第6章

Hislordshipsaidthismorefromperversitythanintent，forhehadbeguntowishhimselfclearoftheaffair——onlyhowwashetogiveintothisunbearableclown！

“Iwillgiveyoutillto-morrowtothinkofit，“saidDonal，andopenedthedoor。

Hislordshipmadehimnoreply，butcastafterhimalookofuncertainanger。Donal，turninghisheadasheshutthedoor，sawit：

“Itrust，“hesaid，“youwillonedaybegladIspoketoyouplainly。“

“Oh，goalongwithyourpreaching！”criedForgue，moretestilythanwrathfully；andDonalwent。

InthemeantimeEppyhadbeensoundlytakentotaskbyMrs。Brookes，andtoldthatifonceagainshespokeawordtolordForgue，sheshouldthatverydayhaveherdismissal。Thehousekeeperthoughtshehadatleastsucceededinimpressinguponherthatshewasindangeroflosinghersituationinawaythatmustseriouslyaffecthercharacter。SheassuredDonalthatshewouldnotletthefoolishgirloutofhersight；andthereuponDonalthoughtitbettertogivelordForgueadaytomakeuphismind。

Onthesecondmorninghecametotheschoolroomwhenlessonswereover，andsaidfrankly，“I\'vemadeafoolofmyself，Mr。Grant！Makewhatexcuseformeyoucan。Iamsorry。Believeme，Imeantnoharm。Ihavemadeupmymindthatallshallbeoverbetweenus。“

“Promisemeyouwillnotoncespeaktoheragain。“

“Idon\'tliketodothat：itmighthappentobeawkward。ButI

promisetodomybesttoavoidher。“

Donaldwasnotquitesatisfied，butthoughtitbesttoleavethethingso。Theyouthseemedentirelyinearnest。

ForatimeheremainedindoubtwhetherheshouldmentionthethingtoEppy\'sgrandparents。Hereflectedthattheirinfluencewithherdidnotseemverygreat，andifshewerevexedbyanythingtheysaid，itmightdestroywhatlittletheyhad。Thenitwouldmakethemunhappy，andhecouldnotbeartothinkofit。Hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotmentionit，but，inthehopeshewouldnowchangeherway，leavethepasttobeforgotten。Hehadnosoonerthusresolved，however，thanhegrewuncomfortable，andwasunsatisfiedwiththedecision。Allwouldnotberightbetweenhisfriendandhim！AndrewCominwouldhavesomethingagainsthim！Hecouldnolongermeethimasbefore，forhewouldbehidingsomethingfromhim，andhewouldhavearighttoreproachhim！Thenhisinwardeyesgrewclear。Hesaidtohimself，“Whatamanhasarighttoknow，anotherhasnorighttoconcealfromhim。Ifsorrowbelongtohim，Ihaveaslittlerighttokeepthatfromhimasjoy。Hissorrowsandhisjoysarepartofaman\'sinheritance。Mywisdomtotakecareofthisman！——hisownisimmeasurablybeforemine！Thewholematterconcernshim：Iwilllethimknowatonce！”

Thesamenighthewenttoseehim。Hiswifewasout，andDonalwasgladofit。Hetoldhimallthathadtakenplace。

Helistenedinsilence，hiseyesfixedonhim，hisworkonhislap，hishandwiththeawlhangingbyhisside。WhenheheardhowEppyhadtrickedDonalthatnight，leavinghimtowatchinvain，tearsgatheredinhisoldeyes。Hewipedthemawaywiththebacksofhishornyhands，andtherecamenomore。Donaltoldhimhehadfirstthoughthewouldsaynothingtohimaboutitall，hewassoloathtotroublethem，butneitherhisheartnorhisconsciencewouldlethimbesilent。

“Yedidrichttotellme，“saidAndrew，afterapause。“It\'struewehaenathatmuckleweichtwi\'her，foritseemsalawo\'natur\'attheyoong\'snotobehaudendoonbytheexperrienceo\'theauld——whichcanbeexperrienceonlytothemsel\'s；butwhanwepraytoGod，itputsitmairinhispooertomakuseo\'\'sforthecarryin\'ooto\'thethingweprayfor。It\'snoayebywordshegiesustosay；wi\'somefowkwordsgangforuncolittle；itmaybewhilesbyaluiko\'whilkyekennaething，oritmaybebyamotiono\'yerhan\'，oraturno\'yerheid。Whakensbutyemayhaudadivinepooerowerthehertyehae\'maistgi\'enupthehoupo\'everwinnin\'at！Yehaeh\'ardo\'theconvic\'brouchttosorrowbyseein\'

abito\'thesamemattin\'hehadbeenusedtoseei\'theaisleo\'

thekirkhismithertuikhimtil！Thatwasastrokeo\'God\'smagic！

There\'snaekennin\'whatGodcando，noryetwhatbesto\'rizzonshehasfornodoin\'\'tsooner！Whanwethinkhe\'slattin\'thetimegang，an\'doin\'naething，hemaybejistdoin\'a\'thing！No\'atI

everthinklikethatnoo；lathimdo\'athelikes，whathedoesI\'msureo\'。I\'mo\'hismin\'whetherIkenhismin\'orno——Eh，mylassie！mylassie！Icouldbetterwinowerahantlenorhergiein\'

youtheslipthatgait，sir。Itwassaedoobleo\'her！It\'snaethingwranginitsel\'\'atayoonglasssudbetaenwi\'theattentionso\'abonnyladlikelordForgue！That\'snaagenthenatur\'atGodmade！Buttopreten\'an\'takin！——tobecunnin\'an\'

sly！that\'sevil。An\'synefortheitherlad——eh，Idoobtthat\'swarsto\'\'a！OnlyIkennahoofarshehadcommittithersel\'wi\'

him，forshewasneveropen-hertit。Eh，sir！it\'safinethingtohaenaesacretsbutsicaslie\'atweenyersel\'an\'yermacker！I

canbutpraytheFathero\'a\'tohaudhise\'euponher，an\'hisairmsaboother，an\'keepaffthehardenin\'o\'thehert\'atdespisescoonsel！I\'msairdoobtin\'wecannadomucklemairforher！Shemauntakheraingait，forwecannaputacollarroon\'herneck，an\'

leadherabootwhaureverwegang。Shemaunwinherainbreid；an\'

gienshedidnathat，shewadbebutthemairta\'enupwi\'sicnonsenseasthelikeso\'lordForgue\'sayereadytosaytilonybonnylass。An\'Ivarilybelieveshe\'ssafertherewi\'youan\'thehoosekeepernorwhaurhecouldwinathereasier，an\'whaurtheywudbereadiertotakhercharacterfraherupo\'lessoffence，an\'sen\'

herabootherbusiness。Fowk\'sunco\'jealousabouttheirhoose\'atwadtroublethemsel\'slittleabootalass！Saelangasit\'snoupo\'

theirpremises，shemaydoasshelikesforthem！Dooryan\'me，we\'lljistlayoorcaresi\'thefinesichtan\'\'aforethecompassionateherto\'theMaister，an\'seewhathecandofor\'s！

Sicthingsaivenwecanlea\'tohim！Ihoupthere\'llbenaemairbludeshed！He\'safinelad，SteenieKennedy——comeo\'afinestock！

HisfatherwasaGod-fearin\'man——somedourbynatur，butwi\'anuncoclearin\'upthrouwgrace。Iwudwullin\'lyhaeseenoorEppyhiswife；he\'sanhonestlad！I\'msorryhegiedplacetowrath，buthemayhaerepentitbythenoo，an\'troth，Icannablamehimmuckleathistimeo\'life！It\'snoasgienyouormedidit，yeken，sir！”

Thechosenagonizeafterthelight；stretchouttheirhandstoGod；

stirupthemselvestolayholduponGod！Thesearetheywhogathergrace，asthemountain-topsthesnow，tosenddownriversofwatertotheirfellows。Therestarethemanycalled，ofwhomnotafewhavetobecompelled。Alasfortheonecastout！

Ashewasgoinghomeinthedarkofacloudedmoonlight，justashereachedtheplacewherehefoundlordForgue，Donalcaughtsightofthevaguefigureofamanapparentlyonthewatch，andputhimselfalittleonhisguardashewenton。ItwasKennedy。Hecameuptohiminahesitatingway。

“Stephen，“saidDonal，forheseemedtowaitforhimtospeakfirst，“youmaythankGodyouarenotnowinhiding。“

