“Tut！”heresumed，“thatmakeyousleeptillteno'clock！——Ifyouwillkindlywaitinthehall，orintheschoolroom，Iwillbringyouhislordship'sorders。“
　　Sosayingwhilehewashedhishandsandtookoffhiswhiteapron，Simmonsdepartedonhiserrandtohismaster。Donalwenttothefootofthegrandstaircase，andtherewaited。
　　Ashestoodheheardalightstepabovehim，andinvoluntarilyglancingup，sawthelightshapeofladyArcturacomeroundthecurveofthespiralstair，descendingratherslowlyandverysoftly，asifherfeetwerethinking。Shecheckedherselfforaninfinitesimalmoment，thenmovedonagain。Donalstoodwithbendedheadasshepassed。Ifsheacknowledgedhisobeisanceitwaswiththeslightestreturn，butsheliftedhereyestohisfacewithalookthatseemedtohaveinitastrangewistfultrouble——notverymarked，yetnotable。Shepassedonandvanished，leavingthatlookalingeringpresenceinDonal'sthought。Whatwasit？Wasitanything？
　　Whatcoulditmean？Hadhereallyseenit？Wasitthere，orhadheonlyimaginedit？
　　Simmonskepthimwaitingagoodwhile。Hehadfoundhislordshipgettingup，andhadhadtostaytohelphimdress。Atlengthhecame，excusinghimselfthathislordship'stemperatsuchtimes——thatwas，inhisdumpyfits——wasnotoftheevenest，andrequiredagentlehand。Buthislordshipwouldseehim——andcouldMr。Grantfindthewayhimself，forhisoldbonesachedwithrunningupanddownthoseendlessstonesteps？Donalansweredheknewtheway，andsprangupthestair。
　　Buthismindwasmoreoccupiedwiththecominginterviewthanwiththewaytoit，whichcausedhimtotakeawrongturnafterleavingthestair：hehadagoodgiftinspace-relations，butinstinctwasherenotsokeenasonahill-side。Theconsequencewasthathefoundhimselfinthepicture-gallery。
　　Astrangefeelingofpain，asatthepresenceofaconditionhedidnotwishtoencourage，awokeinhimatthediscovery。Hewalkedalong，however，thustaking，hethought，thereadiestwaytohislordship'sapartment：eitherhewouldfindhiminhisbedroom，orcouldgothroughthattohissitting-room！Heglancedatthepictureshepassed，andseemed，strangetosay，though，sofarasheknew，hehadneverbeenintheplaceexceptinthedark，torecognizesomeofthemasbelongingtothestuffofthedreaminwhichhehadbeenwanderingthroughthenight——onlythatwasaglowingandgorgeousdream，whereasthepictureswereevencommonplace！Herewassomethingtobemeditatedupon——butforthepresentpostponed！Hislordshipwasexpectinghim！
　　Arrived，ashethought，atthedooroftheearl'sbedroom，heknocked，andreceivingnoanswer，openedit，andfoundhimselfinanarrowpassage。Nearlyoppositewasanotherdoor，partlyopen，andhearingamovementwithin，heventuredtoknockthere。AvoiceheknewatoncetobeladyArctura's，invitedhimtoenter。Itwasanold，lovely，gloomylittleroom，inwhichsattheladywriting。Ithadbutonelowlattice-window，tothewest，butafireblazedcheerfullyintheold-fashionedgrate。Shelookedup，norshowedmoresurprisethanifhehadbeenaservantshehadrungfor。
　　“Ibegyourpardon，mylady，“hesaid：“mylordwishedtoseeme，butIhavelostmyway。“
　　“Iwillshowityou，“sheanswered，andrisingcametohim。
　　Sheledhimalongthewindingnarrowpassage，pointedouttohimthedoorofhislordship'ssitting-room，andturnedaway——again，Donalcouldnothelpthinking，withalookasofsomeanxietyabouthim。
　　Heknocked，andthevoiceoftheearlbadehimenter。
　　Hislordshipwasinhisdressing-gown，onacouchoffadedsatinofagoldcolour，againstwhichhispaleyellowfacelookedcadaverous。
　　“Goodmorning，Mr。Grant，“hesaid。“Iamgladtoseeyoubetter！”
　　“Ithankyou，mylord，“returnedDonal。“Ihavetomakeanapology。
　　Icannotunderstandhowitwas，except，perhaps，that，beingsolittleaccustomedtostrongdrink，——“
　　“Thereisnotthesmallestoccasiontosayaword，“interruptedhislordship。“Youdidnotonceforgetyourself，orceasetobehavelikeagentleman！”
　　“Yourlordshipisverykind。StillIcannothelpbeingsorry。I
　　shalltakegoodcareinthefuture。“
　　“Itmightbeaswell，“concededtheearl，“tosetyourselfalimit——necessarilyinyourcaseanarrowone——Someconstitutionsaresoimmediatelyresponsive！”headdedinamurmur。“Theleastexhibitionof——！——Butamanlikeyou，Mr。Grant，“hewentonaloud，“willalwaysknowtotakecareofhimself！”
　　“Sometimes，apparently，whenitistoolate！”rejoinedDonal。“ButI
　　mustnotannoyyourlordshipwithanyfurtherexpressionofmyregret！”
　　“Willyoudinewithmeto-night？”saidtheearl。“Iamlonelynow。
　　Sometimes，formonthstogether，Ifeelnoneedofacompanion：mybooksandpicturescontentme。Allatoncealongingforsocietywillseizeme，andthatlongingmyhealthwillnotpermitmetoindulge。Iamnotbynatureunsociable——muchthecontrary。YoumaywonderIdonotadmitmyownfamilymorefreely；butmywretchedhealthmakesmeshrinkfromloudvoicesandabruptmotions。“
　　“ButladyArctura！”thoughtDonal。“Yourlordshipwillfindmeapoorsubstitute，Ifear，“hesaid，“forthesocietyyouwouldlike。
　　ButIamatyourlordship'sservice。“
　　Hecouldnothelpturningwithamoment'slongingandregrettohistower-nestandthecompanyofhisbooksandthoughts；buthedidnotfeelthathehadachoice。
　　CHAPTERXXXII。
　　THESECONDDINNERWITHTHEEARL。
　　Hewentasbefore，conductedbythebutler，andformallyannounced。
　　Tohissurprise，withtheearlwasladyArctura。Hislordshipmadehimgiveherhisarm，andfollowed。
　　ThiswastoDonalaverydifferentdinnerfromthatoftheeveningbefore。Whetherthepresenceofhisniecemadetheearlrousehimselftobeagreeable，orhehadgrownbettersincethemorningandhisspiritshadrisen，certainlyhewasnotlikethesameman。
　　Hetalkedinaratherforced-playfulway，buttoldtwoorthreegoodstories；describedwithvivacitysomeoftheadventuresofhisyouth；spokeofseveralgreatmenhehadmet；andinshortwasallthatcouldbedesiredinahost。Donaltooknowineduringdinner，theearlasbeforetookverylittle，andladyArcturanone。Shelistenedrespectfullytoheruncle'stalk，andwasattentivewhenDonalspoke；hethoughtshelookedevensympathetictwoorthreetimes；andoncehecaughttheexpressionasofanxietyhehadseenonherfacethatsamedaytwicebefore。Itwasstrange，too，hethought，that，notseeinghersometimesforaweektogether，heshouldthusmeetherthreetimesinoneday。Whenthelastofthedinnerwasremovedandthewineplacedonthetable，Donalthoughthislordshiplookedasifheexpectedhisniecetogo；butshekeptherplace。Heaskedherwhichwineshewouldhave，butshedeclinedany。Hefilledhisglass，andpushedthedecantertoDonal。Hetoofilledhisglass，anddrankslowly。
　　Thetalkrevived。ButDonalcouldnothelpfancyingthattheeyesoftheladynowandthensoughthiswithasortofquestioninthem——almostasifshefearedsomethingwasgoingtohappentohim。
