“Oh，Donal！”shesaidatlength，almostinawhisper，“thisislikeadreamIoncehad，ofgoingdownanddownalongroundaboutroad，insidetheearth，downanddown，totheheartofaplacefullofthedead——thegroundblackwithdeath，andbetweenhorriblewalls。”
Donallookedather;hisfacewasinthelightreflectedfromtheoppositegrayprecipice：shethoughtitlookedwhiteandstrange，andgrewmorefrightened，butdarednotspeak。PresentlyDonalagainbegantosing，andthisissomethinglikewhathesang：——
“Death！whaurdoyebide，auldDeath？”
“Ibideinilkabreath，“
Quo’Death。
“Noi’thepyramids，An’nothewormsamids，’Nethcoffin-lids;
Ibidenawhaurlifehasbeen，An’whaur’snaemairtobedune。”
“Death！whaurdoyebide，auldDeath？”
“Wi’theleevin’，todee’at’slaith，“
Quo’Death。
“Wi’themanan’thewife’Atlo’elikelife，Butstrife;(without)
Wi’thebairns’athingtotheirmither，An’a’’atlo’eaneanither。”
“Death！whaurdoyebide，auldDeath？”
“Abunean’abootan’aneath，“
Quo’Death。
“Buto’a’theairts，An’o’a’thepairts，Inherts，Whanthetanetothetithersaysna，An’thenorthwin’beginstoblaw。”
“Whataterriblesong，Donal！”saidGinevra。
Hemadenoreply，butwenton，leadingherdownintothepit：hehadbeenafraidshewasgoingtodrawback，andsangthefirstwordsherwordssuggested，knowingshewouldnotinterrupthim。Theaspectoftheplacegrewfrightfultoher。
“Areyousuretherearenoholes——fullofwater，downthere？”shefaltered。
“Ay，there’saneortwa，“repliedDonal，“butwe’llhaudooto’
them。”
Ginevrashuddered，butwasdeterminedtoshownofear：Donalshouldnotreproachherwithlackoffaith！，Theysteppedatlastonthelevelbelow，coveredwithgranitechipsandstonesandgreatblocks。
Inthemiddleroseaconfusedheapofallsorts。Tothis，androundtotheothersideofit，Donalledher。Thereshonethemoononthecornerofapool，therestofwhichcreptawayinblacknessunderanoverhangingmass。Shecaughthisarmwithbothhands。Hetoldhertolookup。Steepgraniterockwasabovethemallround，ononesidedark，ontheothermottledwiththemoonandthethousandshadowsofitsownroughness;overthegulfhungvaultedtheblue，cloud-blottedsky，whencethemoonseemedtolookstraightdownuponher，askingwhattheywereabout，awayfromtheirkind，insuchaplaceofterror。
SuddenlyDonalcaughtherhand。Shelookedinhisface。Itwasnotthemoonthatcouldmakeitsowhite。
“Ginevra！”hesaid，withtremblingvoice。
“Yes，Donal，“sheanswered。
“Ye’renoangryatmeforca’inyebyyername？，Ineverdiditafore。”
“IalwayscallyouDonal，“sheanswered。
“That’snait’ral。Ye’reagran’leddy，an’I’mnaethingabuneaherd-laddie。”
“You’reagreatpoet，Donal，andthat’smuchmorethanbeingaladyoragentleman。”
“Ay，maybe，“answeredDonallistlessly，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingfaraway;“butitwinnamakupforthetither;they’renoupo’thesamesideo’thewatter，like。Apuirladlikemedaurnaliftaneetillagran’leddylikeyou，mem。A’thewarl’wadbutscornhim，an’lauchattheverranotion。Mytime’snearoweratthecollege，an’Iseenaethingfor’tbutganghamean’fee(hiremyself)。I’llbebetterworkin’wi’myhan’snorwi’myheidwhanI
haenaehouplefto’everseein’yerfaceagain。Iwinnalowseadayabootit。GienIlowsetimeImaylowsemyrizon。Haepatiencewi’meaemeenute，mem;I’mjistdriventotellyethetrowth。It’smonyalangsin’Ihaekentmysel’wantin’you。Ye’retheboady，an’I’mtheshaidow。Idinnameannaehyperbolics——that’sthew’ythethingluikstomei’myainthouchts。Eh，mem，butye’rebonnie！，Yedinnakenyersel’hoobonnieyeare，norwhatasubversionyoumaki’myhertan’myheid。Icudjistcutmyheidaff，an’lay’tanethyerfeettohaudthemaffo’thecauldflure。”
Stillshelookedhimintheeyes，likeonebewildered，unabletowithdrawhereyesfromhis。Herfacetoohadgrownwhite。
“Tellmetohaudmytongue，mem，an’I’llhaudit，“hesaid。
Herlipsmoved，butnosoundcame。
“Ikenweel，“hewenton，“yecanneverluikupo’measonythingmairnorakin’o’ahumanbird，’atyewadhinginacage，an’gieseedsan’bitso’sugartill，an’hearkentillwhanhesang。I’llnevertroubleyenaemair，an’whetheryegrantmemyprayerorno，ye’llneverseemeagain。Theonlydiffer’illbe’atI’llaitherhingmyheidorhauditupfortheresto’mydays。Iwadfainken’atIwasnadespised，an’’atmaybegienthingshadbeendifferent，——butna，Idinnameanthat;Imeannaething’atwadfrichtyefraewhatIwadhae。Itsudnameanahairmairnorliesinitsel’。”
“Whatisit，Donal？”saidGinevra，halfinaudibly，andwitheffort：
shecouldscarcelyspeakforaflutteringinherthroat。
“Icudbeseechyeupo’myk-nees，“hewenton，asifshehadnotspoken，“tolatmekissyerbonniefut;butthatyemichtgrantforbarepeety，an’thatwaddeemelittleguid;saeforancean’fora’，tillmaybeefterwe’rea’ayontthemucklesea，Ibeseechatthefauvouro’yersweetsowl，tolayupo’me，asupo’thelipso’thesowl’atsangyethesangsyelikitsaeweeltohearwhanyewasbutaleddy-lassie——aesolitarykiss。Itshallbeholytomeasthelicht;an’IsweirbytheTrowthI’llthinko’’tbutasyethink，an’mannorwumannorbairn，noevenGibbiehimsel’，sallken——“
ThelastwordbrokethespelluponGinevra。
“But，Donal，“shesaid，asquietlyaswhenyearsagotheytalkedbytheLorrieside，“woulditberight？——asecretwithyouIcouldnottelltoanyone？——notevenifafterwards——“
Donal’sfacegrewsoghastlywithutterdespairthatabsoluteterrorseizedher;sheturnedfromhimandfled，calling“Gibbie！，Gibbie！”
Hewasnotmanyyardsoff，approachingthemoundasshecamefrombehindit。Herantomeether。Shedartedtohimlikeadovepursuedbyahawk，threwherselfintohisarms，laidherheadonhisshoulder，andwept。Gibbieheldherfast，andwithallthewaysinhispoorpowersoughttocomforther。Sheraisedherfaceatlength。Itwasallwetwithtearswhichglistenedinthemoonlight。
HurriedlyGibbieaskedonhisfingers：
“WasDonalnotgoodtoyou？”
“He’sbeautiful，“shesobbed;“butIcouldn’t，youknow，Gibbie，I
couldn’t。Idon’tcareastrawaboutpositionandallthat——whowouldwithapoet？——butIcouldn’t，youknow，Gibbie。Icouldn’tlethimthinkImighthavemarriedhim——inanycase：couldInow，Gibbie？”
Shelaidherheadagainonhisshoulderandsobbed。Gibbiedidnotwellunderstandher。Donal，wherehehadthrownhimselfonaheapofgranitechips，heardandunderstood，feltandknewandresolvedallinone。Themoonshone，andthecloudswentflittinglikeice-floeaboutthesky，nowgrayindistance，nownearthemoonandwhite，nowinherverypresenceandadornedwithherfavourontheirbosoms，nowdriftingagainintothegray;andstillthetwo，GinevraandGibbie，stoodmotionless——Gibbiewiththetearsinhiseyes，andGinevraweepingasifherheartwouldbreak;andbehindthegraniteblockslayDonal。
AgainGinevraraisedherhead。
“Gibbie，youmustgoandlookafterpoorDonal，“shesaid。
Gibbiewent，butDonalwasnowheretobeseen。Toescapethetwohelovedsowell，andbealoneashefelt，hehadcreptawaysoftlyintooneofthemanyrecessesoftheplace。AgainandagainGibbiemadethenoisewithwhichhewasaccustomedtocallhim，buthegavebacknoanswer，andtheyunderstoodthatwhereverhewashewantedtobelefttohimself。Theyclimbedagainthewindingwayoutofthegulf，andlefthimtheheartofitsdesolation。
“Takemehome，Gibbie，“saidGinevra，whentheyreachedthehighroad。
Astheywent，notawordmorepassedbetweenthem。GinevrawasasdumbasGibbie，andGibbiewassadderthanhehadeverbeeninhislife——notonlyforDonal’ssake，butbecause，inhisinexperiencedheart，hefearedthatGinevrawouldnotlistentoDonalbecauseshecouldnot——becauseshehadalreadypromisedherselftoFergusDuff;
