第12章

Themaisterwasanauldman，nearhan\'auchty，an\'tuikthingsthemairseriously，Idaursay，thathewasnathatfarfraethegravetheyhadsentthepuirbutlertilaforehistime——gienthatcouldbesaido\'anewhausegravewaswi\'theweather-cock！An\'ayehetuikhimsel\'totaskastowhetherheouchtnatohaedunesomethingmair——ganetothekingmaybe——forhecouldnabidethethouchto\'thepuirmanthathadwaitituponhimsaelangan\'faithfu\'，hingin\'an\'

swingin\'upthere，an\'thefleshdrappin\'affthebaneso\'\'im，an\'

stillthebaneshingin\'there，an\'swingin\'an\'creakin\'an\'cryin\'！

Thethoucht，Isay，wassairupo\'theauldman。Butthetimepassed，an\'Ikennahoolangorhooshortitmaytakforabodyinsicapositiontocomeasun\'er，butatlastthebanesbegantodrap，an\'

astheydrappit，theretheylay——atthefuto\'thegallows，fornaebodycarettomeddlewi\'them。An\'whanthatcamtotheknowledgeo\'theauldgentleman，hesenthisfowktogetherthemupan\'burythemooto\'sicht。An\'whatwaslefto\'thebody，theupperpairt，haudenthegitherwi\'theirons，maybe——Ikennaweelhoo，hungan\'

swungtherestill，inilkwin\'thatblew。Butatthelast，ooto\'

sorrow，an\'respec\'forthedeid，hooeverhedee\'d，hisauldmaistersentquaietlyaemirknicht，an\'hadthelaveo\'thebanestaendoonan\'laidi\'theearth。

“\'Butfraethatmoment，thinkyetherewasonypeacei\'thehoose？A

clankin\'o\'chainsgotup，an\'ahowlin\'，an\'acompleenin\'an\'acreakin\'likei\'thewin\'——sicastramasha\'thegither，thatthehoosewasnofittobeleevitinwhiles，thoughitwassometimeswaurnorithertimes，an\'somethouchtithadtodowi\'theairtthewin\'blew：abootthatIkennaething。Butitgaedonlikethatformonths，maybeyears，\'——Mr。Harperwasnasurehoolangthegentlemansaid——\'tilltheauldman\'maistwishedhimsel\'ino\'thegravean\'

ooto\'thetrouble。

“\'Atlastaedaycamanauldmantoseehim——nosaeauldashimsel\'，butanehehadkennedwhantheywuratthecollegethegither。An\'

thiswasamanthathadtravelledgreatly，an\'wasweellearntinaheapo\'thingsordinar\'fowk，thatgiesthemsel\'stothelan\'，an\'

thegrowin\'o\'corn，an\'beasts，irnolikelytokenmickleaboot。

Hesawhisauldfreen\'wasintrouble，an\'didnacarryhisagecalm-likeaswasnat\'ral，an\'saespeirthimwhatwasthematter。

An\'hetoldhimthewholestory，fraethehangin\'tothebangin\'。

“Weel，“saidthelearnitman，whanhehadh\'arda\'，“gienye\'lltakmyadvice，ye\'lljistsen\'an\'howkuptheheid，an\'takitintilthehoosewi\'ye，an\'latitbidetherewhauritwasusedsaelangtobe；——dothat，an\'it\'smyopinionye\'llhearnaemairo\'sicunrulygangin\'son。“Theauldgentlemantuiktheadvice，kennin\'nobetter。Butitwastherichtadvice，forfraethatmomenttheromourwasower，theyhadnaemairo\'\'t。Theylaidtheheidinadecentbitboxi\'thecellar，an\'thereitremaint，weelcontenttheretoabidethedayo\'thatjeedgmentthat\'llsetmonyanitherjeedgmenttothericht-aboot；thoughwhatpleesurcouldbeintilthatcellarmairnorintilaholei\'theearth，isathingnoformetosay！Sowi\'thatgenerationtherewasnaemairtrouble。

“\'Buti\'thecoorseo\'timecamfirstanean\'syneanither，whaforgot，maybeleuchat，thehaillaffair，an\'didnabelieveawordo\'thesame。Butthey\'rebutfulesthatgangagaintheexperrienceo\'theirforbeirs！——whatwudyehaebuttheywudbeerytheheid！An\'

whatwudcomeo\'thatbutanaulddismayhetupagain！Upgatthedin，therampaugin\'，theclankin\'，an\'a\'，jistthesameas\'afore！

Buttheminutethat，frichtitattheconsequenceso\'theirfolly，theyacknowledgedthepropertyo\'theghaistinhisainheid，an\'

tuikitooto\'theearthan\'intilthehooseagain，a\'wasquaietdirec\'ly——quaietashertcoulddesire。\'

“Saethatwasthestory！

“An\'whanthelunchwasower，an\'Mr。Harperwasthinkin\'themomentcomewhantheywouldorderhimtotaktheheid，an\'himtrimlin\'atthethouchto\'touchin\'\'t，an\'lay\'twhauritwas——an\'whaurithadsaeaftenbeenwhanithadasowlintil\'t，thegentlemangotup，an\'sayshetilhim，\'Besogood，\'sayshe，\'asfetchmemyhat-boxfromthehall。\'Harperwentan\'gotitasdesired，an\'thegentlemantookan\'unlockitit，an\'roon\'heturntwhaurhestood，an\'uphetuiktheskullfraethechimley-piece，neitherasgienhelo\'editnorfearedit——aswhatreasonhadhetodoeither？——an\'han\'letitneitherrouchly，norwi\'onyshowo\'micklecare，butintilthehat-boxitgaed，willy，nilly，an\'thelidshuttendoonupo\'\'t，an\'

thekeyturnti\'thelocko\'\'t；an\'asgienhewadmakthethingrichtsureo\'nobein\'puttenagainwhaurithadsicanobjectiontogang，uphetuikinhishan\'thehat-box，an\'thecontrairyheidi\'

theinsideo\'\'t，an\'awa\'wi\'himonhistraivels，hereawa\'an\'

thereawa\'owerthefaceo\'theglobe：hewasonhisw\'ytoSpain，hesaid，atthemoment；an\'wesawnaemairo\'himnortheheid，norh\'ardeverasoon\'mairo\'clankin\'，norgirnin\'，noronyitheroonholydin。

“An\'that\'sthetrowth，mako\'\'twhatyelike，myleddyan\'maisterGrant！”

MistressBrookeswassilent，andforsometimenotasyllablewasutteredbyeitherlistener。AtlastDonalspoke。

“Itisastrangestory，mistressBrookes，“hesaid；“andthestrangerthatitwouldshowsomeoftheinhabitantsoftheotherworldapparentlyassillyafterahundredandfiftyyearsaswhenfirsttheyarrivedthere。“

“Icansaynaethinganentthat，sir，“answeredmistressBrookes；

“I\'mnoaccoontableforonyinference\'at\'stobedrawnfraemyowertruetale；an\'doobtless，sir，yekenfarbetternorme；——butwhauryeseesaemonyfolkdrawootthethreido\'alanglife，an\'neveraesensiblething，thattheycouldhelp，doneorsaid，whatforshouldyewon\'ergiennooan\'thananei\'theitherwarl\'shawhimsel\'siclike。Whanyeconsidertheheapo\'folkthatdees，an\'

hootheremaunbesaemonymairi\'theitherwarl\'nori\'this，I

confessformypairtIwon\'ermair\'atwe\'releftatpeaceata\'，an\'thattheycomenaswarmin\'aboot\'si\'thenicht，likeblackdoos。Ye\'llmaybesaytheycanna，an\'ye\'llmaybesaytheycome；butsaelangastheyplaguemenaewaurnoroorfreen\'upo\'thetithersideo\'thewa\'，IcannasayIcarethatmickle。ButIthinkwhileshoothaeghaistsmaunlauchatthemthatlauchsasgientherewasnaesiccratursi\'thewarl\'！FormypairtInaitherfearthemnorseektilthem：I\'llbeanewi\'themmysel\'aforelang！——onlyIwadsairwussan\'houptoganginamo\'betterbehavetanesnorthem\'atgangsabootplaguin\'folk。“

