第8章

CHAPTERXXXVI。

ANIGHT-WATCH。

Whenhereachedthebottomofthehill，thereatthegatewasForgue，walkingupanddown，apparentlywaitingforhim。Hewouldhavepassedhim，butForguesteppedinfrontofhim。

“Grant，“hesaid，“itiswellweshouldunderstandeachother！”

“Ithink，mylord，ifyoudonotyetunderstandme，itcanscarcelybemyfault。“

“Whatdidmyfathersay？”

“Iwoulddelivertoyourlordshipamessagehegavemeforyoubutfortworeasons——one，thatIbelievehechangedhismindthoughhedidnotpreciselysayso，andtheother，thatIwillnotservehimoryouinthematter。“

“Thenyouintendneithertomeddlenormake？”

“Thatismyaffair，mylord。Iwillnottakeyourlordshipintomyconfidence。“

“Don\'tbeunreasonable，now！Dogetoffyourhighhorse。Can\'tyouunderstandafellow？Everybodycan\'tkeephistemperasyoudo！I

meanthegirlnoharm。“

“Iwillnottalkwithyouabouther。Andwhateveryouinsistonsayingtome，Iwilluseagainstyouwithoutscruple，shouldoccasionoffer。“

AshespokehecaughtalookonForgue\'sfacewhichrevealedsomehowthatitwasnotforhimhehadbeenwaiting，butforEppy。Heturnedandwentbacktowardsthecastle：hemightmeether！Forguecalledafterhim，buthepaidnoheed。

Ashehastenedupthehill，notsomuchastherustleofbirdormousedidhehear。Helingeredaboutthetopoftheroadforhalfanhour，thenturnedandwenttothecobbler\'s。

HefoundDooryingreatdistress；forshewasnotmerelysoretroubledaboutherson\'schild，butAndrewwasinbedandsufferinggreatpain。ThemomentDonalsawhimhewentforthedoctor。Hesaidaribwasbroken，boundhimup，andgavehimsomemedicine。Alldonethatcouldbedone，Donalsatdowntowatchbesidehim。

Helaystill，withclosedeyesandwhiteface。Sopatientwashethathisverypainfoundutteranceinasortofblindsmile。Donaldidnotknowmuchaboutpain：hecouldreadinAndrew\'slookhisdevotiontothewillofhimwhosebeingwashispeace，buthedidnotknowabovewhatsufferinghisfaithliftedhim，andheldhimhoveringyetsafe。Hisfaithmadehimonewithlife，theeternalLife——andthatissalvation。

Inclosestcontactwiththedivine，theoriginalrelationrestored，thesourceoncemoreholdingitsissue，thedivinelovepouringitselfintothedeepestvesseloftheman\'sbeing，itselfbutavesselfortheholdingofthedivineranddivinest，whocanwonderifkeenestpainshouldnotbeabletoquenchthesmileoftheprostrate！Fewindeedhavereachedthepointofhealthtolaughatdisease，butaretherenone？Letnotamansaybecausehecannotthatnoonecan。

Theoldwomanwasverycalm，onlyeverynowandthenshewouldliftherhandsandshakeherhead，andlookasiftheuniverseweregoingtopieces，becauseherhusbandlaytherebythestrokeoftheungodly。Andifhehadlainthereforgotten，thenindeedtheuniversewouldhavebeengoingtopieces！Whenhecoughed，everypangseemedtogothroughherbodytoherheart。Loveisaslovelyintheoldasintheyoung——lovelierwheninthem，asoften，itismoresympatheticandunselfish——thatis，moretrue。

DonalwrotetoMrs。Brookesthathewouldnotbehomethatnight；

andhavingfoundamessengerattheinn，settledhimselftowatchbyhisfriend。

Thehoursglidedquietlyover。Andrewsleptagooddeal，andseemedtohavepleasantvisions。Hewasfindingyetmoresaving。Nowandthenhislipswouldmoveasifhewereholdingtalkwithsomefriendlysoul。OnceDonalheardthemurmuredwords，“Lord，I\'ma\'

yerain；“andnotedthathissleepgrewdeeperthereafter。Hedidnotwaketillthedaybegantodawn。Thenheaskedforsomewater。

SeeingDonal，anddiviningthathehadbeenbyhisbedsideallthenight，hethankedhimwithasmileandalittlenod——whichsomehowbroughttohismemorycertainwordsAndrewhadspokenonanotheroccasion：“There\'sane，an\'there\'sa\'；an\'thea\'\'sane，an\'theane\'sa\'。“

WhenDonalreachedthecastle，hefoundhisbreakfastandMrs。

Brookeswaitingforhim。ShetoldhimthatEppy，meetingherinthepassagethenightbefore，hadburstintotears，butshecouldgetnothingoutofher，andhadsenthertoherroom；thismorningshehadnotcomedownatthepropertime，andwhenshesentafterher，didnotcome：shewentupherself，andfoundherdeterminedtoleavethecastlethatveryday；shewasnowpackingherthingstogo，nordidsheseeanygoodintryingtopreventher。

Donalsaidifshewouldgohome，therewasplentyforhertodothere；oldpeople\'sboneswerenoteasytomend，anditwouldbesometimebeforehergrandfatherwaswellagain！

Mrs。Brookessaidshewouldnotkeephernowifshebeggedtostay；

shewasafraidshewouldcometogrief，andwouldrathershewenthome；shewouldtakeherhomeherself。

“Thelassisnoanillane，“sheadded：“butshedisnakenwhatshewudbeat。Shewantssomeo\'theLord\'saindiscipleen，I\'mthinkin！”

“An\'thatyemaybesureshe\'llget，mistressBrookes！”saidDonal。

Eppywasquitereadytogohomeandhelpnursehergrandfather。Shethoughtherconductmustbythistimebethetalkofthecastle，andwasinmortalterroroflordMorven。Allthedomesticsfearedhim——itwouldbehardtosaypreciselywhy；itcameinpartofseeinghimsoseldomthathehadalmostcometorepresenttheghostsomesaidlivedintheinvisibleroomandhauntedthecastle。

ItwastheeasierforEppytogohomethathergrandmotherneededher，andthathergrandfatherwouldnotbeabletosaymuchtoher。

Shewasanaffectionategirl，andyethergrandfather\'sconditionrousedinhernoindignation；fortheloveofbeinglovedissuchablindingthing，thatthegreatestinjusticefromthedearesttothenextdearestwillbysomenaturesbereadilytolerated。Godhelpus！

weareameanset——andmeanestthemanwhoisablesttojustifyhimself！

Mrs。Brookes，havingpreparedaheavybasketofgoodthingsforEppytocarryhometohergrandmother，andmadeittheheavierforthesakeofpunishingherwiththeweightofit，setoutwithher，sayingtoherself，“ThejaudwantsawheenharderwarknorIhaehaudentillherhan\'，an\'doobtlessit\'spreparin\'forher！”

Shewaskindlyreceived，withoutawordofreproach，byhergrandmother；thesufferer，forgetfulof，orforgivingherwordsofrejectioninthegarden，smiledwhenshecamenearhisbedside；andsheturnedawaytoconcealthetearsshecouldnotrepress。Shelovedhergrand-parents，andshelovedtheyounglord，andshecouldnotgetthetwolovestodwelltogetherpeaceablyinhermind——acommondifficultywithourweak，easilydivided，hardlyunitednatures——frangible，friable，readilydistorted！ItneedsnolessthanGodhimself，notonlytouniteustooneanother，buttomakeawholeoftheill-fitting，roughlydisjointedportionsofourindividualbeings。Tearfullybutdiligentlyshesetaboutherduties；andnotonlytheheart，butthelimbsandjointsofhergrandmotherwererelievedbyherpresence；whiledoubtlesssheherselffoundsomerefugefromanxiousthoughtintheservicesherendered。Whatshesawasherprobablefuture，Icannotsay；onehourherconfidenceinherlover\'sfaithfulnesswouldbecomplete，thenextitwouldbedashedwithhugeblotsofuncertainty；buthergrandmotherrejoicedoverherasoutofharm\'sway。

