Запретный лес

           Itwaswhatanywomancrazedwithpainmightconfessinthehopeofwinningrespite.Mostofthedetailsherememberedfromhisboyhoodascommontalk;thewitch-cakerhymehehadsunghimself;thecharmtofillBessie’smeal-arkduringthewinterheknewtobefalse,forshehadnearlydiedofwant,andhehadfedherfromthemansekitchen....HehadseenherintheWood,andyettherewasnomentionoftheWood.Chasehopehadbeenpresentatthetorture,anddoubtlesshisfellinfluencehadkeptherrhapsodyawayfromthepointofdanger.Thepoorsoulwasguilty,butnotofthischildishness.

           Helookedatherasshelay,mindless,racked,dyingperhaps,andanawfulconvictionenteredhismind.Shewasahumansacrificemadebythecoventotheirmaster....Hehadreadofsuchthings,hehalf-rememberedtalesofthem....Perhapsshewasawillingvictim--hehadheardofsuch--comingforwardwithapervertedjoytoconfesshershame.Thetorture--thatwouldbetostimulateherimagination.Isobelhadalwayssaidshewasweakinhermind....ShemighthavebeenchosenbylotinthekirkonHallowmass-e’en....Chasehopewasnotherinquisitor,butthedarkpriestwhoconductedtheritual.

           Hisangeranddisgustrosetoafury.Hetorethepaperintolittlepiecesandflungtheminthepricker’sface.

           "Whatdoublydamnedcrimehaveyoucommitted?"hecried."Youhavetorturedawretchedweakwomanandtakendownherravingsfortruth.