第13章

Itwasafrostynight，andthestarswerebrilliant。Helookedupandsaid，“OhSaviourofmen，thyhouseisvaultedwithlight；thysecretplacesaresecretfromexcessoflight；intheeisnodarknessatall；thouhastnoterriblecryptsandbuilt-upplaces；thylightistheterrorofthosewholovethedarkness！Fillmyheartwiththylight；letmeneverhungerorthirstafteranythingbutthywill——thatImaywalkinthelight，andlightnotdarknessmaygoforthfromme。“

Asheturnedtogoin，cameafaintchordfromtheaeolianharp。

“Itsings，broodingovertheverynestofevildeeds！”hethought。

“Thelighteternal，withkeenarrowsofradiantvictory，willyetatlastroutfromthesoulsofhiscreaturesthedemonsthathauntthem！

“ButiftherebecreaturesofGodthathaveturnedtodemons，maynothumansoulsthemselvesturntodemons？WouldtheythenbevictoriousoverGod，toostrongforhimtoovercome——beyondthereachofrepentance？

“Howwouldtheylive？Bytheirownpower？ThenweretheyGods！——Buttheydidnotmakethemselves，andcouldnotliveofthemselves。Ifnot，thentheymustlivebyGod\'spower。Howthenshouldtheybebeyondhisreach？

“Ifthedemonscanneverbebroughtback，thenthelifeofGod，theall-pure，goesouttokeepalive，inandforevil，thatwhichisessentiallybad；forthatwhichisirredeemableisessentiallybad。“

ThusreasonedDonalwithhimself，andhisreasoning，insteadoftroublinghisfaith，causedhimtoclingthemoretotheonlyOne，thesolehopeandsaviouroftheheartsofhismenandwomen，withoutwhomthewholeuniversewerebutacharnelhouseinwhichtheghostsofthedeadwentaboutcrying，notoverthelifethatwasgonefromthem，butitssorrows。

Hestoodandgazedoutoverthecoldsea。Andashegazed，ashiveringsurgeofdoubt，achillwaveofnegation，camerollingoverhim。Heknewthatinamomenthewouldstrikeoutwiththeenergyofastrongswimmer，andrisetothetopofit；butnowitwastumblinghimaboutatitsevilwill。Hestoodandgazed——withadullsensethathewaswaitingforhiswill。Suddenlycametheconsciousnessthatheandhiswillwereone；thathehadnottowaitforhiswill，buthadtowake——towill，thatis，anddo，andsobe。

Andtherewithhesaidtohimself：——

“Itisneithertime，noreternity，norhumanconsolation，noreverlastingsleep，northesatisfiedjudgment，norattainedambition，eveninloveitself，thatisthecureforthings；itistheheart，thewill，thebeingoftheFather。Whilethatremains，theirremediable，theirredeemablecannotbe。Iftherearoseagriefintheheartofoneofhiscreaturesnototherwisetobedestroyed，hewouldtakeitintohimself，thereconsumeitinhisowncreativefire——himselfbearingthegrief，carryingthesorrow。Christdied——andwoulddieagainratherthanleaveoneheart-acheintherealmsofhislove——thatis，ofhiscreation。\'Blessedaretheywhohavenotseenandyethavebelieved！\'“

Overhisheadtheskywasfullofshiningworlds——mansionsintheFather\'shouse，builtorbuilding。

“Wearenotattheendofthings，“hethought，“butinthebeginningsandonthethresholdofcreation！TheFatherisasyoungaswhenfirstthestarsofthemorningsang——theAncientofDayswhocannevergrowold！Hewhohaseverfilledthedullunbelievingnationswithfoodandgladness，hasasplendourofdelightforthesoulsthatbelieve，everasbytheirobediencetheybecomecapableofreceivingit。“

CHAPTERLXII。

THECRYPT。

“Whenareyougoingdownagaintothechapel，Mr。Grant？”saidladyArctura：shewasbetternow，andabletowork。

“Iwasdownlastnight，andwanttogoagainthiseveningbymyself——ifyoudon\'tmind，mylady，“heanswered。“Iamsureitwillbebetterforyounottogodowntillyouarereadytogiveyourorderstohaveeverythingclearedawayforthelightandairtoenter。Thedampandclosenessoftheplacearetoomuchforyou。“

“Ithinkitwasratherthewantofsleepthatmademeill，“sheanswered；“butyoucandojustasyouplease。“

“Ithankyouforyourconfidence，mylady，“returnedDonal。“Idonotthinkyouwillrepentit。“

“IknowIshallnot。“

Havingsomethingstodofirst，itwaslatebeforeDonalwentdown——intentonlearningtheformermainentrance，andverifyingthepositionofthechapelinthecastle。

Hebetookhimselftotheendofthepassageunderthelittlegallery，andthereexaminedthesignshehadobserved：thosemustbetheouterendsoftwoofthestepsofthegreatstaircase！theycamethrough，restingonthewall。Thatendofthechapel，then，adjoinedthemainstair。Evidently，too，adoorhadbeenbuiltupintheprocessofconstructingthestair。Thechapelthenhadnotbeenenteredfromthatlevelsincethebuildingofthestair。Originallytherehad，mostlikely，beenanoutsidestairtothisdoor，inanopencourt。

Afteralittlemoreexamination，partialofnecessity，fromlackoflight，hewasonhiswayout，andalreadynearthetopofthemuralstair，thinkingofthefreshobservationshewouldtakeoutsideinthemorning，whenbehind，overtakinghimfromtheregionshehadleft，cameablastofair，andblewouthiscandle。Heshivered——notwiththecoldofit，thoughitdidbreatheofundergrounddampsanddoubtfulgrowths，butfromafeelingofitshavingbeensentafterhimtomakehimgodownagain——fordiditnotindicatesomeopeningtotheouterair？Herelightedhiscandleanddescended，carefullyguardingitwithonehand。Thecoldsighseemedtolingerabouthimashewent——gruesomeasfromacloseddepth，thesecretbosomofthecastle，intowhichthelightneverentered。But，whereveritcamefromlast，howeverearthyandfearful，itcamefirstfromtheopenregionsoflife，andhadbutpassedthroughagloomthatlifeitselfmustpass！Couldithavebeenadraughtdownthepipeofthemusic-chords？No，fortheywouldhaveloosedsomelight-wingedmessengerwithit！Hemustsearchtillhefounditsentrancebelow！

Hecrossedthelittlegallery，descended，andwentagainintothechapel：itlayasstillasthetombwhichitwasnomore。Heseemedtomissthepresenceofthedead，andfeeltheplacedeserted。Allrounditswalls，asfarashecouldreachorsee，hesearchedcarefully，butcouldperceivenosignofpossibleentranceforthemessengerblast。Itcameagain！——plainlythroughtheopendoorunderthewindows。Hewentagainintothepassageoutsidethewall，andthemomentheturnedintoit，thedraughtseemedtocomefrombeneath，blowingupwards。Hestoopedtoexamine；hiscandlewasagainextinguished。Oncemoreherelightedit。Searchingthenalongthefloorandthefootofthewalls，hepresentlyfound，inthewallofthechapelitself，closetotheground，anarrowhorizontalopening：itmustpassunderthefloorofthechapel！Allhesawwasamereslit，buttheopeningmightbelarger，andpartiallycoveredbytheflooring-slab，whichwentallthelengthoftheslit！Hewouldtrytoraiseit！Thatwouldwantacrowbar！buthavinggotsofar，hewouldnotresttillheknewmore！Itmustbeverylateandthedomesticsallinbed；butwhathouritwashecouldnottell，forhehadlefthiswatchinhisroom。Itmightbemidnightandheburrowinglikeamoleabouttherootsoftheoldhouse，orlikeanevilthingintheheartofaman！Nomatter！hewouldfollowuphissearch——afterwhat，hedidnotknow。

