“A calumny, doubtless,” said Winthrop.  “But touching the principle involved in matters of government, I will deliver my opinion.  Of things coming within the scope of government, I judge there are two classes; whereof, the one class may be said to consist of things mala in se—­that is, of those which, by an inner quality or essence, are evil; and the other, of such as are mala ab extero, or what may be connected with them and made evil only by a positive law of the State, in which is vested the duty of watching over the common good.  The fantastic notions of certain libertines, who, setting at naught the experience of the world, and fondly imagining that wisdom will die with themselves, have insinuated a doubt of the rightful power of the law-giver in this latter particular, I condemn, and see not how government can exist without it.  Now, as for things embraced in the former category—­such, for example, as those prohibited in the decalogue—­there can be no doubt of the duty of every Christian State to see that the prohibition be sustained and enforced even by extreme penalties, if otherwise the end cannot be reached.  But as for those contained in the latter category, a wide latitude of opinion may and doth exist among brethren with regard to the extent whereunto the Sovereign power should go in imposing restraint.  Some, with queasy consciences, are for making most of the duties of life to be practised, whether of a civil or religious nature, and also the vices to be avoided, matters of public enactment; while others as honestly hold, that the cause of virtue is not thereby promoted, but that, contrariwise, the very prohibition, when not based either on the law of God or the plain and unequivocal reason of the thing, doth act oft-times as a stimulus or uneasy incitement to the breach of law, besides making men hypocrites and time-servers.  I may not dilate, but merely hint this much, not doubting that your quick-conceiving minds have already sounded the depths of the subject.  And now, touching the matter more immediately in hand, which is the proposition of Master Endicott concerning apparel, and also the expediency of females wearing veils in the congregation, it seems to me to belong plainly to things indifferent, and not to be of instant or pressing importance, requiring present action; and as there is a difference of opinion in the Council respecting it, I propose that it be postponed, and meanwhile referred to the grave judgments of the elders, more especially as the wearing of veils is a thing connected with the assembling together of the congregation in the Lord’s house.”

“We are content that it should take that course,” cried several voices.  And such, accordingly, was the disposition made of Master Endicott’s sumptuary motion.

“Time doth wear,” said Sir Richard Saltonstall.  “Were it not well to proceed to the examination of the woman?”

“If no objection be offered, I will consider such to be your minds,” said the Governor.  A silence following, the servitor was ordered to conduct the person calling herself Lady Geraldine De Vaux to the presence.