Запретный лес

           Thismansatintheseatsofthemightyandsharedintheburdenofgovernment,andhisbrowwasheavywiththeweightofit.HemetDavidwithacold,inquisitorialeye,andgreetedhimwithaformalcivility.

           "Isentforyou,Mr.Sempill,"hesaid,"anentthechargewhichyouhavesetoutinthesepapers,andonwhichyouhavealreadyconferredwithme.TherehasbeennomeetingofPresbytery,owingtothedisturbancesinpublicaffairs,butIhaveshownthepaperstocertainofmybrethrenandobtainedtheirmindonthem.IhavelikewisehadtheprivilegeofthecounselofthegodlylairdofWariston,who,asyounodoubtken,islearnedalikeinthelawofGodandthelawofman.Ihavethereforetakenituponmyselftoconveytoyouourdecision,whilkyoumaytaketobethedecisionofthecourtsoftheKirk,andthatdecisionisthatthereisnosubstanceinyourcase.Youareupsetontherelevancy,sir.Thereisnothinghere,"andhetappedthepapers,"whichwouldwarrantmeinoccupyingthetimeoffolkwhohavemanygreatermattersinhand."

           "Ididnotaskforajudgment,butforaninquiry,andthatImustcontinuetodemand."

           "Ay,butyoumustfirstshowaprimafaciecase,andthatyouhavefailedtodo.YouhavebroughtgrievouschargesagainstonenotedservantofGod,andsundrywomen,ofwhomitcanatleastbesaidthattheybearagoodrepute.Yourevidence--well,whatisyourevidence?Yousaythatyouyourselfhaveseenthisandheardthat,butyouareataintedwitness--amattertowhichIshallpresentlyrevert....