andwithallhislovetohiskind，hecouldnotthinkitwellthatFergusshouldbemadehappyatsuchaprice。Heleftheratherowndoor，andwenthome，hopingtofindDonaltherebeforehim。
Hewasnotthere。Hourafterhourpassed，andhedidnotappear。
Ateleveno’clock，Gibbiesetouttolookforhim，butwithlittlehopeoffindinghim。Hewentallthewaybacktothequarry，thinkingitpossiblehemightbewaitingthere，expectinghimtoreturnwithoutGinevra。Themoonwasnowlow，andherlightreachedbutalittlewayintoit，sothatthelookoftheplacewasquitealtered，andthebottomofitalmostdark。ButGibbiehadnofear。
Hewentdowntothespot，almostfeelinghisway，wheretheyhadstood，gotupontheheap，andcalledandwhistledmanytimes。Butnoanswercame。Donalwasaway，hedidnothimselfknowwhere，wanderingwhereverthefeetinhisspiritledhim。Gibbiewenthomeagain，andsatupallnight，keepingthekettleboiling，readytomaketeaforhimthemomentheshouldcomein。ButeveninthemorningDonaldidnotappear。Gibbiewasanxious——forDonalwasunhappy。
Hemighthearofhimatthecollege，hethought，andwentattheusualhour。Sureenough，asheenteredthequadrangle，therewasDonalgoinginatthedoorleadingtothemoralphilosophyclass-room。Forhours，neglectinghisownclass，hewatchedaboutthecourt，butDonalnevershowedhimself。Gibbieconcludedhehadwatchedtoavoidhim，andhadgonehomebyCrown-street，andhimselfreturnedtheusualandshorterway，surealmostofnowfindinghiminhisroom——althoughprobablywiththedoorlocked。Theroomwasempty，andMistressMurkisonhadnotseenhim。
Donal’sfinalexamination，uponwhichalonehisdegreenowdepended，cameonthenextday：Gibbiewatchedatacertaincorner，andunseensawhimpass——withafacepalebutstrong，eyesthatseemednottohaveslept，andlipsthatlookedtheinexorablewardersofmanysighs。Afterthathedidnotseehimoncetillthelastdayofthesessionarrived。Theninthepublicroomhesawhimgouptoreceivehisdegree。Neverbeforehadheseenhimlookgrand;andGibbieknewthattherewasnotanyevilintheworld，exceptwrong。
Butithadbeenthedreariestweekhehadeverpassed。Astheycamefromthepublicroom，helayinwaitforhimoncemore，butagaininvain：hemusthavegonethroughthesacristan’sgardenbehind。
Whenhereachedhislodging，hefoundanotefromDonalwaitinghim，inwhichhebadehimgood-bye，saidhewasgonetohismother，andaskedhimtopackuphisthingsforhim：hewouldwritetoMistressMurkisonandtellherwhattodowiththechest。
CHAPTERLIII。
ANIGHT-WATCH。
Asenseofloneliness，suchasinallhisforsakentimeshehadneverfelt，overshadowedGibbiewhenhereadthisletter。HewasaltogetherperplexedbyDonal’spersistentavoidanceofhim。Hehaddonenothingtohurthim，andknewhimselfhisfriendinhissorrowaswellasinhisjoy。Hesatdownintheroomthathadbeenhis，andwrotetohim。Asoftenasheraisedhiseyes——forhehadnotshutthedoor——hesawthedustysunshineontheoldfurniture。Itwasabrightday，oneofthepoursuivantsoftheyetdistantsummer，buthowdrearyeverythinglooked！howmiserableandheartlessnowDonalwasgone，andwouldneverregardthosethingsanymore！，Whenhehadendedhisletter，almostforthefirsttimeinhislife，hesatthinkingwhatheshoulddonext。Itwasasifheweresuddenlybecalmedonthehighseas;onewindhadceasedtoblow，andanotherhadnotbegun。IttroubledhimalittlethathemustnowreturntoMr。Sclater，andoncemorefeelthepressureofanaturenothomogeneouswithhisown。Butitwouldnotbeforlong。
Mr。Sclaterhadthoughtofmakingamovementtowardsgaininganextensionofhistutelagebeyondtheordinarylegalperiod，onthegroundofunfitnessinhiswardforthemanagementofhisproperty;
butGibbie’scharacterandscholarship，andtheopinionoftheworldwhichwouldfollowfailure，haddeterredhimfromtheattempt。InthemonthofMay，therefore，when，accordingtotheregistryofhisbirthintheparishbook，hewouldbeofage，hewouldalsobe，asheexpected，hisownmaster，sofarasothermortalswereconcerned。
Astowhathewouldthendo，hehadthoughtmuch，andhadplans，butnooneknewanythingofthemexceptDonal——whohadforsakenhim。
HewasinnohastetoreturntoDaur-street。HepackedDonal’sthings，withallthebookstheyhadboughttogether，andcommittedthechesttoMistressMurkison。Hethentoldherhewouldrathernotgiveuphisroomjustyet，butwouldliketokeepitonforawhile，andcomeandgoashepleased;towhichtheoldwomanreplied，“Asyewull，SirGibbie。Comean’gangasfreeasthewin’。Mako’
myhooseasgienitwaryerain。”
Hetoldherhewouldsleeptherethatnight，andshegothimhisdinnerasusual;afterwhich，puttingaGreekbookinhispocket，hewentout，thinkingtogototheendofthepierandsitthereawhile。HewouldgladlyhavegonetoGinevra，butshehadpreventedhimwhenshewasatschool，andhadneveraskedhimsincesheleftit。ButGibbiewasnotennuy？thepleasureofhislifecamefromtheveryrootsofhisbeing，andwouldthereforerunintoanychannelofhisconsciousness;neitherwashegreatlytroubled;
nothingcould“putrancoursinthevesselof“his“peace;“hewasonlyveryhungryaftertherealpresenceofthehuman;andscarcelyhadhesethisfootonthepavement，whenheresolvedtogoandseeMistressCroale。Thesun，stillbright，wassinkingtowardsthewest，andacoldwindwasblowing。Hewalkedtothemarket，uptothegalleryofit，andontothefartherend，greetingoneandanotherofthekeepersofthelittleshops，untilhereachedthatofMistressCroale。Shewasoverjoyedatsightofhim，andproudtheneighbourssawthetermstheywereon。Sheunderstoodhissignsandfinger-speechtolerably，andheldherpartoftheconversationinaudibleutterance。ShetoldhimthatfortheweekpastDonalhadoccupiedhergarret——shedidnotknowwhy，shesaid，andhopednothinghadgonewrongbetweenthem。Gibbiesignedthathecouldnottellheraboutitthere，butwouldgoandtaketeawithherintheevening。
“I’msorryIcannabehamesaeear’，“shereplied。“Ipromisedtotakmydisho’taywi’auldMistressGreen——thekail-wife，yeken，SirGibbie。”——Gibbienoddedandsheresumed：——“Butgienyewadtakalugo’aFin’onhaddiewi’meatnineo’clock，Iwadbeprood。”
Gibbienoddedagain，andlefther。
Allthistimehehadnothappenedtodiscoverthattheladywhostoodatthenextcounter，notmorethanacoupleofyardsfromhim，wasMissKimble——whichwasthelesssurprisinginthattheladytooksometroubletohidethefact。Sheextendedherpurchasingwhenshesawwhowasshakinghandswiththenextstall-keeper，butkeptherfaceturnedfromhim，heardallMrs。Croalesaidtohim，andwentawayaskingherselfwhatpossiblerelationsexceptobjectionableonescouldexistbetweensuchapair。SheknewlittleornothingofGibbie’searlyhistory，forshehadnotbeenadwellerinthecitywhenGibbiewasknownaswellasthetown-crosstoalmosteveryman，woman，andchildinit，elseperhapsshemight，butIdoubtit，havemodifiedherconclusion。Herinstinctwasintheright，shesaid，withself-gratulation;hewasaladoflowcharacterandtastes，justwhatshehadtakenhimforthefirstmomentshesawhim：hisfriendscouldnotknowwhathewas;shewasboundtoacquaintthemwithhisconduct;andfirstofall，indutytoheroldpupil，shemustletMr。GalbraithknowwhatsortoffriendshipsthisSirGilbert，hisnephew，cultivated。Shewentthereforestraighttothecottage。
