofrustrate。

“Whensheknowsyoubetter，“hesaid，“youwillfindmysisterKatemorethanyourmatch。“

“IfIwereatalker，“sheanswered，“Mr。Grantwouldbetoomuchforme：hequitebewildersme！Whatdoyouthink！hehasbeenactuallytryingtopersuademe——“

“Ibegyourpardon，MissGraeme；Ihavebeentryingtopersuadeyouofnothing。“

“What！nottobelieveinghostsandnecromancyandwitchcraftandtheevileyeandghoulsandvampyres，andIdon\'tknowwhatalloutofnurserystoriesandoldannuals？”

“Igiveyoumyword，Mr。Graeme，“returnedDonal，laughing，“Ihavenotbeenpersuadingyoursisterofanyofthesethings！Iamcertainshecouldbepersuadedofnothingofwhichshedidnotfirstseethecommonsense。WhatIdiddwellupon，withoutadoubtshewouldacceptit，wastheevidentfactthatwritingandprintinghavedonemoretobringusintopersonalrelationswiththegreatdead，thannecromancy，grantingthemagicianthepowerheclaimed，couldeverdo。Fordowenotcomeintocontactwiththebeingofamanwhenwehearhimpourforthhisthoughtsofthethingshelikesbesttothinkabout，intotheearoftheuniverse？Insuchapositiondoesthebookofagreatmanplaceus！——ThatwaswhatImeanttoconveytoyoursister。“

“And，“saidMr。Graeme，“shewasnotsuchagooseastofailofunderstandingyou，howevershemayhavechosentoputonthegarbofstupidity。“

“Iamsure，“persistedKate，“Mr。Granttalkedsoastomakemethinkhebelievedinnecromancyandallthatsortofthing！”

“Thatmaybe，“saidDonal；“butIdidnottrytopersuadeyoutobelieve。“

“Oh，ifyouholdmetotheletter！”criedMissGraeme，colouringalittle——“Itwouldbeimpossibletogetonwithsuchaman，“shethought，“forhenotonlypreachedwhenyouhadnopulpittoprotectyoufromhim，butstucksotohistextthattherewasnoamusementtobegotoutofthebusiness！”

Shedidnotknowthatifshecouldhavemethim，breakingtheocean-tideofhisthoughtswithfittingopposition，hisanswerswouldhavecomeshortandsharpastheflashesofwavesonrocks。

“IfMr。Grantbelievesinsuchthings，“saidMr。Graeme，“hemustfindhimselfathomeinthecastle，everyroomofwhichwaywellbethehauntofsomewearyghost！”

“Idonotbelieve，“saidDonal，“thatanyworkofman\'shands，howeverawfulwithcrimedoneinit，canhavenearlysuchaninfluenceforbeliefinthemarvellous，asthestillpresenceofliveNature。Ineversawanoldcastlebefore——atleastnottomakeanycloseacquaintancewithit，butthereisnotanaspectofthegrimoldsurvivalupthere，interestingaseverycornerofitis，thatmovesmelikethemerethoughtofahill-sidewiththeveilofthetwilightcomingdownoverit，makingofitthelaststepofastairforthedescendingfootoftheLord。“

“Surely，Mr。Grant，youdonotexpectsuchapersonaladvent！”saidMissGraeme。

“IshouldnotliketosaywhatIdoordon\'texpect，“answeredDonal——andheldhispeace，forhesawhewasbutcastingstumbling-blocks。

Thesilencegrewawkward；andMr。Graeme\'sgoodbreedingcalledonhimtosaysomething；hesupposedDonalfelthimselfsnubbedbyhissister。

“Ifyouarefondofthemarvellous，though，Mr。Grant，“hesaid，“therearesomeoldstoriesaboutthecastlewouldinterestyou。

Oneofthemwasbroughttomymindtheotherdayinthetown。Itisstrangehowsuperstitionseemstohaveitsebbsandflows！A

storyorlegendwillgotosleep，andafteratimerevivewithfreshinterest，nooneknowswhy。“

“Probably，“saidDonal，“itiswhenthetalecomestoearsfittedforitsreception。Theyarenowinmanycountiestryingtogettogetherandstoretheremnantsofsuchtales：possiblythewindofsomesuchinquirymayhavesetoldpeoplerecollecting，andyoungpeopleinventing。Thatwouldaccountforagooddeal——woulditnot？”

“Yes，butnotforall，Ithink。Therehasbeennosuchinquirymadeanywherenearus，sofarasIamaware。IwenttotheMorvenArmslastnighttomeetatenant，andfoundthetradesmenweretalking，overtheirtoddy，ofvariouseventsatthecastle，andespeciallyofone，themostfrightfulofall。Itshouldhavebeenforgottenbythistime，fortheratioofforgetting，increases。“

“Ishouldlikemuchtohearit！”saidDonal。

“Dotellhim，Hector，“saidMissGraeme，“andIwillwatchhishair。“

“Itisthehairofthosewhomockatsuchthingsyoushouldwatch，“

returnedDonal。“Theirimaginationissorarelyexcitedthat，whenitis，itaffectstheirnervesmorethanthebeliefofothersaffectstheirs。“

“NowIhaveyou！”criedMissGraeme。“Thereyouconfessyourselfabeliever！”

“Ifearyouhavecometotoogeneralaconclusion。BecauseI

believetheBible，doIbelieveeverythingthatcomesfromthepulpit？SometalesIshouldrejectwithacontemptthatwouldsatisfyevenMissGraeme；ofothersIshouldsay——\'Theseseemasiftheymightbetrue；\'andofstillothers，\'Theseoughttobetrue，I

think。\'——Butdotellmethestory。“

“Itisnot，“repliedMr。Graeme，“averypeculiarone——certainlynotpeculiartoourcastle，thoughuniqueinsomeofitsdetails；asimilarlegendbelongstoseveralhousesinScotland，andistobefound，Ifancy，inothercountriesaswell。Thereisonenotfarfromhere，aroundwhosedarkbasements——orhoarybattlements——whoshallsaywhich？——floatsasimilartale。Itisofahiddenroom，whosepositionorentrancenobodyknows。WhetheritbelongstoourcastlebyrightIcannottell。“

“Aspeciesofreport，“saidDonal，“verylikelytoarisebyakindofcryptogamicgeneration！Thecommonpeople，accustomedtothenarrowestdwellings，gazingonthehugeproportionsoftheplace，anduponoccasionadmitted，andwalkingthroughasuccessionofroomsandpassages，tothemasintricateandconfusedasarabbit-warren，mustbeveryready，Ishouldthink，toimaginetheexistencewithinsuchapile，ofplacesunknowneventotheinhabitantsofitthemselves！——ButIbegyourpardon：dotellusthestory。“

“Mr。Grant，“saidKate，“youperplexme！Ibegintodoubtifyouhaveanyprinciples。Onemomentyoutakeonesideandthenexttheother！”

“No，no；Ibutlovemyownsidetoowelltoletanytraitorsintoitsranks：Iwouldhavenothingtodowithlies。“

“Theyareallliestogether！”

