CHAPTERXXXVI。
ANIGHT-WATCH。
Whenhereachedthebottomofthehill，thereatthegatewasForgue，walkingupanddown，apparentlywaitingforhim。Hewouldhavepassedhim，butForguesteppedinfrontofhim。
“Grant，“hesaid，“itiswellweshouldunderstandeachother！”
“Ithink，mylord，ifyoudonotyetunderstandme，itcanscarcelybemyfault。“
“Whatdidmyfathersay？”
“Iwoulddelivertoyourlordshipamessagehegavemeforyoubutfortworeasons——one，thatIbelievehechangedhismindthoughhedidnotpreciselysayso，andtheother，thatIwillnotservehimoryouinthematter。“
“Thenyouintendneithertomeddlenormake？”
“Thatismyaffair，mylord。Iwillnottakeyourlordshipintomyconfidence。“
“Don\'tbeunreasonable，now！Dogetoffyourhighhorse。Can\'tyouunderstandafellow？Everybodycan\'tkeephistemperasyoudo！I
meanthegirlnoharm。“
“Iwillnottalkwithyouabouther。Andwhateveryouinsistonsayingtome，Iwilluseagainstyouwithoutscruple，shouldoccasionoffer。“
AshespokehecaughtalookonForgue\'sfacewhichrevealedsomehowthatitwasnotforhimhehadbeenwaiting，butforEppy。Heturnedandwentbacktowardsthecastle：hemightmeether！Forguecalledafterhim，buthepaidnoheed。
Ashehastenedupthehill，notsomuchastherustleofbirdormousedidhehear。Helingeredaboutthetopoftheroadforhalfanhour，thenturnedandwenttothecobbler\'s。
HefoundDooryingreatdistress；forshewasnotmerelysoretroubledaboutherson\'schild，butAndrewwasinbedandsufferinggreatpain。ThemomentDonalsawhimhewentforthedoctor。Hesaidaribwasbroken，boundhimup，andgavehimsomemedicine。Alldonethatcouldbedone，Donalsatdowntowatchbesidehim。
Helaystill，withclosedeyesandwhiteface。Sopatientwashethathisverypainfoundutteranceinasortofblindsmile。Donaldidnotknowmuchaboutpain：hecouldreadinAndrew\'slookhisdevotiontothewillofhimwhosebeingwashispeace，buthedidnotknowabovewhatsufferinghisfaithliftedhim，andheldhimhoveringyetsafe。Hisfaithmadehimonewithlife，theeternalLife——andthatissalvation。
Inclosestcontactwiththedivine，theoriginalrelationrestored，thesourceoncemoreholdingitsissue，thedivinelovepouringitselfintothedeepestvesseloftheman\'sbeing，itselfbutavesselfortheholdingofthedivineranddivinest，whocanwonderifkeenestpainshouldnotbeabletoquenchthesmileoftheprostrate！Fewindeedhavereachedthepointofhealthtolaughatdisease，butaretherenone？Letnotamansaybecausehecannotthatnoonecan。
Theoldwomanwasverycalm，onlyeverynowandthenshewouldliftherhandsandshakeherhead，andlookasiftheuniverseweregoingtopieces，becauseherhusbandlaytherebythestrokeoftheungodly。Andifhehadlainthereforgotten，thenindeedtheuniversewouldhavebeengoingtopieces！Whenhecoughed，everypangseemedtogothroughherbodytoherheart。Loveisaslovelyintheoldasintheyoung——lovelierwheninthem，asoften，itismoresympatheticandunselfish——thatis，moretrue。
DonalwrotetoMrs。Brookesthathewouldnotbehomethatnight；
andhavingfoundamessengerattheinn，settledhimselftowatchbyhisfriend。
Thehoursglidedquietlyover。Andrewsleptagooddeal，andseemedtohavepleasantvisions。Hewasfindingyetmoresaving。Nowandthenhislipswouldmoveasifhewereholdingtalkwithsomefriendlysoul。OnceDonalheardthemurmuredwords，“Lord，I\'ma\'
yerain；“andnotedthathissleepgrewdeeperthereafter。Hedidnotwaketillthedaybegantodawn。Thenheaskedforsomewater。
SeeingDonal，anddiviningthathehadbeenbyhisbedsideallthenight，hethankedhimwithasmileandalittlenod——whichsomehowbroughttohismemorycertainwordsAndrewhadspokenonanotheroccasion：“There\'sane，an\'there\'sa\'；an\'thea\'\'sane，an\'theane\'sa\'。“
WhenDonalreachedthecastle，hefoundhisbreakfastandMrs。
Brookeswaitingforhim。ShetoldhimthatEppy，meetingherinthepassagethenightbefore，hadburstintotears，butshecouldgetnothingoutofher，andhadsenthertoherroom；thismorningshehadnotcomedownatthepropertime，andwhenshesentafterher，didnotcome：shewentupherself，andfoundherdeterminedtoleavethecastlethatveryday；shewasnowpackingherthingstogo，nordidsheseeanygoodintryingtopreventher。
Donalsaidifshewouldgohome，therewasplentyforhertodothere；oldpeople\'sboneswerenoteasytomend，anditwouldbesometimebeforehergrandfatherwaswellagain！
Mrs。Brookessaidshewouldnotkeephernowifshebeggedtostay；
shewasafraidshewouldcometogrief，andwouldrathershewenthome；shewouldtakeherhomeherself。
“Thelassisnoanillane，“sheadded：“butshedisnakenwhatshewudbeat。Shewantssomeo\'theLord\'saindiscipleen，I\'mthinkin！”
“An\'thatyemaybesureshe\'llget，mistressBrookes！”saidDonal。
Eppywasquitereadytogohomeandhelpnursehergrandfather。Shethoughtherconductmustbythistimebethetalkofthecastle，andwasinmortalterroroflordMorven。Allthedomesticsfearedhim——itwouldbehardtosaypreciselywhy；itcameinpartofseeinghimsoseldomthathehadalmostcometorepresenttheghostsomesaidlivedintheinvisibleroomandhauntedthecastle。
ItwastheeasierforEppytogohomethathergrandmotherneededher，andthathergrandfatherwouldnotbeabletosaymuchtoher。
Shewasanaffectionategirl，andyethergrandfather\'sconditionrousedinhernoindignation；fortheloveofbeinglovedissuchablindingthing，thatthegreatestinjusticefromthedearesttothenextdearestwillbysomenaturesbereadilytolerated。Godhelpus！
weareameanset——andmeanestthemanwhoisablesttojustifyhimself！
Mrs。Brookes，havingpreparedaheavybasketofgoodthingsforEppytocarryhometohergrandmother，andmadeittheheavierforthesakeofpunishingherwiththeweightofit，setoutwithher，sayingtoherself，“ThejaudwantsawheenharderwarknorIhaehaudentillherhan\'，an\'doobtlessit\'spreparin\'forher！”
Shewaskindlyreceived，withoutawordofreproach，byhergrandmother；thesufferer，forgetfulof，orforgivingherwordsofrejectioninthegarden，smiledwhenshecamenearhisbedside；andsheturnedawaytoconcealthetearsshecouldnotrepress。Shelovedhergrand-parents，andshelovedtheyounglord，andshecouldnotgetthetwolovestodwelltogetherpeaceablyinhermind——acommondifficultywithourweak，easilydivided，hardlyunitednatures——frangible，friable，readilydistorted！ItneedsnolessthanGodhimself，notonlytouniteustooneanother，buttomakeawholeoftheill-fitting，roughlydisjointedportionsofourindividualbeings。Tearfullybutdiligentlyshesetaboutherduties；andnotonlytheheart，butthelimbsandjointsofhergrandmotherwererelievedbyherpresence；whiledoubtlesssheherselffoundsomerefugefromanxiousthoughtintheservicesherendered。Whatshesawasherprobablefuture，Icannotsay；onehourherconfidenceinherlover\'sfaithfulnesswouldbecomplete，thenextitwouldbedashedwithhugeblotsofuncertainty；buthergrandmotherrejoicedoverherasoutofharm\'sway。
