第10章

Alasforourbeliefsiftheygonofartherthanthepoorhorizonofourexperienceorourlogic，oranypossiblewordingofthebeliefsthemselves！Alasforourselvesifourbeliefsarenotwhatweshapeourlives，ouractions，ouraspirations，ourhopes，ourrepentancesby！

Donalwasgladindeedtohopethatnowatlengthanopendoorstoodbeforethepoorgirl。Hehadbeengrowingmuchinterestedinher，asoneonwhomlifelayheavy，onewhoseemedripeforthekingdomofheaven，yetinwhosewaystoodonewhowouldneitherenterherself，norallowhertoenterthatwould。Shewasindeedfitfornothingbutthekingdomofheaven，somuchwasshealreadythechildofhimwhom，longingafterhim，shehadnotyetdaredtocallherfather。

Hisregardforherwasthatofthegentlestrongtowardstheweakhewouldhelp；andnowthatsheseemedfairlystartedonthepathoflife，thepath，namely，totheknowledgeofhimwhoisthelife，hiscareoverhergrewthemoretender。Itisthepartofthestrongtoservetheweak，toministerthatwherebytheytoomaygrowstrong。

Butheratherthanotherwiseavoidedmeetingher，andforagoodmanydaystheydidnotsomuchasseeeachother。

CHAPTERXLVI。

AHORRIBLESTORY。

Thehealthoftheearlremainedfluctuating。Itsconditiondependedmuchonthespecialindulgence。Therewashardlyanysortofnarcoticwithwhichhedidnotatleastmakeexperiment，ifhedidnotindulgeinit。Hemadenopretenceeventohimselfofseekingthereinthefurtheranceofknowledge；hewantedsolelytofindhowthisorthat，thusorthusmodifiedorcombined，wouldcontributetohislivingalifesuchashewouldhaveit，andotherquitethanthatorderedforhimbyapowerwhichleastofallpowershechosetoacknowledge。Thepowerofcertaindrugshewaseagertounderstand：thelivingsourceofhimandthemandtheircorrelations，hescarcelyrecognized。Thiscameofnohostilitytoreligionotherthantheworsthostilityofall——thatofalifeirresponsivetoitsclaims。Hebelievedneitherlikesaintnordevil；hebelievedanddidnotobey，hebelievedanddidnotyettremble。

Theonedayhewasbetter，theotherworse，according，asIsay，tothecharacteranddegreeofhisindulgence。Atonetimeitmuchaffectedhistemper，takingfromhimallmasteryofhimself；atanothermadehimsodullandstupid，thatheresentednothingexceptanyattempttorousehimfromhishebetude。Ofthesedifferenceshetookunfailingnote；buttheworstinfluenceofallwasaconstantone，andofithemadenoaccount：howeverthedrugsmightvaryintheiroperationsuponhim，toonethingtheyalltended——thedestructionofhismoralnature。

Urgedmoreorlessallhislifebyasortofinnaterebellionagainstsociallaw，hehaddonegreatwrongs——whetheralsocommittedwhatarecalledcrimes，Icannottell：norepentancehadfollowedtheremorsetheirconsequenceshadsometimesoccasioned。Andnowthepossibilityofremorseevenwasgraduallyforsakinghim。Suchamanbelongsrathertothekinddemoniacalthanthekindhuman；yetsolongasnothingoccursgivingtohispossibleanoccasiontoembodyitselfintheactual，hemaylivehonoured，anddierespected。Thereisalways，nottheless，thedangerofhisrealnature，orratherunnature，breakingoutinthiswayorthatdiabolical。

Althoughhewentsolittleoutofthehouse，andapparentlyneverbeyondthegrounds，heyetlearnedagooddealattimesofthingsgoingonintheneighbourhood：Daviebroughthimnews；sodidSimmons；andnowandthenhewouldhaveaninterviewwithhishalfacknowledgedrelative，thefactor。

Onemorningbeforehewasup，hesentforDonal，andrequestedhimtogiveDavieahalf-holiday，anddosomethingforhiminstead。

“Youknow，orperhapsyoudon\'tknow，thatIhaveahouseinthetown，“hesaid，“——theonlyhouse，indeed，nowbelongingtotheearldom——anotveryattractivehousewhichyoumusthaveseen——onthemainstreet，alittlebeforeyoucometotheMorvenArms。“

“IbelieveIknowthehouse，mylord，“answeredDonal，“withstrongironstanchionstothelowerwindows，and——？”

“Yes，thatisthehouse；andIdaresayyouhaveheardthestoryofit——Imeanhowitfellintoitspresentdisgrace！Thethinghappenedmorethanahundredyearsago。ButIhavespentsomenightsinitmyselfnotwithstanding。“

“Ishouldliketohearit，mylord，“saidDonal。

“Youmayaswellhaveitfrommyselfasfromanother！Itdoesnottouchanyofus，forthefamilywasnotthenrepresentedbythesamebranchasnow；Imightelsebethin-skinnedaboutit。Nomerelegend，mindyou，butaverydreadfulfact，whichresultedintheabandonmentofthehouse！Ithinkittime，formypart，thatitshouldbeforgottenandthehouselet。Itwasbeforethecastleandthetitlepartedcompany：thatisataleworthtellingtoo！therewaslittlefairplayineither！butIwillnottroubleyouwithitnow。

“Intothegenerationthenaboveground，“theearlbegan，assumingabook-tonetheinstanthebegantonarrate，“byoneofthosefreaksofnaturespeciallystrangeandmoreinexplicablethantherest，hadbeenbornanoriginalsavage。Youknowthattheoldtype，aftersomanymodificationshavebeenwroughtuponit，willsometimesreappearinitsancientcrudityamidstthelatestdevelopmentoftherace，animalandvegetabletoo，Isuppose！——well，soitwasnow：I

usenofigureofspeechwhenIsaythattheapparition，thephenomenon，wasasavage。Idonotmeanthathewasanexceptionallyroughmanforhisposition，butforanypositionintheScotlandofthatage。Nodoubthewasregardedasamadman，andusedasamadman；butmyopinionisthemorephilosophical——that，byanarrestofdevelopment，intothemiddleoftheladiesandgentlemenofthefamilycameaveritablesavage，andoneoutofnodarkestageofhistory，butfrombeyondallrecord——outoftheawfulprehistorictimes。“

Hislordshipvisiblyandinvoluntarilyshuddered，asatthememoryofsomethinghehadseen：intothatregionhehadprobablywanderedinhisvisions。

“Hewasafierceandfurioussavage——worsethananythingyoucanimagine。Theonlysignofanyinfluenceofcivilizationuponhimwasthathewascowedbytheeyeofhiskeeper。Never，exceptbyrarestchance，washeleftaloneandawake：noonecouldtellwhathemightnotdo！

“Hewasofgiganticsize，withcoarseblackhair——thebrawniestfellowandtheugliest，theysay——foryoumaysupposemydescriptionisbutlegendary：thereisnoportraitofhimonourwalls！——withahuge，shapeless，cruel，greedymouth，“——

Ashislordshipsaidthewords，Donal，withinvoluntaryinsight，sawbothcrueltyandgreedinthemouththatspoke，thoughitwasneitherhugenorshapeless——

“lipshideouslyredandlarge，withthewhitestteethinsidethem——Igiveyouthedescription，“saidhislordship，whoevidentlylingerednotwithoutpleasureonthedetailsofhisrecital，“justasIusedtohearitfrommyoldnurse，whohadbeenallherlifeinthefamily，andhaditfromhermotherwhowasinitatthetime——Hisgreatpassion，hiskeenestdelight，wasanimalfood。Heateenormously——more，itwassaid，thanthreeheartymen。Anhourafterhehadgorgedhimself，hewasreadytogorgeagain。Roastmeatwashismaindelight，buthewasfondofbrothalso——HemusthavebeenmorelikeMrs。Shelley\'screationinFrankensteinthananyother。AllthetimeIreadthatstory，Ihadthevisionofmyfar-offcousinconstantlybeforeme，asIsawhiminmymind\'seyewhenmynursedescribedhim；andoftenIwonderedwhetherMrs。

Shelleycouldhaveheardofhim——Inanearlierageandmorepractical，theywouldhavegotridofhimbyreadierandmorethoroughmeans，ifonlyforshameofhavingbroughtsuchabeingintotheworld，buttheysenthimwithhiskeeper，alittlemanwithapowerfuleye，tothatsamehousedowninthetownthere：inanaltogethersolitaryplacetheycouldpersuadenomantolivewithhim。Atnighthewasalwayssecuredtohisbed，otherwisehiskeeperwouldnothavehadcouragetosleep，forhewasascunningashewashideous。Whenhesleptduringtheday，whichhedidfrequentlyafterameal，hisattendantcontentedhimselfwithlockinghisdoor，andkeepinghisearsawake。Atsuchtimesonlydidheventuretolookontheworld：hewouldstepjustoutsidethestreet-door，butwouldneitherleaveit，norshutitbehindhim，lestthesavageshouldperhapsescapefromhisroom，barit，andsetthehouseonfire。

“OnebeautifulSundaymorning，thebrute，afteragoodbreakfast，hadfallenasleeponhisbed，andthekeeperhadgonedownstairs，andwasstandinginthestreetwiththedooropenbehindhim。Allthepeoplewereatchurch，andthestreetwasemptyasadesert。Hestoodthereforsometime，enjoyingthesweetairandthescentoftheflowers，wentinandgotalighttohispipe，putcoalsonthefire，sawthatthehughcauldronofbrothwhichthecookhadleftinhischargewhenhewenttochurch——itwastoservefordinnerandsupperboth——wasboilingbeautifully，wentback，andagaintookhisstationinfrontoftheopendoor。Presentlycameaneighbourwomanfromherhouse，leadingbythehandalittlegirltooyoungtogotochurch。Shestoodtalkingwithhimforsometime。

“Suddenlyshecried，\'GoodLord！what\'scomeo\'thebairn？\'Thesameinstantcameonepiercingshriek——fromsomedistanceitseemed。Themotherdarteddowntheneighbouringclose。Butthekeepersawthatthedoorbehindhimwasshut，andwasfilledwithhorribledismay。

