donal grant-第74章

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Arctura　he　did　not　inquire：　greatly　interested　in　hermore　in　very
important　ways　than　he　had　ever　been　in　lady　Galbraithhe　was　so
jealous　of　his　heart；　shrank　so　much　from　the　danger　of　folly；　knew
so　well　how　small　an　amount　of　yielding　might　unfit　him　for　the
manly　and　fresh　performance　of　his　dutiesamong　which　came　first　a
due　regard　for　her　well…being　lest　he　should　himself　fail　or　mislead
herthat　he　often　turned　his　thoughts　into　another　channel；　lest　in
that　they　should　run　too　swiftly；　deepen　it　too　fast；　and　go　far　to
imprison　themselves　in　another　agony。

To　lady　Galbraith　he　confided　his　uneasiness　about　lady　Arcturanot
that　he　could　explainhe　could　only　confess　himself　infected　with
her　uneasiness；　and　the　rather　that　he　knew　better　than　she　the
nature　of　those　with　whom　she　might　have　to　cope。　If　Mrs。　Brookes
had　not　been　there；　he　dared　not　have　come　away；　he　said；　leaving
her　with　such　a　dread　upon　her。

Sir　Gibbie　listened　open…mouthed　to　the　tale　of　the　finding　of　the
lost　chapel；　hidden　away　because　it　held　the　dust　of　the　dead；　and
perhaps　sometimes　their　wandering　ghosts。

They　assured　him　that；　if　he　would　bring　lady　Arctura　to　them；　they
would　take　care　of　her：　had　she　not　better　give　up　the　weary
property；　they　said；　and　come　and　live　with　them；　and　be　free　as　the
lark？　But　Donal　said；　that；　if　God　had　given　her　a　property；　he
would　not　have　her　forsake　her　post；　but　wait　for　him　to　relieve
her。　She　must　administer　her　own　kingdom　ere　she　could　have　an
abundant　entrance　into　his！　Only　he　wished　he　were　near　her　again　to
help　her！




CHAPTER　LXXII。

SENT；　NOT　CALLED。

He　had　been　at　home　about　ten　days；　during　which　not　a　word　had　come
to　Davie　or　himself　from　the　castle；　and　was　beginning　to　grow；　not
perhaps　anxious；　but　hungry　for　news　of　lady　Arctura；　when　from　a
sound　sleep　he　started　suddenly　awake　one　midnight　to　find　his
mother　by　his　bedside：　she　had　roused　him　with　difficulty。

〃Laddie；〃　she　said；　〃I'm　thinkin　ye're　wantit。〃

〃Whaur　am　I　wantit；　mother？〃　he　asked；　rubbing　his　eyes；　but　with
anxiety　already　throbbing　at　his　heart。

〃At　the　castle；〃　she　replied。

〃Hoo　ken　ye　that？〃　he　asked。

〃It　wad　be　ill　tellin'　ye；〃　she　answered。　〃But　gien　I　was　you；
Donal；　I　wad　be　aff　afore　the　day　brak；　to　see　what　they're　duin'
wi'　yon　puir　leddy　at　the　muckle　place　ye　left。　My　hert's　that　sair
aboot　her；　I　canna　rest　a　moment　till　I　hae　ye　awa'　upo'　the　ro'd
til　her！〃

Long　before　his　mother　had　ended；　Donal　was　out　of　bed；　and　hurrying
on　his　clothes。　He　had　the　profoundest　faith　in　whatever　his　mother
said。　Was　it　a　vision　she　had　had？　He　had　never　been　told　she　had
the　second　sight！　It　might　have　been　only　a　dream；　or　an　impression
so　deep　she　must　heed　it！　One　thing　was　plain：　there　was　no　time　to
ask　questions！　It　was　enough　that　his　mother　said　〃Go；〃　more　than
enough　that　it　was　for　lady　Arctura！　How　quickest　could　he　go？　There
were　horses　at　sir　Gibbie's：　he　would　make　free　with　one！　He　put　a
crust　of　bread　in　his　pocket；　and　set　out　running。　There　was　a
little　moonlight；　enough　for　one　who　knew　every　foot　of　the　way；　and
in　half　an　hour　of　swift　descent；　he　was　at　the　stable　door　of
Glashruach。

Finding　himself　unable　to　rouse　anyone；　he　crept　through　a　way　he
knew；　opened　the　door；　without　a　moment's　hesitation　saddled　and
bridled　sir　Gibbie's　favourite　mare；　led　her　out；　and　mounted　her。

