COTTON. Tarry yet awhile, my son, the time doth not prevent thee.
ADONIJAH. Tarry? Time doth not prevent? Little knowest thou! [Gazes abstractedly about. Sights the ring on Betty's finger, who in excitement has forgotten to keep her hands behind her back.] Aye, there it is, the diabolical circle. It is a charm. It harms her not, while all about me is askew. Whence came she here? [Points at Betty.] She neither came nor went, and yet she was not there and now she is. A manly form did enter. Yet hath vanished into thin air. Yea, verily, it was none other than the devil himself in one of his divers forms, of which he hath aplenty. The very clock indulgeth in unseemly pranks. A strange influence hangs over me. I cannot now abide. I must depart from hence. My conscience bids me go.
COTTON. [Striving to detain him.] Hold! Thou'rt mad!
BETTY. Nay, father, he is ill.
ADONIJAH. [Wildly.] Aye, if I be mad, thy daughter be to blame. The spell did come upon me. I have seen strange things.
COTTON. What meanest thou?
ADONIJAH. [Pointing at Betty, who regards him wonderingly.] Thy daughter is a witch!
BETTY. [Runs to Cotton.] Oh, father!
COTTON. [Consoles Betty; thunders at Adonijah.] What? Darest thou to being forth such an accusation?
ADONIJAH. Aye, while I yet have strength to order mine own will. We shall see what we shall see when the fires leap round the stake. All the diabolical circles the devil may invent or his helpmeets acquire will be of small avail when the leaping tongues of flame curl round you, false servant of the devil. I can delay no longer. I will repair to the council at once, and report what I have seen.