第7章

“Tut！”heresumed，“thatmakeyousleeptillteno\'clock！——Ifyouwillkindlywaitinthehall，orintheschoolroom，Iwillbringyouhislordship\'sorders。“

Sosayingwhilehewashedhishandsandtookoffhiswhiteapron，Simmonsdepartedonhiserrandtohismaster。Donalwenttothefootofthegrandstaircase，andtherewaited。

Ashestoodheheardalightstepabovehim，andinvoluntarilyglancingup，sawthelightshapeofladyArcturacomeroundthecurveofthespiralstair，descendingratherslowlyandverysoftly，asifherfeetwerethinking。Shecheckedherselfforaninfinitesimalmoment，thenmovedonagain。Donalstoodwithbendedheadasshepassed。Ifsheacknowledgedhisobeisanceitwaswiththeslightestreturn，butsheliftedhereyestohisfacewithalookthatseemedtohaveinitastrangewistfultrouble——notverymarked，yetnotable。Shepassedonandvanished，leavingthatlookalingeringpresenceinDonal\'sthought。Whatwasit？Wasitanything？

Whatcoulditmean？Hadhereallyseenit？Wasitthere，orhadheonlyimaginedit？

Simmonskepthimwaitingagoodwhile。Hehadfoundhislordshipgettingup，andhadhadtostaytohelphimdress。Atlengthhecame，excusinghimselfthathislordship\'stemperatsuchtimes——thatwas，inhisdumpyfits——wasnotoftheevenest，andrequiredagentlehand。Buthislordshipwouldseehim——andcouldMr。Grantfindthewayhimself，forhisoldbonesachedwithrunningupanddownthoseendlessstonesteps？Donalansweredheknewtheway，andsprangupthestair。

Buthismindwasmoreoccupiedwiththecominginterviewthanwiththewaytoit，whichcausedhimtotakeawrongturnafterleavingthestair：hehadagoodgiftinspace-relations，butinstinctwasherenotsokeenasonahill-side。Theconsequencewasthathefoundhimselfinthepicture-gallery。

Astrangefeelingofpain，asatthepresenceofaconditionhedidnotwishtoencourage，awokeinhimatthediscovery。Hewalkedalong，however，thustaking，hethought，thereadiestwaytohislordship\'sapartment：eitherhewouldfindhiminhisbedroom，orcouldgothroughthattohissitting-room！Heglancedatthepictureshepassed，andseemed，strangetosay，though，sofarasheknew，hehadneverbeenintheplaceexceptinthedark，torecognizesomeofthemasbelongingtothestuffofthedreaminwhichhehadbeenwanderingthroughthenight——onlythatwasaglowingandgorgeousdream，whereasthepictureswereevencommonplace！Herewassomethingtobemeditatedupon——butforthepresentpostponed！Hislordshipwasexpectinghim！

Arrived，ashethought，atthedooroftheearl\'sbedroom，heknocked，andreceivingnoanswer，openedit，andfoundhimselfinanarrowpassage。Nearlyoppositewasanotherdoor，partlyopen，andhearingamovementwithin，heventuredtoknockthere。AvoiceheknewatoncetobeladyArctura\'s，invitedhimtoenter。Itwasanold，lovely，gloomylittleroom，inwhichsattheladywriting。Ithadbutonelowlattice-window，tothewest，butafireblazedcheerfullyintheold-fashionedgrate。Shelookedup，norshowedmoresurprisethanifhehadbeenaservantshehadrungfor。

“Ibegyourpardon，mylady，“hesaid：“mylordwishedtoseeme，butIhavelostmyway。“

“Iwillshowityou，“sheanswered，andrisingcametohim。

Sheledhimalongthewindingnarrowpassage，pointedouttohimthedoorofhislordship\'ssitting-room，andturnedaway——again，Donalcouldnothelpthinking，withalookasofsomeanxietyabouthim。

Heknocked，andthevoiceoftheearlbadehimenter。

Hislordshipwasinhisdressing-gown，onacouchoffadedsatinofagoldcolour，againstwhichhispaleyellowfacelookedcadaverous。

“Goodmorning，Mr。Grant，“hesaid。“Iamgladtoseeyoubetter！”

“Ithankyou，mylord，“returnedDonal。“Ihavetomakeanapology。

Icannotunderstandhowitwas，except，perhaps，that，beingsolittleaccustomedtostrongdrink，——“

“Thereisnotthesmallestoccasiontosayaword，“interruptedhislordship。“Youdidnotonceforgetyourself，orceasetobehavelikeagentleman！”

“Yourlordshipisverykind。StillIcannothelpbeingsorry。I

shalltakegoodcareinthefuture。“

“Itmightbeaswell，“concededtheearl，“tosetyourselfalimit——necessarilyinyourcaseanarrowone——Someconstitutionsaresoimmediatelyresponsive！”headdedinamurmur。“Theleastexhibitionof——！——Butamanlikeyou，Mr。Grant，“hewentonaloud，“willalwaysknowtotakecareofhimself！”

“Sometimes，apparently，whenitistoolate！”rejoinedDonal。“ButI

mustnotannoyyourlordshipwithanyfurtherexpressionofmyregret！”

“Willyoudinewithmeto-night？”saidtheearl。“Iamlonelynow。

Sometimes，formonthstogether，Ifeelnoneedofacompanion：mybooksandpicturescontentme。Allatoncealongingforsocietywillseizeme，andthatlongingmyhealthwillnotpermitmetoindulge。Iamnotbynatureunsociable——muchthecontrary。YoumaywonderIdonotadmitmyownfamilymorefreely；butmywretchedhealthmakesmeshrinkfromloudvoicesandabruptmotions。“

“ButladyArctura！”thoughtDonal。“Yourlordshipwillfindmeapoorsubstitute，Ifear，“hesaid，“forthesocietyyouwouldlike。

ButIamatyourlordship\'sservice。“

Hecouldnothelpturningwithamoment\'slongingandregrettohistower-nestandthecompanyofhisbooksandthoughts；buthedidnotfeelthathehadachoice。

CHAPTERXXXII。

THESECONDDINNERWITHTHEEARL。

Hewentasbefore，conductedbythebutler，andformallyannounced。

Tohissurprise，withtheearlwasladyArctura。Hislordshipmadehimgiveherhisarm，andfollowed。

ThiswastoDonalaverydifferentdinnerfromthatoftheeveningbefore。Whetherthepresenceofhisniecemadetheearlrousehimselftobeagreeable，orhehadgrownbettersincethemorningandhisspiritshadrisen，certainlyhewasnotlikethesameman。

Hetalkedinaratherforced-playfulway，buttoldtwoorthreegoodstories；describedwithvivacitysomeoftheadventuresofhisyouth；spokeofseveralgreatmenhehadmet；andinshortwasallthatcouldbedesiredinahost。Donaltooknowineduringdinner，theearlasbeforetookverylittle，andladyArcturanone。Shelistenedrespectfullytoheruncle\'stalk，andwasattentivewhenDonalspoke；hethoughtshelookedevensympathetictwoorthreetimes；andoncehecaughttheexpressionasofanxietyhehadseenonherfacethatsamedaytwicebefore。Itwasstrange，too，hethought，that，notseeinghersometimesforaweektogether，heshouldthusmeetherthreetimesinoneday。Whenthelastofthedinnerwasremovedandthewineplacedonthetable，Donalthoughthislordshiplookedasifheexpectedhisniecetogo；butshekeptherplace。Heaskedherwhichwineshewouldhave，butshedeclinedany。Hefilledhisglass，andpushedthedecantertoDonal。Hetoofilledhisglass，anddrankslowly。

Thetalkrevived。ButDonalcouldnothelpfancyingthattheeyesoftheladynowandthensoughthiswithasortofquestioninthem——almostasifshefearedsomethingwasgoingtohappentohim。