Ferguswastherewhensherangthebell。Mr。Galbraithlookedout，andseeingwhoitwas，retreated——themorehurriedlythatheowedhermoney，andimaginedshehadcometodunhim。Butwhenshefoundtoherdisappointmentthatshecouldnotseehim，MissKimbledidnotthereforeattempttorestrainalittlelongerthepent-upwatersofhersecret。Mr。Duffwasaminister，andtheintimatefriendofthefamily：shewouldsaywhatshehadseenandheard。Havingthenfirstabjuredallloveofgossip，shetoldhertale，appealingtotheministerwhethershehadnotbeenrightindesiringtoletSirGilbert’suncleknowhowhewasgoingon。
“IwasnotawarethatSirGilbertwasacousinofyours，MissGalbraith，“saidFergus。
Ginevra’sfacewasrosyred，butitwasnowdusk，andthefire-lighthadfriendlyretainer-shadowsaboutit。
“Heisnotmycousin，“sheanswered。
“Why，Ginevra！youtoldmehewasyourcousin，“saidMissKimble，withkeenmoralreproach。
“Ibegyourpardon;Ineverdid，“saidGinevra。
“Imustseeyourfatherinstantly，“criedMissKimble，risinginanger。“Hemustbeinformedatoncehowmuchheismistakenintheyounggentlemanhepermitstobeonsuchfriendlytermswithhisdaughter。”
“Myfatherdoesnotknowhim，“rejoinedGinevra;“andIshouldprefertheywerenotbroughttogetherjustatpresent。”
Herwordssoundedstrangeeveninherownears，butsheknewnowaybutthestraightone。
“Youquiteshockme，Ginevra！”saidtheschool-mistress，resumingherseat：“youcannotmeantosayyoucherishacquaintancewithayoungmanofwhomyourfatherknowsnothing，andwhomyoudarenotintroducetohim？”
Toexplainwouldhavebeentoexposeherfathertoblame。
“IhaveknownSirGilbertfrommychildhood，“shesaid。
“Isitpossibleyourduplicityreachessofar？”criedMissKimble，assuredinherownmindthatGinevrahadsaidhewashercousin。
Fergusthoughtitwastimetointerfere。
“IknowsomethingofthecircumstancesthatledtotheacquaintanceofMissGalbraithwithSirGilbert，“hesaid，“andIamsureitwouldonlyannoyherfathertohaveanyallusionmadetoitbyone——excuseme，MissKimble——whoiscomparativelyastranger。Ibegyouwillleavethemattertome。”
FergusregardedGibbieasahalfwittedfellow，andhadnofearofhim。HeknewnothingofthecommencementofhisacquaintancewithGinevra，butimaginedithadcomeaboutthroughDonal;for，studiouslyasMr。GalbraithhadavoidedmentionofhisquarrelwithGinevrabecauseofthelads，somethingofithadcreptout，andreachedtheMains;andinnowventuringallusiontothatoldstory，Ferguswasfeelingafteranervewhosevibration，hethought，mightaffordhimsomeinfluenceoverGinevra。
Hespokeauthoritatively，andMissKimble，thoughconvinceditwasamerepretenceofhergracelesspupilthatherfatherwouldnotseeher，hadtoyield，androse。Mr。Duffrosealso，sayinghewouldwalkwithher。Hereturnedtothecottage，dinedwiththem，andleftabouteighto’clock。
AlreadywellenoughacquaintedinthecitytolearnwithoutdifficultywhereMistressCroalelived，andhavingnothingveryparticulartodo，hestrolledinthedirectionofherlodging，andsawGibbiegointothehouse。Havingseenhimin，hewasnextseizedwiththedesiretoseehimoutagain;havinglaininwaitforhimasabeneficentbrownie，hemustnowwatchhimasaprofligatebaronetforsooth！，Tohauntthelowstreetuntilheshouldissuewasadrearyprospect——intheeastwindofaMarchnight，whichsomegiantupaboveseemedsowingwithgreathandfulsofrain-seed;buthavingmadeuphismind，hestoodhisground。Fortwohourshewalked，vaguelycherishinganideathathewasfulfillingadutyofhiscalling，asamoralpoliceman。
WhenatlengthGibbieappeared，hehadsomedifficultyinkeepinghiminsight，fortheskywasdark，themoonwasnotyetup，andGibbiewalkedlikeaswiftshadowbeforehim。Suddenly，asifsomeoldassociationhadwakedtheoldhabit，hestartedoffataquicktrot。Fergusdidhisbesttofollow。Asheran，Gibbiecaughtsightofawomanseatedonadoorstep，almostunderalamp，afewpacesupanarrowpassage，stopped，steppedwithinthepassage，andstoodinashadowwatchingher。Shehadturnedthepocketofherdressinsideout，andseemedunabletosatisfyherselfthattherewasnothingtherebutthehole，whichsheexaminedagainandagain，asifforthelastnewsofherlastcoin。Toothoroughlysatisfiedatlength，sheputbackthepocket，andlaidherheadonherhands。
Gibbiehadnotafarthing。Oh，howcolditwas！andtheresathisownfleshandbloodshiveringinit！，Hewentuptoher。ThesamemomentFerguspassedtheendofthecourt。Gibbietookherbythehand。Shestartedinterror，buthissmilereassuredher。Hedrewher，andsherose。Helaidherhandonhisarm，andshewentwithhim。Hehadnotyetbeguntothinkaboutprudence，andperhaps，ifsomeofusthoughtmoreaboutright，weshouldhavelessoccasiontocultivatetheinferiorvirtue。PerhapsalsoweshouldhavemorebeliefthatthereisOnetocarethatthingsdonotgowrong。
Fergushadgivenupthechase，andhavingmetapoliceman，wastalkingtohim，whenGibbiecameupwiththewomanonhisarm，andpassedthem。Fergusagainfollowed，sureofhimnow。Hadnotfearofbeingrecognizedpreventedhimfrompassingthemandlooking，hewouldhaveseenonlyapooroldthing，somewhereaboutsixty;butifshehadbeenbeautifulasthemorning，ofcourseGibbiewouldhavetakenherallthesame。HewastheGibbiethatusedtoseethedrunkpeoplehome。Gibbieslikehimdonotchange;theygrow。
Afterfollowingthemthroughseveralstreets，Fergussawthemstopatadoor。Gibbieopeneditwithakeywhichhisspyimaginedthewomangavehim。Theyentered，andshutitalmostinFergus’sface，ashehurriedupdeterminedtospeak。Gibbieledthepoorshiveringcreatureupthestair，acrossthechaosoffurniture，andintohisroom，intheothercornernexttoDonal’s。Tohisjoyhefoundthefirewasnotout。Hesetherintheeasiestchairhehad，putthekettleon，blewthefiretoablaze，madecoffee，cutbreadandbutter，gotoutapotofmarmalade，andateanddrankwithhisguest。Sheseemedquitebewilderedandaltogetherunsure。I
believeshetookhimatlast，findingheneverspoke，forhalf-crazy，asnotafewhaddone，andasmanywouldyetdo。Shesmeltofdrink，butwassober，andreadyenoughtoeat。Whenshehadtakenasmuchasshewould，Gibbieturneddownthebed-clothes，madeasigntohershewastosleepthere，tookthekeyfromtheoutsideofthedoor，andputitinthelockontheinside，noddedagood-night，andlefther，closingthedoorsoftly，whichheheardherlockbehindhim，andgoingtoDonal’sroom，whereheslept。
Inthemorningheknockedatherdoor，buttherewasnoanswer，andopeningit，hefoundshewasgone。
WhenhetoldMistressMurkisonwhathehaddone，hewasconsiderablyastonishedatthewrathandindignationwhichinstantlydevelopedthemselvesinthegoodcreature’satmosphere。Thatherrespectablehouseshouldbemadeahiding-placefromthewindandacovertfromthetempest，wasinfuriating。Withoutamoment’sdelay，shebeganasweepingandscrubbing，andgeneralcleansingoftheroom，asifallthedevilshadspentthenightinit。AndthenforthefirsttimeGibbiereflected，that，whenheranaboutthestreets，hehadneverbeentakenhome——exceptonce，tobeputundertherodandstaffoftheoldwoman。IfJanethadbeenliketherestofthem，hewouldhavedieduponGlashgar，orbenowwanderingaboutthecountry，doingoddjobsforhalf-pence！，Hemustnotdolikeotherpeople——wouldnot，couldnot，darednotbelikethem！，Hehadhadsuchathoroughschoolinginhumanityasnobodyelsehadhad！，Hehadbeentoschoolinthestreets，indarkplacesofrevelryandcrime，andintheveryhouseoflight！
WhenMistressMurkisontoldhimthatifeverhedidthelikeagain，shewouldgivehimnoticetoquit，helookedinherface：shestaredamomentinreturn，thenthrewherarmsroundhisneck，andkissedhim。
