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XIV. The Counterblast
ThecomplainantsallegethatyouhavehadtrokingswiththeWoodandtheeviloftheWood--andindeedonyourownconfessionweknowthatyouhavefrequenteditwhendecentfolkwereintheirbeds.Therearewitnessestodeponetofollowingyoutotheedgeofthething,asyoumadeyourwaystealthilyatdeadofnight.Onwhaterrand,Mr.Sempill?Andinwhatcompany?"
"ThatiswhatIwouldlikefinetoknow,"saidDavid.
"Youwereseentomeetawoman.Theyweresimplefolkwhosawyouandnotfreefromsuperstition,sotheyjumpedtotheconclusionthatthewomanwasnomortal,buttheQueenoftheFairies.That’sasitmaybe.Youandmearenotbairnstobelieveinfaysandbogles.ButthefactthatemergesisthatyouwereintheWoodatnight,notoncebutmanytimes,andthatyouwereseeninawoman’scompany.ThatisafinereportonaministerofGod,anditwillwantsomereddingup,Mr.Sempill."
"Mymovementswerewhollyinnocent,andcanbesimplyexplained,"saidDavid.Butthechargemaddenedhim,heblusheddeep,andhehadmuchadotokeephistonguefromstammering.HewrestledwithapagandesiretobuffetMr.Muirheadviolentlyonhislargeauthoritativeface.
"Butcanyouexplainthis?"thelattercried,forhewasnotunconsciousofDavid’sconfusion."Thereisasecondcharge,anditsgravamenistheheavier,seeingthatitallegesanoffencebothagainstthewillofGodandthegovernanceofthisland.
