Themaisterwasanauldman，nearhan\'auchty，an\'tuikthingsthemairseriously，Idaursay，thathewasnathatfarfraethegravetheyhadsentthepuirbutlertilaforehistime——gienthatcouldbesaido\'anewhausegravewaswi\'theweather-cock！An\'ayehetuikhimsel\'totaskastowhetherheouchtnatohaedunesomethingmair——ganetothekingmaybe——forhecouldnabidethethouchto\'thepuirmanthathadwaitituponhimsaelangan\'faithfu\'，hingin\'an\'
swingin\'upthere，an\'thefleshdrappin\'affthebaneso\'\'im，an\'
stillthebaneshingin\'there，an\'swingin\'an\'creakin\'an\'cryin\'！
Thethoucht，Isay，wassairupo\'theauldman。Butthetimepassed，an\'Ikennahoolangorhooshortitmaytakforabodyinsicapositiontocomeasun\'er，butatlastthebanesbegantodrap，an\'
astheydrappit，theretheylay——atthefuto\'thegallows，fornaebodycarettomeddlewi\'them。An\'whanthatcamtotheknowledgeo\'theauldgentleman，hesenthisfowktogetherthemupan\'burythemooto\'sicht。An\'whatwaslefto\'thebody，theupperpairt，haudenthegitherwi\'theirons，maybe——Ikennaweelhoo，hungan\'
swungtherestill，inilkwin\'thatblew。Butatthelast，ooto\'
sorrow，an\'respec\'forthedeid，hooeverhedee\'d，hisauldmaistersentquaietlyaemirknicht，an\'hadthelaveo\'thebanestaendoonan\'laidi\'theearth。
“\'Butfraethatmoment，thinkyetherewasonypeacei\'thehoose？A
clankin\'o\'chainsgotup，an\'ahowlin\'，an\'acompleenin\'an\'acreakin\'likei\'thewin\'——sicastramasha\'thegither，thatthehoosewasnofittobeleevitinwhiles，thoughitwassometimeswaurnorithertimes，an\'somethouchtithadtodowi\'theairtthewin\'blew：abootthatIkennaething。Butitgaedonlikethatformonths，maybeyears，\'——Mr。Harperwasnasurehoolangthegentlemansaid——\'tilltheauldman\'maistwishedhimsel\'ino\'thegravean\'
ooto\'thetrouble。
“\'Atlastaedaycamanauldmantoseehim——nosaeauldashimsel\'，butanehehadkennedwhantheywuratthecollegethegither。An\'
thiswasamanthathadtravelledgreatly，an\'wasweellearntinaheapo\'thingsordinar\'fowk，thatgiesthemsel\'stothelan\'，an\'
thegrowin\'o\'corn，an\'beasts，irnolikelytokenmickleaboot。
Hesawhisauldfreen\'wasintrouble，an\'didnacarryhisagecalm-likeaswasnat\'ral，an\'saespeirthimwhatwasthematter。
An\'hetoldhimthewholestory，fraethehangin\'tothebangin\'。
“Weel，“saidthelearnitman，whanhehadh\'arda\'，“gienye\'lltakmyadvice，ye\'lljistsen\'an\'howkuptheheid，an\'takitintilthehoosewi\'ye，an\'latitbidetherewhauritwasusedsaelangtobe；——dothat，an\'it\'smyopinionye\'llhearnaemairo\'sicunrulygangin\'son。“Theauldgentlemantuiktheadvice，kennin\'nobetter。Butitwastherichtadvice，forfraethatmomenttheromourwasower，theyhadnaemairo\'\'t。Theylaidtheheidinadecentbitboxi\'thecellar，an\'thereitremaint，weelcontenttheretoabidethedayo\'thatjeedgmentthat\'llsetmonyanitherjeedgmenttothericht-aboot；thoughwhatpleesurcouldbeintilthatcellarmairnorintilaholei\'theearth，isathingnoformetosay！Sowi\'thatgenerationtherewasnaemairtrouble。
“\'Buti\'thecoorseo\'timecamfirstanean\'syneanither，whaforgot，maybeleuchat，thehaillaffair，an\'didnabelieveawordo\'thesame。Butthey\'rebutfulesthatgangagaintheexperrienceo\'theirforbeirs！——whatwudyehaebuttheywudbeerytheheid！An\'
whatwudcomeo\'thatbutanaulddismayhetupagain！Upgatthedin，therampaugin\'，theclankin\'，an\'a\'，jistthesameas\'afore！
Buttheminutethat，frichtitattheconsequenceso\'theirfolly，theyacknowledgedthepropertyo\'theghaistinhisainheid，an\'
tuikitooto\'theearthan\'intilthehooseagain，a\'wasquaietdirec\'ly——quaietashertcoulddesire。\'
“Saethatwasthestory！
“An\'whanthelunchwasower，an\'Mr。Harperwasthinkin\'themomentcomewhantheywouldorderhimtotaktheheid，an\'himtrimlin\'atthethouchto\'touchin\'\'t，an\'lay\'twhauritwas——an\'whaurithadsaeaftenbeenwhanithadasowlintil\'t，thegentlemangotup，an\'sayshetilhim，\'Besogood，\'sayshe，\'asfetchmemyhat-boxfromthehall。\'Harperwentan\'gotitasdesired，an\'thegentlemantookan\'unlockitit，an\'roon\'heturntwhaurhestood，an\'uphetuiktheskullfraethechimley-piece，neitherasgienhelo\'editnorfearedit——aswhatreasonhadhetodoeither？——an\'han\'letitneitherrouchly，norwi\'onyshowo\'micklecare，butintilthehat-boxitgaed，willy，nilly，an\'thelidshuttendoonupo\'\'t，an\'
thekeyturnti\'thelocko\'\'t；an\'asgienhewadmakthethingrichtsureo\'nobein\'puttenagainwhaurithadsicanobjectiontogang，uphetuikinhishan\'thehat-box，an\'thecontrairyheidi\'
theinsideo\'\'t，an\'awa\'wi\'himonhistraivels，hereawa\'an\'
thereawa\'owerthefaceo\'theglobe：hewasonhisw\'ytoSpain，hesaid，atthemoment；an\'wesawnaemairo\'himnortheheid，norh\'ardeverasoon\'mairo\'clankin\'，norgirnin\'，noronyitheroonholydin。
“An\'that\'sthetrowth，mako\'\'twhatyelike，myleddyan\'maisterGrant！”
MistressBrookeswassilent，andforsometimenotasyllablewasutteredbyeitherlistener。AtlastDonalspoke。
“Itisastrangestory，mistressBrookes，“hesaid；“andthestrangerthatitwouldshowsomeoftheinhabitantsoftheotherworldapparentlyassillyafterahundredandfiftyyearsaswhenfirsttheyarrivedthere。“
“Icansaynaethinganentthat，sir，“answeredmistressBrookes；
“I\'mnoaccoontableforonyinference\'at\'stobedrawnfraemyowertruetale；an\'doobtless，sir，yekenfarbetternorme；——butwhauryeseesaemonyfolkdrawootthethreido\'alanglife，an\'neveraesensiblething，thattheycouldhelp，doneorsaid，whatforshouldyewon\'ergiennooan\'thananei\'theitherwarl\'shawhimsel\'siclike。Whanyeconsidertheheapo\'folkthatdees，an\'
hootheremaunbesaemonymairi\'theitherwarl\'nori\'this，I
confessformypairtIwon\'ermair\'atwe\'releftatpeaceata\'，an\'thattheycomenaswarmin\'aboot\'si\'thenicht，likeblackdoos。Ye\'llmaybesaytheycanna，an\'ye\'llmaybesaytheycome；butsaelangastheyplaguemenaewaurnoroorfreen\'upo\'thetithersideo\'thewa\'，IcannasayIcarethatmickle。ButIthinkwhileshoothaeghaistsmaunlauchatthemthatlauchsasgientherewasnaesiccratursi\'thewarl\'！FormypairtInaitherfearthemnorseektilthem：I\'llbeanewi\'themmysel\'aforelang！——onlyIwadsairwussan\'houptoganginamo\'betterbehavetanesnorthem\'atgangsabootplaguin\'folk。“
“Youspeakthebestofsense，mistressBrookes，“saidDonal；“butI
shouldliketounderstandwhythepoorhangedfellowshouldhavesuchanobjectiontohavinghisskulllaidintheground！Whyhadhesuchafancyforhisoldbones？Couldhebesocloselyassociatedwiththemthathecouldnotgetonwithouttheplentyoffreshairtheygothimusedtowhentheyhungonthegallows？Andwhydiditcontenthimtohaveonlyhisheadaboveground？Itisbewildering！
Wecouldn\'tbelieveourbonesriseagain，evenifPaulhadn\'tasgoodastoldustheydon\'t！Whyshouldthedeadhaunttheirbonesasiftomakesureofhavingtheirownagain？”
