第16章

“I"vegothim！”criedHugh。

“Letthemanalone，“growledaburlyfellowinthecrowd，withhisfistsclenchedinhistrowser-pockets。

“Letmehavealookathim，“saidFalconer，stoopingoverhim。“Ah！

Idon"tknowhim。That"saswellforhim。Lethimup，Sutherland。“

ThebystanderstookFalconerforadetective，anddidnotseeminclinedtointerfere，allexceptthecarmanbeforementioned。Hecameup，pushingthecrowdrightandleft。

“Letthemanalone，“saidhe，inaveryoffensivetone。

“Iassureyou，“saidFalconer，“he"snotworthyourtrouble；for——“

“Noneo"yourcursedjaw！”saidthefellow，inalouderanddeepergrowl，approachingFalconerwithathreateningmien。

“Well，Ican"thelpit，“saidFalconer，asiftohimself。

“Sutherland，lookafterthecount。“

“ThatIwill，“saidHugh，confidently。

Falconerturnedonthecarman，whowasjustonthepointofclosingwithhim，preferringthatmodeoffighting；andsayingonly：“Defendyourself，“retreatedastep。Themanwasgoodathisfiststoo，and，havingfailedinhisfirstattempt，madethebestuseofthemhecould。ButhehadnochancewithFalconer，whosecoolnessequalledhisskill。

Meantime，theBohemianhadbeenwatchinghischance；andalthoughthecontestcertainlydidnotlastlongerthanoneminute，foundopportunity，inthemiddleofit，towrenchhimselffreefromHugh，triphimup，anddartoff。Thecrowdgavewaybeforehim。Hevanishedsosuddenlyandcompletely，thatitwasevidenthemusthavestudiedtheneighbourhoodfromtheretreatsideofthequestion。Withrat-likeinstinct，hehadconsultedtheholesandcornersinanticipationofthenecessityofapplyingtothem。Hughgotup，and，directed，orpossiblymisdirectedbythebystanders，spedawayinpursuit；buthecouldhearorseenothingofthefugitive。

Attheendoftheminute，thecarmanlayintheroad。

“Lookafterhim，somebody，“saidFalconer。

“Nofearofhim，sir；he"susedtoit，“answeredoneofthebystanders，withtherespectwhichFalconer"sprowessclaimed。

FalconerwalkedafterHugh，whosoonreturned，lookingexcessivelymortified，andfeelingverysmallindeed。

“Nevermind，Sutherland，“saidhe。“Thefellowisuptoatrickortwo；butweshallcatchhimyet。Ifithadn"tbeenforthatbigfoolthere——buthe"spunishedenough。“

“Butwhatcanwedonext？Hewillnotcomehereagain。“

“Verylikelynot。StillhemaynotgiveuphisattemptsuponMissCameron。Ialmostwonder，seeingsheissoimpressible，thatshecangivenoaccountofhiswhereabouts。ButIpresumeclairvoyancedependsonthepresenceofotherqualificationsaswell。Ishouldliketomesmerizehermyself，andseewhethershecouldnothelpusthen。“

“Well，whynot，ifyouhavethepower？”

“BecauseIhavemadeupmymindnottosuperinduceanyconditionofwhoselawsIamsoverypartiallyinformed。Besides，Iconsideritaconditionofdiseaseinwhich，asbysleeplessnessforinstance，thesensesofthesoul，ifyouwillallowtheexpression，are，foritspresentstate，renderedunnaturallyacute。Toinducesuchacondition，IdarenotexerciseapowerwhichitselfIdonotunderstand。“

CHAPTERXIX。

MARGARET。

Forthoughthatevervirtuouswasshe，Shewasincreasedinsuchexcellence，Ofthewesgood，ysetinhighbount？

Andsodiscreetandfairofeloquence，Sobenign，andsodigneofreverence，Andcouth？sothepoeple"shertembrace，Thateachherloveththatlookethinherface。

CHAUCER——TheClerk"sTale。

HughreturnedtoMrs。Elton"s，and，inthedining-room，wroteanotetoEuphra，toexpresshisdisappointment，andshamethat，afterall，thecounthadfoiledhim；but，atthesametime，hisdeterminationnottoabandonthequest，tilltherewasnoroomforhopeleft。Hesentthisuptoher，andwaited，thinkingthatshemightbeonthesofa，andmightsendforhim。Alittlewearyfromthereactionoftheexcitementhehadjustgonethrough，hesatdowninthecornerfarthestfromthedoor。Thelargeroomwasdimlylightedbyoneuntrimmedlamp。

Hesatforsometime，thinkingthatEuphrawaswritinghimanote，orperhapspreparingherselftoseehiminherroom。Involuntarilyhelookedup，andasuddenpang，asatthevisionofthedisembodied，shotthroughhisheart。Adimformstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，gazingearnestlyathim。HesawthesamefacewhichhehadseenforamomentinthelibraryatArnstead——theglorifiedfaceofMargaretElginbrod，shimmeringfaintlyinthedulllight。

Instinctivelyhepressedhishandstogether，palmtopalm，asifhehadbeenabouttokneelbeforeMadonnaherself。Delight，mingledwithhope，andtemperedbyshame，flushedhisface。Ghostornone，shebroughtnofearwithher，onlyawe。

Shestoodstill。

“Margaret！”hesaid，withtremblingvoice。

“Mr。Sutherland！”sheresponded，sweetly。

“Areyouaghost，Margaret？”

Shesmiledasifshewereallspirit，and，advancingslowly，tookhisjoinedhandsinbothofhers。

“Forgiveme，Margaret，“sighedhe，asifwithhislastbreath，andburstintoanagonyoftears。

Shewaitedmotionless，tillhispassionshouldsubside，stillholdinghishands。Hefeltthatherhandsweresogood。

“Heisdead！”saidHugh，atlast，withalleffort，followedbyafreshoutburstofweeping。

“Yes，heisdead，“rejoinedMargaret，calmly。“YouwouldnotweepsoifyouhadseenhimdieasIdid——diewithasmilelikeasummersunset。Indeed，itwasthesunsettome；butthemoonhasbeenupforalongtimenow。“

Shesighedagentle，painlesssigh，andsmiledagainlikeasaint。

ShespokenearlyasScotchaseverintone，thoughthewordsandpronunciationwerealmostpureEnglish——Thislapseintosomuchoftheoldform，orrathergarment，ofspeech，constantlyrecurred，asoftenasherfeelingsweremoved，andespeciallywhenshetalkedtochildren。

“Forgiveme，“saidHugh，oncemore。

“Wearethesameasintheolddays，“answeredMargaret；andHughwassatisfied。

“Howdoyoucometobehere？”saidHugh，atlast，afterasilence。

“Iwilltellyouallaboutthatanothertime。NowImustgiveyouMissCameron"smessage。Sheisverysorryshecannotseeyou，butsheisquiteunable。Indeed，sheisnotoutofbed。Butifyoucouldcallto-morrowmorning，shehopestobebetterandtobeabletoseeyou。Shesaysshecanneverthankyouenough。“

Thelampburnedyetfainter。Margaretwent，andproceededtotrimit。Thevirginsthatarosemusthavelookedverylovely，trimmingtheirlamps。Itisadeedveryfairandwomanly——thebestforawoman——tomakethelampburn。Thelightshoneupinherface，andthehandsremovingtheglobehandleditdelicately。Hesawthatthegoodhandswereverybeautifulhands；notsmall，butadmirablyshaped，andverypure。Asshereplacedtheglobe，——

“Thatman，“shesaid，“willnottroubleheranymore。“

“Ihopenot，“saidHugh；“butyouspeakconfidently：why？”

“Becauseshehasbehavedgloriously。Shehasfoughtandconqueredhimonhisownground；andsheisafree，beautiful，andgoodcreatureofGodforever。“

“Youdelightme，“rejoinedHugh“Anothertime，perhaps，youwillbeabletotellmeallaboutit。“

“Ihopeso。Ithinkshewillnotmindmytellingyou。“

Theybadeeachothergoodnight；andHughwentawaywithastrangefeeling，whichhehadneverexperiencedbefore。Tocomparegreatthingswithsmall，itwassomethinglikewhathehadoncefeltinadream，inwhich，digginginhisfather"sgarden，hehadfoundaperfectmarblestatue，youngaslife，andyetoldasthehills。Tothinkofthegirlhehadfirstseeninthedrawing-roomatTurriepuffit，idealizingherselfintosuchacreatureasthat，sogrand，andyetsowomanly！solofty，andyetsolovely；sostrong，andyetsograceful！

Wouldthateverywomanbelievedintheidealofherself，andhopedforitasthewillofGod，notmerelyasthegoalofherownpurestambition！Butevenifthelowerdevelopmentofthehopewereallshepossessed，itwouldyetbewell；foritsinevitablefailurewouldsoondevelopethehigherandtriumphanthope。

Hethoughtabouthertillhefellasleep，anddreamedabouthertillhewoke。Notforamoment，however，didhefancyhewasinlovewithher：thefeelingwasdifferentfromanyhehadhithertorecognizedasembodyingthatpassion。Itwastherecognitionandconsequentadmirationofabeautywhicheveryonewhobehelditmustrecognizeandadmire；butmingled，inhiscase，witholdandpreciousmemories，doublydearnowintheincreasedearnestnessofhisnatureandaspirations，andwithadeeppersonalinterestfromthefactthat，howeverlittle，hehadyetcontributedaportionofthevitalfoodwherebythegraciouscreaturehadbecomewhatshewas。

Intheso-calledmorninghewenttoMrs。Elton"s。Euphrawasexpectinghisvisit，andhewasshownupintoherroom，whereshewaslyingonacouchbythefire。Shereceivedhimwiththewarmthofgratitudeaddedtothatoffriendship。Herfacewaspaleandthin，buthereyeswerebrilliant。Shedidnotappearatfirstsighttobeveryill：butthedepthandrealityofhersicknessgrewuponhim。BehindhercouchstoodMargaret，likeaguardianangel。

Margaretcouldbeartheday，forshebelongedtoit；andthereforeshelookedmorebeautifulstillthanbythelamp-light。EuphraheldoutapalelittlehandtoHugh，andbeforeshewithdrewit，ledHugh"stowardsMargaret。Theirhandsjoined。HowdifferenttoHughwasthetouchofthetwohands！Life，strength，persistencyintheone：languor，feebleness，andfadingintheother。

“Icanneverthankyouenough，“saidEuphra；“thereforeIwillnottry。Itisnobondagetoremainyourdebtor。“