Heattributedthistoherhavingheardthathetooktoomuchwinethenightbefore。Thesituationwasunpleasant。Hemust，however，braveitout！Whenherefusedasecondglass，whichtheearlbynomeanspressed，hethoughthesawherlookrelieved；butmorethanoncethereafterhesaw，orfanciedhesawherglanceathimwiththatexpressionofslightanxiety。

Initscoursethetalkfelluponsheep，andDonalwasrelatingsomeofhisexperienceswiththemandtheirdogs，greatlyinterestedinthesubject；whenallatonce，justasbefore，somethingseemedtoburstinhishead，andimmediately，althoughheknewhewassittingattablewiththeearlandladyArctura，hewasuncertainwhetherhewasnotatthesametimeuponthesideofalonelyhill，closedinamagicnightofhighsummer，hiswoollyandhairyfriendslyingallabouthim，andalightglimmeringfaintlyontheheatheralittlewayoff，whichheknewfortheflamethatmarksforamomentthefootstepofanangel，whenhetoucheseversolightlythesolidearth。Heseemedtobereadingthethoughtsofhissheeparoundhim，yetallthetimewentontalking，andknewhewastalking，withtheearlandthelady。

Afterawhile，everythingwaschanged。Hewasnolongereitherwithhissheeporhiscompany。Hewasalone，andwalkingswiftlythroughandbeyondthepark，inafiercewindfromthenorth-east，battlingwithit，andrulingitlikeafieryhorse。Byandbycameahoarse，terriblemusic，whichheknewforthethunderousbeatofthewavesonthelowshore，yetimaginedissuingfromanindescribableinstrument，giganticandgrotesque。Hefeltitfirst——throughhisfeet，asonefeelswithouthearingthetonesofanorganforwhichthebuildingistoosmalltoallowscopetotheirvibration：thewavesmadethegroundbeatagainstthesolesofhisfeetashewalked；butsoonhehearditliketheinfinitelyprolongedroaringofasky-builtorgan。Itwasdrawinghimtothesea，whetherinthebodyoroutofthebodyheknewnot：hewasbutconsciousofformsofexistence：whetherthoseformshadrelationtothingsoutsidehim，orwhethertheybelongedonlytotheworldwithinhim，hewasunaware。Theroaringofthegreatwater-organgrewlouderandlouder。Hekneweverystepofthewaytotheshore——acrossthefieldsandoverfencesandstiles。Heturnedthiswayandthat，toavoidhereaditch，thereadeepsandypatch。Andstillthemusicgrewlouderandlouder——andatlengthcameinhisfacethedrivingspray：itwastheflyingtouchofthewingsonwhichthetoneswenthurryingpastintothedepthsofawfuldistance！Hisfeetwerenowwadingthroughthebent-tuftedsand，withthehard，bare，wave-beatensandinfrontofhim。Throughthedarkhecouldseethewhitefiercenessofthehurryingwavesastheyrushedtotheshore，thenleaning，toppling，curling，self-undermined，hurledforthatonceallthesoundthatwasintheminafallingroarofdefeat。

Everywavewasacomplexchord，withwinnowedtonesfeatheringitround。Hepacedupanddownthesand——itseemedforages。Whyhepacedtherehedidnotknow——whyalwaysheturnedandwentbackinsteadofgoingon。

Suddenlyhethoughthesawsomethingdarkinthehollowofawavethatswepttoitsfall。Themooncameoutasitbroke，andthesomethingwasrolledinthesurfuptheshore。Donalstoodwatchingit。Whyshouldhemove？Whatwasittohim？Thenextwavewouldreclaimitfortheocean！Itlookedlikethebodyofaman，butwhatdiditmatter！Manysuchweretossedinthehollowsofthatmusic！

Butsomethingcamebacktohimoutoftheancientyears：intheagesgonebymendidwhattheycould！Therewasawordtheyusedthen：

theysaidmenoughttodothisorthat！Thisbodymightnotbedead——ordead，someonemightliketohaveit！Herushedintothewater，andcaughtit——erethenextwavebroke，thoughhoursofcogitation，ratiocination，recollection，seemedtohaveintervened。

Thebreakingwavedrenchedhimfromheadtofoot：heclungtohisprizeanddraggeditout。Amoment\'sbewilderment，andhecametohimselflyingonthesand，hisarmsroundagreatlumpofnet，lostfromsomefishingboat。

Hisillusionsweregone。Hewassittinginacoldwind，wettotheskin，ontheborderofawildsea。Apoor，shivering，altogetherordinaryanduncomfortablemortal，hesatontheshoreoftheGermanOcean，fromwhichhehadrescuedatangledmassofnetandseaweed！

Hedraggeditbeyondthereachofthewaves，andsetoutforhome。

Bythetimehereachedthecastlehewasquitewarm。Hisdooratthefootofthetowerwasopen，hecreptup，andwassoonfastasleep。

CHAPTERXXXIII。

THEHOUSEKEEPER\'SROOM。

Hewasnotsolatethenextmorning。

Erehehadfinishedhisbreakfasthehadmadeuphismindthathemustbewareoftheearl。Hewassatisfiedthattheexperiencesofthepastnightcouldnotbetheconsequenceofoneglassofwine。Ifheaskedhimagain，hewouldgotodinnerwithhim，butwoulddrinknothingbutwater。

SchoolwasjustoverwhenSimmonscamefromhislordship，toinquireafterhim，andinvitehimtodinewithhimthatevening。Donaldimmediatelyconsented。

ThistimeladyArcturawasnotwiththeearl。

AfterasduringdinnerDonaldeclinedtodrink。Hislordshipcastonhimakeen，searchingglance，butitwasonlyaglance，andtooknofarthernoticeofhisrefusal。Theconversation，however，whichhadnotbeenbrilliantfromthefirst，nowsankandsanktillitwasnot；andafteracupofcoffee，hislordship，remarkingthathewasnotfeelinghimself，beggedDonaltoexcusehim，andproceededtoretire。Donalrose，andwithahopethathislordshipwouldhaveagoodnightandfeelbetterinthemorning，lefttheroom。

Thepassageoutsidewaslightedonlybyaratherdimlamp，andinthedistanceDonalsawwhathecouldbutdistinguishastheformofawoman，standingbythedoorwhichopeneduponthegreatstaircase。

Hesupposeditatfirsttobeoneofthemaids；buttheservantsweresofewcomparedwiththesizeofthecastlethatonewasseldomtobemetonstairorinpassage；andbesides，theformstoodasifwaitingforsomeone！Ashedrewnearer，hesawitwasladyArctura，andwouldhavepassedwithanobeisance。Buterehecouldlayhishandonthelock，herswastheretopreventhim。Hethensawthatshewasagitated，andthatshehadstoppedhimthusbecausehervoicehadatthemomentfailedher。Thenextmoment，however，sherecoveredit，andherself-possessionaswell。

“Mr。Grant，“shesaid，inalowvoice，“Iwishtospeaktoyou——ifyouwillallowme。“

“Iamatyourservice，mylady，“answeredDonal。

“Butwecannothere！Myuncle——“

“Shallwegointothepicture-gallery？”suggestedDonal；“thereismoonlightthere。“

“No；thatwouldbestillnearermyuncle。Hishearingissometimespreternaturallykeen；andbesides，asyouknow，heoftenwalksthereafterhiseveningmeal。But——excuseme，Mr。Grant——youwillunderstandmepresently——areyou——areyouquite——？”

“Youmean，mylady——amIquitemyselfthisevening！”saidDonal，wishingtohelpherwiththeembarrassingquestion：“——Ihavedrunknothingbutwaterto-night。“

Withthatsheopenedthedoor，anddescendedthestair，hefollowing；butassoonasthecurveofthestaircasehidthedoortheyhadleft，shestopped，andturningtohimsaid，“Iwouldnothaveyoumistakeme，Mr。Grant！Ishouldbeashamedtospeaktoyouif——“

“IndeedIamverysorry！”saidDonal，“——thoughhardlysomuchtoblameasIfearyouthinkme。“

“Youmistakemeatonce！YousupposeIimagineyoutooktoomuchwinelastnight！Itwouldbeabsurd。Isawwhatyoutook！Butwemustnottalkhere。Come。“

