CHAPTERXII。
ASUNDAYWITHFALCONER。
Howhappyishebornandtaught，Thatservethnotanother\'swill；
Whosearmourishishonestthought，Andsimpletruthhisutmostskill。
ThismanisfreedfromservilebandsOfhopetoriseorfeartofall：
Lordofhimself，thoughnotoflands，And，havingnothing，yethathall。
SIRHENRYWOTTON。
ItwasnotoftenthatFalconerwenttochurch；butheseemedtohavesomedesigningoingoftenerthanusualatpresent。TheSundayaftertheonelastmentioned，hewentaswell，thoughnottothesamechurch，andcallingforHughtookhimwithhim。Whattheyfoundthere，andtheconversationfollowingthereupon，Iwilltrytorelate，because，althoughtheydonotimmediatelyaffectmyoutwardstory，theygreatlyinfluencedHugh\'srealhistory。
TheyheardtheMorningServiceandtheLitanyreadinanordinarymanner，thoughsomewhatmoredevoutlythanusual。Then，fromthecommunion-table，roseavoicevibratingwithsolemnemotion，likethevoiceofAbrahampleadingforSodom。ItthrilledthroughHugh\'sheart。Thesermonwhichfollowedaffectedhimnoless，although，whenhecameout，heconfessedtoFalconerthathehadonlycaughtflyingglimpsesofitsmeaning，scope，anddrift。
“Iseldomgotochurch，“saidFalconer；“butwhenIdo，Icomehere：
andalwaysfeelthatIaminthepresenceofoneoftheholyservantsofGod\'sgreattemplenotmadewithhands。Iheartilytrustthatman。Heiswhatheseemstobe。“
“Theysayheisawfullyheterodox。“
“Theydo。“
“Howthencanheremaininthechurch，ifheisashonestasyousay？”
“Inthisway，asIhumblyventuretothink，“Falconeranswered。“Helooksupontheformul？ofthechurchasutterancesoflivingtruth——vitalembodiments——toberegardedasoneoughttoregardhumanfaces。Inthesehumanfaces，othersmayseethisorthatinferiorexpression，mayfindoutthemeanandthesmallandtheincomplete：helooksforandfindstheideal；thegrand，sacred，God-meantmeaning；andbythatheholdsasthemeaningofthehumancountenances，foritisthemeaningofhimwhomadethem。SowiththeconfessionoftheChurchofEngland：hebelievesthatnotmanonly，butGodalso，andGodfirstandchief，hadtodowiththemakingofit；andthereforehelooksinitfortheEternalandtheDivine，andhefindswhatheseeks。Andasnowordscanavoidbearinginthemthepossibilityofavarietyofinterpretations，hewouldexcludewhateverthewordsmightmean，or，regardedmerelyaswords，domean，inanarrowexposition：hethinksitwouldbedishonesttotakethelowmeaningasthemeaning。Toreturntothefaces：hepassesbymoodsandtempers，andbeholdsthemaincharacter——thatonwhosesurfacethetemporalandtransientfloats。
Bothinfacesandinformul？helovesthedivinesubstance，withhistrue，manly，braveheart；andasforthefaultsinboth——forman，too，hashisshareinboth——Ibelieveheisreadytodiebythem，ifonlyinsodoinghemightdieforthem——IhadavisionofhimthismorningasIsatandlistenedtohisvoice，whichalwaysseemstometocomeimmediatelyfromhisheart，asifhisheartspokewithlipsofitsown。ShallItellyoumyvision？——
“Isawacrowd——priestsandlaymen——speeding，hurrying，dartingaway，upasteep，crumblingheight。Mitres，hoods，andhatsrolledbehindthemtothebottom。Everyoneforhimself，withhandsandfeettheyscrambleandflee，tosavetheirsoulsfromthefiresofhellwhichcomerollinginalongthehollowbelowwiththeforward\'pointingspires\'ofbillowyflame。Butbeneath，rightinthecourseofthefire，standsonemanuponalittlerockwhichgoesdowntothecentreofthegreatworld，andfacestheapproachingflames。Hestandsbareheaded，hiseyesbrightwithfaithinGod，andthemightymouththatuttershistruth，fixedinholydefiance。
Hisdenialcomesfromnofear，orweakdisliketothatwhichispainful。Onneithersidewillhetellliesforpeace。Heisreadytobelostforhisfellow-men。InthenameofGodherebukestheflamesofhell。Thefugitivespauseonthetop，lookback，callhimlyingprophet，andshoutevilopprobriousnamesatthemanwhocountsnothisownlifedeartohim，whohasforgottenhisownsoulinhissacreddevotiontomen，whofillsupwhatisleftbehindofthesufferingsofChrist，forhisbody\'ssake——forthehumanrace，ofwhichheisthehead。Besurethat，comewhatmayoftherest，lettheflamesofhellebborflow，thatmanissafe，forheisdeliveredalreadyfromtheonlydevilthatcanmakehellitselfatorture，thedevilofselfishness——theonlyonethatcanpossessamanandmakehimselfhisownlivinghell。Heisoutofallthatregionofthings，andalreadydwellinginthesecretplaceoftheAlmighty。“
“Goon，goon。“
“HetrustsinGodsoabsolutely，thatheleaveshissalvationtohim——utterly，fearlessly；and，forgettingit，asbeingnoconcernofhis，setshimselftodotheworkthatGodhasgivenhimtodo，evenashisLorddidbeforehim，countingthataloneworthyofhiscare。
LetGod\'swillbedone，andalliswell。IfGod\'swillbedone，hecannotfareill。Tohim，Godisallinall。Ifitbepossibletoseparatesuchthings，itisthegloryofGod，evenmorethanthesalvationofmen，thatheseeks。HewillnothaveitthathisFatherinheavenisnotperfect。HebelievesentirelythatGodloves，yea，islove；and，therefore，thathellitselfmustbesubservienttothatlove，andbutanembodimentofit；thatthegrandworkofJusticeistomakewayforaLovewhichwillgivetoeverymanthatwhichisrightandtentimesmore，evenifitshouldbebymeansofawfulsuffering——asufferingwhichtheLoveoftheFatherwillnotshun，eitherforhimselforhischildren，butwilleagerlymeetfortheirsakes，thathemaygivethemallthatisinhisheart。“
“Surelyyouspeakyourownopinionsindescribingthuswarmlythefaithofthepreacher。“
“Ido。HeisaccountablefornothingIsay。AllIassertis，thatthisishowIseemtomyselftosucceedinunderstandinghim。“
“Howisitthatsomanygoodpeoplecallhimheterodox？”
“Idonotmindthat。Iamannoyedonlywhengood-heartedpeople，withsmallnaturesandcultivatedintellects，patronisehim，andtalkforgivinglyofhiswarmheartandunsoundjudgment。Tothese，theologymustbelikeamap——withplentyoflinesinit。Theycannottrusttheirhouseonthehightable-landofhistheology，becausetheycannotseetheoutlinesboundingthesaidtable-land。
