第4章
"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。