“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！