andgriefbeginstocloseonpeople，astheirpoweroflifedeclines。Wesaidthatshewashardofhearing；
butmyopinionwas，thatseeingmeinclinedformarriagemadeherthinkofmyfather，andsoperhapsalittletoomuch，todwellonthecourtingofthirtyyearsagone。Anyhow，shewastheverybestofmothers；
andwouldsmileandcommandherself；andbeortrytobelieveherselfashappyascouldbe，inthedoingsoftheyoungerfolk，andherownskillindetectingthem。
Yet，withthewisdomofage，renouncinganyopinionuponthematter；sincenonecouldseetheendofit。
ButLornainherbrightyoungbeauty，andherknowledgeofmyheart，wasnottobecheckedbyanythoughtsofhaplycomingevil。Inthemorningshewasup，evensoonerthanIwas，andthroughallthecornersofthehens，rememberingeveryoneofthem。Icaughtherandsalutedherwithsuchwarmthbeingnownonetolookatus，thatshevowedshewouldnevercomeoutagain；andyetshecamethenextmorning。
Thesethingsoughtnottobechronicled。YetIamofsuchnature，thatfindingmanypartsoflifeadversetoourwishes，Imustnowandthendrawpleasurefromtheblessedportions。Andwhatportioncanbemoreblessedthanwithyouth，andhealth，andstrength，tobelovedbyavirtuousmaid，andtoloveherwithallone’sheart？Neitherwasmypridediminished，whenIfoundwhatshehaddone，onlyfromherloveofme。
EarlBrandir’sancientsteward，inwhosechargeshehadtravelled，withaproperescort，lookeduponherasalovelymaniac；andthemixtureofpityandadmirationwherewithheregardedher，wasastrangethingtoobserve；especiallyafterhehadseenoursimplehouseandmanners。Ontheotherhand，Lornaconsideredhimaworthybutfoolisholdgentleman；towhomtruehappinessmeantnomorethanmoneyandhighposition。
Thesetwolastshehadbeenreadytoabandonwholly，andhadinpartescapedfromthem，astheenemiesofherhappiness。Andshetookadvantageofthetimes，inatrulyclevermanner。Forthathappenedtobeatime——asindeedalltimeshithertosofarasmyknowledgeextends，have，somehow，orother，happenedtobe——wheneverybodywasonlytoogladtotakemoneyfordoinganything。Andthegreatestmoney-takerinthekingdomnexttotheKingandQueen，ofcourse，whohadduepre-eminence，andhadtaughtthemaidsofhonourwasgenerallyacknowledgedtobetheLordChiefJusticeJeffreys。
Uponhisreturnfromthebloodyassizes，withtriumphandgreatglory，afterhangingeverymanwhowastoopoortohelpit，hepleasedhisGraciousMajestysopurelywiththedescriptionoftheirdelightfulagonies，thattheKingexclaimed，’Thismanaloneisworthytobeattheheadofthelaw。’AccordinglyinhishandwasplacedtheGreatSealofEngland。
SoitcametopassthatLorna’sdestinyhunguponLordJeffreys；foratthistimeEarlBrandirdied，beingtakenwithgoutintheheart，soonafterIleftLondon。
Lornawasverysorryforhim；butashehadneverbeenabletohearonetoneofhersweetsilveryvoice，itisnottobesupposedthatsheweptwithoutconsolation。
Shegrievedforhimasweoughttogrieveforanygoodmangoing；andyetwithacomfortingsenseofthebenefitwhichtheblessedexchangemustbringtohim。
NowtheLadyLornaDugalappearedtoLordChancellorJeffreyssoexceedingwealthyawardthatthelockwouldpayforturning。Thereforehecame，ofhisownaccord，tovisither，andtotreatwithher；havingheardforthemanwasasbigagossipasnevercaredforanybody，yetlovedtoknowallabouteverybody
