Theyallheardthewailingcryoftheghost-music。Butwhiletheblastcontinuedtheydarednotpursuetheirhunt。Itkeptoninfitsandguststillthesquallceased——assuddenlyalmostasithadburst。Theskycleared，andthesunshoneasaMarchsuncan。Buttheblunderingblastsandtheswan-shotoftheflyinghailwereallaboutstill。
“Whenthestormisuponus，“remarkedDonal，astheyrosefromtheircrouchingposition，“itseemsasiftherenevercouldbesunshinemore；butourhopelessnessdoesnotkeepbackthesunwhenhishourtoshineiscome。“
“Iunderstand！”saidArctura：“whenoneismiserable，miseryseemsthelawofbeing；andinthemidstofitdwellssomethoughtwhichnothingcaneversetright！Allatonceitisgone，brokenupandgone，likethathail-cloud。Itjustlooksitsownfoolishnessandvanishes。“
“Doyouknowwhythingssooftencomeright？”saidDonal。“——Iwouldsayalwayscomeright，butthatismatteroffaith，notsight。“
Arcturadidnotansweratonce。
“IthinkIknowwhatyouarethinking，“shesaid，“butIwanttohearyouansweryourownquestion。“
“Whydothingscomerightsooften，doyouthink，Davie？”repeatedDonal。
“Isit，“returnedDavie，“becausetheyweremaderighttobeginwith？”
“Thereismuchinthat，Davie；butthereisabetterreasonthanthat。Itisbecausethingsarealive，andthelifeattheheartofthem，thatwhichkeepsthemgoing，isthegreat，beautifulGod。Sothesunforeverreturnsaftertheclouds。Adoubtingman，likehimwhowrotethebookofEcclesiasties，putstheevillast，andsays\'thecloudsreturnaftertherain；\'buttheChristianknowsthatOnehasmasteryWhomakesthejoythelastineverysong。“
“Youspeaklikeonewhohassuffered！”saidArctura，withakindlookinhisface。
“Whohasnotthatlives？”
“Itishowyouareabletohelpothers！”
“AmIabletohelpothers？Iamverygladtohearit。Myambitionwouldbetohelp，ifIhadanyambition。ButifIamable，itisbecauseIhavebeenhelpedmyself，notbecauseIhavesuffered。“
“Willyoutellmewhatyoumeanbysayingyouhavenoambition？”
“Whereyourworkislaidoutforyou，thereisnoroomforambition：
youhavegotyourworktodo！——Butgivemeyourhand，mylady；putyourotherhandonmyshoulder。Youstopthere，Davie，anddon\'tmovetillIcometoyou。Now，mylady——alittlejump！That\'sit！Nowyouaresafe！——Youwerenotafraid，wereyou？”
“Notintheleast。Butdidyoucomehereinthedark？”
“Yes。Thereisthisadvantageinthedark：youdonotseehowdangerousthewayis。Wetakethedarknessaboutusforthesourceofourdifficulties：itisagreatmistake。ChristianwouldhardlyhavedaredgothroughtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath，hadhenothadtheshieldofthedarknessallabouthim。“
“Canthedarknessbeashield？Isitnottheevilthing？”
“Yes，thedarkthatiswithinus——thedarkofdistrustandunwillingness，butnottheoutsidedarkofmerehumanignorance。
Wherewedonotsee，weareprotected。Wherewearemostignorantandmostindanger，isinthosethingsthataffectthelifeofGodinus：theretheFatheriseverymomentwatchinghischild。Ifhewerenotconstantlypardoningandpunishingoursins，whatwouldbecomeofus！Wemustlearntotrusthimaboutourfaultsasmuchasabouteverythingelse！”
Intheearnestnessofhistalkhehadstopped，butnowturnedandwenton。
“Thereismyland-，orroof-markrather！”hesaid，“——thatchimney-stack！ClosebyitIheardthemusicverynearmeindeed——whenallatoncethedarknessandthewindcametogethersothickthatIcoulddonothingmore。Weshalldobetternowinthedaylight——andthreeofusinsteadofone！”
“Whatahugeblockofchimneys！”saidArctura。
“Isitnot！”returnedDonal。“Itindicatesthehugenessofthebuildingbelowus，ofwhichwecanseesolittle。Likethevolcanoesoftheworld，ittellsushowmuchfireisnecessarytokeepourdwellingwarm。“
“Ithoughtitwasthesunthatkepttheearthwarm，“saidDavie。
“Soitis，butnotthesunalone。Theearthislikeaman：thegreatglowingfireisGodintheheartoftheearth，andthegreatsunisGodinthesky，keepingitwarmontheotherside。Ourgladnessandpleasure，ourtroublewhenwedowrong，ourloveforallaboutus，thatisGodinsideus；andthebeautifulthingsandlovablepeople，andallthelessonsoflifeinhistoryandpoetry，intheBible，andinwhatevercomestous，isGodoutsideofus。EverylifeisbetweentwogreatfiresoftheloveofGod。Solongaswedonotgiveourselvesupheartilytohim，wefearhisfirewillburnus。Andburnusitdoeswhenwegoagainstitsflamesandnotwiththem，refusingtoburnwiththefirewithwhichGodisalwaysburning。
Whenwetrytoputitout，oropposeit，orgetawayfromit，thenindeeditburns！”
“IthinkIknow，“saidDavie。
Arcturaheldherpeace。
“Butnow，“saidDonal，“Imustgoroundandhaveapeepattheothersideofthechimney-stack。“
Hedisappeared，andArcturaandDaviestoodwaitinghisreturn。Theylookedeachintheother\'sfacewiththedelightofconsciouslysharingagreatadventure。Beyondtheirfeetlaythewidecountryandthegreatsea；overthemtheskywiththesuninitgoingdowntowardsthemountains；undertheirfeetthemightyoldpilethatwastheirhome；andunderthattheearthwithitsmoltenheartoffire。
ButDavie\'slooksoonchangedtooneoftriumphinhistutor。“Isisnotgrand，“itsaid，“tobealldaywithamanlikethat——talkingtoyouandteachingyou？”ThatatleastwashowArcturainterpretedit，readinginitalmostanassertionofsuperiority，inasmuchasthismanwashistutorandnothers。Sherepliedtothelookinwords：——
“Iamhispupil，too，Davie，“shesaid，“thoughMr。Grantdoesnotknowit。“
“Howcanthatbe，“answeredDavie，“whenyouareafraidofhim？Iamnotabitafraidofhim！”
“HowdoyouknowIamafraidofhim？”sheasked。
“Oh，anybodycouldseethat！”
Shewasafraidshehadspokenfoolishly，andDaviemightrepeatherwords：shedidnotdesiretohastenfurtherintimacywithDonal；
thingsweregoinginthatdirectionfastenough！Hereyes，avoidingDavie\'s，keptreconnoitringthestackofchimneys。
“Aren\'tyougladtohavesuchacastleallforyourown——todowhatyoulikewith，Arkie？Youknowyoucouldpullitalltopiecesifyouliked！”
“Woulditbelessmine，“saidArctura，“ifIwasnotatlibertytopullitalltopieces？AndwoulditbemoreminewhenIhadpulledittopieces，Davie？”
Donalwascomingroundthesideofthestack，andheardwhatshesaid。Itpleasedhim，foritwasnotalittleinhisownstyle。
“Whatmakesathingyourown，doyouthink，Davie？”shewenton。
“Tobeabletodowithitwhatyoulike，“repliedDavie。
“Whetherthatbegoodorbad？”
“Yes，Ithinkso，“answeredDavie，doubtfully。
“ThenIthinkyouarequitewrong，“sherejoined。“Themomentyoubegintouseathingwrong，thatmomentyoumakeitlessyours。I
can\'tquiteexplainit，butthatishowitlookstome。“
Sheceased，andafteramomentDonaltookupthequestion。
“LadyArcturaisquiteright，Davie，“hesaid。“Thenature，thatisthegoodofathing，isthatonlybywhichitcanbepossessed。Anyotherpossessionislikeslave-owning；itisnotarighteoushaving。
