"
These words seemed to be whispered in her ear. She turned aside; but saw
nothing save the glow of sunset through the lattice, and a wavering
light upon the floor.
"I would spare him this misery," she sighed. "Conceal but the secret
from him, and I am again thine!"
Suddenly the well-known form of her familiar was at her side.
The following day was All-Hallows-e'en, and her allegiance must be
renewed in the great assembly of his subjects held on that fearful
night.
It was in the year 1632, a period well known in history as having led
to the apprehension of a considerable number of persons accused of
witchcraft. The depositions of these miserable creatures were taken
before Richard Shuttleworth and John Starkie, two of his Majesty's
justices of the peace, on the 10th of February 1633; and they were
committed to Lancaster Castle for trial.
Seventeen of them were found guilty, on evidence suspicious enough under
ordinary circumstances, but not at all to be wondered at, if we consider
the feeling and excitement then abroad. Some of the deluded victims
themselves confessed their crime, giving minute and connected statements
of their meetings, and the transactions which then took place.
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