Запретный лес

           Therewasnothingnewinthedetails--thefindingofthecavalier’sclothesinthemanseouthouse,theinterferencewiththetroopersattheGreenshiel,andcertainwordsspokenonthatoccasion;butwhatsurprisedhimwasthefactthattheavowalwhichhehadmadetoMr.Muirheadwasnotsetdown.ItwasclearfromtheModerator’smannerthatheproposedtoforgetthatepisode,andwaswillingthatDavidshoulddenyanyandeverychargeinthelibel.Indeedheseemedtoencouragesuchacourse."TheCourtwillbeglad,"hesaid,"ifouryoungbrothercanblowawaythesemostmomentouscharges.Everybodykensthatamongwarsandrumoursofwardafttalesspringup,andthatthingsaredoneintheconfusionwithoutillintent,whilkarenotdefensible.ItisthedesireofallhisbrethrenthatMr.Sempillshallgoforthassoilziedofthesecharges,whicharemaybetobeexplainedbythecarelessnessofadomesticandthethoughtlesswordsofayoungmancarriedforamomentoutofhimself,andnodoubtincorrectlyreported."

           ButDaviddidnottakethehint.HeavowedfranklythathehadentertainedafugitiveofMontroseatthemanse,andhadassistedhimtoescape.Askedforthename,herefusedtogiveit.HealsoconfessedthathehadendeavouredtoolatetoprotectanIrishwomanattheGreenshiel,andhadspokenwithcandourhisopinionofherpersecutors.

           "Itisalleged,"saidaheavyman,theministerofWesterton,"thatyoupromisedthesepoorsoldierseternaltorments,andthembutdoingtheirChristianduty,andthatyoumockedatthemasinferiorinvalourtothereprobateMontrose.