第14章

CHAPTERXII。

ASUNDAYWITHFALCONER。

Howhappyishebornandtaught，Thatservethnotanother"swill；

Whosearmourishishonestthought，Andsimpletruthhisutmostskill。

ThismanisfreedfromservilebandsOfhopetoriseorfeartofall：

Lordofhimself，thoughnotoflands，And，havingnothing，yethathall。

SIRHENRYWOTTON。

ItwasnotoftenthatFalconerwenttochurch；butheseemedtohavesomedesigningoingoftenerthanusualatpresent。TheSundayaftertheonelastmentioned，hewentaswell，thoughnottothesamechurch，andcallingforHughtookhimwithhim。Whattheyfoundthere，andtheconversationfollowingthereupon，Iwilltrytorelate，because，althoughtheydonotimmediatelyaffectmyoutwardstory，theygreatlyinfluencedHugh"srealhistory。

TheyheardtheMorningServiceandtheLitanyreadinanordinarymanner，thoughsomewhatmoredevoutlythanusual。Then，fromthecommunion-table，roseavoicevibratingwithsolemnemotion，likethevoiceofAbrahampleadingforSodom。ItthrilledthroughHugh"sheart。Thesermonwhichfollowedaffectedhimnoless，although，whenhecameout，heconfessedtoFalconerthathehadonlycaughtflyingglimpsesofitsmeaning，scope，anddrift。

“Iseldomgotochurch，“saidFalconer；“butwhenIdo，Icomehere：

andalwaysfeelthatIaminthepresenceofoneoftheholyservantsofGod"sgreattemplenotmadewithhands。Iheartilytrustthatman。Heiswhatheseemstobe。“

“Theysayheisawfullyheterodox。“

“Theydo。“

“Howthencanheremaininthechurch，ifheisashonestasyousay？”

“Inthisway，asIhumblyventuretothink，“Falconeranswered。“Helooksupontheformul？ofthechurchasutterancesoflivingtruth——vitalembodiments——toberegardedasoneoughttoregardhumanfaces。Inthesehumanfaces，othersmayseethisorthatinferiorexpression，mayfindoutthemeanandthesmallandtheincomplete：helooksforandfindstheideal；thegrand，sacred，God-meantmeaning；andbythatheholdsasthemeaningofthehumancountenances，foritisthemeaningofhimwhomadethem。SowiththeconfessionoftheChurchofEngland：hebelievesthatnotmanonly，butGodalso，andGodfirstandchief，hadtodowiththemakingofit；andthereforehelooksinitfortheEternalandtheDivine，andhefindswhatheseeks。Andasnowordscanavoidbearinginthemthepossibilityofavarietyofinterpretations，hewouldexcludewhateverthewordsmightmean，or，regardedmerelyaswords，domean，inanarrowexposition：hethinksitwouldbedishonesttotakethelowmeaningasthemeaning。Toreturntothefaces：hepassesbymoodsandtempers，andbeholdsthemaincharacter——thatonwhosesurfacethetemporalandtransientfloats。

Bothinfacesandinformul？helovesthedivinesubstance，withhistrue，manly，braveheart；andasforthefaultsinboth——forman，too，hashisshareinboth——Ibelieveheisreadytodiebythem，ifonlyinsodoinghemightdieforthem——IhadavisionofhimthismorningasIsatandlistenedtohisvoice，whichalwaysseemstometocomeimmediatelyfromhisheart，asifhisheartspokewithlipsofitsown。ShallItellyoumyvision？——

“Isawacrowd——priestsandlaymen——speeding，hurrying，dartingaway，upasteep，crumblingheight。Mitres，hoods，andhatsrolledbehindthemtothebottom。Everyoneforhimself，withhandsandfeettheyscrambleandflee，tosavetheirsoulsfromthefiresofhellwhichcomerollinginalongthehollowbelowwiththeforward"pointingspires"ofbillowyflame。Butbeneath，rightinthecourseofthefire，standsonemanuponalittlerockwhichgoesdowntothecentreofthegreatworld，andfacestheapproachingflames。Hestandsbareheaded，hiseyesbrightwithfaithinGod，andthemightymouththatuttershistruth，fixedinholydefiance。

Hisdenialcomesfromnofear，orweakdisliketothatwhichispainful。Onneithersidewillhetellliesforpeace。Heisreadytobelostforhisfellow-men。InthenameofGodherebukestheflamesofhell。Thefugitivespauseonthetop，lookback，callhimlyingprophet，andshoutevilopprobriousnamesatthemanwhocountsnothisownlifedeartohim，whohasforgottenhisownsoulinhissacreddevotiontomen，whofillsupwhatisleftbehindofthesufferingsofChrist，forhisbody"ssake——forthehumanrace，ofwhichheisthehead。Besurethat，comewhatmayoftherest，lettheflamesofhellebborflow，thatmanissafe，forheisdeliveredalreadyfromtheonlydevilthatcanmakehellitselfatorture，thedevilofselfishness——theonlyonethatcanpossessamanandmakehimselfhisownlivinghell。Heisoutofallthatregionofthings，andalreadydwellinginthesecretplaceoftheAlmighty。“

“Goon，goon。“

“HetrustsinGodsoabsolutely，thatheleaveshissalvationtohim——utterly，fearlessly；and，forgettingit，asbeingnoconcernofhis，setshimselftodotheworkthatGodhasgivenhimtodo，evenashisLorddidbeforehim，countingthataloneworthyofhiscare。

LetGod"swillbedone，andalliswell。IfGod"swillbedone，hecannotfareill。Tohim，Godisallinall。Ifitbepossibletoseparatesuchthings，itisthegloryofGod，evenmorethanthesalvationofmen，thatheseeks。HewillnothaveitthathisFatherinheavenisnotperfect。HebelievesentirelythatGodloves，yea，islove；and，therefore，thathellitselfmustbesubservienttothatlove，andbutanembodimentofit；thatthegrandworkofJusticeistomakewayforaLovewhichwillgivetoeverymanthatwhichisrightandtentimesmore，evenifitshouldbebymeansofawfulsuffering——asufferingwhichtheLoveoftheFatherwillnotshun，eitherforhimselforhischildren，butwilleagerlymeetfortheirsakes，thathemaygivethemallthatisinhisheart。“

“Surelyyouspeakyourownopinionsindescribingthuswarmlythefaithofthepreacher。“

“Ido。HeisaccountablefornothingIsay。AllIassertis，thatthisishowIseemtomyselftosucceedinunderstandinghim。“

“Howisitthatsomanygoodpeoplecallhimheterodox？”

“Idonotmindthat。Iamannoyedonlywhengood-heartedpeople，withsmallnaturesandcultivatedintellects，patronisehim，andtalkforgivinglyofhiswarmheartandunsoundjudgment。Tothese，theologymustbelikeamap——withplentyoflinesinit。Theycannottrusttheirhouseonthehightable-landofhistheology，becausetheycannotseetheoutlinesboundingthesaidtable-land。

Itisnotsmallenoughforthem。Theycannottakeitin。Suchcanhardlybesatisfiedwiththecreation，onewouldthink，seeingthereisnolineofdivisionanywhereinit。Theywouldtakecarethereshouldbenomistake。“

