The magistrate was ushered by the lady into a small chamber, opening out
of the entrance-hall, which, in consequence of having only one small
narrow window, with a clipped yew-tree before it, was extremely dark and
gloomy. The walls were covered with sombre tapestry, and on entering,
Mistress Nutter not only carefully closed the door, but drew the arras
before it, so as to prevent the possibility of their conversation being
heard outside. These precautions taken, she motioned the magistrate to a
chair, 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 be
overheard 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 tell
you, directly and distinctly, that if there be aught of witchcraft in
what 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 absolute
power over you," rejoined Mistress Nutter, "and might strike you with
sickness, cripple you, or kill you if I thought fit."
"I know not that," returned Nowell. "There are limits even to the power
of evil beings; and your charms and enchantments, however strong and
baneful, may be wholly inoperative against a magistrate in the discharge
of his duty. If it were not so, you would scarcely think it worth while
to treat with me."
"Humph!" exclaimed the lady. "Now, tell me frankly, what you will do
when 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, and
finish the work I have left undone."
"You will forego this intention," said Mistress Nutter, with a bitter
smile.
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 such
an announcement I shall scarce think of parting with you."
"You dare not detain me," replied Nowell. "I have Nicholas Assheton's
word for my security, and I know he will not break it. Besides, you will
gain nothing by my detention. My absence will soon be discovered, and if
living I shall be set free; if dead, avenged."
"That may, or may not be," replied Mistress Nutter; "and in any case I
can, if I choose, wreak my vengeance upon you. I am glad to have
ascertained your intentions, for I now know how to treat with you. You
shall not go hence, except on certain conditions. You have said you will
proclaim me a witch, and will come back with sufficient force to
accomplish my arrest. Instead of doing this, I advise you to return to
Sir Ralph Assheton, and admit to him that you find yourself in error in
respect 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 my
prejudice, in the presence of Nicholas Assheton and other credible
witnesses; in which case I will not only lay aside all feelings of
animosity towards you, but will make over to you the whole of the land
under 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 the
crown," thought Nowell; "the offer is tempting."
"Your attorney is here, and can prepare the conveyance at once," pursued
Mistress Nutter; "a sum can be stated to lend a colour to the
proceeding, and I will give you a private memorandum that I will not
claim it. All I require is, that you clear me completely from the dark
aspersions cast upon my character, and you abandon your projects against
my adopted daughter, Alizon, as well as against those two poor old
women, Mothers Demdike and Chattox."
"How can I be sure that I shall not be deluded in the matter?" asked
Nowell; "the writing may disappear from the parchment you give me, or
the parchment itself may turn to ashes. Such things have occurred in
transactions 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 no
idle threat on my part, when I tell you you shall not go forth unless
you consent."
"You cannot hinder me, woman," cried Nowell, rising.
"You shall see," rejoined the lady, making two or three rapid passes
before him, which instantly stiffened his limbs, and deprived him of the
power of motion. "Now, stir if you can," she added with a laugh.
Nowell essayed to cry out, but his tongue refused its office. Hearing
and sight, however, were left him, and he saw Mistress Nutter take a
large volume, bound in black, from the shelf, and open it at a page
covered with cabalistic characters, after which she pronounced some
words that sounded like an invocation.
As she concluded, the tapestry against the wall was raised, and from
behind 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 will
prove 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 beneath
your feet, where you will lie immured till doomsday. The same fate will
attend your crafty associate, Master Potts--so that neither of you will
be missed--ha! ha!"
The unfortunate magistrate fully comprehended his danger, but he could
now neither offer remonstrance nor entreaty. What was passing in his
breast seemed known to Mistress Nutter; for she motioned the double to
stay, 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, sinking
into the chair. "Oh! madam, you have indeed terrible power."
"You will do well not to brave it again," she rejoined. "Shall I summon
Master Potts to prepare the conveyance?"
"Oh! no--no!" cried Nowell. "I do not desire the land. I will not have
it. I shall pay too dearly for it. Only let me get out of this horrible
place?"
"Not so quickly, sir," rejoined Mistress Nutter. "Before you go hence,
I must bind you to the performance of my injunctions. Pronounce these
words after me,--'May I become subject to the Fiend if I fail in my
promise.'"
"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 and
heard here, and cessation of hostility towards me and the persons I have
already named," replied Mistress Nutter; "and I require a declaration
from you, in the presence of the two Asshetons, that you are fully
satisfied 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 must
ratify the promise by the abjuration I have proposed. 'May I become
subject to the Fiend if I fail in my promise.'"
The magistrate repeated the words after her. As he finished, mocking
laughter, apparently resounding from below, smote his ears.
"Enough!" cried Mistress Nutter, triumphantly; "and now take good heed
that you swerve not in the slightest degree from your word, or you are
for ever lost."
Again the mocking laughter was heard, and Nowell would have rushed
forth, if Mistress Nutter had not withheld him.
"Stay!" she cried, "I have not done with you yet! My witnesses must hear
your declaration. Remember!"