Sheturnedagain，andgoingdown，ledthewaytothehousekeeper\'sroom。

Theyfoundheratworkwithherneedle。

“MistressBrookes，“saidladyArctura，“IwanttohavealittletalkwithMr。Grant，andthereisnofireinthelibrary：maywesithere？”

“Byallmeans！Sitdoon，mylady！Why，bairn！youlookascoldasifyouhadbeenontheroof！There！sitclosetothefire；you\'realltrem\'lin\'！”

LadyArcturaobeyedlikethechildMrs。Brookescalledher，andsatdowninthechairshegaveuptoher。

“I\'vesomethingtoseeefteri\'thestill-room，“saidthehousekeeper。“Yousithereandhaeyercrack。Sitdoon，Mr。Grant。

I\'mgladtoseeyouan\'myladycometowordo\'moothatlast。I

begantothinkitwudneverbe！”

HadDonalbeeninthewayoflookingtofacesfortheinterpretationofwordsandthoughts，hewouldhaveseenashadowsweepoverladyArctura\'s，followedbyaflush，whichhewouldhaveattributedtodispleasureatthisutteranceofthehousekeeper。But，withallhisexperienceoftheworldwithin，andallhisunusuallydevelopedpowerofenteringintothefeelingsofothers，hehadnevercometopryintothosefeelings，ortostudytheirphenomenaforthesakeofpossessinghimselfofthem。Manwasbynomeansanopenbooktohim——“no，norwomanneither，“buthewouldhavescornedtosupplementbysuchinvestigationwhataladychosetotellhim。Hesatlookingintothefire，withanoccasionalupwardglance，waitingforwhatwastocome，andsawneithershadownorflush。LadyArcturasatalsogazingintothefire，andseemedinnohastetobegin。

“YouaresogoodtoDavie！”shesaidatlength，andstopped。

“NobetterthanIhavetobe，“returnedDonal。“NottobegoodtoDaviewouldbetobeawretch。“

“Youknow，Mr。Grant，Icannotagreewithyou！”

“Thereisnoimmediatenecessity，mylady。“

“ButIsupposeonemaybefairtoanother！”shewenton，doubtingly，“——anditisonlyfairtoconfessthatheismuchmoremanageablesinceyoucame。Onlythatisnogoodifitdoesnotcomefromtherightsource。“

“Grapesdonotcomefromthorns，mylady。Wemustnotallowinevilapowerofgood。“

Shedidnotreply。

“HemindseverythingIsaytohimnow，“sheresumed。“Whatisitmakeshimsogood？——IwishIhadhadsuchatutor！”

Shestoppedagain：shehadspokenoutofthesimplicityofherthought，butthewordswhensaidlookedtoherasiftheyoughtnottohavebeensaid。

“Somethingisworkinginher！”thoughtDonal。“Sheissodifferent！

Hervoiceisdifferent！”

“ButthatisnotwhatIwantedtospeaktoyouabout，Mr。Grant，“

shere-commenced，“——thoughIdidwantyoutoknowIwasawareoftheimprovementinDavie。Iwishedtosaysomethingaboutmyuncle。“

Herefollowedanotherpause。

“Youmayhaveremarked，“shesaidatlength，“that，thoughwelivetogether，andheismyguardian，andtheheadofthehouse，thereisnotmuchcommunicationbetweenus。“

“Ihavegatheredasmuch：Iasknoquestions，butIcannottellDavienottotalktome！”

“Ofcoursenot——LordMorvenisastrangeman。Idonotunderstandhim，andIdonotwanttojudgehim，ormakeyoujudgehim。ButI

mustspeakofafact，concerningyourself，whichIhavenorighttokeepfromyou。“

Oncemoreapausefollowed。TherewasnothingnowofthegranddameaboutArctura。

“Hasnothingoccurredtowakeadoubtinyou？”shesaidatlast，abruptly。“Haveyounotsuspectedhimof——ofusingyouinanyway？”

“Ihavehadanundefinedghostofasuspicion，“answeredDonal。

“Pleasetellmewhatyouknow。“

“Ishouldknownothing——although，myroombeingnearhis，Ishouldhavebeenthemoreperplexedaboutsomethings——hadhenotmadeanexperimentuponmyselfayearago。“

“Isitpossible？”

“IsometimesfancyIhavenotbeensowellsince。ItwasagreatshocktomewhenIcametomyself：——youseeIamtrustingyou，Mr。

Grant！”

“Ithankyouheartily，mylady，“saidDonal。

“Ibelieve，“continuedladyArctura，gatheringcourage，“thatmyuncleisinthehabitoftakingsomehorribledrugforthesakeofitseffectonhisbrain。Therearepeoplewhodoso！WhatitisI

don\'tknow，andIwouldrathernotknow。Itisjustasbad，surely，astakingtoomuchwine！IhaveheardhimselfremarktoMr。

Carmichaelthatopiumwasworsethanwine，foritdestroyedthemoralsensemore。MindIdon\'tsayitisopiumhetakes！”

“Thereareotherthings，“saidDonal，“evenworse！——Butsurelyyoudonotmeanhedaredtryanythingofthesortonyou！”

“Iamsurehegavemesomething！For，oncethatIdinedwithhim，——butIcannotdescribetheeffectithaduponme！Ithinkhewantedtoseeitsoperationononewhodidnotevenknowshehadtakenanything。Theinfluenceofsuchthingsisapleasantone，theysay，atfirst，butIwouldnotgothroughsuchagoniesasIhadfortheworld！”

Sheceased，evidentlytroubledbytheharassingremembrance。Donalhastenedtospeak。

“Itwasbecauseofsuchasuspicion，mylady，thatthiseveningI

wouldnoteventastehiswine。Iamsafeto-night，Itrust，fromtheinsanity——Icancallitnothingelse——thatpossessedmethelasttwonights。“

“Wasitverydreadful？”askedladyArctura。

“Onthecontrary，IhadasenseoflifeandpowersuchasIcouldneverofmyselfhaveimagined！”

“Oh，Mr。Grant，dotakecare！Donotbetemptedtotakeitagain。I

don\'tknowwhereitmightnothaveledmeifIhadfounditaspleasantasitwashorrible；forIamsorelytriedwithpainfulthoughts，andfeelsometimesasifIwoulddoalmostanythingtogetridofthem。“

“Theremustbeagoodwayofgettingridofthem！ThinkitofGod\'smercy，“saidDonal，“thatyoucannotgetridofthemtheotherway。“

“Ido；Ido！”

“Theshieldofhispresencewasoveryou。“

“HowgladIshouldbetothinkso！ButwehavenorighttothinkhecaresforustillwebelieveinChrist——and——and——Idon\'tknowthatIdobelieveinhim！”

“Whereveryoulearnedthat，itisaterriblelie，“saidDonal。“IsnotChristthesamealways，andishenotofonemindwithGod？Wasitnotwhilewewereyetsinnersthathepouredouthissoulforus？

ItisafearfulthingtosayoftheperfectLove，thatheisnotdoingallhecan，withallthepowerofamakeroverthecreaturehehasmade，tohelpanddeliverhim！”

“Iknowhemakeshissuntoshineandhisraintofallupontheevilandthegood；butthosegoodthingsareonlyofthisworld！”

“ArethosethegoodthingsthenthattheLordsaystheFatherwillgivetothosethataskhim？HowcanyouworshipaGodwhogivesyouallthelittlethingshedoesnotcaremuchabout，butwillnotdohisbestforyou？”

“ButaretherenotthingshecannotdoforustillwebelieveinChrist？”

“Certainlythereare。ButwhatIwantyoutoseeisthathedoesallthatcanbedone。Hefindsitveryhardtoteachus，butheisnevertiredoftrying。AnyonewhoiswillingtobetaughtofGod，willbyhimbetaught，andthoroughlytaught。“