Itisnotsmallenoughforthem。Theycannottakeitin。Suchcanhardlybesatisfiedwiththecreation，onewouldthink，seeingthereisnolineofdivisionanywhereinit。Theywouldtakecarethereshouldbenomistake。“
“DoesGoddrawnolines，then？”
“Whenhedoes，theyarepurelines，withoutbreadth，andconsequentlyinvisibletomortaleyes；notChinesewallsofseparation，suchasthesedefinerswouldconstruct。Suchmindsare？prioriincapableoftheorisinguponhistheories。Or，toalterthefigure，theywilldiscoverathousandfaultsinhisdrawing，buttheycanneverbeholdthefigureconstructedbyhislines，andcontainingthefaultswhichtheybelievetheydiscover。“
“Butcanthosetheoriesinreligionbecorrectwhicharesohardtosee？”
“Theyareonlyhardtocertainnatures。“
“Butthosenaturesareabovetheaverage。“
“Yes，inintellectanditscultivation——nothingmore。“
“Youhavegrantedthemheart。“
“Notmuch；butwhatthereis，good。“
“Thatisallowingagreatdeal，though。Isitnothardthentosaythatsuchcannotunderstandhim？”
“Why？Theywillgettoheaven，whichisalltheywant。Andtheywillunderstandhimoneday，whichismorethantheyprayfor。Tilltheyhavedonebeinganxiousabouttheirownsalvation，wemustforgivethemthattheycancontemplatewithcalmnessthedamnationofauniverse，andbelievethatGodisyetmoreindifferentthanthey。“
“Butdotheynotbringthechargeslikewiseagainstyou，ofbeingunabletounderstandthem？”
“Yes。Andsoitmustremain，tilltheSpiritofGoddecidethematter，whichIpresumemusttakeplacebyslowdegrees。Forthisdecisioncanonlyconsistintheenlightenmentofsoulstoseethetruth；andthereforehastodowithindividualsonly。ThereisnotriumphfortheTruthbutthat。Sheknowsnogloryingoverthevanquished，forinhervictorythevanquishedisalreadyofthevanquishers。Tillthen，theRightmustbecontenttobecalledtheWrong，and——whichisfarharder——toseemtheWrong。Thereisnospiritualvictorygainedbyaverbalconquest；orbyanykindoftorture，evenshouldtherackemployedbethatofthepurestlogic。
Naymore：solongasthewickedthemselvesremainimpenitent，thereismourninginheaven；andwhenthereisnolongeranyhopeoveronelastremainingsinner，heavenitselfmustconfessitsdefeat，heapuponthatsinnerwhatplaguesyouwill。“
Hughpondered，andcontinuedponderingtilltheyreachedFalconer\'schambers。AtthedoorHughpaused。
“Willyounotcomein？”
“IfearIshallbecometroublesome。“
“Nofearofthat。IpromisetogetridofyouassoonasIfindyouso。“
“Thankyou。Justletmeknowwhenyouhavehadenoughofme。“
Theyentered。Mrs。Ashton，who，unlikeherclass，wasnevermissingwhenwanted，gotthemsomebreadandcheese；andFalconer\'sFortunatus-purseofacellar——thebottomofhiscupboard——supplieditsusualbottleofport；towhichfarethefriendssatdown。
Theconversation，likeabirddescendinginspirals，settledatlastuponthesubjectwhichhadmoreorlessoccupiedHugh\'sthoughtseversincehisunsatisfactoryconversationwithFunkelstein，attheirfirstmeeting；andstillmoresincehehadlearnedthatthismanhimselfexercisedanunlawfulinfluenceoverEuphra。HebeggedFalconer，ifhehadanytheorycomprehendingsuchthings，tolethimknowwhatkindofarelationitwas，inwhichMissCameronstoodtoFunkelstein，orCountvonHalkar。
“Ihavehadoccasiontothinkagooddealaboutthosethings，“saidFalconer。“Thefirstthingevidentis，thatMissCameronispeculiarlyconstituted，belongingtoaclasswhichis，however，largerthaniscommonlysupposed，circumstancesrarelycombiningtobringoutitspeculiarities。Inthosewhoconstitutethisclass，thenervouselement，eitherfrompreponderating，orfromnotbeinginhealthyandharmoniouscombinationwiththemorematerialelement，manifestsitselfbeyonditsordinarysphereofoperation，andsooccasionsresultsunliketheusualphenomenaoflife，though，ofcourse，inaccordancewithnaturallaws。Touseasimile：itis，insuchcases，asifallthenervesofthehumanbodycamecrowdingtothesurface，andthereexposedthemselvestoathousandinfluences，fromwhichtheywouldotherwisebepreserved。OfcourseIamnotattemptingtoexplain，onlytosuggestaconceivablehypothesis。Uponsuchconstitutions，itwouldnotbesurprisingthatcertainotherconstitutions，similar，yetdiffering，shouldexerciseapeculiarinfluence。Youare，Idaresay，moreorlessfamiliarwiththemainfeaturesofmesmerismanditsallies，amongwhichiswhatiscalledbiology。IpresumeitisonsuchconstitutionsasIhavesupposed，thatthosepowersarechieflyoperative。MissCameronhas，atsometimeorotherinherhistory，submittedherselftotheinfluencesofthisCountHalkar；andhehasthusgainedamostdangerousauthorityoverher，whichhehasexercisedforhisownends。“
“ShemorethanimpliedasmuchinthelastconversationIhadwithher。“
“Sohiswillbecameherlaw。Thereisintheworldofmindasomethingcorrespondingtophysicalforceinthematerialworld——I
cannotavoidjusttouchinguponahigheranalogy。Thekingdomofheavenisnotcome，evenwhenGod\'swillisourlaw：itiscomewhenGod\'swillisourwill。WhileGod\'swillisourlaw，wearebutakindofnobleslaves；whenhiswillisourwill，wearefreechildren。Nothinginnatureisfreeenoughtobeasymbolforthestateofthosewhoactimmediatelyfromtheessenceoftheirhiddenlife，andtherecognitionofGod\'swillasthatessence。But，asI
said，thisbelongstoafarhigherregion。Ionlywantedtotouchontherelationofthefreedoms——physical，mental，andspiritual。
Toreturntothepointinhand：Irecogniseinthestoryaclearevidenceofstrifeandpartialvictoryintheaffairofthering。
Thecount——wewillcallhimbythenamehegiveshimself——hadevidentlybeenanxiousforyearstopossesshimselfofthisring：
theprobablereasonswehavealreadytalkedof。Hehadlaidhisinjunctionsonhisslavetofinditforhim；andshe，perhapsatfirstnothingloath，perhapslovingthemanaswellassubmittingtohim，hadforalongtimeattemptedtofindit，buthadfailed。Thecount，probablydoubtinghersincerity，andhoping，atallevents，tourgehersearch，followedhertoArnstead，whereitisverylikelyhehadbeenbefore，althoughhehadavoidedMr。Arnold。
