Sometimeshewouldthrownhimselfonthegrassandreadaloud；thenDaviewouldthrowhimselfbesidehim，andletthewordshecouldnotunderstandflowoverhiminaspiritualcataract。Ontheriverwasaboat，andthoughatfirsthewasawkwardenoughintheuseoftheoars，hewassoonabletoenjoythoroughlyarowupordownthestream，especiallyinthetwilight。
Hewasalonewithhisbookunderabeech-treeonasteepslopetotheriver，thedayafterhisaffairwithlordForgue：readingaloud，hedidnotheartheapproachofhislordship。
“Mr。Grant，“hesaid，“ifyouwillsayyouaresorryyouthrewmefrommyhorse，IwillsayIamsorryIstruckyou。“
“Iamverysorry，“saidDonal，rising，“thatitwasnecessarytothrowyoufromyourhorse；andperhapsyourlordshipmayrememberthatyoustruckmebeforeIdidso。“
“Thathasnothingtodowithit。Iproposeanaccommodation，orcompromise，orwhatyouchoosetocallit：ifyouwilldotheone，I
willdotheother。“
“WhatIthinkIoughttodo，mylord，Idowithoutbargaining。IamnotsorryIthrewyoufromyourhorse，andtosaysowouldbetolie。“
“Ofcourseeverybodythinkshimselfintheright！”saidhislordshipwithasmallsneer。
“Itdoesnotfollowthatnooneiseverintheright！”returnedDonal。“Doesyourlordshipthinkyouwereintheright——eithertowardsmeorthepooranimalwhocouldnotobeyyoubecausehewasintorture？”
“Idon\'tsayIdo。“
“Theneverybodydoesnotthinkhimselfintheright！Itakeyourlordship\'sadmissionasanapology。“
“Bynomeans：whenImakeanapology，Iwilldoit；Iwillnotsneakoutofit。“
Hewasevidentlyatstrifewithhimself：heknewhewaswrong，butcouldnotyetbringhimselftosayso。Itisoneofthepoorestofhumanweaknessesthatamanshouldbeashamedofsayinghehasdonewrong，insteadofsoashamedofhavingdonewrongthathecannotresttillhehassaidso；fortheshamecleavesfastuntiltheconfessionremovesit。
Forguewalkedawayasteportwo，andstoodwithhisbacktoDonal，pokingthepointofhisstickintothegrass。Allatonceheturnedandsaid：
“Iwillapologizeifyouwilltellmeonething。“
“Iwilltellyouwhetheryouapologizeornot，“saidDonal。“Ihaveneveraskedyoutoapologize。“
“Tellmethenwhyyoudidnotreturneitherofmyblowsyesterday。“
“Ishouldliketoknowwhyyouask——butIwillansweryou：simplybecausetodosowouldhavebeentodisobeymymaster。“
“That\'sasortofthingIdon\'tunderstand。ButIonlywantedtoknowitwasnotcowardice；Icouldnotmakeanapologytoacoward。“
“IfIwereacoward，youwouldowemeanapologyallthesame，andheisapoorcreaturewhowillnotpayhisdebts。ButIhopeitisnotnecessaryIshouldeitherthrashorinsultyourlordshiptoconvinceyouIfearyounomorethanthatblackbirdthere！”
Forguegavealittlelaugh。Amoment\'spausefollowed。Thenheheldouthishand，butinahalf-hesitating，almostsheepishway：
“Well，well！shakehands，“hesaid。
“No，mylord，“returnedDonal。“Ibearyourlordshipnottheslightestill-will，butIwillshakehandswithnooneinahalf-heartedway，andnootherwayispossiblewhileyouareuncertainwhetherIamacowardornot。“
Sosaying，hethrewhimselfagainuponthegrass，andlordForguewalkedaway，offendedafresh。
Thenextmorninghecameintotheschool-roomwhereDonalsatatlessonswithDavie。Hehadabookinhishand。
“Mr。Grant，“hesaid，“willyouhelpmewiththispassageinXenophon？”
“Withallmyheart，“answeredDonal，andinafewmomentshadhimoutofhisdifficulty。
Butinsteadofgoing，hislordshipsatdownalittlewayoff，andwentonwithhisreading——satuntilmasterandpupilwentout，andlefthimsittingthere。Thenextmorninghecamewithafreshrequest，andDonalfoundoccasiontoapprovewarmlyofatranslationheproposed。Fromthattimehecamealmosteverymorning。Hewasnogreatscholar，butwiththeprospectofanEnglishuniversitybeforehim，thoughtitbettertoreadalittle。
Thehousekeeperatthecastlewasagoodwoman，andverykindtoDonal，feelingperhapsthathefelltohercarethemorethathewasbybirthofherownclass；foritwassaidinthecastle，“thetutormakesnopretencetobeingagentleman。“Whetherhewasthemoreorthelessofoneonthataccount，Ileavemyreadertojudgeaccordingtohiscapability。Sometimeswhenhisdinnerwasserved，mistressBrookeswouldherselfappear，toensureproperattentiontohim，andwouldsitdownandtalktohimwhileheate，readytoriseandservehimifnecessary。Theirearlydayshadhadsomethingincommon，thoughshecamefromthesouthernhighlandsofgreenhillsandmoresheep。Shegavehimsomeratherneedfulinformationaboutthefamily；andhesoonperceivedthattherewouldhavebeenlesspeaceinthehousebutforhergoodtemperandgoodsense。
LadyArcturawasthedaughterofthelastlordMorven，andleftsoleheirtotheproperty；ForgueandhisbrotherDaviewerethesonsofthepresentearl。Thepresentlordwasthebrotherofthelast，andhadlivedwithhimforsomeyearsbeforehesucceeded。Hewasamanofpeculiarandstudioushabits；nobodyeverseemedtotaketohim；
andsincehiswife\'sdeath，hishealthhadbeenprecarious。Thoughastrangeman，hewasajustifnotgenerousmaster。HisbrotherhadlefthimguardiantoladyArctura，andhehadlivedinthecastleasbefore。Hiswifewasaverylovely，butdelicatewoman，andlatterlyallbutconfinedtoherroom。Sinceherdeathagreatchangehadpasseduponherhusband。Certainlyhisbehaviourwassometimeshardtounderstand。
“Henevergangstothekirk——noanceinatwalmonth！”saidMrs。
Brookes。“Fowksudbedacent，an\'whaeverh\'ardo\'dacentfowk\'atdidnagangtothekirkanceo\'theSabbath！Idinnahaudwi\'gaein\'
twisemysel\'：yehaenatimetoreadyerainchaptersgienyedothat。Buttheman\'saweelbehavetman，saefarasyesee，naithersayin\'nordoin\'thethingheshouldna：whathemaythink，wha\'stosay！themairten\'erconsciencecoontsitsel\'thewaursinner；an\'
I\'mnogaein\'tothinkwhatIcannaken！There\'ssome\'atsaysheledageylowsekin\'o\'alifeaforehecamtobidewi\'theauldyerl；hewaswi\'theairmyi\'furreignpairts，theysay；butabootthatIkennaething。Theauldyerlwassomethingo\'asancthimsel\'，ristthebaneso\'\'im！We\'renothejeedgeso\'theleevin\'
onymairnoro\'thedeid！ButImaunawa\'toluikefterthings；aminute\'sanhoorlostwi\'thaefulelasses。Ye\'reafreen\'o\'
An\'rewComin\'s，theytellme，sir：Idinnakenwhattodowi\'\'slass，she\'sthatupsettin\'！Yewadthinkshewasaneo\'thefaimilywhiles；an\'itherwhilesshe\'sthatsilly！”
“I\'msorrytohearit！”saidDonal。“Hergrandfatherandgrandmotherarethebestofgoodpeople。“
“Idaursay！Butthere\'sjistwhatIhaeseen：them\'at\'sbrouchtuptheirainweeleneuch，theirson\'sbairnthey\'lljistlatgang。
