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 lorn* and anxious self-communion.
The course of her thoughts may be gathered from
the terrible revelations made by Mother Demdike
to Alizon. A prey to the most agonising emotions, it
may be questioned if she could have endured greater
torment if her heart had been consumed by living fire,
as in the punishment assigned to the damned in the
fabled halls of Eblis. For the first time, remorse
assailed her, and she felt compunction for the evil she
had committed. The whole of her dark career passed
in review before her. The long catalogue of her crimes
unfolded itself like a scroll of flame, and at its foot
were written in blazing characters the awful words,

b2

4 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

JUDGMENT AND CONDEMNATION ! There Was no
escape — none ! Hell, with its unquenchable fires and
unimaginable horrors, yawned to receive her; and she
felt, with anguish and self-reproach not to be described,
how wretched a bargain she had made, and how dearly
the brief gratification of her evil passions had been
purchased at the cost of an eternity of woe and torture.

This change of feeling had been produced by her
newly-awakened affection for her daughter, long sup-
posed dead, and now restored to her, only to be
snatched away again in a manner which added to the
sharpness of the loss. She saw herself the sport of a
juggling fiend, whose aim was to win over her daugh-
ter's soul through her instrumentality, and she re-
solved, if possible, to defeat his purposes. This, she
was aware, could only be accomplished by her own
destruction, but even this dread alternative she was
prepared to embrace. Alizon's sinless nature and de-
votion to herself had so wrought upon her, that, though
she had at first resisted the better impulses kindled
within her bosom, in the end they completely over-
mastered her.

Was it, she asked herself, too late to repent? Was
there no way of breaking her compact? She remem-
bered to have read of a young man who had signed
away his own soul, being restored to heaven by the
intercession of the great reformer of the church, Martin
Luther. But, on the other hand, she had heard of many
others, who, on the slightest manifestation of penitence,

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 5

had been rent in pieces by the Fiend. Still the idea
recurred to her. Might not her daughter, armed with
perfect purity and holiness, with a soul free from stain
as an unspotted mirror ; might not she, who had
avouched herself ready to risk all for her — for she
had overheard her declaration to Richard; — might not
she be able to work out her salvation? "Would con-
fession of her sins and voluntary submission to earthly
justice save her? Alas! — no. She was without hope.
She had an inexorable master to deal with, who would
grant her no grace, except upon conditions she would
not assent to.

She wTould have thrown herself on her knees, but
they refused to bend. She would have prayed, but the
words turned to blasphemies. She would have wept,
but the fountains of tears wen dry. The witch could
never weep.

Then came despair and frenzy, and, like furies, lashed
her with whips of scorpions, goading her with the
memory of her abominations and idolatries, and her
infinite and varied iniquities. They showed her, as in
a swiftly -fleeting vision, all who had suffered wrong by
her, or whom her malice had afflicted in body or estate.
They mocked her with a glimpse of the paradise she
had forfeited. She saw her daughter in a beatified
state about to enter its golden portals, and would have
clung to her robes in the hope of being carried in with
her, but she was driven away by an angel with a
flaming sword, who cried out, u Thou hast abjured

6 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

heaven, and heaven rejects thee. Satan's brand is upon
thy brow, and, unless it be effaced, thou canst never
enter here. Down to Tophet, thou witch !" Then she
implored her daughter to touch her brow with the tip
of her ringer; and as the latter was about to comply, a
dark demoniacal shape suddenly rose, and, seizing her
by the hr?ir, plunged with her down — down — millions
of miles — till she beheld a world of fire appear beneath
her, consisting of a multitude of volcanoes, roaring and
raging like furnaces, boiling over with red-hot lava, and
casting forth huge burning stones. In each of these
beds of fire thousands upon thousands of sufferers were
writhing, and their groans and lamentations arose in
one frightful, incessant wail, too terrible for human
hearing.

Over this place of torment the demon held her sus-
pended. She shrieked aloud in her agony, and, shaking
off the oppression, rejoiced to find the vision had been
caused by her own distempered imagination.

Meanwhile, the storm, which had obstructed Richard
as he climbed the hill, had come on, though Mistress
Nutter had not noticed it ; but now a loud peal of thun-
der shook the room, and rousing herself she walked to
the window. The sight she beheld increased her alarm.
Heavy thunder-clouds rested upon the hill side,
and seemed ready to discharge their artillery upon the
course which she knew must be taken by the young
man.