　　Heattributedthistoherhavingheardthathetooktoomuchwinethenightbefore。Thesituationwasunpleasant。Hemust，however，braveitout！Whenherefusedasecondglass，whichtheearlbynomeanspressed，hethoughthesawherlookrelieved；butmorethanoncethereafterhesaw，orfanciedhesawherglanceathimwiththatexpressionofslightanxiety。
　　Initscoursethetalkfelluponsheep，andDonalwasrelatingsomeofhisexperienceswiththemandtheirdogs，greatlyinterestedinthesubject；whenallatonce，justasbefore，somethingseemedtoburstinhishead，andimmediately，althoughheknewhewassittingattablewiththeearlandladyArctura，hewasuncertainwhetherhewasnotatthesametimeuponthesideofalonelyhill，closedinamagicnightofhighsummer，hiswoollyandhairyfriendslyingallabouthim，andalightglimmeringfaintlyontheheatheralittlewayoff，whichheknewfortheflamethatmarksforamomentthefootstepofanangel，whenhetoucheseversolightlythesolidearth。Heseemedtobereadingthethoughtsofhissheeparoundhim，yetallthetimewentontalking，andknewhewastalking，withtheearlandthelady。
　　Afterawhile，everythingwaschanged。Hewasnolongereitherwithhissheeporhiscompany。Hewasalone，andwalkingswiftlythroughandbeyondthepark，inafiercewindfromthenorth-east，battlingwithit，andrulingitlikeafieryhorse。Byandbycameahoarse，terriblemusic，whichheknewforthethunderousbeatofthewavesonthelowshore，yetimaginedissuingfromanindescribableinstrument，giganticandgrotesque。Hefeltitfirst——throughhisfeet，asonefeelswithouthearingthetonesofanorganforwhichthebuildingistoosmalltoallowscopetotheirvibration：thewavesmadethegroundbeatagainstthesolesofhisfeetashewalked；butsoonhehearditliketheinfinitelyprolongedroaringofasky-builtorgan。Itwasdrawinghimtothesea，whetherinthebodyoroutofthebodyheknewnot：hewasbutconsciousofformsofexistence：whetherthoseformshadrelationtothingsoutsidehim，orwhethertheybelongedonlytotheworldwithinhim，hewasunaware。Theroaringofthegreatwater-organgrewlouderandlouder。Hekneweverystepofthewaytotheshore——acrossthefieldsandoverfencesandstiles。Heturnedthiswayandthat，toavoidhereaditch，thereadeepsandypatch。Andstillthemusicgrewlouderandlouder——andatlengthcameinhisfacethedrivingspray：itwastheflyingtouchofthewingsonwhichthetoneswenthurryingpastintothedepthsofawfuldistance！Hisfeetwerenowwadingthroughthebent-tuftedsand，withthehard，bare，wave-beatensandinfrontofhim。Throughthedarkhecouldseethewhitefiercenessofthehurryingwavesastheyrushedtotheshore，thenleaning，toppling，curling，self-undermined，hurledforthatonceallthesoundthatwasintheminafallingroarofdefeat。
　　Everywavewasacomplexchord，withwinnowedtonesfeatheringitround。Hepacedupanddownthesand——itseemedforages。Whyhepacedtherehedidnotknow——whyalwaysheturnedandwentbackinsteadofgoingon。
　　Suddenlyhethoughthesawsomethingdarkinthehollowofawavethatswepttoitsfall。Themooncameoutasitbroke，andthesomethingwasrolledinthesurfuptheshore。Donalstoodwatchingit。Whyshouldhemove？Whatwasittohim？Thenextwavewouldreclaimitfortheocean！Itlookedlikethebodyofaman，butwhatdiditmatter！Manysuchweretossedinthehollowsofthatmusic！
　　Butsomethingcamebacktohimoutoftheancientyears：intheagesgonebymendidwhattheycould！Therewasawordtheyusedthen：
　　theysaidmenoughttodothisorthat！Thisbodymightnotbedead——ordead，someonemightliketohaveit！Herushedintothewater，andcaughtit——erethenextwavebroke，thoughhoursofcogitation，ratiocination，recollection，seemedtohaveintervened。
　　Thebreakingwavedrenchedhimfromheadtofoot：heclungtohisprizeanddraggeditout。Amoment'sbewilderment，andhecametohimselflyingonthesand，hisarmsroundagreatlumpofnet，lostfromsomefishingboat。
　　Hisillusionsweregone。Hewassittinginacoldwind，wettotheskin，ontheborderofawildsea。Apoor，shivering，altogetherordinaryanduncomfortablemortal，hesatontheshoreoftheGermanOcean，fromwhichhehadrescuedatangledmassofnetandseaweed！
　　Hedraggeditbeyondthereachofthewaves，andsetoutforhome。
　　Bythetimehereachedthecastlehewasquitewarm。Hisdooratthefootofthetowerwasopen，hecreptup，andwassoonfastasleep。
　　CHAPTERXXXIII。
　　THEHOUSEKEEPER'SROOM。
　　Hewasnotsolatethenextmorning。
　　Erehehadfinishedhisbreakfasthehadmadeuphismindthathemustbewareoftheearl。Hewassatisfiedthattheexperiencesofthepastnightcouldnotbetheconsequenceofoneglassofwine。Ifheaskedhimagain，hewouldgotodinnerwithhim，butwoulddrinknothingbutwater。
　　SchoolwasjustoverwhenSimmonscamefromhislordship，toinquireafterhim，andinvitehimtodinewithhimthatevening。Donaldimmediatelyconsented。
　　ThistimeladyArcturawasnotwiththeearl。
　　AfterasduringdinnerDonaldeclinedtodrink。Hislordshipcastonhimakeen，searchingglance，butitwasonlyaglance，andtooknofarthernoticeofhisrefusal。Theconversation，however，whichhadnotbeenbrilliantfromthefirst，nowsankandsanktillitwasnot；andafteracupofcoffee，hislordship，remarkingthathewasnotfeelinghimself，beggedDonaltoexcusehim，andproceededtoretire。Donalrose，andwithahopethathislordshipwouldhaveagoodnightandfeelbetterinthemorning，lefttheroom。
　　Thepassageoutsidewaslightedonlybyaratherdimlamp，andinthedistanceDonalsawwhathecouldbutdistinguishastheformofawoman，standingbythedoorwhichopeneduponthegreatstaircase。
　　Hesupposeditatfirsttobeoneofthemaids；buttheservantsweresofewcomparedwiththesizeofthecastlethatonewasseldomtobemetonstairorinpassage；andbesides，theformstoodasifwaitingforsomeone！Ashedrewnearer，hesawitwasladyArctura，andwouldhavepassedwithanobeisance。Buterehecouldlayhishandonthelock，herswastheretopreventhim。Hethensawthatshewasagitated，andthatshehadstoppedhimthusbecausehervoicehadatthemomentfailedher。Thenextmoment，however，sherecoveredit，andherself-possessionaswell。
　　“Mr。Grant，“shesaid，inalowvoice，“Iwishtospeaktoyou——ifyouwillallowme。“
　　“Iamatyourservice，mylady，“answeredDonal。
　　“Butwecannothere！Myuncle——“
　　“Shallwegointothepicture-gallery？”suggestedDonal；“thereismoonlightthere。“
　　“No；thatwouldbestillnearermyuncle。Hishearingissometimespreternaturallykeen；andbesides，asyouknow，heoftenwalksthereafterhiseveningmeal。But——excuseme，Mr。Grant——youwillunderstandmepresently——areyou——areyouquite——？”
　　“Youmean，mylady——amIquitemyselfthisevening！”saidDonal，wishingtohelpherwiththeembarrassingquestion：“——Ihavedrunknothingbutwaterto-night。“
