XVI. The Witch Hunt

           Davidawokenextmorningtoaworldwhichhadbeensuddenlyre-created.ThatKatrineshouldreturnhisloveupheavedforhimthefoundationsoftheglobe.Nothingcouldbethesameagain,infaceofthistremendousfact;histroublesliftedlikemistinthesun,forwhatillcouldbefallonewhomKatrineloved?EventheincubusofsininWoodileeseemedtolighten,forevilcouldnotprevailwithsuchaladywalkingtheearth.Hefeltthathehadcomeanewintothelandoftheliving,andeveryfibreofhimsangpraises.

           HisnewfortitudewasproofagainsteventhenewswhichReiverslawbrought.Thatworthyarrivedatthemansewithalongface.ThecoveninWoodileehadheldtheirHallowmassrites,andtothebestofhisbelieftheyhadheldtheminthekirk....HehadlostsightofChasehopeearlyintheevening,andhadgonetoMirehopeonafalsescent....Theyhadbeenwatchingthemanseandknewthattheministerwasfromhome....HehadhasteneduptheroadseekingDavidandhadbeenovertakenbythefog,andwhenhegotbacktoWoodileetheplacehadbeenunderablanket.DoubtlesstheDevilwasprotectinghisown....Therehadbeennocruisieslitinthecottages,evenofthosewhowereknowntobeofthecoven.But,asluckwouldhaveit,hehadenteredthekirkyardandhadseenaspeckoflightinthekirk.Thedoorwaslocked,buthewasclearthattherewerefolkinside....HehadrousedRobbtogetthekey,butnokeywastobefound.