“Youspeakthebestofsense，mistressBrookes，“saidDonal；“butI

shouldliketounderstandwhythepoorhangedfellowshouldhavesuchanobjectiontohavinghisskulllaidintheground！Whyhadhesuchafancyforhisoldbones？Couldhebesocloselyassociatedwiththemthathecouldnotgetonwithouttheplentyoffreshairtheygothimusedtowhentheyhungonthegallows？Andwhydiditcontenthimtohaveonlyhisheadaboveground？Itisbewildering！

Wecouldn\'tbelieveourbonesriseagain，evenifPaulhadn\'tasgoodastoldustheydon\'t！Whyshouldthedeadhaunttheirbonesasiftomakesureofhavingtheirownagain？”

“But，“saidmistressBrookes，“beggin\'yerpardon，sir，whatkenyeastowhattheythink？Yemaykenbetter，butmaybetheydinna；forhaenayejistallooedthatsicconduc\'asIhaedescribitisnofit，whaeverbeguiltyo\'thesame，whetherrowdyladdiesi\'thestreets，orcratursyecannaseei\'thehoose？Theymaythinkthey\'llwanttheirbanesbyan\'bythoughyekenbetter；an\'whateveryouwisefolkmaythinkthenoo，yekenit\'snothatlangsin\'a\'body，ay，thebesto\'folk，thouchtthesame；an\'there\'snoadoobttheya\'

didatthetimethatmanwashangt。An\'yemaunmin\'\'ati\'thehoosetheheido\'\'imwudnawasteasitwudi\'theyerd！”

“Butwhybotherabouthisheidmorethantherestofhisbones？”

“Weel，sir，I\'mthinkingaghaist，ghaistthoughhebe，cannasurelybei\'twaplacesatance。Hecouldneverthinktoplaguetililkbaneo\'fingeran\'taewasgetherti\'thecellar！Thatwudbehoupless！An\'thinkin\'onythingo\'hisbanes，hemichtweelthinkmaisto\'\'sheid，an\'keepane\'eupo\'that。Naemonyghaistshaethechanceo\'seein\'saemuckleo\'theirbanesasthisane，orsayin\'tothemsel\'s，\'Yon\'smine，whauritswings！\'Someghaistshaeacat-likenaturforplaces，an\'whatfornoforbanes？Mony\'sthestorythathoosekeeper，honestwuman，telledme：whanwhathadcomewasgane，itsetheropenin\'ootherpack！Icouldhaudyetherea\'

nichttellin\'yeaneefteranithero\'them。Butit\'stimetogangtooorbeds。“

“Itisourturntotellyousomething，“saidladyArctura；“——onlyyoumustnotmentionitjustyet：Mr。Granthasfoundthelostroom！”

ForamomentMrs。Brookessaidnothing，butneitherpalednorlookedincredulous；herfacewasonlyfixedandstill，asifshewerefindingexplanationinthediscovery。

“Iwasayeo\'themin\'itwas，“shesaid，“an\'mony\'sthetimeI

thouchtIwudluikfor\'ttopleasemysel\'！It\'ssma\'won\'er——thesoon\'s，an\'theraps，an\'siclike！”

“Youwillnotchangeyourmindwhenyouhearall，“saidArctura。“I

askedyoutogiveusoursupperbecauseIwasafraidtogotobed。“

“Youshouldn\'thavetoldher，sir！”

“I\'veseenitwithmyowneyes！”

“You\'vebeenintoit，mylady？——What——what——？”

“Itisachapel——theoldcastle-chapel——mentioned，Iknow，somewhereinthehistoryoftheplace，thoughnoone，Isuppose，everdreamedthemissingroomcouldbethat！——Andinthechapel，“continuedArctura，hardlyabletobringoutthewords，forakindofcrampingofthemusclesofspeech，“therewasabed！andinthebedthecrumblingdustofawoman！andonthealtarwhatwashardlymorethanthedustyshadowofababy？”

“TheLordbeabootus！”criedthehousekeeper，herwell-seasonedcomposuregivingway；“yesawthatwi\'yeraine\'en，mylady！——Mr。

Grant！hoocouldyelatherleddyshipluikupo\'sicthings！”

“Iamherladyship\'sservant，“answeredDonal。

“That\'svarratrue！Buteh，mybonnybairn，sicsichtsisnoforyou！”

“Ioughttoknowwhatisinthehouse！”saidArctura，withashudder。“ButalreadyIfeelmorecomfortablethatyouknowtoo。Mr。

Grantwouldliketohaveyouradviceastowhat——You\'llcomeandseethem，won\'tyou？”

“Whenyouplease，mylady——To-night？”

“No，no！notto-night——Wasthattheknockingagain？——Someghostswanttheirbodiestobeburied，thoughyourbutler——“

“Iwouldnawonder！”respondedmistressBrookes，thoughtfully。

“Whereshallweburythem？”askedDonal。

“InEnglan\'，“saidthehousekeeper，“Iusedtohearaheapabootconsecratedground；buttomymin\'itwasthebodieso\'God\'shandiwark，nothebishop，thatconsecratedtheground。WhaurtheLordlaysdoonwhathehasdonewi\'，wadayebeasacredplacetome。IdaursayMoses，whanhecamupo\'\'tagaini\'thedesert，luikitupo\'thegroundwhaurstoodthebussthathadburned，asasacredplacethoughthefirewaslangoot！——Thinknaye，Mr。Grant？”

“Ido，“answeredDonal。“ButIdonotbelievetheLordJesusthoughtonespotonthefaceoftheearthmoreholythananother：everydustofitwashisfather\'s，neithermorenorless，existingonlybythethoughtofthatfather！andIthinkthatiswhatwemustcometo——Butwhereshallweburythem？——wheretheylie，orinthegarden？”

“Somewuddoobtlesshaedistlaidtodisti\'thekirkyard；butI

wudnawullin\'lyraiseaclashi\'thecountry-side。Themthatdiditwasyerainforbeirs，myleddy；an\'sicthingsareweelforgotten。

An\'synewhatwudtheearlsay？Itmichtupsethimmairnorabit！

I\'llconsidero\'\'t。“

Donalaccompaniedthemtothedoorofthechamberwhichagaintheyshared，andthenbetookhimselftohisownhighnest。Theremorethanonceinwhatremainedofthenight，hewoke，fancyingheheardtheghost-musicsoundingitscoronachoverthedeadbelow。

CHAPTERLVIII。

ASOULDISEASED。

“Papaisveryillto-day，Simmonstellsme，“saidDavie，asDonalenteredtheschoolroom。“Hesayshehasneverseenhimsoill。Oh，Mr。Grant，Ihopeheisnotgoingtodie！”

“Ihopenot，“returnedDonal——notverysure，hesawwhenhethoughtaboutit，whathemeant；foriftherewassolittlehopeofhisbecomingatruemanonthissideofsomeawfuldoom，whyshouldhehopeforhislifehere？

“Iwishyouwouldtalktohimasyoudotome，Mr。Grant！”resumedDavie，whothoughtwhathadbeengoodforhimselfmustbegoodforeverybody。

Oflatetheboyhadbeenmorethanusualwithhisfather，andhemayhavedroppedsomewordthatturnedhisfather\'sthoughtstowardDonalandhiswaysofthinking：howeverweaktheearl\'swill，andhoweverdullhisconscience，hismindwasfarfrombeinginactive。

IntheafternoonthebutlerbroughtamessagethathislordshipwouldbegladtoseeMr。Grantwhenschoolwasover。

Donalfoundtheearlveryweak，butmorelikealiveman，hethought，thanhehadyetseenhim。Hepointedtoaseat，andbegantotalkinawaythatconsiderablyastonishedthetutor。

“Mr。Grant，“hebegan，withnotalittleformality，“IhaveknownyoulongenoughtobelieveIknowyoureally。NowIfindmyself，partlyfromthepeculiarityofmyconstitution，partlyfromthestateofmyhealth，partlyfromthefactthatmyviewsdonotcoincidewiththoseofthechurchofScotland，andthereisnoepiscopalclergymanwithinreachofthecastle——Ifindmyself，I

say，forthesereasons，desirousofsomeconversationwithyou，moreforthesakeofidentifyingmyownopinions，thaninthehopeofreceivingfromyouwhatitwouldbeunreasonabletoexpectfromoneofyouryears。“

