第9章

Theyallheardthewailingcryoftheghost-music。Butwhiletheblastcontinuedtheydarednotpursuetheirhunt。Itkeptoninfitsandguststillthesquallceased——assuddenlyalmostasithadburst。Theskycleared，andthesunshoneasaMarchsuncan。Buttheblunderingblastsandtheswan-shotoftheflyinghailwereallaboutstill。

“Whenthestormisuponus，“remarkedDonal，astheyrosefromtheircrouchingposition，“itseemsasiftherenevercouldbesunshinemore；butourhopelessnessdoesnotkeepbackthesunwhenhishourtoshineiscome。“

“Iunderstand！”saidArctura：“whenoneismiserable，miseryseemsthelawofbeing；andinthemidstofitdwellssomethoughtwhichnothingcaneversetright！Allatonceitisgone，brokenupandgone，likethathail-cloud。Itjustlooksitsownfoolishnessandvanishes。“

“Doyouknowwhythingssooftencomeright？”saidDonal。“——Iwouldsayalwayscomeright，butthatismatteroffaith，notsight。“

Arcturadidnotansweratonce。

“IthinkIknowwhatyouarethinking，“shesaid，“butIwanttohearyouansweryourownquestion。“

“Whydothingscomerightsooften，doyouthink，Davie？”repeatedDonal。

“Isit，“returnedDavie，“becausetheyweremaderighttobeginwith？”

“Thereismuchinthat，Davie；butthereisabetterreasonthanthat。Itisbecausethingsarealive，andthelifeattheheartofthem，thatwhichkeepsthemgoing，isthegreat，beautifulGod。Sothesunforeverreturnsaftertheclouds。Adoubtingman，likehimwhowrotethebookofEcclesiasties，putstheevillast，andsays\'thecloudsreturnaftertherain；\'buttheChristianknowsthatOnehasmasteryWhomakesthejoythelastineverysong。“

“Youspeaklikeonewhohassuffered！”saidArctura，withakindlookinhisface。

“Whohasnotthatlives？”

“Itishowyouareabletohelpothers！”

“AmIabletohelpothers？Iamverygladtohearit。Myambitionwouldbetohelp，ifIhadanyambition。ButifIamable，itisbecauseIhavebeenhelpedmyself，notbecauseIhavesuffered。“

“Willyoutellmewhatyoumeanbysayingyouhavenoambition？”

“Whereyourworkislaidoutforyou，thereisnoroomforambition：

youhavegotyourworktodo！——Butgivemeyourhand，mylady；putyourotherhandonmyshoulder。Youstopthere，Davie，anddon\'tmovetillIcometoyou。Now，mylady——alittlejump！That\'sit！Nowyouaresafe！——Youwerenotafraid，wereyou？”

“Notintheleast。Butdidyoucomehereinthedark？”

“Yes。Thereisthisadvantageinthedark：youdonotseehowdangerousthewayis。Wetakethedarknessaboutusforthesourceofourdifficulties：itisagreatmistake。ChristianwouldhardlyhavedaredgothroughtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath，hadhenothadtheshieldofthedarknessallabouthim。“

“Canthedarknessbeashield？Isitnottheevilthing？”

“Yes，thedarkthatiswithinus——thedarkofdistrustandunwillingness，butnottheoutsidedarkofmerehumanignorance。

Wherewedonotsee，weareprotected。Wherewearemostignorantandmostindanger，isinthosethingsthataffectthelifeofGodinus：theretheFatheriseverymomentwatchinghischild。Ifhewerenotconstantlypardoningandpunishingoursins，whatwouldbecomeofus！Wemustlearntotrusthimaboutourfaultsasmuchasabouteverythingelse！”

Intheearnestnessofhistalkhehadstopped，butnowturnedandwenton。

“Thereismyland-，orroof-markrather！”hesaid，“——thatchimney-stack！ClosebyitIheardthemusicverynearmeindeed——whenallatoncethedarknessandthewindcametogethersothickthatIcoulddonothingmore。Weshalldobetternowinthedaylight——andthreeofusinsteadofone！”

“Whatahugeblockofchimneys！”saidArctura。

“Isitnot！”returnedDonal。“Itindicatesthehugenessofthebuildingbelowus，ofwhichwecanseesolittle。Likethevolcanoesoftheworld，ittellsushowmuchfireisnecessarytokeepourdwellingwarm。“

“Ithoughtitwasthesunthatkepttheearthwarm，“saidDavie。

“Soitis，butnotthesunalone。Theearthislikeaman：thegreatglowingfireisGodintheheartoftheearth，andthegreatsunisGodinthesky，keepingitwarmontheotherside。Ourgladnessandpleasure，ourtroublewhenwedowrong，ourloveforallaboutus，thatisGodinsideus；andthebeautifulthingsandlovablepeople，andallthelessonsoflifeinhistoryandpoetry，intheBible，andinwhatevercomestous，isGodoutsideofus。EverylifeisbetweentwogreatfiresoftheloveofGod。Solongaswedonotgiveourselvesupheartilytohim，wefearhisfirewillburnus。Andburnusitdoeswhenwegoagainstitsflamesandnotwiththem，refusingtoburnwiththefirewithwhichGodisalwaysburning。

Whenwetrytoputitout，oropposeit，orgetawayfromit，thenindeeditburns！”

“IthinkIknow，“saidDavie。

Arcturaheldherpeace。

“Butnow，“saidDonal，“Imustgoroundandhaveapeepattheothersideofthechimney-stack。“

Hedisappeared，andArcturaandDaviestoodwaitinghisreturn。Theylookedeachintheother\'sfacewiththedelightofconsciouslysharingagreatadventure。Beyondtheirfeetlaythewidecountryandthegreatsea；overthemtheskywiththesuninitgoingdowntowardsthemountains；undertheirfeetthemightyoldpilethatwastheirhome；andunderthattheearthwithitsmoltenheartoffire。

ButDavie\'slooksoonchangedtooneoftriumphinhistutor。“Isisnotgrand，“itsaid，“tobealldaywithamanlikethat——talkingtoyouandteachingyou？”ThatatleastwashowArcturainterpretedit，readinginitalmostanassertionofsuperiority，inasmuchasthismanwashistutorandnothers。Sherepliedtothelookinwords：——

“Iamhispupil，too，Davie，“shesaid，“thoughMr。Grantdoesnotknowit。“

“Howcanthatbe，“answeredDavie，“whenyouareafraidofhim？Iamnotabitafraidofhim！”

“HowdoyouknowIamafraidofhim？”sheasked。

“Oh，anybodycouldseethat！”

Shewasafraidshehadspokenfoolishly，andDaviemightrepeatherwords：shedidnotdesiretohastenfurtherintimacywithDonal；

thingsweregoinginthatdirectionfastenough！Hereyes，avoidingDavie\'s，keptreconnoitringthestackofchimneys。

“Aren\'tyougladtohavesuchacastleallforyourown——todowhatyoulikewith，Arkie？Youknowyoucouldpullitalltopiecesifyouliked！”

“Woulditbelessmine，“saidArctura，“ifIwasnotatlibertytopullitalltopieces？AndwoulditbemoreminewhenIhadpulledittopieces，Davie？”

Donalwascomingroundthesideofthestack，andheardwhatshesaid。Itpleasedhim，foritwasnotalittleinhisownstyle。

“Whatmakesathingyourown，doyouthink，Davie？”shewenton。

“Tobeabletodowithitwhatyoulike，“repliedDavie。

“Whetherthatbegoodorbad？”

“Yes，Ithinkso，“answeredDavie，doubtfully。

“ThenIthinkyouarequitewrong，“sherejoined。“Themomentyoubegintouseathingwrong，thatmomentyoumakeitlessyours。I

can\'tquiteexplainit，butthatishowitlookstome。“

Sheceased，andafteramomentDonaltookupthequestion。

“LadyArcturaisquiteright，Davie，“hesaid。“Thenature，thatisthegoodofathing，isthatonlybywhichitcanbepossessed。Anyotherpossessionislikeslave-owning；itisnotarighteoushaving。