“Ye’rethebonniestcraturo’amuckleidiot’atevermansaw！”shecried;“an’gienyedinnatakthebettercare，ye’llbesoopitafftohaivenaforeyekenwhauryeareorwhatye’reaboot。”
Herfeelings，ifnothersentiments，experiencedarelapsewhenshediscoveredthatoneofherfewsilvertea-spoonswasgone——which，beyondadoubt，thewomanhadtaken：sheabusedher，andagainscoldedGibbie，withmuchvigour。ButGibbiesaidtohimself，“Thewomanisnotbad，forthereweretwomoresilverspoonsonthetable。”，Eveninthematterofstealingwemustthinkofourownbeambeforeourneighbour’smote。Itisnoteasytobehonest。
Thereismanyathiefwhoislessofathiefthanmanyarespectablememberofsociety。Thethiefmustbepunished，andassuredlytheothershallnotcomeoutuntilhehaspaidtheuttermostfarthing。Gibbie，whowouldhavediedratherthancastashadowofinjustice，wasnotshockedatthewoman’sdepravitylikeMistressMurkison。Iamafraidhesmiled。Hetooknonoticeeitherofherscoldingsorherlamentations;butthefirstweekafterhecameofage，hecarriedherapresentofadozenspoons。
FerguscouldnottellGinevrawhathehadseen;andifhetoldherfather，shewouldlearnthathehadbeenplayingthespy。TogotoMr。Sclaterwouldhavecompromisedhimsimilarly。Andwhatgreatoccasionwasthere？，Hewasnotthefellow’skeeper！
ThatsamedayGibbiewentbacktohisguardians。AthisrequestMrs。SclateraskedGinevratospendthefollowingeveningwiththem：
hewantedtotellheraboutDonal。Sheacceptedtheinvitation。
ButinavillagenearthefootofGlashgar，Donalhadthatmorningdonewhatwasdestinedtopreventherfromkeepingherengagement：
hehadpostedalettertoher。Inanintervalofcomparativequiet，hehadrecalledtheverseshesangtoherastheywalkedthatevening，andnowsentthem——completedinaverydifferenttone。Notawordaccompaniedthem。
Mythoughtsarelikefire-fliespulsinginmoonlight;
Myheartlikeasilvercupfullofredwine;
Mysoulapalegleaminghorizon，whencesoonlightWillfloodthegoldearthwithatorrentdivine。
Mythouchtsarelikewormsinastarlessgloamin’;
Myhertlikeaspongethat’sfillitwi’gall;
Mysowllikeabodilessghaistsentaroamin’，Tobidei’themirktillthegreattrumpetcall。
Butpeacebeupo’ye，asdeepasye’relo’esome！
Braknaanhooro’yerfair-dreamysleep，Tothinko’theladwi’aweichtinhisbosom，’Atancesentacrytillyeooto’thedeep。
Somesharprockyheicht，tocatchafarmornin’
Ayonta’thenichtso’thiswarld，he’llclim’;
Fornaneshallsay，Luik！hesankdoonatherscornin’，Wharasebythehan’shehieldfrankoottohim。
Theletterwashanded，withoneortwomore，toMr。Galbraith，atthebreakfasttable。Hedidnotreceivemanylettersnow，andcouldaffordtimetoonethatwasforhisdaughter。Helaiditwiththerestbyhisside，andafterbreakfasttookittohisroomandreadit。HecouldnomoreunderstanditthanFerguscouldtheEpistletotheRomans，andthereforethelittlehedidunderstandofitwastoomuch。Buthehadbeguntobeafraidofhisdaughter：herstilldignityhadbeguntotelluponhiminhishumiliation。Helaidtheletteraside，saidnothing，andwaited，inwardlyangryandcontemptuous。Afterawhilehebegantoflatterhimselfwiththehopethatperhapsitwasbutasortofimpertinentvalentine，thewriterofwhichwasunknowntoGinevra。Fromthemomentofitsarrival，however，hekeptastricterwatchuponher，andthatnightpreventedherfromgoingtoMrs。Sclater’s。Gibbie，awarethatFerguscontinuedhisvisits，doubtedlessandlessthatshehadgivenherselfto“TheBledder，“asDonalcalledthepopularpreacher。
CHAPTERLIV。
OFAGE。
TherewerenorejoicingsuponGibbie’sattainmentofhistwenty-firstyear。Hisguardian，believinghealonehadacquaintedhimselfwiththedate，anddesiringinhiswisdomtoavoidgivinghimafeelingofimportance，madenoallusiontothefact，aswouldhavebeenmostnatural，whentheymetatbreakfastonthemorningoftheday。But，urgedtheretobyDonal，Gibbiehadlearnedthedateforhimself，andfindingnothingwassaid，fingeredtoMrs。Sclater，“Thisismybirthday。”
“Iwishyoumanyhappyreturns，“sheanswered，withkindempressement。“Howoldareyouto-day？”
“Twenty-one，“heanswered——byholdingupallhisfingerstwiceandthenaforefinger。
Shelookedstruck，andglancedatherhusband，whothereupon，inhisturn，gaveutterancetotheusualformulaofgoodwill，andsaidnomore。Seeinghewasabouttoleavethetable，Gibbie，claiminghisattention，spelledonhisfingers，veryslowly，forMr。Sclaterwasslowatfollowingthismodeofcommunication：
“Ifyouplease，sir，Iwanttobeputinpossessionofmypropertyassoonaspossible。”
“Allingoodtime，SirGilbert，“answeredtheminister，withasuperiorsmile，forheclungwithhardreluctancetothelastvestigeofhispower。
“Butwhatisgoodtime？”spelledGibbiewithasmile，which，nonethelessthatitwasofgenuinefriendliness，indicatedtheremightbedifferenceofopiniononthepoint。
“Oh！weshallsee，“returnedtheministercoolly。“Thesearenotthingstobedoneinahurry，“headded，asifhehadbeenguardiantotwentywardsinchancerybefore，“We’llseeinafewdayswhatMr。Torrieproposes。”
“ButIwantmymoneyatonce，“insistedGibbie。“Ihavebeenwaitingforit，andnowitistime，andwhyshouldIwaitstill？”
“Tolearnpatience，iffornootherreason，SirGilbert，“answeredtheminister，withahardlaugh，meanttobejocular。“Butindeedsuchaffairscannotbemanagedinamoment。Youwillhaveplentyoftimetomakeagooduseofyourmoney，ifyoushouldhavetowaitanotheryearortwo。”
Sosayinghepushedbackhisplateandcup，atrickhehad，androsefromthetable。
“WhenwillyouseeMr。Torrie？”askedGibbie，risingtoo，andworkinghistelegraphwithgreaterrapiditythanbefore。
“Byandby，“answeredMr。Sclater，andwalkedtowardsthedoor。ButGibbiegotbetweenhimandit。
“WillyougowithmetoMr。Torrieto-day？”heasked。
Theministershookhishead。Gibbiewithdrew，seemingalittledisappointed。Mr。Sclaterlefttheroom。
“Youdon’tunderstandbusiness，Gilbert，“saidMrs。Sclater。
Gibbiesmiled，gothiswriting-case，andsittingdownatthetable，wroteasfollows：——
“DearMr。Sclater，——Asyouhaveneverfailedinyourpart，howcanyouwishmetofailinmine？，Iamnowtheoneaccountableforthismoney，whichsurelyhasbeenidlelongenough，andifIleaveitstillunused，Ishallbedoingwrong，andtherearethingsIhavetodowithitwhichoughttobesetaboutimmediately。Iamsorrytoseemimportunate，butifbytwelveo’clockyouhavenotgonewithmetoMr。Torrie，IwillgotoMessrs。Hope&Waver，whowilltellmewhatIoughttodonext，inordertobeputinpossession。Itmakesmeunhappytowritelikethis，butIamnotachildanylonger，andhavingaman’sworktodo，Icannotconsenttobetreatedasachild。IwilldoasIsay。Iam，dearMr。Sclater，youraffectionateward，GilbertGalbraith。”
Hetookthelettertothestudy，andhavinggivenittoMr。Sclater，withdrew。Theministermighthaveknownbythistimewithwhatsortofayouthhehadtodeal！，Hecamedowninstantly，putthebestfaceonithecould，saidthatifSirGilbertwassoeagertotakeuptheburden，hewasreadyenoughtocastitoff，andtheywouldgoatoncetoMr。Torrie。
Withthelawyer，Gibbieinsistedonunderstandingeverything，andthatallshouldbelegallyarrangedasspeedilyaspossible。Mr。
Torriesawthat，ifhedidnotmakethingsplain，orgavetheleastcausefordoubt，theyouthwouldmostlikelyapplyelsewhereforadvice，andthereforetooktroubletosetthevariouspoints，bothastothepropertyandtheproceedingsnecessary，beforehimintheclearestmanner。