Donalheldhispeace；theverypowerofspeechseemedtakenfromhim：hehadnoconfidenceintheman，andnothingsoquenchesspeechaslackoffaith。Buttheearlhadnoideaofthisdistrust，neveradoubtofhislistener\'sreadinesstotakeanypositionherequiredhimtotake。ExperiencehadtaughthimaslittleaboutDonalasabouthisownrealself。

“Ihavelongbeentroubled，“continuedhislordshipafteramomentarypause，“withaquestionofwhichonemightthinktheworldmustbythistimebeweary——whichyethas，andalwayswillhave，extraordinaryfascinationformindsofacertainsort——ofwhichmyownisone：itisthequestionofthefreedomofthewill：——howfaristhewillfree？orhowfarcanitbecalledfree，consistentlywiththenotionofaGodoverall？”

Hepaused，andDonalsatsilent——solongthathislordshipopenedtheeyeswhich，thebettertoenjoytheprocessofsentence-making，hehadkeptshut，andhalfturnedhisheadtowardshim：hehadbeguntodoubtwhetherhewasreallybyhisbedside，orbutoneofhismanyvisionsundistinguishablebyhimfromrealities。Re-assuredbytheglance，heresumed。

“Icannot，ofcourse，expectfromyousuchanexhaustiveandformedopinionasfromanoldermanwhohadmademetaphysicshisbusiness，andacquaintedhimselfwithallthathadbeensaiduponthesubject；

atthesametimeyoumusthaveexpendedaconsiderableamountofthoughtonthesematters！”

Hetalkedinaquiet，levelmanner，almostwithoutinflection，andwithhiseyesagainclosed——verymuchasifhewerereadingabookinsidehim。

“Ihavehadagooddeal，“hewenton，“toshakemybeliefinthecommonideasonsuchpoints——Doyoubelievethereissuchathingasfreewill？”

Heceased，awaitingtheanswerwhichDonalfeltfarfrompreparedtogivehim。

“Mylord，“hesaidatlength，“whatIbelieve，Idonotfeelcapable，atamoment\'snotice，ofsettingforth；neitherdoIthink，howeverunavoidablesuchdiscussionsmaybeintheforumofone\'sownthoughts，thattheyareprofitablebetweenmen。Ithinksuchquestions，iftheyaretobetreatedatallbetweenmanandman，andnotbetweenGodandmanonly，hadbetterbediscussedinprint，wherewhatissaidisinsomemeasurefixed，andcanwithaglancebeconsideredafresh。ButnotsoeitherdoIthinktheycanbediscussedtoanyprofit。“

“Whatdoyoumean？Surelythisquestionisofthefirstimportancetohumanity！”

“Igrantit，mylord，ifbyhumanityyoumeanthehumanindividual。

Butmymeaningis，thattherearemanyquestions，andthisone，thatcanbetestedbetterthanargued。“

“Youseemfondofparadox！”

“IwillspeakasdirectlyasIcan：suchquestionsaretobeansweredonlybythemoralnature，whichfirstandalmostonlytheyconcern；andthemoralnatureoperatesinaction，notdiscussion。“

“DoInotthen，“saidhislordship，thefaintestshadowofindignationinhistone，“bringmymoralnaturetobearonaquestionwhichIconsiderfromthegroundofduty？”

“No，mylord，“answeredDonal，withdecision；“youbringnothingbutyourintellectualnaturetobearonitso；themoralnature，I

repeat，operatesonlyinaction。Tocometothepointinhand：thesolewayforamantoknowhehasfreedomistodosomethingheoughttodo，whichhewouldrathernotdo。Hemaystrivetoacquainthimselfwiththefactsconcerningwill，andspendhimselfimaginingitsmodeofworking，yetallthetimenotknowwhetherhehasanywill。“

“ButhowamItoputaforceinoperation，whileIdonotknowwhetherIpossessitornot？”

“Byputtingitinoperation——thatalone；bybeingalive；bydoingthenextthingyououghttodo，orabstainingfromthenextthingyouaretemptedto，knowingyououghtnottodoit。Itsoundschildish；andmostpeoplesetactionasideaswhatwilldoanytime，andtryfirsttosettlequestionswhichnevercanbesettledbutinjustthisdivinelychildishway。Fornotmerelyisittheonlywayinwhichamancanknowwhetherhehasafreewill，butthemanhasinfactnowillatallunlessitcomesintobeinginsuchaction。“

“Supposehefoundhehadnowill，forhecouldnotdowhathewished？”

“Whatheought，Isaid，mylord。“

“Well，whatheought，“yieldedtheearlalmostangrily。

“Hecouldnotfinditprovedthathehadnofacultyforgeneratingafreewill。Hemightindeeddoubtitthemore；butthepositiveonly，notthenegative，canbeproved。“

“Wherewouldbethesatisfactionifhecouldonlyprovetheonethingandnottheother。“

“Thetruthalonecanbeproved，mylord；howshouldaliebeproved？

Themanthatwantedtoprovehehadnofreedomofwill，wouldfindnosatisfactionfromhistest——andthelessthemorehonesthewas；

butthemananxiousaboutthedignityofthenaturegivenhim，wouldfindeveryneedfulsatisfactionintheprogressofhisobedience。“

“Howcantherebefreewillwherethefirstthingdemandedforitsexistenceorknowledgeofitselfisobedience？”

“Thereisnofreewillsaveinresistingwhatonewouldlike，anddoingwhattheTruthwouldhavehimdo。Itistruetheman\'slikingandthetruthmaycoincide，butthereinhewillnotlearnhisfreedom，thoughinsuchcoincidencehewillalwaysthereafterfindit，andinsuchcoincidencealone，forfreedomisharmonywiththeoriginatinglawofone\'sexistence。“

“That\'sdrearydoctrine。“

“Mylord，Ihavespentnolittletimeandthoughtonthesubject，andtheresultissomesortofpracticalclearnesstomyself；but，wereitpossible，Ishouldnotcaretomakeitcleartoanothersavebypersuadinghimtoarriveatthesameconvictionbythesamepath——that，namely，ofdoingthethingrequiredofhim。“

“Requiredofhimbywhat？”

“Byanyone，anything，anythought，withwhichcangothewordrequiredby——anythingthatcarriesrightinitsdemand。Ifamandoesnotdothethingwhichtheverynotionofafreewillrequires，whatinearth，heaven，orhell，wouldbetheuseofhisknowingallaboutthewill？Butitisimpossibleheshouldknowanything。“

“Youareaboldpreacher！”saidtheearl。“——Supposenowamanwasunconsciousofanyabilitytodothethingrequiredofhim？”

“Ishouldsaytherewasthemoreneedheshoulddothething。“

“Thatisnonsense。“

“Ifitbenonsense，thenonsenseliesinthesuppositionthatamancanbeconsciousofnotpossessingapower；hecanonlybenotconsciousofpossessingit，andthatisaverydifferentthing。Howisapowertobeknownbutbybeingapower，andhowisittobeapowerbutinitsownexerciseofitself？Thereismoreinmanthanhecanatanygivenmomentbeconsciousof；thereislife，thepoweroftheeternalbehindhisconsciousness，whichonlyinactioncanhemakehisown；ofwhich，therefore，onlyinaction，thatisobedience，canhebecomeconscious，forthenonlyisithis。“

“Youaresplittingahair！”

“Iftheonlywaytolifelaythroughahair，whatmustyoudobutsplitit？Thefact，however，is，thathewhotakesthelivesphereoftruthforaflatintellectualdisc，maywelltakethedisc\'sedgeforahair。“

“Come，come！howdoesallthisapplytome——amanwhowouldreallyliketomakeuphismindaboutthething，andisnotatthemomentawareofanyverypressingdutythatheisneglectingtodo？”

“Isyourlordshipnotawareofsomenotverypressingdutythatyouareneglectingtodo？Somedutiesneedbuttobeacknowledgedbythesmallestamountofaction，tobecomeparamountintheirdemandsuponus。“

“Thatistheworstofit！”murmuredtheearl。“Irefuse，Iavoidsuchacknowledgment！Whoknowswhitheritmightcarryme，orwhatitmightnotgoontodemandofme！”