“Thatwouldbethanksindeed，ifIhaddoneanything。“

“Ihavefoundoutanothermystery，“Euphraresumed，afterapause。

“Iamsorrytohearit，“answeredhe。“Ifeartherewillbenomysteriesleftby-and-by。“

“Nofearofthat，“sherejoined，“solongastheangelscomedowntomen。“AndsheturnedtowardsMargaretasshespoke。

Margaretsmiled。Inthecomplimentshefeltonlythekindness。

Hughlookedather。Sheturnedaway，andfoundsomethingtodoattheothersideoftheroom。

“Whatmystery，then，haveyoudestroyed？”

“Notdestroyedit；forthemysteryofcourageremains。IwasthewickedghostthatnightintheGhost"sWalk，youknow——thewhiteone：thereisthegoodghost，thenun，theblackone。“

“Who？Margaret？”

“Yes，indeed。Shehasjustbeenconfessingittome。Ihadmytwoangels，asonewhosefatewasundetermined；myevilangelinthecount——mygoodangelinMargaret。LittledidIthinkthenthattheholypowerswerewatchingmeinher。Iknewtheevilone；Iknewnothingofthegood。Isupposeitissowithagreatmanypeople。“

Hughsatsilentinastonishment。Margaret，then，hadbeenatArnsteadwithMrs。Eltonallthetime。Itwasherselfhehadseeninthestudy。

“Didyoususpectme，Margaret？”resumedEuphra，turningtowardsherwhereshesatatthewindow。

“Notintheleast。Ionlyknewthatsomethingwaswrongaboutthehouse；thatsomebeingwasterrifyingtheservants，andpoorHarry；

andIresolvedtodomybesttomeetit，especiallyifitshouldbeanythingofaghostlykind。“

“Thenyoudobelieveinsuchappearances？”saidHugh。

“Ihavenevermetanythingofthesortyet。Idon"tknow。“

“Andyouwerenotafraid？”

“Notmuch。Iamneverreallyafraidofanything。WhyshouldIbe？”

NojustificationoffearwassuggestedeitherbyHughorbyEuphra。

TheyfeltthedignityofnaturethatliftedMargaretabovetheregionoffear。

“Comeandseemeagainsoon，“saidEuphra，asHughrosetogo。

Hepromised。

NextdayhedinedbyinvitationwithMrs。EltonandHarry。Euphrawasunabletoseehim，butsentakindmessagebyMargaretashewastakinghisleave。HehadbeenfearingthatheshouldnotseeMargaret；andwhenshedidappearhewasthemoredelighted；buttheinterviewwasnecessarilyshort。

Hecalledthenextday，andsawneitherEuphranorMargaret。Shewasnobetter。Mrs。Eltonsaidthephysicianscoulddiscovernodefinitediseaseeitherofthelungsorofanyotherorgan。Yetlifeseemedsinking。Margaretthoughtthattheconflictwhichshehadpassedthrough，hadexhaustedhervitality；that，hadsheyielded，shemighthavelivedaslave；butthatnow，perhaps，shemustdieafreewoman。

HercontinuedillnessmadeHughstillmoreanxioustofindthering，forheknewitwouldpleasehermuch。Falconerwouldhaveappliedtothepolice，buthefearedthatthemanwouldvanishfromLondon，upontheleastsuspicionthathewaswatched。Theyheldmanyconsultationsonthesubject。

CHAPTERXX。

ANEWGUIDE。

DasDenkenistnureinTraumdesF黨lens，einerstorbenesF黨len，einblass-graues，schwachesLeben。

Thinkingisonlyadreamoffeeling；adeadfeeling；apale-grey，feeblelife。

NOVALIS——DieLehrlingezuSais。

Forwhere"snocourage，there"snoruthnormone。

FaerieQueene：vi。7，18。

Onemorning，assoonasshewaked，Euphrasaid：

“HaveIbeenstillallthenight，Margaret？”

“Quitestill。Whydoyouask？”

“BecauseIhavehadsuchastrangeandvividdream，thatIfeelasifImusthavebeentotheplace。Itwasafoolishquestion，though；because，ofcourse，youwouldnothaveletmego。“

“Ihopeitdidnottroubleyoumuch。“

“No，notmuch；forthoughIwaswiththecount，Ididnotseemtobethereinthebodyatall，onlysomehownearhim，andseeinghim。I

canrecalltheplaceperfectly。“

“Doyouthinkitreallywastheplacehewasinatthetime？”

“Ishouldnotwonder。ButnowIfeelsofree，sofarbeyondhimandallhispower，thatIdon"tmindwhereorwhenIseehim。Hecannothurtmenow。“

“CouldyoudescribetheplacetoMr。Sutherland？Itmighthelphimtofindthecount。“

“That"sagoodidea。Willyousendforhim？”

“Yes，certainly。MayItellhimforwhat？”

“Byallmeans。“

MargaretwrotetoHughatonce，andsentthenotebyhand。Hewasathomewhenitarrived。Hehurriedlyansweredit，andwenttofindFalconer。Tohisdelighthewasathome——notoutofbed，infact。

“Readthat。“

“Whoisitfrom？”

“MissCameron"smaid。“

“Itdoesnotlooklikeamaid"sproduction。“

“Itisthough。Willyoucomewithme？YouknowLondontenthousandtimesbetterthanIdo。Idon"tthinkweoughttoloseachance。“

“Certainlynot。Iwillgowithyou。Butperhapsshewillnotseeme。“

“Oh！yes，shewill，whenIhavetoldheraboutyou。“

“Itwillberatheratrialtoseeastranger。“

“Amancannotbeastrangerwithyoutenminutes，ifheonlylooksatyou；——stilllessawoman。“

Falconerlookedpleased，andsmiled。

“Iamgladyouthinkso。Letusgo。“

Whentheyarrived，Margaretcametothem。HughtoldherthatFalconerwashisbestfriend，andonewhoknewLondonperhapsbetterthananyothermaninit。Margaretlookedathimfullinthefaceforamoment。Falconersmiledattheintensityofherstillgaze。

Margaretreturnedthesmile，andsaid：

“IwillaskMissCamerontoseeyet。“

“Thankyou，“wasallFalconer"sreply；butthetonewasmorethanspeech。

Afteralittlewhile，theywereshownuptoEuphra"sroom。Shehadwantedtositup，butMargaretwouldnotlether；soshewaslyingonhercouch。WhenFalconerwaspresentedtoher，hetookherhand，andhelditforamoment。Akindofindescribablebeambrokeoverhisface，asifhisspiritsmiledandthesmileshonethroughwithoutmovingoneofhisfeaturesasitpassed。Thetearsstoodinhiseyes。Tounderstandallthislook，onewouldneedtoknowhishistoryasIdo。Helaidherhandgentlyonherbosom，andsaid：

“Godblessyou！”

EuphrafeltthatGoddidblessherintheverywords。ShehadbeenlookingatFalconerallthetime。Itwasonlyfifteensecondsorso；buttheoutcomeofalifewascrowdedintoFalconer"ssideofit；andtheconfidenceofEuphrarosetomeetthefaithfulnessofamanofGod——Whatwordsthoseare！——AmanofGod！HaveInotwrittenarevelation？Yes——tohimwhocanreadit——yes。

“Iknowenoughofyourstory，MissCameron，“hesaid，“tounderstandwithoutanyprefacewhatyouchoosetotellme。“

Euphrabeganatonce：

“IdreamedlastnightthatIfoundmyselfoutsidethestreetdoor。

IdidnotknowwhereIwasgoing；butmyfeetseemedtoknow。Theycarriedme，roundtwoorthreecorners，intoawide，longstreet，whichIthinkwasOxford-street。TheycarriedmeonintoLondon，farbeyondanyquarterIknew。AllIcantellfurtheris，thatI

turnedtotheleftbesideachurch，onthesteepleofwhichstoodwhatItookforawanderingghostjustlightedthere；——onlyIoughttotellyou，thatfrequentlyinmydreams——alwaysinmypeculiardreams——themorematerialandsolidandordinarythingsare，themorethinandghostlytheyappeartome。ThenIwentonandon，turningleftandrighttoomanytimesformetoremember，tillatlastIcametoalittle，old-fashionedcourt，withtwoorthreetreesinit。Ihadtogoupafewstepstoenterit。Iwasnotafraid，becauseIknewIwasdreaming，andthatmybodywasnotthere。Itisagreatrelieftofeelthatsometimes；foritisoftenverymuchintheway。Iopenedadoor，uponwhichthemoonshoneverybright，andwalkeduptwoflightsofstairsintoabackroom。

AndthereIfoundhim，doingsomethingatatablebycandlelight。

Hehadasheetofpaperbeforehim；butwhathewasdoingwithit，Icouldnotsee。Itriedhard；butitwasofnouse。Thedreamsuddenlyfaded，andIawoke，andfoundMargaret——ThenIknewIwassafe，“sheadded，withalovingglanceathermaid。

Falconerrose。

“Iknowtheplaceyoumeanperfectly，“hesaid。“Itistoopeculiartobemistaken。Lastnight，letmesee，howdidthemoonshine？——Yes。Ishallbeabletotelltheverydoor，Ithink，oralmost。“

“Howkindofyounottolaughatme！”

“ImightmakeafoolofmyselfifIlaughedatanyone。SoI

generallyavoidit。Wemayaswellgetthegoodoutofwhatwedonotunderstand——oratleasttryiftherebeanyinit。Willyoucome，Sutherland？”

Hughrose，andtookhisleavewithFalconer。

“Howpleasedsheseemedwithyou，Falconer！”saidhe，astheyleftthehouse。

“Yes，shetouchedme。“

“Won"tyougoandseeheragain？”

“No；thereisnoneed，exceptshesendsforme。“

“Itwouldpleaseher——comforther，Iamsure。“

“ShehasgotoneofGod"sangelsbesideher，Sutherland。Shedoesn"twantme。“

“Whatdoyoumean？”

“Imeanthatmaidofhers。“

Apang——ofjealousy，wasit？——shotthroughHugh"sheart。Howcouldhesee——whatrighthadhetoseeanythinginMargaret？

Hughmighthavekepthimselfatpeace，evenifhehadlovedMargaretasmuchasshedeserved，whichwouldhavebeenabouttentimesasmuchashedid。Isamannottorecognizeanangelwhenheseesher，andtocallherbyhername？HadHughseenintothecoreofthatgrandheart——whatformsatthere，andhow——hewouldhavebeenatpeace——wouldalmosthavefallendowntodothemanhomage。Hewassilent。