CHAPTERXXXVII。

LORDFORGUEANDLADYARCTURA。

Atthecastlethingsfellintotheiroldroutine。NothinghadbeenarrangedbetweenlordForgueandEppy，andheseemedcontentthatitshouldbeso。Mrs。Brookestoldhimthatshehadgonehome：hemadeneitherremarknorinquiry，manifestingnointerest。

Itwouldbewellhisfathershouldnotseeitnecessarytopushthingsfarther！Hedidnotwanttoturnoutofthecastle！Withoutmeans，whatwashetodo？Themarriagecouldnotbeto-dayorto-morrow！andinthemeantimehecouldseeEppy，perhapsmoreeasilythanatthecastle！Hewouldcontrive！Hewassorryhehadhurttheoldfellow，buthecouldnothelpit！hewouldgetintheway！Thingswouldhavebeenmuchworseifhehadnotgotfirsttohisfather！Hewouldwaitabit，andseewhatwouldturnup！Forthetutor-fellow，hemustnotquarrelwithhimdownright！Nogoodwouldcomeofthat！Intheendhewouldhavehisway！andthatinspiteofthemall！

Butwhathereallywantedhedidnotknow。Heonlyknew，orimagined，thathewasoverheadandearsinlovewiththegirl：whatwastocomeofitwasallintheclouds。Hehadsaidhemeanttomarryher；buttothatstatementhehadbeendriven，morethanheknew，bythedesiretoescapethecontemptofthetutorhescorned；

andherejoicedthathehadatleastdiscomfitedhim。HeknewthatifhedidmarryEppy，oranyoneelseofwhomhisfatherdidnotapprove，hehadnothingtolookforbutabsolutepoverty，forheknewnowaytoearnmoney；hewasthereforeunpreparedtodefyhimimmediately——whateverhemightdobyandby。Hesaidtohimselfsometimesthathewasaswillingasanymantoworkforhiswifeifonlyheknewhow；butwhenhesaidso，hadhealwaysaclearvisionofEppyasthewifeinprospect？Alas，itwouldtakeyearstomakehimabletoearnevenawoman\'swages！Itwouldbeafinethingforalordtolabourlikeacommonmanforthesupportofachildofthepeopleforwhomhehadsacrificedeverything；butwherewasthepossibility？Whenthoughtslikethesegrewtoomanyforhim，Forguewishedhehadneverseenthegirl。Hisheartwouldimmediatelyreproachhim；immediatelyhewouldcomforthisconsciencewiththereflectionthattowishhehadneverseenherwasaverydifferentthingfromwishingtoactasifhehad。Heloafedaboutinherneighbourhoodasmuchashedared，hauntedthehouseitselfinthetwilight，andatnightevenventuredsometimestocreepupthestair，butforsometimeheneverevensawher：fordaysEppyneverwentoutofdoorsexceptintothegarden。

Thoughshehadnotspokenofit，Arcturahadhadmorethanasuspicionthatsomethingwasgoingonbetweenhercousinandtheprettymaid；forthelittlewindowofhersittingroompartiallyoverlookedacertainretiredspotfavouredofthelovers；andafterEppyleftthehouse，Davie，thoughhedidnotassociatethefacts，notedthatshewasmorecheerfulthanbefore。ButtherewasnoenlargementofintercoursebetweenherandForgue。Theyknewitwasthewishoftheheadofthehousethattheyshouldmarry，buttheearlhadbeenwiseenoughtosaynothingopenlytoeitherofthem：

hebelievedthethingwouldhaveabetterchanceonitsownmerits；

andasyettheyhadshownnosignofdrawingtoeachother。Itmight，perhaps，havebeenotherwiseonhisparthadnottheyounglordbeentakenwiththeprettyhousemaid，thoughatfirsthehadthoughtofnothingmorethanalittlepassingflirtation，reckoninghisadvantagewithherbytheheightonwhichhestoodinhisownregard；butitwasfromnojealousythatArcturawasrelievedbythedepartureofEppy。Shehadneverseenanythingattractiveinhercousin，andherreligiousimpressionswouldhavebeenenoughtoprotectherfromanydrawingtohim：hadtheynotpoisonedinhereventhevirtueofcommonhouse-friendlinesstowardaverydifferentman？ThesenseofreliefshehadwhenEppywent，layinbeingdeliveredfromthepresenceofsomethingclandestine，withwhichshecouldnotinterferesofarastoconfessknowledgeofit。Ithadrenderedheruneasy；shehadfeltshyanduncomfortable。OnceortwiceshehadbeenonthepointofsayingtoMrs。BrookesthatshethoughthercousinandEppyveryoddlyfamiliar，buthadfailedofcourage。Itwasnowonderthereforethatsheshouldbemorecheerful。

CHAPTERXXXVIII。

ARCTURAANDSOPHIA。

Aboutthistimeherfriend，MissCarmichael，returnedfromaratherlengthenedvisit。ButaftertheatonementthathadtakenplacebetweenherandDonal，itwaswithsomeanxietythatladyArcturalookedforwardtoseeingher。Sheshrankfromtellingherwhathadcomeaboutthroughthewonderfulpoem，asshethoughtit，whichhadsobewitchedher。Sheshranktoofromshowinghertheverses：theywerenotofakind，shewassure，tomeetwithrecognitionfromher。

Sheknewshewouldmakegameofthem，andthatnotgood-humouredlylikeKate，whoyetconfessedtosomebeautyinthem。Forherself，thepoemandthestudyofitsgrowthhadministeredsomuchnourishmenttocertainhealthypoeticseedslyinghardanddryinherbosom，thattheyhadbeguntosprout，indeedtoshootrapidlyup。Donal\'spoemcouldnotfailthereforetobetoherthenceforwardsomethingsacred。Arelatedresultalsowasthatithadmadeherawareofsomethingverydefectiveinherfriend\'sconstitution：shedidnotknowwhetherinherconstitutionmental，moral，orspiritual：probablyitwasinallthree。Doubtless，thoughtArctura，sheknewmostthingsbetterthanshe，andcertainlyhadagreatdealmorecommonsense；but，ontheotherhand，wasshenotsatisfiedwithfarlessthanshecouldbesatisfiedwith？Tobelieveasherfriendbelievedwouldnotsaveherfrominsanity！Shemustbemadeonasmallerscaleofnecessitiesthanherself！HowwassheabletolovetheGodshesaidshebelievedin？Godshouldatleastbeasbeautifulashiscreaturecouldimaginehim！ButMissCarmichaelwouldsayherpoorearthlyimaginationwasnottooccupyitselfwithsuchahighsubject！Oh，whywouldnotGodtellhersomethingabouthimself——somethingdirect——straightfromhimself？Whyshouldsheonlyhearofhimatsecondhand——alwaysandalways？

Alas，poorgirl！secondhand？Fivehundredthhandrather？AndshemighthavebeenallthetimecommuningwiththeveryGodhimself，manifestinhisownshape，whichisoursalso！——allthetimelearningthatherimaginationcouldnever——nottosayoriginate，but，whenpresented，receiveintoittheunspeakableexcessofhisloveliness，ofhisabsolutedevotionandtendernesstothecreatures，thechildrenofhisfather！

