第14章

CHAPTERLXVIII。

LARKIE。

Itwasalovelydayinspring。

“Please，Mr。Grant，“saidDavie，“mayIhaveaholiday？”

Donallookedathimwithalittlewonder：theboyhadneverbeforemadesucharequest！Butheansweredhimatonce。

“Yes，certainly，Davie。ButIshouldliketoknowwhatyouwantitfor。“

“Arkiewantsverymuchtohavearideto-day。ShesaysLarkie——I

gavehimhisname，torimewithArkie——shesaysLarkiewillforgether，andshedoesnotwishtogooutwithForgue，soshewantsmetogowithheronmypony。“

“Youwilltakegoodcareofher，Davie？”

“Iwilltakecareofher，butyouneednotbeanxiousaboutus，Mr。

Grant。Arkieisasplendidrider，andmuchpluckierthansheusedtobe！”

Donaldid，however——hecouldnothavesaidwhy——feelalittleanxiety。Herepresseditasunfaithfulness，butitkeptreturning。

Hecouldnotgowiththem——therewasnohorseforhim，andtogoonfoot，would，hefeared，spoiltheirride。HewassomuchafraidalsoofpresumingonladyArctura\'sregardforhim，thathewouldhaveshrunkfromofferinghaditbeenmorefeasible。Hegotabook，andstrolledintothepark，notevengoingtoseethemoff：Forguemightbeaboutthestable，andmakethingsunpleasant！

HadForguebeenaboutthestable，hewould，Ithink，havesomehowmanagedtopreventtheride，forLarkie，thoughmuchbetter，wasnotyetcuredofhislameness。Arcturadidnotknowhehadbeenlame，orthathehadthereforebeenverylittleexercised，andwasnowratherwild，withapastern-jointfarfromequaltohisspirit。Therewasbutaboyaboutthestable，whoeitherdidnotunderstand，orwasafraidtospeak：sherodeinadangerofwhichsheknewnothing。Theconsequencewasthat，jumpingthemerestlittleditchinafieldoutsidethepark，theyhadafall。Thehorsegotupandtrottedlimpingtothestable；hismistresslaywhereshefell。Davie，wildwithmisery，gallopedhome。FromtheheightoftheparkDonalsawhimtearingalong，andknewsomethingwasamiss。Heran，gotoverthewall，foundthepony\'strack，andfollowingit，camewhereArcturalay。

Therewasalittleclearwaterintheditch：hewethishandkerchief，andbathedherface。Shecametoherself，openedhereyeswithafaintsmile，andtriedtoraiseherself，butfellbackhelpless，andclosedhereyesagain。

“IbelieveIamhurt！”shemurmurmed。“IthinkLarkiemusthavefallen！”

Donalwouldhavecarriedher，butshemoanedso，thathegaveuptheideaatonce。Daviewasgoneforhelp；itwouldbebettertowait！

Hepulledoffhiscoatandlaiditoverher，thenkneeling，raisedherheadalittlefromthedampgrounduponhisarm。Shelethimdoashepleased，butdidnotopenhereyes。

Theyhadnotlongtowait。Severalcamerunning，amongthemlordForgue。Hefellbesidehiscousinonhisknees，andtookherhandinhis。Sheneithermovednorspoke。Asinsteadofdoinganythinghemerelypersistedinclaimingherattention，Donalsawitwasforhimtogiveorders。

“Myladyismuchhurt，“hesaid：“oneofyougoatonceforthedoctor；theothersbringahand-barrow——Iknowthereisoneabouttheplace。Laythesquabofasofaonit，andmakehaste。LetmistressBrookesknow。“

“Mindyourownbusiness，“saidForgue。

“DoasMr。Granttellsyou，“saidladyArctura，withoutopeninghereyes。

Themendepartedrunning。Forguerosefromhisknees，andwalkedslowlytoalittledistance，wherehestoodgnawinghislip。

“Mylord，“saidDonal，“pleaserunandfetchalittlebrandyforherladyship。Shehasfainted。“

WhatcouldForguedobutobey！Hestartedatonce，andwithtolerablespeed。ThenArcturaopenedhereyes，andsmiled。

“Areyousufferingmuch，mylady？”askedDonal。

“Agooddeal，“sheanswered，“butIdon\'tmindit——Thankyoufornotleavingme——ItisnomorethanIcanbear，onlybadwhenItrytomove。“

“Theywillnotbelongnow，“hesaid。

Againsheclosedhereyes，andwassilent。Donalwatchedthesweetface，whichacloudofsufferingwouldeverynowandthencross，andlifteduphishearttothesaviourofmen。

Hesawthemcomingwiththeextemporizedlitter，behindthemmistressBrookes，withForgueandoneofthemaids。

Whenshecameup，sheaddressedherselfinsilencetoDonal。Hetoldherhefearedherladyship\'sspinewashurt，Afterhisdirectionsheputherhandsunderherandthemaidtookherfeet，whilehe，placinghisotherarmunderhershoulders，andgentlyrising，raisedherbody。Beingallstrongandgentle，theymanagedthemovingwell，andlaidherslowlyonthelitter。Exceptamoanortwo，andagatheringofthebrows，shegavenosignofsuffering；nothingtobecalledacryescapedher。

Donalattheheadandagroomatthefoot，liftedthelitter，andwithorderedstep，startedforthehouse。OnceortwicesheopenedhereyesandlookedupatDonal，then，asifsatisfied，closedthemagain。Beforetheyreachthehousethedoctormetthem，fortheyhadtowalkslowly。

Forguecamebehindinadevilishhumour。HeknewthatfirsthisillusageofLarkie，andthenhispreventinganythingbeingsaidaboutit，musthavebeenthecauseoftheaccident；buthefeltwithsomesatisfaction——forselfsimplymakesdevilsofus——thatifshehadnotrefusedtogooutwithhim，itwouldnothavehappened；hewouldnothaveallowedhertomountLarkie。“Servedherright！”hecaughthimselfsayingonce，andwasashamed——butpresentlysaiditagain。

Selfisasfullofwormsasitcanhold；Goddeliverusfromit！

CHAPTERLXIX。

THESICK-CHAMBER。

Shewascarriedtoherroomandlaidonherbed。ThedoctorrequestedMrs。BrookesandDonaltoremain，anddismissedtherest，thenproceededtoexamineher。Therewerenobonesbroken，hesaid，butshemustbekeptveryquiet。Thewindowsmustbedarkened，andshemustifpossiblesleep。ShegaveDonalafaintsmile，andapitifulglance，butdidnotspeak。Ashewasfollowingthedoctorfromtheroom，shemadeasigntoMrs。Brookeswithhereyesthatshewantedtospeaktohim。

Hecame，andbentovertohear，forshespokeveryfeebly。

“Youwillcomeandseeme，Mr。Grant？”

“Iwill，indeed，mylady。“

“Everyday？”

“Yes，mostcertainly，“hereplied。

Shesmiled，andsodismissedhim。Hewentwithhisheartfull。

AlittlewayfromthedoorstoodForgue，waitingforhimtocomeout。Hehadsentthedoctortohisfather。Donalpassedhimwithabendofthehead。Hefollowedhimtotheschoolroom。

“Itistimethisfarcewasover，Grant！”hesaid。

“Farce，mylord！”repeatedDonalindignantly。

“Theseattentionstomylady。“

“IhavepaidhernomoreattentionthanIwouldyourlordship，hadyourequiredit，“answeredDonalsternly。

“Thatwouldhavebeenconvenientdoubtless！Buttherehasbeenenoughofhumbug，andnowforanendtoit！Eversinceyoucamehere，youhavebeenatworkonthemindofthatinexperiencedgirl——withyourdamnedreligion！——forwhatendyouknowbest！andnowyou\'vehalfkilledherbypersuadinghertogooutwithyouinsteadofme！Thebrutewaslameandnotfittoride！Anyfoolmighthaveseenthat！”

“Ihadnothingtodowithhergoing，mylord。SheaskedDavietogowithher，andhehadaholidayonpurpose。“

“Allveryfine，but——“

“Mylord，Ihavetoldyouthetruth，butnottojustifymyself：youmustbeawareyouropinionisofnovalueinmyeyes！Buttellmeonething，mylord：ifmylady\'shorsewaslame，howwasitshedidnotknow？Youdid！”

ForguethoughtDonalknewmorethanhedid，andwastakenaback。

“Itistimetheplacewasclearofyou！”hesaid。

“Iamyourfather\'sservant，notyours，“answeredDonal，“anddonottroublemyselfastoyourpleasureconcerningme。ButIthinkitisonlyfairtowarnyouthat，thoughyoucannothurtme，nothingbuthonestycantakeyououtofmypower。“

