第15章

CHAPTERLXXVIII。

RESTORATION。

Thesameafternoon，whileDonalwasreadingtoArcturainthelibrary，therecamealoudringingofthedoor-bell。Donalrantosee，andtohisgreatdelight，therewasmistressBrookes，halfwildwithanxiousterror。

“Ismyleddysafe？”shecried——thenclaspedDonalinherarmsandembracedhimasifhehadbeenherson。

>Fromthemomentshediscoveredherselffooled，shehadbeenimaginingallmannerofterriblethings——yetnonesoterribleasthetruth。Therewasnoendtoherobjurgations，exclamations，anathemas，andinterjections。

“NowIcanleaveyouinpeace，mylady！”saidDonal，whohadnotresumedhisseat。

“Nooyecanbidewhauryeare，an\'bethankfu\'！”saidmistressBrookes。“Whadaurmeddlewi\'ye，an\'mei\'thehoose！An\'whakenswhatthemadyerl，formadIs\'uphaudhim，an\'fitonlytobelockitup——whakenswhathemaydoneist！MaisterGrant，Icannotlatyeooto\'thehoose。“

“IwasonlygoingasfarasmistressComin\'s，“repliedDonal。

“Weel，yecangang；butmin\'ye\'rehamei\'gudetime！”

“Ithoughtofputtingupthere，butIwilldoasmyladypleases。“

“Comehome，“saidArctura。

Donalwent，andthefirstpersonhesawwhenheenteredthehousewasEppy。Sheturnedinstantlyaway，andlefttheroom：hecouldnothelpseeingwhy。

Theoldwomanwelcomedhimwithherusualcordiality，butnotherusualcheerfulness：hehadscarcelynotedsinceherhusband\'sdeathanychangeonhermannertillnow：shelookedwearyoftheworld。

Shesatdown，smoothedheraprononherknees，gavehimoneglanceintheface，thenlookeddownatherhands，andsaidnothing。

“Ikenwhatailsye，Doory，“saidDonal；“buti\'thenameo\'him\'at\'sawa\'，hearkentilme——Thelassisnolost，naitheristheLordasleep。Yerlamb\'sbeensairmisguidit，sairpluckito\'herbonnywoo\'，butgienforthatshehaudthecloserbytheLord\'sflock，she\'llkenitwasnaforwanto\'hiscarethetodgotagrupo\'her。It\'saterriblepityforthebonnycratur，disgracin\'them\'atauchther！Whatforwinnayoongfowkbelievethem\'atspeykstrue，butwullbelievethem\'attellsthemlittlebutlees！Still，it\'snoasgienshehadbeenstealin\'！She\'swrangtherpuirsel\'，an\'she\'swrangtusa\'，an\'she\'swrangttheLord；butfora\'thatyecannaluikdoonuponherasupo\'theman\'at\'sgrownrichatthecosto\'hisneebours。There\'smonyagran\'proodleddy\'illhaetostan\'asidetolatEppypassup，whanwe\'re\'aforetherichteousjudge。“

“Eh，butyespeyklikemyAnerew！”criedthepoorwoman，wipingheroldeyeswithherroughapron。“Is\'dowhatIcanforher；butthere\'snohidin\'o\'\'t！”

“Hidin\'o\'\'t！”criedDonal。“TheLordforbid！Sicthingsarenotobehidden！Saelang\'sshe\'si\'thewarl\'，thethinghastobekennedo\'a\'\'atcomenighher。Shemaunbeirherburden，puirlass！

TheLordhe\'lllichten\'ttilher，buthe\'llhaenaethingsmuggletup。That\'snothew\'yo\'hiskingdom！——Isupposethere\'snaedoobtwha？”

“Nane。TheLordforbid！”

Twodaysafter，Mr。Graemeandhissisterreturned，andatladyArctura\'srequesttookuptheirabodeatthecastle。Shetoldthemthatoflateshehadbecomeconvincedherunclewasnolongercapableofattendingtoheraffairs；thathewasgonetoLondon；

thatshehadgoneawaywithhim，andwassupposedtobewithhimstill，thoughshehadreturned，andhedidnotknowwhereshewas。

Shedidnotwishhimtoknow，butdesiredforthepresenttoremainconcealed。Shehadherreasons；andrequestedthereforeasapersonalfavourthattheywouldnotonceortoanyonealludetoherbeingatthecastle。Mr。Graemewouldinthemeantimebesogoodasmakehimselfacquainted，sofaraspossible，withthestateofaffairsbetweenherandheruncle。

Inthecourseoftheinvestigationsthereuponfollowing，itbecameclearthatalargeportionofthemoneysoftheestatereceivedbyhislordshipwerenowiseaccountedfor。LadyArcturadirectedthatfurtherinquiryshouldinthemeantimebestayed，butthatnomoremoneyshouldbehandedovertohim。

Forsometimethefactorheardnothingfromhislordship。Atlengthcameinstructionsastotheforwardingofmoney，Forguewritingandhisfathersigning。Mr。Graemereplied，excusinghimselfashecould，butsendingnomoney。Theywroteagain。Againheexcusedhimself。Theearlthreatened。Mr。Graemetooknoheed。Hislordshipcontinuedtodemandandthreaten，butneitherhenorhissonappeared。ThefactoratlengthwrotethathewouldpaynomoneybuttoladyArctura。Theearlhimselfwroteinreply，saying——hadhebeenoutofthecountrythathedidnotknowshewasdeadandsixweeksinhergrave？Againthefactordidnotreply。

DonalrodebacktoGlashgar，andbroughtDaviehome。Lessonswereresumed，andArcturatookherfullshareinthem。