CHAPTERXXXVII。
LORDFORGUEANDLADYARCTURA。
Atthecastlethingsfellintotheiroldroutine。NothinghadbeenarrangedbetweenlordForgueandEppy，andheseemedcontentthatitshouldbeso。Mrs。Brookestoldhimthatshehadgonehome：hemadeneitherremarknorinquiry，manifestingnointerest。
Itwouldbewellhisfathershouldnotseeitnecessarytopushthingsfarther！Hedidnotwanttoturnoutofthecastle！Withoutmeans，whatwashetodo？Themarriagecouldnotbeto-dayorto-morrow！andinthemeantimehecouldseeEppy，perhapsmoreeasilythanatthecastle！Hewouldcontrive！Hewassorryhehadhurttheoldfellow，buthecouldnothelpit！hewouldgetintheway！Thingswouldhavebeenmuchworseifhehadnotgotfirsttohisfather！Hewouldwaitabit，andseewhatwouldturnup！Forthetutor-fellow，hemustnotquarrelwithhimdownright！Nogoodwouldcomeofthat！Intheendhewouldhavehisway！andthatinspiteofthemall！
Butwhathereallywantedhedidnotknow。Heonlyknew，orimagined，thathewasoverheadandearsinlovewiththegirl：whatwastocomeofitwasallintheclouds。Hehadsaidhemeanttomarryher；buttothatstatementhehadbeendriven，morethanheknew，bythedesiretoescapethecontemptofthetutorhescorned；
andherejoicedthathehadatleastdiscomfitedhim。HeknewthatifhedidmarryEppy，oranyoneelseofwhomhisfatherdidnotapprove，hehadnothingtolookforbutabsolutepoverty，forheknewnowaytoearnmoney；hewasthereforeunpreparedtodefyhimimmediately——whateverhemightdobyandby。Hesaidtohimselfsometimesthathewasaswillingasanymantoworkforhiswifeifonlyheknewhow；butwhenhesaidso，hadhealwaysaclearvisionofEppyasthewifeinprospect？Alas，itwouldtakeyearstomakehimabletoearnevenawoman\'swages！Itwouldbeafinethingforalordtolabourlikeacommonmanforthesupportofachildofthepeopleforwhomhehadsacrificedeverything；butwherewasthepossibility？Whenthoughtslikethesegrewtoomanyforhim，Forguewishedhehadneverseenthegirl。Hisheartwouldimmediatelyreproachhim；immediatelyhewouldcomforthisconsciencewiththereflectionthattowishhehadneverseenherwasaverydifferentthingfromwishingtoactasifhehad。Heloafedaboutinherneighbourhoodasmuchashedared，hauntedthehouseitselfinthetwilight，andatnightevenventuredsometimestocreepupthestair，butforsometimeheneverevensawher：fordaysEppyneverwentoutofdoorsexceptintothegarden。
Thoughshehadnotspokenofit，Arcturahadhadmorethanasuspicionthatsomethingwasgoingonbetweenhercousinandtheprettymaid；forthelittlewindowofhersittingroompartiallyoverlookedacertainretiredspotfavouredofthelovers；andafterEppyleftthehouse，Davie，thoughhedidnotassociatethefacts，notedthatshewasmorecheerfulthanbefore。ButtherewasnoenlargementofintercoursebetweenherandForgue。Theyknewitwasthewishoftheheadofthehousethattheyshouldmarry，buttheearlhadbeenwiseenoughtosaynothingopenlytoeitherofthem：
hebelievedthethingwouldhaveabetterchanceonitsownmerits；
andasyettheyhadshownnosignofdrawingtoeachother。Itmight，perhaps，havebeenotherwiseonhisparthadnottheyounglordbeentakenwiththeprettyhousemaid，thoughatfirsthehadthoughtofnothingmorethanalittlepassingflirtation，reckoninghisadvantagewithherbytheheightonwhichhestoodinhisownregard；butitwasfromnojealousythatArcturawasrelievedbythedepartureofEppy。Shehadneverseenanythingattractiveinhercousin，andherreligiousimpressionswouldhavebeenenoughtoprotectherfromanydrawingtohim：hadtheynotpoisonedinhereventhevirtueofcommonhouse-friendlinesstowardaverydifferentman？ThesenseofreliefshehadwhenEppywent，layinbeingdeliveredfromthepresenceofsomethingclandestine，withwhichshecouldnotinterferesofarastoconfessknowledgeofit。Ithadrenderedheruneasy；shehadfeltshyanduncomfortable。OnceortwiceshehadbeenonthepointofsayingtoMrs。BrookesthatshethoughthercousinandEppyveryoddlyfamiliar，buthadfailedofcourage。Itwasnowonderthereforethatsheshouldbemorecheerful。
CHAPTERXXXVIII。
ARCTURAANDSOPHIA。
Aboutthistimeherfriend，MissCarmichael，returnedfromaratherlengthenedvisit。ButaftertheatonementthathadtakenplacebetweenherandDonal，itwaswithsomeanxietythatladyArcturalookedforwardtoseeingher。Sheshrankfromtellingherwhathadcomeaboutthroughthewonderfulpoem，asshethoughtit，whichhadsobewitchedher。Sheshranktoofromshowinghertheverses：theywerenotofakind，shewassure，tomeetwithrecognitionfromher。
Sheknewshewouldmakegameofthem，andthatnotgood-humouredlylikeKate，whoyetconfessedtosomebeautyinthem。Forherself，thepoemandthestudyofitsgrowthhadministeredsomuchnourishmenttocertainhealthypoeticseedslyinghardanddryinherbosom，thattheyhadbeguntosprout，indeedtoshootrapidlyup。Donal\'spoemcouldnotfailthereforetobetoherthenceforwardsomethingsacred。Arelatedresultalsowasthatithadmadeherawareofsomethingverydefectiveinherfriend\'sconstitution：shedidnotknowwhetherinherconstitutionmental，moral，orspiritual：probablyitwasinallthree。Doubtless，thoughtArctura，sheknewmostthingsbetterthanshe，andcertainlyhadagreatdealmorecommonsense；but，ontheotherhand，wasshenotsatisfiedwithfarlessthanshecouldbesatisfiedwith？Tobelieveasherfriendbelievedwouldnotsaveherfrominsanity！Shemustbemadeonasmallerscaleofnecessitiesthanherself！HowwassheabletolovetheGodshesaidshebelievedin？Godshouldatleastbeasbeautifulashiscreaturecouldimaginehim！ButMissCarmichaelwouldsayherpoorearthlyimaginationwasnottooccupyitselfwithsuchahighsubject！Oh，whywouldnotGodtellhersomethingabouthimself——somethingdirect——straightfromhimself？Whyshouldsheonlyhearofhimatsecondhand——alwaysandalways？
Alas，poorgirl！secondhand？Fivehundredthhandrather？AndshemighthavebeenallthetimecommuningwiththeveryGodhimself，manifestinhisownshape，whichisoursalso！——allthetimelearningthatherimaginationcouldnever——nottosayoriginate，but，whenpresented，receiveintoittheunspeakableexcessofhisloveliness，ofhisabsolutedevotionandtendernesstothecreatures，thechildrenofhisfather！
