[Illustration: NICHOLAS ASSHETON AND THE THREE DOLL WANGOS LEAVINGHOGHTON HALL. ]

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. A Romance of Pendle Forest. 

ByWilliam Harrison Ainsworth, Esq. 

 _Sir Jeffery_. --Is there a justice in Lancashire has so much skill in witches as I have? Nay, I'll speak a proud word; you shall turn me loose against any Witch-finder in Europe. I'd make an ass of Hopkins if he were alive. --SHADWELL. 

Third Edition. 

Illustrated by John Gilbert. 

London:George Routledge & Co. , Farringdon Street. 1854. 

ToJames Crossley, Esq. , (of Manchester, )

President of the Chetham Society, And the Learned Editor Of"The Discoverie of Witches in the County of Lancaster, "--

The groundwork of the following pages, --This Romance, undertaken at his suggestion, is inscribedby his old, and sincerely attached friend, The Author. 

CONTENTS. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The Last Abbot of Whalley. 

 I. THE BEACON ON PENDLE HILL II. THE ERUPTION III. WHALLEY ABBEY IV. THE MALEDICTION V. THE MIDNIGHT MASS VI. TETER ET FORTIS CARCER VII. THE ABBEY MILLVIII. THE EXECUTIONER IX. WISWALL HALL X. THE HOLEHOUSES

BOOK THE FIRST. 

Alizon Device. 

 I. THE MAY QUEEN II. THE BLACK CAT AND THE WHITE DOVE III. THE ASSHETONS IV. ALICE NUTTER V. MOTHER CHATTOX VI. THE ORDEAL BY SWIMMING VII. THE RUINED CONVENTUAL CHURCHVIII. THE REVELATION IX. THE TWO PORTRAITS IN THE BANQUETING-HALL X. THE NOCTURNAL MEETING

BOOK THE SECOND. 

Pendle Forest. 

 I. FLINT II. READ HALL III. THE BOGGART'S GLEN IV. THE REEVE OF THE FOREST V. BESS'S O' TH' BOOTH VI. THE TEMPTATION VII. THE PERAMBULATION OF THE BOUNDARIESVIII. ROUGH LEE IX. HOW ROUGH LEE WAS DEFENDED BY NICHOLAS X. ROGER NOWELL AND HIS DOUBLE XI. MOTHER DEMDIKE XII. THE MYSTERIES OF MALKIN TOWERXIII. THE TWO FAMILIARS XIV. HOW ROUGH LEE WAS AGAIN BESIEGED XV. THE PHANTOM MONK XVI. ONE O'CLOCK!XVII. HOW THE BEACON FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED

BOOK THE THIRD. 

Hoghton Tower. 

 I. DOWNHAM MANOR-HOUSE II. THE PENITENT'S RETREAT III. MIDDLETON HALL IV. THE GORGE OF CLIVIGER V. THE END OF MALKIN TOWER VI. HOGHTON TOWER VII. THE ROYAL DECLARATION CONCERNING LAWFUL SPORTS ON THE SUNDAYVIII. HOW KING JAMES HUNTED THE HART AND THE WILD-BOAR IN HOGHTON PARK IX. THE BANQUET X. EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS XI. FATALITY XII. THE LAST HOURXIII. THE MASQUE OF DEATH XIV. "ONE GRAVE" XV. LANCASTER CASTLE

INTRODUCTION. 

The Last Abbot of Whalley. 

CHAPTER I. --THE BEACON ON PENDLE HILL. 

There were eight watchers by the beacon on Pendle Hill in Lancashire. Two were stationed on either side of the north-eastern extremity of themountain. One looked over the castled heights of Clithero; the woodyeminences of Bowland; the bleak ridges of Thornley; the broad moors ofBleasdale; the Trough of Bolland, and Wolf Crag; and even brought withinhis ken the black fells overhanging Lancaster. The other tracked thestream called Pendle Water, almost from its source amid the neighbouringhills, and followed its windings through the leafless forest, until itunited its waters to those of the Calder, and swept on in swifter andclearer current, to wash the base of Whalley Abbey. But the watcher'ssurvey did not stop here. Noting the sharp spire of Burnley Church, relieved against the rounded masses of timber constituting Townley Park;as well as the entrance of the gloomy mountain gorge, known as theGrange of Cliviger; his far-reaching gaze passed over Todmorden, andsettled upon the distant summits of Blackstone Edge. 

Dreary was the prospect on all sides. Black moor, bleak fell, stragglingforest, intersected with sullen streams as black as ink, with here andthere a small tarn, or moss-pool, with waters of the same hue--theseconstituted the chief features of the scene. The whole district wasbarren and thinly-populated. Of towns, only Clithero, Colne, andBurnley--the latter little more than a village--were in view. In thevalleys there were a few hamlets and scattered cottages, and on theuplands an occasional "booth, " as the hut of the herdsman was termed;but of more important mansions there were only six, as Merley, Twistleton, Alcancoats, Saxfeld, Ightenhill, and Gawthorpe. The"vaccaries" for the cattle, of which the herdsmen had the care, and the"lawnds, " or parks within the forest, appertaining to some of the hallsbefore mentioned, offered the only evidences of cultivation. All elsewas heathy waste, morass, and wood. 

Still, in the eye of the sportsman--and the Lancashire gentlemen of thesixteenth century were keen lovers of sport--the country had a stronginterest. Pendle forest abounded with game. Grouse, plover, and bitternwere found upon its moors; woodcock and snipe on its marshes; mallard, teal, and widgeon upon its pools. In its chases ranged herds of deer, protected by the terrible forest-laws, then in full force: and thehardier huntsman might follow the wolf to his lair in the mountains;might spear the boar in the oaken glades, or the otter on the river'sbrink; might unearth the badger or the fox, or smite the fiercecat-a-mountain with a quarrel from his bow. A nobler victim sometimes, also, awaited him in the shape of a wild mountain bull, a denizen of theforest, and a remnant of the herds that had once browsed upon the hills, but which had almost all been captured, and removed to stock the park ofthe Abbot of Whalley. The streams and pools were full of fish: thestately heron frequented the meres; and on the craggy heights built thekite, the falcon, and the kingly eagle. 

There were eight watchers by the beacon. Two stood apart from theothers, looking to the right and the left of the hill. Both were armedwith swords and arquebuses, and wore steel caps and coats of buff. Theirsleeves were embroidered with the five wounds of Christ, encircling thename of Jesus--the badge of the Pilgrimage of Grace. Between them, onthe verge of the mountain, was planted a great banner, displaying asilver cross, the chalice, and the Host, together with an ecclesiasticalfigure, but wearing a helmet instead of a mitre, and holding a sword inplace of a crosier, with the unoccupied hand pointing to the two towersof a monastic structure, as if to intimate that he was armed for itsdefence. This figure, as the device beneath it showed, represented JohnPaslew, Abbot of Whalley, or, as he styled himself in his militarycapacity, Earl of Poverty. 

There were eight watchers by the beacon. Two have been described. Of theother six, two were stout herdsmen carrying crooks, and holding a coupleof mules, and a richly-caparisoned war-horse by the bridle. Near themstood a broad-shouldered, athletic young man, with the fresh complexion, curling brown hair, light eyes, and open Saxon countenance, best seen inhis native county of Lancaster. He wore a Lincoln-green tunic, with abugle suspended from the shoulder by a silken cord; and a silver plateengraved with the three luces, the ensign of the Abbot of Whalley, hungby a chain from his neck. A hunting knife was in his girdle, and aneagle's plume in his cap, and he leaned upon the but-end of a crossbow, regarding three persons who stood together by a peat fire, on thesheltered side of the beacon. Two of these were elderly men, in thewhite gowns and scapularies of Cistertian monks, doubtless from Whalley, as the abbey belonged to that order. The third and last, and evidentlytheir superior, was a tall man in a riding dress, wrapped in a longmantle of black velvet, trimmed with minever, and displaying the samebadges as those upon the sleeves of the sentinels, only wrought inricher material. His features were strongly marked and stern, and boretraces of age; but his eye was bright, and his carriage erect anddignified. 

The beacon, near which the watchers stood, consisted of a vast pile oflogs of timber, heaped upon a circular range of stones, with openings toadmit air, and having the centre filled with fagots, and other quicklycombustible materials. Torches were placed near at hand, so that thepile could be lighted on the instant. 

The watch was held one afternoon at the latter end of November, 1536. Inthat year had arisen a formidable rebellion in the northern counties ofEngland, the members of which, while engaging to respect the person ofthe king, Henry VIII. , and his issue, bound themselves by solemn oath toaccomplish the restoration of Papal supremacy throughout the realm, andthe restitution of religious establishments and lands to their lateejected possessors. They bound themselves, also, to punish the enemiesof the Romish church, and suppress heresy. From its religious characterthe insurrection assumed the name of the Pilgrimage of Grace, andnumbered among its adherents all who had not embraced the new doctrinesin Yorkshire and Lancashire. That such an outbreak should occur on thesuppression of the monasteries, was not marvellous. The desecration andspoliation of so many sacred structures--the destruction of shrines andimages long regarded with veneration--the ejection of so manyecclesiastics, renowned for hospitality and revered for piety andlearning--the violence and rapacity of the commissioners appointed bythe Vicar-General Cromwell to carry out these severe measures--all theseoutrages were regarded by the people with abhorrence, and disposed themto aid the sufferers in resistance. As yet the wealthier monasteries inthe north had been spared, and it was to preserve them from the greedyhands of the visiters, Doctors Lee and Layton, that the insurrection hadbeen undertaken. A simultaneous rising took place in Lincolnshire, headed by Makarel, Abbot of Barlings, but it was speedily quelled by thevigour and skill of the Duke of Suffolk, and its leader executed. Butthe northern outbreak was better organized, and of greater force, for itnow numbered thirty thousand men, under the command of a skilful andresolute leader named Robert Aske. 

As may be supposed, the priesthood were main movers in a revolt havingtheir especial benefit for its aim; and many of them, following theexample of the Abbot of Barlings, clothed themselves in steel instead ofwoollen garments, and girded on the sword and the breastplate for theredress of their grievances and the maintenance of their rights. Amongstthese were the Abbots of Jervaux, Furness, Fountains, Rivaulx, andSalley, and, lastly, the Abbot of Whalley, before mentioned; a fiery andenergetic prelate, who had ever been constant and determined in hisopposition to the aggressive measures of the king. Such was thePilgrimage of Grace, such its design, and such its supporters. 

Several large towns had already fallen into the hands of the insurgents. York, Hull, and Pontefract had yielded; Skipton Castle was besieged, anddefended by the Earl of Cumberland; and battle was offered to the Dukeof Norfolk and the Earl of Shrewsbury, who headed the king's forces atDoncaster. But the object of the Royalist leaders was to temporise, andan armistice was offered to the rebels and accepted. Terms were nextproposed and debated. 

During the continuance of this armistice all hostilities ceased; butbeacons were reared upon the mountains, and their fires were to be takenas a new summons to arms. This signal the eight watchers expected. 

Though late in November, the day had been unusually fine, and, inconsequence, the whole hilly ranges around were clearly discernible, butnow the shades of evening were fast drawing on. 

"Night is approaching, " cried the tall man in the velvet mantle, impatiently; "and still the signal comes not. Wherefore this delay? CanNorfolk have accepted our conditions? Impossible. The last messengerfrom our camp at Scawsby Lees brought word that the duke's sole termswould be the king's pardon to the whole insurgent army, provided they atonce dispersed--except ten persons, six named and four unnamed. "

"And were you amongst those named, lord abbot?" demanded one of themonks. 

"John Paslew, Abbot of Whalley, it was said, headed the list, " repliedthe other, with a bitter smile. "Next came William Trafford, Abbot ofSalley. Next Adam Sudbury, Abbot of Jervaux. Then our leader, RobertAske. Then John Eastgate, Monk of Whalley--"

"How, lord abbot!" exclaimed the monk. "Was my name mentioned?"

"It was, " rejoined the abbot. "And that of William Haydocke, also Monkof Whalley, closed the list. "

"The unrelenting tyrant!" muttered the other monk. "But these termscould not be accepted?"

"Assuredly not, " replied Paslew; "they were rejected with scorn. But thenegotiations were continued by Sir Ralph Ellerker and Sir Robert Bowas, who were to claim on our part a free pardon for all; the establishmentof a Parliament and courts of justice at York; the restoration of thePrincess Mary to the succession; the Pope to his jurisdiction; and ourbrethren to their houses. But such conditions will never be granted. With my consent no armistice should have been agreed to. We are sure tolose by the delay. But I was overruled by the Archbishop of York and theLord Darcy. Their voices prevailed against the Abbot of Whalley--or, ifit please you, the Earl of Poverty. "

"It is the assumption of that derisive title which has drawn upon youthe full force of the king's resentment, lord abbot, " observed FatherEastgate. 

"It may be, " replied the abbot. "I took it in mockery of Cromwell andthe ecclesiastical commissioners, and I rejoice that they have felt thesting. The Abbot of Barlings called himself Captain Cobbler, because, ashe affirmed, the state wanted mending like old shoon. And is not mytitle equally well chosen? Is not the Church smitten with poverty? Havenot ten thousand of our brethren been driven from their homes to beg orto starve? Have not the houseless poor, whom we fed at our gates, andlodged within our wards, gone away hungry and without rest? Have not thesick, whom we would have relieved, died untended by the hedge-side? I amthe head of the poor in Lancashire, the redresser of their grievances, and therefore I style myself Earl of Poverty. Have I not done well?"

"You have, lord abbot, " replied Father Eastgate. 

"Poverty will not alone be the fate of the Church, but of the wholerealm, if the rapacious designs of the monarch and his hereticalcounsellors are carried forth, " pursued the abbot. "Cromwell, Audeley, and Rich, have wisely ordained that no infant shall be baptised withouttribute to the king; that no man who owns not above twenty pounds a yearshall consume wheaten bread, or eat the flesh of fowl or swine withouttribute; and that all ploughed land shall pay tribute likewise. Thus theChurch is to be beggared, the poor plundered, and all men burthened, tofatten the king, and fill his exchequer. "

"This must be a jest, " observed Father Haydocke. 

"It is a jest no man laughs at, " rejoined the abbot, sternly; "any morethan the king's counsellors will laugh at the Earl of Poverty, whosetitle they themselves have created. But wherefore comes not the signal?Can aught have gone wrong? I will not think it. The whole country, fromthe Tweed to the Humber, and from the Lune to the Mersey, is ours; and, if we but hold together, our cause must prevail. "

"Yet we have many and powerful enemies, " observed Father Eastgate; "andthe king, it is said, hath sworn never to make terms with us. Tidingswere brought to the abbey this morning, that the Earl of Derby isassembling forces at Preston, to march upon us. "

"We will give him a warm reception if he comes, " replied Paslew, fiercely. "He will find that our walls have not been kernelled andembattled by licence of good King Edward the Third for nothing; and thatour brethren can fight as well as their predecessors fought in the timeof Abbot Holden, when they took tithe by force from Sir ChristopherParsons of Slaydburn. The abbey is strong, and right well defended, andwe need not fear a surprise. But it grows dark fast, and yet no signalcomes. "

"Perchance the waters of the Don have again risen, so as to prevent thearmy from fording the stream, " observed Father Haydocke; "or it may bethat some disaster hath befallen our leader. "

"Nay, I will not believe the latter, " said the abbot; "Robert Aske ischosen by Heaven to be our deliverer. It has been prophesied that a'worm with one eye' shall work the redemption of the fallen faith, andyou know that Robert Aske hath been deprived of his left orb by anarrow. "

"Therefore it is, " observed Father Eastgate, "that the Pilgrims of Gracechant the following ditty:--

 "'Forth shall come an Aske with one eye, He shall be chief of the company-- Chief of the northern chivalry. '"

"What more?" demanded the abbot, seeing that the monk appeared tohesitate. 

"Nay, I know not whether the rest of the rhymes may please you, lordabbot, " replied Father Eastgate. 

"Let me hear them, and I will judge, " said Paslew. Thus urged, the monkwent on:--

 "'One shall sit at a solemn feast, Half warrior, half priest, The greatest there shall be the least. '"

"The last verse, " observed the monk, "has been added to the ditty byNicholas Demdike. I heard him sing it the other day at the abbey gate. "

"What, Nicholas Demdike of Worston?" cried the abbot; "he whose wife isa witch?"

"The same, " replied Eastgate. 

"Hoo be so ceawnted, sure eno, " remarked the forester, who had beenlistening attentively to their discourse, and who now stepped forward;"boh dunna yo think it. Beleemy, lort abbut, Bess Demdike's too yunk antoo protty for a witch. "

"Thou art bewitched by her thyself, Cuthbert, " said the abbot, angrily. "I shall impose a penance upon thee, to free thee from the evilinfluence. Thou must recite twenty paternosters daily, fasting, for onemonth; and afterwards perform a pilgrimage to the shrine of our Lady ofGilsland. Bess Demdike is an approved and notorious witch, and hath beenseen by credible witnesses attending a devil's sabbath on this veryhill--Heaven shield us! It is therefore that I have placed her and herhusband under the ban of the Church; pronounced sentence ofexcommunication against them; and commanded all my clergy to refusebaptism to their infant daughter, newly born. "

"Wea's me! ey knoas 't reet weel, lort abbut, " replied Ashbead, "andBess taks t' sentence sore ta 'ert!"

"Then let her amend her ways, or heavier punishment will befall her, "cried Paslew, severely. "'_Sortilegam non patieris vivere_' saith theLevitical law. If she be convicted she shall die the death. That she iscomely I admit; but it is the comeliness of a child of sin. Dost thouknow the man with whom she is wedded--or supposed to be wedded--for Ihave seen no proof of the marriage? He is a stranger here. "

"Ey knoas neawt abowt him, lort abbut, 'cept that he cum to Pendle atwalmont agoa, " replied Ashbead; "boh ey knoas fu' weel thatt'eawtcumbling felly robt me ot prettiest lass i' aw Lonkyshiar--aigh, or i' aw Englondshiar, fo' t' matter o' that. "

"What manner of man is he?" inquired the abbot. 

"Oh, he's a feaw teyke--a varra feaw teyke, " replied Ashbead; "wi' afeace as black as a boggart, sooty shiny hewr loike a mowdywarp, an' eenloike a stanniel. Boh for running, rostling, an' throwing t' stoan, he'nno match i' this keawntry. Ey'n triet him at aw three gams, so ey conspeak. For't most part he'n a big, black bandyhewit wi' him, and, by th'Mess, ey canna help thinkin he meys free sumtoimes wi' yor lortship'sbucks. "

"Ha! this must be looked to, " cried the abbot. "You say you know notwhence he comes? 'Tis strange. "

"T' missmannert carl'll boide naw questionin', odd rottle him!" repliedAshbead. "He awnsurs wi' a gibe, or a thwack o' his staff. Whon ey lastseet him, he threatened t' raddle me booans weel, boh ey sooan lowerthim a peg. "

"We will find a way of making him speak, " said the abbot. 

"He can speak, and right well if he pleases, " remarked Father Eastgate;"for though ordinarily silent and sullen enough, yet when he doth talkit is not like one of the hinds with whom he consorts, but in good setphrase; and his bearing is as bold as that of one who hath seen servicein the field. "

"My curiosity is aroused, " said the abbot. "I must see him. "

"Noa sooner said than done, " cried Ashbead, "for, be t' Lort Harry, eysee him stonding be yon moss poo' o' top t' hill, though how he'n gettentheer t' Dule owny knoas. "

And he pointed out a tall dark figure standing near a little pool on thesummit of the mountain, about a hundred yards from them. 

"Talk of ill, and ill cometh, " observed Father Haydocke. "And see, thewizard hath a black hound with him! It may be his wife, in thatlikeness. "

"Naw, ey knoas t' hount reet weel, Feyther Haydocke, " replied theforester; "it's a Saint Hubert, an' a rareun fo' fox or badgert. Oddsloife, feyther, whoy that's t' black bandyhewit I war speaking on. "

"I like not the appearance of the knave at this juncture, " said theabbot; "yet I wish to confront him, and charge him with hismidemeanours. "

"Hark; he sings, " cried Father Haydocke. And as he spoke a voice washeard chanting, --

 "One shall sit at a solemn feast, Half warrior, half priest, The greatest there shall be the least. "

"The very ditty I heard, " cried Father Eastgate; "but list, he has moreof it. " And the voice resumed, --

 "He shall be rich, yet poor as me, Abbot, and Earl of Poverty. Monk and soldier, rich and poor, He shall be hang'd at his own door. "

Loud derisive laughter followed the song. 

"By our Lady of Whalley, the knave is mocking us, " cried the abbot;"send a bolt to silence him, Cuthbert. "

The forester instantly bent his bow, and a quarrel whistled off in thedirection of the singer; but whether his aim were not truly taken, or hemeant not to hit the mark, it is certain that Demdike remaineduntouched. The reputed wizard laughed aloud, took off his felt cap inacknowledgment, and marched deliberately down the side of the hill. 

"Thou art not wont to miss thy aim, Cuthbert, " cried the abbot, with alook of displeasure. "Take good heed thou producest this scurril knavebefore me, when these troublous times are over. But what is this?--hestops--ha! he is practising his devilries on the mountain's side. "

It would seem that the abbot had good warrant for what he said, asDemdike, having paused at a broad green patch on the hill-side, was nowbusied in tracing a circle round it with his staff. He then spoke aloudsome words, which the superstitious beholders construed into anincantation, and after tracing the circle once again, and casting sometufts of dry heather, which he plucked from an adjoining hillock, onthree particular spots, he ran quickly downwards, followed by his hound, and leaping a stone wall, surrounding a little orchard at the foot ofthe hill, disappeared from view. 

"Go and see what he hath done, " cried the abbot to the forester, "for Ilike it not. "

Ashbead instantly obeyed, and on reaching the green spot in question, shouted out that he could discern nothing; but presently added, as hemoved about, that the turf heaved like a sway-bed beneath his feet, andhe thought--to use his own phraseology--would "brast. " The abbot thencommanded him to go down to the orchard below, and if he could findDemdike to bring him to him instantly. The forester did as he wasbidden, ran down the hill, and, leaping the orchard wall as the otherhad done, was lost to sight. 

Ere long, it became quite dark, and as Ashbead did not reappear, theabbot gave vent to his impatience and uneasiness, and was proposing tosend one of the herdsmen in search of him, when his attention wassuddenly diverted by a loud shout from one of the sentinels, and a firewas seen on a distant hill on the right. 

"The signal! the signal!" cried Paslew, joyfully. "Kindle atorch!--quick, quick!"

And as he spoke, he seized a brand and plunged it into the peat fire, while his example was followed by the two monks. 

"It is the beacon on Blackstone Edge, " cried the abbot; "and look! asecond blazes over the Grange of Cliviger--another on Ightenhill--another on Boulsworth Hill--and the last on the neighbouringheights of Padiham. Our own comes next. May it light the enemies of ourholy Church to perdition!"

With this, he applied the burning brand to the combustible matter of thebeacon. The monks did the same; and in an instant a tall, pointed flame, rose up from a thick cloud of smoke. Ere another minute had elapsed, similar fires shot up to the right and the left, on the high lands ofTrawden Forest, on the jagged points of Foulridge, on the summit ofCowling Hill, and so on to Skipton. Other fires again blazed on thetowers of Clithero, on Longridge and Ribchester, on the woody eminencesof Bowland, on Wolf Crag, and on fell and scar all the way to Lancaster. It seemed the work of enchantment, so suddenly and so strangely did thefires shoot forth. As the beacon flame increased, it lighted up thewhole of the extensive table-land on the summit of Pendle Hill; and along lurid streak fell on the darkling moss-pool near which the wizardhad stood. But when it attained its utmost height, it revealed thedepths of the forest below, and a red reflection, here and there, markedthe course of Pendle Water. The excitement of the abbot and hiscompanions momently increased, and the sentinels shouted as each newbeacon was lighted. At last, almost every hill had its watch-fire, andso extraordinary was the spectacle, that it seemed as if weird beingswere abroad, and holding their revels on the heights. 

Then it was that the abbot, mounting his steed, called out to themonks--"Holy fathers, you will follow to the abbey as you may. I shallride fleetly on, and despatch two hundred archers to Huddersfield andWakefield. The abbots of Salley and Jervaux, with the Prior ofBurlington, will be with me at midnight, and at daybreak we shall marchour forces to join the main army. Heaven be with you!"

"Stay!" cried a harsh, imperious voice. "Stay!"

And, to his surprise, the abbot beheld Nicholas Demdike standing beforehim. The aspect of the wizard was dark and forbidding, and, seen by thebeacon light, his savage features, blazing eyes, tall gaunt frame, andfantastic garb, made him look like something unearthly. Flinging hisstaff over his shoulder, he slowly approached, with his black houndfollowing close by at his heels. 

"I have a caution to give you, lord abbot, " he said; "hear me speakbefore you set out for the abbey, or ill will befall you. "

"Ill _will_ befall me if I listen to thee, thou wicked churl, " cried theabbot. "What hast thou done with Cuthbert Ashbead?"

"I have seen nothing of him since he sent a bolt after me at yourbidding, lord abbot, " replied Demdike. 

"Beware lest any harm come to him, or thou wilt rue it, " cried Paslew. "But I have no time to waste on thee. Farewell, fathers. High mass willbe said in the convent church before we set out on the expeditionto-morrow morning. You will both attend it. "

"You will never set out upon the expedition, lord abbot, " cried Demdike, planting his staff so suddenly into the ground before the horse's headthat the animal reared and nearly threw his rider. 

"How now, fellow, what mean you?" cried the abbot, furiously. 

"To warn you, " replied Demdike. 

"Stand aside, " cried the abbot, spurring his steed, "or I will trampleyou beneath my horse's feet. "

"I might let you ride to your own doom, " rejoined Demdike, with ascornful laugh, as he seized the abbot's bridle. "But you shall hear me. I tell you, you will never go forth on this expedition. I tell you that, ere to-morrow, Whalley Abbey will have passed for ever from yourpossession; and that, if you go thither again, your life will beforfeited. Now will you listen to me?"

"I am wrong in doing so, " cried the abbot, who could not, however, repress some feelings of misgiving at this alarming address. "Speak, what would you say?"

"Come out of earshot of the others, and I will tell you, " repliedDemdike. And he led the abbot's horse to some distance further on thehill. 

"Your cause will fail, lord abbot, " he then said. "Nay, it is lostalready. "

"Lost!" cried the abbot, out of all patience. "Lost! Look around. Twentyfires are in sight--ay, thirty, and every fire thou seest will summon ahundred men, at the least, to arms. Before an hour, five hundred menwill be gathered before the gates of Whalley Abbey. "

"True, " replied Demdike; "but they will not own the Earl of Poverty fortheir leader. "

"What leader will they own, then?" demanded the abbot, scornfully. 

"The Earl of Derby, " replied Demdike. "He is on his way thither withLord Mounteagle from Preston. "

"Ha!" exclaimed Paslew, "let me go meet them, then. But thou triflestwith me, fellow. Thou canst know nothing of this. Whence gott'st thouthine information?"

"Heed it not, " replied the other; "thou wilt find it correct. I tellthee, proud abbot, that this grand scheme of thine and of thy fellows, for the restitution of the Catholic Church, has failed--utterly failed. "

"I tell thee thou liest, false knave!" cried the abbot, striking him onthe hand with his scourge. "Quit thy hold, and let me go. "

"Not till I have done, " replied Demdike, maintaining his grasp. "Wellhast thou styled thyself Earl of Poverty, for thou art poor andmiserable enough. Abbot of Whalley thou art no longer. Thy possessionswill be taken from thee, and if thou returnest thy life also will betaken. If thou fleest, a price will be set upon thy head. I alone cansave thee, and I will do so on one condition. "

"Condition! make conditions with thee, bond-slave of Satan!" cried theabbot, gnashing his teeth. "I reproach myself that I have listened tothee so long. Stand aside, or I will strike thee dead. "

"You are wholly in my power, " cried Demdike with a disdainful laugh. Andas he spoke he pressed the large sharp bit against the charger's mouth, and backed him quickly to the very edge of the hill, the sides of whichhere sloped precipitously down. The abbot would have uttered a cry, butsurprise and terror kept him silent. 

"Were it my desire to injure you, I could cast you down themountain-side to certain death, " pursued Demdike. "But I have no suchwish. On the contrary, I will serve you, as I have said, on onecondition. "

"Thy condition would imperil my soul, " said the abbot, full of wrath andalarm. "Thou seekest in vain to terrify me into compliance. _Vade retro, Sathanas_. I defy thee and all thy works. "

Demdike laughed scornfully. 

"The thunders of the Church do not frighten me, " he cried. "But, look, "he added, "you doubted my word when I told you the rising was at an end. The beacon fires on Boulsworth Hill and on the Grange of Cliviger areextinguished; that on Padiham Heights is expiring--nay, it is out; andere many minutes all these mountain watch-fires will have disappearedlike lamps at the close of a feast. "

"By our Lady, it is so, " cried the abbot, in increasing terror. "Whatnew jugglery is this?"

"It is no jugglery, I tell you, " replied the other. 

"The waters of the Don have again arisen; the insurgents have acceptedthe king's pardon, have deserted their leaders, and dispersed. Therewill be no rising to-night or on the morrow. The abbots of Jervaux andSalley will strive to capitulate, but in vain. The Pilgrimage of Graceis ended. The stake for which thou playedst is lost. Thirty years hastthou governed here, but thy rule is over. Seventeen abbots have therebeen of Whalley--the last thou!--but there shall be none more. "

"It must be the Demon in person that speaks thus to me, " cried theabbot, his hair bristling on his head, and a cold perspiration burstingfrom his pores. 

"No matter who I am, " replied the other; "I have said I will aid thee onone condition. It is not much. Remove thy ban from my wife, and baptiseher infant daughter, and I am content. I would not ask thee for thisservice, slight though it be, but the poor soul hath set her mind uponit. Wilt thou do it?"

"No, " replied the abbot, shuddering; "I will not baptise a daughter ofSatan. I will not sell my soul to the powers of darkness. I adjure theeto depart from me, and tempt me no longer. "

"Vainly thou seekest to cast me off, " rejoined Demdike. "What if Ideliver thine adversaries into thine hands, and revenge thee upon them?Even now there are a party of armed men waiting at the foot of the hillto seize thee and thy brethren. Shall I show thee how to destroy them?"

"Who are they?" demanded the abbot, surprised. 

"Their leaders are John Braddyll and Richard Assheton, who shall divideWhalley Abbey between them, if thou stayest them not, " replied Demdike. 

"Hell consume them!" cried the abbot. 

"Thy speech shows consent, " rejoined Demdike. "Come this way. "

And, without awaiting the abbot's reply, he dragged his horse towardsthe but-end of the mountain. As they went on, the two monks, who hadbeen filled with surprise at the interview, though they did not dare tointerrupt it, advanced towards their superior, and looked earnestly andinquiringly at him, but he remained silent; while to the men-at-arms andthe herdsmen, who demanded whether their own beacon-fire should beextinguished as the others had been, he answered moodily in thenegative. 

"Where are the foes you spoke of?" he asked with some uneasiness, asDemdike led his horse slowly and carefully down the hill-side. 

"You shall see anon, " replied the other. 

"You are taking me to the spot where you traced the magic circle, " criedPaslew in alarm. "I know it from its unnaturally green hue. I will notgo thither. "

"I do not mean you should, lord abbot, " replied Demdike, halting. "Remain on this firm ground. Nay, be not alarmed; you are in no danger. Now bid your men advance, and prepare their weapons. "

The abbot would have demanded wherefore, but at a glance from Demdike hecomplied, and the two men-at-arms, and the herdsmen, arrangedthemselves beside him, while Fathers Eastgate and Haydocke, who hadgotten upon their mules, took up a position behind. 

Scarcely were they thus placed, when a loud shout was raised below, anda band of armed men, to the number of thirty or forty, leapt the stonewall, and began to scale the hill with great rapidity. They came up adeep dry channel, apparently worn in the hill-side by some formertorrent, and which led directly to the spot where Demdike and the abbotstood. The beacon-fire still blazed brightly, and illuminated the wholeproceeding, showing that these men, from their accoutrements, wereroyalist soldiers. 

"Stir not, as you value your life, " said the wizard to Paslew; "butobserve what shall follow. "

CHAPTER II. --THE ERUPTION. 

Demdike went a little further down the hill, stopping when he came tothe green patch. He then plunged his staff into the sod at the firstpoint where he had cast a tuft of heather, and with such force that itsank more than three feet. The next moment he plucked it forth, as ifwith a great effort, and a jet of black water spouted into the air; but, heedless of this, he went to the next marked spot, and again plunged thesharp point of the implement into the ground. Again it sank to the samedepth, and, on being drawn out, a second black jet sprung forth. 

Meanwhile the hostile party continued to advance up the dry channelbefore mentioned, and shouted on beholding these strange preparations, but they did not relax their speed. Once more the staff sank into theground, and a third black fountain followed its extraction. By thistime, the royalist soldiers were close at hand, and the features oftheir two leaders, John Braddyll and Richard Assheton, could be plainlydistinguished, and their voices heard. 

"'Tis he! 'tis the rebel abbot!" vociferated Braddyll, pressing forward. "We were not misinformed. He has been watching by the beacon. The devilhas delivered him into our hands. "

"Ho! ho!" laughed Demdike. 

"Abbot no longer--'tis the Earl of Poverty you mean, " respondedAssheton. "The villain shall be gibbeted on the spot where he has firedthe beacon, as a warning to all traitors. "

"Ha, heretics!--ha, blasphemers!--I can at least avenge myself uponyou, " cried Paslew, striking spurs into his charger. But ere he couldexecute his purpose, Demdike had sprung backward, and, catching thebridle, restrained the animal by a powerful effort. 

"Hold!" he cried, in a voice of thunder, "or you will share their fate. "

As the words were uttered, a dull, booming, subterranean sound washeard, and instantly afterwards, with a crash like thunder, the whole ofthe green circle beneath slipped off, and from a yawning rent under itburst forth with irresistible fury, a thick inky-coloured torrent, which, rising almost breast high, fell upon the devoted royalistsoldiers, who were advancing right in its course. Unable to avoid thewatery eruption, or to resist its fury when it came upon them, they wereinstantly swept from their feet, and carried down the channel. 

A sight of horror was it to behold the sudden rise of that swarthystream, whose waters, tinged by the ruddy glare of the beacon-fire, looked like waves of blood. Nor less fearful was it to hear the firstwild despairing cry raised by the victims, or the quickly stifledshrieks and groans that followed, mixed with the deafening roar of thestream, and the crashing fall of the stones, which accompanied itscourse. Down, down went the poor wretches, now utterly overwhelmed bythe torrent, now regaining their feet only to utter a scream, and thenbe swept off. Here a miserable struggler, whirled onward, would clutchat the banks and try to scramble forth, but the soft turf giving waybeneath him, he was hurried off to eternity. 

At another point where the stream encountered some trifling opposition, some two or three managed to gain a footing, but they were unable toextricate themselves. The vast quantity of boggy soil brought down bythe current, and which rapidly collected here, embedded them and heldthem fast, so that the momently deepening water, already up to theirchins, threatened speedy immersion. Others were stricken down by greatmasses of turf, or huge rocky fragments, which, bounding from point topoint with the torrent, bruised or crushed all they encountered, or, lodging in some difficult place, slightly diverted the course of thetorrent, and rendered it yet more dangerous. 

On one of these stones, larger than the rest, which had been stopped inits course, a man contrived to creep, and with difficulty kept his postamid the raging flood. Vainly did he extend his hand to such of hisfellows as were swept shrieking past him. He could not lend them aid, while his own position was so desperately hazardous that he did not dareto quit it. To leap on either bank was impossible, and to breast theheadlong stream certain death. 

On goes the current, madly, furiously, as if rejoicing in the work ofdestruction, while the white foam of its eddies presents a fearfulcontrast to the prevailing blackness of the surface. Over the lastdeclivity it leaps, hissing, foaming, crashing like an avalanche. Thestone wall for a moment opposes its force, but falls the next, with amighty splash, carrying the spray far and wide, while its own fragmentsroll onwards with the stream. The trees of the orchard are uprooted inan instant, and an old elm falls prostrate. The outbuildings of acottage are invaded, and the porkers and cattle, divining their danger, squeal and bellow in affright. But they are quickly silenced. Theresistless foe has broken down wall and door, and buried the poorcreatures in mud and rubbish. 

The stream next invades the cottage, breaks in through door and window, and filling all the lower part of the tenement, in a few minutesconverts it into a heap of ruin. On goes the destroyer, tearing up moretrees, levelling more houses, and filling up a small pool, till thelatter bursts its banks, and, with an accession to its force, poursitself into a mill-dam. Here its waters are stayed until they find avent underneath, and the action of the stream, as it rushes downwardsthrough this exit, forms a great eddy above, in which swim some livingthings, cattle and sheep from the fold not yet drowned, mixed withfurniture from the cottages, and amidst them the bodies of some of theunfortunate men-at-arms which have been washed hither. 

But, ha! another thundering crash. The dam has burst. The torrent roarsand rushes on furiously as before, joins its forces with Pendle Water, swells up the river, and devastates the country far and wide. [1]

The abbot and his companions beheld this work of destruction withamazement and dread. Blanched terror sat in their cheeks, and the bloodwas frozen in Paslew's veins; for he thought it the work of the powersof darkness, and that he was leagued with them. He tried to mutter aprayer, but his lips refused their office. He would have moved, but hislimbs were stiffened and paralysed, and he could only gaze aghast at theterrible spectacle. 

Amidst it all he heard a wild burst of unearthly laughter, proceeding, he thought, from Demdike, and it filled him with new dread. But he couldnot check the sound, neither could he stop his ears, though he wouldfain have done so. Like him, his companions were petrified andspeechless with fear. 

After this had endured for some time, though still the black torrentrushed on impetuously as ever, Demdike turned to the abbot and said, --

"Your vengeance has been fully gratified. You will now baptise mychild?"

"Never, never, accursed being!" shrieked the abbot. "Thou maystsacrifice her at thine own impious rites. But see, there is one poorwretch yet struggling with the foaming torrent. I may save him. "

"That is John Braddyll, thy worst enemy, " replied Demdike. "If he liveshe shall possess half Whalley Abbey. Thou hadst best also save RichardAssheton, who yet clings to the great stone below, as if he escapes heshall have the other half. Mark him, and make haste, for in five minutesboth shall be gone. "

"I will save them if I can, be the consequence to myself what it may, "replied the abbot. 

And, regardless of the derisive laughter of the other, who yelled in hisears as he went, "Bess shall see thee hanged at thy own door!" he dasheddown the hill to the spot where a small object, distinguishable abovethe stream, showed that some one still kept his head above water, histall stature having preserved him. 

"Is it you, John Braddyll?" cried the abbot, as he rode up. 

"Ay, " replied the head. "Forgive me for the wrong I intended you, anddeliver me from this great peril. "

"I am come for that purpose, " replied the abbot, dismounting, anddisencumbering himself of his heavy cloak. 

By this time the two herdsmen had come up, and the abbot, taking a crookfrom one of them, clutched hold of the fellow, and, plunging fearlesslyinto the stream, extended it towards the drowning man, who instantlylifted up his hand to grasp it. In doing so Braddyll lost his balance, but, as he did not quit his hold, he was plucked forth from thetenacious mud by the combined efforts of the abbot and his assistant, and with some difficulty dragged ashore. 

"Now for the other, " cried Paslew, as he placed Braddyll in safety. 

"One-half the abbey is gone from thee, " shouted a voice in his ears ashe rushed on. 

Presently he reached the rocky fragment on which Ralph Assheton rested. The latter was in great danger from the surging torrent, and the stoneon which he had taken refuge tottered at its base, and threatened toroll over. 

"In Heaven's name, help me, lord abbot, as thou thyself shall be holpenat thy need!" shrieked Assheton. 

"Be not afraid, Richard Assheton, " replied Paslew. "I will deliver theeas I have delivered John Braddyll. "

But the task was not of easy accomplishment. The abbot made hispreparations as before; grasped the hand of the herdsman and held outthe crook to Assheton; but when the latter caught it, the stream swunghim round with such force that the abbot must either abandon him oradvance further into the water. Bent on Assheton's preservation, headopted the latter expedient, and instantly lost his feet; while theherdsman, unable longer to hold him, let go the crook, and the abbot andAssheton were swept down the stream together. 

Down--down they went, destruction apparently awaiting them; but theabbot, though sometimes quite under the water, and bruised by the roughstones and gravel with which he came in contact, still retained hisself-possession, and encouraged his companion to hope for succour. Inthis way they were borne down to the foot of the hill, the monks, theherdsmen, and the men-at-arms having given them up as lost. But they yetlived--yet floated--though greatly injured, and almost senseless, whenthey were cast into a pool formed by the eddying waters at the foot ofthe hill. Here, wholly unable to assist himself, Assheton was seized bya black hound belonging to a tall man who stood on the bank, and whoshouted to Paslew, as he helped the animal to bring the drowning manashore, "The other half of the abbey is gone from thee. Wilt thoubaptise my child if I send my dog to save thee?"

"Never!" replied the other, sinking as he spoke. 

Flashes of fire glanced in the abbot's eyes, and stunning sounds seemedto burst his ears. A few more struggles, and he became senseless. 

But he was not destined to die thus. What happened afterwards he knewnot; but when he recovered full consciousness, he found himselfstretched, with aching limbs and throbbing head, upon a couch in amonastic room, with a richly-painted and gilded ceiling, with shields atthe corners emblazoned with the three luces of Whalley, and with panelshung with tapestry from the looms of Flanders, representing diversScriptural subjects. 

"Have I been dreaming?" he murmured. 

"No, " replied a tall man standing by his bedside; "thou hast been savedfrom one death to suffer another more ignominious. "

"Ha!" cried the abbot, starting up and pressing his hand to his temples;"thou here?"

"Ay, I am appointed to watch thee, " replied Demdike. "Thou art aprisoner in thine own chamber at Whalley. All has befallen as I toldthee. The Earl of Derby is master of the abbey; thy adherents aredispersed; and thy brethren are driven forth. Thy two partners inrebellion, the abbots of Jervaux and Salley, have been conveyed toLancaster Castle, whither thou wilt go as soon as thou canst be moved. "

"I will surrender all--silver and gold, land and possessions--to theking, if I may die in peace, " groaned the abbot. 

"It is not needed, " rejoined the other. "Attainted of felony, thy landsand abbey will be forfeited to the crown, and they shall be sold, as Ihave told thee, to John Braddyll and Richard Assheton, who will berulers here in thy stead. "

"Would I had perished in the flood!" groaned the abbot. 

"Well mayst thou wish so, " returned his tormentor; "but thou wert notdestined to die by water. As I have said, thou shalt be hanged at thyown door, and my wife shall witness thy end. "

"Who art thou? I have heard thy voice before, " cried the abbot. "It islike the voice of one whom I knew years ago, and thy features are likehis--though changed--greatly changed. Who art thou?"

"Thou shalt know before thou diest, " replied the other, with a look ofgratified vengeance. "Farewell, and reflect upon thy fate. "

So saying, he strode towards the door, while the miserable abbot arose, and marching with uncertain steps to a little oratory adjoining, whichhe himself had built, knelt down before the altar, and strove to pray. 

CHAPTER III. --WHALLEY ABBEY. 

A sad, sad change hath come over the fair Abbey of Whalley. It knowethits old masters no longer. For upwards of two centuries and a half haththe "Blessed Place"[2] grown in beauty and riches. Seventeen abbots haveexercised unbounded hospitality within it, but now they are all gone, save one!--and he is attainted of felony and treason. The grave monkwalketh no more in the cloisters, nor seeketh his pallet in thedormitory. Vesper or matin-song resound not as of old within the fineconventual church. Stripped are the altars of their silver crosses, andthe shrines of their votive offerings and saintly relics. Pyx andchalice, thuribule and vial, golden-headed pastoral staff, and mitreembossed with pearls, candlestick and Christmas ship of silver; salver, basin, and ewer--all are gone--the splendid sacristy hath beendespoiled. 

A sad, sad change hath come over Whalley Abbey. The libraries, wellstored with reverend tomes, have been pillaged, and their contents castto the flames; and thus long laboured manuscript, the fruit of years ofpatient industry, with gloriously illuminated missal, are irrecoverablylost. The large infirmary no longer receiveth the sick; in the locutorysitteth no more the guest. No longer in the mighty kitchens are preparedthe prodigious supply of meats destined for the support of the poor orthe entertainment of the traveller. No kindly porter stands at the gate, to bid the stranger enter and partake of the munificent abbot'shospitality, but a churlish guard bids him hie away, and menaces him ifhe tarries with his halbert. Closed are the buttery-hatches and thepantries; and the daily dole of bread hath ceased. Closed, also, to thebrethren is the refectory. The cellarer's office is ended. The strongale which he brewed in October, is tapped in March by roysteringtroopers. The rich muscadel and malmsey, and the wines of Gascoigne andthe Rhine, are no longer quaffed by the abbot and his more honouredguests, but drunk to his destruction by his foes. The great gallery, ahundred and fifty feet in length, the pride of the abbot's lodging, anda model of architecture, is filled not with white-robed ecclesiastics, but with an armed earl and his retainers. Neglected is the littleoratory dedicated to Our Lady of Whalley, where night and morn the abbotused to pray. All the old religious and hospitable uses of the abbey areforegone. The reverend stillness of the cloisters, scarce broken by thequiet tread of the monks, is now disturbed by armed heel and clank ofsword; while in its saintly courts are heard the ribald song, theprofane jest, and the angry brawl. Of the brethren, only those tenantingthe cemetery are left. All else are gone, driven forth, as vagabonds, with stripes and curses, to seek refuge where they may. 

A sad, sad change has come over Whalley Abbey. In the plenitude of itspride and power has it been cast down, desecrated, despoiled. Itstreasures are carried off, its ornaments sold, its granaries emptied, its possessions wasted, its storehouses sacked, its cattle slaughteredand sold. But, though stripped of its wealth and splendour; thoughdeprived of all the religious graces that, like rich incense, lent anodour to the fane, its external beauty is yet unimpaired, and its vastproportions undiminished. 

A stately pile was Whalley--one of the loveliest as well as the largestin the realm. Carefully had it been preserved by its reverend rulers, and where reparations or additions were needed they were judiciouslymade. Thus age had lent it beauty, by mellowing its freshness and toningits hues, while no decay was perceptible. Without a struggle had ityielded to the captor, so that no part of its wide belt of walls ortowers, though so strongly constructed as to have offered effectualresistance, were injured. 

Never had Whalley Abbey looked more beautiful than on a bright clearmorning in March, when this sad change had been wrought, and when, froma peaceful monastic establishment, it had been converted into a menacingfortress. The sunlight sparkled upon its grey walls, and filled itsthree great quadrangular courts with light and life, piercing theexquisite carving of its cloisters, and revealing all the intricatebeauty and combinations of the arches. Stains of painted glass fell uponthe floor of the magnificent conventual church, and dyed with rainbowhues the marble tombs of the Lacies, the founders of the establishment, brought thither when the monastery was removed from Stanlaw in Cheshire, and upon the brass-covered gravestones of the abbots in the presbytery. There lay Gregory de Northbury, eighth abbot of Stanlaw and first ofWhalley, and William Rede, the last abbot; but there was never to lieJohn Paslew. The slumber of the ancient prelates was soon to bedisturbed, and the sacred structure within which they had so oftenworshipped, up-reared by sacrilegious hands. But all was bright andbeauteous now, and if no solemn strains were heard in the holy pile, itsstillness was scarcely less reverential and awe-inspiring. The old abbeywreathed itself in all its attractions, as if to welcome back its formerruler, whereas it was only to receive him as a captive doomed to afelon's death. 

But this was outward show. Within all was terrible preparation. Suchwas the discontented state of the country, that fearing some new revolt, the Earl of Derby had taken measures for the defence of the abbey, andalong the wide-circling walls of the close were placed ordnance and men, and within the grange stores of ammunition. A strong guard was set ateach of the gates, and the courts were filled with troops. The bray ofthe trumpet echoed within the close, where rounds were set for thearchers, and martial music resounded within the area of the cloisters. Over the great north-eastern gateway, which formed the chief entrance tothe abbot's lodging, floated the royal banner. Despite these warlikeproceedings the fair abbey smiled beneath the sun, in all, or more thanall, its pristine beauty, its green hills sloping gently down towardsit, and the clear and sparkling Calder dashing merrily over the stonesat its base. 

But upon the bridge, and by the river side, and within the littlevillage, many persons were assembled, conversing gravely and anxiouslytogether, and looking out towards the hills, where other groups weregathered, as if in expectation of some afflicting event. Most of thesewere herdsmen and farming men, but some among them were poor monks inthe white habits of the Cistertian brotherhood, but which were nowstained and threadbare, while their countenances bore traces of severestprivation and suffering. All the herdsmen and farmers had been retainersof the abbot. The poor monks looked wistfully at their formerhabitation, but replied not except by a gentle bowing of the head to thecruel scoffs and taunts with which they were greeted by the passingsoldiers; but the sturdy rustics did not bear these outrages so tamely, and more than one brawl ensued, in which blood flowed, while a ruffianlyarquebussier would have been drowned in the Calder but for the exertionsto save him of a monk whom he had attacked. 

This took place on the eleventh of March, 1537--more than three monthsafter the date of the watching by the beacon before recorded--and theevent anticipated by the concourse without the abbey, as well as bythose within its walls, was the arrival of Abbot Paslew and FathersEastgate and Haydocke, who were to be brought on that day fromLancaster, and executed on the following morning before the abbey, according to sentence passed upon them. 

The gloomiest object in the picture remains to be described, but yet itis necessary to its completion. This was a gallows of unusual form andheight, erected on the summit of a gentle hill, rising immediately infront of the abbot's lodgings, called the Holehouses, whose rounded, bosomy beauty it completely destroyed. This terrible apparatus ofcondign punishment was regarded with abhorrence by the rustics, and itrequired a strong guard to be kept constantly round it to preserve itfrom demolition. 

Amongst a group of rustics collected on the road leading to thenorth-east gateway, was Cuthbert Ashbead, who having been deprived ofhis forester's office, was now habited in a frieze doublet and hose witha short camlet cloak on his shoulder, and a fox-skin cap, embellishedwith the grinning jaws of the beast on his head. 

"Eigh, Ruchot o' Roaph's, " he observed to a bystander, "that's a fearfosect that gallas. Yoan been up to t' Holehouses to tey a look at it, beloike?"

"Naw, naw, ey dunna loike such sects, " replied Ruchot o' Roaph's;"besoide there wor a great rabblement at t' geate, an one o' them lunjusarcher chaps knockt meh o' t' nob wi' his poike, an towd me he'd hong mewi' t' abbut, if ey didna keep owt ot wey. "

"An sarve te reet too, theaw craddinly carl!" cried Ashbead, doublinghis horny fists. "Odds flesh! whey didna yo ha' a tussle wi' him? Meyhonts are itchen for a bowt wi' t' heretic robbers. Walladey! walladey!that we should live to see t' oly feythers driven loike hummobees owt o't' owd neest. Whey they sayn ot King Harry hon decreet ot we're to ha'naw more monks or friars i' aw Englondshiar. Ony think o' that. An dunnayo knoa that t' Abbuts o' Jervaux an Salley wor hongt o' Tizeday atLoncaster Castle?"

"Good lorjus bless us!" exclaimed a sturdy hind, "we'n a protty king. Furst he chops off his woife's heaod, an then hongs aw t' priests. Whot'll t' warlt cum 'to?

"Eigh by t' mess, whot _win_ it cum to?" cried Ruchot o' Roaph's. "Butwe darrna oppen owr mows fo' fear o' a gog. "

"Naw, beleady! boh eyst oppen moine woide enuff, " cried Ashbead; "an' ifa dozen o' yo chaps win join me, eyn try to set t' poor abbut free whonthey brinks him here. "

"Ey'd as leef boide till to-morrow, " said Ruchot o'Roaph's, uneasily. 

"Eigh, thou'rt a timmersome teyke, os ey towd te efore, " repliedAshbead. "But whot dust theaw say, Hal o' Nabs?" he added, to the sturdyhind who had recently spoken. 

"Ey'n spill t' last drop o' meh blood i' t' owd abbut's keawse, " repliedHal o' Nabs. "We winna stond by, an see him hongt loike a dog. AbbutPaslew to t' reskew, lads!"

"Eigh, Abbut Paslew to t' reskew!" responded all the others, exceptRuchot o' Roaph's. 

"This must be prevented, " muttered a voice near them. And immediatelyafterwards a tall man quitted the group. 

"Whoa wor it spoake?" cried Hal o' Nabs. "Oh, ey seen, that he-witch, Nick Demdike. "

"Nick Demdike here!" cried Ashbead, looking round in alarm. "Has heowerheert us?"

"Loike enow, " replied Hal o' Nabs. "But ey didna moind him efore. "

"Naw ey noather, " cried Ruchot o' Roaph's, crossing himself, andspitting on the ground. "Owr Leady o' Whalley shielt us fro' t'warlock!"

"Tawkin o' Nick Demdike, " cried Hal o' Nabs, "yo'd a strawnge odventerwi' him t' neet o' t' great brast o' Pendle Hill, hadna yo, Cuthbert?"

"Yeigh, t' firrups tak' him, ey hadn, " replied Ashbead. "Theawst hear awabowt it if t' will. Ey wur sent be t' abbut down t' hill to Owen o'Gab's, o' Perkin's, o' Dannel's, o' Noll's, o' Oamfrey's orchert i'Warston lone, to luk efter him. Weel, whon ey gets ower t' stoan wa', whot dun yo think ey sees! twanty or throtty poikemen stonding behintit, an they deshes at meh os thick os leet, an efore ey con roor oot, they blintfowlt meh, an clap an iron gog i' meh mouth. Weel, I connoather speak nor see, boh ey con use meh feet, soh ey punses at 'emreet an' laft; an be mah troath, lads, yood'n a leawght t' hear how theyroart, an ey should a roart too, if I couldn, whon they began to thwackme wi' their raddling pows, and ding'd meh so abowt t' heoad, that eyfell i' a swownd. Whon ey cum to, ey wur loyin o' meh back i' RimingtonMoor. Every booan i' meh hoide wratcht, an meh hewr war clottert wi'gore, boh t' eebond an t' gog wur gone, soh ey gets o' meh feet, anddaddles along os weel os ey con, whon aw ot wunce ey spies a leetglenting efore meh, an dawncing abowt loike an awf or a wull-o'-whisp. Thinks ey, that's Friar Rush an' his lantern, an he'll lead me into aquagmire, soh ey stops a bit, to consider where ey'd getten, for eydidna knoa t' reet road exactly; boh whon ey stood still, t' leet stoodstill too, on then ey meyd owt that it cum fro an owd ruint tower, anwhot ey'd fancied wur one lantern proved twanty, fo' whon ey reacht t'tower an peept in thro' a brok'n winda, ey beheld a seet ey'st neerforgit--apack o' witches--eigh, witches!--sittin' in a ring, wi' theirbroomsticks an lanterns abowt em!"

"Good lorjus deys!" cried Hal o' Nabs. "An whot else didsta see, mon?"

"Whoy, " replied Ashbead, "t'owd hags had a little figure i' t' midst on'em, mowded i' cley, representing t' abbut o' Whalley, --ey knoad it be'tmoitre and crosier, --an efter each o' t' varment had stickt a pin i' its'eart, a tall black mon stepped for'ard, an teed a cord rownd itsthrottle, an hongt it up. "

"An' t' black mon, " cried Hal o' Nabs, breathlessly, --"t' black mon wurNick Demdike?"

"Yoan guest it, " replied Ashbead, "'t wur he! Ey wur so glopp'nt, eycouldna speak, an' meh blud fruz i' meh veins, when ey heerd a fearfovoice ask Nick wheere his woife an' chilt were. 'The infant isunbaptised, ' roart t' voice, 'at the next meeting it must be sacrificed. See that thou bring it. ' Demdike then bowed to Summat I couldna see; anaxt when t' next meeting wur to be held. 'On the night of AbbotPaslew's execution, ' awnsert t' voice. On hearing this, ey could bearnah lunger, boh shouted out, 'Witches! devils! Lort deliver us fro' ye!'An' os ey spoke, ey tried t' barst thro' t' winda. In a trice, aw t'leets went out; thar wur a great rash to t' dooer; a whirrin sound i'th' air loike a covey o' partriches fleeing off; and then ey heerd nowtmore; for a great stoan fell o' meh scoance, an' knockt me downsenseless. When I cum' to, I wur i' Nick Demdike's cottage, wi' hiswoife watching ower me, and th' unbapteesed chilt i' her arms. "

All exclamations of wonder on the part of the rustics, and inquiries asto the issue of the adventure, were checked by the approach of a monk, who, joining the assemblage, called their attention to a priestly trainslowly advancing along the road. 

"It is headed, " he said, "by Fathers Chatburne and Chester, late bursersof the abbey. Alack! alack! they now need the charity themselves whichthey once so lavishly bestowed on others. "

"Waes me!" ejaculated Ashbead. "Monry a broad merk han ey getten fro'em. "

"They'n been koind to us aw, " added the others. 

"Next come Father Burnley, granger, and Father Haworth, cellarer, "pursued the monk; "and after them Father Dinkley, sacristan, and FatherMoore, porter. "

"Yo remember Feyther Moore, lads, " cried Ashbead. 

"Yeigh, to be sure we done, " replied the others; "a good mon, a reetgood mon! He never sent away t' poor--naw he!"

"After Father Moore, " said the monk, pleased with their warmth, "comesFather Forrest, the procurator, with Fathers Rede, Clough, and Bancroft, and the procession is closed by Father Smith, the late prior. "

"Down o' yer whirlybooans, lads, as t' oly feythers pass, " criedAshbead, "and crave their blessing. "

And as the priestly train slowly approached, with heads bowed down, andlooks fixed sadly upon the ground, the rustic assemblage fell upon theirknees, and implored their benediction. The foremost in the processionpassed on in silence, but the prior stopped, and extending his handsover the kneeling group, cried in a solemn voice, "Heaven bless ye, my children! Ye are about to witness a sad spectacle. You will see him who hath clothed you, fed you, and taught you the wayto heaven, brought hither a prisoner, to suffer a shameful death. "

"Boh we'st set him free, oly prior, " cried Ashbead. "We'n meayed up ourmoinds to 't. Yo just wait till he cums. "

"Nay, I command you to desist from the attempt, if any such youmeditate, " rejoined the prior; "it will avail nothing, and you willonly sacrifice your own lives. Our enemies are too strong. The abbothimself would give you like counsel. "

Scarcely were the words uttered than from the great gate of the abbeythere issued a dozen arquebussiers with an officer at their head, whomarched directly towards the kneeling hinds, evidently with theintention of dispersing them. Behind them strode Nicholas Demdike. In aninstant the alarmed rustics were on their feet, and Ruchot o' Roaph's, and some few among them, took to their heels, but Ashbead, Hal o' Nabs, with half a dozen others, stood their ground manfully. The monksremained in the hope of preventing any violence. Presently thehalberdiers came up. 

"That is the ringleader, " cried the officer, who proved to be RichardAssheton, pointing out Ashbead; "seize him!"

"Naw mon shall lay honts o' meh, " cried Cuthbert. 

And as the guard pushed past the monks to execute their leader's order, he sprang forward, and, wresting a halbert from the foremost of them, stood upon his defence. 

"Seize him, I say!" shouted Assheton, irritated at the resistanceoffered. 

"Keep off, " cried Ashbead; "yo'd best. Loike a stag at bey ey'mdawngerous. Waar horns! waar horns! ey sey. "

The arquebussiers looked irresolute. It was evident Ashbead would onlybe taken with life, and they were not sure that it was their leader'spurpose to destroy him. 

"Put down thy weapon, Cuthbert, " interposed the prior; "it will availthee nothing against odds like these. "

"Mey be, 'oly prior, " rejoined Ashbead, flourishing the pike: "boh ey'stony yield wi' loife. "

"I will disarm him, " cried Demdike, stepping forward. 

"Theaw!" retorted Ashbead, with a scornful laugh, "Cum on, then. Hadstaaw t' fiends i' hell at te back, ey shouldna fear thee. "

"Yield!" cried Demdike in a voice of thunder, and fixing a terribleglance upon him. 

"Cum on, wizard, " rejoined Ashbead undauntedly. But, observing that hisopponent was wholly unarmed, he gave the pike to Hal o' Nabs, who wasclose beside him, observing, "It shall never be said that CuthbertAshbead feawt t' dule himsel unfairly. Nah, touch me if theaw dar'st. "

Demdike required no further provocation. With almost supernatural forceand quickness he sprung upon the forester, and seized him by the throat. But the active young man freed himself from the gripe, and closed withhis assailant. But though of Herculean build, it soon became evidentthat Ashbead would have the worst of it; when Hal o' Nabs, who hadwatched the struggle with intense interest, could not help coming to hisfriend's assistance, and made a push at Demdike with the halbert. 

Could it be that the wrestlers shifted their position, or that thewizard was indeed aided by the powers of darkness? None could tell, butso it was that the pike pierced the side of Ashbead, who instantly fellto the ground, with his adversary upon him. The next instant his holdrelaxed, and the wizard sprang to his feet unharmed, but deluged inblood. Hal o' Nabs uttered a cry of keenest anguish, and, flinginghimself upon the body of the forester, tried to staunch the wound; buthe was quickly seized by the arquebussiers, and his hands tied behindhis back with a thong, while Ashbead was lifted up and borne towards theabbey, the monks and rustics following slowly after; but the latter werenot permitted to enter the gate. 

As the unfortunate keeper, who by this time had become insensible fromloss of blood, was carried along the walled enclosure leading to theabbot's lodging, a female with a child in her arms was seen advancingfrom the opposite side. She was tall, finely formed, with features ofremarkable beauty, though of a masculine and somewhat savage character, and with magnificent but fierce black eyes. Her skin was dark, and herhair raven black, contrasting strongly with the red band wound aroundit. Her kirtle was of murrey-coloured serge; simply, but becominglyfashioned. A glance sufficed to show her how matters stood with poorAshbead, and, uttering a sharp angry cry, she rushed towards him. 

"What have you done?" she cried, fixing a keen reproachful look onDemdike, who walked beside the wounded man. 

"Nothing, " replied Demdike with a bitter laugh; "the fool has been hurtwith a pike. Stand out of the way, Bess, and let the men pass. They areabout to carry him to the cell under the chapter-house. "

"You shall not take him there, " cried Bess Demdike, fiercely. "He mayrecover if his wound be dressed. Let him go to the infirmary--ha, Iforgot--there is no one there now. "

"Father Bancroft is at the gate, " observed one of the arquebussiers; "heused to act as chirurgeon in the abbey. "

"No monk must enter the gate except the prisoners when they arrive, "observed Assheton; "such are the positive orders of the Earl of Derby. "

"It is not needed, " observed Demdike, "no human aid can save the man. "

"But can other aid save him?" said Bess, breathing the words in herhusband's ears. 

"Go to!" cried Demdike, pushing her roughly aside; "wouldst have me savethy lover?"

"Take heed, " said Bess, in a deep whisper; "if thou save him not, by thedevil thou servest! thou shalt lose me and thy child. "

Demdike did not think proper to contest the point, but, approachingAssheton, requested that the wounded man might be conveyed to an archedrecess, which he pointed out. Assent being given, Ashbead was takenthere, and placed upon the ground, after which the arquebussiers andtheir leader marched off; while Bess, kneeling down, supported the headof the wounded man upon her knee, and Demdike, taking a small phial fromhis doublet, poured some of its contents clown his throat. The wizardthen took a fold of linen, with which he was likewise provided, and, dipping it in the elixir, applied it to the wound. 

In a few moments Ashbead opened his eyes, and looking round wildly, fixed his gaze upon Bess, who placed her finger upon her lips to enjoinsilence, but he could not, or would not, understand the sign. 

"Aw's o'er wi' meh, Bess, " he groaned; "but ey'd reyther dee thus, wi'thee besoide meh, than i' ony other wey. "

"Hush!" exclaimed Bess, "Nicholas is here. "

"Oh! ey see, " replied the wounded man, looking round; "but whot mattersit? Ey'st be gone soon. Ah, Bess, dear lass, if theawdst promise tobreak thy compact wi' Satan--to repent and save thy precious sowl--eyshould dee content. "

"Oh, do not talk thus!" cried Bess. "You will soon be well again. "

"Listen to me, " continued Ashbead, earnestly; "dust na knoa that if thybabe be na bapteesed efore to-morrow neet, it'll be sacrificed to t'Prince o' Darkness. Go to some o' t' oly feythers--confess thy sins an'implore heaven's forgiveness--an' mayhap they'll save thee an' thyinfant. "

"And be burned as a witch, " rejoined Bess, fiercely. "It is useless, Cuthbert; I have tried them all. I have knelt to them, implored them, but their hearts are hard as flints. They will not heed me. They willnot disobey the abbot's cruel injunctions, though he be their superiorno longer. But I shall be avenged upon him--terribly avenged. "

"Leave meh, theaw wicked woman. " cried Ashbead; "ey dunna wish to ha'thee near meh. Let meh dee i' peace. "

"Thou wilt not die, I tell thee, Cuthbert, " cried Bess; "Nicholas hathstaunched thy wound. "

"He stawncht it, seyst to?" cried Ashbead, raising. "Ey'st never owe mehloife to him. "

And before he could be prevented he tore off the bandage, and the bloodburst forth anew. 

"It is not my fault if he perishes now, " observed Demdike, moodily. 

"Help him--help him!" implored Bess. 

"He shanna touch meh, " cried Ashbead, struggling and increasing theeffusion. "Keep him off, ey adjure thee. Farewell, Bess, " he added, sinking back utterly exhausted by the effort. 

"Cuthbert!" screamed Bess, terrified by his looks, "Cuthbert! art thoureally dying? Look at me, speak to me! Ha!" she cried, as if seized by asudden idea, "they say the blessing of a dying man will avail. Bless mychild, Cuthbert, bless it!"

"Give it me!" groaned the forester. 

Bess held the infant towards him; but before he could place his handsupon it all power forsook him, and he fell back and expired. 

"Lost! lost! for ever lost!" cried Bess, with a wild shriek. 

At this moment a loud blast was blown from the gate-tower, and atrumpeter called out, "The abbot and the two other prisoners are coming. "

"To thy feet, wench!" cried Demdike, imperiously, and seizing thebewildered woman by the arm; "to thy feet, and come with me to meethim!"

CHAPTER IV. --THE MALEDICTION. 

The captive ecclesiastics, together with the strong escort by which theywere attended, under the command of John Braddyll, the high sheriff ofthe county, had passed the previous night at Whitewell, in BowlandForest; and the abbot, before setting out on his final journey, waspermitted to spend an hour in prayer in a little chapel on an adjoininghill, overlooking a most picturesque portion of the forest, the beautiesof which were enhanced by the windings of the Hodder, one of theloveliest streams in Lancashire. His devotions performed, Paslew, attended by a guard, slowly descended the hill, and gazed his last onscenes familiar to him almost from infancy. Noble trees, which nowlooked like old friends, to whom he was bidding an eternal adieu, stoodaround him. Beneath them, at the end of a glade, couched a herd of deer, which started off at sight of the intruders, and made him envy theirfreedom and fleetness as he followed them in thought to their solitudes. At the foot of a steep rock ran the Hodder, making the pleasant music ofother days as it dashed over its pebbly bed, and recalling times, when, free from all care, he had strayed by its wood-fringed banks, to listento the pleasant sound of running waters, and watch the shining pebblesbeneath them, and the swift trout and dainty umber glancing past. 

A bitter pang was it to part with scenes so fair, and the abbot spoke noword, nor even looked up, until, passing Little Mitton, he came in sightof Whalley Abbey. Then, collecting all his energies, he prepared for theshock he was about to endure. But nerved as he was, his firmness wassorely tried when he beheld the stately pile, once his own, now gonefrom him and his for ever. He gave one fond glance towards it, and thenpainfully averting his gaze, recited, in a low voice, thissupplication:--

 "_Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate meâ, et à peccato meo munda me. _"

But other thoughts and other emotions crowded upon him, when he beheldthe groups of his old retainers advancing to meet him: men, women, andchildren pouring forth loud lamentations, prostrating themselves at hisfeet, and deploring his doom. The abbot's fortitude had a severe trialhere, and the tears sprung to his eyes. The devotion of these poorpeople touched him more sharply than the severity of his adversaries. 

"Bless ye! bless ye! my children, " he cried; "repine not for me, for Ibear my cross with resignation. It is for me to bewail your lot, muchfearing that the flock I have so long and so zealously tended will fallinto the hands of other and less heedful pastors, or, still worse, ofdevouring wolves. Bless ye, my children, and be comforted. Think of theend of Abbot Paslew, and for what he suffered. "

"Think that he was a traitor to the king, and took up arms in rebellionagainst him, " cried the sheriff, riding up, and speaking in a loudvoice; "and that for his heinous offences he was justly condemned todeath. "

Murmurs arose at this speech, but they were instantly checked by theescort. 

"Think charitably of me, my children, " said the abbot; "and the blessedVirgin keep you steadfast in your faith. Benedicite!"

"Be silent, traitor, I command thee, " cried the sheriff, striking himwith his gauntlet in the face. 

The abbot's pale check burnt crimson, and his eye flashed fire, but hecontrolled himself, and answered meekly, --

"Thou didst not speak in such wise, John Braddyll, when I saved theefrom the flood. "

"Which flood thou thyself caused to burst forth by devilish arts, "rejoined the sheriff. "I owe thee little for the service. If for naughtelse, thou deservest death for thy evil doings on that night. "

The abbot made no reply, for Braddyll's allusion conjured up a sombretrain of thought within his breast, awakening apprehensions which hecould neither account for, nor shake off. Meanwhile, the cavalcadeslowly approached the north-east gateway of the abbey--passing throughcrowds of kneeling and sorrowing bystanders;--but so deeply was theabbot engrossed by the one dread idea that possessed him, that he sawthem not, and scarce heard their woful lamentations. All at once thecavalcade stopped, and the sheriff rode on to the gate, in the openingof which some ceremony was observed. Then it was that Paslew raised hiseyes, and beheld standing before him a tall man, with a woman beside himbearing an infant in her arms. The eyes of the pair were fixed upon himwith vindictive exultation. He would have averted his gaze, but anirresistible fascination withheld him. 

"Thou seest all is prepared, " said Demdike, coming close up the mule onwhich Paslew was mounted, and pointing to the gigantic gallows, loomingabove the abbey walls; "wilt them now accede to my request?" And then headded, significantly--"on the same terms as before. "

The abbot understood his meaning well. Life and freedom were offered himby a being, whose power to accomplish his promise he did not doubt. Thestruggle was hard; but he resisted the temptation, and answeredfirmly, --

"No. "

"Then die the felon death thou meritest, " cried Bess, fiercely; "and Iwill glut mine eyes with the spectacle. "

Incensed beyond endurance, the abbot looked sternly at her, and raisedhis hand in denunciation. The action and the look were so appalling, that the affrighted woman would have fled if her husband had notrestrained her. 

"By the holy patriarchs and prophets; by the prelates and confessors; bythe doctors of the church; by the holy abbots, monks, and eremites, whodwelt in solitudes, in mountains, and in caverns; by the holy saints andmartyrs, who suffered torture and death for their faith, I curse thee, witch!" cried Paslew. "May the malediction of Heaven and all its hostsalight on the head of thy infant--"

"Oh! holy abbot, " shrieked Bess, breaking from her husband, and flingingherself at Paslew's feet, "curse me, if thou wilt, but spare my innocentchild. Save it, and we will save thee. "

"Avoid thee, wretched and impious woman, " rejoined the abbot; "I havepronounced the dread anathema, and it cannot be recalled. Look at thedripping garments of thy child. In blood has it been baptised, andthrough blood-stained paths shall its course be taken. "

"Ha!" shrieked Bess, noticing for the first time the ensanguinedcondition of the infant's attire. "Cuthbert's blood--oh!"

"Listen to me, wicked woman, " pursued the abbot, as if filled with aprophetic spirit. "Thy child's life shall be long--beyond the ordinaryterm of woman--but it shall be a life of woe and ill. "

"Oh! stay him--stay him; or I shall die!" cried Bess. 

But the wizard could not speak. A greater power than his own apparentlyovermastered him. 

"Children shall she have, " continued the abbot, "and children'schildren, but they shall be a race doomed and accursed--a brood ofadders, that the world shall flee from and crush. A thing accursed, andshunned by her fellows, shall thy daughter be--evil reputed and evildoing. No hand to help her--no lip to bless her--life a burden; anddeath--long, long in coming--finding her in a dismal dungeon. Now, depart from me, and trouble me no more. "

Bess made a motion as if she would go, and then turning, partly round, dropped heavily on the ground. Demdike caught the child ere she fell. 

"Thou hast killed her!" he cried to the abbot. 

"A stronger voice than mine hath spoken, if it be so, " rejoined Paslew. "_Fuge miserrime, fuge malefice, quia judex adest iratus_. "

At this moment the trumpet again sounded, and the cavalcade being put inmotion, the abbot and his fellow-captives passed through the gate. 

Dismounting from their mules within the court, before the chapter-house, the captive ecclesiastics, preceded by the sheriff were led to theprincipal chamber of the structure, where the Earl of Derby awaitedthem, seated in the Gothic carved oak chair, formerly occupied by theAbbots of Whalley on the occasions of conferences or elections. The earlwas surrounded by his officers, and the chamber was filled with armedmen. The abbot slowly advanced towards the earl. His deportment wasdignified and firm, even majestic. The exaltation of spirit, occasionedby the interview with Demdike and his wife, had passed away, and wassucceeded by a profound calm. The hue of his cheek was livid, butotherwise he seemed wholly unmoved. 

The ceremony of delivering up the bodies of the prisoners to the earlwas gone through by the sheriff, and their sentences were then readaloud by a clerk. After this the earl, who had hitherto remainedcovered, took off his cap, and in a solemn voice spoke:--

"John Paslew, somewhile Abbot of Whalley, but now an attainted andcondemned felon, and John Eastgate and William Haydocke, formerlybrethren of the same monastery, and confederates with him in crime, yehave heard your doom. To-morrow you shall die the ignominious death oftraitors; but the king in his mercy, having regard not so much to theheinous nature of your offences towards his sovereign majesty as to thesacred offices you once held, and of which you have been shamefullydeprived, is graciously pleased to remit that part of your sentence, whereby ye are condemned to be quartered alive, willing that the heartswhich conceived so much malice and violence against him should cease tobeat within your own bosoms, and that the arms which were raised inrebellion against him should be interred in one common grave with thetrunks to which they belong. "

"God save the high and puissant king, Henry the Eighth, and free himfrom all traitors!" cried the clerk. 

"We humbly thank his majesty for his clemency, " said the abbot, amid theprofound silence that ensued; "and I pray you, my good lord, when youshall write to the king concerning us, to say to his majesty that wedied penitent of many and grave offences, amongst the which is chieflythat of having taken up arms unlawfully against him, but that we did sosolely with the view of freeing his highness from evil counsellors, andof re-establishing our holy church, for the which we would willinglydie, if our death might in anywise profit it. "

"Amen!" exclaimed Father Eastgate, who stood with his hands crossed uponhis breast, close behind Paslew. "The abbot hath uttered my sentiments. "

"He hath not uttered mine, " cried Father Haydocke. "I ask no grace fromthe bloody Herodias, and will accept none. What I have done I would doagain, were the past to return--nay, I would do more--I would find a wayto reach the tyrant's heart, and thus free our church from its worstenemy, and the land from a ruthless oppressor. "

"Remove him, " said the earl; "the vile traitor shall be dealt with as hemerits. For you, " he added, as the order was obeyed, and addressing theother prisoners, "and especially you, John Paslew, who have shown somecompunction for your crimes, and to prove to you that the king is notthe ruthless tyrant he hath been just represented, I hereby in his namepromise you any boon, which you may ask consistently with yoursituation. What favour would you have shown you?"

The abbot reflected for a moment. 

"Speak thou, John Eastgate, " said the Earl of Derby, seeing that theabbot was occupied in thought. 

"If I may proffer a request, my lord, " replied the monk, "it is that ourpoor distraught brother, William Haydocke, be spared the quarteringblock. He meant not what he said. "

"Well, be it as thou wilt, " replied the earl, bending his brows, "thoughhe ill deserves such grace. Now, John Paslew, what wouldst thou?"

Thus addressed, the abbot looked up. 

"I would have made the same request as my brother, John Eastgate, if hehad not anticipated me, my lord, " said Paslew; "but since his petitionis granted, I would, on my own part, entreat that mass be said for us inthe convent church. Many of the brethren are without the abbey, and, ifpermitted, will assist at its performance. "

"I know not if I shall not incur the king's displeasure in assenting, "replied the Earl of Derby, after a little reflection; "but I will hazardit. Mass for the dead shall be said in the church at midnight, and allthe brethren who choose to come thither shall be permitted to assist atit. They will attend, I doubt not, for it will be the last time therites of the Romish Church will be performed in those Walls. They shallhave all required for the ceremonial. "

"Heaven's blessings on you, my lord, " said the abbot. 

"But first pledge me your sacred word, " said the earl, "by the holyoffice you once held, and by the saints in whom you trust, that thisconcession shall not be made the means of any attempt at flight. "

"I swear it, " replied the abbot, earnestly. 

"And I also swear it, " added Father Eastgate. 

"Enough, " said the earl. "I will give the requisite orders. Notice ofthe celebration of mass at midnight shall be proclaimed without theabbey. Now remove the prisoners. "

Upon this the captive ecclesiastics were led forth. Father Eastgate wastaken to a strong room in the lower part of the chapter-house, where allacts of discipline had been performed by the monks, and where theknotted lash, the spiked girdle, and the hair shirt had once hung; whilethe abbot was conveyed to his old chamber, which had been prepared forhis reception, and there left alone. 

CHAPTER V. --THE MIDNIGHT MASS. 

Dolefully sounds the All Souls' bell from the tower of the conventchurch. The bell is one of five, and has obtained the name because it istolled only for those about to pass away from life. Now it rings theknell of three souls to depart on the morrow. Brightly illumined is thefane, within which no taper hath gleamed since the old worship ceased, showing that preparations are made for the last service. The organ, dumbso long, breathes a low prelude. Sad is it to hear that knell--sad toview those gloriously-dyed panes--and to think why the one rings and theother is lighted up. 

Word having gone forth of the midnight mass, all the ejected brethrenflock to the abbey. Some have toiled through miry and scarce passableroads. Others have come down from the hills, and forded deep streams atthe hazard of life, rather than go round by the far-off bridge, andarrive too late. Others, who conceive themselves in peril from the sharethey have taken in the late insurrection, quit their secure retreats, and expose themselves to capture. It may be a snare laid for them, butthey run the risk. Others, coming from a yet greater distance, beholdingthe illuminated church from afar, and catching the sound of the belltolling at intervals, hurry on, and reach the gate breathless andwellnigh exhausted. But no questions are asked. All who presentthemselves in ecclesiastical habits are permitted to enter, and takepart in the procession forming in the cloister, or proceed at once tothe church, if they prefer it. 

Dolefully sounds the bell. Barefooted brethren meet together, sorrowfully salute each other, and form in a long line in the great areaof the cloisters. At their head are six monks bearing tall lightedcandles. After them come the quiristers, and then one carrying the Host, between the incense-bearers. Next comes a youth holding the bell. Nextare placed the dignitaries of the church, the prior ranking first, andthe others standing two and two according to their degrees. Near theentrance of the refectory, which occupies the whole south side of thequadrangle, stand a band of halberdiers, whose torches cast a ruddyglare on the opposite tower and buttresses of the convent church, revealing the statues not yet plucked from their niches, the crosses onthe pinnacles, and the gilt image of Saint Gregory de Northbury, stillholding its place over the porch. Another band are stationed near themouth of the vaulted passage, under the chapter-house and vestry, whosegrey, irregular walls, pierced by numberless richly ornamented windows, and surmounted by small turrets, form a beautiful boundary on the right;while a third party are planted on the left, in the open space, beneaththe dormitory, the torchlight flashing ruddily upon the hoary pillarsand groined arches sustaining the vast structure above them. 

Dolefully sounds the bell. And the ghostly procession thrice tracks thefour ambulatories of the cloisters, solemnly chanting a requiem for thedead. 

Dolefully sounds the bell. And at its summons all the old retainers ofthe abbot press to the gate, and sue for admittance, but in vain. They, therefore, mount the neighbouring hill commanding the abbey, and as thesolemn sounds float faintly by, and glimpses are caught of thewhite-robed brethren gliding along the cloisters, and renderedphantom-like by the torchlight, the beholders half imagine it must be acompany of sprites, and that the departed monks have been permitted foran hour to assume their old forms, and revisit their old haunts. 

Dolefully sounds the bell. And two biers, covered with palls, are borneslowly towards the church, followed by a tall monk. 

The clock was on the stroke of twelve. The procession having drawn upwithin the court in front of the abbot's lodging, the prisoners werebrought forth, and at sight of the abbot the whole of the monks fell ontheir knees. A touching sight was it to see those reverend men prostratebefore their ancient superior, --he condemned to die, and they deprivedof their monastic home, --and the officer had not the heart to interfere. Deeply affected, Paslew advanced to the prior, and raising him, affectionately embraced him. After this, he addressed some words ofcomfort to the others, who arose as he enjoined them, and at a signalfrom the officer, the procession set out for the church, singing the"_Placebo_. " The abbot and his fellow captives brought up the rear, witha guard on either side of them. All Souls' bell tolled dolefully thewhile. 

Meanwhile an officer entered the great hall, where the Earl of Derby wasfeasting with his retainers, and informed him that the hour appointedfor the ceremonial was close at hand. The earl arose and went to thechurch attended by Braddyll and Assheton. He entered by the westernporch, and, proceeding to the choir, seated himself in themagnificently-carved stall formerly used by Paslew, and placed where itstood, a hundred years before, by John Eccles, ninth abbot. 

Midnight struck. The great door of the church swung open, and the organpealed forth the "_De profundis_. " The aisles were filled with armedmen, but a clear space was left for the procession, which presentlyentered in the same order as before, and moved slowly along thetransept. Those who came first thought it a dream, so strange was it tofind themselves once again in the old accustomed church. The good priormelted into tears. 

At length the abbot came. To him the whole scene appeared like a vision. The lights streaming from the altar--the incense loading the air--thedeep diapasons rolling overhead--the well-known faces of thebrethren--the familiar aspect of the sacred edifice--all these filledhim with emotions too painful almost for endurance. It was the last timehe should visit this holy place--the last time he should hear thosesolemn sounds--the last time he should behold those familiarobjects--ay, the last! Death could have no pang like this! And withheart wellnigh bursting, and limbs scarcely serving their office, hetottered on. 

Another trial awaited him, and one for which he was wholly unprepared. As he drew near the chancel, he looked down an opening on the right, which seemed purposely preserved by the guard. Why were those tapersburning in the side chapel? What was within it? He looked again, andbeheld two uncovered biers. On one lay the body of a woman. He started. In the beautiful, but fierce features of the dead, he beheld the witch, Bess Demdike. She was gone to her account before him. The malediction hehad pronounced upon her child had killed her. 

Appalled, he turned to the other bier, and recognised Cuthbert Ashbead. He shuddered, but comforted himself that he was at least guiltless ofhis death; though he had a strange feeling that the poor forester had insome way perished for him. 

But his attention was diverted towards a tall monk in the Cistertianhabit, standing between the bodies, with the cowl drawn over his face. As Paslew gazed at him, the monk slowly raised his hood, and partiallydisclosed features that smote the abbot as if he had beheld a spectre. Could it be? Could fancy cheat him thus? He looked again. The monk wasstill standing there, but the cowl had dropped over his face. Strivingto shake off the horror that possessed him, the abbot staggered forward, and reaching the presbytery, sank upon his knees. 

The ceremonial then commenced. The solemn requiem was sung by the choir;and three yet living heard the hymn for the repose of their souls. Always deeply impressive, the service was unusually so on this sadoccasion, and the melodious voices of the singers never sounded somournfully sweet as then--the demeanour of the prior never seemed sodignified, nor his accents so touching and solemn. The sternest heartswere softened. 

But the abbot found it impossible to fix his attention on the service. The lights at the altar burnt dimly in his eyes--the loud antiphon andthe supplicatory prayer fell upon a listless ear. His whole life waspassing in review before him. He saw himself as he was when he firstprofessed his faith, and felt the zeal and holy aspirations that filledhim then. Years flew by at a glance, and he found himself sub-deacon;the sub-deacon became deacon; and the deacon, sub-prior, and the end ofhis ambition seemed plain before him. But he had a rival; his fears toldhim a superior in zeal and learning: one who, though many years youngerthan he, had risen so rapidly in favour with the ecclesiasticalauthorities, that he threatened to outstrip him, even now, when the goalwas full in view. The darkest passage of his life approached: a crimewhich should cast a deep shadow over the whole of his brilliantafter-career. He would have shunned its contemplation, if he could. Invain. It stood out more palpably than all the rest. His rival was nolonger in his path. How he was removed the abbot did not dare to think. But he was gone for ever, unless the tall monk were he!

Unable to endure this terrible retrospect, Paslew strove to bend histhoughts on other things. The choir was singing the "_Dies Iræ_, " andtheir voices thundered forth:--

 Rex tremendæ majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis!

Fain would the abbot have closed his ears, and, hoping to stifle theremorseful pangs that seized upon his very vitals with the sharpness ofserpents' teeth, he strove to dwell upon the frequent and severe acts ofpenance he had performed. But he now found that his penitence had neverbeen sincere and efficacious. This one damning sin obscured all his goodactions; and he felt if he died unconfessed, and with the weight ofguilt upon his soul, he should perish everlastingly. Again he fled fromthe torment of retrospection, and again heard the choir thunderingforth--

 Lacrymosa dies illa, Quâ resurget ex favillâ Judicandus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus! Pie Jesu Domine! Dona eis requiem. 

"Amen!" exclaimed the abbot. And bowing his head to the ground, heearnestly repeated--

 "Pie Jesu Domine! Dona eis requiem. "

Then he looked up, and resolved to ask for a confessor, and unburthenhis soul without delay. 

The offertory and post-communion were over; the "_requiescant inpace_"--awful words addressed to living ears--were pronounced; and themass was ended. 

All prepared to depart. The prior descended from the altar to embraceand take leave of the abbot; and at the same time the Earl of Derby camefrom the stall. 

"Has all been done to your satisfaction, John Paslew?" demanded theearl, as he drew near. 

"All, my good lord, " replied the abbot, lowly inclining his head; "and Ipray you think me not importunate, if I prefer one other request. Iwould fain have a confessor visit me, that I may lay bare my inmostheart to him, and receive absolution. "

"I have already anticipated the request, " replied the earl, "and haveprovided a priest for you. He shall attend you, within an hour, in yourown chamber. You will have ample time between this and daybreak, tosettle your accounts with Heaven, should they be ever so weighty. "

"I trust so, my lord, " replied Paslew; "but a whole life is scarcelylong enough for repentance, much less a few short hours. But in regardto the confessor, " he continued, filled with misgiving by the earl'smanner, "I should be glad to be shriven by Father Christopher Smith, late prior of the abbey. "

"It may not be, " replied the earl, sternly and decidedly. "You will findall you can require in him I shall send. "

The abbot sighed, seeing that remonstrance was useless. 

"One further question I would address to you, my lord, " he said, "andthat refers to the place of my interment. Beneath our feet lie buriedall my predecessors--Abbots of Whalley. Here lies John Eccles, for whomwas carved the stall in which your lordship hath sat, and from which Ihave been dethroned. Here rests the learned John Lyndelay, fifth abbot;and beside him his immediate predecessor, Robert de Topcliffe, who, twohundred and thirty years ago, on the festival of Saint Gregory, ourcanonised abbot, commenced the erection of the sacred edifice above us. At that epoch were here enshrined the remains of the saintly Gregory, and here were also brought the bodies of Helias de Workesley and John deBelfield, both prelates of piety and wisdom. You may read the nameswhere you stand, my lord. You may count the graves of all the abbots. They are sixteen in number. There is one grave yet unoccupied--one stoneyet unfurnished with an effigy in brass. "

"Well!" said the Earl of Derby. 

"When I sat in that stall, my lord, " pursued Paslew, pointing to theabbot's chair; "when I was head of this church, it was my thought torest here among my brother abbots. "

"You have forfeited the right, " replied the earl, sternly. "All theabbots, whose dust is crumbling beneath us, died in the odour ofsanctity; loyal to their sovereigns, and true to their country, whereasyou will die an attainted felon and rebel. You can have no place amongstthem. Concern not yourself further in the matter. I will find a fittinggrave for you, --perchance at the foot of the gallows. "

And, turning abruptly away, he gave the signal for general departure. 

Ere the clock in the church tower had tolled one, the lights wereextinguished, and of the priestly train who had recently thronged thefane, all were gone, like a troop of ghosts evoked at midnight bynecromantic skill, and then suddenly dismissed. Deep silence againbrooded in the aisles; hushed was the organ; mute the melodious choir. The only light penetrating the convent church proceeded from the moon, whose rays, shining through the painted windows, fell upon the graves ofthe old abbots in the presbytery, and on the two biers within theadjoining chapel, whose stark burthens they quickened into fearfulsemblance of life. 

CHAPTER VI. --TETER ET FORTIS CARCER. 

Left alone, and unable to pray, the abbot strove to dissipate hisagitation of spirit by walking to and fro within his chamber; and whilethus occupied, he was interrupted by a guard, who told him that thepriest sent by the Earl of Derby was without, and immediately afterwardsthe confessor was ushered in. It was the tall monk, who had beenstanding between the biers, and his features were still shrouded by hiscowl. At sight of him, Paslew sank upon a seat and buried his face inhis hands. The monk offered him no consolation, but waited in silencetill he should again look up. At last Paslew took courage and spoke. 

"Who, and what are you?" he demanded. 

"A brother of the same order as yourself, " replied the monk, in deep andthrilling accents, but without raising his hood; "and I am come to hearyour confession by command of the Earl of Derby. "

"Are you of this abbey?" asked Paslew, tremblingly. 

"I was, " replied the monk, in a stern tone; "but the monastery isdissolved, and all the brethren ejected. "

"Your name?" cried Paslew. 

"I am not come here to answer questions, but to hear a confession, "rejoined the monk. "Bethink you of the awful situation in which you areplaced, and that before many hours you must answer for the sins you havecommitted. You have yet time for repentance, if you delay it not. "

"You are right, father, " replied the abbot. "Be seated, I pray you, andlisten to me, for I have much to tell. Thirty and one years ago I wasprior of this abbey. Up to that period my life had been blameless, or, if not wholly free from fault, I had little wherewith to reproachmyself--little to fear from a merciful judge--unless it were that Iindulged too strongly the desire of ruling absolutely in the house inwhich I was then only second. But Satan had laid a snare for me, intowhich I blindly fell. Among the brethren was one named Borlace Alvetham, a young man of rare attainment, and singular skill in the occultsciences. He had risen in favour, and at the time I speak of was electedsub-prior. "

"Go on, " said the monk. 

"It began to be whispered about within the abbey, " pursued Paslew, "thaton the death of William Rede, then abbot, Borlace Alvetham would succeedhim, and then it was that bitter feelings of animosity were awakened inmy breast against the sub-prior, and, after many struggles, I resolvedupon his destruction. "

"A wicked resolution, " cried the monk; "but proceed. "

"I pondered over the means of accomplishing my purpose, " resumed Paslew, "and at last decided upon accusing Alvetham of sorcery and magicalpractices. The accusation was easy, for the occult studies in which heindulged laid him open to the charge. He occupied a chamber overlookingthe Calder, and used to break the monastic rules by wandering forth atnight upon the hills. When he was absent thus one night, accompanied byothers of the brethren, I visited his chamber, and examined his papers, some of which were covered with mystical figures and cabalisticcharacters. These papers I seized, and a watch was set to make prisonerof Alvetham on his return. Before dawn he appeared, and was instantlysecured, and placed in close confinement. On the next day he was broughtbefore the assembled conclave in the chapter-house, and examined. Hisdefence was unavailing. I charged him with the terrible crime ofwitchcraft, and he was found guilty. "

A hollow groan broke from the monk, but he offered no otherinterruption. 

"He was condemned to die a fearful and lingering death, " pursued theabbot; "and it devolved upon me to see the sentence carried out. "

"And no pity for the innocent moved you?" cried the monk. "You had nocompunction?"

"None, " replied the abbot; "I rather rejoiced in the successfulaccomplishment of my scheme. The prey was fairly in my toils, and Iwould give him no chance of escape. Not to bring scandal upon theabbey, it was decided that Alvetham's punishment should be secret. "

"A wise resolve, " observed the monk. 

"Within the thickness of the dormitory walls is contrived a smallsingularly-formed dungeon, " continued the abbot. "It consists of anarched cell, just large enough to hold the body of a captive, and permithim to stretch himself upon a straw pallet. A narrow staircase mountsupwards to a grated aperture in one of the buttresses to admit air andlight. Other opening is there none. '_Teter et fortis carcer_' is thisdungeon styled in our monastic rolls, and it is well described, for itis black and strong enough. Food is admitted to the miserable inmate ofthe cell by means of a revolving stone, but no interchange of speech canbe held with those without. A large stone is removed from the wall toadmit the prisoner, and once immured, the masonry is mortised, and madesolid as before. The wretched captive does not long survive his doom, orit may be he lives too long, for death must be a release from suchprotracted misery. In this dark cell one of the evil-minded brethren, who essayed to stab the Abbot of Kirkstall in the chapter-house, wasthrust, and ere a year was over, the provisions were untouched--and theman being known to be dead, they were stayed. His skeleton was foundwithin the cell when it was opened to admit Borlace Alvetham. "

"Poor captive!" groaned the monk. 

"Ay, poor captive!" echoed Paslew. "Mine eyes have often striven topierce those stone walls, and see him lying there in that narrowchamber, or forcing his way upwards, to catch a glimpse of the blue skyabove him. When I have seen the swallows settle on the old buttress, orthe thin grass growing between the stones waving there, I have thoughtof him. "

"Go on, " said the monk. 

"I scarce can proceed, " rejoined Paslew. "Little time was allowedAlvetham for preparation. That very night the fearful sentence wascarried out. The stone was removed, and a new pallet placed in the cell. At midnight the prisoner was brought to the dormitory, the brethrenchanting a doleful hymn. There he stood amidst them, his tall formtowering above the rest, and his features pale as death. He protestedhis innocence, but he exhibited no fear, even when he saw the terriblepreparations. When all was ready he was led to the breach. At that awfulmoment, his eye met mine, and I shall never forget the look. I mighthave saved him if I had spoken, but I would not speak. I turned away, and he was thrust into the breach. A fearful cry then rang in my ears, but it was instantly drowned by the mallets of the masons employed tofasten up the stone. "

There was a pause for a few moments, broken only by the sobs of theabbot. At length, the monk spoke. 

"And the prisoner perished in the cell?" he demanded in a hollow voice. 

"I thought so till to-night, " replied the abbot. "But if he escaped it, it must have been by miracle; or by aid of those powers with whom he wascharged with holding commerce. "

"He did escape!" thundered the monk, throwing back his hood. "Look up, John Paslew. Look up, false abbot, and recognise thy victim. "

"Borlace Alvetham!" cried the abbot. "Is it, indeed, you?"

"You see, and can you doubt?" replied the other. "But you shall now hearhow I avoided the terrible death to which you procured my condemnation. You shall now learn how I am here to repay the wrong you did me. We havechanged places, John Paslew, since the night when I was thrust into thecell, never, as you hoped, to come forth. You are now the criminal, andI the witness of the punishment. "

"Forgive me! oh, forgive me! Borlace Alvetham, since you are, indeed, he!" cried the abbot, falling on his knees. 

"Arise, John Paslew!" cried the other, sternly. "Arise, and listen tome. For the damning offences into which I have been led, I hold youresponsible. But for you I might have died free from sin. It is fit youshould know the amount of my iniquity. Give ear to me, I say. When firstshut within that dungeon, I yielded to the promptings of despair. Cursing you, I threw myself upon the pallet, resolved to taste no food, and hoping death would soon release me. But love of life prevailed. Onthe second day I took the bread and water allotted me, and ate anddrank; after which I scaled the narrow staircase, and gazed through thethin barred loophole at the bright blue sky above, sometimes catchingthe shadow of a bird as it flew past. Oh, how I yearned for freedomthen! Oh, how I wished to break through the stone walls that held mefast! Oh, what a weight of despair crushed my heart as I crept back tomy narrow bed! The cell seemed like a grave, and indeed it was littlebetter. Horrible thoughts possessed me. What if I should be wilfullyforgotten? What if no food should be given me, and I should be left toperish by the slow pangs of hunger? At this idea I shrieked aloud, butthe walls alone returned a dull echo to my cries. I beat my handsagainst the stones, till the blood flowed from them, but no answer wasreturned; and at last I desisted from sheer exhaustion. Day after day, and night after night, passed in this way. My food regularly came. But Ibecame maddened by solitude; and with terrible imprecations invoked aidfrom the powers of darkness to set me free. One night, while thusemployed, I was startled by a mocking voice which said, "'All this fury is needless. Thou hast only to wish for me, and I come. '

[Illustration: ALVETHAM AND JOHN PASLEW. ]

"It was profoundly dark. I could see nothing but a pair of red orbs, glowing like flaming carbuncles. 

"'Thou wouldst be free, ' continued the voice. 'Thou shalt be so. Arise, and follow me. '

"At this I felt myself grasped by an iron arm, against which allresistance would have been unavailing, even if I had dared to offer it, and in an instant I was dragged up the narrow steps. The stone wallopened before my unseen conductor, and in another moment we were uponthe roof of the dormitory. By the bright starbeams shooting down fromabove, I discerned a tall shadowy figure standing by my side. 

"'Thou art mine, ' he cried, in accents graven for ever on my memory;'but I am a generous master, and will give thee a long term of freedom. Thou shalt be avenged upon thine enemy--deeply avenged. '

"'Grant this, and I am thine, ' I replied, a spirit of infernal vengeancepossessing me. And I knelt before the fiend. 

"'But thou must tarry for awhile, ' he answered, 'for thine enemy's timewill be long in coming; but it _will_ come. I cannot work him immediateharm; but I will lead him to a height from which he will assuredly fallheadlong. Thou must depart from this place; for it is perilous to thee, and if thou stayest here, ill will befall thee. I will send a rat to thydungeon, which shall daily devour the provisions, so that the monksshall not know thou hast fled. In thirty and one years shall the abbot'sdoom be accomplished. Two years before that time thou mayst return. Thencome alone to Pendle Hill on a Friday night, and beat the water of themoss pool on the summit, and I will appear to thee and tell thee more. Nine and twenty years, remember!'

"With these words the shadowy figure melted away, and I found myselfstanding alone on the mossy roof of the dormitory. The cold stars wereshining down upon me, and I heard the howl of the watch-dogs near thegate. The fair abbey slept in beauty around me, and I gnashed my teethwith rage to think that you had made me an outcast from it, and robbedme of a dignity which might have been mine. I was wroth also that myvengeance should be so long delayed. But I could not remain where I was, so I clambered down the buttress, and fled away. "

"Can this be?" cried the abbot, who had listened in rapt wonderment tothe narration. "Two years after your immurement in the cell, the foodhaving been for some time untouched, the wall was opened, and upon thepallet was found a decayed carcase in mouldering, monkish vestments. "

"It was a body taken from the charnel, and placed there by the demon, "replied the monk. "Of my long wanderings in other lands and beneathbrighter skies I need not tell you; but neither absence nor lapse ofyears cooled my desire of vengeance, and when the appointed time drewnigh I returned to my own country, and came hither in a lowly garb, under the name of Nicholas Demdike. "

"Ha!" exclaimed the abbot. 

"I went to Pendle Hill, as directed, " pursued the monk, "and saw theDark Shape there as I beheld it on the dormitory roof. All things werethen told me, and I learnt how the late rebellion should rise, and howit should be crushed. I learnt also how my vengeance should besatisfied. "

Paslew groaned aloud. A brief pause ensued, and deep emotion marked theaccents of the wizard as he proceeded. 

"When I came back, all this part of Lancashire resounded with praises ofthe beauty of Bess Blackburn, a rustic lass who dwelt in Barrowford. Shewas called the Flower of Pendle, and inflamed all the youths with love, and all the maidens with jealousy. But she favoured none except CuthbertAshbead, forester to the Abbot of Whalley. Her mother would fain havegiven her to the forester in marriage, but Bess would not be disposed ofso easily. I saw her, and became at once enamoured. I thought my heartwas seared; but it was not so. The savage beauty of Bess pleased me morethan the most refined charms could have done, and her fierce characterharmonised with my own. How I won her matters not, but she cast off allthoughts of Ashbead, and clung to me. My wild life suited her; and sheroamed the wastes with me, scaled the hills in my company, and shranknot from the weird meetings I attended. Ill repute quickly attended her, and she became branded as a witch. Her aged mother closed her doors uponher, and those who would have gone miles to meet her, now avoided her. Bess heeded this little. She was of a nature to repay the world'scontumely with like scorn, but when her child was born the case becamedifferent. She wished to save it. Then it was, " pursued Demdike, vehemently, and regarding the abbot with flashing eyes--"then it wasthat I was again mortally injured by you. Then your ruthless decree tothe clergy went forth. My child was denied baptism, and became subjectto the fiend. "

"Alas! alas!" exclaimed Paslew. 

"And as if this were not injury enough, " thundered Demdike, "you havecalled down a withering and lasting curse upon its innocent head, andthrough it transfixed its mother's heart. If you had complied with thatpoor girl's request, I would have forgiven you your wrong to me, andhave saved you. "

There was a long, fearful silence. At last Demdike advanced to theabbot, and, seizing his arm, fixed his eyes upon him, as if to searchinto his soul. 

"Answer me, John Paslew!" he cried; "answer me, as you shall speedilyanswer your Maker. Can that malediction be recalled? Dare not to triflewith me, or I will tear forth your black heart, and cast it in yourface. Can that curse be recalled? Speak!"

"It cannot, " replied the abbot, half dead with terror. 

"Away, then!" thundered Demdike, casting him from him. "To thegallows!--to the gallows!" And he rushed out of the room. 

CHAPTER VII. --THE ABBEY MILL. 

For a while the abbot remained shattered and stupefied by this terribleinterview. At length he arose, and made his way, he scarce knew how, tothe oratory. But it was long before the tumult of his thoughts could beat all allayed, and he had only just regained something like composurewhen he was disturbed by hearing a slight sound in the adjoiningchamber. A mortal chill came over him, for he thought it might beDemdike returned. Presently, he distinguished a footstep stealthilyapproaching him, and almost hoped that the wizard would consummate hisvengeance by taking his life. But he was quickly undeceived, for a handwas placed on his shoulder, and a friendly voice whispered in his ears, "Cum along wi' meh, lort abbut. Get up, quick--quick!"

Thus addressed, the abbot raised his eyes, and beheld a rustic figurestanding beside him, divested of his clouted shoes, and armed with along bare wood-knife. 

"Dunna yo knoa me, lort abbut?" cried the person. "Ey'm a freent--Hal o'Nabs, o' Wiswall. Yo'n moind Wiswall, yeawr own birthplace, abbut? Dunnabe feert, ey sey. Ey'n getten a steigh clapt to yon windaw, an' you conbe down it i' a trice--an' along t' covert way be t' river soide to t'mill. "

But the abbot stirred not. 

"Quick! quick!" implored Hal o' Nabs, venturing to pluck the abbot'ssleeve. "Every minute's precious. Dunna be feert. Ebil Croft, t' miller, is below. Poor Cuthbert Ashbead would ha' been here i'stead o' meh if hecouldn; boh that accursed wizard, Nick Demdike, turned my hont agen him, an' drove t' poike head intended for himself into poor Cuthbert's side. They clapt meh i' a dungeon, boh Ebil monaged to get me out, an' ey thenswore to do whot poor Cuthbert would ha' done, if he'd been livin'--sohere ey am, lort abbut, cum to set yo free. An' neaw yo knoan aw abowtit, yo con ha nah more hesitation. Cum, time presses, an ey'm feert o't' guard owerhearing us. "

"I thank you, my good friend, from the bottom of my heart, " replied theabbot, rising; "but, however strong may be the temptation of life andliberty which you hold out to me, I cannot yield to it. I have pledgedmy word to the Earl of Derby to make no attempt to escape. Were thedoors thrown open, and the guard removed, I should remain where I am. "

"Whot!" exclaimed Hal o' Nabs, in a tone of bitter disappointment; "yowinnaw go, neaw aw's prepared. By th' Mess, boh yo shan. Ey'st nah goback to Ebil empty-handed. If yo'n sworn to stay here, ey'n sworn to setyo free, and ey'st keep meh oath. Willy nilly, yo shan go wi' meh, lortabbut!"

"Forbear to urge me further, my good Hal, " rejoined Paslew. "I fullyappreciate your devotion; and I only regret that you and Abel Croft haveexposed yourselves to so much peril on my account. Poor CuthbertAshbead! when I beheld his body on the bier, I had a sad feeling that hehad died in my behalf. "

"Cuthbert meant to rescue yo, lort abbut, " replied Hal, "and deedresisting Nick Demdike's attempt to arrest him. Boh, be aw t' devils!"he added, brandishing his knife fiercely, "t' warlock shall ha' threeinches o' cowd steel betwixt his ribs, t' furst time ey cum across him. "

"Peace, my son, " rejoined the abbot, "and forego your bloody design. Leave the wretched man to the chastisement of Heaven. And now, farewell!All your kindly efforts to induce me to fly are vain. "

"Yo winnaw go?" cried Hal o'Nabs, scratching his head. 

"I cannot, " replied the abbot. 

"Cum wi' meh to t' windaw, then, " pursued Hal, "and tell Ebil so. He'llthink ey'n failed else. "

"Willingly, " replied the abbot. 

And with noiseless footsteps he followed the other across the chamber. The window was open, and outside it was reared a ladder. 

"Yo mun go down a few steps, " said Hal o' Nabs, "or else he'll nah hearyo. "

The abbot complied, and partly descended the ladder. 

"I see no one, " he said. 

"T' neet's dark, " replied Hal o' Nabs, who was close behind him. "Ebilcanna be far off. Hist! ey hear him--go on. "

The abbot was now obliged to comply, though he did so with, reluctance. Presently he found himself upon the roof of a building, which he knew tobe connected with the mill by a covered passage running along the southbank of the Calder. Scarcely had he set foot there, than Hal o' Nabsjumped after him, and, seizing the ladder, cast it into the stream, thusrendering Paslew's return impossible. 

"Neaw, lort abbut, " he cried, with a low, exulting laugh, "yo hannabrok'n yor word, an ey'n kept moine. Yo're free agen your will. "

"You have destroyed me by your mistaken zeal, " cried the abbot, reproachfully. 

"Nowt o't sort, " replied Hal; "ey'n saved yo' fro' destruction. Thisway, lort abbut--this way. "

And taking Paslew's arm he led him to a low parapet, overlooking thecovered passage before described. Half an hour before it had been brightmoonlight, but, as if to favour the fugitive, the heavens had becomeovercast, and a thick mist had arisen from the river. 

"Ebil! Ebil!" cried Hal o' Nabs, leaning over the parapet. 

"Here, " replied a voice below. "Is aw reet? Is he wi' yo?"

"Yeigh, " replied Hal. 

"Whot han yo dun wi' t' steigh?" cried Ebil. 

"Never yo moind, " returned Hal, "boh help t' abbut down. "

Paslew thought it vain to resist further, and with the help of Hal o'Nabs and the miller, and further aided by some irregularities in thewall, he was soon safely landed near the entrance of the passage. Abelfell on his knees, and pressed the abbot's hand to his lips. 

"Owr Blessed Leady be praised, yo are free, " he cried. 

"Dunna stond tawking here, Ebil, " interposed Hal o' Nabs, who by thistime had reached the ground, and who was fearful of some newremonstrance on the abbot's part. "Ey'm feerd o' pursuit. "

"Yo' needna be afeerd o' that, Hal, " replied the miller. "T' guard aresafe enough. One o' owr chaps has just tuk em up a big black jack fu' o'stout ele; an ey warrant me they winnaw stir yet awhoile. Win it pleaseyo to cum wi' me, lort abbut?"

With this, he marched along the passage, followed by the others, andpresently arrived at a door, against which he tapped. A bolt beingwithdrawn, it was instantly opened to admit the party, after which itwas as quickly shut, and secured. In answer to a call from the miller, alight appeared at the top of a steep, ladder-like flight of woodensteps, and up these Paslew, at the entreaty of Abel, mounted, and foundhimself in a large, low chamber, the roof of which was crossed by greatbeams, covered thickly with cobwebs, whitened by flour, while the floorwas strewn with empty sacks and sieves. 

The person who held the light proved to be the miller's daughter, Dorothy, a blooming lass of eighteen, and at the other end of thechamber, seated on a bench before a turf fire, with an infant on herknees, was the miller's wife. The latter instantly arose on beholdingthe abbot, and, placing the child on a corn bin, advanced towards him, and dropped on her knees, while her daughter imitated her example. Theabbot extended his hands over them, and pronounced a solemn benediction. 

"Bring your child also to me, that I may bless it, " he said, when heconcluded. 

"It's nah my child, lort abbut, " replied the miller's wife, taking upthe infant and bringing it to him; "it wur brought to me this varry neetby Ebil. Ey wish it wur far enough, ey'm sure, for it's a deformedlittle urchon. One o' its een is lower set than t' other; an t' reetlooks up, while t' laft looks down. "

And as she spoke she pointed to the infant's face, which was disfiguredas she had stated, by a strange and unnatural disposition of the eyes, one of which was set much lower in the head than the other. Awakenedfrom sleep, the child uttered a feeble cry, and stretched out its tinyarms to Dorothy. 

"You ought to pity it for its deformity, poor little creature, ratherthan reproach it, mother, " observed the young damsel. 

"Marry kem eawt!" cried her mother, sharply, "yo'n getten fine feelingswi' your larning fro t' good feythers, Dolly. Os ey said efore, ey wisht' brat wur far enough. "

"You forget it has no mother, " suggested Dorothy, kindly. 

"An naw great matter, if it hasn't, " returned the miller's wife. "BessDemdike's neaw great loss. "

"Is this Bess Demdike's child?" cried Paslew, recoiling. 

"Yeigh, " exclaimed the miller's wife. And mistaking the cause ofPaslew's emotion, she added, triumphantly, to her daughter, "Ey towd te, wench, ot t' lort abbut would be of my way o' thinking. T' chilt has gotthe witch's mark plain upon her. Look, lort abbut, look!"

But Paslew heeded her not, but murmured to himself:--

"Ever in my path, go where I will. It is vain to struggle with my fate. I will go back and surrender myself to the Earl of Derby. "

"Nah, --nah!--yo shanna do that, " replied Hal o' Nabs, who, with themiller, was close beside him. "Sit down o' that stoo' be t' fire, andtake a cup o' wine t' cheer yo, and then we'n set out to Pendle Forest, where ey'st find yo a safe hiding-place. An t' ony reward ey'n ever askfor t' sarvice shan be, that yo'n perform a marriage sarvice fo' me andDolly one of these days. " And he nudged the damsel's elbow, who turnedaway, covered with blushes. 

The abbot moved mechanically to the fire, and sat down, while themiller's wife, surrendering the child with a shrug of the shoulders anda grimace to her daughter, went in search of some viands and a flask ofwine, which she set before Paslew. The miller then filled adrinking-horn, and presented it to his guest, who was about to raise itto his lips, when a loud knocking was heard at the door below. 

The knocking continued with increased violence, and voices were heardcalling upon the miller to open the door, or it would be broken down. Onthe first alarm Abel had flown to a small window whence he couldreconnoitre those below, and he now returned with a face white withterror, to say that a party of arquebussiers, with the sheriff at theirhead, were without, and that some of the men were provided with torches. 

"They have discovered my evasion, and are come in search of me, "observed the abbot rising, but without betraying any anxiety. "Do notconcern yourselves further for me, my good friends, but open the door, and deliver me to them. "

"Nah, nah, that we winnaw, " cried Hal o' Nabs, "yo're neaw taen yet, feyther abbut, an' ey knoa a way to baffle 'em. If y'on let him downinto t' river, Ebil, ey'n manage to get him off. "

"Weel thowt on, Nab, " cried the miller, "theawst nah been mey mon sevenyear fo nowt. Theaw knoas t' ways o' t' pleck. "

"Os weel os onny rotten abowt it, " replied Hal o' Nabs. "Go down to t'grindin'-room, an ey'n follow i' a troice. "

And as Abel snatched up the light, and hastily descended the steps withPaslew, Hal whispered in Dorothy's ears--

"Tak care neaw one fonds that chilt, Dolly, if they break in. Hide itsafely; an whon they're gone, tak it to't church, and place it near t'altar, where no ill con cum to it or thee. Mey life may hong upon it. "

And as the poor girl, who, as well as her mother, was almost frightenedout of her wits, promised compliance, he hurried down the steps afterthe others, muttering, as the clamour without was redoubled--

"Eigh, roar on till yo're hoarse. Yo winnaw get in yet awhile, ey'npromise ye. "

Meantime, the abbot had been led to the chief room of the mill, whereall the corn formerly consumed within the monastery had been prepared, and which the size of the chamber itself, together with the vastness ofthe stones used in the operation of grinding, and connected with thehuge water-wheel outside, proved to be by no means inconsiderable. Strong shafts of timber supported the flooring above, and were crossedby other boards placed horizontally, from which various implements inuse at the mill depended, giving the chamber, imperfectly lighted as itnow was by the lamp borne by Abel, a strange and almost mysteriousappearance. Three or four of the miller's men, armed with pikes, hadfollowed their master, and, though much alarmed, they vowed to dierather than give up the abbot. 

By this time Hal o' Nabs had joined the group, and proceeding towards araised part of the chamber where the grinding-stones were set, he kneltdown, and laying hold of a small ring, raised up a trapdoor. The freshair which blew up through the aperture, combined with the rushing soundof water, showed that the Calder flowed immediately beneath; and, havingmade some slight preparation, Hal let himself down into the stream. 

At this moment a loud crash was heard, and one of the miller's men criedout that the arquebussiers had burst open the door. 

"Be hondy, then, lads, and let him down!" cried Hal o' Nabs, who hadsome difficulty in maintaining his footing on the rough, stony bottom ofthe swift stream. 

Passively yielding, the abbot suffered the miller and one of thestoutest of his men to assist him through the trapdoor, while a thirdheld down the lamp, and showed Hal o' Nabs, up to his middle in thedarkling current, and stretching out his arms to receive the burden. Thelight fell upon the huge black circle of the watershed now stopped, andupon the dripping arches supporting the mill. In another moment theabbot plunged into the water, the trapdoor was replaced, and boltedunderneath by Hal, who, while guiding his companion along, and biddinghim catch hold of the wood-work of the wheel, heard a heavy trampling ofmany feet on the boards above, showing that the pursuers had obtainedadmittance. 

Encumbered by his heavy vestments, the abbot could with difficultycontend against the strong current, and he momently expected to be sweptaway; but he had a stout and active assistant by his side, who soonplaced him under shelter of the wheel. The trampling overhead continuedfor a few minutes, after which all was quiet, and Hal judged that, finding their search within ineffectual, the enemy would speedily comeforth. Nor was he deceived. Shouts were soon heard at the door of themill, and the glare of torches was cast on the stream. Then it was thatHal dragged his companion into a deep hole, formed by some decay in themasonry, behind the wheel, where the water rose nearly to their chins, and where they were completely concealed. Scarcely were they thusensconced, than two or three armed men, holding torches aloft, were seenwading under the archway; but after looking carefully around, and evenapproaching close to the water-wheel, these persons could detectnothing, and withdrew, muttering curses of rage and disappointment. By-and-by the lights almost wholly disappeared, and the shouts becomingfainter and more distant, it was evident that the men had gone lowerdown the river. Upon this, Hal thought they might venture to quit theirretreat, and accordingly, grasping the abbot's arm, he proceeded to wadeup the stream. 

Benumbed with cold, and half dead with terror, Paslew needed all hiscompanion's support, for he could do little to help himself, added towhich, they occasionally encountered some large stone, or stepped into adeep hole, so that it required Hal's utmost exertion and strength toforce a way on. At last they were out of the arch, and though both banksseemed unguarded, yet, for fear of surprise, Hal deemed it prudent stillto keep to the river. Their course was completely sheltered fromobservation by the mist that enveloped them; and after proceeding inthis way for some distance, Hal stopped to listen, and while debatingwith himself whether he should now quit the river, he fancied he behelda black object swimming towards him. Taking it for an otter, with whichvoracious animal the Calder, a stream swarming with trout, abounded, andknowing the creature would not meddle with them unless first attacked, he paid little attention to it; but he was soon made sensible of hiserror. His arm was suddenly seized by a large black hound, whose sharpfangs met in his flesh. Unable to repress a cry of pain, Hal strove todisengage himself from his assailant, and, finding it impossible, flunghimself into the water in the hope of drowning him, but, as the houndstill maintained his hold, he searched for his knife to slay him. But hecould not find it, and in his distress applied to Paslew. 

"Ha yo onny weepun abowt yo, lort abbut, " he cried, "wi' which ey confree mysel fro' this accussed hound?"

"Alas! no, my son, " replied Paslew, "and I fear no weapon will prevailagainst it, for I recognise in the animal the hound of the wizard, Demdike. "

"Ey thowt t' dule wur in it, " rejoined Hal; "boh leave me to fight itowt, and do you gain t' bonk, an mey t' best o' your way to t' Wiswall. Ey'n join ye os soon os ey con scrush this varment's heaod agen a stoan. Ha!" he added, joyfully, "Ey'n found t' thwittle. Go--go. Ey'n soon beefter ye. "

Feeling he should sink if he remained where he was, and wholly unable tooffer any effectual assistance to his companion, the abbot turned to theleft, where a large oak overhung the stream, and he was climbing thebank, aided by the roots of the tree, when a man suddenly came frombehind it, seized his hand, and dragged him up forcibly. At the samemoment his captor placed a bugle to his lips, and winding a few notes, he was instantly answered by shouts, and soon afterwards half a dozenarmed men ran up, bearing torches. Not a word passed between thefugitive and his captor; but when the men came up, and the torchlightfell upon the features of the latter, the abbot's worst fears wererealised. It was Demdike. 

"False to your king!--false to your oath!--false to all men!" cried thewizard. "You seek to escape in vain!"

"I merit all your reproaches, " replied the abbot; "but it may he somesatisfaction, to you to learn, that I have endured far greater sufferingthan if I had patiently awaited my doom. "

"I am glad of it, " rejoined Demdike, with a savage laugh; "but you havedestroyed others beside yourself. Where is the fellow in the water?What, ho, Uriel!"

But as no sound reached him, he snatched a torch from one of thearquebussiers and held it to the river's brink. But he could see neitherhound nor man. 

"Strange!" he cried. "He cannot have escaped. Uriel is more than a matchfor any man. Secure the prisoner while I examine the stream. "

With this, he ran along the bank with great quickness, holding his torchfar over the water, so as to reveal any thing floating within it, butnothing met his view until he came within a short distance of the mill, when he beheld a black object struggling in the current, and soon foundthat it was his dog making feeble efforts to gain the bank. 

"Ah recreant! thou hast let him go, " cried Demdike, furiously. 

Seeing his master the animal redoubled its efforts, crept ashore, andfell at his feet, with a last effort to lick his hands. 

Demdike held down the torch, and then perceived that the hound wasquite dead. There was a deep gash in its side, and another in thethroat, showing how it had perished. 

"Poor Uriel!" he exclaimed; "the only true friend I had. And thou artgone! The villain has killed thee, but he shall pay for it with hislife. "

And hurrying back he dispatched four of the men in quest of thefugitive, while accompanied by the two others he conveyed Paslew back tothe abbey, where he was placed in a strong cell, from which there was nopossibility of escape, and a guard set over him. 

Half an hour after this, two of the arquebussiers returned with Hal o'Nabs, whom they had succeeded in capturing after a desperate resistance, about a mile from the abbey, on the road to Wiswall. He was taken to theguard-room, which had been appointed in one of the lower chambers of thechapter-house, and Demdike was immediately apprised of his arrival. Satisfied by an inspection of the prisoner, whose demeanour was sullenand resolved, Demdike proceeded to the great hall, where the Earl ofDerby, who had returned thither after the midnight mass, was stillsitting with his retainers. An audience was readily obtained by thewizard, and, apparently well pleased with the result, he returned to theguard-room. The prisoner was seated by himself in one corner of thechamber, with his hands tied behind his back with a leathern thong, andDemdike approaching him, told him that, for having aided the escape of acondemned rebel and traitor, and violently assaulting the king's liegesin the execution of their duty, he would be hanged on the morrow, theEarl of Derby, who had power of life or death in such cases, having sodecreed it. And he exhibited the warrant. 

"Soh, yo mean to hong me, eh, wizard?" cried Hal o' Nabs, kicking hisheels with great apparent indifference. 

"I do, " replied Demdike; "if for nothing else, for slaying my hound. "

"Ey dunna think it, " replied Hal. "Yo'n alter your moind. Do, mon. Ey'mnah prepared to dee just yet. "

"Then perish in your sins, " cried Demdike, "I will not give you anhour's respite. "

"Yo'n be sorry when it's too late, " said Hal. 

"Tush!" cried Demdike, "my only regret will be that Uriel's slaughter ispaid for by such a worthless life as thine. "

"Then whoy tak it?" demanded Hal. "'Specially whon yo'n lose your chiltby doing so. "

"My child!" exclaimed Demdike, surprised. "How mean you, sirrah?"

"Ey mean this, " replied Hal, coolly; "that if ey dee to-morrow mornin'your chilt dees too. Whon ey ondertook this job ey calkilated meychances, an' tuk precautions eforehond. Your chilt's a hostage fo meysafety. "

"Curses on thee and thy cunning, " cried Demdike; "but I will not beoutwitted by a hind like thee. I will have the child, and yet not bebaulked of my revenge. "

"Yo'n never ha' it, except os a breathless corpse, 'bowt mey consent, "rejoined Hal. 

"We shall see, " cried Demdike, rushing forth, and bidding the guardslook well to the prisoner. 

But ere long he returned with a gloomy and disappointed expression ofcountenance, and again approaching the prisoner said, "Thou hast spokenthe truth. The infant is in the hands of some innocent being over whom Ihave no power. "

"Ey towdee so, wizard, " replied Hal, laughing. "Hoind os ey be, ey'm amatch fo' thee, --ha! ha! Neaw, mey life agen t' chilt's. Win yo set mefree?"

Demdike deliberated. 

"Harkee, wizard, " cried Hal, "if yo're hatching treason ey'n dun. T'sartunty o' revenge win sweeten mey last moments. "

"Will you swear to deliver the child to me unharmed, if I set you free?"asked Demdike. 

"It's a bargain, wizard, " rejoined Hal o' Nabs; "ey swear. Boh yo munset me free furst, fo' ey winnaw tak your word. "

Demdike turned away disdainfully, and addressing the arquebussiers, said, "You behold this warrant, guard. The prisoner is committed to mycustody. I will produce him on the morrow, or account for his absence tothe Earl of Derby. "

One of the arquebussiers examined the order, and vouching for itscorrectness, the others signified their assent to the arrangement, uponwhich Demdike motioned the prisoner to follow him, and quitted thechamber. No interruption was offered to Hal's egress, but he stoppedwithin the court-yard, where Demdike awaited him, and unfastened theleathern thong that bound together his hands. 

"Now go and bring the child to me, " said the wizard. 

"Nah, ey'st neaw bring it ye myself, " rejoined Hal. "Ey knoas better northat. Be at t' church porch i' half an hour, an t' bantlin shan bedelivered to ye safe an sound. "

And without waiting for a reply, he ran off with great swiftness. 

At the appointed time Demdike sought the church, and as he drew near itthere issued from the porch a female, who hastily placing the child, wrapped in a mantle, in his arms, tarried for no speech from him, butinstantly disappeared. Demdike, however, recognised in her the miller'sdaughter, Dorothy Croft. 

CHAPTER VIII. --THE EXECUTIONER. 

Dawn came at last, after a long and weary night to many within andwithout the abbey. Every thing betokened a dismal day. The atmospherewas damp, and oppressive to the spirits, while the raw cold sensiblyaffected the frame. All astir were filled with gloom and despondency, and secretly breathed a wish that, the tragical business of the day wereended. The vast range of Pendle was obscured by clouds, and ere long thevapours descended into the valleys, and rain began to fall; at firstslightly, but afterwards in heavy continuous showers. Melancholy was theaspect of the abbey, and it required no stretch of imagination to fancythat the old structure was deploring the fate of its former ruler. Tothose impressed with the idea--and many there were who were so--the verystones of the convent church seemed dissolving into tears. The statuesof the saints appeared to weep, and the great statue of Saint Gregory deNorthbury over the porch seemed bowed down with grief. The grotesquelycarved heads on the spouts grinned horribly at the abbot's destroyers, and spouted forth cascades of water, as if with the intent of drowningthem. So deluging and incessant were the showers, that it seemed, indeed, as if the abbey would be flooded. All the inequalities of groundwithin the great quadrangle of the cloisters looked like ponds, and thevarious water-spouts from the dormitory, the refectory, and thechapter-house, continuing to jet forth streams into the court below, theambulatories were soon filled ankle-deep, and even the lower apartments, on which they opened, invaded. 

Surcharged with moisture, the royal banner on the gate drooped and clungto the staff, as if it too shared in the general depression, or as ifthe sovereign authority it represented had given way. The countenancesand deportment of the men harmonized with the weather; they moved aboutgloomily and despondently, their bright accoutrements sullied with thewet, and their buskins clogged with mire. A forlorn sight it was towatch the shivering sentinels on the walls; and yet more forlorn to seethe groups of the abbot's old retainers gathering without, wrapped intheir blue woollen cloaks, patiently enduring the drenching showers, andawaiting the last awful scene. But the saddest sight of all was on thehill, already described, called the Holehouses. Here two other lessergibbets had been erected during the night, one on either hand of theloftier instrument of justice, and the carpenters were yet employed infinishing their work, having been delayed by the badness of the weather. Half drowned by the torrents that fell upon them, the poor fellows wereprotected from interference with their disagreeable occupation by half adozen well-mounted and well-armed troopers, and by as many halberdiers;and this company, completely exposed to the weather, suffered severelyfrom wet and cold. The rain beat against the gallows, ran down its tallnaked posts, and collected in pools at its feet. Attracted by somestrange instinct, which seemed to give them a knowledge of the object ofthese terrible preparations, two ravens wheeled screaming round thefatal tree, and at length one of them settled on the cross-beam, andcould with difficulty be dislodged by the shouts of the men, when itflew away, croaking hoarsely. Up this gentle hill, ordinarily so softand beautiful, but now abhorrent as a Golgotha, in the eyes of thebeholders, groups of rustics and monks had climbed over ground renderedslippery with moisture, and had gathered round the paling encircling theterrible apparatus, looking the images of despair and woe. 

Even those within the abbey, and sheltered from the storm, shared theall-pervading despondency. The refectory looked dull and comfortless, and the logs on the hearth hissed and sputtered, and would not burn. Green wood had been brought instead of dry fuel by the drowsy henchman. The viands on the board provoked not the appetite, and the men emptiedtheir cups of ale, yawned and stretched their arms, as if they wouldfain sleep an hour or two longer. The sense of discomfort, washeightened by the entrance of those whose term of watch had beenrelieved, and who cast their dripping cloaks on the floor, while two orthree savage dogs, steaming with moisture, stretched their huge lengthsbefore the sullen fire, and disputed all approach to it. 

Within the great hall were already gathered the retainers of the Earl ofDerby, but the nobleman himself had not appeared. Having passed thegreater part of the night in conference with one person or another, andthe abbot's flight having caused him much disquietude, though he did nothear of it till the fugitive was recovered; the earl would not seek hiscouch until within an hour of daybreak, and his attendants, consideringthe state of the weather, and that it yet wanted full two hours to thetime appointed for the execution, did not think it needful to disturbhim. Braddyll and Assheton, however, were up and ready; but, despitetheir firmness of nerve, they yielded like the rest to the depressinginfluence of the weather, and began to have some misgivings as to theirown share in the tragedy about to be enacted. The various gentlemen inattendance paced to and fro within the hall, holding but slight conversetogether, anxiously counting the minutes, for the time appeared to passon with unwonted slowness, and ever and anon glancing through thediamond panes of the window at the rain pouring down steadily without, and coming back again hopeless of amendment in the weather. 

If such were the disheartening influence of the day on those who hadnothing to apprehend, what must its effect have been on the poorcaptives! Woful indeed. The two monks suffered a complete prostration ofspirit. All the resolution which Father Haydocke had displayed in hisinterview with the Earl of Derby, failed him now, and he yielded to theagonies of despair. Father Eastgate was in little better condition, andgave vent to unavailing lamentations, instead of paying heed to theconsolatory discourse of the monk who had been permitted to visit him. 

The abbot was better sustained. Though greatly enfeebled by theoccurrences of the night, yet in proportion as his bodily strengthdecreased, his mental energies rallied. Since the confession of hissecret offence, and the conviction he had obtained that his supposedvictim still lived, a weight seemed taken from his breast, and he had nolonger any dread of death. Rather he looked to the speedy termination ofexistence with hopeful pleasure. He prepared himself as decently as themeans afforded him permitted for his last appearance before the world, but refused all refreshment except a cup of water, and being left tohimself was praying fervently, when a man was admitted into his cell. Thinking it might be the executioner come to summon him, he arose, andto his surprise beheld Hal o' Nabs. The countenance of the rustic waspale, but his bearing was determined. 

"You here, my son, " cried Paslew. "I hoped you had escaped. "

"Ey'm i' nah dawnger, feyther abbut, " replied Hal. "Ey'n getten leef tovisit ye fo a minute only, so ey mun be brief. Mey yourself easy, yeshanna dee be't hongmon's honds. "

"How, my son!" cried Paslew. "I understand you not. "

"Yo'n onderstond me weel enough by-and-by, " replied Hal. "Dunnah befeart whon ye see me next; an comfort yoursel that whotever cums andgoes, your death shall be avenged o' your warst foe. "

Paslew would have sought some further explanation, but Hal steppedquickly backwards, and striking his foot against the door, it wasinstantly opened by the guard, and he went forth. 

Not long after this, the Earl of Derby entered the great hall, and hisfirst inquiry was as to the safety of the prisoners. When satisfied ofthis, he looked forth, and shuddered at the dismal state of the weather. While he was addressing some remarks on this subject, and on itsinterference with the tragical exhibition about to take place, anofficer entered the hall, followed by several persons of inferiorcondition, amongst whom was Hal o' Nabs, and marched up to the earl, while the others remained standing at a respectful distance. 

"What news do you bring me, sir?" cried the earl, noticing the officer'sevident uneasiness of manner. "Nothing hath happened to the prisoners?God's death! if it hath, you shall all answer for it with your bodies. "

"Nothing hath happened to them, my lord, " said the officer, --"but--"

"But what?" interrupted the earl. "Out with it quickly. "

"The executioner from Lancaster and his two aids have fled, " replied theofficer. 

"Fled!" exclaimed the earl, stamping his foot with rage; "now as I live, this is a device to delay the execution till some new attempt at rescuecan be made. But it shall fail, if I string up the abbot myself. Death!can no other hangmen be found? ha!"

"Of a surety, my lord; but all have an aversion to the office, and holdit opprobrious, especially to put churchmen to death, " replied theofficer. 

"Opprobrious or not, it must be done, " replied the earl. "See thatfitting persons are provided. "

At this moment Hal o' Nabs stepped forward. 

"Ey'm willing t' ondertake t' job, my lord, an' t' hong t' abbut, without fee or rewort, " he said. 

"Thou bears't him a grudge, I suppose, good fellow, " replied the earl, laughing at the rustic's uncouth appearance; "but thou seem'st a stoutfellow, and one not likely to flinch, and may discharge the office aswell as another. If no better man can be found, let him do it, " he addedto the officer. 

"Ey humbly thonk your lortship, " replied Hal, inwardly rejoicing at thesuccess of his scheme. But his countenance fell when he perceivedDemdike advance from behind the others. 

"This man is not to be trusted, my lord, " said Demdike, coming forward;"he has some mischievous design in making the request. So far frombearing enmity to the abbot, it was he who assisted him in his attemptto escape last night. "

"What!" exclaimed the earl, "is this a new trick? Bring the fellowforward, that I may examine him. "

But Hal was gone. Instantly divining Demdike's purpose, and seeing hischance lost, he mingled with the lookers-on, who covered his retreat. Nor could he be found when sought for by the guard. 

"See you provide a substitute quickly, sir, " cried the earl, angrily, tothe officer. 

"It is needless to take further trouble, my lord, " replied Demdike "I amcome to offer myself as executioner. "

"Thou!" exclaimed the earl. 

"Ay, " replied the other. "When I heard that the men from Lancaster werefled, I instantly knew that some scheme to frustrate the ends of justicewas on foot, and I at once resolved to undertake the office myselfrather than delay or risk should occur. What this man's aim was, whohath just offered himself, I partly guess, but it hath failed; and ifyour lordship will intrust the matter to me, I will answer that nofurther impediment shall arise, but that the sentence shall be fullycarried out, and the law satisfied. Your lordship can trust me. "

"I know it, " replied the earl. "Be it as you will. It is now on thestroke of nine. At ten, let all be in readiness to set out for WiswallHall. The rain may have ceased by that time, but no weather must stayyou. Go forth with the new executioner, sir, " he added to the officer, "and see all necessary preparations made. "

And as Demdike bowed, and departed with the officer, the earl sat downwith his retainers to break his fast. 

CHAPTER IX. --WISWALL HALL. 

Shortly before ten o'clock a numerous cortège, consisting of a troop ofhorse in their full equipments, a band of archers with their bows overtheir shoulders, and a long train of barefoot monks, who had beenpermitted to attend, set out from the abbey. Behind them came a varletwith a paper mitre on his head, and a lathen crosier in his hand, covered with a surcoat, on which was emblazoned, but torn and reversed, the arms of Paslew; argent, a fess between three mullets, sable, piercedof the field, a crescent for difference. After him came another varletbearing a banner, on which was painted a grotesque figure in ahalf-military, half-monastic garb, representing the "Earl of Poverty, "with this distich beneath it:--

 Priest and warrior--rich and poor, He shall be hanged at his own door. 

Next followed a tumbrel, drawn by two horses, in which sat the abbotalone, the two other prisoners being kept back for the present. Thencame Demdike, in a leathern jerkin and blood-red hose, fitting closelyto his sinewy limbs, and wrapped in a houppeland of the same colour asthe hose, with a coil of rope round his neck. He walked between twoill-favoured personages habited in black, whom he had chosen asassistants. A band of halberdiers brought up the rear. The processionmoved slowly along, --the passing-bell tolling each minute, and a muffleddrum sounding hollowly at intervals. 

Shortly before the procession started the rain ceased, but the air feltdamp and chill, and the roads were inundated. Passing out at thenorth-eastern gateway, the gloomy train skirted the south side of theconvent church, and went on in the direction of the village of Whalley. When near the east end of the holy edifice, the abbot beheld two coffinsborne along, and, on inquiry, learnt that they contained the bodies ofBess Demdike and Cuthbert Ashbead, who were about to be interred in thecemetery. At this moment his eye for the first time encountered that ofhis implacable foe, and he then discovered that he was to serve as hisexecutioner. 

At first Paslew felt much trouble at this thought, but the feelingquickly passed away. On reaching Whalley, every door was found closed, and every window shut; so that the spectacle was lost upon theinhabitants; and after a brief halt, the cavalcade get out for WiswallHall. 

Sprung from an ancient family residing in the neighbourhood Of Whalley, Abbot Paslew was the second son of Francis Paslew Of Wiswall Hall, agreat gloomy stone mansion, situated at the foot of the south-westernside of Pendle Hill, where his brother Francis still resided. Of a coldand cautious character, Francis Paslew, second of the name, held alooffrom the insurrection, and when his brother was arrested he whollyabandoned him. Still the owner of Wiswall had not altogether escapedsuspicion, and it was probably as much with the view of degrading him asof adding to the abbot's punishment, that the latter was taken to thehall on the morning of his execution. Be this as it may, the cortègetoiled thither through roads bad in the best of seasons, but now, sincethe heavy rain, scarcely passable; and it arrived there in about half anhour, and drew up on the broad green lawn. Window and door of the hallwere closed; no smoke issued from the heavy pile of chimneys; and to alloutward seeming the place was utterly deserted. In answer to inquiries, it appeared that Francis Paslew had departed for Northumberland on theprevious day, taking all his household with him. 

In earlier years, a quarrel having occurred between the haughty abbotand the churlish Francis, the brothers rarely met, whence it chancedthat John Paslew had seldom visited the place of his birth of late, though lying so near to the abbey, and, indeed, forming part of itsancient dependencies. It was sad to view it now; and yet the house, gloomy as it was, recalled seasons with which, though they might awakenregret, no guilty associations were connected. Dark was the hall, anddesolate, but on the fine old trees around it the rooks were settling, and their loud cawings pleased him, and excited gentle emotions. For afew moments he grew young again, and forgot why he was there. Fondlysurveying the house, the terraced garden, in which, as a boy, he had sooften strayed, and the park beyond it, where he had chased the deer; hisgaze rose to the cloudy heights of Pendle, springing immediately behindthe mansion, and up which he had frequently climbed. The flood-gates ofmemory were opened at once, and a whole tide of long-buried feelingsrushed upon his heart. 

From this half-painful, half-pleasurable retrospect he was aroused bythe loud blast of a trumpet, thrice blown. A recapitulation of hisoffences, together with his sentence, was read by a herald, after whichthe reversed blazonry was fastened upon the door of the hall, just belowa stone escutcheon on which was carved the arms of the family; while thepaper mitre was torn and trampled under foot, the lathen crosier brokenin twain, and the scurril banner hacked in pieces. 

While this degrading act was performed, a man in a miller's white garb, with the hood drawn over his face, forced his way towards the tumbrel, and while the attention of the guard was otherwise engaged, whispered inPaslew's ear, "Ey han failed i' mey scheme, feyther abbut, boh rest assured ey'navenge you. Demdike shan ha' mey Sheffield thwittle i' his heart 'eforehe's a day older. "

"The wizard has a charm against steel, my son, and indeed is proofagainst all weapons forged by men, " replied Paslew, who recognised thevoice of Hal o' Nabs, and hoped by this assertion to divert him from hispurpose. 

"Ha! say yo so, feythur abbut?" cried Hal. "Then ey'n reach him wi'summot sacred. " And he disappeared. 

At this moment, word was given to return, and in half an hour thecavalcade arrived at the abbey in the same order it had left it. 

Though the rain had ceased, heavy clouds still hung overhead, threatening another deluge, and the aspect of the abbey remained gloomyas ever. The bell continued to toll; drums were beaten; and trumpetssounded from the outer and inner gateway, and from the threequadrangles. The cavalcade drew up in front of the great northernentrance; and its return being announced within, the two other captiveswere brought forth, each fastened upon a hurdle, harnessed to a stouthorse. They looked dead already, so ghastly was the hue of their cheeks. 

The abbot's turn came next. Another hurdle was brought forward, andDemdike advanced to the tumbrel. But Paslew recoiled from his touch, andsprang to the ground unaided. He was then laid on his back upon thehurdle, and his hands and feet were bound fast with ropes to the twistedtimbers. While this painful task was roughly performed by the wizard'stwo ill-favoured assistants, the crowd of rustics who looked on, murmured and exhibited such strong tokens of displeasure, that the guardthought it prudent to keep them off with their halberts. But when allwas done, Demdike motioned to a man standing behind him to advance, andthe person who was wrapped in a russet cloak complied, drew forth aninfant, and held it in such way that the abbot could see it. Paslewunderstood what was meant, but he uttered not a word. Demdike then kneltdown beside him, as if ascertaining the security of the cords, andwhispered in his ear:--

"Recall thy malediction, and my dagger shall save thee from the lastindignity. "

"Never, " replied Paslew; "the curse is irrevocable. But I would notrecall it if I could. As I have said, thy child shall be a witch, andthe mother of witches--but all shall be swept off--all!"

"Hell's torments seize thee!" cried the wizard, furiously. 

"Nay, thou hast done thy worst to me, " rejoined Paslew, meekly, "thoucanst not harm me beyond the grave. Look to thyself, for even as thouspeakest, thy child is taken from thee. "

And so it was. While Demdike knelt beside Paslew, a hand was put forth, and, before the man who had custody of the infant could prevent it, hislittle charge was snatched from him. Thus the abbot saw, though thewizard perceived it not. The latter instantly sprang to his feet. 

"Where is the child?" he demanded of the fellow in the russet cloak. 

"It was taken from me by yon tall man who is disappearing through thegateway, " replied the other, in great trepidation. 

"Ha! _he_ here!" exclaimed Demdike, regarding the dark figure with alook of despair. "It is gone from me for ever!"

"Ay, for ever!" echoed the abbot, solemnly. 

"But revenge is still left me--revenge!" cried Demdike, with aninfuriated gesture. 

"Then glut thyself with it speedily, " replied the abbot; "for thy timehere is short. "

"I care not if it be, " replied Demdike; "I shall live long enough if Isurvive thee. "

CHAPTER X. --THE HOLEHOUSES. 

At this moment the blast of a trumpet resounded from the gateway, andthe Earl of Derby, with the sheriff on his right hand, and Assheton onthe left, and mounted on a richly caparisoned charger, rode forth. Hewas preceded by four javelin-men, and followed by two heralds in theirtabards. 

To doleful tolling of bells--to solemn music--to plaintive hymn chantedby monks--to roll of muffled drum at intervals--the sad cortège setforth. Loud cries from the bystanders marked its departure, and some ofthem followed it, but many turned away, unable to endure the sight ofhorror about to ensue. Amongst those who went on was Hal o' Nabs, but hetook care to keep out of the way of the guard, though he was littlelikely to be recognised, owing to his disguise. 

Despite the miserable state of the weather, a great multitude wasassembled at the place of execution, and they watched the approachingcavalcade with moody curiosity. To prevent disturbance, arquebussierswere stationed in parties here and there, and a clear course for thecortège was preserved by two lines of halberdiers with crossed pikes. But notwithstanding this, much difficulty was experienced in mountingthe hill. Rendered slippery by the wet, and yet more so by the tramplingof the crowd, the road was so bad in places that the horses couldscarcely drag the hurdles up it, and more than one delay occurred. Thestoppages were always denounced by groans, yells, and hootings from themob, and these neither the menaces of the Earl of Derby, nor the activemeasures of the guard, could repress. 

At length, however, the cavalcade reached its destination. Then thecrowd struggled forward, and settled into a dense compact ring, roundthe circular railing enclosing the place of execution, within which weredrawn up the Earl of Derby, the sheriff, Assheton, and the principalgentlemen, together with Demdike and his assistants; the guard forming acircle three deep round them. 

Paslew was first unloosed, and when he stood up, he found Father Smith, the late prior, beside him, and tenderly embraced him. 

"Be of good courage, Father Abbot, " said the prior; "a few moments, andyou will be numbered with the just. "

"My hope is in the infinite mercy of Heaven, father, " replied Paslew, sighing deeply. "Pray for me at the last. "

"Doubt it not, " returned the prior, fervently. "I will pray for you nowand ever. "

Meanwhile, the bonds of the two other captives were unfastened, but theywere found wholly unable to stand without support. A lofty ladder hadbeen placed against the central scaffold, and up this Demdike, havingcast off his houppeland, mounted and adjusted the rope. His tall gauntfigure, fully displayed in his tight-fitting red garb, made him looklike a hideous scarecrow. His appearance was greeted by the mob with aperfect hurricane of indignant outcries and yells. But he heeded themnot, but calmly pursued his task. Above him wheeled the two ravens, whohad never quitted the place since daybreak, uttering their discordantcries. When all was done, he descended a few steps, and, taking a blackhood from his girdle to place over the head of his victim, called out ina voice which had little human in its tone, "I wait for you, JohnPaslew. "

"Are you ready, Paslew?" demanded the Earl of Derby. 

