\"Well，good-bye，\"saidhe。\"Ihavesomethingtodo。Seeyouatdinner。\"
\"Don’tbeinsuchahurry，\"criesFrank。\"HoldontillIgetmyrodup。
I’llgowithyou;I’msickoffloggingthisditch。\"
Andhebegantoreeluphisline。
Archiestoodspeechless。Hetookalongwhiletorecoverhiswitsunderthisdirectattack;butbythetimehewasreadywithhisanswer，andtheanglewasalmostpackedup，hehadbecomecompletelyWeir，andthehangingfacegloomedonhisyoungshoulders。Hespokewithalabouredcomposure，alabouredkindnesseven;butachildcouldseethathismindwasmadeup。
\"Ibegyourpardon，Innes;Idon’twanttobedisagreeable，butletusunderstandoneanotherfromthebeginning。WhenIwantyourcompany，I’llletyouknow。\"
\"O！\"criesFrank，\"youdon’twantmycompany，don’tyou？\"
\"Apparentlynotjustnow，\"repliedArchie。\"IevenindicatedtoyouwhenIdid，ifyou’llremember-andthatwasatdinner。Ifwetwofellowsaretolivetogetherpleasantly-andIseenoreasonwhyweshouldnot-itcanonlybebyrespectingeachother’sprivacy。Ifwebeginintruding-\"
\"O，come！I’lltakethisatnoman’shands。Isthisthewayyoutreataguestandanoldfriend？\"criedInnes。
\"JustgohomeandthinkoverwhatIsaidbyyourself，\"continuedArchie，\"whetherit’sreasonable，orwhetherit’sreallyoffensiveornot;andlet’smeetatdinnerasthoughnothinghadhappened，I’llputitthisway，ifyoulike-thatIknowmyowncharacter，thatI’mlookingforward（withgreatpleasure，Iassureyou）toalongvisitfromyou，andthatI’mtakingprecautionsatthefirst。Iseethethingthatwe-
thatI，ifyoulike-mightfalloutupon，andIstepinandOBSTO
PRINCIPIIS。Iwageryoufivepoundsyou’llendbyseeingthatImeanfriendliness，andIassureyou，Francie，Ido，\"headded，relenting。
Burstingwithanger，butincapableofspeech，Innesshoulderedhisrod，madeagestureoffarewell，andstrodeoffdowntheburn-side。Archiewatchedhimgowithoutmoving。Hewassorry，butquiteunashamed。Hehatedtobeinhospitable，butinonethinghewashisfather’sson。Hehadastrongsensethathishousewashisownandnomanelse’s;andtolieataguest’smercywaswhatherefused。Hehatedtoseemharsh。
ButthatwasFrank’slookout。IfFrankhadbeencommonlydiscreet，hewouldhavebeendecentlycourteous。Andtherewasanotherconsideration。Thesecrethewasprotectingwasnothisownmerely;itwashers：itbelongedtothatinexpressibleshewhowasfasttakingpossessionofhissoul，andwhomhewouldsoonhavedefendedatthecostofburningcities。BythetimehehadwatchedFrankasfarastheSwingleburn-foot，appearinganddisappearinginthetarnishedheather，stillstalkingatafiercegaitbutalreadydwindledinthedistanceintolessthanthesmallnessofLilliput，hecouldaffordtosmileattheoccurrence。EitherFrankwouldgo，andthatwouldbearelief-orhewouldcontinuetostay，andhishostmustcontinuetoendurehim。
AndArchiewasnowfree-bydeviouspaths，behindhillocksandinthehollowofburns-tomakeforthetrysting-placewhereKirstie，criedaboutbythecurlewandtheplover，waitedandburnedforhiscomingbytheCovenanter’sstone。
Inneswentoffdown-hillinapassionofresentment，easytobeunderstood，butwhichyieldedprogressivelytotheneedsofhissituation。HecursedArchieforacold-hearted，unfriendly，rude，rudedog;andhimselfstillmorepassionatelyforafoolinhavingcometoHermistonwhenhemighthavesoughtrefugeinalmostanyotherhouseinScotland。Butthesteponcetaken，waspracticallyirretrievable。Hehadnomorereadymoneytogoanywhereelse;hewouldhavetoborrowfromArchiethenextclub-night;andillashethoughtofhishost’smanners，hewassureofhispracticalgenerosity。Frank’sresemblancetoTalleyrandstrikesmeasimaginary;butatleastnotTalleyrandhimselfcouldhavemoreobedientlytakenhislessonfromthefacts。HemetArchieatdinnerwithoutresentment，almostwithcordiality。Youmusttakeyourfriendsasyoufindthem，hewouldhavesaid。Archiecouldn’thelpbeinghisfather’sson，orhisgrandfather’s，thehypotheticalweaver’s，grandson。Thesonofahunks，hewasstillahunksatheart，incapableoftruegenerosityandconsideration;buthehadotherqualitieswithwhichFrankcoulddiverthimselfinthemeanwhile，andtoenjoywhichitwasnecessarythatFrankshouldkeephistemper。
Soexcellentlywasitcontrolledthatheawokenextmorningwithhisheadfullofadifferent，thoughacognatesubject。WhatwasArchie’slittlegame？WhydidheshunFrank’scompany？Whatwashekeepingsecret？Washekeepingtrystwithsomebody，andwasitawoman？Itwouldbeagoodjokeandafairrevengetodiscover。Tothattaskhesethimselfwithagreatdealofpatience，whichmighthavesurprisedhisfriends，forhehadbeenalwayscreditednotwithpatiencesomuchasbrilliancy;andlittlebylittle，fromonepointtoanother，heatlastsucceededinpiecingoutthesituation。Firstheremarkedthat，althoughArchiesetoutinallthedirectionsofthecompass，healwayscamehomeagainfromsomepointbetweenthesouthandwest。Fromthestudyofamap，andinconsiderationofthegreatexpanseofuntenantedmoorlandrunninginthatdirectiontowardsthesourcesoftheClyde，helaidhisfingeronCauldstaneslapandtwootherneighbouringfarms，KingsmuirsandPolintarf。Butitwasdifficulttoadvancefarther。
