“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