The grocer, who had not quitted his post, remained a silent and sorrowful spectator of the scene.  Despite his anxiety, he could not help moralizing upon it, and it furnished him with abundant food for reflection.  As to Rochester and his companions, they mingled with the crowd—­though the earl kept a wary eye on the door—­chatted with the prettiest damsels—­listened to the newsmongers, and broke their fast at the stall of a vendor of provisions, who supplied them with tolerable viands, and a bottle of excellent Rhenish.  Blaize was soon drawn away by one of the quacks, and, in spite of his master’s angry looks, he could not help purchasing one of the infallible antidotes offered for sale by the charlatan.  Parravicin had no sooner finished his business with the usurer than he strolled along the nave, and was equally surprised and delighted at meeting with his friends, who briefly explained to him why they were there.

“And how do you expect the adventure to terminate?” asked Parravicin, laughing heartily at the recital.

“Heaven knows,” replied the earl.  “But what are you doing here?”

“I came partly to replenish my purse, for I have had a run of ill luck of late,” replied the knight; “and partly to see a most beautiful creature, whom I accidentally discovered here yesterday.”

“A new beauty!” cried Rochester.  “Who is she?”

“Before I tell you, you must engage not to interfere with me,” replied Parravicin.  “I have marked her for my own.”

“Agreed,” replied Rochester.  “Now, her name?”

“She is the daughter of a blind piper, who haunts the cathedral,” replied Parravicin, “and her name is Nizza Macascree.  Is it not charming?  But you shall see her.”

“We must not go too far from the door of Saint Faith’s,” rejoined Rochester.  “Can you not contrive to bring her hither?”

“That is more easily said than done,” replied Parravicin.  “She is as coy as the grocer’s daughter.  However, I will try to oblige you.”

With this, he quitted his companions, and returning shortly afterwards, said, “My mistress has likewise disappeared.  I found the old piper seated at the entrance of Bishop Kempe’s chapel, attended by his dog—­but he missed his daughter when he awoke in the morning, and is in great trouble about her.”

“Strange!” cried Etherege; “I begin to think the place is enchanted.”

“It would seem so, indeed,” replied Rochester.

While they were thus conversing, Pillichody, who was leaning against a 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.