Therightandthepowertouseittoitstruepurpose，andtheusingitso，aretheconditionsthatmakeathingours。Tohavetherightandthepower，andnotuseitso，wouldbetomakethethinglessoursthananybody\'s——Supposeyouhadaverybeautifulpicture，butfromsomedefectinyoursightyoucouldneverseethatpictureasitreallywas，whileaservantinyourhousenotonlysawitasitwasmeanttobeseen，buthadsuchdelightingazingonit，thateveninhisdreamsitcametohim，andmadehimthinkofthingshewouldnothavethoughtofbutforit：——whichofyou，youortheservantinyourhouse，wouldhavethemorerealpossessionofthatpicture？Youcouldsellitawayfromyourself，andneverknowanythingaboutitmore；butyoucouldnotbyallthepowerofatyranttakeitfromyourservant。“

“Ah，nowIunderstand！”saidDavie，withalookatladyArcturawhichseemedtosay，“YouseehowMr。Grantcanmakemeunderstand！”

“Iwonder，“saidladyArctura，“whatthatcuriousopeninginthesideofthechimney-stackmeans！Itcan\'tbeforsmoketocomeoutat！”

“No，“saidDonal；“thereisnotamarkofsmokeaboutit。Ifithadbeenmeantforthat，itwouldhardlyhavebeenputhalf-wayfromthetop！Ican\'tmakeitout！Aholelikethatinanychimneymustsurelyinterferewiththedraught！Imustgetaladder！”

“Letmeclimbonyourshoulders，Mr。Grant，“saidDavie。

“Comethen；upyougo！”saidDonal。

AndupwentDavie，andpeepedintothehorizontalslit。

“Itlooksverylikeachimney，“hesaid，turninghisheadandthrustingitinsideways。“Itgoesrightdowntosomewhere，“headded，bringinghisheadoutagain，“butthereissomethingacrossitalittlewaydown——topreventthejackdawsfromtumblingin，I

suppose。“

“Whatisit？”askedDonal。

“Somethinglikeagrating，“answeredDavie；“——no，notagratingexactly；itiswhatyoumightcallagrating，butitseemsmadeofwires。Idon\'tthinkitwouldkeepastrongbirdoutifhewantedtogetin。“

“Aha！”saidDonaltohimself；“whatifthosewiresbetuned！Didyoueverseeanaeolianharp，mylady？”heasked：“Ineverdid。“

“Yes，“answeredladyArctura，“——once，whenIwasalittlegirl。Andnowyousuggestit，Ithinkthesoundsweheararenotunlikethoseofanaeolianharp！Thestringsareallthesamelength，ifI

remember。ButIdonotunderstandtheprinciple。Theyseemalltoplaytogether，andmakethestrangest，wildestharmonies，whenthewindblowsacrosstheminaparticularway。“

“Ifancythenwehavefoundthenestofourmusic-bird！”saidDonal。

“ThewiresDaviespeaksofmaybethestringsofanaeolianharp！I

wonderiftherecouldbeadraughtacrossthem！Imustgetupandsee！Imustgoandgetaladder！”

“Buthowcouldtherebeanaeolianharpuphere？”saidArctura。

“Itwillbetimeenoughtoanswerthatquestion，“repliedDonal，“whenitchangesto，\'Howdidanaeolianharpgetuphere？\'

Somethingisherethatwantsaccountingfor：itmaybeanaeolianharp！”

“Butinachimney！Thesootwouldspoilthestrings！”

“Thenperhapsitisnotachimney：isthereanysignofsootabout，Davie？”

“No，sir；thereisnothingbutcleanstoneandlime。“

“Yousee，mylady！Wedonotevenknowthatitisachimney！”

“Whatelsecanitbe，standingwiththerest？”

“Itmayhavebeenbuiltforone；butifithadeverbeenusedforone，themarksofsmokewouldremain，haditbeendisusedeversolong。Butto-morrowIwillbringupaladder。“

“Couldyounotdoitnow？”saidArctura，almostcoaxingly。“Ishouldsoliketohavethethingsettled！”

“Asyouplease，mylady！Iwillgoatonce。Thereisoneleaningagainstthegarden-wall，notfarfromthebottomofthetower。“

“Ifyoudonotmindthetrouble！”

“Iwillcomeandhelp，“saidDavie。

“Youmustn\'tleaveladyArctura。IamnotsureifIcangetitupthestair；Iamafraiditistoolong。IfIcannot，wewillhaulitupaswedidthecoal。“

Hewent，andthecousinssatdowntowaithisreturn。Itwasacoldevening，butArcturawaswellwraptup，andDaviewashardy。Theysatatthefootofthechimney-stack，andbegantotalk。

“Itissuchalongtimesinceyoutoldmeanything，Arkie！”saidtheboy。

“Youdonotneedmenowtotellyouanything：youhaveMr。Grant！

Youlikehimmuchbetterthaneveryoudidme！”

“Yousee，“saidDavie，thoughtfully，andmakingnodefenceagainstherhalf-reproach，“hebeganbymakingmeafraidofhim——notthathemeanttodoit，Ithink！heonlymeantthatIshoulddowhathetoldme：Iwasneverafraidofyou，Arkie！”

“IwasmuchcrossertoyouthanMr。Grant，Iamsure！”

“Mr。Grantisnevercrosstome；andifeveryouwere，I\'veforgottenit，Arkie。IonlyrememberthatIwasnotgoodtoyou。I

amsorryforitnowwhenIlieawakeinbed；butIsaytomyselfyouforgiveme，andgotosleep。“

“WhatmakesyouthinkIforgiveyou，Davie？”

“BecauseIloveyou。“

Thiswasnotverylogical，andsetArcturathinking。Shedidnotforgivetheboybecausehelovedher；buttheboy\'slovetohermightmakehimsuresheforgavehim！Loveisitsownjustification，andseesitselfinallitsobjects：forgivenessisanessentialbelongingoflove，andmustbeseenwhereloveisseen。

“Areyoufondofmybrother？”askedDavie，afterapause。

“Whydoyouaskme？”

“Becausetheysayyouandhearegoingtobemarriedsomeday，yetyoudon\'tseemtocaremuchtobetogether。“

“Itisallnonsense！”repliedArctura，reddening。“Iwishpeoplewouldnottalkfoolishness！”

“Well，Idothinkhe\'snotsofondofyouasofEppy！”

“Hush！hush！youmustnotspeakofsuchthing。“

“IsawhimoncekissEppy，andIneversawhimkissyou！”

“No，indeed！”

“IsitrightofForgue，ifhe\'sgoingtomarryyou，tokissEppy？——That\'swhatIwanttoknow！”

“Heisnotgoingtomarryme。“

“Hewould，ifyoutoldhimyouwishedit。Papawishesit。“

“Howdoyouknowthat？”

“Frommanything。OnceIheardhimsay，\'Afterwards，whenthehouseisourown，\'andIaskedhimwhathemeant，andhesaid，\'WhenForguemarriesArctura，thenthecastlewillbeForgue\'s。Thatishowitoughttobe，youknow！Propertyandtitleoughtnevertobeparted。\'“

ThehotbloodrosetoArctura\'stemples：wassheamerewrappagetoherproperty——thepaperoftheparcel！Butshecalledtomindhowstrangeherunclewas：butforthatcouldhehavebeensoimprudentastotalkinsuchawaytoaboywhosesimplicityrenderedtheconfidencedangerous？

“Youwouldnotlikehavingtogiveawayyourcastle——wouldyou，Arkie？”hewenton。

“NottoanyoneIdidnotlove。“

“IfIwereyou，Iwouldnotmarry，butkeepmycastletomyself。I

don\'tseewhyForgueshouldhaveyourcastle！”

“YouthinkIshouldmakemycastlemyhusband？”

“Hewouldbeagoodbighusbandanyhow，andastrong——onetodefendyoufromyourenemies，andnottalktoyouwhenyouwantedtobequiet。“

“Thatisalltrue；butonemightgetwearyofastupidhusband，howeverbigandstronghewas。“

“There\'sanotherthing，though！——hewouldn\'tbeacruelhusband！

I\'veheardpapaoftenspeakaboutsomecruelhusband！Ifanciedsometimeshemeanthimself；butthatcouldnotbe，youknow。“