thatthiswealthyandbeautifulmaidenwouldnotlistentoanyyounglord，havingpledgedherfaithtotheplainJohnRidd。
Thereupon，ourLornamanagedsotoholdoutgoldenhopestotheLordHighChancellor，thathe，beingnotmorethanthreepartsdrunk，sawhiswaytoaheapofmoney。Andthereandthenforhewasnotthemantodailylongaboutanythinguponsuretyofacertainroundsum——theamountofwhichIwillnotmention，becauseofhiskindnesstowardsme——hegavetohisfairwardpermission，undersignandseal，tomarrythatloyalknight，JohnRidd；uponconditiononlythattheKing’sconsentshouldbeobtained。
HisMajesty，well-disposedtowardsmeformypreviousservice，andregardingmeasagoodCatholic，beingmovedmoreoverbytheQueen，whodesiredtopleaseLorna，consented，withoutmuchhesitation，upontheunderstandingthatLorna，whenshebecameoffullage，andthemistressofherpropertywhichwasstillunderguardianship，shouldpayaheavyfinetotheCrown，anddevoteafixedportionofherestatetothepromotionoftheholyCatholicfaith，inamannertobedictatedbytheKinghimself。Inasmuch，however，asKingJameswasdrivenoutofhiskingdombeforethisarrangementcouldtakeeffect，andanotherkingsucceeded，whodesirednotthepromotionoftheCatholicreligion，neitherhankeredaftersubsidies，whetherFrenchorEnglish，thatagreementwaspronouncedinvalid，improper，andcontemptible。
However，therewasnogettingbackthemoneyoncepaidtoLordChancellorJeffreys。
Butwhatthoughtweofmoneyatthispresentmoment；orofposition，oranythingelse，exceptindeedoneanother？Lornatoldme，withthesweetestsmile，thatifIweremindedtotakeheratall，Imusttakeherwithoutanything；inasmuchasshemeant，uponcomingofage，tomakeovertheresidueofherestatestothenext-of-kin，asbeingunfitforafarmer’swife。AndI
repliedwiththegreatestwarmthandareadinesstoworshipher，thatthiswasexactlywhatIlongedfor，buthadneverdaredtoproposeit。Butdearmotherlookedmostexceedinggrave；andsaidthattobesureheropinioncouldnotbeexpectedtocountformuch，butshereallyhopedthatinthreeyears’timeweshouldbothhealittlewiser，andhavemoreregardforourinterests，andperhapsthoseofothersbythattime；andMasterSnowehavingdaughtersonly，andnobodycomingtomarrythem，ifanythinghappenedtothegoodoldman——andwhocouldtellinthreeyears’
timewhatmighthappentoalloranyofus？——whyperhapshisfarmwouldbeforsale，andperhapsLadyLorna’sestatesinScotlandwouldfetchenoughmoneytobuyit，andsothrowthetwofarmsintoone，andsaveallthetroubleaboutthebrook，asmypoorfatherhadlongedtodomanyandmanyatime，butnothavingatitlecouldnotdoallquiteashewanted。Andthenifweyoungpeoplegrewtiredoftheoldmother，asseemedonlytoolikely，andwasaccordingtonature，whywecouldsendheroverthere，andLizzietokeephercompany。
Whenmotherhadfinished，andwipedhereyes，Lorna，whohadbeenblushingrosilyatsomeportionsofthisgreatspeech，flungherfairarmsaroundmother’sneck，andkissedherveryheartily，andscoldedherasshewelldeservedforherwantofconfidenceinus。MymotherrepliedthatifanybodycoulddeserveherJohn，itwasLorna；butthatshecouldnotholdwiththerashnessofgivingupmoneysoeasily；whilehernext-of-kinwouldbeJohnhimself，andwhocouldtellwhatothers，bythetimeshewasone-and-twenty？
