Itwasafrostynight，andthestarswerebrilliant。Helookedupandsaid，“OhSaviourofmen，thyhouseisvaultedwithlight；thysecretplacesaresecretfromexcessoflight；intheeisnodarknessatall；thouhastnoterriblecryptsandbuilt-upplaces；thylightistheterrorofthosewholovethedarkness！Fillmyheartwiththylight；letmeneverhungerorthirstafteranythingbutthywill——thatImaywalkinthelight，andlightnotdarknessmaygoforthfromme。“
　　Asheturnedtogoin，cameafaintchordfromtheaeolianharp。
　　“Itsings，broodingovertheverynestofevildeeds！”hethought。
　　“Thelighteternal，withkeenarrowsofradiantvictory，willyetatlastroutfromthesoulsofhiscreaturesthedemonsthathauntthem！
　　“ButiftherebecreaturesofGodthathaveturnedtodemons，maynothumansoulsthemselvesturntodemons？WouldtheythenbevictoriousoverGod，toostrongforhimtoovercome——beyondthereachofrepentance？
　　“Howwouldtheylive？Bytheirownpower？ThenweretheyGods！——Buttheydidnotmakethemselves，andcouldnotliveofthemselves。Ifnot，thentheymustlivebyGod'spower。Howthenshouldtheybebeyondhisreach？
　　“Ifthedemonscanneverbebroughtback，thenthelifeofGod，theall-pure，goesouttokeepalive，inandforevil，thatwhichisessentiallybad；forthatwhichisirredeemableisessentiallybad。“
　　ThusreasonedDonalwithhimself，andhisreasoning，insteadoftroublinghisfaith，causedhimtoclingthemoretotheonlyOne，thesolehopeandsaviouroftheheartsofhismenandwomen，withoutwhomthewholeuniversewerebutacharnelhouseinwhichtheghostsofthedeadwentaboutcrying，notoverthelifethatwasgonefromthem，butitssorrows。
　　Hestoodandgazedoutoverthecoldsea。Andashegazed，ashiveringsurgeofdoubt，achillwaveofnegation，camerollingoverhim。Heknewthatinamomenthewouldstrikeoutwiththeenergyofastrongswimmer，andrisetothetopofit；butnowitwastumblinghimaboutatitsevilwill。Hestoodandgazed——withadullsensethathewaswaitingforhiswill。Suddenlycametheconsciousnessthatheandhiswillwereone；thathehadnottowaitforhiswill，buthadtowake——towill，thatis，anddo，andsobe。
　　Andtherewithhesaidtohimself：——
　　“Itisneithertime，noreternity，norhumanconsolation，noreverlastingsleep，northesatisfiedjudgment，norattainedambition，eveninloveitself，thatisthecureforthings；itistheheart，thewill，thebeingoftheFather。Whilethatremains，theirremediable，theirredeemablecannotbe。Iftherearoseagriefintheheartofoneofhiscreaturesnototherwisetobedestroyed，hewouldtakeitintohimself，thereconsumeitinhisowncreativefire——himselfbearingthegrief，carryingthesorrow。Christdied——andwoulddieagainratherthanleaveoneheart-acheintherealmsofhislove——thatis，ofhiscreation。'Blessedaretheywhohavenotseenandyethavebelieved！'“
　　Overhisheadtheskywasfullofshiningworlds——mansionsintheFather'shouse，builtorbuilding。
　　“Wearenotattheendofthings，“hethought，“butinthebeginningsandonthethresholdofcreation！TheFatherisasyoungaswhenfirstthestarsofthemorningsang——theAncientofDayswhocannevergrowold！Hewhohaseverfilledthedullunbelievingnationswithfoodandgladness，hasasplendourofdelightforthesoulsthatbelieve，everasbytheirobediencetheybecomecapableofreceivingit。“
　　CHAPTERLXII。
　　THECRYPT。
　　“Whenareyougoingdownagaintothechapel，Mr。Grant？”saidladyArctura：shewasbetternow，andabletowork。
　　“Iwasdownlastnight，andwanttogoagainthiseveningbymyself——ifyoudon'tmind，mylady，“heanswered。“Iamsureitwillbebetterforyounottogodowntillyouarereadytogiveyourorderstohaveeverythingclearedawayforthelightandairtoenter。Thedampandclosenessoftheplacearetoomuchforyou。“
　　“Ithinkitwasratherthewantofsleepthatmademeill，“sheanswered；“butyoucandojustasyouplease。“
　　“Ithankyouforyourconfidence，mylady，“returnedDonal。“Idonotthinkyouwillrepentit。“
　　“IknowIshallnot。“
　　Havingsomethingstodofirst，itwaslatebeforeDonalwentdown——intentonlearningtheformermainentrance，andverifyingthepositionofthechapelinthecastle。
　　Hebetookhimselftotheendofthepassageunderthelittlegallery，andthereexaminedthesignshehadobserved：thosemustbetheouterendsoftwoofthestepsofthegreatstaircase！theycamethrough，restingonthewall。Thatendofthechapel，then，adjoinedthemainstair。Evidently，too，adoorhadbeenbuiltupintheprocessofconstructingthestair。Thechapelthenhadnotbeenenteredfromthatlevelsincethebuildingofthestair。Originallytherehad，mostlikely，beenanoutsidestairtothisdoor，inanopencourt。
　　Afteralittlemoreexamination，partialofnecessity，fromlackoflight，hewasonhiswayout，andalreadynearthetopofthemuralstair，thinkingofthefreshobservationshewouldtakeoutsideinthemorning，whenbehind，overtakinghimfromtheregionshehadleft，cameablastofair，andblewouthiscandle。Heshivered——notwiththecoldofit，thoughitdidbreatheofundergrounddampsanddoubtfulgrowths，butfromafeelingofitshavingbeensentafterhimtomakehimgodownagain——fordiditnotindicatesomeopeningtotheouterair？Herelightedhiscandleanddescended，carefullyguardingitwithonehand。Thecoldsighseemedtolingerabouthimashewent——gruesomeasfromacloseddepth，thesecretbosomofthecastle，intowhichthelightneverentered。But，whereveritcamefromlast，howeverearthyandfearful，itcamefirstfromtheopenregionsoflife，andhadbutpassedthroughagloomthatlifeitselfmustpass！Couldithavebeenadraughtdownthepipeofthemusic-chords？No，fortheywouldhaveloosedsomelight-wingedmessengerwithit！Hemustsearchtillhefounditsentrancebelow！
　　Hecrossedthelittlegallery，descended，andwentagainintothechapel：itlayasstillasthetombwhichitwasnomore。Heseemedtomissthepresenceofthedead，andfeeltheplacedeserted。Allrounditswalls，asfarashecouldreachorsee，hesearchedcarefully，butcouldperceivenosignofpossibleentranceforthemessengerblast。Itcameagain！——plainlythroughtheopendoorunderthewindows。Hewentagainintothepassageoutsidethewall，andthemomentheturnedintoit，thedraughtseemedtocomefrombeneath，blowingupwards。Hestoopedtoexamine；hiscandlewasagainextinguished。Oncemoreherelightedit。Searchingthenalongthefloorandthefootofthewalls，hepresentlyfound，inthewallofthechapelitself，closetotheground，anarrowhorizontalopening：itmustpassunderthefloorofthechapel！Allhesawwasamereslit，buttheopeningmightbelarger，andpartiallycoveredbytheflooring-slab，whichwentallthelengthoftheslit！Hewouldtrytoraiseit！Thatwouldwantacrowbar！buthavinggotsofar，hewouldnotresttillheknewmore！Itmustbeverylateandthedomesticsallinbed；butwhathouritwashecouldnottell，forhehadlefthiswatchinhisroom。Itmightbemidnightandheburrowinglikeamoleabouttherootsoftheoldhouse，orlikeanevilthingintheheartofaman！Nomatter！hewouldfollowuphissearch——afterwhat，hedidnotknow。