Hedartedtoanentranceintheclose，ofwhichhealwayskeptthekeyabouthim，andwentstraighttothekitchen。Therebythefirestoodthesavage，gazingwithafixedfishyeyeofraptureatthecauldron，whichthesteam，issuinginlittlesharpjetsfromunderthelid，showedtobeboilingfuriously，withgrandprophecyofbroth。Ghastlyhorrorinhisverybones，thekeeperliftedthelid——andthere，besidethebeef，withthebrothbubblinginwavesoverher，laythechild！Thedemonhadtornoffherfrock，andthrustherintotheboilingliquid！

“Thererosesuchanoutcrythattheywerecompelledtoputhiminchainsandcarryhimnooneknewwhither；butnursesaidhelivedtooldage。Eversince，thehousehasbeenuninhabited，with，ofcourse，thereputationofbeinghaunted。Ifyouhappentobeinitsneighbourhoodwhenitbeginstogrowdark，youmayseethechildrenhurrypastitinsilence，nowandthenglancingbackindread，lestsomethingshouldhaveopenedthenever-openeddoor，andbestealingafterthem。TheycallthatsomethingTheRedEtin，——onlythisogrewasblack，Iamsorrytosay；redwasthepropercolourforhim。“

“Itisahorriblestory！”saidDonal。

“Iwantyoutogotothehouseforme：youdonotmindgoing，doyou？”

“Notintheleast，“answeredDonal。

“Iwantyoutosearchacertainbureauthereforsomepapers——Bytheway，haveyouanynewstogivemeaboutForgue？”

“No，mylord，“answeredDonal。“Idonotevenknowwhetherornottheymeet，butIamafraid。“

“Oh，Idaresay，“rejoinedhislordship，“thewhimiswearingoff！

Onepelletdrivesoutanother。Behindtheloveinthepopguncametheconvictionthatitwouldbesimpleruin！ButweGraemesarestiff-neckedbothtoGodandman，andIdon\'ttrusthimmuch。“

“Hegaveyounopromise，ifyouremember，mylord。“

“Irememberverywell；whythedeuceshouldInotremember？Iamnotinthewayofforgettingthings！No，byGod！norforgivingthemeither！Wherethere\'sanythingtoforgivethere\'snofearofmyforgetting！”

Hefollowedtheutterancewithalaugh，asifhewouldhaveitpassforajoke，buttherewasnoringinthelaugh。

HethengaveDonaldetailedinstructionsastowherethebureaustood，howhewastoopenitwithacuriouskeywhichhetoldhimwheretofindintheroom，howalsotoopenthesecretpartofthebureauinwhichthepaperslay。

“Forget！”heechoed，turningandsweepingbackonhistrail；“Ihavenotbeeninthathousefortwentyyears：youcanjudgewhetherI

forget！——No！”headdedwithanoath，“ifIfoundmyselfforgettingI

shouldthinkittimetolookout；butthereisnosignofthatyet，thankGod！There！takethekeys，andbeoff！Simmonswillgiveyouthekeyofthehouse。Youhadbettertakethatofthedoorintheclose：itiseasiertoopen。“

Donalwentawaywonderingatthepleasurehisfrightfultaleaffordedtheearl：hehadseemedpositivelytogloatoverthedetailsofit！TheseweremuchworsethanIhaverecorded：heshowedspecialdelightinnarratinghowthemothertookthebodyofherchildoutofthepot！

HesoughtSimmonsandaskedhimforthekey。Thebutlerwenttofindit，butreturnedsayinghecouldnotlayhishandsuponit；therewas，however，thekeyofthefrontdoor：itmightprovestiff！Donaltookit，andhavingoileditwell，setoutforMorvenHouse。ButonhiswayheturnedasidetoseetheComins。

Andrewlookedworse，andhethoughthemustbesinking。ThemomenthesawDonalherequestedtheymightbeleftaloneforafewminutes。

“Myyoongfreen\'，“hesaid，“theLordhasfauvouredmegreatlyingrantin\'mylastdaysthelichto\'yourcoontenance。Ihaelearntaheapfraeye\'atIkennahooIcouldhaecomeatwantin\'ye。“

“Eh，An\'rew！”interruptedDonal，“Idinnaweelkenhoothatcanbe，foritayeseemttomeyehada\'theknowledge\'atwasgaein\'！”

“Themancanilltaichwha\'snogaein\'onlearnin\'；an\'maybewhileshelearnsmairfraehisscholarnorthescholarlearnsfraehim。Butit\'sa\'fraetheLord；theLordisthatspeerit——an\'firsto\'a\'thespeerito\'obeddience，wi\'ootwhichthere\'snolearnin\'。Still，myson，itmaycomfortyeaweei\'thetimetocome，tothinktheauldcobblerAnerewComingaedintilthenewwarl\'fittercompanyforthehelpyegiedhimaforehegaed。MaytheLordmakasichto\'useo\'

ye！Fowksayaheapabootsavin\'sowls，butoweraften，Idoobt，theyhelptotakfraethemthesenseo\'hoosairthey\'reinwanto\'

savin\'。Surelyamansudkeninhimsel\'mairan\'mairtheneedo\'

bein\'saved，tillhecriesootan\'shoots，\'Iamsaved，forthere\'snaneinh\'avenbutthee，an\'there\'snaneupo\'theearthIdesirebesidesthee！Man，wuman，child，an\'livecratur，isbutaportiono\'thee，whaurontolattheloveo\'theerinower！\'Whanamancansaythat，he\'ssaved；an\'notillthan，thoughforlangyearshemayhaebeenayecomin\'nearertothatgoalo\'a\'houp，theherto\'thefathero\'me，an\'you，an\'Doory，an\'Eppy，an\'a\'thenationso\'

theearth！”

Hestoppedweary，buthiseyes，fixedonDonal，wentonwherehisvoicehadended，andforatimeDonalseemedtohearwhathissoulwassaying，andtohearkenwithcontent。Butsuddenlytheirlightwentout，theoldmangaveasigh，andsaid：——

“It\'sowerforthiswarl\'，myfreen\'。It\'scomin\'——thehooro\'

darkness。Butthething\'at\'struewhanthelichtshines，isastruei\'thedark：yecannawork，that\'sa\'。God\'illgiemegracetoliestill。It\'sa\'ane。IwudliejistasIusedtosit，i\'thedayswhanImen\'itfowk\'sshune，an\'Dooryhappenttotakawa\'thelichtforamoment；——Iwudsitayeluikin\'doonthrouwthemirkatmywark，thoughIcouldnaseeastimeo\'\'t，thealison(awl)i\'myhan\'readytoputintheneiststeekthemomentthelichtfellupo\'

thespotwhauritwastogang。That\'shooIwudliewhanI\'mdeein\'，jistwaitin\'forthelicht，noforthedark，an\'makin\'anincense-offerin\'o\'mypatiencewhanIhaenaethingithertooffer，naitherthouchtnorglaidnessnorsorrow，naethingbutpatienceburnin\'inpain。He\'llaccep\'that；for，myson，themaister\'sjistaseasytopleaseashe\'silltosaitisfee。Yehaeseenamitherowerherweelassie\'ssampler？She\'llpraisean\'praise\'t，an\'berichtpleastwi\'\'t；butwowgienshewastobecontentwi\'thethinginherhan\'！thelassie\'sman，whanshecamtohaeane，wudhaeanilltimeo\'\'twi\'hishosean\'hissarks！ButnooIhaeafauvourtobego\'ye——noformysakebutforhers：gienyehaethewarnin\'，ye\'llbewi\'mewhanIgang？Itmaybeacomforttomysel\'——Idinnaken——nanecantell\'athasnadee\'dafore——noreventhan，fordeithsaresaedifferent！——doobtlessLazarus\'stwadeithswarfarfraealike！——butit\'llbeagreatcomforttoDoory——I\'mclearupo\'that。Shewinnafin\'hersel\'saelanesomelike，losin\'

sichto\'herauldman，gienthefreen\'o\'hishertbeasideherwhanhegangs。“

“PleaseGod，I\'llbeatyercomman\'，“saidDonal。

“Noocryupo\'Doory，forIwudnaseelesso\'hernorImay。Itmaybeyears\'aforeIgetasichto\'herlo\'in\'faceagain！ButthesameLord\'sinheran\'i\'me，an\'wecannafarbesun\'ert，hooeverlangthetime\'aforewemeetagain。“

DonalcalledDoory，andtookhisleave。

CHAPTERXLVII。

MORVENHOUSE

OppositeMorvenHousewasabuildingwhichhadatonetimebeenthestablestoit，butwasnowpartofabrewery；ahighwallshutitofffromthestreet；itwasdinner-timewiththehumblerpeopleofthetown，andtherewasnotasoulvisible，whenDonalputthekeyinthelockofthefrontdoor，openedit，andwentin：hehadtimedhisentranceso，desiringtoavoididlecuriosity，andbringnogatheringfeetaboutthehouse。Almostontiptoeheenteredtheloftyhall，highabovethefirststory。Thedustlaythickonalargemarbletable——butwhatwasthat？——astreakacrossit，brushedsharplythroughthemiddleofthedust！Itwasstrange！Buthewouldnotwaittospeculateontheagent！Theroomtowhichtheearlhaddirectedhimwasonthefirstfloor，andheascendedtoitatonce——bythegreatoakstaircasewhichwentupthesidesofthehall。

Thehousehadnotbeendismantled，althoughthingshadatdifferenttimesbeentakenfromit，andwhenDonalopenedaleafofshutter，hesawtablesandchairsandcabinetsinlaidwithsilverandivory。

Theroomlookedstately，buteverythingwasdeepindust；carpetsandcurtainswerethickwiththedesertedsepulchresofmoths；andtheairsomehowsuggestedatomb：DonalthoughtofthetombsofthekingsofEgyptbeforeravagingconquerorsbrokeintothem，whentheywereyetfullofallsuchgorgeousfurnitureasgreatkingsdesired，againstthetimewhenthesoulsshouldreturntoreanimatethebodiessocarefullyspicedandstoredtowelcomethem，andthegreatkingswouldbethemselvesagain，withtheaddedwisdomofthedeadandjudged。Consciousofacurioustimidity，feelingakindofawesomenessabouteveryformintheroom，hesteppedsoftlytothebureau，applieditskey，andfollowingcarefullythedirectionstheearlhadgivenhim，forthelockwasItalian，withmorethanonequipandcrankandwantonwileaboutit，succeededinopeningit。Hehadnodifficultyinfindingitssecretplace，northepacketconcealedinit；butjustashelaidhishandsonit，hewasawareofaswiftpassagealongthefloorwithout，pastthedooroftheroom，andapparentlyupthenextstair。Therewasnothinghecoulddistinguishasfootsteps，orastherustleofadress；itseemedasifhehadheardbutadisembodiedmotion！Hedartedtothedoor，whichhehadbyhabitclosedbehindhim，andopeneditnoiselessly。

