第12章
“GienIwasyou，SirGilbert，“saidDonal，whonowandthenrememberedMrs。Sclater’srequest——theyhadcomedown，andlookingattheoutsideofthehouse，hadespiedahalf-obliteratedstone-carvingoftheGalbraitharms——“GienIwasyou，SirGilbert，I
wadgarMaisterScletterkeepasherpluikootforthefirstchanceo’buyin’backthishoose。Itwadbeagreatpeetyitsudgangtowauraforeyegetit。Eh！sictalesasthishoosecudtell！”
“HowamItodothat，Donal？，Mr。Sclaterwouldnotmindme。Themoney’snotmineyet，youknow，“saidGibbie。
“Thesillerisyours，Gibbie，“answeredDonal;“it’syoursasthekingdomo’h’aven’syours;it’sonly’atyecannajistlayyerhan’supo’’tyet。TheseeneryelatthatMaisterScletterken’atyekenwhatye’reaboot，thebetter。An’believeme，whanhecomestoun’erstan’’atyewantthathoosekoft，he’llnobeadayohnganetosomebodyoranitherabootit。”
Donalwasright，forwithinamonththehousewasbought，andcertainnecessaryrepairscommenced。
SometimesonthoseeveningstheytookteawithMistressCroale，anditwasaproudtimewithherwhentheywent。Thatnightatleastthewhiskybottledidnotmakeitsappearance。
Mrs。SclatercontinuedtoinviteyoungladiestothehouseforGibbie’ssake，andwhenshegaveaparty，shetookcarethereshouldbeaproportionofyoungpeopleinit;butGibbie，althoughofcoursekindandpolitetoall，didnotmuchenjoythesegatherings。
Itbegantotroublehimalittlethatheseemedtocarelessforhiskindthanbefore;butitwasonlyaseeming，andthecauseofitwasthis：hewasnowcapableofperceivingfactsinnatureandcharacterwhichpreventedrealcontact，andmustmakeadvancestowardsitappearasoffensiveastheywereuseless。Buthedidnotlovethelessthathehadtocontenthimself，untilthekingdomshouldcomenearer，withlovingatamoreconsciousdistance;bylovingkindnessandtruthhecontinueddoingallhecouldtobringthekingdomwhoseendisunity。Hencehehadcometorestrainhismanner——nothingcouldhaveconstrainedhismanners，whichnowfromtheconventionalpointofviewwereirreproachable;butifhedidnotsooftenexecuteawilddance，orstandupononeleg，theglowinhiseyeshaddeepened，andhisresponsetoanyadvancewasasreadyandthorough，asfrankandsweetasever;hiseagernesswasreplacedbyastillnessfromwhichhiseyestookallcoldness，andhissmilewasasthesunbreakingoutinagraydayofsummer，andturningallfromdovestopeacocks。InthismattertherewasonethingworthyofnotecommontoDonalandhim，whohadhadthesamedivineteachingfromJanet：theirmannerstoallclasseswerethesame，theyshowedthesamerespecttothepoor，thesameeasewiththerich。
Imustconfess，however，thatbeforethesessionwasover，DonalfounditrequiredallhisstrengthofmindtocontinuetogotoMrs。
Sclater’slittleparties——fromkindnesssheneveraskedhimtoherlargerones;andthemoretohispraiseitwasthathedidnotrefuseoneofherinvitations。Thecausewasthis：onebrightSundaymorninginFebruary，comingoutofhisroomtogotochurch，andwalkingdownthepaththroughthefurnitureinadreamymood，hesuddenlysawapersonmeetinghimstraightintheface。“Sicaqueer-likechield！”heremarkedinwardly，steppedononesidetolethimpass——andperceiveditwashimselfreflectedfromheadtofootinalargemirror，whichhadbeenplacedwhilehewasoutthenightbefore。Thecouragewithwhichhepersisted，aftersuchapainfulenlightenment，ingoingintocompanyinthosesamegarments，wasrightadmirableandenviable;butnooneknewofituntilitsexercisewaslongover。
Thelittlepocket-moneyMr。SclaterallowedGibbie，waschieflyspentattheshopofacertainsecondhandbookseller，nearlyoppositeMistressMurkison’s。ThebookstheyboughtwerecarriedtoDonal’sroom，theretobeconsideredbyGibbieDonal’s，andbyDonalGibbie’s。AmongtherestwasareprintofMarlow’sFaust，thedaringintheonegrandpassageofwhichbothawedanddelightedthem;therewerealsosomeoftheEttrickShepherd’seeriestories，aloneintheirkind;andabovealltherewasaminiaturecopyofShelley，whoseversedidmuchforthemusicofDonal’s，whileyethecouldnotquiteappreciatethetruthfortheiridescenceofit：hesaiditseemedtohimtohavebeenallcomposedinaballoon。I
havementionedonlyworksofimagination，butitmustnotbesupposedtheyhadnotarelishforstrongerfood：thebooksmoreseverecameafterwards，whentheyhadlibertytochoosetheirownlabours;nowtheyhadplentyoftheharderworkprovidedforthem。
SomewhereaboutthistimeFergusDuffreceivedhislicensetopreach，andsethimselftoacquirewhathissoulthirstedafter——areputation，namely，foreloquence。Thiswasalltheflood-markthatremainedofthewatersofversewithwhichhehadatonetimesoplentifullyinundatedhissoul。Hewasthesameasmanhehadbeenasyouth——handsome，plausible，occupiedwithhimself，determinedtosucceed，notdeterminedtolabour。Praisewastheverynecessityofhisexistence，buthehadtheinstinctnottodisplayhisbeggarlyhunger——whichreachedeventotheapprobationofsuchtowhomheheldhimselfvastlysuperior。Heseemedgenerous，andwasniggardly，byturns;cultivatedsuavity;indulgedinfloriditybothofmannersandspeech;andsignedhisnamesoasnobodycouldreadit，thoughhishandwritingwasplainenough。
Inthespring，summer，andautumn，Donallabouredalldaywithhisbody，andintheeveningasmuchashecouldwithhismind。LoverofNatureashewas，however，morealiveindeedthanbeforetothedelightsofthecountry，andthegenialcompanionshipofterrenesightsandsounds，scentsandmotions，hecouldnothelplongingforthewinterandthecity，thathissoulmightbefreertofollowitspaths。Andyetwhataseasonsomeofthelaboursofthefieldaffordedhimforthought！，Tothestudentwhocannotthinkwithoutbooks，theeasiestofsuchlaboursareadullburden，oradistress;
butforthemaninwhomthewellshavebeenunsealed，inwhomthewatersareflowing，thelabourminglesgentlyandgeniallywiththethought，andtheploughheholdswithhishandslaysopentothesunandtheairmoresoilsthanone。Mr。Sclaterwithouthisbookswouldspeedilyhavesunkintothemereshrewdfarmer;Donal，neveropeningabook，wouldhavefollowedtheoriesandmadeversestotheendofhisdays。
EverySaturday，asbefore，hewenttoseehisfatherandmother。
Janetkeptfreshandlively，althoughagetoldonher，shesaid，morerapidlysinceGibbiewentaway。
“ButgientheLordlatauldagewithermeup，“shesaid，“he’llluikefterthecrackshimsel’。”
SixweeksofeverysummerbetweenDonal’ssessions，whiletheministerandhiswifetooktheirholiday，GibbiespentwithRobertandJanet。Itwasablessedtimeforthemall。Heledthenjustthelifeoftheformerdays，withRobertandOscarandthesheep，andJanetandhercowandtheNewTestament——onlyhehadagoodmanymorethingstothinkaboutnow，andmorewaysofthinkingaboutthem。Withhisownhandshebuiltaneatlittleporchtothecottagedoor，withclosesidesandaseconddoortokeepthewindoff：Donalandhecarriedupthetimberandthemortar。ButalthoughhetriedhardtomakeJanetsaywhathecoulddoforhermore，hecouldnotbringhertorevealanydesirethatbelongedtothisworld——except，indeed，fortwoorthreetriflesforherhusband’swarmthandconvenience。
“Thesichto’myLord’sface，“shesaidonce，whenhewaspressingher，“isa’’atIwant，SirGibbie。Forthislifeitjistblecksmetothinko’onythingIwadhaeorwadlowse。Thisboadyo’mine’sgrowin’someheavy-like，Imaunconfess，butIwadnahae’tta’enaffo’meaforethetime。Itwadbeanillthingfortheseedtobeshal’towersune。”
TheyalmostalwayscalledhimSirGibbie，andheneverobjected，orseemedeitherannoyedoramusedatit;hetookitjustasthenamethatwashis，thesamewayashishairorhishandswerehis;hehadbeencalledweeSirGibbieforsolong。
CHAPTERXLIX。
THEHOUSELESS。
TheministerkeptGibbiehardatwork，andbythetimeDonal’slastwintercame，Gibbiewasreadyforcollegealso。TopleaseMr。