Judgingitadvantageoustogetintothehouse，inordertomakeobservations，heemployedhischancemeetingwithyoutothatresult。But，beforethis，hehadwatchedMissCameron\'sfamiliaritywithyou——wasjealousandtyrannical。Hencethevariationsofherconducttoyou；forwhenhispowerwasuponher，shecouldnotdoasshepleased。Butshemusthavehadarealregardforyou；forsheevidentlyrefusedtogetyouintotroublebytakingtheringfromyourcustody。Butmysurpriseisthatthefellowlimitedhimselftothatonejewel。“
“Youmaysoonberelievedfromthatsurprise，“answeredHugh：“hetookavaluablediamondofmineaswell。“
“Therascal！Wemaycatchhim，butyouarenotlikelytofindyourdiamondagain。Still，thereissomepossibility。“
“Howdoyouknowshewasnotwillingtotakeitfromme？”
“Because，byherownaccount，hehadtodestroyherpowerofvolitionentirely，beforehecouldmakeherdoit。Hethrewherintoamesmericsleep。“
“Ishouldliketounderstandhispoweroverheralittlebetter。Insuchcasesofbiology——howtheycametoabusetheword，Ishouldliketoknow——“
“Justastheycalltable-rapping，&c。，spiritualism。“
“Isupposehisrelationtohermustbeclassedamongstphenomenaofthatsort？”
“Certainly。“
“Well，tellme，doestheinfluenceoutlastthemesmericcondition？”
“Ifbymesmericconditionyoumeananystateevidentlyapproachingtothatofsleep——undoubtedly。Itis，inmanycases，quiteindependentofsuchacondition。Perhapsthedegreeofwillingsubmissionatfirst，mayhavesomethingtodowithit。Butmesmericinfluence，whateveritmaymean，isentirelyindependentofsleep。
Thatisanaccidentaccompanyingit，perhapssometimesindicatingitsculmination。“
“Doesthepersonsoinfluencedactwithoragainsthiswill？”
“Thatisamostdifficultquestion，involvingothersequallydifficult。Myownimpressionis，thatthepatient——forpatientinaveryserioussenseheis——actswithhisinclination，andoftenwithhiswill；butinmanycaseswithhisinclinationagainsthiswill。
Thisisaveryimportantdistinctioninmorals，butoftenoverlooked。Whenamanisactingwithhisinclination，hiswillisinabeyance。Inourpresentimperfectcondition，itseemstomethattheabsolutewillhasnoopportunityofpureaction，ofoperatingentirelyasitself，exceptwhenworkinginoppositiontoinclination。Buttoreturn：thepowerofthebiologistappearstometolieinthis——heisable，bysomemysterioussympathy，toproduceinthemindofthepatientsuchforcefulimpulsestodowhateverhewills，thattheyareinfactirresistibletoalmostallwhoareobnoxioustohisinfluence。Thewillrequiresanespecialtrainingandadistinctdevelopment，beforeitiscapableofactingwithanydegreeoffreedom。Themenwhohaveundergonethisareveryfewindeed；andnoonewhosewillisnoteducatedaswill，can，ifsubjectedtotheinfluencesofbiology，resisttheimpulsesrousedinhispassivebrainbytheactivebrainoftheoperator。
Thisatleastismyimpression。
“Otherthingsnodoubtcombinedtoincreasetheinfluenceinthepresentcase。Shelikedhim，perhapsmorethanlikedhimonce。Shewaspartiallycommittedtohisschemes；andshewaseasilymesmerised。Itwouldseem，besides，thatshewasnaturallydisposedtosomnambulism。Thisisaremarkableco-existenceofdistinctdevelopmentsofthesamepeculiarity。Inthislattercondition，evenifinothersshewereabletoresisthim，shewouldbequitehelpless；forallthethoughtsthatpassedthroughherbrainwouldowetheirorigintohis——Imaginebeingforcedtothinkanotherman\'sthoughts！Thatwouldbepossessionindeed！Andthisisnotfarremovedfromtheoldstoriesaboutthedemonsenteringintoaman——Hewouldberuleroverthewholeintellectuallifethatpassedinherduringthetime；andwhichtoher，asfarastheideassuggestedbelongedtotheoutwardworld，wouldappearanouterlife，passingallroundher，notinher。Shewould，infact，beacreatureofhisimaginationforthetime，asmuchasanycharacterinvented，andsentthroughvariedcircumstances，feelings，andactions，bythemindofthepoetornovelist。Lookatthefacts。
Shewarnedyoutobewareofthecountthatnightbeforeyouwentintothehauntedbed-chamber。Evenwhensheenteredit，byyourownaccount——“
“Enteredit？ThenyoudothinkitwasEuphrawhopersonatedtheghost？”
“Iamsureofit。Shewassleep-walking。“
“Butsodifferent——suchadeath-likelook！”
“Allthatwaseasyenoughtomanage。Sherefusedtoobeyhimatfirst。Hemesmerizedher。Itverylikelywentfartherthanheexpected；andhesucceededtoowell。Experienced，nodoubt，indisguises，hedressedheraslikethedeadLadyEuphrasiaashecould，followingherpicture。Perhapsshepossessedsuchadisguise，andhaduseditbefore。Hethusprotectedherfromsuspicion，andhimselffromimplication——Whatwasthecolourofthehairinthepicture？”
“Golden。“
“Hencethesparkleofgold-dustinherhair。Thecountmanageditall。Hewilledthatsheshouldgo，andshewent。Herdisguisewascertainsafety，shouldshebeseen。Youwouldsuspecttheghostandnooneelseifsheappearedtoyou，andyoulosttheringafter。
Buteveninthisstatesheyieldedagainstherbetterinclination，forshewasweepingwhenyousawher。Butshecouldnothelpit。
Whileyoulayonthecouchinthehauntedchamber，wherehecarriedyou，theawfuldeath-ghostwasbusyinyourroom，wasopeningyourdesk，fingeringyourpapers，andstealingyourring。Itisratherafrightfulidea。“
“Shedidnottakemyring，Iamsure。Hefollowedher，andtookit——Butshecouldnothavecomeinateitherdoor——“
“Couldnot？Didshenotgooutatoneofthem？Besides，Idonotdoubtthatsucharoomasthathadprivatecommunicationwiththeopenairaswell。Ishouldmuchliketoexaminetheplace。“
“Buthowcouldshehavegonethroughthebolteddoorthen？”
“Thatdoormayhavebeensetinanother，largerbyhalftheframeorso，andopeningwithaspringandconcealedhinges。Thereisnodifficultyaboutthat。Therearesuchplacestobefoundnowandtheninoldhouses。But，indeed，ifyouwillexcuseme，Idonotconsideryourtestimony，oneveryminuteparticular，quitesatisfactory。“
“Why？”askedHugh，ratheroffended。
“First，becauseofthestateofexcitementyoumusthavebeenin；
andnext，becauseIdoubtthewinethatwasleftinyourroom。Thecountnodoubtknewenoughofdrugstoputafewghostlyhorrorsintothedecanter。ButpoorMissCameron！Thehorrorshehasputintohermindandlife！Itisasadfate——allbutasentenceofinsanity。“
