Запретный лес
XV. Hallowmass
Thegirlwaslookingawayfromhim,anddidnotturnherheadtillhewascloseonherandhadspoken.
"MistressKatrine,"hecriedbreathlessly.
Shelookeddownonhim,herfacerosy,herhairbedabbledwiththemistjewels.Shedidnotstartathisapproach.Wasitpossiblethatshewasexpectinghim?
"Whatdoestheministeronthehill?"sheasked.
"WhatdoesMistressKatrine?ItwillbeathicknightandyouarestillfarfromCalidon."
Shewasdressedallingreen,withakirtlewhichscarcelyreachedheranklesandleftherfootinthestirrupclear.Thefeatherfromhergreenhathunglowoverhercurls.Davidhadneverseenawomanglovedandbootedforthehunt,andinthathourandinthatwildplacetheapparitionwasasstrangeandasbeautifulasadream.
"ItookoutthehawksthismorningwithEdiethefalconer,forthemallardswereflightingoverfromClyde.Ediewentbackanhouragowiththebirds,andIlingeredtowatchthemistcreepup.MaybeIhavelingeredtoolong."
"Thatwasgoodfortuneforme,"hesaid."Ihavenotdaredtocomeseekingyou,butnowthatwearemetIwillconvoyyoutoCalidon.Presentlytheworldwillbeliketheinsideofafeatherbed."
Shemadenoprotest,whenhelaidhishandonherbridletoturnherhorse,andashestolealookatherhesawthatshewassmiling.Thatsmilesentatremorthroughhimsothatheforgoteverycareandduty.Heandshewereenclosedinamagicalworld--togetherandaloneastheyhadneverbeenbefore....