Sclaterhecompetedforabursary，andgainedatolerablygoodone，butdeclinedacceptingit。Hisguardianwasannoyed，hecouldnotseewhyheshouldrefusewhathehad“earned。”，Gibbieaskedhimwhetheritwasthedesignofthefounderofthosebursariesthatrichboysshouldhavethem。WeretheynotforthelikeofDonal？
WhereuponMr。Sclatercouldnothelprememberingwhatadifferenceitwouldhavemadetohiminhisearlystruggles，ifsomerichbursarabovehimhadyieldedaplace——andheldhispeace。
Daur-streetbeingtoofarfromElphinstoneCollegeforastudenttolivethere，Mr。SclaterconsentedtoGibbie’slodgingwithDonal，butwouldhaveinsistedontheirtakingroomsinsomepartofthetown——moresuitabletotheyoungbaronet’sposition，hesaid;butastherewasanotherroomtobehadatMistressMurkison’s，Gibbieinsistedthatonewhohadshownthemsomuchkindnessmustnotbeforsaken;andbythistimeheseldomfounddifficultyinhavinghiswaywithhisguardian。Bothheandhiswifehadcometounderstandhimbetter，andnobodycouldunderstandGibbiebetterwithoutalsounderstandingbetterallthatwasgoodandtrueandright：althoughtheyhardlyknewthefactthemselves，thestandardofbothofthemhadbeenheightenedbynotafewdegreessinceGibbiecametothem;
andalthoughhesoonceasedtotakedirectnoticeofwhatintheirconductdistressedhim，Icannothelpthinkingitwasnotamissthatheutteredhimselfashedidatthefirst;knowingalittlehiswaysofthinkingtheycametofeelhisjudgmentunexpressed。ForMrs。
Sclater，whenshebethoughtherselfthatshehadsaidordonesomethinghemustcountworldly，theverysilenceofthedumbboywasareprooftoher。
Onenighttheyouthshadbeenoutforalongwalkandcamebacktothecitylate，aftertheshopswereshut。Onlyhereandtherealightglimmeredinsomelow-browedlittleplace，probablyusedinpartbythefamily。Notasoulwasvisibleinthedingyregionthroughwhichtheynowapproachedtheirlodging，whenroundacorner，movinglikeashadow，came，soft-pacing，aghostlywomaninrags，withawhite，wornface，andthelargestblackeyes，itseemedtotheyouthsthattheyhadeverseen——anapparitionofaweandgriefandwonder。Tocompareagreatthingtoasmall，shewastotheireyesasaruined，desecratedshrinetotheeyesofthesaint’sownpeculiarworshipper。ImaycomparehertowhatIplease，greatorsmall——toasapphiresetintin，toanangelwithdraggledfeathers;forfarbeyondallcomparisonisthattempleoftheholyghostinthedesert——awomaninwretchednessandrags。Shecarriedherpunybabyrolledhardinthecornerofherscrapofblackshawl。
Totheyouthsaseaoftroublelookedoutofthosewildeyes。Asshedrewnearthem，shehesitated，half-stopped，andputoutahandfromundertheshawl——stretchedoutnoarm，heldoutonlyahandfromthewrist，whiteagainstthenight。Donalhadnomoney。
Gibbiehadashilling。Thehandcloseduponit，agleamcrossedthesadface，andamurmurofthanksflutteredfromthethinlipsasshewalkedonherway。Theyouthsbreatheddeep，andfeltalittlerelieved，butonlyalittle。Thethoughtofthewomanwanderinginthedarkandthefogandthenight，wasasicknessattheirhearts。
Wasitimpossibletogathersuchunderthewingsofanynight-broodinghen？，ThatGibbiehadgonethroughsomuchofthesamekindofthinghimself，andhadfounditendurableenough，didnotmakehercaseawhitthelesspitifulinhiseyes，andindeeditwaswidely，sadlydifferentfromhis。Alongthedesertedstreet，whichlookedtoDonallikeawaterlesscanalbankedbymoundsofdeath，andlightedbyphosphorescentgrave-damps，theyfollowedherwiththeireyes，theonelivingthing，fadingawayfromlamptolamp;andwhentheycouldseehernofarther，followedherwiththeirfeet;theycouldnotbeartolosesightofher。Buttheykeptjustonthevergeofvision，fortheydidnotwanthertoknowtheespialoftheirlove。Suddenlyshedisappeared，andkeepingtheireyesonthespotaswellastheycould，theyfoundwhentheyreacheditalittleshop，witharedcurtain，halftorndown，acrosstheglassdoorofit。Adimoillampwasburningwithin。Itlookedlikearag-shop，dirtyanddreadful。Thereshestood，whileawomanwithabloatedface，lookingtoDonallikeafeederofhell-swine，tookfromsomesecretholeunderneath，abottlewhichseemedtoGibbietheveryonehisfatherusedtodrinkfrom。Hewouldhaverushedinanddasheditfromherhand，butDonalwithheldhim。
“Hoots！”hesaid，“wecannafollowhera’nicht;an’gienwedid，whatbetterwadshebei’themornin’？，Latherbe，puirthing！”
Shereceivedthewhiskyinabrokentea-cup，swallowedsomeofiteagerly，then，tothehorroroftheyouths，putsomeofitintothemouthofherchildfromherown。Drainingthelastdropsfromthecup，shesetitquietlydown，turned，andwithoutawordspoken，forshehadpaidbeforehand，cameout，herfacelookingjustaswhiteandthinasbefore，buthavinganotherexpressionintheeyesofit。
AtthesightDonal’swisdomforsookhim。
“Eh，wuman，“hecried，“yonwasnawhatyehedtheshillin’for！”
“Yesaidnaething，“answeredthepoorcreature，humbly，andwalkedon，hangingherhead，andpressingherbabytoherbosom。
Theboyslookedateachother。
“Thatwasnathegaityershillin’sudhaegane，Gibbie，“saidDonal。
“It’sclearitwinnadeetogieshillin’stosiclikeasher。Whakensbutthehungeran’thecaul’，an’thewanto’whiskymaybethewuman’sevilthingshere，’atshemay’scapethehellfireo’theRichManhereafter？”
Hestopped，forGibbiewasweeping。Thewomanandherchildhewouldhavetakentohisveryheart，andcoulddonothingforthem。
Loveseemedhelpless，formoneywasuseless。Itsethimthinkingmuch，andtheresultappeared。Fromthathourthecaseofthehomelesshauntedhisheartandbrainandimagination;andashisnaturalaffectionsfoundthemselvesrepelledandchilledinwhatiscalledSociety，theytookrefugemoreandmorewiththehouselessandhungryandshivering。Throughthem，also，henow，forthefirsttime，begantofindgraveandtroublousquestionsminglingwithhisfaithandhope;sothatalreadyhebegantoberewardedforhislove：tothetruehearteverydoubtisadoor。IwillnotfollowanddescribetheopeningofthesedoorstoGibbie，but，aswhathediscoveredfoundalwaysitsfirstutteranceinaction，waituntilI
canshowtheresult。
Forthetimetheyouthswereagainalittlerelievedaboutthewoman：followingherstill，toayetmorewretchedpartofthecity，theysawherknockatadoor，paysomething，andbeadmitted。Itlookedadreadfulrefuge，butshewasatleastundercover，andshelter，insuchaclimateasoursinwinter，mustbethefirstrudimentarynotionofsalvation。Nolongerhauntedwiththeideaofherwanderingallnightaboutthecomfortlessstreets，“likeaghostawakeinMemphis，“Donalsaid，theywenthome。Butitwaslongbeforetheygottosleep，andinthemorningtheirfirstwordswereaboutthewoman。
“Gienonlywehedmymitherhere！”saidDonal。
“Mightn’tyoutryMr。Sclater？”suggestedGibbie。
Donalansweredwithagreatroaroflaughter。
“Hewadtellhersheouchttotakshametillhersel’，“hesaid，“an’
I’mthinkin’she’slangbrunta’herstocko’thatfirin’。Hewudtellhershesudworkforherlivin’，an’maybethereisnaaeturnthepuirthingcandee’atonybodywadgieherabawbeeforadayo’！——Butwhatsayyetotakin’adviceo’MissGalbraith？”
Itwasstrangehow，withthemarkeddistinctionsbetweenthem，DonalandGibbiewouldeverynowandthen，likethedaughtersoftheVicarofWakefield，seemtochangeplacesandparts。
“Godcanmakepraise-pipesofbabesandsucklings，“answeredGibbie;
“butitdoesnotfollowthattheycangiveadvice。Don’tyourememberyourmothersayingthatthestriplingDavidwasenoughtokillabraggartgiant，butasore-triedmanwaswantedtorulethepeople？”