　　Withthatsheopenedthedoor，anddescendedthestair，hefollowing；butassoonasthecurveofthestaircasehidthedoortheyhadleft，shestopped，andturningtohimsaid，“Iwouldnothaveyoumistakeme，Mr。Grant！Ishouldbeashamedtospeaktoyouif——“
　　“IndeedIamverysorry！”saidDonal，“——thoughhardlysomuchtoblameasIfearyouthinkme。“
　　“Youmistakemeatonce！YousupposeIimagineyoutooktoomuchwinelastnight！Itwouldbeabsurd。Isawwhatyoutook！Butwemustnottalkhere。Come。“
　　Sheturnedagain，andgoingdown，ledthewaytothehousekeeper'sroom。
　　Theyfoundheratworkwithherneedle。
　　“MistressBrookes，“saidladyArctura，“IwanttohavealittletalkwithMr。Grant，andthereisnofireinthelibrary：maywesithere？”
　　“Byallmeans！Sitdoon，mylady！Why，bairn！youlookascoldasifyouhadbeenontheroof！There！sitclosetothefire；you'realltrem'lin'！”
　　LadyArcturaobeyedlikethechildMrs。Brookescalledher，andsatdowninthechairshegaveuptoher。
　　“I'vesomethingtoseeefteri'thestill-room，“saidthehousekeeper。“Yousithereandhaeyercrack。Sitdoon，Mr。Grant。
　　I'mgladtoseeyouan'myladycometowordo'moothatlast。I
　　begantothinkitwudneverbe！”
　　HadDonalbeeninthewayoflookingtofacesfortheinterpretationofwordsandthoughts，hewouldhaveseenashadowsweepoverladyArctura's，followedbyaflush，whichhewouldhaveattributedtodispleasureatthisutteranceofthehousekeeper。But，withallhisexperienceoftheworldwithin，andallhisunusuallydevelopedpowerofenteringintothefeelingsofothers，hehadnevercometopryintothosefeelings，ortostudytheirphenomenaforthesakeofpossessinghimselfofthem。Manwasbynomeansanopenbooktohim——“no，norwomanneither，“buthewouldhavescornedtosupplementbysuchinvestigationwhataladychosetotellhim。Hesatlookingintothefire，withanoccasionalupwardglance，waitingforwhatwastocome，andsawneithershadownorflush。LadyArcturasatalsogazingintothefire，andseemedinnohastetobegin。
　　“YouaresogoodtoDavie！”shesaidatlength，andstopped。
　　“NobetterthanIhavetobe，“returnedDonal。“NottobegoodtoDaviewouldbetobeawretch。“
　　“Youknow，Mr。Grant，Icannotagreewithyou！”
　　“Thereisnoimmediatenecessity，mylady。“
　　“ButIsupposeonemaybefairtoanother！”shewenton，doubtingly，“——anditisonlyfairtoconfessthatheismuchmoremanageablesinceyoucame。Onlythatisnogoodifitdoesnotcomefromtherightsource。“
　　“Grapesdonotcomefromthorns，mylady。Wemustnotallowinevilapowerofgood。“
　　Shedidnotreply。
　　“HemindseverythingIsaytohimnow，“sheresumed。“Whatisitmakeshimsogood？——IwishIhadhadsuchatutor！”
　　Shestoppedagain：shehadspokenoutofthesimplicityofherthought，butthewordswhensaidlookedtoherasiftheyoughtnottohavebeensaid。
　　“Somethingisworkinginher！”thoughtDonal。“Sheissodifferent！
　　Hervoiceisdifferent！”
　　“ButthatisnotwhatIwantedtospeaktoyouabout，Mr。Grant，“
　　shere-commenced，“——thoughIdidwantyoutoknowIwasawareoftheimprovementinDavie。Iwishedtosaysomethingaboutmyuncle。“
　　Herefollowedanotherpause。
　　“Youmayhaveremarked，“shesaidatlength，“that，thoughwelivetogether，andheismyguardian，andtheheadofthehouse，thereisnotmuchcommunicationbetweenus。“
　　“Ihavegatheredasmuch：Iasknoquestions，butIcannottellDavienottotalktome！”
　　“Ofcoursenot——LordMorvenisastrangeman。Idonotunderstandhim，andIdonotwanttojudgehim，ormakeyoujudgehim。ButI
　　mustspeakofafact，concerningyourself，whichIhavenorighttokeepfromyou。“
　　Oncemoreapausefollowed。TherewasnothingnowofthegranddameaboutArctura。
　　“Hasnothingoccurredtowakeadoubtinyou？”shesaidatlast，abruptly。“Haveyounotsuspectedhimof——ofusingyouinanyway？”
　　“Ihavehadanundefinedghostofasuspicion，“answeredDonal。
　　“Pleasetellmewhatyouknow。“
　　“Ishouldknownothing——although，myroombeingnearhis，Ishouldhavebeenthemoreperplexedaboutsomethings——hadhenotmadeanexperimentuponmyselfayearago。“
　　“Isitpossible？”
　　“IsometimesfancyIhavenotbeensowellsince。ItwasagreatshocktomewhenIcametomyself：——youseeIamtrustingyou，Mr。
　　Grant！”
　　“Ithankyouheartily，mylady，“saidDonal。
　　“Ibelieve，“continuedladyArctura，gatheringcourage，“thatmyuncleisinthehabitoftakingsomehorribledrugforthesakeofitseffectonhisbrain。Therearepeoplewhodoso！WhatitisI
　　don'tknow，andIwouldrathernotknow。Itisjustasbad，surely，astakingtoomuchwine！IhaveheardhimselfremarktoMr。
　　Carmichaelthatopiumwasworsethanwine，foritdestroyedthemoralsensemore。MindIdon'tsayitisopiumhetakes！”
　　“Thereareotherthings，“saidDonal，“evenworse！——Butsurelyyoudonotmeanhedaredtryanythingofthesortonyou！”
　　“Iamsurehegavemesomething！For，oncethatIdinedwithhim，——butIcannotdescribetheeffectithaduponme！Ithinkhewantedtoseeitsoperationononewhodidnotevenknowshehadtakenanything。Theinfluenceofsuchthingsisapleasantone，theysay，atfirst，butIwouldnotgothroughsuchagoniesasIhadfortheworld！”
　　Sheceased，evidentlytroubledbytheharassingremembrance。Donalhastenedtospeak。
　　“Itwasbecauseofsuchasuspicion，mylady，thatthiseveningI
　　wouldnoteventastehiswine。Iamsafeto-night，Itrust，fromtheinsanity——Icancallitnothingelse——thatpossessedmethelasttwonights。“
　　“Wasitverydreadful？”askedladyArctura。
　　“Onthecontrary，IhadasenseoflifeandpowersuchasIcouldneverofmyselfhaveimagined！”
　　“Oh，Mr。Grant，dotakecare！Donotbetemptedtotakeitagain。I
　　don'tknowwhereitmightnothaveledmeifIhadfounditaspleasantasitwashorrible；forIamsorelytriedwithpainfulthoughts，andfeelsometimesasifIwoulddoalmostanythingtogetridofthem。“
　　“Theremustbeagoodwayofgettingridofthem！ThinkitofGod'smercy，“saidDonal，“thatyoucannotgetridofthemtheotherway。“
　　“Ido；Ido！”
　　“Theshieldofhispresencewasoveryou。“
　　“HowgladIshouldbetothinkso！ButwehavenorighttothinkhecaresforustillwebelieveinChrist——and——and——Idon'tknowthatIdobelieveinhim！”
　　“Whereveryoulearnedthat，itisaterriblelie，“saidDonal。“IsnotChristthesamealways，andishenotofonemindwithGod？Wasitnotwhilewewereyetsinnersthathepouredouthissoulforus？
　　ItisafearfulthingtosayoftheperfectLove，thatheisnotdoingallhecan，withallthepowerofamakeroverthecreaturehehasmade，tohelpanddeliverhim！”
　　“Iknowhemakeshissuntoshineandhisraintofallupontheevilandthegood；butthosegoodthingsareonlyofthisworld！”
　　“ArethosethegoodthingsthenthattheLordsaystheFatherwillgivetothosethataskhim？HowcanyouworshipaGodwhogivesyouallthelittlethingshedoesnotcaremuchabout，butwillnotdohisbestforyou？”
　　“ButaretherenotthingshecannotdoforustillwebelieveinChrist？”