“ThenIwanttohearthisone，“saidDonal。

“Idaresayyouhavehearditbefore！”remarkedMr。Graeme，andbegan。

“Itwasintheearldomofacertainrecklesslywickedwretch，whonotonlyrobbedhispoorneighbours，andevenkilledthemwhentheyopposedhim，butwentsofarastobehaveaswickedlyontheSabbathasonanyotherdayoftheweek。LateoneSaturdaynight，acompanywereseatedinthecastle，playingcards，anddrinking；andallthetimeSundaywasdrawingnearerandnearer，andnobodyheeding。Atlengthoneofthem，seeingthehandsoftheclockataquartertotwelve，madetheremarkthatitwastimetostop。Hedidnotmentionthesacredday，butallknewwhathemeant。Theearllaughed，andsaid，ifhewasafraidofthekirk-session，hemightgo，andanotherwouldtakehishand。Butthemansatstill，andsaidnomoretilltheclockgavethewarning。Thenhespokeagain，andsaidthedaywasalmostout，andtheyoughtnottogoonplayingintotheSabbath。Andasheutteredtheword，hismouthwaspulledallononeside。Buttheearlstruckhisfistonthetable，andsworeagreatoaththatifanymanrosehewouldrunhimthrough。

\'WhatcareIfortheSabbath！\'hesaid。\'Igaveyouyourchancetogo，\'headded，turningtothemanwhohadspoken，whowasdressedinblacklikeaminister，\'andyouwouldnottakeit：nowyoushallsitwhereyouare。\'Heglaredfiercelyathim，andthemanreturnedhimanequallyfierystare。Andnowfirsttheybegantodiscoverwhat，throughthefumesofthewhiskyandthesmokeofthepine-torches，theyhadnotobserved，namely，thatnoneofthemknewtheman，orhadeverseenhimbefore。Theylookedathim，andcouldnotturntheireyesfromhim，andacoldterrorbegantocreepthroughtheirvitals。Hekepthisfiercescornfullookfixedontheearlforamoment，andthenspoke。\'AndIgaveyouyourchance，\'hesaid，\'andyouwouldnottakeit：nowyoushallsitstillwhereyouare，andnoSabbathshallyoueversee。\'Theclockbegantostrike，andtheman\'smouthcamestraightagain。Butwhenthehammerhadstruckeleventimes，itstrucknomore，andtheclockstopped。\'Thisdaytwelvemonth，\'saidtheman，\'youshallseemeagain；andsoeveryyeartillyourtimeisup。Ihopeyouwillenjoyyourgame！\'Theearlwouldhavesprungtohisfeet，butcouldnotstir，andthemanwasnowheretobeseen。Hewasgone，takingwithhimbothdoorandwindowsoftheroom——notasSamsoncarriedoffthegatesofGaza，however，forheleftnottheleastsignofwheretheyhadbeen。

>Fromthatdaytothisnoonehasbeenabletofindtheroom。Therethewickedearlandhiscompanionsstillsit，playingwiththesamepackofcards，andwaitingtheirdoom。Ithasbeensaidthat，onthatsamedayoftheyear——only，unfortunately，testimonydiffersastotheday——shoutsofdrunkenlaughtermaybeheardissuingfromsomewhereinthecastle；butastothedirectionwhencetheycome，nonecaneveragree。Thatisthestory。“

“Averygoodone！”saidDonal。“Iwonderwhatthegroundofitis！

Itmusthavehaditsbeginning！”

“Thenyoudon\'tbelieveit？”saidMissGraeme。

“Notquite，“hereplied。“ButIhavemyselfhadastrangeexperienceupthere。“

“What！youhaveseensomething？”criedMissGraeme，hereyesgrowingbigger。

“No；Ihaveseennothing，“answeredDonal，“——onlyheardsomething——Onenight，thefirstIwasthereindeed，Iheardthesoundofafar-offmusicalinstrument，faintandsweet。“

Thebrotherandsisterexchangedlooks。Donalwenton。

“Igotupandfeltmywaydownthewindingstair——IsleepatthetopofBaliol\'stower——butatthebottomlostmyself，andhadtositdownandwaitforthelight。ThenIhearditagain，butseemednonearertoitthanbefore。Ihaveneverhearditsince，andhavenevermentionedthething。Ipresume，however，thatspeakingofittoyoucandonoharm。Youatleastwillnotraiseanyfreshrumourstoinjuretherespectabilityofthecastle！Doyouthinkthereisanyinstrumentinitfromwhichsuchasoundmighthaveproceeded？LadyArcturaisamusician，Iamtold，butsurelywasnotlikelytobeatherpiano\'inthedeadwasteandmiddleofthenight\'！”

“Itisimpossibletosayhowfarasoundmaytravelinthestillnessofthenight，whentherearenoothersound-wavestocrossandbreakit。“

“Thatisallverywell，Hector，“saidhissister；“butyouknowMr。

Grantisneitherthefirstnorthesecondthathasheardthatsound！”

“Onethingisprettyclear，“saidherbrother，“itcanhavenothingtodowiththerevellersattheircards！Thesoundreportedisverydifferentfromanyattributedtothem！”

“Areyousure，“suggestedDonal，“thattherewasnotaviolinshutupwiththem？Evenifnoneofthemcouldplay，therehasbeentimeenoughtolearn。ThesoundIheardmighthavebeenthatofaghostlyviolin。Thoughlikethatofastringedinstrument，itwasdifferentfromanythingIhadeverheardbefore——exceptperhapscertainequallyinexplicablesoundsoccasionallyheardamongthehills。“

Theywentontalkingaboutthethingforawhile，pacingupanddownthegarden，thesunhotabovetheirheads，thegrasscoolundertheirfeet。

“Itisenough，“saidMissGraeme，witharatherforcedlaugh，“tomakeonegladthecastledoesnotgowiththetitle。“

“Whyso？”askedDonal。

“Because，“sheanswered，“wereanythingtohappentotheboysupthere，Hectorwouldcomeinforthetitle。“

“I\'mnotofmysister\'smind！”saidMr。Graeme，laughingmoregenuinely。“Atitlewithnothingtokeepitupisasimplemisfortune。Icertainlyshouldnottakeoutthepatent。Nowisemanwouldlayclaimtoatitlewithoutthemeanstomakeitrespected。“

“Havewecometothat！”exclaimedDonal。“Musteventheoldtitlesofthecountrybebuttressedintorespectabilitywithmoney？Awayinquietplaces，readingoldhistorybooks，wepeasantsareaccustomedtothinkdifferently。Ifsomemillionairemoney-lenderweretobuytheoldkeepofArundelcastle，youwouldrespecthimjustasmuchasthepresentearl！”

“Iwouldnot，“saidMr。Graeme。“Iconfessyouhavethebetterofme——Butistherenotafallacyinyourargument？”headded，thinkingly。

“Ibelievenot。Ifthetitleisworthnothingwithoutthemoney，themoneymustbemorethanthetitle！——IfIwereLazarus，“Donalwenton，“andtheinheritorofatitle，Iwoulduseit，ifonlyforalessontoDivesupstairs。Iscorntothinkthathonourshouldwaitontheheelsofwealth。YoumaythinkitisbecauseIamandalwaysshallbeapoorman；butifIknowmyselfitisnottherefore。Atthesametimeatitleisbutatrifle；andifyouhadgivenanyotherreasonfornotusingitthanhomagetoMammon，I

shouldhavesaidnothing。“

“Formypart，“saidMissGraeme，“Ihavenoquarrelwithrichesexceptthattheydonotcomemyway。Ishouldknowhowtouseandnotabusethem！”

Donalmadenootherreplythantoturnalookofdivinelystupidsurpriseandpityupontheyoungwoman。Itwasofnousetosayanything！Wereargumentabsolutelytriumphant，Mammonwouldsitjustwherehewasbefore！HehadmarkedthegreatindifferenceoftheLordtotheconvincingoftheunderstanding：whenmenknewthethingitself，thenandnotbeforewouldtheyunderstanditsrelationsandreasons！