Hespokelikeoneunawarethathespoke。

“Yes，mylord，“saidDonal，“thatishowmostmentreatthegreatestthings！Thedevilblindsusthathemayguideus！”

“Thedevil！——bah！”criedhislordship，gladtoturnatrightanglesfromthepathoftheconversation；“youdon\'tsurelybelieveinthatlegendarypersonage？”

“Hewhodoeswhatthedevilwouldhavehimdo，isthemanwhobelievesinhim，nothewhodoesnotcarewhetherheisornot，solongasheavoidsdoinghisworks。Iftherebesuchaone，hislastthoughtmustbetopersuademenofhisexistence！HeisasubjectI

donotcaretodiscuss；heisnotveryinterestingtome。Butifyourlordshipnowwouldbutovercomethehabitofdependingonmedicine，youwouldsoonfindoutthatyouhadafreewill。“

Hislordshipscowledlikeathunder-cloud。

“Iamcertain，mylord，“addedDonal，“thattheleastquestionaskedbythewillitself，willbringananswer；athousandaskedbytheintellect，willbringnothing。“

“Ididnotsendforyoutoactthepartoffatherconfessor，Mr。

Grant，“saidhislordship，inatonewhichratherperplexedDonal；

“butasyouhavetakenuponyoutheoffice，Imayaswellallowyoukeepit；themattertowhichyourefer，thatofmymedicaltreatmentofmyself，ispreciselywhathasbroughtmeintomypresentdifficulty。Itwouldbetoolongastorytotellyouhow，likepoorColeridge，Iwasfirstdecoyed，thenenticedfromonestagetoanother；thedesiretoescapefrompainisanaturalinstinct；andthat，andthenecessityalsoforescapingmypastself，especiallyinitsrelationstocertainothers，havebroughtmebydegreesintofartoogreatadependenceontheuseofdrugs。Andnowthat，fromcertainsymptoms，Ihavegroundtofearachangeofsomekindnotsofaroff——Idonotofcoursemeanto-morrow，ornextyear，butsomewherenearerthanitwasthistime，Iwon\'tsaylastyear，butsaytenyearsago——why，then，onebeginstothinkaboutthingsonehasbeentooreadytoforget。Isuppose，however，ifthewillbeanaturalpossessionofthehumanbeing，andifamanshould，throughactionsonthetissueofhisbrain，haveceasedtobeconsciousofanywill，itmustreturntohimthemomentheisfreefromthebody，thatisfromthedilapidatedbrain！”

“Mylord，Iwouldnothaveyoucounttoomuchuponthat。Weknowverylittleaboutthesethings；butwhatifthebraingivetheopportunityfortheactionwhichistoresultinfreedom？Whatifthereshould，withoutthebrain，benomeansofworkingourliberty？

Whatifweareherelikebirdsinacage，withwings，abletoflybutnotflyingaboutthecage；andwhatif，whenwearedead，weshallindeedbeoutofthecage，butwithoutwings，havingnevermadeuseofsuchaswehadwhilewehadthem？Thinkforamomentwhatweshouldbewithoutthesenses！”

“Weshallbeableatleasttoseeandhear，elsewhereweretheuseofbelievinginanotherworld？”

“Isuspect，mylord，theotherworlddoesnotneedourbelievinginittomakeafactofit。Butifamanwerenevertoteachhissoultosee，ifhewereobstinatelytoclosehiseyesuponthisworld，andlookatnothingallthetimehewasinit，Ishouldbeverydoubtfulwhetherthemerefactofgoingalittlemoredead，wouldmakehimsee。Thesoulneverhavinglearnedtosee，itssenseofseeing，correspondenttoandhigherthanthatofthebody，neverhavingbeendeveloped，howshoulditexpandandimpoweritselfbymeredeliverancefromtheonebestschoolmastertowhomitwouldgivenoheed？Thesensesare，Isuspect，onlythehusksunderwhichareripeningthedeeper，keener，bettersensesbelongingtothenextstageofourlife；andso，mylord，Icannotthinkthat，ifthewillhasnotbeendevelopedthroughthemeansandoccasionsgivenin，themerepassingintoanotherconditionwillsetitfree。Forfreedomistheunclosingoftheideawhichliesatourroot，andisthevitalpowerofourexistence。Theroseisthefreedomoftherosetree。I

shouldthink，havinglosthisbrain，andgotnothinginstead，amanwouldfindhimselfamerecentreofunanswerablequestions。“

“Yougotoofarforme，“saidhislordship，lookingalittleuncomfortable，“butIthinkitistimetotryandbreakmyselfalittleofthehabit——oralmosttime。Bydegreesonemight，youknow，——eh？”

“Ihavelittlefaithindoingthingsbydegrees，mylord——exceptsuchindeedasbytheirverynaturecannotbedoneatonce。Itistrueabadhabitcanonlybecontractedbydegrees；andIwillnotsay，becauseIdonotknow，whetheranyonehasevercuredhimselfofonebydegrees；butitcannotbethebestway。Whatisbadoughttobegotridofatonce。“

“Ah，but，don\'tyouknow？thatmightcostyouyourlife！”

“Whatofthat，mylord！Life，thelifeyoumean，isnotthefirstthing。“

“Notthefirstthing！Why，theBiblesays，\'Allthatamanhathwillhegiveforhislife\'！”

“ThatisintheBible；butwhethertheBiblesaysit，isanotherthing。“

“Idonotunderstandsillydistinctions。“

“Why，mylord，whosaidthat？”

“Whatdoesitmatterwhosaidit？”

“Muchalways；everythingsometimes。“

“Whosaiditthen？”

“Thedevil。“

“Thedevilhedid！Andwhooughttoknowbetter，Ishouldliketoask！”

“Everymanoughttoknowbetter。Andbesides，itisnotwhatamanwillorwillnotdo，butwhatamanoughtoroughtnottodo！”

“Ah，thereyouhaveme，Isuppose！Buttherearesomethingssodamneddifficult，thatamanmustbeverysureofhisdangerbeforehecanbringhimselftodothem！”

“Thatmaybe，mylord：inthepresentcase，however，youmustbeawarethatthedangerisnottothebodilyhealthalone；thesedrugsunderminethemoralnatureaswell！”

“Iknowit：Icannotbecountedguiltyofmanythings；theyweredoneundertheinfluenceofhellishconcoctions。ItwasnotI，butthesethingsworkinginme——onmybrain，makingmeseethingsinafalselight！ThiswillbetakenintoaccountwhenIcometobejudged——iftherebesuchathingasadayofjudgment。“

“OnethingIamsureof，“saidDonal，“thatyourlordshipwillhavefairplay。Atfirst，notquiteknowingwhatyouwereabout，youmaynothavebeenmuchtoblame；butafterwards，whenyouknewthatyouwereputtingyourselfindangerofdoingyoudidnotknowwhat，youwereasmuchtoblameasifyoumadeaFrankenstein-demon，andturnedhimlooseontheearth，knowingyourselfutterlyunabletocontrolhim。“

“AndisnotthatwhattheGodyoubelieveindoeseveryday？”

“Mylord，theGodIbelieveinhasnotlosthiscontrolovereitherofus。“

“Thenlethimsetthethingright！Whyshouldwedrawhisplough？”

“Hewillsetitright，mylord，——butprobablyinawayyourlordshipwillnotlike。Heiscompelledtodoterriblethingssometimes。“

“Compelled！——whatshouldcompelhim？”

“Thelovethatisinhim，thelovethatheis。Hecannotletushaveourownwaytotheruinofeverythinginushecaresfor！”

ThenthespiritawokeinDonal——orcameuponhim——andhespoke。

“Mylord，“hesaid，“ifyouwouldeveragainbeabletothankGod；

iftherebeoneintheotherworldtowhomyouwouldgo；ifyouwouldmakeupforanywrongyouhaveeverdone；ifyouwouldeverfeelinyoursouloncemoretheinnocenceofachild；ifyoucaretocallGodyourfather；ifyouwouldfallasleepinpeaceandwaketoanewlife；Iconjureyoutoresistthedevil，togiveuptheevilhabitthatisdraggingyoulowerandlowereveryhour。Itwillbeveryhard，Iknow！AnythingIcando，watchingwithyounightandday，givingmyselftohelpyou，Iamreadyfor。Iwilldoallthatliesinmetodeliveryoufromthewearinessandsicknessoftheendeavour。Iwillgivemylifetostrengthenyours，andcountitwellspentandmyselfhonoured：Ishallthenhavelivedalifeworthliving！Resolve，mylord——inGod\'snameresolveatoncetobefree。