Hereupon，Ifeltthatafterallmymotherhadcommonsenseonherside；forifMasterSnowe’sfarmshouldbeforsale，itwouldbefarmoretothepurposethanmycoatofarms，togetit；fortherewasadifferentpasturethere，justsuitedforchangeofdiettooursheepaswellaslargecattle。Andbesidethis，evenwithallAnnie’sskillandofcourseyetmorenowshewasgone，theirbutterwouldalwayscommandinthemarketfromonetothreefarthingsapoundmorethanwecouldgetforours。Andfewthingsvexedusmorethanthis。Whereas，ifwegotpossessionofthefarm，wemight，withoutbreachofthemarket-laws，oranyharmdonetoanyonethepricebeingbutaprejudice，sellallourbutterasSnowebutter，anddogoodtoallourcustomers。
Thinkingthus，yetrememberingthatFarmerNicholasmightholdoutforanotherscoreofyears——asI
heartilyhopedhemight——orthatone，ifnotall，ofhiscomelydaughtersmightmarryagoodyoungfarmerorfarmers，ifthecasewereso——orthat，evenwithoutthat，thefarmmightneverbeputupforsale；
IbeggedmyLornatodoassheliked；orrathertowaitandthinkofit；forasyetshecoulddonothing。
[AlsoknownasBLOODUPONTHEALTARinothereditions]
Everythingwassettledsmoothly，andwithoutanyfearorfuss，thatLornamightfindendoftroubles，andmyselfofeagerwaiting，withthehelpofParsonBowden，andthegoodwishesoftwocounties。Icouldscarcebelievemyfortune，whenIlookeduponherbeauty，gentleness，andsweetness，mingledwithenoughofhumourandwarmwoman’sfeeling，nevertobedullortiring；neverthemselvestobeweary。
Forshemightbecalledawomannow；althoughaveryyoungone，andasfullofplayfulways，orperhapsI
maysaytentimesasfull，asifshehadknownnotrouble。Towit，thespiritofbrightchildhood，havingbeensocurbedandstraitened，ereitstimewasover，nowbrokeforth，enrichedandvariedwiththegarbofconsciousmaidenhood。Andthesenseofsteadfastlove，andeagerloveenfoldingher，colouredwithsomanytingesallherlooks，andwords，andthoughts，thattomeitwasthenoblestvisioneventothinkabouther。
Butthiswasfartoobrighttolast，withoutbitterbreak，andtheplungingofhappinessinhorror，andofpassionatejoyinagony。Mydarlinginhersoftestmoments，whenshewasalonewithme，whenthesparkofdefianteyeswasveiledbeneathdarklashes，andthechallengeofgaybeautypassedintosweetestinvitation；atsuchtimesofherpurestloveandwarmestfaithinme，adeepabidingfearwouldflutterinherboundingheart，asofdeadlyfate’sapproach。
Shewouldclingtome，andnestletome，beingscaredofcoyishness，andlayonearmaroundmyneck，andaskifIcoulddowithouther。
Hence，asallemotionshaply，ofthosewhoaremoretousthanourselves，findwithinusstrongerecho，andmoreperfectanswer，soIcouldnotberegardlessofsomehiddenevil；andmydarkmisgivingsdeepenedasthetimedrewnearer。IkeptasteadfastwatchonLorna，neglectingafieldofbeansentirely，aswellasalitterofyoungpigs，andacowsomewhatgiventojaundice。AndIletJemSlocombegotosleepinthetallat，alloneafternoon，andBillDaddsdrawoffabucketofcider，withoutsomuchasa’byyourleave。’
Forthesemenknewthatmyknighthood，andmycoatofarms，andmostofallmylove，weregreatlyagainstgoodfarming；thesenseofourcountrybeing——andperhapsitmaybesensible——thatamanwhosticksuptobeanything，mustallowhimselftobecheated。