Forgueturnedonhisheel，wenttohisfather，andtoldhimheknewnowthatDonalwasprejudicingthemindofladyArcturaagainsthim；

butnotuntilitcameinthecourseoftheconversation，didhementiontheaccidentshehadhad。

Theearlprofessedhimselfgreatlyshocked，gotupwithsomethingalmostlikealacrityfromhissofa，andwentdowntoinquireafterhisniece。HewouldhavecompelledMrs。Brookestoadmithim，butshewasdeterminedherladyshouldnotbewakedfromasleepinvaluabletoher，forthesakeofreceivinghiscondolements，andhehadtoreturntohisroomwithoutgaininganything。

Ifsheweretogo，thepropertywouldbehis，andhecouldwillitashepleased——thatwas，ifsheleftnowill。Hesentforhissonandcautionedhimoverandovertodonothingtooffendher，butwait：whatmightcome，whocouldtell！Itmightproveaseriousaffair！

Forguetriedtofeelshockedatthecoolnessofhisfather\'sspeculation，butallowedthat，ifshewasdeterminednottoreceivehimasherhusband，thenextbestthing，intheexigenceofaffairs，wouldcertainlybethatsheshouldleaveaworldforwhoseusesshewasillfitted，andgowhereshewouldbehappier。Thethingsshewouldthenhavenofartherneedof，wouldbewelcometothosetowhombyrighttheybelongedmorereallythantoher！Shewasapleasantthingtolookupon，andifshehadlovedhimhewouldratherhavehadthepropertywiththanwithouther；buttherewasthisadvantage，hewouldbeleftfreetochoose！

LadyArcturalaysuffering，feverish，andrestless。Mrs。Brookeswouldletnoonesitupwithherbutherself。Theearlwouldhavesentfor“asuitablenurse！”afriendofhisinLondonwouldfindone！butshewouldnothearofit。Andbeforethenightwasovershehadgreaterreasonstillforrefusingtoyieldherpost：itwasevidentheryoungmistresswasmoreoccupiedwithDonalGrantthanwiththepainshewassuffering！Inherdeliriumshewasconstantlydesiringhispresence。“Iknowhecanhelpme，“shewouldsay；“heisashepherd，liketheLordhimself！”AndmistressBrookes，thoughbynomeansdevoidoftheprejudicesoftherankwithwhichherlifehadbeensomuchassociated，couldnotbutallowthatanoblerlifemustbepossiblewithonelikeDonalGrantthanwithonelikelordForgue。

InthemiddleofthenightArcturabecamesounquiet，thathernurse，callingthemaidshehadinaroomnear，flewlikeabirdtoDonal，andaskedhimtocomedown。Hehadbutpartiallyundressed，thinkinghishelpmightbewanted，andwasdownalmostassoonasshe。Erehecame，however，shehaddismissedthemaid。

Donalwenttothebedside。Arcturawasmoaningandstarting，sometimesopeninghereyes，butdistinguishingnothing。Herhandlayonthecounterpane：helaidhisuponit。Shegaveasighasofonerelieved；asmilecameflickeringoverherface，andshelaystillforsometime。Donalsatdownbesideher，andwatched。Themomenthesawherbegintoberestlessorlookdistressed，helaidhishanduponhers；shewasimmediatelyquiet，andlayforatimeasifsheknewherselfsafe。Whensheseemedabouttowake，hewithdrew。

Sothingswentonformanynights。DonalsleptinsteadofworkingwhenhisdutieswithDaviewereover，andlayatnightinthecorridor，wraptinhisplaid。ForevenafterArcturabegantorecover，hernightsweresorelytroubled，andherrestorationwouldhavebeenmuchretarded，hadnotDonalbeenneartomakeherfeelshewasnotabandonedtotheterrorsshepassedthrough。

Onenighttheearl，wanderingaboutintheanomalousconditionofneitherghostnorgenuinemortal，camesuddenlyuponwhathetookforahugeanimalinwaittodevour。Hewasnotterrified，forhewasaccustomedtosuchthings，andthoughtatfirstitwasnotofthisworld：hehadnodoubtoftherealityofhisvisions，evenwhenheknewtheywereinvisibletoothers，andeveninhiswakingmomentshadbeguntobelieveinthemasmuchasinthethingsthenevidenttohim——orrather，perhaps，todisbelieveequallyinboth。

Heapproachedtoseewhatitwas，andstoodstaringdownuponthemass。Gentlyitroseandconfrontedhim——ifconfrontingthatmaybecalledwherethefaceremainedsoundefined——forDonaltookcaretokeephisplaidoverhishead：hehadhopeintheprobableconditionoftheearl！Heturnedfromhimandwalkedaway。

CHAPTERLXX。

APLOT。

Buthislordshiphadhissuspicions，andtookmeasurestoconfirmorsetthematrest——withtheresultthatheconcludedDonalmadlyinlovewithhisniece，andunable，whileshewasill，torestanywherebut，withthedevotionofasavage，outsideherdoor：ifhedidnottakeprecautions，theloutwouldoustthelord！EversinceDonalspokesoplainlyagainsthisself-indulgence，hehadnotmerelyhatedbutfearedthecountrylad。HerecognizedthatDonalfearednothing，hadnorespectofpersons，wouldspeakoutbeforetheworld。Hewasdoubtfulalsowhetherhehadnotallowedhimtoknowmorethanitwaswellheshouldknow。Itwastimetogetridofhim——onlyitmustbedonecautiously，withtheappearanceofagoodunderstanding！Ifhehadhimoutofthehousebeforeshewasabletoseehimagain，thatwoulddo！Andifinthemeantimesheshoulddie，allwouldbewell！Hisdistrust，onceroused，wentfartherthanthatofhisson。Hehadnotthesameconfidenceinblueblood；heknewafewthingsmorethanForgue——believeditquitepossiblethatthedaughterofalongdescentoflordsandladiesshouldfallinlovewithashepherd-lad。Andasnoonecouldtellwhatmighthavetobedoneifthelegalownerofthepropertypersistedinrefusingherhandtotherightfulownerofit，thefellowmightbeseriouslyintheway！

Arcturaslowlyrecovered。Shehadnotyetleftherroom，buthadbeenafewhoursonthecoucheverydayforafortnight，andthedoctor，nowsanguineofherfinalrecovery，begantotalkofcarryinghertothelibrary。Theearl，whoneversuspectedthatMrs。

Brookes，havinghithertokepthimselffromherroom，wouldadmitthetutor，themomenthelearnedthatthelibrarywasinviewforher，decidedthattheremustbenomoredelay。Hehadbythistimecontrivedaneatlittleplan。

HesentforDonal。Hehadbeenthinking，theearlsaid，thathemustwantaholiday：hehadnotseenhisparentssincehecametothecastle！andhehadbeenthinkingbesides，howdesirableitwasthatDavieshouldseesomeotherphasesoflifethanthosetowhichhehadhithertobeenaccustomed。Therewasgreatdangerofboysbroughtupinhispositiongettingnarrow，andcarelessofthelivesandfeelingsoftheirfellowmen！HewouldtakeitasagreatkindnessifDonal，whohadaregardtotherealeducationofhispupil，wouldtakehimtohishome，andlethimunderstandthewaysoflifeamongthehumblerclassesofthenation——sothat，ifeverhewentintoparliament，hemighthavetheadvantageofknowingtheheartofthepeopleforwhomhewouldhavetolegislate。

Donallistened，andcouldnotbutagreewiththeremarksofhislordship。Inhimselfhehadnottheleastfaith——wonderedindeedwhichofthemthoughttheotherthegreaterfooltoimaginethatafterallthathadpassedDonalwouldplaceanyconfidenceinwhattheearlsaid；buthelistened。WhatlordMorvenreallyhadinhismind，hecouldnotsurmise；butnotthelesstotakeDavietohisfatherandmotherwasadelightfulidea。Theboywasgrowingfast，andhadrevealedafacultyquiterareinonesoyoung，forlookingtotheheartofthings，andseeingtherelationofmantoman；

thereforesuchalessonastheearlproposedwouldindeedbeinvaluabletohim！Thenagain，thisfacultyhadbeenopenedinhimthroughawillingperceptionofthoseeternaltruths，inastillhigherrelationofpersons，whichareopenonlytothechildlikenature；whencehewouldbeespeciallyfittedforsuchcompanyasthatofhisfatherandmother，whocouldnoweasilyreceivetheboyaswellashimself，sincetheirhouseandtheirgeneralworldlyconditionhadbeensomuchbetteredbytheirfriend，sirGibbie！

