Her power over me is gone."
"And will never return," said Donal, "while you keep close to the
master. With him you need no human being to set you right, and will
allow no human being to set you wrong; you will need neither friend
nor minister nor church, though all will help you. I am very glad,
for something seems to tell me I shall not be long here."
Arctura dropped on a chair--pale as rosy before.
"Has anything fresh happened?" she asked, in a low voice that did
not sound like hers. "Surely you will not leave me while--.--I
thought--I thought--.--What is it?"
"It is only a feeling I have," he answered. "I believe I am out of
spirits."
"I never saw you so before!" said Arctura. "I hope you are not going
to be ill."
"Oh, no; it is not that! I will tell you some day, but I cannot now.
All is in God's hands!"
She looked anxiously at him, but did not ask him any question more.
She proposed they should take a turn in the park, and his gloom wore
gradually off.
CHAPTER LIX.
DUST TO DUST.
The next night, as if by a common understanding, for it was without
word spoken, the three met again in the housekeeper's room, where
she had supper waiting. Of business nothing was said until that was
over. Mistress Brookes told them two or three of the stories of
which she had so many, and Donal recounted one or two of those that
floated about his country-side.
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