第16章

“No，mylady！”returnedDonal；“ifGodhadnotsentme，hewouldhavesentsomebodyelse；youwereready！”

“Iamverygladhesentyou！Ishouldneverhavelovedanyothersomuch！”

Donal\'seyesfilledwithtears。Hewassimpleasachild。Nomalevanity，noself-exultationthatawomanshouldlovehim，andtellhimshelovedhim，sprangupinhisheart。Heknewshelovedhim；helovedher；allwassonaturalitcouldnotbeotherwise：heneverpresumedtoimagineheroncethinkingofhimashehadthoughtofGinevra。Hewasherservant，willingandlovingasanyangelofGod：

thatwasall——andenough！

“Youarenotvexedwithyourpupil——areyou？”sheresumed，againlookingupinhisface，thistimewitharosyflushonherown。

“Why？”saidDonal，withwonder。

“Forspeakingsotomymaster。“

“Angrybecauseyouloveme？”

“No，ofcourse！”sheresponded，atoncesatisfied。“Youknewthatmustbe！HowcouldIbutloveyou——betterthananyoneelseintheworld！Youhavegivenmelife！Iwasdead——Youhavebeenlikeanotherfathertome！”sheadded，withasmileofheavenlytenderness。“ButIcouldnothavespokentoyoulikethis，ifIhadnotknownIwasdying。“

ThewordshotastingasoffirethroughDonal\'sheart。

“Youarealwaysachild，Mr。Grant，“shewenton；“deathismakingachildofme；itmakesusallchildren：asifweweretwolittlechildrentogether，ItellyouIloveyou——Don\'tlooklikethat，“

shecontinued；“youmustnotforgetwhatyouhavebeenteachingmeallthistime——thatthewillofGod，theperfectGod，isallinall！

HeisnotaGodfaroff：toknowthatisenoughtohavelivedfor！

Youhavetaughtmethat，andIloveyouwithatrueheartfervently。“

Donalcouldnotspeak。Heknewshewasdying。

“Mr。Grant，“shebeganagain，“mysoulisopentohiseyes，andisnotashamed。IknowIamgoingtodowhatwouldbytheworldbecountedunwomanly；butyouandIstandbeforeourFather，notbeforetheworld。Iaskyouinplainwords，knowingthatifyoucannotdoasIaskyouwillingly，youwillnotdoit。AndbesureIshallplainlybedyingbeforeIclaimthefulfilmentofyourpromiseifyougiveit。Idonotwantyouranswerallatonce：youmustthinkaboutit。“

Hereshepausedawhile，thensaid，“Iwantyoutomarryme，ifyouwill，beforeIgo。“

Donalcouldnotyetspeak。Hissoulwasinatumultofemotion。

“Iamtired，“shesaid。“Pleasegoandthinkitover。Ifyousayno，Ishallonlysay，\'Heknowsbestwhatisbest！\'Ishallnotbeashamed。Onlyyoumustnotoncethinkwhattheworldwouldsay：ofallpeoplewehavenothingtodowiththeworld！WehavenothingtodobutwithGodandlove！Ifhebepleasedwithus，wecanaffordtosmileatwhathissillychildrenthinkofus：theymindonlywhattheirvulgarnursessay，notwhattheirperfectfathersays：weneednotmindthem——needwe？——Iwonderatmyself，“shewenton，forDonaldidnotutteraword，“forbeingabletospeaklikethis；butthenI

havebeenthinkingofitforalongtime——chieflyasIlieawake。I

amneverafraidnow——notthoughIlieawakeallnight：\'perfectlovecastethoutfear，\'youknow。IhaveGodtolove，andJesustolove，andyoutolove，andmyownfathertolove！Whenyouknowhim，youwillseehowgoodamancanbewithouthavingbeenbroughtuplikeyou！——Oh，Donal，dosaysomething，orIshallcry，andcryingkillsme！”

Shewassittingonalowchair，withthesunlightacrossherlap——forshewasagaininthesunnyGarland-room——andthefirelightonherface。Donalkneltgentlydown，andlaidhishandsinthesunlightonherlap，justasifheweregoingtosayhisprayersathismother\'sknee。Shelaidbothherhandsonhis。

“Ihavesomethingtotellyou，“hesaid；“andthenyoumustspeakagain。“

“Tellme，“saidArctura，withalittlegasp。

“WhenIcamehere，“saidDonal，“Ithoughtmyheartsobrokenthatitwouldneverlove——thatway，Imean——anymore。ButIlovedGodbetterthanever：andasoneIwouldfainhelp，Ilovedyoufromtheveryfirst。ButIshouldhavescornedmyselfhadIoncefanciedyoulovedmemorethanjusttodoanythingformeIneededdone。WhenI

sawyoutroubled，Ilongedtotakeyouupinmyarms，andcarryyoulikealovelybirdthathadfallenfromoneofGod\'snests；butneveronce，mylady，didIthinkofyourcaringformylove：itwasyoursasamatterofcourse。Ionceaskedaladytokissme——justonce，foragood-bye：shewouldnot——andshewasquiteright；butafterthatIneverspoketoaladybutsheseemedtostandfarawayonthetopofahillagainstasky。“

Hestopped。Herhandsonhisflutteredalittle，asiftheywouldfly。

“Isshestill——isshe——alive？”sheasked。

“Ohyes，mylady。“

“Thenshemay——change——“saidArctura，andstopped，fortherewasastoneinherheart。

Donallaughed。Itwasanoddlaugh，butitdidArcturagood。

“Nodangerofthat，mylady！Shehasthebesthusbandintheworld——amuchbetterthanIshouldhavemade，muchasIlovedher。“

“Thatcan\'tbe！”

“Why，mylady，herhusband\'ssirGibbie！She\'sladyGalbraith！I

wouldneverhavewishedhermineifIhadknownshelovedGibbie。I

lovehernexttohim。“

“Then——then——“

“What，mylady？”