Aitherthey\'retiredo\'thething，ortheythinkthey\'resafe。
TheyhaelippenttilyoongEppyaheapowermuckle。ButI\'mnaitheraprophetnorthesono\'aprophet，astheministersaidlastSunday——an\'saidwell，honestman！forit\'stheplaintrowth：
he\'snoaneo\'themajornoryettheminoranes！Buthaudhimooto\'thepu\'pitan\'hedisnothatill。Hisdochter\'snoanilllassaither，an\'agreatfreen\'o\'myleddy\'s。ButI\'mcleanashamedo\'
mysel\'togangonthisgait。Haeyedunewi\'yerdenner，Mr。
Grant？——Weel，I\'lljistsen\'toclearawa\'，an\'latyetilyerlessons。“
CHAPTERXVII。
LADYARCTURA。
ItwasnowalmostthreeweekssinceDonalhadbecomeaninmateofthecastle，andhehadscarcelysethiseyesontheladyofthehouse。Oncehehadseenherback，andmorethanoncehadcaughtaglimpseofherprofile，buthehadneverreallyseenherface，andtheyhadneverspokentoeachother。
Oneafternoonhewassaunteringalongundertheoverhangingboughsofanavenueofbeeches，formerlytheapproachtoahouseinwhichthefamilyhadoncelived，butwhichhadnowanotherentrance。HehadinhishandacopyoftheApocrypha，whichhehadneverseentillhefoundthisinthelibrary。Inhisusualfashionhehadbeguntoreaditthrough，andwasnowinthebookcalledtheWisdomofSolomon，atthe17thchapter，narratingthediscomfitureofcertainmagicians。Takenwiththebeautyofthepassage，hesatdownonanoldstone-roller，andreadaloud。Partsofthepassagewerethese——theywillenrichmypage：——
“Forthey，thatpromisedtodriveawayterrorsandtroublesfromasicksoul，weresickthemselvesoffear，worthytobelaughedat。
“……Forwickedness，condemnedbyherownwitness，isverytimorous，andbeingpressedwithconscience，alwaysforecastethgrievousthings。
“……Buttheysleepingthesamesleepthatnight，whichwasindeedintolerable，andwhichcameuponthemoutofthebottomsofinevitablehell，“Werepartlyvexedwithmonstrousapparitions，andpartlyfainted，theirheartfailingthem：forasuddenfear，andnotlookedfor，cameuponthem。
“Sothenwhosoevertherefelldownwasstraitlykept，shutupinaprisonwithoutironbars。
“Forwhetherhewerehusbandman，orshepherd，oralabourerinthefield，hewasovertaken，andenduredthatnecessity，whichcouldnotbeavoided：fortheywereallboundwithonechainofdarkness。
“Whetheritwereawhistlingwind，oramelodiousnoiseofbirdsamongthespreadingbranches，orapleasingfallofwaterrunningviolently，“Oraterriblesoundofstonescastdown，orarunningthatcouldnotbeseenofskippingbeasts，oraroaringvoiceofmostsavagewildbeasts，orareboundingechofromthehollowmountains；thesethingsmadethemtoswoonforfear。
“Forthewholeworldshinedwithclearlight，andnonewerehinderedintheirlabour：
“Overthemonlywasspreadanheavynight，animageofthatdarknesswhichshouldafterwardreceivethem：butyetweretheyuntothemselvesmoregrievousthanthedarkness。“
Hehadreadsomuch，andstoppedtothinkalittle；forthroughtheincongruityofit，whichhedidnotdoubtarosefrompovertyofimaginationinthetranslator，renderinghimunabletoseewhatthepoetmeant，ranyetanindubitableveinofawfultruth，whetherfullyintendedbythewriterornotmatteredlittletosuchareaderasDonal——when，liftinghiseyes，hesawladyArcturastandingbeforehimwithastrangelisteninglook。Aspellseemeduponher；
herfacewaswhite，herlipswhiteandalittleparted。
Attracted，asshewasabouttopasshim，bythesoundofwhatwasnonethelessliketheBiblefromthesolemncrooningwayinwhichDonalreadittothecongregationofhislisteningthoughts，yetwascertainlynottheBible，shewaspresentlyfascinatedbythevagueterrorofwhatsheheard，andstoodabsorbed：withoutmuchoriginativepower，shehadanimaginationpromptanddelicateandstronginresponse。
Donalhadbutaglanceofher；hiseyesreturnedagainatoncetohisbook，andhesatsilentandmotionless，thoughnotseeingaword。Foroneinstantshestoodstill；thenheheardthesoftsoundofherdressas，withnoiselessfoot，shestoleback，andtookanotherway。
Imustgivemyreaderashadowofher。Shewasrathertall，slender，andfair。Butherhairwasdark，andsocrinklythat，whenmerelyparted，itdidalltherestitself。Herforeheadwasratherlow。Hereyesweresoftlydark，andherfeaturesveryregular——hernoseperhapshardlylargeenough，orherchin。Hermouthwasratherthin-lipped，butwouldhavebeensweetexceptforaseeminglyhabitualexpressionofpain。Apairofdarkbrowsoverhunghersweeteyes，andgavealookofdoubtfultemper，yetrestoredsomethingofthestrengthlackingalittleinnoseandchin。Itwasaninteresting——notaquiteharmoniousface，andinhappinessmight，Donalthought，bebeautifuleven。Herfigurewaseminentlygraceful——asDonalsawwhenheraisedhiseyesatthesoundofherretreat。Hethoughtsheneedednothaverunawayasfromsomethingdangerous：whydidshenotpasshimlikeanyotherservantofthehouse？Butwhatseemedtohimlikecontemptdidnothurthim。Hewastoofullofrealitiestobemuchaffectedbyopinionhowevershown。Besides，hehadhadhissorrowandhadlearnedhislesson。
Hewasapoet——butoneofthefewwithoutanyweaklongingafterlisteningears。Thepoetwhosepoetryneedsanaudience，canbebutlittleofapoet；neithercanthepoetrythatisofnogoodtothemanhimself，beofmuchgoodtoanybodyelse。Therearethesong-poetsandthelife-poets，orrathertheGod-poems。Sympathyislovelyanddear——chieflywhenitcomesunsought；butthefameafterwhichsomanywould-be，yea，somanyrealpoetssigh，ispoorestfroth。Donalcouldsinghissongslikethebirds，contentwiththeblueheavenorthesheepforanaudience——oranypassingangelthatcaredtolisten。Onthehill-sideshewouldsingthemaloud，butitwasofthemerestnaturalnecessity。Alookofestrangementonthefaceofafriend，alookofsufferingonthatofanyanimal，wouldatonceandsorelyaffecthim，butnotadisparagingexpressiononthefaceofacomparativestranger，wereshetheloveliestwomanhehadeverseen。Hewaslittletroubledabouttheworld，becauselittletroubledabouthimself。
LadyArcturaandlordForguelivedtogetherlikebrotherandsister，apparentlywithoutmuchincommon，andstilllessofmisunderstanding。Therewouldhavebeenmorechanceoftheirtakingafancytoeachotheriftheyhadnotbeenbroughtuptogether；theywerenowlittletogether，andneveralonetogether。
Veryfewvisitorscametothecastle，andthenonlytocall。LordMorvenseldomsawanyone，hisexcusebeinghishealth。