ItendedintheirgoingtoMistressCroale。Theydidnotlaybaretohertheirperplexities，buttheyaskedhertofindoutwhothewomanwas，andseeifanythingcouldbedoneforher。Theysaidtothemselvesshewouldknowtheconditionofsuchawoman，andwhatwouldbemovinginhermind，aftertheexperienceshehadherselfhad，betteratleastthantheministerorhislady-wife。Norweretheydisappointed。TobethustakenintocounselrevivedforMistressCroalethetimeofherdignitywhileyetsheshepherdedherlittleflockofdrunkards。Sheundertookthetaskwithheartygoodwill，andcarrieditoutwithsomesuccess。Itsreactiononherselftoherowngoodwasremarkable。Therecanbenobetterauxiliaryagainstourownsinsthantohelpourneighbourintheencounterwithhis。Merelytocontemplateourneighbourwillrecoiluponusinquiteanotherway：weshallseehisfaultssoblack，thatwewillnotconsenttobelieveourssobad，andwillimmediatelybegintoexcuse，whichisthesameastocherishthem，insteadofcastingthemfromuswithabhorrence。
Onedayearlyinthesession，astheyouthswereapproachingthegateofMissKimble’sschool，athin，care-wornman，inshabbyclothes，cameout，andwalkedalongmeetingthem。Everynowandthenhebowedhisshoulders，asifsomethinginvisiblehadleapeduponthemfrombehind，andasoftenseemedtothrowitoffandwitheffortwalkerect。Itwasthelaird。Theyliftedtheircaps，butinreturnheonlystared，orrathertriedtostare，forhiseyesseemedabletofixthemselvesonnothing。Hewasnowatlengthathoroughlyruinedman，andhadcometothecitytoendhisdaysinacottagebelongingtohisdaughter。AlreadyMr。Sclater，whowasunweariedlyonthewatchoverthematerialinterestsofhisward，had，throughhislawyer，andwithoutpermittinghisnametoappear，purchasedthewholeoftheGlashruachproperty。Forthepresent，however，hekeptSirGilbertinignoranceofthefact。
CHAPTERL
AWALK。
ThecottagetowhichMr。GalbraithhadtakenGinevra，stoodinasuburbanstreet——oneofthosesmall，well-builtstonehousescommon，Ifancy，throughoutScotland，withthreeroomsandakitchenonitsonefloor，andalargeatticwithdormerwindows。Itwaslowandwide-roofed，andhadatinygardenbetweenitandthequietstreet。
Thisgardenwasfullofflowersinsummerandautumn，butthetopsofafewgauntstemsofhollyhocks，andthewirystragglingcreepersofthehoneysuckleabouttheeaves，wasallthatnowshowedfromthepavement。Ithadadwarfwallofgranite，withanironrailingonthetop，throughwhich，intheseason，itsgloriouscoloursusedtoattractmanyeyes，butMr。Galbraithhadhadtherailingandthegatelinedtotheveryspikeswithboards：thefirstdayofhisabodehehaddiscoveredthatthepassers-by——nottosaythosewhostoodtostareadmiringlyattheflowers，camemuchtoonearhisfadedbutnonethelessconsciousdignity。Hehadalsoputalockonthegate，andsomadeofthegardenasortofpropylontothehouse。Forhehadoflatedevelopedatendencytowardstakingtoearth，likethecreaturesthatseemtohavebeencreatedashamedofthemselves，andarealwaysburrowing。Butitwasnotthatthelatelairdwasashamedofhimselfinanypropersense。Ofthedishonestyofhisdoingshewasasyetscarcelyhalfconscious，fortheproudmanshrinksfromrepentance，regardingitasdisgrace。Towashistoacknowledgetheneedofwashing。HeavoidedtheeyesofmenforthemeanreasonthathecouldnolongerappearindignityaslairdofGlashruachandchairmanofagrandcompany;whilehefeltasifsomethingmusthavegonewrongwiththelawsofnaturethatithadbecomepossibleforThomasGalbraith，ofGlashruach，Esq。toliveinadumpycottage。HehadthoughtseriouslyofresuminghispatronymicofDurrant，butreflectedthathewastoowellknowntodonthatcloakoftransparentdarknesswithoutgivingcurrencytotheideathathehadsoiledtheotherpastlongerwearing。Itwouldbeimagined，hesaid，pickingoutonedishonestyofwhichhehadnotbeenguilty，thathehadsettledmoneyonhiswife，andretiredtoenjoyit。
Hisconditionwasfarmorepitifulthanhissituation。Havingnofacultyformentaloccupationexceptwithaffairs，findingnothingtodobutcleave，likeaspentsailor，withhandsandfeettotheslipperyrockofwhatwasoncehisrectitude，suchasitwas，tryingtoholditstillhisown，hewouldsitforhourswithoutmoving——aperfectcreature，temple，god，andworshipper，allinone——onlythattheworshipperwashardlycontentwithhisgod，andthatawormwasgnawingonatthefoundationofthetemple。Nearlyasmotionless，herhandsexcepted，wouldGinevrasitoppositetohim，notquieterbutmorepeacefulthanwhenagirl，partlybecausenowshewaslessafraidofhim。Hecalledher，inhisthoughtsashesatthere，heartlessandcold，butnotonlywasshenotso，butitwashisfaultthatsheappearedtohimsuch。Inhismoralstupidityhewouldratherhaveseenhermanifestconcernatthepovertytowhichhehadreducedher，thanshowthestillnessofacontentedmind。
Shewasnotmuchgiventobooks，butwhatshereadwasworthreading，andsuchasturnedintothoughtwhileshesat。Theyarenotthebeststudentswhoaremostdependentonbooks。Whatcanbegotoutofthemisatbestonlymaterial：amanmustbuildhishouseforhimself。Shewouldhavereadmore，butwithherfatherbesideherdoingnothing，shefeltthattotakeabookwouldbelikegoingintoawarmhouse，andleavinghimoutinthecold。Itwasverysadtohertoseehimthusshrunkandwithered，andlostinthoughtthatplainlywasnotthinking。Nothinginterestedhim;heneverlookedatthepapers，nevercaredtohearawordofnews。Hiseyesmoreunsteady，hislipslooser，hisneckthinnerandlonger，helookedmorethaneverlikeapuppetwhosestringshungslack。HowoftenwouldGinevrahavecastherselfonhisbosomifshecouldhaveevenhopedhewouldnotrepelher！，Nowandthenhiseyesdidwandertoherinadazedsortofanimal-likeappeal，butthemomentsheattemptedresponse，heturnedintoacorpse。Still，whenitcame，thatlookwasacomfort，foritseemedtowitnesssomebondbetweenthemafterall。Andanothercomfortwas，thatnow，inhismisery，shewasable，ifnottoforgetthosepainfulthoughtsabouthimwhichhadalltheseyearshauntedher，atleasttodismissthemwhentheycame，inthehopethat，asalreadysuchachangehadpasseduponhim，furtherandbetterchangemightfollow。
Shewasstillthesamebrownbirdasofold——abirdofthetwilight，orratheratwilightitself，withawholenightofstarsbehindit，ofwhoseexistenceshescarcelyknew，havingbutjuststartedonthevoyageofdiscoverywhichlifeis。Shehadthesweetest，rarestsmile——notfrequentandflashinglikeGibbie’s，butstealingupfrombelow，liketheshadowyreflectionofagreaterlight，gentlydeepening，permeatinghercountenanceuntilitreachedhereyes，thenceissuinginsoftflame。Alwayshowever，ansoonashereyesbegantoglowduskily，downwenttheirlids，anddowndroptherheadlikethefrondofasensitiveplant，Heratmospherewasanembodiedstillness;shemadeaquietwhereversheentered;shewasnotbeautiful，butshewaslovely;andherpresenceatoncemadeaplacesuchasonewoulddesiretobein。
Themostpleasantofherthoughtswereofnecessitythosewithwhichthetwoyouthswereassociated。Howdrearybutforthemandtheirswouldtheretrospectofherlifehavebeen！，Severaltimeseverywintertheyhadmetattheminister’s，andeverysummershehadagainandagainseenGibbiewithMrs。Sclater，andonceortwicehadhadawalkwiththem，andeverytimeGibbiehadsomethingofDonal’stogiveher。TwiceGibbiehadgonetoseeherattheschool，butthesecondtimesheaskedhimnottocomeagain，asMissKimbledidnotlikeit。Hegaveabigstareofwonder，andthoughtofAngusandthelaird;butfollowedthestarewithaswiftsmile，forhesawshewastroubled，andaskednoquestion，butwaitedfortheunderstandingofallthingsthatmustcome。Butnow，whenorwherewassheevertoseethemmore？，Gibbiewasnolongerattheminister’s，andperhapsshewouldneverbeinvitedtomeetthemthereagain。ShedarednotaskDonaltocall：herfatherwouldbeindignant;andforherfather’ssakeshewouldnotaskGibbie;itmightgivehimpain;whilethethoughtthathewouldofacertaintybehavesodifferentlytohimnowthathewaswell-dressed，andmanneredlikeagentleman，wasalmostmoreunendurabletoherthanthememoryofhispasttreatmentofhim。