“Then——then——Oh，dosaysomething！”

“WhatshouldIsay？WhatGodwillsisfastastherootsoftheuniverse，andlovelyasitsblossom。“

Arcturaburstintotears。

“Thenyoudonot——careforme！”

Donalbegantounderstand。Insomethingshewentonsofastthathecouldnothearthecrybehindhim。Shehadspoken，andhadbeenlisteninginvainforresponse！Shethoughtherselfunloved：hehadshownhernosignthathelovedher！

Hisheartwassofullofloveandthejoyoflove，thattheyhadmadehimverystill：nowthedelightofloveawoke。Hetookherinhisarmslikeachild，rose，andwentwalkingabouttheroomwithher，pettingandsoothingher。Heheldherclosetohisheart；herheadwasonhisshoulder，andhisfacewasturnedtohers。

“Iloveyou，“hesaid，“andloveyoutoalleternity！Ihaveloveenoughnowtoliveupon，ifyoushoulddieto-night，andIshouldtarrytillhecome。OGod，thouarttoogoodtome！Itismorethanmyheartcanbear！Tomakemenandwomen，andgivethemtoeachother，andnotbeonemomentjealousofthelovewherewiththeyloveoneanother，istobeaGodindeed！”

SosaidDonal——andspokethehightruth。Butalasforthelovewherewithmenandwomenloveeachother！ThereweresmallroomforGodtobejealousofthat！Itisthelittlelovewithwhichtheyloveeachother，thegreatlovewithwhichtheylovethemselves，thathurtstheheartoftheirfather。

Arcturasignedatlengthaprayerforrelease，andhesethergentlydowninherchairagain。Thenhesawherfacemorebeautifulthaneverbefore；andtherosethatbloomedtherewastheroseofahealthdeeperthansickness。ThesechildrenofGodwereoftheblessedfewwholovethemorethattheyknowhimpresent，whosesoulsarenakedbeforehim，andnotashamed。Lethimthathearsunderstand！ifheunderstandnot，lethimholdhispeace，anditwillbehiswisdom！Hewhohasnoplaceforthisloveinhisreligion，whothinkstobemoreholywithoutit，isnotofGod\'smindwhenhesaid，“Letusmakeman！”Hemaybeasaint，buthecannotbeamanafterGod\'sownheart。Thefinishedmanisthesavedman。Thesaintmayhavetobesavedfrommorethansin。

“Whenshallwebemarried？”askedDonal。

“Soon，soon，“answeredArctura。

“To-morrowthen？”

“No，notto-morrow：thereisnosuchhaste——nowthatweunderstandeachother，“sheaddedwitharosysmile。“IwanttobemarriedtoyoubeforeIdie，thatisall——notjustto-morrow，orthenextday。“

“Whenyouplease，mylove，“saidDonal。

Shelaidherheadonhisbosom。

“Weareasgoodasmarriednow，“shesaid：“weknowthateachlovestheother！HowIshallwaitforyou！Youwillbemine，youknow——alittlebitmine——won\'tyou？——evenifyoushouldmarrysomebeautifulladyafterIamgone？——Ishallloveherwhenshecomes。“

“Arctura！”saidDonal。

CHAPTERLXXXI。

AWILLANDAWEDDING。

Buttheopeningofthewindowsofheaven，andtheunspeakablerushoflifethroughchannelstoonarrowandbankstooweaktoholditstide，causedaterribleinundation：theredfloodbrokeitsbanks，andweakenedalltheland。

ArcturasentforMr。Graeme，andcommissionedhimtofetchthefamilylawyerfromEdinburgh。Alonewithhimshegaveinstructionsconcerningherwill。Themanofbusinessshruggedhisshoulders，ladenwithsomanypettyweights，boweddownwithsomanyfalsestopinions，andwouldhaveexpostulatedwithher。

“Sir！”shesaid。

“Youhaveacousinwhoinheritsthetitle！”hesuggested。

“Mr。Fortune，“shereturned，“itmaybeIknowasmuchofmyfamilyasyou。Ididnotsendforyoutoconsultyou，buttotellyouhowI

wouldhavemywilldrawnup！”

“Ibegyourpardon，mylady，“rejoinedthelawyer，“buttherearethingswhichmaymakeitone\'sdutytospeakout。“

“Speakthen；Iwilllisten——thatyoumayeaseyourmind。“

Hebeganalong，common-sense，worldlytalkonthematter，noroncerepeatedhimself。Whenhestopped，——

“Nowhaveyoueasedyourmind？”sheasked。

“Ihave，mylady。“

“Thenlistentome。Thereisnonecessityyoushouldhurteitheryourfeelingsoryourprejudices。IfitgoesagainstyourconsciencetodoasIwish，Iwillnottroubleyou。“

Mr。Fortunebowed，tookhisinstructions，androse。

“Whenwillyoubringitme？”sheasked。

“Inthecourseofaweekortwo，mylady。“

“Ifitisnotinmyhandsbythedayafterto-morrow，Iwillsendforagentlemanfromthetowntoprepareit。“

“Youshallhaveit，mylady，“saidMr。Fortune。

Shedidhaveit，anditwassignedandwitnessed。

Thenshesankmorerapidly。Donalsaidnowordaboutthemarriage：

itshouldbeasshepleased！Hewasmuchbyherbedside，readingtoherwhenshewasabletolisten，talkingtoherorsittingsilentwhenshewasnot。

ArcturahadatoncetoldmistressBrookestherelationinwhichsheandDonalstoodtoeachother。Itcostthegoodwomanmanytears，forshethoughtsuchaloveoneofthesaddestthingsinasadworld。NeitherArcturanorDonalthoughtso。

