Hewentuptheaislereverently，andtookhisplaceinthepewwithloweredeyes，forhefearedhehadalreadyoffendedthekindoldgentlemaninthepulpit，andwasseduloustooffendnofurther。Hecouldnotfollowtheprayer，noteventheheadsofit。Brightnessesofazure，cloudsoffragrance，atinkleoffallingwaterandsingingbirds，roselikeexhalationsfromsomedeeper，aboriginalmemory，thatwasnothis，butbelongedtothefleshonhisbones。Hisbodyremembered;anditseemedtohimthathisbodywasinnowaygross，butetherealandperishablelikeastrainofmusic;andhefeltforitanexquisitetendernessasforachild，aninnocent，fullofbeautifulinstinctsanddestinedtoanearlydeath。AndhefeltforoldTorrance-ofthemanysupplications，ofthefewdays-apitythatwasneartotears。Theprayerended。Rightoverhimwasatabletinthewall，theonlyornamentintheroughlymasonedchapel-foritwasnomore;thetabletcommemorated，Iwasabouttosaythevirtues，butrathertheexistenceofaformerRutherfordofHermiston;andArchie，underthattrophyofhislongdescentandlocalgreatness，leanedbackinthepewandcontemplatedvacancywiththeshadowofasmilebetweenplayfulandsad，thatbecamehimstrangely。Dandie’ssister，sittingbythesideofCleminhernewGlasgowfinery，chosethatmomenttoobservetheyounglaird。Awareofthestirofhisentrance，thelittleformalisthadkepthereyesfastenedandherfaceprettilycomposedduringtheprayer。Itwasnothypocrisy，therewasnoonefurtherfromahypocrite。Thegirlhadbeentaughttobehave：tolookup，tolookdown，tolookunconscious，tolookseriouslyimpressedinchurch，andineveryconjuncturetolookherbest。Thatwasthegameoffemalelife，andsheplayeditfrankly。Archiewastheonepersoninchurchwhowasofinterest，whowassomebodynew，reputedeccentric，knowntobeyoung，andalaird，andstillunseenbyChristina。Smallwonderthat，asshestoodthereinherattitudeofprettydecency，hermindshouldrunuponhim！Ifhesparedaglanceinherdirection，heshouldknowshewasawell-behavedyoungladywhohadbeentoGlasgow。Inreasonhemustadmireherclothes，anditwaspossiblethatheshouldthinkherpretty。Atthatherheartbeattheleastthingintheworld;andsheproceeded，bywayofacorrective，tocallupanddismissaseriesoffanciedpicturesoftheyoungmanwhoshouldnow，byrights，belookingather。Shesettledontheplainestofthem，-apinkshortyoungmanwithadishfaceandnofigure，atwhoseadmirationshecouldaffordtosmile;butforallthat，theconsciousnessofhisgaze（whichwasreallyfixedonTorranceandhismittens）keptherinsomethingofafluttertillthewordAmen。Eventhen，shewasfartoowell-bredtogratifyhercuriositywithanyimpatience。Sheresumedherseatlanguidly-thiswasaGlasgowtouch-shecomposedherdress，rearrangedhernosegayofprimroses，lookedfirstinfront，thenbehindupontheotherside，andatlastallowedhereyestomove，withouthurry，inthedirectionoftheHermistonpew。Foramoment，theywereriveted。Nextshehadpluckedhergazehomeagainlikeatamebirdwhoshouldhavemeditatedflight。Possibilitiescrowdedonher;shehungoverthefutureandgrewdizzy;theimageofthisyoungman，slim，graceful，dark，withtheinscrutablehalf-smile，attractedandrepelledherlikeachasm。\"I
wonder，willIhavemetmyfate？\"shethought，andherheartswelled。
Torrancewasgotsomewayintohisfirstexposition，positingadeeplayeroftextsashewentalong，layingthefoundationsofhisdiscourse，whichwastodealwithanicepointindivinity，beforeArchiesufferedhiseyestowander。TheyfellfirstofallonClem，lookinginsupportablyprosperous，andpatronisingTorrancewiththefavourofamodifiedattention，asofonewhowasusedtobetterthingsinGlasgow。Thoughhehadneverbeforeseteyesonhim，Archiehadnodifficultyinidentifyinghim，andnohesitationinpronouncinghimvulgar，theworstofthefamily。ClemwasleaninglazilyforwardwhenArchiefirstsawhim。Presentlyheleanednonchalantlyback;andthatdeadlyinstrument，themaiden，wassuddenlyunmaskedinprofile。Thoughnotquiteinthefrontofthefashion（hadanybodycared！），certainartfulGlasgowmantua-makers，andherowninherenttaste，hadarrayedhertogreatadvantage。Heraccoutrementwas，indeed，acauseofheart-
burning，andalmostofscandal，inthatinfinitesimalkirkcompany。
Mrs。HobhadsaidhersayatCauldstaneslap。\"Daft-like！\"shehadpronouncedit。\"Ajaiketthat’llnomeet！Whaur’sthesenseofajaiketthat’llnobuttonuponyou，ifitshouldcometobeweet？Whatdoyeca’thirthings？Demmybrokens，d’yesay？They’llbebrokenswi’
avengeanceoryecanwinback！Weel，Ihavenaethingtodowi’it-
it’snogoodtaste。\"Clem，whosepursehadthusmetamorphosedhissister，andwhowasnotinsensibletotheadvertisement，hadcometotherescuewitha\"Hoot，woman！Whatdoyoukenofgoodtastethathasneverbeentotheceety？\"AndHob，lookingonthegirlwithpleasedsmiles，asshetimidlydisplayedherfineryinthemidstofthedarkkitchen，hadthusendedthedispute：\"Thecuttylooksweel，\"hehadsaid，\"andit’snoverylikerain。Wearthemtheday，hizzie;butit’snoathingtomakeapracticeo’。\"Inthebreastsofherrivals，comingtothekirkveryconsciousofwhiteunder-linen，andtheirfacessplendidwithmuchsoap，thesightofthetoilethadraisedastormofvaryingemotion，fromthemereunenviousadmirationthatwasexpressedinalong-drawn\"Eh！\"totheangrierfeelingthatfoundventinanemphatic\"Setherup！\"Herfrockwasofstraw-colouredjaconetmuslin，cutlowatthebosomandshortattheankle，soastodisplayherDEMI-
BROQUINSofRegencyviolet，crossingwithmanystrapsuponayellowcobwebstocking。Accordingtotheprettyfashioninwhichourgrandmothersdidnothesitatetoappear，andourgreat-auntswentfortharmedforthepursuitandcaptureofourgreat-uncles，thedresswasdrawnupsoastomouldthecontourofbothbreasts，andinthenookbetween，acairngormbroochmaintainedit。Here，too，surelyinaveryenviableposition，trembledthenosegayofprimroses。Sheworeonhershoulders-orratheronherbackandnothershoulders，whichitscarcelypassed-aFrenchcoatofsarsenet，tiedinfrontwithMargatebraces，andofthesamecolourwithhervioletshoes。Aboutherfaceclusteredadisorderofdarkringlets，alittlegarlandofyellowFrenchrosessurmountedherbrow，andthewholewascrownedbyavillagehatofchippedstraw。Amongstalltherosyandalltheweatheredfacesthatsurroundedherinchurch，sheglowedlikeanopenflower-girlandraiment，andthecairngormthatcaughtthedaylightandreturneditinafieryflash，andthethreadsofbronzeandgoldthatplayedinherhair。
Archiewasattractedbythebrightthinglikeachild。Helookedatheragainandyetagain，andtheirlookscrossed。Thelipwasliftedfromherlittleteeth。Hesawtheredbloodworkvividlyunderhertawnyskin。Hereye，whichwasgreatasastag’s，struckandheldhisgaze。
Heknewwhoshemustbe-Kirstie，sheoftheharshdiminutive，hishousekeeper’sniece，thesisteroftherusticprophet，Gib-andhefoundinhertheanswertohiswishes。
Christinafelttheshockoftheirencounteringglances，andseemedtorise，clothedinsmiles，intoaregionofthevagueandbright。Butthegratificationwasnotmoreexquisitethanitwasbrief。Shelookedawayabruptly，andimmediatelybegantoblameherselfforthatabruptness。
