CHAPTERLXVIII。
LARKIE。
Itwasalovelydayinspring。
“Please，Mr。Grant，“saidDavie，“mayIhaveaholiday？”
Donallookedathimwithalittlewonder：theboyhadneverbeforemadesucharequest！Butheansweredhimatonce。
“Yes，certainly，Davie。ButIshouldliketoknowwhatyouwantitfor。“
“Arkiewantsverymuchtohavearideto-day。ShesaysLarkie——I
gavehimhisname，torimewithArkie——shesaysLarkiewillforgether，andshedoesnotwishtogooutwithForgue，soshewantsmetogowithheronmypony。“
“Youwilltakegoodcareofher，Davie？”
“Iwilltakecareofher，butyouneednotbeanxiousaboutus，Mr。
Grant。Arkieisasplendidrider，andmuchpluckierthansheusedtobe！”
Donaldid，however——hecouldnothavesaidwhy——feelalittleanxiety。Herepresseditasunfaithfulness，butitkeptreturning。
Hecouldnotgowiththem——therewasnohorseforhim，andtogoonfoot，would，hefeared，spoiltheirride。HewassomuchafraidalsoofpresumingonladyArctura\'sregardforhim，thathewouldhaveshrunkfromofferinghaditbeenmorefeasible。Hegotabook，andstrolledintothepark，notevengoingtoseethemoff：Forguemightbeaboutthestable，andmakethingsunpleasant！
HadForguebeenaboutthestable，hewould，Ithink，havesomehowmanagedtopreventtheride，forLarkie，thoughmuchbetter，wasnotyetcuredofhislameness。Arcturadidnotknowhehadbeenlame，orthathehadthereforebeenverylittleexercised，andwasnowratherwild，withapastern-jointfarfromequaltohisspirit。Therewasbutaboyaboutthestable，whoeitherdidnotunderstand，orwasafraidtospeak：sherodeinadangerofwhichsheknewnothing。Theconsequencewasthat，jumpingthemerestlittleditchinafieldoutsidethepark，theyhadafall。Thehorsegotupandtrottedlimpingtothestable；hismistresslaywhereshefell。Davie，wildwithmisery，gallopedhome。FromtheheightoftheparkDonalsawhimtearingalong，andknewsomethingwasamiss。Heran，gotoverthewall，foundthepony\'strack，andfollowingit，camewhereArcturalay。
Therewasalittleclearwaterintheditch：hewethishandkerchief，andbathedherface。Shecametoherself，openedhereyeswithafaintsmile，andtriedtoraiseherself，butfellbackhelpless，andclosedhereyesagain。
“IbelieveIamhurt！”shemurmurmed。“IthinkLarkiemusthavefallen！”
Donalwouldhavecarriedher，butshemoanedso，thathegaveuptheideaatonce。Daviewasgoneforhelp；itwouldbebettertowait！
Hepulledoffhiscoatandlaiditoverher，thenkneeling，raisedherheadalittlefromthedampgrounduponhisarm。Shelethimdoashepleased，butdidnotopenhereyes。
Theyhadnotlongtowait。Severalcamerunning，amongthemlordForgue。Hefellbesidehiscousinonhisknees，andtookherhandinhis。Sheneithermovednorspoke。Asinsteadofdoinganythinghemerelypersistedinclaimingherattention，Donalsawitwasforhimtogiveorders。
“Myladyismuchhurt，“hesaid：“oneofyougoatonceforthedoctor；theothersbringahand-barrow——Iknowthereisoneabouttheplace。Laythesquabofasofaonit，andmakehaste。LetmistressBrookesknow。“
“Mindyourownbusiness，“saidForgue。
“DoasMr。Granttellsyou，“saidladyArctura，withoutopeninghereyes。
Themendepartedrunning。Forguerosefromhisknees，andwalkedslowlytoalittledistance，wherehestoodgnawinghislip。
“Mylord，“saidDonal，“pleaserunandfetchalittlebrandyforherladyship。Shehasfainted。“
WhatcouldForguedobutobey！Hestartedatonce，andwithtolerablespeed。ThenArcturaopenedhereyes，andsmiled。
“Areyousufferingmuch，mylady？”askedDonal。
“Agooddeal，“sheanswered，“butIdon\'tmindit——Thankyoufornotleavingme——ItisnomorethanIcanbear，onlybadwhenItrytomove。“
“Theywillnotbelongnow，“hesaid。
Againsheclosedhereyes，andwassilent。Donalwatchedthesweetface，whichacloudofsufferingwouldeverynowandthencross，andlifteduphishearttothesaviourofmen。
Hesawthemcomingwiththeextemporizedlitter，behindthemmistressBrookes，withForgueandoneofthemaids。
Whenshecameup，sheaddressedherselfinsilencetoDonal。Hetoldherhefearedherladyship\'sspinewashurt，Afterhisdirectionsheputherhandsunderherandthemaidtookherfeet，whilehe，placinghisotherarmunderhershoulders，andgentlyrising，raisedherbody。Beingallstrongandgentle，theymanagedthemovingwell，andlaidherslowlyonthelitter。Exceptamoanortwo，andagatheringofthebrows，shegavenosignofsuffering；nothingtobecalledacryescapedher。
Donalattheheadandagroomatthefoot，liftedthelitter，andwithorderedstep，startedforthehouse。OnceortwicesheopenedhereyesandlookedupatDonal，then，asifsatisfied，closedthemagain。Beforetheyreachthehousethedoctormetthem，fortheyhadtowalkslowly。
Forguecamebehindinadevilishhumour。HeknewthatfirsthisillusageofLarkie，andthenhispreventinganythingbeingsaidaboutit，musthavebeenthecauseoftheaccident；buthefeltwithsomesatisfaction——forselfsimplymakesdevilsofus——thatifshehadnotrefusedtogooutwithhim，itwouldnothavehappened；hewouldnothaveallowedhertomountLarkie。“Servedherright！”hecaughthimselfsayingonce，andwasashamed——butpresentlysaiditagain。
Selfisasfullofwormsasitcanhold；Goddeliverusfromit！
CHAPTERLXIX。
THESICK-CHAMBER。
Shewascarriedtoherroomandlaidonherbed。ThedoctorrequestedMrs。BrookesandDonaltoremain，anddismissedtherest，thenproceededtoexamineher。Therewerenobonesbroken，hesaid，butshemustbekeptveryquiet。Thewindowsmustbedarkened，andshemustifpossiblesleep。ShegaveDonalafaintsmile，andapitifulglance，butdidnotspeak。Ashewasfollowingthedoctorfromtheroom，shemadeasigntoMrs。Brookeswithhereyesthatshewantedtospeaktohim。
Hecame，andbentovertohear，forshespokeveryfeebly。
“Youwillcomeandseeme，Mr。Grant？”
“Iwill，indeed，mylady。“
“Everyday？”
“Yes，mostcertainly，“hereplied。
Shesmiled，andsodismissedhim。Hewentwithhisheartfull。
AlittlewayfromthedoorstoodForgue，waitingforhimtocomeout。Hehadsentthedoctortohisfather。Donalpassedhimwithabendofthehead。Hefollowedhimtotheschoolroom。
“Itistimethisfarcewasover，Grant！”hesaid。
“Farce，mylord！”repeatedDonalindignantly。
“Theseattentionstomylady。“
“IhavepaidhernomoreattentionthanIwouldyourlordship，hadyourequiredit，“answeredDonalsternly。
“Thatwouldhavebeenconvenientdoubtless！Buttherehasbeenenoughofhumbug，andnowforanendtoit！Eversinceyoucamehere，youhavebeenatworkonthemindofthatinexperiencedgirl——withyourdamnedreligion！——forwhatendyouknowbest！andnowyou\'vehalfkilledherbypersuadinghertogooutwithyouinsteadofme！Thebrutewaslameandnotfittoride！Anyfoolmighthaveseenthat！”
“Ihadnothingtodowithhergoing，mylord。SheaskedDavietogowithher，andhehadaholidayonpurpose。“
“Allveryfine，but——“
“Mylord，Ihavetoldyouthetruth，butnottojustifymyself：youmustbeawareyouropinionisofnovalueinmyeyes！Buttellmeonething，mylord：ifmylady\'shorsewaslame，howwasitshedidnotknow？Youdid！”
ForguethoughtDonalknewmorethanhedid，andwastakenaback。
“Itistimetheplacewasclearofyou！”hesaid。
“Iamyourfather\'sservant，notyours，“answeredDonal，“anddonottroublemyselfastoyourpleasureconcerningme。ButIthinkitisonlyfairtowarnyouthat，thoughyoucannothurtme，nothingbuthonestycantakeyououtofmypower。“
Forgueturnedonhisheel，wenttohisfather，andtoldhimheknewnowthatDonalwasprejudicingthemindofladyArcturaagainsthim；
butnotuntilitcameinthecourseoftheconversation，didhementiontheaccidentshehadhad。
