In the process of removing the bed, much of it crumbled to dust. The
carved tester and back were set up, the one over the great
chimney-piece in the hall, the other over that in Arctura's room.
The altar was replaced where the bed had been. The story of the
finding of the lost chapel was written by Donal, and placed by
Arctura among the records of the family.
But it soon became evident that what she had passed through had
exercised a hurtful influence on lady Arctura's health. She was
almost always happy, but her strength at times would suddenly desert
her. Both Donal and mistress Brookes regarded her with some anxiety.
Her organ, to which she gave more labour than she was quite equal
to, was now one of her main delights. Often would its chords be
heard creeping through the long ducts and passages of the castle:
either for a small instrument its tone was peculiarly penetrating,
or the chapel was the centre of the system of the house. On the roof
would Donal often sit listening to the sounds that rose through the
shaft--airs and harmonies freed by her worshipping
fingers--rejoicing to think how her spirit was following the sounds,
guided by them in lovely search after her native country.
One day she went on playing till she forgot everything but her
music, and almost unconsciously began to sing "The Lord is mindful
of his own." She was unaware that she had two listeners--one on the
roof above, one in the chapel below.
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