Withhisrodforapretext，hevainlyvisitedeachoftheminturn;
nothingwastobeseensuspiciousaboutthistrinityofmoorlandsettlements。HewouldhavetriedtofollowArchie，haditbeentheleastpossible，butthenatureofthelandprecludedtheidea。Hedidthenextbest，ensconcedhimselfinaquietcorner，andpursuedhismovementswithatelescope。Itwasequallyinvain，andhesoonweariedofhisfutilevigilance，leftthetelescopeathome，andhadalmostgiventhematterupindespair，when，onthetwenty-seventhdayofhisvisit，hewassuddenlyconfrontedwiththepersonwhomhesought。ThefirstSundayKirstiehadmanagedtostayawayfromkirkonsomepretextofindisposition，whichwasmoretrulymodesty;thepleasureofbeholdingArchieseemingtoosacred，toovividforthatpublicplace。
Onthetwofollowing，Frankhadhimselfbeenabsentonsomeofhisexcursionsamongtheneighbouringfamilies。Itwasnotuntilthefourth，accordingly，thatFrankhadoccasiontoseteyesontheenchantress。Withthefirstlook，allhesitationwasover。ShecamewiththeCauldstaneslapparty;thenshelivedatCauldstaneslap。HerewasArchie’ssecret，herewasthewoman，andmorethanthat-thoughI
haveneedhereofeverymanageableattenuationoflanguage-withthefirstlook，hehadalreadyenteredhimselfasrival。Itwasagooddealinpique，itwasalittleinrevenge，itwasmuchingenuineadmiration：
thedevilmaydecidetheproportions！Icannot，anditisverylikelythatFrankcouldnot。
\"Mightyattractivemilkmaid，\"heobserved，onthewayhome。
\"Who？\"saidArchie。
\"O，thegirlyou’relookingat-aren’tyou？Forwardthereontheroad。
Shecameattendedbytherusticbard;presumably，therefore，belongstohisexaltedfamily。Thesingleobjection！forthefourblackbrothersareawkwardcustomers。Ifanythingweretogowrong，Gibwouldgibber，andClemwouldproveinclement;andDandflyindanders，andHobblowupingobbets。ItwouldbeaHelliottofabusiness！\"
\"Veryhumorous，Iamsure，\"saidArchie。
\"Well，Iamtryingtobeso，\"saidFrank。\"It’snonetooeasyinthisplace，andwithyoursolemnsociety，mydearfellow。Butconfessthatthemilkmaidhasfoundfavourinyoureyes，orresignallclaimtobeamanoftaste。\"
\"Itisnomatter，\"returnedArchie。
Buttheothercontinuedtolookathim，steadilyandquizzically，andhiscolourslowlyroseanddeepenedundertheglance，untilnotimpudenceitselfcouldhavedeniedthathewasblushing。AndatthisArchielostsomeofhiscontrol。Hechangedhisstickfromonehandtotheother，and-\"O，forGod’ssake，don’tbeanass！\"hecried。
\"Ass？That’stheretortdelicatewithoutdoubt，\"saysFrank。\"Bewareofthehomespunbrothers，dear。Iftheycomeintothedance，you’llseewho’sanass。Thinknow，iftheyonlyapplied（say）aquarterasmuchtalentasIhaveappliedtothequestionofwhatMr。Archiedoeswithhiseveninghours，andwhyheissounaffectedlynastywhenthesubject’stouchedon-\"
\"Youaretouchingonitnow，\"interruptedArchiewithawince。
\"Thankyou。ThatwasallIwanted，anarticulateconfession，\"saidFrank。
\"Ibegtoremindyou-\"beganArchie。
Buthewasinterruptedinturn。\"Mydearfellow，don’t。It’squiteneedless。Thesubject’sdeadandburied。\"
AndFrankbegantotalkhastilyonothermatters，anartinwhichhewasanadept，foritwashisgifttobefluentonanythingornothing。ButalthoughArchiehadthegraceorthetimiditytosufferhimtorattleon，hewasbynomeansdonewiththesubject。Whenhecamehometodinner，hewasgreetedwithaslydemand，howthingswerelooking\"Cauldstaneslapways。\"FranktookhisfirstglassofportoutafterdinnertothetoastofKirstie，andlaterintheeveninghereturnedtothechargeagain。
\"Isay，Weir，you’llexcusemeforreturningagaintothisaffair。I’vebeenthinkingitover，andIwishtobegyouveryseriouslytobemorecareful。It’snotasafebusiness。Notsafe，myboy，\"saidhe。
\"What？\"saidArchie。
\"Well，it’syourownfaultifImustputanameonthething;butreally，asafriend，Icannotstandbyandseeyourushingheaddownintothesedangers。Mydearboy，\"saidhe，holdingupawarningcigar，\"consider！Whatistobetheendofit？\"
\"Theendofwhat？\"-Archie，helplesswithirritation，persistedinthisdangerousandungraciousguard。
\"Well，theendofthemilkmaid;or，tospeakmorebythecard，theendofMissChristinaElliottoftheCauldstaneslap。\"
\"Iassureyou，\"Archiebrokeout，\"thisisallafigmentofyourimagination。Thereisnothingtobesaidagainstthatyounglady;youhavenorighttointroducehernameintotheconversation。\"
\"I’llmakeanoteofit，\"saidFrank。\"Sheshallhenceforthbenameless，nameless，nameless，Grigalach！Imakeanotebesidesofyourvaluabletestimonytohercharacter。Ionlywanttolookatthisthingasamanoftheworld。Admittedshe’sanangel-but，mygoodfellow，isshealady？\"
ThiswastorturetoArchie。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid，strugglingtobecomposed，\"butbecauseyouhavewormedyourselfintomyconfidence-\"