“IamafraidIamdoingwronginlisteningtoyou，Mr。Grant——andthemorethatIcannothelpwishingwhatyousaymightbetrue！Butareyounotindanger——youwillpardonmeforsayingit——ofpresumption？——Howcanallthegoodpeoplebewrong？”

“BecausethegreaterpartoftheirteachershavesetthemselvestoexplainGodratherthantoobeyandenforcehiswill。Thegospelisgiventoconvince，notourunderstandings，butourhearts；thatdone，andnevertillthen，ourunderstandingswillbefree。OurLordsaidhehadmanythingstotellhisdisciples，buttheywerenotabletohearthem。IfthethingsbetruewhichIhaveheardfromSundaytoSundaysinceIcamehere，theLordhasbroughtusnosalvationatall，butonlyachangeofshapetoourmiseries。Theyhavenotredeemedyou，ladyArctura，andneverwill。NothingbutChristhimself，yourlordandfriendandbrother，notallthedoctrinesabouthim，evenifeveryoneofthemweretrue，cansaveyou。Poororphanchildren，wecannotfindourGod，andtheywouldhaveustakeinsteadashockingcaricatureofhim！”

“ButhowshouldsinnersknowwhatisorisnotlikethetrueGod？”

“IfamandesiresGod，hecannothelpknowingenoughofhimtobecapableoflearningmore——elsehowshouldhedesirehim？MadeintheimageofGod，hisideaofhimcannotbeallwrong。Thatdoesnotmakehimfittoteachothers——onlyfittogoonlearningforhimself。ButinJesusChristIseetheveryGodIwant。Iwantafatherlikehim。Hereproachessomeofthoseabouthimfornotknowinghim——for，iftheyhadknownGod，theywouldhaveknownhim：

theyweretoblamefornotknowingGod。NootherthantheGodexactlylikeChristcanbethetrueGod。ItisadoctrineofdevilsthatJesusdiedtosaveusfromourfather。Thereisnosafety，nogood，nogladness，nopurity，butwiththeFather，hisfatherandourfather，hisGodandourGod。“

“ButGodhatessinandpunishesit！”

“Itwouldbeterribleifhedidnot。Allhatredofsinislovetothesinner。DoyouthinkJesuscametodeliverusfromthepunishmentofoursins？Hewouldnothavemovedastepforthat。Thehorriblethingisbeingbad，andallpunishmentishelptodeliverusfromthat，norwillpunishmentceasetillwehaveceasedtobebad。Godwillhaveusgood，andJesusworksoutthewillofhisfather。Whereistherefugeofthechildwhofearshisfather？Isitinthefarthestcorneroftheroom？Isitdowninthedungeonofthecastle，mylady？”

“No，no！”criedladyArctura，“——inhisfather\'sarms！”

“There！”saidDonal，andwassilent。

“IholdbyJesus！”headdedafterapause，androseashesaidit，butstoodwhereherose。

LadyArcturasatmotionless，dividedbetweenreverencefordistortedandfalseformsoftruthtaughtherfromherearliestyears，anddesireafteraGodwhoseverybeingistheblissofhiscreatures。

Sometimepassedinsilence，andthenshetoorosetodepart。SheheldoutherhandtoDonalwithakindofirresolutemotion，butwithdrawingit，smiledalmostbeseechingly，andsaid，“IwishImightaskyousomething。Iknowitisarudequestion，butifyoucouldseeall，youwouldanswermeandlettheoffencego。“

“Iwillansweryouanythingyouchoosetoask。“

“Thatmakesitthemoredifficult；butIwill——Icannotbeartoremainlongerindoubt：didyoureallywritethatpoemyougavetoKateGraeme——composeit，Imean，yourownself？”

“ImadenosecretofthatwhenIgaveither，“saidDonal，notperceivingherdrift。

“Thenyoudidreallywriteit？”

Donallookedatherinperplexity。Herfacegrewveryred，andtearsbegantocomeinhereyes。

“Youmustpardonme！”shesaid：“Iamsoignorant！Andweliveinsuchanout-of-the-wayplacethat——thatitseemsveryunlikelyarealpoet——！AndthenIhavebeentoldtherearepeoplewhohaveapassionforappearingtodothethingtheyarenotabletodo，andI

wasanxioustobequitesure！Mymindwouldkeepbroodingoverit，andwondering，andlongingtoknowforcertain！——SoIresolvedatlastthatIwouldberidofthedoubt，evenattheriskofoffendingyou。IknowIhavebeenrude——unpardonablyrude，but——“

“But，“supplementedDonal，withamostsympatheticsmile，forheunderstoodherashisownthought，“youdonotfeelquitesureyet！

WhatapriorireasondoyouseewhyIshouldnotbeabletowriteverses？Thereisnoruleastowherepoetrygrows：oneplaceisasgoodasanotherforthat！”

“Ihopeyouwillforgiveme！IhopeIhavenotoffendedyouverymuch！”

“Nobodyinsuchaworldasthisoughttobeoffendedatbeingaskedforproof。Ifthereareinitroguesthatlooklikehonestmen，howisanyone，withoutaspecialgiftofinsight，tobealwayssureofthehonestman？Eventhemanwhomawomanlovesbestwillsometimestearherhearttopieces！Iwillgiveyoualltheproofyoucandesire——AndlestthetemptershouldsayImadeuptheproofitselfbetweennowandto-morrowmorning，Iwillfetchitatonce。“

“Oh，Mr。Grant，spareme！Iamnot，indeedIamnotsobadasthat！”

“Whocantellwhenorwhencethedoubtmaywakeagain，orwhatmaywakeit！”

“Atleastletmeexplainalittlebeforeyougo，“shesaid。

“Certainly，“heanswered，reseatinghimself，incompliancewithherexample。

“MissGraemetoldmethatyouhadneverseenagardenliketheirsbefore！”

“Ineverdid。Therearenonesuch，Ifancy，inourpartofthecountry。“

“Norinourneighbourhoodeither。“

“Thenwhatissurprisinginit？”

“Nothinginthat。Butistherenotsomethinginyourbeingabletowriteapoemlikethataboutagardensuchasyouhadneverseen？

Onewouldsayyoumusthavebeenfamiliarwithitfromchildhoodtobeablesotoenterintothespiritoftheplace！”

“PerhapsifIhadbeenfamiliarwithitfromchildhood，thatmighthavedisabledmefromfeelingthespiritofit，forthenmightitnothavelookedtomeasitlookedtothoseinwhosetimesuchgardenswerethefashion？Twothingsarenecessary——first，thatthereshouldbeaspiritinaplace，andnextthattheplaceshouldbeseenbyonewhosespiritiscapableofgivinghouse-roomtoitsspirit——Bytheway，doestheghost-ladyfeeltheplaceallright？”

“IamnotsurethatIknowwhatyoumean；butIfeltthegrasswithherfeetasIread，andthewindliftingmyhair。Iseemedtoknowexactlyhowshefelt！”

“Nowtellme，wereyoueveraghost？”

“No，“sheanswered，lookinginhisfacelikeachild——withoutevenasmile。

“Didyoueverseeaghost？”

“No，never。“

“Thenhowshouldyouknowhowaghostwouldfeel？”

“Isee！Icannotansweryou。“

Donalrose。

“Iamindeedashamed！”saidladyArctura。

“Ashamedofgivingmethechanceofprovingmyselfatrueman？”

“That，atleast，isnolongernecessary！”

“ButIwantmyrevenge。Asapunishmentfordoubtingonewhomyouhadsolittlegroundforbelieving，youshallbecompelledtoseetheproof——thatis，ifyouwilldomethefavourtowaitheretillI

comeback。Ishallnotbelong，thoughitissomedistancetothetopofBaliol\'stower。“

“Davietoldmeyourroomwasthere：doyounotfinditcold？Itmustbeverylonely！IwonderwhymistressBrookesputyouthere！”

Donalassuredherhecouldnothavehadaplacemoretohismind，andbeforeshecouldwellthinkhehadreachedthefootofhisstair，wasbackwitharollofpapers，whichhelaidonthetable。