Therightandthepowertouseittoitstruepurpose，andtheusingitso，aretheconditionsthatmakeathingours。Tohavetherightandthepower，andnotuseitso，wouldbetomakethethinglessoursthananybody\'s——Supposeyouhadaverybeautifulpicture，butfromsomedefectinyoursightyoucouldneverseethatpictureasitreallywas，whileaservantinyourhousenotonlysawitasitwasmeanttobeseen，buthadsuchdelightingazingonit，thateveninhisdreamsitcametohim，andmadehimthinkofthingshewouldnothavethoughtofbutforit：——whichofyou，youortheservantinyourhouse，wouldhavethemorerealpossessionofthatpicture？Youcouldsellitawayfromyourself，andneverknowanythingaboutitmore；butyoucouldnotbyallthepowerofatyranttakeitfromyourservant。“
“Ah，nowIunderstand！”saidDavie，withalookatladyArcturawhichseemedtosay，“YouseehowMr。Grantcanmakemeunderstand！”
“Iwonder，“saidladyArctura，“whatthatcuriousopeninginthesideofthechimney-stackmeans！Itcan\'tbeforsmoketocomeoutat！”
“No，“saidDonal；“thereisnotamarkofsmokeaboutit。Ifithadbeenmeantforthat，itwouldhardlyhavebeenputhalf-wayfromthetop！Ican\'tmakeitout！Aholelikethatinanychimneymustsurelyinterferewiththedraught！Imustgetaladder！”
“Letmeclimbonyourshoulders，Mr。Grant，“saidDavie。
“Comethen；upyougo！”saidDonal。
AndupwentDavie，andpeepedintothehorizontalslit。
“Itlooksverylikeachimney，“hesaid，turninghisheadandthrustingitinsideways。“Itgoesrightdowntosomewhere，“headded，bringinghisheadoutagain，“butthereissomethingacrossitalittlewaydown——topreventthejackdawsfromtumblingin，I
suppose。“
“Whatisit？”askedDonal。
“Somethinglikeagrating，“answeredDavie；“——no，notagratingexactly；itiswhatyoumightcallagrating，butitseemsmadeofwires。Idon\'tthinkitwouldkeepastrongbirdoutifhewantedtogetin。“
“Aha！”saidDonaltohimself；“whatifthosewiresbetuned！Didyoueverseeanaeolianharp，mylady？”heasked：“Ineverdid。“
“Yes，“answeredladyArctura，“——once，whenIwasalittlegirl。Andnowyousuggestit，Ithinkthesoundsweheararenotunlikethoseofanaeolianharp！Thestringsareallthesamelength，ifI
remember。ButIdonotunderstandtheprinciple。Theyseemalltoplaytogether，andmakethestrangest，wildestharmonies，whenthewindblowsacrosstheminaparticularway。“
“Ifancythenwehavefoundthenestofourmusic-bird！”saidDonal。
“ThewiresDaviespeaksofmaybethestringsofanaeolianharp！I
wonderiftherecouldbeadraughtacrossthem！Imustgetupandsee！Imustgoandgetaladder！”
“Buthowcouldtherebeanaeolianharpuphere？”saidArctura。
“Itwillbetimeenoughtoanswerthatquestion，“repliedDonal，“whenitchangesto，\'Howdidanaeolianharpgetuphere？\'
Somethingisherethatwantsaccountingfor：itmaybeanaeolianharp！”
“Butinachimney！Thesootwouldspoilthestrings！”
“Thenperhapsitisnotachimney：isthereanysignofsootabout，Davie？”
“No，sir；thereisnothingbutcleanstoneandlime。“
“Yousee，mylady！Wedonotevenknowthatitisachimney！”
“Whatelsecanitbe，standingwiththerest？”
“Itmayhavebeenbuiltforone；butifithadeverbeenusedforone，themarksofsmokewouldremain，haditbeendisusedeversolong。Butto-morrowIwillbringupaladder。“
“Couldyounotdoitnow？”saidArctura，almostcoaxingly。“Ishouldsoliketohavethethingsettled！”
“Asyouplease，mylady！Iwillgoatonce。Thereisoneleaningagainstthegarden-wall，notfarfromthebottomofthetower。“
“Ifyoudonotmindthetrouble！”
“Iwillcomeandhelp，“saidDavie。
“Youmustn\'tleaveladyArctura。IamnotsureifIcangetitupthestair；Iamafraiditistoolong。IfIcannot，wewillhaulitupaswedidthecoal。“
Hewent，andthecousinssatdowntowaithisreturn。Itwasacoldevening，butArcturawaswellwraptup，andDaviewashardy。Theysatatthefootofthechimney-stack，andbegantotalk。
“Itissuchalongtimesinceyoutoldmeanything，Arkie！”saidtheboy。
“Youdonotneedmenowtotellyouanything：youhaveMr。Grant！
Youlikehimmuchbetterthaneveryoudidme！”
“Yousee，“saidDavie，thoughtfully，andmakingnodefenceagainstherhalf-reproach，“hebeganbymakingmeafraidofhim——notthathemeanttodoit，Ithink！heonlymeantthatIshoulddowhathetoldme：Iwasneverafraidofyou，Arkie！”
“IwasmuchcrossertoyouthanMr。Grant，Iamsure！”
“Mr。Grantisnevercrosstome；andifeveryouwere，I\'veforgottenit，Arkie。IonlyrememberthatIwasnotgoodtoyou。I
amsorryforitnowwhenIlieawakeinbed；butIsaytomyselfyouforgiveme，andgotosleep。“
“WhatmakesyouthinkIforgiveyou，Davie？”
“BecauseIloveyou。“
Thiswasnotverylogical，andsetArcturathinking。Shedidnotforgivetheboybecausehelovedher；buttheboy\'slovetohermightmakehimsuresheforgavehim！Loveisitsownjustification，andseesitselfinallitsobjects：forgivenessisanessentialbelongingoflove，andmustbeseenwhereloveisseen。
“Areyoufondofmybrother？”askedDavie，afterapause。
“Whydoyouaskme？”
“Becausetheysayyouandhearegoingtobemarriedsomeday，yetyoudon\'tseemtocaremuchtobetogether。“
“Itisallnonsense！”repliedArctura，reddening。“Iwishpeoplewouldnottalkfoolishness！”
“Well，Idothinkhe\'snotsofondofyouasofEppy！”
“Hush！hush！youmustnotspeakofsuchthing。“
“IsawhimoncekissEppy，andIneversawhimkissyou！”
“No，indeed！”
“IsitrightofForgue，ifhe\'sgoingtomarryyou，tokissEppy？——That\'swhatIwanttoknow！”
“Heisnotgoingtomarryme。“
“Hewould，ifyoutoldhimyouwishedit。Papawishesit。“
“Howdoyouknowthat？”
“Frommanything。OnceIheardhimsay，\'Afterwards，whenthehouseisourown，\'andIaskedhimwhathemeant，andhesaid，\'WhenForguemarriesArctura，thenthecastlewillbeForgue\'s。Thatishowitoughttobe，youknow！Propertyandtitleoughtnevertobeparted。\'“
ThehotbloodrosetoArctura\'stemples：wassheamerewrappagetoherproperty——thepaperoftheparcel！Butshecalledtomindhowstrangeherunclewas：butforthatcouldhehavebeensoimprudentastotalkinsuchawaytoaboywhosesimplicityrenderedtheconfidencedangerous？
“Youwouldnotlikehavingtogiveawayyourcastle——wouldyou，Arkie？”hewenton。
“NottoanyoneIdidnotlove。“
“IfIwereyou，Iwouldnotmarry，butkeepmycastletomyself。I
don\'tseewhyForgueshouldhaveyourcastle！”
“YouthinkIshouldmakemycastlemyhusband？”
“Hewouldbeagoodbighusbandanyhow，andastrong——onetodefendyoufromyourenemies，andnottalktoyouwhenyouwantedtobequiet。“
“Thatisalltrue；butonemightgetwearyofastupidhusband，howeverbigandstronghewas。“
“There\'sanotherthing，though！——hewouldn\'tbeacruelhusband！
I\'veheardpapaoftenspeakaboutsomecruelhusband！Ifanciedsometimeshemeanthimself；butthatcouldnotbe，youknow。“
Arcturamadenoreply。Allbutvanishedmemoriesofthingsshehadheard，hintsandsignshereandtherethatallwasnotrightbetweenheruncleandaunt，vaguelyreturned：coulditbethathenowrepentedofharshnesstohiswife，thatthethoughtofitwaspreyinguponhim，thatitdrovehimtohisdrugsforforgetfulness？——Butinthepresenceoftheboyshecouldnotgoonthinkinginsuchadirectionabouthisfather。ShefeltrelievedbythereturnofDonal。
