column, with his eye fixed upon the door leading to Saint Faith's,
observed it open, and the apprentice issue from it accompanied by two
masked females. All three attempted to dart across the transept and gain
the northern entrance, but they were Intercepted. Mr. Bloundel caught
hold of Leonard's arm, and Rochester seized her whom he judged by the
garb to be Amabel, while Parravicin, recognising Nizza Macascree, as he
thought, by her dress, detained her.
"What is the meaning of all this, Leonard?" demanded the grocer,
angrily.
"You shall have an explanation instantly," replied the apprentice; "but
think not of me--think only of your daughter."
"My father!--my father!" cried the damsel, who had been detained by
Parravicin, taking off her mask, and rushing towards the grocer.
"Who then have I got?" cried Rochester.
"The piper's daughter, I'll be sworn," replied Etherege.
"You are right," replied Nizza, unmasking. "I changed dresses with
Amabel, and hoped by so doing to accomplish her escape, but we have been
baffled. However, as her father is here, it is of little consequence."
"Amabel," said the grocer, repulsing her, "before I receive you again, I
must be assured that you have not been alone with the Earl of
Rochester."
"She has not, sir," replied the apprentice. "Visit your displeasure on
my head. I carried her off and would have wedded her."
"What motive had you for this strange conduct?" asked Bloundel,
incredulously.
Before Leonard could answer, Pillichody stepped forward, and said to the
grocer, "Mr. Bloundel, you are deceived--on the faith of a soldier you
are."
"Peace, fool!" said Rochester, "I will not be outdone in generosity by
an apprentice. Leonard Holt speaks the truth."
"If so," replied Bloundel, "he shall never enter my house again. Send
for your indentures to-night," he continued sharply, to Leonard, "but
never venture to approach me more."
"Father, you are mistaken," cried Amabel. "Leonard Holt is not to blame.
I alone deserve your displeasure."
"Be silent!" whispered the apprentice; "you destroy yourself. I care not
what happens to me, provided you escape the earl."
"Come home, mistress," cried the grocer, dragging her through the crowd
which had gathered round them.
"Here is a pretty conclusion to the adventure!" cried Parravicin; "but
where is the apprentice--and where is the pretty Nizza Macascree? 'Fore
heaven," he added, as he looked around for them in vain, "I should not
wonder if they have eloped together."
"Nor I," replied Rochester. "I admire the youth's spirit, and trust he
may be more fortunate with his second mistress than with his first."
"It shall be my business to prevent that," rejoined Parravicin. "Help me
to search for her."
* * * * *
VIII. THE AMULET.
As the grocer disappeared with his daughter, Nizza Macascree, who had
anxiously watched the apprentice, observed him turn deadly pale, and
stagger; and instantly springing to his side, she supported him to a
neighbouring column, against which he leaned till he had in some degree
recovered from the shock. He then accompanied her to Bishop Kempe's
beautiful chapel in the northern aisle, where she expected to find her
father; but it was empty.
"He will be back presently," said Nizza. "He is no doubt making the
rounds of the cathedral. Bell will take care of him. Sit down on that
bench while I procure you some refreshment. You appear much in need of
it."
And without waiting for a reply, she ran off, and presently afterwards
returned with a small loaf of bread and a bottle of beer.
"I cannot eat," said Leonard, faintly. But seeing that his kind provider
looked greatly disappointed, he swallowed a few mouthfuls, and raised
the bottle to his lips. As he did so, a sudden feeling of sickness
seized him, and he set it down untasted.
"What ails you?" asked Nizza, noticing his altered looks with
uneasiness.
"I know not," he replied. "I have never felt so ill before."
"I thought you were suffering from agitation," she rejoined, as a
fearful foreboding crossed her.
"I shall be speedily released from further trouble," replied the
apprentice. "I am sure I am attacked by the plague."
"Oh! say not so!" she rejoined. "You may be mistaken."
But though she tried to persuade herself she spoke the truth, her heart
could not be deceived.
"I scarcely desire to live," replied the apprentice, in a melancholy
tone, "for life has lost all charms for me. But do not remain here, or
you may be infected by the distemper."
"I will never leave you," she hastily rejoined; "that is," she added,
checking herself, "till I have placed you in charge of some one who will
watch over you."
"No one will watch over me," returned Leonard. "My master has dismissed
me from his service, and I have no other friend left. If you will tell
one of the vergers what is the matter with me, he will summon the
Examiner of Health, who will bring a litter to convey me to the
pest-house."