　　“Certainlythereare。ButwhatIwantyoutoseeisthathedoesallthatcanbedone。Hefindsitveryhardtoteachus，butheisnevertiredoftrying。AnyonewhoiswillingtobetaughtofGod，willbyhimbetaught，andthoroughlytaught。“
　　“IamafraidIamdoingwronginlisteningtoyou，Mr。Grant——andthemorethatIcannothelpwishingwhatyousaymightbetrue！Butareyounotindanger——youwillpardonmeforsayingit——ofpresumption？——Howcanallthegoodpeoplebewrong？”
　　“BecausethegreaterpartoftheirteachershavesetthemselvestoexplainGodratherthantoobeyandenforcehiswill。Thegospelisgiventoconvince，notourunderstandings，butourhearts；thatdone，andnevertillthen，ourunderstandingswillbefree。OurLordsaidhehadmanythingstotellhisdisciples，buttheywerenotabletohearthem。IfthethingsbetruewhichIhaveheardfromSundaytoSundaysinceIcamehere，theLordhasbroughtusnosalvationatall，butonlyachangeofshapetoourmiseries。Theyhavenotredeemedyou，ladyArctura，andneverwill。NothingbutChristhimself，yourlordandfriendandbrother，notallthedoctrinesabouthim，evenifeveryoneofthemweretrue，cansaveyou。Poororphanchildren，wecannotfindourGod，andtheywouldhaveustakeinsteadashockingcaricatureofhim！”
　　“ButhowshouldsinnersknowwhatisorisnotlikethetrueGod？”
　　“IfamandesiresGod，hecannothelpknowingenoughofhimtobecapableoflearningmore——elsehowshouldhedesirehim？MadeintheimageofGod，hisideaofhimcannotbeallwrong。Thatdoesnotmakehimfittoteachothers——onlyfittogoonlearningforhimself。ButinJesusChristIseetheveryGodIwant。Iwantafatherlikehim。Hereproachessomeofthoseabouthimfornotknowinghim——for，iftheyhadknownGod，theywouldhaveknownhim：
　　theyweretoblamefornotknowingGod。NootherthantheGodexactlylikeChristcanbethetrueGod。ItisadoctrineofdevilsthatJesusdiedtosaveusfromourfather。Thereisnosafety，nogood，nogladness，nopurity，butwiththeFather，hisfatherandourfather，hisGodandourGod。“
　　“ButGodhatessinandpunishesit！”
　　“Itwouldbeterribleifhedidnot。Allhatredofsinislovetothesinner。DoyouthinkJesuscametodeliverusfromthepunishmentofoursins？Hewouldnothavemovedastepforthat。Thehorriblethingisbeingbad，andallpunishmentishelptodeliverusfromthat，norwillpunishmentceasetillwehaveceasedtobebad。Godwillhaveusgood，andJesusworksoutthewillofhisfather。Whereistherefugeofthechildwhofearshisfather？Isitinthefarthestcorneroftheroom？Isitdowninthedungeonofthecastle，mylady？”
　　“No，no！”criedladyArctura，“——inhisfather'sarms！”
　　“There！”saidDonal，andwassilent。
　　“IholdbyJesus！”headdedafterapause，androseashesaidit，butstoodwhereherose。
　　LadyArcturasatmotionless，dividedbetweenreverencefordistortedandfalseformsoftruthtaughtherfromherearliestyears，anddesireafteraGodwhoseverybeingistheblissofhiscreatures。
　　Sometimepassedinsilence，andthenshetoorosetodepart。SheheldoutherhandtoDonalwithakindofirresolutemotion，butwithdrawingit，smiledalmostbeseechingly，andsaid，“IwishImightaskyousomething。Iknowitisarudequestion，butifyoucouldseeall，youwouldanswermeandlettheoffencego。“
　　“Iwillansweryouanythingyouchoosetoask。“
　　“Thatmakesitthemoredifficult；butIwill——Icannotbeartoremainlongerindoubt：didyoureallywritethatpoemyougavetoKateGraeme——composeit，Imean，yourownself？”
　　“ImadenosecretofthatwhenIgaveither，“saidDonal，notperceivingherdrift。
　　“Thenyoudidreallywriteit？”
　　Donallookedatherinperplexity。Herfacegrewveryred，andtearsbegantocomeinhereyes。
　　“Youmustpardonme！”shesaid：“Iamsoignorant！Andweliveinsuchanout-of-the-wayplacethat——thatitseemsveryunlikelyarealpoet——！AndthenIhavebeentoldtherearepeoplewhohaveapassionforappearingtodothethingtheyarenotabletodo，andI
　　wasanxioustobequitesure！Mymindwouldkeepbroodingoverit，andwondering，andlongingtoknowforcertain！——SoIresolvedatlastthatIwouldberidofthedoubt，evenattheriskofoffendingyou。IknowIhavebeenrude——unpardonablyrude，but——“
　　“But，“supplementedDonal，withamostsympatheticsmile，forheunderstoodherashisownthought，“youdonotfeelquitesureyet！
　　WhatapriorireasondoyouseewhyIshouldnotbeabletowriteverses？Thereisnoruleastowherepoetrygrows：oneplaceisasgoodasanotherforthat！”
　　“Ihopeyouwillforgiveme！IhopeIhavenotoffendedyouverymuch！”
　　“Nobodyinsuchaworldasthisoughttobeoffendedatbeingaskedforproof。Ifthereareinitroguesthatlooklikehonestmen，howisanyone，withoutaspecialgiftofinsight，tobealwayssureofthehonestman？Eventhemanwhomawomanlovesbestwillsometimestearherhearttopieces！Iwillgiveyoualltheproofyoucandesire——AndlestthetemptershouldsayImadeuptheproofitselfbetweennowandto-morrowmorning，Iwillfetchitatonce。“
　　“Oh，Mr。Grant，spareme！Iamnot，indeedIamnotsobadasthat！”
　　“Whocantellwhenorwhencethedoubtmaywakeagain，orwhatmaywakeit！”
　　“Atleastletmeexplainalittlebeforeyougo，“shesaid。
　　“Certainly，“heanswered，reseatinghimself，incompliancewithherexample。
　　“MissGraemetoldmethatyouhadneverseenagardenliketheirsbefore！”
　　“Ineverdid。Therearenonesuch，Ifancy，inourpartofthecountry。“
　　“Norinourneighbourhoodeither。“
　　“Thenwhatissurprisinginit？”
　　“Nothinginthat。Butistherenotsomethinginyourbeingabletowriteapoemlikethataboutagardensuchasyouhadneverseen？
　　Onewouldsayyoumusthavebeenfamiliarwithitfromchildhoodtobeablesotoenterintothespiritoftheplace！”
　　“PerhapsifIhadbeenfamiliarwithitfromchildhood，thatmighthavedisabledmefromfeelingthespiritofit，forthenmightitnothavelookedtomeasitlookedtothoseinwhosetimesuchgardenswerethefashion？Twothingsarenecessary——first，thatthereshouldbeaspiritinaplace，andnextthattheplaceshouldbeseenbyonewhosespiritiscapableofgivinghouse-roomtoitsspirit——Bytheway，doestheghost-ladyfeeltheplaceallright？”
　　“IamnotsurethatIknowwhatyoumean；butIfeltthegrasswithherfeetasIread，andthewindliftingmyhair。Iseemedtoknowexactlyhowshefelt！”
　　“Nowtellme，wereyoueveraghost？”
　　“No，“sheanswered，lookinginhisfacelikeachild——withoutevenasmile。
　　“Didyoueverseeaghost？”
　　“No，never。“
　　“Thenhowshouldyouknowhowaghostwouldfeel？”
　　“Isee！Icannotansweryou。“
　　Donalrose。
　　“Iamindeedashamed！”saidladyArctura。
　　“Ashamedofgivingmethechanceofprovingmyselfatrueman？”
　　“That，atleast，isnolongernecessary！”
　　“ButIwantmyrevenge。Asapunishmentfordoubtingonewhomyouhadsolittlegroundforbelieving，youshallbecompelledtoseetheproof——thatis，ifyouwilldomethefavourtowaitheretillI
　　comeback。Ishallnotbelong，thoughitissomedistancetothetopofBaliol'stower。“