Arcturamadenoreply。Allbutvanishedmemoriesofthingsshehadheard，hintsandsignshereandtherethatallwasnotrightbetweenheruncleandaunt，vaguelyreturned：coulditbethathenowrepentedofharshnesstohiswife，thatthethoughtofitwaspreyinguponhim，thatitdrovehimtohisdrugsforforgetfulness？——Butinthepresenceoftheboyshecouldnotgoonthinkinginsuchadirectionabouthisfather。ShefeltrelievedbythereturnofDonal。

Hehadfounditratherdifficulttogettheladderroundthesharpcurvesofthestair；butatlasttheysawhimwithitonhisshouldercomingoveradistantroof。

“Nowweshallsee！”hesaid，asheleaneditupagainstthechimney，andstoodpanting。

“Youhavetiredyourself！”saidladyArctura。

“Where\'stheharm，mylady？Amanmustgettiredafewtimesbeforeheliesdown！”rejoinedDonaldlightly。

SaidDavie，“Mustawoman，Mr。Grant，marryamanshedoesnotlove？”

“No，certainly，Davie。“

“Mr。Grant，“saidArctura，indreadofwhatDaviemightsaynext，“whatdoyoutaketobethedutyofoneinheritingaproperty？Oughtawomantogetridofit，orattendtoitherself？”

Donalthoughtalittle。

“Wemustfirstsettlethemaindutyofproperty，“hesaid；“andthatIamhardlypreparedtodo。“

“Istherenotadutyowingtoyourfamily？”

“Thereareathousanddutiesowingtoyourfamily。“

“Idon\'tmeanthoseyouarelivingwithmerely，butthosealsowhotransmittedthepropertytoyou。Thispropertybelongstomyfamilyratherthantome，andifIhadhadabrotheritwouldhavegonetohim：shouldInotdobetterforthefamilybygivingituptothenextheir？Iamnotdisinterestedinstartingthequestion；

possessionandpowerareofnogreatimportanceinmyeyes；theyarehindrancestome。“

“Itseemstome，“saidDonal，“thatthefactthatyouwouldnothavesucceededhadtherebeenason，pointstothefactofadisposerofevents：youweresentintotheworldtotaketheproperty。Ifso，Godexpectsyoutoperformthedutiesofit；theyarenottobegotridofbythrowingthethingaside，orgivingthemtoanothertodoforyou。IfyourfamilyandnotGodweretherealgiveroftheproperty，thequestionyouputmightarise；butIshouldhardlytakeinterestenoughinittobecapableofdiscussingit。Iunderstandmydutytomysheeporcattle，tomymaster，tomyfatherormother，tomybrotherorsister，tomypupilDaviehere；Iowemyancestorsloveandhonour，andthekeepingoftheirnameunspotted，thoughthatdutyisforestalledbyahigher；butastothepropertytheyleavebehindthem，overwhichtheyhavenomorepower，andwhichnowItrusttheyneverthinkabout，IdonotseewhatobligationIcanbeundertothemwithregardtoit，otherthaniscomprisedinthedutiesofthepropertyitself。“

“Butafamilyisnotmerelythosethataregonebefore；therearethosethatwillcomeafter！”

“Thebestthingforthosetocomeafter，istoreceivethepropertywithitsdutiesperformed，withthelightofrighteousnessradiatingfromit。“

“Butwhatthendoyoucallthedutiesofproperty？”

“Inwhatdoesthepropertyconsist？”

“Inland，tobeginwith。“

“Ifthelandwereofnovalue，wouldthepossessionofitinvolveduties？”

“Isupposenot。“

“Inwhatdoesthevalueofthelandconsist？”

LadyArcturadidnotattemptananswertothequestion，andDonal，afteralittlepause，resumed。

“Ifyouvaluedthingsastheworldvaluesthem，Ishouldnotcaretoputthequestion；butIfearyoumayhavesomelingeringnotionthat，thoughGod\'swayisthetrueway，theworld\'swaymustnotbedisregarded。Onething，however，iscertain——thatnothingthatisagainstGod\'swaycanbetrue。Thevalueofpropertyconsistsonlyinitsbeingmeans，ground，ormaterialtoworkhiswillwithal。

Thereisnosuccessintheuniversebutinhiswillbeingdone。“

Arcturawassilent。Shehadinheritedprejudiceswhich，whileshehatedselfishness，wereyetthoroughlyselfish。Suchareoftheevilsinushardesttogetridof。Theyareevencherishedforalifetimebysomeoftheotherwiseloveliestofsouls。Knowingthathereinmuchthoughtwouldbenecessaryforher，andthatshewouldthink，Donalwentnofarther：ahousemusthaveitsfoundationsettledbeforeitisbuiltupon；argumentwherethegroundsofitareatallindisputeisworsethanuseless。

Heturnedtohisladder，setitright，mounted，andpeeredintotheopening。AtthelengthofhisarmhecouldreachthewiresDaviehaddescribed：theyweretaut，andfreeofrust——werethereforenotironorsteel。Hesawalsothatalittledowntheshaftafaintlightcameinfromtheoppositeside：therewasanotheropeningsomewhere！

Nexthesawthateachfollowingstring——forstringshealreadycountedthem——wasplacedalittlelowerthanthatbeforeit，sothattheirsuccessionwasinclinedtotheothersideoftheshaft——apparentlyinaplanebetweenthetwoopenings，thatadraughtmightpassalongtheirplane：thismustsurelybetheinstrumentwhencethemusicflowed！Hedescended。

“Doyouknow，mylady，“heaskedArctura，“howtheaeolianharpisplacedforthewindtowakeit？”

“TheonlyoneIhaveseen，“sheanswered，“wasmadetofitintoawindow；thelowersashwasopenedjustwideenoughtoletitin，sothatthewindenteringmustpassacrossthestrings。“

ThenDonalwasallbutcertain。

“Ofcourse，“hesaid，afterdescribingwhathehadseen，“wecannotbeabsolutelysurewithouthavingbeenherewiththemusic，andhavingexperimentedbycoveringanduncoveringtheopening；andforthatwemustwaitasouth-easterlywind。“

CHAPTERXLII。

COMMUNISM。

ButDonaldidnotfeelthateventhenwouldhehaveexhaustedthelikelihoodofdiscovery。Thatthesourceofthemusicthathadsolonghauntedthehousewasanaeolianharpinachimneythathadneverorscarcelybeenused，mightbeenoughtosatisfysome，buthewantedtoknowaswellwhy，ifthiswasachimney，itneitherhadbeennorwasused，andtowhatroomitwasachimney。Forthequestionhadcometohim——mightnotthemusicholdsomerelationwiththelegendofthelostroom？

Inquiryafterlegendarylorehaddrawnnearerandnearer，andthetalkaboutsuchasbelongedtothecastlehadnaturallyincreased。

Inthistalkwasnotseldommentionedaghost，asyetseenattimesabouttheplace。ThisDonalattributedtoglimpsesoftheearlinhisrestlessnight-walks；butbythedomestics，bothsuchashadseensomethingandsuchashadnot，theapparitionwasnaturallyassociatedwiththelostchamber，astheplacewhencethespectreissued，andwhitherhereturned。

Donal\'ssparehourswerenowmuchgiventohisfriendAndrewComin。

Thegoodmanhadsofarrecoveredastothinkhimselfabletoworkagain；buthesoonfounditwaslittlehecoulddo。Hisstrengthwasgone，andtheexertionnecessarytothelightestlabourcausedhimpain。Itwassadtowatchhimonhisstool，nowputtinginastitch，nowstoppingbecauseofthecoughwhichsosorelyhauntedhisthin，wind-blowntent。Hisfacehadgrownwhiteandthin，andhehadnearlylosthismerriment，thoughnothischeerfulness；heneverlookedotherthancontent。Hehadmadeuphismindhewasnotgoingtogetbetter，buttogohomethroughalingeringillness。Hewasreadytogoandreadytolinger，asGodpleased。