ButladyArcturawasontermsofintimacywithSophiaCarmichael，theminister\'sdaughter——towhomherfatherhadcommunicatedhisdissatisfactionwiththecharacterofDonal，andpouredouthisindignationathisconduct。Heoughttohavelefttheparishatonce！whereashehadinsteadsecuredforhimselfthebest，theonlysituationinit，withoutgivinghimachanceofwarninghislordship！Themoreinjusticeherfatherspokeagainsthim，themoreMissCarmichaelcondemnedhim；forshewasagooddaughter，andlookeduptoherfatherasthewisestandbestmanintheparish。
VerynaturallythereforesherepeatedhiswordstoladyArctura。
Sheinherturnconveyedthemtoheruncle。Hewouldnot，however，paymuchattentiontothem。Thethingwasdone，hesaid。HehadhimselfseenandtalkedwithDonal，andlikedhim！Theyoungmanhadhimselftoldhimoftheclergyman\'sdisapprobation！Hewouldrequesthimtoavoidallreferencetoreligioussubjects！Therewithhedismissedthematter，andforgotallaboutit。Anythingrequiringaneffortofthewill，anarrangementofideas，orthoughtastomode，hislordshipwouldnotencounter。Norwasanythingtohimofsuchmomentthathemustdoitatonce。LadyArcturadidnotagainrefertothematter：herunclewasnotonetotakelibertieswith——leastofalltopresstoaction。Butshecontinuedpainfullydoubtfulwhethershewasnotneglectingherduty，tryingtopersuadeherselfthatshewaswaitingonlytillsheshouldhavesomethingdefinitetosayofherownknowledgeagainsthim。
AndnowwhatwasshetoconcludefromhisreadingtheApocrypha？
Thefactwasnottobeinterpretedtohisadvantage：washenotreadingwhatwasnottheBibleasifitweretheBible，andwhenhemighthavebeenreadingtheBibleitself？Besides，theApocryphacamesoneartheBiblewhenitwasnottheBible！itmustbeatleastratherwicked！Atthesametimeshecouldnotdrivefromhermindtheimpressivenessbothofthemattershehadheard，andhismannerofreadingit：thestrongsoundofjudgmentandcondemnationinitcamehometoher——shecouldnothavetoldhoworwhy，exceptgenerallybecauseofhersins。Shewasoneofthose——notveryfewI
think——whofromconjunctionofalovelyconsciencewithanill-instructedmind，aredoomedforaseasontomuchsuffering。Shewaslargelydifferentfromherfriend：thereligiousopinionsofthelatter——theywereinrealityrathermetaphysicalthanreligious，andbadeitherway——thoughsheclungtothemwithallthetenacityofacreaturewithclaws，occasionedhernotanatomofmentaldiscomposure：perhapsthatwasinpartwhysheclungtothem！theywereasshewouldhavethem！ShedidnottroubleherselfaboutwhatGodrequiredofher，beyondholdingthedoctrinetheholdingofwhichguaranteed，asshethought，herfuturewelfare。ConsciencetowardGodhadverylittletodowithheropinions，andherheartstillless。Herheadonthecontrary，perhapsratherhermemory，wasconsiderablyoccupiedwiththematter；nothingsheheldhadeverbeenbyherregardedonitsownmerits——thatis，onitsindividualclaimtotruth；ifithadbeenhandeddownbyherchurch，thatwasenough；tosupportitshewouldsearchouttextaftertext，andpressitintotheservice。Anymeaningbutthatwhichthechurchofherfathersgavetoapassagemustbeofthedevil，andeverymanopposedtothetruthwhosawinthatmeaninganythingbuttruth！ItwasindeedimpossibleMissCarmichaelshouldseeanymeaningbutthat，evenifshehadlookedforit；shewasnowisequalifiedfordiscoveringtruth，notbeingherselftrue。Whatshesawandlovedinthedoctrinesofherchurchwasnotthetruth，buttheassertion；
andwhoeverquestioned，nottosaythedoctrine，buteventheprovingofitbyanyparticularpassage，wasadangerousperson，andunsound。Allthetimeheracceptanceanddefenceofanydoctrinemadenottheslightestdifferencetoherlife——asindeedhowshouldit？
SuchwastheonlyfriendladyArcturahad。Buttheconscienceandheartoftheyoungerwomanwerealivetoadegreethatbodedilleitherforthedoctrinethatstintedtheirgrowth，orthenatureunabletocastitoff。MissCarmichaelwasawomanaboutsix-and-twenty——andhadbeenawoman，liketoomanyScotchgirls，longbeforeshewasoutofherteens——ahumanflowercutanddried——anunpleasantspecimen，andbynomeansvaluablefromitsscarcity。Self-sufficient，assured，withscarceshynessenoughformodesty，handsomeandhard，shewasessentiallyaself-gloriousPhilistine；norwouldshebeanythingbettertillsomethingwassenttohumbleher，thoughwhatspiritualenginemightbeequaltothetaskwasnotformantoimagine。Shewasclever，butherclevernessmadenobodyhappier；shehadgreatconfidence，butherconfidencegavecouragetonoone，andtookitfrommany；shehadlittlefancy，andlessimaginationthananyotherIeverknew。Thedivinewonderwas，thatshehadnotyetdriventhedelicate，truth-lovingArcturamad。Fromherchildhoodshehadhadtheorderingofallheropinions：whateverSophyCarmichaelsaid，ladyArcturaneverthoughtofquestioning。Alieisindeedathinginitsnatureunbelievable，butthereisafalsebeliefalwaysreadytoreceivethefalsetruth，andthereisnoendtothemischiefthetwocanwork。Theawfulpunishmentofuntruthintheinwardpartsisthatthemanisgivenovertobelievealie。
LadyArcturawasinherselfagentlecreaturewhoshrankfromeithergivingorreceivingaroughtouch；butshehadaninheritedpride，byherselfunrecognizedassuch，whichmadehercapableofhurtingaswellasbeinghurt。NexttothedoctrinesoftheScottishchurch，sherespectedherownfamily：ithadintruthnootherclaimtorespectthanthatitslittlegoodandmuchevilhadbeendonebeforetheeyesofalargepartofmanygenerations——whenceshewasborntothinkherselfdistinguished，andtoimagineaclaimfortheacknowledgmentofdistinctionuponallexceptthoseofgreatlyhigherrankthanherown。Thisinbornarrogancewasinsomedegreemodifiedbyrespectforthewritersofcertainbooks——notoneofwhomwasofanyregardintheeyesofthethinkersoftheage。Ofanywritersofpower，beyondthoseoftheBible，eitherinthiscountryoranother，sheknewnothing。Yetshehadarealinstinctforwhatwasgoodinliterature；andofthewriterstowhomIhavereferredshenotonlylikedtheworthiestbest，butlikedbesttheirbestthings。Ineedhardlysaytheywereallreligiouswriters；forthekeenconscienceandobedientheartofthegirlhadmadeherveryearlyturnherselftowardsthequarterwherethesunoughttorise，thequarterwhereallnightlonggleamstheauroralhope；butunhappilyshehadnotgonedirecttotheheavenlywellinearthlyground——thewordsoftheMasterhimself。Howcouldshe？Fromverychildhoodhermindhadbeenfilledwithtraditionaryutterancesconcerningthedivinecharacterandthedivineplans——themerestinventionsofmenfarmoredesirousofunderstandingwhattheywerenotrequiredtounderstand，thanofdoingwhattheywererequiredtodo——whencetheircrudeandfalseutterancesconcerningaGodoftheirownfancy——inwhomitwasagoodman\'sduty，inthenameofanypossibleGod，todisbelieve；andjustbecauseshewastrue，authorityhadimmensepoweroverher。Theverysweetnessoftheirnatureforbidssuchtodoubtthefitnessofothers。