Theearlatthistimewasalittlebetter，thoughwithoutprospectofeventemporaryrecovery。Hehadgrownmuchgentler，andsadnesshadpartiallydisplacedhissullenness。Heseemedtohavebecomeinameasureawareofthebrutenessofthelifehehadhithertoled：hemusthavehadaglimpseofsomethingbetter。Itiswonderfulwhatthesicknesswhichhumanstupidityregardsastheoneevilthing，candotowardsredemption！Heshowedconcernathisniece\'sillness，andhadhimselfcarrieddowneveryotherdaytoseeherforafewminutes。Shereceivedhimalwayswiththegreatestgentleness，andheshowedsomethingthatseemedlikegenuineaffectionforher。

ItwasamorninginthemonthofMay——

Thenakedtwigswereshiveringallforcold——

whenDonal，whohadbeenwithArcturathegreaterpartofthenight，andnowlayonthecouchinaneighbouringroom，heardMrs。Brookescallhim。

“Myladywantsyou，sir，“shesaid。

Hestartedup，andwenttoher。

“Sendfortheminister，“shewhispered，“——notMr。Carmichael；hedoesnotknowyou。SendforMr。Graemetoo：heandmistressBrookeswillbewitnesses。ImustcallyouhusbandoncebeforeIdie！”

“Ihopeyouwillmanyatimeafter！”hereturned。

Shesmiledonhimwithalookofloveunutterable。

“Mind，“shesaid，holdingoutherarmsfeebly，butdrawinghimfasttoherbosom，“thatthisishowIloveyou！Whenyouseemedullandstupid，andIhardlylookatyou——forthoughdeathmakesbright，dyingmakesstupid——thensaytoyourself，\'Thisisnothowshelovesme；itisonlyhowsheisdying！Shelovesmeandknowsit——andbyandbywillbeabletoshowit！\'“

Theywerepreciouswordsboththenandafterwards！

Withsomecarefulquestioning，tosatisfyhimselfthat，soevidentlyatthegateofdeathsheyetknewperfectlyherownmind，——andnotwithoutsomeshakesoftheheadrevealingdisapprobation，theministerdidashewasrequested，andwroteacertificateofthefact，whichwasdulysignedandwitnessed。

Andifheshowedhisdisapprovalyetmoreintheprayerwithwhichheconcludedtheceremony，nonebutmistressBrookesshowedresponsiveindignation。

Thebridegroomgavehisbrideonegentlekiss，andwithdrewwiththeclergyman。

“PardonmeifIcharacterizethisasastrangeproceeding！”saidthelatter。

“Notsostrangeperhapsasitlooks，sir！”saidDonal。

“Ontheverybrinkoftheotherworld！”

“Theotherworldanditsbrinktooarehiswhoordainedmarriage！”

“Forthisworldonly，“saidtheminister。

“ThegiftsofGodarewithoutrepentance，“saidDonal。

“Ihaveheardofyou！”returnedtheclergyman。“Youareone，theytellme，giventomisusingscripture。“

Hehadconceivedapainfuldoubtthathehadbeendrawnintosomeplot！

“Sir！”saidDonalsternly，“ifyousawanyimproprietyintheceremony，whydidyouperformit？Ibegyouwillnowreserveyourremarks。Yououghttohavemadethembeforeornotatall。Ifyoubesilent，thethingwillprobablyneverbeheardof，andIshouldgreatlydislikehavingitthetown-talk。“

“ExceptIseereason——thatis，ifnothingfollowtorenderdisclosurenecessary，Ishallbesilent，“saidtheminister。

HewouldhavedeclinedthefeeofferedbyDonal；buthewaspoor，anditsamountprevailed：heacceptedit，andtookhisleavewithastiffnessheintendedfordignity：hehadahighsense，ifnotofthedignityofhisoffice，atleastofthedignityhisofficeconferredonhim。

DonalhadnextabriefinterviewwithMr。Graeme。Thefactorwasinastateofutterbewilderment，andreadilyyieldedDonalapromiseofsilence：themerewhimofadyinggirl，ithadbetterbeignoredandforgotten！AstoGrant\'spartinithedidnotknowwhattothink。Itcouldnotaffecttheproperty，hethought：itcouldhardlybeamarriage！Andthentherewasthewill——ofthecontentsofwhichheknewnothing！Ifitwereacompletemarriage，thewillwasworthnothing，beingmadebeforeit！

Iwillnotlingeroverthequiet，sadtimethatfollowed。DonalwastoArctura，shesaid，father，brother，husband，inone。Throughhimshehadreapedtheharvestoftheworld，inspiteoffalsehood，murder，fear，anddistrust！Shelayvictoriousonthebattlefield！

Intheheartofherbridegroomreignedapeacetheworldcouldnotgiveortakeaway。Helovedwithalovethatcasttheloveofformerdaysintotheshadowofasweetbutundesiredremembrance。Alongtwilightlifelaybeforehim，buthewouldhaveplentytodo！andsuchwasthelovebetweenhimandArctura，thateverydoingofthewillofGodwasasthetyingofafreshbondbetweenhimandher：

shewashisbecausetheyweretheFather\'s，whosewillwasthelifeandbondoftheuniverse。

“Ithink，“saidDonal，thatsamenightbyherbed，“whenmymotherdies，shewillgonearyou：Iwill，ifIcan，sendyouamessagebyher。Butitwillnotmatter；itcanonlytellyouwhatyouwillknowwellenough——thatIloveyou，andamwaitingtocometoyou。“

ThestupidityofcallingoneselfaChristian，anddoubtingifweshallknowourfriendshereafter！Inthosewhodonotbelievesuchadoubtismorethannatural，butinthosewhoprofesstobelieve，itshowswhataraggedscarecrowisthethingtheycalltheirfaith——notworththatofmanyanoldJew，orthatofhereandthereapagan！