\"O，come！\"criedFrank。\"Yourconfidence？Itwasrosybutunconsenting。Yourconfidence，indeed？Now，look！ThisiswhatImustsay，Weir，foritconcernsyoursafetyandgoodcharacter，andthereforemyhonourasyourfriend。YousayIwormedmyselfintoyourconfidence。
Wormedisgood。ButwhathaveIdone？Ihaveputtwoandtwotogether，justastheparishwillbedoingtomorrow，andthewholeofTweeddaleintwoweeks，andtheblackbrothers-well，Iwon’tputadateonthat;itwillbeadarkandstormymorning！Yoursecret，inotherwords，ispoorPoll’s。AndIwanttoaskofyouasafriendwhetheryouliketheprospect？Therearetwohornstoyourdilemma，andImustsayformyselfIshouldlookmightyruefullyoneither。DoyouseeyourselfexplainingtothefourBlackBrothers？ordoyouseeyourselfpresentingthemilkmaidtopapaasthefutureladyofHermiston？Doyou？Itellyouplainly，Idon’t！\"
Archierose。\"Iwillhearnomoreofthis，\"hesaid，inatremblingvoice。
ButFrankagainhelduphiscigar。\"Tellmeonethingfirst。Tellmeifthisisnotafriend’spartthatIamplaying？\"
\"Ibelieveyouthinkitso，\"repliedArchle。\"Icangoasfarasthat。
Icandosomuchjusticetoyourmotives。ButIwillhearnomoreofit。Iamgoingtobed。\"
\"That’sright，Weir，\"saidFrankheartily。\"Gotobedandthinkoverit;andIsay，man，don’tforgetyourprayers！Idon’toftendothemoral-don’tgoinforthatsortofthing-butwhenIdothere’sonethingsure，thatImeanit。\"
SoArchiemarchedofftobed，andFranksatalonebythetableforanotherhourorso，smilingtohimselfrichly。Therewasnothingvindictiveinhisnature;but，ifrevengecameinhisway，itmightaswellbegood，andthethoughtofArchie’spillowreflectionsthatnightwasindescribablysweettohim。Hefeltapleasantsenseofpower。HelookeddownonArchieasonaverylittleboywhosestringshepulled-
asonahorsewhomhehadbackedandbridledbysheerpowerofintelligence，andwhomhemightridetogloryorthegraveatpleasure。
Whichwasittobe？Helingeredlong，relishingthedetailsofschemesthathewastooidletopursue。Poorcorkuponatorrent，hetastedthatnightthesweetsofomnipotence，andbroodedlikeadeityoverthestrandsofthatintriguewhichwastoshatterhimbeforethesummerwaned。
CHAPTERVIII-ANOCTURNALVISIT
KIRSTIEhadmanycausesofdistress。Moreandmoreaswegrowold-andyetmoreandmoreaswegrowoldandarewomen，frozenbythefearofage-wecometorelyonthevoiceasthesingleoutletofthesoul。
Onlythus，inthecurtailmentofourmeans，canwerelievethestraitenedcryofthepassionwithinus;onlythus，inthebitterandsensitiveshynessofadvancingyears，canwemaintainrelationswiththosevivaciousfiguresoftheyoungthatstillshowbeforeusandtenddailytobecomenomorethanthemovingwall-paperoflife。Talkisthelastlink，thelastrelation。Butwiththeendoftheconversation，whenthevoicestopsandthebrightfaceofthelisteneristurnedaway，solitudefallsagainonthebruisedheart。Kirstiehadlosther\"canniehourate’en\";shecouldnomorewanderwithArchie，aghostifyouwill，butahappyghost，infieldsElysian。Andtoheritwasasifthewholeworldhadfallensilent;tohim，butanunremarkablechangeofamusements。Andsheragedtoknowit。Theeffervescencyofherpassionateandirritablenaturerosewithinherattimestoburstingpoint。
Thisisthepricepaidbyageforunseasonableardoursoffeeling。ItmusthavebeensoforKirstieatanytimewhentheoccasionchanced;butitsofelloutthatshewasdeprivedofthisdelightinthehourwhenshehadmostneedofit，whenshehadmosttosay，mosttoask，andwhenshetrembledtorecognisehersovereigntynotmerelyinabeyancebutannulled。For，withtheclairvoyanceofagenuinelove，shehadpiercedthemysterythathadsolongembarrassedFrank。Shewasconscious，evenbeforeitwascarriedout，evenonthatSundaynightwhenitbegan，ofaninvasionofherrights;andavoicetoldhertheinvader’sname。
Sincethen，byarts，byaccident，bysmallthingsobserved，andbythegeneraldriftofArchie’shumour，shehadpassedbeyondallpossibilityofdoubt。WithasenseofjusticethatLordHermistonmighthaveenvied，shehadthatdayinchurchconsideredandadmittedtheattractionsoftheyoungerKirstie;andwiththeprofoundhumanityandsentimentalityofhernature，shehadrecognisedthecomingoffate。
Notthuswouldshehavechosen。Shehadseen，inimagination，Archieweddedtosometall，powerful，androsyheroineofthegoldenlocks，madeinherownimage，forwhomshewouldhavestrewedthebride-bedwithdelight;andnowshecouldhavewepttoseetheambitionfalsified。
Butthegodshadpronounced，andherdoomwasotherwise。
Shelaytossinginbedthatnight，besiegedwithfeverishthoughts。