“There！”hesaid，openingitout；“ifyouwilltakethetroubletogooverthese，youmayreadthegrowthofthepoem。Herefirstyouseeitblockedoutratherroughly，andmuchblottedwitherasuresandsubstitutions。Herenextyouseetheresultcopied——cleantobeginwith，butafterwardsscoredandscored。YouseethewordsI

choseinsteadofthefirst，andafterwardsintheirturnrejected，untilintheproofsIreachedthosewhichIhaveasyetletstand。I

donotfancyMissGraemehasanydoubttheversesaremine，foritwasplainshethoughtthemrubbish。Fromyourpainstoknowwhowrotethem，Ibelieveyoudonotthinksobadlyofthem！”

Shethoughthewassatirical，andgaveaslightsighasofpain。Itwenttohisheart。

“Ididnotmeanthesmallestreflection，mylady，onyourdesireforsatisfaction，“hesaid；“rather，indeed，itflattersme。Butisitnotstrangetheheartshouldbelessreadytobelievewhatseemsworthbelieving？Somethingmustbetrue：whynottheworthy——ofteneratleastthantheunworthy？WhyshoulditbeeasiertobelievehardthingsofGod，forinstance，thanlovelythings？——orthatonemancopiedfromanother，thanthatheshouldhavemadethethinghimself？SomewouldyetsayIcontrivedallthissemblanceofcompositioninordertolaythesurerclaimtothattowhichIhadnone——norwouldtakethetroubletofollowthethingthroughitsdevelopment！Butitwillbeeasyforyou，mylady，andnobadexerciseinlogicandanalysis，todeterminewhetherthegenuinegrowthofthepoembebeforeyouinthesepapersornot。“

“Ishallfinditmostinteresting，“saidladyArctura：“somuchI

cantellalready！Ineversawanythingofthekindbefore，andhadnoideahowpoetrywasmade。Doesitalwaystakesomuchlabour？”

“Someversestakemuchmore；somenoneatall。Thelabourisingettingthehusksofexpressionclearedoff，sothatthethoughtmayshowitselfplainly。“

AtthispointMrs。Brookes，thinkingprobablytheyoungpeoplehadhadlongenoughconference，entered，andafteralittletalkwithher，ladyArcturakissedherandbadehergoodnight。Donalretiredtohisaerialchamber，wonderingwhethertheladyofthehousehadindeedchangedasmuchassheseemedtohavechanged。

>Fromthattime，whetheritwasthatladyArcturahadpreviouslyavoidedmeetinghimandnowdidnot，orfromothercauses，Donalandshemetmuchoftenerastheywentabouttheplace，nordidtheyeverpasswithoutamutualsmileandgreeting。

Thenextdaybutone，shebroughthimhispaperstotheschoolroom。

Shehadreadeveryerasureandcorrection，shetoldhim，andcouldnolongerhavehadadoubtthatthewriterofthepaperswasthemakeroftheverses，evenhadshenotpreviouslylearnedthoroughconfidenceinthemanhimself。

“Theywouldpossiblyfailtoconvinceajurythough！”hesaid，asheroseandwenttothrowtheminthefire。

Divininghisintent，Arcturadartedafterhim，andcaughtthemjustintime。

“Letmekeepthem，“shepleaded，“——formyhumiliation！”

“Dowiththemwhatyoulike，mylady，“saidDonal。“Theyareofnovaluetome——exceptthatyoucareforthem。“

CHAPTERXXXIV。

COBBLERANDCASTLE。

Inthebosomofthefamilyinwhichtheelementsseemmostkindlymixed，theremayyetliesomerootofdiscordanddisruption，uponwhichtheforeigninfluencenecessarytoitsappearanceaboveground，hasnotyetcometooperate。Thatthingsarequietisnoproof，onlyahopefulsignofharmony。Inafamilyofsuchpooraccordasthatatthecastle，thepeacemightwellatanymomentbebroken。

LordForguehadbeenforsometimeonavisittoEdinburgh，haddoubtlesstherebeenmademuchof，andhadreturnedwithaconsiderabledevelopmentofhaughtiness，andofthatfreedomwhichmeanssubjugationtoself，andfreedomfromthelawofliberty。Itisoftenwhenamanisleastsatisfied——notwithhimselfbutwithhisimmediatedoings——thatheismostreadytoasserthissuperioritytotherestraintshemightformerlyhavegrumbledagainst，buthadnotdaredtodispute——andtoclaimfromotherssuchconsiderationasaccordswithafalseideaofhispersonalstanding。

ButforawhileDonalandhebarelysaweachother；Donalhadnooccasiontoregardhim；andlordForguekeptsomuchtohimselfthatDaviemadelamentation：Percywasnothalfsojollyasheusedtobe！

ForafortnightEppyhadnotbeentoseehergrand-parents；andasthelastweeksomethinghadpreventedDonalalsofrompayingthemhiscustomaryvisit，theoldpeoplehadnaturallybecomeuneasy；andonefrostytwilight，whenthelastofthesunlighthadturnedtocoldgreeninthewest，AndrewCominappearedinthecastlekitchen，askingtoseemistressBrookes。Hewaskindlyreceivedbytheservants，amongwhomEppywasnotpresent；andMrs。Brookes，whohadagenuinerespectforthecobbler，sooncametogreethim。ShetoldhimsheknewnoreasonwhyEppyhadnotgonetoinquireafterthemasusual：shewouldsendforher，shesaid，andleftthekitchen。

Eppywasnotatthemomenttobefound，butDonal，whommistressBrookeshadgoneherselftoseek，wentatoncetothekitchen。

“Willyoucomeoutabit，Andrew，“hesaid，“——ifyou\'renottired？

It\'safinenight，andit\'seasytotalkinthegloamin\'！”

Andrewconsentedwithalacrity。

Onthesideofthecastleawayfromthetown，thedescentwasatfirstbyasuccessionofterraceswithstepsfromtheonetotheother，theterracesthemselvesbeinglittleflower-gardens。Atthebottomofthelastoftheseterracesandparallelwiththem，wasadoublerowoftrees，formingalongnarrowavenuebetweentwolittledoorsintwowallsatoppositeendsofthecastle。Oneoftheseledtosomeoftheoffices；theotheradmittedtoafruitgardenwhichturnedthewesternshoulderofthehill，andfoundforthegreaterpartanearlysouthernexposure。Atthistimeoftheyearitwasalonelyenoughplace，andatthistimeofthedaymorethanlikelytobealtogetherdeserted：thitherDonalwouldleadhisfriend。Goingoutthereforebythekitchen-door，theywentfirstintoastable-yard，fromwhichdescendedstepstothecastle-well，onthelevelofthesecondterrace。Thencetheyarrived，bymoresteps，atthemewswhereinoldtimesthehawkswerekept，nowratherruinousthoughnotquiteneglected。Heretheonewall-dooropenedontheavenuewhichledtotheother。Itwasoneofthepleasantestwalksinimmediateproximitytothecastle。

Thefirstofthesteelystarswereshiningthroughthenakedraftersofleaflessboughsoverhead，asDonalandthecobblerstepped，gentlytalking，intotheaisleoftrees。Theoldmanlookedup，gazedforamomentinsilence，andsaid：——

