“Has it ever occurred to you that Alizon might be addicted to these practices?” pursued Potts, “and that she obtained her extraordinary and otherwise unaccountable beauty by some magical process—­some charm—­some diabolical unguent prepared, as the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seals, the singularly learned Lord Bacon, declares, from fat of unbaptised babes, compounded with henbane, hemlock, mandrake, moonshade, and other terrible ingredients.  She could not be so beautiful without some such aid.”

“That shows how little yo knoaw about it,” replied Jennet.  “Alizon is os good as she’s protty, and dunna yo think to wheedle me into sayin’ out agen her, fo’ yo winna do it.  Ey’d dee rayther than harm a hure o’ her heaod.”

“Very praiseworthy, indeed, my little dear,” replied Potts, ironically.  “I honour you for your sisterly affection; but, notwithstanding all this, 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, more than 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 can prove the practice of witchcraft against Mistress Nutter—­eh?”

Jennet nodded.  “Wad ye loike to knoa why brother Jem is gone to Pendle to-neet?” she said.

“Very much, indeed,” replied Potts, drawing still nearer to her.  “Very much, indeed.”

The little girl was about to speak, but on a sudden a sharp convulsion agitated her frame; her utterance totally failed her; and she fell back in the seat insensible.

Very much startled, Potts flew in search of some restorative, and on doing so, he perceived Mistress Nutter moving away from this part of the hall.

“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, though faintly.  She is only in a swoon, but a deep and deathlike one.  It would be useless to attempt to revive her; she must come to in her own way, or at the pleasure of the wicked woman who has thrown her into this condition.  I have now an assured witness in this girl.  But I must keep watch upon Mistress Nutter’s further movements.”

And he walked cautiously after her.