Hughsprangtohisfeet。
“Byheaven！”hecried，“Iwillstrangletheknave。“
“Stop，stop！”saidFalconer。“Norevenge！Leavehimtothesleepingdivinitywithinhim，whichwillawakeoneday，andcompletethehellthatheisnowbuildingforhimself——fortheveryfireofhellisthedivineinit。YourworkistosetEuphrafree。Ifyoudidstranglehim，howdoyouknowifthatwouldfreeherfromhim？”
“Horrible！——Haveyounonewsofhim？”
“Nonewhatever。“
“What，then，canIdoforher？”
“Youmustteachhertofoilhim。“
“HowamItodothat？EvenifIknewhow，Icannotseeher，I
cannotspeaktoher。“
“Ihaveagreatfaithinopportunity。“
“Buthowshouldshefoilhim？”
“ShemustpraytoGodtoredeemherfetteredwill——tostrengthenherwilltoredeemherself。Shemustresistthecount，shouldheagainclaimhersubmission(as，forhersake，Ihopehewill)，asshewouldthedevilhimself。Shemustovercome。Thenshewillbefree——notbefore。Thiswillbeveryhardtodo。Hispowerhasbeenexcessiveandpeculiar，andhersubmissionlongandcomplete。Evenifheleftheralone，shewouldnotthereforebefree。Shemustdefyhim；breakhisbonds；opposehiswill；assertherfreedom；anddefeathimutterly。“
“Oh！whowillhelpher？Ihavenopower。EvenifIwerewithher，Icouldnothelpherinsuchastruggle。IwishDavidwerenotdead。Hewastheman——Youcouldnow，Mr。Falconer。“
“No。ExceptIknewher，hadknownherforsometime，andhadastrongholdofallhernature，Icouldnot，wouldnottrytohelpher。IfProvidencebroughtthisabout，Iwoulddomybest；butotherwiseIwouldnotinterfere。ButifshepraytoGod，hewillgiveherwhateverhelpsheneeds，andinthebestway，too。“
“Ithinkitwouldbesomecomforttoherifwecouldfindthering——thecrystal，Imean。“
“Itwouldbemore，Ithink，ifwecouldfindthediamond。“
“Howcanwefindeither？”
“Wemustfindthecountfirst。Ihavenotgiventhatup，ofcourse。
IwilltellyouwhatIshouldliketodo，ifIknewthelady。“
“What？”
“GethertocometoLondon，andmakeherselfaspublicaspossible：
gotooperasandballs，andtheatres；bepresentedatcourt；takeastallateverybazaar，andsellcharitypuff-balls——getasmuchintothepapersaspossible。\'Thelovely，accomplished，fascinatingMissCameron，&c。，&c。\'“
“Whatdoyoumean？”
“IwilltellyouwhatImean。Thecounthasforsakenhernow；butassoonasheheardthatshewassomebody，thatshewasfollowedandadmired，hisvanitywouldberoused，hisoldsenseofpropertyinherwouldrevive，andhewouldbeginoncemoretodrawherintohistoils。Whattheresultwouldbe，itisimpossibletoforetell；butitwouldatleastgiveusachanceofcatchinghim，andherachanceofresistinghim。“
“Idon\'tthink，however，thatshewouldventureonthatcourseherself。Ishouldnotdaretoproposeittoher。“
“No，no。Itwasonlyaninvention，todeceivemyselfwiththefancythatIwasdoingsomething。Therewouldbemanyobjectionstosuchaplan，evenifitwerepracticable。Imuststilltrytofindhim，andiffreshendeavoursshouldfail，devisefresherstill。“
“Thankyouathousandtimes，“saidHugh。“Itistoogoodofyoutotakesomuchtrouble。“
“Itismybusiness，“answeredFalconer。“Istherenotasoulintrouble？”
Hughwenthome，fullofhisnewfriend。Withthecluehehadgivenhim，hewasabletofollowallthewindingsofEuphra\'sbehaviour，andtoaccountforalmosteverythingthathadtakenplace。Itwasquitepainfultohimtofeelthathecouldbeofnoimmediateservicetoher；buthecouldhardlydoubtthat，beforelong，Falconerwould，inhiswisdomandexperience，excogitatesomemodeofprocedureinwhichhemightbeabletotakeapart。
Hesatdowntohisnovel，whichhadbeenmakingbutlittleprogressforsometime；foritishardtowriteanovelwhenoneislivinginthemidstofaromance。Buttheromance，atthistime，wasnotveryclosetohim。Ithadapastandapossiblefuture，butnopresent。
Thatsamefuture，however，mightatanymomentdawnintothepresent。
Inthemeantime，teachingtheLatingrammarandtheEnglishalphabettoyoungaspirantsafterthehonoursoftheministry，wasnotworkinimicaltoinvention，fromeithertheexhaustionofitsexcitementortheabsorptionofitsinterest。
CHAPTERXIII。
THELADY\'S-MAID。
Heryellowhair，beyondcompare，Comestrinklingdownherswan-whiteneck；
Andhertwoeyes，likestarsinskies，Wouldkeepasinkingshipfraewreck。
Oh！Mally\'smeek，Mally\'ssweet，Mally\'smodestanddiscreet；
Mally\'srare，Mally\'sfair，Mally\'severywaycomplete。
BURNS。
Whatarmsforinnocencebutinnocence。
GILESFLETCHER。
MargarethadsoughtEuphra\'sroom，withtheintentionofrestoringtohertheletterwhichshehadwrittentoDavidElginbrod。JanethadletitlieforsometimebeforeshesentittoMargaret；andEuphrahadgivenupallexpectationofananswer。
HopesofministrationfilledMargaret\'sheart；butsheexpected，fromwhatsheknewofher，thatangerwouldbeMissCameron\'sfirstfeeling。Therefore，whensheheardnoanswertoherapplicationforadmission，andhadconcluded，inconsequence，thatEuphrawasnotintheroom，sheresolvedtoleavetheletterwhereitwouldmeethereye，andthuspreparethewayforafutureconversation。WhenshesawEuphraandHarry，shewouldhaveretiredimmediately；butEuphra，annoyedbyherentrance，wasnowquiteabletospeak。
“Whatdoyouwant？”shesaidangrily。
“Thisisyourletter，MissCameron，isitnot？”saidMargaret，advancingwithitinherhand。
Euphratookit，glancedatthedirection，pushedHarryawayfromher，startedupinapassion，andletloosethewholegatheredirritabilityofcontempt，weariness，disappointment，andsuffering，uponMargaret。Herdarkeyesflashedwithrage，andhersallowcheekglowedlikeapeach。
“Whatrighthaveyou，pray，tohandlemyletters？Howdidyougetthis？Ithasneverbeenposted！Andopen，too。Ideclare！I
supposeyouhavereadit？”
Margaretwasafraidofexcitingmorewrathbeforeshehadanopportunityofexplaining；butEuphragavehernotimetothinkofareply。
“Youhavereadit，youshamelesswoman！Whydon\'tyoulie，liketherestofyourtribe，andkeepmefromdyingwithindignation？
Impudentprying！Mymaidneverpostedit，andyouhavefounditandreadit！Pray，didyouhopetofindasecretworthabribe？”
SheadvancedonMargarettillwithinafootofher。
