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。