Safe　in　the　saddle；　with　four　legs　busy　under　him；　he　had　time　to
think；　and　began　to　turn　over　in　his　mind　what　he　must　do。　But　he
soon　saw　there　was　no　planning　anything　till　he　knew　what　was　the
matterof　which　he　had　dreadful　forebodings。　His　imagination
started　and　spurred　by　fear；　he　thought　of　many　dread　possibilities
concerning　which　he　wondered　that　he　had　never　thought　of　them
before：　if　he　had　he　could　not　have　left　the　castle！　What　might　not
a　man　in　the　mental　and　moral　condition　of　the　earl；　unrestrained　by
law　or　conscience；　risk　to　secure　the　property　for　his　son？　Might　he
not　poison　her；　smother　her；　kill　her　somehow；　anyhow　that　was
safest？　Then　rushed　into　his　mind　what　the　housekeeper　had　told　him
of　his　cruelty　to　his　wife：　a　man　like　that；　no　longer　feeling；
however　knowing　the　difference　between　right　and　wrong；　hardly
knowing　the　difference　between　dreaming　a　thing　and　doing　the　thing；
was　no　fitter　member　of　a　family　than　any　devil　in　or　out　of　hell！
He　would　have　blamed　himself　bitterly　had　he　not　been　sure　he　was
not　following　his　own　will　in　going　away。　If　there　were　a　better　way
it　had　not　been　intended　he　should　take　it；　else　it　would　have　been
shown　him！　But　now　he　would　be　restrained　by　no　delicacy　towards　the
earl：　whatever　his　hand　found　to　do　he　would　do；　regardless　of
appearances！　If　he　could　not　reach　lady　Arctura；　he　would　seek　the
help　of　the　law；　tell　what　he　knew；　and　get　a　warrant　of　search。　He
dared　not　think　what　he　dreaded；　but　he　would　trust　nothing　but
seeing　her　with　his　own　eyes；　and　hearing　from　her　own　mouth　that
all　was　wellwhich　could　not　be；　else　why　should　his　mother　have
sent　him　to　her？　Doubtless　the　way　would　unfold　before　him　as　he
went　on；　but　if　everything　should　seem　to　go　against　him；　he　would
yet　say　with　sir　Philip　Sidney　that；　〃since　a　man　is　bound　no
farther　to　himself　than　to　do　wisely；　chance　is　only　to　trouble　them
that　stand　upon　chance。〃　If　his　plans　or　attempts　should　one　after
the　other　fail；　〃there's　a　divinity　that　shapes　our　ends；　rough…hew
them　how　we　will〃！　So　he　rode　on；　careful　over　his　mare；　lest　much
haste　should　be　little　speed。　The　animal　was　strong　and　in　good
condition；　and　by　the　time　Donal　had　seen　the　sun　rise；　ascend　the
heavens；　and　go　half…way　down　their　western　slope；　and　had　stopped
three　times　to　refresh　the　mare；　he　found　himself；　after　much
climbing　and　descent；　on　a　good　level　road　that　promised　by
nightfall　to　bring　him　to　the　place　of　his　desire。

But　the　mare　was　now　getting　tired；　and　no　wonder；　for　she　had　had
more　than　a　hard　day's　work。　Donal　dismounted　every　now　and　then　to
relieve　her；　that　he　might　go　the　faster　when　he　mounted　again；
comforting　himself　that　in　the　true　path　the　delays　are　as　important
as　the　speed；　for　the　hour　is　the　point；　not　the　swiftness：　an　hour
too　soon　may　even　be　more　disastrous　than　an　hour　too　late！　He　would
arrive　at　the　right　time　for　him　whose　ways　are　not　as　our　ways
inasmuch　as　they　are　greatly　better！　The　sun　went　down　and　the　stars
came　out；　and　the　long　twilight　began。　But　before　he　was　a　mile
farther　he　became　aware　that　the　sky　had　clouded　over；　the　stars　had
vanished；　and　rain　was　at　hand。　The　day　had　been　sultry；　and　relief
was　come。　Lightning　flamed　out；　and　darkness　full　of　thunder
followed。　The　storm　was　drawing　nearer；　but　his　mare；　though　young
and　high…spirited；　was　too　weary　to　be　frightened；　the　rain
refreshed　both；　and　they　made　a　little　more　speed。　But　it　was　dark
night；　with　now　grumbling　now　raging　storm；　before　they　came　where；
had　it　been　light；　Donal　would　have　looked　to　see　the　castle。




CHAPTER　LXXIII。

IN　THE　NIGHT。

When　he　reached　the　town；　he　rode　into　the　yard　of　the　Morven　Arms；
and　having　found　a　sleepy　ostler；　gave　up　his　mare：　he　would　be
better　without　her　at　the　castle！whither　he　was　setting　out　to
walk　when　the　landlord　appeared。

〃We　didna　luik　to　see　you；　sir；　at　this　time！〃　he　said。

〃Why　not？〃　returned　Donal。

〃We　thoucht　ye　was　awa'　for　the　simmer；　seein'　ye　tuik　the　yoong
gentleman　wi'　ye；　an'　the　yerl　himsel'　followt！〃

