"I will not oppose you," replied Alizon, gently; "tear my flesh if you will. You should have my life's blood if it would cure you; but if the success of the experiment depends on my having bewitched you, it will assuredly fail." "This is dreadful," interposed Richard. "Leave her, Alizon, I entreat of you. She will do you an injury." "I care not," replied the young maid. "I will stay by her till she voluntarily releases me." The almost tigress fury with which Dorothy had seized upon the unresisting girl here suddenly deserted her, and, sobbing hysterically, she fell upon her neck. Oh, with what delight Alizon pressed her to her bosom! "Dorothy, dear Dorothy!" she cried. "Alizon, dear Alizon!" responded Dorothy. "Oh! how could I suspect you of any ill design against me!" "She is no witch, dear sister, be assured of that!" said Richard. "Oh, no--no--no! I am quite sure she is not," cried Dorothy, kissing her affectionately. This change had been wrought by the low-breathed spells of Mistress Nutter. "The access is over," she mentally ejaculated; "but I must get him away before the fit returns." "You had better go now, Richard," she added aloud, and touching his arm, "I will answer for your sister's restoration. An opiate will produce sleep, and if possible, she shall return to Middleton to-day." "If I go, Alizon must go with me," said Dorothy. "Well, well, I will not thwart your desires," rejoined Mistress Nutter. And she made a sign to Richard to depart. The young man pressed his sister's hand, bade a tender farewell to Alizon, and, infinitely relieved by the improvement which had taken place in the former, and which he firmly believed would speedily lead to her entire restoration, descended to the entrance-hall, where he found Sir Ralph and Parson Dewhurst, who told him that Nicholas and Potts were in the court-yard, and impatient to set out.