IntheabsenceofMissCarmichaelshehadthoughtwithlessoppressionofmanythingsthatinherpresenceappearedghastly-hopeless；nowintheprospectofherreappearanceshebegantofeelwickedindaringathoughtofherownconcerningtheGodthatwasnearertoherthanherthoughts！Suchanunhealthymasteryhadshegainedoverher！WhatiftheymetDonal，andshesawhersmiletohimasshealwaysdidnow！Onethingshewasdeterminedupon——andhereinlaythepledgeofhercomingfreedom！——thatshewouldnotbehavetohimintheleastotherwisethanherwont。Ifshewouldbeworthy，shemustbestraightforward！

Donalandshehadneverhadanyfurthertalk，muchasshewouldhavelikedit，uponthingspoetic。Asamatterofsupposedduty——whereshehadgottheideaIdonotknow——certainlynotfromMissCarmichael，seeingsheapprovedoflittlepoetrybutthatofYoung，Cowper，Pollok，andJamesMontgomery——shehadbeenreadingtheParadiseLost，andwishedmuchtospeakofittoDonal，buthadnotthecourage。

WhenMissCarmichaelcame，sheatonceperceivedadifferenceinher，anditsetherthinking。Shewasnotonetodoorsayanythingwithoutthinkingoveritfirst。Shehadsuchathoroughconfidenceinherjudgment，andsuchapleasureinexercisingit，thatshealmostalwaysrejectedanimpulse。Judgmentwasonthethrone；

feelingunderthefootstool。TherewassomethinginArctura\'scarriagewhichremindedheroftheonlytimewhenshehadstooduponherrankwithher。Thiswasonceshemadearemarkdisparagingafavouritedog：fortheanimalsArcturacouldbraveevenherspiritualnightmare：theywerenotunderthewrathandcurselikemenandwomen，thereforemightbedefended！ShehadonthatoccasionshownsomuchoffencethatMissCarmichaelsaw，ifshewastokeepherinfluenceoverher，shemustavoidrousingthephantomofrankindefenceofprejudice。Shewasnowthereforecareful——saidnexttonothing，butwatchedherkeenly，andnotthelessslylythatshelookedherstraightintheface。Thereisanefforttoseeintothesoulofothersthatisessentiallytreacherous；wherever，friendshipbeingtheostensiblebond，inquiryoutrunsregard，itistreachery——anendeavourtograspmorethanthefriendwouldknowinglygive。

Theywentforalittlewalkinthegrounds；astheyreturnedtheymetDonalgoingoutwithDavie。ArcturaandDonalpassedwithabowandafriendlysmile；Daviestoppedandspoketotheladies，thenboundedafterhisfriend。

“Haveyouattendedthescripture-lessonregularly？”askedMissCarmichael。

“Yes；Ihavebeenabsentonlyonce，Ithink，sinceyouleft，“

repliedArctura。

“Good，mydear！Youhavenotbeenleavingyourlambtothewolf！”

“Ibegintodoubtifhebeawolf。“

“Ah！doeshewearhissheepskinsowell？Areyousureheisnotplottingtodevoursheepandshepherdtogether？”saidMissCarmichael，withanopenglanceofsearch。

“Don\'tyouthink，“suggestedArctura，“whenyouarenotabletosayanything，itwouldbebetternottobepresent？Yoursilencelookslikeagreement。“

“Butyoucanalwaysprotest！Youcanassertheisallwrong。Youcansayyoudonotintheleastagreewithhim！”

“Butwhatifyouarenotsurethatyoudonotagreewithhim？”

“Ithoughtasmuch！”saidMissCarmichaeltoherself。“Imighthaveforeseenthis！”——Hereshespoke——“Ifyouarenotsureyoudoagree，youcansay，\'Ican\'tsayIagreewithyou！\'Itisalwayssafertoadmitlittlethanmuch。“

“Idonotquitefollowyou。Butspeakingoflittleandmuch，IamsureIwantagreatdealmorethanIknowyettosaveme。Ihaveneveryetheardwhatseemsenough。“

“IsthattosayGodhasnotdonehispart？”

“No；itisonlytosaythatIhopehehasdonemorethanIhaveyetheard。“

“Morethansendhissontodieforyoursins？”

“Morethanyousaythatmeans。“

“YouhavebuttobelieveChristdidso。“

“Idon\'tknowthathediedformysins。“

“Hediedforthesinsofthewholeworld。“

“ThenImustbesaved！”

“Yes，ifyoubelievethathemadeatonementforyoursins。“

“ThenIcannotbesavedexceptIbelievethatIshallbesaved。AndIcannotbelieveIshallbesaveduntilIknowIshallbesaved！”

“Youarecavilling，Arctura！Ah，thisiswhatyouhavebeenlearningofMr。Grant！Ioughtnottohavegoneaway！”

“Nothingofthesort！”saidArctura，drawingherselfupalittle。“I

amsorryifIhavesaidanythingwrong；butreallyIcangetholdofnothing！IfeelsometimesasifIshouldgooutofmymind。“

“Arctura，Ihavedonemybestforyou！Ifyouthinkyouhavefoundabetterteacher，nowarning，Ifear，willanylongeravail！”

“IfIdidthinkIhadfoundabetterteacher，nowarningcertainlywould；IamonlyafraidIhavenot。ButofonethingIamsure——thatthethingsMr。Grantteachesaremuchmoretobedesiredthan——“

“Bytheunsanctifiedheart，nodoubt！”saidSophia。

“Theunsanctifiedheart，“rejoinedArctura，astonishedatherownboldness，andthesenseofpowerandfreedomgrowinginherasshespoke，“surelyneedsGodasmuchasthesanctified！ButcantheheartbealtogetherunsanctifiedthatdesirestofindGodsobeautifulandgoodthatitcanworshiphimwithitswholepowerofloveandadoration？OrisGodlessbeautifulandgoodthanthat？”

“WeoughttoworshipGodwhateverheis。“

“Butcouldwelovehimwithallourheartsifhewerenotaltogetherlovable？”

“Hemightnotbethelesstobeworshippedthoughheseemedsotous。Wemustworshiphisjusticeasmuchashislove，hispowerasmuchashisjustice。“

Arcturareturnednoanswer；thewordshadfallenonherheartlikeanice-berg。Shewasnot，however，soutterlyoverwhelmedbythemasshewouldhavebeensometimebefore；shethoughtwithherself，“I

willaskMr。Grant！Iamsurehedoesnotthinklikethat！Worshippowerasmuchaslove！Ibegintothinkshedoesnotunderstandwhatsheistalkingabout！IfIweretomakeacreatureneedingallmylovetomakelifeendurabletohim，andthennotbekindenoughtohim，shouldInotbecruel？WouldInotbetoblame？CanGodbeGodanddoanythingconceivablytoblame——anythingthatisnotaltogetherbeautiful？ShetellsmewecannotjudgewhatitwouldberightforGodtodobywhatitwouldberightforustodo：ifwhatseemsrighttomeisnotrighttoGod，Imustwrongmyconscienceandbeasinnerinordertoservehim！ThenmyconscienceisnotthevoiceofGodinme！HowthenamImadeinhisimage？Whatdoesitmean？Ah，butthatimagehasbeendefacedbythefall！SoIcannottellabitwhatGodislike？ThenhowamItolovehim？Inevercanlovehim！Iamverymiserable！IamnotGod\'schild！

Thus，longafterMissCarmichaelhadtakenacoldlysorrowfulfarewellofher，Arcturawentroundandroundtheoldmill-horserackofherself-questioning：Godwasnottobetrustedinuntilshehaddonesomethingshecouldnotdo，uponwhichhewouldtakeherintohisfavour，andthenshecouldtrusthim！WhataGodtogiveallherheartto，tolongfor，todreamofbeingathomewith！ThenshecomparedMissCarmichaelandDonalGrant，andthoughtwhetherDonalmightnotbeaslikelytoberightasshe。Oh，wherewasassurance，wherewascertaintyaboutanything！Howwassheevertoknow？Whatifthethingshecametoknowforcertainshouldbe——aGodshecouldnotlove！