Therewasnothingwonderfulinthis；buttosomegoodpeopleevenitdidappearwonderfulthatheshowednouneasinessastohowDoorywouldfarewhenhewasgone。Thehousewasindeedtheirown，buttherewasnomoneyinit——notevenenoughtopaythetaxes；andifshesoldit，thepricewouldnotbeenoughtoliveupon。TheneighboursweresevereonAndrew\'simaginedindifferencetohiswife\'sfuture，anditwasintheireyesashametobesocheerfulonthebrinkofthegrave。NotoneofthemhaddonemorethanpeepintotheworldoffaithinwhichAndrewlived。NotoneofthemcouldhaveunderstoodthatforAndrewtoallowtheleastdangerofeviltohisDoory，wouldhavebeentobeholdtheuniverserockingontheslipperyshouldersofChance。

Alittlemoanescapingherasshelookedoneeveningintohermoney-teapot，madeDonalaskheraquestionortwo。Sheconfessedthatshehadbutsixpenceleft。NowDonalhadspentnexttonothingsincehecame，andhadthereforeafewpoundsinhand。Hisfatherandmotherhadsentbackwhathesentthem，asbeinginneedofnothing：sirGibbiewassuchagoodsontothemthattheywerelivinginwhattheycountedluxury：RobertdoubtedwhetherhewasnotministeringtothefleshinallowingJanettoprovidebeef-broseforhimtwiceintheweek！SoDonalwasfreetospendforhisnextneighbours——justwhathispeople，whoweregrandaboutmoney，wouldhavehadhimdo。Neverintheircottagehadapennybeenwasted；

neveronerefusedwherewasneed。

“An\'rew，“hesaid——andfoundthemother-tongueherefittest——“I\'mthinkin\'yemaunbegrowin\'someshorto\'silleri\'thistimeo\'

warklessness！”

“\'Deed，Iwadnawon\'er！”answeredAndrew。“Doorysaysnaethingabootsictriffles！”

“Weel，“rejoinedDonal，“IthankGodIhaesomei\'theillpickleo\'

nobein\'wantit，an\'saeindangero\'cankerin\'；an\'atweenbritherstheresudnabetwapurses！”

“Yehaeyerainfowktoluikefter，sir！”saidAndrew。

“They\'reweelluikitefter——betternorevertheywari\'theirlives；

they\'reasweelaffasIammysel\'upi\'yongran\'castel。Theyhaeafreen\'whabutforthemwadillhaelivedtobethegreatmanheisthenoo；an\'there\'snaethingowermuckleforhimtoduforthem；

saemysiller\'smyain，an\'yours。An\'rew，an\'Doory\'s！”

Theoldmanputhimthroughacatechismastohiswaysandmeansandprospects，andfindingthatDonalbelievedasfirmlyashimselfinthecareoftheMaster，andwasconvincedtherewasnothingthatMasterwouldratherseehimdowithhismoneythanhelpthosewhoneededit，especiallythosewhotrustedinhim，heyielded。

“It\'sno，yesee，“saidDonal，“thatIhaeonydoobto\'theLordprovidin\'gienIhadfailt，buthehaudsthethingtomyhan\'，jistasmuckleasgienhesaid，\'There\'sforyou，Donal！\'Thefowko\'

thiswarl\'michtnaappruv，butyouan\'mekensbetter，An\'rew。Wekenthere\'snaeguidinsillerbutdothewullo\'theLordwi\'

\'t——an\'helptoaneanitherishisdearwull。It\'sno\'athe\'sshorto\'sillerhimsel\'，buthelikestogieanitheraturn！”

“I\'lltakit，“saidtheoldman。

“There\'swhatIhae，“returnedDonal。

“Na，na；naneo\'that！”saidAndrew。“Ye\'retreatin\'melikeamuckle，reivin\'，sornin\'beggar——offerin\'mea\'thatatance！Whaursynewadbetheprolongedsweetnesso\'haein\'\'ti\'portionsfraeyerhan\'，asfraethenebo\'anangel-corbiesentfraeverrahamewi\'yerdenner！”——Hereaglimmeroftheoldmerrimentshonethroughthewornlookandpaleeyes——“Na，na，sir，“hewenton；“jisttalkthethingowerwi\'Doory，an\'latherhaewhatshewantsan\'naemair。Shewudnalikeit。Whakenswhatmaycamei\'themeantime——Deithhimsel\'，maybe！Orsee——gieDooryafiveshillins，an\'whanthat\'sduneshecanlatyeken！”

Donalwasforcedtoleaveitthus，buthedidhisutmosttoimpressuponDoorythatallhehadwasatherdisposal。

“Ihadnewclothes，“hesaid，“beforeIcame；IhaveallIwanttoeatanddrink；andforbooks，there\'sawholeancientlibraryatmyservice！——whatpossiblycouldIwishformore？It\'samereluxurytohandthemoneyovertoyou，Doory！I\'mthinkin\'，Doory，“forhehadbythistimegottoaddressherbyherhusband\'snameforher，“there\'snaebodyi\'thiswarl\'，\'cep\'theoonseenLordhimsel\'，lo\'esyermansaeweelasyouan\'me；an\'weelkenIyouan\'himwadshareyerlastwi\'me；saeI\'monlygiein\'yeo\'yeraingudewull；

an\'I\'lldoobtthatgienyetaknasaelangasIhae。“

Thusadjured，andsatisfiedthatherhusbandwascontent，theoldwomanmadenodifficulty。

CHAPTERXLIII。

EPPYANDKENNEDY。

WhenStephenKennedyheardthatEppyhadgonebacktohergrandparents，afainthoperevivedinhisbosom；heknewnothingofthelatepassagebetweenthetwoparties。Hebutknewthatshewaslookingsad：shemightperhapsallowhimtobeofsomeservicetoher！Separationhadfosteredmoreandmoregentlethoughtsofherinhisheart；hewasreadytoforgivehereverything，andbelievenothingseriousagainsther，ifonlyshewouldlethimloveheragain。Modestyhadhithertokepthimfromthrowinghimselfinherway，buthenowhauntedthehouseinthehopeofcatchingaglimpseofher，andwhenshebegantogoagainintothetown，sawherrepeatedly，followinghertobenearher，buttakingcaresheshouldnotseehim：partlyfromherself-absorptionhehadsucceededinescapinghernotice。

Atlength，however，onenight，hetriedtosummonupcouragetoaccosther。Itwasalovely，moonlitnight，halfthestreetblackwithquaintshadows，theotherhalfshininglikesandintheyellowlight。Onthemoonysidepeoplestandingattheirdoorscouldrecognizeeachothertwohousesaway，butontheother，friendsmightpasswithoutgreeting。Eppyhadgoneintothebaker\'s；Kennedyhadseenhergoin，andstoodintheshadow，waiting，allbutdeterminedtospeaktoher。Shestaidagoodwhile，butoneaccustomedtowaitforfishlearnspatience。Atlengthsheappeared。

Bythistime，however，thoughnothispatience，Kennedy\'scouragehadnearlyevaporated；andwhenhesawherhesteppedunderanarchway，letherpass，andfollowedafresh。Allatonceresolve，whichyetwasnoresolve，awokeinhim。Itwasasifsomeonetookhimandsethimbeforeher。Shestartedwhenhesteppedinfront，andgavealittlecry。

“Dinnabefeart，Eppy，“hesaid；“Iwudnahurtahairo\'yerheid。I

wudraitherbeskinnedmysel\'！”

“Gangawa，“saidEppy。“Yehaenorichttostan\'i\'mygait！”

“Nanebuttherichto\'lo\'ein\'yebetternorever！”saidKennedy，“——giensaebeasye\'lllatmeonygaitshaw\'t！”

Thewordssoftenedher；shehaddreadedreproach，ifnotindignantremonstrance。Shebegantocry。

“Gienonythingi\'mypooerwudmakthegrieflichterupo\'ye，Eppy，“

hesaid，“yehaebuttoname\'t！I\'mnogauin\'toaskyetomerryme，forthatIkenyedinnacareaboot；butgienImichtbeluikituponasafreen\'，ifnotoyou，yettoyours——allootonyw\'ytohelpi\'yertrible，Imean，I\'mreadytolaymei\'thedirtaforeye。I

haenaecareformysel\'onymair，an\'maundosomethingforsomebody——an\'whasaesoonasyersel\'，Eppy！”

