On joining the party, Richard Assheton saw plainly that something had happened; but as both his sister and Alizon laboured under evident embarrassment, he abstained from making inquiries as to its cause for the present, hoping a better opportunity of doing so would occur, and the conversation was kept up by Nicholas Assheton, who described, in his wonted lively manner, the encounter with Mother Chattox and Nance Redferne, the swimming of the latter, and the trickery and punishment of Potts.  During the recital Mistress Nutter often glanced uneasily at the two girls, but neither of them offered any interruption until Nicholas had finished, when Dorothy, taking her brother’s hand, said, with a look of affectionate admiration, “You acted like yourself, dear Richard.”

Alizon did not venture to give utterance to the same sentiment, but her looks plainly expressed it.

“I only wish you had punished that cruel James Device, as well as saved poor 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,” said Nicholas, turning to Dorothy; “he looked just like a drowned rat—­ha!—­ha!”

“You have made a bitter enemy of him, Nicholas,” observed Mistress Nutter; “so look well to yourself.”

“I heed him not,” rejoined the squire; “he knows me now too well to meddle with me again, and I shall take good care how I put myself in his power.  One thing I may mention, to show the impotent malice of the knave.  Just as he was setting off, he said, ’This is not the only discovery of witchcraft I have made to-day.  I have another case nearer home.’  What could he mean?”

“I know not,” replied Mistress Nutter, a shade of disquietude passing over her countenance.  “But he is quite capable of bringing the charge against you or any of us.”

“He is so,” said Nicholas.  “After what has occurred, I wonder whether he will go over to Rough Lee to-morrow?”

“Very likely not,” replied Mistress Nutter, “and in that case Master Roger Nowell must provide some other person competent to examine the boundary-line of the properties on his behalf.”

“Then you are confident of the adjudication being in your favour?” said Nicholas.

“Quite so,” replied Mistress Nutter, with a self-satisfied smile.

“The result, I hope, may justify your expectation,” said Nicholas; “but it is right to tell you, that Sir Ralph, in consenting to postpone his decision, has only done so out of consideration to you.  If the division of the properties be as represented by him, Master Nowell will unquestionably obtain an award in his favour.”