　　Hecreptup，andoutofthecastlebyhisownstair，sotothetool-house。Itwaslocked。Butlyingnearwasahalf-wornshovel：
　　thatmightdo！hewouldhaveatrywithit！Likeoneinadreamofancientruins，creepingthroughmouldyandlow-browedplaces，hewentdownoncemoreintotheentrailsofthehouse。
　　Insertingthesharpedgeofthewornshovelinthegapbetweenthestoneandthatnextit，heraiseditmorereadilythanhehadhoped，andsawbelowitasmallwindow，whosesillslopedsteeplyinward。
　　Howdeeptheplacemightbe，andwhetheritwouldbepossibletogetoutofitagain，hemustdiscoverbeforeentering。Hetookaletterfromhispocket，lightedit，andthrewitin。Itrevealedadescentofaboutsevenfeet，intowhatlookedlikeacellar。Heblewhiscandleout，putitinhispocket，gotintothewindow，sliddowntheslope，andreachedhisnewlevelwithease。Hethenlightedhiscandle，andlookedabouthim。
　　Hiseyefirstfellonalargeflatstoneinthefloor，likeagravestone，butwithoutanyornamentorinscription。Itwasaroughlyvaultedplace，unpaved，itsfloorofdamphard-beatenearth。
　　Inthewalltotherightofthatthroughwhichhehadentered，wasanotheropening，lowdown，likethecrownofanarchtherestofwhichwasbeneaththefloor。Asnearashecouldjudge，itwasrightunderthebuilt-updoorinthepassageabove。Hecreptthroughit，andfoundhimselfunderthespiralofthegreatstair，inthesmallspaceatthebottomofitswell。Onthefloorlayadust-panandahouse-maid's-brush——andtherewasthetinydooratwhichtheywereshovedin，aftertheirmorning'suseuponthestair！Itwasopen——inwards；hecreptthroughit：hewasinthegreathallofthehouse——andtherewasoneofitswindowswideopen！Afraidofbeingbyanychancediscovered，heputouthislight，andproceededupthestairinthedark。
　　Hehadgonebutafewstepswhenheheardthesoundofdescendingfeet。Hestoppedandlistened：theyturnedintothehalf-wayroom。
　　Whenhereachedit，heheardsoundswhichshowedthattheearlwasintheclosetbehindit。Thingsrushedtogetherinhismind。HehurrieduptoladyArctura'sroom，thencedescended，forthethirdtimethatnight——butnofartherthantheoakdoor，passedthroughit，enteredthelittlechamber，andhasteningtothefartherendofit，laidhisearagainstthewall。Plainlyenoughheheardthesoundshehadexpected——thoseofthedream-walkingratherthansleep-walkingearl，moaning，andcallinginalowvoiceofentreatyaftersomeonewhosenamedidnotgrowaudibletothelistener。
　　“Ah！”thoughtDonal，“whowouldfindithardtobelieveinroamingandhauntingghosts，thathadonceseenthispoormanroaminghisownhouse，andhauntingthatchamber！HoweasilyIcouldpunishhimnow，withalightningblastofterror！”
　　Itwasbutathought；itdidnotamounttoatemptation；Donalknewhehadnoright。VengeancebelongstotheLord，forhealoneknowshowtouseit。
　　Idonotbelievethatmerepunishmentexistsanywhereintheeconomyofthehighest；Ithinkmerepunishmentahumanidea，notadivineone。Buttheconsumingfireismoreterriblethananypunishmentinventedbyriotousandcruelimagination。Punishmentindeeditis——notmerepunishment；apowerofGodforhiscreature。LoveisGod'sbeing；loveishiscreativeenergy；theyareone：God'spunishmentsareforthecastingoutofthesinthatuncreates，fortherecreatingofthethingshislovemadeandsinhasunmade。
　　Heheardtheleanhandsoftheearlgoslowlysweeping，attheendsofhislongarms，overthewall：hehadseenthething，elsehecouldhardlyhaveinterpretedthesounds；andheheardhimmutteringonandon，thoughmuchtoolowforhiswordstobedistinguishable。
　　Hadtheybeen，Donalbythistimewassoconvincedthathehadtodowithanevilanddangerousman，thathewouldhavehadlittlescrupleinlistening。Itisonlyrighteousnessthathasarighttosecrecy，anddoesnotwantit；evilhasnorighttosecrecy，aloneintenselydesiresit，andragesatbeingfoiledofit；forwhenitsdeedscometothelight，evenevilhasrighteousnessenoughlefttobeashamedofthem。Buthecouldremainnolonger；hisverysoulfeltsickwithinhim。Heturnedhastilyawaytoleavetheplace。Butcarryinghislighttoomuchinfront，andforgettingthestool，hecameagainstitandknockeditover，notwithoutnoise。Aloudcryfromtheothersideofthewallrevealedthedismayhehadcaused。
　　Itwasfollowedbyastillness，andthenamoaning。
　　HemadehastetofindSimmons，andsendhimtohismaster。Heheardnothingafterwardsoftheaffair。
　　CHAPTERLXIII。
　　THECLOSET。
　　TenderoverladyArctura，Donalwouldaskaquestionortwoofthehousekeeperbeforedisclosingwhatfurtherhehadfound。Hesoughtherroom，therefore，whileArcturaandDavie，muchtogethernow，werereadinginthelibrary。
　　“Didyoueverhearanythingaboutthatlittleroomonthestair，mistressBrookes？”heasked。
　　“Icannasay，“sheanswered——butthoughtfully，“——Bideawee：auldauntiedidmentionsomethinganceaboot——bideawee——Ihaeawullin'
　　memory——maybeI'llmin'upo''ti'thenoo！——Itwassomethingabootbiggin'upan'takin'doon——somethinghewastodo，an'somethingheneverdid！——I'msureIcannatell！Butgiemetime，an'I'llmin'
　　upo''t！Anceisayewi'me——onlyImaunhaetime！”
　　Donalwaited，andsaidnotaword。
　　“Imin'thismuch，“shesaidatlength，“——thattheyusedtobethegitheri'thatroom。Imin'toothattherewassomethingabootbuildin'upaewa'，an'pu'in'doonanither——It'scomin'——it'scomin'backtome！”
　　Shepausedagainawhile，andthensaid：
　　“AllIcanrecollec'，Mr。Grant，isthis：thatefterherdeath，hebiggitupsomethingnofarfraethatroom！——whatwas'tnoo？——an'
　　therewassomethingabootmakin'o'theroombigger！Hoothatcouldbebybuildin'up，Icannathink！YetIfeelsurethatwaswhathedid！”
　　“Wouldyoumindcomingtotheplace？”saidDonal。“Toseeitmighthelpyoutoremember。“
　　“Iwull，sir。Comeyehereaboothalfefterten，an'wes'gangthegither。“
　　Assoonasthehousewasquiet，theywent。ButMistressBrookescouldrecallnothing，andDonalgazedabouthimtonopurpose。
　　“What'sthat？”hesaidatlast，pointingtothewallontheothersideofwhichwasthelittlechamber。
　　Twoarches，inchalk，asitseemed，hadattractedhisgaze。Lightsurelywasabouttodrawnighthroughthedarkness！Chaossurelywassettlingalittletowardsorder！
　　Theonearchwasdrawnoppositethehiddenchamber；theotheragainsttheearl'scloset，asithadcometobecalledinthehouse——mostofthedomesticsthinkinghetheresaidhisprayers。Itlookedasiftherehadbeenanintentionofpiercingthewallwithsucharches，tothrowthetwosmallroomsontheothersideasrecessesintothelarger。Butifthathadbeentheintent，whatcouldthebuildingofawall，vaguelyrecollectedbymistressBrookes，havebeenfor？Thatawallhadbeenbuilthedidnotdoubt，forhebelievedheknewthewall，butwhy？
　　“What'sthat？”saidDonal。
　　“What？”returnedMrs。Brookes。
　　“Thosetwoarches。“
　　Thehousekeeperlookedatthemthoughtfullyforafewmoments。
