Themaisterwasanauldman，nearhan'auchty，an'tuikthingsthemairseriously，Idaursay，thathewasnathatfarfraethegravetheyhadsentthepuirbutlertilaforehistime——gienthatcouldbesaido'anewhausegravewaswi'theweather-cock！An'ayehetuikhimsel'totaskastowhetherheouchtnatohaedunesomethingmair——ganetothekingmaybe——forhecouldnabidethethouchto'thepuirmanthathadwaitituponhimsaelangan'faithfu'，hingin'an'
　　swingin'upthere，an'thefleshdrappin'affthebaneso''im，an'
　　stillthebaneshingin'there，an'swingin'an'creakin'an'cryin'！
　　Thethoucht，Isay，wassairupo'theauldman。Butthetimepassed，an'Ikennahoolangorhooshortitmaytakforabodyinsicapositiontocomeasun'er，butatlastthebanesbegantodrap，an'
　　astheydrappit，theretheylay——atthefuto'thegallows，fornaebodycarettomeddlewi'them。An'whanthatcamtotheknowledgeo'theauldgentleman，hesenthisfowktogetherthemupan'burythemooto'sicht。An'whatwaslefto'thebody，theupperpairt，haudenthegitherwi'theirons，maybe——Ikennaweelhoo，hungan'
　　swungtherestill，inilkwin'thatblew。Butatthelast，ooto'
　　sorrow，an'respec'forthedeid，hooeverhedee'd，hisauldmaistersentquaietlyaemirknicht，an'hadthelaveo'thebanestaendoonan'laidi'theearth。
　　“'Butfraethatmoment，thinkyetherewasonypeacei'thehoose？A
　　clankin'o'chainsgotup，an'ahowlin'，an'acompleenin'an'acreakin'likei'thewin'——sicastramasha'thegither，thatthehoosewasnofittobeleevitinwhiles，thoughitwassometimeswaurnorithertimes，an'somethouchtithadtodowi'theairtthewin'blew：abootthatIkennaething。Butitgaedonlikethatformonths，maybeyears，'——Mr。Harperwasnasurehoolangthegentlemansaid——'tilltheauldman'maistwishedhimsel'ino'thegravean'
　　ooto'thetrouble。
　　“'Atlastaedaycamanauldmantoseehim——nosaeauldashimsel'，butanehehadkennedwhantheywuratthecollegethegither。An'
　　thiswasamanthathadtravelledgreatly，an'wasweellearntinaheapo'thingsordinar'fowk，thatgiesthemsel'stothelan'，an'
　　thegrowin'o'corn，an'beasts，irnolikelytokenmickleaboot。
　　Hesawhisauldfreen'wasintrouble，an'didnacarryhisagecalm-likeaswasnat'ral，an'saespeirthimwhatwasthematter。
　　An'hetoldhimthewholestory，fraethehangin'tothebangin'。
　　“Weel，“saidthelearnitman，whanhehadh'arda'，“gienye'lltakmyadvice，ye'lljistsen'an'howkuptheheid，an'takitintilthehoosewi'ye，an'latitbidetherewhauritwasusedsaelangtobe；——dothat，an'it'smyopinionye'llhearnaemairo'sicunrulygangin'son。“Theauldgentlemantuiktheadvice，kennin'nobetter。Butitwastherichtadvice，forfraethatmomenttheromourwasower，theyhadnaemairo''t。Theylaidtheheidinadecentbitboxi'thecellar，an'thereitremaint，weelcontenttheretoabidethedayo'thatjeedgmentthat'llsetmonyanitherjeedgmenttothericht-aboot；thoughwhatpleesurcouldbeintilthatcellarmairnorintilaholei'theearth，isathingnoformetosay！Sowi'thatgenerationtherewasnaemairtrouble。
　　“'Buti'thecoorseo'timecamfirstanean'syneanither，whaforgot，maybeleuchat，thehaillaffair，an'didnabelieveawordo'thesame。Butthey'rebutfulesthatgangagaintheexperrienceo'theirforbeirs！——whatwudyehaebuttheywudbeerytheheid！An'
　　whatwudcomeo'thatbutanaulddismayhetupagain！Upgatthedin，therampaugin'，theclankin'，an'a'，jistthesameas'afore！
　　Buttheminutethat，frichtitattheconsequenceso'theirfolly，theyacknowledgedthepropertyo'theghaistinhisainheid，an'
　　tuikitooto'theearthan'intilthehooseagain，a'wasquaietdirec'ly——quaietashertcoulddesire。'
　　“Saethatwasthestory！
　　“An'whanthelunchwasower，an'Mr。Harperwasthinkin'themomentcomewhantheywouldorderhimtotaktheheid，an'himtrimlin'atthethouchto'touchin''t，an'lay'twhauritwas——an'whaurithadsaeaftenbeenwhanithadasowlintil't，thegentlemangotup，an'sayshetilhim，'Besogood，'sayshe，'asfetchmemyhat-boxfromthehall。'Harperwentan'gotitasdesired，an'thegentlemantookan'unlockitit，an'roon'heturntwhaurhestood，an'uphetuiktheskullfraethechimley-piece，neitherasgienhelo'editnorfearedit——aswhatreasonhadhetodoeither？——an'han'letitneitherrouchly，norwi'onyshowo'micklecare，butintilthehat-boxitgaed，willy，nilly，an'thelidshuttendoonupo''t，an'
　　thekeyturnti'thelocko''t；an'asgienhewadmakthethingrichtsureo'nobein'puttenagainwhaurithadsicanobjectiontogang，uphetuikinhishan'thehat-box，an'thecontrairyheidi'
　　theinsideo''t，an'awa'wi'himonhistraivels，hereawa'an'
　　thereawa'owerthefaceo'theglobe：hewasonhisw'ytoSpain，hesaid，atthemoment；an'wesawnaemairo'himnortheheid，norh'ardeverasoon'mairo'clankin'，norgirnin'，noronyitheroonholydin。
　　“An'that'sthetrowth，mako''twhatyelike，myleddyan'maisterGrant！”
　　MistressBrookeswassilent，andforsometimenotasyllablewasutteredbyeitherlistener。AtlastDonalspoke。
　　“Itisastrangestory，mistressBrookes，“hesaid；“andthestrangerthatitwouldshowsomeoftheinhabitantsoftheotherworldapparentlyassillyafterahundredandfiftyyearsaswhenfirsttheyarrivedthere。“
　　“Icansaynaethinganentthat，sir，“answeredmistressBrookes；
　　“I'mnoaccoontableforonyinference'at'stobedrawnfraemyowertruetale；an'doobtless，sir，yekenfarbetternorme；——butwhauryeseesaemonyfolkdrawootthethreido'alanglife，an'neveraesensiblething，thattheycouldhelp，doneorsaid，whatforshouldyewon'ergiennooan'thananei'theitherwarl'shawhimsel'siclike。Whanyeconsidertheheapo'folkthatdees，an'
　　hootheremaunbesaemonymairi'theitherwarl'nori'this，I
　　confessformypairtIwon'ermair'atwe'releftatpeaceata'，an'thattheycomenaswarmin'aboot'si'thenicht，likeblackdoos。Ye'llmaybesaytheycanna，an'ye'llmaybesaytheycome；butsaelangastheyplaguemenaewaurnoroorfreen'upo'thetithersideo'thewa'，IcannasayIcarethatmickle。ButIthinkwhileshoothaeghaistsmaunlauchatthemthatlauchsasgientherewasnaesiccratursi'thewarl'！FormypairtInaitherfearthemnorseektilthem：I'llbeanewi'themmysel'aforelang！——onlyIwadsairwussan'houptoganginamo'betterbehavetanesnorthem'atgangsabootplaguin'folk。“
　　“Youspeakthebestofsense，mistressBrookes，“saidDonal；“butI
　　shouldliketounderstandwhythepoorhangedfellowshouldhavesuchanobjectiontohavinghisskulllaidintheground！Whyhadhesuchafancyforhisoldbones？Couldhebesocloselyassociatedwiththemthathecouldnotgetonwithouttheplentyoffreshairtheygothimusedtowhentheyhungonthegallows？Andwhydiditcontenthimtohaveonlyhisheadaboveground？Itisbewildering！
　　Wecouldn'tbelieveourbonesriseagain，evenifPaulhadn'tasgoodastoldustheydon't！Whyshouldthedeadhaunttheirbonesasiftomakesureofhavingtheirownagain？”
