Just in time, Master Nicholas--just in time," he added, rubbing his hands gleefully.
"Lemme go, Simon," besought Nance.
"Neaw, neaw, lass, that munnot be," rejoined Sparshot.
"Help--save me, Master Richard!" cried the young woman.
By this time the crowd had gathered round her, yelling, hooting, and shaking their hands at her, as if about to tear her in pieces; but Richard Assheton planted himself resolutely before her, and pushed back the foremost of them.
"Remove her instantly to the Abbey, Sparshot," he cried, "and let her be kept in safe custody till Sir Ralph has time to examine her.

Will that content you, masters ?" "Neaw--neaw," responded several rough voices; "swim her!--swim her!" "Quite right, my worthy friends, quite right," said Potts.

"_Primo_, let us make sure she is a witch--_secundo_, let us take her to the Abbey." "There can be no doubt as to her being a witch, Master Potts," rejoined Nicholas; "her old grand-dame, Mother Chattox, has just vanished from our sight." "Has Mother Chattox been here ?" cried Potts, opening his round eyes to their widest extent.
"Not many minutes since," replied Nicholas.

"In fact, she may be here still for aught I know." "Here!--where ?" cried Potts, looking round.
"You won't discover her for all your quickness," replied Nicholas.

"She has rendered herself invisible, by reciting the magical verses inscribed on that cross." "Indeed!" exclaimed the attorney, closely examining the mysterious inscriptions.