But she could not escape from the curse of the moment.

When that last imprecation was made by the woman, with her hands folded and her eyes turned up to heaven, Hester could only bury her face on her mother's knees and weep.

'When that time comes, and I know it will come, you shall return to me, and once more be my child,' said the mother.
'You do not mean that I shall leave my husband ?' 'Who can tell?
If you do, and I am living, you shall be my child.

Till then we must be apart.

How can it be otherwise?
Can I give my cheek to a man to be kissed, and call him my son, when I think that he has robbed me of my only treasure ?' This was so terrible that the daughter could only hang around her mother's neck, sobbing and kissing her at the same time, and then go without another word.