Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
Hewasarmouredagainstcensure,foritwasidletocensureonewhowasoverwhelmedbyhisownunworthinessandwhoatthesametimesawallhumanauthoritiesdiminishedtocockle-shells.Hehadnofearsandnohates:Godhadsmittenhim,and,humbleunderthatawfulrod,hecouldviewwithindifferencethelittlewhipsofhisfellows.Hedidnotblamethem--whyshoulddustaccusedust?
Inhisdetachmentonlyonethoughtaffectedhimwithanypassion.HeretainedhishorroroftheWood.Ifheweretofallhewouldfainhavebroughtdownwithhimthatunholytemple.ForChasehopehefeltnohatredexceptasitshigh-priest;themanhimself,withhiscrazytwistedsoul,wasratheramarkforpity.ButhewouldfainhaveridWoodileeofthatincubus....Hehadfailed,andChasehopewasthevictor--ChasehopeandtheWood.Foramomenthismindreturnedtorealities,andhequestionedhimselfifhehadleftanythingundone.ThisdayhisoriginallibelwouldcomebeforethePresbytery,andhehadtherighttocallhiswitnesses.Butwherewerethey?Reiverslawhadbeenabsenttwomonthsfromtheparishandhadnotyetreturned,andwithouthistestimonyRichieSmailandRabPrenticeweremeaninglessvoices.Hecouldgivehisownwitness,butthatthePresbyteryhadalreadyofficiallyrejected.Letitgo--theAlmightyinHisowntimewouldbehisvindication--hewhowasfilthylethimbefilthystill....
"Ubimolestiisfinitisomnibus
SecuricanticaSioncantabimus."
Buteveninhissecretworldregretpenetratedandirkedhim,forMelanudrigillwasnightothegreenwoodandtoParadise.
