Neither did she yet know, so far, at
least, as he or mistress Brookes was aware, that he had ever been
near her in the night! It was well also because of the position of
things between him and lord Forgue, that he should be away for a
while: it would give a chance for that foolish soul to settle down,
and let common sense assume the reins, while yet the better coachman
was not allowed to mount the box! He had, of course, heard nothing
of the strained relations between him and lady Arctura; he might
otherwise have been a little more anxious. For the earl, Davie, he
thought, would be a kind of pledge or hostage--in regard of what, he
could not specify; but, though he little suspected what such a man
was capable of sacrificing to gain a cherished end, some security
for him, some hold over him, seemed to Donal not undesirable.
When Davie heard the proposal, he was wild with joy. Actually to see
the mountains, and the sheep, and the colleys, of which Donal had
told him such wonderful things! To be out all night, perhaps, with
Donal and the dogs and the stars and the winds! Perhaps a storm
would come, and he would lie in Donal's plaid under some great rock,
and hear the wind roaring around them, but not able to get at them!
And the sheep would come and huddle close up to them, and keep them
warm with their woolly sides! and he would stroke their heads and
love them! Davie was no longer a mere child--far from it; but what
is loveliest in the child's heart was only the stronger in him; and
the prospect of going with Donal was a thing to be dreamed of day
and night till it came! Nor were the days many before their
departure was definitely settled.
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