Forsoleanswer，Eppywentoncrying。Shewasfarfromhappy。ShehadnearlypersuadedherselfthatallwasoverbetweenherandlordForgue，andalmostshecould，butforshame，haveallowedKennedytocomfortherasanoldfriend。Everythinginhermindwassoconfused，andeverythingaroundhersomiserable，thatshecouldbutcry。Shecontinuedcrying，andastheywereinawalledlaneintowhichnowindowslooked，Kennedy，inthesimplicityofhisheart，andthedesiretocomfortherwholittlefromhimdeservedcomfort，cameuptoher，andputtinghisarmroundher，saidagain，“Dinnabefeartofme，Eppy。I\'mamanowersair-hertittodoyeonyhurt。It\'snoasthinkin\'yemyain，Eppy，Iwudpreshumetoduonythingforye，butasanauldfreen\'，faintotakthedogaffo\'

ye。Areyeinwanto\'onything？Yemaunhaeaheapo\'trible，Iweelken，wi\'yergran\'father\'smischance，an\'it\'seasytoun\'erstan\'

\'atthingsmaywellbeturnin\'scarceabootye；butbesureo\'this，thataslang\'smymitherhasonything，she\'llbeblythtosharethesamewi\'youan\'yours。“

Hesaidhismother，butshehadnothingsavewhatheprovidedherwith。

“Ithankye，Stephen，“saidEppy，touchedwithhisgoodness；“butthere\'snaenecessity；wehaeplenty。“

Shemovedon，herapronstilltohereyes。Kennedyfollowedher。

“Gientheyoonglordhaewrangedyeonygait，“hesaidfrombehindher，“an\'gientherebeonyamen\'syewadhaeo\'him，——“

Sheturnedwithaquicknessthatwasfierce，andinthedimlightKennedysawhereyesblazing。

“Iwantnaethingfraeyourhan\'，StephenKennedy，“shesaid。“Mylord\'snaethingtoyou——noryetmuckletome！”sheadded，withsuddenreactionandanoutburstofself-pity，andagainfellaweeping——andsobbingnow。

Withthetimidityofastrongmanbeforethegirlhelovesandthereforefears，Kennedyoncemoretriedtocomforther，wipinghereyeswithherapron。Whilehedidso，aman，turningacornerquickly，camealmostuponthem。Hestartedback，thencamenearer，lookedhardatthem，andspoke。ItwaslordForgue。

“Eppy！”heexclaimed，inatoneinwhichindignationblendedwithsurprise。

Eppygaveacry，andrantohim。Hepushedheraway。

“Mylord，“saidKennedy，“thelasswillnaneo\'meormine。Isairdoobtthere\'snanebutyersel\'canpleaseher。ButIsweirbyGod，mylord，gienyeduheronywrang，I\'llnorest，nichtnorday，tillIhaemadeyerepentit。“

“Gotothedevil！”saidForgue；“there\'sanoldcrow，Isuspect，yettopluckbetweenus！Formeyoumaytakeher，though。Idon\'tgohalves。“

Eppylaidherhandtimidlyonhisarm，butagainhepushedheraway。

“Oh，mylord！”shesobbed，andcouldsaynomoreforweeping。

“HowisitIfindyouherewiththisman？”heasked。“Idon\'twanttobeunfairtoyou，butitlooksratherbad！”

“Mylord，“saidKennedy。

“Holdyourtongue；letherspeakforherself。“

“Ihadnotrystwi\'him，mylord！Ineversaidcomenighme，“sobbedEppy。“——Yeseewhatyehaedune！”shecried，turninginangeronKennedy，andhertearssuddenlyceasing。“Neverbutillhaeyebrochtme！Whatbusinesshadyetocomeeftermethisgait，makin\'

mischief\'atweenmylordan\'me？Canabodynosetfutayontthedoor-sill，buttheymaunbefollowto\'themtheywudseefareneuch！”

Kennedyturnedandwent，andEppywithafreshburstoftearsturnedtogoalso。ButshehadsatisfiedForguethattherewasnothingbetweenthem，andhewassoonmoresuccessfulthanKennedyinconsolingher。

Whileabsenthehadbeenableenoughtogetonwithouther，butnosoonerwashehomethan，inthewearylackofinterest，thefeelingswhich，halflamenting，halfrejoicing，hehadimaginedextinct，begantorevive，andhewenttothetownvaguelyhopingtogetasightofEppy。Cominguponhert阾e？t阾ewithheroldlover，firstasenseofunpardonableinjurypossessedhim，andnexttheconvictionthathewasasmadlyinlovewithherasever。Thetideofoldtendernesscamethrobbingandstreamingbackovertheghastlysandsofjealousy，anderetheypartedhehadmadewithheranappointmenttomeetthenextnightinamoresuitablespot。

DonalwasseatedbyAndrew\'sbedsidereading：hehadnowtheopportunityofbringingmanythingsbeforehimsuchastheoldmandidnotknowtoexist。Thoselastdaysofsicknessandweaknesswereamongthemostblessedofhislife；muchthatcouldnotbedoneformanyagoodmanwithtentimeshiseducation，couldbedoneforamanlikeAndrewComin。

Eppyhaddoneherbesttoremovealltracesofemotionereshere-enteredthehouse；butshecouldnothelptheshiningofhereyes：thejoy-lamprelightedinherbosomshonethroughthem：andAndrewlookingupwhensheentered，Donal，seatedwithhisbacktoher，atonceknewhersecret：hergrandfatherreaditfromherface，andDonalreaditfromhis。

“ShehasseenForgue！”hesaidtohimself。“Ihopetheoldmanwilldiesoon。“

CHAPTERXLIV。

HIGHANDLOW。

WhenlordMorvenheardofhisson\'sreturn，hesentforDonal，receivedhiminafriendlyway，gavehimtounderstandthat，howeverhemightfailtofallinwithhisviews，hedependedthoroughlyonhishonesty，andbeggedhewouldkeephiminformedofhisson\'sproceedings。

Donalrepliedthat，whilehefullyacknowledgedhislordship\'srighttoknowwhathissonwasdoing，hecouldnottaketheofficeofaspy。

“ButIwillwarnlordForgue，“heconcluded，“thatImayseeitrighttolethisfatherknowwhatheisabout。Ifancy，however，heunderstandsasmuchalready。“

“Pooh！thatwouldbeonlytoteachhimcunning，“saidtheearl。

“Icandonothingunderhand，“repliedDonal。“Iwillhelpnomantokeepanunrighteoussecret，butneitherwillIsecretlydiscloseit。“

Meetinghimafewdaysafter，Forguewouldhavepassedhimwithoutrecognition，butDonalstoppedhim，andsaid——

“Ibelieve，mylord，youhaveseenEppysinceyourreturn。“

“Whatthedeuceisthattoyou？”

“Iwishyourlordshiptounderstandthatwhatevercomestomyknowledgeconcerningyourproceedingsinregardtoher，IwillreporttoyourfatherifIseefit。“

“Thewarningisunnecessary。Fewinformers，however，wouldhavegivenmetheadvantage，andIthankyou：sofarIamindebtedtoyou。Nonethelesstheshameoftheinformerremains！”

“Yourlordship\'sjudgmentofmeisnomoretomethanthatofyonrookupthere。“

“Youdoubtmyhonour？”saidForguewithasneer。

“Ido。Idoubtyou。Youdonotknowyourself。Timewillshow。ForGod\'ssake，mylord，looktoyourself！Youareinterribledanger。“

“Iwouldratherdowrongforlovethanrightforfear。Iscornsuchthreats。“

“Threats，mylord！”echoedDonal。“Isitathreattowarnyouthatyourveryconsciousnessmaybecomeacursetoyou？thattoknowyourselfmaybeyourhell？thatyoumaycometomakeityourfirstcaretoforgetwhatyouare？DoyouknowwhatShaksperesaysofTarquin——

Besides，hissoul\'sfairtempleisdefaced；

Towhoseweakruinsmustertroopsofcares，Toaskthespottedprincesshowshefares——？”

