Запретный лес

           "Yecannacomehere,forthepest’sinilkabiteweeatandsowpwedrinkandbreathwedraw.Awa’wi’ye,an’keepyourmouthtightsteekittillye’reowertheHillo’Deer.Oh,hasteye,orye’llbesmittenlikethelave,andye’reoweryoungandbonnytodee."

           "Katrine,Katrine,"Davidexclaimedinagony."Whatmadnessbroughtyouhere?Haveyounotheardthathalftheparishissickordead?Thereispoisonintheveryair.Oh,mydear,comenotnearme.WrapafoldofyourcloakoveryourmouthandneverslackenreintillyouarebackinCalidon."

           Thegirldrewoffhergloves.HereyeswereonIsobel.

           "Iamhispromisedwife,"shesaid."WhereshouldIbeifnotbyhisside?"

           ThenewsleftIsobelstaring."Hispromisedwife,"shestammered."Heardyeeverthelike--themanseo’WoodileetoseekamistressfromCalidon!...Butthemairreasonwhyyesuldtak’tent.There’snaeplaceforabonnydoolikeyersel’inthisstrickenparish--yecannahelpithersandyemaygetyouraindeath.Awa’hame,mybrawleddy,fortheministerhaseneuchtotroublehimwithoutconcernforhisjoe."

           ThegirlwalkedtoDavid’ssideandputherhandinhisarm.

           "Youwillnotforbidme,"shesaid,andherfacewasstillsmiling."Idonotfeartheplague,andIdonotthinkitwillharmme,foritsmitesthosewholiveinfoulhovels,andIamalwaysaboutthehills.ButIdofearthisloneliness.Ihavenotseenyoufortwoweeks,David,andIhavebeenimaginingterriblethings.Ihavecometohelpyou,forIhaveknownthepestbefore--manytimesinFrance,andinOxfordtoo.