Soonallaboutthecastlewasbustleandlabour——masonsandcarpentersbusyfrommorningtonight。Thewallthatmaskedthewindowsofthechapelwaspulleddown；thewindows，ofstainedglass，withneveracrack，werecleaned；thepassageunderthemwasopenedtothegreatstair；ladyArcturahadasmallsweet-tonedorganbuiltinthelittlegallery，andthemuralstairfromherownroomopenedagain，thatshemightgodownwhenshepleasedtoplayonit——sometimes，insouth-easterlywinds，tolistentotheaeolianharpdreamingoutthemusicofthespheres。

Intheprocessofremovingthebed，muchofitcrumbledtodust。Thecarvedtesterandbackweresetup，theoneoverthegreatchimney-pieceinthehall，theotheroverthatinArctura\'sroom。

Thealtarwasreplacedwherethebedhadbeen。ThestoryofthefindingofthelostchapelwaswrittenbyDonal，andplacedbyArcturaamongtherecordsofthefamily。

ButitsoonbecameevidentthatwhatshehadpassedthroughhadexercisedahurtfulinfluenceonladyArctura\'shealth。Shewasalmostalwayshappy，butherstrengthattimeswouldsuddenlydeserther。BothDonalandmistressBrookesregardedherwithsomeanxiety。

Herorgan，towhichshegavemorelabourthanshewasquiteequalto，wasnowoneofhermaindelights。Oftenwoulditschordsbeheardcreepingthroughthelongductsandpassagesofthecastle：

eitherforasmallinstrumentitstonewaspeculiarlypenetrating，orthechapelwasthecentreofthesystemofthehouse。OntheroofwouldDonaloftensitlisteningtothesoundsthatrosethroughtheshaft——airsandharmoniesfreedbyherworshippingfingers——rejoicingtothinkhowherspiritwasfollowingthesounds，guidedbytheminlovelysearchafterhernativecountry。

Onedayshewentonplayingtillsheforgoteverythingbuthermusic，andalmostunconsciouslybegantosing“TheLordismindfulofhisown。“Shewasunawarethatshehadtwolisteners——oneontheroofabove，oneinthechapelbelow。

Whentwelvemonthswerecomeandgonesincehisdeparture，theearlonebrightmorningapproachedthedoorofthecastle，halfdoubting，halfbelievingithisown：hewasdeterminedondismissingthefactorafterrigorousexaminationofhisaccounts；andhewantedtoseeDavie。Hehaddriventothestables，andthencewalkedoutontheuppermostterrace，passingthechapelwithoutobservingitsunmaskedwindows。Thegreatdoorwasstandingopen：hewentin，andupthestair，hauntedbysoundsofmusichehadbeenhearingeversincehesteppedontheterrace。

Butonthestairwasadoorhehadneverseen！Whodaredmakechangesinhishouse？Thethingwasbewildering！Buthewasaccustomedtobebewildered。

Heopenedthedoor——plainlyanewone——andenteredagloomylittlepassage，lightedfromasmallapertureunfittobecalledawindow。

Theundersideofthebarestepsofanarrowstonestairwereabovehishead。Hadheorhadhenoteverseentheplacebefore？Ontherightwasadoor。Hewenttoit，openedit，andthehithertomuffledmusicburstloudonhisear。Hestartedbackindismalapprehension：——therewasthechapel，wideopentotheeyeofday！——clearandclean！——gonethehideousbed！gonethedampandthedust！whilethefreshairtrembledwiththeorgan-breathrushingandripplingthroughit，andsettingitinsweetestturmoil！Hehadneverhadsuchapeculiarexperience！Hehadoftendoubtedwhetherthingswereorwerenotprojectionsfromhisownbrain；hemovedandactedinaworldofsubduedfactandenhancedfiction；heknewthatsometimeshecouldnottelltheonefromtheother；butneverhadhehadtheapparentlyrealandtheactuallyunrealbroughtsomuchfacetofacewitheachother！Everythingwasascleartohiseyesasintheirprimeofvision，andyettherecouldbenorealityinwhathesaw！

Eversinceheleftthecastlehehadbeengreatlyuncertainwhetherthethingsthatseemedtohavetakenplacethere，hadreallytakenplace。Hegothimselfindoubtaboutthemthemomenthefailedtofindthekeyoftheoakdoor。Whenheaskedhimselfwhatthencouldhavebecomeofhisniece，hewouldreplythatdoubtlessshewasallright：shedidnotwanttomarryForgue，andhadslippedoutoftheway：shehadnevercaredabouttheproperty！Tohavetheirownwillwasallwomencaredabout！Wouldhisfactorotherwisehavedaredsuchlibertieswithhim，thelady\'sguardian？Hehadnotyetrenderedhisaccounts，oryieldedhisstewardship。Whenshediedthepropertywouldbehis！ifshewasdead，itwashis！Shewouldneverhavedreamedofwillingitawayfromhim！Shedidnotknowshecould：howshouldshe？girlsneverthoughtaboutsuchthings！

Besidesshewouldnothavetheheart：hehadlovedherashisownfleshandblood！

Atintervals，nevertheless，hewasassailed，attimesoverwhelmed，bythepartialconvictionthathehadstarvedhertodeathinthechapel。Thenhewastormentedaswithallthefuriesofhell。Inhisnightvisionshewouldseeherliewasting，hearhermoaning，andcryinginvainforhelp：thehardestheartisyetatthemercyofarousedimagination。Hesawherbodyinitsprogressivestagesofdecayastheweekspassed，andlongedfortheprocesstobeover，thathemightgoback，andpretendingtohavejustfoundthelostroom，carryitaway，andhaveithonourablyburied！Shouldhetakeitforgrantedthatithadlainthereforcenturies，orsuggestitmustbeladyArctura——thatshehadgotshutupthere，likethebrideinthechest？Ifhecouldbutfindanoldspringlocktoputonthedoor！Butpeopleweresoplaguysharpnowadays！Theyfoundouteverything！——hecouldnotaffordtohaveeverythingfoundout！——Godhimselfmustnotbeallowedtoknoweverything！