“Thankyou，“saidGibbie，throughMr。Sclater。“PleaserememberIammoreaccountableforthismoneythanyou，andamcompelledtounderstand。”——Janet’srepeatedexhortationsonthenecessityofsendingfortheserpenttotakecareofthedove，hadnotbeenlostuponhim。
Thelawyerbeingthenquitereadytomakehimanadvanceofmoney，theywentwithhimtothebank，wherehewrotehisname，andreceivedachequebook。Astheyleftthebank，heaskedtheministerwhetherhewouldallowhimtokeephisplaceinhishousetillthenextsession，andwasalmoststartledatfindinghowhismannertohimwaschanged。HeassuredSirGilbert，withadeferenceandrespectbothpainfulandamusing，thathehopedhewouldalwaysregardhishouseasonehome，howevermanybesideshemightnowchoosetohave。
SonowatlastGibbiewasfreetosetaboutrealizingalong-cherishedscheme。
TherepairsupontheAuldHooseo’Galbraithwerenownearlyfinished。Inconsequenceofthem，someofthetenantshadhadtoleave，andGibbienowgavethemallnoticetoquitattheirearliestconvenience，takingcare，however，toseethemprovidedwithfreshquarters，towardswhichhecouldhimselfdonotalittle，forseveralofthehousesintheneighbourhoodhadbeenboughtforhimatthesametimewiththeoldmansion。Assoonasitwasempty，hesetmorementowork，andasitsinternalarrangementshadneverbeenaltered，speedily，outofsqualidneglect，causednotalittleofoldstatelinesstoreappear。Henextproceededtofurnishathisleisurecertainoftherooms，chieflyfromtheaccumulationsofhisfriendMistressMurkison。Bythetimehehadfinished，hisusualdayforgoinghomehadarrived：whileJanetlived，thecottageonGlashgarwashome。Justashewasleaving，theministertoldhimthatGlashruachwashis。Mrs。Sclaterwaspresent，andreadinhiseyeswhatinducedherinstantlytomaketheremark：“Howcouldthatmandeprivehisdaughterofthepropertyhehadtotakehermother’snametoget！”
“Hehadmisfortunes，“indicatedGibbie，“andcouldnothelpit，I
suppose。”
“Yesindeed！”shereturned，“——misfortunessogreatthattheyamountedtolittlelessthanswindling。Iwonderhowmanyhehasbroughttogriefbesideshimself！，IfhehadGlashruachoncemorehewouldbeginitalloveragain。”
“ThenI’llgiveittoGinevra，“saidGibbie。
“Andletherfathercoaxheroutofit，anddoanotherworldofmischiefwithit！”sherejoined。
Gibbiewassilent。Mrs。Sclaterwasright！，Togiveisnotalwaystobless。Hemustthinkofsomeway。Withplentytooccupyhispowersofdevisinghesetout。
HewouldgladlyhaveseenGinevrabeforeheleft，buthadnochance。
HehadgonetotheNorthchurcheverySundayforalongtimenow，neitherforloveofFergus，nordisliketoMr。Sclater，butforthesakeofseeinghislostfriend：hadhenotlostherwhensheturnedfromDonaltoFergus？，DidshenotforsakehimtoowhensheforsookhisDonal？，Hisheartwouldriseintohisthroatatthethought，butonlyforamoment：heneverpitiedhimself。Nowandthenhehadfromherasweetsadsmile，butnosignthathemightgoandseeher。WhetherhewastoseeDonalwhenhereachedDaurside，hecouldnottell;hehadheardnothingofhimsincehewent;hismotherneverwroteletters。
“Na，na;Icanna，“shewouldsay。“Itwadtaka’thepithooto’metovreetletters。A’’atIhaetosayIsen’theup-road;it’ssuretowinhameear’orlate。”
Notwithstandinghisnewpower，itwashardly，therefore，withhisusualelation，thathetookhisseatonthecoach。Buthisreceptionwasthesameasever。Athismother’spersuasion，Donal，hefound，insteadofbetakinghimselfagaintobodilylaboursashehadpurposed，hadacceptedasituationastutorofferedhimbyoneoftheprofessors。Hehadtoldhismotherallhistrouble。
“He’llbea’thebetterfor’ti’theen’，“shesaid，withasmileofthedeepestsympathy，“though，bein’myain，Icannahelpbein’
waefor’im。ButtheLordwasi’theairthquak，an’thefire，an’
thewin’thatravetherocks，thoughtheprophetcouldnasee’im。
Donal’illcomeooto’thiswi’mairroomin’shertan’mairlichtin’sspeerit。”
Gibbietookhisslatefromthecrapo’thewa’andwrote。“Ifmoneycoulddoanythingforhim，Ihaveplentynow。”
“Ikenyerhert，mybairn，“repliedJanet;’butna;siller’sbutadeidhorseforonything’atsmackso’salvation。Na;thepuirfallowmaunwarstleooto’thethicketo’deidrosesasbesthecan——sairscrattit，naedoobt。Eh！it’safearfu’an’won’erfu’
thingthatdrawin’o’herttohert，an’syneagreatsnap，an’astertback，an’there’smilesatweenthem！，TheLordalanekenstheboddomo’’t;butI’mthinkin’there’smairintill’t，an’aheapmairtocomeooto’’terea’bedune，thanwehaeonyguissat。”
GibbietoldherthatGlashruachwashis。Thenfirsttheextentofhiswealthseemedtostrikehisoldmother。
“Eh！ye’llbethelaird，wullye，than？，Eh，sirs！，Tothinko’thishoosean’a’bein’weeGibbie’s！，Weel，itdingsa’。Thew’yso’
theLordaretobethouchtupon！，HemadeDawvidaking，an’Gibbiehe’smadethelaird！，Blestbehisname。”
“Theytellmethemountainismine，“Gibbiewrote：“yourhusbandshallbelairdofGlashgarifhelikes。”
“Na，na，“saidJanet，withalovinglook。“He’sowerauldforthat。
Hemichtnadeesaeeasyfor’t——Eh！pleasetheLord，Iwadfaingangwi’him——An’whatbetterwadRobertbetobelaird？，Wepeynaerentas’tis，an’hehasasmonysheeptolo’eashecanweelkenanefraetheither，noo’athe’sgrowin’auld，Ikennaething’athelacks，butGibbietogangwi’’imabootthehill。A
neebour’sladdiecomesan’gangs，tohelphim，but，eh，saysRobert，he’snoGibbie！——ButgienGlashruachbeyerain，mybonnieman，yemaungangdoontherethisverranicht，andgiealuiktotheburn;
forthelasttimeIwasthere，Ithouchtitwascreepin’inaneththebanksomefearsomelikeforwhat’slefto’theauldhoose，an’
thesunerit’sluikiteftermaybethebetter。Eh，SirGibbie，butyesudmerrythebonnieleddy，an’takherbacktillherainhoose。”
Gibbiegaveagreatsightothinkofthegirlthatlovedthehillandtheheatherandtheburns，shutupinthecity，andeverySundaygoingtothegreatchurch——withwhichinGibbie’smindwasassociatednosoundofgladtidings。TohimGlashgarwasfullofGod;theNorthchurchorMr。Sclater’schurch——well，hehadtriedhard，buthadnotsucceededindiscoveringtemple-signsabouteither。
Thenextdayhesenttothecityforanarchitect;andwithinaweekmasonsandquarrymenwereatwork，someonthehillblastingbluebouldersandredgranite，othersroughlyshapingthestones，andotherslayingthefoundationofahugefacingandbuttressingwall，whichwastoslopeupfromthebedoftheGlashburnfiftyfeettothefootofthecastle，theretoculminateinanarrowterracewithaparapet。Othersagainwereclearingawaywhatoftheruinsstucktotheoldhouse，inordertoleaveit，asmuchasmightbe，initsoriginalform。Therewasnospaceleftforrebuilding，neitherwasthereanybetweenthetwoburnsforaddingafresh。Thechannelofthesecondremaineddry，thelandslipcontinuingtochokeit，andthestreamtofallintotheGlashburn。ButGibbiewouldnotconsentthattheburnGinevrahadlovedshouldsingnomoreasshehadhearditsing。Herchamberwasgone，andcouldnotberestored，butanotherchambershouldbebuiltforher，beneathwhosewindowitshouldagainrun：whenshewasmarriedtoFergus，andherfathercouldnottouchit，theplaceshouldbehers。Moremasonsweregathered，andfoundationsblastedinthesteeprockthatformedtheotherbankoftheburn。ThemainpointinthebuildingwastobearoomforGinevra。Heplannedithimself——withawindowedturretprojectingfromthewall，makingarecessintheroom，andoverhangingthestream。Theturrethecarriedastoryhigherthanthewall，andinthewallplacedastairleadingtoitstop，whence，overtheroofoftheancientpartofthehouse，mightbeseenthegreatGlashgar，anditsstreamscomingdownfromheaven，andsingingastheycame。Thenfromthemiddleofthefirststairintheoldhouse，thewall，ayardandahalfthick，havingbeencutthrough，asolidstonebridge，withapointedarch，wastoleadacrosstheburntoalikelandinginthenewhouse——aclosepassage，withanorielwindowoneachside，lookingupanddownthestream，andasteeproof。Andwhiletheseworksweregoingonbelow，twomasons，highonthemountain，wereaddingtothecottageawarmbedroomforJanetandRobert。
