Запретный лес

           Herwhitefacewashideouslydiscolouredinpatches,andhermouthwaswideopen,asiftherewereatormentingfirewithin.Sheseemeddelirious,forshegabbledandslavereduncouthlytoherself,scarcelymovingherlips.Everynowandthenherthinbreastwasshakenwithafrenziedshivering.

           AtthesightsomethinggaveinDavid’shead.Hefeltthebloodrushabovehiseyebrows,andachokingatthebackofhisthroat.Alwaysahaterofcruelty,hehadrarelyseenitsmoremonstrousforms,andthespectacleofthisbrokenwomanawokeinhimafuryofremonstrance.Hestrodetothelanternandlookeddownonher,andthenturnedaway,forhesickened.Hesawthegimleteyesofthepricker--redlikeabroodyhen’s--andbehindhimthesullen,secretfaceofChasehope.

           "Whatdevil’sprankhaveyoubeenat?"hecried."Answerme,EphraimCaird.Whoisthismountebank,andwhathaveyoudonetothisunhappywoman?"

           "Allhasbeendonedecentlyandinorder,"saidChasehope."ThePresbyteryisresolvedtofreethisparochineofthesinofwitchcraft,andthisworthyman,whohasskillinsiccanmatters,hasbeensenttoguideus.ThereisacommissionissuedfraethePrivyCouncil,asyemayhaveheard,totrythosethatareaccused,butthefirstneedcessityistofindthewitchesandexhortthemtoconfession.Thiswoman,ElspethTodd,isconvictouto’herainmouth,andwe’vegottenamemorialo’theilldeedssheownsto.WordhasbeendispatchedtotheShirra,andthemorn,naedoot,he’llsendandshifthertoKirkAller.