And the prediction has been verified.

Nigh eighty years have flown by since then, and the infant still lives--a fearful and mischievous witch--and all her family are similarly fated--all are witches." "I never heard the story before," said Richard, somewhat thoughtfully; "but I guess to whom you allude--Mother Demdike of Pendle Forest, and her family." "Precisely," rejoined Nicholas; "they are a brood of witches." "In that case Alizon Device must be a witch," cried Richard; "and I think you will hardly venture upon such an assertion after what you have seen of her to-day.

If she be a witch, I would there were many such--as fair and gentle.

And see you not how easily the matter is explained?
'Give a dog an ill name and hang him'-- a proverb with which you are familiar enough.

So with Mother Demdike.