Thereweredangerousmatterspending，abattlewastoward，overthefateofwhichshehunginjealousy，sympathy，fear，andalternateloyaltyanddisloyaltytoeitherside。Nowshewasreincarnatedinherniece，andnowinArchie。Nowshesaw，throughthegirl’seyes，theyouthonhiskneestoher，heardhispersuasiveinstanceswithadeadlyweakness，andreceivedhisovermasteringcaresses。Anon，witharevulsion，hertemperragedtoseesuchutmostfavoursoffortuneandlovesquanderedonabratofagirl，oneofherownhouse，usingherownname-adeadlyingredient-andthat\"didnakenherainmindan’wasasblack’syourhat。\"Nowshetrembledlestherdeityshouldpleadinvain，lovingtheideaofsuccessforhimlikeatriumphofnature;anon，withreturningloyaltytoherownfamilyandsex，shetrembledforKirstieandthecreditoftheElliotts。Andagainshehadavisionofherself，thedayoverforherold-worldtalesandlocalgossip，biddingfarewelltoherlastlinkwithlifeandbrightnessandlove;andbehindandbeyond，shesawbuttheblankbutt-endwhereshemustcrawltodie。Hadshethencometothelees？she，sogreat，sobeautiful，withaheartasfreshasagirl’sandstrongaswomanhood？Itcouldnotbe，andyetitwasso;
andforamomentherbedwashorribletoherasthesidesofthegrave。
Andshelookedforwardoverawasteofhours，andsawherselfgoontorage，andtremble，andbesoftened，andrageagain，untilthedaycameandthelaboursofthedaymustberenewed。
Suddenlysheheardfeetonthestairs-hisfeet，andsoonafterthesoundofawindow-sashflungopen。Shesatupwithherheartbeating。
Hehadgonetohisroomalone，andhehadnotgonetobed。Shemightagainhaveoneofhernightcracks;andattheentrancingprospect，achangecameoverhermind;withtheapproachofthishopeofpleasure，allthebasermetalbecameimmediatelyobliteratedfromherthoughts。
Sherose，allwoman，andallthebestofwoman，tender，pitiful，hatingthewrong，loyaltoherownsex-andalltheweakestofthatdearmiscellany，nourishing，cherishingnexthersoftheart，voicelesslyflattering，hopesthatshewouldhavediedsoonerthanhaveacknowledged。Shetoreoffhernightcap，andherhairfellabouthershouldersinprofusion。Undyingcoquetryawoke。Bythefaintlightofhernocturnalrush，shestoodbeforethelooking-glass，carriedhershapelyarmsaboveherhead，andgatheredupthetreasuresofhertresses。Shewasneverbackwardtoadmireherself;thatkindofmodestywasastrangertohernature;andshepaused，struckwithapleasedwonderatthesight。\"Yedaftauldwife！\"shesaid，answeringathoughtthatwasnot;andsheblushedwiththeinnocentconsciousnessofachild。Hastilyshedidupthemassiveandshiningcoils，hastilydonnedawrapper，andwiththerushlightinherhand，stoleintothehall。
Belowstairssheheardtheclocktickingthedeliberateseconds，andFrankjinglingwiththedecantersinthedining-room。Aversionroseinher，bitterandmomentary。\"Nesty，tipplingpuggy！\"shethought;andthenextmomentshehadknockedguardedlyatArchie’sdoorandwasbiddenenter。
Archiehadbeenlookingoutintotheancientblackness，piercedhereandtherewitharaylessstar;takingthesweetairofthemoorsandthenightintohisbosomdeeply;seeking，perhapsfinding，peaceafterthemanneroftheunhappy。Heturnedroundasshecamein，andshowedherapalefaceagainstthewindow-frame。
\"Isthatyou，Kirstie？\"heasked。\"Comein！\"
\"It’suncolate，mydear，\"saidKirstie，affectingunwillingness。
\"No，no，\"heanswered，\"notatall。Comein，ifyouwantacrack。Iamnotsleepy，Godknows！\"
Sheadvanced，tookachairbythetoilettableandthecandle，andsettherushlightatherfoot。Something-itmightbeinthecomparativedisorderofherdress，itmightbetheemotionthatnowwelledinherbosom-hadtouchedherwithawandoftransformation，andsheseemedyoungwiththeyouthofgoddesses。
\"Mr。Erchie，\"shebegan，\"what’sthisthat’scometoye？\"
\"Iamnotawareofanythingthathascome，\"saidArchie，andblushed，andrepentedbitterlythathehadletherin。
\"O，mydear，that’llnodae！\"saidKirstie。\"It’silltoblendtheeyesoflove。O，Mr。Erchie，takathochtereit’sowerlate。Yeshouldnabeimpatiento’thebrawso’life，they’lla’comeintheirsaison，likethesunandtherain。Ye’reyoungyet;ye’vemonycantieyearsaforeye。Seeanddinnawreckyersel’attheoutsetlikesaemonyithers！
Haepatience-theytelledmeayethatwastheowercomeo’life-haepatience，there’sabrawdaycomingyet。Gudekensitnevercamtome;
andhereIam，wi’naythermannorbairntoca’myain，wearyinga’
folkswi’myilltongue，andyoujustthefirst，Mr。Erchie！\"
\"Ihaveadifficultyinknowingwhatyoumean，\"saidArchie。
\"Weel，andI’lltellye，\"shesaid。\"It’sjustthis，thatI’mfeared。
I’mfearedforye，mydear。Remember，yourfaitherisahardman，reapingwherehehasnasowedandgaitheringwherehehasnastrawed。
It’seasyspeakin’，butmind！Ye’llhavetolookinthegurlyfaceo’m，whereit’silltolook，andvaintolookformercy。Yemindmeo’abonnyshippittenootintotheblackandgowstyseas-ye’rea’safestill，sittin’quaitandcrackin’wi’Kirstieinyourlownchalmer;butwhaurwillyebethemorn，andinwhattenhorroro’thefearsometempest，cryin’onthehillstocoverye？\"
\"Why，Kirstie，you’reveryenigmaticalto-night-andveryeloquent，\"
Archieputin。
\"And，mydearMr。Erchie，\"shecontinued，withachangeofvoice，\"yemaunathinkthatIcannasympathisewi’ye。YemaunathinkthatI
havenabeenyoungmysel’。Langsyne，whenIwasabitlassie，notwentyyet-\"Shepausedandsighed。\"Cleanandcaller，wi’afitlikethehinneybee，\"shecontinned。\"Iwasayebigandbuirdly，yemaununderstand;abonnyfigureo’awoman，thoughIsayitthatsuldna-