Hehadfounditratherdifficulttogettheladderroundthesharpcurvesofthestair；butatlasttheysawhimwithitonhisshouldercomingoveradistantroof。
“Nowweshallsee！”hesaid，asheleaneditupagainstthechimney，andstoodpanting。
“Youhavetiredyourself！”saidladyArctura。
“Where\'stheharm，mylady？Amanmustgettiredafewtimesbeforeheliesdown！”rejoinedDonaldlightly。
SaidDavie，“Mustawoman，Mr。Grant，marryamanshedoesnotlove？”
“No，certainly，Davie。“
“Mr。Grant，“saidArctura，indreadofwhatDaviemightsaynext，“whatdoyoutaketobethedutyofoneinheritingaproperty？Oughtawomantogetridofit，orattendtoitherself？”
Donalthoughtalittle。
“Wemustfirstsettlethemaindutyofproperty，“hesaid；“andthatIamhardlypreparedtodo。“
“Istherenotadutyowingtoyourfamily？”
“Thereareathousanddutiesowingtoyourfamily。“
“Idon\'tmeanthoseyouarelivingwithmerely，butthosealsowhotransmittedthepropertytoyou。Thispropertybelongstomyfamilyratherthantome，andifIhadhadabrotheritwouldhavegonetohim：shouldInotdobetterforthefamilybygivingituptothenextheir？Iamnotdisinterestedinstartingthequestion；
possessionandpowerareofnogreatimportanceinmyeyes；theyarehindrancestome。“
“Itseemstome，“saidDonal，“thatthefactthatyouwouldnothavesucceededhadtherebeenason，pointstothefactofadisposerofevents：youweresentintotheworldtotaketheproperty。Ifso，Godexpectsyoutoperformthedutiesofit；theyarenottobegotridofbythrowingthethingaside，orgivingthemtoanothertodoforyou。IfyourfamilyandnotGodweretherealgiveroftheproperty，thequestionyouputmightarise；butIshouldhardlytakeinterestenoughinittobecapableofdiscussingit。Iunderstandmydutytomysheeporcattle，tomymaster，tomyfatherormother，tomybrotherorsister，tomypupilDaviehere；Iowemyancestorsloveandhonour，andthekeepingoftheirnameunspotted，thoughthatdutyisforestalledbyahigher；butastothepropertytheyleavebehindthem，overwhichtheyhavenomorepower，andwhichnowItrusttheyneverthinkabout，IdonotseewhatobligationIcanbeundertothemwithregardtoit，otherthaniscomprisedinthedutiesofthepropertyitself。“
“Butafamilyisnotmerelythosethataregonebefore；therearethosethatwillcomeafter！”
“Thebestthingforthosetocomeafter，istoreceivethepropertywithitsdutiesperformed，withthelightofrighteousnessradiatingfromit。“
“Butwhatthendoyoucallthedutiesofproperty？”
“Inwhatdoesthepropertyconsist？”
“Inland，tobeginwith。“
“Ifthelandwereofnovalue，wouldthepossessionofitinvolveduties？”
“Isupposenot。“
“Inwhatdoesthevalueofthelandconsist？”
LadyArcturadidnotattemptananswertothequestion，andDonal，afteralittlepause，resumed。
“Ifyouvaluedthingsastheworldvaluesthem，Ishouldnotcaretoputthequestion；butIfearyoumayhavesomelingeringnotionthat，thoughGod\'swayisthetrueway，theworld\'swaymustnotbedisregarded。Onething，however，iscertain——thatnothingthatisagainstGod\'swaycanbetrue。Thevalueofpropertyconsistsonlyinitsbeingmeans，ground，ormaterialtoworkhiswillwithal。
Thereisnosuccessintheuniversebutinhiswillbeingdone。“
Arcturawassilent。Shehadinheritedprejudiceswhich，whileshehatedselfishness，wereyetthoroughlyselfish。Suchareoftheevilsinushardesttogetridof。Theyareevencherishedforalifetimebysomeoftheotherwiseloveliestofsouls。Knowingthathereinmuchthoughtwouldbenecessaryforher，andthatshewouldthink，Donalwentnofarther：ahousemusthaveitsfoundationsettledbeforeitisbuiltupon；argumentwherethegroundsofitareatallindisputeisworsethanuseless。
Heturnedtohisladder，setitright，mounted，andpeeredintotheopening。AtthelengthofhisarmhecouldreachthewiresDaviehaddescribed：theyweretaut，andfreeofrust——werethereforenotironorsteel。Hesawalsothatalittledowntheshaftafaintlightcameinfromtheoppositeside：therewasanotheropeningsomewhere！
Nexthesawthateachfollowingstring——forstringshealreadycountedthem——wasplacedalittlelowerthanthatbeforeit，sothattheirsuccessionwasinclinedtotheothersideoftheshaft——apparentlyinaplanebetweenthetwoopenings，thatadraughtmightpassalongtheirplane：thismustsurelybetheinstrumentwhencethemusicflowed！Hedescended。
“Doyouknow，mylady，“heaskedArctura，“howtheaeolianharpisplacedforthewindtowakeit？”
“TheonlyoneIhaveseen，“sheanswered，“wasmadetofitintoawindow；thelowersashwasopenedjustwideenoughtoletitin，sothatthewindenteringmustpassacrossthestrings。“
ThenDonalwasallbutcertain。
“Ofcourse，“hesaid，afterdescribingwhathehadseen，“wecannotbeabsolutelysurewithouthavingbeenherewiththemusic，andhavingexperimentedbycoveringanduncoveringtheopening；andforthatwemustwaitasouth-easterlywind。“
CHAPTERXLII。
COMMUNISM。
ButDonaldidnotfeelthateventhenwouldhehaveexhaustedthelikelihoodofdiscovery。Thatthesourceofthemusicthathadsolonghauntedthehousewasanaeolianharpinachimneythathadneverorscarcelybeenused，mightbeenoughtosatisfysome，buthewantedtoknowaswellwhy，ifthiswasachimney，itneitherhadbeennorwasused，andtowhatroomitwasachimney。Forthequestionhadcometohim——mightnotthemusicholdsomerelationwiththelegendofthelostroom？
Inquiryafterlegendarylorehaddrawnnearerandnearer，andthetalkaboutsuchasbelongedtothecastlehadnaturallyincreased。
Inthistalkwasnotseldommentionedaghost，asyetseenattimesabouttheplace。ThisDonalattributedtoglimpsesoftheearlinhisrestlessnight-walks；butbythedomestics，bothsuchashadseensomethingandsuchashadnot，theapparitionwasnaturallyassociatedwiththelostchamber，astheplacewhencethespectreissued，andwhitherhereturned。
Donal\'ssparehourswerenowmuchgiventohisfriendAndrewComin。
Thegoodmanhadsofarrecoveredastothinkhimselfabletoworkagain；buthesoonfounditwaslittlehecoulddo。Hisstrengthwasgone，andtheexertionnecessarytothelightestlabourcausedhimpain。Itwassadtowatchhimonhisstool，nowputtinginastitch，nowstoppingbecauseofthecoughwhichsosorelyhauntedhisthin，wind-blowntent。Hisfacehadgrownwhiteandthin，andhehadnearlylosthismerriment，thoughnothischeerfulness；heneverlookedotherthancontent。Hehadmadeuphismindhewasnotgoingtogetbetter，buttogohomethroughalingeringillness。Hewasreadytogoandreadytolinger，asGodpleased。