WiththemDaviewouldseegenuinelife，simplicity，dignity，andunselfishness——theveryembodimentofthethingsheheldconstantlybeforehim！Theremightbesomeotherreasonbehindtheearl\'srequestwhichitwouldbewellforhimtoknow；buthewouldsoonerdiscoverthatbyafreeconsentthanbyhangingback：anythingbaditcouldhardlybe！HeshrankindeedfromleavingladyArcturawhileshewasyetsofarfromwell，butshewasgettingwellmuchfasternow：forafortnighttherehadbeennonecessityforhispresencetosootheherwhilesheslept。Neitherdidsheyetknow，sofar，atleast，asheormistressBrookeswasaware，thathehadeverbeennearherinthenight！ItwaswellalsobecauseofthepositionofthingsbetweenhimandlordForgue，thatheshouldbeawayforawhile：itwouldgiveachanceforthatfoolishsoultosettledown，andletcommonsenseassumethereins，whileyetthebettercoachmanwasnotallowedtomountthebox！Hehad，ofcourse，heardnothingofthestrainedrelationsbetweenhimandladyArctura；hemightotherwisehavebeenalittlemoreanxious。Fortheearl，Davie，hethought，wouldbeakindofpledgeorhostage——inregardofwhat，hecouldnotspecify；but，thoughhelittlesuspectedwhatsuchamanwascapableofsacrificingtogainacherishedend，somesecurityforhim，someholdoverhim，seemedtoDonalnotundesirable。

WhenDavieheardtheproposal，hewaswildwithjoy。Actuallytoseethemountains，andthesheep，andthecolleys，ofwhichDonalhadtoldhimsuchwonderfulthings！Tobeoutallnight，perhaps，withDonalandthedogsandthestarsandthewinds！Perhapsastormwouldcome，andhewouldlieinDonal\'splaidundersomegreatrock，andhearthewindroaringaroundthem，butnotabletogetatthem！

Andthesheepwouldcomeandhuddlecloseuptothem，andkeepthemwarmwiththeirwoollysides！andhewouldstroketheirheadsandlovethem！Daviewasnolongeramerechild——farfromit；butwhatisloveliestinthechild\'sheartwasonlythestrongerinhim；andtheprospectofgoingwithDonalwasathingtobedreamedofdayandnighttillitcame！Norwerethedaysmanybeforetheirdeparturewasdefinitelysettled。

TheearlwouldhaveMr。Granttreathispupilpreciselyasoneofhisownstanding：hemighttakehimonfootifhepleased！

Thesuggestionwaseagerlyacceptedbyboth。Theygottheirboxesreadyforthecarrier，packedtheirwallets，andonelovelymorninglateinspring，justassummerwasshowingherwomanlyfacethroughitssmilesandtears，theysetouttogether。

ItwaswithnosmalldismaythatArcturaheardoftheproposal。Shesaidnothing，however——onlywhenDonalcametotakehisleaveshebrokedownalittle。

“Weshalloftenwish，DavieandI，thatyouwerewithus，mylady，“

hesaid。

“Why？”sheasked，unabletosaymore。

“Becauseweshalloftenfeelhappy，andwhatthencanwedobutwishyousharedourhappiness！”

Sheburstintotears，andpresentlywasabletospeak。

“Don\'tthinkmesilly，“shesaid。“IknowGodiswithme，andassoonasyouaregoneIwillgotohimtocomfortme。ButIcannothelpfeelingasifyouwereleavingmelikealambamongwolves。I

cangivenoreasonforit；Ionlyfeelasifsomedangerwerenearme。ButIhaveyouyet，mistressBrookes：Godandyouwilltakecareofme！——Indeed，ifIhadn\'tyou，“sheadded，laughingthroughhertears，“IshouldrunawaywithMr。GrantandDavie！”

“IfIhadknownyoufeltlikethat，“saidDonal，“Iwouldnothavegone。YetIhardlyseehowIcouldhaveavoidedit，beingDavie\'stutor，andboundtodoashisfatherwisheswithhim。Only，dearladyArctura，thereisnochanceinthisorinanything！Wewillnotforgetyou，andinthreeweeksoramonthweshallbeback。“

“Thatisalongtime，“saidArctura，readytoweepagain。

Isitnecessarytosayshewasnotaweakwoman？Itisnotbetrayaloffeeling，butavoidanceofduty，thatconstitutesweakness。Afteranillnesshehasbornelikeahero，astrongmanmaybereadytoweeplikeachild。Whatthecommonpeopleofsocietythinkaboutstrengthandweakness，ispoorstuff，liketherestoftheirwisdom。

Shespeedilyrecoveredhercomposure，andwiththegentlestsmilebadeDonalgood-bye。Shewasinhersitting-roomnextthestate-chamberwhereshenowslept；thesunwasshininginattheopenwindow，andwithitcamethesongofalittlebird，clearandsweet。

“Youhearhim，“saidDonal。“——howhetrustsGodwithoutknowingit！

Wearemadeabletotrusthimknowinginwhomwebelieve！Ah，dearladyArctura！noheartevenyetcantellwhatthingsGodhasinstoreforthemwhowilljustlethimhavehiswaywiththem。

Good-bye。WritetomeifanythingcomestoyouthatIcanhelpyouin。AndbesureIwillmakehastetoyouthemomentyouletmeknowyouwantme。“

“Thankyou，Mr。Grant：Iknowyoumeaneverywordyousay！IfIneedyou，Iwillnothesitatetosendforyou——onlyifyoucome，itwillbeasmyfriend，andnot——“

“Itwillbeasyourservant，notlordMorven\'s，“saidDonal。“I

quiteunderstand。Goodbye。ThefatherofJesusChrist，whowassosureofhim，willtakecareofyou：donotbeafraid。“

Heturnedandwent；hecouldnolongerbearthelookofhereyes。

CHAPTERLXXI。

GLASHGAR。

OutofArctura\'ssightDonalhadhisturnofso-calledweakness！

Thedaywasagloriousone，andDavie，fullofspirits，couldnotunderstandwhyheseemedsounlikehimself。

“Arkiewouldscoldyou，Mr。Grant！”hesaid。

Donalavoidedthetown，andwalkedalongwayroundtogetintotheroadbeyondit，hisheadbentasifhewereponderingapain。Atmomentshefeltasifhemustreturnatonce，andrefusetoleavethecastleforanyreason。ButhecouldnotseethatitwasthewillofGodheshoulddoso。Apresentimentisnotacommand。Aprophecymayfailoftheleastindicationofduty。HamletdefyingauguryistheconsistentreligiousmanShaksperetakespainstoshowhim。A

presentimentmaybetrue，maybefromGodhimself，yetinvolvenoreasonwhyamanshouldchangehisway，shouldturnastepasidefromthepathbeforehim。St。PaulreceivedwarningafterwarningonhisroadtoJerusalemthatbondsandimprisonmentawaitedhim，andthesewarningsheknewcamefromthespiritofprophecy，butheheededthemonlytosethisfacelikeaflint。Heknewbetterthanimaginedutydeterminedbyconsequences，ortakeforesightfordirection。Thereisahigherguide，andhefollowedthat。SodidDonalnow。Movedtogoback，hedidnotgoback——neitherafterwardsrepentedthathedidnot。

Iwillnotdescribethejourney。Sufficeittosaythat，afterafewdaysofsuchwalkingasbefittedanunaccustomedboy，theyclimbedthelasthill，crossedthethresholdofRobertGrant\'scottage，andwerebothclaspedintheembraceofJanet。ForDavierushedintothearmsofDonal\'smother，andshetookhimtothesamehearttowhichshehadtakenweesirGibbie：thebosomofthepeasantwomanwasindeedonetofeeto。

ThenfolloweddelightswhichmorethanequalledtheexpectationsofDavie。OneofthemwasseeinghowDonalwasloved。Anotherwasanewsenseoffreedom：hehadneverimaginedsuchlibertyashenowenjoyed。ItwasasifGodweregivingittohim。freshoutofhissky，hismountains，hiswinds。Thentherewasthetwilightonthehill-side，withthesheepgrowingduskyaroundhim；whenDonalwouldtalkabouttheshepherdofthehumansheep；andhearinghimDaviefeltnotonlythattherewasonce，butthatthereisnowamanaltogetherlovely——theheartofallbeautyeverywhere——amanwhogavehimselfuptohisperfectfatherandhisfather\'smostimperfectchildren，thathemightbringhisbrothersandsistershometotheirfather；forallhisdelightisinhisfatherandhisfather\'schildren。HeshowedhimhowtheheartofJesuswas，allthrough，theheartofason，asonthatadoredhisperfectfather；

andhowifhehadnothadhisperfectsontohelphim，Godcouldnothavemadeanyofus，couldneverhavegotustobehislittlesonsanddaughters，lovinghimwithallourmight。ThenDavie\'sheartwouldglow，andhewouldfeelreadytodowhateverthatsonmightwanthimtodo；andDonalhoped，andhadgoodgroundforhoping，that，whenthehouroftrialcame，theyouthwouldbeabletohold，notmerelybytheunseen，butbytheseeminglyunpresentandunfelt，inthenameoftheeternallytrue。