Thearchitectwasanhonestman，andkeptGibbie’ssecret，sothat，althoughhewasconstantlyabouttheplace，nothingdisturbedthegeneralbeliefthatGlashruachhadbeenbought，andwasbeingmadehabitable，byacertainmagnateofthecountyadjoining。
CHAPTERLV。
TENAULDHOOSEO’GALBRAITH。
OnecoldafternoonintheendofOctober，whenMistressCroalewasshuttinguphershopinthemarket，andatumblerofsomethinghotwashauntingherimagination，Gibbiecamewalkingupthelonggallerywiththelighthill-stepwhichheneverlost，andstartledherwithahandonhershoulder，makingsignsthatshemustcomewithhim。Shemadehastetolockherdoor，andtheywalkedsidebysidetotheWiddiehill。AstheycrossedtheendofitshecastalookdownJinkLane，andthoughtofheralteredconditionwithasigh。Thenthememoryoftheawfultimeamongstthesailors，inwhichpoorSambo’sfrightfuldeathwaseverprominent，camebacklikeafogfromhell。Butsofargonewerethosetimesnow，that，seeingtheireventsmoreastheyreallywere，shelookeduponthemwithincreduloushorror，asthingsinwhichshecouldhardlyhavehadanypartorlot。Thenreturnedherwanderingsandhomelessmiseries，whenoftenahaystackoraheapofstrawinashedwasheronlyjoy——whiskyalwaysexcepted。Lastofallcamethedreadperils，thehairbreadthescapesofhertooadventurousvoyageonthebrander;——andafterallthesethings，hereshewas，walkinginpeacebythesideofweeSirGibbie，afriendasstrongnowashehadalwaysbeentrue！，Sheaskedherself，orsomepowerwithinaskedher，whencecamethetroublesthathadhauntedherlife。Whyhadshebeenmarkedoutforsuchmisfortunes？，Herconscienceanswered——fromherpersistenceinlivingbythesaleofdrinkaftershehadbeguntofeelitwaswrong。Thenceitwasthatshehadlearnedtodrink，andthatshewasevennowliable，ifnottobefounddrunkinthestreets，yettogotobeddrunkasanyofherformercustomers。Thecoldcreptintoherbones;theairseemedfullofbluepointsandclearedgesofcold，thatstungandcuther。
Shewasawretched，alowcreature！，Whatwouldherlateauntthinktoseehernow？，Whatifthiscoldinherboneswerethecoldofcomingdeath？，Tolieforagesinhercoffin，withhermouthfullofearth，longingforwhisky！，AversefromtheendoftheNewTestamentwith“nordrunkards“init，cametohermind。Shehadalwayshadfaith，shesaidtoherself;butletthempreachwhattheylikedaboutsalvationbyfaith，sheknewtherewasnothingbuthellforherifsheweretodiethatnight。TherewasMistressMurkisonlookingoutofhershop-door！，Shewasrespectedasmuchasever！
WouldMistressMurkisonbesavedifshediedthatnight？，Atleastnobodywouldwantherdamned;whereasnotafew，andMr。Sclaterinparticular，wouldthinkitnofairplayifMistressCroalewerenotdamned！
TheyturnedintothecloseoftheAuldHooseo’Galbraith。
“WeeGibbie’splottin’toleadmetorepentance！”shesaidtoherself。“He’sgaein’toshawmewhaurhisfatherdee’d，an’whaurtheyleevitinsicmeesery——a’throu’thedrinkIgae’im，an’therespectablehooseIkeepitto’ticehimtill’t！，Hewadhaemepersuaudittolea’affthedrink！，Weel，I’maheapbetternoranceIwas，an’gie’tupIwulla’thegither——aforeitcomestothelastwi’me。”
BythistimeGibbiewasleadingherupthedarkstair。Atthetop，onawidehall-likelanding，heopenedadoor。Shedrewbackwithshyamaze。Herfirstthoughtwas——“Thatproodmadam，theminister’swife，’illbethere！”Wasaffrontlyinginwaitforheragain？，Shelookedroundangrilyatherconductor。Buthissmilere-assuredher，andshesteppedin。
Itwasalmostagrandroom，richandsombreincolour，old-fashionedinitssomewhatstatelyfurniture。Agloriousfirewasblazingandcandleswereburning。Thetablewascoveredwithawhitecloth，andlaidfortwo。Gibbieshutthedoor，placedachairforMistressCroalebythefire，seatedhimself，tookouthistablets，wrote“Willyoubemyhousekeeper？，Iwillgiveyou？00ayear，“andhandedthemtoher。
“Lord，SirGibbie！”shecried，jumpingtoherfeet，“haeyetintyerwuts？，Hoowadanauldwifelikemeluikinsicaplace——an’insicdudsasthis？，ItwadgarSawtanlauch，an’thathecanbutseldom。”
Gibbierose，andtakingherbythehand，ledhertothedoorofanadjoiningroom。Itwasabedroom，asgrandastheroomtheyhadleft，andifMistressCroalewassurprisedbefore，shewasastonishednow。Afirewasburningheretoo，candleswerealightonthedressing-table，ahotbathstoodready，onthebedlayadressofrichblacksatin，withlinenandeverythingdown，orup，tocollars，cuffs，mittens，cap，andshoes。AllthesethingsGibbiehadboughthimself，usingtheknowledgehehadgatheredinshoppingwithMrs。Sclater，andtheadviceofherdressmaker，whomhehadtakenintohisconfidence，andwhohadenteredheartilyintohisplan。HemadesignstoMistressCroalethateverythingtherewasatherservice，andlefther。
Likeoneinadreamsheyieldedtotherushofevents，nottoomuchbewilderedtodresswithcare，andneithertoooldnortoowickednortoouglytofindpleasureinit。Shemighthavebeenabornladyjustrestoredtothehabitsofheryouth，tojudgebyherdelightovertheivorybrushesandtortoise-shellcomb，andgreatmirror。Inanhourorsoshemadeherappearance——Icanhardlysayreappeared，shewassoaltered。Sheenteredtheroomneitherblushingnorsmiling，butwipingthetearsfromhereyeslikeatooblessedchild。WhatMrs。Sclaterwouldhavefelt，Idarehardlythink;fortherewas“thehorridwoman“arrayedasnearlyafterherfashionasGibbiehadbeenabletogetherup！，Averygood“get-up“
neverthelessitwas，andsatisfactorytobothconcerned。MistressCroalewentoutadecent-lookingpoorbody，andenteredanotuncomelymatronofthehousekeeperclass，ratheragreeabletolookupon，whohadjuststoodanerve-shakingbutnotunpleasantsurprise，andwasrecovering。Gibbiewassosatisfiedwithherappearancethat，comeofageashewas，andvagrantnomore，hefirstdancedroundherseveraltimeswithacandleinhishand，muchtothedangerbutnowisetothedetrimentofherfinery，thensetitdown，andexecutedhisoldlavoltaofdelight，which，asalways，hefinishedbystandingononeleg。
Thentheysatdowntoanicenondescriptmeal，alsoofGibbie’sownproviding。
Whentheirmealwasended，hewenttoabureau，andbroughtthenceapaper，plainlywrittentothiseffect：
“IagreetodowhateverSirGilbertGalbraithmayrequireofme，solongasitshallnotbeagainstmyconscience;andconsentthat，ifItastewhiskyonce，heshallsendmeawayimmediately，withoutfurtherreasongiven。”
HehandedittoMistressCroale;sheread，andinstantlylookedaboutforpenandink：shedreadedseemingforamomenttohesitate。
Hebroughtthemtoher，shesigned，andtheyshookhands。
Hethenconductedheralloverthehouse——firsttotheroomspreparedforhisstudyandbedroom，andnexttotheroominthegarret，whichhehadleftjustasitwaswhenhisfatherdiedinit。
