Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
Hefollowedlikeanobedienthound,withouttheneedofDavid’sgrasponhisarm.Oftenhestumbled,andoncehefellintothedellofaburnandhadtobeliftedout,buthemadenoattemptatresistanceorescape.Hewalkedandsometimesran,crouchingalmostdouble,andashewenthemadelittlemoaningnoiseswhichmighthavebeenprayers.
Thewindwaswildinthetree-tops,andrushingdowntheaislesandcorriesofthehillsidemadeasoundwhichwasnowlikeagreatorganandnowlikemuffleddrums.Highertheymountedtilltheyreachedabroadshelfofmorelevelground,wherethecovertwasthickandthespeedslow....Andthen,almostbeforehewasawareofit,Davidfoundhimselflookingatanopenspacewithadarkstoneinthemidstofit.
Themoonlightwasfaint,butthegladewasclearinitsoutlines,apatchofgreyturfinaringofinkyshadow.Thealtarwasnolongerwhiteasinthesummermidnight,butdarkwiththedrenchingwinterrains.Ableak,soddenplaceitnowappearedtoDavid,atrivialplace,nomorethanacommonhoweinawood.
Buttheotherseemedtolookonitwithdifferenteyes.Whenhesawthestonehegaveoneshrillcryofterrorandcollapsedontheground,buryinghisfaceinthemossasiftoshutoutthesight.Davidseizedhimanddraggedhimforwardtillhelaybythealtar,andallthewhilehisscreamsrosepiercinglyabovethewind.
"Thereisnoneedforconfession,"theministersaid."Youhavebetrayedyourself....NowIknowwiththeuttermostcertaintythatitwasyouIsawhereatBeltaneandatLammas.
