Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/190

 own house, to speak my own mind or order my own servants, lest I should draw down a fearful vengeance on myself or my dear ones. I can not bear it any longer. I seem to be stifling in this dreadful atmosphere; and it was this in part that I wanted to tell you, Jonathan—I have made up my mind to leave the country."

"Good heavens! Hannah; what do you mean? Where will you go?"

"Home to England. My husband has duties that will call him to the court of St. James—you know he has been out before—and he has promised to take me and my children with him. If, by the mercy of God, this horrible cloud is ever dispersed, I will return—if not, I will remain there. Our fathers left England to enjoy freedom of conscience, and the liberty of thought and speech, and we have been taught to honor them for it. I will go back in pursuit of the same inestimable blessings."

"And does your husband approve of this step?" asked her brother, in surprise.

"He consents to it."

"But, my dear sister, this decision of