"If you go thither your fate is sealed," replied Nizza.
"I have said I do not desire to live," returned the apprentice.
"Do not indulge in these gloomy thoughts, or you are certain to bring
about a fatal result," said Nizza. "Would I knew how to aid you! But I
still hope you are deceived as to the nature of your attack."
"I cannot be deceived," replied Leonard, whose countenance proclaimed
the anguish he endured. "Doctor Hodges, I think, is interested about
me," he continued, describing the physician's residence--"if you will
inform him of my seizure, he may, perhaps, come to me."
"I will fly to him instantly," replied Nizza; and she was about to quit
the chapel, when she was stopped by Parravicin and his companions.
"Let me pass," she said, trying to force her way through them.
"Not so fast, fair Nizza," rejoined Parravicin, forcing her back, "I
must have a few words with you. Have I overrated her charms?" he added
to Rochester. "Is she not surpassingly beautiful?"
"In good sooth she is," replied the earl, gazing at her with admiration.
"By the nut-brown skin of Cleopatra!" cried Pillichody, "she beats Mrs.
Disbrowe, Sir Paul."
"I have never seen any one so lovely," said the knight, attempting to
press her hand to his lips.
"Release me, sir," cried Nizza, struggling to free herself.
"Not till I have told you how much I love you," returned the knight,
ardently.
"Love me!" she echoed, scornfully.
"Yes, love you," reiterated Parravicin. "It would be strange if I, who
profess myself so great an admirer of beauty, did otherwise. I am
passionately enamoured of you. If you will accompany me, fair Nizza, you
shall change your humble garb for the richest attire that gold can
purchase, shall dwell in a magnificent mansion, and have troops of
servants at your command. In short, my whole fortune, together with
myself, shall be placed at your disposal."
"Do not listen to him, Nizza," cried Leonard Holt, in a faint voice.
"Be assured I will not," she answered. "Your insulting proposal only
heightens the disgust I at first conceived for you," she added to the
knight: "I reject it with scorn, and command you to let me pass."
"Nay, if you put on these airs, sweetheart," replied Parravicin,
insolently, "I must alter my tone likewise. I am not accustomed to play
the humble suitor to persons of your condition."
"Perhaps not," replied Nizza; "neither am I accustomed to this
unwarrantable usage. Let me go. My errand is one of life and death. Do
not hinder me, or you will have a heavy crime on your soul--heavier, it
may be, than any that now loads it."
"Where are you going?" asked Parravicin, struck by her earnest manner.
"To fetch assistance," she replied, "for one suddenly assailed by the
pestilence."
"Ah!" exclaimed the knight, trembling, and relinquishing his grasp. "My
path is ever crossed by that hideous spectre. Is it your father who is
thus attacked?"
"No," she replied, pointing to Leonard, "it is that youth."
"The apprentice!" exclaimed Rochester. "I am sorry for him. Let us be
gone," he added to his companions. "It may be dangerous to remain here
longer."
With this they all departed except Parravicin.
"Come with us, Nizza," said the latter; "we will send assistance to the
sufferer."
"I have already told you my determination," she rejoined; "I will not
stir a footstep with you. And if you have any compassion in your nature,
you will not detain me longer."
"I will not leave you here to certain destruction," said the knight.
"You shall come with me whether you will or not."
And as he spoke, he advanced towards her, while she retreated towards
Leonard, who, rising with difficulty, placed himself between her and her
persecutor.
"If you advance another footstep," cried the apprentice, "I will fling
myself upon you, and the contact may be fatal."
Parravicin gazed, furiously at him, and half unsheathed his sword. But
the next moment he returned it to the scabbard, and exclaiming, "Another
time! another time!" darted after his companions.
He was scarcely gone, when Leonard reeled against the wall, and before
Nizza could catch him, fell in a state of insensibility on the floor.
After vainly attempting to raise him, Nizza flew for assistance, and had
just passed through the door of the chapel, when she met Judith Malmayns
and Chowles. She instantly stopped them, and acquainting them with the
apprentice's condition, implored them to take charge of him while she
went in search of Doctor Hodges.
"Before you go," said Judith, "let me make sure that he is attacked by
the plague. It may be some other disorder."
"I hope so, indeed," said Nizza, pausing; "but I fear the contrary."