　　“Davietoldmeyourroomwasthere：doyounotfinditcold？Itmustbeverylonely！IwonderwhymistressBrookesputyouthere！”
　　Donalassuredherhecouldnothavehadaplacemoretohismind，andbeforeshecouldwellthinkhehadreachedthefootofhisstair，wasbackwitharollofpapers，whichhelaidonthetable。
　　“There！”hesaid，openingitout；“ifyouwilltakethetroubletogooverthese，youmayreadthegrowthofthepoem。Herefirstyouseeitblockedoutratherroughly，andmuchblottedwitherasuresandsubstitutions。Herenextyouseetheresultcopied——cleantobeginwith，butafterwardsscoredandscored。YouseethewordsI
　　choseinsteadofthefirst，andafterwardsintheirturnrejected，untilintheproofsIreachedthosewhichIhaveasyetletstand。I
　　donotfancyMissGraemehasanydoubttheversesaremine，foritwasplainshethoughtthemrubbish。Fromyourpainstoknowwhowrotethem，Ibelieveyoudonotthinksobadlyofthem！”
　　Shethoughthewassatirical，andgaveaslightsighasofpain。Itwenttohisheart。
　　“Ididnotmeanthesmallestreflection，mylady，onyourdesireforsatisfaction，“hesaid；“rather，indeed，itflattersme。Butisitnotstrangetheheartshouldbelessreadytobelievewhatseemsworthbelieving？Somethingmustbetrue：whynottheworthy——ofteneratleastthantheunworthy？WhyshoulditbeeasiertobelievehardthingsofGod，forinstance，thanlovelythings？——orthatonemancopiedfromanother，thanthatheshouldhavemadethethinghimself？SomewouldyetsayIcontrivedallthissemblanceofcompositioninordertolaythesurerclaimtothattowhichIhadnone——norwouldtakethetroubletofollowthethingthroughitsdevelopment！Butitwillbeeasyforyou，mylady，andnobadexerciseinlogicandanalysis，todeterminewhetherthegenuinegrowthofthepoembebeforeyouinthesepapersornot。“
　　“Ishallfinditmostinteresting，“saidladyArctura：“somuchI
　　cantellalready！Ineversawanythingofthekindbefore，andhadnoideahowpoetrywasmade。Doesitalwaystakesomuchlabour？”
　　“Someversestakemuchmore；somenoneatall。Thelabourisingettingthehusksofexpressionclearedoff，sothatthethoughtmayshowitselfplainly。“
　　AtthispointMrs。Brookes，thinkingprobablytheyoungpeoplehadhadlongenoughconference，entered，andafteralittletalkwithher，ladyArcturakissedherandbadehergoodnight。Donalretiredtohisaerialchamber，wonderingwhethertheladyofthehousehadindeedchangedasmuchassheseemedtohavechanged。
　　>Fromthattime，whetheritwasthatladyArcturahadpreviouslyavoidedmeetinghimandnowdidnot，orfromothercauses，Donalandshemetmuchoftenerastheywentabouttheplace，nordidtheyeverpasswithoutamutualsmileandgreeting。
　　Thenextdaybutone，shebroughthimhispaperstotheschoolroom。
　　Shehadreadeveryerasureandcorrection，shetoldhim，andcouldnolongerhavehadadoubtthatthewriterofthepaperswasthemakeroftheverses，evenhadshenotpreviouslylearnedthoroughconfidenceinthemanhimself。
　　“Theywouldpossiblyfailtoconvinceajurythough！”hesaid，asheroseandwenttothrowtheminthefire。
　　Divininghisintent，Arcturadartedafterhim，andcaughtthemjustintime。
　　“Letmekeepthem，“shepleaded，“——formyhumiliation！”
　　“Dowiththemwhatyoulike，mylady，“saidDonal。“Theyareofnovaluetome——exceptthatyoucareforthem。“
　　CHAPTERXXXIV。
　　COBBLERANDCASTLE。
　　Inthebosomofthefamilyinwhichtheelementsseemmostkindlymixed，theremayyetliesomerootofdiscordanddisruption，uponwhichtheforeigninfluencenecessarytoitsappearanceaboveground，hasnotyetcometooperate。Thatthingsarequietisnoproof，onlyahopefulsignofharmony。Inafamilyofsuchpooraccordasthatatthecastle，thepeacemightwellatanymomentbebroken。
　　LordForguehadbeenforsometimeonavisittoEdinburgh，haddoubtlesstherebeenmademuchof，andhadreturnedwithaconsiderabledevelopmentofhaughtiness，andofthatfreedomwhichmeanssubjugationtoself，andfreedomfromthelawofliberty。Itisoftenwhenamanisleastsatisfied——notwithhimselfbutwithhisimmediatedoings——thatheismostreadytoasserthissuperioritytotherestraintshemightformerlyhavegrumbledagainst，buthadnotdaredtodispute——andtoclaimfromotherssuchconsiderationasaccordswithafalseideaofhispersonalstanding。
　　ButforawhileDonalandhebarelysaweachother；Donalhadnooccasiontoregardhim；andlordForguekeptsomuchtohimselfthatDaviemadelamentation：Percywasnothalfsojollyasheusedtobe！
　　ForafortnightEppyhadnotbeentoseehergrand-parents；andasthelastweeksomethinghadpreventedDonalalsofrompayingthemhiscustomaryvisit，theoldpeoplehadnaturallybecomeuneasy；andonefrostytwilight，whenthelastofthesunlighthadturnedtocoldgreeninthewest，AndrewCominappearedinthecastlekitchen，askingtoseemistressBrookes。Hewaskindlyreceivedbytheservants，amongwhomEppywasnotpresent；andMrs。Brookes，whohadagenuinerespectforthecobbler，sooncametogreethim。ShetoldhimsheknewnoreasonwhyEppyhadnotgonetoinquireafterthemasusual：shewouldsendforher，shesaid，andleftthekitchen。
　　Eppywasnotatthemomenttobefound，butDonal，whommistressBrookeshadgoneherselftoseek，wentatoncetothekitchen。
　　“Willyoucomeoutabit，Andrew，“hesaid，“——ifyou'renottired？
　　It'safinenight，andit'seasytotalkinthegloamin'！”
　　Andrewconsentedwithalacrity。
　　Onthesideofthecastleawayfromthetown，thedescentwasatfirstbyasuccessionofterraceswithstepsfromtheonetotheother，theterracesthemselvesbeinglittleflower-gardens。Atthebottomofthelastoftheseterracesandparallelwiththem，wasadoublerowoftrees，formingalongnarrowavenuebetweentwolittledoorsintwowallsatoppositeendsofthecastle。Oneoftheseledtosomeoftheoffices；theotheradmittedtoafruitgardenwhichturnedthewesternshoulderofthehill，andfoundforthegreaterpartanearlysouthernexposure。Atthistimeoftheyearitwasalonelyenoughplace，andatthistimeofthedaymorethanlikelytobealtogetherdeserted：thitherDonalwouldleadhisfriend。Goingoutthereforebythekitchen-door，theywentfirstintoastable-yard，fromwhichdescendedstepstothecastle-well，onthelevelofthesecondterrace。Thencetheyarrived，bymoresteps，atthemewswhereinoldtimesthehawkswerekept，nowratherruinousthoughnotquiteneglected。Heretheonewall-dooropenedontheavenuewhichledtotheother。Itwasoneofthepleasantestwalksinimmediateproximitytothecastle。
　　Thefirstofthesteelystarswereshiningthroughthenakedraftersofleaflessboughsoverhead，asDonalandthecobblerstepped，gentlytalking，intotheaisleoftrees。Theoldmanlookedup，gazedforamomentinsilence，andsaid：——
