“Yet see how he doth eye her, as if his fiery glances longed to burn up the envious screen.  He would tell us, I fancy, that he confines his rule to meetings of the congregation, and would consider it an invasion of his Christian liberty to be denied the sight of beauty elsewhere, to compensate his self-denial.”

“Madam,” said Winthrop, “it pains me and every member of the Council that we meet under these circumstances.  Let me trust that you will be able to dispel certain suspicions, and that the frankness of your answers to the questions to be propounded will lighten for you and make less onerous for us the sad duty we are performing.”

The lady said something in reply, but either on account of the the low tone in which she spoke, or of the interposition of the veil, the words were inaudible.

“I hear not what she says,” cried Dudley.  “Let her throw back her veil.  Master Endicott,” he added, turning to the Ex-Governor of Salem, “here hast thou evidence that thy rule is not of universal application.”

Endicott turned his steady eyes upon the Deputy, and began to caress his chin beard with his hand, but, before he could speak, Winthrop’s voice was heard.

“Do us the favor, madam,” he said, “to remove the covering from your face.”

“Allow me,” said the lady, with a voice which trembled a little, “to keep hid a face which ye would cover with shame.”

“Think not so evil of us,” answered Winthrop.  “Nought would more glad our hearts than your innocence.”

He waited an instant, as if to see whether she would comply with his request, and, upon her failing to do so, added, “for myself, I will not press what I see is unpleasant.”

But this concession appeared not to meet with general approval.  Murmurs circulated about the table, and presently Dudley spoke.

“It is contrary to the custom of every civilized court,” he said, “to permit a witness or an accused person to conceal his features.  The reason thereof is too patent to need explication.”

“We do entreat you, madam,” said Sir Richard, “to pleasure us thus far, and to believe that no want of consideration is designed.”

Again a pause followed, which was broken by the impatient Dudley.

“It were painful,” he said, looking sternly at the lady, “to use force.”

“It shall not need,” she replied, with a tremulous voice, which, however, acquired steadiness as she proceeded.  “I am in your power, and will obey your commands.”

So saying, without raising her eyes, she withdrew the veil, and exposed her pale face to view.  It was seen for the first time by most of the Assistants, and it was obvious, from the whispered comments, that no unfavorable impression had been made.

“A modest looking gentlewoman enough,” quoth Sir Richard.

“Discreet in her bearing,” said another.

“All is not gold that glitters,” said Dudley.  “The beautiful skin of the snake covers, after all, a snake.”