　　“But，“saidmistressBrookes，“beggin'yerpardon，sir，whatkenyeastowhattheythink？Yemaykenbetter，butmaybetheydinna；forhaenayejistallooedthatsicconduc'asIhaedescribitisnofit，whaeverbeguiltyo'thesame，whetherrowdyladdiesi'thestreets，orcratursyecannaseei'thehoose？Theymaythinkthey'llwanttheirbanesbyan'bythoughyekenbetter；an'whateveryouwisefolkmaythinkthenoo，yekenit'snothatlangsin'a'body，ay，thebesto'folk，thouchtthesame；an'there'snoadoobttheya'
　　didatthetimethatmanwashangt。An'yemaunmin''ati'thehoosetheheido''imwudnawasteasitwudi'theyerd！”
　　“Butwhybotherabouthisheidmorethantherestofhisbones？”
　　“Weel，sir，I'mthinkingaghaist，ghaistthoughhebe，cannasurelybei'twaplacesatance。Hecouldneverthinktoplaguetililkbaneo'fingeran'taewasgetherti'thecellar！Thatwudbehoupless！An'thinkin'onythingo'hisbanes，hemichtweelthinkmaisto''sheid，an'keepane'eupo'that。Naemonyghaistshaethechanceo'seein'saemuckleo'theirbanesasthisane，orsayin'tothemsel's，'Yon'smine，whauritswings！'Someghaistshaeacat-likenaturforplaces，an'whatfornoforbanes？Mony'sthestorythathoosekeeper，honestwuman，telledme：whanwhathadcomewasgane，itsetheropenin'ootherpack！Icouldhaudyetherea'
　　nichttellin'yeaneefteranithero'them。Butit'stimetogangtooorbeds。“
　　“Itisourturntotellyousomething，“saidladyArctura；“——onlyyoumustnotmentionitjustyet：Mr。Granthasfoundthelostroom！”
　　ForamomentMrs。Brookessaidnothing，butneitherpalednorlookedincredulous；herfacewasonlyfixedandstill，asifshewerefindingexplanationinthediscovery。
　　“Iwasayeo'themin'itwas，“shesaid，“an'mony'sthetimeI
　　thouchtIwudluikfor'ttopleasemysel'！It'ssma'won'er——thesoon's，an'theraps，an'siclike！”
　　“Youwillnotchangeyourmindwhenyouhearall，“saidArctura。“I
　　askedyoutogiveusoursupperbecauseIwasafraidtogotobed。“
　　“Youshouldn'thavetoldher，sir！”
　　“I'veseenitwithmyowneyes！”
　　“You'vebeenintoit，mylady？——What——what——？”
　　“Itisachapel——theoldcastle-chapel——mentioned，Iknow，somewhereinthehistoryoftheplace，thoughnoone，Isuppose，everdreamedthemissingroomcouldbethat！——Andinthechapel，“continuedArctura，hardlyabletobringoutthewords，forakindofcrampingofthemusclesofspeech，“therewasabed！andinthebedthecrumblingdustofawoman！andonthealtarwhatwashardlymorethanthedustyshadowofababy？”
　　“TheLordbeabootus！”criedthehousekeeper，herwell-seasonedcomposuregivingway；“yesawthatwi'yeraine'en，mylady！——Mr。
　　Grant！hoocouldyelatherleddyshipluikupo'sicthings！”
　　“Iamherladyship'sservant，“answeredDonal。
　　“That'svarratrue！Buteh，mybonnybairn，sicsichtsisnoforyou！”
　　“Ioughttoknowwhatisinthehouse！”saidArctura，withashudder。“ButalreadyIfeelmorecomfortablethatyouknowtoo。Mr。
　　Grantwouldliketohaveyouradviceastowhat——You'llcomeandseethem，won'tyou？”
　　“Whenyouplease，mylady——To-night？”
　　“No，no！notto-night——Wasthattheknockingagain？——Someghostswanttheirbodiestobeburied，thoughyourbutler——“
　　“Iwouldnawonder！”respondedmistressBrookes，thoughtfully。
　　“Whereshallweburythem？”askedDonal。
　　“InEnglan'，“saidthehousekeeper，“Iusedtohearaheapabootconsecratedground；buttomymin'itwasthebodieso'God'shandiwark，nothebishop，thatconsecratedtheground。WhaurtheLordlaysdoonwhathehasdonewi'，wadayebeasacredplacetome。IdaursayMoses，whanhecamupo''tagaini'thedesert，luikitupo'thegroundwhaurstoodthebussthathadburned，asasacredplacethoughthefirewaslangoot！——Thinknaye，Mr。Grant？”
　　“Ido，“answeredDonal。“ButIdonotbelievetheLordJesusthoughtonespotonthefaceoftheearthmoreholythananother：everydustofitwashisfather's，neithermorenorless，existingonlybythethoughtofthatfather！andIthinkthatiswhatwemustcometo——Butwhereshallweburythem？——wheretheylie，orinthegarden？”
　　“Somewuddoobtlesshaedistlaidtodisti'thekirkyard；butI
　　wudnawullin'lyraiseaclashi'thecountry-side。Themthatdiditwasyerainforbeirs，myleddy；an'sicthingsareweelforgotten。
　　An'synewhatwudtheearlsay？Itmichtupsethimmairnorabit！
　　I'llconsidero''t。“
　　Donalaccompaniedthemtothedoorofthechamberwhichagaintheyshared，andthenbetookhimselftohisownhighnest。Theremorethanonceinwhatremainedofthenight，hewoke，fancyingheheardtheghost-musicsoundingitscoronachoverthedeadbelow。
　　CHAPTERLVIII。
　　ASOULDISEASED。
　　“Papaisveryillto-day，Simmonstellsme，“saidDavie，asDonalenteredtheschoolroom。“Hesayshehasneverseenhimsoill。Oh，Mr。Grant，Ihopeheisnotgoingtodie！”
　　“Ihopenot，“returnedDonal——notverysure，hesawwhenhethoughtaboutit，whathemeant；foriftherewassolittlehopeofhisbecomingatruemanonthissideofsomeawfuldoom，whyshouldhehopeforhislifehere？
　　“Iwishyouwouldtalktohimasyoudotome，Mr。Grant！”resumedDavie，whothoughtwhathadbeengoodforhimselfmustbegoodforeverybody。
　　Oflatetheboyhadbeenmorethanusualwithhisfather，andhemayhavedroppedsomewordthatturnedhisfather'sthoughtstowardDonalandhiswaysofthinking：howeverweaktheearl'swill，andhoweverdullhisconscience，hismindwasfarfrombeinginactive。
　　IntheafternoonthebutlerbroughtamessagethathislordshipwouldbegladtoseeMr。Grantwhenschoolwasover。
　　Donalfoundtheearlveryweak，butmorelikealiveman，hethought，thanhehadyetseenhim。Hepointedtoaseat，andbegantotalkinawaythatconsiderablyastonishedthetutor。
　　“Mr。Grant，“hebegan，withnotalittleformality，“IhaveknownyoulongenoughtobelieveIknowyoureally。NowIfindmyself，partlyfromthepeculiarityofmyconstitution，partlyfromthestateofmyhealth，partlyfromthefactthatmyviewsdonotcoincidewiththoseofthechurchofScotland，andthereisnoepiscopalclergymanwithinreachofthecastle——Ifindmyself，I
　　say，forthesereasons，desirousofsomeconversationwithyou，moreforthesakeofidentifyingmyownopinions，thaninthehopeofreceivingfromyouwhatitwouldbeunreasonabletoexpectfromoneofyouryears。“
　　Donalheldhispeace；theverypowerofspeechseemedtakenfromhim：hehadnoconfidenceintheman，andnothingsoquenchesspeechaslackoffaith。Buttheearlhadnoideaofthisdistrust，neveradoubtofhislistener'sreadinesstotakeanypositionherequiredhimtotake。ExperiencehadtaughthimaslittleaboutDonalasabouthisownrealself。
　　“Ihavelongbeentroubled，“continuedhislordshipafteramomentarypause，“withaquestionofwhichonemightthinktheworldmustbythistimebeweary——whichyethas，andalwayswillhave，extraordinaryfascinationformindsofacertainsort——ofwhichmyownisone：itisthequestionofthefreedomofthewill：——howfaristhewillfree？orhowfarcanitbecalledfree，consistentlywiththenotionofaGodoverall？”
　　Hepaused，andDonalsatsilent——solongthathislordshipopenedtheeyeswhich，thebettertoenjoytheprocessofsentence-making，hehadkeptshut，andhalfturnedhisheadtowardshim：hehadbeguntodoubtwhetherhewasreallybyhisbedside，orbutoneofhismanyvisionsundistinguishablebyhimfromrealities。Re-assuredbytheglance，heresumed。
