“No，mylady！”returnedDonal；“ifGodhadnotsentme，hewouldhavesentsomebodyelse；youwereready！”
“Iamverygladhesentyou！Ishouldneverhavelovedanyothersomuch！”
Donal\'seyesfilledwithtears。Hewassimpleasachild。Nomalevanity，noself-exultationthatawomanshouldlovehim，andtellhimshelovedhim，sprangupinhisheart。Heknewshelovedhim；helovedher；allwassonaturalitcouldnotbeotherwise：heneverpresumedtoimagineheroncethinkingofhimashehadthoughtofGinevra。Hewasherservant，willingandlovingasanyangelofGod：
thatwasall——andenough！
“Youarenotvexedwithyourpupil——areyou？”sheresumed，againlookingupinhisface，thistimewitharosyflushonherown。
“Why？”saidDonal，withwonder。
“Forspeakingsotomymaster。“
“Angrybecauseyouloveme？”
“No，ofcourse！”sheresponded，atoncesatisfied。“Youknewthatmustbe！HowcouldIbutloveyou——betterthananyoneelseintheworld！Youhavegivenmelife！Iwasdead——Youhavebeenlikeanotherfathertome！”sheadded，withasmileofheavenlytenderness。“ButIcouldnothavespokentoyoulikethis，ifIhadnotknownIwasdying。“
ThewordshotastingasoffirethroughDonal\'sheart。
“Youarealwaysachild，Mr。Grant，“shewenton；“deathismakingachildofme；itmakesusallchildren：asifweweretwolittlechildrentogether，ItellyouIloveyou——Don\'tlooklikethat，“
shecontinued；“youmustnotforgetwhatyouhavebeenteachingmeallthistime——thatthewillofGod，theperfectGod，isallinall！
HeisnotaGodfaroff：toknowthatisenoughtohavelivedfor！
Youhavetaughtmethat，andIloveyouwithatrueheartfervently。“
Donalcouldnotspeak。Heknewshewasdying。
“Mr。Grant，“shebeganagain，“mysoulisopentohiseyes，andisnotashamed。IknowIamgoingtodowhatwouldbytheworldbecountedunwomanly；butyouandIstandbeforeourFather，notbeforetheworld。Iaskyouinplainwords，knowingthatifyoucannotdoasIaskyouwillingly，youwillnotdoit。AndbesureIshallplainlybedyingbeforeIclaimthefulfilmentofyourpromiseifyougiveit。Idonotwantyouranswerallatonce：youmustthinkaboutit。“
Hereshepausedawhile，thensaid，“Iwantyoutomarryme，ifyouwill，beforeIgo。“
Donalcouldnotyetspeak。Hissoulwasinatumultofemotion。
“Iamtired，“shesaid。“Pleasegoandthinkitover。Ifyousayno，Ishallonlysay，\'Heknowsbestwhatisbest！\'Ishallnotbeashamed。Onlyyoumustnotoncethinkwhattheworldwouldsay：ofallpeoplewehavenothingtodowiththeworld！WehavenothingtodobutwithGodandlove！Ifhebepleasedwithus，wecanaffordtosmileatwhathissillychildrenthinkofus：theymindonlywhattheirvulgarnursessay，notwhattheirperfectfathersays：weneednotmindthem——needwe？——Iwonderatmyself，“shewenton，forDonaldidnotutteraword，“forbeingabletospeaklikethis；butthenI
havebeenthinkingofitforalongtime——chieflyasIlieawake。I
amneverafraidnow——notthoughIlieawakeallnight：\'perfectlovecastethoutfear，\'youknow。IhaveGodtolove，andJesustolove，andyoutolove，andmyownfathertolove！Whenyouknowhim，youwillseehowgoodamancanbewithouthavingbeenbroughtuplikeyou！——Oh，Donal，dosaysomething，orIshallcry，andcryingkillsme！”
Shewassittingonalowchair，withthesunlightacrossherlap——forshewasagaininthesunnyGarland-room——andthefirelightonherface。Donalkneltgentlydown，andlaidhishandsinthesunlightonherlap，justasifheweregoingtosayhisprayersathismother\'sknee。Shelaidbothherhandsonhis。
“Ihavesomethingtotellyou，“hesaid；“andthenyoumustspeakagain。“
“Tellme，“saidArctura，withalittlegasp。
“WhenIcamehere，“saidDonal，“Ithoughtmyheartsobrokenthatitwouldneverlove——thatway，Imean——anymore。ButIlovedGodbetterthanever：andasoneIwouldfainhelp，Ilovedyoufromtheveryfirst。ButIshouldhavescornedmyselfhadIoncefanciedyoulovedmemorethanjusttodoanythingformeIneededdone。WhenI
sawyoutroubled，Ilongedtotakeyouupinmyarms，andcarryyoulikealovelybirdthathadfallenfromoneofGod\'snests；butneveronce，mylady，didIthinkofyourcaringformylove：itwasyoursasamatterofcourse。Ionceaskedaladytokissme——justonce，foragood-bye：shewouldnot——andshewasquiteright；butafterthatIneverspoketoaladybutsheseemedtostandfarawayonthetopofahillagainstasky。“
Hestopped。Herhandsonhisflutteredalittle，asiftheywouldfly。
“Isshestill——isshe——alive？”sheasked。
“Ohyes，mylady。“
“Thenshemay——change——“saidArctura，andstopped，fortherewasastoneinherheart。
Donallaughed。Itwasanoddlaugh，butitdidArcturagood。
“Nodangerofthat，mylady！Shehasthebesthusbandintheworld——amuchbetterthanIshouldhavemade，muchasIlovedher。“
“Thatcan\'tbe！”
“Why，mylady，herhusband\'ssirGibbie！She\'sladyGalbraith！I
wouldneverhavewishedhermineifIhadknownshelovedGibbie。I
lovehernexttohim。“
“Then——then——“
“What，mylady？”
“Then——then——Oh，dosaysomething！”