〃Where　is　he　gone？〃　asked　Donal。

〃Oh！　dinna　ye　ken；　sir？　hae　na　ye　h'ard？〃

〃Not　a　word。〃

〃That's　verra　strange；　sir！There's　a　clean　clearance　at　the
castel。　First　gaed　my　lord　Forgue；　an'　syne　my　lord　himsel'　an'　my
lady；　an'　syne　gaed　the　hoosekeeperher　mither　was　deein'；　they
said。　I'm　thinkin'　there　maun　be　a　weddin'　to　the　fore。　There　was
some　word　o'　fittin'　up　the　auld　hoose　i'　the　toon；　'cause　lord
Forgue　didna　care　aboot　bein'　at　the　castel　ony　langer。　It's　strange
ye　haena　h'ard；　sir！〃

Donal　stood　absorbed　in　awful　hearing。　Surely　some　letter　must　have
miscarried！　The　sure　and　firm…set　earth　seemed　giving　way　under　his
feet。

〃I　will　run　up　to　the　castle；　and　hear　all　about　it；〃　he　said。　〃Look
after　my　mare；　will　you？〃

〃But　I'm　tellin'　ye；　sir；　ye'll　fin'　naebody　there！〃　said　the　man。
〃They're　a'　gane　frae　the　hoose　ony　gait。　There's　no　a　sowl　aboot
that　but　deif　Betty　Lobban；　wha　wadna　hear　the　angel　wi'　the　last
trump。　Mair　by　token；　she's　that　feart　for　robbers　she　gangs　til　her
bed　the　minute　it　begins　to　grow　dark；　an'　sticks　her　heid　'aneth
the　bed…claesno　'at　that　maks　her　ony　deifer！〃

〃Then　you　think　there　is　no　use　in　going　up？〃

〃Not　the　smallest；〃　answered　the　inn…keeper。

〃Get　me　some　supper　then。　I　will　take　a　look　at　my　mare。〃

He　went　and　saw　that　she　was　attended　tothen　set　off　for　the
castle　as　fast　as　his　legs　would　carry　him。　There　was　foul　play
beyond　a　doubt！of　what　sort　he　could　not　tell！　If　the　man's　report
was　correct；　he　would　go　straight　to　the　police！　Then　first　he
remembered；　in　addition　to　the　other　reported　absences；　that　before
he　left　with　Davie；　the　factor　and　his　sister　had　gone　together　for
a　holiday：　had　this　been　contrived？

He　mounted　the　hill　and　drew　near　the　castle。　A　terrible　gloom　fell
upon　him：　there　was　not　a　light　in　the　sullen　pile！　It　was　darksome
even　to　terror！　He　went　to　the　main　entrance；　and　rang　the　great
bell　as　loud　as　he　could　ring　it；　but　there　was　no　answer　to　the
summons；　which　echoed　and　yelled　horribly；　as　if　the　house　were
actually　empty。　He　rang　again；　and　again　came　the　horrible　yelling
echo；　but　no　more　answer　than　if　it　had　been　a　mausoleum。　He　had
been　told　what　to　expect；　yet　his　heart　sank　within　him。　Once　more
he　rang　and　waited；　but　there　was　no　sound　of　hearing。　The　place
grew　terrible　to　him。　But　his　mother　had　sent　him　there；　and　into　it
he　must　go！　He　must　at　least　learn　whether　it　was　indeed　abandoned！
There　was　false　play！　he　kept　repeating　to　himself；　but　what　was　it？
where　and　how　was　it　to　be　met？

As　to　getting　into　the　house　there　was　no　difficulty。　He　had　but　to
climb　two　walls　to　get　to　the　door　of　Baliol's　tower；　and　the　key　of
that　he　always　carried。　If　he　had　not　had　it；　he　would　yet　soon　have
got　in；　he　knew　the　place　better　than　any　one　else　about　it。　Happily
he　had　left　the　door　locked　when　he　went　away；　else　probably　they
would　have　secured　it　otherwise。　He　entered　softly；　and；　with　a
strange　feeling　of　dread；　went　winding　up　the　stair　to　his
roomslowly；　because　he　did　not　yet　know　at　all　what　he　was　to　do。
If　there　were　no　false　play；　surely　at　least　Mrs。　Brookes　would　have
written　to　tell　him　they　were　going！　If　only　he　could　learn　where
she　was！　Before　he　reached　the　top　he　found　himself　very　weary。　He
staggered　in；　and　fell　on　his　bed　in　the　dark。

But　he　could　not　rest。　The　air　seemed　stifling。　The　storm　had
lulled；　but　the　atmosphere　was　full　of　thunder。　He　got　up　and　opened
the　window。　A　little　breath　came　in　and　revived　him；　then　came　a
little　wind；　and　in　the　wind　the　moan　of　its　harp。　It　woke　many
memories。　There　again　was　the　lightning！　The　thunder　broke　with　a
great　bellowing　roar　among　the　roo