`` 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 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Hutchinson 's chair , with folded arms , glancing rather haughtily at the British officer by whom he was soon to be superseded in his command .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 XXXXX ordinary rules , that her presence did not surprise the few who noticed it .
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