“Oh，hangyourpreaching！”criedForgue，andturnedaway。

“Mylord，“saidDonal，“ifyouwillnothearme，therearepreachersyoumust。“

“Theywillnotbequitesolong-windedthen！”Forgueanswered。

“Youareright，“saidDonal；“theywillnot。“

AllForgue\'sthoughtswerenowoccupiedwiththequestionhowwithleastdangerEppyandheweretomeet。Hedidnotcontemplatetreachery。Atthistimeofhislifehecouldnothaverespectedhimself，littleaswasrequiredforthat，hadhebeenconsciouslytreacherous；butnomanwhoinloveyetloveshimselfmore，issafefrombecomingatraitor：potentiallyheisonealready。Treacherytohimwhoisguiltyofitseemsonlynaturalself-preservation；themanwhocandoavilethingisincapableofseeingitasitis；andthatoughttomakeusdoubtfulofourjudgmentsofourselves，especiallydefensivejudgments。Forguedidnotsuspecthimself——notalthoughheknewthathispassionhadbutjustregainedalostenergy，revivedattheideaofanothermanhavingthegirl！Itdidnotshamehimthathehadbeguntoforgether，orthathehadbeensorousedtofreshdesire。Ifhehadstayedawaysixmonths，hewouldpracticallyhaveforgottenheraltogether。Somemaythinkthat，ifhehaddevotionenoughtosurmountthevulgaritiesofherpositionandmannersandwaysofthought，hislovecouldhardlybesuchastoyieldsosoon；butEppywasnotinherselfvulgar。Manyofevenhumblereducationthanshearefarlessreallyvulgarthansomeintheforefrontofsociety。NodoubttheconventionalitiesofamanlikeForguemusthavebeensometimesshockedinfamiliarintercoursewithonelikeEppy；butwhilehewasmerelyflirtingwithher，theverythingsthatshockedwouldalsoamusehim——forI

needhardlysayhewasnotgenuinelyrefined；andbyandbythegrowingpassionobscuredthem。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadshebeenconfrontedashiswifewiththecommonpeopleofsociety，hewouldhavebecomeawareofmanythingsasvulgaritieswhichwereonlysimplicities；butinthemeantimeshewasnomorevulgartohimthanalamborababyisvulgar，howeverunfiteitherforaBelgraviandrawing-room。Vulgar，atthesametime，hewouldhavethoughtandfelther，butforthelovethatmadehimdoherjustice。Loveistheopeneraswellascloserofeyes。Butmenwho，havingseen，becomeblindagain，thinktheyhavehadtheireyesfinallyopened。

ForsometimetherewasnochangeinEppy\'sbehaviourbutthatshewasnottearfulasbefore。Shecontinueddiligent，nevergrumbledatthehardestwork，andseemeddesirousofmakingupforremissnessinthepast，whenintruthshewastryingtomakeupforsomethingelseinthepresent：shewouldatoneforwhatshewouldnottell，bydoingimmediatedutywiththegreaterdevotion。Butbyandbyshebeganoccasionallytoshow，bothinmannerandcountenance，alittleoftheoldpertness，mingledwithuneasiness。Thephenomenon，however，wassointermittentandunpronounced，astobemanifestonlytoeyesfamiliarwithherlooksandways：toDonalitwasclearthattherelationbetweenherandForguewasresumed。Yetsheneverwentoutintheeveningexceptsentbyhergrandmother，andthenshealwayscamehomeevenwithhaste——anxious，itmighthaveseemed，toavoidsuspicion。

ItwasthecustomwithDonalandDavietogooftenintothefieldsandwoodsinthefineweather——theycalledthistheirobservationclass——tolearnwhattheymightofthemultitudinousgoingsoninthisorthatofNature\'sworkshops：thereeachforhimselfandtheotherexercisedhisindividualpowersofseeingandnotingandputtingtogether。Donalknewlittleofwoodlandmatters，havingbeenchieflyaccustomedtomeadowsandbarehill-sides；yetinthewoodshewasthekeenerofthetwotoobserve，andcouldthebetterteachthathewasbutabetterlearner。

Oneday，astheywerewalkingtogetherunderthethinshadeofafir-thicket，Daviesaid，withasuddenchangeofsubject——

“IwonderifweshallmeetForgueto-day！hegetsupearlynow，andgoesout。Itisneithertofishnorshoot，forhedoesn\'ttakehisrodorgun；hemustbewatchingorlookingforsomething！——Shouldn\'tyousayso，Mr。Grant？”

ThissetDonalthinking。Eppywasneveroutatnight，oronlyforafewminutes；andForguewentoutearlyinthemorning！ButifEppywouldmeethim，howcouldheoranyonehelpit？

CHAPTERXLV。

ALASTENCOUNTER。

Nowforawhile，DonalseldomsawladyArctura，andwhenhedid，receivedfromhernoencouragementtoaddressher。Thetroubledlookhadreappearedonherface。Inhersmile，astheypassedinhallorcorridor，glimmeredanexpressionalmostpathetic——somethinglikeanappeal，asifshestoodinsoreneedofhishelp，butdarednotaskforit。ShewasagainmuchinthecompanyofMissCarmichael，andDonalhadgoodcausetofearthatthepharisaismofherwould-bedirectresswascomingdownuponherspirit，notlikerainonthemowngrass，butlikefrostonthespringflowers。TheimpossibilityofpiercingtheChristianphariseeholdingthetraditionsoftheelders，inanyvitalpart——sopachydermatousishetoanyspiritualargument——isasoretrialtotheoldAdamstillunslaininloversofthetruth。Atthesametimenothinggivespatiencebetteropportunityforherperfectwork。Anditiswelltheycannotbereachedbyargumentandsopersuaded；theywouldbutenterthecirclesofthefaithfultoworkfreshschismsandbreedfreshimposthumes。

ButDonalhadbeguntothinkthathehadbeentooforbearingtowardsthehideousdoctrinesadvocatedbyMissCarmichael。Itisonethingwhereevildoctrinesarequietlyheld，andthetruthassociatedwiththemassimilatedbygoodpeopledoingtheirbestwithwhathasbeentaughtthem，andquiteanotherthingwheretheyareforceduponsomeshrinkingnature，weaktoresistthroughtheveryreverencewhichisitsexcellence。Thefinernature，frominabilitytothinkanotheroflesspureintentthanitself，isoftenatagreatdisadvantageinthehandsofthecoarser。Hemadeuphismindthat，riskasitwastoenterintodisputationswithaworshipperoftheletter，inasmuchasforargumenttheletterisimmeasurablymoreavailablethanthespirit——forwhilethespiritliesintheletterunperceived，ithasnoforce，andtheletter-worshipperisincapableofseeingthatGodcouldnotpossiblymeanwhathemakesofit——notwithstandingtherisk，heresolvedtoholdhimselfready，andifanythingwasgivenhim，tocryitoutandnotspare。Norhadhelongresolvederetheopportunitycame。

IthadcometobeknownthatDonalfrequentedtheoldavenue，anditwaswithintent，intheprideofheracquaintancewithscripture，andherpowertouseit，thatMissCarmichaeloneafternoonledherunwilling，ratherrecusant，andveryunhappydisciplethither：shesoughtanencounterwithhim：hisinsolencetowardstheold-establishedfaithmustbeconfounded，hisobnoxiousinfluenceonArcturafrustrated！Itwasabrightautumnalday。Thetreesweresorelybereaved，butsomefoliageyethunginthinyellowcloudsupontheirpatientboughs。TherewasplentyofwhatDaviecalledscushlin，thatisthenoiseofwalkingwithscarceliftedfeetamongstthethick-lyingwitheredleaves。Butlessfoliagemeansmoresunlight。

Donalwassaunteringalong，hisbookinhishand，nowandthenreadingalittle，nowandthenlookinguptothehalf-baredbranches，nowandthen，likeDavie，sweepingacloudofthefallenmultitudebeforehim。Hewasinthischildishactwhen，lookingup，hesawthetwoladiesapproaching；hedidnotseethepeculiarglanceMissCarmichaelthrewhercompanion：“Beholdyourprophet！”

itsaid。Hewouldhavepassedwithliftedbonnet，butMissCarmichaelstopped，smiling：hersmilewasbrightbecauseitshowedhergoodteeth，butwasnotpleasantbecauseitshowednothingelse。