　　“'Theheavensdeclarethegloryo'God，an'thefirmamentshowethhishandy-work。'Iused，whanIwasalad，tostudyastronomyawee，i'thehoupo'betterhearin'whattheh'avensdeclaredabootthegloryo'God：Iwudfainun'erstan'thespeechaedaycriedacrossthenichttotheither。ButIwassairdisapp'intit。Thethingstheastronomertelltsemplefowkwarverrawon'erfu'，butIcouldnafin'
　　i'myhert'attheymademethinkonymairo'GodnorIdidafore。I
　　dinnameantosaytheymichtnabecompetenttoworkthatinanither，butitwasnamyexperrienceo'them。Myhertwassomesairatthis，foryeseeIwassetupo'winnin'intilthepresenceo'himI
　　couldnabidefrae，an'atthattimeIhadnalearnttogangstrauchttohimwha'stheexpressimageo''sperson，but，ayesouchthimthrouwthephilosophy——eh，butitwasbairnlyphilosophy！——o'theguidbuiks'atdwallupo'thenatur'o'Godan'a'that，an'hishatredo'sinan'a'that——pairtan'pairttrue，naedoobt！butI
　　wantitGodgreatan'near，an'theymadehimootsma'，sma'，an'
　　unco'farawa'。AenichtIwasootbymysel'upo'theshore，jistasthestarswarteetin'oot。An'itwasnaasgientheywarfearto'
　　thesun，an'pleast'athewasgane，butasgientheywara'teetin'
　　oottoseewhathadcomeo'theirFathero'Lichts。A'atanceIcamtomysel'，likeooto'someblin'delusion。UpIcuistmye'enaboon——an'eh，therewastheh'avenasGodmadeit——awfu'！——bigan'
　　deep，ayfaddomlessdeep，an'fu'o'thewan'erin'yetsteadylichts'atnaethingcanblawoot，butthebreatho'hismooth！Awa'upan'
　　upitgaed，an'deeperan'deeper！an'mye'engaedtraivellin'awa'
　　an'awa'，tillitseemedasthoughtheynevercouldwinbacktome。
　　A'atancetheydrappitfraetheliftlikealaverock，an'lichtitupo'thehorizon，whaurtheseaan'theskymetlikerichteousnessan'peacekissin'aneanither，asthepsalmsays。NooIcannatellwhatitwas，butjisttherewhaurtheearthan'theskycamthegither，wasthemeetin'o'myearthlysowlwi'God'sh'avenlysowl！Therewasbonnycolours，an'bonnylichts，an'abonnygritstarhingin'ower'ta'，butitwasnaneo'a'thaethings；itwassomethingdeepernora'，an'heichernora'！FraethatmomentI
　　saw——nohootheh'avensdeclarethegloryo'God，butIsawthemdeclarin''t，an'Iwantitnaemair。Astronomyformemichtsitan'
　　waitforabetterwarl'，whaurfowkdidnaweiroottheirshune，an'
　　itherfowkhadnatomen'them。Forwhatisthegreatgloryo'Godbutthat，thoughnomancancomprehen'him，hecomesdoon，an'layshischeektilhisman's，an'saystilhim，'Eh，mycratur！'“
　　Whilethecobblerwasthustalking，theyhadgonethelengthoftheavenue，andwerewithinlessthantwotreesofthedoorofthefruit-garden，whenitopened，andwashurriedlyshutagain——not，however，beforeDonalhadcaughtsight，ashebelieved，oftheformofEppy。Hecalledherbyname，andrantothedoor，followedbyAndrew：thesamesuspicionhadstruckbothofthematonce！Donalliftedthelatch，andwouldhaveopenedthedoor，butsomeonehelditagainsthim，andheheardthenoiseofanattempttopushtherustyboltintothestaple。Hesethisstrengthtoit，andforcedthedooropen。LordForguewasontheothersideofit，andalittlewayoffstoodEppytrembling。Donalturnedawayfromhislordship，andsaidtothegirl，“Eppy，here'syourgrandfathercometoseeyou！”
　　Thecobbler，however，wentuptolordForgue。
　　“You'reayoungman，mylord，“hesaid，“an'mayregarditasfollyinanauldmantointerferebetweenyouan'yourwull；butIwarnye，mylord，excep'youceasetocarryyourselfthustowardsmygranddaughter，hislordship，yourfather，shallbeinformedofthematter。Eppy，youcomehomewithme。“
　　“Iwillnot，“saidEppy，hervoicetremblingwithpassion，thoughwhichpassionitwerehardtosay；“Iamafreewoman。Imakemyownliving。Iwillnotbetreatedlikeachild！”
　　“IwillspeaktomistressBrookes，“saidtheoldman，withsaddignity。
　　“Andmakeherturnmeaway！”saidEppy。
　　Sheseemedquitechanged——boldanddetermined——wasprobablyrelievedthatshecouldnomoreplayafalsepart。Hislordshipstoodandsaidnothing。
　　“Butdon'tyouthink，grandfather，“continuedEppy，“thatwhatevermistressBrookessaysordoes，I'llgohomewithyou！I'vesavedmoney，and，asIcan'tgetanotherplaceherewhenyou'vetakenawaymycharacter，I'llleavethecountry。“
　　Hislordshipadvanced，andwithstrainedcomposuresaid，“Iconfess，Mr。Comin，thingsdolookagainstus。Itisawkwardyoushouldhavefoundustogether，butyouknow“——andhereheattemptedalaugh——“wearetoldnottojudgebyappearances！”
　　“Wemaybeforcedtoactbythem，though，mylord！”saidAndrew。“I
　　shouldbesorrytojudgeaitherofyoubythem。Eppymustcomehomewithme，oritwillbemoreawkwardyetforbothofyou！”
　　“Oh，ifyouthreatenus，“saidForguecontemptuously，“thenofcourseweareveryfrightened！Butyouhadbetterbeware！YouwillonlymakeitthemoredifficultformetodoyourgranddaughterthejusticeIalwaysintended。“
　　“Whatyourlordship'snotiono'justicemaybe，Iwullnottroubleyoutoexplain，“saidtheoldman。“AllIdesireforthepresentis，thatshecomehomewithme。“
　　“LetusleavethemattertomistressBrookes！”saidForgue。“Ishalleasilysatisfyherthatthereisnooccasionforanyhurry。Believeme，youwillonlybringtroubleontheinnocent！”
　　“Thenitcannabeonyou，mylord！forinthisthingyouhavenotbehavedasagentlemanought！”saidthecobbler。
　　“Youdaretellmeso！”criedForgue，stridinguptothelittleoldman，asifhewouldsweephimawaywiththeverywindofhisapproach。
　　“Yes；forelsehowshouldIsayittoanother，an'thatmaysoonbenecessar'！”answeredthecobbler。“Didnayerlordshippromiseanen'
　　tothehaillmeeserableaffair？”
　　“Iremembernothingofthesort。“
　　“Youdidtome！”saidDonal。
　　“Doholdyourtongue，Grant，anddon'tmakethingsworse。ToyouI
　　caneasilyexplainit。Besides，youhavenothingtodowithitnowthisgoodfellowhastakenitup。Itisquitepossible，besides，tobreakone'swordtotheearandyetkeepittothesense。“
　　“Theonlythingtojustifythatsuggestion，“saidDonal，“wouldbethatyouhadmarriedEppy，orwereabouttomarryher！”
　　Eppywouldhavespoken；butsheonlygavealittlecry，forForgueputhishandoverhermouth。
　　“Youholdyourtongue！”hesaid；“youwillonlycomplicatematters！”
　　“Andthere'sanotherpoint，mylord，“resumedDonal：“yousayIhavenothingtodonowwiththeaffair：ifnotformyfriend'ssake，I
　　haveformyown。“
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”
　　“ThatIaminthehouseapaidservant，andmustnotallowanythingmischievoustogooninitwithoutacquaintingmymaster。“
　　“Youacknowledge，Mr。Grant，thatyouareneithermorenorlessthanapaidservant，butyoumistakeyourdutyassuch：Ishallbehappytoexplainittoyou——Youhavenothingwhatevertodowithwhatgoesoninthehouse；youhavebuttomindyourwork。Itoldyoubefore，youaremybrother'stutor，notmine！TointerferewithwhatIdo，isnothinglessthanapieceofdamnedimpertinence！”
　　“Thatimpertinence，however，IintendtobeguiltyofthemomentI
　　cangetaudienceofyourfather。“
