Hislordshipsaidthismorefromperversitythanintent，forhehadbeguntowishhimselfclearoftheaffair——onlyhowwashetogiveintothisunbearableclown！
　　“Iwillgiveyoutillto-morrowtothinkofit，“saidDonal，andopenedthedoor。
　　Hislordshipmadehimnoreply，butcastafterhimalookofuncertainanger。Donal，turninghisheadasheshutthedoor，sawit：
　　“Itrust，“hesaid，“youwillonedaybegladIspoketoyouplainly。“
　　“Oh，goalongwithyourpreaching！”criedForgue，moretestilythanwrathfully；andDonalwent。
　　InthemeantimeEppyhadbeensoundlytakentotaskbyMrs。Brookes，andtoldthatifonceagainshespokeawordtolordForgue，sheshouldthatverydayhaveherdismissal。Thehousekeeperthoughtshehadatleastsucceededinimpressinguponherthatshewasindangeroflosinghersituationinawaythatmustseriouslyaffecthercharacter。SheassuredDonalthatshewouldnotletthefoolishgirloutofhersight；andthereuponDonalthoughtitbettertogivelordForgueadaytomakeuphismind。
　　Onthesecondmorninghecametotheschoolroomwhenlessonswereover，andsaidfrankly，“I'vemadeafoolofmyself，Mr。Grant！Makewhatexcuseformeyoucan。Iamsorry。Believeme，Imeantnoharm。Ihavemadeupmymindthatallshallbeoverbetweenus。“
　　“Promisemeyouwillnotoncespeaktoheragain。“
　　“Idon'tliketodothat：itmighthappentobeawkward。ButI
　　promisetodomybesttoavoidher。“
　　Donaldwasnotquitesatisfied，butthoughtitbesttoleavethethingso。Theyouthseemedentirelyinearnest。
　　ForatimeheremainedindoubtwhetherheshouldmentionthethingtoEppy'sgrandparents。Hereflectedthattheirinfluencewithherdidnotseemverygreat，andifshewerevexedbyanythingtheysaid，itmightdestroywhatlittletheyhad。Thenitwouldmakethemunhappy，andhecouldnotbeartothinkofit。Hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotmentionit，but，inthehopeshewouldnowchangeherway，leavethepasttobeforgotten。Hehadnosoonerthusresolved，however，thanhegrewuncomfortable，andwasunsatisfiedwiththedecision。Allwouldnotberightbetweenhisfriendandhim！AndrewCominwouldhavesomethingagainsthim！Hecouldnolongermeethimasbefore，forhewouldbehidingsomethingfromhim，andhewouldhavearighttoreproachhim！Thenhisinwardeyesgrewclear。Hesaidtohimself，“Whatamanhasarighttoknow，anotherhasnorighttoconcealfromhim。Ifsorrowbelongtohim，Ihaveaslittlerighttokeepthatfromhimasjoy。Hissorrowsandhisjoysarepartofaman'sinheritance。Mywisdomtotakecareofthisman！——hisownisimmeasurablybeforemine！Thewholematterconcernshim：Iwilllethimknowatonce！”
　　Thesamenighthewenttoseehim。Hiswifewasout，andDonalwasgladofit。Hetoldhimallthathadtakenplace。
　　Helistenedinsilence，hiseyesfixedonhim，hisworkonhislap，hishandwiththeawlhangingbyhisside。WhenheheardhowEppyhadtrickedDonalthatnight，leavinghimtowatchinvain，tearsgatheredinhisoldeyes。Hewipedthemawaywiththebacksofhishornyhands，andtherecamenomore。Donaltoldhimhehadfirstthoughthewouldsaynothingtohimaboutitall，hewassoloathtotroublethem，butneitherhisheartnorhisconsciencewouldlethimbesilent。
　　“Yedidrichttotellme，“saidAndrew，afterapause。“It'struewehaenathatmuckleweichtwi'her，foritseemsalawo'natur'attheyoong'snotobehaudendoonbytheexperrienceo'theauld——whichcanbeexperrienceonlytothemsel's；butwhanwepraytoGod，itputsitmairinhispooertomakuseo''sforthecarryin'ooto'thethingweprayfor。It'snoayebywordshegiesustosay；wi'somefowkwordsgangforuncolittle；itmaybewhilesbyaluiko'whilkyekennaething，oritmaybebyamotiono'yerhan'，oraturno'yerheid。Whakensbutyemayhaudadivinepooerowerthehertyehae'maistgi'enupthehoupo'everwinnin'at！Yehaeh'ardo'theconvic'brouchttosorrowbyseein'
　　abito'thesamemattin'hehadbeenusedtoseei'theaisleo'
　　thekirkhismithertuikhimtil！Thatwasastrokeo'God'smagic！
　　There'snaekennin'whatGodcando，noryetwhatbesto'rizzonshehasfornodoin''tsooner！Whanwethinkhe'slattin'thetimegang，an'doin'naething，hemaybejistdoin'a'thing！No'atI
　　everthinklikethatnoo；lathimdo'athelikes，whathedoesI'msureo'。I'mo'hismin'whetherIkenhismin'orno——Eh，mylassie！mylassie！Icouldbetterwinowerahantlenorhergiein'
　　youtheslipthatgait，sir。Itwassaedoobleo'her！It'snaethingwranginitsel''atayoonglasssudbetaenwi'theattentionso'abonnyladlikelordForgue！That'snaagenthenatur'atGodmade！Buttopreten'an'takin！——tobecunnin'an'
　　sly！that'sevil。An'synefortheitherlad——eh，Idoobtthat'swarsto''a！OnlyIkennahoofarshehadcommittithersel'wi'
　　him，forshewasneveropen-hertit。Eh，sir！it'safinethingtohaenaesacretsbutsicaslie'atweenyersel'an'yermacker！I
　　canbutpraytheFathero'a'tohaudhise'euponher，an'hisairmsaboother，an'keepaffthehardenin'o'thehert'atdespisescoonsel！I'msairdoobtin'wecannadomucklemairforher！Shemauntakheraingait，forwecannaputacollarroon'herneck，an'
　　leadherabootwhaureverwegang。Shemaunwinherainbreid；an'
　　gienshedidnathat，shewadbebutthemairta'enupwi'sicnonsenseasthelikeso'lordForgue'sayereadytosaytilonybonnylass。An'Ivarilybelieveshe'ssafertherewi'youan'thehoosekeepernorwhaurhecouldwinathereasier，an'whaurtheywudbereadiertotakhercharacterfraherupo'lessoffence，an'sen'
　　herabootherbusiness。Fowk'sunco'jealousabouttheirhoose'atwadtroublethemsel'slittleabootalass！Saelangasit'snoupo'
　　theirpremises，shemaydoasshelikesforthem！Dooryan'me，we'lljistlayoorcaresi'thefinesichtan''aforethecompassionateherto'theMaister，an'seewhathecandofor's！
　　Sicthingsaivenwecanlea'tohim！Ihoupthere'llbenaemairbludeshed！He'safinelad，SteenieKennedy——comeo'afinestock！
　　HisfatherwasaGod-fearin'man——somedourbynatur，butwi'anuncoclearin'upthrouwgrace。Iwudwullin'lyhaeseenoorEppyhiswife；he'sanhonestlad！I'msorryhegiedplacetowrath，buthemayhaerepentitbythenoo，an'troth，Icannablamehimmuckleathistimeo'life！It'snoasgienyouormedidit，yeken，sir！”
　　Thechosenagonizeafterthelight；stretchouttheirhandstoGod；
　　stirupthemselvestolayholduponGod！Thesearetheywhogathergrace，asthemountain-topsthesnow，tosenddownriversofwatertotheirfellows。Therestarethemanycalled，ofwhomnotafewhavetobecompelled。Alasfortheonecastout！
　　Ashewasgoinghomeinthedarkofacloudedmoonlight，justashereachedtheplacewherehefoundlordForgue，Donalcaughtsightofthevaguefigureofamanapparentlyonthewatch，andputhimselfalittleonhisguardashewenton。ItwasKennedy。Hecameuptohiminahesitatingway。
　　“Stephen，“saidDonal，forheseemedtowaitforhimtospeakfirst，“youmaythankGodyouarenotnowinhiding。“
　　“Iwadneverhide，sir。GienIhadkilledtheman，Iwadhaehaudenmyfacetil't。Butitwasafoolishthingtodo，forit'llonlygarthelassthinkthemairo'him：theyayesidewi'theanetheytaktobeill-used！”
　　“Ithoughtyousaidyouwouldinanycasehavenomoretodowithher！”saidDonal。
　　Kennedywassilentforamoment。
　　“Abodymaytearattheirhert，“hemuttered，“butgienitwinnacome，what'stheguido'sweirin'ootitmaun！”