Donal\'syouthbegantoseemfarbehindhim。AllbitternesswasgoneoutofhismemoriesofladyGalbraith。Helovedhertenderly，butwaspleasedsheshouldbeGibbie\'s。

HowmuchofthishappychangewasowingtohisinterestinladyArcturahedidnotinquire：greatlyinterestedinher——moreinveryimportantwaysthanhehadeverbeeninladyGalbraith——hewassojealousofhisheart，shranksomuchfromthedangeroffolly，knewsowellhowsmallanamountofyieldingmightunfithimforthemanlyandfreshperformanceofhisduties——amongwhichcamefirstadueregardforherwell-beinglestheshouldhimselffailormisleadher——thatheoftenturnedhisthoughtsintoanotherchannel，lestinthattheyshouldruntooswiftly，deepenittoofast，andgofartoimprisonthemselvesinanotheragony。

ToladyGalbraithheconfidedhisuneasinessaboutladyArctura——notthathecouldexplain——hecouldonlyconfesshimselfinfectedwithheruneasiness，andtheratherthatheknewbetterthanshethenatureofthosewithwhomshemighthavetocope。IfMrs。Brookeshadnotbeenthere，hedarednothavecomeaway，hesaid，leavingherwithsuchadreaduponher。

SirGibbielistenedopen-mouthedtothetaleofthefindingofthelostchapel，hiddenawaybecauseitheldthedustofthedead，andperhapssometimestheirwanderingghosts。

Theyassuredhimthat，ifhewouldbringladyArcturatothem，theywouldtakecareofher：hadshenotbettergiveupthewearyproperty，theysaid，andcomeandlivewiththem，andbefreeasthelark？ButDonalsaid，that，ifGodhadgivenheraproperty，hewouldnothaveherforsakeherpost，butwaitforhimtorelieveher。Shemustadministerherownkingdomereshecouldhaveanabundantentranceintohis！Onlyhewishedhewerenearheragaintohelpher！

CHAPTERLXXII。

SENT，NOTCALLED。

Hehadbeenathomeabouttendays，duringwhichnotawordhadcometoDavieorhimselffromthecastle，andwasbeginningtogrow，notperhapsanxious，buthungryfornewsofladyArctura，whenfromasoundsleephestartedsuddenlyawakeonemidnighttofindhismotherbyhisbedside：shehadrousedhimwithdifficulty。

“Laddie，“shesaid，“I\'mthinkinye\'rewantit。“

“WhauramIwantit，mother？”heasked，rubbinghiseyes，butwithanxietyalreadythrobbingathisheart。

“Atthecastle，“shereplied。

“Hookenyethat？”heasked。

“Itwadbeilltellin\'ye，“sheanswered。“ButgienIwasyou，Donal，Iwadbeaffaforethedaybrak，toseewhatthey\'reduin\'

wi\'yonpuirleddyatthemuckleplaceyeleft。Myhert\'sthatsairaboother，IcannarestamomenttillIhaeyeawa\'upo\'thero\'dtilher！”

Longbeforehismotherhadended，Donalwasoutofbed，andhurryingonhisclothes。Hehadtheprofoundestfaithinwhateverhismothersaid。Wasitavisionshehadhad？Hehadneverbeentoldshehadthesecondsight！Itmighthavebeenonlyadream，oranimpressionsodeepshemustheedit！Onethingwasplain：therewasnotimetoaskquestions！Itwasenoughthathismothersaid“Go；“morethanenoughthatitwasforladyArctura！Howquickestcouldhego？TherewerehorsesatsirGibbie\'s：hewouldmakefreewithone！Heputacrustofbreadinhispocket，andsetoutrunning。Therewasalittlemoonlight，enoughforonewhokneweveryfootoftheway；andinhalfanhourofswiftdescent，hewasatthestabledoorofGlashruach。

Findinghimselfunabletorouseanyone，hecreptthroughawayheknew，openedthedoor，withoutamoment\'shesitationsaddledandbridledsirGibbie\'sfavouritemare，ledherout，andmountedher。

Safeinthesaddle，withfourlegsbusyunderhim，hehadtimetothink，andbegantoturnoverinhismindwhathemustdo。Buthesoonsawtherewasnoplanninganythingtillheknewwhatwasthematter——ofwhichhehaddreadfulforebodings。Hisimaginationstartedandspurredbyfear，hethoughtofmanydreadpossibilitiesconcerningwhichhewonderedthathehadneverthoughtofthembefore：ifhehadhecouldnothaveleftthecastle！Whatmightnotamaninthementalandmoralconditionoftheearl，unrestrainedbylaworconscience，risktosecurethepropertyforhisson？Mighthenotpoisonher，smotherher，killhersomehow，anyhowthatwassafest？Thenrushedintohismindwhatthehousekeeperhadtoldhimofhiscrueltytohiswife：amanlikethat，nolongerfeeling，howeverknowingthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong，hardlyknowingthedifferencebetweendreamingathinganddoingthething，wasnofittermemberofafamilythananydevilinoroutofhell！

Hewouldhaveblamedhimselfbitterlyhadhenotbeensurehewasnotfollowinghisownwillingoingaway。Iftherewereabetterwayithadnotbeenintendedheshouldtakeit，elseitwouldhavebeenshownhim！Butnowhewouldberestrainedbynodelicacytowardstheearl：whateverhishandfoundtodohewoulddo，regardlessofappearances！IfhecouldnotreachladyArctura，hewouldseekthehelpofthelaw，tellwhatheknew，andgetawarrantofsearch。Hedarednotthinkwhathedreaded，buthewouldtrustnothingbutseeingherwithhisowneyes，andhearingfromherownmouththatallwaswell——whichcouldnotbe，elsewhyshouldhismotherhavesenthimtoher？Doubtlessthewaywouldunfoldbeforehimashewenton；butifeverythingshouldseemtogoagainsthim，hewouldyetsaywithsirPhilipSidneythat，“sinceamanisboundnofarthertohimselfthantodowisely，chanceisonlytotroublethemthatstanduponchance。“Ifhisplansorattemptsshouldoneaftertheotherfail，“there\'sadivinitythatshapesourends，rough-hewthemhowwewill“！Soherodeon，carefuloverhismare，lestmuchhasteshouldbelittlespeed。Theanimalwasstrongandingoodcondition，andbythetimeDonalhadseenthesunrise，ascendtheheavens，andgohalf-waydowntheirwesternslope，andhadstoppedthreetimestorefreshthemare，hefoundhimself，aftermuchclimbinganddescent，onagoodlevelroadthatpromisedbynightfalltobringhimtotheplaceofhisdesire。

Butthemarewasnowgettingtired，andnowonder，forshehadhadmorethanahardday\'swork。Donaldismountedeverynowandthentorelieveher，thathemightgothefasterwhenhemountedagain，comfortinghimselfthatinthetruepaththedelaysareasimportantasthespeed；forthehouristhepoint，nottheswiftness：anhourtoosoonmayevenbemoredisastrousthananhourtoolate！Hewouldarriveattherighttimeforhimwhosewaysarenotasourwaysinasmuchastheyaregreatlybetter！Thesunwentdownandthestarscameout，andthelongtwilightbegan。Butbeforehewasamilefartherhebecameawarethattheskyhadcloudedover，thestarshadvanished，andrainwasathand。Thedayhadbeensultry，andreliefwascome。Lightningflamedout，anddarknessfullofthunderfollowed。Thestormwasdrawingnearer，buthismare，thoughyoungandhigh-spirited，wastoowearytobefrightened；therainrefreshedboth，andtheymadealittlemorespeed。Butitwasdarknight，withnowgrumblingnowragingstorm，beforetheycamewhere，haditbeenlight，Donalwouldhavelookedtoseethecastle。

CHAPTERLXXIII。

INTHENIGHT。

Whenhereachedthetown，herodeintotheyardoftheMorvenArms，andhavingfoundasleepyostler，gaveuphismare：hewouldbebetterwithoutheratthecastle！——whitherhewassettingouttowalkwhenthelandlordappeared。

“Wedidnaluiktoseeyou，sir，atthistime！”hesaid。

“Whynot？”returnedDonal。

“Wethouchtyewasawa\'forthesimmer，seein\'yetuiktheyoonggentlemanwi\'ye，an\'theyerlhimsel\'followt！”

“Whereishegone？”askedDonal。

“Oh！dinnayeken，sir？haenayeh\'ard？”