So saying, she returned with them to the chapel. Raising the apprentice
with the greatest ease, Judith tore open his doublet.
"Your suspicion is correct," she said, with a malignant smile. "Here is
the fatal sign upon his breast."
"I will fetch Doctor Hodges instantly," cried Nizza.
"Do so," replied Judith; "we will convey him to the vaults in Saint
Faith's, where poor Mr. Quatremain has just been taken. He will be
better there than in the pest-house."
"Anything is better than that," said Nizza, shuddering.
As soon as she was gone, Chowles took off his long black cloak, and,
throwing it over the apprentice, laid him at full length upon the bench,
and, assisted by Judith, carried him towards the choir. As they
proceeded, Chowles called out, "Make way for one sick of the plague!"
and the crowd instantly divided, and gave them free passage. In this way
they descended to Saint Faith's, and, shaping their course to the vault,
deposited their burden on the very bed lately occupied by the
unfortunate sexton.
"He has come here to die," observed Judith to her companion. "His attack
is but a slight one, and he might with care recover. But I can bargain
with the Earl of Rochester for his removal."
"Take heed how you make such a proposal to his lordship," returned
Chowles. "From what I have seen, he is likely to revolt at it."
"Every man is glad to get rid of a rival," rejoined Judith.
"Granted," replied Chowles; "but no man will _pay_ for the riddance when
the plague will accomplish it for him for nothing."
"With due attention, I would answer for that youth's recovery," said
Judith. "It is not an incurable case, like Mr. Quatremain's. And so
Doctor Hodges, when he comes, will pronounce it."
Shortly after this, Nizza Macaseree appeared with a countenance fraught
with anxiety, and informed them that Doctor Hodges was from home, and
would not probably return till late at night.
"That's unfortunate," said Judith. "Luckily, however, there are other
doctors in London, and some who understand the treatment of the plague
far better than he does--Sibbald, the apothecary of Clerkenwell, for
instance."
"Do you think Sibbald would attend him?" asked Nizza, eagerly.
"To be sure he would," replied Mrs. Malmayns, "if he were paid for it.
But you seem greatly interested about this youth. I have been young, and
know what effect good looks and a manly deportment have upon our sex. He
has won your heart! Ha! ha! You need not seek to disguise it. Your
blushes answer for you."
"A truce to this," cried Nizza, whose cheeks glowed with shame and
anger.
"You can answer a plain question, I suppose," returned Judith. "Is his
life dear to you?"
"Dearer than my own?" replied Nizza.
"I thought as much," returned Judith. "What will you give me to save
him?"
"I have nothing," rejoined Nizza, with a troubled look--"nothing but
thanks to give you."
"Think again," said Judith. "Girls like you, if they have no money, have
generally some trinket--some valuable in their possession."
"That is not my case," said Nizza, bursting into tears. "I never
received a present in my life, and never desired one till now."
"But your father must have some money?" said Judith, inquisitively.
"I know not," replied Nizza, "but I will ask him. What sum will content
you?"
"Bring all you can," returned Judith, "and I will do my best."
Nizza then departed, while Judith, with the assistance of Chowles,
covered Leonard with blankets, and proceeded to light a fire. Long
before this, the sick youth was restored to animation. But he was quite
light-headed and unconscious of his situation, and rambled about Amabel
and her father. After administering such remedies as she thought fit,
and as were at hand, Judith sat down with the coffin-maker beside a
small table, and entered into conversation with him.
"Well," said Chowles, in an indifferent tone, as he poured out a glass
of brandy, "is it to be kill or cure?"
"I have not decided," replied Judith, pledging him.
"I still do not see what gain there would be in shortening his career,"
observed Chowles.
"If there would be no gain, there would be gratification," replied
Judith. "He has offended me."
"If that is the case, I have nothing further to say," returned Chowles.
"But you promised the piper's daughter to save him."
"We shall see what she offers," rejoined Judith; "all will depend upon
that."
"It is extraordinary," observed Chowles, after a pause, "that while all
around us are sick or dying of the pestilence, we should escape
contagion."
"We are not afraid of it," replied Judith. "Besides, we are part of the
plague ourselves. But I _have_ been attacked, and am, therefore, safe."
"True," replied Chowles; "I had forgotten that. Well, if I fall ill, you
Sha'n't nurse me."
"You won't be able to help yourself then," returned Judith.
"Eh!" exclaimed Chowles, shifting uneasily on his seat.
