“I should greatly prefer it,” rejoined Leonard, “and so I am sure would Amabel.  But where is such a person to be found?”

“I will go with you, if you desire it,” replied Nizza, “and will watch over her, and tend her as a sister.”

“Are you equal to the journey?” inquired Leonard, somewhat doubtfully.

“Fully,” replied Nizza.  “I am entirely recovered, and able to undergo far more fatigues than an invalid like Amabel.”

“It will relieve me from a world of anxiety if this can be accomplished,” rejoined Leonard.  “I will consult Doctor Hodges on the subject on his return.”

“What do you desire to consult me about?” cried the physician, who had entered the room unobserved at this juncture.

The apprentice stated Nizza’s proposal to him.

“I entirely approve of the plan,” observed the doctor; “it will obviate many difficulties.  I have just received a message from Mr. Bloundel, by Dallison, the porter, to say he intends sending Blaize with you.  I will therefore provide pillions for the horses, so that the whole party can be accommodated.”

He then sat down and wrote out minute instructions for Amabel’s treatment, and delivering the paper to Leonard, desired him to give it to the housekeeper at Ashdown Park.

“Heaven only knows what the result of all this may be!” he exclaimed.  “But nothing must be neglected.”

Leonard promised that his advice should be scrupulously attended to; and the discourse then turning to Nizza’s father, she expressed the utmost anxiety to see him before she set out.

Hodges readily assented.  “Your father has been discharged as cured from the pest-house,” he said, “and is lodged at a cottage, kept by my old nurse, Dame Lucas, just without the walls, near Moorgate.  I will send for him.”

“On no account,” replied Nizza.  “I will go to him myself.”

“As you please,” returned Hodges.  “Leonard shall accompany you.  You will easily find the cottage.  It is about two hundred yards beyond the gate, on the right, near the old doghouses.”

“I know the spot perfectly,” rejoined Leonard.

“I would recommend you to put on a mask,” observed the doctor to Nizza; “it may protect you from molestation.  I will find you one below.”

Leading the way to a lower room, he opened a drawer, and, producing a small loo mask, gave it her.  The youthful pair then quitted the house, Nizza taking Bell under her arm, as she intended leaving her with her father.  The necessity of the doctor’s caution was speedily manifested, for as they crossed Saint Paul’s churchyard they encountered Pillichody, who, glancing inquisitively at Nizza, seemed disposed to push his inquiries further by attempting to take off her mask; but the fierce look of the apprentice, who grasped his staff in a menacing manner, induced him to abandon his purpose.  He, however, followed them along Cheapside, and would have continued the pursuit along the Old Jewry, if Leonard had not come to a halt, and awaited his approach.  He then took to his heels, and did not again make his appearance.