Gazing wistfully at his daughter, and scarcely able to tear himself away, Thirlby yielded at last to the doctor’s advice, and quitted the room.  He was followed by Leonard, who received a hint to the same effect.  On reaching the adjoining room, they found Sir Paul Parravicin walking to and fro in an agitated manner.  He immediately came up to Thirlby, and, in an anxious but deferential tone, inquired how he had found Nizza?  The latter shook his head, and, sternly declining any further conversation, passed on with the apprentice to an outer room.  He then flung himself into a chair, and appeared lost in deep and bitter reflection.  Leonard was unwilling to disturb him; but at last his own anxieties compelled him to break silence.

“Can you tell me aught of Amabel?” he asked.

“Alas! no,” replied Thirlby, rousing himself.  “I have had no time to inquire about her, as you shall hear.  After leaving you on the bridge, I went into Southwark, and hurrying through all the principal streets, inquired from every watchman I met whether he had seen any person answering to Doctor Hodges’s description, but could hear nothing of him.  At last I gave up the quest, and, retracing my steps, was proceeding along Cannon-street, when I descried a person a little in advance of me, whom I thought must be the doctor, and, calling out to him, found I was not mistaken.  I had just reached him, when two other persons turned the corner of Nicholas-lane.  On seeing us, one of them ran up to the doctor, exclaiming, ‘By Heaven, the very person I want!’ It was Sir Paul Parravicin; and he instantly explained his errand.  Imagine the feelings with which I heard his account of the illness of my daughter.  Imagine, also, the horror I must have experienced in recognising in her persecutor my—­”

The sentence was not completed, for at that moment the door was opened by Sir Paul Parravicin, who, advancing towards Thirlby, begged, in the same deferential tone as before, to have a few words with him.

“I might well refuse you,” replied Thirlby, sternly, “but it is necessary we should have some explanation of what has occurred.”

“It is,” rejoined Parravicin, “and, therefore, I have sought you.”  Thirlby arose, and accompanied the knight into the outer room, closing the door after him.  More than a quarter of an hour—­it seemed an age to Leonard—­elapsed, and still no one came.  Listening intently, he heard voices in the next room.  They were loud and angry, as if in quarrel.  Then all was quiet, and at last Thirlby reappeared, and took his seat beside him.

“Have you seen Doctor Hodges?” inquired the apprentice, eagerly.

“I have,” replied Thirlby—­“and he speaks favourably of my poor child.  He has administered all needful remedies, but as it is necessary to watch their effect, he will remain with her some time longer.”

“And, meanwhile, I shall know nothing of Amabel,” cried Leonard, in a tone of bitter disappointment.