“Iwadneverhide，sir。GienIhadkilledtheman，Iwadhaehaudenmyfacetil\'t。Butitwasafoolishthingtodo，forit\'llonlygarthelassthinkthemairo\'him：theyayesidewi\'theanetheytaktobeill-used！”

“Ithoughtyousaidyouwouldinanycasehavenomoretodowithher！”saidDonal。

Kennedywassilentforamoment。

“Abodymaytearattheirhert，“hemuttered，“butgienitwinnacome，what\'stheguido\'sweirin\'ootitmaun！”

“Well，“returnedDonal，“itmaybesomecomforttoyoutoknowthat，forthepresentatleast，andIhopeforaltogether，thethingisputastopto。Thehousekeeperatthecastleknowsallaboutit，andsheandIwilldoourbest。Hergrandparentsknowtoo。EppieherselfandlordForguehavebothofthempromisedthereshallbenomoreofit。AndIdobelieve，Kennedy，therehasbeennothingmorethangreatsillinessoneitherside。Ihopeyouwillnotforgetyourselfagain。Yougavemeapromiseandbrokeit！”

“Noi\'theletter，sir——onlyi\'thespeerit！”rejoinedKennedy：“I

gaednanearthecastel！”

“\'Onlyinthespirit！\'didyousay，Stephen？Whatmattersthewordbutforthespirit？TheBibleitselfletsthewordgoanytimeforthespirit！Wouldithavebeenabreachofyourpromiseifyouhadgonetothecastleonsomeservicetothemanyoualmostmurdered？

Ifeveryoulayyourhandontheladagain，I\'lldomybesttogiveyouovertojustice。Butkeepquiet，andI\'lldoallIcanforyou。“

Kennedypromisedtogovernhimself，andtheypartedfriends。

CHAPTERXXVII。

THESOULOFTHEOLDGARDEN。

Thedayswentonandon，andstillDonalsawnothing，ornexttonothingoftheearl。Thricehemethimonthewaytothewalledgardeninwhichhewaswonttotakehisunfrequentexercise；ononeoftheseoccasionshislordshipspoketohimcourteously，thenextscarcelynoticedhim，thethirdpassedhimwithoutrecognition。

Donal，whowithequalmindtookeverythingasitcame，troubledhimselfnotatallaboutthematter。Hewasdoinghisworkaswellasheknewhow，andthatwasenough。

NowalsohesawscarcelyanythingoflordForgueeither；henolongersoughthissuperiorscholarship。LadyArcturahesawgenerallyonceaweekatthereligion-lesson；ofMissCarmichaelhappilynothingatall。ButashegrewmorefamiliarwiththecountenanceofladyArctura，itpainedhimmoreandmoretoseeitsosad，sofarfrompeaceful。Whatmightbethecauseofit？

Mostwell-meaningyoungwomenareingeneraltolerablyhappy——partlyperhapsbecausetheyhavefewornoaspirations，nottroublingthemselvesaboutwhataloneistheendofthought——andpartlyperhapsbecausetheydespisethesadnesseverreadytoassailthem，assomethingunworthy。Butifcondemnedtotheroundofatormentingtheologicalmill，andatthesametimeconsumedwithstrenuousendeavourtoorderthoughtsandfeelingsaccordingtosupposedrequirementsofthegospel，withlittletoemploythemandnocompanionstomakethemforgetthemselves，suchwouldbeatoncemoresadandmoreworthy。Thenarrowwaystroddenofmenaremiserable；theyhavehighwallsoneachside，andbutanoccasionalglimpseoftheskyabove；andinsuchpathsladyArcturawastryingtowalk。Thetrueway，thoughnarrow，isnotunlovely：mostfootpathsarelovelierthanhighroads。Itmaybefulloftoil，butitcannotbemiserable。Ithasnotwalls，butfieldsandforestsandgardensaroundit，andlimitlessskyoverhead。Ithasitssorrows，butmanyofthemlieonlyonitsborders，andtheythatleavethepathgatherthem。LadyArcturawasdevouringhersoulinsilence，withsucheffectualhelptheretoastheself-sufficientfriend，whohadneverencounteredarealdifficultyinherlife，plenteouslygaveher。MissCarmichaeldealtwithherhonestlyaccordingtoherwisdom，butthatwisdomwasfoolishness；shesaidwhatshethoughtright，butwaswronginwhatshecountedright；

nay，shedidwhatshethoughtright——butnoamountofdoingwrongrightcansetthesoulonthehightable-landoffreedom，orendowitwithliberatinghelp。

Theautumnpassed，andthewinterwasathand——aterribletimetotheoldandailingevenintractsnearerthesun——totheyoungandhealthyamerrytimeeveninthesnowsandbitterfrostsofeasternScotland。Davielookedchieflytotheskating，andinparticulartothepleasurehewasgoingtohaveinteachingMr。Grant，whohadneverdoneanyslidingexceptonthesolesofhisnailedshoes：whenthetimecame，heacquiredtheartthemorerapidlythathenevermindedwhatblundershemadeinlearningathing。Thedreadofblunderingisagreatbartosuccess。

HevisitedtheCominsoften，andfoundcontinualcomfortandhelpintheirfriendship。Thelettershereceivedfromhome，especiallythoseofhisfriendsirGibbie，whonotunfrequentlywrotealsoforDonal\'sfatherandmother，wereagreatnourishmenttohim。

Asthecoldandthenightsgrew，thewater-levelroseinDonal\'swell，andthepoetrybegantoflow。Whenwehavenosummerwithout，wemustsupplyitfromwithin。Thosemusthavecomfortinthemselveswhoaresenttohelpothers。Upinhisaerie，likeaneagleabovethelowaffairsoftheearth，heledakeenerlife，breathedthebreathofamoregenuineexistencethantherestofthehouse。Nodoubttheoldcobbler，seatedathislastoveramouldyshoe，breathedayethigherairthanDonalweavinghisverse，orreadinggrandoldGreek，inhistower；butDonalwasonthesamepath，theonlypathwithaninfiniteend——thedivinedestiny。

Hehadoftenthoughtoftryingtheoldmanwithsomeofthebestpoetryheknew，desirousofknowingwhatreceptivityhemighthaveforit；butalwayswhenwithhimhadhithertoforgothisproposedinquiry，andthoughtofitagainonlyafterhehadlefthim：theoriginalflowofthecobbler\'slifeputthethoughtoftestingitoutofhismind。

Oneafternoon，whenthelastoftheleaveshadfallen，andthecountrywasbareastheheartofanoldmanwhohaslivedtohimself，Donal，seatedbeforeagreatfireofcoalandboat-logs，fellathinkingoftheoldgarden，vanishedwiththesummer，butlivinginthememoryofitsdelight。Allthatwasleftofitatthefootofthehillwasitscorpse，butitssoulwasintheheavenofDonal\'sspirit，andtherethisnightgatheredtoitselfanewform。

Itgrewandgrewinhim，tillitfilledwithitsthoughtsthemindofthepoet。Heturnedtohistable，andbegantowrite：withmanyemendationsafterwards，theresultwasthis：——

THEOLDGARDEN。

I。

IstoodinanancientgardenWithhighredwallsaround；

OverthemgrayandgreenlichensInshadowyarabesquewound。

ThetopmostclimbingblossomsOnfieldskine-hauntedlookedout；

Butwithinwereshelterandshadow，Anddaintiestodoursabout。

Therewerealleysandlurkingarbours——

Deepgloomsintowhichtodive；

Thelawnswereassoftasfleeces——

OfdaisiesIcountedbutfive。

Thesun-dialwassoagedIthadgatheredathoughtfulgrace；

Andtheround-aboutoftheshadowSeemedtohavefurroweditsface。

TheflowerswerealloftheoldestThateveringardensprung；

Red，andblood-red，anddarkpurple，Therose-lampsflaminghung。

Alongthebordersfring閐

Withbroadthickedgesofbox，Stoodfox-glovesandgorgeouspoppies，Andgreat-eyedhollyhocks。

Therewerejuniperstrimmedintocastles，Andash-treesbowedintotents；

Forthegarden，thoughancientandpensive，Stillworequaintornaments。

Itwasallsostatelyfantastic，Itsoldwindhardlywouldstir：

YoungSpring，whenshemerrilyentered，Mustfeelitnoplaceforher！

II。

IstoodinthesummermorningUnderacavernousyew；

Thesunwasgentlyclimbing，Andthescentsroseafterthedew。

Isawthewiseoldmansion，Likeacowinthenoonday-heat，StandinapoolofshadowsThatrippledaboutitsfeet。

