that by a free consent than by hanging back: anything bad it could
hardly be! He shrank indeed from leaving lady Arctura while she was yet
so far from well, but she was getting well much faster now: for a
fortnight there had been no necessity for his presence to soothe her
while she slept. Neither did she yet know, so far, at least, as he or
mistress Brookes was aware, that he had ever been near her in the
night! It was well also because of the position of things between him
and lord Forgue, that he should be away for a while: it would give a
chance for that foolish soul to settle down, and let common sense
assume the reins, while yet the better coachman was not allowed to
mount the box! He had, of course, heard nothing of the strained
relations between him and lady Arctura; he might otherwise have been a
little more anxious. For the earl, Davie, he thought, would be a kind
of pledge or hostage--in regard of what, he could not specify; but,
though he little suspected what such a man was capable of sacrificing
to gain a cherished end, some security for him, some hold over him,
seemed to Donal not undesirable.

When Davie heard the proposal, he was wild with joy. Actually to see
the mountains, and the sheep, and the colleys, of which Donal had told
him such wonderful things! To be out all night, perhaps, with Donal and
the dogs and the stars and the winds! Perhaps a storm would come, and
he would lie in Donal's plaid under some great rock, and hear the wind
roaring around them, but not able to get at them! And the sheep would
come and huddle close up to them, and keep them warm with their woolly
sides! and he would stroke their heads and love them! Davie was no
longer a mere child--far from it; but what is loveliest in the child's
heart was only the stronger in him; and the prospect of going with
Donal was a thing to be dreamed of day and night till it came! Nor were
the days many before their departure was definitely settled.

The earl would have Mr. Grant treat his pupil precisely as one of his
own standing: he might take him on foot if he pleased!

The suggestion was eagerly accepted by both. They got their boxes ready
for the carrier, packed their wallets, and one lovely morning late in
spring, just as summer was showing her womanly face through its smiles
and tears, they set out together.

It was with no small dismay that Arctura heard of the proposal. She
said nothing, however--only when Donal came to take his l