As they reached the open fields and slackened their pace, Leonard deemed it prudent to prepare his companion for her interview with her father by mentioning the circumstance of the packet, and the important secret which he had stated he had to disclose to her.

“I cannot tell what the secret can relate to, unless it is to my mother,” rejoined Nizza.  “She died, I believe, when I was an infant.  At all events, I never remember seeing her, and I have remarked that my father is averse to talking about her.  But I will now question him.  I have reason to think this piece of gold,” and she produced the amulet, “is in some way or other connected with the mystery.”

And she then explained to Leonard all that had occurred in the vault when the coin had been shown to Judith Malmayns, describing the nurse’s singular look and her father’s subsequent anger.

By this time, they had entered a narrow footpath leading across the fields in the direction of a little nest of cottages, and pursuing it, they came to a garden-gate.  Opening it, they beheld the piper seated beneath a little porch covered with eglantine and roses.  He was playing a few notes on his pipe, but stopped on hearing their approach.  Bell, who had been put to the ground by Nizza, ran barking gleefully towards him.  Uttering a joyful exclamation, the piper stretched out his arms, and the next moment enfolded his daughter in a strict embrace.  Leonard remained at the gate till the first transports of their meeting were over, and then advanced slowly towards them.

“Whose footsteps are those?” inquired the piper.

Nizza explained.

“Ah, is it Leonard Holt?” exclaimed the piper, extending his hand to the apprentice.  “You are heartily welcome,” he added; “and I am glad to find you with Nizza.  It is no secret to me that she likes you.  She has been an excellent daughter, and will make an excellent wife.  He who weds her will obtain a greater treasure than he expects.”

“Not than he expects,” said Leonard.

“Ay, than he expects,” reiterated the piper.  “You will one day find out that I speak the truth.”

Leonard looked at Nizza, who was blushing deeply at her father’s remark.  She understood him.

“Father,” she said, “I understand you have a secret of importance to disclose to me.  I am about to make a long journey to-morrow, and may not return for some time.  At this uncertain season, when those who part know not that they shall meet again, nothing of this sort ought to be withheld.”

“You cannot know it while I live,” replied the piper, “but I will take such precautions that, if anything happens to me, it shall be certainly revealed to you.”

“I am satisfied,” she rejoined, “and will only ask you one farther question, and I beseech you to answer it.  Does this amulet refer to the secret?”

“It does,” replied her father, sullenly; “and now let the subject be dropped.”