Itswindowswereorielandlatticed，Lowlyandwideandfair；

AnditschimneyslikeclusteredpillarsStoodupinthethinblueair。

Whitedoves，likethethoughtsofalady，Haunteditinandout；

Withatrainofgreenandbluecomets，Thepeacockwentmarchingabout。

ThebirdsinthetreesweresingingAsongasoldastheworld，Ofloveandgreenleavesandsunshine，Andwinterfoldedandfurled。

TheysangthatneverwassadnessButitmeltedandpassedaway；

TheysangthatneverwasdarknessButincametheconqueringday。

AndIknewthatamaidensomewhere，Inasobersunlitgloom，Inanimbusofshininggarments，Anaureoleofwhite-browedbloom，Lookedoutonthegardendreamy，Andknewnotthatitwasold；

Lookedpastthegrayandthesombre，Andsawbutthegreenandthegold。

III。

Istoodinthegatheringtwilight，Inagentlyblowingwind；

Andthehouselookedhalfuneasy，Likeonethatwasleftbehind。

Theroseshadlosttheirredness，Andcoldthegrasshadgrown；

Atroostwerethepigeonsandpeacock，Andthedialwasdeadgraystone。

TheworldbythegatheringtwilightInagauzyduskwasclad；

Itwentinthroughmyeyestomyspirit，Andmademealittlesad。

Grewandgatheredthetwilight，Andfilledmyheartandbrain；

Thesadnessgrewmorethansadness，Andturnedtoagentlepain。

Brownedandbroodedthetwilight，Andsankdownthroughthecalm，TillitseemedforsomehumansorrowsTherecouldnotbeanybalm。

IV。

ThenIknewthat，upastaircase，Whichuntrodwillyetcreakandshake，Deepinadistantchamber，Aghostwascomingawake。

Inthegrowingdarknessgrowing——

Growingtillhereyesappear，Likespotsofadeepertwilight，Butmoretransparentclear——

Thinashotairup-trembling，Thinasasun-moltencrape，ThedeepeningshadowofsomethingTakethacertainshape；

AshapewhosehandsareupliftedTothrowbackherblindinghair；

Ashapewhosebosomisheaving，Butdrawsnotintheair。

AndIknow，bywhattimethemoonlightOnhernestofshadowswillsit，OutonthedimlawnglidingThatshadowofshadowswillflit。

V。

ThemoonisdreamingupwardFromaseaofcloudandgleam；

ShelooksasifshehadseenusNeverbutinadream。

DownthatstairIknowsheiscoming，Bare-footed，liftinghertrain；

Itcreaksnot——shehearsitcreaking，Forthesoundisinherbrain。

Outattheside-doorshe\'scoming，Withatimidglancerightandleft！

Herlookishopelessyeteager，Thelookofaheartbereft。

Acrossthelawnsheisflitting，Hereddyingrobeinthewind！

Areherfairfeetbendingthegrasses？

Herhairishalfliftedbehind！

VI。

ShallIstaytolookonhernearer？

Wouldshestartandvanishaway？

No，no；shewillneverseeme，IfIstandasnearasImay！

Itisnotthiswindsheisfeeling，Notthiscoolgrassbelow；

\'TisthewindandthegrassofaneveningAhundredyearsago。

Sheseesnorosesdarkling，Nostatelyhollyhocksdim；

SheisonlythinkinganddreamingOfthegarden，thenight，andhim；

Oftheunlitwindowsbehindher，Ofthetimelessdial-stone，Ofthetrees，andthemoon，andtheshadows，Ahundredyearsagone。

\'TisanightforallghostlyloversTohauntthebest-lovedspot：

Ishecomeinhisdreamstothisgarden？

Igaze，butIseehimnot。

VII。

Iwillnotlookonhernearer——

Myheartwouldbetornintwain；

>FrommineeyesthegardenwouldvanishInthefallingoftheirrain！

IwillnotlookonasorrowThatdarkensintodespair；

Onthesurgeofaheartthatcannot——

Yetcannotceasetobear！

Mysoultoherswouldbecalling——

Shewouldhearnoworditsaid；

IfIcriedaloudinthestillness，Shewouldneverturnherhead！

Sheisdreamingtheskyaboveher，Sheisdreamingtheearthbelow：——

Thisnightshelostherlover，Ahundredyearsago。

CHAPTERXXVIII。

APRESENCEYETNOTAPRESENCE。

Thetwilighthadfallenwhilehewrote，andthewindhadrisen。Itwasnowblowingagale。Whenhecouldnolongersee，herosetolighthislamp，andlookedoutofthewindow。Allwasduskaroundhim。Aboveandbelowwasnothingtobedistinguishedfromthemass；

nothingandsomethingseemedinittoshareanequaluncertainty。Heheardthewind，butcouldnotseethecloudsthatsweptbeforeit，forallwascloudoverhead，andnochangeoflightorfeatureshowedtheshiftingofthemeasurelessbulk。Graystormyspacewasthewholeideaofthecreation。Hewasgazingintoavoid——wasitnotratheraconditionofthingsinappreciablebyhissenses？Astrangefeelingcameoverhimasoflookingfromawindowinthewallofthevisibleintotheregionunknown，tomanshapelessquite，thereforeterrible，whereinwanderthethingsallthathavenotyetfoundorformorsensibleembodiment，soastomanifestthemselvestoeyesorearsorhandsofmortals。Ashegazed，thehugeshapelesshulksoftheshipsofchaos，dimlyawfulsuggestionsofanimalsuncreate，yetvaguermotionsofwhatwasnot，cameheavingup，tovanish，evenfromthefancy，astheyapproachedhiswindow。Earthlayfarbelow，invisible；onlythroughthenightcamethemoaningofthesea，asthewinddroveit，instillenlargingwaves，upontheflatshore，alevelofdoubtfulgrassandsand，threemilesaway。Itseemedtohisheartasifthemoaningwerethevoiceofthedarkness，lamenting，likearepentantSatanorJudas，thatitwasnotthelight，couldnotholdthelight，mightnotbecomeasthelight，butmustthatmomentceasewhenthelightbegantoenterit。Darknessandmoaningwasallthattheearthcontained！Wouldthesoulsofthemarinersshipwreckedthisnightgoforthintotheceaselessturmoil？orwouldthey，leavingbehindthemthesenseforstorms，asforallthingssoftandsweetaswell，enteronlyavastsilence，wherewasnothingtobeawareofbuteachsolitaryself？ThoughtsandtheoriesmanypassedthroughDonal\'smindashesoughttolandtheconceivablefromthewanderingbosomofthelimitless；andhewasjustarrivingattheconclusion，that，asallthingsseenmustbeafterthefashionoftheunseenwhencetheycome，astheverygeniusofembodimentislikeness，thereforethesoulofmanmustofcoursehavenaturalrelationswithmatter；but，ontheotherhand，asthespiritmustbethehomeandoriginofallthismoulding，assimilating，modellingenergy，andthespiritonlythatisinharmoniousonenesswithitsorigincanfullyexercisethedeputedcreativepower，itcanbeonlyinproportiontotheeternallifeinthem，thatspiritsareabletodrawtothemselvesmatterandclothethemselvesinit，soenteringintofullrelationwiththeworldofstormsandsunsets；——hewas，Isay，justarrivingatthishazardedconclusion，whenhestartedoutofhisreverie，andwassuddenlyalleartolisten——Again！——Yes！itwasthesamesoundthathadsenthimthatfirstnightwanderingthroughthehouseinfruitlessquest！Itcameintwoorthreefitfulchordsthatmeltedintoeachotherlikethecoloursintheliningofashell，thenceased。Hewenttothedoor，openedit，andlistened。Acoldwindcamerushingupthestair。Heheardnothing。Hesteppedoutonthestair，shuthisdoor，andlistened。Itcameagain——astrangeunearthlymusicalcry！Ifeverdisembodiedsoundwentwanderinginthewind，justsuchasoundmustitbe！Knowinglittleofmusicsaveintheformsoftoneandvowel-changeandrhythmandrime，hefeltasifhecouldhavelistenedforevertothewildwanderingsweetnessofitslamentation。Almostimmediatelyitceased——thenoncemorecameagain，apparentlyfromfaroff，dyingawayonthedistanttopsofthebillowyair，outofwhosewanderingbosomithadfirstissued。