“Ishallnotbefarfromyou，dear，Ithink——sometimesatleast，“

shesaid，speakingverylow。“Ifyoudreamanythingniceaboutme，thinkIamthinkingofyou。Ifyoushoulddreamanythingnotnice，thinksomethingislyingtoyouaboutme。IdonotknowifIshallbeallowedtocomenearyou，butifIam——andIthinkIshallbe——sometimes，IshalllaughtomyselftothinkhownearIam，andyoufancyingmealongwayoff！Butanywayallwillbewell，forthegreatlife，ourGod，ourfather，is，andinhimwecannotbutbetogether。“

Afterthatshefellintoadeepsleep，andsleptforhours。Thensuddenlyshesatup。Donalputhisarmbehindandsupportedher。Shelookedalittlewild，shuddered，murmuredsomethinghecouldnotunderstand，thenthrewherselfbackintohisarms。Herexpressionchangedtoalookofdivinest，loveliestcontent，andshewasgone。

CHAPTERLXXXII。

THEWILL。

Whenherwillwasread，itwasfoundthat，exceptsomelegacies，andanannuitytoMrs。Brookes，shehadlefteverythingtoDonal。

Mr。Graeme，risingthemomentthelawyerlookedup，congratulatedDonal——politely，notcordially，andtookhisleave。

“Ifyouarewalkingtowardshome，“saidDonal，“Iwillwalkwithyou。“

“Ishallbehappy，“saidMr。Graeme——feelingitnotalittlehardthatonewhowouldsoonbeheirpresumptivetothetitleshouldhavetotendthefamilypropertyintheserviceofastrangerandapeasant。

“LordMorvencannotlivelong，“saidDonalastheywent。“Itisnottobewishedheshould。“

Mr。Graemereturnednoanswer。Donalresumed。

“IthinkIoughttoletyouknowatoncethatyouareheirtothetitle。“

“Ithinkyouowetheknowledgetomyself！”saidthefactor，notwithoutatouchofcontempt。

“Bynomeans，“rejoinedDonal：“onpresumption，afterlordForgue，youtoldme；——afterlordMorven，Itellyou。“

“Iamatalosstoimagineonwhatyoufoundsuchastatement，“saidGraeme，beginningtosuspectinsanity。

“Naturally；nooneknowsitbutmyself。LordMorvenknowsthathissoncannotsucceed，buthedoesnotknowthatyoucan。Iamprepared，ifnottoprove，atleasttoconvinceyouthatheandhisson\'smotherwerenotmarried。“

Mr。Graemewasforamomentsilent。Thenhelaughedalittlelaugh——notapleasantone。“AnotherofTime\'sclownishtricks！”hesaidtohimself：“theearlthefactoronthefamily-estate！”Donaldidnotlikethewayhetookit，butsawhownaturalitwas。

“Ihopeyouhaveknownmelongenough，“hesaid，“tobelieveIhavecontrivednothing？”

“Excuseme，Mr。Grant：thewholebusinesslookssuspicious。Thegirlwasdying！Youknewit！”

“Idonotunderstandyou。“

“Whatdidyoumarryherfor？”

“Tomakehermywife。“

“Praywhatcouldbethegoodofthatexcept——？”

“Doesitneedanyexplanationbutthatwelovedeachother？”

“Youwillfinditdifficulttoconvincetheworldthatsuchwasyoursolemotive。“

“Havingnocarefortheopinionoftheworld，IshallbesatisfiedifIconvinceyou。Theworldneedsneverhearofthething。Wouldyou，Mr。Graeme，havehadmenotmarryher，becausetheworld，includingnotafewhonestmenlikeyourself，wouldsaymyobjectwastheproperty？”

“Don\'tputthequestiontome；Iamnottheproperpersontoanswerit。Thereisnotamaninahundredmillionswhowiththechancewouldnothavedonethesame，orwhomalltherestwouldnotblamefordoingit。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforyou，however，thattherehadbeennowill。“

“How？”

“Itmakesitlookthemorelikeascheme：——thewillmighthavebeendisputed。“

“Whydoyousay——mighthavebeen？”

“Becauseitisnotworthdisputingnow。Ifthemarriagestands，itannulsthewill。“

“Ididnotknow；andIsupposeshedidnotknoweither。Orperhapsshewantedtomakethethingsure：ifthemarriagewasnotenough，thewillwouldbe——shemayhavethought。ButIknewnothingofit。“

“Youdidnot？”

“OfcourseIdidnot。“

Mr。Graemeheldhispeace。ForthefirsttimehedoubtedDonal\'sword。

“ButIwantedtohavealittletalkwithyou，“resumedDonal。“I

wanttoknowwhetheryouthinkyourdutyalltotheowneroftheland，orinanymeasuretothetenantsalso。“

“Thatiseasytoanswer：oneemployedbythelandlordcanowethetenantnothing。“

Itwasnotjusttheanswerhewouldhavegiventoanotherquestioner。

“Doyounotowehimjustice？”askedDonal。

“EverylegaladvantageIoughttotakeformyemployer。“

“Eventothegrindingofthefacesofthepoor？”

“Ihavenothingtodo，ashisemploy？withmyownideasastowhatmaybeequitable。“

HedrewthelinethushardinpureoppositiontoDonal。

“Whatthenwouldyousayifthelandwereyourown？Wouldyousayyouhaditsolelyforyourownandyourfamily\'sgood，orforthatofthetenantsaswell？”

“Ishouldverylikelyreasonthatwhatwasgoodforthemwouldinthelongrunbegoodformetoo——ButifyouwanttoknowhowIhavetreatedthetenants，thereareintelligentmenamongstthem，notatallprejudicedinfavourofthefactor！”

“Iwishyouwouldbeopenwithme，“saidDonal。

“Ipreferkeepingmyownplace，“rejoinedMr。Graeme。

“Youspeakasonewhofoundachangeinme，“returnedDonal。“Thereisnone。“

Sosayingheshookhandswithhim，badehimgoodmorning，andturnedwiththedepressionoffailure。