Mr。andMrs。Sclaterhadcalleduponthemthemomenttheyweresettledinthecottage;butMr。Galbraithwouldseenobody。Whenthegate-bellrang，healwayslookedout，andifavisitorappeared，withdrewtohisbedroom。
OnebrilliantSaturdaymorning，thesecondinthesession，thegroundhardwithanearlyfrost，thefilmyicemakingfairycavernsandgrottosinthecart-ruts，andtheairsocondensedwithcoldthateverybreath，tothosewhoateandsleptwell，hadthelifeoftwo，Mrs。Sclaterrangthesaidbell。Mr。Galbraithpeepingfromthewindow，sawalady’sbonnet，andwent。Shewalkedin，followedbyGibbie，andwouldhaveGinevragowiththemforalongwalk。
Pleasedenoughwiththeproposal，fortheoutsidesoflifehadbeendullaswellaspainfuloflate，shewentandaskedherfather。IfshedidnottellhimthatSirGilbertwaswithMrs。Sclater，perhapssheoughttohavetoldhim;butIamnotsure，andthereforeamnotgoingtoblameher。Whenparentsarenotfathersandmothers，butsomethingthathasnonameinthekingdomofheaven，theyplacethepurestandmosthonestofdaughtersinthemidstofperplexities。
“Whydoyouaskme？”returnedherfather。“Mywishesarenothingtoanyonenow;toyoutheyneverwereanything。”
“Iwillstayathome，ifyouwishit，papa，——withpleasure，“shereplied，ascheerfullyasshecouldaftersuchareproach。
“Bynomeans。Ifyoudo，IshallgoanddineattheRedHart，“heanswered——nothavingmoneyenoughinhispossessiontopayforadinnerthere。
Ifancyhemeanttobekind，but，likenotafew，alas！tooknopainstolookaskindashewas。Therearemany，however，whoseemtodelightinplantingastingwhereconscienceorheartwillnotletthemdeny。Itmadehermiserableforawhileofcourse，butshehadgotsousedtohiswayofbreakingagiftashehandedit，thatsheansweredonlywithasigh。Whenshewasachild，hisungraciousnesshadpowertodarkenthesunlight，butbyrepetitionithadlostforce。Inhastesheputonherlittlebrown-ribbonedbonnet，tookthemoth-eatenmuffthathadbeenhermother’s，andrejoinedMrs。SclaterandGibbie，beamingwithtroubledpleasure。
Lifeinherwasstrong，andtheirsocietysoonenabledhertoforget，notherfather’ssadness，buthistreatmentofher。
Attheendofthestreet，theyfoundDonalwaitingthem——withoutgreatcoatormuffler，thepictureofsuchhealthassufficestoitsownwarmth，notamarkofthemidnightstudentabouthim，andlookingverydifferent，intown-madeclothes，fromtheDonalofthemirror。HeapproachedandsalutedherwithsuchanairofhomelygraceasonemightimaginethatoftheRedCrossKnight，when，havingjustputonthearmourofaChristianman，fromaclownishfellowhestraightwayappearedthegoodliestknightinthecompany。
Awaytheywalkedtogetherwestward，thenturnedsouthward。Mrs。
SclaterandGibbieled，andGinevrafollowedwithDonal。Andtheyhadnotwalkedfar，beforesomethingofthedelightofoldtimesonGlashruachbegantoreviveinthebosomofthetoosobergirl。Invainsheremindedherselfthatherfathersatmiserableathome，thinkingofherprobablyasthemostheartlessofgirls;thesun，andthebrightairlikewineinherveins，weretoomuchforher，Donalhadsoonmadehercheerful，andnowandthensheansweredhistalkwithevenalittleflashofmerriment。Theycrossedthebridge，high-hungovertheDaur，bywhichonthatblackmorningGibbiefled;andhereforthefirsttime，withhisthreefriendsabouthim，hetoldonhisfingersthediredeedofthenight，andheardfromMrs。Sclaterthatthemurderershadbeenhanged。Ginevragrewwhiteandfaintasshereadhisfingersandgestures，butitwasmoreatthethoughtofwhatthechildhadcomethrough，thanfromthehorrorofhisnarrative。Theythenturnedeastwardtothesea，andcametothetopoftherock-borderofthecoast，withitscliffsrentintogullies，eerieplacestolookdowninto，endingincavernsintowhichthewavesrushedwithbellowandboom。Althoughsonighthecity，thiswasalwaysasolitaryplace，yet，roundingarock，theycameuponayoungman，whohurriedabookintohispocket，andwouldhavegonebytheotherside，butperceivinghimselfrecognized，cametomeetthem，andsalutedMrs。Sclater，whopresentedhimtoGinevraastheRev。Mr。Duff。
“Ihavenothadthepleasureofseeingyousinceyouwerequitealittlegirl，MissGalbraith，“saidFergus。
Ginevrasaidcoldlyshedidnotrememberhim。Theyouthsgreetedhimincarelessstudentfashion：theyhadmetnowandthenforamomentaboutthecollege;andalittlemeaninglesstalkfollowed。
Hewastopreachthenextday——andforseveralSundaysfollowing——atacertainlargechurchinthecity，atthetimewithoutaminister;
andwhentheycameuponhimhewasstudyinghissermon——Idonotmeanthetruthsheintendedtopressuponhisaudience——thosehehadmasteredlongago——buthismanuscript，studyingitinthesenseinwhichactorsusetheword，learningit，thatis，byheartlaboriously，thatthewordsmightcomefromhislipsasmuchlikeanextemporaneousutteranceaspossible，consistentlywithnotbeingmistakenforone，which，wereittrueastheBible，wouldhavenomeritintheearsofthosewhocountedthemselvesjudgesofthecraft。ThekindofthingsuitedFergus，whosehighestideaoflifewasseeming。Naturallycapable，hehadalreadymadeofhimselfratheradullfellow;forwhenamanspendshisenergyonappearingtohave，heisallthetimedestroyingwhathehas，andthereintheverymeansofbecomingwhathedesirestoseem。Ifhegainshisendhissuccessishispunishment。
Fergusneverforgotthathewasaclergyman，alwayscarryinghimselfaccordingtohisideaofthecalling;thereforewhentheinterchangeofcommonplacesflagged，hebegantolookabouthimforsomeremarksufficientlytingedwithhisprofessiontobesuitableforhimtomake，andfortheladiestohearashis。Thewindwasathoroughlywintryonefromthenorth-east，andhadbeenblowingallnight，sothatthewaveswereshoulderingtherockswithhugeassault。NowFergus’ssermon，whichhemeanttouseasaspadeforthecastingofthefirstturfofthefirstparallelinthesiegeofthepulpitoftheNorthparish，wasuponthevanityofhumanambition，histextbeingthegrandverse——AndsoIsawthewickedburied，whohadcomeandgonefromtheplaceoftheholy;therewasnosmallamountoffinewritinginthemanuscripthehadthrustintohispocket;andhissermonwasinhisheadwhenheremarked，withthewaftureofaneatly-glovedhandseawards——
“Iwaswatchingthesewaveswhenyoufoundme：theyseemtomesuchapictureofthevanityofhumanendeavour！，Butjustaslittleasthosewaveswouldmindme，ifItoldthemtheywerewastingtheirlabourontheserocks，willmenmindme，whenItellthemto-morrowoftheemptinessoftheirambitions。”
“Apresentenstanceo’thevainityo’humanendeevour！”saidDonal。
“Whatforsudye，inthatcase，gangonpreachin’，saesettin’themanillexemple？”
Duffgavehimahigh-liddedglance，vouchsafingnoreply。
“Justasthosewaves，“hecontinued，“wastethemselvesineffort，asoftenfoiledasrenewed，toteardowntheserocks，sodothemenofthisworldgoonandon，spendingtheirstrengthfornought。”
“Hoots，Fergus！”saidDonalagain，inbroadestspeech，asifwithitsbrayhewouldrebukenotthemadnessbutthesillinessoftheprophet，“yedinnameantotellmeyonjaws(billows)disnakentheirbusinessbetternorimaiginetheyhaetocawdoontherocks？”
Duffcastasecondglanceofscornatwhathetookfortheprosaicstupidityorpoverty-strickenlogomachyofDonal，whileGinevraopenedonhimbigbrowneyes，asmuchastosay，“Donal，whowasitsetmedownforsayingamancouldn’tbeaburn？”ButGibbie’sfacewasexpectant：heknewDonal。Mrs。Sclateralsolookedinterested：
shedidnotmuchlikeDuff，andbythistimeshesuspectedDonalofgenius。DonalturnedtoGinevrawithasmile，andsaid，inthebestEnglishhecouldcommand——
“Bearwithmeamoment，MissGalbraith。IfMr。Duffwillobligemebyansweringmyquestion，ItrustIshallsatisfyyouIamnoturncoat。”