Itwasasthewailingofasummer-windcaughtandsweptalonginatempestfromthefrozennorth。

Themomentheceasedtoexpectitanymore，hebegantothinkwhetheritmustnothavecomefromthehouse。Hestoledownthestair——todowhat，hedidnotknow。Hecouldnotgofollowinganairynothingalloverthecastle：ofagreatpartofitheasyetknewnothing！Hisconstructivemindhadyearnedafteracompleteideaofthebuilding，foritwasalmostapassionwithhimtofittheoutsidesandinsidesofthingstogether；butthereweresuitesofroomsintowhich，excepttheearlandladyArcturaweretoleavehome，hecouldnothopetoenter。Itwaslittlemorethanmechanicallythereforethathewentvaguelyafterthesound；anderehewashalf-waydownthestair，herecognizedthehopelessnessofthepursuit。Hewenton，however，totheschoolroom，whereteawaswaitinghim。

Hehadreturnedtohisroom，andwassittingagainatwork，nowreadingandmeditating，when，inoneofthelullsofthestorm，hebecameawareofanothersound——onemostunusualtohisears，forheneverrequiredanyattendanceinhisroom——thatofstepscomingupthestair——heavysteps，notasofoneonsomeordinaryerrand。Hewaitedlistening。Thestepscamenearerandnearer，andstoppedathisdoor。Ahandfumbledaboutuponit，foundthelatch，liftedit，andentered。ToDonal\'swonder——anddismayaswell，itwastheearl。

Hisdismayarosefromhisappearance：hewasdeadlypale，andhiseyesmorelikethoseofacorpsethanamanamonghislivingfellows。Donalstartedtohisfeet。

Theapparitionturneditsheadtowardshim；butinitslookwasnoatomofrecognition，noacknowledgmentorevenperceptionofhispresence；thesoundofhisrisinghadhadmerelyahalf-mechanicalinfluenceuponitsbrain。Itturnedawayimmediately，andwentontothewindow。Thereitstood，muchasDonalhadstoodalittlewhilebefore——lookingout，butwiththeattitudeofonelisteningratherthanonetryingtosee。Therewasindeednothingbuttheblacknesstobeseen——andnothingtobeheardbuttheroaringofthewind，withtheroaringofthegreatbillowsrolledalonginit。Asitstood，thetimetoDonalseemedlong：itwasbutaboutfiveminutes。

Wasthemanoutofhismind，oronlyasleep-walker？Howcouldhebeasleepsoearlyinthenight？

AsDonalstooddoubtingandwondering，oncemorecamethemusicalcryoutofthedarkness——andimmediatelyfromtheearlaresponse——asoft，lowmurmur，bydegreesbecomingaudible，inthetoneofonemeditatingaloud，butinarestrainedecstacy。Fromhiswordsheseemedstilltobehearkeningthesoundsaerial，thoughtoDonalatleasttheycamenomore。

“Yetonceagain，“hemurmured，“onceagainereIforsaketheflesh，aremyearsblestwiththatvoice！Itisthesongoftheeternalwoman！Formeshesings！——Singon，siren；mysoulisalisteninguniverse，andthereinnoughtbutthyvoice！”

Hepaused，andbeganafresh：——

“Itisthewindinthetreeoflife！Itsleavesrustleinwordsoflove。UnderitsshadowIshalllie，withherIloved——andkilled！

Erethatdaycome，shewillhaveforgivenandforgotten，andallwillbewell！

“Harkthenotes！Clearasaflute！Fullandstringentasaviolin！

Theyarecolours！Theyareflowers！Theyarealive！Icanseethemastheygrow，astheyblow！Thoseareprimroses！Thosearepimpernels！Thosehigh，intense，burningtones——sosoft，yetsocertain——whatarethey？Jasmine？——No，thatflowerisnotanote！Itisachord！——andwhatachord！Imean，whataflower！Ineversawthatflowerbefore——neveronthisearth！Itmustbeafloweroftheparadisewhencecomesthemusic！Itis！Itis！DoInotrememberthenightwhenIsailedinthegreatshipovertheoceanofthestars，andscentedtheairsofheaven，andsawthepearlygatesgleamingacrossmyriadsofwaveringmiles！——saw，plainasIseethemnow，theflowersonthefieldswithin！Ah，me！thedragonthatguardsthegoldenapples！Seehiscrest——hiscrestandhisemeraldeyes！Hecomesfloatingupthroughthemurkylake！ItisGeryon！——cometobearmetothegyrebelow！”

Heturned，andwithasomewhatquickenedsteplefttheroom，hastilyshuttingthedoorbehindhim，asiftokeepbackthecreatureofhisvision。

Strong-heartedandstrong-brained，Donalhadyetstoodabsorbedasifhetoowereoutofthebody，andknewnothingmoreofthisearth。

Thereissomethingmoreterribleinapresencethatisnotapresencethaninavisionofthebodiless；thatis，apresentghostisnotsoterribleasanabsentone，apresentbutdesertedbody。Hestoodamomenthelpless，thenpulledhimselftogetherandtriedtothink。Whatshouldhedo？Whatcouldhedo？Whatwasrequiredofhim？Wasanythingrequiredofhim？Hadheanyrighttodoanything？

Couldanythingbedonethatwouldnotbothbeandcauseawrong？Hisfirstimpulsewastofollow：amaninsuchaconditionwassurelynottobelefttogowhitherhewouldamongtheheightsanddepthsofthecastle，wherehemightbreakhisneckanymoment！

Interferencenodoubtwasdangerous，buthewouldfollowhimatleastalittleway！Heheardthestepsgoingdownthestair，andmadehasteafterthem。Buteretheycouldhavereachedthebottom，thesoundofthemceased；andDonalknewtheearlmusthaveleftthestairatapointfromwhichhecouldnotfollowhim。

CHAPTERXXIX。

EPPYAGAIN。

Hewouldgladlyhavetoldhisfriendthecobblerallaboutthestrangeoccurrence；buthedidnotfeelsureitwouldberighttocarryareportofthehousewhereheheldapositionoftrust；andwhatmadehimdoubtfulwas，thatfirsthedoubtedwhetherthecobblerwouldconsideritright。Buthewenttoseehimthenextday，inthedesiretobeneartheonlymantowhomitwaspossiblehemighttellwhathehadseen。

Themomentheenteredtheroom，wherethecobblerasusualsatatworkbyhiswife，hesawthatsomethingwasthematter。Buttheywelcomedhimwiththeirusualcordiality，norwasitmanyminutesbeforemistressCominmadehimacquaintedwiththecauseoftheiranxiety。

“We\'rejistaweetriblet，sir，“shesaid，“abootEppy！”

“Iamverysorry，“saidDonal，withapang：hehadthoughtthingsweregoingrightwithher。“Whatisthematter？”

“It\'snosaeeasytosay！”returnedthegrandmother。“Itmayweelbeonlyafancyo\'theauldfowk，butitseemstobaitho\'\'sshehasaw\'ywi\'her\'atdisnacomeo\'thericht。She\'llbethatmeekasgienshethouchtnaethingata\'o\'hersel\'，an\'thenextmomentbeangertataword。Shecannabideasyllablesaid\'at\'snocorrec\'totheverrahair。It\'sasgienshedreiditwaur\'ahintit，an\'wudmairchstrauchttothedefence。I\'mnomakin\'mymeanin\'thatclear，I

doobt；butye\'llken\'tfora\'that！”

“IthinkIdo，“saidDonal。“——Iseenothingofher。“

“Iwudnamakawon\'ero\'that，sir！Shemayweelhaudooto\'yourgait，feelin\'rebukit\'aforeane\'atkensa\'aboothergaein\'sonwi\'mylord！”

“Idon\'tknowhowIshouldseeher，though！”returnedDonal。

“Didnashesweepoottheschoolroomfirstwhanyegaed，sir？”

“WhenIthinkofit——yes。“

“Doesshestillthatsame？”

“Idonotknow。Understandingatwhathourinthemorningtheroomwillbereadyforme，Idonotgotoitsooner。“