“Whydon\'tyouanswer，youhussy？Iwillgothisinstanttoyourmistress。YouorIleavethehouse。“
Margarethadstoodallthistimequietly，waitingforanopportunitytospeak。Herfacewasverypale，butperfectlystill，andhereyesdidnotquail。Shehadnotintheleastlostherself-possession。
Shewouldnotsayatoncethatshehadreadtheletter，becausethatwouldinstantlyrousethetornadoagain。
“Youdonotknowmyname，MissCameron；ofcourseyoucouldnot。“
“Yourname！Whatisthattome？”
“That，“saidMargaret，pointingtotheletter，“ismyfather\'sname。“
Euphralookedatherowndirectionagain，andthenlookedatMargaret。Shewassobewildered，thatifshehadanythoughts，shedidnotknowthem。Margaretwenton：
“Myfatherisdead。Mymothersentthelettertome。“
“Thenyouhavehadtheimpertinencetoreadit！”
“Itwasmydutytoreadit。“
“Duty！Whatbusinesshadyouwithit？”
Euphrafeltashamedoftheletterassoonasshefoundthatshehadappliedtoamanwhosedaughterwasaservant。Margaretanswered：
“Icouldatleastreplytoitsofar，thatthewritershouldnotthinkmyfatherhadneglectedit。IdidnotknowwhoitwasfromtillIcametotheend。“
Euphraturnedherbackonher，withthewords：
“Youmaygo。“
Margaretwalkedoutoftheroomwithanunconsciousstatelygentleness。
“Comeback，“criedEuphra。
Margaretobeyed。
“Ofcourseyouwilltellallyourfellow-servantsthecontentsofthisfoolishletter。“
Margaret\'sfaceflushed，andhereyeflashed，atthefirstwordsofthisspeech；butthelastwordsmadeherforgetthefirst，andtothemonlyshereplied。Clasping。herhands，shesaid：
“DearMissCameron，donotcallitfoolish。ForGod\'ssake，donotcallitfoolish。“
“Whatisittoyou？DoyouthinkIamgoingtomakeaconfidanteofyou？”
Margaretagainlefttheroom。Notwithstandingthatshehadmadenoanswertoherinsult，Euphrafeltsatisfiedthatherletterwassafefromprofanation。
NosoonerwasMargaretoutofsight，than，withthereactioncommontoviolenttempers，whichinthiscaseresultedthesooner，fromtheexhaustionproducedinawornframebytheviolenceoftheoutburst，Euphrasatdown，inahopeless，unrestingway，uponthechairfromwhichshehadjustrisen，andbeganweepingmorebitterlythanbefore。Shewasnotonlyexhausted，butashamed；andtothesefeelingswasaddedafargreatersenseofdisappointmentthanshecouldhavebelievedpossible，atthefrustrationofthehopeofhelpfromDavidElginbrod。True，thishopehadbeensmall；butwherethereisonlyonehope，itsdeathisequallybitter，whetheritbeagreatoralittlehope。Andthereisoftennopowerofreaction，inamindwhichhasbeengraduallyreducedtoonelittlefainthope，whenthathopegoesoutindarkness。Thereisarecoilwhichisveryhelpful，fromtheblowthatkillsagreathope。
AllthistimeHarryhadbeenlookingon，inakindofparalysedcondition，palewithperplexityanddistress。HenowcameuptoEuphra，and，tryingtopullherhandgentlyfromherface，said：
“Whatisitallabout，Euphra，dear？”
“Oh！Ihavebeenverynaughty，Harry。“
“Butwhatisitallabout？MayIreadtheletter？”
“Ifyoulike，“answeredEuphra，listlessly。
Harryreadtheletterwithquiveringfeatures。Then，layingitdownonthetablewithareverentialslowness，wenttoEuphra，puthisarmsroundherandkissedher。
“Dear，dearEuphra，Ididnotknowyouweresounhappy。IwillfindGodforyou。ButfirstIwill——whatshallIdotothebadman？Whoisit？Iwill——“
Harryfinishedthesentencebysettinghisteethhard。
“Oh！youcan\'tdoanythingforme，Harry，dear。Onlymindyoudon\'tsayanythingaboutittoanyone。Puttheletterinthefirethereforme。“
“No——thatIwon\'t，“saidHarry，takinguptheletter，andholdingittight。“Itisabeautifulletter，anditdoesmegood。Don\'tyouthink，thoughitisnotsenttoGodhimself，hemayreadit，andtakeitforaprayer？”
“Iwishhewould，Harry。“
“Butitwasverywrongofyou，Euphra，dear，tospeakasyoudidtothedaughterofsuchagoodman。“
“Yes，itwas。“
“Butthen，yousee，yougotangrybeforeyouknewwhoshewas。“
“ButIshouldn\'thavegotangrybeforeIknewallaboutit“
“Well，youhaveonlytosayyouaresorry，andMargaretwon\'tthinkanythingmoreaboutit。Oh，sheissogood！”
Euphrarecoiledfrommakingconfessionofwrongtoalady\'smaid；
and，perhaps，shewasalittlejealousofHarry\'sadmirationofMargaret。ForEuphrahadnotyetcastoffallheroldhabitsofmind，andoneofthemwasthedesiretobefirstwitheveryonewhomshecaredfor。Shehadgotridofaworse，whichwas，anecessityofbeingfirstineverycompany，whethershecaredforthepersonscomposingit，ornot。Mentalsufferinghaddriventhelatterfarenoughfromher；thoughitwouldreturnworsethanever，ifhermindwerenotfilledwithtruthintheplaceofambition。SoshedidnotrespondtowhatHarrysaid。Indeed，shedidnotspeakagain，excepttobeghimtoleaveheralone。Shedidnotmakeherappearanceagainthatday。
Butatnight，whenthehouseholdwasretiring，sherosefromthebedonwhichshehadbeenlyinghalf-unconscious，andgoingtothedoor，openeditalittleway，thatshemighthearwhenMargaretshouldpassfromMrs。Elton\'sroomtowardsherown。Shewaitedforsometime；butjudging，atlength，thatshemusthavepassedwithoutherknowledge，shewentandknockedatherdoor。Margaretopeneditalittle，afteramoment\'sdelay，half-undressed。
“MayIcomein，Margaret？”
“Pray，do，MissCameron，“answeredMargaret。
Andsheopenedthedoorquite。Hercapwasoff，andherrichdarkhairfellonhershoulders，andstreamedthencetoherwaist。Herunder-clothingwaswhiteassnow。
“Whatalovelyskinshehas！”thoughtEuphra，comparingitwithherowntawnycomplexion。Shefelt，forthefirsttime，thatMargaretwasbeautiful——yes，more：thatwhateverhergownmightbe，herformandherskin(givemeaprettierword，kindreader，forabeautifulfact，andIwillgladlyuseit)werethoseofoneofnature\'sladies。ShewassoontofindthatherintellectandspiritwerethoseofoneofGod\'sladies。
“Iamverysorry，Margaret，thatIspoketoyouasIdidtoday。“
“Nevermindit，MissCameron。Wecannothelpbeingangrysometimes。
Andyouhadgreatprovocationunderthemistakeyoumade。IwasonlysorrybecauseIknewitwouldtroubleyouafterwards。Pleasedon\'tthinkofitagain。“
“Youareverykind，Margaret。“
