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。