Thestairsaboveasbelowwerecoveredwiththickcarpet：anylighthumanfootmightpasswithoutasound；onlyhastewouldmurmurthesecrettothetroubledair。

Heturned，replacedthepacket，andclosedthebureau。Iftherewasanyoneinthehouse，hemustknowit，andwhocouldtellwhatmightfollow！Itwasthemerestghostofasoundhehadheard，buthemustgoafterit！Someintrudermightbeusingtheearl\'shouseforhisownpurposes！

Goingsoftlyup，hepausedatthetopofthesecondstair，andlookedaroundhim。Aniron-clencheddoorstoodnearlyoppositetheheadofit；andatthefartherendofalongpassage，onwhosesideswereseveralcloseddoors，wasonepartlyopen。Fromthatdirectioncamethesoundofalittlemovement，andthenoflowvoices——onesurelythatofawoman！Itflasheduponhimthatthismustbethetrysting-placeofEppyandForgue。Fearingdiscoverybeforeheshouldhavegatheredhiswits，hesteppedquietlyacrossthepassagetothedooropposite，openedit，notwithoutalittlenoise，andwentin。

Itwasastrange-lookingchamberhehadentered——that，doubtless，onceoccupiedbytheogre——TheReidEtin。Eveninthebewildermentofthemoment，thetalehehadjustheardwassopresenttohimthathecasthiseyesaround，andnotedseveralthingstoconfirmtheconclusion。Butthenextinstantcamefrombelowwhatsoundedlikeathunderingknockatthestreetdoor——asingleknock，loudandfierce——possiblyamererunaway\'sknock。ThestartitgaveDonalsethisheartshakinginhisbosom。

Almostwithitcamealittlecry，andthesoundofadoorpulledopen。Thenheheardahurried，yetcarefullysoftstep，whichwentdownthestair。

“Nowismytime！”saidDonaltohimself。“Sheisalone！”

Hecameout，andwentalongthepassage。Thedoorattheendofitwasopen，andEppystoodinit。Shesawhimcoming，andgazedwithwidespreadeyesofterror，asifitwereTheReidEtinhimself——waked，andcomingtodevourher。Ashecame，herblueeyesopenedwider，andseemedtofixintheirorbits；justashernamewasonhislips，shedroppedwithasharpmoan。Hecaughtherup，andhurriedwithherdownthestair。

Ashereachedthefirstfloor，heheardthesoundofswiftascendingsteps，andthenextmomentwasfacetofacewithForgue。Theyouthstartedback，andforamomentstoodstaring。Hisenemyhadfoundhim！Butragerestoredtohimhisself-possession。

“Putherdown，youscoundrel！”hesaid。

“Shecan\'tstand，“Donalanswered。

“You\'vekilledher，youdamnedspy！”

“ThenIhavebeenmorekindthanyou！”

“Whatareyougoingtodowithher？”

“Takeherhometoherdyinggrandfather。“

“You\'vehurther，youdevil！Iknowyouhave！”

“Sheisonlyfrightened。Sheiscomingtoherself。Ifeelherwaking！”

“Youshallfeelmepresently！”criedForgue。“Putherdown，Isay。“

Neitherofthemspokeloud，fordreadofneighbours。

EppybegantowritheinDonal\'sarms。Forguelaidholdofher，andDonalwascompelledtoputherdown。Shethrewherselfintothearmsofherlover，andwasonthepointoffaintingagain。

“Getoutofthehouse！”saidForguetoDonal。

“Iamhereonyourfather\'sbusiness！”returnedDonal。

“Aspyandinformer！”

“Hesentmetofetchhimsomepapers。“

“Itisalie！”saidForgue；“Iseeitinyourface！”

“SolongasIspeakthetruth，“rejoinedDonal，“itmatterslittlethatyoushouldthinkmealiar。But，mylord，youmustallowmetotakeEppyhome。“

“Alikelything！”answeredForgue，drawingEppycloser，andlookingathimwithcontempt。

“Giveupthegirl，“saidDonalsternly，“orIwillraisethetown，andhaveacrowdaboutthehouseinthreeminutes。“

“Youarethedevil！”criedForgue。“There！takeher——withtheconsequences！Ifyouhadletusalone，Iwouldhavedonemypart——Leaveusnow，andI\'llpromisetomarryher。Ifyoudon\'t，youwillhavetheblameofwhatmayhappen——notI。“

“Butyouwill，dearest？”saidEppyinatoneterrifiedandbeseeching。

GladlyshewouldhavehadDonalhearhimsayhewould。

Forguepushedherfromhim。Sheburstintotears。Hetookherinhisarmsagain，andsoothedherlikeachild，assuringherhemeantnothingbywhathehadsaid。

“Youaremyown！”hewenton；“youknowyouare，whateverourenemiesmaydriveusto！Nothingcanpartus。Gowithhim，mydarling，forthepresent。Thetimewillcomewhenweshalllaughatthemall。Ifitwerenotforyoursake，andthescandalofthething，Iwouldsendtherascaltothebottomofthestair。Butitisbettertobepatient。“

Sobbingbitterly，EppywentwithDonal。Forguestoodshakingwithimpotentrage。

Whentheyreachedthestreet，Donalturnedtolockthedoor。Eppydartedfromhim，andrandowntheclose，thinkingtogoinagainbythesidedoor。Butitwaslocked，andDonalwaswithherinamoment。

“Yougohomealone，Eppy，“hesaid；“itwillbejustaswellI

shouldnotgowithyou。ImustseelordForgueoutofthehouse。“

“Eh，yewinnahurthim！”pleadedEppy。

“NotifIcanhelpit。Idon\'twanttohurthim。Yougohome。Itwillbebetterforhimaswellasyou。“

Shewentslowlyaway，weeping，buttryingtokeepwhatshowofcalmshecould。Donalwaitedaminuteortwo，wentbacktothefrontdoor，entered，andhasteningtothesidedoortookthekeyfromthelock。Thenreturningtothehall，hecriedfromthebottomofthestair，“Mylord，Ihaveboththekeys；thesidedoorislocked；Iamabouttolockthefrontdoor，andIdonotwanttoshutyouin。Pray，comedown。“

Forguecameleapingdownthestair，andthrewhimselfuponDonalinafierceattemptafterthekeyinhishand。Thesuddenassaultstaggeredhim，andhefellonthefloorwithForgueabovehim，whosoughttowrestthekeyfromhim。ButDonalwasmuchthestronger；

hethrewhisassailantoffhim；andforamomentwastemptedtogivehimagoodthrashing。FromthisthethoughtofEppyhelpedtorestrainhim，andhecontentedhimselfwithholdinghimdowntillheyielded。Whenatlasthelayquiet，“WillyoupromisetowalkoutifIletyouup？”saidDonal。“Ifyouwillnot，Iwilldragyouintothestreetbythelegs。“

“Iwill，“saidForgue；andgettingup，hewalkedoutandawaywithoutaword。

Donallockedthedoor，forgettingallaboutthepapers，andwentbacktoAndrew\'s。TherewasEppy，safeforthemoment！Shewasbusyintheouterroom，andkeptherbacktohim。Withawordortwotothegrandmother，heleftthem，andwenthome，revolvingallthewaywhatheoughttodo。Shouldhetelltheearl，orshouldhenot？Hadhebeenamanofrectitude，hewouldnothavehesitatedamoment；

butknowinghedidnotcarewhatbecameofEppy，solongashissondidnotmarryher，hefeltundernoobligationtocarryhimtheevilreport。Thefathermighthavearighttoknow，buthadhearighttoknowfromhim？

Anoblenaturefindsitalmostimpossibletodealwithquestionsonotherthanthehighestgrounds：wherethosegroundsareunrecognized，therelationsofresponsibilitymaybedifficultindeedtodetermine。AllDonalwasabletoconcludeonhiswayhome，andhedidnothurry，was，that，ifhewereaskedanyquestions，hewouldspeakoutwhatheknew——beabsolutelyopen。Ifthatshouldputaweaponinthehandoftheenemy，aweaponwasnotthevictory。

CHAPTERXLVIII。

PATERNALREVENGE。

Nosoonerhadheenteredthecastle，wherehisreturnhadbeenwatchedfor，thanSimmonscametohimwiththemessagethathislordshipwantedtoseehim。ThenfirstDonalrememberedthathehadnotbroughtthepapers！Hadhenotbeensentfor，hewouldhavegonebackatoncetofetchthem。Asitwas，hemustseetheearlfirst。

Hefoundhiminaworseconditionthanusual。Hislastdrugorcombinationofdrugshadnotagreedwithhim；orhehadtakentoomuch，withcorrespondentreaction：hewasinaviletemper。Donaltoldhimhehadbeentothehouse，andhadfoundthepapers，buthadnotbroughtthem——had，infact，forgottenthem。

“Aprettyfellowyouare！”criedtheearl。“What，youleftthosepaperslyingaboutwhereanyrascalmayfindthemandplaythedeucewiththem！”

Donalassuredhimtheywereperfectlysafe，underthesamelocksandkeysasbefore。

“Youarealwaysgoingaboutthebush！”criedtheearl。“Younevercometothepoint！Howthedevilwasityoulockedthemupagain？——Togopryingalloverthehouse，Isuppose！”

Donaltoldhimasmuchofthestoryashewouldhear。Almostimmediatelyhesawwhitherittended，hebegantoabusehimformeddlingwiththingshehadnothingtodowith。WhatrighthadhetointerferewithlordForgue\'spleasures！Thingsofthesortweretoberegardedasnon-existent！Thelinenhadtobewashed，butitwasnotdoneinthegreatcourt！LordForguewasayouthofposition：

whyshouldhebebalkedofhisfancy！Itmightbeattheexpenseofsociety！

Donaltookadvantageofthefirstpausetoaskwhetherheshouldnotgobackandbringthepapers：hewouldrunalltheway，hesaid。

“No，damnyou！”answeredtheearl。“Givemethekeys——allthekeys——house-keysandall。Ishouldbeafoolmyselftotrustsuchafoolagain！”