“But，“saidmistressBrookes，“beggin\'yerpardon，sir，whatkenyeastowhattheythink？Yemaykenbetter，butmaybetheydinna；forhaenayejistallooedthatsicconduc\'asIhaedescribitisnofit，whaeverbeguiltyo\'thesame，whetherrowdyladdiesi\'thestreets，orcratursyecannaseei\'thehoose？Theymaythinkthey\'llwanttheirbanesbyan\'bythoughyekenbetter；an\'whateveryouwisefolkmaythinkthenoo，yekenit\'snothatlangsin\'a\'body，ay，thebesto\'folk，thouchtthesame；an\'there\'snoadoobttheya\'
didatthetimethatmanwashangt。An\'yemaunmin\'\'ati\'thehoosetheheido\'\'imwudnawasteasitwudi\'theyerd！”
“Butwhybotherabouthisheidmorethantherestofhisbones？”
“Weel，sir，I\'mthinkingaghaist，ghaistthoughhebe，cannasurelybei\'twaplacesatance。Hecouldneverthinktoplaguetililkbaneo\'fingeran\'taewasgetherti\'thecellar！Thatwudbehoupless！An\'thinkin\'onythingo\'hisbanes，hemichtweelthinkmaisto\'\'sheid，an\'keepane\'eupo\'that。Naemonyghaistshaethechanceo\'seein\'saemuckleo\'theirbanesasthisane，orsayin\'tothemsel\'s，\'Yon\'smine，whauritswings！\'Someghaistshaeacat-likenaturforplaces，an\'whatfornoforbanes？Mony\'sthestorythathoosekeeper，honestwuman，telledme：whanwhathadcomewasgane，itsetheropenin\'ootherpack！Icouldhaudyetherea\'
nichttellin\'yeaneefteranithero\'them。Butit\'stimetogangtooorbeds。“
“Itisourturntotellyousomething，“saidladyArctura；“——onlyyoumustnotmentionitjustyet：Mr。Granthasfoundthelostroom！”
ForamomentMrs。Brookessaidnothing，butneitherpalednorlookedincredulous；herfacewasonlyfixedandstill，asifshewerefindingexplanationinthediscovery。
“Iwasayeo\'themin\'itwas，“shesaid，“an\'mony\'sthetimeI
thouchtIwudluikfor\'ttopleasemysel\'！It\'ssma\'won\'er——thesoon\'s，an\'theraps，an\'siclike！”
“Youwillnotchangeyourmindwhenyouhearall，“saidArctura。“I
askedyoutogiveusoursupperbecauseIwasafraidtogotobed。“
“Youshouldn\'thavetoldher，sir！”
“I\'veseenitwithmyowneyes！”
“You\'vebeenintoit，mylady？——What——what——？”
“Itisachapel——theoldcastle-chapel——mentioned，Iknow，somewhereinthehistoryoftheplace，thoughnoone，Isuppose，everdreamedthemissingroomcouldbethat！——Andinthechapel，“continuedArctura，hardlyabletobringoutthewords，forakindofcrampingofthemusclesofspeech，“therewasabed！andinthebedthecrumblingdustofawoman！andonthealtarwhatwashardlymorethanthedustyshadowofababy？”
“TheLordbeabootus！”criedthehousekeeper，herwell-seasonedcomposuregivingway；“yesawthatwi\'yeraine\'en，mylady！——Mr。
Grant！hoocouldyelatherleddyshipluikupo\'sicthings！”
“Iamherladyship\'sservant，“answeredDonal。
“That\'svarratrue！Buteh，mybonnybairn，sicsichtsisnoforyou！”
“Ioughttoknowwhatisinthehouse！”saidArctura，withashudder。“ButalreadyIfeelmorecomfortablethatyouknowtoo。Mr。
Grantwouldliketohaveyouradviceastowhat——You\'llcomeandseethem，won\'tyou？”
“Whenyouplease，mylady——To-night？”
“No，no！notto-night——Wasthattheknockingagain？——Someghostswanttheirbodiestobeburied，thoughyourbutler——“
“Iwouldnawonder！”respondedmistressBrookes，thoughtfully。
“Whereshallweburythem？”askedDonal。
“InEnglan\'，“saidthehousekeeper，“Iusedtohearaheapabootconsecratedground；buttomymin\'itwasthebodieso\'God\'shandiwark，nothebishop，thatconsecratedtheground。WhaurtheLordlaysdoonwhathehasdonewi\'，wadayebeasacredplacetome。IdaursayMoses，whanhecamupo\'\'tagaini\'thedesert，luikitupo\'thegroundwhaurstoodthebussthathadburned，asasacredplacethoughthefirewaslangoot！——Thinknaye，Mr。Grant？”
“Ido，“answeredDonal。“ButIdonotbelievetheLordJesusthoughtonespotonthefaceoftheearthmoreholythananother：everydustofitwashisfather\'s，neithermorenorless，existingonlybythethoughtofthatfather！andIthinkthatiswhatwemustcometo——Butwhereshallweburythem？——wheretheylie，orinthegarden？”
“Somewuddoobtlesshaedistlaidtodisti\'thekirkyard；butI
wudnawullin\'lyraiseaclashi\'thecountry-side。Themthatdiditwasyerainforbeirs，myleddy；an\'sicthingsareweelforgotten。
An\'synewhatwudtheearlsay？Itmichtupsethimmairnorabit！
I\'llconsidero\'\'t。“
Donalaccompaniedthemtothedoorofthechamberwhichagaintheyshared，andthenbetookhimselftohisownhighnest。Theremorethanonceinwhatremainedofthenight，hewoke，fancyingheheardtheghost-musicsoundingitscoronachoverthedeadbelow。
CHAPTERLVIII。
ASOULDISEASED。
“Papaisveryillto-day，Simmonstellsme，“saidDavie，asDonalenteredtheschoolroom。“Hesayshehasneverseenhimsoill。Oh，Mr。Grant，Ihopeheisnotgoingtodie！”
“Ihopenot，“returnedDonal——notverysure，hesawwhenhethoughtaboutit，whathemeant；foriftherewassolittlehopeofhisbecomingatruemanonthissideofsomeawfuldoom，whyshouldhehopeforhislifehere？
“Iwishyouwouldtalktohimasyoudotome，Mr。Grant！”resumedDavie，whothoughtwhathadbeengoodforhimselfmustbegoodforeverybody。
Oflatetheboyhadbeenmorethanusualwithhisfather，andhemayhavedroppedsomewordthatturnedhisfather\'sthoughtstowardDonalandhiswaysofthinking：howeverweaktheearl\'swill，andhoweverdullhisconscience，hismindwasfarfrombeinginactive。
IntheafternoonthebutlerbroughtamessagethathislordshipwouldbegladtoseeMr。Grantwhenschoolwasover。
Donalfoundtheearlveryweak，butmorelikealiveman，hethought，thanhehadyetseenhim。Hepointedtoaseat，andbegantotalkinawaythatconsiderablyastonishedthetutor。
“Mr。Grant，“hebegan，withnotalittleformality，“IhaveknownyoulongenoughtobelieveIknowyoureally。NowIfindmyself，partlyfromthepeculiarityofmyconstitution，partlyfromthestateofmyhealth，partlyfromthefactthatmyviewsdonotcoincidewiththoseofthechurchofScotland，andthereisnoepiscopalclergymanwithinreachofthecastle——Ifindmyself，I
say，forthesereasons，desirousofsomeconversationwithyou，moreforthesakeofidentifyingmyownopinions，thaninthehopeofreceivingfromyouwhatitwouldbeunreasonabletoexpectfromoneofyouryears。“
Donalheldhispeace；theverypowerofspeechseemedtakenfromhim：hehadnoconfidenceintheman，andnothingsoquenchesspeechaslackoffaith。Buttheearlhadnoideaofthisdistrust，neveradoubtofhislistener\'sreadinesstotakeanypositionherequiredhimtotake。ExperiencehadtaughthimaslittleaboutDonalasabouthisownrealself。
“Ihavelongbeentroubled，“continuedhislordshipafteramomentarypause，“withaquestionofwhichonemightthinktheworldmustbythistimebeweary——whichyethas，andalwayswillhave，extraordinaryfascinationformindsofacertainsort——ofwhichmyownisone：itisthequestionofthefreedomofthewill：——howfaristhewillfree？orhowfarcanitbecalledfree，consistentlywiththenotionofaGodoverall？”
