Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
Ipraythatitmaybegivenhim,likeStephen,toseetheheavensopenandtheSonofManstandingontherighthandofGod....Itellyouthatthere’sthoseamongusnowthatwillburninHellforthisday’swork.Blind,blind..."
Hechoked,hisfacecolouredwitharushofblood,heswayedandwouldhavefallenhadnotDavidcaughthim.Thecessationofthehauntingvoicerestoredtheassemblytoitssenses.Murmuringsbegan,andtheModeratordroppedhishandfromhisthroatandfoundspeech.
"Thisismostunseemly.Ourbrotherissickandhasforgottenhimself.LettheworkoftheCourtproceed."
Davidliftedthehalf-faintingMr.Fordyceinhisarms.HebowedtotheModerator."Mypresenceisnolongerneeded,"hesaid."IhavenomoretosayandaminthehandsoftheCourt.MeantimeImustlooktomyfriend."
Heleftthekirkwithhisburden.
HetookhimtothelittleinnintheNorthgateandputhimtobed.Thelandladywasakindlysoulandpromisedtotendhimwell;therewasnoseriousillness--excitementandemotionandanunaccustomedefforthaddrawnheavilyuponMr.Fordyce’ssmallreserveofstrength--heneededonlyresttobehimselfagain.DavidfoundaCauldshawmanjustsettingoffupthewater,andsentbyhimamessagetoeasethemindofMrs.Fordyceandtellherthatherhusbandwouldreturnonthemorrow.Whenhelefthimhewassleeping.
Thisbusinessoccupiedhistimetilllateafternoon,andgloaminghadalreadysetinbeforeherodeoutofKirkAller.ThePresbyterybusinesswaslongsinceconcluded,andthekirkonthebraewasvacantandlocked.