Shehadbesideshadagovernessoftheorthodoxtype，alargeproportionofwhoseteachingwasoftheworstheresy，foritwasliesagainsthimwhoislight，andinwhomisnodarknessatall；
herdoctrinesweresomanysmokedglassesheldupbetweenthemindofherpupilandthegloryofthelivingGod；norhadsheoncedirectedhergazetotheverylikenessofGod，thefaceofJesusChrist。HadArcturasetherselftounderstandhimtheknowledgeofwhomiseternallife，shewouldhavebelievednoneofthesefalsereportsofhim，butshehadnotyetmetwithanyonetohelphertocastasidethedoctrinesofmen，andgofacetofacewiththeSonofMan，thevisibleGod。Firstlieofall，shehadbeentaughtthatshemustbelievesoandsobeforeGodwouldlethercomenearhimorlistentoher。Theoldcobblercouldhavetaughtherdifferently；
butshewouldhavethoughtitimpropertoholdconversationwithsuchaman，evenifshehadknownhimforthebestmaninAuchars。
Shewasinsoreandsadearnesttobelieveasshewastoldshemustbelieve；thereforeinsteadofbeginningtodowhatJesusChristsaid，shetriedhardtoimagineherselfoneofthechosen，triedhardtobelieveherselfthechiefofsinners。TherewasnoonetotellherthatitisonlythemanwhoseessomethingofthegloryofGod，theheightanddepthandbreadthandlengthofhisloveandunselfishness，notachilddabblinginstupiddoctrines，thatcanfeellikeSt。Paul。Shetriedtofeelthatshedeservedtobeburnedinhellforeverandever，andthatitwasboundlesslygoodofGod——whomadehersothatshecouldnothelpbeingasinner——togivehertheleastchanceofescapingit。Shetriedtofeelthat，thoughshecouldnotbesavedwithoutsomethingwhichtheGodofperfectlovecouldgiveherifhepleased，butmightnotpleasetogiveher，yetifshewasnotsaveditwouldbeallherownfault：andsoevertheroundofagreatmiserabletreadmillofcontradictions！Foramomentshewouldbeabletosaythisorthatshethoughtsheoughttosay；thenextthefeelingwouldbegone，andsheasmiserableasbefore。Herfriendmadenoattempttoimbueherwithherowncalmindifference，norcouldshehavesucceededhadsheattemptedit。
Butthoughshehadneverbeentroubledherself，andthatbecauseshehadneverbeeninearnest，shedidnotfinditthelesseasytotakeuponherther鬺eofaspiritualadviser，andgavenoendofcounselfortheattainmentofassurance。Shetoldhertrulyenoughthatallhertroublecameofwantoffaith；butsheshowedhernoonefittobelievein。
CHAPTERXVIII。
ACLASH。
Allthistime，Donalhadneveragainseentheearl，neitherhadthelattershownanyinterestinDavie\'sprogress。ButladyArcturawasfullofseriousanxietyconcerninghim。Heavilyprejudicedagainstthetutor，shedreadedhisinfluenceonthemindofherlittlecousin。
Therewasasmallrecessintheschoolroom——ithadbeenabaywindow，butfromanarchitecturalnecessityarisingfromdecay，ithad，allexceptanarroweasternlight，beenbuiltup——andinthisrecessDonalwasonedaysittingwithabook，whileDaviewasbusywritingatthetableinthemiddleoftheroom：itwaspastschool-hours，buttheweatherdidnotinvitethemoutofdoors，andDonalhadgivenDavieapoemtocopy。LadyArcturacameintotheroom——shehadneverentereditbeforesinceDonalcame——andthinkinghewasalone，begantotalktotheboy。ShespokeinsogentleatonethatDonal，busywithhisbook，didnotforsometimedistinguishawordshesaid。Heneversuspectedshewasunawareofhispresence。Bydegreeshervoicegrewalittlelouder，andbyandbythesewordsreachedhim：
“Youknow，Daviedear，everysin，whateveritis，deservesGod\'swrathandcurse，bothinthislifeandthatwhichistocome；andifithadnotbeenthatJesusChristgavehimselftoturnawayhisangerandsatisfyhisjusticebybearingthepunishmentforus，Godwouldsendusalltotheplaceofmiseryforeverandever。Itisforhissake，notforours，thathepardonsus。“
ShehadnotyetceasedwhenDonalroseinthewrathoflove，andcameoutintotheroom。
“LadyArctura，“hesaid，“IdarenotsitstillandhearsuchfalsethingsutteredagainsttheblessedGod！”
LadyArcturastartedindiredismay，butinvirtueofherbreedandherpriderecoveredherselfimmediately，drewherselfup，andsaid——
“Mr。Grant，youforgetyourself！”
“I\'mverywillingtodothat，mylady，“answeredDonal，“butImustnotforgetthehonourofmyGod。IfyouwereaheathenwomanImightthinkwhetherthehourwascomeforenlighteningyoufurther，buttohearonewhohashadtheBibleinherhandsfromherchildhoodsaysuchthingsabouttheGodwhomadeherandsenthisSontosaveher，withoutansweringawordforhim，wouldbecowardly！”
“Whatdoyouknowaboutsuchthings？Whatgivesyouarighttospeak？”saidladyArctura。
Herpride-strengthwasalreadybeginningtodeserther。
“IhadaChristianmother，“answeredDonal，“——haveheryet，thankGod！——whotaughtmetolovenothingbutthetruth；IhavestudiedtheBiblefrommychildhood，oftenwholedaystogether，whenIwasoutwiththecattleorthesheep；andIhavetriedtodowhattheLordstellsme，fromnearlytheearliesttimeIcanremember。
ThereforeIamabletosettomysealthatGodistrue——thatheislight，andthereisnodarknessofunfairnessorselfishnessinhim。
IloveGodwithmywholeheartandsoul，mylady。“
Arcturatriedtosayshetoolovedhimso，butherconscienceinterfered，andshecouldnot。
“Idon\'tsayyoudon\'tlovehim，“Donalwenton；“buthowyoucanlovehimandbelievesuchthingsofhim，Idon\'tunderstand。
WhoevertaughtthemfirstwasaterribleliaragainstGod，whoislovelierthanalltheimaginationsofallhiscreaturescanthink。“
LadyArcturasweptfromtheroom——thoughshewastremblingfromheadtofoot。AtthedoorsheturnedandcalledDavie。Theboylookedupinhistutor\'sface，mutelyaskingifheshouldobeyher。
“Go，“saidDonal。
Inlessthanaminutehecameback，hiseyesfulloftears。
“Arkiesayssheisgoingtotellpapa。Isittrue，Mr。Grant，thatyouareadangerousman？Idonotbelieveit——thoughyoudocarrysuchabigknife。“
Donallaughed。
“Itismygrandfather\'sskeandhu，“hesaid：“Imendmypenswithit，youknow！Butitisstrange，Davie，that，whenabodyknowssomethingotherpeopledon\'t，theyshouldbeangrywithhim！Theywilleventhinkhewantstomakethembadwhenhewantstohelpthemtobegood！”
“ButArkieisgood，Mr。Grant！”
“Iamsuresheis。ButshedoesnotknowsomuchaboutGodasIdo，orshewouldneversaysuchthingsofhim：wemusttalkabouthimmoreafterthis！”
