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days of such walking as befitted an unaccustomed boy； they climbed
the last hill； crossed the threshold of Robert Grant's cottage； and
were both clasped in the embrace of Janet。 For Davie rushed into the
arms of Donal's mother； and she took him to the same heart to which
she had taken wee sir Gibbie： the bosom of the peasant woman was
indeed one to fee to。
Then followed delights which more than equalled the expectations of
Davie。 One of them was seeing how Donal was loved。 Another was a new
sense of freedom： he had never imagined such liberty as he now
enjoyed。 It was as if God were giving it to him。 fresh out of his
sky； his mountains； his winds。 Then there was the twilight on the
hill…side； with the sheep growing dusky around him； when Donal would
talk about the shepherd of the human sheep； and hearing him Davie
felt not only that there was once； but that there is now a man
altogether lovelythe heart of all beauty everywherea man who
gave himself up to his perfect father and his father's most
imperfect children； that he might bring his brothers and sisters
home to their father； for all his delight is in his father and his
father's children。 He showed him how the heart of Jesus was； all
through； the heart of a son； a son that adored his perfect father；
and how if he had not had his perfect son to help him； God could not
have made any of us； could never have got us to be his little sons
and daughters； loving him with all our might。 Then Davie's heart
would glow； and he would feel ready to do whatever that son might
want him to do； and Donal hoped； and had good ground for hoping；
that； when the hour of trial came； the youth would be able to hold；
not merely by the unseen； but by the seemingly unpresent and unfelt；
in the name of the eternally true。
Donal's youth began to seem far behind him。 All bitterness was gone
out of his memories of lady Galbraith。 He loved her tenderly； but
was pleased she should be Gibbie's。
How much of this happy change was owing to his interest in lady
Arctura he did not inquire： greatly interested in hermore in very
important ways than he had ever been in lady Galbraithhe was so
jealous of his heart； shrank so much from the danger of folly； knew
so well how small an amount of yielding might unfit him for the
manly and fresh performance of his dutiesamong which came first a
due regard for her well…being lest he should himself fail or mislead
herthat he often turned his thoughts into another channel； lest in
that they should run too swiftly； deepen it too fast； and go far to
imprison themselves in another agony。
To lady Galbraith he confided his uneasiness about lady Arcturanot
that he could explainhe could only confess himself infected with
her uneasiness； and the rather that he knew better than she the
nature of those with whom she might have to cope。 If Mrs。 Brookes
had not been there； he dared not have come away； he said； leaving
her with such a dread upon her。
Sir Gibbie listened open…mouthed to the tale of the finding of the
lost chapel； hidden away because it held the dust of the dead； and
perhaps sometimes their wandering ghosts。
They assured him that； if he would bring lady Arctura to them； they
would take care of her： had she not better give up the weary
property； they said； and come and live with them； and be free as the
lark？ But Donal said； that； if God had given her a property； he
would not have her forsake her post； but wait for him to relieve
her。 She must administer her own kingdom ere she could have an
abundant entrance into his！ Only he wished he were near her again to
help her！
CHAPTER LXXII。
SENT； NOT CALLED。
He had been at home about ten days； during which not a word had come
to Davie or himself from the castle； and was beginning to grow； not
perhaps anxious； but hungry for news of lady Arctura； when from a
sound sleep he started suddenly awake one midnight to find his
mother by his bedside： she had roused him with difficulty。
〃Laddie；〃 she said； 〃I'm thinkin ye're wantit。〃
〃Whaur am I wantit； mother？〃 he asked； rubbing his eyes； but with
anxiety already throbbing at his heart。
〃At the castle；〃 she replied。
〃Hoo ken ye that？〃 he asked。
〃It wad be ill tellin' ye；〃 she answered。 〃But gien I was you；
Donal； I wad be aff afore the day brak； to see what they're duin'
wi' yon puir leddy at the muckle place ye left。 My hert's that sair
aboot her； I canna rest a moment till I hae ye awa' upo' the ro'd
til her！〃
Long before his mother had ended； Donal was out of bed； and hurrying
