Запретный лес
XII. The Man with the Squint
Thatvoicehadbeenechoingalltheyearinhischamberofmemory.
"Iamtheminister,"washisreply."InwhatcanIservemyLordMarquis?"
Thefacerelaxedintoasmile,whichmadeitforthemomentgayinspiteoftheheavyeyes.
"Youhavenotforgottenme?NorhaveIforgottenyou,andthereforeIcometoyouinsoreneedtobegacharity.Idonotdoubtbutyouareoftheoppositefaction,butIknowalsothatyouareafaithfulministerofChrist,whosecustomwastodogoodtoHisenemies.Willyougivesheltertothiswoundedcomradeofmine,andtherebysavethelifeofonewhomyouconsortedwithayearbackinCalidon?"
"Butthisisbutapoormanse,mylord.WhydoyoucomeherewhenCalidonissonigh?"
"Alas!Calidonisnoportformeormineinthisstorm.Know,sir,thatthisdaymyarmyhasbeenbeatenontheYarrowhaughsandutterlyscattered.BeforemorningLeslie’strooperswillbeknockingatCalidondoor.Imyselfamafugitive,andthereisnosafetytillIcrosstheHighlandline.Butthiscomradeofminehasabrokenleg,besidesotherhurts,anditisimpossiblethatheshouldridefarther.Ifhedoes,hewillimpedeusandweshallbetaken.ButwherecanIleavehim,forIaminanunfriendlycountry,andifheiscaptureditwillbethegallowsforanhonestfellow?Ibethoughtmethatyouwereministerofthisparish,andthatyourheartwasnotlikelytobesteeledtocommonhumanity,andamanseistheoneplacethatthepursuitwillmiss.Willyoutakehimandlethimliehidtillthehuntpasses?Afterthathewillfendforhimself,forheisanoldsoldieroftheGermanwars.