"I am, my lord, " replied the abbot. And embracing the prior for the lasttime, he added, "_Vale, carissime frater, in æternum vale! et Dominustecum sit in ultionem inimicorum nostrorum_!"

"It is the king's pleasure that you say not a word in your justificationto the mob, Paslew, " observed the earl. 

"I had no such intention, my lord, " replied the abbot. 

"Then tarry no longer, " said the earl; "if you need aid you shall haveit. "

"I require none, " replied Paslew, resolutely. 

With this he mounted the ladder, with as much firmness and dignity as ifascending the steps of a tribune. 

Hitherto nothing but yells and angry outcries had stunned the ears ofthe lookers-on, and several missiles had been hurled at Demdike, some ofwhich took effect, though without occasioning discomfiture; but whenthe abbot appeared above the heads of the guard, the tumult instantlysubsided, and profound silence ensued. Not a breath was drawn by thespectators. The ravens alone continued their ominous croaking. 

Hal o' Nabs, who stood on the outskirts of the ring, saw thus far but hecould bear it no longer, and rushed down the hill. Just as he reachedthe level ground, a culverin was fired from the gateway, and the nextmoment a loud wailing cry bursting from the mob told that the abbot waslaunched into eternity. 

Hal would not look back, but went slowly on, and presently afterwardsother horrid sounds dinned in his ears, telling that all was over withthe two other sufferers. Sickened and faint, he leaned against a wallfor support. How long he continued thus, he knew not, but he heard thecavalcade coming down the hill, and saw the Earl of Derby and hisattendants ride past. Glancing toward the place of execution, Hal thenperceived that the abbot had been cut down, and, rousing himself, hejoined the crowd now rushing towards the gate, and ascertained that thebody of Paslew was to be taken to the convent church, and depositedthere till orders were to be given respecting its interment. He learnt, also, that the removal of the corpse was intrusted to Demdike. Fired bythis intelligence, and suddenly conceiving a wild project of vengeance, founded upon what he had heard from the abbot of the wizard being proofagainst weapons forged by men, he hurried to the church, entered it, thedoor being thrown open, and rushing up to the gallery, contrived to getout through a window upon the top of the porch, where he secretedhimself behind the great stone statue of Saint Gregory. 

The information he had obtained proved correct. Ere long a mournfultrain approached the church, and a bier was set down before the porch. Ablack hood covered the face of the dead, but the vestments showed thatit was the body of Paslew. 

At the head of the bearers was Demdike, and when the body was set downhe advanced towards it, and, removing the hood, gazed at the livid anddistorted features. 

"At length I am fully avenged, " he said. 

"And Abbot Paslew, also, " cried a voice above him. 

Demdike looked up, but the look was his last, for the ponderous statueof Saint Gregory de Northbury, launched from its pedestal, fell upon hishead, and crushed him to the ground. A mangled and breathless mass wastaken from beneath the image, and the hands and visage of Paslew werefound spotted with blood dashed from the gory carcass. The author of thewizard's destruction was suspected, but never found, nor was itpositively known who had done the deed till years after, when Hal o'Nabs, who meanwhile had married pretty Dorothy Croft, and had beenblessed by numerous offspring in the union, made his last confession, and then he exhibited no remarkable or becoming penitence for the act, neither was he refused absolution. 

Thus it came to pass that the abbot and his enemy perished together. Themutilated remains of the wizard were placed in a shell, and huddled intothe grave where his wife had that morning been laid. But no prayer wassaid over him. And the superstitious believed that the body was carriedoff that very night by the Fiend, and taken to a witch's sabbath in theruined tower on Rimington Moor. Certain it was, that the unhallowedgrave was disturbed. The body of Paslew was decently interred in thenorth aisle of the parish church of Whalley, beneath a stone with aGothic cross sculptured upon it, and bearing the piteousinscription:--"_Miserere mei_. "

But in the belief of the vulgar the abbot did not rest tranquilly. Formany years afterwards a white-robed monastic figure was seen to flitalong the cloisters, pass out at the gate, and disappear with a wailingcry over the Holehouses. And the same ghostly figure was often seen toglide through the corridor in the abbot's lodging, and vanish at thedoor of the chamber leading to the little oratory. Thus Whalley Abbeywas supposed to be haunted, and few liked to wander through its desertedcloisters, or ruined church, after dark. The abbot's tragical end wasthus recorded:--

 Johannes Paslew: Capitali Effectus Supplicio. 12º Mensis Martii, 1537. 

As to the infant, upon whom the abbot's malediction fell, it wasreserved for the dark destinies shadowed forth in the dread anathema hehad uttered: to the development of which the tragic drama about tofollow is devoted, and to which the fate of Abbot Paslew forms anecessary and fitting prologue. Thus far the veil of the Future may bedrawn aside. That infant and her progeny became the LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 

END OF THE INTRODUCTION. 

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 

BOOK THE FIRST. 

Alizon Device. 

CHAPTER I. --THE MAY QUEEN. 

On a May-day in the early part of the seventeenth century, and a mostlovely May-day, too, admirably adapted to usher in the merriest month ofthe year, and seemingly made expressly for the occasion, a wake was heldat Whalley, to which all the neighbouring country folk resorted, andindeed many of the gentry as well, for in the good old times, whenEngland was still merry England, a wake had attractions for all classesalike, and especially in Lancashire; for, with pride I speak it, therewere no lads who, in running, vaulting, wrestling, dancing, or in anyother manly exercise, could compare with the Lancashire lads. Inarchery, above all, none could match them; for were not their ancestorsthe stout bowmen and billmen whose cloth-yard shafts, and trenchantweapons, won the day at Flodden? And were they not true sons of theirfathers? And then, I speak it with yet greater pride, there were few, ifany, lasses who could compare in comeliness with the rosy-cheeked, dark-haired, bright-eyed lasses of Lancashire. 

Assemblages of this kind, therefore, where the best specimens of eithersex were to be met with, were sure to be well attended, and in spite ofan enactment passed in the preceding reign of Elizabeth, prohibiting"piping, playing, bear-baiting, and bull-baiting on the Sabbath-days, oron any other days, and also superstitious ringing of bells, wakes, andcommon feasts, " they were not only not interfered with, but ratherencouraged by the higher orders. Indeed, it was well known that thereigning monarch, James the First, inclined the other way, and, desirousof checking the growing spirit of Puritanism throughout the kingdom, hadopenly expressed himself in favour of honest recreation after eveningprayers and upon holidays; and, furthermore, had declared that he likedwell the spirit of his good subjects in Lancashire, and would not seethem punished for indulging in lawful exercises, but that ere long hewould pay them a visit in one of his progresses, and judge for himself, and if he found all things as they had been represented to him, he wouldgrant them still further licence. Meanwhile, this expression of theroyal opinion removed every restriction, and old sports and pastimes, May-games, Whitsun-ales, and morris-dances, with rush-bearings, bell-ringings, wakes, and feasts, were as much practised as before thepassing of the obnoxious enactment of Elizabeth. The Puritans andPrecisians discountenanced them, it is true, as much as ever, and wouldhave put them down, if they could, as savouring of papistry andidolatry, and some rigid divines thundered against them from the pulpit;but with the king and the authorities in their favour, the people littleheeded these denunciations against them, and abstained not from any"honest recreation" whenever a holiday occurred. 

If Lancashire was famous for wakes, the wakes of Whalley were famouseven in Lancashire. The men of the district were in general a hardy, handsome race, of the genuine Saxon breed, and passionately fond of allkinds of pastime, and the women had their full share of the beautyindigenous to the soil. Besides, it was a secluded spot, in the heart ofa wild mountainous region, and though occasionally visited by travellersjourneying northward, or by others coming from the opposite direction, retained a primitive simplicity of manners, and a great partiality forold customs and habits. 

The natural beauties of the place, contrasted with the dreary regionaround it, and heightened by the picturesque ruins of the ancient abbey, part of which, namely, the old abbot's lodgings, had been converted intoa residence by the Asshetons, and was now occupied by Sir RalphAssheton, while the other was left to the ravages of time, made italways an object of attraction to those residing near it; but when onthe May-day in question, there was not only to be a wake, but a May-poleset on the green, and a rush-bearing with morris-dancers besides, together with Whitsun-ale at the abbey, crowds flocked to Whalley fromWiswall, Cold Coates, and Clithero, from Ribchester and Blackburn, fromPadiham and Pendle, and even from places more remote. Not only was JohnLawe's of the Dragon full, but the Chequers, and the Swan also, and theroadside alehouse to boot. Sir Ralph Assheton had several guests at theabbey, and others were expected in the course of the day, while DoctorOrmerod had friends staying with him at the vicarage. 

Soon after midnight, on the morning of the festival, many young personsof the village, of both sexes, had arisen, and, to the sound of horn, had repaired to the neighbouring woods, and there gathered a vast stockof green boughs and flowering branches of the sweetly-perfumed hawthorn, wild roses, and honeysuckle, with baskets of violets, cowslips, primroses, blue-bells, and other wild flowers, and returning in the sameorder they went forth, fashioned the branches into green bowers withinthe churchyard, or round about the May-pole set up on the green, anddecorated them afterwards with garlands and crowns of flowers. Thismorning ceremonial ought to have been performed without wetting thefeet: but though some pains were taken in the matter, few could achievethe difficult task, except those carried over the dewy grass by theirlusty swains. On the day before the rushes had been gathered, and therush cart piled, shaped, trimmed, and adorned by those experienced inthe task, (and it was one requiring both taste and skill, as will beseen when the cart itself shall come forth, ) while others had borrowedfor its adornment, from the abbey and elsewhere, silver tankards, drinking-cups, spoons, ladles, brooches, watches, chains, and bracelets, so as to make an imposing show. 

Day was ushered in by a merry peal of bells from the tower of the oldparish church, and the ringers practised all kinds of joyous changesduring the morning, and fired many a clanging volley. The whole villagewas early astir; and as these were times when good hours were kept; andas early rising is a famous sharpener of the appetite, especially whenattended with exercise, so an hour before noon the rustics one and allsat down to dinner, the strangers being entertained by their friends, and if they had no friends, throwing themselves upon the generalhospitality. The alehouses were reserved for tippling at a later hour, for it was then customary for both gentleman and commoner, male as wellas female, as will be more fully shown hereafter, to take their meals athome, and repair afterwards to houses of public entertainment for wineor other liquors. Private chambers were, of course, reserved for thegentry; but not unfrequently the squire and his friends would take theirbottle with the other guests. Such was the invariable practice in thenorthern counties in the reign of James the First. 

Soon after mid-day, and when the bells began to peal merrily again (foreven ringers must recruit themselves), at a small cottage in theoutskirts of the village, and close to the Calder, whose waters sweptpast the trimly kept garden attached to it, two young girls wereemployed in attiring a third, who was to represent Maid Marian, or Queenof May, in the pageant then about to ensue. And, certainly, by sovereignand prescriptive right of beauty, no one better deserved the high titleand distinction conferred upon her than this fair girl. Lovelier maidenin the whole county, and however high her degree, than this rusticdamsel, it was impossible to find; and though the becoming and fancifulcostume in which she was decked could not heighten her natural charms, it certainly displayed them to advantage. Upon her smooth and beautifulbrow sat a gilt crown, while her dark and luxuriant hair, covered behindwith a scarlet coif, embroidered with gold; and tied with yellow, white, and crimson ribands, but otherwise wholly unconfirmed, swept downalmost to the ground. Slight and fragile, her figure was of such justproportion that every movement and gesture had an indescribable charm. The most courtly dame might have envied her fine and taper fingers, andfancied she could improve them by protecting them against the sun, or byrendering them snowy white with paste or cosmetic, but this wasquestionable; nothing certainly could improve the small foot andfinely-turned ankle, so well displayed in the red hose and smart littleyellow buskin, fringed with gold. A stomacher of scarlet cloth, braidedwith yellow lace in cross bars, confined her slender waist. Her robe wasof carnation-coloured silk, with wide sleeves, and the gold-fringedskirt descended only a little below the knee, like the dress of a modernSwiss peasant, so as to reveal the exquisite symmetry of her limbs. Overall she wore a surcoat of azure silk, lined with white, and edged withgold. In her left hand she held a red pink as an emblem of the season. So enchanting was her appearance altogether, so fresh the character ofher beauty, so bright the bloom that dyed her lovely checks, that shemight have been taken for a personification of May herself. She wasindeed in the very May of life--the mingling of spring and summer inwomanhood; and the tender blue eyes, bright and clear as diamonds ofpurest water, the soft regular features, and the merry mouth, whoseruddy parted lips ever and anon displayed two rows of pearls, completedthe similitude to the attributes of the jocund month. 

Her handmaidens, both of whom were simple girls, and though notdestitute of some pretensions to beauty themselves, in nowise to becompared with her, were at the moment employed in knotting the ribandsin her hair, and adjusting the azure surcoat. 

Attentively watching these proceedings sat on a stool, placed in acorner, a little girl, some nine or ten years old, with a basket offlowers on her knee. The child was very diminutive, even for her age, and her smallness was increased by personal deformity, occasioned bycontraction of the chest, and spinal curvature, which raised her backabove her shoulders; but her features were sharp and cunning, indeedalmost malignant, and there was a singular and unpleasant look about theeyes, which were not placed evenly in the head. Altogether she had astrange old-fashioned look, and from her habitual bitterness of speech, as well as from her vindictive character, which, young as she was, hadbeen displayed, with some effect, on more than one occasion, she was nogreat favourite with any one. It was curious now to watch the eager andenvious interest she took in the progress of her sister's adornment--forsuch was the degree of relationship in which she stood to the MayQueen--and when the surcoat was finally adjusted, and the last ribandtied, she broke forth, having hitherto preserved a sullen silence. 

[Illustration: THE MAY QUEEN. ]

"Weel, sister Alizon, ye may a farrently May Queen, ey mun say" sheobserved, spitefully, "but to my mind other Suky Worseley, or NancyHolt, here, would ha' looked prottier. "

"Nah, nah, that we shouldna, " rejoined one of the damsels referred to;"there is na a lass i' Lonkyshiar to hold a condle near Alizon Device. "

"Fie upon ye, for an ill-favort minx, Jennet, " cried Nancy Holt; "yo'rejealous o' your protty sister. "

"Ey jealous, " cried Jennet, reddening, "an whoy the firrups should ey bejealous, ey, thou saucy jade! Whon ey grow older ey'st may a prottierMay Queen than onny on you, an so the lads aw tell me. "

"And so you will, Jennet, " said Alizon Device, checking, by a gentlelook, the jeering laugh in which Nancy seemed disposed to indulge--"soyou will, my pretty little sister, " she added, kissing her; "and I will'tire you as well and as carefully as Susan and Nancy have just 'tiredme. "

"Mayhap ey shanna live till then, " rejoined Jennet, peevishly, "and wheney'm dead an' gone, an' laid i' t' cowld churchyard, yo an they win besorry fo having werreted me so. "

"I have never intentionally vexed you, Jennet, love, " said Alizon, "andI am sure these two girls love you dearly. "

"Eigh, we may allowance fo her feaw tempers, " observed Susan Worseley;"fo we knoa that ailments an deformities are sure to may folk fretful. "

"Eigh, there it is, " cried Jennet, sharply. "My high shoulthers an smasize are always thrown i' my feace. Boh ey'st grow tall i' time, an getstraight--eigh straighter than yo, Suky, wi' your broad back an shortneck--boh if ey dunna, whot matters it? Ey shall be feared at onnyrate--ay, feared, wenches, by ye both. "

"Nah doubt on't, theaw little good-fo'-nothin piece o' mischief, "muttered Susan. 

"Whot's that yo sayn, Suky?" cried Jennet, whose quick ears had caughtthe words, "Tak care whot ye do to offend me, lass, " she added, shakingher thin fingers, armed with talon-like claws, threateningly at her, "orey'll ask my granddame, Mother Demdike, to quieten ye. "

At the mention of this name a sudden shade came over Susan'scountenance. Changing colour, and slightly trembling, she turned awayfrom the child, who, noticing the effect of her threat, could notrepress her triumph. But again Alizon interposed. 

"Do not be alarmed, Susan, " she said, "my grandmother will never harmyou, I am sure; indeed, she will never harm any one; and do not heedwhat little Jennet says, for she is not aware of the effect of her ownwords, or of the injury they might do our grandmother, if repeated. "

"Ey dunna wish to repeat them, or to think of em, " sobbed Susan. 

"That's good, that's kind of you, Susan, " replied Alizon, taking herhand. "Do not be cross any more, Jennet. You see you have made herweep. "

"Ey'm glad on it, " rejoined the little girl, laughing; "let her cry on. It'll do her good, an teach her to mend her manners, and nah offend meagain. "

"Ey didna mean to offend ye, Jennet, " sobbed Susan, "boh yo're sowrythen an marr'd, a body canna speak to please ye. "

"Weel, if ye confess your fault, ey'm satisfied, " replied the littlegirl; "boh let it be a lesson to ye, Suky, to keep guard o' your tonguei' future. "

"It shall, ey promise ye, " replied Susan, drying her eyes. 

At this moment a door opened, and a woman entered from an inner room, having a high-crowned, conical-shaped hat on her head, and broad whitepinners over her cheeks. Her dress was of dark red camlet, withhigh-heeled shoes. She stooped slightly, and being rather lame, supported herself on a crutch-handled stick. In age she might be betweenforty and fifty, but she looked much older, and her features were not atall prepossessing from a hooked nose and chin, while their sinistereffect was increased by a formation of the eyes similar to that inJennet, only more strongly noticeable in her case. This woman wasElizabeth Device, widow of John Device, about whose death there was amystery to be inquired into hereafter, and mother of Alizon and Jennet, though how she came to have a daughter so unlike herself in all respectsas the former, no one could conceive; but so it was. 

"Soh, ye ha donned your finery at last, Alizon, " said Elizabeth. "Yourbrother Jem has just run up to say that t' rush-cart has set out, andthat Robin Hood and his merry men are comin' for their Queen. "

"And their Queen is quite ready for them, " replied Alizon, movingtowards the door. 

"Neigh, let's ha' a look at ye fust, wench, " cried Elizabeth, stayingher; "fine fitthers may fine brids--ey warrant me now yo'n getten theseMay gewgaws on, yo fancy yourself a queen in arnest. "

"A queen of a day, mother; a queen of a little village festival; nothingmore, " replied Alizon. "Oh, if I were a queen in right earnest, or evena great lady--"

"Whot would yo do?" demanded Elizabeth Device, sourly. 

"I'd make you rich, mother, and build you a grand house to live in, "replied Alizon; "much grander than Browsholme, or Downham, orMiddleton. "

"Pity yo're nah a queen then, Alizon, " replied Elizabeth, relaxing herharsh features into a wintry smile. 

"Whot would ye do fo me, Alizon, if ye were a queen?" asked littleJennet, looking up at her. 

"Why, let me see, " was the reply; "I'd indulge every one of your whimsand wishes. You should only need ask to have. "

"Poh--poh--yo'd never content her, " observed Elizabeth, testily. 

"It's nah your way to try an content me, mother, even whon ye might, "rejoined Jennet, who, if she loved few people, loved her mother least ofall, and never lost an opportunity of testifying her dislike to her. 

"Awt o'pontee, little wasp, " cried her mother; "theaw desarves nowt bohwhot theaw dustna get often enough--a good whipping. "

"Yo hanna towd us whot yo'd do fo yurself if yo war a great lady, Alizon?" interposed Susan. 

"Oh, I haven't thought about myself, " replied the other, laughing. 

"Ey con tell ye what she'd do, Suky, " replied little Jennet, knowingly;"she'd marry Master Richard Assheton, o' Middleton. "

"Jennet!" exclaimed Alizon, blushing crimson. 

"It's true, " replied the little girl; "ye knoa ye would, Alizon, Look ather feace, " she added, with a screaming laugh. 

"Howd te tongue, little plague, " cried Elizabeth, rapping her knuckleswith her stick, "and behave thyself, or theaw shanna go out to t' wake. "

Jennet dealt her mother a bitterly vindictive look, but she neitheruttered cry, nor made remark. 

In the momentary silence that ensued the blithe jingling of bells washeard, accompanied by the merry sound of tabor and pipe. 

"Ah! here come the rush-cart and the morris-dancers, " cried Alizon, rushing joyously to the window, which, being left partly open, admittedthe scent of the woodbine and eglantine by which it was overgrown, aswell as the humming sound of the bees by which the flowers were invaded. 

Almost immediately afterwards a frolic troop, like a band of masquers, approached the cottage, and drew up before it, while the jingling ofbells ceasing at the same moment, told that the rush-cart had stoppedlikewise. Chief amongst the party was Robin Hood clad in a suit ofLincoln green, with a sheaf of arrows at his back, a bugle dangling fromhis baldric, a bow in his hand, and a broad-leaved green hat on hishead, looped up on one side, and decorated with a heron's feather. Thehero of Sherwood was personated by a tall, well-limbed fellow, to whom, being really a forester of Bowland, the character was natural. Besidehim stood a very different figure, a jovial friar, with shaven crown, rubicund cheeks, bull throat, and mighty paunch, covered by a russethabit, and girded in by a red cord, decorated with golden twist andtassel. He wore red hose and sandal shoon, and carried in his girdle aWallet, to contain a roast capon, a neat's tongue, or any other daintygiven him. Friar Tuck, for such he was, found his representative in NedHuddlestone, porter at the abbey, who, as the largest and stoutest manin the village, was chosen on that account to the part. Next to him camea character of no little importance, and upon whom much of the mirth ofthe pageant depended, and this devolved upon the village cobbler, JackRoby, a dapper little fellow, who fitted the part of the Fool to anicety. With bauble in hand, and blue coxcomb hood adorned with longwhite asses' ears on head, with jerkin of green, striped with yellow;hose of different colours, the left leg being yellow, with a redpantoufle, and the right blue, terminated with a yellow shoe; with bellshung upon various parts of his motley attire, so that he could not movewithout producing a jingling sound, Jack Roby looked wonderful indeed;and was constantly dancing about, and dealing a blow with his bauble. Next came Will Scarlet, Stukely, and Little John, all proper men andtall, attired in Lincoln green, like Robin Hood, and similarly equipped. Like him, too, they were all foresters of Bowland, owning service to thebow-bearer, Mr. Parker of Browsholme hall; and the representative ofLittle John, who was six feet and a half high, and stout in proportion, was Lawrence Blackrod, Mr. Parker's head keeper. After the foresterscame Tom the Piper, a wandering minstrel, habited for the occasion in ablue doublet, with sleeves of the same colour, turned up with yellow, red hose, and brown buskins, red bonnet, and green surcoat lined withyellow. Beside the piper was another minstrel, similarly attired, andprovided with a tabor. Lastly came one of the main features of thepageant, and which, together with the Fool, contributed most materiallyto the amusement of the spectators. This was the Hobby-horse. The hue ofthis, spirited charger was a pinkish white, and his housings were ofcrimson cloth hanging to the ground, so as to conceal the rider's reallegs, though a pair of sham ones dangled at the side. His bit was ofgold, and his bridle red morocco leather, while his rider was verysumptuously arrayed in a purple mantle, bordered with gold, with a richcap of the same regal hue on his head, encircled with gold, and having ared feather stuck in it. The hobby-horse had a plume of nodding featherson his head, and careered from side to side, now rearing in front, nowkicking behind, now prancing, now gently ambling, and in short indulgingin playful fancies and vagaries, such as horse never indulged in before, to the imminent danger, it seemed, of his rider, and to the huge delightof the beholders. Nor must it be omitted, as it was matter of greatwonderment to the lookers-on, that by some legerdemain contrivance therider of the hobby-horse had a couple of daggers stuck in his cheeks, while from his steed's bridle hung a silver ladle, which he held now andthen to the crowd, and in which, when he did so, a few coins were sureto rattle. After the hobby-horse came the May-pole, not the tall pole socalled and which was already planted in the green, but a stout staffelevated some six feet above the head of the bearer, with a coronal offlowers atop, and four long garlands hanging down, each held by amorris-dancer. Then came the May Queen's gentleman usher, a fantasticpersonage in habiliments of blue guarded with white, and holding a longwillow wand in his hand. After the usher came the main troop ofmorris-dancers--the men attired in a graceful costume, which set offtheir light active figures to advantage, consisting of a slashed-jerkinof black and white velvet, with cut sleeves left open so as to revealthe snowy shirt beneath, white hose, and shoes of black Spanish leatherwith large roses. Ribands were every where in their dresses--ribands andtinsel adorned their caps, ribands crossed their hose, and ribands weretied round their arms. In either hand they held a long whitehandkerchief knotted with ribands. The female morris-dancers werehabited in white, decorated like the dresses of the men; they hadribands and wreaths of flowers round their heads, bows in their hair, and in their hands long white knotted kerchiefs. 

In the rear of the performers in the pageant came the rush-cart drawn bya team of eight stout horses, with their manes and tails tied withribands, their collars fringed with red and yellow worsted, and hungwith bells, which jingled blithely at every movement, and their headsdecked with flowers. The cart itself consisted of an enormous pile ofrushes, banded and twisted together, rising to a considerable height, and terminated in a sharp ridge, like the point of a Gothic window. Thesides and top were decorated with flowers and ribands, and there wereeaves in front and at the back, and on the space within them, which wascovered with white paper, were strings of gaudy flowers, embedded inmoss, amongst which were suspended all the ornaments and finery thatcould be collected for the occasion: to wit, flagons of silver, spoons, ladles, chains, watches, and bracelets, so as to make a brave andresplendent show. The wonder was how articles of so much value would betrusted forth on such an occasion; but nothing was ever lost. On the topof the rush-cart, and bestriding its sharp ridges, sat half a dozen men, habited somewhat like the morris-dancers, in garments bedecked withtinsel and ribands, holding garlands formed by hoops, decorated withflowers, and attached to poles ornamented with silver paper, cut intovarious figures and devices, and diminishing gradually in size as theyrose to a point, where they were crowned with wreaths of daffodils. 

A large crowd of rustics, of all ages, accompanied the morris-dancersand rush-cart. 

This gay troop having come to a halt, as described, before the cottage, the gentleman-usher entered it, and, tapping against the inner door withhis wand, took off his cap as soon as it was opened, and bowingdeferentially to the ground, said he was come to invite the Queen of Mayto join the pageant, and that it only awaited her presence to proceed tothe green. Having delivered this speech in as good set phrase as hecould command, and being the parish clerk and schoolmaster to boot, Sampson Harrop by name, he was somewhat more polished than the rest ofthe hinds; and having, moreover, received a gracious response from theMay Queen, who condescendingly replied that she was quite ready toaccompany him, he took her hand, and led her ceremoniously to the door, whither they were followed by the others. 

Loud was the shout that greeted Alizon's appearance, and tremendous wasthe pushing to obtain a sight of her; and so much was she abashed by theenthusiastic greeting, which was wholly unexpected on her part, that shewould have drawn back again, if it had been possible; but the usher ledher forward, and Robin Hood and the foresters having bent the kneebefore her, the hobby-horse began to curvet anew among the spectators, and tread on their toes, the fool to rap their knuckles with his bauble, the piper to play, the taborer to beat his tambourine, and themorris-dancers to toss their kerchiefs over their heads. Thus thepageant being put in motion, the rush-cart began to roll on, its horses'bells jingling merrily, and the spectators cheering lustily. 

CHAPTER II. --THE BLACK CAT AND THE WHITE DOVE. 

Little Jennet watched her sister's triumphant departure with a look inwhich there was far more of envy than sympathy, and, when her mothertook her hand to lead her forth, she would not go, but saying she didnot care for any such idle sights, went back sullenly to the inner room. When there, however, she could not help peeping through the window, andsaw Susan and Nancy join the revel rout, with feelings of increasedbitterness. 

"Ey wish it would rain an spile their finery, " she said, sitting down onher stool, and plucking the flowers from her basket in pieces. "An yet, why canna ey enjoy such seets like other folk? Truth is, ey've nah heartfor it. "

"Folks say, " she continued, after a pause, "that grandmother Demdike isa witch, an con do os she pleases. Ey wonder if she made Alizon soprotty. Nah, that canna be, fo' Alizon's na favourite o' hern. If sheloves onny one it's me. Why dunna she make me good-looking, then? Theysay it's sinfu' to be a witch--if so, how comes grandmother Demdike tobe one? Boh ey'n observed that those folks os caws her witch are afeardon her, so it may be pure spite o' their pert. "

As she thus mused, a great black cat belonging to her mother, which hadfollowed her into the room, rubbed himself against her, putting up hisback, and purring loudly. 

"Ah, Tib, " said the little girl, "how are ye, Tib? Ey didna knoa ye werehere. Lemme ask ye some questions, Tib?"

The cat mewed, looked up, and fixed his great yellow eyes upon her. 

"One 'ud think ye onderstud whot wos said to ye, Tib, " pursued littleJennet. "We'n see whot ye say to this! Shan ey ever be Queen o' May, like sister Alizon?"

The cat mewed in a manner that the little girl found no difficulty ininterpreting the reply into "No. "

"How's that, Tib?" cried Jennet, sharply. "If ey thought ye meant it, ey'd beat ye, sirrah. Answer me another question, ye saucy knave. Whowill be luckiest, Alizon or me?"

This time the cat darted away from her, and made two or three skirmishesround the room, as if gone suddenly mad. 

"Ey con may nowt o' that, " observed Jennet, laughing. 

All at once the cat bounded upon the chimney board, over which wasplaced a sampler, worked with the name "ALIZON. "

"Why Tib really seems to onderstond me, ey declare, " observed Jennet, uneasily. "Ey should like to ask him a few more questions, if ey durst, "she added, regarding with some distrust the animal, who now returned, and began rubbing against her as before. "Tib--Tib!"

The cat looked up, and mewed. 

"Protty Tib--sweet Tib, " continued the little girl, coaxingly. "Whot munone do to be a witch like grandmother Demdike?"

The cat again dashed twice or thrice madly round the room, and thenstopping suddenly at the hearth, sprang up the chimney. 

"Ey'n frightened ye away ot onny rate, " observed Jennet, laughing. "Andyet it may mean summot, " she added, reflecting a little, "fo ey'n heerdsay os how witches fly up chimleys o' broomsticks to attend theirsabbaths. Ey should like to fly i' that manner, an change myself intoanother shape--onny shape boh my own. Oh that ey could be os protty osAlizon! Ey dunna knoa whot ey'd nah do to be like her!"

Again the great black cat was beside her, rubbing against her, andpurring. The child was a good deal startled, for she had not seen himreturn, and the door was shut, though he might have come in through theopen window, only she had been looking that way all the time, and hadnever noticed him. Strange!

"Tib, " said the child, patting him, "thou hasna answered my lastquestion--how is one to become a witch?"

As she made this inquiry the cat suddenly scratched her in the arm, sothat the blood came. The little girl was a good deal frightened, as wellas hurt, and, withdrawing her arm quickly, made a motion of striking theanimal. But starting backwards, erecting his tail, and spitting, the catassumed such a formidable appearance, that she did not dare to touchhim, and she then perceived that some drops of blood stained her whitesleeve, giving the spots a certain resemblance to the letters J. And D. , her own initials. 

At this moment, when she was about to scream for help, though she knewno one was in the house, all having gone away with the May-dayrevellers, a small white dove flew in at the open window, and skimminground the room, alighted near her. No sooner had the cat caught sight ofthis beautiful bird, than instead of preparing to pounce upon it, asmight have been expected, he instantly abandoned his fierce attitude, and, uttering a sort of howl, sprang up the chimney as before. But thechild scarcely observed this, her attention being directed towards thebird, whose extreme beauty delighted her. It seemed quite tame too, andallowed itself to be touched, and even drawn towards her, without aneffort to escape. Never, surely, was seen so beautiful a bird--with suchmilkwhite feathers, such red legs, and such pretty yellow eyes, withcrimson circles round them! So thought the little girl, as she gazed atit, and pressed it to her bosom. In doing this, gentle and good thoughtscame upon her, and she reflected what a nice present this pretty birdwould make to her sister Alizon on her return from the merry-making, andhow pleased she should feel to give it to her. And then she thought ofAlizon's constant kindness to her, and half reproached herself with thepoor return she made for it, wondering she could entertain any feelingsof envy towards one so good and amiable. All this while the dove nestledin her bosom. 

While thus pondering, the little girl felt an unaccountable drowsinesssteal over her, and presently afterwards dropped asleep, when she had avery strange dream. It seemed to her that there was a contest going onbetween two spirits, a good one and a bad, --the bad one beingrepresented by the great black cat, and the good spirit by the whitedove. What they were striving about she could not exactly tell, but shefelt that the conflict had some relation to herself. The dove at firstappeared to have but a poor chance against the claws of its sableadversary, but the sharp talons of the latter made no impression uponthe white plumage of the bird, which now shone like silver armour, andin the end the cat fled, yelling as it darted off--"Thou art victoriousnow, but her soul shall yet be mine. "

Something awakened the little sleeper at the same moment, and she feltvery much terrified at her dream, as she could not help thinking her ownsoul might be the one in jeopardy, and her first impulse was to seewhether the white dove was safe. Yes, there it was still nestling in herbosom, with its head under its wing. 

Just then she was startled at hearing her own name pronounced by ahoarse voice, and, looking up, she beheld a tall young man standing atthe window. He had a somewhat gipsy look, having a dark olivecomplexion, and fine black eyes, though set strangely in his head, likethose of Jennet and her mother, coal black hair, and very prominentfeatures, of a sullen and almost savage cast. His figure was gaunt butvery muscular, his arms being extremely long and his hands unusuallylarge and bony--personal advantages which made him a formidableantagonist in any rustic encounter, and in such he was frequentlyengaged, being of a very irascible temper, and turbulent disposition. Hewas clad in a holiday suit of dark-green serge, which fitted him well, and carried a nosegay in one hand, and a stout blackthorn cudgel in theother. This young man was James Device, son of Elizabeth, and some fouror five years older than Alizon. He did not live with his mother inWhalley, but in Pendle Forest, near his old relative, Mother Demdike, and had come over that morning to attend the wake. 

"Whot are ye abowt, Jennet?" inquired James Device, in tones naturallyhoarse and deep, and which he took as little pains to soften, as he didto polish his manners, which were more than ordinarily rude andchurlish. 

"Whot are ye abowt, ey sey, wench?" he repeated, "Why dunna ye go to t'green to see the morris-dancers foot it round t' May-pow? Cum along wi'me. "

"Ey dunna want to go, Jem, " replied the little girl. 

"Boh yo shan go, ey tell ey, " rejoined her brother; "ye shan see yoursister dawnce. Ye con sit a whoam onny day; boh May-day cums ony wonst ayear, an Alizon winna be Queen twice i' her life. Soh cum along wi' me, dereckly, or ey'n may ye. "

"Ey should like to see Alizon dance, an so ey win go wi' ye, Jem, "replied Jennet, getting up, "otherwise your orders shouldna may me stir, ey con tell ye. "

As she came out, she found her brother whistling the blithe air of"Green Sleeves, " cutting strange capers, in imitation of themorris-dancers, and whirling his cudgel over his head instead of akerchief. The gaiety of the day seemed infectious, and to have seizedeven him. People stared to see Black Jem, or Surly Jem, as he wasindifferently called, so joyous, and wondered what it could mean. Hethen fell to singing a snatch of a local ballad at that time in vogue inthe neighbourhood:--

 "If thou wi' nah my secret tell, Ne bruit abroad i' Whalley parish, And swear to keep my counsel well, Ey win declare my day of marriage. "

"Cum along, lass, " he cried stopping suddenly in his song, and snatchinghis sister's hand. "What han ye getten there, lapped up i' your kirtle, eh?"

"A white dove, " replied Jennet, determined not to tell him any thingabout her strange dream. 

"A white dove!" echoed Jem. "Gi' it me, an ey'n wring its neck, an getit roasted for supper. "

"Ye shan do nah such thing, Jem, " replied Jennet. "Ey mean to gi' it toAlizon. "

"Weel, weel, that's reet, " rejoined Jem, blandly, "it'll may a prottyoffering. Let's look at it. "

"Nah, nah, " said Jennet, pressing the bird gently to her bosom, "neawone shan see it efore Alizon. "

"Cum along then, " cried Jem, rather testily, and mending his pace, "orwe'st be too late fo' t' round. Whoy yo'n scratted yourself, " he added, noticing the red spots on her sleeve. 

"Han ey?" she rejoined, evasively. "Oh now ey rekilect, it wos Tib didit. "

"Tib!" echoed Jem, gravely, and glancing uneasily at the marks. 

Meanwhile, on quitting the cottage, the May-day revellers had proceededslowly towards the green, increasing the number of their followers ateach little tenement they passed, and being welcomed every where withshouts and cheers. The hobby-horse curveted and capered; the Foolfleered at the girls, and flouted the men, jesting with every one, andwhen failing in a point rapping the knuckles of his auditors; Friar Tuckchucked the pretty girls under the chin, in defiance of theirsweethearts, and stole a kiss from every buxom dame that stood in hisway, and then snapped his fingers, or made a broad grimace at thehusband; the piper played, and the taborer rattled his tambourine; themorris-dancers tossed their kerchiefs aloft; and the bells of therush-cart jingled merrily; the men on the top being on a level with theroofs of the cottages, and the summits of the haystacks they passed, butin spite of their exalted position jesting with the crowd below. But inspite of these multiplied attractions, and in spite of the gambols ofFool and Horse, though the latter elicited prodigious laughter, the mainattention was fixed on the May Queen, who tripped lightly along by theside of her faithful squire, Robin Hood, followed by the three boldforesters of Sherwood, and her usher. 

In this way they reached the green, where already a large crowd wascollected to see them, and where in the midst of it, and above the headsof the assemblage, rose the lofty May-pole, with all its flowerygarlands glittering in the sunshine, and its ribands fluttering in thebreeze. Pleasant was it to see those cheerful groups, composed of happyrustics, youths in their holiday attire, and maidens neatly habited too, and fresh and bright as the day itself. Summer sunshine sparkled intheir eyes, and weather and circumstance as well as genial naturesdisposed them to enjoyment. Every lass above eighteen had hersweetheart, and old couples nodded and smiled at each other when anytender speech, broadly conveyed but tenderly conceived, reached theirears, and said it recalled the days of their youth. Pleasant was it tohear such honest laughter, and such good homely jests. 

Laugh on, my merry lads, you are made of good old English stuff, loyalto church and king, and while you, and such as you, last, our land willbe in no danger from foreign foe! Laugh on, and praise your sweetheartshow you will. Laugh on, and blessings on your honest hearts!

The frolic train had just reached the precincts of the green, when theusher waving his wand aloft, called a momentary halt, announcing thatSir Ralph Assheton and the gentry were coming forth from the Abbey gateto meet them. 

CHAPTER III. --THE ASSHETONS. 

Between Sir Ralph Assheton of the Abbey and the inhabitants of Whalley, many of whom were his tenants, he being joint lord of the manor withJohn Braddyll of Portfield, the best possible feeling subsisted; forthough somewhat austere in manner, and tinctured with Puritanism, theworthy knight was sufficiently shrewd, or, more correctly speaking, sufficiently liberal-minded, to be tolerant of the opinions of others, and being moreover sincere in his own religious views, no man could callhim in question for them; besides which, he was very hospitable to hisfriends, very bountiful to the poor, a good landlord, and a humane man. His very austerity of manner, tempered by stately courtesy, added to therespect he inspired, especially as he could now and then relax intogaiety, and, when he did so, his smile was accounted singularly sweet. But in general he was grave and formal; stiff in attire, and stiff ingait; cold and punctilious in manner, precise in speech, and exacting indue respect from both high and low, which was seldom, if ever, refusedhim. Amongst Sir Ralph's other good qualities, for such it was esteemedby his friends and retainers, and they were, of course, the best judges, was a strong love of the chase, and perhaps he indulged a little toofreely in the sports of the field, for a gentleman of a character sostaid and decorous; but his popularity was far from being diminished bythe circumstance; neither did he suffer the rude and boisterouscompanionship into which he was brought by indulgence in this hisfavourite pursuit in any way to affect him. Though still young, SirRalph was prematurely grey, and this, combined with the sad severity ofhis aspect, gave him the air of one considerably past the middle term oflife, though this appearance was contradicted again by the youthful fireof his eagle eye. His features were handsome and strongly marked, and hewore a pointed beard and mustaches, with a shaved cheek. Sir RalphAssheton had married twice, his first wife being a daughter of Sir JamesBellingham of Levens, in Northumberland, by whom he had two children;while his second choice fell upon Eleanor Shuttleworth, the lovely andwell-endowed heiress of Gawthorpe, to whom he had been recently united. In his attire, even when habited for the chase or a merry-making, likethe present, the Knight of Whalley affected a sombre colour, andordinarily wore a quilted doublet of black silk, immense trunk hose ofthe same material, stiffened with whalebone, puffed out well-waddedsleeves, falling bands, for he eschewed the ruff as savouring of vanity, boots of black flexible leather, ascending to the hose, and armed withspurs with gigantic rowels, a round-crowned small-brimmed black hat, with an ostrich feather placed in the side and hanging over the top, along rapier on his hip, and a dagger in his girdle. This buckram attire, it will be easily conceived, contributed no little to the naturalstiffness of his thin tall figure. 

Sir Ralph Assheton was great grandson of Richard Assheton, whoflourished in the time of Abbot Paslew, and who, in conjunction withJohn Braddyll, fourteen years after the unfortunate prelate's attainderand the dissolution of the monastery, had purchased the abbey anddomains of Whalley from the Crown, subsequently to which, a division ofthe property so granted took place between them, the abbey and part ofthe manor falling to the share of Richard Assheton, whose descendantshad now for three generations made it their residence. Thus the whole ofWhalley belonged to the families of Assheton and Braddyll, which hadintermarried; the latter, as has been stated, dwelling at Portfield, afine old seat in the neighbourhood. 

A very different person from Sir Ralph was his cousin, Nicholas Asshetonof Downham, who, except as regards his Puritanism, might be considered atype of the Lancashire squire of the day. A precisian in religiousnotions, and constant in attendance at church and lecture, he put nosort of restraint upon himself, but mixed up fox-hunting, otter-hunting, shooting at the mark, and perhaps shooting with the long-bow, foot-racing, horse-racing, and, in fact, every other kind of countrydiversion, not forgetting tippling, cards, and dicing, with dailydevotion, discourses, and psalm-singing in the oddest way imaginable. Athorough sportsman was Squire Nicholas Assheton, well versed in all thearts and mysteries of hawking and hunting. Not a man in the county couldride harder, hunt deer, unkennel fox, unearth badger, or spear otter, better than he. And then, as to tippling, he would sit you a wholeafternoon at the alehouse, and be the merriest man there, and drink about with every farmer present. And if the parson chanced to be out ofhearing, he would never make a mouth at a round oath, nor choose asecond expression when the first would serve his turn. Then, who soconstant at church or lecture as Squire Nicholas--though he did snoresometimes during the long sermons of his cousin, the Rector ofMiddleton? A great man was he at all weddings, christenings, churchings, and funerals, and never neglected his bottle at these ceremonies, norany sport in doors or out of doors, meanwhile. In short, such aroystering Puritan was never known. A good-looking young man was theSquire of Downham, possessed of a very athletic frame, and a mostvigorous constitution, which helped him, together with the prodigiousexercise he took, through any excess. He had a sanguine complexion, witha broad, good-natured visage, which he could lengthen at will in asurprising manner. His hair was cropped close to his head, and the razordid daily duty over his cheek and chin, giving him the roundhead look, some years later, characteristic of the Puritanical party. Nicholas hadtaken to wife Dorothy, daughter of Richard Greenacres of Worston, andwas most fortunate in his choice, which is more than can be said for hislady, for I cannot uphold the squire as a model of conjugal fidelity. Report affirmed that he loved more than one pretty girl under the rose. Squire Nicholas was not particular as to the quality or make of hisclothes, provided they wore well and protected him against the weather, and was generally to be seen in doublet and hose of stout fustian, whichhad seen some service, with a broad-leaved hat, originally green, but oflate bleached to a much lighter colour; but he was clad on thisparticular occasion in ash-coloured habiliments fresh from the tailor'shands, with buff boots drawn up to the knee, and a new round hat fromYork with a green feather in it. His legs were slightly embowed, and hebore himself like a man rarely out of the saddle. 

Downham, the residence of the squire, was a fine old house, verycharmingly situated to the north of Pendle Hill, of which it commanded amagnificent view, and a few miles from Clithero. The grounds about itwere well-wooded and beautifully broken and diversified, watered by theRibble, and opening upon the lovely and extensive valley deriving itsname from that stream. The house was in good order and well maintained, and the stables plentifully furnished with horses, while the hall wasadorned with various trophies and implements of the chase; but as Ipropose paying its owner a visit, I shall defer any further descriptionof the place till an opportunity arrives for examining it in detail. 

A third cousin of Sir Ralph's, though in the second degree, likewisepresent on the May-day in question, was the Reverend Abdias Assheton, Rector of Middleton, a very worthy man, who, though differing from hiskinsmen upon some religious points, and not altogether approving of theconduct of one of them, was on good terms with both. The Rector ofMiddleton was portly and middle-aged, fond of ease and reading, and byno means indifferent to the good things of life. He was unmarried, andpassed much of his time at Middleton Hall, the seat of his near relativeSir Richard Assheton, to whose family he was greatly attached, and whoseresidence closely adjoined the rectory. 

A fourth cousin, also present, was young Richard Assheton of Middleton, eldest son and heir of the owner of that estate. Possessed of all thegood qualities largely distributed among his kinsmen, with none of theirdrawbacks, this young man was as tolerant and bountiful as Sir Ralph, without his austerity and sectarianism; as keen a sportsman and as bolda rider as Nicholas, without his propensities to excess; as studious, attimes, and as well read as Abdias, without his laziness andself-indulgence; and as courtly and well-bred as his father, SirRichard, who was esteemed one of the most perfect gentlemen in thecounty, without his haughtiness. Then he was the handsomest of his race, though the Asshetons were accounted the handsomest family in Lancashire, and no one minded yielding the palm to young Richard, even if it couldbe contested, he was so modest and unassuming. At this time, RichardAssheton was about two-and-twenty, tall, gracefully and slightly formed, but possessed of such remarkable vigour, that even his cousin Nicholascould scarcely compete with him in athletic exercises. His features werefine and regular, with an almost Phrygian precision of outline; his hairwas of a dark brown, and fell in clustering curls over his brow andneck; and his complexion was fresh and blooming, and set off by a slightbeard and mustache, carefully trimmed and pointed. His dress consistedof a dark-green doublet, with wide velvet hose, embroidered and fringed, descending nearly to the knee, where they were tied with points andribands, met by dark stockings, and terminated by red velvet shoes withroses in them. A white feather adorned his black broad-leaved hat, andhe had a rapier by his side. 

Amongst Sir Ralph Assheton's guests were Richard Greenacres, of Worston, Nicholas Assheton's father-in-law; Richard Sherborne of Dunnow, nearSladeburne, who had married Dorothy, Nicholas's sister; MistressRobinson of Raydale House, aunt to the knight and the squire, and two ofher sons, both stout youths, with John Braddyll and his wife, ofPortfield. Besides these there was Master Roger Nowell, a justice of thepeace in the county, and a very active and busy one too, who had beeninvited for an especial purpose, to be explained hereafter. Head of anancient Lancashire family, residing at Read, a fine old hall, somelittle distance from Whalley, Roger Nowell, though a worthy, well-meaning man, dealt hard measure from the bench, and seldom temperedjustice with mercy. He was sharp-featured, dry, and sarcastic, and beingadverse to country sports, his presence on the occasion was the onlything likely to impose restraint on the revellers. Other guests therewere, but none of particular note. 

The ladies of the party consisted of Lady Assheton, Mistress NicholasAssheton of Downham, Dorothy Assheton of Middleton, sister to Richard, alovely girl of eighteen, with light fleecy hair, summer blue eyes, and acomplexion of exquisite purity, Mistress Sherborne of Dunnow, MistressRobinson of Raydale, and Mistress Braddyll of Portfield, beforementioned, together with the wives and daughters of some others of theneighbouring gentry; most noticeable amongst whom was Mistress AliceNutter of Rough Lee, in Pendle Forest, a widow lady and a relative ofthe Assheton family. 

Mistress Nutter might be a year or two turned of forty, but she stillretained a very fine figure, and much beauty of feature, though of acold and disagreeable cast. She was dressed in mourning, though herhusband had been dead several years, and her rich dark habiliments wellbecame her pale complexion and raven hair. A proud poor gentleman wasRichard Nutter, her late husband, and his scanty means not enabling himto keep up as large an establishment as he desired, or to be ashospitable as his nature prompted, his temper became soured, and hevisited his ill humours upon his wife, who, devotedly attached to him, to all outward appearance at least, never resented his ill treatment. All at once, and without any previous symptoms of ailment, or apparentcause, unless it might be over-fatigue in hunting the day before, Richard Nutter was seized with a strange and violent illness, which, after three or four days of acute suffering, brought him to the grave. During his illness he was constantly and zealously tended by his wife, but he displayed great aversion to her, declaring himself bewitched, andthat an old woman was ever in the corner of his room mumbling wickedenchantments against him. But as no such old woman could be seen, theseassertions were treated as delirious ravings. They were not, however, forgotten after his death, and some people said that he had certainlybeen bewitched, and that a waxen image made in his likeness, and stuckfull of pins, had been picked up in his chamber by Mistress Alice andcast into the fire, and as soon as it melted he had expired. Such talesonly obtained credence with the common folk; but as Pendle Forest was asort of weird region, many reputed witches dwelling in it, they were themore readily believed, even by those who acquitted Mistress Nutter ofall share in the dark transaction. 

Mistress Nutter gave the best proof that she respected her husband'smemory by not marrying again, and she continued to lead a very secludedlife at Rough Lee, a lonesome house in the heart of the forest. Shelived quite by herself, for she had no children, her only daughterhaving perished somewhat strangely when quite an infant. Though arelative of the Asshetons, she kept up little intimacy with them, and itwas a matter of surprise to all that she had been drawn from herseclusion to attend the present revel. Her motive, however, in visitingthe Abbey, was to obtain the assistance of Sir Ralph Assheton, insettling a dispute between her and Roger Nowell, relative to theboundary line of part of their properties which came together; and thiswas the reason why the magistrate had been invited to Whalley. Afterhearing both sides of the question, and examining plans of the estates, which he knew to be accurate, Sir Ralph, who had been appointed umpire, pronounced a decision in favour of Roger Nowell, but Mistress Nutterrefusing to abide by it, the settlement of the matter was postponed tillthe day but one following, between which time the landmarks were to beinvestigated by a certain little lawyer named Potts, who attended onbehalf of Roger Nowell; together with Nicholas and Richard Assheton, onbehalf of Mistress Nutter. Upon their evidence it was agreed by bothparties that Sir Ralph should pronounce a final decision, to be acceptedby them, and to that effect they signed an agreement. The three personsappointed to the investigation settled to start for Rough Lee early onthe following morning. 

A word as to Master Thomas Potts. This worthy was an attorney fromLondon, who had officiated as clerk of the court at the assizes atLancaster, where his quickness had so much pleased Roger Nowell, that hesent for him to Read to manage this particular business. A sharp-wittedfellow was Potts, and versed in all the quirks and tricks of a verysubtle profession--not over-scrupulous, provided a client would paywell; prepared to resort to any expedient to gain his object, and quiteconversant enough with both practice and precedent to keep himselfstraight. A bustling, consequential little personage was he, moreover;very fond of delivering an opinion, even when unasked, and of ameddling, make-mischief turn, constantly setting men by the ears. A suitof rusty black, a parchment-coloured skin, small wizen features, aturn-up nose, scant eyebrows, and a great yellow forehead, constitutedhis external man. He partook of the hospitality at the Abbey, but hadhis quarters at the Dragon. He it was who counselled Roger Nowell toabide by the decision of Sir Ralph, confidently assuring him that hemust carry his point. 

This dispute was not, however, the only one the knight had to adjust, orin which Master Potts was concerned. A claim had recently been made by acertain Sir Thomas Metcalfe of Nappay, in Wensleydale, near Bainbridge, to the house and manor of Raydale, belonging to his neighbour, JohnRobinson, whose lady, as has been shown, was a relative of theAsshetons. Robinson himself had gone to London to obtain advice on thesubject, while Sir Thomas Metcalfe, who was a man of violentdisposition, had threatened to take forcible possession of Raydale, ifit were not delivered to him without delay, and to eject the Robinsonfamily. Having consulted Potts, however, on the subject, whom he had metat Read, the latter strongly dissuaded him from the course, andrecommended him to call to his aid the strong arm of the law: but thishe rejected, though he ultimately agreed to refer the matter to SirRalph Assheton, and for this purpose he had come over to Whalley, andwas at present a guest at the vicarage. Thus it will be seen that SirRalph Assheton had his hands full, while the little London lawyer, Master Potts, was tolerably well occupied. Besides Sir Thomas Metcalfe, Sir Richard Molyneux, and Mr. Parker of Browsholme, were guests of Dr. Ormerod at the vicarage. 

Such was the large company assembled to witness the May-day revels atWhalley, and if harmonious feelings did not exist amongst all of them, little outward manifestation was made of enmity. The dresses andappointments of the pageant having been provided by Sir Ralph Assheton, who, Puritan as he was, encouraged all harmless country pastimes, it wasdeemed necessary to pay him every respect, even if no other feelingwould have prompted the attention, and therefore the troop had stoppedon seeing him and his guests issue from the Abbey gate. At pretty nearlythe same time Doctor Ormerod and his party came from the vicaragetowards the green. 

No order of march was observed, but Sir Ralph and his lady, with two ofhis children by the former marriage, walked first. Then came some of theother ladies, with the Rector of Middleton, John Braddyll, and the twosons of Mistress Robinson. Next came Mistress Nutter, Roger Nowell andPotts walking after her, eyeing her maliciously, as her proud figureswept on before them. Even if she saw their looks or overheard theirjeers, she did not deign to notice them. Lastly came young RichardAssheton, of Middleton, and Squire Nicholas, both in high spirits, andlaughing and chatting together. 

"A brave day for the morris-dancers, cousin Dick, " observed NicholasAssheton, as they approached the green, "and plenty of folk to witnessthe sport. Half my lads from Downham are here, and I see a good many ofyour Middleton chaps among them. How are you, Farmer Tetlow?" he addedto a stout, hale-looking man, with a blooming country woman by hisside--"brought your pretty young wife to the rush-bearing, I see. "

"Yeigh, squoire, " rejoined the farmer, "an mightily pleased hoo be wi'it, too. "

"Happy to hear if, Master Tetlow, " replied Nicholas, "she'll be betterpleased before the day's over, I'll warrant her. I'll dance a round withher myself in the hall at night. "

"Theere now, Meg, whoy dunna ye may t' squoire a curtsy, wench, an thonkhim, " said Tetlow, nudging his pretty wife, who had turned away, ratherembarrassed by the free gaze of the squire. Nicholas, however, did notwait for the curtsy, but went away, laughing, to overtake RichardAssheton, who had walked on. 

"Ah, here's Frank Garside, " he continued, espying another rusticacquaintance. "Halloa, Frank, I'll come over one day next week, and tryfor a fox in Easington Woods. We missed the last, you know. TomBrockholes, are you here? Just ridden over from Sladeburne, eh? When isthat shooting match at the bodkin to come off, eh? Mind, it is to be attwenty-two roods' distance. Ride over to Downham on Thursday next, Tom. We're to have a foot-race, and I'll show you good sport, and at nightwe'll have a lusty drinking bout at the alehouse. On Friday, we'll takeout the great nets, and try for salmon in the Ribble. I took some finefish on Monday--one salmon of ten pounds' weight, the largest I've gotthe whole season. --I brought it with me to-day to the Abbey. There's anotter in the river, and I won't hunt him till you come, Tom. I shall seeyou on Thursday, eh?"

Receiving an answer in the affirmative, squire Nicholas walked on, nodding right and left, jesting with the farmers, and ogling theirpretty wives and daughters. 

"I tell you what, cousin Dick, " he said, calling after Richard Assheton, who had got in advance of him, "I'll match my dun nag against your greygelding for twenty pieces, that I reach the boundary line of the RoughLee lands before you to-morrow. What, you won't have it? You know Ishall beat you--ha! ha! Well, we'll try the speed of the two tits thefirst day we hunt the stag in Bowland Forest. Odds my life!" he cried, suddenly altering his deportment and lengthening his visage, "if thereisn't our parson here. Stay with me, cousin Dick, stay with me. Give yougood-day, worthy Mr. Dewhurst, " he added, taking off his hat to thedivine, who respectfully returned his salutation, "I did not look to seeyour reverence here, taking part in these vanities and idle sports. Ipropose to call on you on Saturday, and pass an hour in seriousdiscourse. I would call to-morrow, but I have to ride over to Pendle onbusiness. Tarry a moment for me, I pray you, good cousin Richard. Ifear, reverend sir, that you will see much here that will scandaliseyou; much lightness and indecorum. Pleasanter far would it be to me tosee a large congregation of the elders flocking together to a godlymeeting, than crowds assembled for such a profane purpose. Anothermoment, Richard. My cousin is a young man, Mr. Dewhurst, and wishes tojoin the revel. But we must make allowances, worthy and reverend sir, until the world shall improve. An excellent discourse you gave us, goodsir, on Sunday: viii. Rom. 12 and 13 verses: it is graven upon mymemory, but I have made a note of it in my diary. I come to you, cousin, I come. I pray you walk on to the Abbey, good Mr. Dewhurst, where youwill be right welcome, and call for any refreshment you may desire--aglass of good sack, and a slice of venison pasty, on which we have justdined--and there is some famous old ale, which I would commend to you, but that I know you care not, any more than myself, for creaturecomforts. Farewell, reverend sir. I will join you ere long, for thesescenes have little attraction for me. But I must take care that my youngcousin falleth not into harm. "

And as the divine took his way to the Abbey, he added, laughingly, toRichard, --"A good riddance, Dick. I would not have the old fellow playthe spy upon us. --Ah, Giles Mercer, " he added, stopping again, --"andJeff Rushton--well met, lads! what, are you come to the wake? I shall beat John Lawe's in the evening, and we'll have a glass together--Johnbrews sack rarely, and spareth not the eggs. "

"Boh yo'n be at th' dawncing at th' Abbey, squoire, " said one of thefarmers. 

"Curse the dancing!" cried Nicholas--"I hope the parson didn't hear me, "he added, turning round quickly. "Well, well, I'll come down when thedancing's over, and we'll make a night of it. " And he ran on to overtakeRichard Assheton. 

By this time the respective parties from the Abbey and the Vicaragehaving united, they walked on together, Sir Ralph Assheton, aftercourteously exchanging salutations with Dr. Ormerod's guests, stillkeeping a little in advance of the company. Sir Thomas Metcalfecomported himself with more than his wonted haughtiness, and bowed sosuperciliously to Mistress Robinson, that her two sons glanced angrilyat each other, as if in doubt whether they should not instantly resentthe affront. Observing this, as well as what had previously taken place, Nicholas Assheton stepped quickly up to them, and said--

"Keep quiet, lads. Leave this dunghill cock to me, and I'll lower hiscrest. "

With this he pushed forward, and elbowing Sir Thomas rudely out of theway, turned round, and, instead of apologising, eyed him coolly andcontemptuously from head to foot. 

"Are you drunk, sir, that you forget your manners?" asked Sir Thomas, laying his hand upon his sword. 

"Not so drunk but that I know how to conduct myself like a gentleman, Sir Thomas, " rejoined Nicholas, "which is more than can be said for acertain person of my acquaintance, who, for aught I know, has only takenhis morning pint. "

"You wish to pick a quarrel with me, Master Nicholas Assheton, Iperceive, " said Sir Thomas, stepping close up to him, "and I will notdisappoint you. You shall render me good reason for this affront beforeI leave Whalley. "

"When and where you please, Sir Thomas, " rejoined Nicholas, laughing. "At any hour, and at any weapon, I am your man. "

At this moment, Master Potts, who had scented a quarrel afar, and whowould have liked it well enough if its prosecution had not run counterto his own interests, quitted Roger Nowell, and ran back to Metcalfe, and plucking him by the sleeve, said, in a low voice--

"This is not the way to obtain quiet possession of Raydale House, SirThomas. Master Nicholas Assheton, " he added, turning to him, "I mustentreat you, my good sir, to be moderate. Gentlemen, both, I caution youthat I have my eye upon you. You well know there is a magistrate here, my singular good friend and honoured client, Master Roger Nowell, and ifyou pursue this quarrel further, I shall hold it my duty to have youbound over by that worthy gentleman in sufficient securities to keep thepeace towards our sovereign lord the king and all his lieges, andparticularly towards each other. You understand me, gentlemen?"

"Perfectly, " replied Nicholas. "I drink at John Lawe's to-night, SirThomas. "

So saying, he walked away. Metcalfe would have followed him, but waswithheld by Potts. 

"Let him go, Sir Thomas, " said the little man of law; "let him go. Oncemaster of Raydale, you can do as you please. Leave the settlement of thematter to me. I'll just whisper a word in Sir Ralph Assheton's ear, andyou'll hear no more of it. "

"Fire and fury!" growled Sir Thomas. "I like not this mode of settling aquarrel; and unless this hot-headed psalm-singing puritan apologises, Ishall assuredly cut his throat. "

"Or he yours, good Sir Thomas, " rejoined Potts. "Better sit in RaydaleHall, than lie in the Abbey vaults. "

"Well, we'll talk over the matter, Master Potts, " replied the knight. 

"A nice morning's work I've made of it, " mused Nicholas, as he walkedalong; "here I have a dance with a farmer's pretty wife, a discoursewith a parson, a drinking-bout with a couple of clowns, and a duellowith a blustering knight on my hands. Quite enough, o' my conscience!but I must get through it the best way I can. And now, hey for theMay-pole and the morris-dancers!"

Nicholas just got up in time to witness the presentation of the MayQueen to Sir Ralph Assheton and his lady, and like every one else he wasgreatly struck by her extreme beauty and natural grace. 

The little ceremony was thus conducted. When the company from the Abbeydrew near the troop of revellers, the usher taking Alizon's hand in thetips of his fingers as before, strutted forward with her to Sir Ralphand his lady, and falling upon one knee before them, said, --"Mostworshipful and honoured knight, and you his lovely dame, and you thetender and cherished olive branches growing round about their tables, Ihereby crave your gracious permission to present unto your honours ourchosen Queen of May. "

Somewhat fluttered by the presentation, Alizon yet maintained sufficientcomposure to bend gracefully before Lady Assheton, and say in a verysweet voice, "I fear your ladyship will think the choice of the villagehath fallen ill in alighting upon me; and, indeed, I feel myselfaltogether unworthy the distinction; nevertheless I will endeavour todischarge my office fittingly, and therefore pray you, fair lady, andthe worshipful knight, your husband, together with your beauteouschildren, and the gentles all by whom you are surrounded, to grace ourlittle festival with your presence, hoping you may find as much pleasurein the sight as we shall do in offering it to you. "

"A fair maid, and modest as she is fair, " observed Sir Ralph, with acondescending smile. 

"In sooth is she, " replied Lady Assheton, raising her kindly, andsaying, as she did so--

"Nay, you must not kneel to us, sweet maid. You are queen of May, and itis for us to show respect to you during your day of sovereignty. Yourwishes are commands; and, in behalf of my husband, my children, and ourguests, I answer, that we will gladly attend your revels on the green. "

"Well said, dear Nell, " observed Sir Ralph. "We should be churlish, indeed, were we to refuse the bidding of so lovely a queen. "

"Nay, you have called the roses in earnest to her cheek, now, SirRalph, " observed Lady Assheton, smiling. "Lead on, fair queen, " shecontinued, "and tell your companions to begin their sports when theyplease. --Only remember this, that we shall hope to see all your gaytroop this evening at the Abbey, to a merry dance. "

"Where I will strive to find her majesty a suitable partner, " added SirRalph. "Stay, she shall make her choice now, as a royal personageshould; for you know, Nell, a queen ever chooseth her partner, whetherit be for the throne or for the brawl. How gay you, fair one? Shall itbe either of our young cousins, Joe or Will Robinson of Raydale; or ourcousin who still thinketh himself young, Squire Nicholas of Downham. "

"Ay, let it be me, I implore of you, fair queen, " interposed Nicholas. 

"He is engaged already, " observed Richard Assheton, coming forward. "Iheard him ask pretty Mistress Tetlow, the farmer's wife, to dance withhim this evening at the Abbey. "

A loud laugh from those around followed this piece of information, butNicholas was in no wise disconcerted. 

"Dick would have her choose him, and that is why he interferes with me, "he observed. "How say you, fair queen! Shall it be our hopeful cousin? Iwill answer for him that he danceth the coranto and lavoltaindifferently well. "

On hearing Richard Assheton's voice, all the colour had forsakenAlizon's cheeks; but at this direct appeal to her by Nicholas, itreturned with additional force, and the change did not escape the quickeye of Lady Assheton. 

"You perplex her, cousin Nicholas, " she said. 

"Not a whit, Eleanor, " answered the squire; "but if she like not DickAssheton, there is another Dick, Dick Sherburne of Sladeburn; or ourcousin, Jack Braddyll; or, if she prefer an older and discreeter man, there is Father Greenacres of Worston, or Master Roger Nowell ofRead--plenty of choice. "

"Nay, if I must choose a partner, it shall be a young one, " said Alizon. 

"Right, fair queen, right, " cried Nicholas, laughing. "Ever choose ayoung man if you can. Who shall it be?"

"You have named him yourself, sir, " replied Alizon, in a voice which sheendeavoured to keep firm, but which, in spite of all her efforts, sounded tremulously--"Master Richard Assheton. "

"Next to choosing me, you could not have chosen better, " observedNicholas, approvingly. "Dick, lad, I congratulate thee. "

"I congratulate myself, " replied the young man. "Fair queen, " he added, advancing, "highly flattered am I by your choice, and shall so demeanmyself, I trust, as to prove myself worthy of it. Before I go, I wouldbeg a boon from you--that flower. "

"This pink, " cried Alizon. "It is yours, fair sir. "

Young Assheton took the flower and took the hand that offered it at thesame time, and pressed the latter to his lips; while Lady Assheton, whohad been made a little uneasy by Alizon's apparent emotion, and who withtrue feminine tact immediately detected its cause, called out: "Now, forward--forward to the May-pole! We have interrupted the revel toolong. "

Upon this the May Queen stepped blushingly back with the usher, who, with his white wand in hand, had stood bolt upright behind her, immensely delighted with the scene in which his pupil--for Alizon hadbeen tutored by him for the occasion--had taken part. Sir Ralph thenclapped his hands loudly, and at this signal the tabor and pipe struckup; the Fool and the Hobby-horse, who, though idle all the time, hadindulged in a little quiet fun with the rustics, recommenced theirgambols; the Morris-dancers their lively dance; and the whole trainmoved towards the May-pole, followed by the rush-cart, with all itsbells jingling, and all its garlands waving. 

As to Alizon, her brain was in a whirl, and her bosom heaved so quickly, that she thought she should faint. To think that the choice of a partnerin the dance at the Abbey had been offered her, and that she shouldventure to choose Master Richard Assheton! She could scarcely credit herown temerity. And then to think that she should give him a flower, and, more than all, that he should kiss her hand in return for it! She feltthe tingling pressure of his lips upon her finger still, and her littleheart palpitated strangely. 

As she approached the May-pole, and the troop again halted for a fewminutes, she saw her brother James holding little Jennet by the hand, standing in the front line to look at her. 

"Oh, how I'm glad to see you here, Jennet!" she cried. 

"An ey'm glad to see yo, Alizon, " replied the little girl. "Jem has towdme whot a grand partner you're to ha' this e'en. " And, she added, withplayful malice, "Who was wrong whon she said the queen could chooseMaster Richard--"

"Hush, Jennet, not a word more, " interrupted Alizon, blushing. 

"Oh! ey dunna mean to vex ye, ey'm sure, " replied Jennet. "Ey've got apresent for ye. "

"A present for me, Jennet, " cried Alizon; "what is it?"

"A beautiful white dove, " replied the little girl. 

"A white dove! Where did you get it? Let me see it, " cried Alizon, in abreath. 

"Here it is, " replied Jennet, opening her kirtle. 

"A beautiful bird, indeed, " cried Alizon. "Take care of it for me till Icome home. "

"Which winna be till late, ey fancy, " rejoined Jennet, roguishly. "Ah!"she added, uttering a cry. 

The latter exclamation was occasioned by the sudden flight of the dove, which, escaping from her hold, soared aloft. Jennet followed the courseof its silver wings, as they cleaved the blue sky, and then all at oncesaw a large hawk, which apparently had been hovering about, swoop downupon it, and bear it off. Some white feathers fell down near the littlegirl, and she picked up one of them and put it in her breast. 

"Poor bird!" exclaimed the May Queen. 

"Eigh, poor bird!" echoed Jennet, tearfully. "Ah, ye dunna knoa aw, Alizon. "

"Weel, there's neaw use whimpering abowt a duv, " observed Jem, gruffly. "Ey'n bring ye another t' furst time ey go to Cown. "

"There's nah another bird like that, " sobbed the little girl. "Shootthat cruel hawk fo' me, Jem, win ye. "

"How conney wench, whon its flown away?" he replied. "Boh ey'n rob ahawk's neest fo ye, if that'll do os weel. "

"Yo dunna understand me, Jem, " replied the child, sadly. 

At this moment, the music, which had ceased while some arrangements weremade, commenced a very lively tune, known as "Round about the May-pole, "and Robin Hood, taking the May Queen's hand, led her towards the pole, and placing her near it, the whole of her attendants took hands, while asecond circle was formed by the morris-dancers, and both began to wheelrapidly round her, the music momently increasing in spirit andquickness. An irresistible desire to join in the measure seized some ofthe lads and lasses around, and they likewise took hands, and presentlya third and still wider circle was formed, wheeling gaily round theother two. Other dances were formed here and there, and presently thewhole green was in movement. 

"If you come off heart-whole to-night, Dick, I shall be surprised, "observed Nicholas, who with his young relative had approached as nearthe May-pole as the three rounds of dancers would allow them. 

Richard Assheton made no reply, but glanced at the pink which he hadplaced in his doublet. 

"Who is the May Queen?" inquired Sir Thomas Metcalfe, who had likewisedrawn near, of a tall man holding a little girl by the hand. 

"Alizon, dowter of Elizabeth Device, an mey sister, " replied JamesDevice, gruffly. 

"Humph!" muttered Sir Thomas, "she is a well-looking lass. And shedwells here--in Whalley, fellow?" he added. 

"Hoo dwells i' Whalley, " responded Jem, sullenly. 

"I can easily find her abode, " muttered the knight, walking away. 

"What was it Sir Thomas said to you, Jem?" inquired Nicholas, who hadwatched the knight's gestures, coming up. 

Jem related what had passed between them. 

"What the devil does he want with her?" cried Nicholas. "No good, I'msure. But I'll spoil his sport. "

"Say boh t' word, squoire, an ey'n break every boan i' his body, "remarked Jem. 

"No, no, Jem, " replied Nicholas. "Take care of your pretty sister, andI'll take care of him. "

At this juncture, Sir Thomas, who, in spite of the efforts of thepacific Master Potts to tranquillise him, had been burning with wrath atthe affront he had received from Nicholas, came up to Richard Assheton, and, noticing the pink in his bosom, snatched it away suddenly. 

"I want a flower, " he said, smelling at it. 

"Instantly restore it, Sir Thomas!" cried Richard Assheton, pale withrage, "or--"

"What will you do, young sir?" rejoined the knight tauntingly, andplucking the flower in pieces. "You can get another from the fair nymphwho gave you this. "

Further speech was not allowed the knight, for he received a violentblow on the chest from the hand of Richard Assheton, which sent himreeling backwards, and would have felled him to the ground if he had notbeen caught by some of the bystanders. The moment he recovered, SirThomas drew his sword, and furiously assaulted young Assheton, who stoodready for him, and after the exchange of a few passes, for none of thebystanders dared to interfere, sent his sword whirling over their headsthrough the air. 

"Bravo, Dick, " cried Nicholas, stepping up, and clapping his cousin onthe back, "you have read him a good lesson, and taught him that hecannot always insult folks with impunity, ha! ha!" And he laughed loudlyat the discomfited knight. 

"He is an insolent coward, " said Richard Assheton. "Give him his swordand let him come on again. "

"No, no, " said Nicholas, "he has had enough this time. And if he hasnot, he must settle an account with me. Put up your blade, lad. "

"I'll be revenged upon you both, " said Sir Thomas, taking his sword, which had been brought him by a bystander, and stalking away. 

"You leave us in mortal dread, doughty knight, " cried Nicholas, shoutingafter him, derisively--"ha! ha! ha!"

Richard Assheton's attention was, however, turned in a differentdirection, for the music suddenly ceasing, and the dancers stopping, helearnt that the May Queen had fainted, and presently afterwards thecrowd opened to give passage to Robin Hood, who bore her inanimate formin his arms. 

CHAPTER IV. --ALICE NUTTER. 

The quarrel between Nicholas Assheton and Sir Thomas Metcalfe hadalready been made known to Sir Ralph by the officious Master Potts, andthough it occasioned the knight much displeasure; as interfering withthe amicable arrangement he hoped to effect with Sir Thomas for hisrelatives the Robinsons, still he felt sure that he had sufficientinfluence with his hot-headed cousin, the squire, to prevent the disputefrom being carried further, and he only waited the conclusion of thesports on the green, to take him to task. What was the knight's surpriseand annoyance, therefore, to find that a new brawl had sprung up, and, ignorant of its precise cause, he laid it entirely at the door of theturbulent Nicholas. Indeed, on the commencement of the fray he imaginedthat the squire was personally concerned in it, and full of wroth, flewto the scene of action; but before he got there, the affair, which, ashas been seen, was of short duration, was fully settled, and he onlyheard the jeers addressed to the retreating combatant by Nicholas. Itwas not Sir Ralph's way to vent his choler in words, but the squire knewin an instant, from the expression of his countenance, that he wasgreatly incensed, and therefore hastened to explain. 

"What means this unseemly disturbance, Nicholas?" cried Sir Ralph, notallowing the other to speak. "You are ever brawling like an Alsatiansquire. Independently of the ill example set to these good folk, whohave met here for tranquil amusement, you have counteracted all my plansfor the adjustment of the differences between Sir Thomas Metcalfe andour aunt of Raydale. If you forget what is due to yourself, sir, do notforget what is due to me, and to the name you bear. "

"No one but yourself should say as much to me, Sir Ralph, " rejoinedNicholas somewhat haughtily; "but you are under a misapprehension. It isnot I who have been fighting, though I should have acted in preciselythe same manner as our cousin Dick, if I had received the same affront, and so I make bold to say would you. Our name shall suffer no discreditfrom me; and as a gentleman, I assert, that Sir Thomas Metcalfe hasonly received due chastisement, as you yourself will admit, cousin, whenyou know all. "

"I know him to be overbearing, " observed Sir Ralph. 

"Overbearing is not the word, cousin, " interrupted Nicholas; "he is asproud as a peacock, and would trample upon us all, and gore us too, likeone of the wild bulls of Bowland, if we would let him have his way. ButI would treat him as I would the bull aforesaid, a wild boar, or anyother savage and intractable beast, hunt him down, and poll his horns, or pluck out his tusks. "

"Come, come, Nicholas, this is no very gentle language, " remarked SirRalph. 

"Why, to speak truth, cousin, I do not feel in any very gentle frame ofmind, " rejoined the squire; "my ire has been roused by this insolentbraggart, my blood is up, and I long to be doing. "

"Unchristian feelings, Nicholas, " said Sir Ralph, severely, "and shouldbe overcome. Turn the other cheek to the smiter. I trust you bear nomalice to Sir Thomas. "

"I bear him no malice, for I hope malice is not in my nature, cousin, "replied Nicholas, "but I owe him a grudge, and when a fittingopportunity occurs--"

"No more of this, unless you would really incur my displeasure, "rejoined Sir Ralph; "the matter has gone far enough, too far, perhapsfor amendment, and if you know it not, I can tell you that Sir Thomas'sclaims to Raydale will be difficult to dispute, and so our uncleRobinson has found since he hath taken counsel on the case. "

"Have a care, Sir Ralph, " said Nicholas, noticing that Master Potts wasapproaching them, with his ears evidently wide open, "there is thatlittle London lawyer hovering about. But I'll give the cunning fox adouble. I'm glad to hear you say so, Sir Ralph, " he added, in a tonecalculated to reach Potts, "and since our uncle Robinson is so sure ofhis cause, it may be better to let this blustering knight be. Perchance, it is the certainty of failure that makes him so insensate. "

"This is meant to blind me, but it shall not serve your turn, cauteloussquire, " muttered Potts; "I caught enough of what fell just now from SirRalph to satisfy me that he hath strong misgivings. But it is best notto appear too secure. --Ah, Sir Ralph, " he added, coming forward, "I wasright, you see, in my caution. I am a man of peace, and strive toprevent quarrels and bloodshed. Quarrel if you please--and unfortunatelymen are prone to anger--but always settle your disputes in a court oflaw; always in a court of law, Sir Ralph. That is the only arena where asensible man should ever fight. Take good advice, fee your counsel well, and the chances are ten to one in your favour. That is what I say to myworthy and singular good client, Sir Thomas; but he is somewhatheadstrong and vehement, and will not listen to me. He is for settlingmatters by the sword, for making forcible entries and detainers, andousting the tenants in possession, whereby he would render himselfliable to arrest, fine, ransom, and forfeiture; instead of proceedingcautiously and decorously as the law directs, and as I advise, SirRalph, by writ of _ejectione firmæ_ or action of trespass, the whichwould assuredly establish his title, and restore him the house andlands. Or he may proceed by writ of right, which perhaps, in his case, considering the long absence of possession, and the doubts supposed toperplex the title--though I myself have no doubts about it--would be themost efficacious. These are your only true weapons, Sir Ralph--yourwrits of entry, assise, and right--your pleas of novel disseisin, post-disseisin, and re-disseisin--your remitters, your præcipes, yourpones, and your recordari faciases. These are the sword, shield, andarmour of proof of a wise man. "

"Zounds! you take away one's breath with this hail-storm of writs andpleas, master lawyer!" cried Nicholas. "But in one respect I am of your'worthy and singular good' client's, opinion, and would rather trust tomy own hand for the defence of my property than to the law to keep itfor me. "

"Then you would do wrong, good Master Nicholas, " rejoined Potts, with asmile of supreme contempt; "for the law is the better guardian and thestronger adversary of the two, and so Sir Thomas will find if he takesmy advice, and obtains, as he can and will do, a perfect title _juris etseisinæ conjunctionem_. "

"Sir Thomas is still willing to refer the case to my arbitrament, Ibelieve, sir?" demanded Sir Ralph, uneasily. 

"He was so, Sir Ralph, " rejoined Potts, "unless the assaults andbatteries, with intent to do him grievous corporeal hurt, which he hathsustained from your relatives, have induced a change of mind in him. Butas I premised, Sir Ralph, I am a man of peace, and willing tointermediate. "

"Provided you get your fee, master lawyer, " observed Nicholas, sarcastically. 

"Certainly, I object not to the _quiddam honorarium_, Master Nicholas, "rejoined Potts; "and if my client hath the _quid pro quo_, and gainethhis point, he cannot complain. --But what is this? Some freshdisturbance!"

"Something hath happened to the May Queen, " cried Nicholas. 

"I trust not, " said Sir Ralph, with real concern. "Ha! she has fainted. They are bringing her this way. Poor maid! what can have occasioned thissudden seizure?"

"I think I could give a guess, " muttered Nicholas. "Better remove her tothe Abbey, " he added aloud to the knight. 

"You are right, " said Sir Ralph. "Our cousin Dick is near her, Iobserve. He shall see her conveyed there at once. "

At this moment Lady Assheton and Mrs. Nutter, with some of the otherladies, came up. 

"Just in time, Nell, " cried the knight. "Have you your smelling-bottleabout you? The May Queen has fainted. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Lady Assheton, springing towards Alizon, who was nowsustained by young Richard Assheton; the forester having surrendered herto him. "How has this happened?" she inquired, giving her to breathe ata small phial. 

"That I cannot tell you, cousin, " replied Richard Assheton, "unless fromsome sudden fright. "

"That was it, Master Richard, " cried Robin Hood; "she cried out onhearing the clashing of swords just now, and, I think, pronounced yourname, on finding you engaged with Sir Thomas, and immediately afterturned pale, and would have fallen if I had not caught her. "

"Ah, indeed!" exclaimed Lady Assheton, glancing at Richard, whose eyesfell before her inquiring gaze. "But see, she revives, " pursued thelady. "Let me support her head. "

As she spoke Alizon opened her eyes, and perceiving Richard Assheton, who had relinquished her to his relative, standing beside her, sheexclaimed, "Oh! you are safe! I feared"--And then she stopped, greatlyembarrassed. 

"You feared he might be in danger from his fierce adversary, " suppliedLady Assheton; "but no. The conflict is happily over, and he is unhurt. "

"I am glad of it, " said Alizon, earnestly. 

"She had better be taken to the Abbey, " remarked Sir Ralph, coming up. 

"Nay, she will be more at ease at home, " observed Lady Assheton with asignificant look, which, however, failed in reaching her husband. 

"Yes, truly shall I, gracious lady, " replied Alizon, "far more so. Ihave given you trouble enough already. "

"No trouble at all, " said Sir Ralph, kindly; "her ladyship is too happyto be of service in a case like this. Are you not, Nell? The faintnesswill pass off presently. But let her go to the Abbey at once, and remainthere till the evening's festivities, in which she takes part, commence. Give her your arm, Dick. "

Sir Ralph's word was law, and therefore Lady Assheton made noremonstrance. But she said quickly, "I will take care of her myself. "

"I require no assistance, madam, " replied Alizon, "since Sir Ralph willhave me go. Nay, you are too kind, too condescending, " she added, reluctantly taking Lady Assheton's proffered arm. 

And in this way they proceeded slowly towards the Abbey, escorted byRichard Assheton, and attended by Mistress Braddyll and some others ofthe ladies. 

Amongst those who had watched the progress of the May Queen'srestoration with most interest was Mistress Nutter, though she had notinterfered; and as Alizon departed with Lady Assheton, she observed toNicholas, who was standing near, "Can this be the daughter of Elizabeth Device, and grand-daughter of--"

"Your old Pendle witch, Mother Demdike, " supplied Nicholas; "the verysame, I assure you, Mistress Nutter. "

"She is wholly unlike the family, " observed the lady, "and her featuresresemble some I have seen before. "

"She does not resemble her mother, undoubtedly, " replied Nicholas, "though what her grand-dame may have been some sixty years ago, when shewas Alizon's age, it would be difficult to say. --She is no beauty now. "

"Those finely modelled features, that graceful figure, and thosedelicate hands, cannot surely belong to one lowly born and bred?" saidMistress Nutter. 

"They differ from the ordinary peasant mould, truly, " replied Nicholas. "If you ask me for the lineage of a steed, I can give a guess at it onsight of the animal, but as regards our own race I'm at fault, MistressNutter. "

"I must question Elizabeth Device about her, " observed Alice. "Strange, I should never have seen her before, though I know the family so well. "

"I wish you did not know Mother Demdike quite so well, Mistress Nutter, "remarked Nicholas--"a mischievous and malignant old witch, who deservesthe tar barrel. The only marvel is, that she has not been burned longago. I am of opinion, with many others, that it was she who bewitchedyour poor husband, Richard Nutter. "

"I do not think it, " replied Mistress Nutter, with a mournful shake ofthe head. "Alas, poor man! he died from hard riding, after harddrinking. That was the only witchcraft in his case. Be warned by hisfate yourself, Nicholas. "

"Hard riding after drinking was more likely to sober him than to killhim, " rejoined the squire. "But, as I said just now, I like not thisMother Demdike, nor her rival in iniquity, old Mother Chattox. The devilonly knows which of the two is worst. But if the former hag did notbewitch your husband to death, as I shrewdly suspect, it is certain thatthe latter mumbling old miscreant killed my elder brother, Richard, byher sorceries. "

"Mother Chattox did you a good turn then, Nicholas, " observed MistressNutter, "in making you master of the fair estates of Downham. "

"So far, perhaps, she might, " rejoined Nicholas, "but I do not like themanner of it, and would gladly see her burned; nay, I would fire thefagots myself. "

"You are superstitious as the rest, Nicholas, " said Mistress Nutter. "For my part I do not believe in the existence of witches. "

"Not believe in witches, with these two living proofs to the contrary!"cried Nicholas, in amazement. "Why, Pendle Forest swarms with witches. They burrow in the hill-side like rabbits in a warren. They are theterror of the whole country. No man's cattle, goods, nor even life, aresafe from them; and the only reason why these two old hags, who holdsovereign sway over the others, have 'scaped justice so long, is becauseevery one is afraid to go near them. Their solitary habitations are morestrongly guarded than fortresses. Not believe in witches! Why I shouldas soon misdoubt the Holy Scriptures. "

"It may be because I reside near them that I have so littleapprehension, or rather no apprehension at all, " replied MistressNutter; "but to me Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox appear two harmlessold women. "

"They're a couple of dangerous and damnable old hags, and deserve thestake, " cried Nicholas, emphatically. 

All this discourse had been swallowed with greedy ears by theever-vigilant Master Potts, who had approached the speakers unperceived;and he now threw in a word. 

"So there are suspected witches in Pendle Forest, I find, " he said. "Ishall make it my business to institute inquiries concerning them, when Ivisit the place to-morrow. Even if merely ill-reputed, they must beexamined, and if found innocent cleared; if not, punished according tothe statute. Our sovereign lord the king holdeth witches in especialabhorrence, and would gladly see all such noxious vermin extirpated fromthe land, and it will rejoice me to promote his laudable designs. I mustpray you to afford me all the assistance you can in the discovery ofthese dreadful delinquents, good Master Nicholas, and I will care thatyour services are duly represented in the proper quarter. As I have justsaid, the king taketh singular interest in witchcraft, as you may judgeif the learned tractate he hath put forth, in form of a dialogue, intituled "_Dæmonologie_" hath ever met your eye; and he is never sowell pleased as when the truth of his tenets are proved by such secretoffenders being brought to light, and duly punished. "

"The king's known superstitious dread of witches makes men seek them outto win his favour, " observed Mistress Nutter. "They have wonderfullyincreased since the publication of that baneful book!"

"Not so, madam, " replied Potts. "Our sovereign lord the king hath awholesome and just hatred of such evil-doers and traitors to himself andheaven, and it may be dread of them, as indeed all good men must have;but he would protect his subjects from them, and therefore, in the firstyear of his reign, which I trust will be long and prosperous, he hathpassed a statute, whereby it is enacted 'that all persons invoking anyevil spirit, or consulting, covenanting with, entertaining, employing, feeding, or rewarding any evil spirit; or taking up dead bodies fromtheir graves to be used in any witchcraft, sorcery, charm, orenchantment; or killing or otherwise hurting any person by such infernalarts, shall be guilty of felony without benefit of clergy, and sufferdeath. ' This statute, madam, was intended to check the crimes ofnecromancy, sorcery, and witchcraft, and not to increase them. And Imaintain that it has checked them, and will continue to check them. "

"It is a wicked and bloody statute, " observed Mrs. Nutter, in a deeptone, "and many an innocent life will be sacrificed thereby. "

"How, madam!" cried Master Potts, staring aghast. "Do you mean to impugnthe sagacity and justice of our high and mighty king, the head of thelaw, and defender of the faith?"

"I affirm that this is a sanguinary enactment, " replied Mistress Nutter, "and will put power into hands that will abuse it, and destroy manyguiltless persons. It will make more witches than it will find. "

"Some are ready made, methinks, " muttered Potts, "and we need not go farto find them. You are a zealous advocate for witches, I must say, madam, " he added aloud, "and I shall not forget your arguments in theirfavour. "

"To my prejudice, I doubt not, " she rejoined, bitterly. 

"No, to the credit of your humanity, " he answered, bowing, withpretended conviction. 

"Well, I will aid you in your search for witches, Master Potts, "observed Nicholas; "for I would gladly see the country rid of thesepests. But I warn you the quest will be attended with risk, and you willget few to accompany you, for all the folk hereabouts are mortallyafraid of these terrible old hags. "

"I fear nothing in the discharge of my duty, " replied Master Potts, courageously, "for as our high and mighty sovereign hath well andlearnedly observed--'if witches be but apprehended and detained by anyprivate person, upon other private respects, their power, no doubt, either in escaping, or in doing hurt, is no less than ever it wasbefore. But if, on the other part, their apprehending and detention beby the lawful magistrate upon the just respect of their guiltiness inthat craft, their power is then no greater than before that ever theymeddled with their master. For where God begins justly to strike by hislawful lieutenants, it is not in the devil's power to defraud or bereavehim of the office or effect of his powerful and revenging sceptre. ' ThusI am safe; and I shall take care to go armed with a proper warrant, which I shall obtain from a magistrate, my honoured friend and singulargood client, Master Roger Newell. This will obtain me such assistance asI may require, and for due observance of my authority. I shall likewisetake with me a peace-officer, or constable. "

"You will do well, Master Potts, " said Nicholas; "still you must notput faith in all the idle tales told you, for the common folk hereaboutsare blindly and foolishly superstitious, and fancy they discernwitchcraft in every mischance, however slight, that befalls them. If aleturn sour after a thunder-storm, the witch hath done it; and if thebutter cometh not quickly, she hindereth it. If the meat roast ill thewitch hath turned the spit; and if the lumber pie taste ill she hath hada finger in it. If your sheep have the foot-rot--your horses thestaggers or string-halt--your swine the measles--your hounds asurfeit--or your cow slippeth her calf--the witch is at the bottom of itall. If your maid hath a fit of the sullens, or doeth her work amiss, oryour man breaketh a dish, the witch is in fault, and her shoulders canbear the blame. On this very day of the year--namely, May Day, --thefoolish folk hold any aged crone who fetcheth fire to be a witch, and ifthey catch a hedge-hog among their cattle, they will instantly beat itto death with sticks, concluding it to be an old hag in that form cometo dry up the milk of their kine. "

"These are what Master Potts's royal authority would style 'mere oldwives' trattles about the fire, '" observed Mistress Nutter, scornfully. 

"Better be over-credulous than over-sceptical, " replied Potts. "Even atmy lodging in Chancery Lane I have a horseshoe nailed against the door. One cannot be too cautious when one has to fight against the devil, orthose in league with him. Your witch should be put to every ordeal. Sheshould be scratched with pins to draw blood from her; weighed againstthe church bible, though this is not always proof; forced to weep, for awitch can only shed three tears, and those only from the left eye; or, as our sovereign lord the king truly observeth--no offence to you, Mistress Nutter--'Not so much as their eyes are able to shed tears, albeit the womenkind especially be able otherwise to shed tears at everylight occasion when they will, yea, although it were dissemblingly likethe crocodile;' and set on a stool for twenty-four hours, with her legstied across, and suffered neither to eat, drink, nor sleep during thetime. This is the surest Way to make her confess her guilt next toswimming. If it fails, then cast her with her thumbs and toes tiedacross into a pond, and if she sink not then is she certainly a witch. Other trials there are, as that by scalding water--sticking knivesacross--heating of the horseshoe--tying of knots--the sieve and theshears; but the only ordeals safely to be relied on, are the swimmingand the stool before mentioned, and from these your witch shall rarelyescape. Above all, be sure and search carefully for the witch-mark. Idoubt not we shall find it fairly and legibly writ in the devil'scharacters on Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox. They shall undergo thestool and the pool, and other trials, if required. These old hags shallno longer vex you, good Master Nicholas. Leave them to me, and doubtnot I will bring them to condign punishment. "

"You will do us good service then, Master Potts, " replied Nicholas. "Butsince you are so learned in the matter of witchcraft, resolve me, I prayyou, how it is, that women are so much more addicted to the practice ofthe black art than our own sex. "

"The answer to the inquiry hath been given by our British Solomon, "replied Potts, "and I will deliver it to you in his own words. 'Thereason is easy, ' he saith; 'for as that sex is frailer than man is, soit is easier to be entrapped in those gross snares of the devil, as wasoverwell proved to be true, by the serpent's deceiving of Eva at thebeginning, which makes him the homelier with that sex sensine. '"

"A good and sufficient reason, Master Potts, " said Nicholas, laughing;"is it not so, Mistress Nutter?"

"Ay, marry, if it satisfies you, " she answered, drily. "It is of a piecewith the rest of the reasoning of the royal pedant, whom Master Pottsstyles the British Solomon. "

"I only give the learned monarch the title by which he is recognisedthroughout Christendom, " rejoined Potts, sharply. 

"Well, there is comfort in the thought, that I shall never be taken fora wizard, " said the squire. 

"Be not too sure of that, good Master Nicholas, " returned Potts. "Ourpresent prince seems to have had you in his eye when he penned hisdescription of a wizard, for, he saith, 'A great number of them thatever have been convict or confessors of witchcraft, as may be presentlyseen by many that have at this time confessed, are some of them rich andworldly-wise; some of them fat or corpulent in their bodies; and mostpart of them altogether given over to the pleasures of the flesh, continual haunting of company, and all kinds of merriness, lawful andunlawful. ' This hitteth you exactly, Master Nicholas. "

"Zounds!" exclaimed the squire, "if this be exact, it toucheth me toonearly to be altogether agreeable. "

"The passage is truly quoted, Nicholas, " observed Mistress Nutter, witha cold smile. "I perfectly remember it. Master Potts seems to have the'Dæmonologie' at his fingers' ends. "

"I have made it my study, madam, " replied the lawyer, somewhat mollifiedby the remark, "as I have the statute on witchcraft, and indeed mostother statutes. "

"We have wasted time enough in this unprofitable talk, " said MistressNutter, abruptly quitting them without bestowing the slightestsalutation on Potts. 

"I was but jesting in what I said just now, good Master Nicholas, "observed the little lawyer, nowise disconcerted at the slight "thoughthey were the king's exact words I quoted. No one would suspect you ofbeing a wizard--ha!--ha! But I am resolved to prosecute the search, andI calculate upon your aid, and that of Master Richard Assheton, who goeswith us. "

"You shall have mine, at all events, Master Potts, " replied Nicholas;"and I doubt not, my cousin Dick's, too. "

"Our May Queen, Alizon Device, is Mother Demdike's grand-daughter, isshe not?" asked Potts, after a moment's reflection. 

"Ay, why do you ask?" demanded Nicholas. 

"For a good and sufficing reason, " replied Potts. "She might be animportant witness; for, as King James saith, 'bairns or wives may, ofour law, serve for sufficient witnesses and proofs. ' And he goeth on tosay, 'For who but witches can be proofs, and so witnesses of the doingsof witches?'"

"You do not mean to aver that Alizon Device is a witch, sir?" criedNicholas, sharply. 

"I aver nothing, " replied Potts; "but, as a relative of a suspectedwitch, she will be the best witness against her. "

"If you design to meddle with Alizon Device, expect no assistance fromme, Master Potts, " said Nicholas, sternly, "but rather the contrary. "

"Nay, I but threw out the hint, good Master Nicholas, " replied Potts. "Another witness will do equally well. There are other children, nodoubt. I rely on you, sir--I rely on you. I shall now go in search ofMaster Nowell, and obtain the warrant and the constable. "

"And I shall go keep my appointment with Parson Dewhurst, at the Abbey, "said Nicholas, bowing slightly to the attorney, and taking hisdeparture. 

"It will not do to alarm him at present, " said Potts, looking after him, "but I'll have that girl as a witness, and I know how to terrify herinto compliance. A singular woman, that Mistress Alice Nutter. I mustinquire into her history. Odd, how obstinately she set her face againstwitchcraft. And yet she lives at Rough Lee, in the very heart of a witchdistrict, for such Master Nicholas Assheton calls this Pendle Forest. Ishouldn't wonder if she has dealings with the old hags shedefends--Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox. Chattox! Lord bless us, whata name!--There's caldron and broomstick in the very sound! And Demdikeis little better. Both seem of diabolical invention. If I can unearth apack of witches, I shall gain much credit from my honourable good lordsthe judges of assize in these northern parts, besides pleasing the Kinghimself, who is sure to hear of it, and reward my praiseworthy zeal. Look to yourself, Mistress Nutter, and take care you are not caughttripping. And now, for Master Roger Nowell. "

With this, he peered about among the crowd in search of the magistrate, but though he thrust his little turned-up nose in every direction, hecould not find him, and therefore set out for the Abbey, concluding hehad gone thither. 

As Mistress Nutter walked along, she perceived James Device among thecrowd, holding Jennet by the hand, and motioned him to come to her. Jeminstantly understood the sign, and quitting his little sister, drewnear. 

"Tell thy mother, " said Mistress Nutter, in a tone calculated only forhis hearing, "to come to me, at the Abbey, quickly and secretly. I shallbe in the ruins of the old convent church. I have somewhat to say toher, that concerns herself as well as me. Thou wilt have to go to RoughLee and Malkin Tower to-night. "

Jem nodded, to show his perfect apprehension of what was said and hisassent to it, and while Mistress Nutter moved on with a slow anddignified step, he returned to Jennet, and told her she must go homedirectly, a piece of intelligence which was not received very graciouslyby the little maiden; but nothing heeding her unwillingness, Jem walkedher off quickly in the direction of the cottage; but while on the way toit, they accidentally encountered their mother, Elizabeth Device, andtherefore stopped. 

"Yo mun go up to th' Abbey directly, mother, " said Jem, with a wink, "Mistress Nutter wishes to see ye. Yo'n find her i' t' ruins o' t' owdconvent church. Tak kere yo're neaw seen. Yo onderstond. "

"Yeigh, " replied Elizabeth, nodding her head significantly, "ey'n go atwonst, an see efter Alizon ot t' same time. Fo ey'm towd hoo hasfainted, an been ta'en to th' Abbey by Lady Assheton. "

"Never heed Alizon, " replied Jem, gruffly. "Hoo's i' good hands. Yemunna be seen, ey tell ye. Ey'm going to Malkin Tower to-neet, if yo'nowt to send. "

"To-neet, Jem, " echoed little Jennet. 

"Eigh, " rejoined Jem, sharply. "Howd te tongue, wench. Dunna lose time, mother. "

And as he and his little sister pursued their way to the cottage, Elizabeth hobbled off towards the Abbey, muttering, as she went, "I hopeAlizon an Mistress Nutter winna meet. Nah that it matters, boh stillit's better not. Strange, the wench should ha' fainted. Boh she's alwaysfoolish an timmersome, an ey half fear has lost her heart to youngRichard Assheton. Ey'n watch her narrowly, an if it turn out to be so, she mun be cured, or be secured--ha! ha!"

And muttering in this way, she passed through the Abbey gateway, thewicket being left open, and proceeded towards the ruinous conventchurch, taking care as much as possible to avoid observation. 

CHAPTER V. --MOTHER CHATTOX. 

Not far from the green where the May-day revels were held, stood theancient parish church of Whalley, its square tower surmounted with aflag-staff and banner, and shaking with the joyous peals of the ringers. A picturesque and beautiful structure it was, though full ofarchitectural incongruities; and its grey walls and hoary buttresses, with the lancet-shaped windows of the choir, and the ramified tracery ofthe fine eastern window, could not fail to please any taste not quite socritical as to require absolute harmony and perfection in a building. Parts of the venerable fabric were older than the Abbey itself, datingback as far as the eleventh century, when a chapel occupied the site;and though many alterations had been made in the subsequent structure atvarious times, and many beauties destroyed, especially during the periodof the Reformation, enough of its pristine character remained to renderit a very good specimen of an old country church. Internally, thecylindrical columns of the north aisle, the construction of the choir, and the three stone seats supported on rounded columns near the altar, proclaimed its high antiquity. Within the choir were preserved theeighteen richly-carved stalls once occupying a similar position in thedesecrated conventual church: and though exquisite in themselves, theyseemed here sadly out of place, not being proportionate to thestructure. Their elaborately-carved seats projected far into the body ofthe church, and their crocketed pinnacles shot up almost to the ceiling. But it was well they had not shared the destruction in which almost allthe other ornaments of the magnificent fane they once decorated wereinvolved. Carefully preserved, the black varnished oak well displayedthe quaint and grotesque designs with which many of them--the Prior'sstall in especial--were embellished. Chief among them was the abbot'sstall, festooned with sculptured vine wreaths and clustering grapes, andbearing the auspicious inscription:

 Semper gaudentes sint ista sede sedentes:

singularly inapplicable, however, to the last prelate who filled it. Some fine old monuments, and warlike trophies of neighbouring wealthyfamilies, adorned the walls, and within the nave was a magnificent pew, with a canopy and pillars of elaborately-carved oak, and lattice-work atthe sides, allotted to the manor of Read, and recently erected by RogerNowell; while in the north and south aisles were two small chapels, converted since the reformed faith had obtained, into pews--the onecalled Saint Mary's Cage, belonging to the Assheton family; and theother appertaining to the Catterals of Little Mitton, and designatedSaint Nicholas's Cage. Under the last-named chapel were interred someof the Paslews of Wiswall, and here lay the last unfortunate Abbot ofWhalley, between whoso grave, and the Assheton and Braddyll families, afatal relation was supposed to subsist. Another large pew, allotted tothe Towneleys, and designated Saint Anthony's Cage, was renderedremarkable, by a characteristic speech of Sir John Towneley, which gavemuch offence to the neighbouring dames. Called upon to decide as to theposition of the sittings in the church, the discourteous knight madechoice of Saint Anthony's Cage, already mentioned, declaring, "My man, Shuttleworth of Hacking, made this form, and here will I sit when Icome; and my cousin Nowell may make a seat behind me if he please, andmy son Sherburne shall make one on the other side, and Master Catteralanother behind him, and for the residue the use shall be, first comefirst speed, and that will make the proud wives of Whalley rise betimesto come to church. " One can fancy the rough knight's chuckle, as headdressed these words to the old clerk, certain of their being quicklyrepeated to the "proud wives" in question. 

Within the churchyard grew two fine old yew-trees, now long sincedecayed and gone, but then spreading their dark-green arms over thelittle turf-covered graves. Reared against the buttresses of the churchwas an old stone coffin, together with a fragment of a curiousmonumental effigy, likewise of stone; but the most striking objects inthe place, and deservedly ranked amongst the wonders of Whalley, werethree remarkable obelisk-shaped crosses, set in a line upon pedestals, covered with singular devices in fretwork, and all three differing insize and design. Evidently of remotest antiquity, these crosses weretraditionally assigned to Paullinus, who, according to the VenerableBede, first preached the Gospel in these parts, in the early part of theseventh century; but other legends were attached to them by the vulgar, and dim mystery brooded over them. 

Vestiges of another people and another faith were likewise herediscernible, for where the Saxon forefathers of the village prayed andslumbered in death, the Roman invaders of the isle had trodden, andperchance performed their religious rites; some traces of an encampmentbeing found in the churchyard by the historian of the spot, while thenorth boundary of the hallowed precincts was formed by a deep foss, onceencompassing the nigh-obliterated fortification. Besides these recordsof an elder people, there was another memento of bygone days and creeds, in a little hermitage and chapel adjoining it, founded in the reign ofEdward III. , by Henry, Duke of Lancaster, for the support of tworecluses and a priest to say masses daily for him and his descendants;but this pious bequest being grievously abused in the subsequent reignof Henry VI. , by Isole de Heton, a fair widow, who in the firsttransports of grief, vowing herself to heaven, took up her abode in thehermitage, and led a very disorderly life therein, to the great scandalof the Abbey, and the great prejudice of the morals of its brethren, andat last, tired even of the slight restraint imposed upon her, fled away"contrary to her oath and profession, not willing, nor intending to berestored again;" the hermitage was dissolved by the pious monarch, andmasses ordered to be said daily in the parish church for the repose ofthe soul of the founder. Such was the legend attached to the littlecell, and tradition went on to say that the anchoress broke her leg incrossing Whalley Nab, and limped ever afterwards; a just judgment onsuch a heinous offender. Both these little structures were picturesqueobjects, being overgrown with ivy and woodbine. The chapel wascompletely in ruins, while the cell, profaned by the misdoings of thedissolute votaress Isole, had been converted into a cage for vagrantsand offenders, and made secure by a grated window, and a strong doorstudded with broad-headed nails. 

The view from the churchyard, embracing the vicarage-house, acomfortable residence, surrounded by a large walled-in garden, wellstocked with fruit-trees, and sheltered by a fine grove of rook-hauntedtimber, extended on the one hand over the village, and on the other overthe Abbey, and was bounded by the towering and well-wooded heights ofWhalley Nab. On the side of the Abbey, the most conspicuous objects werethe great north-eastern gateway, with the ruined conventual church. Everbeautiful, the view was especially so on the present occasion, from theanimated scene combined with it; and the pleasant prospect was enjoyedby a large assemblage, who had adjourned thither to witness theconcluding part of the festival. 

Within the green and flower-decked bowers which, as has before beenmentioned, were erected in the churchyard, were seated Doctor Ormerodand Sir Ralph Assheton, with such of their respective guests as had notalready retired, including Richard and Nicholas Assheton, both of whomhad returned from the abbey; the former having been dismissed by LadyAssheton from further attendance upon Alizon, and the latter havingconcluded his discourse with Parson Dewhurst, who, indeed, accompaniedhim to the church, and was now placed between the Vicar and the Rectorof Middleton. From this gentle elevation the gay company on the greencould be fully discerned, the tall May-pole, with its garlands andribands, forming a pivot, about which the throng ever revolved, whilestationary amidst the moving masses, the rush-cart reared on high itsbroad green back, as if to resist the living waves constantly dashedagainst it. By-and-by a new kind of movement was perceptible, and itsoon became evident that a procession was being formed. Immediatelyafterwards, the rush-cart was put in motion, and winded slowly along thenarrow street leading to the church, preceded by the morris-dancers andthe other May-day revellers, and followed by a great concourse ofpeople, shouting, dancing, and singing. 

On came the crowd. The jingling of bells, and the sound of music grewlouder and louder, and the procession, lost for awhile behind someintervening habitations, though the men bestriding the rush-cart couldbe discerned over their summits, burst suddenly into view; and therevellers entering the churchyard, drew up on either side of the littlepath leading to the porch, while the rush-cart coming up the nextmoment, stopped at the gate. Then four young maidens dressed in white, and having baskets in their hands, advanced and scattered flowers alongthe path; after which ladders were reared against the sides of therush-cart, and the men, descending from their exalted position, bore thegarlands to the church, preceded by the vicar and the two other divines, and followed by Robin Hood and his band, the morris-dancers, and a troopof little children singing a hymn. The next step was to unfasten thebundles of rushes, of which the cart was composed, and this was veryquickly and skilfully performed, the utmost care being taken of thetrinkets and valuables with which it was ornamented. These were gatheredtogether in baskets and conveyed to the vestry, and there locked up. This done, the bundles of rushes were taken up by several old women, whostrewed the aisles with them, and placed such as had been tied up asmats in the pews. At the same time, two casks of ale set near the gate, and given for the occasion by the vicar, were broached, and theirfoaming contents freely distributed among the dancers and the thirstycrowd. Very merry were they, as may be supposed, in consequence, buttheir mirth was happily kept within due limits of decorum. 

When the rush-cart was wellnigh unladen Richard Assheton entered thechurch, and greatly pleased with the effect of the flowery garlands withwhich the various pews were decorated, said as much to the vicar, whosmilingly replied, that he was glad to find he approved of the practice, "even though it might savour of superstition;" and as the good doctorwalked away, being called forth, the young man almost unconsciouslyturned into the chapel on the north aisle. Here he stood for a fewmoments gazing round the church, wrapt in pleasing meditation, in whichmany objects, somewhat foreign to the place and time, passed through hismind, when, chancing to look down, he saw a small funeral wreath, ofmingled yew and cypress, lying at his feet, and a slight tremor passedover his frame, as he found he was standing on the ill-omened grave ofAbbot Paslew. Before he could ask himself by whom this sad garland hadbeen so deposited, Nicholas Assheton came up to him, and with a look ofgreat uneasiness cried, "Come away instantly, Dick. Do you know whereyou are standing?"

"On the grave of the last Abbot of Whalley, " replied Richard, smiling. 

"Have you forgotten the common saying, " cried Nicholas--"that theAssheton who stands on that unlucky grave shall die within the year?Come away at once. "

"It is too late, " replied Richard, "I have incurred the fate, if such afate be attached to the tomb; and as my moving away will not preserveme, so my tarrying here cannot injure me further. But I have no fear. "

"You have more courage than I possess, " rejoined Nicholas. "I would notset foot on that accursed stone for half the county. Its maligninfluence on our house has been approved too often. The first toexperience the fatal destiny were Richard Assheton and John Braddyll, the purchasers of the Abbey. Both met here together on the anniversaryof the abbot's execution--some forty years after its occurrence, it istrue, and when they were both pretty well stricken in years--and withinthat year, namely 1578, both died, and were buried in the vault on theopposite side of the church, not many paces from their old enemy. Thelast instance was my poor brother Richard, who, being incredulous as youare, was resolved to brave the destiny, and stationed himself upon thetomb during divine service, but he too died within the appointed time. "

"He was bewitched to death--so, at least, it is affirmed, " said RichardAssheton, with a smile. "But I believe in one evil influence just asmuch as in the other. "

"It matters not how the destiny be accomplished, so it come to pass, "rejoined the squire, turning away. "Heaven shield you from it!"

"Stay!" said Richard, picking up the wreath. "Who, think you, can haveplaced this funeral garland on the abbot's grave?"

"I cannot guess!" cried Nicholas, staring at it in amazement--"an enemyof ours, most likely. It is neither customary nor lawful in ourProtestant country so to ornament graves. Put it down, Dick. "

"I shall not displace it, certainly, " replied Richard, laying it downagain; "but I as little think it has been placed here by a hostile hand, as I do that harm will ensue to me from standing here. To relieve youranxiety, however, I will come forth, " he added, stepping into the aisle. "Why should an enemy deposit a garland on the abbot's tomb, since it wasby mere chance that it hath met my eyes?"

"Mere chance!" cried Nicholas; "every thing is mere chance with youphilosophers. There is more than chance in it. My mind misgives mestrangely. That terrible old Abbot Paslew is as troublesome to us indeath, as he was during life to our predecessor, Richard Assheton. Notcontent with making his tombstone a weapon of destruction to us, hepays the Abbey itself an occasional visit, and his appearance alwaysbetides some disaster to the family. I have never seen him myself, andtrust I never shall; but other people have, and have been nigh scaredout of their senses by the apparition. "

"Idle tales, the invention of overheated brains, " rejoined Richard. "Trust me, the abbot's rest will not be broken till the day when allshall rise from their tombs; though if ever the dead (supposing such athing possible) could be justified in injuring and affrighting theliving, it might be in his case, since he mainly owed his destruction toour ancestor. On the same principle it has been held that church-landsare unlucky to their lay possessors; but see how this superstitiousnotion has been disproved in our own family, to whom Whalley Abbey andits domains have brought wealth, power, and worldly happiness. "

"There is something in the notion, nevertheless, " replied Nicholas; "andthough our case may, I hope, continue an exception to the rule, mostgrantees of ecclesiastical houses have found them a curse, and the timemay come when the Abbey may prove so to our descendants. But, withoutdiscussing the point, there is one instance in which the malignantinfluence of the vindictive abbot has undoubtedly extended long afterhis death. You have heard, I suppose, that he pronounced a dreadfulanathema upon the child of a man who had the reputation of being awizard, and who afterwards acted as his executioner. I know not thewhole particulars of the dark story, but I know that Paslew fixed acurse upon the child, declaring it should become a witch, and the motherof witches. And the prediction has been verified. Nigh eighty years haveflown by since then, and the infant still lives--a fearful andmischievous witch--and all her family are similarly fated--all arewitches. "

"I never heard the story before, " said Richard, somewhat thoughtfully;"but I guess to whom you allude--Mother Demdike of Pendle Forest, andher family. "

"Precisely, " rejoined Nicholas; "they are a brood of witches. "

"In that case Alizon Device must be a witch, " cried Richard; "and Ithink you will hardly venture upon such an assertion after what you haveseen of her to-day. If she be a witch, I would there were many such--asfair and gentle. And see you not how easily the matter is explained?'Give a dog an ill name and hang him'--a proverb with which you arefamiliar enough. So with Mother Demdike. Whether really uttered or not, the abbot's curse upon her and her issue has been bruited abroad, andhence she is made a witch, and her children are supposed to inherit theinfamous taint. So it is with yon tomb. It is said to be dangerous toour family, and dangerous no doubt it is to those who believe in thesaying, which, luckily, I do not. The prophecy works its own fulfilment. The absurdity and injustice of yielding to the opinion are manifest. Nowrong can have been done the abbot by Mother Demdike, any more than byher children, and yet they are to be punished for the misdeeds of theirpredecessor. "

"Ay, just as you and I, who are of the third and fourth generation, maybe punished for the sins of our fathers, " rejoined Nicholas. "You haveScripture against you, Dick. The only thing I see in favour of yourargument is, the instance you allege of Alizon. She does not look like awitch, certainly; but there is no saying. She may be only the moredangerous for her rare beauty, and apparent innocence!"

"I would answer for her truth with my life, " cried Richard, quickly. "Itis impossible to look at her countenance, in which candour and purityshine forth, and doubt her goodness. "

"She hath cast her spells over you, Dick, that is certain, " rejoinedNicholas, laughing; "but to be serious. Alizon, I admit, is an exceptionto the rest of the family, but that only strengthens the general rule. Did you ever remark the strange look they all--save the fair maid inquestion--have about the eyes?"

Richard answered in the negative. 

"It is very singular, and I wonder you have not noticed it, " pursuedNicholas; "but the question of reputed witchcraft in Mother Demdike hassome chance of being speedily settled; for Master Potts, the littleLondon lawyer, who goes with us to Pendle Forest to-morrow, is about tohave her arrested and examined before a magistrate. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Richard, "this must be prevented. "

"Why so?" exclaimed Nicholas, in surprise. 

"Because the prejudice existing against her is sure to convict anddestroy her, " replied Richard. "Her great age, infirmities, and poverty, will be proofs against her. How can she, or any old enfeebled creaturelike her, whose decrepitude and misery should move compassion ratherthan excite fear--how can such a person defend herself against chargeseasily made, and impossible to refute? I do not deny the possibility ofwitchcraft, even in our own days, though I think it of very unlikelyoccurrence; but I would determinately resist giving credit to any talestold by the superstitious vulgar, who, naturally prone to cruelty, haveso many motives for revenging imaginary wrongs. It is placing a dreadfulweapon in their hands, of which they have cunning enough to know theuse, but neither mercy nor justice enough to restrain them from usingit. Better let one guilty person escape, than many innocent perish. Somany undefined charges have been brought against Mother Demdike, that atlast they have fixed a stigma on her name, and made her an object ofdread and suspicion. She is endowed with mysterious power, which wouldhave no effect if not believed in; and now must be burned because she iscalled a witch, and is doting and vain enough to accept the title. "

"There is something in a witch difficult, nay, almost impossible todescribe, " said Nicholas, "but you cannot be mistaken about her. By hergeneral ill course of life, by repeated acts of mischief, and bythreats, followed by the consequences menaced, she becomes known. Thereis much mystery in the matter, not permitted human knowledge entirely topenetrate; but, as we know from the Scriptures that the sin ofwitchcraft did exist, and as we have no evidence that it has ceased, soit is fair to conclude, that there may be practisers of the dark offencein our own days, and such I hold to be Mother Demdike and MotherChattox. Rival potentates in evil, they contend which shall do mostmischief, but it must be admitted the former bears away the bell. "

"If all the ill attributed to her were really caused by hermachinations, this might be correct, " replied Richard, "but it onlyshows her to be more calumniated than the other. In a word, cousinNicholas, I look upon them as two poor old creatures, who, persuadedthey really possess the supernatural power accorded to them by thevulgar, strive to act up to their parts, and are mainly assisted indoing so by the credulity and fears of their audience. "

"Admitting the blind credulity of the multitude, " said Nicholas, "andtheir proneness to discern the hand of the witch in the most triflingaccidents; admitting also, their readiness to accuse any old croneunlucky enough to offend them of sorcery; I still believe that there areactual practisers of the black art, who, for a brief term of power, haveentered into a league with Satan, worship him and attend his sabbaths, and have a familiar, in the shape of a cat, dog, toad, or mole, to obeytheir behests, transform themselves into various shapes--as a hound, horse, or hare, --raise storms of wind or hail, maim cattle, bewitch andslay human beings, and ride whither they will on broomsticks. But, holding the contrary opinion, you will not, I apprehend, aid MasterPotts in his quest of witches. "

"I will not, " rejoined Richard. "On the contrary, I will oppose him. Butenough of this. Let us go forth. "

And they quitted the church together. 

As they issued into the churchyard, they found the principal arboursoccupied by the morris-dancers, Robin Hood and his troop, Doctor Ormerodand Sir Ralph having retired to the vicarage-house. 

Many merry groups were scattered about, talking, laughing, and singing;but two persons, seemingly objects of suspicion and alarm, and shunnedby every one who crossed their path, were advancing slowly towards thethree crosses of Paullinus, which stood in a line, not far from thechurch-porch. They were females, one about five-and-twenty, very comely, and habited in smart holiday attire, put on with considerable rusticcoquetry, so as to display a very neat foot and ankle, and with plentyof ribands in her fine chestnut hair. The other was a very differentperson, far advanced in years, bent almost double, palsy-stricken, herarms and limbs shaking, her head nodding, her chin wagging, her snowylocks hanging about her wrinkled visage, her brows and upper lip frore, and her eyes almost sightless, the pupils being cased with a thin whitefilm. Her dress, of antiquated make and faded stuff, had been once deepred in colour, and her old black hat was high-crowned and broad-brimmed. She partly aided herself in walking with a crutch-handled stick, andpartly leaned upon her younger companion for support. 

"Why, there is one of the old women we have just been speakingof--Mother Chattox, " said Richard, pointing them out, "and with her, hergrand-daughter, pretty Nan Redferne. "

"So it is, " cried Nicholas, "what makes the old hag here, I marvel! Iwill go question her. "

So saying, he strode quickly towards her. 

"How now, Mother Chattox!" he cried. "What mischief is afoot? What makesthe darkness-loving owl abroad in the glare of day? What brings thegrisly she-wolf from her forest lair? Back to thy den, old witch! Ar'tcrazed, as well as blind and palsied, that thou knowest not that this isa merry-making, and not a devil's sabbath? Back to thy hut, I say! Thesesacred precincts are no place for thee. "

"Who is it speaks to me?" demanded the old hag, halting, and fixing herglazed eyes upon him. 

"One thou hast much injured, " replied Nicholas. "One into whose housethou hast brought quick-wasting sickness and death by thy infernal arts. One thou hast good reason to fear; for learn, to thy confusion, thoudamned and murtherous witch, it is Nicholas, brother to thy victim, Richard Assheton of Downham, who speaks to thee. "

"I know none I have reason to fear, " replied Mother Chattox; "especiallythee, Nicholas Assheton. Thy brother was no victim of mine. Thou wertthe gainer by his death, not I. Why should I slay him?"

"I will tell thee why, old hag, " cried Nicholas; "he was inflamed by thebeauty of thy grand-daughter Nancy here, and it was to please TomRedferne, her sweetheart then, but her spouse since, that thoubewitchedst him to death. "

"That reason will not avail thee, Nicholas, " rejoined Mother Chattox, with a derisive laugh. "If I had any hand in his death, it was to serveand pleasure thee, and that all men shall know, if I am questioned onthe subject--ha! ha! Take me to the crosses, Nance. "

"Thou shalt not 'scape thus, thou murtherous hag, " cried Nicholas, furiously. 

"Nay, let her go her way, " said Richard, who had drawn near during thecolloquy. "No good will come of meddling with her. "

"Who's that?" asked Mother Chattox, quickly. 

[Illustration: NAN REDFERNE AND MOTHER CHATTOX. ]

"Master Richard Assheton, o' Middleton, " whispered Nan Redferne. 

"Another of these accursed Asshetons, " cried Mother Chattox. "A plagueseize them!"

"Boh he's weel-favourt an kindly, " remarked her grand-daughter. 

"Well-favoured or not, kindly or cruel, I hate them all, " cried MotherChattox. "To the crosses, I say!"

But Nicholas placed himself in their path. 

"Is it to pray to Beelzebub, thy master, that thou wouldst go to thecrosses?" he asked. 

"Out of my way, pestilent fool!" cried the hag. 

"Thou shalt not stir till I have had an answer, " rejoined Nicholas. "They say those are Runic obelisks, and not Christian crosses, and thatthe carvings upon them have a magical signification. The first, it isaverred, is written o'er with deadly curses, and the forms in which theyare traced, as serpentine, triangular, or round, indicate and rule theirswift or slow effect. The second bears charms against diseases, storms, and lightning. And on the third is inscribed a verse which will renderhim who can read it rightly, invisible to mortal view. Thou shouldst belearned in such lore, old Pythoness. Is it so?"

The hag's chin wagged fearfully, and her frame trembled with passion, but she spoke not. 

"Have you been in the church, old woman?" interposed Richard. 

"Ay, wherefore?" she rejoined. 

"Some one has placed a cypress wreath on Abbot Paslew's grave. Was ityou?" he asked. 

"What! hast thou found it?" cried the hag. "It shall bring thee rareluck, lad--rare luck. Now let me pass. "

"Not yet, " cried Nicholas, forcibly grasping her withered arm. 

The hag uttered a scream of rage. 

"Let me go, Nicholas Assheton, " she shrieked, "or thou shalt rue it. Cramps and aches shall wring and rack thy flesh and bones; fever shallconsume thee; ague shake thee--shake thee--ha!"

And Nicholas recoiled, appalled by her fearful gestures. 

"You carry your malignity too far, old woman, " said Richard severely. 

"And thou darest tell me so, " cried the hag. "Set me before him, Nance, that I may curse him, " she added, raising her palsied arm. 

"Nah, nah--yo'n cursed ower much already, grandmother, " cried NanRedferne, endeavouring to drag her away. But the old woman resisted. 

"I will teach him to cross my path, " she vociferated, in accents shrilland jarring as the cry of the goat-sucker. 

"Handsome he is, it may be, now, but he shall not be so long. The bloomshall fade from his cheek, the fire be extinguished in his eyes, thestrength depart from his limbs. Sorrow shall be her portion who loveshim--sorrow and shame!"

"Horrible!" exclaimed Richard, endeavouring to exclude the voice of thecrone, which pierced his ears like some sharp instrument. 

"Ha! ha! you fear me now, " she cried. "By this, and this, the spellshall work, " she added, describing a circle in the air with her stick, then crossing it twice, and finally scattering over him a handful ofgrave dust, snatched from an adjoining hillock. 

"Now lead me quickly to the smaller cross, Nance, " she added, in a lowtone. 

Her grand-daughter complied, with a glance of deep commiseration atRichard, who remained stupefied at the ominous proceeding. 

"Ah! this must indeed be a witch!" he cried, recovering from themomentary shock. 

"So you are convinced at last, " rejoined Nicholas. "I can take breathnow the old hell-cat is gone. But she shall not escape us. Keep an eyeupon her, while I see if Simon Sparshot, the beadle, be within thechurchyard, and if so he shall take her into custody, and lock her inthe cage. "

With this, he ran towards the throng, shouting lustily for the beadle. Presently a big, burly fellow, in a scarlet doublet, laced with gold, ablack velvet cap trimmed with red ribands, yellow hose, and shoes withgreat roses in them, and bearing a long silver-headed staff, answeredthe summons, and upon being told why his services were required, immediately roared out at the top of a stentorian voice, "A witch, lads!--a witch!"

All was astir in an instant. Robin Hood and his merry men, with themorris-dancers, rushed out of their bowers, and the whole churchyard wasin agitation. Above the din was heard the loud voice of Simon Sparshot, still shouting, "A witch!--witch!--Mother Chattox!"

"Where--where?" demanded several voices. 

"Yonder, " replied Nicholas, pointing to the further cross. 

A general movement took place in that direction, the crowd being headedby the squire and the beadle, but when they came up, they found only NanRedferne standing behind the obelisk. 

"Where the devil is the old witch gone, Dick?" cried Nicholas, indismay. 

"I thought I saw her standing there with her grand-daughter, " repliedRichard; "but in truth I did not watch very closely. "

"Search for her--search for her, " cried Nicholas. 

But neither behind the crosses, nor behind any monument, nor in any holeor corner, nor on the other side of the churchyard wall, nor at theback of the little hermitage or chapel, though all were quicklyexamined, could the old hag be found. 

On being questioned, Nan Redferne refused to say aught concerning hergrandmother's flight or place of concealment. 

"I begin to think there is some truth in that strange legend of thecross, " said Nicholas. "Notwithstanding her blindness, the old hag musthave managed to read the magic verse upon it, and so have renderedherself invisible. But we have got the young witch safe. "

"Yeigh, squoire!" responded Sparshot, who had seized hold of Nance--"hoobe safe enough. "

"Nan Redferne is no witch, " said Richard Assheton, authoritatively. 

"Neaw witch, Mester Ruchot!" cried the beadle in amazement. 

"No more than any of these lasses around us, " said Richard. "Releaseher, Sparshot. "

"I forbid him to do so, till she has been examined, " cried a sharpvoice. And the next moment Master Potts was seen pushing his way throughthe crowd. "So you have found a witch, my masters. I heard your shouts, and hurried on as fast as I could. Just in time, Master Nicholas--justin time, " he added, rubbing his hands gleefully. 

"Lemme go, Simon, " besought Nance. 

"Neaw, neaw, lass, that munnot be, " rejoined Sparshot. 

"Help--save me, Master Richard!" cried the young woman. 

By this time the crowd had gathered round her, yelling, hooting, andshaking their hands at her, as if about to tear her in pieces; butRichard Assheton planted himself resolutely before her, and pushed backthe foremost of them. 

"Remove her instantly to the Abbey, Sparshot, " he cried, "and let her bekept in safe custody till Sir Ralph has time to examine her. Will thatcontent you, masters?"

"Neaw--neaw, " responded several rough voices; "swim her!--swim her!"

"Quite right, my worthy friends, quite right, " said Potts. "_Primo_, letus make sure she is a witch--_secundo_, let us take her to the Abbey. "

"There can be no doubt as to her being a witch, Master Potts, " rejoinedNicholas; "her old grand-dame, Mother Chattox, has just vanished fromour sight. "

"Has Mother Chattox been here?" cried Potts, opening his round eyes totheir widest extent. 

"Not many minutes since, " replied Nicholas. "In fact, she may be herestill for aught I know. "

"Here!--where?" cried Potts, looking round. 

"You won't discover her for all your quickness, " replied Nicholas. "Shehas rendered herself invisible, by reciting the magical verses inscribedon that cross. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed the attorney, closely examining the mysteriousinscriptions. "What strange, uncouth characters! I can make neither headnor tail, unless it be the devil's tail, of them. "

At this moment a whoop was raised by Jem Device, who, having taken hislittle sister home, had returned to the sports on the green, and nowformed part of the assemblage in the churchyard. Between the rival witchpotentates, Mothers Demdike and Chattox, it has already been said adeadly enmity existed, and the feud was carried on with equal animosityby their descendants; and though Jem himself came under the samesuspicion as Nan Redferne, that circumstance created no tie of interestbetween them, but the contrary, and he was the most active of herassailants. He had set up the above-mentioned cry from observing a largerat running along the side of the wall. 

"Theere hoo goes, " whooped Jem, "t'owd witch, i' th' shape ov arotten!--loo-loo-loo!"

Half the crowd started in pursuit of the animal, and twenty sticks werethrown at it, but a stone cast by Jem stayed its progress, and it wasinstantly despatched. It did not change, however, as was expected by thecredulous hinds, into an old woman, and they gave vent to theirdisappointment and rage in renewed threats against Nan Redferne. Thedead rat was hurled at her by Jem, but missing its mark, it hit MasterPotts on the head, and nearly knocked him off the cross, upon which hehad mounted to obtain a better view of the proceedings. Irritated bythis circumstance, as well as by the failure of the experiment, thelittle attorney jumped down and fell to kicking the unfortunate rat, after which, his fury being somewhat appeased, he turned to Nance, whohad sunk for support against the pedestal, and said to her--"If you willtell us what has become of the old witch your grandmother, and undertaketo bear witness against her, you shall be set free. "

"Ey'n tell ye nowt, mon, " replied Nance, doggedly. "Put me to onny trialye like, ye shanna get a word fro me. "

"That remains to be seen, " retorted Potts, "but I apprehend we shallmake you speak, and pretty plainly too, before we've done with you. --Youhear what this perverse and wrong-headed young witch declares, masters, "he shouted, again clambering upon the cross. "I have offered herliberty, on condition of disclosing to us the manner of her diabolicalold relative's evasion, and she rejects it. "

An angry roar followed, mixed with cries from Jem Device, of "swimher!--swim her!"

"You had better tell them what you know, Nance, " said Richard, in a lowtone, "or I shall have difficulty in preserving you from their fury. "

"Ey darena, Master Richard, " she replied, shaking her head; and then sheadded firmly, "Ey winna. "

Finding it useless to reason with her, and fearing also that theinfuriated crowd might attempt to put their threats into execution, Richard turned to his cousin Nicholas, and said: "We must get her away, or violence will be done. "

"She does not deserve your compassion, Dick, " replied Nicholas; "she isonly a few degrees better than the old hag who has escaped. Sparshothere tells me she is noted for her skill in modelling clay figures. "

"Yeigh, that hoo be, " replied the broad-faced beadle; "hoo'sunaccountable cliver ot that sort o' wark. A clay figger os big os a sixmonths' barn, fashiont i' th' likeness o' Farmer Grimble o' Briercliffelawnd, os died last month, war seen i' her cottage, an monny othersbesoide. Amongst 'em a moddle o' your lamented brother, Squoire RuchotAssheton o' Downham, wi' t' yeod pood off, and th' 'eart pieret thro'an' thro' wi' pins and needles. "

"Ye lien i' your teeth, Simon Sparshot!" cried Nance; regarding himfuriously. 

"If the head were off, Simon, I don't see how the likeness to my poorbrother could well be recognised, " said Nicholas, with a half smile. "But let her be put to some mild trial--weighed against the churchBible. "

"Be it so, " replied Potts, jumping down; "but if that fail, we must haverecourse to stronger measures. Take notice that, with all her fright, she has not been able to shed a tear, not a single tear--a clearwitch--a clear witch!"

"Ey'd scorn to weep fo t' like o' yo!" cried Nance, disdainfully, havingnow completely recovered her natural audacity. 

"We'll soon break your spirit, young woman, I can promise you, " rejoinedPotts. 

As soon as it was known what was about to occur, the whole crowd movedtowards the church porch, Nan Redferne walking between Richard Asshetonand the beadle, who kept hold of her arm to prevent any attempt atescape; and by the time they reached the appointed place, Ben Baggiley, the baker, who had been despatched for the purpose, appeared with anenormous pair of wooden scales, while Sampson Harrop, the clerk, havingvisited the pulpit, came forth with the church Bible, an immense volume, bound in black, with great silver clasps. 

"Come, that's a good big Bible at all events, " cried Potts, eyeing itwith satisfaction. "It looks like my honourable and singular good LordChief-Justice Sir Edward Coke's learned 'Institutes of the Laws ofEngland, ' only that that great legal tome is generally bound incalf--law calf, as we say. "

"Large as the book is, it will scarce prove heavy enough to weigh downthe witch, I opine, " observed Nicholas, with a smile. 

"We shall see, sir, " replied Potts. "We shall see. "

By this time, the scales having been affixed to a hook in the porch byBaggiley, the sacred volume was placed on one side, and Nance set downby the beadle on the other. The result of the experiment was preciselywhat might have been anticipated--the moment the young woman took herplace in the balance, it sank down to the ground, while the other kickedthe beam. 

"I hope you are satisfied now, Master Potts, " cried Richard Assheton. "By your own trial her innocence is approved. "

"Your pardon, Master Richard, this is Squire Nicholas's trial, notmine, " replied Potts. "I am for the ordeal of swimming. How say you, masters! Shall we be content with this doubtful experiment?"

"Neaw--neaw, " responded Jem Device, who acted as spokesman to the crowd, "swim her--swim her!"

"I knew you would have it so, " said Potts, approvingly. "Where is afitting place for the trial?"

"Th' Abbey pool is nah fur off, " replied Jem, "or ye con tay her to th'Calder. "

"The river, by all means--nothing like a running stream, " said Potts. "Let cords be procured to bind her. "

"Run fo 'em quickly, Ben, " said Jem to Baggiley, who was very zealous inthe cause. 

"Oh!" groaned Nance, again losing courage, and glancing piteously atRichard. 

"No outrage like this shall be perpetrated, " cried the young man, firmly; "I call upon you, cousin Nicholas, to help me. Go into thechurch, " he added, thrusting Nance backward, and presenting his sword atthe breast of Jem Device, who attempted to follow her, and who retiredmuttering threats and curses; "I will run the first man through the bodywho attempts to pass. "

As Nan Redferne made good her retreat, and shut the church-door afterher, Master Potts, pale with rage, cried out to Richard, "You have aidedthe escape of a desperate and notorious offender--actually in custody, sir, and have rendered yourself liable to indictment for it, sir, withconsequences of fine and imprisonment, sir:--heavy fine and longimprisonment, sir. Do you mark me, Master Richard?"

"I will answer the consequences of my act to those empowered to questionit, sir, " replied Richard, sternly. 

"Well, sir, I have given you notice, " rejoined Potts, "due notice. Weshall hear what Sir Ralph will say to the matter, and Master RogerNowell, and--"

"You forget me, good Master Potts, " interrupted Nicholas, laughingly; "Ientirely disapprove of it. It is a most flagrant breach of duty. Nevertheless, I am glad the poor wench has got off. "

"She is safe within the church, " said Potts, "and I command MasterRichard, in the king's name, to let us pass. Beadle! Sharpshot, Sparshot, or whatever be your confounded name do your duty, sirrah. Enter the church, and bring forth the witch. "

"Ey darna, mester, " replied Simon; "young mester Ruchot ud slit meyweasand os soon os look ot meh. "

Richard put an end to further altercation, by stepping back quickly, locking the door, and then taking out the key, and putting it into hispocket. 

"She is quite safe now, " he cried, with a smile at the discomfitedlawyer. 

"Is there no other door?" inquired Potts of the beadle, in a low tone. 

"Yeigh, theere be one ot t'other soide, " replied Sparshot, "boh it belocked, ey reckon, an maybe hoo'n getten out that way. "

"Quick, quick, and let's see, " cried Potts; "justice must not bethwarted in this shameful manner. "

While the greater part of the crowd set off after Potts and the beadle, Richard Assheton, anxious to know what had become of the fugitive, anddetermined not to abandon her while any danger existed, unlocked thechurch-door, and entered the holy structure, followed by Nicholas. Onlooking around, Nance was nowhere to be seen, neither did she answer tohis repeated calls, and Richard concluded she must have escaped, whenall at once a loud exulting shout was heard without, leaving no doubtthat the poor young woman had again fallen into the hands of hercaptors. The next moment a sharp, piercing scream in a female keyconfirmed the supposition. On hearing this cry, Richard instantly flewto the opposite door, through which Nance must have passed, but ontrying it he found it fastened outside; and filled with suddenmisgiving, for he now recollected leaving the key in the other door, hecalled to Nicholas to come with him, and hurried back to it. Hisapprehensions were verified; the door was locked. At first Nicholas wasinclined to laugh at the trick played them; but a single look fromRichard checked his tendency to merriment, and he followed his youngrelative, who had sprung to a window looking upon that part of thechurchyard whence the shouts came, and flung it open. Richard's egress, however, was prevented by an iron bar, and he called out loudly andfiercely to the beadle, whom he saw standing in the midst of the crowd, to unlock the door. 

"Have a little patience, good Master Richard, " replied Potts, turning uphis provoking little visage, now charged with triumphant malice. "Youshall come out presently. We are busy just now--engaged in binding thewitch, as you see. Both keys are safely in my pocket, and I will sendyou one of them when we start for the river, good Master Richard. Welawyers are not to be overreached you see--ha! ha!"

"You shall repent this conduct when I do get out, " cried Richard, furiously. "Sparshot, I command you to bring the key instantly. "

But, encouraged by the attorney, the beadle affected not to hearRichard's angry vociferations, and the others were unable to aid theyoung man, if they had been so disposed, and all were too muchinterested in what was going forward to run off to the vicarage, andacquaint Sir Ralph with the circumstances in which his relatives wereplaced, even though enjoined to do so. 

On being set free by Richard, Nance had flown quickly through thechurch, and passed out at the side door, and was making good her retreatat the back of the edifice, when her flying figure was descried by JemDevice, who, failing in his first attempt, had run round that way, fancying he should catch her. 

He instantly dashed after her with all the fury of a bloodhound, and, being possessed of remarkable activity, speedily overtook her, and, heedless of her threats and entreaties, secured her. 

"Lemme go, Jem, " she cried, "an ey win do thee a good turn one o' thesedays, when theaw may chonce to be i' th' same strait os me. " But seeinghim inexorable, she added, "My granddame shan rack thy boans sorely, lad, for this. "

Jem replied by a coarse laugh of defiance, and, dragging her along, delivered her to Master Potts and the beadle, who were then hurrying tothe other door of the church. To prevent interruption, the cunningattorney, having ascertained that the two Asshetons were inside, instantly gave orders to have both doors locked, and the injunctionsbeing promptly obeyed, he took possession of the keys himself, chucklingat the success of the stratagem. "A fair reprisal, " he muttered; "thisyoung milksop shall find he is no match for a skilful lawyer like me. Now, the cords--the cords!"

It was at the sight of the bonds, which were quickly brought byBaggiley, that Nance uttered the piercing cry that had roused Richard'sindignation. Feeling secure of his prisoner, and now no longerapprehensive of interruption, Master Potts was in no hurry to concludethe arrangements, but rather prolonged them to exasperate Richard. Little consideration was shown the unfortunate captive. The new shoesand stockings of which she had been so vain a short time before, weretorn from her feet and limbs by the rude hands of the remorseless Jemand the beadle, and bent down by the main force of these two strong men, her thumbs and great toes were tightly bound together, crosswise, by thecords. The churchyard rang with her shrieks, and, with his blood boilingwith indignation at the sight, Richard redoubled his exertions to burstthrough the window and fly to her assistance. But though Nicholas nowlent his powerful aid to the task, their combined efforts to obtainliberation were unavailing; and with rage almost amounting to frenzy, Richard beheld the poor young woman borne shrieking away by her captors. Nor was Nicholas much less incensed, and he swore a deep oath when hedid get at liberty that Master Potts should pay dearly for his rascallyconduct. 

CHAPTER VI. --THE ORDEAL BY SWIMMING. 

Bound hand and foot in the painful posture before described, roughly andinsolently handled on all sides, in peril of her life from the frightfulordeal to which she was about to be subjected, the miserable captive wasborne along on the shoulders of Jem Device and Sparshot, her long, finechestnut hair trailing upon the ground, her white shoulders exposed tothe insolent gaze of the crowd, and her trim holiday attire torn to ragsby the rough treatment she had experienced. Nance Redferne, it has beensaid, was a very comely young woman; but neither her beauty, her youth, nor her sex, had any effect upon the ferocious crowd, who were too muchaccustomed to such brutal and debasing exhibitions, to feel any thingbut savage delight in the spectacle of a fellow-creature so scandalouslytreated and tormented, and the only excuse to be offered for theirbarbarity, is the firm belief they entertained that they were dealingwith a witch. And when even in our own day so many revolting scenes areenacted to gratify the brutal passions of the mob, while prize-fightsare tolerated, and wretched animals goaded on to tear each other inpieces, it is not to be wondered at that, in times of less enlightenmentand refinement, greater cruelties should be practised. Indeed, it may bewell to consider how far we have really advanced in civilisation sincethen; for until cruelty, whether to man or beast, be wholly banishedfrom our sports, we cannot justly reproach our ancestors, orcongratulate ourselves on our improvement. 

Nance's cries of distress were only answered by jeers, and renewedinsults, and wearied out at length, the poor creature ceased strugglingand shrieking, the dogged resolution she had before exhibited againcoming to her aid. 

But her fortitude was to be yet more severely tested. Revealed by thedisorder of her habiliments, and contrasting strongly with the extremewhiteness of her skin, a dun-coloured mole was discovered upon herbreast. It was pointed out to Potts by Jem Device, who declared it to bea witch-mark, and the spot where her familiar drained her blood. 

"This is one of the 'good helps' to the discovery of a witch, pointedout by our sovereign lord the king, " said the attorney, narrowlyexamining the spot. "'The one, ' saith our wise prince, 'is the findingof their mark, and the trying the insensibleness thereof. The other istheir fleeting on the water. ' The water-ordeal will come presently, butthe insensibility of the mark might be at once attested. "

"Yeigh, that con soon be tried, " cried Jem, with a savage laugh. 

And taking a pin from his sleeve, the ruffian plunged it deeply into thepoor creature's flesh. Nance winced, but she set her teeth hardly, andrepressed the cry that must otherwise have been wrung from her. 

"A clear witch!" cried Jem, drawing forth the pin; "not a drop o' bloodflows, an hoo feels nowt!"

"Feel nowt?" rejoined Nance, between her ground teeth. "May ye ha a pangos sharp i' your cancart eart, ye villain. "

After this barbarous test, the crowd, confirmed by it in their notionsof Nan's guiltiness, hurried on, their numbers increasing as theyproceeded along the main street of the village leading towards theriver; all the villagers left at home rushing forth on hearing a witchwas about to be swum, and when they came within a bow-shot of thestream, Sparshot called to Baggiley to lay hold of Nance, while hehimself, accompanied by several of the crowd, ran over the bridge, thepart he had to enact requiring him to be on the other side of the water. 

Meantime, the main party turned down a little footpath protected by agate on the left, which led between garden hedges to the grassy banks ofthe Calder, and in taking this course they passed by the cottage ofElizabeth Device. Hearing the shouts of the rabble, little Jennet, whohad been in no very happy frame of mind since she had been brought home, came forth, and seeing her brother, called out to him, in her usualsharp tones, "What's the matter, Jem? Who han ye gotten there?"

"A witch, " replied Jem, gruffly. "Nance Redferne, Mother Chattox'sgrand-daughter. Come an see her swum i' th' Calder. "

Jennet readily complied, for her curiosity was aroused, and she sharedin the family feelings of dislike to Mother Chattox and her descendants. 

"Is this Nance Redferne?" she cried, keeping close to her brother, "Ey'mglad yo'n caught her at last. How dun ye find yersel, Nance?"

"Ill at ease, Jennet, " replied Nance, with a bitter look; "boh it illbecomes ye to jeer me, lass, seein' yo're a born witch yoursel. "

"Aha!" cried Potts, looking at the little girl, "So this is a bornwitch--eh, Nance?"

"A born an' bred witch, " rejoined Nance; "jist as her brother Jem hereis a wizard. They're the gran-childer o' Mother Demdike o' Pendle, thegreatest witch i' these parts, an childer o' Bess Device, who's nah muchbetter. Ask me to witness agen 'em, that's aw. "

"Howd thy tongue, woman, or ey'n drown thee, " muttered Jem, in a tone ofdeep menace. 

"Ye canna, mon, if ey'm the witch ye ca' me, " rejoined Nance. "Jennet'sturn'll come os weel os mine, one o' these days. Mark my words. "

"Efore that ey shan see ye burned, ye faggot, " cried Jennet, almostfiercely. 

"Ye'n gotten the fiend's mark o' your sleeve, " cried Nance. "Ey see itwritten i' letters ov blood. "

"That's where our cat scratted me, " replied Jennet, hiding her armquickly. 

"Good!--very good!" observed Potts, rubbing his hands. "'Who but witchescan be proof against witches?' saith our sagacious sovereign. I shallmake something of this girl. She seems a remarkably quickchild--remarkably quick--ha, ha!"