The chamber in which she stood, it has been said,

THE LANCASHIEE WITCHES. 7

was large and gloomy, with a -wainscoting of dark oak.
On one of the panels was painted a picture of herself
in her days of youth, innocence, and beauty ; and on
another, a portrait of her unfortunate husband, who ap-
peared a handsome young man, with a stern countenance,
attired in a black velvet doublet and cloak, of the fashion
of Elizabeth's day. Between these paintings stood a
carved oak bedstead, with a high tester and dark heavy
drapery, opposite which was a wide window, occupying
almost the whole length of the room, but darkened by
thick bars and glass, crowded with armorial bearings,
or otherwise deeply dyed. The high mantel-piece
and its carvings have been previously described,
as well as the bloody hearth-stone, where the tragical
incident occurred connected with Alizon's early his-
tory.

As Mistress Nutter returned to the fire-place, a plain-
tive cry arose from it, and starting — for the sound revived
terrible memories within her breast — she beheld the
ineffaceable stains upon the flag traced out by blue
phosphoric fire, while above them hovered the shape
of a bleeding infant. Horror-stricken, she averted her
gaze, but it encountered another object, equtilly appal-
ling— her husband's portrait ; or rather, it would seem,
a phantom in its place ; for the eyes, lighted up by
infernal fire, glared at her from beneath the frowning
and contracted brows, while the hand significantly
pointed to the hearth-stone, on which the sanguinary

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

stains had now formed themselves into the fatal word

"VENGEANCE !"

In a few minutes the fiery characters died away, and
the portrait resumed its wonted expression, but ere
Mistress Nutter had recovered from her terror the
"back of the fire-place opened, and a tall swarthy man
stepped out from it. As he appeared, a flash of light-
ning illumined the chamber, and revealed his fiendish
countenance. On seeing him, the lady immediately
regained her courage, and addressed him in a haughty
and commanding 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 for me than at this moment ; and
so far from intruding upon you, I have avoided coming
near you, even though enjoined to do so by my lord.
He is perfectly aware of the change which has just
taken place in your opinions, and the anxiety you
now feel to break the contract you have entered into
with him, and which he has scrupulously fulfilled on
his part ; but he wishes you distinctly to understand,
that he has no intention of abandoning his claims upon
you, but will most assuredly enforce them at the proper
time. I need not remind you that your term draws to
a close, and ere many months must expire ; but means
of extending it have been offered you, if you choose to
avail yourself of them."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 9

" I have no such intention," replied Mistress Nutter,
in a decided tone.

" So be it, madam," replied the other ; " but you
will not preserve your daughter, who is in the hands of
a tried and faithful servant of my lord, and what you
hesitate to do that servant will perform, and so reap the
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 I" cried Mistress Nutter, menacingly.
" Know'st thou not I have the means of chastising
thee ?"

" You had, madam," replied the other ; " but the
moment a thought of penitence crossed your breast, the
power you were invested with departed. 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 continue obstinate — "

" He will abandon me," interrupted Mistress Nutter;
" I knew it. Fool that I was to trust one who, from
the beginning, has been a deceiver."

" You have a short memory, and but little gratitude,
madam, and seem entirely to forget the important
favour conferred upon you last night. At your solici-
tation, the boundaries of your property were changed,

10 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

and large slips of land filched from another, to be given
to you. But if you fail in your duty, you cannot ex-
pect this to continue. The boundary-marks will be set
up in their old places, and the land restored to its
rightful owner."

" I expected as much," observed Mistress Nutter, dis-
dainfully.

" Thus all our pains will be thrown away," pursued
the familiar ; " and though you may make light of the
labour, it is no easy task to change the face of a whole
country — to turn streams from their course, move bogs,
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
them indifferently, whereas the most fastidious audience
would have been ravished with my performance. This
morning I was the reeve of the forest, 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 you compelled me to put on the likeness
of old Roger Nowell, for, whatever you may think, I
am not so entirely destitute of personal vanity as to
prefer either of their figures to my own. However, I
showed no disinclination to oblige you. You are
strangely unreasonable to-day. Is it my lord's fault
if your desire of vengeance expires in its fruition — if
when you have accomplished an object, you no longer

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 11

care for it ? You ask for revenge — for power. You
have them, and cast them aside like childish baubles!"

