"Whatever suspicions you may entertain, keep silence, or you will destroy Mistress Nutter," said Nicholas.
"Fear me not," rejoined Dorothy. "Oh, Alizon!" she murmured, "that this unhappy question should arise at such a moment."
"Do you indeed believe the charge, Dorothy?" asked Richard, in a low voice.
"I do," she answered in the same tone. "If Alizon be her daughter, she can never be your wife."
"How?" cried Richard.
"Never—never!" repeated Dorothy, emphatically. "The daughter of a witch, be that witch named Elizabeth Device or Alice Nutter, is no mate for you."
"You prejudge Mistress Nutter, Dorothy," he cried.
"Alas! Richard. I have too good reason for what I say," she answered, sadly.
Richard uttered an exclamation of despair. And on the instant the lively sounds of tabor and pipe, mixed with the jingling of bells, arose from the court-yard, and presently afterwards an attendant entered to announce that the May-day revellers were without, and directions were given by Sir Ralph that they should be shown into the great banqueting-hall below the gallery, which had been prepared for their reception.