“Ididnotleaduptothepointproperly！”hesaidtohimself。

CHAPTERLXXXIII。

INSIGHT。

Mr。Graemewasagoodsortofman，andagentleman；buthewasnotcapableofmeetingDonalonthegroundonwhichheapproachedhim：

onthatlevelhehadneversetfoot。Thereisnothingmoredisappointingtothegenerousmanthanthewayinwhichhisabsolutefranknessismetbythemanoftheworld——alwayslookingoutformotives，andimaginingthemafterwhatisinhimself。

Therewasgreatconfidencebetweenthebrotherandsister，andashewalkedhomeward，Mr。GraemewasnotsowellpleasedwithhimselfastothinkwithsatisfactiononthereportoftheinterviewhecouldgiveKate。Hedidnotaccusehimselfwithregardtoanythinghehadsaid，buthefelthisbehaviourinfluencedbyjealousyofthelow-bornyouthwhohadsupplantedhim。For，ifPercycouldnotsucceedtothetitle，neithercouldhehavesucceededtotheproperty；andbutforthewillorthemarriage，perhapsbutforthetwotogether，hewouldhimselfhavecomeinforthatalso！Thewillwasworthnothingexceptthemarriagewasdisputed：annulthemarriage，andthewillwasofforce！

Hetoldhissister，asnearlyashecould，allthathadpassedbetweenthem。

“Ifhewantedmetotalktohim，“hesaid，“whydidhetellmethataboutForgue？Itwasinfernallystupidofhim！Butwhat\'sbredinthebone——！Agentleman\'snotmadeinaday！”

“Norinathousandyears，Hector！”rejoinedhissister。“DonalGrantisagentlemaninthebestsenseoftheword！Thatyousayheisnot，letsmeseeyouarevexedwithyourself。Heisalittleawkwardsometimes，Iconfess；butonlywhenheislookingatathingfromsomeotherpointofview，anddoesnotliketosayyououghttohavebeenlookingatitfromthesame。Andyoucan\'tsayheshuffles，forheneverstopstillhehasdonehisbesttomakeyou！——Whathaveyoubeensayingtohim，Hector？”

“NothingbutwhatIhavetoldyou；it\'sratherwhatIhavenotbeensaying！”answeredherbrother。“Hewouldhavehadmeopenouttohim，andIwouldn\'t。HowcouldI！WhateverIsaidthatpleasedhim，wouldhavelookedasifIwantedtosecuremysituation！Hangitall！Ihaveagoodmindtothrowitup。HowisaGraemetoserveunderabumpkin？”

“Themanisnotabumpkin；heisascholarandapoet！”saidthelady。

“Pooh！pooh！What\'sapoet？”

“Onethatmayormaynotbeasgoodamanofbusinessasyourselfwhenitisrequiredofhim。“

“Come，come！don\'tyouturnagainstme，Kate！It\'shardenoughtobearasitis！”

MissGraememadenoreply。ShewasmeditatingallsheknewofDonal，toguidehertothesomethingtowhichshewassureherbrotherhadnotlethimcome；andpresentlyshemadehimrecountagainalltheyhadsaidtoeachother。

“Itellyou，Hector，“sheexclaimed，“younevermadesuchafoolofyourselfinyourlife！IfIknowhumannature，thatmanisdifferentfromanyotheryouhavehadtodowith。Itwilltakeawoman，abetterwomanthanyoursister，Iconfess，tounderstandhim；butI

seealittlefartherintohimthanyoudo。Heisamanwho，neverhavinghadmoneyenoughtolearnthebadusesofit，andneverhavingformedhabitsittakesmoneytosupply，havingnoambition，livinginbooksnotinplaces，andforpleasurehavingmoreathiscommandinhimselfthantherichest——heisamanwho，Isay，wouldfindmoneyanimpedimenttohishappiness，forhemusthaveasenseofdutywithregardtoitwhichwouldinterferewitheverythinghelikedbest。Besides，thoughhedoesnotcareastrawforthejudgmentoftheworldwhereitdiffersfromhim，hewouldbesorrytoseemtogoagainstthatjudgmentwhereheagreeswithit：

scorningtomarryanywomanforhermoney，hewouldnothavetheworldthinkhehaddoneso。“

“Ah，Katey，thereIhaveyou！Theworldwouldentirelyapproveofhisdoingthat！”

“Iwilltakeabetterpositionthen：——hewouldnotwillinglyseemtohavedoneathinghehimselfdespises。Themanbelieveshimselfsentintotheworldtoteachitsomething：hewouldnothaveitthrowninhisteeththat，afterall，helookstothemainchanceaskeenlyasanother！Hewouldstarvebeforehewouldhavemensayso——yes，evensaysofalsely。IamassurehedidnotmarryladyArcturaforhermoney，asIamsurelordForgue，oryou，Hector，wouldhavedoneitifyouhadhadachance——There！——Myconvictionisthatthebumpkinsoughtafitopeningtotellyouthatthewillwastogofornothing，andthatnowordneedbesaidaboutthemarriage。Youknowhemadeyoupromisenottomentionit——onlyIwormeditoutofyou！”

“That\'sjustlikeyouwomen！Themanyoutakeafancytoisalwaysheadandshouldersaboveothermen！”

“Asyoutakeitso，Iwilltellyoumore：thatmanwillnevermarryagain！”

“Waitabit。Admirationissometimesmutual：whoknowsbuthemayaskyounext！”

“Ifhedidaskme，Imighttakehim，butIshouldneverthinksomuchofhim！”

“HeroicKate！”

“Ifyouhadbeenalittlemoreheroic，Hector，youwouldhaverespondedtohim——andfounditconsiderablytoyouradvantage。“

“Youdon\'timagineIwouldbeindebted——“

“Hush！Hush！Don\'tpledgeyourselfinahurry——eventome！”saidKate。“Leaveaswideasea-marginaboutyourboatasyoumay。Youdon\'tknowwhatyouwouldorwouldnot。Mr。Grantknows，butyoudonot。“

