"You cannot decide which you love most. Wed neither, Charles. Wed me!"
"You!" he cried, in astonishment.
"Yes, why not?"
"You already have a husband."
"No; he is dead, he was lost at sea. I am still young and fair, and wherefore not choose me?"
Charles Stevens burst into a laugh, half merriment and half disgust, and turned from the bold, scheming woman. She followed him for a few paces, saying in tones low but deep:
"Verily, Charles Stevens, you scorn me; but I will yet make you repent that you ever treated my love with contempt. You shall rue this day."
He hurried away from the annoyance, treating her threats lightly, and little dreaming that they would be fulfilled.
Winter came and passed, and Adelpha Leisler still lingered at Salem. Rumors of trouble came to her ears from home; but the light-hearted girl gave them little thought. One morning in May, 1691, Charles met her coming to seek him. Her face was deathly white, and her frame trembling.
"What has happened, Adelpha?"