he
ascribed to some hellish spell, which fettered his reason, and must
soon be broken, or he was lost. Mentally, then, first ejaculating a
prayer, he suddenly sprung to his feet, and in a loud voice bade the
reader to stop.

"Forbear," he cried, "man of sin, to seduce the people with these
soul-damning and abominable lies. I conjure thee, Satan, to leave the
body of this man, and depart. Ha! thou wouldst lull them into
security that they may slumber and have no oil in their lamps when
the Bridegroom cometh, when He cometh in the clouds of heaven. My soul
have not thou thy portion with the unbelievers."

The words were uttered with wonderful vehemence and rapidity, and upon
their conclusion, he strode with long strides down the passage towards
the door. Not an exclamation was heard, not a hand raised to stay his
departure, so stupefied were all with astonishment. Upon leaving the
room he rushed into the street, and, forgetful of his promise to Mr.
Armstrong, took his way to his own hut. The tything man, awakening
from his lethargy, and a few others recovering their presence of mind,
went at last to the door, and gazed up and down the street, but the
disturber of the meeting was not in sight, nor, sooth to say, were
any of the number sorry, or wished to meet him that night. Contenting
themselves, therefore, with this slight demonstration of zeal, they
returned to the Conference-room. There, great as was the scandal
occasioned by the interruption, all things soon settled down into
their usual course, and the meeting was regularly concluded and
dismissed.

CHAPTER XI.

_Angelo_.--We must not make a scarecrow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
And let it keep one shape, till custom make it
Their perch, and not their terror.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE.

The events of the preceding evening caused quite a sensation in the
village. We shall better understand the various opinions and feelings
of the inhabitants by stepping, at about eleven o'clock the following
morning, into the shop, or, as it was called in those days, and would
generally be called now, the "store" of Truman and Jenkins. This was
an establishment at the foot of the hill, where it hung out its sign,
in company with several others of the same character, which professed
to supply all the wants of the community. Here everything was to be
had from a gallon of molasses to a skein