"And what gave she thee, Desire?"
"Some herbs, mother."
"And what were the herbs to do?"
"She said steep them well, and give the broth to any man I fancied, and it would turn his fancy on me."
"A love philtre! Vade retrograde Sathanas!" exclaimed the elder half rising from his chair, but here the doctor eagerly interposed,—
"What like was the herb, girl? Hast any of it in store for a second dose?"
"Mayhap—a little," muttered Desire twisting and turning, but seeing no means of escape.
"Go and fetch it," commanded the elder. "And Priscilla do thou go too and see that the wretched creature doth not make way with it."
"And sith John Howland is after a sort betrothed to the poor bemused child, I think it well to summon him, that he may advise with us as to the sequela of this folly. I will call him to the Council." And Bradford followed the two girls from the room.
"If she hath murdered the captain, she shall die the death," exclaimed the elder striding about the room, and pausing before the great chair where his pale and fragile wife sat looking up at him with beseeching eyes.