Thenyoushallknowyouhaveafreewill，foryourwillwillhavemadeitselffreebydoingthewillofGodagainstalldisinclinationofyourown。Itwillbeagloriousvictory，andwillsetyouhighonthehillwhosepeakisthethroneofGod。“

“Iwillbeginto-morrow，“saidtheearlfeebly，andwithastrangelookinhiseyes。“——Butnowyoumustleaveme。Ineedsolitudetostrengthenmyresolve。Cometomeagainto-morrow。Iamweary，andmustrestawhile。SendSimmons。“

Donalwasnowisemisledbytheeasy，postponedconsent，buthecouldnotprolongtheinterview。Heroseandwent。Intheactofshuttingthedoorbehindhim，something，hedidnotknowwhat，madehimturnhishead：theearlwasleaningoverthelittletablebyhisbedside，andpouringsomethingfromabottleintoaglass。Donalstoodtransfixed。Theearlturnedandsawhim，castonhimalookofalmostdemoniacalhate，puttheglasstohislipsanddrankoffitscontents，thenthrewhimselfbackonhispillows。Donalshutthedoor——notsosoftlyasheintended，forhewasagitated；aloudcurseatthenoisecameafterhim。Hewentdownthestairnotonlywithasenseoffailure，butwithanexhaustionsuchashehadneverbeforefelt。

Therearemenofnaturessoinactivethattheycannotevenenjoythesightofactivityaroundthem：menwithschemesanddesiresareintheirpresenceintrusive。Theirexistenceisasleepylake，whichwouldnotbetroubledevenwiththewindoffar-offlabour。SuchlordMorvenwasnotbynature；uptomanhoodhehadledevenastormylife。Butwhenhispassionsbegantoyield，hisself-indulgencebegantotaketheformoflaziness；anditwasnotmanyyearsbeforehelaywithneverastruggleinthechainsoftheevilpowerwhichhadnowreducedhimtomoralpoltroonery。Thetyrannyofthislastwickednessgrewworseafterthedeathofhiswife。Theoneobjectofhislife，iflifeitcouldbecalled，wasonlyandevertomakeitalifeofhisown，notthelifewhichGodhadmeantittobe，andhadmadepossibletohim。Onfirstacquaintancewiththemoralphenomenon，ithadseemedtoDonalaninhumanandstrangelyexceptionalone；butreflecting，hecamepresentlytoseethatitwasonlyamorepronouncedformoftheuniversalhumandisease——adiseasesodeep-seatedthathewhohasitworst，leastknowsorcanbelievethathehasanydisease，attributingallhisdiscomforttotheconditionofthingsoutsidehim；whereashisrefusaltoacceptthemastheyare，isonemostprominentsymptomofthedisease。Whetherbystimulantsornarcotics，whetherbycompanyorambition，whetherbygraspingorstudy，whetherbyself-indulgence，byart，bybooks，byreligion，bylove，bybenevolence，weendeavourafteranotherlifethanthatwhichGodmeansforus——alifeoftruth，namely，ofobedience，humility，andself-forgetfulness，wewalkequallyinavainshow。

ForGodaloneis，andwithouthimwearenot。Thisisnotthemereclangofatinklingmetaphysicalcymbal；hethatendeavourstoliveapartfromGodmustatlengthfind——notmerelythathehasbeenwalkinginavainshow，butthathehasbeenhimselfbutthephantomofadream。ButforthelifeofthelivingGod，makinghimbe，andkeepinghimbeing，hemustfadeevenoutofthelimboofvanities！

Hemoreandmoreseldomwentoutofthehouse，moreandmoreseldomlefthisapartment。Attimeshewouldreadagreatdeal，thenfordayswouldnotopenabook，butseemabsorbedinmeditation——ameditationwhichhadnothinginitworthyofthename。InhiscommunicationswithDonal，hedidnotseemintheleastawarethathehadmadehimtheholderofasecretbywhichhecouldfrustratehisplansforhisfamily。Theseplansheclungto，partlyfrompaternity，partlyfromcontemptforsociety，andpartlyinthefancyofrepairingthewronghehaddonehischildren\'smother。Themorallydiseasedwillatoneforwrongbyfreshwrong——initsturntodemandlikereparation！Hewoulddoanythingnowtosecurehissonsinthepositionofwhichinlawhehaddeprivedthembythewronghehaddonethewomanwhomallhadbelievedhiswife。Throughthemarriageoftheeldestwiththeheiress，hewouldmakehimtheheadofthehouseinpowerasindignity，andthiswasnowalmosttheonlytiethatboundhimtotherealityofthings。HecaredlittleenoughaboutForgue，buthisconsciencewashauntedwithhiscrueltiestotheyouth\'smother。ThesewereoftensuchasIdarenotputonrecord：theycamealloftheprideofself-loveandself-worship——asevildemonsaseverragedinthefiercestfireofMoloch。Inthemadnesswithwhichtheypossessedhim，hehadinflicteduponhernotonlysoresthumiliations，butbodilytortures：hewouldsee，hesaid，whatshewouldbearforhissake！

Inthehorriblepresentmentsofhisdrug-procureddreamstheyreturneduponhiminterribleformsofrighteousretaliation。Andnow，thoughtohimselfhewasconstantlydenyingalifebeyond，theconvictionhadbeguntovisitandoverwhelmhimthathemustonedaymeetheragain：fainthenwouldhebearmedwithsomethingwhichforhersakehehaddoneforherchildren！Oneofthehorriblelawsofthefalseexistenceheledwasthat，forthedeadeningofthemindtoanyevil，therewasnonecessityitshouldbedoneanddoneagain；ithadbuttobepresentedintheformofathingdone，orathinggoingtobedone，toseemathingreasonableanddoable。Inhisbeing，aworldoffalseappearanceshadtakentheplaceofreality；acreationofhisownhaddisplacedthecreationoftheessentialLife，bywhosepoweralonehehimselffalselycreated；andinthisworldhewasthedupeofhisownhome-bornphantoms。Outofthisconspiracyofmarshandmirage，whatvilethingsmightnotissue！Oversuchachaosthedevilhaspowerallbutcreative。Hecannotintruthcreate，buthecanwiththedegeneratecreatedworkmoralhorrorstoohideoustobeanalogizedbyanyofthehorrorsoftheunperfectedanimalworld。Sucharebeingconstantlyproducedinhumansociety；manyofthemdieinthedarknessinwhichtheyaregenerated；nowandthenoneissues，blastingthepublicdaywithitshideousglare。Becausetheyareseldomseen，manydenytheyexist，orneedbespokenofiftheydo。Buttoterrifyamanatthepossibilitiesofhisneglectednature，istodosomethingtowardstheredemptionofthatnature。

School-hourswereover，butDaviewasseatedwherehehadlefthim，stillworking。AtsightofhimDonal，feelingasifhehadjustcomefromthepresenceofthedamned，almostburstintotears。AmomentmoreandArcturaentered：itwasasiftheroofofhellgaveway，andtheblueskyoftheeternalcamepouringinheavenlydelugethroughtheruinedvault。

“IhavebeentocalluponSophia，“shesaid。

“Iamgladtohearit，“answeredDonal：anynewsfromanouterworldofyetsalvablehumanitywaswelcomeassummertoalandofice。

“Yes，“shesaid；“Iamabletogoandseehernow，becauseIamnolongerafraidofher——partly，Ithink，becauseInolongercarewhatshethinksofme。Herpowerovermeisgone。“

“Andwillneverreturn，“saidDonal，“whileyoukeepclosetothemaster。Withhimyouneednohumanbeingtosetyouright，andwillallownohumanbeingtosetyouwrong；youwillneedneitherfriendnorministernorchurch，thoughallwillhelpyou。Iamveryglad，forsomethingseemstotellmeIshallnotbelonghere。“

Arcturadroppedonachair——paleasrosybefore。

“Hasanythingfreshhappened？”sheasked，inalowvoicethatdidnotsoundlikehers。“Surelyyouwillnotleavemewhile——I

thought——Ithought——Whatisit？”

