Part 61 (1/2)
”Ay, indeed!” exclaimed the old witch. ”And why is it, then, since you are so quick-witted?”
”You desire to make an offering to the evil being you serve,” cried Alizon, with sudden energy. ”You have entered into some dark compact, which compels you to deliver up a victim in each year to the Fiend, or your own soul becomes forfeit. Thus you have hitherto lengthened out your wretched life, and you hope to extend the term yet farther through me. I have heard this tale before, but I would not believe it. Now I do. This is why you have stolen me from my mother-have braved her anger-and brought me to this impious tower.”
The old hag laughed hoa.r.s.ely.
”The tale thou hast heard respecting me is true,” she said. ”I have a compact which requires me to make a proselyte to the power I serve within each year, and if I fail in doing so, I must pay the penalty thou hast mentioned. A like compact exists between Mistress Nutter and the Fiend.”
She paused for a moment, to watch the effect of her words on Alizon, and then resumed.
”Thy mother would have sacrificed thee if thou hadst been left with her; but I have carried thee off, because I conceive I am best ent.i.tled to thee. Thou wert brought up as my grand-daughter, and therefore I claim thee as my own.”
”And you think to deal with me as if I were a puppet in your hands?” cried Alizon.
”Ay, marry, do I,” rejoined Mother Demdike, with a scream of laughter, ”Thou art nothing more than a puppet-a puppet-ho! ho.”
”And you deem you can dispose of my soul without my consent?” said Alizon.
”Thy full consent will be obtained,” rejoined the old hag.
”Think it not! think it not!” exclaimed Alizon. ”Oh! I shall yet be delivered from this infernal bondage.”
At this moment the notes of a bugle were heard.
”Saved! saved!” cried the poor girl, starting. ”It is Richard come to my rescue!”
”How know'st thou that?” cried Mother Demdike, with a spiteful look.
”By an instinct that never deceives,” replied Alizon, as the blast was again heard.
”This must be stopped,” said the hag, waving her staff over the maiden, and transfixing her where she sat; after which she took up the lamp, and strode towards the window.
The few words that pa.s.sed between her and Richard have been already recounted. Having closed the cas.e.m.e.nt and drawn the curtain before it, Mother Demdike traced a circle on the floor, muttered a spell, and then, waving her staff over Alizon, restored her power of speech and motion.
”'Twas he!” exclaimed the young girl, as soon as she could find utterance. ”I heard his voice.”
”Why, ay, 'twas he, sure enough,” rejoined the beldame. ”He has come on a fool's errand, but he shall never return from it. Does Mistress Nutter think I will give up my prize the moment I have obtained it, for the mere asking? Does she imagine she can frighten me as she frightens others? Does she know whom she has to deal with? If not, I will tell her. I am the oldest, the boldest, and the strongest of the witches. No mystery of the black art but is known to me. I can do what mischief I will, and my desolating hand has been felt throughout this district. You may trace it like a pestilence. No one has offended me but I have terribly repaid him. I rule over the land like a queen. I exact tributes, and, if they are not rendered, I smite with a sharper edge than the sword. My wors.h.i.+p is paid to the Prince of Darkness. This tower is his temple, and yon subterranean chamber the place where the mystical rites, which thou wouldst call impious and d.a.m.nable, are performed. Countless sabbaths have I attended within it; or upon Rumbles Moor, or on the summit of Pendle Hill, or within the ruins of Whalley Abbey. Many proselytes have I made; many unbaptised babes offered up in sacrifice. I am high-priestess to the Demon, and thy mother would usurp mine office.”
”Oh! spare me this horrible recital!” exclaimed Alizon, vainly trying to shut out the hag's piercing voice.
”I will spare thee nothing,” pursued Mother Demdike. ”Thy mother, I say, would be high-priestess in my stead. There are degrees among witches, as among other sects, and mine is the first. Mistress Nutter would deprive me of mine office; but not till her hair is as white as mine, her knowledge equal to mine, and her hatred of mankind as intense as mine-not till then shall she have it.”
”No more of this, in pity!” cried Alizon.
”Often have I aided thy mother in her dark schemes,” pursued the implacable hag; ”nay, no later than last night I obliterated the old boundaries of her land, and erected new marks to serve her. It was a strong exercise of power; but the command came to me, and I obeyed it. No other witch could have achieved so much, not even the accursed Chattox, and she is next to myself. And how does thy mother purpose to requite me? By thrusting me aside, and stepping into my throne.”
”You must be in error,” cried Alizon, scarcely knowing what to say.
”My information never fails me,” replied the hag, with a disdainful laugh. ”Her plans are made known to me as soon as formed. I have those about her who keep strict watch upon her actions, and report them faithfully. I know why she brought thee so suddenly to Rough Lee, though thou know'st it not.”
”She brought me there for safety,” remarked the young girl, hoping to allay the beldame's fury, ”and because she herself desired to know how the survey of the boundaries would end.”