Sheknewwhatsheshouldhavedone，toolate-turnedslowlywithhernoseintheair。Andmeantimehislookwasnotremoved，butcontinuedtoplayuponherlikeabatteryofcannonconstantlyaimed，andnowseemedtoisolateheralonewithhim，andnowseemedtouplifther，asonapillory，beforethecongregation。ForArchiecontinuedtodrinkherinwithhiseyes，evenasawayfarercomestoawell-headonamountain，andstoopshisface，anddrinkswiththirstunassuageable。Inthecleftofherlittlebreaststhefieryeyeofthetopazandthepalefloretsofprimrosefascinatedhim。Hesawthebreastsheave，andtheflowersshakewiththeheaving，andmarvelledwhatshouldsomuchdiscomposethegirl。AndChristinawasconsciousofhisgaze-sawit，perhaps，withthedaintyplaythingofanearthatpeepedamongherringlets;shewasconsciousofchangingcolour，consciousofherunsteadybreath。Likeacreaturetracked，rundown，surrounded，shesoughtinadozenwaystogiveherselfacountenance。Sheusedherhandkerchief-itwasareallyfineone-thenshedesistedinapanic：
\"HewouldonlythinkIwastoowarm。\"Shetooktoreadinginthemetricalpsalms，andthenremembereditwassermon-time。Lastsheputa\"sugar-bool\"inhermouth，andthenextmomentrepentedofthestep。Itwassuchahomely-likething！Mr。Archiewouldneverbeeatingsweetiesinkirk;and，withapalpableeffort，sheswalloweditwhole，andhercolourflamedhigh。AtthissignalofdistressArchieawoketoasenseofhisill-behaviour。Whathadhebeendoing？Hehadbeenexquisitelyrudeinchurchtothenieceofhishousekeeper;hehadstaredlikealackeyandalibertineatabeautifulandmodestgirl。Itwaspossible，itwasevenlikely，hewouldbepresentedtoherafterserviceinthekirk-yard，andthenhowwashetolook？Andtherewasnoexcuse。Hehadmarkedthetokensofhershame，ofherincreasingindignation，andhewassuchafoolthathehadnotunderstoodthem。Shamebowedhimdown，andhelookedresolutelyatMr。Torrance;wholittlesupposed，good，worthyman，ashecontinuedtoexpoundjustificationbyfaith，whatwashistruebusiness：toplaythepartofderivativetoapairofchildrenattheoldgameoffallinginlove。
Christinawasgreatlyrelievedatfirst。Itseemedtoherthatshewasclothedagain。Shelookedbackonwhathadpassed。Allwouldhavebeenrightifshehadnotblushed，asillyfool！Therewasnothingtoblushat，ifsheHADtakenasugar-bool。Mrs。MacTaggart，theelder’swifeinSt。Enoch’s，tookthemoften。Andifhehadlookedather，whatwasmorenaturalthanthatayounggentlemanshouldlookatthebest-dressedgirlinchurch？Andatthesametime，sheknewfarotherwise，sheknewtherewasnothingcasualorordinaryinthelook，andvaluedherselfonitsmemorylikeadecoration。Well，itwasablessinghehadfoundsomethingelsetolookat！Andpresentlyshebegantohaveotherthoughts。Itwasnecessary，shefancied，thatsheshouldputherselfrightbyarepetitionoftheincident，bettermanaged。Ifthewishwasfathertothethought，shedidnotknoworshewouldnotrecogniseit。
Itwassimplyasamanoeuvreofpropriety，assomethingcalledfortolessenthesignificanceofwhathadgonebefore，thatsheshouldasecondtimemeethiseyes，andthistimewithoutblushing。Andatthememoryoftheblush，sheblushedagain，andbecameonegeneralblushburningfromheadtofoot。Waseveranythingsoindelicate，soforward，donebyagirlbefore？Andhereshewas，makinganexhibitionofherselfbeforethecongregationaboutnothing！Shestoleaglanceuponherneighbours，andbehold！theyweresteadilyindifferent，andClemhadgonetosleep。Andstilltheoneideawasbecomingmoreandmorepotentwithher，thatincommonprudenceshemustlookagainbeforetheserviceended。SomethingofthesamesortwasgoingforwardinthemindofArchie，ashestruggledwiththeloadofpenitence。Soitchancedthat，intheflutterofthemomentwhenthelastpsalmwasgivenout，andTorrancewasreadingtheverse，andtheleavesofeverypsalm-bookinchurchwererustlingunderbusyfingers，twostealthyglancesweresentoutlikeantennaeamongthepewsandontheindifferentandabsorbedoccupants，anddrewtimidlynearertothestraightlinebetweenArchieandChristina。Theymet，theylingeredtogetherfortheleastfractionoftime，andthatwasenough。AchargeasofelectricitypassedthroughChristina，andbehold！theleafofherpsalm-bookwastornacross。
Archiewasoutsidebythegateofthegraveyard，conversingwithHobandtheministerandshakinghandsallroundwiththescatteringcongregation，whenClemandChristinawerebroughtuptobepresented。
Thelairdtookoffhishatandbowedtoherwithgraceandrespect。
ChristinamadeherGlasgowcurtseytothelaird，andwentonagainuptheroadforHermistonandCauldstaneslap，walkingfast，breathinghurriedlywithaheightenedcolour，andinthisstrangeframeofmind，thatwhenshewasalonesheseemedinhighhappiness，andwhenanyoneaddressedhersheresenteditlikeacontradiction。Apartofthewayshehadthecompanyofsomeneighbourgirlsandaloutishyoungman;
neverhadtheyseemedsoinsipid，neverhadshemadeherselfsodisagreeable。Butthesestruckasidetotheirvariousdestinationsorwereout-walkedandleftbehind;andwhenshehaddrivenoffwithsharpwordstheprofferedconvoyofsomeofhernephewsandnieces，shewasfreetogoonaloneupHermistonbrae，walkingonair，dwellingintoxicatedamongcloudsofhappiness。Neartothesummitsheheardstepsbehindher，aman’ssteps，lightandveryrapid。Sheknewthefootatonceandwalkedthefaster。\"Ifit’smehe’swanting，hecanrunforit，\"shethought，smiling。
Archieovertookherlikeamanwhosemindwasmadeup。
\"MissKirstie，\"hebegan。
\"MissChristina，ifyouplease，Mr。Weir，\"sheinterrupted。\"Icannabearthecontraction。\"
\"Youforgetithasafriendlysoundforme。Yourauntisanoldfriendofmine，andaverygoodone。IhopeweshallseemuchofyouatHermiston？\"
\"Myauntandmysister-in-lawdoesnaagreeverywell。NotthatIhavemuchadowithit。ButstillwhenI’mstoppinginthehouse，ifIwastobevisitingmyaunt，itwouldnotlookconsiderate-like。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"saidArchie。
\"Ithankyoukindly，Mr。Weir，\"shesaid。\"Iwhilesthinkmyselfit’sagreatpeety。\"
\"Ah，Iamsureyourvoicewouldalwaysbeforpeace！\"hecried。
\"Iwouldnabetoosureofthat，\"shesaid。\"Ihavemydayslikeotherfolk，Isuppose。\"
\"Doyouknow，inouroldkirk，amongourgoodoldgreydames，youmadeaneffectlikesunshine。\"
\"Ah，butthatwouldbemyGlasgowclothes！\"
\"IdidnotthinkIwassomuchundertheinfluenceofprettyfrocks。\"
Shesmiledwithahalflookathim。\"There’smorethanyou！\"shesaid。
\"ButyouseeI’monlyCinderella。I’llhavetoputallthesethingsbyinmytrunk;nextSundayI’llbeasgreyastherest。They’reGlasgowclothes，yousee，anditwouldneverdotomakeapracticeofit。Itwouldseemterribleconspicuous。\"
Bythattheywerecometotheplacewheretheirwayssevered。Theoldgreymoorswereallaboutthem;inthemidstafewsheepwandered;andtheycouldseeontheonehandthestragglingcaravanscalingthebraesinfrontofthemforCauldstaneslap，andontheother，thecontingentfromHermistonbendingoffandbeginningtodisappearbydetachmentsintothepolicygate。Itwasinthesecircumstancesthattheyturnedtosayfarewell，anddeliberatelyexchangedaglanceastheyshookhands。
Allpassedasitshould，genteelly;andinChristina’smind，asshemountedthefirststeepascentforCauldstaneslap，agratifyingsenseoftriumphprevailedovertherecollectionofminorlapsesandmistakes。
