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 his lodgings.

Scarcely were they gone when a door, which had been standing ajar, near them, 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 exception of the old witch herself, whom I saw burnt on Pendle Hill, are at Hoghton Tower.  This shall be made known to the King.  I’ll have Nicholas Assheton arrested at once, and the woman with him, whom I recognise as Nance Redferne.  It will be a wonderful stroke, and will raise me highly in his Majesty’s estimation.  Yet stay!  Will not this interfere with my other plans with Jennet?  Let me reflect.  I must go cautiously to work.  Besides, if I cause Nicholas to be arrested, Nance will escape, and then I shall have no clue to the others.  No—­no; I must watch Nicholas closely, and take upon myself all the credit of the discovery.  Perhaps through Jennet I may be able to detect their disguises.  At all events, I will keep a sharp look-out.  Affairs are now drawing to a close, and I have only, like a wary and experienced fowler, to lay my nets cleverly to 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 which all classes participated.  There were trials of skill and strength, running, wrestling, and cudgeling-matches, with an infinite variety of country games and shows.

Towards five o’clock a rush-cart, decked with flowers and ribbons, and bestridden by men bearing garlands, was drawn up in front of the central building of the tower, in an open window of which sat James—­a well-pleased spectator of the different pastimes going forward; and several lively dances were executed by a troop of male and female morris-dancers, accompanied by a tabor and pipe.  But though this show was sufficiently attractive, it lacked the spirit of that performed at Whalley; while the character of Maid Marian, which then found so charming a representative in Alizon, was now personated by a man—­and if Nicholas Assheton, who was amongst the bystanders, was not deceived, that man was Jem Device.  Enraged by this discovery, the squire was about to seize the ruffian; but, calling to mind Nance’s counsel, he refrained, 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 drollery was exhibited, called the “Fool and his Five Sons,” the names of the hopeful 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 the audience generally, as well as by the monarch, who laughed heartily at its coarse buffoonery.