Theearlprofessedhimselfgreatlyshocked，gotupwithsomethingalmostlikealacrityfromhissofa，andwentdowntoinquireafterhisniece。HewouldhavecompelledMrs。Brookestoadmithim，butshewasdeterminedherladyshouldnotbewakedfromasleepinvaluabletoher，forthesakeofreceivinghiscondolements，andhehadtoreturntohisroomwithoutgaininganything。
Ifsheweretogo，thepropertywouldbehis，andhecouldwillitashepleased——thatwas，ifsheleftnowill。Hesentforhissonandcautionedhimoverandovertodonothingtooffendher，butwait：whatmightcome，whocouldtell！Itmightproveaseriousaffair！
Forguetriedtofeelshockedatthecoolnessofhisfather\'sspeculation，butallowedthat，ifshewasdeterminednottoreceivehimasherhusband，thenextbestthing，intheexigenceofaffairs，wouldcertainlybethatsheshouldleaveaworldforwhoseusesshewasillfitted，andgowhereshewouldbehappier。Thethingsshewouldthenhavenofartherneedof，wouldbewelcometothosetowhombyrighttheybelongedmorereallythantoher！Shewasapleasantthingtolookupon，andifshehadlovedhimhewouldratherhavehadthepropertywiththanwithouther；buttherewasthisadvantage，hewouldbeleftfreetochoose！
LadyArcturalaysuffering，feverish，andrestless。Mrs。Brookeswouldletnoonesitupwithherbutherself。Theearlwouldhavesentfor“asuitablenurse！”afriendofhisinLondonwouldfindone！butshewouldnothearofit。Andbeforethenightwasovershehadgreaterreasonstillforrefusingtoyieldherpost：itwasevidentheryoungmistresswasmoreoccupiedwithDonalGrantthanwiththepainshewassuffering！Inherdeliriumshewasconstantlydesiringhispresence。“Iknowhecanhelpme，“shewouldsay；“heisashepherd，liketheLordhimself！”AndmistressBrookes，thoughbynomeansdevoidoftheprejudicesoftherankwithwhichherlifehadbeensomuchassociated，couldnotbutallowthatanoblerlifemustbepossiblewithonelikeDonalGrantthanwithonelikelordForgue。
InthemiddleofthenightArcturabecamesounquiet，thathernurse，callingthemaidshehadinaroomnear，flewlikeabirdtoDonal，andaskedhimtocomedown。Hehadbutpartiallyundressed，thinkinghishelpmightbewanted，andwasdownalmostassoonasshe。Erehecame，however，shehaddismissedthemaid。
Donalwenttothebedside。Arcturawasmoaningandstarting，sometimesopeninghereyes，butdistinguishingnothing。Herhandlayonthecounterpane：helaidhisuponit。Shegaveasighasofonerelieved；asmilecameflickeringoverherface，andshelaystillforsometime。Donalsatdownbesideher，andwatched。Themomenthesawherbegintoberestlessorlookdistressed，helaidhishanduponhers；shewasimmediatelyquiet，andlayforatimeasifsheknewherselfsafe。Whensheseemedabouttowake，hewithdrew。
Sothingswentonformanynights。DonalsleptinsteadofworkingwhenhisdutieswithDaviewereover，andlayatnightinthecorridor，wraptinhisplaid。ForevenafterArcturabegantorecover，hernightsweresorelytroubled，andherrestorationwouldhavebeenmuchretarded，hadnotDonalbeenneartomakeherfeelshewasnotabandonedtotheterrorsshepassedthrough。
Onenighttheearl，wanderingaboutintheanomalousconditionofneitherghostnorgenuinemortal，camesuddenlyuponwhathetookforahugeanimalinwaittodevour。Hewasnotterrified，forhewasaccustomedtosuchthings，andthoughtatfirstitwasnotofthisworld：hehadnodoubtoftherealityofhisvisions，evenwhenheknewtheywereinvisibletoothers，andeveninhiswakingmomentshadbeguntobelieveinthemasmuchasinthethingsthenevidenttohim——orrather，perhaps，todisbelieveequallyinboth。
Heapproachedtoseewhatitwas，andstoodstaringdownuponthemass。Gentlyitroseandconfrontedhim——ifconfrontingthatmaybecalledwherethefaceremainedsoundefined——forDonaltookcaretokeephisplaidoverhishead：hehadhopeintheprobableconditionoftheearl！Heturnedfromhimandwalkedaway。
CHAPTERLXX。
APLOT。
Buthislordshiphadhissuspicions，andtookmeasurestoconfirmorsetthematrest——withtheresultthatheconcludedDonalmadlyinlovewithhisniece，andunable，whileshewasill，torestanywherebut，withthedevotionofasavage，outsideherdoor：ifhedidnottakeprecautions，theloutwouldoustthelord！EversinceDonalspokesoplainlyagainsthisself-indulgence，hehadnotmerelyhatedbutfearedthecountrylad。HerecognizedthatDonalfearednothing，hadnorespectofpersons，wouldspeakoutbeforetheworld。Hewasdoubtfulalsowhetherhehadnotallowedhimtoknowmorethanitwaswellheshouldknow。Itwastimetogetridofhim——onlyitmustbedonecautiously，withtheappearanceofagoodunderstanding！Ifhehadhimoutofthehousebeforeshewasabletoseehimagain，thatwoulddo！Andifinthemeantimesheshoulddie，allwouldbewell！Hisdistrust，onceroused，wentfartherthanthatofhisson。Hehadnotthesameconfidenceinblueblood；heknewafewthingsmorethanForgue——believeditquitepossiblethatthedaughterofalongdescentoflordsandladiesshouldfallinlovewithashepherd-lad。Andasnoonecouldtellwhatmighthavetobedoneifthelegalownerofthepropertypersistedinrefusingherhandtotherightfulownerofit，thefellowmightbeseriouslyintheway！
Arcturaslowlyrecovered。Shehadnotyetleftherroom，buthadbeenafewhoursonthecoucheverydayforafortnight，andthedoctor，nowsanguineofherfinalrecovery，begantotalkofcarryinghertothelibrary。Theearl，whoneversuspectedthatMrs。
Brookes，havinghithertokepthimselffromherroom，wouldadmitthetutor，themomenthelearnedthatthelibrarywasinviewforher，decidedthattheremustbenomoredelay。Hehadbythistimecontrivedaneatlittleplan。
HesentforDonal。Hehadbeenthinking，theearlsaid，thathemustwantaholiday：hehadnotseenhisparentssincehecametothecastle！andhehadbeenthinkingbesides，howdesirableitwasthatDavieshouldseesomeotherphasesoflifethanthosetowhichhehadhithertobeenaccustomed。Therewasgreatdangerofboysbroughtupinhispositiongettingnarrow，andcarelessofthelivesandfeelingsoftheirfellowmen！HewouldtakeitasagreatkindnessifDonal，whohadaregardtotherealeducationofhispupil，wouldtakehimtohishome，andlethimunderstandthewaysoflifeamongthehumblerclassesofthenation——sothat，ifeverhewentintoparliament，hemighthavetheadvantageofknowingtheheartofthepeopleforwhomhewouldhavetolegislate。
Donallistened，andcouldnotbutagreewiththeremarksofhislordship。Inhimselfhehadnottheleastfaith——wonderedindeedwhichofthemthoughttheotherthegreaterfooltoimaginethatafterallthathadpassedDonalwouldplaceanyconfidenceinwhattheearlsaid；buthelistened。WhatlordMorvenreallyhadinhismind，hecouldnotsurmise；butnotthelesstotakeDavietohisfatherandmotherwasadelightfulidea。Theboywasgrowingfast，andhadrevealedafacultyquiterareinonesoyoung，forlookingtotheheartofthings，andseeingtherelationofmantoman；
thereforesuchalessonastheearlproposedwouldindeedbeinvaluabletohim！Thenagain，thisfacultyhadbeenopenedinhimthroughawillingperceptionofthoseeternaltruths，inastillhigherrelationofpersons，whichareopenonlytothechildlikenature；whencehewouldbeespeciallyfittedforsuchcompanyasthatofhisfatherandmother，whocouldnoweasilyreceivetheboyaswellashimself，sincetheirhouseandtheirgeneralworldlyconditionhadbeensomuchbetteredbytheirfriend，sirGibbie！