“Mydearfellow！”saidFalconer，asifhedivinedhisfeeling——forFalconer"spowerovermenandwomencameallfromsympathywiththeirspirits，andnottheirnerves——“ifyouhaveanyholdofthatwoman，donotloseit；forassureasthere"sasuninheaven，sheisoneofthewingedones。Don"tIknowawomanwhenIseeher！”

Hesighedwithakindofinvoluntarysigh，whichyetdidnotseektohideitselffromHugh。

“Mydearboy，“headded，layingastressontheword，“——Iamnearlytwiceyourage——don"tbejealousofme。“

“Mr。Falconer，“saidHughhumbly，“forgiveme。Thefeelingwasinvoluntary；andifyouhavedetectedinitmorethanIwasawareof，youareatleastaslikelytoberightasIam。ButyoucannotthinkmorehighlyofMargaretthanIdo。“

AndyetHughdidnotknowhalfthegoodofherthen，thatthereaderdoesnow。

“Well，wehadbetterpartnow，andmeetagainatnight。“

“WhattimeshallIcometoyou？”

“Oh！aboutnineIthinkwilldo。“

SoHughwenthome，andtriedtoturnhisthoughtstohisstory；butEuphra，Falconer，Funkelstein，andMargaretpersistedinsittingtohim，theoneaftertheother，insteadoftheheroesandheroinesofhistale。Hewascompelledtolayitaside，andbetakehimselftoastrollandapipe。

Ashewentdownstairs，hemetMissTalbot。

“You"resoontiredofhome，Mr。Sutherland。Youhaven"tbeeninabovehalfanhour，andyou"reoutagainalready。“

“Why，yousee，MissTalbot，Iwantapipeverymuch。“

“Well，youain"tgoingtothepublichousetosmokeit，areyou？”

“No，“answeredHughlaughing。“Butyouknow，MissTalbot，youmadeitpartoftheagreementthatIshouldn"tsmokeindoors。SoI"mgoingtosmokeinthestreet。“

“Now，thinkofbeingtakenthatway！”retortedMissTalbot，withaninjuredair。“Why，thatwasbeforeIknewanythingaboutyou。Goupstairsdirectly，andsmokeyourpipe；andwhentheroomcan"tholdanymore，youcanopenthewindows。Yoursmokewon"tdoanyharm，Mr。Sutherland。ButI"mverysorryyouquarrelledwithMrs。

Appleditch。She"sahardwoman，andoverfondofhermoneyandherdrawing-room；andforthoseboysofhers——theLordhavemercyonthem，forshehasnone！Butshe"satrueChristianforallthat，anddoesapowerofgoodamongthepoorpeople。“

“Whatdoesshegivethem，MissTalbot？”

“Oh！——shegivesthem——hm-m——tractsandthings。Youknow，“sheadded，perceivingtheweaknessofherposition，“people"ssoulsshouldcomefirst。AndpoorMrs。Appleditch——yousee——somefolksismadestickierthanothers，andtheirmoneystickstothem，somehow，thattheycan"tpartwithit——poorwoman！”

TothisHughhadnoanswerathand；forthoughMissTalbot"slogicwasmorethanquestionable，hercharitywasperfectlysound；andHughfeltthathehadnotbeenforbearingenoughwiththemotherofthefuturepastors。Sohewentbacktohisroom，lightedhispipe，andsmokedtillhefellasleepoverasmallvolumeofmorbidmoderndivinity，whichMissTalbothadlenthim。Idonotmentionthenameofthebook，lestsomeofmyacquaintanceshouldabuseme，andothersit，morethaneitherdeserves。Hugh，however，foundthebestrefugefromthediseasedself-consciousnesswhichitendeavouredtorouse，andwhichisakindofspiritualsomnambulism，inanhourofGod"sgoodsleep，intoameansofwhichthebookwastemporarilyelevated。Whenhewokehefoundhimselfgreatlyrefreshedbytheinfluenceithadexerciseduponhim。

Itwasnowthehourforthedailypretenceofgoingtodine。Sohewentout。Butallhehadwassomebread，whichheateashewalkedabout。Loiteringhere，andtriflingthere，passingfiveminutesoveravolumeoneverybookstallinHolborn，andcomparingtheshapesofthemeerschaumsineverytobacconist"swindow，timeambledgentlyalongwithhim；anditstruckninejustashefoundhimselfatFalconer"sdoor。

“Youareready，then？”saidFalconer。

“Quite。“

“Willyoutakeanythingbeforeyougo？Ithinkwehadbetterhavesomesupperfirst。Itisearlyforourproject。“

ThiswasawelcomeproposaltoHugh。Coldmeatandalewereexcellentpreparativesforwhatmightberequiredofhim；foratendencytocollapseinacertainregion，calledbycourtesythechest，isnotfavourabletodeedsofvalour。Bythetimehehadspenttenminutesinthedischargeoftheagreeabledutysuggested，hefelthimselfreadyforanythingthatmightfalltohislot。

Thefriendssetouttogether；and，undertheguidanceofthetwoforemostbumpsuponFalconer"sforehead，soonarrivedattheplacehejudgedtobethatindicatedbyEuphra。ItwasverydifferentfromtheplaceHughhadpicturedtohimself。Yetineverythingitcorrespondedtoherdescription。

“Arewenotgreatfools，Sutherland，tosetoutonsuchachase，withthedreamofasickgirlforouronlyguide？”

“Iamsureyoudon"tthinkso，elseyouwouldnothavegone。“

“Ithinkwecanaffordthesmallrisktoourreputationinvolvedinthechaseofthissamewild-goose。Thereisenoughofstrangetestimonyaboutthingsofthesorttojustifyusinattendingtothehint。Besides，ifweneglectedit，itwouldbemortifyingtofindoutsomeday，perhapsahundredyearsafterthis，thatitwasatruehint。Itisaltogetherdifferentfromgivingourselvesuptothepursuitofsuchthings——Butthisoughttobethehouse，“headded，goinguptoonethathadarathermorerespectablelookthantherest。

Heknockedatthedoor。Anelderlywomanhalfopeneditandlookedatthemsuspiciously。

“Willyoutakemycardtotheforeigngentlemanwhoislodgingwithyou，andsayIamhappytowaituponhim？”saidFalconer。

Sheglancedathimagain，andturnedinwards，hesitatingwhethertoleavethedoorhalf-openornot。Falconerstoodsoclosetoit，however，thatshewasafraidtoshutitinhisface。

“Now，Sutherland，followme，“whisperedFalconer，assoonasthewomanhaddisappearedonthestair。

Hughfollowedbehindthemovingtowerofhisfriend，whostrodewithlong，noiselessstridestillhereachedthestair。Thathetookthreestepsatatime。Theywentuptwoflights，andreachedthetopjustasthewomanwaslayingherhandonthelockoftheback-roomdoor。Sheturnedandfacedthem。

“Speakoneword，“saidFalconer，inahissingwhisper，“and——“

Hecompletedthesentencebyanawfullythreateninggesture。Shedrewbackinterror，andyieldedherplaceatthedoor。

“Comein，“bawledsomeone，insecondanswertotheknockshehadalreadygiven。

“Itishe！”saidHugh，tremblingwithexcitement。

“Hush！”saidFalconer，andwentin。

Hughfollowed。Heknowthebackofthecountatonce。Hewasseatedatatable，apparentlywriting；but，goingnearer，theysawthathewasdrawing。AsinglecloserglanceshowedthemtheportraitofEuphragrowingunderhishand。Inordertointensifyhiswillandconcentrateituponher，hewasdrawingherportraitfrommemory。Butatthemomenttheycaughtsightofit，thewretch，awareofahostilepresence，sprangtohisfeet，andreachedthechimney-pieceatonebound，whencehecaughtupasword。

“Takecare，Falconer，“criedHugh；“thatweaponispoisoned。Heisnoevery-dayvillainyouhavetodealwith。“

Herememberedthecat。

FunkelsteinmadeasuddenlungeatHugh，hisfacepalewithhatredandanger。ButablowfromFalconer"shugefist，travellingfasterthanthepointofhisweapon，stretchedhimonthefloor。SuchwasFalconer"simpetus，thatithurledbothhimandthetableacrossthefallenvillain。Falconerwasupinamoment。NotsoFunkelstein。

TherewasplentyoftimeforHughtosecuretherapier，andforFalconertosecureitsowner，beforehecametohimself。

“Where"smyring？”saidHugh，themomentheopenedhiseyes。

“Gentlemen，Iprotest，“beganFunkelstein，inavoiceuponwhichthecordthatboundhiswristshadanevidentinfluence。

“Nochaff！”saidFalconer。“We"vegotallourfeathers。Handoverthetworings，orbethesecurityforthemyourself。“

“Whatwitnesshaveyouagainstme？”

“Thebestofwitnesses——MissCameron。“

“Andme，“addedHugh。

“Gentlemen，Iamverysorry。Iyieldedtotemptation。Imeanttorestorethediamondafterthejokehadbeenplayedout，butIwasforcedtopartwithit。“

“Thejokeisplayedout，yousee，“saidFalconer。“Soyouhadbetterproducetheotherbaubleyoustoleatthesametime。“

“Ihavenotgotit。“

“Come，come，that"stoomuch。Nobodywouldgiveyoumorethanfiveshillingsforit。Andyouknewwhatitwasworthwhenyoutookit。

Sutherland，youstandoverhimwhileIsearchtheroom。Thisportraitmayaswellbeputoutofthewayfirst。“

Ashespoke，Falconertoretheportraitandthrewitintothefire。

Hethenturnedtoacupboardintheroom。WhetheritwasthatFunkelsteinfearedfurtherrevelations，Idonotknow，buthequailed。

“Ihavenotgotit，“herepeated，however。

“Youlie，“answeredFalconer。

“IwouldgiveityouifIcould。“

“Youshall。“

TheBohemianlookedcontemptibleenoughnow，despitethehandsomenessofhisfeatures。Itneededfreedom，andtheabsenceofanyurgency，toenablehimtopersonateagentleman。Giventhoseconditions，hesucceeded。Butassoonashewasdisturbed，theglossvanished，andthetruenaturecameout，thatofaruffianandasneak。HequitequiveredatthelookwithwhichFalconerturnedagaintothecupboard。

“Stop，“hecried；“hereitis。“

Andmutteringwhatsoundedlikecurses，hepulledoutofhisbosomthering，suspendedfromhisneck“Sutherland，“saidFalconer，takingthering，“securethatrapier，andbecarefulwithit。Wewillhaveitspointtested。