Hepaused，andDonalsatsilent——solongthathislordshipopenedtheeyeswhich，thebettertoenjoytheprocessofsentence-making，hehadkeptshut，andhalfturnedhisheadtowardshim：hehadbeguntodoubtwhetherhewasreallybyhisbedside，orbutoneofhismanyvisionsundistinguishablebyhimfromrealities。Re-assuredbytheglance，heresumed。
“Icannot，ofcourse，expectfromyousuchanexhaustiveandformedopinionasfromanoldermanwhohadmademetaphysicshisbusiness，andacquaintedhimselfwithallthathadbeensaiduponthesubject；
atthesametimeyoumusthaveexpendedaconsiderableamountofthoughtonthesematters！”
Hetalkedinaquiet，levelmanner，almostwithoutinflection，andwithhiseyesagainclosed——verymuchasifhewerereadingabookinsidehim。
“Ihavehadagooddeal，“hewenton，“toshakemybeliefinthecommonideasonsuchpoints——Doyoubelievethereissuchathingasfreewill？”
Heceased，awaitingtheanswerwhichDonalfeltfarfrompreparedtogivehim。
“Mylord，“hesaidatlength，“whatIbelieve，Idonotfeelcapable，atamoment\'snotice，ofsettingforth；neitherdoIthink，howeverunavoidablesuchdiscussionsmaybeintheforumofone\'sownthoughts，thattheyareprofitablebetweenmen。Ithinksuchquestions，iftheyaretobetreatedatallbetweenmanandman，andnotbetweenGodandmanonly，hadbetterbediscussedinprint，wherewhatissaidisinsomemeasurefixed，andcanwithaglancebeconsideredafresh。ButnotsoeitherdoIthinktheycanbediscussedtoanyprofit。“
“Whatdoyoumean？Surelythisquestionisofthefirstimportancetohumanity！”
“Igrantit，mylord，ifbyhumanityyoumeanthehumanindividual。
Butmymeaningis，thattherearemanyquestions，andthisone，thatcanbetestedbetterthanargued。“
“Youseemfondofparadox！”
“IwillspeakasdirectlyasIcan：suchquestionsaretobeansweredonlybythemoralnature，whichfirstandalmostonlytheyconcern；andthemoralnatureoperatesinaction，notdiscussion。“
“DoInotthen，“saidhislordship，thefaintestshadowofindignationinhistone，“bringmymoralnaturetobearonaquestionwhichIconsiderfromthegroundofduty？”
“No，mylord，“answeredDonal，withdecision；“youbringnothingbutyourintellectualnaturetobearonitso；themoralnature，I
repeat，operatesonlyinaction。Tocometothepointinhand：thesolewayforamantoknowhehasfreedomistodosomethingheoughttodo，whichhewouldrathernotdo。Hemaystrivetoacquainthimselfwiththefactsconcerningwill，andspendhimselfimaginingitsmodeofworking，yetallthetimenotknowwhetherhehasanywill。“
“ButhowamItoputaforceinoperation，whileIdonotknowwhetherIpossessitornot？”
“Byputtingitinoperation——thatalone；bybeingalive；bydoingthenextthingyououghttodo，orabstainingfromthenextthingyouaretemptedto，knowingyououghtnottodoit。Itsoundschildish；andmostpeoplesetactionasideaswhatwilldoanytime，andtryfirsttosettlequestionswhichnevercanbesettledbutinjustthisdivinelychildishway。Fornotmerelyisittheonlywayinwhichamancanknowwhetherhehasafreewill，butthemanhasinfactnowillatallunlessitcomesintobeinginsuchaction。“
“Supposehefoundhehadnowill，forhecouldnotdowhathewished？”
“Whatheought，Isaid，mylord。“
“Well，whatheought，“yieldedtheearlalmostangrily。
“Hecouldnotfinditprovedthathehadnofacultyforgeneratingafreewill。Hemightindeeddoubtitthemore；butthepositiveonly，notthenegative，canbeproved。“
“Wherewouldbethesatisfactionifhecouldonlyprovetheonethingandnottheother。“
“Thetruthalonecanbeproved，mylord；howshouldaliebeproved？
Themanthatwantedtoprovehehadnofreedomofwill，wouldfindnosatisfactionfromhistest——andthelessthemorehonesthewas；
butthemananxiousaboutthedignityofthenaturegivenhim，wouldfindeveryneedfulsatisfactionintheprogressofhisobedience。“
“Howcantherebefreewillwherethefirstthingdemandedforitsexistenceorknowledgeofitselfisobedience？”
“Thereisnofreewillsaveinresistingwhatonewouldlike，anddoingwhattheTruthwouldhavehimdo。Itistruetheman\'slikingandthetruthmaycoincide，butthereinhewillnotlearnhisfreedom，thoughinsuchcoincidencehewillalwaysthereafterfindit，andinsuchcoincidencealone，forfreedomisharmonywiththeoriginatinglawofone\'sexistence。“
“That\'sdrearydoctrine。“
“Mylord，Ihavespentnolittletimeandthoughtonthesubject，andtheresultissomesortofpracticalclearnesstomyself；but，wereitpossible，Ishouldnotcaretomakeitcleartoanothersavebypersuadinghimtoarriveatthesameconvictionbythesamepath——that，namely，ofdoingthethingrequiredofhim。“
“Requiredofhimbywhat？”
“Byanyone，anything，anythought，withwhichcangothewordrequiredby——anythingthatcarriesrightinitsdemand。Ifamandoesnotdothethingwhichtheverynotionofafreewillrequires，whatinearth，heaven，orhell，wouldbetheuseofhisknowingallaboutthewill？Butitisimpossibleheshouldknowanything。“
“Youareaboldpreacher！”saidtheearl。“——Supposenowamanwasunconsciousofanyabilitytodothethingrequiredofhim？”
“Ishouldsaytherewasthemoreneedheshoulddothething。“
“Thatisnonsense。“
“Ifitbenonsense，thenonsenseliesinthesuppositionthatamancanbeconsciousofnotpossessingapower；hecanonlybenotconsciousofpossessingit，andthatisaverydifferentthing。Howisapowertobeknownbutbybeingapower，andhowisittobeapowerbutinitsownexerciseofitself？Thereismoreinmanthanhecanatanygivenmomentbeconsciousof；thereislife，thepoweroftheeternalbehindhisconsciousness，whichonlyinactioncanhemakehisown；ofwhich，therefore，onlyinaction，thatisobedience，canhebecomeconscious，forthenonlyisithis。“
“Youaresplittingahair！”
“Iftheonlywaytolifelaythroughahair，whatmustyoudobutsplitit？Thefact，however，is，thathewhotakesthelivesphereoftruthforaflatintellectualdisc，maywelltakethedisc\'sedgeforahair。“
“Come，come！howdoesallthisapplytome——amanwhowouldreallyliketomakeuphismindaboutthething，andisnotatthemomentawareofanyverypressingdutythatheisneglectingtodo？”
“Isyourlordshipnotawareofsomenotverypressingdutythatyouareneglectingtodo？Somedutiesneedbuttobeacknowledgedbythesmallestamountofaction，tobecomeparamountintheirdemandsuponus。“
“Thatistheworstofit！”murmuredtheearl。“Irefuse，Iavoidsuchacknowledgment！Whoknowswhitheritmightcarryme，orwhatitmightnotgoontodemandofme！”
Hespokelikeoneunawarethathespoke。
“Yes，mylord，“saidDonal，“thatishowmostmentreatthegreatestthings！Thedevilblindsusthathemayguideus！”
“Thedevil！——bah！”criedhislordship，gladtoturnatrightanglesfromthepathoftheconversation；“youdon\'tsurelybelieveinthatlegendarypersonage？”
“Hewhodoeswhatthedevilwouldhavehimdo，isthemanwhobelievesinhim，nothewhodoesnotcarewhetherheisornot，solongasheavoidsdoinghisworks。Iftherebesuchaone，hislastthoughtmustbetopersuademenofhisexistence！HeisasubjectI
donotcaretodiscuss；heisnotveryinterestingtome。Butifyourlordshipnowwouldbutovercomethehabitofdependingonmedicine，youwouldsoonfindoutthatyouhadafreewill。“
