Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/195

 any light breaking in upon this horrible darkness?"

"No," replied the magistrate, sadly; "I must confess I do not."

"Have there been any more arrests or commitments?"

"Several."

"Any new condemnations?"

"Alas! my sister—do not ask me."

"I must ask, Jonathan, and you must hear me. Oh, my brother! remember that the sword of justice is a fearful thing—it is a two-edged weapon, too, Jonathan; beware, lest it turn in your grasp and wound the hand that wields it."

"I do not understand you, Hannah; how do you mean?"

"I mean that this terrible power, thus encouraged and helped on by the ministry, the law, and by medical science, is growing daily more and more exacting; do you fail to see that the victims it demands are daily more numerous and of a higher class in life?—tell me, brother, what will you do if they should accuse your wife or me?"

"Nay, my dear sister, you jest—that can not be—it is impossible."