Shehadkiltedhergown，asshedidusuallyatthatruggedpass;butwhenshespiedArchiestillstandingandgazingafterher，theskirtscamedownagainasifbyenchantment。Herewasapieceofnicetyforthatuplandparish，wherethematronsmarchedwiththeircoatskiltedintherain，andthelasseswalkedbarefoottokirkthroughthedustofsummer，andwentbravelydownbytheburn-side，andsatonstonestomakeapublictoiletbeforeentering！ItwasperhapsanairwaftedfromGlasgow;orperhapsitmarkedastageofthatdizzinessofgratifiedvanity，inwhichtheinstinctiveactpassedunperceived。Hewaslookingafter！Sheunloadedherbosomofaprodigioussighthatwasallpleasure，andbetookherselftorun。Whenshehadovertakenthestragglersofherfamily，shecaughtuptheniecewhomshehadsorecentlyrepulsed，andkissedandslappedher，anddroveherawayagain，andranafterherwithprettycriesandlaughter。Perhapsshethoughtthelairdmightstillbelooking！Butitchancedthelittlescenecameundertheviewofeyeslessfavourable;forsheovertookMrs。HobmarchingwithClemandDand。
\"You’reshurelyfey，lass！\"quothDandie。
\"Thinkshametoyersel’，miss！\"saidthestridentMrs。Hob。\"Isthisthegaittoguideyersel’onthewayhamefraekirk？You’reshiirelynosponsibletheday！AndanywayIwouldmindmyguidclaes。\"
\"Hoot！\"saidChristina，andwentonbeforethemheadinair，treadingtheroughtrackwiththetreadofawilddoe。
Shewasinlovewithherself，herdestiny，theairofthehills，thebenedictionofthesun。Allthewayhome，shecontinuedundertheintoxicationofthesesky-scrapingspirits。AttableshecouldtalkfreelyofyoungHermiston;gaveheropinionofhimoff-handandwithaloudvoice，thathewasahandsomeyounggentleman，realwellmanneredandsensible-like，butitwasapityhelookeddoleful。Only-themomentafter-amemoryofhiseyesinchurchembarrassedher。Butforthisinconsiderablecheck，allthroughmeal-timeshehadagoodappetite，andshekeptthemlaughingattable，untilGib（whohadreturnedbeforethemfromCrossmichaelandhisseparativeworship）
reprovedthewholeofthemfortheirlevity。
Singing\"intoherself\"asshewent，hermindstillintheturmoilofagladconfusion，sheroseandtrippedupstairstoalittleloft，lightedbyfourpanesinthegable，whereshesleptwithoneofhernieces。Theniece，whofollowedher，presumingon\"Auntie’s\"highspirits，wasflouncedoutoftheapartmentwithsmallceremony，andretired，smartingandhalftearful，toburyherwoesinthebyreamongthehay。Stillhumming，Christinadivestedherselfofherfinery，andputhertreasuresonebyoneinhergreatgreentrunk。Thelastofthesewasthepsalm-book;
itwasafinepiece，thegiftofMistressClem，indistinctold-facedtype，onpaperthathadbeguntogrowfoxyinthewarehouse-notbyservice-
andshewasusedtowrapitinahandkerchiefeverySundayafteritsperiodofservicewasover，andburyitend-wiseattheheadofhertrunk。Asshenowtookitinhandthebookfellopenwheretheleafwastorn，andshestoodandgazeduponthatevidenceofherbygonediscomposure。Therereturnedagainthevisionofthetwobrowneyesstaringather，intentandbright，outofthatdarkcornerofthekirk。
Thewholeappearanceandattitude，thesmile，thesuggestedgestureofyoungHermistoncamebeforeherinaflashatthesightofthetornpage。\"Iwassurelyfey！\"shesaid，echoingthewordsofDandie，andatthesuggesteddoomherhighspiritsdesertedher。Sheflungherselfproneuponthebed，andlaythere，holdingthepsalm-bookinherhandsforhours，forthemorepartinamerestuporofunconsentingpleasureandunreasoningfear。Thefearwassuperstitious;therecameupagainandagaininhermemoryDandie’sill-omenedwords，andahundredgrislyandblacktalesoutoftheimmediateneighbourhoodreadheracommentaryontheirforce。Thepleasurewasneverrealised。Youmightsaythejointsofherbodythoughtandremembered，andweregladdened，butheressentialself，intheimmediatetheatreofconsciousness，talkedfeverishlyofsomethingelse，likeanervouspersonatafire。TheimagethatshemostcomplacentlydweltonwasthatofMissChristinainhercharacteroftheFairLassofCauldstaneslap，carryingallbeforeherinthestraw-colouredfrock，thevioletmantle，andtheyellowcobwebstockings。Archie’simage，ontheotherhand，whenitpresenteditselfwasneverwelcomed-farlesswelcomedwithanyardour，anditwasexposedattimestomercilesscriticism。Inthelongvaguedialoguessheheldinhermind，oftenwithimaginary，oftenwithunrealisedinterlocutors，Archie，ifhewerereferredtoatallcameinforsavagehandling。Hewasdescribedas\"lookinglikeastork，\"\"staringlikeacaulf，\"\"afacelikeaghaist’s。\"\"Doyoucallthatmanners？\"shesaid;or，\"Isoonputhiminhisplace。\"\"`MISSCHRISTINA，IFYOUPLEASE，MR。WEIR！’saysI，andjustflypedupmyskirttails。\"Withgabblelikethisshewouldentertainherselflongwhilestogether，andthenhereyewouldperhapsfallonthetornleaf，andtheeyesofArchiewouldappearagainfromthedarknessofthewall，andthevolublewordsdesertedher，andshewouldliestillandstupid，andthinkuponnothingwithdevotion，andbesometimesraisedbyaquietsigh。Hadadoctorofmedicinecomeintothatloft，hewouldhavediagnosedahealthy，well-developed，eminentlyvivaciouslasslyingonherfaceinafitofthesulks;notonewhohadjustcontracted，orwasjustcontracting，amortalsicknessofthemindwhichshouldyetcarryhertowardsdeathanddespair。Haditbeenadoctorofpsychology，hemighthavebeenpardonedfordivininginthegirlapassionofchildishvanity，self-loveINEXCELSIS，andnomore。
ItistobeunderstoodthatIhavebeenpaintingchaosanddescribingtheinarticulate。Everylineamentthatappearsistooprecise，almosteverywordusedtoostrong。Takeafinger-postinthemountainsonadayofrollingmists;Ihavebutcopiedthenamesthatappearuponthepointers，thenamesofdefiniteandfamouscitiesfardistant，andnowperhapsbaskinginsunshine;butChristinaremainedallthesehours，asitwere，atthefootofthepostitself，notmoving，andenvelopedinmutableandblindingwreathsofhaze。
Thedaywasgrowinglateandthesunbeamslongandlevel，whenshesatsuddenlyup，andwrappedinitshandkerchiefandputbythatpsalm-bookwhichhadalreadyplayedapartsodecisiveinthefirstchapterofherlove-story。Intheabsenceofthemesmerist’seye，wearetoldnowadaysthattheheadofabrightnailmayfillhisplace，ifitbesteadfastlyregarded。Sothattornpagehadrivetedherattentiononwhatmightelsehavebeenbutlittle，andperhapssoonforgotten;whiletheominouswordsofDandie-heard，notheeded，andstillremembered-hadlenttoherthoughts，orrathertohermood，acastofsolemnity，andthatideaofFate-apaganFate，uncontrolledbyanyChristiandeity，obscure，lawless，andaugust-movingindissuadablyintheaffairsofChristianmen。Thuseventhatphenomenonofloveatfirstsight，whichissorareandseemssosimpleandviolent，likeadisruptionoflife’stissue，maybedecomposedintoasequenceofaccidentshappilyconcurring。
Sheputonagreyfrockandapinkkerchief，lookedatherselfamomentwithapprovalinthesmallsquareofglassthatservedherforatoiletmirror，andwentsoftlydownstairsthroughthesleepinghousethatresoundedwiththesoundofafternoonsnoring。Justoutsidethedoor，Dandiewassittingwithabookinhishand，notreading，onlyhonouringtheSabbathbyasacredvacancyofmind。Shecamenearhimandstoodstill。