WiththemDaviewouldseegenuinelife，simplicity，dignity，andunselfishness——theveryembodimentofthethingsheheldconstantlybeforehim！Theremightbesomeotherreasonbehindtheearl\'srequestwhichitwouldbewellforhimtoknow；buthewouldsoonerdiscoverthatbyafreeconsentthanbyhangingback：anythingbaditcouldhardlybe！HeshrankindeedfromleavingladyArcturawhileshewasyetsofarfromwell，butshewasgettingwellmuchfasternow：forafortnighttherehadbeennonecessityforhispresencetosootheherwhilesheslept。Neitherdidsheyetknow，sofar，atleast，asheormistressBrookeswasaware，thathehadeverbeennearherinthenight！ItwaswellalsobecauseofthepositionofthingsbetweenhimandlordForgue，thatheshouldbeawayforawhile：itwouldgiveachanceforthatfoolishsoultosettledown，andletcommonsenseassumethereins，whileyetthebettercoachmanwasnotallowedtomountthebox！Hehad，ofcourse，heardnothingofthestrainedrelationsbetweenhimandladyArctura；hemightotherwisehavebeenalittlemoreanxious。Fortheearl，Davie，hethought，wouldbeakindofpledgeorhostage——inregardofwhat，hecouldnotspecify；but，thoughhelittlesuspectedwhatsuchamanwascapableofsacrificingtogainacherishedend，somesecurityforhim，someholdoverhim，seemedtoDonalnotundesirable。
WhenDavieheardtheproposal，hewaswildwithjoy。Actuallytoseethemountains，andthesheep，andthecolleys，ofwhichDonalhadtoldhimsuchwonderfulthings！Tobeoutallnight，perhaps，withDonalandthedogsandthestarsandthewinds！Perhapsastormwouldcome，andhewouldlieinDonal\'splaidundersomegreatrock，andhearthewindroaringaroundthem，butnotabletogetatthem！
Andthesheepwouldcomeandhuddlecloseuptothem，andkeepthemwarmwiththeirwoollysides！andhewouldstroketheirheadsandlovethem！Daviewasnolongeramerechild——farfromit；butwhatisloveliestinthechild\'sheartwasonlythestrongerinhim；andtheprospectofgoingwithDonalwasathingtobedreamedofdayandnighttillitcame！Norwerethedaysmanybeforetheirdeparturewasdefinitelysettled。
TheearlwouldhaveMr。Granttreathispupilpreciselyasoneofhisownstanding：hemighttakehimonfootifhepleased！
Thesuggestionwaseagerlyacceptedbyboth。Theygottheirboxesreadyforthecarrier，packedtheirwallets，andonelovelymorninglateinspring，justassummerwasshowingherwomanlyfacethroughitssmilesandtears，theysetouttogether。
ItwaswithnosmalldismaythatArcturaheardoftheproposal。Shesaidnothing，however——onlywhenDonalcametotakehisleaveshebrokedownalittle。
“Weshalloftenwish，DavieandI，thatyouwerewithus，mylady，“
hesaid。
“Why？”sheasked，unabletosaymore。
“Becauseweshalloftenfeelhappy，andwhatthencanwedobutwishyousharedourhappiness！”
Sheburstintotears，andpresentlywasabletospeak。
“Don\'tthinkmesilly，“shesaid。“IknowGodiswithme，andassoonasyouaregoneIwillgotohimtocomfortme。ButIcannothelpfeelingasifyouwereleavingmelikealambamongwolves。I
cangivenoreasonforit；Ionlyfeelasifsomedangerwerenearme。ButIhaveyouyet，mistressBrookes：Godandyouwilltakecareofme！——Indeed，ifIhadn\'tyou，“sheadded，laughingthroughhertears，“IshouldrunawaywithMr。GrantandDavie！”
“IfIhadknownyoufeltlikethat，“saidDonal，“Iwouldnothavegone。YetIhardlyseehowIcouldhaveavoidedit，beingDavie\'stutor，andboundtodoashisfatherwisheswithhim。Only，dearladyArctura，thereisnochanceinthisorinanything！Wewillnotforgetyou，andinthreeweeksoramonthweshallbeback。“
“Thatisalongtime，“saidArctura，readytoweepagain。
Isitnecessarytosayshewasnotaweakwoman？Itisnotbetrayaloffeeling，butavoidanceofduty，thatconstitutesweakness。Afteranillnesshehasbornelikeahero，astrongmanmaybereadytoweeplikeachild。Whatthecommonpeopleofsocietythinkaboutstrengthandweakness，ispoorstuff，liketherestoftheirwisdom。
Shespeedilyrecoveredhercomposure，andwiththegentlestsmilebadeDonalgood-bye。Shewasinhersitting-roomnextthestate-chamberwhereshenowslept；thesunwasshininginattheopenwindow，andwithitcamethesongofalittlebird，clearandsweet。
“Youhearhim，“saidDonal。“——howhetrustsGodwithoutknowingit！
Wearemadeabletotrusthimknowinginwhomwebelieve！Ah，dearladyArctura！noheartevenyetcantellwhatthingsGodhasinstoreforthemwhowilljustlethimhavehiswaywiththem。
Good-bye。WritetomeifanythingcomestoyouthatIcanhelpyouin。AndbesureIwillmakehastetoyouthemomentyouletmeknowyouwantme。“
“Thankyou，Mr。Grant：Iknowyoumeaneverywordyousay！IfIneedyou，Iwillnothesitatetosendforyou——onlyifyoucome，itwillbeasmyfriend，andnot——“
“Itwillbeasyourservant，notlordMorven\'s，“saidDonal。“I
quiteunderstand。Goodbye。ThefatherofJesusChrist，whowassosureofhim，willtakecareofyou：donotbeafraid。“
Heturnedandwent；hecouldnolongerbearthelookofhereyes。
CHAPTERLXXI。
GLASHGAR。
OutofArctura\'ssightDonalhadhisturnofso-calledweakness！
Thedaywasagloriousone，andDavie，fullofspirits，couldnotunderstandwhyheseemedsounlikehimself。
“Arkiewouldscoldyou，Mr。Grant！”hesaid。
Donalavoidedthetown，andwalkedalongwayroundtogetintotheroadbeyondit，hisheadbentasifhewereponderingapain。Atmomentshefeltasifhemustreturnatonce，andrefusetoleavethecastleforanyreason。ButhecouldnotseethatitwasthewillofGodheshoulddoso。Apresentimentisnotacommand。Aprophecymayfailoftheleastindicationofduty。HamletdefyingauguryistheconsistentreligiousmanShaksperetakespainstoshowhim。A
presentimentmaybetrue，maybefromGodhimself，yetinvolvenoreasonwhyamanshouldchangehisway，shouldturnastepasidefromthepathbeforehim。St。PaulreceivedwarningafterwarningonhisroadtoJerusalemthatbondsandimprisonmentawaitedhim，andthesewarningsheknewcamefromthespiritofprophecy，butheheededthemonlytosethisfacelikeaflint。Heknewbetterthanimaginedutydeterminedbyconsequences，ortakeforesightfordirection。Thereisahigherguide，andhefollowedthat。SodidDonalnow。Movedtogoback，hedidnotgoback——neitherafterwardsrepentedthathedidnot。
Iwillnotdescribethejourney。Sufficeittosaythat，afterafewdaysofsuchwalkingasbefittedanunaccustomedboy，theyclimbedthelasthill，crossedthethresholdofRobertGrant\'scottage，andwerebothclaspedintheembraceofJanet。ForDavierushedintothearmsofDonal\'smother，andshetookhimtothesamehearttowhichshehadtakenweesirGibbie：thebosomofthepeasantwomanwasindeedonetofeeto。
ThenfolloweddelightswhichmorethanequalledtheexpectationsofDavie。OneofthemwasseeinghowDonalwasloved。Anotherwasanewsenseoffreedom：hehadneverimaginedsuchlibertyashenowenjoyed。ItwasasifGodweregivingittohim。freshoutofhissky，hismountains，hiswinds。Thentherewasthetwilightonthehill-side，withthesheepgrowingduskyaroundhim；whenDonalwouldtalkabouttheshepherdofthehumansheep；andhearinghimDaviefeltnotonlythattherewasonce，butthatthereisnowamanaltogetherlovely——theheartofallbeautyeverywhere——amanwhogavehimselfuptohisperfectfatherandhisfather\'smostimperfectchildren，thathemightbringhisbrothersandsistershometotheirfather；forallhisdelightisinhisfatherandhisfather\'schildren。HeshowedhimhowtheheartofJesuswas，allthrough，theheartofason，asonthatadoredhisperfectfather；
andhowifhehadnothadhisperfectsontohelphim，Godcouldnothavemadeanyofus，couldneverhavegotustobehislittlesonsanddaughters，lovinghimwithallourmight。ThenDavie\'sheartwouldglow，andhewouldfeelreadytodowhateverthatsonmightwanthimtodo；andDonalhoped，andhadgoodgroundforhoping，that，whenthehouroftrialcame，theyouthwouldbeabletohold，notmerelybytheunseen，butbytheseeminglyunpresentandunfelt，inthenameoftheeternallytrue。
