Запретный лес
IX. Before Lammas
"NothatI’mmuchofafighter,formybowelsmeltandmyspeechsticksinmythroatandIsitlikeadumbox,andsynemournonmybedinthenightwatchesthatIhavebeenfoundwanting.Butmyheartiswithyou,Mr.David,andwhatvoicemyinfirmitiespermitme,andyou’llbeneveroutofmyprayers....CometoCauldshawwheneveryelongforspeechwithafriend.IcanayegiveyousympathyifIcannagiveyoucounsel."
ButwhenDavidthreedayslaterturnedhishorseinthedirectionofCauldshaw,itwasnottothemansehewent,buttothetowerofCalidon.ForKatrineYesterhadbecomeforhimtheonlylightonhispath.Shepersonifiedthecauseforwhichhefought,thefairworldthatstoodincontrasttotheobsceneshades,andsincetheirlastmeetinginParadiseshewasnolongeraflittingwood-nymph,butawomanoffleshandbloodandheart.Helongedtoseeherinthehousewhereshedweltandamongherownpeople.
ButtherewasnoKatrineinCalidonthatafternoon,forshehadgonetothegreenwood.ItwasastilldayofJulyinwhichnocloudtemperedtheheatofthesun,butthegreatupperchamberinthetowerwascoolanddusky.HeaskedforMistressSaintserf,andwasreceivedbythatgrimladyinstate,forshekepthimwaitingwhileshedonnedanewtoyandkerchieffortheoccasion.ShespokeaScotsasbroadasanyshepherd’swife,butthesharpvowelsofEdinburghtooktheplaceofthesofterBordertones.Largeandgauntanddomineering,herhigh-nosedfaceandprimmouthweremellowedbyanaudacioushumour.