builttorearbairns-brawbairnstheysuldhaebeen，andgrandIwouldhaelikitit！ButIwasyoung，dear，wi’thebonnyglinto’youthinmye’en，andlittleIdreamedI’deverbetellin’yethis，anauld，lanely，rudaswife！Weel，Mr。Erchie，therewasaladcam’courtin’me，aswasbutnaetural。Monyhadcomebefore，andIwouldnaneo’them。Butthisyinhadatonguetowilethebirdsfraetheliftandthebeesfraethefoxglovebells。Dearyme，butit’slangsyne！Folkhavedee’dsinsyneandbeenburied，andareforgotten，andbairnsbeenbornandgotmerritandgotbairnso’theirain。Sinsynewoodshavebeenplantit，andhavegrawnupandarebonnytrees，andthejoessitintheirshadow，andsinsyneauldestateshavechangedhands，andtherehavebeenwarsandrumoursofwarsonthefaceoftheearth。AndhereI’mstill-likeanaulddroopitcraw-lookin’onandcraikin’！But，Mr。Erchie，doyenothinkthatIhavemindo’ita’still？Iwasdwallingtheninmyfaither’shouse;andit’sacuriousthingthatwewerewhilestrystedintheDeil’sHags。AnddoyenothinkthatIhavemindofthebonnysimmerdays，thelangmileso’thebluid-redheather，thecryin’ofthewhaups，andtheladandthelassiethatwastrysted？DoyenothinkthatImindhowthehillysweetnessranaboutmyhairt？Ay，Mr。Erchie，Ikenthewayo’it-finedoIkentheway-howthegraceo’Godtakesthem，likePaulofTarsus，whentheythinkitleast，anddrivesthepairo’themintoalandwhichislikeadream，andtheworldandthefolksin’t’arenaemairthancloudstothepuirlassie，andheevennaemairthanwindle-straes，ifshecanbutpleesurehim！UntilTamdee’d-thatwasmystory，\"shebrokeofftosay，\"hedee’d，andIwasnaattheburyin’。Butwhilehewashere，Icouldtakecareo’mysel’。Andcanyonpuirlassie？\"
Kirstie，hereyesshiningwithunshedtears，stretchedoutherhandtowardshimappealingly;thebrightandthedullgoldofherhairflashedandsmoulderedinthecoilsbehindhercomelyhead，liketheraysofaneternalyouth;thepurecolourhadriseninherface;andArchiewasabashedalikebyherbeautyandherstory。Hecametowardsherslowlyfromthewindow，tookupherhandinhisandkissedit。
\"Kirstie，\"hesaidhoarsely，\"youhavemisjudgedmesorely。Ihavealwaysthoughtofher，Iwouldnaharmherfortheuniverse，mywoman！\"
\"Eh，lad，andthat’seasysayin’，\"criedKirstie，\"butit’snanesaeeasydoin’！Man，doyenocomprehendthatit’sGod’swullweshouldbeblenditandglamoured，andhavenaecommandoverourainmembersatatimelikethat？Mybairn，\"shecried，stillholdinghishand，\"thinko’
thepuirlass！havepityuponher，Erchie！andO，bewisefortwa！
Thinko’therisksherins！Ihaveseenye，andwhat’stopreventithers！IsawyeonceintheHags，inmyainhowl，andIwaswaetoseeyethere-inpairtfortheomen，forIthinkthere’saweirdontheplace-andinpairtforpurenakitenvyandbitternesso’hairt。It’sstrangeyeshouldforgathertheretae！God！butyonpuir，thrawn，auldCovenanter’sseenaheapo’humannatursincehelookithislastonthemusketbarrels，ifheneversawnaneafore，\"sheadded，withakindofwonderinhereyes。
\"IswearbymyhonourIhavedonehernowrong，\"saidArchie。\"Iswearbymyhonourandtheredemptionofmysoulthatthereshallnonebedoneher。Ihaveheardofthisbefore。Ihavebeenfoolish，Kirstie，notunkind，and，aboveall，notbase。\"
\"There’smybairn！\"saidKirstie，rising。\"I’llcantrustyenoo，I’llcangangtomybedwi’aneasyhairt。\"Andthenshesawinaflashhowbarrenhadbeenhertriumph。Archiehadpromisedtosparethegirl，andhewouldkeepit;butwhohadpromisedtospareArchie？Whatwastobetheendofit？Overamazeofdifficultiessheglanced，andsaw，attheendofeverypassage，theflintycountenanceofHermiston。Andakindofhorrorfelluponheratwhatshehaddone。Sheworeatragicmask。
\"Erchie，theLordpeetyyou，dear，andpeetyme！Ihavebuilditonthisfoundation\"-layingherhandheavilyonhisshoulder-\"andbuildithie，andpitmyhairtinthebuildin’ofit。Ifthehalehypothecweretofa’，Ithink，laddie，Iwoulddee！Excuseadaftwifethatlovesye，andthatkennedyourmither。AndforHisname’ssakekeepyersel’fraeinordinatedesires;haudyourheartinbaithyourhands，carryitcannyandlaigh;dinnasendituplikeahairn’skiteintothecollieshangico’thewunds！Mind，MaisterErchiedear，thatthislife’sa’
disappointment，andamouthfu’o’moolsistheappointedend。\"
\"Ay，butKirstie，mywoman，you’reaskingmeowermuchatlast，\"saidArchie，profoundlymoved，andlapsingintothebroadScots。\"Ye’reaskingwhatnaemancangrantye，whatonlytheLordofheavencangrantyeifHeseefit。Ay！AndcanevenHe！IcanpromiseyewhatIshalldo，andyoucandependonthat。ButhowIshallfeel-mywoman，thatislongpastthinkingof！\"
Theywerebothstandingbynowoppositeeachother。ThefaceofArchieworethewretchedsemblanceofasmile;herswasconvulsedforamoment。
\"Promisemeaething，\"shecriedinasharpvoice。\"Promisemeye’llneverdonaethingwithouttellingme。\"
\"No，Kirstie，Icannapromiseyethat，\"hereplied。\"Ihavepromisedenough，Godkens！\"
\"MaytheblessingofGodliftandrestuponyedear！\"shesaid。