“WhatshouldIsay？WhatGodwillsisfastastherootsoftheuniverse，andlovelyasitsblossom。“
Arcturaburstintotears。
“Thenyoudonot——careforme！”
Donalbegantounderstand。Insomethingshewentonsofastthathecouldnothearthecrybehindhim。Shehadspoken，andhadbeenlisteninginvainforresponse！Shethoughtherselfunloved：hehadshownhernosignthathelovedher！
Hisheartwassofullofloveandthejoyoflove，thattheyhadmadehimverystill：nowthedelightofloveawoke。Hetookherinhisarmslikeachild，rose，andwentwalkingabouttheroomwithher，pettingandsoothingher。Heheldherclosetohisheart；herheadwasonhisshoulder，andhisfacewasturnedtohers。
“Iloveyou，“hesaid，“andloveyoutoalleternity！Ihaveloveenoughnowtoliveupon，ifyoushoulddieto-night，andIshouldtarrytillhecome。OGod，thouarttoogoodtome！Itismorethanmyheartcanbear！Tomakemenandwomen，andgivethemtoeachother，andnotbeonemomentjealousofthelovewherewiththeyloveoneanother，istobeaGodindeed！”
SosaidDonal——andspokethehightruth。Butalasforthelovewherewithmenandwomenloveeachother！ThereweresmallroomforGodtobejealousofthat！Itisthelittlelovewithwhichtheyloveeachother，thegreatlovewithwhichtheylovethemselves，thathurtstheheartoftheirfather。
Arcturasignedatlengthaprayerforrelease，andhesethergentlydowninherchairagain。Thenhesawherfacemorebeautifulthaneverbefore；andtherosethatbloomedtherewastheroseofahealthdeeperthansickness。ThesechildrenofGodwereoftheblessedfewwholovethemorethattheyknowhimpresent，whosesoulsarenakedbeforehim，andnotashamed。Lethimthathearsunderstand！ifheunderstandnot，lethimholdhispeace，anditwillbehiswisdom！Hewhohasnoplaceforthisloveinhisreligion，whothinkstobemoreholywithoutit，isnotofGod\'smindwhenhesaid，“Letusmakeman！”Hemaybeasaint，buthecannotbeamanafterGod\'sownheart。Thefinishedmanisthesavedman。Thesaintmayhavetobesavedfrommorethansin。
“Whenshallwebemarried？”askedDonal。
“Soon，soon，“answeredArctura。
“To-morrowthen？”
“No，notto-morrow：thereisnosuchhaste——nowthatweunderstandeachother，“sheaddedwitharosysmile。“IwanttobemarriedtoyoubeforeIdie，thatisall——notjustto-morrow，orthenextday。“
“Whenyouplease，mylove，“saidDonal。
Shelaidherheadonhisbosom。
“Weareasgoodasmarriednow，“shesaid：“weknowthateachlovestheother！HowIshallwaitforyou！Youwillbemine，youknow——alittlebitmine——won\'tyou？——evenifyoushouldmarrysomebeautifulladyafterIamgone？——Ishallloveherwhenshecomes。“
“Arctura！”saidDonal。
CHAPTERLXXXI。
AWILLANDAWEDDING。
Buttheopeningofthewindowsofheaven，andtheunspeakablerushoflifethroughchannelstoonarrowandbankstooweaktoholditstide，causedaterribleinundation：theredfloodbrokeitsbanks，andweakenedalltheland。
ArcturasentforMr。Graeme，andcommissionedhimtofetchthefamilylawyerfromEdinburgh。Alonewithhimshegaveinstructionsconcerningherwill。Themanofbusinessshruggedhisshoulders，ladenwithsomanypettyweights，boweddownwithsomanyfalsestopinions，andwouldhaveexpostulatedwithher。
“Sir！”shesaid。
“Youhaveacousinwhoinheritsthetitle！”hesuggested。
“Mr。Fortune，“shereturned，“itmaybeIknowasmuchofmyfamilyasyou。Ididnotsendforyoutoconsultyou，buttotellyouhowI
wouldhavemywilldrawnup！”
“Ibegyourpardon，mylady，“rejoinedthelawyer，“buttherearethingswhichmaymakeitone\'sdutytospeakout。“
“Speakthen；Iwilllisten——thatyoumayeaseyourmind。“
Hebeganalong，common-sense，worldlytalkonthematter，noroncerepeatedhimself。Whenhestopped，——
“Nowhaveyoueasedyourmind？”sheasked。
“Ihave，mylady。“
“Thenlistentome。Thereisnonecessityyoushouldhurteitheryourfeelingsoryourprejudices。IfitgoesagainstyourconsciencetodoasIwish，Iwillnottroubleyou。“
Mr。Fortunebowed，tookhisinstructions，androse。
“Whenwillyoubringitme？”sheasked。
“Inthecourseofaweekortwo，mylady。“
“Ifitisnotinmyhandsbythedayafterto-morrow，Iwillsendforagentlemanfromthetowntoprepareit。“
“Youshallhaveit，mylady，“saidMr。Fortune。
Shedidhaveit，anditwassignedandwitnessed。
Thenshesankmorerapidly。Donalsaidnowordaboutthemarriage：
itshouldbeasshepleased！Hewasmuchbyherbedside，readingtoherwhenshewasabletolisten，talkingtoherorsittingsilentwhenshewasnot。
ArcturahadatoncetoldmistressBrookestherelationinwhichsheandDonalstoodtoeachother。Itcostthegoodwomanmanytears，forshethoughtsuchaloveoneofthesaddestthingsinasadworld。NeitherArcturanorDonalthoughtso。