Therehegaveheralookbywhichhemeanttosay，“Seewhatwhiskybringspeopleto！”butwhichherconscienceinterpreted，“Seewhatyoubroughtmyfatherto！”Next，onthefloorbetween，heshowedheranumberofbedrooms，allnewlyrepairedandfresh-painted，——withdoublewindows，theinsideonesfilledwithfrostedglass。Theserooms，hegavehertounderstand，hewishedhertofurnish，gettingasmanythingsasshecouldfromMistressMurkison。Goingbackthentothesitting-room，heproceededtoexplainhisplans，tellingherhehadfurnishedthehousethathemightnotanylongerbehimselfsuchastrangerastohavenoplacetotakeastrangerto。ThenhegotaBibletherewasintheroom，andshowedherthosewordsinthebookofExodus——“Also，thoushaltnotoppressastranger;foryeknowtheheartofastranger，seeingyewerestrangersinthelandofEgypt;“andwhileshethoughtagainofherwanderingsthroughthecountry，andhernightsintheopenair，madeherunderstandthatwhomsoeverheshouldatanytimebringhomeshewastotreatashisguest。Shemightgetaservanttowaituponherself，hesaid，butshemustherselfhelphimtowaituponhisguests，inthenameoftheSonofMan。
Sheexpressedheartyacquiescence，butwouldnothearofaservant：
themoreworkthebetterforher！shesaid。Shewouldto-morrowarrangeforgivinguphershopanddisposingofherstockandthefurnitureinhergarret。ButGibbierequestedthekeysofboththoseplaces。Next，heinsistedthatsheshouldneverutterawordastotheuseheintendedmakingofhishouse;ifthethingcameout，itwouldruinhisplans，andhemustgivethemupaltogether——andthereuponhetookhertothegroundfloorandshowedheradoorincommunicationwithapoorlittlehousebehind，bywhichheintendedtointroduceanddismisshisguests，thattheyshouldnotknowwheretheyhadspentthenight。ThenhemadeherreadtohimthehundredandseventhPsalm;afterwhichhelefther，sayinghewouldcometothehouseassoonasthesessionbegan，whichwouldbeinaweek;untilthenheshouldbeatMr。Sclater’s。
Leftaloneinthegreathouse——likeonewithwhomthemostbeneficentoffairieshadbeenbusy，thefirstthingMistressCroaledidwastogoandhaveagoodlookatherself——fromheadtofoot——inthesamemirrorthathadenlightenedDonalastohisoutermostman。
Verydifferentwasthere-reflectionitcausedinMistressCroale：
shewassatisfiedwitheverythingshesawthere，excepthercomplexion，andthatsheresolvedshouldimprove。Shewasalmostpainfullyhappy。OuttherewastheWiddiehill，darkanddismalandcold，throughwhichshehadcome，sadandshiveringandhauntedwithmiserablethoughts，intowarmthandsplendourandluxuryandbliss！
WeeSirGibbiehadmadealadyofher！，IfonlypoorSirGeorgewerealivetoseeandshare！——TherewasbutonethingwantedtomakeitParadiseindeed——agoodtumbleroftoddybythefirebeforeshewenttobed！
Thenfirstshethoughtofthevowshehadmadeasshesignedthepaper，andshuddered——notatthethoughtofbreakingit，butatthethoughtofhavingtokeepit，andnohelp——Nohelp！itwastheeasiestthingintheworldtogetabottleofwhisky。ShehadbuttoruntoJinkLaneatthefarthest，toherownoldhouse，which，forallMr。Sclater，wasawhiskyshopyet！，Shehademptiedhertill，andhadmoneyinherpocket。Whowastheretotell？，ShewouldnothaveachancewhenSirGibbiecamehometoher。Shemustmakeuseofwhattimewaslefther。Shewassafenowfromgoingtoofar，becauseshemustgiveitup;andwhynotthenhaveonefarewellnightofpleasure，tobidalastgood-byetoheroldfriendWhisky？
whatshouldshehavedonewithouthim，lyinginthecoldwindbyadykeside，orgoingdowntheDaurlikeashotonherbrander？——Thusthetemptingpassion;thus，foraughtIknow，atemptingdevilattheearofhermindaswell——ButwiththatcamethefaceofGibbie;
shethoughthowtroubledthatfacewouldlookifshefailedhim。
Whatalost，irredeemablewretchwassheabouttomakeofherselfafterallhehaddoneforher！，No;ifwhiskywasheaven，andthewantofitwashell，shewouldnotdoit！，Sherantothedoor，lockedit，broughtawaythekey，andlaiditundertheBiblefromwhichshehadbeenreadingtoSirGibbie。Perhapsshemighthavedonebetterthanbetakeherselfagaintoherfinery，butitdidhelpherthroughtherestoftheevening，andshewenttohergrandbednotonlysober，butundefiledoftheenemy。WhenGibbiecametoheraweekafter，hecametoatruewoman，onewhohadkeptfaithwithhim。
CHAPTERLVI。
THELAIRDANDTHEPREACHER。
Sincehecametotown，GibbiehadseenGinevrabutonce——thatwasintheNorthchurch。Shelookedsosadandwhitethathisheartwasveryheavyforher。Coulditbethatsherepented？——Shemusthavedoneittopleaseherfather！，IfshewouldmarryDonal，hewouldengagetogiveherGlashruach。SheshouldhaveGlashruachallthesamewhatevershedid，onlyitmightinfluenceherfather。Hepacedupanddownbeforethecottageonceforawholenight，butnogoodcameofthat。Hepacedbeforeitfromdusktobedtimeagainandagain，inthepoorhopeofachanceofspeakingtoGinevra，butheneversawevenhershadowonthewhiteblind。Hewentuptothedooronce，butinthedreadofdispleasingherlosthiscourage，andpacedthestreetthewholemorninginstead，butsawnoonecomeout。
Fergushadgraduallybecomeessentialtothesmallremaininghappinessofwhichthelairdwascapable。Hehadgainedhisfavourchieflythroughtherespectandkindlyattentionheshowedhim。Theyoungpreacherknewlittleofthelaird’scareer，andlookeduponhimasanunfortunateman，towardswhomloyaltynowrequiredevenagreatershowofrespectthanwhileheownedhisfather’sfarm。Theimpulsetransmittedtohimfromthedevotionofancestorstothepatriarchalheadoftheclan，hadfoundblindventinthedirectionofthemerefeudalsuperior，andboththeimpulseanditsobjectremained。Hefelthonoured，evennowthathehadreachedthegoalofhisloftydesiresandwasapopularpreacher，inbeingpermittedtoplaybackgammonwiththegreatman，ortocarveachicken，whenthenowtremblinghands，enfeebledfarmorethroughanxietyanddisappointmentthanfromage，foundthemselvesunequaltothetask：
thelairdhadbeguntotelllongstories，anddranktwiceasmuchashedidayearago;hewassinkinginmorewaysthanone。
FergusatlengthsummonedcouragetoaskhimifhemightpayhisaddressestoMissGalbraith。Theoldmanstarted，castonhimawitheringlook，murmured“TheheiressofGlashruach！”remembered，threwhimselfbackinhischair，andclosedhiseyes。Fergus，ontheothersideofthetable，saterect，adice-boxinhishand，waitingareply。Thefatherreflectedthatifhedeclinedwhathecouldnotcallanhonour，hemustlosewhatwasunquestionablyacomfort：howwashetopassalltheeveningsoftheweekwithoutthepreacher？，Ontheotherhand，ifheacceptedhim，hemightleavethemiserablecottage，andgotothemanse：fromamoralpointofview——thatwas，fromthepointofotherpeople’sjudgmentofhim——itwouldbeofconsequencetohaveaclergymanforason-in-law。
Slowlyheraisedhimselfinhischair，openedhisunsteadyeyes，whichrolledandpitchedlikeboatsonachoppysea，andsaidsolemnly，“Youhavemypermission，Mr。Duff。”
TheyoungpreacherhastenedtofindGinevra，butonlytomeetarefusal，gentleandsorrowful。Hepleadedforpermissiontorepeathisrequestafteraninterval，butshedistinctlyrefused。Shedidnot，however，succeedinmakingamanwithsuchalargeopinionofhimselfhopeless。Disappointedandannoyedhewas，buthesoughtandfanciedhefoundreasonsforherdecisionwhichwerenotunfavourabletohimself，andcontinuedtovisitherfatherasbefore，sayingtohimhehadnotquitesucceededindrawingfromherafavourableanswer，buthopedtoprevail。Henowiseactedthedespairinglover，butmadegrandersermonsthanever，and，ashecametofeelathomeinhispulpit，deliveredthemwithgrowingforce。Butdelaywroughtdesireinthelaird;andatlength，oneevening，havingbycross-questioningsatisfiedhimselfthatFergusmadenoprogress，herose，andgoingtohisdesk，handedhimDonal’sverses。Fergusreadthem，andremarkedhehadreadbetter，butthefirststanzahadaslightflavourofShelley。
