Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
Omylove,thatIwerewithyou!"
Thenightgrewcolderasitadvanced,andthewind,whichcommonlyhewelcomed,nowcuthimtothebone.Hedrewhiscloakroundhim,andtriedtourgehishorsetoabetterpace.Butapathyseemedtohavefallenonbeastaswellasonmaster,anditjoggedfunereally,asifinnohurrytoleavethechillyout-of-doorsforthemansestable.Therewasamoonbehindtheflyingrackofthesky,andtherewaslightenoughtoseethedarkhuddleofthehills.Onlywherethetrackdippedtothetreesbytheriver-sidewasthereanydepthofshadow.
ItwasinonesuchpatchofblacknessthatDavidheardthesoundofahorsebehindhim.Presentlytheriderwasabreastofhim,andeveninthedarkitseemedthatherecognizedhim."Guide’entoye,Mr.Sempill,"saidavoice,butagustofwindmadeithardtorecognizeit.Thenew-comerfellintostepbesidehim,andwheninaminutetheycameoutofthetrees,DavidsawthatitwasChasehope.
"Youarelateontheroad,friend,"hesaid.
"Ihadweightybusinessonhand,"wastheanswer.Themanwasinagoodhumour,forhewashummingatune.
"Thishasbeenawaesomedayforyou,Mr.Sempill,"hewenton."Yehavesetyoursel’upagainstGod’slawandman’slaw,andyehavetakenamightyfall.Ibearnomalice--thoughweelImightiftheLordhadnagi’enmegracetoforgive.WhatIhavedoneinyourcaseIhavedonepainfullyasmysolemnduty.Butthere’spardonevenforthechiefofsinners,andit’snottobebelievedthatonelikeyoursel’,thathadonceatitleinChrist,canbecastaway.
