Запретный лес

           Hourafterhourhesatwiththelawyers,fortherewasaconsiderableestate,andtohissurprisehefoundhimselfwithworldlyendowmentssuchasfewministersoftheKirkpossessed.Therewasmoneyatthegoldsmith’s,andinhislawyer’sboxesdeedsandsasinesandbondsonheritableproperty,andtherewouldbemoretocome.Hisdoer,alittleoldsnuffyattorneyofthenameofMacphail,grewsententiousasthebusinessdrewtoitsclose."You’veboththetreasureonearth,Mr.David,andthetreasureinHeaven,andit’sapleasingthoughtthatthey’realikewell-guided.Anentthelatter,mothcannotcorrupt,saiththeWord,northievesbreakthroughandsteal,andanenttheformeramothwillnodomuckleilltoawheenteughsheepskins,anditwouldbeacleverthiefthatgotinsideGeorgieGight’sstrong-roomintheCanongate,whereyourbondsaredeposited.Soyoucankeepaneasymind,Mr.David,whileyouwrastleforsoulsinWoodilee."

           Thosewerestrangedaysbothfordeathinabedandforconductingbusiness,forthestrickencitywasthepreyofwildfears.Scarcelyatravellerenteredherinfectedprecincts,butrumourwasasbusyastheeastwindinMay.ThebattleofKilsythhadworkedarevolutioninScotland.Glasgowhadsurrenderedandwelcomedtheconqueror,withenthusiasmforhispersonandlargesseforhissoldiers.Theshiresandtheburghswerefallingovereachotherintheirhastetomakesubmission.Edinburghhadbeensummoned,andadelegationofthetowncouncilhadgoneoutbeyondCorstorphinetocapitulatetotheyoungMasterofNapier.