　　“Icannahelpfancyin'，“shesaidslowly，“——yes，I'msurethat'sthevarrathingmyaunttoldmeaboot！That'sthetwaplaceswhaurhewasgoin'totakthewalldoon，tomaktheroomlairger。ButI'msureshesaidsomethingabootbuildin'awallasweel！”
　　“Lookhere，“saidDonal；“Iwillmeasurethedistancefromthedoortotheothersideofthisfirstarch——Nowcomeintotheclosetbehind。Lookhere！Thissamemeasurementtakesusrightuptotheendoftheplace！Soyouseeifweweretoopentheotherarch，itwouldbeintosomethingbehindthiswall。“
　　“Thenthismaybethevarrawa'hebiggit？”
　　“Idon'tdoubtit；butwhatcouldhehavehaditbuiltfor，ifhewasgoingtoopentheotherwall？Imustthinkitallover！——Itwasafterhiswife'sdeath，yousay？”
　　“Yes，Ibelieveso。“
　　“Onemighthavethoughthewouldnotcareaboutenlargingtheroomaftershewasgone！”
　　“But，sir，hewasnajistsicapattreno'aguidman；“saidthehousekeeper。“An'whatformakthisroomless？”
　　“Mayitnothavebeenforthesakeofshuttingout，orhidingsomething？”suggestedDonal。
　　“Idorememberacertainthing！——Curious！——Butwhatthenastotheopenin'o''tefter？”
　　“Hehasneverdoneit！”saidDonalsignificantly。“Thethingtakesshapetomeinthisway：——thathewantedtobuildsomethingoutofsight——toannihilateit；butinordertopreventspeculation，heprofessedtheintentionofcastingtheoneroomintotheother；thenbuiltthewallacross，onthepretencethatitwasnecessaryforsupportwhentheotherwasbrokenthrough——orperhapsthattworecesseswitharcheswouldlookbetter；butwhenhehadgotthewallbuilt，heputoffopeningthearchesononepretextoranother，tillthethingshouldbeforgottenaltogether——asyouseeitisalready，almostentirely！——Ihavebeenatthebackofthatwall，andheardtheearlmoaningandcryingonthissideofit！”
　　“Godblessme！”criedthegoodwoman。“I'mnoeasyscaret，butthat'sfearfu'tothinko'！”
　　“Youwouldnotcaretocometherewithme？”
　　“Nothenicht，sir。Cometomyroomagain，an'Is'makyeacupo'
　　coffee，an'tellyethestory——it'sa'comebacktomenoo——thething'atmademyaunttellmeabootthebuildin'o'thiswa'。
　　'Deed，sir，Ihaehardlyadoobtthethingwasjistasyesay！”
　　Theywenttoherroom：therewasladyArcturasittingbythefire！
　　“Mylady！”criedthehousekeeper。“IthouchtIleftyesoon'
　　asleep！”
　　“SoIwas，Idaresay，“answeredArctura；“butIwokeagain，andfindingyouhadnotcomeup，IthoughtIwouldgodowntoyou。IwascertainyouandMr。Grantwouldbesomewheretogether！Haveyoubeendiscoveringanythingmore？”
　　Mrs。BrookesgaveDonalalook：helefthertotellasmuchoraslittleasshepleased。
　　“Wehaebeenprowlin'abootthehoose，butnodoonyon'er，mylady。
　　Ithinkyouan'mewaddoweeltolea'thattoMr。Grant！”
　　“Whenyourladyshipisquitereadytohaveeverythingsettorights，“saidDonal，“andtohavearesurrectionofthechapel，thenIshallbegladtogowithyouagain。ButIwouldrathernoteventalkmoreaboutitjustatpresent。“
　　“Asyouplease，Mr。Grant，“repliedladyArctura。“WewillsaynothingmoretillIhavemadeupmymind。Idon'twanttovexmyuncle，andIfindthequestionratheradifficultone——andthemoredifficultthatheisworsethanusual——Willyounotcometobednow，mistressBrookes？”
　　CHAPTERLXIV。
　　THEGARLAND-ROOM。
　　Allthroughtheterribletime，thesenseofhelpandcomfortandprotectioninthepresenceoftheyoungtutor，wentongrowinginthemindofArctura。Itwasnothingtoher——whatcoulditbe？——thathewasthesonofaveryhumblepair；thathehadbeenashepherd，andacow-herd，andafarmlabourer——lessthannothing。Sheneverthoughtofthefactsofhislifeexceptsympathetically，seekingtoenterintothefeelingsofhismemorialchildhoodandyouth；shewouldneverhaveknownanythingofthosefactsbutfortheirlovelyintimaciesofallsortswithNature——naturedivine，human，animal，cosmical。Bysharingwithherhisemotionalhistory，Donalhadmadeitsfactsprecioustoher；throughthemhehadgatheredhisbest——byhomeandbyprayer，bymotherandfather，bysheepandmountainsandwindandsky。Andnowhewastoheratowerofstrength，arefuge，astrongcity，theshadowofagreatrockinawearyland。Shetrustedhimthemorethatheneverinvitedhertrust——neverputhimselfbeforeher；foralwaysbeforeherhesetLife，theperfectheart-originofherandhisyetunperfectedhumanity，teachinghertohungerandthirstafterbeingrighteouslikeGod，withtheassuranceofbeingfilled。ShehadoncetrustedinMissCarmichael，notwithherhigherbeing，onlywithherjudgment，andbothherjudgmentandherfriendhadmisledher。Donalhadtaughtherthatobedience，nottomanbuttoGod，wastheonlyguidetoholyliberty，andsohadhelpedhertobreakthebondsofthosetraditionswhich，intheshapeofauthoritativeutterancesofthisorthatchurch，layburdensgrievoustobeborneuponthesoulsofmen。ForChrist，againstallthechurches，seemedtohertoexpressDonal'smission。Anairofpeace，anatmosphereofsummertwilightafterthegoingdownofthesun，seemedtohertoprecedehimandannouncehisapproachwitharadiationfeltasrest。Shequestionedherselfnowiseabouthim。Fallinginlovewasathingunsuggestedtoher；ifshewasinwhatiscalleddanger，itwasofabetterthing。
　　Thenextdayshedidnotappear：mistressBrookeshadpersuadedhertokeepherbedagainforadayortwo。Therewasnothingreallythematterwithher，shesaidherself，butshewassotiredshedidnotcaretoliftherheadfromthepillow。Shehadsleptwell，andwastroubledaboutnothing。ShesenttobegMr。GranttoletDaviegoandreadtoher，andtogivehimsomethingtoread，goodforhimaswellasforher。
　　DonaldidnotseeDavieagaintillthenextmorning。
　　“Oh，Mr。Grant！”hesaid，“youneversawanythingsoprettyasArkieisinbed！Sheissowhite，andsosweet！andshespeakswithavoicesogentleandlow！Shewassokindtomeforgoingtoreadtoher！Ineversawanybodylikeher！Shelooksasifshehadjustsaidherprayers，andGodhadtoldhersheshouldhaveeverythingshewanted。“
　　Donalwonderedalittle，buthopedmore。SurelyshemustbefindingrestintheconsciousnessofGod！Butwhywasshesowhite？Wasshegoingtodie？Apangshottohisheart：ifsheweretogofromthecastle，itwouldbehardtostayinit，evenforthesakeofDavie！
　　Donal，nomorethanArctura，imaginedhimselffalleninlove：hehadlovedonce，andhishearthadnotyetdoneaching——thoughmorewiththememorythanthepresenceofpain！HewasutterlysatisfiedwithwhattheFatherofthechildrenhaddecreed，andwouldneverloveagain！ButhedidnotseektohidefromhimselfthatthefriendshipofladyArctura，andthehelpshesoughtandhegave，hadaddedafreshandstronginteresttohislife。Atthefirstdawnofpowerinhisheart，whenhebegantomakesongsinthefieldsandonthehills，hehadfeltthattobrightenwithtruelightthecloudedlivesofdespondentbrothersandsisterswastheonethingworthestlivingfor：itwaswhattheLordcameintotheworldfor；neitherhadhistroublemadehimforgetit——formorethanoneweekorso：