And placing her finger upon her lips, in token of silence, she stepped
backwards, drew aside the tapestry, and, opening the door, called to the
two Asshetons, both of whom instantly came to her, and were not a little
surprised to learn that all differences had been adjusted, and that
Roger Nowell acknowledged himself entirely in error, retracting all the
charges he had brought against her; while, on her part, she was fully
satisfied with his explanations and apologies, and promised not to
entertain any feelings of resentment towards him.
"You have made up the matter, indeed," cried Nicholas, "and, as Master
Roger Nowell is a widower, perhaps a match may come of it. Such an
arrangement"--
"This is no occasion for jesting, Nicholas," interrupted the lady,
sharply.
"Nay, I but threw out a hint," rejoined the squire. "It would set the
question of the land for ever at rest."
"It is set at rest--for ever!" replied the lady, with a side look at the
magistrate.
"'May I become subject to the Fiend if I fail in my promise,'" repeated
Nowell to himself. "Those words bind me like a chain of iron. I must get
out of this accursed house as fast as I can."
As if his thoughts had been divined by Mistress Nutter, she here
observed to him, "To make our reconciliation complete, Master Nowell, I
must entreat you to pass the day with me. I will give you the best
entertainment my house affords--nay, I will take no denial; and you too,
Nicholas, and you, Richard, you will stay and keep the worthy magistrate
company."
The two Asshetons willingly assented, but Roger Nowell would fain have
been 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 consequence
of the balsam applied by Blackadder, he is scarcely in condition for the
saddle."
"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 himself
as comfortable as circumstances will permit, with a flask of Rhenish
before him."
"I will go to him, then," said Nowell.
"Take care what you say to him," observed Mistress Nutter, in a low
tone, and raising her finger to her lips.
Heaving a deep sigh, the magistrate then repaired to the library, a
small room panelled with black oak, and furnished with a few cases of
ancient tomes. The attorney and the divine were seated at a table, with
a big square-built bottle and long-stemmed glasses before them, and
Master Potts, with a wry grimace, excused himself from rising on his
respected and singular good client's approach.
"Do not disturb yourself," said Nowell, gruffly; "we shall not leave
Rough Lee to-day."
"I am glad to hear it," replied Potts, moving the cushions on his chair
and 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 the
meaning 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 stopped
suddenly.
"To Mistress Nutter?" suggested Potts.
"Don't ask me," exclaimed Nowell, fiercely. "Don't draw any erroneous
conclusions, man. I mean nothing--I say nothing!"
"He is certainly bewitched," observed Parson Holden in an under-tone to
the attorney.
"It was by your advice I entered this house," thundered Nowell, "and
may 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. "I
dismiss you. I will have nought to do with you more. I wish I had never
seen your ugly little face!"
"You were quite right, reverend sir," observed Potts aside to the
divine; "he is certainly bewitched, or he never would behave in this way
to his best friend. My excellent sir," he added to Nowell, "I beseech
you to calm yourself, and listen to me. My motive for wishing you to
comply with Mistress Nutter's request was this: We were in a dilemma
from which there was no escape, my wounded condition preventing me from
flight, and all your followers being dispersed. Knowing your discretion,
I apprehended that, finding the tables turned against you, you would not
desire to play a losing game, and I therefore counselled apparent
submission as the best means of disarming your antagonist. Whatever
arrangement you have made with Mistress Nutter is neither morally nor
legally binding upon you."
"You think not!" cried Nowell. "'May I become subject to the Fiend if I
violate 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 and
bound by it."
The attorney reflected a little, and then observed to Holden, "It is
evident some unfair practices have been resorted to with our respected
friend, to extort a promise from him which he cannot violate. It is also
possible, from what he let fall at first, that an attempt may be made to
detain us prisoners within this house, and, for aught I know, Master
Nowell may have given his word not to go forth without Mistress Nutter's
permission. Under these circumstances, I would beg of you, reverend sir,
as an especial favour to us both, to ride over to Whalley, and acquaint
Sir Ralph Assheton with our situation."
As this suggestion was made, Nowell's countenance brightened up. The
expression was not lost upon the attorney, who perceived he was on the
right tack.
"Tell the worthy baronet," continued Potts, "that his old and esteemed
friend, 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 sufficient
force to effect his immediate liberation. Tell him, also, that Master
Nowell charges Mistress Nutter with robbing him of his land by
witchcraft."
"No, no!" interrupted Nowell; "do not tell him that. I no longer charge
her with it."
"Then, tell him that I do," cried Potts; "and that Master Nowell has
strangely, very strangely, altered his mind."
"'May I become subject to the Fiend if I violate my promise!'" said the
magistrate.
"Ay, tell him that," cried the attorney--"tell him the worthy gentleman
is constantly repeating that sentence. It will explain all. And now,
reverend sir, let me entreat you to set out without delay, or your
departure may be prevented."
"I will go at once," said Holden.
As he was about to quit the apartment, Mistress Nutter appeared at the
door. 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 your
company."
"My duty calls me hence," returned the divine. "With all thanks for your
proffered hospitality, I must perforce decline it."
"Not when I command you to stay," she rejoined, raising her hand; "I am
absolute mistress here."
"Not over the servants of heaven, madam," replied the divine, taking a
Bible from his pocket, and placing it before him. "By this sacred volume
I shield myself against your spells, and command you to let me pass."
And as he went forth, Mistress Nutter, unable to oppose him, shrank
back.