AsDonalwaslayingthelastkeyonthetablebyhislordship\'sbedside，Simmonsappeared，sayinglordForguedesiredtoknowifhisfatherwouldseehim。

“Oh，yes！sendhimup！”criedtheearlinafury。“Allthedevilsinhellatonce！”

Hislordship\'sragescameupfromabyssesofmiserynomanknewbuthimself。

“Yougointothenextroom，Grant，“hesaid，“andwaittheretillI

callyou。“

Donalobeyed，tookabookfromthetable，andtriedtoread。Heheardthedoortothepassageopenandcloseagain，andthenthesoundsofvoices。Bydegreestheygrewlouder，andatlengththeearlroaredout，sothatDonalcouldnothelphearing：

“I\'llbedamnedsoulandbodyinhell，butI\'llputastoptothis！

Why，yousonofasnake！Ihavebuttospeaktheword，andyouare——well，what。Yes，Iwillholdmytongue，butnotifhecrossesme！——ByGod！Ihaveheldittoolongalready！——lettingyougrowupthedamnablestungratefuldogthateversnuffedcarrion！——Andyourpoorfatherperilinghissoulforyou，byGod，yourascal！”

“Thankheaven，youcannottakethetitlefromme，mylord！”saidForguecoolly。“TherestyouarewelcometogivetoDavie！Itwon\'tbetoomuch，byallaccounts！”

“Damnyouandyourtitle！Aprettytitle，ha，ha，ha！——Why，youinfernalfool，youhavenomorerighttothetitlethanthebeggarlykitchen-maidyouwouldmarry！Ifyoubutknewyourself，youwouldcrowinanotherfashion！Ha，ha，ha！”

AtthisDonalopenedthedoor。

“Imustwarnyourlordship，“hesaid，“thatifyouspeaksoloud，I

shallheareveryword。“

“Hearandbedamnedtoyou！——Thatfellowthere——youseehimstandingthere——themushroomthatheis！GoodGod！howIlovedhismother！

andthisisthewayheservesme！ButtherewasaProvidenceinthewholeaffair！NeverwillIdisbelieveinaProvidenceagain！Itallcomesoutright，perfectlyright！SmalloccasionhadItobebreakingheartandconscienceoveriteversincesheleftme！Hangthepinchbeckrascal！he\'snomoreForguethanyouare，Grant，andneverwillbeMorvenifheliveahundredyears！He\'snotashortstrawbetterthananybastardinthestreet！Hismotherwastheloveliestwomaneverbreathed！——andlovedme——ah，God！itissomethingafteralltohavebeenlovedso——andbysuchawoman！——awoman，byGod！readyandwillingandhappytogiveupeverythingforme！Everything，doyouhear，youdamnedrascal！Inevermarriedher！

Doyouhear，Grant？Itakeyoutowitness；markmywords：we，thatfellow\'smotherandI，werenevermarried——bynolaw，Scotch，orFrench，orDutch，orwhatyouwill！He\'sadamnedbastard，andmaygoabouthisbusinesswhenhepleases。Oh，yes！praydo！Marryyourscullionwhenyouplease！Youareyourownmaster——entlrelyyourownmaster！——freeasthewindthatblowstogowhereyouwillanddowhatyouplease！Iwashmyhandsofyou。You\'lldoasyouplease——willyou？Thendo，andpleaseme：Idesirenobetterrevenge！Ionlytellyouonceforall，themomentIknowforcertainyou\'vemarriedthewench，thatmomentIpublishtotheworld——thatis，Iacquaintcertaingossipswiththefact，thatthenextlordMorvenwillhavetobehuntedforlikeatruffle——ha！ha！ha！”

Heburstintoafiendishfitoflaughter，andfellbackonhispillow，darkwithrageandtheunutterablefurythatmadeofhisbeingavolcano。Thetwomenhadbeenstandingdumbbeforehim，Donalpainedforthemanonwhomthisphialofdevilishwrathhadbeenemptied，hewhiteandtremblingwithdismay——anabjectcreature，crushedbyacruelparent。Whenhisfatherceased，hestillstood，stillsaidnothing：powerwasgonefromhim。Hegrewghastly，utteredagroan，andwavered。Donalsupportedhimtoachair；hedroppedintoit，andleanedback，withstreamingface。Itwasmiserabletothinkthatonecapableofsuchemotionconcerningtheworld\'sregard，shouldbesoindifferenttowhatalonecanaffectaman——thenatureofhisactions——soindifferenttotheagonyofanotherastopleasehimselfatallrisktoher，althoughhebelievedhelovedher，andperhapsdidloveherbetterthananyoneelseintheworld。ForDonaldidnotatalltrusthimregardingEppy——lessnowthanever。Butthesethoughtswentoninhimalmostwithouthisthinkingthem；hisattentionwasengrossedwiththepassionatecreaturesbeforehim。

Thefathertooseemedtohavelostthepowerofmotion，andlaywithhiseyesclosed，breathingheavily。ButbyandbyhemadewhatDonaltookforasigntoringthebell。Hedidso，andSimmonscame。Themomentheentered，andsawthestatehismasterwasin，hehastenedtoacupboard，tookthenceabottle，pouredfromitsomethingcolourless，andgaveittohiminwater。Itbroughthimtohimself。

Hesatupagain，andinavoicehoarseandterriblesaid：——

“ThinkofwhatIhavetoldyou，Forgue。DoasIwouldhaveyou，andthetruthissafe；takeyourwaywithoutme，andIwilltakeminewithoutyou。Go。“

Donalwent。Forguedidnotmove。

WhatwasDonaltodoorthinknow？Perplexitiesgathereduponhim。

Happilytherewastimeforthought，andforprayer，whichisthehighestthinking。Herewasasecretaffectingtheyouthhisenemy，andtheboyhisfriend！affectingsocietyitself——thatsocietywhich，largelycapableandlargelyguiltyoflikesins，yetvisitswithsuchunmercythesinsofthefathersuponthechildren，thesinsoftheoffenderupontheoffended！Butthereisanotherwhovisitsthem，andinanotherfashion！Whatwashetodo？Washetoholdhistongueandleavethethingasnothis，ortospeakoutashewouldhavedonehadthecasebeenhisown？Oughtthechancetobeallowedthenamelessyouthofmarryinghiscousin？Oughtthenextheirtothelordshiptogowithouthistitle？HadtheynotbothaclaimuponDonalforthetruth？Donalthoughtlittleofsuchthingshimself，butdidthataffecthisdutyinthematter？Hemightthinklittleofmoney，butwouldhethereforelookonwhileapocketwaspicked？

Onreflectionhesaw，however，thattherewasnocertaintytheearlwasspeakingthetruth；foranythingheknewofhim，hemightbeinventingthestatementinordertohavehiswaywithhisson！Forineithercasehewasadouble-dyedvillian；andifhespokethetruthwasnonethelesscapableoflying。

CHAPTERXLIX。

FILIALRESPONSE。

OnethingthenwascleartoDonal，thatforthepresenthehadnothingtodowiththeaffair。Supposingtheearl\'sassertiontrue，therewasatpresentnoquestionastothesuccession；beforesuchquestioncouldarise，Forguemightbedead；beforethat，hisfathermighthimselfhavedisclosedthesecret；while，thelongerDonalthoughtaboutit，thegreaterwashisdoubtwhetherhehadspokenthetruth。Themanwhocouldsomakesuchastatementtohissonconcerninghismother，mustindeedhavebeencapableofthewickednessassumed！butalsothemanwhocouldmakesuchastatementwassurelyvileenoughtolie！Thethingremaineduncertain，andhewasassuredlynotcalledupontoact！

ButhowwouldForguecarryhimself？Hisbehaviournowwoulddecideoratleastdeterminehischaracter。Ifhewereindeedashonourableashewishedtobethought，hewouldtellEppywhathadoccurred，andsethimselfatoncetofindsomewayofearninghisandherbread，oratleasttobecomecapableofearningit。Hedidnotseemtocherishanydoubtofthetruthofwhathadfalleninragefromhisfather\'slips，for，tojudgebyhisappearance，tothefewandbriefglancesDonalhadofhimduringthenextweekorso，theironhadsunkintohissoul：helookedmorewretchedthanDonalcouldhavebelieveditpossibleformantobe——abjectquite。Itmanifestedveryplainlywhatamiserablething，howweakandweakening，istheprideofthisworld。Onewhocouldbesocastdown，washardlyone，alas，ofwhomtoexpectanygreatnessofaction！Hewasnotlikelytohavehonestyorcourageenoughtodeclineasuccessionthatwasnothis——eventhoughitwouldleavehiswaycleartomarryEppy。

WhetheranyofForgue\'smiseryarosefromthefactthatDonalhadbeenpresentattheexposureofhisposition，Donalcouldnottell；

buthecouldhardlyfailtoregardhimasadangerousholderofhissecret——onewhowouldbemorethanreadytotakehostileactioninthematter！Atthesametime，suchhadseemedtheparalysinginfluenceoftheshockuponhim，thatDonaldoubtedifhehadbeen，atanytimeduringtheinterview，somuchawareofhispresenceasnottohaveforgottenitentirelybeforehecametohimself。Hadherememberedthefact，wouldhenothavecometohimtoattemptsecuringhiscomplicity？Ifhemeanttodoright，whydidhehesitate？——therewasbutoneway，andthatplainbeforehim！

ButpresentlyDonalbegantoseemanythingsanequivocatingdemonmighturge：theclaimsofhismother；thefactthattherewasnonearheir——hedidnotevenknowwhowouldcomeinhisplace；thathewoulddoaswellwiththepropertyasanother；thathehadbeenalreadygrievouslywronged；thathismother\'smemorywouldbeyetmoregrievouslywronged；thatthemarriagehadbeenamarriageinthesightofGod，andassuchhesurelyofallmenwasinheaven\'srighttoregardit！andhismotherhadbeenthetruestofwivestohisfather！ThesethingsandmoreDonalsawhemightpleadwithhimself；andifhewasthemanhehadgivenhimnosmallgroundtothink，hewouldinallprobabilitylistentothem。Hewouldrecallorassumetheexistenceofmanyprecedentsinthehistoryofnoblefamilies；hewouldsaythat，knowingthegeneralcharacteroftheirheads，noonewouldbelieveasinglenoblefamilywithoutatleastoneunrecorded，undiscovered，orwellconcealedirregularityinitsdescent；andhewouldjudgeitthecruellestthingtohavelethimknowtheblightingfact，seeingthatinignorancehemighthavesucceededwithagoodconscience。