By this time, the party having gained the broad flat mead through whichthe Calder flowed, took their way quickly towards its banks, the spotselected for the ordeal lying about fifty yards above the weir, wherethe current, ordinarily rapid, was checked by the dam, offering a smoothsurface, with considerable depth of water. If soft natural beautiescould have subdued the hearts of those engaged in this cruel and wickedexperiment, never was scene better calculated for the purpose than thatunder contemplation. Through a lovely green valley meandered the Calder, now winding round some verdant knoll, now washing the base of loftyheights feathered with timber to their very summits, now lost amid thickwoods, and only discernible at intervals by a glimmer amongst the trees. Immediately in front of the assemblage rose Whalley Nab, its steep sidesand brow partially covered with timber, with green patches in theuplands where sheep and cattle fed. Just below the spot where the crowdwere collected, the stream, here of some width, passed over the weir, and swept in a foaming cascade over the huge stones supporting the dam, giving the rushing current the semblance and almost the beauty of anatural waterfall. Below this the stream ran brawling on in a wider, butshallower channel, making pleasant music as it went, and leaving manydry beds of sand and gravel in the midst; while a hundred yards lowerdown, it was crossed by the arches of the bridge. Further still, a rowof tall cypresses lined the bank of the river, and screened that part ofthe Abbey, converted into a residence by the Asshetons; and after thiscame the ruins of the refectory, the cloisters, the dormitory, theconventual church, and other parts of the venerable structure, overshadowed by noble lime-trees and elms. Lovelier or more peacefulscene could not be imagined. The green meads, the bright clear stream, with its white foaming weir, the woody heights reflected in the glassywaters, the picturesque old bridge, and the dark grey ruins beyond it, all might have engaged the attention and melted the heart. Then thehour, when evening was coming on, and when each beautiful object, deriving new beauty from the medium through which it was viewed, exercised a softening influence, and awakened kindly emotions. To mostthe scene was familiar, and therefore could have no charm of novelty. ToPotts, however, it was altogether new; but he was susceptible of fewgentle impressions, and neither the tender beauty of the evening, northe wooing loveliness of the spot, awakened any responsive emotion inhis breast. He was dead to every thing except the ruthless experimentabout to be made. 

Almost at the same time that Jem Device and his party reached the nearbank of the stream, the beadle and the others appeared on the oppositeside. Little was said, but instant preparations were made for theordeal. Two long coils of rope having been brought by Baggiley, one ofthem was made fast to the right arm of the victim, and the other to theleft; and this done, Jem Device, shouting to Sparshot to look out, flungone coil of rope across the river, where it was caught with muchdexterity by the beadle. The assemblage then spread out on the bank, while Jem, taking the poor young woman in his arms, who neither spokenor struggled, but held her breath tightly, approached the river. 

"Dunna drown her, Jem, " said Jennet, who had turned very pale. 

"Be quiet, wench, " rejoined Jem, gruffly. 

And without bestowing further attention upon her, he let down his burdencarefully into the water; and this achieved, he called out to thebeadle, who drew her slowly towards him, while Jem guided her with theother rope. 

The crowd watched the experiment for a few moments in profound silence, but as the poor young woman, who had now reached the centre of thestream, still floated, being supported either by the tension of thecords, or by her woollen apparel, a loud shout was raised that she couldnot sink, and was, therefore, an undeniable witch. 

"Steady, lads--steady a moment, " cried Potts, enchanted with the successof the experiment; "leave her where she is, that her buoyancy may befully attested. You know, masters, " he cried, with a loud voice, "themeaning of this water ordeal. Our sovereign lord and master the king, inhis wisdom, hath graciously vouchsafed to explain the matter thus:'Water, ' he saith, 'shall refuse to receive them (meaning witches, ofcourse) in her bosom, that have shaken off their sacred water ofbaptism, and wilfully refused the benefit thereof. ' It is manifest, yousee, that this diabolical young woman hath renounced her baptism, forthe water rejecteth her. _Non potest mergi_, as Pliny saith. She floatslike a cork, or as if the clear water of the Calder had suddenly becomelike the slab, salt waves of the Dead Sea, in which, nothing can sink. You behold the marvel with your own eyes, my masters. "

"Ay, ay!" rejoined Baggiley and several others. 

"Hoo be a witch fo sartin, " cried Jem Device. But as he spoke, chancingslightly to slacken the rope, the tension of which maintained theequilibrium of the body, the poor woman instantly sank. 

A groan, as much of disappointment as sympathy, broke from thespectators, but none attempted to aid her; and on seeing her sink, Jemabandoned the rope altogether. 

But assistance was at hand. Two persons rushed quickly and furiously tothe spot. They were Richard and Nicholas Assheton. The iron bar had atlength yielded to their efforts, and the first use they made of theirfreedom was to hurry to the river. A glance showed them what hadoccurred, and the younger Assheton, unhesitatingly plunging into thewater, seized the rope dropped by Jem, and calling to the beadle to letgo his hold, dragged forth the poor half-drowned young woman, and placedher on the bank, hewing asunder the cords that bound her hands and feetwith his sword. But though still sensible, Nance was so much exhaustedby the shock she had undergone, and her muscles were so severelystrained by the painful and unnatural posture to which she had beencompelled, that she was wholly unable to move. Her thumbs were blackenedand swollen, and the cords had cut into the flesh, while blood trickleddown from the puncture in her breast. Fixing a look of inexpressiblegratitude upon her preserver, she made an effort to speak, but theexertion was too great; violent hysterical sobbing came on, and hersenses soon after forsook her. Richard called loudly for assistance, andthe sentiments of the most humane part of the crowd having undergone achange since the failure of the ordeal, some females came forward, andtook steps for her restoration. Sensibility having returned, a cloak waswrapped around her, and she was conveyed to a neighbouring cottage andput to bed, where her stiffened limbs were chafed and warm drinksadministered, and it began to be hoped that no serious consequenceswould ensue. 

Meanwhile, a catastrophe had wellnigh occurred in another quarter. Witheyes flashing with fury, Nicholas Assheton pushed aside the crowd, andmade his way to the bank whereon Master Potts stood. Not liking hislooks, the little attorney would have taken to his heels, but findingescape impossible, he called upon Baggiley to protect him. But he wasinstantly in the forcible gripe of the squire, who shouted, "I'll teachyou, mongrel hound, to play tricks with gentlemen. "

"Master Nicholas, " cried the terrified and half-strangled attorney, "myvery good sir, I entreat you to let me alone. This is a breach of theking's peace, sir. Assault and battery, under aggravated circumstances, and punishable with ignominious corporal penalties, besides fine andimprisonment, sir. I take you to witness the assault, Master Baggiley. Ishall bring my ac--ac--ah--o--o--oh!"

"Then you shall have something to bring your ac--ac--action for, rascal, " cried Nicholas. And, seizing the attorney by the nape of theneck with one hand, and the hind wings of his doublet with the other, hecast him to a considerable distance into the river, where he fell with atremendous splash. 

"He is no wizard, at all events, " laughed Nicholas, as Potts went downlike a lump of lead. 

But the attorney was not born to be drowned; at least, at this period ofhis career. On rising to the surface, a few seconds after his immersion, he roared lustily for help, but would infallibly have been carried overthe weir, if Jem Device had not flung him the rope now disengaged fromNance Redferne, and which he succeeded in catching. In this way he wasdragged out; and as he crept up the bank, with the wet pouring from hisapparel, which now clung tightly to his lathy limbs, he was greeted bythe jeers of Nicholas. 

"How like you the water-ordeal--eh, Master Attorney? No occasion for asecond trial, I think. If Jem Device had known his own interest, hewould have left you to fatten the Calder eels; but he will find it outin time. "

"You will find it out too, Master Nicholas, " rejoined Potts, clapping onhis wet cap. "Take me to the Dragon quickly, good fellow, " he added, toJem Device, "and I will recompense thee for thy pains, as well as forthe service thou hast just rendered me. I shall have rheumatism in myjoints, pains in my loins, and rheum in my head, oh dear--oh dear!"

"In which case you will not be able to pay Mother Demdike your purposedvisit to-morrow, " jeered Nicholas. "You forgot you were to arrest her, and bring her before a magistrate. "

"Thy arm, good fellow, thy arm!" said Potts, to Jem Device. 

"To the fiend wi' thee, " cried Jem, shaking him off roughly. "Thesquoire is reet. Wouldee had let thee drown. "

"What, have you changed your mind already, Jem?" cried Nicholas, in ataunting tone. "You'll have your grandmother's thanks for the serviceyou've rendered her, lad--ha! ha!"

"Fo' t' matter o' two pins ey'd pitch him again, " growled Jem, eyeingthe attorney askance. 

"No, no, Jem, " observed Nicholas, "things must take their course. What'sdone is done. But if Master Potts be wise, he'll take himself out ofcourt without delay. "

"You'll be glad to get me out of court one of these days, squire, "muttered Potts, "and so will you too, Master James Device. --A day ofreckoning will come for both--heavy reckoning. Ugh! ugh!" he added, shivering, "how my teeth chatter!"

"Make what haste you can to the Dragon, " cried the good-natured squire;"get your clothes dried, and bid John Lawe brew you a pottle of strongsack, swallow it scalding hot, and you'll never look behind you. "

"Nor before me either, " retorted Potts, "Scalding sack! Thisbloodthirsty squire has a new design upon my life!"

"Ey'n go wi' ye to th' Dragon, mester, " said Baggiley; "lean o' me. "

"Thanke'e friend, " replied Potts, taking his arm. "A word at parting, Master Nicholas. This is not the only discovery of witchcraft I've made. I've another case, somewhat nearer home. Ha! ha!"

With this, he hobbled off in the direction of the alehouse, his stepsbeing traceable along the dusty road like the course of a watering-cart. 

"Ey'n go efter him, " growled Jem. 

"No you won't, lad, " rejoined Nicholas, "and if you'll take my advice, you'll get out of Whalley as fast as you can. You will be safer on theheath of Pendle than here, when Sir Ralph and Master Roger Nowell cometo know what has taken place. And mind this, sirrah--the hounds will beout in the forest to-morrow. D'ye heed?"

Jem growled something in reply, and, seizing his little sister's hand, strode off with her towards his mother's dwelling, uttering not a wordby the way. 

Having seen Nance Redferne conveyed to the cottage, as before mentioned, Richard Assheton, regardless of the wet state of his own apparel, nowjoined his cousin, the squire, and they walked to the Abbey together, conversing on what had taken place, while the crowd dispersed, somereturning to the bowers in the churchyard, and others to the green, their merriment in nowise damped by the recent occurrences, which theylooked upon as part of the day's sport. As some of them passed by, laughing, singing, and dancing, Richard Assheton remarked, "I canscarcely believe these to be the same people I so lately saw in thechurchyard. They then seemed totally devoid of humanity. "

"Pshaw! they are humane enough, " rejoined Nicholas; "but you cannotexpect them to show mercy to a witch, any more than to a wolf, or othersavage and devouring beast. "

"But the means taken to prove her guilt were as absurd as iniquitous, "said Richard, "and savour of the barbarous ages. If she had perished, all concerned in the trial would have been guilty of murder. "

"But no judge would condemn them, " returned Nicholas; "and they have thehighest authority in the realm to uphold them. As to leniency towitches, in a general way, I would show none. Traitors alike to God andman, and bond slaves of Satan, they are out of the pale of Christiancharity. "

"No criminal, however great, is out of the pale of Christian charity, "replied Richard; "but such scenes as we have just witnessed are adisgrace to humanity, and a mockery of justice. In seeking to discoverand punish one offence, a greater is committed. Suppose this poor youngwoman really guilty--what then? Our laws are made for protection, aswell as punishment of wrong. She should he arraigned, convicted, andcondemned before punishment. "

"Our laws admit of torture, Richard, " observed Nicholas. 

"True, " said the young man, with a shudder, "and it is another relic ofa ruthless age. But torture is only allowed under the eye of the law, and can be inflicted by none but its sworn servants. But, supposing thispoor young woman innocent of the crime imputed to her, which I reallybelieve her to be, how, then, will you excuse the atrocities to whichshe has been subjected?"

"I do not believe her innocent, " rejoined Nicholas; "her relationship toa notorious witch, and her fabrication of clay images, make her justlysuspected. "

"Then let her be examined by a magistrate, " said Richard; "but, eventhen, woe betide her! When I think that Alizon Device is liable to thesame atrocious treatment, in consequence of her relationship to MotherDemdike, I can scarce contain my indignation. "

"It is unlucky for her, indeed, " rejoined Nicholas; "but of all Nance'sassailants the most infuriated was Alizon's brother, Jem Device. "

"I saw it, " cried Richard--an uneasy expression passing over hiscountenance. "Would she could be removed from that family!"

"To what purpose?" demanded Nicholas, quickly. "Her family are morelikely to be removed from her if Master Potts stay in theneighbourhood. "

"Poor girl!" exclaimed Richard. 

And he fell into a reverie which was not broken till they reached theAbbey. 

To return to Jem Device. On reaching the cottage, the ruffian flunghimself into a chair, and for a time seemed lost in reflection. At lasthe looked up, and said gruffly to Jennet, who stood watching him, "Seeif mother be come whoam?"

"Eigh, eigh, ey'm here, Jem, " said Elizabeth Device, opening the innerdoor and coming forth. "So, ye ha been swimmin' Nance Redferne, lad, eh!Ey'm glad on it--ha! ha!"

Jem gave her a significant look, upon which she motioned Jennet towithdraw, and the injunction being complied with, though with evidentreluctance, by the little girl, she closed the door upon her. 

"Now, Jem, what hast got to say to me, lad, eh?" demanded Elizabeth, stepping up to him. 

"Neaw great deal, mother, " he replied; "boh ey keawnsel ye to look weelefter yersel. We're aw i' dawnger. "

"Ey knoas it, lad, ey knoas it, " replied Elizabeth; "boh fo my own pertey'm nah afeerd. They darna touch me; an' if they dun, ey con defendmysel reet weel. Here's a letter to thy gran-mother, " she added, givinghim a sealed packet. "Take care on it. "

"Fro Mistress Nutter, ey suppose?" asked Jem. 

"Eigh, who else should it be from?" rejoined Elizabeth. "Yourgran-mother win' ha' enough to do to neet, an so win yo, too, Jem, lettin alone the walk fro here to Malkin Tower. "

"Weel, gi' me mey supper, an ey'n set out, " rejoined Jem. "So ye ha'seen Mistress Nutter?"

"Ey found her i' th' Abbey garden, " replied Elizabeth, "an we had sometawk together, abowt th' boundary line o' th' Rough Lee estates, andother matters. "

And, as she spoke, she set a cold pasty, with oat cakes, cheese, andbutter, before her son, and next proceeded to draw him a jug of ale. 

"What other matters dun you mean, mother?" inquired Jem, attacking thepasty. "War it owt relatin' to that little Lunnon lawyer, Mester Potts?"

"Theawst hit it, Jem, " replied Elizabeth, seating herself near him. "That Potts means to visit thy gran-mother to morrow. "

"Weel!" said Jem, grimly. 

"An arrest her, " pursued Elizabeth. 

"Easily said, " laughed Jem, scornfully, "boh neaw quite so easily done. "

"Nah quite, Jem, " responded Elizabeth, joining in the laugh. "'Speciallywhen th' owd dame's prepared, as she win be now. "

"Potts may set out 'o that journey, boh he winna come back again, "remarked Jem, in a sombre tone. 

"Wait till yo'n seen your gran-mother efore ye do owt, lad, " saidElizabeth. 

"Ay, wait, " added a voice. 

"What's that?" demanded Jem, laving down his knife and fork. 

Elizabeth did not answer in words, but her significant looks were quiteresponse enough for her son. 

"Os ye win, mother, " he said in an altered tone. After a pause, employedin eating, he added, "Did Mistress Nutter put onny questions to ye aboutAlizon?"

"More nor enough, lad, " replied Elizabeth; "fo what had ey to tell her?She praised her beauty, an said how unlike she wur to Jennet an thee, lad--ha! ha!--An wondert how ey cum to ha such a dowter, an monny otherthings besoide. An what could ey say to it aw, except--"

"Except what, mother?" interrupted Jem. 

"Except that she wur my child just os much os Jennet an thee!"

"Humph!" exclaimed Jem. 

"Humph!" echoed the voice that had previously spoken. 

Jem looked at his mother, and took a long pull at the ale-jug. 

"Any more messages to Malkin Tower?" he asked, getting up. 

"Neaw--mother will onderstond, " replied Elizabeth. "Bid her be on herguard, fo' the enemy is abroad. "

"Meanin' Potts?" said Jem. 

"Meaning Potts, " answered the voice. 

"There are strange echoes here, " said Jem, looking round suspiciously. 

At this moment, Tib came from under a piece of furniture, where he hadapparently been lying, and rubbed himself familiarly against his legs. 

"Ey needna be afeerd o' owt happenin to ye, mother, " said Jem, pattingthe cat's back. "Tib win tay care on yo. "

"Eigh, eigh, " replied Elizabeth, bending down to pat him, "he's a trustycat. " But the ill-tempered animal would not be propitiated, but erectedhis back, and menaced her with his claws. 

"Yo han offended him, mother, " said Jem. "One word efore ey start. Areye quite sure Potts didna owerhear your conversation wi' MistressNutter?"

"Why d'ye ask, Jem?" she replied. 

"Fro' summat the knave threw out to Squoire Nicholas just now, " rejoinedJem. "He said he'd another case o' witchcraft nearer whoam. Whot couldhe mean?"

"Whot, indeed?" cried Elizabeth, quickly. 

"Look at Tib, " exclaimed her son. 

As he spoke, the cat sprang towards the inner door, and scratchedviolently against it. 

Elizabeth immediately raised the latch, and found Jennet behind it, witha face like scarlet. 

"Yo'n been listenin, ye young eavesdropper, " cried Elizabeth, boxing herears soundly; "take that fo' your pains--an that. "

"Touch me again, an Mester Potts shan knoa aw ey'n heer'd, " said thelittle girl, repressing her tears. 

Elizabeth regarded her angrily; but the looks of the child were sospiteful, that she did not dare to strike her. She glanced too at Tib;but the uncertain cat was now rubbing himself in the most friendlymanner against Jennet. 

"Yo shan pay for this, lass, presently, " said Elizabeth. 

"Best nah provoke me, mother, " rejoined Jennet in a determined tone; "ifye dun, aw secrets shan out. Ey knoa why Jem's goin' to Malkin-Towerto-neet--an why yo're afeerd o' Mester Potts. "

"Howd thy tongue or ey'n choke thee, little pest, " cried her mother, fiercely. 

Jennet replied with a mocking laugh, while Tib rubbed against her morefondly than ever. 

"Let her alone, " interposed Jem. "An now ey mun be off. So, fare yeweel, mother, --an yo, too, Jennet. " And with this, he put on his cap, seized his cudgel, and quitted the cottage. 

CHAPTER VII. --THE RUINED CONVENTUAL CHURCH. 

Beneath a wild cherry-tree, planted by chance in the Abbey gardens, andof such remarkable size that it almost rivalled the elms and lime treessurrounding it, and when in bloom resembled an enormous garland, stoodtwo young maidens, both of rare beauty, though in totally differentstyles;--the one being fair-haired and blue-eyed, with a snowy skintinged with delicate bloom, like that of roses seen through milk, toborrow a simile from old Anacreon; while the other far eclipsed her inthe brilliancy of her complexion, the dark splendour of her eyes, andthe luxuriance of her jetty tresses, which, unbound and knotted withribands, flowed down almost to the ground. In age, there was littledisparity between them, though perhaps the dark-haired girl might be ayear nearer twenty than the other, and somewhat more of seriousness, though not much, sat upon her lovely countenance than on the other'slaughing features. Different were they too, in degree, and here socialposition was infinitely in favour of the fairer girl, but no one wouldhave judged it so if not previously acquainted with their history. Indeed, it was rather the one having least title to be proud (if any onehas such title) who now seemed to look up to her companion with mingledadmiration and regard; the latter being enthralled at the moment by therich notes of a thrush poured from a neighbouring lime-tree. 

Pleasant was the garden where the two girls stood, shaded by greattrees, laid out in exquisite parterres, with knots and figures, quaintflower-beds, shorn trees and hedges, covered alleys and arbours, terraces and mounds, in the taste of the time, and above all anadmirably kept bowling-green. It was bounded on the one hand by theruined chapter-house and vestry of the old monastic structure, and onthe other by the stately pile of buildings formerly making part of theAbbot's lodging, in which the long gallery was situated, some of itswindows looking upon the bowling-green, and then kept in excellentcondition, but now roofless and desolate. Behind them, on the right, half hidden by trees, lay the desecrated and despoiled conventualchurch. Reared at such cost, and with so much magnificence, by thirteenabbots--the great work having been commenced, as heretofore stated, byRobert de Topcliffe, in 1330, and only completed in all its details byJohn Paslew; this splendid structure, surpassing, according to Whitaker, "many cathedrals in extent, " was now abandoned to the slow ravages ofdecay. Would it had never encountered worse enemy! But some halfcentury later, the hand of man was called in to accelerate itsdestruction, and it was then almost entirely rased to the ground. At theperiod in question though partially unroofed, and with some of the wallsdestroyed, it was still beautiful and picturesque--more picturesque, indeed than in the days of its pride and splendour. The tower with itslofty crocketed spire was still standing, though the latter was crackedand tottering, and the jackdaws roosted within its windows and belfry. Two ranges of broken columns told of the bygone glories of the aisles;and the beautiful side chapels having escaped injury better than otherparts of the fabric, remained in tolerable preservation. But the choirand high altar were stripped of all their rich carving and ornaments, and the rain descended through the open rood-loft upon the nowgrass-grown graves of the abbots in the presbytery. Here and there theramified mullions still retained their wealth of painted glass, and thegrand eastern window shone gorgeously as of yore. All else was neglectand ruin. Briers and turf usurped the place of the marble pavement; manyof the pillars were festooned with ivy; and, in some places, theshattered walls were covered with creepers, and trees had taken root inthe crevices of the masonry. Beautiful at all times were thesemagnificent ruins; but never so beautiful as when seen by the witchinglight of the moon--the hour, according to the best authority, when allruins should be viewed--when the long lines of broken pillars, themouldering arches, and the still glowing panes over the altar, had amagical effect. 

In front of the maidens stood a square tower, part of the defences ofthe religious establishment, erected by Abbot Lyndelay, in the reign ofEdward III. , but disused and decaying. It was sustained by high andrichly groined arches, crossing the swift mill-race, and faced theriver. A path led through the ruined chapter-house to the spaciouscloister quadrangle, once used as a cemetery for the monks, but nowconverted into a kitchen garden, its broad area being planted out, andfruit-trees trained against the hoary walls. Little of the old refectorywas left, except the dilapidated stairs once conducting to the gallerywhere the brethren were wont to take their meals, but the inner wallstill served to enclose the garden on that side. Of the dormitory, formerly constituting the eastern angle of the cloisters, the shell wasstill left, and it was used partly as a grange, partly as a shed forcattle, the farm-yard and tenements lying on this side. 

Thus it will be seen that the garden and grounds, filling up the ruinsof Whalley Abbey, offered abundant points of picturesque attraction, allof which--with the exception of the ruined conventual church--had beenvisited by the two girls. They had tracked the labyrinths of passages, scaled the broken staircases, crept into the roofless and neglectedchambers, peered timorously into the black and yawning vaults, and now, having finished their investigations, had paused for awhile, previous toextending their ramble to the church, beneath the wild cherry-tree tolisten to the warbling of the birds. 

"You should hear the nightingales at Middleton, Alizon, " observedDorothy Assheton, breaking silence; "they sing even more exquisitelythan yon thrush. You must come and see me. I should like to show you theold house and gardens, though they are very different from these, and wehave no ancient monastic ruins to ornament them. Still, they are verybeautiful; and, as I find you are fond of flowers, I will show you someI have reared myself, for I am something of a gardener, Alizon. Promiseyou will come. "

"I wish I dared promise it, " replied Alizon. 

"And why not, then?" cried Dorothy. "What should prevent you? Do youknow, Alizon, what I should like better than all? You are so amiable, and so good, and so--so very pretty; nay, don't blush--there is no oneby to hear me--you are so charming altogether, that I should like you tocome and live with me. You shall be my handmaiden if you will. "

"I should desire nothing better, sweet young lady, " replied Alizon;"but--"

"But what?" cried Dorothy. "You have only your own consent to obtain. "

"Alas! I have, " replied Alizon. 

"How can that be!" cried Dorothy, with a disappointed look. "It is notlikely your mother will stand in the way of your advancement, and youhave not, I suppose, any other tie? Nay, forgive me if I appear tooinquisitive. My curiosity only proceeds from the interest I take inyou. "

"I know it--I feel it, dear, kind young lady, " replied Alizon, with thecolour again mounting her cheeks. "I have no tie in the world except myfamily. But I am persuaded my mother will never allow me to quit her, however great the advantage might be to me. "

"Well, though sorry, I am scarcely surprised at it, " said Dorothy. "Shemust love you too dearly to part with you. "

"I wish I could think so, " sighed Alizon. "Proud of me in some sort, though with little reason, she may be, but love me, most assuredly, shedoes not. Nay more, I am persuaded she would be glad to be freed from mypresence, which is an evident restraint and annoyance to her, were itnot for some motive stronger than natural affection that binds her tome. "

"Now, in good sooth, you amaze me, Alizon!" cried Dorothy. "Whatpossible motive can it be, if not of affection?"

"Of interest, I think, " replied Alizon. "I speak to you without reserve, dear young lady, for the sympathy you have shown me deserves anddemands confidence on my part, and there are none with whom I can freelyconverse, so that every emotion has been locked up in my own bosom. Mymother fancies I shall one day be of use to her, and therefore keeps mewith her. Hints to this effect she has thrown out, when indulging in theuncontrollable fits of passion to which she is liable. And yet I have nojust reason to complain; for though she has shown me little maternaltenderness, and repelled all exhibition of affection on my part, she hastreated me very differently from her other children, and with muchgreater consideration. I can make slight boast of education, but thebest the village could afford has been given me; and I have derived muchreligious culture from good Doctor Ormerod. The kind ladies of thevicarage proposed, as you have done, that I should live with them, butmy mother forbade it; enjoining me, on the peril of incurring herdispleasure, not to leave her, and reminding me of all the benefits Ihave received from her, and of the necessity of making an adequatereturn. And, ungrateful indeed I should be, if I did not comply; for, though her manner is harsh and cold to me, she has never ill-used me, asshe has done her favourite child, my little sister Jennet, but hasalways allowed me a separate chamber, where I can retire when I please, to read, or meditate, or pray. For, alas! dear young lady, I dare notpray before my mother. Be not shocked at what I tell you, but I cannothide it. My poor mother denies herself the consolation ofreligion--never addresses herself to Heaven in prayer--never opens thebook of Life and Truth--never enters church. In her own mistaken way shehas brought up poor little Jennet, who has been taught to make a scoffat religious truths and ordinances, and has never been suffered to keepholy the Sabbath-day. Happy and thankful am I, that no such evil lessonshave been taught me, but rather, that I have profited by the sadexample. In my own secret chamber I have prayed, daily and nightly, forboth--prayed that their hearts might be turned. Often have I besought mymother to let me take Jennet to church, but she never would consent. Andin that poor misguided child, dear young lady, there is a strangemixture of good and ill. Afflicted with personal deformity, and delicatein health, the mind perhaps sympathising with the body, she is waywardand uncertain in temper, but sensitive and keenly alive to kindness, andwith a shrewdness beyond her years. At the risk of offending my mother, for I felt confident I was acting rightly, I have endeavoured to instilreligious principles into her heart, and to inspire her with a love oftruth. Sometimes she has listened to me; and I have observed strangestruggles in her nature, as if the good were obtaining mastery of theevil principle, and I have striven the more to convince her, and win herover, but never with entire success, for my efforts have been overcomeby pernicious counsels, and sceptical sneers. Oh, dear young lady, whatwould I not do to be the instrument of her salvation!"

"You pain me much by this relation, Alizon, " said Dorothy Assheton, whohad listened with profound attention, "and I now wish more ardently thanever to take you from such a family. "

"I cannot leave them, dear young lady, " replied Alizon; "for I feel Imay be of infinite service--especially to Jennet--by staying with them. Where there is a soul to be saved, especially the soul of one dear as asister, no sacrifice can be too great to make--no price too heavy topay. By the blessing of Heaven I hope to save her! And that is the greattie that binds me to a home, only so in name. "

"I will not oppose your virtuous intentions, dear Alizon, " repliedDorothy; "but I must now mention a circumstance in connexion with yourmother, of which you are perhaps in ignorance, but which it is right youshould know, and therefore no false delicacy on my part shall restrainme from mentioning it. Your grandmother, Old Demdike, is in very illdepute in Pendle, and is stigmatised by the common folk, and even byothers, as a witch. Your mother, too, shares in the opprobrium attachingto her. "

"I dreaded this, " replied Alizon, turning deadly pale, and tremblingviolently, "I feared you had heard the terrible report. But oh, believeit not! My poor mother is erring enough, but she is not so bad as that. Oh, believe it not!"

"I will not believe it, " said Dorothy, "since she is blessed with such adaughter as you. But what I fear is that you--you so kind, so good, sobeautiful--may come under the same ban. "

"I must run this risk also, in the good work I have appointed myself, "replied Alizon. "If I am ill thought of by men, I shall have theapproval of my own conscience to uphold me. Whatever betide, andwhatever be said, do not you think ill of me, dear young lady. "

"Fear it not, " returned Dorothy, earnestly. 

While thus conversing, they gradually strayed away from the cherry-tree, and taking a winding path leading in that direction, entered theconventual church, about the middle of the south aisle. After gazingwith wonder and delight at the still majestic pillars, that, like ghostsof the departed brethren, seemed to protest against the desolationaround them, they took their way along the nave, through broken arches, and over prostrate fragments of stone, to the eastern extremity of thefane, and having admired the light shafts and clerestory windows of thechoir, as well as the magnificent painted glass over the altar, theystopped before an arched doorway on the right, with two Gothic niches, in one of which was a small stone statue of Saint Agnes with her lamb, and in the other a similar representation of Saint Margaret, crowned, and piercing the dragon with a cross. Both were sculptures of muchmerit, and it was wonderful they had escaped destruction. The door wasclosed, but it easily opened when tried by Dorothy, and they foundthemselves in a small but beautiful chapel. What struck them chiefly init was a magnificent monument of white marble, enriched with numeroussmall shields, painted and gilt, supporting two recumbent figures, representing Henry de Lacy, one of the founders of the Abbey, and hisconsort. The knight was cased in plate armour, covered with a surcoat, emblazoned with his arms, and his feet resting upon a hound. This superbmonument was wholly uninjured, the painting and gilding being stillfresh and bright. Behind it a flag had been removed, discovering aflight of steep stone steps, leading to a vault, or other subterraneanchamber. 

After looking round this chapel, Dorothy remarked, "There is somethingelse that has just occurred to me. When a child, a strange dark tale wastold me, to the effect that the last ill-fated Abbot of Whalley laid hisdying curse upon your grandmother, then an infant, predicting that sheshould be a witch, and the mother of witches. "

"I have heard the dread tradition, too, " rejoined Alizon; "but I cannot, will not, believe it. An all-benign Power will never sanction suchterrible imprecations. "

"Far be it from me to affirm the contrary, " replied Dorothy; "but it isundoubted that some families have been, and are, under the influence ofan inevitable fatality. In one respect, connected also with the sameunfortunate prelate, I might instance our own family. Abbot Paslew issaid to be unlucky to us even in his grave. If such a curse, as I havedescribed, hangs over the head of your family, all your efforts toremove it will be ineffectual. "

"I trust not, " said Alizon. "Oh! dear young lady, you have nowpenetrated the secret of my heart. The mystery of my life is laid opento you. Disguise it as I may, I cannot but believe my mother to be undersome baneful influence. Her unholy life, her strange actions, allimpress me with the idea. And there is the same tendency in Jennet. "

"You have a brother, have you not?" inquired Dorothy. 

"I have, " returned Alizon, slightly colouring; "but I see little of him, for he lives near my grandmother, in Pendle Forest, and always avoids mein his rare visits here. You will think it strange when I tell you Ihave never beheld my grandmother Demdike. "

"I am glad to hear it, " exclaimed Dorothy. 

"I have never even been to Pendle, " pursued Alizon, "though Jennet andmy mother go there frequently. At one time I much wished to see my agedrelative, and pressed my mother to take me with her; but she refused, and now I have no desire to go. "

"Strange!" exclaimed Dorothy. "Every thing you tell me strengthens theidea I conceived, the moment I saw you, and which my brother alsoentertained, that you are not the daughter of Elizabeth Device. "

"Did your brother think this?" cried Alizon, eagerly. But sheimmediately cast down her eyes. 

"He did, " replied Dorothy, not noticing her confusion. "'It isimpossible, ' he said, 'that that lovely girl can be sprung from'--but Iwill not wound you by adding the rest. "

"I cannot disown my kindred, " said Alizon. "Still, I must confess thatsome notions of the sort have crossed me, arising, probably, from mymother's extraordinary treatment, and from many other circumstances, which, though trifling in themselves, were not without weight in leadingme to the conclusion. Hitherto I have treated it only as a passingfancy, but if you and Master Richard Assheton"--and her voice slightlyfaltered as she pronounced the name--"think so, it may warrant me inmore seriously considering the matter. "

"Do consider it most seriously, dear Alizon, " cried Dorothy. "I havemade up my mind, and Richard has made up his mind, too, that you are notMother Demdike's grand-daughter, nor Elizabeth Device's daughter, norJennet's sister--nor any relation of theirs. We are sure of it, and wewill have you of our mind. "

The fair and animated speaker could not help noticing the blushes thatmantled Alizon's cheeks as she spoke, but she attributed them to otherthan the true cause. Nor did she mend the matter as she proceeded. 

"I am sure you are well born, Alizon, " she said, "and so it will befound in the end. And Richard thinks so, too, for he said so to me; andRichard is my oracle, Alizon. "

In spite of herself Alizon's eyes sparkled with pleasure; but shespeedily checked the emotion. 

"I must not indulge the dream, " she said, with a sigh. 

"Why not?" cried Dorothy. "I will have strict inquiries made as to yourhistory. "

"I cannot consent to it, " replied Alizon. "I cannot leave one who, ifshe be not my parent, has stood to me in that relation. Neither can Ihave her brought into trouble on my account. What will she think of me, if she learns I have indulged such a notion? She will say, and withtruth, that I am the most ungrateful of human beings, as well as themost unnatural of children. No, dear young lady, it must not be. Thesefancies are brilliant, but fallacious, and, like bubbles, burst as soonas formed. "

"I admire your sentiments, though I do not admit the justice of yourreasoning, " rejoined Dorothy. "It is not on your own account merely, though that is much, that the secret of your birth--if there beone--ought to be cleared up; but, for the sake of those with whom youmay be connected. There may be a mother, like mine, weeping for you aslost--a brother, like Richard, mourning you as dead. Think of the sadhearts your restoration will make joyful. As to Elizabeth Device, noconsideration should be shown her. If she has stolen you from yourparents, as I suspect, she deserves no pity. "

"All this is mere surmise, dear young lady, " replied Alizon. 

At this juncture they were startled, by seeing an old woman come frombehind the monument and plant herself before them. Both uttered a cry, and would have fled, but a gesture from the crone detained them. Veryold was she, and of strange and sinister aspect, almost blind, bentdouble, with frosted brows and chin, and shaking with palsy. 

"Stay where you are, " cried the hag, in an imperious tone. "I want tospeak to you. Come nearer to me, my pretty wheans; nearer--nearer. "

And as they complied, drawn towards her by an impulse they could notresist, the old woman caught hold of Alizon's arm, and said with achuckle. "So you are the wench they call Alizon Device, eh!"

"Ay, " replied Alizon, trembling like a dove in the talons of a hawk. 

"Do you know who I am?" cried the hag, grasping her yet more tightly. "Do you know who I am, I say? If not, I will tell you. I am MotherChattox of Pendle Forest, the rival of Mother Demdike, and the enemy ofall her accursed brood. Now, do you know me, wench? Men call me witch. Whether I am so or not, I have some power, as they and you shall find. Mother Demdike has often defied me--often injured me, but I will have myrevenge upon her--ha! ha!"

"Let me go, " cried Alizon, greatly terrified. 

"I will run and bring assistance, " cried Dorothy. And she flew to thedoor, but it resisted her attempts to open it. 

"Come back, " screamed the hag. "You strive in vain. The door is fastshut--fast shut. Come back, I say. Who are you?" she added, as the maiddrew near, ready to sink with terror. "Your voice is an Assheton'svoice. I know you now. You are Dorothy Assheton--whey-skinned, blue-eyedDorothy. Listen to me, Dorothy. I owe your family a grudge, and, if youprovoke me, I will pay it off in part on you. Stir not, as you valueyour life. "

The poor girl did not dare to move, and Alizon remained as if fascinatedby the terrible old woman. 

"I will tell you what has happened, Dorothy, " pursued Mother Chattox. "Icame hither to Whalley on business of my own; meddling with no one;harming no one. Tread upon the adder and it will bite; and, whenmolested, I bite like the adder. Your cousin, Nick Assheton, came in myway, called me 'witch, ' and menaced me. I cursed him--ha! ha! And thenyour brother, Richard--"

[Illustration: MOTHER CHATTOX, ALIZON, AND DOROTHY. ]

"What of him, in Heaven's name?" almost shrieked Alizon. 

"How's this?" exclaimed Mother Chattox, placing her hand on the beatingheart of the girl. 

"What of Richard Assheton?" repeated Alizon. 

"You love him, I feel you do, wench, " cried the old crone with fierceexultation. 

"Release me, wicked woman, " cried Alizon. 

"Wicked, am I? ha! ha!" rejoined Mother Chattox, chuckling maliciously, "because, forsooth, I read thy heart, and betray its secrets. Wicked, eh! I tell thee wench again, Richard Assheton is lord and master here. Every pulse in thy bosom beats for him--for him alone. But beware of hislove. Beware of it, I say. It shall bring thee ruin and despair. "

"For pity's sake, release me, " implored Alizon. 

"Not yet, " replied the inexorable old woman, "not yet. My tale is nothalf told. My curse fell on Richard's head, as it did on Nicholas's. Andthen the hell-hounds thought to catch me; but they were at fault. Itricked them nicely--ha! ha! However, they took my Nance--my prettyNance--they seized her, bound her, bore her to the Calder--and thereswam her. Curses light on them all!--all!--but chief on him who did it!"

"Who was he?" inquired Alizon, tremblingly. 

"Jem Device, " replied the old woman--"it was he who bound her--he whoplunged her in the river, he who swam her. But I will pinch and plaguehim for it, I will strew his couch with nettles, and all wholesome foodshall be poison to him. His blood shall be as water, and his fleshshrink from his bones. He shall waste away slowly--slowly--slowly--tillhe drops like a skeleton into the grave ready digged for him. Allconnected with him shall feel my fury. I would kill thee now, if thouwert aught of his. "

"Aught of his! What mean you, old woman?" demanded Alizon. 

"Why, this, " rejoined Mother Chattox, "and let the knowledge work inthee, to the confusion of Bess Device. Thou art not her daughter. "

"It is as I thought, " cried Dorothy Assheton, roused by the intelligencefrom her terror. 

"I tell thee not this secret to pleasure thee, " continued MotherChattox, "but to confound Elizabeth Device. I have no other motive. Shehath provoked my vengeance, and she shall feel it. Thou art not herchild, I say. The secret of thy birth is known to me, but the time isnot yet come for its disclosure. It shall out, one day, to the confusionof those who offend me. When thou goest home tell thy reputed motherwhat I have said, and mark how she takes the information. Ha! who comeshere?"

The hag's last exclamation was occasioned by the sudden appearance ofMistress Nutter, who opened the door of the chapel, and, staring inastonishment at the group, came quickly forward. 

"What makes you here, Mother Chattox?" she cried. 

"I came here to avoid pursuit, " replied the old hag, with a cowedmanner, and in accents sounding strangely submissive after her lateinfuriated tone. 

"What have you been saying to these girls?" demanded Mistress Nutter, authoritatively. 

"Ask them, " the hag replied. 

"She declares that Alizon is not the daughter of Elizabeth Device, "cried Dorothy Assheton. 

"Indeed!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter quickly, and as if a spring ofextraordinary interest had been suddenly touched. "What reason hast thoufor this assertion?"

"No good reason, " replied the old woman evasively, yet with evidentapprehension of her questioner. 

"Good reason or bad, I will have it, " cried Mistress Nutter. 

"What you, too, take an interest in the wench, like the rest!" returnedMother Chattox. "Is she so very winning?"

"That is no answer to my question, " said the lady. "Whose child is she?"

"Ask Bess Device, or Mother Demdike, " replied Mother Chattox; "they knowmore about the matter than me. "

"I will have thee speak, and to the purpose, " cried the lady, angrily. 

"Many an one has lost a child who would gladly have it back again, " saidthe old hag, mysteriously. 

"Who has lost one?" asked Mistress Nutter. 

"Nay, it passeth me to tell, " replied the old woman with affectedignorance. "Question those who stole her. I have set you on the track. If you fail in pursuing it, come to me. You know where to find me. "

"You shall not go thus, " said Mistress Nutter. "I will have a directanswer now. "

And as she spoke she waved her hands twice or thrice over the old woman. In doing this her figure seemed to dilate, and her countenance underwenta marked and fearful change. All her beauty vanished, her eyes blazed, and terror sat on her wrinkled brow. The hag, on the contrary, crouchedlower down, and seemed to dwindle less than her ordinary size. Writhingas from heavy blows, and with a mixture of malice and fear in hercountenance, she cried, "Were I to speak, you would not thank me. Let mego. "

"Answer, " vociferated Mistress Nutter, disregarding the caution, andspeaking in a sharp piercing voice, strangely contrasting with herordinary utterance. "Answer, I say, or I will beat thee to the dust. "

And she continued her gestures, while the sufferings of the old hagevidently increased, and she crouched nearer and nearer to the ground, moaning out the words, "Do not force me to speak. You will repentit!--you will repent it!"

"Do not torment her thus, madam, " cried Alizon, who with Dorothy lookedat the strange scene with mingled apprehension and wonderment. "Much asI desire to know the secret of my birth, I would not obtain it thus. "

As she uttered these words, the old woman contrived to shuffle off, anddisappeared behind the tomb. 

"Why did you interpose, Alizon, " cried Mistress Nutter, somewhatangrily, and dropping her hands. "You broke the power I had over her. Iwould have compelled her to speak. "

"I thank you, gracious lady, for your consideration, " replied Alizon, gratefully; "but the sight was too painful. "

"What has become of her--where is she gone?" cried Dorothy, peepingbehind the tomb. "She has crept into this vault, I suppose. "

"Do not trouble yourelf about her more, Dorothy, " said Mistress Nutter, resuming her wonted voice and wonted looks. "Let us return to the house. Thus much is ascertained, Alizon, that you are no child of your supposedparent. Wait a little, and the rest shall be found out for you. And, meantime, be assured that I take strong interest in you. "

"That we all do, " added Dorothy. 

"Thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Alizon, almost overpowered. 

With this they went forth, and, traversing the shafted aisle, quittedthe conventual church, and took their way along the alley leading to thegarden. 

"Say not a word at present to Elizabeth Device of the information youhave obtained, Alizon, " observed Mistress Nutter. "I have reasons forthis counsel, which I will afterwards explain to you. And do you keepsilence on the subject, Dorothy. "

"May I not tell Richard?" said the young lady. 

"Not Richard--not any one, " returned Mistress Nutter, "or you mayseriously affect Alizon's prospects. "

"You have cautioned me in time, " cried Dorothy, "for here comes mybrother with our cousin Nicholas. "

And as she spoke a turn in the alley showed Richard and NicholasAssheton advancing towards them. 

A strange revolution had been produced in Alizon's feelings by theevents of the last half hour. The opinions expressed by DorothyAssheton, as to her birth, had been singularly confirmed by MotherChattox; but could reliance be placed on the old woman's assertions?Might they not have been made with mischievous intent? And was it notpossible, nay, probable, that, in her place of concealment behind thetomb, the vindictive hag had overheard the previous conversation withDorothy, and based her own declaration upon it? All these suggestionsoccurred to Alizon, but the previous idea having once gained admissionto her breast, soon established itself firmly there, in spite of doubtsand misgivings, and began to mix itself up with new thoughts andwishes, with which other persons were connected; for she could not helpfancying she might be well-born, and if so the vast distance heretoforeexisting between her and Richard Assheton might be greatly diminished, if not altogether removed. So rapid is the progress of thought, thatonly a few minutes were required for this long train of reflections topass through her mind, and it was merely put to flight by the approachof the main object of her thoughts. 

On joining the party, Richard Assheton saw plainly that something hadhappened; but as both his sister and Alizon laboured under evidentembarrassment, he abstained from making inquiries as to its cause forthe present, hoping a better opportunity of doing so would occur, andthe conversation was kept up by Nicholas Assheton, who described, in hiswonted lively manner, the encounter with Mother Chattox and NanceRedferne, the swimming of the latter, and the trickery and punishment ofPotts. During the recital Mistress Nutter often glanced uneasily at thetwo girls, but neither of them offered any interruption until Nicholashad finished, when Dorothy, taking her brother's hand, said, with a lookof affectionate admiration, "You acted like yourself, dear Richard. "

Alizon did not venture to give utterance to the same sentiment, but herlooks plainly expressed it. 

"I only wish you had punished that cruel James Device, as well as savedpoor Nance, " added Dorothy. 

"Hush!" exclaimed Richard, glancing at Alizon. 

"You need not be afraid of hurting her feelings, " cried the young lady. "She does not mind him now. "

"What do you mean, Dorothy?" cried Richard, in surprise. 

"Oh, nothing--nothing, " she replied, hastily. 

"Perhaps you will explain, " said Richard to Alizon. 

"Indeed I cannot, " she answered in confusion. 

"You would have laughed to see Potts creep out of the river, " saidNicholas, turning to Dorothy; "he looked just like a drownedrat--ha!--ha!"

"You have made a bitter enemy of him, Nicholas, " observed MistressNutter; "so look well to yourself. "

"I heed him not, " rejoined the squire; "he knows me now too well tomeddle with me again, and I shall take good care how I put myself in hispower. One thing I may mention, to show the impotent malice of theknave. Just as he was setting off, he said, 'This is not the onlydiscovery of witchcraft I have made to-day. I have another case nearerhome. ' What could he mean?"

"I know not, " replied Mistress Nutter, a shade of disquietude passingover her countenance. "But he is quite capable of bringing the chargeagainst you or any of us. "

"He is so, " said Nicholas. "After what has occurred, I wonder whetherhe will go over to Rough Lee to-morrow?"

"Very likely not, " replied Mistress Nutter, "and in that case MasterRoger Nowell must provide some other person competent to examine theboundary-line of the properties on his behalf. "

"Then you are confident of the adjudication being in your favour?" saidNicholas. 

"Quite so, " replied Mistress Nutter, with a self-satisfied smile. 

"The result, I hope, may justify your expectation, " said Nicholas; "butit is right to tell you, that Sir Ralph, in consenting to postpone hisdecision, has only done so out of consideration to you. If the divisionof the properties be as represented by him, Master Nowell willunquestionably obtain an award in his favour. "

"Under such circumstances he may, " said Mistress Nutter; "but you willfind the contrary turn out to be the fact. I will show you a plan I havehad lately prepared, and you can then judge for yourself. "

While thus conversing, the party passed through a door in the high stonewall dividing the garden from the court, and proceeded towards theprincipal entrance of the mansion. Built out of the ruins of the Abbey, which had served as a very convenient quarry for the construction ofthis edifice, as well as for Portfield, the house was large andirregular, planned chiefly with the view of embodying part of the oldabbot's lodging, and consisting of a wide front, with two wings, one ofwhich looked into the court, and the other, comprehending the longgallery, into the garden. The old north-east gate of the Abbey, with itslofty archway and embattled walls, served as an entrance to the greatcourt-yard, and at its wicket ordinarily stood Ned Huddlestone, theporter, though he was absent on the present occasion, being occupiedwith the May-day festivities. Immediately opposite the gateway sprang aflight of stone steps, with a double landing-place and a broadbalustrade of the same material, on the lowest pillar of which wasplaced a large escutcheon sculptured with the arms of thefamily--argent, a mullet sable--with a rebus on the name--an ash on atun. The great door to which these steps conducted stood wide open, andbefore it, on the upper landing-place, were collected Lady Assheton, Mistress Braddyll, Mistress Nicholas Assheton, and some other dames, laughing and conversing together. Some long-eared spaniels, favouritesof the lady of the house, were chasing each other up and down the steps, disturbing the slumbers of a couple of fine blood-hounds in thecourt-yard; or persecuting the proud peafowl that strutted about todisplay their gorgeous plumage to the spectators. 

On seeing the party approach, Lady Assheton came down to meet them. 

"You have been long absent, " she said to Dorothy; "but I suppose youhave been exploring the ruins?"

"Yes, we have not left a hole or corner unvisited, " was the reply. 

"That is right, " said Lady Assheton. "I knew you would make a goodguide, Dorothy. Of course you have often seen the old conventual churchbefore, Alizon?"

"I am ashamed to say I have not, your ladyship, " she replied. 

"Indeed!" exclaimed Lady Assheton; "and yet you have lived all your lifein the village?"

"Quite true, your ladyship, " answered Alizon; "but these ruins have beenprohibited to me. "

"Not by us, " said Lady Assheton; "they are open to every one. "

"I was forbidden to visit them by my mother, " said Alizon. And for thefirst time the word "mother" seemed strange to her. 

Lady Assheton looked surprised, but made no remark, and mounting thesteps, led the way to a spacious though not very lofty chamber, withhuge uncovered rafters, and a floor of polished oak. Over a greatfireplace at one side, furnished with immense andirons, hung a noblepair of antlers, and similar trophies of the chase were affixed to otherparts of the walls. Here and there were likewise hung rusty skull-caps, breastplates, two-handed and single-handed swords, maces, halberts, andarquebusses, with chain-shirts, buff-jerkins, matchlocks, and otherwarlike implements, amongst which were several shields painted with thearms of the Asshetons and their alliances. High-backed chairs of giltleather were ranged against the walls, and ebony cabinets inlaid withivory were set between them at intervals, supporting rare specimens ofglass and earthenware. Opposite the fireplace, stood a large clock, curiously painted and decorated with emblematical devices, with thesigns of the zodiac, and provided with movable figures to strike thehours on a bell; while from the centre of the roof hung a greatchandelier of stag's horn. 

Lady Assheton did not tarry long within the entrance hall, for such itwas, but conducted her guests through an arched doorway on the rightinto the long gallery. One hundred and fifty feet in length, andproportionately wide and lofty, this vast chamber had undergone littlechange since its original construction by the old owners of the Abbey. Panelled and floored with lustrous oak, and hung in some parts withantique tapestry, representing scriptural subjects, one side was piercedwith lofty pointed windows, looking out upon the garden, while thesouthern extremity boasted a magnificent window, with heavy stonemullions, though of more recent workmanship than the framework, commanding Whalley Nab and the river. The furniture of the apartment wasgrand but gloomy, and consisted of antique chairs and tables belongingto the Abbey. Some curious ecclesiastical sculptures, wood carvings, andsaintly images, were placed at intervals near the walls, and on theupper panels were hung a row of family portraits. 

Quitting the rest of the company, and proceeding to the southernwindow, Dorothy invited Alizon and her brother to place themselvesbeside her on the cushioned seats of the deep embrasure. Littleconversation, however, ensued; Alizon's heart being too full forutterance, and recent occurrences engrossing Dorothy's thoughts, to theexclusion of every thing else. Having made one or two unsuccessfulefforts to engage them in talk, Richard likewise lapsed into silence, and gazed out on the lovely scenery before him. The evening has beendescribed as beautiful; and the swift Calder, as it hurried by, wastinged with rays of the declining sun, whilst the woody heights ofWhalley Nab were steeped in the same rosy light. But the view failed tointerest Richard in his present mood, and after a brief survey, he stolea look at Alizon, and was surprised to find her in tears. 

"What saddening thoughts cross you, fair girl?" he inquired, with deepinterest. 

"I can hardly account for my sudden despondency, " she replied; "but Ihave heard that great happiness is the precursor of dejection, and thesaying I suppose must be true, for I have been happier to-day than Iever was before in my life. But the feeling of sadness is now past, " sheadded, smiling. 

"I am glad of it, " said Richard. "May I not know what has occurred toyou?"

"Not at present, " interposed Dorothy; "but I am sure you will be pleasedwhen you are made acquainted with the circumstance. I would tell you nowif I might. "

"May I guess?" said Richard. 

"I don't know, " rejoined Dorothy, who was dying to tell him. "May he?"

"Oh no, no!" cried Alizon. 

"You are very perverse, " said Richard, with a look of disappointment. "There can be no harm in guessing; and you can please yourself as togiving an answer. I fancy, then, that Alizon has made some discovery. "

Dorothy nodded. 

"Relative to her parentage?" pursued Richard. 

Another nod. 

"She has found out she is not Elizabeth Device's daughter?" saidRichard. 

"Some witch must have told you this, " exclaimed Dorothy. 

"Have I indeed guessed rightly?" cried Richard, with an eagerness thatstartled his sister. "Do not keep me in suspense. Speak plainly. "

"How am I to answer him, Alizon?" said Dorothy. 

"Nay, do not appeal to me, dear young lady, " she answered, blushing. 

"I have gone too far to retreat, " rejoined Dorothy, "and therefore, despite Mistress Nutter's interdiction, the truth shall out. You haveguessed shrewdly, Richard. A discovery _has_ been made--a very greatdiscovery. Alizon is not the daughter of Elizabeth Device. "

"The intelligence delights me, though it scarcely surprises me, " criedRichard, gazing with heartfelt pleasure at the blushing girl; "for I wassure of the fact from the first. Nothing so good and charming as Alizoncould spring from so foul a source. How and by what means you havederived this information, as well as whose daughter you are, I shallwait patiently to learn. Enough for me you are not the sister of JamesDevice--enough you are not the grandchild of Mother Demdike. "

"You know all I know, in knowing thus much, " replied Alizon, timidly. "And secrecy has been enjoined by Mistress Nutter, in order that therest may be found out. But oh! should the hopes I have--perhaps toohastily--indulged, prove fallacious--"

"They cannot be fallacious, Alizon, " interrupted Richard, eagerly. "Onthat score rest easy. Your connexion with that wretched family is forever broken. But I can see the necessity of caution, and shall observeit. And so Mistress Nutter takes an interest in you?"

"The strongest, " replied Dorothy; "but see! she comes this way. "

But we must now go back for a short space. 

While Mistress Nutter and Nicholas were seated at a table examining aplan of the Rough Lee estates, the latter was greatly astonished to seethe door open and give admittance to Master Potts, who he fancied snuglylying between a couple of blankets, at the Dragon. The attorney was cladin a riding-dress, which he had exchanged for his wet habiliments, andwas accompanied by Sir Ralph Assheton and Master Roger Nowell. On seeingNicholas, he instantly stepped up to him. 

"Aha! squire, " he cried, "you did not expect to see me again so soon, eh! A pottle of hot sack put my blood into circulation, and having, luckily, a change of raiment in my valise, I am all right again. Not soeasily got rid of, you see!"

"So it appears, " replied Nicholas, laughing. 

"We have a trifling account to settle together, sir, " said the attorney, putting on a serious look. 

"Whenever you please, sir, " replied Nicholas, good-humouredly, tappingthe hilt of his sword. 

"Not in that way, " cried Potts, darting quickly back. "I never fightwith those weapons--never. Our dispute must be settled in a court oflaw, sir--in a court of law. You understand, Master Nicholas?"

"There is a shrewd maxim, Master Potts, that he who is his own lawyerhas a fool for his client, " observed Nicholas, drily. "Would it not bebetter to stick to the defence of others, rather than practise in yourown behalf?"

"You have expressed my opinion, Master Nicholas, " observed RogerNowell; "and I hope Master Potts will not commence any action on his ownaccount till he has finished my business. "

"Assuredly not, sir, since you desire it, " replied the attorney, obsequiously. "But my motives must not be mistaken. I have a clear caseof assault and battery against Master Nicholas Assheton, or I mayproceed against him criminally for an attempt on my life. "

"Have you given him no provocation, sir?" demanded Sir Ralph, sternly. 

"No provocation can justify the treatment I have experienced, SirRalph, " replied Potts. "However, to show I am a man of peace, andharbour no resentment, however just grounds I may have for such afeeling, I am willing to make up the matter with Master Nicholas, provided--"

"He offers you a handsome consideration, eh?" said the squire. 

"Provided he offers me a handsome apology--such as a gentleman mayaccept, " rejoined Potts, consequentially. 

"And which he will not refuse, I am sure, " said Sir Ralph, glancing athis cousin. 

"I should certainly be sorry to have drowned you, " said thesquire--"very sorry. "

"Enough--enough--I am content, " cried Potts, holding out his hand, whichNicholas grasped with an energy that brought tears into the little man'seyes. 

"I am glad the matter is amicably adjusted, " observed Roger Nowell, "forI suspect both parties have been to blame. And I must now request you, Master Potts, to forego your search, and inquiries after witches, tillsuch time as you have settled this question of the boundary line for me. One matter at a time, my good sir. "

"But, Master Nowell, " cried Potts, "my much esteemed and singular goodclient--"

"I will have no nay, " interrupted Nowell, peremptorily. 

"Hum!" muttered Potts; "I shall lose the best chance of distinction everthrown in my way. "

"I care not, " said Nowell. 

"Just as you came up, Master Nowell, " observed Nicholas, "I wasexamining a plan of the disputed estates in Pendle Forest. It differsfrom yours, and, if correct, certainly substantiates Mistress Nutter'sclaim. "

"I have mine with me, " replied Nowell, producing a plan, and opening it. "We can compare the two, if you please. The line runs thus:--From thefoot of Pendle Hill, beginning with Barley Booth, the boundary is markedby a stone wall, as far as certain fields in the occupation of JohnOgden. Is it not so?"

"It is, " replied Nicholas, comparing the statement with the other plan. 

"It then runs on in a northerly direction, " pursued Nowell, "towardsBurst Clough, and here the landmarks are certain stones placed in themoor, one hundred yards apart, and giving me twenty acres of this land, and Mistress Nutter ten. "

"On the contrary, " replied Nicholas. "This plan gives Mistress Nuttertwenty acres, and you ten. "

"Then the plan is wrong, " cried Nowell, sharply. 

"It has been carefully prepared, " said Mistress Nutter, who hadapproached the table. 

"No matter; it is wrong, I say, " cried Nowell, angrily. 

"You see where the landmarks are placed, Master Nowell, " said Nicholas, pointing to the measurement. "I merely go by them. "

"The landmarks are improperly placed in that plan, " cried Nowell. 

"I will examine them myself to-morrow, " said Potts, taking out a largememorandum-hook; "there cannot be an error of ten acres--ten perches--orten feet, possibly, but acres--pshaw!"

"Laugh as you please; but go on, " said Mrs. Nutter. 

"Well, then, " pursued Nicholas, "the line approaches the bank of arivulet, called Moss Brook--a rare place for woodcocks and snipes thatMoss Brook, I may remark--the land on the left consisting of five acresof waste land, marked by a sheepfold, and two posts set up in a linewith it, belonging to Mistress Nutter. "

"To Mistress Nutter!" exclaimed Nowell, indignantly. "To me, you mean. "

"It is here set down to Mistress Nutter, " said Nicholas. 

"Then it is set down wrongfully, " cried Nowell. "That plan is altogetherincorrect. "

"On which side of the field does the rivulet flow?" inquired Potts. 

"On the right, " replied Nicholas. 

"On the left, " cried Nowell. 

"There must be some extraordinary mistake, " said Potts. "I shall make anote of that, and examine it to-morrow. --N. B. Waste land--sheepfold--rivulet called Moss Brook, flowing on the left. "

"On the right, " cried Mistress Nutter. 

"That remains to be seen, " rejoined Potts, "I have made the entry as onthe left. "

"Go on, Master Nicholas, " said Nowell, "I should like to see how manyother errors that plan contains. "

"Passing the rivulet, " pursued the squire, "we come to a footpathleading to the limestone quarry, about which there can be no mistake. Then by Cat Gallows Wood and Swallow Hole; and then by another path toWorston Moor, skirting a hut in the occupation of James Device--ha! ha!Master Jem, are you here? I thought you dwelt with your grandmother atMalkin Tower--excuse me, Master Nowell, but one must relieve the dulnessof this plan by an exclamation or so--and here being waste land again, the landmarks are certain stones set at intervals towards Hook Cliff, and giving Mistress Nutter two-thirds of the whole moor, and MasterRoger Nowell one-third. "

"False again, " cried Nowell, furiously. "The two-thirds are mine, theone-third Mistress Nutter's. "

"Somebody must be very wrong, " cried Nicholas. 

"Very wrong indeed, " added Potts; "and I suspect that that somebodyis--"

"Master Nowell, " said Mistress Nutter. 

"Mistress Nutter, " cried Master Nowell. 

"Both are wrong and both right, according to your own showing, " saidNicholas, laughing. 

"To-morrow will decide the question, " said Potts. 

"Better wait till then, " interposed Sir Ralph. "Take both plans withyou, and you will then ascertain which is correct. "

"Agreed, " cried Nowell. "Here is mine. "

"And here is mine, " said Mistress Nutter. "I will abide by theinvestigation. "

"And Master Potts and I will verify the statements, " said Nicholas. 

"We will, sir, " replied the attorney, putting his memorandum book in hispocket. "We will. "

The plans were then delivered to the custody of Sir Ralph, who promisedto hand them over to Potts and Nicholas on the morrow. 

The party then separated; Mistress Nutter shaping her course towards thewindow where Alizon and the two other young people were seated, whilePotts, plucking the squire's sleeve, said, with a very mysterious look, that he desired a word with him in private. Wondering what could be thenature of the communication the attorney desired to make, Nicholaswithdrew with him into a corner, and Nowell, who saw them retire, andcould not help watching them with some curiosity, remarked that thesquire's hilarious countenance fell as he listened to the attorney, while, on the contrary, the features of the latter gleamed withmalicious satisfaction. 

Meanwhile, Mistress Nutter approached Alizon, and beckoning her towardsher, they quitted the room together. As the young girl went forth, shecast a wistful look at Dorothy and her brother. 

"You think with me, that that lovely girl is well born?" said Dorothy, as Alizon disappeared. 

"It were heresy to doubt it, " answered Richard. 

"Shall I tell you another secret?" she continued, regarding himfixedly--"if, indeed, it be a secret, for you must be sadly wanting indiscernment if you have not found it out ere this. She loves you. "

"Dorothy!" exclaimed Richard. 

"I am sure of it, " she rejoined. "But I would not tell you this, if Iwere not quite equally sure that you love her in return. "

"On my faith, Dorothy, you give yourself credit for wonderfulpenetration, " cried Richard. 

"Not a whit more than I am entitled to, " she answered. "Nay, it will notdo to attempt concealment with me. If I had not been certain of thematter before, your manner now would convince me. I am very glad of it. She will make a charming sister, and I shall he very fond of her. "

"How you do run on, madcap!" cried her brother, trying to lookdispleased, but totally failing in assuming the expression. 

"Stranger things have come to pass, " said Dorothy; "and one reads instory-hooks of young nobles marrying village maidens in spite ofparental opposition. I dare say you will get nobody's consent to themarriage but mine, Richard. "

"I dare say not, " he replied, rather blankly. 

"That is, if she should not turn out to be somebody's daughter, " pursuedDorothy; "somebody, I mean, quite as great as the heir of Middleton, which I make no doubt she will. "

"I hope she may, " replied Richard. 

"Why, you don't mean to say you wouldn't marry her if she didn't!" criedDorothy. "I'm ashamed of you, Richard. "

"It would remove all opposition, at all events, " said her brother. 

"So it would, " said Dorothy; "and now I'll tell you another notion ofmine, Richard. Somehow or other, it has come into my head that Alizon isthe daughter of--whom do you think?"

"Whom!" he cried. 

"Guess, " she rejoined. 

"I can't, " he exclaimed, impatiently. 

"Well, then, I'll tell you without more ado, " she answered. "Mind, it'sonly my notion, and I've no precise grounds for it. But, in my opinion, she's the daughter of the lady who has just left the room. "

"Of Mistress Nutter!" ejaculated Richard, starting. "What makes youthink so?"

"The extraordinary and otherwise unaccountable interest she takes inher, " replied Dorothy. "And, if you recollect, Mistress Nutter had aninfant daughter who was lost in a strange manner. "

"I thought the child died, " replied Richard; "but it may be as you say. I hope it is so. "

"Time will show, " said Dorothy; "but I have made up my mind about thematter. "

At this moment Nicholas Assheton came up to them, looking grave anduneasy. 

"What has happened?" asked Richard, anxiously. 

"I have just received some very unpleasant intelligence, " repliedNicholas. "I told you of a menace uttered by that confounded Potts, onquitting me after his ducking. He has now spoken out plainly, anddeclares he overheard part of a conversation between Mistress Nutter andElizabeth Device, which took place in the ruins of the convent churchthis morning, and he is satisfied that--"

"Well!" cried Richard, breathlessly. 

"That Mistress Nutter is a witch, and in league with witches, " continuedNicholas. 

"Ha!" exclaimed Richard, turning deathly pale. 

"I suspect the rascal has invented the charge, " said Nicholas; "but heis quite unscrupulous enough to make it; and, if made, it will be fatalto our relative's reputation, if not to her life. "

"It is false, I am sure of it, " cried Richard, torn by conflictingemotions. 

"Would I could think so!" cried Dorothy, suddenly recollecting MistressNutter's strange demeanour in the little chapel, and the unaccountableinfluence she seemed to exercise over the old crone. "But something hasoccurred to-day that leads me to a contrary conviction. "

"What is it? Speak!" cried Richard. 

"Not now--not now, " replied Dorothy. 

"Whatever suspicions you may entertain, keep silence, or you willdestroy Mistress Nutter, " said Nicholas. 

"Fear me not, " rejoined Dorothy. "Oh, Alizon!" she murmured, "that thisunhappy question should arise at such a moment. "

"Do you indeed believe the charge, Dorothy?" asked Richard, in a lowvoice. 

"I do, " she answered in the same tone. "If Alizon be her daughter, shecan never be your wife. "

"How?" cried Richard. 

"Never--never!" repeated Dorothy, emphatically. "The daughter of awitch, be that witch named Elizabeth Device or Alice Nutter, is no matefor you. "

"You prejudge Mistress Nutter, Dorothy, " he cried. 

"Alas! Richard. I have too good reason for what I say, " she answered, sadly. 

Richard uttered an exclamation of despair. And on the instant the livelysounds of tabor and pipe, mixed with the jingling of bells, arose fromthe court-yard, and presently afterwards an attendant entered toannounce that the May-day revellers were without, and directions weregiven by Sir Ralph that they should be shown into the greatbanqueting-hall below the gallery, which had been prepared for theirreception. 

CHAPTER VIII. --THE REVELATION. 

On quitting the long gallery, Mistress Nutter and Alizon ascended a widestaircase, and, traversing a corridor, came to an antique, tapestriedchamber, richly but cumbrously furnished, having a carved oak bedsteadwith sombre hangings, a few high-backed chairs of the same material, anda massive wardrobe, with shrine-work atop, and two finely sculpturedfigures, of the size of life, in the habits of Cistertian monks, placedas supporters at either extremity. At one side of the bed the tapestrywas drawn aside, showing the entrance to a closet or inner room, andopposite it there was a great yawning fireplace, with a loftymantelpiece and chimney projecting beyond the walls. The windows werenarrow, and darkened by heavy transom bars and small diamond panes whilethe view without, looking upon Whalley Nab, was obstructed by thecontiguity of a tall cypress, whose funereal branches added to thegeneral gloom. The room was one of those formerly allotted to theirguests by the hospitable abbots, and had undergone little change sincetheir time, except in regard to furniture; and even that appeared oldand faded now. What with the gloomy arras, the shrouded bedstead, andthe Gothic wardrobe with its mysterious figures, the chamber had a grim, ghostly air, and so the young girl thought on entering it. 

"I have brought you hither, Alizon, " said Mistress Nutter, motioning herto a seat, "that we may converse without chance of interruption, for Ihave much to say. On first seeing you to-day, your appearance, sosuperior to the rest of the May-day mummers, struck me forcibly, and Iresolved to question Elizabeth Device about you. Accordingly I bade herjoin me in the Abbey gardens. She did so, and had not long left me whenI accidentally met you and the others in the Lacy Chapel. Whenquestioned, Elizabeth affected great surprise, and denied positivelythat there was any foundation for the idea that you were other than herchild; but, notwithstanding her asseverations, I could see from herconfused manner that there was more in the notion than she chose toadmit, and I determined to have recourse to other means of arriving atthe truth, little expecting my suspicions would be so soon confirmed byMother Chattox. To my interrogation of that old woman, you were yourselfa party, and I am now rejoiced that you interfered to prevent me fromprosecuting my inquiries to the utmost. There was one present from whomthe secret of your birth must be strictly kept--at least, forawhile--and my impatience carried me too far. "

"I only obeyed a natural impulse, madam, " said Alizon; "but I am at aloss to conceive what claim I can possibly have to the consideration youshow me. "

"Listen to me, and you shall learn, " replied Mistress Nutter. "It is asad tale, and its recital will tear open old wounds, but it must not bewithheld on that account. I do not ask you to bury the secrets I amabout to impart in the recesses of your bosom. You will do so when youlearn them, without my telling you. When little more than your age I waswedded; but not to him I would have chosen if choice had been permittedme. The union I need scarcely say was unhappy--most unhappy--though mydiscomforts were scrupulously concealed, and I was looked upon as adevoted wife, and my husband as a model of conjugal affection. But thiswas merely the surface--internally all was strife and misery. Erelong mydislike of my husband increased to absolute hate, while on his part, though he still regarded me with as much passion as heretofore, hebecame frantically jealous--and above all of Edward Braddyll ofPortfield, who, as his bosom friend, and my distant relative, was afrequent visiter at the house. To relate the numerous exhibitions ofjealousy that occurred would answer little purpose, and it will beenough to say that not a word or look passed between Edward and myselfbut was misconstrued. I took care never to be alone with our guest--norto give any just ground for suspicion--but my caution availed nothing. An easy remedy would have been to forbid Edward the house, but this myhusband's pride rejected. He preferred to endure the jealous tormentoccasioned by the presence of his wife's fancied lover, and inflictneedless anguish on her, rather than brook the jeers of a fewindifferent acquaintances. The same feeling made him desire to keep upan apparent good understanding with me; and so far I seconded his views, for I shared in his pride, if in nothing else. Our quarrels were all inprivate, when no eye could see us--no ear listen. "

"Yours is a melancholy history, madam, " remarked Alizon, in a tone ofprofound interest. 

"You will think so ere I have done, " returned the lady, sadly. "The onlyperson in my confidence, and aware of my secret sorrows, was ElizabethDevice, who with her husband, John Device, then lived at Rough Lee. Serving me in the quality of tire-woman and personal attendant, shecould not be kept in ignorance of what took place, and the poor souloffered me all the sympathy in her power. Much was it needed, for I hadno other sympathy. After awhile, I know not from what cause, unless fromsome imprudence on the part of Edward Braddyll, who was wild andreckless, my husband conceived worse suspicions than ever of me, andbegan to treat me with such harshness and cruelty, that, unable longerto endure his violence, I appealed to my father. But he was of a sternand arbitrary nature, and, having forced me into the match, would notlisten to my complaints, but bade me submit. 'It was my duty to do so, 'he said, and he added some cutting expressions to the effect that Ideserved the treatment I experienced, and dismissed me. Driven todesperation, I sought counsel and assistance from one I should most haveavoided--from Edward Braddyll--and he proposed flight from my husband'sroof--flight with him. "

"But you were saved, madam?" cried Alizon, greatly shocked by thenarration. "You were saved?"

"Hear me out, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. "Outraged as my feelings were, and loathsome as my husband was to me, I spurned the base proposal, andinstantly quitted my false friend. Nor would I have seen him more, ifpermitted; but that secret interview with him was my first andlast;--for it had been witnessed by my husband. "

"Ha!" exclaimed Alizon. 

"Concealed behind the arras, Richard Nutter heard enough to confirm hisworst suspicions, " pursued the lady; "but he did not hear myjustification. He saw Edward Braddyll at my feet--he heard him urge meto fly--but he did not wait to learn if I consented, and, looking uponme as guilty, left his hiding-place to take measures for frustrating theplan, he supposed concerted between us. That night I was made prisonerin my room, and endured treatment the most inhuman. But a proposal wasmade by my husband, that promised some alleviation of my suffering. Henceforth we were to meet only in public, when a semblance of affectionwas to be maintained on both sides. This was done, he said, to save mycharacter, and preserve his own name unspotted in the eyes of others, however tarnished it might be in his own. I willingly consented to thearrangement; and thus for a brief space I became tranquil, if not happy. But another and severer trial awaited me. "

"Alas, madam!" exclaimed Alizon, sympathisingly. 

"My cup of sorrow, I thought, was full, " pursued Mistress Nutter; "butthe drop was wanting to make it overflow. It came soon enough. Amidst mygriefs I expected to be a mother, and with that thought how many fondand cheering anticipations mingled! In my child I hoped to find a balmfor my woes: in its smiles and innocent endearments a compensation forthe harshness and injustice I had experienced. How little did I foreseethat it was to be a new instrument of torture to me; and that I shouldbe cruelly robbed of the only blessing ever vouchsafed me!"

"Did the child die, madam?" asked Alizon. 

"You shall hear, " replied Mistress Nutter. "A daughter was born to me. Iwas made happy by its birth. A new existence, bright and unclouded, seemed dawning upon me; but it was like a sunburst on a stormy day. Sometwo months before this event Elizabeth Device had given birth to adaughter, and she now took my child under her fostering care; forweakness prevented me from affording it the support it is a mother'sblessed privilege to bestow. She seemed as fond of it as myself; andnever was babe more calculated to win love than my little Millicent. Oh!how shall I go on? The retrospect I am compelled to take is frightful, but I cannot shun it. The foul and false suspicions entertained by myhusband began to settle on the child. He would not believe it to be hisown. With violent oaths and threats he first announced his odioussuspicions to Elizabeth Device, and she, full of terror, communicatedthem to me. The tidings filled me with inexpressible alarm; for I knew, if the dread idea had once taken possession of him, it would never beremoved, while what he threatened would be executed. I would have fledat once with my poor babe if I had known where to go; but I had no placeof shelter. It would be in vain to seek refuge with my father; and I hadno other relative or friend whom I could trust. Where then should I fly?At last I bethought me of a retreat, and arranged a plan of escape withElizabeth Device. Vain were my precautions. On that very night, I wasstartled from slumber by a sudden cry from the nurse, who was seated bythe fire, with the child on her knees. It was long past midnight, andall the household were at rest. Two persons had entered the room. Onewas my ruthless husband, Richard Nutter; the other was John Device, apowerful ruffianly fellow, who planted himself near the door. 

"Marching quickly towards Elizabeth, who had arisen on seeing him, myhusband snatched the child from her before I could seize it, and with aviolent blow on the chest felled me to the ground, where I lay helpless, speechless. With reeling senses I heard Elizabeth cry out that it washer own child, and call upon her husband to save it. Richard Nutterpaused, but re-assured by a laugh of disbelief from his ruffianlyfollower, he told Elizabeth the pitiful excuse would not avail to savethe brat. And then I saw a weapon gleam--there was a feeble piteouscry--a cry that might have moved a demon--but it did not move _him_. With wicked words and blood-imbrued hands he cast the body on the fire. The horrid sight was too much for me, and I became senseless. "

"A dreadful tale, indeed, madam!" cried Alizon, frozen with horror. 

"The crime was hidden--hidden from the eyes of men, but mark theretribution that followed, " said Mistress Nutter; her eyes sparklingwith vindictive joy. "Of the two murderers both perished miserably. JohnDevice was drowned in a moss-pool. Richard Nutter's end was terrible, sharpened by the pangs of remorse, and marked by frightful suffering. But another dark event preceded his death, which may have laid a crimethe more on his already heavily-burdened soul. Edward Braddyll, theobject of his jealousy and hate, suddenly sickened of a malady sostrange and fearful, that all who saw him affirmed it the result ofwitchcraft. None thought of my husband's agency in the dark affairexcept myself; but knowing he had held many secret conferences about thetime with Mother Chattox, I more than suspected him. The sick man died;and from that hour Richard Nutter knew no rest. Ever on horseback, orfiercely carousing, he sought in vain to stifle remorse. Visions scaredhim by night, and vague fears pursued him by day. He would start atshadows, and talk wildly. To me his whole demeanour was altered; and hestrove by every means in his power to win my love. But he could not giveme back the treasure he had taken. He could not bring to life mymurdered babe. Like his victim, he fell ill on a sudden, and of astrange and terrible sickness. I saw he could not recover, and thereforetended him carefully. He died; and I shed no tear. "

"Alas!" exclaimed Alizon, "though guilty, I cannot but compassionatehim. "

"You are right to do so, Alizon, " said Mistress Nutter, rising, whilethe young girl rose too; "for he was your father. "

"My father!" she exclaimed, in amazement. "Then you are my mother?"

"I am--I am, " replied Mistress Nutter, straining her to her bosom. "Oh, my child!--my dear child!" she cried. "The voice of nature from thefirst pleaded eloquently in your behalf, and I should have been deaf toall impulses of affection if I had not listened to the call. I now tracein every feature the lineaments of the babe I thought lost for ever. Allis clear to me. The exclamation of Elizabeth Device, which, like myruthless husband, I looked upon as an artifice to save the infant'slife, I now find to be the truth. Her child perished instead of mine. How or why she exchanged the infants on that night remains to beexplained, but that she did so is certain; while that she shouldafterwards conceal the circumstance is easily comprehended, from anatural dread of her own husband as well as of mine. It is possible thatfrom some cause she may still deny the truth, but I can make it herinterest to speak plainly. The main difficulty will lie in my publicacknowledgment of you. But, at whatever cost, it shall be made. "

"Oh! consider it well;" said Alizon, "I will be your daughter inlove--in duty--in all but name. But sully not my poor father's honour, which even at the peril of his soul he sought to maintain! How can I beowned as your daughter without involving the discovery of this tragichistory?"

"You are right, Alizon, " rejoined Mistress Nutter, thoughtfully. "Itwill bring the dark deed to light. But you shall never return toElizabeth Device. You shall go with me to Rough Lee, and take up yourabode in the house where I was once so wretched--but where I shall nowbe full of happiness with you. You shall see the dark spots on thehearth, which I took to be your blood. "

"If not mine, it was blood spilt by my father, " said Alizon, with ashudder. 

Was it fancy, or did a low groan break upon her ear? It must beimaginary, for Mistress Nutter seemed unconscious of the dismal sound. It was now growing rapidly dark, and the more distant objects in theroom were wrapped in obscurity; but Alizon's gaze rested on the twomonkish figures supporting the wardrobe. 

"Look there, mother, " she said to Mistress Nutter. 

"Where?" cried the lady, turning round quickly, "Ah! I see. You alarmyourself needlessly, my child. Those are only carved figures of twobrethren of the Abbey. They are said, I know not with what truth--to bestatues of John Paslew and Borlace Alvetham. "

"I thought they stirred, " said Alizon. 

"It was mere fancy, " replied Mistress Nutter. "Calm yourself, sweetchild. Let us think of other things--of our newly discoveredrelationship. Henceforth, to me you are Millicent Nutter; though toothers you must still be Alizon Device. My sweet Millicent, " she cried, embracing her again and again. "Ah, little--little did I think to seeyou more!"

Alizon's fears were speedily chased away. 

"Forgive me, dear mother, " she cried, "if I have failed to express thefull delight I experience in my restitution to you. The shock of yoursad tale at first deadened my joy, while the suddenness of theinformation respecting myself so overwhelmed me, that like one chancingupon a hidden treasure, and gazing at it confounded, I was unable tocredit my own good fortune. Even now I am quite bewildered; and nowonder, for many thoughts, each of different import, throng upon me. Independently of the pleasure and natural pride I must feel in beingacknowledged by you as a daughter, it is a source of the deepestsatisfaction to me to know that I am not, in any way, connected withElizabeth Device--not from her humble station--for poverty weighs littlewith me in comparison with virtue and goodness--but from her sinfulness. You know the dark offence laid to her charge?"

"I do, " replied Mistress Nutter, in a low deep tone, "but I do notbelieve it. "

"Nor I, " returned Alizon. "Still, she acts as if she were the wickedthing she is called; avoids all religious offices; shuns all places ofworship; and derides the Holy Scriptures. Oh, mother! you willcomprehend the frequent conflict of feelings I must have endured. Youwill understand my horror when I have sometimes thought myself thedaughter of a witch. "

"Why did you not leave her if you thought so?" said Mistress Nutter, frowning. 

"I could not leave her, " replied Alizon, "for I then thought her mymother. "

Mistress Nutter fell upon her daughter's neck, and wept aloud. "You havean excellent heart, my child, " she said at length, checking her emotion. 

"I have nothing to complain of in Elizabeth Device, dear mother, " shereplied. "What she denied herself, she did not refuse me; and though Ihave necessarily many and great deficiencies, you will find in me, Itrust, no evil principles. And, oh! shall we not strive to rescue thatpoor benighted creature from the pit? We may yet save her. "

"It is too late, " replied Mistress Nutter in a sombre tone. 

"It cannot be too late, " said Alizon, confidently. "She cannot be beyondredemption. But even if she should prove intractable, poor little Jennetmay be preserved. She is yet a child, with some good--though, alas! muchevil, also--in her nature. Let our united efforts be exerted in thisgood work, and we must succeed. The weeds extirpated, the flowers willspring up freely, and bloom in beauty. "

"I can have nothing to do with her, " said Mistress Nutter, in a freezingtone--"nor must you. "

"Oh! say not so, mother, " cried Alizon. "You rob me of half thehappiness I feel in being restored to you. When I was Jennets sister, Idevoted myself to the task of reclaiming her. I hoped to be her guardianangel--to step between her and the assaults of evil--and I cannot, willnot, now abandon her. If no longer my sister, she is still dear to me. And recollect that I owe a deep debt of gratitude to her mother--a debtI can never pay. "

"How so?" cried Mistress Nutter. "You owe her nothing--but thecontrary. "

"I owe her a life, " said Alizon. "Was not her infant's blood poured outfor mine! And shall I not save the child left her, if I can?"

"I shall not oppose your inclinations, " replied Mistress Nutter, withreluctant assent; "but Elizabeth, I suspect, will thank you little foryour interference. "

"Not now, perhaps, " returned Alizon; "but a time will come when she willdo so. "

While this conversation took place, it had been rapidly growing dark, and the gloom at length increased so much, that the speakers couldscarcely see each other's faces. The sudden and portentous darkness wasaccounted for by a vivid flash of lightning, followed by a low growl ofthunder rumbling over Whalley Nab. The mother and daughter drew closetogether, and Mistress Nutter passed her arm round Alizon's neck. 

The storm came quickly on, with forked and dangerous lightning, andloud claps of thunder threatening mischief. Presently, all its furyseemed collected over the Abbey. The red flashes hissed, and the pealsof thunder rolled overhead. But other terrors were added to Alizon'snatural dread of the elemental warfare. Again she fancied the twomonkish figures, which had before excited her alarm, moved, and evenshook their arms menacingly at her. At first she attributed this wildidea to her overwrought imagination, and strove to convince herself ofits fallacy by keeping her eyes steadily fixed upon them. But eachsucceeding flash only served to confirm her superstitious apprehensions. 

Another circumstance contributed to heighten her alarm. Scared mostprobably by the storm, a large white owl fluttered down the chimney, andafter wheeling twice or thrice round the chamber, settled upon the bed, hooting, puffing, ruffling its feathers, and glaring at her with eyesthat glowed like fiery coals. 

Mistress Nutter seemed little moved by the storm, though she kept aprofound silence, but when Alizon gazed in her face, she was frightenedby its expression, which reminded her of the terrible aspect she hadworn at the interview with Mother Chattox. 

All at once Mistress Nutter arose, and, rapid as the lightning playingaround her and revealing her movements, made several passes, withextended hands, over her daughter; and on this the latter instantly fellback, as if fainting, though still retaining her consciousness; and, what was stranger still, though her eyes were closed, her power of sightremained. 

In this condition she fancied invisible forms were moving about her. Strange sounds seemed to salute her ears, like the gibbering of ghosts, and she thought she felt the flapping of unseen wings around her. 

All at once her attention was drawn--she knew not why--towards thecloset, and from out it she fancied she saw issue the tall dark figureof a man. She was sure she saw him; for her imagination could not bodyforth features charged with such a fiendish expression, or eyes of suchunearthly lustre. He was clothed in black, but the fashion of hisraiments was unlike aught she had ever seen. His stature was gigantic, and a pale phosphoric light enshrouded him. As he advanced, forkedlightnings shot into the room, and the thunder split overhead. The owlhooted fearfully, quitted its perch, and flew off by the way it hadentered the chamber. 

The Dark Shape came on. It stood beside Mistress Nutter, and sheprostrated herself before it. The gestures of the figure were angry andimperious--those of Mistress Nutter supplicating. Their converse wasdrowned by the rattling of the storm. At last the figure pointed toAlizon, and the word "midnight" broke in tones louder than the thunderfrom its lips. All consciousness then forsook her. 

How long she continued in this state she knew not, but the touch of afinger applied to her brow seemed to recall her suddenly to animation. She heaved a deep sigh, and looked around. A wondrous change hadoccurred. The storm had passed off, and the moon was shining brightlyover the top of the cypress-tree, flooding the chamber with its gentleradiance, while her mother was bending over her with looks of tenderestaffection. 

"You are better now, sweet child, " said Mistress Nutter. "You wereovercome by the storm. It was sudden and terrible. "

"Terrible, indeed!" replied Alizon, imperfectly recalling what hadpassed. "But it was not alone the storm that frightened me. This chamberhas been invaded by evil beings. Methought I beheld a dark figure comefrom out yon closet, and stand before you. "

"You have been thrown into a state of stupor by the influence of theelectric fluid, " replied Mistress Nutter, "and while in that conditionvisions have passed through your brain. That is all, my child. "

"Oh! I hope so, " said Alizon. 

"Such ecstasies are of frequent occurrence, " replied Mistress Nutter. "But, since you are quite recovered, we will descend to Lady Assheton, who may wonder at our absence. You will share this room with meto-night, my child; for, as I have already said, you cannot return toElizabeth Device. I will make all needful explanations to Lady Assheton, and will see Elizabeth in the morning--perhaps to-night. Reassureyourself, sweet child. There is nothing to fear. "

"I trust not, mother, " replied Alizon. "But it would ease my mind tolook into that closet. "

"Do so, then, by all means, " replied Mistress Nutter with a forcedsmile. 

Alizon peeped timorously into the little room, which was lighted up bythe moon's rays. There was a faded white habit, like the robe of aCistertian monk, hanging in one corner, and beneath it an old chest. Alizon would fain have opened the chest, but Mistress Nutter called outto her impatiently, "You will discover nothing, I am sure. Come, let usgo down-stairs. "

And they quitted the room together. 

CHAPTER IX. --THE TWO PORTRAITS IN THE BANQUETING-HALL. 

The banqueting-hall lay immediately under the long gallery, corresponding with it in all but height; and though in this respect itfell somewhat short of the magnificent upper room, it was quite loftyenough to admit of a gallery of its own for spectators and minstrels. Great pains had been taken in decorating the hall for the occasion. Between the forest of stags' horns that branched from the gallery railswere hung rich carpets, intermixed with garlands of flowers, and bannerspainted with the arms of the Assheton family, were suspended from thecorners. Over the fireplace, where, despite the advanced season, a pileof turf and wood was burning, were hung two panoplies of arms, and abovethem, on a bracket, was set a complete suit of mail, once belonging toRichard Assheton, the first possessor of the mansion. On the oppositewall hung two remarkable portraits--the one representing a religiousvotaress in a loose robe of black, with wide sleeves, holding a rosaryand missal in her hand, and having her brow and neck entirely concealedby the wimple, in which her head and shoulders were enveloped. Such ofher features as could be seen were of extraordinary loveliness, thoughof a voluptuous character, the eyes being dark and languishing, andshaded by long lashes, and the lips carnation-hued and full. This wasthe fair votaress, Isole de Heton, who brought such scandal on the Abbeyin the reign of Henry VI. The other portrait was that of an abbot, inthe white gown and scapulary of the Cistertian order. The countenancewas proud and stern, but tinctured with melancholy. In a small shield atone corner the arms were blazoned--argent, a fess between three mullets, sable, pierced of the field, a crescent for difference--proving it to bethe portrait of John Paslew. Both pictures had been found in the abbot'slodgings, when taken possession of by Richard Assheton, but they owedtheir present position to his descendant, Sir Ralph, who discoveringthem in an out-of-the-way closet, where they had been cast aside, andstruck with their extraordinary merit, hung them up as above stated. 

The long oaken table, usually standing in the middle of the hall, hadbeen removed to one side, to allow free scope for dancing and otherpastimes, but it was still devoted to hospitable uses, being coveredwith trenchers and drinking-cups, and spread for a substantial repast. Near it stood two carvers, with aprons round their waists, brandishinglong knives, while other yeomen of the kitchen and cellar were at handto keep the trenchers well supplied, and the cups filled with strongale, or bragget, as might suit the taste of the guests. Nor were thesethe only festive preparations. The upper part of the hall was reservedfor Sir Ralph's immediate friends, and here, on a slightly raisedelevation, stood a cross table, spread for a goodly supper, the snowynapery being ornamented with wreaths and ropes of flowers, and shiningwith costly vessels. At the lower end of the room, beneath the gallery, which it served to support, was a Gothic screen, embellishing an openarmoury, which made a grand display of silver plates and flagons. Through one of the doorways contrived in this screen, the May-dayrevellers were ushered into the hall by old Adam Whitworth, thewhite-headed steward. 

"I pray you be seated, good masters, and you, too, comely dames, " saidAdam, leading them to the table, and assigning each a place with hiswand. "Fall to, and spare not, for it is my honoured master's desire youshould sup well. You will find that venison pasty worth a trial, and thebaked red deer in the centre of the table is a noble dish. The fellow toit was served at Sir Ralph's own table at dinner, and was pronouncedexcellent. I pray you try it, masters. --Here, Ned Scargill, mind youroffice, good fellow, and break me that deer. And you, Paul Pimlot, exercise your craft on the venison pasty. "

And as trencher after trencher was rapidly filled by the two carvers, who demeaned themselves in their task like men acquainted with thepowers of rustic appetite, the old steward addressed himself to thedames. 

"What can I do for you, fair mistresses?" he said. "Here be sackpossets, junkets and cream, for such as like them--French puffs andItalian puddings, right good, I warrant you, and especially admired bymy honourable good lady. Indeed, I am not sure she hath not lent a handherself in their preparation. Then here be fritters in the courtfashion, made with curds of sack posset, eggs and ale, and seasoned withnutmeg and pepper. You will taste them, I am sure, for they arefavourites with our sovereign lady, the queen. Here, Gregory, Dickon--bestir yourselves, knaves, and pour forth a cup of sack for eachof these dames. As you drink, mistresses, neglect not the health of ourhonourable good master Sir Ralph, and his lady. It is well--it is well. I will convey to them both your dutiful good wishes. But I must see allyour wants supplied. Good Dame Openshaw, you have nought before you. Beprevailed upon to taste these dropt raisins or a fond pudding. And you, too, sweet Dame Tetlow. Squire Nicholas gave me special caution to takecare of you, but the injunction was unneeded, as I should have done sowithout it. --Another cup of canary to Dame Tetlow, Gregory. Fill to thebrim, knave--to the very brim. To the health of Squire Nicholas, " headded in a low tone, as he handed the brimming goblet to the blushingdame; "and be sure and tell him, if he questions you, that I obeyed hisbehests to the best of my ability. I pray you taste this pippin jelly, dame. It is as red as rubies, but not so red as your lips, or some leachof almonds, which, lily-white though it be, is not to be compared withthe teeth that shall touch it. "

"Odd's heart! mester steward, yo mun ha' larnt that protty speech fro'th' squoire himself, " replied Dame Tetlow, laughing. 

"It may be the recollection of something said to me by him, brought tomind by your presence, " replied Adam Whitworth, gallantly. "If I canserve you in aught else, sign to me, dame. --Now, knaves, fill thecups--ale or bragget, at your pleasure, masters. Drink and stint not, and you will the better please your liberal entertainer and my honouredmaster. "

Thus exhorted, the guests set seriously to work to fulfil thehospitable intentions of the provider of the feast. Cups flowed fast andfreely, and erelong little was left of the venison pasty but the outercrust, and nothing more than a few fragments of the baked red deer. Thelighter articles then came in for a share of attention, and salmon fromthe Ribble, jack, trout, and eels from the Hodder and Calder, boiled, broiled, stewed, and pickled, and of delicious flavour, were discussedwith infinite relish. Puddings and pastry were left to more delicatestomachs--the solids only being in request with the men. Hitherto, thedemolition of the viands had given sufficient employment, but now theedge of appetite beginning to be dulled, tongues were unloosed, and muchmerriment prevailed. More than eighty in number, the guests weredispersed without any regard to order, and thus the chief actors in therevel were scattered promiscuously about the table, diversifying it withtheir gay costumes. Robin Hood sat between two pretty femalemorris-dancers, whose partners had got to the other end of the table;while Ned Huddlestone, the representative of Friar Tuck, was equallyfortunate, having a buxom dame on either side of him, towards whom hedistributed his favours with singular impartiality. As porter to theAbbey, Ned made himself at home; and, next to Adam Whitworth, wasperhaps the most important personage present, continually roaring forale, and pledging the damsels around him. From the way he went on, itseemed highly probable he would be under the table before supper wasover; but Ned Huddlestone, like the burly priest whose gown he wore, hada stout bullet head, proof against all assaults of liquor; and thecopious draughts he swallowed, instead of subduing him, only tended tomake him more uproarious. Blessed also with lusty lungs, his shouts oflaughter made the roof ring again. But if the strong liquor failed tomake due impression upon him, the like cannot be said of Jack Roby, who, it will be remembered, took the part of the Fool, and who, having drunkovermuch, mistook the hobby-horse for a real steed, and in an effort tobestride it, fell head-foremost on the floor, and, being found incapableof rising, was carried out to an adjoining room, and laid on a bench. This, however, was the only case of excess; for though the Sherwoodforesters emptied their cups often enough to heighten their mirth, noneof them seemed the worse for what they drank. Lawrence Blackrod, Mr. Parker's keeper, had fortunately got next to his old flame, SukeyWorseley; while Phil Rawson, the forester, who enacted Will Scarlet, andNancy Holt, between whom an equally tender feeling subsisted, hadlikewise got together. A little beyond them sat the gentleman usher andparish clerk, Sampson Harrop, who, piquing himself on his good manners, drank very sparingly, and was content to sup on sweetmeats and a bowl offleetings, as curds separated from whey are termed in this district. Tomthe piper, and his companion the taborer, ate for the next week, butwere somewhat more sparing in the matter of drink, their services asminstrels being required later on. Thus the various guests enjoyedthemselves according to their bent, and universal hilarity prevailed. Itwould be strange indeed if it had been otherwise; for what with the goodcheer, and the bright eyes around them, the rustics had attained a pointof felicity not likely to be surpassed. Of the numerous assemblage morethan half were of the fairer sex; and of these the greater portion wereyoung and good-looking, while in the case of the morris-dancers, theirnatural charms were heightened by their fanciful attire. 

Before supper was half over, it became so dark that it was foundnecessary to illuminate the great lamp suspended from the centre of theroof, while other lights were set on the board, and two flaming torchesplaced in sockets on either side of the chimney-piece. Scarcely was thisaccomplished when the storm came on, much to the surprise of theweatherwise, who had not calculated upon such an occurrence, not havingseen any indications whatever of it in the heavens. But all were toocomfortably sheltered, and too well employed, to pay much attention towhat was going on without; and, unless when a flash of lightning morethan usually vivid dazzled the gaze, or a peal of thunder more appallingthan the rest broke overhead, no alarm was expressed, even by the women. To be sure, a little pretty trepidation was now and then evinced by theyounger damsels; but even this was only done with the view of exactingattention on the part of their swains, and never failed in effect. Thethunder-storm, therefore, instead of putting a stop to the generalenjoyment, only tended to increase it. However the last peal was loudenough to silence the most uproarious. The women turned pale, and themen looked at each other anxiously, listening to hear if any damage hadbeen done. But, as nothing transpired, their spirits revived. A fewminutes afterwards word was brought that the Conventual Church had beenstruck by a thunderbolt, but this was not regarded as a very seriousdisaster. The bearer of the intelligence was little Jennet, who said shehad been caught in the ruins by the storm, and after being dreadfullyfrightened by the lightning, had seen a bolt strike the steeple, andheard some stones rattle down, after which she ran away. No one thoughtof inquiring what she had been doing there at the time, but room wasmade for her at the supper-table next to Sampson Harrop, while the goodsteward, patting her on the head, filled her a cup of canary with hisown hand, and gave her some cates to eat. 

"Ey dunna see Alizon" observed the little girl, looking round the table, after she had drunk the wine. 

"Your sister is not here, Jennet, " replied Adam Whitworth, with a smile. "She is too great a lady for us now. Since she came up with her ladyshipfrom the green she has been treated quite like one of the guests, andhas been walking about the garden and ruins all the afternoon with youngMistress Dorothy, who has taken quite a fancy to her. Indeed, for thematter of that, all the ladies seem to have taken a fancy to her, andshe is now closeted with Mistress Nutter in her own room. "

This was gall and wormwood to Jennet. 

"She'll be hard to please when she goes home again, after playing thefine dame here, " pursued the steward. 

"Then ey hope she'll never come home again, " rejoined Jennet;spitefully, "fo' we dunna want fine dames i' our poor cottage. "

"For my part I do not wonder Alizon pleases the gentle folks, " observedSampson Harrop, "since such pains have been taken with her manners andeducation; and I must say she does great credit to her instructor, who, for reasons unnecessary to mention, shall be nameless. I wish I couldsay the same for you, Jennet; but though you're not deficient inability, you've no perseverance or pleasure in study. "

"Ey knoa os much os ey care to knoa, " replied Jennet, "an more than yocon teach me, Mester Harrop. Why is Alizon always to be thrown i' myteeth?"

"Because she's the best model you can have, " rejoined Sampson. "Ah! ifI'd my own way wi' ye, lass, I'd mend your temper and manners. But youcome of an ill stock, ye saucy hussy. "

"Ey come fro' th' same stock as Alizon, onny how, " said Jennet. 

"Unluckily that cannot be denied, " replied Sampson; "but you're asdifferent from her as light from darkness. "

Jennet eyed him bitterly, and then rose from the table. 

"Ey'n go, " she said. 

"No--no; sit down, " interposed the good-natured steward. "The dancingand pastimes will begin presently, and you will see your sister. Shewill come down with the ladies. "

"That's the very reason she wishes to go, " said Sampson Harrop. "Thespiteful little creature cannot bear to see her sister better treatedthan herself. Go your ways, then. It is the best thing you can do. Alizon would blush to see you here. "

"Then ey'n een stay an vex her, " replied Jennet, sharply; "boh ey winnasit near yo onny longer, Mester Sampson Harrop, who ca' yersel gentlemanusher, boh who are nah gentleman at aw, nor owt like it, boh merelyparish clerk an schoolmester, an a poor schoolmester to boot. Eyn go ansit by Sukey Worseley an Nancy Holt, whom ey see yonder. "

"You've found your match, Master Harrop, " said the steward, laughing, asthe little girl walked away. 

"I should account it a disgrace to bandy words with the like of her, Adam, " rejoined the clerk, angrily; "but I'm greatly out in myreckoning, if she does not make a second Mother Demdike, and worse couldnot well befall her. "

Jennet's society could have been very well dispensed with by her twofriends, but she would not be shaken off. On the contrary, findingherself in the way, she only determined the more pertinaciously toremain, and began to exercise all her powers of teasing, which have beendescribed as considerable, and which on this occasion proved eminentlysuccessful. And the worst of it was, there was no crushing the plaguylittle insect; any effort made to catch her only resulting in an escapeon her part, and a new charge on some undefended quarter, with sharperstinging and more intolerable buzzing than ever. 

Out of all patience, Sukey Worseley at length exclaimed, "Ey shouldloike to see ye swum, crosswise, i' th' Calder, Jennet, as NanceRedferne war this efternoon. "

"May be ye would, Sukey, " replied the little girl, "boh eym nah solikely to be tried that way as yourself, lass; an if ey war swum eyshould sink, while yo, wi' your broad back and shouthers, would be sureto float, an then yo'd be counted a witch. "

"Heed her not, Sukey, " said Blackrod, unable to resist a laugh, thoughthe poor girl was greatly discomfited by this personal allusion; "ye mayha' a broad back o' our own, an the broader the better to my mind, bohmey word on't ye'll never be ta'en fo a witch. Yo're far too comely. "

This assurance was a balm to poor Sukey's wounded spirit, and shereplied with a well-pleased smile, "Ey hope ey dunna look like one, Lorry. "

"Not a bit, lass, " said Blackrod, lifting a huge ale-cup to his lips. "Your health, sweetheart. "

"What think ye then o' Nance Redferne?" observed Jennet. "Is she neawcomely?--ay, comelier far than fat, fubsy Sukey here--or than NancyHolt, wi' her yallo hure an frecklet feace--an yet ye ca' her a witch. "

"Ey ca' thee one, theaw feaw little whean--an the dowter--an grandowtero' one--an that's more, " cried Nancy. "Freckles i' your own feace, yemismannert minx. "

"Ne'er heed her, Nance, " said Phil Rawson, putting his arm round theangry damsel's waist, and drawing her gently down. "Every one to histaste, an freckles an yellow hure are so to mine. So dunna fret aboutit, an spoil your protty lips wi' pouting. Better ha' freckles o' yourfeace than spots o' your heart, loike that ill-favort little hussy. "

"Dunna offend her, Phil, " said Nancy Holt, noticing with alarm themalignant look fixed upon her lover by Jennet. "She's dawngerous. "

"Firrups tak her!" replied Phil Eawson. "Boh who the dole's that? Eydidna notice him efore, an he's neaw one o' our party. "

The latter observation was occasioned by the entrance of a tallpersonage, in the garb of a Cistertian monk, who issued from one of thedoorways in the screen, and glided towards the upper table, attractinggeneral attention and misgiving as he proceeded. His countenance wascadaverous, his lips livid, and his eyes black and deep sunken in theirsockets, with a bistre-coloured circle around them. His frame was meagreand bony. What remained of hair on his head was raven black, but eitherhe was bald on the crown, or carried his attention to costume so far asto adopt the priestly tonsure. His forehead was lofty and sallow, andseemed stamped, like his features, with profound gloom. His garmentswere faded and mouldering, and materially contributed to his ghostlyappearance. 

"Who is it?" cried Sukey and Nance together. 

But no one could answer the question. 

"He dusna look loike a bein' o' this warld, " observed Blackrod, gapingwith alarm, for the stout keeper was easily assailable on the side ofsuperstition; "an there is a mowdy air about him, that gies one theshivers to see. Ey've often heer'd say the Abbey is haanted; an thatpale-feaced chap looks like one o' th' owd monks risen fro' his grave tojoin our revel. "

"An see, he looks this way, " cried Phil Rawson. 

"What flaming een! they mey the very flesh crawl o' one's booans. "

"Is it a ghost, Lorry?" said Sukey, drawing nearer to the stalwartkeeper. 

"By th' maskins, lass, ey conna tell, " replied Blackrod; "boh whoteverit be, ey'll protect ye. "

"Tak care o' me, Phil, " ejaculated Nancy Holt, pressing close to herlover's side. 

"Eigh, that I win, " rejoined the forester. 

"Ey dunna care for ghosts so long as yo are near me, Phil, " said Nancy, tenderly. 

"Then ey'n never leave ye, Nance, " replied Phil. 

"Ghost or not, " said Jennet, who had been occupied in regarding thenew-comer attentively, "ey'n go an speak to it. Ey'm nah afeerd, if yoare. "

"Eigh do, Jennet, that's a brave little lass, " said Blackrod, glad to berid of her in any way. 

"Stay!" cried Adam Whitworth, coming up at the moment, and overhearingwhat was said--"you must not go near the gentleman. I will not have himmolested, or even spoken with, till Sir Ralph appears. "

Meanwhile, the stranger, without returning the glances fixed upon him, or deigning to notice any of the company, pursued his way, and sat downin a chair at the upper table. 

But his entrance had been witnessed by others besides the rustic guestsand servitors. Nicholas and Richard Assheton chanced to be in thegallery at the time, and, greatly struck by the singularity of hisappearance, immediately descended to make inquiries respecting him. Asthey appeared below, the old steward advanced to meet them. 

"Who the devil have you got there, Adam?" asked the squire. 

"It passeth me almost to tell you, Master Nicholas, " replied thesteward; "and, not knowing whether the gentleman be invited or not, I amfain to wait Sir Ralph's pleasure in regard to him. "

"Have you no notion who he is?" inquired Richard. 

"All I know about him may be soon told, Master Richard, " replied Adam. "He is a stranger in these parts, and hath very recently taken up hisabode in Wiswall Hall, which has been abandoned of late years, as youknow, and suffered to go to decay. Some few months ago an aged couplefrom Colne, named Hewit, took possession of part of the hall, and weresuffered to remain there, though old Katty Hewit, or Mould-heels, as sheis familiarly termed by the common folk, is in no very good reputehereabouts, and was driven, it is said from Colne, owing to herpractices as a witch. Be that as it may, soon after these Hewits weresettled at Wiswall, comes this stranger, and fixes himself in anotherpart of the hall. How he lives no one can tell, but it is said herambles all night long, like a troubled spirit, about the desertedrooms, attended by Mother Mould-heels; while in the daytime he is neverseen. "

"Can he be of sound mind?" asked Richard. 

"Hardly so, I should think, Master Richard, " replied the steward. "As towho he may be there are many opinions; and some aver he is FrancisPaslew, grandson of Francis, brother to the abbot, and being a Jesuitpriest, for you know the Paslews have all strictly adhered to the oldfaith--and that is why they have fled the country and abandoned theirresidence--he is obliged to keep himself concealed. "

"If such be the case, he must be crazed indeed to venture here, "observed Nicholas; "and yet I am half inclined to credit the report. Look at him, Dick. He is the very image of the old abbot. "

"Yon portrait might have been painted for him, " said Richard, gazing atthe picture on the wall, and from it to the monk as he spoke; "the verysame garb, too. "

"There is an old monastic robe up-stairs, in the closet adjoining theroom occupied by Mistress Nutter, " observed the steward, "said to be thegarment in which Abbot Paslew suffered death. Some stains are upon it, supposed to be the blood of the wizard Demdike, who perished in anextraordinary manner on the same day. "

"I have seen it, " cried Nicholas, "and the monk's habit looks preciselylike it, and, if my eyes deceive me not, is stained in the same manner. "

"I see the spots plainly on the breast, " cried Richard. "How can he haveprocured the robe?"

"Heaven only knows, " replied the old steward. "It is a very strangeoccurrence. "

"I will go question him, " said Richard. 

So saying, he proceeded to the upper table, accompanied by Nicholas. Asthey drew near, the stranger arose, and fixed a grim look upon Richard, who was a little in advance. 

"It is the abbot's ghost!" cried Nicholas, stopping, and detaining hiscousin. "You shall not address it. "

During the contention that ensued, the monk glided towards a side-doorat the upper end of the hall, and passed through it. So general was theconsternation, that no one attempted to stay him, nor would any onefollow to see whither he went. Released, at length, from the stronggrasp of the squire, Richard rushed forth, and not returning, Nicholas, after the lapse of a few minutes, went in search of him, but came backpresently, and told the old steward he could neither find him nor themonk. 

"Master Richard will be back anon, I dare say, Adam, " he remarked; "ifnot, I will make further search for him; but you had better not mentionthis mysterious occurrence to Sir Ralph, at all events not until thefestivities are over, and the ladies have retired. It might disturbthem. I fear the appearance of this monk bodes no good to our family;and what makes it worse is, it is not the first ill omen that hasbefallen us to-day, Master Richard was unlucky enough to stand on AbbotPaslew's grave!"

"Mercy on us! that was unlucky indeed!" cried Adam, in greattrepidation. "Poor dear young gentleman! Bid him take especial care ofhimself, good Master Nicholas. I noticed just now, that yon fearsomemonk regarded him more attentively than you. Bid him be careful, Iconjure you, sir. But here comes my honoured master and his guests. Here, Gregory, Dickon, bestir yourselves, knaves; and serve supper atthe upper table in a trice. "

Any apprehensions Nicholas might entertain for Richard were at thismoment relieved, for as Sir Ralph and his guests came in at one door, the young man entered by another. He looked deathly pale. Nicholas puthis finger to his lips in token of silence--a gesture which the othersignified that he understood. 

Sir Ralph and his guests having taken their places at the table, anexcellent and plentiful repast was speedily set before them, and if theydid not do quite such ample justice to it as the hungry rustics at thelower board had done to the good things provided for them, the cookcould not reasonably complain. No allusion whatever being made to therecent strange occurrence, the cheerfulness of the company wasuninterrupted; but the noise in the lower part of the hall had in agreat measure subsided, partly out of respect to the host, and partly inconsequence of the alarm occasioned by the supposed supernaturalvisitation. Richard continued silent and preoccupied, and neither atenor drank; but Nicholas appearing to think his courage would be bestsustained by an extra allowance of clary and sack, applied himselffrequently to the goblet with that view, and erelong his spiritsimproved so wonderfully, and his natural boldness was so much increased, that he was ready to confront Abbot Paslew, or any other abbot of themall, wherever they might chance to cross him. In this enterprising frameof mind he drew Richard aside, and questioned him as to what had takenplace in his pursuit of the mysterious monk. 

"You overtook him, Dick, of course?" he said, "and put it to him roundlywhy he came hither, where neither ghosts nor Jesuit priests, whicheverhe may be, are wanted. What answered he, eh? Would I had been there tointerrogate him! He should have declared how he became possessed of thatold moth-eaten, blood-stained, monkish gown, or I would have unfrockedhim, even if he had proved to be a skeleton. But I interrupt you. Youhave not told me what occurred at the interview?"

"There was no interview, " replied Richard, gravely. 

"No interview!" echoed Nicholas. "S'blood, man!--but I must be careful, for Doctor Ormerod and Parson Dewhurst are within hearing, and maylecture me on the wantonness and profanity of swearing. By Saint Gregoryde Northbury!--no, that's an oath too, and, what is worse, a Popishoath. By--I have several tremendous imprecations at my tongue's end, butthey shall not out. It is a sinful propensity, and must be controlled. In a word, then, you let him escape, Dick?"

"If you were so anxious to stay him, I wonder you came not with me, "replied Richard; "but you now hold very different language from what youused when I quitted the hall. "

"Ah, true--right--Dick, " replied Nicholas; "my sentiments have undergonea wonderful change since then. I now regret having stopped you. By mytroth! if I meet that confounded monk again, he shall give a goodaccount of himself, I promise him. But what said he to you, Dick? Makean end of your story. "

"I have not begun it yet, " replied Richard. "But pay attention, and youshall hear what occurred. When I rushed forth, the monk had alreadygained the entrance-hall. No one was within it at the time, all theserving-men being busied here with the feasting. I summoned him to stay, but he answered not, and, still grimly regarding me, glided towards theouter door, which (I know not by what chance) stood open, and passingthrough it, closed it upon me. This delayed me a moment; and when I gotout, he had already descended the steps, and was moving towards thegarden. It was bright moonlight, so I could see him distinctly. And markthis, Nicholas--the two great blood-hounds were running about at largein the court-yard, but they slunk off, as if alarmed at his appearance. The monk had now gained the garden, and was shaping his course swiftlytowards the ruined Conventual Church. Determined to overtake him, Iquickened my pace; but he gained the old fane before me, and threadedthe broken aisles with noiseless celerity. In the choir he paused andconfronted me. When within a few yards of him, I paused, arrested by hisfixed and terrible gaze. Nicholas, his look froze my blood. I would havespoken, but I could not. My tongue clove to the roof of my mouth forvery fear. Before I could shake off this apprehension the figure raisedits hand menacingly thrice, and passed into the Lacy Chapel. As soon ashe was gone my courage returned, and I followed. The little chapel wasbrilliantly illuminated by the moon; but it was empty. I could only seethe white monument of Sir Henry de Lacy glistening in the paleradiance. "

"I must take a cup of wine after this horrific relation, " said Nicholas, replenishing his goblet. "It has chilled my blood, as the monk's icygaze froze yours. Body o' me! but this is strange indeed. Another oath. Lord help me!--I shall never get rid of the infernal--I mean, the evilhabit. Will you not pledge me, Dick?"

The young man shook his head. 

"You are wrong, " pursued Nicholas, --"decidedly wrong. Wine gladdeneththe heart of man, and restoreth courage. A short while ago I wasdowncast as you, melancholy as an owl, and timorous as a kid, but now Iam resolute as an eagle, stout of heart, and cheerful of spirit; and allowing to a cup of wine. Try the remedy, Dick, and get rid of your gloom. You look like a death's-head at a festival. What if you have stumbled onan ill-omened grave! What if you have been banned by a witch! What ifyou have stood face to face with the devil--or a ghost! Heed them not!Drink, and set care at defiance. And, not to gainsay my own counsel, Ishall fill my cup again. For, in good sooth, this is rare clary, Dick;and, talking of wine, you should taste some of the wonderful Rhenishfound in the abbot's cellar by our ancestor, Richard Assheton--a centuryold if it be a day, and yet cordial and corroborative as ever. Thosemonks were lusty tipplers, Dick. I sometimes wish I had been an abbotmyself. I should have made a rare father confessor--especially to apretty penitent. Here, Gregory, hie thee to the master cellarer, and bidhim fill me a goblet of the old Rhenish--the wine from the abbot'scellar. Thou understandest--or, stay, better bring the flask. I have aprofound respect for the venerable bottle, and would pay my devoirs toit. Hie away, good fellow!"

"You will drink too much if you go on thus, " remarked Richard. 

"Not a drop, " rejoined Nicholas. "I am blithe as a lark, and would keepso. That is why I drink. But to return to our ghosts. Since this placemust be haunted, I would it were visited by spirits of a livelier kindthan old Paslew. There is Isole de Heton, for instance. The fairvotaress would be the sort of ghost for me. I would not turn my back onher, but face her manfully. Look at her picture, Dick. Was evercountenance sweeter than hers--lips more tempting, or eyes more melting!Is she not adorable? Zounds!" he exclaimed, suddenly pausing, andstaring at the portrait--"Would you believe it, Dick? The fair Isolewinked at me--I'll swear she did. I mean--I will venture to affirm uponoath, if required, that she winked. "

"Pshaw!" exclaimed Richard. "The fumes of the wine have mounted to yourbrain, and disordered it. "

"No such thing, " cried Nicholas, regarding the picture as steadily as hecould--"she's leering at me now. By the Queen of Paphos! another wink. Nay, if you doubt me, watch her well yourself. A pleasant adventurethis--ha!--ha!"

"A truce to this drunken foolery, " cried Richard, moving away. 

"Drunken! s'death! recall that epithet, Dick, " cried Nicholas, angrily. "I am no more drunk than yourself, you dog. I can walk as steadily, andsee as plainly, as you; and I will maintain it at the point of thesword, that the eyes of that picture have lovingly regarded me; nay, that they follow me now. "

"A common delusion with a portrait, " said Richard; "they appear tofollow _me_. "

"But they do not wink at you as they do at me, " said Nicholas, "neitherdo the lips break into smiles, and display the pearly teeth beneaththem, as occurs in my case. Grim old abbots frown on you, but fair, though frail, votaresses smile on me. I am the favoured mortal, Dick. "

"Were it as you represent, Nicholas, " replied Richard, gravely, "Ishould say, indeed, that some evil principle was at work to lure youthrough your passions to perdition. But I know they are all fanciesengendered by your heated brain, which in your calmer moments you willdiscard, as I discard them now. If I have any weight with you, I counselyou to drink no more, or you will commit some mad foolery, of which youwill be ashamed hereafter. The discreeter course would be to retirealtogether; and for this you have ample excuse, as you will have toarise betimes to-morrow, to set out for Pendle Forest with MasterPotts. "

"Retire!" exclaimed Nicholas, bursting into a loud, contemptuous laugh. "I like thy counsel, lad. Yes, I will retire when I have finished theold monastic Rhenish which Gregory is bringing me. I will retire when Ihave danced the Morisco with the May Queen--the Cushion Dance with DameTetlow--and the Brawl with the lovely Isole de Heton. Another wink, Dick. By our Lady! she assents to my proposition. When I have done allthis, and somewhat more, it will be time to think of retiring. But Ihave the night before me, Dick--not to be spent in drowsyunconsciousness, as thou recommendest, but in active, pleasurableenjoyment. No man requires less sleep than I do. Ordinarily, I 'retire, 'as thou termest it, at ten, and rise with the sun. In summer I am abroadsoon after three, and mend that if thou canst, Dick. To-night I shallseek my couch about midnight, and yet I'll warrant me I shall be thefirst stirring in the Abbey; and, in any case, I shall be in the saddlebefore thee. "

"It may be, " replied Richard; "but it was to preserve you fromextravagance to-night that I volunteered advice, which, from myknowledge of your character, I might as well have withheld. But let mecaution you on another point. Dance with Dame Tetlow, or any other dameyou please--dance with the fair Isole de Heton, if you can prevail uponher to descend from her frame and give you her hand; but I object--mostdecidedly object--to your dancing with Alizon Device. "

"Why so?" cried Nicholas; "why should I not dance with whom I please?And what right hast thou to forbid me Alizon? Troth, lad, art thou soignorant of human nature as not to know that forbidden fruit is thesweetest. It hath ever been so since the fall. I am now only the morebent upon dancing with the prohibited damsel. But I would fain know theprinciple on which thou erectest thyself into her guardian. Is itbecause she fainted when thy sword was crossed with that hot-headedfool, Sir Thomas Metcalfe, that thou flatterest thyself she is in lovewith thee? Be not too sure of it, Dick. Many a timid wench has swoonedat the sight of a naked weapon, without being enamoured of theswordsman. The fainting proves nothing. But grant she loves thee--whatthen! An end must speedily come of it; so better finish at once, beforeshe be entangled in a mesh from which she cannot be extricated withoutdanger. For hark thee, Dick, whatever thou mayst think, I am not so fargone that I know not what I say, neither is my vision so much obscuredthat I see not some matters plainly enough, and I understand thee andAlizon well, and see through you both. This matter must go no further. It has gone too far already. After to-night you must see her no more. Iam serious in this--serious _inter pocula_, if such a thing can be. Itis necessary to observe caution, for reasons that will at once occur tothee. Thou canst not wed this girl--then why trifle with her till herheart be broken. "

"Broken it shall never be by me!" cried Richard. 

"But I tell you it will be broken, if you do not desist at once, "rejoined Nicholas. "I was but jesting when I said I would rob you of herin the Morisco, though it would be charity to both, and spare you many apang hereafter, were I to put my threat into execution. However, I havea soft heart where aught of love is concerned, and, having pointed outthe risk you will incur, I shall leave you to follow your own devices. But, for Alizon's sake, stop in time. "

"You now speak soberly and sensibly enough, Nicholas, " replied Richard, "and I thank you heartily for your counsel; and if I do not follow it bywithdrawing at once from a pursuit which may appear to you hopeless, ifnot dangerous, you will, I hope, give me credit for being actuated byworthy motives. I will at once, and frankly admit, that I love Alizon;and loving her, you may rest assured I would sacrifice my life athousand times rather than endanger her happiness. But there is a pointin her history, with which if you were acquainted, it might alter yourview of the case; but this is not the season for its disclosure, neither, I am bound to say, does the circumstance so materially alterthe apparent posture of affairs as to remove all difficulty. On thecontrary, it leaves an insurmountable obstacle behind it. "

"Are you wise, then, in going on?" asked Nicholas. 

"I know not, " answered Richard, "but I feel as if I were the sport offate. Uncertain whither to turn for the best, I leave the disposition ofmy course to chance. But, alas!" he added, sadly, "all seems to pointout that this meeting with Alizon will be my last. "

"Well, cheer up, lad, " said Nicholas. "These afflictions are hard tobear, it is true; but somehow they are got over. Just as if your horseshould fling you in the midst of a hedge when you are making a flyingleap, you get scratched and bruised, but you scramble out, and in a dayor two are on your legs again. Love breaks no bones, that's one comfort. When at your age, I was desperately in love, not with Mistress NicholasAssheton--Heaven help the fond soul! but with--never mind with whom; butit was not a very prudent match, and so, in my worldly wisdom, I wasobliged to cry off. A sad business it was. I thought I should have diedof it, and I made quite sure that the devoted girl would die first, inwhich case we were to occupy the same grave. But I was not driven tosuch a dire extremity, for before I had kept house a week, Jack Walker, the keeper of Downham, made his appearance in my room, and after tellingme of the mischief done by a pair of otters in the Ribble, finding me ina very desponding state, ventured to inquire if I had heard the news. Expecting to hear of the death of the girl, I prepared myself for anoutburst of grief, and resolved to give immediate directions for adouble funeral, when he informed me--what do you think, Dick?--that shewas going to be married to himself. I recovered at once, and immediatelywent out to hunt the otters, and rare sport we had. But here comesGregory with the famous old Rhenish. Better take a cup, Dick; this isthe best cure for the heartache, and for all other aches and grievances. Ah! glorious stuff--miraculous wine!" he added, smacking his lips withextraordinary satisfaction after a deep draught; "those worthy fatherswere excellent judges. I have a great reverence for them. But where canAlizon be all this while? Supper is wellnigh over, and the dancing andpastimes will commence anon, and yet she comes not. "

"She is here, " cried Richard. 

And as he spoke Mistress Nutter and Alizon entered the hall. 

Richard endeavoured to read in the young girl's countenance someintimation of what had passed between her and Mistress Nutter, but heonly remarked that she was paler than before, and had traces of anxietyabout her. Mistress Nutter also looked gloomy and thoughtful, and therewas nothing in the manner or deportment of either to lead to theconclusion, that a discovery of relationship between them had takenplace. As Alizon moved on, her eyes met those of Richard--but the lookwas intercepted by Mistress Nutter, who instantly called off herdaughter's attention to herself; and, while the young man hesitated tojoin them, his sister came quickly up to him, and drew him away inanother direction. Left to himself, Nicholas tossed off another cup ofthe miraculous Rhenish, which improved in flavour as he discussed it, and then, placing a chair opposite the portrait of Isole de Heton, filled a bumper, and, uttering the name of the fair votaress, drained itto her. This time he was quite certain he received a significant glancein return, and no one being near to contradict him, he went on indulgingthe idea of an amorous understanding between himself and the picture, till he had finished the bottle, and obtained as many ogles as heswallowed draughts of wine, upon which he arose and staggered off insearch of Dame Tetlow. 

Meanwhile, Mistress Nutter having made her excuses to Lady Assheton fornot attending the supper, walked down the hall with her daughter, untilsuch time as the dancing and pastimes should commence. As will bereadily supposed under the circumstances, this part of the entertainmentwas distasteful to both of them; but it could not be avoided withoutentering into explanations, which Mistress Nutter was unwilling to make, and she, therefore, counselled her daughter to act in all respects as ifshe were still Alizon Device, and in no way connected with her. 

"I shall take an early opportunity of announcing my intention to adoptyou, " she said, "and then you can act differently. Meantime, keep nearme as much as you can. Say little to Dorothy or Richard Assheton, andprepare to retire early; for this noisy and riotous assemblage is notmuch to my taste, and I care not how soon I quit it. "

Alizon assented to what was said, and stole a timid glance towardsRichard and Dorothy; but the latter, who alone perceived it, instantlyaverted her head, in such way as to make it evident she wished to shunher regards. Slight as it was, this circumstance occasioned Alizon muchpain, for she could not conceive how she had offended her new-madefriend, and it was some relief to encounter a party of acquaintances whohad risen from the lower table at her approach, though they did notpresume to address her while she was with Mistress Nutter, but waitedrespectfully at a little distance. Alizon, however, flew towards them. 

"Ah, Susan!--ah, Nancy!" she cried taking the hand of each--"how glad Iam to see you here; and you too, Lawrence Blackrod--and you, PhilRawson--and you, also, good Master Harrop. How happy you all look!"

"An wi' good reason, sweet Alizon, " replied Blackrod. "Boh we began tobe afeerd we'd lost ye, an that wad ha' bin a sore mishap--to lose ourMay Queen--an th' prettiest May Queen os ever dawnced i' this ha', or i'onny other ha' i' Lonkyshiar. "

"We ha drunk your health, sweet Alizon, " added Phil--"an wishin' ye maybe os happy os ye desarve, wi' the mon o' your heart, if onny sich luckychap there be. "

"Thank you--thank you both, " replied Alizon, blushing; "and in return Icannot wish you better fortune, Philip, than to be united to the goodgirl near you, for I know her kindly disposition so well, that I am sureshe will make you happy. "

"Ey'm satisfied on't myself, " replied Rawson; "an ey hope ere longshe'll be missus o' a little cot i' Bowland Forest, an that yo'll pay usa visit, Alizon, an see an judge fo' yourself how happy we be. Nance winmake a rare forester's wife. "

"Not a bit better than my Sukey, " cried Lawrence Blackrod. "Ye shannaget th' start o' me, Phil, fo' by th' mess! the very same day os sees yowedded to Nancy Holt shan find me united to Sukey Worseley. An so Alizonwin ha' two cottages i' Bowland Forest to visit i'stead o' one. "

"And well pleased I shall be to visit them both, " she rejoined. At thismoment Mistress Nutter came up. 

"My good friends, " she said, "as you appear to take so much interest inAlizon, you may be glad to learn that it is my intention to adopt her asa daughter, having no child of my own; and, though her positionhenceforth will be very different from what it has been, I am sure shewill never forget her old friends. "

"Never, indeed, never!" cried Alizon, earnestly. 

"This is good news, indeed, " cried Sampson Harrop, joyfully, while theothers joined in his exclamation. "We all rejoice in Alizon's goodfortune, and think she richly deserves it. For my own part, I was alwayssure she would have rare luck, but I did not expect such luck as this. "

"What's to become o' me?" cried Jennet, coming from behind a chair, where she had hitherto concealed herself. 

"I will always take care of you, " replied Alizon, stooping, and kissingher. 

"Do not promise more than you may be able to perform, Alizon, " observedMistress Nutter, coldly, and regarding the little girl with a look ofdisgust; "an ill-favour'd little creature, with the Demdike eyes. "

"And as ill-tempered as she is ill-favoured, " rejoined Sampson Harrop;"and, though she cannot help being ugly, she might help beingmalicious. "

Jennet gave him a bitter look. 

"You do her injustice, Master Harrop, " said Alizon. "Poor little Jennetis quick-tempered, but not malevolent. "

"Ey con hate weel if ey conna love, " replied Jennet, "an con recollectinjuries if ey forget kindnesses. --Boh dunna trouble yourself about me, sister. Ey dunna envy ye your luck. Ey dunna want to be adopted by agrand-dame. Ey'm content os ey am. Boh are na ye gettin' on rayther toofast, lass? Mother's consent has to be axed, ey suppose, efore ye leaveher. "

"There is little fear of her refusal, " observed Mistress Nutter. 

"Ey dunna knoa that, " rejoined Jennet. "If she were to refuse, it wadnasurprise me. "

"Nothing spiteful she could do would surprise me, " remarked Harrop. "Buthow are you likely to know what your mother will think and do, youforward little hussy?"

"Ey judge fro circumstances, " replied the little girl. "Mother has oftensaid she conna weel spare Alizon. An mayhap Mistress Nutter may knoa, that she con be very obstinate when she tays a whim into her head. "

"I _do_ know it, " replied Mistress Nutter; "and, from my experience ofher temper in former days, I should be loath to have you near me, whoseem to inherit her obstinacy. "

"Wi' sich misgivings ey wonder ye wish to tak Alizon, madam, " saidJennet; "fo she's os much o' her mother about her os me, onny she dunnachoose to show it. "

"Peace, thou mischievous urchin, " cried Mistress Nutter, losing allpatience. 

"Shall I take her away?" said Harrop--seizing her hand. 

"Ay, do, " said Mistress Nutter. 

"No, no, let her stay!" cried Alizon, quickly; "I shall be miserable ifshe goes. "

"Oh, ey'm quite ready to go, " said Jennet, "fo ey care little fo sichseets os this--boh efore ey leave ey wad fain say a few words to MesterPotts, whom ey see yonder. "

"What can you want with him, Jennet, " cried Alizon, in surprise. 

"Onny to tell him what brother Jem is gone to Pendle fo to-neet, "replied the little girl, with a significant and malicious look atMistress Nutter. 

"Ha!" muttered the lady. "There is more malice in this little wasp thanI thought. But I must rob it of its sting. "

And while thus communing with herself, she fixed a searching look onJennet, and then raising her hand quickly, waved it in her face. 

"Oh!" cried the little girl, falling suddenly backwards. 

"What's the matter?" demanded Alizon, flying to her. 

"Ey dunna reetly knoa, " replied Jennet. 

"She's seized with a sudden faintness, " said Harrop. "Better she shouldgo home then at once. I'll find somebody to take her. "

"Neaw, neaw, ey'n sit down here, " said Jennet; "ey shan be better soon. "

"Come along, Alizon, " said Mistress Nutter, apparently unconcerned atthe circumstance. 

Having confided the little girl, who was now recovered from the shock, to the care of Nancy Holt, Alizon followed her mother. 

At this moment Sir Ralph, who had quitted the supper-table, clapped hishands loudly, thus giving the signal to the minstrels, who, havingrepaired to the gallery, now struck up a merry tune, and instantly thewhole hall was in motion. Snatching up his wand Sampson Harrop hurriedafter Alizon, beseeching her to return with him, and join a processionabout to be formed by the revellers, and of course, as May Queen, andthe most important personage in it, she could not refuse. Very shortspace sufficed the morris-dancers to find their partners; Robin Hood andthe foresters got into their places; the hobby-horse curveted andcapered; Friar Tuck resumed his drolleries; and even Jack Roby was sofar recovered as to be able to get on his legs, though he could not walkvery steadily. Marshalled by the gentleman-usher, and headed by RobinHood and the May Queen, the procession marched round the hall, theminstrels playing merrily the while, and then drew up before the uppertable, where a brief oration was pronounced by Sir Ralph. A shout thatmade the rafters ring again followed the address, after which a courantowas called for by the host, who, taking Mistress Nicholas Assheton bythe hand, led her into the body of the hall, whither he was speedilyfollowed by the other guests, who had found partners in like manner. 

Before relating how the ball was opened a word must be bestowed uponMistress Nicholas Assheton, whom I have neglected nearly as much as shewas neglected by her unworthy spouse, and I therefore hasten to repairthe injustice by declaring that she was a very amiable and very charmingwoman, and danced delightfully. And recollect, ladies, these weredancing days--I mean days when knowledge of figures as well as skill wasrequired, more than twenty forgotten dances being in vogue, the verynames of which may surprise you as I recapitulate them. There was thePassamezzo, a great favourite with Queen Elizabeth, who used to foot itmerrily, when, as you are told by Gray--

 "The great Lord-keeper led the brawls, And seals and maces danced before him!"

the grave Pavane, likewise a favourite with the Virgin Queen, and whichI should like to see supersede the eternal polka at Almack's andelsewhere, and in which--

 "Five was the number of the music's feet Which still the dance did with live paces meet;"

the Couranto, with its "current traverses, " "sliding passages, " andsolemn tune, wherein, according to Sir John Davies--

 --"that dancer greatest praise hath won Who with best order can all order shun;"

the Lavolta, also delineated by the same knowing hand--

 "Where arm in arm two dancers are entwined, And whirl themselves with strict embracements bound, their feet an anapest do sound. "

Is not this very much like a waltz? Yes, ladies, you have been dancingthe lavolta of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries without beingaware of it. But there was another waltz still older, called theSauteuse, which I suspect answered to your favourite polka. Then therewere brawls, galliards, paspys, sarabands, country-dances of variousfigures, cushion dances (another dance I long to see revived), kissingdances, and rounds, any of which are better than the objectionablepolka. Thus you will see that there was infinite variety at least at theperiod under consideration, and that you have rather retrograded thanadvanced in the saltatory art. But to return to the ball. 

Mistress Nicholas Assheton, I have said, excelled in the gracefulaccomplishment of dancing, and that was probably the reason why she hadbeen selected for the couranto by Sir Ralph, who knew the value of agood partner. By many persons she was accounted the handsomest woman inthe room, and in dignity of carriage she was certainly unrivalled. Thiswas precisely what Sir Ralph required, and having executed a few"current traverses and sliding passages" with her, with a gravity andstateliness worthy of Sir Christopher Hatton himself, when graced by thehand of his sovereign mistress, he conducted her, amid the hushedadmiration of the beholders, to a seat. Still the dance continued withunabated spirit; all those engaged in it running up and down, or"turning and winding with unlooked-for change. " Alizon's hand had beenclaimed by Richard Assheton, and next to the stately host and hisdignified partner, they came in for the largest share of admiration andattention; and if the untutored girl fell short of the accomplished damein precision and skill, she made up for the want of them in naturalgrace and freedom of movement, for the display of which the couranto, with its frequent and impromptu changes, afforded ample opportunity. Even Sir Ralph was struck with her extreme gracefulness, and pointed herout to Mistress Nicholas, who, unenvying and amiable, joined heartily inhis praises. Overhearing what was said, Mrs. Nutter thought it a fittingopportunity to announce her intention of adopting the young girl; andthough Sir Ralph seemed a good deal surprised at the suddenness of thedeclaration, he raised no objection to the plan; but, on the contrary, applauded it. But another person, by no means disposed to regard it inan equally favourable light became acquainted with the intelligence atthe same time. This was Master Potts, who instantly set his wits at workto discover its import. Ever on the alert, his little eyes, sharp asneedles, had detected Jennet amongst the rustic company, and he now madehis way towards her, resolved, by dint of cross-questioning andotherwise, to extract all the information he possibly could from her. 

The dance over, Richard and his partner wandered towards a more retiredpart of the hall. 

"Why does your sister shun me?" inquired Alizon, with a look of greatdistress. "What can I have done to offend her? Whenever I regard her sheaverts her head, and as I approached her just now, she moved away, making it evident she designed to avoid me. If I could think myself inany way different from what I was this morning, when she treated me withsuch unbounded confidence and kindness, or accuse myself of any offencetowards her, even in thought, I could understand it; but as it is, herpresent coldness appears inexplicable and unreasonable, and gives megreat pain. I would not forfeit her regard for worlds, and thereforebeseech you to tell me what I have done amiss, that I may endeavour torepair it. "

"You have done nothing--nothing whatever, sweet girl, " replied Richard. "It is only caprice on Dorothy's part, and except that it distressesyou, her conduct, which you justly call 'unreasonable, ' does not deservea moment's serious consideration. "

"Oh no! you cannot deceive me thus, " cried Alizon. "She is too kind--toowell-judging, to be capricious. Something must have occurred to make herchange her opinion of me, though what it is I cannot conjecture. I havegained much to-day--more than I had any right to expect; but if I haveforfeited the good opinion of your sister, the loss of her friendshipwill counterbalance all the rest. "

"But you have not lost it, Alizon, " replied Richard, earnestly. "Dorothyhas got some strange notions into her head, which only require to becombated. She does not like Mistress Nutter, and is piqued anddispleased by the extraordinary interest which that lady displaystowards you. That is all. "

"But why should she not like Mistress Nutter?" inquired Alizon. 

"Nay, there is no accounting for fancies, " returned Richard, with afaint smile. "I do not attempt to defend her, but simply offer the onlyexcuse in my power for her conduct. "

"I am concerned to hear it, " said Alizon, sadly, "because henceforth Ishall be so intimately connected with Mistress Nutter, that thisestrangement, which I hoped arose only from some trivial cause, andmerely required a little explanation to be set aside, may become widenedand lasting. Owing every thing to Mistress Nutter, I must espouse hercause; and if your sister likes her not, she likes me not inconsequence, and therefore we must continue divided. But surely herdislike is of very recent date, and cannot have any strong hold uponher; for when she and Mistress Nutter met this morning, a very differentfeeling seemed to animate her. "

"So, indeed, it did, " replied Richard, visibly embarrassed anddistressed. "And since you have made me acquainted with the new tie andinterests you have formed, I can only regret alluding to thecircumstance. "

"That you may not misunderstand me, " said Alizon, "I will explain theextent of my obligations to Mistress Nutter, and then you will perceivehow much I am bounden to her. Childless herself, greatly interested inme, and feeling for my unfortunate situation, with infinite goodness ofheart she has declared her intention of removing me from all chance ofbaneful influence, from the family with whom I have been heretoforeconnected, by adopting me as her daughter. "

"I should indeed rejoice at this, " said Richard, "were it not that--"

And he stopped, gazing anxiously at her. 

"Were not what?" cried Alizon, alarmed by his looks. "What do you mean?"

"Do not press me further, " he rejoined; "I cannot answer you. Indeed Ihave said too much already. "

"You have said too much or too little, " cried Alizon. "Speak, I imploreyou. What mean these dark hints which you throw out, and which likeshadows elude all attempts to grasp them! Do not keep me in this stateof suspense and agitation. Your looks speak more than your words. Oh, give your thoughts utterance!"

"I cannot, " replied Richard. "I do not believe what I have heard, andtherefore will not repeat it. It would only increase the mischief. Butoh! tell me this! Was it, indeed, to remove you from the banefulinfluence of Elizabeth Device that Mistress Nutter adopted you?"

"Other motives may have swayed her, and I have said they did so, "replied Alizon; "but that wish, no doubt, had great weight with her. Nay, notwithstanding her abhorrence of the family, she has kindlyconsented to use her best endeavours to preserve little Jennet fromfurther ill, as well as to reclaim poor misguided Elizabeth herself. "

"Oh! what a weight you have taken from my heart, " cried Richard, joyfully. "I will tell Dorothy what you say, and it will at once removeall her doubts and suspicions. She will now be the same to you as ever, and to Mistress Nutter. "

"I will not ask you what those doubts and suspicions were, since you soconfidently promise me this, which is all I desire, " replied Alizon, smiling; "but any unfavourable opinions entertained of Mistress Nutterare wholly undeserved. Poor lady! she has endured many severe trials andsufferings, and whenever you learn the whole of her history, she will, Iam sure, have your sincere sympathy. "

"You have certainly produced a complete revolution in my feelingstowards her, " said Richard, "and I shall not be easy till I have made alike convert of Dorothy. "

At this moment a loud clapping of hands was heard, and Nicholas was seenmarching towards the centre of the hall, preceded by the minstrels, whohad descended for the purpose from the gallery, and bearing in his armsa large red velvet cushion. As soon as the dancers had formed a widecircle round him, a very lively tune called "Joan Sanderson, " from whichthe dance about to be executed sometimes received its name, was struckup, and the squire, after a few preliminary flourishes, set down thecushion, and gave chase to Dame Tetlow, who, threading her way rapidlythrough the ring, contrived to elude him. This chase, accompanied bymusic, excited shouts of laughter on all hands, and no one knew whichmost to admire, the eagerness of the squire, or the dexterity of thelissom dame in avoiding him. 

Exhausted at length, and baffled in his quest, Nicholas came to a haltbefore Tom the Piper, and, taking up the cushion, thus preferred hiscomplaint:--"This dance it can no further go--no further go. "

Whereupon the piper chanted in reply, --"I pray you, good sir, why sayyou so--why say you so?"

Amidst general laughter, the squire tenderly and touchinglyresponded--"Because Dame Tetlow will not come to--will not come to. "

Whereupon Tom the Piper, waxing furious, blew a shrill whistle, accompanied by an encouraging rattle of the tambarine, and enforcing themandate by two or three energetic stamps on the floor, delivered himselfin this fashion:--"She _must_ come to, and she SHALL come to. And shemust come, whether she will or no. "

Upon this two of the prettiest female morris-dancers, taking each a handof the blushing and overheated Dame Tetlow, for she had found the chaserather warm work, led her forward; while the squire advancing verygallantly placed the cushion upon the ground before her, and as sheknelt down upon it, bestowed a smacking kiss upon her lips. Thisceremony being performed amidst much tittering and flustering, accompanied by many knowing looks and some expressed wishes among theswains, who hoped that their turn might come next, Dame Tetlow arose, and the squire seizing her hand, they began to whisk round in a sort ofjig, singing merrily as they danced--

 "Prinkum prankum is a fine dance, And we shall go dance it once again! Once again, And we shall go dance it once again!"

And they made good the words too; for on coming to a stop, Dame Tetlowsnatched up the cushion, and ran in search of the squire, who retreatingamong the surrounding damsels, made sad havoc among them, scarcelyleaving a pretty pair of lips unvisited. Oh Nicholas! Nicholas! I amthoroughly ashamed of you, and regret becoming your historian. You getme into an infinitude of scrapes. But there is a rod in pickle for you, sir, which shall be used with good effect presently. Tired of such anunprofitable quest, Dame Tetlow came to a sudden halt, addressed thepiper as Nicholas had addressed him, and receiving a like answer, summoned the delinquent to come forward; but as he knelt down on thecushion, instead of receiving the anticipated salute, he got a sound boxon the ears, the dame, actuated probably by some feeling of jealousy, taking advantage of the favourable opportunity afforded her of avengingherself. No one could refrain from laughing at this unexpected turn inaffairs, and Nicholas, to do him justice, took it in excellent part, andlaughed louder than the rest. Springing to his feet, he snatched thekiss denied him by the spirited dame, and led her to obtain somerefreshment at the lower table, of which they both stood in need, whilethe cushion being appropriated by other couples, other boxes on the earand kisses were interchanged, leading to an infinitude of merriment. 

Long before this Master Potts had found his way to Jennet, and as hedrew near, affecting to notice her for the first time, he made someremarks upon her not looking very well. 

"'Deed, an ey'm nah varry weel, " replied the little girl, "boh ey knoawho ey han to thonk fo' my ailment. "

"Your sister, most probably, " suggested the attorney. "It must be veryvexatious to see her so much noticed, and be yourself so muchneglected--very vexatious, indeed--I quite feel for you. "

"By dunna want your feelin', " replied Jennet, nettled by the remark;"boh it wasna my sister os made me ill. "

"Who was it then, my little dear, " said Potts. 

"Dunna 'dear' me, " retorted Jennet; "yo're too ceevil by half, os thelamb said to the wolf. Boh sin ye mun knoa, it wur Mistress Nutter. "

"Aha! very good--I mean--very bad, " cried Potts. "What did MistressNutter do to you, my little dear? Don't be afraid of telling me. If Ican do any thing for you I shall be very happy. Speak out--and don't beafraid. "

"Nay fo' shure, ey'm nah afeerd, " returned Jennet. "Boh whot mays ye soinqueesitive? Ye want to get summat out'n me, ey con see that plainenough, an os ye stand there glenting at me wi' your sly little een, yelook loike an owd fox ready to snap up a chicken o' th' furstopportunity. "

"Your comparison is not very flattering, Jennet, " replied Potts; "but Ipass it by for the sake of its cleverness. You are a sharp child, Jennet--a very sharp child. I remarked that from the first moment I sawyou. But in regard to Mistress Nutter, she seems a very nice lady--andmust be a very kind lady, since she has made up her mind to adopt yoursister. Not that I am surprised at her determination, for really Alizonis so superior--so unlike--"

"Me, ye wad say, " interrupted Jennet. "Dunna be efeerd to speak out, sir. "

"No, no, " replied Potts, "on the contrary, there's a very great likenessbetween you. I saw you were sisters at once. I don't know which is thecleverest or prettiest--but perhaps you are the sharpest. Yes, you arethe sharpest, undoubtedly, Jennet. If I wished to adopt any one, whichunfortunately I'm not in a condition to do, having only bachelor'schambers in Chancery Lane, it should be you. But I can put you in a wayof making your fortune, Jennet, and that's the next best thing toadopting you. Indeed, it's much better in my case. "

"May my fortune!" cried the little girl, pricking up her ears, "eyshould loike to knoa how ye wad contrive that. "

"I'll show you how directly, Jennet, " returned Potts. "Pay particularattention to what I say, and think it over carefully, when you are byyourself. You are quite aware that there is a great talk about witchesin these parts; and, I may speak it without offence to you, your ownfamily come under the charge. There is your grandmother Demdike, forinstance, a notorious witch--your mother, Dame Device, suspected--yourbrother James suspected. "

"Weel, sir, " cried Jennet, eyeing him sharply, "what does all thissuspicion tend to?"