“Iregrettedmyfather\'sdeath，forthefirsttime，afterreadingyourletter，forIknewhecouldhavehelpedyou。Butitwasveryfoolishofme，forGodisnotdead。“
Margaretsmiledasshesaidthis，lookingfullinEuphra\'seyes。Itwasasmileofmeaningunfathomable，anditquiteovercameEuphra。
ShehadneverlikedMargaretbefore；for，fromnotveryobscurepsychologicalcauses，shehadneverfeltcomfortableinherpresence，especiallyaftershehadencounteredthenunintheGhost\'sWalk，thoughshehadhadnosuspicionthatthenunwasMargaret。Agreatmanyofourdislikes，bothtopersonsandthings，arisefromafeelingofdiscomfortassociatedwiththem，perhapsonlyaccidentallypresentinourmindsthefirsttimewemetthem。
Butthisvanishedentirelynow。
“Doyou，then，knowGodtoo，Margaret？”
“Yes，“answeredMargaret，simplyandsolemnly。
“Willyoutellmeabouthim？”
“Icanatleasttellyouaboutmyfather，andwhathetaughtme。“
“Oh！thankyou，thankyou！Dotellmeabouthim——now。“
“Notnow，dearMissCameron。Itislate，andyouaretoounwelltostayuplonger。Letmehelpyoutobedto-night。Iwillbeyourmaid。“
Asshespoke，Margaretproceededtoputonherdressagain，thatshemightgowithEuphra，whohadnoattendant。ShehadpartedwithJane，anddidnotcare，inherpresentmood，tohaveawomanabouther，especiallyanewone。
“No，Margaret。Youhaveenoughtodowithoutaddingmetoyourtroubles。“
“Please，doletme，MissCameron。Itwillbeagreatpleasuretome。Ihavehardlyanythingtocallwork。YoushouldseehowIusedtoworkwhenIwasathome。“
Euphrastillobjected，butMargaret\'sentreatyprevailed。ShefollowedEuphratoherroom。Theresheservedherlikeaministeringangel；brushedherhair——oh，sogently！smoothingitoutasifshelovedit。Therewashealthinthetouchofherhands，becausetherewaslove。Sheundressedher；coveredherinbedasifshehadbeenachild；madeupthefiretolastaslongaspossible；
badehergoodnight；andwasleavingtheroom，whenEuphracalledher。Margaretreturnedtothebed-side。
“Kissme，Margaret，“shesaid。
Margaretstooped，kissedherforeheadandherlips，andlefther。
Euphracriedherselftosleep。Theywerethefirsttearsshehadevershedthatwerenotpainfultears。Shesleptasshehadnotsleptformonths。
InordertounderstandthischangeinEuphrasia\'sbehaviourtoMargaret——inorder，infact，torepresentittoourmindsasatallcredible——wemustrememberthatshehadbeentryingtodorightforsometime；thatMargaret，asthedaughterofDavid，seemedtheonlyattainablesourceoftheknowledgeshesought；thatlongillnesshadgreatlyweakenedherobstinacy；thathersoulhungered，withoutknowingit，forlove；andthatshewasnaturallygiftedwithastrongwill，thepositioninwhichshestoodinrelationtothecountprovingonlythatitwasnotstrongenough，andnotthatitwasweak。Suchacharactermust，foranygood，beruledbyitself，andnotbycircumstances。TohavebeenovercomeintheprocessoftimebythepersistentgoodnessofMargaret，mighthavebeentheblessedfateofaweakerandworsewoman；butifEuphradidnotovercomeherself，therewasnohopeoffurthervictory。IfMargaretcouldevenwitherthepowerofheroppressor，itwouldbebuttotransferthelordshipfromabadmantoagoodwoman；andthatwouldnotbeenough。Itwouldnotbefreedom。Andindeed，theaidthatMargarethadtogiveher，couldonlybebestowedononewhoalreadyhadfreedomenoughtoactinsomedegreefromduty。SheknewsheoughttogoandapologizetoMargaret。Shewent。
InMargaret\'spresence，andinsuchamood，shewassubjectedatoncetotheholyenchantmentofherloving-kindness。Shehadneverreceivedanytendernessfromawomanbefore。Perhapsshehadneverbeenintherightmoodtoprofitbyitifshehad。NorhadsheeverbeforeseenwhatMargaretwas。Itwasonlywhenservice——divineservice——flowedfromherinfulloutgoing，thatshereachedtheheightofherloveliness。Thenherwholeformwasbeautiful。Sowasitinterpenetratedby，andrespondentto，theuprisingsoulwithin，thatitradiatedthoughtandfeelingasifithadbeenallspirit。Thisbeautyrosetoitsbestinhereyes。Whenshewasministeringtoanyoneinneed，hereyesseemedtoworshiptheobjectofherfaithfulness，asifallthetimeshefeltthatshewasdoingituntoHim。Herdeedsweredevotion。Shewasthereceiverandnotthegiver。Beforethis，Euphrahadseenonlythestillwaitingface；and，asIhavesaid，shehadbeenrepelledbyit。
Oncewithinthesphereoftheradiationofherattraction，shewasdrawntowardsher，astowardsthehavenofherpeace：shelovedher。
Tothis，itlength，hadherstrugglewithherselfinthesilenceofherownroom，andhermeditationsonhercouch，conductedher。
Shallwesaythatthesealonehadbeenandwereleadingher？Orthattoallthesetherewasahiddenroot，andaninformingspirit？
Whowouldnotratherbelievethathisthoughtscomefromaninfinite，self-sphered，self-constitutingthought，thanthattheyrisesomehowoutofablankabyssofdarkness，andareonlythoughtwhenhethinksthem，whichthinkinghecannotpre-determineorevenforesee？
WhenEuphrawoke，herfirstbreathwaslikeadeepdraughtofspiritualwater。Shefeltasifsomesorrowhadpassedfromher，andsomegladnesscomeinitsstead。Shethoughtandthought，andfoundthatthegladnesswasMargaret。Shehadscarcelymadethediscovery，whenthedoorgentlyopened，andMargaretpeepedintoseeifshewereawake。
“MayIcomein？”shesaid。
“Yes，please，Margaret。“
“Howdoyoufeelto-day？”
“Oh，somuchbetter，dearMargaret！Yourkindnesswillmakemewell。“
“Iamsoglad！Doliestillawhile，andIwillbringyousomebreakfast。Mrs。Eltonwillbesopleasedtofindyouletmewaitonyou！”
“Sheaskedme，Margaret，ifyoushould；butIwastoomiserable——andtoonaughty，forIdidnotlikeyou。“
“Iknewthat；butIfeltsureyouwouldnotdislikemealways。“
“Why？”
“BecauseIcouldnothelplovingyou。“
“Whydidyouloveme？”
“Iwilltellyouhalfthereason——Becauseyoulookedunhappy。“
“Whatwastheotherhalf？”
“ThatIcannot——ImeanIwillnottellyou。“
“Never？”
“Perhapsnever。ButIdon\'tknow——Notnow。“
“ThenImustnotaskyou？”
“No——please。“
“Verywell，Iwon\'t。“
“Thankyou。Iwillgoandgetyourbreakfast。“
“Whatcanshemean？”saidEuphratoherself。
Butshewouldneverhavefoundout。
CHAPTERXIV。
DAVIDELGINBROD。
Hebeingdeadyetspeaketh。