Fergusstared。Whatdidhisfather’sherd-boymeanbytalkingsuchEnglishtotheladies，andsuchvulgarScotchtohim？，Althoughnowamagistrand——thatis，oneabouttotakehisdegreeofMasterofArts——DonalwasstilltoFergusthecleaner-outofhisfather’sbyres——anupstart，whoseformerpositionwashisrealone——towardshimatleast，whoknewhim。Anddidthefellowchallengehimtoadiscussion？，Ordidhepresumeonthefamiliarityoftheirboyhood，andwishtosporthisacquaintancewiththepopularpreacher？，Oneithersupposition，hewasimpertinent。
“Ispokepoetically，“hesaid，withcolddignity。
“Ye’llexcuseme，Fergus，“repliedDonal，“——forthesakeo’auldlangsyne，whanIwas，asIeverwillbe，sairobligatittillye——buti’thatyesaynoo，ye’resairwrang：yewasnaspeykin’poetically，thoughIkenweelyethinkit，oryewadnasay’t;an’that’swhatgarredmetakyeup。Fortheverraessenceo’poetryistrowth，an’
assune’saword’snotrue，it’snopoetry，thoughitmayhaeonthecastclaeso’’t。It’snanebutthem’atkensnawhatpoetryis，’atblethersabootpoeticlicense，an’thatkin’o’hen-scraich，asgienapoetwassicagowk’atnaebodyeedithoohelee’d，orwhetherhegaedwi’’scwite(coat)hin’sideaforeorno。”
“Iamatalosstounderstandyou——Donal？——yes，DonalGrant。I
rememberyouverywell;andfromthetroubleIusedtotakewithyoutomakeyoudistinguishbetweentheworkofthepoetandthatoftherhymester，Ishouldhavethoughtbythistimeyouwouldhaveknownalittlemoreaboutthenatureofpoetry。Personificationisafigureofspeechinconstantusebyallpoets。”
“Oway！butthere’strueandthere’sfausepersonification;an’it’snoilkapoet’atkensthediffer。Ow，Iken！ye’llbedoonupo’mewi’yerByron，“——Fergusshookhisheadasatafalseimpeachment，butDonalwenton——“butevenapoetcannamakleespoetry。An’aman’atinaneo’hisgran’estversescudhaiverabootthebirtho’
ayoongairthquack！——losh！tothinko’’tgrowin’anauldairthquack！——haith，tomeit’snouptilladeuk-quack！——sicapoetmichtweel，Igrantye，beheeversicaguidpoetwhanhetuikheedtowhathesaid，hemichtweel，Isay，blethernonsenseaboottheseawarrin’again’therocks，an’sicstuff。”
“Butdon’tyouseethem？”saidFergus，pointingtoagreatbillowthatfellbackatthemoment，andlaychurninginthegulfbeneaththem。“Aretheynotinfactwastingtherocksawaybyslowdegrees？”
“Whatcomeso’yerseemilethan，anentthevainityo’theirendeevour？，Butthat’snowhatI’mcarin’aboot。WhatImainteenis，’atthoughtheydivweirawa’therocks，that’snaemairtheirdesignnorit’sthedesigno’ayewkyowsetokillthetreewhanherubshit’sskinan’hisainaffthegither。”
“Tut！nobodyevermeans，whenhepersonifiesthepowersofnature，thattheyknowwhattheyareabout。”
“Themairnecessar’tillattreebutetillthemnaethingbuttheirraledesign。”
“Iftheydon’tknowwhattheyareabout，howcanyouhesofoolishastalkoftheirdesign？”
“Ilkathinghasadesign，——an’gienitdinnaken’titsel’，that’sjistwhauryertruean’lawfu’personificationcomesin。There’snorizon’atapoetsudnaattreebutetillathingasaconsciousdesignthatwhichliesattheverrahearto’’tsbein’，thedesignforwhichit’sthere。Thatan’noithersuddeterminethepersonificationyegieathing——forthat’sthetrowtho’thething。
Eh，man，Fergus！thejawsisfechtin’wi’naerocks。They’rejistattheirpairtinagran’cleansin’hermony。They’reattheirhoosemaid’swark，dayan’nicht，tohaudthewarl’clean，an’gran’
an’bonnietheysingatit。GienIwasyou，Iwadnatellfowkanysicnonsenseasyon;Iwadtellthem’atilkane’atdisnadeehiswarki’thewarl’，an’dee’ttherichtgait，’snothewortho’aminnin，notosayawhaul，forilkaneo’thaeweecratursdisthewullo’him’atmade’imwi’ilkawhisko’hisbittailie，fa’in’inwi’a’thejabbleo’thejawsagain’therocks，forit’sa’aething——an’a’tohaudthemuckleseaclean。An’saewhanIliei’
mybed，an’a’atancetherecomesaweesoughieo’win’i’myface，an’Iluikupan’seeitwasnaethingbutthewingso’aflittin’
flee，Ithinkwi’mysel’hooa’thecursesarebutblessin’s’atyedinnaseeintill，an’hooilkamidge，an’flee，an’muckledronin’
thing’atgangsabootsingin’bass，notomentionthedoosan’themairtinsan’thecrawsan’thekitesan’theooletsan’themuckleaiglesan’thebutterflees，isa’jisthaudin’theairgauin’’atilkadefilin’thingmaybeweelturntower，an’bruntclean。That’sthebestIgotooto’mycheemistrylastsession。An’fainwadI
haudairan’watterinmotionabootme，an’saeservemyen’——whetherbywaggin’wi’mywingsorwhiskin’wi’mytail。Eh！
it’sjistwon’erfu’。Itsa’aegran’consortitconfusiono’hermonyan’order;an’whatmakstheconfusionisonlyjist’ata’thing’sworkin’an’naethingsitsidle。Butawa！wi’thenonsenseo’aethingworryin’an’fechtin’atanither！——notillyecometobeastsan’fowk，an’syneyehaeeneucho’’t。”
AllthetimeFergushadbeenpokingthepointofhisstickintotheground，asmileofsuperioritycurlinghislip。
“Ihope，ladies，ourwitsarenotquitesweptawayinthisfloodofDoric，“hesaid。
“Youhaveapooropinionofthestabilityofourbrains，Mr。Duff，“
saidMrs。Sclater。
“Iwasonlyjudgingbymyself，“hereplied，alittleputout。“I
can’tsayIunderstoodourfriendhere。Didyou？”
“Perfectly，“answeredMrs。Sclater。
Atthatmomentcameathunderouswavewithagreatbowffintothehollowattheendofthegullyonwhoseedgetheystood。
“There’syourhousemaid’sbroom，Donal！”saidGinevra。
Theyalllaughed。
“Everythingdependsonhowyoulookatathing，“saidFergus，andsaidnomore——inwardlyresolving，however，toomitfromhissermonacertainsentenceabouttheidlewavesdashingthemselvestoruinontherockstheywoulddestroy，andtoworkinsomethinginsteadaboutthewindsofthewintertossingthesnow。Apausefollowed。
“Well，thisisSaturday，andtomorrowismywork-day，youknow，ladies，“hesaid。“Ifyouwouldobligemewithyouraddress，MissGalbraith，IshoulddomyselfthehonourofcallingonMr。
Galbraith。”
Ginevratoldhimwheretheylived，butaddedshewasafraidhemustnotexpecttoseeherfather，forhehadbeenoutofhealthlately，andwouldseenobody。
“AtalleventsIshallgivemyselfthechance，“herejoined，andbiddingtheladiesgood-bye，andnoddingtotheyouths，turnedandwalkedaway。
Forsometimetherewassilence。AtlengthDonalspoke。
“PoorFergus！”hesaidwithalittlesigh。“He’sagood-naturedcreature，andwasagreathelptome;butwhenIthinkofhimapreacher，IseemtoseeanEgyptianprieststandingonthethresholdofthegreatdooratIpsambul，blowingwithallhismighttokeepouttheLibyandesert;andthefourgreatstonegods，sittingbehindthealtar，farbackinthegloom，laughingathim。”
ThenGinevraaskedhimsomethingwhichledtoagooddealoftalkaboutthetrueandfalseinpoetry，andmadeMrs。Sclaterfeelitwasnotfornothingshehadbefriendedtheladfromthehillsinthestrangegarments。Andshebegantothinkwhetherherhusbandmightnotbebroughttotakeahigherviewofhiscalling。
OnMondayFerguswenttopayhisvisittoMr。Galbraith。AsGinevrahadsaid，herfatherdidnotappear，butFerguswasfarfromdisappointed。HehadtakenitintohisheadthatMissGalbraithsidedwithhimwhenthatill-bredfellowmadehisrude，nottosayungrateful，attackuponhim，andwasmuchpleasedtohaveatalkwithher。Ginevra，thoughtitwouldnotberighttocherishagainsthimthememoryoftheonesinofhisyouthinhereyes，butshecouldnotlikehim。Shedidnotknowwhy，butthetruthwas，shefelt，withoutbeingabletoidentify，hisunreality：shethoughtitwasbecause，bothinmannersandindress，sofarasthecustomofhiscallingwouldpermit，hewasthatunpleasantphenomenon，afinegentleman。Shehadneverheardhimpreach，orshewouldhavelikedhimstillless;forhewasanoratorwilfulandprepense，choiceoflongwords，fondofclimaxes，andalwaysawareofthepointsatwhichhemustwavehisarm，throwforwardhishands，wipehiseyeswiththefinestoflargecambrichandkerchiefs。Asitwas，shewasheartilytiredofhimbeforehewent，andwhenhewasgone，found，asshesatwithherfather，thatshecouldnotrecallawordhehadsaid。Astowhathadmadethefellowstaysolong，shewasthereforepositivelyunabletogiveherfatherananswer;theconsequenceofwhichwas，that，thenexttimehecalled，Mr。