\"I’mforoffupthemuirs，Dandie，\"shesaid。
Therewassomethingunusuallysoftinhertonesthatmadehimlookup。
Shewaspale，hereyesdarkandbright;notraceremainedofthelevityofthemorning。
\"Ay，lass？Ye’llhaveyerupsanddownslikeme，I’mthinkin’，\"heobserved。
\"Whatfordoyesaythat？\"sheasked。
\"O，fornaething，\"saysDand。\"OnlyIthinkye’remairlikemethanthelaveofthem。Ye’vemairofthepoetictemper，tho’Guidkenslittleenoughofthepoetictaalent。It’sanillgiftatthebest。Lookatyoursel’。Atdenneryouwereallsunshineandflowersandlaughter，andnowyou’relikethestarofeveningonalake。\"
Shedrankinthishackneyedcomplimentlikewine，anditglowedinherveins。
\"ButI’msaying，Dand\"-shecamenearerhim-\"I’mforthemuirs。I
musthaveabraithofair。IfClemwastobespeiringforme，tryandquaiethim，willyeno？\"
\"Whatway？\"saidDandie。\"Ikenbuttheaeway，andthat’sleein’。\"
I’llsayyehadasairheid，ifyelike。\"
\"ButIhavena，\"sheobjected。
\"Idaursayno，\"hereturned。\"IsaidIwouldsayyehad;andifyeliketonay-saymewhenyecomeback，it’llnomateeriallymaitter，formychara’ter’scleanganea’readypastreca’。\"
\"O，Dand，areyealecar？\"sheasked，lingering。
\"Folkssaysae，\"repliedthebard。
\"Whasayssae？\"shepursued。
\"Themthatshouldkenthebest，\"heresponded。\"Thelassies，forane。\"
\"But，Dand，youwouldneverleetome？\"sheasked。
\"I’llleavethatforyourpairtofit，yegirzie，\"saidhe。\"Ye’llleetomefasteneuch，whenyehaegottenajo。I’mtellin’yeandit’strue;whenyouhaveajo，MissKirstie，it’llbeforguidandill。I
ken：Iwasmadethatwaymysel’，butthedeilwasinmyluck！Here，gangawawi’yetoyourmuirs，andletmebe;I’minanhourofinspiraution，yeupsettingtawpie！\"
Butsheclungtoherbrother’sneighbourhood，sheknewnotwhy。
\"Willyenogie’sakiss，Dand？\"shesaid。\"Iayelikityefine。\"
Hekissedherandconsideredheramoment;hefoundsomethingstrangeinher。Buthewasalibertinethroughandthrough，nourishedequalcontemptandsuspicionofallwomankind，andpaidhiswayamongthemhabituallywithidlecompliments。
\"Gaewa’wi’ye！\"saidhe。\"Ye’readentiebaby，andbecontentwi’
that！\"
ThatwasDandie’sway;akissandacomfittoJenny-abawbeeandmyblessingtoJill-andgoodnighttothewholeclanofye，mydears！
Whenanythingapproachedtheserious，itbecameamatterformen，heboththoughtandsaid。Women，whentheydidnotabsorb，wereonlychildrentobeshoo’daway。Merelyinhischaracterofconnoisseur，however，Dandieglancedcarelesslyafterhissisterasshecrossedthemeadow。\"Thebrat’snothatbad！\"hethoughtwithsurprise，forthoughhehadjustbeenpayinghercompliments，hehadnotreallylookedather。\"Hey！what’syon？\"Forthegreydresswascutwithshortsleevesandskirts，anddisplayedhertrimstronglegscladinpinkstockingsofthesameshadeasthekerchiefsheworeroundhershoulders，andthatshimmeredasshewent。Thiswasnotherwayinundress;heknewherwaysandthewaysofthewholesexinthecountry-side，noonebetter;
whentheydidnotgobarefoot，theyworestout\"rigandfurrow\"woollenhoseofaninvisiblebluemostly，whentheywerenotblackoutright;andDandie，atsightofthisdaintiness，puttwoandtwotogether。Itwasasilkhandkerchief，thentheywouldbesilkenhose;theymatched-thenthewholeoutfitwasapresentofClem’s，acostlypresent，andnotsomethingtobewornthroughbogandbriar，oronalateafternoonofSunday。Hewhistled。\"MydentyMay，eitheryourheid’sfairturned，orthere’ssomeongoings！\"heobserved，anddismissedthesubject。
Shewentslowlyatfirst，buteverstraighterandfasterfortheCauldstaneslap，apassamongthehillstowhichthefarmoweditsname。
TheSlapopenedlikeadoorwaybetweentworoundedhillocks;andthroughthisrantheshortcuttoHermiston。ImmediatelyontheothersideitwentdownthroughtheDeil’sHags，aconsiderablemarshyhollowofthehilltops，fullofsprings，andcrouchingjunipers，andpoolswheretheblackpeat-waterslumbered。Therewasnoviewfromhere。AmanmighthavesatuponthePrayingWeaver’sstoneahalfcentury，andseennonebuttheCauldstaneslapchildrentwiceinthetwenty-fourhoursontheirwaytotheschoolandbackagain，anoccasionalshepherd，theirruptionofaclanofsheep，orthebirdswhohauntedaboutthesprings，drinkingandshrillypiping。So，whenshehadoncepassedtheSlap，Kirstiewasreceivedintoseclusion。Shelookedbackalasttimeatthefarm。ItstilllaydesertedexceptforthefigureofDandie，whowasnowseentobescribblinginhislap，thehourofexpectedinspirationhavingcometohimatlast。Thenceshepassedrapidlythroughthemorass，andcametothefartherendofit，whereasluggishburndischarges，andthepathforHermistonaccompaniesitonthebeginningofitsdownwardpath。
Fromthiscornerawideviewwasopenedtoherofthewholestretchofbraesupontheotherside，stillsallowandinplacesrustywiththewinter，withthepathmarkedboldly，hereandtherebytheburn-sideatuftofbirches，and-twomilesoffasthecrowflies-fromitsenclosuresandyoungplantations，thewindowsofHermistonglitteringinthewesternsun。
Hereshesatdownandwaited，andlookedforalongtimeatthesefar-
awaybrightpanesofglass。Itamusedhertohavesoextendedaview，shethought。ItamusedhertoseethehouseofHermiston-tosee\"folk\";andtherewasanindistinguishablehumanunit，perhapsthegardener，visiblysaunteringonthegravelpaths。
Bythetimethesunwasdownandalltheeasterlybraeslayplungedinclearshadow，shewasawareofanotherfigurecomingupthepathatamostunequalrateofapproach，nowhalfrunning，nowpausingandseemingtohesitate。Shewatchedhimatfirstwithatotalsuspensionofthought。Sheheldherthoughtasapersonholdshisbreathing。Thensheconsentedtorecognisehim。\"He’llnobecominghere，hecannabe;
it’snopossible。\"Andtherebegantogrowuponherasubduedchokingsuspense。HeWAScoming;hishesitationshadquiteceased，hisstepgrewfirmandswift;nodoubtremained;andthequestionloomedupbeforeherinstant：whatwasshetodo？Itwasallverywelltosaythatherbrotherwasalairdhimself：itwasallverywelltospeakofcasualintermarriagesandtocountcousinship，likeAuntieKirstie。Thedifferenceintheirsocialstationwastrenchant;propriety，prudence，allthatshehadeverlearned，allthatsheknew，badeherflee。Butontheotherhandthecupoflifenowofferedtoherwastooenchanting。
Foronemoment，shesawthequestionclearly，anddefinitelymadeherchoice。Shestoodupandshowedherselfaninstantinthegaprelievedupontheskyline;andthenext，fledtremblingandsatdownglowingwithexcitementontheWeaver’sstone。Sheshuthereyes，seeking，prayingforcomposure。Herhandshookinherlap，andhermindwasfullofincongruousandfutilespeeches。Whatwastheretomakeaworkabout？Shecouldtakecareofherself，shesupposed！Therewasnoharminseeingthelaird。Itwasthebestthingthatcouldhappen。Shewouldmarkaproperdistancetohimonceandforall。Graduallythewheelsofhernatureceasedtogoroundsomadly，andshesatinpassiveexpectation，aquiet，solitaryfigureinthemidstofthegreymoss。I
havesaidshewasnohypocrite，buthereIamatfault。SheneveradmittedtoherselfthatshehadcomeupthehilltolookforArchie。