\"Godblessye，myoldfriend，\"saidhe。
CHAPTERIX-ATTHEWEAVER’SSTONE
ITwaslateintheafternoonwhenArchiedrewnearbythehillpathtothePrayingWeaver’sstone。TheHagswereinshadow。Butstill，throughthegateoftheSlap，thesunshotalastarrow，whichspedfarandstraightacrossthesurfaceofthemoss，hereandtheretouchingandshiningonatussock，andlightedatlengthonthegravestoneandthesmallfigureawaitinghimthere。Theemptinessandsolitudeofthegreatmoorsseemedtobeconcentratedthere，andKirstiepointedoutbythatfigureofsunshinefortheonlyinhabitant。Hisfirstsightofherwasthusexcruciatinglysad，likeaglimpseofaworldfromwhichalllight，comfort，andsocietywereonthepointofvanishing。Andthenextmoment，whenshehadturnedherfacetohimandthequicksmilehadenlightenedit，thewholefaceofnaturesmileduponhiminhersmileofwelcome。Archie’sslowpacewasquickened;hislegshastedtoherthoughhisheartwashangingback。Thegirl，uponherside，drewherselftogetherslowlyandstoodup，expectant;shewasalllanguor，herfacewasgonewhite;herarmsachedforhim，hersoulwasontip-
toes。Buthedeceivedher，pausingafewstepsaway，notlesswhitethanherself，andholdinguphishandwithagestureofdenial。
\"No，Christina，notto-day，\"hesaid。\"To-dayIhavetotalktoyouseriously。Sityedown，please，therewhereyouwere。Please！\"herepeated。
TherevulsionoffeelinginChristina’sheartwasviolent。Tohavelongedandwaitedthesewearyhoursforhim，rehearsingherendearments-tohaveseenhimatlastcome-tohavebeenreadythere，breathless，whollypassive，histodowhathewouldwith-andsuddenlytohavefoundherselfconfrontedwithagrey-faced，harshschoolmaster-itwastoorudeashock。Shecouldhavewept，butpridewithheldher。Shesatdownonthestone，fromwhichshehadarisen，partwiththeinstinctofobedience，partasthoughshehadbeenthrustthere。Whatwasthis？
Whywassherejected？Hadsheceasedtoplease？Shestoodhereofferingherwares，andhewouldnoneofthem！Andyettheywereallhis！Histotakeandkeep，nothistorefusethough！Inherquickpetulantnature，amomentagoonfirewithhope，thwartedloveandwoundedvanitywrought。Theschoolmasterthatthereisinallmen，tothedespairofallgirlsandmostwomen，wasnowcompletelyinpossessionofArchie。Hehadpassedanightofsermons，adayofreflection;hehadcomewounduptodohisduty;andthesetmouth，whichinhimonlybetrayedtheeffortofhiswill，toherseemedtheexpressionofanavertedheart。Itwasthesamewithhisconstrainedvoiceandembarrassedutterance;andifso-ifitwasallover-thepangofthethoughttookawayfromherthepowerofthinking。
Hestoodbeforehersomewayoff。\"Kirstie，there’sbeentoomuchofthis。We’veseentoomuchofeachother。\"Shelookedupquicklyandhereyescontracted。\"There’snogoodevercomesofthesesecretmeetings。They’renotfrank，nothonesttruly，andIoughttohaveseenit。Peoplehavebeguntotalk;andit’snotrightofme。Doyousee？\"
\"Iseesomebodywillhavebeentalkingtoye，\"shesaidsullenly。
\"Theyhave，morethanoneofthem，\"repliedArchie。
\"Andwhaewerethey？\"shecried。\"Andwhatkindo’lovedoyeca’that，that’sreadytogangroundlikeawhirligigatfolktalking？Doyethinktheyhavenatalkedtome？\"
\"Havetheyindeed？\"saidArchie，withaquickbreath。\"ThatiswhatI
feared。Whowerethey？Whohasdared-？\"
Archiewasonthepointoflosinghistemper。
Asamatteroffact，notanyonehadtalkedtoChristinaonthematter;
andshestrenuouslyrepeatedherownfirstquestioninapanicofself-
defence。
\"Ah，well！whatdoesitmatter？\"hesaid。\"Theyweregoodfolkthatwishedwelltous，andthegreataffairisthattherearepeopletalking。Mydeargirl，wehavetobewise。Wemustnotwreckourlivesattheoutset。Theymaybelongandhappyyet，andwemustseetoit，Kirstie，likeGod’srationalcreaturesandnotlikefoolchildren。
Thereisonethingwemustseetobeforeall。You’reworthwaitingfor，Kirstie！worthwaitingforageneration;itwouldbeenoughreward。\"-
Andhereherememberedtheschoolmasteragain，andveryunwiselytooktofollowingwisdom。\"Thefirstthingthatwemustseeto，isthatthereshallbenoscandalaboutformyfather’ssake。Thatwouldruinall;doyenoseethat？\"
Kirstiewasalittlepleased，therehadbeensomeshowofwarmthofsentimentinwhatArchiehadsaidlast。Butthedullirritationstillpersistedinherbosom;withtheaboriginalinstinct，havingsufferedherself，shewishedtomakeArchiesuffer。
