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