　　“Well，“returnedDonal，“itmaybesomecomforttoyoutoknowthat，forthepresentatleast，andIhopeforaltogether，thethingisputastopto。Thehousekeeperatthecastleknowsallaboutit，andsheandIwilldoourbest。Hergrandparentsknowtoo。EppieherselfandlordForguehavebothofthempromisedthereshallbenomoreofit。AndIdobelieve，Kennedy，therehasbeennothingmorethangreatsillinessoneitherside。Ihopeyouwillnotforgetyourselfagain。Yougavemeapromiseandbrokeit！”
　　“Noi'theletter，sir——onlyi'thespeerit！”rejoinedKennedy：“I
　　gaednanearthecastel！”
　　“'Onlyinthespirit！'didyousay，Stephen？Whatmattersthewordbutforthespirit？TheBibleitselfletsthewordgoanytimeforthespirit！Wouldithavebeenabreachofyourpromiseifyouhadgonetothecastleonsomeservicetothemanyoualmostmurdered？
　　Ifeveryoulayyourhandontheladagain，I'lldomybesttogiveyouovertojustice。Butkeepquiet，andI'lldoallIcanforyou。“
　　Kennedypromisedtogovernhimself，andtheypartedfriends。
　　CHAPTERXXVII。
　　THESOULOFTHEOLDGARDEN。
　　Thedayswentonandon，andstillDonalsawnothing，ornexttonothingoftheearl。Thricehemethimonthewaytothewalledgardeninwhichhewaswonttotakehisunfrequentexercise；ononeoftheseoccasionshislordshipspoketohimcourteously，thenextscarcelynoticedhim，thethirdpassedhimwithoutrecognition。
　　Donal，whowithequalmindtookeverythingasitcame，troubledhimselfnotatallaboutthematter。Hewasdoinghisworkaswellasheknewhow，andthatwasenough。
　　NowalsohesawscarcelyanythingoflordForgueeither；henolongersoughthissuperiorscholarship。LadyArcturahesawgenerallyonceaweekatthereligion-lesson；ofMissCarmichaelhappilynothingatall。ButashegrewmorefamiliarwiththecountenanceofladyArctura，itpainedhimmoreandmoretoseeitsosad，sofarfrompeaceful。Whatmightbethecauseofit？
　　Mostwell-meaningyoungwomenareingeneraltolerablyhappy——partlyperhapsbecausetheyhavefewornoaspirations，nottroublingthemselvesaboutwhataloneistheendofthought——andpartlyperhapsbecausetheydespisethesadnesseverreadytoassailthem，assomethingunworthy。Butifcondemnedtotheroundofatormentingtheologicalmill，andatthesametimeconsumedwithstrenuousendeavourtoorderthoughtsandfeelingsaccordingtosupposedrequirementsofthegospel，withlittletoemploythemandnocompanionstomakethemforgetthemselves，suchwouldbeatoncemoresadandmoreworthy。Thenarrowwaystroddenofmenaremiserable；theyhavehighwallsoneachside，andbutanoccasionalglimpseoftheskyabove；andinsuchpathsladyArcturawastryingtowalk。Thetrueway，thoughnarrow，isnotunlovely：mostfootpathsarelovelierthanhighroads。Itmaybefulloftoil，butitcannotbemiserable。Ithasnotwalls，butfieldsandforestsandgardensaroundit，andlimitlessskyoverhead。Ithasitssorrows，butmanyofthemlieonlyonitsborders，andtheythatleavethepathgatherthem。LadyArcturawasdevouringhersoulinsilence，withsucheffectualhelptheretoastheself-sufficientfriend，whohadneverencounteredarealdifficultyinherlife，plenteouslygaveher。MissCarmichaeldealtwithherhonestlyaccordingtoherwisdom，butthatwisdomwasfoolishness；shesaidwhatshethoughtright，butwaswronginwhatshecountedright；
　　nay，shedidwhatshethoughtright——butnoamountofdoingwrongrightcansetthesoulonthehightable-landoffreedom，orendowitwithliberatinghelp。
　　Theautumnpassed，andthewinterwasathand——aterribletimetotheoldandailingevenintractsnearerthesun——totheyoungandhealthyamerrytimeeveninthesnowsandbitterfrostsofeasternScotland。Davielookedchieflytotheskating，andinparticulartothepleasurehewasgoingtohaveinteachingMr。Grant，whohadneverdoneanyslidingexceptonthesolesofhisnailedshoes：whenthetimecame，heacquiredtheartthemorerapidlythathenevermindedwhatblundershemadeinlearningathing。Thedreadofblunderingisagreatbartosuccess。
　　HevisitedtheCominsoften，andfoundcontinualcomfortandhelpintheirfriendship。Thelettershereceivedfromhome，especiallythoseofhisfriendsirGibbie，whonotunfrequentlywrotealsoforDonal'sfatherandmother，wereagreatnourishmenttohim。
　　Asthecoldandthenightsgrew，thewater-levelroseinDonal'swell，andthepoetrybegantoflow。Whenwehavenosummerwithout，wemustsupplyitfromwithin。Thosemusthavecomfortinthemselveswhoaresenttohelpothers。Upinhisaerie，likeaneagleabovethelowaffairsoftheearth，heledakeenerlife，breathedthebreathofamoregenuineexistencethantherestofthehouse。Nodoubttheoldcobbler，seatedathislastoveramouldyshoe，breathedayethigherairthanDonalweavinghisverse，orreadinggrandoldGreek，inhistower；butDonalwasonthesamepath，theonlypathwithaninfiniteend——thedivinedestiny。
　　Hehadoftenthoughtoftryingtheoldmanwithsomeofthebestpoetryheknew，desirousofknowingwhatreceptivityhemighthaveforit；butalwayswhenwithhimhadhithertoforgothisproposedinquiry，andthoughtofitagainonlyafterhehadlefthim：theoriginalflowofthecobbler'slifeputthethoughtoftestingitoutofhismind。
　　Oneafternoon，whenthelastoftheleaveshadfallen，andthecountrywasbareastheheartofanoldmanwhohaslivedtohimself，Donal，seatedbeforeagreatfireofcoalandboat-logs，fellathinkingoftheoldgarden，vanishedwiththesummer，butlivinginthememoryofitsdelight。Allthatwasleftofitatthefootofthehillwasitscorpse，butitssoulwasintheheavenofDonal'sspirit，andtherethisnightgatheredtoitselfanewform。
　　Itgrewandgrewinhim，tillitfilledwithitsthoughtsthemindofthepoet。Heturnedtohistable，andbegantowrite：withmanyemendationsafterwards，theresultwasthis：——
　　THEOLDGARDEN。
　　I。
　　IstoodinanancientgardenWithhighredwallsaround；
　　OverthemgrayandgreenlichensInshadowyarabesquewound。
　　ThetopmostclimbingblossomsOnfieldskine-hauntedlookedout；
　　Butwithinwereshelterandshadow，Anddaintiestodoursabout。
　　Therewerealleysandlurkingarbours——
　　Deepgloomsintowhichtodive；
　　Thelawnswereassoftasfleeces——
　　OfdaisiesIcountedbutfive。
　　Thesun-dialwassoagedIthadgatheredathoughtfulgrace；
　　Andtheround-aboutoftheshadowSeemedtohavefurroweditsface。
　　TheflowerswerealloftheoldestThateveringardensprung；
　　Red，andblood-red，anddarkpurple，Therose-lampsflaminghung。
　　Alongthebordersfring閐
　　Withbroadthickedgesofbox，Stoodfox-glovesandgorgeouspoppies，Andgreat-eyedhollyhocks。
　　Therewerejuniperstrimmedintocastles，Andash-treesbowedintotents；
　　Forthegarden，thoughancientandpensive，Stillworequaintornaments。
　　Itwasallsostatelyfantastic，Itsoldwindhardlywouldstir：
　　YoungSpring，whenshemerrilyentered，Mustfeelitnoplaceforher！
　　II。
　　IstoodinthesummermorningUnderacavernousyew；
　　Thesunwasgentlyclimbing，Andthescentsroseafterthedew。
　　Isawthewiseoldmansion，Likeacowinthenoonday-heat，StandinapoolofshadowsThatrippledaboutitsfeet。
　　Itswindowswereorielandlatticed，Lowlyandwideandfair；
　　AnditschimneyslikeclusteredpillarsStoodupinthethinblueair。