“It\'sbuttheluik，an\'thegeneralcairriageo\'thelassie！”saidtheoldwoman。“Gienwehadonythingtotakahaudo\'，wewadmaybethinktheless。True，shewasayesome——whatyemichtca\'abitcheengeableinherw\'ys；butshewasaye，whanshehadthechance，unco\'willin\'togieherfaitherthereormysel\'asparko\'

glaidnesslike。Itpleasedhertobepleasin\'i\'theeyeso\'theauldfowk，thoughtheywarbutherain。Butnoowemaunnasayawordtilher。Wehaenaebusinesstoluiktilherfornaething！No\'atshe\'sayelikethat；butitcomessaeaft\'atatlastwedaurhardlyopenoormoo\'sforthefearo\'hooshe\'lltakit。Onlya\'thetimeit\'smairasgienshewasflingin\'somethingfraeher，somethingshedidnalikean\'wudfainberido\'，than\'atshecaredsaeverramuckleabootonythingwesaidnotilhermin\'。Shetaksahaudo\'

thewords，nodoobt！butIcannahelpthinkin\'\'at\'maistwhateverwesaid，itwudbethesame。Somethingtocompleeno\'\'sneverwantin\'whanye\'reill-pleasta\'ready！”

“It\'snotheduin\'o\'thericht，yesee，“saidthecobbler，“——I

mean，that\'snoitsel\'theen\'，buttherichthumouro\'thesowltowardsa\'thingsthouchtorfeltordune！That\'srichteousness，an\'

ooto\'thatcomes，o\'theverranecessityo\'natur\'，a\'richtdeedso\'whateverkin\'。Whaurtheycomenafurth，it\'swhaurthesowl，thethouchto\'theman\'snoricht。Oorpuirlassieshawsa\'mainnero\'

sma\'infirmitiesjist\'causethehumouro\'hersowl\'snohermoniouswi\'thetrowth，nohermoniousinitsel\'，noatanewi\'thetruething——wi\'thetrueman——wi\'thetrueGod。Itmayevenbesaidit\'sasma\'thing\'atamansudduwrang，saelangashe\'scapableo\'

duin\'wrang，an\'lovesnatherichtwi\'hertan\'sowl。Buteh，it\'snoasma\'thing\'athesudbecapable！”

“Surely，Anerew，“interposedhiswife，holdingupherhandsinmilddeprecation，“yewudnalatthelassieduwranggienyecouldhaudherricht？”

“No，Iwudna，“repliedherhusband，“——supposin\'thehaudin\'o\'herrichttofa\'inwi\'onydegreeo\'perceptiono\'therichtonherpairt。Butsupposin\'itwasonlythehaudin\'o\'herfraeillbyootwardconstraint，leavin\'herreadyupo\'thefirstopportunitytoturnaside；whereas，gienshehaddunewrang，shewudrepento\'\'t，an\'seewhatafoulthingitwastogangagain\'theholywullo\'him\'atmadean\'dee\'dforher——Ilea\'yetojeedgeforyersel\'whatonyman\'atluvedGodan\'luvedthelassan\'luvedthericht，wudchuise。Wemaunhaudbaitheenopenupo\'thetrowth，an\'noblinksidewiseupo\'thewarl\'an\'itsrichteousnesswi\'aneo\'them。WhawadnabeZacchaywi\'theLordinhishoose，an\'therichteousnesso\'

Godhimsel\'growin\'inhishert，raithernortheproodPhariseewhakentnaeillhewasduin\'，an\'thouchtitashametospeaktosicamanasZacchay！”

Thegrandmotherheldherpeace，thinkingprobablythatsolongasonekeptrespectable，thereremainedthemorelikelihoodofaspiritualchange。

“IsthereanythingyouthinkIcoulddo？”askedDonal。“IconfessI\'mafraidofmeddling。“

“Iwudnahaeyouappear，sir，“saidAndrew，“inonything，concernin\'

her。Ye\'reayoongmanyersel\'，an\'fowk\'shertsaswellasfowk\'stonguesarenotobelippenttil。Ihaeseenfowk，\'causetheycouldnabelieveabodyduin\'athingfraeasma\'modicumo\'gudewull，setthemsel\'stoinventwhattheyca\'damotivetilaccoontfor\'t——something，thatis，thatwudhaeprevailtwi\'themsel\'stogarthemdu\'t。Sicfowkcannaun\'erstan\'abodyduin\'onythingjist\'causeitwasworthduin\'initsel\'！”

“Butmaybe，“saidtheoldwoman，returningtothepractical，“asyehaebeenpleasedtosayye\'reonfreen\'lytermswi\'mistressBrookes，yemichtjistseegienshe\'sobservedonyten\'encytoresumptiono\'theauldaffair！”

Donalpromised，andassoonashereachedthecastlesoughtaninterviewwiththehousekeeper。ShetoldhimshehadbeenparticularlypleasedoflatewithEppy\'sattentiontoherwork，andreadinesstomakeherselfuseful。Ifshedidlooksometimesalittleoutofheart，theymustremember，shesaid，thattheyhadbeenyoungthemselvesonce，andthatitwasnotsoeasytoforgetastogiveup。Butshewouldkeephereyesopen！

CHAPTERXXX。

LORDMORVEN。

Thewintercameatlastingoodearnest——firstblackfrost，thenwhitesnow，thensleetandwindandrain；thensnowagain，whichfellsteadyandcalm，andlaythick。Afterthatcamehardfrost，andbroughtplentyofskating，andtoDaviethedelightofteachinghismaster。Donalhadmanyfalls，butwassoon，partlyinvirtueofthosesamefalls，averydecentskater。Davieclaimedallthemeritofhissuccessfultraining；andwhenhismasterdidanythingparticularlywell，wouldremarkwithpride，thathehadtaughthim。

ButthegoodthinginitforDaviewas，thathenotedtheimmediatefaithwithwhichDonaldidortriedtodowhathetoldhim：thisreactedinopeninghismindtothebeautyanddignityofobedience，andwentalongwaytowardsrevealingthelowmoralconditionofthemanwhoseeksfreedomthroughrefusaltoactatthewillofanother。

Hewhodoessowillcomebydegreestohavenowillofhisown，andactonlyfromimpulse——whichmaybethewillofadevil。SoDonalandDaviegrewtogetherintooneheartoffriendship。DonalneverlongedforhishourswithDavietopass，andDaviewasneversohappyaswhenwithDonal。Theonewasgentlyleadingtheotherintothepathsofliberty。Nothingbuttheteachingofhimwhomadethehumansoulcanmakethatsoulfree，butitisingreatmeasurethroughthosewhohavealreadylearnedthatheteaches；andDaviewasanaptpupil，promisingtoneedlessofthedisciplineoffailureandpainthathewasstrongtobelieve，andreadytoobey。

ButDonalwasnotallthedaywithDavie，andlatterlyhadbeguntofeelalittleanxiousaboutthetimetheboyspentawayfromhim——partlywithhisbrother，partlywiththepeopleaboutthestable，andpartlywithhisfather，whoevidentlyfoundthepresenceofhisyoungersonlessirksometohimthanthatofanyotherperson，andsawmoreofhimthanofForgue：theamountoflonelinesstheearlcouldendurewasamazing。Butafterwhathehadseenandheard，Donalwasmostanxiousconcerninghistimewithhisfather，onlyhefeltitadelicatethingtoaskhimaboutit。Atlength，however，Daviehimselfopenedupthematter。

“Mr。Grant，“hesaidoneday，“Iwishyoucouldhearthegrandfairy-storiesmypapatells！”

“IwishImight！”answeredDonal。

“Iwillaskhimtoletyoucomeandhear。Ihavetoldhimyoucanmakefairy-talestoo；onlyhehasquiteanotherwayofdoingit；——andImustconfess，“addedDaviealittlepompously，“Idonotfollowhimsoeasilyasyou——Besides，“headded，“Inevercanfindanythinginwhatyoucallthecupboardbehindthecurtainofthestory。Iwondersometimesifhisstorieshaveanycupboard！——Iwillaskhimto-daytoletyoucome。“

“Ithinkthatwouldhardlydo，“saidDonal。“Yourfatherlikestotellhisboyfairy-tales，buthemightnotcaretotellthemtoaman。Youmustremember，too，thatthoughIhavebeeninthehousewhatyouthinkalongtime，yourfatherhasseenverylittleofme，andmightfeelmeintheway：invalidsdonotgenerallyenjoythecompanyofstrangers。Youhadbetternotaskhim。“

“ButIhaveoftentoldhimhowgoodyouare，Mr。Grant，andhowyoucan\'tbearanythingthatisnotright，andIamsurehemustlikeyou——Idon\'tmeansowellasIdo，becauseyouhaven\'ttoteachhimanything，andnobodycanloveanybodysowellastheoneheteachestobegood。“

“StillIthinkyouhadbetterleaveitalonelestheshouldnotlikeyouraskinghim。Ishouldbesorrytohaveyoudisappointed。“