　　whilethepainwasyetgnawinggrievously，hewoketoitagainwithself-accusation——almostself-contempt。Tohavehelpedthislovelycreature，whoselifehadseemedlaptinanevercloser-claspingshroudofperplexity，wasathingtobegladof——nottothedayofhisdeath，buttothenever-endingendofhislife！wasanhonourconferreduponhimbytheFather，tolastforevermore！ForhehadhelpedtoopenahumandoorfortheLordtoenter！shewithinheardhimknock，but，trying，wasunabletoopen！TobeGod'shelperwithourfellowsistheonehighcalling；thepresenceofGodinthehousetheonehighcondition。
　　AttheendofaweekArcturawasbetter，andabletoseeDonal。ShehadhadmistressBrookes'sbedmovedintothesameroomwithherown，andhadmadethedressing-roomintoasitting-room。Itwassunnyandpleasant——theveryplace，Donalthought，hewouldhavechosenforher。Thebedroomtoo，whichthehousekeeperhadpersuadedhertotakewhensheleftherown，wasoneofthelargestinthecastle——theGarland-room——old-fashioned，ofcourse，butascheerfulasstatelinesswouldpermit，withgorgeoushangingsandgreatpictures——farfromhomely，butwithsuninithalftheday。Donalcongratulatedheronthechange。Shehadbeenpreventedfrommakingonesooner，shesaid，bythedreadofowinganycomforttocircumstance：itmightdeceiveherastoherrealcondition！
　　“ItcouldnotdeceiveGod，though，“answeredDonal，“whofillswithrighteousnessthosewhohungerafterit。Itispridetorefuseanythingthatmighthelpustoknowhim；andofallthingshissun-litworldspeaksofthefatheroflights！Ifthatmakesushappier，itmakesusfittertounderstandhim，andhecaneasilysendwhatcloudmaybeneedfultotemperit。Wemustnotmakeourownworld，inflictourownpunishments，ororderourowninstruction；wemustsimplyobeythevoiceinourhearts，andtakelovinglywhathesends。“
　　Thenextdayshetoldhimshehadhadabeautifulnight，fulloftheloveliestdreams。Oneofthemwas，thatachildcameoutofagrassyhillockbythewayside，calledhermamma，andsaidshewasmuchobligedtoherfortakingheroffthecoldstone，andmakingherabutterfly；andwiththatthechildspreadoutgorgeousandgreatwingsandsoareduptoawhitecloud，andtheresatlaughingmerrilytoher。
　　EveryafternoonDaviereadtoher，andthenceDonalgainedaduty——thatoffindingsuitablepabulumforthetwo。Hewasnotwidelyreadinlightliterature，anditmadenecessarynotalittleexplorationintheregionofit。
　　CHAPTERLXV。
　　THEWALL。
　　Onthedayafterthelasttriadinthehousekeeper'sparlour，asDonalsatintheschoolroomwithDavie——aboutnoonitwas——hebecameawarethatforsometimehehadbeenhearinglaboriousblowsapparentlyatagreatdistance：nowthatheattended，theyseemedtobeinthecastleitself，deadenedbymass，notdistance。Withafeargraduallybecomingmoredefinite，hesatlisteningforafewmoments。
　　“Davie，“hesaid，“runandseewhatisgoingon。“
　　Theboycamerushingbackingreatexcitement。
　　“Oh，Mr。Grant，whatdoyouthink！”hecried。“Idobelievemyfatherisafterthelostroom！Theyarebreakingdownawall！”
　　“Where？”askedDonal，halfstartingfromhisseat。
　　“Inthelittleroombehindthehalf-wayroom——onthestair，youknow！”
　　Donalwassilent：whatmightnotbetheconsequences！
　　“Youmaygoandseethematwork，Davie，“hesaid。“Weshallhavenomorelessonsthismorning——Wasyourpapawiththem？”
　　“No，sir——atleast，Ididnotseehim。Simmonstoldmehesentforthemasonsthismorning，andsetthemtotakethewalldown。Oh，thankyou，Mr。Grant！Itissuchfun！Idowonderwhatisbehindit！
　　Itmaybeaplaceyouknowquitewell，oraplaceyouneversawbefore！”
　　Davieranoff，andDonalinstantlyspedtoacornerwherehehadhiddensometools，thencetoladyArctura'sdesertedroom，andsototheoakdoor。Herememberedseeinganotherstapleinthesamepost，alittlelowerdown：ifhecouldgetthatout，hewoulddriveitinbesidetheremainsoftheother，soastoholdtheboltofthelock：
　　iftheearlknewthewayin，asdoubtlesshedid，hemustnotlearnthatanotherhadfoundit——notyetatleast！Ashewentdown，everyblowofthemasonspoundingatthewall，seemedinhisveryears。
　　Hepeepedthroughthepress-door：theyhadnotyetgotthroughthewall：nolightwasvisible！Hemadehastetorestorethings——onlyastoolandafewpapers——totheirexactpositionswhenfirstheentered。Closetohimontheothersideofthepartition，shakingtheplace，thehugeblowswerefallinglikethoseofaramonthewallofabesiegedcity，ofwhichhewasthewholegarrison。Hesteppedintothepressanddrewthedoorafterhim：withhislastglancebehindhimhesaw，inthefaintgleamoflightthatcamewithit，astonefall：hemustmakehaste：thedemolitionwouldgoonmuchfasternow；butbeforetheyhadtheopeninglargeenoughtopass，hewouldhavedonewhathewanted！Withastrongpieceofironforalever，hedrewthestaplefromthepost，thendroveitinastrideofthebolt，carefultotimehisblowstothoseofthemasons。Thatdone，herandowntothechapel，gatheredwhatdusthecouldsweepupfrombehindthealtarandlaiditonitstop，restoredonthebed，withitsowndust，alittleoftheoutlineofwhathadlainthere，droppedtheslabtoitsplaceinthefloorofthepassage，closedthedoorofthechapelwithsomedifficultybecauseofitsbrokenhinge，andascended。
　　Thesoundsofbatteringhadceased，andashepassedtheoakdoorhelaidhiseartoit：someonewasintheplace！thelidofthebureaushutwithaloudbang，andheheardalockturned。Thewallcouldnotbehalfdownyet：theearlmusthaveenteredthemomenthecouldgetthrough！
　　Donalhastenedup，andoutofthedreadfulplace，puttheslabintheopening，secureditwithastrutagainsttheoppositesideoftherecess，andclosedtheshuttersanddrewthecurtainsoftheroom；iftheearlcameupthestairinthewall，foundthestoneimmovable，andsawnolightthroughanychinkaboutitsedges，hewouldnotsuspectithadbeendisplaced！
　　HewentthentoladyArctura。
　　“Ihaveagreatdealtotellyou，“hesaid，“butatthismomentI
　　cannot：Iamafraidoftheearlfindingmewithyou！”
　　“Whyshouldyoumindthat？”saidArctura。
　　“BecauseIthinkheissuspiciousaboutthelostroom。Hehashadawalltakendownthismorning。Pleasedonotlethimseeyouknowanythingaboutit。Daviethinksheissetonfindingthelostroom：
　　Ithinkheknewallaboutitlongago。Youcanaskhimwhathehasbeendoing：youmusthaveheardthemasons！”
　　“IhopeIshallnotstumbleintoanythinglikeastory，forifIdoImustoutwitheverything！”
　　Intheafternoon，Daviewasfullofthecuriouslittleplacehisfatherhaddiscoveredbehindthewall；but，ifthatwasthelostroom，hesaid，itwasnotatallworthmakingsuchafussabout：itwasnothingbutabigcloset，withanolddesk-kindofthinginit！
　　Intheafternoonalso，theearlwenttoseehisniece。Itwasthefirsttimetheymetafterhisrudebehaviouronherproposaltosearchforthelostroom。
　　“Whatwereyoudoingthismorning，uncle？”shesaid。“Therewassuchathumpingandbangingsomewhereinthecastle！Daviesaidyouweredetermined，hethought，tofindthelostroom。“
