Part 18 (1/2)
”You will do us good service then, Master Potts,” replied Nicholas. ”But since you are so learned in the matter of witchcraft, resolve me, I pray you, how it is, that women are so much more addicted to the practice of the black art than our own s.e.x.”
”The answer to the inquiry hath been given by our British Solomon,” replied Potts, ”and I will deliver it to you in his own words. 'The reason is easy,' he saith; 'for as that s.e.x is frailer than man is, so it is easier to be entrapped in those gross snares of the devil, as was overwell proved to be true, by the serpent's deceiving of Eva at the beginning, which makes him the homelier with that s.e.x sensine.'”
”A good and sufficient reason, Master Potts,” said Nicholas, laughing; ”is it not so, Mistress Nutter?”
”Ay, marry, if it satisfies you,” she answered, drily. ”It is of a piece with the rest of the reasoning of the royal pedant, whom Master Potts styles the British Solomon.”
”I only give the learned monarch the t.i.tle by which he is recognised throughout Christendom,” rejoined Potts, sharply.
”Well, there is comfort in the thought, that I shall never be taken for a wizard,” said the squire.
”Be not too sure of that, good Master Nicholas,” returned Potts. ”Our present prince seems to have had you in his eye when he penned his description of a wizard, for, he saith, 'A great number of them that ever have been convict or confessors of witchcraft, as may be presently seen by many that have at this time confessed, are some of them rich and worldly-wise; some of them fat or corpulent in their bodies; and most part of them altogether given over to the pleasures of the flesh, continual haunting of company, and all kinds of merriness, lawful and unlawful.' This. .h.i.tteth you exactly, Master Nicholas.”
”Zounds!” exclaimed the squire, ”if this be exact, it toucheth me too nearly to be altogether agreeable.”
”The pa.s.sage is truly quoted, Nicholas,” observed Mistress Nutter, with a cold smile. ”I perfectly remember it. Master Potts seems to have the 'Daemonologie' at his fingers' ends.”
”I have made it my study, madam,” replied the lawyer, somewhat mollified by the remark, ”as I have the statute on witchcraft, and indeed most other statutes.”
”We have wasted time enough in this unprofitable talk,” said Mistress Nutter, abruptly quitting them without bestowing the slightest salutation on Potts.
”I was but jesting in what I said just now, good Master Nicholas,” observed the little lawyer, nowise disconcerted at the slight ”though they were the king's exact words I quoted. No one would suspect you of being a wizard-ha!-ha! But I am resolved to prosecute the search, and I calculate upon your aid, and that of Master Richard a.s.sheton, who goes with us.”
”You shall have mine, at all events, Master Potts,” replied Nicholas; ”and I doubt not, my cousin d.i.c.k's, too.”
”Our May Queen, Alizon Device, is Mother Demdike's grand-daughter, is she not?” asked Potts, after a moment's reflection.
”Ay, why do you ask?” demanded Nicholas.
”For a good and sufficing reason,” replied Potts. ”She might be an important witness; for, as King James saith, 'bairns or wives may, of our law, serve for sufficient witnesses and proofs.' And he goeth on to say, 'For who but witches can be proofs, and so witnesses of the doings of witches?'”
”You do not mean to aver that Alizon Device is a witch, sir?” cried Nicholas, sharply.
”I aver nothing,” replied Potts; ”but, as a relative of a suspected witch, she will be the best witness against her.”
”If you design to meddle with Alizon Device, expect no a.s.sistance from me, Master Potts,” said Nicholas, sternly, ”but rather the contrary.”
”Nay, I but threw out the hint, good Master Nicholas,” replied Potts. ”Another witness will do equally well. There are other children, no doubt. I rely on you, sir-I rely on you. I shall now go in search of Master Nowell, and obtain the warrant and the constable.”
”And I shall go keep my appointment with Parson Dewhurst, at the Abbey,” said Nicholas, bowing slightly to the attorney, and taking his departure.
”It will not do to alarm him at present,” said Potts, looking after him, ”but I'll have that girl as a witness, and I know how to terrify her into compliance. A singular woman, that Mistress Alice Nutter. I must inquire into her history. Odd, how obstinately she set her face against witchcraft. And yet she lives at Rough Lee, in the very heart of a witch district, for such Master Nicholas a.s.sheton calls this Pendle Forest. I shouldn't wonder if she has dealings with the old hags she defends-Mother Demdike and Mother Chattox. Chattox! Lord bless us, what a name!-There's caldron and broomstick in the very sound! And Demdike is little better. Both seem of diabolical invention. If I can unearth a pack of witches, I shall gain much credit from my honourable good lords the judges of a.s.size in these northern parts, besides pleasing the King himself, who is sure to hear of it, and reward my praiseworthy zeal. Look to yourself, Mistress Nutter, and take care you are not caught tripping. And now, for Master Roger Nowell.”
With this, he peered about among the crowd in search of the magistrate, but though he thrust his little turned-up nose in every direction, he could not find him, and therefore set out for the Abbey, concluding he had gone thither.
As Mistress Nutter walked along, she perceived James Device among the crowd, holding Jennet by the hand, and motioned him to come to her. Jem instantly understood the sign, and quitting his little sister, drew near.
”Tell thy mother,” said Mistress Nutter, in a tone calculated only for his hearing, ”to come to me, at the Abbey, quickly and secretly. I shall be in the ruins of the old convent church. I have somewhat to say to her, that concerns herself as well as me. Thou wilt have to go to Rough Lee and Malkin Tower to-night.”