Andbesides，therehadcomeoutthewordshehadalwaysfearedtohearfromhislips，thenameofhisfather。Itisnottobesupposedthat，duringsomanydayswithaloveavowedbetweenthem，somereferencehadnotbeenmadetotheirconjointfuture。Ithadinfactbeenoftentouchedupon，andfromthefirsthadbeenthesorepoint。Kirstiehadwilfullyclosedtheeyeofthought;shewouldnotargueevenwithherself;gallant，desperatelittleheart，shehadacceptedthecommandofthatsupremeattractionlikethecalloffateandmarchedblindfoldonherdoom。ButArchie，withhismasculinesenseofresponsibility，mustreason;hemustdwellonsomefuturegood，whenthepresentgoodwasallinalltoKirstie;hemusttalk-andtalklamely，asnecessitydrovehim-ofwhatwastobe。Againandagainhehadtouchedonmarriage;againandagainbeendrivenbackintoindistinctnessbyamemoryofLordHermiston。AndKirstiehadbeenswifttounderstandandquicktochokedownandsmothertheunderstanding;swifttoleapupinflameatamentionofthathope，whichspokevolumestohervanityandherlove，thatshemightonedaybeMrs。WeirofHermiston;swift，also，torecogniseinhisstumblingorthrottledutterancethedeath-knelloftheseexpectations，andconstant，poorgirl！inherlarge-mindedmadness，togoonandtorecknothingofthefuture。Buttheseunfinishedreferences，theseblinksinwhichhisheartspoke，andhismemoryandreasonroseuptosilenceitbeforethewordswerewelluttered，gaveherunqualifiableagony。Shewasraisedupanddasheddownagainbleeding。Therecurrenceofthesubjectforcedher，forhowevershortatime，toopenhereyesonwhatshedidnotwishtosee;
andithadinvariablyendedinanotherdisappointment。Sonowagain，atthemerewindofitscoming，atthemerementionofhisfather’sname-
whomightseemindeedtohaveaccompaniedthemintheirwholemoorlandcourtship，anawfulfigureinawigwithanironicalandbittersmile，presenttoguiltyconsciousness-shefledfromitheaddown。
\"Yehavenatoldmeyet，\"shesaid，\"whowasitspoke？\"
\"Yourauntforone，\"saidArchie。
\"AuntieKirstie？\"shecried。\"AndwhatdoIcareformyAuntieKirstie？\"
\"Shecaresagreatdealforherniece，\"repliedArchie，inkindreproof。
\"Troth，andit’sthefirstI’veheardofit，\"retortedthegirl。
\"Thequestionhereisnotwhoitis，butwhattheysay，whattheyhavenoticed，\"pursuedthelucidschoolmaster。\"Thatiswhatwehavetothinkofinself-defence。\"
\"AuntieKirstie，indeed！Abitter，thrawnauldmaidthat’sfomentedtroubleinthecountrybeforeIwasborn，andwillbedoingitstill，I
daursay，whenI’mdeid！It’sinhernature;it’sasnaturalforherasit’sforasheeptoeat。\"
\"Pardonme，Kirstie，shewasnottheonlyone，\"interposedArchie。\"I
hadtwowarnings，twosermons，lastnight，bothmostkindandconsiderate。Hadyoubeenthere，Ipromiseyouyouwouldhavegrat，mydear！Andtheyopenedmyeyes。Isawweweregoingawrongway。\"
\"Whowastheotherone？\"Kirstiedemanded。
BythistimeArchiewasintheconditionofahuntedbeast。Hehadcome，bracedandresolute;hewastotraceoutalineofconductforthepairoftheminafewcold，convincingsentences;hehadnowbeentheresometime，andhewasstillstaggeringroundtheoutworksandundergoingwhathefelttobeasavagecross-examination。
\"Mr。Frank！\"shecried。\"Whatnex’，Iwouldliketoken？\"
\"Hespokemostkindlyandtruly。\"
\"Whatlikedidhesay？\"
\"Iamnotgoingtotellyou;youhavenothingtodowiththat，\"criedArchie，startledtofindhehadadmittedsomuch。
\"O，Ihavenaethingtodowithit！\"sherepeated，springingtoherfeet。
\"A’bodyatHermiston’sfreetopasstheiropinionsuponme，butIhavenaethingtodowi’it！Wasthisatprayerslike？Didyeca’thegrieveintotheconsultation？Littlewonderifa’body’stalking，whenyemakea’bodyyerconfidants！Butasyousay，Mr。Weir，-mostkindly，mostconsiderately，mosttruly，I’msure，-Ihavenaethingtodowithit。
AndIthinkI’llbetterbegoing。I’llbewishingyougoodevening，Mr。
Weir。\"Andshemadehimastatelycurtsey，shakingasshedidsofromheadtofoot，withthebarrenecstasyoftemper。
PoorArchiestooddumbfounded。Shehadmovedsomestepsawayfromhimbeforeherecoveredthegiftofarticulatespeech。
\"Kirstie！\"hecried。\"O，Kirstiewoman！\"
Therewasinhisvoicearingofappeal，aclangofmereastonishmentthatshowedtheschoolmasterwasvanquished。
Sheturnedroundonhim。\"WhatdoyeKirstiemefor？\"sheretorted。
\"Whathaveyetodowi’me！Gangtoyourainfreendsanddeavethem！\"
Hecouldonlyrepeattheappealing\"Kirstie！\"
\"Kirstie，indeed！\"criedthegirl，hereyesblazinginherwhiteface。
\"MynameisMissChristinaElliott，Iwouldhaveyetoken，andIdauryetoca’meoutofit。IfIcannagetlove，I’llhaverespect，Mr。
Weir。I’mcomeofdecentpeople，andI’llhaverespect。WhathaveI
donethatyeshouldlightlyme？WhathaveIdone？WhathaveIdone？
O，whathaveIdone？\"andhervoiceroseuponthethirdrepetition。\"I
thocht-Ithocht-IthochtIwassaehappy！\"andthefirstsobbrokefromherliketheparoxysmofsomemortalsickness。
Archierantoher。Hetookthepoorchildinhisarms，andshenestledtohisbreastastoamother’s，andclaspedhiminhandsthatwerestronglikevices。Hefeltherwholebodyshakenbythethroesofdistress，andhadpityuponherbeyondspeech。Pity，andatthesametimeabewilderedfearofthisexplosiveengineinhisarms，whoseworkshedidnotunderstand，andyethadbeentamperingwith。Therearosefrombeforehimthecurtainsofboyhood，andhesawforthefirsttimetheambiguousfaceofwomanassheis。Invainhelookedbackovertheinterview;hesawnotwherehehadoffended。Itseemedunprovoked，awilfulconvulsionofbrutenature……
GLOSSARY
Ae，one。
Antinomian，oneofasectwhichholdsthatunderthegospeldispensationthemorallawisnotobligatory。