“DoesGoddrawnolines，then？”

“Whenhedoes，theyarepurelines，withoutbreadth，andconsequentlyinvisibletomortaleyes；notChinesewallsofseparation，suchasthesedefinerswouldconstruct。Suchmindsare？prioriincapableoftheorisinguponhistheories。Or，toalterthefigure，theywilldiscoverathousandfaultsinhisdrawing，buttheycanneverbeholdthefigureconstructedbyhislines，andcontainingthefaultswhichtheybelievetheydiscover。“

“Butcanthosetheoriesinreligionbecorrectwhicharesohardtosee？”

“Theyareonlyhardtocertainnatures。“

“Butthosenaturesareabovetheaverage。“

“Yes，inintellectanditscultivation——nothingmore。“

“Youhavegrantedthemheart。“

“Notmuch；butwhatthereis，good。“

“Thatisallowingagreatdeal，though。Isitnothardthentosaythatsuchcannotunderstandhim？”

“Why？Theywillgettoheaven，whichisalltheywant。Andtheywillunderstandhimoneday，whichismorethantheyprayfor。Tilltheyhavedonebeinganxiousabouttheirownsalvation，wemustforgivethemthattheycancontemplatewithcalmnessthedamnationofauniverse，andbelievethatGodisyetmoreindifferentthanthey。“

“Butdotheynotbringthechargeslikewiseagainstyou，ofbeingunabletounderstandthem？”

“Yes。Andsoitmustremain，tilltheSpiritofGoddecidethematter，whichIpresumemusttakeplacebyslowdegrees。Forthisdecisioncanonlyconsistintheenlightenmentofsoulstoseethetruth；andthereforehastodowithindividualsonly。ThereisnotriumphfortheTruthbutthat。Sheknowsnogloryingoverthevanquished，forinhervictorythevanquishedisalreadyofthevanquishers。Tillthen，theRightmustbecontenttobecalledtheWrong，and——whichisfarharder——toseemtheWrong。Thereisnospiritualvictorygainedbyaverbalconquest；orbyanykindoftorture，evenshouldtherackemployedbethatofthepurestlogic。

Naymore：solongasthewickedthemselvesremainimpenitent，thereismourninginheaven；andwhenthereisnolongeranyhopeoveronelastremainingsinner，heavenitselfmustconfessitsdefeat，heapuponthatsinnerwhatplaguesyouwill。“

Hughpondered，andcontinuedponderingtilltheyreachedFalconer"schambers。AtthedoorHughpaused。

“Willyounotcomein？”

“IfearIshallbecometroublesome。“

“Nofearofthat。IpromisetogetridofyouassoonasIfindyouso。“

“Thankyou。Justletmeknowwhenyouhavehadenoughofme。“

Theyentered。Mrs。Ashton，who，unlikeherclass，wasnevermissingwhenwanted，gotthemsomebreadandcheese；andFalconer"sFortunatus-purseofacellar——thebottomofhiscupboard——supplieditsusualbottleofport；towhichfarethefriendssatdown。

Theconversation，likeabirddescendinginspirals，settledatlastuponthesubjectwhichhadmoreorlessoccupiedHugh"sthoughtseversincehisunsatisfactoryconversationwithFunkelstein，attheirfirstmeeting；andstillmoresincehehadlearnedthatthismanhimselfexercisedanunlawfulinfluenceoverEuphra。HebeggedFalconer，ifhehadanytheorycomprehendingsuchthings，tolethimknowwhatkindofarelationitwas，inwhichMissCameronstoodtoFunkelstein，orCountvonHalkar。

“Ihavehadoccasiontothinkagooddealaboutthosethings，“saidFalconer。“Thefirstthingevidentis，thatMissCameronispeculiarlyconstituted，belongingtoaclasswhichis，however，largerthaniscommonlysupposed，circumstancesrarelycombiningtobringoutitspeculiarities。Inthosewhoconstitutethisclass，thenervouselement，eitherfrompreponderating，orfromnotbeinginhealthyandharmoniouscombinationwiththemorematerialelement，manifestsitselfbeyonditsordinarysphereofoperation，andsooccasionsresultsunliketheusualphenomenaoflife，though，ofcourse，inaccordancewithnaturallaws。Touseasimile：itis，insuchcases，asifallthenervesofthehumanbodycamecrowdingtothesurface，andthereexposedthemselvestoathousandinfluences，fromwhichtheywouldotherwisebepreserved。OfcourseIamnotattemptingtoexplain，onlytosuggestaconceivablehypothesis。Uponsuchconstitutions，itwouldnotbesurprisingthatcertainotherconstitutions，similar，yetdiffering，shouldexerciseapeculiarinfluence。Youare，Idaresay，moreorlessfamiliarwiththemainfeaturesofmesmerismanditsallies，amongwhichiswhatiscalledbiology。IpresumeitisonsuchconstitutionsasIhavesupposed，thatthosepowersarechieflyoperative。MissCameronhas，atsometimeorotherinherhistory，submittedherselftotheinfluencesofthisCountHalkar；andhehasthusgainedamostdangerousauthorityoverher，whichhehasexercisedforhisownends。“

“ShemorethanimpliedasmuchinthelastconversationIhadwithher。“

“Sohiswillbecameherlaw。Thereisintheworldofmindasomethingcorrespondingtophysicalforceinthematerialworld——I

cannotavoidjusttouchinguponahigheranalogy。Thekingdomofheavenisnotcome，evenwhenGod"swillisourlaw：itiscomewhenGod"swillisourwill。WhileGod"swillisourlaw，wearebutakindofnobleslaves；whenhiswillisourwill，wearefreechildren。Nothinginnatureisfreeenoughtobeasymbolforthestateofthosewhoactimmediatelyfromtheessenceoftheirhiddenlife，andtherecognitionofGod"swillasthatessence。But，asI

said，thisbelongstoafarhigherregion。Ionlywantedtotouchontherelationofthefreedoms——physical，mental，andspiritual。

Toreturntothepointinhand：Irecogniseinthestoryaclearevidenceofstrifeandpartialvictoryintheaffairofthering。

Thecount——wewillcallhimbythenamehegiveshimself——hadevidentlybeenanxiousforyearstopossesshimselfofthisring：

theprobablereasonswehavealreadytalkedof。Hehadlaidhisinjunctionsonhisslavetofinditforhim；andshe，perhapsatfirstnothingloath，perhapslovingthemanaswellassubmittingtohim，hadforalongtimeattemptedtofindit，buthadfailed。Thecount，probablydoubtinghersincerity，andhoping，atallevents，tourgehersearch，followedhertoArnstead，whereitisverylikelyhehadbeenbefore，althoughhehadavoidedMr。Arnold。

Judgingitadvantageoustogetintothehouse，inordertomakeobservations，heemployedhischancemeetingwithyoutothatresult。But，beforethis，hehadwatchedMissCameron"sfamiliaritywithyou——wasjealousandtyrannical。Hencethevariationsofherconducttoyou；forwhenhispowerwasuponher，shecouldnotdoasshepleased。Butshemusthavehadarealregardforyou；forsheevidentlyrefusedtogetyouintotroublebytakingtheringfromyourcustody。Butmysurpriseisthatthefellowlimitedhimselftothatonejewel。“