　　Whitedoves，likethethoughtsofalady，Haunteditinandout；
　　Withatrainofgreenandbluecomets，Thepeacockwentmarchingabout。
　　ThebirdsinthetreesweresingingAsongasoldastheworld，Ofloveandgreenleavesandsunshine，Andwinterfoldedandfurled。
　　TheysangthatneverwassadnessButitmeltedandpassedaway；
　　TheysangthatneverwasdarknessButincametheconqueringday。
　　AndIknewthatamaidensomewhere，Inasobersunlitgloom，Inanimbusofshininggarments，Anaureoleofwhite-browedbloom，Lookedoutonthegardendreamy，Andknewnotthatitwasold；
　　Lookedpastthegrayandthesombre，Andsawbutthegreenandthegold。
　　III。
　　Istoodinthegatheringtwilight，Inagentlyblowingwind；
　　Andthehouselookedhalfuneasy，Likeonethatwasleftbehind。
　　Theroseshadlosttheirredness，Andcoldthegrasshadgrown；
　　Atroostwerethepigeonsandpeacock，Andthedialwasdeadgraystone。
　　TheworldbythegatheringtwilightInagauzyduskwasclad；
　　Itwentinthroughmyeyestomyspirit，Andmademealittlesad。
　　Grewandgatheredthetwilight，Andfilledmyheartandbrain；
　　Thesadnessgrewmorethansadness，Andturnedtoagentlepain。
　　Brownedandbroodedthetwilight，Andsankdownthroughthecalm，TillitseemedforsomehumansorrowsTherecouldnotbeanybalm。
　　IV。
　　ThenIknewthat，upastaircase，Whichuntrodwillyetcreakandshake，Deepinadistantchamber，Aghostwascomingawake。
　　Inthegrowingdarknessgrowing——
　　Growingtillhereyesappear，Likespotsofadeepertwilight，Butmoretransparentclear——
　　Thinashotairup-trembling，Thinasasun-moltencrape，ThedeepeningshadowofsomethingTakethacertainshape；
　　AshapewhosehandsareupliftedTothrowbackherblindinghair；
　　Ashapewhosebosomisheaving，Butdrawsnotintheair。
　　AndIknow，bywhattimethemoonlightOnhernestofshadowswillsit，OutonthedimlawnglidingThatshadowofshadowswillflit。
　　V。
　　ThemoonisdreamingupwardFromaseaofcloudandgleam；
　　ShelooksasifshehadseenusNeverbutinadream。
　　DownthatstairIknowsheiscoming，Bare-footed，liftinghertrain；
　　Itcreaksnot——shehearsitcreaking，Forthesoundisinherbrain。
　　Outattheside-doorshe'scoming，Withatimidglancerightandleft！
　　Herlookishopelessyeteager，Thelookofaheartbereft。
　　Acrossthelawnsheisflitting，Hereddyingrobeinthewind！
　　Areherfairfeetbendingthegrasses？
　　Herhairishalfliftedbehind！
　　VI。
　　ShallIstaytolookonhernearer？
　　Wouldshestartandvanishaway？
　　No，no；shewillneverseeme，IfIstandasnearasImay！
　　Itisnotthiswindsheisfeeling，Notthiscoolgrassbelow；
　　'TisthewindandthegrassofaneveningAhundredyearsago。
　　Sheseesnorosesdarkling，Nostatelyhollyhocksdim；
　　SheisonlythinkinganddreamingOfthegarden，thenight，andhim；
　　Oftheunlitwindowsbehindher，Ofthetimelessdial-stone，Ofthetrees，andthemoon，andtheshadows，Ahundredyearsagone。
　　'TisanightforallghostlyloversTohauntthebest-lovedspot：
　　Ishecomeinhisdreamstothisgarden？
　　Igaze，butIseehimnot。
　　VII。
　　Iwillnotlookonhernearer——
　　Myheartwouldbetornintwain；
　　>FrommineeyesthegardenwouldvanishInthefallingoftheirrain！
　　IwillnotlookonasorrowThatdarkensintodespair；
　　Onthesurgeofaheartthatcannot——
　　Yetcannotceasetobear！
　　Mysoultoherswouldbecalling——
　　Shewouldhearnoworditsaid；
　　IfIcriedaloudinthestillness，Shewouldneverturnherhead！
　　Sheisdreamingtheskyaboveher，Sheisdreamingtheearthbelow：——
　　Thisnightshelostherlover，Ahundredyearsago。
　　CHAPTERXXVIII。
　　APRESENCEYETNOTAPRESENCE。
　　Thetwilighthadfallenwhilehewrote，andthewindhadrisen。Itwasnowblowingagale。Whenhecouldnolongersee，herosetolighthislamp，andlookedoutofthewindow。Allwasduskaroundhim。Aboveandbelowwasnothingtobedistinguishedfromthemass；
　　nothingandsomethingseemedinittoshareanequaluncertainty。Heheardthewind，butcouldnotseethecloudsthatsweptbeforeit，forallwascloudoverhead，andnochangeoflightorfeatureshowedtheshiftingofthemeasurelessbulk。Graystormyspacewasthewholeideaofthecreation。Hewasgazingintoavoid——wasitnotratheraconditionofthingsinappreciablebyhissenses？Astrangefeelingcameoverhimasoflookingfromawindowinthewallofthevisibleintotheregionunknown，tomanshapelessquite，thereforeterrible，whereinwanderthethingsallthathavenotyetfoundorformorsensibleembodiment，soastomanifestthemselvestoeyesorearsorhandsofmortals。Ashegazed，thehugeshapelesshulksoftheshipsofchaos，dimlyawfulsuggestionsofanimalsuncreate，yetvaguermotionsofwhatwasnot，cameheavingup，tovanish，evenfromthefancy，astheyapproachedhiswindow。Earthlayfarbelow，invisible；onlythroughthenightcamethemoaningofthesea，asthewinddroveit，instillenlargingwaves，upontheflatshore，alevelofdoubtfulgrassandsand，threemilesaway。Itseemedtohisheartasifthemoaningwerethevoiceofthedarkness，lamenting，likearepentantSatanorJudas，thatitwasnotthelight，couldnotholdthelight，mightnotbecomeasthelight，butmustthatmomentceasewhenthelightbegantoenterit。Darknessandmoaningwasallthattheearthcontained！Wouldthesoulsofthemarinersshipwreckedthisnightgoforthintotheceaselessturmoil？orwouldthey，leavingbehindthemthesenseforstorms，asforallthingssoftandsweetaswell，enteronlyavastsilence，wherewasnothingtobeawareofbuteachsolitaryself？ThoughtsandtheoriesmanypassedthroughDonal'smindashesoughttolandtheconceivablefromthewanderingbosomofthelimitless；andhewasjustarrivingattheconclusion，that，asallthingsseenmustbeafterthefashionoftheunseenwhencetheycome，astheverygeniusofembodimentislikeness，thereforethesoulofmanmustofcoursehavenaturalrelationswithmatter；but，ontheotherhand，asthespiritmustbethehomeandoriginofallthismoulding，assimilating，modellingenergy，andthespiritonlythatisinharmoniousonenesswithitsorigincanfullyexercisethedeputedcreativepower，itcanbeonlyinproportiontotheeternallifeinthem，thatspiritsareabletodrawtothemselvesmatterandclothethemselvesinit，soenteringintofullrelationwiththeworldofstormsandsunsets；——hewas，Isay，justarrivingatthishazardedconclusion，whenhestartedoutofhisreverie，andwassuddenlyalleartolisten——Again！——Yes！itwasthesamesoundthathadsenthimthatfirstnightwanderingthroughthehouseinfruitlessquest！Itcameintwoorthreefitfulchordsthatmeltedintoeachotherlikethecoloursintheliningofashell，thenceased。Hewenttothedoor，openedit，andlistened。Acoldwindcamerushingupthestair。Heheardnothing。Hesteppedoutonthestair，shuthisdoor，andlistened。Itcameagain——astrangeunearthlymusicalcry！Ifeverdisembodiedsoundwentwanderinginthewind，justsuchasoundmustitbe！Knowinglittleofmusicsaveintheformsoftoneandvowel-changeandrhythmandrime，hefeltasifhecouldhavelistenedforevertothewildwanderingsweetnessofitslamentation。Almostimmediatelyitceased——thenoncemorecameagain，apparentlyfromfaroff，dyingawayonthedistanttopsofthebillowyair，outofwhosewanderingbosomithadfirstissued。