　　“Icannot，ofcourse，expectfromyousuchanexhaustiveandformedopinionasfromanoldermanwhohadmademetaphysicshisbusiness，andacquaintedhimselfwithallthathadbeensaiduponthesubject；
　　atthesametimeyoumusthaveexpendedaconsiderableamountofthoughtonthesematters！”
　　Hetalkedinaquiet，levelmanner，almostwithoutinflection，andwithhiseyesagainclosed——verymuchasifhewerereadingabookinsidehim。
　　“Ihavehadagooddeal，“hewenton，“toshakemybeliefinthecommonideasonsuchpoints——Doyoubelievethereissuchathingasfreewill？”
　　Heceased，awaitingtheanswerwhichDonalfeltfarfrompreparedtogivehim。
　　“Mylord，“hesaidatlength，“whatIbelieve，Idonotfeelcapable，atamoment'snotice，ofsettingforth；neitherdoIthink，howeverunavoidablesuchdiscussionsmaybeintheforumofone'sownthoughts，thattheyareprofitablebetweenmen。Ithinksuchquestions，iftheyaretobetreatedatallbetweenmanandman，andnotbetweenGodandmanonly，hadbetterbediscussedinprint，wherewhatissaidisinsomemeasurefixed，andcanwithaglancebeconsideredafresh。ButnotsoeitherdoIthinktheycanbediscussedtoanyprofit。“
　　“Whatdoyoumean？Surelythisquestionisofthefirstimportancetohumanity！”
　　“Igrantit，mylord，ifbyhumanityyoumeanthehumanindividual。
　　Butmymeaningis，thattherearemanyquestions，andthisone，thatcanbetestedbetterthanargued。“
　　“Youseemfondofparadox！”
　　“IwillspeakasdirectlyasIcan：suchquestionsaretobeansweredonlybythemoralnature，whichfirstandalmostonlytheyconcern；andthemoralnatureoperatesinaction，notdiscussion。“
　　“DoInotthen，“saidhislordship，thefaintestshadowofindignationinhistone，“bringmymoralnaturetobearonaquestionwhichIconsiderfromthegroundofduty？”
　　“No，mylord，“answeredDonal，withdecision；“youbringnothingbutyourintellectualnaturetobearonitso；themoralnature，I
　　repeat，operatesonlyinaction。Tocometothepointinhand：thesolewayforamantoknowhehasfreedomistodosomethingheoughttodo，whichhewouldrathernotdo。Hemaystrivetoacquainthimselfwiththefactsconcerningwill，andspendhimselfimaginingitsmodeofworking，yetallthetimenotknowwhetherhehasanywill。“
　　“ButhowamItoputaforceinoperation，whileIdonotknowwhetherIpossessitornot？”
　　“Byputtingitinoperation——thatalone；bybeingalive；bydoingthenextthingyououghttodo，orabstainingfromthenextthingyouaretemptedto，knowingyououghtnottodoit。Itsoundschildish；andmostpeoplesetactionasideaswhatwilldoanytime，andtryfirsttosettlequestionswhichnevercanbesettledbutinjustthisdivinelychildishway。Fornotmerelyisittheonlywayinwhichamancanknowwhetherhehasafreewill，butthemanhasinfactnowillatallunlessitcomesintobeinginsuchaction。“
　　“Supposehefoundhehadnowill，forhecouldnotdowhathewished？”
　　“Whatheought，Isaid，mylord。“
　　“Well，whatheought，“yieldedtheearlalmostangrily。
　　“Hecouldnotfinditprovedthathehadnofacultyforgeneratingafreewill。Hemightindeeddoubtitthemore；butthepositiveonly，notthenegative，canbeproved。“
　　“Wherewouldbethesatisfactionifhecouldonlyprovetheonethingandnottheother。“
　　“Thetruthalonecanbeproved，mylord；howshouldaliebeproved？
　　Themanthatwantedtoprovehehadnofreedomofwill，wouldfindnosatisfactionfromhistest——andthelessthemorehonesthewas；
　　butthemananxiousaboutthedignityofthenaturegivenhim，wouldfindeveryneedfulsatisfactionintheprogressofhisobedience。“
　　“Howcantherebefreewillwherethefirstthingdemandedforitsexistenceorknowledgeofitselfisobedience？”
　　“Thereisnofreewillsaveinresistingwhatonewouldlike，anddoingwhattheTruthwouldhavehimdo。Itistruetheman'slikingandthetruthmaycoincide，butthereinhewillnotlearnhisfreedom，thoughinsuchcoincidencehewillalwaysthereafterfindit，andinsuchcoincidencealone，forfreedomisharmonywiththeoriginatinglawofone'sexistence。“
　　“That'sdrearydoctrine。“
　　“Mylord，Ihavespentnolittletimeandthoughtonthesubject，andtheresultissomesortofpracticalclearnesstomyself；but，wereitpossible，Ishouldnotcaretomakeitcleartoanothersavebypersuadinghimtoarriveatthesameconvictionbythesamepath——that，namely，ofdoingthethingrequiredofhim。“
　　“Requiredofhimbywhat？”
　　“Byanyone，anything，anythought，withwhichcangothewordrequiredby——anythingthatcarriesrightinitsdemand。Ifamandoesnotdothethingwhichtheverynotionofafreewillrequires，whatinearth，heaven，orhell，wouldbetheuseofhisknowingallaboutthewill？Butitisimpossibleheshouldknowanything。“
　　“Youareaboldpreacher！”saidtheearl。“——Supposenowamanwasunconsciousofanyabilitytodothethingrequiredofhim？”
　　“Ishouldsaytherewasthemoreneedheshoulddothething。“
　　“Thatisnonsense。“
　　“Ifitbenonsense，thenonsenseliesinthesuppositionthatamancanbeconsciousofnotpossessingapower；hecanonlybenotconsciousofpossessingit，andthatisaverydifferentthing。Howisapowertobeknownbutbybeingapower，andhowisittobeapowerbutinitsownexerciseofitself？Thereismoreinmanthanhecanatanygivenmomentbeconsciousof；thereislife，thepoweroftheeternalbehindhisconsciousness，whichonlyinactioncanhemakehisown；ofwhich，therefore，onlyinaction，thatisobedience，canhebecomeconscious，forthenonlyisithis。“
　　“Youaresplittingahair！”
　　“Iftheonlywaytolifelaythroughahair，whatmustyoudobutsplitit？Thefact，however，is，thathewhotakesthelivesphereoftruthforaflatintellectualdisc，maywelltakethedisc'sedgeforahair。“
　　“Come，come！howdoesallthisapplytome——amanwhowouldreallyliketomakeuphismindaboutthething，andisnotatthemomentawareofanyverypressingdutythatheisneglectingtodo？”
　　“Isyourlordshipnotawareofsomenotverypressingdutythatyouareneglectingtodo？Somedutiesneedbuttobeacknowledgedbythesmallestamountofaction，tobecomeparamountintheirdemandsuponus。“
　　“Thatistheworstofit！”murmuredtheearl。“Irefuse，Iavoidsuchacknowledgment！Whoknowswhitheritmightcarryme，orwhatitmightnotgoontodemandofme！”
　　Hespokelikeoneunawarethathespoke。
　　“Yes，mylord，“saidDonal，“thatishowmostmentreatthegreatestthings！Thedevilblindsusthathemayguideus！”
　　“Thedevil！——bah！”criedhislordship，gladtoturnatrightanglesfromthepathoftheconversation；“youdon'tsurelybelieveinthatlegendarypersonage？”
　　“Hewhodoeswhatthedevilwouldhavehimdo，isthemanwhobelievesinhim，nothewhodoesnotcarewhetherheisornot，solongasheavoidsdoinghisworks。Iftherebesuchaone，hislastthoughtmustbetopersuademenofhisexistence！HeisasubjectI
　　donotcaretodiscuss；heisnotveryinterestingtome。Butifyourlordshipnowwouldbutovercomethehabitofdependingonmedicine，youwouldsoonfindoutthatyouhadafreewill。“
　　Hislordshipscowledlikeathunder-cloud。
　　“Iamcertain，mylord，“addedDonal，“thattheleastquestionaskedbythewillitself，willbringananswer；athousandaskedbytheintellect，willbringnothing。“