HEB。，xi。4。
Inall\'he\'didSomefigureofthegoldentimeswashid。
DR。DONNE。
>Fromthistime，MargaretwaiteduponEuphra，asifshehadbeenherownmaid。NorhadMrs。Eltonanycauseofcomplaint，forMargaretwasalwaysathandwhenshewaswanted。Indeed，hermistresswasfullofherpraises。Euphrasaidlittle。
Manyandlongweretheconversationsbetweenthetwogirls，whenallbutthemselveswereasleep。SometimesHarrymadeoneofthecompany；buttheycouldalwayssendhimawaywhentheywishedtobealone。AndnowtheteachingforwhichEuphrahadlonged，spranginafountainatherowndoor。Ithadbeennighherlong，andshehadnotknownit，foritshourhadnotcome。Nowshedrankasonlythethirstydrink，——astheydrinkwhoseverysoulsarefaintingwithinthemfordrought。
ButhowdidMargaretembodyherlessons？
Thesecondnight，shecametoEuphra\'sroom，andsaid：
“ShallItellyouaboutmyfatherto-night？Are，youable？”
Euphrawasdelighted。Itwaswhatshehadbeenhopingforallday。
“Dotellme。Ilongtohearabouthim。“
Sotheysatdown；andMargaretbegantotalkaboutherchildhood；
thecottageshelivedin；thefir-woodallaroundit；theworksheusedtodo；——herside，inshort，ofthestorywhich，inthecommencementofthisbook，IhavepartlyrelatedfromHugh\'sside。
Summerandwinter，spring-timeandharvest，stormandsunshine，allcameintothetale。Hermothercameintoitoften；andoftentoo，thoughnotsooften，thegrandformofherfatherappeared，remainedforalittlewhile，andthenpassedaway。EverytimeEuphrasawhimthusinthemirrorofMargaret\'smemory，shesawhimmoreclearlythanbefore：shefeltasif，soon，sheshouldknowhimquitewell。
Sometimessheaskedaquestionortwo；butgenerallysheallowedMargaret\'swordstoflowunchecked；forshepaintedherpicturesbetterwhenthecoloursdidnotdrybetween。Theytalkedon，orrather，MargarettalkedandEuphralistened，farintothenight。Atlength，Margaretstoppedsuddenly，forshebecameawarethatalongtimehadpassed。Lookingattheclockonthechimney-piece，shesaid：
“Ihavedonewrongtokeepyouupsolate。Come——Imustgetyoutobed。Youareaninvalid，youknow，andIamyournurseaswellasyourmaid。“
“Youwillcometo-morrownight，then？”
“Yes，Iwill。“
“ThenIwillgotobedlikeagoodchild。“
Margaretundressedher，andlefthertothehealingofsleep。
Thenextnightshespokeagainofherfather，andwhathetaughther。Euphrahadthoughtmuchabouthim；andateveryfreshtouchwhichthestorygavetotheportrait，sheknewhimbetter；tillatlast，evenwhencircumstancesnotmentionedbeforecameup，sheseemedtohaveknownthemfromthebeginning。
“Whatwasyourfatherlike，Margaret？”
MargaretdescribedhimverynearlyasIhavedone，fromHugh\'saccount，intheformerpartofthestory。Euphrasaid：
“Ah！yes。ThatisalmostexactlyasIhadfanciedhim。Isitnotstrange？”
“Itisverynatural，Ithink，“answeredMargaret。
“Iseemnowtohaveknownhimforyears。“
Butwhatismostworthyofrecordis，thateverasthepictureofDavidgrewonthevisionofEuphra，theideaofGodwasgrowingunawaresuponherinwardsight。ShewaslearningmoreandmoreaboutGodallthetime。ThesightofhumanexcellenceawokeafaintIdealofthedivineperfection。Faithcameofitself，andabode，andgrew；foritneedsbutavisionoftheDivine，andfaithinGodisstraightwayborninthesoulthatbeholdsit。Thus，faithandsightareone。Thebeingofherfatherinheavenwasnomorestrangeandfarofffromher，whenshehadseensuchafatheronearthasMargaret\'swas。ItwasnotaloneDavid\'sfaiththatbegothers，butthemanhimselfwasafaith-begettingpresence。HewastheevidenceofGodwiththem——Thushe，beingdead，yetspoke，andthedepartedmanwasapresentpower。
EuphrabegantoreadthestoryoftheGospel。SodidHarry。Theyfoundmuchonwhichtodesireenlightenment；andtheyalwaysappliedtoMargaretforthelighttheyneeded。ItwaslongbeforesheventuredtosayIthink。Shealwayssaid：
“Myfatherusedtosay——“or“Ithinkmyfatherwouldhavesaid——“
ItwasnotuntilEuphrawasingreattroublesometimeafterthis，andrequiredtheimmediateconsolationofpersonaltestimony，thatMargaretspokeasfromherself；andthenshespokewithpositiveassuranceoffaith。ShedidnotthenevensayIthink，but，Iamsure；Iknow；Ihaveseen。
ManyinterviewsofthissortdidnottakeplacebetweenthembeforeEuphra，inherturn，begantoconfideherhistorytoMargaret。
Itwasastrangelydifferentone——fullofoutwardeventandphysicaltrouble；but，tillitapproachedthelaststages，wonderfullybarrenastoinwardproductionordevelopment。ItwasahistoryofEuphra\'scircumstancesandpeculiarities，notofEuphraherself。
Tilloflate，shehadscarcelyhadanyhistory。Margaret\'s，onthecontrary，wasatruehistory；for，withmuchofthemonotonousincircumstance，itdescribedindividualgrowth，andthechangeofprogress。Wherethereisnochangetherecanbenohistory；andasallchangeiseithergrowthordecay，allhistorymustdescribeprogressorretrogression。TheformerhadnowbegunforEuphraaswell；anditwasoneproofofitthatshetoldMargaretallIhavealreadyrecordedformyreaders，atleastasfarasitboreagainstherself。HowmuchmoreshetoldherIamunabletosay；butaftershehadtoldit，EuphrawasstillmorehumbletowardsMargaret，andMargaretmoretender，morefullofservice，ifpossible，andmoredevotedtoEuphra。
CHAPTERXV。
MARGARET\'SSECRET。
LoveisnotloveWhichalterswhenitalterationfinds，Orbendswiththeremovertoremove。
SHAKSPERE——Sonnetcxvi。
Margaretcouldnotproceedveryfarinthestoryofherlife，withoutmakingsomereferencetoHughSutherland。Butshecarefullyavoidedmentioninghisname。Perhapsnoonelesscalm，andfreefromtheoperationofexcitement，couldhavebeensosuccessfulinsuppressingit。
“Ah！”saidEuphra，oneday，“yourhistoryisalittlelikeminethere；atutorcomesintothemboth。Didyounotfalldreadfullyinlovewithhim？”
“Ilovedhimverymuch。“
“Whereishenow？”
“InLondon，Ibelieve。“
“Doyouneverseehim？”
“No。“
“Haveyouneverseenhimsinceheleftyourhome——withthecuriousname？”
“Yes；butnotspokentohim。“
“Where？”
Margaretwassilent。Euphraknewherwellenoughnownottorepeatthequestion。
“Ishouldhavebeeninlovewithhim，Iknow。“
Margaretonlysmiled。
