“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.”