ButIneverdidstickup，norwould，thoughalltheparishbademe；andIwhistledthesametunestomyhorses，andheldmyplough-tree，justthesameasifnoKing，norQueen，hadevercometospoilmytuneorhand。Forthisthing，nearlyallthemenaroundourpartsupbraidedme；butthewomenpraisedme：andforthemostparttheseareright，whenthemselvesarenotconcerned。
HoweverhumbleImightbe，nooneknowinganythingofourpartofthecountry，wouldforamomentdoubtthatnowherewasagreattodoandtalkofJohnRiddandhiswedding。ThefiercefightwiththeDoonessolately，andmyleadingofthecombatthoughIfoughtnotmorethanneedbe，andthevanishingofSirCounsellor，andthegallopingmadnessofCarver，andthereligiousfearofthewomenthatthislastwasgonetohell——forhehimselfhaddeclaredthathisaim，whilehecutthroughtheyeomanry——alsotheirremorse，thatheshouldhavebeenmadetogothitherwithallhischildrenleftbehind——thesethings，IsayifeverIcanagaincontrivetosayanything，hadledtothebroadestexcitementaboutmyweddingofLorna。Weheardthatpeoplemeanttocomefrommorethanthirtymilesaround，uponexcuseofseeingmystatureandLorna’sbeauty；butingoodtruthoutofsheercuriosity，andtheloveofmeddling。
Ourclerkhadgivennotice，thatnotamanshouldcomeinsidethedoorofhischurchwithoutshilling-fee；andwomenassuretoseetwiceasmuchmusteveryonepaytwoshillings。Ithoughtthiswrong；andaschurch-warden，beggedthatthemoneymightbepaidintomineownhands，whentaken。Buttheclerksaidthatwasagainstalllaw；andhehadordersfromtheparsontopayittohimwithoutanydelay。SoasIalwaysobeytheparson，whenIcarenotmuchaboutathing，I
letthemhaveittheirownway；thoughfeelinginclinedtobelieve，sometimes，thatIoughttohavesomeofthemoney。
Dearmotherarrangedalltheinsandoutsofthewayinwhichitwastobedone；andAnnieandLizzie，andalltheSnowes，andevenRuthHuckabackwhowasthere，aftergreatpersuasion，madesuchasweepingofdressesthatIscarcelyknewwheretoplacemyfeet，andlongedforastaff，toputbytheirgowns。ThenLornacameoutofapewhalf-way，inamannerwhichquiteastonishedme，andtookmylefthandinherright，andIprayedGodthatitweredonewith。
Mydarlinglookedsoglorious，thatIwasafraidofglancingather，yettookinallherbeauty。Shewasinafright，nodoubt；butnobodyshouldseeit；
whereasIsaidtomyselfatleast，’Iwillgothroughitlikeagrave-digger。’
Lorna’sdresswasofpurewhite，cloudedwithfaintlavenderforthesakeoftheoldEarlBrandir，andassimpleasneedbe，exceptforperfectloveliness。###第104章
wasafraidtolookather，asIsaidbefore，exceptwheneachofussaid，’Iwill，’andtheneachdwelledupontheother。
ItisimpossibleforanywhohavenotlovedasIhavetoconceivemyjoyandpride，whenafterringandallwasdone，andtheparsonhadblessedus，Lornaturnedtolookatmewithherglancesofsubtlefunsubduedbythisgreatact。
Hereyes，whichnoneonearthmayeverequal，orcomparewith，toldmesuchadepthofcomfort，yetawaitingfurthercommune，thatIwasalmostamazed，thoroughlyasIknewthem。Darlingeyes，thesweetesteyes，theloveliest，themostlovingeyes——thesoundofashotrangthroughthechurch，andthoseeyeswerefilledwithdeath。