“No，no，please，Mr。Grant！Wewon\'tsayawordabouthim，forArkiesaysexceptyoupromisenevertospeakofGod，shewilltellpapa，andhewillsendyouaway。“
“Davie，“saidDonalwithsolemnity，“Iwouldnotgivesuchapromiseforthecastleandallitcontains——no，nottosaveyourlifeandthelifeofeverybodyinit！ForJesussays，\'Whosoeverdeniethmebeforemen，himwillIdenybeforemyfatherinheaven；\'andratherthanthat，Iwouldjumpfromthetopofthecastle。Why，Davie！
wouldamandenyhisownfatherormother？”
“Idon\'tknow，“answeredDavie；“Idon\'tremembermymother。“
“I\'lltellyouwhat，“saidDonal，withsuddeninspiration：“IwillpromisenottospeakaboutGodatanyothertime，ifshewillpromisetositbywhenIdospeakofhim——sayonceaweek——Perhapsweshalldowhathetellsusallthebetterthatwedon\'ttalksomuchabouthim！”
“Oh，thankyou，Mr。Grant！——Iwilltellher，“criedDavie，jumpinguprelieved。“Oh，thankyou，Mr。Grant！”herepeated；“Icouldnotbearyoutogoaway。Ishouldneverstopcryingifyoudid。Andyouwon\'tsayanywickedthings，willyou？forArkiereadsherBibleeveryday。“
“SodoI，Davie。“
“Doyou？”returnedDavie，“I\'lltellherthattoo，andthenshewillseeshemusthavebeenmistaken。“
HehurriedtohiscousinwithDonal\'ssuggestion。
Itthrewherintonosmallperplexity——firstfromdoubtastotheproprietyofthethingproposed，nextbecauseoftheawkwardnessofit，thenfromasuddenfearlesthisspecioustongueshouldleadherselfintothebypathsofdoubt，andtothecastleofGiantDespair——atwhich，indeed，itwasagraciouswondershehadnotarrivederenow。Whatifsheshouldbepersuadedofthingswhichitwasimpossibletobelieveandbesaved！Shedidnotseethatsuchbeliefasshedesiredtohavewasinitselfessentialdamnation。
ForwhatcantherebeinheavenorearthforasoulthatbelievesinanunjustGod？Torejoiceinsuchabeliefwouldbetobeadevil，andtobelievewhatcannotberejoicedin，ismisery。Nodoubtamanmaynotseethetruenatureofthethingshethinksshebelieves，butthatcannotsavehimfromthelossofnotknowingGod，whomtoknowisaloneeternallife；forwhocanknowhimthatbelievesevilthingsofhim？Thatmanyagoodmandoesbelievesuchthings，onlyargueshisheartnotyetonetowardshim。TomakehisbeliefpossiblehemustdwellonthegoodthingshehaslearnedaboutGod，andnotthinkaboutthebadthings。
AndwhatwouldSophiasay？LadyArcturawouldhavespedtoherfriendforcounselbeforegivinganyanswertotheaudaciousproposal，butshewasjustthenfromhomeforafortnight，andshemustresolvewithouther！Shereflectedalsothatshehadnotyetanythingsufficientlydefinitetosaytoheruncleabouttheyoungman\'sfalsedoctrine；and，forherself，concludedthat，asshewaswellgroundedforargument，knowingthoroughlytheShorterCatechismwiththeproofsfromscriptureofeverydoctrineitcontained，itwasfoolishtofearanythingfromonewhowentinthestrengthofhisownignorantandpresumptuouswill，regardlessoftheopinionsofthefathersofthechurch，andacceptingonlysuchthingsaswerepleasingtohisunregeneratenature。
Butshehesitated；andafterwaitingforaweekwithoutreceivinganyanswertohisproposal，DonalsaidtoDavie，“WeshallhavealessonintheNewTestamentto-morrow：youhadbettermentionittoyourcousin。“
Thenextmorningheaskedhimifhehadmentionedit。Theboysaidhehad。
“Whatdidshesay，Davie？”
“Nothing——onlylookedstrange，“answeredDavie。
Whenthehourofnoonwaspast，andladyArcturadidnotappear，Donalsaid，“Davie，we\'llhaveourNewTestamentlessonoutofdoors：thatisthebestplaceforit！”
“Itisthebestplace！”respondedDavie，jumpingup。“Butyou\'renottakingyourbook，Mr。Grant！”
“Nevermind；Iwillgiveyoualessonortwowithoutbookfirst。“
Justastheywereleavingtheroom，appearedladyArcturawithMissCarmichael。
“Iunderstood，“saidtheformer，withnotalittlehaughtiness，“thatyou——“
Shehesitated，andMissCarmichaeltookuptheword。
“Wewishtoformourownjudgment，“shesaid，“onthenatureofthereligiousinstructionyougiveyourpupil。“
“IinvitedladyArcturatobepresentwhenItaughthimaboutGod，“
saidDonal。
“Thenareyounotnowgoingtodoso？”saidArctura。
“Asyourladyshipmadenoanswertomyproposal，andschoolhourswereover，Iconcludedyouwerenotcoming。“
“Andyouwouldnotgivethelessonwithoutherladyship！”saidMissCarmichael。“Veryright！”
“Excuseme，“returnedDonal；“weweregoingtohaveitoutofdoors。“
“Butyouhadagreednottogivehimanyso-calledreligiousinstructionbutinthepresenceofladyArctura！”
“Bynomeans。Ionlyofferedtogiveitinherpresenceifshechose。Therewasnoquestionofthelessonsbeinggiven。“
MissCarmichaellookedatladyArcturaasmuchastosay——“Ishespeakingthetruth？”andifshereplied，itwasinthesamefashion。
DonallookedatMissCarmichael。Hedidnotatallrelishherinterference。Hehadneversaidhewouldgivehislessonbeforeanywhochosetobepresent！Buthedidnotseehowtomeettheintrusion。Neithercouldheturnbackintotheschoolroom，sitdown，andbegin。HeputhishandonDavie\'sshoulder，andwalkedslowlytowardsthelawn。Theladiesfollowedinsilence。Hesoughttoforgettheirpresence，andbeconsciousonlyofhispupil\'sandhismaster\'s。Onthelawnhestoppedsuddenly。
“Davie，“hesaid，“wheredoyoufancythefirstlessonintheNewTestamentoughttobegin？”
“Atthebeginning，“repliedDavie。
“Whenathingisperfect，Davie，itisdifficulttosaywhatisthebeginningofit：showmeoneofyourmarbles。“
Theboyproducedfromhispocketapurewhiteone——arealmarble。
“Thatisagoodoneforthepurpose，“remarkedDonal，“——verysmoothandwhite，withjustoneredstreakinit！Nowwhereisthebeginningofthismarble？”
“Nowhere，“answeredDavie。
“IfIshouldsayeverywhere？”suggestedDonal。
“Ah，yes！”saidtheboy。
“ButIagreewithyouthatitbeginsnowhere。“
“Itcan\'tdoboth！”
“Oh，yes，itcan！itbeginsnowhereforitself，buteverywhereforus。Onlyallitsbeginningsareendings，andallitsendingsarebeginnings。Lookhere：supposewebeginatthisredstreak，itisjustthereweshouldendagain。Thatisbecauseitisaperfectthing——Well，therewasonewhosaid，\'IamAlphaandOmega，\'——thefirstGreekletterandthelast，youknow——\'thebeginningandtheend，thefirstandthelast。\'AlltheNewTestamentisabouthim。
Heisperfect，andImaybeginabouthimwhereIbestcan。Listenthenasifyouhadneverheardanythingabouthimbefore——Manyyearsago——aboutfiftyorsixtygrandfathersoff——thereappearedintheworldafewmenwhosaidthatacertainmanhadbeentheircompanionforsometimeandhadjustleftthem；thathewaskilledbycruelmen，andburiedbyhisfriends；butthat，ashehadtoldthemhewould，helayinthegraveonlythreedays，andleftitonthethirdaliveandwell；andthat，afterfortydays，duringwhichtheysawhimseveraltimes，hewentupintothesky，anddisappeared——Itwasn\'taverylikelystory，wasit？”
