“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.