“Youmaysoonberelievedfromthatsurprise，“answeredHugh：“hetookavaluablediamondofmineaswell。“

“Therascal！Wemaycatchhim，butyouarenotlikelytofindyourdiamondagain。Still，thereissomepossibility。“

“Howdoyouknowshewasnotwillingtotakeitfromme？”

“Because，byherownaccount，hehadtodestroyherpowerofvolitionentirely，beforehecouldmakeherdoit。Hethrewherintoamesmericsleep。“

“Ishouldliketounderstandhispoweroverheralittlebetter。Insuchcasesofbiology——howtheycametoabusetheword，Ishouldliketoknow——“

“Justastheycalltable-rapping，&c。，spiritualism。“

“Isupposehisrelationtohermustbeclassedamongstphenomenaofthatsort？”

“Certainly。“

“Well，tellme，doestheinfluenceoutlastthemesmericcondition？”

“Ifbymesmericconditionyoumeananystateevidentlyapproachingtothatofsleep——undoubtedly。Itis，inmanycases，quiteindependentofsuchacondition。Perhapsthedegreeofwillingsubmissionatfirst，mayhavesomethingtodowithit。Butmesmericinfluence，whateveritmaymean，isentirelyindependentofsleep。

Thatisanaccidentaccompanyingit，perhapssometimesindicatingitsculmination。“

“Doesthepersonsoinfluencedactwithoragainsthiswill？”

“Thatisamostdifficultquestion，involvingothersequallydifficult。Myownimpressionis，thatthepatient——forpatientinaveryserioussenseheis——actswithhisinclination，andoftenwithhiswill；butinmanycaseswithhisinclinationagainsthiswill。

Thisisaveryimportantdistinctioninmorals，butoftenoverlooked。Whenamanisactingwithhisinclination，hiswillisinabeyance。Inourpresentimperfectcondition，itseemstomethattheabsolutewillhasnoopportunityofpureaction，ofoperatingentirelyasitself，exceptwhenworkinginoppositiontoinclination。Buttoreturn：thepowerofthebiologistappearstometolieinthis——heisable，bysomemysterioussympathy，toproduceinthemindofthepatientsuchforcefulimpulsestodowhateverhewills，thattheyareinfactirresistibletoalmostallwhoareobnoxioustohisinfluence。Thewillrequiresanespecialtrainingandadistinctdevelopment，beforeitiscapableofactingwithanydegreeoffreedom。Themenwhohaveundergonethisareveryfewindeed；andnoonewhosewillisnoteducatedaswill，can，ifsubjectedtotheinfluencesofbiology，resisttheimpulsesrousedinhispassivebrainbytheactivebrainoftheoperator。

Thisatleastismyimpression。

“Otherthingsnodoubtcombinedtoincreasetheinfluenceinthepresentcase。Shelikedhim，perhapsmorethanlikedhimonce。Shewaspartiallycommittedtohisschemes；andshewaseasilymesmerised。Itwouldseem，besides，thatshewasnaturallydisposedtosomnambulism。Thisisaremarkableco-existenceofdistinctdevelopmentsofthesamepeculiarity。Inthislattercondition，evenifinothersshewereabletoresisthim，shewouldbequitehelpless；forallthethoughtsthatpassedthroughherbrainwouldowetheirorigintohis——Imaginebeingforcedtothinkanotherman"sthoughts！Thatwouldbepossessionindeed！Andthisisnotfarremovedfromtheoldstoriesaboutthedemonsenteringintoaman——Hewouldberuleroverthewholeintellectuallifethatpassedinherduringthetime；andwhichtoher，asfarastheideassuggestedbelongedtotheoutwardworld，wouldappearanouterlife，passingallroundher，notinher。Shewould，infact，beacreatureofhisimaginationforthetime，asmuchasanycharacterinvented，andsentthroughvariedcircumstances，feelings，andactions，bythemindofthepoetornovelist。Lookatthefacts。

Shewarnedyoutobewareofthecountthatnightbeforeyouwentintothehauntedbed-chamber。Evenwhensheenteredit，byyourownaccount——“

“Enteredit？ThenyoudothinkitwasEuphrawhopersonatedtheghost？”

“Iamsureofit。Shewassleep-walking。“

“Butsodifferent——suchadeath-likelook！”

“Allthatwaseasyenoughtomanage。Sherefusedtoobeyhimatfirst。Hemesmerizedher。Itverylikelywentfartherthanheexpected；andhesucceededtoowell。Experienced，nodoubt，indisguises，hedressedheraslikethedeadLadyEuphrasiaashecould，followingherpicture。Perhapsshepossessedsuchadisguise，andhaduseditbefore。Hethusprotectedherfromsuspicion，andhimselffromimplication——Whatwasthecolourofthehairinthepicture？”

“Golden。“

“Hencethesparkleofgold-dustinherhair。Thecountmanageditall。Hewilledthatsheshouldgo，andshewent。Herdisguisewascertainsafety，shouldshebeseen。Youwouldsuspecttheghostandnooneelseifsheappearedtoyou，andyoulosttheringafter。

Buteveninthisstatesheyieldedagainstherbetterinclination，forshewasweepingwhenyousawher。Butshecouldnothelpit。

Whileyoulayonthecouchinthehauntedchamber，wherehecarriedyou，theawfuldeath-ghostwasbusyinyourroom，wasopeningyourdesk，fingeringyourpapers，andstealingyourring。Itisratherafrightfulidea。“

“Shedidnottakemyring，Iamsure。Hefollowedher，andtookit——Butshecouldnothavecomeinateitherdoor——“

“Couldnot？Didshenotgooutatoneofthem？Besides，Idonotdoubtthatsucharoomasthathadprivatecommunicationwiththeopenairaswell。Ishouldmuchliketoexaminetheplace。“

“Buthowcouldshehavegonethroughthebolteddoorthen？”

“Thatdoormayhavebeensetinanother，largerbyhalftheframeorso，andopeningwithaspringandconcealedhinges。Thereisnodifficultyaboutthat。Therearesuchplacestobefoundnowandtheninoldhouses。But，indeed，ifyouwillexcuseme，Idonotconsideryourtestimony，oneveryminuteparticular，quitesatisfactory。“

“Why？”askedHugh，ratheroffended。

“First，becauseofthestateofexcitementyoumusthavebeenin；

andnext，becauseIdoubtthewinethatwasleftinyourroom。Thecountnodoubtknewenoughofdrugstoputafewghostlyhorrorsintothedecanter。ButpoorMissCameron！Thehorrorshehasputintohermindandlife！Itisasadfate——allbutasentenceofinsanity。“

Hughsprangtohisfeet。

“Byheaven！”hecried，“Iwillstrangletheknave。“

“Stop，stop！”saidFalconer。“Norevenge！Leavehimtothesleepingdivinitywithinhim，whichwillawakeoneday，andcompletethehellthatheisnowbuildingforhimself——fortheveryfireofhellisthedivineinit。YourworkistosetEuphrafree。Ifyoudidstranglehim，howdoyouknowifthatwouldfreeherfromhim？”

“Horrible！——Haveyounonewsofhim？”

“Nonewhatever。“

“What，then，canIdoforher？”

