Запретный лес
XVII. Woodilee and Calidon
Yoursisthefirststrangerfootthathascrossedthisthreshold,andit’ssurelypropitiousthatitshouldbeaminister’s.OurainMr.Jamesislyin’again,forthislownweatherdoesna’greewi’him,thoughit’shardtosaywhat’greeswi’him,forthecreature’sbodyissairfailed....It’smonyadaysincewecasteenonyehere,Mr.David,andsiccandaysasthey’vebeenformeandmine."
Shedescantedonthetroublesoftheautumn,hersuccessinsavingCalidonfrombeingsequestered--"PeterDobbie,himthat’sourdoer,isfarbenwi’Wariston,yemaunken,andworthyMr.RintoulintheWestKirksaidawordintherightlug"--onthedifficultyingettingfundstoNicholasHawkshawatUtrecht,onthegarrisoningofCalidon--"Theypunishedouryill,buttheyfasheduslittle,fortheyweresairhaddendownbyKatrine."ButshesaidnothingofMark,thoughintheendshehadbeenmadeprivytothatbusiness,andshedidnothintatthetroubleinWoodileewhichwasthetalkofthecountry.Behindallhergarrulitylurkedacertainembarrassment,anditdidnotmakeDavid’stasktheeasier.
Atlasthetookhiscourageinbothhands.
"Icameherethismornforapurpose,"hesaid,andwithhaltingvoiceandafieryfacehemadehisconfession.Theoldwomanregardedhimwitheyesthatstrovetoexpressamazementandfailed;itwasclearthatshehadhadhersuspicions.
Butherwordswhenshespokewerethoseofonewhohadbeenstartledoutofallpropriety.
"Heardyeeverthelike?"shecried.