　　“Ididnotsendforyoutoactthepartoffatherconfessor，Mr。
　　Grant，“saidhislordship，inatonewhichratherperplexedDonal；
　　“butasyouhavetakenuponyoutheoffice，Imayaswellallowyoukeepit；themattertowhichyourefer，thatofmymedicaltreatmentofmyself，ispreciselywhathasbroughtmeintomypresentdifficulty。Itwouldbetoolongastorytotellyouhow，likepoorColeridge，Iwasfirstdecoyed，thenenticedfromonestagetoanother；thedesiretoescapefrompainisanaturalinstinct；andthat，andthenecessityalsoforescapingmypastself，especiallyinitsrelationstocertainothers，havebroughtmebydegreesintofartoogreatadependenceontheuseofdrugs。Andnowthat，fromcertainsymptoms，Ihavegroundtofearachangeofsomekindnotsofaroff——Idonotofcoursemeanto-morrow，ornextyear，butsomewherenearerthanitwasthistime，Iwon'tsaylastyear，butsaytenyearsago——why，then，onebeginstothinkaboutthingsonehasbeentooreadytoforget。Isuppose，however，ifthewillbeanaturalpossessionofthehumanbeing，andifamanshould，throughactionsonthetissueofhisbrain，haveceasedtobeconsciousofanywill，itmustreturntohimthemomentheisfreefromthebody，thatisfromthedilapidatedbrain！”
　　“Mylord，Iwouldnothaveyoucounttoomuchuponthat。Weknowverylittleaboutthesethings；butwhatifthebraingivetheopportunityfortheactionwhichistoresultinfreedom？Whatifthereshould，withoutthebrain，benomeansofworkingourliberty？
　　Whatifweareherelikebirdsinacage，withwings，abletoflybutnotflyingaboutthecage；andwhatif，whenwearedead，weshallindeedbeoutofthecage，butwithoutwings，havingnevermadeuseofsuchaswehadwhilewehadthem？Thinkforamomentwhatweshouldbewithoutthesenses！”
　　“Weshallbeableatleasttoseeandhear，elsewhereweretheuseofbelievinginanotherworld？”
　　“Isuspect，mylord，theotherworlddoesnotneedourbelievinginittomakeafactofit。Butifamanwerenevertoteachhissoultosee，ifhewereobstinatelytoclosehiseyesuponthisworld，andlookatnothingallthetimehewasinit，Ishouldbeverydoubtfulwhetherthemerefactofgoingalittlemoredead，wouldmakehimsee。Thesoulneverhavinglearnedtosee，itssenseofseeing，correspondenttoandhigherthanthatofthebody，neverhavingbeendeveloped，howshoulditexpandandimpoweritselfbymeredeliverancefromtheonebestschoolmastertowhomitwouldgivenoheed？Thesensesare，Isuspect，onlythehusksunderwhichareripeningthedeeper，keener，bettersensesbelongingtothenextstageofourlife；andso，mylord，Icannotthinkthat，ifthewillhasnotbeendevelopedthroughthemeansandoccasionsgivenin，themerepassingintoanotherconditionwillsetitfree。Forfreedomistheunclosingoftheideawhichliesatourroot，andisthevitalpowerofourexistence。Theroseisthefreedomoftherosetree。I
　　shouldthink，havinglosthisbrain，andgotnothinginstead，amanwouldfindhimselfamerecentreofunanswerablequestions。“
　　“Yougotoofarforme，“saidhislordship，lookingalittleuncomfortable，“butIthinkitistimetotryandbreakmyselfalittleofthehabit——oralmosttime。Bydegreesonemight，youknow，——eh？”
　　“Ihavelittlefaithindoingthingsbydegrees，mylord——exceptsuchindeedasbytheirverynaturecannotbedoneatonce。Itistrueabadhabitcanonlybecontractedbydegrees；andIwillnotsay，becauseIdonotknow，whetheranyonehasevercuredhimselfofonebydegrees；butitcannotbethebestway。Whatisbadoughttobegotridofatonce。“
　　“Ah，but，don'tyouknow？thatmightcostyouyourlife！”
　　“Whatofthat，mylord！Life，thelifeyoumean，isnotthefirstthing。“
　　“Notthefirstthing！Why，theBiblesays，'Allthatamanhathwillhegiveforhislife'！”
　　“ThatisintheBible；butwhethertheBiblesaysit，isanotherthing。“
　　“Idonotunderstandsillydistinctions。“
　　“Why，mylord，whosaidthat？”
　　“Whatdoesitmatterwhosaidit？”
　　“Muchalways；everythingsometimes。“
　　“Whosaiditthen？”
　　“Thedevil。“
　　“Thedevilhedid！Andwhooughttoknowbetter，Ishouldliketoask！”
　　“Everymanoughttoknowbetter。Andbesides，itisnotwhatamanwillorwillnotdo，butwhatamanoughtoroughtnottodo！”
　　“Ah，thereyouhaveme，Isuppose！Buttherearesomethingssodamneddifficult，thatamanmustbeverysureofhisdangerbeforehecanbringhimselftodothem！”
　　“Thatmaybe，mylord：inthepresentcase，however，youmustbeawarethatthedangerisnottothebodilyhealthalone；thesedrugsunderminethemoralnatureaswell！”
　　“Iknowit：Icannotbecountedguiltyofmanythings；theyweredoneundertheinfluenceofhellishconcoctions。ItwasnotI，butthesethingsworkinginme——onmybrain，makingmeseethingsinafalselight！ThiswillbetakenintoaccountwhenIcometobejudged——iftherebesuchathingasadayofjudgment。“
　　“OnethingIamsureof，“saidDonal，“thatyourlordshipwillhavefairplay。Atfirst，notquiteknowingwhatyouwereabout，youmaynothavebeenmuchtoblame；butafterwards，whenyouknewthatyouwereputtingyourselfindangerofdoingyoudidnotknowwhat，youwereasmuchtoblameasifyoumadeaFrankenstein-demon，andturnedhimlooseontheearth，knowingyourselfutterlyunabletocontrolhim。“
　　“AndisnotthatwhattheGodyoubelieveindoeseveryday？”
　　“Mylord，theGodIbelieveinhasnotlosthiscontrolovereitherofus。“
　　“Thenlethimsetthethingright！Whyshouldwedrawhisplough？”
　　“Hewillsetitright，mylord，——butprobablyinawayyourlordshipwillnotlike。Heiscompelledtodoterriblethingssometimes。“
　　“Compelled！——whatshouldcompelhim？”
　　“Thelovethatisinhim，thelovethatheis。Hecannotletushaveourownwaytotheruinofeverythinginushecaresfor！”
　　ThenthespiritawokeinDonal——orcameuponhim——andhespoke。
　　“Mylord，“hesaid，“ifyouwouldeveragainbeabletothankGod；
　　iftherebeoneintheotherworldtowhomyouwouldgo；ifyouwouldmakeupforanywrongyouhaveeverdone；ifyouwouldeverfeelinyoursouloncemoretheinnocenceofachild；ifyoucaretocallGodyourfather；ifyouwouldfallasleepinpeaceandwaketoanewlife；Iconjureyoutoresistthedevil，togiveuptheevilhabitthatisdraggingyoulowerandlowereveryhour。Itwillbeveryhard，Iknow！AnythingIcando，watchingwithyounightandday，givingmyselftohelpyou，Iamreadyfor。Iwilldoallthatliesinmetodeliveryoufromthewearinessandsicknessoftheendeavour。Iwillgivemylifetostrengthenyours，andcountitwellspentandmyselfhonoured：Ishallthenhavelivedalifeworthliving！Resolve，mylord——inGod'snameresolveatoncetobefree。
　　Thenyoushallknowyouhaveafreewill，foryourwillwillhavemadeitselffreebydoingthewillofGodagainstalldisinclinationofyourown。Itwillbeagloriousvictory，andwillsetyouhighonthehillwhosepeakisthethroneofGod。“
　　“Iwillbeginto-morrow，“saidtheearlfeebly，andwithastrangelookinhiseyes。“——Butnowyoumustleaveme。Ineedsolitudetostrengthenmyresolve。Cometomeagainto-morrow。Iamweary，andmustrestawhile。SendSimmons。“