Donal\'syouthbegantoseemfarbehindhim。AllbitternesswasgoneoutofhismemoriesofladyGalbraith。Helovedhertenderly，butwaspleasedsheshouldbeGibbie\'s。
HowmuchofthishappychangewasowingtohisinterestinladyArcturahedidnotinquire：greatlyinterestedinher——moreinveryimportantwaysthanhehadeverbeeninladyGalbraith——hewassojealousofhisheart，shranksomuchfromthedangeroffolly，knewsowellhowsmallanamountofyieldingmightunfithimforthemanlyandfreshperformanceofhisduties——amongwhichcamefirstadueregardforherwell-beinglestheshouldhimselffailormisleadher——thatheoftenturnedhisthoughtsintoanotherchannel，lestinthattheyshouldruntooswiftly，deepenittoofast，andgofartoimprisonthemselvesinanotheragony。
ToladyGalbraithheconfidedhisuneasinessaboutladyArctura——notthathecouldexplain——hecouldonlyconfesshimselfinfectedwithheruneasiness，andtheratherthatheknewbetterthanshethenatureofthosewithwhomshemighthavetocope。IfMrs。Brookeshadnotbeenthere，hedarednothavecomeaway，hesaid，leavingherwithsuchadreaduponher。
SirGibbielistenedopen-mouthedtothetaleofthefindingofthelostchapel，hiddenawaybecauseitheldthedustofthedead，andperhapssometimestheirwanderingghosts。
Theyassuredhimthat，ifhewouldbringladyArcturatothem，theywouldtakecareofher：hadshenotbettergiveupthewearyproperty，theysaid，andcomeandlivewiththem，andbefreeasthelark？ButDonalsaid，that，ifGodhadgivenheraproperty，hewouldnothaveherforsakeherpost，butwaitforhimtorelieveher。Shemustadministerherownkingdomereshecouldhaveanabundantentranceintohis！Onlyhewishedhewerenearheragaintohelpher！
CHAPTERLXXII。
SENT，NOTCALLED。
Hehadbeenathomeabouttendays，duringwhichnotawordhadcometoDavieorhimselffromthecastle，andwasbeginningtogrow，notperhapsanxious，buthungryfornewsofladyArctura，whenfromasoundsleephestartedsuddenlyawakeonemidnighttofindhismotherbyhisbedside：shehadrousedhimwithdifficulty。
“Laddie，“shesaid，“I\'mthinkinye\'rewantit。“
“WhauramIwantit，mother？”heasked，rubbinghiseyes，butwithanxietyalreadythrobbingathisheart。
“Atthecastle，“shereplied。
“Hookenyethat？”heasked。
“Itwadbeilltellin\'ye，“sheanswered。“ButgienIwasyou，Donal，Iwadbeaffaforethedaybrak，toseewhatthey\'reduin\'
wi\'yonpuirleddyatthemuckleplaceyeleft。Myhert\'sthatsairaboother，IcannarestamomenttillIhaeyeawa\'upo\'thero\'dtilher！”
Longbeforehismotherhadended，Donalwasoutofbed，andhurryingonhisclothes。Hehadtheprofoundestfaithinwhateverhismothersaid。Wasitavisionshehadhad？Hehadneverbeentoldshehadthesecondsight！Itmighthavebeenonlyadream，oranimpressionsodeepshemustheedit！Onethingwasplain：therewasnotimetoaskquestions！Itwasenoughthathismothersaid“Go；“morethanenoughthatitwasforladyArctura！Howquickestcouldhego？TherewerehorsesatsirGibbie\'s：hewouldmakefreewithone！Heputacrustofbreadinhispocket，andsetoutrunning。Therewasalittlemoonlight，enoughforonewhokneweveryfootoftheway；andinhalfanhourofswiftdescent，hewasatthestabledoorofGlashruach。
Findinghimselfunabletorouseanyone，hecreptthroughawayheknew，openedthedoor，withoutamoment\'shesitationsaddledandbridledsirGibbie\'sfavouritemare，ledherout，andmountedher。
Safeinthesaddle，withfourlegsbusyunderhim，hehadtimetothink，andbegantoturnoverinhismindwhathemustdo。Buthesoonsawtherewasnoplanninganythingtillheknewwhatwasthematter——ofwhichhehaddreadfulforebodings。Hisimaginationstartedandspurredbyfear，hethoughtofmanydreadpossibilitiesconcerningwhichhewonderedthathehadneverthoughtofthembefore：ifhehadhecouldnothaveleftthecastle！Whatmightnotamaninthementalandmoralconditionoftheearl，unrestrainedbylaworconscience，risktosecurethepropertyforhisson？Mighthenotpoisonher，smotherher，killhersomehow，anyhowthatwassafest？Thenrushedintohismindwhatthehousekeeperhadtoldhimofhiscrueltytohiswife：amanlikethat，nolongerfeeling，howeverknowingthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong，hardlyknowingthedifferencebetweendreamingathinganddoingthething，wasnofittermemberofafamilythananydevilinoroutofhell！
Hewouldhaveblamedhimselfbitterlyhadhenotbeensurehewasnotfollowinghisownwillingoingaway。Iftherewereabetterwayithadnotbeenintendedheshouldtakeit，elseitwouldhavebeenshownhim！Butnowhewouldberestrainedbynodelicacytowardstheearl：whateverhishandfoundtodohewoulddo，regardlessofappearances！IfhecouldnotreachladyArctura，hewouldseekthehelpofthelaw，tellwhatheknew，andgetawarrantofsearch。Hedarednotthinkwhathedreaded，buthewouldtrustnothingbutseeingherwithhisowneyes，andhearingfromherownmouththatallwaswell——whichcouldnotbe，elsewhyshouldhismotherhavesenthimtoher？Doubtlessthewaywouldunfoldbeforehimashewenton；butifeverythingshouldseemtogoagainsthim，hewouldyetsaywithsirPhilipSidneythat，“sinceamanisboundnofarthertohimselfthantodowisely，chanceisonlytotroublethemthatstanduponchance。“Ifhisplansorattemptsshouldoneaftertheotherfail，“there\'sadivinitythatshapesourends，rough-hewthemhowwewill“！Soherodeon，carefuloverhismare，lestmuchhasteshouldbelittlespeed。Theanimalwasstrongandingoodcondition，andbythetimeDonalhadseenthesunrise，ascendtheheavens，andgohalf-waydowntheirwesternslope，andhadstoppedthreetimestorefreshthemare，hefoundhimself，aftermuchclimbinganddescent，onagoodlevelroadthatpromisedbynightfalltobringhimtotheplaceofhisdesire。
Butthemarewasnowgettingtired，andnowonder，forshehadhadmorethanahardday\'swork。Donaldismountedeverynowandthentorelieveher，thathemightgothefasterwhenhemountedagain，comfortinghimselfthatinthetruepaththedelaysareasimportantasthespeed；forthehouristhepoint，nottheswiftness：anhourtoosoonmayevenbemoredisastrousthananhourtoolate！Hewouldarriveattherighttimeforhimwhosewaysarenotasourwaysinasmuchastheyaregreatlybetter！Thesunwentdownandthestarscameout，andthelongtwilightbegan。Butbeforehewasamilefartherhebecameawarethattheskyhadcloudedover，thestarshadvanished，andrainwasathand。Thedayhadbeensultry，andreliefwascome。Lightningflamedout，anddarknessfullofthunderfollowed。Thestormwasdrawingnearer，buthismare，thoughyoungandhigh-spirited，wastoowearytobefrightened；therainrefreshedboth，andtheymadealittlemorespeed。Butitwasdarknight，withnowgrumblingnowragingstorm，beforetheycamewhere，haditbeenlight，Donalwouldhavelookedtoseethecastle。
CHAPTERLXXIII。
INTHENIGHT。
Whenhereachedthetown，herodeintotheyardoftheMorvenArms，andhavingfoundasleepyostler，gaveuphismare：hewouldbebetterwithoutheratthecastle！——whitherhewassettingouttowalkwhenthelandlordappeared。
“Wedidnaluiktoseeyou，sir，atthistime！”hesaid。
“Whynot？”returnedDonal。
“Wethouchtyewasawa\'forthesimmer，seein\'yetuiktheyoonggentlemanwi\'ye，an\'theyerlhimsel\'followt！”
“Whereishegone？”askedDonal。
“Oh！dinnayeken，sir？haenayeh\'ard？”
“Notaword。“
