do something now; for, last night I seemed so near the
place whence the sounds were coming, that the eye may now be able to
supplement the ear, and find the music-bird silent on her nest. If the
wind fall, as I think it will in the afternoon, I shall go again and
see whether I can find anything. I noticed last night that
simultaneously with the sound came a change in the wind--towards the
south, I think.--What a night it was after I left you!"

"I think," said Arctura, "the wind has something to do with my uncle's
fits. Was there anything very strange about it last night? When the
wind blows so angrily, I always think of that passage about the prince
of the power of the air being the spirit that works in the children of
disobedience. Tell me what it means."

"I do not know what it means," answered Donal; "but I suppose the
epithet involves a symbol of the difference between the wind of God
that inspires the spiritual true self of man, and the wind of the world
that works by thousands of impulses and influences in the lower, the
selfish self of children that will not obey. I will look at the passage
and see what I can make out of it. Only the spiritual and the natural
blend so that we may one day be astonished!--Would you like to join the
music-hunt, my lady?"

"Do you mean, go on the roof? Should I be able?"

"I would not have you go in the night, and the wind blowing," said
Donal with a laugh; "but you can come and see, and judge for yourself.
The bartizan is the only anxious place, but as I mean to take Davie
with me, you may think I do not count it very dangerous!"

"Will it be safe for Davie?"

"I can venture more with Davie than with another: he obeys in a moment."

"I will obey too if you will take me," said Arctura.

"Then, please, come to the schoolroom at four o'clock. But we shall not
go except the wind be fallen."

When Davie heard what his tutor proposed, he was filled with the
restlessness of anticipation. Often while helping Donal with his fuel,
he had gazed up at him on the roof with longing eyes, but Donal had
never let him go upon it.

CHAPTER XLI.

THE MUSIC-NEST.

The hour came, and with the very stroke of the clock, lady Arctura and
Davie were in the schoolroom. A moment more, and they set out to climb
the spiral of Baliol's tower.

But what a different lady was Arctura this afternoon! She was cheerful,
even merry--with Davie, almost jolly. Her soul had many alternating
lights