LornafellacrossmykneeswhenIwasgoingtokissher，asthebridegroomisallowedtodo，andencouraged，ifheneedsit；afloodofbloodcameoutupontheyellowwoodofthealtarsteps，andatmyfeetlayLorna，tryingtotellmesomelastmessageoutofherfaithfuleyes。Iliftedherup，andpettedher，andcoaxedher，butitwasnogood；theonlysignofliferemainingwasaspirtofbrightredblood。
Somemenknowwhatthingsbefalltheminthesupremetimeoftheirlife——farabovethetimeofdeath——buttomecomesbackasahazydream，withoutanyknowledgeinit，whatIdid，orfelt，orthought，withmywife’sarmsflagging，flagging，aroundmyneck，asIraisedherup，andsoftlyputthemthere。Shesighedalongsighonmybreast，forherlastfarewelltolife，andthenshegrewsocold，andcold，thatIaskedthetimeofyear。
ItwasWhit-Tuesday，andthelilacsallinblossom；andwhyIthoughtofthetimeofyear，withtheyoungdeathinmyarms，GodorHisangels，maydecide，havingsostrangelygivenus。EnoughthatsoIdid，andlooked；
andourwhitelilacswerebeautiful。ThenIlaidmywifeinmymother’sarms，andbeggingthatnoonewouldmakeanoise，wentforthformyrevenge。
Ofcourse，Iknewwhohaddoneit。Therewasbutonemanintheworld，oratanyrate，inourpartofit，whocouldhavedonesuchathing——suchathing。Iusenoharsherwordaboutit，whileIleapeduponourbesthorse，withbridlebutnosaddle，andsettheheadofKickumstowardsthecoursenowpointedouttome。Whoshowedmethecourse，Icannottell。IonlyknowthatItookit。Andthemenfellbackbeforeme。
WeaponofnosorthadI。Unarmed，andwonderingatmystrangeattirewithabridalvest，wroughtbyourAnnie，andredwiththebloodofthebride，Iwentforthjusttofindoutthis；whetherinthisworldtherebeorbenotGodofjustice。
Withmyvicioushorseatafuriousspeed，IcameuponBlackBarrowDown，directedbysomeshoutofmen，whichseemedtomebutawhisper。Andthere，aboutafurlongbeforeme，rodeamanonagreatblackhorse，andI
knewthatthemanwasCarverDoone。
’Yourlifeormine，’Isaidtomyself；’asthewillofGodmaybe。Butwetwolivenotuponthisearth，onemorehourtogether。’
Iknewthestrengthofthisgreatman；andIknewthathewasarmedwithagun——ifhehadtimetoloadagain，aftershootingmyLorna——oratanyratewithpistols，andahorseman’sswordaswell。Nevertheless，Ihadnomoredoubtofkillingthemanbeforemethanacookhasofspittingaheadlessfowl。
Sometimesseeingnogroundbeneathme，andsometimesheedingeveryleaf，andthecrossingofthegrass-blades，Ifollowedoverthelongmoor，recklesswhetherseenornot。Butonlyoncetheothermanturnedroundandlookedbackagain，andthenIwasbesidearock，withareedyswampbehindme。
Althoughhewassofarbeforeme，andridingashardasridehemight，Isawthathehadsomethingonthehorseinfrontofhim；somethingwhichneededcare，andstoppedhimfromlookingbackward。Inthewhirlingofmywits，IfanciedfirstthatthiswasLorna；untilthesceneIhadbeenthroughfellacrosshotbrainandheart，likethedropatthecloseofatragedy。
Rushingtherethroughcragandquag，atutmostspeedofamaddenedhorse，Isaw，asofanother’sfate，calmlyasoncanvaslaid，thebrutaldeed，thepiteousanguish，andthecolddespair。
ThemanturnedupthegullyleadingfromthemoortoClovenRocks，throughwhichJohnFryhadtrackedUncleBen，asofoldrelated。ButasCarverenteredit，heturnedround，andbeheldmenotahundredyardsbehind；
andIsawthathewasbearinghischild，littleEnsie，beforehim。Ensiealsodescriedme，andstretchedhishandsandcriedtome；forthefaceofhisfatherfrightenedhim。
