Donal knew little of woodland matters, having been
chiefly accustomed to meadows and bare hill-sides; yet in the woods
he was the keener of the two to observe, and could the better teach
that he was but a better learner.
One day, as they were walking together under the thin shade of a
fir-thicket, Davie said, with a sudden change of subject--
"I wonder if we shall meet Forgue to-day! he gets up early now, and
goes out. It is neither to fish nor shoot, for he doesn't take his
rod or gun; he must be watching or looking for something!--Shouldn't
you say so, Mr. Grant?"
This set Donal thinking. Eppy was never out at night, or only for a
few minutes; and Forgue went out early in the morning! But if Eppy
would meet him, how could he or anyone help it?
CHAPTER XLV.
A LAST ENCOUNTER.
Now for a while, Donal seldom saw lady Arctura, and when he did,
received from her no encouragement to address her. The troubled look
had reappeared on her face. In her smile, as they passed in hall or
corridor, glimmered an expression almost pathetic--something like an
appeal, as if she stood in sore need of his help, but dared not ask
for it. She was again much in the company of Miss Carmichael, and
Donal had good cause to fear that the pharisaism of her would-be
directress was coming down upon her spirit, not like rain on the
mown grass, but like frost on the spring flowers.
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