IntheabsenceofMissCarmichaelshehadthoughtwithlessoppressionofmanythingsthatinherpresenceappearedghastly-hopeless；nowintheprospectofherreappearanceshebegantofeelwickedindaringathoughtofherownconcerningtheGodthatwasnearertoherthanherthoughts！Suchanunhealthymasteryhadshegainedoverher！WhatiftheymetDonal，andshesawhersmiletohimasshealwaysdidnow！Onethingshewasdeterminedupon——andhereinlaythepledgeofhercomingfreedom！——thatshewouldnotbehavetohimintheleastotherwisethanherwont。Ifshewouldbeworthy，shemustbestraightforward！
Donalandshehadneverhadanyfurthertalk，muchasshewouldhavelikedit，uponthingspoetic。Asamatterofsupposedduty——whereshehadgottheideaIdonotknow——certainlynotfromMissCarmichael，seeingsheapprovedoflittlepoetrybutthatofYoung，Cowper，Pollok，andJamesMontgomery——shehadbeenreadingtheParadiseLost，andwishedmuchtospeakofittoDonal，buthadnotthecourage。
WhenMissCarmichaelcame，sheatonceperceivedadifferenceinher，anditsetherthinking。Shewasnotonetodoorsayanythingwithoutthinkingoveritfirst。Shehadsuchathoroughconfidenceinherjudgment，andsuchapleasureinexercisingit，thatshealmostalwaysrejectedanimpulse。Judgmentwasonthethrone；
feelingunderthefootstool。TherewassomethinginArctura\'scarriagewhichremindedheroftheonlytimewhenshehadstooduponherrankwithher。Thiswasonceshemadearemarkdisparagingafavouritedog：fortheanimalsArcturacouldbraveevenherspiritualnightmare：theywerenotunderthewrathandcurselikemenandwomen，thereforemightbedefended！ShehadonthatoccasionshownsomuchoffencethatMissCarmichaelsaw，ifshewastokeepherinfluenceoverher，shemustavoidrousingthephantomofrankindefenceofprejudice。Shewasnowthereforecareful——saidnexttonothing，butwatchedherkeenly，andnotthelessslylythatshelookedherstraightintheface。Thereisanefforttoseeintothesoulofothersthatisessentiallytreacherous；wherever，friendshipbeingtheostensiblebond，inquiryoutrunsregard，itistreachery——anendeavourtograspmorethanthefriendwouldknowinglygive。
Theywentforalittlewalkinthegrounds；astheyreturnedtheymetDonalgoingoutwithDavie。ArcturaandDonalpassedwithabowandafriendlysmile；Daviestoppedandspoketotheladies，thenboundedafterhisfriend。
“Haveyouattendedthescripture-lessonregularly？”askedMissCarmichael。
“Yes；Ihavebeenabsentonlyonce，Ithink，sinceyouleft，“
repliedArctura。
“Good，mydear！Youhavenotbeenleavingyourlambtothewolf！”
“Ibegintodoubtifhebeawolf。“
“Ah！doeshewearhissheepskinsowell？Areyousureheisnotplottingtodevoursheepandshepherdtogether？”saidMissCarmichael，withanopenglanceofsearch。
“Don\'tyouthink，“suggestedArctura，“whenyouarenotabletosayanything，itwouldbebetternottobepresent？Yoursilencelookslikeagreement。“
“Butyoucanalwaysprotest！Youcanassertheisallwrong。Youcansayyoudonotintheleastagreewithhim！”
“Butwhatifyouarenotsurethatyoudonotagreewithhim？”
“Ithoughtasmuch！”saidMissCarmichaeltoherself。“Imighthaveforeseenthis！”——Hereshespoke——“Ifyouarenotsureyoudoagree，youcansay，\'Ican\'tsayIagreewithyou！\'Itisalwayssafertoadmitlittlethanmuch。“
“Idonotquitefollowyou。Butspeakingoflittleandmuch，IamsureIwantagreatdealmorethanIknowyettosaveme。Ihaveneveryetheardwhatseemsenough。“
“IsthattosayGodhasnotdonehispart？”
“No；itisonlytosaythatIhopehehasdonemorethanIhaveyetheard。“
“Morethansendhissontodieforyoursins？”
“Morethanyousaythatmeans。“
“YouhavebuttobelieveChristdidso。“
“Idon\'tknowthathediedformysins。“
“Hediedforthesinsofthewholeworld。“
“ThenImustbesaved！”
“Yes，ifyoubelievethathemadeatonementforyoursins。“
“ThenIcannotbesavedexceptIbelievethatIshallbesaved。AndIcannotbelieveIshallbesaveduntilIknowIshallbesaved！”
“Youarecavilling，Arctura！Ah，thisiswhatyouhavebeenlearningofMr。Grant！Ioughtnottohavegoneaway！”
“Nothingofthesort！”saidArctura，drawingherselfupalittle。“I
amsorryifIhavesaidanythingwrong；butreallyIcangetholdofnothing！IfeelsometimesasifIshouldgooutofmymind。“
“Arctura，Ihavedonemybestforyou！Ifyouthinkyouhavefoundabetterteacher，nowarning，Ifear，willanylongeravail！”
“IfIdidthinkIhadfoundabetterteacher，nowarningcertainlywould；IamonlyafraidIhavenot。ButofonethingIamsure——thatthethingsMr。Grantteachesaremuchmoretobedesiredthan——“
“Bytheunsanctifiedheart，nodoubt！”saidSophia。
“Theunsanctifiedheart，“rejoinedArctura，astonishedatherownboldness，andthesenseofpowerandfreedomgrowinginherasshespoke，“surelyneedsGodasmuchasthesanctified！ButcantheheartbealtogetherunsanctifiedthatdesirestofindGodsobeautifulandgoodthatitcanworshiphimwithitswholepowerofloveandadoration？OrisGodlessbeautifulandgoodthanthat？”
“WeoughttoworshipGodwhateverheis。“
“Butcouldwelovehimwithallourheartsifhewerenotaltogetherlovable？”
“Hemightnotbethelesstobeworshippedthoughheseemedsotous。Wemustworshiphisjusticeasmuchashislove，hispowerasmuchashisjustice。“
Arcturareturnednoanswer；thewordshadfallenonherheartlikeanice-berg。Shewasnot，however，soutterlyoverwhelmedbythemasshewouldhavebeensometimebefore；shethoughtwithherself，“I
willaskMr。Grant！Iamsurehedoesnotthinklikethat！Worshippowerasmuchaslove！Ibegintothinkshedoesnotunderstandwhatsheistalkingabout！IfIweretomakeacreatureneedingallmylovetomakelifeendurabletohim，andthennotbekindenoughtohim，shouldInotbecruel？WouldInotbetoblame？CanGodbeGodanddoanythingconceivablytoblame——anythingthatisnotaltogetherbeautiful？ShetellsmewecannotjudgewhatitwouldberightforGodtodobywhatitwouldberightforustodo：ifwhatseemsrighttomeisnotrighttoGod，Imustwrongmyconscienceandbeasinnerinordertoservehim！ThenmyconscienceisnotthevoiceofGodinme！HowthenamImadeinhisimage？Whatdoesitmean？Ah，butthatimagehasbeendefacedbythefall！SoIcannottellabitwhatGodislike？ThenhowamItolovehim？Inevercanlovehim！Iamverymiserable！IamnotGod\'schild！