Iftruthbelongstothehumansoul，thenthesoulisabletoseeitandknowit：ifitdothetruth，ittakesthereinthefirstpossible，andalmostthelastnecessarysteptowardsunderstandingit。

MissGraemecaughthislook，andmusthaveperceiveditsexpression，forherfaceflushedamorethanrosyred，andtheconversationgrewcrumbly。

Itwasahalf-holiday，andhestayedtotea，andafteritwentoverthearm-buildingswithMr。Graeme，revealingsuchapracticalknowledgeofallthatwasgoingon，thathisentertainersoonsawhisopinionmustbeworthsomethingwhetherhisfancieswereornot。

CHAPTERXXIV。

STEPHENKENNEDY。

ThegreatcomfortsofDonal\'slife，nexttothoseoftheworldinwhichhissoullived——theeternalworld，whosedoorsareeveropentohimwhoprays——werethesocietyofhisfavouritebooks，thefashioningofhisthoughtsintosweetlyorderedsoundsintheloftysolitudeofhischamber，andnotinfrequentcommunionwiththecobblerandhiswife。Tothesehehadasyetsaidnothingofwhatwentonatthecastle：hehadlearnedthelessonthecobblerhimselfgavehim。Butmanyalessonofgreatervaluedidhelearnfromthephilosopherofthelapstone。Hewhounderstandsbecauseheendeavours，isafreedmanoftherealmofhumaneffort。Hewhohasnoexperienceofhisown，tohimtheexperienceofothersisasealedbook。TheconvictionsthatinDonalrosevaporouswererapidlycondensedandshapedwhenhefoundhisnewfriendthoughtlikewise。

BydegreeshemademoreandmoreofacompanionofDavie，andsuchwasthesweetrelationbetweenthemthathewouldsometimeshavehiminhisroomevenwhenhewaswriting。Whenitwastimetolayinhiswinter-fuel，hesaidtohim——

“Uphere，Davie，wemusthaveagoodfirewhenthenightsarelong；

thedarknesswillbelikesolidcold。SimmonstellsmeImayhaveasmuchcoalandwoodasIlike：willyouhelpmetogetthemup？”

Daviesprangtohisfeet：hewasreadythatveryminute。

“IshallneverlearnmylessonsifIamcold，“addedDonal，whocouldnotbearalowtemperaturesowellaswhenhewasalwaysintheopenair。

“Doyoulearnlessons，Mr。Grant？”

“YesindeedIdo，“repliedDonal。“Onegreathelptotheunderstandingofthingsistobroodoverthemasahenbroodsoverhereggs：wordsarethought-eggs，andtheirchickensaretruths；andinordertobroodIsometimeslearnbyheart。Ihavesetmyselftolearn，beforethewinterisoverifIcan，thegospelofJohnintheGreek。“

“Whatabiglesson！”exclaimedDavie。

“Ah，buthowrichitwillmakeme！”saidDonal，andthatsetDaviepondering。

Theybegantocarryupthefuel，Donaltakingthecoals，andDaviethewood。ButDonalgotwearyofthetimeittook，andsethimselftofindaquickerway。SonextSaturdayafternoon，therudimentaryremnantoftheJewishSabbath，andtheschoolboy\'sweeklycarnivalbeforeLent，hedirectedhiswalktoacertainfishingvillage，thenearestonthecoast，aboutthreemilesoff，andtheresucceededinhiringaspareboat-sparwithablockandtackle。Thesparheranout，throughanotchofthebattlement，nearthesheds，andhavingstayeditwellback，rovetheropethroughtheblockatthepeakofit，andlowereditwithahookattheend。AmomentofDavie\'shelpbelow，andabucketfilledwithcoalswasonitswayup：thispartoftheroofwasoverayardbelongingtothehouseholdoffices，andDaviefilledthebucketfromaheaptheyhadtheremade。“Standback，Davie，“Donalwouldcry，andupwouldgothebucket，totheeverreneweddelightoftheboy。Whenitreachedtheblock，Donal，bymeansofaguy，swungthesparonitsbut-end，andthebucketcametotheroofthroughthenextnotchofthebattlement。Therehewouldemptyit，andinamomentitwouldbedownagaintobere-filled。Whenhethoughthehadenoughofcoal，heturnedtothewood；andthustheyspentanhourofagoodmanyofthecooleveningsofautumn。Davieenjoyeditimmensely；anditwasnosmallthingforaboydelicatelynurturedtobehelpedoutofthefeelingthathemusthaveeverythingdoneforhim。Whenafteratimehesawtheheapontheroof，hewasgreatlyimpressedwiththeamountthatcouldbedonebylittleandlittle。InreturnDonaltoldhimthatifheworkedwellthroughtheweek，heshouldeverySaturdayeveningspendanhourwithhimbythefirehehadthushelpedtoprovide，andtheywouldthendosomethingtogether。

AfterhisfirstvisitDonalwentagainandagaintothevillage：hehadmadeacquaintancewithsomeofthepeople，andlikedthem。

Therewasoneman，however，who，although，attractedbyhislookdespiteitsapparentsullenness，hehadtriedtodrawhimintoconversation，seemedtoavoid，almosttoresenthisadvances。Butonedayashewaswalkinghome，StephenKennedyovertookhim，andsayinghewasgoinginhisdirection，walkedalongsideofhim——tothepleasureofDonal，wholovedallhumanity，andespeciallytheportionofitacquaintedwithhardwork。Hewasamiddle-sizedyoungfellow，withaslouchingwalk，butawellshapedandwellsethead，andanotuncomelycountenance。Hewasbrownassunandsaltsea-windscouldmakehim，andhadveryblueeyesanddarkhair，tellingofNorwegianancestry。Heloungedalongwithhishandsinhispockets，asifhedidnotcaretowalk，yetgotoverthegroundasfastasDonal，who，withyetsomeremnantofthepeasant\'sstride，coveredthegroundasifhemeantwalking。Aftertheirgreetingagreatandenduringsilencefell，whichlastedtillthejourneywashalf-wayover；thenallatoncethefishermanspoke。

“There\'salassatthecastel，sir，“hesaid，“theyca\'EppyComin。“

“Thereis，“answeredDonal。

“Doyekenthelass，sir——tospeaktilher，Imean？”

“Surely，“repliedDonal。“Iknowhergrandfatherandgrandmotherwell。“

“Dacentfowk！”saidStephen。

“Theyarethat！”respondedDonal，“——asgoodpeopleasIknow！”

“Wudyeduthemaguidturn？”askedthefisherman。

“IndeedIwould！”

“Weel，it\'sthis，sir：Ihaegritdoobtsgiena\'begaein\'verraweelwi\'thelassatthecastel。“

Ashesaidthewordsheturnedhisheadaside，andspokesolowandinsuchamuffledwaythatDonalcouldbutjustmakeoutwhathesaid。

“Youmustbealittleplainerifyouwouldhavemedoanything，“hereturned。

“I\'llberichtplainwi\'ye，sir，“answeredStephen，andthenfellsilentasifhewouldneverspeakagain。

Donalwaited，norutteredasound。Atlasthespokeoncemore。

“Yemaunken，sir，“hesaid“Ihaehadafancytothelassthismonyaday；forye\'llallooshe\'sbaithbonnyan\'winsome！”