　　Itwasasthewailingofasummer-windcaughtandsweptalonginatempestfromthefrozennorth。
　　Themomentheceasedtoexpectitanymore，hebegantothinkwhetheritmustnothavecomefromthehouse。Hestoledownthestair——todowhat，hedidnotknow。Hecouldnotgofollowinganairynothingalloverthecastle：ofagreatpartofitheasyetknewnothing！Hisconstructivemindhadyearnedafteracompleteideaofthebuilding，foritwasalmostapassionwithhimtofittheoutsidesandinsidesofthingstogether；butthereweresuitesofroomsintowhich，excepttheearlandladyArcturaweretoleavehome，hecouldnothopetoenter。Itwaslittlemorethanmechanicallythereforethathewentvaguelyafterthesound；anderehewashalf-waydownthestair，herecognizedthehopelessnessofthepursuit。Hewenton，however，totheschoolroom，whereteawaswaitinghim。
　　Hehadreturnedtohisroom，andwassittingagainatwork，nowreadingandmeditating，when，inoneofthelullsofthestorm，hebecameawareofanothersound——onemostunusualtohisears，forheneverrequiredanyattendanceinhisroom——thatofstepscomingupthestair——heavysteps，notasofoneonsomeordinaryerrand。Hewaitedlistening。Thestepscamenearerandnearer，andstoppedathisdoor。Ahandfumbledaboutuponit，foundthelatch，liftedit，andentered。ToDonal'swonder——anddismayaswell，itwastheearl。
　　Hisdismayarosefromhisappearance：hewasdeadlypale，andhiseyesmorelikethoseofacorpsethanamanamonghislivingfellows。Donalstartedtohisfeet。
　　Theapparitionturneditsheadtowardshim；butinitslookwasnoatomofrecognition，noacknowledgmentorevenperceptionofhispresence；thesoundofhisrisinghadhadmerelyahalf-mechanicalinfluenceuponitsbrain。Itturnedawayimmediately，andwentontothewindow。Thereitstood，muchasDonalhadstoodalittlewhilebefore——lookingout，butwiththeattitudeofonelisteningratherthanonetryingtosee。Therewasindeednothingbuttheblacknesstobeseen——andnothingtobeheardbuttheroaringofthewind，withtheroaringofthegreatbillowsrolledalonginit。Asitstood，thetimetoDonalseemedlong：itwasbutaboutfiveminutes。
　　Wasthemanoutofhismind，oronlyasleep-walker？Howcouldhebeasleepsoearlyinthenight？
　　AsDonalstooddoubtingandwondering，oncemorecamethemusicalcryoutofthedarkness——andimmediatelyfromtheearlaresponse——asoft，lowmurmur，bydegreesbecomingaudible，inthetoneofonemeditatingaloud，butinarestrainedecstacy。Fromhiswordsheseemedstilltobehearkeningthesoundsaerial，thoughtoDonalatleasttheycamenomore。
　　“Yetonceagain，“hemurmured，“onceagainereIforsaketheflesh，aremyearsblestwiththatvoice！Itisthesongoftheeternalwoman！Formeshesings！——Singon，siren；mysoulisalisteninguniverse，andthereinnoughtbutthyvoice！”
　　Hepaused，andbeganafresh：——
　　“Itisthewindinthetreeoflife！Itsleavesrustleinwordsoflove。UnderitsshadowIshalllie，withherIloved——andkilled！
　　Erethatdaycome，shewillhaveforgivenandforgotten，andallwillbewell！
　　“Harkthenotes！Clearasaflute！Fullandstringentasaviolin！
　　Theyarecolours！Theyareflowers！Theyarealive！Icanseethemastheygrow，astheyblow！Thoseareprimroses！Thosearepimpernels！Thosehigh，intense，burningtones——sosoft，yetsocertain——whatarethey？Jasmine？——No，thatflowerisnotanote！Itisachord！——andwhatachord！Imean，whataflower！Ineversawthatflowerbefore——neveronthisearth！Itmustbeafloweroftheparadisewhencecomesthemusic！Itis！Itis！DoInotrememberthenightwhenIsailedinthegreatshipovertheoceanofthestars，andscentedtheairsofheaven，andsawthepearlygatesgleamingacrossmyriadsofwaveringmiles！——saw，plainasIseethemnow，theflowersonthefieldswithin！Ah，me！thedragonthatguardsthegoldenapples！Seehiscrest——hiscrestandhisemeraldeyes！Hecomesfloatingupthroughthemurkylake！ItisGeryon！——cometobearmetothegyrebelow！”
　　Heturned，andwithasomewhatquickenedsteplefttheroom，hastilyshuttingthedoorbehindhim，asiftokeepbackthecreatureofhisvision。
　　Strong-heartedandstrong-brained，Donalhadyetstoodabsorbedasifhetoowereoutofthebody，andknewnothingmoreofthisearth。
　　Thereissomethingmoreterribleinapresencethatisnotapresencethaninavisionofthebodiless；thatis，apresentghostisnotsoterribleasanabsentone，apresentbutdesertedbody。Hestoodamomenthelpless，thenpulledhimselftogetherandtriedtothink。Whatshouldhedo？Whatcouldhedo？Whatwasrequiredofhim？Wasanythingrequiredofhim？Hadheanyrighttodoanything？
　　Couldanythingbedonethatwouldnotbothbeandcauseawrong？Hisfirstimpulsewastofollow：amaninsuchaconditionwassurelynottobelefttogowhitherhewouldamongtheheightsanddepthsofthecastle，wherehemightbreakhisneckanymoment！
　　Interferencenodoubtwasdangerous，buthewouldfollowhimatleastalittleway！Heheardthestepsgoingdownthestair，andmadehasteafterthem。Buteretheycouldhavereachedthebottom，thesoundofthemceased；andDonalknewtheearlmusthaveleftthestairatapointfromwhichhecouldnotfollowhim。
　　CHAPTERXXIX。
　　EPPYAGAIN。
　　Hewouldgladlyhavetoldhisfriendthecobblerallaboutthestrangeoccurrence；buthedidnotfeelsureitwouldberighttocarryareportofthehousewhereheheldapositionoftrust；andwhatmadehimdoubtfulwas，thatfirsthedoubtedwhetherthecobblerwouldconsideritright。Buthewenttoseehimthenextday，inthedesiretobeneartheonlymantowhomitwaspossiblehemighttellwhathehadseen。
　　Themomentheenteredtheroom，wherethecobblerasusualsatatworkbyhiswife，hesawthatsomethingwasthematter。Buttheywelcomedhimwiththeirusualcordiality，norwasitmanyminutesbeforemistressCominmadehimacquaintedwiththecauseoftheiranxiety。
　　“We'rejistaweetriblet，sir，“shesaid，“abootEppy！”
　　“Iamverysorry，“saidDonal，withapang：hehadthoughtthingsweregoingrightwithher。“Whatisthematter？”
　　“It'snosaeeasytosay！”returnedthegrandmother。“Itmayweelbeonlyafancyo'theauldfowk，butitseemstobaitho''sshehasaw'ywi'her'atdisnacomeo'thericht。She'llbethatmeekasgienshethouchtnaethingata'o'hersel'，an'thenextmomentbeangertataword。Shecannabideasyllablesaid'at'snocorrec'totheverrahair。It'sasgienshedreiditwaur'ahintit，an'wudmairchstrauchttothedefence。I'mnomakin'mymeanin'thatclear，I
　　doobt；butye'llken'tfora'that！”
　　“IthinkIdo，“saidDonal。“——Iseenothingofher。“
　　“Iwudnamakawon'ero'that，sir！Shemayweelhaudooto'yourgait，feelin'rebukit'aforeane'atkensa'aboothergaein'sonwi'mylord！”
　　“Idon'tknowhowIshouldseeher，though！”returnedDonal。
　　“Didnashesweepoottheschoolroomfirstwhanyegaed，sir？”
　　“WhenIthinkofit——yes。“
　　“Doesshestillthatsame？”
　　“Idonotknow。Understandingatwhathourinthemorningtheroomwillbereadyforme，Idonotgotoitsooner。“
　　“It'sbuttheluik，an'thegeneralcairriageo'thelassie！”saidtheoldwoman。“Gienwehadonythingtotakahaudo'，wewadmaybethinktheless。True，shewasayesome——whatyemichtca'abitcheengeableinherw'ys；butshewasaye，whanshehadthechance，unco'willin'togieherfaitherthereormysel'asparko'