CarverDoone，withavileoath，thrustspursintohisflagginghorse，andlaidonehandonapistol-stock；
whenceIknewthathisslungcarbinehadreceivednobulletsincetheonethathadpiercedLorna。Andacryoftriumphrosefromtheblackdepthsofmyheart。
WhatcaredIforpistols？Ihadnospurs，neitherwasmyhorseonetoneedtherowel；Iratherheldhiminthanurgedhim，forhewasfreshasever；andIknewthattheblacksteedinfront，ifhebreastedthesteepascent，wherethetrackdivided，mustbeinourreachatonce。
Hisriderknewthis；and，havingnoroomintherockychanneltoturnandfire，drewreinatthecrosswayssharply，andplungedintotheblackravineleadingtotheWizard’sSlough。’Isitso？’Isaidtomyselfwithabrainandheadcoldasiron；’thoughthefoulfiendcomefromtheslough，tosavethee；thoushaltcarveit，Carver。’
Ifollowedmyenemycarefully，steadily，evenleisurely；forIhadhim，asinapitfall，whencenoescapemightbe。HethoughtthatIfearedtoapproachhim，forheknewnotwherehewas：andhislowdisdainfullaughcameback。’Laughhewhowins，’
thoughtI。
Agnarledandhalf-starvedoak，asstubbornasmyownresolve，andsmittenbysomestormofold，hungfromthecragaboveme。Risingfrommyhorse’sback，althoughIhadnostirrups，Icaughtalimb，andtoreitlikeamerewheat-awnfromthesocket。Menshowtherentevennow，withwonder；nonewithmorewonderthanmyself。
CarverDooneturnedthecornersuddenlyontheblackandbottomlessbog；withastartoffearhereinedbackhishorse，andIthoughthewouldhaveturneduponme。
Butinsteadofthat，heagainrodeon；hopingtofindawayroundtheside。
Nowthereisawaybetweencliffandsloughforthosewhoknowthegroundthoroughly，orhavetimeenoughtosearchit；butforhimtherewasnoroad，andhelostsometimeinseekingit。Uponthishemadeuphismind；andwheeling，fired，andthenrodeatme。
Hisbulletstruckmesomewhere，butItooknoheedofthat。Fearingonlyhisescape，Ilaidmyhorseacrosstheway，andwiththelimboftheoakstruckfullontheforeheadhischargingsteed。Eretheslashoftheswordcamenighme，manandhorserolledover，andwellnighboremyownhorsedown，withthepoweroftheironset。
CarverDoonewassomewhatstunned，andcouldnotariseforamoment。MeanwhileIleapedonthegroundandawaited，smoothingmyhairback，andbaringmyarms，asthoughintheringforwrestling。Thenthelittleboyrantome，claspedmyleg，andlookedupatme，andtheterrorinhiseyesmademealmostfearmyself。
’Ensie，dear，’Isaidquitegently，grievingthatheshouldseehiswickedfatherkilled，’runupyonderroundthecornerandtrytofindaprettybunchofbluebellsforthelady。’Thechildobeyedme，hangingback，andlookingback，andthenlaughing，whileI
preparedforbusiness。ThereandthenImighthavekilledmineenemy，withasingleblow，whilehelayunconscious；butitwouldhavebeenfoulplay。
Withasullenandblackscowl，theCarvergatheredhismightylimbs，andarose，andlookedroundforhisweapons；butIhadputthemwellaway。Thenhecametomeandgazed；beingwonttofrightenthusyoungmen。
’Iwouldnotharmyou，lad，’hesaid，withaloftystyleofsneering：’Ihavepunishedyouenough，formostofyourimpertinence。FortherestIforgiveyou；
becauseyouhavebeengoodandgracioustomylittleson。Go，andbecontented。’