　　“Nothingofthekind，mylove，“answeredtheearl。“——Idohopetheywillnotspoilthestaircarryingthestonesandmortardown！”
　　“Whatwasitthen，uncle？”
　　“Simplythis，mydear：mylatewife，youraunt，andI，hadaplanfortakingthatclosetbehindmyroomonthestairintotheroomitself。Inpreparation，Ihadawallbuiltacrossthemiddleofthecloset，soastodivideitandmaketworecessesofit，andactalsoasabuttresstotheweakenedwall。Thenyourauntdied，andI
　　hadn'tthehearttoopentherecessesordoanythingmoreinthematter。Soonehalfoftheclosetwascutoff，andremainedinaccessible。Buttherehadbeenleftinitanoldbureau，containingpapersofsomeconsequence，foritwasheavy，andintendedtooccupythesamepositionafterthearcheswereopened。
　　Now，asithappens，Iwantoneofthosepapers，sothewallhashadtocomedownagain。“
　　“But，uncle，whatapity！”saidArctura。“Whydidyounotopenthearches？Therecesseswouldhavebeensoprettyinthatroom！”
　　“IamsorryIdidnotthinkofaskingyouwhatyouwouldlikedoneaboutit，mychild！ThefactisIneverthoughtofyourtakinganyinterestinthematter；Ihadnaturallylostallmine。Youwillpleasetoobserve，however，IhaveonlyrestoredwhatIhadmyselfdisarranged——notmeddledwithanythingbelongingtothecastle！”
　　“Butnowyouhavethemasonshere，whynotgoon，andmakealittlesearchforthelostroom？”saidArctura，venturingoncemore。
　　“Wemightpulldownthecastleandbenonethewiser！Bah！thebuildingupofhalftheclosetmayhavegivenrisetothewholestory！”
　　“Surely，uncle，thelegendisolderthanthat！”
　　“Itmaybe；youcannotbesure。Onceagoing，itwouldimmediatelycrybacktoaremoteage。Provethatanyoneeverspokeofitbeforethebuildingofthatfoolishwall。“
　　“Surelysomerememberhearingitlongbeforethat！”
　　“Nothingismoretreacherousthanamemoryconfrontedwithageneralbelief，“saidtheearl，andtookhisleave。
　　ThenextmorningArcturawenttoseethealteration。Sheopenedthedoorofthelittleroom：itwastwiceitsformersize，andtwobureauswerestandingagainstthewall！Shepeepedintothecupboardattheendofit，butsawnothingthere。
　　Thatsamemorningshemadeuphermindthatshewouldgonofartheratpresentinregardtothechapel：itwouldbetobreakwithheruncle！
　　Intheevening，sheacquaintedDonalwithherresolve，andhecouldnotsayshewaswrong。Therewasnonecessityforopposingheruncle——theremightsooncomeone！Hetoldherhowhehadenteredtheclosetfrombehind，andofthenoisehehadmadethenightbefore，whichhadperhapsledtotheopeningoftheplace；buthedidnottellherofwhathehadfoundonthebureau。Thetimemightcomewhenhemustdoso，butnowhedarednotrenderherrelationswithheruncleyetmoreuncomfortable；neitherwasitlikelysuchawomanwouldconsenttomarrysuchamanashercousinhadshownhimself；
　　whenthatdangerappeared，itwouldbetimetointerpose；forthemeresuccessiontoanemptytitle，hewasnotsurethathewasboundtospeak。Thebranchwhichcouldproducesuchscions，mightwellbeitselfafalsegraftonthetruestemofthefamily！——ifnot，whatwasthefamilyworth？Hemustatalleventsbesureitwashisbusinessbeforehemovedinthematter！
　　CHAPTERLXVI。
　　PROGRESSANDCHANGE。
　　Thingswentonveryquietlyforatime。Arcturagrewbetter，resumedherstudies，andmadeexcellentprogress。Shewouldhaveworkedharder，butDonalwouldnotlether。Hehatedforcing——evenwiththegoodwilloftheplantitself。Hebelievedinaholy，unhastinggrowth。God'swayswantGod'stime。
　　Longafter，peoplewouldsometimessaytohim——
　　“Thatisverywellintheabstract；butinthesedaysofhurryayoungfellowwouldthatwaybeleftagesbehind！”
　　“WithGod，“wouldDonalsay。
　　“Tut，tut！thethingwouldneverwork！”
　　“Foryourends，“Donalwouldanswer，“itcertainlywouldneverwork；
　　butyourendsarenotthoseoftheuniverse！”
　　“Idonotpretendtheyare；buttheyarethesuccessoftheboy。“
　　“Thatisoneoftheendsoftheuniverse；andyourrewardwillbetothwartitforaseason。Ideclinetomakeoneinaconspiracyagainstthedesignofourcreator：Iwouldfaindieloyal！”
　　Hewasofcourselaughedat，andnotalittledespised，asanextravagantenthusiast。Butthosewholaughedfoundithardtosayforwhathewasenthusiastic。Itseemedhardlyforeducation，whenhewouldevendowhathecouldsometimestokeepapupilback！Hedidnotcaretomakethebestofanyone！Thetruthwas，Donal'sbestwassomanymilesa-headoftheirs，thatitwasbelowtheirhorizonaltogether。Iftherebeanyrelationbetweentimeandthehumanmind，everyforcingofhumanprocess，whetherinspiritorintellect，ishurtful，aretardingofGod'splan。
　　LadyArctura'soldtroublesweregraduallyfadingintothelimboofvanities。Attimes，however，mostlywhenunwell，theywouldcomeinuponherlikeaflood：whatif，afterall，Godweretheself-lovingbeingtheologypresented——abeingfromwhomnolovinghumanheartcouldbutrecoilwithaholydislike！whatifitwasbecauseofanaturespeciallyevilthatshecouldnotaccepttheGodinwhomthepriestsandeldersofherpeoplebelieved！Butagainandagain，inthemidstofprofoundestwretchednessfromsuchdoubt，hadasuddenflushoftheworld'sbeauty——thatbeautywhichJesushastoldustoconsiderandthemodernphariseetoavoid，brokenlikegentlestmightiestsunrisethroughthehellishfog，andshehadfeltapoweruponherasfromtheheartofaveryGod——aGodsuchasshewouldgiveherlifetobelievein——onebeforewhomshewouldcastherselfinspeechlessadoration——notofhisgreatness——ofthatshefeltlittle，butofhislovingkindness，thegentlenessthatwasmakinghergreat。ThenwouldshecareutterlyforGodandhisChrist，nothingforwhatmensaidaboutthem：theLordnevermeanthislambstobeunderthetyrannyofany，leastofallthetyrannyofhisownmostimperfectchurch！itsworkistoteach；whereitcannotteach，itmustnotrule！ThenwouldGodappeartohernotonlytrue，butreal——theheartofthehuman，towhichshecouldcling，andsorest。
　　Thecorruptionofallreligioncomesofleavingthehuman，andGodasthecausingHuman，forsomethingimaginedholier。MenwhodonotseethelovelinessoftheTruth，searchtilltheyfindalietheycancalllovely。Whatbutahumanrealitycouldtheheartofmaneverlove！whatelseareweofferedinJesusbuttheabsolutelyhuman？ThatJesushastwonaturesisofthemostmischievousfictionsoftheology。Thedivineandthehumanarenottwo。
　　Suddenly，afteranabsenceofmonths，reappearedlordForgue——cheerful，manly，onthebesttermswithhisfather，andplainlywillingtobeonstillbettertermswithhiscousin！Hehadlefttheplaceamooningyouth；hecamebackamanoftheworld——easyincarriage，courteousinmanners，sereneintemper，aboundinginwhatseemedtheresultsofobservation，attentivebutnottooattentive，jollywithDavie，distantwithDonal，politetoall。Donalcouldhardlyreceivetheevidenceofhissenses：hewouldhavewonderedmorehadheknowneveryfactorinthechange。Allabouthimseemedtosayitshouldnotbehisfaultifthefolliesofhisyouthremainedunforgotten；andhisairycarriagesatwelluponhim。NonethelessDonalfelttherewasnorestorationofthecharmwhichhadatfirstattractedhim；thatwasutterlyvanished。Hefeltcertainhehadbeengoingdownhill，andwasnow，insteadofnegatively，consciouslyandpositivelyuntrue。
