Запретный лес

           ThatisthelawofScotland,sir,anditisthelawofeveryChristianland,andyouhavelamentablyfailedinthatpriorduty."

           "Thereismyownevidence--theevidenceofaneyewitness.YoumayaccountforReiverslaw,butyouhavestilltoaccountforme."

           "Justso."AgrimhumourseemedtolurkatthecornerofMr.Muirhead’smouth."Wehavetoaccountforyou,Mr.Sempill,anditseemsthatitwillbeasorebusiness.ForIhavehere"--hetappedapaper--"anotherdittayinwhichyouyourselfarenamed.Itispainfulformeeventogiveeartoaccusationsagainstabrotheronwhoseheadmyownhandshavebeenlaidinholyordination.ButIhavemysolemndutytoperform,andmustconsiderthecomplaintsofakirksessionagainstaministerascarefullyandprayerfullyasthoseofaministeragainstakirksession."

           TheeffectonDavidwasofasuddenclearingoftheairandabracingofnerve.Thiswas,then,tobenoone-sidedwar,forhisenemieshaddeclaredthemselves,andmetattackbycounter-attack.HesmiledattheportentoussolemnityofMr.Muirhead’sface.

           "Icanguessoneofthenamesappendedtothecharge,"hesaid."ItisthatofChasehope."

           Mr.Muirheadturnedoverthepaper."EphraimCairdisthere,andothersnolessweighty.ThereisPeterPennecuik...andAlexanderSprotinMirehope...andThomasSpotswoodinthemillofWoodilee.Ifgodlyeldersareconstrainedtodelatehimwhohasbeensetovertheminspiritualaffairs,it’sscarcelyathingtobemetwithasmirkandagrin."

           "Iamwaitingtohearthecharge."

           "Itistwofold.