Hestoodstaring。Ashestoodandstared，hismindbegantochange：

perhaps，afterall，whathesaw，mightbe！Thewholethingithaddisplacedmustthenbeafancy——acreationofthedreamingbrain！

Godinheaven！ifitcouldbutbeproventhathehadneverdoneit！

Alltheotherwickedthingshewas——orsupposedhimselfguiltyof——someofthemsoheavythatithadneverseemedofthesmallestusetorepentofthem——alltherestmightbeforgivenhim！——Butwhatdifferencewouldthatmaketothefactthathehaddonethem？Hecouldnevertakehisplaceasagentlemanwhereallwasknown！Theymadesuchafussaboutasinortwo，thatamanwentanddidworseoutofpuredespair！

Butifhehadnevermurderedanybody！InthatcasehecouldalmostconsentthereshouldbeaGod！hecouldalmosteventhankhim！——Forwhat！Thathewasnottobedamnedforthethinghehadnotdone——athinghehadhadthemisfortunetodreamhehaddone——Godneverinterferingtoprotecthimfromthehorriblefancy？WhatwasthegoodofaGodthatwouldnotdothatmuchforyou——thatlefthiscreaturestomakefoolsofthemselves，andonlylaughedatthem！——Bah！Therewaslifeintheolddogyet！Ifonlyheknewthethingforafancy！

Themusicceased，andthesilencewasashocktohim。Againhebegantostareabouthim。Helookedup。Beforehimintheairhoveredthepalefaceofthegirlhehad——orhadnotmurdered！Itwasoneofhisvisions——butnotthereforemoreunrealthananyotherappearance：

shecamefromtheworldofhisimagination——sorealtohimthatinexpectantmoodsitwastheworldintowhichhewastostepthemomentheleftthebody。Shelookedsweetlyathim！Shewascometoforgivehissins！Wasitthentrue？Wastherenosinofmurderonhissoul？Wasshetheretoassurehimthathemightyethopefortheworldtocome？Hestretchedouthisarmstoher。Sheturnedaway。Hethoughtshehadvanished。Thenextmomentshewasinthechapel，buthedidnothearher，andstoodgazingup。Shethrewherarmsaroundhim。Thecontactofthematerialstartledhimwithsucharevulsion，thatheutteredacry，staggeredback，andstoodlookingatherinworseperplexitystill。Hehaddonetheawfulthing，yethadnotdoneit！Hestoodasoneboundtoknowthethingthatcouldnotbe。

“Don\'tbefrightened，uncle，“saidArctura。“Iamnotdead。Thesepulchreistheonlyresurrection-house！Uncle，uncle！thankGodwithme。“

Theearlstoodmotionless。Strangethoughtspassedthroughhimattheirwill。Hadherpresencedispelleddarknessanddeath，andrestoredthelostchapeltothelightofday？Hadshehauntediteversince，deadyetalive，watchingforhisreturntopardonhim？

Wouldhiswifesoreceivehimatthelastwithforgivenessandendearment？Hiseyeswerefixeduponher。Hislipsmovedtremulouslyonceortwice，butnowordcame。Heturnedfromher，glancedroundtheplace，andsaid，“Itisagreatimprovement！”

Iwonderhowitwouldbewithsoulsiftheywakedupandfoundalltheirsinsbuthideousdreams！Howmanywouldloathethesin？Howmanywouldremaincapableofdoingallagain？Butfew，perhapsnoburdenedsoulscanhaveanyideaofthepowerthatliesinGod\'sforgivenesstorelievetheirconsciousnessofdefilement。Thosewhosay，“EvenGodcannotdestroythefact！”caremoreabouttheirowncursedshamethantheirFather\'sblessedtruth！Suchwillratherexcusethanconfess。Whenamanheartilyconfesses，leavingexcusetoGod，thetruthmakeshimfree，heknowsthattheevilhasgonefromhim，asamanknowsthatheiscuredofhisplague。

“Ididthething，“hesays，“butIcouldnotdoitnow。Iamthesame，yetnotthesame。Iconfess，Iwouldnothideit，butIloatheit——tentimesthemorethattheevilthingwasmine。“

Hadtheearlbeenabletosaythus，hewouldhavefelthissoulacleansedchapel，new-openedtothelightandair；——nay，better——afresh-wateredgarden，inwhichthefruitsofthespirithadbeguntogrow！God\'sforgivenessisastheburstofaspringmorningintotheheartofwinter。Hisautumnisthepayingoftheuttermostfarthing。

Toletusgowithoutthatwouldbethepardonofademon，nottheforgivenessoftheeternallylovingGod。But——Notyet，alas，notyet！hastobesaidoversomanysouls！

Arcturawasstruckdumb。Sheturnedandwalkedoutuponthegreatstair，herunclefollowingher。Allthewayuptothesecondfloorshefeltasifhewereabouttostabherintheback，butshewouldnotlookbehindher。Shewentstraighttoherroom，andheardherunclegoontohis。Sherangherbell，sentforDonal，andtoldhimwhathadpassed。

“Iwillgotohim，“saidDonal。

Arcturasaidnothingmore，thusleavingthematterentirelyinhishands。

Donalfoundhimlyingonthecouch。

“Mylord，“hesaid，“youmustbeawareofthereasonswhyyoushouldnotpresentyourselfhere！”

Theearlstartedupinoneofhisreadyrages：——theywererealenough！Withepithetsofcontemptuoushatred，heorderedDonalfromtheroomandthehouse。Donalanswerednothingtilltherushofhiswrathhadabated。

“Mylord，“hesaid，“thereisnothingIwouldnotdotoserveyourlordship。ButIhavenochoicebuttellyouthatifyoudonotwalkout，youshallbeexpelled！”