Thus，longafterMissCarmichaelhadtakenacoldlysorrowfulfarewellofher，Arcturawentroundandroundtheoldmill-horserackofherself-questioning：Godwasnottobetrustedinuntilshehaddonesomethingshecouldnotdo，uponwhichhewouldtakeherintohisfavour，andthenshecouldtrusthim！WhataGodtogiveallherheartto，tolongfor，todreamofbeingathomewith！ThenshecomparedMissCarmichaelandDonalGrant，andthoughtwhetherDonalmightnotbeaslikelytoberightasshe。Oh，wherewasassurance，wherewascertaintyaboutanything！Howwassheevertoknow？Whatifthethingshecametoknowforcertainshouldbe——aGodshecouldnotlove！
ThenextdaywasSunday。Davieandhistutorovertookhergoinghomefromchurch。Itcameasofitselftoherlips，andshesaid，“Mr。Grant，howarewetoknowwhatGodislike？”
“\'Philipsaithuntohim，Lord，showustheFatheranditsufficethus。Jesussaithuntohim，HaveIbeensolongtimewithyou，andyethastthounotknownme，Philip？Hethathathseenmehathseenthefather，andhowsayestthouthen，Showusthefather？\'“
ThusansweredDonal，withoutawordofhisown，andthoughthethreewalkedsidebyside，itwastenminutesbeforeanotherwasspoken。
ThenatlastsaidArctura，“IfIcouldbutseeChrist！”
“Itisnotnecessarytoseehimtoknowwhatheislike。Youcanreadwhatthosewhoknewhimsaidhewaslike；thatisthefirststeptounderstandinghim，whichisthetrueseeing；thesecondis，doingwhathetellsyou：whenyouunderstandhim——thereisyourGod！”
>FromthatdayArctura\'ssearchtookanewdeparture。Itisstrangehowoftenonemayhearathing，yetneverhavereallyheardit！Theheartcanhearonlywhatitiscapableofhearing；therefore“thetimesofthisignoranceGodwinkedat；“butalasforhimwhowillnothearwhatheiscapableofhearing！
HisfailuretogetwordorevensightofEppy，togetherwithsomeuneasinessattheconditioninwhichhergrandfathercontinued，inducedlordForguetoaccepttheinvitation——whichhisfatherhadtakenpainstohavesenthim——tospendthreeweeksoramonthwitharelativeinthenorthofEngland。HewouldgladlyhavesentamessagetoEppybeforehewent，buthadnoonehecouldtrustwithit：Daviewastoomuchundertheinfluenceofhistutor！Sohedepartedwithoutsign，andEppysoonimaginedhehaddesertedher。
Foratimehertearsflowedyetmorefreely，butbyandbyshebegantofeelsomethingofreliefinhavingthemattersettled，forshecouldnotseehowtheywereevertobemarried。Shewouldhavebeencontenttolovehimalways，shesaidtoherself，weretherenoprospectofmarriage，orevenweretherenomarriageinquestion；
butwouldhecontinuetocareforherlove？Shedidnotthinkshecouldexpectthat。Sowithmanytearsshegavehimup——orthoughtshedid。Hehadlovedher，andthatwasagrandthing！
Therewasmuchthatwasgood，andsomethingthatwaswiseinthegirl，notwithstandingherfollyinallowingsuchalover。Thetemptationwasgreat：evenifhisattentionswereintheirnaturebuttransient，theyweresweetwhiletheypassed。Idoubtifherlovewasofthedeepestshehadtogive；butwhocantell？Awomanwilllovewhereamancanseenothinglovely。Solongassheisablestilltolove，sheisneverquitetobepitied；butwhenthereactioncomes——？
Sothedulldayswentby。
ButforladyArcturaagreathopehadbeguntodawn——thehope，namely，thattheworldwasinthehand，yeaintheheartofOnewhomsheherselfmightonedaysee，inherinmostsoul，andwithclearesteyes，tobeLoveitself——notaloveshecouldnotcarefor，buttheveryheart，generatingcentre，embracingcircumference，andcrownofallloves。
DonalprayedtoGodforladyArctura，andwaited。Herhourwasnotyetcome，butwascoming！EveryonethatisreadytheFatherbringstoJesus：thediscipleisnotgreaterthanhismaster，andmustnotthinktohastenthehour，orleadonewhoisnotyettaughtofGod；
hemustnotbemiserableaboutanotherasifGodhadforgottenhim。
StrangehelpersofGodweshallbe，if，thinkingtodohiswork，weactasifhewereneglectingit！TowaitforGod，believingithisonedesigntoredeemhiscreatures，readytoputthehandto，themomenthishourstrikes，isthefaithfitforafellow-workerwithhim！
CHAPTERXXXIX。
THECASTLE-ROOF。
OnestormyFridaynightinthemonthofMarch，whenabittereastwindwasblowing，Donal，seatedattheplaindeal-tablehehadgotMrs。Brookestofindhimthathemightuseitregardlessofink，wasdrawinguponitadiagram，inquestofasimplificationforDavie，whenasuddensenseofcoldmadehimcastaglanceathisfire。Hehadbeenawarethatitwassinking，but，astherewasnofuelintheroom，hadforgottenitagain：itwasverylow，andhemustatoncefetchbothwoodandcoal！Incertaindirectionsanddegreesofwindthiswasratheraticklishtask；buthehadtakentheprecautionofputtinguphereandthereabitofrope。Closingthedoorbehindhimtokeepinwhatwarmthhemight，andascendingthestairsafewfeethigher，hesteppedoutonthebartizan，andsoroundthetowertotheroof。Therehestoodforamomenttolookabouthim。
Itwasamoonlitnight，sofarastheclouds，blowninhugeandalmostcontinuousmassesovertheheavens，wouldpermitthelightofthemoontoemerge。Theroaringoftheseacamelikealowrollingmistacrosstheflats。Theairgloomedanddarkenedandlightenedagainaroundhim，asthefoldsofthecloud-blanketoverheadweretorn，ordroppedtrailing，orgatheredagaininthearmsofthehurryingwind。Ashestood，itseemedsuddenlytochange，andtakeatouchofsouthinitsblowing。Thesameinstantcametohisearaloudwail：itwastheghost-music！Therewasinitthecryofadiscord，minglingwithawildrollingchangeofharmonies。Hestood“likeoneforbid，“andlistenedwithallhispower。Itcameagain，andagain，andwasmorecontinuousthanhehadeverhearditbefore。
Herewasnowachanceindeedoftracingithome！Asagaze-houndwithhiseyes，asasleuth-houndwithhisnose，hestoodreadytostarthuntingwithhislistinglisteningear。Theseemingapproachandrecessionofthesoundsmightbeoccasionedbychangesintheirstrength，notbyanychangeofposition！
“Itmustcomefromsomewhereontheroof！”hesaid，andsettingdownthepailhehadbrought，hegotonhishandsandknees，firsttoescapethewindinhisears，andnexttodiminishitsholdonhisperson。Overroofafterroofhecreptlikeacat，stoppingtolisteneverytimeanewgushofthesoundcame，thenstartingafreshinthesearchforitssource。Uponagreatgatheringofroofslikethese，erectedatvarioustimesonvariouslevels，andwithallkindsofarchitecturalaccommodationsofoneparttoanother，soundwouldbevariouslydeflected，andasdifficulttotraceasinsidethehouse！
Carelessofcoldordanger，hepersisted，creepingup，creepingdown，overflatleads，overslopingslates，overgreatroofingstones，alonglowparapets，androundticklishcorners——followingthesoundever，asacataflittingunconsciousbird：whenitceased，hewouldkeepslowlyoninthedirectionlastchosen。