“IdonotmindthatsomuchasIused。IfyoudonottellmeIamnottodoit，IthinkIwillventure。“

Donalsaidnomore。Hedidnotfeelatliberty，fromhisownfeelingmerely，tochecktheboy。Thethingwasnotwrong，andsomethingmightbeintendedtocomeoutofit！Heshrankfromtheleastrulingofevents，believingman\'sonlycalltoactionisduty。SoheleftDavietodoashepleased。

“Doesyourfatheroftentellyouafairy-tale？”heasked。

“Noteveryday，sir。“

“Whattimedoeshetellthem？”

“GenerallywhenIgotohimaftertea。“

“Doyougoanytimeyoulike？”

“Yes；buthedoesnotalwaysletmestay。Sometimeshetalksaboutmamma，Ithink；butonlycomingintothefairy-tale——Hehastoldmeoneinthemiddleoftheday！IthinkhewouldifIwokehimupinthenight！Butthatwouldnotdo，forhehasterribleheadaches。

PerhapsthatiswhatsometimesmakeshisstoriessoterribleIhavetobeghimtostop！”

“Anddoeshestop？”

“Well——no——Idon\'tthinkheeverdoes——Whenastoryisoncebegun，Isupposeitoughttobefinished！”

Sothematterrestedforthetime。Butaboutaweekafter，Donalreceivedonemorningthroughthebutleraninvitationtodinewiththeearl，andconcludeditwasduetoDavie，whomhethereforeexpectedtofindwithhisfather。Heputonhisbestclothes，andfollowedSimmonsupthegrandstaircase。Thegreatroomsofthecastlewereonthefirstfloor，buthepassedtheentrancetothem，followinghisguideupanduptothesecondfloor，wheretheearlhadhisownapartment。Herehewasshownintoasmallroom，richlyfurnishedafterasombrelyornatefashion，thedraperyandcoveringsmuchfaded，worneventoshabbiness。Ithadbeenforacenturyorsotheprivatesitting-roomoftheladyofthecastle，butwasnowusedbytheearl，perhapsinmemoryofhiswife。Herehereceivedhissons，andnowDonal，butneveranywhombusinessorpolitenesscompelledhimtosee。

TherewasnooneintheroomwhenDonalentered，butafterabouttenminutesadooropenedatthefurtherend，andlordMorvenappearingfromhisbedroom，shookhandswithhimwithsomefaintshowofkindness。Almostthesamemomentthebutlerenteredfromathirddoor，andsaiddinnerwaited。Theearlwalkedon，andDonalfollowed。Thisroomalsowasasmallone。Themealwaslaidonalittleroundtable。Therewerebuttwocovers，andSimmonsalonewasinwaiting。

Whiletheyateanddrank，whichhislordshipdidsparingly，notawordwasspoken。Donalwouldhavefounditembarrassinghadhenotbeenpreparedforthepeculiar。Hislordshiptooknonoticeofhisguest，leavinghimtothecareofthebutler。Helookedverywhiteandworn——Donalthoughtagooddealworsethanwhenhesawhimfirst。Hischeeksweremoresunken，hishairmoregray，andhiseyesmoreweary——withaconsumingfireinthemthathadnolongermuchfuelandwasburningremnants。Hestoopedoverhisplateasiftohidetheoperationofeating，anddrankhiswinewithatremblinghand。Everymovementindicatedindifferencetobothhisfoodandhisdrink。

Atlengththemoresolidpartofthemealwasremoved，andtheywereleftalone，fruituponthetable，andtwowine-decanters。Fromoneofthemtheearlhelpedhimself，thenpassedittoDonal，saying，“YouareverygoodtomylittleDavie，Mr。Grant！Heisfullofyourkindnesstohim。Thereisnobodylikeyou！”

“AlittlegoesalongwaywithDavie，mylord，“answeredDonal。

“Thenmuchmustgoalongerway！”saidtheearl。

Therewasnothingremarkableinthewords，yethespokethemwiththedifficultyamanaccustomedtospeak，andtoweighhiswords，mightfindinclothinganewthoughttohissatisfaction。Theeffortseemedtohavetriedhim，andhetookasipofwine。This，however，hedidaftereverybriefestsentenceheuttered：asiponlyhetook，nothinglikeamouthful。

DonaltoldhimthatDavie，ofalltheboyshehadknown，wasfarthequickest，andthatjustbecausehewasmorallythemostteachable。

“Yougreatlygratifyme，Mr。Grant，“saidtheearl。“IhavelongwishedsuchamanasyouforDavie。IfonlyIhadknownyouwhenForguewaspreparingforcollege！”

“Imusthavebeenatthattimeonlyatcollegemyself，mylord！”

“True！true！”

“ButforDavie，itisaprivilegetoteachhim！”

“Ifonlyitmightlastawhile！”returnedtheearl。“Butofcourseyouhavethechurchinyoureye！”

“Mylord，Ihavenot。“

“What！”criedhislordshipalmosteagerly；“youintendgivingyourlifetoteaching？”

“Mylord，“returnedDonal，“Inevertroublemyselfaboutmylife。

Whyshouldweburdenthemuleofthepresentwiththecamel-loadofthefuture。Itakewhatcomes——whatissentme，thatis。“

“Youareright，Mr。Grant！IfIwereinyourposition，Ishouldthinkjustasyoudo。But，alas，Ihaveneverhadanychoice！”

“Perhapsyourlordshiphasnotchosentochoose！”Donalwasonthepointofsaying，butbethoughthimselfintimenottohazardtheremark。

“IfIwerearichman，Mr。Grant，“theearlcontinued，“Iwouldsecureyourservicesforatimeindefinite；but，aseveryoneknows，notanacreofthepropertybelongstome，orgoeswiththetitle。

Davie，dearboy，willhavenothingbutathousandortwo。ThemarriageIhaveinviewforlordForguewillarrangeafutureforhim。“

“Ihopetherewillbesomeloveinthemarriage！”saidDonaluneasily，withavaguethoughtofEppy。

“Ihadnointention，“returnedhislordshipwithcoldpoliteness，“oftroublingyouconcerninglordForgue！”

“Ibegyourpardon，mylord，“saidDonal。

“——Davie，poorboy——heismyanxiety！”resumedtheearl，inhisformercondescendinglyfriendly，halfsleepytone。“Whattodowithhim，Ihavenotyetsucceededindetermining。IfthechurchofScotlandwereepiscopalnow，wemightputhimintothat：hewouldbeanhonourtoit！Butasithasnodignitiestoconfer，itisnottheplaceforoneofhisbirthandsocialposition。Afewshabbyhundredsayear，andtheassociationshewouldnecessarilybethrowninto！——Howeverhonourabletheprofessioninitself！”headded，withabowtoDonal，apparentlyunabletogetitoutofhisheadthathehadanembryo-clergymanbeforehim。

“Davieisnotquiteamanyet，“saidDonal；“andbythetimehebeginstothinkofaprofession，hewill，Itrust，befittomakeachoice：theboyhasagreatdealofcommonsense。Ifyourlordshipwillpardonme，Icannothelpthinkingthereisnoneedtotroubleabouthim。“

“Itisverywellforoneinyourpositiontothinkinthatway，Mr。

Grant！Menlikeyouarefreetochoose；youmaymakeyourbreadasyouplease。Butmeninourpositionaregreatlylimitedintheirchoice；thepathsopentothemarefew。Traditionoppressesus。Weareslavestothedeadandburied。IcouldwellwishIhadbeenborninyourhumblerbutintruthlesscontractedsphere。Certainr鬺esarenotopentoyou，tobesure；butyourlifeintheopenair，followingyoursheep，anddreamingallthingsbeautifulandgrandintheworldbeyondyou，isentrancing。Itisthelifetomakeapoet！”

“Oraking！”thoughtDonal。“Buttheearlwouldhavemadeadiscontentedshepherd！”

Themanwhoisnotcontentwhereheis，wouldneverhavebeencontentsomewhereelse，thoughhemighthavecomplainedless。

“Takeanotherglassofwine，Mr。Grant，“saidhislordship，fillinghisownfromtheotherdecanter。“Trythis；Ibelieveyouwilllikeitbetter。“

“Intruth，mylord，“answeredDonal，“IhavedrunksolittlewinethatIdonotknowonesortfromanother。“

“Youknowwhiskybetter，Idaresay！Wouldyoulikesomenow？Touchthebellbehindyou。“

“No，thankyou，mylord；Iknowaslittleaboutwhisky：mymotherwouldneverletuseventasteit，andIhavenevertastedit。“