" Thy lord is an arch deceiver," rejoined Mistress
Nutter; "and cannot perform 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
withered leaves ; his treasures are dust and ashes. Strong
only is he in power of mischief, and even his mischief,
like curses, recoils on those who use it. His vengeance
is no true vengeance, for it troubles the conscience, and
engenders remorse, whereas the servant of heaven heaps
coals of fire on 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.1'

" Perchance not," rejoined Mistress Nutter.

" Beware!" thundered the demon, with a terrible
gesture, " any overt act of 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," replied Mistress Nutter, in no way dismayed by
the threat. " Thou canst not control my tongue. Thou
speakest of the services rendered by thy lord, and I re-
peat they are like his promises, naught. Show me the
witch he has enriched. Of what profit is her worship
of the false deity — of what avail the sacrifices she makes

12 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

at his foul altars ? It is ever the same spilling of blood,
ever the same working of mischief. The wheels of
crime 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 ever abandon them when
they are no longer useful, and can win him no more
proselytes ? Miserable servants, miserable master ! Look
at the murtherous Demdike and the malignant Chat-
tox, and examine the means whereby they have pro-
longed 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 they rich ?
Are they in possession of unfading youth and beauty ?
Are they splendidly lodged ? Have they all they de-
sire ? No ! — the one dwells in a solitary turret, and
the other in a wretched hovel ; and both are miserable
creatures, living only on the dole wrung by threats from
terrified peasants, and capable of no gratification but
such as results from practices of malice."

" Is that nothing ?" asked the familiar. " To them it
is every thing. They care neither for splendid mansions,
nor wealth, nor youth, nor beauty. If they did, they
could have them all. They care only for the dread and
mysterious power they possess, to be able to fascinate
with a glance, to transfix by a gesture, to inflict strange
ailments by a word, and to kill by a curse. This is the
privilege they seek, and this privilege they enjoy."

THE LANCASHIEE WITCHES. 13

M And what is tlic end of it all?" demanded Mistress
Nutter, sternly. " Ere long, -they will be unable to
furnisli victims to their insatiate master, who will then
abandon them. Their bodies will go to the hangman,
their souls to endless bale !"

The familiar laughed as if a good joke had been
repeated to him, and rubbed 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 have been anticipated. Mother Demdike, how-
ever, as I have intimated, will extend hers, and it is
fortunate for her she is enabled to do so, as it would
otherwise expire an hour after midnight, and could
not be renewed."

" Thou liest !" cried Mistress Nutter—" liest like thy
lord, who is the father of lies. My innocent child can
never be offered up at his impious shrine. I have no
fear for her. Neither he, nor Mother Demdike, nor
any of the accursed sisterhood, can harm her. Her
goodness will cover her like 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
his yoke. Let him abridge the scanty time allotted me,
and bear me hence to his burning kingdom; but injure
my child, he cannot — shall not !"

" Go to Malkin Tower at midnight, and thou wilt
see," replied the familiar, with a mocking laugh.

14 THE LANCASHIEE WITCHES.

" I will go there, but it shall be to deliver her," re-
joined Mistress Nutter. " And now, get thee gone. I
need thee no more."

" Be not deceived, proud woman," said the familiar.
" Once dismissed, I may not be recalled, while thou
wilt be wholly unable to defend thyself against thy ene-
mies."

" I care not," she rejoined, cf begone !"

The familiar stepped back, and stamping upon the
hearth-stone, it sank like a trap-door, and he disappeared
beneath it, a flash of lightning playing round his dusky
figure.