“ItisonlyafeelingIhave，“heanswered。“IbelieveIamoutofspirits。“

“Ineversawyousobefore！”saidArctura。“Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobeill。“

“Oh，no；itisnotthat！Iwilltellyousomeday，butIcannotnow。

AllisinGod\'shands！”

Shelookedanxiouslyathim，butdidnotaskhimanyquestionmore。

Sheproposedtheyshouldtakeaturninthepark，andhisgloomworegraduallyoff。

CHAPTERLIX。

DUSTTODUST。

Thenextnight，asifbyacommonunderstanding，foritwaswithoutwordspoken，thethreemetagaininthehousekeeper\'sroom，whereshehadsupperwaiting。Ofbusinessnothingwassaiduntilthatwasover。MistressBrookestoldthemtwoorthreeofthestoriesofwhichshehadsomany，andDonalrecountedoneortwoofthosethatfloatedabouthiscountry-side。

“I\'vebeenthinkin\'，“saidmistressBrookesatlength，“seein\'it\'sabonnystarrynicht，wecouldnadobetterthanliftan\'laydoonthisvarranicht。Thehooseisasleep。“

“Whatdoyousaytothatplaceintheparkwherewasonceamausoleum？”saidDonal。

“It\'sthevarraplace！——an\'thesoonerthebetter——dinnayethink，mylady？”

ArcturawithalookreferredthequestiontoDonal。

“Surely，“heanswered。“Butwilltherenotbesomepreparationstomake？”

“There\'snoneedo\'mony！”returnedthehousekeeper。“I\'llgetafineauldsheet，an\'intil\'twe\'llputtheremains，an\'rowthemup，an\'carrythemtotheirhame。I\'llgoan\'getit，mylady——Butwouldna\'tbebetterforyouandme，sir，togeta\'thatdunebyoorsel\'s？Myleddycouldj\'inuswhanwecamup。“

“Shewouldn\'tliketobeleftherealone。Thereisnothingtobecalledfearsome！”

“Nothingatall，“saidArctura。

“Theforcesofnature，“saidDonal，“areconstantlyatworktodestroythedreadful，andrestorethewholesome。Itisbutafewhandfulsofcleandust。“

Thehousekeeperwenttooneofherpresses，andbroughtoutasheet。

DonalputaplaidroundladyArctura。Theywentuptoherroom，andsodowntothechapel。Half-waydownthenarrowdescentmistressBrookesmurmured，“Eh，sirs！”andsaidnomore。

Eachcarriedalight，andthetwocouldseethechapelbetter。A

statelylittleplaceitwas：whenthewindowswereunmasked，itwouldbebeautiful！

Theystoodforsomemomentsbythesideofthebed，regardinginsilence。Seldomsurehadbedborneonewhosleptsolong！——onewho，neverwakingmightlietherestill！Whentheyspokeitwasinwhispers。

“Howarewetomanageit，mistressBrookes？”saidDonal。

“Laythesheethandy，alangthesideo\'thebed，maisterGrant，an\'

Is\'layinthedist，han\'fu\'byhan\'fu\'。Ihaethatrespec\'forthedeid，Ihaenodifficletyaboothan\'lin\'onythingbelongin\'tothem。“

“Gienithadnabeenthathetuikitagain，“saidDonal，“theLord\'sainbodywadhaecometothis。“

Ashespokehelaidthesheetonthebed，andbegantolayinitthedrydustandair-wastedbones，handlingthemasreverentlyasifthespirithadbutjustdeparted。MistressBrookeswouldhavepreventedArctura，butsheinsistedonhavinghershareintheburyingofherown：whotheywereGodknew，buttheyshouldbehersanyhow，andonedayshewouldknow！Fortofancywegointotheotherworldasetofspiritualmolesburrowinginthedarkofanewandunknownexistence，isworthyonlyofsuchashavealifelessLawtotheirsire。Weshallenteritaschildrenwithahistory，aschildrengoinghometoalonglineoflivingancestors，todevelopclosestrelationswiththem。Shewouldyettalk，livefacetoface，withthosewhosedustshewasnowliftinginhertwohandstorestoreittoitsdust。Thentheycarriedthesheettothealtar，andthencesweptintoiteverylittleparticle，backtoitsmotherdust。Thatdone，Donalknottedthesheettogether，andtheybegantolookaroundthem。

Desirousofdiscoveringwherethemainentrancetothechapelhadbeen，Donalspiedunderthewindowsaseconddoor，andopeneditwithdifficulty。Itdisclosedapassagebelowthestair，threestepslowerthanthefloorofthechapel，parallelwiththewall，andturning，atrightanglesunderthegallery。Herehesawsignsofanobliterateddoorintheouterwall，butcouldexaminenofartherforthepresent。

Inthemeantimehiscompanionshadmadeanothersortofdiscovery：

nearthefootofthebedwasalittletable，onwhichweretwodrinkingvessels，apparentlyofpewter，andamoulderingpackofcards！Card-playingandthehiddenroomdidholdsomerelationwitheachother！Thecardsandthedevilwerereal！

Donaltookupthesheet——alightburden，andArcturaledtheway。

Arrivedatherroom，theywentsoftlyacrosstothedooropeningonDonal\'sstair——notwithoutfearoftheearl，whomindeedtheymightmeetanywhere——andbythatdescending，reachedtheopenair，andtooktheirwaydowntheterracesandthroughtheparktotheplaceofburial。

Itwasafrostynight，withthewaningsickleofamoonlowintheheaven，andmanybrilliantstarsaboveit。Followedbyfaintetherealshadows，theypassedoverthegrass，throughtheghostlyluminousdusk——offunerealprocessionsoneofthestrangestthateversoughtatomb。

Theruinwasinahollow，surroundedbytrees。Donalremovedanumberoffallenstonesanddugagrave。Theyloweredintoittheknottedsheet，threwintheearthagain，heapedthestonesabove，andleftthedustwithitsdust。Thensilenttheywentback，straightalongthegreen，moon-regardedratherthanmoon-litgrass：

ifanyonehadseenthemthroughthepalestarrynight，hewouldsurelyhavetakenthemforaprocessionofthedeadthemselves！

NodreamofdeathsoughtArcturathatnight，butinthemorningshewokesuddenlyfromoneofdisembodieddelight。

CHAPTERLX。

ALESSONABOUTDEATH。

WHATEVERladyArcturamightdecideconcerningtherestorationofthechapeltothelightofday，Donalthoughtitwouldnotbeamisstofind，withouttroublingher，whathecouldofitsrelationtotherestofthehouse：anditfavouredhiswishthatArcturawasprevaileduponbythehousekeepertoremaininbedthenextday。Herstrongwill，goodcourage，andtrustingheart，hadmadeseveredemandsuponanorganizationasdelicateasresponsive。ItwasnowSaturday：heresolvedtogoaloneintheafternoontoexplore——andfirstofallwouldtrythedoorbesidethelittlegallery。

Assoonashewasfree，hegotthetoolshejudgednecessary，andwentdown。

Thedoorwasofstrongsoundoak，withornateironhingesrightacrossit。Hewasonthebettersideforopeningit，thatis，theinside，butthoughtheendsofthehingeswereexposed，thedoorwassowellwithintheframethatitwasuselesstothinkofheavingthemoffthebearing-pins。Thehugelockanditsboltwerelikewisebeforehim，butthekeywasinthelockfromtheotherside，sothatitcouldnotbepicked；whilethenailsthatfastenedittothedoorwereprobablyrivetedthroughaplate。Buttherewasthesocketintowhichtheboltshot！thatwasmerelyanironstaple！hemighteitherforceitoutwithalever，orfileitthrough！Havingremovedtheroughestoftherustwithwhichitwascaked，andsoreduceditsthicknessconsiderably，hesethimselftothetaskoffilingitthrough，firstatthetopthenatthebottom。Itwasaslowbutasureprocess，andwouldmakenogreatnoise。