Donaldidnotreply，foralthoughhewasreadytograntherbonny，hehadneverfeltherwinsome。

“Weel，“hewenton，“heran\'me\'sbeencoortin\'thistwayear；an\'

guidfreen\'sweayewastillthislastspring，whana\'atancesheturnthighty-tightylike，nor，duwhatImicht，couldIgethertosaywhatitwas\'atcheengther：saefarasIkennedIhaddunenaething，norwadshesayIhadgi\'enheronycauseo\'complaint。

ButthoughshecouldnasayIhadevergi\'enmairnoraceevilwordtoonylassbuthersel\'，sheappeartuncowullin\'tofixmewi\'thisanean\'thataneoronyane！Icouldnathinkwhathadcomeowerher！Butatlast——an\'asairlastitis！——Ihaecometotheun\'erstan\'ino\'\'t：shewudfainhaeapretenceforbr\'akin\'wi\'me！

Shewadhae\'t\'atIwasduin\'asshewasduin\'hersel\'——haudin\'

companywi\'anither！”

“Areyouquitesureofwhatyousay？”askedDonal。

“Owersure，sir，thoughI\'mnoatleebertytotellyehooIcamtobe——Dinnathink，sir，\'atI\'manetohaudalasstilherwordwhanherhertdisnabackit；Iwudhaesaidnaethingabootit，butjistbornethehert-brakwi\'thebecomin\'silence，forgreitin\'norragin\'men\'nonets，nortakthelifeo\'naedogfish。Butit\'sGod\'strowth，sir，I\'mterriblefeartforthelassiehersel\'。She\'sthatta\'enupwi\'him，theytellme，\'atshecanthinko\'naethingbuthim；an\'he\'sayoonglord，noapuirladlikeme——an\'that\'swhatfearsme！”

AgreatdreadandagreatcompassiontogetherlaidholdofDonal，buthedidnotspeak。

“Gienitcamtothat，“resumedStephen，“Idoobtthefisher-ladwudwinherbetterbreidnormylord；forgiena\'talesbetrue，hewudhaetoworkforhisainbreid；thecastel\'snohis，norcannabe\'cep\'hemerrytheleddyo\'\'t。Butit\'snomerryin\'Eppyhe\'llbeefter，oronythelikeso\'\'im！”

“Youdon\'tsurelyhint，“saidDonal，“thatthere\'sanythingbetweenherandlordForgue？Shemustbeanidlegirltotakesuchathingintoherhead！”

“Iwussweelshehaeta\'en\'tintilherheid！she\'llgetittheeasierooto\'herhert？But\'deed，sir，I\'msairfeart！Ispeaknao\'\'tformyainsake；forgientherebetrowthintil\'t，therecanneverbemair\'atweenherandme！But，eh，sir，thepeetyo\'\'twi\'

sicabonnylass！——forhecannameanfairbyher！Thaegran\'fowkdoesfearsomethings！It\'ssma\'won\'er\'atwhilesthepuirfowkriseswi\'aroar，an\'tearsdoona\'，astheydidi\'France！”

“Allyousayisquitetrue；butthechargeissuchaseriousone！”

“Itisthat，sir！Butthoughitbetrue，I\'mnogaein\'tomakit\'aforethewarl\'。“

“Youarerightthere：itcoulddonogood。“

“IfearitmayduaslittlewhaurIamgaein\'tomakit！I\'mupo\'

myro\'dtogarmylordgieanaccoonto\'himsel\'。Faith，gienitbenaaguidane，I\'llthrawthenecko\'\'im！It\'sbettermetohang，norhertogangdisgraced，puirthing！Shecanbenaethingmairtome，asIsay；butIwudlikeweelthewringin\'o\'alord\'sneck！Itwudbelikekillin\'ashark！”

“Whydoyoutellmethis？”askedDonal。

“\'CauseIlooktoyoutogetmetowordo\'theman。“

“Thatyoumaywringhisneck？——Youshouldnothavetoldmethat：I

shouldbeartandpartinhismurder！”

“Wudyehaemelatthelassietakherchanceohnduneonything？”

saidthefishermanwithscorn。

“Bynomeans。Iwoulddosomethingmyselfwhoeverthegirlwas——andsheisthegranddaughterofmybestfriends。“

“Sir，yewinnasurelyfailme！”

“Iwillhelpyousomehow，butIwillnotdowhatyouwantme。I

willturnthethingoverinmymind。IpromiseyouIwilldosomething——what，Icannotsayoffhand。Youhadbettergohomeagain，andIwillcometoyouto-morrow。“

“Na，na，thatwinnado！”saidtheman，halfdoggedly，halffiercely。

“Thehertillbeooto\'mybodygienIdinnadusomething！Thisverranichtitmaunbedune！Icannabideinhellonylanger。Thethouchto\'therascalslaverin\'hisleesowermyEppy\'skillin\'me！

Mybrain\'slikeafire：Iseetheverrabillowso\'theoceanasreid\'sblude。“

“Ifyoucomenearthecastleto-night，Iwillhaveyoutakenup。I

amtoomuchyourfriendtoseeyouhanged！Butifyougohomeandleavethemattertome，Iwilldomybest，andletyouknow。SheshallbesavedifIcancompassit。What，man！youwouldnothaveGodagainstyou？”

“He\'llbeupo\'thesideo\'thericht，I\'mthinkin\'！”

“Doubtless；buthehassaid，\'Vengeanceismine！\'Hecan\'ttrustuswiththat。Hewon\'thaveusinterfering。It\'smorehisconcernthanyoursyetthatthelassiehavefairplay。Iwilldomypart。“

Theywalkedoningloomysilenceforsometime。Suddenlythefishermanputouthishand，seizedDonal\'swithaconvulsivegrasp，waspossiblyreassuredbythestrengthwithwhichDonal\'sresponded，turned，andwithoutawordwentback。

Donalhadtothink。Herewasamostuntowardaffair！Whatcouldhedo？Whatoughthetoattempt？Fromwhathehadseenoftheyounglord，hecouldnotbelieveheintendedwrongtothegirl；buthemightheselfishlyamusinghimself，andwashardlyonetoreflectthattheleastidlefamiliaritywithherwasawrong！Thething，iftherewastheleasttruthinit，mustbeputastoptoatonce！butitmightbeallafancyofthejustlyjealouslover，towhomthegirlhadnotoflatebeenbehavingassheought！Ormighttherenotbesomebodyelse？Atthesametimetherewasnothingabsurdintheideathatayouth，freshfromcollegeandsuddenlydiscompanionedathome，withoutsociety，possessedbynoloveofliterature，andwithalmostnoamusements，should，ifonlyforveryennui，beattractedbytheprettyfaceandfigureofEppy，andthenenthralledbyhercoquetriesofinstinctiveresponse。Therewasdangertothegirlbothinsilenceandinspeech：iftherewasnogroundfortheapprehension，theverysuppositionwasaninjury——mightevensuggestthethingitwasintendedtofrustrate！Stillsomethingmustberisked！HehadjustbeenreadinginsirPhilipSidney，that“whosoeveringreatthingswillthinktopreventallobjections，mustliestillanddonothing。“Butwhatwashetodo？Thereadiestandsimplestthingwastogototheyouth，tellhimwhathehadheard，andaskhimiftherewasanygroundforit。Buttheymustfindthegirlanothersituation！ineithercasedistancemustbeputbetweenthem！Hewouldtellhergrandparents；buthefeared，iftherewasanytruthinit，theywouldhavenogreatinfluencewithher。Ifontheotherhand，thethingwasgroundless，theymightmakeitupbetweenherandherfisherman，andhavethemmarried！Shemightonlyhavebeenteasinghim！——Hewouldcertainlyspeaktotheyounglord！Yetagain，whatifheshouldactuallyputthemischiefintohisthoughts！Ifthereshouldbeeversoslightaleaninginthedirection，mighthenotsogiveasuddenandfatalimpulse？Hewouldtakethehousekeeperintohiscounsel！Shemustunderstandthegirl！Thingswouldatonceshowthemselvestoherontheonesideortheother，whichmightrevealthepathheoughttotake。ButdidheknowmistressBrookeswellenough？Wouldshebeprudent，orspoileverythingbyprecipitation？Shemightruinthegirlifsheactedwithoutsympathy，caringonlytogettheappearanceofeviloutofthehouse！