　　Withgradationsundefined，butnotunmarkedofDonal，asifthemanfoundhimselfunderinfluencesofwhichtheyouthhadbeenunaware，hebegantoshowhimselfnotindifferenttotheattractionsofhiscousin。Heexpressedconcernthatherhealthwasnotwhatithadbeen；soughtherinherroomwhenshedidnotappear；professedaninterestinknowingwhatbooksshewasreading，andwhatwereherstudieswithDonal；behavedlikeagoodbrother-cousin，whowouldnotbesorrytobesomethingmore。
　　Andnowtheearl，totheastonishmentofthehousehold，begantoappearattable；and，apparentlyasaconsequenceofthis，Donalwasrequestedratherthaninvitedtotakehismealswiththefamily——notaltogethertohissatisfaction，seeinghecouldnotonlyreadwhileheatealone，butcouldgetthroughmorequickly，andhavethetimethussaved，forthingsofgreaterconsequence。HispresencemadeiteasierforlordForguetoacthispart，andthemannershebroughttothefrontleftlittletobedesired。HebowedtothejudgmentofArctura，andseemedtowelcomethatofhisfather，towhomhewasnowasrespectfulasmoralistcoulddesire。Yethesometimesfacedacardhedidnotmeantoshow：whothatisnotabsolutelytruecanescapethemishap！——therewascondescensioninhispolitenesstoDonal！andthis，hadtherebeennothingelse，wouldhavebeenenoughtorevoltArctura。Butintruthheimpressedheraltogetherasamanofoutsides；shefeltthatshedidnotseethemanhewas，butthenearestapproachhecouldmaketothemanhewouldbetakenfor。Hewasgracious，dignified，responsive，kind，amusing，accurate，ready——everythingbuttrue。Hewouldmakeofhisoutermanallbutwhatitwasmeantfor——arevelationoftheinner。Itwasthatnotwithstanding。Hewasamandressedinaman，andhisdresswasarevelationofmuchthathewas，whileheintendeditonlytoshowmuchthathewasnot。Nomancanhelpunveilinghimself，howeverlonghemayescapeevenhisowndetection。Thereisnothingcoveredthatshallnotberevealed。Thingsweremeanttocomeout，andberead，andunderstood，inthefaceoftheuniverse。Thesoulofeverymanisasasecretbook，whosecontentisyetwrittenonitscoverforthereadingofthewise。Howdifferentlyisitreadbythefool，whoseveryunderstandingisamisunderstanding！HetakesamanforaGodwhenonthepointofbeingeatenupofworms！hebuysforthirtypiecesofsilverhimwhomthesepulchrecannothold！Wellforthoseintheworldofrevelation，whogivetheirsinsnoquarterinthis！
　　ForguehadbeeninEdinburghapartofthetime，inEnglandanotherpart。Hehadmanythingstotellofthepeoplehehadseen，andthesportshehadsharedin。Hehaddevelopedandenlargedaveinofgentlemanlysatire，whichhekeptsuppliedbytheobservationandanalysisofthepeculiarities，generallyweaknesses，ofothers。
　　These，asamatterofcourse，hejudgedmerelybythepoorstandardofsociety：questionedconcerninganyuponthelargerhumanscale，hecouldgivenoaccountofthem。ToDonal'seyes，themanwasashallowpoolwhosesurfacebrightnessconcealedthemuddybottom。
　　CHAPTERLXVII。
　　THEBREAKFAST-ROOM。
　　Twoyearsbefore，ladyArcturahadbeeninthehabitofridingagooddeal，butafteranaccidenttoafavouritehorseforwhichsheblamedherself，shehadscarcelyriddenatall。Itwasquiteasmuch，however，fromtheinfluenceofMissCarmichaeluponherspirits，thatshehadforsakentheexercise。Partlybecauseherunclewasneithermuchrespectednormuchliked，shehadvisitedverylittle；andaftermentaltroubleassailedher，growingunderthefalseprescriptionsofthesoul-doctorshehadcalledin，shewithdrewmoreandmore，avoidingevencompanyshewouldhaveenjoyed，andwhichwouldbeforenowhaveledhertoresumeit。
　　ForatimeshepersistedinrefusingtoridewithForgue。Invainheofferedhishorse，assuringherthatDavie'sponywasquiteabletocarryhim；shehadnoinclinationtoride，shesaid。Butatlastoneday，lestsheshouldbeguiltyofunkindness，sheconsented，andsoenjoyedtheride——felt，indeed，somuchthebetterforit，thatshedidnotthereaftersopositivelyasbeforedeclinetoallowhercousintolookoutforahorsefittocarryher；andForgue，takingherconsentforgranted，succeeded，withthehelpofthefactor，infindingforherabeautifulcreature，justofthesorttopleaseher。Almostatsightofhimsheagreedtohispurchase。
　　ThisputForgueingreatspirits，andmuchcontentmentwithhimself。
　　Hedidnotdoubtthat，gainingthusopportunitysoexcellent，hewouldquicklysucceedinwithdrawingherfromtheabsurdinfluencewhich，tohisdismay，hediscoveredhisenemyhadinhisabsencegainedoverher。Heoughtnottohavebeensuchafool，hesaidtohimself，astoleavethepoorchildtothetemptationsnaturallyarisinginsuchadrearysolitude！Henotedwithsatisfaction，however，thattheparson'sdaughterseemedtohaveforsakenthehouse。Andnowatlast，havinggotridofthefollythatawhilepossessedhim，hewaspreparedtodohisdutybythefamily，and，tothatend，wouldmakeunfalteringuseofthefascinationsexperiencehadtaughthimhewas，inamostexceptionaldegree，giftedwith！HewouldatoncetakeArctura'seducationinhisownhands，andgivehisfullenergytoit！Sheshouldspeedilylearnthedifferencebetweentheassistanceofagentlemanandthatofaclotpoll！
　　HehadinEnglandimprovedinhisridingaswellashismanners，andknewatleasthowagentleman，ifnothowaman，oughttobehavetothebeastthatcarriedhim。Also，havingriddenagooddealwithladies，hewasnowabletogiveArcturanotafewhintstotheimprovementofherseat，herhand，hercourage；norwasthereanynearerroad，hejudgedfromwhatheknewofhiscousin，toherconfidenceandgratitude，thanshowingherabetterwayinathing。
　　Butthinkingthatinteachinghertoridehecouldmakeherforgetthemanwhohadbeenteachinghertolive，hewasnotalittlemistakeninthewomanhedesiredtocaptivate。
　　Hedidnotyetlovehereveninthewayhecalledloving，elsehemighthavebeenlessconfident；buthefoundherverypleasing。
　　Invigoratedbythebrightfrostyair，thelifeoftheanimalunderher，andtheexultationofrapidmotion，sheseemedbetterinhealth，moremerryandfulloflife，thanhehadeverseenher：heputalldowntohissuccesswithher。Hewasincapableofsuspectinghowlittleofitwasowingtohim；incapableofbelievinghowmuchtothefactthatshenowturnedtothefatherofspiritswithoutfear，almostwithoutdoubt；thoughtofhimastherootofeverydelightoftheworld——attheheartofthehorsesherode，inthewindthatblewjoyintohersasshesweptthroughitsyieldingbosom；knewhimasaltogetherlovingandtrue，thefatherofJesusChrist，aslikehimaslikecouldbelike——morelikehimthananyoneelseintheuniversecouldbelikeanother——likehimasonlyeternalsoncanbelikeeternalfather。