Hislordshipscowledlikeathunder-cloud。
“Iamcertain，mylord，“addedDonal，“thattheleastquestionaskedbythewillitself，willbringananswer；athousandaskedbytheintellect，willbringnothing。“
“Ididnotsendforyoutoactthepartoffatherconfessor，Mr。
Grant，“saidhislordship，inatonewhichratherperplexedDonal；
“butasyouhavetakenuponyoutheoffice，Imayaswellallowyoukeepit；themattertowhichyourefer，thatofmymedicaltreatmentofmyself，ispreciselywhathasbroughtmeintomypresentdifficulty。Itwouldbetoolongastorytotellyouhow，likepoorColeridge，Iwasfirstdecoyed，thenenticedfromonestagetoanother；thedesiretoescapefrompainisanaturalinstinct；andthat，andthenecessityalsoforescapingmypastself，especiallyinitsrelationstocertainothers，havebroughtmebydegreesintofartoogreatadependenceontheuseofdrugs。Andnowthat，fromcertainsymptoms，Ihavegroundtofearachangeofsomekindnotsofaroff——Idonotofcoursemeanto-morrow，ornextyear，butsomewherenearerthanitwasthistime，Iwon\'tsaylastyear，butsaytenyearsago——why，then，onebeginstothinkaboutthingsonehasbeentooreadytoforget。Isuppose，however，ifthewillbeanaturalpossessionofthehumanbeing，andifamanshould，throughactionsonthetissueofhisbrain，haveceasedtobeconsciousofanywill，itmustreturntohimthemomentheisfreefromthebody，thatisfromthedilapidatedbrain！”
“Mylord，Iwouldnothaveyoucounttoomuchuponthat。Weknowverylittleaboutthesethings；butwhatifthebraingivetheopportunityfortheactionwhichistoresultinfreedom？Whatifthereshould，withoutthebrain，benomeansofworkingourliberty？
Whatifweareherelikebirdsinacage，withwings，abletoflybutnotflyingaboutthecage；andwhatif，whenwearedead，weshallindeedbeoutofthecage，butwithoutwings，havingnevermadeuseofsuchaswehadwhilewehadthem？Thinkforamomentwhatweshouldbewithoutthesenses！”
“Weshallbeableatleasttoseeandhear，elsewhereweretheuseofbelievinginanotherworld？”
“Isuspect，mylord，theotherworlddoesnotneedourbelievinginittomakeafactofit。Butifamanwerenevertoteachhissoultosee，ifhewereobstinatelytoclosehiseyesuponthisworld，andlookatnothingallthetimehewasinit，Ishouldbeverydoubtfulwhetherthemerefactofgoingalittlemoredead，wouldmakehimsee。Thesoulneverhavinglearnedtosee，itssenseofseeing，correspondenttoandhigherthanthatofthebody，neverhavingbeendeveloped，howshoulditexpandandimpoweritselfbymeredeliverancefromtheonebestschoolmastertowhomitwouldgivenoheed？Thesensesare，Isuspect，onlythehusksunderwhichareripeningthedeeper，keener，bettersensesbelongingtothenextstageofourlife；andso，mylord，Icannotthinkthat，ifthewillhasnotbeendevelopedthroughthemeansandoccasionsgivenin，themerepassingintoanotherconditionwillsetitfree。Forfreedomistheunclosingoftheideawhichliesatourroot，andisthevitalpowerofourexistence。Theroseisthefreedomoftherosetree。I
shouldthink，havinglosthisbrain，andgotnothinginstead，amanwouldfindhimselfamerecentreofunanswerablequestions。“
“Yougotoofarforme，“saidhislordship，lookingalittleuncomfortable，“butIthinkitistimetotryandbreakmyselfalittleofthehabit——oralmosttime。Bydegreesonemight，youknow，——eh？”
“Ihavelittlefaithindoingthingsbydegrees，mylord——exceptsuchindeedasbytheirverynaturecannotbedoneatonce。Itistrueabadhabitcanonlybecontractedbydegrees；andIwillnotsay，becauseIdonotknow，whetheranyonehasevercuredhimselfofonebydegrees；butitcannotbethebestway。Whatisbadoughttobegotridofatonce。“
“Ah，but，don\'tyouknow？thatmightcostyouyourlife！”
“Whatofthat，mylord！Life，thelifeyoumean，isnotthefirstthing。“
“Notthefirstthing！Why，theBiblesays，\'Allthatamanhathwillhegiveforhislife\'！”
“ThatisintheBible；butwhethertheBiblesaysit，isanotherthing。“
“Idonotunderstandsillydistinctions。“
“Why，mylord，whosaidthat？”
“Whatdoesitmatterwhosaidit？”
“Muchalways；everythingsometimes。“
“Whosaiditthen？”
“Thedevil。“
“Thedevilhedid！Andwhooughttoknowbetter，Ishouldliketoask！”
“Everymanoughttoknowbetter。Andbesides，itisnotwhatamanwillorwillnotdo，butwhatamanoughtoroughtnottodo！”
“Ah，thereyouhaveme，Isuppose！Buttherearesomethingssodamneddifficult，thatamanmustbeverysureofhisdangerbeforehecanbringhimselftodothem！”
“Thatmaybe，mylord：inthepresentcase，however，youmustbeawarethatthedangerisnottothebodilyhealthalone；thesedrugsunderminethemoralnatureaswell！”
“Iknowit：Icannotbecountedguiltyofmanythings；theyweredoneundertheinfluenceofhellishconcoctions。ItwasnotI，butthesethingsworkinginme——onmybrain，makingmeseethingsinafalselight！ThiswillbetakenintoaccountwhenIcometobejudged——iftherebesuchathingasadayofjudgment。“
“OnethingIamsureof，“saidDonal，“thatyourlordshipwillhavefairplay。Atfirst，notquiteknowingwhatyouwereabout，youmaynothavebeenmuchtoblame；butafterwards，whenyouknewthatyouwereputtingyourselfindangerofdoingyoudidnotknowwhat，youwereasmuchtoblameasifyoumadeaFrankenstein-demon，andturnedhimlooseontheearth，knowingyourselfutterlyunabletocontrolhim。“
“AndisnotthatwhattheGodyoubelieveindoeseveryday？”
“Mylord，theGodIbelieveinhasnotlosthiscontrolovereitherofus。“
“Thenlethimsetthethingright！Whyshouldwedrawhisplough？”
“Hewillsetitright，mylord，——butprobablyinawayyourlordshipwillnotlike。Heiscompelledtodoterriblethingssometimes。“
“Compelled！——whatshouldcompelhim？”
“Thelovethatisinhim，thelovethatheis。Hecannotletushaveourownwaytotheruinofeverythinginushecaresfor！”
ThenthespiritawokeinDonal——orcameuponhim——andhespoke。
“Mylord，“hesaid，“ifyouwouldeveragainbeabletothankGod；
iftherebeoneintheotherworldtowhomyouwouldgo；ifyouwouldmakeupforanywrongyouhaveeverdone；ifyouwouldeverfeelinyoursouloncemoretheinnocenceofachild；ifyoucaretocallGodyourfather；ifyouwouldfallasleepinpeaceandwaketoanewlife；Iconjureyoutoresistthedevil，togiveuptheevilhabitthatisdraggingyoulowerandlowereveryhour。Itwillbeveryhard，Iknow！AnythingIcando，watchingwithyounightandday，givingmyselftohelpyou，Iamreadyfor。Iwilldoallthatliesinmetodeliveryoufromthewearinessandsicknessoftheendeavour。Iwillgivemylifetostrengthenyours，andcountitwellspentandmyselfhonoured：Ishallthenhavelivedalifeworthliving！Resolve，mylord——inGod\'snameresolveatoncetobefree。
Thenyoushallknowyouhaveafreewill，foryourwillwillhavemadeitselffreebydoingthewillofGodagainstalldisinclinationofyourown。Itwillbeagloriousvictory，andwillsetyouhighonthehillwhosepeakisthethroneofGod。“
“Iwillbeginto-morrow，“saidtheearlfeebly，andwithastrangelookinhiseyes。“——Butnowyoumustleaveme。Ineedsolitudetostrengthenmyresolve。Cometomeagainto-morrow。Iamweary，andmustrestawhile。SendSimmons。“
