Charles laughed, as only a brave lad can laugh at danger. Why need he
fear Mr. Parris? Charles was young and inexperienced. He knew not the
age in which he lived, and little did he dream of the power which Mr.
Parris, as pastor of the church, could wield over the public. The pulpit
controlled judges and juries, law-makers and governors in that day, and
when an evil-disposed person like Mr. Parris became pastor of a
congregation, he could wield a terrible influence.

"Mother, how can he injure me?" Charles asked.

"In more ways than one."

"What are they?"

"I don't know, Charles; but I know--I feel that something terrible is
about to happen. Our people will suffer from Mr. Parris--especially all
who oppose his ministry."

"I oppose his ministry, and I have no fear of him. All he can do is to
wound the feelings of that poor girl; but she will go away soon, beyond
reach of his calumny."

"Heaven grant she may, and right soon, too." As Charles was about to
leave the house, his mother asked: "Have you heard that Adelpha Leisler
from New York is coming?"

"Adelpha Leisler! No----" He started, half in joy and half in regret.

"She is. Surely, you have not forgotten her."

"No, mother. I will never forget the pretty maid."

"Who, you said in your boyhood, was one day to be your wife."

"Truly, I did. I have heard that Adelpha hath kept the promise of early
childhood to make a beautiful woman. When will she come?"

"It is said she will be here before next Lord's Day."

The expression of joy uttered in words, as well as the glow which
lighted up his countenance, was seen by the white-faced young woman in
the next apartment. Cora was not an intentional eavesdropper. Her door
had been left accidentally ajar, and when she heard the name Adelpha
Leisler spoken, she started to her feet, moved by a strange impulse
quite inexplicable to her. She had never heard the name Adelpha Leisler
before, and yet she intuitively felt that the name had some terrible
bearing on her destiny. With loud beating heart, lips parted and her
whole being expressing pain, she crouched close to the door and
listened.

CHAPTER X.

CHARLES AND MR. PARRIS.

Night is the time for rest,
How sweet when labors close,
To gather round an aching breast
The curtain of repose,
Stretch the tired limbs, and lay the head
Upon our own delightful bed.
--Montgomery.

Jealousy, for the first tim