Butwhatkindofafatherwasthis，thoughtDonal，whowouldthusdefilehisson\'sconscience！hehadnotdoneitinmererevenge，buttogainhisson\'ssubmissionaswell！Whetherthepoorfellowleanedtothenobleorignoble，itwasnomarvelheshouldwanderaboutlookingscarceworthythenameofman！Ifhewouldbutcometohimthathemighthelphim！Hecouldatleastencouragehimtorefusetheevilandchoosethegood！Butevenifhewouldreceivesuchhelp，theforegonepassagesbetweenthemrendereditsorelyimprobableitwouldeverfalltohimtoaffordit！

ThathisvisitstoEppywereintermitted，Donaljudgedfromhercountenanceandbearing；andifhehesitatedtosacrificehisownpridetothetruth，itcouldnotbewithoutcontemplatingaspossiblethesacrificeofherhappinesstoalie。Insuchdelayhecouldhardlybepraying“Leadmenotintotemptation：“ifnotactivelytemptinghimself，hewassubmittingtobetempted；hewaslingeringontheevilshore。

AndrewCominstaidyetaweek——slowly，gentlyfadingoutintolife——darkeningintoeternalday——forgettingintoknowledgeitself。

Donalwasbyhissidewhenhewent，butlittlewasdoneorsaid；hecreptintotheopenairinhissleep，towakefromthedreamsoflifeandthedreamsofdeathandthedreamsofsleepallatonce，andseethemminglingtogetherbehindhimlikeabrokenwave——blendingintoonevanishingdreamofatroubled，yet，oh，howpreciousnightpastandgone！

Once，aboutanhourbeforehewent，Donalheardhimmurmur，“WhenI

wakeIamstillwiththee！”

Doorywasperfectlycalm。Whenhegavehislastsigh，shesighedtoo，said，“Iwinnabelang，Anerew！”andsaidnomore。Eppyweptbitterly。

Donalwenteverydaytoseethemtillthefuneralwasover。Itwassurprisinghowmanyofthetown\'sfolkattendedit。Mostofthemhadregardedthecobblerasapoortalkativeenthusiastwithfarmoretonguethanbrains！Becausetheyweresofarbehindandbeneathhim，theysawhimverysmall！

Onecannothelpreflectingwhatanindifferenttriflethefuneral，whetherplaintobareness，asinScotland，orlovelywithmeaningasofteninEngland，istothespiritwhohasbutdropthishurtingshoesonthewearyroad，droptallthedustandheat，dropttheroaditself，yeatheworldofhispilgrimage——whichneverwas，nevercouldbe，neverwasmeanttobehiscountry，onlytheplaceofhissojourning——inwhichthestateliesthouseofmarblecanbebutatent——cannotbeahouse，yetlessahome。Mancouldneverbemadeathomehere，savebyamutilation，adepression，alesseningofhisbeing；thosewhofancyittheirhome，willcome，bygrowth，onedaytofeelthatitisnomoretheirhomethanitsmother\'seggisthehomeofthelark。

ForsometimeDonal\'ssavingscontinuedtosupporttheoldwomanandhergrand-daughter。ButerelongDoorygotsomuchtodointhewayofknittingstockingsandotherthings，andwassettosomanylightjobsbykindlypeoplewhorespectedhermorethanherhusbandbecausetheysawherlessextraordinary，thatsheseldomtroubledhim。MissCarmichaelofferedtodowhatshecouldtogetEppyaplace，ifsheansweredcertainquestionstohersatisfaction。HowshelikedhercatechizingIdonotknow，butshesofarsatisfiedherinterrogatorthatshedidfindheraplaceinEdinburgh。SheweptsoreatleavingAuchars，buttherewasnohelp：rumourhadbeenmorecruelthanuntrue，andbesidestherewasnopeaceforhernearthecastle。NotoncehadlordForguesoughthersincehegaveheruptoDonal，andshethoughthehadthengivenherupaltogether。

Notwithstandinghiskindnesstoherhouse，sheallbuthatedDonal——perhapsthemorenearlythatherconsciencetoldhehaddonenothingbutwhatwasright。

Thingsreturnedintotheoldgroovesatthecastle，butthehappythoughtofhisfriendthecobbler，hammeringandstitchinginthetownbelow，wasgonefromDonal。True，thecraftsmanwasanoblemannow，butsuchhehadalwaysbeen！

Forguemoonedabout，doingnothing，andrecognizingnopossiblehelpsaveinwhatwasutterdefeat。IfhehadhadanyfaithinDonal，hemighthavehadhelpfittomakeamanofhim，whichhewouldhavefoundsomethingmorethananearl。Donalwouldhavetaughthimtolookthingsintheface，andcallthembytheirownnames。Itwouldhavebeentheredemptionofhisbeing。Toletthingsbeastheytrulyare，andactwithtruthinrespectofthem，istobeaman。

ButForgueshowedlittlesignofmanhood，presentortocome。

Hewasmuchonhorseback，nowridingfuriouslyovereverything，asifdrivenbytheveryfiend，nowdawdlingalongwiththereinsontheneckofhiswearyanimal。Donaloncemethimthusinanarrowlane。ThemomentForguesawhim，hepulleduphishorse\'shead，spurredhimhard，andcameonasifhedidnotseehim。Donalshovedhimselfintothehedge，andescapedwithalittlemud。

CHAPTERL。

ASOUTH-EASTERLYWIND。

Onemorning，DonalintheschoolroomwithDavie，aknockcametothedoor，andladyArcturaentered。

“Thewindisblowingfromthesouth-east，“shesaid。

“Listenthen，mylady，whetheryoucanhearanything，“saidDonal。

“Ifancyitisaveryprecisewindthatiswanted。“

“Iwilllisten，“sheanswered，andwent。

Thedaypassed，andheheardnothingmore。Hewasatworkinhisroominthewarmeveningtwilight，whenDaviecamerunningtohisdoor，andsaidArkiewascomingupafterhim。Heroseandstoodatthetopofthestairtoreceiveher。Shehadheardthemusic，shesaid——verysoft：wouldhegoontheroof？

“Wherewereyou，mylady，“askedDonal，“whenyouheardit？Ihaveheardnothinguphere！”

“Inmyownlittleparlour，“shereplied。“Itwasveryfaint，butI

couldnotmistakeit。“

Theywentupontheroof。Thewindwassoftandlow，anexcellentthinginwinds。Theyknewthepathsoftheroofbetternow，andhadplentyoflight，althoughthemoon，risinglargeandround，gavethemlittleofhersyet，andweresoonatthefootofthegreatchimney-stack，whichgrewlikeatreeoutofthehouse。Theretheysatdowntowaitandhearken。

“Iamalmostsorrytohavemadethisdiscovery！”saidDonal。

“Why？”askedladyArctura。“Shouldnotthetruthbefound，whateveritmaybe？Youatleastthinkso！”

“Mostcertainly，“answeredDonal。“Andifthisbethetruth，asI

fullyexpectitwillprove，thenitiswellitshouldbefoundtobe。ButIshouldhavelikedbetterithadbeensomethingwecouldnotexplain。“

“IdoubtifIunderstandyou。“

“Thingsthatcannotbeexplainedsowidenthehorizonaroundus！

opentousfreshregionsforquestionandanswer，forpossibilityanddelight！Theyaresomanykernelsofknowledgeclosedinthehardnutsofseemingcontradiction——Youknow，mylady，therearestoriesofcertainhousesbeinghauntedbyamysteriousmusicpresagingeviltothefamily？”

“Ihaveheardofsuchmusic。Butwhatcanbetheuseofit？”

“Idonotknow。Iseenotthesmallestuseinit。Ifitwereofuseitwouldsurelybemorecommon！Ifitwereofuse，whyshouldthosewhohaveitbeoftheclasslessfavoured，sotospeak，oftheLordoftheuniverse，andthefamiliesofhispoorneverhaveit？”

“Perhapsforthesamereasonthattheyhavetheirothergoodthingsinthislife！”saidArctura。

“Iamanswered，“confessedDonal，“andhavenomoretosay。Thesetales，iftheyrequireofusabeliefinanyspecialcareoversuchhouses，asiftheyweremorepreciousintheeyesofGodthanthepoorestcottageintheland，Icastthemfromme。“

“But，“saidArctura，inadeprecatingtone，“arenotthosehouseswhichhavemoreinfluencemoreimportantthantheothers？”

“Surely——thosewhichhavemoregoodinfluence。Butsucharerarelythegreathousesofacountry。OurLordwasnotanAsmonaeanprince，butthesonofahumblemaiden，hisreputedfatheraworkingman。“

“Idonotsee——Ishouldliketounderstandhowthathastodowithit。“

“YoumaybesuretheLordtookthepositioninlifeinwhichitwasmostpossibletodothehighestgood；andwithoutdrivingtheargument——foreveryworkhasitsownspecialty——itseemsprobablethatthetrueendsofhiscomingwillstillbebetterfurtheredfromthestandpointofhumblecircumstances，thanfromthatofrankandposition。“

“Youalwaysspeak，“saidArctura，“asiftherewereonlythethingsJesusChristcamefortobecaredabout：——istherenothingbutsalvationworthyahumanbeing\'sregard？”

“Ifyougiveatrueandlargeenoughmeaningtothewordsalvation，Iansweryouatonce，Nothing。Onlyinproportionasamanissaved，willhedotheworkoftheworldaright——thewholedesignofwhichistorearabeautifulblessedfamily。TheworldisGod\'snurseryforhisupperrooms。OnenesswithGodistheendoftheorderofthings。Whenthatisattained，weshalldogreaterthingsthantheLordhimselfdidontheearth！——Butwasnotthat苚lus？——Listen！”

Therecamealowprolongedwail。

Theladderwasinreadiness；Donalsetitupinhaste，climbedtothecleft，andwithasheetofbrownpaperinhishands，waitedthenextcryoftheprisonedchords。Hewasbeginningtogettiredofhisposition，whensuddenlycameastrongerpuff，andheheardthemusicdistinctlyintheshaftbesidehim。Itswelledandgrew。Hespreadthesheetofpaperovertheopening，thewindblewitflatagainstthechimney，andthesoundinstantlyceased。Heremovedit，andagaincamethesound。Thewindcontinued，andgrewstronger，sothattheywereabletomakethesimpleexperimentuntilnoshadowofadoubtwasleft：theyhaddiscoveredthesourceofthemusic！Bycertaindispositionsofthepapertheywereevenabletomodifyit。

