Запретный лес
III. Guests in Calidon Tower
Hehadalreadyoutstayedtheboundsofdecency,andhehadalongridehome--hewishedhisfriendsasafeconclusiontotheirjourney--inthecourseofhispastoralvisitationshewouldhavethechanceofcomingagaintoCalidon."’Deed,sir,andyou’llmakesureofthat,"saidthehospitableNicholas."There’sayeabiteandasupatCalidonfortheministerofWoodilee."
Hebowedtothegirl,andshelookedathimforthefirsttime,aquizzicalappraisinglook,andgavehimafleetingsmile.FiveminuteslaterhewasonhishorseandfordingRood.
HetookthelongroadbythebackoftheHillofDeer,ridinginbrightmoonshineupthebentyslopesandpastthehazelthickets.Hismindwasinanobleconfusion,foronthis,hisfirstdayinhisparish,experienceshadthrongedonhimtoothickandfast.Outoftheweltertwofacesstoodclear,thegroom’sandthegirl’s....Herememberedthetalk,andhisconscienceprickedhim.Hadhebeenfaithfultohisvows?HadhebeenguiltyofthesinofMeroz?Hadhelistenedtorailingaccusationsandbeensilent?...Hedidnotknow--intruthhedidnotcare--forthesumofhisrecollectionwasnotofanargumentbutofaperson.Thefaceoftheyoungmanhadbeenmorethanhiswords,forithadbeenthefaceofacomrade,andanintimatefriendlinesshadlookedoutofhiseyes.Helongedtoseehimagain,tobewithhim,tofollowhim,toservehim--buthedidnotknowhisname,andtheywoulddoubtlessnevermeetagain.Davidwasveryyoung,andcouldhaveweptatthethought.
Andthegirl..