“Youmustteachhertofoilhim。“

“HowamItodothat？EvenifIknewhow，Icannotseeher，I

cannotspeaktoher。“

“Ihaveagreatfaithinopportunity。“

“Buthowshouldshefoilhim？”

“ShemustpraytoGodtoredeemherfetteredwill——tostrengthenherwilltoredeemherself。Shemustresistthecount，shouldheagainclaimhersubmission(as，forhersake，Ihopehewill)，asshewouldthedevilhimself。Shemustovercome。Thenshewillbefree——notbefore。Thiswillbeveryhardtodo。Hispowerhasbeenexcessiveandpeculiar，andhersubmissionlongandcomplete。Evenifheleftheralone，shewouldnotthereforebefree。Shemustdefyhim；breakhisbonds；opposehiswill；assertherfreedom；anddefeathimutterly。“

“Oh！whowillhelpher？Ihavenopower。EvenifIwerewithher，Icouldnothelpherinsuchastruggle。IwishDavidwerenotdead。Hewastheman——Youcouldnow，Mr。Falconer。“

“No。ExceptIknewher，hadknownherforsometime，andhadastrongholdofallhernature，Icouldnot，wouldnottrytohelpher。IfProvidencebroughtthisabout，Iwoulddomybest；butotherwiseIwouldnotinterfere。ButifshepraytoGod，hewillgiveherwhateverhelpsheneeds，andinthebestway，too。“

“Ithinkitwouldbesomecomforttoherifwecouldfindthering——thecrystal，Imean。“

“Itwouldbemore，Ithink，ifwecouldfindthediamond。“

“Howcanwefindeither？”

“Wemustfindthecountfirst。Ihavenotgiventhatup，ofcourse。

IwilltellyouwhatIshouldliketodo，ifIknewthelady。“

“What？”

“GethertocometoLondon，andmakeherselfaspublicaspossible：

gotooperasandballs，andtheatres；bepresentedatcourt；takeastallateverybazaar，andsellcharitypuff-balls——getasmuchintothepapersaspossible。"Thelovely，accomplished，fascinatingMissCameron，&c。，&c。"“

“Whatdoyoumean？”

“IwilltellyouwhatImean。Thecounthasforsakenhernow；butassoonasheheardthatshewassomebody，thatshewasfollowedandadmired，hisvanitywouldberoused，hisoldsenseofpropertyinherwouldrevive，andhewouldbeginoncemoretodrawherintohistoils。Whattheresultwouldbe，itisimpossibletoforetell；butitwouldatleastgiveusachanceofcatchinghim，andherachanceofresistinghim。“

“Idon"tthink，however，thatshewouldventureonthatcourseherself。Ishouldnotdaretoproposeittoher。“

“No，no。Itwasonlyaninvention，todeceivemyselfwiththefancythatIwasdoingsomething。Therewouldbemanyobjectionstosuchaplan，evenifitwerepracticable。Imuststilltrytofindhim，andiffreshendeavoursshouldfail，devisefresherstill。“

“Thankyouathousandtimes，“saidHugh。“Itistoogoodofyoutotakesomuchtrouble。“

“Itismybusiness，“answeredFalconer。“Istherenotasoulintrouble？”

Hughwenthome，fullofhisnewfriend。Withthecluehehadgivenhim，hewasabletofollowallthewindingsofEuphra"sbehaviour，andtoaccountforalmosteverythingthathadtakenplace。Itwasquitepainfultohimtofeelthathecouldbeofnoimmediateservicetoher；buthecouldhardlydoubtthat，beforelong，Falconerwould，inhiswisdomandexperience，excogitatesomemodeofprocedureinwhichhemightbeabletotakeapart。

Hesatdowntohisnovel，whichhadbeenmakingbutlittleprogressforsometime；foritishardtowriteanovelwhenoneislivinginthemidstofaromance。Buttheromance，atthistime，wasnotveryclosetohim。Ithadapastandapossiblefuture，butnopresent。

Thatsamefuture，however，mightatanymomentdawnintothepresent。

Inthemeantime，teachingtheLatingrammarandtheEnglishalphabettoyoungaspirantsafterthehonoursoftheministry，wasnotworkinimicaltoinvention，fromeithertheexhaustionofitsexcitementortheabsorptionofitsinterest。

CHAPTERXIII。

THELADY"S-MAID。

Heryellowhair，beyondcompare，Comestrinklingdownherswan-whiteneck；

Andhertwoeyes，likestarsinskies，Wouldkeepasinkingshipfraewreck。

Oh！Mally"smeek，Mally"ssweet，Mally"smodestanddiscreet；

Mally"srare，Mally"sfair，Mally"severywaycomplete。

BURNS。

Whatarmsforinnocencebutinnocence。

GILESFLETCHER。

MargarethadsoughtEuphra"sroom，withtheintentionofrestoringtohertheletterwhichshehadwrittentoDavidElginbrod。JanethadletitlieforsometimebeforeshesentittoMargaret；andEuphrahadgivenupallexpectationofananswer。

HopesofministrationfilledMargaret"sheart；butsheexpected，fromwhatsheknewofher，thatangerwouldbeMissCameron"sfirstfeeling。Therefore，whensheheardnoanswertoherapplicationforadmission，andhadconcluded，inconsequence，thatEuphrawasnotintheroom，sheresolvedtoleavetheletterwhereitwouldmeethereye，andthuspreparethewayforafutureconversation。WhenshesawEuphraandHarry，shewouldhaveretiredimmediately；butEuphra，annoyedbyherentrance，wasnowquiteabletospeak。

“Whatdoyouwant？”shesaidangrily。

“Thisisyourletter，MissCameron，isitnot？”saidMargaret，advancingwithitinherhand。

Euphratookit，glancedatthedirection，pushedHarryawayfromher，startedupinapassion，andletloosethewholegatheredirritabilityofcontempt，weariness，disappointment，andsuffering，uponMargaret。Herdarkeyesflashedwithrage，andhersallowcheekglowedlikeapeach。

“Whatrighthaveyou，pray，tohandlemyletters？Howdidyougetthis？Ithasneverbeenposted！Andopen，too。Ideclare！I

supposeyouhavereadit？”

Margaretwasafraidofexcitingmorewrathbeforeshehadanopportunityofexplaining；butEuphragavehernotimetothinkofareply。

“Youhavereadit，youshamelesswoman！Whydon"tyoulie，liketherestofyourtribe，andkeepmefromdyingwithindignation？

Impudentprying！Mymaidneverpostedit，andyouhavefounditandreadit！Pray，didyouhopetofindasecretworthabribe？”

SheadvancedonMargarettillwithinafootofher。

“Whydon"tyouanswer，youhussy？Iwillgothisinstanttoyourmistress。YouorIleavethehouse。“

Margarethadstoodallthistimequietly，waitingforanopportunitytospeak。Herfacewasverypale，butperfectlystill，andhereyesdidnotquail。Shehadnotintheleastlostherself-possession。

Shewouldnotsayatoncethatshehadreadtheletter，becausethatwouldinstantlyrousethetornadoagain。

“Youdonotknowmyname，MissCameron；ofcourseyoucouldnot。“

“Yourname！Whatisthattome？”