"You shall hear, my little dear, " returned Potts. "It would not surpriseme, if every one of your family, including yourself, should be arrested, shut up in Lancaster Castle, and burnt for witches!"

"Alack a day! an this ye ca' makin my fortin, " cried Jennet, derisively. "Much obleeged to ye, sir, boh ey'd leefer be without the luck. "

"Listen to me, " pursued Potts, chuckling, "and I will point out to you away of escaping the general fate of your family--not merely of escapingit--but of acquiring a large reward. And that is by giving evidenceagainst them--by telling all you know--you understand--eh!"

"Yeigh, ey think ey _do_ onderstond, " replied Jennet, sullenly. "An sothis is your grand scheme, eh, sir?"

"This is my scheme, Jennet, " said Potts, "and a notable scheme it is, my little lass. Think it over. You're an admissible and indeed adesirable witness; for our sagacious sovereign has expressly observedthat 'bairns, ' (I believe you call children 'bairns' in Lancashire, Jennet; your uncouth dialect very much resembles the Scottish language, in which our learned monarch writes as well as speaks)--'bairns, ' sayshe, 'or wives, or never so defamed persons, may of our law serve forsufficient witnesses and proofs; for who but witches can be proofs, andso witnesses of the doings of witches. '"

"Boh, ey am neaw witch, ey tell ye, mon, " cried Jennet, angrily. 

"But you're a witch's bairn, my little lassy, " replied Potts, "andthat's just as bad, and you'll grow up to be a witch in due time--thatis, if your career be not cut short. I'm sure you must have witnessedsome strange things when you visited your grandmother at MalkinTower--that, if I mistake not, is the name of her abode?--and a fearfuland witch-like name it is;--you must have heard frequent mutterings andcurses, spells, charms, and diabolical incantations--beheld strange andmonstrous visions--listened to threats uttered against people who haveafterwards perished unaccountably. "

"Ey've heerd an seen nowt o't sort, " replied Jennet; "boh ey' han heerdmy mother threaten yo. "

"Ah, indeed, " cried Potts, forcing a laugh, but looking rather blankafterwards; "and how did she threaten me, Jennet, eh?--But no matter. Let that pass for the moment. As I was saying, you must have seenmysterious proceedings both at Malkin Tower and your own house. A blackgentleman with a club foot must visit you occasionally, and your mothermust, now and then--say once a week--take a fancy to riding on abroomstick. Are you quite sure you have never ridden on one yourself, Jennet, and got whisked up the chimney without being aware of it? It'sthe common witch conveyance, and said to be very expeditious andagreeable--but I can't vouch for it myself--ha! ha! Possibly--though youare rather young--but possibly, I say, you may have attended a witch'sSabbath, and seen a huge He-Goat, with four horns on his head, and alarge tail, seated in the midst of a large circle of devoted admirers. If you have seen this, and can recollect the names and faces of theassembly, it would be highly important. "

"When ey see it, ey shanna forget it, " replied Jennet. "Boh ey am nahquite so familiar wi' Owd Scrat os yo seem to suppose. "

"Has it ever occurred to you that Alizon might be addicted to thesepractices?" pursued Potts, "and that she obtained her extraordinary andotherwise unaccountable beauty by some magical process--some charm--somediabolical unguent prepared, as the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seals, thesingularly learned Lord Bacon, declares, from fat of unbaptised babes, compounded with henbane, hemlock, mandrake, moonshade, and otherterrible ingredients. She could not be so beautiful without some suchaid. "

"That shows how little yo knoaw about it, " replied Jennet. "Alizon is osgood as she's protty, and dunna yo think to wheedle me into sayin' outagen her, fo' yo winna do it. Ey'd dee rayther than harm a hure o' herheaod. "

"Very praiseworthy, indeed, my little dear, " replied Potts, ironically. "I honour you for your sisterly affection; but, notwithstanding allthis, I cannot help thinking she has bewitched Mistress Nutter. "

"Licker, Mistress Nutter has bewitched her, " replied Jennet. 

"Then you think Mistress Nutter is a witch, eh?" cried Potts, eagerly. 

"Ey'st neaw tell ye what ey think, mon, " rejoined Jennet, doggedly. 

"But hear me, " cried Potts, "I have my own suspicions, also, nay, morethan suspicions. "

"If ye're shure, yo dunna want me, " said Jennet. 

"But I want a witness, " pursued Potts, "and if you'll serve as one--"

"Whot'll ye gi' me?" said Jennet. 

"Whatever you like, " rejoined Potts. "Only name the sum. So you canprove the practice of witchcraft against Mistress Nutter--eh?"

Jennet nodded. "Wad ye loike to knoa why brother Jem is gone to Pendleto-neet?" she said. 

"Very much, indeed, " replied Potts, drawing still nearer to her. "Verymuch, indeed. "

The little girl was about to speak, but on a sudden a sharp convulsionagitated her frame; her utterance totally failed her; and she fell backin the seat insensible. 

Very much startled, Potts flew in search of some restorative, and ondoing so, he perceived Mistress Nutter moving away from this part of thehall. 

"She has done it, " he cried. "A piece of witchcraft before my very eyes. Has she killed the child? No; she breathes, and her pulse beats, thoughfaintly. She is only in a swoon, but a deep and deathlike one. It wouldbe useless to attempt to revive her; she must come to in her own way, orat the pleasure of the wicked woman who has thrown her into thiscondition. I have now an assured witness in this girl. But I must keepwatch upon Mistress Nutter's further movements. "

And he walked cautiously after her. 

As Richard had anticipated, his explanation was perfectly satisfactoryto Dorothy; and the young lady, who had suffered greatly from therestraint she had imposed upon herself, flew to Alizon, and pouredforth excuses, which were as readily accepted as they were freely made. They were instantly as great friends as before, and their briefestrangement only seemed to make them dearer to each other. Dorothycould not forgive herself, and Alizon assured her there was nothing tobe forgiven, and so they took hands upon it, and promised to forget allthat had passed. Richard stood by, delighted with the change, andwrapped in the contemplation of the object of his love, who, thusengaged, seemed to him more beautiful than he had ever beheld her. 

Towards the close of the evening, while all three were still together. Nicholas came up and took Richard aside. The squire looked flushed; andthere was an undefined expression of alarm in his countenance. 

"What is the matter?" inquired Richard, dreading to hear of some newcalamity. 

"Have you not noticed it, Dick?" said Nicholas, in a hollow tone. "Theportrait is gone. "

"What portrait?" exclaimed Richard, forgetting the previouscircumstances. 

"The portrait of Isole de Heton, " returned Nicholas, becoming moresepulchral in his accents as he proceeded; "it has vanished from thewall. See and believe. "

"Who has taken it down?" cried Richard, remarking that the picture hadcertainly disappeared. 

"No mortal hand, " replied Nicholas. "It has come down of itself. I knewwhat would happen, Dick. I told you the fair votaress gave me the _clind'oeil_--the wink. You would not believe me then--and now you see yourmistake. "

"I see nothing but the bare wall, " said Richard. 

"But you will see something anon, Dick, " rejoined Nicholas, with ahollow laugh, and in a dismally deep tone. "You will see Isole herself. I was foolhardy enough to invite her to dance the brawl with me. Shesmiled her assent, and winked at me thus--very significantly, I protestto you--and she will be as good as her word. "

"Absurd!" exclaimed Richard. 

"Absurd, sayest thou--thou art an infidel, and believest nothing, Dick, "cried Nicholas. "Dost thou not see that the picture is gone? She will behere presently. Ha! the brawl is called for--the very dance I invitedher to. She must be in the room now. I will go in search of her. Lookout, Dick. Thou wilt behold a sight presently shall make thine hairstand on end. "

And he moved away with a rapid but uncertain step. 

"The potent wine has confused his brain, " said Richard. "I must see thatno mischance befalls him. "

And, waving his hand to his sister, he followed the squire, who movedon, staring inquisitively into the countenance of every pretty damsel heencountered. 

Time had flown fleetly with Dorothy and Alizon, who, occupied with eachother, had taken little note of its progress, and were surprised to findhow quickly the hours had gone by. Meanwhile several dances had beenperformed; a Morisco, in which all the May-day revellers took part, withthe exception of the queen herself, who, notwithstanding the unitedentreaties of Robin Hood and her gentleman-usher, could not be prevailedupon to join it: a trenchmore, a sort of long country-dance, extendingfrom top to bottom of the hall, and in which the whole of the rusticsstood up: a galliard, confined to the more important guests, and inwhich both Alizon and Dorothy were included, the former dancing, ofcourse, with Richard, and the latter with one of her cousins, youngJoseph Robinson: and a jig, quite promiscuous and unexclusive, and notthe less merry on that account. In this way, what with the dances, whichwere of some duration--the trenchmore alone occupying more than anhour--and the necessary breathing-time between them, it was on thestroke of ten without any body being aware of it. Now this, though avery early hour for a modern party, being about the time when the firstguest would arrive, was a very late one even in fashionable assemblagesat the period in question, and the guests began to think of retiring, when the brawl, intended to wind up the entertainment, was called. Thehighest animation still prevailed throughout the company, for thegenerous host had taken care that the intervals between the dancesshould be well filled up with refreshments, and large bowls of spicedwines, with burnt oranges and crabs floating in them, were placed on theside-table, and liberally dispensed to all applicants. Thus all seemeddestined to be brought to a happy conclusion. 

Throughout the evening Alizon had been closely watched by MistressNutter, who remarked, with feelings akin to jealousy and distrust, themarked predilection exhibited by her for Richard and Dorothy Assheton, as well as her inattention to her own expressed injunctions in remainingconstantly near them. Though secretly displeased by this, she put a calmface upon it, and neither remonstrated by word or look. Thus Alizon, feeling encouraged in the course she had adopted, and prompted by herinclinations, soon forgot the interdiction she had received. MistressNutter even went so far in her duplicity as to promise Dorothy, thatAlizon should pay her an early visit at Middleton--though inwardlyresolving no such visit should ever take place. However, she nowreceived the proposal very graciously, and made Alizon quite happy inacceding to it. 

"I would fain have her go back with me to Middleton when I return, " saidDorothy, "but I fear you would not like to part with your newly-adopteddaughter so soon; neither would it be quite fair to rob you of her. ButI shall hold you to your promise of an early visit. "

Mistress Nutter replied by a bland smile, and then observed to Alizonthat it was time for them to retire, and that she had stayed on heraccount far later than she intended--a mark of consideration dulyappreciated by Alizon. Farewells for the night were then exchangedbetween the two girls, and Alizon looked round to bid adieu to Richard, but unfortunately, at this very juncture, he was engaged in pursuit ofNicholas. Before quitting the hall she made inquiries after Jennet, andreceiving for answer that she was still in the hall, but had fallenasleep in a chair at one corner of the side-table, and could not bewakened, she instantly flew thither and tried to rouse her, but in vain;when Mistress Nutter, coming up the next moment, merely touched herbrow, and the little girl opened her eyes and gazed about her with abewildered look. 

"She is unused to these late hours, poor child, " said Alizon. "Some onemust be found to take her home. "

"You need not go far in search of a convoy, " said Potts, who had beenhovering about, and now stepped up; "I am going to the Dragon myself, and shall be happy to take charge of her. "

"You are over-officious, sir, " rejoined Mistress Nutter, coldly; "whenwe need your assistance we will ask it. My own servant, SimonBlackadder, will see her safely home. "

And at a sign from her, a tall fellow with a dark, scowling countenance, came from among the other serving-men, and, receiving his instructionsfrom his mistress, seized Jennet's hand, and strode off with her. Duringall this time, Mistress Nutter kept her eyes steadily fixed on thelittle girl, who spoke not a word, nor replied even by a gesture toAlizon's affectionate good-night, retaining her dazed look to the momentof quitting the hall. 

"I never saw her thus before, " said Alizon. "What can be the matter withher?"

"I think I could tell you, " rejoined Potts, glancing maliciously andsignificantly at Mistress Nutter. 

The lady darted an ireful and piercing look at him, which seemed toproduce much the same consequences as those experienced by Jennet, forhis visage instantly elongated, and he sank back in a chair. 

"Oh dear!" he cried, putting his hand to his head; "I'm struck all of aheap. I feel a sudden qualm--a giddiness--a sort of don't-know-howishness. Ho, there! some aquavitæ--or imperial water--orcinnamon water--or whatever reviving cordial may be at hand. I feel veryill--very ill, indeed--oh dear!"

While his requirements were attended to, Mistress Nutter moved away withher daughter; but they had not proceeded far when they encounteredRichard, who, having fortunately descried them, came up to saygood-night. 

The brawl, meanwhile, had commenced, and the dancers were whirlinground giddily in every direction, somewhat like the couples in a grandpolka, danced after a very boisterous, romping, and extravagant fashion. 

"Who is Nicholas dancing with?" asked Mistress Nutter suddenly. 

"Is he dancing with any one?" rejoined Richard, looking amidst thecrowd. 

"Do you not see her?" said Mistress Nutter; "a very beautiful woman withflashing eyes: they move so quickly, that I can scarce discern herfeatures; but she is habited like a nun. "

"Like a nun!" cried Richard, his blood growing chill in his veins. "'Tisshe indeed, then! Where is he?"

"Yonder, yonder, whirling madly round, " replied Mistress Nutter. 

"I see him now, " said Richard, "but he is alone. He has lost his wits todance in that strange manner by himself. How wild, too, is his gaze!"

"I tell you he is dancing with a very beautiful woman in the habit of anun, " said Mistress Nutter. "Strange I should never have remarked herbefore. No one in the room is to be compared with her in loveliness--noteven Alizon. Her eyes seem to flash fire, and she bounds like the wildroe. "

"Does she resemble the portrait of Isole de Heton?" asked Richard, shuddering. 

"She does--she does, " replied Mistress Nutter. "See! she whirls past usnow. "

"I can see no one but Nicholas, " cried Richard. 

"Nor I, " added Alizon, who shared in the young man's alarm. 

"Are you sure you behold that figure?" said Richard, drawing MistressNutter aside, and breathing the words in her ear. "If so, it is aphantom--or he is in the power of the fiend. He was rash enough toinvite that wicked votaress, Isole de Heton, condemned, it is said, topenal fires for her earthly enormities, to dance with him, and she hascome. "

"Ha!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter. 

"She will whirl him round till he expires, " cried Richard; "I must freehim at all hazards. "

"Stay, " said Mistress Nutter; "it is I who have been deceived. Now Ilook again, I see that Nicholas is alone. "

"But the nun's dress--the wondrous beauty--the flashing eyes!" criedRichard. "You described Isole exactly. "

"It was mere fancy, " said Mistress Nutter. "I had just been looking ather portrait, and it dwelt on my mind, and created the image. "

"The portrait is gone, " cried Richard, pointing to the empty wall. 

Mistress Nutter looked confounded. 

And without a word more, she took Alizon, who was full of alarm andastonishment, by the arm, and hurried her out of the hall. 

As they disappeared, the young man flew towards Nicholas, whoseextraordinary proceedings had excited general amazement. The otherdancers had moved out of the way, so that free space was left for hismad gyrations. Greatly scandalised by the exhibition, which he lookedupon as the effect of intoxication, Sir Ralph called loudly to him tostop, but he paid no attention to the summons, but whirled on withmomently-increasing velocity, oversetting old Adam Whitworth, Gregory, and Dickon, who severally ventured to place themselves in his path, toenforce their master's injunctions, until at last, just as Richardreached him, he uttered a loud cry, and fell to the ground insensible. By Sir Ralph's command he was instantly lifted up and transported to hisown chamber. 

This unexpected and extraordinary incident put an end to the ball, andthe whole of the guests, after taking a respectful and grateful leave ofthe host, departed--not in "most admired" disorder, but full of wonder. By most persons the squire's "fantastical vagaries, " as they weretermed, were traced to the vast quantity of wine he had drunk, but a fewothers shook their heads, and said he was evidently bewitched, and thatMother Chattox and Nance Redferne were at the bottom of it. As to theportrait of Isole de Heton, it was found under the table, and it wassaid that Nicholas himself had pulled it down; but this he obstinatelydenied, when afterwards taken to task for his indecorous behaviour; andto his dying day he asserted, and believed, that he had danced the brawlwith Isole de Heton. "And never, " he would say, "had mortal man such apartner. "

From that night the two portraits in the banqueting-hall were regardedwith great awe by the inmates of the Abbey. 

CHAPTER X. --THE NOCTURNAL MEETING. 

On gaining the head of the staircase leading to the corridor, MistressNutter, whose movements had hitherto been extremely rapid, paused withher daughter to listen to the sounds arising from below. Suddenly washeard a loud cry, and the music, which had waxed fast and furious inorder to keep pace with the frenzied boundings of the squire, ceased atonce, showing some interruption had occurred, while from the confusednoise that ensued, it was evident the sudden stoppage had been theresult of accident. With blanched cheek Alizon listened, scarcely daringto look at her mother, whose expression of countenance, revealed by thelamp she held in her hand, almost frightened her; and it was a greatrelief to hear the voices and laughter of the serving-men as they cameforth with Nicholas, and bore him towards another part of the mansion;and though much shocked, she was glad when one of them, who appeared tobe Nicholas's own servant, assured the others "that it was only adrunken fit and that the squire would wake up next morning as if nothinghad happened. "

Apparently satisfied with this explanation, Mistress Nutter moved on;but a new feeling of uneasiness came over Alizon as she followed herdown the long dusky corridor, in the direction of the mysteriouschamber, where they were to pass the night. The fitful flame of the lampfell upon many a grim painting depicting the sufferings of the earlymartyrs; and these ghastly representations did not serve to re-assureher. The grotesque carvings on the panels and ribs of the vaulted roof, likewise impressed her with vague terror, and there was one large pieceof sculpture--Saint Theodora subjected to diabolical temptation, asdescribed in the Golden Legend--that absolutely scared her. Theirfootsteps echoed hollowly overhead, and more than once, deceived by thesound, Alizon turned to see if any one was behind them. At the end ofthe corridor lay the room once occupied by the superior of the religiousestablishment, and still known from that circumstance as the "Abbot'sChamber. " Connected with this apartment was the beautiful oratory builtby Paslew, wherein he had kept his last vigils; and though now no longerapplied to purposes of worship, still wearing from the character of itsarchitecture, its sculptured ornaments, and the painted glass in itscasements, a dim religious air. The abbot's room was allotted to DorothyAssheton; and from its sombre magnificence, as well as the ghostly talesconnected with it, had impressed her with so much superstitiousmisgiving, that she besought Alizon to share her couch with her, but theyoung girl did not dare to assent. Just, however, as Mistress Nutter wasabout to enter her own room, Dorothy appeared on the corridor, and, calling to Alizon to stay a moment, flew quickly towards her, andrenewed the proposition. Alizon looked at her mother, but the latterdecidedly, and somewhat sternly, negatived it. 

The young girls then said good-night, kissing each other affectionately, after which Alizon entered the room with Mistress Nutter, and the doorwas closed. Two tapers were burning on the dressing-table, and theirlight fell upon the carved figures of the wardrobe, which stillexercised the same weird influence over her. Mistress Nutter neitherseemed disposed to retire to rest immediately, nor willing to talk, butsat down, and was soon lost in thought. After awhile, an impulse ofcuriosity which she could not resist, prompted Alizon to peep into thecloset, and pushing aside the tapestry, partly drawn over the entrance, she held the lamp forward so as to throw its light into the littlechamber. A mere glance was all she was allowed, but it sufficed to showher the large oak chest, though the monkish robe lately suspended aboveit, and which had particularly attracted her attention, was gone. Mistress Nutter had noticed the movement, and instantly and somewhatsharply recalled her. 

As Alizon obeyed, a slight tap was heard at the door. The young girlturned pale, for in her present frame of mind any little matter affectedher. Nor were her apprehensions materially allayed by the entrance ofDorothy, who, looking white as a sheet, said she did not dare to remainin her own room, having been terribly frightened, by seeing a monkishfigure in mouldering white garments, exactly resembling one of thecarved images on the wardrobe, issue from behind the hangings on thewall, and glide into the oratory, and she entreated Mistress Nutter tolet Alizon go back with her. The request was peremptorily refused, andthe lady, ridiculing Dorothy for her fears, bade her return; but shestill lingered. This relation filled Alizon with inexpressible alarm, for though she did not dare to allude to the disappearance of themonkish gown, she could not help connecting the circumstance with theghostly figure seen by Dorothy. 

Unable otherwise to get rid of the terrified intruder, whose presencewas an evident restraint to her, Mistress Nutter, at length, consentedto accompany her to her room, and convince her of the folly of herfears, by an examination of the oratory. Alizon went with them, hermother not choosing to leave her behind, and indeed she herself was mostanxious to go. 

The abbot's chamber was large and gloomy, nearly twice the size of theroom occupied by Mistress Nutter, but resembling it in many respects, aswell as in the No interdusky hue of its hangings and furniture, most ofwhich had been undisturbed since the days of Paslew. The very bed, ofcarved oak, was that in which he had slept, and his arms were stilldisplayed upon it, and on the painted glass of the windows. As Alizonentered she looked round with apprehension, but nothing occurred tojustify her uneasiness. Having raised the arras, from behind whichDorothy averred the figure had issued, and discovering nothing but apanel of oak; with a smile of incredulity, Mistress Nutter walked boldlytowards the oratory, the two girls, hand in hand, following tremblinglyafter her; but no fearful object met their view. A dressing-table, witha large mirror upon it, occupied the spot where the altar had formerlystood; but, in spite of this, and of other furniture, the little placeof prayer, as has previously been observed, retained much of itsoriginal character, and seemed more calculated to inspire sentiments ofdevotional awe than any other. 

After remaining for a short time in the oratory, during which shepointed out the impossibility of any one being concealed there, MistressNutter assured Dorothy she might rest quite easy that nothing furtherwould occur to alarm her, and recommending her to lose the sense of herfears as speedily as she could in sleep, took her departure with Alizon. 

But the recommendation was of little avail. The poor girl's heart diedwithin her, and all her former terrors returned, and with additionalforce. Sitting down, she looked fixedly at the hangings till her eyesached, and then covering her face with her hands, and scarcely daring tobreathe, she listened intently for the slightest sound. A rustle wouldhave made her scream--but all was still as death, so profoundly quiet, that the very hush and silence became a new cause of disquietude, andlonging for some cheerful sound to break it, she would have spoken aloudbut from a fear of hearing her own voice. A book lay before her, and sheessayed to read it, but in vain. She was ever glancing fearfullyround--ever listening intently. This state could not endure for ever, and feeling a drowsiness steal over her she yielded to it, and at lengthdropped asleep in her chair. Her dreams, however, were influenced by hermental condition, and slumber was no refuge, as promised by MistressNutter, from the hauntings of terror. 

At last a jarring sound aroused her, and she found she had been awakenedby the clock striking twelve. Her lamp required trimming and burntdimly, but by its imperfect light she saw the arras move. This could beno fancy, for the next moment the hangings were raised, and a figurelooked from behind them; and this time it was not the monk, but a femalerobed in white. A glimpse of the figure was all Dorothy caught, for itinstantly retreated, and the tapestry fell back to its place against thewall. Scared by this apparition, Dorothy rushed out of the room sohurriedly that she forgot to take her lamp, and made her way, shescarcely knew how, to the adjoining chamber. She did not tap at thedoor, but trying it, and finding it unfastened, opened it softly, andclosed it after her, resolved if the occupants of the room were asleepnot to disturb them, but to pass the night in a chair, the presence ofsome living beings beside her sufficing, in some degree, to dispel herterrors. The room was buried in darkness, the tapers being extinguished. 

Advancing on tiptoe she soon discovered a seat, when what was hersurprise to find Alizon asleep within it. She was sure it wasAlizon--for she had touched her hair and face, and she felt surprisedthat the contact had not awakened her. Still more surprised did she feelthat the young girl had not retired to rest. Again she stepped forwardin search of another chair, when a gleam of light suddenly shot from oneside of the bed, and the tapestry, masking the entrance to the closet, was slowly drawn aside. From behind it, the next moment, appeared thesame female figure, robed in white, that she had previously beheld inthe abbot's chamber. The figure held a lamp in one hand, and a smallbox in the other, and, to her unspeakable horror, disclosed the lividand contorted countenance of Mistress Nutter. 

[Illustration: ALIZON ALARMED AT THE APPEARANCE OF MRS. NUTTER. ]

Dreadful though undefined suspicions crossed her mind, and she feared, if discovered, she should be sacrificed to the fury of this strange andterrible woman. Luckily, where she stood, though Mistress Nutter wasrevealed to her, she herself was screened from view by the hangings ofthe bed, and looking around for a hiding-place, she observed that themysterious wardrobe, close behind her, was open, and without a moment'shesitation, she slipped into the covert and drew the door to, noiselessly. But her curiosity overmastered her fear, and, firmlybelieving some magical rite was about to be performed, she sought formeans of beholding it; nor was she long in discovering a smalleyelet-hole in the carving which commanded the room. 

Unconscious of any other presence than that of Alizon, whose stuporappeared to occasion her no uneasiness, Mistress Nutter, placed the lampupon the table, made fast the door, and, muttering some unintelligiblewords, unlocked the box. It contained two singularly-shaped glassvessels, the one filled with a bright sparkling liquid, and the otherwith a greenish-coloured unguent. Pouring forth a few drops of theliquid into a glass near her, Mistress Nutter swallowed them, and thentaking some of the unguent upon her hands, proceeded to anoint her faceand neck with it, exclaiming as she did so, "Emen hetan! Emenhetan!"--words that fixed themselves upon the listener's memory. 

Wondering what would follow, Dorothy gazed on, when she suddenly lostsight of Mistress Nutter, and after looking for her as far as her rangeof vision, limited by the aperture, would extend, she became convincedthat she had left the room. All remaining quiet, she ventured, afterawhile, to quit her hiding-place, and flying to Alizon, tried to wakenher, but in vain. The poor girl retained the same moveless attitude, andappeared plunged in a deathly stupor. 

Much frightened, Dorothy resolved to alarm the house, but some fears ofMistress Nutter restrained her, and she crept towards the closet to seewhether that dread lady could be there. All was perfectly still; andsomewhat emboldened, she returned to the table, where the box, which wasleft open and its contents unguarded, attracted her attention. 

What was the liquid in the phial? What could it do? These were questionsshe asked herself, and longing to try the effect, she ventured at lastto pour forth a few drops and taste it. It was like a potentdistillation, and she became instantly sensible of a strange bewilderingexcitement. Presently her brain reeled, and she laughed wildly. Neverbefore had she felt so light and buoyant, and wings seemed scarcelywanting to enable her to fly. An idea occurred to her. The wondrousliquid might arouse Alizon. The experiment should be tried at once, and, dipping her finger in the phial, she touched the lips of the sleeper, who sighed deeply and opened her eyes. Another drop, and Alizon was onher feet, gazing at her in astonishment, and laughing wildly as herself. 

Poor girls! how wild and strange they looked--and how unlike themselves!

"Whither are you going?" cried Alizon. 

"To the moon! to the stars!--any where!" rejoined Dorothy, with a laughof frantic glee. 

"I will go with you, " cried Alizon, echoing the laugh. 

"Here and there!--here and there!" exclaimed Dorothy, taking her hand. "Emen hetan! Emen hetan!"

As the mystic words were uttered they started away. It seemed as if noimpediments could stop them; how they crossed the closet, passed througha sliding panel into the abbot's room, entered the oratory, and from itdescended, by a secret staircase, to the garden, they knew not--butthere they were, gliding swiftly along in the moonlight, like wingedspirits. What took them towards the conventual church they could notsay. But they were drawn thither, as the ship was irresistibly draggedtowards the loadstone rock described in the Eastern legend. Nothingsurprised them then, or they might have been struck by the dense vapour, enveloping the monastic ruins, and shrouding them from view; nor was ituntil they entered the desecrated fabric, that any consciousness of whatwas passing around returned to them. 

Their ears were then assailed by a wild hubbub of discordant sounds, hootings and croakings as of owls and ravens, shrieks and jarring criesas of night-birds, bellowings as of cattle, groans and dismal sounds, mixed with unearthly laughter. Undefined and extraordinary shapes, whether men or women, beings of this world or of another they could nottell, though they judged them the latter, flew past with wild whoops andpiercing cries, flapping the air as if with great leathern bat-likewings, or bestriding black, monstrous, misshapen steeds. Fantastical andgrotesque were these objects, yet hideous and appalling. Now and then ared and fiery star would whiz crackling through the air, and thenexploding break into numerous pale phosphoric lights, that danced awhileoverhead, and then flitted away among the ruins. The ground seemed toheave and tremble beneath the footsteps, as if the graves were openingto give forth their dead, while toads and hissing reptiles crept forth. 

Appalled, yet partly restored to herself by this confused and horribledin, Alizon stood still and kept fast hold of Dorothy, who, seeminglyunder a stronger influence than herself, was drawn towards the easternend of the fane, where a fire appeared to be blazing, a strong ruddyglare being cast upon the broken roof of the choir, and the moulderingarches around it. The noises around them suddenly ceased, and all theuproar seemed concentrated near the spot where the fire was burning. Dorothy besought her friend so earnestly to let her see what was goingforward, that Alizon reluctantly and tremblingly assented, and theymoved slowly towards the transept, taking care to keep under the shelterof the columns. 

On reaching the last pillar, behind which they remained, anextraordinary and fearful spectacle burst upon them. As they hadsupposed, a large fire was burning in the midst of the choir, the smokeof which, ascending in eddying wreaths, formed a dark canopy overhead, where it was mixed with the steam issuing from a large black bubblingcaldron set on the blazing embers. Around the fire were ranged, in awide circle, an assemblage of men and women, but chiefly the latter, andof these almost all old, hideous, and of malignant aspect, their grimand sinister features looking ghastly in the lurid light. Above them, amid the smoke and steam, wheeled bat and flitter-mouse, horned owl andscreech-owl, in mazy circles. The weird assemblage chattered together insome wild jargon, mumbling and muttering spells and incantations, chanting fearfully with hoarse, cracked voices a wild chorus, and anonbreaking into a loud and long-continued peal of laughter. Then there wasmore mumbling, chattering, and singing, and one of the troop producing awallet, hobbled forward. 

She was a fearful old crone; hunchbacked, toothless, blear-eyed, bearded, halt, with huge gouty feet swathed in flannel. As she cast inthe ingredients one by one, she chanted thus:--

 "Head of monkey, brain of cat, Eye of weasel, tail of rat, Juice of mugwort, mastic, myrrh-- All within the pot I stir. "

"Well sung, Mother Mould-heels, " cried a little old man, whose doubletand hose were of rusty black, with a short cloak, of the same hue, overhis shoulders. "Well sung, Mother Mould-heels, " he cried, advancing asthe old witch retired, amidst a roar of laughter from the others, andchanting as he filled the caldron:

 "Here is foam from a mad dog's lips, Gather'd beneath the moon's eclipse, Ashes of a shroud consumed, And with deadly vapour fumed. These within the mess I cast-- Stir the caldron--stir it fast!"

A red-haired witch then took his place, singing, "Here are snakes from out the river, Bones of toad and sea-calf's liver; Swine's flesh fatten'd on her brood, Wolf's tooth, hare's foot, weasel's blood. Skull of ape and fierce baboon, And panther spotted like the moon; Feathers of the horned owl, Daw, pie, and other fatal fowl. Fruit from fig-tree never sown, Seed from cypress never grown. All within the mess I cast, Stir the caldron--stir it fast!"

Nance Redferne then advanced, and, taking from her wallet a small clayimage, tricked out in attire intended to resemble that of James Device, plunged several pins deeply into its breast, singing as she did so, thus, --

 "In his likeness it is moulded, In his vestments 'tis enfolded. Ye may know it, as I show it! In its breast sharp pins I stick, And I drive them to the quick. They are in--they are in-- And the wretch's pangs begin. Now his heart, Feels the smart; Through his marrow, Sharp as arrow, Torments quiver He shall shiver, He shall burn, He shall toss, and he shall turn. Unavailingly. Aches shall rack him, Cramps attack him, He shall wail, Strength shall fail, Till he die Miserably!"

As Nance retired, another witch advanced, and sung thus:

 "Over mountain, over valley, over woodland, over waste, On our gallant broomsticks riding we have come with frantic haste, And the reason of our coming, as ye wot well, is to see Who this night, as new-made witch, to our ranks shall added be. "

A wild burst of laughter followed this address, and another wizardsucceeded, chanting thus:

 "Beat the water, Demdike's daughter! Till the tempest gather o'er us; Till the thunder strike with wonder And the lightnings flash before us! Beat the water, Demdike's daughter! Ruin seize our foes and slaughter!"

As the words were uttered, a woman stepped from out the circle, andthrowing back the grey-hooded cloak in which she was enveloped, disclosed the features of Elizabeth Device. Her presence in that fearfulassemblage occasioned no surprise to Alizon, though it increased herhorror. A pail of water was next set before the witch, and a broom beingplaced in her hand, she struck the lymph with it, sprinkling it aloft, and uttering this spell:

 "Mount, water, to the skies! Bid the sudden storm arise. Bid the pitchy clouds advance, Bid the forked lightnings glance, Bid the angry thunder growl, Bid the wild wind fiercely howl! Bid the tempest come amain, Thunder, lightning, wind, and rain!"

[Illustration: THE INCANTATION. ]

As she concluded, clouds gathered thickly overhead, obscuring thestars that had hitherto shone down from the heavens. The wind suddenlyarose, but in lieu of dispersing the vapours it seemed only to condensethem. A flash of forked lightning cut through the air, and a loud pealof thunder rolled overhead. 

Then the whole troop sang together--

 "Beat the water, Demdike's daughter! See the tempests gathers o'er us, Lightning flashes--thunder crashes, Wild winds sing in lusty chorus!"

For a brief space the storm raged fearfully, and recalled the terror ofthat previously witnessed by Alizon, which she now began to think mighthave originated in a similar manner. The wind raved around the ruinedpile, but its breath was not felt within it, and the rain was hearddescending in deluging showers without, though no drop came through theopen roof. The thunder shook the walls and pillars of the old fabric, and threatened to topple them down from their foundations, but theyresisted the shocks. The lightning played around the tall spirespringing from this part of the fane, and ran down from its shatteredsummit to its base, without doing any damage. The red bolts struck theground innocuously, though they fell at the very feet of the weirdassemblage, who laughed wildly at the awful tumult. 

Whilst the storm was at its worst, while the lightning was flashingfiercely, and the thunder rattling loudly, Mother Chattox, with achafing-dish in her hand, advanced towards the fire, and placing the panupon it, threw certain herbs and roots into it, chanting thus:--

 "Here is juice of poppy bruised, With black hellebore infused; Here is mandrake's bleeding root, Mixed with moonshade's deadly fruit; Viper's bag with venom fill'd, Taken ere the beast was kill'd; Adder's skin and raven's feather, With shell of beetle blent together; Dragonwort and barbatus, Hemlock black and poisonous; Horn of hart, and storax red, Lapwing's blood, at midnight shed. In the heated pan they burn, And to pungent vapours turn. By this strong suffumigation, By this potent invocation, Spirits! I compel you here! All who list may call appear!"

After a moment's pause, she resumed as follows:--

 "White-robed brethren, who of old, Nightly paced yon cloisters cold, Sleeping now beneath the mould! I bid ye rise. 

 "Abbots! by the weakling fear'd, By the credulous revered, Who this mighty fabric rear'd! I bid ye rise!

 "And thou last and guilty one! By thy lust of power undone, Whom in death thy fellows shun! I bid thee come!

 "And thou fair one, who disdain'd To keep the vows thy lips had feign'd; And thy snowy garments stain'd! I bid thee come!"

During this invocation, the glee of the assemblage ceased, and theylooked around in hushed expectation of the result. Slowly then did along procession of monkish forms, robed in white, glide along theaisles, and gather round the altar. The brass-covered stones within thepresbytery were lifted up, as if they moved on hinges, and from theyawning graves beneath them arose solemn shapes, sixteen in number, eachwith mitre on head and crosier in hand, which likewise proceeded to thealtar. Then a loud cry was heard, and from a side chapel burst themonkish form, in mouldering garments, which Dorothy had seen enter theoratory, and which would have mingled with its brethren at the altar, but they waved it off menacingly. Another piercing shriek followed, anda female shape, habited like a nun, and of surpassing loveliness, issuedfrom the opposite chapel, and hovered near the fire. Content with thisproof of her power, Mother Chattox waved her hand, and the long shadowytrain glided off as they came. The ghostly abbots returned to theirtombs, and the stones closed over them. But the shades of Paslew andIsole de Heton still lingered. 

The storm had wellnigh ceased, the thunder rolled hollowly at intervals, and a flash of lightning now and then licked the walls. The weird crewhad resumed their rites, when the door of the Lacy chapel flew open, anda tall female figure came forward. 

Alizon doubted if she beheld aright. Could that terrific woman in thestrangely-fashioned robe of white, girt by a brazen zone graven withmystic characters, with a long glittering blade in her hand, infernalfury in her wildly-rolling orbs, the livid hue of death on her cheeks, and the red brand upon her brow--could that fearful woman, with theblack dishevelled tresses floating over her bare shoulders, and whosegestures were so imperious, be Mistress Nutter? Mother no longer, if itindeed were she! How came she there amid that weird assemblage? Why didthey so humbly salute her, and fall prostrate before her, kissing thehem of her garment? Why did she stand proudly in the midst of them, andextend her hand, armed with the knife, over them? Was she theirsovereign mistress, that they bent so lowly at her coming, and rose soreverentially at her bidding? Was this terrible woman, now seated oh adilapidated tomb, and regarding the dark conclave with the eye of aqueen who held their lives in her hands--was she her mother? Oh, no!--no!--it could not be! It must be some fiend that usurped herlikeness. 

Still, though Alizon thus strove to discredit the evidence of hersenses, and to hold all she saw to be delusion, and the work ofdarkness, she could not entirely convince herself, but imperfectlyrecalling the fearful vision she had witnessed during her former stupor, began to connect it with the scene now passing before her. The storm hadwholly ceased, and the stars again twinkled down through the shatteredroof. Deep silence prevailed, broken only by the hissing and bubbling ofthe caldron. 

Alizon's gaze was riveted upon her mother, whose slightest gestures shewatched. After numbering the assemblage thrice, Mistress Nuttermajestically arose, and motioning Mother Chattox towards her, the oldwitch tremblingly advanced, and some words passed between them, theimport of which did not reach the listener's ear. In conclusion, however, Mistress Nutter exclaimed aloud, in accents of command--"Go, bring it at once, the sacrifice must be made. "--And on this, MotherChattox hobbled off to one of the side chapels. 

A mortal terror seized Alizon, and she could scarcely draw breath. Darktales had been told her that unbaptised infants were sometimessacrificed by witches, and their flesh boiled and devoured at theirimpious banquets, and dreading lest some such atrocity was now about tobe practised, she mustered all her resolution, determined, at any risk, to interfere, and, if possible, prevent its accomplishment. 

In another moment, Mother Chattox returned bearing some living thing, wrapped in a white cloth, which struggled feebly for liberation, apparently confirming Alizon's suspicions, and she was about to rushforward, when Mistress Nutter, snatching the bundle from the old witch, opened it, and disclosed a beautiful bird, with plumage white as drivensnow, whose legs were tied together, so that it could not escape. Conjecturing what was to follow, Alizon averted her eyes, and when shelooked round again the bird had been slain, while Mother Chattox was inthe act of throwing its body into the caldron, muttering a charm as shedid so. Mistress Nutter held the ensanguined knife aloft, and castingsome ruddy drops upon the glowing embers, pronounced, as they hissed andsmoked, the following adjuration:--

 "Thy aid I seek, infernal Power! Be thy word sent to Malkin Tower, That the beldame old may know Where I will, thou'dst have her go-- What I will, thou'dst have her do!"

An immediate response was made by an awful voice issuing apparently fromthe bowels of the earth. 

 "Thou who seek'st the Demon's aid, Know'st the price that must be paid. "

The queen witch rejoined--

 "I do. But grant the aid I crave, And that thou wishest thou shalt have. Another worshipper is won, Thine to be, when all is done. "

Again the deep voice spake, with something of mockery in its accents:--

 "Enough proud witch, I am content. To Malkin Tower the word is sent, Forth to her task the beldame goes, And where she points the streamlet flows; Its customary bed forsaking, Another distant channel making. Round about like elfets tripping, Stock and stone, and tree are skipping; Halting where she plants her staff, With a wild exulting laugh. Ho! ho! 'tis a merry sight, Thou hast given the hag to-night. 

 Lo! the sheepfold, and the herd, To another site are stirr'd! And the rugged limestone quarry, Where 'twas digg'd may no more tarry; While the goblin haunted dingle, With another dell must mingle. Pendle Moor is in commotion, Like the billows of the ocean, When the winds are o'er it ranging, Heaving, falling, bursting, changing. Ho! ho! 'tis a merry sight Thou hast given the hag to-night. 

 Lo! the moss-pool sudden flies, In another spot to rise; And the scanty-grown plantation, Finds another situation, And a more congenial soil, Without needing woodman's toil. Now the warren moves--and see! How the burrowing rabbits flee, Hither, thither till they find it, With another brake behind it. Ho! ho! 'tis a merry sight Thou hast given the hag to-night. 

 Lo! new lines the witch is tracing, Every well-known mark effacing, Elsewhere, other bounds erecting, So the old there's no detecting. Ho! ho! 'tis a pastime quite, Thou hast given the hag to-night!

 The hind at eve, who wander'd o'er The dreary waste of Pendle Moor, Shall wake at dawn, and in surprise, Doubt the strange sight that meets his eyes. The pathway leading to his hut Winds differently, --the gate is shut. The ruin on the right that stood. Lies on the left, and nigh the wood; The paddock fenced with wall of stone, Wcll-stock'd with kine, a mile hath flown, The sheepfold and the herd are gone. Through channels new the brooklet rushes, Its ancient course conceal'd by bushes. Where the hollow was, a mound Rises from the upheaved ground. Doubting, shouting with surprise, How the fool stares, and rubs his eyes! All's so changed, the simple elf Fancies he is changed himself! Ho! ho! 'tis a merry sight The hag shall have when dawns the light. But see! she halts and waves her hand. All is done as thou hast plann'd. "

After a moment's pause the voice added, "I have done as thou hast will'd-- Now be thy path straight fulfill'd. "

"It shall be, " replied Mistress Nutter, whose features gleamed withfierce exultation. "Bring forth the proselyte!" she shouted. 

And at the words, her swarthy serving-man, Blackadder, came forth fromthe Lacy chapel, leading Jennet by the hand. They were followed by Tib, who, dilated to twice his former size, walked with tail erect, and eyesglowing like carbuncles. 

At sight of her daughter a loud cry of rage and astonishment burst fromElizabeth Device, and, rushing forward, she would have seized her, ifTib had not kept her off by a formidable display of teeth and talons. Jennet made no effort to join her mother, but regarded her with amalicious and triumphant grin. 

"This is my chilt, " screamed Elizabeth. "She canna be baptised withoutmy consent, an ey refuse it. Ey dunna want her to be a witch--at leastnot yet awhile. What mays yo here, yo little plague?"

"Ey wur brought here, mother, " replied Jennet, with affected simplicity. 

"Then get whoam at once, and keep there, " rejoined Elizabeth, furiously. 

"Nay, eyst nah go just yet, " replied Jennet. "Ey'd fain be a witch asweel as yo. "

"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed the voice from below. 

"Nah, nah--ey forbid it, " shrieked Elizabeth, "ye shanna be bapteesed. Whoy ha ye brought her here, madam?" she added to Mistress Nutter. "Yoha' stolen her fro' me. Boh ey protest agen it. "

"Your consent is not required, " replied Mistress Nutter, waving her off. "Your daughter is anxious to become a witch. That is enough. "

"She is not owd enough to act for herself, " said Elizabeth. 

"Age matters not, " replied Mistress Nutter. 

"What mun ey do to become a witch?" asked Jennet. 

"You must renounce all hopes of heaven, " replied Mistress Nutter, "anddevote yourself to Satan. You will then be baptised in his name, andbecome one of his worshippers. You will have power to afflict allpersons with bodily ailments--to destroy cattle--blight corn--burndwellings--and, if you be so minded, kill those you hate, or who molestyou. Do you desire to do all this?"

"Eigh, that ey do, " replied Jennet. "Ey ha' more pleasure in evil thanin good, an wad rayther see folk weep than laugh; an if ey had thepower, ey wad so punish them os jeer at me, that they should rue it totheir deein' day. "

"All this you shall do, and more, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. "Yourenounce all hopes of salvation, then, and devote yourself, soul andbody, to the Powers of Darkness. "

Elizabeth, who was still kept at bay by Tib, shaking her arms, andgnashing her teeth, in impotent rage, now groaned aloud; but ere Jennetcould answer, a piercing cry was heard, which thrilled through MistressNutter's bosom, and Alizon, rushing from her place of concealment, passed through the weird circle, and stood beside the group in the midstof it. 

"Forbear, Jennet, " she cried; "forbear! Pronounce not those impiouswords, or you are lost for ever. Come with me, and I will save you. "

"Sister Alizon, " cried Jennet, staring at her in surprise, "what makesyou here?"

"Do not ask--but come, " cried Alizon, trying to take her hand. 

"Oh! what is this?" cried Mistress Nutter, now partly recovered from theconsternation and astonishment into which she had been thrown byAlizon's unexpected appearance. "Why are you here? How have you brokenthe chains of slumber in which I bound you? Fly--fly--at once, this girlis past your help. You cannot save her. She is already devoted. Fly. Iam powerless to protect you here. "

"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed the voice. 

"Do you not hear that laughter?" cried Mistress Nutter, with a haggardlook. "Go!"

"Never, without Jennet, " replied Alizon, firmly. 

"My child--my child--on my knees I implore you to depart, " criedMistress Nutter, throwing herself before her--"You know not yourdanger--oh, fly--fly!"

But Alizon continued inflexible. 

"Yo are caught i' your own snare, madam, " cried Elizabeth Device, with ataunting laugh. "Sin Jennet mun be a witch, Alizon con be bapteesed osweel. Your consent is not required--and age matters not--ha! ha!"

"Curses upon thy malice, " cried Mistress Nutter, rising. "What can bedone in this extremity?"

"Nothing, " replied the voice. "Jennet is mine already. If not broughthither by thee, or by her mother, she would have come of her own accord. I have watched her, and marked her for my own. Besides, she is fated. The curse of Paslew clings to her. "

As the words were uttered, the shade of the abbot glided forwards, and, touching the shuddering child upon the brow with its finger, vanishedwith a lamentable cry. 

"Kneel, Jennet, " cried Alizon; "kneel, and pray!"

"To me, " rejoined the voice; "she can bend to no other power. AliceNutter, thou hast sought to deceive me, but in vain. I bade thee bringthy daughter here, and in place of her thou offerest me the child ofanother, who is mine already. I am not to be thus trifled with. Thouknowest my will. Sprinkle water over her head, and devote her to me. "

Alizon would fain have thrown herself on her knees, but extremity ofhorror, or some overmastering influence, held her fast; and she remainedwith her gaze fixed upon her mother, who seemed torn by conflictingemotions. 

"Is there no way to avoid this?" cried Mistress Nutter. 

"No way but one, " replied the voice. "I have been offered a new devotee, and I claim fulfilment of the promise. Thy daughter or another, itmatters not--but not Jennet. "

"I embrace the alternative, " cried Mistress Nutter. 

"It must be done upon the instant, " said the voice. 

"It shall be, " replied Mistress Nutter. And, stretching her arm in thedirection of the mansion, she called in a loud imperious voice, "DorothyAssheton, come hither!"

A minute elapsed, but no one appeared, and, with a look ofdisappointment, Mistress Nutter repeated the gesture and the words. 

Still no one came. 

"Baffled!" she exclaimed, "what can it mean?"

"There is a maiden within the south transept, who is not one of myservants, " cried the voice. "Call her. "

"'Tis she!" cried Mistress Nutter, stretching her arm towards thetransept. "This time I am answered, " she added, as with a wild laughDorothy obeyed the summons. 

"I have anointed myself with the unguent, and drank of the potion, ha!ha! ha!" cried Dorothy, with a wild gesture, and wilder laughter. 

"Ha! this accounts for her presence here, " muttered Mistress Nutter. "But it could not be better. She is in no mood to offer resistance. Dorothy, thou shalt be a witch. "

"A witch!" exclaimed the bewildered maiden. "Is Alizon a witch?"

"We are all witches here, " replied Mistress Nutter. 

Alizon had no power to contradict her. 

"A merry company!" exclaimed Dorothy, laughing loudly. 

"You will say so anon, " replied Mistress Nutter, waving her hand overher, and muttering a spell; "but you see them not in their true forms, Dorothy. Look again--what do you behold now?"

"In place of a troop of old wrinkled crones in wretched habiliments, "replied Dorothy, "I behold a band of lovely nymphs in light gauzyattire, wreathed with flowers, and holding myrtle and olive branches intheir hands. See they rise, and prepare for the dance. Strains ofravishing music salute the ear. I never heard sounds so sweet andstirring. The round is formed. The dance begins. How gracefully--howlightly they move--ha! ha!"

Alizon could not check her--could not undeceive her--for power of speechas of movement was denied her, but she comprehended the strange delusionunder which the poor girl laboured. The figures Dorothy described asyoung and lovely, were still to her the same loathsome and abhorrentwitches; the ravishing music jarred discordantly on her ear, as ifproduced by a shrill cornemuse; and the lightsome dance was a fantasticround, performed with shouts and laughter by the whole unhallowed crew. 

Jennet laughed immoderately, and seemed delighted by the antics of thetroop. 

"Ey never wished to dance efore, " she cried, "boh ey should like to trynow. "

"Join them, then, " said Mistress Nutter. 

And to the little girl's infinite delight a place was made for her inthe round, and, taking hands with Mother Mould-heels and the red-hairedwitch, she footed it as merrily as the rest. 

"Who is she in the nunlike habit?" inquired Dorothy, pointing to theshade of Isole de Heton, which still hovered near the weird assemblage. "She seems more beautiful than all the others. Will she not dance withme?"

"Heed her not, " said Mistress Nutter. 

Dorothy, however, would not be gainsaid, but, spite of the caution, beckoned the figure towards her. It came at once, and in another instantits arms were enlaced around her. The same frenzy that had seizedNicholas now took possession of Dorothy, and her dance with Isole mighthave come to a similar conclusion, if it had not been abruptly checkedby Mistress Nutter, who, waving her hand, and pronouncing a spell, thefigure instantly quitted Dorothy, and, with a wild shriek, fled. 

"How like you these diversions?" said Mistress Nutter to the panting andalmost breathless maiden. 

"Marvellously, " replied Dorothy; "but why have you scared my partneraway?"

"Because she would have done you a mischief, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. "But now let me put a question to you. Are you willing to renounce yourbaptism, and enter into a covenant with the Prince of Darkness?"

Dorothy did not seem in the least to comprehend what was said to her;but she nevertheless replied, "I am. "

"Bring water and salt, " said Mistress Nutter to Mother Chattox. "Bythese drops I baptise you, " she added, dipping her fingers in theliquid, and preparing to sprinkle it over the brow of the proselyte. 

Then it was that Alizon, by an almost superhuman effort, burst thespell that bound her, and clasped Dorothy in her arms. 

"You know not what you do, dear Dorothy, " she cried. "I answer for you. You will not yield to the snares and temptations of Satan, howeversubtly devised. You defy him and all his works. You will make nocovenant with him. Though surrounded by his bond-slaves, you fear himnot. Is it not so? Speak!"

But Dorothy could only answer with an insane laugh--"I will be a witch. "

"It is too late, " interposed Mistress Nutter. "You cannot save her. And, remember! she stands in your place. Or you or she must be devoted. "

"I will never desert her, " cried Alizon, twining her arms round her. "Dorothy--dear Dorothy--address yourself to Heaven. "

An angry growl of thunder was heard. 

"Beware!" cried Mistress Nutter. 

"I am not to be discouraged, " rejoined Alizon, firmly. "You cannot gaina victory over a soul in this condition, and I shall effect herdeliverance. Heaven will aid us, Dorothy. "

A louder roll of thunder was heard, followed by a forked flash oflightning. 

"Provoke not the vengeance of the Prince of Darkness, " said MistressNutter. 

"I have no fear, " replied Alizon. "Cling to me, Dorothy. No harm shallbefall you. "

"Be speedy!" cried the voice. 

"Let her go, " cried Mistress Nutter to Alizon, "or you will rue thisdisobedience. Why should you interfere with my projects, and bring ruinon yourself! I would save you. What, still obstinate? Nay, then, I willno longer show forbearance. Help me, sisters. Force the new witch fromher. But beware how you harm my child. "

At these words the troop gathered round the two girls. But Alizon onlyclasped her hands more tightly round Dorothy; while the latter, on whosebrain the maddening potion still worked, laughed frantically at them. Itwas at this moment that Elizabeth Device, who had conceived a project ofrevenge, put it into execution. While near Dorothy, she stamped, spat onthe ground, and then cast a little mould over her, breathing in her ear, "Thou art bewitched--bewitched by Alizon Device. "

Dorothy instantly struggled to free herself from Alizon. 

"Oh! do not you strive against me, dear Dorothy, " cried Alizon. "Remainwith me, or you are lost. "

"Hence! off! set me free!" shrieked Dorothy; "you have bewitched me. Iheard it this moment. "

"Do not believe the false suggestion, " cried Alizon. 

"It is true, " exclaimed all the other witches together. "Alizon hasbewitched you, and will kill you. Shake her off--shake her off!"

"Away!" cried Dorothy, mustering all her force. "Away!"

But Alizon was still too strong for her, and, in spite of her efforts atliberation, detained her. 

"My patience is wellnigh exhausted, " exclaimed the voice. 

"Alizon!" cried Mistress Nutter, imploringly. 

And again the witches gathered furiously round the two girls. 

"Kneel, Dorothy, kneel!" whispered Alizon. And forcing her down, shefell on her knees beside her, exclaiming, with uplifted hands, "Graciousheaven! deliver us. "

As the words were uttered, a fearful cry was heard, and the weird troopfled away screaming, like ill-omened birds. The caldron sank into theground; the dense mist arose like a curtain; and the moon and starsshone brightly down upon the ruined pile. 

Alizon prayed long and fervently, with clasped hands and closed eyes, for deliverance from evil. When she looked round again, all was so calm, so beautiful, so holy in its rest, that she could scarcely believe inthe recent fearful occurrences. Her hair and garments were damp with thedews of night; and at her feet lay Dorothy, insensible. 

She tried to raise her--to revive her, but in vain; when at this momentfootsteps were heard approaching, and the next moment Mistress Nutter, accompanied by Adam Whitworth and some other serving-men, entered thechoir. 

"I see them--they are here!" cried the lady, rushing forward. 

"Heaven be praised you have found them, madam!" exclaimed the oldsteward, coming quickly after her. 

"Oh! what an alarm you have given me, Alizon, " said Mistress Nutter. "What could induce you to go forth secretly at night in this way withDorothy! I dreamed you were here, and missing you when I awoke, rousedthe house and came in search of you. What is the matter with Dorothy?She has been frightened, I suppose. I will give her to breathe at thisphial. It will revive her. See, she opens her eyes. "

Dorothy looked round wildly for a moment, and then pointing her fingerat Alizon, said--

"She has bewitched me. "

"Poor thing! she rambles, " observed Mistress Nutter to Adam Whitworth, who, with the other serving-men, stared aghast at the accusation; "shehas been scared out of her senses by some fearful sight. Let her beconveyed quickly to my chamber, and I will see her cared for. "

The orders were obeyed. Dorothy was raised gently by the serving-men, but she still kept pointing to Alizon, and repeatedly exclaimed--

"She has bewitched me!"

The serving-men shook their heads, and looked significantly at eachother, while Mistress Nutter lingered to speak to her daughter. 

"You look greatly disturbed, Alizon, as if you had been visited by anightmare in your sleep, and were still under its influence. "

Alizon made no reply. 

"A few hours' tranquil sleep will restore you, " pursued Mistress Nutter, "and you will forget your fears. You must not indulge in these nocturnalrambles again, or they may be attended with dangerous consequences. Imay not have a second warning dream. Come to the house. "

And, as Alizon followed her along the garden path, she could not helpasking herself, though with little hope in the question, if all she hadwitnessed was indeed nothing more than a troubled dream. 

END OF THE FIRST BOOK. 

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 

BOOK THE SECOND. 

Pendle Forest. 

CHAPTER I. --FLINT. 

A lovely morning succeeded the strange and terrible night. Brightlyshone the sun upon the fair Calder as it winded along the green meadsabove the bridge, as it rushed rejoicingly over the weir, and pursuedits rapid course through the broad plain below the Abbey. A few whitevapours hung upon the summit of Whalley Nab, but the warm rays tingingthem with gold, and tipping with fire the tree-tops that pierced throughthem, augured their speedy dispersion. So beautiful, so tranquil, lookedthe old monastic fane, that none would have deemed its midnight rest hadbeen broken by the impious rites of a foul troop. The choir, where theunearthly scream and the demon laughter had resounded, was now vocalwith the melodies of the blackbird, the thrush, and other songsters ofthe grove. Bells of dew glittered upon the bushes rooted in the walls, and upon the ivy-grown pillars; and gemming the countless spiders' websstretched from bough to bough, showed they were all unbroken. No traceswere visible on the sod where the unhallowed crew had danced theirround; nor were any ashes left where the fire had burnt and the caldronhad bubbled. The brass-covered tombs of the abbots in the presbyterylooked as if a century had passed over them without disturbance; whilethe graves in the cloister cemetery, obliterated, and only to bedetected when a broken coffin or a mouldering bone was turned up by thetiller of the ground, preserved their wonted appearance. The face ofnature had received neither impress nor injury from the fantastic freaksand necromantic exhibitions of the witches. Every thing looked as it wasleft overnight; and the only footprints to be detected were those of thetwo girls, and of the party who came in quest of them. All else hadpassed by like a vision or a dream. The rooks cawed loudly in theneighbouring trees, as if discussing the question of breakfast, and thejackdaws wheeled merrily round the tall spire, which sprang from theeastern end of the fane. 

Brightly shone the sun upon the noble timber embowering the mansion ofthe Asshetons; upon the ancient gateway, in the upper chamber of whichNed Huddlestone, the porter, and the burly representative of Friar Tuck, was rubbing his sleepy eyes, preparatory to habiting himself in hisordinary attire; and upon the wide court-yard, across which Nicholas waswalking in the direction of the stables. Notwithstanding his excessesovernight, the squire was astir, as he had declared he should be, beforedaybreak; and a plunge into the Calder had cooled his feverish limbs andcured his racking headache, while a draught of ale set his stomachright. Still, in modern parlance, he looked rather "seedy, " and hisrecollection of the events of the previous night was somewhat confused. Aware he had committed many fooleries, he did not desire to investigatematters too closely, and only hoped he should not be reminded of them bySir Ralph, or worse still, by Parson Dewhurst. As to his poor, dear, uncomplaining wife, he never once troubled his head about her, feelingquite sure she would not upbraid him. On his appearance in thecourt-yard, the two noble blood-hounds and several lesser dogs cameforward to greet him, and, attended by this noisy pack, he marched up toa groom, who was rubbing down his horse at the stable-door. 

"Poor Robin, " he cried to the steed, who neighed at his approach. "PoorRobin, " he said, patting his neck affectionately, "there is not thymatch for speed or endurance, for fence or ditch, for beck or stonewall, in the country. Half an hour on thy back will make all right withme; but I would rather take thee to Bowland Forest, and hunt the stagthere, than go and perambulate the boundaries of the Rough Lee estateswith a rascally attorney. I wonder how the fellow will be mounted. "

"If yo be speering about Mester Potts, squoire, " observed the groom, "eycon tell ye. He's to ha' little Flint, the Welsh pony. "

"Why, zounds, you don't say, Peter!" exclaimed Nicholas, laughing;"he'll never be able to manage him. Flint's the wickedest and mostwilful little brute I ever knew. We shall have Master Potts run awaywith, or thrown into a moss-pit. Better give him something quieter. "

"It's Sir Roaph's orders, " replied Peter, "an ey darna disobey 'em. BohFlint's far steadier than when yo seed him last, squoire. Ey dar sayhe'll carry Mester Potts weel enough, if he dusna mislest him. "

"You think nothing of the sort, Peter, " said Nicholas. "You expect tosee the little gentleman fly over the pony's head, and perhaps break hisown at starting. But if Sir Ralph has ordered it, he must abide by theconsequences. I sha'n't interfere further. How goes on the young coltyou were breaking in? You should take care to show him the saddle in themanger, let him smell it, and jingle the stirrups in his ears, beforeyou put it on his back. Better ground for his first lessons could not bedesired than the field below the grange, near the Calder. Sir Ralph wassaying yesterday, that the roan mare had pricked her foot. You must washthe sore well with white wine and salt, rub it with the ointment thefarriers call ægyptiacum, and then put upon it a hot plaster compoundedof flax hards, turpentine, oil and wax, bathing the top of the hoof withbole armeniac and vinegar. This is the best and quickest remedy. Andrecollect, Peter, that for a new strain, vinegar, bole armeniac, whitesof eggs, and bean-flour, make the best salve. How goes on Sir Ralph'sblack charger, Dragon? A brave horse that, Peter, and the only one inyour master's whole stud to compare with my Robin! But Dragon, though ofhigh courage and great swiftness, has not the strength and endurance ofRobin--neither can he leap so well. Why, Robin would almost clear theCalder, Peter, and makes nothing of Smithies Brook, near Downham, andyou know how wide that stream is. I once tried him at the Ribble, at anarrow point, and if horse could have done it, he would--but it was toomuch to expect. "

"A great deal, ey should say, squoire, " replied the groom, opening hiseyes to their widest extent. "Whoy, th' Ribble, where yo speak on, munbe twenty yards across, if it be an inch; and no nag os ever wur bredcould clear that, onless a witch wur on his back. "

"Don't allude to witches, Peter, " said Nicholas. "I've had enough ofthem. But to come back to our steeds. Colour is matter of taste, and aman must please his own eye with bay or grey, chestnut, sorrel, orblack; but dun is my fancy. A good horse, Peter, should be clean-limbed, short-jointed, strong-hoofed, out-ribbed, broad-chested, deep-necked, loose-throttled, thin-crested, lean-headed, full-eyed, with widenostrils. A horse with half these points would not be wrong, and Robinhas them all. "

"So he has, sure enough, squoire, " replied Peter, regarding the animalwith an approving eye, as Nicholas enumerated his merits. "Boh, if eymight choose betwixt him an yunk Mester Ruchot Assheton's grey gelding, Merlin, ey knoas which ey'd tak. "

"Robin, of course, " said Nicholas. 

"Nah, squoire, it should be t'other, " replied the groom. 

"You're no judge of a horse, Peter, " rejoined Nicholas, shrugging hisshoulders. 

"May be not, " said the groom, "boh ey'm bound to speak truth. An see!Tum Lomax is bringin' out Merlin. We con put th' two nags soide bysoide, if yo choose. "

"They shall be put side by side in the field, Peter--that's the way totest their respective merit, " returned Nicholas, "and they won't remainlong together, I'll warrant you. I offered to make a match for twentypieces with Master Richard, but he declined the offer. Harkee, Peter, break an egg in Robin's mouth before you put on his bridle. Itstrengthens the wind, and adds to a horse's power of endurance. Youunderstand?"

"Parfitly, squoire, " replied the groom. "By th' mess! that's a secretworth knoain'. Onny more orders?"

"No, " replied Nicholas. "We shall set out in an hour--or it may besooner. "

"Aw shan be ready, " said Peter. And he added to himself, as Nicholasmoved away, "Ey'st tak care Tum Lomax gies an egg to Merlin, an that'llmay aw fair, if they chance to try their osses' mettle. "

As Nicholas returned to the house, he perceived to his dismay Sir Ralphand Parson Dewhurst standing upon the steps; and convinced, from theirgrave looks, that they were prepared to lecture him, he endeavoured tonerve himself for the infliction. 

"Two to one are awkward odds, " said the squire to himself, "especiallywhen they have the 'vantage ground. But I must face them, and make thebest fight circumstances will allow. I shall never be able to explainthat mad dance with Isole de Heton. No one but Dick will believe me, andthe chances are he will not support my story. But I must put on an airof penitence, and sooth to say, in my present state, it is not verydifficult to assume. "

Thus pondering, with slow step, affectedly humble demeanour, andsurprisingly-lengthened visage, he approached the pair who were waitingfor him, and regarding him with severe looks. 

Thinking it the best plan to open the fire himself, Nicholas salutedthem, and said--

"Give you good-day, Sir Ralph, and you too, worthy Master Dewhurst. Iscarcely expected to see you so early astir, good sirs; but the morningis too beautiful to allow us to be sluggards. For my own part I havebeen awake for hours, and have passed the time wholly in self-reproachesfor my folly and sinfulness last night, as well as in formingresolutions for self-amendment, and better governance in future. "

"I hope you will adhere to those resolutions, then, Nicholas, " rejoinedSir Ralph, sternly; "for change of conduct is absolutely necessary, ifyou would maintain your character as a gentleman. I can make allowancefor high animal spirits, and can excuse some licence, though I do notapprove of it; But I will not permit decorum to be outraged in my house, and suffer so ill an example to be set to my tenantry. "

"Fortunately I was not present at the exhibition, " said Dewhurst; "but Iam told you conducted yourself like one possessed, and committed suchfreaks as are rarely, if ever, acted by a rational being. "

"I can offer no defence, worthy sir, and you my respected relative, "returned Nicholas, with a contrite air; "neither can you reprove memore strongly than I deserve, nor than I upbraid myself. I allowedmyself to be overcome by wine, and in that condition was undoubtedlyguilty of follies I must ever regret. "

"Amongst others, I believe you stood upon your head, " remarked Dewhurst. 

"I am not aware of the circumstance, reverend sir, " replied Nicholas, with difficulty repressing a smile; "but as I certainly lost my head, Imay have stood upon it unconsciously. But I do recollect enough to makeme heartily ashamed of myself, and determine to avoid all such excessesin future. "

"In that case, sir, " rejoined Dewhurst, "the occurrences of last night, though sufficiently discreditable to you, will not be without profit;for I have observed to my infinite regret, that you are apt to indulgein immoderate potations, and when under their influence to lose duecommand of yourself, and commit follies which your sober reason mustcondemn. At such times I scarcely recognise you. You speak withunbecoming levity, and even allow oaths to escape your lips. "

"It is too true, reverend sir, " said Nicholas; "but, zounds!--a plagueupon my tongue--it is an unruly member. Forgive me, good sir, but mybrain is a little confused. "

"I do not wonder, from the grievous assaults made upon it last night, Nicholas, " observed Sir Ralph. "Perhaps you are not aware that yourcrowning act was whisking wildly round the room by yourself, like afrantic dervish. "

"I was dancing with Isole de Heton, " said Nicholas. 

"With whom?" inquired Dewhurst, in surprise. 

"With a wicked votaress, who has been dead nearly a couple ofcenturies, " interposed Sir Ralph; "and who, by her sinful life, meritedthe punishment she is said to have incurred. This delusion shows howdreadfully intoxicated you were, Nicholas. For the time you had quitelost your reason. "

"I am sober enough now, at all events, " rejoined Nicholas; "and I amconvinced that Isole did dance with me, nor will any arguments reason meout of that belief. "

"I am sorry to hear you say so, Nicholas, " returned Sir Ralph. "That youwere under the impression at the time I can easily understand; but thatyou should persist in such a senseless and wicked notion is more than Ican comprehend. "

"I saw her with my own eyes as plainly as I see you, Sir Ralph, " repliedNicholas, warmly; "that I declare upon my honour and conscience, and Ialso felt the pressure of her arms. Whether it may not have been theFiend in her likeness I will not take upon me to declare--and indeed Ihave some misgivings on the subject; but that a beautiful creature, exactly resembling the votaress, danced with me, I will ever maintain. "

"If so, she was invisible to others, for I beheld her not, " said SirRalph; "and, though I cannot yield credence to your explanation, yet, granting it to be correct, I do not see how it mends your case. "

"On the contrary, it only proves that Master Nicholas yielded to thesnares of Satan, " said Dewhurst, shaking his head. "I would recommendyou long fasting and frequent prayer, my good sir, and I shall prepare alecture for your special edification, which I will propound to you onyour return to Downham, and, if it fails in effect, I will perseverewith other godly discourses. "

"With your aid, I trust to be set free, reverend sir, " returnedNicholas; "but, as I have already passed two or three hours in prayer, Ihope they may stand me in lieu of any present fasting, and induce you toomit the article of penance, or postpone it to some future occasion, when I may be better able to perform it; for I am just now particularlyhungry, and am always better able to resist temptation with a fullstomach than an empty one. As I find it displeasing to Sir Ralph, I willnot insist upon my visionary partner in the dance, at least until I ambetter able to substantiate the fact; and I shall listen to yourlectures, worthy sir, with great delight, and, I doubt not, with equalbenefit; but in the meantime, as carnal wants must be supplied, andmundane matters attended to, I propose, with our excellent host'spermission, that we proceed to breakfast. "

Sir Ralph made no answer, but ascended the steps, and was followed byDewhurst, heaving a deep sigh, and turning up the whites of his eyes, and by Nicholas, who felt his bosom eased of half its load, and secretlycongratulated himself upon getting out of the scrape so easily. 

In the hall they found Richard Assheton habited in a riding-dress, booted, spurred, and in all respects prepared for the expedition. Therewere such evident traces of anxiety and suffering about him, that SirRalph questioned him as to the cause, and Richard replied that he hadpassed a most restless night. He did not add, that he had been madeacquainted by Adam Whitworth with the midnight visit of the two girls tothe conventual church, because he was well aware Sir Ralph would begreatly displeased by the circumstance, and because Mistress Nutter hadexpressed a wish that it should be kept secret. Sir Ralph, however, sawthere was more upon his young relative's mind than he chose to confess, but he did not urge any further admission into his confidence. 

Meantime, the party had been increased by the arrival of Master Potts, who was likewise equipped for the ride. The hour was too early, it mightbe, for him, or he had not rested well like Richard, or had beentroubled with bad dreams, but certainly he did not look very well, or invery good-humour. He had slept at the Abbey, having been accommodatedwith a bed after the sudden seizure which he attributed to theinstrumentality of Mistress Nutter. The little attorney bowedobsequiously to Sir Ralph, who returned his salutation very stiffly, nor was he much better received by the rest of the company. 

At a sign from Sir Ralph, his guests then knelt down, and a prayer wasuttered by the divine--or rather a discourse, for it partook more of thelatter character than the former. In the course of it he took occasionto paint in strong colours the terrible consequences of intemperance, and Nicholas was obliged to endure a well-merited lecture of half anhour's duration. But even Parson Dewhurst could not hold out for ever, and, to the relief of all his hearers, he at length brought thisdiscourse to a close. 

Breakfast at this period was a much more substantial affair than amodern morning repast, and differed little from dinner or supper, exceptin respect to quantity. On the present occasion, there were carbonadoesof fish and fowl, a cold chine, a huge pasty, a capon, neat's tongues, sausages, botargos, and other matters as provocative of thirst assufficing to the appetite. Nicholas set to work bravely. Broiled trout, steaks, and a huge slice of venison pasty, disappeared quickly beforehim, and he was not quite so sparing of the ale as seemed consistentwith his previously-expressed resolutions of temperance. In vain ParsonDewhurst filled a goblet with water, and looked significantly at him. Hewould not take the hint, and turned a deaf ear to the admonitory coughof Sir Ralph. He had little help from the others, for Richard atesparingly, and Master Potts made a very poor figure beside him. Atlength, having cleared his plate, emptied his cup, and wiped his lips, the squire arose, and said he must bid adieu to his wife, and shouldthen be ready to attend them. 

While he quitted the hall for this purpose, Mistress Nutter entered it. She looked paler than ever, and her eyes seemed larger, darker, andbrighter. Nicholas shuddered slightly as she approached, and even Pottsfelt a thrill of apprehension pass through his frame. He scarcely, indeed, ventured a look at her, for he dreaded her mysterious power, andfeared she could fathom the designs he secretly entertained against her. But she took no notice whatever of him. Acknowledging Sir Ralph'ssalutation, she motioned Richard to follow her to the further end of theroom. 

"Your sister is very ill, Richard, " she said, as the young man attendedher, "feverish, and almost light-headed. Adam Whitworth has told you, Iknow, that she was imprudent enough, in company with Alizon, to visitthe ruins of the conventual church late last night, and she theresustained some fright, which has produced a great shock upon her system. When found, she was fainting, and though I have taken every care of her, she still continues much excited, and rambles strangely. You will besurprised as well as grieved when I tell you, that she charges Alizonwith having bewitched her. "

"How, madam!" cried Richard. "Alizon bewitch her! It is impossible. "

"You are right, Richard, " replied Mistress Nutter; "the thing isimpossible; but the accusation will find easy credence among thesuperstitious household here, and may be highly prejudicial, if notfatal to poor Alizon. It is most unlucky she should have gone out inthis way, for the circumstance cannot be explained, and in itself servesto throw suspicion upon her. "

"I must see Dorothy before I go, " said Richard; "perhaps I may be ableto soothe her. "

"It was for that end I came hither, " replied Mistress Nutter; "but Ithought it well you should be prepared. Now come with me. "

Upon this they left the hall together, and proceeded to the abbot'schamber, where Dorothy was lodged. Richard was greatly shocked at thesight of his sister, so utterly changed was she from the blithe being ofyesterday--then so full of health and happiness. Her cheeks burnt withfever, her eyes were unnaturally bright, and her fair hair hung abouther face in disorder. She kept fast hold of Alizon, who stood besideher. 

"Ah, Richard!" she cried on seeing him, "I am glad you are come. Youwill persuade this girl to restore me to reason--to free me from theterrors that beset me. She can do so if she will. "

"Calm yourself, dear sister, " said Richard, gently endeavouring to freeAlizon from her grasp. 

"No, do not take her from me, " said Dorothy, wildly; "I am better whenshe is near me--much better. My brow does not throb so violently, and mylimbs are not twisted so painfully. Do you know what ails me, Richard?"

"You have caught cold from wandering out indiscreetly last night, " saidRichard. 

"I am bewitched!" rejoined Dorothy, in tones that pierced her brother'sbrain--"bewitched by Alizon Device--by your love--ha! ha! She wishes tokill me, Richard, because she thinks I am in her way. But you will notlet her do it. "

"You are mistaken, dear Dorothy. She means you no harm, " said Richard. 

"Heaven knows how much I grieve for her, and how fondly I love her!"exclaimed Alizon, tearfully. 

"It is false!" cried Dorothy. "She will tell a different tale when youare gone. She is a witch, and you shall never marry her, Richard--never!--never!"

Mistress Nutter, who stood at a little distance, anxiously observingwhat was passing, waved her hand several times towards the sufferer, butwithout effect. 

"I have no influence over her, " she muttered. "She is really bewitched. I must find other means to quieten her. "

Though both greatly distressed, Alizon and Richard redoubled theirattentions to the poor sufferer. For a few moments she remained quiet, but with her eyes constantly fixed on Alizon, and then said, quicklyand fiercely, "I have been told, if you scratch one who has bewitchedyou till you draw blood, you will be cured. I will plunge my nails inher flesh. "

"I will not oppose you, " replied Alizon, gently; "tear my flesh if youwill. You should have my life's blood if it would cure you; but if thesuccess of the experiment depends on my having bewitched you, it willassuredly fail. "

"This is dreadful, " interposed Richard. "Leave her, Alizon, I entreat ofyou. She will do you an injury. "

"I care not, " replied the young maid. "I will stay by her till shevoluntarily releases me. "

The almost tigress fury with which Dorothy had seized upon theunresisting girl here suddenly deserted her, and, sobbing hysterically, she fell upon her neck. Oh, with what delight Alizon pressed her to herbosom!

"Dorothy, dear Dorothy!" she cried. 

"Alizon, dear Alizon!" responded Dorothy. "Oh! how could I suspect youof any ill design against me!"

"She is no witch, dear sister, be assured of that!" said Richard. 

"Oh, no--no--no! I am quite sure she is not, " cried Dorothy, kissing heraffectionately. 

This change had been wrought by the low-breathed spells of MistressNutter. 

"The access is over, " she mentally ejaculated; "but I must get him awaybefore the fit returns. " "You had better go now, Richard, " she addedaloud, and touching his arm, "I will answer for your sister'srestoration. An opiate will produce sleep, and if possible, she shallreturn to Middleton to-day. "

"If I go, Alizon must go with me, " said Dorothy. "Well, well, I will notthwart your desires, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. And she made a sign toRichard to depart. 

The young man pressed his sister's hand, bade a tender farewell toAlizon, and, infinitely relieved by the improvement which had takenplace in the former, and which he firmly believed would speedily lead toher entire restoration, descended to the entrance-hall, where he foundSir Ralph and Parson Dewhurst, who told him that Nicholas and Potts werein the court-yard, and impatient to set out. 

Shouts of laughter saluted the ears of the trio as they descended thesteps. The cause of the merriment was speedily explained when theylooked towards the stables, and beheld Potts struggling for mastery witha stout Welsh pony, who showed every disposition, by plunging, kicking, and rearing, to remove him from his seat, though without success, forthe attorney was not quite such a contemptible horseman as might beimagined. A wicked-looking little fellow was Flint, with a rough, rusty-black coat, a thick tail that swept the ground, a mane to match, and an eye of mixed fire and cunning. When brought forth he had allowedPotts to mount him quietly enough; but no sooner was the attorneycomfortably in possession, than he was served with a notice ofejectment. Down went Flint's head and up went his heels; while on thenext instant he was rearing aloft, with his fore-feet beating the air, so nearly perpendicular, that the chances seemed in favour of his comingdown on his back. Then he whirled suddenly round, shook himselfviolently, threatened to roll over, and performed antics of the mostextraordinary kind, to the dismay of his rider, but to the infiniteamusement of the spectators, who were ready to split their sides withlaughter--indeed, tears fairly streamed down the squire's cheeks. However, when Sir Ralph appeared, it was thought desirable to put an endto the fun; and Peter, the groom, advanced to seize the restive littleanimal's bridle, but, eluding the grasp, Flint started off at fullgallop, and, accompanied by the two blood-hounds, careered round thecourt-yard, as if running in a ring. Vainly did poor Potts tug at thebridle. Flint, having the bit firmly between his teeth, defied hisutmost efforts. Away he went with the hounds at his heels, as if, saidNicholas, "the devil were behind him. " Though annoyed and angry, SirRalph could not help laughing at the ridiculous scene, and even a smilecrossed Parson Dewhurst's grave countenance as Flint and his riderscampered madly past them. Sir Ralph called to the grooms, and attemptswere instantly made to check the furious pony's career; but he baffledthem all, swerving suddenly round when an endeavour was made tointercept him, leaping over any trifling obstacle, and occasionallycharging any one who stood in his path. What with the grooms runninghither and thither, vociferating and swearing, the barking and springingof the hounds, the yelping of lesser dogs, and the screaming of poultry, the whole yard was in a state of uproar and confusion. 

"Flint mun be possessed, " cried Peter. "Ey never seed him go on i' thisway efore. Ey noticed Elizabeth Device near th' stables last neet, an eyshouldna wonder if hoo ha' bewitched him. "

"Neaw doubt on't, " replied another groom. "Howsomever we mun contrive toketch him, or Sir Roaph win send us aw abowt our business. 

"Ey wish yo'd contrive to do it, then, Tum Lomax, " replied Peter, "fo'ey'm fairly blowd. Dang me, if ey ever seed sich hey-go-mad wark i' myborn days. What's to be done, squoire?" he added to Nicholas. 

"The devil only knows, " replied the latter; "but it seems we must waittill the little rascal chooses to stop. "

This occurred sooner than was expected. Thinking, possibly, that he haddone enough to induce Master Potts to give up all idea of riding him, Flint suddenly slackened his pace, and trotted, as if nothing hadhappened, to the stable-door; but if he had formed any such notion asthe above, he was deceived, for the attorney, who was quite as obstinateand wilful as himself, and who through all his perils had managed tomaintain his seat, was resolved not to abandon it, and positivelyrefused to dismount when urged to do so by Nicholas and the grooms. 

"He will go quietly enough now, I dare say, " observed Potts, "and ifnot, and you will lend me a hunting-whip, I will undertake to cure himof his tricks. "

Flint seemed to understand what was said, for he laid back his ears asif meditating more mischief; but being surrounded by the grooms, hedeemed it advisable to postpone the attempt to a more convenientopportunity. In compliance with his request, a heavy hunting-whip washanded to Potts, and, armed with this formidable weapon, the littleattorney quite longed for an opportunity of effacing his disgrace. Meanwhile, Sir Ralph had come up and ordered a steady horse out for him;but Master Potts adhered to his resolution, and Flint remainingperfectly quiet, the baronet let him have his own way. 

Soon after this, Nicholas and Richard having mounted their steeds, theparty set forth. As they were passing through the gateway, which hadbeen thrown wide open by Ned Huddlestone, they were joined by SimonSparshot, who had been engaged by Potts to attend him on the expeditionin his capacity of constable. Simon was mounted on a mule, and broughtword that Master Roger Nowell begged they would ride round by Read Hall, where he would be ready to accompany them, as he wished to be present atthe perambulation of the boundaries. Assenting to the arrangement, theparty set forth in that direction, Richard and Nicholas riding a littlein advance of the others. 

CHAPTER II. --READ HALL. 

The road taken by the party on quitting Whalley led up the side of ahill, which, broken into picturesque inequalities, and partially clothedwith trees, sloped down to the very brink of the Calder. Winding roundthe broad green plain, heretofore described, with the lovely knoll inthe midst of it, and which formed, with the woody hills encircling it, aperfect amphitheatre, the river was ever an object of beauty--sometimeslost beneath over-hanging boughs or high banks, anon bursting forthwhere least expected, now rushing swiftly over its shallow and rockybed, now subsiding into a smooth full current. The Abbey and the villagewere screened from view by the lower part of the hill which the horsemenwere scaling; but the old bridge and a few cottages at the foot ofWhalley Nab, with their thin blue smoke mounting into the pure morningair, gave life and interest to the picture. Hence, from base to summit, Whalley Nab stood revealed, and the verdant lawns opening out amidst thewoods feathering its heights, were fully discernible. Placed by Natureas the guardian of this fair valley, the lofty eminence well became thepost assigned to it. None of the belt of hills connected with it were sowell wooded as their leader, nor so beautiful in form; while some ofthem were overtopped by the bleak fells of Longridge, rising at adistance behind them. 

Nor were those exquisite contrasts wanting, which are only to be seen infull perfection when the day is freshest and the dew is still heavy onthe grass. The near side of the hill was plunged in deep shade; thin, gauzy vapour hung on the stream beneath, while on the opposite heights, and where the great boulder stones were visible in the bed of the river, all was sparkling with sunshine. So enchanting was the prospect, thatthough perfectly familiar with it, the two foremost horsemen drew in therein to contemplate it. High above them, on a sandbank, through whichtheir giant roots protruded, shot up two tall silver-stemm'dbeech-trees, forming with their newly opened foliage a canopy oftenderest green. Further on appeared a grove of oaks scarcely in leaf;and below were several fine sycamores, already green and umbrageous, intermingled with elms, ashes, and horse-chestnuts, and overshadowingbrakes, covered with maples, alders, and hazels. The other spaces amongthe trees were enlivened by patches of yellow flowering and odorousgorse. Mixed with the warblings of innumerable feathered songsters wereheard the cheering notes of the cuckoo; and the newly-arrived swallowswere seen chasing the flies along the plain, or skimming over thesurface of the river. Already had Richard's depression yielded to theexhilarating freshness of the morning, and the same kindly influenceproduced a more salutary effect on Nicholas than Parson Dewhurst'slecture had been able to accomplish. The worthy squire was a true loverof Nature; admiring her in all her forms, whether arrayed in pomp ofwood and verdure, as in the lovely landscape before him, or dreary anddesolate, as in the heathy forest wastes they were about to traverse. While breathing the fresh morning air, inhaling the fragrance of thewild-flowers, and listening to the warbling of the birds, he took awell-pleased survey of the scene, commencing with the bridge, passingover Whalley Nab and the mountainous circle conjoined with it, till hisgaze settled on Morton Hall, a noble mansion finely situated on ashoulder of the hill beyond him, and commanding the entire valley. 

"Were I not owner of Downham, " he observed to Richard, "I should wish tobe master of Morton. " And then, pointing to the green area below, headded, "What a capital spot for a race! There we might try the speed ofour nags for the twenty pieces I talked of yesterday; and the judges ofthe match and those who chose to look on might station themselves onyon knoll, which seems made for the express purpose. Three years ago Iremember a fair was held upon that plain, and the foot-races, thewrestling matches, and the various sports and pastimes of the rustics, viewed from the knoll, formed the prettiest sight ever looked upon. But, pleasant as the prospect is, we must not tarry here all day. "

Before setting forward, he cast a glance towards Pendle Hill, whichformed the most prominent object of view on the left, and lay like aleviathan basking in the sunshine. The vast mass rose up gradually untilat its further extremity it attained an altitude of more than 1800 feetabove the sea. At the present moment it was without a cloud, and thewhole of its broad outline was distinctly visible. 

"I love Pendle Hill, " cried Nicholas, enthusiastically; "and fromwhatever side I view it--whether from this place, where I see it fromend to end, from its lowest point to its highest; from Padiham, where itfrowns upon me; from Clithero, where it smiles; or from Downham, whereit rises in full majesty before me--from all points and under allaspects, whether robed in mist or radiant with sunshine, I delight init. Born beneath its giant shadow, I look upon it with filial regard. Some folks say Pendle Hill wants grandeur and sublimity, but theythemselves must be wanting in taste. Its broad, round, smooth mass isbetter than the roughest, craggiest, shaggiest, most sharply splinteredmountain of them all. And then what a view it commands!--Lancaster withits grey old castle on one hand; York with its reverend minster on theother--the Irish Sea and its wild coast--fell, forest, moor, and valley, watered by the Ribble, the Hodder, the Calder, and the Lime--rivers notto be matched for beauty. You recollect the old distich--

 'Ingleborough, Pendle Hill, and Pennygent, Are the highest hills between Scotland and Trent. '

This vouches for its height, but there are two other doggerel linesstill more to the purpose--

 'Pendle Hill, Pennygent, and Ingleborough, Are three such hills as you'll not find by seeking England thorough. '

With this opinion I quite agree. There is no hill in England like PendleHill. "

"Every man to his taste, squire, " observed Potts; "but to my mind, Pendle Hill has no other recommendation than its size. I think it agreat, brown, ugly, lumpy mass, without beauty of form or any strikingcharacter. I hate your bleak Lancashire hills, with heathy ranges on thetop, fit only for the sustenance of a few poor half-starved sheep; andas to the view from them, it is little else than a continuous range ofmoors and dwarfed forests. Highgate Hill is quite mountain enough forme, and Hampstead Heath wild enough for any civilised purpose. "

"A veritable son of Cockayne!" muttered Nicholas, contemptuously. 

Riding on, and entering the grove of oaks, he lost sight of hisfavourite hill, though glimpses were occasionally caught through thetrees of the lovely valley below. Soon afterwards the party turned offon the left, and presently arrived at a gate which admitted them to ReadPark. Five minutes' canter over the springy turf then brought them tothe house. 

The manor of Reved or Read came into the possession of the Nowell familyin the time of Edward III. , and extended on one side, within a mile ofWhalley, from which township it was divided by a deep woody ravine, taking its name from the little village of Sabden, and on the otherstretched far into Pendle Forest. The hall was situated on an eminenceforming part of the heights of Padiham, and faced a wide valley, wateredby the Calder, and consisting chiefly of barren tracts of moor andforest land, bounded by the high hills near Accrington and Rossendale. On the left, some half-dozen miles off, lay Burnley, and the greaterpart of the land in this direction, being uninclosed and thinly peopled, had a dark dreary look, that served to enhance the green beauty of thewell-cultivated district on the right. Behind the mansion, thick woodsextended to the very confines of Pendle Forest, of which, indeed, theyoriginally formed part, and here, if the course of the stream, flowingthrough the gully of Sabden, were followed, every variety of brake, glen, and dingle, might be found. Read Hall was a large and commodiousmansion, forming, with a centre and two advancing wings, three sides ofa square, between which was a grass-plot ornamented with a dial. Thegardens were laid out in the taste of the time, with trim alleys andparterres, terraces and steps, stone statues, and clipped yews. 

The house was kept up well and consistently by its owner, who lived likea country gentleman with a good estate, entertained his friendshospitably, but without any parade, and was never needlessly lavish inhis expenditure, unless, perhaps, in the instance of the largeostentatious pew erected by him in the parish church of Whalley; andwhich, considering he had a private chapel at home, and maintained adomestic chaplain to do duty in it, seemed little required, and drewupon him the censure of the neighbouring gossips, who said there wasmore of pride than religion in his pew. With the chapel at the hall acurious history was afterwards connected. Converted into a dining-roomby a descendant of Roger Nowell, the apartment was incautiously occupiedby the planner of the alterations before the plaster was thoroughlydried; in consequence of which he caught a severe cold, and died in thedesecrated chamber, his fate being looked upon as a judgment. 

With many good qualities Roger Nowell was little liked. His austere andsarcastic manner repelled his equals, and his harshness made him anobject of dislike and dread among his inferiors. Besides being theterror of all evil-doers, he was a hard man in his dealings, though heendeavoured to be just, and persuaded himself he was so. A year or twobefore, having been appointed sheriff of the county, he had dischargedthe important office with so much zeal and ability, as well asliberality, that he rose considerably in public estimation. It wasduring this period that Master Potts came under his notice at Lancaster, and the little attorney's shrewdness gained him an excellent client inthe owner of Read. Roger Newell was a widower; but his son, who residedwith him, was married, and had a family, so that the hall was fullyoccupied. 

Roger Nowell was turned sixty, but he was still in the full vigour ofmind and body, his temperate and active habits keeping him healthy; hewas of a spare muscular frame, somewhat bent in the shoulders, and hadvery sharp features, keen grey eyes, a close mouth, and prominent chin. His hair was white as silver, but his eyebrows were still black andbushy. 

Seeing the party approach, the lord of the mansion came forth to meetthem, and begged them to dismount for a moment and refresh themselves. Richard excused himself, but Nicholas sprang from his saddle, and Potts, though somewhat more slowly, imitated his example. An open door admittedthem to the entrance hall, where a repast was spread, of which the hostpressed his guests to partake; but Nicholas declined on the score ofhaving just breakfasted, notwithstanding which he was easily prevailedupon to take a cup of ale. Leaving him to discuss it, Nowell led theattorney to a well-furnished library, where he usually transacted hismagisterial business, and held a few minutes' private conference withhim, after which they returned to Nicholas, and by this time themagistrate's own horse being brought round, the party mounted once more. The attorney regretted abandoning his seat; for Flint indulged him withanother exhibition somewhat similar to the first, though of lessduration, for a vigorous application of the hunting-whip brought thewrong-headed little animal to reason. 

Elated by the victory he had obtained over Flint, and anticipating asuccessful issue to the expedition, Master Potts was in excellentspirits, and found a great deal to admire in the domain of his honouredand singular good client. Though not very genuine, his admiration wasdeservedly bestowed. The portion of the park they were now traversingwas extremely diversified and beautiful, with long sweeping lawnsstudded with fine trees, among which were many ancient thorns, now infull bloom, and richly scenting the gale. Herds of deer were nipping theshort grass, browsing the lower spray of the ashes, or couching amid theferny hollows. 

It was now that Nicholas, who had been all along anxious to try thespeed of his horse, proposed to Richard a gallop towards a clump oftrees about a mile off, and the young man assenting, away they started. Master Potts started too, for Flint did not like to be left behind, butthe mettlesome pony was soon distanced. For some time the two horseskept so closely together, that it was difficult to say which wouldarrive at the goal first; but, by-and-by, Robin got a-head. Though atfirst indifferent to the issue of the race, the spirit of emulation soonseized upon Richard, and spurring Merlin, the noble animal sprangforward, and was once again by the side of his opponent. 

For a quarter of a mile the ground had been tolerably level, and the sodfirm; but they now approached a swamp, and, in his eagerness, Nicholasdid not take sufficient precaution, and got involved in it before he wasaware. Richard was more fortunate, having kept on the right, where theground was hard. Seeing Nicholas struggling out of the marshy soil, hewould have stayed for him; but the latter bade him go on, saying hewould soon be up with him, and he made good his words. Shortly afterthis their course was intercepted by a brook, and both horses havingcleared it excellently, they kept well together again for a short time, when they neared a deep dyke which lay between them and the clump oftrees. On descrying it, Richard pointed out a course to the left, butNicholas held on, unheeding the caution. Fully expecting to see himbreak his neck, for the dyke was of formidable width, Richard watchedhim with apprehension, but the squire gave him a re-assuring nod, andwent on. Neither horse nor man faltered, though failure would have beencertain destruction to both. The wide trench now yawned beforethem--they were upon its edge, and without trusting himself to measureit with his eye, Nicholas clapped spurs into Robin's sides. The bravehorse sprang forward and landed him safely on the opposite bank. Hallooing cheerily, as soon as he could check his courser the squirewheeled round, and rode back to look at the dyke he had crossed. Itswidth was terrific, and fairly astounded him. Robin snorted loudly, asif proud of his achievement, and showed some disposition to return, butthe squire was quite content with what he had done. The exploitafterwards became a theme of wonder throughout the country, and the spotwas long afterwards pointed out as "Squire Nicholas's Leap"; but therewas not another horseman found daring enough to repeat the experiment. 

Richard had to make a considerable circuit to join his cousin, and, while he was going round, Nicholas looked out for the others. In thedistance, he could see Roger Nowell riding leisurely on, followed bySparshot and a couple of grooms, who had come with their master from thehall; while midway, to his surprise, he perceived Flint gallopingwithout a rider. A closer examination showed the squire what hadhappened. Like himself, Master Potts had incautiously approached theswamp, and, getting entangled in it, was thrown, head foremost, into theslough; out of which he was now floundering, covered from head to footwith inky-coloured slime. As soon as they were aware of the accident, the two grooms pushed forward, and one of them galloped after Flint, whom he succeeded at last in catching; while the other, with difficultypreserving his countenance at the woful plight of the attorney, wholooked as black as a negro, pointed out a cottage in the hollow whichbelonged to one of the keepers, and offered to conduct him thither. Potts gladly assented, and soon gained the little tenement, where he wasbeing washed and rubbed down by a couple of stout wenches when the restof the party came up. It was impossible to help laughing at him, butPotts took the merriment in good part; and, to show he was notdisheartened by the misadventure, as soon as circumstances would permithe mounted the unlucky pony, and the cavalcade set forward again. 

CHAPTER III. --THE BOGGART'S GLEN. 

The manor of Read, it has been said, was skirted by a deep woody ravineof three or four miles in length, extending from the little village ofSabden, in Pendle Forest, to within a short distance of Whalley; andthrough this gully flowed a stream which, taking its rise near Barley, at the foot of Pendle Hill, added its waters to those of the Calder at aplace called Cock Bridge. In summer, or in dry seasons, this streamproceeded quietly enough, and left the greater part of its stony bedunoccupied; but in winter, or after continuous rains, it assumed all thecharacter of a mountain torrent, and swept every thing before it. Anarrow bridle road led through the ravine to Sabden, and along it, afterquitting the park, the cavalcade proceeded, headed by Nicholas. 

The little river danced merrily past them, singing as it went, thesunshine sparkling on its bright clear waters, and glittering on thepebbles beneath them. Now the stream would chafe and foam against somelarger impediment to its course; now it would dash down some rockyheight, and form a beautiful cascade; then it would hurry on for sometime with little interruption, till stayed by a projecting bank it wouldform a small deep basin, where, beneath the far-cast shadow of anoverhanging oak, or under its huge twisted and denuded roots, the anglermight be sure of finding the speckled trout, the dainty greyling, ortheir mutual enemy, the voracious jack. The ravine was well woodedthroughout, and in many parts singularly beautiful, from the dispositionof the timber on its banks, as well as from the varied form andcharacter of the trees. Here might be seen an acclivity covered withwaving birch, or a top crowned with a mountain ash--there, on a smoothexpanse of greensward, stood a range of noble elms, whose mighty armsstretched completely across the ravine. Further on, there were chestnutand walnut trees; willows, with hoary stems and silver leaves, almostencroaching upon the stream; larches upon the heights; and here andthere, upon some sandy eminence, a spreading beech-tree. For the mostpart the bottom of the glen was overgrown with brushwood, and, where itssides were too abrupt to admit the growth of larger trees, they werematted with woodbine and brambles. Out of these would sometimes start asharp pinnacle, or fantastically-formed crag, adding greatly to thepicturesque beauty of the scene. On such points were not unfrequentlyfound perched a hawk, a falcon, or some large bird of prey; for thegully, with its brakes and thickets, was a favourite haunt of thefeathered tribe. The hollies, of which there were plenty, with theirgreen prickly leaves and scarlet berries, afforded shelter and supportto the blackbird; the thorns were frequented by the thrush; andnumberless lesser songsters filled every other tree. In the covert therewere pheasants and partridges in abundance, and snipe and wild-fowlresorted to the river in winter. Thither also, at all seasons, repairedthe stately heron, to devour the finny race; and thither came, on likeerrand, the splendidly-plumed kingfisher. The magpie chattered, the jayscreamed and flew deeper into the woods as the horsemen approached, andthe shy bittern hid herself amid the rushes. Occasionally, too, washeard the deep ominous croaking of a raven. 

[Illustration: POTTS AFTER BEING THROWN FROM HIS HORSE. ]

Hitherto, the glen had been remarkable for its softness and beauty, butit now began to assume a savage and sombre character. The banks drewcloser together, and became rugged and precipitous; while the trees metoverhead, and, intermingling their branches, formed a canopy imperviousto the sun's rays. The stream was likewise contracted in its bed, andits current, which, owing to the gloom, looked black as ink, flowedswiftly on, as if anxious to escape to livelier scenes. A large raven, which had attended the horsemen all the way, now alighted near them, andcroaked ominously. 

This part of the glen was in very ill repute, and was never traversed, even at noonday, without apprehension. Its wild and savage aspect, itshorrent precipices, its shaggy woods, its strangely-shaped rocks andtenebrous depths, where every imperfectly-seen object appeared doublyfrightful--all combined to invest it with mystery and terror. No onewillingly lingered here, but hurried on, afraid of the sound of his ownfootsteps. No one dared to gaze at the rocks, lest he should see somehideous hobgoblin peering out of their fissures. No one glanced at thewater, for fear some terrible kelpy, with twining snakes for hair andscaly hide, should issue from it and drag him down to devour him withhis shark-like teeth. Among the common folk, this part of the ravine wasknown as "the boggart's glen", and was supposed to be haunted bymischievous beings, who made the unfortunate wanderer their sport. 

For the last half-mile the road had been so narrow and intricate in itswindings, that the party were obliged to proceed singly; but this didnot prevent conversation; and Nicholas, throwing the bridle over Robin'sneck, left the surefooted animal to pursue his course unguided, while hehimself, leaning back, chatted with Roger Nowell. At the entrance of thegloomy gorge above described, Robin came to a stand, and refusing tomove at a jerk from his master, the latter raised himself, and lookedforward to see what could be the cause of the stoppage. No impedimentwas visible, but the animal obstinately refused to go on, though urgedboth by word and spur. This stoppage necessarily delayed the rest of thecavalcade. 

Well aware of the ill reputation of the place, when Simon Sparshot andthe grooms found that Robin would not go on, they declared he must seethe boggart, and urged the squire to turn back, or some mischief wouldbefall him. But Nicholas, though not without misgivings, did not like toyield thus, especially when urged on by Roger Nowell. Indeed, the partycould not get out of the ravine without going back nearly a mile, whileSabden was only half that distance from them. What was to be done? Robinstill continued obstinate, and for the first time paid no attention tohis master's commands. The poor animal was evidently a prey to violentterror, and snorted and reared, while his limbs were bathed in coldsweat. 

Dismounting, and leaving him in charge of Roger Nowell, Nicholas walkedon by himself to see if he could discover any cause for the horse'salarm; and he had not advanced far, when his eye rested upon a blastedoak forming a conspicuous object on a crag before him, on a scathedbranch of which sat the raven. 

Croak! croak! croak!

"Accursed bird, it is thou who hast frightened my horse, " criedNicholas. "Would I had a crossbow or an arquebuss to stop thy croaking. "

And as he picked up a stone to cast at the raven, a crashing noise washeard among the bushes high up on the rock, and the next moment a hugefragment dislodged from the cliff rolled down and would have crushedhim, if he had not nimbly avoided it. 

Croak! croak! croak!

Nicholas almost fancied hoarse laughter was mingled with the cries ofthe bird. 

The raven nodded its head and expanded its wings, and the squire, whoserecent experience had prepared him for any wonder, fully expected tohear it speak, but it only croaked loudly and exultingly, or if itlaughed, the sound was like the creaking of rusty hinges. 

Nicholas did not like it at all, and he resolved to go back; but ere hecould do so, he was startled by a buffet on the ear, and turning angrilyround to see who had dealt it, he could distinguish no one, but at thesame moment received a second buffet on the other ear. 

The raven croaked merrily. 

"Would I could wring thy neck, accursed bird!" cried the enraged squire. 

Scarcely was the vindictive wish uttered than a shower of blows fellupon him, and kicks from unseen feet were applied to his person. 

All the while the raven croaked merrily, and flapped his big blackwings. 

Infuriated by the attack, the squire hit right and left manfully, anddashed out his feet in every direction; but his blows and kicks only metthe empty air, while those of his unseen antagonist told upon his ownperson with increased effect. 

The spectacle seemed to afford infinite amusement to the raven. Themischievous bird almost crowed with glee. 

There was no standing it any longer. So, amid a perfect hurricane ofblows and kicks, and with the infernal voice of the raven ringing in hisears, the squire took to his heels. On reaching his companions he foundthey had not fared much better than himself. The two grooms werebelabouring each other lustily; and Master Potts was exercising hishunting-whip on the broad shoulders of Sparshot, who in return wasmaking him acquainted with the taste of a stout ash-plant. Assailed inthe same manner as the squire, and naturally attributing the attack totheir nearest neighbours, they waited for no explanation, but fell uponeach other. Richard Assheton and Roger Nowell endeavoured to interfereand separate the combatants, and in doing so received some hard knocksfor their pains; but all their pacific efforts were fruitless, until thesquire appeared, and telling them they were merely the sport ofhobgoblins, they desisted, but still the blows fell heavily on them asbefore, proving the truth of Nicholas's assertion. 

Meanwhile the squire had mounted Robin, and, finding the horse no longerexhibit the same reluctance to proceed, he dashed at full speed throughthe haunted glen; but even above the clatter, of hoofs, and the noise ofthe party galloping after him, he could hear the hoarse exultingcroaking of the raven. 

As the gully expanded, and the sun once more found its way through thetrees, and shone upon the river, Nicholas began to breathe more freely;but it was not until fairly out of the wood that he relaxed his speed. Not caring to enter into any explanation of the occurrence, he rode alittle apart to avoid conversation; as the others, who were stillsmarting from the blows they had received, were in no very good-humour, a sullen silence prevailed throughout the party, as they mounted thebare hill-side in the direction of the few scattered huts constitutingthe village of Sabden. 

A blight seemed to have fallen upon the place. Roger Nowell, who hadvisited it a few months ago, could scarcely believe his eyes, so changedwas its appearance. His inquiries as to the cause of its alteredcondition were every where met by the same answer--the poor people wereall bewitched. Here a child was ill of a strange sickness, tossed andtumbled in its bed, and contorted its limbs so violently, that itsparents could scarcely hold it down. Another family was afflicted in adifferent manner, two of its number pining away and losing strengthdaily, as if a prey to some consuming disease. In a third, another childwas sick, and vomited pins, nails, and other extraordinary substances. Afourth household was tormented by an imp in the form of a monkey, whocame at night and pinched them all black and blue, spilt the milk, brokethe dishes and platters, got under the bed, and, raising it to the roof, let it fall with a terrible crash; putting them all in mental terror. Inthe next cottage there was no end to calamities, though they took a moreabsurd form. Sometimes the fire would not burn, or when it did itemitted no heat, so that the pot would not boil, nor the meat roast. Then the oatcakes would stick to the bake-stone, and no force could getthem away from it till they were burnt and spoiled; the milk turnedsour, the cheese became so hard that not even rats' teeth could gnaw it, the stools and settles broke down if sat upon, and the list of pettygrievances was completed by a whole side of bacon being devoured in asingle night. Roger Nowell and Nicholas listened patiently to a detailof all these grievances, and expressed strong sympathy for thesufferers, promising assistance and redress if possible. All thecomplainants taxed either Mother Demdike or Mother Chattox withafflicting them, and said they had incurred the anger of the twomalevolent old witches by refusing to supply them with poultry, eggs, milk, butter, or other articles, which they had demanded. Master Pottsmade ample notes of the strange relations, and took down the name ofevery cottager. 

At length, they arrived at the last cottage, and here a man, with a verydoleful countenance, besought them to stop and listen to his tale. 

"What is the matter, friend?" demanded Roger Nowell, halting with theothers. "Are you bewitched, like your neighbours?"

"Troth am ey, your warship, " replied the man, "an ey hope yo may be ableto deliver me. Yo mun knoa, that somehow ey wor unlucky enough last Yuleto offend Mother Chattox, an ever sin then aw's gone wrang wi' me. Th'good-wife con never may butter come without stickin' a redhot poker intot' churn; and last week, when our brindlt sow farrowed, and had fifteento t' litter, an' fine uns os ever yo seed, seign on um deed. Sad wark!sad wark, mesters. The week efore that t' keaw deed; an th' week eforeher th' owd mare, so that aw my stock be gone. Waes me! waes me! Nowtprospers wi' me. My poor dame is besoide hersel, an' th' chilter seemspossessed. Ey ha' tried every remedy, boh without success. Ey ha'followed th' owd witch whoam, plucked a hontle o' thatch fro' her roof, sprinklet it wi' sawt an weter, burnt it an' buried th' ess at th'change o' t' moon. No use, mesters. Then again, ey ha' getten ahorseshoe, heated it redhot, quenched it i' brine, an' nailed it to t'threshold wi' three nails, heel uppard. No more use nor t'other. Then eyha' taen sawt weter, and put it in a bottle wi' three rusty nails, needles, and pins, boh ey hanna found that th' witch ha' sufferedthereby. An, lastly, ey ha' let myself blood, when the moon wur at full, an in opposition to th' owd hag's planet, an minglin' it wi' sawt, ha'burnt it i' a trivet, in hopes of afflictin' her; boh without avail, fo'ey seed her two days ago, an she flouted me an scoffed at me. What muney do, good mesters? What mun ey do?"

"Have you offended any one besides Mother Chattox, my poor fellow?" saidNowell. 

"Mother Demdike, may be, your warship, " replied the man. 

"You suspect Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox of bewitching you, " saidPotts, taking out his memorandum-book, and making a note in it. "Yourname, good fellow?"

"Oamfrey o' Will's o' Ben's o' Tummas' o' Sabden, " replied the man. 

"Is that all?" asked Potts. 

"What more would you have?" said Richard. "The description issufficiently particular. "

"Scarcely precise enough, " returned Potts. "However, it may do. We willhelp you in the matter, good Humphrey Etcetera. You shall not betroubled with these pestilent witches much longer. The neighbourhoodshall be cleared of them. "

"Ey'm reet glad to hear, mester, " replied the man. 

"You promise much, Master Potts, " observed Richard. 

"Not a jot more than I am able to perform, " replied the attorney. 

"That remains to be seen, " said Richard. "If these old women are aspowerful as represented, they will not be so readily defeated. "

"There you are in error, Master Richard, " replied Potts. "The devil, whose vassals they are, will deliver them into our hands. "

"Granting what you say to be correct, the devil must have little regardfor his servants if he abandons them so easily, " observed Richard, drily. 

"What else can you expect from him?" cried Potts. "It is his custom toensnare his victims, and then leave them to their fate. "

"You are rather describing the course pursued by certain members ofyour own profession, Master Potts, " said Richard. "The devil behaveswith greater fairness to his clients. "

"You are not going to defend him, I hope, sir?" said the attorney. 

"No; I only desire to give him his due, " returned Richard. 

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Nicholas. "You had better have done, Master Potts;you will never get the better in the argument. But we must be moving, orwe shall not get our business done before nightfall. As to you, Numps, "he added, to the poor man, "we will not forget you. If any thing can bedone for your relief, rely upon it, it shall not be neglected. "

"Ay, ay, " said Nowell, "the matter shall be looked into--and speedily. "

"And the witches brought to justice, " said Potts; "comfort yourself withthat, good Humphrey Etcetera. "

"Ay, comfort yourself with that, " observed Nicholas. 

Soon after this they entered a wide dreary waste forming the bottom ofthe valley, lying between the heights of Padiham and Pendle Hill, andwhile wending their way across it, they heard a shout from thehill-side, and presently afterwards perceived a man, mounted on apowerful black horse, galloping swiftly towards them. The party awaitedhis approach, and the stranger speedily came up. He was a small manhabited in a suit of rusty black, and bore a most extraordinary andmarked resemblance to Master Potts. He had the same perky features, thesame parchment complexion, the same yellow forehead, as the littleattorney. So surprising was the likeness, that Nicholas unconsciouslylooked round for Potts, and beheld him staring at the new-comer in angrywonder. 

CHAPTER IV. --THE REEVE OF THE FOREST. 

The surprise of the party was by no means diminished when the strangerspoke. His voice exactly resembled the sharp cracked tones of theattorney. 

"I crave pardon for the freedom I have taken in stopping you, goodmasters, " he said, doffing his cap, and saluting them respectfully;"but, being aware of your errand, I am come to attend you on it. "

"And who are you, fellow, who thus volunteer your services?" demandedRoger Nowell, sharply. 

"I am one of the reeves of the forest of Blackburnshire, worshipfulsir, " replied the stranger, "and as such my presence, at the intendedperambulation of the boundaries of her property, has been deemednecessary by Mrs. Nutter, as I shall have to make a representation ofthe matter at the next court of swainmote. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Nowell, "but how knew you we were coming?"

"Mistress Nutter sent me word last night, " replied the reeve, "thatMaster Nicholas Assheton and certain other gentlemen, would come toRough Lee for the purpose of ascertaining the marks, meres, andboundaries of her property, early this morning, and desired myattendance on the occasion. Accordingly I stationed myself on yon highground to look out for you, and have been on the watch for more than anhour. "

"Humph!" exclaimed Roger Nowell, "and you live in the forest?"

"I live at Barrowford, worshipful sir, " replied the reeve, "but I haveonly lately come there, having succeeded Maurice Mottisfont, the otherreeve, who has been removed by the master forester to Rossendale, whereI formerly dwelt. "

"That may account for my not having seen you before, " rejoined Nowell. "You are well mounted, sirrah. I did not know the master foresterallowed his men such horses as the one you ride. "

"This horse does not belong to me, sir, " replied the reeve; "it has beenlent me by Mistress Nutter. "

"Aha! I see how it is now, " cried Nowell; "you are suborned to givefalse testimony, knave. I object to his attendance, Master Nicholas. "

"Nay, I think you do the man injustice, " said the squire. "He speaksfrankly and fairly enough, and seems to know his business. The worstthat can be said against him is, that he resembles somewhat too closelyour little legal friend there. That, however, ought to be no objectionto you, Master Nowell, but rather the contrary. "

"Well, take the responsibility of the matter upon your own shoulders, "said Nowell; "if any ill comes of it I shall blame you. "

"Be it so, " replied the squire; "my shoulders are broad enough to bearthe burthen. You may ride with us, master reeve. "

"May I inquire your name, friend?" said Potts, as the stranger fell backto the rear of the party. 

"Thomas Potts, at your service, sir, " replied the reeve. 

"What!--Thomas Potts!" exclaimed the astonished attorney. 

"That is my name, sir, " replied the reeve, quietly. 

"Why, zounds!" exclaimed Nicholas, who overheard the reply, "you do notmean to say your name is Thomas Potts? This is more wonderful still. Youmust be this gentleman's twin brother. "

"The gentleman certainly seems to resemble me very strongly, " repliedthe reeve, apparently surprised in his turn. "Is he of these parts?"

"No, I am not, " returned Potts, angrily, "I am from London, where Ireside in Chancery-lane, and practise the law, though I likewise attendas clerk of the court at the assizes at Lancaster, where I maypossibly, one of these days, have the pleasure of seeing you, mypretended namesake. "

"Possibly, sir, " said the reeve, with provoking calmness. "I myself amfrom Chester, and like yourself was brought up to the law, but Iabandoned my profession, or rather it abandoned me, for I had fewclients; so I took to an honester calling, and became a forester, as yousee. My father was a draper in the city I have mentioned, and dwelt inWatergate-street--his name was Peter Potts. "

"Peter Potts your father!" exclaimed the attorney, in the last state ofastonishment--"Why, he was mine! But I am his only son. "

"Up to this moment I conceived myself an only son, " said the reeve; "butit seems I was mistaken, since I find I have an elder brother. "

"Elder brother!" exclaimed Potts, wrathfully. "You are older than I amby twenty years. But it is all a fabrication. I deny the relationshipentirely. "

"You cannot make me other than the son of my father, " said the reeve, with a smile. 

"Well, Master Potts, " interposed Nicholas, laughing, "I see no reasonwhy you should be ashamed of your brother. There is a strong familylikeness between you. So old Peter Potts, the draper of Chester, wasyour father, eh? I was not aware of the circumstance before--ha, ha!"

"And, but for this intrusive fellow, you would never have become awareof it, " muttered the attorney. "Give ear to me, squire, " he said, urgingFlint close up to the other's side, and speaking in a low tone, "I donot like the fellow's looks at all. "

"I am surprised at that, " rejoined the squire, "for he exactly resemblesyou. "

"That is why I do not like him, " said Potts; "I believe him to be awizard. "

"You are no wizard to think so, " rejoined the squire. And he rode on tojoin Roger Nowell, who was a little in advance. 

"I will try him on the subject of witchcraft, " thought Potts. "As youdwell in the forest, " he said to the reeve, "you have no doubt seenthose two terrible beings, Mothers Demdike and Chattox. "

"Frequently, " replied the reeve, "but I would rather not talk about themin their own territories. You may judge of their power by the appearanceof the village you have just quitted. The inhabitants of that unluckyplace refused them their customary tributes, and have therefore incurredtheir resentment. You will meet other instances of the like kind beforeyou have gone far. "

"I am glad of it, for I want to collect as many cases as I can ofwitchcraft, " observed Potts. 

"They will be of little use to you, " observed the reeve. 

"How so?" inquired Potts. 

"Because if the witches discover what you are about, as they will notfail to do, you will never leave the forest alive, " returned the other. 

"You think not?" cried Potts. 

"I am sure of it, " replied the reeve. 

"I will not be deterred from the performance of my duty, " said Potts. "Idefy the devil and all his works. "

"You may have reason to repent your temerity, " replied the reeve. 

And anxious, apparently, to avoid further conversation on the subject, he drew in the rein for a moment, and allowed the attorney to pass on. 

Notwithstanding his boasting, Master Potts was not without much secretmisgiving; but his constitutional obstinacy made him determine toprosecute his plans at any risk, and he comforted himself by recallingthe opinion of his sovereign authority on such matters. 

"Let me ponder over the exact words of our British Solomon, " he thought. "I have his learned treatise by heart, and it is fortunate my memoryserves me so well, for the sagacious prince's dictum will fortify me inmy resolution, which has been somewhat shaken by this fellow, whom Ibelieve to be no better than he should be, for all he calls himself myfather's son, and hath assumed my likeness, doubtless for somemischievous purpose. 'If the magistrate, ' saith the King, 'be slothfultowards witches, God is very able to make them instruments to waken andpunish his sloth. ' No one can accuse me of slothfulness and want ofzeal. My best exertions have been used against the accursed creatures. And now for the rest. 'But if, on the contrary, he be diligent inexamining and punishing them, God will not permit their master totrouble or hinder so good a work!' Exactly what I have done. I am quiteeasy now, and shall go on fearlessly as before. I am one of the 'lawfullieutenants' described by the King, and cannot be 'defrauded ordeprived' of my office. "

As these thoughts passed through the attorney's mind a low derisivelaugh sounded in his ears, and, connecting it with the reeve, he lookedback and found the object of his suspicions gazing at him, and chucklingmaliciously. So fiendishly malignant, indeed, was the gaze fixed uponhim, that Potts was glad to turn his head away to avoid it. 

"I am confirmed in my suspicions, " he thought; "he is evidently awizard, if he be not--"

Again the mocking laugh sounded in his ears, but he did not venture tolook round this time, being fearful of once more encountering theterrible gaze. 

Meanwhile the party had traversed the valley, and to avoid a dangerousmorass stretching across its lower extremity, and shorten thedistance--for the ordinary road would have led them too much to theright--they began to climb one of the ridges of Pendle Hill, which laybetween them and the vale they wished to gain. On obtaining the top ofthis eminence, an extensive view on either side opened upon them. Behindwas the sterile valley they had just crossed, its black soil, hoarygrass, and heathy wastes, only enlivened at one end by patches of brightsulphur-coloured moss, which masked a treacherous quagmire lurkingbeneath it. Some of the cottages in Sabden were visible, and, from thesad circumstances connected with them, and which oppressed the thoughtsof the beholders, added to the dreary character of the prospect. Theday, too, had lost its previous splendour, and there were cloudsoverhead which cast deep shadows on the ground. But on the crest ofPendle Hill, which rose above them, a sun-burst fell, and attractedattention from its brilliant contrast to the prevailing gloom. Beforethem lay a deep gully, the sinuosities of which could be traced from theelevated position where they stood, though its termination was hidden byother projecting ridges. Further on, the sides of the mountain were bareand rugged, and covered with shelving stone. Beyond the defile beforementioned, and over the last mountain ridge, lay a wide valley, boundedon the further side by the hills overlooking Colne, and the mountaindefile, now laid open to the travellers, exhibiting in the midst of thedark heathy ranges, which were its distinguishing features, some marksof cultivation. In parts it was inclosed and divided into paddocks bystone walls, and here and there a few cottages were collected together, dignified, as in the case of Sabden, by the name of a village. Amongstthese were the Hey-houses, an assemblage of small stone tenements, theearliest that arose in the forest; Goldshaw Booth, now a populous place, and even then the largest hamlet in the district; and in the distanceOgden and Barley, the two latter scarcely comprising a dozenhabitations, and those little better than huts. In some sheltered nookon the hill-side might be discerned the solitary cottage of a cowherd, and not far from it the certain accompaniment of a sheepfold. Throughoutthis weird region, thinly peopled it is true, but still of great extent, and apparently abandoned to the powers of darkness, only one edificecould be found where its inhabitants could meet to pray, and this was anancient chapel at Goldshaw Booth, originally erected in the reign ofHenry III. , though subsequently in part rebuilt in 1544, and which, withits low grey tower peeping from out the trees, was just discernible. Twohalls were in view; one of which, Sabden, was of considerable antiquity, and gave its name to the village; and the other was Hoarstones, a muchmore recently erected mansion, strikingly situated on an acclivity ofPendle Hill. In general, the upper parts of this mountain monarch of thewaste were bare and heathy, while the heights overhanging Ogden andBarley were rocky, shelving, and precipitous; but the lower ridges werewell covered with wood, and a thicket, once forming part of the ancieutforest, ran far out into the plain near Goldshaw Booth. Numerous springsburst from the mountain side, and these collecting their forces, formeda considerable stream, which, under the name of Pendle Water, flowedthrough the valley above described, and, after many picturesquewindings, entered the rugged glen in which Rough Lee was situated, andswept past the foot of Mistress Nutter's residence. 

Descending the hill, and passing through the thicket, the party camewithin a short distance of Goldshaw Booth, when they were met by acowherd, who, with looks of great alarm, told them that John Law, thepedlar, had fallen down in a fit in the clough, and would perish if theydid not stay to help him. As the poor man in question was well knownboth to Nicholas and Roger Nowell, they immediately agreed to go to hisassistance, and accompanied the cowherd along a by-road which ledthrough the clough to the village. They had not gone far when they heardloud groans, and presently afterwards found the unfortunate pedlar lyingon his back, and writhing in agony. He was a large, powerfully-builtman, of middle age, and had been in the full enjoyment of health andvigour, so that his sudden prostration was the more terrible. His facewas greatly disfigured, the mouth and neck drawn awry, the left eyepulled down, and the whole power of the same side gone. 

"Why, John, this is a bad business, " cried Nicholas. "You have had aparalytic stroke, I fear. "

"Nah--nah--squoire, " replied the sufferer, speaking with difficulty, "it's neaw nat'ral ailment--it's witchcraft. "

"Witchcraft!" exclaimed Potts, who had come up, and producing hismemorandum book. "Another case. Your name and description, friend?"

"John Law o' Cown, pedlar, " replied the man. 

"John Law of Colne, I suppose, petty chapman, " said Potts, making anentry. "Now, John, my good man, be pleased to tell us by whom you havebeen bewitched?"

"By Mother Demdike, " groaned the man. 

"Mother Demdike, ah?" exclaimed Potts, "good! very good. Now, John, asto the cause of your quarrel with the old hag?"

"Ey con scarcely rekillect it, my head be so confused, mester, " repliedthe pedlar. 

"Make an effort, John, " persisted Potts; "it is most desirable such adreadful offender should not escape justice. "

"Weel, weel, ey'n try an tell it then, " replied the pedlar. "Yo mun knoaey wur crossing the hill fro' Cown to Rough Lee, wi' my pack upon myshouthers, when who should ey meet boh Mother Demdike, an hoo axt me togi' her some scithers an pins, boh, os ill luck wad ha' it, ey refused. 'Yo had better do it, John, ' hoo said, 'or yo'll rue it efore to-morrowneet. ' Ey laughed at her, an trudged on, boh when I looked back, an seedher shakin' her skinny hond at me, ey repented and thowt ey would goback, an gi' her the choice o' my wares. Boh my pride wur too strong, aney walked on to Barley an Ogden, an slept at Bess's o th' Booth, an wokethis mornin' stout and strong, fully persuaded th' owd witch's threatwould come to nowt. Alack-a-day! ey wur out i' my reckonin', fo'scarcely had ey reached this kloof, o' my way to Sabden, than ey wurseized wi' a sudden shock, os if a thunder-bowt had hit me, an ey lostthe use o' my lower limbs, an t' laft soide, an should ha' deed mostlikely, if it hadna bin fo' Ebil o' Jem's o' Dan's who spied me out, anbrought me help. "

"Yours is a deplorable case indeed, John, " said Richard--"especially ifit be the result of witchcraft. "

"You do not surely doubt that it is so, Master Richard?" cried Potts. 

"I offer no opinion, " replied the young man; "but a paralytic strokewould produce the same effect. But, instead of discussing the matter, the best thing we can do will be to transport the poor man to Bess's o'th' Booth, where he can be attended to. "

"Tom and I can carry him there, if Abel will take charge of his pack, "said one of the grooms. 

"That I win, " replied the cowherd, unstrapping the box, upon which thesufferer's head rested, and placing it on his own shoulders. 

Meanwhile, a gate having been taken from its hinges by Sparshot and thereeve, the poor pedlar, who groaned deeply during the operation, wasplaced upon it by the men, and borne towards the village, followed bythe others, leading their horses. 

Great consternation was occasioned in Goldshaw Booth by the entrance ofthe cavalcade, and still more, when it became known that John Law, thepedlar, who was a favourite with all, had had a frightful seizure. Oldand young flocked forth to see him, and the former shook their heads, while the latter were appalled at the hideous sight. Master Potts tookcare to tell them that the poor fellow was bewitched by Mother Demdike;but the information failed to produce the effect he anticipated, andserved rather to repress than heighten their sympathy for the sufferer. The attorney concluded, and justly, that they were afraid of incurringthe displeasure of the vindictive old hag by an open expression ofinterest in his fate. So strongly did this feeling operate, that afterbestowing a glance of commiseration at the pedlar, most of themreturned, without a word, to their dwellings. 

On their way to the little hostel, whither they were conveying the poorpedlar, the party passed the church, and the sexton, who was digging agrave in the yard, came forward to look at them; but on seeing John Lawhe seemed to understand what had happened, and resumed his employment. Awide-spreading yew-tree grew in this part of the churchyard, and near itstood a small cross rudely carved in granite, marking the spot where, inthe reign of Henry VI. , Ralph Cliderhow, tenth abbot of Whalley, held ameeting of the tenantry, to check encroachments. Not far from thisancient cross the sexton, a hale old man, with a fresh complexion andsilvery hair, was at work, and while the others went on, Master Pottspaused to say a word to him. 

"You have a funeral here to-day, I suppose, Master Sexton?" he said. 

"Yeigh, " replied the man, gruffly. 

"One of the villagers?" inquired the attorney. 

"Neaw; hoo were na o' Goldshey, " replied the sexton. 

"Where then--who was it?" persevered Potts. 

The sexton seemed disinclined to answer; but at length said, "MearyBaldwyn, the miller's dowter o' Rough Lee, os protty a lass os ever yosee, mester. Hoo wur the apple o' her feyther's ee, an he hasna had adry ee sin hoo deed. Wall-a-dey! we mun aw go, owd an young--owd anyoung--an protty Meary Baldwyn went young enough. Poor lass! poor lass!"and he brushed the dew from his eyes with his brawny hand. 

"Was her death sudden?" asked Potts. 

"Neaw, not so sudden, mester, " replied the sexton. "Ruchot Baldwyn hadfair warnin'. Six months ago Meary wur ta'en ill, an fro' t' furst heknoad how it wad eend. "

"How so, friend?" asked Potts, whose curiosity began to be aroused. 

"Becose--" replied the sexton, and he stopped suddenly short. 

"She was bewitched?" suggested Potts. 

The sexton nodded his head, and began to ply his mattock vigorously. 

"By Mother Demdike?" inquired Potts, taking out his memorandum book. 

The sexton again nodded his head, but spake no word, and, meeting someobstruction in the ground, took up his pick to remove it. 

"Another case!" muttered Potts, making an entry. "Mary Baldwyn, daughterof Richard Baldwyn of Rough Lee, aged--How old was she, sexton?"

"Throtteen, " replied the man; "boh dunna ax me ony more questions, mester. Th' berrin takes place i' an hour, an ey hanna half digg'd th'grave. "

"Your own name, Master Sexton, and I have done?" said Potts. 

"Zachariah Worms, " answered the man. 

"Worms--ha! an excellent name for a sexton, " cried Potts. "You providefood for your family, eh, Zachariah?"

"Tut--tut, " rejoined the sexton, testily, "go an' moind yer ownbus'ness, mon, an' leave me to moind mine. "

"Very well, Zachariah, " replied Potts. And having obtained all herequired, he proceeded to the little hostel, where, finding the rest ofthe party had dismounted, he consigned Flint to a cowherd, and enteredthe house. 

CHAPTER V. --BESS'S O' TH' BOOTH. 

Bess's o' th' Booth--for so the little hostel at Goldshaw was called, after its mistress Bess Whitaker--was far more comfortable andcommodious than its unpretending exterior seemed to warrant. Stouter andbrighter ale was not to be drunk in Lancashire than Bess brewed; nor wasbetter sherris or clary to be found, go where you would, than in hercellars. The traveller crossing those dreary wastes, and riding fromBurnley to Clithero, or from Colne to Whalley, as the case might be, might well halt at Bess's, and be sure of a roast fowl for dinner, withthe addition, perhaps, of some trout from Pendle Water, or, if theseason permitted, a heath-cock or a pheasant; or, if he tarried therefor the night, he was equally sure of a good supper and fair linen. Ithas already been mentioned, that at this period it was the custom of allclasses in the northern counties, men and women, to resort to thealehouses to drink, and the hostel at Goldshaw was the generalrendezvous of the neighbourhood. For those who could afford it Besswould brew incomparable sack; but if a guest called for wine, and sheliked not his looks, she would flatly tell him her ale was good enoughfor him, and if it pleased him not he should have nothing. Submissionalways followed in such cases, for there was no disputing with Bess. Neither would she permit the frequenters of the hostel to sit later thanshe chose, and would clear the house in a way equally characteristic andeffectual. At a certain hour, and that by no means a late one, she wouldtake down a large horsewhip, which hung on a convenient peg in theprincipal room, and after bluntly ordering her guests to go home, if anyresistance were offered, she would lay the whip across their shoulders, and forcibly eject them from the premises; but, as her determinedcharacter was well known, this violence was seldom necessary. Instrength Bess was a match for any man, and assistance from hercowherds--for she was a farmer as well as hostess--was at hand ifrequired. As will be surmised from the above, Bess was large andmasculine-looking, but well-proportioned nevertheless, and possessed acertain coarse kind of beauty, which in earlier years had inflamedRichard Baldwyn, the miller of Rough Lee, who made overtures of marriageto her. These were favourably entertained, but a slight quarreloccurring between them, the lover, in her own phrase, got "his jacketsoundly dusted" by her, and declared off, taking to wife a more docileand light-handed maiden. As to Bess, though she had given thisunmistakable proof of her ability to manage a husband, she did notreceive a second offer, nor, as she had now attained the mature age offorty, did it seem likely she would ever receive one. 

Bess's o' th' Booth was an extremely clean and comfortable house. Thefloor, it is true, was of hard clay, and the windows little more thannarrow slits, with heavy stone frames, further darkened by minutediamond panes; but the benches were scrupulously clean, and so was thelong oak table in the centre of the principal and only large room in thehouse. A roundabout fireplace occupied one end of the chamber, shelteredfrom the draught of the door by a dark oak screen, with a bench on thewarm side of it; and here, or in the deep ingle-nooks, on winter nights, the neighbours would sit and chat by the blazing hearth, discussing potsof "nappy ale, good and stale, " as the old ballad hath it; and aspersons of both sexes came thither, young as well as old, many a matchwas struck up by Bess's cheery fireside. From the blackened rafters hunga goodly supply of hams, sides of bacon, and dried tongues, with aprofusion of oatcakes in a bread-flake; while, in case this store shouldbe exhausted, means of replenishment were at hand in the huge, full-crammed meal-chest standing in one corner. Altogether, there was alook of abundance as well as of comfort about the place. 

Great was Bess's consternation when the poor pedlar, who had quitted herhouse little more than an hour ago, full of health and spirits, wasbrought back to it in such a deplorable condition; and when she saw himdeposited at her door, notwithstanding her masculine character, she hadsome difficulty in repressing a scream. She did not, however, yield tothe weakness, but seeing at once what was best to be done, caused him tobe transported by the grooms to the chamber he had occupied over-night, and laid upon the bed. Medical assistance was fortunately at hand; forit chanced that Master Sudall, the chirurgeon of Colne, was in the houseat the time, having been brought to Goldshaw by the great sickness thatprevailed at Sabden and elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Sudall wasimmediately in attendance upon the sufferer, and bled him copiously, after which the poor man seemed much easier; and Richard Assheton, taking the chirurgeon aside, asked his opinion of the case, and was toldby Sudall that he did not think the pedlar's life in danger, but hedoubted whether he would ever recover the use of his limbs. 

"You do not attribute the attack to witchcraft, I suppose, MasterSudall?" said Richard. 

"I do not like to deliver an opinion, sir, " replied the chirurgeon. "Itis impossible to decide, when all the appearances are precisely likethose of an ordinary attack of paralysis. But a sad case has recentlycome under my observation, as to which I can have no doubt--I mean as toits being the result of witchcraft--but I will tell you more about itpresently, for I must now return to my patient. "

It being agreed among the party to rest for an hour at the littlehostel, and partake of some refreshment, Nicholas went to look after thehorses, while Roger Nowell and Richard remained in the room with thepedlar. Bess Whitaker owned an extensive farm-yard, provided withcow-houses, stables, and a large barn; and it was to the latter placethat the two grooms proposed to repair with Sparshot and play a game atloggats on the clay floor. No one knew what had become of the reeve;for, on depositing the poor pedlar at the door of the hostel, he hadmounted his horse and ridden away. Having ordered some fried eggs andbacon, Nicholas wended his way to the stable, while Bess, assisted by astout kitchen wench, busied herself in preparing the eatables, and itwas at this juncture that Master Potts entered the house. 

Bess eyed him narrowly, and was by no means prepossessed by his looks, while the muddy condition of his habiliments did not tend to exalt himin her opinion. 

"Yo mey yersel a' whoam, mon, ey mun say, " she observed, as the attorneyseated himself on the bench beside her. 

"To be sure, " rejoined Potts; "where should a man make himself at home, if not at an inn? Those eggs and bacon look very tempting. I'll try somepresently; and, as soon as you've done with the frying-pan, I'll have apottle of sack. "

"Neaw, yo winna, " replied Bess. "Yo'n get nother eggs nor bacon nor sackhere, ey can promise ye. Ele an whoat-kekes mun sarve your turn. Go tot' barn wi' t' other grooms, and play at kittle-pins or nine-holes wi'hin, an ey'n send ye some ele. "

"I'm quite comfortable where I am, thank you, hostess, " replied Potts, "and have no desire to play at kittle-pins or nine-holes. But what doesthis bottle contain?"

"Sherris, " replied Bess. 

"Sherris!" echoed Potts, "and yet you say I can have no sack. Get mesome sugar and eggs, and I'll show you how to brew the drink. I wastaught the art by my friend, Ben Jonson--rare Ben--ha, ha!"

"Set the bottle down, " cried Bess, angrily. 

"What do you mean, woman!" said Potts, staring at her in surprise. "Itold you to fetch sugar and eggs, and I now repeat the order--sugar, andhalf-a-dozen eggs at least. "

"An ey repeat my order to yo, " cried Bess, "to set the bottle down, orey'st may ye. "

"Make me! ha, ha! I like that, " cried Potts. "Let me tell you, woman, Iam not accustomed to be ordered in this way. I shall do no such thing. If you will not bring the eggs I shall drink the wine, neat andunsophisticate. " And he filled a flagon near him. 

"If yo dun, yo shan pay dearly for it, " said Bess, putting aside thefrying-pan and taking down the horsewhip. 

"I daresay I shall, " replied Potts merrily; "you hostesses generally domake one pay dearly. Very good sherris this, i' faith!--the true nuttyflavour. Now do go and fetch me some eggs, my good woman. You must haveplenty, with all the poultry I saw in the farm-yard; and then I'll teachyou the whole art and mystery of brewing sack. "

"Ey'n teach yo to dispute my orders, " cried Bess. And, catching theattorney by the collar, she began to belabour him soundly with the whip. 

"Holloa! ho! what's the meaning of this?" cried Potts, struggling to getfree. "Assault and battery; ho!"

"Ey'n sawt an batter yo, ay, an baste yo too!" replied Bess, continuingto lay on the whip. 

"Why, zounds! this passes a joke, " cried the attorney. "How desperatelystrong she is! I shall be murdered! Help! help! The woman must be awitch. "

"A witch! Ey'n teach yo' to ca' me feaw names, " cried the enragedhostess, laying on with greater fury. 

"Help! help!" roared Potts. 

At this moment Nicholas returned from the stables, and, seeing howmatters stood, flew to the attorney's assistance. 

"Come, come, Bess, " he cried, laying hold of her arm, "you've given himenough. What has Master Potts been about? Not insulting you, I hope?"

"Neaw, ey'd tak keare he didna do that, squoire, " replied the hostess. "Ey towd him he'd get nowt boh ele here, an' he made free wi't winebottle, so ey brought down t' whip jist to teach him manners. "

"You teach me! you ignorant and insolent hussy, " cried Potts, furiously;"do you think I'm to be taught manners by an overgrown Lancashire witchlike you? I'll teach you what it is to assault a gentleman. I'll preferan instant complaint against you to my singular good friend and client, Master Roger, who is in your house, and you'll soon find whom you've gotto deal with--"

"Marry--kem--eawt!" exclaimed Bess; "who con it be? Ey took yo fo' oneo't grooms, mon. "

"Fire and fury!" exclaimed Potts; "this is intolerable. Master Nowellshall let you know who I am, woman. "

"Nay, I'll tell you, Bess, " interposed Nicholas, laughing. "This littlegentleman is a London lawyer, who is going to Rough Lee on business withMaster Roger Nowell. Unluckily, he got pitched into a quagmire in ReadPark, and that is the reason why his countenance and habiliments havegot begrimed. "

"Eigh! ey thowt he wur i' a strawnge fettle, " replied Bess; "an so he bea lawyer fro' Lunnon, eh? Weel, " she added, laughing, and displaying tworanges of very white teeth, "he'll remember Bess Whitaker, t' next timehe comes to Pendle Forest. "

"And she'll remember me, " rejoined Potts. 

"Neaw more sawce, mon, " cried Bess, "or ey'n raddle thy boans again. "

"No you won't, woman, " cried Potts, snatching up his horsewhip, which hehad dropped in the previous scuffle, and brandishing it fiercely. "Idare you to touch me. "

Nicholas was obliged once more to interfere, and as he passed his armsround the hostess's waist, he thought a kiss might tend to bring mattersto a peaceable issue, so he took one. 

"Ha' done wi' ye, squoire, " cried Bess, who, however, did not look veryseriously offended by the liberty. 

"By my faith, your lips are so sweet that I must have another, " criedNicholas. "I tell you what, Bess, you're the finest woman in Lancashire, and you owe it to the county to get married. "

"Whoy so?" said Bess. 

"Because it would be a pity to lose the breed, " replied Nicholas. "Whatsay you to Master Potts there? Will he suit you?"

"He--pooh! Do you think ey'd put up wi' sich powsement os he! Neaw; whenBess Whitaker, the lonleydey o' Goldshey, weds, it shan be to a mon, andnah to a ninny-hommer. "

"Bravely resolved, Bess, " cried Nicholas. "You deserve another kiss foryour spirit. "

"Ha' done, ey say, " cried Bess, dealing him a gentle tap that soundedvery much like a buffet. "See how yon jobberknow is grinning at ye. "

"Jobberknow and ninny-hammer, " cried Potts, furiously; "really, woman, Icannot permit such names to be applied to me. "

"Os yo please, boh ey'st gi' ye nah better, " rejoined the hostess. 

"Come, Bess, a truce to this, " observed Nicholas; "the eggs and baconare spoiling, and I'm dying with hunger. There--there, " he added, clapping her on the shoulder, "set the dish before us, that's a goodsoul--a couple of plates, some oatcakes and butter, and we shall do. "

And while Bess attended to these requirements, he observed, "This suddenseizure of poor John Law is a bad business. "

"'Deed on it is, squoire, " replied Bess, "ey wur quite glopp'nt at seeton him. Lorjus o' me! whoy, it's scarcely an hour sin he left here, looking os strong an os 'earty os yersel. Boh it's a kazzardly onsartinloife we lead. Here to-day an gone the morrow, as Parson Houlden says. Wall-a-day!"

"True, true, Bess, " replied the squire, "and the best plan therefore is, to make the most of the passing moment. So brew us each a lusty pottleof sack, and fry us some more eggs and bacon. "

And while the hostess proceeded to prepare the sack, Potts remarked toNicholas, "I have got another case of witchcraft, squire. Mary Baldwyn, the miller's daughter, of Rough Lee. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Nicholas. "What, is the poor girl bewitched?"

"Bewitched to death--that's all, " said Potts. 

"Eigh--poor Meary! hoo's to be berried here this mornin, " observed Bess, emptying the bottle of sherris into a pot, and placing the latter on thefire. 

"And you think she was forespoken?" said Nicholas, addressing her. 

"Folk sayn so, " replied Bess; "boh I'd leyther howd my tung about it. "

"Then I suppose you pay tribute to Mother Chattox, hostess?" criedPotts, --"butter, eggs, and milk from the farm, ale and wine from thecellar, with a flitch of bacon now and then, ey?"

"Nay, by th' maskins! ey gi' her nowt, " cried Bess. 

"Then you bribe Mother Demdike, and that comes to the same thing, " saidPotts. 

"Weel, yo're neaw so fur fro' t' mark this time, " replied Bess, addingeggs, sugar, and spice to the now boiling wine, and stirring up thecompound. 

"I wonder where your brother, the reeve of the forest, can be, MasterPotts!" observed Nicholas. "I did not see either him or his horse at thestables. "

"Perhaps the arch impostor has taken himself off altogether, " saidPotts; "and if so, I shall be sorry, for I have not done with him. "

The sack was now set before them, and pronounced excellent, and whilethey were engaged in discussing it, together with a fresh supply of eggsand bacon, fried by the kitchen wench, Roger Nowell came out of theinner room, accompanied by Richard and the chirurgeon. 

"Well, Master Sudall, how goes on your patient?" inquired Nicholas ofthe latter. 

"Much more favourably than I expected, squire, " replied the chirurgeon. "He will be better left alone for awhile, and, as I shall not quit thevillage till evening, I shall be able to look well after him. "

"You think the attack occasioned by witchcraft of course, sir?" saidPotts. 

"The poor fellow affirms it to be so, but I can give no opinion, "replied Sudall, evasively. 

"You must make up your mind as to the matter, for I think it right totell you your evidence will be required, " said Potts. "Perhaps, you mayhave seen poor Mary Baldwyn, the miller's daughter of Rough Lee, and canspeak more positively as to her case. "

"I can, sir, " replied the chirurgeon, seating himself beside Potts, while Roger Nowell and Richard placed themselves on the opposite side ofthe table. "This is the case I referred to a short time ago, whenanswering your inquiries on the same subject, Master Richard, and a mostafflicting one it is. But you shall have the particulars. Six monthsago, Mary Baldwyn was as lovely and blooming a lass as could be seen, the joy of her widowed father's heart. A hot-headed, obstinate man isRichard Baldwyn, and he was unwise enough to incur the displeasure ofMother Demdike, by favouring her rival, old Chattox, to whom he gaveflour and meal, while he refused the same tribute to the other. Thefirst time Mother Demdike was dismissed without the customary dole, oneof his millstones broke, and, instead of taking this as a warning, hebecame more obstinate. She came a second time, and he sent her away withcurses. Then all his flour grew damp and musty, and no one would buy it. Still he remained obstinate, and, when she appeared again, he would havelaid hands upon her. But she raised her staff, and the blows fell short. 'I have given thee two warnings, Richard, ' she said, 'and thou hast paidno heed to them. Now I will make thee smart, lad, in right earnest. Thatwhich thou lovest best thou shalt lose. ' Upon this, bethinking him thatthe dearest thing he had in the world was his daughter Mary, and afraidof harm happening to her, Richard would fain have made up his quarrelwith the old witch; but it had now gone too far, and she would notlisten to him, but uttering some words, with which the name of the girlwas mingled, shook her staff at the house and departed. The next daypoor Mary was taken ill, and her father, in despair, applied to oldChattox, who promised him help, and did her best, I make no doubt--forshe would have willingly thwarted her rival, and robbed her of her prey;but the latter was too strong for her, and the hapless victim got dailyworse and worse. Her blooming cheek grew white and hollow, her dark eyesglistened with unnatural lustre, and she was seen no more on the banksof Pendle water. Before this my aid had been called in by the afflictedfather--and I did all I could--but I knew she would die--and I told himso. The information I feared had killed him, for he fell down like astone--and I repented having spoken. However he recovered, and made alast appeal to Mother Demdike; but the unrelenting hag derided him andcursed him, telling him if he brought her all his mill contained, andadded to that all his substance, she would not spare his child. Hereturned heart-broken, and never quitted the poor girl's bedside tillshe breathed her last. "

"Poor Ruchot! Robb'd o' his ownly dowter--an neaw woife to cheer him! Eypity him fro' t' bottom o' my heart, " said Bess, whose tears had flowedfreely during the narration. 

