The earl would have Mr. Grant treat his pupil precisely as one of
his own standing: he might take him on foot if he pleased!
The suggestion was eagerly accepted by both. They got their boxes
ready for the carrier, packed their wallets, and one lovely morning
late in spring, just as summer was showing her womanly face through
its smiles and tears, they set out together.
It was with no small dismay that Arctura heard of the proposal. She
said nothing, however--only when Donal came to take his leave she
broke down a little.
"We shall often wish, Davie and I, that you were with us, my lady,"
he said.
"Why?" she asked, unable to say more.
"Because we shall often feel happy, and what then can we do but wish
you shared our happiness!"
She burst into tears, and presently was able to speak.
"Don't think me silly," she said. "I know God is with me, and as
soon as you are gone I will go to him to comfort me. But I cannot
help feeling as if you were leaving me like a lamb among wolves. I
can give no reason for it; I only feel as if some danger were near
me. But I have you yet, mistress Brookes: God and you will take care
of me!--Indeed, if I hadn't you," she added, laughing through her
tears, "I should run away with Mr. Grant and Davie!"
"If I had known you felt like that," said Donal, "I would not have
gone. Yet I hardly see how I could have avoided it, being Davie's
tutor, and bound to do as his father wishes with him.
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