“Gloryingoverthefallen，Mr。Grant？”shesaid。

Donalinhisturnsmiled。

“ThatisnotMr。Grant\'sway，“saidArctura，“——sofaratleastasI

haveknownhim！”

“Howcarelessthetreesareoftheirpoorchildren！”saidMissCarmichael，affectingsympathyfortheleaves。

“Pardonme，“saidDonal，“ifIgrudgethemyourpity：thereisnothingmoreofchildreninthoseleavesthanthereisinthehairthatfallsonthebarber\'sfloor。“

“Itisnotverygracioustopullaladyupsosharply！”returnedMissCarmichael，stillsmiling：“Ispokepoetically。“

“Thereisnopoetryinwhatisnottrue，“rejoinedDonal。“Thosearenotthechildrenofthetree。“

“Ofcourse，“saidMissCarmichael，alittlesurprisedtofindtheirfoilscrossedalready，“atreehasnochildren！but——“

“Atreenochildren！”exclaimedDonal。“Whatthenareallthosebeech-nutsundertheleaves？Aretheynotthechildrenofthetree？”

“Yes；andlostliketheleaves！”sighedMissCarmichael。

“Whydoyousaytheyarelost？Theymustfulfiltheendforwhichtheyweremade，andifso，theycannotbelost。“

“Forwhatendweretheymade？”

“Idonotknow。Iftheyallgrewup，theywouldbeagooddealintheway。“

“Thenyousaytherearemoreseedsthanarerequired？”

“HowcouldI，whenIdonotknowwhattheyarerequiredfor？HowcanItellthatitisnotnecessaryforthelifeofthetreethatitshouldproducethemall，andnecessarytooforthegroundtoreceivesomuchlife-rentfromthetree！”

“Butyoumustadmitthatsomethingsarelost！”

“Yes，surely！”answeredDonal。“Whyelseshouldhecomeandlooktillhefind？”

Nosuchanswerhadthetheologianexpected；shewasnotimmediatewithherrejoinder。

“Butsomeofthemarelostafterall！”shesaid。

“Doubtless；therearesheepthatwillkeeprunningaway。Buthegoesafterthemagain。“

“Hewillnotdothatforever！”

“Hewill。“

“Idonotbelieveit。“

“ThenyoudonotbelievethatGodisinfinite！”

“Ido。“

“Howcanyou？IshenottheLordGodmercifulandgracious？”

“Iamgladyouknowthat。“

“Butifhismercyandhisgraciousnessarenotinfinite，thenheisnotinfinite！”

“Thereareotherattributesinwhichheisinfinite。“

“Butheisnotinfiniteinallhisattributes？Heispartlyinfinite，andpartlyfinite！——infiniteinknowledgeandpower，butinlove，inforgiveness，inallthosethingswhicharethemostbeautiful，themostdivine，themostChrist-like，heisfinite，measurable，bounded，small！”

“Icarenothingforsuchfinitereasoning。Itakethewordofinspiration，andgobythat！”

“Letmehearthen，“saidDonal，withanupliftingofhisheartinprayer；foritseemednolightthingforArcturawhichofthemshouldshowthebetterreason。

NowithadsofallenthattheladiesweretalkingaboutthedoctrinecalledAdoptionwhenfirsttheysawDonal；whencethisdoctrinewasthefirsttooccurtothechampionoforthodoxyasaweaponwherewithtofoiltheenemy。

“Themostpreciousdoctrine，ifonemaysayso，inthewholeBible，isthatofAdoption。GodbythemouthofhisapostlePaultellsusthatGodadoptssomeforhischildren，andleavestherest。Ifbecauseofthisyousayheisnotinfiniteinmercy，whentheBiblesaysheis，youareguiltyofblasphemy。“

Inatonecalmtosolemnity，Donalanswered——

“God\'smercyisinfinite；andthedoctrineofAdoptionisoneofthefalsestoffalsedoctrines。InbitterlackofthespiritwherebywecryAbba，Father，theso-calledChurchinventedit；anditremains，ahideousmaskwherewithfalseandignorantteachersscareGod\'schildrenfromtheirFather\'sarms。“

“Ihatesentiment——mostofallinreligion！”saidMissCarmichaelwithcontempt。

“Youshallhavenone，“returnedDonal。“TellmewhatismeantbyAdoption。“

“Thetakingofchildren，“answeredMissCarmichael，alreadyspyingarockahead，“andtreatingthemasyourown。“

“Whosechildren？”askedDonal。

“Anyone\'s。“

“Whose，“insistedDonal，“arethechildrenwhomGodadopts？”

Shewasontherock，andalittlestaggered。Butshepulledupcourageandsaid——

“ThechildrenofSatan。“

“Thenhowaretheytobeblamedfordoingthedeedsoftheirfather？”

“YouknowverywellwhatImean！Satandidnotmakethem。Godmadethem，buttheysinnedandfell。“

“ThendidGodrepudiatethem？”

“Yes。“

“Andtheybecamethechildrenofanother？”

“Yes，ofSatan。“

“ThenGoddisownshischildren，andwhentheyarethechildrenofanother，adoptsthem？MissCarmichael，itistoofoolish！Wouldthatbelikeafather？Becausehischildrendonotpleasehim，herepudiatesthemaltogether；andthenhewantsthemagain——notashisown，butasthechildrenofastranger，whomhewilladopt！Theoriginalrelationshipisnolongerofanyforce——hasnoweightevenwiththeirveryownfather！Whatgroundcouldsuchaparenthavetocomplainofhischildren？”

“YoudarenotsaythewickedarethechildrenofGodthesameasthegood。“

“Thatbefarfromme！ThosewhodothewillofGodareinfinitelymorehischildrenthanthosewhodonot；theyarebornoftheinnermostheartofGod；theyarethenofthenatureofJesusChrist，whosegloryisobedience。Butiftheywerenotinthefirstplace，andinthemostprofoundfact，thechildrenofGod，theycouldneverbecomehischildreninthathigher，thathighestsense，byanyfictionofadoption。Doyouthinkifthedevilcouldcreate，hischildrencouldeverbecomethechildrenofGod？ButyouandI，andeverypharisee，publican，andsinnerintheworld，areequallythechildrenofGodtobeginwith。Thatistherootofallthemiseryandallthehope。Becausewearehischildren，wemustbecomehischildreninheartandsoul，orbeforeverwretched。Ifweceasedtobehis，iftherelationbetweenusweredestroyed，whichisimpossible，noredemptionwouldbepossible，therewouldbenothinglefttoredeem。“

“Youmaytalkasyouseefit，Mr。Grant，butwhilePaulteachesthedoctrine，Iwillholdit；hemayperhapsknowalittlebetterthanyou。“

“Paulteachesnosuchdoctrine。HeteachesjustwhatIhavebeensaying。Thewordtranslatedadoption，heusesfortheraisingofonewhoisasontothetruepositionofason。“

“Thepresumptioninyoutosaywhattheapostledidordidnotmean！”

“Why，MissCarmichael，doyouthinkthegospelcomestousasasetoffools？Isthereanywayoftrulyorworthilyreceivingamessagewithoutunderstandingit？Amessageissentfortheverysakeofbeinginsomemeasureatleastunderstood。Withoutthatitwouldbenomessageatall。Iamboundbythewillandexpresscommandofthemastertounderstandthethingshesaystome。Hecommandsmetoseetheirrectitude，becausetheybeingtrue，Ioughttobeabletoseethemtrue。Inthehopeofseeingashewouldhavemesee，IreadmyGreekTestamenteveryday。ButitisnotnecessarytoknowGreektoseewhatPaulmeansbytheso-translatedadoption。Youhaveonlytoconsiderhiswordswithintenttofindouthismeaning，andwithoutintenttofindinthemtheteachingofthisorthatdoctorofdivinity。IntheepistletotheGalatians，whosechilddoeshespeakofasadopted？Itisthefather\'sownchild，hisheir，whodiffersnothingfromaslaveuntilheentersuponhistruerelationtohisfather——thefullstatusofason。Soalso，inanotherpassage，bythesamewordhemeanstheredemptionofthebody——itspassingintothehigherconditionofoutwardthings，intoaconditioninitself，andahomearoundit，fitforthesonsanddaughtersofGod——thatwebenomorelikestrangers，butlikewhatweare，thechildrenofthehouse。TouseanywordofPaul\'stomakehumanbeingfeelasifhewerenotbybirth，making，origin，orwhateverwordofcloserimportcanbefound，thechildofGod，orasifanythinghehaddoneorcoulddocouldannulthatrelationship，isofthedevil，thefatherofevil，noteitherofPaulorofChrist——Why，mylady，“continuedDonal，turningtoArctura，“alltheevilliesinthis——thatheisourfatherandwearenothischildren。Tofulfilthepoorestnecessitiesofourbeing，wemustbehischildreninbrainandheart，inbodyandsoulandspirit，inobedienceandhopeandgladnessandlove——hisoutandout，beyondallthattonguecansay，mindthink，orheartdesire。Thenonlyisourcreationfinished——thenonlyarewewhatweweremadetobe。Thisisthatforthesakeofwhichwearetroubledonallsides。“

