Запретный лес
XIII. White Magic
Findmeabedinahidy-holeandsomemeansofgettingbiteandsuptillIcanfendformyself,andI’llsitsnuginMelanudrigillthougheverywitchcoveninScotlandsatgirningroundmewiththeDeilplayingthebagpipes."
Davidwasclearthathemustbemovedthatnight,buthewasfarfromclearastohowitwastobedone.Hedidnotdaretotakeanyotherintothesecret,notevenReiverslaworAmosRitchie,forhatredofMontrosewasuniversalamongtheLowlandcountryfolk.HeandIsobelmightmakeshifttogethimtotheWood,forIsobelwasamuscularoldwoman,buttherewasmuchtodobesidesthat--abedtobefound,foodtransported,someplanmadeforadailyvisit.TherewasnohelptobefoundinWoodilee.
AndthenherememberedKatrineYester.
Foralongtimehewouldnotadmitthethought.Hewouldnothavethegirlenteraplaceofsuchdefilements.Thenotionsickenedhimandheputitangrilyfromhim....Buthefoundthatanewideawasgrowinginhismind.TheWoodhadbeenanurseryofevil,butmightitnotbepurifiedanditssorceriesannulledifitwereusedforanhonestpurpose?ThethoughtofMarkKerr,withhishardwholesomefaceandhismirthfuleye,eatingandsleepinginwhathadbeenconsecratedtomidnightinfamies,seemedtostripfromtheplaceitsmalignaura....Tohissurprise,whenhethoughtofMarkinthewood,hefoundthathecouldthinkofKatrinetherealso,withoutaconsciousnessofsacrilege.Themanwasheruncle’scomrade-in-arms--hewasofthecausetowhichsheherselfwasvowed--shewasawomanandmerciful--shewashisonlyrefuge....
