Заборонений ліс
XIX. The Sacrifice
ButParadisehadbeenthespotwheretheirlovehadfirstbeenborn;ithadbecomeinthemindasymbolandamystery;letParadise,therefore,receivetheearthlycoveringoftheblessedspirit,foreventheblessedhavetheirterrestrialshrines.
Soitcameaboutthatbynight--forMistressGrizelwouldnotpermitaceremonysounconventionalindaylight--andbythelightofthetorchesofJockDoddsandEdiethefalconer,thegirlwasburiednearthespringinParadise,withDavidandMr.Fordyceatthegrave’sheadandfoot.
Totheformeritwasallawakingdream.Thesolidearthhadbecomeforhimbodiless;thesun’sprogress,humanspeech,rain,wind,theritualofdailylife,nomorethanaphantasmagoria:realitylayonlyinthatinnerworldwhereKatrinestilllivedforhim.Heabodesolitaryinthemanse,andrefusedtoletIsobelreturn.IndeedhebeggedMistressSaintserftokeepherandbekindtoher.
"’Deed,Iwilldothat,andbegladtodoit,forshe’saskillyauldbodyandagreatstand-byinthehouse.But,Davie,myman,whatistocomeo’you?Iwaslookin’togetyeasaguidson,andtheLordkensCalidonneedsamanabouttheplace--whatwi’thefortythousandmerkstobepaidforNicholas’sfine...."
Butshesawthatherwordsfellonunheedingears.David’seyesseemedtobelookingbeyondhertoaninfinitedistance.