Thewaythelegallyrighteousactthepolicemaninthemoralworldwouldbeamusingwereitnotsosad。Theyarealwaysmakingtheevil“moveon，“drivingittodoitsmischiefstootherpeopleinsteadofthem；dispersingnestsofthedegradedtocrowdthemthemore，andwithworseresults，inotherparts：whyshouldsuchbeshockedattheideaofsendingoutoftheworldthosetowhomtheywillnotgiveaplaceinittolaytheirheads？Theytreattheminthisworldas，accordingtotheoldtheology，theirGodtreatstheminthenext，keepingthemaliveforsinandsuffering。

Somewiththebrightlampoftheirintellect，otherswiththesmokylampoftheirlife，castashadowofGodonthewalloftheuniverse，andthenbelieveordisbelieveintheshadow。

Donalwasstillinmeditationwhenhereachedhome，andstillundecidedwhatheshoulddo。Crossingasmallcourtonhiswaytohisaerie，hesawthehousekeepermakingsignstohimfromthewindowofherroom。Heturnedandwenttoher。ItwasofEppyshewantedtospeaktohim！Howoftenisthediscoveryofaplanet，ofatruth，ofascientificfact，madeatonceindifferentplacesfarapart！Sheaskedhimtositdown，andgothimaglassofmilk，whichwashisfavouriterefreshment，littleimaginingtheexpressionsheattributedtofatiguearosefromtheverythingoccupyingherownthoughts。

“It\'saqueerthing，“shebegan，“foranauldwifelikemetocometilayoonggentlemanlikeyersel\'，sir，wi\'sicatale；but，asthesayin\'is，\'needsmaunwhanthedeildrives\'；an\'here\'sliketobeanuncostramashaboottheplace，gienwecomenathegitherupo\'somegaitooto\'\'t。Dinnaluiksaescaretlike，sir；wemaybeintimeyeter\'thewarstcometothewarst，thoughit\'ssomeilltosaywhatmaybethewarstinsicanillcooperedkin\'o\'affair！

There\'sthaetwafuleso\'bairns——troth，they\'renaebetter；an\'

thetane\'sjistasmuckletoblameasthetither——onlythelassiswaurtoblamenorthelad，bein\'madesharper，an\'kennin\'betternorhimwhatcomeso\'sic！——Eh，butsheisagowk！”

HereMrs。Brookespaused，lostincontemplationofthegowkednessofEppy。

Shewasaflorid，plump，good-lookingwoman，overforty，withthickauburnhair，brushedsmooth——oneofthosewomencomelyinsoulaswellasbody，whoarealwaystothediscomfitureofwrongandthehealingofstrife。Leftayoungwidow，shehadrefusedmanyoffers：

oncewasallthatwasrequiredofherinthewayofmarriage！Shehadfoundherhusbandgoodenoughnottobefollowedbyanother，andmarriagehardenoughtofavourthesameresult。Whenshesatdown，smoothingheraprononherlap，andlookinghiminthefacewithclearblueeyes，hemusthavebeeneitherasuspiciousoranunfortunatemanwhowouldnottrusther。Shewasageneralsoftenerofshocks，foilerofencounters，andsootherofangers。Shewasnotoneofthosehousekeepersalwaysinblacksilkandlace，butwasmostlytobeseeninacottongown——veryclean，butbynomeansimposing。Shewouldputherhandstoanything——showayoungservanthowathingoughttobedone，orrelievecookorhousemaidwhowasillorhadaholiday。Donalhadtakentoher，aslikedoestolike。

Hedidnothurryher，butwaited。

“Imayasweelgieyethehaillstory，sir！”sherecommenced。“Syneye\'llbewhaurIammysel\'。

“Iwasooti\'theyardtoluikeftermyhens——Ineverlatonybodybutmysel\'meddlewi\'them，forthey\'rejistaseasysp\'iltasitherfowk\'sbairns；an\'thetwadoorso\'thebarnstan\'inopen，Itookthestrauchtro\'dthrouwthesametowintheeasieratmyfeathertfowk，asmyauldminnieusedtoca\'them。I\'mbutasaftkin\'o\'abein\'，asmyfaitherusedtotellme，an\'makbutlittledinwhaurI

gang，saetheycouldnahaeh\'ardmyfutasIgaed；butwhatsudI

hear——butImauntellyeitwasi\'thegloamin\'lastnicht，an\'I

wadhaetelltyethesamethismornin\'，sir，seekin\'yerfaircoonsel，butyewasawa\'\'aforeIkenned，an\'Iwasresolvtnotolatanithergloamin\'comeohnta\'enprecautions——whatsudIhear，I

say，asIwassayin\'，butalaichtshe——tshe——tshe，somewhaur，I

couldnatellwhaur，asgiensomehadmairtosaynorwudbespokenoot！Weel，yesee，bein\'aneaccoontabletaeithersforthem\'at\'saccoontabletome，Istudestillan\'hearkent：giena\'wasricht，nanewadbethewaurforme；an\'giena\'wasnaricht，a\'sudbewranggienIcouldmakeitsae！Weel，asIsay，Ihearkent——buteh，sir！jistgieakeekootatthatdoor，an\'seegeintherebenasomebodytherehearkin\'，forthatEppy——Iwudnalippentilheraehair！she\'sasslyasanedder！Naebodythere？Weel，steekyethedoor，sir，an\'Is\'gangonwi\'mytale。Istudean\'hearkent，asI

wassayin\'，an\'whatsudIhearbutatwasometoot-moot，asmyauldauntiefraeEbberdeenwudhaeca\'dit——aev\'icethato\'aman，an\'

theitherthato\'awuman，forit\'sstrangethedifferevenwhanbaithspeykstheirlaichest！Iwasayeglegi\'thehearin\'，an\'haereasonforthesametobethankfu，\'butIcouldna，fora\'mysharpness，makootwhattheywarsayin\'。So，whanIsaw\'atIwasnatohear，Ijistsetabootseein\'，an\'asquaietlyasmysaftfit——it\'ssafternorit\'slicht——wudcarryme，Igaedabootthebarnflure，luikin\'whauronybodycouldbehiddenawa\'。

“Therewasagreatheapo\'straeinaecorner，nohardagain\'thewa\'；an\'\'atweenthewa\'an\'thatheapo\'thrashenstrae，satthetwa。Upgatmylordwi\'aspang，asgienhehadbeenta\'enstealin\'。Eppywudhaebidden，an\'creepitootlikeamooseahintmyback，butIwasowersharpforher：\'Comeooto\'that，mylass，\'

saysI。\'Oh，mistressBrookes！\'saysmylord，uncoceevil，\'formysakedon\'tbeharduponher。\'Noothatangertme！ForthoughIsaythelassismairtoblamenorthelad，it\'snoforthelad，behelordorlabourer，tolea\'himsel\'ootwhantheblamecomes。An\'

saysI，\'Mylord，\'saysI，\'yeouchttokenbetter！Is\'saynaemairi\'thenoo，forI\'mowerangry。Gangyerways——butna！nothegither，mylord！Is\'luikweeltothat！——Ganguptilyerainroom，Eppy！\'Isaid，\'an\'gienIdinnaseeyetherewhanIcomein，it\'sawa\'toyourgrannieIgangthisvarranicht！\'