Therewasnothingwonderfulinthis；buttosomegoodpeopleevenitdidappearwonderfulthatheshowednouneasinessastohowDoorywouldfarewhenhewasgone。Thehousewasindeedtheirown，buttherewasnomoneyinit——notevenenoughtopaythetaxes；andifshesoldit，thepricewouldnotbeenoughtoliveupon。TheneighboursweresevereonAndrew\'simaginedindifferencetohiswife\'sfuture，anditwasintheireyesashametobesocheerfulonthebrinkofthegrave。NotoneofthemhaddonemorethanpeepintotheworldoffaithinwhichAndrewlived。NotoneofthemcouldhaveunderstoodthatforAndrewtoallowtheleastdangerofeviltohisDoory，wouldhavebeentobeholdtheuniverserockingontheslipperyshouldersofChance。
Alittlemoanescapingherasshelookedoneeveningintohermoney-teapot，madeDonalaskheraquestionortwo。Sheconfessedthatshehadbutsixpenceleft。NowDonalhadspentnexttonothingsincehecame，andhadthereforeafewpoundsinhand。Hisfatherandmotherhadsentbackwhathesentthem，asbeinginneedofnothing：sirGibbiewassuchagoodsontothemthattheywerelivinginwhattheycountedluxury：RobertdoubtedwhetherhewasnotministeringtothefleshinallowingJanettoprovidebeef-broseforhimtwiceintheweek！SoDonalwasfreetospendforhisnextneighbours——justwhathispeople，whoweregrandaboutmoney，wouldhavehadhimdo。Neverintheircottagehadapennybeenwasted；
neveronerefusedwherewasneed。
“An\'rew，“hesaid——andfoundthemother-tongueherefittest——“I\'mthinkin\'yemaunbegrowin\'someshorto\'silleri\'thistimeo\'
warklessness！”
“\'Deed，Iwadnawon\'er！”answeredAndrew。“Doorysaysnaethingabootsictriffles！”
“Weel，“rejoinedDonal，“IthankGodIhaesomei\'theillpickleo\'
nobein\'wantit，an\'saeindangero\'cankerin\'；an\'atweenbritherstheresudnabetwapurses！”
“Yehaeyerainfowktoluikefter，sir！”saidAndrew。
“They\'reweelluikitefter——betternorevertheywari\'theirlives；
they\'reasweelaffasIammysel\'upi\'yongran\'castel。Theyhaeafreen\'whabutforthemwadillhaelivedtobethegreatmanheisthenoo；an\'there\'snaethingowermuckleforhimtoduforthem；
saemysiller\'smyain，an\'yours。An\'rew，an\'Doory\'s！”
Theoldmanputhimthroughacatechismastohiswaysandmeansandprospects，andfindingthatDonalbelievedasfirmlyashimselfinthecareoftheMaster，andwasconvincedtherewasnothingthatMasterwouldratherseehimdowithhismoneythanhelpthosewhoneededit，especiallythosewhotrustedinhim，heyielded。
“It\'sno，yesee，“saidDonal，“thatIhaeonydoobto\'theLordprovidin\'gienIhadfailt，buthehaudsthethingtomyhan\'，jistasmuckleasgienhesaid，\'There\'sforyou，Donal！\'Thefowko\'
thiswarl\'michtnaappruv，butyouan\'mekensbetter，An\'rew。Wekenthere\'snaeguidinsillerbutdothewullo\'theLordwi\'
\'t——an\'helptoaneanitherishisdearwull。It\'sno\'athe\'sshorto\'sillerhimsel\'，buthelikestogieanitheraturn！”
“I\'lltakit，“saidtheoldman。
“There\'swhatIhae，“returnedDonal。
“Na，na；naneo\'that！”saidAndrew。“Ye\'retreatin\'melikeamuckle，reivin\'，sornin\'beggar——offerin\'mea\'thatatance！Whaursynewadbetheprolongedsweetnesso\'haein\'\'ti\'portionsfraeyerhan\'，asfraethenebo\'anangel-corbiesentfraeverrahamewi\'yerdenner！”——Hereaglimmeroftheoldmerrimentshonethroughthewornlookandpaleeyes——“Na，na，sir，“hewenton；“jisttalkthethingowerwi\'Doory，an\'latherhaewhatshewantsan\'naemair。Shewudnalikeit。Whakenswhatmaycamei\'themeantime——Deithhimsel\'，maybe！Orsee——gieDooryafiveshillins，an\'whanthat\'sduneshecanlatyeken！”
Donalwasforcedtoleaveitthus，buthedidhisutmosttoimpressuponDoorythatallhehadwasatherdisposal。
“Ihadnewclothes，“hesaid，“beforeIcame；IhaveallIwanttoeatanddrink；andforbooks，there\'sawholeancientlibraryatmyservice！——whatpossiblycouldIwishformore？It\'samereluxurytohandthemoneyovertoyou，Doory！I\'mthinkin\'，Doory，“forhehadbythistimegottoaddressherbyherhusband\'snameforher，“there\'snaebodyi\'thiswarl\'，\'cep\'theoonseenLordhimsel\'，lo\'esyermansaeweelasyouan\'me；an\'weelkenIyouan\'himwadshareyerlastwi\'me；saeI\'monlygiein\'yeo\'yeraingudewull；
an\'I\'lldoobtthatgienyetaknasaelangasIhae。“
Thusadjured，andsatisfiedthatherhusbandwascontent，theoldwomanmadenodifficulty。
CHAPTERXLIII。
EPPYANDKENNEDY。
WhenStephenKennedyheardthatEppyhadgonebacktohergrandparents，afainthoperevivedinhisbosom；heknewnothingofthelatepassagebetweenthetwoparties。Hebutknewthatshewaslookingsad：shemightperhapsallowhimtobeofsomeservicetoher！Separationhadfosteredmoreandmoregentlethoughtsofherinhisheart；hewasreadytoforgivehereverything，andbelievenothingseriousagainsther，ifonlyshewouldlethimloveheragain。Modestyhadhithertokepthimfromthrowinghimselfinherway，buthenowhauntedthehouseinthehopeofcatchingaglimpseofher，andwhenshebegantogoagainintothetown，sawherrepeatedly，followinghertobenearher，buttakingcaresheshouldnotseehim：partlyfromherself-absorptionhehadsucceededinescapinghernotice。
Atlength，however，onenight，hetriedtosummonupcouragetoaccosther。Itwasalovely，moonlitnight，halfthestreetblackwithquaintshadows，theotherhalfshininglikesandintheyellowlight。Onthemoonysidepeoplestandingattheirdoorscouldrecognizeeachothertwohousesaway，butontheother，friendsmightpasswithoutgreeting。Eppyhadgoneintothebaker\'s；Kennedyhadseenhergoin，andstoodintheshadow，waiting，allbutdeterminedtospeaktoher。Shestaidagoodwhile，butoneaccustomedtowaitforfishlearnspatience。Atlengthsheappeared。
Bythistime，however，thoughnothispatience，Kennedy\'scouragehadnearlyevaporated；andwhenhesawherhesteppedunderanarchway，letherpass，andfollowedafresh。Allatonceresolve，whichyetwasnoresolve，awokeinhim。Itwasasifsomeonetookhimandsethimbeforeher。Shestartedwhenhesteppedinfront，andgavealittlecry。
“Dinnabefeart，Eppy，“hesaid；“Iwudnahurtahairo\'yerheid。I
wudraitherbeskinnedmysel\'！”
“Gangawa，“saidEppy。“Yehaenorichttostan\'i\'mygait！”
“Nanebuttherichto\'lo\'ein\'yebetternorever！”saidKennedy，“——giensaebeasye\'lllatmeonygaitshaw\'t！”
Thewordssoftenedher；shehaddreadedreproach，ifnotindignantremonstrance。Shebegantocry。
“Gienonythingi\'mypooerwudmakthegrieflichterupo\'ye，Eppy，“
hesaid，“yehaebuttoname\'t！I\'mnogauin\'toaskyetomerryme，forthatIkenyedinnacareaboot；butgienImichtbeluikituponasafreen\'，ifnotoyou，yettoyours——allootonyw\'ytohelpi\'yertrible，Imean，I\'mreadytolaymei\'thedirtaforeye。I
haenaecareformysel\'onymair，an\'maundosomethingforsomebody——an\'whasaesoonasyersel\'，Eppy！”