“\'Theheavensdeclarethegloryo\'God，an\'thefirmamentshowethhishandy-work。\'Iused，whanIwasalad，tostudyastronomyawee，i\'thehoupo\'betterhearin\'whattheh\'avensdeclaredabootthegloryo\'God：Iwudfainun\'erstan\'thespeechaedaycriedacrossthenichttotheither。ButIwassairdisapp\'intit。Thethingstheastronomertelltsemplefowkwarverrawon\'erfu\'，butIcouldnafin\'

i\'myhert\'attheymademethinkonymairo\'GodnorIdidafore。I

dinnameantosaytheymichtnabecompetenttoworkthatinanither，butitwasnamyexperrienceo\'them。Myhertwassomesairatthis，foryeseeIwassetupo\'winnin\'intilthepresenceo\'himI

couldnabidefrae，an\'atthattimeIhadnalearnttogangstrauchttohimwha\'stheexpressimageo\'\'sperson，but，ayesouchthimthrouwthephilosophy——eh，butitwasbairnlyphilosophy！——o\'theguidbuiks\'atdwallupo\'thenatur\'o\'Godan\'a\'that，an\'hishatredo\'sinan\'a\'that——pairtan\'pairttrue，naedoobt！butI

wantitGodgreatan\'near，an\'theymadehimootsma\'，sma\'，an\'

unco\'farawa\'。AenichtIwasootbymysel\'upo\'theshore，jistasthestarswarteetin\'oot。An\'itwasnaasgientheywarfearto\'

thesun，an\'pleast\'athewasgane，butasgientheywara\'teetin\'

oottoseewhathadcomeo\'theirFathero\'Lichts。A\'atanceIcamtomysel\'，likeooto\'someblin\'delusion。UpIcuistmye\'enaboon——an\'eh，therewastheh\'avenasGodmadeit——awfu\'！——bigan\'

deep，ayfaddomlessdeep，an\'fu\'o\'thewan\'erin\'yetsteadylichts\'atnaethingcanblawoot，butthebreatho\'hismooth！Awa\'upan\'

upitgaed，an\'deeperan\'deeper！an\'mye\'engaedtraivellin\'awa\'

an\'awa\'，tillitseemedasthoughtheynevercouldwinbacktome。

A\'atancetheydrappitfraetheliftlikealaverock，an\'lichtitupo\'thehorizon，whaurtheseaan\'theskymetlikerichteousnessan\'peacekissin\'aneanither，asthepsalmsays。NooIcannatellwhatitwas，butjisttherewhaurtheearthan\'theskycamthegither，wasthemeetin\'o\'myearthlysowlwi\'God\'sh\'avenlysowl！Therewasbonnycolours，an\'bonnylichts，an\'abonnygritstarhingin\'ower\'ta\'，butitwasnaneo\'a\'thaethings；itwassomethingdeepernora\'，an\'heichernora\'！FraethatmomentI

saw——nohootheh\'avensdeclarethegloryo\'God，butIsawthemdeclarin\'\'t，an\'Iwantitnaemair。Astronomyformemichtsitan\'

waitforabetterwarl\'，whaurfowkdidnaweiroottheirshune，an\'

itherfowkhadnatomen\'them。Forwhatisthegreatgloryo\'Godbutthat，thoughnomancancomprehen\'him，hecomesdoon，an\'layshischeektilhisman\'s，an\'saystilhim，\'Eh，mycratur！\'“

Whilethecobblerwasthustalking，theyhadgonethelengthoftheavenue，andwerewithinlessthantwotreesofthedoorofthefruit-garden，whenitopened，andwashurriedlyshutagain——not，however，beforeDonalhadcaughtsight，ashebelieved，oftheformofEppy。Hecalledherbyname，andrantothedoor，followedbyAndrew：thesamesuspicionhadstruckbothofthematonce！Donalliftedthelatch，andwouldhaveopenedthedoor，butsomeonehelditagainsthim，andheheardthenoiseofanattempttopushtherustyboltintothestaple。Hesethisstrengthtoit，andforcedthedooropen。LordForguewasontheothersideofit，andalittlewayoffstoodEppytrembling。Donalturnedawayfromhislordship，andsaidtothegirl，“Eppy，here\'syourgrandfathercometoseeyou！”

Thecobbler，however，wentuptolordForgue。

“You\'reayoungman，mylord，“hesaid，“an\'mayregarditasfollyinanauldmantointerferebetweenyouan\'yourwull；butIwarnye，mylord，excep\'youceasetocarryyourselfthustowardsmygranddaughter，hislordship，yourfather，shallbeinformedofthematter。Eppy，youcomehomewithme。“

“Iwillnot，“saidEppy，hervoicetremblingwithpassion，thoughwhichpassionitwerehardtosay；“Iamafreewoman。Imakemyownliving。Iwillnotbetreatedlikeachild！”

“IwillspeaktomistressBrookes，“saidtheoldman，withsaddignity。

“Andmakeherturnmeaway！”saidEppy。

Sheseemedquitechanged——boldanddetermined——wasprobablyrelievedthatshecouldnomoreplayafalsepart。Hislordshipstoodandsaidnothing。

“Butdon\'tyouthink，grandfather，“continuedEppy，“thatwhatevermistressBrookessaysordoes，I\'llgohomewithyou！I\'vesavedmoney，and，asIcan\'tgetanotherplaceherewhenyou\'vetakenawaymycharacter，I\'llleavethecountry。“

Hislordshipadvanced，andwithstrainedcomposuresaid，“Iconfess，Mr。Comin，thingsdolookagainstus。Itisawkwardyoushouldhavefoundustogether，butyouknow“——andhereheattemptedalaugh——“wearetoldnottojudgebyappearances！”

“Wemaybeforcedtoactbythem，though，mylord！”saidAndrew。“I

shouldbesorrytojudgeaitherofyoubythem。Eppymustcomehomewithme，oritwillbemoreawkwardyetforbothofyou！”

“Oh，ifyouthreatenus，“saidForguecontemptuously，“thenofcourseweareveryfrightened！Butyouhadbetterbeware！YouwillonlymakeitthemoredifficultformetodoyourgranddaughterthejusticeIalwaysintended。“

“Whatyourlordship\'snotiono\'justicemaybe，Iwullnottroubleyoutoexplain，“saidtheoldman。“AllIdesireforthepresentis，thatshecomehomewithme。“

“LetusleavethemattertomistressBrookes！”saidForgue。“Ishalleasilysatisfyherthatthereisnooccasionforanyhurry。Believeme，youwillonlybringtroubleontheinnocent！”

“Thenitcannabeonyou，mylord！forinthisthingyouhavenotbehavedasagentlemanought！”saidthecobbler。

“Youdaretellmeso！”criedForgue，stridinguptothelittleoldman，asifhewouldsweephimawaywiththeverywindofhisapproach。

“Yes；forelsehowshouldIsayittoanother，an\'thatmaysoonbenecessar\'！”answeredthecobbler。“Didnayerlordshippromiseanen\'

tothehaillmeeserableaffair？”

“Iremembernothingofthesort。“

“Youdidtome！”saidDonal。

“Doholdyourtongue，Grant，anddon\'tmakethingsworse。ToyouI

caneasilyexplainit。Besides，youhavenothingtodowithitnowthisgoodfellowhastakenitup。Itisquitepossible，besides，tobreakone\'swordtotheearandyetkeepittothesense。“

“Theonlythingtojustifythatsuggestion，“saidDonal，“wouldbethatyouhadmarriedEppy，orwereabouttomarryher！”

Eppywouldhavespoken；butsheonlygavealittlecry，forForgueputhishandoverhermouth。

“Youholdyourtongue！”hesaid；“youwillonlycomplicatematters！”

“Andthere\'sanotherpoint，mylord，“resumedDonal：“yousayIhavenothingtodonowwiththeaffair：ifnotformyfriend\'ssake，I

haveformyown。“

“Whatdoyoumean？”

“ThatIaminthehouseapaidservant，andmustnotallowanythingmischievoustogooninitwithoutacquaintingmymaster。“

“Youacknowledge，Mr。Grant，thatyouareneithermorenorlessthanapaidservant，butyoumistakeyourdutyassuch：Ishallbehappytoexplainittoyou——Youhavenothingwhatevertodowithwhatgoesoninthehouse；youhavebuttomindyourwork。Itoldyoubefore，youaremybrother\'stutor，notmine！TointerferewithwhatIdo，isnothinglessthanapieceofdamnedimpertinence！”

“Thatimpertinence，however，IintendtobeguiltyofthemomentI

cangetaudienceofyourfather。“

“Youwillnot，ifIgiveyousuchexplanationassatisfiesyouI

havedonethegirlnoharm，andmeanhonestlybyher！”saidForgueinaconfident，yetsomewhatconciliatorytone。

