Заборонений ліс

           TheimprisonedLordswentfreefromtheTolbooth;Davidsawthesight--pallidmenshiveringwithprisonague;onlytheCastlestillheldfortheCovenant.WordcamethattheKinghadmadeMontroseCaptain-generalofallScotland,andthatsoonthevictoriousarmywouldmovetowardstheBorder;already,onthehaughofBothwellbyClydeside,SirArchibaldPrimrosehadreadtheroyalcommissiontothetroops.AsummonshadgoneoutforaParliamenttobeheldpresentlyinGlasgow--"forsettlingreligionandpeace,"saidtheproclamation,"andfreeingtheoppressedsubjectsofthoseinsufferableburdenstheyhavegroanedunderthistimebygone."

           TheministerswhowalkedtheEdinburghcausewayworegloomyfaces.DavidhadasightofMr.Muirhead,whosternlyinquiredofhimwhathedidinthecity."Ihavecometoburymyfather,"hereplied."Ifhediedinthehopeandthepromise,"wastheanswer,"hehasgottenahappydeliverance,forthevialsofwrathareopenedagainstthismiserableland."Itwasaphraserepeatedlikeapasswordbyothersofhisministerialbrethren,andherepliedwithabecominggravity,buthecouldnotinhisheartfeelanygreatsorrow.ForherememberedthefaceofthegroomatCalidon,andhewonderedhowthatfacelookedasaconqueror.Pride,hewasassured,wouldnotbeinit....NewscamethatMontrosewasatCranstounandmovingbyGalaWatertotheBorder.ForamomentDavidhadacrazydesiretofollowhim,tobeinhispresence,forhehadanotionthatifhecouldbuthavespeechagainwiththatyoungmantheshadowsandperplexitiesmightlightenfromhismind.