Galbraith，muchtoherrelief，stoodthebruntofhisapproach，andreceivedhim。Theicethusbroken，hisingratiatingmanners，andthefull-blownrespectheshowedMr。Galbraith，enablingtheweakmantofeelhimself，asofold，everyinchalaird，sowonuponhimthat，whenhetookhisleave，hegavehimacordialinvitationtorepeathisvisit。
Hedidso，intheeveningthistime，andrememberingapredilectionofthelaird’s，beggedforagameofbackgammon。Theresultofhispolicywas，that，ofmanyweeksthatfollowed，everyMondayeveningatleasthespentwiththelaird。Ginevrawassogratefultohimforhisattentiontoherfather，andhiseffortstodrawhimoutofhisgloom，thatshecamegraduallytoletalittlelightoffavourshineuponhim。AndiftheheartofFergusDuffwasdrawntoher，thatisnottobecountedtohimafault——neitherthat，hisheartthusdrawn，heshouldwishtomarryher。HadshebeenstillheiressofGlashruach，hedarednothavedreamedofsuchathing，but，notingthehumbleconditiontowhichtheywerereduced，thegrowingfamiliarityofthefather，andthefriendlinessofthedaughter，hegrewveryhopeful，andmoreanxiousthanevertosecurethepresentationtotheNorthchurch，whichwasinthegiftofthecity。
Hecouldeasilyhavegotarichwife，buthewasmoregreedyofdistinctionthanofmoney，andtomarrythedaughterofthemantowhomhehadbeenaccustomedinchildhoodtolookupasthegreatestintheknownworld，wasinhiseyeslikeapatentofnobility，wouldbearatificationofhisfitnesstominglewiththechoiceoftheland。
CHATTERLI。
THENORTHCHURCH。
ItwasacoldnightinMarch，cloudyandblowing。Everyhumanbodywasturnedintoafortressforbaredefenceoflife。Therewasnosnowontheground，butitseemedasiftheremustbesnoweverywhereelse。Therewassnowinthecloudsoverhead，andtherewassnowinthemindofmanbeneath。Theveryairfeltlikethequarryoutofwhichthesnowhadbeendugwhichwasbeinggroundabove。Thewindfeltblack，theskywasblack，andthelampswereblowingaboutasiftheywantedtoescapeforthedarknesswasafterthem。ItwastheSundayfollowingtheinductionofFergus，andthiswasthemeteoricconditionthroughwhichDonalandGibbiepassedontheirwaytotheNorthchurch，tohearhimpreachinthepulpitthatwasnowhisown。
Thepeoplehadbeengatheringsincelongbeforethehour，andtheyouthscouldfindonlystandingroomnearthedoor。Coldaswastheweather，andkeenasblewthewindintothechurcheverytimeadoorwasopened，theinstantitwasshutagainitwaswarm，fortheplacewascrowdedfromtheveryheightofthegreatsteep-slopinggalleries，atthebackofwhichthepeoplewerestandingonthewindowsills，downtothedoubleswing-doors，whichwereconstantlycrackingopenasifthehousewasliterallytoofulltoholdthecongregation。Theaislesalsowerecrowdedwithpeoplestanding，alleageryetsolemn，withgranitefacesandliveeyes。Onewhodidnotknowbettermightwellhaveimaginedthemgatheredinhungeraftergoodtidingsfromthekingdomoftruthandhope，wherebytheymighthastenthecomingofthatkingdomintheirsoulsandthesoulstheyloved。Butitwashardlythat;itwasindeedalongwayfromit，andnosuchthing：theeagernesswas，inthemass，doubtlesswithexceptions，tohearthenewpreacher，thepyrotechnistofhumanlogicandeloquence，whowasabouttoburnhishalfpennybluelightsovertheabyssoftruth，andthrowhisyelpingcrackersintoit。
Theeyesoftheyoungmenwentwanderingoverthecrowd，lookingforanyoftheirfewacquaintances，butbelowtheymostlyfellofcourseonthebacksofheads。Therewas，however，nomistakingeitherGinevra’sbonnetortheocciputperchedlikeacapitalonthelongneckofherfather。Theysatagoodwayinfront，aboutthemiddleofthegreatchurch。AtthesightofthemGibbie’sfacebrightened，Donal’sturnedpaleasdeath。For，onlythelastweekbutone，hehadheardofthefrequentvisitsoftheyoungpreachertothecottage，andofthefavourinwhichhewasheldbybothfatheranddaughter;andhisstateofmindsince，hadnot，withallhisphilosophytorectifyandsupportit，beenanenviableone。Thathecouldnotforamomentregardhimselfasafithusbandforthelady-lass，ordreamofexposinghimselforhertotheinsultwhichtheofferofhimselfasason-in-lawwouldbringonthembothfromthelaird，wasnotareflectiontorenderthethoughtofsuchabagofwindasFergusDuffmarryingher，onewhitthelesshorriblyunendurable。Hadthelairdbeeninthesamesocialpositionasbefore，DonalwouldhavehadnofearofhisacceptingFergus;butmisfortunealtersmanyrelations。Fergus’sfatherwasamanofconsiderableproperty，Fergushimselfalmostamanofinfluence，andalreadyinpossessionofacomfortableincome：itwaspossibletoimaginethattheimpoverishedThomasGalbraith，lateofGlashruach，Esq。mightcontrivetoswallowwhatannoyancetherecouldnotbutinanycasebeinweddinghisdaughtertothesonofJohnDuff，latehisowntenantoftheMains。AltogetherDonal’sthoughtswerenotofthekindtoputhiminfitmood——IdonotsaytogatherbenefitfromtheprophesyingofFergus，buttogivefairplaytothepeddlerwhonowrosetodisplayhisloadedcalicoandbeggarlyshoddyoverthebook-boardofthepulpit。Butthecongregationlistenedrapt。
Idarenotsaytherewasnodivinerealityconcernedinhisutterance，forGibbiesawmanyaglimmerthroughtherentsinhislogic，andthethin-wornpatchesofhisphilosophy;butitwasnotsuchglimmersthatfetteredtheregardsoftheaudience，butthenoisyflowandfalseeloquenceofthepreacher。Inproportiontothefalsehoodinusareweexposedtothefalsehoodinothers。Thefalseplaysuponthefalsewithoutdiscord;comestothefalse，andiswelcomedasthetrue;thereisnojar，forthefalsetothefalselookthetrue;darknesstakesdarknessforlight，andgreatisthedarkness。Iwillnotattemptanaccountofthesermon;evenadmirablyrendered，itwouldbeworthlessasthebestofcopiesofabadwall-paper。Therewasinit，tobesure，suchaglowingdescriptionofthecityofGodasmighthaveservedtoattractthitherallthediamond-merchantsofAmsterdam;butwhyaChristianshouldcaretogotosuchaplace，lethimtellwhoknows;while，ontheotherhand，theaudienceappearedequallyinterestedinhisequiponderatingdescriptionoftheplaceofmisery。Notonce{didheeven}attempttogive，orindeedcouldhavegiven，thefeeblestidea，toasinglesoulpresent，oftheoneterroroftheuniverse——theperilofbeingcastfromthearmsofessentialLoveandLifeintothebosomoflivingDeath。Forthisteacherofmenknewnothingwhateverbutbyhearsay，hadnotinhimselfexperiencedoneofthejoysoroneofthehorrorsheendeavouredtoembody。
Gibbiewasnotathomelisteningtosuchasermon;hewasdistressed，andsaidafterwardstoDonalhewouldfarratherbesubjectedtoMr。Sclater’sismsthanFergus’sations。ItcausedhimpaintootoseeDonallooksoscornful，socontemptuouseven;whileitaddedtoDonal’sunrest，andswelledhisevilmood，toseeMr。
Galbraithabsorbed。ForGinevra’sbonnet，itdidnotoncemove——butthenitwasnotsetatanangletoindicateeithereyesupturnedinlistening，orcastdowninemotion。Donalwouldhavesacrificednotafewsongs，theonlywealthhepossessed，foronepeeproundthecornerofthatbonnet。Hehadbecomepainfullyaware，that，muchashehadseenofGinevra，heknewscarcelyanythingofherthoughts;
hehadalwaystalkedsomuchmoretoherthanshetohim，thatnow，whenhelongedtoknow，hecouldnotevenguesswhatshemightbethinking，orwhateffectsuch“anarrangement“ofredandyellowwouldhaveuponherimaginationandjudgment。Shecouldnotthinkorreceivewhatwasnottrue，hefeltsure，butshemighteasilyenoughattributetruthwhereitdidnotexist。