“No，“repliedDavie。
Theladiesexchangedlooksofhorror。Neitherspoke，buteachleanedeagerlyforward，infascinatedexpectationofworsetofollow。
“But，Davie，“Donalwenton，“howeverunlikelyitmusthaveseemedtothosewhoheardit，Ibelieveeverywordofit。“
ArippleofcontemptpassedoverMissCarmichael\'sface。
“For，“continuedDonal，“themansaidhewasthesonofGod，comedownfromhisfathertoseehisbrothers，hisfather\'schildren，andtakehomewithhimtohisfatherthosewhowouldgo。“
“Excuseme，“interruptedMissCarmichael，withapungentsmile：
“whathesaidwas，thatifanymanbelievedinhim，heshouldbesaved。“
“Runalong，Davie，“saidDonal。“Iwilltellyoumoreofwhathesaidnextlesson。Don\'tforgetwhatI\'vetoldyounow。“
“No，sir，“answeredDavie，andranoff。
Donalliftedhishat，andwouldhavegonetowardstheriver。ButMissCarmichael，steppingforward，said，“Mr。Grant，Icannotletyougotillyouanswermeonequestion：doyoubelieveintheatonement？”
“Ido，“answeredDonal。
“Favourmethenwithyourviewsuponit，“shesaid。
“Areyoutroubledinyourmindonthesubject？”askedDonal。
“Notintheleast，“shereplied，withaslightcurlofherlip。
“ThenIseenooccasionforgivingyoumyviews。“
“ButIinsist。“
Donaldsmiled。
“Ofwhatconsequencecanmyopinionsbetoyou，ma\'am？Whyshouldyoucompelaconfessionofmyfaith？”
“Asthefriendofthisfamily，andthedaughteroftheclergymanofthisparish，Ihavearighttoaskwhatyouropinionsare：youhaveamostimportantchargecommittedtoyou——achildforwhosesoulyouhavetoaccount！”
“ForthatIamaccountable，but，pardonme，nottoyou。“
“YouareaccountabletolordMorvenforwhatyouteachhischild。“
“Iamnot。“
“What！Hewillturnyouawayatamoment\'snoticeifyousaysotohim。“
“Ishouldbequitereadytogo。IfIwereaccountabletohimforwhatItaught，Ishouldofcourseteachonlywhathepleased。ButdoyousupposeIwouldtakeanysituationonsuchacondition？”
“Itisnothingtome，orhislordshipeither，Ipresume，whatyouwouldorwouldnotdo。“
“ThenIseenoreasonwhyyoushoulddetainme——LadyArctura，Ididnotoffertogivemylessoninthepresenceofanyotherthanyourself：Iwillnotdosoagain。Youwillbewelcome，foryouhavearighttoknowwhatIamteachinghim。Ifyoubringanother，exceptitbemylordMorven，IwilltakeDavidtomyownroom。“
Withthesewordsheleftthem。
LadyArcturawassorelybewildered。Shecouldnotbutfeelthatherfriendhadnotshowntothebetteradvantage，andthatthebehaviourofDonalhadbeendignified。Butsurelyhewasverywrong！whathesaidtoDaviesoundedsoverydifferentfromwhatwassaidatchurch，andbyherhelper，MissCarmichael！Itwasapitytheyhadheardsolittle！HewouldhavegoneonifonlySophyhadhadpatienceandheldherpeace！Perhapshemighthavespokenbetterthingsifshehadnotinterfered！Itwouldhardlybefairtocondemnhimuponsolittle！HehadsaidthathebelievedeverywordoftheNewTestament——orsomethingverylikeit！
“Ihaveheardenough！”saidMissCarmichael：“Iwillspeaktomyfatheratonce。“
ThenextdayDonalreceivedanotetothefollowingeffect：——
“Sir，inconsequenceofwhatIfeltboundtoreporttomyfatheroftheconversationwehadyesterday，hedesiresthatyouwillcalluponhimatyourearliestconvenienceHeisgenerallyathomefromthreetofive。Yourstruly，SophiaAgnesCarmichael。“
TothisDonalimmediatelyreplied：——
“Madam，notwithstandingtheintroductionIbroughthimfromanotherclergyman，yourfatherdeclinedmyacquaintance，passingmeafterwardsasoneunknowntohim。Fromthisfact，andfromthenatureofthereportwhichyourbehaviourtomeyesterdayjustifiesmeinsupposingyoumusthavecarriedtohim，Icanhardlymistakehisobjectinwishingtoseeme。Iwillattendthecallofnomantodefendmyopinions；yourfather\'sIhaveheardalmosteverySundaysinceIcametothecastle，andhavebeenfromchildhoodfamiliarwiththem。Yourstruly，DonalGrant。“
Notawordmorecametohimfromeitherofthem。Whentheyhappenedtomeet，MissCarmichaeltooknomorenoticeofhimthanherfather。
Butsheimpressedituponthemindofherfriendthat，ifunabletoprocurehisdismission，sheoughtatleasttodowhatshecouldtoprotecthercousinfromtheawfulconsequencesofsuchfalseteaching：ifshewaspresent，hewouldnotsaysuchthingsashewouldinherabsence，foritwasplainhewasunderrestraintwithher！Shemightevenhavesomeinfluencewithhimifshewouldbuttakecouragetoshowhimwherehewaswrong！Orshemightfindthingssuchthatherunclemustseethenecessityofturninghimaway；astheplacebelongedtoher，hewouldnevergodeadagainsther！Shedidnotseethatthatwasjustthethingtofettertheactionofadelicate-mindedgirl。
Continuallyhaunted，however，withthefeelingthatsheoughttodosomething，ladyArcturafeltasifshedarednotabsentherselffromthelesson，howeverdisagreeableitmightprove：thatmuchshecoulddo！Uponthenextoccasion，therefore，sheappearedintheschoolroomatthehourappointed，andwithacoldbowtookthechairDonalplacedforher。
“Now，Davie，“saidDonal，“whathaveyoudonesinceourlastlesson？”
Daviestared。
“Youdidn\'ttellmetodoanything，Mr。Grant！”
“No；butwhatthendidIgiveyouthelessonfor？Whereisthegoodofsuchalessonifitmakesnodifferencetoyou！WhatwasitI
toldyou？”
Davie，whohadneverthoughtaboutitsince，thelessonhavingbeenbrokenoffbeforeDonalcouldbringittoitsnaturalfruit，considered，andsaid，“ThatJesusChristrosefromthedead。“
“Well——whereisthegoodofknowingthat？”
Daviewassilent；heknewnogoodofknowingit，neithercouldimagineany。TheCatechism，ofwhichhehadlearnedabouthalf，suggestednothing。
“Come，Davie，Iwillhelpyou：isJesusdead，orishealive？”
Davieconsidered。
“Alive，“heanswered。
“Whatdoeshedo？”
Daviedidnotknow。
“Whatdidhediefor？”
HereDaviehadananswer——acutanddriedone：
“Totakeawayoursins，“hesaid。
“Thenwhatdoeshelivefor？”
Daviewasoncemoresilent。
“Doyouthinkifamandiedforathing，hewouldbelikelytoforgetittheminuteheroseagain？”
“No，sir。“
“Doyounotthinkhewouldjustgoondoingthesamethingasbefore？”
“Ido，sir。“
“Then，ashediedtotakeawayoursins，helivestotakethemaway！”
“Yes，sir。“
“Whataresins，Davie？”
“Badthings，sir。“
“Yes；thebadthingswethink，andthebadthingswefeel，andthebadthingswedo。Haveyouanysins，Davie？”
“Yes；Iamverywicked。“
“Oh！areyou？Howdoyouknowit？”
“Arkietoldme。“
“Whatisbeingwicked？”
“Doingbadthings。“