Andperhapsafterallshedidnotknow，perhapscameasastonefalls。
Forthestepsofloveintheyoung，andespeciallyingirls，areinstinctiveandunconscious。
InthemeantimeArchiewasdrawingrapidlynear，andheatleastwasconsciouslyseekingherneighbourhood。Theafternoonhadturnedtoashesinhismouth;thememoryofthegirlhadkepthimfromreadinganddrawnhimaswithcords;andatlast，asthecooloftheeveningbegantocomeon，hehadtakenhishatandsetforth，withasmotheredejaculation，bythemoorpathtoCauldstaneslap。Hehadnohopetofindher;hetooktheoffchancewithoutexpectationofresultandtorelievehisuneasiness。Thegreaterwashissurprise，ashesurmountedtheslopeandcameintothehollowoftheDeil’sHags，toseethere，likeananswertohiswishes，thelittlewomanlyfigureinthegreydressandthepinkkerchiefsittinglittle，andlow，andlost，andacutelysolitary，inthesedesolatesurroundingsandontheweather-beatenstoneofthedeadweaver。Thosethingsthatstillsmackedofwinterwereallrustyabouther，andthosethingsthatalreadyrelishedofthespringhadputforththetenderandlivelycoloursoftheseason。Evenintheunchangingfaceofthedeath-stone，changesweretoberemarked;andinthechanneledlettering，themossbegantorenewitselfinjewelsofgreen。Byanafterthoughtthatwasastrokeofart，shehadturnedupoverherheadthebackofthekerchief;sothatitnowframedbecominglyhervivaciousandyetpensiveface。Herfeetweregatheredunderherontheoneside，andsheleanedonherbarearm，whichshowedoutstrongandround，taperedtoaslimwrist，andshimmeredinthefadinglight。
YoungHermistonwasstruckwithacertainchill。Hewasremindedthathenowdealtinseriousmattersoflifeanddeath。Thiswasagrownwomanhewasapproaching，endowedwithhermysteriouspotenciesandattractions，thetreasuryofthecontinuedrace，andhewasneitherbetternorworsethantheaverageofhissexandage。Hehadacertaindelicacywhichhadpreservedhimhithertounspotted，andwhich（hadeitherofthemguessedit）madehimamoredangerouscompanionwhenhisheartshouldbereallystirred。Histhroatwasdryashecamenear;buttheappealingsweetnessofhersmilestoodbetweenthemlikeaguardianangel。
Forsheturnedtohimandsmiled，thoughwithoutrising。Therewasashadeinthiscavaliergreetingthatneitherofthemperceived;neitherhe，whosimplythoughtitgraciousandcharmingasherself;noryetshe，whodidnotobserve（quickasshewas）thedifferencebetweenrisingtomeetthelaird，andremainingseatedtoreceivetheexpectedadmirer。
\"Areyesteppingwest，Hermiston？\"saidshe，givinghimhisterritorialnameafterthefashionofthecountry-side。
\"Iwas，\"saidhe，alittlehoarsely，\"butIthinkIwillbeabouttheendofmystrollnow。Areyoulikeme，MissChristina？Thehousewouldnotholdme。Icamehereseekingair。\"
Hetookhisseatattheotherendofthetombstoneandstudiedher，wonderingwhatwasshe。Therewasinfiniteimportinthequestionalikeforherandhim。
\"Ay，\"shesaid。\"Icouldnabeartheroofeither。It’sahabitofminetocomeuphereaboutthegloamingwhenit’squaietandcaller。\"
\"Itwasahabitofmymother’salso，\"hesaidgravely。Therecollectionhalfstartledhimasheexpressedit。Helookedaround。\"Ihavescarcebeenheresince。It’speaceful，\"hesaid，withalongbreath。
\"It’snolikeGlasgow，\"shereplied。\"Awearyplace，yonGlasgow！ButwhatadayhaveIhadformyhomecoming，andwhatabonnyevening！\"
\"Indeed，itwasawonderfulday，\"saidArchie。\"IthinkIwillrememberityearsandyearsuntilIcometodie。Ondayslikethis-IdonotknowifyoufeelasIdo-buteverythingappearssobrief，andfragile，andexquisite，thatIamafraidtotouchlife。Wearehereforsoshortatime;andalltheoldpeoplebeforeus-RutherfordsofHermiston，ElliottsoftheCauldstaneslap-thatwereherebutawhilesinceridingaboutandkeepingupagreatnoiseinthisquietcorner-makinglovetoo，andmarrying-why，wherearetheynow？It’sdeadlycommonplace，but，afterall，thecommonplacesarethegreatpoetictruths。\"
Hewassoundingher，semi-consciously，toseeifshecouldunderstandhim;tolearnifshewereonlyananimalthecolourofflowers，orhadasoulinhertokeephersweet。She，onherpart，hermeanswellinhand，watched，womanlike，foranyopportunitytoshine，toaboundinhishumour，whateverthatmightbe。Thedramaticartist，thatliesdormantoronlyhalfawakeinmosthumanbeings，hadinhersprungtohisfeetinadivinefury，andchancehadservedherwell。Shelookeduponhimwithasubduedtwilightlookthatbecamethehourofthedayandthetrainofthought;earnestnessshonethroughherlikestarsinthepurplewest;andfromthegreatbutcontrolledupheavalofherwholenaturetherepassedintohervoice，andranginherlightestwords，athrillofemotion。
\"HaveyoumindofDand’ssong？\"sheanswered。\"Ithinkhe’llhavebeentryingtosaywhatyouhavebeenthinking。\"
\"No，Ineverheardit，\"hesaid。\"Repeatittome，canyou？\"
\"It’snothingwantingthetune，\"saidKirstie。
\"Thensingitme，\"saidhe。
\"OntheLord’sDay？Thatwouldneverdo，Mr。Weir！\"
\"IamafraidIamnotsostrictakeeperoftheSabbath，andthereisnooneinthisplacetohearus，unlessthepooroldancientunderthestone。\"
\"NothatI’mthinkingthatreally，\"shesaid。\"Bymywayofthinking，it’sjustasseriousasapsalm。WillIsoothittoye，then？\"
\"Ifyouplease，\"saidhe，and，drawingneartoheronthetombstone，preparedtolisten。
Shesatupasiftosing。\"I’llonlycansoothittoye，\"sheexplained。
\"IwouldnaliketosingoutloudontheSabbath。IthinkthebirdswouldcarrynewsofittoGilbert，\"andshesmiled。\"It’sabouttheElliotts，\"shecontinued，\"andIthinkthere’sfewbonnierbitsinthebook-poets，thoughDandhasnevergotprintedyet。\"
Andshebegan，inthelow，cleartonesofherhalfvoice，nowsinkingalmosttoawhisper，nowrisingtoaparticularnotewhichwasherbest，andwhichArchielearnedtowaitforwithgrowingemotion：-
\"Otheyradeintherain，inthedaysthataregane，Intherainandthewindandthelave，Theyshoutitintheha’andtheyroutitonthehill，Butthey’rea’quaititnoointhegrave。
Auld，auldElliotts，clay-cauldElliotts，dour，bauldElliotteofauld！\"
Allthetimeshesangshelookedsteadfastlybeforeher，herkneesstraight，herhandsuponherknee，herheadcastbackandup。Theexpressionwasadmirablethroughout，forhadshenotlearneditfromthelipsandunderthecriticismoftheauthor？Whenitwasdone，sheturneduponArchieafacesoftlybright，andeyesgentlysuffusedandshininginthetwilight，andhisheartroseandwentouttoherwithboundlesspityandsympathy。Hisquestionwasanswered。Shewasahumanbeingtunedtoasenseofthetragedyoflife;therewerepathosandmusicandagreatheartinthegirl。
Hearoseinstinctively，shealso;forshesawshehadgainedapoint，andscoredtheimpressiondeeper，andshehadwitenoughlefttofleeuponavictory。Theywerebutcommonplacesthatremainedtobeexchanged，butthelow，movedvoicesinwhichtheypassedmadethemsacredinthememory。Inthefallinggreynessoftheeveninghewatchedherfigurewindingthroughthemorass，sawitturnalasttimeandwaveahand，andthenpassthroughtheSlap;anditseemedtohimasifsomethingwentalongwithheroutofthedeepestofhisheart。Andsomethingsurelyhadcome，andcometodwellthere。Hehadretainedfromchildhoodapicture，nowhalfobliteratedbythepassageoftimeandthemultitudeoffreshimpressions，ofhismothertellinghim，withtheflutteredearnestnessofhervoice，andoftenwithdroppingtears，thetaleofthe\"PrayingWeaver，\"ontheverysceneofhisbrieftragedyandlongrepose。Andnowtherewasacompanionpiece;andhebeheld，andheshouldbeholdforever，Christinaperchedonthesametomb，inthegreycoloursoftheevening，gracious，dainty，perfectasaflower，andshealsosinging-