Atlengththerockets，Romancandles，andsquibswereallburntout，thewould-be“eternalblazon“wasover，andthepreachersunkbackexhaustedinhisseat。Thepeoplesang;aprayer，fitpendenttosuchasermon，followed，andthecongregationwasdismissed——itcouldnotbewithmuchadditionalstrengthtomeetthesorrows，temptations，sophisms，commonplaces，disappointments，dulnesses，stupidities，andgeneraldevilriesoftheweek，althoughnotafewpaidthepreacherwelcomecomplimentsonhis“gran’discoorse。”
Theyoungmenwereoutamongthefirst，andgoingroundtoanotherdoor，inthechurch-yard，bywhichtheyjudgedGinevraandherfathermustissue，therestoodwaiting。Thenightwasutterlychanged。Thewindhadgoneabout，andthevapourswerehighinheaven，brokenallintocloud-massesofsombregrandeur。Nowfrombehind，nowupontheirsides，theyweremadegloriousbythefullmoon，whilethroughtheirrentsappearedtheskyandtheevermarvellousstars。Gibbie’seyeswentclimbingupthespirethatshotskywardovertheirheads。Arounditspointthecloudsandthemoonseemedtogather，groupingthemselvesingrandcarelessness;
andhethoughtoftheSonofMancominginthecloudsofheaven;tousmereheapsofwateryvapour，everreadytofall，drowningtheearthinrain，orburyingitinsnow，toangel-feettheymightbesolidmasseswhereontotreadattendantuponhim，who，althoughwithhiswordheruledwindsandseas，lovedtobewaitedonbythemultitudeofhisown！，Hewasyetgazing，forgetfulofthehumantideabouthim，watchingtheglorydominantoverstorm，whenhiscompanionpinchedhisarm：helooked，andwasawarethatFergus，muffledtotheeyes，wasstandingbesidethem。Heseemednottoseethem，andtheywerenowiseinclinedtoattracthisattention，butgazedmotionlessonthechurchdoor，anunsealedfountainofsouls。
Whatacuriousthingitistowatchanissuingcrowdoffacesforonelovedone——allsounattractive，provoking，blamable，astheycomerollingroundcorners，dividing，andflowingaway——notoneofthemtherightone！，Butatlastoutshedidcome——Ginevra，likeadaisyamongmowngrass！，Itwasreallyshe！——butwithherfather。
ShesawDonal，glancedfromhimtoGibbie，castdownhersweeteyes，andmadenosign。Fergushadalreadyadvancedandaddressedthelaird。
“Ah，Mr。Duff！”saidMr。Galbraith;“excuseme，butwouldyouobligemebygivingyourarmtomydaughter？，Iseeafriendwaitingtospeaktome。Ishallovertakeyouinamoment。”
Fergusmurmuredhispleasure，andGinevraandhemovedawaytogether。Theyouthsforamomentwatchedthefather。Hedawdled——evidentlywantedtospeaktonoone。Theythenfollowedthetwo，walkingsomeyardsbehindthem。EveryothermomentFerguswouldbendhisheadtowardsGinevra;onceortwicetheysawthelittlebonnetturnupwardsinresponseorquestion。PoorDonalwasburningwithlawlessandfoolishindignation：whyshouldtheministermufflehimselfuplikeanoldwomaninthecrowd，andtakeoffthegreathandkerchiefwhentalkingwiththelady？，Whentheyouthsreachedthestreetwherethecottagestood，theyturnedthecornerafterthem，andwalkedquicklyuptothemwheretheystoodatthegatewaitingforittobeopened。
“Sicagran’nicht！”saidDonal，aftertheusualgreetings。“SirGibbiean’me’shaein’adaunerwi’themune。Yewadthinkshehadlichteneuchtohaudthecloodsaffo’her，wadyeno，mem？，Butna！
they’llbeuponher，an’I’mfeartthere’saeuncoblackaneyon’er——dinnayesee’t——wi’astraiko’white，abootthethrappleo’’t？——There——dinnayesee’t？”hewentonpointingtothecloudsaboutthemoon，“——thatane，I’mdoobtin’，’illhaethebettero’
herorlang——takherintill’tsairms，an’braya’thelichtooto’
her。Guidnicht，mem——Guidnicht，Fergus。Youministerssudnamakyerselssaelikecloods。Yesudbecledinwhitean’gowd，an’a’
colourso’stanes，likethenewJerooslemyetellsictalesaboot，an’synenaebodywadmistakthenewsyebring。”
TherewithDonalwalkedon，doubtlessforthemomentalittlerelieved。Butbeforetheyhadwalkedfar，hebrokedownaltogether。
“Gibbie，“hesaid，“yonrascal’sgauin’tomerrytheleddy-lass！an’
itdrivesmemadtothinkit。GienIcudbutanceseean’speyktillher——ance——jistance！，Lord！what’llcomeo’a’thegowansupo’theMains，an’theheatherupo’Glashgar！”
Heburstoutcrying，butinstantlydashedawayhistearswithindignationathisweakness。
“Imaundreemyweird，“(undergomydoom)，hesaid，andsaidnomore。
Gibbie’sfacehadgrownwhiteinthemoon-gleams，andhislipstrembled。HeputhisarmthroughDonal’sandclungtohim，andinsilencetheywenthome。WhentheyreachedDonal’sroom，DonalenteringshutthedoorbehindhimandshutoutGibbie。Hestoodforamomentlikeonedazed，thensuddenlycomingtohimself，turnedaway，leftthehouse，andranstraighttoDaur-street。
Whentheminister’sdoorwasopenedtohim，hewenttothatofthedining-room，knowingMr。andMrs。Sclaterwouldthenbeatsupper。
Happilyforhisintent，theministerwasatthemomenthavinghistumbleroftoddyafterthelaboursoftheday，anindulgencewhich，solongasGibbiewasinthehouse，hehad，eversincethatfirstdinner-party，takeninprivate，outofregard，ashepretendedtohimself，fortheboy’spainfulassociationswithit，butinreality，tohiscreditbeittoldifitmay，fromalittleshameofthethingitself;andhiswifetherefore，whenshesawGibbie，rose，and，meetinghim，tookhimwithhertoherownlittlesitting-room，wheretheyhadalongtalk，ofwhichtheresultappearedthenextnightinanotefromMrs。SclatertoGibbie，askinghimandDonaltospendtheeveningofTuesdaywithher。
CHAPTERLII。
THEQUARRY。
Donalthreweverythingaside，carelessofpossibledisgraceintheclassthenextmorning，and，tremblingwithhope，accompaniedGibbie：shewouldbethere——surely！，Itwasoneofthoseclearnightsinwhichagleamofstraw-colourinthewest，withlight-thinnedgray-greendeepeningintoblueaboveit，isliketheveryedgeoftheaxeofthecold——theedgethatreachesthesoul。
Buttheyouthswerewarmenough：theyhadhealthandhope。Thehospitablecrimsonroom，withitsroundtablesetoutforaScotchtea，anditsfireblazinghugely，receivedthem。AndtheresatGinevrabythefire！withherprettyfeetonafootstoolbeforeit：
inthosedaysladiesworeopenshoes，andshoweddaintystockings。
Herfacelookedrosy，butitwasfromthefirelight，forwhensheturnedittowardsthem，itshowedpaleasusual。Shereceivedthem，asalways，withthesamesimplesinceritythathadbeenhersonthebankoftheLorrieburn。ButGibbiereadsometroubleinhereyes，forhissoulwasalltouch，and，likeadelicatespiritualseismograph，respondedatoncetotheleasttrembleofaneighbouringsoul。Theministerwasnotpresent，andMrs。Sclaterhadbothtobetheblazingcoal，andkeepblowingherself，else，howeverhotitmightbeatthesmoulderinghearth，thelittlecompanywouldhavesentupnoflameoftalk。
Whenteawasover，Gibbiewenttothewindow，gotwithintheredcurtains，andpeepedout。Returningpresently，hespelledwithfingersandsignedwithhandstoGinevrathatitwasagloriousnight：wouldshenotcomeforawalk？，GinevralookedtoMrs。
Sclater。
“Gibbiewantsmetogoforawalk，“shesaid。
“Certainly，mydear——ifyouarewellenoughtogowithhim，“repliedherfriend。
“Iamalwayswell，“answeredGinevra。
“Ican’tgowithyou，“saidMrs。Sclater，“forIexpectmyhusbandeverymoment;butwhatoccasionisthere，withtwosuchknightstoprotectyou？”
Shewasstraininghardonthebitofpropriety;butsheknewthemallsowell？shesaidtoherself。ThenfirstperceivingGibbie’sdesign，Donalcasthimagratefulglance，whileGinevrarosehastily，andrantoputonheroutergarments。PlainlytoDonal，shewaspleasedtogo。