Meantime，“——hereheturnedagaintohisprisoner——“IgiveyouwarningthatthemomentIleavethishouse，IgotoScotlandYard——Doyouknowtheplace？Ithererecommendthepolicetolookafteryou，andtheywillmindwhatIsay。IfyouleaveLondon，amessagewillbesent，whereveryougo，thatyouhadbetterbewatched。Myadvicetoyouis，tostaywhereyouareaslongasyoucan。Ishallmeetyouagain。“

Theylefthimonthefloor，tothecareofhislandlady，whomtheyfoundoutsidetheroom，speechlesswithterror。

Assoonastheywereinthesquare，onwhichthemoonwasnowshining，asithadshoneinEuphra"sdreamthenightbefore，FalconergavetheringtoHugh。

“Takeittoajeweller"s，Sutherland，andgetitcleaned，beforeyougiveittoMissCameron。“

“Iwill，“answeredHugh，andadded，“Idon"tknowhowtothankyou。“

“Thendon"t，“saidFalconer，withasmile。

Whentheyreachedtheendofthestreet，heturned，andbadeHughgoodnight。

“Takecareofthatcowardlything。Itmaybeasyousay。“

Hughturnedtowardshome。Falconerdivedintoacourt，andwasoutofsightinamoment。

CHAPTERXXI。

THELASTGROAT。

ThouhastbeenAsone，insufferingall，thatsuffersnothing；

Amanthatfortune"sbuffetsandrewardsHastta"enwithequalthanks；andblessedarethoseWhosebloodandjudgmentaresowellcommingledThattheyarenotapipeforfortune"sfingerTosoundwhatstopsheplease。

Hamlet。

Mostfriendsbefriendthemselveswithfriendship"sshow。

SOUTHWELL。

HughtooktheringtoMrs。Elton"s，andgaveitintoMargaret"shand。ShebroughthimbackamessageofwarmestthanksfromEuphra。

Shehadaskedforwritingmaterialsatonce，andwasnowcommunicatingthegoodnewstoMr。Arnold，inMadeira。

“Ihaveneverseenherlooksohappy，“addedMargaret。“Shehopestobeabletoseeyouintheevening，ifyouwouldnotmindcallingagain。“

Hughdidcall，andsawher。Shereceivedhimmostkindly。Hewasdistressedtoseehowalteredshewas。Thefireofonelifeseemeddyingout——flowingawayandspendingfromhereyes，whichitilluminatedwithtoomuchlightasitpassedout。Butthefireofanotherlife，theimmortallife，whichliesinthoughtandfeeling，intruthandlovedivine，whichdeathcannottouch，becauseitisnotofhiskind，wasgrowingasfast。Hesatwithherforanhour，andthenwent。

Thischapterofhisownhistoryconcluded，Hughreturnedwithfreshenergytohisnovel，andworkedatitashisinventiongavehimscope。Therewasthemorenecessitythatheshouldmakeprogress，fromthefactthat，havingsenthismotherthegreaterpartofthesalaryhehadreceivedfromMr。Arnold，hewasnowreducedtohislastsovereign。Povertylooksratheruglywhenshecomessocloseasthis。Butshehadnotyetaccostedhim；andwithasovereigninhispocket，andlastweek"srentpaid，abacheloriscertainlynotpoverty-stricken，atleastwhenheisasindependent，notonlyofotherpeople，butofhimself，asHughwas。Still，withoutmoremoneythanthatamanwalksinfetters，andisreadytoforgetthatthevariousrestraintsheisunderarenotincompatiblewithmosthonourablefreedom。SoHughworkedashardashecouldtofinishhisnovel，andsucceededwithinaweek。Thentherealanxietybegan。Hecarriedit，withmuchdoubtfulhope，tooneoftheprincipalpublishinghouses。Hadhebeenmoreselfishlywise，hewouldhaveputitintothehandsofFalconertonegotiateforhim。

Buthethoughthehadgivenhimquitetroubleenoughalready。Sohewentwithoutanintroductioneven。Themanuscriptwasreceivedpolitely，andattentionwaspromised。Butaweekpassed，andanother，andanother。Ahumansoulwasincommotionaboutthemeatthatperisheth——andthemanuscriptlayallthetimeunread，——forgotteninadrawer。

Atlengthhereachedhislastcoin。Hehadhadnomeatforseveraldays，exceptoncethathedinedatMrs。Elton"s。Buthewouldnotborrowtillabsolutelycompelled，andsixpencewouldkeephimaliveanotherday。Inthemorninghehadsomebreakfast(forheknewhisbookswereworthenoughtopayallheowedMissTalbot)，andthenhewanderedout。Throughthestreetshepacedandpaced，lookinginatallthesilversmiths"andprintsellers"windows，andsolacinghispovertywithafavouriteamusementofhisinuneasycircumstances，anamusementcheapenoughforaScotchmanreducedtohislastsixpence——castle-building。Thisisnotaltogetherabademploymentwherehopehaslaidthefoundation；butitisratheraheartlessonewheretheimaginationhastodrawthegroundplanaswellastheelevations。Thelatter，however，wasnotquiteHugh"sconditionyet——Hereturnedatnight，carefullyavoidingthecook-shopsandtheirkindredsnares，withasilvergroatinhispocketstill。Buthecrawledupstairsratherfeebly，itmustbeconfessed，forayouthwithlimbsmouldedinthefashionofhis。

Hefoundaletterwaitinghim，fromafriendofhismother，informinghimthatshewasdangerouslyill，andurginghimtosetoffimmediatelyforhome。Thiswasliketheblastoffierybreathfromthedragon"smaw，whichoverthrewtheRed-crossknight——butintothewelloflife，whereallhiswoundswerehealed，and——and——well——boardandlodgingprovidedhimgratis。

Whenhehadreadtheletter，hefellonhisknees，andsaidtohisfatherinheaven：“WhatamItodo？”

Therewasnolakewithgoldenpiecesinitsbottom，whenceafishmightbringhimacoin。NorinallthewideLondonlaythereonehecouldclaimashis，butthegroatinhispocket。

HerosewiththesimpleresolutiontogoandtellFalconer。Hewent。Hewasnotathome。Emboldenedbynecessity，Hughlefthiscard，withthewordsonit：“Cometome；Ineedyou。“Hethenreturned，packedafewnecessaries，andsatdowntowait。ButhehadnotsatfiveminutesbeforeFalconerentered。

“What"sthematter，Sutherland，mydearfellow？Youhaven"tprickedyourselfwiththatskewer，haveyou？”

Hughhandedhimtheletterwithonehand；andwhenhehadreadit，heldoutthefourpennypieceintheotherhand，tobereadlikewise。

Falconerunderstoodatonce。

“Sutherland，“hesaid，inatoneofreproof，“itisashameofyoutoforgetthatmenarebrothers。ArenottwowhocomeoutoftheheartofGod，ascloselyrelatedasiftheyhadlaininthewombofonemother？Whydidyounottellme？Youhavesuffered——Iamsureyouhave。“

“Ihave——alittle，“Hughconfessed。“Iamgettingratherlowinfact。Ihaven"thadquiteenoughtoeat。“

HesaidthistoexcusethetearswhichFalconer"skindness——nothunger——compelledfromtheircells。

“But，“headded，“Iwouldhavecometoyouassoonasthefourpencewasgone；oratleast，ifIhadn"tgotanotherbeforeIwasveryhungryagain。“

“Goodheavens！”exclaimedFalconer，halfangrily。Thenpullingouthiswatch，“Wehavetwohours，“saidhe，“beforeatrainstartsforthenorth。Cometomyplace。“

Hughroseandobeyed。Falconer"sattendantsoonbroughtthemaplentifulsupperfromaneighbouringshop；afterwhichFalconergotoutoneofhisbottlesofport，wellknowntohismoreintimatefriends；andHughthoughtnomoreaboutmoneythanifhehadhadhispursefull。Ifithadnotbeenforanxietyabouthismother，hewouldhavebeenhappierthanhehadeverbeeninhislifebefore。

For，crossinginthenightthewavering，heavingmorassoftheworld，hadhenotsethisfootupononespotwhichdidnotshake；

thesummit，indeed，ofamightyPlutonicrock，thatwentdownwideningawaytotheverycentreoftheearth？Ashespedalongintherailwaythatnight，theprophecyofthousandsofyearscameback：“Amanshallbeahiding-placefromthewind，acovertfromthetempest，theshadowofagreatrockinawearyland。“Andhethoughtitwouldbeablessedtimeindeed，whenthiswasjustwhatamanwas。AndthenhethoughtoftheSonofMan，who，bybeingsuchfirst，wasenablingallhisfriendstobesuchtoo。OfhimFalconerhadalreadylearnedthis“truthintheinwardparts“；andhadfound，intheprocessoflearningit，thatthiswasthetruenaturewhichGodhadmadehisfromthefirst，nonewthingsuperinduceduponit。

Hehadhadbuttoclearawaytherubbishofworldliness，whichmoreorlessburiesthebestnaturesforatime，andsotofindhimself。

AfterHughhadeatenanddrunk，andthusoncemoreexperiencedthedivinitythatlayinfoodandwine，hewenttotakeleaveofhisfriendsatMrs。Elton"s。Likemostinvalids，Euphrawasbetterintheevening：sherequestedtoseehim。Hefoundherinbed，andmuchwastedsincehesawherlast。Hecouldnotkeepthetearsfromfillinghiseyes，foralltheeventsofthatdayhadbroughtthemnearthesurface。

“Donotcry，dearfriend，“shesaidsweetly。“Thereisnoroomformehereanymore，andIamsentfor。“

Hughcouldnotreply。Shewenton：

“IhavewrittentoMr。Arnoldaboutthering，andallyoudidtogetit。DoyouknowheisgoingtomarryLadyEmily？”

StillHughcouldnotanswer。

Margaretstoodontheothersideofthebed，thegracefulembodimentofholyhealth，andinhissorrow，hecouldnothelpfeelingthebeautyofherpresence。HerlovelyhandsweretheservantsofEuphra，andherlight，firmfeetmovedonlyinministration。HefeltthatEuphrahadroomintheworldwhileMargaretwaitedonher。

Itisnothouse，andfire，andplentyofservants，andallthethingsthatmoneycanprocure，thatmakeahome——notfatherormotherorfriends；butoneheartwhichwillnotbewearyofhelping，willnotbeoffendedwiththepetulanceofsickness，northeministrationsneedfultoweakness：this“entireaffectionhatingnicerhands“willmakeahomeofacaveinarock，oragipsy"stent。ThisEuphrahadinMargaret，andHughsawit。