ThenextdaywasSunday。Davieandhistutorovertookhergoinghomefromchurch。Itcameasofitselftoherlips，andshesaid，“Mr。Grant，howarewetoknowwhatGodislike？”

“\'Philipsaithuntohim，Lord，showustheFatheranditsufficethus。Jesussaithuntohim，HaveIbeensolongtimewithyou，andyethastthounotknownme，Philip？Hethathathseenmehathseenthefather，andhowsayestthouthen，Showusthefather？\'“

ThusansweredDonal，withoutawordofhisown，andthoughthethreewalkedsidebyside，itwastenminutesbeforeanotherwasspoken。

ThenatlastsaidArctura，“IfIcouldbutseeChrist！”

“Itisnotnecessarytoseehimtoknowwhatheislike。Youcanreadwhatthosewhoknewhimsaidhewaslike；thatisthefirststeptounderstandinghim，whichisthetrueseeing；thesecondis，doingwhathetellsyou：whenyouunderstandhim——thereisyourGod！”

>FromthatdayArctura\'ssearchtookanewdeparture。Itisstrangehowoftenonemayhearathing，yetneverhavereallyheardit！Theheartcanhearonlywhatitiscapableofhearing；therefore“thetimesofthisignoranceGodwinkedat；“butalasforhimwhowillnothearwhatheiscapableofhearing！

HisfailuretogetwordorevensightofEppy，togetherwithsomeuneasinessattheconditioninwhichhergrandfathercontinued，inducedlordForguetoaccepttheinvitation——whichhisfatherhadtakenpainstohavesenthim——tospendthreeweeksoramonthwitharelativeinthenorthofEngland。HewouldgladlyhavesentamessagetoEppybeforehewent，buthadnoonehecouldtrustwithit：Daviewastoomuchundertheinfluenceofhistutor！Sohedepartedwithoutsign，andEppysoonimaginedhehaddesertedher。

Foratimehertearsflowedyetmorefreely，butbyandbyshebegantofeelsomethingofreliefinhavingthemattersettled，forshecouldnotseehowtheywereevertobemarried。Shewouldhavebeencontenttolovehimalways，shesaidtoherself，weretherenoprospectofmarriage，orevenweretherenomarriageinquestion；

butwouldhecontinuetocareforherlove？Shedidnotthinkshecouldexpectthat。Sowithmanytearsshegavehimup——orthoughtshedid。Hehadlovedher，andthatwasagrandthing！

Therewasmuchthatwasgood，andsomethingthatwaswiseinthegirl，notwithstandingherfollyinallowingsuchalover。Thetemptationwasgreat：evenifhisattentionswereintheirnaturebuttransient，theyweresweetwhiletheypassed。Idoubtifherlovewasofthedeepestshehadtogive；butwhocantell？Awomanwilllovewhereamancanseenothinglovely。Solongassheisablestilltolove，sheisneverquitetobepitied；butwhenthereactioncomes——？

Sothedulldayswentby。

ButforladyArcturaagreathopehadbeguntodawn——thehope，namely，thattheworldwasinthehand，yeaintheheartofOnewhomsheherselfmightonedaysee，inherinmostsoul，andwithclearesteyes，tobeLoveitself——notaloveshecouldnotcarefor，buttheveryheart，generatingcentre，embracingcircumference，andcrownofallloves。

DonalprayedtoGodforladyArctura，andwaited。Herhourwasnotyetcome，butwascoming！EveryonethatisreadytheFatherbringstoJesus：thediscipleisnotgreaterthanhismaster，andmustnotthinktohastenthehour，orleadonewhoisnotyettaughtofGod；

hemustnotbemiserableaboutanotherasifGodhadforgottenhim。

StrangehelpersofGodweshallbe，if，thinkingtodohiswork，weactasifhewereneglectingit！TowaitforGod，believingithisonedesigntoredeemhiscreatures，readytoputthehandto，themomenthishourstrikes，isthefaithfitforafellow-workerwithhim！

CHAPTERXXXIX。

THECASTLE-ROOF。

OnestormyFridaynightinthemonthofMarch，whenabittereastwindwasblowing，Donal，seatedattheplaindeal-tablehehadgotMrs。Brookestofindhimthathemightuseitregardlessofink，wasdrawinguponitadiagram，inquestofasimplificationforDavie，whenasuddensenseofcoldmadehimcastaglanceathisfire。Hehadbeenawarethatitwassinking，but，astherewasnofuelintheroom，hadforgottenitagain：itwasverylow，andhemustatoncefetchbothwoodandcoal！Incertaindirectionsanddegreesofwindthiswasratheraticklishtask；buthehadtakentheprecautionofputtinguphereandthereabitofrope。Closingthedoorbehindhimtokeepinwhatwarmthhemight，andascendingthestairsafewfeethigher，hesteppedoutonthebartizan，andsoroundthetowertotheroof。Therehestoodforamomenttolookabouthim。

Itwasamoonlitnight，sofarastheclouds，blowninhugeandalmostcontinuousmassesovertheheavens，wouldpermitthelightofthemoontoemerge。Theroaringoftheseacamelikealowrollingmistacrosstheflats。Theairgloomedanddarkenedandlightenedagainaroundhim，asthefoldsofthecloud-blanketoverheadweretorn，ordroppedtrailing，orgatheredagaininthearmsofthehurryingwind。Ashestood，itseemedsuddenlytochange，andtakeatouchofsouthinitsblowing。Thesameinstantcametohisearaloudwail：itwastheghost-music！Therewasinitthecryofadiscord，minglingwithawildrollingchangeofharmonies。Hestood“likeoneforbid，“andlistenedwithallhispower。Itcameagain，andagain，andwasmorecontinuousthanhehadeverhearditbefore。

Herewasnowachanceindeedoftracingithome！Asagaze-houndwithhiseyes，asasleuth-houndwithhisnose，hestoodreadytostarthuntingwithhislistinglisteningear。Theseemingapproachandrecessionofthesoundsmightbeoccasionedbychangesintheirstrength，notbyanychangeofposition！

“Itmustcomefromsomewhereontheroof！”hesaid，andsettingdownthepailhehadbrought，hegotonhishandsandknees，firsttoescapethewindinhisears，andnexttodiminishitsholdonhisperson。Overroofafterroofhecreptlikeacat，stoppingtolisteneverytimeanewgushofthesoundcame，thenstartingafreshinthesearchforitssource。Uponagreatgatheringofroofslikethese，erectedatvarioustimesonvariouslevels，andwithallkindsofarchitecturalaccommodationsofoneparttoanother，soundwouldbevariouslydeflected，andasdifficulttotraceasinsidethehouse！

Carelessofcoldordanger，hepersisted，creepingup，creepingdown，overflatleads，overslopingslates，overgreatroofingstones，alonglowparapets，androundticklishcorners——followingthesoundever，asacataflittingunconsciousbird：whenitceased，hewouldkeepslowlyoninthedirectionlastchosen。

Sometimes，whenthemoonwasmoreprofoundlyobscured，hewouldhavetostopaltogether，unabletogetapeepofhisway。