Hecreptup，andoutofthecastlebyhisownstair，sotothetool-house。Itwaslocked。Butlyingnearwasahalf-wornshovel：

thatmightdo！hewouldhaveatrywithit！Likeoneinadreamofancientruins，creepingthroughmouldyandlow-browedplaces，hewentdownoncemoreintotheentrailsofthehouse。

Insertingthesharpedgeofthewornshovelinthegapbetweenthestoneandthatnextit，heraiseditmorereadilythanhehadhoped，andsawbelowitasmallwindow，whosesillslopedsteeplyinward。

Howdeeptheplacemightbe，andwhetheritwouldbepossibletogetoutofitagain，hemustdiscoverbeforeentering。Hetookaletterfromhispocket，lightedit，andthrewitin。Itrevealedadescentofaboutsevenfeet，intowhatlookedlikeacellar。Heblewhiscandleout，putitinhispocket，gotintothewindow，sliddowntheslope，andreachedhisnewlevelwithease。Hethenlightedhiscandle，andlookedabouthim。

Hiseyefirstfellonalargeflatstoneinthefloor，likeagravestone，butwithoutanyornamentorinscription。Itwasaroughlyvaultedplace，unpaved，itsfloorofdamphard-beatenearth。

Inthewalltotherightofthatthroughwhichhehadentered，wasanotheropening，lowdown，likethecrownofanarchtherestofwhichwasbeneaththefloor。Asnearashecouldjudge，itwasrightunderthebuilt-updoorinthepassageabove。Hecreptthroughit，andfoundhimselfunderthespiralofthegreatstair，inthesmallspaceatthebottomofitswell。Onthefloorlayadust-panandahouse-maid\'s-brush——andtherewasthetinydooratwhichtheywereshovedin，aftertheirmorning\'suseuponthestair！Itwasopen——inwards；hecreptthroughit：hewasinthegreathallofthehouse——andtherewasoneofitswindowswideopen！Afraidofbeingbyanychancediscovered，heputouthislight，andproceededupthestairinthedark。

Hehadgonebutafewstepswhenheheardthesoundofdescendingfeet。Hestoppedandlistened：theyturnedintothehalf-wayroom。

Whenhereachedit，heheardsoundswhichshowedthattheearlwasintheclosetbehindit。Thingsrushedtogetherinhismind。HehurrieduptoladyArctura\'sroom，thencedescended，forthethirdtimethatnight——butnofartherthantheoakdoor，passedthroughit，enteredthelittlechamber，andhasteningtothefartherendofit，laidhisearagainstthewall。Plainlyenoughheheardthesoundshehadexpected——thoseofthedream-walkingratherthansleep-walkingearl，moaning，andcallinginalowvoiceofentreatyaftersomeonewhosenamedidnotgrowaudibletothelistener。

“Ah！”thoughtDonal，“whowouldfindithardtobelieveinroamingandhauntingghosts，thathadonceseenthispoormanroaminghisownhouse，andhauntingthatchamber！HoweasilyIcouldpunishhimnow，withalightningblastofterror！”

Itwasbutathought；itdidnotamounttoatemptation；Donalknewhehadnoright。VengeancebelongstotheLord，forhealoneknowshowtouseit。

Idonotbelievethatmerepunishmentexistsanywhereintheeconomyofthehighest；Ithinkmerepunishmentahumanidea，notadivineone。Buttheconsumingfireismoreterriblethananypunishmentinventedbyriotousandcruelimagination。Punishmentindeeditis——notmerepunishment；apowerofGodforhiscreature。LoveisGod\'sbeing；loveishiscreativeenergy；theyareone：God\'spunishmentsareforthecastingoutofthesinthatuncreates，fortherecreatingofthethingshislovemadeandsinhasunmade。

Heheardtheleanhandsoftheearlgoslowlysweeping，attheendsofhislongarms，overthewall：hehadseenthething，elsehecouldhardlyhaveinterpretedthesounds；andheheardhimmutteringonandon，thoughmuchtoolowforhiswordstobedistinguishable。

Hadtheybeen，Donalbythistimewassoconvincedthathehadtodowithanevilanddangerousman，thathewouldhavehadlittlescrupleinlistening。Itisonlyrighteousnessthathasarighttosecrecy，anddoesnotwantit；evilhasnorighttosecrecy，aloneintenselydesiresit，andragesatbeingfoiledofit；forwhenitsdeedscometothelight，evenevilhasrighteousnessenoughlefttobeashamedofthem。Buthecouldremainnolonger；hisverysoulfeltsickwithinhim。Heturnedhastilyawaytoleavetheplace。Butcarryinghislighttoomuchinfront，andforgettingthestool，hecameagainstitandknockeditover，notwithoutnoise。Aloudcryfromtheothersideofthewallrevealedthedismayhehadcaused。

Itwasfollowedbyastillness，andthenamoaning。

HemadehastetofindSimmons，andsendhimtohismaster。Heheardnothingafterwardsoftheaffair。

CHAPTERLXIII。

THECLOSET。

TenderoverladyArctura，Donalwouldaskaquestionortwoofthehousekeeperbeforedisclosingwhatfurtherhehadfound。Hesoughtherroom，therefore，whileArcturaandDavie，muchtogethernow，werereadinginthelibrary。

“Didyoueverhearanythingaboutthatlittleroomonthestair，mistressBrookes？”heasked。

“Icannasay，“sheanswered——butthoughtfully，“——Bideawee：auldauntiedidmentionsomethinganceaboot——bideawee——Ihaeawullin\'

memory——maybeI\'llmin\'upo\'\'ti\'thenoo！——Itwassomethingabootbiggin\'upan\'takin\'doon——somethinghewastodo，an\'somethingheneverdid！——I\'msureIcannatell！Butgiemetime，an\'I\'llmin\'

upo\'\'t！Anceisayewi\'me——onlyImaunhaetime！”

Donalwaited，andsaidnotaword。

“Imin\'thismuch，“shesaidatlength，“——thattheyusedtobethegitheri\'thatroom。Imin\'toothattherewassomethingabootbuildin\'upaewa\'，an\'pu\'in\'doonanither——It\'scomin\'——it\'scomin\'backtome！”

Shepausedagainawhile，andthensaid：

“AllIcanrecollec\'，Mr。Grant，isthis：thatefterherdeath，hebiggitupsomethingnofarfraethatroom！——whatwas\'tnoo？——an\'

therewassomethingabootmakin\'o\'theroombigger！Hoothatcouldbebybuildin\'up，Icannathink！YetIfeelsurethatwaswhathedid！”

“Wouldyoumindcomingtotheplace？”saidDonal。“Toseeitmighthelpyoutoremember。“

“Iwull，sir。Comeyehereaboothalfefterten，an\'wes\'gangthegither。“

Assoonasthehousewasquiet，theywent。ButMistressBrookescouldrecallnothing，andDonalgazedabouthimtonopurpose。

“What\'sthat？”hesaidatlast，pointingtothewallontheothersideofwhichwasthelittlechamber。

Twoarches，inchalk，asitseemed，hadattractedhisgaze。Lightsurelywasabouttodrawnighthroughthedarkness！Chaossurelywassettlingalittletowardsorder！

Theonearchwasdrawnoppositethehiddenchamber；theotheragainsttheearl\'scloset，asithadcometobecalledinthehouse——mostofthedomesticsthinkinghetheresaidhisprayers。Itlookedasiftherehadbeenanintentionofpiercingthewallwithsucharches，tothrowthetwosmallroomsontheothersideasrecessesintothelarger。Butifthathadbeentheintent，whatcouldthebuildingofawall，vaguelyrecollectedbymistressBrookes，havebeenfor？Thatawallhadbeenbuilthedidnotdoubt，forhebelievedheknewthewall，butwhy？

“What\'sthat？”saidDonal。

“What？”returnedMrs。Brookes。

“Thosetwoarches。“

Thehousekeeperlookedatthemthoughtfullyforafewmoments。

“Icannahelpfancyin\'，“shesaidslowly，“——yes，I\'msurethat\'sthevarrathingmyaunttoldmeaboot！That\'sthetwaplaceswhaurhewasgoin\'totakthewalldoon，tomaktheroomlairger。ButI\'msureshesaidsomethingabootbuildin\'awallasweel！”