Anotherday，Euphrasaid：
“WhatagoodboythatHarryis！Andsoclevertoo。Ah！Margaret，Ihavebehavedlikethedeviltothatboy。Iwantedtohavehimalltomyself，andsokepthimachild。NeedIconfessallmyugliestsins？”
“Nottome，certainly，dearMissCameron。TellGodtolookintoyourheart，andtakethemalloutofit。“
“Iwill。Ido——IevenenticedMr。Sutherlandawayfromhimtome，whenhewastheonlyrealfriendhehad，thatImighthavethemboth。“
“Butyouhavedoneyourbesttomakeupforitsince。“
“Ihavetriedalittle。IcannotsayIhavedonemybest。Ihavebeensopeevishandirritable。“
“Youcouldnotquitehelpthat。“
“Howkindyouaretoexcusemeso！Itmakesmesomuchstrongertotryagain。“
“MyfatherusedtosaythatGodwasalwaysfindingeveryexcuseforusthatcouldbefound；everytrueone，youknow；notonefalseone。“
“Thatdoescomfortone。“
Afterapause，Euphraresumed：
“Mr。Sutherlanddidmesomegood，Margaret。“
“Idonotwonderatthat。“
“HemademethinklessaboutCountHalkar；andthatwassomething，forhehauntedme。Ididnotknowthenhowverywickedhewas。I
didlovehimonce。Oh，howIhatehimnow！”
Andshestartedupandpacedtheroomlikeatigressinitscage。
Margaretdidnotjudgethistheoccasiontoreadheralectureonthedutyofforgiveness。Shehadenoughtodotokeepfromhatingthemanherself，Isuspect。Butshetriedtoturnherthoughtsintoanotherchannel。
“Mr。Sutherlandlovedyouverymuch，MissCameron。“
“Helovedmeonce，“saidpoorEuphra，withasigh。
“Isawhedid。ThatwaswhyIbegantoloveyoutoo。“
Margarethadatlastunwittinglyopenedthedoorofhersecret。ShehadtoldtheotherreasonforlovingEuphra。But，naturallyenough，Euphracouldnotunderstandwhatshemeant。Perhapssomeofmyreaders，understandingMargaret\'swordsperfectly，andtheirreferencetoo，maybesofarfromunderstandingMargaretherself，astoturnuponmeandsay：
“Impossible！Youcannothaveunderstoodheroranyotherwoman。“
Well！
“Whatdoyoumean，Margaret？”
Margaretbothblushedandlaughedoutright。
“Imustconfessit，“saidshe，atonce；“itcannothurthimnow：mytutorandyoursarethesame。“
“Impossible！”
“True。“
“AndyouneverspokeallthetimeyouwerebothatArnstead？”
“Notonce。HeneverknewIwasinthehouse。“
“Howstrange！Andyousawhelovedme？”
“Yes。“
“Andyouwerenotjealous？”
“Ididnotsaythat。ButIsoonfoundthattheonlywaytoescapefrommyjealousy，ifthefeelingIhadwasjealousy，wastoloveyoutoo。Idid。“
“Youbeautifulcreature！Butyoucouldnothavelovedhimmuch。“
“Ilovedhimenoughtoloveyouforhissake。Butwhydidhestoplovingyou？IfearIshallnotbeabletolovehimsomuchnow。“
“Hecouldnothelpit，Margaret。Ideservedit。“
Euphrahidherfaceinherhands。
“Hecouldnothavereallylovedyou，then？”
“Whichisbettertobelieve，Margaret，“saidEuphra，uncoveringherface，whichtwotearswerelingeringdown，andlookingupather——“thatheneverlovedme，orthathestoppedlovingme？”
“Forhissake，thefirst。“
“Andformysake，thesecond？”
“Thatdepends。“
“Soitdoes。Hemusthavefoundplentyoffaultsinme。ButIwasnotsobadashethoughtmewhenhestoppedlovingme。“
Margaret\'sanswerwasoneofherlovingsmiles，inwhichhereyeshadmoresharethanherlips。
ItwouldhavebeenunendurabletoEuphra，alittlewhilebefore，tofindthatshehadarivalinaservant。Nowshescarcelyregardedthataspectofherposition。ButshelookeddoubtfullyatMargaret，andthensaid：
“Howisitthatyoutakeitsoquietly？——foryourlovemusthavebeenverydifferentfrommine。Indeed，IamnotsurethatIlovedhimatall；andafterIhadmadeupmymindtoitquite，itdidnothurtmesoverymuch。Butyoumusthavelovedhimdreadfully。“
“PerhapsIdid。ButIhadnoanxietyaboutit。“
“Butthatyoucouldnotleavetoafathersuchasyourseventosettle。“
“No。ButIcouldtoGod。IcouldtrustGodwithwhatIcouldnotspeaktomyfatherabout。Heismyfather\'sfather，youknow；andso，moretohimandmethanwecouldbetoeachother。ThemoreweloveGod，themoreweloveeachother；forwefindhemakestheverylovewhichsometimeswefoolishlyfeartodoinjusticeto，bylovinghimmost。IlovemyfathertentimesmorebecausehelovesGod，andbecauseGodhassecretswithhim。“
“IwishGodwereafathertomeasheistoyou，Margaret。“
“Butheisyourfather，whetheryouwishitornot。Hecannotbemoreyourfatherthanheis。Youmaybemorehischildthanyouare，butnotmorethanhemeantyoutobe，normorethanhemadeyoufor。Youareinfinitelymorehischildthanyouhavegrowntoyet。
Hemadeyoualtogetherhischild，butyouhavenotgivenintoityet。“
“Oh！yes；Iknowwhatyoumean。Ifeelitistrue。“
“TheProdigalSonwashisfather\'schild。Heknewit，andgaveintoit。Hedidnotsay：\'Iwishmyfatherlovedmeenoughtotreatmelikeachildagain。\'Hedidnotsaythat，but——Iwillariseandgotomyfather。“
Euphramadenoanswer，butwept，Margaretsaidnomore。
Euphrawasthefirsttoresume。
“Mr。Sutherlandwasverykind，Margaret。Hepromised——andIknowhewillkeephispromise——todoallhecouldtohelpme。Ihopeheisfindingoutwherethatwickedcountis。“
“Writetohim，andaskhimtocomeandseeyou。Hedoesnotknowwhereyouare。“
“ButIdon\'tknowwhereheis。“
“Ido。“
“Doyou？”rejoinedEuphrawithsomesurprise。
“ButhedoesnotknowwhereIam。Iwillgiveyouhisaddress，ifyoulike。“
Euphraponderedalittle。Shewouldhavelikedverymuchtoseehim，forshewasanxioustoknowofhissuccess。Theloveshehadfeltforhimwasaverysmallobstacletotheirmeetingnow；forherthoughtshadbeenoccupiedwithaffairs，beforetheinterestofwhichthepoorloveshehadthenbeencapableof，hadmeltedawayandvanished——vanished，thatis，inallthatwasrestrictiveandengrossinginitscharacter。ButnowthatsheknewtherelationthathadexistedbetweenMargaretandhim，sheshrunkfromdoinganythingthatmightseemtoMargarettogiveEuphraanopportunityofregaininghispreference。Notthatshehadherselfthesmallesthope，evenhadshehadthesmallestdesireofdoingso；butshewouldnotevensuggesttheideaofbeingMargaret\'srival。Atlengthsheanswered：
“No，thankyou，Margaret。Assoonashehasanythingtoreport，hewillwritetoArnstead，andMrs。Hortonwillforwardmetheletter。
No——itisquiteunnecessary。“
Euphra\'shealthwasimprovingalittle，thoughstillshewasfarfromstrong。
