Запретный лес
XVII. Woodilee and Calidon
Itwasmaybeaswellthatthepuirthingdied,forafterthehandlingshegottherewassmallbodilycomfortleftforher."
"ByherdeathhertormentorsareguiltyinGod’ssightofmurder,"saidDavid.
"Nodoubt.AndmaybealsointhesightoftheLaw.That’swhyIsaywehavehoughedChasehope’smareforhim.Hecannarideoffonapretendedzealforwitch-hunts,forthisonehasnotablymiscarried.Thisprickerbusinessislookedaskanceatbythosethatkenbest,andit’scertainithasnocountenancefraetheJusticiar.They’vekilledthewifewithit,andtheirprickerwillnotshowfaceagaininthiscountryside.Whatbecomes,thinkyou,ofthebrawcommissionofthePrivyCouncilthatChasehopehadtheprocuringof?Thethingisbegowkedbeforeitisbegun.TheministersofKirkAllerandBold,andyonknock-kneedhaverel,thelairdofKilliequhair,wille’enhaetocontentthemselvesathome,andChasehope,inplaceofhidinghissinsbehindhiszealforburningwitches,isleftwithhisreputeaweethingtouched,likeabadegg.There’sfolkintheparishbeginningtospeirquestionsthatneverspeiredthembefore."
"IamconvincedthatthewomanBessieToddwasahumansacrifice,decidedonbythecoven,andmaybeacceptedofherfree-will.IhaveheardthateverynowandthentheymustpaysuchateindtoHell....Shewasweakinthemind,remember."
"Ihadthesamenotionmyself.No,Iwasnatherewhentheprickerwasbusy,butthemthatweretellmethatheputthefeckofthewordsintilhermouth.ThatwouldconsortwithwhatI’veheardoftheblackbusinesselsewhere.