　　Donalwasnowisemisledbytheeasy，postponedconsent，buthecouldnotprolongtheinterview。Heroseandwent。Intheactofshuttingthedoorbehindhim，something，hedidnotknowwhat，madehimturnhishead：theearlwasleaningoverthelittletablebyhisbedside，andpouringsomethingfromabottleintoaglass。Donalstoodtransfixed。Theearlturnedandsawhim，castonhimalookofalmostdemoniacalhate，puttheglasstohislipsanddrankoffitscontents，thenthrewhimselfbackonhispillows。Donalshutthedoor——notsosoftlyasheintended，forhewasagitated；aloudcurseatthenoisecameafterhim。Hewentdownthestairnotonlywithasenseoffailure，butwithanexhaustionsuchashehadneverbeforefelt。
　　Therearemenofnaturessoinactivethattheycannotevenenjoythesightofactivityaroundthem：menwithschemesanddesiresareintheirpresenceintrusive。Theirexistenceisasleepylake，whichwouldnotbetroubledevenwiththewindoffar-offlabour。SuchlordMorvenwasnotbynature；uptomanhoodhehadledevenastormylife。Butwhenhispassionsbegantoyield，hisself-indulgencebegantotaketheformoflaziness；anditwasnotmanyyearsbeforehelaywithneverastruggleinthechainsoftheevilpowerwhichhadnowreducedhimtomoralpoltroonery。Thetyrannyofthislastwickednessgrewworseafterthedeathofhiswife。Theoneobjectofhislife，iflifeitcouldbecalled，wasonlyandevertomakeitalifeofhisown，notthelifewhichGodhadmeantittobe，andhadmadepossibletohim。Onfirstacquaintancewiththemoralphenomenon，ithadseemedtoDonalaninhumanandstrangelyexceptionalone；butreflecting，hecamepresentlytoseethatitwasonlyamorepronouncedformoftheuniversalhumandisease——adiseasesodeep-seatedthathewhohasitworst，leastknowsorcanbelievethathehasanydisease，attributingallhisdiscomforttotheconditionofthingsoutsidehim；whereashisrefusaltoacceptthemastheyare，isonemostprominentsymptomofthedisease。Whetherbystimulantsornarcotics，whetherbycompanyorambition，whetherbygraspingorstudy，whetherbyself-indulgence，byart，bybooks，byreligion，bylove，bybenevolence，weendeavourafteranotherlifethanthatwhichGodmeansforus——alifeoftruth，namely，ofobedience，humility，andself-forgetfulness，wewalkequallyinavainshow。
　　ForGodaloneis，andwithouthimwearenot。Thisisnotthemereclangofatinklingmetaphysicalcymbal；hethatendeavourstoliveapartfromGodmustatlengthfind——notmerelythathehasbeenwalkinginavainshow，butthathehasbeenhimselfbutthephantomofadream。ButforthelifeofthelivingGod，makinghimbe，andkeepinghimbeing，hemustfadeevenoutofthelimboofvanities！
　　Hemoreandmoreseldomwentoutofthehouse，moreandmoreseldomlefthisapartment。Attimeshewouldreadagreatdeal，thenfordayswouldnotopenabook，butseemabsorbedinmeditation——ameditationwhichhadnothinginitworthyofthename。InhiscommunicationswithDonal，hedidnotseemintheleastawarethathehadmadehimtheholderofasecretbywhichhecouldfrustratehisplansforhisfamily。Theseplansheclungto，partlyfrompaternity，partlyfromcontemptforsociety，andpartlyinthefancyofrepairingthewronghehaddonehischildren'smother。Themorallydiseasedwillatoneforwrongbyfreshwrong——initsturntodemandlikereparation！Hewoulddoanythingnowtosecurehissonsinthepositionofwhichinlawhehaddeprivedthembythewronghehaddonethewomanwhomallhadbelievedhiswife。Throughthemarriageoftheeldestwiththeheiress，hewouldmakehimtheheadofthehouseinpowerasindignity，andthiswasnowalmosttheonlytiethatboundhimtotherealityofthings。HecaredlittleenoughaboutForgue，buthisconsciencewashauntedwithhiscrueltiestotheyouth'smother。ThesewereoftensuchasIdarenotputonrecord：theycamealloftheprideofself-loveandself-worship——asevildemonsaseverragedinthefiercestfireofMoloch。Inthemadnesswithwhichtheypossessedhim，hehadinflicteduponhernotonlysoresthumiliations，butbodilytortures：hewouldsee，hesaid，whatshewouldbearforhissake！
　　Inthehorriblepresentmentsofhisdrug-procureddreamstheyreturneduponhiminterribleformsofrighteousretaliation。Andnow，thoughtohimselfhewasconstantlydenyingalifebeyond，theconvictionhadbeguntovisitandoverwhelmhimthathemustonedaymeetheragain：fainthenwouldhebearmedwithsomethingwhichforhersakehehaddoneforherchildren！Oneofthehorriblelawsofthefalseexistenceheledwasthat，forthedeadeningofthemindtoanyevil，therewasnonecessityitshouldbedoneanddoneagain；ithadbuttobepresentedintheformofathingdone，orathinggoingtobedone，toseemathingreasonableanddoable。Inhisbeing，aworldoffalseappearanceshadtakentheplaceofreality；acreationofhisownhaddisplacedthecreationoftheessentialLife，bywhosepoweralonehehimselffalselycreated；andinthisworldhewasthedupeofhisownhome-bornphantoms。Outofthisconspiracyofmarshandmirage，whatvilethingsmightnotissue！Oversuchachaosthedevilhaspowerallbutcreative。Hecannotintruthcreate，buthecanwiththedegeneratecreatedworkmoralhorrorstoohideoustobeanalogizedbyanyofthehorrorsoftheunperfectedanimalworld。Sucharebeingconstantlyproducedinhumansociety；manyofthemdieinthedarknessinwhichtheyaregenerated；nowandthenoneissues，blastingthepublicdaywithitshideousglare。Becausetheyareseldomseen，manydenytheyexist，orneedbespokenofiftheydo。Buttoterrifyamanatthepossibilitiesofhisneglectednature，istodosomethingtowardstheredemptionofthatnature。
　　School-hourswereover，butDaviewasseatedwherehehadlefthim，stillworking。AtsightofhimDonal，feelingasifhehadjustcomefromthepresenceofthedamned，almostburstintotears。AmomentmoreandArcturaentered：itwasasiftheroofofhellgaveway，andtheblueskyoftheeternalcamepouringinheavenlydelugethroughtheruinedvault。
　　“IhavebeentocalluponSophia，“shesaid。
　　“Iamgladtohearit，“answeredDonal：anynewsfromanouterworldofyetsalvablehumanitywaswelcomeassummertoalandofice。
　　“Yes，“shesaid；“Iamabletogoandseehernow，becauseIamnolongerafraidofher——partly，Ithink，becauseInolongercarewhatshethinksofme。Herpowerovermeisgone。“
　　“Andwillneverreturn，“saidDonal，“whileyoukeepclosetothemaster。Withhimyouneednohumanbeingtosetyouright，andwillallownohumanbeingtosetyouwrong；youwillneedneitherfriendnorministernorchurch，thoughallwillhelpyou。Iamveryglad，forsomethingseemstotellmeIshallnotbelonghere。“
　　Arcturadroppedonachair——paleasrosybefore。
　　“Hasanythingfreshhappened？”sheasked，inalowvoicethatdidnotsoundlikehers。“Surelyyouwillnotleavemewhile——I
　　thought——Ithought——Whatisit？”
　　“ItisonlyafeelingIhave，“heanswered。“IbelieveIamoutofspirits。“
　　“Ineversawyousobefore！”saidArctura。“Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobeill。“
　　“Oh，no；itisnotthat！Iwilltellyousomeday，butIcannotnow。
　　AllisinGod'shands！”
　　Shelookedanxiouslyathim，butdidnotaskhimanyquestionmore。
　　Sheproposedtheyshouldtakeaturninthepark，andhisgloomworegraduallyoff。