\"Ofold，unhappyfaroffthings，Andbattleslongago，\"
oftheircommonancestorsnowdead，oftheirrudewarscomposed，theirweaponsburiedwiththem，andofthesestrangechangelings，theirdescendants，wholingeredalittleintheirplaces，andwouldsoonbegonealso，andperhapssungofbyothersatthegloaminghour。Byoneoftheunconsciousartsoftendernessthetwowomenwereenshrinedtogetherinhismemory。Tears，inthathourofsensibility，cameintohiseyesindifferentlyatthethoughtofeither;andthegirl，frombeingsomethingmerelybrightandshapely，wascaughtupintothezoneofthingsseriousaslifeanddeathandhisdeadmother。Sothatinallwaysandoneitherside，Fateplayedhisgameartfullywiththispoorpairofchildren。Thegenerationswereprepared，thepangsweremadeready，beforethecurtainroseonthedarkdrama。
InthesamemomentoftimethatshedisappearedfromArchie，thereopenedbeforeKirstie’seyesthecup-likehollowinwhichthefarmlay。
Shesaw，somefivehundredfeetbelowher，thehousemakingitselfbrightwithcandles，andthiswasabroadhinttohertohurry。FortheywereonlykindledonaSabbathnightwithaviewtothatfamilyworshipwhichroundedintheincomparabletediumofthedayandbroughtontherelaxationofsupper。AlreadysheknewthatRobertmustbewithin-sidesattheheadofthetable，\"walingtheportions\";foritwasRobertinhisqualityoffamilypriestandjudge，notthegiftedGilbert，whoofficiated。Shemadegoodtimeaccordinglydownthesteepascent，andcameuptothedoorpantingasthethreeyoungerbrothers，allrousedatlastfromslumber，stoodtogetherinthecoolandthedarkoftheeveningwithafryofnephewsandniecesaboutthem，chattingandawaitingtheexpectedsignal。Shestoodback;shehadnomindtodirectattentiontoherlatearrivalortoherlabouringbreath。
\"Kirstie，yehaveshaveditthistime，mylass？\"saidClem。\"Whaurwereye？\"
\"O，justtakingadanderbymysel’，\"saidKirstie。
AndthetalkcontinuedonthesubjectoftheAmericanWar，withoutfurtherreferencetothetruantwhostoodbytheminthecovertofthedusk，thrillingwithhappinessandthesenseofguilt。
Thesignalwasgiven，andthebrothersbegantogoinoneafteranother，amidthejostleandthrongofHob’schildren。
OnlyDandie，waitingtillthelast，caughtKirstiebythearm。\"Whendidyebegintodanderinpinkhosen，MistressElliott？\"hewhisperedslyly。
Shelookeddown;shewasoneblush。\"Imaunhaveforgottentochangethem，\"saidshe;andwentintoprayersinherturnwithatroubledmind，betweenanxietyastowhetherDandshouldhaveobservedheryellowstockingsatchurch，andshouldthusdetectherinapalpablefalsehood，andshamethatshehadalreadymadegoodhisprophecy。Sherememberedthewordsofit，howitwastobewhenshehadgottenajo，andthatthatwouldbeforgoodandevil。\"WillIhavegottenmyjonow？\"shethoughtwithasecretrapture。
Andallthroughprayers，whereitwasherprincipalbusinesstoconcealthepinkstockingsfromtheeyesoftheindifferentMrs。Hob-andallthroughsupper，asshemadeafeintofeatingandsatatthetableradiantandconstrained-andagainwhenshehadleftthemandcomeintoherchamber，andwasalonewithhersleepingniece，andcouldatlastlayasidethearmourofsociety-thesamewordssoundedwithinher，thesameprofoundnoteofhappiness，ofaworldallchangedandrenewed，ofadaythathadbeenpassedinParadise，andofanightthatwastobeheavenopened。Allnightsheseemedtobeconveyedsmoothlyuponashallowstreamofsleepandwaking，andthroughthebowersofBeulah;
allnightshecherishedtoherheartthatexquisitehope;andif，towardsmorning，sheforgotitawhileinamoreprofoundunconsciousness，itwastocatchagaintherainbowthoughtwithherfirstmomentofawaking。
CHAPTERVII-ENTERMEPHISTOPHELES
TWOdayslateragigfromCrossmichaeldepositedFrankInnesatthedoorsofHermiston。Onceinaway，duringthepastwinter，Archie，insomeacutephaseofboredom，hadwrittenhimaletter。Ithadcontainedsomethinginthenatureofaninvitationorareferencetoaninvitation-preciselywhat，neitherofthemnowremembered。WhenInneshadreceivedit，therehadbeennothingfurtherfromhismindthantoburyhimselfinthemoorswithArchie;butnoteventhemostacutepoliticalheadsareguidedthroughthestepsoflifewithunerringdirectness。
Thatwouldrequireagiftofprophecywhichhasbeendeniedtoman。Forinstance，whocouldhaveimaginedthat，notamonthafterhehadreceivedtheletter，andturneditintomockery，andputoffansweringit，andintheendlostit，misfortunesofagloomycastshouldbegintothickenoverFrank’scareer？Hiscasemaybebrieflystated。Hisfather，asmallMorayshirelairdwithalargefamily，becamerecalcitrantandcutoffthesupplies;hehadfittedhimselfoutwiththebeginningsofquiteagoodlawlibrary，which，uponsomesuddenlossesontheturf，hehadbeenobligedtosellbeforetheywerepaidfor;andhisbookseller，hearingsomerumouroftheevent，tookoutawarrantforhisarrest。Inneshadearlywordofit，andwasabletotakeprecautions。Inthisimmediatewelterofhisaffairs，withanunpleasantchargehangingoverhim，hehadjudgeditthepartofprudencetobeoffinstantly，hadwrittenafervidlettertohisfatheratInverauld，andputhimselfinthecoachforCrossmichael。Anyportinastorm！HewasmanfullyturninghisbackontheParliamentHouseanditsgaybabble，onporterandoysters，therace-courseandthering;
andmanfullyprepared，untilthesecloudsshouldhaveblownby，tosharealivinggravewithArchieWeiratHermiston。
Todohimjustice，hewasnolesssurprisedtobegoingthanArchiewastoseehimcome;andhecarriedoffhiswonderwithaninfinitelybettergrace。
\"Well，hereIam！\"saidhe，ashealighted。\"PyladeshascometoOrestesatlast。Bytheway，didyougetmyanswer？No？Howveryprovoking！Well，hereIamtoanswerformyself，andthat’sbetterstill。\"
\"Iamverygladtoseeyou，ofcourse，\"saidArchie。\"Imakeyouheartilywelcome，ofcourse。Butyousurelyhavenotcometostay，withtheCourtsstillsitting;isthatnotmostunwise？\"
\"DamntheCourts！\"saysFrank。\"WhataretheCourtstofriendshipandalittlefishing？\"
Andsoitwasagreedthathewastostay，withnotermtothevisitbutthetermwhichhehadprivilysettoithimself-theday，namely，whenhisfathershouldhavecomedownwiththedust，andheshouldbeabletopacifythebookseller。Onsuchvagueconditionstherebeganforthesetwoyoungmen（whowerenotevenfriends）alifeofgreatfamiliarityand，asthedaysdrewon，lessandlessintimacy。Theyweretogetheratmealtimes，togethero’nightswhenthehourhadcomeforwhisky-toddy;
butitmighthavebeennoticed（hadtherebeenanyonetopayheed）thattheywererarelysomuchtogetherbyday。ArchiehadHermistontoattendto，multifariousactivitiesinthehills，inwhichhedidnotrequire，andhadevenrefused，Frank’sescort。Hewouldbeoffsometimesinthemorningandleaveonlyanoteonthebreakfasttabletoannouncethefact;andsometimes，withnonoticeatall，hewouldnotreturnfordinneruntilthehourwaslongpast。Innesgroanedunderthesedesertions;itrequiredallhisphilosophytositdowntoasolitarybreakfastwithcomposure，andallhisunaffectedgood-naturetobeabletogreetArchiewithfriendlinessonthemorerareoccasionswhenhecamehomelatefordinner。