“Expelled，youdog！”

“Expelled，mylord。Thewould-bemurdererofhishostessmustatleastbeputoutofthehouse。“

“Goodheavens！”criedtheearl，changinghistonewithanattemptedlaugh，“hasthepoor，hystericalgirlsucceededinpersuadingamanofyoursensetobelieveherchildishfancies？”

“Ibelieveeverywordmyladysays，mylord。Iknowthatyouhadnearlymurderedher。“

Theearlcaughtupthepokerandstruckathishead。Donalavoidedtheblow。Itfellonthemarblechimney-piece。Whilehisarmwasyetjarredbytheimpact，Donalwrenchedthepokerfromhim。

“Mylord，“hesaid，“withmyownhandsIdrewthestapleofthechainthatfastenedhertothebedonwhichyoulefthertodie！YouwereyetinthehousewhenIdidso。“

“Youdamnedrascal，youstolethekey。IfithadnotbeenforthatI

shouldhavegonetoheragain。Ionlywantedtobringhertoreason！”

“Butasyouhadlostthekey，ratherthanexposeyourcruelty，youwentaway，andlefthertoperish！Youwantedhertodieunlessyoucouldcompelhertomarryyourson，thatthetitleandpropertymightgotogether；andthatwhenwithmyownearsIheardyourlordshiptellthatsonthathehadnorighttoanytitle！”

“Whatamanmaysayinaragegoesfornothing，“answeredtheearl，sulkilyratherthanfiercely。

“Butnotwhatawomanwritesinsorrow！”rejoinedDonal。“Iknowthetruthfromthetestimonyofheryoucalledyourwife，aswellasfromyourownmouth！”

“Thetestimonyofthedead，andatsecondhand，willhardlybereceivedincourt！”returnedtheearl。

“Ifafteryourlordship\'sdeath，themannowcalledlordForguedaresassumethetitleofMorven，IwillpublishwhatIknow。Inviewofthat，yourlordshiphadbetterfurnishhimwiththevouchersofhismother\'smarriage。Mylord，Iagainbegyoutoleavethehouse。“

Theearlcasthiseyesroundthewallsasiflookingforaweapon。

Donaltookhimbythearm。

“Thereisnofartherroomforceremony，“hesaid。“Iamsorrytoberoughwithyourlordship，butyoucompelme。PleaserememberIamtheyoungerandthestrongerman。“

Ashespokehelettheearlfeeltheploughman\'sgrasp：itwasuselesstostruggle。Hislordshipthrewhimselfonthecouch。

“Iwillnotleavethehouse。Iamcomehometodie，“heyelled。“I\'mdyingnow，Itellyou。Icannotleavethehouse！Ihavenomoney。

Forguehastakenall。“

“Youowealargesumtotheestate！”saidDonal。

“Itislost——alllost，Itellyou！Ihavenowheretogoto！Iamdying！”

HelookedsoutterlywretchedthatDonal\'sheartsmotehim。Hestoodbackalittle，andgavehimselftime。

“Youwouldwishthentoretire，mylord，Ipresume？”hesaid。

“Immediately——toberidofyou！”theearlanswered。

“Ifear，mylord，ifyoustay，youwillnotsoonberidofme！HaveyoubroughtSimmonswithyou？”

“No，damnhim！heislikealltherestofyou：hehasleftme！”

“Iwillhelpyoutobed，mylord。“

“Goaboutyourbusiness。Iwillgetmyselftobed。“

“Iwillnotleaveyouexceptinbed，“rejoinedDonalwithdecision；

andringingthebell，hedesiredtheservanttoaskmistressBrookestocometohim。

Shecameinstantly。Beforetheearlhadtimeeventolookather，Donalaskedhertogethislordship\'sbedready：——ifshewouldnotminddoingitherself，hesaid，hewouldhelpher：hemustseehislordshiptobed。

Shelookedawholebookathim，butsaidnothing。Donalreturnedhergazewithoneofquietconfidence，andsheunderstoodit。Whatitsaidwas，“IknowwhatIamdoing，mistressBrookes。Myladymustnotturnhimout。Iwilltakecareofhim。“

“Whatareyoutwowhisperingatthere？”criedtheearl。“HereamI

atthepointofdeath，andyouwillnotevenletmegotobed！”

“Yourroomwillbereadyinafewminutes，mylord，“saidMrs。

Brookes；andsheandDonalwenttoworkinearnest，butwiththedooropenbetweentherooms。

Whenitwasready，“Now，mylord，“saidDonal，“willyoucome？”

“Whenyouaregone。Iwillhavenoneofyourcursedhelp！”

“Mylord，Iamnotgoingtoleaveyou。“

Withmuchgrumbling，andaveryillgrace，hislordshipsubmitted，andDonalgothimtobed。

“Nowputthatcabinetbymeonthetable，“hesaid。

Thecabinetwasthatinwhichhekepthisdrugs，andhadnotbeentouchedsinceheleftit。

Donalopenedthewindow，tookupthecabinet，andthrewitout。

Withabellowlikethatofabull，theearlsprangoutofbed，andjustasthecrashcamefrombelow，ranatDonalwherehestoodshuttingthewindow，asifhewouldhavesenthimafterthecabinet。

Donalcaughthimandheldhimfast。

“Mylord，“hesaid，“Iwillnurseyou，serveyou，doanything，everythingforyou；butforthedevilI\'llbedamnedifImovehandorfoot！NotonedropofhellishstuffshallpassyourlipswhileI

amwithyou！”

“ButIamdying！Ishalldieofthehorrors！”shriekedtheearl，strugglingtogettothewindow，asifhemightyetdosomethingtosavehispreciousextracts，tinctures，essences，andcompounds。