Forsoleanswer，Eppywentoncrying。Shewasfarfromhappy。ShehadnearlypersuadedherselfthatallwasoverbetweenherandlordForgue，andalmostshecould，butforshame，haveallowedKennedytocomfortherasanoldfriend。Everythinginhermindwassoconfused，andeverythingaroundhersomiserable，thatshecouldbutcry。Shecontinuedcrying，andastheywereinawalledlaneintowhichnowindowslooked，Kennedy，inthesimplicityofhisheart，andthedesiretocomfortherwholittlefromhimdeservedcomfort，cameuptoher，andputtinghisarmroundher，saidagain，“Dinnabefeartofme，Eppy。I\'mamanowersair-hertittodoyeonyhurt。It\'snoasthinkin\'yemyain，Eppy，Iwudpreshumetoduonythingforye，butasanauldfreen\'，faintotakthedogaffo\'
ye。Areyeinwanto\'onything？Yemaunhaeaheapo\'trible，Iweelken，wi\'yergran\'father\'smischance，an\'it\'seasytoun\'erstan\'
\'atthingsmaywellbeturnin\'scarceabootye；butbesureo\'this，thataslang\'smymitherhasonything，she\'llbeblythtosharethesamewi\'youan\'yours。“
Hesaidhismother，butshehadnothingsavewhatheprovidedherwith。
“Ithankye，Stephen，“saidEppy，touchedwithhisgoodness；“butthere\'snaenecessity；wehaeplenty。“
Shemovedon，herapronstilltohereyes。Kennedyfollowedher。
“Gientheyoonglordhaewrangedyeonygait，“hesaidfrombehindher，“an\'gientherebeonyamen\'syewadhaeo\'him，——“
Sheturnedwithaquicknessthatwasfierce，andinthedimlightKennedysawhereyesblazing。
“Iwantnaethingfraeyourhan\'，StephenKennedy，“shesaid。“Mylord\'snaethingtoyou——noryetmuckletome！”sheadded，withsuddenreactionandanoutburstofself-pity，andagainfellaweeping——andsobbingnow。
Withthetimidityofastrongmanbeforethegirlhelovesandthereforefears，Kennedyoncemoretriedtocomforther，wipinghereyeswithherapron。Whilehedidso，aman，turningacornerquickly，camealmostuponthem。Hestartedback，thencamenearer，lookedhardatthem，andspoke。ItwaslordForgue。
“Eppy！”heexclaimed，inatoneinwhichindignationblendedwithsurprise。
Eppygaveacry，andrantohim。Hepushedheraway。
“Mylord，“saidKennedy，“thelasswillnaneo\'meormine。Isairdoobtthere\'snanebutyersel\'canpleaseher。ButIsweirbyGod，mylord，gienyeduheronywrang，I\'llnorest，nichtnorday，tillIhaemadeyerepentit。“
“Gotothedevil！”saidForgue；“there\'sanoldcrow，Isuspect，yettopluckbetweenus！Formeyoumaytakeher，though。Idon\'tgohalves。“
Eppylaidherhandtimidlyonhisarm，butagainhepushedheraway。
“Oh，mylord！”shesobbed，andcouldsaynomoreforweeping。
“HowisitIfindyouherewiththisman？”heasked。“Idon\'twanttobeunfairtoyou，butitlooksratherbad！”
“Mylord，“saidKennedy。
“Holdyourtongue；letherspeakforherself。“
“Ihadnotrystwi\'him，mylord！Ineversaidcomenighme，“sobbedEppy。“——Yeseewhatyehaedune！”shecried，turninginangeronKennedy，andhertearssuddenlyceasing。“Neverbutillhaeyebrochtme！Whatbusinesshadyetocomeeftermethisgait，makin\'
mischief\'atweenmylordan\'me？Canabodynosetfutayontthedoor-sill，buttheymaunbefollowto\'themtheywudseefareneuch！”
Kennedyturnedandwent，andEppywithafreshburstoftearsturnedtogoalso。ButshehadsatisfiedForguethattherewasnothingbetweenthem，andhewassoonmoresuccessfulthanKennedyinconsolingher。
Whileabsenthehadbeenableenoughtogetonwithouther，butnosoonerwashehomethan，inthewearylackofinterest，thefeelingswhich，halflamenting，halfrejoicing，hehadimaginedextinct，begantorevive，andhewenttothetownvaguelyhopingtogetasightofEppy。Cominguponhert阾e？t阾ewithheroldlover，firstasenseofunpardonableinjurypossessedhim，andnexttheconvictionthathewasasmadlyinlovewithherasever。Thetideofoldtendernesscamethrobbingandstreamingbackovertheghastlysandsofjealousy，anderetheypartedhehadmadewithheranappointmenttomeetthenextnightinamoresuitablespot。
DonalwasseatedbyAndrew\'sbedsidereading：hehadnowtheopportunityofbringingmanythingsbeforehimsuchastheoldmandidnotknowtoexist。Thoselastdaysofsicknessandweaknesswereamongthemostblessedofhislife；muchthatcouldnotbedoneformanyagoodmanwithtentimeshiseducation，couldbedoneforamanlikeAndrewComin。
Eppyhaddoneherbesttoremovealltracesofemotionereshere-enteredthehouse；butshecouldnothelptheshiningofhereyes：thejoy-lamprelightedinherbosomshonethroughthem：andAndrewlookingupwhensheentered，Donal，seatedwithhisbacktoher，atonceknewhersecret：hergrandfatherreaditfromherface，andDonalreaditfromhis。
“ShehasseenForgue！”hesaidtohimself。“Ihopetheoldmanwilldiesoon。“
CHAPTERXLIV。
HIGHANDLOW。
WhenlordMorvenheardofhisson\'sreturn，hesentforDonal，receivedhiminafriendlyway，gavehimtounderstandthat，howeverhemightfailtofallinwithhisviews，hedependedthoroughlyonhishonesty，andbeggedhewouldkeephiminformedofhisson\'sproceedings。
Donalrepliedthat，whilehefullyacknowledgedhislordship\'srighttoknowwhathissonwasdoing，hecouldnottaketheofficeofaspy。
“ButIwillwarnlordForgue，“heconcluded，“thatImayseeitrighttolethisfatherknowwhatheisabout。Ifancy，however，heunderstandsasmuchalready。“
“Pooh！thatwouldbeonlytoteachhimcunning，“saidtheearl。
“Icandonothingunderhand，“repliedDonal。“Iwillhelpnomantokeepanunrighteoussecret，butneitherwillIsecretlydiscloseit。“
Meetinghimafewdaysafter，Forguewouldhavepassedhimwithoutrecognition，butDonalstoppedhim，andsaid——
“Ibelieve，mylord，youhaveseenEppysinceyourreturn。“
“Whatthedeuceisthattoyou？”
“Iwishyourlordshiptounderstandthatwhatevercomestomyknowledgeconcerningyourproceedingsinregardtoher，IwillreporttoyourfatherifIseefit。“
“Thewarningisunnecessary。Fewinformers，however，wouldhavegivenmetheadvantage，andIthankyou：sofarIamindebtedtoyou。Nonethelesstheshameoftheinformerremains！”
“Yourlordship\'sjudgmentofmeisnomoretomethanthatofyonrookupthere。“
“Youdoubtmyhonour？”saidForguewithasneer。
“Ido。Idoubtyou。Youdonotknowyourself。Timewillshow。ForGod\'ssake，mylord，looktoyourself！Youareinterribledanger。“
“Iwouldratherdowrongforlovethanrightforfear。Iscornsuchthreats。“
“Threats，mylord！”echoedDonal。“Isitathreattowarnyouthatyourveryconsciousnessmaybecomeacursetoyou？thattoknowyourselfmaybeyourhell？thatyoumaycometomakeityourfirstcaretoforgetwhatyouare？DoyouknowwhatShaksperesaysofTarquin——
Besides，hissoul\'sfairtempleisdefaced；
Towhoseweakruinsmustertroopsofcares，Toaskthespottedprincesshowshefares——？”
“Oh，hangyourpreaching！”criedForgue，andturnedaway。
“Mylord，“saidDonal，“ifyouwillnothearme，therearepreachersyoumust。“
“Theywillnotbequitesolong-windedthen！”Forgueanswered。
“Youareright，“saidDonal；“theywillnot。“