“Eppyshegaed；an\'mylordhestudethere，wi\'aface\'atglowertwhitethrouwthegloamin\'。Iturneduponhimlikeawildbeast，an\'

saysI，\'Iwinnaspeirwhatye\'reuptil，mylord，butyekenweeleneuchwhatitluikslike！an\'Iwudneverhaeexpeckitito\'ye！\'

Hebeganan\'hestammert，an\'hebeggitmetobelievetherewasnaething\'atweenthem，an\'hewudnaharmthelassietosavehislife，an\'a\'thelaveo\'\'t，\'atIcouldnai\'myhertbutpitythembaith——twasicbairns，doobtlessdrawnthegitherwi\'naethouchto\'

ill，ilkanebythebonnyfaceo\'theither，asisbutnait\'ral，thoughitcannabeallooed！Hebeseekitmesaesair\'atIfoolishlypromisednototellhisfaithergienheonhissidewudpromisenotohaemairtoduwi\'Eppy。An\'thathedid。NooIneverhadreasontodoobtmyyoonglord\'sword，butinacaseo\'thiskin\'it\'sayebetternotolippen。Onygait，thethingcannabeleftthiswise，forgienillcamo\'\'t，whaurwudwea\'be！Ididnapromisenototellonybody；I\'mfreetotellyersel，\'maisterGrant；an\'yemauncontrivewhat\'stobedune。“

“Iwillspeaktohim，“saidDonal，“andseewhathumourheisin。

Thatwillhelptoclearthethingup。Wewilltrytodoright，andtrusttobekeptfromdoingwrong。“

Donallefthertogotohisroom，buthadnotreachedthetopofthestairwhenhesawclearlythathemustspeaktolordForgueatonce：

heturnedandwentdowntoaroomthatwascalledhis。

Whenhereachedit，onlyDaviewasthere，turningovertheleavesofafoliowornbyfingersthathadbeendustforcenturies。HesaidPercywentout，andwouldnotlethimgowithhim。

KnowingmistressBrookeswaslookingafterEppy，DonalputoffseekingfartherforForguetillthemorrow。

CHAPTERXXV。

EVASION。

Thenextdayhecouldfindhimnowhere，andintheeveningwenttoseetheComins。Itwasprettydark，butthemoonwouldbeupbyandby。

Whenhereachedthecobbler\'shouse，hefoundhimworkingasusual，onlyin-doorsnowthattheweatherwascolder，andthelightsoonergone。Helookedinnocent，bright，andcontentedasusual。“IfGodbeatpeace，“hewouldsaytohimself，“whyshouldnotI？”Oncehesaidthisaloud，almostunconsciously，andwasoverheard：itstrengthenedtheregardwithwhichworldlychurch-goersregardedhim：hewastothemanirreverentyea，blasphemousman！TheydidnotknowGodenoughtounderstandthecobbler\'swords，andalltheinterpretationtheycouldgivethemwasaftertheirkind。TheirlongSundayfacesindicatedtheirreward；thecobbler\'scheery，expectantlookindicatedhis。

Thetwowerejustwonderingalittlewhenheentered，thatyoungEppyhadnotmadeherappearance；butthen，ashergrandmothersaid，shehadoften，especiallyduringthelastfewweeks，beenlaterstill！Asshespoke，however，theyheardherlight，hurriedfootonthestair。

“Hereshecomesatlast！”saidhergrandmother，andsheentered。

Shesaidshecouldnotgetawaysoeasilynow。Donalfearedshehadbeguntolie。Aftersittingaquarterofanhour，sherosesuddenly，andsaidshemustgo，forshewaswantedathome。Donalrosealsoandsaid，asthenightwasdark，andthemoonnotyetup，itwouldbebettertogotogether。Herfaceflushed：shehadtogointothetownfirst，shesaid，togetsomethingshewanted！Donalrepliedhewasinnohurry，andwouldgowithher。Shecastaninquiring，almostsuspiciouslookonhergrandparents，butmadenofurtherobjection，andtheywentouttogether。

TheywalkedtotheHighStreet，andtotheshopwhereDonalhadencounteredtheparson。Hewaitedinthestreettillshecameout。

Thentheywalkedbackthewaytheyhadcome，littlethinking，eitherofthem，thattheireverystepwasdogged。Kennedy，thefisherman，firminhispromisenottogonearthecastle，couldnotthereforeremainquietlyathome：heknewitwasEppy\'sdayforvisitingherfolk，wenttothetown，andhadbeenlingeringaboutinthehopeofseeingher。Notnaturallysuspicious，justifiablejealousyhadrenderedhimsuch；andwhenhesawthetwotogetherhebegantoaskwhetherDonal\'sanxietytokeephimfromencounteringlordForguemightnotbeduetoothergroundsthanthosegivenorimplied。Sohefollowed，carefultheyshouldnotseehim。

Theycametoabaker\'sshop，and，stoppingatthedoor，Eppy，inavoicethatinvainsoughttobesteady，askedDonalifhewouldbesogoodaswaitforheramoment，whileshewentintospeaktothebaker\'sdaughter。Donalmadenodifficulty，andsheentered，leavingthedooropenasshefoundit。

LowrieLeper\'sshopwaslightedwithonlyonedip，toodimalmosttoshowthesugarbiscuitsandpeppermintdropsinthewindow，thatdrewalldaythehungryeyesofthechildren。Apleasantsmellofbreadcamefromit，anddidwhatitcouldtoentertainhimintheallbutdesertedstreet。Whilehestoodnooneenteredorissued。

“She\'shavingalongtalk！”hesaidtohimself，butforalongtimewasnotimpatient。Hebeganatlength，however，tofearshemusthavebeentakenill，orhavefoundsomethingwronginthehouse。

Whenmorethanhalfanhourwasgone，hethoughtittimetomakeinquiry。

Heenteredtherefore，shuttingthedoorandopeningitagain，toringthespring-bell，thenmechanicallyclosingitbehindhim。

StraightwayMrs。Leperappearedfromsomewheretoanswerthesqualloftheshrill-tonguedsummoner。DonalaskedifEppywasreadytogo。Thewomanstaredathimamomentinsilence。

“Eppywha，saidye？”sheaskedatlength。

“EppyComin，“heanswered。

“Ikennaethingaboother——Lucy！”

Agood-lookinggirl，withastockingshewasdarningdrawnoveronehandandarm，followedhermotherintotheshop。

“Whaur\'sEppyComin，gienyeplease？”askedDonal。

“Ikennaethingaboother。Ihaenaseenhersin\'thisdayweek，“

answeredthegirlinaverystraight-forwardmanner。

Donalsawhehadbeentricked，butjudgingitbettertoseeknoelucidation，turnedwithapologytogo。

Asheopenedthedoor，therecamethroughthehousefrombehindablastofcoldwind：therewasanopenouterdoorinthatdirection！

Thegirlmusthaveslippedthroughthehouse，andoutbythatdoor，leavinghersquiretocoolhimself，vainlyexpectant，inthestreet！

