`` As regards the life and character of Edward Randolph , too implicit credence has been given to Dr. Cotton Mather , who -- I must say it , though some of his blood runs in my veins -- has filled our early history with old women 's tales as fanciful and extravagant as those of Greece or Rome . '' `` And yet , '' whispered Alice Vane , `` may not such fables have a moral ? And methinks , if the visage of this portrait be so dreadful , it is not without a cause that it has hung so long in a chamber of the province-house . When the rulers feel themselves irresponsible , it were well that they should be reminded of the awful weight of a people 's curse . '' The lieutenant-governor started and gazed for a moment at his niece , as if her girlish fantasies had struck upon some feeling in his own breast which all his policy or principles could not entirely subdue . He knew , indeed , that Alice , in spite of her foreign education , retained the native sympathies of a New England girl . `` Peace , silly child ! '' cried he , at last , more harshly than he had ever before addressed the gentle Alice . `` The rebuke of a king ; is more to be dreaded than the clamor of a wild , misguided multitude . -- Captain Lincoln , it is decided : the fortress of Castle William must be occupied by the royal troops . The two remaining regiments shall be billeted in the town or encamped upon the Common . It is time , after years of tumult , and almost rebellion , that His Majesty 's government should have a wall of strength about it . '' `` Trust , sir -- trust yet a while to the loyalty of the people , '' said Captain Lincoln , `` nor teach them that they can ever be on other terms with British soldiers than those of brotherhood , as when they fought side by side through the French war . Do not convert the streets of your native town into a camp . Think twice before you give up old Castle William , the key of the province , into other keeping than that of true-born New Englanders . '' `` Young man , it is decided , '' repeated Hutchinson , rising from his chair . `` A British officer will be in attendance this evening to receive the necessary instructions for the disposal of the troops . Your presence also will be required . Till then , farewell . '' With these words the lieutenant-governor hastily left the room , while Alice and her cousin more slowly followed , whispering together , and once pausing to glance back at the mysterious picture .
The captain of Castle XXXXX fancied that the girl 's air and mien were such as might have belonged to one of those spirits of fable -- fairies or creatures of a more antique mythology -- who sometimes mingled their agency with mortal affairs , half in caprice , yet with a sensibility to human weal or woe .
Alice British Greece Hutchinson Mather Vane William credence left war