“Whatbadthingsdoyoudo？”
“Idon\'tknow，sir。“
“Thenyoudon\'tknowthatyouarewicked；youonlyknowthatArkietoldyouso！”
LadyArcturadrewherselfup；butDonalwastoointenttoperceivetheoffencehehadgiven。
“Iwilltellyou，“Donalwenton，“somethingyoudidwickedto-day。“
Daviegrewrosyred。“Whenwefindoutonewickedthingwedo，itisabeginningtofindingoutallthewickedthingswedo。Somepeoplewouldrathernotfindthemout，buthavethemhiddenfromthemselvesandfromGodtoo。Butletusfindthemout，everyoneofthem，thatwemayaskJesustotakethemaway，andhelpJesustotakethemaway，byfightingthemwithallourstrength——Thismorningyoupulledthelittlepup\'searstillhescreamed。“Daviehunghishead。“Youstoppedawhile，andthendiditagain！SoI
knewitwasn\'tthatyoudidn\'tknow。IsthatathingJesuswouldhavedonewhenhewasalittleboy？”
“No，sir。“
“Why？”
“Becauseitwouldhavebeenwrong。“
“Isuspect，rather，itisbecausehewouldhavelovedthelittlepup。Hedidn\'thavetothinkaboutitsbeingwrong。Heloveseverykindoflivingthing。Hewantstotakeawayyoursinbecausehelovesyou。Hedoesn\'tmerelywanttomakeyounotcrueltothelittlepup，buttotakeawaythewrongthinkthatdoesn\'tlovehim。
Hewantstomakeyouloveeverylivingcreature。Davie，Jesuscameoutofthegravetomakeusgood。“
TearswereflowingdownDavie\'schecks。
“Thelesson\'sdone，Davie，“saidDonal，androseandwent，leavinghimwithladyArctura。
Buterehereachedthedoor，heturnedwithsuddenimpulse，andsaid：——
“Davie，IloveJesusChristandhisFathermorethanIcantellyou——morethanIcanputinwords——morethanIcanthink；andifyoulovemeyouwillmindwhatJesustellsyou。“
“Whatagoodmanyoumustbe，Mr。Grant！——Mustn\'the，Arkie？”sobbedDavie。
Donallaughed。
“What，Davie！”heexclaimed。“Youthinkmeverygoodforlovingtheonlygoodpersoninthewholeworld！Thatisveryodd！Why，Davie，Ishouldbethemostcontemptiblecreature，knowinghimasIdo，nottolovehimwithallmyheart——yes，withallthebigheartIshallhaveonedaywhenhehasdonemakingme。“
“Ishemakingyoustill，Mr。Grant？Ithoughtyouweregrownup！”
“Well，Idon\'tthinkhewillmakemeanytaller，“answeredDonal。
“Butthelivepartofme——thethingIloveyouwith，thethingI
thinkaboutGodwith，thethingIlovepoetrywith，thethingIreadtheBiblewith——thatthingGodkeepsonmakingbiggerandbigger。I
donotknowwhereitwillstop，Ionlyknowwhereitwillnotstop。
Thatthingisme，andGodwillkeeponmakingitbiggertoalleternity，thoughhehasnotevengotitintotherightshapeyet。“
“Whyishesolongaboutit？”
“Idon\'tthinkheislongaboutit；buthecoulddoitquickerifI
wereasgoodasbythistimeIoughttobe，withthefatherandmotherIhave，andallmylonghoursonthehillsideswithmyNewTestamentandthesheep。IprayedtoGodonthehillandinthefields，andheheardme，Davie，andmademeseethefoolishnessofmanythings，andthegrandeurandbeautyofotherthings。Davie，Godwantstogiveyouthewholeworld，andeverythinginit。WhenyouhavebeguntodothethingsJesustellsyou，thenyouwillbemybrother，andweshallbothbehislittlebrothers，andthesonsofhisFatherGod，andsotheheirsofallthings。“
Withthatheturnedagainandwent。
ThetearswererollingdownArctura\'sfacewithoutherbeingawareofit。
“Heisawell-meaningman，“shesaidtoherself，“butdreadfullymistaken：theBiblesaysbelieve，notdo！”
Thepoorgirl，thoughshereadherbibleregularly，wassoblindedbythedustandashesofherteaching，thatsheknewverylittleofwhatwasactuallyinit。Themostsignificantthingsslippedfromherasiftheyweremerestwordswithoutshadowofmeaningorintent：theydidnotsupportthedoctrinesshehadbeentaught，andthereforesaidnothingtoher。ThestoryofChristandtheappealsofthosewhohadhandledtheWordofLifehadanotherendinviewthanmakingpeopleunderstandhowGodarrangedmatterstosavethem。
Godwouldhaveuslive：ifwelivewecannotbutknow；alltheknowledgeintheuniversecouldnotmakeuslive。Obedienceistheroadtoallthings——theonlywayinwhichtogrowabletotrusthim。
Loveandfaithandobediencearesidesofthesameprism。
Regularlyafterthat，ladyArcturacametothelesson——alwaysintendingtoobjectassoonasitwasover。Butalwaysbeforetheendcame，Donalhadsaidsomethingthatwentsototheheartofthehonestgirlthatshecouldsaynothing。Asifshetoohadbeenapupil，asindeedshewas，farmorethaneitherknew，shewouldrisewhenDavierose，andgoawaywithhim。Butitwastogoaloneintothegarden，ortoherroom，notseldomfindingherselfwishingthingstruewhichyetshecountedterriblydangerous：listeningtothemmightnotsheaswellasDaviefailmiserablyofescapefromthewrathtocome？
CHAPTERXIX。
THEFACTOR。
Theoldavenueofbeeches，leadingimmediatelynowhitheranymore，butclosedatoneendbyabuilt-upgate，andattheotherbyahighwall，betweenwhichtwopointsitstretchedquiteamile，wasafavouriteresortofDonal\'s，partlyforitsbeauty，partlyforitssolitude。Thearmsofthegreattreescrossingmadeofitalongaisle——itsroofabrokenvaultofleaves，upheldbyirregularpointedarches——whichaffectedone\'simaginationlikeanevershiftingdreamofarchitecturalsuggestion。Havingceasedtobeaway，itwasnowallbutentirelydeserted，andtherewaseerinessinthevanishingvistathatshowednothingbeyond。Whenthewindofthetwilightsighedinguststhroughitsmoanfulcrowdofflutteredleaves；orwhenthewindofthewinterwastormentingtheancienthaggardboughs，andthetreeslookedasiftheywerewearyoftheworld，andlongingafterthegardenofGod；yetmorewhenthesnowlayheavyupontheirbranches，sorelytryingtheiragedstrengthtosupportitsoppression，andgivingtheonlookeravaguesenseofwhattheworldwouldbeifGodweregonefromit——thentheoldavenuewasaplacefromwhichonewithmoreimaginationthancouragewouldbereadytohasteaway，andseekinsteadtheabodesofmen。
ButDonal，thoughhedearlylovedhisneighbour，andthatinthefullestconcretesense，wascapableoflovingtheloneliestspots，forinsuchhewasneveralone。
Itwasaltogetheraneglectedplace。Longgrassgrewoveritsfloorfromendtoend——cutnowandthenforhay，ortofeedsuchanimalsashadgrassintheirstalls。Alongoneborder，outsidethetrees，wentafootpath——solittleusedthat，thoughnotquiteconqueredbytheturf，thelonggrassoftenmetoverthetopofit。Findingitsolonely，Donalgrewmoreandmorefondofit。Itwashisoutdoorstudy，hisproseuche{Compilersnote：pi，rho，omicron，sigma，epsilonupsilon，chi，etawithstress——[outdoor]placeofprayer}——alittleaisleofthegreattemple！Seldomindeedwashisreadingormeditationthereinterruptedbysightofhumanbeing。