“Notaword。“

“That\'sverrastrange，sir！——There\'sacleanclearanceatthecastel。FirstgaedmylordForgue，an\'synemylordhimsel\'an\'mylady，an\'synegaedthehoosekeeper——hermitherwasdeein\'，theysaid。I\'mthinkin\'theremaunbeaweddin\'tothefore。Therewassomewordo\'fittin\'uptheauldhoosei\'thetoon，\'causelordForguedidnacareabootbein\'atthecastelonylanger。It\'sstrangeyehaenah\'ard，sir！”

Donalstoodabsorbedinawfulhearing。Surelysomelettermusthavemiscarried！Thesureandfirm-setearthseemedgivingwayunderhisfeet。

“Iwillrunuptothecastle，andhearallaboutit，“hesaid。“Lookaftermymare，willyou？”

“ButI\'mtellin\'ye，sir，ye\'llfin\'naebodythere！”saidtheman。

“They\'rea\'ganefraethehooseonygait。There\'snoasowlabootthatbutdeifBettyLobban，whawadnaheartheangelwi\'thelasttrump。Mairbytoken，she\'sthatfeartforrobbersshegangstilherbedtheminuteitbeginstogrowdark，an\'sticksherheid\'aneththebed-claes——no\'atthatmaksheronydeifer！”

“Thenyouthinkthereisnouseingoingup？”

“Notthesmallest，“answeredtheinn-keeper。

“Getmesomesupperthen。Iwilltakealookatmymare。“

Hewentandsawthatshewasattendedto——thensetoffforthecastleasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。Therewasfoulplaybeyondadoubt！——ofwhatsorthecouldnottell！Iftheman\'sreportwascorrect，hewouldgostraighttothepolice！Thenfirstheremembered，inadditiontotheotherreportedabsences，thatbeforeheleftwithDavie，thefactorandhissisterhadgonetogetherforaholiday：hadthisbeencontrived？

Hemountedthehillanddrewnearthecastle。Aterriblegloomfelluponhim：therewasnotalightinthesullenpile！Itwasdarksomeeventoterror！Hewenttothemainentrance，andrangthegreatbellasloudashecouldringit，buttherewasnoanswertothesummons，whichechoedandyelledhorribly，asifthehousewereactuallyempty。Herangagain，andagaincamethehorribleyellingecho，butnomoreanswerthanifithadbeenamausoleum。Hehadbeentoldwhattoexpect，yethisheartsankwithinhim。Oncemoreherangandwaited；buttherewasnosoundofhearing。Theplacegrewterribletohim。Buthismotherhadsenthimthere，andintoithemustgo！Hemustatleastlearnwhetheritwasindeedabandoned！

Therewasfalseplay！hekeptrepeatingtohimself；butwhatwasit？

whereandhowwasittobemet？

Astogettingintothehousetherewasnodifficulty。HehadbuttoclimbtwowallstogettothedoorofBaliol\'stower，andthekeyofthathealwayscarried。Ifhehadnothadit，hewouldyetsoonhavegotin；heknewtheplacebetterthananyoneelseaboutit。Happilyhehadleftthedoorlockedwhenhewentaway，elseprobablytheywouldhavesecureditotherwise。Heenteredsoftly，and，withastrangefeelingofdread，wentwindingupthestairtohisroom——slowly，becausehedidnotyetknowatallwhathewastodo。

Iftherewerenofalseplay，surelyatleastMrs。Brookeswouldhavewrittentotellhimtheyweregoing！Ifonlyhecouldlearnwhereshewas！Beforehereachedthetophefoundhimselfveryweary。Hestaggeredin，andfellonhisbedinthedark。

Buthecouldnotrest。Theairseemedstifling。Thestormhadlulled，buttheatmospherewasfullofthunder。Hegotupandopenedthewindow。Alittlebreathcameinandrevivedhim；thencamealittlewind，andinthewindthemoanofitsharp。Itwokemanymemories。Thereagainwasthelightning！Thethunderbrokewithagreatbellowingroaramongtheroofsandchimneys。Itwastohismind！Hewentoutontheroof，andmechanicallytookhiswaytowardthenestofthemusic。Atthebaseofthechimneyshesatdown，andstaredintothedarkness。Thelightningcame；hesawthesealiewatchinglikeaperfectpeacetotakeupdriftsouls，andthelandborderingitlikeawasteofdread；thenthedarknessswallowedboth；andthethundercamesoloudthatitnotonlydeafenedbutseemedtoblindhimbeyondthedarkness，thathisbrainturnedtoalumpofclay。Thencameasilence，andthesilencewaslikeadeeperdeafness。Butfromthedeafnessburstandtrickledafaintdoubtfulstream：coulditbeavoice，calling，calling，fromagreatdistance？Washethefoolofwearinessandexcitement，ordidheactuallyhearhisownname？WhosevoicecoulditbebutladyArctura\'s，callingtohimfromthespiritworld！Theyhadkilledher，andshewascallingtolethimknowshewasinthelandofliberty！Withthatcameanotherflashandanotherroarofthunder——andtherewasthevoiceagain：“Mr。Grant！Mr。Grant！come，come！Youpromised！”Didheactuallyhearthewords？Theysoundedsofarawaythatitseemedasifheoughtnottohearthem。Butcouldthevoicebefromthespirit-land？Wouldsheclaimhispromisethence，temptinghimthither？Shewouldnot！Andsheknewhewouldnotgobeforehishour，ifallthespiritsontheothersidewerecallinghim。Buthehadheardofvoicesfromfaraway，whilethosewhocalledwereyetinthebody！Ifshewouldbutsaywhither，hewouldfollowherthatmoment！Oncemoreitcame，butveryfaint；hecouldnottellwhatitsaid。Awailoftheghost-musicfollowedclose——Godinheaven！couldshebedowninthechapel？Hesprangtohisfeet。Withsuperhumanenergyheleaptupandcaughttheedgeofthecleft，drewhimselfuptillhismouthreachedit，andcriedaloud，“LadyArctura！”

Therecamenoanswer。

“Iamstupidasdeath！”hesaidtohimself：“Ihavelethercallmeinvain！”

“Iamcoming！”hecriedagain，revivedwithsuddenjoy。Hedroppedontheroof，andspeddownthestairtothedoorthatopenedonthesecondfloor。Allwasdarkasunderground，butheknewthewaysowellheneededbutalittleguidancefromhishands。HehurriedtoladyArctura\'schamber，andthespotwherethepressstood，readywithoneshovetosendityardsoutofhisway。Therewasnopressthere！——nothingbutasmooth，cold，dampwall！Hisheartsankwithinhim。Washeinaterribledream？No，no！hehadbutmadeamistake——hadtrustedtoomuchtohisknowledgeofthehouse，andwasnotwherehethoughthewas！Hestruckalight。Alas！alas！hewaswherehehadintended！Itwasherroom！Therewasthewardrobe，butnearerthedoor！Whereithadstoodwasnorecess！——nothingbutagreatpatchoffreshplaster！Itwasnodream，butatruehorror！

Instinctivelyclutchinghisskenedhu，hedartedtothegreatstair。

ItmusthavebeenthevoiceofArcturahehadheard！Shewaswalledupinthechapel！

Downthestair，withswiftnoiselessfoothesped，andstoppedatthedoorofthehalf-wayroom。Itwaslocked！

Therewasbutonewayleft！Tothefootofthestairheshot。Goodheavens！ifthatwayalsoshouldhavebeenknowntotheearl！Hecreptthroughthelittledoorunderneaththestair，feelingwithhishandserehisbodywasthrough：thearchwasopen！Inaninstanthewasinthecrypt。

Butnowtogetupthroughtheopeningintothepassageabove——stoppedwithaheavyslab！Hesprangatthesteepslopeofthewindow-sill，buttherewasnohold，andasoftenashesprangheslippeddownagain。Hetriedandtrieduntilhewaswornoutandalmostindespair。Shemightbedying！hewasclosetoher！hecouldnotreachher！Hestoodstillforamomenttothink。Tohismindcametheword，“Hethatbelievethshallnotmakehaste。“Hethoughtwithhimself，“Godcannothelpmenwithwisdomwhentheirmindsareintoogreatatumulttohearwhathesays！”Hetriedtoliftuphisheartandmakeasilenceinhissoul。

Ashestoodheseemedtosee，throughthedark，thegloomyplaceasitfirstappearedwhenhethrewinthelightedletter。Allatoncehestartedfromhisquiescence，droppedonhishandsandknees，andcrawleduntilhefoundtheflatstonelikeagravestone。Outcamehisknife，andhedugawaytheearthatoneend，untilhecouldgetbothhandsunderit。Thenheheaveditfromthefloor，andshiftingitalong，gotitundertheopeninginthewall。