“Wewillsendforthedoctor，“saidDonal。“Averycleveryoungfellowhascometothetownsinceyouleft：perhapshecanhelpyou。

IwilldowhatIcantomakeyougiveyourlifefairplay。“

“Come，come！noneofthatdamnedrubbish！Mylifeisofnoendofvaluetome！Besides，it\'stoolate。IfIwereyoungnow，withaconstitutionlikeyours，andtheworldbeforeme，theremightbesomegoodinaparingortwoofself-denial；butyouwouldn\'tstabyourmurdererforfearoftheclaspknifeclosingonyourhand！youwouldnotfireyourpistolathimforfearofitsburstingandblowingyourbrainsout！”

“Ihavenodesiretokeepyoualive，mylord；butIwouldgivemylifetoletyougetsomeofthegoodofthisworldbeforeyoupasstothenext。Tolengthenyourlifeinfinitely，Iwouldnotgiveyouasingledropofanyoneofthosecurseddrugs！”

Herangthebellagain。

“You\'reafriendlyfellow！”gruntedhislordship，andwentbacktohisbedtoponderhowtogainthesolaceofhispassion。

Mrs。Brookescame。

“WillyoupleasesendtoMr。Avory，thenewsurgeon，“saidDonal，“andaskhim，inmyname，tocometothecastle。“

Theearlwassoill，however，astobedoubtful，muchashedesiredthem，whether，whilerenderinghimforthemomentlesssensibletothem，anyofhisdrugswoulddonootherthanincreasehissufferings。Helaywithclosedeyes，astrangeexpressionofpainmingledwithsomethinglikefeareverynowandthenpassingoverhisface。Idoubtifhisconsciencetroubledhim。Itisingeneralthose，Ithink，whothroughcomparativelysmallsinshavecometoseethetruenatureofthem，whoseconsciencestroublethemgreatly。

Thosewhohavegonefrombadtoworsethroughmanyyearsofmoraldecay，areseldomtroubledasothermen，orhaveanybandsintheirdeath。Hislordship，itistrue，sufferedterriblyattimesbecauseofthethingshehaddone；butitwasthroughthemediumofarousedimaginationratherthanarousedconscience：theformerdealswithconsequences；thelatterwiththedeedsthemselves。

HedeclaredhewouldseenodoctorbuthisoldattendantDowster，yetallthetimewaslongingfortheyoungmantoappear：hemight——whocouldtell？——savehimfromthedreadedjawsofdeath！

Hecame。Donalwenttohim。Hehadsummonedhim，hesaid，withouthislordship\'sconsent，butbelievedhewouldseehim；theearlhadbeenlonginthehabitofusingnarcoticsandstimulants，thoughnotalcohol，hethought；hetrustedMr。Avorywouldgivehissanctiontotheentiredisuseofthem，fortheywerekillinghim，bodyandsoul。

“Togivethemupatonceandentirelywouldcosthimconsiderablesuffering，“saidthedoctor。

“Heknowsthat，anddoesnotintheleastdesiretogivethemup。Itisabsolutelynecessaryheshouldbedeliveredfromthepassion。“

“IfIamtoundertakethecase，itmustbeaftermyownjudgment，“

saidthedoctor。

“Youmustundertaketwothings，orgiveupthecase，“persistedDonal。

“Imayaswellhearwhattheyare。“

“Oneis，thatyoumakehisfinaldeliverancefromthehabityourobject；theother，thatyouwillgivenomedicineintohisownhands。“

“Iagreetoboth；butallwilldependonhisnurse。“

“Iwillbehisnurse。“

Thedoctorwenttoseehispatient。Theearlgaveoneglanceathim，recognizedfirmness，andsaidnotaword。Butwhenhewouldhaveappliedtohiswristaninstrumentrecordingincurvesthemotionsofthepulse，hewouldnotconsent。Hewouldhavenolibertiestakenwithhim，hesaid。

“Mylord，itisbuttoinquireintotheactionofyourheart，“saidMr。Avory。

“I\'llhavenospyingintomyheart！Itactsjustlikeotherpeople\'s！”

Thedoctorputhisinstrumentaside，andlaidhisfingeronthepulseinstead：hisbusinesswastohelp，nottoconquer，hesaidtohimself：ifhemightnotdowhathewould，hewoulddowhathecould。

Whilehewaswiththeearl，DonalfoundladyArctura，andtoldherallhehaddone。Shethankedhimforunderstandingher。

CHAPTERLXXIX。

ASLOWTRANSITION。

Adrearytimefollowed。Sometimesthepatientwouldlieawakehalfthenight，howlingwithmisery，andaccusingDonalofheartlesscruelty。Heknewaswellashewhatwouldeasehispainandgivehimsleep，butnotafingerwouldhemovetosavehim！Hewastakingthemeanestofrevenges！Whatdiditmattertohimwhatbecameofhissoul！Surelyitwasworsetohateashemadehimhatethantoswallowanyamountofnarcotics！

“Itellyou，Grant，“hesaidonce，“IwasneversocrueltothoseI

treatedworst。There\'snothinginthePersianhells，whichbeatalltherest，tocomeuptowhatIgothroughforwantofmycomfort。

Promisetogiveitme，andIwilltellyouwheretofindsome。“

AsoftenasDonalrefusedhewouldbreakoutinatorrentofcurses，thenliestillforaspace。

“Howdoyouthinkyouwilldowithoutit，“Donaloncerejoined，“whenyoufindyourselfbodilessintheotherworld？”

“I\'mnotthereyet！Whenthatcomes，itwillbeundernewconditions，ifnotunconditionedaltogether。We\'lltaketheworldwehave。So，mydearboy，justgoandgetmewhatIwant。Therearethekeys！”

“Idarenot。“

“Youwishtokillme！”

