Запретный лес
XIX. The Sacrifice
Hetookherhandanditwasdryandburning.
"Wemaunletthefeverrinitscourse,"saidMistressGrizel."Shemaunfechtherainbattlewithoutthehelpo’man.Godbekindtomybairn,"andshekissedthehotlips.
"Ye’llbeputtin’upaprayer?"sheturnedtoDavid.
"Icannotpray...Icanonlywatch....Ibegyoutoletmewatchherebesideher."
"Haveyourway.There’slittleneedo’speechiftherebeprayerintheheart.Isobelwillgetreadyyourchamber,foryecannaleavethishouse."
PresentlyDavidwasinthesick-roomalone,andifhecouldnotprayhespentthehoursonhisknees.IsobelandMistressGrizelreturnedfromtimetotime;onceMarkcameinandputhishandonthegirl’sbrow.Thenightpassedandthedawncame,butstillDavidkneltatachairbythebedside,hisheadsometimesinhishandsandsometimesliftedtogazeatthefaceonthepillow.Hewastorturedwiththesenseofhisfrailty.Asacrifice,anothersacrifice,wasrequired,andforwhatsinsbuthisown?Hehadbeenlacking--oh,hehadbeenlackingineveryChristiangrace.Inthoseblackmomentshesawhimselfasthechiefofsinners,hisstrugglestorisefoiledbyadraggingweightofself,hisardourshalf-hearted,thefruitshebroughtforthbutpoorpithlessstalks,hiserrorsdarkandmonstrouslikebirdsofnight.Hewasnotconsciousofanyspecialsin--onlyofadeepunworthinesswhichmadehimunfittotouchthehemofhergarment....Hadeveranyonesomademusicintheworldbymerelypassingthroughit?Andnow--burninginsteadofbeauty....
Mr.FordycecameoverfromCauldshawintheevening.