CHAPTERLXXIV。

AMORALFUNGUS。

Spiritualinsanity，cupidity，cruelty，andpossiblyimmediatedemoniacaltemptationhadlongbeenworkinginandonamindthathadnowceasedalmosttodistinguishbetweentherealandtheunreal。Everymanwhobendstheenergiesofanimmortalspirittofurthertheendsandobjectsofhislowerbeing，failssotodistinguish；butwiththeearltheblindnesshadwroughtoutwardaswellasinwardly，sothathewasevenunable，duringconsiderableportionsofhislife，totellwhetherthingstookplaceoutsideorinsidehim。Nordidthistroublehim——hewaspastcaring。Hewouldarguethatwhatequallyaffectedhimhadanequalrighttobebyhimregardedasexistent。Hepaidnoheedtothedifferentnaturesofthetwokindsofexistence，theirdifferentlaws，andthedifferentdemandstheymadeuponthetwoconsciousnesses；hehadinfact，byalongcourseofdisobediencegrowingtoutterdisuseofconscience，arrivednearlyatnon-individuality。Inregardtowhatwasoutsidehimhewasbutamirror，inregardtowhatwasinsidehimamerevesselofimperfectlyinteractingforces。Andnowhiscapacitiesandincapacitiestogetherhadculminatedinahideousplot，inwhichitwouldbehardtosaywhetherthefolly，thecrime，orthecunningpredominated：hehadmadeuphismindthat，ifthedaughterofhisbrotherrefusedtowedhercousin，andsocarryoutwhatheassertedtohavebeenthedeclaredwishofherfather，sheshouldgoafterherfather，andleaveherpropertytothenextheir，sothatifnotinonewaytheninanotherthelawofnaturemightbefulfilled，andtitleandpropertyunitedwithouttheinterventionofamarriage。Astoanyevilthatthereinmightbeimaginedtobefallhisniece，hequotedthewordsofHamlet——“Sincenomanhasoughtofwhatheleaves，whatis\'ttoleavebetimes？”——shewouldbenoworsethanshemusthavebeenwhenthefewyearsofhernaturalpilgrimagewereofnecessityover：thedifferencetoherwasnotworththinkingofbesidethedifferencetothefamily！Atthesametimeperhapsascaremightserve，andshewouldconsenttomarryForguetoescapeafrightfulend！

ThemomentDonalwasgone，hesentForguetoLondon，andsethimselftoovercomethedistrustofhimwhichhecouldnotbutseehadforsometimebeengrowinginher。Withthesweetprejudicesofalovingnaturetoassisthim，hesoonprevailedsofarthat，withoutmuchentreaty，sheconsentedtoaccompanyhimtoLondon——foramonthorso，hesaid，whileDaviewasgone。Theproposalhadcharmsforher：

shehadbeentherewithherfatherwhenamerechild，andneversince。ShewrotetoDonaltolethimknow：howitwasthatherletterneverreachedhim，itishardlyneedfultoinquire。

Theearl，inorder，hesaid，toshowhisrecognitionofhersweetcompliance，madearrangementsforpostingitalltheway。Hewouldtakeherbytheroadheusedtotravelhimselfwhenhewasayoungman：sheshouldjudgewhethermorehadnotbeenlostthangainedbyrapidity！Whatevershortenedanynaturalprocess，hesaid，simplyshortenedlifeitself。Simmonsshouldgobefore，andfindasuitableplaceforthem！

TheywerehardlygonewhenMrs。Brookesreceivedaletterpretendedlyfromtheclergymanoftheparish，inaremotepartofthesouth，wherehermother，nowaveryoldwoman，lived，sayingshewasatthepointofdeath，andcouldnotdieinpeacewithoutseeingherdaughter。Shewentatonce。

Theschemewasamadman\'s，excellentlycontrivedfortheinstantobject，butwithnooutlookforimmediatelyresultingperils。

Afterthefirstnightontheroad，heturnedacrosscountry，andalittletowardshome；afterthenextnight，hedrovestraightback，butasitwasbyadifferentroad，Arcturasuspectednothing。Whentheycamewithinafewhoursofthecastle，theystoppedatalittleinnfortea；therehecontrivedtogiveheracertaindose。Atthenextplacewheretheystopped，herepresentedherashisdaughtertakensuddenlyill：hemustgostraighthomewithher，howeverlatetheymightbe。Givinganimaginarynametotheirdestination，andkeepingonthelastpost-boywhoknewnothingofthecountry，hedirectedhimsoascompletelytobewilderhim，withtheresultthathesetthemdownatthecastlesupposingitadifferentplace，andinadifferentpartofthecountry。Thethingwasaftertheearl\'sownheart；hedelightedinmakingafoolofafellow-mortal。Hesenthimawaysoasnottoenterthetown：itwasofimportancehisreturnshouldnotbeknown。

Itisamarvelhecouldeffectwhatfollowed；buthehadtheremnantsofgreatstrength，andwhenunderinfluencesheknewtoowellhowtomanage，wasforthetimealmostaspowerfulasever：hegothisvictimtohisroomonthestair，andthencethroughtheoakdoor。

CHAPTERLXXV。

THEPORCHOFHADES。

WhenArcturawokefromherunnaturalsleep，shelayawhilewithoutthought，thenbegantolocalizeherself。Thelastplacesherecalledwastheinnwheretheyhadtea：shemusthavebeentheretakenill，shethought，andwasnowinaroomofthesame。Itwasquitedark：

theymighthaveleftalightbyher！Shelaycomfortablyenough，buthadasuspicionthattheplacewasnotoverclean，andwasgladtofindherselfnotundrest。Sheturnedonherside：somethingpulledherbythewrist。Shemusthaveabraceleton，anditwasentangledinthecoverlet！Shetriedtounclaspit，butcouldnot：whichofherbraceletscoulditbe？Therewassomethingattachedtoit！——achain——athickchain！Howodd！Whatcoulditmean？Shelayquiet，slowlywakingtofullerconsciousness——Wastherenotastrangeair，adullodourintheroom？Undefinedasitwas，shehadsmeltitbefore，andnotlongsince！——Itwasthesmellofthelostchapel！——Butthatwasathomeinthecastle！shehadleftittwodaysbefore！Wasshegoingoutofhermind？

Thedewofagonyburstfromherforehead。Shewouldhavestartedup，butwaspulledhardbythewrist！ShecriedonGod——Yes，shewaslyingontheveryspotwherethatheapofwoman-dusthadlain！shewasmanacledwiththesameringfromwhichthatwoman\'sarmhadwasted——thedecayofcenturiesherslowredeemer！Herbeingrecoiledsowildlyfromthehorror，thatforamomentsheseemedontheedgeofmadness。Butmadnessisnotthesolerefugefromterror！WherethedoorofthespirithasoncebeenopenedwidetoGod，thereishe，thepresenthelpintimeoftrouble！Withhiminthehouse，itisnotonlythatweneedfearnothing，butthatistherewhichinitsownbeingandnaturecastsoutfear。Godandfearcannotbetogether。ItisaGodfaroffthatcausesfear。“Inthypresenceisfulnessofjoy。“SuchasenseofabsolutehelplessnessoverwhelmedArcturathatshefeltawakeinheranendlessclaimupontheprotectionofheroriginal，thesourceofherbeing。Andwhatsoonerwouldanyfatherhaveofhischildrenthanactiononsuchclaim！Godisalwayscallingusashischildren，andwhenwecallhimasourfather，then，andnottillthen，doeshebegintobesatisfied。AndwiththattherefelluponArcturaakindofsleep，whichyetwasnotsleep；itwasareposesuchasperhapsisthesleepofaspirit。

Againtheexternalbegantointrude。Shepicturedtoherselfwhatthedarknesswashiding。Herfeelingswhenfirstshecamedownintotheplacereturnedonhermemory。Thetideofterrorbeganagaintorise。Itroseandrose，andthreatenedtobecomemonstrous。Shereasonedwithherself：hadshenotbeenbroughtinsafetythroughitsfirstandmostdangerousinroad？——butreasoncouldnotoutfaceterror。Itwasfear，themostterribleofallterrors，thatshefeared。Thenagainwokeherfaith：ifthenighthidethnotfromhim，neitherdoesthedarknessoffear！

Itbegantothunder，firstwithalowdistantmutteringroll，thenwithaloudandnearbellowing。WasitGodcomingtoher？Somearestrangelyterrifiedatthunder；Arcturahadthechild\'sfeelingthatitwasGodthatthundered：itcomfortedheraswiththeassurancethatGodwasnear。Asshelayandheardthegreatorganoftheheavens，itsvoiceseemedtogrowarticulate；Godwascallingtoher，andsaying，“HereIam，mychild！benotafraid！”