Foranswer，Ismotehimonthecheek，lightly，andnottohurthim：buttomakehisbloodleapup。Iwouldnotsullymytonguebyspeakingtoamanlikethis。
Therewasalevelspaceofswardbetweenusandtheslough。WiththecourtesyderivedfromLondon，andtheprocessionsIhadseen，tothisplaceIledhim。Andthathemightbreathehimself，andhaveeveryfibrecool，andeverymuscleready，myholduponhiscoatI
loosed，andlefthimtobeginwithme，wheneverhethoughtproper。
Ithinkthathefeltthathistimewascome。Ithinkheknewfrommyknittedmuscles，andthefirmarchofmybreast，andthewayinwhichIstood；butmostofallfrommysternblueeyes；thathehadfoundhismaster。Atanyrateapalenesscame，anashypalenessonhischeeks，andthevastcalvesofhislegsbowedin，asifhewereoutoftraining。
Seeingthis，villainashewas，Iofferedhimfirstchance。Istretchedforthmylefthand，asIdotoaweakerantagonist，andIlethimhavethehugofme。
ButinthisIwastoogenerous；havingforgottenmypistol-wound，andthecrackingofoneofmyshortlowerribs。CarverDoonecaughtmeroundthewaist，withsuchagripasneveryethadbeenlaiduponme。
Iheardmyribgo；Igraspedhisarm，andtorethemuscleoutofit*asthestringcomesoutofanorange；thenItookhimbythethroat，whichisnotallowedinwrestling；buthehadsnatchedatmine；andnowwasnotimeofdalliance。Invainhetugged，andstrained，andwrithed，dashedhisbleedingfistintomyface，andflunghimselfonmewithgnashingjaws。
Beneaththeironofmystrength——forGodthatdaywaswithme——Ihadhimhelplessintwominutes，andhisfieryeyeslolledout。
*Afarmoreterribleclutchthanthisishandeddown，toweakerages，ofthegreatJohnRidd——Ed。
’Iwillnotharmtheeanymore，’Icried，sofarasI
couldforpanting，theworkbeingveryfurious：’CarverDoone，thouartbeaten：ownit，andthankGodforit；
andgothyway，andrepentthyself。’
Itwasalltoolate。Evenifhehadyieldedinhisraveningfrenzy——forhisbeardwaslikeamaddog’sjowl——evenifhewouldhaveownedthat，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hehadfoundhismaster；itwasalltoolate。
Theblackboghadhimbythefeet；thesuckingofthegrounddrewonhim，likethethirstylipsofdeath。Inourfury，wehadheededneitherwetnordry；northoughtofearthbeneathus。Imyselfmightscarcelyleap，withthelastspringofo’er-labouredlegs，fromtheengulfinggraveofslime。Hefellback，withhisswarthybreastfromwhichmygripehadrentallclothing，likeahummockofbog-oak，standingoutthequagmire；andthenhetossedhisarmstoheaven，andtheywereblacktotheelbow，andtheglareofhiseyeswasghastly。Icouldonlygazeandpant；formystrengthwasnomorethananinfant’s，fromthefuryandthehorror。ScarcelycouldIturnaway，while，jointbyjoint，hesankfromsight。
Whenthelittleboycamebackwiththebluebells，whichhehadmanagedtofind——aschildrenalwaysdofindflowers，whenoldereyesseenone——theonlysignofhisfatherleftwasadarkbrownbubble，uponanewlyformedpatchofblackness。Buttothecenterofitspulpygorgethegreedysloughwasheaving，andsullenlygrindingitswelteringjawsamongtheflagsandthesedges。
Withpain，andache，bothofmindandbody，andshameatmyownfury，Iheavilymountedmyhorseagain，and，lookeddownattheinnocentEnsie。Wouldthisplayful，lovingchildgrowuplikehiscruelfather，andendagodlesslifeofhatredwithadeathofviolence？Heliftedhisnobleforeheadtowardsme，asiftoanswer，“Nay，Iwillnot“：butthewordshespokewerethese：——