“Anewtasteisagaintothebeing。“

“Isuspect，however，anewappetitecanonlybealoss。“

Ashesaidthis，Donal，halfmechanically，filledaglassfromthedecanterhishosthadpushedtowardshim。

“Ishouldlikeyou，though，“resumedhislordship，afterashortpause，“tokeepyoureyesopentothefactthatDaviemustdosomethingforhimself。Youwouldthenbeabletoletmeknowbyandbywhatyouthinkhimfitfor！”

“Iwillwithpleasure，mylord。Tastesmaynotbeinfallibleguidestowhatisfitforus，buttheymayleadustotheknowledgeofwhatwearefitfor。“

“Extremelywellsaid！”returnedtheearl。

IdonotthinkheunderstoodintheleastwhatDonalmeant。

“ShallItryhowhetakestotrigonometry？Hemightcaretolearnland-surveying！Gentlemennow，notunfrequently，takechargeofthepropertiesoftheirmorefavouredrelatives。ThereisMr。Graeme，yourownfactor，mylord——arelative，Iunderstand！”

“Adistantone，“answeredhislordshipwithmarkedcoldness，“——thedegreeofrelationshiphardlytobecounted。“

“Inthelowlands，mylord，youdonotcaretocountkinaswedointhehighlands！Myheartwarmstothewordkinsman。“

“YouhavenotfoundkinshipsoawkwardasI，possibly！”saidhislordship，withawaterysmile。“Themaninhumblepositionmayallowtheclaimofkintoanyextent：hehasnothing，thereforenothingcanbetakenfromhim！Butthemanwhohaswouldbethepoorestoftheclanifhegavetoeveryneedyrelation。“

“Ineverknewthemansopoor，“answeredDonal，“thathehadnothingtogive。Butthethingsofthepoorarehardlytothepurposeofthepredatoryrelative。“

“\'Predatoryrelative！\'——agoodphrase！”saidhislordship，withasleepylaugh，thoughhiseyeswerewideopen。Hislipsdidnotseemtocaretomove，yethelookedpleased。“Totellyouthetruth，“hebeganagain，“atoneperiodofmyhistoryIgaveandgavetillIwastiredofgiving！Ingratitudewasthesolereturn。AtoneperiodI

hadlargepossessions——largerthanIliketothinkofnow：ifIhadthetenthpartofwhatIhavegivenaway，IshouldnotbeuneasyconcerningDavie。“

“ThereisnofearofDavie，mylord，solongasheisbroughtupwiththeideathathemustworkforhisbread。“

Hislordshipmadenoanswer，andhislookremindedDonalofthatheworewhenhecametohischamber。Amoment，andheroseandbegantopacetheroom。Anindescribablesuggestionofaninvisibleyetluminouscloudhoveredabouthisforeheadandeyes——whichlatter，ifnotfixedonveryvacancy，seemedtohavegotsomewherenearit。Atthefourthorfifthturnheopenedthedoorbywhichhehadentered，continuingaremarkhehadbeguntoDonal——ofwhich，althoughheheardeverywordandseemedonthepointofunderstandingsomething，hehadnotcaughtthesensewhenhislordshipdisappeared，stilltalking。Donalthoughtitthereforehisparttofollowhim，andfoundhimselfinhislordship\'sbedroom。Butoutofthishislordshiphadalreadygone，throughanoppositedoor，andDonalstillfollowingenteredanoldpicture-gallery，ofwhichhehadheardDaviespeak，butwhichtheearlkeptprivateforhisexerciseindoors。Itwasalong，narrowplace，hardlymorethanawidecorridor，andappearednowheretoafforddistanceenoughforseeingapicture。ButDonalcouldilljudge，forthesolelightintheplacecamefromthefiresandcandlesintheroomswhosedoorstheyhadleftopenbehindthem，withjustafaintglimmerfromthevapour-buriedmoon，sufficingtoshowtheoutlineofwindowafterwindow，andrevealingsomethingofthegreatlengthofthegallery。

BythetimeDonalovertooktheearl，hewassomedistancedown，holdingstraightonintothelongdusk，andstilltalking。

“Thisismyfavouritepromenade，“hesaid，asifbroughttohimselfbythesoundofDonal\'sovertakingsteps。“Afterdinneralways，Mr。

Grant，wetweatherordry，stillorstormy，Iwalkhere。WhatdoI

carefortheweather！ItwillbetimewhenIamoldtoconsultthebarometer！”

Donalwonderedalittle：thereseemednogreathardihoodintheworstofweathertogopacingapicture-gallery，wherethefierceststormthateverblewcouldsendinonlylittlethreadsofairthroughthechinksofwindowsanddoors！

“Yes，“hislordshipwenton，“Itaughtmyselfhardshipinmyboyhood，andIreapthefruitsofitinmyprime！——Comeuphere：I

willshowyouaprospectunequalled。“

Hestoppedinfrontofalargepicture，andbegantotalkasifexpatiatingonthepointsofalandscapeoutspreadbeforehim。Hisremarksbelongedtosomethingmagnificent；butwhethertheywereapplicabletothepictureDonalcouldnottell；therewaslightenoughonlytogiveafaintgleamtoitsgildedframe。

“Reachbeyondreach！”saidhislordship；“endless！infinite！HowwouldnotpoorMaldon，withhiseverfreshambitionaftertheunattainable，havegloatedonsuchascene！InNaturealoneyoufrontsuccess！Shedoeswhatshemeans！Shealonedoeswhatshemeans！”

“If，“saidDonal，moreforthesakeofconfirmingtheearl\'simpressionthathehadalistener，thanfromanyideathathewouldlisten——“ifyoumeantheobjectofNatureistopresentuswithperfection，Icannotallowshedoeswhatsheintends：yourarelyseeherproduceanythingshewouldherselfcallperfect。Butifherobjectbetomakeusbeholdperfectionwiththeinnereye，thisobjectshecertainlydoesgain，andthatjustbystoppingshortof——“

Hedidnotfinishthesentence。Asuddenchangewasuponhim，absorbinghimsothathedidnoteventrytoaccountforit：

somethingseemedtogivewayinhishead——asifabubbleburstinhisbrain；andfromthatmomentwhatevertheearlsaid，andwhateveraroseinhisownmind，seemedtohaveoutwardexistenceaswell。Heheardandknewthevoiceofhishost，butseemedalsoinsomeinexplicableway，whichatthetimeoccasionedhimnosurprise，toseethethingswhichhadtheirorigininthebrainoftheearl。

Whetherhewentinverydeedoutwithhimintothenight，hedidnotknow——hefeltasifhehadgone，andthoughthehadnot——butwhenhewokethenextmorninginhisbedatthetopofthetower，whichhehadnorecollectionofclimbing，hewasaswearyasifhehadbeenwalkingthenightthrough。

CHAPTERXXXI。

BEWILDERMENT。

Hisfirstthoughtwasofalonganddelightfuljourneyhehadmadeonhorsebackwiththeearl——throughscenesofentrancinginterestandvariety，——withthepresentresultofastrangeweariness，almostmisery。Whathadbefallenhim？Wasthethingafactorafancy？Ifafancy，howwashesoweary？Ifafact，howcouldithavebeen？Hadheinanywaybeentheearl\'scompanionthroughsuchalongnightasitseemed？Couldtheyhavevisitedalltheplaceswhoseremembrancelingeredinhisbrain？Hewassoconfused，sobewildered，sohauntedwithashadowyuneasinessalmostlikeremorse，thatheevendreadedthediscoveryofthecauseofitall。Mightamansoloseholdofhimselfastobenomorecertainhehadeverpossessedorcouldeverpossesshimselfagain？

Hebethoughthimselfatlastthathemightperhapshavetakenmorewinethanhisheadcouldstand。Yetherememberedleavinghisglassunemptiedtofollowtheearl；anditwassometimeafterthatbeforethechangecame！Couldithavebeendrunkenness？Haditbeenslowlycomingwithouthisknowingit？Hecouldhardlybelieveit？Butwhateveritwas，ithadlefthimunhappy，almostashamed。Whatwouldtheearlthinkofhim？Hemusthaveconcludedhimunfitanylongertokeepchargeofhisson！Forhisownparthedidnotfeelhewastoblame，butratherthatanaccidenthadbefallenhim。Whencethenthissenseofsomethingakintoshame？Whyshouldhebeashamedofanythingcominguponhimfromwithout？Ofthatshamehehadtobeashamed，asofalackoffaithinGod！WouldGodleavehiscreaturewhotrustedinhimatthemercyofachance——ofaglassofwinetakeninignorance？Therewasathingtobeashamedof，andwithgoodcause！