Sometimes，whenthemoonwasmoreprofoundlyobscured，hewouldhavetostopaltogether，unabletogetapeepofhisway。
Ononesuchoccasion，whenitwasnearlypitch-dark，andthesoundhadforsometimeceased，hewascrouchinguponahigh-pitchedroofofgreatslabs，hisfingersclutchedaroundtheedgesofoneofthem，andhismountaineeringhabitsstandinghimingoodstead，protectedalittlefromtheforceoftheblastbyahugestackofchimneysthatrosetowindward：whileheclungthuswaiting——louderthanhehadyetheardit，almostinhisveryear，arosethemusicalghost-cry——thistimelikethatofasoulintorture。Themooncameout，asatthecry，tosee，butDonalcouldspynothingtosuggestitsorigin。Asifdisappointed，themooninstantlywithdrew，thedarknessagainfell，andthewindrusheduponhimfullofkeenslantingrain，asifwithfierceintentofprotectingthesecret：
therewaslittlechanceofsuccessthatnight！hemustbreakoffthehunttilldaylight！Iftherewasanymaterialfactorinthesound，hewouldbebetterabletodiscoveritthen！Bythegreatchimney-stackhecouldidentifythespotwherehehadbeennearesttoit！Thereremainedforthepresentbutthetaskoffindinghiswaybacktohistower。
Adifficulttaskitwas——moredifficultthanheanticipated。Hehadnotanideainwhatdirectionhistowerlay——hadnotanideaofthetrack，iftrackitcouldbecalled，bywhichhehadcome。Onethingonlywasclear——itwassomewhereelsethanwherehewas。Hesetouttherefore，likeanyhonestpilgrimwhoknowsonlyhemustgosomewhereelse，andbeganhiswanderings。Hefoundhimselffarmoreobstructedthanincoming。Againandagainhecouldgonofartherinthedirectionhewastrying，againandagainhadtoturnandtryanother。Itwashalf-an-houratleastbeforehecametoaspotheknew，andbythattime，withtherainthewindhadfallenalittle。
Againstabreakinthecloudshesawtheoutlineofoneofhisstore-sheds，andhiswaywasthenceforwardplain。Hecaughtuphispail，filleditwithcoalandwood，andhastenedtohisnestasquicklyascrampedjointswouldcarryhim，hopelessalmostoffindinghisfirestillalive。
Butwhenhereachedthestair，andhadgonedownafewsteps，hesawastrangesight：belowhim，athisdoor，withasmallwax-taperinherhand，stoodtheformofawoman，inthepostureofonewhohadjustknocked，andwashearkeningforananswer。Sointentwasshe，andsoloudwasthewindamongtheroofs，thatshehadnotheardhisstep，andhestoodamomentafraidtospeaklestheshouldstartleher。Presentlysheknockedagain。Hemadeanattemptatventriloquy，sayinginavoicetosoundfartheroffthanitwas，“Comein。“A
handrosetothelatch，andopenedthedoor。BythehandheknewitwasladyArctura。
“Welcometothestormysky，mylady！”hesaid，asheenteredtheroomafterher——apleasantobjectafterhiscrawlingexcursion！
Shestartedalittleathisvoicebehindher，andturningwasmorestartledstill。
Donalwasmorelikeachimney-sweepthanatutorinalord\'scastle。
Hewasbegrimedandblackenedfromheadtofoot，andcarriedapailfulofcoalsandwood。Readingreadilyherlook，hemadehastetoexplain。
“Ihavebeenontheroofforthelasthour，“hesaid。
“Whatwereyoudoingthere，“sheasked，withastrangeminglingofexpressions，“insuchanight？”
“Iheardthemusic，mylady——theghost-music，youknow，thathauntsthecastle，and——“
“Iheardittoo，“shemurmured，withalookalmostofterror。“I
haveoftenhearditbefore，butneversoloudasto-night。Haveyouanynotionaboutit，Mr。Grant？”
“Nonewhatever——exceptthatIamnearlysureitcomesfromsomewhereabouttheroof。“
“Ifyoucouldclearupthemystery！”
“Ihavesomehopeofit——Youarenotfrightened，mylady？”
Shehadcaughtholdofthebackofachair。
“Dositdown。Iwillgetyousomewater。“
“No，no；Ishallberightinamoment！”sheanswered。“Yourstairhastakenmybreathaway。ButmyuncleisinsuchastrangeconditionthatIcouldnothelpcomingtoyou。“
“Ihaveseenhimmyself，morethanonce，verystrange。“
“Willyoucomewithme？”
“Anywhere。“
“Comethen。“
Shelefttheroom，andledtheway，bythelightofherdimtaper，downthestair。Aboutthemiddleofit，shestoppedatadoor，andturningsaid，withasmilelikethatofachild，andthefirstuntroubledlookDonalhadyetseenuponherface——
“Howdelightfulitistobetakenoutoffear！Iamnottheleastafraidnow！”
“Iamveryglad，“saidDonal。“Ishouldliketokillfear；itistheshadowthatfollowsattheheelsofwrong——Doyouthinkthemusichasanythingtodowithyouruncle\'scondition？”
“Idonotknow。“
Sheturnedagainhastily，andpassingthroughthedoor，enteredapartofthehousewithwhichDonalhadnoacquaintance。Withmanybewilderingturns，sheledhimtothegreatstaircase，downwhichshecontinuedhercourse。Thehousewasverystill：itmustsurelybelaterthanhehadthought——onlythereweresofewservantsinitforitsextent！Hisguidewentveryfast，withasteplightasabird\'s：atonemomenthehadallbutlostsightofherinthegreatcurve。AttheroominwhichDonalfirstsawtheearl，shestopped。
Thedoorwasopen，buttherewasnolightwithin。Sheledhimacrosstothedoorofthelittlechamberbehind。Amurmur，butnolight，camefromit。Inamomentitwasgone，andthedeepestsilencefilledtheworld。Arcturaentered。Onestepwithinthedoorshestoodstill，andheldhighhertaper。Donallookedinsideways。
Asmallboxwasontheflooragainstthefootofthefarthestwall，andonthebox，inalongdressinggownofrichfadedstuff，thesilkandgoldinwhichshonefeeblyinthedimlight，stoodthetallmeagreformoftheearl，withhisbacktothedoor，hisfacetothewall，closetoit，andhisarmsandhandsstretchedoutagainstit，likeoneuponacross。Hestoodwithoutmovingamuscleorutteringasound。Whatcoulditmean？Donalgazedinablankdismay。
Notaminutehadpassed，thoughitwastohimalongandpainfultime，whenthemurmuringcameagain。Helistenedastoavoicefromanotherworld——athingterribletothosewhosefeardwellsinanotherworld。ButtoDonalitwasterribleasavoicefromnootherworldcouldhavebeen；itcamefromanunseenworldofsinandsuffering——aworldalmostanegationoftheeternal，aworldofdarknessandtheshadowofdeath。Butsurelytherewashopeforthatworldyet！——forwhosewerethewordsinwhichitsindwellingdespairgrewaudible？
“Andweindeedjustly；forwereceivetheduerewardofourdeeds；
butthismanhathdonenothingamiss！”
Againthesilencefell，buttheformdidnotmove，andstilltheystoodregardinghim。
>Fromfarawaycamethesoundoftheghost-music。Theheadagainstthewallbegantomoveasifwakingfromsleep。Thehandssankalongthewallandfellbythesides。Theearlgaveadeepsigh，butstillstoodleaninghisforeheadagainstthewall。
