radually she absorbed more and more
of Charles Stevens' society, telling him of her recent visit to Boston,
and of the latest news from England, inquiring about his mother, and
talking only on the subjects which most interested him. He thought her a
charming woman.

The hour was late ere they knew it, and Puritanic New England was an
enemy to late hours. Sarah declared she must go home.

"Come again, Sarah," said Mrs. Parris.

"I will. Verily, I must go; but see, the moon is down, how dark it is."

Charles was not slower to take the hint than a young man of our own day.
Humanity has been the same since Eve first evinced her power over Adam
in the garden. Ever since, men have been led by a pretty face often to
their ruin. Charles, in a bashful, awkward way, informed the young widow
that he was going the same road, and it would not be much out of his way
to accompany her to her very door. Of course she was pleased, and
Charles and the young widow went away together.

"Have you never learned the fate of your husband, Sarah?" he asked.

"No; poor Samuel is dead," she answered.

"It is sad that you know not his fate. Was he drowned at sea, killed by
the Indians, or murdered by the pirates?"

"I know not. I am very lonely now, Charles."

"I pity you."

"Do you?"

"Verily, I do."

"Thank you, Charles."

"Your parents are in Boston, are they not?"

"Yes."

"Do you intend to live always thus alone?"

"Oh, I trust not," and the darkness concealed the sly glance which Sarah
cast from her great dark eyes on the unsuspecting youth at her side. The
conversation was next changed to Mr. Parris, his quarrel with his flock,
and the strange phenomenon developing at his house.

"What think you of it, Charles?"

"It is a sham."

"Oh, no, no! John, the negro man, is bewitched, and has fits."

"A good flogging would very quickly bring him out of his fits."

By this time they had reached the door of Sarah Williams' house. She
turned upon the youth and, seizing his arm, in a voice trembling with
emotion, said:

"Charles, I beseech of you, as you love life and happiness, do not say
aught against Mr. Parris or witchcraft. We stand on the brink of
something terrible, and no one knows what the end may be."

As Charles wended his way homeward, he pondered over the strange words
of Sarah Williams, and asked himself:

"What does she mean?"

CHAPTER V.

A NIGHT WITH WITCHES.[A]

As bees bizz out wi' angr