“You appear greatly interested in her,” observed Nizza, pausing, in her narration.  “Do you love her?”

“Can you ask it?” cried Leonard, passionately.

“I would advise you to think no more of her, and to fix your heart elsewhere,” returned Nizza.

“You know not what it is to love,” replied the apprentice, “or you would not offer such a counsel.”

“Perhaps not,” replied Nizza; “but I am sorry you have bestowed your heart upon one who so little appreciates the boon.”

And, feeling she had said too much, she blushed deeply, and cast down her eyes.

Unconscious of her confusion, and entirely engrossed by the thought of his mistress, Leonard urged her to proceed.

“Tell me what has become of Amabel—­where I shall find her?” he cried.

“You will find her soon enough,” replied Nizza.  “She has not left the cathedral.  But hear me to an end.  On learning you were made a prisoner, I ran to the door leading to the tower, but found that Judith had locked it, and removed the key.  Not daring to give the alarm—­for I had gathered from what was said that the three vergers were in the earl’s pay—­I determined to await a favourable opportunity to release you.  Accordingly I returned to the vestry door, and again played the eaves-dropper.  By this time, another person, who was addressed as Major Pillichody, and who, it appeared, had been employed in the abduction, had joined the party.  He informed the earl that Mr. Bloundel was in the greatest distress at his daughter’s disappearance, and advised him to lose no time in conveying her to some secure retreat.  These tidings troubled Amabel exceedingly, and the earl endeavoured to pacify her by promising to espouse her at daybreak, and, as soon as the ceremony was over, to introduce her in the character of his countess to her parents.”

“Villain!” cried Leonard; “but go on.”

“I have little more to tell,” replied Nizza, “except that she consented to the proposal, provided she was allowed to remain till six o’clock, the hour appointed for the marriage, with Judith.”

“Bad as that alternative is, it is better than the other,” observed Leonard.  “But how did you procure the key of the winding staircase?”

“I fortunately observed where Judith had placed it,” replied Nizza, “and when she departed to the crypt near the charnel, with Amabel, I possessed myself of it.  For some time I was unable to use it, because the Earl of Rochester and Sir George Etherege kept pacing to and fro in front of the door, and their discourse convinced me that the marriage was meant to be a feigned one, for Sir George strove to dissuade his friend from the step he was about to take; but the other only laughed at his scruples.  As soon as they retired, which is not more than half an hour ago, I unlocked the door, and hurried up the winding stairs.  I searched every chamber, and began to think you were gone, or that Judith’s statement was false.  But I resolved to continue my search until I was fully satisfied on this point, and accordingly ascended to the belfry.  You are aware of the result.”