Donalwasnowisemisledbytheeasy，postponedconsent，buthecouldnotprolongtheinterview。Heroseandwent。Intheactofshuttingthedoorbehindhim，something，hedidnotknowwhat，madehimturnhishead：theearlwasleaningoverthelittletablebyhisbedside，andpouringsomethingfromabottleintoaglass。Donalstoodtransfixed。Theearlturnedandsawhim，castonhimalookofalmostdemoniacalhate，puttheglasstohislipsanddrankoffitscontents，thenthrewhimselfbackonhispillows。Donalshutthedoor——notsosoftlyasheintended，forhewasagitated；aloudcurseatthenoisecameafterhim。Hewentdownthestairnotonlywithasenseoffailure，butwithanexhaustionsuchashehadneverbeforefelt。
Therearemenofnaturessoinactivethattheycannotevenenjoythesightofactivityaroundthem：menwithschemesanddesiresareintheirpresenceintrusive。Theirexistenceisasleepylake，whichwouldnotbetroubledevenwiththewindoffar-offlabour。SuchlordMorvenwasnotbynature；uptomanhoodhehadledevenastormylife。Butwhenhispassionsbegantoyield，hisself-indulgencebegantotaketheformoflaziness；anditwasnotmanyyearsbeforehelaywithneverastruggleinthechainsoftheevilpowerwhichhadnowreducedhimtomoralpoltroonery。Thetyrannyofthislastwickednessgrewworseafterthedeathofhiswife。Theoneobjectofhislife，iflifeitcouldbecalled，wasonlyandevertomakeitalifeofhisown，notthelifewhichGodhadmeantittobe，andhadmadepossibletohim。Onfirstacquaintancewiththemoralphenomenon，ithadseemedtoDonalaninhumanandstrangelyexceptionalone；butreflecting，hecamepresentlytoseethatitwasonlyamorepronouncedformoftheuniversalhumandisease——adiseasesodeep-seatedthathewhohasitworst，leastknowsorcanbelievethathehasanydisease，attributingallhisdiscomforttotheconditionofthingsoutsidehim；whereashisrefusaltoacceptthemastheyare，isonemostprominentsymptomofthedisease。Whetherbystimulantsornarcotics，whetherbycompanyorambition，whetherbygraspingorstudy，whetherbyself-indulgence，byart，bybooks，byreligion，bylove，bybenevolence，weendeavourafteranotherlifethanthatwhichGodmeansforus——alifeoftruth，namely，ofobedience，humility，andself-forgetfulness，wewalkequallyinavainshow。
ForGodaloneis，andwithouthimwearenot。Thisisnotthemereclangofatinklingmetaphysicalcymbal；hethatendeavourstoliveapartfromGodmustatlengthfind——notmerelythathehasbeenwalkinginavainshow，butthathehasbeenhimselfbutthephantomofadream。ButforthelifeofthelivingGod，makinghimbe，andkeepinghimbeing，hemustfadeevenoutofthelimboofvanities！
Hemoreandmoreseldomwentoutofthehouse，moreandmoreseldomlefthisapartment。Attimeshewouldreadagreatdeal，thenfordayswouldnotopenabook，butseemabsorbedinmeditation——ameditationwhichhadnothinginitworthyofthename。InhiscommunicationswithDonal，hedidnotseemintheleastawarethathehadmadehimtheholderofasecretbywhichhecouldfrustratehisplansforhisfamily。Theseplansheclungto，partlyfrompaternity，partlyfromcontemptforsociety，andpartlyinthefancyofrepairingthewronghehaddonehischildren\'smother。Themorallydiseasedwillatoneforwrongbyfreshwrong——initsturntodemandlikereparation！Hewoulddoanythingnowtosecurehissonsinthepositionofwhichinlawhehaddeprivedthembythewronghehaddonethewomanwhomallhadbelievedhiswife。Throughthemarriageoftheeldestwiththeheiress，hewouldmakehimtheheadofthehouseinpowerasindignity，andthiswasnowalmosttheonlytiethatboundhimtotherealityofthings。HecaredlittleenoughaboutForgue，buthisconsciencewashauntedwithhiscrueltiestotheyouth\'smother。ThesewereoftensuchasIdarenotputonrecord：theycamealloftheprideofself-loveandself-worship——asevildemonsaseverragedinthefiercestfireofMoloch。Inthemadnesswithwhichtheypossessedhim，hehadinflicteduponhernotonlysoresthumiliations，butbodilytortures：hewouldsee，hesaid，whatshewouldbearforhissake！
Inthehorriblepresentmentsofhisdrug-procureddreamstheyreturneduponhiminterribleformsofrighteousretaliation。Andnow，thoughtohimselfhewasconstantlydenyingalifebeyond，theconvictionhadbeguntovisitandoverwhelmhimthathemustonedaymeetheragain：fainthenwouldhebearmedwithsomethingwhichforhersakehehaddoneforherchildren！Oneofthehorriblelawsofthefalseexistenceheledwasthat，forthedeadeningofthemindtoanyevil，therewasnonecessityitshouldbedoneanddoneagain；ithadbuttobepresentedintheformofathingdone，orathinggoingtobedone，toseemathingreasonableanddoable。Inhisbeing，aworldoffalseappearanceshadtakentheplaceofreality；acreationofhisownhaddisplacedthecreationoftheessentialLife，bywhosepoweralonehehimselffalselycreated；andinthisworldhewasthedupeofhisownhome-bornphantoms。Outofthisconspiracyofmarshandmirage，whatvilethingsmightnotissue！Oversuchachaosthedevilhaspowerallbutcreative。Hecannotintruthcreate，buthecanwiththedegeneratecreatedworkmoralhorrorstoohideoustobeanalogizedbyanyofthehorrorsoftheunperfectedanimalworld。Sucharebeingconstantlyproducedinhumansociety；manyofthemdieinthedarknessinwhichtheyaregenerated；nowandthenoneissues，blastingthepublicdaywithitshideousglare。Becausetheyareseldomseen，manydenytheyexist，orneedbespokenofiftheydo。Buttoterrifyamanatthepossibilitiesofhisneglectednature，istodosomethingtowardstheredemptionofthatnature。
School-hourswereover，butDaviewasseatedwherehehadlefthim，stillworking。AtsightofhimDonal，feelingasifhehadjustcomefromthepresenceofthedamned，almostburstintotears。AmomentmoreandArcturaentered：itwasasiftheroofofhellgaveway，andtheblueskyoftheeternalcamepouringinheavenlydelugethroughtheruinedvault。
“IhavebeentocalluponSophia，“shesaid。
“Iamgladtohearit，“answeredDonal：anynewsfromanouterworldofyetsalvablehumanitywaswelcomeassummertoalandofice。
“Yes，“shesaid；“Iamabletogoandseehernow，becauseIamnolongerafraidofher——partly，Ithink，becauseInolongercarewhatshethinksofme。Herpowerovermeisgone。“
“Andwillneverreturn，“saidDonal，“whileyoukeepclosetothemaster。Withhimyouneednohumanbeingtosetyouright，andwillallownohumanbeingtosetyouwrong；youwillneedneitherfriendnorministernorchurch，thoughallwillhelpyou。Iamveryglad，forsomethingseemstotellmeIshallnotbelonghere。“
Arcturadroppedonachair——paleasrosybefore。
“Hasanythingfreshhappened？”sheasked，inalowvoicethatdidnotsoundlikehers。“Surelyyouwillnotleavemewhile——I
thought——Ithought——Whatisit？”
“ItisonlyafeelingIhave，“heanswered。“IbelieveIamoutofspirits。“
“Ineversawyousobefore！”saidArctura。“Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobeill。“
“Oh，no；itisnotthat！Iwilltellyousomeday，butIcannotnow。
AllisinGod\'shands！”
