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 William 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 . As he held the door for her to pass Alice beckoned to the picture and smiled . `` Come forth , dark and evil shape ! '' cried she . `` It is thine hour . '' In the evening Lieutenant-governor Hutchinson sat in the same chamber where the foregoing scene had occurred , surrounded by several persons whose various interests had summoned them together . There were the selectmen of Boston -- plain patriarchal fathers of the people , excellent representatives of the old puritanical founders whose sombre strength had stamped so deep an impress upon the New England character . Contrasting with these were one or two members of council , richly dressed in the white wigs , the embroidered waistcoats and other magnificence of the time , and making a somewhat ostentatious display of courtier-like ceremonial . In attendance , likewise , was a major of the British army , awaiting the lieutenant-governor 's orders for the landing of the troops , which still remained on board the transports . The captain of Castle William stood beside Hutchinson 's chair , with folded arms , glancing rather haughtily at the British officer by whom he was soon to be superseded in his command . On a table in the centre of the chamber stood a branched silver candlestick , throwing down the glow of half a dozen waxlights upon a paper apparently ready for the lieutenant-governor 's signature . Partly shrouded in the voluminous folds of one of the window-curtains , which fell from the ceiling to the floor , was seen the white drapery of a lady 's robe . It may appear strange that Alice Vane should have been there at such a time , but there was something so childlike , so wayward , in her singular character , so apart from ordinary rules , that her presence did not surprise the few who noticed it . Meantime , the chairman of the selectmen was addressing to the lieutenant-governor a long and solemn protest against the reception of the British troops into the town . `` And if Your Honor , '' concluded this excellent but somewhat prosy old gentleman , `` shall see fit to persist in bringing these mercenary sworders and musketeers into our quiet streets , not on our heads be the responsibility . Think , sir , while there is yet time , that if one drop of blood be shed , that blood shall be an eternal stain upon Your Honor 's memory . You , sir , have written with an able pen the deeds of our forefathers ; the more to be desired is it , therefore , that yourself should deserve honorable mention as a true patriot and upright ruler when your own doings shall be written down in history . ''
`` I am not insensible , my good sir , to the natural desire to stand well XXXXX the annals of my country , '' replied Hutchinson , controlling his impatience into courtesy , `` nor know I any better method of attaining that end than by withstanding the merely temporary spirit of mischief which , with your pardon , seems to have infected older men than myself .
As Till against at by from if in on while