Заборонений ліс

XVIII. The Plague

           NonedareleaveorenterWoodilee.Oneafternoon,inamoodofdespair,heclimbedtheHillofDeerforaglimpseoftheouterworld.TherelayCalidononitswindybraes,butCalidonwasnowasdistantforhimasthemoon.Therelaythehillsinwhosespaciouswildernessesnopestlurked,fortherewerenouncleanmortalstoharbourit,andbeyondthemwastheworldwheremenmightliveindaylightandhonour.AshelookeddownonWoodileeahazeseemedtolieoverit.Wasittheeffluviaoftheplague,amiasmawhichwalleditroundmoreimpenetrablythanstonewallsandironshutters?...Hestruggledtoconquerhisshrinking."Faithlessservant,"hetoldhimself,"faithlessevenoverafewthings!DavidSempill,yourebelagainsttheLord’swillnotbecauseofthesufferingsofyourpoorfolk,butbecauseofyourownpitiablediscomfort.Thinkshame,man,tobesuchawhingeingbairn."ForhehadrealizedthattherootofhistroublewasthathewasseveredfromKatrine.

           ButthateveningKatrinecametohim.

           Whilehesatforalittleinhisstudybeforestartingonhismelancholyvisits,heheardIsobel’svoicebelowhigh-pitchedinexcitement.Thenheheardanothervoicewhichtookhimdownthestairsthreestepsatatime.Thegirl,bootedashehadseenherinthemistontheeveofHallowmass,stoodinthelightofIsobel’scandle,oneglovedhandraisedinprotestandwithanembarrassedsmileatherlipsandeyes.ToDaviditseemedthefirstsmilethathehadseenforaneternity.

           "Awa’hamewi’ye,myleddy,"Isobelcried.

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