Theearlatthistimewasalittlebetter，thoughwithoutprospectofeventemporaryrecovery。Hehadgrownmuchgentler，andsadnesshadpartiallydisplacedhissullenness。Heseemedtohavebecomeinameasureawareofthebrutenessofthelifehehadhithertoled：hemusthavehadaglimpseofsomethingbetter。Itiswonderfulwhatthesicknesswhichhumanstupidityregardsastheoneevilthing，candotowardsredemption！Heshowedconcernathisniece\'sillness，andhadhimselfcarrieddowneveryotherdaytoseeherforafewminutes。Shereceivedhimalwayswiththegreatestgentleness，andheshowedsomethingthatseemedlikegenuineaffectionforher。
ItwasamorninginthemonthofMay——
Thenakedtwigswereshiveringallforcold——
whenDonal，whohadbeenwithArcturathegreaterpartofthenight，andnowlayonthecouchinaneighbouringroom，heardMrs。Brookescallhim。
“Myladywantsyou，sir，“shesaid。
Hestartedup，andwenttoher。
“Sendfortheminister，“shewhispered，“——notMr。Carmichael；hedoesnotknowyou。SendforMr。Graemetoo：heandmistressBrookeswillbewitnesses。ImustcallyouhusbandoncebeforeIdie！”
“Ihopeyouwillmanyatimeafter！”hereturned。
Shesmiledonhimwithalookofloveunutterable。
“Mind，“shesaid，holdingoutherarmsfeebly，butdrawinghimfasttoherbosom，“thatthisishowIloveyou！Whenyouseemedullandstupid，andIhardlylookatyou——forthoughdeathmakesbright，dyingmakesstupid——thensaytoyourself，\'Thisisnothowshelovesme；itisonlyhowsheisdying！Shelovesmeandknowsit——andbyandbywillbeabletoshowit！\'“
Theywerepreciouswordsboththenandafterwards！
Withsomecarefulquestioning，tosatisfyhimselfthat，soevidentlyatthegateofdeathsheyetknewperfectlyherownmind，——andnotwithoutsomeshakesoftheheadrevealingdisapprobation，theministerdidashewasrequested，andwroteacertificateofthefact，whichwasdulysignedandwitnessed。
Andifheshowedhisdisapprovalyetmoreintheprayerwithwhichheconcludedtheceremony，nonebutmistressBrookesshowedresponsiveindignation。
Thebridegroomgavehisbrideonegentlekiss，andwithdrewwiththeclergyman。
“PardonmeifIcharacterizethisasastrangeproceeding！”saidthelatter。
“Notsostrangeperhapsasitlooks，sir！”saidDonal。
“Ontheverybrinkoftheotherworld！”
“Theotherworldanditsbrinktooarehiswhoordainedmarriage！”
“Forthisworldonly，“saidtheminister。
“ThegiftsofGodarewithoutrepentance，“saidDonal。
“Ihaveheardofyou！”returnedtheclergyman。“Youareone，theytellme，giventomisusingscripture。“
Hehadconceivedapainfuldoubtthathehadbeendrawnintosomeplot！
“Sir！”saidDonalsternly，“ifyousawanyimproprietyintheceremony，whydidyouperformit？Ibegyouwillnowreserveyourremarks。Yououghttohavemadethembeforeornotatall。Ifyoubesilent，thethingwillprobablyneverbeheardof，andIshouldgreatlydislikehavingitthetown-talk。“
“ExceptIseereason——thatis，ifnothingfollowtorenderdisclosurenecessary，Ishallbesilent，“saidtheminister。
HewouldhavedeclinedthefeeofferedbyDonal；buthewaspoor，anditsamountprevailed：heacceptedit，andtookhisleavewithastiffnessheintendedfordignity：hehadahighsense，ifnotofthedignityofhisoffice，atleastofthedignityhisofficeconferredonhim。
DonalhadnextabriefinterviewwithMr。Graeme。Thefactorwasinastateofutterbewilderment，andreadilyyieldedDonalapromiseofsilence：themerewhimofadyinggirl，ithadbetterbeignoredandforgotten！AstoGrant\'spartinithedidnotknowwhattothink。Itcouldnotaffecttheproperty，hethought：itcouldhardlybeamarriage！Andthentherewasthewill——ofthecontentsofwhichheknewnothing！Ifitwereacompletemarriage，thewillwasworthnothing，beingmadebeforeit！
Iwillnotlingeroverthequiet，sadtimethatfollowed。DonalwastoArctura，shesaid，father，brother，husband，inone。Throughhimshehadreapedtheharvestoftheworld，inspiteoffalsehood，murder，fear，anddistrust！Shelayvictoriousonthebattlefield！
Intheheartofherbridegroomreignedapeacetheworldcouldnotgiveortakeaway。Helovedwithalovethatcasttheloveofformerdaysintotheshadowofasweetbutundesiredremembrance。Alongtwilightlifelaybeforehim，buthewouldhaveplentytodo！andsuchwasthelovebetweenhimandArctura，thateverydoingofthewillofGodwasasthetyingofafreshbondbetweenhimandher：
shewashisbecausetheyweretheFather\'s，whosewillwasthelifeandbondoftheuniverse。
“Ithink，“saidDonal，thatsamenightbyherbed，“whenmymotherdies，shewillgonearyou：Iwill，ifIcan，sendyouamessagebyher。Butitwillnotmatter；itcanonlytellyouwhatyouwillknowwellenough——thatIloveyou，andamwaitingtocometoyou。“
ThestupidityofcallingoneselfaChristian，anddoubtingifweshallknowourfriendshereafter！Inthosewhodonotbelievesuchadoubtismorethannatural，butinthosewhoprofesstobelieve，itshowswhataraggedscarecrowisthethingtheycalltheirfaith——notworththatofmanyanoldJew，orthatofhereandthereapagan！
“Ishallnotbefarfromyou，dear，Ithink——sometimesatleast，“
