Part 56 (2/2)
Nowell still hesitated, but the counsel of his legal adviser was enforced by a heavy shower of rain, which just then began to descend upon them.
”You can take shelter beneath my roof,” said Mistress Nutter; ”and before the shower is over we can settle the matter.”
”And my wounds can be dressed at the same time,” said Potts, with a groan, ”for they pain me sorely.”
”Blackadder has a sovereign balsam, which, with a patch or two of diachylon, will make all right,” replied Nicholas, unable to repress a laugh. ”Here, lift him up between you,” he added to the grooms, ”and convey him into the house.”
The orders were obeyed, and Mistress Nutter led the way through the now wide-opened gates; her slow and majestic march by no means accelerated by the drenching shower. What Roger Nowell's sensations were at following her in such a way, after his previous threats and boastings, may be easily conceived.
CHAPTER X.-ROGER NOWELL AND HIS DOUBLE.
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 circ.u.mlocution, 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 a.s.sistance; 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 a.s.sheton'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 a.s.sheton, 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 a.s.sheton 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.”
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