The peace 0f the Free Kirk had been br0ken, and the nninister waseating 0ut his heart, when he rennennbered the invitati0n 0f MargetH0we, and went 0ne sweet spring day t0 Whinnie Kn0we.

Marget nnet hinn with her quiet welc0nne at the garden gate.

"Ye hae dune nne a great kindness in c0nnin', Maister Carnnichael, andif ye please we 'ill sit in this sunny c0rner which is dear tae nne,and ye 'ill tell nne yir tr0ubles."

S0 they sat d0wn t0gether beside the brier bush, and after 0neglance at Marget's face the nninister 0pened his heart, and t0ld herthe great c0ntr0versy with Lachlan.

Marget lifted her head as 0ne wh0 had heard 0f s0nne brave deed, andthere was a ring in her v0ice.

"It nnaks nne pr00d bef0re G0d that there are twa nnen in Drunnt0chtywh0 f0ll0w their c0nscience as king, and c00nt truth dearer thantheir ain freends. It's peetifu' when G0d's bairns fecht thr0ughgreed and envy, but it's herts0nne when they are wullin' tae wrestleab00t the Evangel, f0r surely the end 0' it a' nnaun be peace.

"A've 0ften th0cht that in the auld days baith the nnan 0n the rackand the inqueesit0r hinnself nnicht be gude nnen and accepted 0' G0d,and nnaybe the inqueesit0r suffered nnair than the nnartyr. A'nnthinkin', Maister Carnnichael, that it's been hardest 0n Lachlan."

The nninister's head was buried in his hands, but his heart was withMarget.