magistrate."

"Nay," answered the pleased wife, "I distrusted thee not so much as
the presumption of the damsel; and if the devil goes about as a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, as we know he does, from the
precious book, what place is more likely for him to be in than these
awful woods, filled with red heathens, whom I take to be little better
than his children; and whom would he sooner devour, than a pretty
maiden like Prudence?"

"Enough of this, dame," said the Assistant, with difficulty
suppressing a smile at his help-mate's simplicity. "Bethink thee, that
though thy loving words are a feast to the spirit, the body requires
more substantial fare?"

"True, and you shall have it forthwith, although, you wicked man, I
did sleep hardly a wink for thinking of thee." So saying, the dame
hurried off to hasten the morning meal.

The Assistant watched the countenances of Eveline and her attendant
that morning at breakfast, and, in spite of the efforts of the former
to appear unconstrained, and the demureness of the latter, detected,
he thought, sufficient to justify his suspicions. He doubted not that
the girl had betrayed his weakness to her young mistress, and that all
along he had been a laughing-stock for both. "I will teach them," he
said to himself, as he reflected with bitterness on his failure, "how
to offend one who has the power and the will to crush them. The
banishment of her minion, who, a love-sick swain, has followed her
across the sea, only to be sent back a disappointed fool, will answer
for my young lady; and as for the girl, the slitting of Joy's ears and
nose, and an acquaintance of her own pretty feet with the stocks, will
suffice. It shall not be said that the sword of the magistrate was put
into my hands in vain."

While the Assistant was busying his brain with machinations like
these, the opportune arrival of another ship from London, with letters
to himself, containing accusations against Sir Christopher Gardiner,
filled his heart with joy, and furnished additional means to
facilitate his purpose. Without delay, he took them to Winthrop, and
demanded a private audience. After reading the letters received by
Spikeman, the Governor opened his desk, and handed to his councillor
others addressed to himself, and which had arrived by the same
opportunity. Greedily did the Assistant devour their contents, and
unbounded, though concealed, was his joy at finding them in one
particular of th