Shelookedanxiouslyathim，butdidnotaskhimanyquestionmore。
Sheproposedtheyshouldtakeaturninthepark，andhisgloomworegraduallyoff。
CHAPTERLIX。
DUSTTODUST。
Thenextnight，asifbyacommonunderstanding，foritwaswithoutwordspoken，thethreemetagaininthehousekeeper\'sroom，whereshehadsupperwaiting。Ofbusinessnothingwassaiduntilthatwasover。MistressBrookestoldthemtwoorthreeofthestoriesofwhichshehadsomany，andDonalrecountedoneortwoofthosethatfloatedabouthiscountry-side。
“I\'vebeenthinkin\'，“saidmistressBrookesatlength，“seein\'it\'sabonnystarrynicht，wecouldnadobetterthanliftan\'laydoonthisvarranicht。Thehooseisasleep。“
“Whatdoyousaytothatplaceintheparkwherewasonceamausoleum？”saidDonal。
“It\'sthevarraplace！——an\'thesoonerthebetter——dinnayethink，mylady？”
ArcturawithalookreferredthequestiontoDonal。
“Surely，“heanswered。“Butwilltherenotbesomepreparationstomake？”
“There\'snoneedo\'mony！”returnedthehousekeeper。“I\'llgetafineauldsheet，an\'intil\'twe\'llputtheremains，an\'rowthemup，an\'carrythemtotheirhame。I\'llgoan\'getit，mylady——Butwouldna\'tbebetterforyouandme，sir，togeta\'thatdunebyoorsel\'s？Myleddycouldj\'inuswhanwecamup。“
“Shewouldn\'tliketobeleftherealone。Thereisnothingtobecalledfearsome！”
“Nothingatall，“saidArctura。
“Theforcesofnature，“saidDonal，“areconstantlyatworktodestroythedreadful，andrestorethewholesome。Itisbutafewhandfulsofcleandust。“
Thehousekeeperwenttooneofherpresses，andbroughtoutasheet。
DonalputaplaidroundladyArctura。Theywentuptoherroom，andsodowntothechapel。Half-waydownthenarrowdescentmistressBrookesmurmured，“Eh，sirs！”andsaidnomore。
Eachcarriedalight，andthetwocouldseethechapelbetter。A
statelylittleplaceitwas：whenthewindowswereunmasked，itwouldbebeautiful！
Theystoodforsomemomentsbythesideofthebed，regardinginsilence。Seldomsurehadbedborneonewhosleptsolong！——onewho，neverwakingmightlietherestill！Whentheyspokeitwasinwhispers。
“Howarewetomanageit，mistressBrookes？”saidDonal。
“Laythesheethandy，alangthesideo\'thebed，maisterGrant，an\'
Is\'layinthedist，han\'fu\'byhan\'fu\'。Ihaethatrespec\'forthedeid，Ihaenodifficletyaboothan\'lin\'onythingbelongin\'tothem。“
“Gienithadnabeenthathetuikitagain，“saidDonal，“theLord\'sainbodywadhaecometothis。“
Ashespokehelaidthesheetonthebed，andbegantolayinitthedrydustandair-wastedbones，handlingthemasreverentlyasifthespirithadbutjustdeparted。MistressBrookeswouldhavepreventedArctura，butsheinsistedonhavinghershareintheburyingofherown：whotheywereGodknew，buttheyshouldbehersanyhow，andonedayshewouldknow！Fortofancywegointotheotherworldasetofspiritualmolesburrowinginthedarkofanewandunknownexistence，isworthyonlyofsuchashavealifelessLawtotheirsire。Weshallenteritaschildrenwithahistory，aschildrengoinghometoalonglineoflivingancestors，todevelopclosestrelationswiththem。Shewouldyettalk，livefacetoface，withthosewhosedustshewasnowliftinginhertwohandstorestoreittoitsdust。Thentheycarriedthesheettothealtar，andthencesweptintoiteverylittleparticle，backtoitsmotherdust。Thatdone，Donalknottedthesheettogether，andtheybegantolookaroundthem。
Desirousofdiscoveringwherethemainentrancetothechapelhadbeen，Donalspiedunderthewindowsaseconddoor，andopeneditwithdifficulty。Itdisclosedapassagebelowthestair，threestepslowerthanthefloorofthechapel，parallelwiththewall，andturning，atrightanglesunderthegallery。Herehesawsignsofanobliterateddoorintheouterwall，butcouldexaminenofartherforthepresent。
Inthemeantimehiscompanionshadmadeanothersortofdiscovery：
nearthefootofthebedwasalittletable，onwhichweretwodrinkingvessels，apparentlyofpewter，andamoulderingpackofcards！Card-playingandthehiddenroomdidholdsomerelationwitheachother！Thecardsandthedevilwerereal！
Donaltookupthesheet——alightburden，andArcturaledtheway。
Arrivedatherroom，theywentsoftlyacrosstothedooropeningonDonal\'sstair——notwithoutfearoftheearl，whomindeedtheymightmeetanywhere——andbythatdescending，reachedtheopenair，andtooktheirwaydowntheterracesandthroughtheparktotheplaceofburial。
Itwasafrostynight，withthewaningsickleofamoonlowintheheaven，andmanybrilliantstarsaboveit。Followedbyfaintetherealshadows，theypassedoverthegrass，throughtheghostlyluminousdusk——offunerealprocessionsoneofthestrangestthateversoughtatomb。
Theruinwasinahollow，surroundedbytrees。Donalremovedanumberoffallenstonesanddugagrave。Theyloweredintoittheknottedsheet，threwintheearthagain，heapedthestonesabove，andleftthedustwithitsdust。Thensilenttheywentback，straightalongthegreen，moon-regardedratherthanmoon-litgrass：
ifanyonehadseenthemthroughthepalestarrynight，hewouldsurelyhavetakenthemforaprocessionofthedeadthemselves！
NodreamofdeathsoughtArcturathatnight，butinthemorningshewokesuddenlyfromoneofdisembodieddelight。
CHAPTERLX。
ALESSONABOUTDEATH。
WHATEVERladyArcturamightdecideconcerningtherestorationofthechapeltothelightofday，Donalthoughtitwouldnotbeamisstofind，withouttroublingher，whathecouldofitsrelationtotherestofthehouse：anditfavouredhiswishthatArcturawasprevaileduponbythehousekeepertoremaininbedthenextday。Herstrongwill，goodcourage，andtrustingheart，hadmadeseveredemandsuponanorganizationasdelicateasresponsive。ItwasnowSaturday：heresolvedtogoaloneintheafternoontoexplore——andfirstofallwouldtrythedoorbesidethelittlegallery。
Assoonashewasfree，hegotthetoolshejudgednecessary，andwentdown。
Thedoorwasofstrongsoundoak，withornateironhingesrightacrossit。Hewasonthebettersideforopeningit，thatis，theinside，butthoughtheendsofthehingeswereexposed，thedoorwassowellwithintheframethatitwasuselesstothinkofheavingthemoffthebearing-pins。Thehugelockanditsboltwerelikewisebeforehim，butthekeywasinthelockfromtheotherside，sothatitcouldnotbepicked；whilethenailsthatfastenedittothedoorwereprobablyrivetedthroughaplate。Buttherewasthesocketintowhichtheboltshot！thatwasmerelyanironstaple！hemighteitherforceitoutwithalever，orfileitthrough！Havingremovedtheroughestoftherustwithwhichitwascaked，andsoreduceditsthicknessconsiderably，hesethimselftothetaskoffilingitthrough，firstatthetopthenatthebottom。Itwasaslowbutasureprocess，andwouldmakenogreatnoise。