"Don't be afraid," returned Judith, laughing at his alarm. "I'll take
every care of you. We are necessary to each other."
"So we are," replied Chowles; "so we are; and if nothing else could,
that consideration would make us true to each other."
"Of course," assented Judith. "Let us reap as rich a harvest as we can,
and when the scourge is over, we can enjoy ourselves upon the spoils."
"Exactly so," replied Chowles. "My business is daily-hourly on the
increase. My men are incessantly employed, and my only fear is that an
order will be issued to bury the dead without coffins."
"Not unlikely," replied Mrs. Malmayns. "But there are plenty of ways of
getting money in a season like this. If one fails, we must resort to
another. I shall make all I can, and in the shortest manner."
"Right!" cried Chowles, with, an atrocious laugh. "Right! ha! ha!"
"I have found out a means of propagating the distemper," pursued Judith,
in a low tone, and with a mysterious air, "of inoculating whomsoever I
please with the plague-venom. I have tried the experiment on Mr.
Quatremain and that youth, and you see how well it has answered in both
instances."
"I do," replied Chowles, looking askance at her. "But why destroy the
poor minor canon?"
"Because I want to get hold of the treasure discovered by the help of
the Mosaical rods in Saint Faith's, which by right belonged to my
husband, and which is now in Mr. Quatremain's possession," replied
Judith.
"I understand," nodded Chowles.
While they were thus conversing, Nizza Macascree again returned, and
informed them that she could not find her father. "He has left the
cathedral," she said, "and will not, probably, return till nightfall."
"I am sorry for it, on your account," observed Judith, coldly.
"Why, you will not have the cruelty to neglect the poor young man till
then--you will take proper precautions?" exclaimed Nizza.
"Why should I exert myself for one about whose recovery I am
indifferent?" said Judith.
"Why?" exclaimed Nizza. "But it is in vain to argue with you. I must
appeal to your avarice, since you are deaf to the pleadings of humanity.
I have just bethought me that I have an old gold coin, which was given
me years ago by my father. He told me it had been my mother's, and
charged me not to part with it. I never should have done so, except in
an emergency like the present."
As she spoke, she drew from her bosom a broad gold piece. A hole was
bored through it, and it was suspended from her neck by a chain of
twisted hair.
"Let me look at it," said Judith taking the coin. "Who gave you this?"
she asked, in an altered tone.
"My father?" replied Nizza; "I have just told you so. It was my
mother's."
"Impossible!" exclaimed Judith!
"Have you ever seen it before?" inquired Nizza, astonished at the change
in the nurse's manner.
"I have," replied Judith, "and in very different hands."
"You surprise me," cried Nizza. "Explain yourself, I beseech you."
"Not now--not now," cried Judith, hastily returning the coin. "And this
is to be mine in case I cure the youth?"
"I have said so," replied Nizza.
"Then make yourself easy," rejoined Judith; "he shall be well again in
less than two days."
With this, she set a pan on the fire, and began to prepare a poultice,
the materials for which she took from a small oaken chest in one corner
of the vault. Nizza looked on anxiously, and while they were thus
employed, a knock was heard at the door, and Chowles opening it, found
the piper and one of the vergers.
"Ah! is it you, father?" cried Nizza, rushing to him.
"I am glad I have found you," returned the piper, "for I began to fear
some misfortune must have befallen you. Missing you in the morning, I
traversed the cathedral in search of you with Bell, well knowing, if you
were in the crowd, she would speedily discover you."
His daughter then hastily recounted what had happened. When the piper
heard that she had promised the piece of gold to the plague-nurse, a
cloud came over his open countenance.
"You must never part with it," he said--"never. It is an amulet, and if
you lose it, or give it away, your good luck will go with it."
"Judith Malmayns says she has seen it before," rejoined Nizza.
"No such thing," cried the piper hastily, "she knows nothing about it.
But come with me. You must not stay here longer."
"But, father--dear father!--I want a small sum to pay the nurse for
attending this poor young man," cried Nizza.
"I have no money," replied the piper; "and if I had, I should not throw
it away in so silly a manner. Come along; I shall begin think you are in
love with the youth."
"Then you will not be far wide of the mark," observed Judith, coarsely.
The piper uttered an angry exclamation, and taking his daughter's hand,
dragged her out of the vault.
"You will not get your fee," laughed Chowles, as they were left alone.