on his clothes。 He had the profoundest faith in whatever his mother
said。 Was it a vision she had had？ He had never been told she had
the second sight！ It might have been only a dream； or an impression
so deep she must heed it！ One thing was plain： there was no time to
ask questions！ It was enough that his mother said 〃Go；〃 more than
enough that it was for lady Arctura！ How quickest could he go？ There
were horses at sir Gibbie's： he would make free with one！ He put a
crust of bread in his pocket； and set out running。 There was a
little moonlight； enough for one who knew every foot of the way； and
in half an hour of swift descent； he was at the stable door of
Glashruach。
Finding himself unable to rouse anyone； he crept through a way he
knew； opened the door； without a moment's hesitation saddled and
bridled sir Gibbie's favourite mare； led her out； and mounted her。
Safe in the saddle； with four legs busy under him； he had time to
think； and began to turn over in his mind what he must do。 But he
soon saw there was no planning anything till he knew what was the
matterof which he had dreadful forebodings。 His imagination
started and spurred by fear； he thought of many dread possibilities
concerning which he wondered that he had never thought of them
before： if he had he could not have left the castle！ What might not
a man in the mental and moral condition of the earl； unrestrained by
law or conscience； risk to secure the property for his son？ Might he
not poison her； smother her； kill her somehow； anyhow that was
safest？ Then rushed into his mind what the housekeeper had told him
of his cruelty to his wife： a man like that； no longer feeling；
however knowing the difference between right and wrong； hardly
knowing the difference between dreaming a thing and doing the thing；
was no fitter member of a family than any devil in or out of hell！
He would have blamed himself bitterly had he not been sure he was
not following his own will in going away。 If there were a better way
it had not been intended he should take it； else it would have been
shown him！ But now he would be restrained by no delicacy towards the
earl： whatever his hand found to do he would do； regardless of
appearances！ If he could not reach lady Arctura； he would seek the
help of the law； tell what he knew； and get a warrant of search。 He
dared not think what he dreaded； but he would trust nothing but
seeing her with his own eyes； and hearing from her own mouth that
all was wellwhich could not be； else why should his mother have
sent him to her？ Doubtless the way would unfold before him as he
went on； but if everything should seem to go against him； he would
yet say with sir Philip Sidney that； 〃since a man is bound no
farther to himself than to do wisely； chance is only to trouble them
that stand upon chance。〃 If his plans or attempts should one after
the other fail； 〃there's a divinity that shapes our ends； rough…hew
them how we will〃！ So he rode on； careful over his mare； lest much
haste should be little speed。 The animal was strong and in good
condition； and by the time Donal had seen the sun rise； ascend the
heavens； and go half…way down their western slope； and had stopped
three times to refresh the mare； he found himself； after much
climbing and descent； on a good level road that promised by
nightfall to bring him to the place of his desire。
But the mare was now getting tired； and no wonder； for she had had
more than a hard day's work。 Donal dismounted every now and then to
relieve her； that he might go the faster when he mounted again；
comforting himself that in the true path the delays are as important
as the speed； for the hour is the point； not the swiftness： an hour
too soon may even be more disastrous than an hour too late！ He would
arrive at the right time for him whose ways are not as our ways
inasmuch as they are greatly better！ The sun went down and the stars
came out； and the long twilight began。 But before he was a mile
farther he became aware that the sky had clouded over； the stars had
vanished； and rain was at hand。 The day had been sultry； and relief
was come。 Lightning flamed out； and darkness full of thunder
followed。 The storm was drawing nearer； but his mare； though young
and high…spirited； was too weary to be frightened； the rain
refreshed both； and they made a little more speed。 But it was dark
night； with now grumbling now raging storm； before they came where；
had it been light； Donal would have looked to see the castle。
CHAPTER LXXIII。
IN THE NIGHT。
When he reached the town； he rode into the yard of the Morven Arms；
and having found a sleepy