　　CHAPTERLIX。
　　DUSTTODUST。
　　Thenextnight，asifbyacommonunderstanding，foritwaswithoutwordspoken，thethreemetagaininthehousekeeper'sroom，whereshehadsupperwaiting。Ofbusinessnothingwassaiduntilthatwasover。MistressBrookestoldthemtwoorthreeofthestoriesofwhichshehadsomany，andDonalrecountedoneortwoofthosethatfloatedabouthiscountry-side。
　　“I'vebeenthinkin'，“saidmistressBrookesatlength，“seein'it'sabonnystarrynicht，wecouldnadobetterthanliftan'laydoonthisvarranicht。Thehooseisasleep。“
　　“Whatdoyousaytothatplaceintheparkwherewasonceamausoleum？”saidDonal。
　　“It'sthevarraplace！——an'thesoonerthebetter——dinnayethink，mylady？”
　　ArcturawithalookreferredthequestiontoDonal。
　　“Surely，“heanswered。“Butwilltherenotbesomepreparationstomake？”
　　“There'snoneedo'mony！”returnedthehousekeeper。“I'llgetafineauldsheet，an'intil'twe'llputtheremains，an'rowthemup，an'carrythemtotheirhame。I'llgoan'getit，mylady——Butwouldna'tbebetterforyouandme，sir，togeta'thatdunebyoorsel's？Myleddycouldj'inuswhanwecamup。“
　　“Shewouldn'tliketobeleftherealone。Thereisnothingtobecalledfearsome！”
　　“Nothingatall，“saidArctura。
　　“Theforcesofnature，“saidDonal，“areconstantlyatworktodestroythedreadful，andrestorethewholesome。Itisbutafewhandfulsofcleandust。“
　　Thehousekeeperwenttooneofherpresses，andbroughtoutasheet。
　　DonalputaplaidroundladyArctura。Theywentuptoherroom，andsodowntothechapel。Half-waydownthenarrowdescentmistressBrookesmurmured，“Eh，sirs！”andsaidnomore。
　　Eachcarriedalight，andthetwocouldseethechapelbetter。A
　　statelylittleplaceitwas：whenthewindowswereunmasked，itwouldbebeautiful！
　　Theystoodforsomemomentsbythesideofthebed，regardinginsilence。Seldomsurehadbedborneonewhosleptsolong！——onewho，neverwakingmightlietherestill！Whentheyspokeitwasinwhispers。
　　“Howarewetomanageit，mistressBrookes？”saidDonal。
　　“Laythesheethandy，alangthesideo'thebed，maisterGrant，an'
　　Is'layinthedist，han'fu'byhan'fu'。Ihaethatrespec'forthedeid，Ihaenodifficletyaboothan'lin'onythingbelongin'tothem。“
　　“Gienithadnabeenthathetuikitagain，“saidDonal，“theLord'sainbodywadhaecometothis。“
　　Ashespokehelaidthesheetonthebed，andbegantolayinitthedrydustandair-wastedbones，handlingthemasreverentlyasifthespirithadbutjustdeparted。MistressBrookeswouldhavepreventedArctura，butsheinsistedonhavinghershareintheburyingofherown：whotheywereGodknew，buttheyshouldbehersanyhow，andonedayshewouldknow！Fortofancywegointotheotherworldasetofspiritualmolesburrowinginthedarkofanewandunknownexistence，isworthyonlyofsuchashavealifelessLawtotheirsire。Weshallenteritaschildrenwithahistory，aschildrengoinghometoalonglineoflivingancestors，todevelopclosestrelationswiththem。Shewouldyettalk，livefacetoface，withthosewhosedustshewasnowliftinginhertwohandstorestoreittoitsdust。Thentheycarriedthesheettothealtar，andthencesweptintoiteverylittleparticle，backtoitsmotherdust。Thatdone，Donalknottedthesheettogether，andtheybegantolookaroundthem。
　　Desirousofdiscoveringwherethemainentrancetothechapelhadbeen，Donalspiedunderthewindowsaseconddoor，andopeneditwithdifficulty。Itdisclosedapassagebelowthestair，threestepslowerthanthefloorofthechapel，parallelwiththewall，andturning，atrightanglesunderthegallery。Herehesawsignsofanobliterateddoorintheouterwall，butcouldexaminenofartherforthepresent。
　　Inthemeantimehiscompanionshadmadeanothersortofdiscovery：
　　nearthefootofthebedwasalittletable，onwhichweretwodrinkingvessels，apparentlyofpewter，andamoulderingpackofcards！Card-playingandthehiddenroomdidholdsomerelationwitheachother！Thecardsandthedevilwerereal！
　　Donaltookupthesheet——alightburden，andArcturaledtheway。
　　Arrivedatherroom，theywentsoftlyacrosstothedooropeningonDonal'sstair——notwithoutfearoftheearl，whomindeedtheymightmeetanywhere——andbythatdescending，reachedtheopenair，andtooktheirwaydowntheterracesandthroughtheparktotheplaceofburial。
　　Itwasafrostynight，withthewaningsickleofamoonlowintheheaven，andmanybrilliantstarsaboveit。Followedbyfaintetherealshadows，theypassedoverthegrass，throughtheghostlyluminousdusk——offunerealprocessionsoneofthestrangestthateversoughtatomb。
　　Theruinwasinahollow，surroundedbytrees。Donalremovedanumberoffallenstonesanddugagrave。Theyloweredintoittheknottedsheet，threwintheearthagain，heapedthestonesabove，andleftthedustwithitsdust。Thensilenttheywentback，straightalongthegreen，moon-regardedratherthanmoon-litgrass：
　　ifanyonehadseenthemthroughthepalestarrynight，hewouldsurelyhavetakenthemforaprocessionofthedeadthemselves！
　　NodreamofdeathsoughtArcturathatnight，butinthemorningshewokesuddenlyfromoneofdisembodieddelight。
　　CHAPTERLX。
　　ALESSONABOUTDEATH。
　　WHATEVERladyArcturamightdecideconcerningtherestorationofthechapeltothelightofday，Donalthoughtitwouldnotbeamisstofind，withouttroublingher，whathecouldofitsrelationtotherestofthehouse：anditfavouredhiswishthatArcturawasprevaileduponbythehousekeepertoremaininbedthenextday。Herstrongwill，goodcourage，andtrustingheart，hadmadeseveredemandsuponanorganizationasdelicateasresponsive。ItwasnowSaturday：heresolvedtogoaloneintheafternoontoexplore——andfirstofallwouldtrythedoorbesidethelittlegallery。
　　Assoonashewasfree，hegotthetoolshejudgednecessary，andwentdown。
　　Thedoorwasofstrongsoundoak，withornateironhingesrightacrossit。Hewasonthebettersideforopeningit，thatis，theinside，butthoughtheendsofthehingeswereexposed，thedoorwassowellwithintheframethatitwasuselesstothinkofheavingthemoffthebearing-pins。Thehugelockanditsboltwerelikewisebeforehim，butthekeywasinthelockfromtheotherside，sothatitcouldnotbepicked；whilethenailsthatfastenedittothedoorwereprobablyrivetedthroughaplate。Buttherewasthesocketintowhichtheboltshot！thatwasmerelyanironstaple！hemighteitherforceitoutwithalever，orfileitthrough！Havingremovedtheroughestoftherustwithwhichitwascaked，andsoreduceditsthicknessconsiderably，hesethimselftothetaskoffilingitthrough，firstatthetopthenatthebottom。Itwasaslowbutasureprocess，andwouldmakenogreatnoise。