Notwithstanding her vaunted resolution, and the
boldness with which she had comported herself before
the familiar, Mistress Nutter now completely gave way,
and for awhile abandoned herself to despair. Aroused
at length by the absolute necessity of action, she again
walked to the window and looked forth. The storm
still raged furiously without — so furiously, indeed, that
it would be madness to brave it, now that she was de-
prived of her power, and reduced to the ordinary level
of humanity. Its very violence, however, assured her
it must soon cease, and she would then set out for
Malkin Tower. But what chance had she now in a
struggle with the old hag, with all the energies of hell
at her command ? — what hope was there of her being-
able to effect her daughter's liberation ? No matter,
however desperate, the attempt should be made. Mean-
while, it would be necessary to see what was going on

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 15

below, and ascertain whether Black adder had returned
with Parson Holden. With this view, she descended
to the hall, where she found Nicholas Assheton
fast asleep in a great arm-chair, and rocked, rather
than disturbed, by the loud concussions of thunder.
The squire was, no doubt, overcome by the fatigues of
the day, or it might be by the potency of the wine he
had swallowed, for an empty flask stood on the table
beside him. Mistress Nutter did not awaken him, but
proceeded to the chamber where she had left Nowell
and Potts prisoners, both of whom rose on her entrance.

"Be seated, gentlemen, I pray you," she said, cour-
teously. " I am come to see if you need any thing ;
for, when this fearful storm abates, I am going 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 and singular
good client."

" Speak for yourself, sir," cried Roger Nowell,
sharply.

" You shall have it," interposed Mistress Nutter.
" I shall be glad of a word with you before I go,
Master Nowell. I am sorry this dispute has arisen be-
tween us."

11 Humph l" exclaimed the magistrate.

(i Very sorry," pursued Mistress Nutter, " and I wish
to make every reparation in my power."

" Reparation, madam !" cried Nowell. " Give back

16 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

the land you have stolen from me — restore the boun-
dary lines — sign the deed in Sir Ralph's possession —
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, un-
easily.

" Ay, the reeve of the forest," replied Nowell. " He
told us you would be with us presently, and would
make fair offers to us."

" And he told us also ivhy you would make them,
madam," added Potts, in an insolent and menacing
tone; " he told us you would make a merit of doing
what you could not help — that your power had gone
from you — that your works of darkness would be
destroyed — and that, in a word, you were abandoned
by the devil, your master."

" He deceived you," replied Mistress Nutter. " I
have made you the offer out of pure good will, and you
can reject it or not as you please. All I stipulate, if
you do accept it, is that you pledge me your word not
to bring any charge of witchcraft against me. "

" Do not give the pledge," whispered a voice in the
ear of the magistrate.

" Did you speak ?" he said, turning to Potts.

" No, sir," replied the attorney, in a low tone, " but
I thought you cautioned me against — "

" Hush !" interrupted Nowell, " it must be the reeve.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 17

We cannot comply with your request, madam," he
added, aloud.

M Certainly not," said Potts. "We can make no
"bargain with an avowed witch. We should gain no-
thing by it ; on the contrary, we should he losers, for
we have the positive assurance of a gentleman whom
we believe to be upon terms of intimacy with a certain
black gentleman of your acquaintance, madam, that the
latter has given you up entirely, and that law and jus-
tice may, therefore, take their course. We protest
against our unlawful detention ; but we give ourselves
small concern about it, as Sir Ralph Assheton, who will
be advised of our situation by Parson Holden, will
speedily come to our liberation."

" Yes, we are now quite easy on that score, madam,"
added Nowell ; " and to-morrow we shall have the
pleasure of escorting you to Lancaster Castle."

" And your trial will come on at the next assizes,
about the middle of August," said Potts. " You have
only four months to run."

" That is, indeed, my term," muttered the lady. " I
shall not tarry to listen to your taunts," she added,
aloud. " You may possibly regret rejecting my pro-
posal."

So saying, she quitted the room.

As she returned to the hall, Nicholas awoke.

11 What a devil of a storm !" he exclaimed, stretch-
ing himself, and rubbing his eyes. " Zounds ! that

YOL. III. C

18 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

flash of lightning was enough to blind me, and the
thunder well nigh splits one's ears."

" Yet you have slept through louder peals, Nicholas,"
said Mistress Nutter, coming up to him. " Richard has
not returned from his mission, and I must go myself to
Malkin Tower. In my absence, I must intrust you with
the defence of my house."

"I am willing to undertake it," replied Nicholas,
u provided no witchcraft 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 out till the storm is over ?"

" I must," replied Mistress Nutter ; " there seems no
likelihood of its cessation, and each moment is fraught
with peril to Alizon. If aught happens to me, Nicho-
las— if I should — whatever mischance may befal me —
promise me you will stand by her."

