Hellish rites and deeds, too horrible to name, were
perpetrated. As a witness of my degradation, methought my right hand was
withered. I feel it still! Yet--surely 'twas a dream!"
She raised her hand, gazing earnestly on it, which, to Lord William's
amazement, appeared whole as before, save a slight mark round the wrist,
but the ring was not there.
"What can this betide?" said the trembling sufferer. She looked
suspiciously on this apparent confirmation of her guilt, and then upon
her husband. "Oh, tell me that I did but dream!"
But Lord William spoke not.
"I know it all now!" she said, with a heavy sob. "My crime is punished;
and I loathe my own form, for it is polluted. Yet the whole has passed
but as some horrible dream--and I am free! This tabernacle is cleansed;
no more shall it be defiled; for to Thee do I render up my trust."
A mild radiance had displaced the wild and unnatural lustre of her eye,
as she looked up to the mercy she invoked, and was forgiven.
Her spirit was permitted but a brief sojourn in this region of sorrow.
Ere another sun, her head hung lifeless on Lord William's bosom;--he had
pressed her to his heart in token of forgiveness; but he held only the
cold and clammy shrine--the idol had departed!
According to the popular solution of this fearful mystery, a demon or
familiar had reanimated her form while she lay senseless at the sudden
and unlooked-for dissolution of the witches' assembly.
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