"Have you given him no provocation, sir?" demanded Sir Ralph, sternly. "No provocation can justify the treatment I have experienced, Sir Ralph," replied Potts. "However, to show I am a man of peace, and harbour no resentment, however just grounds I may have for such a feeling, I am willing to make up the matter with Master Nicholas, provided--" "He offers you a handsome consideration, eh?" said the squire. "Provided he offers me a handsome apology--such as a gentleman may accept," rejoined Potts, consequentially. "And which he will not refuse, I am sure," said Sir Ralph, glancing at his cousin. "I should certainly be sorry to have drowned you," said the squire--"very sorry." "Enough--enough--I am content," cried Potts, holding out his hand, which Nicholas grasped with an energy that brought tears into the little man's eyes. "I am glad the matter is amicably adjusted," observed Roger Nowell, "for I suspect both parties have been to blame. And I must now request you, Master Potts, to forego your search, and inquiries after witches, till such time as you have settled this question of the boundary line for me. One matter at a time, my good sir." "But, Master Nowell," cried Potts, "my much esteemed and singular good client--" "I will have no nay," interrupted Nowell, peremptorily. "Hum!" muttered Potts; "I shall lose the best chance of distinction ever thrown in my way." "I care not," said Nowell. "Just as you came up, Master Nowell," observed Nicholas, "I was examining a plan of the disputed estates in Pendle Forest. It differs from yours, and, if correct, certainly substantiates Mistress Nutter's claim." "I have mine with me," replied Nowell, producing a plan, and opening it. "We can compare the two, if you please. The line runs thus:--From the foot of Pendle Hill, beginning with Barley Booth, the boundary is marked by a stone wall, as far as certain fields in the occupation of John Ogden. Is it not so?" "It is," replied Nicholas, comparing the statement with the other plan. "It then runs on in a northerly direction," pursued Nowell, "towards Burst Clough, and here the landmarks are certain stones placed in the moor, one hundred yards apart, and giving me twenty acres of this land, and Mistress Nutter ten." "On the contrary," replied Nicholas. "This plan gives Mistress Nutter twenty acres, and you ten." "Then the plan is wrong," cried Nowell, sharply. "It has been carefully prepared," said Mistress Nutter, who had approached the table. "No matter; it is wrong, I say," cried Nowell, angrily. "You see where the landmarks are placed, Master Nowell," said Nicholas, pointing to the measurement. "I merely go by them." "The landmarks are improperly placed in that plan," cried Nowell. "I will examine them myself to-morrow," said Potts, taking out a large memorandum-hook; "there cannot be an error of ten acres--ten perches--or ten feet, possibly, but acres--pshaw!" "Laugh as you please; but go on," said Mrs. Nutter.