“Mr。Grantagain！——Well！”

“Well！——weshallsee！”

Andtheysoondid。ForthatsameeveningDonalcalled，andaskedtoseeMissGraeme。

“Iamsorrymybrotherisgonedowntothetown，“shesaid。

“ItwasyouIwantedtosee，“heanswered。“Iwishtospeakopenlytoyou，forIimagineyouwillunderstandmebetterthanyourbrother。PerhapsIoughtrathertosay——Ishallbebetterabletoexplainmyselftoyou。“

Therewasthatinhiscountenancewhichseemedtoseizeandholdher——acalmexaltation，asofamanwhohadoutlivedweaknessandwasfacingtheeternal。Thespiritofasmilehoveredabouthismouthandeyes，embodyingitselfnowandtheninagrave，sweet，satisfiedsmile：themanseemedfullofcontent，notwithhimself，butwithsomethinghewouldgladlyshare。

“Ihavebeentalkingwithyourbrother，“hesaid，afterabriefpause。

“Iknow，“sheanswered。“Iamafraidhedidnotmeetyouasheought。Heisagoodandhonourableman；butlikemostmenheneedsamomenttopullhimselftogether。Fewmen，Mr。Grant，whensuddenlycalledupon，answerfromthebestthatisinthem。“

“Thefactissimplythis，“resumedDonal：“IdonotwanttheMorvenproperty。IthankGodforladyArctura：whatwashersIdonotdesire。“

“Butmayitnotbeyourdutytotakeit，Mr。Grant？——Pardonmeforsuggestingdutytoonewhoalwaysactsfromit。“

“Ihavereflected，anddonotthinkGodwantsmetotakeit。Becausesheismine，oughtIofnecessitytobeenslavedtoallheraccidents？MustI，becauseIloveher，hoardhergownsandshoes？”

ThenfirstMissGraemenotedthatheneverspokeofhiswifeasinthepast。

“Butthereareotherstobeconsidered，“shereplied。“Youhavemademethinkaboutmanythings，Mr。Grant！MybrotherandIhavehadmanytalksastowhatwewoulddoifthelandwereours。“

“Andyoursitshallbe，“saidDonal，“ifyouwilltakeitasatrustforthegoodofallwhomitsupports。Ihaveotherworktodo。“

“Iwilltellmybrotherwhatyousay，“answeredMissGraeme，withvictoryinherheart——forwasitnotasshehaddivined？

“Itisbetter，“continuedDonal，“tohelpmakegoodmenthanhappytenants。Besides，Iknowhowtodotheone，andIdonotknowhowtodotheother。Therewouldalwaysbeaprejudiceagainstmetoo，asnottothemannerborn。Butifyourbrothershouldacceptmyoffer，IhopehewillnotthinkmeinterferingifItalksometimesoftheprinciplesoftherelation。Thingsgowrong，generally，becausemenhavesuchabsurdandimpossiblenotionsaboutpossession。Theycallthingstheirownwhichitisimpossible，fromtheirverynature，evertopossessormaketheirown。Powerwasnevergiventomanovermenforhisownsake，andthenearerhethatsousesitcomestosuccess，themoreutterwillprovehisdiscomfiture。Talktoyourbrotheraboutit，MissGraeme。Tellhimthat，asheirtothetitle，andasheadofthefamily，hecandomorethananyotherwiththeproperty，andIwillgladlymakeitovertohimwithoutreserve。I

wouldnotbeevenpartiallyturnedasidefrommyowncalling。“

“Iwilltellhimwhatyousay。Itoldhimhehadmisunderstoodyou。

Isawintoyourgenerousthought。“

“Itisnotgenerousatall。MydearMissGraeme，youdonotknowhowlittleofatemptationsuchthingsaretome！TherearesomewhoonlycaretoinheritstraightfromthefirstFather。YoumaysaytheearthistheLord\'s，andthereforeapartofthatfirstinheritance：

Iadmitit；butsuchpossessionasthisinquestionwouldnotsatisfymeintheleast。Imustinherittheearthinafardeeper，grander，truerwaythancallingthelandmine，beforeIshallcountmyselftohavecomeintomyown。Iwanttohaveallthingsjustasthemakerofmewantsmetohavethem——Iwillcallonyouagainto-morrow；Imustnowgobacktotheearl。Poorman，heissinkingfast！butIbelieveheismoreatpeacethanhehaseverbeenbefore！”

Donaltookhisleave，andMissGraemehadplentytothinkoftillherbrother\'sreturn：ifshefeltalittletriumphant，itmaybepardonedher。

Hewasashamed，andnotalittlehumbledbywhatshetoldhim。HedidnotwaitforDonaltocometohim，butwenttothecastleearlythenextmorning。NorwashemistakenintrustingDonaltobelievethatitwasnotfromeagernesstoretraceinhisowninterestthefalsestephehadtaken，butfromdesiretoshowhisshameofhavingbehavedsoungenerously：Donalreceivedhimsoastomakeitplainhedidnotmisunderstandhim，andtheyhadalongtalk。GraemewasallthereadierforhisblundertohearwhatDonalhadtosay，andDonal\'sunquestionabledisinterestednesswasendlesslypotentwithGraeme。TheirinterviewresultedinDonal\'sthinkingstillbetterofhimthanbefore，andbeingsatisfiedthat，uptohislight，themanwashonest——whichissayingmuch——andthenceopentoconviction，andbothsidesofaquestion。Butereitwasnaturallyover，Donalwassummonedtotheearl。