“Iwouldn\'tkeepyoualivetoeatopium。Ihaveotherworkthanthat。NotafingerwouldImovetosavealifeforsuchalife。ButIwouldwillinglyriskmyowntomakeyouabletodowithoutit。

Therewouldbesomegoodinthat！”

“Oh，damnyourpreaching！”

Buttheforceofthehabitabatedalittle。Nowandthenitseemedtoreturnasstrongasever，butthefitwentoffagain。Hissufferingsplainlydecreased。

Thedoctor，havinglittleyetofapractice，wasabletobewithhimseveralhourseveryday，sothatDonalcouldliedown。Ashegrewbetter，Davie，ormistressBrookes，orladyArcturawouldsitwithhim。ButDonalwasneverfartheroffthanthenextroom。Theearl\'smadnesswastheworstofany，amoralmadness：itcouldnotfailtoaffectthebrain，buthadnotyetputhimbeyondhisowncontrol。

RepeatedlyhadDonalbeenonthevergeofusingforcetorestrainhim，buthadnotyetfoundhimselfabsolutelycompelledtodoso：

fearlessofhim，hepostponeditalwaystotheverylast，andthelasthadnotyetarrived。

Thegentleministrationsofhisniecebyandbyseemedtotouchhim。

Hewasgrowingtoloveheralittle，Hewouldsmilewhenshecameintotheroom，andaskherhowshedid。Oncehesatlookingatherforsometime——thensaid，“IhopeIdidnothurtyoumuch。“

“When？”sheasked。

“Then，“heanswered。

“Oh，no；youdidnothurtme——much！”

“Anothertime，Iwasverycrueltoyouraunt：doyouthinkshewillforgiveme！”

“Yes，Ido。“

“Thenyouhaveforgivenme？”

“OfcourseIhave。“

“ThenofcourseGodwillforgivemetoo！”

“Hewill——ifyouleaveoff，youknow，uncle。“

“That\'smorethanIcanpromise。“

“Ifyoutry，hewillhelpyou。“

“Howcanhe？Itisasecondnaturenow！”

“Heisyourfirstnature。Hecanhelpyoutoobytakingawaythebodyanditsnaturetogether。“

“You\'reafinecomforter！Godwillhelpmetobegoodbytakingawaymylife！Aniceencouragementtotry！Hadn\'tIbetterkillmyselfandsavehimthetrouble！”

“It\'snotthedying，uncle！noamountofdyingwouldevermakeonegood。Itmightonlymakeitlessdifficulttobegood。“

“ButImightafterallrefusetobegood！IfeelsureIshould！Hehadbetterletmealone！”

“Godcandomorethanthattocompelustobegood——agreatdealmorethanthat！Indeed，uncle，wemustrepent。“

Hesaidnomoreforsomeminutes；thensuddenlyspokeagain。

“Isupposeyoumeantomarrythatrascalofatutor！”hesaid。

Shestartedup，andcalledDonal。Buttoherreliefhedidnotanswer：hewasfastasleep。

“Hewouldnotthankyouforthesuggestion，Ifear，“shesaid，sittingdownagain。“Heisfaraboveme！”

“IstherenochanceforForguethen？”

“Notthesmallest。Iwouldratherhavediedwhereyouleftmethan——“

“Ifyouloveme，don\'tmentionthat！”hecried。“Iwasnotmyself——indeedIwasnot！Idon\'tknownow——thatis，Ican\'tbelievesometimesIeverdidit。“

“Uncle，haveyouaskedGodtoforgiveyou！”

“Ihave——athousandtimes。“

“ThenIwillneverspeakofitagain。“

Ingeneral，however，hewassullen，cantankerous，abusive。Theywereallcompassionatetohim，treatinghimlikeaspoiled，butnotthelessinrealityasicklychild。Arcturathoughthergrandmothercouldnothavebroughthimupwell；moremightsurelyhavebeenmadeofhim。ButArcturahadhimafteralifetimefertileincauseofself-reproach，hadhiminthenetofsoresickness，atthemercyofthespiritofGod。Hewasabadoldchild——thismuchonlythewiserforbeingold，thathehadfoundthewaysoftransgressorshard。

OnenightDonal，hearinghimrestless，gotupfromthechairwherehewatchedbyhimmostnights，andsawhimstaring，butnotseeing：

hiseyesshowedthattheyregardednothingmaterial。Afteramomenthegaveagreatsigh，andhisjawfell。Donalthoughthewasdead。

Butpresentlyhecametohimselflikeoneescapingfromtorture：aterribledreamwasbehindhim，pullingattheskirtsofhisconsciousness。

“I\'veseenher！”hesaid。“She\'swaitingformetotakeme——butwhereIdonotknow。Shedidnotlookangry，butthensheseldomlookedangrywhenIwasworsttoher！——Grant，Ibegofyou，don\'tlosesightofDavie。Makeamanofhim，andhismotherwillthankyou。Shewasagoodwoman，hismother，thoughIdidwhatIcouldtospoilher！Itwasnouse！Inevercould！——andthatwashowshekeptherholdofme。IfIhadsucceeded，therewouldhavebeenanendofherpower，andagenuineheirtotheearldom！WhatadamnedfoolI

wastoletitout！Whowouldhavebeentheworse！”

