Запретный лес

           Hecouldnotbringhimselftoseekherinherhome,forhedarednotcompromiseher.Alreadyanamelesswomanappearedinthetalesagainsthim,andhewouldhavediedsoonerthanletthewoman’sidentityberevealed.Fromherhehadhadkindnessandcomradeship,butthesethingswerenotlove,andhowcouldheaskforlovewheneveryman’shandwasagainsthimandhecouldoffernothingbutcompanionshipindisrepute?...Butlonelinessweighedonhim,andhelongedtotalkwithtwoespecially--theministerofCauldshawandthenewtenantofCrossbasket.ButwhenherodeoneafternoontoCauldshaw,itwasnotonlytheminister’sselfthatdrewhimthere,buttheremembrancethattheCalidonhouseholdwereamonghisparishioners.

           Mr.Fordycewasscarcelyrecoveredofanautumnague,andhislittlebookroomwasasbleakanddampasagrave.Hesatinawoodenarmchair,proppedupwithpillows,nightcaponhead,acoarsedruggetdressing-gownroundhisshoulders,andtwopairsofstockingsonhisthinshanks.Hiswifewassicka-bed,outsidetheraindrippedsteadily,therewasnofireplaceinthechamber,andgloommuffleditlikeashroud.YetMr.Jameswascastingahoroscope,andmildandpatientasever.

           "Tellmethewholestory,Mr.David,forI’veheardnaughtbutrumour.Theysayyou’vefallenoutsorelywithMr.MungoatKirkAller."

           Davidrecountedtheeventsofthepastmonths,beginningwithLammastideintheWood,andendingwithhislastvisittoMr.Muirhead,Theotherheardhimoutwithmanysighsandexclamations,andmusedforalittlewhenhehadfinished.