Запретный лес
XIX. The Sacrifice
Atanymomentshemightfallintoafever,andthen--herememberedwithdreadfuldistinctnessthestagesofthemalady.Wasthisthelastlingeringeffortofthepest?--hehadheardofsuchcasescomingweeksafterthethingseemedtohavebeenstayed.AndalwaysthereroseinhismindChasehope’sprophecyofasacrificestilltocome.
HewouldfainhavegonebacktoCalidonandwaitedfornews.InsteadhesentIsobelwithamessagetoMistressGrizel.Hishousekeeperwasnotedasaskilfulnurseandanamateurleech,andhebeggedthatsheshouldbeallowedtohelpinwaitinguponKatrine.Thesendingofherdidsomethingtoeasehismind,foritwasadirectpieceofservicetohisbeloved;moreover,ifIsobelwasinCalidon,hecouldgothereasoftenashewishedandhavespeechwithher,forhewasalittleashamedtorevealtoMistressGrizelhislackoffortitude.Meantimehecouldfendforhimself,andcookwhatfoodheneeded.
Thetimepassedonleadenfeet,andthehoursofdarknesswereonelongsleeplessnightmare.NextdayhewasearlyatCalidonandfoundIsobelwithacomposedface."Yeneednatak’itsaesair,Mr.David,"sheassuredhim."Theleddy’snothatbad.Naedootshe’ssairweary,butthefecko’thetimeshesleepslikeabairn,andthere’snaefever.There’sstrongbluidinherthatwillnobelangereitconquerstheweakness.Butlosh,sir,ye’vethefaceo’abogle.Awa’hamewi’yeandliedoun,orI’llnobideanitherhourinCalidon.Areyetakin’yourmeat?Dinnalookatmelikeaglumwean,butdaeasItellye.