AllForgue\'sthoughtswerenowoccupiedwiththequestionhowwithleastdangerEppyandheweretomeet。Hedidnotcontemplatetreachery。Atthistimeofhislifehecouldnothaverespectedhimself，littleaswasrequiredforthat，hadhebeenconsciouslytreacherous；butnomanwhoinloveyetloveshimselfmore，issafefrombecomingatraitor：potentiallyheisonealready。Treacherytohimwhoisguiltyofitseemsonlynaturalself-preservation；themanwhocandoavilethingisincapableofseeingitasitis；andthatoughttomakeusdoubtfulofourjudgmentsofourselves，especiallydefensivejudgments。Forguedidnotsuspecthimself——notalthoughheknewthathispassionhadbutjustregainedalostenergy，revivedattheideaofanothermanhavingthegirl！Itdidnotshamehimthathehadbeguntoforgether，orthathehadbeensorousedtofreshdesire。Ifhehadstayedawaysixmonths，hewouldpracticallyhaveforgottenheraltogether。Somemaythinkthat，ifhehaddevotionenoughtosurmountthevulgaritiesofherpositionandmannersandwaysofthought，hislovecouldhardlybesuchastoyieldsosoon；butEppywasnotinherselfvulgar。Manyofevenhumblereducationthanshearefarlessreallyvulgarthansomeintheforefrontofsociety。NodoubttheconventionalitiesofamanlikeForguemusthavebeensometimesshockedinfamiliarintercoursewithonelikeEppy；butwhilehewasmerelyflirtingwithher，theverythingsthatshockedwouldalsoamusehim——forI
needhardlysayhewasnotgenuinelyrefined；andbyandbythegrowingpassionobscuredthem。Thereisnodoubtthat，hadshebeenconfrontedashiswifewiththecommonpeopleofsociety，hewouldhavebecomeawareofmanythingsasvulgaritieswhichwereonlysimplicities；butinthemeantimeshewasnomorevulgartohimthanalamborababyisvulgar，howeverunfiteitherforaBelgraviandrawing-room。Vulgar，atthesametime，hewouldhavethoughtandfelther，butforthelovethatmadehimdoherjustice。Loveistheopeneraswellascloserofeyes。Butmenwho，havingseen，becomeblindagain，thinktheyhavehadtheireyesfinallyopened。
ForsometimetherewasnochangeinEppy\'sbehaviourbutthatshewasnottearfulasbefore。Shecontinueddiligent，nevergrumbledatthehardestwork，andseemeddesirousofmakingupforremissnessinthepast，whenintruthshewastryingtomakeupforsomethingelseinthepresent：shewouldatoneforwhatshewouldnottell，bydoingimmediatedutywiththegreaterdevotion。Butbyandbyshebeganoccasionallytoshow，bothinmannerandcountenance，alittleoftheoldpertness，mingledwithuneasiness。Thephenomenon，however，wassointermittentandunpronounced，astobemanifestonlytoeyesfamiliarwithherlooksandways：toDonalitwasclearthattherelationbetweenherandForguewasresumed。Yetsheneverwentoutintheeveningexceptsentbyhergrandmother，andthenshealwayscamehomeevenwithhaste——anxious，itmighthaveseemed，toavoidsuspicion。
ItwasthecustomwithDonalandDavietogooftenintothefieldsandwoodsinthefineweather——theycalledthistheirobservationclass——tolearnwhattheymightofthemultitudinousgoingsoninthisorthatofNature\'sworkshops：thereeachforhimselfandtheotherexercisedhisindividualpowersofseeingandnotingandputtingtogether。Donalknewlittleofwoodlandmatters，havingbeenchieflyaccustomedtomeadowsandbarehill-sides；yetinthewoodshewasthekeenerofthetwotoobserve，andcouldthebetterteachthathewasbutabetterlearner。
Oneday，astheywerewalkingtogetherunderthethinshadeofafir-thicket，Daviesaid，withasuddenchangeofsubject——
“IwonderifweshallmeetForgueto-day！hegetsupearlynow，andgoesout。Itisneithertofishnorshoot，forhedoesn\'ttakehisrodorgun；hemustbewatchingorlookingforsomething！——Shouldn\'tyousayso，Mr。Grant？”
ThissetDonalthinking。Eppywasneveroutatnight，oronlyforafewminutes；andForguewentoutearlyinthemorning！ButifEppywouldmeethim，howcouldheoranyonehelpit？
CHAPTERXLV。
ALASTENCOUNTER。
Nowforawhile，DonalseldomsawladyArctura，andwhenhedid，receivedfromhernoencouragementtoaddressher。Thetroubledlookhadreappearedonherface。Inhersmile，astheypassedinhallorcorridor，glimmeredanexpressionalmostpathetic——somethinglikeanappeal，asifshestoodinsoreneedofhishelp，butdarednotaskforit。ShewasagainmuchinthecompanyofMissCarmichael，andDonalhadgoodcausetofearthatthepharisaismofherwould-bedirectresswascomingdownuponherspirit，notlikerainonthemowngrass，butlikefrostonthespringflowers。TheimpossibilityofpiercingtheChristianphariseeholdingthetraditionsoftheelders，inanyvitalpart——sopachydermatousishetoanyspiritualargument——isasoretrialtotheoldAdamstillunslaininloversofthetruth。Atthesametimenothinggivespatiencebetteropportunityforherperfectwork。Anditiswelltheycannotbereachedbyargumentandsopersuaded；theywouldbutenterthecirclesofthefaithfultoworkfreshschismsandbreedfreshimposthumes。
ButDonalhadbeguntothinkthathehadbeentooforbearingtowardsthehideousdoctrinesadvocatedbyMissCarmichael。Itisonethingwhereevildoctrinesarequietlyheld，andthetruthassociatedwiththemassimilatedbygoodpeopledoingtheirbestwithwhathasbeentaughtthem，andquiteanotherthingwheretheyareforceduponsomeshrinkingnature，weaktoresistthroughtheveryreverencewhichisitsexcellence。Thefinernature，frominabilitytothinkanotheroflesspureintentthanitself，isoftenatagreatdisadvantageinthehandsofthecoarser。Hemadeuphismindthat，riskasitwastoenterintodisputationswithaworshipperoftheletter，inasmuchasforargumenttheletterisimmeasurablymoreavailablethanthespirit——forwhilethespiritliesintheletterunperceived，ithasnoforce，andtheletter-worshipperisincapableofseeingthatGodcouldnotpossiblymeanwhathemakesofit——notwithstandingtherisk，heresolvedtoholdhimselfready，andifanythingwasgivenhim，tocryitoutandnotspare。Norhadhelongresolvederetheopportunitycame。
IthadcometobeknownthatDonalfrequentedtheoldavenue，anditwaswithintent，intheprideofheracquaintancewithscripture，andherpowertouseit，thatMissCarmichaeloneafternoonledherunwilling，ratherrecusant，andveryunhappydisciplethither：shesoughtanencounterwithhim：hisinsolencetowardstheold-establishedfaithmustbeconfounded，hisobnoxiousinfluenceonArcturafrustrated！Itwasabrightautumnalday。Thetreesweresorelybereaved，butsomefoliageyethunginthinyellowcloudsupontheirpatientboughs。TherewasplentyofwhatDaviecalledscushlin，thatisthenoiseofwalkingwithscarceliftedfeetamongstthethick-lyingwitheredleaves。Butlessfoliagemeansmoresunlight。
Donalwassaunteringalong，hisbookinhishand，nowandthenreadingalittle，nowandthenlookinguptothehalf-baredbranches，nowandthen，likeDavie，sweepingacloudofthefallenmultitudebeforehim。Hewasinthischildishactwhen，lookingup，hesawthetwoladiesapproaching；hedidnotseethepeculiarglanceMissCarmichaelthrewhercompanion：“Beholdyourprophet！”
itsaid。Hewouldhavepassedwithliftedbonnet，butMissCarmichaelstopped，smiling：hersmilewasbrightbecauseitshowedhergoodteeth，butwasnotpleasantbecauseitshowednothingelse。
“Gloryingoverthefallen，Mr。Grant？”shesaid。
Donalinhisturnsmiled。