　　glaidnesslike。Itpleasedhertobepleasin'i'theeyeso'theauldfowk，thoughtheywarbutherain。Butnoowemaunnasayawordtilher。Wehaenaebusinesstoluiktilherfornaething！No'atshe'sayelikethat；butitcomessaeaft'atatlastwedaurhardlyopenoormoo'sforthefearo'hooshe'lltakit。Onlya'thetimeit'smairasgienshewasflingin'somethingfraeher，somethingshedidnalikean'wudfainberido'，than'atshecaredsaeverramuckleabootonythingwesaidnotilhermin'。Shetaksahaudo'
　　thewords，nodoobt！butIcannahelpthinkin''at'maistwhateverwesaid，itwudbethesame。Somethingtocompleeno''sneverwantin'whanye'reill-pleasta'ready！”
　　“It'snotheduin'o'thericht，yesee，“saidthecobbler，“——I
　　mean，that'snoitsel'theen'，buttherichthumouro'thesowltowardsa'thingsthouchtorfeltordune！That'srichteousness，an'
　　ooto'thatcomes，o'theverranecessityo'natur'，a'richtdeedso'whateverkin'。Whaurtheycomenafurth，it'swhaurthesowl，thethouchto'theman'snoricht。Oorpuirlassieshawsa'mainnero'
　　sma'infirmitiesjist'causethehumouro'hersowl'snohermoniouswi'thetrowth，nohermoniousinitsel'，noatanewi'thetruething——wi'thetrueman——wi'thetrueGod。Itmayevenbesaidit'sasma'thing'atamansudduwrang，saelangashe'scapableo'
　　duin'wrang，an'lovesnatherichtwi'hertan'sowl。Buteh，it'snoasma'thing'athesudbecapable！”
　　“Surely，Anerew，“interposedhiswife，holdingupherhandsinmilddeprecation，“yewudnalatthelassieduwranggienyecouldhaudherricht？”
　　“No，Iwudna，“repliedherhusband，“——supposin'thehaudin'o'herrichttofa'inwi'onydegreeo'perceptiono'therichtonherpairt。Butsupposin'itwasonlythehaudin'o'herfraeillbyootwardconstraint，leavin'herreadyupo'thefirstopportunitytoturnaside；whereas，gienshehaddunewrang，shewudrepento''t，an'seewhatafoulthingitwastogangagain'theholywullo'him'atmadean'dee'dforher——Ilea'yetojeedgeforyersel'whatonyman'atluvedGodan'luvedthelassan'luvedthericht，wudchuise。Wemaunhaudbaitheenopenupo'thetrowth，an'noblinksidewiseupo'thewarl'an'itsrichteousnesswi'aneo'them。WhawadnabeZacchaywi'theLordinhishoose，an'therichteousnesso'
　　Godhimsel'growin'inhishert，raithernortheproodPhariseewhakentnaeillhewasduin'，an'thouchtitashametospeaktosicamanasZacchay！”
　　Thegrandmotherheldherpeace，thinkingprobablythatsolongasonekeptrespectable，thereremainedthemorelikelihoodofaspiritualchange。
　　“IsthereanythingyouthinkIcoulddo？”askedDonal。“IconfessI'mafraidofmeddling。“
　　“Iwudnahaeyouappear，sir，“saidAndrew，“inonything，concernin'
　　her。Ye'reayoongmanyersel'，an'fowk'shertsaswellasfowk'stonguesarenotobelippenttil。Ihaeseenfowk，'causetheycouldnabelieveabodyduin'athingfraeasma'modicumo'gudewull，setthemsel'stoinventwhattheyca'damotivetilaccoontfor't——something，thatis，thatwudhaeprevailtwi'themsel'stogarthemdu't。Sicfowkcannaun'erstan'abodyduin'onythingjist'causeitwasworthduin'initsel'！”
　　“Butmaybe，“saidtheoldwoman，returningtothepractical，“asyehaebeenpleasedtosayye'reonfreen'lytermswi'mistressBrookes，yemichtjistseegienshe'sobservedonyten'encytoresumptiono'theauldaffair！”
　　Donalpromised，andassoonashereachedthecastlesoughtaninterviewwiththehousekeeper。ShetoldhimshehadbeenparticularlypleasedoflatewithEppy'sattentiontoherwork，andreadinesstomakeherselfuseful。Ifshedidlooksometimesalittleoutofheart，theymustremember，shesaid，thattheyhadbeenyoungthemselvesonce，andthatitwasnotsoeasytoforgetastogiveup。Butshewouldkeephereyesopen！
　　CHAPTERXXX。
　　LORDMORVEN。
　　Thewintercameatlastingoodearnest——firstblackfrost，thenwhitesnow，thensleetandwindandrain；thensnowagain，whichfellsteadyandcalm，andlaythick。Afterthatcamehardfrost，andbroughtplentyofskating，andtoDaviethedelightofteachinghismaster。Donalhadmanyfalls，butwassoon，partlyinvirtueofthosesamefalls，averydecentskater。Davieclaimedallthemeritofhissuccessfultraining；andwhenhismasterdidanythingparticularlywell，wouldremarkwithpride，thathehadtaughthim。
　　ButthegoodthinginitforDaviewas，thathenotedtheimmediatefaithwithwhichDonaldidortriedtodowhathetoldhim：thisreactedinopeninghismindtothebeautyanddignityofobedience，andwentalongwaytowardsrevealingthelowmoralconditionofthemanwhoseeksfreedomthroughrefusaltoactatthewillofanother。
　　Hewhodoessowillcomebydegreestohavenowillofhisown，andactonlyfromimpulse——whichmaybethewillofadevil。SoDonalandDaviegrewtogetherintooneheartoffriendship。DonalneverlongedforhishourswithDavietopass，andDaviewasneversohappyaswhenwithDonal。Theonewasgentlyleadingtheotherintothepathsofliberty。Nothingbuttheteachingofhimwhomadethehumansoulcanmakethatsoulfree，butitisingreatmeasurethroughthosewhohavealreadylearnedthatheteaches；andDaviewasanaptpupil，promisingtoneedlessofthedisciplineoffailureandpainthathewasstrongtobelieve，andreadytoobey。
　　ButDonalwasnotallthedaywithDavie，andlatterlyhadbeguntofeelalittleanxiousaboutthetimetheboyspentawayfromhim——partlywithhisbrother，partlywiththepeopleaboutthestable，andpartlywithhisfather，whoevidentlyfoundthepresenceofhisyoungersonlessirksometohimthanthatofanyotherperson，andsawmoreofhimthanofForgue：theamountoflonelinesstheearlcouldendurewasamazing。Butafterwhathehadseenandheard，Donalwasmostanxiousconcerninghistimewithhisfather，onlyhefeltitadelicatethingtoaskhimaboutit。Atlength，however，Daviehimselfopenedupthematter。
　　“Mr。Grant，“hesaidoneday，“Iwishyoucouldhearthegrandfairy-storiesmypapatells！”
　　“IwishImight！”answeredDonal。
　　“Iwillaskhimtoletyoucomeandhear。Ihavetoldhimyoucanmakefairy-talestoo；onlyhehasquiteanotherwayofdoingit；——andImustconfess，“addedDaviealittlepompously，“Idonotfollowhimsoeasilyasyou——Besides，“headded，“Inevercanfindanythinginwhatyoucallthecupboardbehindthecurtainofthestory。Iwondersometimesifhisstorieshaveanycupboard！——Iwillaskhimto-daytoletyoucome。“
　　“Ithinkthatwouldhardlydo，“saidDonal。“Yourfatherlikestotellhisboyfairy-tales，buthemightnotcaretotellthemtoaman。Youmustremember，too，thatthoughIhavebeeninthehousewhatyouthinkalongtime，yourfatherhasseenverylittleofme，andmightfeelmeintheway：invalidsdonotgenerallyenjoythecompanyofstrangers。Youhadbetternotaskhim。“
　　“ButIhaveoftentoldhimhowgoodyouare，Mr。Grant，andhowyoucan'tbearanythingthatisnotright，andIamsurehemustlikeyou——Idon'tmeansowellasIdo，becauseyouhaven'ttoteachhimanything，andnobodycanloveanybodysowellastheoneheteachestobegood。“
　　“StillIthinkyouhadbetterleaveitalonelestheshouldnotlikeyouraskinghim。Ishouldbesorrytohaveyoudisappointed。“
　　“IdonotmindthatsomuchasIused。IfyoudonottellmeIamnottodoit，IthinkIwillventure。“
　　Donalsaidnomore。Hedidnotfeelatliberty，fromhisownfeelingmerely，tochecktheboy。Thethingwasnotwrong，andsomethingmightbeintendedtocomeoutofit！Heshrankfromtheleastrulingofevents，believingman'sonlycalltoactionisduty。SoheleftDavietodoashepleased。