Ononesuchoccasion，whenitwasnearlypitch-dark，andthesoundhadforsometimeceased，hewascrouchinguponahigh-pitchedroofofgreatslabs，hisfingersclutchedaroundtheedgesofoneofthem，andhismountaineeringhabitsstandinghimingoodstead，protectedalittlefromtheforceoftheblastbyahugestackofchimneysthatrosetowindward：whileheclungthuswaiting——louderthanhehadyetheardit，almostinhisveryear，arosethemusicalghost-cry——thistimelikethatofasoulintorture。Themooncameout，asatthecry，tosee，butDonalcouldspynothingtosuggestitsorigin。Asifdisappointed，themooninstantlywithdrew，thedarknessagainfell，andthewindrusheduponhimfullofkeenslantingrain，asifwithfierceintentofprotectingthesecret：

therewaslittlechanceofsuccessthatnight！hemustbreakoffthehunttilldaylight！Iftherewasanymaterialfactorinthesound，hewouldbebetterabletodiscoveritthen！Bythegreatchimney-stackhecouldidentifythespotwherehehadbeennearesttoit！Thereremainedforthepresentbutthetaskoffindinghiswaybacktohistower。

Adifficulttaskitwas——moredifficultthanheanticipated。Hehadnotanideainwhatdirectionhistowerlay——hadnotanideaofthetrack，iftrackitcouldbecalled，bywhichhehadcome。Onethingonlywasclear——itwassomewhereelsethanwherehewas。Hesetouttherefore，likeanyhonestpilgrimwhoknowsonlyhemustgosomewhereelse，andbeganhiswanderings。Hefoundhimselffarmoreobstructedthanincoming。Againandagainhecouldgonofartherinthedirectionhewastrying，againandagainhadtoturnandtryanother。Itwashalf-an-houratleastbeforehecametoaspotheknew，andbythattime，withtherainthewindhadfallenalittle。

Againstabreakinthecloudshesawtheoutlineofoneofhisstore-sheds，andhiswaywasthenceforwardplain。Hecaughtuphispail，filleditwithcoalandwood，andhastenedtohisnestasquicklyascrampedjointswouldcarryhim，hopelessalmostoffindinghisfirestillalive。

Butwhenhereachedthestair，andhadgonedownafewsteps，hesawastrangesight：belowhim，athisdoor，withasmallwax-taperinherhand，stoodtheformofawoman，inthepostureofonewhohadjustknocked，andwashearkeningforananswer。Sointentwasshe，andsoloudwasthewindamongtheroofs，thatshehadnotheardhisstep，andhestoodamomentafraidtospeaklestheshouldstartleher。Presentlysheknockedagain。Hemadeanattemptatventriloquy，sayinginavoicetosoundfartheroffthanitwas，“Comein。“A

handrosetothelatch，andopenedthedoor。BythehandheknewitwasladyArctura。

“Welcometothestormysky，mylady！”hesaid，asheenteredtheroomafterher——apleasantobjectafterhiscrawlingexcursion！

Shestartedalittleathisvoicebehindher，andturningwasmorestartledstill。

Donalwasmorelikeachimney-sweepthanatutorinalord\'scastle。

Hewasbegrimedandblackenedfromheadtofoot，andcarriedapailfulofcoalsandwood。Readingreadilyherlook，hemadehastetoexplain。

“Ihavebeenontheroofforthelasthour，“hesaid。

“Whatwereyoudoingthere，“sheasked，withastrangeminglingofexpressions，“insuchanight？”

“Iheardthemusic，mylady——theghost-music，youknow，thathauntsthecastle，and——“

“Iheardittoo，“shemurmured，withalookalmostofterror。“I

haveoftenhearditbefore，butneversoloudasto-night。Haveyouanynotionaboutit，Mr。Grant？”

“Nonewhatever——exceptthatIamnearlysureitcomesfromsomewhereabouttheroof。“

“Ifyoucouldclearupthemystery！”

“Ihavesomehopeofit——Youarenotfrightened，mylady？”

Shehadcaughtholdofthebackofachair。

“Dositdown。Iwillgetyousomewater。“

“No，no；Ishallberightinamoment！”sheanswered。“Yourstairhastakenmybreathaway。ButmyuncleisinsuchastrangeconditionthatIcouldnothelpcomingtoyou。“

“Ihaveseenhimmyself，morethanonce，verystrange。“

“Willyoucomewithme？”

“Anywhere。“

“Comethen。“

Shelefttheroom，andledtheway，bythelightofherdimtaper，downthestair。Aboutthemiddleofit，shestoppedatadoor，andturningsaid，withasmilelikethatofachild，andthefirstuntroubledlookDonalhadyetseenuponherface——

“Howdelightfulitistobetakenoutoffear！Iamnottheleastafraidnow！”

“Iamveryglad，“saidDonal。“Ishouldliketokillfear；itistheshadowthatfollowsattheheelsofwrong——Doyouthinkthemusichasanythingtodowithyouruncle\'scondition？”

“Idonotknow。“

Sheturnedagainhastily，andpassingthroughthedoor，enteredapartofthehousewithwhichDonalhadnoacquaintance。Withmanybewilderingturns，sheledhimtothegreatstaircase，downwhichshecontinuedhercourse。Thehousewasverystill：itmustsurelybelaterthanhehadthought——onlythereweresofewservantsinitforitsextent！Hisguidewentveryfast，withasteplightasabird\'s：atonemomenthehadallbutlostsightofherinthegreatcurve。AttheroominwhichDonalfirstsawtheearl，shestopped。

Thedoorwasopen，buttherewasnolightwithin。Sheledhimacrosstothedoorofthelittlechamberbehind。Amurmur，butnolight，camefromit。Inamomentitwasgone，andthedeepestsilencefilledtheworld。Arcturaentered。Onestepwithinthedoorshestoodstill，andheldhighhertaper。Donallookedinsideways。

Asmallboxwasontheflooragainstthefootofthefarthestwall，andonthebox，inalongdressinggownofrichfadedstuff，thesilkandgoldinwhichshonefeeblyinthedimlight，stoodthetallmeagreformoftheearl，withhisbacktothedoor，hisfacetothewall，closetoit，andhisarmsandhandsstretchedoutagainstit，likeoneuponacross。Hestoodwithoutmovingamuscleorutteringasound。Whatcoulditmean？Donalgazedinablankdismay。

Notaminutehadpassed，thoughitwastohimalongandpainfultime，whenthemurmuringcameagain。Helistenedastoavoicefromanotherworld——athingterribletothosewhosefeardwellsinanotherworld。ButtoDonalitwasterribleasavoicefromnootherworldcouldhavebeen；itcamefromanunseenworldofsinandsuffering——aworldalmostanegationoftheeternal，aworldofdarknessandtheshadowofdeath。Butsurelytherewashopeforthatworldyet！——forwhosewerethewordsinwhichitsindwellingdespairgrewaudible？

“Andweindeedjustly；forwereceivetheduerewardofourdeeds；

butthismanhathdonenothingamiss！”

Againthesilencefell，buttheformdidnotmove，andstilltheystoodregardinghim。

>Fromfarawaycamethesoundoftheghost-music。Theheadagainstthewallbegantomoveasifwakingfromsleep。Thehandssankalongthewallandfellbythesides。Theearlgaveadeepsigh，butstillstoodleaninghisforeheadagainstthewall。

Arcturaturned，andtheylefttheroom。

Shewentdownthestair，andontothelibrary。Itsdarkoakcasesandoldbindingsreflectedhardlyarayofthepoortapershecarried；butthefirewasnotyetquiteout。Shesetdownthelight，andlookedatDonalinsilence。

“Whatdoesitallmean？”heaskedinahoarsewhisper。

“Godknows！”shereturnedsolemnly。

“Arewesafe？”heasked。“Mayhenotcomehere？”

