Запретный лес
XV. Hallowmass
Heheldherbytouchratherthanbysight,andthisdisembodimentseemedtogivehimcourage.
"Iseeknothing,"hesaid,"butthatyoushouldknowmylove.Iamperplexedwithcomingbattles,butsolongasyou’reinlifethere’snothingcandauntme.Iwouldnothaveyousmirchedwiththestourofthem,butifyou’llletmethinkofyouandmindofyouandwhilesseeyouI’llbeasstrongasSamson.Thepapistcriesonhissaints,andyouarethesaintwhosenameiswrittenonmyheart."
Stillshedidnotspeak,andhecriedoutinalarm.
"HaveIangeredyou?Forgiveme--forgiveme--butIhadtospeak.NotoneotherwordmorewillIsaytillweareatCalidondoor."
Heranswer,whenitcame,wasstrange,foritwasasongcroonedverysoftly:
"It’sloveforlovethatIhavegot,
Andloveforloveagain."
AgreatawecameoverDavidandcheckedhisbreath--theaweofonewhoseesandyetdoesnotbelieve,theanswertoahopelessprayer.Hishandtightenedonhers,butsheslippeditaway."Soturn,"shesang:
"Soturnyourhighhorseheidabout
Andwewillrideforhame,mylove,
Andwewillrideforhame."
Thehandwhichhadmovedfromunderhiswaslaidonhishead.Suddenlyafacebentdowntowardshimandakissaslightasabird’swingbrushedhisforehead.Hecaughthertohimfromthesaddle.