Hegotup，foundtohisdismaythatitwasalmostteno\'clock——hishourforrisinginwinterbeingsix——dressedinhaste，andwentdown，wonderingthatDaviehadnotcometoseeafterhim。

Intheschoolroomhefoundhimwaitingforhim。Theboysprangup，anddartedtomeethim。

“Ihopeyouarebetter，Mr。Grant！”hesaid。“Iamsogladyouareabletobedown！”

“Iamquitewell，“answeredDonal。“Ican\'tthinkwhatmademesleepsolong？Whydidn\'tyoucomeandwakeme，Davie，myboy？”

“BecauseSimmonstoldmeyouwereill，andImustnotdisturbyouifyouwereeversolateincomingdown。“

“Ihardlydeserveanybreakfast！”saidDonal，turningtothetable；

“butifyouwillstandbyme，andreadwhileItakemycoffee，weshallsavealittletimeso。“

“Yes，sir——Butyourcoffeemustbequitecold！Iwillring。“

“No，no；Imustnotwasteanymoretime。Amanwhocannotdrinkcoldcoffeeoughttocomedownwhileitishot。“

“Forguewon\'tdrinkcoldcoffee！”saidDavie：“Idon\'tseewhyyoushould！”

“BecauseIprefertodowithmycoffeeasIplease；Iwillnothavehotcoffeeformymaster。Iwon\'thaveitanythingtomewhathumourthecoffeemaybein。IwillbeDonalGrant，whetherthecoffeebecoldorhot。Abitofpracticalphilosophyforyou，Davie！”

“IthinkIunderstandyou，sir：youwouldnothaveamanmakeafussaboutatrifle。“

“Notaboutarealtrifle。Theco-relativeofatrifle，Davie，isasmile。ButIwouldtakeheedwhetherthethingthatiscalledatriflebereallyatrifle。Besides，theremaybeapointinatriflethatistheeggofanought。Itisatriflewhetherthisorthatisnice；itisapointthatIshouldnotcare。Withushighlandersitisapointofbreedingnottomindwhatsortofdinnerwehave，buttoeatasheartilyofbreadandcheeseasofroastbeef。Atleastsomyfatherandmotherusedtoteachme，thoughIfearthatrefinementofgoodmannersisgoingoutoffashionevenwithhighlanders。“

“Itisgoodmanners！”rejoinedDaviewithdecision，“——andmorethangoodmanners！IshouldcountitgrandnottocarewhatkindofdinnerIhad。ButIamafraiditismorethanIshallevercometo！”

“Youwillnevercometoitbytryingbecauseyouthinkitgrand。

Onlymind，Ididnotsaywewerenottoenjoyourroastbeefmorethanourbreadandcheese；thatwouldbenottodiscriminate，wherethereisadifference。Ifbreadandcheesewerejustasgoodtousasroastbeef，therewouldbenovictoryinourcontentment。“

“Isee！”saidDavie——“Wouldn\'titbewell，“heasked，afteramoment\'spause，“toputone\'sselfintraining，Mr。Grant，todowithoutthings——oratleasttobeabletodowithoutthem？”

“Itismuchbettertodothelessonssetyoubyonewhoknowshowtoteach，thantopicklessonsforyourselfoutofyourbooks。Davie，I

havenotthatconfidenceinmyselftothinkIshouldbeagoodteacherofmyself。“

“Butyouareagoodteacherofme，sir！”

“Itry——butthenI\'msettoteachyou，andIamnotsettoteachmyself：IamonlysettomakemyselfdowhatIamtaught。Whenyouaremyteacher，Davie，Itry——don\'tI——todoeverythingyoutellme？”

“Yes，indeed，sir！”

“ButIamnotsettoobeymyself！”

“No，noranyoneelse，sir！Youdonotneedtoobeyanyone，orhaveanyoneteachyou，sir！”

“Oh，don\'tI，Davie！Onthecontrary，Icouldnotgetonforonesolitarymomentwithoutsomebodytoteachme。Lookyouhere，Davie：

Ihavesomanylessonsgivenme，thatIhavenotimeorneedtoaddtothemanyofmyown。Ifyouweretoaskthecooktoletyouhaveacolddinner，youwouldperhapseatitwithpride，andtakecreditforwhatyourhungeryetmadequiteagreeabletoyou。Buttheboywhodoesnotgrumblewhenheistoldnottogooutbecauseitisrainingandhehasacold，willnotperhapsgrumbleeithershouldhehappentofindhisdinnernotatallnice。“

Daviehunghishead。Ithadbeenaverysmallgrumble，buttherearenosinsforwhichthereislessreasonorlessexcusethansmallones：innosensearetheyworthcommitting。Andwegrownpeoplecommitmanymoresuchthanlittlechildren，andhaveourrewardinchildishnessinsteadofchildlikeness。

“Itissoeasy，“continuedDonal，“todothethingweordainourselves，forinholdingtoitwemakeourselvesoutfinefellows！——andthatissuchameankindofthing！Thenwhenanotherwhohastheright，laysathinguponus，wegrumble——thoughitbethetruestandkindestthing，andthemostreasonableandneedfulforus——evenforourdignity——forourbeingworthanything！Dependuponit，Davie，todowhatwearetoldisafargranderthingthantolaytheseverestrulesuponourselves——ay，andtosticktothem，too！”

“Butmighttherenotbesomethinggoodforustodothatwewerenottoldof？”

“Whoeverdoesthethingheistoldtodo——thething，thatis，thathasaplainoughtinit，willbecomesatisfiedthatthereisonewhowillnotforgettotellhimwhatmustbedoneassoonasheisfittodoit。“

TheconversationlastedonlywhileDonalatehisbreakfast，withthelittlefellowstandingbesidehim；itwassoonover，butnotsoontobeforgotten。Forthereadinessoftheboytodowhathismastertoldhim，wasbeautiful——andagreathelpandcomfort，sometimesarousingrebuketohismaster，whosethoughtswouldyetoccasionallytumbleintooneofthepitfallsofsorrow。

“What！”hewouldsaytohimself，“amIsobelievedinbythischild，thathegoesatoncetodomywords，andshallIforamomentdoubttheheartoftheFather，orhispowerorwilltosetrightwhatevermayhaveseemedtogowrongwithhischild！——Goon，Davie！Youareagoodboy；Iwillbeabetterman！”

Butnaturally，assoonaslessonswereover，hefellagaintothinkingwhatcouldhavebefallenhimthenightbefore。Atwhatpointdidtheaberrationbegin？Theearlmusthavetakennoticeofit，forsurelySimmonshadnotgivenDaviethoseinjunctionsofhimself——exceptindeedhehadexposedhisconditioneventohim！IftheearlhadspokentoSimmons，kindnessseemedintendedhim；butitmighthavebeenmerelycareovertheboy！Anyhow，whatwastobedone？

Hedidnotponderthematterlong。Withthatdirectnesswhichwasoneofthemostmarkedfeaturesofhisnature，heresolvedatoncetorequestaninterviewwiththeearl，andmakehisapologies。HesoughtSimmons，therefore，andfoundhiminthepantryrubbinguptheforksandspoons。

“Ah，Mr。Grant，“hesaid，beforeDonalcouldspeak，“Iwasjustcomingtoyouwithamessagefromhislordship！Hewantstoseeyou。“

“AndIcametoyou，“repliedDonal，“tosayIwantedtoseehislordship！”

“That\'swellfitted，then，sir！”returnedSimmons。“Iwillgoandseewhen。Hislordshipisnotup，norlikelytobeforsomehoursyet；heisinoneofhislowfitsthismorning。Hetoldmeyouwerenotquiteyourselflastnight。“

AshespokehisrednoseseemedtoexamineDonal\'sfacewithakindly，butnotaltogethersympatheticscrutiny。

“Thefactis，Simmons，“answeredDonal，“notbeingusedtowine，I

fearIdrankmoreofhislordship\'sthanwasgoodforme。“

“Hislordship\'swine，“murmuredSimmons，andtherecheckedhimself。

“——Howmuchdidyoudrink，sir——ifImaymakesobold？”

“Ihadoneglassduringdinner，andmorethanone，butnotnearlytwo，after。“

“Pooh！pooh，sir！Thatcouldneverhurtastrongmanlikeyou！Yououghttoknowbetterthanthat！Lookatme！”

Buthedidnotgoonwithhisillustration。