I tell you that, ere to-morrow, Whalley Abbey will have passed for ever from your possession; and that, if you go thither again, your life will be forfeited.

Now will you listen to me ?" "I am wrong in doing so," cried the abbot, who could not, however, repress some feelings of misgiving at this alarming address.

"Speak, what would you say ?" "Come out of earshot of the others, and I will tell you," replied Demdike.

And he led the abbot's horse to some distance further on the hill.
"Your cause will fail, lord abbot," he then said.

"Nay, it is lost already." "Lost!" cried the abbot, out of all patience.