"He is wellnigh crazed with grief, " said the chirurgeon. "I hope he willcommit no rash act. "

Expressions of deep commiseration for the untimely death of the miller'sdaughter had been uttered by all the party, and they were talking overthe strange circumstances attending it, when they were roused by thetrampling of horses' feet at the door, and the moment after, amiddle-aged man, clad in deep mourning, but put on in a manner thatbetrayed the disorder of his mind, entered the house. His looks werewild and frenzied, his cheeks haggard, and he rushed into the room soabruptly that he did not at first observe the company assembled. 

"Why, Richard Baldwyn, is that you?" cried the chirurgeon. 

"What! is this the father?" exclaimed Potts, taking out hismemorandum-book; "I must prepare to interrogate him. "

"Sit thee down, Ruchot, --sit thee down, mon, " said Bess, taking his handkindly, and leading him to a bench. "Con ey get thee onny thing?"

"Neaw--neaw, Bess, " replied the miller; "ey ha lost aw ey vallied i'this warlt, an ey care na how soon ey quit it mysel. "

"Neigh, dunna talk on thus, Ruchot, " said Bess, in accents of sinceresympathy. "Theaw win live to see happier an brighter days. "

"Ey win live to be revenged, Bess, " cried the miller, rising suddenly, and stamping his foot on the ground, --"that accursed witch has robbed meo' my' eart's chief treasure--hoo has crushed a poor innocent os neverinjured her i' thowt or deed--an has struck the heaviest blow that couldbe dealt me; but by the heaven above us ey win requite her! A feyther'sdeep an lasting curse leet on her guilty heoad, an on those of aw heraccursed race. Nah rest, neet nor day, win ey know, till ey ha broughtem to the stake. "

"Right--right--my good friend--an excellent resolution--bring them tothe stake!" cried Potts. 

But his enthusiasm was suddenly checked by observing the reeve of theforest peeping from behind the wainscot, and earnestly regarding themiller, and he called the attention of the latter to him. 

Richard Baldwyn mechanically followed the expressive gestures of theattorney, --but he saw no one, for the reeve had disappeared. 

The incident passed unnoticed by the others, who had been, too deeplymoved by poor Baldwyn's outburst of grief to pay attention to it. 

After a little while Bess Whitaker succeeded in prevailing upon themiller to sit down, and when he became more composed he told her thatthe funeral procession, consisting of some of his neighbours who hadundertaken to attend his ill-fated daughter to her last home, was comingfrom Rough Lee to Goldshaw, but that, unable to bear them company, hehad ridden on by himself. It appeared also, from his muttered threats, that he had meditated some wild project of vengeance against MotherDemdike, which he intended to put into execution, before the day wasover; but Master Potts endeavoured to dissuade him from this course, assuring him that the most certain and efficacious mode of revenge hecould adopt would be through the medium of the law, and that he wouldgive him his best advice and assistance in the matter. While they weretalking thus, the bell began to toll, and every stroke seemed to vibratethrough the heart of the afflicted father, who was at last sooverpowered by grief, that the hostess deemed it expedient to lead himinto an inner room, where he might indulge his sorrow unobserved. 

Without awaiting the issue of this painful scene, Richard, who was muchaffected by it, went forth, and taking his horse from the stable, withthe intention of riding on slowly before the others, led the animaltowards the churchyard. When within a short distance of the grey oldfabric he paused. The bell continued to toll mournfully, and deepenedthe melancholy hue of his thoughts. The sad tale he had heard heldpossession of his mind, and while he pitied poor Mary Baldwyn, he beganto entertain apprehensions that Alizon might meet a similar fate. Somany strange circumstances had taken place during the morning's ride; hehad listened to so many dismal relations, that, coupled with the darkand mysterious events of the previous night, he was quite bewildered, and felt oppressed as if by a hideous nightmare, which it was impossibleto shake off. He thought of Mothers Demdike and Chattox. Could thesedread beings be permitted to exercise such baneful influence overmankind? With all the apparent proofs of their power he had received, hestill strove to doubt, and to persuade himself that the various cases ofwitchcraft described to him were only held to be such by the timid andthe credulous. 

Full of these meditations, he tied his horse to a tree and entered thechurchyard, and while pursuing a path shaded by a row of younglime-trees leading to the porch, he perceived at a little distance fromhim, near the cross erected by Abbot Cliderhow, two persons whoattracted his attention. One was the sexton, who was now deep in thegrave; and the other an old woman, with her back towards him. Neitherhad remarked his approach, and, influenced by an unaccountable feelingof curiosity, he stood still to watch their proceedings. Presently, thesexton, who was shovelling out the mould, paused in his task; and theold woman, in a hoarse voice, which seemed familiar to the listener, said, "What hast found, Zachariah?"

[Illustration: RICHARD OVERHEARS THE MOTHER CHATTOX AND THE SEXTON. ]

"That which yo lack, mother, " replied the sexton, "a mazzard wi' aw th'teeth in't. "

"Pluck out eight, and give them me, " replied the hag. 

And, as the sexton complied with her injunction, she added, "Now I musthave three scalps. "

"Here they be, mother, " replied Zachariah, uncovering a heap of mouldwith his spade. "Two brain-pans bleached loike snow, an the third wi'more hewr on it than ey ha' o' my own sconce. Fro' its size an shape eyshould tak it to be a female. Ey ha' laid these three skulls aside fo'ye. Whot dun yo mean to do wi' 'em?"

"Question me not, Zachariah, " said the hag, sternly; "now give me somepieces of the mouldering coffin, and fill this box with the dust of thecorpse it contained. "

The sexton complied with her request. 

"Now yo ha' getten aw yo seek, mother, " he said, "ey wad pray you to tayyour departure, fo' the berrin folk win be here presently. "

"I'm going, " replied the hag, "but first I must have my funeral ritesperformed--ha! ha! Bury this for me, Zachariah, " she said, giving him asmall clay figure. "Bury it deep, and as it moulders away, may she itrepresents pine and wither, till she come to the grave likewise!"

"An whoam doth it represent, mother?" asked the sexton, regarding theimage with curiosity. "Ey dunna knoa the feace?"

"How should you know it, fool, since you have never seen her in whoselikeness it is made?" replied the hag. "She is connected with the race Ihate. "

"Wi' the Demdikes?" inquired the sexton. 

"Ay, " replied the hag, "with the Demdikes. She passes for one ofthem--but she is not of them. Nevertheless, I hate her as though shewere. "

"Yo dunna mean Alizon Device?" said the sexton. "Ey ha' heerd say hoo bevarry comely an kind-hearted, an ey should be sorry onny harm befellher. "

"Mary Baldwyn, who will soon lie there, was quite as comely andkind-hearted as Alizon, " cried the hag, "and yet Mother Demdike had nopity on her. "

"An that's true, " replied the sexton. "Weel, weel; ey'n do yourbidding. "

"Hold!" exclaimed Richard, stepping forward. "I will not suffer thisabomination to be practised. "

"Who is it speaks to me?" cried the hag, turning round, and disclosingthe hideous countenance of Mother Chattox. "The voice is that of RichardAssheton. "

"It is Richard Assheton who speaks, " cried the young man, "and I commandyou to desist from this wickedness. Give me that clay image, " he cried, snatching it from the sexton, and trampling it to dust beneath his feet. "Thus I destroy thy impious handiwork, and defeat thy evil intentions. "

"Ah! think'st thou so, lad, " rejoined Mother Chattox. "Thou wilt findthyself mistaken. My curse has already alighted upon thee, and it shallwork. Thou lov'st Alizon. --I know it. But she shall never be thine. Now, go thy ways. "

"I will go, " replied Richard--"but you shall come with me, old woman. "

"Dare you lay hands on me?" screamed the hag. 

"Nay, let her be, mester, " interposed the sexton, "yo had better. "

"You are as bad as she is, " said Richard, "and deserve equal punishment. You escaped yesterday at Whalley, old woman, but you shall not escape menow. "

"Be not too sure of that, " cried the hag, disabling him for the moment, by a severe blow on the arm from her staff. And shuffling off with anagility which could scarcely have been expected from her, she passedthrough a gate near her, and disappeared behind a high wall. 

Richard would have followed, but he was detained by the sexton, whobesought him, as he valued his life, not to interfere, and when at lasthe broke away from the old man, he could see nothing of her, and onlyheard the sound of horses' feet in the distance. Either his eyesdeceived him, or at a turn in the woody lane skirting the church hedescried the reeve of the forest galloping off with the old woman behindhim. This lane led towards Rough Lee, and, without a moment'shesitation, Richard flew to the spot where he had left his horse, and, mounting him, rode swiftly along it. 

CHAPTER VI. --THE TEMPTATION. 

Shortly after Richard's departure, a round, rosy-faced personage, whoserusty black cassock, hastily huddled over a dark riding-dress, proclaimed him a churchman, entered the hostel. This was the rector ofGoldshaw, Parson Holden, a very worthy little man, though rather, perhaps, too fond of the sports of the field and the bottle. To RogerNowell and Nicholas Assheton he was of course well known, and was muchesteemed by the latter, often riding over to hunt and fish, or carouse, at Downham. Parson Holden had been sent for by Bess to administerspiritual consolation to poor Richard Baldwyn, who she thought stood inneed of it, and having respectfully saluted the magistrate, of whom hestood somewhat in awe, and shaken hands cordially with Nicholas, who wasdelighted to see him, he repaired to the inner room, promising to comeback speedily. And he kept his word; for in less than five minutes hereappeared with the satisfactory intelligence that the afflicted millerwas considerably calmer, and had listened to his counsels with muchedification. 

"Take him a glass of aquavitæ, Bess, " he said to the hostess. "He isevidently a cup too low, and will be the better for it. Strong water isa specific I always recommend under such circumstances, Master Sudall, and indeed adopt myself, and I am sure you will approve of it. --Harkee, Bess, when you have ministered to poor Baldwyn's wants, I must craveyour attention to my own, and beg you to fill me a tankard with youroldest ale, and toast me an oatcake to eat with it. --I must keep up myspirits, worthy sir, " he added to Roger Nowell, "for I have a painfulduty to perform. I do not know when I have been more shocked than by thedeath of poor Mary Baldwyn. A fair flower, and early nipped. "

"Nipped, indeed, if all we have heard be correct, " rejoined Newell. "Theforest is in a sad state, reverend sir. It would seem as if the enemy ofmankind, by means of his abominable agents, were permitted to exerciseuncontrolled dominion over it. I must needs say, the forlorn conditionof the people reflects little credit on those who have them in charge. The powers of darkness could never have prevailed to such an extent ifduly resisted. "

"I lament to hear you say so, good Master Nowell, " replied the rector. "I have done my best, I assure you, to keep my small andwidely-scattered flock together, and to save them from the raveningwolves and cunning foxes that infest the country; and if now and thensome sheep have gone astray, or a poor lamb, as in the instance of MaryBaldwyn, hath fallen a victim, I am scarcely to blame for the mischance. Rather let me say, sir, that you, as an active and zealous magistrate, should take the matter in hand, and by severe dealing with theoffenders, arrest the progress of the evil. No defence, spiritual orotherwise, as yet set up against them, has proved effectual. "

"Justly remarked, reverend sir, " observed Potts, looking up from thememorandum book in which he was writing, "and I am sure your advice willnot be lost upon Master Roger Nowell. As regards the persons who may beafflicted by witchcraft, hath not our sagacious monarch observed, that'There are three kind of folks who may be tempted or troubled: thewicked for their horrible sins, to punish them in the like measure; thegodly that are sleeping in any great sins or infirmities, and weaknessin faith, to waken them up the faster by such an uncouth form; and evensome of the best, that their patience may be tried before the world asJob's was tried. For why may not God use any kind of extraordinarypunishment, when it pleases Him, as well as the ordinary rods ofsickness, or other adversities?'"

"Very true, sir, " replied Holden. "And we are undergoing this severetrial now. Fortunate are they who profit by it!"

"Hear what is said further, sir, by the king, " pursued Potts. "'Noman, ' declares that wise prince, 'ought to presume so far as to promiseany impunity to himself. ' But further on he gives us courage, for headds, 'and yet we ought not to be afraid for that, of any thing that thedevil and his wicked instruments can do against us, for we daily fightagainst him in a hundred other ways, and therefore as a valiant captainaffrays no more being at the combat, nor stays from his purpose for therummishing shot of a cannon, nor the small clack of a pistolet; notbeing certain what may light on him; even so ought we boldly to goforward in fighting against the devil without any greater terror, forthese his rarest weapons, than the ordinary, whereof we have daily theproof. '"

"His majesty is quite right, " observed Holden, "and I am glad to hearhis convincing words so judiciously cited. I myself have no fear ofthese wicked instruments of Satan. "

"In what manner, may I ask, have you proved your courage, sir?" inquiredRoger Nowell. "Have you preached against them, and denounced theirwickedness, menacing them with the thunders of the Church?"

"I cannot say I have, " replied Holden, rather abashed, "but I shallhenceforth adopt a very different course. --Ah! here comes the ale!" headded, taking the foaming tankard from Bess; "this is the best cordialwherewith to sustain one's courage in these trying times. "

"Some remedy must be found for this intolerable grievance, " observedRoger Nowell, after a few moments' reflection. "Till this morning I wasnot aware of the extent of the evil, but supposed that the two malignanthags, who seem to reign supreme here, confined their operations toblighting corn, maiming cattle, turning milk sour; and even thesereports I fancied were greatly exaggerated; but I now find, from what Ihave seen at Sabden and elsewhere, that they fall very far short of thereality. "

"It would be difficult to increase the darkness of the picture, " saidthe chirurgeon; "but what remedy will you apply?"

"The cautery, sir, " replied Potts, --"the actual cautery--we will burnout this plague-spot. The two old hags and their noxious brood shall bebrought to the stake. That will effect a radical cure. "

"It may when it is accomplished, but I fear it will be long ere thathappens, " replied the chirurgeon, shaking his head doubtfully. "Are youacquainted with Mother Demdike's history, sir?" he added to Potts. 

"In part, " replied the attorney; "but I shall be glad to hear any thingyou may have to bring forward on the subject. "

"The peculiarity in her case, " observed Sudall, "and the circumstancedistinguishing her dark and dread career from that of all other witchesis, that it has been shaped out by destiny. When an infant, amalediction was pronounced upon her head by the unfortunate AbbotPaslew. She is also the offspring of a man reputed to have bartered hissoul to the Enemy of Mankind, while her mother was a witch. Both parentsperished lamentably, about the time of Paslew's execution at Whalley. "

"It is a pity their miserable infant did not perish with them, " observedHolden. "How much crime and misery would have been spared!"

"It was otherwise ordained, " replied Sudall. "Bereft of her parents inthis way, the infant was taken charge of and reared by Dame Croft, themiller's wife of Whalley; but even in those early days she exhibitedsuch a malicious and vindictive disposition, and became so unmanageable, that the good dame was glad to get rid of her, and sent her into theforest, where she found a home at Rough Lee, then occupied by MilesNutter, the grandfather of the late Richard Nutter. "

"Aha!" exclaimed Potts, "was Mother Demdike so early connected with thatfamily? I must make a note of that circumstance. "

"She remained at Rough Lee for some years, " returned Sudall, "and thoughaccounted of an ill disposition, there was nothing to be alleged againsther at the time; though afterwards, it was said, that some mishaps thatbefell the neighbours were owing to her agency, and that she was alwaysattended by a familiar in the form of a rat or a mole. Whether this wereso or not, I cannot say; but it is certain that she helped Miles Nutterto get rid of his wife, and procured him a second spouse, in return forwhich services he bestowed upon her an old ruined tower on his domains. "

"You mean Malkin Tower?" said Nicholas. 

"Ay, Malkin Tower, " replied the chirurgeon. "There is a legend connectedwith that structure, which I will relate to you anon, if you desire it. But to proceed. Scarcely had Bess Demdike taken up her abode in thislone tower, than it began to be rumoured that she was a witch, andattended sabbaths on the summit of Pendle Hill, and on Rimington Moor. Few would consort with her, and ill-luck invariably attended those withwhom she quarrelled. Though of hideous and forbidding aspect, and withone eye lower set than the other, she had subtlety enough to induce ayoung man named Sothernes to marry her, and two children, a son and adaughter, were the fruit of the union. "

"The daughter I have seen at Whalley, " observed Potts; "but I have neverencountered the son. "

"Christopher Demdike still lives, I believe, " replied the chirurgeon, "though what has become of him I know not, for he has quitted theseparts. He is as ill-reputed as his mother, and has the same strange andfearful look about the eyes. "

"I shall recognise him if I see him, " observed Potts. 

"You are scarcely likely to meet him, " returned Sudall, "for, as I havesaid, he has left the forest. But to return to my story. The marriagestate was little suitable to Bess Demdike, and in five years shecontrived to free herself from her husband's restraint, and ruled alonein the tower. Her malignant influence now began to be felt throughoutthe whole district, and by dint of menaces and positive acts ofmischief, she extorted all she required. Whosoever refused her requestsspeedily experienced her resentment. When she was in the fulness of herpower, a rival sprang up in the person of Anne Whittle, since known bythe name of Chattox, which she obtained in marriage, and this womandisputed Bess Demdike's supremacy. Each strove to injure the adherentsof her rival--and terrible was the mischief they wrought. In the end, however, Mother Demdike got the upper hand. Years have flown over theold hag's head, and her guilty career has been hitherto attended withimpunity. Plans have been formed to bring her to justice, but they haveever failed. And so in the case of old Chattox. Her career has been asbaneful and as successful as that of Mother Demdike. "

"But their course is wellnigh run, " said Potts, "and the time is comefor the extirpation of the old serpents. "

"Ah! who is that at the window?" cried Sudall; "but that you are sittingnear me, I should declare you were looking in at us. "

"It must be Master Potts's brother, the reeve of the forest, " observedNicholas, with a laugh. 

"Heed him not, " cried the attorney, angrily, "but let us have thepromised legend of Malkin Tower. "

"Willingly!" replied the chirurgeon. "But before I begin I must recruitmyself with a can of ale. "

The flagon being set before him, Sudall commenced his story:

 The Legend of Malkin Tower. 

 "On the brow of a high hill forming part of the range of Pendle, and commanding an extensive view over the forest, and the wild and mountainous region around it, stands a stern solitary tower. Old as the Anglo-Saxons, and built as a stronghold by Wulstan, a Northumbrian thane, in the time of Edmund or Edred, it is circular in form and very lofty, and serves as a landmark to the country round. Placed high up in the building the door was formerly reached by a steep flight of stone steps, but these were removed some fifty or sixty years ago by Mother Demdike, and a ladder capable of being raised or let down at pleasure substituted for them, affording the only apparent means of entrance. The tower is otherwise inaccessible, the walls being of immense thickness, with no window lower than five-and-twenty feet from the ground, though it is thought there must be a secret outlet; for the old witch, when she wants to come forth, does not wait for the ladder to be let down. But this may be otherwise explained. Internally there are three floors, the lowest being placed on a level with the door, and this is the apartment chiefly occupied by the hag. In the centre of this room is a trapdoor opening upon a deep vault, which forms the basement story of the structure, and which was once used as a dungeon, but is now tenanted, it is said, by a fiend, who can be summoned by the witch on stamping her foot. Round the room runs a gallery contrived in the thickness of the walls, while the upper chambers are gained by a secret staircase, and closed by movable stones, the machinery of which is only known to the inmate of the tower. All the rooms are lighted by narrow loopholes. Thus you will see that the fortress is still capable of sustaining a siege, and old Demdike has been heard to declare that she would hold it for a month against a hundred men. Hitherto it has proved impregnable. 

 "On the Norman invasion, Malkin Tower was held by Ughtred, a descendant of Wulstan, who kept possession of Pendle Forest and the hills around it, and successfully resisted the aggressions of the conquerors. His enemies affirmed he was assisted by a demon, whom he had propitiated by some fearful sacrifice made in the tower, and the notion seemed borne out by the success uniformly attending his conflicts. Ughtred's prowess was stained by cruelty and rapine. Merciless in the treatment of his captives, putting them to death by horrible tortures, or immuring them in the dark and noisome dungeon of his tower, he would hold his revels over their heads, and deride their groans. Heaps of treasure, obtained by pillage, were secured by him in the tower. From his frequent acts of treachery, and the many foul murders he perpetrated, Ughtred was styled the 'Scourge of the Normans. ' For a long period he enjoyed complete immunity from punishment; but after the siege of York, and the defeat of the insurgents, his destruction was vowed by Ilbert de Lacy, lord of Blackburnshire, and this fierce chieftain set fire to part of the forest in which the Saxon thane and his followers were concealed; drove them to Malkin Tower; took it after an obstinate and prolonged defence, and considerable loss to himself, and put them all to the sword, except the leader, whom he hanged from the top of his own fortress. In the dungeon were found many carcasses, and the greater part of Ughtred's treasure served to enrich the victor. 

 "Once again, in the reign of Henry VI. , Malkin Tower became a robber's stronghold, and gave protection to a freebooter named Blackburn, who, with a band of daring and desperate marauders, took advantage of the troubled state of the country, ravaged it far and wide, and committed unheard of atrocities, even levying contributions upon the Abbeys of Whalley and Salley, and the heads of these religious establishments were glad to make terms with him to save their herds and stores, the rather that all attempts to dislodge him from his mountain fastness, and destroy his band, had failed. Blackburn seemed to enjoy the same kind of protection as Ughtred, and practised the same atrocities, torturing and imprisoning his captives unless they were heavily ransomed. He also led a life of wildest licence, and, when not engaged in some predatory exploit, spent his time in carousing with his followers. 

 "Upon one occasion it chanced that he made a visit in disguise to Whalley Abbey, and, passing the little hermitage near the church, beheld the votaress who tenanted it. This was Isole de Heton. Ravished by her wondrous beauty, Blackburn soon found an opportunity of making his passion known to her, and his handsome though fierce lineaments pleasing her, he did not long sigh in vain. He frequently visited her in the garb of a Cistertian monk, and, being taken for one of the brethren, his conduct brought great scandal upon the Abbey. The abandoned votaress bore him a daughter, and the infant was conveyed away by the lover, and placed under the care of a peasant's wife, at Barrowford. From that child sprung Bess Blackburn, the mother of old Demdike; so that the witch is a direct descendant of Isole de Heton. 

 "Notwithstanding all precautions, Isole's dark offence became known, and she would have paid the penalty of it at the stake, if she had not fled. In scaling Whalley Nab, in the woody heights of which she was to remain concealed till her lover could come to her, she fell from a rock, shattering her limbs, and disfiguring her features. Some say she was lamed for life, and became as hideous as she had heretofore been lovely; but this is erroneous, for apprehensive of such a result, attended by the loss of her lover, she invoked the powers of darkness, and proffered her soul in return for five years of unimpaired beauty. 

 "The compact was made, and when Blackburn came he found her more beautiful than ever. Enraptured, he conveyed her to Malkin Tower, and lived with her there in security, laughing to scorn the menaces of Abbot Eccles, by whom he was excommunicated. 

 "Time went on, and as Isole's charms underwent no change, her lover's ardour continued unabated. Five years passed in guilty pleasures, and the last day of the allotted term arrived. No change was manifest in Isole's demeanour; neither remorse nor fear were exhibited by her. Never had she appeared more lovely, never in higher or more exuberant spirits. She besought her lover, who was still madly intoxicated by her infernal charms, to give a banquet that night to ten of his trustiest followers. He willingly assented, and bade them to the feast. They ate and drank merrily, and the gayest of the company was the lovely Isole. Her spirits seemed somewhat too wild even to Blackburn, but he did not check her, though surprised at the excessive liveliness and freedom of her sallies. Her eyes flashed like fire, and there was not a man present but was madly in love with her, and ready to dispute for her smiles with his captain. 

 "The wine flowed freely, and song and jest went on till midnight. When the hour struck, Isole filled a cup to the brim, and called upon them to pledge her. All arose, and drained their goblets enthusiastically. 'It was a farewell cup, ' she said; 'I am going away with one of you. ' 'How!' exclaimed Blackburn, in angry surprise. 'Let any one but touch your hand, and I will strike him dead at my feet. ' The rest of the company regarded each other with surprise, and it was then discovered that a stranger was amongst them; a tall dark man, whose looks were so terrible and demoniacal that no one dared lay hands upon him. 'I am come, ' he said, with fearful significance, to Isole. 'And I am ready, ' she answered boldly. 'I will go with you were it to the bottomless pit, ' cried Blackburn catching hold of her. 'It is thither I am going, ' she answered with a scream of laughter. 'I shall be glad of a companion. '

 "When the paroxysm of laughter was over, she fell down on the floor. Her lover would have raised her, when what was his horror to find that he held in his arms an old woman, with frightfully disfigured features, and evidently in the agonies of death. She fixed one look upon him and expired. 

 "Terrified by the occurrence the guests hurried away, and when they returned next day, they found Blackburn stretched on the floor, and quite dead. They cast his body, together with that of the wretched Isole, into the vault beneath the room where they were lying, and then, taking possession of his treasure, removed to some other retreat. 

 "Thenceforth, Malkin Tower became haunted. Though wholly deserted, lights were constantly seen shining from it at night, and sounds of wild revelry, succeeded by shrieks and groans, issued from it. The figure of Isole was often seen to come forth, and flit across the wastes in the direction of Whalley Abbey. On stormy nights a huge black cat, with flaming eyes, was frequently descried on the summit of the structure, whence it obtained its name of Grimalkin, or Malkin Tower. The ill-omened pile ultimately came into the possession of the Nutter family, but it was never tenanted, until assigned, as I have already mentioned, to Mother Demdike. "

 * * * * *

The chirurgeon's marvellous story was listened to with great attentionby his auditors. Most of them were familiar with different versions ofit; but to Master Potts it was altogether new, and he made rapid notesof it, questioning the narrator as to one or two points which appearedto him to require explanation. Nicholas, as may be supposed, wasparticularly interested in that part of the legend which referred toIsole de Heton. He now for the first time heard of her unhallowedintercourse with the freebooter Blackburn, of her compact on Whalley Nabwith the fiend, of her mysterious connection with Malkin Tower, and ofher being the ancestress of Mother Demdike. The consideration of allthese points, coupled with a vivid recollection of his own strangeadventure with the impious votaress at the Abbey on the previous night, plunged him into a deep train of thought, and he began seriously toconsider whether he might not have committed some heinous sin, and, indeed, jeopardised his soul's welfare by dancing with her. "What if Ishould share the same fate as the robber Blackburn, " he ruminated, "andbe dragged to perdition by her? It is a very awful reflection. Butthough my fate might operate as a warning to others, I am by no meansanxious to be held up as a moral scarecrow. Rather let me take warningmyself, amend my life, abandon intemperance, which leads to all mannerof wickedness, and suffer myself no more to be ensnared by the wiles anddelusions of the tempter in the form of a fair woman. No--no--I willalter and amend my life. "

I regret, however, to say that these praiseworthy resolutions were buttransient, and that the squire, quite forgetting that the work ofreform, if intended to be really accomplished, ought to commence atonce, and by no means be postponed till the morrow, yielded to theseductions of a fresh pottle of sack, which was presented to him at themoment by Bess, and in taking it could not help squeezing the hand ofthe bouncing hostess, and gazing at her more tenderly than became amarried man. Oh! Nicholas--Nicholas--the work of reform, I am afraid, proceeds very slowly and imperfectly with you. Your friend, Parson. Dewhurst, would have told you that it is much easier to form goodresolutions than to keep them. 

Leaving the squire, however, to his cogitations and his sack, theattorney to his memorandum-book, in which he was still engaged inwriting, and the others to their talk, we shall proceed to the chamberwhither the poor miller had been led by Bess. When visited by therector, he had been apparently soothed by the worthy man's consolatoryadvice, but when left alone he speedily relapsed into his former darkand gloomy state of mind. He did not notice Bess, who, according toHolden's directions, placed the aquavitæ bottle before him, but, as longas she stayed, remained with his face buried in his hands. As soon asshe was gone he arose, and began to pace the room to and fro. The windowwas open, and he could hear the funeral bell tolling mournfully atintervals. Each recurrence of the dismal sound added sharpness andintensity to his grief. His sufferings became almost intolerable, anddrove him to the very verge of despair and madness. If a weapon hadbeen at hand, he might have seized it, and put a sudden period to hisexistence. His breast was a chaos of fierce and troubled thoughts, inwhich one black and terrible idea arose and overpowered all the rest. Itwas the desire of vengeance, deep and complete, upon her whom he lookedupon as the murderess of his child. He cared not how it wereaccomplished so it were done; but such was the opinion he entertained ofthe old hag's power, that he doubted his ability to the task. Still, asthe bell tolled on, the furies at his heart lashed and goaded him on, and yelled in his ear revenge--revenge! Now, indeed, he was crazed withgrief and rage; he tore off handfuls of hair, plunged his nails deeplyinto his breast, and while committing these and other wild excesses, with frantic imprecations he called down Heaven's judgments on his ownhead. He was in that lost and helpless state when the enemy of mankindhas power over man. Nor was the opportunity neglected; for when thewretched Baldwyn, who, exhausted by the violence of his motions, hadleaned for a moment against the wall, he perceived to his surprise thatthere was a man in the room--a small personage attired in rusty black, whom he thought had been one of the party in the adjoining chamber. 

There was an expression of mockery about this person's countenance whichdid not please the miller, and he asked him, sternly, what he wanted. 

"Leave off grinnin, mon, " he said, fiercely, "or ey may be tempted totay yo be t' throttle, an may yo laugh o't wrong side o' your mouth. "

"No, no, you will not, Richard Baldwyn, when you know my errand, "replied the man. "You are thirsting for vengeance upon Mother Demdike. You shall have it. "

"Eigh, eigh, you promised me vengeance efore, " cried themiller--"vengeance by the law. Boh ey mun wait lung for it. Ey wad ha'it swift and sure--deep and deadly. Ey wad blast her wi' curses, os hooblasted my poor Meary. Ey wad strike her deeod at my feet. That's myvengeance, mon. "

"You shall have it, " replied the other. 

"Yo talk differently fro' what yo did just now, mon, " said the miller, regarding him narrowly and distrustfully. "An yo look differently too. There's a queer glimmer abowt your een that ey didna notice efore, andthat ey mislike. "

The man laughed bitterly. 

"Leave off grinnin' or begone, " cried Baldwyn, furiously. And he raisedhis hand to strike the man, but he instantly dropped it, appalled by alook which the other threw at him. "Who the dule are yo?"

"The dule must answer you, since you appeal to him, " replied the other, with the same mocking smile; "but you are mistaken in supposing that youhave spoken to me before. He with whom you conversed in the other room, resembles me in more respects than one, but he does not possess powerequal to mine. The law will not aid you against Mother Demdike. She willescape all the snares laid for her. But she will not escape _me_. "

"Who are ye?" cried the miller, his hair erecting on his head, and colddamps breaking out upon his brow. "Yo are nah mortal, an nah good, totawk i' this fashion. "

"Heed not who and what I am, " replied the other; "I am known here as areeve of the forest--that is enough. Would you have vengeance on themurtheress of your child?"

"Yeigh, " rejoined Baldwyn. 

"And you are willing to pay for it at the price of your soul?" demandedthe other, advancing towards him. 

Baldwyn reeled. He saw at once the fearful peril in which he was placed, and averted his gaze from the scorching glance of the reeve. 

At this moment the door was tried without, and the voice of Bess washeard, saying, "Who ha' yo got wi' yo, Ruchot; and whoy ha' yo fastenedt' door?"

"Your answer?" demanded the reeve. 

"Ey canna gi' it now, " replied the miller. "Come in, Bess; come in. "

"Ey conna, " she replied. "Open t' door, mon. "

"Your answer, I say?" said the reeve. 

"Gi' me an hour to think on't, " said the miller. 

"Agreed, " replied the other. "I will be with you after the funeral. "

And he sprang through the window, and disappeared before Baldwyn couldopen the door and admit Bess. 

CHAPTER VII. --THE PERAMBULATION OF THE BOUNDARIES. 

The lane along which Richard Assheton galloped in pursuit of MotherChattox, made so many turns, and was, moreover, so completely hemmed inby high banks and hedges, that he could sec nothing on either side ofhim, and very little in advance; but, guided by the clatter of hoofs, heurged Merlin to his utmost speed, fancying he should soon come up withthe fugitives. In this, however, he was deceived. The sound that had ledhim on became fainter and fainter, till at last it died away altogether;and on quitting the lane and gaining the moor, where the view was whollyuninterrupted, no traces either of witch or reeve could be discerned. 

With a feeling of angry disappointment, Richard was about to turn back, when a large black greyhound came from out an adjoining clough, andmade towards him. The singularity of the circumstance induced him tohalt and regard the dog with attention. On nearing him, the animallooked wistfully in his face, and seemed to invite him to follow; andthe young man was so struck by the dog's manner, that he complied, andhad not gone far when a hare of unusual size and grey with age boundedfrom beneath a gorse-bush and speeded away, the greyhound starting inpursuit. 

Aware of the prevailing notion, that a witch most commonly assumed sucha form when desirous of escaping, or performing some act of mischief, such as drying the milk of kine, Richard at once came to the conclusionthat the hare could be no other than Mother Chattox; and without pausingto inquire what the hound could be, or why it should appear at such asingular and apparently fortunate juncture, he at once joined the run, and cheered on the dog with whoop and holloa. 

Old as it was, apparently, the hare ran with extraordinary swiftness, clearing every stone wall and other impediment in the way, and more thanonce cunningly doubling upon its pursuers. But every feint and stratagemwere defeated by the fleet and sagacious hound, and the hunted animal atlength took to the open waste, where the run became so rapid, thatRichard had enough to do to keep up with it, though Merlin, almost asfuriously excited as his master, strained every sinew to the task. 

In this way the chasers and the chased scoured the dark and heathyplain, skirting moss-pool and clearing dyke, till they almost reachedthe but-end of Pendle Hill, which rose like an impassable barrier beforethem. Hitherto the chances had seemed in favour of the hare; but theynow began to turn, and as it seemed certain she must fall into thehound's jaws, Richard expected every moment to find her resume hernatural form. The run having brought him within, a quarter of a mile ofBarley, the rude hovels composing which little booth were clearlydiscernible, the young man began to think the hag's dwelling must heamong them, and that she was hurrying thither as to a place of refuge. But before this could be accomplished, he hoped to effect her capture, and once more cheered on the hound, and plunged his spurs into Merlin'ssides. An obstacle, however, occurred which he had not counted on. Directly in the course taken by the hare lay a deep, disused limestonequarry, completely screened from view by a fringe of brushwood. Whenwithin a few yards of this pit, the hound made a dash at the flyinghare, but eluding him, the latter sprang forward, and both went over theedge of the quarry together. Richard had wellnigh followed, and in thatcase would have been inevitably dashed in pieces; but, discovering thedanger ere it was too late, by a powerful effort, which threw Merlinupon his haunches, he pulled him back on the very brink of the pit. 

The young man shuddered as he gazed into the depths of the quarry, andsaw the jagged points and heaps of broken stone that would have receivedhim; but he looked in vain for the old witch, whose mangled body, together with that of the hound, he expected to behold; and he thenasked himself whether the chase might not have been a snare set for himby the hag and her familiar, with the intent of luring him todestruction. If so, he had been providentially preserved. 

Quitting the pit, his first idea was to proceed to Barley, which was nowonly a few hundred yards off, to make inquiries respecting MotherChattox, and ascertain whether she really dwelt there; but, on furtherconsideration, he judged it best to return without further delay toGoldshaw, lest his friends, ignorant as to what had befallen him, mightbecome alarmed on his account; but he resolved, as soon as he haddisposed of the business in hand, to prosecute his search after the hag. Riding rapidly, he soon cleared the ground between the quarry andGoldshaw Lane, and was about to enter the latter, when the sound ofvoices singing a funeral hymn caught his ear, and, pausing to listen toit, he beheld a little procession, the meaning of which he readilycomprehended, wending its slow and melancholy way in the same directionas himself. It was headed by four men in deep mourning, bearing upontheir shoulders a small coffin, covered with a pall, and having agarland of white flowers in front of it. Behind them followed about adozen young men and maidens, likewise in mourning, walking two and two, with gait and aspect of unfeigned affliction. Many of the women, thoughmerely rustics, seemed to possess considerable personal attraction; buttheir features were in a great measure concealed by their large whitekerchiefs, disposed in the form of hoods. All carried sprigs of rosemaryand bunches of flowers in their hands. Plaintive was the hymn they sang, and their voices, though untaught, were sweet and touching, and went tothe heart of the listener. 

Much moved, Richard suffered the funeral procession to precede him alongthe deep and devious lane, and as it winded beneath the hedges, thesight was inexpressibly affecting. Fastening his horse to a tree at theend of the lane, Richard followed on foot. Notice of the approach of thetrain having been given in the village, all the inhabitants flockedforth to meet it, and there was scarcely a dry eye among them. Arrivedwithin a short distance of the church, the coffin was met by theminister, attended by the clerk, behind whom came Roger Nowell, Nicholas, and the rest of the company from the hostel. With greatdifficulty poor Baldwyn could be brought to take his place as chiefmourner. These arrangements completed, the body of the ill-fated girlwas borne into the churchyard, the minister reading the solemn textsappointed for the occasion, and leading the way to the grave, besidewhich stood the sexton, together with the beadle of Goldshaw andSparshot. The coffin was then laid on trestles, and amidst profoundsilence, broken only by the sobs of the mourners, the service was read, and preparations made for lowering the body into the grave. 

Then it was that poor Baldwyn, with a wild, heart-piercing cry, flunghimself upon the shell containing all that remained of his losttreasure, and could with difficulty be removed from it by Bess andSudall, both of whom were in attendance. The bunches of flowers andsprigs of rosemary having been laid upon the coffin by the maidens, amidst loud sobbing and audibly expressed lamentations from thebystanders, it was let down into the grave, and earth thrown over it. 

Earth to earth; ashes to ashes; dust to dust. 

The ceremony was over, the mourners betook themselves to the littlehostel, and the spectators slowly dispersed; but the bereaved fatherstill lingered, unable to tear himself away. Leaning for support againstthe yew-tree, he fiercely bade Bess, who would have led him home withher, begone. The kind-hearted hostess complied in appearance, butremained nigh at hand though concealed from view. 

Once more the dark cloud overshadowed the spirit of the wretchedman--once more the same infernal desire of vengeance possessed him--oncemore he subjected himself to temptation. Striding to the foot of thegrave he raised his hand, and with terrible imprecations vowed to laythe murtheress of his child as low as she herself was now laid. At thatmoment he felt an eye like a burning-glass fixed upon him, and, lookingup, beheld the reeve of the forest standing on the further side of thegrave. 

"Kneel down, and swear to be mine, and your wish shall be gratified, "said the reeve. 

Beside himself with grief and rage, Baldwyn would have complied, but hewas arrested by a powerful grasp. Fearing he was about to commit somerash act, Bess rushed forward and caught hold of his doublet. 

"Bethink thee whot theaw has just heerd fro' t' minister, Ruchot, " shecried in a voice of solemn warning. "'Blessed are the dead that dee i'the Lord, for they rest fro their labours. ' An again, 'Suffer us not atour last hour, for onny pains o' death, to fa' fro thee. ' Oh Ruchot, dear! fo' the love theaw hadst fo' thy poor chilt, who is now delivertfro' the burthen o' th' flesh, an' dwellin' i' joy an felicity wi' Godan his angels, dunna endanger thy precious sowl. Pray that theaw may'stdepart hence i' th' Lord, wi' whom are the sowls of the faithful, anMeary's, ey trust, among the number. Pray that thy eend may be likehers. "

"Ey conna pray, Bess, " replied the miller, striking his breast. "TheLord has turned his feace fro' me. "

"Becose thy heart is hardened, Ruchot, " she replied. "Theaw 'rtnourishin' nowt boh black an wicked thowts. Cast em off ye, I adjurethee, an come whoam wi me. "

Meanwhile, the reeve had sprung across the grave. 

"Thy answer at once, " he said, grasping the miller's arm, and breathingthe words in his ears. "Vengeance is in thy power. A word, and it isthine. "

The miller groaned bitterly. He was sorely tempted. 

"What is that mon sayin' to thee, Ruchot?" inquired Bess. 

"Dunna ax, boh tak me away, " he answered. "Ey am lost else. "

"Let him lay a finger on yo if he dare, " said Bess, sturdily. 

"Leave him alone--yo dunna knoa who he is, " whispered the miller. 

"Ey con partly guess, " she rejoined; "boh ey care nother fo' mon nordule when ey'm acting reetly. Come along wi' me, Ruchot. "

"Fool!" cried the reeve, in the same low tone as before; "you will loseyour revenge, but you will not escape me. "

And he turned away, while Bess almost carried the trembling andenfeebled miller towards the hostel. 

Roger Nowell and his friends had only waited the conclusion of thefuneral to set forth, and their horses being in readiness, they mountedthem on leaving the churchyard, and rode slowly along the lane leadingtowards Rough Lee. The melancholy scene they had witnessed, and theafflicting circumstances connected with it, had painfully affected theparty, and little conversation occurred until they were overtaken byParson Holden, who, having been made acquainted with their errand byNicholas, was desirous of accompanying them. Soon after this, also, thereeve of the forest joined them, and on seeing him, Richard sternlydemanded why he had aided Mother Chattox in her night from thechurchyard, and what had become of her. 

"You are entirely mistaken, sir, " replied the reeve, with affectedastonishment. "I have seen nothing whatever of the old hag, and wouldrather lend a hand to her capture than abet her flight. I hold allwitches in abhorrence, and Mother Chattox especially so. "

"Your horse looks fresh enough, certainly, " said Richard, somewhatshaken in his suspicions. "Where have you been during our stay atGoldshaw? You did not put up at the hostel?"

"I went to Farmer Johnson's, " replied the reeve, "and you will find uponinquiry that my horse has not been out of his stables for the last hour. I myself have been loitering about Bess's grange and farmyard, as yourgrooms will testify, for they have seen me. "

"Humph!" exclaimed Richard, "I suppose I must credit assertions madewith such confidence, but I could have sworn I saw you ride off with thehag behind you. "

"I hope I shall never be caught in such bad company, sir, " replied thereeve, with a laugh. "If I ride off with any one, it shall not be withan old witch, depend upon it. "

Though by no means satisfied with the explanation, Richard was forced tobe content with it; but he thought he would address a few more questionsto the reeve. 

"Have you any knowledge, " he said, "when the boundaries of Pendle Forestwere first settled and appointed?"

"The first perambulation was made by Henry de Lacy, about the middle ofthe twelfth century, " replied the reeve. "Pendle Forest, you may beaware, sir, is one of the four divisions of the great forest ofBlackburnshire, of which the Lacys were lords, the three other divisionsbeing Accrington, Trawden, and Rossendale, and it comprehends an extentof about twenty-five miles, part of which you have traversed to-day. Ata later period, namely in 1311, after the death of another Henry deLacy, Earl of Lincoln, the last of his line, and one of the bravest ofEdward the First's barons, an inquisition was held in the forest, and itwas subdivided into eleven vaccaries, one of which is the place to whichyou are bound, Rough Lee. "

"The learned Sir Edward Coke defines a vaccary to signify a dairy, "observed Potts. 

"Here it means the farm and land as well, " replied the reeve; "and theword 'booth, ' which is in general use in this district, signifies themansion erected upon such vaccary: Mistress Nutter's residence, forinstance, being nothing more than the booth of Rough Lee: while a'lawnd, ' another local term, is a park inclosed within the forest forthe preservation of the deer, and the convenience of the chase, and ofsuch inclosures we have two, namely, the Old and New Lawnd. By acommission in the reign of Henry VII. , these vaccaries, originallygranted only to tenants at will, were converted into copyholds ofinheritance, but--and here is a legal point for your consideration, Master Potts--as it seems very questionable whether titles obtainedunder letters-patent are secure, not unreasonable fears are entertainedby the holders of the lands lest they should be seized, and appropriatedby the crown. "

"Ah! ah! an excellent idea, Master Reeve, " exclaimed Potts, his littleeyes twinkling with pleasure. "Our gracious and sagacious monarch wouldgrasp at the suggestion, ay, and grasp at the lands too--ha! ha! Manythanks for the hint, good reeve. I will not fail to profit by it. Iftheir titles are uncertain, the landholders would be glad to compromisethe matter with the crown, even to the value of half their estatesrather than lose the whole. "

"Most assuredly they would, " replied the reeve; "and furthermore, theywould pay the lawyer well who could manage the matter adroitly for them. This would answer your purpose better than hunting up witches, MasterPotts. "

"One pursuit does not interfere with the other in the slightest degree, worthy reeve, " observed Potts. "I cannot consent to give up my quest ofthe witches. My honour is concerned in their extermination. But to turnto Pendle Forest--the greater part of it has been disafforested, Ipresume?"

"It has, " replied the other--"and we are now in one of the purlieus. "

"Pourallee is the better word, most excellent reeve, " said Potts. "Itell you thus much, because you appear to be a man of learning. Manwood, our great authority in such matters, declares a pourallee to be 'acertain territory of ground adjoining unto the forest, mered and boundedwith immovable marks, meres, and boundaries, known by matter of recordonly. ' And as it applies to the perambulation we are about to make, Imay as well repeat what the same learned writer further saith touchingmarks, meres, and boundaries, and how they may be known. 'For although, 'he saith, 'a forest doth lie open, and not inclosed with hedge, ditch, pale, or stone-wall, which some other inclosures have; yet in the eyeand consideration of the law, the same hath as strong an inclosure bythose marks, meres, and boundaries, as if there were a brick wall toencircle the same. ' Marks, learned reeve, are deemed unremovable--_primo, quia omnes metæ forestæ sunt integræ domino regi_--and thosewho take them away are punishable for the trespass at the assizes ofthe forest. _Secundo_, because the marks are things that cannot bestirred, as rivers, highways, hills, and the like. Now, suchunremoveable marks, meres, and boundaries we have between the estate ofmy excellent client, Master Roger Nowell, and that of Mistress Nutter, so that the matter at issue will be easily decided. "

A singular smile crossed the reeve's countenance, but he made noobservation. 

"Unless the lady can turn aside streams, remove hills, and pluck up hugetrees, we shall win, " pursued Potts, with a chuckle. 

Again the reeve smiled, but he forebore to speak. 

"You talk of marks, meres, and boundaries, Master Potts, " remarkedRichard. "Are not the words synonymous?"

"Not precisely so, sir, " replied the attorney; "there is a slightdifference in their signification, which I will explain to you. Thewords of the statute are '_metas, meras, et bundas_, '--now _meta_, ormark, is an object rising from the ground, as a church, a wall, or atree; _mera_, or mere, is the space or interval between the forest andthe land adjoining, whereupon the mark may chance to stand; and _bunda_is the boundary, lying on a level with the forest, as a river, ahighway, a pool, or a bog. "

"I comprehend the distinction, " replied Richard. "And now, as we are onthis subject, " he added to the reeve, "I would gladly know the precisenature of your office?"

"My duty, " replied the other, "is to range daily throughout all thepurlieus, or pourallees, as Master Potts more properly terms them, anddisafforested lands, and inquire into all trespasses and offencesagainst vert or venison, and present them at the king's next court ofattachment or swainmote. It is also my business to drive into the forestsuch wild beasts as have strayed from it; to attend to the lawing andexpeditation of mastiffs; and to raise hue and cry against anymalefactors or trespassers within the forest. "

"I will give you the exact words of the statute, " said Potts--'_Si quisviderit malefactores infra metas forestæ, debet illos capere secundumposse suum, et si non possit; debet levare hutesium et clamorem_. ' Andthe penalty for refusing to follow hue and cry is heavy fine. "

"I would that that part of your duty relating to the hock-sinewing, andlawing of mastiffs, could be discontinued, " said Richard. "I grieve tosee a noble animal so mutilated. "

"In Bowland Forest, as you are probably aware, sir, " rejoined the reeve, "only the larger mastiffs are lamed, a small stirrup or gauge being keptby the master forester, Squire Robert Parker of Browsholme, and the dogwhose foot will pass through it escapes mutilation. "

"The practice is a cruel one, and I would it were abolished with some ofour other barbarous forest laws, " observed Richard. 

While this conversation had been going on, the party had proceeded wellon their way. For some time the road, which consisted of little morethan tracts of wheels along the turf, led along a plain, thrown up intoheathy hillocks, and then passing through a thicket, evidently part ofthe old forest, it brought them to the foot of a hill, which theymounted, and descended into another valley. Here they came upon PendleWater, and while skirting its banks, could see at a great depth below, the river rushing over its rocky bed like an Alpine torrent. The sceneryhad now begun to assume a savage and sombre character. The deep riftthrough which the river ran was evidently the result of some terribleconvulsion of the earth, and the rocky strata were strangely andfantastically displayed. On the further side the banks rose upprecipitously, consisting for the most part of bare cliffs, though nowand then a tree would root itself in some crevice. Below this the streamsank over a wide shelf of rock, in a broad full cascade, and boiled andfoamed in the stony basin that received it, after which, grown lessimpetuous, it ran tranquilly on for a couple of hundred yards, and wasthen artificially restrained by a dam, which, diverting it in part fromits course, caused it to turn the wheels of a mill. Here was the abodeof the unfortunate Richard Baldwyn, and here had blossomed forth thefair flower so untimely gathered. An air of gloom hung over this oncecheerful spot: its very beauty contributing to this saddening effect. The mill-race flowed swiftly and brightly on; but the wheel wasstopped, windows and doors were closed, and death kept his grim holidayundisturbed. No one was to be seen about the premises, nor was any soundheard except the bark of the lonely watch-dog. Many a sorrowing glancewas cast at this forlorn habitation as the party rode past it, and manya sigh was heaved for the poor girl who had so lately been its pride andornament; but if any one had noticed the bitter sneer curling thereeve's lip, or caught the malignant fire gleaming in his eye, it wouldscarcely have been thought that he shared in the general regret. 

After the cavalcade had passed the mill, one or two other cottagesappeared on the near side of the river, while the opposite banks beganto be clothed with timber. The glen became more and more contracted, anda stone bridge crossed the stream, near which, and on the same side ofthe river as the party, stood a cluster of cottages constituting thelittle village of Rough Lee. 

On reaching the bridge, Mistress Nutter's habitation came in view, andit was pointed out by Nicholas to Potts, who contemplated it with muchcuriosity. In his eyes it seemed exactly adapted to its owner, andformed to hide dark and guilty deeds. It was a stern, sombre-lookingmansion, built of a dark grey stone, with tall square chimneys, andwindows with heavy mullions. High stone walls, hoary and moss-grown, ranround the gardens and courts, except on the side of the river, wherethere was a terrace overlooking the stream, and forming a pleasantsummer's walk. At the back of the house were a few ancient oaks andsycamores, and in the gardens were some old clipped yews. 

Part of this ancient mansion is still standing, and retains much of itsoriginal character, though subdivided and tenanted by several humblefamilies. The garden is cut up into paddocks, and the approach environedby a labyrinth of low stone walls, while miserable sheds and otherbuildings are appended to it; the terrace is wholly obliterated; and thegrange and offices are pulled down, but sufficient is still left of theplace to give an idea of its pristine appearance and character. Itssituation is striking and peculiar. In front rises a high hill, formingthe last link of the chain of Pendle, and looking upon Barrowford andColne, on the further side of which, and therefore not discernible fromthe mansion, stood Malkin Tower. At the period in question the lowerpart of this hill was well wooded, and washed by the Pendle Water, whichswept past it through banks picturesque and beautiful, though not sobold and rocky as those in the neighbourhood of the mill. In the rear ofthe house the ground gradually rose for more than a quarter of a mile, when it obtained a considerable elevation, following the course of thestream, and looking down the gorge, another hill appeared, so that thehouse was completely shut in by mountainous acclivities. In winter, when the snow lay on the heights, or when the mists hung upon them forweeks together, or descended in continuous rain, Rough Lee wassufficiently desolate, and seemed cut off from all communication withthe outer world; but at the season when the party beheld it, though theapproaches were rugged and difficult, and almost inaccessible except tothe horseman or pedestrian, bidding defiance to any vehicle except ofthe strongest construction, still the place was not without a certaincharm, mainly, however, derived from its seclusion. The scenery wasstern and sombre, the hills were dark and dreary; but the very wildnessof the place was attractive, and the old house, with its grey walls, itslofty chimneys, its gardens with their clipped yews, and itsrook-haunted trees, harmonised well with all around it. 

As the party drew near the house, the gates were thrown open by an oldporter with two other servants, who besought them to stay and partake ofsome refreshment; but Roger Nowell haughtily and peremptorily declinedthe invitation, and rode on, and the others, though some of them wouldfain have complied, followed him. 

Scarcely were they gone, than James Device, who had been in the garden, issued from the gate and speeded after them. 

Passing through a close at the back of the mansion, and tracking a shortnarrow lane, edged by stone walls, the party, which had received someaccessions from the cottages of Rough Lee, as well as from the huts onthe hill-side, again approached the river, and proceeded along itsbanks. 

The new-comers, being all of them tenants of Mrs. Nutter, and actingapparently under the directions of James Device, who had now joined thetroop, stoutly and loudly maintained that the lady would be found rightin the inquiry, with the exception of one old man named Henry Mitton;and he shook his head gravely when appealed to by Jem, and could by noefforts be induced to join him in the clamour. 

Notwithstanding this demonstration, Roger Nowell and his legal adviserwere both very sanguine as to the result of the survey being in theirfavour, and Master Potts turned to ascertain from Sparshot that the twoplans, which had been rolled up and consigned to his custody, were quitesafe. 

Meanwhile, the party having followed the course of Pendle Water throughthe glen for about half a mile, during which they kept close to thebrawling current, entered a little thicket, and then striking off on theleft, passed over the foot of a hill, and came to the edge of a widemoor, where a halt was called by Nowell. 

It being now announced that they were on the confines of the disputedproperty, preparations were immediately made for the survey; the planswere taken out of a quiver, in which they had been carefully depositedby Sparshot, and handed to Potts, who, giving one to Roger Nowell andthe other to Nicholas, and opening his memorandum-book, declared thatall was ready, and the two leaders rode slowly forward, while the restof the troop followed, their curiosity being stimulated to the highestpitch. 

Presently Roger Nowell again stopped, and pointed to a woody brake. 

"We are now come, " he said, "to a wood forming part of my property, andwhich from an eruption, caused by a spring, that took place in it manyyears ago, is called Burst Clough. "

"Exactly, sir--exactly, " cried Potts; "Burst Clough--I have ithere--landmarks, five grey stones, lying apart at a distance of onehundred yards or thereabouts, and giving you, sir, twenty acres of moorland. Is it not so, Master Nicholas? The marks are such as I havedescribed, eh?"

"They are, sir, " replied the squire; "with this slight difference in theallotment of the land--namely, that Mistress Nutter claims the twentyacres, while she assigns you only ten. "

"Ten devils!" cried Roger Nowell, furiously. "Twenty acres are mine, andI will have them. "

"To the proof, then, " rejoined Nicholas. "The first of the grey stonesis here. "

"And the second on the left, in that hollow, " said Roger Nowell. "Comeon, my masters, come on. "

"Ay, come on!" cried Nicholas; "this perambulation will be rare sport. Who wins, for a piece of gold, cousin Richard?"

"Nay, I will place no wager on the event, " replied the young man. 

"Well, as you please, " cried the squire; "but I would lay five to onethat Mistress Nutter beats the magistrate. "

Meanwhile, the whole troop having set forward, they soon arrived at thesecond stone. Grey and moss-grown, it was deeply imbedded in the soil, and to all appearance had rested undisturbed for many a year. 

"You measure from the clough, I presume, sir?" remarked Potts to Nowell. 

"To be sure, " replied the magistrate; "but how is this?--This stoneseems to me much nearer the clough than it used to be. "

"Yeigh, so it dun, mester, " observed old Mitton. 

"It does not appear to have been disturbed, at all events, " saidNicholas, dismounting and examining it. 

"It would seem not, " said Nowell--"and yet it certainly is not in itsold place. "

"Yo are mistaen, mester, " observed Jem Device; "ey knoa th' lond weel, an this stoan has stood where it does fo' t' last twenty year. Ha'n'tit, neeburs?"

"Yeigh--yeigh, " responded several voices. 

"Well, let us go on to the next stone, " said Potts, looking ratherblank. 

Accordingly they went forward, the hinds exchanging significant looks, and Roger Nowell and Nicholas carefully examining their respective maps. 

"These landmarks exactly tally with my plan, " said the squire, as theyarrived at the third stone. 

"But not with mine, " said Nowell; "this stone ought to be two hundredyards to the right. Some trickery has been practised. "

"Impossible!" exclaimed the squire; "these ponderous masses could neverhave been moved. Besides, there are several persons here who know everyinch of the ground, and will give you their unbiassed testimony. Whatsay you, my men? Are these the old boundary stones?"

All answered in the affirmative except old Mitton, who still raised adissenting voice. 

"They be th' owd boundary marks, sure enough, " he said; "boh they areneaw i' their owd places. "

"It is quite clear that the twenty acres belong to Mistress Nutter, "observed Nicholas, "and that you must content yourself with ten, MasterNowell. Make an entry to that effect, Master Potts, unless you will havethe ground measured. "

"No, it is needless, " replied the magistrate, sharply; "let us go on. "

During this survey, some of the features of the country appeared changedto the rustics, but how or in what way they could not precisely tell, and they were easily induced by James Device to give their testimony inMistress Nutter's favour. 

A small rivulet was now reached, and another halt being called upon itssedgy banks, the plans were again consulted. 

"What have we here, Master Potts--marks or boundaries?" inquiredRichard, with a smile. 

"Both, " replied Potts, angrily. "This rivulet, which I take to be MossBrook, is a boundary, and that sheepfold and the two posts standing in aline with it are marks. But hold! how is this?" he cried, regarding theplan in dismay; "the five acres of waste land should be on the left ofthe brook. "

"It would doubtless suit Master Nowell better if it were so, " saidNicholas; "but as they chance to be on the right, they belong toMistress Nutter. I merely speak from the plan. "

"Your plan is naught, sir, " cried Nowell, furiously, "By what foulpractice these changes have been wrought I pretend not to say, though Ican give a good guess; but the audacious witch who has thus deluded meshall bitterly rue it. "

"Hold, hold, Master Nowell!" rejoined Nicholas; "I can make greatallowance for your anger, which is natural considering yourdisappointment, but I will not permit such unwarrantable insinuations tobe thrown out against Mistress Nutter. You agreed to abide by Sir RalphAssheton's award, and you must not complain if it be made against you. Do you imagine that this stream can have changed its course in a singlenight; or that yon sheepfold has been removed to the further side ofit?"

"I do, " replied Nowell. 

"And so do I, " cried Potts; "it has been accomplished by the aid of--"

But feeling himself checked by a glance from the reeve, he stammeredout, "of--of Mother Demdike. "

"You declared just now that marks, meres, and boundaries, wereunremovable, Master Potts, " said the reeve, with a sneer; "you havealtered your opinion. "

The crestfallen attorney was dumb. 

"Master Roger Nowell must find some better plea than the imputation ofwitchcraft to set aside Mistress Nutter's claim, " observed Richard. 

"Yeigh, that he mun, " cried James Device, and the hinds who supportedhim. 

The magistrate bit his lips with vexation. 

"There is witchcraft in it, I repeat, " he said. 

"Yeigh, that there be, " responded old Mitton. 

But the words were scarcely uttered, when he was felled to the ground bythe bludgeon of James Device. 

"Ey'd sarve thee i' t' same way, fo' two pins, " said Jem, regardingPotts with a savage look. 

"No violence, Jem, " cried Nicholas, authoritatively--"you do harm to thecause you would serve by your outrageous conduct. "

"Beg pardon, squoire, " replied Jem, "boh ey winna hear lies towd abowtMistress Nutter. "

"No one shan speak ill on her here, " cried the hinds. 

"Well, Master Nowell, " said Nicholas, "are you willing to concede thematter at once, or will you pursue the investigation further?"

"I will ascertain the extent of the mischief done to me before I stop, "rejoined the magistrate, angrily. 

"Forward, then, " cried Nicholas. "Our course now lies along thisfootpath, with a croft on the left, and an old barn on the right. Herethe plans correspond, I believe, Master Potts?"

The attorney yielded a reluctant assent. 

"There is next a small spring and trough on the right, and we then cometo a limestone quarry--then by a plantation called Cat Gallows Wood--sonamed, because some troublesome mouser has been hanged there, I suppose, and next by a deep moss-pit, called Swallow Hole. All right, eh, MasterPotts? We shall now enter upon Worston Moor, and come to the hutoccupied by Jem Device, who can, it is presumed, speak positively as toits situation. "

"Very true, " cried Potts, as if struck by an idea. "Let the rascal stepforward. I wish to put a few questions to him respecting his tenement. I think I shall catch him now, " he added in a low tone to Nowell. 

"Here ey be, " cried Jem, stepping up with an insolent and defying look. "Whot d'ye want wi' me?"

"First of all I would caution you to speak the truth, " commenced Potts, impressively, "as I shall take down your answers in my memorandum book, and they will be produced against you hereafter. "

"If he utters a falsehood I will commit him, " said Roger Nowell, sharply. 

"Speak ceevily, an ey win gi' yo a ceevil answer, " rejoined Jem, in asurly tone; "boh ey'm nah to be browbeaten. "

"First, then, is your hut in sight?" asked Potts. 

"Neaw, " replied Jem. 

"But you can point out its situation, I suppose?" pursued the attorney. 

"Sartinly ey con, " replied Jem, without heeding a significant glancecast at him by the reeve. "It stonds behind yon kloof, ot soide o' t'moor, wi' a rindle in front. "

"Now mind what you say, sirrah, " cried Potts. "You are quite sure thehut is behind the clough; and the rindle, which, being interpreted fromyour base vernacular, I believe means a gutter, in front of it?"

The reeve coughed slightly, but failed to attract Jem's attention, whoreplied quickly, that he was quite sure of the circumstances. 

"Very well, " said Potts--"you have all heard the answer. He is quitesure as to what he states. Now, then, I suppose you can tell whether thehut looks to the north or the south; whether the door opens to the mooror to the clough; and whether there is a path leading from it to a spotcalled Hook Cliff?"

At this moment Jem caught the eye of the reeve, and the look given himby the latter completely puzzled him. 

"Ey dunna reetly recollect which way it looks, " he answered. 

"What! you prevaricating rascal, do you pretend to say that you do notknow which way your own dwelling stands, " thundered Roger Nowell. "Speakout, sirrah, or Sparshot shall take you into custody at once. "

"Ey'm ready, your worship, " replied the beadle. 

"Weel, then, " said Jem, imperfectly comprehending the signs made to himby the reeve, "the hut looks nather to t' south naw to t' north, but tot' west; it feaces t' moor; an there is a path fro' it to Hook Cliff. "

As he finished speaking, he saw from the reeve's angry gestures that hehad made a mistake, but it was now too late to recall his words. However, he determined to make an effort. 

"Now ey bethink me, ey'm naw sure that ey'm reet, " he said. 

"You must be sure, sirrah, " said Roger Nowell, bending his awful browsupon him. "You cannot be mistaken as to your own dwelling. Take down hisdescription, Master Potts, and proceed with your interrogatories if youhave any more to put to him. "

"I wish to ask him whether he has been at home to-day, " said Potts. 

"Answer, fellow, " thundered the magistrate. 

Before replying, Jem would fain have consulted the reeve, but the latterhad turned away in displeasure. Not knowing whether a lie would servehis turn, and fearing he might be contradicted by some of thebystanders, he said he had not been at home for two days, but hadreturned the night before at a late hour from Whalley, and had slept atRough Lee. 

"Then you cannot tell what changes may have taken place in your dwellingduring your absence?" said Potts. 

"Of course not, " replied Jem, "boh ey dunna see how ony chawnges con ha'happent i' so short a time. "

"But I do, if you do not, sirrah, " said Potts. "Be pleased to give meyour plan, Master Newell. I have a further question to ask him, " headded, after consulting it for a moment. 

"Ey win awnser nowt more, " replied Jem, gruffly. 

"You will answer whatever questions Master Potts may put to you, or youare taken into custody, " said the magistrate, sternly. 

Jem would have willingly beaten a retreat; but being surrounded by thetwo grooms and Sparshot, who only waited a sign from Nowell to securehim, or knock him down if he attempted to fly, he gave a surlyintimation that he was ready to speak. 

"You are aware that a dyke intersects the heath before us, namely, Worston Moor?" said Potts. 

Jem nodded his head. 

"I must request particular attention to your plan as I proceed, MasterNicholas, " pursued the attorney. "I now wish to be informed by you, James Device, whether that dyke cuts through the middle of the moor, ortraverses the side; and if so, which side? I desire also to be informedwhere it commences, and where, it ends?"

Jem scratched his head, and reflected a moment. 

"The matter does not require consideration, sirrah, " cried Nowell. "Imust have an instant answer. "

"So yo shan, " replied Jem; "weel, then, th' dyke begins near a littlemound ca'd Turn Heaod, about a hundert yards fro' my dwellin', an runsacross th' easterly soide o't moor till it reaches Knowl Bottom. "

"You will swear this?" cried Potts, scarcely able to conceal hissatisfaction. 

"Swere it! eigh, " replied Jem. 

"Eigh, we'n aw swere it, " chorused the hinds. 

"I'm delighted to hear it, " cried Potts, radiant with delight, "foryour description corresponds exactly with Master Nowell's plan, anddiffers materially from that of Mistress Nutter, as Squire NicholasAssheton will tell you. "

"I cannot deny it, " replied Nicholas, in some confusion. 

"Ey should ha' said 'westerly' i' stead o' 'yeasterly, '" cried Jem, "bohyo puzzle a mon so wi' your lawyerly questins, that he dusna knoa hisreet hond fro' his laft. "

"Yeigh, yeigh, we aw meant to say 'yeasterly, '" added the hinds. 

"You have sworn the contrary, " cried Nowell. "Secure him, " he added tothe grooms and Sparshot, "and do not let him go till we have completedthe survey. We will now see how far the reality corresponds with thedescription, and what further devilish tricks have been played with theproperty. "

Upon this the troop was again put in motion, James Device walkingbetween the two grooms, with Sparshot behind him. 

So wonderfully elated was Master Potts by the successful hit he had justmade, and which, in his opinion, quite counterbalanced his previousfailure, that he could not help communicating his satisfaction to Flint, and this in such manner, that the fiery little animal, who had been forsome time exceedingly tractable and good-natured, took umbrage at it, and threatened to dislodge him if he did not desist from hisvagaries--delivering the hint so clearly and unmistakeably that it wasnot lost upon his rider, who endeavoured to calm him down. In proportionas the attorney's spirits rose, those of James Device and his followerssank, for they felt they were caught in a snare, from which they couldnot easily escape. 

By this time they had reached the borders of Worston Moor, which hadbeen hitherto concealed by a piece of rising ground, covered with gorseand brushwood, and Jem's hut, together with the clough, the rindle, andthe dyke, came distinctly into view. The plans were again produced, and, on comparing them, it appeared that the various landmarks were preciselysituated as laid down by Mistress Nutter, while their disposition wasentirely at variance with James Device's statement. 

Master Potts then rose in his stirrups, and calling for silence, addressed the assemblage. 

"There stands the hut, " he said, "and instead of being behind theclough, it is on one side of it, while the door certainly does _not_face the moor, neither is the rindle in front of the dwelling or nearit; while the dyke, which is the main and important boundary linebetween the properties, runs above two hundred yards further west thanformerly. Now, observe the original position of these marks, meres, andboundaries--that is, of this hut, this clough, this rindle, and thisdyke--exactly corresponds with the description given of them by the manDevice, who dwells in the place, and who is, therefore, a person mostlikely to be accurately acquainted with the country; and yet, though hehas only been absent two days, changes the most surprising have takenplace--changes so surprising, indeed, that he scarcely knows the way tohis own house, and certainly never could find the path which he hasdescribed as leading to Hook Cliff, since it is entirely obliterated. Observe, further, all these extraordinary and incomprehensible changesin the appearance of the country, and in the situation of the marks, meres, and boundaries, are favourable to Mistress Nutter, and give herthe advantage she seeks over my honoured and honourable client. They areset down in Mistress Nutter's plan, it is true; but when, let me ask, was that plan prepared? In my opinion it was prepared first, and thechanges in the land made after it by diabolical fraud and contrivance. Iam sorry to have to declare this to you, Master Nicholas, and to you, Master Richard, but such is my firm conviction. "

"And mine, also, " added Nowell; "and I here charge Mistress Nutter withsorcery and witchcraft, and on my return I will immediately issue awarrant for her arrest. Sparshot, I command you to attach the person ofJames Device, for aiding and abetting her in her foul practices. "

"I will help you to take charge of him, " said the reeve, riding forward. 

Probably this was done to give Jem a chance of escape, and if so, it wassuccessful, for as the reeve pushed among his captors, and thrustSparshot aside, the ruffian broke from them; and running with greatswiftness across the moor, plunged into the clough, and disappeared. 

Nicholas and Richard instantly gave chase, as did Master Potts, but thefugitive led them over the treacherous bog in such a manner as to baffleall pursuit. A second disaster here overtook the unlucky attorney, anddamped him in his hour of triumph. Flint, who had apparently notforgotten or forgiven the joyous kicks he had recently received from theattorney's heels, came to a sudden halt by the side of the quagmire, and, putting down his head, and flinging up his legs, cast him into it. While Potts was scrambling out, the animal galloped off in the directionof the clough, and had just reached it when he was seized upon by JamesDevice, who suddenly started from the covert, and vaulted upon his back. 

CHAPTER VIII. --ROUGH LEE. 

On returning from their unsuccessful pursuit of James Device, the twoAsshetons found Roger Nowell haranguing the hinds, who, on the flight oftheir leader, would have taken to their heels likewise, if they had notbeen detained, partly by the energetic efforts of Sparshot and thegrooms, and partly by the exhortations and menaces of the magistrate andHolden. As it was, two or three contrived to get away, and fled acrossthe moor, whither the reeve pretended to pursue them; while those leftbehind were taken sharply to task by Roger Nowell. 

"Listen to me, " he cried, "and take good heed to what I say, for itconcerns you nearly. Strange and dreadful things have come under myobservation on my way hither. I have seen a whole village stricken as bya plague--a poor pedlar deprived of the use of his limbs and put inperil of his life--and a young maiden, once the pride and ornament ofyour own village, snatched from a fond father's care, and borne to anuntimely grave. These things I have seen with my own eyes; and I amresolved that the perpetrators of these enormities, Mothers Demdike andChattox, shall be brought to justice. As to you, the deluded victims ofthe impious hags, I can easily understand why you shut your eyes totheir evil doings. Terrified by their threats you submit to theirexactions, and so become their slaves--slaves of the bond-slaves ofSatan. What miserable servitude is this! By so doing you not onlyendanger the welfare of your souls, by leaguing with the enemies ofHeaven, and render yourselves unworthy to be classed with a religiousand Christian people, but you place your lives in jeopardy by becomingaccessories to the crimes of those great offenders, and renderyourselves liable to like punishment with them. Seeing, then, theimminency of the peril in which you stand, you will do well to avoid itwhile there is yet time. Nor is this your only risk. Your servitude toMistress Nutter is equally perilous. What if she be owner of the landyou till, and the flocks you tend! You owe her no fealty. She hasforfeited all title to your service--and, so far from aiding her, youought to regard her as a great criminal, whom you are bound to bring tojustice. I have now incontestable proofs of her dealing in the blackart, and can show that by witchcraft she has altered the face of thiscountry, with the intent to rob me of my land. "

Holden now took up the theme. "The finger of Heaven is pointed againstsuch robbery, " he cried. "'Cursed is he, ' saith the scripture, 'thatremoveth his neighbour's landmark. ' And again, it is written, 'Cursed ishe that smiteth his neighbour secretly. ' Both these things hath MistressNutter done, and for both shall she incur divine vengeance. "

"Neither shall she escape that of man, " added Nowell, severely; "for oursovereign lord hath enacted that all persons employing or rewarding anyevil spirit, shall be held guilty of felony, and shall suffer death. Anddeath will be her portion, for such demoniacal agency most assuredlyhath she employed. "

The magistrate here paused for a moment to regard his audience, andreading in their terrified looks that his address had produced thedesired impression, he continued with increased severity--

"These wicked women shall trouble the land no longer. They shall bearrested and brought to judgment; and if you do not heartily bestiryourselves in their capture, and undertake to appear in evidence againstthem, you shall be held and dealt with as accessories in their crimes. "

Upon this, the hinds, who were greatly alarmed, declared with one accordtheir willingness to act as the magistrate should direct. 

"You do wisely, " cried Potts, who by this time had made his way back tothe assemblage, covered from head to foot with ooze, as on his formermisadventure. "Mistress Nutter and the two old hags who hold you inthrall would lead you to destruction. For understand it is the firmdetermination of my respected client, Master Roger Nowell, as well as ofmyself, not to relax in our exertions till the whole of these pestilentwitches who trouble the country be swept away, and to spare none whoassist and uphold them. "

The hinds stared aghast, for so grim was the appearance of the attorney, that they almost thought Hobthurst, the lubber-fiend, was addressingthem. 

At this moment old Henry Mitton came up. He had partially recovered fromthe stunning effects of the blow dealt him by James Device, but his headwas cut open, and his white locks were dabbled in blood. Pushing his waythrough the assemblage, he stood before the magistrate. 

"If yo want a witness agen that foul murtheress and witch, Alice Nutter, ca' me, Master Roger Nowell, " he said. "Ey con tay my Bible oath thatthe whole feace o' this keawntry has been chaunged sin yester neet, byher hondywark. Ca' me also to speak to her former life--to her intimacywi' Mother Demdike an owd Chattox. Ca' me to prove her constantattendance at devils' sabbaths on Pendle Hill, and elsewhere, wi' otherblack and damning offences--an among 'em the murder, by witchcraft, o'her husband, Ruchot Nutter. "

A thrill of horror pervaded the assemblage at this denunciation; andMaster Potts, who was being cleansed from his sable stains by one of thegrooms, cried out--

"This is the very man for us, my excellent client. Your name and abode, friend?"

"Harry Mitton o' Rough Lee, " replied the old man. "Ey ha' dwelt thereseventy year an uppards, an ha' known the feyther and granfeyther o'Ruchot Nutter, an also Alice Nutter, when hoo war Alice Assheton. Ca'me, sir, an aw' ye want to knoa ye shan larn. "

"We will call you, my good friend, " said Potts; "and, if you havesustained any private wrongs from Mistress Nutter, they shall be amplyredressed. "

"Ey ha' endured much ot her honts, " rejoined Mitton; "boh ey dunna speako' mysel'. It be high time that Owd Scrat should ha' his claws clipt, anhonest folk be allowed to live in peace. "

"Very true, my worthy friend--very true, " assented Potts. 

An immediate return to Whalley was now proposed by Nowell; but MasterPotts was of opinion that, as they were in the neighbourhood of MalkinTower, they should proceed thither at once, and effect the arrest ofMother Demdike, after which Mother Chattox could be sought out andsecured. The presence of these two witches would be most important, hedeclared, in the examination of Mistress Nutter. Hue and cry for thefugitive, James Device, ought also to be made throughout the forest. 

Confounded by what they heard, Richard and Nicholas had hitherto takenno part in the proceedings, but they now seconded Master Potts'sproposition, hoping that the time occupied by the visit to Malkin Towerwould prove serviceable to Mistress Nutter; for they did not doubt thatintelligence would be conveyed to her by some of her agents, of Nowell'sintention to arrest her. 

Additional encouragement was given to the plan by the arrival of RichardBaldwyn, who, at this juncture, rode furiously up to the party. 

"Weel, han yo settled your business here, Mester Nowell?" he asked, inbreathless anxiety. 

"We have so far settled it, that we have established proofs ofwitchcraft against Mistress Nutter, " replied Nowell. "Can you speak toher character, Baldwyn?"

"Yeigh, that ey con, " rejoined the miller, "an nowt good. Ey wish to seeaw these mischeevous witches burnt; an that's why ey ha' ridden efteryo, Mester Nowell. Ey want your help os a magistrate agen MotherDemdike. Yo ha a constable wi' ye, and so can arrest her at wonst. "

"You have come most opportunely, Baldwyn, " observed Potts. "We were justconsidering whether we should go to Malkin Tower. "

"Then decide upon 't, " rejoined the miller, "or th' owd hag win escapeye. Tak her unaweares. "

"I don't know that we shall take her unawares, Baldwyn, " said Potts;"but I am decidedly of opinion that we should go thither without delay. Is Malkin Tower far off?"

"About a mile fro' Rough Lee, " replied the miller. "Go back wi' me to t'mill, where yo con refresh yourselves, an ey'n get together some dozeno' my friends, an then we'n aw go up to t' Tower together. "

"A very good suggestion, " said Potts; "and no doubt Master Nowell willaccede to it. "

"We have force enough already, it appears to me, " observed Nowell. 

"I should think so, " replied Richard. "Some dozen men, armed, against apoor defenceless old woman, are surely enough. "

"Owd, boh neaw defenceless, Mester Ruchot, " rejoined Baldwyn. "Yo cannago i' too great force on an expedition like this. Malkin Tower is avarry strong place, os yo'n find. "

"Well, " said Nowell, "since we are here, I agree with Master Potts, thatit would be better to secure these two offenders, and convey them toWhalley, where their examination can be taken at the same time with thatof Mistress Nutter. We therefore accept your offer of refreshment, Baldwyn, as some of our party may stand in need of it, and will at onceproceed to the mill. "

"Well resolved, sir, " said Potts. 

"We'n tae th' owd witch, dead or alive, " cried Baldwyn. 

"Alive--we must have her alive, good Baldwyn, " said Potts. "You must seeher perish at the stake. "

"Reet, mon, " cried the miller, his eyes blazing with fury; "that's truevengeance. Ey'n ride whoam an get aw ready fo ye. Yo knoa t' road. "

So saying, he struck spurs into his horse and galloped off. Scarcely washe gone than the reeve, who had kept out of his sight, came forward. 

"Since you have resolved upon going to Malkin Tower, " he said to Nowell, "and have a sufficiently numerous party for the purpose, my furtherattendance can be dispensed with. I will ride in search of JamesDevice. "

"Do so, " replied the magistrate, "and let hue and cry be made afterhim. "

"It shall be, " replied the reeve, "and, if taken, he shall be conveyedto Whalley. "

And he made towards the clough, as if with the intention of putting hiswords into execution. 

Word was now given to set forward, and Master Potts having beenaccommodated with a horse by one of the grooms, who proceeded on foot, the party began to retrace their course to the mill. 

They were soon again by the side of Pendle Water, and erelong reachedRough Lee. As they rode through the close at the back of the mansion, Roger Nowell halted for a moment, and observed with a grim smile toRichard--

"Never more shall Mistress Nutter enter that house. Within a week sheshall be lodged in Lancaster Castle, as a felon of the darkest dye, andshe shall meet a felon's fate. And not only shall she be sent thither, but all her partners in guilt--Mother Demdike and her accursed brood, the Devices; old Chattox and her grand-daughter, Nance Redferne: not oneshall escape. "

"You do not include Alizon Device in your list?" cried Richard. 

"I include all--I will spare none, " rejoined Nowell, sternly. 

"Then I will move no further with you, " said Richard. 

"How!" cried Newell, "are you an upholder of these witches? Beware whatyou do, young man. Beware how you take part with them. You will bringsuspicion upon yourself, and get entangled in a net from which you willnot easily escape. "

"I care not what may happen to me, " rejoined Richard; "I will never lendmyself to gross injustice--such as you are about to practise. Since youannounce your intention of including the innocent with the guilty, ofexterminating a whole family for the crimes of one or two of itsmembers, I have done. You have made dark accusations against MistressNutter, but you have proved nothing. You assert that, by witchcraft, shehas changed the features of your land, but in what way can you make goodthe charge? Old Mitton has, indeed, volunteered himself as a witnessagainst her, and has accused her of most heinous offences; but he has atthe same time shown that he is her enemy, and his testimony will beregarded with doubt. I will not believe her guilty on mere suspicion, and I deny that you have aught more to proceed upon. "

"I shall not argue the point with you now, sir, " replied Nowell;angrily. "Mistress Nutter will be fairly tried, and if I fail in myproofs against her, she will be acquitted. But I have little fear ofsuch a result, " he added, with a sinister smile. 

"You are confident, sir, because you know there would be everydisposition to find her guilty, " replied Richard. "She will not befairly tried. All the prejudices of ignorance and superstition, heightened by the published opinions of the King, will be arrayedagainst her. Were she as free from crime, or thought of crime, as thenew-born babe, once charged with the horrible and inexplicable offenceof witchcraft, she would scarce escape. You go determined to destroyher. "

"I will not deny it, " said Roger Newell, "and I am satisfied that Ishall render good service to society by freeing it from so vile amember. So abhorrent is the crime of witchcraft, that were my own sonsuspected, I would be the first to deliver him to justice. Like anoxious and poisonous plant, the offence has taken deep root in thiscountry, and is spreading its baneful influence around, so that, if itbe not extirpated, it may spring up anew, and cause incalculablemischief. But it shall now be effectually checked. Of the families Ihave mentioned, not one shall escape; and if Mistress Nutter herself hada daughter, she should be brought to judgment. In such cases, childrenmust suffer for the sins of the parents. "

"You have no regard, then, for their innocence?" said Richard, who feltas if a weight of calamity was crushing him down. 

"Their innocence must be proved at the proper tribunal, " rejoinedNowell. "It is not for me to judge them. "

"But you do judge them, " cried Richard, sharply. "In making the charge, you know that you pronounce the sentence of condemnation as well. Thisis why the humane man--why the just--would hesitate to bring anaccusation even where he suspected guilt--but where suspicion could notpossibly attach, he would never suffer himself, however urged on byfeelings of animosity, to injure the innocent. "

"You ascribe most unworthy motives to me, young sir, " rejoined Nowell, sternly. "I am influenced only by a desire to see justice administered, and I shall not swerve from my duty, because my humanity may be calledin question by a love-sick boy. I understand why you plead thus warmlyfor these infamous persons. You are enthralled by the beauty of theyoung witch, Alizon Device. I noted how you were struck by heryesterday--and I heard what Sir Thomas Metcalfe said on the subject. Buttake heed what you do. You may jeopardise both soul and body in theindulgence of this fatal passion. Witchcraft is exercised in many ways. Its professors have not only power to maim and to kill, and to do otheractive mischief, but to ensnare the affections and endanger the souls oftheir victims, by enticing them to unhallowed love. Alizon Device iscomely to view, no doubt, but who shall say whence her beauty isderived? Hell may have arrayed her in its fatal charms. Sin isbeautiful, but all-destructive. And the time will come when you maythank me for delivering you from the snares of this seductive siren. "Richard uttered an angry exclamation. 

"Not now--I do not expect it--you are too much besotted by her, " pursuedNowell; "but I conjure you to cast off this wicked and senselesspassion, which, unless checked, will lead you to perdition. You haveheard what abominable rites are practised at those unholy meetingscalled Devil's Sabbaths, and how can you say that some demon may not beyour rival in Alizon's love?"

"You pass all licence, sir, " cried Richard, infuriated past endurance;"and, if you do not instantly retract the infamous accusation you havemade, neither your age nor your office shall protect you. "

"I can fortunately protect myself, young man, " replied Nowell, coldly;"and if aught were wanting to confirm my suspicions that you were undersome evil influence, it would be supplied by your present conduct. Youare bewitched by this girl. "

"It is false!" cried Richard. 

And he raised his hand against the magistrate, when Nicholas quicklyinterposed. 

"Nay, cousin Dick, " cried the squire, "this must not be. You must takeother means of defending the poor girl, whose innocence I will maintainas stoutly as yourself. But, since Master Roger Nowell is resolved toproceed to extremities, I shall likewise take leave to retire. "

"Your pardon, sir, " rejoined Nowell; "you will not withdraw till I thinkfit. Master Richard Assheton, forgetful alike of the respect due to ageand constituted authority, has ventured to raise his hand against me, for which, if I chose, I could place him in immediate arrest. But Ihave no such intention. On the contrary, I am willing to overlook theinsult, attributing it to the frenzy by which he is possessed. But bothhe and you, Master Nicholas, are mistaken if you suppose I will permityou to retire. As a magistrate in the exercise of my office, I call uponyou both to aid me in the capture of the two notorious witches, MothersDemdike and Chattox, and not to desist or depart from me till suchcapture be effected. You know the penalty of refusal. "

"Heavy fine or imprisonment, at the option of the magistrate, " remarkedPotts. 

"My cousin Nicholas will do as he pleases, " observed Richard; "but, formy part, I will not stir a step further. "

"Nor will I, " added Nicholas, "unless I have Master Nowell's solemnpledge that he will take no proceedings against Alizon Device. "

"You can give no such assurance, sir, " whispered Potts, seeing that themagistrate wavered in his resolution. 

"You must go, then, " said Nowell, "and take the consequences of yourrefusal to act with me. Your relationship to Mistress Nutter will nottell in your favour. "

"I understand the implied threat, " said Nicholas, "and laugh at it. Richard, lad, I am with you. Let him catch the witches himself, if hecan. I will not budge an inch further with him. "

"Farewell, then, gentlemen, " replied Roger Nowell; "I am sorry to partcompany with you thus, but when next we meet--" and he paused. 

"We meet as enemies, I presume" supplied Nicholas. 

"We meet no longer as friends, " rejoined the magistrate, coldly. 

With this he moved forward with the rest of the troop, while the twoAsshetons, after a moment's consultation, passed through a gate and madetheir way to the back of the mansion, where they found one or two men onthe look-out, from whom they received intelligence, which induced themimmediately to spring from their horses and hurry into the house. 

Arrived at the principal entrance of the mansion, which was formed bylarge gates of open iron-work, admitting a view of the garden and frontof the house, Roger Nowell again called a halt, and Master Potts, at hisrequest, addressed the porter and two other serving-men who werestanding in the garden, in this fashion--

"Pay attention to what I say to you, my men, " he cried in a loud andauthoritative voice--"a warrant will this day be issued for the arrestof Alice Nutter of Rough Lee, in whose service you have hitherto dwelt, and who is charged with the dreadful crime of witchcraft, and withinvoking, consulting, and covenanting with, entertaining, employing, feeding, and rewarding evil spirits, contrary to the laws of God andman, and in express violation of his Majesty's statute. Now takenotice, that if the said Alice Nutter shall at any time hereafter returnto this her former abode, or take refuge within it, you are hereby boundto deliver her up forthwith to the nearest constable, to be by himbrought before the worshipful Master Roger Nowell of Read, in thiscounty, so that she may be examined by him on these charges. You hearwhat I have said?"

The men exchanged significant glances, but made no reply. 

Potts was about to address them, but to his surprise he saw the centraldoor of the house thrown open, and Mistress Nutter issue from it. Shemarched slowly and majestically down the broad gravel walk towards thegate. The attorney could scarcely believe his eyes, and he exclaimed tothe magistrate with a chuckle--

"Who would have thought of this! We have her safe enough now. Ha! ha!"

But no corresponding smile played upon Nowell's hard lips. His gaze wasfixed inquiringly upon the lady. 

Another surprise. From the same door issued Alizon Device, escorted byNicholas and Richard Assheton, who walked on either side of her, and thethree followed Mistress Nutter slowly down the broad walk. Such adisplay seemed to argue no want of confidence. Alizon did not looktowards the group outside the gates, but seemed listening eagerly towhat Richard was saying to her. 

"So, Master Nowell, " cried Mistress Nutter, boldly, "since you findyourself defeated in the claims you have made against my property, youare seeking to revenge yourself, I understand, by bringing chargesagainst me as false as they are calumnious. But I defy your malice, andcan defend myself against your violence. "

"If I could be astonished at any thing in you, madam, I should be atyour audacity, " rejoined Nowell, "but I am glad that you have presentedyourself before me; for it was my fixed intention, on my return toWhalley, to cause your arrest, and your unexpected appearance hereenables me to put my design into execution somewhat sooner than Ianticipated. "

Mistress Nutter laughed scornfully. 

"Sparshot, " vociferated Nowell, "enter those gates, and arrest the ladyin the King's name. "

The beadle looked irresolute. He did not like the task. 

"The gates are fastened, " cried Mistress Nutter. 

"Force them open, then, " roared Nowell, dismounting and shaking themfuriously. "Bring me a heavy stone. By heaven I I will not be baulked ofmy prey. "

"My servants are armed, " cried Mistress Nutter, "and the first man whoenters shall pay the penalty of has rashness with life. Bring me apetronel, Blackadder. "

The order was promptly obeyed by the ill-favoured attendant, who wasstationed near the gate. 

"I am in earnest, " said Mistress Nutter, aiming the petronel, "andseldom miss my mark. "

"Give attention to me, my men, " cried Roger Nowell. "I charge you in theKing's name to throw open the gate. "

"And I charge you in mine to keep it fast, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. "We shall see who will be obeyed. "

One of the grooms now advanced with a large stone taken from anadjoining wall, which he threw with great force against the gates, butthough it shook them violently the fastenings continued firm. Blackadderand the two other serving-men, all of whom were armed with halberts, nowadvanced to the gates, and, thrusting the points of their weaponsthrough the bars, drove back those who were near them. 

A short consultation now took place between Nowell and Potts, afterwhich the latter, taking care to keep out of the reach of the halberts, thus delivered himself in a loud voice:--

"Alice Nutter, in order to avoid the serious consequences which mightensue were the necessary measures taken to effect a forcible entranceinto your habitation, the worshipful Master Nowell has thought fit togrant you an hour's respite for reflection; at the expiration of whichtime he trusts that you, seeing the futility of resisting the law, willquietly yield yourself a prisoner. Otherwise, no further leniency willbe shown you and those who may uphold you in your contumacy. "

Mistress Nutter laughed loudly and contemptuously. 

"At the same time, " pursued Potts, on a suggestion from the magistrate, "Master Roger Nowell demands that Alizon Device, daughter of ElizabethDevice, whom he beholds in your company, and who is likewise suspectedof witchcraft, be likewised delivered up to him. "

"Aught more?" inquired Mistress Nutter. 

"Only this, " replied Potts, in a taunting tone, "the worshipfulmagistrate would offer a friendly counsel to Master Nicholas Assheton, and Master Richard Assheton, whom, to his infinite surprise, heperceives in a hostile position before him, that they in nowiseinterfere with his injunctions, but, on the contrary, lend their aid infurtherance of them, otherwise he may be compelled to adopt measurestowards them, which must be a source of regret to him. I havefurthermore to state, on the part of his worship, that strict watch willbe kept at all the approaches of your house, and that no one, on anypretence whatever, during the appointed time of respite, will besuffered to enter it, or depart from it. In an hour his worship willreturn. "

"And in an hour he shall have my answer, " replied Mistress Nutter, turning away. 

CHAPTER IX. --HOW ROUGH LEE WAS DEFENDED BY NICHOLAS. 

When skies are darkest, and storms are gathering thickest overhead, thestar of love will oft shine out with greatest brilliancy; and so, whileMistress Nutter was hurling defiance against her foes at the gate, andlaughing their menaces to scorn--while those very foes were threateningAlizon's liberty and life--she had become wholly insensible to the perilenvironing her, and almost unconscious of any other presence save thatof Richard, now her avowed lover; for, impelled by the irresistibleviolence of his feelings, the young man had chosen that moment, apparently so unpropitious, and so fraught with danger and alarm, forthe declaration of his passion, and the offer of his life in herservice. A few low-murmured words were all Alizon could utter in reply, but they were enough. They told Richard his passion was requited, andhis devotion fully appreciated. Sweet were those moments to both--sweet, though sad. Like Alizon, her lover had become insensible to all aroundhim. Engrossed by one thought and one object, he was lost to aught else, and was only at last aroused to what was passing by the squire, who, having good-naturedly removed to a little distance from the pair, nowgave utterance to a low whistle, to let them know that Mistress Nutterwas coming towards them. The lady, however, did not stop, but motioningthem to follow, entered the house. 

"You have heard what has passed, " she said. "In an hour Master Nowellthreatens to return and arrest me and Alizon. "

"That shall never be, " cried Richard, with a passionate look at theyoung girl. "We will defend you with our lives. "

"Much may be done in an hour, " observed Nicholas to Mistress Nutter, "and my advice to you is to use the time allowed you in making good yourretreat, so that, when the hawks come back, they may find the dovesflown. "

"I have no intention of quitting my dovecot, " replied Mistress Nutter, with a bitter smile. 

"Unless you are forcibly taken from it, I suppose, " said the squire; "acontingency not impossible if you await Roger Nowell's return. Thistime, be assured, he will not go away empty-handed. "

"He may not go away at all, " rejoined Mistress Nutter, sternly. 

"Then you mean to make a determined resistance?" said Nicholas. "Recollect that you are resisting the law. I wish I could induce you toresort to the safer expedient of flight. This affair is already dark andperplexed enough, and does not require further complication. Find anyplace of concealment, no matter where, till some arrangement can be madewith Roger Nowell. "

"I should rather urge you to fly, Nicholas, " rejoined the lady; "for itis evident you have strong misgivings as to the justice of my cause, and would not willingly compromise yourself. I will not surrender tothis magistrate, because, by so doing, my life would assuredly beforfeited, for my innocence could never be established before theiniquitous and bloody tribunal to which I should be brought. Neither, for the same reason, will I surrender Alizon, who, with a refinement ofmalignity, has been similarly accused. I shall now proceed to makepreparations for my defence. Go, if you think fitting--or stay--but ifyou _do_ stay, I shall calculate upon your active services. "

"You may, " replied the squire. "Whatever I may think, I admire yourspirit, and will stand by you. But time is passing, and the foe willreturn and find us engaged in deliberation when we ought to be prepared. You have a dozen men on the premises on whom you can rely. Half of thesemust be placed at the back of the house to prevent any entrance frombeing effected in that quarter. The rest can remain within the entrancehall, and be ready to rush forth when summoned by us; but we will not sosummon them unless we are hardly put to it, and their aid isindispensable. All should be well armed, but I trust they will not haveto use their weapons. Are you agreed to this, madam?"

"I am, " replied Mistress Nutter, "and I will give instant directionsthat your wishes are complied with. All approaches to the back of thehouse shall be strictly guarded as you direct, and my trusty man, Blackadder, on whose fidelity and courage I can entirely rely, shalltake the command of the party in the hall, and act under your orders. Your prowess will not be unobserved, for Alizon and I shall be in theupper room commanding the garden, whence we can see all that takesplace. "

A slight smile was exchanged between the lovers; but it was evident, from her anxious looks, that Alizon did not share in Richard'sconfidence. An opportunity, however, was presently afforded him of againendeavouring to reassure her, for Mistress Nutter went forth to giveBlackadder his orders, and Nicholas betook himself to the back of thehouse to ascertain, from personal inspection, its chance of security. 

"You are still uneasy, dear Alizon, " said Richard, taking her hand; "butdo not be cast down. No harm shall befall you. "

"It is not for myself I am apprehensive, " she replied, "but for you, whoare about to expose yourself to needless risk in this encounter; and, ifany thing should happen to you, I shall be for ever wretched. I wouldfar rather you left me to my fate. "

"And can you think I would allow you to be borne away a captive toignominy and certain destruction?" cried Richard. "No, I will shed myheart's best blood before such a calamity shall occur. "

"Alas!" said Alizon, "I have no means of requiting your devotion. All Ican offer you in return is my love, and that, I fear, will prove fatalto you. "

"Oh! do not say so, " cried Richard. "Why should this sad presentimentstill haunt you? I strove to chase it away just now, and hoped I hadsucceeded. You are dearer to me than life. Why, therefore, should I notrisk it in your defence? And why should your love prove fatal to me?"

"I know not, " replied Alizon, in a tone of deepest anguish, "but I feelas if my destiny were evil; and that, against my will, I shall dragthose I most love on earth into the same dark gulf with myself. I havethe greatest affection for your sister Dorothy, and yet I have been theunconscious instrument of injury to her. And you too, Richard, who areyet dearer to me, are now put in peril on my account. I fear, too, whenyou know my whole history, you will think of me as a thing of evil, andshun me. "

"What mean you, Alizon?" he cried. 

"Richard, I can have no secrets from you, " she replied; "and though Iwas forbidden to tell you what I am now about to disclose, I will notwithhold it. I was born in this house, and am the daughter of itsmistress. "

"You tell me only what I guessed, Alizon, " rejoined the young man; "butI see nothing in this why I should shun you. "

Alizon hid her face for a moment in her hands; and then looking up, saidwildly and hurriedly, "Would I had never known the secret of my birth;or, knowing it, had never seen what I beheld last night!"

"What did you behold?" asked Richard, greatly agitated. 

"Enough to convince me, that in gaining a mother I was lost myself, "replied Alizon; "for oh! how can I survive the shock of telling you I ambound, by ties that can never be dissevered, to one abandoned alike ofGod and man--who has devoted herself to the Fiend! Pity me, Richard--pity me, and shun me!"

There was a moment's dreadful pause, which the young man was unable tobreak. 

"Was I not right in saying my love would be fatal to you?" continuedAlizon. "Fly from me while you can, Richard. Fly from this house, or youare lost for ever!"

"Never, never! I will not stir without you, " cried Richard. "Come withme, and escape all the dangers by which you are menaced, and leave yoursinning parent to the doom she so richly merits. "

"No, no; sinful though she be, she is still my mother. I cannot leaveher, " cried Alizon. 

"If you stay, I stay, be the consequences what they may, " replied theyoung man; "but you have rendered my arm powerless by what you have toldme. How can I defend one whom I know to be guilty?"

"Therefore I urge you to fly, " she rejoined. 

"I can reconcile myself to it thus, " said Richard--"in defending you, whom I know to be innocent, I cannot avoid defending her. The plea isnot a good one, but it will suffice to allay my scruples of conscience. "

At this moment Mistress Nutter entered the hall, followed by Blackadderand three other men, armed with calivers. 

"All is ready, Richard, " she said, "and it wants but a few minutes ofthe appointed time. Perhaps you shrink from the task you haveundertaken?" she added, regarding him sharply; "if so, say so at once, and I will adopt my own line of defence. "

"Nay, I shall be ready to go forth in a moment, " rejoined the young man, glancing at Alizon. "Where is Nicholas?"

"Here, " replied the squire, clapping him on the shoulder. "All is secureat the back of the house, and the horses are coming round. We must mountat once. "

Richard arose without a word. 

"Blackadder will attend to your orders, " said Mistress Nutter; "he onlywaits a sign from you to issue forth with his three companions, or tofire through the windows upon the aggressors, if you see occasion forit. "

"I trust it will not come to such a pass, " rejoined the squire; "a fewblows from these weapons will convince them we are in earnest, and will, I hope, save further trouble. "

And as he spoke he took down a couple of stout staves, and gave one ofthem to Richard. 

"Farewell, then, _preux chevaliers_" cried Mistress Nutter, withaffected gaiety; "demean yourselves valiantly, and remember that brighteyes will be upon you. Now, Alizon, to our chamber. "

Richard did not hazard a look at the young girl as she quitted the hallwith her mother, but followed the squire mechanically into the garden, where they found the horses. Scarcely were they mounted than a loudhubbub, arising from the little village, proclaimed that their opponentshad arrived, and presently after a large company of horse and footappeared at the gate. 

At sight of the large force brought against them, the countenance of thesquire lost its confident and jovial expression. Pie counted nearlyforty men, each of whom was armed in some way or other, and began tofear the affair would terminate awkwardly, and entail unpleasantconsequences upon himself and his cousin. He was, therefore, by no meansat his ease. As to Richard, he did not dare to ask himself how thingswould end, neither did he know how to act. His mind was in utterconfusion, and his breast oppressed as if by a nightmare. He cast onelook towards the upper window, and beheld at it the white face ofMistress Nutter, intently gazing at what was going forward, but Alizonwas not to be seen. 

Within the last half hour the sky had darkened, and a heavy cloud hungover the house, threatening a storm. Richard hoped it would come onfiercely and fast. 

Meanwhile, Roger Newell had dismounted and advanced to the gate. 

"Gentlemen, " he cried, addressing the two Asshetons, "I expected to findfree access given to me and my followers; but as these gates are stillbarred against me, I call upon you, as loyal subjects of the King, notto resist or impede the course of law, but to throw them instantlyopen. "

"You must unbar them yourself, Master Nowell, " replied Nicholas. "Weshall give you no help. "

"Nor offer any opposition, I hope, sir?" said the magistrate, sternly. 

"You are twenty to one, or thereabout, " returned the squire, with alaugh; "we shall stand a poor chance with you. "

"But other defensive and offensive preparations have been made, I doubtnot, " said Nowell; "nay, I descry some armed men through the windows ofthe hall. Before coming to extremities, I will make a last appeal to youand your kinsman. I have granted Mistress Nutter and the girl with heran hour's delay, in the hope that, seeing the futility of resistance, they would quietly surrender. But I find my clemency thrown away, andundue advantage taken of the time allowed for respite; therefore, Ishall show them no further consideration. But to you, my friends, Iwould offer a last warning. Forget not that you are acting in directopposition to the law; that we are here armed with full authority andpower to carry out our intentions; and that all opposition on your partwill be fruitless, and will be visited upon you hereafter with severepains and penalties. Forget not, also, that your characters will beirrecoverably damaged from your connexion with parties charged with theheinous offence of witchcraft. Meddle not, therefore, in the matter, butgo your ways, or, if you would act as best becomes you, aid me in thearrest of the offenders. "

"Master Roger Nowell, " replied Nicholas, walking his horse slowlytowards the gate, "as you have given me a caution, I will give you onein return; and that is, to put a bridle on your tongue when you addressgentlemen, or, by my fay, you are likely to get answers little to yourtaste. You have said that our characters are likely to suffer in thistransaction, but, in my humble opinion, they will not suffer so much asyour own. The magistrate who uses the arm of the law for purposes ofprivate vengeance, and who brings a false and foul charge against hisenemy, knowing that it cannot be repelled, is not entitled to anyparticular respect or honour. Thus have you acted towards MistressNutter. Defeated by her in the boundary question, without leaving itsdecision to those to whom you had referred it, you instantly accuse herof witchcraft, and seek to destroy her, as well as an innocent andunoffending girl, by whom she is attended. Is such conduct worthy ofyou, or likely to redound to your credit? I think not. But this is notall. Aided by your crafty and unscrupulous ally, Master Potts, you gettogether a number of Mistress Nutter's tenants, and, by threats andmisrepresentations, induce them to become instruments of your vengeance. But when these misguided men come to know the truth of the case--whenthey learn that you have no proofs whatever against Mistress Nutter, andthat you are influenced solely by animosity to her, they are quite aslikely to desert you as to stand by you. At all events, we aredetermined to resist this unjust arrest, and, at the hazard of ourlives, to oppose your entrance into the house. "

Nowell and Potts were greatly exasperated by this speech, but they werelittle prepared for its consequences. Many of those who had been inducedto accompany them, as has been shown, wavered in their resolution ofacting against Mistress Nutter, but they now began to declare in herfavour. In vain Potts repeated all his former arguments. They were nolonger of any avail. Of the troop assembled at the gate more than halfmarched off, and shaped their course towards the rear of the house--withwhat intention it was easy to surmise--while of those who remained itwas very doubtful whether the whole of them would act. 

The result of his oration was quite as surprising to Nicholas as to hisopponents, and, enchanted by the effect of his eloquence, he could nothelp glancing up at the window, where he perceived Mistress Nutter, whose smiles showed that she was equally well pleased. 

Seeing that, if any further desertions took place, his chances would beat an end, with a menacing gesture at the squire, Roger Nowell orderedthe attack to commence immediately. 

While some of his men, amongst whom were Baldwyn and old Mitton, battered against the gate with stones, another party, headed by Potts, scaled the walls, which, though of considerable height, presented novery serious obstacles in the way of active assailants. Elevated on theshoulders of Sparshot, Potts was soon on the summit of the wall, and wasabout to drop into the garden, when he heard a sound that caused him tosuspend his intention. 

"What are you about to do, cousin Nicholas?" inquired Richard, as theword of assault was given by the magistrate. 

"Let loose Mistress Nutter's stag-hounds upon them, " replied the squire. "They are kept in leash by a varlet stationed behind yon yew-tree hedge, who only awaits my signal to let them slip; and by my faith it is timehe had it. "

As he spoke, he applied a dog-whistle to his lips, and, blowing a loudcall, it was immediately answered by a savage barking, and half a dozenhounds, rough-haired, of prodigious size and power, resembling in make, colour, and ferocity, the Irish wolf-hound bounded towards him. 

"Aha!" exclaimed Nicholas, clapping his hands to encourage them: "wecould have dispersed the whole rout with these assistants. Hyke, Tristam!--hyke, Hubert! Upon them!--upon them!"

It was the savage barking of the hounds that had caught the ears of thealarmed attorney, and made him desirous to scramble back again. But thiswas no such easy matter. Sparshot's broad shoulders were wanting toplace his feet upon, and while he was bruising his knees against theroughened sides of the wall in vain attempts to raise himself to the topof it unaided, Hubert's sharp teeth met in the calf of his leg, whilethose of Tristam were fixed in the skirts of his doublet, and penetrateddeeply into the flesh that filled it. A terrific yell proclaimed theattorney's anguish and alarm, and he redoubled his efforts to escape. But, if before it was difficult to get up, the feat was now impossible. All he could do was to cling with desperate tenacity to the coping ofthe wall, for he made no doubt, if dragged down, he should be torn inpieces. Roaring lustily for help, he besought Nicholas to havecompassion upon him; but the squire appeared little moved by hisdistress, and laughed heartily at his yells and vociferations. 

"You will not come again on a like errand, in a hurry, I fancy MasterPotts, " he said. 

"I will not, good Master Nicholas, " rejoined Potts; "for pity's sakecall off these infernal hounds. They will rend me asunder as they woulda fox. "

"You were a cunning fox, in good sooth, to come hither, " rejoinedNicholas, in a taunting tone; "but will you go hence if I liberate you?"

"I will--indeed I will!" replied Potts. 

"And will no more molest Mistress Nutter?" thundered Nicholas. 

"Take heed what you promise, " roared Nowell from the other side of thewall. 

"If you do _not_ promise it, the hounds shall pull you down, and make ameal of you!" cried Nicholas. 

"I do--I swear--whatever you desire!" cried the terrified attorney. 

The hounds were then called off by the squire, and, nerved by fright, Potts sprang upon the wall, and tumbled over it upon the other side, alighting upon the head of his respected and singular good client, whomhe brought to the ground. 

Meanwhile, all those unlucky persons who had succeeded in scaling thewall were attacked by the hounds, and, unable to stand against them, were chased round the garden, to the infinite amusement of the squire. Frightened to death, and unable otherwise to escape, for the gateallowed them no means of exit, the poor wretches fled towards theterrace overlooking Pendle Water, and, leaping into the stream, gainedthe opposite bank. There they were safe, for the hounds were not allowedto follow them further. In this way the garden was completely cleared ofthe enemy, and Nicholas and Richard were left masters of the field. 

Leaning out of the window, Mistress Nutter laughingly congratulated themon their success, and, as no further disposition was manifested on thepart of Nowell and such of his troop that remained to renew the attack, the contest, for the present at least, was supposed to be at an end. 

By this time, also, intimation had been conveyed by the deserters fromNowell's troop, who, it will be remembered, had made their way to theback of the premises, that they were anxious to offer their services toMistress Nutter; and, as soon as this was told her, she ordered them tobe admitted, and descended to give them welcome. Thus things wore apromising aspect for the besieged, while the assailing party wereproportionately disheartened. 

Long ere this, Baldwyn and old Mitton had desisted from their attemptsto break open the gate, and, indeed, rejoiced that such a barrier wasinterposed between them and the hounds, whose furious onslaughts theywitnessed. A bolt was launched against these four-footed guardians ofthe premises by the bearer of the crossbow, but the man proved but anindifferent marksman, for, instead of hitting the hound, he disabled oneof his companions who was battling with him. Finding things in thisstate, and that neither Nowell nor Potts returned to their charge, whiletheir followers were withdrawn from before the gate, Nicholas thought hemight fairly infer that a victory had been obtained. But, like a prudentleader, he did not choose to expose himself till the enemy hadabsolutely yielded, and he therefore signed to Blackadder and his men tocome forth from the hall. The order was obeyed, not only by them, but bythe seceders from the hostile troop, and some thirty men issued from theprincipal door, and, ranging themselves upon the lawn, set up adeafening and triumphant shout, very different from that raised by thesame individuals when under the command of Nowell. At the same momentMistress Nutter and Alizon appeared at the door, and at the sight ofthem the shouting was renewed. 

The unexpected turn in affairs had not been without its effect uponRichard and Alizon, and tended to revive the spirits of both. Theimmediate danger by which they were threatened had vanished, and timewas given for the consideration of new plans. Richard had been firmlyresolved to take no further part in the affray than should be requiredfor the protection of Alizon, and, consequently, it was no littlesatisfaction to him to reflect that the victory had been accomplishedwithout him, and by means which could not afterwards be questioned. 

Meanwhile, Mistress Nutter had joined Nicholas, and the gates beingunbarred by Blackadder, they passed through them. At a little distancestood Roger Nowell, now altogether abandoned, except by his ownimmediate followers, with Baldwyn and old Mitton. Poor Potts was lyingon the ground, piteously bemoaning the lacerations his skin hadundergone. 

"Well, you have got the worst of it, Master Nowell, " said Nicholas, ashe and Mistress Nutter approached the discomfited magistrate, "and mustown yourself fairly defeated. "

"Defeated as I am, I would rather be in my place than in yours, sir, "retorted Nowell, sourly. 

"You have had a wholesome lesson read you, Master Nowell, " said MistressNutter; "but I do not come hither to taunt you. I am quite satisfiedwith the victory I have obtained, and am anxious to put an end to themisunderstanding between us. "

"I have no misunderstanding with you, madam, " replied Nowell; "I do notquarrel with persons like you. But be assured, though you may escapenow, a day of reckoning will come. "

"Your chief cause of grievance against me, I am aware, " replied MistressNutter, calmly, "is, that I have beaten you in the matter of the land. Now, I have a proposal to make to you respecting it. "

"I cannot listen to it, " rejoined Nowell, sternly; "I can have nodealings with a witch. "

At this moment his cloak was plucked behind by Potts, who looked at himas much as to say, "Do not exasperate her. Hear what she has got tooffer. "

"I shall be happy to act as mediator between you, if possible, " observedNicholas; "but in that case I must request you, Master Nowell, toabstain from any offensive language. "

"What is it you have to propose to me, then, madam!" demanded themagistrate, gruffly. 

"Come with me into the house, and you shall hear, " replied MistressNutter. 

Nowell was about to refuse peremptorily, when his cloak was againplucked by Potts, who whispered him to go. 

"This is not a snare laid to entrap me, madam?" he said, regarding thelady suspiciously. 

"I will answer for her good faith, " interposed Nicholas. 

Nowell still hesitated, but the counsel of his legal adviser wasenforced by a heavy shower of rain, which just then began to descendupon them. 

"You can take shelter beneath my roof, " said Mistress Nutter; "andbefore the shower is over we can settle the matter. "

"And my wounds can be dressed at the same time, " said Potts, with agroan, "for they pain me sorely. "

"Blackadder has a sovereign balsam, which, with a patch or two ofdiachylon, will make all right, " replied Nicholas, unable to repress alaugh. "Here, lift him up between you, " he added to the grooms, "andconvey him into the house. "

The orders were obeyed, and Mistress Nutter led the way through the nowwide-opened gates; her slow and majestic march by no means acceleratedby the drenching shower. What Roger Nowell's sensations were atfollowing her in such a way, after his previous threats and boastings, may be easily conceived. 

CHAPTER X. --ROGER NOWELL AND HIS DOUBLE. 

The magistrate was ushered by the lady into a small chamber, opening outof the entrance-hall, which, in consequence of having only one smallnarrow window, with a clipped yew-tree before it, was extremely dark andgloomy. The walls were covered with sombre tapestry, and on entering, Mistress Nutter not only carefully closed the door, but drew the arrasbefore it, so as to prevent the possibility of their conversation beingheard outside. These precautions taken, she motioned the magistrate to achair, and seated herself opposite him. 

"We can now deal unreservedly with each other, Master Nowell, " she said, fixing her eyes steadily upon him; "and, as our discourse cannot beoverheard and repeated, may use perfect freedom of speech. "

"I am glad of it, " replied Nowell, "because it will save circumlocution, which I dislike; and therefore, before proceeding further, I must tellyou, directly and distinctly, that if there be aught of witchcraft inwhat you are about to propose to me, I will have nought to do with it, and our conference may as well never begin. "

"Then you really believe me to be a witch?" said the lady. 

"I do, " replied Nowell, unflinchingly. 

"Since you believe this, you must also believe that I have absolutepower over you, " rejoined Mistress Nutter, "and might strike you withsickness, cripple you, or kill you if I thought fit. "

"I know not that, " returned Nowell. "There are limits even to the powerof evil beings; and your charms and enchantments, however strong andbaneful, may be wholly inoperative against a magistrate in the dischargeof his duty. If it were not so, you would scarcely think it worth whileto treat with me. "

"Humph!" exclaimed the lady. "Now, tell me frankly, what you will dowhen you depart hence?"

"Ride off with the utmost speed to Whalley, " replied Nowell, "and, acquainting Sir Ralph with all that has occurred, claim his assistance;and then, with all the force we can jointly muster, return hither, andfinish the work I have left undone. "

"You will forego this intention, " said Mistress Nutter, with a bittersmile. 

The magistrate shook his head. 

"I am not easily turned from my purpose, " he remarked. 

"But you have not yet quitted Rough Lee, " said the lady, "and after suchan announcement I shall scarce think of parting with you. "

"You dare not detain me, " replied Nowell. "I have Nicholas Assheton'sword for my security, and I know he will not break it. Besides, you willgain nothing by my detention. My absence will soon be discovered, and ifliving I shall be set free; if dead, avenged. "

"That may, or may not be, " replied Mistress Nutter; "and in any case Ican, if I choose, wreak my vengeance upon you. I am glad to haveascertained your intentions, for I now know how to treat with you. Youshall not go hence, except on certain conditions. You have said you willproclaim me a witch, and will come back with sufficient force toaccomplish my arrest. Instead of doing this, I advise you to return toSir Ralph Assheton, and admit to him that you find yourself in error inrespect to the boundaries of the land--"

"Never, " interrupted Nowell. 

"I advise you to do this, " pursued the lady, calmly, "and I advise you, also, on quitting this room, to retract all you have uttered to myprejudice, in the presence of Nicholas Assheton and other crediblewitnesses; in which case I will not only lay aside all feelings ofanimosity towards you, but will make over to you the whole of the landunder dispute, and that without purchase money on your part. "

Roger Nowell was of an avaricious nature, and caught at the bait. 

"How, madam!" he cried, "the whole of the land mine without payment?"

"The whole, " she replied. 

"If she should be arraigned and convicted it will be forfeited to thecrown, " thought Nowell; "the offer is tempting. "

"Your attorney is here, and can prepare the conveyance at once, " pursuedMistress Nutter; "a sum can be stated to lend a colour to theproceeding, and I will give you a private memorandum that I will notclaim it. All I require is, that you clear me completely from the darkaspersions cast upon my character, and you abandon your projects againstmy adopted daughter, Alizon, as well as against those two poor oldwomen, Mothers Demdike and Chattox. "

"How can I be sure that I shall not be deluded in the matter?" askedNowell; "the writing may disappear from the parchment you give me, orthe parchment itself may turn to ashes. Such things have occurred intransactions with witches. Or it be that, by consenting to the compact, I may imperil my own soul. "

"Tush!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter; "these are idle fears. But it is noidle threat on my part, when I tell you you shall not go forth unlessyou consent. "

"You cannot hinder me, woman, " cried Nowell, rising. 

"You shall see, " rejoined the lady, making two or three rapid passesbefore him, which instantly stiffened his limbs, and deprived him of thepower of motion. "Now, stir if you can, " she added with a laugh. 

Nowell essayed to cry out, but his tongue refused its office. Hearingand sight, however, were left him, and he saw Mistress Nutter take alarge volume, bound in black, from the shelf, and open it at a pagecovered with cabalistic characters, after which she pronounced somewords that sounded like an invocation. 

As she concluded, the tapestry against the wall was raised, and frombehind it appeared a figure in all respects resembling the magistrate:it had the same sharp features, the same keen eyes and bushy eyebrows, the same stoop in the shoulders, the same habiliments. It was, in short, his double. 

Mistress Nutter regarded him with a look of triumph. 

"Since you refuse, with my injunctions, " she said, "your double willprove more tractable. He will go forth and do all I would have you do, while I have but to stamp upon the floor and a dungeon will yawn beneathyour feet, where you will lie immured till doomsday. The same fate willattend your crafty associate, Master Potts--so that neither of you willbe missed--ha! ha!"

The unfortunate magistrate fully comprehended his danger, but he couldnow neither offer remonstrance nor entreaty. What was passing in hisbreast seemed known to Mistress Nutter; for she motioned the double tostay, and, touching the brow of Nowell with the point of her forefinger, instantly restored his power of speech. 

"I will give you a last chance, " she said. "Will you obey me now?"

"I must, perforce, " replied Nowell: "the contest is too unequal. "

"You may retire, then, " she cried to the double. And stepping backwards, the figure lifted up the tapestry, and disappeared behind it. 

"I can breathe, now that infernal being is gone, " cried Nowell, sinkinginto the chair. "Oh! madam, you have indeed terrible power. "

"You will do well not to brave it again, " she rejoined. "Shall I summonMaster Potts to prepare the conveyance?"

"Oh! no--no!" cried Nowell. "I do not desire the land. I will not haveit. I shall pay too dearly for it. Only let me get out of this horribleplace?"

"Not so quickly, sir, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. "Before you go hence, I must bind you to the performance of my injunctions. Pronounce thesewords after me, --'May I become subject to the Fiend if I fail in mypromise. '"

"I will never utter them!" cried Nowell, shuddering. 

"Then I shall recall your double, " said the lady. 

"Hold, hold!" exclaimed Nowell. "Let me know what you require of me. "

"I require absolute silence on your part, as to all you have seen andheard here, and cessation of hostility towards me and the persons I havealready named, " replied Mistress Nutter; "and I require a declarationfrom you, in the presence of the two Asshetons, that you are fullysatisfied of the justice of my claims in respect to the land; and that, mortified by your defeat, you have brought a false charge against me, which you now sincerely regret. This I require from you; and you mustratify the promise by the abjuration I have proposed. 'May I becomesubject to the Fiend if I fail in my promise. '"

The magistrate repeated the words after her. As he finished, mockinglaughter, apparently resounding from below, smote his ears. 

"Enough!" cried Mistress Nutter, triumphantly; "and now take good heedthat you swerve not in the slightest degree from your word, or you arefor ever lost. "

Again the mocking laughter was heard, and Nowell would have rushedforth, if Mistress Nutter had not withheld him. 

"Stay!" she cried, "I have not done with you yet! My witnesses must hearyour declaration. Remember!"

And placing her finger upon her lips, in token of silence, she steppedbackwards, drew aside the tapestry, and, opening the door, called to thetwo Asshetons, both of whom instantly came to her, and were not a littlesurprised to learn that all differences had been adjusted, and thatRoger Nowell acknowledged himself entirely in error, retracting all thecharges he had brought against her; while, on her part, she was fullysatisfied with his explanations and apologies, and promised not toentertain any feelings of resentment towards him. 

"You have made up the matter, indeed, " cried Nicholas, "and, as MasterRoger Nowell is a widower, perhaps a match may come of it. Such anarrangement"--

"This is no occasion for jesting, Nicholas, " interrupted the lady, sharply. 

"Nay, I but threw out a hint, " rejoined the squire. "It would set thequestion of the land for ever at rest. "

"It is set at rest--for ever!" replied the lady, with a side look at themagistrate. 

"'May I become subject to the Fiend if I fail in my promise, '" repeatedNowell to himself. "Those words bind me like a chain of iron. I must getout of this accursed house as fast as I can. "

As if his thoughts had been divined by Mistress Nutter, she hereobserved to him, "To make our reconciliation complete, Master Nowell, Imust entreat you to pass the day with me. I will give you the bestentertainment my house affords--nay, I will take no denial; and you too, Nicholas, and you, Richard, you will stay and keep the worthy magistratecompany. "

The two Asshetons willingly assented, but Roger Nowell would fain havebeen excused. A look, however, from his hostess enforced compliance. 

"The proposal will be highly agreeable, I am sure, to Master Potts, "remarked Nicholas, with a laugh; "for though much better, in consequenceof the balsam applied by Blackadder, he is scarcely in condition for thesaddle. "

"I will warrant him well to-morrow morning, " said Mistress Nutter. 

"Where is he?" inquired Nowell. 

"In the library with Parson Holden, " replied Nicholas; "making himselfas comfortable as circumstances will permit, with a flask of Rhenishbefore him. "

"I will go to him, then, " said Nowell. 

"Take care what you say to him, " observed Mistress Nutter, in a lowtone, and raising her finger to her lips. 

Heaving a deep sigh, the magistrate then repaired to the library, asmall room panelled with black oak, and furnished with a few cases ofancient tomes. The attorney and the divine were seated at a table, witha big square-built bottle and long-stemmed glasses before them, andMaster Potts, with a wry grimace, excused himself from rising on hisrespected and singular good client's approach. 

"Do not disturb yourself, " said Nowell, gruffly; "we shall not leaveRough Lee to-day. "

"I am glad to hear it, " replied Potts, moving the cushions on his chairand eyeing the square-built bottle affectionately. 

"Nor to-morrow, it may be--nor the day after--nor at all, possibly, "said Nowell. 

"Indeed!" exclaimed Potts, starting, and wincing with pain. "What is themeaning of all this, worthy sir?"

"'May I become the subject of the Fiend if I fail in my promise, '"rejoined Nowell, with a groan. 

"What promise, worshipful sir?" cried Potts, staring with surprise. 

The magistrate got out the words, "My promise to--" and then he stoppedsuddenly. 

"To Mistress Nutter?" suggested Potts. 

"Don't ask me, " exclaimed Nowell, fiercely. "Don't draw any erroneousconclusions, man. I mean nothing--I say nothing!"

"He is certainly bewitched, " observed Parson Holden in an under-tone tothe attorney. 

"It was by your advice I entered this house, " thundered Nowell, "andmay all the ill arising from it alight upon your head!"

"My respected client!" implored Potts. 

"I am no longer your client!" shrieked the infuriated magistrate. "Idismiss you. I will have nought to do with you more. I wish I had neverseen your ugly little face!"

"You were quite right, reverend sir, " observed Potts aside to thedivine; "he is certainly bewitched, or he never would behave in this wayto his best friend. My excellent sir, " he added to Nowell, "I beseechyou to calm yourself, and listen to me. My motive for wishing you tocomply with Mistress Nutter's request was this: We were in a dilemmafrom which there was no escape, my wounded condition preventing me fromflight, and all your followers being dispersed. Knowing your discretion, I apprehended that, finding the tables turned against you, you would notdesire to play a losing game, and I therefore counselled apparentsubmission as the best means of disarming your antagonist. Whateverarrangement you have made with Mistress Nutter is neither morally norlegally binding upon you. "

"You think not!" cried Nowell. "'May I become subject to the Fiend if Iviolate my promise!'"

"What promise have you made, sir?" inquired Potts and Holden together. 

"Do not question me, " cried Nowell; "it is sufficient that I am tied andbound by it. "

The attorney reflected a little, and then observed to Holden, "It isevident some unfair practices have been resorted to with our respectedfriend, to extort a promise from him which he cannot violate. It is alsopossible, from what he let fall at first, that an attempt may be made todetain us prisoners within this house, and, for aught I know, MasterNowell may have given his word not to go forth without Mistress Nutter'spermission. Under these circumstances, I would beg of you, reverend sir, as an especial favour to us both, to ride over to Whalley, and acquaintSir Ralph Assheton with our situation. "

As this suggestion was made, Nowell's countenance brightened up. Theexpression was not lost upon the attorney, who perceived he was on theright tack. 

"Tell the worthy baronet, " continued Potts, "that his old and esteemedfriend, Master Roger Nowell, is in great jeopardy--am I not right, sir?"

The magistrate nodded. 

"Tell him he is forcibly detained a prisoner, and requires sufficientforce to effect his immediate liberation. Tell him, also, that MasterNowell charges Mistress Nutter with robbing him of his land bywitchcraft. "

"No, no!" interrupted Nowell; "do not tell him that. I no longer chargeher with it. "

"Then, tell him that I do, " cried Potts; "and that Master Nowell hasstrangely, very strangely, altered his mind. "

"'May I become subject to the Fiend if I violate my promise!'" said themagistrate. 

"Ay, tell him that, " cried the attorney--"tell him the worthy gentlemanis constantly repeating that sentence. It will explain all. And now, reverend sir, let me entreat you to set out without delay, or yourdeparture may be prevented. "

"I will go at once, " said Holden. 

As he was about to quit the apartment, Mistress Nutter appeared at thedoor. Confusion was painted on the countenances of all three. 

"Whither go you, sir?" demanded the lady, sharply. 

"On a mission which cannot be delayed, madam, " replied Holden. 

"You cannot quit my house at present, " she rejoined, peremptorily. "These gentlemen stay to dine with me, and I cannot dispense with yourcompany. "

"My duty calls me hence, " returned the divine. "With all thanks for yourproffered hospitality, I must perforce decline it. "

"Not when I command you to stay, " she rejoined, raising her hand; "I amabsolute mistress here. "

"Not over the servants of heaven, madam, " replied the divine, taking aBible from his pocket, and placing it before him. "By this sacred volumeI shield myself against your spells, and command you to let me pass. "

And as he went forth, Mistress Nutter, unable to oppose him, shrankback. 

CHAPTER XI. --MOTHER DEMDIKE. 

The heavy rain, which began to fall as Roger Nowell entered Rough Lee, had now ceased, and the sun shone forth again brilliantly, making thegarden look so fresh and beautiful that Richard proposed a stroll withinit to Alizon. The young girl seemed doubtful at first whether to complywith the invitation; but she finally assented, and they went forthtogether alone, for Nicholas, fancying they could dispense with hiscompany, only attended them as far as the door, where he remainedlooking after them, laughing to himself, and wondering how matters wouldend. "No good will come of it, I fear, " mused the worthy squire, shakinghis head, "and I am scarcely doing right in allowing Dick to entanglehimself in this fashion. But where is the use of giving advice to ayoung man who is over head and ears in love? He will never listen to it, and will only resent interference. Dick must take his chance. I havealready pointed out the danger to him, and if he chooses to runheadlong into the pit, why, I cannot hinder him. After all, I am notmuch surprised. Alizon's beauty is quite irresistible, and, were allsmooth and straightforward in her history, there could be no reasonwhy--pshaw! I am as foolish as the lad himself. Sir Richard Assheton, the proudest man in the shire, would disown his son if he marriedagainst his inclinations. No, my pretty youthful pair, since nothing butmisery awaits you, I advise you to make the most of your brief season ofhappiness. I should certainly do so were the case my own. "

Meanwhile, the objects of these ruminations had reached the terraceoverlooking Pendle Water, and were pacing slowly backwards and forwardsalong it. 

"One might be very happy in this sequestered spot, Alizon, " observedRichard. "To some persons it might appear dull, but to me, if blessedwith you, it would be little short of Paradise. "

"Alas! Richard, " she replied, forcing a smile, "why conjure up visionsof happiness which never can be realised? But even with you I do notthink I could be happy here. There is something about the house which, when I first beheld it, filled me with unaccountable terror. Never sinceI was a mere infant have I been within it till to-day, and yet it wasquite familiar to me--horribly familiar. I knew the hall in which westood together, with its huge arched fireplace, and the armorialbearings upon it, and could point out the stone on which were carved myfather's initials 'R. N. , ' with the date '1572. ' I knew the tapestry onthe walls, and the painted glass in the long range windows. I knew theold oak staircase, and the gallery beyond it, and the room to which mymother led me. I knew the portraits painted on the panels, and at oncerecognised my father. I knew the great carved oak bedstead in this room, and the high chimney-piece, and the raised hearthstone, and shuddered asI gazed at it. You will ask me how these things could be familiar to me?I will tell you. I had seen them repeatedly in my dreams. They havehaunted me for years, but I only to-day knew they had an actualexistence, or were in any way connected with my own history. The sightof that house inspired me with a horror I have not been able toovercome; and I have a presentiment that some ill will befall me withinit. I would never willingly dwell there. "

"The warning voice within you, which should never be despised, promptsyou to quit it, " cried Richard; "and I also urge you in like manner. "

"In vain, " sighed Alizon. "This terrace is beautiful, " she added, asthey resumed their walk, "and I shall often come hither, if I ampermitted. At sunset, this river, and the woody heights above it, mustbe enchanting; and I do not dislike the savage character of thesurrounding scenery. It enhances, by contrast, the beauty of thissolitude. I only wish the spot commanded a view of Pendle Hill. "

"You are like my cousin Nicholas, who thinks no prospect completeunless that hill forms part of it, " said Richard; "but since I find thatyou will often come hither at sunset, I shall not despair of seeing andconversing with you again, even if I am forbidden the house by MistressNutter. That thicket is an excellent hiding-place, and this stream iseasily crossed. "

"We can have no secret interviews, Richard, " replied Alizon; "I shallcome hither to think of you, but not to meet you. You must never returnto Rough Lee again--that is, not unless some change takes place, which Idare not anticipate--but, hist! I am called. I must go back to thehouse. "

"The voice came from the other side of the river, " said Richard--"and, hark! it calls again. Who can it be?"

"It is Jennet, " replied Alizon; "I see her now. "

And she pointed out the little girl standing beside an alder on theopposite bank. 

"Yo didna notice me efore, Alizon, " cried Jennet in her sharp tone, andwith her customary provoking laugh, "boh ey seed yo plain enuff, anheer'd yo too; and ey heer'd Mester Ruchot say he wad hide i' thisthicket, an cross the river to meet ye at sunset. Little pigs, they say, ha' lang ears, an mine werena gi'en me fo' nowt. "

"They have somewhat misinformed you in this instance, " replied Alizon;"but how, in the name of wonder, did you come here?"

"Varry easily, " replied Jennet, "boh ey hanna time to tell ye now. Granny Demdike has sent me hither wi' a message to ye and MistressNutter. Boh may be ye winna loike Mester Ruchot to hear what ey ha'getten to tell ye. "

"I will leave you, " said Richard, about to depart. 

"Oh! no, no!" cried Alizon, "she can have nothing to say which you maynot hear. "

"Shan ey go back to Granny Demdike, an tell her yo're too proud toreceive her message?" asked the child. 

"On no account, " whispered Richard. "Do not let her anger the old hag. "

"Speak, Jennet, " said Alizon, in a tone of kind persuasion. 

"Ey shanna speak onless ye cum ower t' wetur to me, " replied the littlegirl; "an whot ey ha to tell consarns ye mitch. "

"I can easily cross, " observed Alizon to Richard. "Those stones seemplaced on purpose. "

Upon this, descending from the terrace to the river's brink, andspringing lightly upon the first stone which reared its head above thefoaming tide, she bounded to another, and so in an instant was acrossthe stream. Richard saw her ascend the opposite bank, and approachJennet, who withdrew behind the alder; and then he fancied he perceivedan old beldame, partly concealed by the intervening branches of thetree, advance and seize hold of her. Then there was a scream; and thesound had scarcely reached the young man's ears before he was down thebank and across the river, but when he reached the alder, neitherAlizon, nor Jennet, nor the old beldame were to be seen. 

The terrible conviction that she had been carried off by Mother Demdikethen smote him, and though he continued his search for her among theadjoining bushes, it was with fearful misgivings. No answer was returnedto his shouts, nor could he discover any trace of the means by whichAlizon had been spirited away. 

After some time spent in ineffectual search, uncertain what course topursue, and with a heart full of despair, Richard crossed the river, andproceeded towards the house, in front of which he found Mistress Nutterand Nicholas, both of whom seemed surprised when they perceived he wasunaccompanied by Alizon. The lady immediately, and somewhat sharply, questioned him as to what had become of her adopted daughter, andappeared at first to doubt his answer; but at length, unable to questionhis sincerity, she became violently agitated. 

"The poor girl has been conveyed away by Mother Demdike, " she cried, "though for what purpose I am at a loss to conceive. The old hag couldnot cross the running water, and therefore resorted to that stratagem. "

"Alizon must not be left in her hands, madam, " said Richard. 

"She must not, " replied the lady. "If Blackadder, whom I have sent afterParson Holden, were here, I would despatch him instantly to MalkinTower. "

"I will go instead, " said Richard. 

"You had better accept his offer, " interposed Nicholas; "he will serveyou as well as Blackadder. "

"Go I shall, madam, " cried Richard; "if not on your account, on my own. "

"Come, then, with me, " said the lady, entering the house, "and I willfurnish you with that which shall be your safeguard in the enterprise. "

With this, she proceeded to the closet where her interview with RogerNowell had been held; and, unlocking an ebony cabinet, took from adrawer within it a small flat piece of gold, graven with mysticcharacters, and having a slender chain of the same metal attached to it. Throwing the chain over Richard's neck, she said, "Place this talisman, which is of sovereign virtue, near your heart, and no witchcraft shallhave power over you. But be careful that you are not by any artificedeprived of it, for the old hag will soon discover that you possess somecharm to protect you against her spells. You are impatient to be gone, but I have not yet done, " she continued, taking down a small silverbugle from a hook, and giving it him. "On reaching Malkin Tower, windthis horn thrice, and the old witch will appear at the upper window. Demand admittance in my name, and she will not dare to refuse you; or, if she does, tell her you know the secret entrance to her stronghold, and will have recourse to it. And in case this should be needful, I willnow disclose it to you, but you must not use it till other means fail. When opposite the door, which you will find is high up in the building, take ten paces to the left, and if you examine the masonry at the footof the tower, you will perceive one stone somewhat darker than the rest. At the bottom of this stone, and concealed by a patch of heath, you willdiscover a knob of iron. Touch it, and it will give you an opening to avaulted chamber, whence you can mount to the upper room. Even then youmay experience some difficulty, but with resolution you will surmountall obstacles. "

"I have no fear of success, madam, " replied Richard, confidently. 

And quitting her, he proceeded to the stables, and calling for hishorse, vaulted into the saddle, and galloped off towards the bridge. 

Fast as Richard rode up the steep hill-side, still faster did the blackclouds gather over his head. No natural cause could have produced soinstantaneous a change in the aspect of the sky, and the young manviewed it with uneasiness, and wished to get out of the thicket in whichhe was now involved, before the threatened thunder-storm commenced. Butthe hill was steep and the road bad, being full of loose stones, andcrossed in many places by bare roots of trees. Though ordinarilysurefooted, Merlin stumbled frequently, and Richard was obliged toslacken his pace. It grew darker and darker, and the storm seemed readyto burst upon him. The smaller birds ceased singing, and screenedthemselves under the thickest foliage; the pie chattered incessantly;the jay screamed; the bittern flew past, booming heavily in the air; theraven croaked; the heron arose from the river, and speeded off with hislong neck stretched out; and the falcon, who had been hovering over him, sweeped sidelong down and sought shelter beneath an impending rock; therabbit scudded off to his burrow in the brake; and the hare, erectinghimself for a moment, as if to listen to the note of danger, crepttimorously off into the long dry grass. 

It grew so dark at last that the road was difficult to discern, and thedense rows of trees on either side assumed a fantastic appearance in thedeep gloom. Richard was now more than half-way up the hill, and thethicket had become more tangled and intricate, and the road narrower andmore rugged. All at once Merlin stopped, quivering in every limb, as ifin extremity of terror. 

Before the rider, and right in his path, glared a pair of red fieryorbs, with something dusky and obscure linked to them; but whether ofman or beast he could not distinguish. 

Richard called to it. No answer. He struck spurs into the reeking flanksof his horse. The animal refused to stir. Just then there was a moaningsound in the wood, as of some one in pain. He turned in the direction, shouted, but received no answer. When he looked back the red eyes weregone. 

Then Merlin moved forward of his own accord, but ere he had gone far, the eyes were visible again, glaring at the rider from the wood. Thistime they approached, dilating, and increasing in glowing intensity, till they scorched him like burning-glasses. Bethinking him of thetalisman, Richard drew it forth. The light was instantly extinguished, and the indistinct figure accompanying it melted into darkness. 

Once more Merlin resumed his toilsome way, and Richard was marvellingthat the storm so long suspended its fury, when the sky was riven by asudden blaze, and a crackling bolt shot down and struck the earth at hisfeet. The affrighted steed reared aloft, and was with difficultyprevented from falling backwards upon his rider. Almost before he couldbe brought to his feet, an awful peal of thunder burst overhead, and itrequired Richard's utmost efforts to prevent him from rushing madly downthe hill. 

The storm had now fairly commenced. Flash followed flash, and pealsucceeded peal, without intermission. The rain descended hissing andspouting, and presently ran down the hill in a torrent, adding to thehorseman's other difficulties and dangers. To heighten the terror of thescene, strange shapes, revealed by the lightning, were seen flittingamong the trees, and strange sounds were heard, though overpowered bythe dreadful rolling of the thunder. 

But Richard's resolution continued unshaken, and he forced Merlin on. Hehad not proceeded far, however, when the animal uttered a cry of fright, and began beating the air with his fore hoofs. The lightning enabledRichard to discern the cause of this new distress. Coiled round the poorbeast's legs, all whose efforts to disengage himself from the terribleassailant were ineffectual, was a large black snake, seemingly about toplunge its poisonous fangs into the flesh. Again having recourse to thetalisman, and bending down, Richard stretched it towards the snake, uponwhich the reptile instantly darted its arrow-shaped head against him, but instead of wounding him, its forked teeth encountered the piece ofgold, and, as if stricken a violent blow, it swiftly untwined itself, and fled, hissing, into the thicket. 

Richard was now obliged to dismount and lead his horse. In this way hetoiled slowly up the hill. The storm continued with unabated fury: thered lightning played around him, the brattling thunder stunned him, andthe pelting rain poured down upon his head. But he was no moremolested. Save for the vivid flashes, it had become dark as night, butthey served to guide him on his way. 

At length he got out of the thicket, and trod upon the turf, but it wasrendered so slippery by moisture, that he could scarcely keep his feet, while the lightning no longer aided him. Fearing he had taken a wrongcourse, he stood still, and while debating with himself a blaze of lightillumined the wide heath, and showed him the object of his search, Malkin Tower, standing alone, like a beacon, at about a quarter of amile's distance, on the further side of the hill. Was it disturbedfancy, or did he really behold on the summit of the structure a grislyshape resembling--if it resembled any thing human--a gigantic black cat, with roughened staring skin, and flaming eyeballs?

Nerved by the sight of the tower, Richard was on his steed's back in aninstant, and the animal, having in some degree recovered his spirits, galloped off with him, and kept his feet in spite of the slippery stateof the road. Erelong, another flash showed the young man that he wasdrawing rapidly near the tower, and dismounting, he tied Merlin to atree, and hurried towards the unhallowed pile. When within twenty pacesof it, mindful of Mistress Nutter's injunctions, he placed the bugle tohis lips, and winded it thrice. The summons, though clear and loud, sounded strangely in the portentous silence. 

Scarcely had the last notes died away, when a light shone through thedark red curtains hanging before a casement in the upper part of thetower. The next moment these were drawn aside, and a face appeared, sofrightful, so charged with infernal wickedness and malice, thatRichard's blood grew chill at the sight. Was it man or woman? The whitebeard, and the large, broad, masculine character of the countenance, seemed to denote the, former, but the garb was that of a female. Theface was at once hideous and fantastic--the eyes set across--the mouthawry--the right cheek marked by a mole shining with black hair, andhorrible from its contrast to the rest of the visage, and the browbranded as if by a streak of blood. A black thrum cap constituted theold witch's head-gear, and from beneath it her hoary hair escaped inlong elf-locks. The lower part of her person was hidden from view, butshe appeared to be as broad-shouldered as a man, and her bulky personwas wrapped in a tawny-coloured robe. Throwing open the window, shelooked forth, and demanded in harsh imperious tones--

"Who dares to summon Mother Demdike?"

"A messenger from Mistress Nutter, " replied Richard. "I am come in hername to demand the restitution of Alizon Device, whom thou hast forciblyand wrongfully taken from her. "

"Alizon Device is my grand-daughter, and, as such, belongs to me, andnot to Mistress Nutter, " rejoined Mother Demdike. 

"Thou knowest thou speakest false, foul hag!" cried Richard. "Alizon isno blood of thine. Open the door and cast down the ladder, or I willfind other means of entrance. "

"Try them, then, " rejoined Mother Demdike. And she closed the casementsharply, and drew the curtains over it. 

After reconnoitring the building for a moment, Richard moved quickly tothe left, and counting ten paces, as directed by Mistress Nutter, beganto search among the thick grass growing near the base of the tower forthe concealed entrance. It was too dark to distinguish any difference inthe colour of the masonry, but he was sure he could not be far wrong, and presently his hand came in contact with a knob of iron. He pressedit, but it did not yield to the touch. Again more forcibly, but withlike ill success. Could he be mistaken? He tried the next stone, anddiscovered another knob upon it, but this was as immovable as the first. He went on, and then found that each stone was alike, and that ifamongst the number he had chanced upon the one worked by the secretspring, it had refused to act. On examining the structure so far as hewas able to do in the gloom, he found he had described the whole circleof the tower, and was about to commence the search anew, when a creakingsound was heard above, and a light streamed suddenly down upon him. Thedoor had been opened by the old witch, and she stood there with a lampin her hand, its yellow flame illumining her hideous visage, and short, square, powerfully built frame. Her throat was like that of a bull; herhands of extraordinary size; and her arms, which were bare to theshoulder, brawny and muscular. 

"What, still outside?" she cried in a jeering tone, and with a wilddiscordant laugh. "Methought thou affirmedst thou couldst find a wayinto my dwelling. "

"I do not yet despair of finding it, " replied Richard. 

"Fool!" screamed the hag. "I tell thee it is in vain to attempt itwithout my consent. With a word, I could make these walls one solidmass, without window or outlet from base to summit. With a word, I couldshower stones upon thy head, and crush thee to dust. With a word, Icould make the earth swallow thee up. With a word, I could whisk theehence to the top of Pendle Hill. Ha! ha! Dost fear me now?"

"No, " replied Richard, undauntedly. "And the word thou menacest me withshall never be uttered. "

"Why not?" asked Mother Demdike, derisively. 

"Because thou wouldst not brave the resentment of one whose power isequal to thine own--if not greater, " replied the young man. 

"Greater it is not--neither equal, " rejoined the old hag, haughtily;"but I do not desire a quarrel with Alice Nutter. Only let her notmeddle with me. "

"Once more, art thou willing to admit me?" demanded Richard. 

"Ay, upon one condition, " replied Mother Demdike. "Thou shalt learn itanon. Stand aside while I let down the ladder. "

Richard obeyed, and a pair of narrow wooden steps dropped to the ground. 

"Now mount, if thou hast the courage, " cried the hag. 

The young man was instantly beside her, but she stood in the doorway, and barred his further progress with her extended staff. Now that he wasface to face with her, he wondered at his own temerity. There wasnothing human in her countenance, and infernal light gleamed in herstrangely-set eyes. Her personal strength, evidently unimpaired by age, or preserved by magical art, seemed equal to her malice; and sheappeared as capable of executing any atrocity, as of conceiving it. Shesaw the effect produced upon him, and chuckled with malicioussatisfaction. 

"Saw'st thou ever face like mine?" she cried. "No, I wot not. But Iwould rather inspire aversion and terror than love. Love!--foh! I wouldrather see men shrink from me, and shudder at my approach, than smileupon me and court me. I would rather freeze the blood in their veins, than set it boiling with passion. Ho! ho!"

"Thou art a fearful being, indeed!" exclaimed Richard, appalled. 

