ne whom he had
wronged. Though the power of Mr. Parris was on the wane, it was not
wholly gone. He took advantage of the confusion of Charles Stevens to
signal the jailer to leave them, and he went out, closing the iron door
behind him. Folding his arms on his breast, Parris gazed on the
prisoner.

Charles Stevens, about whose waist was a thick belt of leather, fastened
by a chain to the wall, sat on a miserable cot, his face bowed in his
hands. He did not look up at the white, cadaverous face and great,
blazing orbs, which gleamed with fury upon him, although he knew full
well that those eyes were on him.

"Charles!" the deep sepulchral voice at last spoke.

"Well?"

"Look up."

With a sigh, the young prisoner raised his head. Every movement he made
was accompanied by the rattling of chains.

"Charles, you will not believe me, when I tell you I am sorry for this."

"No; I will not."

"Nevertheless, I am. Charles Stevens, you do not know me; the world
misjudges me, and all future generations will do the same. Some things
which I have done may seem harsh; yet I was commanded of Heaven to do
them."

"Samuel Parris, if you have come to upbraid me, to gloat over my
captivity and add to my misery, do so. I am powerless and cannot resist
you; but I do entreat you not to blaspheme your Maker."

The great eyes of Parris gleamed with sullen fire; his thin lips parted;
his breath came short and quick, and for a few moments he was unable to
answer. At last, becoming calmer, he said, in his deep sepulchral voice:

"Charles, you do not like me?"

"I confess it."

"I have rebuked you for your sinful associations, and the wicked dislike
rebuke. The devils said to the Saviour, when he would cast them out,
'Let us alone; we have naught to do with thee.' Everywhere in this life,
the sinner says, 'Leave me alone,' yet it is my calling to go forth and
snatch brands from the burning. Charles, why will you not denounce the
child of that player?"

"She hath done no wrong."

"Do you love her?"

"That is a question you have no right to ask, or expect me to answer."

"I have read it in your heart."

"I have no answer."

"What have you to say in extenuation of your conduct hitherto?"

"Nothing."

"Why did you return to Salem?"

"It is my home."

"Did you anticipate this accusation?"

"No."

"And what do you expect now?"

"Death."

"Have you no hope of escaping?"

"None."

"But you seem calm and collected