"I will tell you what has happened, Dorothy," pursued Mother Chattox. "I came hither to Whalley on business of my own; meddling with no one; harming no one. Tread upon the adder and it will bite; and, when molested, I bite like the adder. Your cousin, Nick Assheton, came in my way, called me 'witch,' and menaced me. I cursed him—ha! ha! And then your brother, Richard—"
Mother Chattox, Alizon, and Dorothy.
"What of him, in Heaven's name?" almost shrieked Alizon.
"How's this?" exclaimed Mother Chattox, placing her hand on the beating heart of the girl.
"What of Richard Assheton?" repeated Alizon.
"You love him, I feel you do, wench," cried the old crone with fierce exultation.
"Release me, wicked woman," cried Alizon.
"Wicked, am I? ha! ha!" rejoined Mother Chattox, chuckling maliciously, "because, forsooth, I read thy heart, and betray its secrets. Wicked, eh! I tell thee wench again, Richard Assheton is lord and master here. Every pulse in thy bosom beats for him—for him alone. But beware of his love. Beware of it, I say. It shall bring thee ruin and despair."
"For pity's sake, release me," implored Alizon.