“Idon’tcareastrawabouttheirmeritordemerit，“saidMr。
Galbraith;“poetryisnothingbutspoiltprose。WhatIwanttoknowis，whethertheydonotsuggestareasonforyourwantofsuccesswithJenny。Doyouknowthewriting？”
“IcannotsayIdo。ButIthinkitisverylikelythatofDonalGrant;hesetsupfortheBurnsofDaurside。”
“Insolentscoundrel！”criedthelaird，bringingdownhisfistonthetable，andflutteringthewineglasses。“NexttosuperstitionIhateromance——withmywholeheartIdo！”Andsomethinglikeaflashofcoldmoonlightonwintredwatergleamedover，ratherthanshotfrom，hispoorfocuslesseyes。
“But，mydearsir，“saidFergus，“ifIamtounderstandtheselines——“
“Yes！ifyouaretounderstandwherethereisnosensewhatever！”
“IthinkIunderstandthem——ifyouwillexcusemeforventuringtosayso;andwhatIreadinthemis，that，whoeverthewritermaybe，thelady，whoevershemaybe，hadrefusedhim。”
“Youcannotbelievethatthewretchhadtheimpudencetomakemydaughter——theheiressof——atleast——What！makemydaughteranoffer！
Shewouldatoncehaveacquaintedmewiththefact，thathemightreceivesuitablechastisement。Letmelookatthestuffagain。”
“Itisquitepossible，“saidFergus，“itmaybeonlyapoemsomefriendhascopiedforherfromanewspaper。”
Whilehespoke，thelairdwasreadingthelines，andpersuadinghimselfheunderstoodthem。Withsuddenresolve，thepaperheldtorch-likeinfrontofhim，hestrodeintothenextroom，whereGinevrasat。
“Doyoutellme，“hesaidfiercely，“thatyouhavesofarforgottenalldignityandproprietyastogiveadirtycow-boytheencouragementtomakeyouanofferofmarriage？，Theverynotionsetsmybloodboiling。Youwillmakemehateyou，you——you——unworthycreature！”
Ginevrahadturnedwhite，butlookinghimstraightintheface，sheanswered，“Ifthatisaletterforme，youknowIhavenotreadit。”
“There！seeforyourself——Poetry！”Heutteredthewordwithcontemptinexpressible。
Shetooktheversesfromhishandandreadthem。Evenwithherfatherstandingthere，watchingherlikeaninquisitor，shecouldnothelpthetearscominginhereyesassheread。
“Thereisnosuchthinghere，papa，“shesaid。“Theyareonlyverses——biddingmegood-bye。”
“Andwhatrighthasanysuchfellowtobidmydaughtergood-bye？
Explainthattome，ifyouplease。OfcourseIhavebeenformanyyearsawareofyourloveoflowcompany，butIhadhopedasyougrewolderyouwouldlearnmanners：modestywouldhavebeentoomuchtolookfor——Ifyouhadnothingtobeashamedof，whydidyounottellmeoftheunpleasantaffair？，Isnotyourfatheryourbestfriend？”
“WhyshouldImakebothhimandyouuncomfortable，papa——whentherewasnotgoingtobeanythingmoreofit？”
“Whythendoyougohankeringafterhimstill，andrefusingMr。
Duff？，Itistrueheisnotexactlyagentlemanbybirth，butheissuchbyeducation，bymanners，byposition，byinfluence。”
“Papa，IhavealreadytoldMr。Duff，asplainlyasIcouldwithoutbeingrude，thatIwouldneverlethimtalktomeso。WhatladywouldrefuseDonalGrantandlistentohim！”
“Youareabold，insolenthussey！”criedherfatherinfreshrageandleavingtheroom，rejoinedFergus。
Theysatsilentbothforawhile——thenthepreacherspoke。
“Othercommunicationsmayhavesincereachedherfromthesamequarter，“hesaid。
“Thatisimpossible，“rejoinedthelaird。
“Idon’tknowthat，“insistedFergus。“Thereisafoolish——ahalf-sillycompanionofhisaboutthetown。TheycallhimSirGibbieGalbraith。”
“Jennyknowsnosuchperson。”
“Indeedshedoes。Ihaveseenthemtogether。”
“Oh！youmeantheladtheministeradopted！theurchinhetookoffthestreets！——SirGibbieGalbraith！”herepeatedsneeringly，butasonereflecting。“——Idovaguelyrecallaslanderousrumourinwhichacertainfemaleconnectionofthefamilywashintedat——Yes！
that’swherethenicknamecomesfrom——Andyouthinkshekeepsupacommunicationwiththeclownthroughhim？”
“Idon’tsaythat，sir。ImerelythinkitpossibleshemayseethisGibbieoccasionally;andIknowheworshipsthecow-boy：itisapositivefeatureofhisfoolishness，andIwishitweretheworst。”
TherewithhetoldwhatheheardfromMissKimble，andwhathehadseenforhimselfonthenightwhenhewatchedGibbie。
“Herverybloodmustbetainted！”saidherfathertohimself，butadded，“——fromhermother’sside;“andhisattacksuponherafterthiswereatleastdiurnal。Itwasarelieftohisfeelingofhavingwrongedher，toabuseherwithjustice。Forawhileshetriedhardtoconvincehimnowthatthisnowthatthatnotionofherconduct，orofGibbie’sorDonal’s，wasmistaken：hewouldlistentonothingshesaid，continuallyinsistingthattheonlyamendsforherpastwastomarryaccordingtohiswishes;togiveupsuperstition，andpoetry，andcow-boys，anddumbrascals，andsettledownintoarespectablematron，acomforttothegrayhairsshewasnowbringingwithsorrowtothegrave。ThenGinevrabecameabsolutelysilent;hehadtaughtherthatanyreplywasbutanewstartforhisobjurgation，aknifewherewithtopunctureafreshgall-bladderofabuse。Hestormedatherforhersullenness，butshepersistedinhersilence，sorelydistressedtofindhowdeadherheartseemedgrowingunderhistreatmentofher：whatwouldatonetimehavemadeherutterlymiserable，nowpassedoverherasoneofthebillowsofatroublethathadtobeborne，asoneofthethrobsofaheadache，drawingfromherscarcelyasigh。Shedidnotunderstandthat，herheavenbeingdark，shecouldseenoindividualcloudagainstit，that，heremotionalnatureuntuned，discorditselfhadceasedtojar。
CHAPTERLVII。
AHIDING-PLACEFROMTHEWIND。
GibbiefoundeverythingattheAuldHooseincompleteorderforhisreception：MistressCroalehadbeenverydiligent，andpromisedwellforahousekeeper——lookedwell，too，inherblacksatinandlace，withhercomplexion，shejustlyflatteredherself，notalittleimproved。Shehadagoodmealreadyforhim，witheveryadjunctinproperstyle，duringthepreparationofwhichshehadrevelledinthethoughtthatsomeday，whenshehadquiteestablishedherfitnessforhernewposition，SirGibbiewouldcertainlyinvitetheministerandhisladytodinewithhim，whenshe，whomtheyweretooproudtoasktopartakeoftheircockie-leekie，wouldshowthemsheknewbothwhatadinneroughttobe，andhowtopresideatit;andthesoupitshouldbecockie-leekie。
Everythingwentcomfortably。Gibbiewassowellupinmathematics，thankstoMr。Sclater，that，doingallrequisiteforhonourablestudentship，buthavingnodesiretodistinguishhimself，hehadplentyoftimeformoreimportantduty。Nowthathewasbyhimself，asifoldhabithadreturnedintheshapeofnewpassion，heroamedthestreetseverynight。Hiscustomwasthis：afterdinner，whichhehadwhenhecamefromcollege，abouthalf-pastfour，helaydown，fellasleepinamoment，ashealwaysdid，andslepttillhalf-pastsix;thenhehadtea，andafterthat，studied——notdawdledoverhisbooks，tillteno’clock，whenhetookhisGreekTestament。Atelevenhewentout，seldomfinallyreturningbeforehalf-pastone，sometimesnotforanhourlonger——duringwhichtimeMistressCroalewasinreadinesstoreceiveanyguesthemightbringhome。