Aboutamonthafterhehadtakenuphisabodeatthecastle，hewaslyingonedayinthegrasswithabook-companion，undertheshadeofoneofthelargestofitsbeeches，whenhefeltthroughthegroundereheheardthroughtheairthefeetofanapproachinghorse。Astheycamenear，heraisedhisheadtosee。Hisunexpectedappearancestartledthehorse，hisridernearlylosthisseat，anddidlosehistemper。Recoveringtheformer，andholdingtheexcitedanimal，whichwouldhavebeenoffatfullspeed，heurgedhimtowardsDonal，whomhetookforatramp。Hewasrising——deliberately，thathemightnotdomoremischief，andwasyethardlyonhisfeet，whenthehorse，yieldingtothespur，camestraightathim，itsriderwithhiswhiplifted。Donaltookoffhisbonnet，steppedalittleaside，andstood。Hisbearingandcountenancecalmedthehorseman\'srage；therewassomethinginthemtowhichnogentlemancouldfailofresponse。
Theriderwasplainlyonewhohadmoretodowithaffairsbucolicthanwiththoseofcitiesorcourts，butwithalamanofconsciousdignity，sociallyafloat，andabletoholdhisown。
“Whatthedevil——，“hecried——fornothingissoirritatingtoahorsemanastocomenearlosinghisseat，exceptperhapstoloseitaltogether，andindignationagainstthecauseofanuntowardaccidentisgenerallyamortal\'sfirstconsciousnessthereupon：
howeverfoolishly，hefeelshimselfinjured。Butthere，havingbettertakeninDonal\'slook，hecheckedhimself。
“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal。“Itwasfoolishofmetoshowmyselfsosuddenly；Imighthavethoughtitwouldstartlemosthorses。Iwastooabsorbedtohavemywitsaboutme。“
Thegentlemanliftedhishat。
“Ibegyourpardoninreturn，“hesaidwithasmilewhichclearedeverycloudfromhisface。“Itookyouforsomeonewhohadnobusinesshere；butIimagineyouarethetutoratthecastle，withasgoodarightasIhavemyself。“
“Youguesswell，sir。“
“PardonmethatIforgetyourname。“
“MynameisDonalGrant，“returnedDonal，withanaccentonthemyintendingawishtoknowinreturnthatofthespeaker。
“IamaGraeme，“answeredtheother，“oneoftheclan，andfactortotheearl。ComeandseewhereIlive。Mysisterwillbegladtomakeyouracquaintance。Weleadratheralonelylifehere，anddon\'tseetoomanyagreeablepeople。“
“Youcallthislonely，doyou！”saidDonalthoughtfully。“——Itisagrandplace，anyhow！”
“Youareright——asyouseeitnow。Butwaittillwinter！Thenperhapsyouwillchangeyourimpressionalittle。“
“PardonmeifIdoubtwhetheryouknowwhatwintercanbesowellasIdo。Thiseastcoastisbyallaccountsabitterplace，butI
fancyitisonlyuponagreathill-sideyoucanknowtheheartandsoulofasnow-blast。“
“Iyieldthat，“returnedMr。Graeme。“——Itisbitterenoughherethough，andamercywecankeepwarmin-doors。“
“Whichisoftenmorethanweshepherd-folkcando，“saidDonal。
Mr。Graemeusedtosayafterwardshewasneversoimmediatelytakenwithaman。ItwasoneofthecharmsofDonal\'shabitofbeing，thatheneverspokeasifhebelongedtoanyotherthantheclassinwhichhehadbeenbornandbroughtup。Thiscamepartlyofprideinhisfatherandmother，partlyofinborndignity，andpartlyofreligion。TohimthestoryofourLordwastherealityitis，andherejoicedtoknowhimselfsonearlyonthesamesociallevelofbirthastheMasterofhislifeandaspiration。ItwasDonal\'soneambition——togivethehighpassionalowname——tobefreewiththefreedomwhichwashisnaturalinheritance，andwhichistobegainedonlybyobediencetothewordsoftheMaster。Fromthefaceofthisaspirationfledeverykindofpretenceasfromthelightfliesthedarkness。Hencehewasentirelyandthoroughlyagentleman。Whatifhisclotheswerenotevenofthenexttothenewestcut！Whatifhehadnotbeenusedtowhatiscalledsociety！Hewasfarabovesuchthings。Ifhemightbutattaintothemannersofthe“highcountries，“mannerswhichappearbecausetheyexist——becausetheyareallthroughtheman！Hedidnotthinkwhathemightseemintheeyesofmen。Courteous，helpful，considerate，alwaysseekingfirsthowfarhecouldhonestlyagreewithanyspeaker，opposingneversavesweetlyandapologetically——exceptindeedsomeutteranceflagrantlyunjustwereinhisears——therewasnomanoftruebreeding，inoroutofsociety，whowouldnothavegrantedthatDonalwasfitcompanyforanymanorwoman。Mr。Graeme\'seyeglanceddownoverthetallsquare-shoulderedform，alittlestoopingfromlackofdrillandmuchmeditation，butinstantlystraighteningitselfuponanyinwardstir，andhesaidtohimself，“Thisisnocommonman！”
Theyweremovingslowlyalongtheavenue，Donalbytherider\'snearknee，talkingawaylikemennotunlikelysoontoknoweachotherbetter。
“Youdon\'tmakemuchuseofthisavenue！”saidDonal。
“No；itsuseisanoldstory。Thecastlewasforatimedeserted，andthefamily，thenpassingthroughaphaseofcomparativepoverty，livedinthehouseweareinnow——tomymindmuchthemorecomfortable。“
“Whatafineoldplaceitmustbe，ifsuchtreesareafitapproachtoit！”
“Theywereneverplantedforthat；theyareolderfar。Eithertherewasawoodhere，andtherestwerecutdownandtheseleft，ortherewasonceahousemucholderthanthepresent。Thelookofthegarden，andsomeoftheoffices，favourthelatteridea。“
“Ihaveneverseenthehouse，“saidDonal。
“Youhavenotthenbeenmuchaboutyet？”saidMr。Graeme。
“Ihavebeensooccupiedwithmypupil，andsodelightedwithallthatlayimmediatelyaroundme，thatIhavegonenowhere——except，indeed，toseeAndrewComin，thecobbler。“
“Ah，youknowhim！Ihaveheardofhimasaremarkableman。TherewasaclergymanherefromGlasgow——Iforgethisname——sostruckwithhimheseemedactuallytotakehimforaprophet。Hesaidhewasasurvivaloftheoldmystics。FormypartIhavenoturnforextravagance。“
“But，“saidDonal，inthetoneofonemerelysuggestingapossibility，“athingthatfromtheoutsidemayseemanextravagance，maylookquitedifferentwhenyougetinsideit。“
“Themorereasonforkeepingoutofit！Ifacquaintancemustmakeyouinlovewithit，themoreairbetweenyouanditthebetter！”
“Wouldnotsuchprecautionasthatkeepyoufromgainingatrueknowledgeofmanythings？Nothingalmostcanbeknownfromwhatpeoplesay。“
“True；buttherearethingssoplainlynonsense！”
“Yes；buttherearethingsthatseemtobenonsense，becausethemanthinksheknowswhattheyarewhenhedoesnot。Whowouldknowtheshapeofachairwhotookhisideaofitfromitsshadowonthefloor？Whatideacanamanhaveofreligionwhoknowsnothingofitexceptfromwhathehearsatchurch？”
Mr。Graemewasnotfondofgoingtochurchyetwent：hewasthelessdispleasedwiththeremark。Buthemadenoreply，andthesubjectdropped。