shesaid，speakingverylow。“Ifyoudreamanythingniceaboutme，thinkIamthinkingofyou。Ifyoushoulddreamanythingnotnice，thinksomethingislyingtoyouaboutme。IdonotknowifIshallbeallowedtocomenearyou，butifIam——andIthinkIshallbe——sometimes，IshalllaughtomyselftothinkhownearIam，andyoufancyingmealongwayoff！Butanywayallwillbewell，forthegreatlife，ourGod，ourfather，is，andinhimwecannotbutbetogether。“
Afterthatshefellintoadeepsleep，andsleptforhours。Thensuddenlyshesatup。Donalputhisarmbehindandsupportedher。Shelookedalittlewild，shuddered，murmuredsomethinghecouldnotunderstand，thenthrewherselfbackintohisarms。Herexpressionchangedtoalookofdivinest，loveliestcontent，andshewasgone。
CHAPTERLXXXII。
THEWILL。
Whenherwillwasread，itwasfoundthat，exceptsomelegacies，andanannuitytoMrs。Brookes，shehadlefteverythingtoDonal。
Mr。Graeme，risingthemomentthelawyerlookedup，congratulatedDonal——politely，notcordially，andtookhisleave。
“Ifyouarewalkingtowardshome，“saidDonal，“Iwillwalkwithyou。“
“Ishallbehappy，“saidMr。Graeme——feelingitnotalittlehardthatonewhowouldsoonbeheirpresumptivetothetitleshouldhavetotendthefamilypropertyintheserviceofastrangerandapeasant。
“LordMorvencannotlivelong，“saidDonalastheywent。“Itisnottobewishedheshould。“
Mr。Graemereturnednoanswer。Donalresumed。
“IthinkIoughttoletyouknowatoncethatyouareheirtothetitle。“
“Ithinkyouowetheknowledgetomyself！”saidthefactor，notwithoutatouchofcontempt。
“Bynomeans，“rejoinedDonal：“onpresumption，afterlordForgue，youtoldme；——afterlordMorven，Itellyou。“
“Iamatalosstoimagineonwhatyoufoundsuchastatement，“saidGraeme，beginningtosuspectinsanity。
“Naturally；nooneknowsitbutmyself。LordMorvenknowsthathissoncannotsucceed，buthedoesnotknowthatyoucan。Iamprepared，ifnottoprove，atleasttoconvinceyouthatheandhisson\'smotherwerenotmarried。“
Mr。Graemewasforamomentsilent。Thenhelaughedalittlelaugh——notapleasantone。“AnotherofTime\'sclownishtricks！”hesaidtohimself：“theearlthefactoronthefamily-estate！”Donaldidnotlikethewayhetookit，butsawhownaturalitwas。
“Ihopeyouhaveknownmelongenough，“hesaid，“tobelieveIhavecontrivednothing？”
“Excuseme，Mr。Grant：thewholebusinesslookssuspicious。Thegirlwasdying！Youknewit！”
“Idonotunderstandyou。“
“Whatdidyoumarryherfor？”
“Tomakehermywife。“
“Praywhatcouldbethegoodofthatexcept——？”
“Doesitneedanyexplanationbutthatwelovedeachother？”
“Youwillfinditdifficulttoconvincetheworldthatsuchwasyoursolemotive。“
“Havingnocarefortheopinionoftheworld，IshallbesatisfiedifIconvinceyou。Theworldneedsneverhearofthething。Wouldyou，Mr。Graeme，havehadmenotmarryher，becausetheworld，includingnotafewhonestmenlikeyourself，wouldsaymyobjectwastheproperty？”
“Don\'tputthequestiontome；Iamnottheproperpersontoanswerit。Thereisnotamaninahundredmillionswhowiththechancewouldnothavedonethesame，orwhomalltherestwouldnotblamefordoingit。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforyou，however，thattherehadbeennowill。“
“How？”
“Itmakesitlookthemorelikeascheme：——thewillmighthavebeendisputed。“
“Whydoyousay——mighthavebeen？”
“Becauseitisnotworthdisputingnow。Ifthemarriagestands，itannulsthewill。“
“Ididnotknow；andIsupposeshedidnotknoweither。Orperhapsshewantedtomakethethingsure：ifthemarriagewasnotenough，thewillwouldbe——shemayhavethought。ButIknewnothingofit。“
“Youdidnot？”
“OfcourseIdidnot。“
Mr。Graemeheldhispeace。ForthefirsttimehedoubtedDonal\'sword。
“ButIwantedtohavealittletalkwithyou，“resumedDonal。“I
wanttoknowwhetheryouthinkyourdutyalltotheowneroftheland，orinanymeasuretothetenantsalso。“
“Thatiseasytoanswer：oneemployedbythelandlordcanowethetenantnothing。“
Itwasnotjusttheanswerhewouldhavegiventoanotherquestioner。
“Doyounotowehimjustice？”askedDonal。
“EverylegaladvantageIoughttotakeformyemployer。“
“Eventothegrindingofthefacesofthepoor？”
“Ihavenothingtodo，ashisemploy？withmyownideasastowhatmaybeequitable。“
HedrewthelinethushardinpureoppositiontoDonal。
“Whatthenwouldyousayifthelandwereyourown？Wouldyousayyouhaditsolelyforyourownandyourfamily\'sgood，orforthatofthetenantsaswell？”
“Ishouldverylikelyreasonthatwhatwasgoodforthemwouldinthelongrunbegoodformetoo——ButifyouwanttoknowhowIhavetreatedthetenants，thereareintelligentmenamongstthem，notatallprejudicedinfavourofthefactor！”
“Iwishyouwouldbeopenwithme，“saidDonal。
“Ipreferkeepingmyownplace，“rejoinedMr。Graeme。
“Youspeakasonewhofoundachangeinme，“returnedDonal。“Thereisnone。“
Sosayingheshookhandswithhim，badehimgoodmorning，andturnedwiththedepressionoffailure。
“Ididnotleaduptothepointproperly！”hesaidtohimself。
CHAPTERLXXXIII。
INSIGHT。