Donaldescended，andsaidtoDavie，“Iwishyounottosayawordaboutthistoanyone，Davie，beforeladyArcturaorIgiveyouleave。Youhaveasecretwithusnow。ThecastlebelongstoladyArctura，andshehasarighttoaskyounottospeakofittoanyonewithoutherpermission——Ihaveareason，mylady，“hewenton，turningtoArctura：“willyou，please，desireDavietoattendtowhatIsay。Iwillimmediatelyexplaintoyou，butIdonotwantDavietoknowmyreasonuntilyoudo。Youcanontheinstantwithdrawyourprohibition，shouldyounotthinkmyreasonagoodone。“

“Davie，“saidArctura，“ItoohavefaithinMr。Grant：Ibegyouwillkeepallthisasecretforthepresent。“

“Ohsurely，cousinArkie！”saidDavie。“——But，Mr。Grant，whyshouldyoumakeArkiespeaktometoo？”

“Becausethethingisherbusiness，notmine。Rundownandwaitformeinmyroom。Gosteadilyoverthebartizan，mind。“

DonalturnedagaintoArctura。

“Youknowtheysaythereisahiddenroominthecastle，mylady？”

“Doyoubelieveit？”shereturned。

“Ithinktheremaybesuchaplace。“

“Surelyiftherehadbeen，itwouldhavebeenfoundlongago。“

“TheymighthavesaidthatonthefirstreportofthediscoveryofAmerica！”

“Thatwasfaroff，andacrossagreatocean！”

“Andherearethickwalls，andheartscarelessantimid！——Hasanyoneeversetinearnestaboutfindingit？”

“NotthatIknowof。“

“Thenyourobjectionfallstotheground。Ifyoucouldhavetoldmethatonehadtriedtofindtheplace，butwithoutsuccess，Iwouldhaveadmittedsomeforceinit，thoughitwouldnothavesatisfiedmewithoutknowingtheplanshehadtaken，andhowtheywerecarriedout。Ontheotherhanditmayhavebeenknowntomanywhoheldtheirpeaceaboutit——Wouldyounotliketoknowthetruthconcerningthattoo？”

“Ishouldindeed。Butwouldnotyoubesorrytoloseanothermystery？”

“Onthecontrary，thereisonlytherumourofamysterynow，andwedonotquitebelieveit。Wearenotatliberty，inthenameofgoodsense，tobelieveityet。Butifwefindtheroom，orthespaceevenwhereitmaybe，weshallprobablyfindalsoamystery——somethingneverinthisworldtobeaccountedfor，butsuggestingahundredunsatisfactoryexplanations。But，pardonme，Idonotintheleastpresumetopressit。“

LadyArcturasmiled。

“Youmaydowhatyouplease，“shesaid。“IfIseemedforamomenttohesitate，itwasonlythatIwonderedwhatmyunclewouldsaytoit。

Ishouldnotliketovexhim。“

“Certainlynot；butwouldhenotbepleased？”

“Iwillspeaktohim，andfindout。Hehateswhathecallssuperstition，andIfancyhascuriosityenoughnottoobjecttoasearch。Idonotthinkhewouldconsenttopullingdown，butshortofthat，Idon\'tthinkhewillmind。Ishouldnotwonderifheevenjoinedinthesearch。“

Donalthoughtwithhimselfitwasstrangethenhehadneverundertakenone。Somethingtoldhimtheearlwouldnotliketheproposal。

“Buttellme，Mr。Grant——howwouldyousetaboutit？”saidArctura，astheywenttowardsthetower。

“Ifthequestionweremerelywhetherornottherewassucharoom，andnotthefindingofit，——“

“Excuseme——buthowcouldyoutellwhethertherewasorwasnotsucharoomexceptbysearchingforit？”

“Bydeterminingwhethertherewasorwasnotsomespaceinthecastleunaccountedfor。“

“Idonotsee。“

“Wouldyoumindcomingtomyroom？ItwillbealessonforDavietoo！”

Sheassented，andDonalgavethemalessonincubicmeasureandcontent。Heshowedthemhowtoreckonthespacethatmustliewithingivenboundaries：ifthenwithinthoseboundariestheycouldnotfindsomuch，partofitmusthehidden。Iftheymeasuredthewallsofthecastle，allowingofcoursefortheirthicknessandeveryirregularity，andfromthatcalculatedthespacetheymusthold；

thenmeasuredalltheroomsandopenplaceswithinthewalls，allowingforallpartitions；andhavingagaincalculated，foundthespacefallshortofwhattheyhadfromtheoutsidemeasurementstoexpect；theymustconcludeeitherthattheyhadmeasuredorcalculatedwrong，orthattherewasspaceinthecastletowhichtheyhadnoaccess。

“But，“continuedDonal，whentheyhadinadegreemasteredtheidea，“ifthethingwas，todiscovertheroomitself，Ishouldsetaboutitinadifferentway；Ishouldnotcareaboutthemeasuring。I

wouldbeginandgoalloverthecastle，firstgettingtheoutsideshaperightinmyhead，andthenfittingeverythinginsideitintothatshapeofitinmybrain。IfIcametoapartIcouldnotsofitatonce，IwouldexaminethataccordingtotherulesIhavegivenyou，takeexactmeasurementsoftheanglesandsidesofthedifferentroomsandpassages，andfindwhethertheseenclosedmorespacethanIcouldatoncediscoverinsidethem——ButIneednotfollowtheprocessfarther：pullingdownmightbethenextthing，andwemustnottalkofthat！”

“Butthethingisworthdoing，isitnot，evenifwedonotgosofarastopulldown？”

“Ithinkso。“

“AndIthinkmyunclewillnotobject——Saynothingaboutitthough，Davie，tillwegiveyouleave。“

ThatwewaspleasantinDonal\'sears。

LadyArcturarose，andtheyallwentdowntogether。Whentheyreachedthehall，Davierantogethiskite。

“Butyouhavenottoldmewhyyouwouldnothavehimspeakofthemusic，“saidArctura，stoppingatthefootofthegreatstair。

“Partlybecause，ifweweretogoontomakesearchfortheroom，itoughttobekeptasquietaspossible，andthetalkabouttheonewoulddrawnoticetotheother；andpartlybecauseIhaveahopethattheonemayevenguideustotheother。“

“Youwilltellmeaboutthatafterwards，“saidArctura，andwentupthestair。

Thatnighttheearlhadanotherofhiswanderingfits；alsoallnightthewindblewfromthesouth-east。

InthemorningArcturawenttohimwithherproposal。Theinstantheunderstoodwhatshewished，hiscountenancegrewblackasthunder。

“What！”hecried，“youwouldgopullingthegrandoldbulktopiecesforthesakeofafoolishtaleaboutthedevilandasetofcardplayers！Bymysoul，I\'llbedamnedifyoudo！——NotwhileI\'mabovegroundatleast！That\'swhatcomesofputtingsuchaplaceinthepowerofawoman！It\'ssacrilege！Byheaven，I\'llthrowmybrother\'swillintochanceryrather！”

Hisragewassuchastocompelhertothinktheremustbemoreinitthanappeared。Thewildernessofthetempershehadrousedmadehertremble，butitalsowokethespiritofherrace，andsherepentedofthecourtesyshehadshownhim：shehadtherighttomakewhatinvestigationsshepleased！Herfatherwouldnothaveleftherthepropertywithoutgoodreasonsfordoingso；andofthosereasonssomemightwellhavelaininthecharacterofthemanbeforeher！

ThroughallthisragetheearlreadsomethingofwhathadsentthebloodoftheGraemestohercheekandbrow。

“Ibegyourpardon，mylove，“hesaid，“butifhewasyourfather，hewasmybrother！”

“Heismyfather！”saidArcturacoldly。

“Deadandgoneandallbutforgotten！”

“No，mylord；notforonedayforgotten！notforonemomentunloved！”

“Ah，well，asyouplease！butbecauseyoulovehismemorymustI

regardhimasaSolon？\'Tissurelynogreattreasontoreflectuponthewisdomofadeadman！”

“Iwishyougoodday，mylord！”saidArctura，veryangry，andlefthim。

Butwhenpresentlyshefoundthatshecouldnotliftupherhearttoherfatherinheaven，gladlywouldshehavesentherangerfromher。

Wasitnotplainlyotherthangood，whenitcamethusbetweenherandthelivingGod！Alldayatintervalsshehadtostruggleandprayagainstit；agreatpartofthenightshelayawakebecauseofit；butatlengthshepitiedheruncletoomuchtobeveryangrywithhimanymore，andsofellasleep。

Inthemorningshefoundthatallsenseofhishavingauthorityoverherhadvanished，andwithitheranger。Shesawalsothatitwasquitetimeshetookuponherselfthedutiesofalandowner。WhatcouldMr。Grantthinkofher——doingnothingforherpeople！ButshecoulddolittlewhileherunclereceivedtherentsandgaveorderstoMr。Graeme！Shewouldtakethethingintoherownhands！Inthemeantime，Mr。Grantshould，ifhepleased，goonquietlywithhisexaminationofthehouse。

Butshecouldnotgetherinterviewwithheruncleoutofherhead，andwashauntedwithvaguesuspicionsofsomedreadfulsecretaboutthehousebelongingtothepresentaswellasthepast。Heruncleseemedtohaverecededtoadistanceincalculable，andtohavegrownawfulashereceded。Shewasofanaturealmosttoodelicatelyimpressionable；shenotonlyfeltthingskeenly，butretainedthestingofthemafterthethingswerenearlyforgotten。Butthentheswiftandrareresponseofherfacultiesaroseinnosmallmeasurefromthisimpressionableness。Atthesametime，butforinstinctsandimpulsesderivedfromherrace，hersensitivenessmighthavedegeneratedintoweakness。

CHAPTERLI。

ADREAM。

Oneevening，asDonalwaswalkinginthelittleavenuebelowtheterraces，Davie，whowasnowadvancedtodoingalittleworkwithouthismaster\'simmediatesupervision，camerunningtohimtosaythatArkiewasintheschoolroomandwantedtoseehim。