　　Althoughitwasbroaddaylightoutside，solikemidnightwasithereandtheseasonthatbelongstothedead，thathewashauntedwiththeideaofapresencebehindhim。Butnotoncedidheturnhisheadtosee，forheknewthatifheyieldedtotheinclination，itwouldbutreturnthestronger。Oldexperiencehadtaughthimthatthewaytomeetthehorrorsofthefancyistorefusethemasinglehair's-breadthofobedience。Andasheworkedtheconvictiongrewthattheonlyprotectionagainsttheterrorsofalienpresenceistheconsciousnessofthehomepresenceoftheeternal：ifamanfeltthatpresence，howcouldhefearanyother？Butforthosewhoarenotonewiththesourceofbeing，everymanifestationofthatbeinginalifeotherthantheirown，mustbemoreorlessaterrortothem；itisalien，antipathous，other，——itmaybeunappeasable，implacable。Thetimemustevencomewhentosuchtheirownbeingwillbeahorrorofrepugnantconsciousness；forGodnotselfisours——hisbeing，notourown，isourhome；heisourkind。
　　Theworkwasslow——theimpressiononthehardironofthewornfilesoweakthathewasoftenonthepointofgivinguptheattempt。
　　Fatigueatlengthbegantoinvadehim，andtherewiththesenseofhissituationgrewmorekeen：greatwearinessovercomesterror；thebeginningsofwearinessenhanceit。Everynowandthenhewouldstop，thinkingheheardthecryofachild，onlytorecognizeitasthenoiseofhisfile。Heresolvedatlasttostopforthenight，andafterteagotothetowntobuyanewandfitterfile。
　　ThenextdaywasSunday，andintheafternoonDonalandDaviewerewalkingintheoldavenuetogether。Theyhadbeentochurch，andhadheardadullsermononthemoststirringfactnexttotheresurrectionoftheLordhimself——hisraisingofLazarus。Thewholeaspectofthething，aspresentedbythepreachingman，wassodullandunreal，thatnotawordonthesubjecthadpassedbetweenthemonthewayhome。
　　“Mr。Grant，howcouldanybodymakeadeadmanliveagain？”saidDaviesuddenly。
　　“Idon'tknow，Davie，“answeredDonal。“IfIcouldknowhow，I
　　shouldprobablybeabletodoitmyself。“
　　“Itisveryhardtobelieve。“
　　“Yes，veryhard——thatis，ifyoudonotknowanythingaboutthepersonsaidtohavedoneit，toaccountforhisbeingabletodoitthoughanothercouldnot。Butjustthinkofthis：ifonehadneverseenorheardaboutdeath，itwouldbeashard，perhapsharder，tobelievethatanythingcouldbringaboutthatchange。Theoneseemstouseasytounderstand，becausewearefamiliarwithit；ifwehadseentheothertakeplaceafewtimes，weshouldseeinitnothingtoostrange，nothingindeedbutwhatwastobeexpectedincertaincircumstances。“
　　“Butthatisnotenoughtoproveiteverdidtakeplace。“
　　“Assuredlynot。Itcannotevenmakeitlookintheleastprobable。“
　　“Tellme，please，anythingthatwouldmakeitlookprobable。“
　　“Iwillnotansweryourquestiondirectly，butIwillanswerit。
　　Listen，Davie。
　　“InallagesmenhavelongedtoseeGod——somemeninagrandway。Atlast，accordingtothestoryofthegospel，thetimecamewhenitwasfitthattheFatherofmenshouldshowhimselftotheminhisson，theoneperfectman，whowashisveryimage。SoJesuscametothem。ButmanywouldnotbelievehewasthesonofGod，fortheyknewGodsolittlethattheydidnotseehowlikehewastohisFather。Others，whoweremorelikeGodthemselves，andsoknewGodbetter，didthinkhimthesonofGod，thoughtheywerenotpleasedthathedidnotmakemoreshow。Hisobjectwas，nottoruleoverthem，buttomakethemknow，andtrust，andobeyhisFather，whowaseverythingtohim。Nowwhenanyonedied，hisfriendsweresomiserableoverhimthattheyhardlythoughtaboutGod，andtooknocomfortfromhim。Theysaidthedeadmanwouldriseagainatthelastday，butthatwassofaroff，thedeadwasgonetosuchadistance，thattheydidnotcareforthat。Jesuswantedtomakethemknowandfeelthatthedeadwerealiveallthetime，andcouldnotbefaraway，seeingtheywereallwithGodinwhomwelive；thattheyhadnotlostthemthoughtheycouldnotseethem，fortheywerequitewithinhisreach——asmuchsoasever；thattheywerejustassafewith，andaswelllookedafterbyhisfatherandtheirfather，astheyhadeverbeeninalltheirlives。Itwasnodoubtadreadful-lookingthingtohavethemputinahole，andwasteawaytodust，buttheywerenotthereforegoneout——theywereonlygonein！
　　Toteachthemallthishedidnotsaymuch，butjustcalledoneortwoofthembackforawhile。OfcourseLazaruswasgoingtodieagain，butcanyouthinkhistwosisterseitherlovedhimless，orweptasmuchoverhimthenexttimehedied？”
　　“No；itwouldhavebeenfoolish。“
　　“Well，ifyouthinkaboutit，youwillseethatnoonewhobelievesthatstory，andweepsastheydidthefirsttime，canescapereproof。WhereJesuscalledLazarusfrom，therearehisfriends，andtherearetheywaitingforhim！Now，Iaskyou，Davie，wasitworthwhileforJesustodothisforus？Isnotthegreatmiseryofourlife，thatthosedeartousdie？Wasit，Isay，athingworthdoing，toletusseethattheyarealivewithGodallthetime，andcanbeproducedanymomenthepleases？”
　　“Surelyitwas，sir！Itoughttotakeawayallthemisery！”
　　“Thenitwasanaturalthingtodo；anditisareasonablethingtothinkthatitwasdone。ItwasnaturalthatGodshouldwanttolethischildrenseehim；andnaturalheshouldletthemknowthathestillsawandcaredforthosetheyhadlostsightof。Thewholethingseemstomereasonable；Icanbelieveit。Itimpliesindeedaworldofthingsofwhichweknownothing；butthatisfor，notagainstit，seeingsuchaworldweneed；andifanyoneinsistsonbelievingnothingbutwhathehasseensomethinglike，IleavehimtohismiseryandthemercyofGod。“
　　Iftheworldhadbeensomadethatmencouldeasilybelieveinthemakerofit，itwouldnothavebeenaworldworthanyman'slivingin，neitherwouldtheGodthatmadesuchaworld，andsorevealedhimselftosuchpeople，beworthbelievingin。Godaloneknowswhatlifeisenoughforustolive——whatlifeisworthhisandourwhile；
　　wemaybesureheislabouringtomakeitours。Hewouldhaveitasfull，aslovely，asgrand，asthesparingofnothing，notevenhisownson，canrenderit。Ifwewouldonlylethimhavehisownwaywithus！Ifwedonottrusthim，willnotworkwithhim，arealwaysthwartinghisendeavourstomakeusalive，thenwemustbemiserable；thereisnohelpforit。Astodeath，weknownexttonothingaboutit。“Dowenot！”saythefaithless。“Dowenotknowthedarkness，theemptiness，thetears，thesinkingsofheart，thedesolation！”Yes，youknowthose；butthoseareyourthings，notdeath's。Aboutdeathyouknownothing。Godhastoldusonlythatthedeadarealivetohim，andthatonedaytheywillbealiveagaintous。Theworldbeyondthegatesofdeathis，Isuspect，afarmorehomelikeplacetothosethatenterit，thanthisworldistous。
　　“Idon'tlikedeath，“saidDavie，afterasilence。
　　“Idon'twantyoutolike，whatyoucalldeath，forthatisnotthethingitself——itisonlyyourfancyaboutit。Youneednotthinkaboutitatall。Thewaytogetreadyforitistolive，thatis，todowhatyouhavetodo。“
　　“ButIdonotwanttogetreadyforit。Idon'twanttogotoit；
　　andtoprepareforitislikegoingstraightintoit！”
　　“Youhavetogotoitwhetheryouprepareforitornot。Youcannothelpgoingtoit。Butitmustbelikethisworld，seeingtheonlywaytoprepareforitistodothethingGodgivesustodo。“
　　“Aren'tyouafraidofdeath，Mr。Grant？”
　　“No，Iamnot。WhyshouldIfearthebestthingthat，initstime，cancometome？Neitherwillyoubeafraidwhenitcomes。Itisnotthedreadfulthingitlooks。“
　　“Whyshoulditlookdreadfulifitisnotdreadful？”