Afterhisniece\'sdeath，noonewoulddoforhimbutDonal；nobodycouldpleasehimbutDonal。Hismindaswellashisbodywasmuchweaker。Buttheintellect，greatthingthoughitbe，isyetbutthesoiloutofwhich，orratherinwhich，higherthingsmustgrow，anditiswellwhenthatsoilisnottoostrong，sotospeak，forthemostgraciousandlovelyofplantstorootthemselvesinit。Whenthesaidsoilisproudandunwillingtoserve，itmustbethinnedandpulverizedwithsickness，failure，poverty，fear——thatthegoodseedsofGod\'sgardenmaybeabletorootthemselvesinit；whentheygetupalittle，theywillusealltherichesandallthestrengthofthestiffestsoil。

“Whowillhavethepropertynow？”heaskedoneday。“Isthefactoranywhereintherunning？”

“Titleandpropertybothwillbehis，“answeredDonal。

“AndmypoorDavie？”saidtheearl，withwistfulquestionintheeyesthatgazedupinDonal\'sface。“Forgue，therascal，hasallmymoneyinhispoweralready。“

“IwillseetoDavie，“repliedDonal。“WhenyouandImeet，mylord——byandby，Ishallnotbeashamed。“

Thepoormanwassatisfied。HesentforDavie，andtoldhimhewasalwaystodoasMr。Grantwished，thathelefthiminhischarge，andthathemustbehavetohimlikeason。

Daviewasfastmakingacquaintancewithdeath——butitwasnottohimdreadfulastomostchildren，forhesawitthroughthefaceandwordsofthemanwhomhemosthonoured。

CHAPTERLXXXIV。

MORVENHOUSE。

IntheeveningDonalwentagaintothehome-farm。Findinghimselfaloneinthedrawing-room，hewalkedoutintotheoldgarden。

“ThankGod，“hesaidtohimself，“ifmywifeshouldcomeheresomesad，sweetnight，withalowmoon-crescent，andagentlythinkingwind，andwanderaboutthegarden，itwillnotbetoknowherselfforgotten！”

Hewentupanddownthegrassypaths。Onceagain，allaslongago——foritseemedlongnow——hewasjoinedbyMissGraeme。

“Icouldn\'thelpfancying，“shesaidasshecameuptohim，“thatI

sawladyArcturawalkingbyyourside——Godforgiveme！howcouldI

besoheartlessasmentionher！”

“Hernamewillalwaysbepleasantinmyears，“returnedDonal。“I

wasthinkingofher——thatwashowyoufeltasifyousawher！Youdidnotreallyseeanything，didyou？”

“Oh，no！”

“Sheisnearermethanthat，“saidDonal。“ShewillbewithmewhereverIam；Ishallneverbesad。Godiswithme，andIdonotweepthatIcannotseehim：Iwait；Iwait。“

MissGraemewasintears。

“Mr。Grant，“shesaid，“sheisgoneahappyangeltoheaveninsteadofapiningwoman！Thatisyourdoing！Godblessyou！——Youwillletmethinkofyouasafriend？”

“Always；always：youlovedher。“

“Ididnotatfirst；Ithoughtofheronlyasapoortroubledcreature！NowIknowtherewasmorelifeinhertroublethaninmycontent。Icamenotonlytoloveher，buttolookuptoherasasaint：ifevertherewasone，itwasshe，Mr。Grant。SheoftencamehereafterIshowedherthatpoem。Sheusedtowalkherealoneinthetwilight。ThathorridMissCarmichael！shewastheplagueofherlife！”

“ShewasGod\'smessenger——tobuffether，andmakeherknowherneedofhim。Besure，MissGraeme，notasoulcandowithouthim。“

HereMr。Graemejoinedthem。

“Idonotthinktheearlwilllastmanydays，“saidDonal。“Itwouldbewell，itseemstome，atonceuponhisdeathtotakepossessionofthehouseinthetown。Itistheonlypropertythatgoeswiththetitle。Andofcourseyouwouldatoncetakeupyourabodeinthecastle！Youwillfindintheearl\'spapersmanyproofs，Iimagine，thathissonhasnoclaim。Iwouldhaveadeedofgiftdrawnup，butwouldratheryouseemedtocomeinbynaturalsuccession。Wearenotboundtotelltheworldeverything；weareonlyboundtobeablewithoutshametotelliteverything。AndthenIshallhaveafavourtoask：MorvenHouse，downinthetown，isofnogreatusetoyou：

letmerentitofyou。Ishouldliketolivethereandhaveaschool，withDavieformyfirstpupil。Whenwegetanother，wewilltrytomakeamanofhimtoo。Wewillnotcaresomuchaboutmakingagreatscholar，oragreatanythingofhim，butatrueman。Wewilltrytohelpthewholemanofhimintothelikenessoftheoneman。“

HereMr。Graemebrokein。

“Youwillnevermakealivingthatway！”hesaid。

Donalopenedhiseyesandlookedathim。Likeoneconvictedandashamed，theeyesofthemanofbusinessfellbeforethoseofthemanofGod。

“Ah，“saidDonal，“youhavenotanidea，Mr。Graeme，onhowlittleI

couldlive！——Here，youhadbettertakethewill，“headded，pullingitfromhispocket。

Mr。Graemehesitated。

“Ifyouwouldrathernot，Iwillkeepit。Iwouldthrowitinthefire，buteitheryouorImustkeepitforatimeasagainstallchances。“

Mr。Graemetookit。

Thatnighttheearldied。

DonalwrotetoPercythathisfatherwasdead。Twodaysafter，heappeared。Thenewearlmethiminthehall。

“Mr。Graeme，“saidPercy，——

“IamlordMorven，Mr。Graeme，“returnedhislordship。

Thefellowsaidanevilword，turnedonhisheel，andleftthemtoburyhisfatherwithouthim。

Thefuneralover，theearlturnedtoDonalandlookedhimintheface：theywalkedbacktothecastlearminarm，andfromthatmomentwereasbrothers。

EarlHectordidnothingofimportancewithoutconsultingDonal，andDonalhadthemoreinfluencebothwithlandlordandtenantsthathehadnointerestintheproperty。