Hehastenedtoher。

“Awordwithyou，please，Mr。Grant，“shesaid。

Donalsenttheboyaway。

“IhavedebatedwithmyselfalldaywhetherIshouldtellyou，“shebegan——andhervoicetremblednotalittle；“butIthinkIshallnotbesomuchafraidtogotobedifIdotellyouwhatIdreamtlastnight。“

Herfacewasverypale，andtherewasaquiverabouthermouth：sheseemedreadytoburstintotears。

“Dotellme，“saidDonalsympathetically。

“Doyouthinkitverysillytomindone\'sdreams？”sheasked。

“Sillyornot，“answeredDonal，“asregardsthegeneralrunofdreams，itisplainyouhavehadonethatmustbeminded。Whatwemustmind，itcannotbesillytomind。“

“Iaminnomood，Ifear，forphilosophy，“sherejoined，tryingtosmile。“IthastakensuchaholdofmethatIcannotgetridofit，andthereisnooneIcouldtellittobutyou；anyoneelsewouldlaughatme；butyouneverlaughatanybody！

“Iwenttobedaswellasusual，onlyalittletroubledaboutmyuncle\'sstrangeness，andsoonfellasleep，tofindmyselfpresentlyinamostmiserableplace。Itwaslikeabrick-field——butadesertedbrick-field。Heapsofbrokenandhalf-burntbrickswereallabout。

Formilesandmilestheystretchedaroundme。Iwalkedfasttogetoutofit。Nobodywasnearorinsight；therewasnotasignofhumanhabitationfromhorizontohorizon。

“AllatonceIsawbeforemeadrearychurch。Itwasold，tumble-down，anddirty——notintheleastvenerable——veryugly——ahugebuildingwithoutshape，likemostofourchurches。Ishrankfromthelookofit：itwasmorehorribletomethanIcouldaccountfor；Ifearedit。ButImustgoin——why，Ididnotknow，butImust：

thedreamitselfcompelledme。

“Iwentin。Itlookedasifnobodyhadcrosseditsthresholdforahundredyears。Thepewsweremoulderingaway；thecanopyoverthepulpithadhalffallen，andresteditsedgeonthebook-board；thegreatgallerieshadinpartstumbledintothebodyofthechurch，inotherpartstheyhungslopingfromthewalls。Thecentreofthefloorhadfallenin，andtherewasagreat，descendingslopeofearth，soft-looking，mixedwithbitsofbrokenanddecayedwood，fromthepewsaboveandthecoffinsbelow。Istoodgazingdowninhorrorunutterable。HowfarthegulfwentIcouldnotsee。Iwasfascinatedbyitsslowdepth，andthethoughtofitspossiblecontents——whensuddenlyIknewratherthanperceivedthatsomethingwasmovinginitsdarkness：itwassomethingdead——somethingyellow-white。Itcamenearer；itwasslowlyclimbing；likeonedeadandstiffitwaslabouringuptheslope。Icouldneithercryoutnormove。Itwasaboutthreeyardsbelowme，whenitraiseditshead：itwasmyuncle，dead，anddressedforthegrave。Hebeckonedme——andI

knewImustgo；Ihadtogo，noroncethoughtofresisting。Myheartbecamelikelead，butimmediatelyIbeganthedescent。Myfeetsankinthemouldoftheancientdead，softasifthousandsofgraveyardmoleswereforeverburrowinginit，asdownanddownIwent，settlingandslidingwiththeblackplane。ThenIbegantoseethesidesandendsofcoffinsinthewallsofthegulf；andthewallscamecloserandcloserasIdescended，untiltheyscarcelyleftmeroomtogetthrough。Icomfortedmyselfwiththethoughtthatthoseinthesecoffinshadlongbeendead，andmustbythistimebeatrest，norwasthereanydangerofseeingmouldyhandscomeouttoseizeme。AtlastIsawthatmyunclehadstopped，andIstoodstill，afewyardsabovehim，morecomposedthanIcanunderstand。“

“Thewonderiswearesobelieving，yetnotmoreterrified，inourdreams，“saidDonal。

“Hebegantoheaveandpullatacoffinthatseemedtostoptheway。

Justashegotitdraggedononeside，IsawonthebrightsilverhandleofittheMorvencrest。Thesameinstantthelidrose，andmyfathercameoutofthecoffin，lookingaliveandbright；myunclestoodbesidehimlikeacorpsebesideasoul。\'Whatdoyouwantwithmychild？\'hesaid；andmyunclecoweredbeforehim。Hetookmyhandandsaid，\'Comewithme，mychild。\'AndIwentwithhim——oh，sogladly！Myfearwasgone，andsowasmyuncle。Heledmeupthewaywehadcomedown，butwhenwecameoutofthehole，insteadoffindingmyselfinthehorriblechurch，Iwasinmyownroom。I

lookedround——noonewasnear！Iwassorrymyfatherwasgone，butgladtobeinmyownroom。ThenIwoke——andherewastheterriblething——notinmybed——butstandinginthemiddleofthefloor，justwheremydreamhadleftme！IcannotgetridofthethoughtthatI

reallywentsomewhere。Ihavebeenhauntedwithitthewholeday。Itisaterrortome——forifIdid，whereismyhelpagainstgoingagain！”

“InGodoursaviour，“saidDonal。“——Buthadyourunclegivenyouanything？”

“IwishIcouldthinkso；butIdonotseehowhecould。“

“Youmustchangeyourroom，andgetmistressBrookestosleepnearyou。“

“Iwill。“

GladlywouldDonalhaveofferedtosleep，likeoneofhiscolleys，outsideherdoor，butMrs。Brookeswastheonlyonetohelpher。

Hebeganatoncetomakeobservationstowardsdeterminingtheexistenceornon-existenceofahiddenroom，butinthequietestway，soastoattractnoattention，andhadsoonsatisfiedhimselfconcerningsomepartsthatitcouldnotbethere。Withoutfreescopeandsomeonetohelphim，thethingwasdifficult。Toguageabuildingwhichhadgrownthroughcenturies，tofitthevaryingtastesandchangingneedsofthegenerations，wasinitselfnoteasy，andhejudgeditallbutimpossiblewithoutdrawingobservationandrousingspeculation。Greatwasthechaoticelementinthecongeriesoferectionsandadditions，broughttogetherbyvariouscontrivances，andwithdaringlyenforcedcommunication。Openspaceswithinthewalls，differentheightsinthestoriesofcontiguousbuildings，breaksinthecontinuityoffloors，andvariousotherirregularities，hefoundconfusinglyobstructive。

CHAPTERLII。

INVESTIGATION。

Theautumnbroughtterriblestorms。Manyfishingboatscametogrief。Ofsome，thecrewslosteverything：ofothers，thelossoftheirlivesdeliveredtheircrewsfromsmallerlosses。Thereweremanybereavedinthevillage，andDonalwentaboutamongthem，doingwhathecould，andgettinghelpforthemwherehisownabilitywouldnotreachtheirnecessity。LadyArcturawantednopersuasiontogowithhiminsomeofhisvisits；andtheintercourseshethusgainedwithhumanityinitssimplerforms，ofwhichshehadnothadenoughforthehealthofherownnature，wasofhighservicetoher。

PerhapsnothinghelpssomuchtobelieveintheFather，astheactivepracticalloveofthebrother。Ifhewholovethnothisbrotherwhomhehathseen，canillloveGodwhomhehathnotseen，thenhewholoveshisbrothermustsurelyfindittheeasiertoloveGod！Arcturafoundthattovisitthewidowandthefatherlessintheirafflictions；tolookonandknowthemasherkind；toenterintotheirsorrows，andsharetheelevatinginfluenceofgriefgenuineandsimple，thesameineveryhumansoul，wastodrawneartoGod。Shemethiminhischildren。Fortohonour，love，andbejusttoourneighbour，isreligion；andhewhodoesthesethingswillsoonfindthathecannotlivewithoutthehigherpartofreligion，theloveofGod。Ifthatdonotfollow，theotherwillsoonerorlaterdieaway，leavingthemantheworseforhavinghadit。ShefoundherwaytoGodeasierthroughthecrowdofherfellows；whiletheirtroublestookheroffherown，setthematalittledistancefromher，andsoputitinherpowertounderstandthembetter。

Onedayafterthefishingboatshadgoneout，roseaterriblestorm。

Someofthemmadefortheharbouragain——suchasitwas；otherskeptouttosea；StephenKennedy\'sboatcameashorebottomupward。HisbodywascastonthesandsclosetothespotwhereDonaldraggedthenetfromthewaves。Therewassorrowafreshthroughthevillage：

Kennedywasafavourite；andhismotherwasleftchildless。Nosonwouldanymorecomesaunteringinwithhislongslouchinthegloamin\'；andwhethershewouldeverseehimagain——toknowhim——whocouldtell！Forthecommonbeliefdoesnotgomuchfartherthanpaganisminyieldingcomforttothosewhoselivingloveshavedisappeared——thefaultnotofChristianity，butofChristians。

TheeffectofthenewsuponForgueIhavesomearoundforconjecturing：Ibelieveitmadehimcarealittlelessaboutmarryingthegirl，nowthatheknewnorivalreadytotakeher；andfeelalsothathehadoneenemytheless，onedangertheless，inthepathhewouldliketotake。Withinaweekafter，heleftthecastle，andifhisfatherknewwherehewent，hewastheonlyonewhodid。Hehadbeenpressinghimtoshowsomeappearanceofinterestinhiscousin；Forguehadprofessedhimselfunequaltothetaskatpresent：ifhemightgoawayforawhile，hesaid，hewoulddoubtlessfinditeasierwhenhereturned。

Thestormswereover，theedgesandhiddenrootshadbeguntodreamofspring，andArcturahadreturnedtoherownroomtosleep，whenoneafternoonshecametotheschoolroomandtoldDonalshehadhadtheterribledreamagain。

“Thistime，“shesaid，“Icameout，inmydream，onthegreatstair，andwentuptomyroom，andintobed，beforeIwaked。ButIdarenotaskmistressBrookeswhethershesawme——“

“Youdonotimagineyouwereoutoftheroom？”saidDonal。

“Icannottell。Ihopenot。IfIweretofindIhadbeen，itwoulddrivemeoutofmysenses！Iwasthinkingalldayaboutthelostroom：Ifancyithadsomethingtodowiththat。“