　　“Doesyourfatheroftentellyouafairy-tale？”heasked。
　　“Noteveryday，sir。“
　　“Whattimedoeshetellthem？”
　　“GenerallywhenIgotohimaftertea。“
　　“Doyougoanytimeyoulike？”
　　“Yes；buthedoesnotalwaysletmestay。Sometimeshetalksaboutmamma，Ithink；butonlycomingintothefairy-tale——Hehastoldmeoneinthemiddleoftheday！IthinkhewouldifIwokehimupinthenight！Butthatwouldnotdo，forhehasterribleheadaches。
　　PerhapsthatiswhatsometimesmakeshisstoriessoterribleIhavetobeghimtostop！”
　　“Anddoeshestop？”
　　“Well——no——Idon'tthinkheeverdoes——Whenastoryisoncebegun，Isupposeitoughttobefinished！”
　　Sothematterrestedforthetime。Butaboutaweekafter，Donalreceivedonemorningthroughthebutleraninvitationtodinewiththeearl，andconcludeditwasduetoDavie，whomhethereforeexpectedtofindwithhisfather。Heputonhisbestclothes，andfollowedSimmonsupthegrandstaircase。Thegreatroomsofthecastlewereonthefirstfloor，buthepassedtheentrancetothem，followinghisguideupanduptothesecondfloor，wheretheearlhadhisownapartment。Herehewasshownintoasmallroom，richlyfurnishedafterasombrelyornatefashion，thedraperyandcoveringsmuchfaded，worneventoshabbiness。Ithadbeenforacenturyorsotheprivatesitting-roomoftheladyofthecastle，butwasnowusedbytheearl，perhapsinmemoryofhiswife。Herehereceivedhissons，andnowDonal，butneveranywhombusinessorpolitenesscompelledhimtosee。
　　TherewasnooneintheroomwhenDonalentered，butafterabouttenminutesadooropenedatthefurtherend，andlordMorvenappearingfromhisbedroom，shookhandswithhimwithsomefaintshowofkindness。Almostthesamemomentthebutlerenteredfromathirddoor，andsaiddinnerwaited。Theearlwalkedon，andDonalfollowed。Thisroomalsowasasmallone。Themealwaslaidonalittleroundtable。Therewerebuttwocovers，andSimmonsalonewasinwaiting。
　　Whiletheyateanddrank，whichhislordshipdidsparingly，notawordwasspoken。Donalwouldhavefounditembarrassinghadhenotbeenpreparedforthepeculiar。Hislordshiptooknonoticeofhisguest，leavinghimtothecareofthebutler。Helookedverywhiteandworn——Donalthoughtagooddealworsethanwhenhesawhimfirst。Hischeeksweremoresunken，hishairmoregray，andhiseyesmoreweary——withaconsumingfireinthemthathadnolongermuchfuelandwasburningremnants。Hestoopedoverhisplateasiftohidetheoperationofeating，anddrankhiswinewithatremblinghand。Everymovementindicatedindifferencetobothhisfoodandhisdrink。
　　Atlengththemoresolidpartofthemealwasremoved，andtheywereleftalone，fruituponthetable，andtwowine-decanters。Fromoneofthemtheearlhelpedhimself，thenpassedittoDonal，saying，“YouareverygoodtomylittleDavie，Mr。Grant！Heisfullofyourkindnesstohim。Thereisnobodylikeyou！”
　　“AlittlegoesalongwaywithDavie，mylord，“answeredDonal。
　　“Thenmuchmustgoalongerway！”saidtheearl。
　　Therewasnothingremarkableinthewords，yethespokethemwiththedifficultyamanaccustomedtospeak，andtoweighhiswords，mightfindinclothinganewthoughttohissatisfaction。Theeffortseemedtohavetriedhim，andhetookasipofwine。This，however，hedidaftereverybriefestsentenceheuttered：asiponlyhetook，nothinglikeamouthful。
　　DonaltoldhimthatDavie，ofalltheboyshehadknown，wasfarthequickest，andthatjustbecausehewasmorallythemostteachable。
　　“Yougreatlygratifyme，Mr。Grant，“saidtheearl。“IhavelongwishedsuchamanasyouforDavie。IfonlyIhadknownyouwhenForguewaspreparingforcollege！”
　　“Imusthavebeenatthattimeonlyatcollegemyself，mylord！”
　　“True！true！”
　　“ButforDavie，itisaprivilegetoteachhim！”
　　“Ifonlyitmightlastawhile！”returnedtheearl。“Butofcourseyouhavethechurchinyoureye！”
　　“Mylord，Ihavenot。“
　　“What！”criedhislordshipalmosteagerly；“youintendgivingyourlifetoteaching？”
　　“Mylord，“returnedDonal，“Inevertroublemyselfaboutmylife。
　　Whyshouldweburdenthemuleofthepresentwiththecamel-loadofthefuture。Itakewhatcomes——whatissentme，thatis。“
　　“Youareright，Mr。Grant！IfIwereinyourposition，Ishouldthinkjustasyoudo。But，alas，Ihaveneverhadanychoice！”
　　“Perhapsyourlordshiphasnotchosentochoose！”Donalwasonthepointofsaying，butbethoughthimselfintimenottohazardtheremark。
　　“IfIwerearichman，Mr。Grant，“theearlcontinued，“Iwouldsecureyourservicesforatimeindefinite；but，aseveryoneknows，notanacreofthepropertybelongstome，orgoeswiththetitle。
　　Davie，dearboy，willhavenothingbutathousandortwo。ThemarriageIhaveinviewforlordForguewillarrangeafutureforhim。“
　　“Ihopetherewillbesomeloveinthemarriage！”saidDonaluneasily，withavaguethoughtofEppy。
　　“Ihadnointention，“returnedhislordshipwithcoldpoliteness，“oftroublingyouconcerninglordForgue！”
　　“Ibegyourpardon，mylord，“saidDonal。
　　“——Davie，poorboy——heismyanxiety！”resumedtheearl，inhisformercondescendinglyfriendly，halfsleepytone。“Whattodowithhim，Ihavenotyetsucceededindetermining。IfthechurchofScotlandwereepiscopalnow，wemightputhimintothat：hewouldbeanhonourtoit！Butasithasnodignitiestoconfer，itisnottheplaceforoneofhisbirthandsocialposition。Afewshabbyhundredsayear，andtheassociationshewouldnecessarilybethrowninto！——Howeverhonourabletheprofessioninitself！”headded，withabowtoDonal，apparentlyunabletogetitoutofhisheadthathehadanembryo-clergymanbeforehim。
　　“Davieisnotquiteamanyet，“saidDonal；“andbythetimehebeginstothinkofaprofession，hewill，Itrust，befittomakeachoice：theboyhasagreatdealofcommonsense。Ifyourlordshipwillpardonme，Icannothelpthinkingthereisnoneedtotroubleabouthim。“
　　“Itisverywellforoneinyourpositiontothinkinthatway，Mr。
　　Grant！Menlikeyouarefreetochoose；youmaymakeyourbreadasyouplease。Butmeninourpositionaregreatlylimitedintheirchoice；thepathsopentothemarefew。Traditionoppressesus。Weareslavestothedeadandburied。IcouldwellwishIhadbeenborninyourhumblerbutintruthlesscontractedsphere。Certainr鬺esarenotopentoyou，tobesure；butyourlifeintheopenair，followingyoursheep，anddreamingallthingsbeautifulandgrandintheworldbeyondyou，isentrancing。Itisthelifetomakeapoet！”
　　“Oraking！”thoughtDonal。“Buttheearlwouldhavemadeadiscontentedshepherd！”
　　Themanwhoisnotcontentwhereheis，wouldneverhavebeencontentsomewhereelse，thoughhemighthavecomplainedless。
　　“Takeanotherglassofwine，Mr。Grant，“saidhislordship，fillinghisownfromtheotherdecanter。“Trythis；Ibelieveyouwilllikeitbetter。“
　　“Intruth，mylord，“answeredDonal，“IhavedrunksolittlewinethatIdonotknowonesortfromanother。“
　　“Youknowwhiskybetter，Idaresay！Wouldyoulikesomenow？Touchthebellbehindyou。“
　　“No，thankyou，mylord；Iknowaslittleaboutwhisky：mymotherwouldneverletuseventasteit，andIhavenevertastedit。“
　　“Anewtasteisagaintothebeing。“
　　“Isuspect，however，anewappetitecanonlybealoss。“
　　Ashesaidthis，Donal，halfmechanically，filledaglassfromthedecanterhishosthadpushedtowardshim。
