Запретный лес

           "

           "Oldwives’havers!Itisablessedandinnocentplace.ButIdonotlikethatname--Melanudrigill.Thereisdarkmagicthere.CallittheWood,andyouwillloveitasIdo....See,Iamcomingdown.Makeroom,please,andthenIwilltakeyoutoParadise.YoudonotknowParadise?Itistheshrineofthisgrove,andnonebutmecanfindtheroad."

           ThiswasnotthestatelyladyinthegownofyellowsatinandbluevelvetwhohadabashedhimthatnightinCalidontower.Itwasaslimlaughinggirlingreenwhopresentlystoodbesidehim,herfeetinstoutcountryshoes,herhairboundonlybyasilkfilletandstillunrulyfromthechase.Hesuddenlylosthisembarrassment.HisreasontoldhimthatthiswasKatrineYesterofCalidon,adaughterofaproudandcontumacioushousethatwaslookedaskanceatbythegodly,awoman,abeauty--commoditiesofwhichheknewnothing.Buthisreasonwasblinded,andhesawonlyagirlonaspringholiday.

           Sheledhimdownthehill,andasshewentshechatteredgaily,likeasolitarychildwhohasfoundacomrade.

           "Isawyoubeforeyousawme,andIhopedyouwouldfollowwhenIranaway.IlikedyouthatnightatCalidon.Theytoldmethatministerswereallsour-facedandold,butyoulookedkind.Andyouaremerry,too,Ithink--notsad,likemostpeopleinScotland."

           "Youhavenotbeenlonginthisland?"heasked.

           "SinceJuneoflastyear.ThisismyfirstScottishspring,anditisdifferentfromFranceandEngland.Inthoselandssummercomeswitharushonwinter’sheels,butherethereisalongpreparation,andflowersstealverysoftlybacktotheworld.