Althoughitwasbroaddaylightoutside，solikemidnightwasithereandtheseasonthatbelongstothedead，thathewashauntedwiththeideaofapresencebehindhim。Butnotoncedidheturnhisheadtosee，forheknewthatifheyieldedtotheinclination，itwouldbutreturnthestronger。Oldexperiencehadtaughthimthatthewaytomeetthehorrorsofthefancyistorefusethemasinglehair\'s-breadthofobedience。Andasheworkedtheconvictiongrewthattheonlyprotectionagainsttheterrorsofalienpresenceistheconsciousnessofthehomepresenceoftheeternal：ifamanfeltthatpresence，howcouldhefearanyother？Butforthosewhoarenotonewiththesourceofbeing，everymanifestationofthatbeinginalifeotherthantheirown，mustbemoreorlessaterrortothem；itisalien，antipathous，other，——itmaybeunappeasable，implacable。Thetimemustevencomewhentosuchtheirownbeingwillbeahorrorofrepugnantconsciousness；forGodnotselfisours——hisbeing，notourown，isourhome；heisourkind。
Theworkwasslow——theimpressiononthehardironofthewornfilesoweakthathewasoftenonthepointofgivinguptheattempt。
Fatigueatlengthbegantoinvadehim，andtherewiththesenseofhissituationgrewmorekeen：greatwearinessovercomesterror；thebeginningsofwearinessenhanceit。Everynowandthenhewouldstop，thinkingheheardthecryofachild，onlytorecognizeitasthenoiseofhisfile。Heresolvedatlasttostopforthenight，andafterteagotothetowntobuyanewandfitterfile。
ThenextdaywasSunday，andintheafternoonDonalandDaviewerewalkingintheoldavenuetogether。Theyhadbeentochurch，andhadheardadullsermononthemoststirringfactnexttotheresurrectionoftheLordhimself——hisraisingofLazarus。Thewholeaspectofthething，aspresentedbythepreachingman，wassodullandunreal，thatnotawordonthesubjecthadpassedbetweenthemonthewayhome。
“Mr。Grant，howcouldanybodymakeadeadmanliveagain？”saidDaviesuddenly。
“Idon\'tknow，Davie，“answeredDonal。“IfIcouldknowhow，I
shouldprobablybeabletodoitmyself。“
“Itisveryhardtobelieve。“
“Yes，veryhard——thatis，ifyoudonotknowanythingaboutthepersonsaidtohavedoneit，toaccountforhisbeingabletodoitthoughanothercouldnot。Butjustthinkofthis：ifonehadneverseenorheardaboutdeath，itwouldbeashard，perhapsharder，tobelievethatanythingcouldbringaboutthatchange。Theoneseemstouseasytounderstand，becausewearefamiliarwithit；ifwehadseentheothertakeplaceafewtimes，weshouldseeinitnothingtoostrange，nothingindeedbutwhatwastobeexpectedincertaincircumstances。“
“Butthatisnotenoughtoproveiteverdidtakeplace。“
“Assuredlynot。Itcannotevenmakeitlookintheleastprobable。“
“Tellme，please，anythingthatwouldmakeitlookprobable。“
“Iwillnotansweryourquestiondirectly，butIwillanswerit。
Listen，Davie。
“InallagesmenhavelongedtoseeGod——somemeninagrandway。Atlast，accordingtothestoryofthegospel，thetimecamewhenitwasfitthattheFatherofmenshouldshowhimselftotheminhisson，theoneperfectman，whowashisveryimage。SoJesuscametothem。ButmanywouldnotbelievehewasthesonofGod，fortheyknewGodsolittlethattheydidnotseehowlikehewastohisFather。Others，whoweremorelikeGodthemselves，andsoknewGodbetter，didthinkhimthesonofGod，thoughtheywerenotpleasedthathedidnotmakemoreshow。Hisobjectwas，nottoruleoverthem，buttomakethemknow，andtrust，andobeyhisFather，whowaseverythingtohim。Nowwhenanyonedied，hisfriendsweresomiserableoverhimthattheyhardlythoughtaboutGod，andtooknocomfortfromhim。Theysaidthedeadmanwouldriseagainatthelastday，butthatwassofaroff，thedeadwasgonetosuchadistance，thattheydidnotcareforthat。Jesuswantedtomakethemknowandfeelthatthedeadwerealiveallthetime，andcouldnotbefaraway，seeingtheywereallwithGodinwhomwelive；thattheyhadnotlostthemthoughtheycouldnotseethem，fortheywerequitewithinhisreach——asmuchsoasever；thattheywerejustassafewith，andaswelllookedafterbyhisfatherandtheirfather，astheyhadeverbeeninalltheirlives。Itwasnodoubtadreadful-lookingthingtohavethemputinahole，andwasteawaytodust，buttheywerenotthereforegoneout——theywereonlygonein！
Toteachthemallthishedidnotsaymuch，butjustcalledoneortwoofthembackforawhile。OfcourseLazaruswasgoingtodieagain，butcanyouthinkhistwosisterseitherlovedhimless，orweptasmuchoverhimthenexttimehedied？”
“No；itwouldhavebeenfoolish。“
“Well，ifyouthinkaboutit，youwillseethatnoonewhobelievesthatstory，andweepsastheydidthefirsttime，canescapereproof。WhereJesuscalledLazarusfrom，therearehisfriends，andtherearetheywaitingforhim！Now，Iaskyou，Davie，wasitworthwhileforJesustodothisforus？Isnotthegreatmiseryofourlife，thatthosedeartousdie？Wasit，Isay，athingworthdoing，toletusseethattheyarealivewithGodallthetime，andcanbeproducedanymomenthepleases？”
“Surelyitwas，sir！Itoughttotakeawayallthemisery！”
“Thenitwasanaturalthingtodo；anditisareasonablethingtothinkthatitwasdone。ItwasnaturalthatGodshouldwanttolethischildrenseehim；andnaturalheshouldletthemknowthathestillsawandcaredforthosetheyhadlostsightof。Thewholethingseemstomereasonable；Icanbelieveit。Itimpliesindeedaworldofthingsofwhichweknownothing；butthatisfor，notagainstit，seeingsuchaworldweneed；andifanyoneinsistsonbelievingnothingbutwhathehasseensomethinglike，IleavehimtohismiseryandthemercyofGod。“
Iftheworldhadbeensomadethatmencouldeasilybelieveinthemakerofit，itwouldnothavebeenaworldworthanyman\'slivingin，neitherwouldtheGodthatmadesuchaworld，andsorevealedhimselftosuchpeople，beworthbelievingin。Godaloneknowswhatlifeisenoughforustolive——whatlifeisworthhisandourwhile；
wemaybesureheislabouringtomakeitours。Hewouldhaveitasfull，aslovely，asgrand，asthesparingofnothing，notevenhisownson，canrenderit。Ifwewouldonlylethimhavehisownwaywithus！Ifwedonottrusthim，willnotworkwithhim，arealwaysthwartinghisendeavourstomakeusalive，thenwemustbemiserable；thereisnohelpforit。Astodeath，weknownexttonothingaboutit。“Dowenot！”saythefaithless。“Dowenotknowthedarkness，theemptiness，thetears，thesinkingsofheart，thedesolation！”Yes，youknowthose；butthoseareyourthings，notdeath\'s。Aboutdeathyouknownothing。Godhastoldusonlythatthedeadarealivetohim，andthatonedaytheywillbealiveagaintous。Theworldbeyondthegatesofdeathis，Isuspect，afarmorehomelikeplacetothosethatenterit，thanthisworldistous。
“Idon\'tlikedeath，“saidDavie，afterasilence。
“Idon\'twantyoutolike，whatyoucalldeath，forthatisnotthethingitself——itisonlyyourfancyaboutit。Youneednotthinkaboutitatall。Thewaytogetreadyforitistolive，thatis，todowhatyouhavetodo。“
“ButIdonotwanttogetreadyforit。Idon\'twanttogotoit；
andtoprepareforitislikegoingstraightintoit！”
“Youhavetogotoitwhetheryouprepareforitornot。Youcannothelpgoingtoit。Butitmustbelikethisworld，seeingtheonlywaytoprepareforitistodothethingGodgivesustodo。“
“Aren\'tyouafraidofdeath，Mr。Grant？”
“No，Iamnot。WhyshouldIfearthebestthingthat，initstime，cancometome？Neitherwillyoubeafraidwhenitcomes。Itisnotthedreadfulthingitlooks。“
“Whyshoulditlookdreadfulifitisnotdreadful？”