　　“Ishouldlikeyou，though，“resumedhislordship，afterashortpause，“tokeepyoureyesopentothefactthatDaviemustdosomethingforhimself。Youwouldthenbeabletoletmeknowbyandbywhatyouthinkhimfitfor！”
　　“Iwillwithpleasure，mylord。Tastesmaynotbeinfallibleguidestowhatisfitforus，buttheymayleadustotheknowledgeofwhatwearefitfor。“
　　“Extremelywellsaid！”returnedtheearl。
　　IdonotthinkheunderstoodintheleastwhatDonalmeant。
　　“ShallItryhowhetakestotrigonometry？Hemightcaretolearnland-surveying！Gentlemennow，notunfrequently，takechargeofthepropertiesoftheirmorefavouredrelatives。ThereisMr。Graeme，yourownfactor，mylord——arelative，Iunderstand！”
　　“Adistantone，“answeredhislordshipwithmarkedcoldness，“——thedegreeofrelationshiphardlytobecounted。“
　　“Inthelowlands，mylord，youdonotcaretocountkinaswedointhehighlands！Myheartwarmstothewordkinsman。“
　　“YouhavenotfoundkinshipsoawkwardasI，possibly！”saidhislordship，withawaterysmile。“Themaninhumblepositionmayallowtheclaimofkintoanyextent：hehasnothing，thereforenothingcanbetakenfromhim！Butthemanwhohaswouldbethepoorestoftheclanifhegavetoeveryneedyrelation。“
　　“Ineverknewthemansopoor，“answeredDonal，“thathehadnothingtogive。Butthethingsofthepoorarehardlytothepurposeofthepredatoryrelative。“
　　“'Predatoryrelative！'——agoodphrase！”saidhislordship，withasleepylaugh，thoughhiseyeswerewideopen。Hislipsdidnotseemtocaretomove，yethelookedpleased。“Totellyouthetruth，“hebeganagain，“atoneperiodofmyhistoryIgaveandgavetillIwastiredofgiving！Ingratitudewasthesolereturn。AtoneperiodI
　　hadlargepossessions——largerthanIliketothinkofnow：ifIhadthetenthpartofwhatIhavegivenaway，IshouldnotbeuneasyconcerningDavie。“
　　“ThereisnofearofDavie，mylord，solongasheisbroughtupwiththeideathathemustworkforhisbread。“
　　Hislordshipmadenoanswer，andhislookremindedDonalofthatheworewhenhecametohischamber。Amoment，andheroseandbegantopacetheroom。Anindescribablesuggestionofaninvisibleyetluminouscloudhoveredabouthisforeheadandeyes——whichlatter，ifnotfixedonveryvacancy，seemedtohavegotsomewherenearit。Atthefourthorfifthturnheopenedthedoorbywhichhehadentered，continuingaremarkhehadbeguntoDonal——ofwhich，althoughheheardeverywordandseemedonthepointofunderstandingsomething，hehadnotcaughtthesensewhenhislordshipdisappeared，stilltalking。Donalthoughtitthereforehisparttofollowhim，andfoundhimselfinhislordship'sbedroom。Butoutofthishislordshiphadalreadygone，throughanoppositedoor，andDonalstillfollowingenteredanoldpicture-gallery，ofwhichhehadheardDaviespeak，butwhichtheearlkeptprivateforhisexerciseindoors。Itwasalong，narrowplace，hardlymorethanawidecorridor，andappearednowheretoafforddistanceenoughforseeingapicture。ButDonalcouldilljudge，forthesolelightintheplacecamefromthefiresandcandlesintheroomswhosedoorstheyhadleftopenbehindthem，withjustafaintglimmerfromthevapour-buriedmoon，sufficingtoshowtheoutlineofwindowafterwindow，andrevealingsomethingofthegreatlengthofthegallery。
　　BythetimeDonalovertooktheearl，hewassomedistancedown，holdingstraightonintothelongdusk，andstilltalking。
　　“Thisismyfavouritepromenade，“hesaid，asifbroughttohimselfbythesoundofDonal'sovertakingsteps。“Afterdinneralways，Mr。
　　Grant，wetweatherordry，stillorstormy，Iwalkhere。WhatdoI
　　carefortheweather！ItwillbetimewhenIamoldtoconsultthebarometer！”
　　Donalwonderedalittle：thereseemednogreathardihoodintheworstofweathertogopacingapicture-gallery，wherethefierceststormthateverblewcouldsendinonlylittlethreadsofairthroughthechinksofwindowsanddoors！
　　“Yes，“hislordshipwenton，“Itaughtmyselfhardshipinmyboyhood，andIreapthefruitsofitinmyprime！——Comeuphere：I
　　willshowyouaprospectunequalled。“
　　Hestoppedinfrontofalargepicture，andbegantotalkasifexpatiatingonthepointsofalandscapeoutspreadbeforehim。Hisremarksbelongedtosomethingmagnificent；butwhethertheywereapplicabletothepictureDonalcouldnottell；therewaslightenoughonlytogiveafaintgleamtoitsgildedframe。
　　“Reachbeyondreach！”saidhislordship；“endless！infinite！HowwouldnotpoorMaldon，withhiseverfreshambitionaftertheunattainable，havegloatedonsuchascene！InNaturealoneyoufrontsuccess！Shedoeswhatshemeans！Shealonedoeswhatshemeans！”
　　“If，“saidDonal，moreforthesakeofconfirmingtheearl'simpressionthathehadalistener，thanfromanyideathathewouldlisten——“ifyoumeantheobjectofNatureistopresentuswithperfection，Icannotallowshedoeswhatsheintends：yourarelyseeherproduceanythingshewouldherselfcallperfect。Butifherobjectbetomakeusbeholdperfectionwiththeinnereye，thisobjectshecertainlydoesgain，andthatjustbystoppingshortof——“
　　Hedidnotfinishthesentence。Asuddenchangewasuponhim，absorbinghimsothathedidnoteventrytoaccountforit：
　　somethingseemedtogivewayinhishead——asifabubbleburstinhisbrain；andfromthatmomentwhatevertheearlsaid，andwhateveraroseinhisownmind，seemedtohaveoutwardexistenceaswell。Heheardandknewthevoiceofhishost，butseemedalsoinsomeinexplicableway，whichatthetimeoccasionedhimnosurprise，toseethethingswhichhadtheirorigininthebrainoftheearl。
　　Whetherhewentinverydeedoutwithhimintothenight，hedidnotknow——hefeltasifhehadgone，andthoughthehadnot——butwhenhewokethenextmorninginhisbedatthetopofthetower，whichhehadnorecollectionofclimbing，hewasaswearyasifhehadbeenwalkingthenightthrough。
　　CHAPTERXXXI。
　　BEWILDERMENT。
　　Hisfirstthoughtwasofalonganddelightfuljourneyhehadmadeonhorsebackwiththeearl——throughscenesofentrancinginterestandvariety，——withthepresentresultofastrangeweariness，almostmisery。Whathadbefallenhim？Wasthethingafactorafancy？Ifafancy，howwashesoweary？Ifafact，howcouldithavebeen？Hadheinanywaybeentheearl'scompanionthroughsuchalongnightasitseemed？Couldtheyhavevisitedalltheplaceswhoseremembrancelingeredinhisbrain？Hewassoconfused，sobewildered，sohauntedwithashadowyuneasinessalmostlikeremorse，thatheevendreadedthediscoveryofthecauseofitall。Mightamansoloseholdofhimselfastobenomorecertainhehadeverpossessedorcouldeverpossesshimselfagain？
　　Hebethoughthimselfatlastthathemightperhapshavetakenmorewinethanhisheadcouldstand。Yetherememberedleavinghisglassunemptiedtofollowtheearl；anditwassometimeafterthatbeforethechangecame！Couldithavebeendrunkenness？Haditbeenslowlycomingwithouthisknowingit？Hecouldhardlybelieveit？Butwhateveritwas，ithadlefthimunhappy，almostashamed。Whatwouldtheearlthinkofhim？Hemusthaveconcludedhimunfitanylongertokeepchargeofhisson！Forhisownparthedidnotfeelhewastoblame，butratherthatanaccidenthadbefallenhim。Whencethenthissenseofsomethingakintoshame？Whyshouldhebeashamedofanythingcominguponhimfromwithout？Ofthatshamehehadtobeashamed，asofalackoffaithinGod！WouldGodleavehiscreaturewhotrustedinhimatthemercyofachance——ofaglassofwinetakeninignorance？Therewasathingtobeashamedof，andwithgoodcause！