Mr。Graemewasagoodsortofman，andagentleman；buthewasnotcapableofmeetingDonalonthegroundonwhichheapproachedhim：
onthatlevelhehadneversetfoot。Thereisnothingmoredisappointingtothegenerousmanthanthewayinwhichhisabsolutefranknessismetbythemanoftheworld——alwayslookingoutformotives，andimaginingthemafterwhatisinhimself。
Therewasgreatconfidencebetweenthebrotherandsister，andashewalkedhomeward，Mr。GraemewasnotsowellpleasedwithhimselfastothinkwithsatisfactiononthereportoftheinterviewhecouldgiveKate。Hedidnotaccusehimselfwithregardtoanythinghehadsaid，buthefelthisbehaviourinfluencedbyjealousyofthelow-bornyouthwhohadsupplantedhim。For，ifPercycouldnotsucceedtothetitle，neithercouldhehavesucceededtotheproperty；andbutforthewillorthemarriage，perhapsbutforthetwotogether，hewouldhimselfhavecomeinforthatalso！Thewillwasworthnothingexceptthemarriagewasdisputed：annulthemarriage，andthewillwasofforce！
Hetoldhissister，asnearlyashecould，allthathadpassedbetweenthem。
“Ifhewantedmetotalktohim，“hesaid，“whydidhetellmethataboutForgue？Itwasinfernallystupidofhim！Butwhat\'sbredinthebone——！Agentleman\'snotmadeinaday！”
“Norinathousandyears，Hector！”rejoinedhissister。“DonalGrantisagentlemaninthebestsenseoftheword！Thatyousayheisnot，letsmeseeyouarevexedwithyourself。Heisalittleawkwardsometimes，Iconfess；butonlywhenheislookingatathingfromsomeotherpointofview，anddoesnotliketosayyououghttohavebeenlookingatitfromthesame。Andyoucan\'tsayheshuffles，forheneverstopstillhehasdonehisbesttomakeyou！——Whathaveyoubeensayingtohim，Hector？”
“NothingbutwhatIhavetoldyou；it\'sratherwhatIhavenotbeensaying！”answeredherbrother。“Hewouldhavehadmeopenouttohim，andIwouldn\'t。HowcouldI！WhateverIsaidthatpleasedhim，wouldhavelookedasifIwantedtosecuremysituation！Hangitall！Ihaveagoodmindtothrowitup。HowisaGraemetoserveunderabumpkin？”
“Themanisnotabumpkin；heisascholarandapoet！”saidthelady。
“Pooh！pooh！What\'sapoet？”
“Onethatmayormaynotbeasgoodamanofbusinessasyourselfwhenitisrequiredofhim。“
“Come，come！don\'tyouturnagainstme，Kate！It\'shardenoughtobearasitis！”
MissGraememadenoreply。ShewasmeditatingallsheknewofDonal，toguidehertothesomethingtowhichshewassureherbrotherhadnotlethimcome；andpresentlyshemadehimrecountagainalltheyhadsaidtoeachother。
“Itellyou，Hector，“sheexclaimed，“younevermadesuchafoolofyourselfinyourlife！IfIknowhumannature，thatmanisdifferentfromanyotheryouhavehadtodowith。Itwilltakeawoman，abetterwomanthanyoursister，Iconfess，tounderstandhim；butI
seealittlefartherintohimthanyoudo。Heisamanwho，neverhavinghadmoneyenoughtolearnthebadusesofit，andneverhavingformedhabitsittakesmoneytosupply，havingnoambition，livinginbooksnotinplaces，andforpleasurehavingmoreathiscommandinhimselfthantherichest——heisamanwho，Isay，wouldfindmoneyanimpedimenttohishappiness，forhemusthaveasenseofdutywithregardtoitwhichwouldinterferewitheverythinghelikedbest。Besides，thoughhedoesnotcareastrawforthejudgmentoftheworldwhereitdiffersfromhim，hewouldbesorrytoseemtogoagainstthatjudgmentwhereheagreeswithit：
scorningtomarryanywomanforhermoney，hewouldnothavetheworldthinkhehaddoneso。“
“Ah，Katey，thereIhaveyou！Theworldwouldentirelyapproveofhisdoingthat！”
“Iwilltakeabetterpositionthen：——hewouldnotwillinglyseemtohavedoneathinghehimselfdespises。Themanbelieveshimselfsentintotheworldtoteachitsomething：hewouldnothaveitthrowninhisteeththat，afterall，helookstothemainchanceaskeenlyasanother！Hewouldstarvebeforehewouldhavemensayso——yes，evensaysofalsely。IamassurehedidnotmarryladyArcturaforhermoney，asIamsurelordForgue，oryou，Hector，wouldhavedoneitifyouhadhadachance——There！——Myconvictionisthatthebumpkinsoughtafitopeningtotellyouthatthewillwastogofornothing，andthatnowordneedbesaidaboutthemarriage。Youknowhemadeyoupromisenottomentionit——onlyIwormeditoutofyou！”
“That\'sjustlikeyouwomen！Themanyoutakeafancytoisalwaysheadandshouldersaboveothermen！”
“Asyoutakeitso，Iwilltellyoumore：thatmanwillnevermarryagain！”
“Waitabit。Admirationissometimesmutual：whoknowsbuthemayaskyounext！”
“Ifhedidaskme，Imighttakehim，butIshouldneverthinksomuchofhim！”
“HeroicKate！”
“Ifyouhadbeenalittlemoreheroic，Hector，youwouldhaverespondedtohim——andfounditconsiderablytoyouradvantage。“
“Youdon\'timagineIwouldbeindebted——“
“Hush！Hush！Don\'tpledgeyourselfinahurry——eventome！”saidKate。“Leaveaswideasea-marginaboutyourboatasyoumay。Youdon\'tknowwhatyouwouldorwouldnot。Mr。Grantknows，butyoudonot。“
“Mr。Grantagain！——Well！”
“Well！——weshallsee！”