The squire gave the required promise.

" Enough, I hold you to your word," said Mistress
Nutter. " Take this parchment. It is a deed of gift
assigniug this mansion and all my estates to her. Un-
der certain circumstances you will produce it."

" What circumstances ? I am at a loss to understand
you, madam," said the squire.

" Do not question me further, but take especial care
of the deed, and produce it, as I have said, at the fit-
ting moment. You will know when that arrives. Ha !
I am wanted."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 19

The latter exclamation had been occasioned by the
appearance of an old woman at the further end of the
hall, beckoning to her. On seeing her, Mistress Nutter
immediately quitted the squire, and followed her into
a small chamber opening from this part of the hall, and
into which she retreated.

" What brings you here, Mother Chattox?" ex-
claimed the lady, closing the door.

" Can you not guess ?" replied the hag. " I am
come to help you, not for any love I bear you, but to
avenge myself on old Demdike. Do not interrupt me.
My familiar, Fancy, has told me all. I know how you
are circumstanced. I know Alizon is in old Demdike's
clutches, and you are unable to extricate her. But
I can, and will ; because if the hateful old hag fails in
offering up her sacrifice before the first hour of day, her
term will be out, and I shall be rid of her, and reign in
her stead. To-morrow she will be on her way to Lan-
caster Castle. Ha ! ha ! The dungeon is prepared for
her — the stake driven into the ground — the fagots heaped
around it. The torch has only to be lighted. Ho ! Ho !"

" Shall we go to Malkin Tower ?" asked Mistress
Nutter, shuddering.

" No ; to the summit of Pendle Hill," rejoined
Mother Chattox; " for there the girl will be taken, and
there only can we secure her. But first we must pro-
ceed to my hut, and make some preparations, I have
three scalps and eight teeth, taken from a grave in
C 2

20 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Goldshaw churchyard this very day. We can make a
charm with them."

" You must prepare it alone," said Mistress Nutter ;
" I can have nought to do with it."

" True — true — I had forgotten," cried the hag, with a
chuckling laugh — " you are no longer one of us. "Well,
then, I will do it alone. But come with me. You will
not object to mount upon my broomstick. It is the only
safe conveyance in this storm of the devil's raising.
Come — away !"

And she threw open the window and sprang forth,
followed by Mistress Nutter.

Through the murky air, and borne as if on the
wings of the wind, two dark forms are flying swiftly.
Over the tops of the tempest-shaken trees they go, and
as they gain the skirts of the thicket an oak beneath
is shivered by a thunderbolt. They hear the fear-
ful crash, and see the splinters fly far and wide; and the
foremost of the two, who, with her skinny arm extended,
seems to direct their course, utters a wild scream of
laughter, while a raven, speeding on broad black wing
before them, croaks hoarsely. Now the torrent rages
below, and they see its white waters tumbling over a
ledge of rock ; now they pass over the brow of a hill ;
now skim over a dreary waste and dangerous morass.
Fearful it is to behold those two flying figures as the
lightning shows them bestriding their fantastical steed;
the one an old hag with hideous lineaments and dis-
torted person, and the other a proud dame, still beautiful,

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 21

though, no longer young, pale as death, and her loose
jetty hair streaming like a meteor in the breeze.

The ride is over, and they alight near the door of a
solitary hovel. The raven has preceded them, and,
perched on the chimney top, flies down it as they enter,
and greets them with hoarse croaking. The inside of
the hut corresponds with its miserable exterior, con-
sisting only of two rooms, in one of which is a wretched
pallet; in the other are a couple of large chests, a crazy
table, a bench, a three-legged stool, and a spinning-
wheel. A cauldron is suspended above a peat fire,
smouldering on the hearth. There is only one window,
and a thick curtain is drawn across it, to secure the in-
mate of the hut from prying eyes.