　　“Youwillnot，ifIgiveyousuchexplanationassatisfiesyouI
　　havedonethegirlnoharm，andmeanhonestlybyher！”saidForgueinaconfident，yetsomewhatconciliatorytone。
　　“Inanycase，“returnedDonal，“youhavingoncepromised，andthenbrokenyourpromise，IshallwithoutfailtellyourfatherallI
　　know。“
　　“Andruinher，andperhapsmetoo，forlife？”
　　“Thetruthwillruinonlythosethatoughttoberuined！”saidDonal。
　　Forguespranguponhim，andstruckhimaheavyblowbetweentheeyes。HehadbeenhavinglessonsinboxingwhileinEdinburgh，andhadconfidenceinhimself。Itwasawell-plantedblow，andDonalunpreparedforit。Hestaggeredagainstthewall，andforamomentcouldneitherseenorthink：allheknewwasthattherewassomethingorotherhehadtoattendto。Hislordship，excusinghimselfperhapsonthegroundofnecessity，therebeingagirlinthecase，wouldhavestruckhimagain；butAndrewthrewhimselfbetween，andreceivedtheblowforhim。
　　AsDonalcametohimself，heheardagroanfromtheground，andlooking，sawAndrewathisfeet，andunderstood。
　　“Dearoldman！”hesaid；“hedaredtostrikeyou！”
　　“Hedidnamean't，“returnedAndrewfeebly。“Areyewinnin'ower't，sir？Hegaeyeaterribleane！Yemichthaeh'arditacrossthestreet！”
　　“Ishallbeallrightinaminute！”answeredDonal，wipingthebloodoutofhiseyes。“I'veagoodhardhead，thankGod！——Butwhathasbecomeofthem？”
　　“Yedidnathinkhewudbewaitin'tosee'scometooorsel's！”saidthecobbler。
　　WithDonal'shelp，andgreatdifficulty，herose，andtheystoodlookingateachotherthroughthestarlight，bewilderedanduncertain。Thecobblerwasthefirsttorecoverhiswits。
　　“It'so'nomainnerofuse，“hesaid，“torousethecastelwi'huean'cry！Whathaewetosaybut'atwefaundthetwai'thegairdenthegither！Itwudbutraiseaclash——thewhich，fableorfac'，wuddonaethingfornaebody！Hislordshipmaunbelootken，asyesay；
　　butwullhislordshipbelieveye，sir？I'msomei'themin'theyoongman'sawa'til'sfaithera'ready，toprejudeesehimagain'
　　onythingyemaysay。“
　　“Thatmakesitthemorenecessary，“saidDonal，“thatIshouldgoatoncetohislordship。Hewillfalloutuponmefornothavingtoldhimatonce；butImustnotmindthat：ifIwerenottotellhimnow，hewouldhaveagoodcaseagainstme。“
　　Theywerealreadywalkingtowardsthehouse，theoldmangivingagroannowandthen。Hecouldnotgoin，hesaid；hewouldwalkgentlyon，andDonalwouldovertakehim。
　　ItwasanhourandahalfbeforeAndrewgothome，andDonalhadnotovertakenhim。
　　CHAPTERXXXV。
　　THEEARL'SBEDCHAMBER。
　　Havingwashedthebloodfromhisface，DonalsoughtSimmons。
　　“Hislordshipcan'tseeyounow，Iamsure，sir，“answeredthebutler；“lordForgueiswithhim。“
　　DonalturnedandwentstraightuptolordMorven'sapartment。Ashepassedthedoorofhisbedroomopeningonthecorridor，heheardvoicesindebate。Heenteredthesitting-room。Therewasnoonethere。Itwasnotatimeforceremony。Heknockedatthedoorofthebedroom。Thevoiceswithinwereloud，andnoanswercame。Heknockedagain，andreceivedanangrypermissiontoenter。Heentered，closedthedoorbehindhim，andstoodinsightofhislordship，waitingwhatshouldfollow。
　　LordMorvenwassittingupinbed，hisfacesopaleanddistortedthatDonalthoughtelsewhereheshouldhardlyhaverecognizedit。
　　Thebedwasalargefour-postbed；itscurtainsweredrawnclosetotheposts，admittingasmuchairaspossible。AtthefootofitstoodlordForgue，hishandsome，shallowfaceflushedwithanger，hisrightarmstraightdownbyhisside，andthehandofitclenchedhard。HeturnedwhenDonalentered。Afiercerflushoverspreadhisface，butalmostimmediatelythelookofrageyieldedtooneofdeterminedinsult。PossiblyeventheappearanceofDonalwasarelieftobeingalonewithhisfather。
　　“Mr。Grant，“stammeredhislordship，speakingwithpain，“youarewellcome！——justintimetohearafathercursehisson！”
　　“Evensuchathreatshallnotmakemeplayadishonourablepart！”
　　saidForgue，lookinghoweveranythingbuthonourable，fortheheart，notthebrain，mouldstheexpression。
　　“Mr。Grant，“resumedthefather，“Ihavefoundyouamanofsenseandrefinement！Ifyouhadbeentutortothisdegenerateboy，theworsttroubleofmylifewouldnothaveovertakenme！”
　　Forgue'slipcurled，buthedidnotspeak，andhisfatherwenton。
　　“Hereisthisfellowcometotellmetomyfacethatheintendstheruinanddisgraceofthefamilybyalowmarriage！”
　　“Itwillnotbethefirsttimeithasbeensodisgraced！”retortedtheson，“——iffreshpeasant-bloodbeindeedadisgracetoanyfamily！”
　　“Bah！thehusseyisnotevenawholesomepeasant-girl！”criedthefather。“Whodoyouthinksheis，Mr。Grant？”
　　“Idonotneedtoguess，mylord，“repliedDonal。“IcamenowtoinformyourlordshipofwhatIhadmyselfseen。“
　　“Shemustleavethehousethisinstant！”
　　“ThenItooleaveit，mylord！”saidForgue。
　　“Where'syourmoney？”returnedtheearlcontemptuously。
　　ForgueshiftedtoanattackuponDonal。
　　“Yourlordshiphardlyplacesconfidenceinme，“hesaid；“butitisnotthelessmydutytowarnyouagainstthisman：monthsagoheknewwhatwasgoingon，andcomestotellyounowbecausethiseveningIchastisedhimforhisrudeinterference。“
　　IncoolerbloodlordForguewouldnothaveshownsuchmeanness；butpassionbringstothefrontthethingthatlurks。
　　“AnditisnodoubttothenecessityforforestallinghisdisclosurethatIowethepresentingenuousconfession！”saidlordMorven。
　　“——Butexplain，Mr。Grant。“
　　“Mylord，“saidDonalcalmly，“IbecameawarethattherewassomethingbetweenlordForgueandthegirl，andwasalarmedforthegirl：sheisthechildoffriendstowhomIammuchbeholden。Butonthepromiseofboththatthethingshouldend，Iconcludeditbetternottotroubleyourlordship。Imayhaveblunderedinthis，butI
　　didwhatseemedbest。Thisnight，however，Idiscoveredthatthingsweregoingasbefore，anditbecameimperativeonmypositioninyourhousethatIshouldmakeyourlordshipacquaintedwiththefact。Heasseveredtherewasnothingdishonestbetweenthem，but，havingdeceivedmeonce，howwasItotrusthimagain！”
　　“Howindeed！theyoungblackguard！”saidhislordship，castingafierceglanceathisson。
　　“Allowmetoremark，“saidForgue，withcomparativecoolness，“thatIdeceivednoone。WhatIpromisedwas，thattheaffairshouldnotgoon：itdidnot；fromthatmomentitassumedadifferentandseriousaspect。Inowintendtomarrythegirl。“
　　“Itellyou，Forgue，ifyoudoIwilldisownyou。“
　　Forguesmiledanimpertinentsmileandheldhispeace：thethreathadforhimnoterror。
　　“Ishallbethebetterable，“continuedhislordship，“toprovidesuitablyforDavie；heiswhatasonoughttobe！Buthearme，Forgue：youmustbeawarethat，ifIleftyouallIhad，itwouldbebeggaryforonehandicappedwithatitle。Youmaythinkmyangerunreasonable，butitcomessolelyofanxietyonyouraccount。