“Inanycase，“returnedDonal，“youhavingoncepromised，andthenbrokenyourpromise，IshallwithoutfailtellyourfatherallI

know。“

“Andruinher，andperhapsmetoo，forlife？”

“Thetruthwillruinonlythosethatoughttoberuined！”saidDonal。

Forguespranguponhim，andstruckhimaheavyblowbetweentheeyes。HehadbeenhavinglessonsinboxingwhileinEdinburgh，andhadconfidenceinhimself。Itwasawell-plantedblow，andDonalunpreparedforit。Hestaggeredagainstthewall，andforamomentcouldneitherseenorthink：allheknewwasthattherewassomethingorotherhehadtoattendto。Hislordship，excusinghimselfperhapsonthegroundofnecessity，therebeingagirlinthecase，wouldhavestruckhimagain；butAndrewthrewhimselfbetween，andreceivedtheblowforhim。

AsDonalcametohimself，heheardagroanfromtheground，andlooking，sawAndrewathisfeet，andunderstood。

“Dearoldman！”hesaid；“hedaredtostrikeyou！”

“Hedidnamean\'t，“returnedAndrewfeebly。“Areyewinnin\'ower\'t，sir？Hegaeyeaterribleane！Yemichthaeh\'arditacrossthestreet！”

“Ishallbeallrightinaminute！”answeredDonal，wipingthebloodoutofhiseyes。“I\'veagoodhardhead，thankGod！——Butwhathasbecomeofthem？”

“Yedidnathinkhewudbewaitin\'tosee\'scometooorsel\'s！”saidthecobbler。

WithDonal\'shelp，andgreatdifficulty，herose，andtheystoodlookingateachotherthroughthestarlight，bewilderedanduncertain。Thecobblerwasthefirsttorecoverhiswits。

“It\'so\'nomainnerofuse，“hesaid，“torousethecastelwi\'huean\'cry！Whathaewetosaybut\'atwefaundthetwai\'thegairdenthegither！Itwudbutraiseaclash——thewhich，fableorfac\'，wuddonaethingfornaebody！Hislordshipmaunbelootken，asyesay；

butwullhislordshipbelieveye，sir？I\'msomei\'themin\'theyoongman\'sawa\'til\'sfaithera\'ready，toprejudeesehimagain\'

onythingyemaysay。“

“Thatmakesitthemorenecessary，“saidDonal，“thatIshouldgoatoncetohislordship。Hewillfalloutuponmefornothavingtoldhimatonce；butImustnotmindthat：ifIwerenottotellhimnow，hewouldhaveagoodcaseagainstme。“

Theywerealreadywalkingtowardsthehouse，theoldmangivingagroannowandthen。Hecouldnotgoin，hesaid；hewouldwalkgentlyon，andDonalwouldovertakehim。

ItwasanhourandahalfbeforeAndrewgothome，andDonalhadnotovertakenhim。

CHAPTERXXXV。

THEEARL\'SBEDCHAMBER。

Havingwashedthebloodfromhisface，DonalsoughtSimmons。

“Hislordshipcan\'tseeyounow，Iamsure，sir，“answeredthebutler；“lordForgueiswithhim。“

DonalturnedandwentstraightuptolordMorven\'sapartment。Ashepassedthedoorofhisbedroomopeningonthecorridor，heheardvoicesindebate。Heenteredthesitting-room。Therewasnoonethere。Itwasnotatimeforceremony。Heknockedatthedoorofthebedroom。Thevoiceswithinwereloud，andnoanswercame。Heknockedagain，andreceivedanangrypermissiontoenter。Heentered，closedthedoorbehindhim，andstoodinsightofhislordship，waitingwhatshouldfollow。

LordMorvenwassittingupinbed，hisfacesopaleanddistortedthatDonalthoughtelsewhereheshouldhardlyhaverecognizedit。

Thebedwasalargefour-postbed；itscurtainsweredrawnclosetotheposts，admittingasmuchairaspossible。AtthefootofitstoodlordForgue，hishandsome，shallowfaceflushedwithanger，hisrightarmstraightdownbyhisside，andthehandofitclenchedhard。HeturnedwhenDonalentered。Afiercerflushoverspreadhisface，butalmostimmediatelythelookofrageyieldedtooneofdeterminedinsult。PossiblyeventheappearanceofDonalwasarelieftobeingalonewithhisfather。

“Mr。Grant，“stammeredhislordship，speakingwithpain，“youarewellcome！——justintimetohearafathercursehisson！”

“Evensuchathreatshallnotmakemeplayadishonourablepart！”

saidForgue，lookinghoweveranythingbuthonourable，fortheheart，notthebrain，mouldstheexpression。

“Mr。Grant，“resumedthefather，“Ihavefoundyouamanofsenseandrefinement！Ifyouhadbeentutortothisdegenerateboy，theworsttroubleofmylifewouldnothaveovertakenme！”

Forgue\'slipcurled，buthedidnotspeak，andhisfatherwenton。

“Hereisthisfellowcometotellmetomyfacethatheintendstheruinanddisgraceofthefamilybyalowmarriage！”

“Itwillnotbethefirsttimeithasbeensodisgraced！”retortedtheson，“——iffreshpeasant-bloodbeindeedadisgracetoanyfamily！”

“Bah！thehusseyisnotevenawholesomepeasant-girl！”criedthefather。“Whodoyouthinksheis，Mr。Grant？”

“Idonotneedtoguess，mylord，“repliedDonal。“IcamenowtoinformyourlordshipofwhatIhadmyselfseen。“

“Shemustleavethehousethisinstant！”

“ThenItooleaveit，mylord！”saidForgue。

“Where\'syourmoney？”returnedtheearlcontemptuously。

ForgueshiftedtoanattackuponDonal。

“Yourlordshiphardlyplacesconfidenceinme，“hesaid；“butitisnotthelessmydutytowarnyouagainstthisman：monthsagoheknewwhatwasgoingon，andcomestotellyounowbecausethiseveningIchastisedhimforhisrudeinterference。“

IncoolerbloodlordForguewouldnothaveshownsuchmeanness；butpassionbringstothefrontthethingthatlurks。

“AnditisnodoubttothenecessityforforestallinghisdisclosurethatIowethepresentingenuousconfession！”saidlordMorven。

“——Butexplain，Mr。Grant。“

“Mylord，“saidDonalcalmly，“IbecameawarethattherewassomethingbetweenlordForgueandthegirl，andwasalarmedforthegirl：sheisthechildoffriendstowhomIammuchbeholden。Butonthepromiseofboththatthethingshouldend，Iconcludeditbetternottotroubleyourlordship。Imayhaveblunderedinthis，butI

didwhatseemedbest。Thisnight，however，Idiscoveredthatthingsweregoingasbefore，anditbecameimperativeonmypositioninyourhousethatIshouldmakeyourlordshipacquaintedwiththefact。Heasseveredtherewasnothingdishonestbetweenthem，but，havingdeceivedmeonce，howwasItotrusthimagain！”

“Howindeed！theyoungblackguard！”saidhislordship，castingafierceglanceathisson。

“Allowmetoremark，“saidForgue，withcomparativecoolness，“thatIdeceivednoone。WhatIpromisedwas，thattheaffairshouldnotgoon：itdidnot；fromthatmomentitassumedadifferentandseriousaspect。Inowintendtomarrythegirl。“

“Itellyou，Forgue，ifyoudoIwilldisownyou。“

Forguesmiledanimpertinentsmileandheldhispeace：thethreathadforhimnoterror。

“Ishallbethebetterable，“continuedhislordship，“toprovidesuitablyforDavie；heiswhatasonoughttobe！Buthearme，Forgue：youmustbeawarethat，ifIleftyouallIhad，itwouldbebeggaryforonehandicappedwithatitle。Youmaythinkmyangerunreasonable，butitcomessolelyofanxietyonyouraccount。