Thenshebegantoreasonwithherselfthattheworstthatcouldhappentoherwastolietheretillshediedofhunger，andthatcouldnotbesoverybad！Andtherewithacrossthemutteringthundercameawailoftheghost-music。Shestarted：hadshenothearditahundredtimesbefore，asshelaythereinthedarkalone？Wassheonlynowforthefirsttimewakinguptoit——she，theladytheyhadshutuptheretodie——whereshehadlainforages，witheverynowandthenthatsoundoftheangelssinging，faraboveherinthebluesky？

Shewasbeginningtowander。Shereasonedwithherself，anddismissedthefancy；butitcameandcameagain，mingledwithrealmemories，mostlyoftheroof，andDonal。

Byandbyshefellasleep，andwokeinaterrorwhichseemedtohavebeengrowinginhersleep。Shesatup，andstaredintothedark。

>Fromwherestoodthealtar，seemedtoriseandapproachheraformofdeeperdarkness。Sheheardnothing，sawnothing，butsomethingwasthere。Itcamenearer。Itwasbutafancy；sheknewit；butthefancyassumedtobe：themomentshegaveway，andacknowledgedit，thatmomentitwouldhavetherealityithadbeenwaitingfor，andclaspherinitsskeleton-arms！Shecriedaloud，butitonlycamenearer；itwasabouttoseizeher！

Asudden，divinechange！——herfearwasgone，andinitsplaceasenseofabsolutesafety：therewasnothinginalltheuniversetobeafraidof！ItwasanightofJune，withroses，roseseverywhere！

GlorybetotheFather！Buthowwasit？Hadhesenthermothertothinkherfullofroses？Whyhermother？Godhimselfistheheartofeveryrosethateverbloomed！Shewouldhavesungaloudforjoy，butnovoicecame；shecouldnotutterasound。WhatathingthiswouldbetotellDonalGrant！Thispoorwomancried，andGodheardher，andsavedheroutofallherdistresses！Thefatherhadcometohischild！Thecryhadgonefromherheartintohis！

Ifshediedthere，wouldDonalcomeonedayandfindher？No！No！

Shewouldspeaktohiminadream，andbeghimnottogoneartheplace！Shewouldnothavehimseeherlielikethatheandshestandingtogetherhadtherelookedupon！

WiththatcameDonal\'svoice，floatedandrolledinmusicandthunder。Itcamefromfaraway；shedidnotknowwhethershefanciedorreallyheardit。Shewouldhaverespondedwithagreatcry，buthervoicevanishedinherthroat。Herjoywassuchthatsherememberednothingmore。

CHAPTERLXXVI。

THEANGELOFTHELORD。

Standingupontheedgeofthestoneleanedagainstthewall，Donalseizedtheedgeoftheslabwhichcrossedtheopeningnearthetop，anddrewhimselfupintotheslopingwindow-sill。Pressingwithallhismightagainstthesidesofthewindow，hesucceededatlastinpushinguptheslabsofarastogetaholdwithonehandonthenexttoit。Thenslowlyturninghimselfonhisside，whilethewholeweightofthestonerestedonhisfingers，hegottheotherhandalsothroughthecrack。Thiseffected，hehauledandpushedhimselfupwithhiswholeforce，carelessofwhatmighthappentohishead。

Thetopofitcamebangagainstthestone，andlifteditsofarthathegotheadandneckthrough。Thethingwasdone！WithonemoreHerculeanliftofhisbodyandthestonetogether，likeamanrisingfromthedead，herosefromthecryptintothepassage。

Butthedoorofthechapelwouldnotyieldtoagentlepush。

“Mylady，“hecried，“don\'tbeafraid。Imustmakeanoise。It\'sonlyDonalGrant！I\'mgoingtodrivethedooropen。“

Sheheardthewords！Theywokeherfromherswoonofjoy。“OnlyDonalGrant！”Whatlessofanonlycouldtherebeintheworldforher！Washenotthemessengerwhoraisedthedead！

Shetriedtospeak，butnotawordwouldcome。Donaldrewbackapace，andsentsuchashoulderagainstthedoorthatitflewtothewall，thenfellwithagreatcrashonthefloor。

“Whereareyou，mylady？”hecried。

Butstillshecouldnotspeak。

Hebeganfeelingabout。

“Notonthatterriblebed！”sheheardhimmurmur。

Fearlestinthedarknessheshouldnotfindher，gaveherbackhervoice。

“Idon\'tminditnow！”shesaidfeebly。

“ThankGod！”criedDonal；“I\'vefoundyouatlast！”

Wornout，hesankonhisknees，withhisheadonthebed，andfellasobbinglikeachild。

Shewouldhaveputoutherhandthroughthedarknesstofindhim，butthechaincheckedit。Heheardtherattleofit，andunderstood。

“Chainedtoo，mydove！”hesaid，butinGaelic。

Hisweaknesswasover。HethankedGod，andtookcourage。Newliferushedthrougheveryvein。Herosetohisfeetinconsciousstrength。

“Canyoustrikealight，andletmeseeyou，Donal？”saidArctura。

ThenfirstshecalledhimbyhisChristianname：ithadbeensoofteninherheartifnotonherlipsthatnight！

Thedimlightwastedthedarknessofthelongburiedplace，andforamomenttheylookedateachother。ShewasnotsochangedasDonalhadfearedtofindher——hardlysochangetohimashewastoher。

Terribleashadbeenhertrial，ithadnotlastedlong，andhadbeensucceededbyaheavenlyjoy。Shewaspalerthanusual，yettherewasarosyflushoverherbeautifulface。Herhandwasstretchedtowardshim，itswristclaspedbytherustyring，andtighteningthechainthatheldittothepost。

“Howpaleandtiredyoulook！”shesaid。

“Iamalittletired，“heanswered。“Icamealmostwithoutstopping。

Mymothersentme。ShesaidImustcome，butshedidnottellmewhy。“

“ItwasGodsentyou，“saidArctura。

Thenshebrieflytoldhimwhatsheknewofherownstory。

“Howdidhegettheringontoyourwrist？”saidDonal。

Helookedcloserandsawthatherhandwasswollen，andtheskinabraded。

“Heforcediton！”hesaid。“Howitmusthurtyou！”

“Itdoeshurtnowyouspeakofit，“shereplied。“Ididnotnoticeitbefore——Doyousupposeheleftmeheretodie？”

“Whocantell！”returnedDonal。“Isuspectheismoreofamadmanthanweknew。Iwonderifasoulcanbemad——Yes；thedevilmustbemadwithself-worship！Hellisthegreatmadhouseofcreation！”

“Takemeaway，“shesaid。

“Imustfirstgetyoufree，“answeredDonal。

Sheheardhimrise。

“Youarenotgoingtoleaveme？”shesaid。

“Onlytogetatoolortwo。“

“Andafterthat？”shesaid。

“Notuntilyouwishme，“heanswered。“Iamyourservantnow——hisnomore。“

CHAPTERLXXVII。

THEANGELOFTHEDEVIL。

Therecameagreatburstofthunder。Itwasthelastofthestorm。

Itbellowedandshuddered，went，andcamerollingupagain。Itdiedawayatlastinthegreatdistance，withalowcontinuousrumblingasifitwouldnevercease。ThesilencethatfollowedwasliketheEgyptiandarkness；itmightbefelt。

Outofthetenseheartofthesilencecameafaintsound。Itcameagainandagain，atregularintervals。

“Thatismyuncle\'sstep！”saidArcturainascaredwhisperthroughthedark。

Itwasplainlyaslowstep——faroff，butapproaching。

“Iwonderifhehasalight！”sheaddedhurriedly。“Heoftengoesinthedarkwithoutone。Ifhehasyoumustgetbehindthealtar。“

“Donotspeakaword，“saidDonal；lethimthinkyouareasleep。Ifhehasnolight，Iwillstandsothathecannotcomenearthebedwithoutcomingagainstme。Donotbeafraid；heshallnottouchyou。“

Thestepswerecomingnearerallthetime。Adooropenedandshut。

Thentheywereloud——theywerecomingalongthegallery！Theyceased。Hewasstandingupthereinthethickdarkness！

“Arctura，“saidadeep，awfulvoice。

Itwasthatoftheearl。Arcturamadenoanswer。

“Deadoffright！”mutteredthevoice。“Allgoeswell。Iwillgodownandsee。Shemighthaveprovedasobstinateastheboys\'mother！”

Againthestepsbegan。Theywerecomingdownthestair。Thedooratthefootofitopened。Theearlenteredasteportwo，thenstopped。

ThroughthedarknessDonalseemedtoknowexactlywherehestood。Heknewalsothathewasfumblingforamatch，andwatchedintentlyforthefirstspark。Therecameasputterandagleam，andthematchfailed。Erehecouldtryanother，Donalmadeaswiftblowathisarm。Itknockedtheboxfromhishand。