Arcturaturned，andtheylefttheroom。
Shewentdownthestair，andontothelibrary。Itsdarkoakcasesandoldbindingsreflectedhardlyarayofthepoortapershecarried；butthefirewasnotyetquiteout。Shesetdownthelight，andlookedatDonalinsilence。
“Whatdoesitallmean？”heaskedinahoarsewhisper。
“Godknows！”shereturnedsolemnly。
“Arewesafe？”heasked。“Mayhenotcomehere？”
“Idonotthinkhewill。Ihaveseenhiminmanypartsofthehouse，butneverhere。“
Evenasshespokethedoorswungnoiselesslyopen，andtheearlentered。Hisfacewasghastlypale；hiseyeswerewideopen；hecamestraighttowardsthem。Buthedidnotseethem；orifhedid，hesawthembutasphantomsofthedreaminwhichhewaswalking——phantomswhichhadnotyetbecomeactiveinthedream。Hedrewachairtotheembers，inhisfancydoubtlessagreatfire，satforamomentortwogazingintothem，rose，wentthewholelengthoftheroom，tookdownabook，returnedwithittothefire，drewtowardshimArctura\'stinytaper，openedthebook，andbegantoreadinanaudiblemurmur。
Donal，tryingafterwardstorecallandsetdownwhathehadheard，wrotenothingbetterthanthis：——
Intheheartoftheearth-caveLaytheking。
ThroughchancelandchoirandnaveThebellsring。
Saidthewormathisside，Sweetfool，Turntothybride；
Isthenightsocool？
WouldstthoulielikeastonetilltheachingmornOutofthedarkbeborn？
Heavilypressedthenightenorm，Butheheardthevoiceoftheworm，Likethesoundofamutteredthunderlow，Intherealmswherenofeetgo。
Andhesaid，Iwillrise，Iwillwillmyselfglad；
Iwillopenmyeyes，Andnomoresleepsad。
ForwhoisagodButthemanwhocanspringUpfromthesod，Andbehisownking？
Iwillmodelmygladness，Digmydespair——
AndletgoodnessorbadnessBefolly\'sowncare！
Iwillhecontent，AndtheworldshallspinroundTillitsforcebeoutspent。
ItshalldropLikeatopSpunbyaboy，WhileIsitinmytent，Inafeaturelessjoy——
Sitwithoutsound，Andtossupmyworld，TillitburstandbedrownedIntheblacknessupcurled>Fromthedeephell-ground。
ThedreamsofagodAretheworldsofhisslaves：
Iwillbemyowngod，Andrulemyownknaves！
Hewentoninthiswayforsomeminutes；thentherimesgrewlessperfect，andtheutterancesankintomeasuredprose。Thetoneofthespeakershowedthathetookthestuffforglowingverse，andregardeditasembodyinghisownpresentconsciousness。Onemighthavethoughtthewormwouldhaveawordtosayinrejoinder；butno；
thewormhadvanished，andtheburieddreamerhadmadehimselfagod——hisowngod！Donalstoleupsoftlybehindhim，andpeepedattheopenbook：itwastheNovumOrganum！
Theyglidedoutoftheroom，andleftthedreamertohisdreams。
“Doyouthink，“saidDonal，“IoughttotellSimmons？”
“Itwouldbebetter。Doyouknowwheretofindhim？”
“Idonot。“
“Iwillshowyouabellthatringsinhisroom。Hewillthinkhislordshiphasrungit。“
Theywentandrangthebell。Inaminuteortwotheyheardthestepsofthefaithfulservantseekinghismaster，andbadeeachothergood-night。
CHAPTERXL。
ARELIGION-LESSON。
InthemorningDonallearnedfromSimmonsthathismasterwasveryill——couldnotraisehishead。
“Thewayhedomoanandcry！”saidSimmons。“Youwouldthinksurehewaseitheroutofhismind，orhadsomethingheavyuponit！AlltheyearsIknownhim，hebeenlikethateverynowan\'then，andbacktohisoldselfagain，littletheworse！Onlythefitsdocomeoftener。“
Towardsthecloseofschool，asDonalwasbeginningtogivehislessoninreligion，ladyArcturaentered，andsatdownbesideDavie。
“Whatwouldyouthinkofme，Davie，“Donalwassaying，“ifIwereangrywithyoubecauseyoudidnotknowsomethingIhadnevertaughtyou？”
Davieonlylaughed。Itwastohimagrotesque，animpossiblesupposition。
“If，“Donalresumed，“IweretoshowyouapropositionofEuclidwhichyouhadneverseenbefore，andsaytoyou，\'Now，Davie，thisisoneofthemostbeautifulofallEuclid\'spropositions，andyoumustimmediatelyadmireit，andadmireEuclidforconstructingit！\'——whatwouldyousay？”
Daviethought，andlookedpuzzled。
“Butyouwouldn\'tdoit，sir！”hesaid。“——Iknowyouwouldn\'tdoit！”headded，afteramoment。
“WhyshouldInot？”
“Itisn\'tyourway，sir。“
“ButsupposeIweretotakethatway？”
“Youwouldnotthenbelikeyourself，sir！”
“TellmehowIshouldbeunlikemyself。Think。“
“Youwouldnotbereasonable。“
“Whatwouldyousaytome？”
“Ishouldsay，\'Please，sir，letmelearnthepropositionfirst，andthenIshallbeabletoadmireit。Idon\'tknowityet！\'“
“Verygood！——Nowagain，suppose，whenyoutriedtolearnit，youwerenotabletodoso，andthereforecouldseenobeautyinit——shouldIblameyou？”
“No，sir；Iamsureyouwouldnot——becauseIshouldnotbetoblame，anditwouldnotbefair；andyouneverdowhatisnotfair！”
“Iamgladyouthinkso：Itrytobefair——Thatlooksasifyoubelievedinme，Davie！”
“OfcourseIdo，sir！”
“Why？”
“Justbecauseyouarefair。“
“Suppose，Davie，Isaidtoyou，\'HereisaverybeautifulthingI
shouldlikeyoutolearn，\'andyou，afteryouhadpartlylearnedit，weretosay\'Idon\'tseeanythingbeautifulinthis：IamafraidI
nevershall！\'——wouldthatbetobelieveinme？”
“No，surely，sir！foryouknowbestwhatIamablefor。“
“Supposeyousaid，\'Idaresayitisallasgoodasyousay，butI
don\'tcaretotakesomuchtroubleaboutit，\'——whatwouldthatbe？”
“Nottobelieveinyou，sir。Youwouldnotwantmetolearnathingthatwasnotworthmytrouble，orathingIshouldnotbegladofknowingwhenIdidknowit。“
“Supposeyousaid，\'Sir，Idon\'tdoubtwhatyousay，butIamsotired，Idon\'tmeantodoanythingmoreyoutellme，\'——wouldyouthenbebelievinginme？”
“No。Thatmightbetobelieveyourword，butitwouldnotbetotrustyou。Itwouldbetothinkmythinksbetterthanyourthinks，andthatwouldbenofaithatall。“
Daviehadattimesanoddlychildishwayofputtingthings。
“Supposeyouweretosaynothing，butgoawayanddonothingofwhatItoldyou——whatwouldthatbe？”
“Worseandworse；itwouldbesneaking。“
“Onequestionmore：whatisfaith——thebigfaithImean——notthelittlefaithbetweenequals——thebigfaithweputinoneaboveus？”
“Itistogoatonceanddothethinghetellsustodo。“
“Ifwedon\'t，thenwehaven\'tfaithinhim？”
“No；certainlynot。“
“Butmightnotthatbehisfault？”
“Yes——ifhewasnotgood——andsoIcouldnottrusthim。IfhesaidI
wastodoonekindofthing，andhedidanotherkindofthinghimself，thenofcourseIcouldnothavefaithinhim。“
“Andyetyoumightfeelyoumustdowhathetoldyou！”
“Yes。“
“Wouldthatbefaithinhim？”
“No。“
“Wouldyoualwaysdowhathetoldyou？”
“Notifhetoldmetodowhatitwouldbewrongtodo。“