"Fearful, am I?" ejaculated the old witch, with renewed laughter. "Atlast thou own'st it. Why, ay, I _am_ fearful. It is my wish to be so. Ilive to plague mankind--to blight and blast them--to scare them with mylooks--to work them mischief. Ho! ho! And now, let us look at thee, " shecontinued, holding the lamp over him. "Why, soh?--a comely youth! Andthe young maids doat upon thee, I doubt not, and praise thy bloomingcheeks, thy bright eyes, thy flowing locks, and thy fine limbs. I hatethy beauty, boy, and would mar it!--would canker thy wholesome flesh, dim thy lustrous eyes, and strike thy vigorous limbs with palsy, tillthey should shake like mine! I am half-minded to do it, " she added, raising her staff, and glaring at him with inconceivable malignity. 

"Hold!" exclaimed Richard, taking the talisman from his breast, anddisplaying it to her. "I am armed against thy malice!"

Mother Demdike's staff fell from her grasp. 

"I knew thou wert in some way protected, " she cried furiously. "And soit is a piece of gold--with magic characters upon it, eh?" she added, suddenly changing her tone; "Let me look at it. "

"Thou seest it plain enough, " rejoined Richard. "Now, stand aside andlet me pass, for thou perceivest I have power to force an entrance. "

"I see it--I see it, " replied Mother Demdike, with affected humility. "Isee it is in vain to struggle with thee, or rather with the potent ladywho sent thee. Tarry where thou art, and i will bring Alizon to thee. "

"I almost mistrust thee, " said Richard--"but be speedy. "

"I will be scarce a moment, " said the witch; "but I must warn thee thatshe is--"

"What--what hast thou done to her, thou wicked hag?" cried Richard, inalarm. 

"She is distraught, " said Mother Demdike. 

"Distraught!" echoed Richard. 

"But thou canst easily cure her, " said the old hag, significantly. 

"Ay, so I can, " cried Richard with sudden joy--"the talisman! Bring herto me at once. "

Mother Demdike departed, leaving him in a state of indescribableagitation. The walls of the tower were of immense thickness, and theentrance to the chamber towards which the arched doorway led was coveredby a curtain of old arras, behind which the hag had disappeared. Scarcely had she entered the room when a scream was heard, and Richardheard his own name pronounced by a voice which, in spite of its agonisedtones, he at once recognised. The cries were repeated, and he then heardMother Demdike call out, "Come hither! come hither!"

Instantly rushing forward and dashing aside the tapestry, he foundhimself in a mysterious-looking circular chamber, with a massive oaktable in the midst of it. There were many strange objects in the room, but he saw only Alizon, who was struggling with the old witch, andclinging desperately to the table. He called to her by name as headvanced, but her bewildered looks proved that she did not know him. 

"Alizon--dear Alizon! I am come to free you, " he exclaimed. 

But in place of answering him she uttered a piercing scream. 

"The talisman, the talisman?" cried the hag. "I cannot undo my own work. Place the chain round her neck, and the gold near her heart, that shemay experience its full virtue. "

Richard unsuspectingly complied with the suggestion of the temptress;but the moment he had parted with the piece of gold the figure of Alizonvanished, the chamber was buried in gloom, and, amidst a hubbub of wildlaughter, he was dragged by the powerful arm of the witch through thearched doorway, and flung from it to the ground, the shock of the fallproducing immediate insensibility. 

CHAPTER XII. --THE MYSTERIES OF MALKIN TOWER. 

It was a subterranean chamber; gloomy, and of vast extent; the roof low, and supported by nine ponderous stone columns, to which rings and rustychains were attached, still retaining the mouldering bones of those theyhad held captive in life. Amongst others was a gigantic skeleton, quiteentire, with an iron girdle round the middle. Fragments of mortalitywere elsewhere scattered about, showing the numbers who had perished inthe place. On either side were cells closed by massive doors, secured bybolts and locks. At one end were three immense coffers made of oak, hooped with iron, and fastened by large padlocks. Near them stood alarge armoury, likewise of oak, and sculptured with the ensigns ofWhalley Abbey, proving it had once belonged to that establishment. Probably it had been carried off by some robber band. At the oppositeend of the vault were two niches, each occupied by a rough-hewnstatue--the one representing a warlike figure, with a visage ofextraordinary ferocity, and the other an anchoress, in her hood andwimple, with a rosary in her hand. On the ground beneath lay a plainflag, covering the mortal remains of the wicked pair, and proclaimingthem to be Isole de Heton and Blackburn, the freebooter. The pillarswere ranged in three lines, so as to form, with the arches above them, aseries of short passages, in the midst of which stood an altar, and nearit a large caldron. In front, elevated on a block of granite, was amarvellous piece of sculpture, wrought in jet, and representing a demonseated on a throne. The visage was human, but the beard that of a goat, while the feet and lower limbs were like those of the same animal. Twocurled horns grew behind the ears, and a third, shaped like a conch, sprang from the centre of the forehead, from which burst a blue flame, throwing a ghastly light on the objects surrounding it. 

The only discernible approach to the vault was a steep narrow stonestaircase, closed at the top by a heavy trapdoor. Other outletapparently there was none. Some little air was admitted to this foulabode through flues contrived in the walls, the entrances to which weregrated, but the light of day never came there. The flame, however, issuing from the brow of the demon image, like the lamps in thesepulchres of the disciples of the Rosy Cross, was ever-burning. Behindthe sable statue was a deep well, with water as black as ink, whereinswarmed snakes, and toads, and other noxious reptiles; and as the luridlight fell upon its surface it glittered like a dusky mirror, unlesswhen broken by the horrible things that lurked beneath, or crawled aboutupon its slimy brim. But snakes and toads were not the only tenants ofthe vault. At the head of the steps squatted a monstrous and misshapenanimal, bearing some resemblance to a cat, but as big as a tiger. Itsskin was black and shaggy; its eyes glowed like those of the hyæna; andits cry was like that of the same treacherous beast. Among the gloomycolonnades other swart and bestial shapes could be indistinctly seenmoving to and fro. 

In this abode of horror were two human beings--one, a young maiden ofexquisite beauty; and the other, almost a child, and strangely deformed. The elder, overpowered by terror, was clinging to a pillar for support, while the younger, who might naturally be expected to exhibit thegreatest alarm, appeared wholly unconcerned, and derided her companion'sfears. 

"Oh, Jennet!" exclaimed the elder of the two, "is there no means ofescape?"

"None whatever, " replied the other. "Yo mun stay here till GrannyDemdike cums fo ye. "

"Oh! that the earth would open and snatch me from these horrors, " criedAlizon. "My reason is forsaking me. Would I could kneel and pray fordeliverance! But something prevents me. "

"Reet!" replied Jennet. "It's os mitch os yer loife's worth to kneel anpray here, onless yo choose to ge an throw yersel at th' feet o' yonblack image. "

"Kneel to that idol--never!" exclaimed Alizon. And while striving tocall upon heaven for aid, a sharp convulsion seized her, and deprivedher of the power of utterance. 

"Ey towd yo how it wad be, " remarked Jennet, who watched her narrowly. "Yo 're neaw i' a church here, an if yo want to warship, it mun be atyon altar. Dunna yo hear how angry the cats are--how they growl an spit?An see how their een gliss'n! They'll tare yo i' pieces, loike so manytigers, if yo offend em. "

"Tell me why I am brought here, Jennet?" inquired Alizon, after a briefpause. 

"Granny Demdike will tell yo that, " replied the little girl; "boh to mybelief, " she added, with a mocking laugh, "hoo means to may a witch o'ye, loike aw the rest on us. "

"She cannot do that without my consent, " cried Alizon, "and I would diea thousand deaths rather than yield it. "

"That remains to be seen, " replied Jennet, tauntingly. "Yo 're obstinateenuff, nah doubt. Boh Granny Demdike is used to deal wi' sich folk. "

"Oh! why was I born?" cried Alizon, bitterly. 

"Yo may weel ask that, " responded Jennet, with a loud unfeeling laugh;"fo ey see neaw great use yo're on, wi' yer protty feace an bright een, onless it be to may one hate ye. "

"Is it possible you can say this to me, Jennet?" cried Alizon. "Whathave I done to incur your hatred? I have ever loved you, and striven toplease and serve you. I have always taken your part against others, evenwhen you were in the wrong. Oh! Jennet, you cannot hate me. "

"Boh ey do, " replied the little girl, spitefully. "Ey hate yo now warserthan onny wan else. Ey hate yo because yo are neaw lunger mysister--becose yo 're a grand ledy's dowter, an a grand ledy yersel. Eyhate yo becose yung Ruchot Assheton loves yo--an becose yo ha betterluck i' aw things than ey have, or con expect to have. That's why I hateyo, Alizon. When yo are a witch ey shan love yo, for then we shan beequals once more. "

"That will never be, Jennet, " said Alizon, sadly, but firmly. "Yourgrandmother may immure me in this dungeon, and scare away my senses; butshe will never rob me of my hopes of salvation. "

As the words were uttered, a clang like that produced by a stricken gongshook the vault; the beasts roared fiercely; the black waters of thefountain bubbled up, and were lashed into foam by the angry reptiles;and a larger jet of flame than before burst from the brow of the demonstatue. 

"Ey ha' warned ye, Alizon, " said Jennet, alarmed by thesedemonstrations; "boh since ye pay no heed to owt ey say, ey'st leave yoto yer fate. "

"Oh! stay with me, stay with me, Jennet!" shrieked Alizon, "By our pastsisterly affection I implore you to remain! You are some protection tome from these dreadful beings. "

"Ey dunna want to protect yo onless yo do os yo're bidd'n, " repliedJennet! "Whoy should yo be better than me?"

"Ah! why, indeed?" cried Alizon. "Would I had the power to turn yourheart--to open your eyes to evil--to save you, Jennet. "

These words were followed by another clang, louder and more brattlingthan the first. The solid walls of the dungeon were shaken, and theheavy columns rocked; while, to Alizon's affrighted gaze, it seemed asif the sable statue arose upon its ebon throne, and stretched out itsarm menacingly towards her. The poor girl was saved from further terrorby insensibility. 

How long she remained in this condition she could not tell, nor did itappear that any efforts were made to restore her; but when sherecovered, she found herself stretched upon a rude pallet within anarched recess, the entrance to which was screened by a piece oftapestry. On lifting it aside she perceived she was no longer in thevault, but in an upper chamber, as she judged, and not incorrectly, ofthe tower. The room was lofty and circular, and the walls of enormousthickness, as shown by the deep embrasures of the windows; in one ofwhich, the outlet having been built up, the pallet was placed. A massiveoak table, two or three chairs of antique shape, and a wooden stool, constituted the furniture of the room. The stool was set near thefireplace, and beside it stood a strangely-fashioned spinning-wheel, which had apparently been recently used; but neither the old hag nor hergrand-daughter were visible. Alizon could not tell whether it was nightor day; but a lamp was burning upon the table, its feeble light onlyimperfectly illumining the chamber, and scarcely revealing severalstrange objects dangling from the huge beams that supported the roof. Faded arras were hung against the walls, representing in one compartmentthe last banquet of Isole de Heton and her lover, Blackburn; in another, the Saxon Ughtred hanging from the summit of Malkin Tower; and in athird, the execution of Abbot Paslew. The subjects were as large aslife, admirably depicted, and evidently worked at wondrous looms. Asthey swayed to and fro in the gusts, that found entrance into thechamber through some unprotected loopholes, the figures had a grim andghostly air. 

Weak, trembling, bewildered, Alizon stepped forth, and staggeringtowards the table sank upon a chair beside it. A fearful storm wasraging without--thunder, lightning, deluging rain. Stunned and blinded, she covered her eyes, and remained thus till the fury of the tempest hadin some degree abated. She was roused at length by a creaking sound notfar from her, and found it proceeded from a trapdoor rising slowly onits hinges. 

A thrum cap first appeared above the level of the floor; then a broad, bloated face, the mouth and chin fringed with a white beard like thewhiskers of a cat; then a thick, bull throat; then a pair of brawnyshoulders; then a square, thick-set frame; and Mother Demdike stoodbefore her. A malignant smile played upon her hideous countenance, andgleamed from her eyes--those eyes so strangely placed by nature, as ifto intimate her doom, and that of her fated race, to whom the horribleblemish was transmitted. As the old witch leaped heavily upon theground, the trapdoor closed behind her. 

"Soh, you are better, Alizon, and have quitted your couch, I find, " shecried, striking her staff upon the floor. "But you look faint and feeblestill. I will give you something to revive you. I have a wondrouscordial in yon closet--a rare restorative--ha! ha! It will make you wellthe moment it has passed your lips. I will fetch it at once. "

"I will have none of it, " replied Alizon; "I would rather die. "

"Rather die!" echoed Mother Demdike, sarcastically, "because, forsooth, you are crossed in love. But you shall have the man of your heart yet, if you will only follow my counsel, and do as I bid you. RichardAssheton shall be yours, and with your mother's consent, provided--"

"I understand the condition you annex to the promise, " interruptedAlizon, "and the terms upon which you would fulfil it: but you seek invain to tempt me, old woman. I now comprehend why I am brought hither. "

"Ay, indeed!" exclaimed the old witch. "And why is it, then, since youare so quick-witted?"

"You desire to make an offering to the evil being you serve, " criedAlizon, with sudden energy. "You have entered into some dark compact, which compels you to deliver up a victim in each year to the Fiend, oryour own soul becomes forfeit. Thus you have hitherto lengthened outyour wretched life, and you hope to extend the term yet farther throughme. I have heard this tale before, but I would not believe it. Now Ido. This is why you have stolen me from my mother--have braved heranger--and brought me to this impious tower. "

The old hag laughed hoarsely. 

"The tale thou hast heard respecting me is true, " she said. "I _have_ acompact which requires me to make a proselyte to the power I servewithin each year, and if I fail in doing so, I must pay the penalty thouhast mentioned. A like compact exists between Mistress Nutter and theFiend. "

She paused for a moment, to watch the effect of her words on Alizon, andthen resumed. 

"Thy mother would have sacrificed thee if thou hadst been left with her;but I have carried thee off, because I conceive I am best entitled tothee. Thou wert brought up as my grand-daughter, and therefore I claimthee as my own. "

"And you think to deal with me as if I were a puppet in your hands?"cried Alizon. 

"Ay, marry, do I, " rejoined Mother Demdike, with a scream of laughter, "Thou art nothing more than a puppet--a puppet--ho! ho. "

"And you deem you can dispose of my soul without my consent?" saidAlizon. 

"Thy full consent will be obtained, " rejoined the old hag. 

"Think it not! think it not!" exclaimed Alizon. "Oh! I shall yet bedelivered from this infernal bondage. "

At this moment the notes of a bugle were heard. 

"Saved! saved!" cried the poor girl, starting. "It is Richard come to myrescue!"

"How know'st thou that?" cried Mother Demdike, with a spiteful look. 

"By an instinct that never deceives, " replied Alizon, as the blast wasagain heard. 

"This must be stopped, " said the hag, waving her staff over the maiden, and transfixing her where she sat; after which she took up the lamp, andstrode towards the window. 

The few words that passed between her and Richard have been alreadyrecounted. Having closed the casement and drawn the curtain before it, Mother Demdike traced a circle on the floor, muttered a spell, and then, waving her staff over Alizon, restored her power of speech and motion. 

"'Twas he!" exclaimed the young girl, as soon as she could findutterance. "I heard his voice. "

"Why, ay, 'twas he, sure enough, " rejoined the beldame. "He has come ona fool's errand, but he shall never return from it. Does Mistress Nutterthink I will give up my prize the moment I have obtained it, for themere asking? Does she imagine she can frighten me as she frightensothers? Does she know whom she has to deal with? If not, I will tellher. I am the oldest, the boldest, and the strongest of the witches. Nomystery of the black art but is known to me. I can do what mischief Iwill, and my desolating hand has been felt throughout this district. Youmay trace it like a pestilence. No one has offended me but I haveterribly repaid him. I rule over the land like a queen. I exacttributes, and, if they are not rendered, I smite with a sharper edgethan the sword. My worship is paid to the Prince of Darkness. This toweris his temple, and yon subterranean chamber the place where the mysticalrites, which thou wouldst call impious and damnable, are performed. Countless sabbaths have I attended within it; or upon Rumbles Moor, oron the summit of Pendle Hill, or within the ruins of Whalley Abbey. Manyproselytes have I made; many unbaptised babes offered up in sacrifice. Iam high-priestess to the Demon, and thy mother would usurp mine office. "

"Oh! spare me this horrible recital!" exclaimed Alizon, vainly trying toshut out the hag's piercing voice. 

"I will spare thee nothing, " pursued Mother Demdike. "Thy mother, I say, would be high-priestess in my stead. There are degrees among witches, asamong other sects, and mine is the first. Mistress Nutter would depriveme of mine office; but not till her hair is as white as mine, herknowledge equal to mine, and her hatred of mankind as intense asmine--not till then shall she have it. "

"No more of this, in pity!" cried Alizon. 

"Often have I aided thy mother in her dark schemes, " pursued theimplacable hag; "nay, no later than last night I obliterated the oldboundaries of her land, and erected new marks to serve her. It was astrong exercise of power; but the command came to me, and I obeyed it. No other witch could have achieved so much, not even the accursedChattox, and she is next to myself. And how does thy mother purpose torequite me? By thrusting me aside, and stepping into my throne. "

"You must be in error, " cried Alizon, scarcely knowing what to say. 

"My information never fails me, " replied the hag, with a disdainfullaugh. "Her plans are made known to me as soon as formed. I have thoseabout her who keep strict watch upon her actions, and report themfaithfully. I know why she brought thee so suddenly to Rough Lee, thoughthou know'st it not. "

"She brought me there for safety, " remarked the young girl, hoping toallay the beldame's fury, "and because she herself desired to know howthe survey of the boundaries would end. "

"She brought thee there to sacrifice thee to the Fiend!" cried the hag, infernal rage and malice blazing in her eyes. "She failed inpropitiating him at the meeting in the ruined church of Whalley lastnight, when thou thyself wert present, and deliveredst Dorothy Asshetonfrom the snare in which she was taken. And since then all has gone wrongwith her. Having demanded from her familiar the cause why all things rancounter, she was told she had failed in the fulfilment of herpromise--that a proselyte was required--and that thou alone wouldst beaccepted. "

"I!" exclaimed Alizon, horror-stricken. 

"Ay, thou!" cried the hag. "No choice was allowed her, and the offeringmust be made to-night. After a long and painful struggle, thy motherconsented. "

"Oh! no--impossible! you deceive me, " cried the wretched girl. 

"I tell thee she consented, " rejoined Mother Demdike, coldly; "and onthis she made instant arrangements to return home, and in spite--as thouknow'st--of Sir Ralph and Lady Assheton's efforts to detain her, setforth with thee. "

"All this I know, " observed Alizon, sadly--"and intelligence of ourdeparture from the Abbey was conveyed to you, I conclude, by Jennet, towhom I bade adieu. "

"Thou art right--it was, " returned the hag; "but I have yet more to tellthee, for I will lay the secrets of thy mother's dark breast fullybefore thee. Her time is wellnigh run. Thou wert made the price of itsextension. If she fails in offering thee up to-night, and thou art herein my keeping, the Fiend, her master, will abandon her, and she will bedelivered up to the justice of man. "

Alizon covered her face with horror. 

After awhile she looked up, and exclaimed, with unutterable anguish--

"And I cannot help her!"

The unpitying hag laughed derisively. 

"She cannot be utterly lost, " continued the young girl. "Were I nearher, I would show her that heaven is merciful to the greatest sinner whorepents; and teach her how to regain the lost path to salvation. "

"Peace!" thundered the witch, shaking her huge hand at her, and stampingher heavy foot upon the ground. "Such words must not be uttered here. They are an offence to me. Thy mother has renounced all hopes of heaven. She has been baptised in the baptism of hell, and branded on the brow bythe red finger of its ruler, and cannot be wrested from him. It is toolate. "

"No, no--it never can be too late!" cried Alizon. "It is not even toolate for you. "

"Thou know'st not what thou talk'st about, foolish wench, " rejoined thehag. "Our master would tear us instantly in pieces if but a thought ofpenitence, as thou callest it, crossed our minds. We are both doomed toan eternity of torture. But thy mother will go first--ay, first. If shehad yielded thee up to-night, another term would have been allowed her;but as I hold thee instead, the benefit of the sacrifice will be mine. But, hist! what was that? The youth again! Alice Nutter must have givenhim some potent counter-charm. "

"He comes to deliver me, " cried Alizon. "Richard!"

And she arose, and would have flown to the window, but Mother Demdikewaved her staff over her, and rooted her to the ground. 

"Stay there till I require thee, " chuckled the hag, moving, withponderous footsteps, to the door. 

After parleying with Richard, as already related, Mother Demdikesuddenly returned to Alizon, and, restoring her to sensibility, placedher hideous face close to her, breathing upon her, and uttering thesewords, "Be thine eyes blinded and thy brain confused, so that thou maystnot know him when thou seest him, but think him another. "

The spell took instant effect. Alizon staggered towards the table, Richard was summoned, and on his appearance the scene took place whichhas already been detailed, and which ended in his losing the talisman, and being ejected from the tower. 

Alizon had been rendered invisible by the old witch, and was afterwardsdragged into the arched recess by her, where, snatching the piece ofgold from the young girl's neck, she exclaimed triumphantly--

"Now I defy thee, Alice Nutter. Thou canst never recover thy child. Theoffering shall be made to-night, and another year be added to my longterm. "

Alizon groaned deeply, but, at a gesture from the hag, she becamemotionless and speechless. 

A dusky indistinctly-seen figure hovered near the entrance of theembrasure. Mother Demdike beckoned it to her. 

"Convey this girl to the vault, and watch over her, " she said. "I willdescend anon. "

Upon this the shadowy arms enveloped Alizon, the trapdoor flew open, andthe figure disappeared with its inanimate burthen. 

CHAPTER XIII. --THE TWO FAMILIARS. 

After seeing Richard depart on his perilous mission to Malkin Tower, Mistress Nutter retired to her own chamber, and held long and anxiousself-communion. The course of her thoughts may be gathered from theterrible revelations made by Mother Demdike to Alizon. A prey to themost agonising emotions, it may be questioned if she could have enduredgreater torment if her heart had been consumed by living fire, as in thepunishment assigned to the damned in the fabled halls of Eblis. For thefirst time remorse assailed her, and she felt compunction for the evilshe had committed. The whole of her dark career passed in review beforeher. The long catalogue of her crimes unfolded itself like a scroll offlame, and at its foot were written in blazing characters the awfulwords, JUDGMENT AND CONDEMNATION! There was no escape--none! Hell, withits unquenchable fires and unimaginable horrors, yawned to receive her;and she felt, with anguish and self-reproach not to be described, howwretched a bargain she had made, and how dearly the brief gratificationof her evil passions had been purchased at the cost of an eternity ofwoe and torture. 

This change of feeling had been produced by her newly-awakened affectionfor her daughter, long supposed dead, and now restored to her, only tobe snatched away again in a manner which added to the sharpness of theloss. She saw herself the sport of a juggling fiend, whose aim was towin over her daughter's soul through her instrumentality, and sheresolved, if possible, to defeat his purposes. This, she was aware, could only be accomplished by her own destruction, but even this dreadalternative she was prepared to embrace. Alizon's sinless nature anddevotion to herself had so wrought upon her, that, though she had atfirst resisted the better impulses kindled within her bosom, in the endthey completely overmastered her. 

Was it, she asked herself, too late to repent? Was there no way ofbreaking her compact? She remembered to have read of a young man who hadsigned away his own soul, being restored to heaven by the intercessionof the great reformer of the church, Martin Luther. But, on the otherhand, she had heard of many others, who, on the slightest manifestationof penitence, had been rent in pieces by the Fiend. Still the idearecurred to her. Might not her daughter, armed with perfect purity andholiness, with a soul free from stain as an unspotted mirror; might notshe, who had avouched herself ready to risk all for her--for she hadoverheard her declaration to Richard;--might not she be able to work outher salvation? Would confession of her sins and voluntary submission toearthly justice save her? Alas!--no. She was without hope. She had aninexorable master to deal with, who would grant her no grace, exceptupon conditions she would not assent to. 

She would have thrown herself on her knees, but they refused to bend. She would have prayed, but the words turned to blasphemies. She wouldhave wept, but the fountains of tears were dry. The witch could neverweep. 

Then came despair and frenzy, and, like furies, lashed her with whips ofscorpions, goading her with the memory of her abominations andidolatries, and her infinite and varied iniquities. They showed her, asin a swiftly-fleeting vision, all who had suffered wrong by her, or whomher malice had afflicted in body or estate. They mocked her with aglimpse of the paradise she had forfeited. She saw her daughter in abeatified state about to enter its golden portals, and would have clungto her robes in the hope of being carried in with her, but she wasdriven away by an angel with a flaming sword, who cried out, "Thou hastabjured heaven, and heaven rejects thee. Satan's brand is upon thy browand, unless it be effaced, thou canst never enter here. Down to Tophet, thou witch!" Then she implored her daughter to touch her brow with thetip of her finger; and, as the latter was about to comply, a darkdemoniacal shape suddenly rose, and, seizing her by the hair, plungedwith her down--down--millions of miles--till she beheld a world of fireappear beneath her, consisting of a multitude of volcanoes, roaring andraging like furnaces, boiling over with redhot lava, and casting forthhuge burning stones. In each of these beds of fire thousands uponthousands of sufferers were writhing, and their groans and lamentationsarose in one frightful, incessant wail, too terrible for human hearing. 

Over this place of torment the demon held her suspended. She shriekedaloud in her agony, and, shaking off the oppression, rejoiced to findthe vision had been caused by her own distempered imagination. 

Meanwhile, the storm, which had obstructed Richard as he climbed thehill, had come on, though Mistress Nutter had not noticed it; but now aloud peal of thunder shook the room, and rousing herself she walked tothe window. The sight she beheld increased her alarm. Heavythunder-clouds rested upon the hill-side, and seemed ready to dischargetheir artillery upon the course which she knew must be taken by theyoung man. 

The chamber in which she stood, it has been said, was large and gloomy, with a wainscoting of dark oak. On one of the panels was painted apicture of herself in her days of youth, innocence, and beauty; and onanother, a portrait of her unfortunate husband, who appeared a handsomeyoung man, with a stern countenance, attired in a black velvet doubletand cloak, of the fashion of Elizabeth's day. Between these paintingsstood a carved oak bedstead, with a high tester and dark heavy drapery, opposite which was a wide window, occupying almost the whole length ofthe room, but darkened by thick bars and glass, crowded with armorialbearings, or otherwise deeply dyed. The high mantelpiece and itscarvings have been previously described, as well as the bloodyhearthstone, where the tragical incident occurred connected withAlizon's early history. 

As Mistress Nutter returned to the fireplace, a plaintive cry arose fromit, and starting--for the sound revived terrible memories within herbreast--she beheld the ineffaceable stains upon the flag traced out byblue phosphoric fire, while above them hovered the shape of a bleedinginfant. Horror-stricken, she averted her gaze, but it encounteredanother object, equally appalling--her husband's portrait; or rather, it would seem, a phantom in its place; for the eyes, lighted up byinfernal fire, glared at her from beneath the frowning and contractedbrows, while the hand significantly pointed to the hearthstone, on whichthe sanguinary stains had now formed themselves into the fatal word"VENGEANCE!"

In a few minutes the fiery characters died away, and the portraitresumed its wonted expression; but ere Mistress Nutter had recoveredfrom her terror the back of the fireplace opened, and a tall swarthy manstepped out from it. As he appeared, a flash of lightning illumined thechamber, and revealed his fiendish countenance. On seeing him, the ladyimmediately regained her courage, and addressed him in a haughty andcommanding tone--

"Why this intrusion? I did not summon thee, and do not require thee. "

"You are mistaken, madam, " he replied; "you had never more occasion forme than at this moment; and, so far from intruding upon you, I haveavoided coming near you, even though enjoined to do so by my lord. He isperfectly aware of the change which has just taken place in youropinions, and the anxiety you now feel to break the contract you haveentered into with him, and which he has scrupulously fulfilled on hispart; but he wishes you distinctly to understand, that he has nointention of abandoning his claims upon you, but will most assuredlyenforce them at the proper time. I need not remind you that your termdraws to a close, and ere many months must expire; but means ofextending it have been offered you, if you choose to avail yourself ofthem. "

"I have no such intention, " replied Mistress Nutter, in a decided tone. 

"So be it, madam, " replied the other; "but you will not preserve yourdaughter, who is in the hands of a tried and faithful servant of mylord, and what you hesitate to do that servant will perform, and so reapthe benefit of the sacrifice. "

"Not so, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. 

"I say yea, " retorted the familiar. 

"Thou art my slave, I command thee to bring Alizon hither at once. "

The familiar shook his head. 

"Thou refusest!" cried Mistress Nutter, menacingly. 

"Knows't thou not I have the means of chastising thee?"

"You had, madam, " replied the other; "but the moment a thought ofpenitence crossed your breast, the power you were invested withdeparted. My lord, however, is willing to give you an hour of grace, when, if you voluntarily renew your oaths to him, he will accept them, and place me at your disposal once more; but if you still continueobstinate--"

"He will abandon me, " interrupted Mistress Nutter; "I knew it. Foolthat I was to trust one who, from the beginning, has been a deceiver. "

"You have a short memory, and but little gratitude, madam and seementirely to forget the important favour conferred upon you last night. At your solicitation, the boundaries of your property were changed, andlarge slips of land filched from another, to be given to you. But if youfail in your duty, you cannot expect this to continue. The boundarymarks will be set up in their old places, and the land restored to itsrightful owner. "

"I expected as much, " observed Mistress Nutter, disdainfully. 

"Thus all our pains will be thrown away, " pursued the familiar; "andthough you may make light of the labour, it is no easy task to changethe face of a whole country--to turn streams from their course, movebogs, transplant trees, and shift houses, all of which has been done, and will now have to be undone, because of your inconstancy. I, myself, have been obliged to act as many parts as a poor player to please you, and now you dismiss me at a moment's notice, as if I had played themindifferently, whereas the most fastidious audience would have beenravished with my performance. This morning I was the reeve of theforest, and as such obliged to assume the shape of a rascally attorney. I felt it a degradation, I assure you. Nor was I better pleased when youcompelled me to put on the likeness of old Roger Nowell; for, whateveryou may think, I am not so entirely destitute of personal vanity as toprefer either of their figures to my own. However, I showed nodisinclination to oblige you. You are strangely unreasonable to-day. Isit my lord's fault if your desire of vengeance expires in itsfruition--if, when you have accomplished an object, you no longer carefor it? You ask for revenge--for power. You have them, and cast themaside like childish baubles!"

"Thy lord is an arch deceiver, " rejoined Mistress Nutter; "and cannotperform his promises. They are empty delusions--profitless, unsubstantial as shadows. His power prevails not against any thing holy, as I myself have just now experienced. His money turns to witheredleaves; his treasures are dust and ashes. Strong only is he in power ofmischief, and even his mischief, like curses, recoils on those who useit. His vengeance is no true vengeance, for it troubles the conscience, and engenders remorse; whereas the servant of heaven heaps coals of fireon the head of his adversary by kindness, and satisfies his own heart. "

"You should have thought of all this before you vowed yourself to him, "said the familiar; "it is too late to reflect now. "

"Perchance not, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. 

"Beware!" thundered the demon, with a terrible gesture; "any overt actof disobedience, and your limbs shall be scattered over this chamber. "

"If I do not dare thee to it, it is not because I fear thee, " repliedMistress Nutter, in no way dismayed by the threat. "Thou canst notcontrol my tongue. Thou speakest of the services rendered by thy lord, and I repeat they are like his promises, naught. Show me the witch hehas enriched. Of what profit is her worship of the false deity--of whatavail the sacrifices she makes at his foul altars? It is ever the samespilling of blood, ever the same working of mischief. The wheels Ofcrime roll on like the car of the Indian idol, crushing all before them. Doth thy master ever help his servants in their need? Doth he not everabandon them when they are no longer useful, and can win him no moreproselytes? Miserable servants--miserable master! Look at the murtherousDemdike and the malignant Chattox, and examine the means whereby theyhave prolonged their baleful career. Enormities of all kinds committed, and all their families devoted to the Fiend--all wizards or witches!Look at them, I say. What profit to them is their long service? Are theyrich? Are they in possession of unfading youth and beauty? Are theysplendidly lodged? Have they all they desire? No!--the one dwells in asolitary turret, and the other in a wretched hovel; and both aremiserable creatures, living only on the dole wrung by threats fromterrified peasants, and capable of no gratification but such as resultsfrom practices of malice. "

"Is that nothing?" asked the familiar. "To them it is every thing. Theycare neither for splendid mansions, nor wealth, nor youth, nor beauty. If they did, they could have them all. They care only for the dread andmysterious power they possess, to be able to fascinate with a glance, totransfix by a gesture, to inflict strange ailments by a word, and tokill by a curse. This is the privilege they seek, and this privilegethey enjoy. "

"And what is the end of it all?" demanded Mistress Nutter, sternly. "Erelong, they will be unable to furnish victims to their insatiatemaster, who will then abandon them. Their bodies will go to the hangman, and their souls to endless bale!"

The familiar laughed as if a good joke had been repeated to him, andrubbed his hands gleefully. 

"Very true, " he said; "very true. You have stated the case exactly, madam. Such will certainly be the course of events. But what of that?The old hags will have enjoyed a long term--much longer than might havebeen anticipated. Mother Demdike, however, as I have intimated, willextend hers, and it is fortunate for her she is enabled to do so, as itwould otherwise expire an hour after midnight, and could not berenewed. "

"Thou liest!" cried Mistress Nutter--"liest like thy lord, who is thefather of lies. My innocent child can never be offered up at his impiousshrine. I have no fear for her. Neither he, nor Mother Demdike, nor anyof the accursed sisterhood, can harm her. Her goodness will cover herlike armour, which no evil can penetrate. Let him wreak his vengeance, if he will, on me. Let him treat me as a slave who has cast off hisyoke. Let him abridge the scanty time allotted me, and bear me hence tohis burning kingdom; but injure my child, he cannot--shall not!"

"Go to Malkin Tower at midnight, and thou wilt see, " replied thefamiliar, with a mocking laugh. 

"I will go there, but it shall be to deliver her, " rejoined MistressNutter. "And now get thee gone! I need thee no more. "

"Be not deceived, proud woman, " said the familiar. "Once dismissed, Imay not be recalled, while thou wilt be wholly unable to defend thyselfagainst thy enemies. "

"I care not, " she rejoined; "begone!"

The familiar stepped back, and, stamping upon the hearthstone, it sanklike a trapdoor, and he disappeared beneath it, a flash of lightningplaying round his dusky figure. 

Notwithstanding her vaunted resolution, and the boldness with which shehad comported herself before the familiar, Mistress Nutter nowcompletely gave way, and for awhile abandoned herself to despair. Aroused at length by the absolute necessity of action, she again walkedto the window and looked forth. The storm still raged furiouslywithout--so furiously, indeed, that it would be madness to brave it, nowthat she was deprived of her power, and reduced to the ordinary level ofhumanity. Its very violence, however, assured her it must soon cease, and she would then set out for Malkin Tower. But what chance had she nowin a struggle with the old hag, with all the energies of hell at hercommand?--what hope was there of her being able to effect her daughter'sliberation? No matter, however desperate, the attempt should be made. Meanwhile, it would be necessary so see what was going on below, andascertain whether Blackadder had returned with Parson Holden. With thisview, she descended to the hall, where she found Nicholas Assheton fastasleep in a great arm-chair, and rocked rather than disturbed by theloud concussions of thunder. The squire was, no doubt, overcome by thefatigues of the day, or it might be by the potency of the wine he hadswallowed, for an empty flask stood on the table beside him. MistressNutter did not awaken him, but proceeded to the chamber where she hadleft Nowell and Potts prisoners, both of whom rose on her entrance. 

"Be seated, gentlemen, I pray you, " she said, courteously. "I am come tosee if you need any thing; for when this fearful storm abates, I amgoing forth for a short time. "

"Indeed, madam, " replied Potts. "For myself I require nothing further;but perhaps another bottle of wine might be agreeable to my honoured andsingular good client. "

"Speak for yourself, sir, " cried Roger Nowell, sharply. 

"You shall have it, " interposed Mistress Nutter. "I shall be glad of aword with you before I go, Master Nowell. I am sorry this dispute hasarisen between us. "

"Humph!" exclaimed the magistrate. 

"Very sorry, " pursued Mistress Nutter; "and I wish to make everyreparation in my power. "

"Reparation, madam!" cried Nowell. "Give back the land you have stolenfrom me--restore the boundary lines--sign the deed in Sir Ralph'spossession--that is the only reparation you can make. "

"I will, " replied Mistress Nutter. 

"You will!" exclaimed Nowell. "Then the fellow did not deceive us, Master Potts. "

"Has any one been with you?" asked the lady, uneasily. 

"Ay, the reeve of the forest, " replied Nowell. "He told us you would bewith us presently, and would make fair offers to us. "

"And he told us also _why_ you would make them, madam, " added Potts, inan insolent and menacing tone; "he told us you would make a merit ofdoing what you could not help--that your power had gone from you--thatyour works of darkness would be destroyed--and that, in a word, you wereabandoned by the devil, your master. "

"He deceived you, " replied Mistress Nutter. "I have made you the offerout of pure good-will, and you can reject it or not, as you please. AllI stipulate, if you do accept it, is, that you pledge me your word notto bring any charge of witchcraft against me. "

"Do not give the pledge, " whispered a voice in the ear of themagistrate. 

"Did you speak?" he said, turning to Potts. 

"No, sir, " replied the attorney, in a low tone; "but I thought youcautioned me against--"

"Hush!" interrupted Nowell; "it must be the reeve. We cannot comply withyour request, madam, " he added, aloud. 

"Certainly not, " said Potts. "We can make no bargain with an avowedwitch. We should gain nothing by it; on the contrary, we should belosers, for we have the positive assurance of a gentleman whom webelieve to be upon terms of intimacy with a certain black gentleman ofyour acquaintance, madam, that the latter has given you up entirely, andthat law and justice may, therefore, take their course. We protestagainst our unlawful detention; but we give ourselves small concernabout it, as Sir Ralph Assheton, who will be advised of our situation byParson Holden, will speedily come to our liberation. "

"Yes, we are now quite easy on that score, madam, " added Nowell; "andto-morrow we shall have the pleasure of escorting you to LancasterCastle. "

"And your trial will come on at the next assizes, about the middle ofAugust, " said Potts, "You have only four months to run. "

"That is indeed my term, " muttered the lady. "I shall not tarry tolisten to your taunts, " she added, aloud. "You may possibly regretrejecting my proposal. "

So saying, she quitted the room. 

As she returned to the hall, Nicholas awoke. 

"What a devil of a storm!" he exclaimed, stretching himself and rubbinghis eyes. "Zounds! that flash of lightning was enough to blind me, andthe thunder wellnigh splits one's ears. "

"Yet you have slept through louder peals, Nicholas, " said MistressNutter, coming up to him. "Richard has not returned from his mission, and I must go myself to Malkin Tower. In my absence, I must entrust youwith the defence of my house. "

"I am willing to undertake it, " replied Nicholas, "provided nowitchcraft be used. "

"Nay, you need not fear that, " said the lady, with a forced smile. 

"Well, then, leave it to me, " said the squire; "but you will not set outtill the storm is over?"

"I must, " replied Mistress Nutter; "there seems no likelihood of itscessation, and each moment is fraught with peril to Alizon. If aughthappens to me, Nicholas--if I should--whatever mischance may befallme--promise me you will stand by her. "

The squire gave the required promise. 

"Enough, I hold you to your word, " said Mistress Nutter. "Take thisparchment. It is a deed of gift, assigning this mansion and all myestates to her. Under certain circumstances you will produce it. "

"What circumstances? I am at a loss to understand you, madam, " said thesquire. 

"Do not question me further, but take especial care of the deed, andproduce it, as I have said, at the fitting moment. You will know whenthat arrives. Ha! I am wanted. "

The latter exclamation had been occasioned by the appearance of an oldwoman at the further end of the hall, beckoning to her. On seeing her, Mistress Nutter immediately quitted the squire, and followed her into asmall chamber opening from this part of the hall, and into which sheretreated. 

"What brings you here, Mother Chattox?" exclaimed the lady, closing thedoor. 

"Can you not guess?" replied the hag. "I am come to help you, not forany love I bear you, but to avenge myself on old Demdike. Do notinterrupt me. My familiar, Fancy, has told me all. I know how you arecircumstanced. I know Alizon is in old Demdike's clutches, and you areunable to extricate her. But I can, and will; because if the hateful oldhag fails in offering up her sacrifice before the first hour of day, herterm will be out, and I shall be rid of her, and reign in her stead. To-morrow she will be on her way to Lancaster Castle. Ha! ha! Thedungeon is prepared for her--the stake driven into the ground--thefagots heaped around it. The torch has only to be lighted. Ho! Ho!"

[Illustration: THE RIDE THROUGH THE MURKY AIR. ]

"Shall we go to Malkin Tower?" asked Mistress Nutter, shuddering. 

"No; to the summit of Pendle Hill, " rejoined Mother Chattox; "for therethe girl will be taken, and there only can we secure her. But first wemust proceed to my hut, and make some preparations. I have three scalpsand eight teeth, taken from a grave in Goldshaw churchyard this veryday. We can make a charm with them. "

"You must prepare it alone, " said Mistress Nutter; "I can have nought todo with it. "

"True--true--I had forgotten, " cried the hag, with a chucklinglaugh--"you are no longer one of us. Well, then, I will do it alone. Butcome with me. You will not object to mount upon my broomstick. It is theonly safe conveyance in this storm of the devil's raising. Come--away!"

And she threw open the window and sprang forth, followed by MistressNutter. 

Through the murky air, and borne as if on the wings of the wind, twodark forms are flying swiftly. Over the tops of the tempest-shaken treesthey go, and as they gain the skirts of the thicket an oak beneath isshivered by a thunderbolt. They hear the fearful crash, and see thesplinters fly far and wide; and the foremost of the two, who, with herskinny arm extended, seems to direct their course, utters a wild screamof laughter, while a raven, speeding on broad black wing before them, croaks hoarsely. Now the torrent rages below, and they see its whitewaters tumbling over a ledge of rock; now they pass over the brow of ahill; now skim over a dreary waste and dangerous morass. Fearful it isto behold those two flying figures, as the lightning shows them, bestriding their fantastical steed; the one an old hag with hideouslineaments and distorted person, and the other a proud dame, stillbeautiful, though no longer young, pale as death, and her loose jettyhair streaming like a meteor in the breeze. 

The ride is over, and they alight near the door of a solitary hovel. Theraven has preceded them, and, perched on the chimney top, flies down itas they enter, and greets them with hoarse croaking. The inside of thehut corresponds with its miserable exterior, consisting only of tworooms, in one of which is a wretched pallet; in the other are a coupleof large chests, a crazy table, a bench, a three-legged stool, and aspinning-wheel. A caldron is suspended above a peat fire, smouldering onthe hearth. There is only one window, and a thick curtain is drawnacross it, to secure the inmate of the hut from prying eyes. 

Mother Chattox closes and bars the door, and, motioning Mistress Nutterto seat herself upon the stool, kneels down near the hearth, and blowsthe turf into a flame, the raven helping her, by flapping his big blackwings, and uttering a variety of strange sounds, as the sparks flyabout. Heaping on more turf, and shifting the caldron, so that it mayreceive the full influence of the flame, the hag proceeds to one of thechests, and takes out sundry small matters, which she places one by onewith great care on the table. The raven has now fixed his great talonson her shoulder, and chuckles and croaks in her ear as she pursues heroccupation. Suddenly a piece of bone attracts his attention, and dartingout his beak, he seizes it, and hops away. 

"Give me that scalp, thou mischievous imp!" cries the hag, "I need itfor the charm I am about to prepare. Give it me, I say!"

But the raven still held it fast, and hopped here and there so nimblythat she was unable to catch him. At length, when he had exhausted herpatience, he alighted on Mistress Nutter's shoulder, and dropped it intoher lap. Engrossed by her own painful thoughts, the lady had paid noattention to what was passing, and she shuddered as she took up thefragment of mortality, and placed it upon the table. A few tufts ofhair, the texture of which showed they had belonged to a female, stilladhered to the scalp. Mistress Nutter regarded it fixedly, and with aninterest for which she could not account. 

After sharply chiding the raven, Mother Chattox put forth her hand tograsp the prize she had been robbed of, when Mistress Nutter checked herby observing, "You said you got this scalp from Goldshaw churchyard. Know you ought concerning it?"

"Ay, a good deal, " replied the old woman, chuckling. "It comes from agrave near the yew-tree, and not far from Abbot Cliderhow's cross. OldZachariah Worms, the sexton, digged it up for me. That yellow skull hadonce a fair face attached to it, and those few dull tufts were oncebright flowing tresses. She who owned them died young; but, young as shewas, she survived all her beauty. Hollow cheeks and hollow eyes, wastedflesh, and cruel cough, were hers--and she pined and pined away. Folkssaid she was forespoken, and that I had done it. I, forsooth! She hadnever done me harm. You know whether I was rightly accused, madam. "

"Take it away, " cried Mistress Nutter, hurriedly, and as if strugglingagainst some overmastering feeling. "I cannot bear to look at it. Iwanted not this horrible reminder of my crimes. "

"This was the reason, then, why Ralph stole the scalp from me, " mutteredthe hag, as she threw it, together with some other matters, into thecaldron. "He wanted to show you his sagacity. I might have guessed asmuch. "

"I will go into the other room while you make your preparations, " saidMistress Nutter, rising; "the sight of them disturbs me. You can summonme when you are ready. "

"I will, madam, " replied the old hag, "and you must control yourimpatience, for the spell requires time for its confection. "

Mistress Nutter made no reply, but, walking into the inner room, closedthe door, and threw herself upon the pallet. Here, despite her anxiety, sleep stole upon her, and though her dreams were troubled, she did notawake till Mother Chattox stood beside her. 

"Have I slept long?" she inquired. 

"More than three hours, " replied the hag. 

"Three hours!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter. "Why did you not wake mebefore? You would have saved me from terrible dreams. We are not toolate?"

"No, no, " replied Mother Chattox; "there is plenty of time. Come intothe other room. All is ready. "

As Mistress Nutter followed the old hag into the adjoining room, astrong odour, arising from a chafing-dish, in which herbs, roots, andother ingredients were burning, assailed her, and, versed in all weirdceremonials, she knew that a powerful suffumigation had been made, though with what intent she had yet to learn. The scanty furniture hadbeen cleared away, and a circle was described on the clay floor byskulls and bones, alternated by dried toads, adders, and other reptiles. In the midst of this magical circle, the caldron, which had been broughtfrom the chimney, was placed, and, the lid being removed, a thick vapourarose from it. Mistress Nutter looked around for the raven, but the birdwas nowhere to be seen, nor did any other living thing appear to bepresent beside themselves. 

Taking the lady's hand, Mother Chattox drew her into the circle, andbegan to mutter a spell; after which, still maintaining her hold of hercompanion, she bade her look into the caldron, and declare what she saw. 

"I see nothing, " replied the lady, after she had gazed upon the bubblingwaters for a few moments. "Ah! yes--I discern certain figures, but theyare confused by the steam, and broken by the agitation of the water. "

"Caldron--cease boiling! and smoke--disperse!" cried Mother Chattox, stamping her foot. "Now, can you see more plainly?"

"I can, " replied Mistress Nutter; "I behold the subterranean chamberbeneath Malkin Tower, with its nine ponderous columns, its altar in themidst of them, its demon image, and the well with waters black as Lethebeside it. "

"The water within the caldron came from that well, " said Mother Chattox, with a chuckling laugh; "my familiar risked his liberty to bring it, buthe succeeded. Ha! ha! My precious Fancy, thou art the best of servants, and shalt have my best blood to reward thee to-morrow--thou shalt, mysweetheart, my chuck, my dandyprat. But hie thee back to Malkin Tower, and contrive that this lady may hear, as well as see, all that passes. Away!"

Mistress Nutter concluded that the injunction would be obeyed; but, asthe familiar was invisible to her, she could not detect his departure. 

"Do you see no one within the dungeon?" inquired Mother Chattox. 

"Ah! yes, " exclaimed the lady; "I have at last discovered Alizon. Shewas behind one of the pillars. A little girl is with her. It is JennetDevice, and, from the spiteful looks of the latter, I judge she ismocking her. Oh! what malice lurks in the breast of that hateful child!She is a true descendant of Mother Demdike. But Alizon--sweet, patientAlizon--she seems to bear all her taunts with a meekness and resignationenough to move the hardest heart. I would weep for her if I could. Andnow Jennet shakes her hand at her, and leaves her. She is alone. Whatwill she do now? Has she no thoughts of escape? Oh, yes! She looks abouther distractedly--runs round the vault--tries the door of every cell:they are all bolted and barred--there is no outlet--none!"

"What next?" inquired the hag. 

"She shrieks aloud, " rejoined Mistress Nutter, "and the cry thrillsthrough every fibre in my frame. She calls upon me for aid--upon me, hermother, and little thinks I hear her, and am unable to help her. Oh! itis horrible. Take me to her, good Chattox--take me to her, I imploreyou!"

"Impossible!" replied the hag: "you must await the fitting time. If youcannot control yourself, I shall remove the caldron. "

"Oh! no, no, " cried the distracted lady. "I will be calm. Ah! what isthis I see?" she added, belying her former words by sudden vehemence, while rage and astonishment were depicted upon her countenance. "Whatinfernal delusion is practised upon my child! This is monstrous--intolerable. Oh! that I could undeceive her--could warn herof the snare!"

"What is the nature of the delusion?" asked Mother Chattox, with somecuriosity. "I am so blind I cannot see the figures on the water. "

"It is an evil spirit in my likeness, " replied Mistress Nutter. 

"In your likeness!" exclaimed the hag. "A cunning device--and worthy ofold Demdike--ho! ho!"

"I can scarce bear to look on, " cried Mistress Nutter; "but I must, though it tears my heart in pieces to witness such cruelty. The poorgirl has rushed to her false parent--has thrown her arms around her, andis weeping on her shoulder. Oh! it is a maddening sight. But it isnothing to what follows. The temptress, with the subtlety of the oldserpent, is pouring lies into her ear, telling her they both arecaptives, and both will perish unless she consents to purchase theirdeliverance at the price of her soul, and she offers her a bond tosign--such a bond as, alas! thou and I, Chattox, have signed. But Alizonrejects it with horror, and gazes at her false mother as if shesuspected the delusion. But the temptress is not to be beaten thus. Sherenews her entreaties, casts herself on the ground, and clasps mychild's knees in humblest supplication. Oh! that Alizon would place herfoot upon her neck and crush her. But it is not so the good act. Sheraises her, and tells her she will willingly die for her; but her soulwas given to her by her Creator, and must be returned to him. Oh! that Ihad thought of this. "

"And what answer makes the spirit?" asked the witch. 

"It laughs derisively, " replied Mistress Nutter; "and proceeds to useall those sophistical arguments, which we have so often heard, topervert her mind, and overthrow her principles. But Alizon is proofagainst them all. Religion and virtue support her, and make her morethan a match for her opponent. Equally vain are the spirit's attempts toseduce her by the offer of a life of sinful enjoyment. She rejects itwith angry scorn. Failing in argument and entreaty, the spirit nowendeavours to work upon her fears, and paints, in appalling colours, thetortures she will have to endure, contrasting them with the delight sheis voluntarily abandoning, with the lover she might espouse, with thehigh worldly position she might fill. 'What are worldly joys and honourscompared with those of heaven!' exclaims Alizon; 'I would not exchangethem. ' The spirit then, in a vision, shows her her lover, Richard, andasks her if she can resist his entreaties. The trial is very sore, asshe gazes on that beloved form, seeming, by its passionate gestures, toimplore her to assent, but she is firm, and the vision disappears. Theordeal is now over. Alizon has triumphed over all their arts. The spiritin my likeness resumes its fiendish shape, and, with a dreadful menaceagainst the poor girl, vanishes from her sight. "

"Mother Demdike has not done with her yet, " observed Chattox. 

"You are right, " replied Mistress Nutter. "The old hag descends thestaircase leading to the vault, and approaches the miserable captive. With her there are no supplications--no arguments; but commands andterrible threats. She is as unsuccessful as her envoy. Alizon has gainedcourage and defies her. "

"Ha! does she so?" exclaimed Mother Chattox. "I am glad of it. "

"The solid floor resounds with the stamping of the enraged witch, "pursued Mistress Nutter. "She tells Alizon she will take her to PendleHill at midnight, and there offer her up as a sacrifice to the Fiend. Mychild replies that she trusts for her deliverance to Heaven--that herbody may be destroyed--that her soul cannot be harmed. Scarcely are thewords uttered than a terrible clangour is heard. The walls of thedungeon seem breaking down, and the ponderous columns reel. The demonstatue rises on its throne, and a stream of flame issues from its brow. The doors of the cells burst open, and with the clanking of chains, andother dismal noises, skeleton shapes stalk forth, from them, each with apale blue light above its head. Monstrous beasts, like tiger-cats, withrough black skins and flaming eyes, are moving about, and looking as ifthey would spring upon the captive. Two gravestones are now pushedaside, and from the cold earth arise the forms of Blackburn, the robber, and his paramour, the dissolute Isole de Heton. She joins the grislythrong now approaching the distracted girl, who falls insensible to theground. "

"Can you see aught more?" asked the hag, as Mistress Nutter still benteagerly over the caldron. 

"No; the whole chamber is buried in darkness, " replied the lady; "I cansee nothing of my poor child. What will become of her?"

"I will question Fancy, " replied the hag, throwing some freshingredients into the chafing-dish; and, as the smoke arose, shevociferated, "Come hither, Fancy; I want thee, my fondling, my sweet. Come quickly! ha! thou art here. "

The familiar was still invisible to Mistress Nutter, but a slight soundmade her aware of his presence. 

"And now, my sweet Fancy, " pursued the hag, "tell us, if thou canst, what will be done with Alizon, and what course we must pursue to freeher from old Demdike?"

"At present she is in a state of insensibility, " replied a harsh voice, "and she will be kept in that condition till she is conveyed to thesummit of Pendle Hill. I have already told you it is useless to attemptto take her from Malkin Tower. It is too well guarded. Your only chancewill be to interrupt the sacrifice. "

"But how, my sweet Fancy? how, my little darling?" inquired the hag. 

"It is a perplexing question, " replied the voice; "for, by showing youhow to obtain possession of the girl, I disobey my lord. "

"Ay, but you serve me--you please me, my pretty Fancy, " cried the hag. "You shall quaff your fill of blood on the morrow, if you do this forme. I want to get rid of my old enemy--to catch her in her own toils--tosend her to a dungeon--to burn her--ha! ha! You must help me, my littlesweetheart. "

"I will do all I can, " replied the voice; "but Mother Demdike is cunningand powerful, and high in favour with my lord. You must have mortal aidas well as mine. The officers of justice must be there to seize her atthe moment when the victim is snatched from her, or she will baffle allyour schemes. "

"And how shall we accomplish this?" asked Mother Chattox. 

"I will tell you, " said Mistress Nutter to the hag. "Let him put on theform of Richard Assheton, and in that guise hasten to Rough Lee, wherehe will find the young man's cousin, Nicholas, to whom he must makeknown the dreadful deed about to be enacted on Pendle Hill. Nicholaswill at once engage to interrupt it. He can arm himself with the weaponsof justice by taking with him Roger Nowell, the magistrate, and hismyrmidon, Potts, the attorney, both of whom are detained prisoners inthe house by my orders. "

"The scheme promises well, and shall be adopted, " replied the hag; "butsuppose Richard himself should appear first on the scene. Dost knowwhere he is, my sweet Fancy?"

"When I last saw him, " replied the voice, "he was lying senseless on theground, at the foot of Malkin Tower, having been precipitated from thedoorway by Mother Demdike. You need apprehend no interference from him. "

"It is well, " replied Mother Chattox. "Then take his form, my pet, though it is not half as handsome as thy own. "

"A black skin and goat-like limbs are to thy taste, I know, " replied thefamiliar, with a laugh. 

"Let me look upon him before he goes, that I may be sure the likeness isexact, " said Mistress Nutter. 

"Thou hearest, Fancy! Become visible to her, " cried the hag. 

And as she spoke, a figure in all respects resembling Richard stoodbefore them. 

"What think you of him? Will he do?" said Mother Chattox. 

"Ay, " replied the lady; "and now send him off at once. There is no timeto lose. "

"I shall be there in the twinkling of an eye, " said the familiar; "but Iown I like not the task. "

"There is no help for it, my sweet Fancy, " cried the hag. "I cannotforego my triumph over old Demdike. Now, away with thee, and when thouhast executed thy mission, return and tell us how thou hast sped in thematter. "

The familiar promised obedience to her commands, and disappeared. 

CHAPTER XIV. --HOW ROUGH LEE WAS AGAIN BESIEGED. 

Parson Holden, it will be remembered, left Rough Lee, charged by Pottswith a message to Sir Ralph Assheton, informing him of his detention andthat of Roger Nowell, by Mistress Nutter, and imploring him to come totheir assistance without delay. Congratulating himself on his escape, but apprehensive of pursuit, the worthy rector, who, as a keenhuntsman, was extremely well mounted, made the best of his way, and hadalready passed the gloomy gorge through which Pendle Water swept, hadclimbed the hill beyond it, and was crossing the moor now alone lyingbetween him and Goldshaw, when he heard a shout behind him, and, turningat the sound, beheld Blackadder and another mounted serving-man issuingfrom a thicket, and spurring furiously after him. Relying upon the speedof his horse, he disregarded their cries, and accelerated his pace; but, in spite of this, his pursuers gained upon him rapidly. 

While debating the question of resistance or surrender, the rectordescried Bess Whitaker coming towards him from the opposite direction--acircumstance that greatly rejoiced him; for, aware of her strength andcourage, he felt sure he could place as much dependence upon her in thisemergency as on any man in the county. Bess was riding a stout, rough-looking nag, apparently well able to sustain her weight, andcarried the redoubtable horsewhip with her. 

On the other hand, Holden had been recognised by Bess, who came up justas he was overtaken and seized by his assailants, one of whom caughthold of his cassock, and tore it from his back, while the other, seizinghold of his bridle, endeavoured, in spite of his efforts to thecontrary, to turn his horse round. Many oaths, threats, and blows wereexchanged during the scuffle, which no doubt would have terminated inthe rector's defeat, and his compulsory return to Rough Lee, had it notbeen for the opportune arrival of Bess, who, swearing as lustily as theserving-men, and brandishing the horsewhip, dashed into the scene ofaction, and, with a few well-applied cuts, liberated the divine. Enragedat her interference, and smarting from the application of the whip, Blackadder drew a petronel from his girdle, and levelled it at her head;but, ere he could discharge it, the weapon was stricken from his grasp, and a second blow on the head from the but-end of the whip felled himfrom his horse. Seeing the fate of his companion, the other serving-manfled, leaving Bess mistress of the field. 

The rector thanked her heartily for the service she had rendered him, and complimented her on her prowess. 

"Ey'n neaw dun mitch to boast on i' leatherin' them two seawr-feacedrapscallions, " said Bess, with becoming modesty. "Simon Blackadder an eyha' had mony a tussle together efore this, fo he's a feaw tempert felly, an canna drink abowt fightin', boh he has awlus found me more nor hismatch. Boh save us, your reverence, what were the ill-favort gullionsridin' after ye for? Firrups tak 'em! they didna mean to rob ye, surely?"

"Their object was to make me prisoner, and carry me back to Rough Lee, Bess, " replied Holden. "They wished to prevent my going to Whalley, whither I am bound, to procure help from Sir Ralph Assheton to liberateMaster Roger Nowell and his attorney, who are forcibly detained byMistress Nutter. "

"Yo may spare yer horse an yersel the jorney, then, reverend sir, "replied Bess; "for yo'n foind Sir Tummus Metcawfe, wi' some twanty orthrotty followers, armed wi' bills, hawberts, petronels, and calivers, at Goldshaw, an they win go wi' ye at wanst, ey'm sartin. Ey heerd sumo' t' chaps say os ow Sir Tummus is goin' to tak' possession o' MistressRobinson's house, Raydale Ha', i' Wensley Dale, boh nah doubt he'n gofurst wi' yer rev'rence, 'specially as he bears Mistress Nutter agrudge. "

"At all events, I will ask him, " said Holden. "Are he and his followerslodged at your house, Bess?"

"Yeigh, " replied the hostess, "some on 'en are i' th' house, some i' th'barn, an some i' th' stables. The place is awtogether owerrun wi' 'em. Ey wur so moydert an wurrotit wi' their ca'in an bawlin fo' ele andrink, that ey swore they shouldna ha' another drawp wi' my consent; an, to be os good os my word, ey clapt key o' t' cellar i' my pocket, anleavin' our Margit to answer 'em, ey set out os yo see, intendin' to goos far as t' mill, an comfort poor deeavely Ruchot Baldwyn in histrouble. "

"A most praiseworthy resolution, Bess, " said the rector; "but what is tobe done with this fellow?" he added, pointing to Blackadder, who, thoughbadly hurt, was trying to creep towards the petronel, which was lying ata little distance from him on the ground. 

Perceiving his intention, Bess quickly dismounted, and possessingherself of the weapon, stepped aside, and slipping off one of the bandsthat confined the hose on her well-shaped leg, grasped the wounded manby the shoulders, and with great expedition tied his hands behind hisback. She then lifted him up with as much ease as if he had been aninfant, and set him upon his horse, with his face towards the tail. Thisdone, she gave the bridle to the rector, and handing him the petronel atthe same time, told him to take care of his prisoner, for she mustpursue her journey. And with this, in spite of his renewed entreatiesthat she would go back with him, she sprang on her horse and rode off. 

On arriving at Goldshaw with his prisoner, the rector at once proceededto the hostel, in front of which he found several of the villagersassembled, attracted by the numerous company within doors, whose shoutsand laughter could be heard at a considerable distance. Holden'sappearance with Blackadder occasioned considerable surprise, and alleagerly gathered round him to learn what had occurred; but, withoutsatisfying their curiosity, beyond telling them he had been attacked bythe prisoner, he left him in their custody and entered the house, wherehe found all the benches in the principal room occupied by a crew ofhalf-drunken roysterers, with flagons of ale before them; for, afterBess's departure with the key, they had broken into the cellar, and, broaching a cask, helped themselves to its contents. Various weaponswere scattered about the tables or reared against the walls, and thewhole scene looked like a carouse by a band of marauders. Little respectwas shown the rector, and he was saluted by many a ribald jest as hepushed his way towards the inner room. 

Sir Thomas was drinking with a couple of desperadoes, whose long rapiersand tarnished military equipments seemed to announce that they had, atsome time or other, belonged to the army, though their ruffianly looksand braggadocio air and discourse, strongly seasoned with oaths andslang, made it evident that they were now little better than Alsatianbullies. They had, in fact, been hired by Sir Thomas for the expeditionon which he was bent, as he could find no one in the country upon whomhe could so well count as on them. Eyeing the rector fiercely, as heintruded upon their privacy, they glanced at their leader to ask whetherthey should turn him out; but, receiving no encouragement for suchrudeness, they contented themselves with scowling at him from beneaththeir bent brows, twisting up their shaggy mustaches, and trifling withthe hilts of their rapiers. Holden opened his business at once; and assoon as Sir Thomas heard it, he sprang to his feet, and, swearing agreat oath, declared he would storm Rough Lee, and burn it to theground, if Mistress Nutter did not set the two captives free. 

"As to the audacious witch herself, I will carry her off, in spite ofthe devil, her master!" he cried. "How say you, Captain Gauntlet--andyou too, Captain Storks, is not this an expedition to your tastes--ha?"

The two worthies appealed to responded joyously, that it was so; and itwas then agreed that Blackadder should be brought in and interrogated, as some important information might be obtained from him. Upon this, Captain Gauntlet left the room to fetch him, and presently afterwardsreturned dragging in the prisoner, who looked dogged and angry, by theshoulders. 

"Harkye, fellow, " said Sir Thomas, sternly, "if you do not answer thequestions I shall put to you, truly and satisfactorily, I will have youtaken out into the yard, and shot like a dog. Thus much premised, Ishall proceed with my examination. Master Roger Nowell and Master ThomasPotts, you are aware, are unlawfully detained prisoners by MistressAlice Nutter. Now I have been called upon by the reverend gentleman hereto undertake their liberation, but, before doing so, I desire to knowfrom you what defensive and offensive preparations your mistress hasmade, and whether you judge it likely she will attempt to hold out herhouse against us?"

"Most assuredly she will, " replied Blackadder, "and against twice yourforce. Rough Lee is as strong as a castle; and as those within it arewell-armed, vigilant, and of good courage, there is little fear of itscapture. If your worship should propose terms to my mistress for therelease of her prisoners, she may possibly assent to them; but if youapproach her in hostile fashion, and demand their liberation, I am wellassured she will resist you, and well assured, also, she will resist youeffectually. "

"I shall approach her in no other sort than that of an enemy, " rejoinedSir Thomas; "but thou art over confident, knave. Unless thy mistresshave a legion of devils at her back, and they hold us in check, we willforce a way into her dwelling. Fire and fury! dost presume to laugh atme, fellow? Take him hence, and let him be soundly cudgeled for hisinsolence, Gauntlet. "

"Pardon me, your worship, " cried Blackadder, "I only smiled at thestrange notions you entertain of my mistress. "

"Why, dost mean to deny that she is a witch?" demanded Metcalfe. 

"Nay, if your worship will have it so, it is not for me to contradictyou, " replied Blackadder. 

"But I ask thee is she not a servant of Satan?--dost thou not knowit?--canst thou not prove it?" cried the knight. "Shall we put him tothe torture to make him confess?"

"Ay, tie his thumbs together till the blood burst forth, Sir Thomas, "said Gauntlet. 

"Or hang him up to yon beam by the heels, " suggested Captain Storks. 

"On no account, " interposed Holden. "I did not bring him hither to bedealt with in this way, and I will not permit it. If torture is to beadministered it must be by the hands of justice, into which I requirehim to be delivered; and then, if he can testify aught against hismistress, he will be made to do it. "

"Torture shall never wring a word from me, whether wrongfully orrightfully applied, " said Blackadder, doggedly; "though I could tellmuch if I chose. Now give heed to me, Sir Thomas. You will never takeRough Lee, still less its mistress, without my help. "

"What are thy terms, knave?" exclaimed the knight, pondering upon theoffer. "And take heed thou triflest not with me, or I will have theeflogged within an inch of thy life, in spite of parson or justice. Whatare thy terms, I repeat?"

"They are for your worship's ear alone, " replied Blackadder. 

"Beware what you do, Sir Thomas, " interposed Holden. "I hold it my dutyto tell you, you are compromising justice in listening to the baseproposals of this man, who, while offering to betray his mistress, willassuredly deceive you. You will equally deceive him in feigning to agreeto terms which you cannot fulfil. "

"Cannot fulfil!" ejaculated the knight, highly offended; "I would haveyou to know, sir, that Sir Thomas Metcalfe's word is his bond, and thatwhatsoever he promises he _will_ fulfil in spite of the devil! Body o'me! but for the respect I owe your cloth, I would give you a verydifferent answer, reverend sir. But since you have chosen to thrustyourself unasked into the affair, I take leave to say that I _will_ hearthis knave's proposals, and judge for myself of the expediency ofacceding to them. I must pray you therefore, to withdraw. Nay, if youwill not go hence peaceably, you shall perforce. Take him away, gentlemen. "

Thus enjoined, the Alsatian captains took each an arm of the rector, andforced him out of the room, leaving Sir Thomas alone with the prisoner. Greatly incensed at the treatment he had experienced, Holden instantlyquitted the house, hastened to the rectory, which adjoined the church, and having given some messages to his household, rode off to Whalley, with the intention of acquainting Sir Ralph Assheton with all that hadoccurred. 

Sir Thomas Metcalfe remained closeted with the prisoner for a fewminutes, and then coming forth, issued orders that all should get readyto start for Rough Lee without delay; whereupon each man emptied hisflagon, pocketed the dice he had been cogging, pushed aside theshuffle-board, left the loggats on the clay floor of the barn, and, grasping his weapon--halbert or caliver, as it might be--prepared toattend his leader. Sir Thomas did not relate, even to the Alsatiancaptains, what had passed between him and Blackadder; but it did notappear that he placed entire confidence in the latter; for though hecaused his hands to be unbound, and allowed him in consideration of hiswounded state to ride, he secretly directed Gauntlet and Storks to keepnear him, and shoot him through the head if he attempted to escape. Boththese personages were provided with horses as well as their leader, butall the rest of the party were on foot. Metcalfe made some inquiriesafter the rector, but finding he was gone, he did not concern himselffurther about him. Before starting, the knight, who, with all hisrecklessness, had a certain sense of honesty, called the girl who hadbeen left in charge of the hostel by Bess, and gave her a sum amplysufficient to cover all the excesses of his men, adding a handsomegratuity to herself. 

The first part of the journey was accomplished without mischance, andthe party bade fair to arrive at the end of it in safety; but as theyentered the gorge, at the extremity of which Rough Lee was situated, aterrific storm burst upon them, compelling them to seek shelter in themill, from which they were luckily not far distant at the time. Thehouse was completely deserted, but they were well able to shift forthemselves, and not over scrupulous in the manner of doing so; and asthe remains of the funeral feast were not removed from the table, someof the company sat down to them, while others found their way to thecellar. 

The storm was of long continuance, much longer than was agreeable to SirThomas, and he paced the room to and fro impatiently, ever and anonwalking to the window or door, to see whether it had in any degreeabated, and was constantly doomed to disappointment. Instead ofdiminishing, it increased in violence, and it was now impossible to quitthe house with safety. The lightning blazed, the thunder rattled amongthe overhanging rocks, and the swollen stream of Pendle Water roared attheir feet. Blackadder was left under the care of the two Alsatians, butwhile they had shielded their eyes from the glare of the lightning, hethrew open the window, and, springing through it, made good his retreat. In such a storm it was in vain to follow him, even if they had dared toattempt it. 

In vain Sir Thomas Metcalfe fumed and fretted--in vain he heaped cursesupon the bullies for their negligence--in vain he hurled menaces afterthe fugitive: the former paid little heed to his imprecations, and thelatter was beyond his reach. The notion began to gain ground amongst therest of the troop that the storm was the work of witchcraft, andoccasioned general consternation. Even the knight's anger yielded tosuperstitious fear, and as a terrific explosion shook the raftersoverhead, and threatened to bring them down upon him, he fell on hisknees, and essayed, with unaccustomed lips, to murmur a prayer. But hewas interrupted; for amid the deep silence succeeding the awful crash, amocking laugh was heard, and the villainous countenance of Blackadder, rendered doubly hideous by the white lightning, was seen at thecasement. The sight restored Sir Thomas at once. Drawing his sword heflew to the window, but before he could reach it Blackadder was gone. The next flash showed what had befallen him. In stepping backwards, hetumbled into the mill-race; and the current, increased in depth andforce by the deluging rain, instantly swept him away. 

Half an hour after this, the violence of the storm had perceptiblydiminished, and Sir Thomas and his companions began to hope that theirspeedy release was at hand. Latterly the knight had abandoned all ideaof attacking Rough Lee, but with the prospect of fair weather hiscourage returned, and he once more resolved to attempt it. He was movingabout among his followers, striving to dispel their fears, and persuadethem that the tempest was only the result of natural causes, when thedoor was suddenly thrown open, giving entrance to Bess Whitaker, whobore the miller in her arms. She stared on seeing the party assembled, and knit her brows, but said nothing till she had deposited Baldwyn in aseat, when she observed to Sir Thomas, that he seemed to have littlescruple in taking possession of a house in its owner's absence. Theknight excused himself for the intrusion by saying, he had beencompelled by the storm to take refuge there with his followers--a pleareadily admitted by Baldwyn, who was now able to speak for himself; andthe miller next explained that he had been to Rough Lee, and after manyperilous adventures, into the particulars of which he did not enter, had been brought away by Bess, who had carried him home. That home henow felt would be a lonely and insecure one unless she would consent tooccupy it with him; and Bess, on being thus appealed to, affirmed thatthe only motive that would induce her to consent to such an arrangementwould be her desire to protect him from his mischievous neighbours. While they were thus discoursing, Old Mitton, who it appeared hadfollowed them, arrived wellnigh exhausted, and Baldwyn went in search ofsome refreshment for him. 

By this time the storm had sufficiently cleared off to allow the othersto take their departure; and though the miller and Bess would fain havedissuaded the knight from the enterprise, he was not to be turned aside, but, bidding his men attend him, set forth. The rain had ceased, but itwas still very dark. Under cover of the gloom, however, they thoughtthey could approach the house unobserved, and obtain an entrance beforeMistress Nutter could be aware of their arrival. In this expectationthey pursued their way in silence, and soon stood before the gates. These were fastened, but as no one appeared to be on the watch, SirThomas, in a low tone, ordered some of his men to scale the walls, withthe intention of following himself; but scarcely had a head risen abovethe level of the brickwork than the flash of an arquebuss was seen, andthe man jumped backwards, luckily just in time to avoid the bullet thatwhistled over him. An alarm was then instantly given, voices were heardin the garden, mingled with the furious barking of hounds. A bell wasrung from the upper part of the house, and lights appeared at thewindows. 

Meanwhile, some of the men, less alarmed than their comrade, contrivedto scramble over the wall, and were soon engaged hand to hand with thoseon the opposite side. But not alone had they to contend with adversarieslike themselves. The stag-hounds, which had done so much executionduring the first attack upon the house by Roger Nowell, raged amongstthem like so many lions, rending their limbs, and seizing their throats. To free themselves from these formidable antagonists was their firstbusiness, and by dint of thrust from pike, cut from sword, and ball fromcaliver, they succeeded in slaughtering two of them, and driving theothers, badly wounded, and savagely howling, away. In doing this, however, they themselves had sustained considerable injury. Three oftheir number were lying on the ground, in no condition, from theirbroken heads, or shattered limbs, for renewing the combat. 

Thus, so far as the siege had gone, success seemed to declare itselfrather for the defenders than the assailants, when a new impulse wasgiven to the latter, by the bursting open of the gates, and the suddeninflux of Sir Thomas Metcalfe and the rest of his troop. The knight wasclosely followed by the Alsatian captains, who, with tremendous oaths intheir mouths, and slashing blades in their hands, declared they wouldmake minced meat of any one opposing their progress. Sir Thomas wasequally truculent in expression and ferocious in tone, and as the wholeparty laid about them right and left, they speedily routed the defendersof the garden, and drove them towards the house. Flushed by theirsuccess, the besiegers shouted loudly, and Sir Thomas roared out, thatere many minutes Nowell and Potts should be set free, and Alice Nuttercaptured. But before he could reach the main door, Nicholas Assheton, well armed, and attended by some dozen men, presented himself at it. These were instantly joined by the retreating party, and the wholeoffered a formidable array of opponents, quite sufficient to check theprogress of the besiegers. Two or three of the men near Nicholas carriedtorches, and their light revealed the numbers on both sides. 

"What! is it you, Sir Thomas Metcalfe?" cried the squire. "Do you commitsuch outrages as this--do you break into habitations like a robber, rifle them, and murder their inmates? Explain yourself, sir, or I willtreat you as I would a common plunderer; shoot you through the head, orhang you to the first tree if I take you. "

"Zounds and fury!" rejoined Metcalfe. "Do you dare to liken me to acommon robber and murderer? Take care you do not experience the samefate as that with which you threaten me, with this difference only, thatthe hangman--the common hangman of Lancaster--shall serve your turn. Iam come hither to arrest a notorious witch, and to release two gentlemenwho are unlawfully detained prisoners by her; and if you do notinstantly deliver her up to me, and produce the two individuals inquestion, Master Roger Nowell and Master Potts, I will force my way intothe house, and all injury done to those who oppose me will rest on yourhead. "

"The two gentlemen you have named are perfectly safe and contented intheir quarters, " replied Nicholas; "and as to the foul and falseaspersions you have thrown out against Mistress Nutter, I cast them backin your teeth. Your purpose in coming hither is to redress some privatewrong. How is it you have such a rout with you? How is it I behold twonotorious bravos by your side--men who have stood in the pillory, andundergone other ignominious punishment for their offences? You cannotanswer, and their oaths and threats go for nothing. I now tell you, SirThomas, if you do not instantly withdraw your men, and quit thesepremises, grievous consequences will ensue to you and them. "

"I will hear no more, " cried Sir Thomas, infuriated to the last degree. "Follow me into the house, and spare none who oppose you. "

"You are not in yet, " cried Nicholas. 

And as he spoke a row of pikes bristled around him, holding the knightat bay, while a hook was fixed in the doublet of each of the Alsatiancaptains, and they were plucked forward and dragged into the house. Thisdone, Nicholas and his men quickly retreated, and the door was closedand barred upon the enraged and discomfited knight. 

CHAPTER XV. --THE PHANTOM MONK. 

Many hours had passed by, and night had come on--a night profoundlydark. Richard was still lying where he had fallen at the foot of MalkinTower; for though he had regained his sensibility, he was so bruised andshaken as to be wholly unable to move. His limbs, stiffened andpowerless, refused their office, and, after each unsuccessful effort, hesank back with a groan. 

His sole hope was that Mistress Nutter, alarmed by his prolongedabsence, might come to her daughter's assistance, and so discover hisforlorn situation; but as time flew by, and nothing occurred, he gavehimself up for lost. 

On a sudden the gloom was dispersed, and a silvery light shed over thescene. The moon had broken through a rack of clouds, and illumined thetall mysterious tower, and the dreary waste around it. With the light aghostly figure near him became visible to Richard, which under othercircumstances would have excited terror in his breast, but which nowonly filled him with wonder. It was that of a Cistertian monk; thevestments were old and faded, the visage white and corpse-like. Richardat once recognised the phantom he had seen in the banquet-hall at theAbbey, and had afterwards so rashly followed to the conventual church. It touched him with its icy fingers, and a dullness like death shotthrough his heart. 

"Why dost thou trouble me thus, unhappy spirit?" said the young man. "Leave me, I adjure thee, and let me die in peace!"

"Thou wilt not die yet, Richard Assheton, " returned the phantom; "and myintention is not to trouble thee, but to serve thee. Without my aid thouwouldst perish where thou liest, but I will raise thee up, and set theeon thy way. "

"Wilt thou help me to liberate Alizon?" demanded Richard. 

"Do not concern thyself further about her, " replied the phantom; "shemust pass through an ordeal with which nothing human may interfere. Ifshe escape it you will meet again. If not, it were better thou shouldstbe in thy grave than see her. Take this phial. Drink thou the liquid itcontains, and thy strength will return to thee. "

"How do I know thou art not sent hither by Mother Demdike to temptme?" demanded Richard, doubtfully. "I have already fallen into hersnares, " he added, with a groan. 

[Illustration: THE PHANTOM MONK. ]

"I am Mother Demdike's enemy, and the appointed instrument of herpunishment, " replied the monk, in a tone that did not admit of question. "Drink, and fear nothing. "

Richard obeyed, and the next moment sprang to his feet. 

"Thou hast indeed restored me!" he cried. "I would fain reach the secretentrance to the tower. "

"Attempt it not, I charge thee!" cried the phantom; "but departinstantly for Pendle Hill. "

"Wherefore should I go thither?" demanded Richard. 

"Thou wilt learn anon, " returned the monk. "I cannot tell thee more now. Dismount at the foot of the hill, and proceed to the beacon. Thouknow'st it?"

"I do, " replied Richard. "There a fire was lighted which was meant toset all England in a blaze. "

"And which led many good men to destruction, " said the monk, in a toneof indescribable sadness. "Alas! for him who kindled it. The offence isnot yet worked out. But depart without more delay; and look not back. "

As Richard hastened towards the spot where he had left Merlin, hefancied he was followed by the phantom; but, obedient to the injunctionhe received, he did not turn his head. As he mounted the horse, whoneighed cheerily as he drew near, he found he was right in supposing themonk to be behind him, for he heard his voice calling out, "Linger notby the way. To the beacon!--to the beacon!"

Thus exhorted, the young man dashed off, and, to his great surprise, found Merlin as fresh as if he had undergone no fatigue during the day. It would almost seem, from his spirit, that he had partaken of the samewondrous elixir which had revived his master. Down the hill he plunged, regardless of the steep descent, and soon entered the thicket where thestorm had fallen upon them, and where so many acts of witchcraft wereperformed. Now, neither accident nor obstacle occurred to check theheadlong pace of the animal, though the stones rattled after him as hestruck them with his flying hoof. The moonlight quivered on the branchesof the trees, and on the tender spray, and all looked as tranquil andbeautiful as it had so lately been gloomy and disturbed. The wood waspassed, and the last and steepest descent cleared. The little bridge wasat hand, and beneath was Pendle Water, rushing over its rocky bed, andglittering like silver in the moon's rays. But here Richard had wellnighreceived a check. A party of armed men, it proved, occupied the roadleading to Rough Lee, about a bow-shot from the bridge, and as soon asthey perceived he was taking the opposite course, with the apparentintention of avoiding them, they shouted to him to stay. This shout madeRichard aware of their presence, for he had not before observed them, as they were concealed by the intervention of some small trees; butthough surprised at the circumstance, and not without apprehension thatthey might be there with a hostile design to Mistress Nutter, he did notslacken his pace. A horseman, who appeared to be their leader, rodeafter him for a short distance, but finding pursuit futile, he desisted, pouring forth a volley of oaths and threats, in a voice that proclaimedhim as Sir Thomas Metcalfe. This discovery confirmed Richard in hissupposition that mischief was intended Mistress Nutter; but even thisconviction, strengthened by his antipathy to Metcalfe, was notsufficiently strong to induce him to stop. Promising himself to returnon the morrow, and settle accounts with the insolent knight, he speededon, and, passing the mill, tracked the rocky gorge above it, and beganto mount another hill. Despite the ascent, Merlin never slackened hispace, but, though his master would have restrained him, held on asbefore. But the brow of the hill attained, Richard compelled him to abrief halt. 

By this time the sky was comparatively clear, but small clouds weresailing across the heavens, and at one moment the moon would be obscuredby them, and the next, burst forth with sudden effulgence. Thesealternations produced corresponding effects on the broad, brown, heathyplain extending below, and fantastic shadows were cast upon it, which itneeded not Richard's heated imagination to liken to evil beings flyingpast. The wind, too, lay in the direction of the north end of PendleHill, whither Richard was about to shape his course, and the shadowsconsequently trooped off towards that quarter. The vast mass of Pendlerose in gloomy majesty before him, being thrown into shade, except atits crown, where a flood of radiance rested. 

Like an eagle swooping upon his prey, Richard descended into the valley, and like a stag pursued by the huntsman he speeded across it. Neitherdyke, morass, nor stone wall checked him, or made him turn aside; andalmost as fast as the clouds hurrying above him, and their shadowstravelling at his feet, did he reach the base of Pendle Hill. 

Making up to a shed, which, though empty, luckily contained a wisp ortwo of hay, he turned Merlin into it, and commenced the ascent of thehill on foot. After attaining a considerable elevation, he looked downfrom the giddy heights upon the valley he had just traversed. A fewhuts, forming the little village of Barley, lay sleeping in themoonlight beneath him, while further off could be just discernedGoldshaw, with its embowered church. A line of thin vapour marked thecourse of Pendle Water, and thicker mists hovered over the mosses. Theshadows were still passing over the plain. 

Pressing on, Richard soon came among the rocks protruding from thehigher part of the hill, and as the path was here not more than a footwide, rarely taken except by the sheep and their guardians, it wasnecessary to proceed with the utmost caution, as a single false stepwould have been fatal. After some toil, and not without considerablerisk, he reached the summit of the hill. 

As he bounded over the springy turf, and inhaled the pure air of thatexalted region, his spirits revived, and new elasticity was communicatedto his limbs. He shaped his course near the edge of the hill, so thatthe extensive view it commanded was fully displayed. But his eye restedon the mountainous range on the opposite side of the valley, whereMalkin Tower was situated. Even in broad day the accursed structurewould have been invisible, as it stood on the further side of the hill, overlooking Barrowford and Colne; but Richard knew its position well, and while his gaze was fixed upon the point, he saw a star shoot downfrom the heavens and apparently alight near the spot. The circumstancealarmed him, for he could not help thinking it ominous of ill to Alizon. 

Nothing, however, followed to increase his misgivings, and erelong hecame in sight of the beacon. The ground had been gradually rising, andif he had proceeded a few hundred yards further, a vast panorama wouldhave opened upon him, comprising a large part of Lancashire on the onehand, and on the other an equally extensive portion of Yorkshire. Forestand fell, black moor and bright stream, old castle and stately hall, would have then been laid before him as in a map. But other thoughtsengrossed him, and he went straight on. As far as he could discern hewas alone on the hill top; and the silence and solitude, coupled withthe ill report of the place, which at this hour was said to be oftenvisited by foul hags, for the performance of their unhallowed rites, awakened superstitious fears in his breast. 

He was soon by the side of the beacon. The stones were still standing asthey had been reared by Paslew, and on looking at them he was astonishedto find the hollow within them filled with dry furze, brushwood, andfagots, as if in readiness for another signal. In passing round thecircle, his surprise was still further increased by discovering a torch, and not far from it, in one of the interstices of the stones, a darklantern, in which, on removing the shade, he found a candle burning. Itwas now clear the beacon was to be kindled that night, though for whatend he could not conjecture, and equally clear that he was broughtthither to fire it. He put back the lantern into its place, took up thetorch, and held himself in readiness. 

Half an hour elapsed, and nothing occurred. During this interval it hadbecome dark. A curtain of clouds was drawn over the moon and stars. 

Suddenly, a hurtling noise was heard in the air, and it seemed to thewatcher as if a troop of witches were alighting at a distance from him. 

A loud hubbub of voices ensued--then there was a trampling of feet, accompanied by discordant strains of music--after which a momentarysilence ensued, and a harsh voice asked--

"Why are we brought hither?"

"It is not for a sabbath, " shouted another voice, "for there is neitherfire nor caldron. "

"Mother Demdike would not summon us without good reason, " cried a third. "We shall learn presently what we have to do. "

"The more mischief the better, " rejoined another voice. 

"Ay, mischief! mischief! mischief!" echoed the rest of the crew. 

"You shall have enough of it to content you, " rejoined Mother Demdike. "I have called you hither to be present at a sacrifice. "

Hideous screams of laughter followed this announcement, and the voicethat had spoken first asked--

"A sacrifice of whom?"

"An unbaptised babe, stolen from its sleeping mother's breast, " rejoinedanother. "Mother Demdike has often played that trick before--ho! ho!"

"Peace!" thundered the hag--"It is no babe I am about to kill, but afull-grown maid--ay, and one of rarest beauty, too. What think ye ofAlizon Device?"

"Thy grand-daughter!" cried several voices, in surprise. 

"Alice Nutter's daughter--for such she is, " rejoined the hag. "I haveheld her captive in Malkin Tower, and have subjected her to every trialand temptation I could devise, but I have failed in shaking her courage, or in winning her over to our master. All the horrors of the vault havebeen tried upon her in vain. Even the last terrible ordeal, which no onehas hitherto sustained, proved ineffectual. She went through itunmoved. "

"Heaven be praised!" murmured Richard. 

"It seems I have no power over her soul" pursued the hag; "but I haveover her body, and she shall die here, and by my hand. But mind me, nota drop of blood must fall to the ground. "

"Have no fear, " cried several voices, "we will catch it in our palms andquaff it. "

"Hast thou thy knife, Mould-heels?" asked Mother Demdike. 

"Ay, " replied the other, "it is long and sharp, and will do thy businesswell. Thy grandson, Jem Device, notched it by killing swine, and mygoodman ground it only yesterday. Take it. "

"I will plunge it to her heart!" cried Mother Demdike, with an infernallaugh. "And now I will tell you why we have neither fire nor caldron. Onquestioning the ebon image in the vault as to the place where thesacrifice should be made, I received for answer that it must be here, and in darkness. No human eye but our own must behold it. We are safe onthis score, for no one is likely to come hither at this hour. No firemust be kindled, or the sacrifice will result in destruction to us all. Ye have heard, and understand?"

"We do, " replied several husky voices. 

"And so do I, " said Richard, taking hold of the dark lantern. 

"And now for the girl, " cried Mother Demdike. 

CHAPTER XVI. --ONE O'CLOCK!

Mistress Nutter and Mother Chattox were still at the hut, impatientlyawaiting the return of Fancy. But nearly an hour elapsed before heappeared. 

"What has detained thee so long?" demanded the hag, sharply, as he stoodbefore them. 

"You shall hear, mistress, " replied Fancy: "I have had a busy time ofit, I assure you, and thought I should never accomplish my errand. Onarriving at Rough Lee, I found the place invested by Sir Thomas Metcalfeand a host of armed men, who had been sent thither by Parson Holden, forthe joint purpose of arresting you, madam, " addressing Mistress Nutter, "and liberating Nowell and Potts. The knight was in a great fume; for, in spite of the force brought against it, the house had been stoutlydefended by Nicholas Assheton, who had worsted the besieging party, andcaptured two Alsatian captains, hangers on of Sir Thomas. Appearing inthe character of an enemy, I was immediately surrounded by Metcalfe andhis men, who swore they would cut my throat unless I undertook toprocure the liberation of the two bravos in question, as well as that ofNowell and Potts. I told them I was come for the express purpose ofsetting free the two last-named gentlemen; but, with respect to theformer, I had no instructions, and they must arrange the matter withMaster Nicholas himself. Upon this Sir Thomas became exceedingly wrothand insolent, and proceeded to such lengths that I resolved to chastisehim, and in so doing performed a feat which will tend greatly to exaltRichard's character for courage and strength. "

"Let us hear it, my doughty champion, " cried Mother Chattox. 

"While Metcalfe was pouring forth his rage, and menacing me withuplifted hand, " pursued the familiar, "I seized him by the throat, dragged him from his horse, and in spite of the efforts of his men, whose blows fell upon me thick as hail, and quite as harmlessly, I borehim through the garden to the back of the house, where my shouts soonbrought Nicholas and others to my assistance, and after delivering mycaptive to them, I dismounted. The squire, you will imagine, wasastonished to see me, and greatly applauded my prowess. I replied, withthe modesty becoming my assumed character, that I had done nothing, and, in reality, the feat was nothing to me; but I told him I had somethingof the utmost importance to communicate, and which could not be delayeda moment; whereupon he led me to a small room adjoining the hall, whilethe crestfallen knight was left to vent his rage and mortification onthe grooms to whose custody he was committed. "

"You acted your part to perfection, " said Mistress Nutter. 

"Ay, trust my sweet Fancy for that, " said the hag--"there is no familiarlike him--none whatever. "

"Your praises make me blush, " rejoined Fancy. "But to proceed. Ifulfilled your instructions to the letter, and excited Nicholas's horrorand indignation by the tale I told him. I laughed in my sleeve all thewhile, but I maintained a very different countenance with him. Hethought me full of anguish and despair. He questioned me as to myproceedings at Malkin Tower, and I amazed him with the description of afearful storm I had encountered--of my interview with old Demdike, andher atrocious treatment of Alizon--to all of which he listened withprofound interest. Richard himself could not have moved himmore--perhaps not so much. As soon as I had finished, he vowed he wouldrescue Alizon from the murtherous hag, and prevent the latter fromcommitting further mischief; and bidding me come with him, we repairedto the room in which Nowell and Potts were confined. We found them bothfast asleep in their chairs; but Nicholas quickly awakened them, andsome explanations ensued, which did not at first appear very clear andsatisfactory to either magistrate or attorney, but in the end theyagreed to accompany us on the expedition, Master Potts declaring itwould compensate him for all his mischances if he could arrest MotherDemdike. "

"I hope he may have his wish, " said Mother Chattox. 

"Ay, but he declared that his next step should be to arrest you, mistress, " observed Fancy, with a laugh. 

"Arrest me!" cried the hag. "Marry, let him touch me, if he dares. Myterm is not out yet, and, with thee to defend me, my brave Fancy, I haveno fear. "

"Right!" replied the familiar; "but to go on with my story. Sir ThomasMetcalfe was next brought forward; and after some warm altercation, peace was at length established between him and the squire, and handswere shaken all round. Wine was then called for by Nicholas, who, at thesame time, directed that the two Alsatian captains should be brought upfrom the cellar, where they had been placed for safety. The first partof the order was obeyed, but the second was found impracticable, inasmuch as the two heroes had found their way to the inner cellar, andhad emptied so many flasks that they were utterly incapable of moving. While the wine was being discussed, an unexpected arrival took place. "

"An arrival!--of whom?" inquired Mistress Nutter, eagerly. 

"Sir Ralph Assheton and a large party, " replied Fancy. "Parson Holden, it seems, not content with sending Sir Thomas and his rout to the aid ofhis friends, had proceeded for the same purpose to Whalley, and theresult was the appearance of the new party. A brief explanation fromNicholas and myself served to put Sir Ralph in possession of all thathad occurred, and he declared his readiness to accompany the expeditionto Pendle Hill, and to take all his followers with him. Sir ThomasMetcalfe expressed an equally strong desire to go with him, and ofcourse it was acceded to. I am bound to tell you, madam, " added Fancy toMistress Nutter, "that your conduct is viewed in a most suspicious lightby every one of these persons, except Nicholas, who made an effort todefend you. "

"I care not what happens to me, if I succeed in rescuing my child, " saidthe lady. "But have they set out on the expedition?"

"By this time, no doubt they have, " replied Fancy. "I got off by sayingI would ride on to Pendle Hill, and, stationing myself on its summit, give them a signal when they should advance upon their prey. And now, good mistress, I pray you dismiss me. I want to cast off this shape, which I find an incumbrance, and resume my own. I will return when it istime for you to set out. "

The hag waved her hand, and the familiar was gone. 

Half an hour elapsed, and he returned not. Mistress Nutter becamefearfully impatient. Three-quarters, and even the old hag was uneasy. Anhour, and he stood before them--dwarfish, fiendish, monstrous. 

"It is time, " he said, in a harsh voice; but the tones were music in thewretched mother's ears. 

"Come, then, " she cried, rushing wildly forth. 

"Ay, ay, I come, " replied the hag, following her. "Not so fast. Youcannot go without me. "

"Nor either of you without me, " added Fancy. "Here, good mistress, isyour broomstick. "

"Away for Pendle Hill!" screamed the hag. 

"Ay, for Pendle Hill!" echoed Fancy. 

And there was a whirling of dark figures through the air as before. 

Presently they alighted on the summit of Pendle Hill, which seemed to bewrapped in a dense cloud, for Mistress Nutter could scarcely see a yardbefore her. Fancy's eyes, however, were powerful enough to penetrate thegloom, for stepping back a few yards, he said--

"The expedition is at the foot of the hill, where they have made ahalt. We must wait a few moments, till I can ascertain what they mean todo. Ah! I see. They are dividing into three parties. One detachment, headed by Nicholas Assheton, with whom are Potts and Nowell, is about tomake the ascent from the spot where they now stand; another, commandedby Sir Ralph Assheton, is moving towards the but-end of the hill; andthe third, headed by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, is proceeding to the right. These are goodly preparations--ha! ha! But, what do I behold? The firstdetachment have a prisoner with them. It is Jem Device, whom they havecaptured on the way, I suppose. I can tell from the rascal's looks thathe is planning an escape. Patience, madam, I must see how he executeshis design. There is no hurry. They are all scrambling up thehill-sides. Some one slips, and rolls down, and bruises himself severelyagainst the loose stones. Ho! ho! it is Master Potts. He is picked up byJames Device, who takes him on his shoulders. What means the knave bysuch attention? We shall see anon. They continue to fight their wayupward, and have now reached the narrow path among the rocks. Take heed, or your necks will be broken. Ho! ho! Well done, Jem, --bravo! lad. Thyscheme is out now--ho! ho!"

"What has he done?" asked Mother Chattox. 

"Run off with the attorney--with Master Potts, " replied Fancy;"disappeared in the gloom, so that it is impossible Nicholas can followhim--ho! ho!"

"But my child!--where is my child?" cried Mistress Nutter, in agitatedimpatience. 

"Come with me, and I will lead you to her, " replied Fancy, taking herhand; "and do you keep close to us, mistress, " he added to MotherChattox. 

Moving quickly along the heathy plain, they soon reached a small dryhollow, about a hundred paces from the beacon, in the midst of which, asin a grave, was deposited the inanimate form of Alizon. When the spotwas indicated to her by Fancy, the miserable mother flew to it, and, with indescribable delight, clasped her child to her breast. But thenext moment, a new fear seized her, for the limbs were stiff and cold, and the heart had apparently ceased to beat. 

"She is dead!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter, frantically. 

"No; she is only in a magical trance, " said Fancy; "my mistress caninstantly revive her. "

"Prithee do so, then, good Chattox, " implored the lady. 

"Better defer it till we have taken her hence, " rejoined the hag. 

"Oh! no, now--now! Let me be assured she lives!" cried Mistress Nutter. 

Mother Chattox reluctantly assented, and, touching Alizon with herskinny finger, first upon the heart and then upon the brow, the poorgirl began to show symptoms of life. 

"My child--my child!" cried Mistress Nutter, straining her to herbreast; "I am come to save thee!"

"You will scarce succeed, if you tarry here longer, " said Fancy. "Away!"

"Ay, come away!" shrieked the hag, seizing Alizon's arm. 

"Where are you about to take her?" asked Mistress Nutter. 

"To my hut, " replied Mother Chattox. 

"No, no--she shall not go there, " returned the lady. 

"And wherefore not?" screamed the hag. "She is mine now, and I say she_shall_ go. "

"Right, mistress, " said Fancy; "and leave the lady here if she objectsto accompany her. But be quick. "

"You shall not take her from me!" shrieked Mistress Nutter, holding herdaughter fast. "I see through your diabolical purpose. You have the samedark design as Mother Demdike, and would sacrifice her; but she shallnot go with you, neither will I. "

"Tut!" exclaimed the hag, "you have lost your senses on a sudden. I donot want your daughter. But come away, or Mother Demdike will surpriseus. "

"Do not trifle with her longer, " whispered Fancy to the hag; "drag thegirl away, or you will lose her. A few moments, and it will be toolate. "

Mother Chattox made an attempt to obey him, but Mistress Nutter resistedher. 

"Curses on her!" she muttered, "she is too strong for me. Do thou helpme, " she added, appealing to Fancy. 

"I cannot, " he replied; "I have done all I dare to help you. You mustaccomplish the rest yourself. "

"But, my sweet imp, recollect--"

"I recollect I have a master, " interrupted the familiar. 

"And a mistress, too, " cried the hag; "and she will chastise thee ifthou art disobedient. I command thee to carry off this girl. "

"I have already told you I dare not, and I now say I will not, " repliedFancy. 

"Will not!" shrieked the hag. "Thou shalt smart for this. I will burythee in the heart of this mountain, and make thee labour within it likea gnome. I will set thee to count the sands on the river's bed, and theleaves on the forest trees. Thou shalt know neither rest nor respite. "

"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Fancy, mockingly. 

"Dost deride me?" cried the hag. "I will do it, thou saucy jackanapes. For the last time, wilt obey me?"

"No, " replied Fancy, "and for this reason--your term is out. It expiredat midnight. "

"It is false!" shrieked the hag, in accents of mixed terror and rage. "Ihave months to run, and will renew it. "

"Before midnight, you might have done so; but it is now too late--yourreign is over, " rejoined Fancy. "Farewell, sweet mistress. We shall meetonce again, though scarcely under such pleasant circumstances asheretofore. "

"It cannot be, my darling Fancy; thou art jesting with me, " whimperedthe hag; "thou wouldst not delude thy doating mistress thus. "

"I have done with thee, foul hag, " rejoined the familiar, "and am rightglad my service is ended. I could have saved thee, but would not, anddelayed my return for that very purpose. Thy soul was forfeited when Icame back to thy hut. "

"Then curses on thee for thy treachery, " cried the hag, "and on thymaster, who deceived me in the bond he placed before me. "

The familiar laughed hoarsely. 

"But what of Mother Demdike?" pursued the hag. "Hast thou no comfort forme? Tell me her hour is likewise come, and I will forgive thee. But donot let her triumph over me. "

The familiar made no answer, but, laughing derisively, stamped upon theground, and it opened to receive him. 

"Alizon!" cried Mistress Nutter, who in the mean time had vainlyendeavoured to rouse her daughter to full consciousness, "fly with me, my child. The enemy is at hand. "

"What enemy?" asked Alizon, faintly. "I have so many, that I know notwhom you mean. "

"But this is the worst of all--this is Mother Demdike, " cried MistressNutter. "She would take your life. If we can but conceal ourselves for ashort while, we are safe. "

"I am too weak to move, " said Alizon; "besides, I dare not trust you. Ihave been deceived already. You may be an evil spirit in the likeness ofmy mother. "

"Oh! no, I am indeed your own--own mother, " rejoined Mistress Nutter. "Ask this old woman if it is not so. "

"She is a witch herself, " replied Alizon. "I will not trust either ofyou. You are both in league with Mother Demdike. "

"We are in league to save thee from her, foolish wench!" cried MotherChattox, "but thy perverseness will defeat all our schemes. "

"Since you will not fly, my child, " cried Mistress Nutter, "kneel down, and pray earnestly for deliverance. Pray, while there is yet time. "

As she spoke, a growl like thunder was heard in the air, and the earthtrembled beneath their feet. 

"Nay, now I am sure you are my mother!" cried Alizon, flinging herselfinto Mistress Nutter's arms; "and I will go with you. "

But before they could move, several dusky figures were seen rushingtowards them. 

"Be on your guard!" cried Mother Chattox; "here comes old Demdike withher troop. I will aid you all I can. "

"Down on your knees!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter. 

Alizon obeyed, but ere a word could pass her lips, the infuriated hag, attended by her beldame band, stood beside them. 

"Ha! who is here?" she cried. "Let me see who dares interrupt my mysticrites. "

And raising her hand, the black cloud hanging over the hill was rentasunder, and the moon shone down upon them, revealing the old witch, armed with the sacrificial knife, her limbs shaking with fury, and hereyes flashing with preternatural light. It revealed, also, her weirdattendants, as well as the group before her, consisting of the kneelingfigure of Alizon, protected by the outstretched arms of her mother, andfurther defended by Mother Chattox, who planted herself in front ofthem. 

Mother Demdike eyed the group for a moment as if she would, annihilatethem. 

"Out of my way, Chattox!" she vociferated--"out of my way, or I willdrive my knife to thy heart. " And as her old antagonist maintained herground, she unhesitatingly advanced upon her, smote her with the weapon, and, as she fell to the ground, stepped over her bleeding body. 

"Now what dost thou here, Alice Nutter?" she cried, menacing her withthe reeking blade. 

"I am come for my child, whom thou hast stolen from me, " replied thelady. 

"Thou art come to witness her slaughter, " replied the witch, fiercely. "Begone, or I will serve thee as I have just served old Chattox. "

"I am not sped yet, " cried the wounded hag; "I shall live to see theebound hand and foot by the officers of justice, and, certain thou wiltperish miserably, I shall die content. "

"Spit out thy last drops of venom, black viper, " rejoined MotherDemdike; "when I have done with the others, I will return and finishthee. Alice Nutter, thou knowest it is vain to struggle with me. Give meup the girl. "

"Wilt thou accept my life for hers?" said Mistress Nutter. 

"Of what account would thy life be to me?" rejoined Mother Demdike, disdainfully. "If it would profit me to take it, I would do so withoutthy consent, but I am about to make an oblation to our master, and thouart his already. Snatch her child from her--we waste time, " she added, to her attendants. 

And immediately the weird crew rushed forward, and in spite of themiserable mother's efforts tore Alizon from her. 

"I told you it was in vain to contend with me, " said Mother Demdike. 

"Oh, that I could call down heaven's vengeance upon thy accursed head!"cried Mistress Nutter; "but I am forsaken alike of God and man, andshall die despairing. "

"Rave on, thou wilt have ample leisure, " replied the hag. "And nowbring the girl this way, " she added to the beldames; "the sacrifice mustbe made near the beacon. "

And as Alizon was borne away, Mistress Nutter uttered a cry of anguish. 

"Do not stay here, " said Mother Chattox, raising herself withdifficulty. "Go after her; you may yet save your daughter. "

"But how?" cried Mistress Nutter, distractedly. "I have no power now. "

As she spoke a dusky form rose up beside her. It was her familiar. 

"Will you return to your duty if I help you in this extremity?" he said. 

"Ay, do, do!" cried Mother Chattox. "Anything to avenge yourself uponthat murtherous hag. "

"Peace!" cried the familiar, spurning her with his cloven foot. 

"I do not want vengeance, " said Mistress Nutter; "I only want to save mychild. "

"Then you consent on that condition?" said the familiar. 

"No!" replied Mistress Nutter, firmly. "I now perceive I am not utterlylost, since you try to regain me. I have renounced thy master, and willmake no new bargain with him. Get hence, tempter!"

"Think not to escape us, " cried the familiar; "no penitence--noabsolution can save thee. Thy name is written on the judgment scroll, and cannot be effaced. I would have aided thee, but, since my offer isrejected, I leave thee. "

"You will not let him go!" screamed Mother Chattox. "Oh that the chancewere mine!"

"Be silent, or I will beat thy brains out!" said the familiar. "Oncemore, am I dismissed?"

"Ay, for ever!" replied Mistress Nutter. 

And as the familiar disappeared, she flew to the spot where her childhad been taken. 

About twenty paces from the beacon, a circle had again been formed bythe unhallowed crew, in the midst of which stood Mother Demdike, withthe gory knife in her hand, muttering spells and incantations, andperforming mystical ceremonials. 

Every now and then her companions joined in these rites, and chanted asong couched in a wild, unintelligible jargon. Beside the witch kneltAlizon, with her hands tied behind her back, so that she could not raisethem in supplication; her hair unbound, and cast loosely over herperson, and a thick bandage fastened over her eyes and mouth. 

The initiatory ceremonies over, the old hag approached her victim, whenMistress Nutter forced herself through the circle, and cast herself ather feet. 

"Spare her!" she cried, clinging to her knees; "it shall be well forthee if thou dost so. "

"Again interrupted!" cried the witch, furiously. "This time I will showthee no mercy. Take thy fate, meddlesome woman!"

And she raised the knife, but ere the weapon could descend, it wasseized by Mistress Nutter, and wrested from her grasp. In anotherinstant, Alizon's arms were liberated, and the bandage removed from hereyes. 

"Now it is my turn to threaten. I have thee in my power, infernal hag!"cried Mistress Nutter, holding the knife to the witch's throat, andclasping her daughter with the other arm. "Wilt let us go?"

"No!" replied Mother Demdike, springing nimbly backwards. "You shallboth die. I will soon disarm thee. "

And making one or two passes with her hands, Mistress Nutter dropped theweapon, and instantly became fixed and motionless, with her daughter, equally rigid, in her arms. They looked as if suddenly turned to marble. 

"Now to complete the ceremonial, " cried Mother Demdike, picking up theknife. 

And then she began to mutter an impious address preparatory to thesacrifice, when a loud clangour was heard like the stroke of a hammerupon a bell. 

"What was that?" exclaimed the witch, in alarm. 

"Were there a clock here, I should say it had struck one, " repliedMould-heels. 

"It must be our master's timepiece, " said another witch. 

"One o'clock!" exclaimed Mother Demdike, who appeared stupefied withfear, "and the sacrifice not made--then I am lost!"

A derisive laugh reached her ears. It proceeded from Mother Chattox, whohad contrived to raise herself to her feet, and, tottering forward, nowpassed through the appalled circle. 

"Ay, thy term is out--thy soul is forfeited like mine--ha! ha!" And shefell to the ground. 

"Perhaps it may not be too late, " cried Mother Demdike, grasping theknife, and rushing towards Alizon. 

But at this moment a bright flame shot up from the beacon. 

Astonishment and terror seized the hag, and she uttered a loud cry, which was echoed by the rest of the crew. 

The flame mounted higher and higher, and burnt each moment morebrightly, illumining the whole summit of the hill. By its light could beseen a band of men, some of whom were on horseback, speeding towards theplace of meeting. 

Scared by the sight, the witches fled, but were turned by another bandadvancing from the opposite quarter. They then made towards the spotwhere their broomsticks were deposited, but ere they could reach it, athird party gained the summit of the hill at this precise point, andimmediately started in pursuit of them. 

Meanwhile, a young man issuing from behind the beacon, flew towardsMistress Nutter and her daughter. The moment the flame burst forth, thespell cast over them by Mother Demdike was broken, and motion and speechrestored. 

"Alizon!" exclaimed the young man, as he came up, "your trials are over. You are safe. "

"Oh, Richard!" she replied, falling into his arms, "have we beenpreserved by you?"

"I am a mere instrument in the hands of Heaven, " he replied. 

Mother Demdike made no attempt at flight with the rest of the witches, but remained for a few moments absorbed in contemplation of the flamingbeacon. Her hand still grasped the murderous weapon she had raisedagainst Alizon, but it had dropped to her side when the fire burstforth. At length she turned fiercely to Richard, and demanded--

"Was it thou who kindled the beacon?"

"It was!" replied the young man. 

"And who bade thee do it--who brought thee hither?" pursued the witch. 

"An enemy of thine, old woman!" replied Richard, "His vengeance has beenslow in coming, but it has arrived at last. "

"But who is he? I see him not!" rejoined Mother Demdike. 

"You will see him before yon flame expires, " said Richard. "I shouldhave come to your assistance sooner, Alizon, " he continued, turning toher, "but I was forbidden. And I knew I should best ensure your safetyby compliance with the injunctions I had received. "

"Some guardian spirit must have interposed to preserve us, " repliedAlizon; "for such only could have successfully combated with the evilbeings from whom we have been delivered. "

"Thy spirit is unable to preserve thee now!" cried Mother Demdike, aiming a deadly blow at her with the knife. But, fortunately, theattempt was foreseen by Richard, who caught her arm, and wrested theweapon from her. 

"Curses on thee, Richard Assheton!" cried the infuriated hag, --"and onthee too, Alizon Device, I cannot work ye the immediate ill I wish. Icannot make ye loathsome in one another's eyes. I cannot maim yourlimbs, or blight your beauty. I cannot deliver you over to devilishpossession. But I can bequeath you a legacy of hate. What I say willcome to pass. Thou, Alizon, wilt never wed Richard Assheton--never!Vainly shall ye struggle with your destiny--vainly indulge hopes ofhappiness. Misery and despair, and an early grave, are in store for bothof you. He shall be to you your worst enemy, and you shall be to himdestruction. Think of the witch's prediction and tremble, and may herdeadliest curse rest upon your heads. "

"Oh, Richard!" exclaimed Alizon, who would have sunk to the ground if hehad not sustained her. "Why did you not prevent this terriblemalediction?"

"He could not, " replied Mother Demdike, with a laugh of exultation; "itshall work, and thy doom shall be accomplished. And now to make an endof old Chattox, and then they may take me where they please. "

And she was approaching her old enemy with the intention of putting herthreat into execution, when James Device, who appeared to start from theground, rushed swiftly towards her. 

"What art thou doing here, Jem?" cried the hag, regarding him with angrysurprise. "Dost thou not see we are surrounded by enemies. I cannotescape them--but thou art young and active. Away with thee!"

"Not without yo, granny, " replied Jem. "Ey ha' run os fast os ey couldto help yo. Stick fast howld on me, " he added, snatching her up in hisarms, "an ey'n bring yo clear off yet. "

And he set off at a rapid pace with his burthen, Richard being too muchoccupied with Alizon to oppose him. 

CHAPTER XVII. --HOW THE BEACON FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. 

Soon after this, Nicholas Assheton, attended by two or three men, cameup, and asked whither the old witch had flown. 

Mistress Nutter pointed out the course taken by the fugitive, who hadrun towards the northern extremity of the hill, down the sides of whichhe had already plunged. 

"She has been carried off by her grandson, Jem Device, " said MistressNutter; "be quick, or you will lose her. "

"Ay, be quick--be quick!" added Mother Chattox. "Yonder they went, tothe back of the beacon. "

Casting a look at the wretched speaker, and finding she was toogrievously wounded to be able to move, Nicholas bestowed no furtherthought upon her, but set off with his companions in the directionpointed out. He speedily arrived at the edge of the hill, and, lookingdown it, sought in vain for any appearance of the fugitives. The sideswere here steep and shelving, and some hundred yards lower down werebroken into ridges, behind one of which it was possible the old witchand her grandson might be concealed; so, without a moment's hesitation, the squire descended, and began to search about in the hollows, scrambling over the loose stones, or sliding down for some paces withthe uncertain boggy soil, when he fancied he heard a plaintive cry. Helooked around, but could see no one. The whole side of the mountain waslighted up by the fire from the beacon, which, instead of diminishing, burnt with increased ardour, so that every object was as easily to bediscerned as in the day-time; but, notwithstanding this, he could notdetect whence the sound proceeded. It was repeated, but more faintlythan before, and Nicholas almost persuaded himself it was the voice ofPotts calling for help. Motioning to his followers, who were engaged inthe search like himself, to keep still, the squire listened intently, and again caught the sound, being this time convinced it arose from theground. Was it possible the unfortunate attorney had been buried alive?Or had he been thrust into some hole, and a stone placed over it, whichhe found it impossible to remove? The latter idea seemed the moreprobable, and Nicholas was guided by a feeble repetition of the noisetowards a large fragment of rock, which, on examination, had evidentlybeen rolled from a point immediately over the mouth of a hollow. Thesquire instantly set himself to work to dislodge the ponderous stone, and, aided by two of his men, who lent their broad shoulders to thetask, quickly accomplished his object, disclosing what appeared to bethe mouth of a cavernous recess. From out of this, as soon as the stonewas removed, popped the head of Master Potts, and Nicholas, bidding himbe of good cheer, laid hold of him to draw him forth, as he seemed tohave some difficulty in extricating himself, when the attorney criedout--

"Do not pull so hard, squire! That accursed Jem Device has got hold ofmy legs. Not so hard, sir, I entreat. "

"Bid him let go, " said Nicholas, unable to refrain from laughing, "or wewill unearth him from his badger's hole. "

"He pays no heed to what I say to him, " cried Potts. "Oh, dear! oh, dear! he is dragging me down again!"

And, as he spoke, the attorney, notwithstanding all Nicholas's effortsto restrain him, was pulled down into the hole. The squire was at a losswhat to do, and was considering whether he should resort to the tediousprocess of digging him out, when a scrambling noise was heard, and thecaptive's head once more appeared above ground. 

"Are you coming out now?" asked Nicholas. 

"Alas, no!" replied the attorney, "unless you will make terms with therascal. He declares he will strangle me, if you do not promise to sethim and his grandmother free. "

"Is Mother Demdike with him?" asked Nicholas. 

"To be sure, " replied Potts; "and we are as badly off for room as threefoxes in a hole. "

"And there is no other outlet said the squire?"

"I conclude not, " replied the attorney. "I groped about like a mole whenI was first thrust into the cavern by Jem Device, but I could find nomeans of exit. The entrance was blocked up by the great stone which youhad some difficulty in moving, but which Jem could shift at will; for hepushed it aside in a moment, and brought it back to its place, when hereturned just now with the old hag; but probably that was effected bywitchcraft. "

"Most likely, " said Nicholas, "But for your being in it, we would stopup this hole, and bury the two wretches alive. "

"Get me out first, good Master Nicholas, I implore of you, and then dowhat you please, " cried Potts. "Jem is tugging at my legs as if he wouldpull them off. "

"We will try who is strongest, " said Nicholas, again seizing hold ofPotts by the shoulders. 

"Oh, dear! oh, dear! I can't bear it--let go!" shrieked the attorney. "Ishall be stretched to twice my natural length. My joints are startingfrom their sockets, my legs are coming off--oh! oh!"

"Lend a hand here, one of you, " cried Nicholas to the men; "we'll havehim out, whatever be the consequence. "

"But I won't come!" roared Potts. "You have no right to use me thus. Torture! oh! oh! my loins are ruptured--my back is breaking--I am a deadman. --The hag has got hold of my right leg, while Jem is tugging withall his force at the left. "

"Pull away!" cried Nicholas; "he is coming. "

"My legs are off, " yelled Potts, as he was plucked suddenly forth, witha jerk that threw the squire and his assistants on their backs. "I shallnever be able to walk more. No, Heaven be praised!" he added, lookingdown on his lower limbs, "I have only lost my boots. "

"Never mind it, then, " cried Nicholas; "but thank your stars you areabove ground once more. Hark'ee, Jem!" he continued, shouting down thehole; "If you don't come forth at once, and bring Mother Demdike withyou, we'll close up the mouth of this hole in such a way that yousha'n't require another grave. D'ye hear?"

"Yeigh, " replied Jem, his voice coming hoarsely and hollowly up like theaccents of a ghost. "Am ey to go free if ey comply?"

"Certainly not, " replied the squire. "You have a choice between thishole and the hangman's cord at Lancaster, that is all. In either caseyou will die by suffocation. But be quick--we have wasted time enoughalready with you. "

"Then if that's aw yo'll do fo' me, squire, eyn e'en stay wheere ey am, "rejoined Jem. 

"Very well, " replied Nicholas. "Here, my man, stop up this hole withearth and stones. Master Potts, you will lend a hand to the task. "

"Readily, sir, " replied the attorney, "though I shall lose the pleasureI had anticipated of seeing that old carrion crow roasted alive. "

"Stay a bit, squoire, " roared Jem, as preparations were actively madefor carrying Nicholas's orders into execution. "Stay a bit, an ey'n cumowt, an bring t' owd woman wi' me. "

"I thought you'd change your mind, " replied Nicholas, laughing. "Beupon your guard, " he added, in a low tone to the others, "and seize himthe moment he appears. "

But Jem evidently found it no easy matter to perform his promise, forstifled shrieks and other noises proclaimed that a desperate strugglewas going on between him and his grandmother. 

"Aha!" exclaimed Nicholas, placing his ear to the hole. "The old hag isunwilling to come forth, and spits and scratches like a cat-a-mountain, while Jem gripes her like a terrier. It is a hard tussle between them, but he is getting the better of it, and is pushing her forth. Now lookout. "

And as he spoke, Mother Demdike's terrible head protruded from theground, and, despite of the execrations she poured forth upon herenemies, she was instantly seized by them, drawn out of the cavern, andsecured. While the men were thus engaged, and while Nicholas's attentionwas for an instant diverted, Jem bounded forth as suddenly as a wolffrom his lair, and, dashing aside all opposition, plunged down the hill. 

"It is useless to pursue him, " said Nicholas. "He will not escape. Thewhole country will be roused by the beacon fire, and hue and cry shallbe made after him. "

"Right!" exclaimed Potts; "and now let some one creep into that cavern, and bring out my boots, and then I shall be in a better condition toattend you. "

The request being complied with, and the attorney being once moreequipped for walking, the party climbed the hill-side, and, bringingMother Demdike with them, shaped their course towards the beacon. 

And now to see what had taken place in the interim. 

Scarcely had the squire quitted Mistress Nutter than Sir Ralph Asshetonrode up to her. 

"Why do you loiter here, madam?" he said, in a stern tone, somewhattempered by sorrow. "I have held back to give you an opportunity ofescape. The hill is invested by your enemies. On that side Roger Nowellis advancing, and on this Sir Thomas Metcalfe and his followers. You maypossibly effect a retreat in the opposite direction, but not a momentmust be lost. "

"I will go with you, " said Alizon. 

"No, no, " interposed Richard. "You have not strength for the effort, andwill only retard her. "

"I thank you for your devotion, my child, " said Mistress Nutter, with alook of grateful tenderness; "but it is unneeded. I have no intention offlying. I shall surrender myself into the hands of justice. "

"Do not mistake the matter, madam, " said Sir Ralph, "and delude yourselfwith the notion that either your rank or wealth will screen you frompunishment. Your guilt is too clearly established to allow you a chanceof escape, and, though I myself am acting wrongfully in counsellingflight to you, I am led to do so from the friendship once subsistingbetween us, and the relationship which, unfortunately, I cannotdestroy. "

"It is you who are mistaken, not I, Sir Ralph, " replied Mistress Nutter. "I have no thought of turning aside the sword of justice, but shallcourt its sharpest edge, hoping by a full avowal of my offences, in somedegree to atone for them. My only regret is, that I shall leave my childunprotected, and that my fate will bring dishonour upon her. "

"Oh, think not of me, dear mother!" cried Alizon, "but persistunhesitatingly in the course you have laid down. Far rather would I seeyou act thus--far rather hear the sentiments you have uttered, eventhough they may be attended by the saddest, consequences, than beholdyou in your former proud position, and impenitent. Think not of me, then. Or, rather, think only how I rejoice that your eyes are at lengthopened, and that you have cast off the bonds of iniquity. I can now prayfor you with the full hope that my intercessions will prevail, and inparting with you in this world shall be sustained by the conviction thatwe shall meet in eternal happiness hereafter. "

Mistress Nutter threw her arms about her daughter's neck, and theymingled their tears together, Sir Ralph Assheton was much moved. 

"It is a pity she should fall into their hands, " he observed to Richard. 

"I know not how to advise, " replied the latter, greatly troubled. 

"Ah! it is too late, " exclaimed the knight; "here come Nowell andMetcalfe. The poor lady's firmness will be severely tested. "

The next moment the magistrate and the knight came up, with such oftheir attendants as were not engaged in pursuing the witches, several ofwhom had already been captured. On seeing Mistress Nutter, Sir ThomasMetcalfe sprang from his horse, and would have seized her, but Sir Ralphinterposed, saying "She has surrendered herself to me. I will beanswerable for her safe custody. "

"Your pardon, Sir Ralph, " observed Nowell; "the arrest must be formallymade, and by a constable. Sparshot, execute your warrant. "

Upon this, the official, leaping from his horse, displayed his staff anda piece of parchment to Mistress Nutter, telling her she was hisprisoner. 

The lady bowed her head. 

"Shan ey tee her hands, yer warship?" demanded the constable of themagistrate. 

"On no account, fellow, " interposed Sir Ralph. "I will have no indignityoffered her. I have already said I will be responsible for her. "

"You will recollect she is arrested for witchcraft, Sir Ralph, " observedNowell. 

"She shall answer to the charges brought against her. I pledge myselfto that, " replied Sir Ralph. 

"And by a full confession, " said Mistress Nutter. "You may pledgeyourself to that also, Sir Ralph. "

"She avows her guilt, " cried Nowell. "I take you all to witness it. "

"I shall not forget it, " said Sir Thomas Metcalfe. 

"Nor I--nor I!" cried Sparshot, and two or three others of theattendants. 

"This girl is my prisoner, " said Sir Thomas Metcalfe, dismounting, andadvancing towards Alizon, "She is a witch, as well as the rest. "

"It is false, " cried Richard! "and if you attempt to lay hands upon herI will strike you to the earth. "

"'Sdeath!" exclaimed Metcalfe, drawing his sword, "I will not let thisinsolence pass unpunished. I have other affronts to chastise. Standaside, or I will cut your throat. "

"Hold, Sir Thomas, " cried Sir Ralph Assheton, authoritatively. "Settleyour quarrels hereafter, if you have any to adjust; but I will have nofighting now. Alizon is no witch. You are well aware that she was aboutto be impiously and cruelly sacrificed by Mother Demdike, and her rescuewas the main object of our coming hither. "

"Still suspicion attaches to her, " said Metcalfe; "whether she be thedaughter of Elizabeth Device or Alice Nutter, she comes of a bad stock, and I protest against her being allowed to go free. However, if you areresolved upon it, I have nothing more to say. I shall find other timeand place to adjust my differences with Master Richard Assheton. "

"When you please, sir, " replied the young man, sternly. 

"And I will answer for the propriety of the course I have pursued, " saidSir Ralph; "but here comes Nicholas with Mother Demdike. "

"Demdike taken! I am glad of it, " cried Mother Chattox, slightly raisingherself as she spoke. "Kill her, or she will 'scape you. "

When Nicholas came up with the old hag, both Sir Ralph Assheton andRoger Nowell put several questions to her, but she refused to answertheir interrogations; and, horrified by her blasphemies andimprecations, they caused her to be removed to a short distance, while aconsultation was held as to the course to be pursued. 

"We have made half a dozen of these miscreants prisoners, " said RogerNowell, "and the whole of them had better be taken to Whalley, wherethey can be safely confined in the old dungeons of the Abbey, and aftertheir examination on the morrow can be removed to Lancaster Castle. "

"Be it so, " replied Sir Ralph; "but must yon unfortunate lady, " headded, pointing to Mistress Nutter, "be taken with them?"

"Assuredly, " replied Nowell. "We can make no distinction among suchoffenders; or, if there are any degrees in guilt, hers is of the highestclass. "

"You had better take leave of your daughter, " said Sir Ralph to MistressNutter. 

"I thank you for the hint, " replied the lady. "Farewell, dear Alizon, "she added, straining her to her bosom. "We must part for some time. Oncemore before I quit this world, in which I have played so wicked a part, I would fain look upon you--fain bless you, if I have the power--butthis must be at the last, when my trials are wellnigh over, and when allis about to close upon me!"

"Oh! must it be thus?" exclaimed Alizon, in a voice half suffocated byemotion. 

"It must, " replied her mother. "Do not attempt to shake my resolution, my sweet child--do not weep for me. Amidst all the terrors that surroundme, I am happier now than I have been for years. I shall strive to workout my redemption by prayers. "

"And you will succeed!" cried Alizon. 

"Not so!" shrieked Mother Demdike; "the Fiend will have his own. She isbound to him by a compact which nought can annul. "

"I should like to see the instrument, " said Potts. "I might give a legalopinion upon it. Perhaps it might be avoided; and in any case itsproduction in court would have an admirable effect. I think I see thecounsel examining it, and hear the judges calling for it to be placedbefore them. His infernal Majesty's signature must be a curiosity in itsway. Our gracious and sagacious monarch would delight in it. "

"Peace!" exclaimed Nicholas; "and take care, " he cried, "that no furtherinterruptions are offered by that infernal hag. Have you done, madam?"he added to Mistress Nutter, who still remained with her daughter foldedin her arms. 

"Not yet, " replied the lady. "Oh! what happiness I have thrown away!What anguish--what remorse brought upon myself by the evil life I haveled! As I gaze on this fair face, and think it might long, long havebrightened my dark and desolate life with its sunshine--as I think uponall this, my fortitude wellnigh deserts me, and I have need of supportfrom on high to carry me through my trial. But I fear it will be deniedme. Nicholas Assheton, you have the deed of the gift of Rough Lee inyour possession. Henceforth Alizon is mistress of the mansion anddomains. "

"Provided always they are not forfeited to the crown, which I apprehendwill be the case, " suggested Potts. 

"I will take care she is put in possession of them, " said Nicholas. 

"As to you, Richard, " continued Mistress Nutter, "the time may comewhen your devotion to my daughter may be rewarded and I could not bestowa greater boon upon you than by giving you her hand. It may be well Ishould give my consent now, and, if no other obstacle should arise tothe union, may she be yours, and happiness I am sure will attend you!"

Overpowered by conflicting emotions, Alizon hid her face in her mother'sbosom, and Richard, who was almost equally overcome, was about to reply, when Mother Demdike broke upon them. 

"They will never be united!" she screamed. "Never! I have said it, andmy words will come true. Think'st thou a witch like thee can bless anunion, Alice Nutter? Thy blessings are curses, thy wishesdisappointments and despair. Thriftless love shall be Alizon's, and thegrave shall be her bridal bed. The witch's daughter shall share thewitch's fate. "

These boding words produced a terrible effect upon the hearers. 

"Heed her not, my sweet child--she speaks falsely, " said MistressNutter, endeavouring to re-assure her daughter; but the tone in whichthe words were uttered showed that she herself was greatly alarmed. 

"I have cursed them both, and I will curse them again, " yelled MotherDemdike. 

"Away with the old screech-owl, " cried Nicholas. "Take her to thebeacon, and, if she continues troublesome, hurl her into the flame. "

And, notwithstanding the hag's struggles and imprecations, she wasremoved. 

"Whatever may betide, Alizon, " cried Richard, "my life shall be devotedto you; and, if you should not be mine, I will have no other bride. Withyour permission, madam, " he added, to Mistress Nutter, "I will take yourdaughter to Middleton, where she will find companionship and solace, Itrust, in the attentions of my sister, who has the strongest affectionfor her. "

"I could wish nothing better, " replied the lady, "and now to put an endto this harrowing scene. Farewell, my child. Take her, Richard, takeher!" she cried, as she disengaged herself from the relaxing embrace ofher daughter. "Now, Master Nowell, I am ready. "

"It is well, madam, " he replied. "You will join the other prisoners, andwe will set forth. "

But at this juncture a terrific shriek was heard, which drew all eyestowards the beacon. 

When Mother Demdike had been removed, in accordance with the squire'sdirections, her conduct became more violent and outrageous than ever, and those who had charge of her threatened, if she did not desist, tocarry out the full instructions they had received, and cast her into theflames. The old hag defied and incensed them to such a degree by herviolence and blasphemies, that they carried her to the very edge of thefire. 

At this moment the figure of a monk, in mouldering white habiliments, came from behind the beacon, and stood beside the old hag. He slowlyraised his hood, and disclosed features that looked like those of thedead. 

"Thy hour is come, accursed woman!" cried the phantom, in thrillingaccents. "Thy term on earth is ended, and thou shalt be delivered tounquenchable fire. The curse of Paslew is fulfilled upon thee, and willbe fulfilled upon all thy viperous brood. "

"Art thou the abbot's shade?" demanded the hag. 

"I am thy implacable enemy, " replied the phantom. "Thy judgment and thypunishment are committed to me. To the flames with her!"

Such was the awe inspired by the monk, and such the authority of histones and gesture, that the command was unhesitatingly obeyed, and thewitch was cast, shrieking, into the fire. 

She was instantly swallowed up as in a gulf of flame, which raged, androared, and shot up in a hundred lambent points, as if exulting in itsprey. 

The wretched creature was seen for a moment to rise up in it inextremity of anguish, with arms extended, and uttering a dreadful yell, but the flames wreathed round her, and she sank for ever. 

When those who had assisted at this fearful execution looked around forthe mysterious being who had commanded it, they could nowhere beholdhim. 

Then was heard a laugh of gratified hate--such a laugh as only a demon, or one bound to a demon, can utter--and the appalled listeners lookedaround, and beheld Mother Chattox standing behind them. 

"My rival is gone!" cried the hag. "I have seen the last of her. She isburnt--ah! ah!"

Further triumph was not allowed her. With one accord, and as if promptedby an irresistible impulse, the men rushed upon her, seized her, andcast her into the fire. 

Her wild laughter was heard for a moment above the roaring of theflames, and then ceased altogether. 

Again the flame shot high in air, again roared and raged, again brokeinto a multitude of lambent points, after which it suddenly expired. 

All was darkness on the summit of Pendle Hill. 

And in silence and in gloom scarcely more profound than that Weighing inevery breast, the melancholy troop pursued its way to Whalley. 

END OF THE SECOND BOOK. 

BOOK THE THIRD. 

Hoghton tower

CHAPTER I. --DOWNHAM MANOR-HOUSE. 

On a lovely morning, about the middle of July, in the same year as theevents previously narrated, Nicholas Assheton, always astir with thelark, issued from his own dwelling, and sauntered across the smooth lawnin front of it. The green eminence on which he stood was sheltered onthe right by a grove of sycamores, forming the boundary of the park, andsloped down into a valley threaded by a small clear stream, whosemurmuring, as it danced over its pebbly bed, distinctly reached his earin the stillness of early day. On the left, partly in the valley, andpartly on the side of the acclivity on which the hall was situated, nestled the little village whose inhabitants owned Nicholas as lord;and, to judge from their habitations, they had reason to rejoice intheir master; for certainly there was a cheerful air about Downham whichthe neighbouring hamlets, especially those in Pendle Forest, sadlywanted. 

On the left of the mansion, and only separated from it by the gardenwalls, stood the church, a venerable structure, dating back to a periodmore remote even than Whalley Abbey. From the churchyard a view, almostsimilar to that enjoyed by the squire, was obtained, though partiallyinterrupted by the thick rounded foliage of a large tree growing beneathit; and many a traveller who came that way lingered within the hallowedprecincts to contemplate the prospect. At the foot of the hill was asmall stone bridge crossing the stream. 

Across the road, and scarce thirty paces from the church-gate, stood alittle alehouse, whose comfortable fireside nook and good liquors werenot disdained by the squire. In fact, to his shame be it spoken, he wasquite as often to be found there of an evening as at the hall. This hadmore particularly been the case since the house was tenanted by RichardBaldwyn, who having given up the mill at Rough Lee, and taken to wifeBess Whitaker of Goldshaw Booth, had removed with her to Downham, wherehe now flourished under the special protection of the squire. Bess hadlost none of her old habits of command, and it must be confessed thatpoor Richard played a very secondary part in the establishment. Nicholas, as may be supposed, was permitted considerable licence by her, but even he had limits, which she took good care he should not exceed. 

The Downham domains were well cultivated; the line of demarcationbetween them and the heathy wastes adjoining, being clearly traced out, and you had only to follow the course of the brook to see at a glancewhere the purlieus of the forest ended, and where Nicholas Assheton'sproperty commenced: the one being a dreary moor, with here and there athicket upon it, but more frequently a dangerous morass, covered withsulphur-coloured moss; and the other consisting of green meadows, bordered in most instances by magnificent timber. The contrast, however, was not without its charm; and while the sterile wastes set off the fairand fertile fields around them, and enhanced their beauty, they offereda wide, uninterrupted expanse, over which the eye could range at will. 

On the further side of the valley, and immediately opposite the lawnwhereon Nicholas stood, the ground gradually arose, until it reached thefoot of Pendle Hill, which here assuming its most majestic aspect, constituted the grand and peculiar feature of the scene. Nowhere couldthe lordly eminence be seen to the same advantage as from this point, and Nicholas contemplated it with feelings of rapture, which nofamiliarity could diminish. The sun shone brightly upon its roundedsummit, and upon its seamy sides, revealing all its rifts and ridges;adding depth of tint to its dusky soil, laid bare in places by thewinter torrents; lending new beauty to its purple heath, and making itsgrey sod glow as with fire. So exhilarating was the prospect, thatNicholas felt half tempted to cross the valley and scale the hill beforebreaking his fast; but other feelings checked him, and he turned towardsthe right. Here, beyond a paddock and some outbuildings, lay the park, small in extent, but beautifully diversified, well stocked with deer, and boasting much noble timber. In the midst was an exquisite knoll, which, besides commanding a fine view of Pendle Hill, Downham, and allthe adjacent country, brought within its scope, on the one hand, theancient castle of Clithero and the heights overlooking Whalley; and, onthe other, the lovely and extensive vale through which the Ribblewandered. This, also, was a favourite point of view with the squire, andhe had some idea of walking towards it, when he was arrested by a personwho came from the house, and who shouted to him, hoarsely but blithely, to stay. 

The new-comer was a man of middle age, with a skin almost as tawny as agipsy's, a hooked nose, black beetling brows, and eyes so strangely setin his head, that they communicated a sinister expression to hiscountenance. He possessed a burly frame, square, and somewhat heavy, though not so much so as to impede his activity. In deportment andstature, though not in feature, he resembled the squire himself; and thelikeness was heightened by his habiliments being part of Nicholas's oldwardrobe, the doublet and hose, and even the green hat and boots, beingthose in which Nicholas made his first appearance in this history. Thepersonage who thus condescended to be fed and clothed at the squire'sexpense, and who filled a situation something between guest and menial, without receiving the precise attention of the one or the wages of theother, but who made himself so useful to Nicholas that he could notdispense with him--neither, perhaps would he have been shaken off, evenif it had been desired--was named Lawrence Fogg, an entire stranger tothe country, whom Nicholas had picked up at Colne, and whom he hadinvited to Downham for a few weeks' hunting, and had never been able toget rid of him since. 

Lawrence Fogg liked his quarters immensely, and determined to remain inthem; and as a means to so desirable an end, he studied all the squire'sweak points and peculiarities, and these not being very difficult to beunderstood, he soon mastered them, and mastered the squire into thebargain, but without allowing his success to become manifest. Nicholaswas delighted to find one with tastes so congenial to his own, who wasso willing to hunt or fish with him--who could train a hawk as well asPhil Royle, the falconer--diet a fighting-cock as well as Tom Shaw, thecock-master--enter a hound better than Charlie Crouch, the oldhuntsman--shoot with the long-bow further than any one except himself, and was willing to toss off a pot with him, or sing a merry stavewhenever he felt inclined. Such a companion was invaluable, and Nicholascongratulated himself upon the discovery, especially when he foundLawrence Fogg not unwilling to undertake some delicate commissions forhim, which he could not well execute himself, and which he was unwillingshould reach Mistress Assheton's ears. These were managed with equaladroitness and caution. About the same time, too, Nicholas finding moneyscarce, and, not liking to borrow it in person, delegated Fogg, and senthim round to his friends to ask for a loan; but, in this instance, themission was attended with very indifferent success, for not one of themwould lend him so small a sum as thirty pounds, all averring they stoodin need of it quite as much as himself. Though somewhat inconveniencedby their refusal, Nicholas bore the disappointment with his customaryequanimity, and made merry with his friend as if nothing had happened. Fogg showed an equal accommodating spirit in all religious observances, and, though much against his inclination, attended morning discoursesand lectures with his patron, and even made an attempt at psalm-singing;but on one occasion, missing the tune and coming in with a bacchanalianchorus, he was severely rebuked by the minister, and enjoined to keepsilence in future. Such was the friendly relation subsisting betweenthe parties when they met together on the lawn on the morning inquestion. 

"Well, Fogg, " cried Nicholas, after exchanging salutations with hisfriend, "what say you to hunting the otter in the Ribble afterbreakfast? 'Tis a rare day for the sport, and the hounds are inexcellent order. There is an old dam and her litter whom we must kill, for she has been playing the very devil with the fish for a space ofmore than two miles; and if we let her off for another week, we shallhave neither salmon, trout, nor umber, as all will have passed down themaws of her voracious brood. "

"And that would be a pity, in good sooth, squire, " replied Fogg; "forthere are no fish like those of the Ribble. Nothing I should prefer tothe sport you promise; but I thought you had other business for meto-day? Another attempt to borrow money--eh?"

"Ay, from my cousin, Dick Assheton, " rejoined Nicholas; "he will lend methe thirty pounds, I am quite sure. But you had better defer the visittill to-morrow, when his father, Sir Richard, will be at Whalley, andwhen you can have him to yourself. Dick will not say you nay, dependon't; he is too good a fellow for that. A murrain on those close-fistedcurmudgeons, Roger Nowell, Nicholas Townley, and Tom Whitaker. Theyought to be delighted to oblige me. "

"But they declare they have no money, " said Fogg. 

"No money!--pshaw!" exclaimed Nicholas; "an idle excuse. They havechests full. Would I had all Roger Nowell's gold, I should not requireanother supply for years. But, 'sdeath! I will not trouble myself for apaltry thirty pounds. "

"If I might venture to suggest, squire, while you are about it, I wouldask for a hundred pounds, or even two or three hundred, " said Fogg. "Your friends will think all the better of you, and feel more satisfiedyou intend to repay them. "

"Do you think so!" cried Nicholas. "Then, by Plutus, it shall be threehundred pounds--three hundred at interest. Dick will have to borrow theamount to lend it to me; but, no matter, he will easily obtain it. Harkye, Fogg, while you are at Middleton, endeavour to ascertain whetherany thing has been arranged about the marriage of a certain young ladyto a certain young gentleman. I am curious to know the precise state ofaffairs in that quarter. "

"I will arrive at the truth, if possible, squire, " replied Fogg; "but Ishould scarcely think Sir Richard would assent to his son's union withthe daughter of a notorious witch. "

"Sir Richard's son is scarcely likely to ask Sir Richard's consent, "said Nicholas; "and as to Mistress Nutter, though heavy charges havebeen brought against her, nothing has been proved, for you know sheescaped, or rather was rescued, on her way to Lancaster Castle. "

"I am fully aware of it, squire, " replied Fogg; "and I more thansuspect a worthy friend of mine had a hand in her deliverance and couldtell where to find her if needful. But that is neither here nor there. The lady is quite innocent, I dare say. Indeed, I am quite sure of it, since you espouse her cause so warmly. But the world is malicious, andstrange things are reported of her. "

"Heed not the world, Fogg, " rejoined Nicholas. "The world speaks well ofno man, be his deserts what they may. The world says that I waste myestate in wine, women, and horseflesh--that I spend time in pleasureswhich might be profitably employed--that I neglect my wife, forget myreligious observances, am on horseback when I should be afoot, at thealehouse when I should be at home, at a marriage when I should be at afuneral, shooting when I should be keeping my books--in short, it hasnot a good word to say for me. And as for thee, Fogg, it says thou artan idle, good-for-nothing fellow; or, if thou art good for aught, it isonly for something that leads to evil. It says thou drinkestprodigiously, liest confoundedly, and swearest most profanely; that thouart ever more ready to go to the alehouse than to church, and that noneof the girls can 'scape thee. Nay, the slanderers even go so far as toassert thou wouldst not hesitate to say, 'Stand and deliver!' to a trueman on the highway. That is what the world says of thee. But, hang it!never look chapfallen, man. Let us go to the stables, and then we willin to breakfast; after which we will proceed to the Ribble, and spearthe old otter. "

A fine old manorial residence was Downham, and beautifully situated, ashas been shown, on a woody eminence to the north of Pendle Hill. It wasof great antiquity, and first came into the possession of the Asshetonfamily in 1558. Considerable additions had been made to it by itspresent owner, Nicholas, and the outlay necessarily required, combinedwith his lavish expenditure, had contributed to embarrass him. Thestables were large, and full of horses; the kennels on the same scale, and equally well supplied with hounds; and there was a princely retinueof servants in the yard--grooms, keepers, falconers, huntsmen, and theirassistants--to say nothing of their fellows within doors. In short, ifit had been your fortune to accompany the squire and his friend roundthe premises--if you had walked through the stables and counted thehorses--if you had viewed the kennels and examined the varioushounds--the great Lancashire dogs, tall, shaggy, and heavy, a race nowextinct; the Worcestershire hounds, then also in much repute; thegreyhounds, the harriers, the beagles, the lurchers, and, lastly, theverminers, or, as we should call them, the terriers, --if you had seenall these, you would not have wondered that money was scarce with him. Still further would your surprise at such a consequence have diminishedif you had gone on to the falconry, and seen on the perches the goshawkand her tercel, the sparrowhawk and her musket, under the care of theostringer; and further on the falcon-gentle, the gerfalcon, the lanner, the merlin, and the hobby, all of which were attended to by the headfalconer. It would have done you good to hear Nicholas inquiring fromhis men if they had "set out their birds that morning, and weatheredthem;" if they had mummy powder in readiness, then esteemed a sovereignremedy; if the lures, hoods, jesses, buets, and all other needfulfurniture, were in good order; and if the meat were sweet and wholesome. You might next have followed him to the pens where the fighting cockswere kept, and where you would have found another source of expense inthe cock-master, Tom Shaw--a knave who not only got high wages from hismaster, but understood so well the dieting of his birds that he couldmake them win or lose a battle as he thought proper. Here, again, Nicholas had much to say, and was in raptures with one cock, which hetold Fogg he would back to any amount, utterly unconscious of asignificant look that passed between his friend and the cock-master. 

"Look at him, " cried the squire; "how proud and erect he stands! Hishead is as small as that of a sparrowhawk, his eye large and quick, hisbody thick, his leg strong in the beam, and his spurs long, rough, andsharp. That is the bird for me. I will take him over to the cockpit atPrescot next week, and match him against any bird Sir John Talbot, or mycousin Braddyll, can bring. "

"And yo'n win, squoire, " replied the cock-master; "ey ha' been feedin'him these five weeks, so he'll be i' rare condition then, and winna failyo. Yo may lay what yo loike upon him, " he added, with a sly wink atFogg. 

"You may win the thirty pounds you want, " observed the latter, in a lowtone to the squire. 