Andtheysoondid。ForthatsameeveningDonalcalled，andaskedtoseeMissGraeme。
“Iamsorrymybrotherisgonedowntothetown，“shesaid。
“ItwasyouIwantedtosee，“heanswered。“Iwishtospeakopenlytoyou，forIimagineyouwillunderstandmebetterthanyourbrother。PerhapsIoughtrathertosay——Ishallbebetterabletoexplainmyselftoyou。“
Therewasthatinhiscountenancewhichseemedtoseizeandholdher——acalmexaltation，asofamanwhohadoutlivedweaknessandwasfacingtheeternal。Thespiritofasmilehoveredabouthismouthandeyes，embodyingitselfnowandtheninagrave，sweet，satisfiedsmile：themanseemedfullofcontent，notwithhimself，butwithsomethinghewouldgladlyshare。
“Ihavebeentalkingwithyourbrother，“hesaid，afterabriefpause。
“Iknow，“sheanswered。“Iamafraidhedidnotmeetyouasheought。Heisagoodandhonourableman；butlikemostmenheneedsamomenttopullhimselftogether。Fewmen，Mr。Grant，whensuddenlycalledupon，answerfromthebestthatisinthem。“
“Thefactissimplythis，“resumedDonal：“IdonotwanttheMorvenproperty。IthankGodforladyArctura：whatwashersIdonotdesire。“
“Butmayitnotbeyourdutytotakeit，Mr。Grant？——Pardonmeforsuggestingdutytoonewhoalwaysactsfromit。“
“Ihavereflected，anddonotthinkGodwantsmetotakeit。Becausesheismine，oughtIofnecessitytobeenslavedtoallheraccidents？MustI，becauseIloveher，hoardhergownsandshoes？”
ThenfirstMissGraemenotedthatheneverspokeofhiswifeasinthepast。
“Butthereareotherstobeconsidered，“shereplied。“Youhavemademethinkaboutmanythings，Mr。Grant！MybrotherandIhavehadmanytalksastowhatwewoulddoifthelandwereours。“
“Andyoursitshallbe，“saidDonal，“ifyouwilltakeitasatrustforthegoodofallwhomitsupports。Ihaveotherworktodo。“
“Iwilltellmybrotherwhatyousay，“answeredMissGraeme，withvictoryinherheart——forwasitnotasshehaddivined？
“Itisbetter，“continuedDonal，“tohelpmakegoodmenthanhappytenants。Besides，Iknowhowtodotheone，andIdonotknowhowtodotheother。Therewouldalwaysbeaprejudiceagainstmetoo，asnottothemannerborn。Butifyourbrothershouldacceptmyoffer，IhopehewillnotthinkmeinterferingifItalksometimesoftheprinciplesoftherelation。Thingsgowrong，generally，becausemenhavesuchabsurdandimpossiblenotionsaboutpossession。Theycallthingstheirownwhichitisimpossible，fromtheirverynature，evertopossessormaketheirown。Powerwasnevergiventomanovermenforhisownsake，andthenearerhethatsousesitcomestosuccess，themoreutterwillprovehisdiscomfiture。Talktoyourbrotheraboutit，MissGraeme。Tellhimthat，asheirtothetitle，andasheadofthefamily，hecandomorethananyotherwiththeproperty，andIwillgladlymakeitovertohimwithoutreserve。I
wouldnotbeevenpartiallyturnedasidefrommyowncalling。“
“Iwilltellhimwhatyousay。Itoldhimhehadmisunderstoodyou。
Isawintoyourgenerousthought。“
“Itisnotgenerousatall。MydearMissGraeme，youdonotknowhowlittleofatemptationsuchthingsaretome！TherearesomewhoonlycaretoinheritstraightfromthefirstFather。YoumaysaytheearthistheLord\'s，andthereforeapartofthatfirstinheritance：
Iadmitit；butsuchpossessionasthisinquestionwouldnotsatisfymeintheleast。Imustinherittheearthinafardeeper，grander，truerwaythancallingthelandmine，beforeIshallcountmyselftohavecomeintomyown。Iwanttohaveallthingsjustasthemakerofmewantsmetohavethem——Iwillcallonyouagainto-morrow；Imustnowgobacktotheearl。Poorman，heissinkingfast！butIbelieveheismoreatpeacethanhehaseverbeenbefore！”
Donaltookhisleave，andMissGraemehadplentytothinkoftillherbrother\'sreturn：ifshefeltalittletriumphant，itmaybepardonedher。
Hewasashamed，andnotalittlehumbledbywhatshetoldhim。HedidnotwaitforDonaltocometohim，butwenttothecastleearlythenextmorning。NorwashemistakenintrustingDonaltobelievethatitwasnotfromeagernesstoretraceinhisowninterestthefalsestephehadtaken，butfromdesiretoshowhisshameofhavingbehavedsoungenerously：Donalreceivedhimsoastomakeitplainhedidnotmisunderstandhim，andtheyhadalongtalk。GraemewasallthereadierforhisblundertohearwhatDonalhadtosay，andDonal\'sunquestionabledisinterestednesswasendlesslypotentwithGraeme。TheirinterviewresultedinDonal\'sthinkingstillbetterofhimthanbefore，andbeingsatisfiedthat，uptohislight，themanwashonest——whichissayingmuch——andthenceopentoconviction，andbothsidesofaquestion。Butereitwasnaturallyover，Donalwassummonedtotheearl。
Afterhisniece\'sdeath，noonewoulddoforhimbutDonal；nobodycouldpleasehimbutDonal。Hismindaswellashisbodywasmuchweaker。Buttheintellect，greatthingthoughitbe，isyetbutthesoiloutofwhich，orratherinwhich，higherthingsmustgrow，anditiswellwhenthatsoilisnottoostrong，sotospeak，forthemostgraciousandlovelyofplantstorootthemselvesinit。Whenthesaidsoilisproudandunwillingtoserve，itmustbethinnedandpulverizedwithsickness，failure，poverty，fear——thatthegoodseedsofGod\'sgardenmaybeabletorootthemselvesinit；whentheygetupalittle，theywillusealltherichesandallthestrengthofthestiffestsoil。