“Wemustfindtheroom，andhavedonewithit！”saidDonal。

“Areyousosurewecan？”sheasked，herfacebrightening。

“Iftherebeone，andyouwillhelpme，Ithinkwecan，“heanswered。

“Iwillhelpyou。“

“Thenfirstwewilltrytheshaftofthemusic-chimney。Thatithasneversmoked，atleastsincethosewireswereputthere，makesitsomethingtoquestion——thoughthedraughtacrossitmightdoubtlesshavepreventeditfrombeingused。Itmaybethechimneytotheveryroom。Butwewillfirsttrytofindoutwhetheritbelongstoanyroomweknow。Iwillgetaweightandacord：thewireswillbeaplague，butIthinkwecanpassthem。Thenweshallseehowfartheweightgoesdown，andshallknowonwhatflooritisarrested。Thatwillbesomethinggained：theplaneofinquirywillbedetermined。

Onlytheremaybeaturninthechimney，preventingtheweightfromgoingtothebottom。“

“Whenshallwesetaboutit？”saidArctura，almosteagerly。

“Atonce，“repliedDonal。

Shewenttogetashawl。

Donalwenttothegardener\'stool-house，andfoundasuitablecord。

Therewasaseven-poundweight，butthatwouldnotpassthewires！

Herememberedanoldeight-dayclockonabackstair，whichwasnevergoing。Hegotoutitsheavierweight，andcarriedit，withthecordandtheladder，tohisownstair——atthefootofwhichwasladyArctura——waitingforhim。

Therewasthatinbeingthusassociatedwiththelovelylady；inknowingthatpeacehadbegantovisitherthroughhim，thatshetrustedhimimplicitly，lookingtohimforhelpandevenprotection；

inknowingthatnothingbutwrongtohercouldbelookedforfromuncleorcousin，andthatheheldwhatmightbeameansofprotectingher，shouldundueinfluencebebroughttobearuponher——therewasthatinallthis，Isay，thatstirredtoitsdepththedevotionofDonal\'snature。WiththehelpofGodhewouldfoilherenemies，andleaveherafreewoman——athingwellworthaman\'slife！Manyanangelhasbeensentonasmallererrand！

SuchwerehisthoughtsashefollowedArcturaupthestair，shecarryingtheweightandthecord，hetheladder，whichitwasnoteasytogetroundthescrewofthestair。Arcturatrembledwithexcitementassheascended，grewfrightenedasoftenasshefoundshehadoutstrippedhim，waitedtilltheendoftheladdercamepokinground，andstartedagainbeforethebearerappeared。

Herdreamshaddisquietedhermorethanshehadyetconfessed：hadshebeentakingawayofherown，andchoosingaguideinsteadofreceivinginstructioninthewayofunderstanding？Werethesethingssentforherwarning，toshowherintowhatanabyssofdeathherconductwasleadingher？——ButthemomentshefoundherselfintheopenairofDonal\'scompany，herdoubtsandfearsvanishedforthetime。SuchaoneashemustsurelyknowbetterthanthoseothersthewayoftheSpirit！Washenotmorechildlike，morestraightforward，moresimple，and，shecouldnotbutthink，moreobedientthanthose？

Mr。Carmichaelwasolder，andmightbemoreexperienced；butdidhislightshineclearerthanDonal\'s？Hemightbeapriestinthetemple；butwastherenotaSamuelinthetempleaswellasanEli？

Ittheyoung，strong，ruddyshepherd，thedefenderofhisflock，whowassentbyGodtokillthegiant！HewastoolittletowearSaul\'sarmour；buthecouldkillamantoobigtowearit！ThusmeditatedArcturaassheclimbedthestair，andherhopeandcouragegrew。

Adelicateconscience，sensitivefeelings，andkeenfaculties，subjectedtotheroughraspingofcoarse，self-satisfied，unspiritualnatures，hadalmostlosttheirequilibrium。Astonaturalconditionnoonewassounderthanshe；yetevennowwhenshehadmorethanbeguntoseeitsfalsehood，aheadachewouldsufficetobringherafreshundertheinfluenceofthehideoussystemshehadbeentaught，andwakeinherallkindsofderangingdoubtsandconsciousnesses。Subjugatedsolongtotheuntrue，sherequiredtobeforatime，untilherspiritualbeingshouldbesomewhatindividualized，underthegenialinfluencesofonewhowasnotafraidtobelieve，onewhoknewthemaster。Norwastheredangertoeithersolongashesoughtnoendofhisown，solongashedesiredonlyHiswill，solongashecouldsay，“Whomisthereinheavenbutthee！andthereisnoneuponearththatIdesirebesidesthee！”

Bythetimeshereachedthetopshewasradiantlyjoyousintheprospectofaquiethourwithhimwhosepresenceandwordsalwaysgaveherstrength，whomadetheworldlooklessmournful，andthewillofGodaltogetherbeautiful；whotaughtherthatthegloryoftheFather\'slovelayintheinexorabilityofitsdemands，thatitisofhisdeepmercythatnoonecangetoutuntilhehaspaidtheuttermostfarthing。

Theysteppedupontheroofandintothegorgeousafterglowofanautumnsunset。Thewholecountry，likeanothersea，wasflowingfromthatthatwellofcolour，intidalwavesofaneveradvancingcreation。Itsmoreetherialpart，rushingonabove，brokeontheoldroofsandchimneysandsplasheditsmanytintedfoamalloverthem；

whilethroughitandfoldedinitcameacoldthinwindthattoldofcomingdeath。Arcturabreathedadeepbreath，andherjoygrew。Itiswonderfulhowsmallaphysicalelevation，liftingusintoaslightlythinnerair，servestoraisethehumanspirits！Wearelikebarometers，onlyworktheotherway；thehigherwego，thehighergoesourmercury。

Theystoodforamomentindeepenjoyment，thensimultaneouslyturnedtoeachother。

“Mylady，“saidDonal，“withsuchaskyasthatoutthere，ithardlyseemsasiftherecouldbesuchathingasoursearchto-night！

Hollowplaces，hiddenawayforevilcause，donotgowithitatall！

Thereisthestoryofgraciousinventionandgloriousgift；herethestoryofgreedygatheringandself-seeking，whichallconcealmentinvolves！”

“Buttheremaybenothing，youknow，Mr。Grant！”saidArctura，troubledforthehouse。

“Theremaybenothing。Butifthereissucharoom，youmaybesureithassomerelationwithterriblewrong——what，wemayneverfindout，oreventhetracesofit。“

“Ishallnotbeafraid，“shesaid，asifspeakingwithherself。“Itistheterribledreamingthatmakesmeweak。InthemorningI

trembleasifIhadbeeninthehandsofsomeevilpower。“

Donalturnedhiseyesuponher。Howthinshelookedinthelastofthesunlight！ApangwentthroughhimatthethoughtthatonedayhemightbealonewithDavieinthehugecastle，untendedbytheconsciousnessthatalivinglightandlovelinessflittedsomewhereaboutitsgloomyandungenialwalls。Buthewouldnotthinkthethought！HowthatdismalMissCarmichaelmusthaveworriedher！Whentheveryhopeofthecreatureinhiscreatorisattackedinthenameofreligion；whenhislongingafteralivingGodismetwiththeofferofapaltryescapefromhell，howisthecreaturetolive！ItisGodwewant，notheaven；hisrighteousness，notanimputedone，forourownpossession；remission，notlettingoff；love，notenduranceforthesakeofanother，evenifthatotherbetheoneloveliestofall。

Theyturnedfromthesunsetandmadetheirwaytothechimney-stack。

ThereoncemoreDonalsetuphisladder。Hetiedtheclock-weighttotheendofhiscord，droppeditin，andwithalittlemanagementgotitthroughthewires。Itwentdownanddown，gentlylowered，tillthecordwasallout，andstillitwouldgo。

“Dorunandgetsomemore，“saidArctura。

“Youdonotmindbeingleftalone？”

“No——ifyouwillnotbelong。“

“Iwillrun，“hesaid——andrunhedid，forshehadscarcelybeguntofeelthelonelinesswhenhereturnedpanting。

Hetooktheendshehadbeenholding，tiedonthefreshcordhehadbrought，andagainloweredaway。Ashewasbeginningtofearthatafterallhehadnotbroughtenough，theweightstopped，resting，anddrewnomore。

“Ifonlywehadeyesinthatweight，“saidArctura，“likethesnailsattheendoftheirhorns！”

“Wemighthavegreasedthebottomoftheweight，“saidDonal，“astheydotheleadwhentheywanttoknowwhatkindofbottomthereistothesea：itmighthavebroughtupashes。Ifitwillnotgoanyfarther，Iwillmarkthestringatthemouth，anddrawitup。“

Hemovedtheweightupanddownalittle；itrestedstill，andhedrewitup。

“Nowwemustmarkoffittheheightofthechimneyabovetheparapetwall，“hesaid；“andthenIwilllowertheweighttowardsthecourtbelow，untilthislastknotcomestothewall：theweightwillthenshowusontheoutsidehowfardownthehouseitwentinside——Ah，I

thoughtso！”hewenton，lookingoveraftertheweight；“——onlytothefirstfloor，orthereabouts！——No，Ithinkitislower！——Butanyhow，mylady，asyoucansee，theplacewithwhichthechimney，ifchimneyitbe，communicates，mustbesomewhereaboutthemiddleofthehouse，andperhapsisonthefirstfloor；wecan\'tjudgeverywelllookingdownfromhere，andagainstaspotwherearenowindows。Canyouimaginewhatplaceitmightbe？”

“Icannot，“answeredArctura；“butIcouldgointoeveryroomonthatfloorwithoutanyoneseeingme。“

“ThenIwilllettheweightdownthechimneyagain，andleaveitforyoutosee，ifyoucan，below。Ifyoufindit，wemustdosomethingelse。“

Itwasdone，andtheydescendedtogether。Donalwentbacktotheschoolroom，notexpectingtoseeheragaintillthenextday。Butinhalfanhourshecametohim，sayingshehadbeenintoeveryroomonthatfloor，bothwhereshethoughtitmightbe，andwheresheknewitcouldnotbe，andhadnotseentheweight。

“Theprobabilitythenis，“repliedDonal，“thatthereaboutsomewhere——there，orfartherdowninthatneighbourhood——liesthesecret；butwecannotbesure，fortheweightmaynothavereachedthebottomoftheshaft。Letusthinkwhatweshalldonext。

Heplacedachairforherbythefire。Theyhadtheroomtothemselves。