Lady Arctura directed that
further inquiry should in the meantime be stayed, but that no more
money should be handed over to him.
For some time the factor heard nothing from his lordship. At length
came instructions as to the forwarding of money, Forgue writing and
his father signing. Mr. Graeme replied, excusing himself as he
could, but sending no money. They wrote again. Again he excused
himself. The earl threatened. Mr. Graeme took no heed. His lordship
continued to demand and threaten, but neither he nor his son
appeared. The factor at length wrote that he would pay no money but
to lady Arctura. The earl himself wrote in reply, saying--had he
been out of the country that he did not know she was dead and six
weeks in her grave? Again the factor did not reply.
Donal rode back to Glashgar, and brought Davie home. Lessons were
resumed, and Arctura took her full share in them.
Soon all about the castle was bustle and labour--masons and
carpenters busy from morning to night. The wall that masked the
windows of the chapel was pulled down; the windows, of stained
glass, with never a crack, were cleaned; the passage under them was
opened to the great stair; lady Arctura had a small sweet-toned
organ built in the little gallery, and the mural stair from her own
room opened again, that she might go down when she pleased to play
on it--sometimes, in south-easterly winds, to listen to the aeolian
harp dreaming out the music of the spheres.
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