Whentheystoodonthepavement，therewasthemoon，theverycreamoflight，ladyingitinablueheaven。Itwasnotallherown，butthecloudsaboutherwerewhiteandattendant，andeverwhentheycamenearhertookonherlivery——thepoorpaled-rainbowcolours，whichareallherreflectedlightcandivideinto：thatstrangebrownweseesooftenonhercloudypeoplemust，Isuppose，bewhattheredortheorangefadesto。Therewasamajestyandpeaceaboutherairydomination，whichDonalhimselfwouldhavefounddifficult，hadheknownherstate，tobringintoharmonywithheraeoniandeath。Strangethatthelightofloversshouldbethecoldestofallcoldthingswithinhumanken——deadwithcold，millionsofyearsbeforeourfirstfatherandmotherappearedeachtotheotherontheearth！，Theairwaskeenbutdry。Nothingcouldfallbutsnow;andofanythinglikeittherewasnothingbutthosefewfrozenvapoursthatcamesoftlyoutofthedeepstowaitonthemoon。Betweenthemandbehindthemlaydepthabsolute，expressedintheperfectionofnocturnalblues，deepasgentle，theveryhomeofthedwellingstars。Thestepsoftheyouthsrangonthepavements，andDonal’svoiceseemedtohimsoloudandclearthathemuffleditallingentlermeaning。Hespokelow，andGinevraansweredhimsoftly。
Theywalkedclosetogether，andGibbieflittedtoandfro，nowonthisside，nowonthat，nowinfrontofthem，nowbehind。
“Hoolikityethesermon，mem？”askedDonal。
“Papathoughtitagrandsermon，“answeredGinevra。
“An’yersel’？”persistedDonal。
“PapatellsmeIamnojudge，“shereplied。
“That’sasmuckleastosayyedidnalikeitsaeweelashedid！”
returnedDonal，inatoneexpressingsomerelief。
“Mr。Duffisverygoodtomyfather，Donal，“sherejoined，“andI
don’tliketosayanythingagainsthissermon;butallthetimeI
couldnothelpthinkingwhetheryourmotherwouldlikethisandthat;foryouknow，Donal，anygoodthereisinmeIhavegotfromher，andfromGibbie——andfromyou，Donal。”
Theyouth’sheartbeatwithapleasurethatrosetophysicalpain。
Hadhebeenawingedcreaturehewouldhaveflownstraightup;butbeingasoberwinglessanimal，hestumpedonwithhistwohappylegs。GladlywouldhehaveshownhertheunrealityofFergus——thathewasapoorshallowcreature，withonlysubstanceenoughtocarryshowandseeming，buthefelt，justbecausehehadreasontofearhim，thatitwouldbeunmanlytospeakthetruthofhimbehindhisback，exceptintheabsolutenecessityofrectitude。Hefeltalsothat，ifGinevraowedherfather’sfriendsuchdelicacy，heowedhimatleastalittlesilence;forwashenotundermoreobligationtothissameshallow-patedorator，thantoalleternityhecouldwipeout，evenifeternitycarriedinitthepossibilityofwipingoutanobligation？，Fewmenunderstand，butDonaldid，thathewhowouldcancelanobligationisadishonestman。Icannothelpitthatmanyagoodman——good，thatis，becauseheisgrowingbetter——mustthenbereckonedinthelistofthedishonest：heisintheirnumberuntilheleavesit。
Donalremainingsilent，Ginevrapresentlyreturnedhimhisownquestion：
“Howdidyoulikethesermon，Donal？”
“Divyewantmetosay，mem？”heasked。
“Ido，Donal，“sheanswered。
“Weel，Iwadjistsay，inageneralw’y，’atIcannathinkmuckleo’
onysermon’atmichtgarabodythinkmairo’theprechernoro’him’athecomestoprechaboot。Imean，’atIdinnaseehooonybodywastolo’eGodorhisneebouraejotthemairforhearin’yonsermonlastnicht。”
“Butmightnotsomebefrightenedbyit，andbroughttorepentance，Donal？”suggestedthegirl。
“Ouay;Idaursay;Idinnaken。ButIcannahelpthinkin’’atwhatdisnagieGodonythinglikefairplay，cannadeemuckleguidtomen，an’may，Idoobt，deeaheapo’ill。It’sap鈍ankin’o’athingyon。”
“That’sjustwhatIwasfeeling——Idon’tsaythinking，youknow——foryousaywemustnotsaythinkwhenwehavetakennotroubleaboutit。IamsorryforMr。Duff，ifhehastakentoteachingwherehedoesnotunderstand。”
Theyhadleftthecitybehindthem，andwerewalkingawideopenroad，withagreatskyaboveit。Onitsbordersweresmallfencedfields，andahousehereandtherewithagarden。Itwasaplain-featured，slightlyundulatingcountry，withhardlyanytrees——notatallbeautiful，exceptaseveryplaceundertheheavenwhichmanhasnotdefiledisbeautifultohimwhocanseewhatisthere。Butthisnighttheearthwasnothing：whatwasinthemandoverthemwasall。Donalfelt——assomanywillfeel，beforetheearth，likeahensettohatchtheeggsofasoaringbird，shallhavedonerearingbroodsforheaven——that，withthisessentialloveandwonderbyhisside，tobedoomedtogoonwalkingtoalleternitywouldbeablissfulfate，werethelandscapeturnedtoabrick-field，andtheskytopersistentgray。
“Wadyenotakmyairm，mem？”hesaidatlength，summoningcourage。
“Ijistfin’mysel’likeahorsewi’areynbrocken，gaein’bymysel’throu’theairthisgait。”
BeforehehadfinishedthesentenceGinevrahadacceptedtheoffer。
Itwasthefirsttime。Hisarmtrembled。Hethoughtitwasherhand。
“Ye’renocauld，areye，mem？”hesaid。
“Nottheleast，“sheanswered。
“Eh，mem！gienfowkwasbuta’madeooto’thesameclay，like，’atanemichtsaytillanither——’Yehaemeasyehaeyersel’’！”
“Yes，Donal，“rejoinedGinevra;“Iwishwewereallmadeofthepoet-claylikeyou！，Whatitwouldbetohaveawellinside，outofwhichtodrawsongsandballadsasIpleased！，That’swhatyouhave，Donal——or，rather，you’rejustadraw-wellofmusicyourself。”
Donallaughedmerrily。Amomentmoreandhebrokeoutsinging：
Mythoughtsarelikefireflies，pulsinginmoonlight;
Myheartisasilvercup，fullofredwine;
Mysoulapalegleaminghorizon，whencesoonlightWillfloodthegoldearthwithatorrentdivine。
“What’sthat，Donal？”criedGinevra。
“Ow，naething，“answeredDonal。“Itwasonlymyhertlauchin’。”
“Saythewords，“saidGinevra。
“Icanna——Idinnakenthemnoo，“repliedDonal。
“Oh，Donal！arethoselovelywordsgone——altogether——forever？
ShallInothearthemagain？”
“I’lltrytomin’upo’themwhanIganghame，“hesaid。“Icannathenoo。Icanthinko’naethingbutaething。”
“Andwhatisthat，Donal？”
“Yersel’，“answeredDonal。
Ginevra’shandliftedjustahalfofitsweightfromDonal’sarm，likeabirdthathadthoughtofflying，thensettledagain。
“Itisverypleasanttobetogetheroncemoreasintheoldtime，Donal——thoughtherearenodaisiesandgreenfields——Butwhatplaceisthat，Donal？”
Instinctively，almostunconsciously，shewantedtoturntheconversation。Theplaceshepointedtowasanopeningimmediatelyontheroadside，throughahighbank——narrowanddark，withonesidehalflightedbythemoon。Shehadoftenpassedit，walkingwithherschool-fellows，buthadneverthoughtofaskingwhatitwas。Intheshiningduskitlookedstrangeandalittledreadful。
“It’sthemucklequarry，mem，“answeredDonal：“divyenokenthat？
That’swhaurmaistthehailltooncamooto’。It’sasomeeeriekin’o’aplacetoluikati’thislicht。Iwon’eratyeneversaw’t。”
“Ihaveseentheopeningthere，butnevertookmuchnoticeofitbefore，“saidGinevra。
“Comean’I’lllatyesee’t，“rejoinedDonal。“It’sweelworthluikin’intill。Yehaenaenotionsicaplaceas’tis。Itmichtbeamo’thegrenitemuntainso’Aigypt，thoughtheytaknafreelysicfineblocksooto’thisaneastheytuikooto’thatatSyene。Yewadnabefleyttocomean’seewhatthemeenmakso’’t，wadye，mem？”
“No，Donal。Iwouldnotbefrightenedtogoanywherewithyou。
But——“
“Eh，mem！itmaksmerichtproodtohearyesaythat。Comeawa’
than。”
Sosaying，heturnedaside，andledherintothenarrowpassage，cutthroughafriablesortofgranite。Gibbie，thinkingtheyhadgonetohavebutapeepandreturn，stoodintheroad，lookingatthecloudsandthemoon，andcrooningtohimself。Byandby，whenhefoundtheydidnotreturn，hefollowedthem。
Whentheyreachedtheendofthecutting，Ginevrastartedatsightofthevastgulf，themoonshowingtheonewallaghastlygray，andfromtheotherthrowingashadowhalfacrossthebottom。Butawindingroadwentdownintoit，andDonalledheron。Sheshrunkatfirst，drawingbackfromtheprofound，mysterious-lookingabyss，soawfullystill;butwhenDonallookedather，shewasashamedtorefusetogofarther，andindeedalmostafraidtotakeherhandfromhisarm;soheledherdowntheterraceroad。Thesideofthequarrywasononehand，andontheothershecouldseeonlyintothegulf。