“That，“saidMargaret，pointingtotheletter，“ismyfather"sname。“

Euphralookedatherowndirectionagain，andthenlookedatMargaret。Shewassobewildered，thatifshehadanythoughts，shedidnotknowthem。Margaretwenton：

“Myfatherisdead。Mymothersentthelettertome。“

“Thenyouhavehadtheimpertinencetoreadit！”

“Itwasmydutytoreadit。“

“Duty！Whatbusinesshadyouwithit？”

Euphrafeltashamedoftheletterassoonasshefoundthatshehadappliedtoamanwhosedaughterwasaservant。Margaretanswered：

“Icouldatleastreplytoitsofar，thatthewritershouldnotthinkmyfatherhadneglectedit。IdidnotknowwhoitwasfromtillIcametotheend。“

Euphraturnedherbackonher，withthewords：

“Youmaygo。“

Margaretwalkedoutoftheroomwithanunconsciousstatelygentleness。

“Comeback，“criedEuphra。

Margaretobeyed。

“Ofcourseyouwilltellallyourfellow-servantsthecontentsofthisfoolishletter。“

Margaret"sfaceflushed，andhereyeflashed，atthefirstwordsofthisspeech；butthelastwordsmadeherforgetthefirst，andtothemonlyshereplied。Clasping。herhands，shesaid：

“DearMissCameron，donotcallitfoolish。ForGod"ssake，donotcallitfoolish。“

“Whatisittoyou？DoyouthinkIamgoingtomakeaconfidanteofyou？”

Margaretagainlefttheroom。Notwithstandingthatshehadmadenoanswertoherinsult，Euphrafeltsatisfiedthatherletterwassafefromprofanation。

NosoonerwasMargaretoutofsight，than，withthereactioncommontoviolenttempers，whichinthiscaseresultedthesooner，fromtheexhaustionproducedinawornframebytheviolenceoftheoutburst，Euphrasatdown，inahopeless，unrestingway，uponthechairfromwhichshehadjustrisen，andbeganweepingmorebitterlythanbefore。Shewasnotonlyexhausted，butashamed；andtothesefeelingswasaddedafargreatersenseofdisappointmentthanshecouldhavebelievedpossible，atthefrustrationofthehopeofhelpfromDavidElginbrod。True，thishopehadbeensmall；butwherethereisonlyonehope，itsdeathisequallybitter，whetheritbeagreatoralittlehope。Andthereisoftennopowerofreaction，inamindwhichhasbeengraduallyreducedtoonelittlefainthope，whenthathopegoesoutindarkness。Thereisarecoilwhichisveryhelpful，fromtheblowthatkillsagreathope。

AllthistimeHarryhadbeenlookingon，inakindofparalysedcondition，palewithperplexityanddistress。HenowcameuptoEuphra，and，tryingtopullherhandgentlyfromherface，said：

“Whatisitallabout，Euphra，dear？”

“Oh！Ihavebeenverynaughty，Harry。“

“Butwhatisitallabout？MayIreadtheletter？”

“Ifyoulike，“answeredEuphra，listlessly。

Harryreadtheletterwithquiveringfeatures。Then，layingitdownonthetablewithareverentialslowness，wenttoEuphra，puthisarmsroundherandkissedher。

“Dear，dearEuphra，Ididnotknowyouweresounhappy。IwillfindGodforyou。ButfirstIwill——whatshallIdotothebadman？Whoisit？Iwill——“

Harryfinishedthesentencebysettinghisteethhard。

“Oh！youcan"tdoanythingforme，Harry，dear。Onlymindyoudon"tsayanythingaboutittoanyone。Puttheletterinthefirethereforme。“

“No——thatIwon"t，“saidHarry，takinguptheletter，andholdingittight。“Itisabeautifulletter，anditdoesmegood。Don"tyouthink，thoughitisnotsenttoGodhimself，hemayreadit，andtakeitforaprayer？”

“Iwishhewould，Harry。“

“Butitwasverywrongofyou，Euphra，dear，tospeakasyoudidtothedaughterofsuchagoodman。“

“Yes，itwas。“

“Butthen，yousee，yougotangrybeforeyouknewwhoshewas。“

“ButIshouldn"thavegotangrybeforeIknewallaboutit“

“Well，youhaveonlytosayyouaresorry，andMargaretwon"tthinkanythingmoreaboutit。Oh，sheissogood！”

Euphrarecoiledfrommakingconfessionofwrongtoalady"smaid；

and，perhaps，shewasalittlejealousofHarry"sadmirationofMargaret。ForEuphrahadnotyetcastoffallheroldhabitsofmind，andoneofthemwasthedesiretobefirstwitheveryonewhomshecaredfor。Shehadgotridofaworse，whichwas，anecessityofbeingfirstineverycompany，whethershecaredforthepersonscomposingit，ornot。Mentalsufferinghaddriventhelatterfarenoughfromher；thoughitwouldreturnworsethanever，ifhermindwerenotfilledwithtruthintheplaceofambition。SoshedidnotrespondtowhatHarrysaid。Indeed，shedidnotspeakagain，excepttobeghimtoleaveheralone。Shedidnotmakeherappearanceagainthatday。

Butatnight，whenthehouseholdwasretiring，sherosefromthebedonwhichshehadbeenlyinghalf-unconscious，andgoingtothedoor，openeditalittleway，thatshemighthearwhenMargaretshouldpassfromMrs。Elton"sroomtowardsherown。Shewaitedforsometime；butjudging，atlength，thatshemusthavepassedwithoutherknowledge，shewentandknockedatherdoor。Margaretopeneditalittle，afteramoment"sdelay，half-undressed。

“MayIcomein，Margaret？”

“Pray，do，MissCameron，“answeredMargaret。

Andsheopenedthedoorquite。Hercapwasoff，andherrichdarkhairfellonhershoulders，andstreamedthencetoherwaist。Herunder-clothingwaswhiteassnow。

“Whatalovelyskinshehas！”thoughtEuphra，comparingitwithherowntawnycomplexion。Shefelt，forthefirsttime，thatMargaretwasbeautiful——yes，more：thatwhateverhergownmightbe，herformandherskin(givemeaprettierword，kindreader，forabeautifulfact，andIwillgladlyuseit)werethoseofoneofnature"sladies。ShewassoontofindthatherintellectandspiritwerethoseofoneofGod"sladies。

“Iamverysorry，Margaret，thatIspoketoyouasIdidtoday。“

“Nevermindit，MissCameron。Wecannothelpbeingangrysometimes。

Andyouhadgreatprovocationunderthemistakeyoumade。IwasonlysorrybecauseIknewitwouldtroubleyouafterwards。Pleasedon"tthinkofitagain。“

“Youareverykind，Margaret。“

“Iregrettedmyfather"sdeath，forthefirsttime，afterreadingyourletter，forIknewhecouldhavehelpedyou。Butitwasveryfoolishofme，forGodisnotdead。“

Margaretsmiledasshesaidthis，lookingfullinEuphra"seyes。Itwasasmileofmeaningunfathomable，anditquiteovercameEuphra。