“ThatisnotMr。Grant\'sway，“saidArctura，“——sofaratleastasI
haveknownhim！”
“Howcarelessthetreesareoftheirpoorchildren！”saidMissCarmichael，affectingsympathyfortheleaves。
“Pardonme，“saidDonal，“ifIgrudgethemyourpity：thereisnothingmoreofchildreninthoseleavesthanthereisinthehairthatfallsonthebarber\'sfloor。“
“Itisnotverygracioustopullaladyupsosharply！”returnedMissCarmichael，stillsmiling：“Ispokepoetically。“
“Thereisnopoetryinwhatisnottrue，“rejoinedDonal。“Thosearenotthechildrenofthetree。“
“Ofcourse，“saidMissCarmichael，alittlesurprisedtofindtheirfoilscrossedalready，“atreehasnochildren！but——“
“Atreenochildren！”exclaimedDonal。“Whatthenareallthosebeech-nutsundertheleaves？Aretheynotthechildrenofthetree？”
“Yes；andlostliketheleaves！”sighedMissCarmichael。
“Whydoyousaytheyarelost？Theymustfulfiltheendforwhichtheyweremade，andifso，theycannotbelost。“
“Forwhatendweretheymade？”
“Idonotknow。Iftheyallgrewup，theywouldbeagooddealintheway。“
“Thenyousaytherearemoreseedsthanarerequired？”
“HowcouldI，whenIdonotknowwhattheyarerequiredfor？HowcanItellthatitisnotnecessaryforthelifeofthetreethatitshouldproducethemall，andnecessarytooforthegroundtoreceivesomuchlife-rentfromthetree！”
“Butyoumustadmitthatsomethingsarelost！”
“Yes，surely！”answeredDonal。“Whyelseshouldhecomeandlooktillhefind？”
Nosuchanswerhadthetheologianexpected；shewasnotimmediatewithherrejoinder。
“Butsomeofthemarelostafterall！”shesaid。
“Doubtless；therearesheepthatwillkeeprunningaway。Buthegoesafterthemagain。“
“Hewillnotdothatforever！”
“Hewill。“
“Idonotbelieveit。“
“ThenyoudonotbelievethatGodisinfinite！”
“Ido。“
“Howcanyou？IshenottheLordGodmercifulandgracious？”
“Iamgladyouknowthat。“
“Butifhismercyandhisgraciousnessarenotinfinite，thenheisnotinfinite！”
“Thereareotherattributesinwhichheisinfinite。“
“Butheisnotinfiniteinallhisattributes？Heispartlyinfinite，andpartlyfinite！——infiniteinknowledgeandpower，butinlove，inforgiveness，inallthosethingswhicharethemostbeautiful，themostdivine，themostChrist-like，heisfinite，measurable，bounded，small！”
“Icarenothingforsuchfinitereasoning。Itakethewordofinspiration，andgobythat！”
“Letmehearthen，“saidDonal，withanupliftingofhisheartinprayer；foritseemednolightthingforArcturawhichofthemshouldshowthebetterreason。
NowithadsofallenthattheladiesweretalkingaboutthedoctrinecalledAdoptionwhenfirsttheysawDonal；whencethisdoctrinewasthefirsttooccurtothechampionoforthodoxyasaweaponwherewithtofoiltheenemy。
“Themostpreciousdoctrine，ifonemaysayso，inthewholeBible，isthatofAdoption。GodbythemouthofhisapostlePaultellsusthatGodadoptssomeforhischildren，andleavestherest。Ifbecauseofthisyousayheisnotinfiniteinmercy，whentheBiblesaysheis，youareguiltyofblasphemy。“
Inatonecalmtosolemnity，Donalanswered——
“God\'smercyisinfinite；andthedoctrineofAdoptionisoneofthefalsestoffalsedoctrines。InbitterlackofthespiritwherebywecryAbba，Father，theso-calledChurchinventedit；anditremains，ahideousmaskwherewithfalseandignorantteachersscareGod\'schildrenfromtheirFather\'sarms。“
“Ihatesentiment——mostofallinreligion！”saidMissCarmichaelwithcontempt。
“Youshallhavenone，“returnedDonal。“TellmewhatismeantbyAdoption。“
“Thetakingofchildren，“answeredMissCarmichael，alreadyspyingarockahead，“andtreatingthemasyourown。“
“Whosechildren？”askedDonal。
“Anyone\'s。“
“Whose，“insistedDonal，“arethechildrenwhomGodadopts？”
Shewasontherock，andalittlestaggered。Butshepulledupcourageandsaid——
“ThechildrenofSatan。“
“Thenhowaretheytobeblamedfordoingthedeedsoftheirfather？”
“YouknowverywellwhatImean！Satandidnotmakethem。Godmadethem，buttheysinnedandfell。“
“ThendidGodrepudiatethem？”
“Yes。“
“Andtheybecamethechildrenofanother？”
“Yes，ofSatan。“
“ThenGoddisownshischildren，andwhentheyarethechildrenofanother，adoptsthem？MissCarmichael，itistoofoolish！Wouldthatbelikeafather？Becausehischildrendonotpleasehim，herepudiatesthemaltogether；andthenhewantsthemagain——notashisown，butasthechildrenofastranger，whomhewilladopt！Theoriginalrelationshipisnolongerofanyforce——hasnoweightevenwiththeirveryownfather！Whatgroundcouldsuchaparenthavetocomplainofhischildren？”
“YoudarenotsaythewickedarethechildrenofGodthesameasthegood。“
“Thatbefarfromme！ThosewhodothewillofGodareinfinitelymorehischildrenthanthosewhodonot；theyarebornoftheinnermostheartofGod；theyarethenofthenatureofJesusChrist，whosegloryisobedience。Butiftheywerenotinthefirstplace，andinthemostprofoundfact，thechildrenofGod，theycouldneverbecomehischildreninthathigher，thathighestsense，byanyfictionofadoption。Doyouthinkifthedevilcouldcreate，hischildrencouldeverbecomethechildrenofGod？ButyouandI，andeverypharisee，publican，andsinnerintheworld，areequallythechildrenofGodtobeginwith。Thatistherootofallthemiseryandallthehope。Becausewearehischildren，wemustbecomehischildreninheartandsoul，orbeforeverwretched。Ifweceasedtobehis，iftherelationbetweenusweredestroyed，whichisimpossible，noredemptionwouldbepossible，therewouldbenothinglefttoredeem。“
“Youmaytalkasyouseefit，Mr。Grant，butwhilePaulteachesthedoctrine，Iwillholdit；hemayperhapsknowalittlebetterthanyou。“
“Paulteachesnosuchdoctrine。HeteachesjustwhatIhavebeensaying。Thewordtranslatedadoption，heusesfortheraisingofonewhoisasontothetruepositionofason。“
“Thepresumptioninyoutosaywhattheapostledidordidnotmean！”
“Why，MissCarmichael，doyouthinkthegospelcomestousasasetoffools？Isthereanywayoftrulyorworthilyreceivingamessagewithoutunderstandingit？Amessageissentfortheverysakeofbeinginsomemeasureatleastunderstood。Withoutthatitwouldbenomessageatall。Iamboundbythewillandexpresscommandofthemastertounderstandthethingshesaystome。Hecommandsmetoseetheirrectitude，becausetheybeingtrue，Ioughttobeabletoseethemtrue。Inthehopeofseeingashewouldhavemesee，IreadmyGreekTestamenteveryday。ButitisnotnecessarytoknowGreektoseewhatPaulmeansbytheso-translatedadoption。Youhaveonlytoconsiderhiswordswithintenttofindouthismeaning，andwithoutintenttofindinthemtheteachingofthisorthatdoctorofdivinity。IntheepistletotheGalatians，whosechilddoeshespeakofasadopted？Itisthefather\'sownchild，hisheir，whodiffersnothingfromaslaveuntilheentersuponhistruerelationtohisfather——thefullstatusofason。Soalso，inanotherpassage，bythesamewordhemeanstheredemptionofthebody——itspassingintothehigherconditionofoutwardthings，intoaconditioninitself，andahomearoundit，fitforthesonsanddaughtersofGod——thatwebenomorelikestrangers，butlikewhatweare，thechildrenofthehouse。TouseanywordofPaul\'stomakehumanbeingfeelasifhewerenotbybirth，making，origin，orwhateverwordofcloserimportcanbefound，thechildofGod，orasifanythinghehaddoneorcoulddocouldannulthatrelationship，isofthedevil，thefatherofevil，noteitherofPaulorofChrist——Why，mylady，“continuedDonal，turningtoArctura，“alltheevilliesinthis——thatheisourfatherandwearenothischildren。Tofulfilthepoorestnecessitiesofourbeing，wemustbehischildreninbrainandheart，inbodyandsoulandspirit，inobedienceandhopeandgladnessandlove——hisoutandout，beyondallthattonguecansay，mindthink，orheartdesire。Thenonlyisourcreationfinished——thenonlyarewewhatweweremadetobe。Thisisthatforthesakeofwhichwearetroubledonallsides。“