　　Itwasnowonderthatwithsuchawelloflivingwaterinherheartsheshouldbeglad——merryeven，andreadyforanythingherhorsecoulddo！Flyingacrossafieldintheverywildnessofpleasure，herhairstreamingbehindher，andherpalefaceglowing，shewouldnowandthentakeajumpForguedeclaredhecouldnotfaceincoldblood：hedidnotknowhowfarfromcoldherbloodwas！Hebegantowonderhehadbeensuchafoolasneglectherfor——well，nevermind！——andtofeelsomethingthatwaslikelove，andwasindeedadmiration。Butforthesearingbrandofhispast，hemighthavelovedhertruly——asamanmay，withoutbeingthemostexaltedofmortals；forinlovewearebeyondourordinaryselves；thedeepthinginuspeersupintothehumanair，andisofGod——thereforecannotlivelonginthemephiticairofaselfishandlownature，butsinksagainoutofsight。
　　HewasnotathiseasewithArctura；hewasafraidofher。Whenamanisconsciousofwrong，knowsinhishistorywhatwoulddrawahideoussmudgeovertheportraithewouldpresenttotheeyesofherhewouldplease，hemaywellbeafraidofher。Hemakesliberalallowanceforhimself，butisnotsureshewill！AndbeforeForguelayasocialgulfwhichhecouldpassonlyonthenarrowplankofherfavour！Themorehewaswithher，themoreheadmiredher，themorehedesiredtomarryher；themoresatisfiedhegrewwithhisownimprovement，themoredeterminedhebecamethatfornopoor，unjustscrupleswouldheforgohishappiness。Therewasbutonetrifletobekeptfromtheworld；itmightknoweverythingelseabouthim！andonceinpossessionoftheproperty，whowoulddisputethetitle？Thenagainhewasnotcertainthathisfatherhadnotmerelyinventedathreat！Surelyifthefactweresuch，hewould，eveninragediabolic，havekeptittohimself！
　　Impetuous，andaccustomedtowhathecountedsuccess，hesoonbegantomakeplaineradvancetowardtheendonwhichhisself-loveandcupidityatleastwereset。But，knowinginavaguemannerhowhehadcarriedhimselfbeforehewent，Arctura，uninfluencedbythewaysoftheworld，herjudgmentunwarped，herperceptionundimmed，herinstinctsnice，herpersonaldelicacyexacting，hadneverimaginedhecouldapproachheronanygroundbutthatofcousinshipandachildhoodofsharedsports。ShehadseenthatDonalwasfarfrompleasedwithhim，andbelievedForgueknewthatsheknewhehadbeenbehavingbadly。Herbehaviourtohimwasindeedlargelybasedonthefactthathewasindisgrace：shewassorryforhim。
　　Byandby，however，sheperceivedthatshehadbeenallowingtoomuchfreedomwhereshewasnotpreparedtoallowmore，andsoonedaydeclinedtogowithhim。Theyhadnothadarideforafortnight，theweatherhavingbeenunfavourable；andnowwhenamorningbrokeintotheseasonlikeasmilefromanestrangedfriend，shewouldnotgo！Hewasannoyed——thenalarmed，fearingadverseinfluence。Theywerealoneinthebreakfast-room。
　　“Whywillyounot，Arctura？”heaskedreproachfully：“doyounotfeelwell？”
　　“Iamquitewell，“sheanswered。
　　“Itissuchalovelyday！”hepleaded。
　　“Iamnotinthemood。Thereareotherthingsintheworldbesidesriding，andIhavebeenwastingmytime——ridingtoomuch。IhavelearntnexttonothingsinceLarkiecame。“
　　“Oh，bother！whathaveyoutodowithlearning！Healthisthefirstthing。“
　　“Idon'tthinkso——andlearningisgoodforthehealth。Besides，I
　　wouldnotbeamereanimalforperfecthealth！”
　　“Letmehelpyouthenwithyourstudies。“
　　“Thankyou，“sheanswered，laughingalittle，“butIhaveagoodmasteralready！We，thatisDavieandI，arereadingGreekandmathematicswithMr。Grant。“
　　Forgue'sfaceflushed。
　　“Ioughttoknowasmuchofbothashedoes！”hesaid。
　　“Oughtperhaps！Butyouknowyoudonot。“
　　“Iknowenoughtobeyourtutor。“
　　“Yes，butIknowenoughnottobeyourpupil！”
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”
　　“Thatyoucan'tteach。“
　　“Howdoyouknowthat？”
　　“BecauseyoudonotloveeitherGreekormathematics，andnoonewhodoesnotlovecanteach。“
　　“Thatisnonsense！IfIdon'tloveGreekenoughtoteachit，Iloveyouenoughtoteachyou，“saidForgue。
　　“Youaremyriding-master，“saidArctura；“Mr。GrantismymasterinGreek。“
　　ForguestrangledanimprecationonMr。Grant，andtriedtolaugh，buttherewasnotalaughinsidehim。
　　“Thenyouwon'trideto-day？”hesaid。
　　“Ithinknot，“repliedArctura。
　　Sheoughttohavesaidshewouldnot。Itisapitytoletdoubtalightondecision。Herreplyre-openedthewholequestion。
　　“Icannotseewhatshouldinduceyoutoallowthatfellowthehonourofreadingwithyou！”saidForgue。“He'salong-winded，pedantic，ill-bredlout！”
　　“Mr。Grantismyfriend！”saidArctura，andraisingherheadlookedhimintheeyes。
　　“Takemywordforit，youaremistakeninhim，“hesaid。
　　“Ineithervaluenoraskyouropinionofhim，“returnedArctura。“I
　　merelyacquaintyouwiththefactthatheismyfriend。“
　　“Here'sthedevilandalltopay！”thoughtForgue。
　　“Ibegyourpardon，“hesaid：“youdonotknowhimasIdo！”
　　“Not？——andwithsomuchbetteropportunityofjudging！”
　　“Hehasneverplayedthedominiewithyou！”saidForguefoolishly。
　　“Indeedhehas！”
　　“Hehas！Confoundhisinsolence！How？”
　　“Hewon'tletmestudyasIwant——Howhasheinterferedwithyou？”
　　“Wewon'tquarrelabouthim，“rejoinedForgue，attemptingatoneofgaiety，butinstantlygrowingserious。“Wewhooughttobesomuchtoeachother——“
　　Somethingtoldhimhehadalreadygonetoofar。
　　“Idonotknowwhatyoumean——orrather，IamnotwillingtothinkI
　　knowwhatyoumean，“saidArctura。“Afterwhattookplace——“
　　Inherturnsheceased：hehadsaidnothing！
　　“Jealous！”concludedForgue；“——agoodsign！”
　　“Iseehehasbeentalkingagainstme！”hesaid。
　　“IfyoumeanMr。Grant，youmistake。Henever，sofarasIremember，oncementionedyoutome。“
　　“Iknowbetter！”
　　“Youarerude。Heneverspokeofit；butIhaveseenenoughwithmyowneyes——“
　　“Ifyoumeanthatsillyfancy——why，Arctura！——youknowitwasbutaboyishfolly！”
　　“Andsincethenyouhavegrownaman！——Howmanymonthshasittaken？”
　　“Iassureyou，onthewordofagentleman，thereisnothinginitnow。Itisallover，andIamheartilyashamedofit。“
　　Apauseofafewsecondsfollowed：itseemedasmanyminutes，andunbearable。
　　“Youwillcomeoutwithme？”saidForgue：shemightberelenting，thoughshedidnotlooklikeit！
　　“No，“shesaid；“Iwillnot。“
　　“Well，“hereturned，withsimulatedcoolness，“thisisrathercavaliertreatment，Imustsay！——Tothrowamanoverwhohaslovedyousolong——andforthesakeofalessoninGreek！”
　　“Howlong，pray，haveyoulovedme？”saidArctura，growingangry。“I
　　waswillingtobefriendlywithyou，somuchsothatIamsorryitisnolongerpossible！”
　　“Youpunishmeprettysharply，mylady，foratrifleofwhichItoldyouIwasashamed！”saidForgue，bitinghislip。“Itwasthemerest——“
　　“Idonotwishtohearanythingaboutit！”saidArcturasternly。
　　Then，afraidshehadbeenunkind，sheaddedinalteredtone：“Youhadbettergoandhaveagallop。YoumayhaveLarkieifyoulike。“
