Мхи старой усадьбы

           Thithercamealsotheslenderformofaveiledfemale,ledbetweenGoodyCloyse,thatpiousteacherofthecatechism,andMarthaCarrier,whohadreceivedthedevil’spromisetobequeenofhell.Arampanthagwasshe.Andtherestoodtheproselytesbeneaththecanopyoffire.

           "Welcome,mychildren,"saidthedarkfigure,"tothecommunionofyourrace.Yehavefoundthusyoungyournatureandyourdestiny.Mychildren,lookbehindyou!"

           Theyturned;andflashingforth,asitwere,inasheetofflame,thefiendworshipperswereseen;thesmileofwelcomegleameddarklyoneveryvisage.

           "There,"resumedthesableform,"areallwhomyehavereverencedfromyouth.Yedeemedthemholierthanyourselves,andshrankfromyourownsin,contrastingitwiththeirlivesofrighteousnessandprayerfulaspirationsheavenward.Yetherearetheyallinmyworshippingassembly.Thisnightitshallbegrantedyoutoknowtheirsecretdeeds:howhoary-beardedeldersofthechurchhavewhisperedwantonwordstotheyoungmaidsoftheirhouseholds;howmanyawoman,eagerforwidows’weeds,hasgivenherhusbandadrinkatbedtimeandlethimsleephislastsleepinherbosom;howbeardlessyouthshavemadehastetoinherittheirfathers’wealth;andhowfairdamsels—blushnot,sweetones—haveduglittlegravesinthegarden,andbiddenme,thesoleguesttoaninfant’sfuneral.