`` How many stripes for the priest ? '' inquired Ancient Palfrey . `` None as yet , '' answered Endicott , bending his iron frown upon the culprit . `` It must be for the Great and General Court to determine whether stripes and long imprisonment , and other grievous penalty , may atone for his transgressions . Let him look to himself . For such as violate our civil order it may be permitted us to show mercy , but woe to the wretch that troubleth our religion ! '' `` And this dancing bear ? '' resumed the officer . `` Must he share the stripes of his fellows ? '' `` Shoot him through the head ! '' said the energetic Puritan . `` I suspect witchcraft in the beast . '' `` Here be a couple of shining ones , '' continued Peter Palfrey , pointing his weapon at the Lord and Lady of the May . `` They seem to be of high station among these misdoers . Methinks their dignity will not be fitted with less than a double share of stripes . '' Endicott rested on his sword and closely surveyed the dress and aspect of the hapless pair . There they stood , pale , downcast and apprehensive , yet there was an air of mutual support and of pure affection seeking aid and giving it that showed them to be man and wife with the sanction of a priest upon their love . The youth in the peril of the moment , had dropped his gilded staff and thrown his arm about the Lady of the May , who leaned against his breast too lightly to burden him , but with weight enough to express that their destinies were linked together for good or evil . They looked first at each other and then into the grim captain 's face . There they stood in the first hour of wedlock , while the idle pleasures of which their companions were the emblems had given place to the sternest cares of life , personified by the dark Puritans .
But never had their youthful beauty seemed so pure and high XXXXX when its glow was chastened by adversity .
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