“Whowillhavethepropertynow？”heaskedoneday。“Isthefactoranywhereintherunning？”
“Titleandpropertybothwillbehis，“answeredDonal。
“AndmypoorDavie？”saidtheearl，withwistfulquestionintheeyesthatgazedupinDonal\'sface。“Forgue，therascal，hasallmymoneyinhispoweralready。“
“IwillseetoDavie，“repliedDonal。“WhenyouandImeet，mylord——byandby，Ishallnotbeashamed。“
Thepoormanwassatisfied。HesentforDavie，andtoldhimhewasalwaystodoasMr。Grantwished，thathelefthiminhischarge，andthathemustbehavetohimlikeason。
Daviewasfastmakingacquaintancewithdeath——butitwasnottohimdreadfulastomostchildren，forhesawitthroughthefaceandwordsofthemanwhomhemosthonoured。
CHAPTERLXXXIV。
MORVENHOUSE。
IntheeveningDonalwentagaintothehome-farm。Findinghimselfaloneinthedrawing-room，hewalkedoutintotheoldgarden。
“ThankGod，“hesaidtohimself，“ifmywifeshouldcomeheresomesad，sweetnight，withalowmoon-crescent，andagentlythinkingwind，andwanderaboutthegarden，itwillnotbetoknowherselfforgotten！”
Hewentupanddownthegrassypaths。Onceagain，allaslongago——foritseemedlongnow——hewasjoinedbyMissGraeme。
“Icouldn\'thelpfancying，“shesaidasshecameuptohim，“thatI
sawladyArcturawalkingbyyourside——Godforgiveme！howcouldI
besoheartlessasmentionher！”
“Hernamewillalwaysbepleasantinmyears，“returnedDonal。“I
wasthinkingofher——thatwashowyoufeltasifyousawher！Youdidnotreallyseeanything，didyou？”
“Oh，no！”
“Sheisnearermethanthat，“saidDonal。“ShewillbewithmewhereverIam；Ishallneverbesad。Godiswithme，andIdonotweepthatIcannotseehim：Iwait；Iwait。“
MissGraemewasintears。
“Mr。Grant，“shesaid，“sheisgoneahappyangeltoheaveninsteadofapiningwoman！Thatisyourdoing！Godblessyou！——Youwillletmethinkofyouasafriend？”
“Always；always：youlovedher。“
“Ididnotatfirst；Ithoughtofheronlyasapoortroubledcreature！NowIknowtherewasmorelifeinhertroublethaninmycontent。Icamenotonlytoloveher，buttolookuptoherasasaint：ifevertherewasone，itwasshe，Mr。Grant。SheoftencamehereafterIshowedherthatpoem。Sheusedtowalkherealoneinthetwilight。ThathorridMissCarmichael！shewastheplagueofherlife！”
“ShewasGod\'smessenger——tobuffether，andmakeherknowherneedofhim。Besure，MissGraeme，notasoulcandowithouthim。“
HereMr。Graemejoinedthem。
“Idonotthinktheearlwilllastmanydays，“saidDonal。“Itwouldbewell，itseemstome，atonceuponhisdeathtotakepossessionofthehouseinthetown。Itistheonlypropertythatgoeswiththetitle。Andofcourseyouwouldatoncetakeupyourabodeinthecastle！Youwillfindintheearl\'spapersmanyproofs，Iimagine，thathissonhasnoclaim。Iwouldhaveadeedofgiftdrawnup，butwouldratheryouseemedtocomeinbynaturalsuccession。Wearenotboundtotelltheworldeverything；weareonlyboundtobeablewithoutshametotelliteverything。AndthenIshallhaveafavourtoask：MorvenHouse，downinthetown，isofnogreatusetoyou：
letmerentitofyou。Ishouldliketolivethereandhaveaschool，withDavieformyfirstpupil。Whenwegetanother，wewilltrytomakeamanofhimtoo。Wewillnotcaresomuchaboutmakingagreatscholar，oragreatanythingofhim，butatrueman。Wewilltrytohelpthewholemanofhimintothelikenessoftheoneman。“
HereMr。Graemebrokein。
“Youwillnevermakealivingthatway！”hesaid。
Donalopenedhiseyesandlookedathim。Likeoneconvictedandashamed，theeyesofthemanofbusinessfellbeforethoseofthemanofGod。
“Ah，“saidDonal，“youhavenotanidea，Mr。Graeme，onhowlittleI
couldlive！——Here，youhadbettertakethewill，“headded，pullingitfromhispocket。
Mr。Graemehesitated。
“Ifyouwouldrathernot，Iwillkeepit。Iwouldthrowitinthefire，buteitheryouorImustkeepitforatimeasagainstallchances。“
Mr。Graemetookit。
Thatnighttheearldied。
DonalwrotetoPercythathisfatherwasdead。Twodaysafter，heappeared。Thenewearlmethiminthehall。
“Mr。Graeme，“saidPercy，——
“IamlordMorven，Mr。Graeme，“returnedhislordship。
Thefellowsaidanevilword，turnedonhisheel，andleftthemtoburyhisfatherwithouthim。
Thefuneralover，theearlturnedtoDonalandlookedhimintheface：theywalkedbacktothecastlearminarm，andfromthatmomentwereasbrothers。
EarlHectordidnothingofimportancewithoutconsultingDonal，andDonalhadthemoreinfluencebothwithlandlordandtenantsthathehadnointerestintheproperty。
Thesameweekheleftthecastle，andtookpossessionofMorvenHouse。ThepeoplesaidMr。Granthadplayedhiscardswell：hadtheyknownwhathehadreallydone，theywouldhavecalledhimabornidiot。