“Itrustyouwillfindyourmotherbetter，Hugh“saidEuphra。

“Ifearnot，“answeredhe。

“Well，Margarethasbeenteachingme，andIthinkIhavelearnedit，thatdeathisnotatallsuchadreadfulthingasitlooks。Isaidtoher："Itiseasyforyou，Margaret，whoaresofarfromdeath"sdoor。"Butshetoldmethatshehadbeenallbutdeadonce，andthatyouhadsavedherlifealmostwithyourown。Oh，Hugh！sheissuchadear！”

Euphrasmiledwithtentimesthefascinationofanyofheroldsmiles；forthesoulofthesmilewaslove。

“Ishallneverseeyouagain，Idaresay，“shewenton。“Myheartthanksyou，fromitsverydepths，foryourgoodnesstome。IthasbeenathousandtimesmorethanIdeserve。“

Hughkissedinsilencethewastedhandheldouttohiminadieu，anddeparted。Andtheworlditselfwasasadwanderingstar。

Falconerhadcalledforhim。TheydrovetoMissTalbot"s，whereHughgothis"bagofneedments，"andbadehislandladygood-byeforatime。Falconerthenaccompaniedhimtotherailway。

Havinglefthimforamoment，Falconerrejoinedhim，saying：“Ihaveyourticket；“andputhimintoafirst-classcarriage。

Hughremonstrated。Falconerreplied：

“Ifindthishulkofmineworthtakingcareof。Youwillbetwicethegoodtoyourmother，ifyoureachhertolerablyfresh。“

Hestoodbythecarriagedoortalkingtohim，tillthetrainstarted；walkedalongsidetillitwasfairlyinmotion；then，biddinghimgood-bye，leftinhishandalittlepacket，whichHugh，openingitbythelightofthelamp，foundtoconsistofafewsovereignsandafewshillingsfoldedupinatwenty-pound-note。

Ioughttotelloneotherlittlefact，however。Justbeforetheenginewhistled，FalconersaidtoHugh：

“Givemethatfourpennypiece，youbraveoldfellow！”

“Thereitis，“saidHugh。“Whatdoyouwantitfor？”

“Iamgoingtomakeawedding-presentofittoyourwife，whoevershemayhappentobe。Ihopeshewillbeworthyofit。“

Hughinstantlythoughtwithinhimself：

“WhatawifeMargaretwouldmaketoFalconer！”

Thethoughtwasfollowedbyapang，keenandclear。

Thosewhoareinthehabitofregardingtherealandtheidealasessentiallyandthereforeirreconcileablyopposed，willremarkthatIcannothavedrawntherepresentationofFalconerfaithfully。

Perhapsthedifficultytheywillexperienceinrecognizingitstruthfulness，mayspringfromthefactthattheythemselvesareun-idealenoughtobelongtothenotsmallclassofstrong-mindedfriendswhosechiefcare，inperformingthepartoftherockinthewearyland，is——nottoshelteryouimprudently。Theyareafraidofweakeningyourconstitutionbyit，especiallyifitisnotstrongtobeginwith；soiftheydojusttakeofftheedgeofthetempestwiththesharpcornersoftheirshelteringrockforamoment，thenext，theywillthrustyououtintotherain，togethardyandself-denying，bybeingwettotheskinandwellblownabout。

ThericheasilylearnthewisdomofSolomon，butareunaptscholarsofhimwhoisgreaterthanSolomon。Itis，ontheotherhand，soeasyforthepoortohelpeachother，thattheyhavelittlemeritinit：itisnovirtue——onlyabeauty。Butthereareafewrich，who，rivallingthepoorintheirownpeculiarexcellences，enterintothekingdomofheaveninspiteoftheirriches；andthenfindthatbymeansoftheirrichestheyaremaderulersovermanycities。Shetowhosememorythisbookisdedicated，is——Iwillnotsaywas——oneofthenoblestofsuch。

Therearetwowaysofaccountingforthedifficultywhichareadermayfindinbelievinginsuchacharacter：eitherthat，notbeingpoor，hehasneverneededsuchafriend；orthat，beingrich，hehasneverbeensuchafriend。

Orifitbethat，beingpoor，hehasneverfoundsuchafriend；hisdifficultyiseasytoremove：——Ihave。

CHAPTERXXII。

DEATH。

Thinkthen，mysoul，thatdeathisbutagroomWhichbringsatapertotheoutwardroom，Whencethouspy"stfirstalittleglimmeringlight；

Andafterbringsitnearertothysight：

Forsuchapproachesdothheavenmakeindeath。

DR。DONNE。

Hughfoundhismotherevenworsethanhehadexpected；butsheralliedalittleafterhisarrival。

Intheevening，hewanderedoutinthebrightmoonlitsnow。

Howstrangeitwastoseealltheoldformswithhisheartsofullofnewthings！Thesamehillsroseabouthim，withallthelinesoftheirshapesunchangedinseeming。Yettheywerechangingassurelyashimself；nay，hecontinuedmorethesamethanthey；forinhimtheoldformswerefoldedupinthenew。IntheeyesofHimwhocreatestime，thereisnorest，butalivingsacredchange，ajourneyingtowardsrest。Healonerests；andhealone，invirtueofhisrest，createschange。

Hethoughtwithsadness，howallthehauntsofhischildhoodwouldpasstoothers，whowouldfeelnoloveorreverenceforthem；thatthehousewouldbethesame，butsoundingwithnewsteps，andringingwithnewlaughter。Alittlefurtherthought，however，soonsatisfiedhimthatplacesdieaswellastheirdwellers；that，byslowdegrees，theirformsarewipedout；thatthenewtastesobliteratetheoldfashions；andthaterelongtheveryshapeofthehouseandfarmwouldbelapped，asitwere，aboutthetombofhimwhohadbeenthesouloftheshape，andwouldvanishfromthefaceoftheearth。

Alltheoldthingsathomelookedsad。Thelookcamefromthis，that，thoughhecouldsympathizewiththemandtheirstory，theycouldnotsympathizewithhim，andhesuffusedthemwithhisownsadness。Hecouldfindnorefugeinthepast；hemustgoonintothefuture。

Hismotherlingeredforsometimewithoutanyevidentchange。Hesatbyherbedsidethemostoftheday。Allshewantedwastohavehimwithinreachofherfeeblevoice，thatshemight，whenshepleased，drawhimwithintouchofherfeeblehand。Onceshesaid：

“Myboy，Iamgoingtoyourfather。“

“Yes，mother，Ithinkyouare，“Hughreplied。“Howgladhewillbetoseeyou！”

“ButIshallleaveyoualone。“

“Mother，IloveGod。“

Themotherlookedathim，asonlyamothercanlook，smiledsweetly，closedhereyesaswiththeweightofhercontentment，fellasleepholdinghishand，andsleptforhours。

Meanwhile，inLondon，MargaretwaswatchingEuphra。Shewasdying，andMargaretwastheangeloflifewatchingoverher。

“Ishallgetridofmylamenessthere，Margaret，shallInot？”saidEuphra，oneday，halfplayfully。

“Yes，dear。“

“Itwillbedelightfultowalkagainwithoutpain。“

“Perhapsyouwillnotgetridofitallatonce，though。“

“Whydoyouthinkso？”askedEuphra，withsomeappearanceofuneasiness。

“Because，ifitistakenfromyoubeforeyouarequitewillingtohaveitaslongasGodpleases，byandbyyouwillnotbeabletorest，tillyouhaveaskedforitbackagain，thatyoumaybearitforhissake。“

“Iamwilling，Margaret，Iamwilling。Onlyonecan"tlikeit，youknow。“

“Iknowthat，“answeredMargaret。

Shespokenomore，andMargaretheardherweepinggently。Halfanhourhadpassedaway，whenshelookedup，andsaid：

“Margaret，dear，Ibegintolikemylameness，Ithink。“

“Why，dear？”

“Why，justbecauseGodmadeit，andbademebearit。MayInotthinkitisamarkonmefromhishand？”

“Yes，Ithinkso。“

“Whydoyouthinkitcameonme？”

“TowalkbacktoHimwith，dear。“

“Yes，yes；Iseeitall。“

Untilnow，MargarethadnotknowntowhatadegreethelamenessofEuphrahadtroubledher。Thatherprettyancleshouldbedeformed，andherlightfootableonlytolimp，hadbeenasourceofrealdistresstoher，eveninthemidstoffardeeper。

Thedayspassedon，andeverydayshegrewweaker。Shedidnotsuffermuch，butnothingseemedtodohergood。Mrs。Eltonwaskindnessitself。Harrywasindreadfuldistress。Hehauntedherroom，creepinginwheneverhehadachance，andsittingincornersoutoftheway。Euphralikedtohavehimnearher。Sheseldomspoketohim，ortoanyonebutMargaret，forMargaretalonecouldhearwitheasewhatshesaid。Butnowandthenshewouldmotionhimtoherbedside，andsay——itwasalwaysthesame——

“Harry，dear，begood。“

“Iwill；indeedIwill，dearEuphra，“wasstillHarry"sreply。

Once，expressingtoMargaretherregretthatsheshouldbesuchatroubletoher，shesaid：

“Youhavetodosomuchforme，thatIamashamed。“

“Doletmewashthefeetofoneofhisdisciples；“Margaretreplied，gentlyexpostulating；afterwhich，Euphranevergrumbledatherowndemandsuponher。

Again，oneday，shesaid：

“Iamnotrightatallto-day，Margaret。Godcan"tloveme，Iamsohateful。“

“Don"tmeasureGod"smindbyyourown，Euphra。Itwouldbeapoorlovethatdependednotonitself，butonthefeelingsofthepersonloved。Acryingbabyturnsawayfromitsmother"sbreast，butshedoesnotputitawaytillitstopscrying。Sheholdsitcloser。

Formypart，intheworstmoodIameverin，whenIdon"tfeelI

loveGodatall，Ijustlookuptohislove。Isaytohim："Lookatme。SeewhatstateIamin。Helpme！”Ah！youwouldwonderhowthatmakespeace。Andthelovecomesofitself；sometimessostrong，itnearlybreaksmyheart。“

“ButthereisatextIdon"tlike。“

“Takeanother，then。“

“Butitwillkeepcoming。“

“GiveitbacktoGod，andnevermindit。“

“Butwouldthatberight？”