Althoughitwasbroaddaylightoutside，solikemidnightwasithereandtheseasonthatbelongstothedead，thathewashauntedwiththeideaofapresencebehindhim。Butnotoncedidheturnhisheadtosee，forheknewthatifheyieldedtotheinclination，itwouldbutreturnthestronger。Oldexperiencehadtaughthimthatthewaytomeetthehorrorsofthefancyistorefusethemasinglehair\'s-breadthofobedience。Andasheworkedtheconvictiongrewthattheonlyprotectionagainsttheterrorsofalienpresenceistheconsciousnessofthehomepresenceoftheeternal：ifamanfeltthatpresence，howcouldhefearanyother？Butforthosewhoarenotonewiththesourceofbeing，everymanifestationofthatbeinginalifeotherthantheirown，mustbemoreorlessaterrortothem；itisalien，antipathous，other，——itmaybeunappeasable，implacable。Thetimemustevencomewhentosuchtheirownbeingwillbeahorrorofrepugnantconsciousness；forGodnotselfisours——hisbeing，notourown，isourhome；heisourkind。

Theworkwasslow——theimpressiononthehardironofthewornfilesoweakthathewasoftenonthepointofgivinguptheattempt。

Fatigueatlengthbegantoinvadehim，andtherewiththesenseofhissituationgrewmorekeen：greatwearinessovercomesterror；thebeginningsofwearinessenhanceit。Everynowandthenhewouldstop，thinkingheheardthecryofachild，onlytorecognizeitasthenoiseofhisfile。Heresolvedatlasttostopforthenight，andafterteagotothetowntobuyanewandfitterfile。

ThenextdaywasSunday，andintheafternoonDonalandDaviewerewalkingintheoldavenuetogether。Theyhadbeentochurch，andhadheardadullsermononthemoststirringfactnexttotheresurrectionoftheLordhimself——hisraisingofLazarus。Thewholeaspectofthething，aspresentedbythepreachingman，wassodullandunreal，thatnotawordonthesubjecthadpassedbetweenthemonthewayhome。

“Mr。Grant，howcouldanybodymakeadeadmanliveagain？”saidDaviesuddenly。

“Idon\'tknow，Davie，“answeredDonal。“IfIcouldknowhow，I

shouldprobablybeabletodoitmyself。“

“Itisveryhardtobelieve。“

“Yes，veryhard——thatis，ifyoudonotknowanythingaboutthepersonsaidtohavedoneit，toaccountforhisbeingabletodoitthoughanothercouldnot。Butjustthinkofthis：ifonehadneverseenorheardaboutdeath，itwouldbeashard，perhapsharder，tobelievethatanythingcouldbringaboutthatchange。Theoneseemstouseasytounderstand，becausewearefamiliarwithit；ifwehadseentheothertakeplaceafewtimes，weshouldseeinitnothingtoostrange，nothingindeedbutwhatwastobeexpectedincertaincircumstances。“

“Butthatisnotenoughtoproveiteverdidtakeplace。“

“Assuredlynot。Itcannotevenmakeitlookintheleastprobable。“

“Tellme，please，anythingthatwouldmakeitlookprobable。“

“Iwillnotansweryourquestiondirectly，butIwillanswerit。

Listen，Davie。

“InallagesmenhavelongedtoseeGod——somemeninagrandway。Atlast，accordingtothestoryofthegospel，thetimecamewhenitwasfitthattheFatherofmenshouldshowhimselftotheminhisson，theoneperfectman，whowashisveryimage。SoJesuscametothem。ButmanywouldnotbelievehewasthesonofGod，fortheyknewGodsolittlethattheydidnotseehowlikehewastohisFather。Others，whoweremorelikeGodthemselves，andsoknewGodbetter，didthinkhimthesonofGod，thoughtheywerenotpleasedthathedidnotmakemoreshow。Hisobjectwas，nottoruleoverthem，buttomakethemknow，andtrust，andobeyhisFather，whowaseverythingtohim。Nowwhenanyonedied，hisfriendsweresomiserableoverhimthattheyhardlythoughtaboutGod，andtooknocomfortfromhim。Theysaidthedeadmanwouldriseagainatthelastday，butthatwassofaroff，thedeadwasgonetosuchadistance，thattheydidnotcareforthat。Jesuswantedtomakethemknowandfeelthatthedeadwerealiveallthetime，andcouldnotbefaraway，seeingtheywereallwithGodinwhomwelive；thattheyhadnotlostthemthoughtheycouldnotseethem，fortheywerequitewithinhisreach——asmuchsoasever；thattheywerejustassafewith，andaswelllookedafterbyhisfatherandtheirfather，astheyhadeverbeeninalltheirlives。Itwasnodoubtadreadful-lookingthingtohavethemputinahole，andwasteawaytodust，buttheywerenotthereforegoneout——theywereonlygonein！

Toteachthemallthishedidnotsaymuch，butjustcalledoneortwoofthembackforawhile。OfcourseLazaruswasgoingtodieagain，butcanyouthinkhistwosisterseitherlovedhimless，orweptasmuchoverhimthenexttimehedied？”

“No；itwouldhavebeenfoolish。“

“Well，ifyouthinkaboutit，youwillseethatnoonewhobelievesthatstory，andweepsastheydidthefirsttime，canescapereproof。WhereJesuscalledLazarusfrom，therearehisfriends，andtherearetheywaitingforhim！Now，Iaskyou，Davie，wasitworthwhileforJesustodothisforus？Isnotthegreatmiseryofourlife，thatthosedeartousdie？Wasit，Isay，athingworthdoing，toletusseethattheyarealivewithGodallthetime，andcanbeproducedanymomenthepleases？”

“Surelyitwas，sir！Itoughttotakeawayallthemisery！”

“Thenitwasanaturalthingtodo；anditisareasonablethingtothinkthatitwasdone。ItwasnaturalthatGodshouldwanttolethischildrenseehim；andnaturalheshouldletthemknowthathestillsawandcaredforthosetheyhadlostsightof。Thewholethingseemstomereasonable；Icanbelieveit。Itimpliesindeedaworldofthingsofwhichweknownothing；butthatisfor，notagainstit，seeingsuchaworldweneed；andifanyoneinsistsonbelievingnothingbutwhathehasseensomethinglike，IleavehimtohismiseryandthemercyofGod。“

Iftheworldhadbeensomadethatmencouldeasilybelieveinthemakerofit，itwouldnothavebeenaworldworthanyman\'slivingin，neitherwouldtheGodthatmadesuchaworld，andsorevealedhimselftosuchpeople，beworthbelievingin。Godaloneknowswhatlifeisenoughforustolive——whatlifeisworthhisandourwhile；

wemaybesureheislabouringtomakeitours。Hewouldhaveitasfull，aslovely，asgrand，asthesparingofnothing，notevenhisownson，canrenderit。Ifwewouldonlylethimhavehisownwaywithus！Ifwedonottrusthim，willnotworkwithhim，arealwaysthwartinghisendeavourstomakeusalive，thenwemustbemiserable；thereisnohelpforit。Astodeath，weknownexttonothingaboutit。“Dowenot！”saythefaithless。“Dowenotknowthedarkness，theemptiness，thetears，thesinkingsofheart，thedesolation！”Yes，youknowthose；butthoseareyourthings，notdeath\'s。Aboutdeathyouknownothing。Godhastoldusonlythatthedeadarealivetohim，andthatonedaytheywillbealiveagaintous。Theworldbeyondthegatesofdeathis，Isuspect，afarmorehomelikeplacetothosethatenterit，thanthisworldistous。

“Idon\'tlikedeath，“saidDavie，afterasilence。

“Idon\'twantyoutolike，whatyoucalldeath，forthatisnotthethingitself——itisonlyyourfancyaboutit。Youneednotthinkaboutitatall。Thewaytogetreadyforitistolive，thatis，todowhatyouhavetodo。“

“ButIdonotwanttogetreadyforit。Idon\'twanttogotoit；

andtoprepareforitislikegoingstraightintoit！”

“Youhavetogotoitwhetheryouprepareforitornot。Youcannothelpgoingtoit。Butitmustbelikethisworld，seeingtheonlywaytoprepareforitistodothethingGodgivesustodo。“

“Aren\'tyouafraidofdeath，Mr。Grant？”

“No，Iamnot。WhyshouldIfearthebestthingthat，initstime，cancometome？Neitherwillyoubeafraidwhenitcomes。Itisnotthedreadfulthingitlooks。“