Ifshehadfoundanotheradmirer，asprobablysheimagined，hispoliteattentionswereatthemomentinconvenient！

Butshehadtriedthetricktoooften，forshehadonceservedherfishermaninlikefashion。Seeinghergointothebaker\'s，Kennedyhadconjecturedherpurpose，andhurryingtowardtheissuefromtheotherexit，sawhercomeoutofthecourt，andwasagainfollowingher。

Donalhastenedhomeward。Themoonrose。Itwasalovelynight。

Dull-gleamingglimpsesoftherivercamethroughthelightfogthathoveredoveritintherisingmoonlikeaspirit-rivercontinuallyascendingfromtheearthlyoneandrestinguponit，butflowinginheavenlyplaces。Thewhitewebsshoneverywhiteinthemoon，andthegreengrasslookedgray。Afewminutesmore，andthewholecountrywascoveredwithalow-lyingfog，onwhoseuppersurfacethemoonshone，makingitappeartoDonal\'swonderingeyesawide-spreadinundation，fromwhichrosehalf-submergedhousesandstacksandtrees。Onewhohadneverseenthethingbefore，andwhodidnotknowthecountry，wouldnothavedoubtedhelookedonaveritableexpanseofwater。Absorbedinthebeautyofthesighthetrudgedon。

Suddenlyhestopped：werethosethesoundsofascuffleheheardontheroadbeforehim？Heran。Atthenextturn，intheloneliestpartoftheway，hesawsomethingdark，liketheformofaman，lyinginthemiddleoftheroad。Hehastenedtoit。Themoongleamedonapoolbesideit。Adeath-likefacelookedheavenward：

itwasthatoflordForgue——withoutbreathormotion。Therewasacutinhishead：fromthatthepoolhadflowed。Heexamineditaswellashecouldwithanxiouseyes。Ithadalmoststoppedbleeding。

Whatwashetodo？Whatcouldbedone？Therewasbutonething！

Hedrewthehelplessformtothesideoftheway，andleaningitupagainsttheearth-dyke，satdownontheroadbeforeit，andsomanagedtogetituponhisback，andrisewithit。Ifhecouldbutgethimhomeunseen，muchscandalmightbeforestalled！

Onthelevelroadhedidverywell；but，strongashewas，hedidnotfinditaneasytasktoclimbwithsuchaburdenthesteepapproachtothecastle。Hehadlittlebreathleftwhenatlasthereachedtheplatformfromwhichrosethetoweringbulk。

Hecarriedhimstraighttothehousekeeper\'sroom。Itwasnotyetmorethanhalf-pastten；andthoughtheservantsweremostlyinbed，mistressBrookeswasstillmovingabout。Helaidhisburdenonhersofa，andhastenedtofindher。

Likeasensiblewomanshekeptherhorroranddismaytoherself。

Shegotsomebrandy，andbetweenthemtheymanagedtomakehimswallowalittle。Hebegantorecover。Theybathedhiswound，anddidforitwhattheycouldwithscissorsandplaster，thencarriedhimtohisownroom，andgothimtobed。Donalsatdownbyhim，andstaid。Hispatientwasrestlessandwanderingallthenight，buttowardsmorningfellintoasoundsleep，andwasstillasleepwhenthehousekeepercametorelievehim。

AssoonasMrs。BrookesleftDonalwithlordForgue，shewenttoEppy\'sroom，andfoundherinbed，pretendingtobeasleep。Sheleftherundisturbed，thinkingtocomeeasieratthetruthifshetookherunpreparedtolie。Itcameoutafterwardsthatshewasnotsoheartlessassheseemed。ShefoundlordForguewaitingherupontheroad，andalmostimmediatelyKennedycameuptothem。Forguetoldhertorunhomeatonce：hewouldsoonsettlematterswiththefellow。Shewentofflikeahare，andtillshewasoutofsightthemenstoodlookingateachother。Kennedywasapowerfulman，andForguebutastripling；thelattertrusted，however，tohisskill，anddidnotfearhisadversary。Hedidnotknowwhathewas。

Heseemednowinnodanger，andhisattendantsagreedtobesilenttillherecovered。Itwasgivenoutthathewaskeepinghisroomforafewdays，butthatnothingveryseriouswasthematterwithhim。

Intheafternoon，DonalwenttofindKennedy，loiteredawhileaboutthevillage，andmadeseveralinquiriesafterhim；butnoonehadseenhim。

Forguerecoveredasrapidlyascouldhavebeenexpected。Daviewastroubledthathemightnotgoandseehim，buthewouldhavebeenfullofquestion，remark，andspeculation！Forwhathehadhimselftodointhematter，Donalwasbutwaitingtillheshouldbestrongenoughtobetakentotask。

CHAPTERXXVI。

CONFRONTMENT。

AtlengthoneeveningDonalknockedatthedoorofForgue\'sroom，andwentin。Hewasseatedinaneasychairbeforeablazingfire，lookingcomfortable，andshowinginhispalefacenosignofadisturbedconscience。

“Mylord，“saidDonal，“youwillhardlybesurprisedtofindIhavesomethingtotalktoyouabout！”

Hislordshipwassomuchsurprisedthathemadehimnoanswer——onlylookedinhisface。Donalwenton：——

“IwanttospeaktoyouaboutEppyComin，“hesaid。

Forgue\'sfaceflamedup。Thedevilofpride，andthedeviloffear，andthedevilofshame，allrushedtotheoutworkstodefendtheworthlessself。Buthistemperdidnotatoncebreakbounds。

“Allowmetoremindyou，Mr。Grant，“hesaid，“that，althoughIhaveavailedmyselfofyourhelp，Iamnotyourpupil，andyouhavenoauthorityoverme。“

“Thereminderisunnecessary，mylord，“answeredDonal。“Iamnotyourtutor，butIamthefriendoftheComins，andthereforeofEppy。“

Hislordshipdrewhimselfupyetmoreerectinhischair，andasneercameoverhishandsomecountenance。ButDonaldidnotwaitforhimtospeak。

“Don\'timagineme，mylord，“hesaid，“presumingonthefactthatI

hadthegoodfortunetocarryyouhome：thatIshouldhavedoneforthestable-boyinsimilarplight。ButasIinterferedforyouthen，IhavetointerfereforEppienow。“

“Damnyourinsolence！Doyouthinkbecauseyouaregoingtobeaparson，youmaymakeacongregationofme！”

“Ihavenottheslightestintentionofbeingaparson，“returnedDonalquietly，“butIdohopetobeanhonestman，andyourlordshipisingreatdangerofceasingtobeone！”

“Getoutofmyroom，“criedForgue。

Donaltookaseatoppositehim。

“Ifyoudonot，Iwill！”saidtheyounglord，androse。

Buterehereachedthedoor，Donalwasstandingwithhisbackagainstit。Helockedit，andtookoutthekey。Theyouthglaredathim，unabletospeakforfury，thenturned，caughtupachair，andrushedathim。OnetwistofDonal\'sploughman-handwrencheditfromhim。Hethrewitoverhisheaduponthebed，andstoodmotionlessandsilent，waitingtillhisrageshouldsubside。Inafewmomentshiseyebegantoquail，andhewentbacktohisseat。

“Now，mylord，“saidDonal，followinghisexampleandsittingdown，“willyouhearme？”

