Запретный лес
IX. Before Lammas
I’llhaetokiltmycoatsandpitthetowero’CalidoninastateofdefenceagainstNicholasoronyither,forifIletthelairdintilhisainhousewe’llhaetoanswerfor’tbeforethePrivyCouncil."
ItwasplainthatMistressSaintserfwasnotill-pleasedwithDavid,forshetalkedfreelyandwouldhardlylethimgo.
"Ye’reoweryoungforthesacredcallin’,"shetoldhimwhenatlasthetookhisleave."Andye’reowerwise-likeamanforaminister.Sauntssuldhaeweakstomachs,likeourainMr.Fordyce;itgarsthemsitloosetoearthlyaffections."
"IwouldputupwithhisafflictionifIcouldgetone-halfofhisgoodness,"saidDavid.
"’Deedthat’sweelspoken.I’msureo’HeavenifIcangethaudo’thestringsofMr.James’scloak.Neverheedanauldwife’sclavers.Comebackandprieourgrosartswhenthey’reripe,andifyeseethatlasso’mineonthehilltellherI’mwaitin’forherwi’abesom."
OnhiswayhomeDavidhadnosightofKatrine,butthenextafternoonhemetherinParadise.Shecametohimsmilingandfriendlyasaboy.
"YouhavebeentoCalidonandseenAuntGrizel.Icongratulateyouonyourconquest,sir,formyauntisnowyourdevoutpartisanandyouhavewonanotherfriendinthiscountryside.ButwhatisthisnewsoftheLordMarquis?"
Theywhiledawaythesummerafternoonwithtalk,ramblingsometimesthroughtheoakglades,butalwaysreturningtothenookbythespring,whileDavidkeptajealouseyeonthedecliningsun.ThegirlmustbewellonherwaytoCalidonbeforethefirstduskbegan.