“Lookhere，“saidDonal；“Iwillmeasurethedistancefromthedoortotheothersideofthisfirstarch——Nowcomeintotheclosetbehind。Lookhere！Thissamemeasurementtakesusrightuptotheendoftheplace！Soyouseeifweweretoopentheotherarch，itwouldbeintosomethingbehindthiswall。“

“Thenthismaybethevarrawa\'hebiggit？”

“Idon\'tdoubtit；butwhatcouldhehavehaditbuiltfor，ifhewasgoingtoopentheotherwall？Imustthinkitallover！——Itwasafterhiswife\'sdeath，yousay？”

“Yes，Ibelieveso。“

“Onemighthavethoughthewouldnotcareaboutenlargingtheroomaftershewasgone！”

“But，sir，hewasnajistsicapattreno\'aguidman；“saidthehousekeeper。“An\'whatformakthisroomless？”

“Mayitnothavebeenforthesakeofshuttingout，orhidingsomething？”suggestedDonal。

“Idorememberacertainthing！——Curious！——Butwhatthenastotheopenin\'o\'\'tefter？”

“Hehasneverdoneit！”saidDonalsignificantly。“Thethingtakesshapetomeinthisway：——thathewantedtobuildsomethingoutofsight——toannihilateit；butinordertopreventspeculation，heprofessedtheintentionofcastingtheoneroomintotheother；thenbuiltthewallacross，onthepretencethatitwasnecessaryforsupportwhentheotherwasbrokenthrough——orperhapsthattworecesseswitharcheswouldlookbetter；butwhenhehadgotthewallbuilt，heputoffopeningthearchesononepretextoranother，tillthethingshouldbeforgottenaltogether——asyouseeitisalready，almostentirely！——Ihavebeenatthebackofthatwall，andheardtheearlmoaningandcryingonthissideofit！”

“Godblessme！”criedthegoodwoman。“I\'mnoeasyscaret，butthat\'sfearfu\'tothinko\'！”

“Youwouldnotcaretocometherewithme？”

“Nothenicht，sir。Cometomyroomagain，an\'Is\'makyeacupo\'

coffee，an\'tellyethestory——it\'sa\'comebacktomenoo——thething\'atmademyaunttellmeabootthebuildin\'o\'thiswa\'。

\'Deed，sir，Ihaehardlyadoobtthethingwasjistasyesay！”

Theywenttoherroom：therewasladyArcturasittingbythefire！

“Mylady！”criedthehousekeeper。“IthouchtIleftyesoon\'

asleep！”

“SoIwas，Idaresay，“answeredArctura；“butIwokeagain，andfindingyouhadnotcomeup，IthoughtIwouldgodowntoyou。IwascertainyouandMr。Grantwouldbesomewheretogether！Haveyoubeendiscoveringanythingmore？”

Mrs。BrookesgaveDonalalook：helefthertotellasmuchoraslittleasshepleased。

“Wehaebeenprowlin\'abootthehoose，butnodoonyon\'er，mylady。

Ithinkyouan\'mewaddoweeltolea\'thattoMr。Grant！”

“Whenyourladyshipisquitereadytohaveeverythingsettorights，“saidDonal，“andtohavearesurrectionofthechapel，thenIshallbegladtogowithyouagain。ButIwouldrathernoteventalkmoreaboutitjustatpresent。“

“Asyouplease，Mr。Grant，“repliedladyArctura。“WewillsaynothingmoretillIhavemadeupmymind。Idon\'twanttovexmyuncle，andIfindthequestionratheradifficultone——andthemoredifficultthatheisworsethanusual——Willyounotcometobednow，mistressBrookes？”

CHAPTERLXIV。

THEGARLAND-ROOM。

Allthroughtheterribletime，thesenseofhelpandcomfortandprotectioninthepresenceoftheyoungtutor，wentongrowinginthemindofArctura。Itwasnothingtoher——whatcoulditbe？——thathewasthesonofaveryhumblepair；thathehadbeenashepherd，andacow-herd，andafarmlabourer——lessthannothing。Sheneverthoughtofthefactsofhislifeexceptsympathetically，seekingtoenterintothefeelingsofhismemorialchildhoodandyouth；shewouldneverhaveknownanythingofthosefactsbutfortheirlovelyintimaciesofallsortswithNature——naturedivine，human，animal，cosmical。Bysharingwithherhisemotionalhistory，Donalhadmadeitsfactsprecioustoher；throughthemhehadgatheredhisbest——byhomeandbyprayer，bymotherandfather，bysheepandmountainsandwindandsky。Andnowhewastoheratowerofstrength，arefuge，astrongcity，theshadowofagreatrockinawearyland。Shetrustedhimthemorethatheneverinvitedhertrust——neverputhimselfbeforeher；foralwaysbeforeherhesetLife，theperfectheart-originofherandhisyetunperfectedhumanity，teachinghertohungerandthirstafterbeingrighteouslikeGod，withtheassuranceofbeingfilled。ShehadoncetrustedinMissCarmichael，notwithherhigherbeing，onlywithherjudgment，andbothherjudgmentandherfriendhadmisledher。Donalhadtaughtherthatobedience，nottomanbuttoGod，wastheonlyguidetoholyliberty，andsohadhelpedhertobreakthebondsofthosetraditionswhich，intheshapeofauthoritativeutterancesofthisorthatchurch，layburdensgrievoustobeborneuponthesoulsofmen。ForChrist，againstallthechurches，seemedtohertoexpressDonal\'smission。Anairofpeace，anatmosphereofsummertwilightafterthegoingdownofthesun，seemedtohertoprecedehimandannouncehisapproachwitharadiationfeltasrest。Shequestionedherselfnowiseabouthim。Fallinginlovewasathingunsuggestedtoher；ifshewasinwhatiscalleddanger，itwasofabetterthing。

Thenextdayshedidnotappear：mistressBrookeshadpersuadedhertokeepherbedagainforadayortwo。Therewasnothingreallythematterwithher，shesaidherself，butshewassotiredshedidnotcaretoliftherheadfromthepillow。Shehadsleptwell，andwastroubledaboutnothing。ShesenttobegMr。GranttoletDaviegoandreadtoher，andtogivehimsomethingtoread，goodforhimaswellasforher。

DonaldidnotseeDavieagaintillthenextmorning。

“Oh，Mr。Grant！”hesaid，“youneversawanythingsoprettyasArkieisinbed！Sheissowhite，andsosweet！andshespeakswithavoicesogentleandlow！Shewassokindtomeforgoingtoreadtoher！Ineversawanybodylikeher！Shelooksasifshehadjustsaidherprayers，andGodhadtoldhersheshouldhaveeverythingshewanted。“

Donalwonderedalittle，buthopedmore。SurelyshemustbefindingrestintheconsciousnessofGod！Butwhywasshesowhite？Wasshegoingtodie？Apangshottohisheart：ifsheweretogofromthecastle，itwouldbehardtostayinit，evenforthesakeofDavie！

Donal，nomorethanArctura，imaginedhimselffalleninlove：hehadlovedonce，andhishearthadnotyetdoneaching——thoughmorewiththememorythanthepresenceofpain！HewasutterlysatisfiedwithwhattheFatherofthechildrenhaddecreed，andwouldneverloveagain！ButhedidnotseektohidefromhimselfthatthefriendshipofladyArctura，andthehelpshesoughtandhegave，hadaddedafreshandstronginteresttohislife。Atthefirstdawnofpowerinhisheart，whenhebegantomakesongsinthefieldsandonthehills，hehadfeltthattobrightenwithtruelightthecloudedlivesofdespondentbrothersandsisterswastheonethingworthestlivingfor：itwaswhattheLordcameintotheworldfor；neitherhadhistroublemadehimforgetit——formorethanoneweekorso：

whilethepainwasyetgnawinggrievously，hewoketoitagainwithself-accusation——almostself-contempt。Tohavehelpedthislovelycreature，whoselifehadseemedlaptinanevercloser-claspingshroudofperplexity，wasathingtobegladof——nottothedayofhisdeath，buttothenever-endingendofhislife！wasanhonourconferreduponhimbytheFather，tolastforevermore！ForhehadhelpedtoopenahumandoorfortheLordtoenter！shewithinheardhimknock，but，trying，wasunabletoopen！TobeGod\'shelperwithourfellowsistheonehighcalling；thepresenceofGodinthehousetheonehighcondition。