　　Nothingbutasuitablemarriage——themostsuitableofalliswithinyourarm'slength——cansaveyoufromthelifeofamoneylesspeer——themostpitiableobjectonthefaceoftheearth。Wereitpossibletoignoreyourrank，youhavenoprofession，notradeeven，inthesetrade-lovingtimes，tofallbackupon。ExceptyoumarryasIplease，youwillhavenothingfrommebutthecontemptofatitlewithoutafarthingtokeepitdecent。Youthreatentoleavethehouse——canyoupayforarailway-ticket？”
　　Forguewassilentforamoment。
　　“Mylord，“hesaid，“Ihavegivenmywordtothegirl：wouldyouhavemedisgraceyournamebybreakingit？”
　　“Tut！tut！therearewordsandwords！Whatobligationcantherebeintherashpromisesofanunworthylove！Stilllessaretheybindingwherethemanisnothisownmaster！Youareunderabondtoyourfamily，underabondtosociety，underabondtoyourcountry。
　　Marrythisgirl，andyouwillbeanoutcast；marryasIwouldhaveyou，andnoonewillthinktheworseofyouforafoolishvowinyourboyhood。Bah！themerestrumourofitwillneverriseintothesereneairofyourposition。“
　　“Andletthegirlgoandbreakherheart！”saidForgue，withlookblackasdeath。
　　“Youneedfearnosuchcatastrophe！Youarenosuchmarvelamongmenthatakitchen-wenchwillbreakherheartforyou。Shewillbesorryforherself，nodoubt；butitwillbenothingmorethansheexpected，andwillonlyconfirmheropinionofyou：sheknowswellenoughtherisksheruns！”
　　Whilehespoke，Donal，waitinghisturn，stoodasonhotiron。Suchsayingswereinhisearsthefoultalkofhell。Themomenttheearlceased，heturnedtoForgue，andsaid：——
　　“Mylord，youhaveremovedmyharderthoughtsofyou！Youhaveindeedbrokenyourword，butinawayinfinitelynoblerthanI
　　believedyoucapableof！”
　　LordMorvenstareddumbfounded。
　　“Yourcommentsareoutofplace，Mr。Grant！”saidForgue，withsomethinglikedignity。“Thematterisbetweenmyfatherandmyself。
　　Ifyouwantedtobegmypardon，youshouldhavewaitedafittingopportunity！”
　　Donalheldhispeace。Hehadfeltboundtoshowsympathywithhisenemywherehewasright。
　　Theearlwasperplexed：hisonepoorallyhadgoneovertotheenemy！Hetookaglassfromthetablebesidehim，anddrank：then，afteramoment'ssilence，apparentlyofexhaustionandsuffering，said，“Mr。Grant，Idesireawordwithyou——Leavetheroom，Forgue。“
　　“Mylord，“returnedForgue，“youordermefromtheroomtoconferwithonewhosepresencewithyouisaninsulttome！”
　　“Heseemstome，“answeredhisfatherbitterly，“tobeafteryourownmindintheaffair！——Howindeedshoulditbeotherwise！ButsofarIhavefoundMr。Grantamanofhonour，andIdesiretohavesomeprivateconversationwithhim。Ithereforerequestyouwillleaveusalonetogether。“
　　Thiswassaidsopolitely，yetwithsuchlatentcommand，thattheyouthdarednotrefusecompliance。
　　Themomentheclosedthedoorbehindhim，“Iamgladheyielded，“saidtheearl，“forIshouldhavehadtoaskyoutoputhimout，andIhaterows。Wouldyouhavedoneit？”
　　“Iwouldhavetried。“
　　“Thankyou。Yetamomentagoyoutookhispartagainstme！”
　　“Onthegirl'spart——andforhishonestytoo，mylord！”
　　“Comenow，Mr。Grant！Iunderstandyourprejudices，IcannotexpectyoutolookontheaffairasIdo。Iamgladtohaveamanofsuchsoundgeneralprinciplestoformthecharacterofmyyoungerson；
　　butitisplainasamountainthatwhatwouldbethedutyofayoungmaninyourrankoflifetowardayoungwomaninthesamerank，wouldbesimpleruintooneinlordForgue'sposition。Acapablemanlikeyoucanmakealivingahundreddifferentways；toonebornwiththeburdenofatitle，andwithoutthemeansofsupportingit，marriagewithsuchagirlmeanspoverty，gambling，hunger，squabbling，dirt——suicide！”
　　“Mylord，“answeredDonal，“themomentamanspeaksoflovetoawoman，besheaslowlyandignorantasmotherEve，thatmomentrankandprivilegevanish，anddistinctionisannihilated。“
　　Theearlgaveasmallsharpsmile。
　　“Youwouldmakeagoodpleader，Mr。Grant！ButifyouhadseentheconsequencesofsuchmarriagehalfasoftenasI，youwouldmodifyyourideas。MarkwhatIsay：thismarriageshallnottakeplace——byGod！What！shouldIforamomenttalkofitwithcoolnessweretherethesmallestactualdangerofitsoccurrence——didInotknowthatitnevercould，nevershalltakeplace！Theboyisafool，andheshallknowit！Ihavehiminmypower——neckandheelsinmypower！Hedoesnotknowit，andnevercouldguesshow；butitistrue：onewordfromme，andtherascalisparalysed！ObligemebytellinghimwhatIhavejustsaid。Theabsurdmarriageshallnottakeplace，I
　　repeat。InvalidasIam，Iamnotyetreducedtotheconditionofanobedientfather。“
　　Hetookupasmallbottle，pouredalittlefromit，addedwater，anddrank——thenresumed。
　　“Nowforthegirl：whoknowsaboutit？”
　　“SofarasIamaware，noonebuthergrandfather。Hehadcometothecastletoinquireafterher，andwaswithmewhenwecameupontheminthefruitgarden。“
　　“Thenletnofurthernoticebetakenofit。Tellnoone——notevenMrs。Brookes。Lettheyoungfoolsdoastheyplease。“
　　“Icannotconsenttothat，mylord。“
　　“Why，whatthedevilhaveyoutodowithit？”
　　“Iamthefriendofherpeople。“
　　“Pooh！pooh！don'ttalkrubbish。Whatisittothem！I'llseetothem。Itwillallcomeright。Theaffairwillsettleitself。ByJove，I'msorryyouinterfered！Thethingwouldhavebeenmuchbetterleftalone。“
　　“Mylord，“saidDonal，“Icanlistentonothinginthisstrain。“
　　“AllIaskis——promisenottointerfere。“
　　“Iwillnot。“
　　“Thankyou。“
　　“Mylord，youmistake。Iwillnotpromise。Nay，Iwillinterfere。
　　Whattodo，Idonotnowknow；butIwillsavethegirlifIcan。“
　　“Andruinanancientfamily！Youthinknothingofthat！”
　　“Itshonour，mylord，willbebestpreservedinthatofthegirl。“
　　“Damnyou？willyoupreachtome？”
　　Notwithstandinghisfiercewords，Donalcouldnothelpseeingorimagininganalmostsuppliantlookinhiseye。
　　“YoumustdoasItellyouinmyhouse，“hewenton，“oryouwillsoonseetheoutsideofit。Come：marrythegirlyourself——sheisdeucedpretty——andIwillgiveyoufivehundredpoundsforyourweddingjourney——PoorDavie！”
　　“Yourlordshipinsultsme。“
　　“Then，damnyou！beofftoyourlessons，andtakeyourinsolentfaceoutofmysight。“
　　“IfIremaininyourhouse，mylord，itisforDavie'ssake。“
　　“Goaway，“saidtheearl；andDonalwent。
　　Hehadhardlyclosedthedoorbehindhim，whenheheardabellringviolently；anderehereachedthebottomofthestair，hemetthebutlerpantingupasfastashisshortlegsandrednosewouldpermit。HewouldhavestoppedtoquestionDonal，whohastenedpasthim，andintherefugeofhisownroom，satdowntothink。Hadhisconventionaldignitybeenwithhimamatterofimportance，hewouldhaveleftthecastlethemomenthegothisthingstogether；buthethoughtmuchmoreofDavie，andmuchmoreofEppy。
　　Hehadhardlyseatedhimselfwhenhejumpedupagain：hemustseeAndrewComin！