"Or, mayhap, lose it, " replied Nicholas. "I shall not risk so much, unless I get the three hundred from Dick Assheton. I have been unluckyof late. You beat me constantly at tables now, Fogg, and when I firstknew you this was not wont to be the case. Nay, never make any excuses, man; you cannot help it. Let us in to breakfast. "

With this, he proceeded towards the house, followed by Fogg and a coupleof large Lancashire hounds, and, entering at the back of the premises, made his way through the scullery into the kitchen. Here there wereplentiful evidences of the hospitality, not to say profusion, reigningthroughout the mansion. An open door showed a larder stocked with allkinds of provisions, and before the fire joints of meat and poultry wereroasting. Pies were baking in the oven; and over the flames, in thechimney, was suspended a black pot large enough for a witch's caldron. The cook was busied in preparing for the gridiron some freshly-caughttrout, intended for the squire's own breakfast; and a kitchen-maid wastoasting oatcakes, of which there was a large supply in the bread-flakedepending from the ceiling. 

Casting a look around, and exchanging a few words with the cook, Nicholas moved on, still followed by Fogg and the hounds, and, trackinga long stone passage, entered the great hall. Here the same disorder andirregularity prevailed as in his own character and conduct. All waslitter and confusion. Around the walls were hung breastplates andbuff-coats, morions, shields, and two-handed swords; but they were halfhidden by fishing-nets, fowling-nets, dogs' collars, saddles andbridles, housings, cross-bows, long-bows, quivers, baldricks, horns, spears, guns, and every other implement then used in the sports of theriver or the field. The floor was in an equal state of disorder. Therushes were filled with half-gnawed bones, brought thither by thehounds; and in one corner, on a mat, was a favourite spaniel and herwhelps. The squire however was, happily, insensible to the condition ofthe chamber, and looked around it with an air of satisfaction, as if hethought it the perfection of comfort. 

A table was spread for breakfast, near a window looking out upon thelawn, and two covers only were laid, for Mistress Nicholas Assheton didnot make her appearance at this early hour. And now was exhibited one ofthose strange contradictions of which the squire's character wascomposed. Kneeling down by the side of the table, and without noticingthe mocking expression of Fogg's countenance as he followed his example, Nicholas prayed loudly and fervently for upwards of ten minutes, afterwhich he arose and gave a shout which proved that his lungs wereunimpaired, and not only roused the whole house, but set all the dogsbarking. 

Presently a couple of serving-men answered this lusty summons, and thetable was covered with good and substantial dishes, which he and hiscompanion attacked with a vigour such as only the most valianttrencherman can display. Already has it been remarked that a breakfastat the period in question resembled a modern dinner; and better proofcould not have been afforded of the correctness of the description thanthe meal under discussion, which comprised fish, flesh, and fowl, boiled, broiled, and roast, together with strong ale and sack. After anhour thus agreeably employed, and while they were still seated, thoughbreakfast had pretty nearly come to an end, a serving-man entered, announcing Master Richard Sherborne of Dunnow. The squire instantlysprang to his feet, and hastened to welcome his brother-in-law. 

"Ah! good-day to you, Dick, " he cried, shaking him heartily by the hand;"what happy chance brings you here so early? But first sit down andeat--eat, and talk afterwards. Here, Roger, Harry, bring another platterand napkin, and let us have more broiled trout and a cold capon, apasty, or whatever you can find in the larder. Try some of this gammonmeanwhile, Dick. It will help down a can of ale. And now what bringsthee hither, lad? Pressing business, no doubt. Thou mayest speak beforeFogg. I have no secrets from him. He is my second self. "

"I have no secrets to divulge, Nicholas, " replied Sherborne, "and I willtell you at once what I am come about. Have you heard that the King isabout to visit Hoghton Tower in August?"

"No; this is news to me, " replied Nicholas; "does your business relateto his visit?"

"It does, " replied Sherborne. "Last night a messenger came to me fromSir Richard Hoghton, entreating me to move you to do him the favour andcourtesy to attend him at the King's coming, and wear his livery. "

"I wear his livery!" exclaimed Nicholas, indignantly. "'Sdeath! what doyou take me for, cousin Dick?"

"For a right good fellow, who I am sure will comply with his friend'srequest, especially when he finds there is no sort of degradation init, " replied Sherborne. "Why, I shall wear Sir Richard's cloth, and sowill several others of our friends. There will be rare doings atHoghton--masquings, mummings, and all sorts of revels, besides hunting, shooting, racing, wrestling, and the devil knows what. You may feast andcarouse to your heart's content. The Dukes of Buckingham and Richmondwill be there, and the Earls of Nottingham and Pembroke, and Sir GilbertHoghton, the King's great favourite, who married the Duchess ofBuckingham's sister. Besides these, you will have all the beauty ofLancashire. I would not miss the sight for thirty pounds. "

"Thirty pounds!" echoed Nicholas, as if struck with a sudden thought. "Do you think Sir Thomas Hoghton would lend me that sum if I consent towear his cloth, and attend him?"

"I have no doubt of it, " replied Sherborne; "and if he won't, I will. "

"Then I will put my pride in my pocket, and go, " said Nicholas. "Andnow, Dick, dispatch your breakfast as quickly as you can, and then Iwill take you to the Ribble, and show you some sport with an otter. "

Sherborne was not long in concluding his repast, and having received anotter spear from the squire, who had already provided himself and Foggwith like weapons, all three adjourned to the kennels, where they foundthe old huntsman, Charlie Crouch, awaiting them, attended by four stoutvarlets, armed with forked staves, meant for the double purpose ofbeating the river's banks, and striking the poor beast they were aboutto hunt, and each man having a couple of hounds, well entered for thechase, in leash. Old Crouch was a thin, grey-bearded fellow, butpossessed of a tough, muscular frame, which served him quite as well inthe long run as the younger, and apparently more vigorous, limbs of hisassistants. His cheek was hale, and his eye still bright and quick, anda certain fierceness was imparted to his countenance by a largeaquiline nose. He was attired in a greasy leathern jerkin, tight hose ofthe same material, and had a bugle suspended from his neck, and a sharphunting-knife thrust into his girdle. In his hand he bore a spear likehis master, and was followed by a grey old lurcher, who, though wantingan ear and an eye, and disfigured by sundry scars on throat and back, was hardy, untiring, and sagacious. This ancient dog was called Grip, from his tenacity in holding any thing he set his teeth upon, and he andCrouch were inseparable. 

Great was the clamour occasioned by the squire's appearance in the yard. The coupled hounds gave tongue at once, and sang out most melodiously, and all the other dogs within the kennels, or roaming at will about theyard, joined the concert. After much swearing, cracking of whips, andyelping consequent upon the cracking, silence was in some degreerestored, and a consultation was then held between Nicholas and Crouchas to where their steps should first be bent. The old huntsman was fordrawing the river near a place called Bean Hill Wood, as the treesthereabouts, growing close to the water's edge, it was pretty certainthe otter would have her couch amid the roots of some of them. This wasobjected to by one of the varlets, who declared that the beast lodged ina hollow tree, standing on a bank nearly a mile higher up the stream, and close by the point of junction between Swanside Beck and the Ribble. He was certain of the fact, he avouched, because he had noticed hermarks on the moist grass near the tree. 

"Hoo goes theere to fish, mon?" cried Crouch, "for it is the natur o'the wary varmint to feed at a distance fro' her lodgin; boh ey'm sure weshan leet on her among the roots o' them big trees o'erhanging th' rivernear Bean Hill Wood, an if the squire 'll tay my advice, he'n go theerefirst. "

"I put myself entirely under your guidance, Crouch, " said Nicholas. 

"An yo'n be aw reet, sir, " replied the huntsman; "we'n beat the bonksweel, an two o' these chaps shan go up the stream, an two down, one o'one side, and one o' t'other; an i' that manner hoo canna escape us, fo'Grip can swim an dive os weel as onny otter i' aw Englondshiar, an he'nbe efter her an her litter the moment they tak to t' wotur. Some folk, os maybe yo ha' seen, squoire, tak howd on a cord by both eends, androppin it into t' river, draw it slowly along, so that they can tell byth' jerk when th' otter touches it; boh this is an onsartin method, anis nowt like Grip's plan, for wherever yo see him swimmin, t'other beastyo may be sure is nah far ahead. "

"A brave dog, but confoundedly ugly!" exclaimed the squire, regardingthe old one-eared, one-eyed lurcher with mingled admiration and disgust;"and now, that all is arranged, let us be off. "

Accordingly they quitted the court-yard, and, shaping their course inthe direction indicated by the huntsman, entered the park, and proceededalong a glade, checkered by the early sunbeams. Here the noise they madein their progress speedily disturbed a herd of deer browsing beneath thetrees, and, as the dappled foresters darted off to a thicker covert, great difficulty was experienced by the varlets in restraining thehounds, who struggled eagerly to follow them, and made the welkinresound with their baying. 

"Yonder is a tall fellow, " cried Nicholas, pointing out a noble buck toCrouch; "I must kill him next week, for I want to send a haunch ofvenison to Middleton, and another to Whalley Abbey for Sir Ralph. "

"Better hunt him, squoire, " said Crouch; "he will gi' ye good sport. "

Soon after this they attained an eminence, where a charming sweep ofcountry opened upon them, including the finest part of Ribblesdale, withits richly-wooded plains, and the swift and beautiful river from whichit derived its name. The view was enchanting, and the squire and hiscompanions paused for a moment to contemplate it, and then, steppinggleefully forward, made their way over the elastic turf towards a smallthicket skirting the park. All were in high spirits, for the freshnessand beauty of the morning had not been without effect, and the squire'stongue kept pace with his legs as he strode briskly along; but as theyentered the thicket in question, and caught sight of the river throughthe trees, the old huntsman enjoined silence, and he was obliged to puta check upon his loquacity. 

When within a bowshot from the water, the party came to a halt, and twoof the men were directed by Crouch to cross the stream at differentpoints, and then commence beating the banks, while the other two wereordered to pursue a like course, but to keep on the near side of theriver. The hounds were next uncoupled, and the men set off to executethe orders they had received, and soon afterwards the crashing ofbranches, and the splashing of water, accompanied by the deep baying ofthe hounds, told they were at work. 

Meanwhile, Nicholas and the others had not remained idle. As the varletsstruck off in different directions, they went straight on, and forcingtheir way through the brushwood, came to a high bank overlooking theRibble, on the top of which grew three or four large trees, whose roots, laid bare on the further side by the swollen currents of winter, formeda convenient resting-place for the fish-loving creature they hoped tosurprise. Receiving a hint from Crouch to make for the central tree, Nicholas grasped his spear, and sprang forward; but, quick as he was, hewas too late, though he saw enough to convince him that the crafty oldhuntsman had been correct in his judgment; for a dark, slimy objectdropped from out the roots of the tree beneath him, and glided into thewater as swiftly and as noiselessly as if its skin had been oiled. A fewbubbles rose to the surface of the water, but these were all theindications marking the course of the wondrous diver. 

But other eyes, sharper than those of Nicholas, were on the watch, andthe old huntsman shouted out, "There hoo goes, Grip--efter her, lad, efter her!" The words were scarcely uttered when the dog sprang from thetop of the bank and sank under the water. For some seconds no tracecould be observed of either animal, and then the shaggy nose of thelurcher was seen nearly fifty yards higher up the river, and aftersniffing around for a moment, and fixing his single eye on his master, who was standing on the bank, and encouraging him with his voice andgesture, he dived again. 

"Station yourselves on the bank, fifty paces apart, " cried Crouch; "run, run, or yo'n be too late, an' strike os quick os leet if yo've a chance. Stay wheere you are, squoire, " he added, to Nicholas. "Yo canna bebetter placed. "

All was now animation and excitement. Perceiving from the noise that theotter had been found, the four varlets hastened towards the scene ofaction, and, by their shouts and the clatter of their staves, contributed greatly to its spirit. Two were on one side of the stream, and two on the other, and up to this moment the hounds were similarlyseparated; but now most of them had taken to the water, some swimmingabout, others standing up to the middle in the shallower part of thecurrent, watching with keen gaze for the appearance of their anticipatedvictim. 

Having descended the bank, Nicholas had so placed himself among the hugetwisted roots of the tree, that if the otter, alarmed by the presence ofso many foes, and unable to escape either up or down the river, shouldreturn to her couch, he made certain of striking her. At first thereseemed little chance of such an occurrence, for Fogg, who had gone ahundred yards higher up, suddenly dashed into the stream, and, plunginghis spear into the mud, cried out that he had hit the beast; but thenext moment, when he drew the weapon forth, and exhibited a large ratwhich he had transfixed, his mistake excited much merriment. 

Old Crouch, meantime, did not suffer his attention to be drawn from hisdog. Every now and then he saw him come to the surface to breathe, butas he kept within a short distance, though rising at different points, the old huntsman felt certain the otter had not got away, and, havingthe utmost reliance upon Grip's perseverance and sagacity, he feltconfident he would bring the quarry to him if the thing were possible. The varlets kept up an incessant clatter, beating the water with theirstaves, and casting large stones into it, while the hounds bayedfuriously, so that the poor fugitive was turned on whichever side sheattempted a retreat. 

While this was going on, Nicholas was cautioned by the huntsman to lookout, and scarcely had the admonition reached him than the sleek shiningbody of the otter emerged from the water, and wreathed itself among theroots. The squire instantly dealt a blow which he expected to provefatal, but his mortification was excessive when he found he had driventhe spear-head so deeply into the tree that he could scarcely disengageit, while an almost noiseless plunge told that his prey had escaped. Almost at the same moment that the poor hunted beast had sought its oldlodging, the untiring lurcher had appeared at the edge of the bank, and, as the former again went down, he dived likewise. 

Secretly laughing at the squire's failure, the old huntsman prepared totake advantage of a similar opportunity if it should present itself, andwith this view ensconced himself behind a pollard willow, which stoodclose beside the stream, and whence he could watch closely all thatpassed, without being exposed to view. The prudence of the step was soonmanifest. After the lapse of a few seconds, during which neither dog norotter had risen to breathe, a slight, very slight, undulation wasperceptible on the surface of the water. Crouch's grasp tightened uponhis staff--he waited another moment--then dashed forward, struck downhis spear, and raised it aloft, with the poor otter transfixed andwrithing upon its point. 

Loudly and exultingly did the old man shout at his triumph, and loudlywere his vociferations answered by the others. All flew to the spotwhere he was standing, and the hounds, gathering round him, yelledfuriously at the otter, and showed every disposition to tear her inpieces, if they could get at her. Kicking the noisiest and fiercest ofthem out of the way, Crouch approached the river's brink, and loweredthe spear-head till it came within reach of his favourite Grip, who hadnot yet come out of the water, but stood within his depth, with his onered eye fixed on the enemy he had so hotly pursued, and fully expectinghis reward. It now came; his sharp teeth instantly met in the otter'sthroat, and when Crouch swung them both in the air, he still maintainedhis hold, showing how well he deserved his name, nor could he bedisengaged until long after the sufferings of the tortured animal hadceased. 

To say that Nicholas was neither chagrined at his ill success, norjealous of the old huntsman's superior skill, would be to affirm anuntruth; but he put the best face he could upon the matter, and praisedGrip very highly, alleging that the whole merit of the hunt rested withhim. Old Crouch let him go on, and when he had done, quietly observedthat the otter they had destroyed was not the one they came in searchof, as they had seen nothing of her litter; and that, most likely, thebeast that had done so much mischief had her lodging in the hollow treenear the Swanside Beck, as described by the varlet, and he wished toknow whether the squire would like to go and hunt her. Nicholas repliedthat he was quite willing to do so, and hoped he should have better luckon the second occasion; and with this they set forward again, takingtheir way along the side of the stream, beating the banks as they went, but without rousing any thing beyond an occasional water-rat, which waskilled almost as soon as found by Grip. 

Somehow or other, without any one being aware what led to it theconversation fell upon the two old witches, Mothers Demdike and Chattox, and the strange manner in which their career had terminated on thesummit of Pendle Hill--if, indeed it could be said to have terminated, when their spirits were reported to haunt the spot, and might be seen, it was asserted, at midnight, flitting round the beacon, and shriekingdismally. The restless shades were pursued, it was added, by the figureof a monk in white mouldering robes, supposed to be the ghost of Paslew. It was difficult to understand how these apparitions could be witnessed, since no one, even for a reward, could be prevailed upon to ascendPendle Hill after nightfall; but the shepherds affirmed they had seenthem from below, and that was testimony sufficient to shake the mostsceptical. One singular circumstance was mentioned, which must not bepassed by without notice; and this was, that when the cinders of theextinct beacon-fire came to be examined, no remains whatever of the twohags could be discovered, though the ashes were carefully sifted, and itwas quite certain that the flames had expired long before their bodiescould be consumed. The explanation attempted for this marvel was, thatSatan had carried them off while yet living, to finish their combustionin a still more fiery region. 

Mention of Mother Demdike naturally led to her grandson, Jem Device, who, having escaped in a remarkable manner on the night in question, notwithstanding the hue and cry made after him, had not, as yet, beencaptured, though he had been occasionally seen at night, and underpeculiar circumstances, by various individuals, and amongst others byold Crouch, who, however, declared he had been unable to lay hands uponhim. 

Allusion was then made to Mistress Nutter, whereupon it was observedthat the squire changed the conversation quickly; while sundry sly winksand shrugs were exchanged among the varlets of the kennel, seeming tointimate that they knew more about the matter than they cared to admit. Nothing more, however, was elicited than that the escort conducting herto Lancaster Castle, together with the other witches, after theirexamination before the magistrates at Whalley, and committal, had beenattacked, while it was passing through a woody defile in Bowland Forest, by a party of men in the garb of foresters, and the lady set free. Norhad she been heard of since. What made this rescue the moreextraordinary was, that none of the other witches were liberated at thesame time, but some of them who seemed disposed to take advantage of thefavourable interposition, and endeavoured to get away, were brought backby the foresters to the officers of justice; thus clearly proving thatthe attempt was solely made on Mistress Nutter's account, and must havebeen undertaken by her friends. Nothing, it was asserted, could equalthe rage and mortification of Roger Nowell and Potts, on learning thattheir chief prey had thus escaped them; and by their directions, formore than a week, the strictest search was made for the fugitivethroughout the neighbourhood, but without effect--no clue could bediscovered to her retreat. Suspicion naturally fell upon the twoAsshetons, Nicholas and Richard, and Roger Nowell roundly taxed themwith contriving and executing the enterprise in person; while Potts toldthem they were guilty of misprision of felony, and threatened them withimprisonment for life, forfeiture of goods and of rents, for theoffence; but as the charge could not be proved against them, notwithstanding all the efforts of the magistrate and attorney, it fellto the ground; and Master Potts, full of chagrin at this unexpected andvexatious termination of the affair, returned to London, and settledhimself in his chambers in Chancery Lane. His duties, however, as clerkof the court, would necessarily call him to Lancaster in August, whenthe assizes commenced, and when he would assist at the trials of such ofthe witches as were still in durance. 

From Mother Demdike it was natural that the conversation should turn toher weird retreat, Malkin Tower; and Richard Sherborne expressed hissurprise that the unhallowed structure should be suffered to remainstanding after her removal. Nicholas said he was equally anxious withhis brother-in-law for its demolition, but it was not so easily to beaccomplished as it might appear; for the deserted structure was in suchill repute with the common folk, as well as every one else, that no onedared approach it, even in the daytime. A boggart, it was said, hadtaken possession of its vaults, and scared away all who ventured nearit; sometimes showing himself in one frightful shape, and sometimes inanother; now as a monstrous goat, now as an equally monstrous cat, uttering fearful cries, glaring with fiery eyes from out of the windows, or appearing in all his terror on the summit of the tower. Moreover, thehaunted structure was frequently lighted up at dead of night, strains ofunearthly music were heard resounding from it, and wild figures wereseen flitting past the windows, as if engaged in dancing and revelry; sothat it appeared that no alteration for the better had taken placethere, and that things were still quite as improperly conducted now, asthey had been in the time of Mother Demdike, or in those of herpredecessors, Isole de Heton and Blackburn, the robber. The commonopinion was, that Satan and all his imps had taken up their abode in thetower, and, as they liked their quarters, led a jolly life there, dancing and drinking all night long, it would be useless at present togive them notice to quit, still less to attempt to pull down the houseabout their ears. Richard Sherborne heard this wondrous relation insilence, but with a look of incredulity; and when it was done he winkedslily at his brother-in-law. A strange expression, half comical, halfsuspicious, might also have been observed on Fogg's countenance; and henarrowly watched the squire as the latter spoke. 

"But with the disappearance of the malignant old hags who had so longinfested the neighbourhood, had all mischief and calamity ceased, orwere people as much afflicted as heretofore? Were there, in short, somany cases of witchcraft, real or supposed?" This was the question nextaddressed by Sherborne to Nicholas. The squire answered decidedly therewere not. Since the burning of the two old beldames, and theimprisonment of the others, the whole district of Pendle had improved. All those who had been smitten with strange illnesses had recovered; andthe inhabitants of the little village of Sabden, who had experienced thefullest effects of their malignity, were entirely free from sickness. And not only had they and their families suddenly regained health andstrength, but all belonging to them had undergone a similar beneficialchange. The kine that had lost their milk now yielded it abundantly; thelame horse halted no longer; the murrain ceased among the sheep; thepigs that had grown lean amidst abundance fattened rapidly; and thoughthe farrows that had perished during the evil ascendency of the witchescould not be brought back again, their place promised speedily to besupplied by others. The corn blighted early in the year had sprung forthanew, and the trees nipped in the bud were laden with fruit. In short, all was as fair and as flourishing as it had recently been the reverse. Amongst others, John Law, the pedlar, who had been deprived of the useof his limbs by the damnable arts of Mother Demdike, had marvellouslyrecovered on the very night of her destruction, and was now as strongand as active as ever. "Such happy results having followed the removalof the witches, it was to be hoped, " Sherborne said, "that the riddancewould be complete, and that none of the obnoxious brood would be left toinflict future miseries on their fellows. This could not be the case solong as James Device was allowed to go at large; nor while his mother, Elizabeth Device, a notorious witch, was suffered to escape withimpunity. There was also Jennet, Elizabeth's daughter, a mischievous andill-favoured little creature, who inherited all the ill qualities of herparents. These were the spawn of the old snake, and, until they wereentirely exterminated, there could be no security against a recurrenceof the evil. Again, there was Nance Redferne, old Chattox'sgrand-daughter, a comely woman enough, but a reputed witch, and anundoubted fabricator of clay images. She was still at liberty, thoughshe ought to be with the rest in the dungeons of Lancaster Castle. Itwas useless to allege that with the destruction of the old hags alldanger had ceased. Common prudence would keep the others quiet now; butthe moment the storm passed over, they would resume their atrociouspractices, and all would be as bad as ever. No, no! the tree must beutterly uprooted, or it would inevitably burst forth anew. "

With these opinions Nicholas generally concurred; but he expressed somesympathy for Nance Redferne, whom he thought far too good-looking to beas wicked and malicious as represented. But however that might be, andhowever much he might desire to get rid of the family of the Devices, hefeared such a step might be attended with danger to Alizon, and that shemight in some way or other be implicated with them. This last remark headdressed in an under-tone to his brother-in-law. Sherborne did not atfirst feel any apprehension on that score, but, on reflection, headmitted that Nicholas was perhaps right; and though Alizon was now therecognised daughter of Mistress Nutter, yet her long and intimateconnection with the Device family might operate to her prejudice, whileher near relationship to an avowed witch would not tend to remove theunfavourable impression. Sherborne then went on to speak in the mostrapturous terms of the beauty and goodness of the young girl who formedthe subject of their conversation, and declared he was not in the leastsurprised that Richard Assheton was so much in love with her. And yet, he added, a most extraordinary change had taken place in her since thedreadful night on Pendle Hill, when her mother's guilt had beenproclaimed, and when her arrest had taken place as an offender of thedarkest dye. Alizon, he said, had lost none of her beauty, but her lightand joyous expression of countenance had been supplanted by a look ofprofound sadness, which nothing could remove. Gentle and meek in herdeportment, she seemed to look upon herself as under a ban, and as ifshe were unfit to associate with the rest of the world. In vain RichardAssheton and his sister endeavoured to remove this impression by thetenderest assiduities; in vain they sought to induce her to enter intoamusements consistent with her years; she declined all society but theirown, and passed the greater part of her time in prayer. Sherborne hadseen her so engaged, and the expression of her countenance, he declared, was seraphic. 

On the extreme verge of a high bank situated at the point of junctionbetween Swanside Beck and the Ribble, stood an old, decayed oak. Littleof the once mighty tree beyond the gnarled trunk was left, and this wascompletely hollow; while there was a great rift near the bottom throughwhich a man might easily creep, and, when once in, stand erect withoutinconvenience. Beneath the bank the river was deep and still, forming apool, where the largest and fattest fish were to be met with. Inaddition to this, the spot was extremely secluded, being rarely visitedby the angler on account of the thick copse by which it was surroundedand which extended along the back, from the point of confluence betweenthe lesser and the larger stream, to Downham mill, nearly half a miledistant. 

The sides of the Ribble were here, as elsewhere, beautifully wooded, andas the clear stream winded along through banks of every diversity ofshape and character, and covered by forest trees of every description, and of the most luxuriant growth, the effect was enchanting; the moreso, that the sun, having now risen high in the heavens, poured down aflood of summer heat and radiance, that rendered these cool shadesinexpressibly delightful. Pleasant was it, as the huntsmen leaped fromstone to stone, to listen to the sound of the waters rushing past them. Pleasant as they sprang upon some green holm or fairy islet, standing inthe midst of the stream, and dividing its lucid waters, to suffer theeye to follow the course of the rapid current, and to see it heresparkling in the bright sunshine, there plunged in shade by theoverhanging trees--now fringed with osiers and rushes, now embanked withsmoothest sward of emerald green; anon defended by steep rocks, sometimes bold and bare, but more frequently clothed with timber; thensinking down by one of those sudden but exquisite transitions, whichnature alone dares display, from this savage and sombre character intothe softest and gentlest expression; every where varied, yet every wherebeautiful. 

Through such scenes of silvan loveliness had the huntsmen passed ontheir way to the hollow oak, and they had ample leisure to enjoy them, because the squire and his brother-in-law being engaged in conversation, as before related, made frequent pauses, and, during these, the othershalted likewise; and even the hounds, glad of a respite, stood still, oramused themselves by splashing about amid the shallows without anydefinite object unless of cooling themselves. Then, as the leaders oncemore moved forward, arose the cheering shout, the loud deep bay, theclattering of staves, the crashing of branches, and all the otherinspiriting noises accompanying the progress of the hunt. But for someminutes these had again ceased, and as Nicholas and Sherborne lingeredbeneath the shade of a wide-spread beech-tree growing on a sandy hillocknear the stream, and seemed deeply interested in their talk--as wellthey might, for it related to Alizon--the whole troop, including Fogg, held respectfully aloof, and awaited their pleasure to go on. 

The signal to move was, at length, given by the squire, who saw theywere now not more than a hundred yards from the bank on which stood thehollow tree they were anxious to reach. As the river here made a turn, and swept round the point in question, forming, owing to thisdetention, the deep pool previously mentioned, the bank almost facedthem, and, as nothing intervened, they could almost look into the riftnear the base of the tree, forming, they supposed, the entrance to theotter's couch. But, though this was easily distinguished, no traces ofthe predatory animal could be seen; and though many sharp eyes werefixed upon the spot during the prolonged discourse of the two gentlemen, nothing had occurred to attract their attention, and to prove that theobject of their quest was really there. 

After some little consultation between the squire and Crouch, it wasagreed that the former should alone force his way to the tree, while theothers were to station themselves with the hounds at various points ofthe stream, above and below the bank, so that, if the otter and herlitter escaped their first assailant, they should infallibly perish bythe hands of some of the others. This being agreed upon, the plan wasinstantly put into execution--two of the varlets remaining where theywere--two going higher up; while Sherborne and Fogg stationed themselveson great stones in the middle of the stream, whence they could commandall around them, and Crouch, wading on with Grip, planted himself at theentrance of Swanside Beck into the Ribble. 

Meanwhile, the squire having scaled the bank, entered the thick covertencircling it, and, not without some damage to his face and hands fromthe numerous thorns and brambles growing amongst it, forced his wayupwards until he reached the bare space surrounding the hollow tree; andthis attained, his first business was to ascertain that all was inreadiness below before commencing the attack. A glance showed him on oneside old Crouch standing up to his middle in the beck, grasping his longotter spear, and with Grip beating the water in front of him in anxiousexpectation of employment; and in front Fogg, Sherborne, and two of thevarlets, with their hounds so disposed that they could immediatelyadvance upon the otter if it plunged into the river, while its passageup or down would be stopped by their comrades. All this he discerned ata glance; and comprehending from a sign made him by the old huntsmanthat he should not delay, he advanced towards the tree, and was about toplunge his spear into the hole, hoping to transfix one at least of itsoccupants, when he was startled by hearing a deep voice apparently issuefrom the hollows of the timber, bidding him "Beware!"

Nicholas recoiled aghast, for he thought it might be Hobthurst, or thedemon of the wood, who thus bespoke him. 

"What accursed thing addresses me?" he said, standing on his guard. "What is it? Speak!"

"Get hence, Nicholas Assheton, " replied the voice; "an' meddle not wi'them os meddles not wi' thee. "

"Aha!" exclaimed the squire, recovering courage, for he thought thisdid not sound like the language of a demon. "I am known am I? Why shouldI go hence, and at whose bidding?"

"Ask neaw questions, mon, boh ge, " replied the voice, "or it shan bewarse fo' thee. Ey am the boggart o' th' clough, an' if theaw bringst meout, ey'n tear thee i' pieces wi' my claws, an' cast thee into t'Ribble, so that thine own hounts shan eat thee up. "

"Ha! say'st thou so, master boggart, " cried Nicholas. "For a spirit, thou usest the vernacular of the county fairly enough. But before tryingwhether thy hide be proof against mortal weapons I command thee to comeforth and declare thyself, that I may judge what manner of thing thouart. "

"Thoud'st best lem me be, ey tell thee, " replied the boggart gruffly. 

"Ah! methinks I should know those accents, " exclaimed the squire; "theymarvellously resemble the voice of an offender who has too long evadedjustice, and whom I have now fairly entrapped. Jem Device, thou artknown, lad, and if thou dost not surrender at discretion, I will strikemy spear through this rotten tree, and spit thee as I would the beast Icame in quest of. "

"An' which yo wad more easily than me, " retorted Jem. And suddenlyspringing from the hole at the foot of the tree, he passed between thesquire's legs with great promptitude, and flinging him face foremostupon the ground, crawled to the edge of the bank, and thence droppedinto the deep pool below. 

The plunge roused all the spectators, who, though they had heard whathad passed, and had seen the squire upset in the manner described, hadbeen so much astounded that they could render no assistance; but theynow, one and all, bestirred themselves actively to seize the diver whenhe should rise to the surface. But though every eye was on the look-out, and every arm raised; though the hounds were as eager as their masters, and yelling fiercely, swam round the pool, ready to pounce upon theswimmer as upon a duck, all were disappointed; for, even after a longerinterval than their patience could brook, he did not appear. 

By this time, Nicholas had regained his legs, and, infuriated by hisdiscomfiture, approached the edge of the bank, and peering down below, hoped to detect the fugitive immediately beneath him, resolved to showhim no mercy when he caught him. But he was equally at fault with theothers, and after more than five minutes spent in ineffectual search, heordered Crouch to send Grip into the pool. 

The old keeper replied that the dog was not used to this kind of chase, and might not display his usual skill in it; but as the squire wouldtake no nay, he was obliged to consent, and the other hounds were calledoff lest they should puzzle him. Twice did the shrewd lurcher swim roundthe pool, sniffing the air, after which he approached the shore, andscented close to the bank; still it was evident he could detectnothing, and Nicholas began to despair, when the dog suddenly dived. Expectation was then raised to the utmost, and all were on the watchagain, Nicholas leaning over the edge of the bank with his spear inhand, prepared to strike; but the dog was so long in reappearing, thatall had given him up for lost, and his master was giving utterance toejaculations of grief and rage, and vowing vengeance against thewarlock, when Grip's grisly head was once more seen above the surface ofthe water, and this time he had a piece of blue serge in his jaws, proving that he had had hold of the raiments of the fugitive, and thattherefore the latter could not be far off, but had most probably gotinto some hole beneath the bank. 

No sooner was this notion suggested than it was acted on by the oldhuntsman and Fogg, and, wading forward, they pricked the bank with theirspears at various points below the level of the water. All at once Foggfell forward. His spear had entered a hole, and had penetrated so deeplythat he had lost his balance. But though, soused over head and ears, hehad made a successful hit, for the next moment Jem Device appeared abovethe water, and ere he could dive again his throat was seized by Grip, and while struggling to free himself from the fangs of the tenaciousanimal, he was laid hold of by Crouch, and the varlets rushing forwardto the latter's assistance, the ruffian was captured. 

Some difficulty was experienced in rescuing the captive from the jaws ofthe hounds, who, infuriated by his struggles, and perhaps mistaking himfor some strange beast of chase, made their sharp teeth meet in variousparts of his person, rending his garments from his limbs, and would nodoubt have rent the flesh also, if they had been permitted. At length, after much fighting and struggling, mingled with yells andvociferations, Jem was borne ashore, and flung on the ground, where hepresented a wretched spectacle; bleeding, half-drowned, and covered withslime acquired during his occupation of the hole in the bank. But thoughunable to offer further resistance, his spirit was not quelled, and hiseye glared terribly at his captors. Fearing they might have furthertrouble with him when he recovered from his present exhausted condition, Crouch had his hands bound tightly together with one of the dog leashes, and then would fain have questioned him as to how he managed to breathein a hole below the level of the water; but Jem refused to satisfy hiscuriosity, and returned only a sullen rejoinder to any questionsaddressed to him, until the squire, who had crossed the river at somestepping-stones lower down, came up, and the ruffian then inquired, in ahalf-menacing tone, what he meant to do with him?

"What do I mean to do with you?" cried Nicholas. "I will tell you, lad. I shall send you at once to Whalley to be examined before themagistrates; and, as the proofs are pretty clear against you, you willbe forwarded without any material delay to Lancaster Castle. "

"An yo winna rescue me by the way, os yo ha dun a sartin notorious witchan murtheress!" replied Jem, fiercely. "Tak heed whot yo dun, squoire. If ey speak at aw, ey shan speak out, and to some purpose, ey'n warrantye. If ey ge to Lonkester Castle, ey winna ge alone. Wan o' yer friendsshan ge wi' me. "

"Cursed villain! I guess thy meaning, " replied Nicholas; "but thyvindictive purposes will be frustrated. No credence will be attached tothy false charges; while, as to the lady thou aimest at, she is luckilybeyond reach of thy malice. "

"Dunna be too sure o' that, squoire, " replied Jem. "Ey con put t'officers o' jestis os surely on her track os owd Crouch could set thesehounds on an otter. Lay yer account on it, ey winna dee unavenged. "

"Heed him not, " interposed Sherborne, seeing that the squire was shakenby his threat, and taking him apart; "it will not do to let such avillain escape. He can do you no injury, and as to Mistress Nutter, ifyou know where she is, it will be easy to give her a hint to get out ofthe way. "

"I don't know that, " replied Nicholas, thoughtfully. 

"If ey might be so bowd os offer my advice, squoire, " said old Crouch, advancing towards his master, "ey'd tee a heavy stoan round the felly'sthrottle, an chuck him into t' poo', an' he'n tell no teles fo' all hisbragging. "

"That would silence him effectually, no doubt, Crouch, " repliedNicholas, laughing; "but a dog's death is too good for him, and besidesI am pretty sure his destiny is not drowning. No, no--at all risks heshall go to Whalley. Harkee, Fogg, " he added, beckoning that worthy tohim, "I commit the conduct and custody of the prisoner to you. Clap himon a horse, get on another yourself, take these four varlets with you, and deliver him into the hands of Sir Ralph Assheton, who will relieveyou of all further trouble and responsibility. But you may add this tothe baronet from me, " he continued, in an under-tone. "I recommend himto place under immediate arrest Elizabeth Device, the prisoner's mother, and her daughter Jennet. You understand, Fogg--eh?"

"Perfectly, " returned the other, with a somewhat singular look; "andyour instructions shall be fulfilled to the letter. Have you any thingmore to commit to me?"

"Only this, " said Nicholas; "you may tell Sir Ralph that I propose tosleep at the Abbey to-night. I shall ride over to Middleton in thecourse of the day, to confer with Dick Assheton upon what has justoccurred, and get the money from him--the three hundred pounds, youunderstand--and when my errand is done, I will turn bridle towardsWhalley. I shall return by Todmorden, and through the gorge ofCliviger. You may as well tarry for me at the Abbey, for Sir Ralph willbe glad of thy company, and we can return together to Downhamto-morrow. "

As the squire thus spoke, he noticed a singular sparkle in Fogg'sill-set eyes; but he thought nothing of it at the time, though itsubsequently occurred to his recollection. 

Meanwhile, the prisoner, finding no grace likely to be shown him, shouted out to the squire, that if he were set free, he would makecertain important disclosures to him respecting Fogg, who was not whathe represented himself; but Nicholas treated the offer with disdain; andthe individual mainly interested in the matter, who appeared highlyincensed by Jem's malignity, cut a short peg by way of gag, and, thrusting it into the ruffian's mouth, effectually checked any morerevelations on his part. 

Fogg then ordered the varlets to bring on the prisoner; but as Jemobstinately refused to move, they were under the necessity of taking himon their shoulders, and transporting him in this manner to the stables, where he was placed on a horse, as directed by the squire. 

CHAPTER II. --THE PENITENT'S RETREAT. 

Nicholas and Sherborne returned by a different road from that taken bythe others, and loitered so much by the way that they did not arrive atthe manor-house until the prisoner and his escort had set out. Probablythis was designed, as Nicholas seemed relieved when he learnt they weregone. Having entered the house with his brother-in-law, and conductedhim to an apartment opening out of the hall, usually occupied byMistress Assheton, and where, in fact, they found that amiable ladyemployed at her embroidery, he left Sherborne with her, and, making someexcuse for his own hasty retreat, betook himself to another part of thehouse. 

Mounting the principal staircase, which was of dark oak, withrichly-carved railing, he turned into a gallery communicating with thesleeping apartments, and, after proceeding more than half-way down it, halted before a door, which he unlocked, and entered a spacious butevidently disused chamber, hung round with faded tapestry, andcontaining a large gloomy-looking bedstead. Securing the door carefullyafter him, Nicholas raised the hangings in one corner of the room, andpressing against a spring, a sliding panel flew open. A screen wasplaced within, so as to hide from view the inmate of the secret chamber, and Nicholas, having coughed slightly, to announce his presence, andreceived an answer in a low, melancholy female voice, stepped throughthe aperture, and stood within a small closet. 

It was tenanted by a lady, whose features and figure bore the strongestmarks of affliction. Her person was so attenuated that she looked littlemore than a skeleton--her fingers were long and thin--her cheeks hollowand deathly pale--her eyes lustreless and deep sunken in theirsockets--and her hair, once jetty as the raven's wing, prematurelyblanched. Such was the profound gloom stamped upon her countenance, thatit was impossible to look upon her without compassion; while, in spiteof her wo-begone looks, there was a noble character about her thatelevated the feeling into deep interest, blended with respect. She waskneeling beside a small desk, with an open Bible laid upon it, which shewas intently studying when the squire appeared. 

"Here is a terrible text for you, Nicholas, " she said, regarding him, mournfully. "Listen to it, and judge of its effect on me. Thus it iswritten in Deuteronomy:--'There shall not be found among you any onethat maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or thatuseth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 'A witch, Nicholas--do you mark the word? And yet more particular is thenext verse, wherein it is said;--'Or a charmer, or a consulter withfamiliar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ' And then cometh thedenunciation of divine anger against such offenders in these awfulwords:--'For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord:and because of these abominations, the Lord thy God doth drive them outfrom before thee. ' Again, it is said in Leviticus, that 'the Lordsetteth his face against such, to cut them off. ' And in Exodus, the lawis expressly laid down thus--'THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER A WITCH TO LIVE. 'There is no escape for her, you see. By the divine command she mustperish, and human justice must; carry out the decree. Nicholas, I am oneof the offenders thus denounced, thus condemned. I have practisedwitchcraft, consulted with familiar spirits, and done other abominationsin the sight of Heaven; and I ought to pay the full penalty of myoffences. "

"Do not, I beseech you, madam, " replied the squire, "continue to takethis view of your case. However you have sinned, you have made amends bythe depth and sincerity of your repentance. Your days and nights--foryou allow yourself only such rest as nature forces on you, and take eventhat most unwillingly--are passed in constant prayer. Your abstinence isseverer than any anchoress ever practised, for I am sure for the lastmonth you have not taken as much food altogether as I consume in a day;while, not content with this, you perform acts of penance that afflictme beyond measure to think upon, and which I have striven in vain toinduce you to forego. There will be no occasion to deliver yourself upto justice, madam; for, if you go on thus, and do not deal withyourself a little more mildly, your accounts with this world will bespeedily settled. "

"And I should rejoice to think so, Nicholas, " replied Mistress Nutter, "if I had any hope in the world to come. But, alas! I have none. Icannot, by any act of penitence and contrition, expiate my offences. Mysoul is darkened by despair. I know I ought to give myself up--thatHeaven and man alike require my life, and I cannot reconcile myself toavoiding my just doom. "

"It is the Evil One who puts these thoughts into your head, " repliedNicholas, "and who fills your heart with promptings of despair, that hemay again obtain the mastery over it. But take a calmer and moreconsolatory view of your condition. Human justice may require a publicsacrifice as an example, but Heaven, will be satisfied with contritionin secret. "

"I trust so, " replied the lady, vainly striving to draw comfort from hiswords. "Oh, Nicholas! you do not know the temptations I am exposed to inthis chamber--the difficulty I experience in keeping my thoughts fixedon one object--the distractions I undergo--the mental obscurations--thefaintings of spirit--the bodily prostration--the terrors, theinconceivable terrors, that assail me. Sometimes I wish my spirit wouldflee away, and be at rest. Rest! there is none for me--none in thegrave--none beyond the grave--and therefore I am afraid of death, andstill more of the judgment after death! Man might inflict all thetortures he could devise upon this poor frame. I would bear them allwith patience, with delight, if I thought they would purchase meimmunity hereafter! But with the dread conviction, the almost certainty, that it will be otherwise, I can only look to the final consummationwith despair!"

"Again I tell you these suggestions are evil, " said Nicholas. "The Sonof God, who sacrificed himself for man, and by whose atonement allmankind hope for salvation, has assured us that the greatest sinner whorepents shall be forgiven, and, indeed, is more acceptable in the eyesof Heaven than him who has never erred. Far be it from me to attempt toexculpate you in your own eyes, or extenuate your former criminality. You have sinned deeply, so deeply that you may well shrink aghast fromthe contemplation of your past life--may well recoil in abhorrence fromyourself--and may fitly devote yourself to constant prayer and acts ofpenitence. But having cast off your iniquity, and sincerely repented, Ibid you hope--I bid you place a confident reliance in the clemency of anall-merciful power. "

"You give me much comfort, Nicholas, " said the lady, "and if tears ofblood can wash away my sin they shall be shed; but much as you know ofmy wickedness, even you cannot conceive its extent. In my madness, forit was nothing else, I cast off all hopes of heaven, renounced myRedeemer, was baptised by the demon, and entered into a compact bywhich--I shudder to speak it--my soul was surrendered to him. "

"You placed yourself in fearful jeopardy, no doubt, " rejoined Nicholas;"but you have broken the contract in time, and an all righteous judgewill not permit the penalty of the bond to be exacted. Seeing yourpenitence, Satan has relinquished all claim to your soul. "

"I do not think it, " replied the lady. "He will contest the point to thelast, and it is only at the last that it will be decided. "

As she spoke, a sound like mocking laughter reached the ears ofNicholas. 

"Did you hear that?" demanded Mistress Nutter, in accents of wildestterror. "He is ever on the watch. I knew it--I knew it. "

Clasping her hands together, and fixing her looks on high she thenaddressed the most fervent supplications to Heaven for deliverance fromevil, and erelong her troubled countenance began to resume its formerserenity, proving that the surest balm for a "mind diseased" is prayer. Her example had been followed by Nicholas, who, greatly alarmed, haddropped upon his knees likewise, and now arose with somewhat morecomposure in his demeanour and aspect. 

"I am sorry I do not bring you good news, madam, " he said; "but JemDevice has been arrested this morning, and as the fellow is greatlyexasperated against me, he threatens to betray your retreat to theofficers; and though he is, probably, unacquainted with itnotwithstanding his boasting, still he may cause search to be made, and, therefore, I think you had better be removed to some otherhiding-place. "

"Deliver me up without more ado, I pray you, Nicholas, " said the lady. 

"You know my resolution on that point, madam, " he replied, "and, therefore, it is idle to attempt to shake it. For your daughter's sake, if not for your own, I will save you, in spite of yourself. You wouldnot fix a brand for ever on Alizon's name; you would not destroy her?"

"I would not, " replied the wretched lady. "But have you heard fromher--have you seen her? Tell me, is she well and happy?"

"She is well, and would be happy, were it not for her anxiety aboutyou, " replied Nicholas, evasively. "But for her sake--mine--your own--Imust urge you to seek some other place of refuge to night, for if youare discovered here you will bring ruin on us all. "

"I will no longer debate the point, " replied Mistress Nutter. "Whereshall I go?"

"There is one place of absolute security, but I do not like to mentionit, " replied Nicholas. "Yet still, as it will only be necessary toremain for a day or two, till the search is over, when you can returnhere, it cannot much matter. "

"Where is it?" asked Mistress Nutter. 

"Malkin Tower, " answered the squire, with some hesitation. 

"I will never go to that accursed place, " cried the lady. "Send me hencewhen you will--now, or at midnight--and let me seek shelter on the bleakfells or on the desolate moors, but bid me not go there!"

"And yet it is the best and safest place for you, " returned Nicholas, somewhat testily; "and for this reason, that, being reputed to behaunted, no one will venture to molest you. As to Mother Demdike, Isuppose you are not afraid of her ghost; and if the evil beings youapprehend were able or inclined to do you mischief, they would not waittill you got there to execute their purpose. "

"True, " said Mistress Nutter, "I was wrong to hesitate. I will go. "

"You will be as safe there as here--ay, and safer, " rejoined Nicholas, "or I would not urge the retreat upon you. I am about to ride over toMiddleton this morning to see your daughter and Richard Assheton, andshall sleep at Whalley, so that I shall not be able to accompany you tothe tower to-night; but old Crouch the huntsman shall be in waiting foryou, as soon as it grows dusk, in the summer-house, with which, as youknow, the secret staircase connected with this room communicates, and heshall have a horse in readiness to take you, together with such mattersas you may require, to the place of refuge. Heaven guard you, madam!"

"Amen!" responded the lady. 

"And now farewell!" said Nicholas. "I shall hope to see you back againere many days be gone, when your quietude will not again be disturbed. "

So saying, he stepped back, and, passing through the panel, closed itafter him. 

CHAPTER III. --MIDDLETON HALL. 

Middleton Hall, the residence of Sir Richard Assheton, was a largequadrangular structure, built entirely of timber, and painted externallyin black and white checker-work, fanciful and varied in design, in thestyle peculiar to the better class of Tudor houses in South Lancashireand Cheshire. Surrounded by a deep moat, supplied by a neighbouringstream, and crossed by four drawbridges, each faced by a gateway, thisvast pile of building was divided into two spacious courts, one of whichcontained the stables, barns, and offices, while the other was reservedfor the family and the guests by whom the hospitable mansion was almostconstantly crowded. In the last-mentioned part of the house was a greatgallery, with deeply embayed windows filled with painted glass, a floorof polished oak, walls of the same dark lustrous material, hung withportraits of stiff beauties, some in ruff and farthingale, and some in acostume of an earlier period among whom was Margaret Barton, who broughtthe manor of Middleton into the family; frowning warriors, beginningwith Sir Ralph Assheton, knight-marshal of England in the reign ofEdward IV. , and surnamed "the black of Assheton-under-line, " the founderof the house, and husband of Margaret Barton before mentioned, andending with Sir Richard Assheton, grandfather of the present owner ofthe mansion, and one of the heroes of Flodden; grave lawyers, or graverdivines--a likeness running through all, and showing they belonged toone line--a huge carved mantelpiece, massive tables of walnut or oak, and black and shining as ebony, set round with high-backed chairs. Here, also, above stairs, there were long corridors looking out throughlattices upon the court, and communicating with the almost countlessdormitories; while, on the floor beneath, corresponding passages led toall the principal chambers, and terminated in the grand entrance hall, the roof of which being open and intersected by enormous rafters, andcrooks of oak, like the ribs of some "tall ammiral, " was thought fromthis circumstance, as well as from its form, to resemble "a ship turnedupside down. " The lower beams were elaborately carved and ornamentedwith gilded bosses and sculptured images, sustaining shields emblazonedwith the armorial bearings of the Asshetons. As many as three hundredmatchlocks, in good and serviceable condition, were ranged round theentrance-hall, besides corselets, Almayne rivets, steel caps, and otheraccoutrements; this stand of arms having been collected by Sir Richard'spredecessor, during the military muster made in the country in 1574, when he had raised and equipped a troop of horse for Queen Elizabeth. Outside the mansion was a garden, charmingly laid out in parterres andwalks, and not only carried to the edge of the moat, but continuedbeyond it till it reached a high knoll crowned with beech-trees. A crestof tall twisted chimneys, a high roof with quaintly carved gables, surmounted by many gilt vanes, may serve to complete the picture ofMiddleton Hall. 

On a lovely summer evening, two young persons of opposite sexes wereseated on a bench placed at the foot of one of the largest and mostumbrageous of the beech-trees crowning the pleasant eminence beforementioned; and though differing in aspect and character, the one beingexcessively fair, with tresses as light and fleecy as the clouds abovethem, and eyes as blue and tender as the skies--and the otherdistinguished by great manly beauty, though in a totally differentstyle; still there was a sufficiently strong likeness between them, toproclaim them brother and sister. Profound melancholy pervaded thecountenance of the young man, whose handsome brow was clouded bycare--while the girl, though sad, seemed so only from sympathy. 

They were conversing together in deep and earnest tones, showing howgreatly they were interested; and, as they proceeded, many aninvoluntary sigh was heaved by Richard Assheton, while a tear, more thanonce, dimmed the brightness of his sister's eyes, and her hand sought byits gentle pressure to re-assure him. 

They were talking of Alizon, of her peculiar and distressing situation, and of the young man's hopeless love for her. She was the general themeof their discourse, for Richard's sole comfort was in pouring forth hisgriefs into his sister's willing ear; but new causes of anxiety had beengiven them by Nicholas, who had arrived that afternoon, bringingintelligence of James Device's capture, and of his threats againstMistress Nutter. The squire had only just departed, having succeeded inthe twofold object of his visit--which was, firstly, to borrow threehundred pounds from his cousin--and, secondly, to induce him to attendthe meeting at Hoghton Tower. With the first request Richard willinglycomplied, and he assented, though with some reluctance, to the second, provided nothing of serious moment should occur in the interim. Nicholastried to rally him on his despondency, endeavouring to convince him allwould come right in time, and that his misgivings were causeless; buthis arguments were ineffectual, and he was soon compelled to desist. Thesquire would fain also have seen Alizon, but, understanding she alwaysremained secluded in her chamber till eventide, he did not press thepoint. Richard urged him to stay over the night, alleging the length ofthe ride, and the speedy approach of evening, as inducements to him toremain; but on this score the squire was resolute--and having carefullysecured the large sum of money he had obtained beneath his doublet, hemounted his favourite steed, Robin, who seemed as fresh as if he had notachieved upwards of thirty miles that morning, and rode off. 

Richard watched him cross the drawbridge, and take the road towardsRochdale, and, after exchanging a farewell wave of the hand with him, returned to the hall and sought out his sister. 

Dorothy was easily persuaded to take a turn in the garden with herbrother, and during their walk he confided to her all he had heard fromNicholas. Her alarm at Jem Device's threat was much greater than hisown; and, though she entertained a strong and unconquerable aversion toMistress Nutter, and could not be brought to believe in the sincerity ofher penitence, still, for Alizon's sake, she dreaded lest any harmshould befall her, and more particularly desired to avoid the disgracewhich would be inflicted by a public execution. Alizon she was surewould not survive such a catastrophe, and therefore, at all risks, itmust be averted. 

Richard did not share, to the same extent, in her apprehensions, becausehe had been assured by Nicholas that Mistress Nutter would be removed toa place of perfect security, and because he was disposed, with thesquire, to regard the prisoner's threats as mere ravings of impotentmalice. Still he could not help feeling great uneasiness. Vague fears, too, beset him, which he found it in vain to shake off, but he did notcommunicate them to his sister, as he knew the terrifying effect theywould have upon her timid nature; and he, therefore, kept the mentalanguish he endured to himself, hoping erelong it would diminish inintensity. But in this he was deceived, for, instead of abating, hisgloom and depression momently increased. 

Almost unconsciously, Richard and his sister had quitted the garden, proceeding with slow and melancholy steps to the beech-crowned knoll. The seat they had chosen was a favourite one with Alizon, and she camethither on most evenings, either accompanied by Dorothy or alone. Hereit was that Richard had more than once passionately besought her tobecome his bride, receiving on both occasions a same meek yet firmrefusal. To Dorothy also, who pleaded her brother's cause with all theeloquence and fervour of which she was mistress, Alizon replied that heraffections were fixed upon Richard; but that, while her mother lived, and needed her constant prayers, they must not be withheld; and that, looking upon any earthly passion as a criminal interference with thisparamount duty, she did not dare to indulge it. Dorothy represented toher that the sacrifice was greater than she was called upon to make, that her health was visibly declining, and that she might fall a victimto her over-zeal; but Alizon was deaf to her remonstrances, as she hadbeen to the entreaties of Richard. 

With hearts less burthened, the contemplation of the scene before themcould not have failed to give delight to Richard and his sister, and, even amid the adverse circumstances under which it was viewed, itsbeauty and tranquillity produced a soothing influence. 

Evening was gradually stealing on, and all the exquisite tints markingthat delightful hour, were spreading over the landscape. The sun wassetting gorgeously, and a flood of radiance fell upon the old mansionbeneath them, and upon the grey and venerable church, situated on a hilladjoining it. The sounds were all in unison with the hour, and thelowing of cattle, the voices of the husbandmen returning from theirwork, mingled with the cawing of the rooks newly alighted on the hightrees near the church, told them that bird, man, and beast were seekingtheir home for the night. But though Richard's eye dwelt upon the fairgarden beneath him, embracing all its terraces, green slopes, and trimpastures; though it fell upon the moat belting the hall like aglittering zone; though it rested upon the church tower; and, roamingover the park beyond it, finally settled upon the range of hillsbounding the horizon, which have not inaptly been termed the EnglishApennines; though he saw all these things, he thought not of them, neither was he conscious of the sounds that met his ear, and which allspoke of rest from labour, and peace. Darker and deeper grew hismelancholy. He began to persuade himself he was not long for this world;and, while gazing upon the beautiful prospect before him, was perhapslooking upon it for the last time. 

For some minutes Dorothy watched him anxiously, and at last receiving noanswer to her questions, and alarmed by the expression of hiscountenance, she flung her arms round his neck, and burst into tears. Itwas now Richard's turn to console her, and he inquired with much anxietyas to the cause of this sudden outburst of grief. 

"You yourself are the cause of it, dear Richard, " replied Dorothy, regarding him with brimming eyes; "I cannot bear to see you so unhappy. If you suffer this melancholy to grow upon you, it will affect both mindand body. Just now your countenance wore an expression most distressingto look upon. Try to smile, dear Richard, if only to cheer me, or else Ishall grow as sad as you. Ah, me! I have known the day, and not longsince either, when on a pleasant summer evening like this you wouldpropose a stroll into the park with me; and, when there, would tripalong the glades as fleetly as a deer, and defy me to catch you. But youalways took care I should, though--ha! ha! Come, there is a littleattempt at a smile. That's something. You look more like yourself now. How happy we used to be in those days, to be sure!--and how merry! Youwould make the courts ring with your blithe laughter, and wellnigh killme with your jests. If love is to make one mope like an owl, and sighlike the wind through a half-shut casement; if it is to cause one tolose one's rosy complexion and gay spirit, and forget how to dance andsing--take no pleasure in hawking and hunting, or any kind ofsport--walk about with eyes fixed upon the ground, muttering, and withdisordered attire--if it is to make one silent when one should betalkative, grave when one should be gay, heedless when one shouldlisten--if it is to do all this, defend me from the tender passion! Ihope I shall never fall in love. "

"I hope you never will, dear Dorothy, " replied Richard, pressing herhand affectionately, "if your love is to be attended with such unhappyresults as mine. I know not how it is, but I feel unusually despondentthis evening, and am haunted by a thousand dismal fancies. But I will domy best to dismiss them, and with your help no doubt I shall succeed. "

"There!--there was a smile in earnest!" cried Dorothy, brightening up. "Oh, Richard! I am quite happy now. And after all I do not see why youshould take such a gloomy view of things. I have no doubt there is agreat deal, a very great deal, of happiness in store for you andAlizon--I must couple her name with yours, or you will not allow it tobe happiness--if you can only be brought to think so. I am quite sure ofit; and you shall see how nicely I can make the matter out. As thus. Mistress Nutter is certain to die soon--such a wicked woman cannot livelong. Don't be angry with me for calling her wicked, Richard; but youknow I never can forget her unhallowed proceedings in the convent churchat Whalley, where I was so nearly becoming a witch myself. Well, as Iwas saying, she cannot live long, and when she goes--and Heaven grant itmay be soon!--Alizon, no doubt, will mourn for her though I shall not, and after a decent interval--then, Richard, then she will no longer sayyou nay, but will make you happy as your wife. Nay, do not look so sadagain, dear brother. I thought I should make you quite cheerful by thepicture I was drawing. "

"It is because I fear it will never be realized that I am sad, Dorothy, "replied Richard. "My own anticipations are the opposite of yours, andpaint Alizon sinking into an early grave before her mother; while as tomyself, if such be the case, I shall not long survive her. "

"Nay, now you will make me weep again, " cried Dorothy, her tears flowingafresh. "But I will not allow you to indulge such gloomy ideas, Richard. If I seriously thought Mistress Nutter likely to occasion all this freshmischief, I would cause her to be delivered up to justice, and hangedout of the way. You may look cross at me, but I would. What is an oldwitch like her, compared with two young handsome persons, dying for loveof each other, and yet not able to marry on her account?"

"Dorothy, Dorothy, you must put some restraint on your tongue, " saidRichard; "you give it sadly too much licence. You forget it is the wishof the unhappy lady you refer to, to expiate her offences at the stake, and that it is only out of consideration to her daughter that she hasbeen induced to remain in concealment. What will be the issue of it all, I dare scarcely conjecture. Wo to her, I fear! Wo to Alizon! Wo to me!"

"Alas! Richard, that you should link yourself to her fate!" exclaimedDorothy, half mournfully, half reproachfully. 

"I cannot help it, " he replied. "It is my destiny--a deplorable destiny, if you will--but not to be avoided. That Mistress Nutter will escape theconsequences of her crimes, I can scarcely believe. Her penitence isprofound and sincere, and that is a great consolation; for I trust shewill not perish, body and soul. I should wish her to have some spiritualassistance, but this Nicholas will not for the present permit, allegingthat no churchman would consent to screen her from justice when hebecame aware, as he must by her confession, of the nature and magnitudeof her offences. This may be true; but when the wretches who have beenleagued with her in iniquity are disposed of, the reason will no longerexist, and I will see that she is cared for. But, apart from her mother, I have another source of anxiety respecting Alizon. It is this: ordershave been this day given for the arrest of Elizabeth Device and herdaughter, Jennet, and Alizon will be the chief witness against them. This will be a great trouble to her. "

"Undoubtedly, " rejoined Dorothy, with much concern. "But can it not beavoided?"

"I fear not, " said Richard, "and I blamed Nicholas much for hisprecipitancy in giving the order; but he replied he had been held uplatterly as a favourer of witches, and must endeavour to redeem hischaracter by a display of severity. Were it not for Alizon, I shouldrejoice that the noxious brood should at last be utterly exterminated. "

"And so should I, in good sooth, " responded Dorothy. "As to ElizabethDevice, she is bad enough for any thing, and capable of almost anymischief: but she is nothing to Jennet, who, I am persuaded, wouldbecome a second Mother Demdike if her career were not cut short. Youhave seen the child, and know what an ill-favoured, deformed littlecreature she is, with round high shoulders, eyes set strangely in herface, and such a malicious expression--oh! I shudder to think of it. "

And she covered her face with her hands, as if to shut out someunpleasant object. 

"Poor, predestined child of sin, branded by nature from her birth, andcharged with wicked passions, as the snake with venom, I cannot but pityher!" exclaimed Richard. "Compassion is entirely thrown away, " he added, with a sudden change of manner, and as if trying to shake off aweakness. "The poisonous fruit must, however, be nipped in the bud. Better she should perish now, even though comparatively guiltless, thanhereafter with a soul stained with crime, like her mother. "

As he concluded, he put his hand quickly to his side, for a sharp andsudden pang shot through his heart; and so acute was the pain, that, after struggling against it for a moment, he groaned deeply, and wouldhave fallen, if his sister, greatly alarmed, and with difficultyrepressing a scream, had not lent him support. 

Neither of them were aware of the presence of a little girl, who hadapproached the place where they were sitting, with footsteps so lightthat the grass scarcely seemed to bend beneath them, and who, ensconcingherself behind the tree, drank in their discourse with eager ears. Shewas attended by a large black cat, who, climbing the tree, placedhimself on a bough above her. 

During the latter part of the conversation, and when it turned upon thearrest of Jennet and her mother, the expression of the child'scountenance, malicious enough to begin with, became desperatelymalignant, and she was only restrained by certain signs from the cat, which appeared to be intelligible to her, from some act of mischief. Atlast even this failed, and before the animal could descend and checkher, she crept round the bole of the tree, so as to bring herself closeto Richard, and muttering a spell, made one or two passes behind hisback, touched him with the point of her finger, but so lightly that hewas unconscious of the pressure, and then hastily retreated with thecat, who glared furiously at her from his flaming orbs. 

It was at the moment she touched him that Richard felt as if an arrowwere quivering in his heart. 

Poor Dorothy's alarm was so great that she could not even scream forassistance, and she feared, if she quitted her brother, he would expirebefore her return; but the agony, though great, was speedily over, andas the spasm ceased, he looked up, and, with a faint smile, strove tore-assure her. 

"Do not be alarmed, " he said; "it is nothing--a momentaryfaintness--that is all. "

But the damp upon his brow, and the deathly hue of his cheek, contradicted the assertion, and showed how much he had endured. "It wasmore than momentary faintness, dear Richard, " replied Dorothy. "It was afrightful seizure--so frightful that I almost feared; but no matter--youknow I am easily alarmed. Thank God! here is some colour coming intoyour cheeks. You are better now, I see. Lean upon me, and let us returnto the house. "

"I can walk unassisted, " said Richard, rising with an effort. 

"Do not despise my feeble aid, " replied Dorothy, taking his arm underher own. "You will be quite well soon. "

"I am quite well now, " said Richard, halting after he had advanced a fewpaces, "The attack is altogether passed. Do you not see Alizon comingtowards us? Not a word of this sudden seizure to her. Do you mind, Dorothy?"

Alizon was soon close behind them, and though, in obedience to Richard'sinjunctions, no allusion was made to his recent illness, she at onceperceived he was suffering greatly, and with much solicitude inquiredinto the cause. Richard avoided giving a direct answer, and, immediatelyentering upon Nicholas's visit, tried to divert her attention fromhimself. 

So great a change had been wrought in Alizon's appearance and mannerduring the last few weeks, that she could scarcely be recognised. Stillbeautiful as ever, her beauty had lost its earthly character, and hadbecome in the highest degree spiritualised and refined. Humility ofdeportment and resignation of look, blended with an expression ofreligious fervour, gave her the appearance of one of the early martyrs. Unremitting ardour in the pursuance of her devotional exercises by day, and long vigils at night, had worn down her frame, and robbed it of someof its grace and fulness of outline; but this attenuation had a charm ofits own, and gave a touching interest to her figure, which was wantingbefore. If her check was thinner and paler, her eyes looked larger andbrighter, and more akin to the stars in splendour; and if she appearedless childlike, less joyous, less free from care, the want of thesequalities was more than counterbalanced by increased gentleness, resignation, and serenity. 

Deeply interested in all Richard told her of her mother, she was greatlyconcerned to hear of the intended arrest of Elizabeth and Jennet Device, especially the latter. For this unhappy and misguided child she had onceentertained the affection of a sister, and it could not but be a sourceof grief to her to reflect upon her probable fate. 

Little more passed between them, for Richard, feeling his strength againfail him, was anxious to reach the house, and Dorothy was quite unequalto conversation. They parted at the door, and as Alizon, after takingleave of her friends, turned to continue her walk in the garden, Richardstaggered into the entrance-hall, and sank upon a chair. 

Alizon desired to be alone, for she did not wish to have a witness tothe grief that overpowered her, and which, when she had gained a retiredpart of the garden, where she supposed herself free from allobservation, found relief in a flood of tears. 

For some minutes she was a prey to violent and irrepressible emotion, and had scarcely regained a show of composure, when she heard herselfaddressed, as she thought, in the voice of the very child whose unluckyfate she was deploring. Looking round in surprise, and seeing no one, she began to think fancy must have cheated her, when a low maliciouslaugh, arising from a shrubbery near her, convinced her that Jennet washidden there. And the next moment the little girl stepped from out thetrees. 

Alizon's first impulse was to catch the child in her arms, and press herto her bosom; but there was something in Jennet's look that deterredher, and so embarrassed her, that she was unable to bestow upon her theordinary greeting of affection, or even approach her. 

Jennet seemed to enjoy her confusion, and laughed spitefully. 

"Yo dunna seem ower glad to see me, sister Alizon, " said Jennet, atlength. 

"_Sister_ Alizon!" There was something in the term that now jarred uponthe young girl's ears, but she strove to conquer the feeling, asunworthy of her. 

"She was once my sister, " she thought, "and shall be so still. I willsave her, if it be possible. " "Jennet, " she added aloud, "I know notwhat chance brings you here, and though I may not give you the welcomeyou expect, I am rejoiced to see you, because I may be the means ofserving you. Do not be alarmed at what I am going to tell you. Thedanger I hope is passed, or at all events may be avoided. Your libertyis threatened, and at the very moment I see you here I was lamentingyour supposed condition as a prisoner. "

Jennet laughed louder and more spitefully than before, and looked solike a little fury that Alizon's blood ran cold at the sight of it. 

"Ey knoa it aw, sister Alizon, " she cried, "an that is why ey ha cum'dhere. Brother Jem is a pris'ner i' Whalley Abbey. Mother is a pris'nertheere, too. An ey should ha kept em company, if Tib hadna brought meoff. Now, listen to me, Alizon, fo' this is my bus'ness wi' yo. Yo munget mother an Jem out to-neet--eigh, to-neet. Yo con do it, if yo win. An onless yo do--boh ey winna threaten till ey get yer answer. "

"How am I to set them free?" asked Alizon, greatly alarmed. 

"Yo need only say the word to young Ruchot Assheton, an the job's done, "replied Jennet. 

"I refuse--positively refuse to do so!" rejoined Alizon, indignantly. 

"Varry weel, " cried Jennet, with a look of concentrated malice and fury;"then tak the consequences. They win be ta'en to Lonkester Castle, anlose their lives theere. Bo ye shan go, too--ay, an be brunt os awitch--a witch--d'ye mark, wench? eh!"

"I defy your malice!" cried Alizon. 

"Defy me!" screamed Jennet. "What, ho! Tib!"

And at the call the huge black cat sprang from out the shrubbery. 

"Tear her flesh from her bones!" cried the little girl, pointing toAlizon, and stamping furiously on the ground. 

Tib erected his back, and glared like a tiger, but he seemed unwillingor unable to obey the order. 

Alizon, who had completely recovered her courage, regarded him fixedly, and apparently without terror. 

"Whoy dusna seize her, an tear her i' pieces?" cried the infuriatedchild. 

"He dares not--he has no power over me, " said Alizon. "Oh, Jennet! casthim off. Your wicked agent appears to befriend you now, but he will leadyou to certain destruction. Come with me, and I will save you. "

"Off!" cried Jennet, repelling her with furious gestures. "Off! ey winnage wi' ye. Ey winna be saved, os yo term it. Ey hate yo more than ever, an wad strike yo dead at my feet, if ey could. Boh as ey conna do it, eywin find some other means o' injurin' ye. Soh look to yersel, proudledy--look to yersel? Ey ha already smitten you in a place where ye winfeel it sore, an ey win repeat the blow. Ey now leave yo, boh we shanmeet again. Come along, Tib!"

So saying, she sprang into the shrubbery, followed by the cat, leavingAlizon appalled by her frightful malignity. 

[Illustration: ALIZON DEFIES JENNET. ]

CHAPTER IV. --THE GORGE OF CLIVIGER. 

The sun had already set as Nicholas Assheton reached Todmorden, then avery small village indeed, and alighting at a little inn near thechurch, found the ale so good, and so many boon companions assembled todiscuss it, that he would fain have tarried with them for an hour or so;but prudence, for once, getting the better of inclination, andsuggesting that he had fifteen or sixteen miles still to ride, over arough and lonely road, part of which lay through the gorge of Cliviger, a long and solitary pass among the English Apennines, and, moreover, hada large sum of money about him, he tore himself away by a great effort. 

On quitting the smiling valley of Todmorden, and drawing near thedangerous defile before mentioned, some misgivings crossed him, and healmost reproached himself with foolhardiness in venturing within it atsuch an hour, and wholly unattended. Several recent cases of robbery, some of them attended by murder, had occurred within the pass; and thesenow occurred so forcibly to the squire, that he was half inclined toride back to Todmorden, and engage two or three of the topers he hadleft at the inn to serve him as an escort as far as Burnley, but hedismissed the idea almost as soon as formed, and, casting one look atthe green and woody slopes around him, struck spurs into Robin, anddashed into the gorge. 

On the right towered a precipice, on the bare crest of which stood aheap of stones piled like a column--the remains, probably, of a cairn. On this commanding point Nicholas perceived a female figure, dilated togigantic proportions against the sky, who, as far as he coulddistinguish, seemed watching him, and making signs to him, apparently togo back; but he paid little regard to them, and soon afterwards lostsight of her. 

Precipitous and almost inaccessible rocks, of every variety of form andhue; some springing perpendicularly up like the spire of a church, others running along in broken ridges, or presenting the appearance ofhigh embattled walls; here riven into deep gullies, there opening intowild savage glens, fit spots for robber ambuscade; now presenting a fairsmooth surface, now jagged, shattered, shelving, roughened withbrushwood; sometimes bleached and hoary, as in the case of the pinnacledcrag called the White Kirk; sometimes green with moss or grey withlichen; sometimes, though but rarely, shaded with timber, as in theapproach to the cavern named the Earl's Bower; but generally bold andnaked, and sombre in tint as the colours employed by the savage Rosa. Such were the distinguishing features of the gorge of Cliviger whenNicholas traversed it. Now the high embankments and mighty arches of arailway fill up its recesses and span its gullies; the roar of theengine is heard where the cry of the bird of prey alone resounded; andclouds of steam usurp the place of the mist-wreaths on its crags. 

Formerly, the high cliffs abounded with hawks; the rocks echoed withtheir yells and screeches, and the spots adjoining their nestsresembled, in the words of the historian of the district, Whitaker, "little charnel-houses for the bones of game. " Formerly, also, on someinaccessible point built the rock-eagle, and reared its brood from yearto year. The gaunt wolf had once ravaged the glens, and the sly fox andfierce cat-a-mountain still harboured within them. Nor were those theonly objects of dread. The superstitious declared the gorge was hauntedby a frightful, hirsute demon, yclept Hobthurst. 

The general savage character of the ravine was relieved by some spots ofexquisite beauty, where the traveller might have lingered with delight, if apprehension of assault from robber, or visit from Hobthurst, had noturged him on. Numberless waterfalls, gushing from fissures in the hills, coursed down their seamy sides, looking like threads of silver as theysprang from point to point. One of the most beautiful of these cascades, issuing from a gully in the rocks near the cavern called the Earl'sBower, fell, in rainy seasons, in one unbroken sheet of a hundred andfifty feet. Through the midst of the gorge ran a swift and brawlingstream, known by the appellation of the Calder; but it must not beconfounded with the river flowing past Whalley Abbey. The course of thisimpetuous current was not always restrained within its rocky channel, and when swollen by heavy rains, it would frequently invade the narrowcauseway running beside it, and, spreading over the whole width of thegorge, render the road almost impassable. 

Through this rocky and sombre defile, and by the side of the brawlingCalder, which dashed swiftly past him, Nicholas took his way. The hawkswere yelling overhead; the rooks were cawing on the topmost branches ofsome tall timber, on which they built; a raven was croaking lustily inthe wood; and a pair of eagles were soaring in the still glowing sky. 

By-and-by, the glen contracted, and a wall of steep rocks on either sidehemmed the shuddering traveller in. Instinctively, he struck spurs intohis horse, and accelerated his pace. 

The narrow glen expands, the precipices fall further back, and thetraveller breathes more freely. Still, he does not relax his speed, forhis imagination has been at work in the gloom, peopling his path withlurking robbers or grinning boggarts. He begins to fear he shall losehis gold, and execrates his folly for incurring such heedless risk. Butit is too late now to turn back. 

It grows rapidly dusk, and objects became less and less distinct, assuming fantastical and fearful forms. A blasted tree, clinging to arock, and thrusting a bare branch across the road, looks to the squirelike a bandit; and a white owl bursting from a bush, scares him as if ithad been Hobthurst himself. However, in spite of these and other alarms, for which he is indebted to excited fancy, he hurries on, and isproceeding at a thundering pace, when all at once his horse comes to astop, arrested by a tall female figure, resembling that seen near themountain cairn at the entrance of the gorge. 

Nicholas's blood ran cold, for though in this case he could notapprehend plunder, he was fearful of personal injury, for he believedthe woman to be a witch. Mustering up courage, however, he forced Robinto proceed. 

If his progress was meant to be barred, a better spot for the purposecould not have been selected. A narrow road, scarcely two feet in width, ran round the ledge of a tremendous crag, jutting so far into the glenthat it almost met the steep barrier of rocks opposite it. Between theseprecipitous crags dashed the river in a foaming cascade, nearly twelvefeet in height, and the steep narrow causeway winding beside it, asabove described, was rendered excessively slippery and dangerous fromthe constant cloud of spray arising from the fall. 

At the highest and narrowest point of the ledge, and occupying nearlythe whole of its space, with an overhanging rock on one side of her, anda roaring torrent on the other, stood the tall woman, determinedapparently, from her attitude and deportment, to oppose the squire'sfurther progress. As Nicholas advanced, he became convinced that it wasthe same person he had seen near the cairn; but, when her features grewdistinguishable, he found to his surprise that it was Nance Redferne. 

"Halloa! Nance, " he cried. "What are you doing here, lass, eh?"

"Cum to warn ye, squoire, " she replied; "yo once did me a sarvice, an eyhanna forgetten it. That's why I watched ye fro' the cairn cliffs, anmotioned ye to ge back. Boh ye didna onderstand my signs, or wouldnaheed 'em, so ey be cum'd here to stay ye. Yo're i' dawnger, ey tell ye. "

"In danger of what, my good woman?" demanded the squire uneasily. 

"O' bein' robbed, and plundered o' your gowd, " replied Nance; "there arefive men waitin' to set upon ye a mile further on, at the BowderStoans. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Nicholas; "they will get little for their pains. Ihave no money about me. "

"Dunna think to deceive me, squoire, " rejoined Nance; "ey knoa yo haborrowed three hundert punds i' gowd fro' yung Ruchot Assheton; an ossurely os ye ha it aw under your jerkin, so surely win yo lose it, if yodunna turn back, or ge on without me keepin' ye company. "

"I have no objection on earth to your company, Nance, " replied thesquire; "quite the contrary. But how the devil should these rascalsexpect me? And, above all, how should they conjecture I should come sowell provided? For, sooth to say, such is not ordinarily the case withme. "

"Ey knoa it weel, squoire, " replied Nance, with a laugh; boh they hareceived sartin information o' your movements. "

"There is only one person who could give them such information, " criedNicholas; "but I cannot, will not suspect him. "

"If yor're thinkin' o' Lawrence Fogg, yo're na far wide o' th' mark, squoire, " replied Nance. 

"What! Fogg leagued with robbers--impossible!" exclaimed Nicholas. 

"Neaw, it's nah so unpossible os aw that, " returned Nance; "yo 'n starewhen ey tell yo he has robbed yo mony a time without your being aware onit. Yo were onwise enough to send him round to your friends to borrowmoney for yo. "

"True, so I was. But, luckily, no one would lend me any, " said Nicholas. 

"There yo're wrong, squoire--fo' unluckily they aw did, " replied Nance, with a scarcely-suppressed laugh. "Roger Nowell gied him one hundred;Tummus Whitaker of Holme, another; Ruchot Parker o' Browsholme, another. An more i' th' same way. "

"And the rascal pocketed it all, and never brought me back onefarthing, " cried Nicholas, in a transport of rage. "I'll have himhanged--pshaw! hanging's too good for him. To deceive me, his friend, his benefactor, his patron, in such a manner; to dwell in my house, eatat my table, drink my wine, wear my habiliments, ride my horses, huntwith my hounds! Has the dog no conscience?"

"Varry little, ey'm afear'd, " replied Nance. 

"And the worst of it is, " continued the squire--new lights breaking uponhim, "I shall be liable for all the sums he has received. He was myconfidential agent, and the lenders will come upon me. It must be six orseven hundred pounds that he has obtained in this nefarious way. Zounds!I shall go mad. "

"Yo wur to blame fo' trustin him, squoire, " rejoined Nance. "Yo ought toha' made proper inquiries about him at first, an then yo'd ha' found outwhat sort o' chap he wur. Boh now ey'n tell ye. Lawrence Fogg is chiefo' a band o' robbers, an aw the black an villanous deeds done of late i'this place, ha' been parpetrated by his men. A poor gentleman wurmurdert by 'em i' this varry spot th' week efore last, an his body castinto t' river. Fogg, of course, had no hont in the fow deed, boh hewould na ha interfered to prevent it if he had bin here, fo' he neverscrupled shedding blood. An if he had bin content wi' robbin' yo, squoire, ey wadna ha betrayed him; boh when he proposed to cut yourthrottle, bekose, os he said, dead men tell neaw teles, ey could howdout nah longer, an resolved to gi' yo warnin. "

"What a monstrous and unheard-of villain!" cried the squire. "But is heone of the ambuscade?"

Nance replied in the affirmative. 

"Then, by heaven! I will confront him--I will hew him down, " pursuedNicholas, griping the hilt of his sword. 

"Neaw use, ey tell ye--yo'n be overpowert an kilt, " said Nance. "Tak mewi' yo, an ey'n carry yo safely through em aw; boh ge alone, or yo'nne'er see Downham again. An now it's reet ey should tell ye who LawrenceFogg really is. "

"What new wonder is in store for me?" cried Nicholas. "Who is he?"

"Maybe yo ha heerd tell that Mother Demdike had a son and a dowter, "replied Nance; "the dowter bein', of course, Elizabeth Device; and theson, Christopher Demdike, being supposed to be dead. Howsomever, this isnot the case, for Lawrence Fogg is he. "

"I guessed as much when you began, " cried Nicholas. "He has a cursedlybad look about the eyes--a damned Demdike physiognomy. What an infernalvillain the fellow must be! without a jot of natural feeling. Why, hehas this very day assisted at his nephew's capture, and caused his ownsister to be arrested. Oh, I have been properly duped! To lodge a son ofthat infernal hag in my house--feed him, clothe him, make him myfriend--take him, the viper! to my bosom! I have been rightly served. But he shall hang!--he shall hang! That is some consolation, thoughslight. But how do you know all this, Nance?"

"Dunna ax me, " she replied. "Whatever ey ha' been to ChristopherDemdike, ey bear him neaw love now; fo', as ey ha towd yo, he is ablack-hearted murtherin' villain. Boh lemme get up behind yo, an ey'nbring yo through scatheless. An to-morrow yo may arrest the whole bandat Malkin Tower. "

"Malkin Tower!" exclaimed the squire, in fresh surprise. "What, havethese robbers taken up their quarters there? This accounts for all thestrange sights said to have been seen there of late, and which I treatedas mere fables. But, ah! a terrible thought crosses me. What have Idone? Mistress Nutter will be there to-night. And I have sent her. Deathand destruction! she will fall into their hands. I must go there atonce. I cannot take any assistance with me. That would betray the poorlady. "

"If yo'n trust me, ey'n help yo through the difficulty, " replied Nance. 

"Get up then quickly, lass, since it must be so, " rejoined Nicholas. 

With this he moved forward, and giving her his hand, she was instantlyseated behind him upon Robin, who seemed no way incommoded by his doubleburthen, but dashed down the further side of the causeway, in answer toa sharp application of the spur. Passing her arms round the squire'swaist, Nance maintained her seat well; and in this way they rattledalong, heedless of the increasing difficulties of the road, or thefast-gathering gloom. 

The mile was quickly passed, and Nance whispered in the squire's earthat they were approaching the Boulder Stones. Presently they came to anarrow glen, half-filled with huge rocky fragments, detached from thetoppling precipices on either side, and forming an admirable place ofambuscade. One rock, larger than the rest, completely commanded thepass, and, as the squire advanced, a thundering voice from it called tohim to stay; and the injunction being disregarded, the barrel of a gunwas protruded from the bushes covering its brow, and a shot fired athim. Though well aimed, the ball struck the ground beneath his horse'sfeet, and Nicholas continued his way unmoved, while the faulty marksmanjumped down the crag. At the same time four other men started from theirplaces of concealment behind the stones, and, levelling their caliversat the fugitives, fired. The sharp discharges echoed along the gorge, and the shots rattled against the rocks, but none of them took effect, and Nicholas might have gone on without further hindrance; but, despiteNance's remonstrances, who urged him to go on, he pulled up to await thecoming of the person who had first challenged him. Scarcely an instantelapsed before he was beside the squire, and presented a petronel at hishead. Notwithstanding the gloom, Nicholas recognised him. 

"Ah! is it thou, accursed traitor?" cried Nicholas. "I could scarcelybelieve in thy villainy, but now I am convinced. "

"The jade you have got behind you has told you who I am, I see, " repliedFogg. "I will settle with her anon. But this will save furtherexplanations with you!"

And he discharged the petronel full at the squire. But the ballrebounded, as if his doublet had been quilted. It was in fact lined withgold. On seeing the squire unhurt, the robber captain uttered anexclamation of rage and astonishment. 

"You are mistaken, you see, perfidious villain, " cried Nicholas. "Youhave yet to render an account of all the wrongs you have done me, butmeantime you shall not pass unpunished. "

And as he spoke, he snatched the petronel from Fogg, and with thebut-end dealt him a tremendous blow on the head, felling him to theground. 

By this time the other robbers had descended from the rocks, and, seeingthe fall of their leader, rushed forward to avenge him, but Nicholas didnot tarry for any further encounter; but, fully satisfied with what hehad done, struck spurs into Robin, and galloped off. For a few minuteshe could hear the shouts of the men, but they soon afterwards died away. 

Little more than half the ravine had been traversed when the rencounterabove described took place; but, though the road was still difficult anddangerous, and rendered doubly so by the obscurity, no further hindranceoccurred till just as Nicholas was quitting the gloomy intricacies ofthe gorge, and approaching the more open country beyond it. At thispoint Robin fell, throwing both him and Nance, and when the animal roseagain he was found to be so much injured that it was impossible to mounthim. There was no resource but to proceed to Burnley, which was stillthree or four miles distant, on foot. 

In this dilemma, Nance volunteered to provide the squire with anothersteed, but he resolutely refused the offer. 

"No, no--none of your broomsticks for me, " he cried; "no devil'shorses--I don't know where they may carry me. My own legs must serve menow. I'll just take poor Robin out of the road, and then trudge off forBurnley as fast as I can. "

With this, he led the horse to a small green mead skirting the stream, and taking off his saddle and bridle, and depositing them carefullyunder a tree, he patted the animal on the neck, promising to return forhim on the morrow, and then set off at a brisk pace, with Nance walkingbeside him. They had not gone far, however, when the clattering of hoofswas heard behind them, and it was evident that several horsemen wererapidly approaching. Nance stopped, listened for a moment, and thendeclaring that it was Demdike and his band in pursuit, seized thesquire's arm and drew him out of the road, and under the shelter of somebushes of hazel. The robber captain could only have been stunned, itappeared; and, as soon as he had recovered from the effects of the blow, had mounted his horse, which was concealed, with those of his men, behind the rocks, and started after the fugitives. Such was theconstruction put upon the matter by Nance, and the event proved itcorrect. A loud shout from the horsemen, and a sudden halt, proclaimedthat poor Robin had been discovered; and this circumstance seemed togive great satisfaction to Demdike, who loudly declared that they werenow sure of overtaking the runaways. 

"They cannot be far off, " he cried; "but they will most likely attemptto hide themselves, so look well about you. "

So saying, he rode on, and it was evident from the noise, that the menimplicitly obeyed his injunctions. Nothing, however, was found, and eremany minutes Demdike came up, and glancing at the hazels, behind whichthe fugitives were hidden, he discharged a petronel into the largesttree, but as no movement followed the report, he said--

"I thought I saw something move here, but I suppose I was mistaken. Nodoubt they have got on further than we expected, or have retired intosome of the cloughs, in which case it will be useless to search forthem. However, we will make sure of them in this way. Two of you shallform an ambuscade near Holme and two further on within half a mile ofBurnley, and shall remain on the watch till dawn, so that you will besure to capture them, and when taken, make away with them withouthesitation. Unless my skull had been of the strongest, that butcherlysquire would have cracked it, so he shall have no grace from me; and asto that treacherous witch, Nance Redferne, she deserves death at ourhands, and she shall have her deserts. I have long suspected her, and, indeed, was a fool to trust one of the vile Chattox brood, who are allmy natural enemies--but no matter, I shall have my revenge. "

The men having promised compliance with their captain's command, he wenton--

"As to myself, " he said, "I shall go forthwith, and as fast as my horsecan carry me, to Malkin Tower, and I will tell you why. It is not that Idislike the game we are upon, but I have better to play just now. TomShaw, the cock-master at Downham, who is in my pay, rode over to Whalleythis afternoon, to bring me word that a certain lady, who has long beenconcealed in the Manor-house, will be taken to Malkin Tower to-night. The intelligence is certain, for he had obtained it from Old Crouch, thehuntsman, who is to escort her. Thus, Mistress Nutter, for you all knowwhom I mean, will fall naturally into our hands, and we can wring anysums of money we like out of her; for though she has abandoned herproperty to her daughter, Alizon, she can no doubt have as much as shewants, and I will take care she asks for plenty, or I will try theeffect of some of those instruments of torture which I was lucky enoughto find in the dungeons of Malkin Tower, and which were used for a likepurpose by my predecessor, Blackburn, the freebooter. Are you content, my lads?"

"Ay, ay, Captain Demdike, " they replied. 

Upon this the whole party set forward, and were speedily out of hearing. As soon as they thought it prudent to come forth, the squire and Nanceemerged from their place of shelter. 

"What is to be done?" exclaimed the former, who was almost in a state ofdistraction. "The villain has announced his intention of going to MalkinTower, and Mistress Nutter will assuredly fall into his hands. Oh! thatI could stop him, or get there before him!"

"Yo shan, if yo like to ride wi' me, " said Nance. 

"But how--in what way?" asked Nicholas. 

"Leave that to me, " replied Nance, breaking off a long branch of hazel. "Tak howld o' this, " she cried. 

The squire obeyed, and was instantly carried off his legs, and whiskedthrough the air at a prodigious rate. 

He felt giddy and confused, but did not dare to leave go, lest he shouldbe dashed in pieces, while Nance's wild laughter rang in his ears. 

Over the bleached and perpendicular crag--startling the eagle from hiseyry--over the yawning gully with the torrent roaring beneath him--overthe sharp ridges of the hill--over Townley park--over Burnleysteeple--over the wide valley beyond, he went--until at last, bewildered, out of breath, and like one in a dream, he alighted on abrown, bare, heathy expanse, and within a hundred yards of a tall, circular stone structure, which he knew to be Malkin Tower. 

CHAPTER V. --THE END OF MALKIN TOWER. 

The shades of night had fallen on Downham manor-house, and with anaching heart, and a strong presentiment of ill, Mistress Nutter preparedto quit the little chamber which had sheltered her for more than twomonths, and where she would willingly have breathed her latest sigh, ifit had been so permitted her. Closing the Bible she had been reading, she placed the sacred volume under her arm, and taking up a smallbundle, containing her slender preparations for travel, extinguished thetaper, and then descending by a secret staircase, passed through a door, fashioned externally like a cupboard, and entered a summer-house, whereshe found old Crouch awaiting her. 

A few whispered words only passed between her and the huntsman, andinforming her that the horses were in waiting at the back of the garden, he took the bundle from her, and would fain have relieved her also ofthe Bible, but she would not part with it, and pressing it more closelyto her bosom, said she was quite ready to attend him. 

It was a beautiful, starlight night; the air soft and balmy, and ladenwith the perfume of the flowers. A nightingale was singing plaintivelyin an adjoining tree, and presently came a response equally tender fromanother part of the grove. Mistress Nutter could not choose but listen, and the melody so touched her that she was half suffocated by repressedemotion, for, alas! the relief of tears was denied her. 

Motioning her somewhat impatiently to come on, Crouch struck into asombre alley, edged by clipped yew-trees, and terminating in aplantation, through which a winding path led to the foot of the hillwhereon the mansion was situated. By daylight this was a beautiful walk, affording exquisite glimpses through the trees of the surroundingscenery, and commanding a noble view of Pendle Hill, the dominant pointin the prospect. But even now to the poor lady, so long immured in hercell-like chamber, and deprived of many of nature's choicest blessings, it appeared delightful. The fresh air, redolent of new-mown hay, fannedher pale cheek and feverish brow, and allayed her agitation andexcitement. The perfect stillness, broken only by the lowing of thecattle in the adjoining pastures, by the drowsy hum of the dor-fly, orthe rippling of the beck in the valley, further calmed her; and thesoothing influence was completed by a contemplation of the sereneheavens, wherein were seen the starry host, with the thin brightcrescent of the new moon in the midst of them, diffusing a pearly lightaround her. One blot alone appeared in the otherwise smiling sky, andthis was a great, ugly, black cloud lowering over the summit of PendleHill. 

Mistress Nutter noticed the portentous cloud, and noticed also itsshadow on the hill, which might have been cast by the Fiend himself, solike was it to a demoniacal shape with outstretched wings; but, thoughshuddering at the idea it suggested, she would not suffer it to obtainpossession of her mind, but resolutely fixed her attention on other andmore pleasing objects. 

By this time they had reached the foot of the hill, and a gate admittedthem to a road running by the side of Downham beck. Here they found thehorses in charge of a man in the dark red livery of Nicholas Assheton, and who was no other than Tom Shaw, the rascally cock-master. Deliveringthe bridles to Crouch, the knave hastily strode away, but he lingered ata little distance to see the lady mount; and then leaping the hedge, struck through the plantation towards the hall, chinking the money inhis pockets as he went, and thinking how cleverly he had earned it. Buthe did not go unpunished; for it is a satisfaction to record that, inwalking through the woods, he was caught in a gin placed there byCrouch, which held him fast in its iron teeth till morning, when he wasdiscovered by one of the under-keepers while going his rounds, in adeplorable condition, and lamed for life. 

Meanwhile, unconscious either of the manner in which she had beenbetrayed, or of the punishment awaiting her betrayer, Mistress Nutterfollowed her conductor in silence. For a while the road continued by theside of the brook, and then quitting it, commenced a long and tediousascent, running between high banks fringed with trees. The overhangingboughs rendered it so dark that Mistress Nutter could scarcelydistinguish the old huntsman, though he was not many yards in advance ofher, but she heard the tramp of his horse, and that was enough. 

All at once, where the boughs were thickest, and the road darkest, sheperceived a small fiery object on the bank, and in her alarm called outto the huntsman, who, looking back for a moment, laughed, and told hernot to be uneasy, for it was only a glow-worm. Ashamed of her idle fearsshe rode on, but had not proceeded far, when, looking again at the bank, she saw it studded with the same lights. This time she did not call outor scream, but gazed steadily at the twinkling fires, hoping to get thebetter of her fears. Her alarm, however, rose to absolute terror, as shebeheld the glow-worms--if glow-worms they were--twist together and formthemselves into a flaming brand, such as she had seen in her vision, grasped by the angel who had driven her from the gates of Paradise. 

Averting her gaze, she would have hastened on, but a hand suddenly laidupon her bridle, held back her horse; and she then perceived a tall darkman, mounted on a sable steed, riding beside her. The supernaturalcharacter of the horseman was manifest, inasmuch as no sound was causedby the tread of his steed, nor did he appear to be visible to Crouchwhen the latter looked back. Mistress Nutter maintained her seat withdifficulty. She well knew who was her companion. 

"Soh, Alice Nutter, " said the horseman at length, in a low deep tone, "you have chosen to shut yourself up in a narrow cell, like a recluse, for more than two months, denying yourself all sort of enjoyment, practising severest abstinence, and passing your whole time in uselessprayer--ay, useless, for if you were to pray from now tilldoomsday--come when it will, a thousand years hence, or to-morrow--itwill not save you. When you signed that bond to my master, sentence wasrecorded against you, and no power can recall it. Why, then, theseunavailing lamentations? Why utter prayers which are rejected, andsupplications which are scorned? Shake off this weakness, Alice, and beyourself again. Once you had pride enough, and a little of it would nowbe of service to you. You would then see the folly of this abjectconduct--humbling yourself to the dust only to be spurned, and suing formercy only to be derided. Pray as loud and as long as you will, the earsof Heaven will remain ever deaf to you. "

"I hope otherwise, " rejoined the lady, meekly. 

"Do not deceive yourself, " replied the horseman. "The term granted youby your compact will not be abridged, but it is your own fault if it benot extended. Your daughter is destroying herself in the vain hope ofsaving you. Her prayers are unavailing as your own, and recoil from theJudgment Throne unheard. The youth upon whom her affections are fixed isstricken with a deadly ailment. It is in your power to save them both. "

Mistress Nutter groaned deeply. 

"It is in your power, I say, to save them, " continued the horseman, "byreturning to your allegiance to your master. He will forgive yourdisobedience if you prove yourself zealous in his service; will restoreyou to your former worldly position; avenge you of your enemies; andaccomplish all you may desire with respect to your daughter. "

"He cannot do it, " replied Mistress Nutter. 

"Cannot!" echoed the horseman. "Try him! For many years I have servedyou as familiar; and you have never set me the task I have failed toexecute. I am ready to become your servant again, and to offer you a yetlarger range of control. Put no limits to your desires or ambition. Ifyou are tired of this narrow sphere, take a wider. Look abroad. But donot shut yourself up in a narrow cell, and persuade yourself you areaccomplishing your ultimate deliverance, when you are only wastingprecious time, which might be more advantageously and far more agreeablyemployed. While laughing at your folly, my master deplores it; and hehas, therefore, sent me as to one for whom notwithstanding allderelictions from duty, he has still a regard, with an offer of fullforgiveness, provided you return to him at once, and renew yourcovenant, proving your sincerity by casting from you the book you holdunder your arm. "

"Your snares are not laid subtle enough to catch me, " replied MistressNutter. "I will never part with this holy volume, which is my presentsafeguard, and on which I build my hopes of salvation--hopes which yourvery proposals have revived in my breast; for I am well assured yourmaster would not make them if he felt confident of his power over me. No; I defy him and you, and I command you in Heaven's name to get hence, and to tempt me no longer. "

As the words were uttered, with a howl of rage and mortification, likethe roar of a wild beast, the dark horseman and his steed vanished. Alarmed by the sound, Crouch stopped, and questioned the lady as to itscause; but receiving no satisfactory explanation from her, he bade herride quickly on, affirming it must be the boggart of the clough. 

Soon after this they again came upon Downham beck, and were about tocross it, when their purpose was arrested by a joyous barking, and thenext moment Grip came up. The dog, it appeared, had been shut up in thestable, his company not being desired on the expedition; but contrivingin some way or other to get out, he had scented his master's course, andin the end overtaken him. Crouch did not know whether to be angry orpleased, and at first gave utterance to an oath, and raised his whip tochastise him, but almost instantly the latter feeling predominated, andhe welcomed the faithful animal with a few kind words. 

"Ey suppose theaw thowt ey couldna do without thee, Grip, " he said, "andmayhap theaw'rt reet. "

They are now across the beck, and speeding over the wide brown waste. The huntsman warily shapes his course so as to avoid anylimestone-quarries or turf-pits. He points out a jack-o'-lantern dancingmerrily on the surface of a dangerous morass, and tells a dismal tale ofa traveller lured into it by the delusive light, and swallowed up. 

Mistress Nutter pays little heed to him, but ever and anon looks back, as if in dread of some one behind her. But no one is visible, and sheonly sees the great black cloud still hovering over Pendle Hill. 

On--on--they go; their horses' hoofs now splashing through the wet sod, now beating upon the firm but elastic turf. A merry ride it would be iftheir errand were different, and their hearts free from care. The air isfresh and reviving, and the rapid motion exhilarating. The stars shineout, and the crescent moon is still glittering in the heavens, but theblack cloud hangs motionless on Pendle Hill. 

Now and then some bird of night flies past them, and they hear thewhooping of the owl, and see him skimming like a ghost over the waste. Then more fen fires arise, showing that other treacherous quagmires areat hand; but Crouch skirts them safely. Now the bull-frog croaks in themarsh, and a deep booming tells of a bittern passing by. They see themighty bird above them, with his wide heavy wings and long neck. Griphowls at him, but is instantly checked by his master, and they gallopon. 

They are now by the side of Pendle Water, and within sight of Rough Lee. What tumultuous thoughts agitate the lady's breast! The ground shetramples on was once her own; the woods by the river side were plantedby her; the mansion before her once owned her as mistress, and now shedares not approach it. Nor does she desire to do so, for the sight of itbrings back terrible recollections, and fills her again with despair. 

They are now close upon it, and it appears dark, silent, and deserted. How different from what it was of yore in her husband's days--thehusband she had foully slain! Speed on, old huntsman!--lash your pantinghorse, or the remorseful lady will far outstrip you, for she rides as ifthe avenging furies were at her heels. 

She is rattling over the bridge, and Crouch, toiling after her, and withGrip toiling after him, shouts to her to moderate her pace. She looksback, and beholds the grim old house frowning full upon her, and hurrieson. Huntsman and dog are left behind for awhile, but the steep ascentsoon compels her to slacken speed, and they come up, Crouch swearinglustily, and Grip, with his tongue out of his mouth, limping as iffoot-sore. 

The road now leads through a thicket. The horses stumble frequently, forthe stones are loose, and the footing consequently uncertain. Crouch hasa fall, and ere he can remount the lady is gone. It is useless to hurryafter her, and he is proceeding slowly, when Grip, who is a little inadvance, growls fiercely, and looks back at his master, as if tointimate that danger is at hand. The huntsman presses on, but he is toolate, if, indeed, he could at any time have rendered effectualassistance. A clearing in the thicket shows him the lady dismounted, andsurrounded by several wild-looking men armed with calivers. Part of theband bear her shrieking off, and the rest fire at him, but withouteffect, and then chase him as far as the steepest part of the hill, down which he dashes, followed by Grip. Arrived at the bottom, he pausesto listen if he is pursued, and hearing nothing further to alarm him, debates with himself what is best to be done; and, not liking to alarmthe village, for that would be to betray Mistress Nutter, he gets offhis horse, ties him to a tree, and with Grip close at his heels, commences the ascent of the hill by a different road from that he hadpreviously taken. 

Meanwhile, Mistress Nutter's captors dragged her forcibly towards thetower. Their arms and appearance left her no doubt they weredepredators, and she sought to convince them she had neither money norvaluables in her possession. They laughed at her assertions, but made noother reply. Her sole consolation was, that they did not seek to depriveher of her Bible. 

On reaching the tower, a signal was given by one of the foremost of theband, and the steps being lowered from the high doorway, she wascompelled to ascend them, and being pushed along a short passage, obscured by a piece of thick tapestry, but which was drawn aside as sheadvanced, she found herself in a circular chamber, in the midst of whichwas a massive table covered with flasks and drinking-cups, and stainedwith wine. From the roof, which was crossed by great black beams of oak, was suspended a lamp with three burners, whose light showed that thewalls were garnished with petronels, rapiers, poniards, and othermurderous weapons; besides these there were hung from pegs longriding-cloaks, sombreros, vizards, and other robber accoutrements, including a variety of disguises, from the clown's frieze jerkin to thegentleman's velvet doublet, ready to be assumed on an emergency. Hereand there was an open valise, or a pair of saddle-bags with theircontents strewn about the floor, and on a bench were a dice-box andshuffle-board, showing, with the flasks and goblets on the table, howthe occupants of the tower passed their time. 

A steep ladder-like flight of steps led to the upper chamber, and downthese, at the very moment of Mistress Nutter's entrance, descended astalwart personage, who eyed her fiercely as he leapt upon the floor. There was something in the man's truculent physiognomy, and strange andoblique vision, that reminded her of Mother Demdike. 

"Welcome to Malkin Tower, madam, " said the robber with a grin, anddoffing his cap with affected courtesy. "We have met before, but it ismany years ago, and I dare say you have forgotten me. You will guess whoI am when I tell you my mother occupied this tower before me. "

Finding Mistress Nutter made no remark, he went on. 

"I am Christopher Demdike, madam--Captain Demdike, I should say. Thebrave fellows who have brought you hither are part of my band, and tilllately Northumberland and the borders of Scotland used to be our sceneof action; but chancing to hear of my worthy old mother's death, Ithought we could not do better than take possession of her stronghold, which devolved upon me by right of inheritance. Since our arrival herewe have kept ourselves very quiet, and the country folk, taking us forspirits or demons, never approach our hiding-place; while, as all ourdepredations are confined to distant parts, our retreat has never beensuspected. "

"This concerns me little, " observed Mistress Nutter, coldly. 

"Pardon me, madam, it concerns you much, as you will learn anon. But beseated, I pray you, " he said, with mock civility. "I am keeping youstanding all this while. "

But as the lady declined the attention, he went on. 

"I was fortunate enough, on first coming back to this part of thecountry, to pick up an acquaintance with your relative, NicholasAssheton, who invited me to stay with him at Downham, and was so wellpleased with my society that he could not endure to part with me. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Mistress Nutter, "are you the person he calledLawrence Fogg?"

"The same, " replied Demdike; "and no doubt you would hear a good reportof me, madam. Well, it suited my purpose to stay; for I was veryhospitably entertained by the squire, who, except being rather too muchaddicted to lectures and psalm-singing, is as pleasant a host as onecould desire; besides which, he was obliging enough to employ me toborrow money for him, and what I got, I kept, you may be sure. "

"I would willingly be spared the details of your knavery, " said MistressNutter, somewhat impatiently. 

"I am coming to an end, " rejoined Demdike, "and then, perhaps, you maywish I had prolonged them. All the squire's secrets were committed tome, and I was fully aware of your concealment in the hall, but I couldnever ascertain precisely where you were lodged. I meant to carry youoff, and only awaited the opportunity which has presented itselfto-night. "

"If you think to obtain money from me, you will find yourself mistaken, "said Mistress Nutter. "I have parted with all my possessions. "

"But to whom, madam?" cried Demdike, with a sinister smile--"to yourdaughter. And I am sure she is too gentle, too tender-hearted, to allowyou to suffer when she can relieve you. You must get us a good round sumfrom her or you will be detained here long. The dungeons are dark andunwholesome, and my band are apt to be harsh in their treatment ofcaptives. They have found in the vaults some instruments of torturebelonging to old Blackburn, the freebooter, the efficacy of which in anobstinate case I fear they might be inclined to try. You now begin tosee the drift of my discourse, madam, and understand the sort of menyou have to deal with--barbarous fellows, madam--inhuman dogs!"

And he laughed coarsely at his own jocularity. 

"It may put an end to this discussion, " said Mistress Nutter firmly, "ifI declare that no torture shall induce me to make any such demand frommy daughter. "

"You think, perhaps, I am jesting with you, madam, " rejoined Demdike. 

"Oh! no, I believe you capable of any atrocity, " replied the lady. "Youdo not, either in feature or deeds, belie your parentage. "

"Ah! say you so, madam?" cried Demdike. "You have a sharp tongue, Ifind. Courtesy is thrown away upon you. What, ho! lads--Kenyon andLowton, take the lady down to the vaults, and there let her have an hourfor solitary reflection. She may change her mind in that time. "

"Do not think it, " cried Mistress Nutter, resolutely. 

"If you continue obstinate, we will find means to move you, " rejoinedDemdike, in a taunting tone. "But what has she got beneath her arm? Giveme the book. What's this?--a Bible! A witch with a Bible! It should be agrimoire. Ha! ha!"

"Give it me back, I implore of you, " shrieked the lady. "I shall bedestroyed, soul and body, if I have it not with me. "

"What! you are afraid the devil may carry you off without it--ho! ho!"roared Demdike. "Well, that would not suit my purpose at present. Here, take it--and now off with her, lads, without more ado!"

And as he spoke, a trapdoor was opened by one of the robbers, disclosinga flight of steps leading to the subterranean chambers, down which themiserable lady was dragged. 

Presently the two men re-appeared with a grim smile on their ruffianlycountenances, and, as they closed the trapdoor, one of them observed tothe captain that they had chained her to a pillar, by removing the bandfrom the great skeleton, and passing it round her body. 

"You have done well, lads, " replied Demdike, approvingly; "and now goall of you and scour the hill-top, and return in an hour, and we willdecide upon what is to be done with this woman. "

The two men then joined the rest of their comrades outside, and thewhole troop descended the steps, which were afterwards drawn up byDemdike. This done, the robber captain returned to the circular chamber, and for some time paced to and fro, revolving his dark schemes. He thenpaused, and placing his ear near the trapdoor, listened, but as no soundreached him, he sat down at the table, and soon grew so much absorbed asto be unconscious that a dark figure was creeping stealthily down thenarrow staircase behind him. 

"I cannot get rid of Nicholas Assheton, " he exclaimed at length. "Isomehow fancy we shall meet again; and yet all should be over with himby this time. "

"Look round!" thundered a voice behind him. "Nicholas Assheton is not tobe got rid of so easily. "

At this unexpected summons, Demdike started to his feet, and recoiledaghast, as he saw what he took to be the ghost of the murdered squirestanding before him. A second look, however, convinced him that it wasno phantom he beheld, but a living man, armed for vengeance, anddetermined upon it. 

"Get a weapon, villain, " cried Nicholas, in tones of concentrated fury. "I do not wish to take unfair advantage, even of thee. "

Without a word of reply, Demdike snatched a sword from the wall, and thenext moment was engaged in deadly strife with the squire. They were wellmatched, for both were powerful men, both expert in the use of theirweapons, and the combat might have been protracted and of doubtful issuebut for the irresistible fury of Nicholas, who assaulted his adversarywith such vigour and determination that he speedily drove him againstthe wall, where the latter made an attempt to seize a petronel hangingbeside him, but his purpose being divined, he received a thrust throughthe arm, and, dropping his blade, lay at the squire's mercy. 

Nicholas shortened his sword, but forbore to strike. Seizing his enemyby the throat, he hurled him to the ground, and, planting his knee onhis chest, called out, "What, ho, Nance!"

"Nance!" exclaimed Demdike, --"then it was that mischievous jade whobrought you here. "

"Ay, " replied the squire, as the young woman came quickly down thesteps, --"and I refused her aid in the conflict because I felt certain ofmastering thee, and because I would not take odds even against such atreacherous villain as thou art. "

"Better dispatch him, squire, " said Nance; "he may do yo a mischiefyet. "

"No--no, " replied Nicholas, "he is unworthy of a gentleman's sword. Besides, I have sworn to hang him, and I will keep my word. Go down intothe vaults and liberate Mistress Nutter, while I bind him, for we musttake him with us. To-morrow, he shall lie in Lancaster Castle with hiskinsfolk. "

"That remains to be seen, " muttered Demdike. 

"Be on your guard, squire, " cried Nance, as she lifted a small lamp, andraised the trapdoor. 

With this caution, she descended to the vaults, while Nicholas lookedabout for a thong, and perceiving a rope dangling down the wall nearhim, he seized it, drawing it with some force towards him. 

A sudden sound reached his ears--clang! clang! He had rung thealarm-bell violently. 

Clang! clang! clang! Would it never stop?

Taking advantage of his surprise and consternation, Demdike got fromunder him, sprang to his feet, and rushing to the doorway, instantly letfall the steps, roaring out, --

"Treason! to the rescue, my men! to the rescue!"

His cries were immediately answered from without, and it was evidentfrom the tumult that the whole of the band were hurrying to hisassistance. 

Not a moment was to be lost by the squire. Plunging through thetrapdoor, he closed it after him, and bolted it underneath at the verymoment the robbers entered the chamber. Demdike's rage at finding himgone was increased, when all the combined efforts of his men failed inforcing open the trapdoor. 

"Take hatchets and hew it open!" he cried; "we must have them. I haveheard there is a secret outlet below, and though I have never been ableto discover it, it may be known to Nance. I will go outside, and watch. If you hear me whistle, come forth instantly. "

And, rushing forth, he was making the circuit, of the tower, andexamining some bushes at its base, when his throat was suddenly seizedby a dog, and before he could even utter an exclamation, much less soundhis whistle, or use his arms, he was grappled by the old huntsman, anddragged off to a considerable distance, the dog still clinging to histhroat. 

Meanwhile, Nicholas had hurried down into the vaults, where he foundNance sustaining Mistress Nutter, who was half fainting, and hastilyexplaining what had occurred, she consigned the lady to him, and thenled the way through the central range of pillars, and past the ebonimage, until she approached the wall, when, holding up the lamp, sherevealed a black marble slab between the statues of Blackburn and Isole. Pressing against it, the slab moved on one side, and disclosed a flightof steps. 

"Go up there, " cried Nance to the squire, "and when ye get to th' top, yo'n find another stoan, wi' a nob in it. Yo canna miss it. Go on. "

"But you!" cried the squire. "Will you not come with us?"

"Ey'n come presently, " replied Nance, with a strange smile. "Ey hasummat to do first. That cunning fox Demdike has set a trap fo' himselan aw his followers, --and it's fo' me to ketch 'em. Wait fo' me about ahundert yorts fro' th' tower. Nah nearer--yo onderstand?"

Nicholas did not very clearly understand, but concluding Nance had somehidden meaning in what she said, he resolved unhesitatingly to obey her. Having got clear of the tower, as directed, with Mistress Nutter, he ranon with her to some distance, when what was his surprise to find Crouchand Grip keeping watch over the prostrate robber chief. A few words fromthe huntsman sufficed to explain how this had come about, but they werescarcely uttered when Nance rushed up in breathless haste, cryingout--"Off! further off! as yo value your lives!"

Seeing from her manner that delay would be dangerous, Nicholas andCrouch laid hold of the prisoner and bore him away between them, whileNance assisted Mistress Nutter along. 

They had not gone far when a rumbling sound like that preceding anearthquake was heard. 

All looked back towards Malkin Tower. The structure was seen torock--flames burst from the earth--and with a tremendous explosion heardfor miles ground, and which shook the ground even where Nicholas and theothers stood, the whole of the unhallowed fabric, from base to summit, was blown into the air, some of the stones being projected to anextraordinary distance. 

A mine charged with gunpowder, it appeared, had been laid beneath itsvaults by Demdike, with a view to its destruction at some future period, and this circumstance being known to Nance, she had fired the train. 

Not one of the robbers within the tower escaped. The bodies of all werefound next day, crushed, burned, or frightfully mutilated. 

CHAPTER VI. --HOGHTON TOWER. 

About a month after the occurrence last described, and early on a finemorning in August, Nicholas Assheton and Richard Sherborne rode forthtogether from the proud town of Preston. Both were gaily attired indoublets and hose of yellow velvet, slashed with white silk, withmantles to match, the latter being somewhat conspicuously embroidered onthe shoulder with a wild bull worked in gold, and underneath it themotto, "_Malgré le Tort_. " Followed at a respectful distance by fourmounted attendants, the two gentlemen had crossed the bridge over theRibble, and were wending their way along the banks of a tributarystream, the Darwen, within a short distance of the charming village ofWalton-le-Dale, when they perceived a horseman advancing slowly towardsthem, whom they instantly hailed as Richard Assheton, and pushingforward, were soon beside him. Both were much shocked by the young man'shaggard looks, and inquired anxiously as to his health, but Richard badethem, with a melancholy smile, not be uneasy, for all would be well withhim erelong. 

"All will be over with you, lad, if you don't mind; and that's, perhaps, what you mean, " replied Nicholas; "but as soon as the royal festivitiesat Hoghton are over, I'll set about your cure; and, what's more, I'llaccomplish it--for I know where the seat of the disease lies better thanDr. Morphew, your family physician at Middleton. 'Tis near the heart, Dick--near the heart. Ha! I see I have touched you, lad. But, beshrewme, you are very strangely attired--in a suit of sable velvet, with ablack Spanish hat and feather, for a festival! You look as if going to afuneral I am fearful his Majesty may take it amiss. Why not wear thelivery of our house?"

"Nay, if it comes to that, " rejoined Richard, "why do not you andSherborne wear it, instead of flaunting like daws in borrowed plumage? Iscarce know you in your strange garb, and certainly should not take youfor an Assheton, or aught pertaining to our family, from your gaudycolours and the strange badge on your shoulder. "

"I don't wonder at it, Dick, " said Nicholas; "I scarce know myself; andthough the clothes I wear are well made enough, they seem to sitawkwardly on me, and trouble me as much as the shirt of Nessus didHercules of old. For the nonce I am Sir Richard Hoghton's retainer. Imust own I was angry with myself when I saw Sir Ralph Assheton with hislong train of gentlemen, all in murrey-coloured cloaks and doublets, atMyerscough Lodge, while I, his cousin, was habited like one of anotherhouse. And when I would have excused my apparent defection to Sir Ralph, he answered coldly, 'It was better as it was, for he could scarcely havefound room for me among his friends. '"

"Do not fret yourself, Nicholas, " rejoined Sherborne; "Sir Ralph cannotreasonably take offence at a mere piece of good-nature on your part. Butthis does not explain why Richard affects a colour so sombre. "

"I am the retainer of one whose livery is sombre, " replied the youngman, with a ghastly smile. "But enough of this, " he added, endeavouringto assume a livelier air; "I suppose you are on the way to HoghtonTower. I thought to reach Preston before you were up, but I might haverecollected you are no lag-a-bed, Nicholas, not even after hard drinkingovernight, as witness your feats at Whalley. To be frank with you, Ifeared being led into like excesses, and so preferred passing the nightat the quiet little inn at Walton-le-Dale, to coming on to you at theCastle at Preston, which I knew would be full of noisy roysterers. "

"Full it was, even to overflowing, " replied the squire; "but you shouldhave come, Dick, for, by my troth! we had a right merry night of it. Stephen Hamerton, of Hellyfield Peel, with his wife, and her sister, sweet Mistress Doll Lister, supped with us; and we had music, dancing, and singing, and abundance of good cheer. Nouns! Dick, Doll Lister is adelightful lass, and if you can only get Alizon out of your head, wouldbe just the wife for you. She sings like an angel, has the mostcaptivating sigh-and-die-away manner, and the prettiest rounded figureever bodice kept in. Were I in your place I should know where tochoose. But you will see her at Hoghton to-day, for she is to be at thebanquet and masque. "

"Your description does not tempt me, " said Richard; "I have no taste forsigh-and-die-away damsels. Dorothy Lister, however, is accounted fairenough; but, were she fascinating as Venus herself, in my present mood Ishould not regard her. "

"I' faith, lad, I pity you, if such be the case, " shrugging hisshoulders, more in contempt than compassion. 

"Waste not your sympathy upon me, " replied Richard; "but, tell me, howwent the show at Preston yesterday?"

"Excellently well, and much to his Majesty's satisfaction, " answered thesquire. "Proud Preston never was so proud before, and never with suchgood reason; for if the people be poor, according to the proverb, theytake good care to hide their poverty. Bombards were fired from thebridge, and the church bells rang loud enough to crack the steeple, andbring it down about the ears of the deafened lieges. The houses werehung with carpets and arras; the streets strewn ankle deep with sand andsawdust; the cross in the market-place was bedecked with garlands offlowers like a May-pole; and the conduit near it ran wine. At noon therewas more firing; and, amidst flourishes of trumpets, rolling of drums, squeaking of fifes, and prodigious shouting, bonnie King Jamie came tothe cross, where a speech was made him by Master Breares, the Recorder;after which the corporation presented his Majesty with a huge silverbowl, in token of their love and loyalty. The King seemed highly pleasedwith the gift, and observed to the Duke of Buckingham, loud enough to beheard by the bystanders, who reported his speech to me, 'God's santie!it's a braw bicker, Steenie, and might serve for a christening-cup, ifwe had need of siccan a vessel, which, Heaven be praised, we ha'e na!'After this there was a grand banquet in the town-hall; and when the heatof the day was over the King left with his train for Hoghton Tower, visiting the alum mines on the way thither. We are bidden to breakfastby Sir Richard, so we must push on, Dick, for his Majesty is an earlyriser, like myself. We are to have rare sport to-day. Hunting in themorning, a banquet, and, as I have already intimated, a masque at night, in which Sir George Goring and Sir John Finett will play, and in which Ihave been solicited to take the drolling part of Jem Tospot--nay, laughnot, Dick, Sherborne says I shall play it to the life--as well as tofind some mirthful dame to enact the companion part of Doll Wango. Ihave spoken with two or three on the subject, and fancy one of them willoblige me. There is another matter on which I am engaged. I am topresent a petition to his Majesty from a great number of the lowerorders in this county, praying they may be allowed to take theirdiversions, as of old accustomed, after divine service on Sundays; and, though I am the last man to desire any violation of the Sabbath, beingsomewhat puritanically inclined as they now phrase it, yet I cannotthink any harm can ensue from lawful recreation and honest exercise. Still, I would any one were chosen to present the petition rather thanmyself. "

"Have no misgivings on the subject, " said Richard, "but urge the matterstrongly; and if you need support, I will give you all I can, for I feelwe are best observing the divine mandate by making the Sabbath a day ofrest, and observing it cheerfully. And this, I apprehend, is thesubstance of your petition?"

"The whole sum and substance, " replied Nicholas; "and I have reason tobelieve his Majesty's wishes are in accordance with it. "

"They are known to be so, " said Sherborne. 

"I am glad to hear it, " cried Richard. "God save King James, the friendof the people!"

"Ay, God save King James!" echoed Nicholas; "and if he I grant thispetition he will prove himself their friend, for he will I have all theclergy against him, and will be preached against from half the pulpitsin the kingdom. "

"Little harm will ensue if it should be so, " replied Richard; "for hewill be cheered and protected by the prayers of a grateful and happypeople. "

They then rode on for a few minutes in silence, after which; Richardinquired--

"You had brave doings at Myerscough Lodge, I suppose, Nicholas?"

"Ay, marry had we, " answered the squire, "and the feasting must havecost Ned Tyldesley a pretty penny. Besides the King and his ownparticular attendants, there were some dozen noblemen and theirfollowers, including the Duke of Buckingham, who moves about like a kinghimself, and I know not how many knights and gentlemen. Sherborne and Irode over from Dunnow, and reached the forest immediately after the Kinghad entered it in his coach; so we took a short cut through the woods, and came up just in time to join Sir Richard Hoghton's train as he wasriding up to his Majesty. Fancy a wide glade, down which a great gildedcoach is slowly moving, drawn by eight horses, and followed by a host ofnoblemen and gentlemen in splendid apparel, their esquires and pagesequally richly arrayed, and equally well mounted; and, after these, numerous falconers, huntsmen, prickers, foresters, and yeomen, withstaghounds in leash, and hawk on fist, all ready for the sport. Fancyall this if you can, Dick, and then conceive what a brave sight it musthave been. Well, as I said, we came up in the very nick of time, forpresently the royal coach stopped, and Sir Richard Hoghton, calling allhis gentlemen around him, and bidding us dismount, and we followed him, and drew up, bareheaded, before the King, while Sir Richard pointed outto his Majesty the boundaries of the royal forest, and told him hewould find it as well stocked with deer as any in his kingdom. Beforeputting an end to the conference, the King complimented the worthyKnight on the gallant appearance of his train, and on learning we wereall gentlemen, graciously signified his pleasure that some of us shouldbe presented to him. Amongst others, I was brought forward by SirRichard, and liking my looks, I suppose, the King was condescendingenough to enter into conversation with me; and as his discourse chieflyturned on sporting matters, I was at home with him at once, and hepresently grew so familiar with me, that I almost forgot the presence inwhich I stood. However, his Majesty seemed in no way offended by myfreedom, but, on the contrary, clapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'Maister Assheton, for a country gentleman, you're weel-mannered andweel-informed, and I shall be glad to see more of you while I stay inthese parts. ' After this, the good-natured monarch mounted his horse, and the hunting began, and a famous day's work we made of it, hisMajesty killing no fewer than five fine bucks with his own hand. "

"You are clearly on the road to preferment, Nicholas, " observed Richard, with a smile. "You will outstrip Buckingham himself, if you go on inthis way. "

"So I tell him, " observed Sherborne, laughing; "and, by my faith! youngSir Gilbert Hoghton, who, owing to his connexion by marriage withBuckingham, is a greater man than his father, Sir Richard, looked quitejealous; for the King more than once called out to Nicholas in thechase, and took the wood-knife from him when he broke up the last deer, which is accounted a mark of especial favour. "

"Well, gentlemen, " said the squire, "I shall not stand in my own light, depend upon it; and, if I should bask in court-sunshine, you shallpartake of the rays. If I do become master of the household, in lieu ofthe Duke of Richmond, or master of the horse and cupbearer to hisMajesty, in place of his Grace of Buckingham, I will not forget you. "

"We are greatly indebted to you, my Lord Marquess of Downham and Duke ofPendle Hill, that is to be, " rejoined Sherborne, taking off his cap withmock reverence; "and perhaps, for the sake of your sweet sister and myspouse, Dorothy, you will make interest to have me appointed gentlemanof the bedchamber?"

"Doubt it not--doubt it not, " replied Nicholas, in a patronising tone. 

"My ambition soars higher than yours, Sherborne, " said Richard; "I mustbe lord-keeper of the privy seal, or nothing. "

"Oh! what you will, gentlemen, what you will!" cried Nicholas; "you canask me nothing I will not grant--always provided I have the means. "

A turn in the road now showed them Hoghton Tower, crowning the summitof an isolated and conical hill, about two miles off. Rising proudly inthe midst of a fair and fertile plain, watered by the Ribble and theDarwen, the stately edifice seemed to command the whole country. And soKing James thought, as, from the window of his chamber, he looked downupon the magnificent prospect around him, comprehending on the one handthe vast forests of Myerscough and Bowland, stretching as far as thefells near Lancaster; and, on the other, an open but still undulatingcountry, beautifully diversified with wood and water, well-peopled andwell-cultivated, green with luxuriant pastures, yellow with goldengrain, or embowered with orchards, boasting many villages and smalltowns, as well as two lovely rivers, which, combining their currents atWalton-le-Dale, gradually expanded till they neared the sea, which couldbe seen gleaming through openings in the distant hills. As the Kingsurveyed this fair scene, and thought how strong was the position of themansion, situated as it was upon high cliffs springing abruptly from theDarwen, and how favourably circumstanced, with its forests and park, forthe enjoyment of the chase, of which he was passionately fond, howcapable of defence, and how well adapted for a hunting-seat, he sighedto think it did not belong to the crown. Nor was he wrong in hisestimate of its strength, for in after years, during the civil wars, itheld out stoutly against the parliamentary forces, and was only reducedat last by treachery, when part of its gate-tower was blown up, destroying an officer and two hundred men, "in that blast most wofully. "

Though the hour was so early, the road was already thronged, not onlywith horsemen and pedestrians of every degree from Preston, but withrude lumbering vehicles from the neighbouring villages of Plessington, Brockholes and Cuerden, driven by farmers, who, with their buxom damesand cherry-cheeked daughters, decked out in holiday finery, hoped togain admittance to Hoghton Tower, or, at all events, obtain a peep ofthe King as he rode out to hunt. Most of these were saluted by Nicholas, who scrupled not to promise them admission to the outer court of theTower, and even went so far as to offer some of the comelier damsels apresentation to the King. Occasionally, the road was enlivened bystrains of music from a band of minstrels, by a song or a chorus fromothers, or by the gamesome tricks of a party of mummers. At one place, acouple of tumblers and a clown were performing their feats on a clothstretched on the grass beneath a tree. Here the crowd collected for afew minutes, but presently gave way to loud shouts, attended by thecracking of whips, proceeding from two grooms in the yellow and whitelivery of Sir Richard Hoghton, who headed some half-dozen carts filledwith provisions, carcases of sheep and oxen, turkeys and geese, pulletsand capons, fish, bread, and vegetables, all bent for Hoghton Tower;for though Sir Richard had made vast preparations for his guests, hefound his supplies, great as they were, wholly inadequate to theirwants. Cracking their whips in answer to the shouts with which they weregreeted, the purveyors galloped on, many a hungry wight lookingwistfully after them. 

Nicholas and his companions were now at the entrance to Hoghton Park, through which the Darwen coursed, after washing the base of the rockyheights on which the mansion was situated. Here four yeomen of theguard, armed with halberts, and an officer, were stationed, and no onewas admitted without an order from Sir Richard Hoghton. Possessing apass, the squire and his companions with their attendants were, ofcourse, allowed to enter; but the throng accompanying them were sentover the bridge, and along a devious road skirting the park, which, though it went more than a mile round, eventually brought them to theirdestination. 

Hoghton Park, though not very extensive, boasted a great deal ofmagnificent timber, and in some places was so thickly wooded, that, according to Dr. Kuerden, "a man passing through it could scarcely haveseen the sun shine at middle of day. " Into one of these tenebrous grovesthe horsemen now plunged, and for some moments were buried in the gloomproduced by matted and overhanging boughs. Issuing once more into thewarm sunshine, they traversed a long and beautiful silvan glade, skirtedby ancient oaks, with mighty arms and gnarled limbs--the patriarchs ofthe forest. In the open ground on the left were scattered a fewash-trees, and beneath them browsed a herd of fallow deer; whilecrossing the lower end of the glade was a large herd of red deer, forwhich the park was famous, the hinds tripping nimbly and timidly away, but the lordly stags, with their branching antlers, standing for amoment at gaze, and disdainfully regarding the intruders on theirdomain. Little did they think how soon and severely their courage wouldbe tried, or how soon the _mort_ would be sounded for their _pryse_ bythe huntsman. But if, happily for themselves, the poor leathern-coatedfools could not foresee their doom, it was not equally hidden fromNicholas, who predicted what would ensue, and pointed out one noble hartwhich he thought worthy to die by the King's own hand. As if heunderstood him, the stately beast tossed his antlered head aloft, andplunged into the adjoining thicket; but the squire noted the spot wherehe had disappeared. 

The glade led them into the chase, a glorious hunting-ground of abouttwo miles in circumference, surrounded by an amphitheatre of wood, andstudded by noble forest trees. Variety and beauty were lent to it by anoccasional knoll crowned with timber, or by numerous ferny dells anddingles. As the horsemen entered upon the chase, they observed at ashort distance from them a herd of the beautiful, but fierce wildcattle, originally from Bowland Forest, and still preserved in the park. White and spangled in colour, with short sharp horns, fine eyes, andsmall shapely limbs, these animals were of untameable fierceness, possessed of great cunning, and ever ready to assault any one whoapproached them. They would often attack a solitary individual, gorehim, and trample him to death. Consequently, they were far more dreadedthan the wild-boars, with which, as with every other sort of game, theneighbouring woods were plentifully stocked. Well aware of the dangerthey ran, the party watched the herd narrowly and distrustfully, andwould have galloped on; but this would only have provoked pursuit, andthe wild cattle were swifter than any horses. Suddenly, a milkwhite bulltrotted out from the rest of the herd, bellowing fiercely, lashing hissides with his tail, and lowering his head to the ground, as ifmeditating an attack. His example was speedily followed by the others, and the whole herd began to beat ground and roar loudly. Much alarmed bythese hostile manifestations, the party were debating whether to standthe onset, or trust to the fleetness of their steeds for safety; whenjust as the whole herd, with tails erect and dilated nostrils, weregalloping towards them, assistance appeared in the persons of some tenor a dozen mounted prickers, who, armed with long poles pointed withiron, issued with loud shouts from an avenue opening upon the chase. Atsight of them, the whole herd wheeled round and fled, but were pursuedby the prickers till they were driven into the depths of the furthestthicket. Six of the prickers remained watching over them during the day, in order that the royal hunting-party might not be disturbed, and thewoods echoed with the bellowing of the angry brutes. 

While this was going forward, the squire and his companions, congratulating themselves on their narrow escape, galloped off, andentered the long avenue of sycamores, from which the prickers hademerged. 

At the head of a steep ascent, partly hewn out of the rock, and partlyskirted by venerable and majestic trees, forming a continuation of theavenue, rose the embattled gate-tower of the proud edifice they wereapproaching, and which now held the monarch of the land, and the highestand noblest of his court as guests within its halls. From the top of thecentral tower of the gateway floated the royal banner, while at the verymoment the party reached the foot of the hill, they were saluted by aloud peal of ordnance discharged from the side-towers, proclaiming thatthe King had arisen; and, as the smoke from the culverins wreathed roundthe standard, a flourish of trumpets was blown from the walls, andmartial music resounded from the court. 

Roused by these stirring sounds, Nicholas spurred his horse up the rockyascent; and followed closely by his companions, who were both nearly asmuch excited as himself, speedily gained the great gateway--a massiveand majestic structure, occupying the centre of the western front of themansion, and consisting of three towers of great strength and beauty, the mid-tower far overtopping the other two, as in the arms of OldCastile, and sustaining, as was its right, the royal standard. On theplatform stood the trumpeters with their silk-fringed clarions, and theiron mouths of the culverins, which had been recently discharged, protruded through the battlements. The arms and motto of the Hoghtons, carved in stone, were placed upon the gateway, with the letters T. H. , the initials of the founder of the tower. Immediately above the archedentrance was the sculptured figure of a knight slaying a dragon. 

In front of the gateway a large crowd of persons were assembled, consisting of the inferior gentry of the neighbourhood, with theirwives, daughters, and servants, clergymen, attorneys, chirurgeons, farmers, and tradesmen of all kind from the adjoining towns ofBlackburn, Preston, Chorley, Haslingden, Garstang, and even Lancaster. Representatives in some sort or other of almost every town and villagein the county might be found amongst the motley assemblage, which, earlyas it was, numbered several hundreds, many of those from the moredistant places having quitted their homes soon after midnight. Admittance was naturally sought by all; but here the same rule wasobserved as at the park gate, and no one was allowed to enter, even thebase court, without authority from the lord of the mansion. The greatgates were closed, and two files of halberdiers were drawn up under thedeep archway, to keep the passage clear, and quell disturbance in caseany should occur; while a gigantic porter, stationed in front of thewicket, rigorously scrutinised the passes. These precautions naturallyproduced delay; and, though many of the better part of the crowd wereentitled to admission, it was not without much pushing and squeezing, and considerable detriment to their gay apparel, that they were enabledto effect their object. 

The comfort of those outside the walls had not, however, been altogetherneglected by Sir Richard Hoghton, for sheds were reared under the trees, where stout March beer, together with cheese and bread, or oaten cakesand butter, were freely distributed to all applicants; so that, if somewere disappointed, few were discontented, especially when told that thegates would be thrown open at noon, when, during the time the King andthe nobles feasted in the great banquet-hall, they might partake of awild bull from the park, slaughtered expressly for the occasion, whichwas now being roasted whole within the base court. That the latter wasno idle promise they had the assurance of thick smoke rising above thewalls, laden with the scent of roast meat, and, moreover, they could seethrough the wicket a great fire blazing and crackling on the green, with a huge carcass on an immense spit before it, and a couple ofturn-broaches basting it. 

As Nicholas and his companions forced their way through this crowd, which was momently receiving additions as fresh arrivals took place, thesquire recognised many old acquaintances, and was nodding familiarlyright and left, when he encountered a woman's eye fixed keenly upon him, and to his surprise beheld Nance Redferne. Nance, who had lost none ofher good looks, was very gaily attired, with her fine chestnut hairknotted with ribbons, her stomacher similarly adorned, and her redpetticoat looped up, so as to display an exceedingly trim ankle andsmall foot; and, under other circumstances, Nicholas might not haveminded staying to chat with her, but just now it was out of thequestion, and he hastily turned his head another way. As ill luck, however, would have it, a stoppage occurred at the moment, during whichNance forced her way up to him, and, taking hold of his arm, said in alow tone--

"Yo mun tae me in wi' ye, squoire. "

"Take you in with me--impossible!" cried Nicholas. 

"Nah! it's neaw impossible, " rejoined Nance, pertinaciously; "yo con doit, an yo shan. Yo owe me a good turn, and mun repay it now. "

"But why the devil do you want to go in?" cried Nicholas, impatiently. "You know the King is the sworn enemy of all witches, and, amongst thisconcourse, some one is sure to recognise you and betray you. I cannotanswer for your safety if I do take you in. In my opinion, you wereextremely unwise to venture here at all. "

"Ne'er heed my wisdom or my folly, boh do as ey bid yo, or yo'n repentit, " said Nance. 

"Why, you can get in without my aid, " observed the squire, trying tolaugh it off. "You can easily fly over the walls. "

"Ey ha' left my broomstick a-whoam, " replied Nance--"boh no morejesting. Win yo do it?"

"Well, well, I suppose I must, " replied Nicholas, "but I wash my handsof the consequences. If ill comes of it, I am not to blame. You must goin as Doll Wango--that is, as a character in the masque to be enactedto-night--d'ye mark?"

Nance signified that she perfectly understood him. 

The whole of this hurried discourse, conducted in an under-tone, passedunheard and unnoticed by the bystanders. Just then, an opening tookplace amid the crowd, and the squire pushed through it, hoping to getrid of his companion, but he hoped in vain, for, clinging to his saddle, she went on along with him. 

They were soon under the deep groined and ribbed arch of the gate, andNance would have been here turned back by the foremost halberdier, ifNicholas had not signified somewhat hastily that she belonged to hisparty. The man smiled, and offered no further opposition; and thegigantic porter next advancing, Nicholas exhibited his pass to him, which appearing sufficiently comprehensive to procure admission forRichard and Sherborne, they instantly availed themselves of the licence, while the squire fumbled in his doublet for a further order for Nance. At last he produced it, and after reading it, the gigantic warderexclaimed, with a smile illumining his broad features--

"Ah! I see;--this is an order from his worship, Sir Richard, to admit acertain woman, who is to enact Doll Wango in the masque. This is she, Isuppose?" he added, looking at Nance. 

"Ay, ay!" replied the squire. 

"A comely wench, by the mass!" exclaimed the porter. "Open the gate. "

"No--not yet--not yet, good porter, till my claim be adjusted, " criedanother woman, pushing forward, quite as young and comely as Nance, andequally gaily dressed. "I am the real Doll Wango, though I be generallyknown as Dame Tetlow. The squire engaged me to play the part before theKing, and now this saucy hussy has taken my place. But I'll have myrights, that I will. "

"Odd's heart! two Doll Wangos!" exclaimed the porter, opening his eyes. 

"Two!--Nay, beleedy! boh there be three!" exclaimed an immensely tall, stoutly proportioned woman, stepping up, to the increased confusion ofthe squire, and the infinite merriment of the bystanders, whose laughterhad been already excited by the previous part of the scene. "Didna yotell me at Myerscough to come here, squire, an ey, Bess Baldwyn, shouldplay Doll Wango to your Jem Tospot?"

"Play the devil! for that's what you all seem bent upon doing, "exclaimed the squire, impatiently. "Away with you! I can have nothing tosay to you!"

"You gave me the same promise at the Castle at Preston last night, " saidDame Tetlow. 

"I had been drinking, and knew not what I said, " rejoined Nicholas, angrily. 

"Boh yo promised me a few minutes ago, an yo're sober enough now, " criedNance. 

"Ey dunna knoa that, " rejoined Dame Baldwyn, looking reproachfully athim. "Boh what ey dun knoa is, that nother o' these squemous queans shange in efore me. "

And she looked menacingly at them, as if determined to oppose theiringress, much to the alarm of the timorous Dame Tetlow, though Nancereturned her angry glances unmoved. 

"For Heaven's sake, my good fellow, let them all three in!" saidNicholas, in a low tone to the porter, at the same time slipping a goldpiece into his hand, "or there's no saying what may be the consequence, for they're three infernal viragos. I'll take the responsibility oftheir admittance upon myself with Sir Richard. "

"Well, as your worship says, I don't like to see quarrelling amongstwomen, " returned the porter, in a bland tone, "so all three shall go in;and as to who is to play Doll Wango, the master of the ceremonies willsettle that, so you need give yourself no more concern about it; but ifI were called on to decide, " he added, with an amorous leer at DameBaldwyn, whose proportions so well matched his own, "I know where mychoice would light. There, now!" he shouted, "Open wide the gate forSquire Nicholas Assheton of Downham, and the three Doll Wangos. "

And, all obstacles being thus removed, Nicholas passed on with the threefemales amidst the renewed laughter of the bystanders. But he got rid ofhis plagues as soon as he could; for, dismounting and throwing hisbridle to an attendant, he vouchsafed not a word to any of them, butstepped quickly after Richard and Sherborne, who had already reached thegreat fire with the bull roasting before it. 

Appropriated chiefly to stables and other offices, the base court ofHoghton Tower consisted of buildings of various dates, the greater partbelonging to Elizabeth's time, though some might be assigned to anearlier period, while many alterations and additions had been recentlymade, in anticipation of the king's visit. Dating back as far as HenryII. , the family had originally fixed their residence at the foot of thehill, on the banks of the Darwen; but in process of time, swayed byprouder notions, they mounted the craggy heights above, and built atower upon their crest. It is melancholy to think that so glorious apile, teeming with so many historical recollections, and somagnificently situated, should be abandoned, and suffered to go todecay;--the family having, many years ago, quitted it for Walton Hall, near Walton-le-Dale, and consigned it to the occupation of a fewgamekeepers. Bereft of its venerable timber, its courts grass-grown, itsfine oak staircase rotting and dilapidated, its domestic chapelneglected, its marble chamber broken and ruinous, its wainscotings andceilings cracked and mouldering, its paintings mildewed and halfeffaced, Hoghton Tower presents only the wreck of its former grandeur. Desolate indeed are its halls, and their glory for ever departed!However, this history has to do with it in the season of its greatestsplendour; when it glistened with silks and velvets, and resounded withloud laughter and blithe music; when stately nobles and lovely dameswere seen in the gallery, and a royal banquet was served in the greathall; when its countless chambers were filled to overflowing, and itspassages echoed with hasty feet; when the base court was full ofhuntsmen and falconers, and enlivened by the neighing of steeds and thebaying of hounds; when there was daily hunting in the park, and nightlydancing and diversion in the hall, --it is with Hoghton Tower at thisseason that the present tale has to do, and not with it as it isnow--silent, solitary, squalid, saddening, but still whispering of theglories of the past, still telling of the kingly pageant that oncegraced it. 

The base court was divided from the court of lodging by the great halland domestic chapel. A narrow vaulted passage on either side led to theupper quadrangle, the facade of which was magnificent, and far superiorin uniformity of design and style to the rest of the structure, theirregularity of which, however, was not unpleasing. The whole frontageof the upper court was richly moulded and filleted, with ranges ofmullion and transom windows, capitals, and carved parapets crowned withstone balls. Marble pillars, in the Italian style, had been recentlyplaced near the porch, with two rows of pilasters above them, supportinga heavy marble cornice, on which rested the carved escutcheon of thefamily. A flight of stone steps led up to the porch, and within was awide oak staircase, so gentle of ascent that a man on horseback couldeasily mount it--a feat often practised in later days by one of thedescendants of the house. In this part of the mansion all the principalapartments were situated, and here James was lodged. Here also was thegreen room, so called from its hangings, which he used for privateconferences, and which was hung round with portraits of his unfortunatemother, Mary, Queen of Scots; of her implacable enemy, Queen Elizabeth;of his consort, Anne of Bohemia: and of Sir Thomas Hoghton, the founderof the tower. Adjoining it was the Star-Chamber, occupied by the Duke ofBuckingham, with its napkin panelling, and ceiling "fretted with goldenfires;" and in the same angle were rooms occupied by the Duke ofRichmond, the Earls of Pembroke and Nottingham, and Lord Howard ofEffingham. Below was the library, whither Doctor Thomas Moreton, Bishopof Chester, and his Majesty's chaplain, with the three puisné judges ofthe King's Bench, Sir John Doddridge, Sir John Crooke, and Sir RobertHoghton, all of whom were guests of Sir Richard, resorted; and in theadjoining wing was the great gallery, where the whole of the nobles andcourtiers passed such of their time--and that was not much--as was notoccupied in feasting or out-of-doors' amusements. 

Long corridors ran round the upper stories in this part of the mansion, and communicated with an endless series of rooms, which, numerous asthey were, were all occupied, and, accommodation being found impossiblefor the whole of the guests, many were sent to the new erections in thebase court, which had been planned to meet the emergency by themagnificent and provident host. The nobles and gentlemen were, however, far outnumbered by their servants, and the confusion occasioned by therunning to and fro of the various grooms of the chambers, wasindescribable. Doublets had to be brushed, ruffs plaited, hair curled, beards trimmed, and all with the greatest possible expedition; so that, as soon as day dawned upon Hoghton Tower, there was a prodigious racketfrom one end of it to the other. Many favoured servants slept intruckle-beds in their masters' rooms; but others, not so fortunate, andunable to find accommodation even in the garrets--for the smallestrooms, and those nearest the roof, were put in requisition--slept uponthe benches in the hall, while several sat up all night carousing in thegreat kitchen, keeping company with the cooks and their assistants, whowere busied all the time in preparations for the feasting of the morrow. 

Such was the state of things inside Hoghton Tower early on the eventfulmorning in question, and out of doors, especially in the base courtwhich Nicholas was traversing, the noise, bustle, and confusion wereequally great. Wide as was the area, it was filled with variouspersonages, some newly arrived, and seeking information as to theirquarters--not very easily obtained, for it seemed every body's businessto ask questions, and no one's to answer them--some gathered in groupsround the falconers and huntsmen, who had suddenly risen into greatimportance; others, and these were for the most part smart young pages, in brilliant liveries, chattering, and making love to every prettydamsel they encountered, putting them out of countenance by theirlicence and strange oaths, and rousing the anger of their parents, andthe jealousy of their rustic admirers; others, of a graver sort, withdress of formal cut, and puritanical expression of countenance, shrugging their shoulders, and looking sourly on the wholeproceedings--luckily they were in the minority, for the generality ofthe groups were composed of lively and light-hearted people, bentapparently upon amusement, and tolerably certain of finding it. Throughthese various groups numerous lackeys were passing swiftly andcontinuously to and fro, bearing a cap, a mantle, or a sword, andpushing aside all who interfered with their progress, with a "by yourleave, my masters--your pardon, fair mistress"--or, "out of my way, knave!" and, as the stables occupied one entire angle of the court, there were grooms without end dressing the horses at the doors, wateringthem at the troughs, or leading them about amid the admiring orcriticising bystanders. The King's horses were, of course, objects ofspecial attraction, and such as could obtain a glimpse of them and ofthe royal coach thought themselves especially favoured. Besides what wasgoing forward below, the windows looking into the court were all full ofcurious observers, and much loud conversation took place between thoseplaced at them and their friends underneath. From all this some ideawill be formed of the tremendous din that prevailed; but though withmuch confusion there was no positive disorder, still less brawling, foryeomen of the guard being stationed at various points, perfect order wasmaintained. Several minstrels, mummers, and merry-makers, in variousfantastic habits, swelled the throng, enlivening it with their strainsor feats; and amongst other privileged characters admitted was a Tom o'Bedlam, a half-crazed licensed beggar, in a singular and picturesquegarb, with a plate of tin engraved with his name attached to his leftarm, and a great ox's horn, which he was continually blowing, suspendedby a leathern baldric from his neck. 

