The housekeeper at the castle knows all about it,
and she and I will do our best. Her grandparents know too. Eppie
herself and lord Forgue have both of them promised there shall be no
more of it. And I do believe, Kennedy, there has been nothing more
than great silliness on either side. I hope you will not forget
yourself again. You gave me a promise and broke it!"
"No i' the letter, sir--only i' the speerit!" rejoined Kennedy: "I
gaedna near the castel!"
"'Only in the spirit!' did you say, Stephen? What matters the word
but for the spirit? The Bible itself lets the word go any time for
the spirit! Would it have been a breach of your promise if you had
gone to the castle on some service to the man you almost murdered?
If ever you lay your hand on the lad again, I'll do my best to give
you over to justice. But keep quiet, and I'll do all I can for
you."
Kennedy promised to govern himself, and they parted friends.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE SOUL OF THE OLD GARDEN.
The days went on and on, and still Donal saw nothing, or next to
nothing of the earl. Thrice he met him on the way to the walled
garden in which he was wont to take his unfrequent exercise; on one
of these occasions his lordship spoke to him courteously, the next
scarcely noticed him, the third passed him without recognition.
Donal, who with equal mind took everything as it came, troubled
himself not at all about the matter.
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