“That is all I ask,” cried Leonard, dropping on his knee before her, and pressing his lips to her hand.

“Nothing would make me happier than to see you united, my children,” said Mrs. Bloundel, bending affectionately over them.

“And I would do anything to make you happy, dear mother,” replied Amabel, gently withdrawing her hand, from that of the apprentice.

“Before I leave you,” said Leonard, rising, “I must give you this note.  I found it lying before your chamber door as I passed this morning.  How it came there I know not, but I can give a shrewd guess as to the writer.  I ought to tell you, that but for what has just occurred, I should not have delivered it to you.”

“It is from Wyvil—­I mean Rochester,” said Amabel, taking the note with a trembling hand.

“Let me see it, child,” cried Mrs. Bloundel, snatching it from her, and breaking the seal.  “Insolent!” she exclaimed, as she cast her eyes over it.  “I can scarcely contain my indignation.  But let him cross my path again, and he shall find whether I cannot resent such shameful usage.”

“What does he say, dear mother ?” asked Amabel.

“You shall hear,” replied Mrs. Bloundel, “though I blush to repeat his words:  ’Amabel, you are mine.  No one shall keep you from me.  Love like mine will triumph over all obstacles!’—­Love like his, forsooth!” she remarked; “let him keep such stuff as that for Mistress Mallet, or his other mistresses.  But I will go on:  ’I may be foiled ninety-nine times, but the hundredth will succeed.  We shall soon meet again. 
  ‘MAURICE WYVIL.’”

“Never!” cried Amabel.  “We will never meet again.  If he holds me thus cheaply, I will let him see that he is mistaken.  Leonard Holt, I have told you the exact state of my feelings.  I do not love you now, but I regard you as a true friend, and love may come hereafter.  If in a month’s time you claim my hand; if my father consents to our union, for you are aware that my mother will not oppose it—­I am yours.”

Leonard attempted to speak, but his voice was choked with emotion, and the tears started to his eyes.

“Farewell,” said Amabel.  “Do not let us meet till the appointed time.  Rest assured, I will think of you as you deserve.”

“We could not meet till that time, even if you desired it,” said Leonard, “for your father has forbidden any of the household, except old Josyna, to approach you till all fear of contagion is at an end, and I am now transgressing his commands.  But your mother, I am sure, will acquit me of intentional disobedience.”

“I do,” replied Mrs. Bloundel; “it was the doctor who forced you into the room.  But I am heartily glad he did so.”

“Farewell, Amabel,” said Leonard.  “Though I shall not see you, I will watch carefully over you.”  And gazing at her with unutterable affection, he quitted the chamber.

“You must now choose between the heartless and depraved nobleman, who would desert you as soon as won,” observed Mrs. Bloundel, “and the honest apprentice, whose life would be devoted to your happiness.”