Запретный лес
Epilogue
HementionsasafoolishfablethebeliefofsomethathehadbeencarriedoffbytheFairies;henotes,too,withoutapproval,thecounter-legendthathehadbeenremovedbodilybytheDevil.
OnonematterMr.Dennistounhasnodoubts.MarkKerristhevillainofhispages:thelieutenantofSatan,or,asmanybelieved,Satanhimself;oneatanyratewhowassoldirrevocablytoevil.OftherealMarkKerr’santecedentsheisaware,butheisinclinedtothebeliefthatthefigurethatappearedinWoodileewasnotMontrose’scaptainbutanotherinhissemblance.HemakesasinistertaleofMark’sdoings--hisuncannypoweroverthemindsofthepeople,hisnecromancyinthecaseofthewitch-pricker,hisdevilriesduringthepest(theseareexplainedasmerepurposelesscruelties),hiscrowningblasphemyinthekirk,whenheoutfacedtwogodlyministersandspokewordsofwhichtheverymemorymadehonestfolktremble.HeisinclinedtoattributetohimalsothewarlockriesoftheWood.WhenhedisappearedonthatAprildayhereturnedtotheplacewhencehehadcome.
OnthispointMr.DennistounreflectedfaithfullythetraditioninWoodilee.Oldfolksforgenerations,withsighsandashakingofthehead,wouldtellofthedepartureofhimwhohadsosorelytroubledtheElect.Thetalenodoubtgrewinthetelling,andthechildrenwouldcreepclosetotheirmother’sknee,andthegoodmanwouldstirthepeatsintoaglow,whengrandfatherwithaweinhisvoicerecountedthestagesinthatjourneyofthelost....