ShehadneverlikedMargaretbefore；for，fromnotveryobscurepsychologicalcauses，shehadneverfeltcomfortableinherpresence，especiallyaftershehadencounteredthenunintheGhost"sWalk，thoughshehadhadnosuspicionthatthenunwasMargaret。Agreatmanyofourdislikes，bothtopersonsandthings，arisefromafeelingofdiscomfortassociatedwiththem，perhapsonlyaccidentallypresentinourmindsthefirsttimewemetthem。

Butthisvanishedentirelynow。

“Doyou，then，knowGodtoo，Margaret？”

“Yes，“answeredMargaret，simplyandsolemnly。

“Willyoutellmeabouthim？”

“Icanatleasttellyouaboutmyfather，andwhathetaughtme。“

“Oh！thankyou，thankyou！Dotellmeabouthim——now。“

“Notnow，dearMissCameron。Itislate，andyouaretoounwelltostayuplonger。Letmehelpyoutobedto-night。Iwillbeyourmaid。“

Asshespoke，Margaretproceededtoputonherdressagain，thatshemightgowithEuphra，whohadnoattendant。ShehadpartedwithJane，anddidnotcare，inherpresentmood，tohaveawomanabouther，especiallyanewone。

“No，Margaret。Youhaveenoughtodowithoutaddingmetoyourtroubles。“

“Please，doletme，MissCameron。Itwillbeagreatpleasuretome。Ihavehardlyanythingtocallwork。YoushouldseehowIusedtoworkwhenIwasathome。“

Euphrastillobjected，butMargaret"sentreatyprevailed。ShefollowedEuphratoherroom。Theresheservedherlikeaministeringangel；brushedherhair——oh，sogently！smoothingitoutasifshelovedit。Therewashealthinthetouchofherhands，becausetherewaslove。Sheundressedher；coveredherinbedasifshehadbeenachild；madeupthefiretolastaslongaspossible；

badehergoodnight；andwasleavingtheroom，whenEuphracalledher。Margaretreturnedtothebed-side。

“Kissme，Margaret，“shesaid。

Margaretstooped，kissedherforeheadandherlips，andlefther。

Euphracriedherselftosleep。Theywerethefirsttearsshehadevershedthatwerenotpainfultears。Shesleptasshehadnotsleptformonths。

InordertounderstandthischangeinEuphrasia"sbehaviourtoMargaret——inorder，infact，torepresentittoourmindsasatallcredible——wemustrememberthatshehadbeentryingtodorightforsometime；thatMargaret，asthedaughterofDavid，seemedtheonlyattainablesourceoftheknowledgeshesought；thatlongillnesshadgreatlyweakenedherobstinacy；thathersoulhungered，withoutknowingit，forlove；andthatshewasnaturallygiftedwithastrongwill，thepositioninwhichshestoodinrelationtothecountprovingonlythatitwasnotstrongenough，andnotthatitwasweak。Suchacharactermust，foranygood，beruledbyitself，andnotbycircumstances。TohavebeenovercomeintheprocessoftimebythepersistentgoodnessofMargaret，mighthavebeentheblessedfateofaweakerandworsewoman；butifEuphradidnotovercomeherself，therewasnohopeoffurthervictory。IfMargaretcouldevenwitherthepowerofheroppressor，itwouldbebuttotransferthelordshipfromabadmantoagoodwoman；andthatwouldnotbeenough。Itwouldnotbefreedom。Andindeed，theaidthatMargarethadtogiveher，couldonlybebestowedononewhoalreadyhadfreedomenoughtoactinsomedegreefromduty。SheknewsheoughttogoandapologizetoMargaret。Shewent。

InMargaret"spresence，andinsuchamood，shewassubjectedatoncetotheholyenchantmentofherloving-kindness。Shehadneverreceivedanytendernessfromawomanbefore。Perhapsshehadneverbeenintherightmoodtoprofitbyitifshehad。NorhadsheeverbeforeseenwhatMargaretwas。Itwasonlywhenservice——divineservice——flowedfromherinfulloutgoing，thatshereachedtheheightofherloveliness。Thenherwholeformwasbeautiful。Sowasitinterpenetratedby，andrespondentto，theuprisingsoulwithin，thatitradiatedthoughtandfeelingasifithadbeenallspirit。Thisbeautyrosetoitsbestinhereyes。Whenshewasministeringtoanyoneinneed，hereyesseemedtoworshiptheobjectofherfaithfulness，asifallthetimeshefeltthatshewasdoingituntoHim。Herdeedsweredevotion。Shewasthereceiverandnotthegiver。Beforethis，Euphrahadseenonlythestillwaitingface；and，asIhavesaid，shehadbeenrepelledbyit。

Oncewithinthesphereoftheradiationofherattraction，shewasdrawntowardsher，astowardsthehavenofherpeace：shelovedher。

Tothis，itlength，hadherstrugglewithherselfinthesilenceofherownroom，andhermeditationsonhercouch，conductedher。

Shallwesaythatthesealonehadbeenandwereleadingher？Orthattoallthesetherewasahiddenroot，andaninformingspirit？

Whowouldnotratherbelievethathisthoughtscomefromaninfinite，self-sphered，self-constitutingthought，thanthattheyrisesomehowoutofablankabyssofdarkness，andareonlythoughtwhenhethinksthem，whichthinkinghecannotpre-determineorevenforesee？

WhenEuphrawoke，herfirstbreathwaslikeadeepdraughtofspiritualwater。Shefeltasifsomesorrowhadpassedfromher，andsomegladnesscomeinitsstead。Shethoughtandthought，andfoundthatthegladnesswasMargaret。Shehadscarcelymadethediscovery，whenthedoorgentlyopened，andMargaretpeepedintoseeifshewereawake。

“MayIcomein？”shesaid。

“Yes，please，Margaret。“

“Howdoyoufeelto-day？”

“Oh，somuchbetter，dearMargaret！Yourkindnesswillmakemewell。“

“Iamsoglad！Doliestillawhile，andIwillbringyousomebreakfast。Mrs。Eltonwillbesopleasedtofindyouletmewaitonyou！”

“Sheaskedme，Margaret，ifyoushould；butIwastoomiserable——andtoonaughty，forIdidnotlikeyou。“

“Iknewthat；butIfeltsureyouwouldnotdislikemealways。“

“Why？”

“BecauseIcouldnothelplovingyou。“

“Whydidyouloveme？”

“Iwilltellyouhalfthereason——Becauseyoulookedunhappy。“

“Whatwastheotherhalf？”

“ThatIcannot——ImeanIwillnottellyou。“

“Never？”

“Perhapsnever。ButIdon"tknow——Notnow。“

“ThenImustnotaskyou？”

“No——please。“

“Verywell，Iwon"t。“

“Thankyou。Iwillgoandgetyourbreakfast。“

“Whatcanshemean？”saidEuphratoherself。

Butshewouldneverhavefoundout。

CHAPTERXIV。

DAVIDELGINBROD。

Hebeingdeadyetspeaketh。

HEB。，xi。4。

Inall"he"didSomefigureofthegoldentimeswashid。

DR。DONNE。

>Fromthistime，MargaretwaiteduponEuphra，asifshehadbeenherownmaid。NorhadMrs。Eltonanycauseofcomplaint，forMargaretwasalwaysathandwhenshewaswanted。Indeed，hermistresswasfullofherpraises。Euphrasaidlittle。