Scarcely had Nicholas joined his companions, than word was given thatthe king was about to attend morning prayers in the domestic chapel. Upon this, an immediate rush was made in that direction by the crowd;but the greater part were kept back by the guard, who crossed theirhalberts to prevent their ingress, and a few only were allowed to enterthe antechamber leading to the chapel, amongst whom were the squire andhis companions. 

Here they were detained within it till service was over, and, as prayerswere read by the Bishop of Chester, and the whole Court was present, this was a great disappointment to them. At the end of half an hour twovery courtly personages came forth, each bearing a white wand, and, announcing that the King was coming forth, the assemblage immediatelydivided into two lines to allow a passage for the monarch. NicholasAssheton informed Richard in a whisper that the foremost and stateliestof the two gentlemen was Lord Stanhope of Harrington, thevice-chamberlain, and the other, a handsome young man of slight figureand somewhat libertine expression of countenance, was the renowned SirJohn Finett, master of the ceremonies. Notwithstanding hislicentiousness, however, which was the vice of the age and the stain ofthe court, Sir John was a man of wit and address, and perfectlyconversant with the duties of his office, of which he has leftsatisfactory evidence in an amusing tractate, "Finetti Philoxenis. "

Some little time elapsed before the King made his appearance, duringwhich the curiosity of such as had not seen him, as was the case withRichard, was greatly excited. The young man wondered whether thepedantic monarch, whose character perplexed the shrewdest, would answerhis preconceived notions, and whether it would turn out that hisportraits were like him. While these thoughts were passing through hismind, a shuffling noise was heard without, and King James appeared atthe doorway. He paused there for a moment to place his plumed andjewelled cap upon his head, and to speak a word with Sir John Finett, and during this Richard had an opportunity of observing him. Theportraits _were_ like, but the artists had flattered him, though notmuch. There was great shrewdness of look, but there was also a vacantexpression, which seemed to contradict the idea of profound wisdomgenerally ascribed to him. When in perfect repose, which they were notfor more than a minute, the features were thoughtful, benevolent, andpleasing, and Richard began to think him quite handsome, when anotherchange was wrought by some remark of Sir John Finett. As the Master ofthe Ceremonies told his tale, the King's fine dark eyes blazed with anunpleasant light, and he laughed so loudly and indecorously at the closeof the narrative, with his great tongue hanging out of his mouth, andtears running down his cheeks, that the young man was quite sickened. The King's face was thin and long, the cheeks shaven, but the lipsclothed with mustaches, and a scanty beard covered his chin. The hairwas brushed away from the face, and the cap placed at the back of thehead, so as to exhibit a high bald forehead, of which he wasprodigiously vain. James was fully equipped for the chase, and wore agreen silk doublet, quilted, as all his garments were, so as to bedagger-proof, enormous trunk-hose, likewise thickly stuffed, and buffboots, fitting closely to the leg, and turned slightly over at the knee, with the edges fringed with gold. This was almost the only appearance offinery about the dress, except a row of gold buttons down the jerkin. Attached to his girdle he wore a large pouch, with the mouth drawntogether by silken cords, and a small silver bugle was suspended fromhis neck by a baldric of green silk. Stiffly-starched bands, edged withlace, and slightly turned down on either side of the face, completed hisattire. There was nothing majestic, but the very reverse, in the King'sdeportment, and he seemed only kept upright by the exceeding stiffnessof his cumbersome clothes. With the appearance of being corpulent, hewas not so in reality, and his weak legs and bent knees were scarcelyable to support his frame. He always used a stick, and generally soughtthe additional aid of a favourite's arm. 

In this instance the person selected was Sir Gilbert Hoghton, the eldestson of Sir Richard, and subsequent owner of Hoghton Tower. Indebted forthe high court favour he enjoyed partly to his graceful person andaccomplishments, and partly to his marriage, having espoused a daughterof Sir John Aston of Cranford, who, as sister of the Duchess ofBuckingham, and a descendant of the blood royal of the Stuarts, was agreat help to his rapid rise, the handsome young knight was skilled inall manly exercises, and cited as a model of grace in the dance. Constant in attendance upon the court, he frequently took part in themasques performed before it. Like the King, he was fully equipped forhunting; but greater contrast could not have been found than between histall fine form and the King's ungainly figure. Sir Gilbert had remainedbehind with the rest of the courtiers in the chapel; but, calling him, James seized his arm, and set forward at his usual shambling pace. As hewent on, nodding his head in return to the profound salutations of theassemblage, his eye rolled round them until it alighted on RichardAssheton, and, nudging Sir Gilbert, he asked--

"Wha's that?--a bonnie lad, but waesome pale. "

Sir Gilbert, however, was unable to answer the inquiry; but Nicholas, who stood beside the young man, was determined not to lose theopportunity of introducing him, and accordingly moved a step forward, and made a profound obeisance. 

"This youth, may it please your Majesty, " he said, "is my cousin, Richard Assheton, son and heir of Sir Richard Assheton of Middleton, oneof your Majesty's most loyal and devoted servants, and who, I trust, will have the honour of being presented to you in the course of theday. "

"We trust so, too, Maister Nicholas Assheton--for that, if we dinnaforget, is your ain name, " replied James; "and if the sire resembles theson, whilk is not always the case, as our gude freend, Sir Gilbert, isevidence, being as unlike his worthy father as a man weel can be; if, aswe say, Sir Richard resembles this callant, he must be a weel-faur'dgentleman. But, God's santie, lad! how cam you in sic sad and sombreabulyiements? Hae ye nae braw claes to put on to grace our coming? Blackisna the fashion at our court, as Sir Gilbert will tell ye, and, thougha suit o' sables may become you, it's no pleasing in our sight. Let ussee you in gayer apparel at dinner. "

Richard, who was considerably embarrassed by the royal address, merelybowed, and Nicholas again took upon himself to answer for him. 

"Your Majesty will be pleased to pardon him, " he said; "but he isunaccustomed to court fashions, having passed all his time in a wild anduncivilized district, where, except on rare and happy occasions like thepresent, the refined graces of life seldom reach us. "

"Weel, we wouldna be hard upon him, " said the King, good-naturedly; "andmayhap the family has sustained some recent loss, and he is inmourning. "

"I cannot offer that excuse for him, sire, " replied Nicholas, who beganto flatter himself he was making considerable progress in the monarch'sgood graces. "It is simply an affair of the heart. "

"Puir chiel! we pity him, " cried the King. "And sae it is a hopelesssuit, young sir?" he added to Richard. "Canna we throw in a good wordfor ye? Do we ken the lassie, and is she to be here to-day?"

"I am quite at a loss how to answer your Majesty's questions, " repliedRichard, "and my cousin Nicholas has very unfairly betrayed my secret. "

"Hoot, toot! na, lad, " exclaimed James; "it wasna he wha betrayed yoursecret, but our ain discernment that revealed it to us. We kenned yourailment at a glance. Few things are hidden from the King's eye, and wecould tell ye mair aboot yoursel', and the lassie you're deeing for, ifwe cared to speak it; but just now we have other fish to fry, and mustawa' and break our fast, of the which, if truth maun be spoken, we standgreatly in need; for creature comforts maun be aye looked to as weel asspiritual wants, though the latter should be ever cared for first, asis our ain rule; and in so doing we offer an example to our subjects, which they will do weel to follow. Later in the day, we will talkfurther to you on the subject; but, meanwhile, gie us the name of yourlassie loo. "

"Oh! spare me, your Majesty, " cried Richard. 

"Her name is Alizon Nutter, " interposed Nicholas. 

"What! a daughter of Alice Nutter of Rough Lee?" exclaimed James. 

"The same, sire, " replied Nicholas, much surprised at the extent ofinformation manifested by the King. 

"Why, saul o' my body! man, she's a witch--a witch! d'ye ken that?"cried the King, with a look of abhorrence; "a mischievous and malignantvermin, with which this pairt of our realm is sair plagued, but which, with God's help, we will thoroughly extirpate. Sae the lass is adaughter of Alice Nutter, ha! That accounts for your grewsome looks, lad. Odd's life! I see it all now. I understand what is the matter withyou. Look at him, Sir Gilbert--look at him, I say! Does naething strikeyou as strange about him?"

"Nothing more than that he is naturally embarrassed by your Majesty'smode of speech, " replied the knight. 

"You lack the penetration of the King, Sir Gilbert, " cried James. "Iwill tell you what ails him. He is bewitchit--forespoken. "

Exclamations were uttered by all the bystanders, and every eye was fixedon Richard, who felt ready to sink to the ground. 

"I affirm he is bewitchit, " continued the King; "and wha sae likely todo it as the glamouring hizzie that has ensnared him? She has ill bluidin her veins, and can chant deevil's cantrips as weel as the mither, orony gyre-carline o' them a'. "

"You are mistaken, sire, " cried Richard, earnestly. "Alizon will be hereto-day with my father and sister, and, if you deign to receive her, I amsure you will judge her differently. "

"We shall perpend the point of receiving her, " replied the King, gravely. "But we are rarely mista'en, young man, and seldom change ouropinion except upon gude grounds, and those you arena like to offer us. Belike ye hae been lang ill?"

"Oh! no, your Majesty, I was suddenly seized, about a month ago, "replied Richard. 

"Suddenly seized--eh!" exclaimed James, winking cunningly at those nearhim; "and ye swarfit awa' wi' the pain? I guessed it. And whaur wasAlizon the while?"

"At that time she was a guest at Middleton, " replied Richard; "but it isimpossible my illness can in any way be attributed to her. I will answerwith my life for her perfect innocence. "

"You may have to answer wi' your life for your misplaced faith in her, "said the King; "but I tell you naething--naething wicked, at allevents--is impossible to witches, and the haill case, even by your ownshowin', is very suspicious. I have heard somewhat of the story of AliceNutter, but not the haill truth--but there are folk here wha canenlighten us mair fully. Thus much I do ken--that she is a notoriouswitch, and a fugitive from justice; though siblins you, Maister NicholasAssheton, could give an inkling of her hiding-place if you were sodisposed. Nay, never look doited, man, " he added, laughing, "I bring naecharges against you. Ye arena on your trial noo. But this is a seriousmatter, and maun be seriously considered before we dismiss it. You sayAlizon will be here to-day. Sae far weel. Canna you contrive to producethe mother, too, Maister Nicholas?"

"Sire!" exclaimed Nicholas. 

"Nay, then, we maun gang our ain way to wark, " continued James. "We aretauld ye hae a petition to offer us, and our will and pleasure is thatyou present it afore we go forth to the chase, and after we havepartaken of our matutinal refection, whilk we will nae langer delay;for, sooth to say, we are weel nigh famished. Look ye, sirs. Neither ofyou is to quit Hoghton Tower without our permission had and obtained. Wedo not place you under arrest, neither do we inhibit you from the chase, or from any other sports; but you are to remain here at our sovereignpleasure. Have we your word that you will not attempt to disobey theinjunction?"

"You have mine, undoubtedly, sire, " replied Richard. 

"And mine, too, " added Nicholas. "And I hope to justify myself beforeyour Majesty. "

"We shall be weel pleased to hear ye do it, man, " rejoined the King, laughing, and shuffling on. "But we hae our doubts--we hae our doubts!"

"His Majesty talks of going to breakfast, and says he is famished, "observed Nicholas to Sherborne, as the King departed; "but he hascompletely taken away my appetite. "

"No wonder, " replied the other. 

CHAPTER VII. --THE ROYAL DECLARATION CONCERNING LAWFUL SPORTS ON THESUNDAY. 

Not many paces after the King marched the Duke of Buckingham, then inthe zenith of his power, and in the full perfection of his unequalledbeauty, eclipsing all the rest of the nobles in splendour of apparel, ashe did in stateliness of deportment. Haughtily returning the salutationsmade him, which were scarcely less reverential than those addressed tothe monarch himself, the prime favourite moved on, all eyes followinghis majestic figure to the door. Buckingham walked alone, as if he hadbeen a prince of the blood; but after him came a throng of nobles, consisting of the Earl of Pembroke, high chamberlain; the Duke ofRichmond, master of the household; the Earl of Nottingham, lord highadmiral; Viscount Brackley, Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord Zouche, president of Wales; with the Lords Knollys, Mordaunt, Conipton, and Greyof Groby. One or two of the noblemen seemed inclined to question Richardas to what had passed between him and the King; but the young man'sreserved and somewhat stern manner deterred them. Next came the threejudges, Doddridge, Crooke, and Hoghton, whose countenances wore anenforced gravity; for if any faith could be placed in rubicund cheeksand portly persons, they were not indisposed to self-indulgence andconviviality. After the judges came the Bishop of Chester, the King'schaplain, who had officiated on the present occasion, and who was in hisfull pontifical robes. He was accompanied by the lord of the mansion, Sir Richard Hoghton, a hale handsome man between fifty and sixty, withsilvery hair and beard, a robust but commanding person, a freshcomplexion, and features, by no means warranting, from any markeddissimilarity to those of his son, the King's scandalous jest. 

A crowd of baronets and knights succeeded, including Sir Arthur Capel, Sir Thomas Brudenell, Sir Edward Montague, Sir Edmund Trafford, sheriffof the county, Sir Edward Mosley, and Sir Ralph Assheton. The latterlooked grave and anxious, and, as he passed his relatives, said in a lowtone to Richard--

"I am told Alizon is to be here to-day. Is it so?"

"She is, " replied the young man; "but why do you ask? Is she in danger?If so, let her be warned against coming. "

"On no account, " replied Sir Ralph; "that would only increase thesuspicion already attaching to her. No; she must face the danger, and Ihope will be able to avert it. "

"But what _is_ the danger?" asked Richard. "In Heaven's name, speak moreplainly. "

"I cannot do so now, " replied Sir Ralph. "We will take counsel togetheranon. Her enemies are at work; and, if you tarry here a few minuteslonger, you will understand whom I mean. "

And he passed on. 

A large crowd now poured indiscriminately out of the chapel and amongstit Nicholas perceived many of his friends and neighbours, Mr. Townley ofTownley Park, Mr. Parker of Browsholme, Mr. Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe, Sir Thomas Metcalfe, and Roger Nowell. With the latter was Master Potts, and Richard was then at no loss to understand against whom Sir Ralph hadwarned him. A fierce light blazed in Roger Nowell's keen eyes as hefirst remarked the two Asshetons, and a smile of gratified vengeanceplayed about his lips; but he quelled the fire in a moment, and, compressing his hard mouth more closely, bowed coldly and ceremoniouslyto them. Metcalfe did the same. Not so Master Potts. Halting for amoment, he said, with a spiteful look, "Look to yourself, MasterNicholas; and you too, Master Richard. A day of reckoning is coming forboth of you. "

And with this he sprang nimbly after his client. 

"What means the fellow?" cried Nicholas. "But that we are here, as itwere, in the precincts of a palace, I would after him and cudgel himsoundly for his insolence. "

"And wha's that ye'd be after dinging, man?" cried a sharp voice behindhim. "No that puir feckless body that has jist skippit aff. If sae, ye'll tak the wrang soo by the lugg, and I counsel you to let him bide, for he's high i' favour wi' the King. "

Turning at this address, Nicholas recognised the king's jester, ArchieArmstrong, a merry little knave, with light blue eyes, long yellow hairhanging about his ears, and a sandy beard. There was a great deal ofmother wit about Archie, and quite as much shrewdness as folly. He woreno distinctive dress as jester--the bauble and coxcomb having been longdiscontinued--but was simply clad in the royal livery. 

"And so Master Potts is in favour with his Majesty, eh, Archie?" askedthe squire, hoping to obtain some information from him. 

"And sae war you the day efore yesterday, when you hunted atMyerscough, " replied the jester. 

"But how have I forfeited the King's good opinion?" asked Nicholas. "Come, you are a good fellow, Archie, and will tell me. "

"Dinna think to fleech me, man, " replied the jester, cunningly. --"I kenwhat I ken, and that's mair than you'll get frae me wi' a' yourspeering. The King's secrets are safe wi' Archie--and for a good reason, that he is never tauld them. You're a gude huntsman, and sae is hisMajesty; but there's ae kind o' game he likes better than anither, andthat's to be found maistly i' these pairts--I mean witches, and sic likefearfu' carlines. We maun hae the country rid o' them, and that's whathis Majesty intends, and if you're a wise man you'll lend him a helpinghand. But I maun in to disjune. "

And with this the jester capered off, leaving Nicholas like onestupefied. He was roused, however, by a smart slap on the shoulder fromSir John Finett. 

"What! pondering over the masque, Master Nicholas, or thinking of thepetition you have to present to his Majesty?" cried the master of theceremonies, "Let neither trouble you. The one will be well played, Idoubt not, and the other well received, I am sure, for I know the king'ssentiments on the subject. But touching the dame, Master Nicholas--haveyou found one willing and able to take part in the masque?"

"I have found several willing, Sir John, " replied Nicholas; "but as totheir ability that is another question. However, one of them may do as amake-shift. They are all in the base court, and shall wait on you whenyou please, and then you can make your election. "

"So far well, " replied Finett; "it may be that we shall have Ben Jonsonhere to-day--rare Ben, the prince of poets and masque-writers. SirRichard Hoghton expects him. Ben is preparing a masque for Christmas, tobe called 'The Vision of Delight, ' in which his highness the prince isto be a principal actor, and some verses which have been recited to meare amongst the daintiest ever indited by the bard. "

"It will be a singular pleasure to me to see him, " said Nicholas; "for Ihold Ben Jonson in the highest esteem as a poet--ay, above them all, unless it be Will Shakspeare. "

"Ay, you do well to except Shakspeare, " rejoined Sir John Finett. "Greatas Ben Jonson is, and for wit and learning no man surpasses him, he isnot to be compared with Shakspeare, who for profound knowledge ofnature, and of all the highest qualities of dramatic art, isunapproachable. But ours is a learned court, Master Nicholas, andtherefore we have a learned poet; but a right good fellow is Ben Jonson, and a boon companion, though somewhat prone to sarcasm, as you will findif you drink with him. Over his cups he will rail at courts andcourtiers in good set terms, I promise you, and I myself have come infor his gibes. However, I love him none the less for his quips, for Iknow it is his humour to utter them, and so overlook what in another andless deserving person I should assuredly resent. But is not that youngman, who is now going forth, your cousin, Richard Assheton? I thoughtso. The King has had a strange tale whispered in his ear, that the youthhas been bewitched by a maiden--Alizon Nutter, I think she is named--ofwhom he is enamoured. I know not what truth may be in the charge, butthe youth himself seems to warrant it, for he looks ghastly ill. Aletter was sent to his Majesty at Myerscough, communicating this andcertain other particulars with which I am not acquainted; but I knowthey relate to some professors of the black art in your country, thesoil of which seems favourable to the growth of such noxious weeds, andat first he was much disturbed by it, but in the end decided that bothparties should be brought hither without being made aware of his design, that he might see and judge for himself in the matter. Accordingly amessenger was sent over to Middleton Hall as from Sir Richard Hoghton, inviting the whole family to the Tower, and giving Sir Richard Asshetonto understand it was the King's pleasure he should bring with him acertain young damsel, named Alizon Nutter, of whom mention had been madeto him. Sir Richard had no choice but to obey, and promised compliancewith his Majesty's injunctions. An officer, however, was left on thewatch, and this very morning reported to his Majesty that young RichardAssheton had already set out with the intention of going to Preston, buthad passed the night at Walton-le-Dale, and that Sir Richard, hisdaughter Dorothy, and Alizon Nutter, would be here before noon. "

"His Majesty has laid his plans carefully, " replied Nicholas, "and I caneasily conjecture from whom he received the information, which is asfalse as it is malicious. But are you aware, Sir John, upon whatevidence the charge is supported--for mere suspicion is not enough?"

"In cases of witchcraft suspicion _is_ enough, " replied the knight, gravely. "Slender proofs are required. The girl is the daughter of anotorious witch--that is against her. The young man is ailing--that isagainst her, too. But a witness, I believe, will be produced, though whoI cannot say. "

"Gracious Heaven! what wickedness there must be in the world when such acharge can be brought against one so good and so unoffending, " criedNicholas. "A maiden more devout than Alizon never existed, nor oneholding the crime she is charged with in greater abhorrence. She injureRichard! she would lay down her life for him--and would have been hiswife, but for scruples the most delicate and disinterested on her part. But we will establish her innocence before his Majesty, and confound herenemies. "

"It is with that hope that I have given you this information, sir, ofwhich I am sure you will make no improper use, " replied Sir John. "Ihave heard a similar character to that you have given of Alizon, and amunwilling she should fall a victim to art or malice. Be upon your guard, too, Master Nicholas; for other investigations will take place at thesame time, and some matters may come forth in which you are concerned. The King's arms are long, and reach and strike far--and his eyes seeclearly when not hoodwinked--or when other people see for him. And now, good sir, you must want breakfast. Here Faryngton, " he added to anattendant, "show Master Nicholas Assheton to his lodging in the basecourt, and attend upon him as if he were your master. I will come foryou, sir, when it is time to present the petition to the King. "

So saying, he bowed and walked forth, turning into the upper quadrangle, while Nicholas followed Faryngton into the lower court, where he foundhis friends waiting for him. 

Speedily ascertaining where their lodgings were situated, Faryngton ledthem to a building on the left, almost opposite to the great bonfire, and, ascending a flight of steps, ushered them into a commodious andwell-furnished room, looking into the court. This done, he disappeared, but soon afterwards returned with two yeomen of the kitchen, onecarrying a tray of provisions upon his head, and the other sustaining abasket of wine under his arm, and a snowy napkin being laid upon thetable, trenchers viands, and flasks were soon arranged in very temptingorder--so tempting, indeed, that the squire, notwithstanding hisassertion, that his appetite had been taken away, fell to work with hiscustomary vigour, and plied a flask of excellent Bordeaux soincessantly, that another had to be placed before him. Sherborne didequal justice to the good cheer, and Richard not only forced himself toeat, but to the squire's great surprise swallowed more than one deepdraught of wine. Having thus administered to the wants of the guests, and seeing his presence was no longer either necessary or desired, Faryngton vanished, first promising to go and see that all was got readyfor them in the sleeping apartments. Notwithstanding the man's civility, there was an over-officiousness about him that made Nicholas suspect hewas placed over them by Sir John Finett to watch their movements, and heresolved to be upon his guard. 

"I am glad to see you drink, lad, " he observed to Richard, as soon asthey were alone; "a cup of wine will do you good. "

"Do you think so?" replied Richard, filling his goblet anew. "I want toget back my spirits and strength--to sustain myself no matter how--tolook well--ha! ha! If I can only make this frail machine carry mestoutly through the King's visit, I care not how soon it falls to piecesafterwards. "

"I see your motive, Dick, " replied Nicholas. "You hope to turn awaysuspicion from Alizon by this device; but you must not go to excess, oryou will defeat your scheme. "

"I will do something to convince the King he is mistaken in me--that Iam not bewitched, " cried Richard, rising and striding across the room. "Bewitched! and by Alizon, too! I could laugh at the charge, but that itis too horrible. Had any other than the King breathed it, I would haveslain him. "

"His Majesty has been abused by the malice of that knavish attorney, Potts, who has always manifested the greatest hostility towards Alizon, "said Nicholas; "but he will not prevail, for she has only to showherself to dispel all prejudice. "

"You are right, Nicholas, " cried Richard; "and yet the King seemsalready to have prejudged her, and his obstinacy may lead to herdestruction. "

"Speak not so loudly, Dick, in Heaven's name!" said the squire, inalarm; "these walls may have ears, and echoes may repeat every word youutter. "

"Then let them tell the King that Alizon is innocent, " cried Richard, stopping, and replenishing his goblet, "Here's to her health, andconfusion to her enemies!"

"I'll drink that toast with pleasure, Dick, " replied the squire; "but Imust forbid you more wine. You are not used to it, and the fumes willmount to your brain. "

"Come and sit down beside us, that we may talk, " said Sherborne. 

Richard obeyed, and, leaning over the table, asked in a low deep tone, "Where is Mistress Nutter, Nicholas?"

The squire looked towards the door before he answered, and then said--

"I will tell you. After the destruction of Malkin Tower and the band ofrobbers, she was taken to a solitary hut near Barley Booth, at the footof Pendle Hill, and the next day was conveyed across Bowland Forest toPoulton in the Fyld, on the borders of Morecambe Bay, with the intentionof getting her on board some vessel bound for the Isle of Man. Arrangements were made for this purpose; but when the time came, sherefused to go, and was brought secretly back to the hut near Barley, where she has been ever since, though her place of concealment washidden even from you and her daughter. "

"The captain of the robbers, Fogg or Demdike, escaped--did he not?" saidRichard. 

"Ay, in the confusion occasioned by the blowing up of the Tower hemanaged to get away, " replied Nicholas, "and we were unable to followhim, as our attentions had to be bestowed upon Mistress Nutter. This wasthe more unlucky, as through his instrumentality Jem and his motherElizabeth were liberated from the dungeon in which they were placed inWhalley Abbey, prior to their removal to Lancaster Castle, and none ofthem have been heard of since. "

"And I hope will never be heard of again, " cried Richard. "But isMistress Nutter's retreat secure, think you?--May it not be discoveredby some of Nowell's emissaries?"

"I trust not, " replied Nicholas; "but her voluntary surrender is more tobe apprehended, for when I last saw her, on the night before startingfor Myerscough, she told me she was determined to give herself up fortrial; and her motives could scarce be combated, for she declares that, unless she submits herself to the justice of man, and expiates heroffences, she cannot be saved. She now seems as resolute in good as shewas heretofore resolute in evil. "

"If she perishes thus, her self-sacrifice, for thus it becomes, will beAlizon's death-blow, " cried Richard. 

"So I told her, " replied Nicholas--"but she continued inflexible. 'I amborn to be the cause of misery to others, and most to those I lovemost, ' she said; 'but I cannot fly from justice. There is no escape forme. '"

"She is right, " cried Richard; "there is no escape but the grave, whither we are all three hurrying. A terrible fatality attaches to us. "

"Nay, say not so, Dick, " rejoined Nicholas; "you are young, and, thoughthis shock may be severe, yet when it is passed, you will berecompensed, I hope, by many years of happiness. "

"I am not to be deceived, " said Richard. "Look me in the face, and sayhonestly if you think me long-lived. You cannot do it. I have beensmitten by a mortal illness, and am wasting gradually away. I amdying--I feel it--know it; but though it may abridge my brief term oflife, I will purchase present health and spirits at any cost, and saveAlizon. Ah!" he exclaimed, putting his hand to his heart, with a fearfulexpression of anguish. "What is the matter?" cried the two gentlemen, greatly alarmed, and springing towards him. 

But the young man could not reply. Another and another agonising spasmshook his frame, and cold damps broke out upon his pallid brow, showingthe intensity of his suffering. Nicholas and Sherborne regarded eachother anxiously, as if doubtful how to act. 

"Shall I summon assistance?" said the latter in a low tone. But, softlyas the words were uttered, they reached the ears of Richard. Rousinghimself by a great effort, he said--

"On no account--the fit is over. I am glad it has seized me now, for Ishall not be liable to a recurrence of it throughout the day. Lead me tothe window. The air will presently revive me. "

His friends complied with the request, and placed him at the opencasement. 

Great bustle was observable below, and the cause was soon manifest, asthe chief huntsman, clad in green, with buff boots drawn high up on thethigh, a horn about his neck, and mounted on a strong black curtal, rodeforth from the stables. He was attended by a noble bloodhound, and ongaining the middle of the court, put his bugle to his lips, and blew aloud blithe call that made the walls ring again. The summons wasimmediately answered by a number of grooms and pages, leading amultitude of richly-caparisoned horses towards the upper end of thecourt, where a gallant troop of dames, nobles, and gentlemen, allattired for the chase, awaited them; and where, amidst much mirth, andbandying of lively jest and compliment, a general mounting took place, the ladies, of course, being placed first on their steeds. While thiswas going forward, the hounds were brought from the kennel incouples--relays having been sent down into the park more than an hourbefore--and the yard resounded with their joyous baying, and theneighing of the impatient steeds. By this time, also, the chief huntsmanhad collected his forces, consisting of a dozen prickers, six habitedlike himself in green, and six in russet, and all mounted on stoutcurtals. Those in green were intended to hunt the hart, and those inrusset the wild-boar, the former being provided with hunting-poles, andthe latter with spears. Their girdles were well lined with beef andpudding, and each of them, acting upon the advice of worthy MasterGeorge Turbervile, had a stone bottle of good wine at the pummel of hissaddle. Besides these, there were a whole host of varlets of the chaseon foot. The chief falconer, with a long-winged hawk in her hood andjesses upon his wrist, was stationed somewhat near the gateway, andclose to him were his attendants, each having on his fist a falcongentle, a Barbary falcon, a merlin, a goshawk, or a sparrowhawk. Thusall was in readiness, and hound, hawk, and man seemed equally impatientfor the sport. 

At this juncture, the door was thrown open by Faryngton, who announcedSir John Finett. 

"It is time, Master Nicholas Assheton, " said the master of theceremonies. 

"I am ready to attend you, Sir John, " replied Nicholas, taking aparchment from his doublet, and unfolding it, "the petition is wellsigned. "

"So I see, sir, " replied the knight, glancing at it. "Will not yourfriends come with you?"

"Most assuredly, " replied Richard, who had risen on the knight'sappearance. And he followed the others down the staircase. 

By direction of the master of the ceremonies, nearly a hundred of themore important gentlemen of the county had been got together, and thistrain was subsequently swelled to thrice the amount, from the accessionsit received from persons of inferior rank when its object became known. At the head of this large assemblage Nicholas was now placed, and, accompanied by Sir John Finett, who gave the word to the procession tofollow them, he moved slowly up the court. Passing through the brilliantcrowd of equestrians, the procession halted at a short distance from thedoorway of the great hall, and James, who had been waiting for itsapproach within, now came forth, amid the cheers and plaudits of thespectators. 

Sir John Finett then led Nicholas forward, and the latter, dropping onone knee, said--

"May it please your Majesty, I hold in my hand a petition, signed as, ifyou will deign to cast your eyes over it, you will perceive, by manyhundreds of the lower orders of your loving subjects in this your countyof Lancaster, representing that they are debarred from lawfulrecreations upon Sunday after afternoon service, and upon holidays, andpraying that the restrictions imposed in 1579, by the Earls of Derby andHuntingdon, and by William, Bishop of Chester, commissioners to her lateHighness, Elizabeth, of glorious memory, your Majesty's predecessor, maybe withdrawn. "

And with this he placed in the King's hands the petition, which Was verygraciously received. 

"The complaint of our loving subjects in Lancashire shall not passunnoticed, sir, " said James. "Sorry are we to say it, but this countyof ours is sair infested wi' folk inclining to Puritanism and Papistry, baith of which sects are adverse to the cause of true religion. Honestmirth is not only tolerable but praiseworthy, and the prohibition of itis likely to breed discontent, and this our enemies ken fu' weel; forwhen, " he continued, loudly and emphatically--"when shall the commonpeople have leave to exercise if not upon Sundays and holidays, seeingthey must labour and win their living on all other days?"

"Your Majesty speaks like King Solomon himself, " observed Nicholas, amidthe loud cheering. 

"Our will and pleasure then is, " pursued James, "that our good people benot deprived of any lawful recreation that shall not tend to a breach ofthe laws, or a violation of the Kirk; but that, after the end of divineservice, they shall not be disturbed, letted, or discouraged from, anylawful recreation--as dancing and sic like, either of men or women, archery, leaping, vaulting, or ony ither harmless recreation; nor fraethe having of May-games, Whitsun ales, or morris dancing; nor fraesetting up of May-poles, and ither sports, therewith used, provided thesame be had in due and convenient time, without impediment or neglect ofdivine service. And our will further is, that women shall have leave tocarry rushes to the church, for the decoring of it, according to auldcustom. But we prohibit all unlawful games on Sundays, as bear-baitingand bull-baiting, interludes, and, by the common folk--mark ye that, sir--playing at bowls. "[3]

The royal declaration was received with loud and reiterated cheers, amidst which James mounted his steed, a large black docile-lookingcharger, and rode out of the court, followed by the whole cavalcade. 

Trumpets were sounded from the battlements as he passed through thegateway, and shouting crowds attended him all the way down the hill, until he entered the avenue leading to the park. 

At the conclusion of the royal address, the procession headed byNicholas immediately dispersed, and such as meant to join the chase setoff in quest of steeds. Foremost amongst these was the squire himself, and on approaching the stables, he was glad to find Richard andSherborne already mounted, the former holding his horse by the bridle, so that he had nothing to do but vault upon his back. There was animpatience about Richard, very different from his ordinary manner, thatsurprised and startled him, and the expression of the young man'scountenance long afterwards haunted him. The face was deathly pale, except that on either cheek burned a red feverish spot, and the eyesblazed with unnatural light. So much was the squire struck by hiscousin's looks, that he would have dissuaded him from going forth; buthe saw from his manner that the attempt would fail, while a significantgesture from his brother-in-law told him he was equally uneasy. 

Scarcely had the principal nobles passed through the gateway, than, inspite of all efforts to detain him, Richard struck spurs into his horse, and dashed amidst the cavalcade, creating great disorder, and rousingthe ire of the Earl of Pembroke, to whom the marshalling of the trainwas entrusted. But Richard paid little heed to his wrath, and perhapsdid not hear the angry expressions addressed to him; for no sooner washe outside the gate, than instead of pursuing the road down which theKing was proceeding, and which has been described as hewn out of therock, he struck into a thicket on the right, and, in defiance of allattempts to stop him, and at the imminent risk of breaking his neck, rode down the precipitous sides of the hill, and reaching the bottom insafety, long before the royal cavalcade had attained the same point, took the direction of the park. 

His friends watched him commence this perilous descent in dismay; but, though much alarmed, they were unable to follow him. 

"Poor lad! I am fearful he has lost his senses, " said Sherborne. 

"He is what the King would call 'fey, ' and not long for this world, "replied Nicholas, shaking his head. 

CHAPTER VIII. --HOW KING JAMES HUNTED THE HART AND THE WILD-BOAR INHOGHTON PARK. 

Galloping on fast and furiously, Richard tracked a narrow path ofgreensward, lying between the tall trees composing the right line of theavenue and the adjoining wood. Within it grew many fine old thorns, diverting him now and then from his course, but he still held on untilhe came within a short distance of the chase, when his attention wascaught by a very singular figure. It was an old man, clad in a robe ofcoarse brown serge, with a cowl drawn partly over his head, a ropegirdle like that used by a cordelier, sandal shoon, and a venerablewhite beard descending to his waist. The features of the hermit, forsuch he seemed, were majestic and benevolent. Seated on a bank overgrownwith wild thyme, beneath the shade of a broad-armed elm, he appeared sointently engaged in the perusal of a large open volume laid on hisknee, that he did not notice Richard's approach. Deeply interested, however, by his appearance, the young man determined to address him, and, reining in his horse, said respectfully, "Save you, father!"

"Pass on, my son, " replied the old man, without raising his eyes, "andhinder not my studies. "

But Richard would not be thus dismissed. 

"Perchance you are not aware, father, " he said, "that the King is aboutto hunt within the park this morning. The royal cavalcade has alreadyleft Hoghton Tower, and will be here ere many minutes. "

"The king and his retinue will pass along the broad avenue, as youshould have done, and not through this retired road, " replied thehermit. "They will not disturb me. "

"I would fain know the subject of your studies, father?" inquiredRichard. 

"You are inquisitive, young man, " returned the hermit, looking up andfixing a pair of keen grey eyes upon him. "But I will satisfy yourcuriosity, if by so doing I shall rid me of your presence. I am readingthe Book of Fate. "

Richard uttered an exclamation of astonishment. 

"And in it your destiny is written, " pursued the old man; "and a sad oneit is. Consumed by a strange and incurable disease, which may at anymoment prove fatal, you are scarcely likely to survive the next threedays, in which case she you love better than existence will perishmiserably, being adjudged to have destroyed you by witchcraft. "

"It must indeed be the Book of Fate that tells you this, " cried Richard, springing from his horse, and approaching close to the old man. "May Icast eyes upon it?"

"No, my son, " replied the old man, closing the volume. "You would notcomprehend the mystic characters--but no eye, except my own, must lookupon them. What is written will be fulfilled. Again, I bid you pass on. I must speedily return to my hermit cell in the forest. "

"May I attend you thither, father?" asked Richard. 

"To what purpose?" rejoined the old man. "You have not many hours oflife. Go, then, and pass them in the fierce excitement of the chase. Pull down the lordly stag--slaughter the savage boar; and, as you seethe poor denizens of the forest perish, think that your own end is notfar off. Hark! Do you hear that boding cry?"

"It is the croak of a raven newly alighted in the tree above us, "replied Richard. "The sagacious bird will ever attend the huntsman inthe chase, in the hope of obtaining a morsel when they break up deer. "

"Such is the custom of the bird I wot well, " said the old man; "but itis not in joyous expectation of the raven's-bone that he croaks now, but because his fell instinct informs him that the living-dead isbeneath him. "

And, as if in answer to the remark, the raven croaked exultingly; and, rising from the tree, wheeled in a circle above them. 

"Is there no way of averting my terrible destiny, father?" criedRichard, despairingly. 

"Ay, if you choose to adopt it, " replied the old man. "When I said yourailment was incurable, I meant by ordinary remedies, but it will yieldto such as I alone can employ. The malignant and fatal influence underwhich you labour may be removed, and then your instant restoration tohealth and vigour will follow. "

"But how, father--how?" cried Richard, eagerly. 

"You have simply to sign your name in this book, " rejoined the hermit, "and what you desire shall be done. Here is a pen, " he added, taking onefrom his girdle. 

"But the ink?" cried Richard. 

"Prick your arm with your dagger, and dip the pen in the blood, " repliedthe old man. "That will suffice. "

"And what follows if I sign?" demanded Richard, staring at him. 

"Your instant cure. I will give you to drink of a wondrous elixir. "

"But to what do I bind myself?" asked Richard. 

"To serve me, " replied the hermit, smiling; "but it is a light service, and only involves your appearance in this wood once a-year. Are youagreed?"

"I know not, " replied the young man distractedly. 

"You must make up your mind speedily, " said the hermit; "for I hear theapproach of the royal cavalcade. "

And as he spoke, the mellow notes of a bugle, followed by the baying ofhounds, the jingling of bridles, and the trampling of a large troop ofhorse, were heard at a short distance down the avenue. 

"Tell me who you are?" cried Richard. 

"I am the hermit of the wood, " replied the old man. "Some people call meHobthurst, and some by other names, but you will have no difficulty infinding me out. Look yonder!" he added, pointing through the trees. 

And, glancing in the direction indicated, Richard beheld a small partyon horseback advancing across the plain, consisting of his father, hissister, and Alizon, with their attendants. 

"'Tis she!--'tis she!" he cried. 

"Can you hesitate, when it is to save _her_?" demanded the old man. 

"Heaven help me, or I am lost!" fervently ejaculated Richard, gazing onhigh while making the appeal. 

When he looked down again the old man was gone, and he saw only a largeblack snake gliding off among the bushes. Muttering a few words ofthankfulness for his deliverance, he sprang upon his horse. 

"It may be the arch-tempter is right, " he cried, "and that but few hoursof life remain to me; but if so, they shall be employed in endeavours tovindicate Alizon, and defeat the snares by which she is beset. "

With this resolve, he struck spurs into his horse, and set off in thedirection of the little troop. Before, however, he could come up tothem, their progress was arrested by a pursuivant, who, riding inadvance of the royal cavalcade, motioned them to stay till it hadpassed, and the same person also perceiving Richard's purpose, called tohim, authoritatively, to keep back. The young man might have disregardedthe injunction, but at the same moment the King himself appeared at thehead of the avenue, and remarking Richard, who was not more than fiftyyards off on the right, instantly recognised him, and shouted out, "Comehither, young man--come hither!"

Thus, baffled in his design, Richard was forced to comply, and, uncovering his head, rode slowly towards the monarch. As he approached, James fixed on him a glance of sharpest scrutiny. 

"Odds life! ye hae been ganging a fine gait, young sir, " he cried. "Yemaun be demented to ride down a hill i' that fashion, and as if yourcraig war of nae account. It's weel ye hae come aff scaithless. Are yetired o' life--or was it the muckle deil himsel' that drove ye on? Cannaye find an excuse, man? Nay, then, I'll gi'e ye ane. The loadstane willdraw nails out of a door, and there be lassies wi' een strang asloadstanes, that drag men to their perdition. Stands the magnet yonder, eh?" he added, glancing towards the little group before them. "Gudefaith! the lass maun be a potent witch to exercise sic influence, and wewad fain see the effect she has on you when near. Sir Richard Hoghton, "he called out to the knight, who rode a few paces behind him, "we prayyou present Sir Richard Assheton and his daughter to us. "

Had he dared so to do, Richard would have thrown himself at the King'sfeet, but all he could venture upon was to say in a low earnest tone, "Do not prejudge Alizon, sire. On my soul she is innocent!"

"The King prejudges nae man, " replied James, in a tone of rebuke; "andlike the wise prince of Israel, whom it is his wish to resemble, he seeswith his ain een, and hears with his ain ears, afore he formsconclusions. "

"That is all I can desire, sire, " replied Richard. "Far be it from me todoubt your majesty's discrimination or love of justice. "

"Ye shall hae proofs of baith, man, afore we hae done, " said James. "Ah!here comes our host, an the twa lassies wi' him. She wi' the lintwhitelocks is your sister, we guess, and the ither is Alizon--and, by ourtroth, a weel-faur'd lass. But Satan is aye delusive. We maun resist hissnares. "

The party now came on, and were formally presented to the monarch by SirRichard Hoghton. Sir Richard Assheton, a middle-aged gentleman, withhandsome features, though somewhat haughty in expression, and statelydeportment, was very graciously received, and James thought fit to pay afew compliments to Dorothy, covertly regarding Alizon the while, yet notneglecting Richard, being ready to intercept any signal that should passbetween them. None, however, was attempted, for the young man felt heshould only alarm and embarrass Alizon by any attempt to caution her, and he therefore endeavoured to assume an unconcerned aspect anddemeanour. 

"We hae heard the beauty of the Lancashire lassies highly commended, "said the King; "but, faith! it passes expectation. Twa lovelier damselsthan these we never beheld. Baith are rare specimens o' Nature'shandiwark. "

"Your Majesty is pleased to be complimentary, " rejoined Sir RichardAssheton. 

"Na, Sir Richard, " returned James. "We arena gien to flichtering, thoughaften beflummed oursel'. Baith are bonnie lassies, we repeat. An saethis is Alizon Nutter--it wad be Ailsie in our ain Scottish tongue, towhich your Lancashire vernacular closely approximates, Sir Richard. Aweel, fair Alizon, " he added, eyeing her narrowly, "ye hae lost yourmither, we understand?"

The young girl was not discomposed by this question, but answered in afirm, melancholy tone--"Your Majesty, I fear, is too well acquaintedwith my unfortunate mother's history. "

"Aweel, we winna deny having heard somewhat to her disadvantage, "replied the King--"but your ain looks gang far to contradict thereports, fair maid. "

"Place no faith in them then, sire, " replied Alizon, sadly. 

"Eh! what!--then you admit your mother's guilt?" cried the King, sharply. 

"I neither admit it nor deny it, sire, " she replied. "It must be foryour Majesty to judge her. "

"Weel answered, " muttered James, --"but I mustna forget, that the deilhimsel' can quote Scripture to serve his purpose. But you hold inabhorrence the crime laid to your mother's charge--eh?" he added aloud. 

"In utter abhorrence, " replied Alizon. 

"Gude--vera gude, " rejoined the King. "But, entertaining this feeling, how conies it you screen so heinous an offender frae justice? Naenatural feeling should be allowed to weigh in sic a case. "

"Nor should it, sire, with me, " replied Alizon--"because I believe mypoor mother's eternal welfare would be best consulted if she underwenttemporal punishment. Neither is she herself anxious to avoid it. "

"Then why does she keep out of the way--why does she not surrenderherself?" cried the King. 

"Because--" and Alizon stopped. 

"Because what?" demanded James. 

"Pardon me, sire, I must decline answering further questions on thesubject, " replied Alizon. "Whatever concerns myself or my mother alone, I will state freely, but I cannot compromise others. "

"Aha! then there are others concerned in it?" cried James. "We thoughtas much. We will interrogate you further hereafter--but a word mair. Wetrust ye are devout, and constant in your religious exercises, damsel. "

"I will answer for that, sire, " interposed Sir Richard Assheton. "Alizon's whole time is spent in prayer for her unfortunate mother. Ifthere be a fault it is that she goes too far, and injures her health byher zeal. "

"A gude fault that, Sir Richard, " observed the King, approvingly. 

"It beseems me not to speak of myself, sire, " said Alizon, "and I amloth to do so--but I beseech your majesty to believe, that if my lifemight be offered as an atonement for my mother, I would freely yieldit. "

"I' gude faith she staggers me in my opinion, " muttered James, "and Imaun look into the matter mair closely. The lass is far different fraewhat I imagined her. But the wiles o' Satan arena to be comprehended, and he will put on the semblance of righteousness when seeking tobeguile the righteous. Aweel, damsel, " he added aloud, "ye speakfeelingly and properly, and as a daughter should speak, and we respectyour feelings--provided they be sic as ye represent them. And nowdispose yourselves for the chase. "

"I must pray your Majesty to dismiss me, " said Alizon. "It is a sight inwhich at any time I take small pleasure, and now it is especiallydistasteful to me. With your permission, I will proceed to HoghtonTower. "

"I also crave your Majesty's leave to go with her, " said Dorothy. 

"I will attend them, " interposed Richard. 

"Na, you maun stay wi' us, young sir, " cried the King. "Your gude fatherwill gang wi' 'em. Sir John Finett, " he added, calling to the master ofthe ceremonies, and speaking in his ear, "see that they be followed, andthat a special watch be kept over Alizon, and also over thisyouth, --d'ye mark me?--in fact, ower a' the Assheton clan. And now, " hecried in a loud voice, "let them blaw the strake. "

The chief huntsman having placed the bugle to his lips, and blown astrike with two winds, a short consultation was held between him andJames, who loved to display his knowledge as a woodsman; and while thiswas going forward, Nicholas and Sherborne having come up, the squiredismounted, and committing Robin to his brother-in-law, approached themonarch. 

"If I may be so bold as to put in a word, my liege, " he said, "I canshow you where a hart of ten is assuredly harboured. I viewed him as Irode through the park this morning, and cannot, therefore, be mistaken. His head is high and well palmed, great beamed and in good proportion, well burred and well pearled. He is stately in height, long, and wellfed. "

"Did you mark the slot, sir?" inquired James. 

"I did, my liege, " replied Nicholas. "And a long slot it was; the toesgreat, with round short joint-bones, large shin-bones, and the dew-clawsclose together. I will uphold him for a great old hart as everproffered, and one that shall shew your Majesty rare sport. "

"And we'll tak your word for the matter, sir, " said James; "for ye're asgude a woodman as any we hae in our dominions. Bring us to him, then. "

"Will it please your Majesty to ride towards yon glade?" said Nicholas, "and, before you reach it, the hart shall be roused. "

James, assenting to the arrangement, Nicholas sprang upon his steed, and, calling to the chief huntsman, they galloped off together, accompanied by the bloodhound, the royal cavalcade following somewhatmore slowly in the same direction. A fair sight it was to see thatsplendid company careering over the plain, their feathered caps and gaymantles glittering in the sun, which shone brightly upon them. Themorning was lovely, giving promise that the day, when further advanced, would be intensely hot, but at present it was fresh and delightful, andthe whole company, exhilarated by the exercise, and by animatedconversation, were in high spirits; and perhaps amongst the huge party, which numbered nearly three hundred persons, one alone was a prey todespair. But though Richard Assheton suffered thus internally, he borehis anguish with Spartan firmness, resolved, if possible, to let notrace of it be visible in his features or deportment; and he so farsucceeded in conquering himself, that the King, who kept a watchful eyeupon him, remarked to Sir John Finett as they rode along, that asingular improvement had taken place in the young man's appearance. 

The cavalcade was rapidly approaching the glade at the lower end of thechase, when the lively notes of a horn were heard from the adjoiningwood, followed by the deep baying of a bloodhound. 

"Aha! they have roused him, " cried the King, joyfully placing his ownbugle to his lips, and sounding an answer. Upon this the whole companyhalted in anxious expectation, the hounds baying loudly. The nextmoment, a noble hart burst from the wood, whence he had been driven bythe shouts of Nicholas and the chief huntsman, both of whom appearedimmediately afterwards. 

"By my faith! a great hart as ever was hunted, " exclaimed the King. "There boys, there! to him! to him!"

Dashing after the flying hart, the hounds made the welkin ring withtheir cries. Many lovely damsels were there, but none thought of thecruelty of the sport--none sympathised with the noble animal they wererunning to death. The cries of the hounds--now loud and ringing--nowdeep and doling, accompanied by the whooping of the huntsmen, formed astirring concert, which found a response in many a gentle bosom. Thewhole cavalcade was spread widely about, for none were allowed to ridenear the King. Over the plain they scoured, fleet as the wind, and thehart seemed making for a fell, forming part of the hill near themansion. But ere he reached it, the relays stationed within a covertburst forth, and, turning him aside, he once more dashed fleetly acrossthe broad expanse, as if about to return to his old lair. Now he wasseen plunging into some bosky dell; and, after being lost to view for amoment, bounding up the opposite bank, and stretching across a tractthickly covered with fern. Here he gained upon the hounds, who were lostin the green wilderness, and their cries were hushed for a briefspace--but anon they burst forth anew, and the pack were soon again infull cry, and speeding over the open ground. 

At first the cavalcade had kept pretty well together, but on the returnthe case was very different; and many of the dames, being unable to keepup with the hounds, fell off, and, as a natural consequence, many of thegallants lingered behind, too. Thus only the keenest huntsmen held on. Amongst these, and about fifty yards behind the King, were Richard andNicholas. The squire was right when he predicted that the hart wouldshow them good sport. Plunging into the wood, the hard-pressed beastknocked up another stag, and took possession of his lair, but wasspeedily roused again by Nicholas and the chief huntsman. Once more heis crossing the wide plain, with hounds and huntsmen after him--oncemore he is turned by a new relay; but this time he shapes his coursetowards the woods skirting the Darwen. It is a piteous sight to see himnow; his coat black and glistening with sweat, his mouth embossed withfoam, his eyes dull, big tears coursing down his cheeks, and his noblehead carried low. His end seems nigh--for the hounds, though weary too, redouble their energies, and the monarch cheers them on. Again the poorbeast erects his head--if he can only reach yon coppice he is safe. Despair nerves him, and with gigantic bounds he clears the interveningspace, and disappears beneath the branches. Quickly as the hounds comeafter him, they are at fault. 

"He has taken to the soil, sire, " cried Nicholas coming up. "To theriver--to the river! You may see by the broken branches he has gone thisway. "

Forcing his way through the wood, James was soon on the banks of theDarwen, which here ran deep and slow. The hart was nowhere to be seen, nor was there any slot on the further side to denote that he had goneforth. It was evident, therefore, that he had swam down the stream. Atthis moment a shout was heard a hundred yards lower down, proceedingfrom Nicholas; and, riding in the direction of the sound, the King foundthe hart at bay on the further side of the stream, and nearly up to hishaunches in the water. The King regarded him for a moment anxiously. Thepoor animal was now in his last extremity, but he seemed determined tosell his life dearly. He stood on a bank projecting into the stream, round which the water flowed deeply, and could not be approached withoutdifficulty and danger. He had already gored several hounds, whosebleeding bodies were swept down the current; and, though the othersbayed round him, they did not dare to approach him, and could not getbehind him, as a high bank arose in his rear. 

"Have I your Majesty's permission to despatch him?" asked Nicholas. 

"Ay, marry, if you can, sir, " replied James. "But 'ware thetynes!--'ware the tynes!--'If thou be hurt with hart it brings thee tothy bier, ' as the auld ballad hath it, and the adage is true, as weoursel's have seen. "

Nicholas, however, heeded not the caution, but, drawing his wood-knife, and disencumbering himself of his cloak, he plunged into the stream, andwith one or two strokes reached the bank. The hart watched his approach, as if divining his purpose, with a look half menacing, half reproachful, and when he came near, dashed his antlered head at him. Nimbly eludingthe blow, which, if it had taken effect, might have proved serious, Nicholas plunged his weapon into the poor brute's throat, who instantlyfell with a heavy splash into the water. 

"Weel stricken! weel stricken!" shouted James, who had witnessed theperformance from the opposite bank. "But how shall we get the carcasehere?"

"That is easily done, sire, " replied Nicholas. And taking hold of thehorns, he guided the body to a low bank, a little below where the Kingstood. 

As soon as it was dragged ashore by the prickers, James put his bugle tohis lips and blew a mort. A pryse was thrice sounded by Nicholas, andsoon afterwards the whole company came flocking round the spot, whoopingthe death-note. 

Meanwhile, the hounds had gathered round the fallen hart, and wereallowed to wreak their fury on him by tearing his throat, happily aftersensibility was gone; while Nicholas, again baring his knife, cut offthe right fore-foot, and presented it to the King. While this ceremonywas performed, the varlets of the kennel having cut down a great heap ofgreen branches, and strewn them on the ground, laid the hart upon them, on his back, and then bore him to an open space in the wood, where hewas broken up by the King, who prided himself upon his skill in allmatters of woodcraft. While this office was in course of execution abowl of wine was poured out for the monarch, which he took, adverting, as he did so, to the common superstition, that if a huntsman shouldbreak up a deer without drinking, the venison would putrefy. Havingdrained the cup, he caused it to be filled again, and gave it toNicholas, saying the liquor was needful to him after the drenching hehad undergone. James then proceeded with his task, and just before hecompleted it, he was reminded, by a loud croak above him, that a ravenwas at hand, and accordingly taking a piece of gristle from the spoon ofthe brisket, he cast it on the ground, and the bird immediately pounceddown upon it and carried it off in his huge beak. 

After a brief interval, the seek was again winded, another hart wasroused, and after a short but swift chase, pulled down by the hounds, and dispatched with his own hand by James. Sir Richard Hoghton thenbesought the King to follow him, and led the way to a verdant hollowsurrounded by trees, in which shady and delicious retreat preparationshad been made for a slight silvan repast. Upon a mossy bank beneath atree, a cushion was placed for the King, and before it on the sward waslaid a cloth spread with many dainties, including

 "Neats' tongues powder'd well, and jambons of the hog, With sausages and savoury knacks to set men's minds agog"--

cold capons, and pigeon pies. Close at hand was a clear cold spring, inwhich numerous flasks of wine were immersed. A few embers, too, had beenlighted, on which carbonadoes of venison were prepared. 

No great form or ceremony was observed at the entertainment. Sir JohnFinett and Sir Thomas Hoghton were in close attendance upon the monarch, and ministered to his wants; but several of the nobles and gentlemenstretched themselves on the sward, and addressed themselves to theviands set before them by the pages. None of the dames dismounted, andfew could be prevailed upon to take any refreshment. Besides the flasksof wine, there were two barrels of ale in a small cart, drawn by a mule, both of which were broached. The whole scene was picturesque andpleasing, and well calculated to gratify one so fond of silvan sports asthe monarch for whom it was provided. 

In the midst of all this tranquillity and enjoyment an incident occurredwhich interrupted it as completely as if a thunder-storm had suddenlycome on. Just when the mirth was at the highest, and when the flowingcup was at many a lip, a tremendous bellowing, followed by the crashingof branches, was heard in the adjoining thicket. All started to theirfeet at the appalling sound, and the King himself turned pale. 

"What in Heaven's name can it be, Sir Richard?" he inquired. "It must bea drove of wild cattle, " replied the baronet, trembling. 

"Wild cattle!" ejaculated James, in great alarm; "and sae near us. Zounds! we shall be trampled and gored to death by these bulls of Basan. Sir Richard, ye are a fause traitor thus to endanger the safety o' yoursovereign, and ye shall answer for it, if harm come o' it. "

"I am unable to account for it, sire, " stammered the frightened baronet. "I gave special directions to the prickers to drive the beasts away. "

"Ye shouldna keep sic deevils i' your park, man, " cried the monarch. "Eh! what's that?"

Amidst all this consternation and confusion the bellowing was redoubled, and the crashing of branches drew nearer and nearer, and NicholasAssheton rushed forward with the King's horse, saying, "Mount, sire;mount, and away!"

But James was so much alarmed that his limbs refused to perform theiroffice, and he was unable to put foot in the stirrup. Seeing hiscondition, Nicholas cried out, "Pardon, my liege; but at a moment ofperil like the present, one must not stand on ceremony. "

So saying, he took the King round the waist, and placed him on hissteed. 

At this juncture, a loud cry was heard, and a man in extremity of terrorissued from the wood, and dashed towards the hollow. Close on his heelscame the drove of wild cattle, and, just as he gained the very verge ofthe descent, the foremost of the herd overtook him, and lowering hiscurled head, caught him on the points of his horns, and threw himforwards to such a distance that he alighted with a heavy crash almostat the King's feet. Satisfied, apparently, with their vengeance, oralarmed by the numerous assemblage, the drove instantly turned tail andwere pursued into the depths of the forest by the prickers. 

Having recovered his composure, James bade some of the attendants raisethe poor wretch, who was lying groaning upon the ground, evidently somuch injured as to be unable to move without assistance. His garb wasthat of a forester, and his bulk--for he was stoutly and squarelybuilt--had contributed, no doubt, to the severity of the fall. When hewas lifted from the ground, Nicholas instantly recognised in hisblackened and distorted features those of Christopher Demdike. 

"What?" he exclaimed, rushing towards him. "Is it thou, villain?"

The sufferer only replied by a look of intense malignity. 

"Eh! what--d'ye ken wha it is?" demanded James. "By my saul! I fear thepuir fellow has maist of his banes broken. "

"No great matter if they be, " replied Nicholas, "and it may save theapplication of torture in case your Majesty desires to put any questionto him. Chance has most strangely thrown into your hands one of the mostheinous offenders in the kingdom, who has long escaped justice, but whowill at length meet the punishment of his crimes. The villain isChristopher Demdike, son of the foul hag who perished in the flames onthe summit of Pendle Hill, and captain of a band of robbers. "

"What! is the knave a warlock and a riever?" demanded James, regardingDemdike with abhorrence, mingled with alarm. 

"Both, sire, " replied Nicholas, "and an assassin to boot. He is adiabolical villain. "

"Let him be taken to Hoghton Tower, and kept in some strong and secureplace till we have leisure to examine him, " said James, --"and see thathe be visited by some skilful chirurgeon, for we wadna hae him dee, andsae rob the woodie. "

Demdike, who appeared to be in great agony, now forced himself to speak. 

"I can make important disclosures to your Majesty, " he said, in hoarseand broken tones, "if you will hear them. I am not the only offender whohas escaped from justice, " he added, glancing vindictively atNicholas--"there is another, a notorious witch and murderess, who isstill screened from justice. I can reveal her hiding-place. "

"Your Majesty will not give heed to such a villain's fabrications?" saidNicholas. 

"Are they fabrications, sir?" rejoined James, somewhat sharply. "We maunhear and judge. The snake, though scotched, will still bite, it seems. We hae hangit a Highland cateran without trial afore this, and we may betempted to tak the law into our ain hands again. Bear the villain hence. See he be disposed of as already directed, and take good care he isstrictly guarded. And now gie us a crossbow, Sir Richard Hoghton, andbid the prickers drive the deer afore us, for we wad try our skill as amarksman. "

And while Demdike was placed on the litter of green boughs which hadrecently sustained a nobler burthen in the fallen hart, and in this sortwas conveyed to Hoghton Tower, James rode with his retinue towards along glade, where, receiving a crossbow from the huntsman, he took up afavourable position behind a large oak, and several herds of deer beingdriven before him, he selected his quarries, and deliberately took aimat them, contriving in the course of an hour to bring down four fatbucks, and to maim as many others, which were pulled down by the hounds. And with this slaughter he was content. 

Sir Richard Hoghton then informed his Majesty that a huge boar, which, in sporting phrase, had left the sounder five years, had broken into thepark the night before, and had been routing amongst the fern. The ageand size of the animal were known by the print of the feet, the toesbeing round and thick, the edge of the hoof worn and blunt, the heellarge, and the guards, or dew-claws, great and open, from all whichappearances it was adjudged by the baronet to be "a great old boar, notto be refused. "

James at once agreed to hunt him, and the hounds being taken away, sixcouples of magnificent mastiffs, of the Lancashire breed, were broughtforward, and the monarch, under the guidance of Sir Richard Hoghton andthe chief huntsman, repaired to an adjoining thicket, in which the boarfed and couched. 

On arriving near his den, a boar-spear was given to the King, and theprickers advancing into the wood, presently afterwards reared theenormous brute. Sallying forth, and freaming furiously, he was instantlyassailed by the mastiffs; but, notwithstanding the number of hisassailants, he made light of them, shaking them from his bristly hide, crushing them beneath his horny feet, thrusting at them with hissharpened tusks, and committing terrible devastation among them. 

Repeated charges were made upon the savage animal by James, but it wasnext to impossible to get a blow at him for some time; and when atlength the monarch made the attempt, he struck too low, and hit him onthe snout, upon which the infuriated boar, finding himself wounded, sprang towards the horse, and ripped him open with his tusks. 

The noble charger instantly rolled over on his side, exposing the royalhuntsman to the fury of his merciless assailant, whose tusks must haveploughed his flesh, if at this moment a young man had not riddenforward, and at the greatest personal risk approached the boar, and, striking straight downwards, cleft the heart of the fierce brute withhis spear. 

Meanwhile, the King, having been disengaged by the prickers from hiswounded steed, which was instantly put out of its agony by the sword ofthe chief huntsman, looked for his deliverer, and, discovering him to beRichard Assheton, was loud in his expressions of gratitude. 

"Faith! ye maun claim a boon at our hands, " said James. "It maun neverbe said the King is ungrateful. What can we do for you, lad?"

"For myself nothing, sire, " replied Richard. 

"But for another meikle--is that what ye wad hae us infer?" cried theKing, with a smile. "Aweel, the lassie shall hae strict justice doneher; but for your ain sake we maun inquire into the matter. Meantime, wear this, " he added, taking a magnificent sapphire ring from hisfinger, "and, if you should ever need our aid, send it to us as atoken. "

Richard took the gift, and knelt to kiss the hand so graciouslyextended to him. 

By this time another horse had been provided for the monarch, and theenormous boar, with his feet upwards and tied together, was suspendedupon a pole, and borne on the shoulders of four stout varlets as thegrand trophy of the chase. 

When the royal company issued from the wood a strike of nine was blownby the chief huntsman, and such of the cavalcade as still remained onthe field being collected together, the party crossed the chase, andtook the direction of Hoghton Tower. 

CHAPTER IX. --THE BANQUET. 

On the King's return to Hoghton Tower, orders were given by Sir Richardfor the immediate service of the banquet; it being the hospitablebaronet's desire that festivities should succeed each other so rapidlyas to allow of no tedium. 

The _coup-d'oeil_ of the banquet hall on the monarch's entrance wasmagnificent. Panelled with black lustrous oak, and lighted by mullionwindows, filled with stained glass and emblazoned with the armorialbearings of the family, the vast and lofty hall was hung with banners, and decorated with panoplies and trophies of the chase. Three longtables ran down it, each containing a hundred covers. At the lower endwere stationed the heralds, the pursuivants, and a band of yeomen of theguard, with the royal badge, a demi-rose crowned, impaled with ademi-thistle, woven in gold on their doublets, and having fringedpole-axes over their shoulders. Behind them was a richly carved oakscreen, concealing the passages leading to the buttery and kitchens, inwhich the clerk of the kitchen, the pantlers, and the yeomen of thecellar and ewery, were hurrying to and fro. Above the screen was agallery, occupied by the trumpeters and minstrels; and over all was anoble rafter roof. The tables were profusely spread, and glittered withsilver dishes of extraordinary size and splendour, as well as withflagons and goblets of the same material, and rare design. The guests, all of whom were assembled, were outnumbered by the prodigious array ofserving-men, pages, and yeomen waiters in the yellow and red liveries ofthe Stuart. 

Flourishes of trumpets announced the coming of the monarch, who waspreceded by Sir Richard Hoghton, bearing a white wand, and ushered withmuch ceremony to his place. At the upper end of the hall was a raisedfloor, and on either side of it an oriel window, glowing with paintedglass. On this dais the King's table was placed, underneath a canopy ofstate, embroidered with the royal arms, and bearing James's kindlymotto, "_Beati Pacifici_. " Seats were reserved at it for the Dukes ofBuckingham and Richmond, the Earls of Pembroke and Nottingham, theLords Howard of Effingham and Grey of Groby, Sir Gilbert Hoghton, andthe Bishop of Chester. These constituted the favoured guests. Gracehaving been said by the bishop, the whole company took their seats, andthe general stillness hitherto prevailing throughout the vast hall wasbroken instantaneously by the clatter of trenchers. 

A famous feast it was, and worthy of commemoration. Masters Morris andMiller, the two cooks who contrived it, as well as the labourers for theranges, for the pastries, for the boiled meats, and for the pullets, performed their respective parts to admiration. The result was all thatcould be desired. The fare was solid and substantial, consisting ofdishes which could be cut and come to again. Amongst the roast meatswere chines of beef, haunches of venison, gigots of mutton, fattedgeese, capons, turkeys, and sucking pigs; amongst the boiled, pullets, lamb, and veal; but baked meats chiefly abounded, and amongst them wereto be found red-deer pasty, hare-pie, gammon-of-bacon pie, and bakedwild-boar. With the salads, which were nothing more than what would, now-a-days be termed "vegetables, " were mixed all kinds of soused fish, arranged according to the sewer's directions--"the salads spread aboutthe tables, the fricassees mixed with them, the boiled meats among thefricassees, roast meats amongst the boiled, baked meats amongst theroast, and carbonadoes amongst the baked. " This was the first coursemerely. In the second were all kinds of game and wild-fowl, roast heronsthree in a dish, bitterns, cranes, bustards, curlews, dotterels, andpewits. Besides these there were lumbar pies, marrow pies, quince pies, artichoke pies, florentines, and innumerable other good things. Somedishes were specially reserved for the King's table, as a baked swan, aroast peacock, and the jowl of a sturgeon soused. These and a piece ofroast beef formed the principal dishes. 

The attendants at the royal table comprised such gentlemen as wore SirRichard Hoghton's liveries, and amongst these, of course, were NicholasAssheton and Sherborne. On seeing the former, the King immediatelyinquired about his deliverer, and on hearing he was at the lower tables, desired he might be sent for, and, as Richard soon afterwards appeared, having on his return from the chase changed his sombre apparel for gayerattire, James smiled graciously upon him, and more than once, as a markof especial favour, took the wine-cup from his hands. 

The King did ample justice to the good things before him, and especiallyto the beef, which he found so excellent, that the carver had to helphim for the second time. Sir Richard Hoghton ventured to express hisgratification that his Majesty found the meat good--"Indeed, it isgenerally admitted, " he said, "that our Lancashire beef is well fed, andwell flavoured. "

"Weel flavoured!" exclaimed James, as he swallowed the last juicymorsel; "it is delicious! Finer beef nae man ever put teeth into, an Ionly wish a' my loving subjects had as gude a dinner as I hae this dayeaten. What joint do ye ca' it, Sir Richard?" he asked, with eyesevidently twinkling with a premeditated jest. "This dish, " replied thehost, somewhat surprised "this, sire, is a loin of beef. "

"A loin!" exclaimed James, taking the carving-knife from the sewer, whostood by, "by my faith that is not title honourable enough for joint saeworthy. It wants a dignity, and it shall hae it. Henceforth, " he added, touching the meat with the flat of the long blade, as if placing thesword on the back of a knight expectant, "henceforth, it shall beSIR-LOIN, an see ye ca' it sae. Give me a cup of wine, Master RichardAssheton. "

All the nobles at the table laughed loudly at the monarch's jest, and asit was soon past down to those at the lower table, the hall resoundedwith laughter, in which page and attendant of every degree joined, tothe great satisfaction of the good-natured originator of themerriment. [4]

"My dear dad and gossip appears in unwonted good spirits to-day, "observed the Duke of Buckingham. 

"An wi' gude reason, Steenie, " replied the King, "for we dinna mind whenwe hae had better sport--always excepting the boar-hunt, when we shouldhae been rippit up by the cursed creature's tusks but for this brawladdie, " he added, pointing to Richard. "Ye maun see what can be donefor him, Steenie. We maun hae him at court. "

"Your Majesty's wishes have only to be expressed to be fulfilled, "replied Buckingham, somewhat drily. 

"Were I the lad I wadna place ower meikle dependence on the Duke'spromises, " remarked Archie Armstrong, in a low tone, to Nicholas. 

"Has your Majesty made any further inquiries about the girl suspected ofwitchcraft?" inquired Buckingham, renewing the conversation. 

"Whist, Steenie, whist!" cried James. "Didna ye see her yoursel' thismorning?" he added, in a low tone. "Ah! I recollect ye werena at thechase. Aweel, I hae conferred wi' her, an am sair perplexed i' thematter. She is a well-faur'd lassie as ony i' the realm, and answersdecorously and doucely. Sooth to say, her looks and manners are mightilyin her favour. "

"Then you mean to dismiss the matter without further investigation?"observed Buckingham. "I always thought your Majesty delighted toexercise your sagacity in detecting the illusions practised by Satan andhis worshippers. "

"An sae we do, " replied James. "But bend your bonnie head this way tillwe whisper in your ear. We hae a device for finding it a' out, whichcanna fail; and when you ken it you will applaud your dear dad's wisdom, and perfit maistery o' the haill science o' kingcraft. "

"I would your Majesty would make me acquainted with this notablescheme, " replied Buckingham, with ill-concealed contempt. "I might makeit more certain of success. "

"Na--na--we shanna let the cat out of the bag just yet, " returned theKing. "We mean it as a surprise to ye a'. "

"Then, whatever be the result, it is certain to answer the effectintended, " observed the Duke. 

"Gae wa'! ye are ever sceptical, Steenie--ever misdoubting your ain deardad and gossip, " rejoined James; "but ye shall find we haena earned thetitle o' the British Solomon for naething. "

Soon after this the King arose, and was ushered to his apartments by SirRichard Hoghton with the same ceremony as had been observed on hisentrance. He was followed by all the nobles; and Nicholas and theothers, being released from their duties, repaired to the lower end ofthe hall to dine. The revel was now sufficiently boisterous; for, as thedames had departed at the same time as the monarch, all restraint wascast aside. The wine-cup flowed freely, and the rafters rang withlaughter. Under ordinary circumstances Richard would have shrunk fromsuch a scene; but he had now a part to play, and therefore essayed tolaugh at each jest, and to appear as reckless as his neighbours. He wasglad, however, when the signal for general dispersion was given; forthough Sir Richard Hoghton was unwilling to stint his guests, he wasfearful, if they sat too long over their wine, some disturbances mightensue; and indeed, when the revellers came forth and dispersed withinthe base court, their flushed cheeks, loud voices, and unsteady gait, showed that their potations had already been deep enough. 

Meanwhile, quite as much mirth was taking place out of doors as hadoccurred within the banqueting-hall. As soon as the King sat down todinner, according to promise the gates were thrown open, and the crowdoutside admitted. The huge roast was then taken down, carved, anddistributed among them; the only difficulty experienced being in regardto trenchers, and various and extraordinary were the contrivancesresorted to to supply the deficiency. This circumstance, however, servedto heighten the fun, and, as several casks of stout ale were broached atthe same time, universal hilarity prevailed. Still, in the midst of sovast a concourse, many component parts of which had now began toexperience the effects of the potent liquor, some little manifestationof disorder might naturally be expected; but all such was speedilyquelled by the yeomen of the guard, and other officials appointed forthe purpose, and, amidst the uproar and confusion, harmony generallyprevailed. 

While elbowing his way through the crowd, Nicholas felt his sleeveplucked, and turning, perceived Nance Redferne, who signed him to followher, and there was something in her manner that left him no alternativebut compliance. Nance passed on rapidly, and entered the doorway of abuilding, where it might be supposed they would be free frominterruption. 

"What do you want with me, Nance?" asked the squire, somewhatimpatiently. "I must beg to observe that I cannot be troubled further onyour account, and am greatly afraid aspersions may be thrown on mycharacter, if I am seen talking with you. "

"A few words wi' me winna injure your character, squire, " rejoinedNance, "an it's on your account an naw on my own that ey ha' brought youhere. Ey ha' important information to gie ye. What win yo say when eytell yo that Jem Device, Elizabeth Device, an' her dowter Jennet arehere--aw breedin mischief agen yo, Ruchot Assheton, and Alizon?"

"The devil!" ejaculated Nicholas. 

"Eigh, yo'n find it the devil, ey con promise ye, onless their plans befrustrated, " said Nance. 

"That can be easily done, " replied Nicholas. "I'll cause them to bearrested at once. "

"Nah, nah--that canna be, " rejoined Nance--"Yo mun bide your time. "

"What! and allow such miscreants to go at large, and work any malicethey please against me and my friends!" replied Nicholas. "Show me wherethey are, Nance, or I must make you a prisoner. "

"Nah! yo winna do that, squire, " she replied in a tone of good-humoureddefiance. "Ye winna do it for two good reasons: first, becose yo'd beharming a freend who wants to sarve yo, and _win_ do so, if yo'n lether; and secondly, becose if yo wur to raise a finger agen me, ey'ddeprive yo of speech an motion. When the reet moment comes yo shanstrike--boh it's nah come yet. The fruit is nah ripe eneugh to gather. Ey am os anxious os you con be, that the whole o' the Demdike broodshould be swept away--an it shan be, if yo'n leave it to me. "

"Well, I commit the matter entirely to you, " said Nicholas. "Apparently, it cannot be in better hands. But are you aware that Christopher Demdikeis a prisoner here in Hoghton Tower? He was taken this morning in thepark. "

"Ey knoa it, " replied Nance; "an ey knoa also why he went there, an itwur my intention to ha' revealed his black design to yo. However, it hasbin ordert differently. Boh in respect to t'others, wait till I gie yothe signal. They are disguised; boh even if ye see 'em, an recognise'em, dunna let it appear till ey gie the word, or yo'n spoil aw. "

"Your injunctions shall be obeyed implicitly, Nance, " rejoined, Nicholas. "I have now perfect reliance upon you. But when shall I seeyou again?"

"That depends upon circumstances, " she replied. "To-neet, may be--may beto-morrow neet. My plans maun be guided by those of others. Boh whennext yo see me you win ha' to act. "

And, without waiting an answer, she rushed out of the doorway, and, mingling with the crowd, was instantly lost to view; while Nicholas, full of the intelligence he had received, betook himself slowly to hislodgings. 

Scarcely were they gone when a door, which had been standing ajar, nearthem, was opened wide, and disclosed the keen visage of Master Potts. 

"Here's a pretty plot hatching--here's a nice discovery I have made!"soliloquised the attorney. "The whole Demdike family, with the exceptionof the old witch herself, whom I saw burnt on Pendle Hill, are atHoghton Tower. This shall be made known to the King. I'll have NicholasAssheton arrested at once, and the woman with him, whom I recognise asNance Redferne. It will be a wonderful stroke, and will raise me highlyin his Majesty's estimation. Yet stay! Will not this interfere with myother plans with Jennet? Let me reflect. I must go cautiously to work. Besides, if I cause Nicholas to be arrested, Nance will escape, and thenI shall have no clue to the others. No--no; I must watch Nicholasclosely, and take upon myself all the credit of the discovery. Perhapsthrough Jennet I may be able to detect their disguises. At all events, Iwill keep a sharp look-out. Affairs are now drawing to a close, and Ihave only, like a wary and experienced fowler, to lay my nets cleverlyto catch the whole covey. "

And with these ruminations, he likewise went forth into the base court. 

The rest of the day was one round of festivity and enjoyment, in whichall classes participated. There were trials of skill and strength, running, wrestling, and cudgeling-matches, with an infinite variety ofcountry games and shows. 

Towards five o'clock a rush-cart, decked with flowers and ribbons, andbestridden by men bearing garlands, was drawn up in front of the centralbuilding of the tower, in an open window of which sat James--awell-pleased spectator of the different pastimes going forward; andseveral lively dances were executed by a troop of male and femalemorris-dancers, accompanied by a tabor and pipe. But though this showwas sufficiently attractive, it lacked the spirit of that performed atWhalley; while the character of Maid Marian, which then found socharming a representative in Alizon, was now personated by a man--and ifNicholas Assheton, who was amongst the bystanders, was not deceived, that man was Jem Device. Enraged by this discovery, the squire wasabout to seize the ruffian; but, calling to mind Nance's counsel, herefrained, and Jem (if it indeed were he) retired with a largess, bestowed by the royal hand as a reward for his uncouth gambols. 

The rush-cart and morris-dancers having disappeared, another drollerywas exhibited, called the "Fool and his Five Sons, " the names of thehopeful offspring of the sapient sire being Pickle Herring, Blue Hose, Pepper Hose, Ginger Hose, and Jack Allspice. The humour of this piece, though not particularly refined, seemed to be appreciated by theaudience generally, as well as by the monarch, who laughed heartily atits coarse buffoonery. 

Next followed "The Plough and Sword Dance;" the principal actors being anumber of grotesque figures armed with swords, some of whom were yokedto a plough, on which sat a piper, playing lustily while dragged along. The plough was guided by a man clothed in a bear-skin, with a fur cap onhis head, and a long tail, like that of a lion, dangling behind him. Inthis hirsute personage, who was intended to represent the wood-demon, Hobthurst, Nicholas again detected Jem Device, and again was stronglytempted to disobey Nance's injunctions, and denounce him--the ratherthat he recognised in an attendant female, in a fantastic dress, theruffian's mother, Elizabeth; but he once more desisted. 

As soon as the mummers arrived in front of the King, the dance began. With their swords held upright, the party took hands and wheeled rapidlyround the plough, keeping time to a merry measure played by the piper, who still maintained his seat. Suddenly the ring was enlarged to doubleits former size, each man extending his sword to his neighbour, who tookhold of the point; after which an hexagonal figure was formed, all theblades being brought together. The swords were then quickly withdrawn, flashing like sunbeams, and a four square figure was presented, thedancers vaulting actively over each other's heads. Other variationssucceeded, not necessary to be specified--and the sport concluded by ageneral clashing of swords, intended to represent a melee. 

Meanwhile, Nicholas had been joined by Richard Assheton, and the latterwas not long in detecting the two Devices through their disguises. Onmaking this discovery he mentioned it to the squire, and was surprisedto find him already aware of the circumstance, and not less astonishedwhen he was advised to let them alone; the squire adding he was unableat that time to give his reasons for such counsel, but, being good andconclusive, Richard would be satisfied of their propriety hereafter. Theyoung man, however, thought otherwise, and, notwithstanding hisrelative's attempts to dissuade him, announced his intention of causingthe parties to be arrested at once; and with this design he went insearch of an officer of the guard, that the capture might be effectedwithout disturbance. But the throng was so close round the dancers thathe could not pierce it, and being compelled to return and take anothercourse, he got nearer to the mazy ring, and was unceremoniously pushedaside by the mummers. At this moment both his arms were forciblygrasped, and a deep voice on the right whispered in his ear--"Meddle notwith us, and we will not meddle with you, " while similar counsel wasgiven him in other equally menacing tones, though in a different key, onthe left. Richard would have shaken off his assailants, and seized themin his turn, but power to do so was wanting to him. For the moment hewas deprived of speech and motion; but while thus situated he felt thatthe sapphire ring given him by the King was snatched from his finger bythe first speaker, whom he knew to be Jem Device, while a fearful spellwas muttered over him by Elizabeth. 

As this occurred at the time when the rattling of the swords engaged thewhole attention of the spectators, no one noticed what was going forwardexcept Nicholas, and, before he could get up to the young man, the twomiscreants were gone, nor could any one tell what had become of them. 

"Have the wretches done you a mischief?" asked the squire, in a lowtone, of Richard. 

"They have stolen the King's ring, which I meant to use in Alizon'sbehalf, " replied the young man, who by this time had recovered hisspeech. 

"That is unlucky, indeed, " said Nicholas. "But we can defeat any illdesign they may intend, by acquainting Sir John Finett with thecircumstance. "

"Let them be, " said a voice in his ear. "The time is not yet come. " Thesquire did not look round, for he well knew that the caution proceededfrom Nance Redferne. 

And, accordingly, he observed to Richard--"Tarry awhile, and you will beamply avenged. "

And with this assurance the young man was fain to be content. 

Just then a trumpet was sounded, and a herald stationed on the summit ofthe broad flight of steps leading to the great hall, proclaimed in aloud voice that a tilting-match was about to take place between ArchieArmstrong, jester to his most gracious Majesty, and Davy Droman, whofilled the same honourable office to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, and that a pair of gilt-heel'd chopines would be the reward of thesuccessful combatant. This announcement was received with cheers, andpreparations were instantly made for the mock tourney. A large circlebeing formed by the yeomen of the guard, with an alley leading to it oneither side, the two combatants, mounted on gaudy-caparisonedhobby-horses, rode into the ring. Both were armed to the teeth, eachhaving a dish-cover braced around him in lieu of a breastplate, anewly-scoured brass porringer on his head, a large pewter platterinstead of a buckler, and a spit with a bung at the point, to preventmischief, in place of a lance. The Duke's jester was an obese littlefellow, and his appearance in this warlike gear was so eminentlyridiculous, that it provoked roars of laughter, while Archie wasscarcely less ridiculous. After curveting round the arena in imitationof knights of chivalry, and performing "their careers, their prankers, their false trots, their smooth ambles, and Canterbury paces, " the twochampions took up a position opposite each other, with difficulty, as itseemed, reining in their pawing chargers, and awaiting the signal ofattack to be given by Sir John Finett, the judge of the tournament. Thiswas not long delayed, and the "laissez aller" being pronounced, thepreux chevaliers started forward with so much fury, and so littlediscretion, that meeting half-way with a tremendous shock, and buttingagainst each other like two rams, both were thrown violently backwards, exhibiting, amid the shouts of the spectators, their heels, no longerhidden by the trappings of their steeds, kicking in the air. Encumberedas they were, some little time elapsed before they could regain theirfeet, and their lances having been removed in the mean time, by order ofSir John Finett, as being weapons of too dangerous a description forsuch truculent combatants, they attacked each other with their broadlathen daggers, dealing sounding blows upon helm, habergeon, and shield, but doing little personal mischief. The strife raged furiously for sometime, and, as the champions appeared pretty well matched, it was noteasy to say how it would terminate, when chance seemed to decide infavour of Davy Droman; for, in dealing a heavier blow than usual, Archie's dagger snapped in twain, leaving him at the mercy of hisopponent. On this the doughty Davy, crowing lustily like chanticleer, called upon him to yield; but Archie was so wroth at his misadventure, that, instead of complying, he sprang forward, and with the hilt of hisbroken weapon dealt his elated opponent a severe blow on the side of thehead, not only knocking off the porringer, but stretching him on theground beside it. The punishment he had received was enough for poorDavy. He made no attempt to rise, and Archie, crowing in his turn, trampling upon the body of his prostrate foe, and then capering joyouslyround it, was declared the victor, and received the gilt chopines fromthe judge, amidst the laughter and acclamations of the beholders. 

With this the public sports concluded; and, as evening was drawing onapace, such of the guests as were not invited to pass the night withinthe Tower, took their departure; while shortly afterwards, supper beingserved in the banqueting-hall on a scale of profusion and magnificencequite equal to the earlier repast, the King and the whole of his trainsat down to it. 

CHAPTER X. --EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS. 

Other amusements were reserved for the evening. While revelry was againheld in the great hall; while the tables groaned, for the third timesince morning, with good cheer, and the ruby wine, which seemed to gushfrom inexhaustible fountains, mantled in the silver flagons; whileseneschal, sewer, and pantler, with the yeomen of the buttery andkitchen, were again actively engaged in their vocations; while of thethree hundred guests more than half, as if insatiate, again vied witheach other in prowess with the trencher and the goblet; while in thewords of old Taylor, the water poet, but who was no water-drinker--andwho thus sang of the hospitality of the men of Manchester, in the earlypart of the seventeenth century--they had

 "Roast, boil'd, bak'd, too, too much, white, claret, sack. Nothing they thought too heavy or too hot, Can follow'd can, and pot succeeded pot. "

--during this time preparations were making for fresh entertainments outof doors. 

The gardens at Hoghton Tower, though necessarily confined in space, owing to their situation on the brow of a hill, were beautifully laidout, and commanded from their balustred terraces magnificent views ofthe surrounding country. Below them lay the well-wooded park, skirted bythe silvery Darwen, with the fair village of Walton-le-Dale immediatelybeyond it, the proud town of Preston further on, and the single-conedNese Point rising majestically in the distance. The principal gardenconstituted a square, and was divided with mathematical precision, according to the formal taste of the time, into smaller squares, with abroad well-kept gravel walk at each angle. These plots were arranged invarious figures and devices--such as the cinq-foil, the flower-de-luce, the trefoil, the lozenge, the fret, the diamond, the crossbow, and theoval--all very elaborate and intricate in design. Besides these knots, as they were termed, there were labyrinths, and clipped yew-tree walks, and that indispensable requisite to a garden at the period, a maze. Inthe centre was a grassy eminence, surmounted by a pavilion, in front ofwhich spread a grass-plot of smoothest turf, ordinarily used as abowling-green. At the lower end of this a temporary stage was erected, for the masque about to be represented before the King. Torches werekindled, and numerous lamps burned in the branches of the adjoiningtrees; but they were scarcely needed, for the moon being at the full, the glorious effulgence shed by her upon the scene rendered all otherlight pale and ineffectual. 

After supper, at which the drinking was deeper than at dinner, the wholeof the revellers repaired to the garden, full of frolic and merriment, and well-disposed for any diversion in store for them. The King wasconducted to the bowling-green by his host, preceded by a crowd ofattendants bearing odoriferous torches; but the royal gait beingsomewhat unsteady, the aid of Sir Gilbert Hoghton's arm was required tokeep the monarch from stumbling. The rest of the bacchanalians followed, and, elated as they were, it will not be wondered that they put verylittle restraint upon themselves, but shouted, sang, danced, andindulged in all kinds of licence. 

Opposite the stage prepared for the masquers a platform had been reared, in front of which was a chair for the King, with seats for the noblesand principal guests behind it. The sides were hung with curtains ofcrimson velvet fringed with gold; the roof decorated like a canopy; sothat it had a very magnificent effect. James lolled back in his chair, and jested loudly and rather indecorously with the various personages asthey took their places around him. In less than five minutes the wholeof the green was filled with revellers, and great was the pushing andjostling, the laughing and screaming, that ensued among them. Silencewas then enjoined by Sir John Finett, who had stationed himself on thesteps of the stage, and at this command the assemblage becamecomparatively quiet, though now and then a half-suppressed titter or asmothered scream would break out. Amid this silence the King's voicecould be distinctly heard, and his coarse jests reached the ears of allthe astonished audience, provoking many a severe comment from theelders, and much secret laughter from the juniors. 

The masque began. Two tutelar deities appeared on the stage. They werefollowed by a band of foresters clad in Lincoln green, with bows attheir backs. The first deity wore a white linen tunic, withflesh-coloured hose and red buskins, and had a purple taffeta mantleover his shoulders. In his hand he held a palm branch, and a garland ofthe same leaves was woven round his brow. The second household god was abig brawny varlet, wild and shaggy in appearance, being clothed in theskins of beasts, with sandals of untanned cowhide. On his head was agarland of oak leaves; and from his neck hung a horn. He was armed witha hunting-spear and wood-knife, and attended by a large Lancashiremastiff. Advancing to the front of the stage, the foremost personagethus addressed the Monarch--

 "This day--great King for government admired! Which these thy subjects have so much desired-- Shall be kept holy in their heart's best treasure, And vow'd to JAMES as is this month to Cæsar. And now the landlord of this ancient Tower, Thrice fortunate to see this happy hour, Whose trembling heart thy presence sets on fire, Unto this house--the heart of all our shire-- Does bid thee cordial welcome, and would speak it In higher notes, but extreme joy doth break it. He makes his guests most welcome, in his eyes Love tears do sit, not he that shouts and cries. And we the antique guardians of this place, -- I of this house--he of the fruitful chase, -- Since the bold Hoghtons from this hill took name, Who with the stiff, unbridled Saxons came, And so have flourish'd in this fairer clime Successively from that to this our time, Still offering up to our immortal powers Sweet incense, wine, and odoriferous flowers; While sacred Vesta, in her virgin tire, With vows and wishes tends the hallow'd fire. Now seeing that thy Majesty is thus Greater than household deities like us, We render up to thy more powerful guard, This Tower. This knight is thine--he is thy ward, For by thy helping and auspicious hand, He and his home shall ever, ever stand And flourish, in despite of envious fate; And then live, like Augustus, fortunate. And long, long mayst thou live!--To which both men And guardian angels cry--"Amen! amen!"

James, who had demeaned himself critically during the delivery of theaddress, observed at its close to Sir Richard Hoghton, who was standingimmediately behind his chair, "We cannot say meikle for the rhymes, which are but indifferently strung together, but the sentiments are lealand gude, and that is a' we care for. "

On this the second tutelar divinity advanced, and throwing himself intoan attitude, as if bewildered by the august presence in which he stood, exclaimed--

 "Thou greatest of mortals!"--

And then stopped, as if utterly confounded. 

The King looked at him for a moment, and then roared out--"Weel, gudeman, your commencement is pertinent and true enough; and though webe 'the greatest of mortals, ' as ye style us, dinna fash yoursel' aboutour grandeur, but go on, as if we were nae better nor wiser than yourain simple sel'. "

But, instead of encouraging the dumbfounded deity, this speechcompletely upset him. He hastily retreated; and, in trying to screenhimself behind the huntsman, fell back from the stage, and his houndleapt after him. The incident, whether premeditated or not, amused thespectators much more than any speech he could have delivered, and theKing joined heartily in the merriment. 

Silence being again restored, the first divinity came forward once more, and spoke thus:--

 'Dread lord! thy Majesty hath stricken dumb His weaker god-head; if to himself he come, Unto thy service straight he will commend These foresters, and charge them to attend Thy pleasure in this park, and show such sport; To the chief huntsman and thy princely court, As the small circle of this round affords, And be more ready than he was in words. "[5]

"Weel spoken, and to the purpose, gude fallow, " cried James. "And wetake this opportunity of assuring our worthy host, in the presence ofhis other guests, that we have never had better sport in park or forestthan we have this day enjoyed--have never eaten better cheer, norquaffed better wine than at his board--and, altogether, have never beenmore hospitably welcomed. "

Sir Richard was overwhelmed by his Majesty's commendation. 

"I have done nothing, my gracious liege, " he said, "to merit suchacknowledgment on your part, and the delight I experience is onlytempered by my utter unworthiness. "

"Hoot-toot! man, " replied James, jocularly, "ye merit a vast deal mairthan we hae said to you. But gude folk dinna always get their deserts. Ye ken that, Sir Richard. And now, hae ye not some ither drolleries instore for us?"

The baronet replied in the affirmative, and soon afterwards the stagewas occupied by a new class of performers, and a drollery commencedwhich kept the audience in one continual roar of laughter so long as itlasted. And yet none of the parts had been studied, the actors entirelytrusting to their own powers of comedy to carry it out. The principalcharacter was the Cap Justice, enacted by Sir John Finett, who tookoccasion in the course of the performance to lampoon and satirise mostof the eminent legal characters of the day, mimicking the voices andmanner of the three justices--Crooke, Hoghton, and Doddridge--soadmirably, that his hearers were wellnigh convulsed; and the threelearned gentlemen, who sat near the King, though fully conscious of theridicule applied to them, were obliged to laugh with the rest. But theunsparing satirist was not content with this, but went on, with most ofthe other attendants upon the King, and being intimately versed in courtscandal, he directed his lash with telling effect. As a contrast to themalicious pleasantry of the Cap Justice, were the gambols and jests ofRobin Goodfellow--a merry imp, who, if he led people into mischief, wasalways ready to get them out of it. Then there was a dance by BillHuckler, old Crambo, and Tom o' Bedlam, the half-crazed individualalready mentioned as being among the crowd in the base court. This wasapplauded to the echo, and consequently repeated. But the most divertingscene of all was that in which Jem Tospot and the three Doll Wangosappeared. Though given in the broadest vernacular of the county, andscarcely intelligible to the whole of the company, the dialogue of thispart of the piece was so lifelike and natural, that every one recognisedits truth; while the situations, arranged with the slightest effort, andon the spur of the moment, were extremely ludicrous. The scene wassupposed to take place in a small Lancashire alehouse, where a jovialpedlar was carousing, and where, being visited by his threesweethearts--each of whom he privately declared to be the favourite--hehad to reconcile their differences, and keep them all in good-humour. Familiar with the character in all its aspects, Nicholas played it tothe life; and, to do them justice, Dames Baldwyn, Tetlow, and NanceRedferne, were but little if at all inferior to him. There was a realityin their jealous quarrelling that gave infinite zest to the performance. 

"Saul o' my body!" exclaimed James, admiringly, "those are three brawwomen. Ane of them maun be sax feet if she is an inch, and weel made andweel favourt too. Zounds! Sir Richard, there's nae standing the spellso' your Lancashire Witches. High-born and low-born, they are a' alike. Iwad their only witchcraft lay in their een. I should then hae the lessfear of 'em. But have you aught mair? for it is growing late, and ye kenwe hae something to do in that pavilion. "

"Only a merry dance, my liege, in which a man will appear in adendrological foliage of fronds, " replied the baronet. 

James laughed at the description, and soon afterwards a party ofmummers, male and female, clad in various grotesque garbs, appeared onthe stage. In the midst of them was the "dendrological man, " enclosed ina framework of green boughs, like that borne by a modernJack-in-the-green. A ring was formed by the mummers, and the roundcommenced to lively music. 

While the mazy measure was proceeding, Nance Redferne, who had quittedthe stage with Nicholas, and now stood close to him among thespectators, said in a low tone, "Look there!"

The squire glanced in the direction indicated, and to his surprise andterror, distinguished, among the crowd at a little distance, the figureof a Cistertian monk. 

"He is invisible to every eye except our own, " whispered Nance, "and iscome to tell me it is time. "

"Time for what?" demanded Nicholas. 

"Time for you to seize those two accursed Devices, Jem and his mother, "replied Nance. "They are both on yon boards. Jem is the man in the tree, and Elizabeth is the owd crone in the red kirtle and high-crowned hat. Yo win knoa her feaw feace when yo pluck off her mask. "

"The monk is gone, " cried Nicholas; "I have kept my eyes steadily fixedon him, and he has melted into air. What has he to do with the Devices?"

"He is their fate, " returned Nance, "an ey ha' acted under his orders. Boh mount, an seize them. Ey win ge wi' ye. "

Forcing his way through the crowd, Nicholas ran up the steps, and, followed by Nance, sprang upon the stage. His appearance occasionedconsiderable surprise; but as he was recognised by the spectators as thejolly Jem Tospot, who had so recently diverted them, and his companionas one of the three Doll Wangos, in anticipation of some more fun theyreceived him with a round of applause. But without stopping toacknowledge it, or being for a moment diverted from his purpose, Nicholas seized the old crone, and, consigning her to Nance, caughthold of the leafy frame in which the man was encased, and pulled himfrom under it. But he began to think he had unkennelled the wrong fox, for the man, though a tall fellow, bore no resemblance to Jem Device;while, when the crone's mask was plucked off, she was found to be acomely young woman. Meanwhile, all around was in an uproar, and amidst ahurricane of hisses, yells, and other indications of displeasure fromthe spectators, several of the mummers demanded the meaning of such astrange and unwarrantable proceeding. 

"They are a couple of witches, " cried Nicholas; "this is Jem Device andhis mother Elizabeth. "

"My name is nother Jem nor Device, " cried the man. 

"Nor mine Elizabeth, " screamed the woman. 

"We know the Devices, " cried two or three voices, "and these are none of'em. "

Nicholas was perplexed. The storm increased; threats accompanied thehisses; when luckily he espied a ring on the man's finger. He instantlyseized his hand, and held it up to the general gaze. 

"A proof!--a proof!" he cried. "This sapphire ring was given by the Kingto my cousin, Richard Assheton, this morning, and stolen from him by JemDevice. "

"Examine their features again, " said Nance Redferne, waving her handsover them. "Yo win aw knoa them now. "

The woman's face instantly altered. Many years being added to it in abreath. The man changed equally. The utmost astonishment was evinced byall at the transformation, and the bystanders who had spoken before, nowcried out loudly--"We know them perfectly now. They are the twoDevices. "

By this time an officer, attended by a party of halberdiers, had mountedthe boards, and the two prisoners were delivered to their custody byNicholas. 

"Howd!" cried the man; "Ey win no longer deny my name. Ey am Jem Device, an this is my mother, Elizabeth. Boh a warse offender than either on usstonds afore yo. This woman is Nance Redferne, grandowter of the owdhag, Mother Chattox. Ey charge her wi' makin' wax images, an' stickin'pins in 'em, wi' intent to kill folk. Hoo wad ha' kilt me mysel', wi'her devilry, if ey hadna bin too strong for her--an' that's why hoobears me malice, an' has betrayed me to Squoire Nicholas Assheton. Seizeher, an' ca' me as a witness agen her. "

And as Nance was secured, he laughed malignantly. 

"Ey care not, " replied Nance. "Ey am now revenged on you both. "

While this impromptu performance took place, as much to the surprise ofJames as of any one else, and while he was desiring Sir Richard Hoghtonto ascertain what it all meant--at the very moment that the two Devicesand Nance removed from the stage, an usher approached the monarch, andsaid that Master Potts entreated a moment's audience of his majesty. 

"Potts!" exclaimed James, somewhat confused. "Wha is he?--ah, yes! Irecollect--a witch-finder. Weel, let him approach. "

Accordingly, the next moment the little attorney, whose face wasevidently charged with some tremendous intelligence, was ushered intothe king's presence. 

After a profound reverence, he said, "May it please your Majesty, I havesomething for your private ear. "

"Aweel, then, " replied James, "approach us mair closely. What hae ye gotto say, sir? Aught mair anent these witches?"

"A great deal, sire, " said Potts, in an impressive tone. "Somethingdreadful has happened--something terrible. "

"Eh! what?" exclaimed James, looking alarmed. "What is it, man? Speak!"

"Murder? sire, --murder has been done, " said Potts, in low thrillingaccents. 

"Murder!" exclaimed James, horror-stricken. "Tell us a' about it, andwithout more ado. "

But Potts was still circumspect. With an air of deepest mystery, heapproached his head as near as he dared to that of the monarch, andwhispered in his ear. 

"Can this be true?" cried James. "If sae--it's very shocking--verysad. "

"It is too true, as your Majesty will find on investigation, " repliedPotts. "The little girl I told you of, Jennet Device, saw it done. "

"Weel, weel, there is nae accounting for human frailty and wickedness, "said James. "Let a' necessary steps be taken at once. We will considerwhat to do. But--d'ye hear, sir?--dinna let the bairn Jennet go. Haudher fast. D'ye mind that? Now go, and cause the guilty party to be putunder arrest. "

And on receiving this command Master Potts departed. 

Scarcely was he gone than Nicholas Assheton came up to the railing ofthe platform, and, imploring his Majesty's forgiveness for thedisturbance he had occasioned, explained that it had been owing to theseizure of the two Devices, who, for some wicked but unexplainedpurpose, had contrived to introduce themselves, under various disguises, into the Tower. 

"Ye did right to arrest the miscreants, sir, " said James. "But hae yeheard what has happened?"

"No, my liege, " replied Nicholas, alarmed by the King's manner; "what isit?"

"Come nearer, and ye shall learn, " replied James; "for we wadna hae itbruited abroad, though if true, as we canna doubt, it will be known soonenough. "

And as the squire bent forward, he imparted some intelligence to him, which instantly changed the expression of the latter to one of mingledhorror and rage. 

"It is false, sire!" he cried. "I will answer for her innocence with mylife. She could not do it. Your Majesty's patience is abused. It isJennet who has done it--not she. But I will unravel the terriblemystery. You have the other two wretches prisoners, and can enforce thetruth from them. "

"We will essay to do so, " replied James; "but we have also anotherprisoner. "

"Christopher Demdike?" said Nicholas. 

"Ay, Christopher Demdike, " rejoined James. "But another besideshim--Mistress Nutter. You stare, sir; but it is true. She is in yonderpavilion. We ken fu' weel wha assisted her flight, and wha concealedher. Maister Potts has told us a'. It is weel for you that your puirkinsman, Richard Assheton, did us sic gude service at the boar-huntto-day. We shall not now be unmindful of it, even though he cannot sendus the ring we gave him. "

"It is here, sire, " replied Nicholas. "It was stolen from him by thevillain, Jem Device. The poor youth meant to use it for Alizon. I nowdeliver it to your Majesty as coming from him in her behalf. "

"And we sae receive it, " replied the monarch, brushing away the moisturethat gathered thickly in his eyes. 

At this moment a tall personage, wrapped in a cloak, who appeared to bean officer of the guard, approached the railing. 

"I am come to inform your Majesty that Christopher Demdike has just diedof his wounds, " said this personage. 

"And sae he has had a strae death, after a'!" rejoined James. "Weel, weare sorry for it. "

"His portion will be eternal bale, " observed the officer. 

"How know you that, sir?" demanded the King, sharply. "You are not hisjudge. "

"I witnessed his end, sire, " replied the officer; "and no man who diedas he died can be saved. The Fiend was beside him at the death-throes. "

"Save us!" exclaimed James. "Ye dinna say so? God's santie! man, butthis is grewsome, and gars the flesh creep on one's banes. Let his foulcarcase be taen awa', and hangit on a gibbet on the hill where MalkinTower aince stood, as a warning to a' sic heinous offenders. "

As the King ceased speaking, Master Potts appeared out of breath, andgreatly excited. 

"She has escaped, sire!" he cried. 

"Wha! Jennet!" exclaimed James. "If sae, we will tang you in her stead. "

"No, sire--Alizon, " replied Potts. "I can nowhere find her; nor--" andhe hesitated. 

"Weel--weel--it is nae great matter, " replied James, as if relieved, and with a glance of satisfaction at Nicholas. 

"I know where Alizon is, sire, " said the officer. 

"Indeed!" exclaimed James. "This fellow is strangely officious, " hemuttered to himself. "And where may she be, sir?" he added, aloud. 

"I will produce her within a quarter of an hour in yonder pavilion, "replied the officer, "and all that Master Potts has been unable tofind. "

"Your Majesty may trust him, " observed Nicholas, who had attentivelyregarded the officer. "Depend upon it he will make good his words. "

"You think so?" cried the King. "Then we will put him to the test. Youwill engage to confront Alizon with her mother?" he added, to theofficer. 

"I will, sire, " replied the other. "But I shall require the assistanceof a dozen men. "

"Tak twenty, if you will, " replied the King, --"I am impatient to seewhat you can do. "

"In a quarter of a minute all shall be ready within the pavilion, sire, "replied the officer. "You have seen one masque to-night;--but you shallnow behold a different one--the masque of death. "

And he disappeared. 

Nicholas felt sure he would accomplish his task, for he had recognisedin him the Cistertian monk. 

"Where is Sir Richard Assheton of Middleton?" inquired the King. 

"He left the Tower with his daughter Dorothy, immediately after thebanquet, " replied Nicholas. 

"I am glad of it--right glad, " replied the monarch; "the terribleintelligence can be the better broken to them. If it had come upon themsuddenly, it might have been fatal--especially to the puir lassie. LetSir Ralph Assheton of Whalley come to me--and Master Roger Nowell ofRead. "

"Your Majesty shall be obeyed, " replied Sir Richard Hoghton. 

The King then gave some instructions respecting the prisoners, and badeMaster Potts have Jennet in readiness. 

And now to see what terrible thing had happened. 

CHAPTER XI. --FATALITY. 

Along the eastern terrace a youth and maiden were pacing slowly. Theyhad stolen forth unperceived from the revel, and, passing through a doorstanding invitingly open, had entered the garden. Though overjoyed ineach other's presence, the solemn beauty of the night, so powerful inits contrast to the riotous scene they had just quitted, profoundlyimpressed them. Above, were the deep serene heavens, lighted up by thestarry host and their radiant queen--below, the immemorial woods, steeped in silvery mists arising from the stream flowing past them. Allnature was hushed in holy rest. In opposition to the flood of soft lightemanating from the lovely planet overhead, and which turned all it fellon, whether tree, or tower, or stream, to beauty, was the artificialglare caused by the torches near the pavilion; while the discordantsounds occasioned by the minstrels tuning their instruments, disturbedthe repose. As they went on, however, these sounds were lost in thedistance, and the glare of the torches was excluded by interveningtrees. Then the moon looked down lovingly upon them, and the only musicthat reached their ears arose from the nightingales. After a pause, theywalked on again, hand-in-hand, gazing at each other, at the gloriousheavens, and drinking in the thrilling melody of the songsters of thegrove. 

At the angle of the terrace was a small arbour placed in the midst of abosquet, and they sat down within it. Then, and not till then, did theirthoughts find vent in words. Forgetting the sorrows they had endured, and the perils by which they were environed, they found in their deepmutual love a shield against the sharpest arrows of fate. In low gentleaccents they breathed their passion, solemnly plighting their faithbefore all-seeing Heaven. 

Poor souls! they were happy then--intensely happy. Alas! that theirhappiness should be so short; for those few moments of bliss, stolenfrom a waste of tears, were all that were allowed them. Inexorable fatestill dogged their footsteps. 

Amidst the bosquet stood a listener to their converse--a little girlwith high shoulders and sharp features, on which diabolical malice wasstamped. Two yellow eyes glistened through the leaves beside her, marking the presence of a cat. As the lovers breathed their vows, andindulged in hopes never to be realised, the wicked child grinned, clenched her hands, and, grudging them their short-lived happiness, seemed inclined to interrupt it. Some stronger motive, however, kept herquiet. 

What are the pair talking of now?--She hears her own name mentioned bythe maiden, who speaks of her with pity, almost with affection--pardonsher for the mischief she has done her, and hopes Heaven will pardon herlikewise. But she knows not the full extent of the girl's malignity, oreven her gentle heart must have been roused to resentment. 

The little girl, however, feels no compunction. Infernal malice hastaken possession of her heart, and crushed every kindly feeling withinit. She hates all those that compassionate her, and returns evil forgood. 

What are the lovers talking of now? Of their first meeting at WhalleyAbbey, when one was May Queen, and by her beauty and simplicity won theother's heart, losing her own at the same time. A bright uncloudedcareer seemed to lie before them then. Wofully had it darkened since. Alas! Alas!

The little girl smiles. She hopes they will go on. She likes to hearthem talk thus. Past happiness is ever remembered with a pang by thewretched, and they _were_ happy then. Go on--go on!

But they are silent for awhile, for they wish to dwell on that hopeful, that blissful season. And a nightingale, alighting on a bough abovethem, pours forth its sweet plaint, as if in response to their tenderemotions. They praise the bird's song, and it suddenly ceases. 

For the little girl, full of malevolence, stretches forth her hand, andit drops to the ground, as if stricken by a dart. 

"Is thy heart broken, poor bird?" exclaimed the young man, taking up thehapless songster, yet warm and palpitating. "To die in the midst of thysong--'tis hard. "

"Very hard!" replied the maiden, tearfully. "Its fate seems a type ofour own. "

The little girl laughed, but in a low tone, and to herself. 

The pair then grew sad. This slight incident had touched them deeply, and their conversation took a melancholy turn. They spoke of the blightsthat had nipped their love in the bud--of the canker that had eaten intoits heart--of the destiny that so relentlessly pursued them, threateningto separate them for ever. 

The little girl laughed merrily. 

Then they spoke of the grave--and of hope beyond the grave; and theyspoke cheerfully. 

The little girl could laugh no longer, for with her all beyond the gravewas despair. 

After that they spoke of the terrible power that Satan had latelyobtained in that unhappy district, of the arts he had employed, and ofthe votaries he had won. Both prayed fervently that his snares might becircumvented, and his rule destroyed. 

During this part of the discourse the cat swelled to the size of atiger, and his eyes glowed like fiery coals. He made a motion as if hewould spring forward, but the voice of prayer arrested him, and heshrank back to his former size. 

"Poor Jennet is ensnared by the Fiend, " murmured the maiden, "and willperish eternally. Would I could save her!"

"It cannot be, " replied the young man. "She is beyond redemption. "

The little girl gnashed her teeth with rage. 

"But my mother--I do not now despair of her, " said Alizon. "She hasbroken the bondage by which she was enchained, and, if she resiststemptation to the last, I am assured will be saved. "

"Heaven aid her!" exclaimed Richard. 

Scarcely were the words uttered, than the cat disappeared. 

"Why, Tib!--where are yo, Tib? Ey want yo!" cried the little girl in alow tone. 

But the familiar did not respond to the call. 

"Where con he ha' gone?" cried Jennet; "Tib! Tib!"

Still the cat came not. 

"Then ey mun do the wark without him, " pursued the little girl; "an eywin no longer delay it. "

And with this she crept stealthily round the arbour, and, approachingthe side where Richard sat, watched an opportunity of touching himunperceived. 

As her finger came in contact with his frame, a pang like death shotthrough his heart, and he fell upon Alizon's shoulder. 

"Are you ill?" she exclaimed, gazing at his pallid features, renderedghastly white by the moonlight. 

Richard could make no reply, and Alizon, becoming dreadfully alarmed, was about to fly for assistance, but the young man, by a great effort, detained her. 

"Ey mun now run an tell Mester Potts, so that hoo may be found wi' him, "muttered Jennet, creeping away. 

Just then Richard recovered his speech, but his words were faintlyuttered, and with difficulty. 

"Alizon, " he said, "I will not attempt to disguise my condition fromyou. I am dying. And my death will be attributed to you--for evil-mindedpersons have persuaded the King that you have bewitched me, and he willbelieve the charge now. Oh! if you would ease the pangs of death forme--if you would console my latest moments--leave me, and quit thisplace, before it be too late. "

"Oh! Richard, " she cried distractedly; "you ask more than I can perform. If you are indeed in such imminent danger, I will stay with you--willdie with you. "

"No! live for me--live--save yourself, Alizon, " implored the young man. "Your danger is greater than mine. A dreadful death awaits you at thestake! Oh! mercy, mercy, heaven! Spare her--in pity spare her!--Have wenot suffered enough? I can no more. Farewell for ever, Alizon--onekiss--the last. "

And as their lips met, his strength utterly forsook him, and he fellbackwards. 

"One grave!" he murmured; "one grave, Alizon!"--And so, without a groan, he expired. 

Alizon neither screamed nor swooned, but remained in a state ofstupefaction, gazing at the body. As the moon fell upon the placidfeatures, they looked as if locked in slumber. 

There he lay--the young, the brave, the beautiful, the loving, thebeloved. Fate had triumphed. Death had done his work; but he had onlyperformed half his task. 

"One grave--one grave--it was his last wish--it shall be so!" she cried, in frenzied tones, "I shall thus escape my enemies, and avoid thehorrible and shameful death to which they would doom me. "

And she snatched the dagger from the ill-fated youth's side. 

"Now, fate, I defy thee!" she cried, with a fearful laugh. 

One last look at that calm beautiful face--one kiss of the cold lips, which can no more return the endearment--and the dagger is pointed ather breast. 

But she is withheld by an arm of iron, and the weapon falls from hergrasp. She looks up. A tall figure, clothed in the moulderinghabiliments of a Cistertian monk, stands beside her. She knows thevestments at once, for she has seen them before, hanging up in thecloset adjoining her mother's chamber at Whalley Abbey--and the featuresof the ghostly monk seem familiar to her. 

"Raise not thy hand against thyself, " said the phantom, in a tone ofawful reproof. "It is the Fiend prompts thee to do it. He would takeadvantage of thy misery to destroy thee. "

"I took thee for the Fiend, " replied Alizon, gazing at him with wonderrather than with terror. "Who art thou?"

"The enemy of thy enemies, and therefore thy friend, " replied the monk. "I would have saved thy lover if I could, but his destiny was not to beaverted. But, rest content, I will avenge him. "

"I do not want vengeance--I want to be with him, " she replied, frantically embracing the body. 

"Thou wilt soon be with him, " said the phantom, in tones of deepsignificance. "Arise, and come with me. Thy mother needs thyassistance. "

"My mother!" exclaimed Alizon, clearing the blinding tresses from herbrow. "Where is she?"

"Follow me, and I will bring thee to her, " said the monk. 

"And leave him? I cannot!" cried Alizon, gazing wildly at the body. 

"You must. A soul is at stake, and will perish if you come not, " saidthe monk. "He is at rest, and you will speedily rejoin him. "

"With that assurance I will go, " replied Alizon, with a last look at theobject of her love. "One grave--lay us in one grave!"

"It shall be done according to your wish, " said the monk. 

And he glided on with noiseless footsteps. 

Alizon followed him along the terrace. 

Presently they came to a dark yew-tree walk, leading to a labyrinth, andtracking it swiftly, as well as the overarched and intricate path towhich it conducted, they entered a grotto, whence a flight of stepsdescended to a subterranean passage, hewn out of the rock. Along thispassage, which was of some extent, the monk proceeded, and Alizonfollowed him. 

At last they came to another flight of steps, and here the monk stopped. 

"We are now beneath the pavilion, where you will find your mother, " hesaid. "Mount! the way is clear before you. I have other work to do. "

Alizon obeyed; and, as she advanced, was surprised to find the monkgone. He had neither passed her nor ascended the steps, and must, therefore, have sunk into the earth. 

CHAPTER XII. --THE LAST HOUR. 

Within the pavilion sat Alice Nutter. She was clad in deep mourning, buther dress seemed disordered as if by hasty travel. Her looks were fullof anguish and terror; her blanched tresses, once so dark and beautiful, hung dishevelled over her shoulders; and her thin hands were clasped insupplication. Her cheeks were ashy pale, but on her brow was a brightred mark, as if traced by a finger dipped in blood. 

A lamp was burning on the table beside her. Near it was a skull, andnear this emblem of mortality an hourglass, running fast. 

The windows and doors of the building were closed, and it would seem theunhappy lady was a prisoner. 

She had been brought there secretly that night, with what intent sheknew not; but she felt sure it was with no friendly design towardsherself. Early in the day three horsemen had arrived at her retreat inPendle Forest, and without making any charge against her, or explainingwhither they meant to take her, or indeed answering any inquiry, hadbrought her off with them, and, proceeding across the country, hadarrived at a forester's hut on the outskirts of Hoghton Park. Here theytarried till evening, placing her in a room by herself, and keepingstrict watch over her; and when the shadows of night fell, they conveyedher through the woods, and by a private entrance to the gardens of theTower, and with equal secresy to the pavilion, where, setting a lampbefore her, they left her to her meditations. All refused to answer herinquiries, but one of them, with a sinister smile, placed the hourglassand skull beside her. 

Left alone, the wretched lady vainly sought some solution of theenigma--why she had been brought thither. She could not solve it; butshe determined, if her capture had been made by any lawful authorities, to confess her guilt and submit to condign punishment. 

Though the windows and doors were closed as before mentioned, soundsfrom without reached her, and she heard confused and tumultuous noisesas if from a large assemblage. For what purpose were they met? Could itbe for her execution? No--there were strains of music, and bursts oflaughter. And yet she had heard that the burning of a witch was aspectacle in which the populace delighted--that they looked upon it as ashow, like any other; and why should they not laugh, and have music atit? But could she be executed without trial, without judgment? She knewnot. All she knew was she was guilty, and deserved to die. But when thisidea took possession of her, the laughter sounded in her ears like theyells of demons, and the strains like the fearful harmonies she hadheard at weird sabbaths. 

All at once she recollected with indescribable terror, that on this verynight the compact she had entered into with the Fiend expired. That atmidnight, unless by her penitence and prayers she had worked out hersalvation, he could claim her. She recollected also, and with increaseduneasiness, that the man who had set the hourglass on the table, and whohad regarded her with a sinister smile as he did so, had said it waseleven o'clock! Her last hour then had arrived--nay, was partly spent, and the moments were passing swiftly by. 

The agony she endured at this thought was intense. She felt as if reasonwere forsaking her, and, but for her determined efforts to resist it, such a crisis might have occurred. But she knew that her eternal welfaredepended upon the preservation of her mental balance, and she strove tomaintain it, and in the end succeeded. 

Her gaze was fixed intently on the hourglass. She saw the sand tricklingsilently but swiftly down, like a current of life-blood, which, when itceased, life would cease with it. She saw the shining grains aboveinsensibly diminishing in quantity, and, as if she could arrest herdestiny by the act, she seized the glass, and would have turned it, butthe folly of the proceeding arrested her, and she set it down again. 

Then horrible thoughts came upon her, crushing her and overwhelming her, and she felt by anticipation all the torments she would speedily have toendure. Oceans of fire, in which miserable souls were for ever tossing, rolled before her. Yells, such as no human anguish can produce, smoteher ears. Monsters of frightful form yawned to devour her. Fiends, armedwith terrible implements of torture, such as the wildest imaginationcannot paint, menaced her. All hell, and its horrors, was there, itsdreadful gulf, its roaring furnaces, its rivers of molten metal, everburning, yet never consuming its victims. A hot sulphureous atmosphereoppressed her, and a film of blood dimmed her sight. 

She endeavoured to pray, but her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth. She looked about for her Bible, but it had been left behind when she wastaken from her retreat. She had no safeguard--none. 

Still the sand ran on. 

New agonies assailed her. Hell was before her again, but in a new form, and with new torments. She closed her eyes. She shut her ears. But shesaw it still, and heard its terrific yells. 

Again she consults the hourglass. The sand is running on--everdiminishing. 

New torments assail her. She thinks of all she loves most on earth--ofher daughter! Oh! if Alizon were near her, she might pray for her--mightscare away these frightful visions--might save her. She calls toher--but she answers not. No, she is utterly abandoned of God and man, and must perish eternally. 

Again she consults the hourglass. One quarter of an hour is all thatremains to her. Oh! that she could employ it in prayer! Oh! that shecould kneel--or even weep!

A large mirror hangs against the wall, and she is drawn towards it by anirresistible impulse. She sees a figure within it--but she does not knowherself. Can that cadaverous object, with the white hair, that seemsnewly-arisen from the grave, be she? It must be a phantom. No--shetouches her cheek, and finds it is real. But, ah! what is this red brandupon her brow? It must be the seal of the demon. She tries to effaceit--but it will not come out. On the contrary, it becomes redder anddeeper. 

Again she consults the glass. The sand is still running on. How manyminutes remain to her?

"Ten!" cried a voice, replying to her mental inquiry. --"Ten!"

And, turning, she perceived her familiar standing beside her. 

"Thy time is wellnigh out, Alice Nutter, " he said. "In ten minutes mylord will claim thee. "

"My compact with thy master is broken, " she replied, summoning up allher resolution. "I have long ceased to use the power bestowed upon me;but, even if I had wished it, thou hast refused to serve me. "

"I have refused to serve you, madam, because you have disobeyed theexpress injunctions of my master, " replied the familiar; "but yourapostasy does not free you from bondage. You have merely lost advantageswhich you might have enjoyed. If you chose to dismiss me I could nothelp it. Neither I nor my lord have been to blame. We have performed ourpart of the contract. "

"Why am I brought hither?" demanded Mistress Nutter. 

"I will tell you, " replied the familiar. "You were brought here by orderof the King. Your retreat was revealed to him by Master Potts, wholearnt it from Jennet Device. The sapient sovereign intended to confrontyou with your daughter Alizon, who, like yourself, is accused ofwitchcraft; but he will be disappointed--for when he comes for you, youwill be out of his reach--ha! ha!"

And he rubbed his hands at the jest. 

"Alizon accused of witchcraft--say'st thou?" cried Mistress Nutter. 

"Ay, " replied the familiar. "She is suspected of bewitching RichardAssheton, who has been done to death by Jennet Device. For one so young, the little girl has certainly a rare turn for mischief. But no one willknow the real author of the crime, and Alizon will suffer for it. "

"Heaven will not suffer such iniquity, " said the lady. 

"As you have nothing to do with heaven, madam, it is needless to referto it, " said the familiar. "But it certainly is rather hard that one soyoung as Alizon should perish. "

"Can you save her?" asked Mistress Nutter. 

"Oh! yes, I _could_ save her, but she will not let me, " replied thefamiliar, with a grin. 

"No--no--it is impossible, " cried the wretched woman. "And I cannot helpher. "

"Perhaps you might, " observed the tempter. "My master, whom you accuseof harshness, is ever willing to oblige you. You have a few minutesleft--do you wish him to aid her? Command me, and I will obey you. "

"This is some snare, " thought Mistress Nutter; "I will resist it. "

"You cannot be worse off than you are, " remarked the familiar. 

"I know not that, " replied the lady. "What would'st thou do?"

"Whatever you command me, madam. I can, do nothing of my own accord. Shall I bring your daughter here? Say so, and it shall be done. "

"No--thou would'st ensnare me, " she replied. "I well know thou hast nopower over her. Thou would'st place some phantasm before me. I would seeher, but not through thy agency. "

"She is here, " cried Alizon, opening the door of a closet, and rushingtowards her mother, who instantly locked her in her arms. 

"Pray for me, my child, " cried Mistress Nutter, mastering her emotion, "or I shall be snatched from you for ever. My moments are numbered. Pray--pray!"

Alizon fell on her knees, and prayed fervently. 

"You waste your breath, " cried the familiar, in a mocking tone. "Nevertill the brand shall disappear from her brow, and the writing, traced inher blood, shall vanish from this parchment, can she be saved. She ismine. "

"Pray, Alizon, pray!" shrieked Mistress Nutter. 

"I will tear her in pieces if she does not cease, " cried the familiar, assuming a terrible shape, and menacing her with claws like those of awild beast. 

"Pray thou, mother!" cried Alizon. 

"I cannot, " replied the lady. 

"I will kill her if she but makes the attempt, " howled the demon. 

"But try, mother, try!" cried Alizon. 

The poor lady dropped on her knees, and raised her hands in humblesupplication--"Heaven forgive me!" she exclaimed. 

The demon seized the hourglass. 

"The sand is out--her term has expired--she is mine!" he cried. 

"Clasp thy arms tightly round me, my child. He cannot take me fromthee, " shrieked the agonised woman. 

"Release her, Alizon, or I will slay thee likewise, " roared the demon. 

"Never, " she replied; "thou canst not overcome me. Ha!" she addedjoyfully, "the brand has disappeared from her brow. "

"And the writing from the parchment, " howled the demon; "but I will haveher notwithstanding. "

And he plunged his claws into Alice Nutter's flesh. But her daughterheld her fast. 

"Oh! hold me, my child--hold me, or I am lost!" shrieked the lady. 

"Be warned, and let her go, or thy life shall pay for her's, " cried thedemon. 

"My life for her's, willingly, " replied Alizon. 

"Then take thy fate, " rejoined the evil spirit. 

And placing his hand upon her heart, it instantly ceased to beat. 

"Mother, thou art saved--saved!" exclaimed Alizon, throwing out herarms. 

And gazing at her for an instant with a seraphic look, she fellbackwards, and expired. 

"Thou art mine, " roared the demon, seizing Mistress Nutter by the hair, and dragging her from her daughter's body, to which she clungdesperately. 

"Help!--help!" she cried. 

"Thou mayst call, but thy cries will be unheeded, " rejoined the familiarwith mocking laughter. 

"Thou liest, false fiend!" said Mistress Nutter. "Heaven will help menow. "

And, as she spoke, the Cistertian monk stood before them. 

"Hence!" he cried with an imperious gesture to the demon. "She is nolonger in thy power. Hence!"

And with a howl of rage and disappointment the familiar vanished. 

"Alice Nutter, " continued the monk, "thy safety has been purchased atthe price of thy daughter's life. But it is of little moment, for shecould not live long. Her gentle heart was broken, and, when the demonstopped it for ever, he performed unintentionally a merciful act. Shemust rest in the same grave with him she loved so well during life. Thistell to those who will come to thee anon. Thou art delivered from theyoke of Satan. Full expiation has been made. But earthly justice must besatisfied. Thou must pay the penalty for crimes committed in the flesh, but what thou sufferest here shall avail thee hereafter. "

"I am content, " she replied. 

"Pass the rest of thy life in penitence and prayer, " pursued the monk, "and let nothing divert thee from it; for, though free now, thou wilt besubject to evil influence and temptations to the last. Remember this. "

"I will--I will, " she rejoined. 

"And now, " he said, "kneel beside thy daughter's body and pray. I willreturn to thee ere many minutes be passed. One task more, and then mymission is ended. "

CHAPTER XIII. --THE MASQUE OF DEATH. 

Short time as he had to await, James was unable to control hisimpatience. At last he arose, and, completely sobered by the recentstrange events, descended the steps of the platform, and walked onwithout assistance. 

"Let the yeomen of the guard keep back the crowd, " he said to anofficer, "and let none follow me but Sir Ralph Assheton, Master NicholasAssheton, and Master Roger Nowell. When I call, let the prisoners bebrought forward. "

"Your Majesty shall be obeyed, " replied the baronet, giving thenecessary directions. 

James then moved slowly forward in the direction of the pavilion; and, as he went, called Nicholas Assheton to him. 

"Wha was that officer?" he asked. 

"Your pardon, my liege, but I cannot answer the question, " repliedNicholas. 

"And why not, sir?" demanded the monarch, sharply. 

"For reasons I will hereafter render to your Majesty, and which I ampersuaded you will find satisfactory, " rejoined the squire. 

"Weel, weel, I dare say you are right, " said the King. "But do you thinkhe will keep his word?"

"I am sure of it, " returned Nicholas. 

"The time is come, then!" exclaimed James impatiently, and looking up atthe pavilion. 

"The time is come!" echoed a sepulchral voice. 

"Did you speak?" inquired the monarch. 

"No, sire, " replied Nicholas; "but some one seemed to give youintimation that all is ready. Will it please you to go on?"

"Enter!" cried the voice. 

"Wha speaks?" demanded the King. And, as no answer was returned, hecontinued--"I will not set foot in the structure. It may be a snare ofSatan. "

At this moment, the shutters of the windows flew open, showing that thepavilion was lighted up by many tapers within, while solemn strains ofmusic issued from it. 

"Enter!" repeated the voice. 

"Have no fear, sire, " said Nicholas. 

"That canna be the wark o' the deil, " cried James. "He does not delightin holy hymns and sweet music. "

"That is a solemn dirge for the dead, " observed Nicholas, as melodiousvoices mingled with the music. 

"Weel, weel, I will go on at a' hazards, " said James. 

The doors flew open as the King and his attendants approached, and, assoon as they had passed through them, the valves swung back to theirplaces. 

A strange sad spectacle met their gaze. In the midst of the chamberstood a bier, covered with a velvet pall, and on it the bodies of ayouth and maiden were deposited. Pale and beautiful were they assculptured marble, and a smile sat upon their features. Side by sidethey were lying, with their arms enfolded, as if they had died in eachother's embrace. A wreath of yew and cypress was placed above theirheads, and flowers were scattered round them. 

They were Richard and Alizon. 

It was a deeply touching sight, and for some time none spake. The solemndirge continued, interrupted only by the stifled sobs of the listeners. 

"Both gone!" exclaimed Nicholas, in accents broken by emotion; "and soyoung--so good--so beautiful! Alas! alas!"

"She could not have bewitched him, " said the King. 

"Alizon was all purity and goodness, " cried Nicholas, "and is nownumbered with the angels. "

"The guilty one is in thy hands, O King!" said the voice. "It is forthee to punish. "

"And I will not hold my hand, " said James. "The Devices shall assuredlyperish. When I go from this chamber, I will have them conveyed under astrong escort to Lancaster Castle. They shall die by the hands of thecommon executioner. "

"My mission, then, is complete, " replied the voice. "I can rest inpeace. ". 

"Who art thou?" demanded the King. 

"One who sinned deeply, but is now pardoned, " replied the voice. 

The King was for a moment lost in reflection, and then turned to depart. At this moment a kneeling figure, whom no one had hitherto noticed, arose from behind the bier. It was a lady, robed in mourning. So ghastlypale were her features, and so skeleton-like her attenuated frame, thatJames thought he beheld a spectre, and recoiled in terror. The figureadvanced slowly towards him. 

"Who, and what art thou, in Heaven's name?" he exclaimed. 

"I am Alice Nutter, sire, " replied the lady, prostrating herself beforehim. 

"Alice Nutter, the witch!" cried the King. "Why--ay, I recollect thouwert here. I sent for thee, but recent terrible events had put theeclean out of my head. But expect no grace from me, evil woman. I willshow thee none. "

"I ask none, sire, " replied the penitent. "I came to place myself inyour hands, that justice may be done upon me. "

"Ah!" exclaimed James. "Dost thou, indeed, repent thee of thyiniquities? Dost thou abjure the devil and all his works?"

"I do, " replied the lady, fervently. "My compact with the Evil One hasbeen broken by the prayers of my devoted daughter, who sacrificedherself for me, and thereby saved my soul alive. But human justicerequires an expiation, and I am anxious to make it. "

"Arise, ill-fated woman, " said the king, much moved. "You must go toLancaster, but, in consideration of your penitence, no indignity shallbe shown you. You must be strictly guarded, but you shall not be takenwith the other prisoners. "

"I humbly thank your Majesty, " replied the lady. "May I take a lastfarewell of my child?"

"Do so, " replied James. 

Alice Nutter then approached the bier, and, after gazing for a momentwith deepest fondness upon the features of her daughter, imprinted akiss upon her marble brow. In doing this her tears fell fast. 

"You can weep, I see, " observed the King. "You are a witch no longer. "

"Ay, Heaven be praised! I can weep, " she replied; "and so ease myover-burthened heart. Oh! sire, none but those who have experienced itcan tell the agony of being denied this relief of nature. Farewell forever, my blessed child!" she exclaimed, kissing her brow again; "andyou, too, her beloved. Nicholas Assheton--it was her wish to be buriedin the same grave with Richard. You will see it done, Nicholas?"

"I will--I will!" replied the squire, in a voice of deepest emotion. 

"And I likewise promise it, " said Sir Ralph Assheton. "They shall resttogether in Whalley churchyard. It is well that Sir Richard and Dorothyare gone, " he observed to Nicholas. 

"It is indeed, " said the squire, "or we should have had another funeralto perform. Pray Heaven it be not so now!"

"Have you any other request to prefer?" demanded the King. 

"None whatever, sire, " replied the lady, "except that I wish to makefull restitution of all the land I have robbed him of, to Master RogerNowell; and, as some compensation, I would fain add certain landsadjoining, which have been conveyed over to Sir Ralph and NicholasAssheton, only annexing the condition that a small sum annually be givenin dole to the poor of the parish, that I may be remembered in theirprayers. "

"We will see it done, " said Sir Ralph and Nicholas. 

"And I will see my part fulfilled, " said Nowell. "For any wrong you havedone me I now freely and fully forgive you, and may Heaven in itsinfinite mercy forgive you likewise!"

"Amen!" ejaculated the monarch. And all the others joined in theejaculation. 

The King then moved to the door, which was opened for him by the twoAsshetons. At the foot of the steps stood Master Potts, attended by anofficer of the guard and a party of halberdiers. In the midst of them, with their hands tied behind their backs, were Jem Device, his mother, Jennet, and poor Nance Redferne. Jem looked dogged and sullen, Elizabethdowncast, but Jennet retained her accustomed malignant expression. PoorNance was the only one who excited any sympathy. Jennet's malice seemednow directed against Master Potts, whom she charged with having betrayedand deceived her. 

"If Tib had na deserted me he should tear thee i' pieces, thouill-favourt little monster, " she cried. 

"Monster in your own face, you hideous little wretch, " exclaimed theindignant attorney. "If you use such opprobrious epithets I will haveyou gagged. You will be taken to Lancaster Castle, and hanged. "

"Yo are os bad as ey am, and warse, " replied Jennet, "and deservehanging os weel, and the King shan knoa of your tricks, " shevociferated, as James appeared at the door of the pavilion. "Yo wishedto ensnare Alizon. Yo wished me to kill her. Ey was only yourinstrument. "

"Stop her mouth--gag her!" cried Potts. 

"Nah, nah!--they shanna stap my mouth--they shanna gag me, " criedJennet. "Ey win speak out. The King shan hear me. You are as bad os me. "

"All malice, your Majesty--all malice, " cried the attorney. 

"Malice, nae doubt, in great pairt, " replied James; "but some truth asweel, I fear, sir. And in any case it will prevent my doing any thingfor you. "

"There, you have ruined my hopes, you little wretch!" cried Potts, furiously. 

"Ey'm reet glad on't, " said Jennet. "Yo may tay me to Lonkester Castle, boh yo conna hong me. Ey knoa that fu' weel. Ey shan get out, and thenlook to yersel, lad; for, os sure os ey'm Mother Demdike's grandowter, ey'n plague the life out o' ye. "

"Take the prisoners away, and let them be conveyed under a strict escortto Lancaster Castle, " said James. 

"And, as the assizes commence next week, quick work will be made withthem, your Majesty, " observed Potts. "Their guilt can be incontestablyproved, so they are sure to be found guilty, sure to be hanged, sire. "

As the prisoners were removed, Nance Redferne looked round her, and, catching the eye of Nicholas, made a slight motion with her head, as ifbidding him farewell. 

The squire returned the mute valediction. 

"Poor Nance!" he exclaimed, compassionately, "I sincerely pity her. Would there was any means of saving her!"

"There is none, " observed Sir Ralph Assheton. "And you may be thankfulyou are not brought in as her accomplice. "

As Jennet was taken away, she continued to hurl threats and imprecationsagainst Potts. 

Another officer of the guard was then summoned, and when he came, Jamessaid, "One other prisoner remains within the pavilion. She likewise mustbe conveyed to Lancaster Castle but in a litter, and not with the otherprisoners. "

Attended by Sir Richard Hoghton, the monarch then proceeded to hislodgings in the Tower. 

CHAPTER XIV. --"ONE GRAVE. "

Notwithstanding the sad occurrences above detailed, James remained fortwo more days the guest of Sir Richard Hoghton, enjoying his princelyhospitality, hunting in the park, carousing in the great hall, andwitnessing all kinds of sports. 

Nothing, indeed, was left to remind him of the sad events that hadoccurred. The prisoners were taken that night to Lancaster Castle, andMaster Potts accompanied the escort, to be ready for the assizes. Thethree judges proceeded thither at the end of the week. The attendance ofRoger Nowell, Nicholas, and Sir Ralph Assheton, was also required aswitnesses at the trial of the witches. 

Sir Richard Assheton and Dorothy had returned, as already stated, toMiddleton; and, though the intelligence of the death of Richard andAlizon was communicated to them with infinite caution, the shock to bothwas very great, especially to Dorothy, who was long--very long--inrecovering from it. 

Nicholas's vivacity of temperament made him feel the loss of his cousinat first very keenly, but it soon wore off. He vowed amendment andreformation on the model of John Bruen, whose life offered so striking acontrast to his own, that it has very properly been placed in oppositionby a reverend moralist; but I regret to say that he did not carry outhis praiseworthy intentions. He was apt to make a joke of John Bruen, instead of imitating his example. He professed to devote himself to hisexcellent wife--but his old habits would break out; and, I am sorry tosay, he was often to be found in the alehouse, and was just as fond ofhorse-racing, cock-fighting, hunting, fishing, and all other sports, asever. Occasionally he occupied a leisure or a rainy day with aJournal, [6] parts of which have been preserved; but he set down in itfew of the terrible events here related, probably because they were oftoo painful a nature to be recorded. He died in 1625--at the early ageof thirty-five. 

But to go back. A few days after the tragical events at Hoghton Tower, the whole village of Whalley was astir. But it was no festiveoccasion--no merry-making--that called forth the inhabitants, for griefsat upon every countenance. The day, too, was gloomy. The featheredsummits of Whalley Nab were wreathed in mist, and a fine rain descendedin the valley. The Calder looked dull and discoloured as it flowed pastthe walls of the ancient Abbey. The church bell tolled mournfully, and alarge concourse was gathered in the churchyard. Not far from one of thethree crosses of Paulinus, which stood nearest the church porch, a gravehad been digged, and almost every one looked into it. The grave, it wassaid, was intended to hold two coffins. Soon after this, a train ofmourners issued from the ancient Abbey gateway, and sure enough therewere two coffins on the shoulders of the bearers; They were met at thegate by Doctor Ormerod, who was so deeply affected as scarcely to beable to perform the needful offices for the dead. The principal mournerswere Sir Richard Assheton of Middleton, Sir Ralph Assheton, andNicholas. Amid the tears and sobs of all the bystanders, the bodies ofRichard and Alizon were committed to the earth--laid together in onegrave. 

Thus was their latest wish fulfilled. Flowers grew upon the turf thatcovered them, and there was the earliest primrose seen, and the latestviolet. Many a fond youth and trusting maiden have visited their lowlytomb, and many a tear, fresh from the heart, has dropped upon the sodcovering the ill-fated lovers. 

CHAPTER XV. --LANCASTER CASTLE. 

Behold the grim and giant fabric, rebuilt and strengthened by

 "Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster!"

Within one of its turrets called John of Gaunt's Chair, and at eventide, stands a lady under the care of a jailer. It is the last sunset she willever see--the last time she will look upon the beauties of earth; forshe is a prisoner, condemned to die an ignominious and terrible death, and her execution will take place on the morrow. Leaving her alonewithin the turret, the jailer locks the door and stands outside it. Thelady casts a long, lingering look around. All nature seems sobeautiful--so attractive. The sunset upon the broad watery sands ofMorecambe Bay is exquisite in varied tints. The fells of Furness lookblack and bold, and the windings of the Lune are clearly traced out. Butshe casts a wistful glance towards the mountainous ridges of Lancashire, and fancies she can detect amongst the heights the rounded summit ofPendle Hill. Then her gaze settles upon the grey old town beneath her, and, as her glance wanders over it, certain terrible objects arrest it. In the area before the Castle she sees a ring of tall stakes. She knowswell their purpose, and counts them. They are thirteen in number. Thirteen wretched beings are to be burned on the morrow. Not far fromthe stakes are an enormous pile of fagots. All is prepared. Fascinatedby the sight, she remains gazing at the place of execution for sometime, and when she turns, she beholds a tall dark man standing besideher. At first she thinks it is the jailer, and is about to tell the manshe is ready to descend to her cell, when she recognises him, andrecoils in terror. 

"Thou here--again!" she cried. 

"I can save thee from the stake, if thou wilt, Alice Nutter, " he said. 

"Hence!" she exclaimed. "Thou temptest me in vain. Hence!"

And with a howl of rage the demon disappeared. 

Conveyed back to her cell, situated within the dread Dungeon Tower, Alice Nutter passed the whole of that night in prayer. Towards fouro'clock, wearied out, she dropped into a slumber; and when theclergyman, from whom she had received spiritual consolation, came to hercell, he found her still sleeping, but with a sweet smile upon herlips--the first he had ever beheld there. 

Unwilling to disturb her, he knelt down and prayed by her side. Atlength the jailer came, and the executioner's aids. The divine then laidhis hand upon her shoulder, and she instantly arose. 

"I am ready, " she said, cheerfully. 

"You have had a happy dream, daughter, " he observed. 

"A blessed dream, reverend sir, " she replied. "I thought I saw mychildren, Richard and Alizon, in a fair garden--oh! how angelic theylooked--and they told me I should be with them soon. "

"And I doubt not the vision will be realised, " replied the clergyman. "Your redemption is fully worked out, and your salvation, I trust, secured. And now you must prepare for your last trial. "

"I am fully prepared, " she replied; "but will you not go to the others?"

"Alas! my dear daughter, " he replied, "they all, excepting NanceRedferne, refuse my services, and will perish in their iniquities. "

"Then go to her, sir, I entreat of you, " she said; "she may yet besaved. But what of Jennet? Is she, too, to die?"

"No, " replied the divine; "being evidence against her relatives, herlife is spared. "

"Heaven grant she do no more mischief!" exclaimed Alice Nutter. 

She then submitted herself to the executioner's assistants, and was ledforth. On issuing into the open air a change came over her, and such anexceeding faintness that she had to be supported. She was led towardsthe stake in this state; but she grew fainter and fainter, and at lastfell back in the arms of the men that supported her. Still they carriedher on. When the executioner put out his hand to receive her from hisaids, she was found to be quite dead. Nevertheless, he tied her to thestake, and her body was consumed. Hundreds of spectators beheld thoseterrible fires, and exulted in the torments of the miserable sufferers. Their shrieks and blasphemies were terrific, and the place resembled ahell upon earth. 

Jennet escaped, to the dismay of Master Potts, who feared she wouldwreak her threatened vengeance upon him. And, indeed, he did suffer fromaches and cramps, which he attributed to her; but which were morereasonably supposed to be owing to rheum caught in the marshes of PendleForest. He had, however, the pleasure of assisting at her execution, when some years afterwards retributive justice overtook her. 

Jennet was the last of the Lancashire Witches. Ever since thenwitchcraft has taken a new form with the ladies of the county--thoughtheir fascination and spells are as potent as ever. Few can now escapethem, --few desire to do so. But to all who are afraid of a bright eyeand a blooming cheek, and who desire to adhere to a bachelor'scondition--to such I should say, "BEWARE OF THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES!"

THE END. 

M'CORQUODALE AND CO. , PRINTERS, LONDON--WORKS, NEWTON. 

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: A similar eruption occurred at Pendle Hill in August, 1669, and has been described by Mr. Charles Townley, in a letter cited by Dr. Whitaker in his excellent "History of Whalley. " Other and moreformidable eruptions had taken place previously, occasioning much damageto the country. The cause of the phenomenon is thus explained by Mr. Townley: "The colour of the water, its coming down to the place where itbreaks forth between the rock and the earth, with that other particularof its bringing nothing along but stones and earth, are evident signsthat it hath not its origin from the very bowels of the mountain; butthat it is only rain water coloured first in the moss-pits, of which thetop of the hill, being a great and considerable plain, is full, shrunkdown into some receptacle fit to contain it, until at last by itsweight, or some other cause, it finds a passage to the sides of thehill, and then away between the rock and swarth, until it break thelatter and violently rush out. "]

[Footnote 2: Locus Benedictus de Whalley. ]

[Footnote 3: This speech is in substance the monarch's actualDeclaration concerning Lawful Sports, promulgated in 1618, in a littleTractate, generally known as the "Book of Sports;" by which he wouldhave conferred a great boon on the lower orders, if his kindly purposehad not been misapprehended by some, and ultimately defeated by bigotsand fanatics. King James deserves to be remembered with gratitude, ifonly for this manifestation of sympathy with the enjoyments of thepeople. He had himself discovered that the restrictions imposed uponthem had "setup filthy tipplings and drunkenness, and bred a number ofidle and discontented speeches in the alehouses. "]

[Footnote 4: "There is a laughable tradition, " says Nichols, "stillgenerally current in Lancashire, that our knight-making monarch knightedat the banquet in Hoghton Tower a loin of beef; the part ever sincecalled the sir-loin. " And it is added by the same authority, "If theKing did not give the sir-loin its name, he might, notwithstanding, haveindulged in a pun on the already coined word, the etymology of which wasthen, as now, as little regarded as the thing signified is wellapproved. "--_Nichols's Progresses of James I. _, vol. Iii. ]

[Footnote 5: These speeches, given by _Nichols_ as derived from thefamily records of Sir Henry Philip Hoghton, Bart. , were actuallydelivered at a masque represented on occasion of King James's visit toHoghton Tower. ]

[Footnote 6: Published by the Chetham Society, and admirably edited, with notes, exhibiting an extraordinary amount of research andinformation, by the Rev. F. R. Raines, M. A. , F. S. A. , of MilnrowParsonage, near Rochdale. ]