Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/157

 she had once been subject to fits herself, and she did not wish to see them, as people told her their sufferings were awful to witness; that she pitied them with all her heart, and had prayed to God for them; but she had heard that there were some persons accused whom she fully believed were as innocent as she was herself.

After a little more conversation of this sort, the visitors told her that they had heard a report that she too had been spoken against.

"Well," she said, "if it be so, the will of the Lord be done."

Then for a while she sat perfectly still, as if utterly amazed at what she had heard—and well she might be. The mind of the aged and saintly woman could not admit the fact; it was all too unnatural—too monstrous—that her good name could be thus vilely traduced.

How could she for a moment believe that her own neighbors, whom she had loved and befriended—that the members of the church where she had worshiped—would listen to such a horrible accusation.

After a little silent reflection, and doubt