“That\'sverrastrange，sir！——There\'sacleanclearanceatthecastel。FirstgaedmylordForgue，an\'synemylordhimsel\'an\'mylady，an\'synegaedthehoosekeeper——hermitherwasdeein\'，theysaid。I\'mthinkin\'theremaunbeaweddin\'tothefore。Therewassomewordo\'fittin\'uptheauldhoosei\'thetoon，\'causelordForguedidnacareabootbein\'atthecastelonylanger。It\'sstrangeyehaenah\'ard，sir！”
Donalstoodabsorbedinawfulhearing。Surelysomelettermusthavemiscarried！Thesureandfirm-setearthseemedgivingwayunderhisfeet。
“Iwillrunuptothecastle，andhearallaboutit，“hesaid。“Lookaftermymare，willyou？”
“ButI\'mtellin\'ye，sir，ye\'llfin\'naebodythere！”saidtheman。
“They\'rea\'ganefraethehooseonygait。There\'snoasowlabootthatbutdeifBettyLobban，whawadnaheartheangelwi\'thelasttrump。Mairbytoken，she\'sthatfeartforrobbersshegangstilherbedtheminuteitbeginstogrowdark，an\'sticksherheid\'aneththebed-claes——no\'atthatmaksheronydeifer！”
“Thenyouthinkthereisnouseingoingup？”
“Notthesmallest，“answeredtheinn-keeper。
“Getmesomesupperthen。Iwilltakealookatmymare。“
Hewentandsawthatshewasattendedto——thensetoffforthecastleasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。Therewasfoulplaybeyondadoubt！——ofwhatsorthecouldnottell！Iftheman\'sreportwascorrect，hewouldgostraighttothepolice！Thenfirstheremembered，inadditiontotheotherreportedabsences，thatbeforeheleftwithDavie，thefactorandhissisterhadgonetogetherforaholiday：hadthisbeencontrived？
Hemountedthehillanddrewnearthecastle。Aterriblegloomfelluponhim：therewasnotalightinthesullenpile！Itwasdarksomeeventoterror！Hewenttothemainentrance，andrangthegreatbellasloudashecouldringit，buttherewasnoanswertothesummons，whichechoedandyelledhorribly，asifthehousewereactuallyempty。Herangagain，andagaincamethehorribleyellingecho，butnomoreanswerthanifithadbeenamausoleum。Hehadbeentoldwhattoexpect，yethisheartsankwithinhim。Oncemoreherangandwaited；buttherewasnosoundofhearing。Theplacegrewterribletohim。Buthismotherhadsenthimthere，andintoithemustgo！Hemustatleastlearnwhetheritwasindeedabandoned！
Therewasfalseplay！hekeptrepeatingtohimself；butwhatwasit？
whereandhowwasittobemet？
Astogettingintothehousetherewasnodifficulty。HehadbuttoclimbtwowallstogettothedoorofBaliol\'stower，andthekeyofthathealwayscarried。Ifhehadnothadit，hewouldyetsoonhavegotin；heknewtheplacebetterthananyoneelseaboutit。Happilyhehadleftthedoorlockedwhenhewentaway，elseprobablytheywouldhavesecureditotherwise。Heenteredsoftly，and，withastrangefeelingofdread，wentwindingupthestairtohisroom——slowly，becausehedidnotyetknowatallwhathewastodo。
Iftherewerenofalseplay，surelyatleastMrs。Brookeswouldhavewrittentotellhimtheyweregoing！Ifonlyhecouldlearnwhereshewas！Beforehereachedthetophefoundhimselfveryweary。Hestaggeredin，andfellonhisbedinthedark。
Buthecouldnotrest。Theairseemedstifling。Thestormhadlulled，buttheatmospherewasfullofthunder。Hegotupandopenedthewindow。Alittlebreathcameinandrevivedhim；thencamealittlewind，andinthewindthemoanofitsharp。Itwokemanymemories。Thereagainwasthelightning！Thethunderbrokewithagreatbellowingroaramongtheroofsandchimneys。Itwastohismind！Hewentoutontheroof，andmechanicallytookhiswaytowardthenestofthemusic。Atthebaseofthechimneyshesatdown，andstaredintothedarkness。Thelightningcame；hesawthesealiewatchinglikeaperfectpeacetotakeupdriftsouls，andthelandborderingitlikeawasteofdread；thenthedarknessswallowedboth；andthethundercamesoloudthatitnotonlydeafenedbutseemedtoblindhimbeyondthedarkness，thathisbrainturnedtoalumpofclay。Thencameasilence，andthesilencewaslikeadeeperdeafness。Butfromthedeafnessburstandtrickledafaintdoubtfulstream：coulditbeavoice，calling，calling，fromagreatdistance？Washethefoolofwearinessandexcitement，ordidheactuallyhearhisownname？WhosevoicecoulditbebutladyArctura\'s，callingtohimfromthespiritworld！Theyhadkilledher，andshewascallingtolethimknowshewasinthelandofliberty！Withthatcameanotherflashandanotherroarofthunder——andtherewasthevoiceagain：“Mr。Grant！Mr。Grant！come，come！Youpromised！”Didheactuallyhearthewords？Theysoundedsofarawaythatitseemedasifheoughtnottohearthem。Butcouldthevoicebefromthespirit-land？Wouldsheclaimhispromisethence，temptinghimthither？Shewouldnot！Andsheknewhewouldnotgobeforehishour，ifallthespiritsontheothersidewerecallinghim。Buthehadheardofvoicesfromfaraway，whilethosewhocalledwereyetinthebody！Ifshewouldbutsaywhither，hewouldfollowherthatmoment！Oncemoreitcame，butveryfaint；hecouldnottellwhatitsaid。Awailoftheghost-musicfollowedclose——Godinheaven！couldshebedowninthechapel？Hesprangtohisfeet。Withsuperhumanenergyheleaptupandcaughttheedgeofthecleft，drewhimselfuptillhismouthreachedit，andcriedaloud，“LadyArctura！”
Therecamenoanswer。
“Iamstupidasdeath！”hesaidtohimself：“Ihavelethercallmeinvain！”
“Iamcoming！”hecriedagain，revivedwithsuddenjoy。Hedroppedontheroof，andspeddownthestairtothedoorthatopenedonthesecondfloor。Allwasdarkasunderground，butheknewthewaysowellheneededbutalittleguidancefromhishands。HehurriedtoladyArctura\'schamber，andthespotwherethepressstood，readywithoneshovetosendityardsoutofhisway。Therewasnopressthere！——nothingbutasmooth，cold，dampwall！Hisheartsankwithinhim。Washeinaterribledream？No，no！hehadbutmadeamistake——hadtrustedtoomuchtohisknowledgeofthehouse，andwasnotwherehethoughthewas！Hestruckalight。Alas！alas！hewaswherehehadintended！Itwasherroom！Therewasthewardrobe，butnearerthedoor！Whereithadstoodwasnorecess！——nothingbutagreatpatchoffreshplaster！Itwasnodream，butatruehorror！
Instinctivelyclutchinghisskenedhu，hedartedtothegreatstair。
ItmusthavebeenthevoiceofArcturahehadheard！Shewaswalledupinthechapel！
Downthestair，withswiftnoiselessfoothesped，andstoppedatthedoorofthehalf-wayroom。Itwaslocked！
Therewasbutonewayleft！Tothefootofthestairheshot。Goodheavens！ifthatwayalsoshouldhavebeenknowntotheearl！Hecreptthroughthelittledoorunderneaththestair，feelingwithhishandserehisbodywasthrough：thearchwasopen！Inaninstanthewasinthecrypt。
Butnowtogetupthroughtheopeningintothepassageabove——stoppedwithaheavyslab！Hesprangatthesteepslopeofthewindow-sill，buttherewasnohold，andasoftenashesprangheslippeddownagain。Hetriedandtrieduntilhewaswornoutandalmostindespair。Shemightbedying！hewasclosetoher！hecouldnotreachher！Hestoodstillforamomenttothink。Tohismindcametheword，“Hethatbelievethshallnotmakehaste。“Hethoughtwithhimself，“Godcannothelpmenwithwisdomwhentheirmindsareintoogreatatumulttohearwhathesays！”Hetriedtoliftuphisheartandmakeasilenceinhissoul。
Ashestoodheseemedtosee，throughthedark，thegloomyplaceasitfirstappearedwhenhethrewinthelightedletter。Allatoncehestartedfromhisquiescence，droppedonhishandsandknees，andcrawleduntilhefoundtheflatstonelikeagravestone。Outcamehisknife，andhedugawaytheearthatoneend，untilhecouldgetbothhandsunderit。Thenheheaveditfromthefloor，andshiftingitalong，gotitundertheopeninginthewall。