Heceased。MissCarmichaelwasintellectuallycowed，butherheartwasnowisetouched。ShehadneverhadthatlongingafterclosestrelationwithGodwhichsendsusfeelingafterthefather。Butnow，takingcourageundertheovershadowingwingofthedivine，Arcturaspoke。
“Idohopewhatyousayistrue，Mr。Grant！”shesaidwithalongingsigh。
“Ohyes，hope！weallhope！Butitisthewordwehavetodowith！”
saidMissCarmichael。
“Ihavegivenyouthetruthofthisword！”saidDonal。
Butasifsheheardneitherofthem，Arcturawenton，“Ifitwerebuttrue！”shemoaned。“Itwouldsetrighteverythingonthefaceoftheearth！”
“Youmeanfarmorethanthat，mylady！”saidDonal。“Youmeaneverythinginthehumanheart，whichwilltoalleternitykeepmoaningandcryingoutfortheFatherofit，untilitisonewithitsonerelation！”
Heliftedhisbonnet，andwouldhavepassedon。
“Oneword，Mr。Grant，“saidMissCarmichael。“——NomanholdingsuchdoctrinescouldwithhonestybecomeaclergymanofthechurchofScotland。“
“Verylikely，“repliedDonal，“Goodafternoon。“
“Thankyou，Mr。Grant！”saidArctura。“Ihopeyouareright。“
Whenhewasgone，theladiesresumedtheirwalkinsilence。AtlengthMissCarmichaelspoke。
“Well，Imustsay，ofalltheconceitedyoungmenIhavehadthemisfortunetomeet，yourMr。Grantbearsthepalm！Suchself-assurance！suchpresumption！suchforwardness！”
“Areyoucertain，Sophia，“rejoinedArctura，“thatitisself-assurance，andnotconvictionthatgiveshimhiscourage？”
“Heisateacheroflies！Hegoesdeadagainstallthatgoodmensayandbelieve！Thethingisasclearasdaylight：heisaltogetherwrong！”
“WhatifGodbesendingfreshlightintothemindsofhispeople？”
“Theoldlightisgoodenoughforme！”
“ButitmaynotbegoodenoughforGod！WhatifMr。Grantshouldbehismessengertoyouandme！”
“Alikelything！ArawstudentfromthehillsofDaurside！”
“Icherishaprofoundhopethathemaybeintheright。Muchgood，youknow，didcomeoutofGalilee！Everyplaceandeverypersonisdespisedbysomebody！”
“Arctura！Hehasinfectedyouwithhisfrightfulirreverence！”
“IfhebeamessengerofJesusChrist，“saidArctura，quietly，“hehashadfromyouthereceptionhewouldexpect，forthedisciplemustbeashismaster。“
MissCarmichaelstoodstillabruptly。Herfacewasinaflame，butherwordscamecoldandhard。
“Iamsorry，“shesaid，“ourfriendshipshouldcometosoharshaconclusion，ladyArctura；butitistimeitshouldendwhenyouspeaksotoonewhohasbeendoingherbestforsolongtoenlightenyou！Ifthisbethefirstresultofyournewgospel——well！Rememberwhosaid，\'IfanangelfromheavenpreachanyothergospeltoyouthanIhavepreached，lethimbeaccursed！”
Sheturnedback。
“Oh，Sophia，donotleavemeso！”criedArctura。
Butshewasalreadyyardsaway，herskirtmakingasmallwhirlwindthatwentafterherthroughthewitheredleaves。Arcturaburstintotears，andsatdownatthefootofoneofthegreatbeeches。MissCarmichaelneverlookedbehindher。ShemetDonalagain，forhetoohadturned：heuncovered，butshetooknoheed。Shehaddonewithhim！HerpoorArctura。
Donalwaswalkinggentlyon，thinking，withclosedbook，whenthewindboretohisearalowsobfromArctura。Helookedup，andsawher：shesatweepinglikeonerejected。Hecouldnotpassorturnandleaveherthus！Sheheardhisstepsinthewitheredleaves，glancedup，droppedherheadforamoment，thenrosewithafeebleattemptatasmile。Donalunderstoodthesmile：shewouldnothavehimtroubledbecauseofwhathadtakenplace！
“Mr。Grant，“shesaid，comingtowardshim，“St。Paullaidacurseuponevenanangelfromheavenifhepreachedanyothergospelthanhis！Itisterrible！”
“Itisterrible，andIsayamentoitwithallmyheart，“returnedDonal。“ButthegospelyouhavereceivedisnotthegospelofPaul；
itisonesubstitutedforit——andthatbynoangelfromheaven，butbymenwithhide-boundsouls，who，inordertogetthemintotheirownintellectualpockets，melteddowntheingotsofthekingdom，andre-casttheminmouldsofwretchedlegalism，borrowedoftheRomanswhocrucifiedtheirmaster。Grand，childlike，heavenlythingstheymustexplain，forsooth，aftervulgarworldlynotionsoflawandright！Buttheymeantwell，seekingtojustifythewaysofGodtomen，thereforethecurseoftheapostledoesnotfall，Ithink，uponthem。Theysoughtawayoutoftheirdifficulties，andthoughttheyhadfoundone，wheninrealityitwastheirfaithinGodhimselfthatalonegotthemoutoftheprisonoftheirtheories。ButgladlywouldIseediscomfitedsuchas，receivingthoseinventionsatthehundredthhand，andmovedbynoneofthefervourwithwhichtheywerefirstpromulgated，lay，asthewordandwillofGod，lumpsofironandheapsofdustuponlive，beating，longingheartsthatcryoutaftertheirGod！”
“Oh，Idohopewhatyousayistrue！”pantedArctura。“IthinkI
shalldieifIfinditisnot！”
“IfyoufindwhatItellyouuntrue，itwillonlybethatitisnotgrandandfreeandbounteousenough。Tothinkanythingtoogoodtobetrue，istodenyGod——tosaytheuntruemaybebetterthanthetrue——thattheremightbeagreaterGodthanhe。Remember，Christisintheworldstill，andwithinourcall。“
“Iwillthinkofwhatyoutellme，“saidArctura，holdingoutherhand。
“Ifanythinginparticulartroublesyou，“saidDonal，“IshallbemostgladtohelpyouifIcan；butitisbetterthereshouldnotbemuchtalking。ThethingliesbetweenyouandyourFather。“
Withthesewordshelefther。Arcturafollowedslowlytothehouse，andwentstraighttoherroom，hermindfillingasshewentwithslow-revivingstrengthandagreathope。Nodoubtsomeofherreliefcamefromthedepartureofherincubusfriend；butthatmustsoonhavevanishedinfreshsorrow，saveforthehopeandstrengthtowhichthisdepartureyieldedtheroom。Shetrustedthatbythetimeshesawheragainshewouldbemorefirmlygroundedconcerningmanythings，andabletosetthemfortharight。Shewasnotyetfreeofthenotionthatyoumustbeabletodefendyourconvictions；shescarcefeltatlibertytosayshebelievedathing，solongassheknewanargumentagainstitwhichshecouldnotshowtobefalse。