ost in knowledge, will clothe itself in suffering! But that is but a
part of her! If there is error within, there is also Michael within to
make it of naught! She releases herself. It is horrible to me to see
you angered against her, for you do not discriminate--and you are your
Michael, but not hers!"

"Adam is speaking--still the woman's lover! I'm not for contending
with you. She tore my heart working folly in my house, and an ill
example, and for herself condemnation!"

"Leave her alone! She has had great unhappiness!" He moved the small
stones of the cairn with his fingers. "I am going away from
Glenfernie."

"Aye. It was in mind that ye would! You and he were great friends."

"The greater foes now."

"I gie ye full understanding there!"

"With my father, those he hated were beyond his touch. So he walked
among shadows only. But to me this world is a not unknown wood where
roves, alive and insolent, my utter enemy! I can touch him and I will
touch him!"

"Not you, but the Lord Wha abides not evil!... How sune will ye be
gaeing, Glenfernie?"

"As soon as I can ride far. As soon as everything is in order here. I
know that I am going, but I do not know if I am returning."

"I haud na with dueling. It's un-Christian. But mony's the ancient
gude man that Jehovah used for sword! Aye, and approved the sword that
he used--calling him faithful servant and man after His heart! I am na
judging."

From the moor Glenfernie rode through the village. Folk spoke to him,
looked after him; children about the doors called to others, "It's tha
laird on Black Alan!" Old and young women, distaff or pan or pot or
pitcher in hand, turned head, gazed, spoke to themselves or to one
another. The Jardine Arms looked out of doors. "He's unco like tha
auld laird!" Auld Willy, that was over a hundred, raised a piping
voice, "Did ye young things remember Gawin Elliot that was his
great-grandfather ye'd be saying, 'Ye might think it was Gawin Elliot
that was hangit!'" Mrs. Macmurdo came to her shop door. "Eh, the
laird, wi' all the straw of all that's past alight in his heart!"

Alexander answered the "good days," but he did not draw rein. He rode
slowly up the steep village street and over the bare waste bit of hill
until here was the manse, with the kirk beyond it. Coming out of the
manse gate was the minister. Glenfernie checked his mare. All around
spread a bare and lonely hilltop. The manse and the kirk and the
minister's figur