CHAPTERLXXIV。
AMORALFUNGUS。
Spiritualinsanity，cupidity，cruelty，andpossiblyimmediatedemoniacaltemptationhadlongbeenworkinginandonamindthathadnowceasedalmosttodistinguishbetweentherealandtheunreal。Everymanwhobendstheenergiesofanimmortalspirittofurthertheendsandobjectsofhislowerbeing，failssotodistinguish；butwiththeearltheblindnesshadwroughtoutwardaswellasinwardly，sothathewasevenunable，duringconsiderableportionsofhislife，totellwhetherthingstookplaceoutsideorinsidehim。Nordidthistroublehim——hewaspastcaring。Hewouldarguethatwhatequallyaffectedhimhadanequalrighttobebyhimregardedasexistent。Hepaidnoheedtothedifferentnaturesofthetwokindsofexistence，theirdifferentlaws，andthedifferentdemandstheymadeuponthetwoconsciousnesses；hehadinfact，byalongcourseofdisobediencegrowingtoutterdisuseofconscience，arrivednearlyatnon-individuality。Inregardtowhatwasoutsidehimhewasbutamirror，inregardtowhatwasinsidehimamerevesselofimperfectlyinteractingforces。Andnowhiscapacitiesandincapacitiestogetherhadculminatedinahideousplot，inwhichitwouldbehardtosaywhetherthefolly，thecrime，orthecunningpredominated：hehadmadeuphismindthat，ifthedaughterofhisbrotherrefusedtowedhercousin，andsocarryoutwhatheassertedtohavebeenthedeclaredwishofherfather，sheshouldgoafterherfather，andleaveherpropertytothenextheir，sothatifnotinonewaytheninanotherthelawofnaturemightbefulfilled，andtitleandpropertyunitedwithouttheinterventionofamarriage。Astoanyevilthatthereinmightbeimaginedtobefallhisniece，hequotedthewordsofHamlet——“Sincenomanhasoughtofwhatheleaves，whatis\'ttoleavebetimes？”——shewouldbenoworsethanshemusthavebeenwhenthefewyearsofhernaturalpilgrimagewereofnecessityover：thedifferencetoherwasnotworththinkingofbesidethedifferencetothefamily！Atthesametimeperhapsascaremightserve，andshewouldconsenttomarryForguetoescapeafrightfulend！
ThemomentDonalwasgone，hesentForguetoLondon，andsethimselftoovercomethedistrustofhimwhichhecouldnotbutseehadforsometimebeengrowinginher。Withthesweetprejudicesofalovingnaturetoassisthim，hesoonprevailedsofarthat，withoutmuchentreaty，sheconsentedtoaccompanyhimtoLondon——foramonthorso，hesaid，whileDaviewasgone。Theproposalhadcharmsforher：
shehadbeentherewithherfatherwhenamerechild，andneversince。ShewrotetoDonaltolethimknow：howitwasthatherletterneverreachedhim，itishardlyneedfultoinquire。
Theearl，inorder，hesaid，toshowhisrecognitionofhersweetcompliance，madearrangementsforpostingitalltheway。Hewouldtakeherbytheroadheusedtotravelhimselfwhenhewasayoungman：sheshouldjudgewhethermorehadnotbeenlostthangainedbyrapidity！Whatevershortenedanynaturalprocess，hesaid，simplyshortenedlifeitself。Simmonsshouldgobefore，andfindasuitableplaceforthem！
TheywerehardlygonewhenMrs。Brookesreceivedaletterpretendedlyfromtheclergymanoftheparish，inaremotepartofthesouth，wherehermother，nowaveryoldwoman，lived，sayingshewasatthepointofdeath，andcouldnotdieinpeacewithoutseeingherdaughter。Shewentatonce。
Theschemewasamadman\'s，excellentlycontrivedfortheinstantobject，butwithnooutlookforimmediatelyresultingperils。
Afterthefirstnightontheroad，heturnedacrosscountry，andalittletowardshome；afterthenextnight，hedrovestraightback，butasitwasbyadifferentroad，Arcturasuspectednothing。Whentheycamewithinafewhoursofthecastle，theystoppedatalittleinnfortea；therehecontrivedtogiveheracertaindose。Atthenextplacewheretheystopped，herepresentedherashisdaughtertakensuddenlyill：hemustgostraighthomewithher，howeverlatetheymightbe。Givinganimaginarynametotheirdestination，andkeepingonthelastpost-boywhoknewnothingofthecountry，hedirectedhimsoascompletelytobewilderhim，withtheresultthathesetthemdownatthecastlesupposingitadifferentplace，andinadifferentpartofthecountry。Thethingwasaftertheearl\'sownheart；hedelightedinmakingafoolofafellow-mortal。Hesenthimawaysoasnottoenterthetown：itwasofimportancehisreturnshouldnotbeknown。
Itisamarvelhecouldeffectwhatfollowed；buthehadtheremnantsofgreatstrength，andwhenunderinfluencesheknewtoowellhowtomanage，wasforthetimealmostaspowerfulasever：hegothisvictimtohisroomonthestair，andthencethroughtheoakdoor。
CHAPTERLXXV。
THEPORCHOFHADES。
WhenArcturawokefromherunnaturalsleep，shelayawhilewithoutthought，thenbegantolocalizeherself。Thelastplacesherecalledwastheinnwheretheyhadtea：shemusthavebeentheretakenill，shethought，andwasnowinaroomofthesame。Itwasquitedark：
theymighthaveleftalightbyher！Shelaycomfortablyenough，buthadasuspicionthattheplacewasnotoverclean，andwasgladtofindherselfnotundrest。Sheturnedonherside：somethingpulledherbythewrist。Shemusthaveabraceleton，anditwasentangledinthecoverlet！Shetriedtounclaspit，butcouldnot：whichofherbraceletscoulditbe？Therewassomethingattachedtoit！——achain——athickchain！Howodd！Whatcoulditmean？Shelayquiet，slowlywakingtofullerconsciousness——Wastherenotastrangeair，adullodourintheroom？Undefinedasitwas，shehadsmeltitbefore，andnotlongsince！——Itwasthesmellofthelostchapel！——Butthatwasathomeinthecastle！shehadleftittwodaysbefore！Wasshegoingoutofhermind？
Thedewofagonyburstfromherforehead。Shewouldhavestartedup，butwaspulledhardbythewrist！ShecriedonGod——Yes，shewaslyingontheveryspotwherethatheapofwoman-dusthadlain！shewasmanacledwiththesameringfromwhichthatwoman\'sarmhadwasted——thedecayofcenturiesherslowredeemer！Herbeingrecoiledsowildlyfromthehorror，thatforamomentsheseemedontheedgeofmadness。Butmadnessisnotthesolerefugefromterror！WherethedoorofthespirithasoncebeenopenedwidetoGod，thereishe，thepresenthelpintimeoftrouble！Withhiminthehouse，itisnotonlythatweneedfearnothing，butthatistherewhichinitsownbeingandnaturecastsoutfear。Godandfearcannotbetogether。ItisaGodfaroffthatcausesfear。“Inthypresenceisfulnessofjoy。“SuchasenseofabsolutehelplessnessoverwhelmedArcturathatshefeltawakeinheranendlessclaimupontheprotectionofheroriginal，thesourceofherbeing。Andwhatsoonerwouldanyfatherhaveofhischildrenthanactiononsuchclaim！Godisalwayscallingusashischildren，andwhenwecallhimasourfather，then，andnottillthen，doeshebegintobesatisfied。AndwiththattherefelluponArcturaakindofsleep，whichyetwasnotsleep；itwasareposesuchasperhapsisthesleepofaspirit。
Againtheexternalbegantointrude。Shepicturedtoherselfwhatthedarknesswashiding。Herfeelingswhenfirstshecamedownintotheplacereturnedonhermemory。Thetideofterrorbeganagaintorise。Itroseandrose，andthreatenedtobecomemonstrous。Shereasonedwithherself：hadshenotbeenbroughtinsafetythroughitsfirstandmostdangerousinroad？——butreasoncouldnotoutfaceterror。Itwasfear，themostterribleofallterrors，thatshefeared。Thenagainwokeherfaith：ifthenighthidethnotfromhim，neitherdoesthedarknessoffear！
Itbegantothunder，firstwithalowdistantmutteringroll，thenwithaloudandnearbellowing。WasitGodcomingtoher？Somearestrangelyterrifiedatthunder；Arcturahadthechild\'sfeelingthatitwasGodthatthundered：itcomfortedheraswiththeassurancethatGodwasnear。Asshelayandheardthegreatorganoftheheavens，itsvoiceseemedtogrowarticulate；Godwascallingtoher，andsaying，“HereIam，mychild！benotafraid！”