“Oneday，whenIwasalittlegirl，sohigh，Icouldn"teatmyporridge，andsatlookingatit。"Eatyourporridge，"saidmymother。"Idon"twantit，"Ianswered。"There"snothingelseforyou，"saidmymother——forshehadnotlearnedsomuchfrommyfatherthen，asshedidbeforehedied。"Hoots！"saidmyfather——Icannot，dearEuphra，makehiswordsintoEnglish。“

“No，no，don"t，“saidEuphra；“Ishallunderstandthemperfectly。“

“"Hoots！Janet，mywoman！"saidmyfather。"Giethebairnadisho"

tay。Wadnayelikesometay，Maggy，mydoo？""AywadI，"saidI。

"Theparritchisguideneuch，“saidmymother。"Naedootaboottheparritch，woman；it"sthebairn"sstamack，it"snotheparritch。"

Mymothersaidnomore，butmademeacupofsuchnicetea；forwhenevershegavein，shegaveinquite。Idrankit；and，halffromanxietytopleasemymother，halffromrevivinghunger，attackedtheporridgenext，andateitup。"Leukatthat！"saidmyfather。

"Janet，mywoman，gieabodytheguidthattheycantak"，an"

they"llsunetak"theguidthattheycanna。Ye"rebetternoo，Maggy，mydoo？"InevertoldhimthatIhadtakentheporridgetoosoonafterall，andhadtocreepintothewood，andbesick。Butitisallthesameforthestory。“

Euphralaughedafeeblebutdelightedlaugh，andappliedthestoryforherself。

Sothewinterdayspassedon。

“IwishIcouldlivetillthespring，“saidEuphra。“Ishouldliketoseeasnowdropandaprimroseagain。“

“Perhapsyouwill，dear；butyouaregoingintoabetterspring。I

couldalmostenvyyou，Euphra。“

“Butshallwehavespringthere？”

“Ithinkso。“

“Andspring-flowers？”

“Ithinkweshall——betterthanhere。“

“Buttheywillnotmeansomuch。“

“Thentheywon"tbesogood。ButIshouldthinktheywouldmeaneversomuchmore，andbeeversomuchmorespring-like。Theywillbethespring-flowerstoallwintersinone，Ithink。“

Foldedintheloveofthiswoman，anointedforherdeathbyherwisdom，baptizedforthenewlifebyhersympathyanditstears，EuphradiedinthearmsofMargaret。

Margaretwept，fellonherknees，andgaveGodthanks。Mrs。Eltonwassodistressed，that，assoonasthefuneralwasover，shebrokeupherLondonhousehold，sendingsomeoftheservantshometothecountry，andtakingsometoherfavouritewateringplace，towhichHarryalsoaccompaniedher。

Shehopedthat，nowtheaffairoftheringwasclearedup，shemight，assoonasHughreturned，succeedinpersuadinghimtofollowthemtoDevonshire，andresumehistutorship。ThiswouldsatisfyheranxietyaboutHughandHarryboth。

Hugh"smotherdiedtoo，andwasburied。Whenhereturnedfromthegravewhichnowheldbothfatherandmother，hefoundashortnotefromMargaret，tellinghimthatEuphrawasgone。Sorrowiseasiertobearwhenitcomesuponsorrow；buthecouldnothelpfeelingakeenadditionalpang，whenhelearnedthatshewasdeadwhomhehadlovedonce，andnowlovedbetter。Margaret"snoteinformedhimlikewisethatEuphrahadleftawrittenrequest，thatherdiamondringshouldbegiventohimtowearforhersake。

Hepreparedtoleavethehomewhenceallthehomenesshadnowvanished，exceptwhatindeedlingeredinthepresenceofanoldnurse，whohadremainedfaithfultohismothertothelast。Thebodyitselfisoflittlevalueafterthespirit，thelove，isoutofit：sothehouseandalltheoldthingsarelittleenough，afterthelovedonesaregonewhokeptitaliveandmadeithome。

AllthatHughcoulddoforthisoldnursewastofurnishacottageforheroutofhismother"sfurniture，givinghereverythingshelikedbest。Thenhegatheredthelittlehouseholdtreasures，thefewbooks，thefewportraitsandornaments，hisfather"ssword，andhismother"swedding-ring；destroyedwithsacredfireallwrittenpapers；soldtheremainderofthefurniture，whichhewouldgladlyhaveburnttoo，andsoproceededtotakehislastdeparturefromthehomeofhischildhood。

CHAPTERXXIII。

NATUREANDHERLADY。

DieFrauensindeinlieblichesGeheimniss，nurverh黮lt，nichtverschlossen——NOVALIS-MoralischeAnsichten。

Womenarealovelymystery——veiled，however，notshutup。

Hertwilightsweremoreclearthanourmid-day；

Shedreamtdevoutlierthanmostusedtopray。

DR。DONNE。

PerhapsthegreatestbenefitthatresultedtoHughfrombeingthusmadeapilgrimandastrangerintheearth，was，thatNatureherselfsawhim，andtookhimin，Hitherto，asIhavealreadysaid，Hugh"sacquaintancewithNaturehadbeenchieflyasecond-handone——heknewfriendsofhers。Natureinpoetry——notintheformofThomsonianorCowperiandescriptions，goodastheyare，butcloselyinterwovenwithandexpositoryofhumanthoughtandfeeling——hadlongbeendeartohim。Inthisformhehadbelievedthatheknewhersowell，astobeabletoreproducethelineamentsofherbelovedface。Butnowsheherselfappearedtohim——thegrand，pure，tendermother，ancientinyears，yeteveryoung；appearedtohim，notinthemirrorofaman"swords，butbendingoverhimfromthefathomlessbosomofthesky，fromtheoutspreadarmsoftheforest-trees，fromthesilentjudgmentoftheeverlastinghills。Shespoketohimfromthedepthsofair，fromthewindsthatharpupontheboughs，andtrumpetuponthegreatcaverns，andfromthestreamsthatsingastheygotobelostinrest。Shewouldhaveshoneuponhimoutoftheeyesofherinfants，theflowers，buttheyhadtheirfacesturnedtoherbreastnow，hidingfromthepaleblueeyesandthefreezingbreathofoldWinter，whowaslookingforthemwithhisfacebentclosetotheirrefuge。Andhefeltthatshehadapowertohealandtoinstruct；

yea，thatshewasapoweroflife，andcouldspeaktotheheartandconsciencemightywordsaboutGodandTruthandLove。

Forhedidnotforsakehisdeadhomeinhaste。Helingeredoverit，androamedaboutitsneighbourhood。Regardingallabouthimwithquiet，almostpassivespirit，hewasastonishedtofindhowhiseyesopenedtoseenatureinthemass。Before，hehadbeheldonlyportionsandbeauties。Whenorhowthechangepasseduponhimhecouldnottell。Buthenolongerlookedforaprettyeyebroworalovelyliponthefaceofnature：thesoulofnaturelookedoutuponhimfromtheharmonyofall，guidinghimunsoughttothediscoveryofathousandseparatedelights；whilefromtheexpandedvisionnewmeaningsflasheduponhimeveryday。HebeheldinthegreatAlltheexpressionofthethoughtsandfeelingsofthemakeroftheheavensandtheearthandtheseaandthefountainsofwater。Thepowersoftheworldtocome，thatis，theworldofunseentruthandidealreality，wereuponhiminthepresenceoftheworldthatnowis。

Forthefirsttimeinhislife，hefeltathomewithnature；andwhilehecouldmoanwiththewintrywind，henolongersighedinthewintrysunshine，thatforetold，likethefar-offflutterofaherald"sbanner，theapproachofvictoriouslady-spring。

Withthesorrowandlonelinessoflosswithinhim，andNaturearoundhimseemingtosighforafullerexpressionofthethoughtthatthrobbedwithinher，itisnowonderthattheformofMargaret，thegatheringofthethousandformsofnatureintooneintensityandharmonyofloveliness，shouldriseagainupontheworldofhisimagination，tosetnomore。Fatherandmotherweregone。Margaretremainedbehind。Naturelayaroundhimlikeashiningdisk，thatneededavisiblecentreofintensestlight——ashieldofsilver，thatneededbutadiamondboss：Margaretalonecouldbethatcentre——thatdiamondlight-giver；forshealone，ofallthewomenheknew，seemedsotodrinkofthesun-raysofGod，astoradiatethemforth，forveryfulness，uponthecloudedworld。

Shehaddawnedonhimlikeasweetcrescentmoon，hangingfar-offinacoldandlowhorizon：now，liftinghiseyes，hesawthatsamemoonnearlyatthefull，andhighoverhead，yetleaningdowntowardshimthroughthedeepblueair，thatoverflowedwithhercalmtriumphoflight。Heknewthathelovedhernow。Heknewthateveryplacehewentthrough，caughtaglimmerofromancethemomenthethoughtofher；thateverymosttriflingeventthathappenedtohimself，lookedlikeapieceofastory-bookthemomenthethoughtoftellingittoher。Butthegrowthofthesefeelingshadbeengradual——soslowandgradual，thatwhenherecognizedthem，itseemedtohimasifhehadfeltthemfromthefirst。Thefactwas，thatassoonashebegantobecapableoflovingMargaret，hehadbeguntoloveher。Hehadneverbeenabletounderstandhertillhewasdrivenintothedesert。ButnowthatNaturerevealedherselftohimfullofLife，yea，oftheLifeofLife，namely，ofGodhimself，itwasnaturalthatheshouldhonourandlovethat"ladyofherown"；thatheshouldrecognizeMargaretasgreaterthanhimself，asnearertotheheartofNature——yea，ofGodthefatherofall。ShehadbeenonewithNaturefromchildhood，andwhenhebegantobeonewithnaturetoo，hemustbecomeonewithher。

Andnow，inabsence，hebegantostudythecharacterofherwhom，inpresence，hehadthoughtheknewperfectly。HesoonfoundthatitwasaManoa，agoldencityinalandofParadise——toogoodtobebelievedin，exceptbyhimwhowasblessedwiththebeholdingofit。

Heknewnowthatshehadalwaysunderstoodwhathewasonlyjustwakingtorecognize。Andhefeltthatthescholarhadbeenverypatientwiththestupidityofthemaster，andhaddrawnfromhislessonsanourishmentofwhichhehadknownnothinghimself。

Butdaredhethinkofmarryingher，acreatureinspiredwithapresenceoftheSpiritofGodwhichnonebutthesaintsenjoy，andthenceclothedwithagarmentofbeauty，whichherspiritwoveoutofitsownloveliness？Shewasabeingtoglorifyanymanmerelybygrantinghimherhabitualpresence：what，then，ifshegaveherlove！ShewouldbringwithherthepresenceofGodhimself，forshewalkedeverinhislight，andthatlightclungtoherandradiatedfromher。True，manyyoungmaidensmustbewalkinginthesunshineofGod，elsewhencethelightandlovelinessandbloom，thesmileandthelaughoftheiryouth？ButMargaretnotonlywalkedinthislight：sheknewitandwhenceitcame。Shelookeduptoitssource，anditilluminatedherface。