“Idonotthinkhewill。Ihaveseenhiminmanypartsofthehouse，butneverhere。“

Evenasshespokethedoorswungnoiselesslyopen，andtheearlentered。Hisfacewasghastlypale；hiseyeswerewideopen；hecamestraighttowardsthem。Buthedidnotseethem；orifhedid，hesawthembutasphantomsofthedreaminwhichhewaswalking——phantomswhichhadnotyetbecomeactiveinthedream。Hedrewachairtotheembers，inhisfancydoubtlessagreatfire，satforamomentortwogazingintothem，rose，wentthewholelengthoftheroom，tookdownabook，returnedwithittothefire，drewtowardshimArctura\'stinytaper，openedthebook，andbegantoreadinanaudiblemurmur。

Donal，tryingafterwardstorecallandsetdownwhathehadheard，wrotenothingbetterthanthis：——

Intheheartoftheearth-caveLaytheking。

ThroughchancelandchoirandnaveThebellsring。

Saidthewormathisside，Sweetfool，Turntothybride；

Isthenightsocool？

WouldstthoulielikeastonetilltheachingmornOutofthedarkbeborn？

Heavilypressedthenightenorm，Butheheardthevoiceoftheworm，Likethesoundofamutteredthunderlow，Intherealmswherenofeetgo。

Andhesaid，Iwillrise，Iwillwillmyselfglad；

Iwillopenmyeyes，Andnomoresleepsad。

ForwhoisagodButthemanwhocanspringUpfromthesod，Andbehisownking？

Iwillmodelmygladness，Digmydespair——

AndletgoodnessorbadnessBefolly\'sowncare！

Iwillhecontent，AndtheworldshallspinroundTillitsforcebeoutspent。

ItshalldropLikeatopSpunbyaboy，WhileIsitinmytent，Inafeaturelessjoy——

Sitwithoutsound，Andtossupmyworld，TillitburstandbedrownedIntheblacknessupcurled>Fromthedeephell-ground。

ThedreamsofagodAretheworldsofhisslaves：

Iwillbemyowngod，Andrulemyownknaves！

Hewentoninthiswayforsomeminutes；thentherimesgrewlessperfect，andtheutterancesankintomeasuredprose。Thetoneofthespeakershowedthathetookthestuffforglowingverse，andregardeditasembodyinghisownpresentconsciousness。Onemighthavethoughtthewormwouldhaveawordtosayinrejoinder；butno；

thewormhadvanished，andtheburieddreamerhadmadehimselfagod——hisowngod！Donalstoleupsoftlybehindhim，andpeepedattheopenbook：itwastheNovumOrganum！

Theyglidedoutoftheroom，andleftthedreamertohisdreams。

“Doyouthink，“saidDonal，“IoughttotellSimmons？”

“Itwouldbebetter。Doyouknowwheretofindhim？”

“Idonot。“

“Iwillshowyouabellthatringsinhisroom。Hewillthinkhislordshiphasrungit。“

Theywentandrangthebell。Inaminuteortwotheyheardthestepsofthefaithfulservantseekinghismaster，andbadeeachothergood-night。

CHAPTERXL。

ARELIGION-LESSON。

InthemorningDonallearnedfromSimmonsthathismasterwasveryill——couldnotraisehishead。

“Thewayhedomoanandcry！”saidSimmons。“Youwouldthinksurehewaseitheroutofhismind，orhadsomethingheavyuponit！AlltheyearsIknownhim，hebeenlikethateverynowan\'then，andbacktohisoldselfagain，littletheworse！Onlythefitsdocomeoftener。“

Towardsthecloseofschool，asDonalwasbeginningtogivehislessoninreligion，ladyArcturaentered，andsatdownbesideDavie。

“Whatwouldyouthinkofme，Davie，“Donalwassaying，“ifIwereangrywithyoubecauseyoudidnotknowsomethingIhadnevertaughtyou？”

Davieonlylaughed。Itwastohimagrotesque，animpossiblesupposition。

“If，“Donalresumed，“IweretoshowyouapropositionofEuclidwhichyouhadneverseenbefore，andsaytoyou，\'Now，Davie，thisisoneofthemostbeautifulofallEuclid\'spropositions，andyoumustimmediatelyadmireit，andadmireEuclidforconstructingit！\'——whatwouldyousay？”

Daviethought，andlookedpuzzled。

“Butyouwouldn\'tdoit，sir！”hesaid。“——Iknowyouwouldn\'tdoit！”headded，afteramoment。

“WhyshouldInot？”

“Itisn\'tyourway，sir。“

“ButsupposeIweretotakethatway？”

“Youwouldnotthenbelikeyourself，sir！”

“TellmehowIshouldbeunlikemyself。Think。“

“Youwouldnotbereasonable。“

“Whatwouldyousaytome？”

“Ishouldsay，\'Please，sir，letmelearnthepropositionfirst，andthenIshallbeabletoadmireit。Idon\'tknowityet！\'“

“Verygood！——Nowagain，suppose，whenyoutriedtolearnit，youwerenotabletodoso，andthereforecouldseenobeautyinit——shouldIblameyou？”

“No，sir；Iamsureyouwouldnot——becauseIshouldnotbetoblame，anditwouldnotbefair；andyouneverdowhatisnotfair！”

“Iamgladyouthinkso：Itrytobefair——Thatlooksasifyoubelievedinme，Davie！”

“OfcourseIdo，sir！”

“Why？”

“Justbecauseyouarefair。“

“Suppose，Davie，Isaidtoyou，\'HereisaverybeautifulthingI

shouldlikeyoutolearn，\'andyou，afteryouhadpartlylearnedit，weretosay\'Idon\'tseeanythingbeautifulinthis：IamafraidI

nevershall！\'——wouldthatbetobelieveinme？”

“No，surely，sir！foryouknowbestwhatIamablefor。“

“Supposeyousaid，\'Idaresayitisallasgoodasyousay，butI

don\'tcaretotakesomuchtroubleaboutit，\'——whatwouldthatbe？”

“Nottobelieveinyou，sir。Youwouldnotwantmetolearnathingthatwasnotworthmytrouble，orathingIshouldnotbegladofknowingwhenIdidknowit。“

“Supposeyousaid，\'Sir，Idon\'tdoubtwhatyousay，butIamsotired，Idon\'tmeantodoanythingmoreyoutellme，\'——wouldyouthenbebelievinginme？”

“No。Thatmightbetobelieveyourword，butitwouldnotbetotrustyou。Itwouldbetothinkmythinksbetterthanyourthinks，andthatwouldbenofaithatall。“

Daviehadattimesanoddlychildishwayofputtingthings。

“Supposeyouweretosaynothing，butgoawayanddonothingofwhatItoldyou——whatwouldthatbe？”

“Worseandworse；itwouldbesneaking。“

“Onequestionmore：whatisfaith——thebigfaithImean——notthelittlefaithbetweenequals——thebigfaithweputinoneaboveus？”

“Itistogoatonceanddothethinghetellsustodo。“

“Ifwedon\'t，thenwehaven\'tfaithinhim？”

“No；certainlynot。“

“Butmightnotthatbehisfault？”

“Yes——ifhewasnotgood——andsoIcouldnottrusthim。IfhesaidI

wastodoonekindofthing，andhedidanotherkindofthinghimself，thenofcourseIcouldnothavefaithinhim。“

“Andyetyoumightfeelyoumustdowhathetoldyou！”

“Yes。“

“Wouldthatbefaithinhim？”

“No。“

“Wouldyoualwaysdowhathetoldyou？”

“Notifhetoldmetodowhatitwouldbewrongtodo。“

“Nowtellme，Davie，whatisthebiggestfaithofall——thefaithtoputintheoneonlyaltogethergoodperson。“

“YoumeanGod，Mr。Grant？”

“WhomelsecouldImean？”

“YoumightmeanJesus。“

“Theyareone；theymeanalwaysthesamething，doalwaysthesamething，alwaysagree。Thereisonlyonethingtheydon\'tdothesamein——theydonotlovethesameperson。“

