Every summer for years, Florimel and her husband spent weeks in
the castle, and many a study the painter made there of the ever
changing face of the sea.
Malcolm, as he well might, had such a strong feeling of the power
for good of every high souled schoolmaster, that nothing would serve
him but Mr Graham must be reinstated. He told the presbytery that
if it were not done, he would himself build a school house for
him, and the consequence, he said, needed no prediction. Finding,
at the same time, that the young man they had put in his place was
willing to act as his assistant, he proposed that he should keep
the cottage, and all other emoluments of the office, on the sole
condition that, when he found he could no longer conscientiously
and heartily further the endeavours of Mr Graham, he should say
so; whereupon the marquis would endeavour to procure him another
appointment; and on these understandings the thing was arranged.
Mr Graham thenceforward lived in the House, a spiritual father to
the whole family, reverenced by all, ever greeted with gladness,
ever obeyed. The spiritual dignity and simplicity, the fine sense
and delicate feeling of the man, rendered him a saving presence in
the place; and Clementina felt as if one of the ancient prophets,
blossomed into a Christian, was the glory of their family and
house.
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