\"Iwonderwhatonearthhefindstodo，Mrs。Elliott？\"saidheonemorning，afterhehadjustreadthehastybilletandsatdowntotable。
\"Isupposeitwillbebusiness，sir，\"repliedthehousekeeperdrily，measuringhisdistanceofftohimbyanindicatedcurtsy。
\"ButIcan’timaginewhatbusiness！\"hereiterated。
\"IsupposeitwillbeHISbusiness，\"retortedtheaustereKirstie。
Heturnedtoherwiththathappybrightnessthatmadethecharmofhisdisposition，andbrokeintoapealofhealthyandnaturallaughter。
\"Wellplayed，Mrs。Elliott！\"hecried;andthehousekeeper’sfacerelaxedintotheshadowofanironsmile。\"Wellplayedindeed！\"saidhe。\"Butyoumustnotbemakingastrangerofmelikethat。Why，ArchieandIwereattheHighSchooltogether，andwe’vebeentocollegetogether，andweweregoingtotheBartogether，when-youknow！Dear，dearme！whatapitythatwas！Alifespoiled，afineyoungfellowasgoodasburiedhereinthewildernesswithrustics;andallforwhat？A
frolic，silly，ifyoulike，butnomore。God，howgoodyoursconesare，Mrs。Elliott！\"
\"They’renomines，itwasthelassiemadethem，\"saidKirstie;\"and，savingyourpresence，there’slittlesenseintakingtheLord’snameinvainaboutidleviversthatyoufillyourkytewi’。\"
\"Idaresayyou’reperfectlyright，ma’am，\"quoththeimperturbableFrank。\"ButasIwassaying，thisisapitiablebusiness，thisaboutpoorArchie;andyouandImightdoworsethanputourheadstogether，likeacoupleofsensiblepeople，andbringittoanend。Letmetellyou，ma’am，thatArchieisreallyquiteapromisingyoungman，andinmyopinionhewoulddowellattheBar。Asforhisfather，noonecandenyhisability，andIdon’tfancyanyonewouldcaretodenythathehasthedeil’sowntemper-\"
\"Ifyou’llexcuseme，Mr。Innes，Ithinkthelassiscryingonme，\"saidKirstie，andflouncedfromtheroom。
\"Thedamned，cross-grained，oldbroomstick！\"ejaculatedInnes。
Inthemeantime，Kirstiehadescapedintothekitchen，andbeforehervassalgaveventtoherfeelings。
\"Here，ettercap！Ye’llhavetowaitonyonInnes！Icannahaudmyselfin。`PuirErchie！’I’d`puirErchie’him，ifIhadmyway！AndHermistonwiththedeil’saintemper！God，lethimtakeHermiston’ssconesoutofhismouthfirst。There’snoahaironaythero’theWeirsthathasnamairspunkanddirdumtoitthanwhathehasinhishaledwaiblybody！Settin’uphissnashtome！Lethimgangtotheblacktoonwherehe’smebbewantit-birlinginacurricle-wi’pimatumonhisheid-makingamesso’himsel’wi’nestyhizzies-afairdisgrace！\"ItwasimpossibletohearwithoutadmirationKirstie’sgraduateddisgust，asshebroughtforth，oneafteranother，thesesomewhatbaselesscharges。Thensherememberedherimmediatepurpose，andturnedagainonherfascinatedauditor。\"Doyenohearme，tawpie？
DoyenohearwhatI’mtellin’ye？WillIhavetoshooyeintohim？
IfIcometoattendtoye，mistress！\"Andthemaidfledthekitchen，whichhadbecomepracticallydangerous，toattendonInnes’wantsinthefrontparlour。
TANTAENEIRAE？Hasthereaderperceivedthereason？SinceFrank’scomingtherewerenomorehoursofgossipoverthesuppertray！Allhisblandishmentswereinvain;hehadstartedhandicappedontheraceforMrs。Elliott’sfavour。
Butitwasastrangethinghowmisfortunedoggedhiminhiseffortstobegenial。ImustguardthereaderagainstacceptingKirstie’sepithetsasevidence;shewasmoreconcernedfortheirvigourthanfortheiraccuracy。Dwaibly，forinstance;nothingcouldbemorecalumnious。
Frankwastheverypictureofgoodlooks，goodhumour，andmanlyyouth。
Hehadbrighteyeswithasparkleandadancetothem，curlyhair，acharmingsmile，brilliantteeth，anadmirablecarriageofthehead，thelookofagentleman，theaddressofoneaccustomedtopleaseatfirstsightandtoimprovetheimpression。Andwithalltheseadvantages，hefailedwitheveryoneaboutHermiston;withthesilentshepherd，withtheobsequiousgrieve，withthegroomwhowasalsotheploughman，withthegardenerandthegardener’ssister-apious，down-heartedwomanwithashawloverherears-hefailedequallyandflatly。Theydidnotlikehim，andtheyshowedit。Thelittlemaid，indeed，wasanexception;sheadmiredhimdevoutly，probablydreamedofhiminherprivatehours;butshewasaccustomedtoplaythepartofsilentauditortoKirstie’stiradesandsilentrecipientofKirstie’sbuffets，andshehadlearnednotonlytobeaverycapablegirlofheryears，butaverysecretandprudentonebesides。Frankwasthusconsciousthathehadoneallyandsympathiserinthemidstofthatgeneralunionofdisfavourthatsurrounded，watched，andwaitedonhiminthehouseofHermiston;
buthehadlittlecomfortorsocietyfromthatalliance，andthedemurelittlemaid（twelveonherlastbirthday）preservedherowncounsel，andtrippedonhisservice，brisk，dumblyresponsive，butinexorablyunconversational。Fortheothers，theywerebeyondhopeandbeyondendurance。NeverhadayoungApollobeencastamongsuchrusticbarbarians。Butperhapsthecauseofhisill-successlayinonetraitwhichwashabitualandunconsciouswithhim，yetdiagnosticoftheman。
Itwashispracticetoapproachanyonepersonattheexpenseofsomeoneelse。Heofferedyouanallianceagainstthesomeoneelse;heflatteredyoubyslightinghim;youweredrawnintoasmallintrigueagainsthimbeforeyouknewhow。Wonderfularethevirtuesofthisprocessgenerally;butFrank’smistakewasinthechoiceofthesomeoneelse。Hewasnotpoliticinthat;helistenedtothevoiceofirritation。Archiehadoffendedhimatfirstbywhathehadfelttoberatheradryreception，hadoffendedhimsincebyhisfrequentabsences。
HewasbesidestheonefigurecontinuallypresentinFrank’seye;anditwastohisimmediatedependantsthatFrankcouldofferthesnareofhissympathy。NowthetruthisthattheWeirs，fatherandson，weresurroundedbyaposseofstrenuousloyalists。Ofmylordtheywerevastlyproud。Itwasadistinctioninitselftobeoneofthevassalsofthe\"HangingJudge，\"andhisgross，formidablejovialitywasfarfromunpopularintheneighbourhoodofhishome。ForArchietheyhad，oneandall，asensitiveaffectionandrespectwhichrecoiledfromawordofbelittlement。
NorwasFrankmoresuccessfulwhenhewentfartherafield。TotheFourBlackBrothers，forinstance，hewasantipatheticinthehighestdegree。
Hobthoughthimtoolight，Gibtooprofane。Clem，whosawhimbutforadayortwobeforehewenttoGlasgow，wantedtoknowwhatthefule’sbusinesswas，andwhetherhemeanttostayhereallsessiontime！
\"Yon’sadrone，\"hepronounced。AsforDand，itwillbeenoughtodescribetheirfirstmeeting，whenFrankhadbeenwhippingariverandtherusticcelebritychancedtocomealongthepath。
\"I’mtoldyou’requiteapoet，\"Frankhadsaid。
\"Whatell’tyethat，mannie？\"hadbeentheunconciliatinganswer。
\"O，everybody！\"saysFrank。
\"God！Here’sfame！\"saidthesardonicpoet，andhehadpassedonhisway。
Cometothinkofit，wehavehereperhapsatruerexplanationofFrank’sfailures。HadhemetMr。SheriffScotthecouldhaveturnedaneatercompliment，becauseMr。Scottwouldhavebeenafriendworthmaking。