Manyandlongweretheconversationsbetweenthetwogirls，whenallbutthemselveswereasleep。SometimesHarrymadeoneofthecompany；buttheycouldalwayssendhimawaywhentheywishedtobealone。AndnowtheteachingforwhichEuphrahadlonged，spranginafountainatherowndoor。Ithadbeennighherlong，andshehadnotknownit，foritshourhadnotcome。Nowshedrankasonlythethirstydrink，——astheydrinkwhoseverysoulsarefaintingwithinthemfordrought。

ButhowdidMargaretembodyherlessons？

Thesecondnight，shecametoEuphra"sroom，andsaid：

“ShallItellyouaboutmyfatherto-night？Are，youable？”

Euphrawasdelighted。Itwaswhatshehadbeenhopingforallday。

“Dotellme。Ilongtohearabouthim。“

Sotheysatdown；andMargaretbegantotalkaboutherchildhood；

thecottageshelivedin；thefir-woodallaroundit；theworksheusedtodo；——herside，inshort，ofthestorywhich，inthecommencementofthisbook，IhavepartlyrelatedfromHugh"sside。

Summerandwinter，spring-timeandharvest，stormandsunshine，allcameintothetale。Hermothercameintoitoften；andoftentoo，thoughnotsooften，thegrandformofherfatherappeared，remainedforalittlewhile，andthenpassedaway。EverytimeEuphrasawhimthusinthemirrorofMargaret"smemory，shesawhimmoreclearlythanbefore：shefeltasif，soon，sheshouldknowhimquitewell。

Sometimessheaskedaquestionortwo；butgenerallysheallowedMargaret"swordstoflowunchecked；forshepaintedherpicturesbetterwhenthecoloursdidnotdrybetween。Theytalkedon，orrather，MargarettalkedandEuphralistened，farintothenight。Atlength，Margaretstoppedsuddenly，forshebecameawarethatalongtimehadpassed。Lookingattheclockonthechimney-piece，shesaid：

“Ihavedonewrongtokeepyouupsolate。Come——Imustgetyoutobed。Youareaninvalid，youknow，andIamyournurseaswellasyourmaid。“

“Youwillcometo-morrownight，then？”

“Yes，Iwill。“

“ThenIwillgotobedlikeagoodchild。“

Margaretundressedher，andlefthertothehealingofsleep。

Thenextnightshespokeagainofherfather，andwhathetaughther。Euphrahadthoughtmuchabouthim；andateveryfreshtouchwhichthestorygavetotheportrait，sheknewhimbetter；tillatlast，evenwhencircumstancesnotmentionedbeforecameup，sheseemedtohaveknownthemfromthebeginning。

“Whatwasyourfatherlike，Margaret？”

MargaretdescribedhimverynearlyasIhavedone，fromHugh"saccount，intheformerpartofthestory。Euphrasaid：

“Ah！yes。ThatisalmostexactlyasIhadfanciedhim。Isitnotstrange？”

“Itisverynatural，Ithink，“answeredMargaret。

“Iseemnowtohaveknownhimforyears。“

Butwhatismostworthyofrecordis，thateverasthepictureofDavidgrewonthevisionofEuphra，theideaofGodwasgrowingunawaresuponherinwardsight。ShewaslearningmoreandmoreaboutGodallthetime。ThesightofhumanexcellenceawokeafaintIdealofthedivineperfection。Faithcameofitself，andabode，andgrew；foritneedsbutavisionoftheDivine，andfaithinGodisstraightwayborninthesoulthatbeholdsit。Thus，faithandsightareone。Thebeingofherfatherinheavenwasnomorestrangeandfarofffromher，whenshehadseensuchafatheronearthasMargaret"swas。ItwasnotaloneDavid"sfaiththatbegothers，butthemanhimselfwasafaith-begettingpresence。HewastheevidenceofGodwiththem——Thushe，beingdead，yetspoke，andthedepartedmanwasapresentpower。

EuphrabegantoreadthestoryoftheGospel。SodidHarry。Theyfoundmuchonwhichtodesireenlightenment；andtheyalwaysappliedtoMargaretforthelighttheyneeded。ItwaslongbeforesheventuredtosayIthink。Shealwayssaid：

“Myfatherusedtosay——“or“Ithinkmyfatherwouldhavesaid——“

ItwasnotuntilEuphrawasingreattroublesometimeafterthis，andrequiredtheimmediateconsolationofpersonaltestimony，thatMargaretspokeasfromherself；andthenshespokewithpositiveassuranceoffaith。ShedidnotthenevensayIthink，but，Iamsure；Iknow；Ihaveseen。

ManyinterviewsofthissortdidnottakeplacebetweenthembeforeEuphra，inherturn，begantoconfideherhistorytoMargaret。

Itwasastrangelydifferentone——fullofoutwardeventandphysicaltrouble；but，tillitapproachedthelaststages，wonderfullybarrenastoinwardproductionordevelopment。ItwasahistoryofEuphra"scircumstancesandpeculiarities，notofEuphraherself。

Tilloflate，shehadscarcelyhadanyhistory。Margaret"s，onthecontrary，wasatruehistory；for，withmuchofthemonotonousincircumstance，itdescribedindividualgrowth，andthechangeofprogress。Wherethereisnochangetherecanbenohistory；andasallchangeiseithergrowthordecay，allhistorymustdescribeprogressorretrogression。TheformerhadnowbegunforEuphraaswell；anditwasoneproofofitthatshetoldMargaretallIhavealreadyrecordedformyreaders，atleastasfarasitboreagainstherself。HowmuchmoreshetoldherIamunabletosay；butaftershehadtoldit，EuphrawasstillmorehumbletowardsMargaret，andMargaretmoretender，morefullofservice，ifpossible，andmoredevotedtoEuphra。

CHAPTERXV。

MARGARET"SSECRET。

LoveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds，Orbendswiththeremovertoremove。

SHAKSPERE——Sonnetcxvi。

Margaretcouldnotproceedveryfarinthestoryofherlife，withoutmakingsomereferencetoHughSutherland。Butshecarefullyavoidedmentioninghisname。Perhapsnoonelesscalm，andfreefromtheoperationofexcitement，couldhavebeensosuccessfulinsuppressingit。

“Ah！”saidEuphra，oneday，“yourhistoryisalittlelikeminethere；atutorcomesintothemboth。Didyounotfalldreadfullyinlovewithhim？”

“Ilovedhimverymuch。“

“Whereishenow？”

“InLondon，Ibelieve。“

“Doyouneverseehim？”

“No。“

“Haveyouneverseenhimsinceheleftyourhome——withthecuriousname？”

“Yes；butnotspokentohim。“

“Where？”

Margaretwassilent。Euphraknewherwellenoughnownottorepeatthequestion。

“Ishouldhavebeeninlovewithhim，Iknow。“

Margaretonlysmiled。

Anotherday，Euphrasaid：

“WhatagoodboythatHarryis！Andsoclevertoo。Ah！Margaret，Ihavebehavedlikethedeviltothatboy。Iwantedtohavehimalltomyself，andsokepthimachild。NeedIconfessallmyugliestsins？”

“Nottome，certainly，dearMissCameron。TellGodtolookintoyourheart，andtakethemalloutofit。“

