Запретный лес

           Fordycehadreturned,andpouredouthissoulatthebed-foot,butpresentlyhegrewsilentliketheothers,fortherewasahushintheroomwhichmadeeventhewordsofprayerasacrilege....Theflushhadgonefromthegirl’sface,andthewaxencheeksandtheblanchedlipstoldofamortalweakness.HerhandwasinDavid’s,aspassiveasapluckedflower.Thelasheswerequietonhercheeks,andherfaint,difficultbreathingscarcelystirredthecoverlet.

           InthatfinalhourpeaceofakindenteredintoDavid’ssoul.Hewastrulyhumbleatlast,foralltheflickeringsandunrestofhumandesireswerestilled.Thejoywhichhehadscarcelydaredtohopefor,thepossessionofthatbrightandrarething,wasnowconfirmedtohim.Katrinewassecurelyhisforever....Attheveryendhereyesopened,andiftheylookedalittleblindlyattheotherstheyseemedtoenfoldhiminapassionoflove.Therewaseventheglimmerofasmile.Andthenthegloamingcreptroundthem,and,asMarkhadforetold,shewentoutwiththedaylight.

           Thequietwasbrokenbytheloudwailingofthetwowomen,forthecomposureofeventheiron-LippedMistressGrizelnowfailedher.Mr.Fordycestilleditwithanupliftedhand."Thelambissafefolded,"hesaid.

           MistressGrizel,afterthefashionofherkind,mustspeak."Shewasakindlassie,andhadnaethochtsbutguidthochts,andifshewasmaybenothatweelinstructedinsounddoctrine,itwasnaefautinher...shewasayeblithetohearkentoMr.James--"ShestoppedshortatthesightofDavid’sface.