“He\'saheartless，unnaturalrascal，though，“heresumed，“andhasmadeofmethefoolIdeservedtobemade！Hismothermustseeitwasnotmyfault！IwouldhavesetthingsrightifIcould！Butitwastoolate！Andyoutellmeshehashadahandinlettingthetruthout——leavingherlettersabout！——That\'ssomecomfort！Shewasalwaysfair，andwillbethelesshardonme。IfIcouldseeachanceofGodbeinghalfasgoodtomeasmypoorwife。Shewasmywife！Iwillsayitinspiteofallthepriestsinthestupiduniverse！Shewasmywife，anddeservedtobemywife；andifIhadhernow，Iwouldmarryher，becauseshewouldbefoolishenoughtolikeit，thoughIwouldnotdoitallthetimeshewasalive，letherbegeverso！Wherewastheuseofgivingin，whenIkeptherinhandsoeasilythatway？Thatwasit！ItwasnotthatIwantedtodoheranywrong。Butyoushouldkeepthelead。Amanmustn\'tplayouthislasttrumpandlosethelead。Butthenyouneverknowaboutdying！IfIhadknownmypoorwifewasgoingtodie，Iwouldhavedonewhatevershewanted。Wehadmerrytimestogether！Itwasthosecurseddrugsthatwiledthesouloutofme，andthenthedevilwentinandtookitsplace！——Therewascurarainthatlastmedicine，I\'llswear！——Lookyouherenow，Grant：——iftherewereanywayofpersuadingGodtogivemeafreshleaseoflife！Yousayhehearsprayer：whyshouldn\'tyouaskhim？Iwouldmakeyouanypromiseyoupleased——giveyouanysecurityyouwanted，hereaftertoliveagodly，righteous，andsoberlife。“

“But，“saidDonal，“supposeGod，readingyourheart，sawthatyouwouldgoonasbadasever，andthattoleaveyouanylongerwouldonlybetomakeitthemoredifficultforhimtodoanythingwithyouafterwards？”

“Hemightgivemeachance！Itishardtoexpectapoorfellowtobeasgoodasheishimself！”

“Thepoorfellowwasmadeinhisimage！”suggestedDonal。

“Verypoorlymadethen！”saidtheearlwithasneer。“Wemightaswellhavebeenmadeinsomeotherbody\'simage！”

Donalthoughtwithhimself。

Didyoueverknowagoodwoman，mylord？”heasked。

“Knowagoodwoman？——Hundredsofthem！——Theothersortwasmoretomytaste！buttherewasmyownmother！Shewasratherhardonmyfathernowandthen，butshewasagoodwoman。“

“Supposeyouhadbeeninherimage，whatthen？”

“Youwouldhavehadsomerespectforme！”

“ThenshewasnearertheimageofGodthanyou？”

“Thousandsofmiles！”

“Didyoueverknowabadwoman？”

“Knowabadwoman？Hundredsthatwouldtakeyourheart\'sbloodasyouslepttomakeaphiltrewith！”

“Thenyousawadifferencebetweensuchawomanandyourmother？”

“Theonewasofheaven，theotherofhell——thatwasallthelittledifference！”

“Didyoueverknowabadwomangrowbetter？”

“No，never——Stop！letmesee“Ididonceknowawoman——shewasamarriedwomantoo——thatmadeitalltheworse——allthebetterI

mean：shetookpoison——ingoodearnest，anddied——died，sir——died，I

say——whenshecametoherself，andknewwhatshehaddone！ThatwastheonlywomanIeverknewthatgrewbetter。Howlongshemighthavegoneonbetterifshehadn\'ttakenthepoison，Ican\'ttell。Thatfixedhergood，yousee！”

“Ifshehadgoneon，shemighthavegotasgoodasyourmother？”

“Oh，hangit！no；Ididnotsaythat！”

“Imean，withGodteachingherallthetime——fortenthousandyears，say——andshealwaysdoingwhathetoldher！”

“Oh，well！Idon\'tknowanythingaboutthat。Idon\'tknowwhatGodhadtodowithmymotherbeingsogood！Shewasnoneofyourcantingsort！”

“Thereisanoldstory，“saidDonal，“ofamanwhowastheveryimageofGod，andeversomuchbetterthanthebestofwomen。“

“Hecouldn\'thavebeenmuchofamanthen！”

“Wereyoueverafraid，mylord？”

“Yes，severaltimes——manyatime。“

“Thatmanneverknewwhatfearwas。“

“ByJove！”

“Hismotherwasgood，andhewasbetter：yourmotherwasgood，andyouareworse！Whosefaultisthat？”

“Myown；I\'mnotashamedtoconfessit！”

“WouldtoGodyouwere！”saidDonal：“youshameyourmotherinbeingworsethanshewas。YouweremadeintheimageofGod，butyoudon\'tlooklikehimnowanymorethanyoulooklikeyourmother。Ihaveafatherandmother，mylord，aslikeGodastheycanlook！”

“Ofcourse！ofcourse！Intheirpositiontherearenosuchtemptationsasinours！”

“Iamsureofonething，mylord——thatyouwillneverbeatanypeaceuntilyoubegintoshowtheimageinwhichyouweremade。Bythattimeyouwillcarefornothingsomuchasthatheshouldhavehiswaywithyouandthewholeworld。“

“ItwillbelongbeforeIcometothat！”

“Probably；butyouwillneverhaveamoment\'speacetillyoubegin。

Itisnousetalkingthough。Godhasnotmadeyoumiserableenoughyet。“

“Iammoremiserablethanyoucanthink。“

“Whydon\'tyoucrytohimtodeliveryou？”

“Iwouldkillmyselfifitweren\'tforonething。“

“Itisfromyourselfhewoulddeliveryou。“

“Iwould，butthatIwanttoputoffseeingmywifeaslongasI

can。“

“Ithoughtyouwantedtoseeher！”

“Ilongforhersometimesmorethantonguecantell。“

“Andyoudon\'twanttoseeher？”