AttheendofaweekArcturawasbetter，andabletoseeDonal。ShehadhadmistressBrookes\'sbedmovedintothesameroomwithherown，andhadmadethedressing-roomintoasitting-room。Itwassunnyandpleasant——theveryplace，Donalthought，hewouldhavechosenforher。Thebedroomtoo，whichthehousekeeperhadpersuadedhertotakewhensheleftherown，wasoneofthelargestinthecastle——theGarland-room——old-fashioned，ofcourse，butascheerfulasstatelinesswouldpermit，withgorgeoushangingsandgreatpictures——farfromhomely，butwithsuninithalftheday。Donalcongratulatedheronthechange。Shehadbeenpreventedfrommakingonesooner，shesaid，bythedreadofowinganycomforttocircumstance：itmightdeceiveherastoherrealcondition！

“ItcouldnotdeceiveGod，though，“answeredDonal，“whofillswithrighteousnessthosewhohungerafterit。Itispridetorefuseanythingthatmighthelpustoknowhim；andofallthingshissun-litworldspeaksofthefatheroflights！Ifthatmakesushappier，itmakesusfittertounderstandhim，andhecaneasilysendwhatcloudmaybeneedfultotemperit。Wemustnotmakeourownworld，inflictourownpunishments，ororderourowninstruction；wemustsimplyobeythevoiceinourhearts，andtakelovinglywhathesends。“

Thenextdayshetoldhimshehadhadabeautifulnight，fulloftheloveliestdreams。Oneofthemwas，thatachildcameoutofagrassyhillockbythewayside，calledhermamma，andsaidshewasmuchobligedtoherfortakingheroffthecoldstone，andmakingherabutterfly；andwiththatthechildspreadoutgorgeousandgreatwingsandsoareduptoawhitecloud，andtheresatlaughingmerrilytoher。

EveryafternoonDaviereadtoher，andthenceDonalgainedaduty——thatoffindingsuitablepabulumforthetwo。Hewasnotwidelyreadinlightliterature，anditmadenecessarynotalittleexplorationintheregionofit。

CHAPTERLXV。

THEWALL。

Onthedayafterthelasttriadinthehousekeeper\'sparlour，asDonalsatintheschoolroomwithDavie——aboutnoonitwas——hebecameawarethatforsometimehehadbeenhearinglaboriousblowsapparentlyatagreatdistance：nowthatheattended，theyseemedtobeinthecastleitself，deadenedbymass，notdistance。Withafeargraduallybecomingmoredefinite，hesatlisteningforafewmoments。

“Davie，“hesaid，“runandseewhatisgoingon。“

Theboycamerushingbackingreatexcitement。

“Oh，Mr。Grant，whatdoyouthink！”hecried。“Idobelievemyfatherisafterthelostroom！Theyarebreakingdownawall！”

“Where？”askedDonal，halfstartingfromhisseat。

“Inthelittleroombehindthehalf-wayroom——onthestair，youknow！”

Donalwassilent：whatmightnotbetheconsequences！

“Youmaygoandseethematwork，Davie，“hesaid。“Weshallhavenomorelessonsthismorning——Wasyourpapawiththem？”

“No，sir——atleast，Ididnotseehim。Simmonstoldmehesentforthemasonsthismorning，andsetthemtotakethewalldown。Oh，thankyou，Mr。Grant！Itissuchfun！Idowonderwhatisbehindit！

Itmaybeaplaceyouknowquitewell，oraplaceyouneversawbefore！”

Davieranoff，andDonalinstantlyspedtoacornerwherehehadhiddensometools，thencetoladyArctura\'sdesertedroom，andsototheoakdoor。Herememberedseeinganotherstapleinthesamepost，alittlelowerdown：ifhecouldgetthatout，hewoulddriveitinbesidetheremainsoftheother，soastoholdtheboltofthelock：

iftheearlknewthewayin，asdoubtlesshedid，hemustnotlearnthatanotherhadfoundit——notyetatleast！Ashewentdown，everyblowofthemasonspoundingatthewall，seemedinhisveryears。

Hepeepedthroughthepress-door：theyhadnotyetgotthroughthewall：nolightwasvisible！Hemadehastetorestorethings——onlyastoolandafewpapers——totheirexactpositionswhenfirstheentered。Closetohimontheothersideofthepartition，shakingtheplace，thehugeblowswerefallinglikethoseofaramonthewallofabesiegedcity，ofwhichhewasthewholegarrison。Hesteppedintothepressanddrewthedoorafterhim：withhislastglancebehindhimhesaw，inthefaintgleamoflightthatcamewithit，astonefall：hemustmakehaste：thedemolitionwouldgoonmuchfasternow；butbeforetheyhadtheopeninglargeenoughtopass，hewouldhavedonewhathewanted！Withastrongpieceofironforalever，hedrewthestaplefromthepost，thendroveitinastrideofthebolt，carefultotimehisblowstothoseofthemasons。Thatdone，herandowntothechapel，gatheredwhatdusthecouldsweepupfrombehindthealtarandlaiditonitstop，restoredonthebed，withitsowndust，alittleoftheoutlineofwhathadlainthere，droppedtheslabtoitsplaceinthefloorofthepassage，closedthedoorofthechapelwithsomedifficultybecauseofitsbrokenhinge，andascended。

Thesoundsofbatteringhadceased，andashepassedtheoakdoorhelaidhiseartoit：someonewasintheplace！thelidofthebureaushutwithaloudbang，andheheardalockturned。Thewallcouldnotbehalfdownyet：theearlmusthaveenteredthemomenthecouldgetthrough！

Donalhastenedup，andoutofthedreadfulplace，puttheslabintheopening，secureditwithastrutagainsttheoppositesideoftherecess，andclosedtheshuttersanddrewthecurtainsoftheroom；iftheearlcameupthestairinthewall，foundthestoneimmovable，andsawnolightthroughanychinkaboutitsedges，hewouldnotsuspectithadbeendisplaced！

HewentthentoladyArctura。

“Ihaveagreatdealtotellyou，“hesaid，“butatthismomentI

cannot：Iamafraidoftheearlfindingmewithyou！”

“Whyshouldyoumindthat？”saidArctura。

“BecauseIthinkheissuspiciousaboutthelostroom。Hehashadawalltakendownthismorning。Pleasedonotlethimseeyouknowanythingaboutit。Daviethinksheissetonfindingthelostroom：

Ithinkheknewallaboutitlongago。Youcanaskhimwhathehasbeendoing：youmusthaveheardthemasons！”

“IhopeIshallnotstumbleintoanythinglikeastory，forifIdoImustoutwitheverything！”

Intheafternoon，Daviewasfullofthecuriouslittleplacehisfatherhaddiscoveredbehindthewall；but，ifthatwasthelostroom，hesaid，itwasnotatallworthmakingsuchafussabout：itwasnothingbutabigcloset，withanolddesk-kindofthinginit！

Intheafternoonalso，theearlwenttoseehisniece。Itwasthefirsttimetheymetafterhisrudebehaviouronherproposaltosearchforthelostroom。

“Whatwereyoudoingthismorning，uncle？”shesaid。“Therewassuchathumpingandbangingsomewhereinthecastle！Daviesaidyouweredetermined，hethought，tofindthelostroom。“