“Nowtellme，Davie，whatisthebiggestfaithofall——thefaithtoputintheoneonlyaltogethergoodperson。“
“YoumeanGod，Mr。Grant？”
“WhomelsecouldImean？”
“YoumightmeanJesus。“
“Theyareone；theymeanalwaysthesamething，doalwaysthesamething，alwaysagree。Thereisonlyonethingtheydon\'tdothesamein——theydonotlovethesameperson。“
“Whatdoyoumean，Mr。Grant？”interruptedArctura。
Shehadbeenlisteningintently：wastheclovenfootofMr。Grant\'sheresynowatlastabouttoappearplainly？
“Imeanthis，“answeredDonal，withasmilethatseemedtoArcturasuchalightasshehadneverseenonhumanface，“——thatGodlovesJesus，notGod；andJesuslovesGod，notJesus。Weloveoneanother，notourselves——don\'twe，Davie？”
“Youdo，Mr。Grant，“answeredDaviemodestly。
“Nowtellme，Davie，whatisthegreatbigfaithofall——thatwhichwehavetoputintheFatherofus，whoisasgoodnotonlyasthoughtcanthink，butasgoodasheartcanwish——infinitelybetterthananybodybutJesusChristcanthink——whatisthefaithtoputinhim？”
“Oh，itiseverything！”answeredDavie。
“Butwhatfirst？”askedDonal。
“First，itistodowhathetellsus。“
“Yes，Davie：itistolearnhisproblemsbygoinganddoinghiswill；nottryingtounderstandthingsfirst，buttryingfirsttodothings。Wemustspreadoutourarmstohimasachilddoestohismotherwhenhewantshertotakehim；thenwhenhesetsusdown，saying，\'Goanddothisorthat，\'wemustmakeallthehasteinustogoanddoit。Andwhenwegethungrytoseehim，wemustlookathispicture。“
“Whereisthat，sir？”
“Ah，Davie，Davie！don\'tyouknowthatyet？Don\'tyouknowthat，besidesbeinghimself，andjustbecauseheishimself，JesusisthelivingpictureofGod？”
“Iknow，sir！Wehavetogoandreadabouthiminthebook。“
“MayIaskyouaquestion，Mr。Grant？”saidArctura。
“Withperfectfreedom，“answeredDonal。“IonlyhopeImaybeabletoanswerit。“
“WhenwereadaboutJesus，wehavetodrawforourselveshislikenessfromwords，andyouknowwhatkindofalikenessthebestartistwouldmakethatway，whohadneverseenwithhisowneyesthepersonwhoseportraithehadtopaint！”
“Iunderstandyouquite，“returnedDonal。“Somegotoothermentodrawitforthem；andsomegotootherstohearfromthemwhattheymustdraw——thusgettingalltheirblundersinadditiontothosetheymustmakeforthemselves。Butthenearestlikenessyoucanseeofhim，istheonedrawnbyyourselfwhiledoingwhathetellsyou。Hehaspromisedtocomeintothosewhokeephisword。Hewillthenbemuchnearertothemthaninbodilypresence；andsuchmaywellbeabletodrawforthemselvesthelikenessofGod——Butfirstofall，andbeforeeverythingelse，mind，Davie，OBEDIENCE！”
“Yes，Mr。Grant；Iknow，“saidDavie。
“Thenoffwithyou！OnlythinksometimesitisGodwhogaveyouyourgame。“
“I\'mgoingtoflymykite，Mr。Grant。“
“Do。Godlikestoseeyouflyyourkite，anditisallinhisMarchwinditflies。Itcouldnotgoupafootbutforthat。“
Daviewent。
“Youhaveheardthatmyuncleisveryillto-day！”saidArctura。
“Ihave。Poorman！”repliedDonal。
“Hemustbeinaverypeculiarcondition。“
“Ofbodyandmindboth。Hegreatlyperplexesme。“
“YouwouldbequiteasmuchperplexedifyouhadknownhimaslongasIhave！Neversincemyfather\'sdeath，whichseemsacenturyago，haveIfeltsafe；neverinmyuncle\'spresenceatease。Igetnonearertohim。Itseemstome，Mr。Grant，thatthecauseofdiscomfortandstrifeisneverthatwearetoonearothers，butthatwearenotnearenough。“
ThiswasaremarkafterDonal\'sownheart。
“Iunderstandyou，“hesaid，“andentirelyagreewithyou。“
“Ineverfeelthatmyunclecaresformeexceptasoneofthefamily，andtheholderofitschiefproperty。Hewouldhavelikedmebetter，perhaps，ifIhadbeendependentonhim。“
“Howlongwillhebeyourguardian？”askedDonal。
“Heisnolongermyguardianlegally。Thetimesetbymyfather\'swillendedlastyear。Iamthreeandtwenty，andmyownmistress。
Butofcourseitismuchbettertohavetheheadofthehousewithme。Iwishhewerealittlemorelikeotherpeople！——Buttellmeabouttheghost-music：wehadnottimetotalkofitlastnight！”
“Igotprettyneartheplaceitcamefrom。Butthewindblewso，anditwassodark，thatIcoulddonothingmorethen。“
“Youwilltryagain？”
“Ishallindeed。“
“Iamafraid，ifyoufindanaturalcauseforit，Ishallbealittlesorry。“
“Howcantherebeanyotherthananaturalcause，mylady？GodandNatureareone。GodisthecausingNature——Tellme，isnotthemusicheardonlyinstormynights，oratleastnightswithagooddealofwind？”
“Ihavehearditinthedaytime！”
“Onastillday？”
“Ithinknot。IthinktooIneverhearditonastillsummernight。“
“Doyouthinkitcomesinallstorms？”
“Ithinknot。“
“Thenperhapsithassomethingtodonotmerelywiththewind，butwiththedirectionofthewind！”
“Perhaps。Icannotsay。“
“Thatmightaccountfortheuncertaintyofitsvisits！Theinstrumentmaybeaccessible，yetitsconversewiththeoperatingpowersorarethatithasnotyetbeendiscovered。Itisacaseinwhichexperimentisnotpermittedus：wecannotmakeawindblow，neithercanwevarythedirectionofthewindblowing；observationaloneisleftus，andthatcanbeonlyatsuchtimeswhenthesoundisheard。“
“Thenyoucandonothingtillthemusiccomesagain？”
“IthinkIcandosomethingnow；for，lastnightIseemedsoneartheplacewhencethesoundswerecoming，thattheeyemaynowbeabletosupplementtheear，andfindthemusic-birdsilentonhernest。Ifthewindfall，asIthinkitwillintheafternoon，IshallgoagainandseewhetherIcanfindanything。Inoticedlastnightthatsimultaneouslywiththesoundcameachangeinthewind——towardsthesouth，Ithink——WhatanightitwasafterIleftyou！”
“Ithink，“saidArctura，“thewindhassomethingtodowithmyuncle\'sfits。Wasthereanythingverystrangeaboutitlastnight？
Whenthewindblowssoangrily，Ialwaysthinkofthatpassageabouttheprinceofthepoweroftheairbeingthespiritthatworksinthechildrenofdisobedience。Tellmewhatitmeans。“
“Idonotknowwhatitmeans，“answeredDonal；“butIsupposetheepithetinvolvesasymbolofthedifferencebetweenthewindofGodthatinspiresthespiritualtrueselfofman，andthewindoftheworldthatworksbythousandsofimpulsesandinfluencesinthelower，theselfishselfofchildrenthatwillnotobey。IwilllookatthepassageandseewhatIcanmakeoutofit。Onlythespiritualandthenaturalblendsothatwemayonedaybeastonished！——Wouldyouliketojointhemusic-hunt，mylady？”
“Doyoumean，goontheroof？ShouldIbeable？”
“Iwouldnothaveyougointhenight，andthewindblowing，“saidDonalwithalaugh；“butyoucancomeandsee，andjudgeforyourself。Thebartizanistheonlyanxiousplace，butasImeantotakeDaviewithme，youmaythinkIdonotcountitverydangerous！”