Heceased。MissCarmichaelwasintellectuallycowed，butherheartwasnowisetouched。ShehadneverhadthatlongingafterclosestrelationwithGodwhichsendsusfeelingafterthefather。Butnow，takingcourageundertheovershadowingwingofthedivine，Arcturaspoke。

“Idohopewhatyousayistrue，Mr。Grant！”shesaidwithalongingsigh。

“Ohyes，hope！weallhope！Butitisthewordwehavetodowith！”

saidMissCarmichael。

“Ihavegivenyouthetruthofthisword！”saidDonal。

Butasifsheheardneitherofthem，Arcturawenton，“Ifitwerebuttrue！”shemoaned。“Itwouldsetrighteverythingonthefaceoftheearth！”

“Youmeanfarmorethanthat，mylady！”saidDonal。“Youmeaneverythinginthehumanheart，whichwilltoalleternitykeepmoaningandcryingoutfortheFatherofit，untilitisonewithitsonerelation！”

Heliftedhisbonnet，andwouldhavepassedon。

“Oneword，Mr。Grant，“saidMissCarmichael。“——NomanholdingsuchdoctrinescouldwithhonestybecomeaclergymanofthechurchofScotland。“

“Verylikely，“repliedDonal，“Goodafternoon。“

“Thankyou，Mr。Grant！”saidArctura。“Ihopeyouareright。“

Whenhewasgone，theladiesresumedtheirwalkinsilence。AtlengthMissCarmichaelspoke。

“Well，Imustsay，ofalltheconceitedyoungmenIhavehadthemisfortunetomeet，yourMr。Grantbearsthepalm！Suchself-assurance！suchpresumption！suchforwardness！”

“Areyoucertain，Sophia，“rejoinedArctura，“thatitisself-assurance，andnotconvictionthatgiveshimhiscourage？”

“Heisateacheroflies！Hegoesdeadagainstallthatgoodmensayandbelieve！Thethingisasclearasdaylight：heisaltogetherwrong！”

“WhatifGodbesendingfreshlightintothemindsofhispeople？”

“Theoldlightisgoodenoughforme！”

“ButitmaynotbegoodenoughforGod！WhatifMr。Grantshouldbehismessengertoyouandme！”

“Alikelything！ArawstudentfromthehillsofDaurside！”

“Icherishaprofoundhopethathemaybeintheright。Muchgood，youknow，didcomeoutofGalilee！Everyplaceandeverypersonisdespisedbysomebody！”

“Arctura！Hehasinfectedyouwithhisfrightfulirreverence！”

“IfhebeamessengerofJesusChrist，“saidArctura，quietly，“hehashadfromyouthereceptionhewouldexpect，forthedisciplemustbeashismaster。“

MissCarmichaelstoodstillabruptly。Herfacewasinaflame，butherwordscamecoldandhard。

“Iamsorry，“shesaid，“ourfriendshipshouldcometosoharshaconclusion，ladyArctura；butitistimeitshouldendwhenyouspeaksotoonewhohasbeendoingherbestforsolongtoenlightenyou！Ifthisbethefirstresultofyournewgospel——well！Rememberwhosaid，\'IfanangelfromheavenpreachanyothergospeltoyouthanIhavepreached，lethimbeaccursed！”

Sheturnedback。

“Oh，Sophia，donotleavemeso！”criedArctura。

Butshewasalreadyyardsaway，herskirtmakingasmallwhirlwindthatwentafterherthroughthewitheredleaves。Arcturaburstintotears，andsatdownatthefootofoneofthegreatbeeches。MissCarmichaelneverlookedbehindher。ShemetDonalagain，forhetoohadturned：heuncovered，butshetooknoheed。Shehaddonewithhim！HerpoorArctura。

Donalwaswalkinggentlyon，thinking，withclosedbook，whenthewindboretohisearalowsobfromArctura。Helookedup，andsawher：shesatweepinglikeonerejected。Hecouldnotpassorturnandleaveherthus！Sheheardhisstepsinthewitheredleaves，glancedup，droppedherheadforamoment，thenrosewithafeebleattemptatasmile。Donalunderstoodthesmile：shewouldnothavehimtroubledbecauseofwhathadtakenplace！

“Mr。Grant，“shesaid，comingtowardshim，“St。Paullaidacurseuponevenanangelfromheavenifhepreachedanyothergospelthanhis！Itisterrible！”

“Itisterrible，andIsayamentoitwithallmyheart，“returnedDonal。“ButthegospelyouhavereceivedisnotthegospelofPaul；

itisonesubstitutedforit——andthatbynoangelfromheaven，butbymenwithhide-boundsouls，who，inordertogetthemintotheirownintellectualpockets，melteddowntheingotsofthekingdom，andre-casttheminmouldsofwretchedlegalism，borrowedoftheRomanswhocrucifiedtheirmaster。Grand，childlike，heavenlythingstheymustexplain，forsooth，aftervulgarworldlynotionsoflawandright！Buttheymeantwell，seekingtojustifythewaysofGodtomen，thereforethecurseoftheapostledoesnotfall，Ithink，uponthem。Theysoughtawayoutoftheirdifficulties，andthoughttheyhadfoundone，wheninrealityitwastheirfaithinGodhimselfthatalonegotthemoutoftheprisonoftheirtheories。ButgladlywouldIseediscomfitedsuchas，receivingthoseinventionsatthehundredthhand，andmovedbynoneofthefervourwithwhichtheywerefirstpromulgated，lay，asthewordandwillofGod，lumpsofironandheapsofdustuponlive，beating，longingheartsthatcryoutaftertheirGod！”

“Oh，Idohopewhatyousayistrue！”pantedArctura。“IthinkI

shalldieifIfinditisnot！”

“IfyoufindwhatItellyouuntrue，itwillonlybethatitisnotgrandandfreeandbounteousenough。Tothinkanythingtoogoodtobetrue，istodenyGod——tosaytheuntruemaybebetterthanthetrue——thattheremightbeagreaterGodthanhe。Remember，Christisintheworldstill，andwithinourcall。“

“Iwillthinkofwhatyoutellme，“saidArctura，holdingoutherhand。

“Ifanythinginparticulartroublesyou，“saidDonal，“IshallbemostgladtohelpyouifIcan；butitisbetterthereshouldnotbemuchtalking。ThethingliesbetweenyouandyourFather。“

Withthesewordshelefther。Arcturafollowedslowlytothehouse，andwentstraighttoherroom，hermindfillingasshewentwithslow-revivingstrengthandagreathope。Nodoubtsomeofherreliefcamefromthedepartureofherincubusfriend；butthatmustsoonhavevanishedinfreshsorrow，saveforthehopeandstrengthtowhichthisdepartureyieldedtheroom。Shetrustedthatbythetimeshesawheragainshewouldbemorefirmlygroundedconcerningmanythings，andabletosetthemfortharight。Shewasnotyetfreeofthenotionthatyoumustbeabletodefendyourconvictions；shescarcefeltatlibertytosayshebelievedathing，solongassheknewanargumentagainstitwhichshecouldnotshowtobefalse。