Mother Chattox closes and bars the door, and,
motioning Mistress Nutter to seat herself upon the stool,
kneels down near the hearth, and blows the turf into a
a flame, the raven helping her, by flapping his big
black wings, and uttering a variety of strange sounds,
as the sparks fly about. Heaping on more turf, and
shifting the cauldron, so that it may receive the full in-
fluence of the flame, the hag proceeds to one of the
chests, and takes out sundry small matters, which she
places one by one with great care on the table. The
raven has now fixed his great talons on her shoulder,
and chuckles and croaks in her ear as she pursues her
occupation. Suddenly a piece of bone attracts his atten-
tion, and, darting out his beak, he seizes it, and hops
away.

22 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

" Give me that scalp, tliou mischievous imp !" cries
the hag, " I need it for the charm I am about to pre-
pare. Give it me, I say."

But the raven still held it fast, and hopped here and
there so nimbly that she was unable to catch him. At
length, when he had exhausted her patience, he alighted
on Mistress Nutter's shoulder, and dropped it into her
lap. Engrossed by her own painful thoughts, the lady
had paid no attention to what was passing, and she
shuddered as she took up the fragment of mortality,
and placed it upon the table. A few tufts of hair, the
texture of which showed they had belonged to a female,
still adhered to the scalp. Mistress Nutter regarded it
fixedly, and with an interest for which she could not
account.

After sharply chiding the raven, Mother Chattox put
forth her hand to grasp the prize she had been robbed of,
when Mistress Nutter checked her by observing, " You
said you got this scalp from Goldshaw churchyard.
Know you aught concerning it?"

" Ay, a good deal," replied the old woman, chuck-
ling. " It comes from a crave near the yew tree, and not
far from Abbot Cliderhow's cross. Old Zachariah Worms,
the sexton, digged it up for me. That yellow skull had
once a fair face attached to it, and those few dull tufts
were once bright flowing: tresses. She who owned them
died young; but young as she was, she survived all her
beauty. Hollow cheeks and hollow eyes, wasted flesh,
and cruel cough were hers — and she pined and pined

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 23

away. Folks said she was forespoken, and that I had
done it. I, forsooth ! She had never done me harm.
You know whether I was rightly accused, madam."

" Take it away," cried. Mistress Nutter, hurriedly,
and as if struggling against some overmastering feeling.
11 1 cannot bear to look at it. I wanted not this horrible
reminder of my crimes/'

" This was the reason, then, why Ralph stole the
scalp from me," muttered the hag, as she threw it, to-
gether with some other matters, into the cauldron.
11 He wanted to show you his sagacity. I might have
guessed as much."

" I will go into the other room while you make your
preparations," said Mistress Nutter, rising; " the sight
of them disturbs me. You can summon me when you
are ready."

" I will, madam," replied the old hag, le and you
must control your impatience, for the spell requires time
for its confection.'"

Mistress Nutter made no reply, but, walking into the
inner room, closed the door, and threw herself upon the
pallet. Here, despite her anxiety, sleep stole upon her,
and though her dreams were troubled, she did not awake
till Mother Chattox stood beside her.

" Have I slept long ?" she inquired.

" More than three hours," replied the hag.

" Three hours I" exclaimed Mistress Nutter. " Why
did you not wake me before ? You would have saved
me from terrible dreams. "We are not too late ?"

24 TIIE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

" No, no," replied Mother Chattox; " there is plenty
of time. Come into the other room. All is ready.5'

As Mistress Nutter followed the old hag into the ad-
joining room, a strong odour, arising from a chafing-
dish, in which herbs, roots, and other ingredients were
burning, assailed her, and, versed in all weird ceremo-
nials, she knew that a powerful suffumigation had been
made, though with what intent she had yet to learn.
The scanty furniture had been cleared away, and a circle
was described on the clay floor by skulls and bones,
alternated by dried toads, adders, and other reptiles.
In the midst of this magical circle the cauldron,
which had been brought from the chimney, was
placed, and, the lid being removed, a thick vapour
arose from it. Mistress Nutter looked around for the
raven, but the bird was nowhere to be seen, nor did any
other living thing appear to be present beside them-
selves.

Taking the lady's hand, Mother Chattox drew her
into the circle, and began to mutter a spell ; after
which, still maintaining her hold of her companion, she
bade her look into the cauldron, and declare what she
saw.

" I see nothing," replied the lady, after she had gazed
upon the bubbling waters for a few moments. " Ah !
yes — I discern certain figures, but they are confused
by the steam, and broken by the agitation of the
water."