　　Heturnedandlefttheroom。Sheonlymeanttopiquehim，hesaidtohimself。Shehadbeencherishingherdispleasure，andnowshehadhadherrevengewouldfeelbetterandbesorrynext！Itwasaverygoodmorning'sworkafterall！ItwasabsurdtothinkshepreferredaGreeklessonfromaclowntoaridewithlordForgue！WasnotshetooaGraeme！
　　Partlytomakereconciliationtheeasier，partlybecausethehorsewassuperiortohisown，hewouldrideLarkie！
　　Buthisreasoningwasnotsosatisfactorytohimastoputhiminagoodtemper，andpoorLarkiehadtosufferforhisill-humour。Hisleastmovementthatdispleasedhimputhiminarage，andherodehimsofoolishlyaswellastyrannicallythathebroughthimhomequitelame，thusputtinganendforatimetoallhopeofridingagainwithArctura。
　　Insteadofgoingandtellingherwhathehaddone，hesentforthefarrier，andgaveordersthatthemishapshouldnotbementioned。
　　Aweekpassed，andthenanother；andashecouldsaynothingaboutriding，hewasinameasureself-banishedfromArctura'scompany。A
　　furiousjealousybegantomasterhim。Hescornedtogiveplacetoitbecauseoftheinsulttohimselfifheallowedatruegroundforit。
　　Butitgraduallygainedpower。Thiscountrybumpkin，thiscow-herd，thismanofspelling-booksandgrammars，tocomebetweenhiscousinandhim！Ofcoursehewasnotsosillyasimagineforamomentshecaredforhim！——thatshewoulddisgraceherselfbyfallinginlovewithafellowjustloosedfromtheplough-tail！ShewasaGraeme，andcouldneverbeatraitortoherblood！Ifonlyhehadnotbeensuchaninfernalfool！Avulgarlittlethingwithoutanideainherhead！Sounpleasant——sodisgustingatlastwithherlove-making！
　　Nothingpleasedherbuthuggingandkissing！——Thatwashowhespoketohimselfofthegirlhehadbeeninlovewith！
　　Damnthatschoolmaster！Shewouldneverfallinlovewithhim，buthemightpreventherfromfallinginlovewithanother！Noattractionscouldmakewayagainstcertainprepossessions！Thegirlhadafancyforbeingasaint，andtheloutburnedincensetoher！
　　SomuchhegatheredfromDavie。Hisfathermustgetridofthefellow！IfhethoughthewasdoingsowellwithDavie，whynotsendthetwoawaytogethertillthingsweresettled？
　　ButtheearlthoughtitwouldbebettertowinDonal。HecounselledhimthateveryGrantwaslordSeafield'scousin，andeveryhighlanderanimplacableenemywherehispridewashurt。Hislordshipdidnotreflectthat，ifwhathesaidweretrueofDonal，hemusthaveleftthecastlelongago。TherewasbutonethingwouldhavemadeitimpossibleforDonaltoremain——interference，namely，betweenhimandhispupil。
　　Forguedidnotarguewithhisfather。Hehadgiventhatup。Atthesametime，ifhehadtoldallthathadpassedbetweenhimandDonal，theearlwouldhaveconfessedhehadadvisedanimpossibility。
　　Forguetookastepinaverydifferentdirection：hebegantodrawtohimselfthegoodgracesofMissCarmichael：hedidnotknowhowlittleshecouldservehim。Withoutbeingconsciouslyinsincere，sheflatteredhim，andspeedilygainedhisconfidence。Welldescendedonthemother-side，shehadgrownupfit，herfathersaid，toadornanysociety：withakeenappreciationoftheclaimsanddignitiesofthearistocracy，shewaswellabletoflattertheprejudicesshehonouredandsharedin。Carefulnottosayawordagainsthiscousin，shemadehimfeelmoreandmorethathischiefdangerlayintheinfluenceofDonal。Shefannedthushishatredofthemanwhofirstcamebetweenhimandhiswrath；next，betweenhimandhis“love；“andlast，betweenhimandhisfortunes。
　　IfonlyDaviewouldfallill，andrequirechangeofair！ButDaviewasalwaysinsplendidhealth！
　　Nowthathesawhimselfinsuchdangeroffailing，hefanciedhimselffarmoreinlovewithArcturathanhewas。Andashegotfamiliarizedwiththeideaofhisillegitimacy，althoughhewouldnotassenttoit，hemadelessandlessofit——whichwouldhavebeenaprooftoanyotherthanhimselfthathebelievedit。Infurthersignofthesame，hemadenoinquiryintothematter——didnotonceevenquestionhisfatheraboutit。Ifitwastrue，hedidnotwanttoknowit：hewouldtreathislackofproofasignorance，andactaswiththeinnocenceofignorance！Afellowmusttakeforgrantedwhatwascommonlybelieved！Atlast，andthelastwasnotlonginarriving，healmostceasedtotroublehimselfaboutit。
　　HisfatherlaughedathisfearoffailurewithArctura，butattimescontemplatedthethingasanawfulpossibility——notthathelovedForguemuch。Theonlywayfathersinsightofthegravecanfancythemselvesholdingontothethingstheymustleave，isintheirchildren；butlordMorvenhadastrongerandbetterreasonforhisunrighteousness：inatroubled，self-reproachfulway，helovedthememoryoftheirmother，andthroughhercaredevenforForguemorethanheknew。Theywerealsohisownasmuchasifhehadbeenlegallymarriedtoher！Fortherelationinwhichtheystoodtosociety，hecaredlittlesolongasitcontinuedundiscovered。Heenjoyedtheideaofstealingamarchonsociety，andseeingthesonshehadleftatsuchadisadvantagebehindhim，rufflingit，inspiteofabsurdlaw，withthefoolishbest。FromthegravehewouldsohavehisfootontheneckofhisenemyLaw！——hewasoneofthemanywhocanrejoiceinevenastolenvictory。Norwouldheeverhavebeenthefooltoletthetruthfly，exceptunderthereactionofevildrugs，andtherushoffiercewrathatthethreatenedruinofhischerishedscheme。
　　Arcturathenceforthavoidedhercousinasmuchasshecould——onlyrememberingthatthehousewashers，andshemustnotmakehimfeelhewasnotwelcometouseit。Theymetatmeals，andshetriedtobehaveasifnothingunpleasanthadhappenedandthingswereasbeforehewentaway。
　　“Youareverycruel，Arctura，“hesaidonemorninghemetherintheterraceavenue。
　　“Cruel？”returnedArcturacoldly；“Iamnotcruel。Iwouldnotwillinglyhurtanyone。“
　　“Youhurtmemuch；yougivemenotamorsel，notacrumbofyoursociety！”
　　“Percy，“saidArctura，“ifyouwillbecontenttobemycousin，weshallgetonwellenough；butifyouaresetonwhatcannotbe——onceforall，believeme，itisofnouse。YoucarefornoneofthethingsIlivefor！Ifeelasifwebelongedtodifferentworlds，solittlehaveweincommon。Youmaythinkmehard，butitisbetterweshouldunderstandeachother。Ifyouimaginethat，becauseIhavetheproperty，youhaveaclaimonme，besureIwillneveracknowledgeit。IwouldathousandtimesratheryouhadthepropertyandIwereinmygrave！”
　　“Iwillbeanything，doanything，learnanythingyouplease！”criedForgue，hisheartachingwithdisappointment。
　　“Iknowwhatsuchsubmissionisworth！”saidArctura。“Ishouldbeeverythingtillweweremarried，andthennothing！Youdissemble，youhideevenfromyourself，butyouarenothardtoread。“
　　Perhapsshewouldnothavespokenjustsoseverely，hadshenotbeenthatmorningunusuallyannoyedwithhisbehaviourtoDonal，andatthesametimespeciallypleasedwiththecalm，unconsciouslydignifiedwayinwhichDonaltookit，castingitfromhimastherockthrowsasidethesea-wave：itdidnotconcernhim！Thedullworldhasgotthewrongphrase：itishewhoresentsanaffrontwhopocketsit！hewhotakesnonotice，letsitlieinthedirt。