Dand，ontheotherhand，hedidnotvaluesixpence，andheshoweditevenwhilehetriedtoflatter。Condescensionisanexcellentthing，butitisstrangehowone-sidedthepleasureofitis！HewhogoesfishingamongtheScotspeasantrywithcondescensionforabaitwillhaveanemptybasketbyevening。
InproofofthistheoryFrankmadeagreatsuccessofitattheCrossmichaelClub，towhichArchietookhimimmediatelyonhisarrival;
hisownlastappearanceonthatsceneofgaiety。Frankwasmadewelcomethereatonce，continuedtogoregularly，andhadattendedameeting（asthememberseverafterlovedtotell）ontheeveningbeforehisdeath。
YoungHayandyoungPringleappearedagain。TherewasanothersupperatWindiclaws，anotherdinneratDriffel;anditresultedinFrankbeingtakentothebosomofthecountypeopleasunreservedlyashehadbeenrepudiatedbythecountryfolk。HeoccupiedHermistonafterthemannerofaninvaderinaconqueredcapital。Hewasperpetuallyissuingfromit，asfromabase，totoddyparties，fishingparties，anddinnerparties，towhichArchiewasnotinvited，ortowhichArchiewouldnotgo。ItwasnowthatthenameofTheReclusebecamegeneralfortheyoungman。SomesaythatInnesinventedit;Innes，atleast，spreaditabroad。
\"How’sallwithyourRecluseto-day？\"peoplewouldask。
\"O，reclusingaway！\"Inneswoulddeclare，withhisbrightairofsayingsomethingwitty;andimmediatelyinterruptthegenerallaughterwhichhehadprovokedmuchmorebyhisairthanhiswords，\"Mindyou，it’sallverywelllaughing，butI’mnotverywellpleased。PoorArchieisagoodfellow，anexcellentfellow，afellowIalwaysliked。Ithinkitsmallofhimtotakehislittledisgracesohard，andshuthimselfup。
’Grantthatitisaridiculousstory，painfullyridiculous，’Ikeeptellinghim。’Beaman！Liveitdown，man！’Butnothe。Ofcourse，it’sjustsolitude，andshame，andallthat。ButIconfessI’mbeginningtofeartheresult。ItwouldbeallthepitiesintheworldifareallypromisingfellowlikeWeirwastoendill。I’mseriouslytemptedtowritetoLordHermiston，andputitplainlytohim。\"
\"IwouldifIwereyou，\"someofhisauditorswouldsay，shakingthehead，sittingbewilderedandconfusedatthisnewviewofthematter，sodeftlyindicatedbyasingleword。\"Acapitalidea！\"theywouldadd，andwonderattheAPLOMBandpositionofthisyoungman，whotalkedasamatterofcourseofwritingtoHermistonandcorrectinghimuponhisprivateaffairs。
AndFrankwouldproceed，sweetlyconfidential：\"I’llgiveyouanidea，now。He’sactuallysoreaboutthewaythatI’mreceivedandhe’sleftoutinthecounty-actuallyjealousandsore。I’veralliedhimandI’vereasonedwithhim，toldhimthateveryonewasmostkindlyinclinedtowardshim，toldhimeventhatIwasreceivedmerelybecauseIwashisguest。Butit’snouse。Hewillneitheraccepttheinvitationshegets，norstopbroodingabouttheoneswherehe’sleftout。WhatI’mafraidofisthatthewound’sulcerating。Hehadalwaysoneofthosedark，secret，angrynatures-alittleunderhandandplentyofbile-
youknowthesort。HemusthaveinheriteditfromtheWeirs，whomI
suspecttohavebeenaworthyfamilyofweaverssomewhere;what’sthecantphrase？-sedentaryoccupation。It’spreciselythekindofcharactertogowronginafalsepositionlikewhathisfather’smadeforhim，orhe’smakingforhimself，whicheveryouliketocallit。Andformypart，Ithinkitadisgrace，\"Frankwouldsaygenerously。
Presentlythesorrowandanxietyofthisdisinterestedfriendtookshape。Hebeganinprivate，inconversationsoftwo，totalkvaguelyofbadhabitsandlowhabits。\"ImustsayI’mafraidhe’sgoingwrongaltogether，\"hewouldsay。\"I’lltellyouplainly，andbetweenourselves，Iscarcelyliketostaythereanylonger;only，man，I’mpositivelyafraidtoleavehimalone。You’llsee，Ishallbeblamedforitlateron。I’mstayingatagreatsacrifice。I’mhinderingmychancesattheBar，andIcan’tblindmyeyestoit。AndwhatI’mafraidofisthatI’mgoingtogetkickedforitallroundbeforeall’sdone。Yousee，nobodybelievesinfriendshipnowadays。\"
\"Well，Innes，\"hisinterlocutorwouldreply，\"it’sverygoodofyou，I
mustsaythat。Ifthere’sanyblamegoing，you’llalwaysbesureofMY
goodword，foronething。\"
\"Well，\"Frankwouldcontinue，\"candidly，Idon’tsayit’spleasant。Hehasaveryroughwaywithhim;hisfather’sson，youknow。Idon’tsayhe’srude-ofcourse，Icouldn’tbeexpectedtostandthat-buthesteersverynearthewind。No，it’snotpleasant;butItellye，man，inconscienceIdon’tthinkitwouldbefairtoleavehim。Mindyou，I
don’tsaythere’sanythingactuallywrong。WhatIsayisthatIdon’tlikethelooksofit，man！\"andhewouldpressthearmofhismomentaryconfidant。
IntheearlystagesIampersuadedtherewasnomalice。Hetalkedbutforthepleasureofairinghimself。Hewasessentiallyglib，asbecomestheyoungadvocate，andessentiallycarelessofthetruth，whichisthemarkoftheyoungass;andsohetalkedatrandom。Therewasnoparticularbias，butthatonewhichisindigenousanduniversal，toflatterhimselfandtopleaseandinterestthepresentfriend。Andbythusmillingairoutofhismouth，hehadpresentlybuiltupapresentationofArchiewhichwasknownandtalkedofinallcornersofthecounty。Wherevertherewasaresidentialhouseandawalledgarden，wherevertherewasadwarfishcastleandapark，whereveraquadruplecottagebytheruinsofapeel-towershowedanoldfamilygoingdown，andwhereverahandsomevillawithacarriageapproachandashrubberymarkedthecomingupofanewone-probablyonthewheelsofmachinery-Archiebegantoberegardedinthelightofadark，perhapsaviciousmystery，andthefuturedevelopmentsofhiscareertobelookedforwithuneasinessandconfidentialwhispering。Hehaddonesomethingdisgraceful，mydear。What，wasnotpreciselyknown，andthatgoodkindyoungman，Mr。Innes，didhisbesttomakelightofit。Butthereitwas。AndMr。Inneswasveryanxiousabouthimnow;hewasreallyuneasy，mydear;hewaspositivelywreckinghisownprospectsbecausehedarednotleavehimalone。Howwhollywealllieatthemercyofasingleprater，notneedfullywithanymalignpurpose！Andifamanbuttalksofhimselfintherightspirit，referstohisvirtuousactionsbytheway，andneverappliestothemthenameofvirtue，howeasilyhisevidenceisacceptedinthecourtofpublicopinion！
Allthiswhile，however，therewasamorepoisonousfermentatworkbetweenthetwolads，whichcamelateindeedtothesurface，buthadmodifiedandmagnifiedtheirdissensionsfromthefirst。Toanidle，shallow，easy-goingcustomerlikeFrank，thesmellofamysterywasattractive。Itgavehismindsomethingtoplaywith，likeanewtoytoachild;andittookhimontheweakside，forlikemanyyoungmencomingtotheBar，andbeforetheyhadbeentriedandfoundwanting，heflatteredhimselfhewasafellowofunusualquicknessandpenetration。
TheyknewnothingofSherlockHolmesinthosedays，buttherewasagooddealsaidofTalleyrand。AndifyoucouldhavecaughtFrankoffhisguard，hewouldhaveconfessedwithasmirkthat，ifheresembledanyone，itwastheMarquisdeTalleyrand-Perigord。ItwasontheoccasionofArchie’sfirstabsencethatthisinteresttookroot。ItwasvastlydeepenedwhenKirstieresentedhiscuriosityatbreakfast，andthatsameafternoonthereoccurredanotherscenewhichclinchedthebusiness。HewasfishingSwingleburn，Archieaccompanyinghim，whenthelatterlookedathiswatch。