Thesilentgirlofolddays，whosecountenanceworethestillnessofanunsunnedpool，asshelistenedwithreverencetohislessons，hadblossomedintothecalm，statelywoman，beforewhosepresencehefeltrebukedheknewnotwhy，uponwhosefacelayslumberingthought，everreadytowakeintolifeandmotion。Daredheloveher？Daredhetellherthathelovedher？Daredhe，sopoor，soworthless，seekforhimselfsuchaworld"streasure？——Hemighthaveknownthatworthdoesnotneedhonour；thatitslowlinessiscontentwithascribingit。

SomeofmyreadersmaybeinclinedtothinkthatIhide，forthesakeofmyhero——poorlittlehero，oneofGod"schildren，learningtowalk——aninevitablestrugglebetweenhisloveandhispride；

inasmuchas，beingbutatutor，hemightbeexpectedtothinkthemoreofhisgoodfamily，andthepossibilityofhisonedaycomingtohonourwithoutthedrawbackofhavingdoneanythingtomeritit，atitlebeingalmostwithinhisgrasp；whileMargaretwasaploughman"sdaughter，andalady"smaid。But，althoughIknowmoreofHugh"sfaultsthanIhavethoughtitatallnecessarytobringoutinmystory，Iprotestthat，hadhebeencapableofgivingthenameoflovetoafeelinginwhosepresencepridedaredtospeak，I

shouldhaveconsideredhimunworthyofmypoorpen。Inplainlanguage，IdoubtifIshouldhavecaredtowritehisstoryatall。

Hegatheredtogether，asIhavesaid，thefewmemorialsoftheoldshipgonedowninthequietoceanoftime；paidonevisitofsorrowfulgladnesstohisparent"sgrave，overwhichheraisednofutilestone——leavingit，liketheformswithinit，inthehandsofholydecay；andtookhisroad——whither？ToMargaret"shome——toseeoldJanet；andtogooncetothegraveofhissecondfather。ThenhewouldreturntothetoilandhungerandhopeofLondon。

WhatmadeHughgotoTurriepuffit？HislovetoMargaret？No。A

bettermotiveeventhanthat：——Repentance。BetterImeanforHughastotheindividualoccasion；notinitself；forloveisdeeperthanrepentance，seeingthatwithoutlovetherecanbenorepentance。Hehadrepentedbefore；butnowthathehauntedinsilencetheregionsofthepast，thewholeofhishistoryinconnectionwithDavidreturnedonhimclearandvivid，asifpassingonceagainbeforehiseyesandthroughhisheart；andherepentedmoredeeplystill。Perhapshewasnotquitesomuchtoblameashethoughthimself。Perhapsonlynowwasitpossiblefortheseedsoftruth，whichDavidhadsowninhisheart，toshowthemselvesabovethesoiloflower，yetministeringcares。Theyhadneededtolieawinterlongintheearth。Nowthekeenblastsandgridingfrostshaddonetheirwork，andtheybegantogrowinthetearfulprime。

Sorrowforlossbroughtinhertrainsorrowforwrong——asistermoresolemnstill，andwithadeeperblessinginthevoiceofherlovingfarewell——Itisagreatmistaketosupposethatsorrowisapartofrepentance。Itisfartoogoodagracetocomesoeasily。

Amanmayrepent，thatis，thinkbetterofit，andchangehisway，andbeverymuchofaPharisee——Idonotsayahypocrite——foralongtimeafter：itneedsasainttobesorrowful。Yetrepentanceisgenerallytheroadtothissorrow——Andnowthatinthegracioustimeofgrief，hiseyesightpurifiedbytears，heenteredoneafteranotherallthechambersofthepast，hehumblyrenewedoncemorehisfriendshipwiththenobledead，andwiththehomely，heartfulliving。Thegrey-headedmanwhowalkedwithGodlikeachild，andwithhisfellow-menlikeanelderbrotherwhowasalwaysforgettinghisbirthrightandservingtheyounger；thewomanwhobelievedwhereshecouldnotsee，andlovedwhereshecouldnotunderstand；andthemaidenwhowasstillandlustreless，becausesheeverabsorbedandseldomreflectedthelight——allcametohim，asiftocomforthimoncemoreinhisloneliness，whenhishearthadroomforthem，andneedofthemyetagain。Davidnowbecame，afterhisdeparture，yetmoreofafathertohimthanbefore，forthatspirit，whichisthetruesoulofallthisbodyofthings，hadbeguntorecalltohismindthewordsofDavid，andsoteachhimthethingsthatDavidknew，theeverlastingrealitiesofGod。Anditseemedtohimthewhile，thatheheardDavidhimselfuttering，inhishomely，kinglyvoice，whatevertruthreturnedtohimfromtheecho-caveofthepast。Evenwhenaquitenewthoughtarosewithinhim，itcametohiminthevoiceofDavid，oratleastwiththesolemnmusicofhistonesclingingaboutitasthemurmurabouttheriver"scourse。

ExperiencehadnowbroughthimuptothepointwherehecouldbegintoprofitbyDavid"scommunion；heneededthethingswhichDavidcouldteachhim；andDavidbeganforthwithtogivethemtohim。

Thatbirthofnatureinhissoul，whichenabledhimtounderstandandloveMargaret，helpedhimlikewisetocontemplatewithadmirationandawe，thetoweringpeaksofDavid"shopes，trusts，andaspirations。Hehadtaughttheploughmanmathematics，butthatploughmanhadpossessedinhimselfalltheessentialelementsofthegrandeuroftheoldprophets，glorifiedbythefaithwhichtheSonofMandidnotfindintheearth，butleftbehindhimtogrowinit，andwhichhadgrowntoanoblegrowthofbeautyandstrengthinthispeasant，simpleandpatriarchalinthemidstofaself-conceitedage。And，oh！howgoodhehadbeentohim！Hehadbuiltahousethathemighttakehiminfromthecold，andmakelifepleasanttohim，asinthepresenceofGod。Hehadgivenhimhishearteverytimehegavehimhisgreatmanlyhand。Andthisman，thisfriend，thispresenceofChrist，Hughhadforsaken，neglected，allbutforgotten。Hecouldnotgo，and，liketheprodigal，falldownbeforehim，andsay，“Father，Ihavesinnedagainstheavenandthee，“forthatheavenhadtakenhimupoutofhissight。Hecouldonlyweepinstead，andbitterlyrepent。Yes；therewasonethingmorehecoulddo。Janetstilllived。Hewouldgotoher，andconfesshissin，andbegherforgiveness。Receivingit，hewouldbeatpeace。HeknewDavidforgavehim，whetherheconfessedornot；

andthat，ifhewerealive，Davidwouldseekhisconfessiononlyasthecastingawayoftheseparationfromhisheart，asthebanishmentoftheworldlyspirit，andasthenaturalsignbywhichhemightknowthatHughwasonewithhimyet。

JanetwasDavid"srepresentativeonearth：hewouldgotoher。

Sohereturned，richandgreat；richinknowingthathewasthechildofHimtowhomallthegoldminesbelong；andgreatinthathumilitywhichalonerecognizesgreatness，andinthebeginningsofthatmeeknesswhichshallinherittheearth。Nomorewouldhestunthisspiritualgrowthbyself-satisfaction。Nomorewouldhelayaside，inthecellarsofhismind，poorwitheredbulbsofopinions，which，butfortheevilministrationsofthatself-satisfaction，seekingtopreservethembydryingandsalting，mighthavebeenalreadyburstingintoblossomsoftruth，ofinfiniteloveliness。

HeknewthatMargaretthoughtfartoowellofhim——honouredhimgreatlybeyondhisdeserts。Hewouldnotallowhertobeanylongerthusdeceived。Hewouldtellherwhatapoorcreaturehewas。Buthewouldsay，too，thathehopedonedaytobeworthyofherpraise，thathehopedtogrowtowhatshethoughthim。Ifheshouldfailinconvincingher，hewouldreceiveallthehonourshegavehimhumbly，aspaid，nottohim，buttowhatheoughttobe。Godgrantitmightbeastohisfutureself！

InthismoodhewenttoJanet。

CHAPTERXXIV。

THEFIR-WOODAGAIN。

ErstandvorderhimmlischenJungfrau。Dahoberdenleichten，gl鋘zendenSchleir，und——Rosenbl黷hchensankinseineArme——Novalis——DieLehrlingezuSais。

HestoodbeforetheheavenlyVirgin(Isis，theGoddessofNature)。

Thenliftedhethelight，shiningveil，and——Rosebud(hisoldlove)

sankintohisarms。

Sowomanly，sobenigne，andsomeek。

CHAUCER——Prol。toLeg。ofGoodWomen。

Itwaswithaminglingofstrangeemotions，thatHughapproachedthesceneofthosenotveryold，andyet，tohisfeeling，quiteearlymemories。Theduskwasbeginningtogather。Thehoar-frostlaythickontheground。Thepine-treesstoodupinthecold，looking，intheirgarmentofspikes，asifthefrosthadmadethem。Therimeonthegatewasunfriendly，andchilledhishand。Heturnedintothefootpath。HesaytheroomDavidhadbuiltforhim。Itsthatchwasonemassofmosses，whosecolourswerehiddennowinthecuckoo-fruitofthefrost。Alas！howDeathhadcasthisdeeperfrostoverall；forthemanwasgonefromthehearth！ButneitheroldWinternorskeletonDeathcanwithholdthefeetofthelittlechildSpring。Sheisstrongerthanboth。Loveshallconquerhate；

andGodwillovercomesin。

Hedrewnighttothedoor，trembling。Itseemedstrangetohimthathisnervesonly，andnothismind，shouldfeel——Inmomentsofunusualexcitement，itsometimeshappensthattheonlyconsciousnessastrongmanhasofemotion，liesinanunwontedphysicalvibration，theminditselfrefusingtobedisturbed。Itis，however，butaseeming：theemotionissodeep，thatconsciousnesscanlayholdofitsphysicalresultonly——Thecottagelookedthesameasever，onlythepeat-stackoutsidewassmaller。Intheshadowinessofthefirs，theglimmerofafirewasjustdiscernibleonthekitchenwindow。