“Nothingofthekind，mylove，“answeredtheearl。“——Idohopetheywillnotspoilthestaircarryingthestonesandmortardown！”

“Whatwasitthen，uncle？”

“Simplythis，mydear：mylatewife，youraunt，andI，hadaplanfortakingthatclosetbehindmyroomonthestairintotheroomitself。Inpreparation，Ihadawallbuiltacrossthemiddleofthecloset，soastodivideitandmaketworecessesofit，andactalsoasabuttresstotheweakenedwall。Thenyourauntdied，andI

hadn\'tthehearttoopentherecessesordoanythingmoreinthematter。Soonehalfoftheclosetwascutoff，andremainedinaccessible。Buttherehadbeenleftinitanoldbureau，containingpapersofsomeconsequence，foritwasheavy，andintendedtooccupythesamepositionafterthearcheswereopened。

Now，asithappens，Iwantoneofthosepapers，sothewallhashadtocomedownagain。“

“But，uncle，whatapity！”saidArctura。“Whydidyounotopenthearches？Therecesseswouldhavebeensoprettyinthatroom！”

“IamsorryIdidnotthinkofaskingyouwhatyouwouldlikedoneaboutit，mychild！ThefactisIneverthoughtofyourtakinganyinterestinthematter；Ihadnaturallylostallmine。Youwillpleasetoobserve，however，IhaveonlyrestoredwhatIhadmyselfdisarranged——notmeddledwithanythingbelongingtothecastle！”

“Butnowyouhavethemasonshere，whynotgoon，andmakealittlesearchforthelostroom？”saidArctura，venturingoncemore。

“Wemightpulldownthecastleandbenonethewiser！Bah！thebuildingupofhalftheclosetmayhavegivenrisetothewholestory！”

“Surely，uncle，thelegendisolderthanthat！”

“Itmaybe；youcannotbesure。Onceagoing，itwouldimmediatelycrybacktoaremoteage。Provethatanyoneeverspokeofitbeforethebuildingofthatfoolishwall。“

“Surelysomerememberhearingitlongbeforethat！”

“Nothingismoretreacherousthanamemoryconfrontedwithageneralbelief，“saidtheearl，andtookhisleave。

ThenextmorningArcturawenttoseethealteration。Sheopenedthedoorofthelittleroom：itwastwiceitsformersize，andtwobureauswerestandingagainstthewall！Shepeepedintothecupboardattheendofit，butsawnothingthere。

Thatsamemorningshemadeuphermindthatshewouldgonofartheratpresentinregardtothechapel：itwouldbetobreakwithheruncle！

Intheevening，sheacquaintedDonalwithherresolve，andhecouldnotsayshewaswrong。Therewasnonecessityforopposingheruncle——theremightsooncomeone！Hetoldherhowhehadenteredtheclosetfrombehind，andofthenoisehehadmadethenightbefore，whichhadperhapsledtotheopeningoftheplace；buthedidnottellherofwhathehadfoundonthebureau。Thetimemightcomewhenhemustdoso，butnowhedarednotrenderherrelationswithheruncleyetmoreuncomfortable；neitherwasitlikelysuchawomanwouldconsenttomarrysuchamanashercousinhadshownhimself；

whenthatdangerappeared，itwouldbetimetointerpose；forthemeresuccessiontoanemptytitle，hewasnotsurethathewasboundtospeak。Thebranchwhichcouldproducesuchscions，mightwellbeitselfafalsegraftonthetruestemofthefamily！——ifnot，whatwasthefamilyworth？Hemustatalleventsbesureitwashisbusinessbeforehemovedinthematter！

CHAPTERLXVI。

PROGRESSANDCHANGE。

Thingswentonveryquietlyforatime。Arcturagrewbetter，resumedherstudies，andmadeexcellentprogress。Shewouldhaveworkedharder，butDonalwouldnotlether。Hehatedforcing——evenwiththegoodwilloftheplantitself。Hebelievedinaholy，unhastinggrowth。God\'swayswantGod\'stime。

Longafter，peoplewouldsometimessaytohim——

“Thatisverywellintheabstract；butinthesedaysofhurryayoungfellowwouldthatwaybeleftagesbehind！”

“WithGod，“wouldDonalsay。

“Tut，tut！thethingwouldneverwork！”

“Foryourends，“Donalwouldanswer，“itcertainlywouldneverwork；

butyourendsarenotthoseoftheuniverse！”

“Idonotpretendtheyare；buttheyarethesuccessoftheboy。“

“Thatisoneoftheendsoftheuniverse；andyourrewardwillbetothwartitforaseason。Ideclinetomakeoneinaconspiracyagainstthedesignofourcreator：Iwouldfaindieloyal！”

Hewasofcourselaughedat，andnotalittledespised，asanextravagantenthusiast。Butthosewholaughedfoundithardtosayforwhathewasenthusiastic。Itseemedhardlyforeducation，whenhewouldevendowhathecouldsometimestokeepapupilback！Hedidnotcaretomakethebestofanyone！Thetruthwas，Donal\'sbestwassomanymilesa-headoftheirs，thatitwasbelowtheirhorizonaltogether。Iftherebeanyrelationbetweentimeandthehumanmind，everyforcingofhumanprocess，whetherinspiritorintellect，ishurtful，aretardingofGod\'splan。

LadyArctura\'soldtroublesweregraduallyfadingintothelimboofvanities。Attimes，however，mostlywhenunwell，theywouldcomeinuponherlikeaflood：whatif，afterall，Godweretheself-lovingbeingtheologypresented——abeingfromwhomnolovinghumanheartcouldbutrecoilwithaholydislike！whatifitwasbecauseofanaturespeciallyevilthatshecouldnotaccepttheGodinwhomthepriestsandeldersofherpeoplebelieved！Butagainandagain，inthemidstofprofoundestwretchednessfromsuchdoubt，hadasuddenflushoftheworld\'sbeauty——thatbeautywhichJesushastoldustoconsiderandthemodernphariseetoavoid，brokenlikegentlestmightiestsunrisethroughthehellishfog，andshehadfeltapoweruponherasfromtheheartofaveryGod——aGodsuchasshewouldgiveherlifetobelievein——onebeforewhomshewouldcastherselfinspeechlessadoration——notofhisgreatness——ofthatshefeltlittle，butofhislovingkindness，thegentlenessthatwasmakinghergreat。ThenwouldshecareutterlyforGodandhisChrist，nothingforwhatmensaidaboutthem：theLordnevermeanthislambstobeunderthetyrannyofany，leastofallthetyrannyofhisownmostimperfectchurch！itsworkistoteach；whereitcannotteach，itmustnotrule！ThenwouldGodappeartohernotonlytrue，butreal——theheartofthehuman，towhichshecouldcling，andsorest。

Thecorruptionofallreligioncomesofleavingthehuman，andGodasthecausingHuman，forsomethingimaginedholier。MenwhodonotseethelovelinessoftheTruth，searchtilltheyfindalietheycancalllovely。Whatbutahumanrealitycouldtheheartofmaneverlove！whatelseareweofferedinJesusbuttheabsolutelyhuman？ThatJesushastwonaturesisofthemostmischievousfictionsoftheology。Thedivineandthehumanarenottwo。

Suddenly，afteranabsenceofmonths，reappearedlordForgue——cheerful，manly，onthebesttermswithhisfather，andplainlywillingtobeonstillbettertermswithhiscousin！Hehadlefttheplaceamooningyouth；hecamebackamanoftheworld——easyincarriage，courteousinmanners，sereneintemper，aboundinginwhatseemedtheresultsofobservation，attentivebutnottooattentive，jollywithDavie，distantwithDonal，politetoall。Donalcouldhardlyreceivetheevidenceofhissenses：hewouldhavewonderedmorehadheknowneveryfactorinthechange。Allabouthimseemedtosayitshouldnotbehisfaultifthefolliesofhisyouthremainedunforgotten；andhisairycarriagesatwelluponhim。NonethelessDonalfelttherewasnorestorationofthecharmwhichhadatfirstattractedhim；thatwasutterlyvanished。Hefeltcertainhehadbeengoingdownhill，andwasnow，insteadofnegatively，consciouslyandpositivelyuntrue。

