Anne gave her foot an impatient stamp. "What is that to thee?" "Naught, sweet Mistress, with the beautiful eyes and lips. Ah, would I were a man and young," said the wily old flatterer. "But it be much to spells. The spirits will not be mocked at. Thou comest to me and sayest, `Mix me powerful philtres that shall win Sir Mark's love', and, when thou dost administer it according to the form I gave, thy thoughts be all the while on Culverin Carr. How canst blame me if they do not act!" Anne stamped on the floor again. "I don't care," she cried. "What did you promise me? Was it not that I could win the love of either." "Ay," said Mother Goodhugh; "and I worked hard; but Mistress Mace Cobbe worked hard too, and had better luck." "Don't mention her wretched name." "But I must, sweet child. How her beautiful eyes fire up and sparkle!" she said, as if to herself. "She be a white witch, and weaves powerful spells with her father's wealth. For his money helps her to buy costly things my pittance will not touch." "I have given thee crowns and pounds," cried Anne. "All spent on thee and thy philtres," returned Mother Goodhugh. "Then Abel Churr has been taken away through the tricks of that white witch Mace, who has forced Culverin Carr to slay him, that I might not battle against her. Ah, fair Mistress Anne, she be a potent witch." "Then she shall be burned," cried Anne Beckley, savagely. "I have but to swear against her before my father, the justice, of her goings on, and she would be seized and pinioned and tortured." "And serve her duly," cried the old woman, with malicious glee. "Even as I could have thee seized, Mother Goodhugh," cried Anne, "if I so willed." "Nay, but thou would'st not be so cruel to one who has served thee so well." "Served me so well?" cried Anne, fiercely. "What have you done?" "Tried to win thee lovers," said Mother Goodhugh, whining. "Ay, and Gilbert Carr treats me with scorn, and Sir Mark marries that thing--that creature, Mace Cobbe." "Nay," cried the old woman, "it be not so." "But it is so," cried Anne, "and I am scorned by both. I heard Sir Mark talking the wedding over with Master Peasegood, and it will be at the Pool." "Both scorned thee!" cried Mother Goodhugh, raising her hands; "and thou so beautiful to the eye, and I'll warrant me so sweet to the touch. She be a powerful witch indeed." "Then I'll denounce her for one!" cried Anne, passionately; and the old woman's face lit up with glee, but became serious directly after, as she grew thoughtful. "Nay, child, it would be in vain." "But this marriage shall not be." "Why not wed Captain Culverin?" "Hideous old fool, I tell thee he scorns me!" cried the passionate woman. "He loves that wretched creature. I'll denounce her, that I will. I'd like to see her burn." "She deserves it, too, child; but it would be in vain. Sir Mark and his men and Culverin Carr and his men would defend her. She has witched them to her side."