If there were such things as special providences,
here, she said, was one; if not, then it was better luck than she
had looked for. The main point in it was that the dominie seemed
likely after all to turn out a popular preacher; then beyond a
doubt other Scotch people would gather to him; this or that person
might turn up, and anyone might turn out useful; one thread might
be knotted to another, until all together had made a clue to guide
her straight through the labyrinth to the centre, to lay her hand
on the collar of the demon of the house of Lossie. It was the biggest
game of her life, and had been its game long before the opening of
my narrative.
CHAPTER XXXV: THE EVIL GENIUS
When Malcolm first visited Mr Graham, the schoolmaster had already
preached two or three times in the pulpit of Hope Chapel. His
ministrations at the prayer meetings had led to this. For every
night on which he was expected to speak, there were more people
present than on the last; and when the deacons saw this, they asked
him to preach on the Sundays. After two Sundays they came to him
in a body, and besought him to become a candidate for the vacant
pulpit, assuring him of success if he did so. He gave a decided
refusal, however, nor mentioned his reasons. His friend Marshal
urged him, pledging himself for his income to an amount which would
have been riches to the dominie, but in vain.
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