“WillitbesafeforDavie？”
“IcanventuremorewithDaviethanwithanother：heobeysinamoment。“
“Iwillobeytooifyouwilltakeme，“saidArctura。
“Then，please，cometotheschoolroomatfouro\'clock。Butweshallnotgoexceptthewindbefallen。“
WhenDavieheardwhathistutorproposed，hewasfilledwiththerestlessnessofanticipation。OftenwhilehelpingDonalwithhisfuel，hehadgazedupathimontheroofwithlongingeyes，butDonalhadneverlethimgouponit。
CHAPTERXLI。
THEMUSIC-NEST。
Thehourcame，andwiththeverystrokeoftheclock，ladyArcturaandDaviewereintheschoolroom。Amomentmore，andtheysetouttoclimbthespiralofBaliol\'stower。
ButwhatadifferentladywasArcturathisafternoon！Shewascheerful，evenmerry——withDavie，almostjolly。Hersoulhadmanyalternatinglightsandglooms，butitwasseldomornevernowsocloudedaswhenfirstDonalsawher。Inthesolitudeofherchamber，wheremostthesimplesoulshouldbeconsciousoflifeasablessedness，shewasyetoftenhauntedbyghastlyshapesoffear；
buttherealsootherformshadbeguntodrawnightoher；sweetestraysofhopewouldeverandanonbreakthroughtheclouds，andmockthedarknessfromherpresence。PerhapsGodmightmeanasthoroughlywellbyherasevenherimaginationcouldwish！
Doesadullreaderremarkthatherswasadiseasedstateofmind？——I
answer，Themoresheneededtobesavedfromitwiththeonlyrealdeliverancefromanyill！Buthermisery，howeverdiseased，wasinfinitelymorereasonablethanthehealthyjoyofsuchastroublethemselvesaboutnothing。Somesicknessesarebetterthananybutthetruehealth。
“Ineverthoughtyouwerelikethis，Arkie！”saidDavie。“YouarejustasifyouhadcometoschooltoMr。Grant！Youwouldsoonknowhowmuchhappieritistohavesomebodyyoumustmind！”
“Ifhavingme，Davie，“saidDonal，“doesn\'thelpyoutobehappywithoutme，therewillnothavebeenmuchgooddone。WhatIwantmosttoteachyouis，toleavethedooralwaysonthelatch，forsomeone——youknowwhomImean——tocomein。“
“Racemeupthestair，Arkie，“saidDavie，whentheycametothefootofthespiral。
“Verywell，“assentedhiscousin。
“Whichsidewillyouhave——thebroadorthenarrow？”
“Thebroad。“
“Wellthen——one，two，three，andawaywego！”
Daviemountedlikeaclevergoat，hishandandarmonthenewel，andslippinglightlyroundit。Arctura\'sascentwaseasierbutslower：
shefoundhergarmentsinherway，thereforeyieldedtherace，andwaitedforDonal。Davie，thinkingheheardherfootstepsbehindhimallthetime，flewupshriekingwiththesweetterroroflove\'spursuit。
“Whatadarlingtheboyhasgrown！”saidArcturawhenDonalovertookher。
“Yes，“answeredDonal；“onewouldthinksuchachildmightrunstraightintothekingdomofheaven；butIsupposehemusthavehistemptationsandtrialsfirst：outofthestormalonecomesthetruepeace。“
“Willpeacecomeoutofallstorms？”
“Itrustso。Everypainandeveryfear，everydoubtisacryafterGod。Whatmotherrefusestogotoherchildbecauseheisonlycrying——notcallingherbyname！”
“Oh，ifIcouldbutbelievesoaboutGod！ForifitbeallrightwithGod——ImeanifGodbesuchaGodastobelovedwiththeheartandsoulofloving，thenalliswell。Isitnot，Mr。Grant？”
“Indeeditis！——Andyouarenotfarfromthekingdomofheaven，“hewasonthepointofsaying，butdidnot——becauseshewasinitalready，onlyunableyettoverifythethingsaroundher，likethemanwhohadbuthalf-wayreceivedhissight。
Whentheyreachedthetop，hetookthempasthisdoor，andhigherupthestairtothenext，openingonthebartizan。HerehesaidladyArcturamustcomewithhimfirst，andDaviemustwaittillhecamebackforhim。Whenhehadthembothsafeontheroof，hetoldDavietokeepclosetohiscousinorhimselfallthetime。Heshowedthemfirsthisstoresoffuel——hisammunition，hesaid，forfightingthewinter。Nexthepointedoutwherehestoodwhenfirstheheardthemusicthenightbefore，andsetdownhisbuckettofollowit；andwherehefoundthebucket，blownthitherbythewind，whenhecamebacktofeelforitinthedark。Thenhebegantoleadthem，asnearlyashecould，thewayhehadthengone，butwithsome，forArctura\'ssake，desirabledetours：overonesteep-slopingrooftheyhadtocross，hefoundalittlestairupthemiddle，anddowntheotherside。
Theycametoapartwherehewasnotquitesureabouttheway。Ashestoppedtobethinkhimself，theyturnedandlookedeastward。Theseawasshininginthesun，andtheflatwetcountrybetweenwassobrightthattheycouldnottellwherethelandendedandtheseabegan。Butastheygazedagreatcloudcameoverthesun，theseaturnedcoldandgrayasdeath——atrueMarchsea，andthelandlaylowanddesolatebetween。Thespringwasgoneandthewinterwasthere。Agustofwind，fullofkeenhail，drovesharpintheirfaces。
“Ah，thatsettlesthequestion！”saidDonal。“Themusic-birdmustwait。Wewillcalluponheranotherday——Itisfunny，isn\'tit，Davie，togoabird\'s-nestingaftermusicontheroofofahouse？”
“Hark！”saidArctura；“IthinkIheardthemusic-bird！——Shewantsustofindhernest！Ireallydon\'tthinkweoughttogobackforalittleblastofwind，andafewpelletsofhail！Whatdoyouthink，Davie？”
“Oh，forme，Iwouldn\'tturnforeversobigastorm！”saidDavie；
“butyouknow，Arkie，it\'snotyouorme，Arkie！Mr。Grantisthecaptainofthisexpedition，andwemustdoashebidsus。“
“Oh，surely，Davie！Inevermeanttodisputethat。OnlyMr。Grantisnotatyrant；hewillletaladysaywhatshethinks！”
“Oh，yes，oraboyeither！HelikesmetosaywhatIthink！Hesayswecan\'tgetateachotherwithout。Anddoyouknow——heobeysmesometimes！”
Arcturaglancedakeenquestionattheboy。
“Itisquitetrue！”saidDavie，whileDonallistenedsmiling。“Lastwinter，fordaystogether——notallday，youknow：Ihadtoobeyhimmostofthetime！butatcertaintimes，IwasassureofMr。GrantdoingasItoldhim，asheisnowofmedoingashetellsme。“
“Whattimeswerethose？”askedArctura，thinkingtohearofsomeoddpedagogicdevice。
“WhenIwasteachinghimtoskate！”answeredDavie，inatriumphofremembrance。“HesaidIknewbetterthanhethere，andsohewouldobeyme。Youwouldn\'tbelievehowsplendidlyhedidit，Arkie——outandout！”concludedDavie，inatonealmostofawe。
“Oh，yes，Iwouldbelieveit——perfectly！”saidArctura。
Donalsuddenlythrewanarmroundeachofthem，andpulledthemdownsitting。Thesameinstantafierceblastburstupontheroof。Hehadseenthesquallwhiteningthesea，andlookingnearerhomesawthetopsofthetreesbetweenstreamingleveltowardsthecastle。Butseatedtheywereinnodanger。
“Hark！”saidArcturaagain；“thereitis！”