“I\'llbedamnedifIdo！”heanswered，flaringupagainatthefirstsoundofDonal\'svoice。

“I\'mafraidyou\'llbedamnedifyoudon\'t，“returnedDonal。

Hislordshiptooktheundignifiedexpedientofthrustinghisfingersinhisears。Donalsatquietuntilheremovedthem。Butthemomenthebegantospeakhethrusttheminagain。Donalrose，andseizingoneofhishandsbythewrist，said，“Becareful，mylord；ifyoudrivemetoextremity，Iwillspeaksothatthehouseshallhearme；ifthatwillnotdo，Igostraighttoyourfather。“

“Youareaspyandasneak！”

“Amanwhobehaveslikeyou，shouldhavenotermsheldwithhim。“

Theyouthbrokeoutinafreshpassion。Donalsatwaitingtillthefutileoutburstshouldbeover。Itwaspresentlyexhausted，therageseemingtogooutforwantoffuel。Nordidheagainstophisearsagainstthetruthhesawhewasdoomedtohear。

“Iamcome，“saidDonal，“toaskyourlordshipwhetherthecourseyouarepursuingisnotadishonourableone。“

“IknowwhatIamabout。“

“Somuchtheworse——butIdoubtit。Foryourmother\'ssake，iffornoother，youshouldscorntobehavetoawomanasyouaredoingnow。“

“WhatdoyoupleasetoimagineIamdoingnow？”

“Thereisnoimaginationinthis——thatyouarebehavingtoEppyasnomanoughtexcepthemeanttomarryher。“

“HowdoyouknowIdonotmeantomarryher？”

“Doyoumeantomarryher，mylord？”

“Whatrighthaveyoutoask？”

“AtleastIliveunderthesameroofwithyouboth。“

“WhatifsheknowsIdonotintendtomarryher？”

“Mydutyisequallyplain：Iamthefriendofheronlyrelatives。

IfIdidnotdomybestforthepoorgirl，IdarednotlookmyMasterintheface！——Whereisyourhonour，mylord？”

“InevertoldherIwouldmarryher。“

“Ineversupposedyouhad。“

“Well，whatthen？”

“Irepeat，suchattentionsasyoursmustnaturallybesupposedbyanyinnocentgirltomeanmarriage。“

“Bah！sheisnotsuchafool！”

“Ifearsheisfoolenoughnottoknowtowhattheymustthenpoint！”

“Theypointtonothing。“

“Thenyoutakeadvantageofherinnocencetoamuseyourselfwithher。“

“Whatifshebenotquitesoinnocentasyouwouldhaveher。“

“Mylord，youareascoundrel。“

ForonemomentForgueseemedtowrestlewithanallbutuncontrollablefury；thenexthelaughed——butitwasnotanicelaugh。

“Comenow，“hesaid，“I\'mgladI\'veputyouinarage！I\'vegotovermine。I\'lltellyouthewholetruth：thereisnothingbetweenmeandthegirl——nothingwhatever，Igiveyoumyword，exceptaninnocentflirtation。Askherself。“

“Mylord，“saidDonal，“Ibelievewhatyoumeanmetounderstand。I

thoughtnothingworseofitmyself。“

“Thenwhythedevilkickupsuchaninfernalshindyaboutit？”

“Forthesereasons，mylord：——“

“Oh，come！don\'tbelong-winded。“

“Youmusthearme。“

“Goon。“

“Iwillsupposeshedoesnotimagineyoumeantomarryher。“

“Shecan\'t！”

“Whynot？”

“She\'snotafool，andshecan\'timaginemesuchanidiot！”

“Butmayshenotsupposeyouloveher？”

Hetriedtolaugh。

“Youhavenevertoldherso？——neversaidordoneanythingtomakeherthinkso？”

“Oh，well！shemaythinkso——afterasortofafashion！”

“Wouldshespeaktoyouagainifsheheardyoutalkingsooftheloveyougiveher？”

“YouknowaswellasIdothewordhasmanymeanings？”

“Andwhichisshelikelytotake？Thatwhichisconfessedlyfalseandworthnothing？”

“Shemaytakewhichshepleases，anddropitwhenshepleases。“

“Butnow，doesshenottakeyourwordsofloveformorethantheyareworth？”

“ShesaysIwillsoonforgether。“

“Willanysayingkeepherfrombeingsoinlovewithyouastoreapmisery？Youdon\'tknowwhattheconsequencesmaybe！Herlovewakenedbyyours，maybeinfinitelystrongerthanyours！”

“Oh，womendon\'tnow-a-daysdieforlove！”saidhislordship，feelingalittleflattered。

“Itwouldbewellforsomeofthemiftheydid！theynevergetoverit。Shemayn\'tdie，true！butshemaylivetohatethemanthatledhertothinkhelovedher，andtaughthertobelieveinnobody。Herwholelifemaybedarkenedbecauseyouwouldamuseyourself。“

“Shehashershareoftheamusement，andIhavemyshare，byJove，ofthedanger！She\'saverypretty，clever，engaginggirl——thoughsheisbutahousemaid！”saidForgue，asifutteringasentimentofquitecommunisticliberality。

“Whatyousayshowsthemoredangertoher！Ifyouadmirehersomuchyoumusthavebehavedtohersomuchthemorelikeagenuinelover？Butanysufferingtheaffairmayhavecausedyou，willhardly，Ifear，persuadeyoutotheonlyhonourableescape！”

“ByJupiter！”criedForgue。“Wouldyouhavememarrythegirl？

That\'scomingitratherstrongwithyourfriendshipforthecobbler！”

“No，mylord；ifthingsareasyourepresent，Ihavenosuchdesire。

WhatIwantistoputastoptothewholeaffair。Everymanhastobehisbrother\'skeeper；andifourwesternnotionsconcerningwomenbetrue，amanisyetmoreboundtobehissister\'skeeper。Hewhodoesnotrecognizethis，beheearlorprince，isvilerthanthemurderousprowlerafterabattle。Foramantosay\'shecantakecareofherself，\'istospeakoutofessentialhell。Thebeautyofloveis，thatitdoesnottakecareofitself，butofthepersonloved。Toapproachagirlinanyotherfashionisameanscoundrellything。Iamgladithasalreadybroughtonyousomeofthechastisementitdeserves。“

Hislordshipstartedtohisfeetinafreshaccessofrage。

“Youdaresaythattomyface！”

“Assuredly，mylord。Thefactstandsjustso。“

“Igavethefellowasgoodashegaveme！”

“Thatisnothingtothepoint——thoughfromthestateIfoundyouin，itishardtoimagine。Pardonme，Idonotbelieveyoubehavedlikewhatyoucallacoward。“

LordForguewasalmostcryingwithrage。

“Ihavenotdonewithhimyet！”hestammered。“IfIonlyknewwhotherascalis！IfIdon\'tpayhimout，may——“

“Stop，stop，mylord。Allthatismerewaste！Iknowwhothemanis，butIwillnottellyou。Hegaveyounomorethanyoudeserved，andIwilldonothingtogethimpunishedforit。“

“Youareartandpartwithhim！”

“Ineitherknewofhisintent，sawhimdoit，norhaveanyproofagainsthim。“

“Youwillnottellmehisname？”

“No。“

“Iwillfinditout，andkillhim。“

“Hethreatenstokillyou。IwilldowhatIcantopreventeither。“

“Iwillkillhim，“repeatedForguethroughhisclenchedteeth。

“AndIwilldomybesttohaveyouhangedforit，“saidDonal。

“Leavetheroom，youinsolentbumpkin。“

“WhenyouhavegivenmeyourwordthatyouwillneveragainspeaktoEppyComin。“

“I\'llbedamnedfirst。“

“Shewillbesentaway。“

“WhereIshallseehertheeasier。“