"Ay, Master Rashcliffe, that is it, and I have found him a hard master."
I saw her clench her hands as if in a frenzy, while her eyes gleamed with a great passion.
"I do not believe in such things," I said, for although many witches had been burnt in England, even in my time, I had no faith in much of what I had heard.
"Why do I go up to the old house in Pycroft woods?" she went on. "Is it for pleasure? Have you not heard it is haunted? I tell you deeds are done there which would frighten you, brave as you think you are. And I go because I must. Now had you not better go back and leave me?"
"No," I made answer. "I will accompany you even as I have said."
"But you promised not to hinder me."
"No, I will not hinder you, because, in spite of what you say, I do not believe evil is in your heart."
"There you make a mistake, Master Rashcliffe. I have evil in my heart. And it is not without reason. Have you a sister?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"Because if you had you might understand me. If you had a sister, bound to obey a bad man, as his wife, would she not be justified in having evil in her heart?"