Whether really uttered or not, the abbot's curse upon her and her issue has been bruited abroad, and hence she is made a witch, and her children are supposed to inherit the infamous taint.

So it is with yon tomb.

It is said to be dangerous to our family, and dangerous no doubt it is to those who believe in the saying, which, luckily, I do not.

The prophecy works its own fulfilment.
The absurdity and injustice of yielding to the opinion are manifest.

No wrong can have been done the abbot by Mother Demdike, any more than by her children, and yet they are to be punished for the misdeeds of their predecessor." "Ay, just as you and I, who are of the third and fourth generation, may be punished for the sins of our fathers," rejoined Nicholas.