"And what account does she give of herself--who is she, and what has brought her here to this new world, alone and unprotected?"
"She speaks vaguely of her past or of her future plans. She told me that she might perhaps soon return to England; then, as we were talking, she fainted suddenly away, and fell senseless in my arms, just as she had done during my visit to her at Goody Brown"s."
"It is very strange," said Sir William. "These are wayward times in which we live, and it behoves us all to be well upon our guard; we know not in what way the great adversary of souls may weave his snares for us."
"It grieves me to think ill of her, my husband, and yet, when out of her sight, evil forebodings rise in my mind, which the first glance of her eyes is sure to dispel. To-night her manner was so wayward--another would have explained--would have called out--no word, no sign. She neither moved nor seemed to note the presence of any human being."
"I must converse with this stranger; after receiving her as our friend and guest, it is meet that we should know somewhat more concerning her."
"She will set every doubt at rest in your mind, of that I am certain. I know not what to advise, but I am glad that you are returned, for I was sorely puzzled how to act."
"Where are our friends? I fear we left them somewhat unceremoniously."
"Let us go back to them," returned Lady Phipps. "I believe, in truth, we should offer some apology for our abrupt departure."
CHAPTER XXI.
Pa.s.sIONATE DENUNCIATIONS.
When Governor Phipps and his wife entered the library they found Samuel Parris standing in the midst of the room, waiting, with suppressed impatience, for the appearance of his daughter. He strode forward a pace or two, with eager fire in his eyes, when Lady Phipps crossed the threshold; but seeing that the form he so longed for did not follow, drew back with nervous shyness, shrinking within himself as if the impulsive affection warming his heart were a sin to hide away and be ashamed of.
"Mr. Parris, welcome back again," said Lady Phipps, holding out her plump little hand. "We have been rude to keep you in solitude so long."
"Nay, my lady, it matters not. But the child--my Elizabeth--surely nothing is amiss that she delays coming to greet her father?"
Lady Phipps became thoughtful in an instant, and looked around, wondering where Elizabeth had bestowed herself.
The old man grew white and began to shiver.
"Is the child ill? What malady has found her out? You may tell me, lady, without fear; with G.o.d"s help I--I can bear it."
The poor, self-tortured old man sat down on the edge of a chair and lifted his large, wild eyes to the lady"s face, waiting for the expected blow with piteous trepidation.
Lady Phipps drew close to him, with both hands extended, and a world of gentle sympathy beaming in her face.
"My friend, my dear, good friend, there is nothing wrong; Elizabeth is well."
"Thank G.o.d," broke from the old man, while his clasped hands unlocked themselves and fell gently downward.
"I was only wondering where she had hid herself," continued the lady.
"Surely, when her father was waiting, she should have been here."
"Nay, I can tarry for the child without weariness, so that she is but well," answered the old man, heaving a deep sigh of relief.
"Nevertheless, if she is near at hand--"
"I will inquire, I will inquire," said the lady, turning to leave the apartment, but at that moment the door was thrown hurriedly open, and Elizabeth Parris advanced toward them, her face pale, her eyes red and swollen with weeping.
"Why Bessie, child, what is this?" exclaimed Lady Phipps, "are you ill?"
Samuel Parris arose to his feet, holding out both arms with more pa.s.sionate affection than had ever broken the iron bands of his reason before.
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!"
The young girl flung herself into those outstretched arms, and clung to her father"s neck, sobbing violently.
"Oh, father! father! take me home! take me home! I am wretched here--oh, so wretched!"
The old man smoothed her hair with his hand, and kissed her hot forehead with more than feminine tenderness.
"Hush thee--hush thee, my child," he murmured. Then, turning his face to Lady Phipps, he added:
"Forgive her, lady, she is but a child."
"She is ill, I fear," answered the governor, looking at his wife. The lady shook her head and smiled. Elizabeth lifted her face from the minister"s bosom, and tossed the golden hair away from it in childish defiance.
"No, no, I am not ill," she sobbed, "but I can bear this no longer: send me away--let me go back to my father"s house--I will not remain under the same roof with her."
"With whom?" asked Sir William; "what means this agitation, little one?"
"With this Mistress Stafford; I will not live another day in the same house with her--I believe that she is a witch."
Samuel Parris suddenly unclasped the wild girl from his embrace, and held her at arm"s length, with horror in his face. The other listeners started at her pa.s.sionate utterance of a word which had already grown so terrible throughout New England. Sir William spoke first; but even his usually firm voice was husky.
"What has she done, my daughter, that you should speak thus?"
"She has made me wretched; n.o.body loves me, n.o.body cares for me now, and it is all her work!"
"Shame, child, shame!" expostulated Lady Phipps.
"Where is Mistress Stafford now?"
"Where?" exclaimed Elizabeth, with increased violence; "go into the garden, and you will find her seated by Master Norman, looking into his face with her wicked eyes, and charming him with her serpent tongue."
"Is this true?" cried Sir William; "girl, is this true? Why did you leave them?"
"She fainted after you came in, and he blamed me harshly; then I left them--it is a full half hour since, and they are together still."
The girl threw herself out of her father"s arms and clung to Lady Phipps, with a new burst of weeping that her friend strove in vain to check. Sir William strode into the pa.s.sage, and called in a voice which penetrated like a trumpet through the whole mansion--
"Norman Lovel! Norman Lovel!"
The youth heard the summons as he was following Barbara Stafford down the steps, and startled by its sternness hastened into the house. The governor met him in the hall, and seizing his hand drew him into the apartment where the weeping Elizabeth still clung to Lady Phipps.
"What is the meaning of this?" he said, sternly; "what have you done to this poor child, Norman Lovel?"