"Lois the Witch" is a novella of historical fiction, which first appeared in 3 parts in October 1859 in the weekly "All the Year Round" edited by Charles Dickens. The story's protagonist, Lois Barclay, is raised in a parsonage in Barford, Warwickshire but as she becomes a young woman, both her parents die. At this time Lois keeps her boyfriend's (Hugh Lucy) marriage proposal a secret since his parents think she is too low a class for their son to marry.
In 1691, she crosses the Atlantic to live with her uncle and his family in Salem, Massachusetts and then becomes involved in the Salem witch trials. Unfortunately for Lois, her uncle has already passed away when she gets there. Shortly after his death, she is taken in by er aunt Grace Hickson, who doesn't like Lois and her increased burden on the family. She then joins Grace's children: the lone son Manasseh and two daughters, Faith and (the elder) Prudence.
Prudence accuses Lois of performing witchcraft one night, but Lois was merely explaining "innocent divination," something all young ladies in England engaged in. She shared this tale with Faith in an effort to lift her spirits in light of her unfulfilled love for the local pastor, Mr. Nolan.
The Salem Witch Trials, which in this novel began with the sentencing and execution of Hota, the Indian lady and servant found guilty of being a witch, serve as the background to Lois's story. Prudence, who appears to love the attention and power of being a victim of witchcraft, eventually accuses Lois.
Additionally, Faith, who feels that Lois cheated on her with Mr. Nolan, jealously supports Prudence's claims.
Grace doesn't think Lois is a witch until she takes into account Manasseh's standing in the Salem community: he is renowned for his bouts of insanity and claims to hear holy voices pleading with him to marry Lois. Manasseh may yet achieve glory if the community accepts the legend that Lois possessed him with madness and forced him to love her.
...Read the story to find out what happens.
