Part 71 (1/2)
”No, no,” interposed Richard. ”You have not strength for the effort, and will only r.e.t.a.r.d her.”
”I thank you for your devotion, my child,” said Mistress Nutter, with a look of grateful tenderness; ”but it is unneeded. I have no intention of flying. I shall surrender myself into the hands of justice.”
”Do not mistake the matter, madam,” said Sir Ralph, ”and delude yourself with the notion that either your rank or wealth will screen you from punishment. Your guilt is too clearly established to allow you a chance of escape, and, though I myself am acting wrongfully in counselling flight to you, I am led to do so from the friends.h.i.+p once subsisting between us, and the relations.h.i.+p which, unfortunately, I cannot destroy.”
”It is you who are mistaken, not I, Sir Ralph,” replied Mistress Nutter. ”I have no thought of turning aside the sword of justice, but shall court its sharpest edge, hoping by a full avowal of my offences, in some degree to atone for them. My only regret is, that I shall leave my child unprotected, and that my fate will bring dishonour upon her.”
”Oh, think not of me, dear mother!” cried Alizon, ”but persist unhesitatingly in the course you have laid down. Far rather would I see you act thus-far rather hear the sentiments you have uttered, even though they may be attended by the saddest, consequences, than behold you in your former proud position, and impenitent. Think not of me, then. Or, rather, think only how I rejoice that your eyes are at length opened, and that you have cast off the bonds of iniquity. I can now pray for you with the full hope that my intercessions will prevail, and in parting with you in this world shall be sustained by the conviction that we shall meet in eternal happiness hereafter.”
Mistress Nutter threw her arms about her daughter's neck, and they mingled their tears together, Sir Ralph a.s.sheton was much moved.
”It is a pity she should fall into their hands,” he observed to Richard.
”I know not how to advise,” replied the latter, greatly troubled.
”Ah! it is too late,” exclaimed the knight; ”here come Nowell and Metcalfe. The poor lady's firmness will be severely tested.”
The next moment the magistrate and the knight came up, with such of their attendants as were not engaged in pursuing the witches, several of whom had already been captured. On seeing Mistress Nutter, Sir Thomas Metcalfe sprang from his horse, and would have seized her, but Sir Ralph interposed, saying ”She has surrendered herself to me. I will be answerable for her safe custody.”
”Your pardon, Sir Ralph,” observed Nowell; ”the arrest must be formally made, and by a constable. Sparshot, execute your warrant.”
Upon this, the official, leaping from his horse, displayed his staff and a piece of parchment to Mistress Nutter, telling her she was his prisoner.
The lady bowed her head.
”Shan ey tee her hands, yer wars.h.i.+p?” demanded the constable of the magistrate.
”On no account, fellow,” interposed Sir Ralph. ”I will have no indignity offered her. I have already said I will be responsible for her.”
”You will recollect she is arrested for witchcraft, Sir Ralph,” observed Nowell.
”She shall answer to the charges brought against her. I pledge myself to that,” replied Sir Ralph.
”And by a full confession,” said Mistress Nutter. ”You may pledge yourself to that also, Sir Ralph.”
”She avows her guilt,” cried Nowell. ”I take you all to witness it.”
”I shall not forget it,” said Sir Thomas Metcalfe.
”Nor I-nor I!” cried Sparshot, and two or three others of the attendants.
”This girl is my prisoner,” said Sir Thomas Metcalfe, dismounting, and advancing towards Alizon, ”She is a witch, as well as the rest.”
”It is false,” cried Richard! ”and if you attempt to lay hands upon her I will strike you to the earth.”
”'Sdeath!” exclaimed Metcalfe, drawing his sword, ”I will not let this insolence pa.s.s unpunished. I have other affronts to chastise. Stand aside, or I will cut your throat.”
”Hold, Sir Thomas,” cried Sir Ralph a.s.sheton, authoritatively. ”Settle your quarrels hereafter, if you have any to adjust; but I will have no fighting now. Alizon is no witch. You are well aware that she was about to be impiously and cruelly sacrificed by Mother Demdike, and her rescue was the main object of our coming hither.”
”Still suspicion attaches to her,” said Metcalfe; ”whether she be the daughter of Elizabeth Device or Alice Nutter, she comes of a bad stock, and I protest against her being allowed to go free. However, if you are resolved upon it, I have nothing more to say. I shall find other time and place to adjust my differences with Master Richard a.s.sheton.”