　　Hegotup，foundtohisdismaythatitwasalmostteno'clock——hishourforrisinginwinterbeingsix——dressedinhaste，andwentdown，wonderingthatDaviehadnotcometoseeafterhim。
　　Intheschoolroomhefoundhimwaitingforhim。Theboysprangup，anddartedtomeethim。
　　“Ihopeyouarebetter，Mr。Grant！”hesaid。“Iamsogladyouareabletobedown！”
　　“Iamquitewell，“answeredDonal。“Ican'tthinkwhatmademesleepsolong？Whydidn'tyoucomeandwakeme，Davie，myboy？”
　　“BecauseSimmonstoldmeyouwereill，andImustnotdisturbyouifyouwereeversolateincomingdown。“
　　“Ihardlydeserveanybreakfast！”saidDonal，turningtothetable；
　　“butifyouwillstandbyme，andreadwhileItakemycoffee，weshallsavealittletimeso。“
　　“Yes，sir——Butyourcoffeemustbequitecold！Iwillring。“
　　“No，no；Imustnotwasteanymoretime。Amanwhocannotdrinkcoldcoffeeoughttocomedownwhileitishot。“
　　“Forguewon'tdrinkcoldcoffee！”saidDavie：“Idon'tseewhyyoushould！”
　　“BecauseIprefertodowithmycoffeeasIplease；Iwillnothavehotcoffeeformymaster。Iwon'thaveitanythingtomewhathumourthecoffeemaybein。IwillbeDonalGrant，whetherthecoffeebecoldorhot。Abitofpracticalphilosophyforyou，Davie！”
　　“IthinkIunderstandyou，sir：youwouldnothaveamanmakeafussaboutatrifle。“
　　“Notaboutarealtrifle。Theco-relativeofatrifle，Davie，isasmile。ButIwouldtakeheedwhetherthethingthatiscalledatriflebereallyatrifle。Besides，theremaybeapointinatriflethatistheeggofanought。Itisatriflewhetherthisorthatisnice；itisapointthatIshouldnotcare。Withushighlandersitisapointofbreedingnottomindwhatsortofdinnerwehave，buttoeatasheartilyofbreadandcheeseasofroastbeef。Atleastsomyfatherandmotherusedtoteachme，thoughIfearthatrefinementofgoodmannersisgoingoutoffashionevenwithhighlanders。“
　　“Itisgoodmanners！”rejoinedDaviewithdecision，“——andmorethangoodmanners！IshouldcountitgrandnottocarewhatkindofdinnerIhad。ButIamafraiditismorethanIshallevercometo！”
　　“Youwillnevercometoitbytryingbecauseyouthinkitgrand。
　　Onlymind，Ididnotsaywewerenottoenjoyourroastbeefmorethanourbreadandcheese；thatwouldbenottodiscriminate，wherethereisadifference。Ifbreadandcheesewerejustasgoodtousasroastbeef，therewouldbenovictoryinourcontentment。“
　　“Isee！”saidDavie——“Wouldn'titbewell，“heasked，afteramoment'spause，“toputone'sselfintraining，Mr。Grant，todowithoutthings——oratleasttobeabletodowithoutthem？”
　　“Itismuchbettertodothelessonssetyoubyonewhoknowshowtoteach，thantopicklessonsforyourselfoutofyourbooks。Davie，I
　　havenotthatconfidenceinmyselftothinkIshouldbeagoodteacherofmyself。“
　　“Butyouareagoodteacherofme，sir！”
　　“Itry——butthenI'msettoteachyou，andIamnotsettoteachmyself：IamonlysettomakemyselfdowhatIamtaught。Whenyouaremyteacher，Davie，Itry——don'tI——todoeverythingyoutellme？”
　　“Yes，indeed，sir！”
　　“ButIamnotsettoobeymyself！”
　　“No，noranyoneelse，sir！Youdonotneedtoobeyanyone，orhaveanyoneteachyou，sir！”
　　“Oh，don'tI，Davie！Onthecontrary，Icouldnotgetonforonesolitarymomentwithoutsomebodytoteachme。Lookyouhere，Davie：
　　Ihavesomanylessonsgivenme，thatIhavenotimeorneedtoaddtothemanyofmyown。Ifyouweretoaskthecooktoletyouhaveacolddinner，youwouldperhapseatitwithpride，andtakecreditforwhatyourhungeryetmadequiteagreeabletoyou。Buttheboywhodoesnotgrumblewhenheistoldnottogooutbecauseitisrainingandhehasacold，willnotperhapsgrumbleeithershouldhehappentofindhisdinnernotatallnice。“
　　Daviehunghishead。Ithadbeenaverysmallgrumble，buttherearenosinsforwhichthereislessreasonorlessexcusethansmallones：innosensearetheyworthcommitting。Andwegrownpeoplecommitmanymoresuchthanlittlechildren，andhaveourrewardinchildishnessinsteadofchildlikeness。
　　“Itissoeasy，“continuedDonal，“todothethingweordainourselves，forinholdingtoitwemakeourselvesoutfinefellows！——andthatissuchameankindofthing！Thenwhenanotherwhohastheright，laysathinguponus，wegrumble——thoughitbethetruestandkindestthing，andthemostreasonableandneedfulforus——evenforourdignity——forourbeingworthanything！Dependuponit，Davie，todowhatwearetoldisafargranderthingthantolaytheseverestrulesuponourselves——ay，andtosticktothem，too！”
　　“Butmighttherenotbesomethinggoodforustodothatwewerenottoldof？”
　　“Whoeverdoesthethingheistoldtodo——thething，thatis，thathasaplainoughtinit，willbecomesatisfiedthatthereisonewhowillnotforgettotellhimwhatmustbedoneassoonasheisfittodoit。“
　　TheconversationlastedonlywhileDonalatehisbreakfast，withthelittlefellowstandingbesidehim；itwassoonover，butnotsoontobeforgotten。Forthereadinessoftheboytodowhathismastertoldhim，wasbeautiful——andagreathelpandcomfort，sometimesarousingrebuketohismaster，whosethoughtswouldyetoccasionallytumbleintooneofthepitfallsofsorrow。
　　“What！”hewouldsaytohimself，“amIsobelievedinbythischild，thathegoesatoncetodomywords，andshallIforamomentdoubttheheartoftheFather，orhispowerorwilltosetrightwhatevermayhaveseemedtogowrongwithhischild！——Goon，Davie！Youareagoodboy；Iwillbeabetterman！”
　　Butnaturally，assoonaslessonswereover，hefellagaintothinkingwhatcouldhavebefallenhimthenightbefore。Atwhatpointdidtheaberrationbegin？Theearlmusthavetakennoticeofit，forsurelySimmonshadnotgivenDaviethoseinjunctionsofhimself——exceptindeedhehadexposedhisconditioneventohim！IftheearlhadspokentoSimmons，kindnessseemedintendedhim；butitmighthavebeenmerelycareovertheboy！Anyhow，whatwastobedone？
　　Hedidnotponderthematterlong。Withthatdirectnesswhichwasoneofthemostmarkedfeaturesofhisnature，heresolvedatoncetorequestaninterviewwiththeearl，andmakehisapologies。HesoughtSimmons，therefore，andfoundhiminthepantryrubbinguptheforksandspoons。
　　“Ah，Mr。Grant，“hesaid，beforeDonalcouldspeak，“Iwasjustcomingtoyouwithamessagefromhislordship！Hewantstoseeyou。“
　　“AndIcametoyou，“repliedDonal，“tosayIwantedtoseehislordship！”
　　“That'swellfitted，then，sir！”returnedSimmons。“Iwillgoandseewhen。Hislordshipisnotup，norlikelytobeforsomehoursyet；heisinoneofhislowfitsthismorning。Hetoldmeyouwerenotquiteyourselflastnight。“
　　AshespokehisrednoseseemedtoexamineDonal'sfacewithakindly，butnotaltogethersympatheticscrutiny。
　　“Thefactis，Simmons，“answeredDonal，“notbeingusedtowine，I
　　fearIdrankmoreofhislordship'sthanwasgoodforme。“
　　“Hislordship'swine，“murmuredSimmons，andtherecheckedhimself。
　　“——Howmuchdidyoudrink，sir——ifImaymakesobold？”
　　“Ihadoneglassduringdinner，andmorethanone，butnotnearlytwo，after。“
　　“Pooh！pooh，sir！Thatcouldneverhurtastrongmanlikeyou！Yououghttoknowbetterthanthat！Lookatme！”
　　Buthedidnotgoonwithhisillustration。