“True,” replied Leonard.  “Is your comrade a watchman, like yourself?”

“He is an old soldier, who has been lately employed to keep guard over infected houses,” replied Gregory.  “We must take care his lordship does not overreach us.”

“If he gets into the house without my knowledge, I will forgive him,” replied the apprentice.

“He won’t get into it without mine,” muttered Gregory, significantly.  “But do you not mean to warn Mistress Amabel of her danger?”

“I shall consider of it,” replied the apprentice.

At this moment Mr. Bloundel entered the shop, and Leonard, feigning to supply his companion with a small packet of grocery, desired him, in a low tone, to be punctual to his appointment, and dismissed him.  In justice to the apprentice, it must be stated that he had no wish for concealment, but was most anxious to acquaint his master with the information he had just obtained, and was only deterred from doing so by a dread of the consequences it might produce to Amabel.

The evening passed off much as usual.  The family assembled at prayer; and.  Blaize, whose shoulders still ached with the chastisement he had received, eyed the apprentice with sullen and revengeful looks.  Patience, too, was equally angry, and her indignation was evinced in a manner so droll, that at another season it would have drawn a smile from Leonard.

Supper over, Amabel left the room.  Leonard followed her, and overtook her on the landing of the stairs.

“Amabel,” he said, “I have received certain intelligence that the Earl of Rochester will make another attempt to enter the house, and carry you off to-night.”

“Oh! when will he cease from persecuting me?” she cried.

“When you cease to encourage him,” replied the apprentice, bitterly.

“I do not encourage him, Leonard,” she rejoined, “and to prove that I do not, I will act in any way you think proper tonight.”

“If I could trust you,” said Leonard, you might be of the greatest service in convincing the earl that his efforts are fruitless.”

“You may trust me,” she rejoined.

“Well, then,” returned Leonard, “when the family have retired to rest, come downstairs, and I will tell you what to do.”

Hastily promising compliance, Amabel disappeared; and Leonard ran down the stairs, at the foot of which he encountered Mrs. Bloundel.

“What is the matter?” she asked.

“Nothing—­nothing,” replied the apprentice, evasively.

“That-will not serve my turn,” she rejoined.  “Something, I am certain, troubles you, though you do not choose to confess it.  Heaven grant your anxiety is not occasioned by aught relating to that wicked Earl of Rochester!  I cannot sleep in my bed for thinking of him.  I noticed that you followed Amabel out of the room.  I hope you do not suspect anything.”

“Do not question me further, madam, I entreat,” returned the apprentice.  “Whatever I may suspect, I have taken all needful precautions.  Rest easy, and sleep soundly, if you can.  All will go well.”