" Cauldron ! cease boiling ! and smoke ! disperse I"

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 25

cried Mother Chattox, stamping her foot. " Now can
you see more plainly ?"

11 1 can," replied Mistress Nutter; " I behold the sub-
terranean chamber beneath Malkin Tower, with its
nine ponderous columns, its altar in the midst of them,
its demon image, and the well with waters black as
Lethe beside it."

" The water within the cauldron came from that
well," said Mother Chattox, with a chuckling lausrh :
'* my familiar risked his liberty to bring it, but he suc-
ceeded. Ha ! ha ! My precious Fancy, thou art the
best of servants, and shalt have my best blood to reward
thee to-morrow — thou shalt, my sweetheart, 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 as the 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. She was behind one of the pillars. A
little girl is with her. It is Jennet Device, and from
the spiteful looks of the latter, I judge she is mocking
her. Oh ! what malice lurks in the breast of that hate-
ful child. She is a true descendant of Mother Dcm-
dike. But Alizon — sweet, patient Alizon — she seems
to bear all her taunts with a meekness and resignation

26 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

enough to move the hardest heart. I would weep for
her if I could. And now Jennet shakes her hand at her,
and leaves her. She is alone. What will she do now ?
Has she no thoughts of escape ? Oh, yes ! She looks
about her 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 thrills through every fibre in ray frame.
She calls upon me for aid — upon me, her mother, and
little thinks I hear her, and am unable to help her.
Oh ! it is horrible. Take me to her, good Chattox —
take me to her, I implore you."

"Impossible!" replied the hag ; ."you must await
the fitting time. If you cannot control yourself I shall
remove the cauldron."

" Oh! no, no," cried the distracted lady. " I will
be calm. Ah ! what is this I see ?" she added, belying
her former words by sudden vehemence, while rage and
astonishment were depicted upon her countenance.
" What infernal delusion is practised upon my child !
This is monstrous — intolerable. Oh ! that I could un-
deceive her — could warn her of the snare !"

" What is the nature of the delusion ?" asked
Mother Chattox, with some curiosity. " I am so blind
I cannot see the figures on the water."

" It is an evil spirit in my likeness," replied Mistress
Nutter.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 27

uIn your likeness!" exclaimed the hag. "A cun-
ning device — and worthy of old 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 poor girl has rushed
to her false parent — has thrown her arms around her,
and is weeping on her shoulder. Oh ! it is a madden-
ing sight. But it is nothing to what follows. The
temptress, with the subtlety of the old serpent, is pour-
ing lies into her ear, telling her they both are cap-
tives, and both will perish unless she consents to pur-
chase their deliverance at the price of her soul, and she
offers her a bond to sign — such a bond as, alas ! thou and
I, Chattox, have signed. But Alizon rejects it with hor-
ror, and gazes at her false mother as if she suspected the
delusion. But the temptress is not to be beaten thus.
She renews her entreaties, casts herself on the ground,
and clasps my child's knees in humblest supplication.
Oh ! that Alizon would place her foot upon her neck
and crush her. But it is not so the good act. She
raises her, and tells her she will willingly die for her,
but her soul was given to her by her Creator, and
must be returned to him. Oh ! that I had thought of
this."

" And what answer makes the spirit ?" asked the
witch.

"It laughs derisively," replied Mistress Nutter;
11 and proceeds to use all those sophistical arguments,
which we have so often heard, to pervert her mind,

28 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

and overthrow her principles. But Alizon is proof
against them all. Religion and virtue support her,
and make her more than a match for her opponent.
Equally vain are the spirit's attempts to seduce her by
the offer of a life of sinful enjoyment. She rejects it
with angry scorn. Failing in argument and entreaty,
the spirit now endeavours to work upon her fears, and
paint?, in appalling colours, the tortures she will have
to endure, contrasting them with the delight she is
voluntarily abandoning, with the lover she might
espouse, with the high worldly position she might fill.
* What are worldly joys and honours compared with
those of heaven ?' exclaims Alizon ; ' I would not ex-
change them.' The spirit then, in a vision, shows her
her lover, Richard, and asks her if she can resist his
entreaties. The trial is very sore, as she gazes on that
beloved form, seeming, by its passionate gestures, to
implore her to assent, but she is firm, and the vision
disappears. The ordeal is now over. Alizon has tri-
umphed over all their arts. The spirit in my likeness
resumes its fiendish shape, and with a dreadful menace
against the poor girl, vanishes from her sight."