’Don，’——forhecouldneversay’John’——’oh，Don，Iamsogladthatnastynaughtymanisgoneaway。Takemehome，Don。Takemehome。’
Ithasbeensaidofthewicked，’noteventheirownchildrenlovethem。’AndIcouldeasilybelievethatCarverDoone’scold-heartedwayshadscaredfromhimevenhisfavoritechild。NomanwouldIcalltrulywicked，unlesshisheartbecold。
Ithurtme，morethanIcantell，eventhroughallothergrief，totakeintomyarmsthechildofthemanjustslainbyme。Thefeelingwasafoolishone，andawrongone，asthethinghasbeen——forIwouldfainhavesavedthatman，afterhewasconquered——
neverthelessmyarmswentcoldlyroundthatlittlefellow；neitherwouldtheyhavegoneatall，iftherehadbeenanyhelpforit。ButIcouldnotleavehimthere，tillsomeoneelsemightfetchhim；onaccountofthecruelslough，andtheravenswhichhadcomehoveringoverthedeadhorse；neithercouldI，withmywound，tiehimonmyhorseandwalk。
FornowIhadspentagreatdealofblood，andwasratherfaintandweary。AnditwasluckyformethatKickumshadlostspirit，likehismaster，andwenthomeasmildlyasalamb。For，whenwecametowardsthefarm，Iseemedtoberidinginadreamalmost；andthevoicesbothofmanandwomenwhohadhurriedforthuponmytrack，astheymetme，seemedtowanderfromadistantmufflingcloud。OnlythethoughtofLorna’sdeath，likeaheavyknell，wastollinginthebelfryofmybrain。
Whenwecametothestabledoor，Iratherfellfrommyhorsethangotoff；andJohnFry，withalookofwondertookKickum’shead，andledhimin。IntotheoldfarmhouseItottered，likeaweanlingchild，withmotherinhercommonclothes，helpingmealong，yetfearing，exceptbystealth，tolookatme。
’Ihavekilledhim，’wasallIsaid；’evenashekilledLorna。Nowletmeseemywife，mother。Shebelongstomenonetheless，thoughdead。’
’Youcannotseehernow，dearJohn，’saidRuthHuckaback，comingforward；sincenooneelsehadthecourage。’Annieiswithhernow，John。’
’Whathasthattodowithit？Letmeseemydeadone；
andpraymyselftodie。’
Allthewomenfellaway，andwhispered，andlookedatme，withsideglances，andsomesobbing；formyfacewashardasflint。Ruthalonestoodbyme，anddroppedhereyes，andtrembled。Thenonelittlehandofhersstoleintomygreatshakingpalm，andtheotherwaslaidonmytatteredcoat：yetwithherclothessheshunnedmyblood，whileshewhisperedgently，——
’John，sheisnotyourdeadone。Shemayevenbeyourlivingoneyet，yourwife，yourhome，andyourhappiness。Butyoumustnotseehernow。’
’Isthereanychanceforher？Forme，Imean；forme，Imean？’
’Godinheavenknows，dearJohn。Butthesightofyou，andinthissadplight，wouldbecertaindeathtoher。
Nowcomefirst，andbehealedyourself。’
Iobeyedher，likeachild，whisperingonlyasIwent，fornonebutmyselfknewhergoodness——’AlmightyGodwillblessyou，darling，forthegoodyouaredoingnow。’
Tenfold，ayandathousandfold，IprayedandIbelievedit，whenIcametoknowthetruth。Ifithadnotbeenforthislittlemaid，Lornamusthavediedatonce，asinmyarmsshelayfordead，fromthedastardandmurderouscruelty。ButthemomentIleftherRuthcameforwardandtookthecommandofeveryone，inrightofherfirmnessandreadiness。
Shemadethembearherhomeatonceuponthedoorofthepulpit，withthecushionunderthedroopinghead。