Withgradationsundefined，butnotunmarkedofDonal，asifthemanfoundhimselfunderinfluencesofwhichtheyouthhadbeenunaware，hebegantoshowhimselfnotindifferenttotheattractionsofhiscousin。Heexpressedconcernthatherhealthwasnotwhatithadbeen；soughtherinherroomwhenshedidnotappear；professedaninterestinknowingwhatbooksshewasreading，andwhatwereherstudieswithDonal；behavedlikeagoodbrother-cousin，whowouldnotbesorrytobesomethingmore。

Andnowtheearl，totheastonishmentofthehousehold，begantoappearattable；and，apparentlyasaconsequenceofthis，Donalwasrequestedratherthaninvitedtotakehismealswiththefamily——notaltogethertohissatisfaction，seeinghecouldnotonlyreadwhileheatealone，butcouldgetthroughmorequickly，andhavethetimethussaved，forthingsofgreaterconsequence。HispresencemadeiteasierforlordForguetoacthispart，andthemannershebroughttothefrontleftlittletobedesired。HebowedtothejudgmentofArctura，andseemedtowelcomethatofhisfather，towhomhewasnowasrespectfulasmoralistcoulddesire。Yethesometimesfacedacardhedidnotmeantoshow：whothatisnotabsolutelytruecanescapethemishap！——therewascondescensioninhispolitenesstoDonal！andthis，hadtherebeennothingelse，wouldhavebeenenoughtorevoltArctura。Butintruthheimpressedheraltogetherasamanofoutsides；shefeltthatshedidnotseethemanhewas，butthenearestapproachhecouldmaketothemanhewouldbetakenfor。Hewasgracious，dignified，responsive，kind，amusing，accurate，ready——everythingbuttrue。Hewouldmakeofhisoutermanallbutwhatitwasmeantfor——arevelationoftheinner。Itwasthatnotwithstanding。Hewasamandressedinaman，andhisdresswasarevelationofmuchthathewas，whileheintendeditonlytoshowmuchthathewasnot。Nomancanhelpunveilinghimself，howeverlonghemayescapeevenhisowndetection。Thereisnothingcoveredthatshallnotberevealed。Thingsweremeanttocomeout，andberead，andunderstood，inthefaceoftheuniverse。Thesoulofeverymanisasasecretbook，whosecontentisyetwrittenonitscoverforthereadingofthewise。Howdifferentlyisitreadbythefool，whoseveryunderstandingisamisunderstanding！HetakesamanforaGodwhenonthepointofbeingeatenupofworms！hebuysforthirtypiecesofsilverhimwhomthesepulchrecannothold！Wellforthoseintheworldofrevelation，whogivetheirsinsnoquarterinthis！

ForguehadbeeninEdinburghapartofthetime，inEnglandanotherpart。Hehadmanythingstotellofthepeoplehehadseen，andthesportshehadsharedin。Hehaddevelopedandenlargedaveinofgentlemanlysatire，whichhekeptsuppliedbytheobservationandanalysisofthepeculiarities，generallyweaknesses，ofothers。

These，asamatterofcourse，hejudgedmerelybythepoorstandardofsociety：questionedconcerninganyuponthelargerhumanscale，hecouldgivenoaccountofthem。ToDonal\'seyes，themanwasashallowpoolwhosesurfacebrightnessconcealedthemuddybottom。

CHAPTERLXVII。

THEBREAKFAST-ROOM。

Twoyearsbefore，ladyArcturahadbeeninthehabitofridingagooddeal，butafteranaccidenttoafavouritehorseforwhichsheblamedherself，shehadscarcelyriddenatall。Itwasquiteasmuch，however，fromtheinfluenceofMissCarmichaeluponherspirits，thatshehadforsakentheexercise。Partlybecauseherunclewasneithermuchrespectednormuchliked，shehadvisitedverylittle；andaftermentaltroubleassailedher，growingunderthefalseprescriptionsofthesoul-doctorshehadcalledin，shewithdrewmoreandmore，avoidingevencompanyshewouldhaveenjoyed，andwhichwouldbeforenowhaveledhertoresumeit。

ForatimeshepersistedinrefusingtoridewithForgue。Invainheofferedhishorse，assuringherthatDavie\'sponywasquiteabletocarryhim；shehadnoinclinationtoride，shesaid。Butatlastoneday，lestsheshouldbeguiltyofunkindness，sheconsented，andsoenjoyedtheride——felt，indeed，somuchthebetterforit，thatshedidnotthereaftersopositivelyasbeforedeclinetoallowhercousintolookoutforahorsefittocarryher；andForgue，takingherconsentforgranted，succeeded，withthehelpofthefactor，infindingforherabeautifulcreature，justofthesorttopleaseher。Almostatsightofhimsheagreedtohispurchase。

ThisputForgueingreatspirits，andmuchcontentmentwithhimself。

Hedidnotdoubtthat，gainingthusopportunitysoexcellent，hewouldquicklysucceedinwithdrawingherfromtheabsurdinfluencewhich，tohisdismay，hediscoveredhisenemyhadinhisabsencegainedoverher。Heoughtnottohavebeensuchafool，hesaidtohimself，astoleavethepoorchildtothetemptationsnaturallyarisinginsuchadrearysolitude！Henotedwithsatisfaction，however，thattheparson\'sdaughterseemedtohaveforsakenthehouse。Andnowatlast，havinggotridofthefollythatawhilepossessedhim，hewaspreparedtodohisdutybythefamily，and，tothatend，wouldmakeunfalteringuseofthefascinationsexperiencehadtaughthimhewas，inamostexceptionaldegree，giftedwith！HewouldatoncetakeArctura\'seducationinhisownhands，andgivehisfullenergytoit！Sheshouldspeedilylearnthedifferencebetweentheassistanceofagentlemanandthatofaclotpoll！

HehadinEnglandimprovedinhisridingaswellashismanners，andknewatleasthowagentleman，ifnothowaman，oughttobehavetothebeastthatcarriedhim。Also，havingriddenagooddealwithladies，hewasnowabletogiveArcturanotafewhintstotheimprovementofherseat，herhand，hercourage；norwasthereanynearerroad，hejudgedfromwhatheknewofhiscousin，toherconfidenceandgratitude，thanshowingherabetterwayinathing。

Butthinkingthatinteachinghertoridehecouldmakeherforgetthemanwhohadbeenteachinghertolive，hewasnotalittlemistakeninthewomanhedesiredtocaptivate。

Hedidnotyetlovehereveninthewayhecalledloving，elsehemighthavebeenlessconfident；buthefoundherverypleasing。

Invigoratedbythebrightfrostyair，thelifeoftheanimalunderher，andtheexultationofrapidmotion，sheseemedbetterinhealth，moremerryandfulloflife，thanhehadeverseenher：heputalldowntohissuccesswithher。Hewasincapableofsuspectinghowlittleofitwasowingtohim；incapableofbelievinghowmuchtothefactthatshenowturnedtothefatherofspiritswithoutfear，almostwithoutdoubt；thoughtofhimastherootofeverydelightoftheworld——attheheartofthehorsesherode，inthewindthatblewjoyintohersasshesweptthroughitsyieldingbosom；knewhimasaltogetherlovingandtrue，thefatherofJesusChrist，aslikehimaslikecouldbelike——morelikehimthananyoneelseintheuniversecouldbelikeanother——likehimasonlyeternalsoncanbelikeeternalfather。

