"No, no!" cried Janet; "I don't want to--Yes, yes!" she cried, as an idea seemed to flash across her brain, and Mother Goodhugh's eyes sparkled as she saw how well her plans would be carried out by the foolish girl who, she felt sure, would administer the drops to Mace in place of to herself; and, going into the inner room, she remained away for some few minutes before returning to Janet, and, pressing a little bottle in her hand-- "Take that, child, but let no soul know whence thou hadst it." "Trust me for that, mother," cried Janet, joyously. "What shall I pay you?" "Pay me, child!" cried the old woman. "Nothing, dearie; I am no old money-getting witch, but a simple, decent woman, who does these things for love. There, dearie, give me a bonny kiss of those red lips, and go thy way; Mother Goodhugh will help thee again if thou should'st come." "But mother," said Janet, glancing back at the door. "Yes, child, yes?" "Will this act quickly and soon?" "Yes, child; why?" Janet reddened and hesitated, while the old woman's eyes seemed to search her through and through. "Speak to me at once, child. But just as thou wilt, I can read thy thoughts, I know," and she laughed maliciously. "Oh, mother!" cried Janet, bursting into tears. "I think thou hast been very wicked, Janet." "Nay, mother, I could not help it; I tried so hard to be good." "My duty should be to tell Mas' Jeremiah Cobbe." "Nay, nay, mother, he'd drive me hence, and Mas' Peasegood would make me stand out before all the people in the church. Nay, good mother, give me something, pray. Sir Mark's stout followers be rude wicked men. And Mas' Wat Kilby, too," she sobbed. "I've given thee that which will help thee--I can do no more," said Mother Goodhugh, sternly. "Now thou'rt angered with me, mother," pouted the girl. "I wish I had not come and told thee, that I do." "Tchah! she says, _fold me_," laughed the old woman, "when I knew as well as all the world will soon know, Janet, an' thou do not use my philtre." Janet turned pale. "Pray forgive me, mother, I'll use the drops." "Ay, go and use them, and through them win a husband, child. Then all will be well." "Yes, yes, mother!" cried Janet, eagerly. "There, I forgive thee; but get thee a husband quick. Kiss me, child. Now go." The girl eagerly pressed her ripe red mouth to the pale and withered lips of the old woman, and then, after a glance outside to see that she was not watched, she hurried back towards the Pool, while Mother Goodhugh stood looking after her, and softly rubbed her hands. "If aught should happen," she muttered, "the girl dare not speak, for I gave her the stuff to take herself. It would be her doing, and the wedding would not take place. But what would Mistress Anne Beckley say?" She stood thinking for a few minutes before she spoke again.