“Ha！”hecried，andtherewasterrorinthecry，“shestrikesatmethroughthedark！”

Donalkeptverystill。Arcturakeptasstillashe。Theearlturnedandwentaway。

“Iwillbringacandle！”hemuttered。

“Now，mylady，wemustmakehaste，“saidDonal。“DoyoumindbeingleftwhileIfetchmytools？”

“No——butmakehaste，“sheanswered。

“Ishallbebackbeforehim，“hereturned。

“Becarefulyoudonotmeethim，“saidArctura。

Therewasnodifficultynow，eitheringoingorreturning。Hesped，andinaspacethateventoArcturaseemedshort，wasback。Therewasnotimetousethefile：heattackedthestaple，anddrewitfromthebed-post，thenwoundthechainaboutherarm，andtieditthere。

Hehadalreadymadeuphismindwhattodowithher。Hehadbeeninclinedtocarryherawayfromthehouse：Doorywouldtakecareofher！Buthesawthattoleavetheenemyinpossessionwouldbetoyieldhimanadvantage。Awkwardthingsmightresultfromit！thetonguesofinventiveignoranceandstupiditywouldwagwildly！Hewouldtakehertoherroom，andtherewatchherashewouldthepearlofprice！

“There！youarefree，mylady，“hesaid。“Nowcome。“

Hetookherhands，andsheraisedherselfwearily。

“Theairissostifling！”shesaid。

“Weshallsoonhavebetter！”answeredDonal。

“Shallwegoontheroof？”shesaid，likeonetalkinginhersleep。

“Iwilltakeyoutoyourownroom，“repliedDonal。“——ButIwillnotleaveyou，“headdedquickly，seeingalookofanxietycloudherface，“——solongasyouruncleisinthehouse。“

“Takemewhereyouwill，“rejoinedArctura。

Therewasnowaybutthroughthecrypt：shefollowedhimwithouthesitation。Theycreptthroughthelittleclosetunderthestair，andwereinthehallofthecastle。

Astheywentsoftlyupthestair，Donalhadanidea。

“Heisnotbackyet！”hesaid：“wewilltakethekeyfromtheoakdoor；hewillthinkhehasmislaidit，andwillnotfindoutthatyouaregone。Iwonderwhathewilldo！”

Cautiouslylisteningtobesuretheearlwasnotthere，herantotheoakdoor，lockedit，andbroughtawaythekey。ThentheywenttotheroomArcturahadlastoccupied。

Thedoorwasajar；therewasalightintheroom。Theywentsoftly，andpeepedin。Theearlwasthere，turningoverthecontentsofherwriting-desk。

“Hewillfindnothing，“shewhisperedwithasmile。

Donalledheraway。

“Wewillgotoyouroldroom，“hesaid。“Thewholerecessisbuiltupwithstoneandlime：hecannotcomenearyouthatway！”

Shemadenoobjection。Donalsecuredthedoors，lightedafire，andwenttolookforfood。Theyhadagreeduponacertainknock，withoutwhichshewastoopentonone。

Whileshewasyetchangingthegarmentsinwhichshehadlainontheterriblebed，sheheardtheearlgoby，andthedoorofhisroomclose。Apparentlyhehadconcludedtoletherpassthenightwithoutanothervisit：hehadhimselfhadabadfright，andhadprobablynotgotoverit。AlittlelongerandsheheardDonal\'sgentlesignalatthedoorofthesitting-room。Hehadbroughtsomebiscuitsandalittlewineinthebottomofadecanterfromthehousekeeper\'sroom：

therewasliterallynothinginthelarder，hesaid。

Theysatdownandatethebiscuits。Donaltoldhisadventures。Theyagreedthatshemustwritetothefactortocomehomeatonce，andbringhissister。ThenDonalsettowithhisfileuponthering：herhandwasmuchtooswollentoadmitofitsbeingremovedasithadbeenputon。Itwasnoteasytocutit，partlyfromtheconstantdangerofhurtingherswollenhand，partlythattherustfilledandbluntedthefile。

“There！”hesaidatlast，“youarefree！Andnow，mylady，youmusttakesomerest。Thedoortothepassageissecure。Lockthisoneinside，andIwilldrawthesofaacrossitoutside：ifhecomewanderinginthenight，andgetintothisroom，hewillnotreachyourdoor。“

Wearyashewas，Donalcouldnotsleepmuch。Inthemiddleofthenightheheardtheearl\'sdooropen，andwatchedandfollowedhim。

Hewenttotheoakdoor，andtriedinvaintoopenit。

“Shehastakenit！”hemuttered，inwhatseemedtoDonalanawe-struckvoice。

Allnightlongheroamedthehouseaspiritgrievouslytormented。Inthegrayofthemorning，havingperhapspersuadedhimselfthatthewholeaffairwasatrickofhisimagination，hewentbacktohisroom。

InthemorningDonalleftthehouse，havingfirstcalledtoArcturaandwarnedhertolockthedoorofthesitting-roomthemomenthewasgone。Heranallthewaydowntotheinn，paidhisbill，boughtsomethingsinthetownfortheirbreakfast，andtakingthemare，rodeuptothecastle，andrangthebell。Nonoticewastaken。Hewentandputuphisanimal，thenlethimselfintothehousebyBaliol\'stower，andbegantosing。Sosinginghewentupthegreatstair，andintoandalongthecorridorwheretheearllay。

Thesingingrousedhim，andbroughthimtohisdoorinarage。ButthemomenthesawDonalhiscountenancefell。

“Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere？”hesaid。

“TheytoldmeinthetownyouwereinEngland，mylord！”

“Iwrotetoyou，“saidtheearl，“thatweweregonetoLondon，andthatyouneedbeinnohastetoreturn。ItrustyouhavenotbroughtDaviewithyou？”

“Ihavenot，mylord。“

“Thenmakewhathastebacktohimyoucan。Hemustnotbealonewithbumpkins！YoumaystaytherewithhimtillIsendforyou——onlymindyougoonwithyourstudies。Nowbeoff。Iamathomebutforafewhoursonbusiness，andleaveagainbytheafternooncoach！”

“Idonotgo，mylord，untilIhaveseenmymistress。“

“Yourmistress！Who，pray，isyourmistress！”

“Iamnolongerinyourservice，mylord。“

“Thenwhat，inthenameofGod，haveyoudonewithmyson？”

“Ingoodtime，mylord，whenyouhavetoldmewheremymistressis！

IaminthishouseasladyArctura\'sservant；andIdesiretoknowwhereIshallfindher。“

“InLondon。“

“Whataddress，pleaseyourlordship？Iwillwaitherordershere。“

“Youwillleavethishouseatonce，“saidtheearl。“Iwillnothaveyouhereinbothherladyship\'sabsenceandmyown。“

“Mylord，Iamnotignoranthowthingsstand：IaminladyArctura\'shouse；andhereIremaintillIreceivehercommands。“

“Verywell！Byallmeans！”

“Iaskyouagainforheraddress，mylord。“

“Finditforyourself。Youwillnotobeymyorders：amItoobeyyours？”

Heturnedonhisheel，andflungtohisdoor。

DonalwenttoladyArctura。Shewasinthesitting-room，anxiouslywaitinghisreturn。Shehadheardtheirvoices，butnothingthatpassed。Hetoldherwhathehaddone；thenproducedhisprovisions，andtogethertheypreparedtheirbreakfast。Byandbytheyheardtheearlcomefromhisroom，gohereandtherethroughthestillhouse，andreturntohisapartment。

Intheafternoonheleftthehouse。Theywatchedhimaway——illable，apparently，eventocrawlalong。Hewentdownthehill，noronceliftedhishead。Theyturnedandlookedateachother。Profoundpityforthewretchedoldmanwasthefeelingofboth。Itwasfollowedbyoneofintensereliefandliberty。

“Youwouldliketoberidofmenow，mylady，“saidDonal；“butI

don\'tseehowIcanleaveyou。ShallIgoandfetchMissCarmichael？”

“No，certainly，“answeredArctura。“Icannotapplytoher。“

“Itwouldbeapitytolosetheadvantageofyouruncle\'snotknowingwhathasbecomeofyou。“

“Iwonderwhathewilldonext！IfIweretodienow，thepropertywouldbehis，andthenForgue\'s！”

“Youcanwillitaway，Isuppose，mylady！”answeredDonal。

Arcturastoodthoughtful。

“IsForgueabadman，Mr。Grant？”

“Idarenottrusthim，“answeredDonal。

“Doyouthinkhehadanyknowledgeofthisplotofhisfather\'s？”

“Icannottell。Idonotbelievehewouldhaveleftyoutodieinthechapel。“