eave she broke
down a little.

"We shall often wish, Davie and I, that you were with us, my lady," he
said.

"Why?" she asked, unable to say more.

"Because we shall often feel happy, and what then can we do but wish
you shared our happiness!"

She burst into tears, and presently was able to speak.

"Don't think me silly," she said. "I know God is with me, and as soon
as you are gone I will go to him to comfort me. But I cannot help
feeling as if you were leaving me like a lamb among wolves. I can give
no reason for it; I only feel as if some danger were near me. But I
have you yet, mistress Brookes: God and you will take care of
me!--Indeed, if I hadn't you," she added, laughing through her tears,
"I should run away with Mr. Grant and Davie!"

"If I had known you felt like that," said Donal, "I would not have
gone. Yet I hardly see how I could have avoided it, being Davie's
tutor, and bound to do as his father wishes with him. Only, dear lady
Arctura, there is no chance in this or in anything! We will not forget
you, and in three weeks or a month we shall be back."

"That is a long time," said Arctura, ready to weep again.

Is it necessary to say she was not a weak woman? It is not betrayal of
feeling, but avoidance of duty, that constitutes weakness. After an
illness he has borne like a hero, a strong man may be ready to weep
like a child. What the common people of society think about strength
and weakness, is poor stuff, like the rest of their wisdom.

She speedily recovered her composure, and with the gentlest smile bade
Donal good-bye. She was in her sitting-room next the state-chamber
where she now slept; the sun was shining in at the open window, and
with it came the song of a little bird, clear and sweet.

"You hear him," said Donal. "--how he trusts God without knowing it! We
are made able to trust him knowing in whom we believe! Ah, dear lady
Arctura! no heart even yet can tell what things God has in store for
them who will just let him have his way with them. Good-bye. Write to
me if anything comes to you that I can help you in. And be sure I will
make haste to you the moment you let me know you want me."

"Thank you, Mr. Grant: I know you mean every word you say! If I need
you, I will not hesitate to send for you--only if you come, it will be
as my friend, and not--"

"It will be as your servant, not lord Morven's," said Donal. "I quite
understand. Good bye. The father of Jesus Christ, who was