Запретный лес

           Thenhestartedupwithacryandencounteredagrave,perturbedface.

           "YouhadbettercometoCalidon,"Marksaid."Katrine...shehastakenaturnfortheworse.Shehasbeeninafeversincemidday."

           Itwasthenewshehadbeenexpecting,andDavidroseobediently.

           "I’llgoonfoot,"hesaid."Icanrunfasterthananyhorse."

           Marklookedathimanxiously."You’lldonosuchthing.You’dfaintoryouwereacrosstheHillo’Deer.BidewhereyouareandI’llsaddleyourbeast."

           Thetwosetoffatagallop,butintheroughpartsoftheroadMarkslackenedandtookDavid’sbridle."Holdup,"hecried."It’llnomendmattersifyoubreakyourneck."

           Davidaskedonlyonequestion."Haveyougotaleech?"hesaid.

           "I’llhavenoleeches.Yourcountrybotcherwouldonlybleedher,andshehasnathestrengthforthat.GrizelandyonwifeIsobelarealltheleechesthatareneeded,andI’mnotwithoutskillmyself.Keepupyourheart,David.Allisnotintyet,andit’sayounglife."

           AtCalidongateDavidspokeagain."Isitthepest?"

           "Icannatell,forthepesthasmanyshapestoit.Weaknessandfever--there’snoothersigns,thoughGodkensthat’sbadenough."

           HewastakenstraighttoherchamberbyIsobel,andfoundthereMistressGrizel,asilent,stern-facedguardian.Katrinelaytossinginhighdelirium,moaningalittle,andmovingherarmsfeeblyonthecoverlet.Abandageofwetclothswasonherbrow,and,asDavidlaidhishandonit,hefeltthepulseofthefeverbeneath.Herlongdarklasheslayonherflushedcheeks,buteverynowandthenhereyeswouldopeninaglassystare.