“Thatisaveryproperquestion。Itlooksdreadful，andmustlookdreadful，toeveryonewhocannotseeinitthatwhichalonemakeslifenotdreadful。Ifyousawagreatdarkcloakcomingalongtheroadasifitwereroundsomebody，butnobodyinsideit，youwouldbefrightened——wouldyounot？”
“IndeedIshould。Itwouldbeawful！”
“Itwould。Butifyouspiedinsidethecloak，andmakingitcometowardsyou，themostbeautifullovingfaceyoueversaw——ofamancarryinginhisarmsalittlechild——andsawthechildclingingtohim，andlookinginhisfacewithablessedsmile，wouldyoubefrightenedattheblackcloak？”
“No；thatwouldbesilly。“
“Youhaveyouranswer！Thethingthatmakesdeathlooksofearfulisthatwedonotseeinsideit。Thosewhoseeonlytheblackcloak，andthinkitismovingalongofitself，maywellbefrightened；butthosewhoseethefaceinsidethecloak，wouldbefoolsindeedtobefrightened！BeforeJesuscame，peoplelivedingreatmiseryaboutdeath；butafterheroseagain，thosewhobelievedinhimalwaystalkedofdyingasfallingasleep；andIdaresaythestoryofLazarus，thoughitwasnotsuchagreatthingaftertherisingoftheLordhimself，hadalargeshareinenablingthemtothinkthatwayaboutit。“
Whentheywenthome，Davie，runninguptoladyArctura\'sroom，recountedtoheraswellashecouldtheconversationhehadjusthadwithMr。Grant。
“Oh，Arkie！”hesaid，“tohearhimtalk，youwouldthinkDeathhadn\'talegtostandupon！”
Arcturasmiled；butitwasasmilethroughacloudofunshedtears。
Lovelyasdeathmightbe，shewouldliketogetthegoodofthisworldbeforegoingtothenext！——AsifGodwoulddenyusanygood！——Atonetimeshehadbeenwillingtogo，shethought，butshewasnotnow！——Theworldhadoflategrownverybeautifultoher！
CHAPTERLXI。
THEBUREAU。
OntheMondaynightDonalagainwentdownintothehiddenpartsofthecastle。Arcturahadcometotheschoolroom，butseemedillableforherwork，andhedidnottellherwhathewasdoingfarther。
Theywererathertheghostsoffearsthanfearsthemselvesthathadassailedhim，andthistimetheyhardlycamenearhimashewrought。
Withhisnewfilehemadebetterworkthanbefore，andsoonfinishedcuttingthroughthetopofthestaple。Tryingitthenwithapokerasalever，hebrokethebottompartacross；sotherewasnothingtoholdthebolt，andwithacreakingnoiseofrustyhingesthedoorslowlyopenedtohissteadypull。Nothingappearedbutawallofplank！Hegaveitapush；ityielded：anotherdoor，close-fitting，andwithoutanyfastening，flewopen，revealingasmallclosetorpress，andontheoppositesideofitathirddoor。Thishecouldnotatonceopen。Itwassecured，however，withacommonlock，whichcosthimscarcelyanytrouble。Itopenedonalittleroom，ofaboutninefeetbyseven。Hewentin。Itcontainednothingbutanold-fashionedsecretaryorbureau，andaseatlikealowmusic-stool。
“Itmayhavebeenavestryforthepriest！”thoughtDonal；“butitmusthavebeenusedlaterthanthechapel，forthisdeskisnotolderthantheoneatTheMains，whichmistressJeansaidwasmadeforhergrandmother！”
Thenhowdiditgetintotheplace？Therewasnootherdoor！Abovethebureauwasasmallwindow，orwhatseemedawindowdoubtfulwithdirt；butdoortherewasnot！Itwasnottoolargetoenterbytheoakdoor，butitcouldnothavegottoitalonganyofthepassageshehadcomethrough！Itfollowedthattheremust，andthatnotsoverylongago，havebeenanotherentrancetotheplaceinwhichhestood！
Heturnedtolookatthewayhehadhimselfcome：itwasthroughacommonpressofpainteddeal，fillingtheendofthelittleroom，therenarrowedtoaboutfivefeet。Whenthedoorinthebackofitwasshut，itlookedmerelyapartofthebackofthepress。
Heturnedagaintothebureau，withastrangefeelingathisheart。
Thecoverwasdown，andonitlaysomesheetsofpaper，discolouredwithdustandage。Apenlaywiththem，andbesidewasanink-bottleofthecommonesttype，theinkinpowderandflakes。Hetookuponeofthesheets。Ithadagreatstainonit。Thebottlemusthavebeenoverturned！Butwasitink？No；itstoodtoothickonthepaper。
WithagruesomeshiverDonalwettedhisfingerandtriedthesurfaceofit：alittlecameoff，atingeofsuspiciousbrown。Therewaswritingonthepaper！Whatwasit？Heheldthefadedlinesclosetothecandle。Theywerenotdifficulttodecipher。Hesatdownonthestool，andreadthus——hisreadingbrokenbythestain：therewasnodate：——
“MyhusbandforsuchIwill——blot——areinthesightofGod——blot——menwhyareyousocruelwhat——blot——deservetheseterrors——blot——inthoughthaveI——blot——harduponmetothinkofanother。“
Herethewritingcamebelowtheblot，andwentonunbroken。
“MylittleoneisgoneandIamleftlonelyohsolonely。IcannotbutthinkthatifyouhadlovedmeasyouoncedidIshouldyetbeclaspingmylittleonetomybosomandyouwouldhaveadaughtertocomfortyouafterIamgone。IfeelsureIcannotlongsurvivethis——ahtheremyhandhasburstoutbleedingagain，butdonotthinkImindit，Iknowitwasonlyanaccident，younevermeanttodoit，thoughyouteasedmebyrefusingtosayso——besidesitisnothing。YoumightdraweverdropofbloodfrommybodyandIwouldnotcareifonlyyouwouldnotmakemyheartbleedso。Oh，itisgoneallovermypaperandyouwillthinkIhavedoneittoletyouseehowitbleeds——butIcannotwriteitalloveragainitistoogreatalabourandtoopainfultowrite，soyoumustseeitjustasitis。Idarenotthinkwheremybabyis，forifIshouldbedoomednevertoseeherbecauseoftheloveIhavebornetoyouandconsentedtobeasyouwishedifIamcastoutfromGodbecauseI
lovedyoumorethanhimIshallneverseeyouagain——fortobewhereIcouldseeyouwouldneverbepunishmentenoughformysins。“
Herethewritingstopped：thebleedingofthehandhadprobablybroughtittoaclose。Theletterhadneverbeenfolded，butlyingthere，hadlainthere。Helookedifhecouldfindadate；therewasnone。Heheldthesheetuptothelight，andsawapapermark；whileclosebylayanothersheetwithmerelyadate——inthesamehand，asifthewriterhadbeenabouttocommenceanotherinlieuoftheletterspoiled。
“Strange！”thoughtDonalwithhimself；“anoldwitheredgrieflooksalmostaspitifulasanoldwitheredjoy！——Butwhoistosayeitheriswithered？Thosewholookupondeathasanevil，yetregarditasthehealerofsorrows！Isitsuch？Noonecantellhowlongagriefmaylastunwithered！Surelytillthelifehealsit！Heisacowardwhowouldbecuredofhissorrowbymerelapseoftime，bythemereforgettingofabrainthatgrowsmustywithage。ItisGodalonewhocanheal——theGodofthedeadandoftheliving！andthedeadmustfindhim，orbemiserableforevermore！”
Hehadnotadoubtthattheletterhehadreadwasinthewritingofthemotherofthepresentearl\'schildren。
Whatwashetodo？Hehadthoughthewaslookingintomattersmucholder——thingsoverwhichthepermissionofladyArcturaextended；
andintruthwhathehaddiscovered，orseencorroborated，wasathingshehadarighttoknow！butwhetherheoughttotellheratoncehedidnotyetsee。Hetookuphiscandle，andwithafeelingofhelplessdismay，withdrewtohischamber。Butwhenhereachedthedoorofit，yieldingtoasuddenimpulse，heturnedaway，andwentfartherupthestair，andoutuponthebartizan。