“Whatdoyoumean，Mr。Grant？”interruptedArctura。

Shehadbeenlisteningintently：wastheclovenfootofMr。Grant\'sheresynowatlastabouttoappearplainly？

“Imeanthis，“answeredDonal，withasmilethatseemedtoArcturasuchalightasshehadneverseenonhumanface，“——thatGodlovesJesus，notGod；andJesuslovesGod，notJesus。Weloveoneanother，notourselves——don\'twe，Davie？”

“Youdo，Mr。Grant，“answeredDaviemodestly。

“Nowtellme，Davie，whatisthegreatbigfaithofall——thatwhichwehavetoputintheFatherofus，whoisasgoodnotonlyasthoughtcanthink，butasgoodasheartcanwish——infinitelybetterthananybodybutJesusChristcanthink——whatisthefaithtoputinhim？”

“Oh，itiseverything！”answeredDavie。

“Butwhatfirst？”askedDonal。

“First，itistodowhathetellsus。“

“Yes，Davie：itistolearnhisproblemsbygoinganddoinghiswill；nottryingtounderstandthingsfirst，buttryingfirsttodothings。Wemustspreadoutourarmstohimasachilddoestohismotherwhenhewantshertotakehim；thenwhenhesetsusdown，saying，\'Goanddothisorthat，\'wemustmakeallthehasteinustogoanddoit。Andwhenwegethungrytoseehim，wemustlookathispicture。“

“Whereisthat，sir？”

“Ah，Davie，Davie！don\'tyouknowthatyet？Don\'tyouknowthat，besidesbeinghimself，andjustbecauseheishimself，JesusisthelivingpictureofGod？”

“Iknow，sir！Wehavetogoandreadabouthiminthebook。“

“MayIaskyouaquestion，Mr。Grant？”saidArctura。

“Withperfectfreedom，“answeredDonal。“IonlyhopeImaybeabletoanswerit。“

“WhenwereadaboutJesus，wehavetodrawforourselveshislikenessfromwords，andyouknowwhatkindofalikenessthebestartistwouldmakethatway，whohadneverseenwithhisowneyesthepersonwhoseportraithehadtopaint！”

“Iunderstandyouquite，“returnedDonal。“Somegotoothermentodrawitforthem；andsomegotootherstohearfromthemwhattheymustdraw——thusgettingalltheirblundersinadditiontothosetheymustmakeforthemselves。Butthenearestlikenessyoucanseeofhim，istheonedrawnbyyourselfwhiledoingwhathetellsyou。Hehaspromisedtocomeintothosewhokeephisword。Hewillthenbemuchnearertothemthaninbodilypresence；andsuchmaywellbeabletodrawforthemselvesthelikenessofGod——Butfirstofall，andbeforeeverythingelse，mind，Davie，OBEDIENCE！”

“Yes，Mr。Grant；Iknow，“saidDavie。

“Thenoffwithyou！OnlythinksometimesitisGodwhogaveyouyourgame。“

“I\'mgoingtoflymykite，Mr。Grant。“

“Do。Godlikestoseeyouflyyourkite，anditisallinhisMarchwinditflies。Itcouldnotgoupafootbutforthat。“

Daviewent。

“Youhaveheardthatmyuncleisveryillto-day！”saidArctura。

“Ihave。Poorman！”repliedDonal。

“Hemustbeinaverypeculiarcondition。“

“Ofbodyandmindboth。Hegreatlyperplexesme。“

“YouwouldbequiteasmuchperplexedifyouhadknownhimaslongasIhave！Neversincemyfather\'sdeath，whichseemsacenturyago，haveIfeltsafe；neverinmyuncle\'spresenceatease。Igetnonearertohim。Itseemstome，Mr。Grant，thatthecauseofdiscomfortandstrifeisneverthatwearetoonearothers，butthatwearenotnearenough。“

ThiswasaremarkafterDonal\'sownheart。

“Iunderstandyou，“hesaid，“andentirelyagreewithyou。“

“Ineverfeelthatmyunclecaresformeexceptasoneofthefamily，andtheholderofitschiefproperty。Hewouldhavelikedmebetter，perhaps，ifIhadbeendependentonhim。“

“Howlongwillhebeyourguardian？”askedDonal。

“Heisnolongermyguardianlegally。Thetimesetbymyfather\'swillendedlastyear。Iamthreeandtwenty，andmyownmistress。

Butofcourseitismuchbettertohavetheheadofthehousewithme。Iwishhewerealittlemorelikeotherpeople！——Buttellmeabouttheghost-music：wehadnottimetotalkofitlastnight！”

“Igotprettyneartheplaceitcamefrom。Butthewindblewso，anditwassodark，thatIcoulddonothingmorethen。“

“Youwilltryagain？”

“Ishallindeed。“

“Iamafraid，ifyoufindanaturalcauseforit，Ishallbealittlesorry。“

“Howcantherebeanyotherthananaturalcause，mylady？GodandNatureareone。GodisthecausingNature——Tellme，isnotthemusicheardonlyinstormynights，oratleastnightswithagooddealofwind？”

“Ihavehearditinthedaytime！”

“Onastillday？”

“Ithinknot。IthinktooIneverhearditonastillsummernight。“

“Doyouthinkitcomesinallstorms？”

“Ithinknot。“

“Thenperhapsithassomethingtodonotmerelywiththewind，butwiththedirectionofthewind！”

“Perhaps。Icannotsay。“

“Thatmightaccountfortheuncertaintyofitsvisits！Theinstrumentmaybeaccessible，yetitsconversewiththeoperatingpowersorarethatithasnotyetbeendiscovered。Itisacaseinwhichexperimentisnotpermittedus：wecannotmakeawindblow，neithercanwevarythedirectionofthewindblowing；observationaloneisleftus，andthatcanbeonlyatsuchtimeswhenthesoundisheard。“

“Thenyoucandonothingtillthemusiccomesagain？”

“IthinkIcandosomethingnow；for，lastnightIseemedsoneartheplacewhencethesoundswerecoming，thattheeyemaynowbeabletosupplementtheear，andfindthemusic-birdsilentonhernest。Ifthewindfall，asIthinkitwillintheafternoon，IshallgoagainandseewhetherIcanfindanything。Inoticedlastnightthatsimultaneouslywiththesoundcameachangeinthewind——towardsthesouth，Ithink——WhatanightitwasafterIleftyou！”

“Ithink，“saidArctura，“thewindhassomethingtodowithmyuncle\'sfits。Wasthereanythingverystrangeaboutitlastnight？

Whenthewindblowssoangrily，Ialwaysthinkofthatpassageabouttheprinceofthepoweroftheairbeingthespiritthatworksinthechildrenofdisobedience。Tellmewhatitmeans。“

“Idonotknowwhatitmeans，“answeredDonal；“butIsupposetheepithetinvolvesasymbolofthedifferencebetweenthewindofGodthatinspiresthespiritualtrueselfofman，andthewindoftheworldthatworksbythousandsofimpulsesandinfluencesinthelower，theselfishselfofchildrenthatwillnotobey。IwilllookatthepassageandseewhatIcanmakeoutofit。Onlythespiritualandthenaturalblendsothatwemayonedaybeastonished！——Wouldyouliketojointhemusic-hunt，mylady？”

“Doyoumean，goontheroof？ShouldIbeable？”

“Iwouldnothaveyougointhenight，andthewindblowing，“saidDonalwithalaugh；“butyoucancomeandsee，andjudgeforyourself。Thebartizanistheonlyanxiousplace，butasImeantotakeDaviewithme，youmaythinkIdonotcountitverydangerous！”

“WillitbesafeforDavie？”