“Whyshoulditlookdreadfulifitisnotdreadful？”

“Thatisaveryproperquestion。Itlooksdreadful，andmustlookdreadful，toeveryonewhocannotseeinitthatwhichalonemakeslifenotdreadful。Ifyousawagreatdarkcloakcomingalongtheroadasifitwereroundsomebody，butnobodyinsideit，youwouldbefrightened——wouldyounot？”

“IndeedIshould。Itwouldbeawful！”

“Itwould。Butifyouspiedinsidethecloak，andmakingitcometowardsyou，themostbeautifullovingfaceyoueversaw——ofamancarryinginhisarmsalittlechild——andsawthechildclingingtohim，andlookinginhisfacewithablessedsmile，wouldyoubefrightenedattheblackcloak？”

“No；thatwouldbesilly。“

“Youhaveyouranswer！Thethingthatmakesdeathlooksofearfulisthatwedonotseeinsideit。Thosewhoseeonlytheblackcloak，andthinkitismovingalongofitself，maywellbefrightened；butthosewhoseethefaceinsidethecloak，wouldbefoolsindeedtobefrightened！BeforeJesuscame，peoplelivedingreatmiseryaboutdeath；butafterheroseagain，thosewhobelievedinhimalwaystalkedofdyingasfallingasleep；andIdaresaythestoryofLazarus，thoughitwasnotsuchagreatthingaftertherisingoftheLordhimself，hadalargeshareinenablingthemtothinkthatwayaboutit。“

Whentheywenthome，Davie，runninguptoladyArctura\'sroom，recountedtoheraswellashecouldtheconversationhehadjusthadwithMr。Grant。

“Oh，Arkie！”hesaid，“tohearhimtalk，youwouldthinkDeathhadn\'talegtostandupon！”

Arcturasmiled；butitwasasmilethroughacloudofunshedtears。

Lovelyasdeathmightbe，shewouldliketogetthegoodofthisworldbeforegoingtothenext！——AsifGodwoulddenyusanygood！——Atonetimeshehadbeenwillingtogo，shethought，butshewasnotnow！——Theworldhadoflategrownverybeautifultoher！

CHAPTERLXI。

THEBUREAU。

OntheMondaynightDonalagainwentdownintothehiddenpartsofthecastle。Arcturahadcometotheschoolroom，butseemedillableforherwork，andhedidnottellherwhathewasdoingfarther。

Theywererathertheghostsoffearsthanfearsthemselvesthathadassailedhim，andthistimetheyhardlycamenearhimashewrought。

Withhisnewfilehemadebetterworkthanbefore，andsoonfinishedcuttingthroughthetopofthestaple。Tryingitthenwithapokerasalever，hebrokethebottompartacross；sotherewasnothingtoholdthebolt，andwithacreakingnoiseofrustyhingesthedoorslowlyopenedtohissteadypull。Nothingappearedbutawallofplank！Hegaveitapush；ityielded：anotherdoor，close-fitting，andwithoutanyfastening，flewopen，revealingasmallclosetorpress，andontheoppositesideofitathirddoor。Thishecouldnotatonceopen。Itwassecured，however，withacommonlock，whichcosthimscarcelyanytrouble。Itopenedonalittleroom，ofaboutninefeetbyseven。Hewentin。Itcontainednothingbutanold-fashionedsecretaryorbureau，andaseatlikealowmusic-stool。

“Itmayhavebeenavestryforthepriest！”thoughtDonal；“butitmusthavebeenusedlaterthanthechapel，forthisdeskisnotolderthantheoneatTheMains，whichmistressJeansaidwasmadeforhergrandmother！”

Thenhowdiditgetintotheplace？Therewasnootherdoor！Abovethebureauwasasmallwindow，orwhatseemedawindowdoubtfulwithdirt；butdoortherewasnot！Itwasnottoolargetoenterbytheoakdoor，butitcouldnothavegottoitalonganyofthepassageshehadcomethrough！Itfollowedthattheremust，andthatnotsoverylongago，havebeenanotherentrancetotheplaceinwhichhestood！

Heturnedtolookatthewayhehadhimselfcome：itwasthroughacommonpressofpainteddeal，fillingtheendofthelittleroom，therenarrowedtoaboutfivefeet。Whenthedoorinthebackofitwasshut，itlookedmerelyapartofthebackofthepress。

Heturnedagaintothebureau，withastrangefeelingathisheart。

Thecoverwasdown，andonitlaysomesheetsofpaper，discolouredwithdustandage。Apenlaywiththem，andbesidewasanink-bottleofthecommonesttype，theinkinpowderandflakes。Hetookuponeofthesheets。Ithadagreatstainonit。Thebottlemusthavebeenoverturned！Butwasitink？No；itstoodtoothickonthepaper。

WithagruesomeshiverDonalwettedhisfingerandtriedthesurfaceofit：alittlecameoff，atingeofsuspiciousbrown。Therewaswritingonthepaper！Whatwasit？Heheldthefadedlinesclosetothecandle。Theywerenotdifficulttodecipher。Hesatdownonthestool，andreadthus——hisreadingbrokenbythestain：therewasnodate：——

“MyhusbandforsuchIwill——blot——areinthesightofGod——blot——menwhyareyousocruelwhat——blot——deservetheseterrors——blot——inthoughthaveI——blot——harduponmetothinkofanother。“

Herethewritingcamebelowtheblot，andwentonunbroken。

“MylittleoneisgoneandIamleftlonelyohsolonely。IcannotbutthinkthatifyouhadlovedmeasyouoncedidIshouldyetbeclaspingmylittleonetomybosomandyouwouldhaveadaughtertocomfortyouafterIamgone。IfeelsureIcannotlongsurvivethis——ahtheremyhandhasburstoutbleedingagain，butdonotthinkImindit，Iknowitwasonlyanaccident，younevermeanttodoit，thoughyouteasedmebyrefusingtosayso——besidesitisnothing。YoumightdraweverdropofbloodfrommybodyandIwouldnotcareifonlyyouwouldnotmakemyheartbleedso。Oh，itisgoneallovermypaperandyouwillthinkIhavedoneittoletyouseehowitbleeds——butIcannotwriteitalloveragainitistoogreatalabourandtoopainfultowrite，soyoumustseeitjustasitis。Idarenotthinkwheremybabyis，forifIshouldbedoomednevertoseeherbecauseoftheloveIhavebornetoyouandconsentedtobeasyouwishedifIamcastoutfromGodbecauseI

lovedyoumorethanhimIshallneverseeyouagain——fortobewhereIcouldseeyouwouldneverbepunishmentenoughformysins。“

Herethewritingstopped：thebleedingofthehandhadprobablybroughtittoaclose。Theletterhadneverbeenfolded，butlyingthere，hadlainthere。Helookedifhecouldfindadate；therewasnone。Heheldthesheetuptothelight，andsawapapermark；whileclosebylayanothersheetwithmerelyadate——inthesamehand，asifthewriterhadbeenabouttocommenceanotherinlieuoftheletterspoiled。

“Strange！”thoughtDonalwithhimself；“anoldwitheredgrieflooksalmostaspitifulasanoldwitheredjoy！——Butwhoistosayeitheriswithered？Thosewholookupondeathasanevil，yetregarditasthehealerofsorrows！Isitsuch？Noonecantellhowlongagriefmaylastunwithered！Surelytillthelifehealsit！Heisacowardwhowouldbecuredofhissorrowbymerelapseoftime，bythemereforgettingofabrainthatgrowsmustywithage。ItisGodalonewhocanheal——theGodofthedeadandoftheliving！andthedeadmustfindhim，orbemiserableforevermore！”

Hehadnotadoubtthattheletterhehadreadwasinthewritingofthemotherofthepresentearl\'schildren。

Whatwashetodo？Hehadthoughthewaslookingintomattersmucholder——thingsoverwhichthepermissionofladyArcturaextended；

andintruthwhathehaddiscovered，orseencorroborated，wasathingshehadarighttoknow！butwhetherheoughttotellheratoncehedidnotyetsee。Hetookuphiscandle，andwithafeelingofhelplessdismay，withdrewtohischamber。Butwhenhereachedthedoorofit，yieldingtoasuddenimpulse，heturnedaway，andwentfartherupthestair，andoutuponthebartizan。