"So it appears," replied Judith, taking the pan from the fire; "there is
no use in wasting a poultice."
Shortly after this, the door of the vault again opened, and Parravicin
looked in. He held a handkerchief sprinkled with vinegar to his face,
and had evidently, from the manner in which he spoke, some antidote
against the plague in his mouth.
"Nizza Macascree has been here, has she not?" he asked.
"She has just left with her father," replied Judith.
Parravicin beckoned her to follow him, and led the way to the north
aisle of Saint Faith's.
"Is the apprentice likely to recover?" he asked.
"Humph!" exclaimed Judith; "that depends upon circumstances. Nizza
Macascree offered me a large reward to cure him."
"Is he any connexion of hers?" asked the knight, sharply.
"None whatever," returned Judith, with a significant smile. "But he may
possibly be so."
"I thought as much," muttered the knight.
"He never _shall_ recover," said Judith, halting, and speaking in a low
tone, "if you make it worth my while."
"You read my wishes," replied Parravicin, in a sombre tone. "Take this
purse, and free me from him."
"He will never more cross your path," replied Judith, eagerly grasping
the reward.
"Enough!" exclaimed Parravicin. "What has passed between us must be
secret."
"As the grave which shall soon close over the victim," she rejoined.
Parravicin shuddered, and hurried away, while Judith returned at a slow
pace, and chinking the purse as she went to the vault.
She had scarcely passed through the door, when Nizza Macascree appeared
from behind one of the massive pillars. "This dreadful crime must be
prevented," she cried--"but how? If I run to give the alarm, it may be
executed, and no one will believe me. I will try to prevent it myself."
Crossing the channel, she was about to enter the vault, when Chowles
stepped forth. She shrank backwards, and allowed him to pass, and then
trying the door, found it unfastened.
IX. HOW LEONARD WAS CURED OF THE PLAGUE.
Nizza Macascree found Judith leaning over her intended victim, and
examining the plague-spot on his breast. The nurse was so occupied by
her task that she did not hear the door open, and it was not until the
piper's daughter was close beside her, that she was aware of her
presence. Hastily drawing the blankets over the apprentice, she then
turned, and regarded Nizza with a half-fearful, half-menacing look.
"What brings you here again?" she inquired, sharply.
"Ask your own heart, and it will tell you," rejoined Nizza, boldly. "I
am come to preserve the life of this poor youth."
"If you think you can nurse him better than I can, you can take my place
and welcome," returned Judith, affecting not to understand her; "I have
plenty of other business to attend to, and should be glad to be released
from the trouble."
"Can she already have effected her fell purpose?" thought Nizza, gazing
at the apprentice, whose perturbed features proclaimed that his slumber
procured him no rest from suffering. "No--no--she has not had time. I
accept your offer," she added, aloud.
"But what will your father say to this arrangement?" asked Judith.
"When he knows my motive, he will not blame me," answered Nizza. "Here I
take my place," she continued, seating herself, "and will not quit it
till he is out of danger."
"Your love for this youth borders upon insanity," cried Judith, angrily.
"You shall not destroy yourself thus."
"Neither shall you destroy him," retorted Nizza. "It is to prevent the
commission of the crime you meditate, and for which you have been
_paid_, that I am determined to remain with him."
As she said this, a singular and frightful change took place in the
nurse's appearance. A slight expression of alarm was at first visible,
but it was instantly succeeded by a look so savage and vindictive, that
Nizza almost repented having provoked the ire of so unscrupulous a
person. But summoning up all her resolution, she returned Judith's
glance with one as stern and steady, if not so malignant as her own. A
deep silence prevailed for a few minutes, during which each fancied she
could read the other's thoughts. In Nizza's opinion, the nurse was
revolving some desperate expedient, and she kept on her guard, lest an
attack should be made upon her life. And some such design did, in
reality, cross Judith; but abandoning it as soon as formed, she resolved
to have recourse to more secret, but not less certain measures.
"Well," she said, breaking silence, "since you are determined to have
your own way, and catch the plague, and most likely perish from it, I
shall not try to hinder you. Do what you please, and see what will come
of it."
And she made as if about to depart; but finding Nizza did not attempt to
stop her, she halted.
"I cannot leave you thus," she continued; "if you _will_ remain, take
this ointment," producing a small jar, "and rub the plague-spot with it.
It is a sovereign remedy, and will certainly effect a cure."
"I will not touch it," returned Nizza.