“IcanventuremorewithDaviethanwithanother：heobeysinamoment。“

“Iwillobeytooifyouwilltakeme，“saidArctura。

“Then，please，cometotheschoolroomatfouro\'clock。Butweshallnotgoexceptthewindbefallen。“

WhenDavieheardwhathistutorproposed，hewasfilledwiththerestlessnessofanticipation。OftenwhilehelpingDonalwithhisfuel，hehadgazedupathimontheroofwithlongingeyes，butDonalhadneverlethimgouponit。

CHAPTERXLI。

THEMUSIC-NEST。

Thehourcame，andwiththeverystrokeoftheclock，ladyArcturaandDaviewereintheschoolroom。Amomentmore，andtheysetouttoclimbthespiralofBaliol\'stower。

ButwhatadifferentladywasArcturathisafternoon！Shewascheerful，evenmerry——withDavie，almostjolly。Hersoulhadmanyalternatinglightsandglooms，butitwasseldomornevernowsocloudedaswhenfirstDonalsawher。Inthesolitudeofherchamber，wheremostthesimplesoulshouldbeconsciousoflifeasablessedness，shewasyetoftenhauntedbyghastlyshapesoffear；

buttherealsootherformshadbeguntodrawnightoher；sweetestraysofhopewouldeverandanonbreakthroughtheclouds，andmockthedarknessfromherpresence。PerhapsGodmightmeanasthoroughlywellbyherasevenherimaginationcouldwish！

Doesadullreaderremarkthatherswasadiseasedstateofmind？——I

answer，Themoresheneededtobesavedfromitwiththeonlyrealdeliverancefromanyill！Buthermisery，howeverdiseased，wasinfinitelymorereasonablethanthehealthyjoyofsuchastroublethemselvesaboutnothing。Somesicknessesarebetterthananybutthetruehealth。

“Ineverthoughtyouwerelikethis，Arkie！”saidDavie。“YouarejustasifyouhadcometoschooltoMr。Grant！Youwouldsoonknowhowmuchhappieritistohavesomebodyyoumustmind！”

“Ifhavingme，Davie，“saidDonal，“doesn\'thelpyoutobehappywithoutme，therewillnothavebeenmuchgooddone。WhatIwantmosttoteachyouis，toleavethedooralwaysonthelatch，forsomeone——youknowwhomImean——tocomein。“

“Racemeupthestair，Arkie，“saidDavie，whentheycametothefootofthespiral。

“Verywell，“assentedhiscousin。

“Whichsidewillyouhave——thebroadorthenarrow？”

“Thebroad。“

“Wellthen——one，two，three，andawaywego！”

Daviemountedlikeaclevergoat，hishandandarmonthenewel，andslippinglightlyroundit。Arctura\'sascentwaseasierbutslower：

shefoundhergarmentsinherway，thereforeyieldedtherace，andwaitedforDonal。Davie，thinkingheheardherfootstepsbehindhimallthetime，flewupshriekingwiththesweetterroroflove\'spursuit。

“Whatadarlingtheboyhasgrown！”saidArcturawhenDonalovertookher。

“Yes，“answeredDonal；“onewouldthinksuchachildmightrunstraightintothekingdomofheaven；butIsupposehemusthavehistemptationsandtrialsfirst：outofthestormalonecomesthetruepeace。“

“Willpeacecomeoutofallstorms？”

“Itrustso。Everypainandeveryfear，everydoubtisacryafterGod。Whatmotherrefusestogotoherchildbecauseheisonlycrying——notcallingherbyname！”

“Oh，ifIcouldbutbelievesoaboutGod！ForifitbeallrightwithGod——ImeanifGodbesuchaGodastobelovedwiththeheartandsoulofloving，thenalliswell。Isitnot，Mr。Grant？”

“Indeeditis！——Andyouarenotfarfromthekingdomofheaven，“hewasonthepointofsaying，butdidnot——becauseshewasinitalready，onlyunableyettoverifythethingsaroundher，likethemanwhohadbuthalf-wayreceivedhissight。

Whentheyreachedthetop，hetookthempasthisdoor，andhigherupthestairtothenext，openingonthebartizan。HerehesaidladyArcturamustcomewithhimfirst，andDaviemustwaittillhecamebackforhim。Whenhehadthembothsafeontheroof，hetoldDavietokeepclosetohiscousinorhimselfallthetime。Heshowedthemfirsthisstoresoffuel——hisammunition，hesaid，forfightingthewinter。Nexthepointedoutwherehestoodwhenfirstheheardthemusicthenightbefore，andsetdownhisbuckettofollowit；andwherehefoundthebucket，blownthitherbythewind，whenhecamebacktofeelforitinthedark。Thenhebegantoleadthem，asnearlyashecould，thewayhehadthengone，butwithsome，forArctura\'ssake，desirabledetours：overonesteep-slopingrooftheyhadtocross，hefoundalittlestairupthemiddle，anddowntheotherside。

Theycametoapartwherehewasnotquitesureabouttheway。Ashestoppedtobethinkhimself，theyturnedandlookedeastward。Theseawasshininginthesun，andtheflatwetcountrybetweenwassobrightthattheycouldnottellwherethelandendedandtheseabegan。Butastheygazedagreatcloudcameoverthesun，theseaturnedcoldandgrayasdeath——atrueMarchsea，andthelandlaylowanddesolatebetween。Thespringwasgoneandthewinterwasthere。Agustofwind，fullofkeenhail，drovesharpintheirfaces。

“Ah，thatsettlesthequestion！”saidDonal。“Themusic-birdmustwait。Wewillcalluponheranotherday——Itisfunny，isn\'tit，Davie，togoabird\'s-nestingaftermusicontheroofofahouse？”

“Hark！”saidArctura；“IthinkIheardthemusic-bird！——Shewantsustofindhernest！Ireallydon\'tthinkweoughttogobackforalittleblastofwind，andafewpelletsofhail！Whatdoyouthink，Davie？”

“Oh，forme，Iwouldn\'tturnforeversobigastorm！”saidDavie；

“butyouknow，Arkie，it\'snotyouorme，Arkie！Mr。Grantisthecaptainofthisexpedition，andwemustdoashebidsus。“

“Oh，surely，Davie！Inevermeanttodisputethat。OnlyMr。Grantisnotatyrant；hewillletaladysaywhatshethinks！”

“Oh，yes，oraboyeither！HelikesmetosaywhatIthink！Hesayswecan\'tgetateachotherwithout。Anddoyouknow——heobeysmesometimes！”

Arcturaglancedakeenquestionattheboy。

“Itisquitetrue！”saidDavie，whileDonallistenedsmiling。“Lastwinter，fordaystogether——notallday，youknow：Ihadtoobeyhimmostofthetime！butatcertaintimes，IwasassureofMr。GrantdoingasItoldhim，asheisnowofmedoingashetellsme。“

“Whattimeswerethose？”askedArctura，thinkingtohearofsomeoddpedagogicdevice。

“WhenIwasteachinghimtoskate！”answeredDavie，inatriumphofremembrance。“HesaidIknewbetterthanhethere，andsohewouldobeyme。Youwouldn\'tbelievehowsplendidlyhedidit，Arkie——outandout！”concludedDavie，inatonealmostofawe。

“Oh，yes，Iwouldbelieveit——perfectly！”saidArctura。

Donalsuddenlythrewanarmroundeachofthem，andpulledthemdownsitting。Thesameinstantafierceblastburstupontheroof。Hehadseenthesquallwhiteningthesea，andlookingnearerhomesawthetopsofthetreesbetweenstreamingleveltowardsthecastle。Butseatedtheywereinnodanger。

“Hark！”saidArcturaagain；“thereitis！”