Thesameweekheleftthecastle，andtookpossessionofMorvenHouse。ThepeoplesaidMr。Granthadplayedhiscardswell：hadtheyknownwhathehadreallydone，theywouldhavecalledhimabornidiot。

Davie，towhomnocalamitycouldbeoverwhelmingsolongashehadMr。Grant，accompaniedhimgladly，morethancontenttolivewithhimtillhewenttocollege，whithertheearlwishedtosendhim。

Donalhinderedratherthanspedtheday。Whenitcame，theearlwouldhavehadhimgotoo，butDonalwouldnot。

“IhavedonewhatIcan，“hesaid。“Itistimeheshouldwalkalone。“

Itwassoonevidentthattheboywouldnotdisgracehim。Thereisnocertaintyastohowdeepanyteachingmayhavegone——astowhetherithasreachedtheissuesoflifeornot，untilayouthisleftbyhimself，andhastochooseandrefusecompanions：themostpromisingyouthsareoftenbutpromisers。

WiththefullconcurrenceofMissGraeme，DonalhadpersuadedmistressBrookes——easypersuasionwherethesuggestionwasenough！——tokeephouseforhim。Theywenttogether，andtogetherunlockedthedoorofMorvenHouse。

MistressBrookessaidtheplacewasinanawfulstate。Therewasnotmuch，tobesure，forthemasontodo，butforthecarpenter！Ithadnotbeentouchedforgenerations！Hemustgoaway，andstayawaytillshesummonedhim！

Donalgladlywenthometohishills，andtookDaviewithhim。Hetoldhisfatherandmother，sirGibbieandhislady，thethingsthathadbefallenhim，andeveryoneapprovedheartilyofwhathehaddone。Hismothertookhisrenunciationofthepropertyasamatterofcourse。Allagreeditshouldnotbespokenof。WhentheyreturnedtoAuchars，sirGibbieandladyGalbraithwentwiththem，andstaidforsomeweeks。Thetownsfolksaidhewasbutapoorbaronetthatcouldnotspeakmortalword。

LordMorvenandMissGraemehaddonetheirbesttomakethehousewhattheythoughtDonalwouldlike。ButinthecastletheykeptforhimtheroomsladyArcturahadcalledherown。Therehegatheredthebooks，andafewotherofthemoreimmediatelypersonalpossessionsofhiswife——herpianoforone——uponwhichhetaughthimselftoplayalittle；andthitherhebetookhimselfoftenonholidays，andalwaysonSundayevenings。WhatwentonthenIleavetotheimaginationofthereaderwhoknowsthataloneonemaymeetmany，sittingstillmaytravelfar，andsilentmaketheuniversehear。

LordMorvenkeptLarkieforDavie。ThelastIheardofDaviewasthathewasinIndia，anofficerinthearmy，belovedofhismen，andexercisingamostbeneficialinfluenceonhisregiment。Thethingshehadlearnedhehadsolearnedthattheywentoutfromhim，findingnewgroundinwhichtorootandgrow。Inhisdayandgenerationhehelpedthecomingofthekingdomoftruthandrighteousness，andsofulfilledhishighcalling。

ItwassometimebeforeDonalhadanypupils，andheneverhadmany，forhewasregardedasamostpeculiarman，withideasabouteducationoddintheextreme。Itwasgranted，however，that，ifaboystayed，orratherifheallowedhimtostaywithhimlongenough，hewassuretoturnoutagentleman：thatwhichwasdeeperandwasthelifeofthegentleman，peopleseldomsaw——wouldseldomhavevaluediftheyhadseen。Mostparentswouldliketheirchildrentobeladiesandgentlemen；thattheyshouldbesonsanddaughtersofGod，theydonotcare！

ThefewwisesoulsintheneighbourhoodknowDonalastheheartoftheplace——themantogotoinanydifficulty，inanytroubleorapprehension。

MissCarmichaelgrewbydegreeslesstalkative，andlessobtrusiveofheropinions。AftersomeyearsshecondescendedtomarryafarmeronlordMorven\'sestate。Theironlychild，athoughtfulboy，andatruereader，soughtthecompanyofthegravemanwiththesweetsmile，goingoftentohishousetoaskhimaboutthisorthat。HeremindedhimofDavie，andgrewverydeartohim。Themotherdiscoveringthat，asoftenashestoleaway，itwastogotothemaster——everybodycalledhimthemaister——scoldedandforbade。Buttheprohibitionbroughtsuchatimeoftearsandgloomandlossofappetite，andherhusbandsolittlesharedherprejudicesagainstthemaster，thatshewascompelledtorecallit，andtheboywentandwentasbefore。Whenhewastakenill，andonhisdeathbed，nobodycouldmakehimhappybutthemaster；healmostnursedhimthroughthelastfewdaysofhisshortearthlylife。Butthemotherseemednottolikehimanythebetter——rathertoregardhimashavingdeprivedherofsomeofherrightsintheloveofherboy。

DonalisstillapresentpowerofheatandlightinthetownofAuchars。Hewearsthesamesolemnlook，thesamehoveringsmile。

Theysaytothosewhocanreadthem，“IknowinwhomIhavebelieved。“ItistheGodwhoistheFatheroftheLordthathebelievesin。HislifeishidwithChristinGod，andhehasnoanxietyaboutanything。Thewheelsofthecomingchariot，movingfastorslowtofetchhim，arealwaysmoving；andwhetheritarriveatnight，oratcock-crowing，orintheblazeofnoon，isonetohim。HeisreadyforthelifehisArcturaknows。“Godis，“hesays，“andalliswell。“Heneverdisputes，rarelyseekstoconvince。“I

willletwhatlightIhaveshine；butdisputationissmoke。Itistonoprofit！——AndIdolike，“hesays，“togiveandtogetthegoodofthings！”

THEEND