AuldHornie，theDevil。
Ballant，ballad。
Bauchles，brogues，oldshoes。
Bauld，bold。
Beesintheirbonnet，eccentricities。
Birling，whirling。
Black-a-vised，dark-complexioned。
Bonnet-laird，smalllandedproprietor，yeoman。
Bool，ball。
Brae，risingground。
Brig，bridge。
Buff，playbuffon，tomakeafoolof，todeceive。
Burn，stream。
Buttend，endofacottage。
Byre，cow-house。
Ca’，drive。
Caller，fresh。
Canna，cannot。
Canny，careful，shrewd。
Cantie，cheerful。
Carline，oldwoman。
Cauld，cold。
Chalmer，chamber。
Claes，clothes。
Clamjamfry，crowd。
Clavers，idletalk。
Cock-laird。SeeBonnet-laird。
Collieshangie，turmoil。
Crack，toconverse。
Cuist，cast。
Cuddy，donkey。
Cutty，jade，alsousedplayfully=brat。
Daft，mad，frolicsome。
Dander，tosaunter。
Danders，cinders。
Daurna，darenot。
Deave，todeafen。
Denty，dainty。
Dirdum，vigour。
Disjaskit，wornout，disreputable-looking。
Doer，lawagent。
Dour，hard。
Drumlie，dark。
Dunting，knocking。
Dwaibly，infirm，rickety。
Dule-tree，thetreeoflamentation，thehanging-tree。
Earrand，errand。
Ettercap，vixen。
Fechting，fighting。
Feck，quantity，portion。
Feckless，feeble，powerless。
Fell，strongandfiery。
Fey，unlikeyourself，strange，asifurgedonbyfate，oraspersonsareobservedtobeinthehourofapproachingdeathordisaster。
Fit，foot。
Flit，todepart。
Flyped，turnedup，turnedin-sideout。
Forbye，inadditionto。
Forgather，tofallinwith。
Fower，four。
Fushionless，pithless，weak。
Fyle，tosoil，todefile。
Fylement，obloquy，defilement。
Gaed，Went。
Gang，togo。
Geyan’，very。
Gigot，legofmutton。
Girzie，lit。diminutiveofGrizel，hereaplayfulnickname。
Glaur，mud。
Glint，glance，sparkle。
Gloaming，twilight。
Glower，toscowl。
Gobbets，smalllumps。
Gowden，golden。
Gowsty，gusty。
Grat，wept。
Grieve，land-steward。
Guddle，tocatchfishwiththehandsbygropingunderthestonesorbanks。
Gumption，commonsense，judgment。
Guid，good。
Gurley，stormy，surly。
Gyte，besideitself。
Hae，have，take。
Haddit，held。
Hale，whole。
Heels-ower-hurdie，heelsoverhead。
Hinney，honey。
Hirstle，tobustle。
Hizzie，wench。
Howe，hollow。
Howl，hovel。
Hunkered，crouched。
Hypothec，lit。inScotslawthefurnishingsofahouse，andformerlytheproduceandstockofafarmhypothecatedbylawtothelandlordassecurityforrent;colloquially\"thewholestructure，\"\"thewholeconcern。\"
Idleset，idleness。
Infeftment，aterminScotslaworiginallysynonymouswithinvestiture。
Jaud，jade。
Jeely-piece，asliceofbreadandjelly。
Jennipers，juniper。
Jo，sweetheart。
Justifeed，executed，madethevictimofjustice。
Jyle，jailKebbuck，cheese。
Ken，toknow。
Kenspeckle，conspicuous。
Kilted，tuckedup。
Kyte，belly。
Laigh，low。
Laird，landedproprietor。
Lane，alone。
Lave，rest，remainder。
Linking，tripping。
Lown，lonely，still。
Lynn，cataract。
LyonKingofArms，thechiefoftheCourtofHeraldryinScotland。
Macers，offiersofthesupremecourt。[Cf。GuyMannering，lastchapter。]
Maun，must。
Menseful，ofgoodmanners。
Mirk，dark。
Misbegowk，deception，disappointment。
Mools，mould，earth。
Muckle，much，great，big。
Mylane，bymyself。
Nowt，blackcattle。
Palmering，walkinginfirmly。
Panel，inScotslaw，theaccusedpersoninacriminalaction，theprisoner。
Peel，fortifiedwatch-tower。
Plew-stilts，plough-handles。
Policy，ornamentalgroundsofacountrymansion。
Puddock，frog。
Quean，wench。
Rair，toroar。
Riff-raff，rabble。
Risping，grating。
Rout，rowt，toroar，torant。
Rowth，abundance。
Rudas，haggardoldwoman。
Runt，anoldcowpastbreeding;opprobriously，anoldwoman。
Sab，sob。
Sanguishes，sandwiches。
Sasine，inScotslaw，theactofgivinglegalpossessionoffeudalproperty，or，colloquially，thedeedbywhichthatpossessionisproved。
Sclamber，toscramble。
Sculduddery，impropriety，grossness。
Session，theCourtofSession，thesupremecourtofScotland。
Shauchling，shuffling，slipshod。
Shoo，tochasegently。
Siller，money。
Sinsyne，sincethen。
Skailing，dispersing。
Skelp，slap。
Skirling，screaming。
Skriegh-o’day，daybreak。
Snash，abuse。
Sneisty，supercilious。
Sooth，tohum。
Sough，sound，murmur。
Spec，TheSpeculativeSociety，adebatingSocietyconnectedwithEdingburghUniversity。
Speir，toask。
Speldering，sprawling。
Splairge，tosplash。
Spunk，spirit，fire。
Steik，toshut。
Stockfish，hard，savourless。
Suger-bool，suger-plum。
Syne，since，then。
Tawpie，aslowfoolishslut，alsousedplayfully=monkey。
Tellingyou，agoodthingforyou。
Thir，these。
Thrawn，cross-grained。
Toon，town。
Two-names，localsoubriquetsinadditiontopatronymic。
Tyke，dog。
Unchancy，unlucky。
Unco，strange，extraordinary，very。
Upsitten，impertinent。
Vennel，alley，lane。TheVennel，anarrowlaneinEdingburgh，runningoutoftheGrassmarket。
Vivers，victuals。
Wae，sad，unhappy。
Waling，choosing。
Warrandise，warranty。
Waur，worse。
Weird，destiny。
Whammle，toupset。
Whaup，curlew。
Whiles，sometimes。
Windlestae，cresteddog’s-tail，grass。
Wund，wind。
Yin，one。