“Iwill。Ido——IevenenticedMr。Sutherlandawayfromhimtome，whenhewastheonlyrealfriendhehad，thatImighthavethemboth。“

“Butyouhavedoneyourbesttomakeupforitsince。“

“Ihavetriedalittle。IcannotsayIhavedonemybest。Ihavebeensopeevishandirritable。“

“Youcouldnotquitehelpthat。“

“Howkindyouaretoexcusemeso！Itmakesmesomuchstrongertotryagain。“

“MyfatherusedtosaythatGodwasalwaysfindingeveryexcuseforusthatcouldbefound；everytrueone，youknow；notonefalseone。“

“Thatdoescomfortone。“

Afterapause，Euphraresumed：

“Mr。Sutherlanddidmesomegood，Margaret。“

“Idonotwonderatthat。“

“HemademethinklessaboutCountHalkar；andthatwassomething，forhehauntedme。Ididnotknowthenhowverywickedhewas。I

didlovehimonce。Oh，howIhatehimnow！”

Andshestartedupandpacedtheroomlikeatigressinitscage。

Margaretdidnotjudgethistheoccasiontoreadheralectureonthedutyofforgiveness。Shehadenoughtodotokeepfromhatingthemanherself，Isuspect。Butshetriedtoturnherthoughtsintoanotherchannel。

“Mr。Sutherlandlovedyouverymuch，MissCameron。“

“Helovedmeonce，“saidpoorEuphra，withasigh。

“Isawhedid。ThatwaswhyIbegantoloveyoutoo。“

Margarethadatlastunwittinglyopenedthedoorofhersecret。ShehadtoldtheotherreasonforlovingEuphra。But，naturallyenough，Euphracouldnotunderstandwhatshemeant。Perhapssomeofmyreaders，understandingMargaret"swordsperfectly，andtheirreferencetoo，maybesofarfromunderstandingMargaretherself，astoturnuponmeandsay：

“Impossible！Youcannothaveunderstoodheroranyotherwoman。“

Well！

“Whatdoyoumean，Margaret？”

Margaretbothblushedandlaughedoutright。

“Imustconfessit，“saidshe，atonce；“itcannothurthimnow：mytutorandyoursarethesame。“

“Impossible！”

“True。“

“AndyouneverspokeallthetimeyouwerebothatArnstead？”

“Notonce。HeneverknewIwasinthehouse。“

“Howstrange！Andyousawhelovedme？”

“Yes。“

“Andyouwerenotjealous？”

“Ididnotsaythat。ButIsoonfoundthattheonlywaytoescapefrommyjealousy，ifthefeelingIhadwasjealousy，wastoloveyoutoo。Idid。“

“Youbeautifulcreature！Butyoucouldnothavelovedhimmuch。“

“Ilovedhimenoughtoloveyouforhissake。Butwhydidhestoplovingyou？IfearIshallnotbeabletolovehimsomuchnow。“

“Hecouldnothelpit，Margaret。Ideservedit。“

Euphrahidherfaceinherhands。

“Hecouldnothavereallylovedyou，then？”

“Whichisbettertobelieve，Margaret，“saidEuphra，uncoveringherface，whichtwotearswerelingeringdown，andlookingupather——“thatheneverlovedme，orthathestoppedlovingme？”

“Forhissake，thefirst。“

“Andformysake，thesecond？”

“Thatdepends。“

“Soitdoes。Hemusthavefoundplentyoffaultsinme。ButIwasnotsobadashethoughtmewhenhestoppedlovingme。“

Margaret"sanswerwasoneofherlovingsmiles，inwhichhereyeshadmoresharethanherlips。

ItwouldhavebeenunendurabletoEuphra，alittlewhilebefore，tofindthatshehadarivalinaservant。Nowshescarcelyregardedthataspectofherposition。ButshelookeddoubtfullyatMargaret，andthensaid：

“Howisitthatyoutakeitsoquietly？——foryourlovemusthavebeenverydifferentfrommine。Indeed，IamnotsurethatIlovedhimatall；andafterIhadmadeupmymindtoitquite，itdidnothurtmesoverymuch。Butyoumusthavelovedhimdreadfully。“

“PerhapsIdid。ButIhadnoanxietyaboutit。“

“Butthatyoucouldnotleavetoafathersuchasyourseventosettle。“

“No。ButIcouldtoGod。IcouldtrustGodwithwhatIcouldnotspeaktomyfatherabout。Heismyfather"sfather，youknow；andso，moretohimandmethanwecouldbetoeachother。ThemoreweloveGod，themoreweloveeachother；forwefindhemakestheverylovewhichsometimeswefoolishlyfeartodoinjusticeto，bylovinghimmost。IlovemyfathertentimesmorebecausehelovesGod，andbecauseGodhassecretswithhim。“

“IwishGodwereafathertomeasheistoyou，Margaret。“

“Butheisyourfather，whetheryouwishitornot。Hecannotbemoreyourfatherthanheis。Youmaybemorehischildthanyouare，butnotmorethanhemeantyoutobe，normorethanhemadeyoufor。Youareinfinitelymorehischildthanyouhavegrowntoyet。

Hemadeyoualtogetherhischild，butyouhavenotgivenintoityet。“

“Oh！yes；Iknowwhatyoumean。Ifeelitistrue。“

“TheProdigalSonwashisfather"schild。Heknewit，andgaveintoit。Hedidnotsay："Iwishmyfatherlovedmeenoughtotreatmelikeachildagain。"Hedidnotsaythat，but——Iwillariseandgotomyfather。“

Euphramadenoanswer，butwept，Margaretsaidnomore。

Euphrawasthefirsttoresume。

“Mr。Sutherlandwasverykind，Margaret。Hepromised——andIknowhewillkeephispromise——todoallhecouldtohelpme。Ihopeheisfindingoutwherethatwickedcountis。“

“Writetohim，andaskhimtocomeandseeyou。Hedoesnotknowwhereyouare。“

“ButIdon"tknowwhereheis。“

“Ido。“

“Doyou？”rejoinedEuphrawithsomesurprise。

“ButhedoesnotknowwhereIam。Iwillgiveyouhisaddress，ifyoulike。“

Euphraponderedalittle。Shewouldhavelikedverymuchtoseehim，forshewasanxioustoknowofhissuccess。Theloveshehadfeltforhimwasaverysmallobstacletotheirmeetingnow；forherthoughtshadbeenoccupiedwithaffairs，beforetheinterestofwhichthepoorloveshehadthenbeencapableof，hadmeltedawayandvanished——vanished，thatis，inallthatwasrestrictiveandengrossinginitscharacter。ButnowthatsheknewtherelationthathadexistedbetweenMargaretandhim，sheshrunkfromdoinganythingthatmightseemtoMargarettogiveEuphraanopportunityofregaininghispreference。Notthatshehadherselfthesmallesthope，evenhadshehadthesmallestdesireofdoingso；butshewouldnotevensuggesttheideaofbeingMargaret"srival。Atlengthsheanswered：

“No，thankyou，Margaret。Assoonashehasanythingtoreport，hewillwritetoArnstead，andMrs。Hortonwillforwardmetheletter。

No——itisquiteunnecessary。“

Euphra"shealthwasimprovingalittle，thoughstillshewasfarfromstrong。