“Notyet；notjustyet。Ishouldliketobealittlebetter——todosomethingorother——Idon\'tknowwhat——first。Idoubtifshewouldtouchmenow——withthatsmall，firmhandshewouldcatchholdofmewithwhenIhurther。ByJove，ifshehadbeenaman，shewouldhavemadehermarkintheworld！Shehadawillandawaywithher！Ifithadn\'tbeenthatshelovedme——me，doyouhear，youdog！——thoughthere\'snobodylefttocareaworm-eatennutaboutme，itmakesmeproudasLucifermerelytothinkofit！Idon\'tcareifthere\'sneveranothertolovemetoalleternity！Ihavebeenlovedasnevermanwasloved！Allformyownsake，mindyou！InthewayofmoneyI

wasnogreatcatch；andfortherank，shenevergotanygoodofthat，norwouldifshehadlivedtillIwasearl；shehadaconscience——whichIneverhad——andwouldneverhaveconsentedtobecalledcountess。\'Itwillbenoworsethanpassingformywifenow，\'

Iwouldsay。\'What\'seitherbutanappearance？What\'sanythingofallthedamnedhumbugbutappearance？Oneappearanceisasgoodasanotherappearance！\'Shewouldonlysmile——smilefittomakeamulesad！Andthenwhenherbabywasdying，andshewantedmetotakeherforaminute，andIwouldn\'t！Shelaidherdown，andgotwhatshewantedherself，andwhenshewenttotakethechildagain，theabsurdlittlethingwas——was——gone——dead，Imeangonedead，nevertocryanymore！Thereitlaymotionless，likealumpofwhiteclay。

Shelookedatme——andnever——inthisworld——smiledagain！——norcriedeither——allIcoulddotomakeher！”

Thewretchedmanburstintotears，andtheheartofDonalgavealeapforjoy。Commonastearsare，fallastheymayforthefoolishestthings，theymayyetbesuchastocausejoyinparadise。

Themanhimselfmaynotknowwhyheweeps，andhistearsyetindicatehisturningonhisroad。Theearlwasasfarfromagoodmanasmanwellcouldbe；thereweremillionsofspiritualmilesbetwixthimandtheimageofGod；hehadweptitwashardtosayatwhat——notathisowncruelty，notathiswife\'ssuffering，notinpityofthelittlesoulthatwentawayatlastoutofnohumanembrace；himselfleastofallcouldhavetoldwhyhewept；yetwasthatweepingsomesignofcontactbetweenhishumansoulandthegreathumansoulofGod；itwasthebeginningofapossiblecommunionwiththeFatherofall！SurelyGodsawthis，andknewthehearthehadmade——sawtheflaxsmokingyet！Hewhowillnotletusoutuntilwehavepaidtheuttermostfarthing，rejoicesovertheofferofthefirstgoldengrain。

Donaldroppedonhiskneesandprayed：——

“OFatherofusall！”hesaid，“inwhosehandsaretheseunrulyheartsofours，wecannotmanageourselves；weruinourownselves；

butintheeisourhelpfound！”

Prayerwentfromhim；herosefromhisknees。

“Goon；goon；don\'tstop！”criedtheearl。“Hemayhearyou——whocantell！”

Donalwentdownonhiskneesagain。

“OGod！”hesaid，“thouknowestus，whetherwespeaktotheeornot；

takefromthismanhishardnessofheart。Makehimlovethee。“

Therehestoppedagain。Hecouldsaynomore。

“Ican\'tpray，mylord，“hesaid，rising。“Idon\'tknowwhy。ItseemsasifnothingIsaidmeantanything。IwillprayforyouwhenIamalone。“

“Aretheresomanydevilsaboutmethatanhonestfellowcan\'tprayinmycompany？”criedtheearl。“Iwillpraymyself，inspiteofthewholeswarmofthem，bigandlittle！——OGod，saveme！Idon\'twanttobedamned。Iwillbegoodifthouwiltmakeme。Idon\'tcareaboutitmyself，butthoucanstdoasthoupleasest。Itwouldbeafinethingifarascallikemeweretoescapethedevilthroughthygoodnessafterall。I\'mworthnothing，butthere\'smywife！Pray，pray，LordGod，letmeonedayseemywifeagain！——ForChrist\'ssake——ain\'tthattheway，Grant？——Amen。“

Donalhaddroppedonhiskneesoncemorewhentheearlbegantopray。HeutteredaheartyAmen。Theearlturnedsharplytowardshim，andsawhewasweeping。Heputouthishandtohim，andsaid，“You\'llstandmyfriend，Grant？”

CHAPTERLXXX。

AWAY-FARING。

SuddenlywhatstrengthladyArcturahad，gaveway，andshebegantosink。Butitwasspringwiththesummerathand；theyhopedshewouldrecoversufficientlytoberemovedtoafitterclimate。Shedidnotherselfthinkso。Shehadhardlyadoubtthathertimewascome。Shewascalm，oftencheerful，butherspiritswerevariable。

Donal\'sheartwassorerthanhehadthoughtitcouldbeagain。

Oneday，havingbeenreadingalittletoher，hesatlookingather。

Hedidnotknowhowsadwastheexpressionofhiscountenance。Shelookedup，smiled，andsaid，“YouthinkIamunhappy！——youcouldnotlookatmelikethatifyoudidnotthinkso！Iamonlytired；Iamnotunhappy。Ihardlyknownowwhatunhappinessis！IfeverIlookasifIwereunhappy，itisonlythatIamwaitingformorelife。Itisontheway；Ifeelitis，becauseIamsocontentwitheverything；Iwouldhavenothingotherthanitis。ItisveryhardforGodthathischildrenwillnottrusthimtodowiththemwhathepleases！Iamsure，Mr。Grant，theworldisallwrong，andonthewaytobeallwondrouslyright。ItwillcostGodmuchlabouryet：wewillcosthimaslittleaswecan——won\'twe？——Oh，Mr。Grant，ifithadn\'tbeenforyou，Godwouldhavebeenfarawaystill！ForaGodIshouldhavehadsomethinghalfanidol，halfacommonplacetyrant！IshouldneverhavedreamedofthegloryofGod！”