Thenshebegantoreasonwithherselfthattheworstthatcouldhappentoherwastolietheretillshediedofhunger，andthatcouldnotbesoverybad！Andtherewithacrossthemutteringthundercameawailoftheghost-music。Shestarted：hadshenothearditahundredtimesbefore，asshelaythereinthedarkalone？Wassheonlynowforthefirsttimewakinguptoit——she，theladytheyhadshutuptheretodie——whereshehadlainforages，witheverynowandthenthatsoundoftheangelssinging，faraboveherinthebluesky？
Shewasbeginningtowander。Shereasonedwithherself，anddismissedthefancy；butitcameandcameagain，mingledwithrealmemories，mostlyoftheroof，andDonal。
Byandbyshefellasleep，andwokeinaterrorwhichseemedtohavebeengrowinginhersleep。Shesatup，andstaredintothedark。
>Fromwherestoodthealtar，seemedtoriseandapproachheraformofdeeperdarkness。Sheheardnothing，sawnothing，butsomethingwasthere。Itcamenearer。Itwasbutafancy；sheknewit；butthefancyassumedtobe：themomentshegaveway，andacknowledgedit，thatmomentitwouldhavetherealityithadbeenwaitingfor，andclaspherinitsskeleton-arms！Shecriedaloud，butitonlycamenearer；itwasabouttoseizeher！
Asudden，divinechange！——herfearwasgone，andinitsplaceasenseofabsolutesafety：therewasnothinginalltheuniversetobeafraidof！ItwasanightofJune，withroses，roseseverywhere！
GlorybetotheFather！Buthowwasit？Hadhesenthermothertothinkherfullofroses？Whyhermother？Godhimselfistheheartofeveryrosethateverbloomed！Shewouldhavesungaloudforjoy，butnovoicecame；shecouldnotutterasound。WhatathingthiswouldbetotellDonalGrant！Thispoorwomancried，andGodheardher，andsavedheroutofallherdistresses！Thefatherhadcometohischild！Thecryhadgonefromherheartintohis！
Ifshediedthere，wouldDonalcomeonedayandfindher？No！No！
Shewouldspeaktohiminadream，andbeghimnottogoneartheplace！Shewouldnothavehimseeherlielikethatheandshestandingtogetherhadtherelookedupon！
WiththatcameDonal\'svoice，floatedandrolledinmusicandthunder。Itcamefromfaraway；shedidnotknowwhethershefanciedorreallyheardit。Shewouldhaverespondedwithagreatcry，buthervoicevanishedinherthroat。Herjoywassuchthatsherememberednothingmore。
CHAPTERLXXVI。
THEANGELOFTHELORD。
Standingupontheedgeofthestoneleanedagainstthewall，Donalseizedtheedgeoftheslabwhichcrossedtheopeningnearthetop，anddrewhimselfupintotheslopingwindow-sill。Pressingwithallhismightagainstthesidesofthewindow，hesucceededatlastinpushinguptheslabsofarastogetaholdwithonehandonthenexttoit。Thenslowlyturninghimselfonhisside，whilethewholeweightofthestonerestedonhisfingers，hegottheotherhandalsothroughthecrack。Thiseffected，hehauledandpushedhimselfupwithhiswholeforce，carelessofwhatmighthappentohishead。
Thetopofitcamebangagainstthestone，andlifteditsofarthathegotheadandneckthrough。Thethingwasdone！WithonemoreHerculeanliftofhisbodyandthestonetogether，likeamanrisingfromthedead，herosefromthecryptintothepassage。
Butthedoorofthechapelwouldnotyieldtoagentlepush。
“Mylady，“hecried，“don\'tbeafraid。Imustmakeanoise。It\'sonlyDonalGrant！I\'mgoingtodrivethedooropen。“
Sheheardthewords！Theywokeherfromherswoonofjoy。“OnlyDonalGrant！”Whatlessofanonlycouldtherebeintheworldforher！Washenotthemessengerwhoraisedthedead！
Shetriedtospeak，butnotawordwouldcome。Donaldrewbackapace，andsentsuchashoulderagainstthedoorthatitflewtothewall，thenfellwithagreatcrashonthefloor。
“Whereareyou，mylady？”hecried。
Butstillshecouldnotspeak。
Hebeganfeelingabout。
“Notonthatterriblebed！”sheheardhimmurmur。
Fearlestinthedarknessheshouldnotfindher，gaveherbackhervoice。
“Idon\'tminditnow！”shesaidfeebly。
“ThankGod！”criedDonal；“I\'vefoundyouatlast！”
Wornout，hesankonhisknees，withhisheadonthebed，andfellasobbinglikeachild。
Shewouldhaveputoutherhandthroughthedarknesstofindhim，butthechaincheckedit。Heheardtherattleofit，andunderstood。
“Chainedtoo，mydove！”hesaid，butinGaelic。
Hisweaknesswasover。HethankedGod，andtookcourage。Newliferushedthrougheveryvein。Herosetohisfeetinconsciousstrength。
“Canyoustrikealight，andletmeseeyou，Donal？”saidArctura。
ThenfirstshecalledhimbyhisChristianname：ithadbeensoofteninherheartifnotonherlipsthatnight！
Thedimlightwastedthedarknessofthelongburiedplace，andforamomenttheylookedateachother。ShewasnotsochangedasDonalhadfearedtofindher——hardlysochangetohimashewastoher。
Terribleashadbeenhertrial，ithadnotlastedlong，andhadbeensucceededbyaheavenlyjoy。Shewaspalerthanusual，yettherewasarosyflushoverherbeautifulface。Herhandwasstretchedtowardshim，itswristclaspedbytherustyring，andtighteningthechainthatheldittothepost。
“Howpaleandtiredyoulook！”shesaid。
“Iamalittletired，“heanswered。“Icamealmostwithoutstopping。
Mymothersentme。ShesaidImustcome，butshedidnottellmewhy。“
“ItwasGodsentyou，“saidArctura。
Thenshebrieflytoldhimwhatsheknewofherownstory。
“Howdidhegettheringontoyourwrist？”saidDonal。
Helookedcloserandsawthatherhandwasswollen，andtheskinabraded。
“Heforcediton！”hesaid。“Howitmusthurtyou！”
“Itdoeshurtnowyouspeakofit，“shereplied。“Ididnotnoticeitbefore——Doyousupposeheleftmeheretodie？”
“Whocantell！”returnedDonal。“Isuspectheismoreofamadmanthanweknew。Iwonderifasoulcanbemad——Yes；thedevilmustbemadwithself-worship！Hellisthegreatmadhouseofcreation！”
“Takemeaway，“shesaid。
“Imustfirstgetyoufree，“answeredDonal。
Sheheardhimrise。
“Youarenotgoingtoleaveme？”shesaid。
“Onlytogetatoolortwo。“
“Andafterthat？”shesaid。
“Notuntilyouwishme，“heanswered。“Iamyourservantnow——hisnomore。“
CHAPTERLXXVII。
THEANGELOFTHEDEVIL。
Therecameagreatburstofthunder。Itwasthelastofthestorm。
Itbellowedandshuddered，went，andcamerollingupagain。Itdiedawayatlastinthegreatdistance，withalowcontinuousrumblingasifitwouldnevercease。ThesilencethatfollowedwasliketheEgyptiandarkness；itmightbefelt。
Outofthetenseheartofthesilencecameafaintsound。Itcameagainandagain，atregularintervals。
“Thatismyuncle\'sstep！”saidArcturainascaredwhisperthroughthedark。
Itwasplainlyaslowstep——faroff，butapproaching。
“Iwonderifhehasalight！”sheaddedhurriedly。“Heoftengoesinthedarkwithoutone。Ifhehasyoumustgetbehindthealtar。“
“Donotspeakaword，“saidDonal；lethimthinkyouareasleep。Ifhehasnolight，Iwillstandsothathecannotcomenearthebedwithoutcomingagainstme。Donotbeafraid；heshallnottouchyou。“
Thestepswerecomingnearerallthetime。Adooropenedandshut。
Thentheywereloud——theywerecomingalongthegallery！Theyceased。Hewasstandingupthereinthethickdarkness！
“Arctura，“saidadeep，awfulvoice。
Itwasthatoftheearl。Arcturamadenoanswer。
“Deadoffright！”mutteredthevoice。“Allgoeswell。Iwillgodownandsee。Shemighthaveprovedasobstinateastheboys\'mother！”
Againthestepsbegan。Theywerecomingdownthestair。Thedooratthefootofitopened。Theearlenteredasteportwo，thenstopped。