Hetrembledsomuchthathecouldnotenter。Hewouldgointothefir-woodfirst，andseeMargaret"stree，ashealwayscalleditinhisthoughtsanddreams。

Verypoorandstuntedandmeagrelookedthefir-treesofTurriepuffit，afterthebeechesandelmsofArnstead。Theeveningwindwhistledkeenandcoldthroughtheirdryneedles，andmadethemmoan，asifbecausetheywerefettered，andmustendurethewinterinhelplesspatience。Hereandthereamongstthem，rosetheTitansofthelittleforest——thehuge，old，contorted，wizard-like，yetbenevolentbeings——theScotchfirs。Towardsoneofthesehebenthisway。ItwastheoneunderwhichhehadseenMargaret，whenhemetherfirstinthewood，withherwholesoullostinthewavingofitswind-swung，sun-lightedtop，floatingaboutintheseaofairlikeagoldennestforsomesilverybirdofheaven。Tothinkthattheyounggirltowhomhehadgiventheprimrosehehadjustfound，thethenfirst-bornoftheSpring，shouldnowbethequeenofhisheart！Herchildishdreamoftheangelhauntingthewoodhadbeentrue，onlyshewastheangelherself。Hedrewneartheplace。Howwellheknewit！Heseatedhimself，coldasitwasintheFebruaryofScotland，atthefootoftheblessedtree。Hedidnotknowthatitwascold。

Whilehesatwithhiseyesfixedontheground，alightrustleinthefallenleavesmadehimraisethemsuddenly。Itwasallwinterandfallenleavesabouthim；butheliftedhiseyes，andinhissoulitwassummer：Margaretstoodbeforehim。Hewasnotintheleastsurprised。Forhowcanonewondertoseebeforehiseyes，theformofwhichhissoulisfull？——thereisnoshock。Shestoodalittlewayoff，looking——asifshewantedtobesurebeforeshemovedastep。Shewasdressedinagreywinseygown，closetoherthroatandwrists。Shehadneithershawlnorbonnet。Herfinehealthkeptherwarm，eveninawinterwoodatsun-down。Shelookedjustthesame；——athomeeverywhere；mostathomeinNature"ssecretchamber。

Likethegeniusoftheplace，shemadethewinter-woodlookhomely。

WhatweretheoaksandbeechesofArnsteadnow？HomelinessandgloryareHeaven。

Shecamenearer。

“Margaret！”hemurmured，andwouldhaverisen。

“No，no；sitstill，“sherejoined，inapleadingtone。“Ithoughtitwastheangelinthepicture。NowIknowit。Sitstill，dearMr。

Sutherland，onemomentmore。“

Humbledbyhissenseofunworthiness，andalittledistressedthatshecouldsoquietlyrevealthedepthofherfeelingtowardshim，hesaid：

“Ah，Margaret！Iwishyouwouldnotpraiseonesolittledeservingit。“

“Praise？”sherepeated，withanaccentofwonder。“Ipraiseyou！

No，Mr。Sutherland；thatIamnotguiltyof。Nexttomyfather，youmademeknowandfeel。AndasIwalkedhere，Iwasthinkingoftheoldtimes，andoldertimesstill；andallatonceIsawtheverypictureoutoftheoldBible。“

Shecameclosetohimnow。Herose，trembling，butheldoutnohand，utterednogreeting。

“Margaret，dareIloveyou？”hefaltered。

Shelookedathimwithwide-openeyes。

“Me？”shesaid；andhereyesdidnotmovefromhis。Aslightrose-flushbloomedoutonhermotionlessface。

“Willyoubemywife？”hesaid，tremblingyetmore。

Shemadenoanswer，butlookedathimstill，withpartedlips，motionless。

“Iamverypoor，Margaret。Icouldnotmarrynow。“

Itwasastupidspeech，buthemadeit。

“Idon"tcare，“sheanswered，withavoicelikethinking，“ifyounevermarryme。“

Hemisunderstoodher，andturnedcoldtotheveryheart。Hemisunderstoodherstillness。Herheartlaysodeep，thatittookalongtimeforitsfeelingstoreachandagitatethesurface。Hesaidnomore，butturnedawaywithasigh。

“Comehometomymother，“shesaid。

Heobeyedmechanically，andwalkedinsilencebyherside。Theyreachedthecottageandentered。Margaretsaid：“Hereheis，mother；“anddisappeared。

Janetwasseated——inherwidow"smutch，withtheplainblackribbondownbothsides，androundtheback——inthearm-chairbythefire，ponderingonthepast，orgentlydreamingofhimthatwasgone。Sheturnedherhead。Sorrowhadbaptizedherfacewithanewgentleness。Thetenderexpressionwhichhadbeenbutoccasionalwhileherhusbandlived，wasalmostconstantnow。ShedidnotrecognizeHugh。Hesawit，anditaddedweighttohisdespair。Hewasleftoutside。

“Mother！”hesaid，involuntarily。

Shestartedtoherfeet，cried：“Mybairn！mybairn！”threwherarmsaroundhim，andlaidherheadonhisbosom。Hughsobbedasifhisheartwouldbreak。Janetwept，butherweepingwasquietasasummerrain。Heledhertoherchair，kneltbyherside，andhidinghisfaceinherlaplikeachild，falteredout，interruptedbyconvulsivesobs：

“Forgiveme；forgiveme。Idon"tdeserveit，butforgiveme。“

“Hootawa！mybairn！mybonnyman！Dinnagreetthatgait。TheLordpreserve"s！whatareyegreetin"for？Arenayecomehametoyerain？DidnaDawvidayesay——"Gietheladtime，woman。It"suncochaip，fortheLord"sayemakin"t。Thebestthingsisayethemaistplentifu"。Gietheladtime，mybonnywoman！"——didnahesaythat？

Ay，heca"dmehisbonnywoman，illasIdeserveditathishan"。

An"it"snoformetosayaewordagenyou，MaisterSutherlan"，ginyehadbeenahantlewaurnorayoungthochtlessladcudnaweelhelpbein"。An"nooye"recomehame，an"nothingcudglaiddenmyheartmair，"cep"，maybe，theMaisterhimsel"wastosaytomyman：

"Dawvid！comefurth。"“

Hughcouldmakenoreply。HegotholdofMargaret"screepie，whichstoodinitsusualplace，andsatdownuponit，attheoldwoman"sfeet。Shegazedinhisfaceforawhile，andthen，puttingherarmroundhisneck，drewhisheadtoherbosom，andfondledhimasifhehadbeenherownfirst-born。

“Buteh！yerbonniefaceissharpan"sma"towhatitusedtobe，MaisterSutherlan"。Idootyehaecomethroughaheapo"trouble。“

“I"lltellyouallaboutit，“saidHugh。

“Na，na；bidestillawee。Ikena"abootitfraeMaggy。An"guidpreserve"s！ye"recleanperishedwi"cauld。Latmeup，mybairn。“

Janetrose，andmadeupthefire，whichsooncastajoyfulglowthroughouttheroom。Thepeat-fireinthelittlecottagewasagoodsymboloftheheartofitsmistress：itgavefarmoreheatthanlight。Andformypart，dearaslightis，Ilikeheatbetter。Shethenputonthekettle，——ortheboilerIthinkshecalledit——saying：

“I"mjistgaein"tomak"yeacupo"tay，Mr。Sutherlan"。It"sthehandiestthing，yeken。An"Idootye"remuckleinwanto"

something。Wadyenotak"adrappyooto"thebottle，i"themanetime？”

“No，thankyou，“saidHugh，wholongedtobealone，forhisheartwascoldasice；“Iwouldratherwaitforthetea；butIshouldbegladtohaveagoodwash，aftermyjourney。“

“Comeyerwa"s，than，benthehoose。I"lljistgangan"getadrappyo"hetwaterinadecanter。Bideyestillbythefire。“

Hughstood，andgazedintothepeat-fire。Buthesawnothinginit。

Alightsteppassedhimseveraltimes，buthedidnotheedit。Theloveliesteyeslookedearnestlytowardshimastheypassed，buthiswerenotliftedtomeettheirgaze。

“Noo，MaisterSutherlan"，comethisway。“

Hughwasleftaloneatlength，intheroomwhereDavidhadslept，whereDavidhadusedtopray。Hefellonhisknees，androsecomfortedbythewillofGod。AfewthingsofMargaret"swereabouttheroom。ThedresshehadseenherinatMrs。Elton"s，washangingbythebed。Hekissedthefoldsofthegarment，andsaid：“God"swillbedone。“HehadjustfinishedahastyablutionwhenJanetcalledhim。

“Comeawa"，MaisterSutherlan"；comebentoyerainchaumer，“saidshe，leadingthewaytotheroomshestillcalledthestudy。

Margaretwasthere。Theroomwasjustashehadleftit。Abrightfirewasonthehearth。Teawasonthetable，witheggs，andoatcakes，andflour-sconsinabundance；forJanethadthebestshecouldgetforMargaret，whowasonlyherguestforalittlewhile。

ButHughcouldnoteat。Janetlookeddistressed，andMargaretglancedathimuneasily。

“Doeatsomething，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMargaret。

Hughlookedatherinvoluntarily。Shedidnotunderstandhislook，anditalarmedher。Hiscountenancewaschanged。

“Whatisthematter，dear——Hugh？”shesaid，rising，andlayingherhandonhisshoulder。

“Hoots！lassie，“brokeinhermother；“areyemakin"lovetillaman，agentleman，aforemyverraeen？”

“Hediditfirst，mother，“answeredMargaret，withasmile。

ApangofhopeshotthroughHugh"sheart。

“Ow！that"sthegaito"t，is"t？Thebairn"sganedementit！Ye"renoeftermerryin"agentleman，Maggy？Na，na，lass！”

Sosaying，theoldlady，rathercrossly，andveryimprudently，lefttheroomtofilltheteapotinthekitchen。

“Doyourememberthis？”saidMargaret，——whofeltthatHughmusthavemisunderstoodsomethingorother，——takingfromherpocketalittlebook，andfromthebookawitheredflower。

Hughsawthatitwaslikeaprimrose，andhopedagainsthopethatitwastheonewhichhehadgiventoher，onthespringmorninginthefir-wood。Still，afeelingverydifferentfromhismighthavemadeherpreserveit。Hemustknowallaboutit。

“Whydidyoukeepthat？”hesaid。

“BecauseIlovedyou。“

“Lovedme？”

“Yes。Didn"tyouknow？”

“Whydidyousay，then，thatyoudidn"tcareif——if——？”

“Becauseloveisenough，Hugh——Thatwaswhy。“

THEEND。