Itwasnowonderthatwithsuchawelloflivingwaterinherheartsheshouldbeglad——merryeven，andreadyforanythingherhorsecoulddo！Flyingacrossafieldintheverywildnessofpleasure，herhairstreamingbehindher，andherpalefaceglowing，shewouldnowandthentakeajumpForguedeclaredhecouldnotfaceincoldblood：hedidnotknowhowfarfromcoldherbloodwas！Hebegantowonderhehadbeensuchafoolasneglectherfor——well，nevermind！——andtofeelsomethingthatwaslikelove，andwasindeedadmiration。Butforthesearingbrandofhispast，hemighthavelovedhertruly——asamanmay，withoutbeingthemostexaltedofmortals；forinlovewearebeyondourordinaryselves；thedeepthinginuspeersupintothehumanair，andisofGod——thereforecannotlivelonginthemephiticairofaselfishandlownature，butsinksagainoutofsight。

HewasnotathiseasewithArctura；hewasafraidofher。Whenamanisconsciousofwrong，knowsinhishistorywhatwoulddrawahideoussmudgeovertheportraithewouldpresenttotheeyesofherhewouldplease，hemaywellbeafraidofher。Hemakesliberalallowanceforhimself，butisnotsureshewill！AndbeforeForguelayasocialgulfwhichhecouldpassonlyonthenarrowplankofherfavour！Themorehewaswithher，themoreheadmiredher，themorehedesiredtomarryher；themoresatisfiedhegrewwithhisownimprovement，themoredeterminedhebecamethatfornopoor，unjustscrupleswouldheforgohishappiness。Therewasbutonetrifletobekeptfromtheworld；itmightknoweverythingelseabouthim！andonceinpossessionoftheproperty，whowoulddisputethetitle？Thenagainhewasnotcertainthathisfatherhadnotmerelyinventedathreat！Surelyifthefactweresuch，hewould，eveninragediabolic，havekeptittohimself！

Impetuous，andaccustomedtowhathecountedsuccess，hesoonbegantomakeplaineradvancetowardtheendonwhichhisself-loveandcupidityatleastwereset。But，knowinginavaguemannerhowhehadcarriedhimselfbeforehewent，Arctura，uninfluencedbythewaysoftheworld，herjudgmentunwarped，herperceptionundimmed，herinstinctsnice，herpersonaldelicacyexacting，hadneverimaginedhecouldapproachheronanygroundbutthatofcousinshipandachildhoodofsharedsports。ShehadseenthatDonalwasfarfrompleasedwithhim，andbelievedForgueknewthatsheknewhehadbeenbehavingbadly。Herbehaviourtohimwasindeedlargelybasedonthefactthathewasindisgrace：shewassorryforhim。

Byandby，however，sheperceivedthatshehadbeenallowingtoomuchfreedomwhereshewasnotpreparedtoallowmore，andsoonedaydeclinedtogowithhim。Theyhadnothadarideforafortnight，theweatherhavingbeenunfavourable；andnowwhenamorningbrokeintotheseasonlikeasmilefromanestrangedfriend，shewouldnotgo！Hewasannoyed——thenalarmed，fearingadverseinfluence。Theywerealoneinthebreakfast-room。

“Whywillyounot，Arctura？”heaskedreproachfully：“doyounotfeelwell？”

“Iamquitewell，“sheanswered。

“Itissuchalovelyday！”hepleaded。

“Iamnotinthemood。Thereareotherthingsintheworldbesidesriding，andIhavebeenwastingmytime——ridingtoomuch。IhavelearntnexttonothingsinceLarkiecame。“

“Oh，bother！whathaveyoutodowithlearning！Healthisthefirstthing。“

“Idon\'tthinkso——andlearningisgoodforthehealth。Besides，I

wouldnotbeamereanimalforperfecthealth！”

“Letmehelpyouthenwithyourstudies。“

“Thankyou，“sheanswered，laughingalittle，“butIhaveagoodmasteralready！We，thatisDavieandI，arereadingGreekandmathematicswithMr。Grant。“

Forgue\'sfaceflushed。

“Ioughttoknowasmuchofbothashedoes！”hesaid。

“Oughtperhaps！Butyouknowyoudonot。“

“Iknowenoughtobeyourtutor。“

“Yes，butIknowenoughnottobeyourpupil！”

“Whatdoyoumean？”

“Thatyoucan\'tteach。“

“Howdoyouknowthat？”

“BecauseyoudonotloveeitherGreekormathematics，andnoonewhodoesnotlovecanteach。“

“Thatisnonsense！IfIdon\'tloveGreekenoughtoteachit，Iloveyouenoughtoteachyou，“saidForgue。

“Youaremyriding-master，“saidArctura；“Mr。GrantismymasterinGreek。“

ForguestrangledanimprecationonMr。Grant，andtriedtolaugh，buttherewasnotalaughinsidehim。

“Thenyouwon\'trideto-day？”hesaid。

“Ithinknot，“repliedArctura。

Sheoughttohavesaidshewouldnot。Itisapitytoletdoubtalightondecision。Herreplyre-openedthewholequestion。

“Icannotseewhatshouldinduceyoutoallowthatfellowthehonourofreadingwithyou！”saidForgue。“He\'salong-winded，pedantic，ill-bredlout！”

“Mr。Grantismyfriend！”saidArctura，andraisingherheadlookedhimintheeyes。

“Takemywordforit，youaremistakeninhim，“hesaid。

“Ineithervaluenoraskyouropinionofhim，“returnedArctura。“I

merelyacquaintyouwiththefactthatheismyfriend。“

“Here\'sthedevilandalltopay！”thoughtForgue。

“Ibegyourpardon，“hesaid：“youdonotknowhimasIdo！”

“Not？——andwithsomuchbetteropportunityofjudging！”

“Hehasneverplayedthedominiewithyou！”saidForguefoolishly。

“Indeedhehas！”

“Hehas！Confoundhisinsolence！How？”

“Hewon\'tletmestudyasIwant——Howhasheinterferedwithyou？”

“Wewon\'tquarrelabouthim，“rejoinedForgue，attemptingatoneofgaiety，butinstantlygrowingserious。“Wewhooughttobesomuchtoeachother——“

Somethingtoldhimhehadalreadygonetoofar。

“Idonotknowwhatyoumean——orrather，IamnotwillingtothinkI

knowwhatyoumean，“saidArctura。“Afterwhattookplace——“

Inherturnsheceased：hehadsaidnothing！

“Jealous！”concludedForgue；“——agoodsign！”

“Iseehehasbeentalkingagainstme！”hesaid。

“IfyoumeanMr。Grant，youmistake。Henever，sofarasIremember，oncementionedyoutome。“

“Iknowbetter！”

“Youarerude。Heneverspokeofit；butIhaveseenenoughwithmyowneyes——“

“Ifyoumeanthatsillyfancy——why，Arctura！——youknowitwasbutaboyishfolly！”

“Andsincethenyouhavegrownaman！——Howmanymonthshasittaken？”

“Iassureyou，onthewordofagentleman，thereisnothinginitnow。Itisallover，andIamheartilyashamedofit。“

Apauseofafewsecondsfollowed：itseemedasmanyminutes，andunbearable。

“Youwillcomeoutwithme？”saidForgue：shemightberelenting，thoughshedidnotlooklikeit！

“No，“shesaid；“Iwillnot。“

“Well，“hereturned，withsimulatedcoolness，“thisisrathercavaliertreatment，Imustsay！——Tothrowamanoverwhohaslovedyousolong——andforthesakeofalessoninGreek！”

“Howlong，pray，haveyoulovedme？”saidArctura，growingangry。“I

waswillingtobefriendlywithyou，somuchsothatIamsorryitisnolongerpossible！”

“Youpunishmeprettysharply，mylady，foratrifleofwhichItoldyouIwasashamed！”saidForgue，bitinghislip。“Itwasthemerest——“

“Idonotwishtohearanythingaboutit！”saidArcturasternly。

Then，afraidshehadbeenunkind，sheaddedinalteredtone：“Youhadbettergoandhaveagallop。YoumayhaveLarkieifyoulike。“