" Mother Demdike has not done with her yet," ob-
served Chattox.

" You are right," replied Mistress Nutter. " The
old hag descends the staircase leading to the vault, and
approaches the miserable captive. With her there
are no supplications — no arguments — but commands
and terrible threats. She is as unsuccessful as her

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 29

envoy. Alizon has gained courage, 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 Pendle Hill at mid-
night, and there offer her up as a sacrifice to the Fiend.
My child replies that she trusts for her deliverance
to Heaven — that her body may be destroyed — that her
soul cannot be harmed. Scarcely are the words uttered
than a terrible clangour is heard. The walls of the
dungeon seem breaking down, and the ponderous
columns reel. The demon statue 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,
and other dismal noises, skeleton shapes stalk forth from
them, each with a pale blue light above its head.
Monstrous beasts, like tiger cats, with rough black
skins and flaming eyes, are moving about, and looking
as if they would spring upon the captive. Two grave-
stones are now pushed aside, and from the oold earth
arise the forms of Blackburn, the robber, and his par-
amour, the dissolute Isole de Heton. She joins the
grisly throng now approaching the distracted girl, who
falls insensible to the ground."

" Can you see aught more ?" asked the hag, as Mis-
tress Nutter still bent eagerly over the cauldron.

30 THE LANCASHIKE WITCHES.

"No; the whole chamber is buried in darkness," re-
plied the lady; "lean see nothing of my poor child.
What will become of her ?"

" I will question Fancy," replied the hag, throwing
some fresh ingredients into the chafing-dish ; and as
the smoke arose, she vociferated, " 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 sound made 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 free her 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 the summit of Pendle Hill. I
have already told you it is useless to attempt to take
her from Malkin Tower. It is too well guarded.
Your only chance will be to interrupt the sacrifice."

"But how, my sweet Fancy? how, my little dar-
ling?" inquired the hag.

"It is a perplexing question," replied the voice,
" for by showing you how 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 for me. I want to

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 31

get rid of my old enemy — to catch her in her own toils
— to send her to a dungeon — to burn her — ha ! ha !
You must help me, my little sweetheart."

" I will do all I can," replied the voice, " but Mother
Demdike is cunning and powerful, and high in favour
with my lord. You must have mortal aid as well as
mine. The officers of justice must be there to seize
her at the moment when the victim is snatched from
her, or she will baffle all your schemes."

" And how shall we accomplish this ?" asked Mother
Chattox.

" I will tell you," said Mistress Nutter to the hag.
" Let him put on the form of Richard Assheton, and
in that guise hasten to Rough Lee, where he will find
the young man's cousin Nicholas, to whom he must
make known the dreadful deed about to be enacted on
Pendle Hill. Nicholas will at once engage to interrupt
it. He can arm himself with the weapons of justice by
taking with him Roger No well, the magistrate, and his
myrmidon, Potts, the attorney, both of whom are de-
tained prisoners in the house by my orders."

" The scheme promises well, and shall be adopted,"
replied the hag; "but suppose Richard himself should
appear first on the scene. Dost know where he is, my
sweet Fancy?"

" When I last saw him," replied the voice, " he was
lying, senseless, on the ground, at the foot of Malkin
Tower, having been precipitated from the doorway by
Mother Demdike. You need apprehend no inter-
ference from him."

32 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

" 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 the familiar, with a laugh.

" Let me look upon him before he goes, that I may
be sure the likeness is exact," said Mistress Nutter.

" Thou nearest, Fancy ! Become visible to her," cried
the hag.

And as she spoke, a figure in all respects resembling
Richard stood before 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 time to lose."

" I shall be there in the twinkling of an eye," said the
familiar; " but I own I like not the task/5

"There is no help for it, my sweet Fancy," cried
the hag. " I cannot forego my triumph over old Dem-
dike. Now away with thee, and when thou hast exe-
cuted thy mission, return and tell us how thou hast sped
in the matter."

The familiar promised obedience to her commands,
and disappeared.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 33