Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/283

 thing was a mistake, and that it needed only to be explained to be rectified at once; and she confidently made this assertion. But in answer to this, the officers produced the warrant for her arrest, in which her name was plainly inserted.

Still, though surprised and indignant at the ignominy and shame which such a charge, even if unfounded, must leave upon her hitherto spotless good name in the little community, she felt no personal fear for the result. Her only thought was for Alice—Alice, sick and in danger. How could she leave her, when perhaps that precious life—so much dearer than her own—yet hung upon her continued care?—and with tears and entreaties that she would have scorned to use in her own behalf, she pleaded earnestly for a short delay.

She told the officials of the dangerous nature of her grandchild's illness, and tried to touch their feelings. She promised, with solemn protestations, that she would not leave the house, but would consider herself their prisoner—and wait, and be found there, ready to answer any future legal summons, if they