Heturnedandlefttheroom。Sheonlymeanttopiquehim，hesaidtohimself。Shehadbeencherishingherdispleasure，andnowshehadhadherrevengewouldfeelbetterandbesorrynext！Itwasaverygoodmorning\'sworkafterall！ItwasabsurdtothinkshepreferredaGreeklessonfromaclowntoaridewithlordForgue！WasnotshetooaGraeme！

Partlytomakereconciliationtheeasier，partlybecausethehorsewassuperiortohisown，hewouldrideLarkie！

Buthisreasoningwasnotsosatisfactorytohimastoputhiminagoodtemper，andpoorLarkiehadtosufferforhisill-humour。Hisleastmovementthatdispleasedhimputhiminarage，andherodehimsofoolishlyaswellastyrannicallythathebroughthimhomequitelame，thusputtinganendforatimetoallhopeofridingagainwithArctura。

Insteadofgoingandtellingherwhathehaddone，hesentforthefarrier，andgaveordersthatthemishapshouldnotbementioned。

Aweekpassed，andthenanother；andashecouldsaynothingaboutriding，hewasinameasureself-banishedfromArctura\'scompany。A

furiousjealousybegantomasterhim。Hescornedtogiveplacetoitbecauseoftheinsulttohimselfifheallowedatruegroundforit。

Butitgraduallygainedpower。Thiscountrybumpkin，thiscow-herd，thismanofspelling-booksandgrammars，tocomebetweenhiscousinandhim！Ofcoursehewasnotsosillyasimagineforamomentshecaredforhim！——thatshewoulddisgraceherselfbyfallinginlovewithafellowjustloosedfromtheplough-tail！ShewasaGraeme，andcouldneverbeatraitortoherblood！Ifonlyhehadnotbeensuchaninfernalfool！Avulgarlittlethingwithoutanideainherhead！Sounpleasant——sodisgustingatlastwithherlove-making！

Nothingpleasedherbuthuggingandkissing！——Thatwashowhespoketohimselfofthegirlhehadbeeninlovewith！

Damnthatschoolmaster！Shewouldneverfallinlovewithhim，buthemightpreventherfromfallinginlovewithanother！Noattractionscouldmakewayagainstcertainprepossessions！Thegirlhadafancyforbeingasaint，andtheloutburnedincensetoher！

SomuchhegatheredfromDavie。Hisfathermustgetridofthefellow！IfhethoughthewasdoingsowellwithDavie，whynotsendthetwoawaytogethertillthingsweresettled？

ButtheearlthoughtitwouldbebettertowinDonal。HecounselledhimthateveryGrantwaslordSeafield\'scousin，andeveryhighlanderanimplacableenemywherehispridewashurt。Hislordshipdidnotreflectthat，ifwhathesaidweretrueofDonal，hemusthaveleftthecastlelongago。TherewasbutonethingwouldhavemadeitimpossibleforDonaltoremain——interference，namely，betweenhimandhispupil。

Forguedidnotarguewithhisfather。Hehadgiventhatup。Atthesametime，ifhehadtoldallthathadpassedbetweenhimandDonal，theearlwouldhaveconfessedhehadadvisedanimpossibility。

Forguetookastepinaverydifferentdirection：hebegantodrawtohimselfthegoodgracesofMissCarmichael：hedidnotknowhowlittleshecouldservehim。Withoutbeingconsciouslyinsincere，sheflatteredhim，andspeedilygainedhisconfidence。Welldescendedonthemother-side，shehadgrownupfit，herfathersaid，toadornanysociety：withakeenappreciationoftheclaimsanddignitiesofthearistocracy，shewaswellabletoflattertheprejudicesshehonouredandsharedin。Carefulnottosayawordagainsthiscousin，shemadehimfeelmoreandmorethathischiefdangerlayintheinfluenceofDonal。Shefannedthushishatredofthemanwhofirstcamebetweenhimandhiswrath；next，betweenhimandhis“love；“andlast，betweenhimandhisfortunes。

IfonlyDaviewouldfallill，andrequirechangeofair！ButDaviewasalwaysinsplendidhealth！

Nowthathesawhimselfinsuchdangeroffailing，hefanciedhimselffarmoreinlovewithArcturathanhewas。Andashegotfamiliarizedwiththeideaofhisillegitimacy，althoughhewouldnotassenttoit，hemadelessandlessofit——whichwouldhavebeenaprooftoanyotherthanhimselfthathebelievedit。Infurthersignofthesame，hemadenoinquiryintothematter——didnotonceevenquestionhisfatheraboutit。Ifitwastrue，hedidnotwanttoknowit：hewouldtreathislackofproofasignorance，andactaswiththeinnocenceofignorance！Afellowmusttakeforgrantedwhatwascommonlybelieved！Atlast，andthelastwasnotlonginarriving，healmostceasedtotroublehimselfaboutit。

HisfatherlaughedathisfearoffailurewithArctura，butattimescontemplatedthethingasanawfulpossibility——notthathelovedForguemuch。Theonlywayfathersinsightofthegravecanfancythemselvesholdingontothethingstheymustleave，isintheirchildren；butlordMorvenhadastrongerandbetterreasonforhisunrighteousness：inatroubled，self-reproachfulway，helovedthememoryoftheirmother，andthroughhercaredevenforForguemorethanheknew。Theywerealsohisownasmuchasifhehadbeenlegallymarriedtoher！Fortherelationinwhichtheystoodtosociety，hecaredlittlesolongasitcontinuedundiscovered。Heenjoyedtheideaofstealingamarchonsociety，andseeingthesonshehadleftatsuchadisadvantagebehindhim，rufflingit，inspiteofabsurdlaw，withthefoolishbest。FromthegravehewouldsohavehisfootontheneckofhisenemyLaw！——hewasoneofthemanywhocanrejoiceinevenastolenvictory。Norwouldheeverhavebeenthefooltoletthetruthfly，exceptunderthereactionofevildrugs，andtherushoffiercewrathatthethreatenedruinofhischerishedscheme。

Arcturathenceforthavoidedhercousinasmuchasshecould——onlyrememberingthatthehousewashers，andshemustnotmakehimfeelhewasnotwelcometouseit。Theymetatmeals，andshetriedtobehaveasifnothingunpleasanthadhappenedandthingswereasbeforehewentaway。

“Youareverycruel，Arctura，“hesaidonemorninghemetherintheterraceavenue。

“Cruel？”returnedArcturacoldly；“Iamnotcruel。Iwouldnotwillinglyhurtanyone。“

“Youhurtmemuch；yougivemenotamorsel，notacrumbofyoursociety！”

“Percy，“saidArctura，“ifyouwillbecontenttobemycousin，weshallgetonwellenough；butifyouaresetonwhatcannotbe——onceforall，believeme，itisofnouse。YoucarefornoneofthethingsIlivefor！Ifeelasifwebelongedtodifferentworlds，solittlehaveweincommon。Youmaythinkmehard，butitisbetterweshouldunderstandeachother。Ifyouimaginethat，becauseIhavetheproperty，youhaveaclaimonme，besureIwillneveracknowledgeit。IwouldathousandtimesratheryouhadthepropertyandIwereinmygrave！”

“Iwillbeanything，doanything，learnanythingyouplease！”criedForgue，hisheartachingwithdisappointment。

“Iknowwhatsuchsubmissionisworth！”saidArctura。“Ishouldbeeverythingtillweweremarried，andthennothing！Youdissemble，youhideevenfromyourself，butyouarenothardtoread。“

Perhapsshewouldnothavespokenjustsoseverely，hadshenotbeenthatmorningunusuallyannoyedwithhisbehaviourtoDonal，andatthesametimespeciallypleasedwiththecalm，unconsciouslydignifiedwayinwhichDonaltookit，castingitfromhimastherockthrowsasidethesea-wave：itdidnotconcernhim！Thedullworldhasgotthewrongphrase：itishewhoresentsanaffrontwhopocketsit！hewhotakesnonotice，letsitlieinthedirt。