Davie，towhomnocalamitycouldbeoverwhelmingsolongashehadMr。Grant，accompaniedhimgladly，morethancontenttolivewithhimtillhewenttocollege，whithertheearlwishedtosendhim。
Donalhinderedratherthanspedtheday。Whenitcame，theearlwouldhavehadhimgotoo，butDonalwouldnot。
“IhavedonewhatIcan，“hesaid。“Itistimeheshouldwalkalone。“
Itwassoonevidentthattheboywouldnotdisgracehim。Thereisnocertaintyastohowdeepanyteachingmayhavegone——astowhetherithasreachedtheissuesoflifeornot，untilayouthisleftbyhimself，andhastochooseandrefusecompanions：themostpromisingyouthsareoftenbutpromisers。
WiththefullconcurrenceofMissGraeme，DonalhadpersuadedmistressBrookes——easypersuasionwherethesuggestionwasenough！——tokeephouseforhim。Theywenttogether，andtogetherunlockedthedoorofMorvenHouse。
MistressBrookessaidtheplacewasinanawfulstate。Therewasnotmuch，tobesure，forthemasontodo，butforthecarpenter！Ithadnotbeentouchedforgenerations！Hemustgoaway，andstayawaytillshesummonedhim！
Donalgladlywenthometohishills，andtookDaviewithhim。Hetoldhisfatherandmother，sirGibbieandhislady，thethingsthathadbefallenhim，andeveryoneapprovedheartilyofwhathehaddone。Hismothertookhisrenunciationofthepropertyasamatterofcourse。Allagreeditshouldnotbespokenof。WhentheyreturnedtoAuchars，sirGibbieandladyGalbraithwentwiththem，andstaidforsomeweeks。Thetownsfolksaidhewasbutapoorbaronetthatcouldnotspeakmortalword。
LordMorvenandMissGraemehaddonetheirbesttomakethehousewhattheythoughtDonalwouldlike。ButinthecastletheykeptforhimtheroomsladyArcturahadcalledherown。Therehegatheredthebooks，andafewotherofthemoreimmediatelypersonalpossessionsofhiswife——herpianoforone——uponwhichhetaughthimselftoplayalittle；andthitherhebetookhimselfoftenonholidays，andalwaysonSundayevenings。WhatwentonthenIleavetotheimaginationofthereaderwhoknowsthataloneonemaymeetmany，sittingstillmaytravelfar，andsilentmaketheuniversehear。
LordMorvenkeptLarkieforDavie。ThelastIheardofDaviewasthathewasinIndia，anofficerinthearmy，belovedofhismen，andexercisingamostbeneficialinfluenceonhisregiment。Thethingshehadlearnedhehadsolearnedthattheywentoutfromhim，findingnewgroundinwhichtorootandgrow。Inhisdayandgenerationhehelpedthecomingofthekingdomoftruthandrighteousness，andsofulfilledhishighcalling。
ItwassometimebeforeDonalhadanypupils，andheneverhadmany，forhewasregardedasamostpeculiarman，withideasabouteducationoddintheextreme。Itwasgranted，however，that，ifaboystayed，orratherifheallowedhimtostaywithhimlongenough，hewassuretoturnoutagentleman：thatwhichwasdeeperandwasthelifeofthegentleman，peopleseldomsaw——wouldseldomhavevaluediftheyhadseen。Mostparentswouldliketheirchildrentobeladiesandgentlemen；thattheyshouldbesonsanddaughtersofGod，theydonotcare！
ThefewwisesoulsintheneighbourhoodknowDonalastheheartoftheplace——themantogotoinanydifficulty，inanytroubleorapprehension。
MissCarmichaelgrewbydegreeslesstalkative，andlessobtrusiveofheropinions。AftersomeyearsshecondescendedtomarryafarmeronlordMorven\'sestate。Theironlychild，athoughtfulboy，andatruereader，soughtthecompanyofthegravemanwiththesweetsmile，goingoftentohishousetoaskhimaboutthisorthat。HeremindedhimofDavie，andgrewverydeartohim。Themotherdiscoveringthat，asoftenashestoleaway，itwastogotothemaster——everybodycalledhimthemaister——scoldedandforbade。Buttheprohibitionbroughtsuchatimeoftearsandgloomandlossofappetite，andherhusbandsolittlesharedherprejudicesagainstthemaster，thatshewascompelledtorecallit，andtheboywentandwentasbefore。Whenhewastakenill，andonhisdeathbed，nobodycouldmakehimhappybutthemaster；healmostnursedhimthroughthelastfewdaysofhisshortearthlylife。Butthemotherseemednottolikehimanythebetter——rathertoregardhimashavingdeprivedherofsomeofherrightsintheloveofherboy。
DonalisstillapresentpowerofheatandlightinthetownofAuchars。Hewearsthesamesolemnlook，thesamehoveringsmile。
Theysaytothosewhocanreadthem，“IknowinwhomIhavebelieved。“ItistheGodwhoistheFatheroftheLordthathebelievesin。HislifeishidwithChristinGod，andhehasnoanxietyaboutanything。Thewheelsofthecomingchariot，movingfastorslowtofetchhim，arealwaysmoving；andwhetheritarriveatnight，oratcock-crowing，orintheblazeofnoon，isonetohim。HeisreadyforthelifehisArcturaknows。“Godis，“hesays，“andalliswell。“Heneverdisputes，rarelyseekstoconvince。“I
willletwhatlightIhaveshine；butdisputationissmoke。Itistonoprofit！——AndIdolike，“hesays，“togiveandtogetthegoodofthings！”
THEEND