　　“Thatisaveryproperquestion。Itlooksdreadful，andmustlookdreadful，toeveryonewhocannotseeinitthatwhichalonemakeslifenotdreadful。Ifyousawagreatdarkcloakcomingalongtheroadasifitwereroundsomebody，butnobodyinsideit，youwouldbefrightened——wouldyounot？”
　　“IndeedIshould。Itwouldbeawful！”
　　“Itwould。Butifyouspiedinsidethecloak，andmakingitcometowardsyou，themostbeautifullovingfaceyoueversaw——ofamancarryinginhisarmsalittlechild——andsawthechildclingingtohim，andlookinginhisfacewithablessedsmile，wouldyoubefrightenedattheblackcloak？”
　　“No；thatwouldbesilly。“
　　“Youhaveyouranswer！Thethingthatmakesdeathlooksofearfulisthatwedonotseeinsideit。Thosewhoseeonlytheblackcloak，andthinkitismovingalongofitself，maywellbefrightened；butthosewhoseethefaceinsidethecloak，wouldbefoolsindeedtobefrightened！BeforeJesuscame，peoplelivedingreatmiseryaboutdeath；butafterheroseagain，thosewhobelievedinhimalwaystalkedofdyingasfallingasleep；andIdaresaythestoryofLazarus，thoughitwasnotsuchagreatthingaftertherisingoftheLordhimself，hadalargeshareinenablingthemtothinkthatwayaboutit。“
　　Whentheywenthome，Davie，runninguptoladyArctura'sroom，recountedtoheraswellashecouldtheconversationhehadjusthadwithMr。Grant。
　　“Oh，Arkie！”hesaid，“tohearhimtalk，youwouldthinkDeathhadn'talegtostandupon！”
　　Arcturasmiled；butitwasasmilethroughacloudofunshedtears。
　　Lovelyasdeathmightbe，shewouldliketogetthegoodofthisworldbeforegoingtothenext！——AsifGodwoulddenyusanygood！——Atonetimeshehadbeenwillingtogo，shethought，butshewasnotnow！——Theworldhadoflategrownverybeautifultoher！
　　CHAPTERLXI。
　　THEBUREAU。
　　OntheMondaynightDonalagainwentdownintothehiddenpartsofthecastle。Arcturahadcometotheschoolroom，butseemedillableforherwork，andhedidnottellherwhathewasdoingfarther。
　　Theywererathertheghostsoffearsthanfearsthemselvesthathadassailedhim，andthistimetheyhardlycamenearhimashewrought。
　　Withhisnewfilehemadebetterworkthanbefore，andsoonfinishedcuttingthroughthetopofthestaple。Tryingitthenwithapokerasalever，hebrokethebottompartacross；sotherewasnothingtoholdthebolt，andwithacreakingnoiseofrustyhingesthedoorslowlyopenedtohissteadypull。Nothingappearedbutawallofplank！Hegaveitapush；ityielded：anotherdoor，close-fitting，andwithoutanyfastening，flewopen，revealingasmallclosetorpress，andontheoppositesideofitathirddoor。Thishecouldnotatonceopen。Itwassecured，however，withacommonlock，whichcosthimscarcelyanytrouble。Itopenedonalittleroom，ofaboutninefeetbyseven。Hewentin。Itcontainednothingbutanold-fashionedsecretaryorbureau，andaseatlikealowmusic-stool。
　　“Itmayhavebeenavestryforthepriest！”thoughtDonal；“butitmusthavebeenusedlaterthanthechapel，forthisdeskisnotolderthantheoneatTheMains，whichmistressJeansaidwasmadeforhergrandmother！”
　　Thenhowdiditgetintotheplace？Therewasnootherdoor！Abovethebureauwasasmallwindow，orwhatseemedawindowdoubtfulwithdirt；butdoortherewasnot！Itwasnottoolargetoenterbytheoakdoor，butitcouldnothavegottoitalonganyofthepassageshehadcomethrough！Itfollowedthattheremust，andthatnotsoverylongago，havebeenanotherentrancetotheplaceinwhichhestood！
　　Heturnedtolookatthewayhehadhimselfcome：itwasthroughacommonpressofpainteddeal，fillingtheendofthelittleroom，therenarrowedtoaboutfivefeet。Whenthedoorinthebackofitwasshut，itlookedmerelyapartofthebackofthepress。
　　Heturnedagaintothebureau，withastrangefeelingathisheart。
　　Thecoverwasdown，andonitlaysomesheetsofpaper，discolouredwithdustandage。Apenlaywiththem，andbesidewasanink-bottleofthecommonesttype，theinkinpowderandflakes。Hetookuponeofthesheets。Ithadagreatstainonit。Thebottlemusthavebeenoverturned！Butwasitink？No；itstoodtoothickonthepaper。
　　WithagruesomeshiverDonalwettedhisfingerandtriedthesurfaceofit：alittlecameoff，atingeofsuspiciousbrown。Therewaswritingonthepaper！Whatwasit？Heheldthefadedlinesclosetothecandle。Theywerenotdifficulttodecipher。Hesatdownonthestool，andreadthus——hisreadingbrokenbythestain：therewasnodate：——
　　“MyhusbandforsuchIwill——blot——areinthesightofGod——blot——menwhyareyousocruelwhat——blot——deservetheseterrors——blot——inthoughthaveI——blot——harduponmetothinkofanother。“
　　Herethewritingcamebelowtheblot，andwentonunbroken。
　　“MylittleoneisgoneandIamleftlonelyohsolonely。IcannotbutthinkthatifyouhadlovedmeasyouoncedidIshouldyetbeclaspingmylittleonetomybosomandyouwouldhaveadaughtertocomfortyouafterIamgone。IfeelsureIcannotlongsurvivethis——ahtheremyhandhasburstoutbleedingagain，butdonotthinkImindit，Iknowitwasonlyanaccident，younevermeanttodoit，thoughyouteasedmebyrefusingtosayso——besidesitisnothing。YoumightdraweverdropofbloodfrommybodyandIwouldnotcareifonlyyouwouldnotmakemyheartbleedso。Oh，itisgoneallovermypaperandyouwillthinkIhavedoneittoletyouseehowitbleeds——butIcannotwriteitalloveragainitistoogreatalabourandtoopainfultowrite，soyoumustseeitjustasitis。Idarenotthinkwheremybabyis，forifIshouldbedoomednevertoseeherbecauseoftheloveIhavebornetoyouandconsentedtobeasyouwishedifIamcastoutfromGodbecauseI
　　lovedyoumorethanhimIshallneverseeyouagain——fortobewhereIcouldseeyouwouldneverbepunishmentenoughformysins。“
　　Herethewritingstopped：thebleedingofthehandhadprobablybroughtittoaclose。Theletterhadneverbeenfolded，butlyingthere，hadlainthere。Helookedifhecouldfindadate；therewasnone。Heheldthesheetuptothelight，andsawapapermark；whileclosebylayanothersheetwithmerelyadate——inthesamehand，asifthewriterhadbeenabouttocommenceanotherinlieuoftheletterspoiled。
　　“Strange！”thoughtDonalwithhimself；“anoldwitheredgrieflooksalmostaspitifulasanoldwitheredjoy！——Butwhoistosayeitheriswithered？Thosewholookupondeathasanevil，yetregarditasthehealerofsorrows！Isitsuch？Noonecantellhowlongagriefmaylastunwithered！Surelytillthelifehealsit！Heisacowardwhowouldbecuredofhissorrowbymerelapseoftime，bythemereforgettingofabrainthatgrowsmustywithage。ItisGodalonewhocanheal——theGodofthedeadandoftheliving！andthedeadmustfindhim，orbemiserableforevermore！”
　　Hehadnotadoubtthattheletterhehadreadwasinthewritingofthemotherofthepresentearl'schildren。
　　Whatwashetodo？Hehadthoughthewaslookingintomattersmucholder——thingsoverwhichthepermissionofladyArcturaextended；
　　andintruthwhathehaddiscovered，orseencorroborated，wasathingshehadarighttoknow！butwhetherheoughttotellheratoncehedidnotyetsee。Hetookuphiscandle，andwithafeelingofhelplessdismay，withdrewtohischamber。Butwhenhereachedthedoorofit，yieldingtoasuddenimpulse，heturnedaway，andwentfartherupthestair，andoutuponthebartizan。