Nothingbutasuitablemarriage——themostsuitableofalliswithinyourarm\'slength——cansaveyoufromthelifeofamoneylesspeer——themostpitiableobjectonthefaceoftheearth。Wereitpossibletoignoreyourrank，youhavenoprofession，notradeeven，inthesetrade-lovingtimes，tofallbackupon。ExceptyoumarryasIplease，youwillhavenothingfrommebutthecontemptofatitlewithoutafarthingtokeepitdecent。Youthreatentoleavethehouse——canyoupayforarailway-ticket？”

Forguewassilentforamoment。

“Mylord，“hesaid，“Ihavegivenmywordtothegirl：wouldyouhavemedisgraceyournamebybreakingit？”

“Tut！tut！therearewordsandwords！Whatobligationcantherebeintherashpromisesofanunworthylove！Stilllessaretheybindingwherethemanisnothisownmaster！Youareunderabondtoyourfamily，underabondtosociety，underabondtoyourcountry。

Marrythisgirl，andyouwillbeanoutcast；marryasIwouldhaveyou，andnoonewillthinktheworseofyouforafoolishvowinyourboyhood。Bah！themerestrumourofitwillneverriseintothesereneairofyourposition。“

“Andletthegirlgoandbreakherheart！”saidForgue，withlookblackasdeath。

“Youneedfearnosuchcatastrophe！Youarenosuchmarvelamongmenthatakitchen-wenchwillbreakherheartforyou。Shewillbesorryforherself，nodoubt；butitwillbenothingmorethansheexpected，andwillonlyconfirmheropinionofyou：sheknowswellenoughtherisksheruns！”

Whilehespoke，Donal，waitinghisturn，stoodasonhotiron。Suchsayingswereinhisearsthefoultalkofhell。Themomenttheearlceased，heturnedtoForgue，andsaid：——

“Mylord，youhaveremovedmyharderthoughtsofyou！Youhaveindeedbrokenyourword，butinawayinfinitelynoblerthanI

believedyoucapableof！”

LordMorvenstareddumbfounded。

“Yourcommentsareoutofplace，Mr。Grant！”saidForgue，withsomethinglikedignity。“Thematterisbetweenmyfatherandmyself。

Ifyouwantedtobegmypardon，youshouldhavewaitedafittingopportunity！”

Donalheldhispeace。Hehadfeltboundtoshowsympathywithhisenemywherehewasright。

Theearlwasperplexed：hisonepoorallyhadgoneovertotheenemy！Hetookaglassfromthetablebesidehim，anddrank：then，afteramoment\'ssilence，apparentlyofexhaustionandsuffering，said，“Mr。Grant，Idesireawordwithyou——Leavetheroom，Forgue。“

“Mylord，“returnedForgue，“youordermefromtheroomtoconferwithonewhosepresencewithyouisaninsulttome！”

“Heseemstome，“answeredhisfatherbitterly，“tobeafteryourownmindintheaffair！——Howindeedshoulditbeotherwise！ButsofarIhavefoundMr。Grantamanofhonour，andIdesiretohavesomeprivateconversationwithhim。Ithereforerequestyouwillleaveusalonetogether。“

Thiswassaidsopolitely，yetwithsuchlatentcommand，thattheyouthdarednotrefusecompliance。

Themomentheclosedthedoorbehindhim，“Iamgladheyielded，“saidtheearl，“forIshouldhavehadtoaskyoutoputhimout，andIhaterows。Wouldyouhavedoneit？”

“Iwouldhavetried。“

“Thankyou。Yetamomentagoyoutookhispartagainstme！”

“Onthegirl\'spart——andforhishonestytoo，mylord！”

“Comenow，Mr。Grant！Iunderstandyourprejudices，IcannotexpectyoutolookontheaffairasIdo。Iamgladtohaveamanofsuchsoundgeneralprinciplestoformthecharacterofmyyoungerson；

butitisplainasamountainthatwhatwouldbethedutyofayoungmaninyourrankoflifetowardayoungwomaninthesamerank，wouldbesimpleruintooneinlordForgue\'sposition。Acapablemanlikeyoucanmakealivingahundreddifferentways；toonebornwiththeburdenofatitle，andwithoutthemeansofsupportingit，marriagewithsuchagirlmeanspoverty，gambling，hunger，squabbling，dirt——suicide！”

“Mylord，“answeredDonal，“themomentamanspeaksoflovetoawoman，besheaslowlyandignorantasmotherEve，thatmomentrankandprivilegevanish，anddistinctionisannihilated。“

Theearlgaveasmallsharpsmile。

“Youwouldmakeagoodpleader，Mr。Grant！ButifyouhadseentheconsequencesofsuchmarriagehalfasoftenasI，youwouldmodifyyourideas。MarkwhatIsay：thismarriageshallnottakeplace——byGod！What！shouldIforamomenttalkofitwithcoolnessweretherethesmallestactualdangerofitsoccurrence——didInotknowthatitnevercould，nevershalltakeplace！Theboyisafool，andheshallknowit！Ihavehiminmypower——neckandheelsinmypower！Hedoesnotknowit，andnevercouldguesshow；butitistrue：onewordfromme，andtherascalisparalysed！ObligemebytellinghimwhatIhavejustsaid。Theabsurdmarriageshallnottakeplace，I

repeat。InvalidasIam，Iamnotyetreducedtotheconditionofanobedientfather。“

Hetookupasmallbottle，pouredalittlefromit，addedwater，anddrank——thenresumed。

“Nowforthegirl：whoknowsaboutit？”

“SofarasIamaware，noonebuthergrandfather。Hehadcometothecastletoinquireafterher，andwaswithmewhenwecameupontheminthefruitgarden。“

“Thenletnofurthernoticebetakenofit。Tellnoone——notevenMrs。Brookes。Lettheyoungfoolsdoastheyplease。“

“Icannotconsenttothat，mylord。“

“Why，whatthedevilhaveyoutodowithit？”

“Iamthefriendofherpeople。“

“Pooh！pooh！don\'ttalkrubbish。Whatisittothem！I\'llseetothem。Itwillallcomeright。Theaffairwillsettleitself。ByJove，I\'msorryyouinterfered！Thethingwouldhavebeenmuchbetterleftalone。“

“Mylord，“saidDonal，“Icanlistentonothinginthisstrain。“

“AllIaskis——promisenottointerfere。“

“Iwillnot。“

“Thankyou。“

“Mylord，youmistake。Iwillnotpromise。Nay，Iwillinterfere。

Whattodo，Idonotnowknow；butIwillsavethegirlifIcan。“

“Andruinanancientfamily！Youthinknothingofthat！”

“Itshonour，mylord，willbebestpreservedinthatofthegirl。“

“Damnyou？willyoupreachtome？”

Notwithstandinghisfiercewords，Donalcouldnothelpseeingorimagininganalmostsuppliantlookinhiseye。

“YoumustdoasItellyouinmyhouse，“hewenton，“oryouwillsoonseetheoutsideofit。Come：marrythegirlyourself——sheisdeucedpretty——andIwillgiveyoufivehundredpoundsforyourweddingjourney——PoorDavie！”

“Yourlordshipinsultsme。“

“Then，damnyou！beofftoyourlessons，andtakeyourinsolentfaceoutofmysight。“

“IfIremaininyourhouse，mylord，itisforDavie\'ssake。“

“Goaway，“saidtheearl；andDonalwent。

Hehadhardlyclosedthedoorbehindhim，whenheheardabellringviolently；anderehereachedthebottomofthestair，hemetthebutlerpantingupasfastashisshortlegsandrednosewouldpermit。HewouldhavestoppedtoquestionDonal，whohastenedpasthim，andintherefugeofhisownroom，satdowntothink。Hadhisconventionaldignitybeenwithhimamatterofimportance，hewouldhaveleftthecastlethemomenthegothisthingstogether；buthethoughtmuchmoreofDavie，andmuchmoreofEppy。

Hehadhardlyseatedhimselfwhenhejumpedupagain：hemustseeAndrewComin！