Запретный лес

           Onthe26thdayofthemonthofSeptemberinthisyearofgracetherewasfoundintheappurtenancesofthemanseofWoodilee--towit,inthebaulksofthestableatweenthethatchandthewall--abundleofgarments,includingalacedcoatsuchasiswornbymalignants,andsundryotherhabilimentsstrangetothecountryside,butwellkennedinthearrayofcateranswhereofMontrosewasthelateleader.Itisargued,therefore,thatshelterwasgiveninthemansetoafugitive,andthataministeroftheKirkconnivedattheescapefromjusticeofoneoftheKirk’soppressors.Whatsayyoutothat,sir?"

           "Isaythatitistrue."

           Davidwasnotpreparedfortheconsternationintheother’sface.Mr.Muirheadsaterectinhischair,hisheadwaspokedforwardfrombetweenhisshoulderslikethatofatortoisefromitsshell,coloursurgedovercheeksandforeheadandhisbaldcrown,andhisvoice,whenhefoundutterance,wasofanunnaturalsmallness.Hiscarefulspeechbrokedownintocountrydialect.

           "Yeadmitit!Godpeetyyou,yedonotblenchtoadmitthisawfulsin!Haveyenoshame,man,thatyesittheresnugandcantyandconfesstoatreasonagainstChristandHisKirk?"

           Therewasmoreintheman’sfacethanangerandincreduloushorror;therewaspity,regret,asenseofanunspeakablesacrilegedonetoallthatheheldmostdear.DavidsawthattheministerofKirkAller,thoughhemighthavelittleloveforhimself,wouldhavegivenmuchhadthisconfessionbeenunsaid--thathefeltthatshamehadbeencastuponhiscallingandevenuponhisownself-respect.