ThroughthedarknessDonalseemedtoknowexactlywherehestood。Heknewalsothathewasfumblingforamatch，andwatchedintentlyforthefirstspark。Therecameasputterandagleam，andthematchfailed。Erehecouldtryanother，Donalmadeaswiftblowathisarm。Itknockedtheboxfromhishand。
“Ha！”hecried，andtherewasterrorinthecry，“shestrikesatmethroughthedark！”
Donalkeptverystill。Arcturakeptasstillashe。Theearlturnedandwentaway。
“Iwillbringacandle！”hemuttered。
“Now，mylady，wemustmakehaste，“saidDonal。“DoyoumindbeingleftwhileIfetchmytools？”
“No——butmakehaste，“sheanswered。
“Ishallbebackbeforehim，“hereturned。
“Becarefulyoudonotmeethim，“saidArctura。
Therewasnodifficultynow，eitheringoingorreturning。Hesped，andinaspacethateventoArcturaseemedshort，wasback。Therewasnotimetousethefile：heattackedthestaple，anddrewitfromthebed-post，thenwoundthechainaboutherarm，andtieditthere。
Hehadalreadymadeuphismindwhattodowithher。Hehadbeeninclinedtocarryherawayfromthehouse：Doorywouldtakecareofher！Buthesawthattoleavetheenemyinpossessionwouldbetoyieldhimanadvantage。Awkwardthingsmightresultfromit！thetonguesofinventiveignoranceandstupiditywouldwagwildly！Hewouldtakehertoherroom，andtherewatchherashewouldthepearlofprice！
“There！youarefree，mylady，“hesaid。“Nowcome。“
Hetookherhands，andsheraisedherselfwearily。
“Theairissostifling！”shesaid。
“Weshallsoonhavebetter！”answeredDonal。
“Shallwegoontheroof？”shesaid，likeonetalkinginhersleep。
“Iwilltakeyoutoyourownroom，“repliedDonal。“——ButIwillnotleaveyou，“headdedquickly，seeingalookofanxietycloudherface，“——solongasyouruncleisinthehouse。“
“Takemewhereyouwill，“rejoinedArctura。
Therewasnowaybutthroughthecrypt：shefollowedhimwithouthesitation。Theycreptthroughthelittleclosetunderthestair，andwereinthehallofthecastle。
Astheywentsoftlyupthestair，Donalhadanidea。
“Heisnotbackyet！”hesaid：“wewilltakethekeyfromtheoakdoor；hewillthinkhehasmislaidit，andwillnotfindoutthatyouaregone。Iwonderwhathewilldo！”
Cautiouslylisteningtobesuretheearlwasnotthere，herantotheoakdoor，lockedit，andbroughtawaythekey。ThentheywenttotheroomArcturahadlastoccupied。
Thedoorwasajar；therewasalightintheroom。Theywentsoftly，andpeepedin。Theearlwasthere，turningoverthecontentsofherwriting-desk。
“Hewillfindnothing，“shewhisperedwithasmile。
Donalledheraway。
“Wewillgotoyouroldroom，“hesaid。“Thewholerecessisbuiltupwithstoneandlime：hecannotcomenearyouthatway！”
Shemadenoobjection。Donalsecuredthedoors，lightedafire，andwenttolookforfood。Theyhadagreeduponacertainknock，withoutwhichshewastoopentonone。
Whileshewasyetchangingthegarmentsinwhichshehadlainontheterriblebed，sheheardtheearlgoby，andthedoorofhisroomclose。Apparentlyhehadconcludedtoletherpassthenightwithoutanothervisit：hehadhimselfhadabadfright，andhadprobablynotgotoverit。AlittlelongerandsheheardDonal\'sgentlesignalatthedoorofthesitting-room。Hehadbroughtsomebiscuitsandalittlewineinthebottomofadecanterfromthehousekeeper\'sroom：
therewasliterallynothinginthelarder，hesaid。
Theysatdownandatethebiscuits。Donaltoldhisadventures。Theyagreedthatshemustwritetothefactortocomehomeatonce，andbringhissister。ThenDonalsettowithhisfileuponthering：herhandwasmuchtooswollentoadmitofitsbeingremovedasithadbeenputon。Itwasnoteasytocutit，partlyfromtheconstantdangerofhurtingherswollenhand，partlythattherustfilledandbluntedthefile。
“There！”hesaidatlast，“youarefree！Andnow，mylady，youmusttakesomerest。Thedoortothepassageissecure。Lockthisoneinside，andIwilldrawthesofaacrossitoutside：ifhecomewanderinginthenight，andgetintothisroom，hewillnotreachyourdoor。“
Wearyashewas，Donalcouldnotsleepmuch。Inthemiddleofthenightheheardtheearl\'sdooropen，andwatchedandfollowedhim。
Hewenttotheoakdoor，andtriedinvaintoopenit。
“Shehastakenit！”hemuttered，inwhatseemedtoDonalanawe-struckvoice。
Allnightlongheroamedthehouseaspiritgrievouslytormented。Inthegrayofthemorning，havingperhapspersuadedhimselfthatthewholeaffairwasatrickofhisimagination，hewentbacktohisroom。
InthemorningDonalleftthehouse，havingfirstcalledtoArcturaandwarnedhertolockthedoorofthesitting-roomthemomenthewasgone。Heranallthewaydowntotheinn，paidhisbill，boughtsomethingsinthetownfortheirbreakfast，andtakingthemare，rodeuptothecastle，andrangthebell。Nonoticewastaken。Hewentandputuphisanimal，thenlethimselfintothehousebyBaliol\'stower，andbegantosing。Sosinginghewentupthegreatstair，andintoandalongthecorridorwheretheearllay。
Thesingingrousedhim，andbroughthimtohisdoorinarage。ButthemomenthesawDonalhiscountenancefell。
“Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere？”hesaid。
“TheytoldmeinthetownyouwereinEngland，mylord！”
“Iwrotetoyou，“saidtheearl，“thatweweregonetoLondon，andthatyouneedbeinnohastetoreturn。ItrustyouhavenotbroughtDaviewithyou？”
“Ihavenot，mylord。“
“Thenmakewhathastebacktohimyoucan。Hemustnotbealonewithbumpkins！YoumaystaytherewithhimtillIsendforyou——onlymindyougoonwithyourstudies。Nowbeoff。Iamathomebutforafewhoursonbusiness，andleaveagainbytheafternooncoach！”
“Idonotgo，mylord，untilIhaveseenmymistress。“
“Yourmistress！Who，pray，isyourmistress！”
“Iamnolongerinyourservice，mylord。“
“Thenwhat，inthenameofGod，haveyoudonewithmyson？”
“Ingoodtime，mylord，whenyouhavetoldmewheremymistressis！
IaminthishouseasladyArctura\'sservant；andIdesiretoknowwhereIshallfindher。“
“InLondon。“
“Whataddress，pleaseyourlordship？Iwillwaitherordershere。“
“Youwillleavethishouseatonce，“saidtheearl。“Iwillnothaveyouhereinbothherladyship\'sabsenceandmyown。“
“Mylord，Iamnotignoranthowthingsstand：IaminladyArctura\'shouse；andhereIremaintillIreceivehercommands。“
“Verywell！Byallmeans！”
“Iaskyouagainforheraddress，mylord。“
“Finditforyourself。Youwillnotobeymyorders：amItoobeyyours？”
Heturnedonhisheel，andflungtohisdoor。
DonalwenttoladyArctura。Shewasinthesitting-room，anxiouslywaitinghisreturn。Shehadheardtheirvoices，butnothingthatpassed。Hetoldherwhathehaddone；thenproducedhisprovisions，andtogethertheypreparedtheirbreakfast。Byandbytheyheardtheearlcomefromhisroom，gohereandtherethroughthestillhouse，andreturntohisapartment。
Intheafternoonheleftthehouse。Theywatchedhimaway——illable，apparently，eventocrawlalong。Hewentdownthehill，noronceliftedhishead。Theyturnedandlookedateachother。Profoundpityforthewretchedoldmanwasthefeelingofboth。Itwasfollowedbyoneofintensereliefandliberty。
“Youwouldliketoberidofmenow，mylady，“saidDonal；“butI
don\'tseehowIcanleaveyou。ShallIgoandfetchMissCarmichael？”
“No，certainly，“answeredArctura。“Icannotapplytoher。“
“Itwouldbeapitytolosetheadvantageofyouruncle\'snotknowingwhathasbecomeofyou。“
“Iwonderwhathewilldonext！IfIweretodienow，thepropertywouldbehis，andthenForgue\'s！”
“Youcanwillitaway，Isuppose，mylady！”answeredDonal。
Arcturastoodthoughtful。
“IsForgueabadman，Mr。Grant？”
“Idarenottrusthim，“answeredDonal。
“Doyouthinkhehadanyknowledgeofthisplotofhisfather\'s？”
“Icannottell。Idonotbelievehewouldhaveleftyoutodieinthechapel。“